Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2009 > July
July 2009
Fall TV preview: ‘The Good Wife’
The screeners for the fall television season — such as it is — have started rolling in. I add the qualifier because a new TV season is not as hard and fast a thing as it once was. Lots of shows start in the summer now — mostly low-rent reality fare and and awful imports (like NBC’s late and unlamented “The Listener”); and many promising shows are held back as potential mid-season replacements for those grand or not-so-grand fall experiments that fail.
Finally, some shows, such as ABC’s “Lost,” don’t even begin a new season until January.
Still, the concept of the fall season retains some cache and TV fans wait, hungrily, for any scraps of what the networks are dishing out. (Hmm … must be close to lunchtime!)
So, while our full-blown fall preview won’t hit for another month or so, I’m going to post some first impressions of what I’m watching. And right now I’m watching Julianna Margulies.
She stars in the CBS legal drama, “The Good Wife,” and she carries the pilot in every way. I’m not really a big fan of legal dramas, so this show was a hard sell. Maybe it’s partly because it takes place in my old stomping grounds, but this tale of a wife of a corrupt Chicago politician (does there seem to be any other kind?) worked for me.
Certainly much of the credit goes to Margulies. As the titular good wife, she must return to the workforce in order to provide for her children. Margulies must not only reacquaint herself with the courtroom after a 15-year absence but, because she’s an attorney, also deal with the major players in her politico husband’s (Chris Noth, “Sex in the City”) very public hooker-and-finances scandal on a daily basis.
She’s played an attorney before (2008’s “Canterbury’s Law” didn’t stick around long) but Margulies is best known for her portrayal of nurse Carol Hathaway over 15 years of E.R.
Based solely on the pilot, I’m hoping this show makes it. Margulies’ wounded and vulnerable, but smart character is much more fun to watch than that other wife-of-a-disgraced-Illinois-politician on television, Patti Blagojevich of “I’m A Celebrity: Get Me Out Of Here.”
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Mike Judge talks ‘Beavis,’ ‘Hill” and Texas
John Scott Lewinski over at TV Squad has posted an interview with Mike Judge, the Austin resident who created “Beavis & Butthead,” “Office Space,” “King of the Hill” and the floundering “The Goode Family.”
Lewinski snagged Judge at the annual Comic-Con convention and asked him about “Goode” as well as rumors of a new “Beavis” movie. No surprise, Judge explains that both “King” and “Beavis” grew out of his experiences growing up here in Texas.
Judge also says “never say never” to an “Office Space” sequel. What do you think, TV blog readers? Is it a good idea for Judge to revisit his past?
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Look — I’m a Mad Man! You can be too
AMC has posted a fun online tool that lets you turn yourself into a cartoon version of a Sterling-Cooper denizen. Starting with a basic body shape, you can alter your character’s facial features, clothing and accessories, then plop him or her into a number of scenes familiar to “Mad Men” fans.
Once you’ve styled yourself, you can download desktop-sized scenes; smaller, full-body shots; or avatar-sized head shots (which explains the typhoon of new, cartoonish faces we’ve seen all over Facebook and Twitter).
The drawings were all done by “Mad Men” fan and amazing artist Dyna Moe, who also drew my editor Sarah’s gorgeous wedding invites.
Check out Mad Men Me above (I’m in the middle there — sadly I look more like Bert Cooper than I do Don Draper), make your own, then come back and add it to our gallery here:
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Finally, I’ll be hosting a premiere party for “Mad Men’s” new season at 7 p.m. Sunday, August 16. The party will be at the “Mad Men”-ish Belmont, 305 W 6th St. downtown. We’ll have trivia questions and raffle prizes, and the Belmont is creating a signature drink for the event! Dress up in your best ’60s inspired outfits and join us as we watch the great first episode of season 3.
See you in the funny papers!
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Court appoints guardian to oversee estate of Octomom’s kids
Score one for the kids. From the Associated Press:
A California judge appointed a lawyer Monday to oversee the estate of Nadya Suleman’s octuplets, saying he wanted to ensure they weren’t exploited by reality television shows, tabloid photo spreads or other paid ventures. Orange County Superior Court Judge Gerald Johnston dismissed arguments for family privacy and ruled Monday that an independent party should be appointed to scrutinize the finances of Suleman’s octuplets.
Suleman just inked a deal for her octuplets, born in January, to join her six other children (all under age 8) in a reality television program to begin filming in September. The children stand to collectively earn nearly $250,000 over the three years of the contract. The petition for a guardian was filed on behalf of Paul Peterson, a former child star and advocate for child entertainers.
Read the full story here.
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More octuplets headed to television
Nadya Suleman has signed a deal to star in a reality television series to be filmed by a British production company. Suleman gave birth to the six boys and two girls in January and also has six other children. Nick Ut/Associated Press
“Octomom” Nadya Suleman has inked a deal for each of her 14 children to earn $250 a day to star in a reality television show to begin filming September 1, according to court documents obtained by the Associated Press. The contract guarantees that the children will earn a total of nearly $250,000 over three years.
15 percent of the pay will be deposited by production company Eyeworks (“Breaking Bonaduce”) into a trust account which can’t be touched until the children turn 18 or become legally emancipated, the story says. That leaves Suleman with only $213,000 of “mad money,” by my count.
What do you think? Will you watch “Nadya Plus Eight Plus Six?” I think I’ll pass.
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Local terrorism victim on ‘The Wanted’ tonight
Roger Carstens, from left, Adam Ciralsky and Scott Tyler track terrorists on NBC’s ‘The Wanted’.
Ellen Bomer, a Wimberley resident who was blinded in a 1998 embassy bombing in Nairobi, was inteviewed for tonight’s 8 p.m. CT episode of NBC’s “The Wanted.”
The show has taken a beating from critics for applying cinematic drama and over-the-top, “Bourne Identity” posturing and visuals to what are basically clerical maneuvers in extradition cases of known terror suspects. (Slate Magazine wrote that the show was “coming to air just in time for Walter Cronkite to roll over in his grave.”)
The show’s first outing last week scored such low ratings, according to televisionbythenumbers.com, that NBC moved the show up an hour and filled the 9pm slot with “Dateline” to avoid damaging the ratings for “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” Ouch.
It’s difficult to argue against the idea of raising public awareness about convicted terrorists walking free — just ask Bomer. But maybe an overblown mess like “The Wanted” isn’t the best way to do it.
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This week’s TV picks
Members of Wilco are, from left, Pat Sansone, Mikael Jorgensen, Jeff Tweedy, Glenn Kotche, Nels Cline and John Stirratt. Autumn De Wilde photo/Nonesuch Records
Monday
‘The Bachelorette’ 7 p.m., ABC: In the season finale, Jillian’s family grills her final two suitors in Hawaii, which seems kind of extreme. Then she reveals her choice (hint: it’s not Wes).
Tuesday
‘You Are What You Eat’ 7 p.m., BBC America: I’m a hunk of potato salad, several slices of brisket slathered in BBQ sauce, banana pudding and a large, unsweet iced tea, none of which are discussed in this episode on healthy food choices.
Wednesday
‘Throwdown with Bobby Flay’ 8 p.m., Food Network: The founders of a Manhattan restaurant chain engage in a sloppy joe cook-off. That reminds me — I’m also a sloppy joe.
Thursday
‘World’s Toughest Fixes’ 8 p.m., National Geographic Channel: The program covers a mission to Switzerland to repair the Large Hadron Collider. Isn’t that the thing that has the potential to send us all back to the Stone Age or into an alternate universe if it malfunctions? Yeah, let’s get that fixed.
