SueTube – Let’s talk TV with critic Susan Young

Blake’s promoting her new CW series “Gossip Girl” about the social lives of Upper East Side teens filled with entitlement issues based on the best-selling series of young adult novels by Cecily von Ziegesar executive-produced by “The O.C.”‘s Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage.

Pictured ( back l -r) Executive Producer Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage Executive Producer, Blake Lively and Leighton Meester session at the TCA Summer Press Tour 2007 held on July 20, 2007 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. Photo: Carol Kaelson/THE CW

She’s still tight with her “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” co-stars America Ferrera (“Ugly Betty”), Amber Tamblyn (“Joan of Arcadia”) and Alexis Bledel (“Gilmore Girls”).

“My first instinct was I’m going to call the girls, because I knew they had all been through it. But then I was — they’re so dog-gone opinionated
and they’re all so different,’’ Blake says. “When they get together, I’m like their baby sister. And they sit me down. I was going to get another dog recently, and they’re like, “No. You’re not going to do that.” They, like, wrote a whole list of pros and cons for me. So I thought I’m just going to make this decision on my
own, and then I’m going to talk to them about it, which, I think, was the right decision. I’m very happy.’’

The Sisterhood

Blake and the girls will be filming the sequel soon, she says. By the way, her current maltese/poodle mix Penny, 2, looks like an adorable brown mini-ewok with curls.

As for the gorgeous Vivienne Westwood yummy yellow dress that cinched tightly around her waist with a large belt, Blake says she can hardly wait to get it off.

“It looks great, but just try eating something while you are wearing it,’’ Blake says, rubbing her tummy. “Just trying to eat a couple of bites really hurts.’’

Here’s what it’s like to present a Television Critics Association Award:

You go up on the stage where the Golden Globes are presented, looking out at an audience that includes “Sopranos’’ creator David Chase with Edie Falco and Lorraine Bracco, Alec Baldwin of “30 Rock,’’ Matt Dallas of “Kyle XY,’’ “Heroes’’ creator Tim Kring with Adrian Pasdar, Masi Oka, “The Office” producer Greg Daniels and castmembers and Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton of “Friday Night Lights.’’

And you pray you don’t black out.

Makes you understand yet again just how good these people in the room are at what they do.

Alec won the award for individual achievement in comedy and rocked the room. He told the story about how he tried to get a role on “The Sopranos.’’

In New York, he was going to a meeting with “a famous socialite’’ to raise some money for some foundation. But he went to the wrong place, and had to bolt down Park Avenue, he’s drenched in sweat. So he excuses himself to use the men’s room and takes his shirt off, and dries his shirt in the men’s room of the Four Season’s Restaurant.

And David Chase walks in and says, “Alec Baldwin?’’

He didn’t get a role on the show.

Of course, when Chase took the stage to accept the award for Outstanding Achievement in Drama, he says that in response to Alec, “When I walked into the (restroom), I thought `Holy (Shucks), that was Alec Baldwin the famous movie star. I didn’t even notice he didn’t have a shirt on.’’

When he came up again for the Heritage Award, Chase remarked that when you are in New Jersey, you can be sitting in a restaurant and have everything stop.

“It’s not that big of a deal,’’ he deadpans.

He then mentioned that he was awed by other nominees, which included “M*A*S*H,’ `Roots,’ `Mary Tyler Moore Show’ and “Sesame Street.’’

“But I thought we had a pretty good shot when I didn’t see any Muppets in the audience,’’ Chase says.

Then he said a TV critic told him it would be good to actually explain the ending of “The Sopranos.’’

“I wasn’t going to get into it, but when I was going to Stanford, at 23, I went to see the `Planet of the Apes’ with my wife,’’ Chase says. “At the end I said, `Wow. So they had a Statue of Liberty too.’ So that’s what you are up against.’’

For a better insight, check out the season one finale.

“The Office’’ producer Greg Daniels says he spent the whole day reading “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

“I’m on page 450, and it’s good,’’ Daniels says. “If we adapt it for American audiences, it could be really successful.’’

He then introduced the cast that showed up for the awards – and said how he would cast them as “Harry Potter’’ characters.

Brian Baumgartner as Hagrid; Mindy Kaling as Pavarti, or Luna; Angela Kinsey as Delores Umbridge; Kate Flannery as Aunt Petunia; Oscar Nunez as Viktor Krum; Leslie David Baker as Mr. Dursley and Creed Bratton as Lucius Malfoy.

“Is this too nerdy for everyone?,’’ Greg asked.

