Mastrantonio completes 'Criminal Intent' casting
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio has joined USA Network's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," completing the casting transformation for the show's upcoming ninth season. Her character succeeds Capt. Danny Ross (Eric Bogosian). The "Scarface" and "The Color of Money" actress, an Oak Park-River Forest High alumna, is one of two new faces on "L&O: CI" for next season, joining Saffron Burrows. Four show regulars are leaving: original stars Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe as well as Bogosian and Julianne Nicholson, who is being replaced by Burrows. Elsewhere on the TV police beat, TNT announced it will air six never-before-seen episodes of the canceled NBC series "Southland."
'ADDAMS FAMILY' PLUS ONE-WOMAN SHOW:A co-star of "The Addams Family," the Broadway-bound musical making its world premiere in Chicago next week, has ambitious plans for her night off. Jackie Hoffman, who plays Grandma in the Oriental Theatre spectacular, announced she'll spend Mondays at the Royal George Cabaret performing a one-woman show, "Whining in the Windy City: Holiday Edition." A former Second City performer, Hoffman's now a Broadway favorite who's put on several solo productions in New York. "Whining" will open Nov. 30 (theroyalgeorgetheatre.com).
ITZIN TO APPEAR ON EIGHTH SEASON:You haven't heard the last of former President Charles Logan on "24." Fox announced Monday that actor Gregory Itzin will reprise his role as the disgraced chief executive next year on the eighth season of the TV action drama. Itzin will be acting in several episodes alongside current President Allison Taylor, played by Cherry Jones, when the show returns Jan. 17. Logan was last seen during Season 6 en route to a hospital after being stabbed by his wife (Jean Smart).
'SHERLOCK HOLMES' ADS TO AIR ON SPECIAL:Fox says an upcoming movie has stepped in as the new sponsor of Sunday's "Family Guy" special. The Warner Bros. feature "Sherlock Holmes" will be the sole sponsor of "Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show." A sneak preview from the December release, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, will air during the broadcast. Last week, Microsoft abruptly backed out as sponsor of the variety program, which stars "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane and Alex Borstein. Both provide voices for the animated series. The software giant explained that the often racy "Family Guy" style might clash with the Windows brand the company planned to promote.
SUCCEEDS BOGOSIAN FOR NINTH SEASON: