Rockford and Hawaii Five-O remakes get their leading men

2 upcoming TV remakes have named their leading men.

NBC's 'Rockford Files' has announced that actor Dermot Mulroney has been cast in the role of Private Eye Jim Rockford. The pilot was written by 'House' creator David Shore.

The original 'Rockford Files' was an NBC staple from 1974-1980. It won star James Garner an Emmy for his work as James Rockford, con-turned-gumshoe. The beloved series also helped launch writer-producer Stephen J. Cannell's career.

Meanwhile over at CBS, Alex O'Louglin has been cast as Detective Steve McGarrett in the network's 'Hawaii Five-O' remake. The 'Moonlight' and 'Three Rivers' star will take the lead role, which will be his third project at CBS in the past four seasons. He joins 'Lost's' Daniel Dae Kim, who will play fellow Detective Chin Ho Kelly, in the cast.

Neil Patrick Harris to appear on Glee

'How I Met Your Mother' star Neil Patrick Harris has signed a deal to guest star in an episode of this hit Fox show 'Glee.'

Details of his role and when he'll appear have not been released, but his reps have said that he will be in only one episode.

It has been rumored that the episode he will appear in will be directed by Joss Whedon, and will be during May sweeps, but that has not yet been confirmed.

Body found, may be missing actor Andrew Koenig

Vancouver Police believe that a body found earlier today is the body of missing 'Growing Pains' actor Andrew Koenig.

A press conference will be held this evening by Vancouver police, and Koenig's parents will be in attendance.

Koenig, 42, best known for playing "Boner" on 'Growing Pains,' went missing in Vancouver a week ago. He was last seen on Feb. 14 and missed his flight out of the Olympic host city two days later

His mother, Judy Levitt Koenig, said recently that she hoped the public's concern brings him home. "He is much loved and beloved in this world and I just hope he gets that feeling," she says.

Andrew's father Walter Koenig played Chekov in the 'Star Trek' TV series and films.

V will return March 30th in new time slot

When the sci-fi series 'V' returns on March 30th, it will be paired up with 'Lost' on the schedule.

'V' will begin airing the remaining episodes of its first season on March 30th at 10 pm immediately following 'Lost.'

ABC is hoping that since the shows have similar demographics, that 'Lost' will provide a good lead-in to the struggling sci-fi series.

Jeff Probst will return to Survivor

Jeff Probst announced via his Twitter page that he has signed a deal with CBS to return for 2 more editions of 'Survivor.'

"Survivor fans: I'm jazzed and wanted to share with you guys first," Probst tweeted, no doubt from a secret jungle hideaway. "I'll be back snuffing torches for two more seasons (21&22) of Survivor."

"What has kept me interested in 'Survivor' for 20 seasons is the study of human nature," Probst told EW. "How we justify our ethics, and watching what happens to people when they are put in situations of extreme conflict. Sometimes it's hard to watch, and sometimes it's enjoyable to watch, but it is always interesting to watch."

It is worth noting that Probst only re-signed for one year (two seasons) rather than the usual two-year, four-season agreements he has signed in the past. Still, if nothing else, the arrangement gives the network more time to plan for the previously unthinkable: 'Survivor" without Jeff Probst. Not that the host is worried about that either.

"I have always said that my belief is that the star of 'Survivor' is 'Survivor,'" he told Entertainment Weekly. "It is the format. So yes, if there came a point where I decided I was leaving 'Survivor,' I absolutely believe someone else could take over."

Super Bowl becomes most watched TV event in history

The Super Bowl was watched by more than 106 million people, surpassing the 1983 finale of 'M-A-S-H' to become the most-watched program in television history.

The Nielsen Co. estimated today that 106.5 million people watched the New Orleans Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts. That beats the 'M-A-S-H' finale, which had 105.97 million viewers in an era when there were fewer television sets and the US population was about 75 million less than it was now.

The weather played a big part in this record. 56% of all homes in Washington DC were watching the game while they were housebound in the midst of a blizzard. Only New Orleans itself had a higher viewership at 56.6%. Indianapolis was 3rd with 54%.

The snowstorm prevented Super Bowl parties in the affected areas, which enhanced the number of sets tuned to game.

Last years game between the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers drew 98.7 million viewers.

'American Idol' producers want Howard Stern to replace Simon

The NY Post is reporting today that 'American Idol' producers have said that legendary radio personality Howard Stern is their top choice to replace Simon Cowell.

“I was approached by a major TV network to take over a TV show and leave here and do that next year — and I did turn it down,” Stern said recently.

The Post is apparently pretty certain that the TV show in question was ‘Idol,’ which will have a vacancy at the judges’ table once Cowell leaves to work on the American version of his singing competition ‘The X Factor,’ which will debut on Fox in fall 2011.

“American Idol is one of the few shows that could compete with Stern’s $100 million-a-year Sirius contract, and ‘Idol’ bosses think he’d be even nastier than Simon,” one source told the Post. “They know he would be great TV and would clash with the other judges such as Ellen DeGeneres and the contestants. ‘Idol’ will do what it takes to sign him.”

However, there are insiders that believe that this could be just a negotiating ploy on Stern's part since his Sirius contract runs out at the end of 2010.

With the show's ratings on the decline one thing is for sure, love Howard or hate him, he will get people to watch, and that's what it's all about.

Personally I love this idea. This would breathe some real life into a show that is becoming stale with each passing season.

What do you think?

'Castle' getting Sunday night audience

ABC is giving 'Castle' the benefit of a Sunday night audience and the powerhouse lead-in of 'Desperate Housewives' on March 21.

Instead of being paired with the reality show 'The Bachelor,' the detective drama will get a lead-in from a successful fellow scripted drama. The move tests 'Castle' in the 'Brothers & Sisters' slot and should help the show pick up some additional sampling. 'Castle' struggled with modest numbers last year but has recently surged in the ratings.

The March 21st episode will also be the first part of a 2 part episode, the night after, 'Castle' will air in its regular time period with the conclusion of the 2 part episode.

Dana Delany will guest star in the episodes as Federal Agent Jordan Shaw, "an insightful and accomplished federal investigator who teams with Richard Castle and Detective Beckett to hunt down a cunning and elusive serial killer," ABC said in a release.

HBO Renews 'Big Love'

With ratings up from last season, HBO has decided to give an early renewal to 'Big Love.'

Despite facing the NFC Championship and the Grammys the past two Sundays, the modestly rated series is tracking 13% higher than last season.

HBO has picked up 10 episodes for Season 5 (as opposed to Season 4's nine episodes), with a premiere date set for sometime next winter.

The show's awards profile is also on the rise. 'Big Love' was nominated for an Emmy for best drama series last year and took home its first Golden Globe award in January — for best supporting actress winner Chloe Sevigny.

'Lost' Final Season premieres to higher ratings

The final season of 'Lost' grew in ratings over last years season premiere by 12%.

The show premiered last night with very strong numbers. Last night's two-hour debut was seen by 12.1 million viewers and generated a 5.6 preliminary rating among adults 18-49.

It seems the big-event buzz surrounding the show's final season, combined with ABC's marketing efforts, has paid off. Even the 'Lost' clip show special surprised, pulling 9.9 million viewers and a 4.1 rating.

'Lost' easily beat NBC's 'The Biggest Loser' (9.5 million, 3.7), which had a last-minute time period change that moved the reality show directly against the ABC drama.