Friday
‘Surviving Suburbia’ 7 p.m., ABC: Courtney and Henry fight for control of the downstairs TV. I firmly believe that if any member of my household tries to turn on this program, we’ll be having the same problem.
‘Catch It Keep It’ 9pm, Science Channel: A race to save a pyramid made out of 672 beer bottles before an explosives charge goes off resulting in, quite literally, 672 bottles of beer on the wall.
Saturday
‘Austin City Limits’ 7 p.m., KLRU: Okay, so this performance by Wilco is a repeat from 2007; there’s no first-run stuff on tonight that’s any better. Trust me.
Sunday
‘The Storm’ 8 p.m., NBC: In the conclusion, a scientist tries to put a stop to horrific weather conditions — which could lead to world annihilation — brought on by a tycoon’s out-of-control manipulations. Tell you what … if those horrific weather conditions aren’t day after day of sunshine and 100-degree-plus temperatures, that tycoon could probably get asylum here in Austin.
‘Pawn Stars’ 9:02 p.m., History Channel: Among the items featured this week is a 1942 Gibson L-7 guitar supposedly played for Al Capone. Turns out he only wanted to keep the case.
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Austin’s Katie Holland on ‘Army Wives’ tonight
She’s finally maid it! Former Austinite Katie Holland (in the maid costume) on Lifetime’s ‘Army Wives’.
Class of 2003 Austin High Red Dragon Players staple Katie Holland, 24, makes her television debut tonight on Lifetime’s popular ‘Army Wives’. The actress appears in a couple of sexy outfits when the main wives — who think they are attending an at-home housewares party — find themselves at a “spice up your marriage” affair.
Holland, who used to gather up the neighborhood kids to put on plays, now lives outside of Charleston, South Carolina where the series is filmed. “I have always loved theater, have loved acting, ever since I can remember,” she says.
Holland’s mother, who you can bet will be glued to the television Sunday night (“this is a big deal,” she says, “I’ve already bought the champagne”) verifies her daughter’s ambitions. “Katie’s wanted to be an actress since she was about 3,” she says. “It was evident early on.”
Hollands’ theatrical ambitions have been supported throughout her education at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, her appearances off-Broadway and independent films, and her move to South Carolina, where she performs with a theater group called Reverve. There, Holland was awarded Best of Charleston 2009; New Talent, for a show called ‘Dog Sees God; Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead’.
“We are thrilled and so proud that she had the gumption to go against the grain and follow her dream,” her mom says.
Catch Holland on “Army Wives” at 9 p.m. tonight on Lifetime and in repeats throughout the week. You can watch a trailer for tonight’s episode by clicking here.
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Harvey Birdman? The American Bar Association picks 25 best law shows
Harvey Birdman cross-examines.
The American Bar Association Journal has published its list of the 25 greatest legal TV shows. The winners were chosen by a panel consisting of 12 experts (like a jury, get it?) composed of lawyers, scholars and, umm, a TV critic (some of us have had close brushes with the law, and that’s all I’ll say about that).
The list is interesting. “Ally McBeal” beats “Damages,” but that’s balanced out by “Harvey Birdman” besting “Matlock.” “L.A. Law” came in first, just edging out “Perry Mason.”
Do you think the lawyers got it right, or did they set the bar too high? (Har, har.)
Let justice be served! Tell us which of your favorites got left out, below.
If the response is good, maybe next week we’ll be back with a list from the American Dental Association of its favorite “Dick van Dyke Show” episodes featuring dentist neighbor Jerry Helper.
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Cronkite funeral to be Webcast at 1 p.m.
The Associated Press reports that the funeral for former CBS journalist Walter Cronkite today at 1 p.m. CT will be a “private family service.”
Nevertheless, CBS says the Manhattan service — including comments and readings from “60 Minutes” commentator Andy Rooney and longtime Cronkite producer Sanford Socolow, as well as son Chip Cronkite — will be Webcast at cbsnews.com, which will make its feed available to other broadcast and cable networks should they want to carry all or part of the service live. We could not verify any networks’ plans to do so, but it is likely that many of them — especially the cable news networks — will broadcast at least part of the feed.
Music is expected to include a jazz band’s rendition of “When the Saints Go Marching In,” they Associated Press says, and a separate memorial will be held within the next few weeks at New York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
Here is CBS.com’s piece on the funeral:
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Your A-List winners: Best morning news team
Which morning news team is the area’s best?
KEYE: Fred Cantu and Michelle Valles 45.076588%
KXAN: Sally Hernandez and Chris Willis 33.406273%
KVUE: Melissa Gale and Olga Campos 11.670314%
KTBC: Joe Bickett and Katherine Kisiel 5.9810357%
News 8 Austin: Todd Boatwright 2.7716994%
KAKW: Leslie Montoya 1.0940919%
It’s no surprise that Cantu and Valles have captured the (k)eye of A-List voters. The two had been friendly for years prior to their December, 2008 pairing on Austin’s CBS affiliate, and their chemistry and easy charm provides viewers a pleasant and informative way to ease into the rigors of another day in capital city.
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Walter Cronkite memorial contributions
If you’d like to make a charitable contribution in honor of the late TV news legend Walter Cronkite, the family is requesting that donations be made to The Walter and Betsy Cronkite Fund for Fair Play in care of The Austin Community Foundation, according to TVNewser.
Cronkite’s funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Manhattan. According to TVNewser, CBS is making a satellite feed of the service available to cable networks.
UPDATED: Discovery Channel to re-air “Cronkite Remembers” this weekend.
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Photo gallery highlights the public and personal sides of Walter Cronkite
Photographer Jill Krementz photographed legendary newsman and broadcaster Walter Cronkite throughout his career.
Check out a remarkable collection of her photographs — including Cronkite at work and at home; with celebrities, colleagues, dignitaries and family members — and remembrances at nysocialdiary.com.
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Elise Hu leaving KVUE
Elise Hu, KVUE’s state political reporter, is leaving the station to join the Texas Tribune, a nonprofit news site that will cover state government and public policy.
Hu made the announcement on her blog. The new site could launch as early as November, Hu writes in her blog.
Hu’s post reports that she gave notice at KVUE on Monday and that she will leave the station sometime in late August.
It’s been quite a week for the reporter: She also got engaged to Matt Stiles, another journalist who’ll be part of the Texas Tribune.
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Dr. Laura and Kate Gosselin: Incompatible panelists?
TVWeek has dug up a blog post about reality television star Kate Gosselin written by conservative talk show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger about a month and a half ago. Both women are slated to appear in Austin Saturday, August 8 as speakers at the Balance Expo for Women 2009.
The event “explores the variety of resources available addressing family, work, fitness and more,” according to the Expo Web site.
TVWeek quotes in part, from Schlessinger’s blog:
My heart goes out to the kids. Is it humane to children to let their parents exploit them in a television program when their images and intimacies are exposed to everyone for all time when they have no say or control? Is it in the children’s best interests to be USED as entertainment by two parents so self-absorbed that they put money and celebrity in front of their children’s privacy? It’s like putting your children in a circus freak show strip and having a barker yelling: “Come in, come in and see what happens to children when their parents use them for your entertainment… It’s exciting, it’s damaging, but you won’t be able to take your eyes off ‘em. Watch ‘em wiggle. Watch ‘em cry. Watch ‘em squirm. It’s so much fun…bring popcorn and beer and come watch the show.”
Do you agree with Dr. Laura?
I’m not sure I’m the target audience for the Expo, but I’d like to do some people-watching in the green room.
