— Top-ranked youth show “The Suite Life on Deck” has received a third season order from the Disney Channel. Production will resume in early 2010.
— Cult-favorite director Joss Whedon has been tapped to helm an upcoming episode of “Glee.” The director confirmed the news on his Whedonesque blog:
“What can we expect from a ‘Joss Whedon’ episode of Glee? An episode of Glee. God willin’ and the crik don’t rise, a good one. A television director’s job is, on some level, to be anonymous; to find the most compelling way to present a story without calling attention to himself. I had a wonderful time doing just that on The Office, and hope to again. A guest director can bring a huge amount to the party (we’ve had CRAZY talent on Dollhouse), but the party isn’t his. I just want to work with good people on a show that I like enough to have watched every episode several times.”
— According to THR, ABC Family is close to ordering a pilot based on the “Pretty Little Liars” novels. Lucy Hale (“Privileged,” “American Juniors”) would topline.
????????????????????