Here are some articles about the latest development on Nicollette’s lawsuit against Marc Cherry and ABC. To make long story short, ABC wanted to get parts of the suit dismissed (or get clarifications) and judge denied their request giving Nicollette the go ahead on the lawsuit.
Which on my opinion, comes to say there might be some true on her words for the judge to allow it.

Nicollette Sheridan has been granted permission to sue the creator of ‘Desperate Housewives’.

The actress was told by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Allen White yesterday (07.09.10) that the case she filed in April 2010 accusing Marc Cherry and network ABC of alleged assault and battery, gender violence, wrongful termination and discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation and age following her axe from the show in September 2008 is valid.

Lawyers for the network argued against the discrimination aspect of the suit, insisting it provided an uncertain cause of action because it combined three separate claims.

However, the judge said: “Although annoying, inconvenient and inconsiderate, the failure to separate the three distinct wrongs does not result in an inability to understand what is alleged.”

She also denied ABC’s request to have some language relating to the alleged harassment from the complaint removed.

The network’s lawyer Adam Levin told the judge both parties had not agreed to mediation, meaning the dispute may now be played out in open court.

In her suit, Nicollette – who is suing for $20 million damages – claimed Marc hit her across the face and sacked her when she complained to network ABC.

The case was originally filed in April, though a month later, the actress made an amendment to say he had given her a “light tap” on the face.

The updated lawsuit states: “In December 2008, Sheridan was informed that ABC had fully investigated her complaint and had concluded that she was not mistreated. In fact, the Executive Vice President of ABC Studios, Howard Davine, claimed that ‘Marc Cherry simply gave her a light tap on the side of her head for the sole purpose of providing direction for a scene they were rehearsing.’ With that, ABC decided to take no further action and closed the investigation, informing Sheridan that ‘we will finish off the season in the spirit of professionalism and courtesy that has been the normal course for ‘Desperate Housewives’.’

“However, rather than a season of ‘professionalism and courtesy’, Sheridan was informed in February 2009 that her employment on the show was going to be terminated and that her character, Edie Britt, was being killed off the show.”

At this point, it claims Nicollette was ordered to “break the story” she would be leaving to the press.

Source

Nicollette Sheridan can move forward with her $20 million suit alleging “Desperate Housewives” creator Marc Cherry assaulted, then fired her, because she disagreed with a script, a judge ruled today.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Allen White denied a motion by Cherry’s attorney, Adam Levin, to compel Sheridan’s lawyers to clarify the discrimination portion of her complaint, so he can adequately respond to it.

“I agree with you. It’s not a model of clarity,” White said, adding that she would not be surprised if Levin brought another motion to dismiss part or all of the case.

Sheridan, 46, filed her suit April 5 against Cherry, ABC and Touchstone Television Products. She alleges Cherry struck her across the head and face on the set, then fired her when she complained about the incident.

Levin maintained that Sheridan’s suit improperly merges separate allegations of discrimination based on age, sex and sexual orientation into one. Sheridan is heterosexual, and Cherry is gay, according to the complaint.

“The complaint is shrouded in mystery,” Levin said. “The defendants don’t know what they need to respond to.”

Sheridan played Edie Britt on 112 episodes of the hit show.

Source

Here’s a little more information how to collaborate with PETCO and Natural Balance to support Guide Dogs. The idea of making a joint donation in name of Nicollette has been a idea of mine for quite a while, maybe this is the time? What do you think? Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll find out how exactly we can make it.

Nicollette Sheridan is teaming with Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Pet Foods, PETCO and independent pet stores to celebrate National Guide Dog Month in September and raise money and awareness for guide dog organizations across the country.

Throughout September, pet parents can visit any of PETCO’s more than 1,000 locations nationwide, as well as many independent pet stores, and buy specially marked bags of Natural Balance dog food with Nicollette Sheridan’s picture on them, to donate $1 of the purchase price to participating guide dog schools. PETCO shoppers can also “round up” their purchases at the register to donate the difference to the cause, or donate money at the register, or make donations directly online at PETCO.com. All proceeds from these National Guide Dog Month activities will be donated to participating guide dog training facilities nationwide.