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Kimmel, Vessel and the 4pm news: KEYE speaks
Nothing on my beat results in more contact from you guys than the machinations of local television news. Lately I’ve been bombarded with e-mail messages wondering what’s up at KEYE.
First there were reports that Troy Kimmel was returning as the CBS affiliate’s chief meteorologist, which led to speculation about the status of Susan Vessel. Then came the announcement that the station would be discontinuing its 5 p.m. newscast, shuffling its early evening lineup and placing an expanded newscast at 4 p.m.
“Troy Kimmel is our chief meteorologist. Susan Vessel will be doing weekends with us until further notice,” said Amy Villarreal, KEYE’s general manager. And that’s all she offered on that.
She was more forthcoming about the afternoon shake-up.
“It’s something we’ve been thinking about for a while,” Villarreal admitted. The impending expiration of a syndication contract for the game show “Deal or No Deal” offered a window to make some scheduling changes.
“We’ve been looking at how we grow our news presence,” she said, and an expanded, hour-long local newscast seemed to offer opportunities.
“There are some things I can’t tell you about right now,” Villarreal said, but she indicated that viewers can expect to see more lifestyle and interview pieces in addition to hard news. She pointed to the station’s quirky “We are Austin” profiles as an example.
The 4 p.m. newscast kicks off on September 15, 2009.
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Cronkite biography tonight on BIO
BIO Channel celebrates the life of legendary television news journalist Walter Cronkite, who died July 17 at the age of 92, in a two-hour special tonight at 7 p.m.
From BIO’s press release:
“Through archival footage and interviews with family members, friends and colleagues, BIO Remembers the man who turned a less-than-pretty face, a unique style of delivery, and a simple catchphrase into one of the most storied careers in television, and he set the standard by which all television news people will be forever judged.”
More information is available on the network’s Web site.
In other news, the Associated Press reports that Cronkite’s voice will continue to introduce the “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.” The network had planned to pull the recording, which Cronkite made in 2006, but members of his family gave the okay for use of the recording to continue, according to CBS News spokesman Jeff Ballabon.
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Kate Gosselin coming to Austin
Reality television star Kate Gosselin of TLC’s beleagured “Jon & Kate Plus 8” is slated to appear in Austin at Balance Expo for Women 2009, Saturday August 8 at the Palmer Events Center. The event, sponsored by Mix 94.7, Majic 95.5 and Talk 1370, “explores the variety of resources available addressing family, work, fitness and more,” according to the Expo Web site..
Gosselin, whose strained relationship with husband Jon has been the subject of both the suspended season of her show and tabloid headlines, is slated to discuss “how she balances her career, her life as a TV reality show star, her children, and how she’s handling her much-publicized divorce,” the site says. Family problems don’t seem to be affecting speaking engagements for Gosselin, who is making a similar appearance at a California event.
Other speakers are slated to appear, including: radio talk show host, Dr. Laura Schlessinger; life coach Ann Daly; and “American Idol” Season 7 finalist Michael Johns. The event will be preceded by the Balance 5K - a women’s only 5k benefiting the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Register for the run here.
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So You Think You Can Dance Tour coming to Austin
The So You Think You Can Dance Tour is coming to Austin in October, and tickets go on sale Saturday.
The show will be Oct. 27 at The Theatre at the Frank Erwin Center, according to a news release from the venue. Fan favorites including Ade, Brandon, Evan, Janette, Jason, Jeanine, Kayla, Kupono, Melissa, and Randi will perform.
Tickets are $38.50, $48.50, and $56. They will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at all Texas Box Office Outlets (including select H-E-B stores). Tickets are also available by phone at 477-6060 or 1-800-982-2386 and online at TexasBoxOffice.com.
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Would you watch an Abdul-less Idol?
“American Idol” judges, from left, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. Jason DeCrow, Associated Press photo
The Associated Press and other sources are reporting that Paula Abdul might not be back as a judge next season on “American Idol.”
What do you think? Would you boycott an “Idol” devoid of Paula’s goofy antics or is it time for her to go?
Sound off!
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‘Torchwood’ tonight on BBC America
On tonight’s “Torchwood” miniseries debut, every single child on Earth stops and becomes an unwitting messenger for an alien race. Adrian Rogers Photography/BBC
“Torchwood: Children of Earth” premieres at 8 p.m. tonight on BBC America.
The miniseries is basically season three of the stylish “Doctor Who” spin-off (the name “Torchwood” is an anagram of “Doctor Who”) which was conceived prior to that show’s revival. Its initial season garnered an iffy reception, but season two garnered much more positive acclaim, and “Children of the Earth” has generated a lot of buzz (its ratings in Britain were nearly five times as high as the lowest ratings from the show’s first season).
“Children of the Earth” once again focuses on Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman), the leader of Torchwood Three, an outpost built upon a space/time rift. Harkness, along with Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) and Ianto Jones (Gareth David-Lloyd) are charged with monitoring the rift and dealing with whatever entities it produces.
Tonight’s episode finds every child on Earth stopping and delivering a message to all the planet’s governments: “We are coming.” A quick escalation of events leads to the potential destruction of civilization.
The remaining four episodes will air nightly this week at 8 p.m.
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More with Wes Hayden of ‘The Bachelorette’
If you read Claudia Grisales’ interview with Wes Hayden and want more, here are some additional excerpts from their conversation.
What’s the reaction been like since you were featured on the show?
It’s intense. The hate mail is intense. People have actually called my record promoter and she’s actually had a death threat. And then my ex-girlfriend, they mentioned her name on TV. She is getting so much hate mail. They have taken her cell phone and plastered it all over the Internet. It’s a hateful thing.
Did you have a sense you would be portrayed this way?
I never thought they would hear me saying everything in context and then just cut me how they wanted. I’m from a small town in Texas; we don’t do things like that. I don’t intentionally try to make somebody out to be a bad person, but this is Hollywood, this is how these people get paid.
What’s your relationship like with the show now? The gloves are off. I’ve been playing music for a long time. I can’t allow these people to destroy me. This is my livelihood. It could have been good thing for the both of us. But yet they chose to make me this villain, and for what, just so they can have their ratings?
People have to understand and they have to know the truth. They were trying to create a character the minute I stepped out from the limo. They were really adamant about me not wearing a suit and tie. They were like “wear blue jeans and boots and pearl snaps.”
You say they took your words out of context?
They left sentences out that are vital sentences to whatever I’m saying.
For instance, when I said … in one episode “Look man, I’ve already made six shows, I’ve got the publicity, I can haul (expletive)”; I did say that, but they didn’t show what I said right after that and before that. I said, “Look guys, I understand if there is anybody here that thinks I have a hidden agenda. I do have a CD coming out, I do have a career in music, but look, if I was here for the publicity, I’ve already made six shows, I’ve got the publicity, I can haul (expletive). But I am still here because I want to be here. I don’t want to leave until I know until I know there is nothing at all between me and Jillian.”
Why did some of the guys think you had a girlfriend? I told Jake that I had been in a relationship and she was still one of my best friends. I told him in terms of the future I didn’t see us getting back together, but I didn’t rule it out either.
I was just having an honest talk with somebody on the show. We all talked a lot. That’s pretty much all we have. We are sequestered, there is no TV, there is no radio, there is no Internet, there is no book, there’s nothing. So from the time you wake up, you are with the same guys. Every day you wake up, you are at breakfast, drink some beer all day, you barbecue, you talk and you just hope you’ll go out on a date so you can get out of the house or the hotel.
So all the guys we get really, really close with each other. It’s not like you see on TV; we don’t hate each other. I can honestly say that out of the two months that I was on the show, I spent less than four hours of alone time with Jillian. So you know the guys a lot better than you know the girl.
