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Entertainment
May 14, 2012
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“How I Met Your Mother” 7 p.m., CBS: It’s birth to the future in the Season 7 closer as Lily goes into labor and the show fast-forwards to Barney’s wedding.
“Bones” 7 p.m., Fox: Co-star David Boreanaz helms Season 7’s conclusion.
“America’s Got Talent” 7 p.m., NBC: Tune in to see if new judge Howard Stern collapses society and ruins our youth.
“Two and a Half Men” 8 p.m., CBS: Season 9 — Ashton Kutcher’s best season on the show — wraps up tonight.
“The Bachelorette” 8:30 p.m., ABC: It’s former Brad Womack squeeze Emily Maynard’s turn to look for love on TV and why not? It worked so well the first time.
“Mike & Molly” 8:30 p.m., CBS: A season-ending wedding? Looks like the writers stopped at “something old.”
“Hawaii Five-0” 9 p.m., CBS: Find out who kicks the coconut in tonight’s second season finale.
“Smash” 9 p.m., NBC: The curtain drops on Season 1.
Tuesday:
“NCIS” 7 p.m., CBS: The ninth season wraps up with a terrorism scare. I hope it’s not an underwater underwear bomb.
“90210” 7 p.m., The CW: Season 4 is over and these hot bodies can hit the beach for a few months.
“NCIS: Los Angeles” 8 p.m., CBS: Season 3 concludes.
“Private Practice” 9 p.m., ABC: Season 5 ends.
“Fashion Star” 9 p.m., NBC: A first season winner is named and I guess the other two remaining contestants get a dressing down.
Wednesday:
“Nature” 7 p.m., PBS: Tonight’s episode is called “Cracking the Koala Code.” It seems a little fuzzy to me.
“Suburgatory” 7:30 p.m., ABC: The freshman season concludes with a mother of a celebration.
“Criminal Minds” 8 p.m., CBS: Season 7 says farewell. Unfortunately, so does Paget Brewster.
Thursday:
“Missing” 7 p.m., ABC: Will Becca save her son? Season one concludes tonight.
“Community” 7 p.m., NBC: It’s a veritable community of “Community!” This is the first of three episodes tonight. The season finale airs at 8:30 p.m.
“Rules of Engagement” 7:30 p.m., CBS: Season 6 concludes.
“Grey’s Anatomy” 8 p.m., ABC: A number of key players’ contracts are up — including Meredith’s and McDreamy’s — and creator Shonda Rhimes has promised a shocking death in tonight’s eighth season wrap-up.
“Person of Interest” 8 p.m., CBS: The FBI zones in on Reese in the first season finale.
“Scandal” 9 p.m., ABC: A short season 1 comes to a close.
“The Mentalist” 9 p.m., CBS: It’s sort of “Leaving Las Vegas” as the show signs off for the summer.
“Awake” 9 p.m., NBC: Part one of season-ending two-parter finds conspiracies emerging in each of Britten’s realities.
Friday:
“Shark Tank” 7 p.m., ABC: The third season winds down with pitches for fountain of youth products and recycled tennis shoes.
“Who Do You Think You Are?” 7 p.m., NBC: A search of Paula Deen’s bloodline is inconclusive, probably because of all the Crisco.
“Nikita” 7 p.m., The CW: Division’s destruction looms in the second season finale.
“Grimm” 8 p.m., NBC: As Season 1 wraps up, bodies continue to pile up in Portland.
“Supernatural” 8 p.m., The CW: Season 7 ends.
Saturday:
“MLB Baseball” 6 p.m., Fox: The Rangers take on the Astros in Houston.
“Masterpiece Mystery” 8 p.m., PBS: Tonight’s “Sherlock” updates “The Hound of the Baskervilles” with a secret military base and animal experimentation.
Sunday:
“Billboard Music Awards” 7 p.m., ABC: “Modern Family’s” Phil and Claire, Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen, host. Carrie Underwood, Justin Bieber and others perform.
“The Simpsons” 7 p.m., Fox: Lady Gaga guests on the Season 23 (count ‘em!) closer.
“Bob’s Burgers” 7:30 p.m., Fox: Season 2 ends.
“Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt” 8 p.m., CBS: Tom Selleck’s TV movie hero rumbles with the mob.
“Family Guy” 8 p.m., Fox: Seth McFarlane appears to be aping “The Simpsons” again as mini-episodes close out Season 10.
“Celebrity Apprentice” 8 p.m., NBC: A winner is revealed tonight, but I’m using that term loosely.
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February 27, 2012
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“10 Things You Don’t Know” 9 p.m., H2: Tonight’s installment focuses on Ben Franklin. Good thing they stop at 10, because number 11 — “Discovered electricity to pick up chicks” — sounds dubious.
Tuesday:
“The Amish: American Experience” 7 p.m., PBS: It’s going to be so cool for the subjects of this documentary to watch themselves on — wait, never mind.
“Doomsday Preppers” 8 p.m., National Geographic: I misread this as “Doomsday Preppies” which, frankly, I think would be a lot more interesting.
“Parenthood” 9 p.m., NBC: Season 3 concludes with a life-changing family gathering.
“White Collar” 9 p.m., USA: Neal looks back in the third season closer.
Wednesday:
“The Middle” 7 p.m., ABC: There’s lots of pressure on the Hecks because Leap Year baby Sue’s birthday only comes once every four years.
“Modern Family” 8 p.m., ABC: There’s lots of pressure on Mitchell because Leap Year baby Cam’s birthday only comes once every four years. Seriously, you’d think two shows half an hour apart on the same night on the same network could coordinate their story lines a little better.
“America’s Next Top Model: British Invasion” 8 p.m., The CW: It’s like the revolution again, only with nicer clothing.
“Top Chef Texas” 9 p.m., Bravo: See which Texan wins in tonight’s season finale.
Thursday:
“American Idol” 7 p.m., Fox: Finalists and wild-card picks are revealed.
“Overheard with Evan Smith” 7 p.m., PBS: Evan chats with author Deepak Chopra.
“Rob” 7:30 p.m., CBS: Rob’s dad visits in the thankfully short first season’s final episode.
“Awake” 9 p.m., NBC: This smart and layered new drama from “24” producer Howard Gordon and Austin’s own Kyle Killen (“Lone Star”) follows a detective living in two realities: one in which a car accident took his son’s life and the other in which his wife was killed.
Friday:
“Moyers and Company” 8 p.m., PBS: Will this be the episode in which they finally roll tape of the three-legged race from the Moyers and Company picnic? A guy can dream.
Saturday:
“Q!Viva: The Chosen” 7 p.m., Fox: Marc Anthony, Jamie King and “American Idol’s” Jennifer Lopez search for Latin talent in this new reality competition.
“Tanked” 9 p.m., Animal Planet: Well, it’s happened — aquarium builders have finally gotten their own reality series, which means the genre’s tank is now officially empty.
Sunday:
“Napoleon Dynamite” 7:30 p.m., Fox: Season one wraps up.
“GCB” 9 p.m., ABC: Fun new hour-long series finds a reformed mean girl returning to her affluent Dallas neighborhood and trying to play nice with those she wronged.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
January 22, 2012
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“The Bachelor” 7 p.m., ABC: Bachelor Ben and his 13 suitors visit Park City, Utah. Maybe he’ll propose to all of them.
“American Masters” 9 p.m., PBS: Protest singer Phil Ochs gets the documentary treatment as Joan Baez and other folkies offer commentary.
Tuesday:
“State of the Union Address” 8 p.m., all broadcast and many cable news networks: Would you like the bad news or the good news first? Bad news? This speech preempts “New Girl.” The good news? It also means no new “Celebrity Wife Swap.”
Wednesday:
“Are You There, Chelsea?” 7:30 p.m., NBC: If you are, grab something stable and hold on tight, because I’m changing the channel so fast you could get whiplash. Oh — you might want to warn “Whitney,” too.
“Touch” 8 p.m., Fox (preview; returns regularly March 19): Kiefer Sutherland (“24”) returns to series television as a dad whose autistic son can see the future or something.
“Top Chef Texas” 9 p.m., Bravo: Guest judge Cat Cora evaluates block party cuisine.
Thursday:
“Overheard With Evan Smith” 7 p.m., PBS: Evan chats with former “Saturday Night Live” ensemble member (and “superstar!”) Molly Shannon.
“Russell Simmons Presents the Ruckus” 9 p.m., Comedy Central: Tonight sees the premiere of this new stand-up series hosted by “Curb Your Enthusiasm’s” JB Smoove.
Friday:
“Bering Sea Gold” 9 p.m., Discovery: There’s a gold rush in the glacial waters of Nome, Alaska as chronicled in this documentary series.
“Great Performances” 9 p.m., PBS: Tony Bennett sings duets with Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga and others.
“Spartacus: Vengeance” 9 p.m., Starz: This sequel to “Blood and Sand” stars Lucy Lawless and replacement title character Liam McIntyre (“No … Liam’s Spartacus!”).
Saturday:
“Austin City Limits” 7 p.m., PBS: Why go out when Florence and the Machine are slated to perform along with Sweden’s Lykke Li?
“Figure Skating” 8 p.m., NBC: Athletes compete in the U.S. Championships from San Jose. In a brilliant stroke of counter-programming, ABC is airing Will Ferrell’s Olympic skating spoof, “Blades of Glory,” at the same time.
