In TV News: James Spader to Join Cast of ‘The Office’

It seems as if James Spader will officially replace Steve Carell as the boss on the hit TV show “The Office.” We have no real beef with this idea, since we thought Spader was great in “Boston Legal” and liked him in the film “Secretary.”

Details:

NBC is set to announce the hire, adding a new well-known actor to the ensemble series that saw the departure of its biggest star, Steve Carell, this season, and will also say goodbye to recurring performer Kathy Bates as well. Bates played the company’s CEO last season, though Spader’s character is expected to have a greater presence on the show.

There’s a narrative going around that “The Office” isn’t “as funny as it used to be.” Well, this shakeup should only help in the show’s search to once again find its sweet spot.

Video of the Spader and Dwight Schrute moment after the jump.

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Comedy Central to Roast Charlie Sheen

Losing!

It appears that Comedy Central wants to cash-in on the fleeting Charlie Sheen craze by roasting him. Great idea. By time this airs, sometime in late-September, Sheen will either have OD’d or will be an afterthought. I imagine it will be the latter, yet won’t bet against the former.

This idea seems cute and all, but it’s really just an opportunity for some comics toss around “duh, winning” like Sheen tosses around once-sexually-abused girlfriends! We’re over here now! If you need us, we’ll be hiding in Lisa Lampanelli’s vagina (pause for ‘ooohhh’). All kidding aside, Charlie, you’re a great guy. We wish you the best of luck (allow for audience applause followed by bro hug).

Great roast moments, after the jump!

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Best TV Dads Through The Decades [Video]

This weekend is Father’s Day, so we’re posting our Pop’s Day Post of… the day. This was an easy one. Our bros over at BroBible put together a video with the best TV dads through the decades. It’s pretty comprehensive.

We also want to remind you to get your dad a copy of their book “My Dad Is A Bro” at your local bookstore or order it online. We don’t usually pub much, but we’re a big fan of these guys and this book. Plus, our dad is pretty “bro” so we figure this is the best way to honor him as well.

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Dave Chappelle Returning to Television?

How about that. After a 6-year hiatus from television, it appears that Dave Chappelle is finally returning to the tube with a brand new show. At least that’s what the rumor-mill is churning out this morning.

No deal has been made, but the report indicates Chappelle is looking to bring his talents to a paid-subscription service like Netflix, Hulu or Crackle. All of these online networks have recently ramped up their original content programming. Most notably, Netflix has David Finger’s ‘House of Card,’ priced at $100 million, set to air next year.

Yes. That sounds like a perfect idea!

It’s a bit curious, though, after Chappelle walked away from a $50 million contract to spend some “me time” in South Africa back in 2005. You would think that the pressure still remains. Don’t we all have the highest of expectations on whatever show Chappelle does next? Is he really ready for the scrutiny? Ah, of course he is. It’s just a TV show.

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Bob Ley of ESPN Recites Lyrics From Jay-Z’s ‘Blow The Whistle’ [Video]

There’s nothing better than when a reporter is forced to read a statement, on air, as made by someone else. Except, maybe, when said reporter is forced to recite rap lyrics in order to further a story.

Here is ESPN’s Bob Ley reciting Jay-Z’s “Blow The Whistle” as it pertains to the LeBron James-DeShawn Stevenson feud. It’s… hilarious!

Video after the jump!

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Conan O’Brien Salutes Oprah Winfrey’s Audience

Yesterday, as I’m sure you’re aware, was Oprah Winfrey’s final show. While we know that you’ll most certainly miss your daily Oprah fix, Conan O’Brien made it known that it’s Oprah’s audience members who he’ll miss the most. That seems about right.

O’Brien and his team compiled great moments in Oprah-audience history in a hilarious video. It’s true, we will miss you “Extremely Alarmed Grandma” the most. Maybe moreso than “The Guy Who Says ‘Oh My God.’”

Video after the jump.

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In Which NFL Star Hines Ward Loses By Winning Dancing With The Stars

Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver Hines Ward did his best to lose football fans on Tuesday night by winning over their wives and girlfriends. The two-time Super Bowl champion was crowned champion of Season 11 of “Dancing With the Stars,” a feat which even NFL place-kickers can scoff at. I’m fully aware that Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith have each won the title of “America’s most desperate celebrity dancer,” but to be fair they had both been retired when they took to the stage to cha-cha-cha.

Yes, my 88-year-old grandmother is more enthused by Ward right now than most football fans are. I’m not so sure what exactly happened for him to win the title, but our friends over at Steelers Lounge give us a quick rundown of the action:

Hines Ward wrapped up his Dancing With the Stars appearance on Tuesday night and came away as the king of celebrities-turned-dancers, winning the competition by edging out Kirstie Alley. I’ll repeat that one more time, just because I find it to be absolutely hilarious: Hines Ward, two-time Super Bowl Champion and Super Bowl MVP, beat Kirstie Alley in a competition. And people are thrilled.

Well, congratulations to you Mr. Ward. You defeated Kristie Alley in a competition. I’m sure Ray Lewis is impressed.

Video of Ward “winning” after the jump (2:10 mark).

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New TV Show “Extreme Chef” Is No Joke

Just when you thought you’ve seen it all. The Food Network is coming out with a new show called “Extreme Chef” which, as the folks over at Sports and Food describe it, is “American Gladiators” meets “Top Chef.” There’s cooking, extreme obstacles and plenty of screaming. EXTREME-ING, if you will.

It’s hard to imagine that this show actually does exist, especially when you watch the trailer, but I guess we’re still a ways away from reaching our ceiling: Extreme Cannibalism! Isn’t cooking already hard enough as it is? Do we need to add obstacles? For some, I guess we do.

Check out the extreme trailer at Sports and Food.

Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 8 Teaser [Video]

This is fantastic! We finally get a little taste of the upcoming Season 8 of Curb Your Enthusiasm. As minor as the teaser is–under one minute in length–it’s still good to see that one of the funniest shows in television is less than two months away from debuting. The new season debuts July 10 on HBO, and so far it’s looking prett-ay, prett-ay, pretty good!

Check out the teaser after the jump.

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TEXAS TO LEGALIZE ‘NOODLING’

If you’re into catching a 50-pound catfish with your bare hands, or noodling, as it’s known, well you’re in luck! That is, if you live in the state of Texas.

This week the state Senate approved of a measure which makes noodling legal in the state of Texas. The sport, if you want to call it a sport, is point of contention for environmentalists and animal rights activists alike. I guess the thought of someone jamming their fist down a catfish’s throat doesn’t appeal to large segment of our population.

There is a catch, though. Noodlers will need to have a fishing license and a freshwater fishing stamp in order to partake in the sport legally. No word yet on whether they’ll need a psych evaluation as well.

Video of the sexy Angie Fox noodling a 72-pound catfish after the jump!

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