'Bates Motel' Will Close After Season 5; Rihanna Joins Cast!

.@rihanna to check into #BatesMotel as Marion Crane in the 5th and final season!https://t.co/7t2pRL43cf

— Bates Motel on A&E (@InsideBates) July 22, 2016

NEWS: Rick Springfield Gets Star on Hollywood Walk Of Fame; 'Revenge' Finale; 500 People Had to Keep 'Good Wife' Secret; Chris Carmack Revisits the Past

Rick Springfield. Photo Credit: Getty Images

Former 'General Hospital' actor Rick Springfield gets star on Hollywood Walk Of Fame
Springfield now finds himself among other musical icons along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Springfield received his Walk of Fame star along Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Live Nation building Friday. GH's Jason Thompson (Patrick) and Y&R's Doug Davidson (Paul) were among those in attendance.

The "Jessie's Girl" singer says he owes the fans for his career in show business. He said he walked along the Walk of Fame as a youngster and hoped to one day be successful enough to merit a star. He also dedicated his star in the memory of his father, who Springfield said unfortunately passed away just as Springfield's career was taking off.

CBS Remains The Broadcaster To Beat In An Ever-Changing Media Landscape
Ed Martin writes: "CBS has also experienced uncommon growth in daytime (especially with The Young and the Restless and The Talk)and remains a vital player (and one that continues to demand much attention) in late night. (In addition, it is entering the summer programming arena with great gusto, not by filling it with cheap reality shows and Canadian pick-ups, but by producing scripted series such as “Under the Dome” and “Extant” that are custom designed for escapist summer viewing."

Soap stars get Sapphic in web series 'Beacon Hill'
Alicia Minshew: "The difference is the budget for one. The TV studios have more money. However, I am proud of how high end and beautiful Beacon Hill looks! Another difference is that we are on location, which gives it more of a film feel instead of being in a studio like on TV. The pace is the same…QUICK!"

A&E's 'Bates Motel' Will Wrap Season 2 with Live 'After Hours' Special Event

A&E Network premieres the season finale of the hit original series Bates Motel on Monday, May 5th at 10 p.m. ET/PT immediately followed by the finale edition of Bates Motel: After Hours, at 11 p.m. ET/PT hosted by Dave Holmes.

Season two of Bates Motel further explores Norman's unraveling psyche and digs deeper into the twisted world of the Bates family. New family members and seedy residents of the White Pine Bay including notable guest stars checked in throughout the season. In the season two finale, Norman (Freddie Highmore) is haunted by a tragic event in his past and Norma (Vera Farmiga) tries to save him from making a horrible mistake. Romero (Nestor Carbonell) and Dylan (Max Thieriot) find a way to bring closure to the drug war and Emma (Olivia Cooke) makes a decision about her future at Bates Motel.

'Bates Motel' Preview: There's No Escape

Photo Credit: A&E Networks

The second season of A&E's hit drama series Bates Motel continues with a new episode ("The Box") on Monday, April 28 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Norma (Vera Farmiga) desperately tries to connect with Norman (Freddie Highmore). Dylan (Max Thieriot) decides if risking his life is worth saving a loved one. Romero (Nestor Carbonell) enlists the help of a former colleague to determine if Norman is guilty of a crime. Michael O’Neill, Michael Eklund and Kathleen Robertson guest star.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

BATES MOTEL Renewed For Third Season

A&E Network has picked up a third season of the critically acclaimed original series BATES MOTEL, it was announced Monday by David McKillop, Executive Vice President and General Manager, A&E Network.

"The incredible writing team and talented BATES MOTEL cast has made this series one of the most compelling original dramas on television," said McKillop. "The brilliant twists and turns of the past two seasons keep its loyal fan base coming back for more. We are so proud of the show."

BATES MOTEL "Shadow of a Doubt" Preview: You Can't Save Everyone

Photo Credit: A&E Networks

The second season of A&E's hit drama series BATES MOTEL continues with a new episode ("Shadow of a Doubt") on Monday, March 10 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Norma (Vera Farmiga) tries to distract Norman (Freddie Highmore) from his obsession with Miss Watson (Keegan Connor Tracy) by joining a play. Bradley (Nicola Peltz) turns to Norman for help when she has to escape a dire situation. Romero (Nestor Carbonell) is pressured to make an arrest for the murder. A new player at work has Dylan (Max Thieriot) and Remo (Ian Tracey) on edge.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

BATES MOTEL Season 2 Premiere Preview

Photo Credit: A&E Networks

A&E Network premieres season two of the critically acclaimed original drama series BATES MOTEL on Monday, March 3 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. BATES MOTEL stars Vera Farmiga in her Emmy-nominated role as Norma Bates and Freddie Highmore as Norman.

In "Gone But Not Forgotten," Norman fixates on Miss Watson’s death; Norma worries about the future of the motel when plans for the bypass move ahead of schedule; Bradley is driven to extremes as she searches for her father’s killer.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

A&E Presents the Special Live Event BATES MOTEL: AFTER HOURS

On Monday, A&E Network announced BATES MOTEL: AFTER HOURS, a live half-hour special event bringing the highly engaged BATES MOTEL community to life as fans interact with the show's stars and creators sharing behind-the-scenes analysis and exclusive content.