“Swamp Volcano” 8 p.m., Syfy: I guess the network’s green-lighters ran out of mismatched species to mash up (see “Sharktopus”) and switched to geological formations, huh?
Sunday:
“Pro Bowl” 6 p.m., NBC: The AFC tries to get revenge for the NFC’s 2011 win as professional football’s all-star game is broadcast from Honolulu.
“The Simpsons” 7 p.m., Fox: Moe’s bar rag tells its story, from its ostentatious beginnings as a medieval tapestry to present day.
“Screen Actors Guild Awards” 7 p.m., TBS: Mary Tyler Moore receives a lifetime achievement award during the 18th annual celebration.
“Luck” 8 p.m., HBO: Michael Mann directs Dustin Hoffman in David Milch’s new drama series about gamblers and the world of horse racing in tonight’s premiere episode. Talk about a thoroughbred pedigree!
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
January 3, 2012
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“The Bachelor” 7 p.m., ABC: Season 16 kicks off with wine making love-seeker Ben Flajnik greeting 25 prospective mates in Malibu.
“Antiques Roadshow” 7 p.m., PBS: The subjects of this Season 16 premiere are decidedly older than ABC’s bachelorettes.
“Celebrity Wife Swap” 9 p.m., ABC: Couldn’t they have just stopped at “Celebrity?” We all know what goes on in Hollywood.
Tuesday:
“The Biggest Loser” 7 p.m., NBC: Partners compete against each other to shed pounds as Season 13 debuts.
“Work It” 7:30 p.m., ABC: I’m only including this horrible, new “comedy” — in which a couple of economy-challenged men masquerade as women to get jobs as pharmaceutical reps — as a warning. It gives males and females alike a bad name, but mostly male and female television executives.
Wednesday:
“Nova” 8 p.m., PBS: You gotta’ lava this season opener in which scientists attempt to predict volcanic eruptions.
“Revenge” 9 p.m. ABC: The “1 percent-ers get theirs” fantasy drama returns with more life-wrecking shenanigans.
Thursday:
“Wipeout” 7 p.m., ABC: The painful stunt competition returns with an icy winter theme.
“Overheard With Evan Smith” 7 p.m., PBS: Evan chats with comedian, author and “I’m a PC” guy John Hodgman.
Friday:
“Cotton Bowl” 7 p.m., Fox: Arkansas takes on Kansas State in what I’m surprised to discover has not been titled the Fruit of the Loom or Hanes Cotton Bowl. The match is broadcast from Arlington, Texas.
“Great Performances” 8 p.m., PBS: Herbie Hancock is among the performers paying tribute to Gershwin from Los Angeles’ Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Saturday:
“Austin City Limits” 7 p.m., PBS: The Head and the Heart performs, followed by Gomez.
Sunday:
“The Firm” 8 p.m., NBC: Nope, this isn’t a documentary about “The Bachelor’s” female suitors. It’s the spin-off debut of the popular 1993 lawyer film.
“Masterpiece Classic” 8 p.m., PBS: Season 2 of the award-winning “Downton Abbey” premieres.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
December 5, 2011
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“Charlie Brown Christmas” 7 p.m., ABC: Yep, the holiday classic is on again. But don’t tell that one woman in the office who likes to dance like the Peanuts characters.
“American Country Awards” 7 p.m., Fox: You voted, and yet Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina are still making appearances.
“A Sing-Off Christmas” 7 p.m., NBC: A cappella silver bell-a.
“Prep & Landing 2: Naughty vs. Nice” 7:30 p.m., ABC: Santa battle computer hackers in the sequel to the largely story-free original entry in the series.
Tuesday:
“A Michael Buble Christmas” 7 p.m., NBC: This generation’s Harry Connick Jr. (that generation’s Frank Sinatra) croons Christmas classics. Justin Bieber and — wait for it — Tracy Morgan are among his guests.
“Unforgettable” 9 p.m., CBS: Experience Carrie’s uncanny ability of total recall as you watch this rerun.
Wednesday:
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” 8 p.m., ABC Family: Cousin Eddie and a miserly boss put a damper on the Griswold family Christmas.
“I Hate My Teenage Daughter” 8:30 p.m., Fox: This episode is more fun than last week’s horrific pilot, but so is a root canal from Kathy Griffin during an IRS audit at a Gilbert Gottfried show.
Thursday:
“Community” 7 p.m., NBC: The soon-to-be-on-hiatus Greendale gang takes on “Glee” in a largely musical episode.
“America’s Funniest Home Videos Christmas Spectacular” 8 p.m., ABC: A bunch of unsuspecting chumps get whacked in the bells.
“The Great Big American Auction” 9 p.m., ABC: The next big show from master builder Ty Pennington.
Friday:
“Frosty the Snowman” 7 p.m., CBS: “Happy New Year!” The confused corn-cob pipe smoker returns.
“Austin City Limits” 9 p.m., PBS: Enjoy another helping of Spoon in this encore presentation.
Saturday:
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” 7 p.m., CBS: The 1964 holiday classic takes Rudolph and the gang to the Island of Misfit Toys, which is not quite as good as Maui, but much better than “Survivor’s” Redemption Island.
“The American Giving Awards” 7 p.m., NBC: Bob Costas awards a $1 million prize to a deserving charitable group.
Sunday:
“Amazing Race 19” 7 p.m., CBS: One of the final three teams takes home $1 million in the season finale.
“The Simpsons” 7 p.m., Fox: This episode flashes forward to the year 2041, which is, sadly, not quite far enough into the future for a “Futurama” crossover.
“Sunday Night Football” 7:15 p.m., NBC: The Giants battle the Cowboys in Dallas.
“Allen Gregory” 7:30 p.m., Fox: Season 1 concludes.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
November 17, 2011
Wanna be on ABC Family's 'Lying Game'? Here's your chance ...
Good news for folks looking for a shot at stardom.
“The Lying Game,” a new show airing on the ABC Family cable network, is searching for paid extras.
Intrigued? Head for Austin Studios, 1901 E. 51st St., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Hopefuls must be 18 or older and should bring a non-returnable photograph. Acting experience isn’t required.
Good luck!
Cast of ‘The Lying Game’
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
October 17, 2011
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“Mike & Molly” 8:30 p.m., CBS: Mike loses willpower and buys a classic Chevy. But he retains enough willpower to not eat it.
“Hawaii Five-0” 9 p.m., CBS: A murdered women’s volleyball coach? What are the chances we’re going to see some bikinis in this storyline?
Tuesday:
“Man Up!” 7:30 p.m., ABC: A virtual clone of last season’s ill-fated “Traffic Light,” the premiere of this sitcom centers on a trio of male pals and their patient, patient partners.
“Frontline” 8 p.m., PBS: Maria Hinojosa reports on the increased number of deportations during Barack Obama’s Presidency.
Wednesday:
“World Series” 6:30 p.m., Fox: The Fall Classic commences tonight.
“Harry’s Law” 8 p.m., NBC: Harry’s new client is George Costanza— er, Jason Alexander.
“Nature” 7 p.m., PBS: Harry Smith narrates the Season 30 kickoff, examining the reemergence of wildlife near Chernobyl.
Thursday:
“World Series” 6:30 p.m., Fox: Let’s play two! Game two, that is.
“High-School Football” 7 p.m., KBVO: Georgetown takes on Westwood.
“Grey’s Anatomy” 8 p.m., ABC: Lee Majors and Marilu Henner guest star? I love the ‘80s! And, um, the ‘70s.
“Overheard With Evan Smith” 7 p.m., PBS: Evan chats with Fox News commentator, Bill O’Reilly Culture Warrior and author Margaret Hoover.
Friday:
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” 7 p.m., ABC: A paralyzed gymnast gets help from the crew, which travels to Pennsylvania in this special two-parter (a second episode follows immediately).
“American Masters” 8 p.m., PBS: Filmmaker Cameron Crowe dissects Pearl Jam. Figuratively … this is PBS, not the Discovery Channel.
Saturday:
“World Series” 6:30 p.m., Fox: All rested up after that Friday night off from baseball? Good; let’s watch game three.
“How to Be a Gentleman” 7:30 p.m., CBS: The network is burning off remaining episodes of this allegedly comedy which has ceased production.
“Austin City Limits” 7 p.m., CBS: Gillian Welch performs with David Rawlings, while the Decembrists jam with each other.
Sunday:
“Once Upon a Time” 7 p.m., ABC: Your enjoyment of the premiere episode of this attractive, fairytale/”Lost” mashup is going to directly correlate to your tolerance of fantasy.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
October 10, 2011
This week's TV picks
Prime-time soaper “Revenge” continues Wednesday on ABC.
Monday:
“Dancing With the Stars” 7 p.m., ABC: The competitors hoof it to movie music. I’m hoping for a cha-cha to the theme from “Jaws.”
“Terra Nova” 7 p.m., Fox: Dinosaurs and time-travelers from a dystopian future, I get. but a virus that causes memory loss and paranoia? That’s just science fiction gibberish.
“Monday Night Football” 7:30 p.m., ESPN: The Bears take on the Lions in Detroit. Go, Bears!
“The War of 1812” 8 p.m., PBS: Reenactments and scholarly knowledge examine the War.
Tuesday:
“Last Man Standing” 7 p.m., ABC: If the premiere of this awful Tim Allen sitcom throwback is any indication, it won’t be the last show standing.
“Women, War and Peace” 9 p.m., PBS: Matt Damon narrates this 5-part exploration of women’s rights in war- and peace-time.
