TV News Wrap: Wednesday June 15

• Showtime's new drama House of Lies is shaping up to be a pretty interesting little show, especially when you consider it stars Australia's Josh Lawson (Thank God You're Here). I also hope, for Ben Schwartz's (Parks and Recreation) sake, that he is able to shed his "Jean-Ralphio" tag. Unfortunately, the Hollywood Reporter had misspelt Josh Lawson's name in this edit- so it's fair to say he's not quite a household name yet?

[caption id="attachment_771" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="We all make mistakes..."][/caption]

• It's the TV off-season in the US, so you have to take what you can get here, but Michael Ausiello at TVLine reports that Breaking In will probably not get a reprieve after being axed a short time ago.

• He also reports that Catherine Tate will probably not be the new boss on "The Office". This is very disappointing for some who were holding out hope for Tate to shake things up a bit, but I'd wait just a bit longer before you start jumping to any conclusions about the new boss (let's face it, if it's not her, it would only be between James Spader, Ed Helms and Craig Robinson).

• So, Fran Drescher (The Nanny) has a new show on TVLand entitled "Happily Divorced", which you could almost brush off as another "New Christine" if it wasn't for the semi-interesting fact that it's based on her life in that she and her husband split because he was gay. Hey, if it worked for "Raymond", right?

In Australian news

• You've got to admit that that the (non-?) story about comedian James Brechney popping up on Q and A posing as a climate change-skeptic was a doozy, for a number of reasons. I should state that while I would like to admit to picking him as a fake, I didn't; and let that be a credit to his comedic/acting skills. But at least I didn't jump up and down frothing at the mouth like half of Twitter did on Monday night- especially after he stated that climate change was "just a theory" like gravity. The small problem with his prank/political protest was that it wasn't really that far from what a sceptic would normally say, which caused the panel members to take him all too seriously. Garrett must be red-faced now, as now he appears to be pandering to the questioner- so probably the biggest indictment is on the ABC program. But kudos should go to Brechney for trying to prove a point- he has definitely come out on top. Here's the clip:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KkWJYWtk3o]

Josh Lawson's House of Lies picked up by Showtime

Australian actor Josh Lawson has had his new show, House of Lies, picked up by Showtime.

The show also stars A-listers Don Cheadle and Kristen Bell, as well as Ben Schwartz.

There isn't much information about the show, but it has been described as a dark comedy which centres around Cheadle, who plays a consultant who will stop at nothing to get his clients information. Lawson plays on of his staff.

Regardless, it is great news for Lawson, who made his name in Australia in Home and Away and Blue Heelers. He went on to star in Sea Patrol, but showed his comedy chops on Thank God You're Here, where he became somewhat of a favourite (and hence, a regular).

He also took part in a bit of radio work, hosting a summer radio show on Nova with his good friend, Ed Kavalee.

After he flew to America to try his luck, he played the part of Ben in the pilot of the US version of Spaced, however, nothing eventuated. He then landed a role in a CBS sitcom, Accidentally on Purpose, also starring Alyssa Milano, his biggest role to date.

Unfortunately, only six episodes were filmed, and only four aired- it was cancelled, basically.

However, this latest role looks to be of a more formidable nature, especially when looking at the big-name cast and meatier subject matter.

Josh Lawson's House of Lies picked up by Showtime

Australian actor Josh Lawson has had his new show, House of Lies, picked up by Showtime.

The show also stars A-listers Don Cheadle and Kristen Bell, as well as Ben Schwartz.

There isn't much information about the show, but it has been described as a dark comedy which centres around Cheadle, who plays a consultant who will stop at nothing to get his clients information. Lawson plays on of his staff.

Regardless, it is great news for Lawson, who made his name in Australia in Home and Away and Blue Heelers. He went on to star in Sea Patrol, but showed his comedy chops on Thank God You're Here, where he became somewhat of a favourite (and hence, a regular).

He also took part in a bit of radio work, hosting a summer radio show on Nova with his good friend, Ed Kavalee.

After he flew to America to try his luck, he played the part of Ben in the pilot of the US version of Spaced, however, nothing eventuated. He then landed a role in a CBS sitcom, Accidentally on Purpose, also starring Alyssa Milano, his biggest role to date.

Unfortunately, only six episodes were filmed, and only four aired- it was cancelled, basically.

However, this latest role looks to be of a more formidable nature, especially when looking at the big-name cast and meatier subject matter.