ABC Family exclusive: ‘Supergirl’ Helen Slater cast in ‘The Lying Game’ pilot

Image Credit: Albert L. Ortega/PR PhotosSupergirl‘s Helen Slater (more recently seen in guest stints on the likes of Smallville, Greek, and Grey’s Anatomy) has been cast as an upper-crust mom in ABC Family’s pilot The Lying Game, EW has learned exclusively. She’ll play Kristen Mercer, the wealthy adopted mother of a teen girl named Sutton. Based on the book by Pretty Little Liars author Sara Shepard, the series revolves around Sutton and her long-lost twin, Emma, reuniting to find their birth mother — until Sutton goes mysteriously missing.

Read more:
‘Smallville’ recap: ‘Abandoned’: Teri Hatcher, as Lois’ mom, upstaged by Julian Sands, Helen Slater, and Lindsay Hartley

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Colin Firth on Playing King George VI - CBS News

(CBS)  When asked by "CBS Evening News" anchor Katie Couric if he knew much about King George VI before taking on the role of the British monarch in "The King's Speech," actor Colin Firth demurred.

"I think most of my generation are not particularly focused on the royal family unless a big moment comes along," he said.

For George VI - Prince Albert or "Bertie" to his family - that big moment came in 1936. His brother, King Edward VIII stepped down from the throne to marry a twice-divorced woman, Wallace Simpson.

As Great Britain prepared for war, Albert prepared to reign - while fighting a more personal battle: Trying to overcome a debilitating stammer.

"You see him running into this problem - it's absolutely heart breaking," said Firth. "I choked up watching him. It's very moving because it's not just the struggle. It's the courage with which he deals with the struggle. He just does it. He gets on with it. He grows through the silence, which probably seems like an eternity.

"And then something in your heart swells when you see him get beyond it, and get another three or four words out, before he hits another one."

The king's wife sought the help of speech therapist Lionel Logue, played in the film by Geoffrey Rush ("Shine").

"You look at Geoffrey Rush's character and you think, 'That's the guy we wish we all had in our lives to turn to. He won't give up,'" said Firth. "If he reaches a barrier, he will find a stealthy way around it to open this man up."

But through his work with Lionel, the king slowly finds his inner strength at a time when his nation needed him the most.

"Bertie is fascinated, maybe a bit envious of Hitler's uncanny ability to communicate," said Couric, of a scene in which the king watches newsreel footage of the German Fuhrer.

"You know, I think it's significant that he doesn't understand what Hitler is saying," said Firth. "He's aware of the menace, but he's tuning in to the brilliance of delivery, [whereas] Here I am, I can't even get two words out in front of a microphone.

"And here's this man who is using it to the most devastating effect on Earth, on a global level."

Firth described George's inner thoughts as: "How do I stand a chance? What would it be like to have that ability?"

What helped him through was an unlikely friendship that taught King George how to be heard.

"This is about two very brave men: One who has no idea that he's brave, and the therapist who decides he's going to find every means possible to reach that damaged place," said Firth.

"People knew this man was facing his demons just by speaking to them. I think there was a sense that it cost him something. They found it valiant."

For more info:
"The King's Speech" (Official Website)

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Bono and The Edge: The Making of "Spider-Man" - CBS News

It's not often that legendary musicians and artists allow cameras into their studios to document the creative process in real time. But U2's Bono and The Edge surprised us when they agreed to let "60 Minutes" correspondent Lesley Stahl and her producer Andrew Metz observe a music workshop during their preparation for opening night of the Broadway musical "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark."

Tell us what you think. Are Bono and The Edge the new Lerner and Loewe?

Watch another behind-the-scenes first for "60 Minutes:" Bono's signature rock-star massage for Lesley Stahl.

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‘Glee’ countdown: Under Gwyneth’s umbrella ella ella

Raise your hand if you were unsure as to how to react to the news that Gwyneth Paltrow was interested in joining the fun of Glee? Just me? Of course, the casting news should have been met with open arms — she’s an Academy Award-winning actress after all — yet I’ll admit I was a wee bit skeptical of how her musical experience (or what I knew her musical experience to be, namely that scene in Duets) would translate to the campy, quirky, high school show. But now that she’s impressed many with her performance at the CMA Awards — and her fun take on Cee-Lo’s “Forget You” — I think we, like the kids of New Directions, are in extremely capable hands. Excuse me while I got buy my ticket to Country Strong.

Paltrow plays Holly Holliday, a substitute for the ailing Mr. Schuester while he’s being nursed back to “health” by ex-wife Terri (please be a dream sequence, please be a dream sequence). Given Ex-Mrs. Schuester’s knack for the crazy (hello, fake pregnancy!) this seems like it could easily turn into a present-day Misery all too quickly. We gave you a preview of Paltrow tackling “Forget You” but there’s still a lot more music to look out for, including Rihanna’s “Umbrella” (with rain! Where does that fit into McKinley’s budget?)-meets-”Singin’ in the Rain.”

Ideally, “The Substitute” will continue moving forward with some of the major plot points revealed in last week’s episode. (I’ll be mindful of the spoiler-phobes, but hurry and catch up, please! It’s worth it.) We were also introduced to the Dalton Academy Warblers and their infinitely adorable star Blaine (Darren Criss), who may or may not become Kurt’s boyfriend. Would it be too soon for Kurt to tell Blaine how he’s feeling (that portrait in his locker should do the trick) or should he be content being just friends with the newbie?

What are you hoping to see tonight, Gleeks? As much Gwyneth as possible, more from Blaine, or simply, more of Mike Chang’s abs? After you watch “The Substitute,” head back here and let us know what you think. Tim Stack will have the full run down after midnight.

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Mini-’Glee’: 12 Cast Faves…as Kids!
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Darren Criss becoming a series regular on Glee will make all of our teenage dreams come true

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‘The Simpsons’: Get an exclusive first look at Martha Stewart in the Dec. 5 Christmas episode

Image Credit: FoxMartha Stewart is going Homer for the holidays: The home décor queen/media magnate plays herself on a Christmas-themed episode of The Simpsons, as you see in this exclusive first look at her animated guest spot. According to Simpsons exec producer Al Jean, Stewart appears in Marge’s dream with a special delivery of holiday cheer. “Marge is upset that the rest of the family has no Christmas spirit, so Martha comes in and, with military efficiency, completely changes things around,” he tells EW.com. “She tapes up Bart’s and Millhouse’s mouths, sticks ping-pong paddles on their backs, and makes them into wooden soldiers. She spray-paints stars on the window using Maggie as a stencil.”

And what does Martha with—or to—Homer? “He’s just sleeping on the couch with a copy of Modern Fart Denier magazine on his stomach, so she puts a cute Christmas display with a little train over him,” says Jean. “He starts to wake up, so she just chloroforms him and gives Marge the recipe for the chloroform, and Marge goes, ‘That’s a keeper!’”

Stewart had a “terrific sense of humor about herself” while recording her part, praises Jean, who quips: “She’s the fifth-richest person we’ve had on The Simpsons and the sixth-funniest.” The episode, which airs Dec. 5 on Fox, also features a live-action segment in which Katy Perry sings with puppet versions of Simpsons characters.

(Twitter : @dansnierson)

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