Wednesday:
“H8R” 7 p.m., The CW: Levi Johnston faces his haters. Could this mark Sarah Palin’s CW debut?
“Modern Family” 8 p.m., ABC: What could make this show even funnier? David Cross as an aggravating city councilman, that’s what.
“Revenge” 9 p.m., ABC: Emily turns her vengeful sights from the rich folk what done her daddy wrong to a therapist who helped destroy her childhood.
Thursday:
“Charlie’s Angels” 7 p.m., ABC: This show is now remaking individual episodes of the original — tonight’s outing, in which the angels are jailed in Cuba, is based on an episode from 1976.
“The Big Bang Theory” 7 p.m., CBS: “Star Trek” universe denizens Wil Wheaton and Brent Spiner guest star.
“The Office” 8 p.m., CBS: The rejuvenated, Steve Carell-less series visits — wait for it — Schrute Farms, always a good sign.
“Independent Lens” 9 p.m., PBS: New host Mary Louise-Parker (“Weeds”) introduces Season 13’s premiere look at a troubled, Muslin-themed superhero comic book in “Wham! Bam! Islam.”
Friday:
“Ghost Adventures’ 8 p.m., Travel: Personally, I think the Winchester house, explored tonight really is haunted — by the 6,000 camera crews that have already explored it on these ghost shows.
Saturday:
“Rules of Engagement” 7 p.m., CBS: A first-run, network sitcom on a Saturday night? If I were David Spade, I would be looking for a new job.
Sunday:
“Sunday Night Football” 7:15 p.m., NBC: Bears vs. Vikings in Chicago. Go, Bears!
“Masterpiece Mystery” 8 p.m., PBS: “Harry Potter’s” Jason Isaacs portrays Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie investigating murder and missing persons.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
October 3, 2011
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“House” 8 p.m., Fox: Jaleel White (Urkel from “Family Matters”) guest stars as a prison inmate along with Dr. House in the Season 8 opener. When the judge asked his character how he wished to plead, I’ll bet White responded, “Did I dooooo that?”
“Warehouse 13” 8 p.m., Syfy: Season 3 concludes in a high school in Wyoming.
Tuesday:
“New Girl” 8 p.m., Fox: The delightful comedy - one of the first new, fall shows to be picked up for a full season - tosses the gang into adorable wedding shenanigans and guest stars Natasha Lyonne.
“Gene Simmons Family Jewels” 8 p.m., A&E: Will she or won’t she? Shannon responds to Gene’s proposal in tonight’s Season 8 kick-off.
Wednesday:
“Survivor: South Pacific” 7 p.m., CBS: Another contestant is voted out of the musical, er, off the island.
“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” 9 p.m., CBS: An art exhibit is found to contain decomposing body parts. Insert expensive art arm-and-a-leg joke here.
Thursday:
“Charlie’s Angels” 7 p.m., ABC: A missing reporter lands the girls on a cruise ship. What? No, I’m sure it’s not just so that they can wear bikinis. They do investigate a murder in a hot tub next week, though, and a bikini factory heist the week after that.
“Community” 7 p.m., NBC: Looks like Chang’s on a road to noir.
“The Office” 8 p.m., NBC: Just when you thought all the office searching was over, a big, shared lottery win results in a scramble for new warehouse staffers.
“Overheard with Evan Smith” 7 p.m., PBS: Evan chats with political journalist Joe Klein in the Season 2 opener.
“High School Football” 7:30 p.m., KBVO: Bowie battles Del Valle.
Friday:
“Fringe” 8 p.m., Fox: A couple of 12-year-old bullies get their comeuppance in a particularly grizzly way, while Walter continues to glimpse, but not recognize, Peter.
Saturday:
“MLB Playoffs” 6:30 p.m., Fox: Game one kicks off the American League Championship Series.
“High School Football” 7 p.m., KBVO: Hendrickson takes on Hutto.
“Austin City Limits” 7 p.m., PBS: Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears perform along with Raphael Saadiq.
Sunday:
“MLB Playoffs” 6 p.m., Fox: American League Championship Series game 2.
“Pan Am” 9 p.m., ABC: The crew wings it to Berlin. “Ich bin ein airliner.”
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
September 26, 2011
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“Gossip Girl” 7 p.m., CW: Psst … Season 5 kicks off tonight. Elizabeth Hurley joins in.
“Terra Nova” 7 p.m., Fox: Help! The dinosaurs have devoured all of this goofy science fiction tale’s compelling drama!
“2 Broke Girls” 7:30 p.m., CBS: The Kat Dennings sitcom moves to its regular time slot.
“Hart of Dixie” 8 p.m., CW: The premiere of this fish-out-of-water medical tale starring Rachel Bilson might be just what the doctor ordered, if you like this sort of thing. To me, it’s a tough pill to swallow.
“Mike & Molly” 8:30 p.m., CBS: Season 2 premieres hot on the heels of star Melissa McCarthy’s Emmy win.
Tuesday:
“POV” 9 p.m., PBS: “Last Train Home” documents largely unhappy reunions for Chinese migrant workers and their families.
Wednesday:
“Suburgatory” 7:30 p.m., ABC: Yes, suburbia is a familiar (and easy) target, but the cast of this slightly subversive, new series is pretty good at shooting fish in that particular comedic barrel.
“MythBusters” 8 p.m., Discovery: Adam! Jamie! Explosions!
“Happy Endings” 8:30 p.m., ABC: Season 2 of this inexplicably popular ensemble comedy kicks off tonight.
“Luther” 9 p.m., BBC America: A serial killer and a prostitute are on Luther’s agenda in the Season 2 opener.
“The Real World” 9 p.m., MTV: Seven strangers “get real” in the Season 26 premiere of the erstwhile reality series, this year shot in San Diego.
Thursday:
“How to Be a Gentleman” 7:30 p.m., CBS: A good start would be to politely request that your partner change the channel to something watchable instead of hurling a string of insults at her taste in television for watching this awful, awful show.
“Private Practice” 9 p.m., ABC: The Season 5 premiere is about as funny as a heart attack (hint, hint).
Friday:
“Great Performances” 8 p.m., PBS: “House’s” Hugh Laurie celebrates the release of his New Orleans Blues CD by celebrating the city itself.
Saturday:
“Austin City Limits” 7 p.m., PBS: Indie darlings Mumford and sons perform in the season opener along with Celtic punks Flagging Molly.
Sunday:
“America’s Funniest Home Videos” 6 p.m., ABC: You’ll see animals, kids and, probably, no shortage of crotch injuries as Season 22 commences.
“Dexter” 8 p.m., Showtime: As the sixth season begins, Dexter finds himself in the midst of a spiritual crisis.
“Homeland” 9 p.m., Showtime: New terrorism thriller from “24” producer Howard Gordon stars Claire Danes and Damian Lewis as a CIA agent and a dubious war hero.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
September 19, 2011
'Austin City Limits' offers first look at this season's broadcast schedule
You’ll find treats aplenty on “Austin City Limits” this season.
The legendary PBS show, which is celebrating its 37th season with a move to posh new studios at the foot of the W Austin Hotel and Residences on West Second Street, has released a portion of its lineup — a lineup packed with a host of big-name music acts.
Check it out:
Oct. 1 — Mumford and Sons; Flogging Molly
Oct. 8 — Raphael Saadiq; Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears
Oct. 15 — Widespread Panic
Oct. 22 — The Decemberists; Gillian Welch
Oct. 29 — The Steve Miller Band; Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Nov. 5 — Miranda Lambert; Jeff Bridges
Nov. 12 — Randy Newman
Nov. 19 — “ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival 2011”
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
This week's TV picks
William Shatner, middle, is seen next to Steve-o, left, and Mike Tyson, right, at the “Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen” on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011 in Culver City, Calif. (AP Photo/Dan Krauss)
With the start of the new season comes a ridiculous number of shows deserving mention. So, this week, I’ve highlighted one notable show for each night along with a list of new and returning programs (except for Saturday, when there is just nothing on).
Monday:
“Roast of Charlie Sheen” 9 p.m., Comedy Central: If nothing else, this celebration of profanity and bad taste gives us the opportunity to finally put the whole Charlie Sheen mess behind us and move on to the next celebrity train wreck.
New:
“2 Broke Girls” 8:30 p.m., CBS; “The Playboy Club” 9 p.m., NBC
Returning:
“Dancing With the Stars” 7 p.m., ABC; “How I Met Your Mother” 7 p.m., CBS; “Hell’s Kitchen” 7 p.m., Fox; “The Sing-Off” 7 p.m., NBC; “Two and a Half Men” 8 p.m., CBS; “Castle” 9 p.m., ABC; “Hawaii Five-0” 9 p.m., CBS
Tuesday:
“New Girl” 8 p.m., Fox: Sure to be the breakout comedy hit of the fall season, this single-camera, blissfully laugh track-free comedy has a not-so-secret weapon (thanks for a gazillion commercials, Fox) in the adorable Zooey Deschanel, playing a geeky, newly-single charmer who moves in with three guys from Craigslist.
New:
“Unforgettable” 9 p.m., CBS
Returning:
“NCIS” 7 p.m., CBS; “Glee” 7 p.m., Fox; “Biggest Loser” 7 p.m., NBC; “NCIS: Los Angeles” 8 p.m., CBS; “Raising Hope” 8:30 p.m., Fox; “Body of Proof” 9 p.m., ABC
Wednesday:
“Revenge” 9 p.m., ABC: Emily VanCamp plays an orphan who returns, incognito, to the Hamptons to ruin the lives of the idle rich “job creators” who engineered her father’s downfall.
