HBO Renews "Hung," "True Blood," "Entourage"

HBO announced the renewal of its entire summer lineup of original programing, ordering another round of freshman comedy "Hung," veteran comedy "Entourage" and hit vampire drama "True Blood."

Network executives addressing the critics at the Television Critics Association's semiannual press tour said "Hung" will get a second season, "True Blood" a third and "Entourage" a seventh. The new seasons will debut in 2010, with "Blood" planned for summer.

The freshly formed Sunday-night lineup has given HBO two consecutive hours of hit programing for the first time in years. "True Blood" in particular has managed to increase its audience with nearly every episode, giving the network its most-watched show since "The Sopranos."

"True Blood" has averaged 3.8 million viewers (11.2 when you add repeats, DVR and On Demand viewing), "Hung" has averaged 3.1 million (10.2 million total) and "Entourage" brings in about 3.0 million (7.4 million total).

Programing head Michael Lombardo and co-president Richard Plepler also dropped hints about the fates and air dates of other HBO programing during the network's executive session.

Next year HBO intends to air "Big Love" in January and roll out its highly anticipated World War II miniseries "The Pacific" in March. The war epic eventually will serve as lead-in for "Treme," the New Orleans drama from "The Wire" creator David Simon.

Emmy-nominated "Flight of the Conchords" also likely will return; executives made the prospect of a third season sound probable.

"When they're ready, we're ready," Plepler said of the show's musical comedy duo, Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement. "They have the added challenge of writing an album ... we're waiting for them to tell us they're ready."

Though HBO's full development pipeline is expected to present the network with some tough choices in the coming months, one project that looks almost certain to make the air is Martin Scorsese's period drama "Boardwalk Empire," starring Steve Buscemi.

"By everything we've seen, it's fantastic," Lombardo said. "It's big; it's everything we hoped it would be."

Executives were less certain about critical favorite "In Treatment" and "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency," the latter program having lost executive producer Anthony Minghella, who died last year. But they didn't rule out the idea of either show returning.

"We're trying to put it together," Lombardo said of "Treatment." "It's adapted from a series (for) which there were only two seasons ... we're trying to see if it's possible."

Entourage Boys Get into a Battle of the Bulge

The stars of Entourage are usually just as tight off-screen as they are on the show, but an alleged sock-stuffing incident during a Peopke photoshoot has sparked a playful war of words between Adrian Grenier and Kevin Connolly.

Grenier's gone on the mock-defensive after Connolly appeared on Tuesday's Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien and, after the late night host showed a People photo of Grenier, Connolly and costar Jerry Ferrara costumed as the Bee Gees for People's Hottest Bachelors issue, Connolly told the audience that Grenier's ample disco-pants bulge came courtesy of a strategically placed sock.

"My question is: how would HE know?" Grenier told People at the sixth season premiere party for the HBO hit. "What was he doing looking? And why was Conan looking too? It's weird! I've never scrutinized another man's groin area in my entire life – or his socks, for that matter."

Connolly told O'Brien, “Adrian put a sock [in his pants] … When he was doing it, I said ‘What are you doing?' and he said ‘It's what they did in the '70s." I didn't know that. And the photographer's like 'Adrian, we've got to lose one of the socks.' And all of sudden when the photo came out I'm getting calls from girlfriends of mine, like 'So, Adrian…' And I didn't want to throw him under the bus with the individual girls. I figured I'd wait until I got here on The Tonight Show."

"How many socks are in there?" O'Brien wondered.

"I don't know what kind of show they're doing – It's not a medical show," suggested Grenier (who kept coy on the matter of did he or didn't he) about the on-air appraisal of his anatomy. "The Tonight Show is not a medical show, and Conan should learn that."

But even Entourage costar Kevin Dillon – who says he was "SO jealous" he wasn't part of the shoot – admits he was surprised to see what Grenier was packing in his Barry Gibb gear when he first saw the photo. "I was like 'What, do you have a sock in there?'" Dillon told People. "And he actually DID – I had no idea! I said it jokingly."

What to Watch: Summer 2009 TV Guide

Summer used to mean TV rerun hell, but that is so no longer the case. From HBO's Hung, which is a about a man with an oversized appendage, to NYC Prep, Bravo's reality answer to Gossip Girl, discover summer's new addictions and check out what's in store for your some of your favorite returning shows.

Check out our picks for this summer's best must-watch TV.

America's Got Talent (Season 4)

NBC - Tuesday, June 23rd, 9:00 pm

It might be a little difficult to top the force to reckon with that some people like to call Susan Boyle, after her groundbreaking performance on Britain's Got Talent, but rest assured be that on this whole, wide continent there is some spectacular talent still to be found. So much talent, in fact, that you can expect a two-hour premiere filled with it on June 23 as well as an additional hour on June 24. Get ready to watch dreams come true America!

NYC Prep

Bravo - Tuesday, June 23rd, 10:00 pm

If the faux-Upper East Side drama on Gossip Girl doesn't cut it for you realists out there, Bravo has heard your prayers and answered them with its' newest and possibly soon to be hit show NYC Prep. Follow the still faux drama (let's face it) of a real deal batch of spoiled prep school kids who are ready to show those Cali kids on the Hills that New York can do it better.

Hung

HBO - Sunday, June 28th, 10:00 pm

In the business of writing, blogging, or whatever it's called these days, sensational headlines are just a part of the package. But in this case, what you read is actually what you get.

HBO's latest dramady, follows the adventures and of a simple man, who is decidedly er, 'well hung,' and is determined to make it work to his advantage. Coming to term with his physiological gift is only the first step. "I've got a big dick, now what do I do with it?" We will certainly find out.

Check out the Hung promo below:


Great American Road Trip

NBC - Tuesday, July 7th, 8:00 pm

Roadtrips are great. Families can be great. However roadtrips combined with families sounds like trouble. On this adrenaline filled adventure, seven families square off to compete in a cross-country mission, tackling obstacle course after challenge, after obstacle course -- and we can only imagine that they all wrestle with some serious family demons along the way.

Entourage

HBO - Sunday, July 12th, 10:30 pm

It's rare to come across a show where every character has so much to offer, and that's what makes every season of this Hollywood drama worth watching. The antics of Ari, Lloyd and all the rest of the crew are simply a necessary part of the summer schedule. This season's guest appearances include Zac Efron, Lebron James and Tom Brady.

Hell's Kitchen (Season 6)

Fox - Tuesday, July 21st, 8:00 pm

It's questionable whether or not America really needs another season of Gordon Ramsay crushing the confidence and dreams of a batch of eager chefs, but after his recent publicity for letting his tongue slip a little too far, we'll watch just to see if he turns over a new leaf and decides to use positive reinforcement this time around instead.

Mad Men

AMC - Sunday, August 16th, 10:00 pm

Get a crash course in 1960s American culture with AMC's smash hit, penned by Sopranos writer Matthew Weiner. Mad Men returns for its' third season this August as six time Emmy winner.

Project Runway (Season 6)

Lifetime - Thursday, August 20th, 10:00 pm

After a five season run, it's safe to say that this show contains a few elements that can never get old: Heidi Klum, designer fashion, odd contestants, and Tim Gunn. Hopefully after another season of hearing Tim tell contestants to "Make it Work," we can finally start applying that advice to our own lives.

Courtesy of: www.GayWired.com