Tonight (July 12) at 9pm ET, Lifetime premieres the network’s latest original series, an hourlong dramedy called Drop Dead Diva.

The show stars stage actress Brooke Elliott in her first television role. She plays Jane Bingum, a brilliant attorney whose body is taken over by a vapid model after the latter dies and gets another chance at life. Veteran standup comic and actress Margaret Cho co-stars as Jane’s faithful assistant Teri.

Meet both cast members in the videos after the jump before checking out the newcomer on TV later tonight.

Post from: Grrl TV

If you haven’t heard yet, Lifetime is rolling out a brand-new Sunday-night companion for its hit drama Army Wives next week on July 12. A lighter dramedy, the hourlong series is called Drop Dead Diva.

The show stars stage actress Brooke Elliott as attorney Jane Bingum, the heavier “reincarnated” version of a recently deceased vain model wannabe, as well as funny woman Margaret Cho as Jane’s loyal assistant.

The third episode of the newcomer is called “Do Over,” and when it premieres on July 26, viewers are in for a treat. Entertainer Rosie O’Donnell is featured as a special guest star on the episode, although that’s all I can tell you right now.

It’s still fairly early days, and Lifetime has photos up but no episode summary right now. The images do clearly show that either Elliott’s Jane or O’Donnell’s character is in jail, however, which should make for an interesting plotline, whatever it may be.

Drop Dead Diva will air Sundays on Lifetime at 9pm ET.

Post from: Grrl TV

Lifetime has a brand-new show coming up this summer called Drop Dead Diva, which is currently scheduled to premiere on Sunday, July 12, at 9pm ET, immediately before the network’s smash hit Army Wives.

An hourlong dramedy, the series focuses on beautiful, vapid wannabe model Deb (Brooke D’Orsay). After she dies in a car accident, Deb suddenly finds herself in front of Heaven’s gatekeeper Fred, who’s convinced she’s nothing more than a self-centered “zero.”

Deb protests, of course, and then tries to persuade Fred to return her to her shallow existence. Something goes wrong, however, and Deb winds up in the body of recently deceased Jane Bingum (Brooke Elliott) instead, who just happens to be brilliant, thoughtful, and — Oh, no! — plus-sized.

An attorney with a loyal assistant (Margaret Cho), Jane is used to her more conventionally pretty colleagues getting all of the attention. Deb, on the other hand, has always relied on her external beauty.

So, what happens when the aspiring model is forced to come to terms with inhabiting Jane’s plus-size frame? Drop Dead Diva aims to show viewers exactly that, and I’m looking forward to the ride.

If you are, too, continue below to sneak an advance, quickie promo peek at the series.

Drop Dead Diva is executive produced by creator Josh Berman (Bones, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation), in addition to Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Oscar–winning Chicago and Hairspray).

Post from: Grrl TV

Although originally developed for Fox, the hourlong dramedy Drop Dead Diva has just been picked up for twelve episodes by Lifetime instead. If you know anything about Fox’s shaky history keeping certain kinds of series going for more than a handful of episodes, then you probably understand why this development is a very, very good thing.

The show was created by Josh Berman, a writer for familiar names like Bones and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, as well as lesser known flashes in the pan like Vanished and Killer Instinct. It stars primarily stage actress Brooke Elliott (What Women Want) as Jane Bingum, a super smart but overweight lawyer.

For reasons I’m sure we’ll learn about when the series starts airing, dear Jane gets body-snatched by a stupid aspiring model. The whole switcheroo takes place when the skinny gal is killed following a car accident. Funnywoman Margaret Cho co-stars, as well.

I hope this premise is as big of a hoot for other potential viewers as it is for me. As long as Lifetime keeps the silly to a minimum and delivers a little depth, too, I could totally see myself watching Drop Dead Diva on a regular basis.

Says Lifetime Executive Vice President JoAnn Alfano: “[Drop Dead Diva] is the type of show that truly enhances the Lifetime brand — the duality of emotionally compelling drama with an equal balance of humor.” And, in an August 2007 report when Fox first picked up the series’ script, Berman himself elaborated that the show is “about deconstructing the beauty myth while discovering what’s really important in life.”

Maybe I’ll get my wish.

NOTE: As for Holly Marie Combs fans who were hoping her potential series Mistresses would get a Lifetime pickup — Mistresses was one of three shows vying for a green light at Lifetime, along with the Berman series and something called Mrs. Novak, yet only Drop Dead Diva got the nod of approval. That means no knew show for Combs at the moment. Keep the faith, though.

Post from: Grrl TV