ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson spent 45 minutes answering questions from the critics this morning. There was only one bombshell, and her name was Katie Holmes. McPherson said she'll be singing and dancing on an episode of "Eli Stone." Not coincidentally, the showrunner is Greg Berlanti, who used to be her boss on "Dawson's Creek."
(UPDATE: Berlanti and ten of his "Eli Stone" colleagues just took the stage for their session, and Berlanti confirmed the singing and dancing, but wouldn't say much more. "I went and I begged her...she is also an attorney but she doesn't practice law in the episode...this isn't a one-or-two-scenes thing, she's in the episode [a lot]...her first day shooting was yesterday, and she's great." The episode will air Oct. 21.)
During his session, McPherson also confirmed that a recent change of showrunner on "Dirty Sexy Money" came about when he and other execs screened the second-season premiere episode: "I don't think personally it was what anybody wanted." Expect changes ahead, along with the addition of Luci Liu to the cast.
McPherson said "Grey's Anatomy" creator Shonda Rhimes will be changing spinoff "Private Practice" to be less "soapy" and re-focus on medical drama. But rumors that disgruntled "Grey's" star Katherine Heigl will be leaving the show are not true, he said, despite the "unfortunate" controversy about her Emmy comments. And Rhimes has an "unbelievable story" for her, he promises. Alas, no one asked if that storyline will involve her losing the power of speech or possibly a limb. (US Magazine says she's going to get a brain tumor.)
McPherson also confirmed that he and the "Scrubs"
team have at least informally discussed the possibility that the former
NBC hospital comedy could go on after its first season on ABC, though
perhaps with a new cast of interns. "We do think it will be more than
one season."
The most fun came at the beginning of McPherson's session. Reporter Tom Weinerman of the Sarasota Star-Herald Tribune
stood up on the far side of the room, identified himself, and bluntly asked McPherson if he's
negotiating with Jay Leno to come to ABC. Leno might be available when NBC hands the "Tonight
Show" to Conan O'Brien next year, but McPherson dodged the
question, and the reporter persisted, rather obnoxiously. Gradually we all realized that it
was actually ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. The
"reporter" then asked McPherson, "Are you at all afraid that if you do replace Jimmy Kimmel, he might do something crazy to you or your car?" McPherson said, "Yes. Actually, very afraid." At which Kimmel, "I'll be out in the parking lot" and ran from the room.
When the laughter died down, McPherson did say he'd like to talk to
Leno if he becomes available, but "I can't believe (NBC will) let that
guy go at the top of his game."
McPherson also said he's very pleased with ABC's summer hit "Wipeout," with
its contestants hopping over big red balls and falling in the mud.
"It's very similar to what I go through here today," he said with a smile.
