Lena Dunham will host the March 8 edition of the series, with indie rock band The National slated as musical guests.JESSICA MIGLIO/The Associated Press
HOT HOST
Live from New York, it's Lena Dunham! The Girls creator and star will host Saturday Night Live for the first time in her career. NBC has announced that the 27-year-old Dunham will host the March 8 edition of the venerable sketch-comedy series, with indie rock band The National slated as musical guests. Shortly after the announcement, Dunham tweeted, "Thank you for the SNL love. Dream come true. Can't wait to debut my character 'girl who googled serial killers all night & has lots to say!'"
Source: E!
CHANDLER REDUX
Could Matthew Perry be more ready to dive back into prime-time television? The former Friends mainstay has signed to star in the upcoming remake of The Odd Couple, which recently received a pilot order from CBS. Perry will co-write, co-executive produce and star in the new version of the Neil Simon play, which has previously been turned into a successful movie and TV series. The 44-year-old actor will assume the role of dishevelled sports writer Oscar Madison in the reboot. So far no casting decision has been made as to who will play Oscar's fastidious roomie Felix Unger.
Source: Zap2it
FAST START
Seth Meyers is off to a healthy ratings start in the late-night TV landscape. According to the Nielsen ratings company, Monday's premiere of Late Night with Seth Meyers drew an average of 3.42-million U.S. viewers. Meyers inherited the Late Night franchise from Jimmy Fallon, who in turn graduated to his current job helming The Tonight Show. Fallon's sendoff episode of Late Night earlier this month garnered 6.6-million U.S. viewers.
Source: Los Angeles Times
DANCING DAYS
The rumours came true: Former ESPN sports reporter Erin Andrews is the new co-host of ABC's Dancing with the Stars. Andrews replaces Brooke Burke-Charvet on the reality dancing competition and will lend on-air support to primary host Tom Bergeron for the show's upcoming 18th season. And if the name Erin Andrews sounds familiar to regular DWTS viewers, it's because she was a celebrity hoofer on season 10 of the series, competing with pro partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy. "I'm just excited to be coming home," Andrews told People magazine.
Source: People
BUTTERING UP
Paula Deen is on the comeback trail to restore her name in the culinary world. The celebrity chef had her multimillion dollar food empire and reputation tainted by her admission in a 2013 deposition that she had used a racial epithet several years ago. Formerly known in foodie circles as the "Queen of Butter," Deen lost her TV contract with the U.S. Food Network along with most of her endorsement deals last year. "When I woke up each morning, it was like my world was crashing down again," said Deen in a People magazine interview. Deen recently signed a deal to resurrect her business with a new company funded by a private investment firm. "I'm fighting to get my name back," she said.
Source: People