Josh Stamberg News

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.

Hearing Margot Mason's (Annette Bening) brash opening words on the phone to her publisher 'F*** You!', people will either automatically turn on or turn off to Joanna Murray-Smith's The Female of the Species about the misadventures of a fictional best-selling feminist writer plagued by writer's block. This is an egomaniac who's used to getting her own way in every aspect of her life until an intruder turns her 'self-absorbed' world upside down. Farce is wildly exaggerated comedy, and as such, makes audience laugh out loud because they can see themselves onstage. The Female of the Species has enough laughter for three plays and still manages to be thought-provoking about contemporary gender misconceptions. Men and women are supposed to behave a certain way and when they don't...both are human after all, so why not ease up and view the whole issue with some humility.

Annette Bening, who plays the famed feminist in playwright Joanna Murray-Smith's comedy The Female of the Species, will be sharing the Geffen Playhouse stage with a diverse group of acclaimed actors: David Arquette (Scream, Never Been Kissed), Tony Award nominee Mireille Enos (Big Love, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf on Broadway), Merritt Wever (Nurse Jackie), Julian Sands (A Room with a View, Boxing Helena) and Josh Stamberg (Drop Dead Diva). The production is helmed by Geffen Playhouse Artistic Director Randall Arney and begins in previews on February 2 with an official opening night of Wednesday, February 10, 2010.

Annette Bening, who plays the famed feminist in playwright Joanna Murray-Smith's comedy The Female of the Species, will be sharing the Geffen Playhouse stage with a diverse group of acclaimed actors: David Arquette (Scream, Never Been Kissed), Tony Award nominee Mireille Enos (Big Love, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf on Broadway), Merritt Wever (Nurse Jackie), Julian Sands (A Room with a View, Boxing Helena) and Josh Stamberg (Drop Dead Diva). The production is helmed by Geffen Playhouse Artistic Director Randall Arney and begins in previews on February 2 with an official opening night of Wednesday, February 10, 2010.

The Actors Fund will present its annual gala on April 12 at the Marriot Marquis. Receiving The Actors Fund Medal of Honor this year is film and stage actress Annette Bening. Producer Kevin McCollum and entrepreneur Jonathan Tisch will also be honored.

Annette Bening, who plays the famed feminist in playwright Joanna Murray-Smith's comedy The Female of the Species, will be sharing the Geffen Playhouse stage with a diverse group of acclaimed actors: David Arquette (Scream, Never Been Kissed), Tony Award nominee Mireille Enos (Big Love, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf on Broadway), Merritt Wever (Nurse Jackie), Julian Sands (A Room with a View, Boxing Helena) and Josh Stamberg (Drop Dead Diva). The production is helmed by Geffen Playhouse Artistic Director Randall Arney and begins in previews on February 2 with an official opening night of Wednesday, February 10, 2010.

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.

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.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is pleased to announce a second one-week extension of the New York premiere production of Distracted, by Lisa Loomer, directed by Mark Brokaw. Distracted opened last night, March 4th, and has been extended again to Sunday, May 17th, 2009 at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street).

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is pleased to announce the extension of the New York premiere production of Distracted, by Lisa Loomer, directed by Mark Brokaw. Distracted opened on Wednesday, March 4th and has been extended to Sunday, May 17 th, 2009 at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street).

Cynthia Nixon, star of Roundabout Theatre Company's Distracted, will be interviewed on 'WCBS 2 News,' on Sunday, April 5th between 8:30-9:00AM on CBS channel 2. Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents the New York premiere of Distracted, by Lisa Loomer, directed by Mark Brokaw.

ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY announces an updated listing for DISTRACTED, running April 7-May 17, 2009 at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre Cast members: Peter Benson, Shana Dowdeswell, Lisa Emery, Natalie Gold, Matthew Gumley, Rick Holmes**, Mimi Lieber, Aleta Mitchell, Cynthia Nixon

Cynthia Nixon & Josh Stamberg were live on NPR's 'Talk of the Nation' news talk program this week. Click here to listen as they discuss their roles in the play as well as ADD, with host Neal Conan. Roundabout Theatre Company presents Distracted, written by Lisa Loomer, directed by Mark Brokaw and featuring Peter Benson, Shana Dowdeswell, Lisa Emery, Natalie Gold, Matthew Gumley, Mimi Lieber, Aleta Mitchell, Cynthia Nixon and Josh Stamberg.