Ben Feldman News

Continuing the BRIDGING TV & THEATRE: DROP DEAD DIVA series, today, here is my extended conversation with Tony-nominee and Broadway star Kate Levering about starring in seven Broadway shows - CHICAGO and 42nd STREET included - by the time she was twenty-two, as well as working with Harry Connick, Jr. and Norbert Leo Butz on THOU SHALT NOT and auditioning for legendary dancer and choreographer Ann Reinking (and her words of wisdom), plus all about Levering's work on DROP DEAD DIVA and what we can expect in the surprising twists for her feisty character in season two as well as her other television work - including co-starring with Taye Diggs, Idina Menzel, Christina Hendricks and Craig Bierko. Additionally, we discuss the charitable organization that is closest to Kate's heart, Purse of Hope [www.PurseofHope.org].

Over the course of the next several weeks, we are going to be taking an extensive look at the sights and sounds both onscreen and onset of the hit TV dramedy series DROP DEAD DIVA - new episodes airing Sunday nights at 9 PM on Lifetime starting this week - featuring exclusive interviews with the leading lady divas and dashing supporting men on the LA-based supernatural legal series. Featuring a memorable collection of musical performances and Broadway guest stars over the years - Paula Abdul, Rosie O‘Donnell, Delta Burke and many more included - DROP DEAD DIVA is the quintessential TV series for Broadway babies looking for some laughs and levity - the latter available in many more ways than one, given the show's heavenly aspirations. DROP DEAD DIVA centers on a legal eagle named Jane whose body acts as the means for the indomitable spirit of a model, Deb, who loses her life, to make a second chance and how the girl inside must learn to adjust to looking like the woman on the outside that she is now. In other words, a model finds out what it means to look like everyone else, in a delightfully quirky twist of fate - and learns to be a lawyer, too. Season Three picks up with the cliffhanger car crash that closed last season in a dark and shocking way. What will Grayson remember of the conversation he had with Jane pre-crash? What will Jane do to save him? What about his engagement (to somebody else)? What will happen back at the office with Teri, Kim and Parker? What about Stacy and Fred? All these questions and many more will most assuredly be answered (or beginning to be answered) come Sunday night! Plus, a musical number featuring LeAnn Rimes! Don't miss it! So, without further ado, kicking off our BRIDGING TV & THEATRE: DROP DEAD DIVA series , here is a concise and charming chat with irrepressible comedienne and comic actress Margaret Cho, who plays the role of legal assistant Teri on the show. Cho is no stranger to the world of television, having starred in ALL-AMERICAN GIRL in the mid-90s on ABC, filming several television comedy specials and recently headlining her own reality TV series, THE MARGARET CHO SHOW.

The sophomore season of this quirky hit Lifetime series from Sony Pictures Television stars Brooke Elliott (What Women Want) as a shallow wannabe model who dies in a sudden accident only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, plus-size and recently deceased attorney, Jane.

According to TVGuide.com, Broadway veterans Clay Aiken and Lance Bass are set to star in the fifth episode of the third season of DROP DEAD DIVA. Bass will star as a casting directorand Aiken a witness in a mail-order bride scam case.

According to EW.com, Wanda Sykes, Ben Shenkman, and Tony Goldwyn are all set to make appearances on the upcoming third season of Lifetime's 'Drop Dead Diva.'

Stand up comedienne and actress Wanda Sykes has signed on to guest star for the third season of the hit LIFETIME dramedy series DROP DEAD DIVA, starring Brooke Elliott, in the fifth episode that was ripped straight from the headlines. Sykes will play the character of Judge Yvonne Wright, an eccentric judge who isn't amused and refuses to be swayed by Jane Bingum's (Elliott) courtroom theatrics.

The sophomore season of this quirky hit Lifetime series from Sony Pictures Television stars Brooke Elliott (What Women Want) as a shallow wannabe model who dies in a sudden accident only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, plus-size and recently deceased attorney, Jane.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) has announced the selections for its 22nd Annual Festival of New Musicals taking place on Thursday, October 21 and Friday, October 22, 2010 in New York City.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) has announced the selections for its 22nd Annual Festival of New Musicals taking place on Thursday, October 21 and Friday, October 22, 2010 in New York City.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) has announced the selections for its 22nd Annual Festival of New Musicals taking place on Thursday, October 21 and Friday, October 22, 2010 in New York City.

Lifetime Television has renewed its hit scripted series Army Wives and Drop Dead Diva for their fifth and third seasons, respectively, to premiere in 2011, during which 13 all-new episodes of each program will air on the network. The announcement was made today by Nancy Dubuc, President and General Manager of Lifetime Networks and HISTORY.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) has announced the selections for its 22nd Annual Festival of New Musicals taking place on Thursday, October 21 and Friday, October 22, 2010 in New York City.

On August 30th, Oscar Winning producers Craig Zadan And Neil Meron hosted a truly 'All-Star' cast reception for Lifetime Network's hit series DROP DEAD DIVA. Zadan and Meron are executive producers of the show which was recently picked up for a second season.

Paula Abdul will return to 'American Idol,' for the right price. TMZ is reporting that Abdul wants $10 million a year to return to her judging post.

Paula Abdul is in talks with Nigel Lythgoe about becoming a part of Fox's 'So You Think You Can Dance,' according to Variety.

FOX has announced they will have guests judges fill-in for outgoing American Idol judge Paula Abdul, and will have a permanent replacement before live 'Idol' episodes begin next year, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Outgoing American Idol judge Paula Abdul is already set to appear on another television show. The pop star will film a second guest-starring appearance for Lifetime's 'Drop Dead Diva,' the new hit comedic drama series from executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

Lifetime's 'Drop Dead Diva,' the new hit comedic drama series from executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, continues to earn raves worldwide.

Lifetime's new one-hour comedic drama series, Drop Dead Diva, became the Network's highest-rated original drama series debut across key demographics since the June 3, 2007, launch of the hit drama Army Wives. The July 12, 2009, premiere of Drop Dead Diva averaged a 1.6 rating, a 148% increase from the 9:00 PM time period's prior four-week average, among the highly coveted advertiser demographic of Women 18-49 and a 1.9 among Women 25-54, a 158% increase from the prior four week average. In Households, Drop Dead Diva scored a 2.2 rating, up 103% from the prior four week time period and averaged more than 2.8 million total viewers, a 129% jump from the prior same four weeks.

On Sunday, July 12 at 9PM ET/PT Lifetime Television premieres 'Drop Dead Diva.' The one-hour, comedic drama tells the story of a shallow model-in-training who dies in a sudden accident only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, plus-size and recently deceased attorney.