Top Stories Of The Week - Nov. 29th 2010

Here are the top stories that burned up the livewire this week….

-CBS news program “Early Show” gets a revamp…again!  http://nyti.ms/eqom3C

CBS said goodbye to Harry Smith, Maggie Rodriguez & Dave Price this week in the latest revamp to the ratings challenged morning show. The trio will remain with the network in other roles while “Saturday Early Show” anchors Chris Wragge and Erica Hill assume the lead anchor positions.

-James Franco and Anne Hathaway to host the Oscars. http://bit.ly/fADz4Z
The critically acclaimed actors will host the 83^rd Academy Awards on February 27^th, 2011. This will be the second year in a row that the telecast (airing on ABC) will have dual hosts, both of which could also find themselves nominees that evening.

-National Board of Review names “The Social Network” best picture.  http://bit.ly/gpFdcc

“The Social Network” came out of the National Board of Review awards the first big winner of the young award season. The film, along with its star Jesse Eisenberg, director David Fincher and writer Aaron Sorkin walked away with top honors.

-Details emerge about the “Burn Notice” prequel. http://bit.ly/ieoWtF

The USA network smash hit had previously announced at Comic-Con, a prequel movie was in the works, to air in the spring of 2011. This week it was revealed the movie will revolve around the last Navy SEAL mission of Sam Axe, the character portrayed by cult movie legend Bruce Campbell. It was also announced that series lead Jeffrey Donavan will serve as the prequel’s director.

-“Glee” to replace cast members at the end of next season. http://bit.ly/fiVDFH

Series creator Ryan Murphy revealed this week that he plans to write out certain cast members of the popular FOX series to account for continuity. Just which characters will graduate at the end of season three remains to be seen, but early rumors have Corey Monteith, Lea Michele, Dianna Argon and Mark Salling singing their way off to college.

-Hollywood’s “Digital Death” stunt goes on life support. http://bit.ly/eGkJ9I

In support of “World’s AIDS Day,” various celebrities including Alicia Keys, Kim Kardashian and Ryan Seacrest volunteered to “kill” their online social media presence until fans raised millions of dollars in donations to bring them back to life. The stunt designed with the best intentions failed to raise anywhere near the desired amount of money, leading to the conclusion that maybe audiences are tired of the celebrity tweeters, or maybe asking for a $10 minimum donation wasn’t the right way to go.

-Were “The Walking Dead” writers actually dead men walking?  http://bit.ly/eiZ7XQ

Reports surfaced this week that producers of the AMC hit series “The Walking Dead” were considering firing the entire writing staff from the show’s debut season. Following the rumors, the show’s executive producer rushed to assure fans that wasn’t the case and the show’s second season wouldn’t be impacted by any major changes.

-“The Blues Brothers” set to reunite on “The Defenders.”  http://bit.ly/g542NM

Dan Aykrod will re-team with his “Blues Brothers” co-star Jim Belushi for two episodes of the CBS legal series “The Defenders” in 2011. While Aykrod shot to fame working with Jim’s brother John Belushi, Jim would later slip on the iconic shades following his brother's unfortunate passing.

-Leslie Nielsen and Irvin Kershner pass away.

Hollywood is mourning the loss of comic legend Leslie Nielsen and iconic director Irvin Kershner this week. Nielsen, the star of the “Naked Gun” movies was 84 and Kershner, the director of “The Empire Strikes Back, was 87.

CLIP OF THE WEEK

-Celebs sing “Let It Be” in new viral video.

A Norwegian talk show has gathered the most bizarre group of celebrities to sing “Let It Be” in promotion of its new season. Can’t imagine how much this one cost in appearance fees alone.