Series stars Vera Farmiga (Norma Bates), Freddie Highmore (Norman Bates), Max Thieriot (Dylan Massett) and executive producers Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin share their insights into the first episode and answer fan questions about the upcoming season of BATES MOTEL.

NEWS: Alison Sweeney, Michael Park, Eva La Rue, David O. Russell, BATES MOTEL, Adrianne Palicki

Departing DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Alison Sweeney says she would never do a soap
"I would never do another soap," Sweeney says. "That is not why I am leaving. If I were to be on a soap opera, I would be on DAYS. And I would be Sami. Having finally made the decision, I felt at peace. It felt right."

Michael Park, Laura Osnes, Sally Murphy & More to Star in Off-Broadway Revival of "The Threepenny Opera"
The Atlantic Theater Company has announced complete casting for its off-Broadway revival of "The Threepenny Opera." Emmy winner Michael Park (ex-Jack, AS THE WORLD TURNS), Tony nominee Laura Osnes, Sally Murphy and Oscar winner F. Murray Abraham are among those who have joined the star-studded cast. Directed and choreographed by Martha Clarke, "The Threepenny Opera" will play a limited engagement at the Linda Gross Theater from March 12 through May 4. Opening night is set for April 7.

A&E's BATES MOTEL Re-Opens for a Second Season
A&E Network premieres season two of the critically acclaimed original drama series BATES MOTEL, starring Vera Farmiga in her Emmy-nominated role as Norma Bates and Freddie Highmore as Norman. The series premieres Monday, March 3 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Guest stars checking into BATES MOTEL throughout the new season are Michael Vartan, Kathleen Robertson, Paloma Kwiatkowski, Rebecca Creskoff, Kenny Johnson, Michael Eklund and Michael O'Neill.

NEWS: Holly Gagnier Lawsuit Sunday Night Ratings; Netflix Passes HBO In Paid US Subscribers; Fruit Cellar Coming To BATES MOTEL

Former Soap Actress Holly Gagnier Accused of Sabotaging Movie Deal for THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL's Hunter Tylo
Former ONE LIFE TO LIVE and DAYS OF OUR LIVES actress Holly Gagnier is being sued by 80-year-old Patricia McCoy, who claims to have been the actress’ ballet teacher for 15 years, from the time Gagnier was six years old.

In her complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court last week, McCoy claims that Gagnier tried to sabotage a potential movie deal between McCoy and Tylo, based on McCoy’s 1999 book “The American Dream Has Put Our Souls to Sleep.” McCoy claims that she struck up a deal with Tylo for a script based on the book, with Tylo starring in the potential movie. However, according to the suit, in September Gagner called Tylo’s manager and trash-talked McCoy in an effort to spoil the agreement.

THE WALKING DEAD Scores 13.9M Viewers, Down From Premiere
TWD scored 13.9 million viewers total viewers Sunday, 9.1 million of them in the key 18-49 demographic. Those numbers were impressive, but down from the show’s premiere last week.

More Sunday Night Ratings: THE GOOD WIFE Up, ONCE UPON A TIME ties series low
THE GOOD WIFE enjoyed a ratings uptick, rising two tenths in the demo (to a 1.4) and gaining 6 percent in total audience (with 9 million viewers). The show has gone up in weeks it started later because of NFL football.

Over on ABC, ONCE UPON A TIME (7 mil/2.0) fell 17 percent in the demo to tie its series low, REVENGE (6.1 mil/1.5) dipped one tenth and BETRAYAL (3.6 mil/0.9) actually inched up a tenth.

Netflix tops 40 million customers total, more paid US subscribers than HBO
Netflix's results for the third quarter have arrived and one of its most important numbers, the total amount of US subscribers (not including trial accounts), has reached 29.93 million, more than HBO's last count of 28.7 million.

HOMELAND showrunner on that huge twist, and defending season 3
[SPOILER from Sunday's episode] The Emmy-winning Showtime drama series’ first few episodes this fall showed Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) locked in a mental institution, publicly humiliated, betrayed by the CIA and — most hurtfully — thrown under the bus by her closest ally and father figure Saul (Mandy Patinkin). It was a brutal arc that left some viewers frustrated and dismayed. Then at the very end of tonight’s hour, there was this revelation: Carrie and Saul have been secretly in cahoots to ruin her reputation to lure out the mastermind responsible for last season’s memorial bombing. Suddenly it seems Carrie isn’t a reckless victim, but as the episode’s “Game On” title suggests, very much in the game, and has been this whole time.

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS cast's casual reunion
Sure, it’s just one Instagram photo. But it’s an Instagram photo with Street, Saracen, Smash, Luke, and even Herc, and for any FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS fan, that’s enough to get us, well, teary-eyed, broken-hearted and… lost at the sight of our favorite Dillon football players.

Posted by Scott Porter (Jason Street), the photo shows him and his former costars Matt Lauria (Luke), Gaius Charles (Smash), Zach Gilford (Matt Saracen), and Kevin Rankin (Herc) catching a break on #SundayFunday. It’s a small cast gathering, but it almost makes us forget that FNL isn’t on the fast-track back to the big screen.

