One TCA Hallmark: Negotiating by Media

Put together a scoops-hungry media with a bunch of producers and networks executives trying to hype their shows to the utmost, and what do you get? Lots of speculation and high hopes disguised as news.

First, we heard NBC floating the jokey trial balloon that they wanted noted anti-Trump crusader Rosie O'Donnell to join a celebrity version of the Donald Trump ego-fest The Apprentice (""It will never happen in this lifetime or beyond," her rep told the Associated Press, shortly afterward).

Now TV Guide is reporting that Friday Night Lights executive producer Jason Katims has crafted a role he thinks would be perfect for O'Donnell, and he's leaked news of his effort to TV Guide, in hopes Ro might bite at the apple he's dangling.

"Rosie's a big fan of Friday Night Lights, as we know from The View, and we heard she was interested in being on the show," Katims told TV Guide's Michael Ausiello.  "And, usually, we don't do any stunt casting, but we have a character coming up – six or seven episodes into the new season – of a female soccer coach who is really angry about all of the school's resources going to football.  It's a really funny character and I think she'd be perfect for it."

Can't these guys pick up a phone and call somebody's agent?