Quick Takes: Hugh Grant in for Charlie Sheen on ‘Two and a Half Men’?

Hugh Grant has been weighing a big move: replacing the fired Charlie Sheen on CBS’ “Two and a Half Men.”

A person familiar with the situation said Wednesday the British film actor was in negotiations to join the sitcom as its new leading man. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because producer Warner Bros. and CBS hadn’t authorized public comment, said the talks had stalled without resolution.

But it was unclear whether Grant’s hiring was a closed issue, the person said.

Grant’s publicist did not immediately return a call for comment.

—Associated Press

‘Spider-Man’ to return to stage

Brace yourselves, citizens. It’s time for the new adventures of the Spider-Man musical.

Broadway’s most expensive and audacious show is to return from a three-week hiatus on Thursday with what the creative team and producers say is a cleaner story, tighter music and more love story.

And, they hope, less angst.

Whether the reworked musical is called a comeback, a reboot, a revamp or “Spider-Man 2.0,” one thing is clear: Producers Jeremiah “Jere” Harris and Michael Cohl have boldly — or foolishly — rolled the dice again.

“We did it because we felt the company deserved another shot. We’re taking that shot. It’s either going to be great or not so great — and we will have learned a lot,” Harris said.

—Associated Press

Geffen’s slate has ‘Exorcist’

The Geffen Playhouse will present seven plays as part of its 2011-12 season, including the world premiere of “The Exorcist,” a drama based on the 1971 bestseller by William Peter Blatty. The season will also include the world premieres of plays by actor Alan Alda (“Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie”) and Pulitzer Prize-winner Beth Henley (“The Jacksonian”).

Rounding out the season will be the West Coast premieres of “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” by Kristoffer Diaz and “Next Fall” by Geoffrey Nauffts.

“The Exorcist” tells the story of a young girl whose body is possessed by a demon, and the conflicted priest who attempts to save her. The Blatty novel has been adapted for the stage by playwright John Pielmeier, who previously tackled issues of faith in his 1982 play “Agnes of God.”

Pielmeier wrote on his website that his adaptation requires only minor special effects. “No heads spinning or pea-green puke, thank you very much,” he wrote.

—David Ng

Daytime Emmy nominations

“General Hospital” (with 21 nods) and “The Young and the Restless” (with 20) lead the Daytime Emmy nominations, which were announced Wednesday by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Among the other series that received multiple nominations were “Sesame Street,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “All My Children,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and the recently canceled “One Life to Live.”

In the category of outstanding drama series, the canceled “All My Children” was nominated, along with “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “General Hospital” and “The Young and the Restless.”

“The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “Live With Regis and Kelly,” “Rachael Ray” and “The View” were honored under the rubric of outstanding talk show/entertainment, while “The Dr. Oz Show,” “Dr. Phil” and “The Doctors” were nominated for outstanding talk show/informative.

Wayne Brady has been tapped as the host of the 38th Daytime Emmy Awards, which will air on CBS June 19 from the Las Vegas Hilton.

—Melissa Maerz

Lady Gaga kicks off ‘GMA’ series

“Good Morning America” is planning to wake up its audience to Lady Gaga and a summer-full of other big acts.

Lady Gaga will kick off “GMA’s Summer Concert Series” on May 27, performing from New York’s Central Park during the ABC News morning program.

Headliners booked for subsequent Friday concerts include Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Brad Paisley, Debbie Gibson, Tiffany and the Go-Go’s.

—Associated Press

Finally

Canceled: The networks don’t officially announce their schedules until next week, but word leaked out that Fox is getting rid of the dramas “Chicago Code,” “Human Target” and “Lie to Me” plus the comedies “Breaking In” and “Traffic Light.”

Keith’s crew: Keith Olbermann has enlisted an eclectic crew for his nightly Current TV show “Countdown With Keith Olbermann”: Director/agitator Michael Moore, comedian Richard Lewis and documentary filmmaker Ken Burns have signed on as contributors before the show’s launch on June 20.