New:
“The X Factor” 7 p.m., Fox; “Up All Night” 7 p.m., NBC; “Free Agents” 7:30 p.m., NBC
Returning:
“The Middle” 7 p.m., ABC; “Modern Family” 8 p.m., ABC; “Criminal Minds” 8 p.m., CBS; “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” 9 p.m., CBS; “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” 9 p.m., NBC
Thursday:
“Prime Suspect” 9 p.m., NBC: Maria Bello stars as a smart and tough female detective promoted to a misogynistic New York police precinct in this compelling adaptation of the Helen Mirren BBC hit.
New:
“Charlie’s Angels” 7 p.m., ABC; “Person of Interest” 8 p.m., CBS; “Whitney” 8:30 p.m., NBC
Returning:
“The Big Bang Theory” 7 p.m., CBS; “Community” 7 p.m., NBC; “Parks and Recreation” 7: 30 p.m., NBC; “Grey’s Anatomy” 8 p.m., ABC; “The Office” 8 p.m., NBC; “The Mentalist” 9 p.m., CBS
Friday:
“Fringe” 8 p.m., Fox: All summer long, the network has been teasing us with the tagline “Where is Peter Bishop?” (let’s hope we get a better answer than AMC’s “The Killing” teaser, “Who Killed Rosie Larsen?”).
New:
“A Gifted Man” 7 p.m., CBS
Returning:
“Kitchen Nightmares” 7 p.m., Fox; “Nikita” 7 p.m., The CW; “CSI: NY” 8 p.m., CBS; “Supernatural” 8 p.m., The CW; “Blue Bloods” 9 p.m., KEYE
Saturday:
“The Nerdist” 9 p.m., BBC America: “Web Soup” host Chris Hardwick appears in a video version of his popular podcast, chatting with “Doctor Who” star Matt Smith.
Sunday:
“Boardwalk Empire” 8 p.m., HBO: There’s lots of good Chalky White and Nelson Van Alden action in tonight’s second-season premiere, which finds Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi) facing the beginnings of Prohibition-era mutiny.
New:
“Pan Am” 9 p.m., ABC
Returning:
“Amazing Race” 7 p.m., CBS; “The Simpsons” 7 p.m., Fox; “Cleveland Show” 7:30 p.m., Fox; “Desperate Housewives” 8 p.m., ABC; “The Good Wife” 8 p.m., CBS; “Family Guy” 8 p.m., Fox: “American Dad” 8:30 p.m., Fox: “CSI: Miami” 9 p.m., CBS
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
September 4, 2011
Fall network TV preview
Adorable Zooey Deschanel stars as a heartbroken geek who moves in with three male roommates in “New Girl,” the fall’s best new comedy. (Fox photo)
My preview of the upcoming fall network television season is posted over at Statesman.com. Here’s the short list. Head on over to this link to get more information on the new shows.
Watch it:
Best new comedy: “New Girl” (Fox)
Best new drama: “Prime Suspect” (NBC)
“A Gifted Man” (CBS)
“Allen Gregory” (Fox)
“Free Agents” (NBC)
“Revenge” (ABC)
“Ringer” (CW)
“Suburgatory” (ABC)
DVR it:
“Up All Night” (NBC)
“The X Factor” (Fox)
“Charlie’s Angels” (ABC)
“Person of Interest” (CBS)
“Pan Am” (ABC)
“Once Upon a Time” (ABC)
Skip it:
“H8R” (the CW)
“The Secret Circle” (the CW)
“2 Broke Girls” (CBS)
“The Playboy Club” (NBC)
“Unforgettable” (CBS)
“Whitney” (NBC)
“Terra Nova” (Fox)
“Hart of Dixie” (the CW)
“How to Be a Gentleman” (CBS)
“Last Man Standing” (ABC)
“Man Up” (ABC)
“Grimm” (NBC)
“I Hate My Teenage Daughter” (Fox)
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Fall TV, Random thoughts, Review, TV tips
August 29, 2011
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“Bachelor Pad” 7 p.m., ABC: Tonight’s episode features a best lips kiss-off. Who’s the winner? Whomever smooched the behind of ABC’s programming chief to get this show on the air.
“Crave” 7:30 p.m., Food: A food writer searches for a slice of heaven, pizza-wise, in tonight’s installment of this new series.
“Death Valley” 9:30 p.m., MTV: New comedy series follows fictional LAPD monster-hunting force.
Tuesday:
“G4’s Proving Ground” 7 p.m., G4: Every wondered what the insanely addictive casual video game “Angry Birds” would look like in real life? Bet you do now.
“Cocaine: History Between the Lines” 7 p.m., History: The drug has been around since 300 B.C. That gives a whole new meaning to the term “Stone Age.”
“I Hate My Kitchen” 8 p.m., DIY: Yeah? Wanna’ trade for my leaky dishwasher and 17,000 ants?
“Chopped” 9 p.m., Food Network: A quartet of past champions return to cook it out for fifty grand in the ninth season kick-off.
“POV” 9 p.m., PBS: “Armadillo” looks at Danish soldiers serving in Afghanistan.
“Quirky” 9 p.m., Sundance: New reality series finds a tech company trying to turn wild, submitted invention ideas into practical realities.
Wednesday:
“Minute To Win It” 7 p.m., NBC: I don’t know what the “Human Burrito Challenge” consists of, but it sounds tasty, in an unsettling, “Soylent Green” kinda’ way.
“Law & Order: UK” 8 p.m., BBC America: “I say, old chap, you have the right to remain silent. If you can’t afford a stiff upper lip, one shall be provided for you. Cheerio!”
“Dark Matters: Twisted But True” 9 p.m., Science: New series looks at research projects and inventions surrounded by questionable ethics.
Thursday:
“NFL: Exhibition” 6:30 p.m., CBS: The Cowboys tackle the Dolphins in this pre-season outing.
“Community” 7 p.m., NBC: If you missed it last season, check out part one of the two-part paintball sequel extravaganza.
“NFL: Exhibition” 7 p.m., The CW: The Texans travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings in another pre-season match-up.
“High School Football” 7:30 p.m., KBVO: Hays at Anderson.
Friday:
“Austin City Limits” 9 p.m., PBS: I geek out in the crowd as Cheap Trick performs new songs and a wealth of its greatest hits in this encore presentation (that’s like a rerun, but on PBS).
Saturday:
“High School Football” 7 p.m., KBVO: Hendrickson takes on Lake Travis.
“Colossal Squid” 8 p.m., Green: I hate it when the title of a show gives you no clue as to what it’s about.
Sunday:
“MDA Labor Day Telethon” 5:30 p.m., NBC: A Jerry Lewis-less fundraiser features a wealth of performers and co-hosts Nancy O’Dell, Nigel Lythgoe, Jann Carl and Alison Sweeney.
“Curiosity: Is There a Parallel Universe?” 7 p.m., Discovery: If there is, I hope I’m better looking and have a new iPad there.
“Dinosaur Revolution” 8 p.m., Discovery: Call me crazy, but I don’t think a T-Rex’s arms are long enough to effectively handle a musket.
“9/11: Heroes Of The 88th Floor” 8 p.m., TLC: This documentary profiles a pair of Port Authority workers who helped more than 70 people escape from the World Trade Center’s north tower before dying in the building collapse.
“The Good Wife: A New Beginning” 8:30 p.m., CBS: The critically-acclaimed drama’s cast and producers fill you in on Seasons 1 and 2 as the third season moves to Sundays.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
August 22, 2011
This week's TV picks
Leigh and Leslie Keno on Fox’s “Buried Treasure.”
Monday:
“Monday Night Football” 7 p.m., ESPN: The Bears pre-seasonally take on the Giants in New York. Go, Bears!
“American Ninja Warrior” 8 p.m., NBC: Season 3 concludes tonight in Japan. Go, Ninjas!
“The T.O. Show” 8:30 p.m., VH1: Season 3 opens with ACL surgery. (That’s the ACL located in the knee, not the one held in Zilker Park).
“CIA Confidential: Inside the Drone War” 9 p.m., NatGeo: Unmanned craft battle the Taliban and Al Queda.
“RFK in the Land of Apartheid: A Ripple of Hope” 10 p.m., PBS: Filmmakers chronicle Robert Kennedy’s 1966 South Africa trip.
Tuesday:
“Ludo Bites America” 8 p.m., Sundance: Ouch! Ludo and Krissy sink their chompers into California as they wrap up Season 1.
“Hard Time” 9 p.m., NatGeo: Season 2 winds up in a Georgia clink.
“POV” 9 p.m., PBS: A series of short films are featured.
Wednesday:
“Buried Treasure” 7 p.m., Fox: Former HGTV personalities assess objects found in homes across America in this series premiere. It’s as if PBS and HGTV put a baby up for adoption and Homer Simpson is raising it.
“Great Performances” 7 p.m., PBS: The Vienna Philharmonic performs classical selections.
“Deadliest Warrior” 8 p.m., Spike: Teddy Roosevelt hypothetically battles Lawrence of Arabia while I hypothetically watch.
“Ghost Hunters” 8 p.m., Syfy: The spirit of an old man haunts a Rhode Island kitchen. He’s probably looking for Boo-Berry.
