Keck's Exclusives: How Desperate Housewives Stars Would End the Show

Katharine McPhee Nick Jonas may be popping in tonight to play a former theater kid-turned-sitcom star, but it's Katharine McPhee's Karen who grows up - and grows a spine - when rehearsals for Marilyn: The Musical finally get under way. "We'll see her step into her own," says the triple-threat stunner, whose character gets a much-needed lesson in working what she's got, courtesy of some helpful fellow chorus members and a kick-ass Adele tune. McPhee's own evolution has been equally applause-worthy, as she has gone from Idol runner-up to struggling pop star to an acting breakout. Fitting, since that was her plan from the get-go. "Long before I went on American Idol, I was passionate about acting and knew that's what I wanted to do," she says. "Music was just something I fell into." It's a good thing, though, as it was her stint on Idol that caught the eye (and ears) of Smash executive producer Steven Spielberg. "When I heard about this show, I was like, 'What doors do I have to bust down to get this?!'" says McPhee. So watch your back, Ivy Lynn. If this girl can break down doors, you just know she can bring down the house, too! Smash airs Mondays at 10/9c on NBC. Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

New Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Clip

Judi Dench & Bill Nighy vs phoneIt's out tomorrow, but if you're still deciding whether to see The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, here's a fresh clip that will give you an idea what you're in for. And OK, yes, it does take place in a hotel, so you maybe had a clue already.This bit sees Judi Dench's Evelyn, recently widowed and off to Jaipur to try new things, wrestling with the phone in her room and enlisting the help of Bill Nighy's Douglas to try to fix it. It's fair to say that he's no technological whizz.The film also stars Maggie Smith, Celia Imrie, Tom Wilkinson and Dev Patel(read more about him in this month's issue), and is directed by Shakespeare InLove's John Madden. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is out here on February 24 or, as the kids call it, tomorrow.

DreamWorks Plans New Rebecca

Steven Knight's writing the scriptBecause it's always worked out so well in the past (the maligned Psycho remake; the still-stalled latest peck at The Birds), someone is going to have a crack at re-doing another Alfred Hitchcock film. Yup, DreamWorks and Working Title are teaming up to bring the world a new Rebecca.But before we all rush to judgement, the news about who'll have the first stab at writing the script should bring a little bit of comfort: Eastern Promises/ Dirty Pretty Things' Steven Knight.According to Variety, he'll go back to the Daphne du Maurier novel, which sees a naive young woman getting hitched to a rich widower and moving into his mansion. Sadly for her, the housekeeper and the rest of the staff remained devoted to his departed first wife (the titular Rebecca) and constantly try to undermine the new arrival. Soon, there are major revelations, a cold case investigation and all manner of psychological trouble.Knight has been busy recently: he worked on Dan Brown adaptation The Lost Symbol for Sony and is getting set to direct his first film, Hummingbird, which features Jason Statham in the lead.So what do you think of the studios looking to take a new pass at the novel? Could it go without a hitch (sorry), or will it be a load of old... rubbish?

Pilot Season: Fall Reeser Joins ABC's Last Measure

Fall Reeser Fall Reeser, who co-starred on ABC's No Regular Family last season, will go back to the network in Shawn Ryan's drama pilot Last Measure, Deadline reviews.Pilot Season: Andre Braugher lands lead in Shawn Ryan's Last ResortThe project follows a U.S. nuclear submarine crew brought by Capt. Marcus Chaplin (Andre Braugher), who defies orders to fireplace nuclear missiles. Consequently, they generate a camping with an island that's the place to find a NATO listening station.Reeser will have Kylie, a lobbyist on her family's weapons manufacturing company."Just reserved an incredible role in @ShawnRyanTV's pilot 'Last Resort'... so excited!! :) :) :)" Reeser tweeted Thursday evening.Pilot Season: Daisy Betts cast in ABC's Last ResortEarlier now, Daisy Betts (Harry's Law) seemed to be cast within the pilot as Sophistication Shepard, the gutsy newbie towards the submarine crew who's a household friend of Chaplin's.