So you had an ex-girlfriend by the time you were on the show?
We were friends for seven years and we dated for three. We were on and off probably all last summer and then we finally decided we needed time, so we broke up in late July, early August (last year). I went on the show end of March.
Then why did you say you had a girlfriend on-camera?
You answer (producer questions) in complete sentences so they know what you are talking about. And (the producer) said “What’s this about you being the only bachelor in history to making it to the final four with a girlfriend? “So I’m repeating that question back in a full sentence so everyone knows what I am talking about, and then I said, “Get real man, why would I be here?” How was the relationship with the show initially? You get really close with all the producers on the show. I did trust them; I never thought that they would think to edit some of the things that they edited like they did. Looking back and watching the show, I lived a whole different experience than what I saw on TV.
Why did you come on the show? My little sister actually signed me up. Everybody was super nice, the casting people, and the producers. They were like “We’ve never had a musician on the show before and we think you’d be a good element.” I remember getting the contract and looking at it and saying “holy (expletive), this is crazy, these people own me.” There is nothing that I have left of myself after I sign this contract.
My manager read it. My attorneys read it. My mom wanted me to go on the show, she really wants me to settle down and find somebody. A good friend of mine who is a preacher down in Houston said, “You know what Wes, this is an opportunity. God is opening a door for you, you need to walk through it.” And my manager was like, “Wes, go, and have a good time. Nobody falls in love on these reality shows anyway, but it might be good for your record and you’ll get to do a lot things you have never done before.”
What was your impression of Jillian that first night? I remember looking at Jillian … and I was like “Man, she looks really good; she’s actually really attractive.” At this point I’m thinking this is going to be really fun. … I do think Jillian and I did have a connection from the minute I stepped out of the limo.
What happened the night of the showdown at the Hyatt? I was ready to see my family. Then Jake pops up and does his whole stunt. The whole time I am thinking, “Why are we doing this? Here’s the deal, I don’t have a girlfriend. Jillian, we can stay here and beat a dead horse all day long, you’re gonna get the same answer: I don’t have a girlfriend, I haven’t had a girlfriend, can we go meet my family now?” I mean that’s why we are here. I think this is the most important part of the show is you meeting my family and them getting an impression of you and me together.”
I was just real frustrated. I didn’t come home to have some make-believe conversation with Jake.
My family was waiting for like seven hours for me to come and meet them at the house. They had everything set up, they had barbecue catered, but the whole time the show knew what was going on and I didn’t make it to my family’s house until almost 12 o’clock at night. They were tired. They hadn’t eaten. They kept saying, “Hey, we want to eat, we got the barbecue here, we’re starving, we haven’t eaten all day.” And the producers were like “Don’t have anything to eat. Here, have another drink.” They want you totally inebriated on that show.
What do you mean? Look at everybody on the show, when they are doing their (one-on-one interviews), like at the end of the date, look at their eyes. Their eyes are just like glazed over. I mean Jillian looks like she is fixing to fall out half the time. I mean have you noticed that? (Fellow contestant) Dave is sitting there talking and only one eye is blinking and he looks totally hammered.
So what happened to your connection with Jillian? I just felt like this is too much for somebody to recoup. The night we were having dinner, our last night in Spain, I told Jillian “Look, if we would have met each other outside of this TV show, things would have been so different. I would have spent more time with you in one night than I spent with you in two months here.”
Jillian is a great girl. She is funny, she is attractive, she doesn’t need a TV show to meet somebody and fall in love. She can do that on her own.
Looking back, any red flags? I think it was already set in stone what was going to happen to me, I just never saw it coming until the night I was in Canada. … People were wanting us to talk about me being there for publicity more and more. So at this point, I’m thinking, OK, I see where this is going. I was ready to leave.
I told the guys if I got me a taxi from Canada back to Texas, I’d do it. They had all the producers coming and talking to me saying, “Wes, just stay on the show, just stay here and play the game.”; So I ended up staying and they really raked me over the coals.
What happened in the final limo ride home? The first thing I am doing is I’m humming (a Stoney LaRue) song and I’m talking to the producer in the back and I’m going, “Man I’ve got this song stuck in my head.” And he goes “What song is that?” … I said, “It says if I’m going down, I’m going down in flames. One thing’s for certain, everybody’s gonna to know my name.” And so the clip that you get of me in the limo is the first thing I said was “I’m going down in the flames.”
We rode around for about three hours … with no A/C on … because (the producer said the) sound for the a/c was messing with the microphone. When I step in the limo at first, I’m all fine and dandy. At the end, I’m sweaty and greasy and I’m like “What, are we driving in circles? Take me home, it’s (expletive) hot in here.” You can see two different people in the matter of a one-minute clip. I remember saying “You know what, I don’t think I ever want to do this ever again. My acting days are over. I’m never going to do another TV show, reality or not.” So you hear me say, “I’m going down in flames.” Clip. “My acting days are over.”Clip. And they just wrote them together and then you hear me saying, “I’m in Spain.” …And then back to the beginning of the limo ride when I was singing that song “Everybody’s gonna know my name.” They’re clever, man.
Another example when I said “the chains are off, you know, cu clink, cu clink, clink, clink, it’s going down, it’s on like a pot of neck bones.” …It had nothing to do with Jillian. On that show you are sequestered you are not allowed to do anything, you don’t go out, you don’t get seen in public, you don’t have a good time - you do with the guys - but I was like… “I am going out tonight dude, I’m in Spain, it’s going down. It’s on like a pot of neck bones. I’m going to go out and party tonight period. There’s nothing you can do anymore. I am kicked off the show.” They said, “no, you got to go home.” I said “That’s (expletive) dude, the chains are off, cut ‘em off, I’m free.”
Were you pressured?
I wasn’t pressured to do anything. It was just ideas that they gave me. The night that I sang my song for Jillian, it was like 4 o’clock in the morning, and they came and I was literally sleeping. They wake me up and say, “Hey man, she is coming back from her date with (fellow contestant) Sasha, she let him go, why don’t you go cheer her up?” So I go and there’s a whole production crew, lighting, everything is set up.
The show didn’t have a media conference call with you after you were booted from the show.
They cancelled mine. They didn’t want me talking to anybody. I’ve been available. I’ve worked too hard in my life to let somebody destroy me for their TV ratings. I might be from Texas and I might talk slow, but I’m not stupid. If I had a hidden agenda to go on that show, my lips would have been sealed, never would I have once said I was there for my CD, my career and I have a girlfriend. I know how to market myself, and it would not have been to go on TV and have everyone hate me.
(An ABC spokeswoman, Cathy Rehl, said that the week Hayden was booted on air, he wasn’t available for a media conference call. Also, “we don’t do conference calls with all the men,” she said.)
Why didn’t you attend the taping of the “Men Tell All” episode? I had talks with them and I told them that I wasn’t going to come on the show. I didn’t trust how they were going to edit me.
And then when I saw the very last episode (I was on), I realized that I had to go back to defend myself. I called them and … their words to me — they were kind of abrasive — were “Oh, so now you want to come on the show?” They were pretty rude. I said, “I’ve got to defend myself.”
Their exact words to me were “You can’t come on the show and say the things you have been saying on all these other interviews,” basically the truth. And I said, “You mean I can’t come on the show and defend myself?”
That’s not right. What do you expect me to do? To go in there and say I have a girlfriend when I don’t have a girlfriend? I’m on there for my career when clearly there were several different reasons why I was on the show? … They said, “OK, we’ll call you back.” And my manager talked to them on (July 10) and the “Men Tell All” was the next day … and they said, “Look, we don’t think it’s a good idea that Wes come.”
