HBO’s ‘Confirmation’ Distresses Two Former U.S. Senators, Who are Mulling Legal Action

TV Tattle

HBO’s Confirmation distresses two former U.S. senators, who are mulling legal action

Two former U.S. senators and a former lawyer in the first Bush White House have suggested legal action over the Clarence Thomas hearings TV movie, which they claim offers a biased portrayal based on an early script that they’ve read. Former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson, who actually helped scriptwriter Susannah Grant, said the script he saw was a “seriously distorted” version of the actual confirmation hearings. “I do know she chopped up pretty much everyone. I don’t know anyone who came out very good,” says Simpson. Asked to respond, HBO Films president Len Amato says: “Basically, people are talking about something they haven’t seen and when you see the film, you’ll see it’s quite evenhanded. And that’s because we don’t want to push an agenda.”

HBO renews Vinyl despite premiering to disappointing ratings

After one low-rated episode, HBO has opted to order a second season of the ’70s rock series.


Jeb Bush fans love The Middle, Bernie Sanders fans watch Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Mashable has rounded up the viewing habits of presidential candidates’ supporters. Donald Trump fans, for instance, like network shows featuring alpha males and violence — plus Dancing with the Stars.


Hairspray Live premieres Dec. 7, with Harvey Fierstein on board to write the script adaptation

Fierstein isn’t the only Hairspray veteran returning. He’ll be joined by the Broadway musical’s original songwriters and choreographer.


Larry Wilmore taken to task over The Nightly Show‘s alleged “anti-intellectual” shift away from Stephen Colbert

Wilmore was confronted by disappointed viewers during a Reddit AMA yesterday. As AdWeek explains, many commenters complained “Wilmore too often falls back on vapid pop culture commentary or race relations in America for his punchlines and segment focuses, abandoning the humorous-but-heartfelt championing of science and reason that was a recurring theme for The Daily Show‘s Stewart and Wilmore’s predecessor, Colbert.”


Taraji P. Henson is lending her voice to Fox’s Ice Age Easter special

Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade will serve as 30-minute lead-in for the live musical event The Passion on March 20.


Stockard Channing to star in NBC comedy pilot Me & Mean Margaret

The West Wing alum will play a legendary actress whom a 27-year-old lawyer has to “babysit.”


A petition is calling for Deadpool to host SNL

Says the Change.org petition: “How would this not be hilarious having Deadpool in sketches, breaking the fourth wall, and inserting some of his brand of humor (obviously toned down a bit for network television?!)”


Ben Stiller recalls dating Real Housewives alum Brandi Glanville

Andy Cohen got Stiller to talk about his “short-lived” romance with Glanville, which he described as “a couple of dates and fun.” He added: “I’m not sure my wife is even aware of that.”


‘70s punk rock icon Richard Hell calls Vinyl “boring” and “innocuous trash”

“I don’t want to be too hard on Vinyl,” says Hell in a review of the HBO series. “I thought it was boring, I thought it was innocuous trash, but I may not be objective.” He adds: “The show isn’t really about music, it’s about business, and business as understood by Martin Scorsese.”


Apple hires Aubrey Plaza to star in an iPhone ad

Watch the former Parks and Rec star explain 3D touch.


The Grinder taps Caroline Rhea to play Rob Lowe’s former sitcom co-star

Rhea and Lowe’s character Dean once appeared together in the multi-camera comedy Fran of the House. PLUS: Check out Rob Lowe’s Grinder bobblehead.


Andy Daly’s Review to end with a shortened third and final season

Daly is currently fielding pilot offers, and the decision to end his Comedy Central show was mutual, according to The Hollywood Reporter.


Happy Endings alum Zach Knighton is headed back to ABC to co-star opposite Candice Bergen

He’ll play her son on the comedy pilot Pearl.


Dave Grohl will perform at the Oscars

The Academy also announced new presenters, including J.J. Abrams, Morgan Freeman and Sacha Baron Cohen.


Check out the official trailer for Hulu’s The Path, starring Aaron Paul

The cult family drama from Jason Katims also stars Hugh Dancy, Michelle Monaghan and Rockmond Dunbar.


Former That’s So Raven star arrested

Orlando Brown was taken into custody last month after allegedly striking his girlfriend in a parking lot.


Watch 500 Simpsons episodes at the same time

Introducing The Simpsons Sphere.


Sugar from Survivor becomes a mom and a wife

Two-time Survivor contestant Jessica “Sugar” Kiper welcomed a baby three months ago and followed that up on Valentine’s Day with a wedding.


Vikings returns for Season 4 with a little Revenant-style action

The History channel series picks up tonight where it left off last season. PLUS: How Vikings shows a dramatic clash between religion and politics.