“Confessions: Animal Hoarding” 9 p.m., Animal Planet: Can’t we just call them pack rats?
“Top Chef Just Desserts” 9 p.m., Bravo: Season 2 premieres.
Thursday:
“High School Football” 7 p.m., KBVO: McCallum takes on Anderson.
“Gamenight Special” 7:30 p.m., NBC: Head coach Mack Brown previews Longhorn football.
“Expedition Impossible” 8 p.m., ABC: The first season wraps up in Marrakesh. All aboard the train!
Friday:
“Karaoke Battle USA” 8 p.m., ABC: The only time the word “champions” should be used in the same sentence with the word “karaoke” is if somebody is singing Queen’s “We Are the Champions,” okay?
Saturday:
“NFL Football Exhibition” 7 p.m., CBS: The Cowboys travel to Minnesota to try and rope the Vikings.
“Doctor Who” 8 p.m., BBC America: The time lord is back, and he’s set his sights on Hitler.
Sunday:
“2011 MTV Video Music Awards” 8 p.m., MTV: You’re rolling in it! Popular songstress Adele is among those performing at the 28th annual ceremony.
“Leverage” 8 p.m., TNT: “Star Trek: The Next Generation’s” Riker (Jonathan Frakes)
directed this 4th season finale, so I guess that makes it number one.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
August 18, 2011
'People's Court' moves to afternoons on KEYE
Not many changes to report this fall on KEYE.
With “Dr. Phil” heading for KXAN Sept. 12, the city’s CBS affiliate is filling the 3 p.m. hour with “People’s Court,” which currently airs at 12:35 a.m.
“Last Shot with Judge Gunn,” a newcomer this season, will join KEYE’s overnight lineup, airing at 1:35 a.m. starting Sept. 26.
Fall TV preview
Monday: KVUE
Tuesday: KBVO, KNVA and KXAN
Wednesday: KTBC
Thursday: KEYE
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
August 17, 2011
'Big Bang Theory' coming to KTBC
KTBC’s new nighttime lineup arrives with a “Bang” on Sept. 19.
That’s when “Big Bang Theory” begins airing at 6:30 and 10 p.m.
The hit CBS sitcom, which enters syndication this fall, displaces “The Simpsons” from its familiar timeslots, but don’t fret. Back-to-back episodes will shift to 10:30 and 11 p.m.
The hour-long “Simpsons” block pushes back the rest of the station’s late-night lineup. “TMZ” can be found at 11:30 p.m., followed by “Access Hollywood” at midnight and back-to-back “King of the Hill” reruns at 12:30 and 1 a.m.
“Family Guy” disappears from KTBC effective Sept. 5, bound for KBVO.
Daytime changes taking place Sept. 12 include “Judge Joe” sliding forward an hour, airing at 2 and 2:30 p.m. “Judge Judy” airs an hour earlier, too, at 3 and 3:30 p.m. And Oprah Winfrey prodigy “Dr. Oz” gets the coveted 4 p.m. slot, which leads into the station’s 5 p.m. news.
Fall TV preview
Monday: KVUE
Tuesday: KBVO, KNVA and KXAN
Wednesday: KTBC
Thursday: KEYE
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
August 16, 2011
KXAN adds 'Dr. Phil'; sister station KBVO grabs 'Family Guy'
You’ll need a pen and paper to keep up with all the new and relocated syndicated shows bound for sister stations KBVO, KNVA and KXAN.
“Live! with Regis and Kelly” is leaving KXAN, bound for KVUE. The departure allows the city’s NBC affiliate to air the four-hour “Today” show straight through from 7 to 11 a.m. — without an hour-long break at 9 a.m. — starting Aug. 22.
Rachael Ray’s show slides to 11 a.m., followed by the station’s noon news.
Afternoons, “The Doctors” moves up an hour, airing at 2 p.m. “Dr. Phil,” picked up from KEYE, gets plugged into the 3 p.m. slot.
All the changes on KXAN take place Aug. 22, except for the debut of “Dr. Phil.” Reruns of “Judge Greg Mathis” will fill the 3 p.m. hour for three weeks until the self-help guru arrives Sept. 12.
Over on KNVA, Austin’s CW station, CNN host Anderson Cooper’s new talk show launches Sept. 12 at 4 p.m.
Three other shows arrive Sept. 19. Jeremy Kyle, host of a tabloid TV talk show in Britain, makes his U.S. debut at 11 a.m.
Dr. Drew Pinsky’s show bows at 3 p.m. that day, and back-to-back episodes of NBC’s critically acclaimed “30 Rock” pop up at 11 and 11:30 p.m.
MyNetworkTV affiliate KBVO has grabbed “Family Guy” from KTBC, plugging it in at 6:30 and 10:30 p.m. weekdays starting Sept. 5.
“American Dad,” an animated show from “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane, joins the lineup at 6 and 10 p.m. weekdays on Sept. 19.
Sept. 19 is also the day “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” an import from the FX cable network, lands at 11:30 p.m.
Fall TV preview
Monday: KVUE
Tuesday: KBVO, KNVA and KXAN
Wednesday: KTBC
Thursday: KEYE
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
August 15, 2011
KVUE picks up 'Live! with Regis and Kelly,' moves 'Ellen' to 4 p.m.
All this week we’ll be looking at programming changes on the way at Austin TV stations. Up first … KVUE.
With Oprah Winfrey’s show going away this fall, the city’s ABC affiliate is moving Ellen DeGeneres to 4 p.m. starting Aug. 22.
That same day, “Live! with Regis and Kelly” moves from KXAN and slides into the 9 a.m. slot vacated by DeGeneres.
Co-host Regis Philbin is set to depart “Live!” this November. A replacement has yet to be announced.
Fall TV preview
Monday: KVUE
Tuesday: KBVO, KNVA and KXAN
Wednesday: KTBC
Thursday: KEYE
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“The Lying Game” 8 p.m., ABC Family: The premiere of this scripted drama about life-swapping teens isn’t exactly reminiscent of “The Parent Trap.”
“Millionaire Matchmaker” 8 p.m., Bravo: Patti tries to find a match for an Internet mogul as Season 5 kicks off.
“Supersize vs. Superskinny” 8 p.m., OWN: Not that I’m actually wagering, but I’d put my money on Supersize.
“1000 Ways to Die” 9 p.m., Spike: The description of this episode — “A voyeur, a stalker, a prankster and an epileptic stripper die unexpectedly” — also happens to be the worst possible punch line to any joke that begins “A voyeur, a stalker, a prankster and an epileptic stripper walk into a bar …”
Tuesday:
“The Greatest Duets: It Takes Two” 7 p.m., PBS: Elton John and Kiki Dee? I’m sure this is supposed to be titled “The Greatest Duets: Part 22.”
“Masterchef” 8 p.m., Fox: Winner, winner, (probably not) chicken dinner! Season 2 concludes.
“Memphis Beat” 8 p.m., TNT: The twangy second season ends with a family feud that devolves into a shooting.
“Hawthorne” 9 p.m., TNT: Season 3 wraps up tonight.
Wednesday:
“The Hour” 9 p.m., BBC America: This new series, set in the British Broadcasting Company circa 1956, has been stylistically compared to AMC’s “Mad Men.” I wonder if Lane Pryce will stop by?
“Hot in Cleveland” 9 p.m., TV Land: Buck Henry and Huey Lewis guest star? Pinch me! No, wait — knock me out. Make sure I’m unconscious.
Thursday:
“Daytripper” 7 p.m., PBS: Intrepid area explorer Chet Garner hosts an episode recalling the highlights of his many day trips.
“Do Something Awards 2011” 8 p.m., VH1: “Glee’s” Jane Lynch is hosting this social activism awards show (and probably practicing for her upcoming Emmy gig).
“Beyond Scared Straight” 9 p.m., A&E: Scared Straighter?
“Louie” 10 p.m., FX: Leave it to Louie to run a trick-or-treating episode in August.
Friday:
“Jurassic C.S.I.” 7 p.m., NatGeo: Yeah, I was disappointed that this wasn’t a spin-off Flintstones procedural, too.
“Rat Busters NYC” 10 p.m., Animal Planet: Who ya’ gonna’ crawl? “Ray, if somebody asks you if you are an exterminator, you say yes!”
Saturday:
“Green Home Giveaway 2011” 7 p.m., HGTV: Somebody takes home $100,000 — to his or her new home in Denver.
“Gymnastics” 7 p.m., NBC: U.S. star Rebecca Bross competes at St. Paul’s Visa Championships.
Sunday:
“NFL Exhibition Football” 7 p.m., ABC: The Chargers take on the Cowboys in Arlington.
“The Glee Project” 8 p.m., Oxygen: Season 1 concludes.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
August 8, 2011
This week's TV picks
Aggressive Michelle Money, who pursued Austin’s Brad Womack on Season 15 of “The Bachelor,” is back to manipulate a whole new group of poor, unsuspecting men on “Bachelor Pad.” (ABC photo)
What to watch; what to avoid …
Monday:
“Bachelor Pad” 7 p.m., ABC: Here’s hoping contestant Michelle Money, who stalked Brad Womack on “The Bachelor,” continues to bring the crazy.
“Basketball Wives” 7 p.m., VH1: Season 3 wraps up tonight.
“Single Ladies” 8 p.m., VH1: Season 1 concludes.
Tuesday:
“Foodography” 8 p.m., Cook: This was my best subject in middle school. San Francisco treats are examined tonight.