How has this impacted your career?
It’s affected it pretty negatively. I’ve got people that send me hate mail daily. I’ve had four, five gigs canceled on me for like $20,000. So it’s affected me mentally, physically, spiritually and financially.
What now?
The more days that pass and the more people I get to talk to and share what really happened and the person that I really am, it seems like my faith is getting strong. There is a Bible verse that says “all things work together for the good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose.” I just have to believe that God has a plan for me and he’s not going to let this set me back. I will turn this thing around. The perception of me is out there, so now it’s up to me to change that perception, one person at a time.
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This week’s TV picks
A screen shot from ABC’s ‘Dating in the Dark.’ Okay, not really.
I’m starting to realize that these are coming across more as ‘warnings’ than ‘picks.’ However you take them, here’s hoping they help:
Monday
‘The Bachelorette’ 7 p.m. ABC. The men tell all. Really? Have you seen this show? I think maybe they might want to hold some of it back. Just sayin’.
‘Dating in the Dark’ 9 p.m. ABC. I hate to keep picking on ABC, but this is a show — a television show, on television, a visual medium — in which contestants get acquainted in a completely dark room. Those are going to be some gripping visuals. Incidentally, if the room in question is 3 feet by 4 feet and is filled with hanging clothes and dusty boxes, I think I was on this show in high school.
Tuesday
‘Hell’s Kitchen’ 7 p.m. Fox. In the two-hour season opener, Satan (the lord of darkness) prepares a delightful crème brûlée. Just kidding. Sixteen new contestants form two teams and whip up signature dishes in an effort to win a head chef’s job at a future Olympics event site. I’ll bet the athletes don’t have to humiliate themselves like this.
Wednesday
‘Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed’ (rerun) 10 p.m. CW. The CW is repeating this program because, you know — it’s always more fun to learn how a magic trick is done the second time around.
Thursday
‘How Do I Look?’ 8 p.m. Style. Not bad, really. Although, if I’m being honest, you could probably stand to lose a few, especially around the hips.
‘Crime 360’ 9 p.m. A&E. The description reads only, ‘Indianapolis.’ Hmm. ’Nuff said.
Friday
‘Ghost Adventures’ 8 p.m. Travel. Spooky stuff is going on at an English inn that was built over a pagan burial ground. Shocker. Look, I know the real estate is cheap, but c’mon … I wouldn’t even build a Halloween attraction over a burial ground.
Saturday
‘Animal Planet Dog Championships 2009’ 7 p.m. Animal Planet. Behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with owners and trainers at a competition featuring canines from all over the country. It’s like that ‘Best in Show’ movie without the snarky humor, which is why I will be watching ‘Best in Show.’
Sunday
‘Merlin’ 7 p.m. NBC. Morgana helps Merlin when he has to secretly return a druid boy to his people. I hope that’s not Morgana, that busty woman who used to interrupt baseball games by running out onto the fields and kissing the players. Remember her? On second thought, that might make all this medieval mumbo-jumbo more interesting.
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UT President praises Walter Cronkite
William C. Powers Jr., President of the University of Texas at Austin, released the following statement early Saturday about legendary journalist Walter Cronkite, who died early Friday evening:
“Walter Cronkite defined broadcast journalism in the 20th century. He set the standard for honesty and integrity, and he remains an enduring symbol of credibility in news reporting. No one will ever match his deeply resonant voice of authority, wisdom and gravity. For decades, Walter Cronkite was the most trusted source of news for Americans from all walks of life.
Throughout his life, Walter Cronkite remained deeply connected to The University of Texas at Austin. We have lost one of our most treasured, honored and accomplished native sons.”
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Local broadcasters react to Cronkite’s death
In his blog on keyetv.com, Ron Oliveira writes:
“During my early days in TV news, I had the opportunity to go to New York and meet with Mr. Cronkite on the set of the CBS Evening News. Our news team taped some promotional commercials with Cronkite and what a thrill it was for us to meet the person that inspired us to become journalists.”
http://www.keyetv.com/content/blogs/ronoliveira/story/How-I-remember-Walter-Cronkite/MozyudTc5EeqHoAbqNdEjA.cspx
Longtime Austin broadcast journalist Neal Spelce wrote in an e-mail to the Statesman: “I first met Walter in 1960, when I was in New York City on a CBS News Fellowship. Since that time, we have maintained a professional and personal relationship. After returning to Austin, and while I was the news director and anchor of the KTBC-TV 6 p.m. newscast, Walter recorded a voice-over that transitioned between his newscast and mine at the top of the hour.
“As the credits rolled for the “CBS Evening News,” he intoned “This is Walter Cronkite. Stay tuned now for my good friend Neal Spelce and your local news.” It really helped to have the “Most Trusted Man in America” suggest Austinites tune in to our newscast. I guess the highest TV journalist compliment I was ever paid was when I was often referred to as ‘The Walter Cronkite of Austin.’ (Of course, this shows my age!!!).
A true journalist, he was the gold standard for TV news anchors.
Over the years, we kept in touch on two levels: 1) personally, we were with him on many of his visits to Austin to visit his daughter and their family, as well as his return for other functions here and 2) professionally, we entered into a partnership with him after he retired to get him back on TV with a nationally syndicated news segment we dubbed “Walter Cronkite Answers.” Even though we were very successful with two similar national news segments — “An American Moment with Charles Kuralt” and “An American Moment with James Earl Jones” — we were not successful in lining up a sponsor for the Cronkite effort. But it was a joy to work with him in the development phase of the project.
“Coincidentally, we shared progress stories about recovering from heart bypass surgeries. At age 80, he underwent bypass surgery in April 1997. My quintuple bypass followed in June 1997. Checking with him later that summer, I called him to ask how he was recovering. Typically Walter, he said he was leaving in a few minutes to ‘test my new arteries on the tennis court.’”
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Bad news, everybody: Futurama’s characters might get new voices
As Bender might say, 20th Century Fox can “bite my shiny, metal (expletive deleted).”
Actually, Bender wouldn’t say “expletive deleted.” And, if the production company gets its way, “Futurama’s” hard-drinking, wise-cracking, troublemaking robot with a heart of gold won’t be saying anything in voice actor John DiMaggio’s gravelly growl anyway.
Variety and a number of other sources are reporting that talks have broken down between the cast (Billy West, Katey Sagal, DiMaggio, Maurice LaMarche and Tress MacNeille) and the production company over compensation for the 26 new episodes slated to begin running next year.
“We love the ‘Futurama’ voice performers and absolutely wanted to use them, but unfortunately, we could not meet their salary demands,” Variety quotes from a 20th Century Fox TV statement. “While replacing these talented actors will be difficult, the show must go on. We are confident that we will find terrific new performers to give voice to Matt and David’s brilliantly subversive characters.”
Let’s hope this is a strong-arm negotiating tactic similar to the one vocal talent for “The Simpsons” encountered when terms could not be met and that DiMaggio and company will be back.
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Catch “Catch it Keep it” tonight on Science Channel
Zach Selwyn and Mike Senese hope their show catches on. Science.Discovery.com photo.
I like Discovery Channel’s “Mythbusters,” but there’s never really anything at stake, is there?
The Science Channel may have solved this problem with “Catch It Keep It,” premiering tonight at 9pm Central.
Part “Mythbusters,” part “Trading Spaces” and part reality show, “Catch It Keep It” follows a trio of competitors guided by host Zach Selwyn as they attempt to win a prize by rescuing it from certain destruction in a span of 48 hours.
