Mark Cant/FOXMariah Carey! Britney Spears! Demi Lovato!
No, this isn't a music-related post. We're talking TV here, people! These three ladies dominated headlines this week during the 2012 summer press tour, thanks to Carey's new gig as an American Idol judge and new X Factor footage of a "feisty" Spears and "spitfire" Lovato getting their critique on! Though it wasn't all reality news during the Fox and NBC press days, as Community's showrunner switch up was addressed and Glee added two new regulars.
So let's recap all of the TV news to come out of press tour so far, breaking it down by network, shall we?
Fox
The biggest news to come out of Fox's press day had to be Mariah Carey officially signing on as a judge for American Idol's twelfth season. The superstar called in, via Fox president Kevin Reilly's cell phone, to say, "I am so excited to be joining Idol. I wish I could have been there myself to tell you. It all kind of just happened real quickly. I can't wait to get started in a couple months!" Soon after, former judge Jennifer Lopez offered up some advice to Carey and host Ryan Seacrest welcomed the star with open arms. (P.S. Country superstar Brad Paisley is being courted by show's producers to join Carey at the judges' table!)
Meanwhile, X Factor's Simon Cowell was less than confident in Carey's judging abilities, saying, ""I think [Mariah] is going to find it difficult to say no." In other X Factor news, Reilly said viewers can expect Spears to be "feisty" and called Lovato a "spitfire" who isn't afraid to spar with Cowell.
Glee has added two new series regulars for the upcoming fourth season. Jacob Artist is set to take on the role of Puck's (Mark Salling) bad boy half-brother who auditions for New Directions while Dean Geyer will play a NYADA hotshot who takes an immediate interest in Rachel (Lea Michele). While Finn's (Cory Monteith) away, will Rachel play? We chatted with Lea and Matthew Morrison about Finchel's future, as well as Chris Colfer and Darren Criss about the way Glee treats same-sex couples.
We spoke with Joshua Jackson and Anna Torv about Fringe's fifth and final season and if a happy ending is even possible for Peter and Olivia. And Josh may or may not reveal to us that a "Quack-Con" could be in his future. Get excited, Mighty Ducks fans! Plus, production on the show has been delayed for two weeks due to star John Noble's sleep disorder. Get well soon, Walter!
Friday Night Lights star Zach Gilford talked to us about his new drama The Mob Doctor, in which he plays a doctor who is not in the mob, and his real-life wedding plans. Yes, we talked about where FNL's Matt and Julie (Aimee Teegarden) are now and it was glorious. Oh, and did you know people mistake him for Dawson James Van Der Beek a lot?
In case you missed it, we exclusively revealed that Book of Mormon and 1600 Penn star Josh Gad will guest star on the season premiere of New Girl as a beer delivery guy named Bearclaw who takes an interest in Zooey Deschanel's Jess.
NBC
While the peacock network broke less news than Fox, NBC did address a few controversial moves, like the firing of Community showrunner Dan Harmon. NBC boss Bob Greenblatt explained, "Every so often it's time to make a change with a showrunner, and you evaluate the creative and how the show is run and how the writing staff works, and sometimes you want to freshen the show and we decided it was time to do that on Community. No disrespect to anyone." He also assured fans that he would love to see the comedy continue beyond this season.
Jennifer Salke, NBC Entertainment president, added, "The new showrunner [Josh Safran] came in and pitched the storyline for the new season, and it was so specific and you were on the edge of your seat, and it really felt like there's a plan in place. And things are coming together that feel more consistent."
(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Speaking of controversy, The New Normal creator Ryan Murphy spoke out on One Million Moms' boycott of the show, which centers on a gay couple trying to have a baby via surrogate. "Every person and group has a right to protest something," he said. "I find it to be interesting that they would take a position before they've seen it." He also revealed the group's views will be expressed on the show through Ellen Barkin's character.
The network announced they have picked up ten episodes of Dracula starring The Tudors' Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the titular character created by Bram Stoker. Taking place in 1896, the series will follow Dracula posing as an American entrepreneur in London, pretending he wants to bring modern science to society. His real intention, however, is to avenge the people who wronged him centuries ago, but his mission is complicated by a woman who appears to be a reincarnation of his dead wife.
The Voice will welcome Rob Thomas as a mentor in season three, who will help guide coach Cee Lo Green's contestants. Viewers can also expect to see more of the infamous red chairs and buttons when the show returns on Sept. 10.
PBS Downton Abbey
Prepare for lots o' awesome, Downton fans, as we've got all the scoop on the highly-anticipated third season, including a thorough breakdown of all-new footage, scoop on Shirley MacLaine's role and what's ahead for fan favorite couples, like Matthew (Dan Stevens) and Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Lady Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay) and Branson (Allen Leech). (Hint: drama!)
It was also officially announced that season three will premiere Jan. 6, 2013, on PBS. Can you stand the wait?