“Billy the Exterminator” 9 p.m., A&E: Alligators in Beaumont? Ricky and Billy are on it.
“Dirty Money” 9 p.m., Discovery: This new reality series follows brothers who transform flea market junk into collectibles.
Wednesday:
“So You Think You Can Dance” 7 p.m., Fox: The final four hoof it in part one of the two-part season finale (part two airs Thursday at 7 p.m. on Fox).
“Jon Benjamin Has a Van” 9:30 p.m., Comedy Central: Season one ends with a guest appearance by the hilarious Bob Odenkirk.
Thursday:
“ID Investigates” 7 p.m., ID: The recent Norway bombing/shooting tragedy is examined.
“Carry It On: A Musical Legacy” 7 p.m., PBS: This documentary uses interviews and vintage film clips to explore the career of folkies Peter, Paul and Mary.
“Naked Science” 8 p.m., NGC: If the title of this show is any indication, I hope they’re extra careful with the Bunsen burners.
“Futurama” 9 p.m., Comedy Central: That alien egg Fry’s hatching comes with a side order of doom.
Friday:
“NFL Football” 7 p.m., Fox: Are you ready for some (exhibition, doesn’t really count, third-string players) football? The Buccaneers’ bench-warmers take on the Chiefs’ bench-warmers.
“Karaoke Battle USA” 8 p.m., ABC: I expect to see a lot of “American Idol” rejects in this new reality competition.
“Whale Wars” 8 p.m., Animal Planet: Season 4 ends.
“Paranormal Challenge” 8 p.m., Travel: Amateur ghost hunters? Pfft. How hard can it be to catch amateur ghosts?
“American Masters” 8:30 p.m., PBS: Family and friends contribute to a profile of actor Jeff Bridges in “The Dude Abides.”
Saturday:
“Dogs 101” 7 p.m., Animal Planet: Dogs? 101? Must be Dalmatians!
“Doctor Who” 8 p.m., BBC: This retrospective looks at the past two seasons of Matt Smith’s turn as the titular time lord.
Sunday:
“CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” 7 p.m., ABC: You can have performers Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift. I’m holding out for “Easy Listening’s Night to Rap.”
“In the Flow with Affion Crockett” 8 p.m., Fox: This new sketch comedy series features spoofs on Tiger Woods, “American Idol” and Russell Simmons.
“Bridezillas” 8 p.m., WeTV: Suzy from Hutto threatens to rip a tiara out of the hair of her fiancée’s 4-year-old sister. Stay classy, Hutto.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, TV tips
August 7, 2011
TV critics name 'Friday Night Lights' top program
Frederick M. Brown/Getty
“Friday Night Lights” stars Jurnee Smollett and Connie Britton (center) stand onstage at the 27th Annual Television Critics Association Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 6, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California.
The Television Critics Association named Austin-filmed “Friday Night Lights” Program of the Year at its 2011 Awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, California on Saturday. The departing DirecTV/NBC family football drama, which ended its five-season run July 15, beat out HBO newcomers “Boardwalk Empire” and “Game of Thrones” as well as “Justified” (FX) and “Parks and Recreation” (NBC) to take the top honor. Executive Producer Peter Berg told critics gathered at an earlier TCA panel that he is writing a feature film script for “FNL” in the hopes that stars Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler will reprise their roles as Tami and Coach Eric Taylor.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Event, Friday Night Lights
July 4, 2011
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“A Capitol Fourth 2011” 7 p.m., PBS: Happy 235, America! Little Richard, Steve martin and “Glee’s” Matthew Morrison are among the celebs joining the National Symphony Orchestra from our nation’s Capitol.
“Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular” 8 p.m., NBC: Since you apparently can’t shoot off or watch live fireworks anywhere within a 1,000-mile radius of Austin, you might as well tune in to watch Beyoncé and Brad Paisley perform while Manhattan lights up its non-drought-challenged, nighttime sky.
“Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular” 9 p.m., CBS: If there’s anything that cello bows are good for, it’s lighting fireworks from a safe distance.
Tuesday:
“MasterChef” 7 p.m., Fox: Is 13 a lucky number for foodies? We’ll find out tonight.
“101 Ways to Leave a Game Show” 8 p.m., ABC: #103 — Ride shotgun in Alex Trebek’s Hyundai (yes, I am going to keep doing this every week as long as this show continues to air).
“19 Kids and Counting” 8 p.m., TLC: I assume they’re talking about counting the minutes until the “Doogie Howser” rerun starts on HUB.
“Teen Mom” 9 p.m., MTV: Season 3 kicks off tonight.
Wednesday:
“Flipping Out” 8 p.m., Bravo: Season 5 begins. Has it been four seasons already? I don’t know; I’ve never heard of this show.
“I Shouldn’t Be Alive” 8 p.m., Animal Planet: New Year’s Eve skiers accidentally start an avalanche. Oops. It was that noisemaker, wasn’t it?
“Restaurant Impossible” 9 p.m., Food: This meal will self-destruct in, oh, about 7 hours.
Thursday:
“Big Brother” 8 p.m., CBS: I’m guessing 13 — the season number of tonight’s kick-off episode — will not be a lucky number for most of this reality show’s house guests.
“An American Family: Anniversary Edition” 8 p.m., PBS: A look back at the Louds, whose 1973 documentary chronicling may have kicked off the reality television genre.
Friday:
“Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta” 8 p.m., TLC: The first of two back-to-back episodes kicks off the new season with a bride whose princess fantasy might not have a fairy tale ending.
“Torchwood: Miracle Day” 9 p.m., Starz: The CIA is dying to know why nobody is dying in tonight’s season opener.
Saturday:
“Dino Gangs” 7 p.m., Discovery: It’s always bad when pterodactyls flash their colors on T-Rex turf.
“From Spain with Love” 8:30 p.m., Cooking Channel: Some of these joints are on my Tapas Ten list.
Sunday:
“Special Edition of Primetime with Diane Sawyer” 8 p.m., ABC: Sawyer interviews kidnapping victim Jaycee Dugard.
“Masterpiece Mystery” 8 p.m., PBS: Miss Marple takes on black magic in “The Pale Horse.”
“Hoarding: Buried Alive” 8 p.m., TLC: In tonight’s third season premiere, a woman wants to return to her childhood home, but she’ll have to learn how to tunnel first.
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” 9 p.m., HBO: Larry loses his cookies in a transaction with the Girl Scouts in Season 8’s premiere.
“Famous Food” 9 p.m., VH1: Lower-tier celebs try to launch a restaurant in the kick-off of this new reality show.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
June 30, 2011
Holiday weekend TV marathons
Our friends over at TV Tango have compiled a list of marathons running on television during the 4th of July weekend.
Syfy’s annual “Twilight Zone” marathon is back alongside classics such as “Bewitched” (TV Land) and “The Golden Girls” (WeTV). Cult favorites including “Arrested Development” (IFC) and “Firefly” (Science) appear along with about a gazillion reality shows.
The list was compiled for viewers in the Eastern time zone, so remember to watch (or set your DVR) an hour earlier for each program.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
June 27, 2011
This week's TV picks
Marc Blucas, Callie Thorne, Scott Cohen and Mehcad Brooks star in “Necessary Roughness” on USA Network.
Monday:
“My Babysitter’s a Vampire” 6 p.m., Disney: Remember — “True Blood” is for adults; “Vampire Diaries” is for teens; this show for kids.
“The Big C” 9 p.m., Showtime: Cathy is back and fighting mad at cancer in the Season 2 premiere of Showtime’s wonderful terminal illness dramedy.
“Weeds” 9:30 p.m., Showtime: Mary Louise-Parker returns as sprung inmate Nancy Botwin as the guiltiest of all TV pleasures returns for another season.
Tuesday:
“My First Place” 7 p.m., HGTV: Dad and son look for a place in Austin.
“I Kid with Brad Garrett: 7 p.m., TLC: Raymond’s scary brother hangs around with children.
“101 Ways to Leave a Game Show” 8 p.m., ABC: Here’s #102 … “changing the channel.”
“The Voice” 8 p.m., NBC: The final performance rounds are held tonight.
Wednesday:
“The Voice” 7 p.m., NBC: A winner emerges in the Season 1 finale.
“State of Georgia” 7:30 p.m., ABC Family: Disney star Raven-Symoné is one of two southern belles moving to New York City in this series premiere. It’s not so Raven, but it does sound kinda’ Raven.
“Royal Pains” 8 p.m., USA: Season 3 kicks off tonight.
“Love in the Wild” 9 p.m., NBC: It’s “The Bachelor” meets “Survivor” in tonight’s reality series premiere.
“Necessary Roughness” 9 p.m., USA: Austin’s own Mehcad Brooks stars in this new sports meets psychotherapy series.
Thursday:
“Jail” 6:40 p.m., Spike: Back-to-back episodes of this documentary series look at lockups in Austin.
“Futurama” 9 p.m., Comedy Central: A deceased Bender haunts the Planet Express crew.
“Ugly Americans” 9:30 p.m., Comedy Central: Wizards and demons populate the Season 2 premiere.
Friday:
“Friday Night Lights” 7 p.m., NBC: Tami trucks to Pennsylvania while East Dillon looks toward the playoffs, facing the budget axe.
“Bucket and Skinner’s Wicked Adventures” 7 p.m., Nick: Two surfer dudes navigate high school in this series premiere.
Saturday:
“Carson Nation” 9 p.m., OWN: The fashion maven visits Odessa.
