The ABC pilot "Good Christian Bitches" has landed its main villain and outrage from the Parents Television Council.

According to Deadline, Kristin Chenoweth has signed on star in the Darren Star produced pilot, which is based on the novel of the same name by Kim Gatlin. Chenoweth's role in the drama will be that of Darlene, the "HBIC" (Head 'Bitch' in Charge) of the "G.C.B.'s." The pilot revolves around a recently divorced mother of two named Amanda (Leslie Bibb), who returns to her hometown of Dallas and hopes to reconnect with her old group of friends. The problem is that her friends are now lead by Darlene, who was a victim of the torture brought on by Amanda and her mean girls crew, which means that vengeance will served on a very chilled dish.

With Chenoweth in the role of Darlene, the character (and the show) could be ratings gold if brought to series, but the pilot hasn't even been shot yet and the PTC is already sharpening their pitchforks.

Deadline also reported that the Parent Television Council, fresh off of their anti-Skins campaign, has set their sights on the ABC pilot because of its (tentative) name and the derogatory implications on the Christian faith and women in general.

Here's a statement from PTC president Tim Winter about the watch group's latest target:

ABC’s decision is not only an affront to women, it blatantly attacks the world’s largest faith... The ‘b-word’ is toxic and is used to degrade, abuse, harass, bully and humiliate women. And the ‘Christian’ element only adds insult to injury. Would ABC even consider another faith to denigrate?  Would they even consider a program title or a plot line based on ‘Bitches’ who were Muslim, Hindu, Jewish or Buddhist? I suspect not, and I certainly hope not.  So why the double standard?"

Okay, I'm all about freedom of speech and all that jazz, but that should also apply to the PTC when they go on these rants. Here are somethings that the PTC should also think about concerning this particular rant:

1. The name WILL be changed if it heads to series. Despite this fact, the watchgroup is still raising cain about ABC demoralizing the Disney name by attacking Christianity through even trying to put such a show as "G.C.B." on the air. When the new title is announced, will Mr. Winter still have his morality phaser gun set on kill? Even if he hasn't seen a single frame of the show?

2. Noise attracts onlookers. In other words, the more noise they make towards the show, the more buzz and hype the show might get, which goes against the PTC's wishes. Hell, the execs at ABC might think twice on changing the name and keep it and market it the best way they can. You can't just attack something without thinking about the consequences, especially the ones that inflict harm on your cause.

3. Why bring other religions into the argument? I'm still quite puzzled on that piece of the statement...

4. Turn the channel. Please. Then after you turn off your TV, remove it from your house, filter your Internet, and your kids still come home from school talking about a show called "Good Christian Bitches", it is then time for you to do what you should've done at first: Parent. Your. Kids.

Source: Deadline

Kristen Chenoweth Joins "Good Christian Bitches"; PTC Not A Fan...

Apparently Gwyneth Paltrow's guest appearance on Glee a few episodes ago went so well that she'll be reprising her role as substitute teacher Holly Holiday.  Paltrow shared this news with Access Hollywood while promoting her new movie, Country Strong.  While there's no word yet on when the episode with Paltrow will tape or air, she obviously loved her experience enough to return for another episode.

Kristin Chenoweth will also be returning in the spring for a few episodes, reprising her role as April Rhodes, who was seen in two episodes in the first season of Glee.  No word on whether the two other recurring guest stars - Jonathan Groff and Idina Menzel - will be making return appearances in season 2.

I actually want to see Charice return as part of Vocal Adrenaline.  I'm curious as to whether they'll wait until Regionals to bring her back.

Glee returns with new episodes after the Superbowl on February 6.  Expect a big episode as the show has scored the coveted post-Superbowl spot on FOX.

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Glee Casting News: Gwyneth Paltrow & Kristin Chenoweth to Return

Quinn is still pregnant, and her morning sickness is getting in the way of rehearsal; she's a poor replacement for Rachel.  Terri is still not pregnant, but eating for more than 2.  Will spilled the beans on Finn and Quinn’s issues to Emma, who tries her best to help Finn by encouraging him to get Rachel back and increase his chances of getting a music scholarship, since football seems less likely.

