Sona Charaipotra

TV Shows Slash Scribes to Trim Budgets

Variety reported today that as part of cost-cutting measures mandated by the networks, TV shows are slashing their writing budgets, reducing once-bloated writing staffs sometimes by half (if not more). This blow comes on the heels of a Writers Guild strike that has contributed to a major change in the way the networks develop and staff shows -- the concept of "staffing season" as we knew it (or not) is quickly disappearing, along with the multi-million dollar development deals that high-level writers had grown accustomed to.

Back in the day, the average TV drama could easily have a dozen or more writers on staff. These days, the numbers have shrunk to perhaps four -- including the showrunner (top dog in the writers' room). The image above (courtesy DayLife.com) features the writers' room from the hit NBC drama Medium. Variety adds, in its report, that low-level writers who are good may be the safest these days -- it's the mid-level writers who aren't quite at the exec producer level that are the most at risk, as they're deemed expendable and expensive.

Lauren Conrad Gets Animated

The Hills Hottie Gets In the Family Way

Worried about what the Hills star Lauren Conrad will do for an encore once her fifth -- and final -- season of the MTV reality hit ends? 

Well, fans can relax -- turns out Lauren's Plan B includes a successful career in voiceover. In fact, a brief three-line cameo on Family Guy two years ago went so swimmingly that creator Seth MacFarlane asked Lauren to make a repeat performance.

So this Sunday, Lauren shows up to shatter Brian's stuff illusions about how dumb reality stars are -- turns out the animated Lauren Conrad, for one, is a genius. "I don’t know if it’s necessarily me or just the reputation of an average reality star they were going for," says Lauren. "But the idea is that, they make fun of me for being dumb. And then Brian discovers that I’m actually a genius and that it’s kind of a character I play because America likes dumb people. It’s a more exaggerated version of who I am, but it was kind of fun to play."

But Lauren admits that her animated alter-ego is a bit more a know-it-all than she is in real life. "I stuck to the script. Their writing is probably a lot better than what I would come up with," says Lauren. "[And] I did have to actually hire an acting coach just for the day to kind of get me through it because a lot of the lines later on in the episode I did are very complicated. I’m talking a lot about history and theorems and conductors and just there’s a lot of facts and a lot of big words, and I had to say it as if it was coming to me very easily, so I had to learn the lines ahead of time rather than just reading them.  So I actually had to research some of them because the acting coach I worked with told me that if I really understood what I was talking about, it would come through a little more true."  

But don't ask Lauren to recite any of the smartie pant stats she spouted on the show. "Oh, they’ve since left my head," she says, laughing. "It was like when you memorize for a test, and you kind of cram the day before, and then you just push it out and fill it with, like, US Weekly facts." 

Next up for Lauren? If she has her way, it could be a turn on Tina Fey's guest star-studded comedy. "30 Rock is my favorite," says Lauren.

Check out a clip from Lauren's episode -- which airs Sunday at 9 p.m. EST on Fox -- below.

Welcome to Mommywood

In which our heroine, Tori Spelling, balances raising two kids under two, a reality show, a clothing line and a triumphant return to her old zip code.

This week I interviewed Hollywood scion Tori Spelling for The Daily Beast the Daily Beast. Spelling -- best known as Donna Martin from Beverly Hills, 90210 -- has managed to make a solid career for herself despite making a tabloid splash three years ago when then then-married had a home-wrecking affair with equally- married TV movie costar Dean McDermott.

Despite the fallout, she and Dean wed, created a hit reality show, Tori &
Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood, that's going into it's fourth season this May and two beautiful babies under two. All of which she discussed in her NY Times-bestseller, sTori Telling, which also spilled on her feud with mom Candy Spelling, growing up as a poor-little-rich-girl in Hollywood and, of course, her Beverly Hills, 90210 buddies.