In tonight’s episode, for example, the contestants must design and construct a counter weight net system to catch a $2500 Il Bello Fly Scooter when it’s launched off a 15 degree, 80 foot ramp, 26 feet off the ground at 40 MPH. The perilous situation meant to result in decimation for each week’s prize is designed by Science Channel’s “engineer of destruction,” Mike Senese.
At the end of each show, the contestants’ rescue schemes are put to the test. Then Senese tells how he would have solved the puzzle with his own design and build.
Future episodes include rescuing an 100-gallon aquarium from the forces of a level 5 hurricane; protecting a year’s supply of beer from a powerful explosive charge; and saving a Gibson Les Paul guitar from a firestorm of thermite.
In other words, it’s still smashing, burning and blowing stuff up, but there’s a catch.
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An Emmy nod for ‘Friday Night Lights’
While Austin-filmed “Friday Night Lights” missed out on the major Emmy categories, the show did pick up a nomination for its casting.
“FNL” is nominated for Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series. It’s up against “Damages,” “Mad Men,” “True Blood” and “The Tudors.”
Nominated for their casting work on the show are Linda Lowy, John Brace and Beth Sepko, the location casting director in Texas.
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Emmy nominees in major categories
From the AP, nominees in major categories for the 61st annual Primetime Emmy Awards announced Thursday by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Drama Series: “Big Love,” HBO; “Breaking Bad,” AMC; “Damages,” FX Networks; “Dexter,” Showtime; “House,” Fox; “Lost,” ABC; “Mad Men,” AMC.
Comedy Series: “Entourage,” HBO; “Family Guy,” Fox; “Flight of the Conchords,” HBO; “How I Met Your Mother,” CBS; “The Office,” NBC; “30 Rock,” NBC; “Weeds,” Showtime. Miniseries: “Generation Kill,” HBO; “Little Dorrit” PBS.
Made-for-TV Movie: “Coco Chanel,” Lifetime; “Grey Gardens,” HBO; “Into the Storm,” HBO; “Prayers for Bobby,” Lifetime; “Taking Chance,” HBO.
Actor, Drama Series: Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad,” AMC; Michael C. Hall, “Dexter,” Showtime; Hugh Laurie, “House,” Fox; Gabriel Byrne, “In Treatment,” HBO; Jon Hamm, “Mad Men,” AMC; Simon Baker, “The Mentalist,” CBS.
Actress, Drama Series: Sally Field, “Brothers & Sisters,” ABC; Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer,” TNT; Glenn Close, “Damages,” FX Networks; Mariska Hargitay, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” NBC; Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men,” AMC; Holly Hunter, “Saving Grace,” TNT.
Supporting Actor, Drama Series: William Shatner, “Boston Legal,” ABC; Christian Clemenson, “Boston Legal,” ABC; Aaron Paul, “Breaking Bad,” AMC; William Hurt, “Damages,” FX Networks; Michael Emerson, “Lost,” ABC; John Slattery, “Mad Men,” AMC.
Supporting Actress, Drama Series: Rose Byrne, “Damages,” FX Networks; Sandra Oh, “Grey’s Anatomy,” ABC; Chandra Wilson, “Grey’s Anatomy,” ABC; Dianne Wiest, “In Treatment,” HBO; Hope Davis, “In Treatment,” HBO; Cherry Jones, “24,” Fox.
Actor, Comedy Series: Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory,” CBS; Jemaine Clement, “Flight of the Conchords,” HBO; Tony Shalhoub, “Monk,” USA; Steve Carell, “The Office,” NBC; Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock,” NBC; Charlie Sheen, “Two and a Half Men,” CBS.
Actress, Comedy Series: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” CBS; Christina Applegate, “Samantha Who?” ABC; Sarah Silverman, “The Sarah Silverman Program,” Comedy Central; Tina Fey, “30 Rock,” NBC; Toni Collette, “United States of Tara,” Showtime; Mary-Louise Parker, “Weeds,” Showtime.
Supporting Actor, Comedy Series: Kevin Dillon, “Entourage,” HBO; Neil Patrick Harris, “How I Met Your Mother,” CBS; Rainn Wilson, “The Office,” NBC; Tracy Morgan, “30 Rock,” NBC; Jack McBrayer, “30 Rock,” NBC; Jon Cryer, “Two and a Half Men,” CBS.
Supporting Actress, Comedy Series: Kristin Chenoweth, “Pushing Daisies,” ABC; Amy Poehler, “Saturday Night Live,” NBC; Kristin Wiig, “Saturday Night Live,” NBC; Jane Krakowski, “30 Rock,” NBC; Vanessa Williams, “Ugly Betty,” ABC; Elizabeth Perkins, “Weeds,” Showtime.
Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Kevin Kline, “Cyrano de Bergerac,” PBS; Brendan Gleeson, “Into the Storm,” HBO; Ian McKellen, “King Lear,” PBS; Kevin Bacon, “Taking Chance,” HBO; Kiefer Sutherland, “24: Redemption,” Fox; Kenneth Branagh, “Wallander: One Step Behind,” PBS.
Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Chandra Wilson, “Accidental Friendship,” Hallmark Channel; Shirley MacLaine, “Coco Chanel,” Lifetime; Drew Barrymore, “Grey Gardens,” HBO; Jessica Lange, “Grey Gardens,” HBO; Sigourney Weaver, “Prayers for Bobby,” Lifetime.
Supporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Ken Howard, “Grey Gardens,” HBO; Len Cariou, “Into the Storm,” HBO; Bob Newhart, “The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice,” TNT; Tom Courtenay, “Little Dorrit,” PBS; Andy Serkis, “Little Dorrit,” PBS.
Supporting Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Marcia Gay Harden, “The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler,” CBS; Jeanne Tripplehorn, “Grey Gardens,” HBO; Shohreh Aghdashloo, “House of Saddam,” HBO; Janet McTeer, “Into the Storm,” HBO; Cicely Tyson, “Relative Stranger,” Hallmark Channel.
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Emmy nominations live chat with Dale Roe
When Emmy nominations are announced Thursday morning at 7:30, TV writer Dale Roe will be here sharing reaction and commentary. Join in the chat by giving us your own Emmy opinions.
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My Emmy Dream Ballot
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is set to announce nominations for the Emmy awards Thursday at 7:30 a.m. We’ll be here covering it live right here but, in the meantime, here’s what I’d like to see. I understand some of these are longshots (I’m looking at you, “BSG,” “FNL” and “FotC”) but, hey — that’s why it’s called a dream ballot (and also, I guess, why I don’t get a real vote):
Best Drama
“Battlestar Galactica” (SYFY)
“Breaking Bad” (AMC)
“Friday Night Lights” (NBC)
“Lost” (ABC)
“Mad Men” (AMC)
“The Shield” (FX)
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Connie Britton, “Friday Night Lights” (NBC)
Glenn Close, “Damages” (FX)
January Jones, “Mad Men” (AMC)
Mary McDonnell, “Battlestar Galactica” (SYFY)
Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men” (AMC)
Anna Paquin, “True Blood” (HBO)
Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Kyle Chandler, “Friday Night Lights” (NBC)
Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad” (AMC)
Michael C. Hall, “Dexter” (Showtime)
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men” (AMC)
Hugh Laurie, “House” (FOX)
Denis Leary, “Rescue Me” (FX)
Best Comedy
“Big Bang Theory” (CBS)
“Chuck” (NBC)
“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (CBS)
“The Office” (NBC)
“30 Rock” (NBC)
“United States of Tara” (Showtime)
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Christina Applegate, “Samantha Who” (ABC)
Toni Collette, “United States of Tara” (Showtime)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “The New Adventures of Old Christine” (CBS)
America Ferrera, “Ugly Betty” (ABC)
Tina Fey, “30 Rock” (NBC)
Mary Louise Parker, “Weeds” (Showtime)
Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock” (NBC)
Steve Carell, “The Office” (NBC)
Neil Patrick Harris, “How I Met Your Mother” (CBS)
Zachary Levi, “Chuck” (NBC)
Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS)
Either Bret McKenzie or Jemaine Clement, “Flight of the Conchords” (HBO)
Okay, let me have it. Who’s on your dream ballot? Which actors, actresses and shows did I miss? Post your picks below.