“I’ve always loved dogs, and this is a special way to celebrate the unique bond between dogs and their owners” said Nicollette Sheridan. “It takes over two years and $40,000 to properly train a guide dog. Together, we can help make a difference for this important cause.”

Recipients of the funds raised through the program include:

Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.
Guide Dogs of the Desert
Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc.
Southeastern Guide Dogs
Leader Dogs for the Blind
The Seeing Eye, Inc.
Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc.

For more information, visit www.naturalbalanceinc.com.

Source

On Saturday, August 21st the Dodgers will hold their inaugural Bark in the Park at Dodger Stadium, presented by Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. Fans that purchase a special event ticket in the All-You-Can-Eat Right Field Pavilion via the link below are invited to bring their dogs to the park and help cheer on their home team as the Dodgers host the Cincinnati Reds at 7:10 p.m.

Nicollette will throw out a ceremonial first pitch that night.

Source and more information

Remember those beautiful behind-the-scenes pictures of Nicollette that were part of a campaign for ‘Seeing Eye Dogs Of America’? Now we know a little more about it.

Nicollette has teamed up with long time friend Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Pet Foods and PETCO during National Guide Dog Month this upcoming September.
This year goal is to raise $1 million dollars to help guide dog school across the country, and provide a life changing independence to those who cannot see. Throughout September you can donate on your local PETCO or PETCO.com

Did you know it takes over $40,000 and 2 years to train a single guide dog? Help Natural Balance and PETCO raise money for guide dog schools across the country. Through the gift of a guide dog, together we can make a difference.

Captures can be seen at the gallery.

More information to come when available. Thanks to Dennis for the heads up!

I had heard of the posibility of Nicollette’s pilot presentation for 2010/2011 season to be called Lee Mathers but I didn’t have real proof, until now.
I’ve been lucky enough to find exclusive information of the plot and characters (names, ages, etc) and now I can share it with all of you.

Lee Mathers was in the States trying to reconnect with his daughter, whom he hasn’t seen in 10 years, and is now a teen superstar alas Hannah Montana. All of his attempts are being filmed by his manager Denny, who wants to sell the footage to any interested network. Needless to say the girl’s mother is less than thriller to know her exlover wants to be back in their lives. Lee ends up finding a son he didn’t know he had, a 17-year-old boy named Keanu.
Lacey stars in a tv show called Carlee Marr – Superstar! His tv dad, Warren, is played by (character name) Kenny Nistor.

For more information, check the TV Series page of the site. And remember you read it here FIRST!

A coupe of weeks ago Nicollette did a photoshoot for her collaboration with ‘Seeing Eye Dogs of America’. Please let me know if you find the pictures on magazines.

Here are a couple of shots from my shoot with Nicollette Sheridan for a very special shoot. Nicollette is supporting the ‘Seeing Eye Dogs of America’ this was a shoot for the publicity photos.

Pictures will be in many magazines soon.

Source

As if any of you didn’t know already, this is going to get ugly. But I’m Team Nicollette for several reasons: you don’t file a lawsuit about something that serious without any proof to back you up, you go to the press even if it’s true; and being something as serious as (gender) violence, why hasn’t she been sued for false accusations?
I am 99% sure wrongful termination is indeed, just like it’s happening now for Criminal Minds actresses, “creative reasons” are a lame excuse to fire someone. And the way everything happened (rushed dead, recycled “farewell” episode, JUST TV Guide interview, no talk shows to promote her last episode…). And remember back in 2008, there were reports of Marc hitting Nicollette… Now tell me, there’s nothing fishy here.

After months of silence and rumors of a settlement, ABC has begun fighting back against former “Desperate Housewives” star Nicollette Sheridan’s lawsuit against former boss Marc Cherry.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, ABC has hired on high-profile employee litigation specialist, Adam Levin. Levin is best known for successfully defending Warner Bros. Television against a harassment suit from a former “Friends” writer’s assistant.

“We intend to delve into the merits of her claims, all of which we strenuously dispute,” Levin told the publication.

Apparently, he hasn’t wasted any time. Levin has already requested private documents from Sheridan’s reps surrounding her alleged assault. He also seeks to depose her on tape as early as August.