Now, Spelling is back with Mommywood, an insider's take on motherhood in Hollywood, complete with celebrity playdates, body issues and paparazzi-posing tots under two. Check out my Q&A on the Daily Beast, where the very down-to-Earth Spelling fesses up about her falling out with mom, those nasty anorexia rumors and her triumphant return to 90210.

Don't Mess With Texas

This week, you can check out a short piece I wrote about Supernatural stars Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles for American Way.

I have to admit, the whole time I was interviewing the boys, all I could think about was -- steak.

Perhaps it has something to do with Ackles own particular brand of Texas-drawl smooth-talking. “Oh, you’ve got to check out Nick and Sam’s steakhouse in Dallas,” he told me, and I could practically hear him drooling. “I get as big as a filet as I possibly can, some steak fries and maybe I’ll have some vegetables, if I have to.”

Then he went on and on about spice-rubbed barbeque and smothered steaks. It’s enough to make any girl’s tummy rumble.

But the very-taken Ackles was no match for his best buddy – and costar on the CW’s hit sci-fi drama – the newly single Jared Padalecki, who not only speaks steak, but also claims to grill up a mean rib-eye. “I can almost hear that sizzle,” he said with a sigh. “Jensen and I both love steaks. Maybe that’s the Texas in us. We make them at home, but really, there’s nothing like a big, ole Texas steak.”

As brothers Dean and Sam Winchester on the spooky smash, the costars-turned-housemates bonded over more than just those stick-to-your-ribs Texas eats. Ackles and Padalecki – both CW vets, Ackles from Smallville, Padalecki from Gilmore Girls – met on the set and quickly connected over their downhome Texas pedigree. “We’re like brothers. Hollywood is infamously dirty and a bunch of scoundrels, so you can’t take anything at face value,” said Padalecki. “Being Texas born and raised, I came up with a family is first value system. And Jensen has those same Texas roots. So right away we had a very strong bond.”

A commitment to staying grounded cemented their bromance. “We come from the same lay of the land, similar family lives, similar upbringings,” added Ackles. “Texas is its own country, you know. Things are just different there. It’s a pride thing. When I moved to L.A., I had a massive Texas flag in my apartment window for more than five years.”

That Lone Star state of mind pervades the boys’ Vancouver digs, too. “We’re both pretty low-key,” says Padalecki. “You won’t see us at the clubs jumping up and down to rave music. We’d rather hang out at home. It’s nice. I have a gym in my garage, so we’ll work out in the mornings together. It’s just a very chill vibe. We’re both huge sports fans, so we’ll watch all the Dallas Cowboys games and throw on some steaks. But there are no bachelor pad goings-on here. It’s actually pretty boring, it’s just two dudes hanging out, cooking steaks.”

And when those pangs of homesickness – and cravings for Texas BBQ – hit hard, “We don’t have to go very far,” said Ackles. “Our caterers, since the first season, knowing that both Jared and I are from Texas, have made it their mission to make the best damn Texas barbeque they can. So we don’t have to go far at all, we just head to the lunch table.”

You can check out their picks for the best eats in Texas in this week's issue of American Way.

The Good Life, Cancelled?

In these troubled times, can the Privileged life survive?

With high-profile hits like Gossip Girl and 90210, the CW sleeper Privileged takes on the role of the neglected middle child. But like that overlooked child, the show has a quiet charm and a well-honed, understated humor that draws viewers in, once they know enough to tune in. As such, the cliff-hanger-filled season finale (which featured a gay wedding) may turn out to be the series finale.

The comedy stars JoAnna Garcia (Reba, Freaks & Geeks) as Megan Smith, a Yale grad/wannabe journalist who finds herself back in her native Palm Beach as a tutor/babysitter for spoiled-but-not-soulless twin cosmetic company heiresses Rose and Sage Baker. The premise is taken from an Alloy-developed teen novel called How To Teach Filthy Rich Girls by best-selling author Zoey Dean. Upwardly-aspiring chatterbox Megan must learn to navigate the world of the richie rich while saving the twins GPAs and surviving a choppy dalliance with her handsome – if spoiled – neighbor Will. Then there’s her troubled, working class family – an alcoholic dad and a boyfriend-and-jewelry stealing sister – to contend with.

