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(CNN) — Tim Burton goes through the looking glass: This is what CGI was invented for, surely?

Over the last decade, digital effects have developed so fast, the most outlandish visual trickery can be integrated seamlessly with live action. Actors — living, breathing human beings — can coexist with the kind of fantastical environment that once was the realm of the animator, and with results that seem, if not perfectly natural, then perfectly supernatural.

You can observe the same phenomenon in “Avatar.” But where the technocrat James Cameron gives us fantasy science, a utopia you can practically reach out and touch, the dreamer Tim Burton shows us a head-trip to a place — “Underland” — where nothing seems like what it is.

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It’s getting down to the wire for “Smallville,” “Community” and a slew of other network series stuck in Nielsen purgatory — with just weeks left to go before final verdicts on their fates are handed down.

For shows “on the bubble,” these are the times that try showrunners’ souls. Every week of ratings data between now and May, when fall schedules are revealed, brings glimmers of hope or new evidence suggesting damnation is near.

“Being on the bubble is incredibly stressful,” says “Chuck” co-creator Josh Schwartz, whose NBC series rallied back from the brink after fans rallied behind it.

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Changing of the guard: Derek took over as Chief of Surgery, while Richard was given a choice between entering treatment for alcoholism and surrendering his medical license. Derek wanted him to choose treatment, but Richard was much too angry at him to listen. It was Bailey who got Richard to admit that he simply feared not being able to drink. Bailey told him to “be the chief” she knows he is, and he eventually signed off on the treatment option.

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(CNN) — There’s lots of speculation as to who will be replacing Simon Cowell on “American Idol” and who will serve as judges on Cowell’s new show “The X Factor.”

One name being bandied about is that of Tommy Mottola, former head of Sony Music Entertainment, who is said to be in the process of being courted by both shows as a possible judge.

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Answering what she described as “any and all reasonable questions” on the Monday episode of “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” Kate Gosselin refuted allegations she and her now-estranged husband Jon staged their renewal of vows in Hawaii, she insisted her kids were OK on the show — and she left the door open for a second marriage.

Despite all the troubles being a reality-show star has brought her, Kate also said she wants to stay in the limelight even after her show goes off the air.

“I’ve done enough years on TV that I feel like it’s a normal, comfortable, natural place to be,” she said. “I’d love to be in a movie at some point, I’d love to be the voice of a cartoon character in a movie for my kids. I think that would be fun.”

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Holding fast to his vision — and his marketing rights — for the “Star Wars” empire has made it the biggest franchise in history, and made Lucas one of the most powerful people in entertainment.

But while he’s enthusiastic about the new touring show “Star Wars In Concert,” it wasn’t his idea, and when I talked with him before the first Los Angeles performance this week, he kept giving the credit to others.

“Star Wars In Concert” is built around John Williams’ well-known scores from the films, performed by a symphony orchestra and choir, and accompanied by specially edited clips from all six movies, displayed on a mammoth LED screen.

Full Story at EW.com

In yet another blow to the already ailing soap opera world, Eric Braeden, the venerable star of CBS’ The Young and the Restless, has exited the top-rated daytime drama after a nasty negotiation with Sony. The production company wanted the popular actor to take a pay cut for playing mega mogul Victor Newman, but Braeden—who’s been on the soap since 1980—opted to leave instead. Barring any last-minute change, Braeden’s final episode will air on Nov. 2. Reps for Sony and CBS had no comment, though one insider indicated that no further talks are planned. EW talked with Braeden, 68, about Sony’s decision to exercise a draconian clause in his contract (his deal that was set to expire in November 2010 can still be renegotiated every 26 weeks) and what it means to the future of daytime dramas.

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It’s not that there aren’t things to watch.

On network television, there are plenty of repeats, reality shows and final episodes of series that have been canceled.

But summertime viewing on network television can be a wasteland, especially for bloggers and critics whose gig it is to write and report on TV, said Kath Skerry, founder and editor of the Give Me My Remote blog.

“It’s borderline depressing,” Skerry said. “Between the onslaught of reality television and what I call filler TV — shows that the networks may have under contract but they just feel the need to get out regardless of the quality — it almost feels like [the networks] have given up.”

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In “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” the sixth film in the Potter series, he’s like a marathon runner who senses that he’s got this course beat: He’s still pacing himself, but there’s a definite spring in his step.

Potter’s confidence seems to be a product of Daniel Radcliffe’s authority in the role as much as anything. He’s decided he’s the hero of the piece, and he’s happy with that; Radcliffe plays him with such implacable conviction and such lightness, it’s becoming harder to worry about the character’s plight.

He can be reckless and impatient, but by now he’s essentially untouchable. His chums may be prey to hormonal surges — buckets of screen time is devoted to Ron’s love life and Hermione’s lack of same — but our Harry stays focused. While Ron moons over his girlfriend, every night Potter takes a textbook to bed with him.

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The tribe has spoken: Brendan was voted out by the alliance led by Tyson and Coach, and that will just make Coach’s ego even bigger than it already is. “Brendan’s the dragon, I’m the dragonslayer, this is going to be the biggest power move to date of this game, no question about it,” Coach said, later calling himself “the chosen one.” Ultimately, Brendan left apparently because no one trusted him; Brendan and Taj formed the Exile alliance, but even she voted for him, making Brendan the first jury member.