Not for this crowd.

2007 TCA Award recipients are as follows:

PROGRAM OF THE YEAR: “Heroes” (NBC)

OUTSTANDING NEW PROGRAM: “Friday Night Lights” (NBC)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA: “The Sopranos” (HBO)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY: “The Office” (NBC)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN NEWS & INFORMATION: “Planet Earth” (Discovery)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING: “Kyle XY” (ABC Family)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MOVIES, MINI-SERIES & SPECIALS: “Planet Earth” (Discovery)

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock” (NBC)

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA: Michael C. Hall, “Dexter” (Showtime)

HERITAGE AWARD: “The Sopranos” (HBO)

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT: Mary Tyler Moore

Oh, and I’m now the newly elected secretary of the Television Critics Association. Go TCA.

So you may have seen those pictures splashed across the tabloids of “Criminal Minds” co-star Shemar Moore.

NOT THE NAKED PHOTO OF SHEMAR

The story that goes with those tabloid photos is that Shemar was at a gay beach in Maui and flashing his equipment for all to see.

“There’s a nude beach that we went to that day. There were men, women, children, all there,” Shemar explains. “But as I understand it, there’s an area a little bit away from there that is known as a gay beach and we were in that area when the pictures were taken.”

Now, Shemar doesn’t deny he was naked on that beach about a year ago, but he says he was with two girlfriends who were cut out of the picture.

“I’m not gay,” says Shemar. “My godfather was gay and died of AIDS. So I’m not saying there’s anything wrong in being gay, I’m just not. I’m a straight man who enjoys being naked.”

While he pondered who could have possibly taken his picture on this very public beach in Kihei, Maui, he didn’t address the question if perhaps it could have been an angry girlfriend.

In any case, Shemar has a reputation for liking to take his shirt off at public events at every opportunity. And he says he likes to bbq for pals in his own backyard sans clothing.

Which sounds really dangerous to us.

CBS may finally have the perfect host for “The Price Is Right.”

Drew Carey told critics at the summer press tour in Beverly Hills today that he’s in contract negotiations to host the daytime game show. While he says no one can fill Bob Barker’s microphone, he’d be happy to host if everything works out.

“Right now it’s down to the title. If they change the title to `Big Golden Wheel,’ then I’m on,” joked Carey, who is the host of the new CBS game show “Power of 10.” “But I wouldn’t go into negotiations if I wasn’t serious about hosting it.”

DREW CAREY POWER

Cary says you have to treat the show with respect, because it has earned it. Plus, it fills the requirement for what he’s looking for in his post-“The Drew Carey Show” life.

“It has to be fun, easy to do and not work,” Carey says. “And it would be fun, not work to do the show.”

When last we saw our “Heroes,’’ it looked as if the Petrelli brothers had been blasted out of a job, but Adrian Pasdar says he’s looking forward to the next season and, although Milo Ventimiglia wasn’t at the NBC party at the Beverly Hilton on Tuesday night due to another commitment, we were assured that the cast would be back.

Masi Oka, who stuck around through the entire party then for the little post-party bash at Trader Vic’s afterwards, says next season will offer up two timelines in which he portrays Hiro in both the present and 400 years ago in Japan.

MASI OKA – NBC Photo Chris Haston

“We’ve been shooting a lot in Japan, and I learned how to ride a horse there and discovered it’s not that easy to do. I was sore for about two days after the first day of shooting,’’ Oka says. “I’ve been out of the country a lot because of it, so I haven’t been up to the Bay Area for a while.’’

In addition to his work on “Heroes,’’ he still works as a Research and Development Technical Director, writing programs that create special effects for Industrial Light & Magic in Marin.

“I haven’t been able to write any programs lately because of the show and (the movie) `Get Smart,’ ‘’ says Oka. “But I still want to. I enjoy doing that when I have any spare time.’’

In the private dining room of Circa 55 at The Beverly Hilton, about six reporters gathered for lunch with the charismatic star of CBS’ new vampire series “Moonlight,’’ which had a major renovation from the presentation version sent out to critics and advertisers.

BROODING VAMP ALEX

The only actor left standing after the housecleaning was lead Alex O’Loughlin, a charming Australian actor best known in the United States for his role this season on FX’s “The Shield.’’

(Note to “Veronica Mars” fans: Alex’s new vamp pal will be played by Jason Dohring.)

Alex, 30, tells us his mom was devastated by the widely reported Internet rumor that he was one of many children fathered by the late AC/DC wild man Bon Scott.

