Tuesday, June 5, 2012

The creators of “South Park,” the animated show known for its crude language and lampooning hot-button social issues, are about to whack the video game world with “The Stick of Truth.”

Trey Parker and Matt Stone used a Microsoft Xbox 360 press event Monday to unveil “South Park: The Stick of Truth,” a video game based on the Comedy Central show.

“We got approached a couple of years ago to do a ’South Park’ game and the only thing was that it had to feel like you were in a ’South Park’ episode,” Mr. Parker said.

“So it had to get that distinctive, crappy ’South Park’ look,” Mr. Stone chimed in.

The video game trailer showed the cartoon town being destroyed by “goblins, vampires and hippies.” The group of cartoon friends at the core of the show set out to save the town with the help of a “new kid” whose family just moved to the community.

“You are the new kid who moved into town,” Mr. Parker said of the role taken on by players of the game being made by THQ Inc. “You are trying to become cool.”

A version of the game tailored for Xbox 360 voice and gesture-sensing Kinect controllers will let players taunt adversaries. The game is to be released in March 2013.

Air date set for reality show despite threat of CBS suit

The list of contestants for ABC’s “The Glass House” is out, although a legal challenge looms over the upcoming reality show.

ABC said Monday that 14 people, including a bail bondsman, a scientist and a bar mitzvah DJ, will become housemates and compete for a $250,000 prize. Audience feedback will help shape the contestants’ daily life and who stays in the game.

CBS, however, is seeking an injunction blocking the airing of “The Glass House,” alleging it violates copyrights and trade secrets from its show “Big Brother.” ABC has denied wrongdoing, saying the two shows have numerous differences.

A date for the injunction hearing has yet to be scheduled. “The Glass House” is set to debut June 18 on ABC.

Jerry O’Connell cast as Herman in NBC ’Munsters’ reboot

Jerry O’Connell has a new address: 1313 Mockingbird Lane.

The former “Defenders” star has been cast as Herman Munster in “Mockingbird Lane,” NBC’s reboot of 1960s sitcom “The Munsters,” the Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

In the reboot, family patriarch Herman — as in the 1964-66 CBS series — has a permanent home under Grandpa Munster’s thumb. Mr. O’Connell joins the previously cast Eddie Izzard, who will play the powerful and quick-witted vampire in a role that was originated by Al Lewis.

Mason Cook will play Herman and Lily’s werewolf son, Eddie. Bryan Singer will executive produce and direct the pilot.

NBC initially eyed the reboot, from “Pushing Daisies” creator Bryan Fuller, for this development season, but pushed the project to summer.

Mr. Fuller and NBC first made an attempt to revive the sitcom last year, with the network ultimately passing. His newer version is said to be an edgier and slightly darker take, exploring origins of Herman and Lily Munster (originally played by Fred Gwynne and Yvonne De Carlo) and how they arrived at the famed 1313 Mockingbird Lane address.

Mr. O’Connell most recently starred on CBS’ legal drama “The Defenders,” which was canceled after one season.

Bravo host Andy Cohen signs on for radio show

Andy Cohen loves pop culture about as much as he loves to talk. Now he’ll be talking pop culture even more for a five-week run on SiriusXM.

Mr. Cohen, who currently hosts the Bravo talk show, “Watch What Happens Live,” said the new satellite radio show will cover more than “The Real Housewives” franchise.

“There will be some ’Housewives’ talk, I hope,” Mr. Cohen said in an Associated Press interview Monday. “I want to talk to Caroline [Manzo of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey”] about a story that I tell in my book about when they were cast and how that casting went down.”

Then he added: “But it’s not the ’Housewives’ radio show.”

He said he wants the show to pick up where his book, “Most Talkative: Stories From the Front Lines of Pop Culture,” left off. Among the topics he brings up is his love for television, which he said began with it “2 inches from my face.”

Being passionate about television as a kid, Mr. Cohen said one of his favorite shows was the “Battle of the Network Stars,” a reality series that pitted stars from the three major networks against one another.

“To me it was like the gay Olympics. It was the biggest stars all wearing bikini-little speedos and tank tops,” Mr. Cohen said.

His first scheduled guest on his radio show appeared on “Battle of the Network Stars” as a contestant.

“Valerie Bertinelli. I really want to talk to her about that,” Mr. Cohen said.

While he’s doing the radio show for only five weeks, Mr. Cohen will be burning the candle at both ends. Besides hosting the radio show and “Watch What Happens Live,” he’s also Bravo’s executive vice president of development and talent.

While Mr. Cohen is busy, he said he doesn’t think he’s approaching Ryan Seacrest territory.

“I don’t know. Hopefully, I’ll have as good a head of hair as Ryan,” Mr. Cohen joked.

The one-hour show kicks off at 10 a.m. Thursday.

• From wire dispatches and staff reports

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