Sunday:
“Twilight Zone Marathon” 8 a.m., Syfy: 40 hours of Rod Serling and company begin today.
“Masterpiece Mystery” 8 p.m., PBS: Hercule Poirot goes bobbing for killers at a Halloween party.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Random thoughts, TV tips
June 20, 2011
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“Countdown with Keith Olbermann” 7 p.m., Current: The liberal commentator resurfaces on the Al Gore network.
“RuPaul’s Drag U” 8 p.m., Logo: Drag me where — kicking and screaming to the television room and forcing me to watch tonight’s second-season premiere?
Tuesday:
“101 Ways to Leave a Game Show” 8 p.m., ABC: Losing contestants are dispatched in dangerously thrilling ways. Little-known fact: this was the working title of Paul Simon’s 1975 chart-topper.
“Combat Hospital” 9 p.m., ABC: They can call this new wartime medical procedural whatever they want, but I know it’s really “MASH-ghanistan.”
Wednesday:
“Kathy Griffin: Gurrl Down!” 8 p.m., Bravo: It looks like she’s taking Sarah Palin, Bill O’Reilly, Charlie Sheen and Kirstie Alley down with her.
“Rocco’s Dinner Party” 9 p.m., Bravo: Comic D.L. Hughley and singer Bebel Gilberto join the chef for dinner and dishing.
Thursday:
“Expedition Impossible” 8 p.m., ABC: Members of thirteen teams battle for $50,000 and an SUV in this new reality contest — sort of a “Survivor” meets “Survivor.”
“Burn Notice” 8 p.m., USA: Season 5 kicks off in Venezuela.
“Rookie Blue” 9 p.m., ABC: Season 2 begins tonight.
“Futurama” 9 p.m., Comedy Central: Good news, everyone! The oft-resurrected Matt Groening comedy returns for a new season with back-to-back episodes tonight.
“Wilfred” 9 p.m., FX: The premiere episode of this comedy about a boy and his dog-suited man drops tonight. Elijah Wood stars.
“Love Bites” 9 p.m., NBC: “Community’s” Ken Jeong guest stars in this romcom anthology series.
“Suits” 9 p.m., USA: I hope the titular suits refer to class actions against new lawyer shows.
“Louie” 9:30 p.m., FX: Yay! The odd, wonderful (and often filthy) series is back for a second season.
Friday:
“Friday Night Lights” 7 p.m., NBC: The colleges come calling for coach Taylor.
“Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution” 8 p.m., ABC: Season two concludes.
Saturday:
“CHAOS” 8 p.m., CBS: Bruce Boxleitner guest stars.
Sunday:
“True Blood” 8 p.m., HBO: Season 4 kicks off in a Bon Temps that is very different from the one we left at the end of Season 3. It’s a more entertaining one, too.
“Masterpiece Mystery” 8 p.m., PBS: Hercule Poirot tackles the mystery of “The Clocks.”
“Leverage” 8 p.m., TNT: Season 4 begins with financial shenanigans.
“The Marriage Ref” 9 p.m., NBC: Big guns Ricky Gervais and Jerry Seinfeld join fellow panelist Julianne Moore in a re-tooled, Season 2 premiere of the he said/she said game show.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
June 15, 2011
Longhorn Network shares programming details
Dave Brown, president of The Longhorn Network — the ESPN-owned and -operated network dedicated to Texas athletics — shared details about the enterprise today at the National Cable and Telecommunications Association Cable Show.
The network, which launches August 26, will feature the following programs, according to a Longhorn Network press release:
Longhorn Extra (10 p.m. CT) - A nightly news and information show dedicated to the University of Texas. Every Monday through Friday, viewers will get highlights, updates, analysis, interviews, and behind the scenes looks at all 20 varsity sports teams.
Rewind with Mack Brown (Mondays, 7 p.m.) - Exclusively on Longhorn Network, airing Mondays after every game, Coach Mack Brown will breakdown that week’s match-up, highlighting key plays and turning points, with a no-holds-barred attitude that Longhorn fans have come to expect from him.
Texas All Access (Wednesdays, 8 p.m.) - Each week, viewers will get a never-before-seen inside look at a Texas team or group. During Wednesdays in the fall, the show will focus exclusively on the football team with camera crews embedded with the coaches and players to provide access to the inner workings of Longhorn football.
Game Plan with Mack Brown (Thursdays, 7 p.m.) - Exclusively on Longhorn Network, every Thursday during the season, Coach Mack Brown will preview the upcoming match-up with an inside look at game preparation and a breakdown of the keys to victory.
Texas GameDay (two hours prior to kick every Saturday) - In the mold of ESPN’s Emmy Award-winning College GameDay, Texas GameDay will be live from inside the stadium prior to kick-off for all home football games, and live from its Austin studio for all away games. Through a unique blend of talent, insights, analysis, and fan interaction, the show will build excitement around the game, providing viewers and fans with a full game day experience.
Details on other programming will be released this summer.
For information on how to obtain Longhorn Network, visit GetLonghornNetwork.com.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Sports on TV
June 14, 2011
The Onion visits the 'Friday Night Lights' set
The media parody funsters at The Onion have created an online travel series called “Pop Pilgrims.” Produced by the more serious AV Club division, the show travels the country, visiting sites tied to popular musicians, songs, films and television shows.
Its current episode drops anchor in fictional Dillon, Texas (actually Del Valle on the outskirts of Austin) home of DirecTV/NBC’s “Friday Night Lights,” currently wrapping up its fifth and final season.
Check out the episode, below:
Austin: We visit fictional Dillon, TX, home of Friday Night Lights
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Friday Night Lights, Local people on TV
June 13, 2011
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“The Bachelorette” 7 p.m., ABC: Ashley is courted in a place in Thailand that sounds like the locale in a bawdy limerick, and that’s all I’m going to say about that.
Tuesday:
“Pretty Little Liars” 7 p.m., ABC Family: Season 2 kicks off tonight.
“The Nine Lives of Chloe King” 8 p.m., ABC Family: Vampires? Werewolves? Pfft. As you might guess from the title of this series premiere, this drama’s about cat people (and not the crazy kind like that old lady down the street).
“Memphis Beat” 8 p.m., TNT: In the second season opener, Rice wants Whitehead to take the lieutenant’s exam. I’m not a cop like these guys are, but that sounds like stealing.
“Hawthorne” 9 p.m., TNT: Season 3 opens with Derek Luke guest-starring as Candy’s labor begins. I’m not sure what role Luke is playing, but I doubt it’s the baby.
Wednesday:
“An Animal Saved My Life” 7 p.m., NG Wild: Okay, fine. But where was that sage squirrel when I plunked down thousands on that Betamax set-up back in the ‘70s?
“101 Gadgets That Changed the World” 8 p.m., History: I’ll bet Betamax isn’t in there.
“Top Chef Masters” 9 p.m., Bravo: Season 3 concludes with a four-course meal and a do-over.
“Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman” 9 p.m., Science: Do you think we’ll both fit?
“Toddlers & Tiaras” 9 p.m., TLC: Season 4 of this creepy show begins with a contest in Texas.
“Hot in Cleveland” 9 p.m., TV Land: New episodes find the gals in Amish country.
“Happily Divorced” 9:30 p.m., TV Land: Fran Drescher (“The Nanny”) stars as a florist in the premiere of this comedy based upon the end of her marriage with Peter Marc Jacobson, who co-produces.
Thursday:
“Naked Science” 7 p.m., National Geographic: Really? Talk about budget cuts.
Friday:
“Flea Man” 7 p.m., NatGeo: Prepare to be disappointed … this new series is about antiquing, not genetic mutation.
Vince’s possible suspension creates problems for Luke.
“Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution” 8 p.m., ABC: Jamie Lee Curtis gives the chef an award. I hope it’s not a pallet of fibrous yogurt.
“Infomania” 8 p.m., Current: I guess there are worse manias to have.
“Paranormal Challenge” 8 p.m., Travel: Amateur ghost hunters? More like amateur potential victims.
Saturday:
“Outcasts” 8 p.m., BBC America: Imported science fiction!
“Celebrity Ghost Stories” 8 p.m., Biography: More like celebrity ghost victims.
“The Inbetweeners” 10 p.m., BBC America: The final season begins tonight.
“Come Fly With Me” 10:30 p.m., BBC America: The debut of this airport mockumentary has to be funnier that “Wings” was, right?
Sunday:
“Daytime Emmy Awards” 7 p.m., CBS: Shouldn’t this be airing at, like, 3 in the afternoon? Wayne Brady hosts.
“Drop Dead Diva” 8 p.m., Lifetime: Paula Abdul guest stars in the Season 3 kick-off.
“Falling Skies” 8 p.m., TNT: The much-anticipated Steven Spielberg-produced alien invasion drama premieres tonight. And while I wasn’t really thrilled by the first few episodes, at least they skipped all the plodding political machinations and got right to the action.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
June 10, 2011
Problems with 'The Killing?' Bingo.
It’s no mystery that a lot of people think AMC’s anti-procedural murder drama “The Killing” moves too slowly.
Viewers and critics seemed especially perplexed by the timing of last Sunday’s episode, which barely mentioned the central Rosie Larsen murder and completely abandoned the show’s political plot lines in favor of character building between the program’s two detective leads, sublimely portrayed by Joel Kinnaman and Mireille Enos. While the consensus was that it was a quality episode with terrific acting and writing, fans expressed frustration that an episode that failed to move the murder investigation along an inch appeared so late in the season.