“She wasn’t very happy being called a harlot,’’ Alex says. “And my dad wasn’t very happy either.’’

O’Loughlin just finished filming a movie with Kate Beckinsale and says after a dry spell he’s finally getting some juice into his career.

“I had sold my car and had to sell my motorbike,’’ Alex, who was being considered for such roles as James Bond, says. “Then I got the chance to go on `The Shield,’ which I love, and then this and two movies.’’

He’s so giddy about it all, he doesn’t even mind going to San Diego next week for Comic Con to boost “Moonlight’s’’ profile before it airs in September. He’s got all of the vamp folklore down solid and he’s waiting to show it all off

“(Producer) Joel Silver told me `You ARE going to Comic Con,’ ” Alex says with a laugh. “I’m ready.”

And it helps to have the beloved icon of vampdom on board, David Greenwalt of “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer”’ and “Angel.” David will be overseeing the series and keeping it in the right vein.

MOONLIGHT (L-R) Joel Silver Executive Producers , Alex O’Loughlin, David Greenwalt Executive Producers and Sophia Myles speak to the press at the TCA – 2007

You’ve gotta love the new NBC co-chairman, or whatever the hell title they are handing out these days.

Bottom line is that this is the guy who makes the decisions about what you’re going to be watching on the network. He talks about a mile a minute and, right now, likes talking to critics.

That could change.

But what we really like about him is that his ringtone is “This Is Why I’m Hot” and he still thinks it’s funny when David Spade takes shots at him.

After his acrimonious departure from “Grey’s Anatomy,” Isaiah Washington already landed a new gig on NBC’s “Bionic Woman.”

He will be in five of the first six episodes of “Bionic Woman.”

The new co-chairman at NBC, Ben Silverman, doesn’t seem concerned about Isaiah’s previous bad behavior which included using pejorative words towards gays.

“He’s a wonderful actor and a great performer,” Silverman says.“When he told me he was available, I was like, “You are? Wait. They let — I don’t understand. What do you mean? You’re a huge star on a star television show.” ”

Silverman goes on to say he didn’t quite understand what had gone on with Isaiah. Short version, Silverman: Isaiah’s the backside of a northbound horse who doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut.

In any case, Silverman insists “the character that’s been created for him is really strong and one that he’ll do a great job at, and that’s what, I think, people will respond to, and we’re excited to see come to fruition his portrayal of that character.”

Of course, if they based casting on being a good person, the pool would be shallow indeed.

All anyone really wants to know is why he stuck around as long as he did.

Mandy Patinkin asked to be let out of his contract with ABC Studios and CBS, so he can leave the wildly successful CBS series “Criminal Minds.”

MANDY PATINKIN

In a statement from the studio and network, the word was that this was “not in any way connected to contract renegotiations or salary issues. His departure from the series will be explained to audiences in an episode to be filmed in the near future and broadcast early next season.

“We thank Mandy for helping to make Criminal Minds a strong and successful series, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors. A new character will be added to the series for next season.”

As for Patinkin, his statement reads, in part:

“Due to creative differences, Mandy has asked not to return to Criminal Minds this season. Mandy would like to thank the studios and network for releasing him from the series and he wishes the cast and crew continued success in all of their endeavors and looks forward to continuing to work with the Disney and CBS companies in other capacities in the future.”

“This isn’t the first time,” deadpans Adam Arkin, who co-starred with Patinkin on the CBS series “Chicago Hope” and happened to be in the position of chatting about Patinkin when he appeared on a panel in front of TV critics gathered at the summer press tour.

Patinkin quit CBS’ “Chicago Hope” in 1995 after one season, then returned in 1999 for the final season. Critics gathered in Los Angeles for the summer TV critics press tour figured something was up with Patinkin when he was a no-show for a PBS panel.

After going off the air five years ago, it looks like there might actually be another “The X-Files” movie in the works.

“I’m looking at the script next week,” says former Agent Fox Mulder, AKA David Duchovny. “Gillian is on board to do it and Frank Spotnitz and Chris Carter have written the script.”

So what’s different about this movie from all the other rumors about a new “X-Files’ movie?

“They wrote a script,” deadpans David, who seems rather excited at the though of bringing the old gang back again.

“It’s been five years and I think it’s a good time to do it,” he says. “There were only two windows: Right after the show ended, which probably wouldn’t have worked (for me and Gillian) or waiting a while. I think this is a good time to do it.”

David says he thinks if everything goes the way they plan, the filming will begin this fall for a summer 2008 release.