Kal Penn has been cast to star in a new single-camera comedy pilot for ABC.  From the writers/producers of That 70’s Show, Jackie and Jeff Filgo, Prairie Dogs revolves around a dull cubicle worker (Penn) who enlists the cool conman who stole his identity to help spice up his life.  READ MORE

You love her as Veronica, the feisty, sexy next door neighbor and best friend to those incorrigible Gallagher's on Showtime's hit dramedy Shameless. The outrageous Shanola Hampton joins Jamey Giddens and Luke Kerr on this episode of the Pop Confidential Podcast!

Tune in to hear the striking, mocha-hued, dreadlocked thespian reveal how she managed to nab the scene-stealing role of V, which is played by a white actress in the original U.K. version of Shameless. Does she think it's getting better for actresses of color in Hollyweird?

Listen as Hampton shares a laugh-out-loud story about what happened when a fan recognized her as the uninhibited Veronica, and decided to admonish her about her character's onscreen sexual antics with hubby Kev, played by Steve Howey! Speaking of Howey, you'll want to hear this funny lady talk about the first time they worked together—on the WB series Reba—and what special memento they brought to their Shameless set from the hit sitcom. How did Howey feel about having Hampton wielding gardening shears at his junk in a recent episode of Shameless? Only one way to find out, and that's to tune in!

The podcast takes a soapy twist when Hampton reveals she grew up watching General Hospital, One Life to Live, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless with her Southern grandmother. Find out which soap seductress she thinks is a much bigger ho than Hampton's Shameless character!  Hear how she reacted to Sonny and Brenda's latest love meltdown, as well as how she feels about the revolving door of Carlys on General Hospital. Learn the six degrees of soaperation between All My Children supercouple Jesse and Angie and Veronica’s mom on Shameless.

How does Hampton feel about playing essentially the moral center and voice of reason for Fiona and her wild siblings? Are she and Fiona's portrayer Emmy Rossum and the rest of the Shameless cast, as close offscreen as they are on? You'll have to download the interview to find out all of this and much more!

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As if The Big C’s shocking second season cliffhanger isn’t a good enough reason to tune in for the Showtime comedy’s second season, here is another reason. According to The Hollywood Reporter, former The West Wing star Allison Janney has signed on as a guest star in the show’s upcoming third season. Reportedly, she will portray "a successful Hollywood producer who wants to buy Cathy (Laura Linney) and Paul's (Oliver Platt) life rights to adapt their story into a feature film.”

The Big C returns April 8.

Fox’s Glee has performed tribute episodes to pop icons Britney Spears, Michael Jackson and countless others. However, Tuesday’s episode “Heart” will hold a special place in Whitney Houston fans’ memories, in the aftermath of her death.

The Valentine’s episode, which had been taped well before Houston’s passing, featured Mercedes (Amber Riley) struggling to choose between Sam (Chord Overstreet) and Shane (Lamarcus Tinker). In the end Mercedes didn't choose either man, leading her to belt out a spine-tingling “I Will Always Love You.”

Oscar and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson performed a touching “I Will Always Love You” at the 2012 Grammys, but with Amber Riley’s performance on Glee, People is asking which version fans liked better.

Watch Glee’s “I Will Always Love You” after the jump. READ MORE

Ah, that wonderful time of the year is just around the corner, Valentine's Day. Glee has released their latest clip on what viewers can expect from the gang over at McKinley High. Puck (Mark Salling) gets double the loving, with two WMH's beauties, while tone deaf Sugar (Vanessa Lengies) is caught up in a love triangle invovling fellow Gleekers Artie (Kevin McHale) and Rory (Damian McGinty). Peep the clip below! READ MORE

It looks like Liza Minnelli won’t be appearing on Hot in Cleveland, as the eccentric agent of Victoria Chase (Wendie Malick), after all. According to TV Guide, Minnelli’s doctor “has advised her to stay off her ankle until it heals more completely.” Reportedly, the show will fill the role with another actor, but Minnelli hopes to make a future appearance on the TV Land comedy. 

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