ROUNDUP: Jon Hamm, 'Privileged', 'Doctor Who' and more

Here's this week's most noteworthy television news, including casting, guest stars, episode orders, cancellations and everything else you can think of!

- Rumors have been swirling that Jon Hamm of "Mad Men" will be making a multi-episode appearance on "30 Rock." Though the deal isn't final, I'm banking that he'll appear on the comedy staple in one form or another. He will be playing Liz Lemon's neighbor and potential love interest. Squee!

- Numerous sources report that David Tennant, the British actor who has played the Doc on "Doctor Who" for the past few seasons, will leave his post after the four "Doctor Who" specials air next year. Thoughts on his departure?

- I've come across many different news items about Strike.TV, a website for Hollywood writers, directors and actors to put their stuff online without the hindrance of executive types. One of my personal favorites is Mindy Kaling's "House Poor."

- Fox has finally canceled "King of the Hill."

- CW wants a "Melrose Place" remake (the original was a spinoff of "Beverly Hills, 90210") and Jennie Garth doesn't want any part in it.

- BREAKING: ABC has picked up full season of "Samantha Who?" Now all that's left for them is to pick up "Pushing Daisies" ...

- Dave Franco, James' little brother, will join the cast of "Privileged" as Rose's love interest. Thing is, he wouldn't appear onscreen until 2009, which means the CW needs to get a move on and pick up the back nine.

- In other casting news on "Privileged," Megan's mom will be played by Sharon Lawrence. Her arc is expected to last two episodes and the first of which will air in January.

- The CW has upped episode orders for three of its shows: "Gossip Girl" will now air 25 episodes (instead of 24), "One Tree Hill" will air 24 and "90210" will also shoot 24.

- "Pushing Daisies" will not return until November 19 with special guest star Fred Willard.

- Some news on NBC series "Kings," which stars Sebastian Stan ("Gossip Girl," "The Covenant"), Ian McShane and Christopher Egan ("Vanished"), Macaulay Culkin joins an impressive guest star roster that includes Miguel Ferrer ("Crossing Jordan"), Leslie Bibb ("Popular") and Michael Stahl-David ("The Black Donnellys").

- Dominic Monaghan joins "Chuck" for a guest stint on the February 2 episode. He plays a British rock star targeted by some very evil men.

- "Brothers and Sisters" has cast relative unknown Luke Grimes for the coveted role of the real "bastard" child, Ryan Lafferty. Grimes is an up-and-coming actor who has apparently caught the attention of many higher-ups.

- Major "Gossip Girl" spoiler here: B*r* B*s* is the one who dies. Not all that surprising, hm?

- For all you Daniel Craig fans out there, Mary McNamara talks "Archangel," an older project Craig did that is finally surfacing on American television. Will you watch?

- Courteney Cox and Bill Lawrence (creator of "Scrubs") are teaming up to bring you "Cougar Town" on ABC.

- "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" scribes Patrick Walsh and Sonny Lee have sold a comedy pilot to Fox called "Broke Friends." Congrats guys!

ROUNDUP: "HIMYM," "Prison Break," Tuesday nights and more

In what I hope to be a daily rundown of TV (and some film) news, critiques and raves from the past few days, here is today's (more) in-depth, blog-worthy collection.

- Tim Goodman critiques a weakened Tuesday night lineup from the five broadcast networks, and not surprisingly, I have to side with his analysis.

- A "major character" gets the big axe on "Gossip Girl." I use quotations because do you really think they'd kill off Nate or Vanessa (as rigid as she might be)? And is Bart Bass really considered that much of a factor? Seriously.

- Starz' small screen adaptation of the 2006 Oscar winner, "Crash," well, crashes - and badly.

- James Poniewozik of Time makes an interesting comparison between Monday's "How I Met Your Mother" episode and its change-centric anti-sitcom premise.

- "Crusoe," which premieres tonight on NBC, is a combination of "Lost" and "Pirates of the Caribbean." What?

- David Kelley ("The Practice," "Ally McBeal") is set to develop a new dramedy for NBC centered on a father-daughter lawyer team. Sounds like a time warp.

- "American Idol" champ David Cook will perform as "Saturday Night Live's" musical guest on November 1. Let's hope the host is light years beyond in talent to offset this unfortunate imbalance.

- Dwight gives birth to a watermelon. No, I'm not kidding.

- The trailer for the Daniel Craig film (and vying for a couple of Oscars), "Defiance," looks action-packed, emotional and gripping. The A-list cast includes Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell. Other trailers include Swedish horror flick, "Let the Right One In" and "The Haunting in Connecticut."

- Emmy winner Zeljko Ivanek ("Damages") will have a 10-episode arc on "Heroes." Maybe this'll turn the tide for the struggling third year series.

- Someone who we saw from day one of "Prison Break" will die, but it won't be Michael. Thank god. Guesses as to who bites the dust?

- You can purchase Charlie's ("It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia") infamous Green Man costume here.

- "Juno" scribe, Diablo Cody, is penning a new Showtime half-hour comedy starring Toni Collette called "The United States of Tara." Preview it here.

Quick Takes:
- "Mad Men" gets a third season order from AMC.
- Jenny and Nate have a brief romance in upcoming episodes of "Gossip Girl."
- Jessica Walter ("Arrested Development") has been demoted to recurring status on "90210."
- The fourth freshman series to get a full season is "The Mentalist." Not shocked at all. (The first three were "90210," "Fringe" and "True Blood." "True Blood" had already filmed all its episodes for the first season prior to the pilot airdate, but HBO ordered a second season quickly thereafter so it qualifies.)
- The final episodes of Sci Fi's "Battlestar Galactica" (no!) will start airing January 16.
- ABC orders four more scripts for "Eli Stone" before it premiered Tuesday night, which brings its current total to 17 episodes.
- Sarah Palin will appear on "Saturday Night Live" tomorrow.

ROUNDUP: '24,' 'My Own Worst Enemy,' 'Kath & Kim,' Mark Wahlberg and more

Here is a roundup of some of the week's notable TV headlines:

- "24: Redemption," airing Sunday, November 23, saves the children.

- Mark Wahlberg hated "Saturday Night Live's" spoof.

- Mixed-to-positive reviews are coming in for tonight's premiere of "My Own Worst Enemy," starring Christian Slater.

- "Kath & Kim" is "dumb and dull."

- CW ups "Gossip Girl" season order to 24 episodes.

- Zachary Levi gets dunked on "Ellen."

- Watch the series premiere of "Life on Mars" here.

- Tim Goodman of the San Francisco Chronicle says there's not a lot of quality TV to watch.