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KEYE announces 4pm local newscast
From a KEYE press release:
KEYE TV is pleased to announce a one hour, locally produced newscast to air weekdays at 4pm starting September 15, 2009.
The show will focus on all things Central Texas, highlighting local events, places, news, weather and interesting people in and around Austin. “Ron Oliveira and Judy Maggio are Austin’s most experienced journalists. They know Austin so well,” says President and General Manager Amy Villarreal, “and each show will highlight their great storytelling and love of Central Texans.”
The show is still in development and further announcements will be made closer to the launch date.
KEYE TV Program schedule starting Sept 15th
3:00pm Dr Phil
4:00pm KEYE 4pm News
5:00pm The Insider
5:30pm CBS Evening News
6:00pm KEYE News at 6pm
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Local dog lands on ‘CBS Evening News’
Using a wheelchair from Doggon’ Wheels, Fiona is able to walk on the hike and bike trail with Sawyers-Robles. Kelly West photo/American-Statesman
“Princess Fiona,” profiled by American-Statesman fitness writer Pam Leblanc in a May Life & Arts section, is hitting the big time.
The beefy cane corso (pronounced kah-ne korso) mastiff — paralyzed from the hips down — was adopted from Cane Corso Rescue by Austin occupational therapist Liz Sawyers-Robles and put to work at KidVentures Therapy, interacting with children who have autism and other developmental delays.
Tonight, Fiona is scheduled to appear along with Cane Corso Rescue and the KidVentures kids on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric (5:30 p.m., KEYE).
Read Pam’s story, complete with more photos and video, here.
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A Conchord flies to Fantastic Fest
Jemaine Clement, half of New Zealand’s music/comedy duo “Flight of the Conchords,” is slated to kick off Fantastic Fest 2009 (September 24-October 1) with a live appearance in conjunction with “Gentleman Broncos,” director Jared Hess’ third film. Clement stars as Ronald Chevalier, a legendary fantasy novelist (and apparent script thief).
Clement and bandmate Bret McKenzie were introduced to America on their self-titled HBO show, which recently wrapped up its second season. The duo has also appeared at South by Southwest.
You can find more information about the “Gentlemen Broncos” — and Clement’s pompous character — at this hilarious Web site.
And here’s an inspirational video from Chevalier himself:
Dr. Ronald Chevalier - Inspiring Oneself
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Casting begins for new ‘Friday night Lights’ regulars
Michael Ausiello over at EW.com has posted some casting tidbits for season 4 of “Friday Night Lights.” Producers are looking for four new series regulars.
They are: Vince, an African-American East Dillon junior; Luke, Vince’s rival and a reluctant Lion; Jess, a sophomore/junior who knows football like the back of her hand; and Becky, a beauty queen who competes with her own mother for Riggins’ affection. Sounds soapy!
Check out the whole article here.
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Live chat: TV gripes
I know you love TV, but there’s got to be something about it that bothers you. Get it off your chest in a live chat at noon today.
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Did you miss me as much as I missed you?
Good morning, Austin! I’m back from a family vacation, Griswold-style. Are the Michael Jackson tributes over yet?
I watched surprisingly little TV on a trip filled with visits to relatives; outings to zoos; midwestern delicacies such as Polish sausage, deep dish pizza and sliders; and lots and lots of driving. Oh, my father in law tried to goad me into political argument by leaving Fox News Channel on 24 hours a day, but I maintained a zen-like calm and understanding.
While I was gone, Sci-Fi became Syfy (colleagues here are pronouncing it “siffy” — hee!); “Entourage” returned to HBO; Troy Kimmel announced his return to weeknights at KEYE; Ryan Seacrest inked a 3-year, $45 million hosting deal; and Jon Gosselin got a new girlfriend — the daughter of his wife’s tummy-tuck surgeon. Swoon.
Whew.
Let me clear out the 821 messages in my e-mail inbox, change the “out-of-office” message on my phone; sift through the promo DVDs that stacked up while I was out and catch up on the rest of the happenings in TV Town.
Thanks for your great response to (and near universal agreement with) my top ten TV gripes. In case I haven’t heard yours, I’ll be back for a live chat right here at noon today. Stop by and vent. I’m a good listener.
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Kimmel to deliver weeknight weather on KEYE starting Monday
Turns out Troy Kimmel’s second tour of duty at KEYE will last longer than initially advertised.
Much longer.
The well-known meteorologist, who has been delivering weekend forecasts on a temporary basis this summer, will permanently move to 5, 6 and 10 weeknights starting Monday. The transition marks a return to a shift Kimmel first filled in 2000, when he was hired as the CBS station’s chief meteorologist.
He left in 2003 to focus on teaching at the University of Texas and delivering weather reports for Clear Channel’s Austin radio stations, but was wooed back as a fill-in earlier this year by news director Suzanne Black and general manager Amy Villarreal.
“Troy is the real deal,” Black said in a news release. “He knows Texas and the Austin area in particular, and we are proud to have him back at KEYE.”
Black and Villarreal didn’t immediately return phone calls inquiring about the fate of Susan Vessell, KEYE’s current evening meteorologist. Vessell was bumped up from the morning shift after the station parted ways with weathercaster Byron Webre in an August 2008 round of layoffs that claimed more than a dozen employees.
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New ‘Project Runway’ cast has 2 Texans
The long-delayed sixth season of “Project Runway” finally arrives next month. Lifetime, the show’s new home, has heightened the anticipation by releasing the names of the latest batch of contestants.
Two hail from Texas. Shirin Askari, 25, is from Garland, and Louise Black, 32, is from Dallas, according to the Associated Press. Get an early look at their work by clicking here and here.
The new season of “Project Runway” begins Aug. 20
The rest of the contestants:
Ra’Mon-Lawrence Coleman, 31, of Milwaukee.
Rodney Epperson, 50, of New York.
Ari Fish, 26, of Kansas City, Mo.
Qristyl Frazier, 42, of New York.
Gordana Gehlhausen, 45, of San Diego.
Mitchell Hall, 26, of Savannah, Ga.
Althea Harper, 25, of New York.
Logan Neitzel, 25, of Seattle.
Nicolas Putvinksi, 27, of New York.
Johnny Sakalis, 30, of Los Angeles.
Irina Shabeyeva, 27, of New York.
Christopher Straub, 30, of Shakopee, Minn.
Malvin Vien, 24, of New York.
Carol Hannah Whitfield, 24, of New York.
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Connie Britton hopes Ron Perlman visits ‘Friday Night Lights’
If you ever see Hellboy around Austin, you’ll know that Connie Britton has gotten her wish.
Britton, who plays Principal Tami Taylor in the locally filmed “Friday Night Lights,” told E!Online’s Spoiler Chat column that she’s lobbying for her friend Ron Perlman to do a guest appearance on the show. She’d like to see Perlman, known for the “Hellboy” movies and the FX series “Sons of Anarchy,” playing a tough coach.
