'Downton Abbey,' U.S.-style
How big a TV phenom is PBS's Upstairs Downstairsish-esque British period drama Downton Abbey? So big it's being photocopied for American TV.
NBC has signed Downton creator Julian Fellowes to develop The Gilded Age, a "sweeping epic in the style of Downton Abbey" about the lives and loves of New York's patrician families in the 1880s.
"This was a vivid time with dizzying, brilliant ascents and calamitous falls," Fellowes says. Cool.
Clash accused by third man
A third man has accused former Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash of underage sex. Identified as John Doe, the man on Tuesday filed a lawsuit in New York federal court claiming he was 16 in 2000 when Clash plied him with wine before engaging in sexual activity with him. The accuser's lawyer, Jeff Herman, has said he has been contacted by several other alleged victims.
I search for you, Kim! I do!
Web search engine Bing has crowned reality TV princess Kim Kardashian as the most-searched person of 2012. (Me, I've crossed oceans of time to search for her.)
Last year's champ, Justin Bieber, tumbles to second place, while Miley Cyrus takes third. Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Megan Fox, and Lady Gaga, who were so Bing big in '11, don't make the top 10.
Fallout: Jones' '2.5-Men' rant
Does Angus T. Jones, 19, have a future on Two and a Half Men? The 10-year show veteran, who makes $350,000 per episode, laid down a serious diss against his show as part of a Christian YouTube vid series helmed by Seventh-day Adventist pastor Christopher Hudson.
TMZ says Jones isn't leaving the show. Hudson tells Hollyscoop, "A statement from Angus will be happening shortly. . . . I cannot make an assumption on his behalf - BUT can say that Angus . . . believes we are in the last days, Jesus Christ is coming, and he wants to be walking with the Lord."
Tidbits 'n' pieces
Singer and Private Practice star Audra McDonald, 42, has been named host of PBS performance series Live From Lincoln Center. . . . Gabriel Aubry has filed for a restraining order against Olivier Martinez, the fiance of Gabe's ex, Halle Berry. Olivier allegedly assaulted Gabe on Thanksgiving Day.
This article includes information from Inquirer wire services. Contact "SideShow" at sideshow@phillynews.com.