Y&R's Christian J. LeBlanc will be making two October 26 appearances in New Orleans
At 2:00 p.m., the actor will be showing up at Tipitina's (501 Napoleon Ave) with AMC newscaster Robin Williams, who has famously battled cancer, to promote YOUR POWER IS ON, A Little Book of Hope, written by her sister, Sally-Ann Roberts, an anchor at WWL. The book-signing event will also include a gospel concert. Next, starting at 10:00 p.m., LeBlanc will be judging a costume contest for the Halloween New Orleans extravaganza.

A&E's BATES MOTEL introducing the infamous fruit cellar where Mother's stuffed body is revealed at the conclusion of Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho
"There are many creepy things down there," says Freddie Highmore, whose Norman will turn the basement into his private taxidermy studio.

ONCE UPON A TIME Casts Rumplestiltskin's Father
British actor Stephen Lord has been cast in the role. On the series, we've learned that the father of a young Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle) was branded a coward, so Rumple was desperate to prove he wouldn't follow in dear old dad's footsteps.

NEWS: How to Make a TV Drama in the Twitter Age; MAD MEN Opening Credits Lawsuit Settled; THE O.C. Was Definitive Show About 2000s Economy

Last month at the Writers Guild of America, West, Lorne Manley of
The Times spoke with the overseers of several top dramas about the
challenges of producing television in the Twitter age.
Photo: Credit: Monica Almeida/The New York Times

Post-Water-Cooler TV: How to Make a TV Drama in the Twitter Age
The New York Times recently gathered the men and women who steer six of the best dramas on television — from the broadcast and cable networks, and the upstart Netflix — to talk about the challenges of making TV in the Twitter age. At the fitting location here of the Writers Guild of America, West, Shonda Rhimes (SCANDAL and GREY'S ANATOMY), Carlton Cuse (BATES MOTEL and previously LOST), Robert and Michelle King (THE GOOD WIFE), Terence Winter (BOARDWALK EMPIRE), Scott Buck (DEXTER) and Beau Willimon (HOUSE OF CARDS) shared their views on writing themselves into and out of jams, the broadcast-cable divide and the possible end of episodes and seasons as we know them.

NEWS: Jackie Zeman, Parker Posey, Sean Maguire, Hannah Murray, Terrence Howard, Michelle Forbes, Michael Vartan

GENERAL HOSPITAL's Jackie Zeman savors memories of growing up in Bergen County, New Jersey
Zeman, who is best-known to soap opera fans as Bobbie Spencer on GH, grew up in Bergenfield. It was there that she and her two younger sisters, Lauren and Carol, developed their interests and lasting friendships. It was there that Zeman first felt inspired to follow the adventurous spirit she inherited from her father.

"I remember growing up and looking at my mom and my dad — my mom was the one who watched us while he went to work every day, but I remember thinking, 'He's having all the fun,' " said Zeman, 60.

Parker Posey On Grace of Monaco and Her AS THE WORLD TURNS Days
"I saw Colleen Zink, who played my aunt a few years ago -- I hadn't seen her for 15 years -- and she still looked the same. The actors on that show were fab. I wish I could go back and do more -- that would be a hoot."

BATES MOTEL Renewed For Second Season

A&E Network has picked up a second season of the acclaimed drama series, BATES MOTEL starring Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore from executive producers Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin, it was announced today by Bob DeBitetto, President and General Manager of A&E Network and BIO Channel.

The premiere of BATES MOTEL garnered 4.5 million total viewers and 2.5 million adults 25-54 and 18-49, based on Live+7 viewership, making it the most-watched original drama debut in the key demos in the network's history.

Monday Night Ratings: CARRIE DIARIES Steady, DALLAS Slightly Down

The overnight ratings are in for Monday, March 25.

On the CW, THE CARRIE DIARIES was flat with last week's 0.4 adults 18-49 rating (830,000 total viewers).

On FOX, THE FOLLOWING scored a series low 2.3, down two tenths from last week's 2.5 adults 18-49 rating (6.66 million viewers).

BATES MOTEL Premieres March 18 On A&E

A&E Network will premiere the new original scripted drama series BATES MOTEL from executive producers Carlton Cuse (LOST) and Kerry Ehrin (FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS) on Monday, March 18 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, it was announced today by Bob DeBitetto, President and GM of A&E Network and Bio Channel.

BATES MOTEL is a contemporary prequel to the genre-defining film Psycho, and promises to give viewers an intimate portrayal of how Norman Bates’ psyche unravels through his teenage years. Fans will have access to the dark, twisted backstory of Norman Bates and how deeply intricate his relationship with his mother, Norma, truly is.

BATES MOTEL Coming To A&E In 2013

A&E Network is going directly to series on BATES MOTEL from Universal Television with Carlton Cuse (LOST) and Kerry Ehrin (FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS and PARENTHOOD) serving as executive producers, it was announced today. The network is moving straight to series, bypassing a pilot, with a 10-episode order. Pre-production and casting will begin immediately.