Rachel was serious about leaving, and Glee continues with her.  She’s definitely missed.  Or, rather, her phenomenal voice is.  Finn puts the charm on Rachel by taking the non-obvious route of suggesting they run lines together for the play.  He feels dirty for it; deceit doesn’t seem to suit him.  Rachel, meanwhile, is starting to cave under horrible pressure from Sandy, who’s determined to chase her out of the play and take the lead for himself.  Finn and Rachel go bowling to ease the stress, and have an adorable mini-date.  In about 3 seconds, something terrible happens.  Finn and Rachel kiss;  Finn asks Rachel to come back to Glee; Finn hints that he might leave Quinn, but doesn’t mean it, Rachel agrees to quit the play and come back to Glee; Finn dies a little inside.  Rachel returns to Glee club just when the news has broken that Quinn is pregnant.  She is not pleased, and confronts Finn with a slap and a telling off.  He comes clean about his music scholarship, and Rachel leaves Glee yet again, now with full artistic control over the school musical.  Rachel ricochets back though when she realizes being a star isn’t as important as being a friend and saves the day with a duet with Finn on “Somebody to Love” that leaves me with goosebumps.

Will finds a way to beat Vocal Adrenaline by taking a page out of their cheating book.  Emma helps him track down an old student who never graduated, April Rhodes (Kristen Chenoweth).  Rhodes was Will’s first crush and a Glee star; she’s now a barely functioning over-sexed alcoholic.  There’s only so much you can do to Chenoweth to make her not adorable, gorgeous, and charming though.  Glee isn’t necessarily sold on Miss Rhodes (except for Puck).  Rhodes tries to win the kids over by giving them each a bit of herself (Kurt gets her thermos of alcohol and her collection of muscle magazines, Mercedes and Tina get shoplifting lessons, Puck gets…her).  Poor Kurt ends up drunk at school and ralphs on Emma’s shoes.  April can’t get her act together and continues to drink and be a bad influence.  On the night of the Glee invitational, she shows up drunk but still hogs the spotlight with a crowd pleasing performance.  April and Will both finally come to the realization that April is stealing the spotlight from the kids when she’s already had her time.  April heads off to Branson to try for a fresh start.

Your Music for the Evening

• Ms. Lea Michaels holding her own with Broadway legend Chenoweth on “Maybe This Time.”
• Rachel trying to channel Sally Bowles on “Cabaret” while Sandy berates her
• A quick hit of classic Huey Lewis “I Want a New Drug”
• April and Will knocking the walls off the bowling alley for “Alone”.  HOW on earth do I get a chance to karaoke with Chenoweth?  Is my girl crush showing?
• April channeling her country self into “Last Name”
• Rachel, Finn, Merecedes, and the club on “Somebody to Love,” the only song in this episode to actually sound like a Glee club

Next Week:  Boys vs. Girls!  Terri comes to work as the school nurse, despite her lack of qualifications, and Emma receives a proposal.

Mini Recap - Glee 1.5 “The Rhodes Not Taken”

For the first time in a long time, David E. Kelley has a pilot for a new show that WILL NOT be going forward as an actual tv series.  NBC has officially passed on Kelley's new legal drama, Legally Mad, which was originally kept in contention for a midseason release.  What's really interesting is that by not picking up the new series, NBC must now pay a seven figure penalty to the Warner Bros. TV produced show.

Legally Mad was set to follow Skippy Pylon, a cheerful and brilliant attorney who exhibits flashes of psychosis and often assumes the role of a teenager. Ex-Pushing Daisies star Kristin Chenoweth had been tapped to play the role of Skippy, and fans of the beautiful actress were hopeful that this would last longer than the short-lived Pushing Daisies.  As of right now, it appears that there are no other plans to shop the project to any other networks, making it one of the first Kelley pilots to not make it to the small screen in a very long time.

However, Kelley isn't the lone star producer to have a show axed by NBC.  The new Dick Wolf-produced Lost & Found, which stars Galactica's Katee Sackhoff, is also expected to not be picked up as a midseason series by the network.  There has been some talk of shopping the new series with sister cable network USA.  The network already airs another Wolf series, Law and Order: Criminal Intent.  However, the not so good news for the series is that USA already has a strong female leading series which is also a law enforcement drama with In Plain Sight, making one wonder if the network would even be interested in another.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

NBC Axes David E. Kelley & Dick Wolf Pilots