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‘Arrested Development’ creator to receive Austin Film Festival Award
Mitchell Hurwitz can add an honor from the Austin Film Festival and Conference to his long list of accolades.
The creator of the Emmy-winning comedy “Arrested Development” will receive the 2009 Outstanding Television Writer Award during the festival.
Hurwitz joins an already strong TV lineup at the October event. Other big-name speakers include Matthew Weiner (“Mad Men”) and Paul Feig (“Freaks and Geeks”).
The festival runs Oct. 22-29; the screenwriting conference Oct. 22-25.
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Where to watch Michael Jackson memorial coverage
The memorial service for Michael Jackson will be at noon Central time at the Staples Center in L.A.
As you’d expect, the event will be all over cable television, with CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and E! Entertainment covering it live, the Associated Press reports. Broadcast networks ABC, Fox and CBS will also be offering live coverage.
Plans are still being updated, but TVNewser has a good roundup of who’s doing what.
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Compounds, cooks and cable guys: This week’s TV picks
Smarter than a 5th grader? If he was, he probably wouldn’t be a Cubs fan. M. Spencer Green photo/Associated Press
Here are my TV picks for the upcoming week. I’ve done all the work, so program your DVR, sit back and relax:
Monday
‘The Bachelorette’ 7 p.m., KVUE: Jillian heads to Madrid with her final four suitors, including Austin musician Wes Hayden. Will booted Jake Pavelka from Dallas follow them across the ocean to try and mess things up for Wes again? Hey, he’s a commercial pilot … it could happen.
Tuesday
‘Warehouse 13’ 8 p.m., SciFi: Eddie McClintock and Joanne Kelly star as mismatched Secret Service agents in the debut of this X-Files-inspired dramedy with the world’s most annoying press kit. Seriously — it’s like one of those talking greeting cards and I can’t figure out how to make it stop.
Wednesday
‘Top Chef Masters’ 9 p.m., Bravo: Remember that time you told your buddy you could cook a better meal than he could with one hand tied behind your back? You could have been a television writer, because that’s what’s happening tonight. Also, they feed that guy from ‘Doogie Howser’ and ‘How I Met Your Mother.’
Thursday
‘Big Brother’ 7 p.m., KEYE: We meet the Season 11 houseguests, who are locked in the compound and face their first challenge: keeping Janet Reno out. That’s what happens when you lock yourself in a compound.
Friday
‘Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader’ 7 p.m., KTBC: Since the competitors include Larry the Cable Guy, I’m gonna go out on a limb and say ‘no.’
‘The Goode Family’ 7:30 p.m., KVUE: Gerald confronts a celebrity chef after eating supposedly meatless chili laced with chicken. I wonder if he offers to fight him with one hand tied behind his back?
Saturday
‘48 Hours Mystery’ 7 p.m., KEYE: No program description was available for this episode, but if I know network television they’ll figure out a way to work Michael Jackson into it.
Sunday
‘Dear Genevieve’ 7:30 p.m., HGTV: Dear Genevieve, we love you even though (or maybe because) you sound all stuffed up, like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
‘Meteor’ 8 p.m., KXAN: Reverend Jim from ‘Taxi’ discovers that a giant meteor named Kassandra is on a collision course with Earth. Jake from ‘The Bachelorette’ interferes with their rendezvous, trying to convince Kassandra that Earth is already seeing a meteor.
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Doogie Howser, Emmy
Michael Ausiello at ew.com is reporting that Neil Patrick Harris has been tapped to host this year’s Emmy awards Sept. 20 on CBS. In his childhood, Harris starred as “Doogie Howser, MD” and he currently plays Barney on “How I Met Your Mother.” He recently garnered rave reviews for his hosting turn at the Tony Awards. Check out his closing number from that broadcast:
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TV fireworks: channels schedule 4th weekend marathons
Our friend Charlie over at Interesting Pile has posted a list of TV show marathons airing over the July 4th weekend. It’s missing some pay cable offerings such as the “Nurse Jackie” marathon on Showtime on Saturday from 7-9pm CT but, for basic cable listings, it’s mighty comprehensive.
There’s something on this list — covering Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5 — for just about everybody, from “Twilight Zone” and “Hannah Montana” to “Ice Road Truckers.”
Thanks Charlie!
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FX sets Fall schedule; ‘nip/tuck’ back in October
FX, has announced its fall season schedule. Returning in September are “Sons of Anarchy” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” The drama “nip/tuck” won’t be back until October.
The most interesting news to me is the announcement that Austin film maker Robert Rodriguez’ one-time squeeze, Rose McGowan, will be guesting on “nip/tuck.” I wonder if the actress will be portraying a client? She has admitted to having plastic surgery following an auto accident, but it sure looks like she’s had a lot more work done since then.
Check out FX’s press release after the jump.
The following is a press release from FX on its upcoming fall season:
FX SETS FALL SCHEDULE
Sons of Anarchy Returns Tuesday, September 8
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Comes Back Thursday, September 17
nip/tuck’s All New 6th Season Returns in October
FX Plans to Launch a New Original Comedy Series This Fall
September-December Features Premieres of Blockbuster Movie Titles
LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2009 FX, home to critically acclaimed and award-winning original series, has set its fall schedule with the return of three of its hit original series kicking off with the sophomore season of the drama Sons of Anarchy on September 8, followed by the comedy It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia on September 17, and season six of nip/tuck which begins this October. FX also has plans to launch a new original comedy series this fall to pair with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
In addition to the return of original series, this fall the network features a slate of blockbuster feature film premieres including Ghost Rider, Fantastic Four & The Silver Surfer, Spiderman 3, and Live Free or Die Hard.
Sons of Anarchy returns for its second season (13 episodes) on a new night, Tuesday, beginning September 8 at 10 PM ET/PT. Starring Charlie Hunnam, Katey Sagal and Ron Perlman, Sons is an adrenalized drama with darkly comedic undertones that explores the notorious outlaw motorcycle club’s (SAMCRO) desire to protect its livelihood and the town of Charming, Calif. from outside influences. New guest stars this season include Adam Arkin and Henry Rollins. The first season of Sons of Anarchy averaged 1.2 million Men 18-34 demo on a weekly cumulative basis, making it the #1 scripted show in basic cable in that demo and its cume of 1.9 million Adults 18-34 ranked #3.
The fifth season of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (12 episodes) will run Thursdays at 10 PM ET/PT for crude, controversial, outlandish, and downright hilarious comedy starting on September 17. Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olson and Danny DeVito star as the self-centered owners of Paddy’s Pub in Philadelphia who will do just about anything, no matter how reprehensible, in attempt to better their own situation. The fourth season of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia was #1 in both M18-34 (1.1 million) and A18-34 (1.8 million) on a weekly cumulative average for all live-action scripted comedies in basic cable.
nip/tuck will return for its sixth and penultimate season in October and will consist of 10 new episodes. Starring Dylan Walsh and Julian McMahon as Los Angeles plastic surgeons, the new season will include guest stars Vanessa Redgrave, Rose McGowan, Mario Lopez, Barry Bostwick and Gilles Marini. nip/tuck’s 5th season was FX’s highest-rated original series with an average weekly audience of 5.1 million A18-49 and 6.5 million total viewers.
FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable network from the Fox Networks Group. Launched in June of 1994, FX is carried in more than 95 million homes. The diverse schedule includes a growing roster of critically acclaimed and award-winning original series; an established film library with box-office hits from 20th Century Fox and other studios; and an impressive roster of acquired hit series. For more information about FX, visit our web site at www.FXnetworks.com
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