Kristin Chenoweth Responds to ABC's 'GCB' Controversy

Despite going through a title overhaul, ABC's new "GCB" has been shrouded in controversy over how it depicts Christians.The show originally was titled "Good Christian Bitches," after the Kim Gatlin novel that inspired it, then renamed to "Good Christian Belles" and finally to the text-friendly acronym. But its over-the-top depiction of Dallas society and its church ladies still might worry detractors."I think people should give it a chance," Kristin Chenoweth, who plays high school outcast-turned-queen bee Carlene Cockburn, tells "The Hollywood Reporter." "You just can't judge a book by its cover. I certainly wouldn't do anything that would make fun of my own faith. This is just chocolate cake, and it's actually a love letter to Dallas."Having grown up Christian in Oklahoma, the Tony-winning actress and singer says she relates to the series' portrayals."I think it's really funny," she says. "I remember growing up, it was always the same woman who got the solos in the church choir. And there's always the woman at the bake sale or the church dinner who wanted to outcook everyone. The thing is, just because you're a Christian doesn't mean you're perfect.""We all are human," she goes on to say. "And so this show shows the humanity of it, and I love it. I'm one of them. I grew up in that world. It could take place in a temple, in a community, but we just set ours in a church." The Hollywood Reporter

With So Many On the Bubble, Can Smart Comedies Survive?

American Idol's ladies weren't too far off of the boys' performance - ratings-wise, that is.Idol's female semifinalists performance show won Wednesday for Fox with 17 million viewers and a 4.9 in the adults 18-to-49 demo - a tenth below Tuesday's rating. The ladies, however, managed to lure about a million more viewers than the guys did. Compared to last week, the demo was also down slightly, but viewership ... Read More > Other Links From TVGuide.com America's Next Top ModelAmerican IdolCSI: Crime Scene InvestigationLaw & Order: Special Victims UnitOne Tree HillCriminal MindsThe MiddleModern FamilyHappy EndingsAre You There, Chelsea?RevengeSuburgatoryWhitneyRock Center With Brian WilliamsSurvivor: One World

Christopher Lloyd Among Pilot Additions

Veteran Christpher Lloyd continues to be drawn on to star opposite John Leguizamo and Dustin Ybarra in Basic steps multicamera comedy pilot Only Fools And Horses. In line with the British format, the multicamera comedy stories the misadventures of two streetwise siblings, Del (Leguizamo) and Rodney (Ybarra), as well as their aging grandfather (Lloyd) because they concoct crazy, morally questionable get-wealthy-quick schemes within their mission being riches. Also cast within the pilot isBJ Bales (Happy Being) as Trigger, a ghetto-speaking disadvantage guy who's Del and Rodney’s perpetual enemy. Lloyd is by using Gersh and Freedman Management Bales is by using APA and Principato-Youthful, Majandra Delfino (The Truly Amazing Condition Of Georgia) continues to be cast in ABC’s single-camera pilot starring Mandy Moore and directed by Shawn Levy. The project, compiled by Bob Fisher and Stacy Traub, focuses on bride and groom Annie (Moore) and Ben, who obtain the chance a person can have to operate a stylish, new restaurant in Annies home town getting her nearer to her desperate and-maintenance family. APA-repped Delfino will have certainly one of Annie’s siblings, who's divorced and living in your own home. twentieth century Fox TV is creating with Shawn Levy and Marty Adelsteins studio-based banner. Nikita alumna Tiffany Hines continues to be put into Basic steps drama pilot Americana, a cleaning soap in regards to a famous fashion industry clan. It focuses on legendary designer Robert Soulter (Anthony LaPaglia), the patriarch of the sprawling family who just welcomed a brand new member, Alice Clarke (Ashley Greene), a youthful designer whose shocking arrival turns the household and also the legendary label thoroughly. Hines, repped by Medavoy Management and also the Corsa Agency, will have Shane, an attractive medical student and Alices closest friend. Employed by Alice to model inside a fashion show, Shanediscovers that her existence is going to changeand not always for that better. Actress-author Liz Cackowski (Failing to remember Sarah Marshall) has became a member of CBS single-camera comedy pilot from feature author-director Nick Stoller. The twentysomething ensemble comedy focuses on Mike (Michael Angarano), dedication-phobic ad agency professional who, after you have left by his longtime girlfriend Laura (Brie Larson), realizes he needs to continue dealing with her one cubicle away. Cackowski, repped by UTA and three Arts, will have Ingrid. Chernin Entertainment and twentieth century Fox TV are creating.

Buffini to script 'Night Circus'

Moira Buffini continues to be hired to create the script for Summit Entertainment's romancer "The Evening Circus," annually following the minimajor acquired feature privileges to Erin Morgenstern's novel. Buffini's writing credits include "Jane Eyre," "Tamara Drewe" and also the approaching "Byzantium." "The Evening Circus" was released by Knopf Doubleday Posting Group in October. David Heyman and Shaun Clifford will make the film through the Heyday Films banner. Richard Pine will executive produce. Story's dedicated to two youthful illusionists fighting out their fathers' age-old competition amongst an enchanted circus, bound with a fated love, and determined to modify the lives of around them. Erik Feig, leader of manufacture of the Lionsgate Movie Group, and Summit professional Jeyun Choi will oversee the work for the studio. Buffini is symbolized by CAA. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Activision CEO joins Coca-Cola board

The Coca-Cola Co. has elected Activision Blizzard president and CEO Bobby Kotick to the company's board of directors. As part of the move, Kotick was appointed to the Atlanta-based company's management development committee. "Bobby brings an entrepreneurial mindset and a high level of financial literacy and digital knowledge to our company," said Muhtar Kent, chairman-CEO of the Coca-Cola Co. "His global brand expertise and insight will be invaluable as we continue to grow our business and invest in enhancing our digital engagement with consumers and customers around the world." Activision Blizzard, the world's largest videogame publisher, is behind such franchises as "World of Warcraft," "StarCraft" and "Call of Duty," the top-selling title for the last several years, breaking sales records with each release. Kotick has served as CEO of Activision since 1991. From 2003-08, Kotick also served as a director of Yahoo. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

Keck's Exclusive: Sarah Michelle Gellar Strips on Ringer

Sarah Michelle Gellar "Stripper Bridget is coming back!" Ringer's Sarah Michelle Gellar described within the Golden Globes. Now this exclusive Start Searching photo proves it. TheMarch 6 episode in the CW thriller flashes to Bridget's Wyoming strip club years, as she going for a person for just about any lap dance. Executive producer Pam Veasey states Sarah loves coping with showcase this sexy side of her character. And merely just in case any obsessive SMG fans wonder, yes, Pam states the authors truly will probably eventually show Bridget on stage working her pole. Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Philip Bruns dies at 80

Philip Bruns, who co-starred within the seventies comedy series "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," died in La on Wednesday, February. 8, of natural causes. He was 80.Bruns made an appearance on two seasons from the series, playing Mary's father around the cleaning soap-opera parody. Younger crowd spent 3 years with Jackie Gleason on his comedy-variety show within the mid-sixties.Born in Pipestone, Minn., Bruns attended Yale University's drama school, then started his career in NY around the stage so that as an abundant actor in TV advertisements.He later visited La, showing up in additional than 40 movies, including "Flashdance," "The Stunt Guy" and "My Personal Favorite Year."Bruns is made it by his wife, actress Laurie Hot dogs. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com