Sure, there’s a lot going on, but exec producer Rina Mimoun (Gilmore Girls, Everwood) has a deft, light touch, with ample humor cutting the melodrama. In fact, she’s gone as far as to say that in developing the show she was aiming to be the anti-Gossip Girl. Alas, it seems that her good intentions could be what keeps Privileged – this year’s best show you’re not watching – from coming back for a second season. But while its fate hangs in the balance, it’s definitely worth adding season one to your Netflix queue.

I (Still) Heart Ugly Betty

After going astray last season, Ugly Betty returns to its down-to-Earth roots

When it first debuted in 2006, ABC’s Ugly Betty quickly earned raves for its character-driven fish-out-of-water comedy and its novel emphasis on inner beauty. But last season, the show’s creators were roundly chastised for far-fetched plotlines (including the other Meade heir, Rebecca Romijn, as the trans-gendered Alexis) and tepid love triangles. The show’s soul – embodied in the not-quite-lovely (at least on the outside) title character – was drifting further and further out of focus.

Could it have been a case of the terrible twos? This season, Betty has returned to her tangled roots – literally and figuratively. The ugly is back – note a return to her effortlessly comedic wardrobe choices – but so too is Betty’s family-focus and work ethic. Although still very much the odd-girl-out, she’s grown more comfortable at Mode and is ready to take on increasing responsibility. And while she’s itching to leave the nest – even going so far as to rent a Manhattan pad of her own – domestic dramas bring her back into the family fold. But the show has also managed to maintain that signature acerbic-yet-understated wit. The viciously delicious pairing of Becki Newton and Michael Urie is particularly memorable, as is Vanessa Williams Devil Wears Prada-esque take on the sinister-yet-funny Wilhelmina Slater.

Maybe it’s that I’ve worked at a magazine or maybe it’s that I’ve been the only brown girl-sans-couture at said magazine. Whatever it is, I’ve always been able to relate to Betty’s on-the-fringe status. While she’s the outsider, she’s also the everygirl in an industry where not too many of us make it up the ladder. Her struggles ring true – and they’re very relatable, whether one works in the magazine biz or at the local Barnes & Noble. So let’s hope Betty’s return to form – and focus – remains a priority for the producers as they head into season four. And if my own experience at magazines is any indication, this year Betty’s real struggle for growth and success begins. I, for one, will be rooting for her.

Before Twilight

Vampire Diaries Scores A Fall Debut on the CW

Just last week, my writing partner, Meena, and I were chatting about how we should buy the rights to the Vampire Diaries -- a tortured teen vamp saga that thrilled readers a full decade before Twilight was born.

Growing up in the 1990s, Meena and I both loved the books, and L.J. Smith's other series, The Secret Circle, when we were in high school. And we've always meant to write something spooky and supernatural but fun, so this is an obvious fit. But Smith's books had been languishing for about a decade before Alloy Entertainment chief Les Morgenstein, whose company is home to Gossip Girls, Privileged and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, suggested original publisher HarperCollins re-release the series in the wake of Twilight's success. Naturally, the series then went on to hit the NYTimes bestseller list. Smart guy, that Les Morgenstein.

Variety announced today that Alloy sold the TV rights to the CW this week. The network greenlit the pilot, to be penned by CW vet Kevin Williamson -- who also helmed the WB hit Dawson's Creek -- for a fall debut.

The saga is a classic love triange -- except the two brothers vying for dark beauty Elena's heart just happen to be vampires. Naturally, one is good and the other is evil, and Elena is torn between the two. Does she do what's right? Or will she give in to her dark side? Tune in this fall to find out.