Additionally, ABC is requesting documents and information from Sheridan’s agents at Innovative Artists and Don Buchwald & Associates, and publicity company BWR, among others. They’re also seeking documents for medical records revolving around Sheridan’s assault claim.

Sheridan filed her lawsuit in April in Los Angeles Superior Court. She is suing Cherry for assault and battery, gender violence and wrongful termination and seeks more than $20 million in damages.

Source

I’m only going to add (even if I have said it many times before) that there is NO excuse for violence.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Fired “Desperate Housewives” co-star Nicollette Sheridan has updated her lawsuit against series creator Marc Cherry and ABC, alleging for the first time that the network investigated her claim of physical abuse on the set and told her that it was merely a “light tap on the side of the head.”

Sheridan’s lawyers have quietly filed an amended complaint in her $20 million, seven-count lawsuit for wrongful termination, assault and battery, and discrimination. While it nearly mirrors the original (some language has been cleaned up and a few of the claims are more clearly stated), two interesting paragraphs have been added.

In the wake of Sheridan’s bombshell April 5 lawsuit alleging that Cherry struck her on the “Housewives” set and engaged in a pattern of abusive behavior, ABC said only that “we investigated similar claims last year by Ms. Sheridan and found them to be without merit.” At the time, Cherry and ABC executives reportedly told people the “incident” was merely Cherry rehearsing a scene with Sheridan involving a slap.

Now Sheridan confirms that was exactly ABC’s excuse to her. She also says she was told to go back to work and finish the season “in the spirit of professionalism” but was instead unprofessionally terminated two months later and forced to put on a happy face for the press.

Here are the two paragraphs added the amended lawsuit:

• In December 2008, Sheridan was informed that ABC had fully investigated her complaint and had concluded that she was not mistreated. In fact, the Executive Vice President of ABC Studios, Howard Davine, claimed that “Marc (Cherry) simply gave her a light tap on the side of her head for the sole purpose of providing direction for a scene they were rehearsing.” With that, ABC decided to take no further action and closed the investigation, informing Sheridan that “we will finish off the season in the spirit of professionalism and courtesy that has been the normal course for Desperate Housewives.”

• However, rather than a season of “professionalism and courtesy,” Sheridan was informed in February 2009 that her employment on the Show was going to be terminated and that her character, Edie Britt, was being killed off the Show. She was to film her final episode the last week of February 2009 and first week of March. Sheridan was given a strict publicity plan to follow to “break the story” that her character Edie Britt was leaving the Show.

Why did Sheridan’s lawyers amend the complaint to add two paragraphs claiming ABC looked into the claim and found it meritless? Neither Sheridan’s deal lawyer Neil Meyer nor her litigators Mark Baute and Patrick Maloney returned calls. ABC declined to comment on the amended complaint, filed May 20 in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Source

CBS has picked up just one midseason show for 2010-11 so far, but that may change in the next couple of weeks.

Nina Tassler, the president of CBS Entertainment, says that 12 of the 15 pilots it ordered tested well enough to go on the air. Given that and the fact that the network currently has no new comedies in reserve and only one drama — the “Criminal Minds” spinoff starring Forest Whitaker — more pickups could be on their way in the near future.

On the comedy side, “we have ‘Mad Love’ [starring Lizzy Caplan, Jason Biggs and Minka Kelly], ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ [from the 'How I Met Your Mother' team] — there are still a lot of [choices],” Tassler says. “I don’t mean to imply anything by omission, but I think we had a very strong development season. The objective goal was we needed to have a lot of options.”

For the record, the other comedy pilots CBS ordered this year were “Hitched,” “Team Spitz,” “Open Books” and an untitled project from “Bruno” co-writer Ant Hines and director Larry Charles.

Dramas that are reportedly still in play include a medical show executive produced by John Wells and “Chaos,” about CIA agents. Tassler says she and her team will make other decisions on midseason shows when they return to Los Angeles following the upfronts.?

Source

CBS just made public its fall schedule and the Ant Hines/Larry Charles Untitled Project didn’t make the cut of the new shows. I’ve heard rumors they might unveil more mid-season orders tomorrow but there’s no word of it on their official release.

You can see the full schedule over at Televisionary.