I have my own problems with “The Killing,” but the slow pace and the placement of that episode are not among them. I remember that the show moves in real time and it’s quite possible that a pair of detectives thrown together wouldn’t share this kind of emotional bonding until after they’ve spent a week and a half in each other’s company. Furthermore, the reason for the down time that made the bonding time possible — a 24-hour wait for a search warrant — seems totally plausible to me and adds to the show’s realism.
My gripes with the show have more to do with somewhat sloppy writing, mostly evidenced by hyper-coincidental, deus ex machina moments — more often than not, what little progress is being made in the murder investigation seems to spring from implausible, lucky breaks than solid police work.
So while there’s definitely room for improvement, let’s not urge “The Killing” too press too hard on the accelerator … that’s what crashed “Twin Peaks.”
Maybe this show will be more satisfying when it gets to DVD and Netflix and viewers can watch an episode a day; I think a show that moves day-to-day hard to pull off when we only see the characters once a week (although hour-to-hour seemed to work okay for Fox’s “24”).
In the mean time, if you’re bored silly by the show but figure, ‘hey — I’ve put all this time into it and I’ll be damned if I’m not going to ride it out for two more weeks,’ print out this hilarious bingo card from TV.com and drop a marker every time you spot “a promo for the show playing during the show” or hear “1990s slang, yo!”
What’s your take on “The Killing?” Do you know who killed Rosie Larsen? Do you care? Check out this sneak peak for Sunday’s episode and sound off in the comments below.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts
June 6, 2011
Katie Couric inks syndie daytime talk show deal with ABC
Couric said it was “tremendously exciting to have the creative freedom to develop my own show with Anne Sweeney, the Disney/ABC TV Group and Jeff (Zucker, producer), and to contribute to such a vibrant, innovative news division.” Zucker, the story notes, wa Couric’s boss when she anchored NBC’s morning show “Today.”
The new daytime series will be based in New York.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
May 30, 2011
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“Basketball Wives” 7 p.m., VH1: Season three shoots, attempts to score tonight.
“Gettysburg” 8 p.m., History: An examination of the battle marks the Civil War’s 150th anniversary.
“Single Ladies” 8 p.m., VH1: It’s the premiere of a new scripted series about a trio of best friends navigating relationships. Sort of a “Sex and the Basic Cable City.”
“Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition” 9 p.m., ABC: I hope this trend toward non-competitive weight loss programming continues. Each episode chronicles one person’s efforts over the course of a year.
Tuesday:
“America’s Got Talent” 7 p.m., NBC: I’ll believe it when I see it. Season 6 kicks off with auditions.
“The Voice” 9 p.m., NBC: The battle round concludes.
“Auction Hunters” 9 p.m., Spike: They found one, in Texas.
Wednesday:
“So You Think You Can Dance” 7 p.m., Fox: Season 8’s auditions continue.
“Minute To Win It” 7 p.m., NBC: Stars from the TV and movie series “Jackass” play the games tonight, but I think it would be more fun if they were to design the games for regular contestants.
“American Masters” 7 p.m., PBS: Stars from the TV and movie series “Jackass” are — just kidding! Tonight’s program focuses on metropolitan Opera music director James Levine.
“Love In The Wild” 9 p.m., NBC: This new reality dating competition sounds like a mix of “The Bachelor” and “Fear Factor.”
Thursday:
“Overheard With Evan Smith” 7 p.m., PBS: Smith interviews civil-rights figure Julian Bond as Season 1 concludes.
“NBA Finals Game 1” 8 p.m., ABC: Pro basketball’s championship series is proceeded by two countdown specials — one features late-night host Jimmy Kimmel at 7 p.m. and the NBA’s own preview starts at 7:30.
“Love Bites” 9 p.m., NBC: A new anthology series features stand-alone tales centered on romance. Think “Love, American Style’ with a “Sex in the City” edge.
Friday:
“Friday Night Lights” 7 p.m., NBC: Vince’s arrogance gets to his fellow Lions.
“Whale Wars” 8 p.m., Animal Planet: Season four kicks off and I hope it’s just a sea war, because how are you going to fit whales into jeeps, tanks and fighter jets?
“Python Hunters” 8 p.m., NG Wild: Eric Idle and John Cleese are cornered in Lancashire. What? Oh … wrong kind of pythons. Never mind.
Saturday:
“Stanley Cup Finals” 7 p.m., NBC: The long, long hockey season enters the home stretch with the first game of the NHL championship series.
Sunday:
“NBA Finals” 7 p.m., ABC: Game 2 for basketball fans.
“Stanley Cup Finals” 7 p.m., NBC: Game 2 for hockey fans.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
May 27, 2011
What to watch: Memorial Day weekend TV marathons
Our friends over at TV Tango have compiled a list of Memorial Day weekend television marathons and specials. The listings include programming from today through Monday night.
Highlights include Syfy’s Aquatic Monster Movie Marathon, IFC’s “Arrested Development” marathon and OWN’s “Season 25: Oprah Behind the Scenes” Marathon.
Remember that the shows are listed in the Eastern time zone, so you’ll want to tune in (or get the hamsters running inside the DVR) an hour earlier than the times shown.
Happy Memorial Day!
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Event, TV tips
May 26, 2011
Spoiler: The country singer wins 'American Idol'
Season 10 ended with country crooner Scotty McCreery besting country crooner Lauren Alaina. Did America make the right choice? Sound off in the comments below.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: American Idol, Entertainment
May 24, 2011
Jacqui Saburido to appear on Oprah's final show
Jacqui Saburido, the victim of a 1999 drunk driving accident on RM 2222, will appear in a clip on Oprah Winfrey’s final show Wednesday, according to a Harpo Productions spokesperson.
Saburido, who suffered horrific burns in the accident and has become a national spokeswoman against drinking and driving, just appeared on Oprah’s show last Friday.
Since it’s Winfrey’s final syndicated broadcast, Wednesday’s appearance will expose Saburido (and her cause) to millions of viewers.
“The Oprah Winfrey Show” airs locally at 4 p.m. on ABC.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV
May 23, 2011
This Week's TV picks
What to watch; what to avoid …
Monday:
“House” 7 p.m., Fox: Season 7 ends tonight.
“The Bachelorette” 8 p.m., ABC: Season 7 kicks off with Brad Womack cast-off Ashley Hebert meeting a field of 25 suitors.
“The Chicago Code” 8 p.m., Fox: That’s all, folks. Seasons-wise, it’s one and done for this Midwestern cop drama.
“The Event” 8 p.m., NBC: It’s so cute how TV Guide is calling tonight’s episode the “season finale.” It’s not coming back. It is a non-“Event.” The portal begins to open but, tonight, the door slams shut.
“Clash of Commercials: USA vs. the World” 9 p.m., CBS: this competition pits American ads against those from other countries. They should have a competition to see who can fast-forward through this show the quickest.
Tuesday:
“American Idol” 7 p.m., Fox: The final two contestants duke it out musically during the final night of Season 10 performances.
“Biggest Loser: Couples” 7 p.m., NBC: Who’s “The Biggest Loser’s” Season 11 biggest winner? Find out tonight.
“Dancing With the Stars” 8 p.m., ABC: Season 12’s winner hoofs home with a trophy.
“Glee” 8 p.m., Fox: Patti LuPone guest stars in the Season 2 finale as the gang heads to new York City. I hope they bring back salsa!
“Independent Lens” 9 p.m., PBS: Unfortunately, the documentary “Welcome to Shelbyville” has nothing to do with “The Simpsons.”
Wednesday:
“The Middle” 7 p.m., ABC: Season 2 concludes in a Heck of a finale.
“American Idol” 7 p.m., Fox: A winner is crowned in tonight’s two-hour and seven minute season finale.
“Modern Family” 8 p.m., ABC: Jay’s birthday might be the lead story line but Phil’s outing with Gloria provides the laughs in tonight’s season-ender.
“Cougar Town” 8:30 p.m., ABC: Season 2 wraps up tonight.
“Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior” 9 p.m., CBS: The network pulled the plug on this spin-off, so tonight’s outing will be a series finale.
“Happy Endings” 9:30 p.m., ABC: A surprise renewal means that tonight’s freshman-season finale won’t be the last we’ll see of this crowd. Talk about happy endings!
Thursday:
“So You Think You Can Dance” 7 p.m., Fox: No, but I’ll bet I can do a nice little quickstep around the question of whether or not I have any interest in this summer reality show.
“Overheard With Evan Smith” 7 p.m., PBS: Season 1 ends as Evan chats with Robert Kennedy Jr.
Friday:
“Friday Night Lights” 7 p.m., NBC: The Internet causes trouble during rivalry week.
Saturday:
“Austin City Limits” 7 p.m., PBS: Steve Martin picks the banjo and Sarah Jarosz performs in this encore presentation.
Sunday:
“National Memorial Day Concert 2011” 7 p.m., PBS: Joe Mantegna hosts with Gary Sinise in a tribute to U.S. military personnel from the Capitol’s West Lawn. Performers include B.B. King, Pia Toscano and the National Symphony Orchestra.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
May 19, 2011
Univision announces fall lineup
From a network press release:
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 19, 2011 - Univision Communications Inc., the leading media company serving Hispanic America, is today unveiling the 2011-2012 programming line-up, delivering expanded Televisa content across all television and interactive platforms and a robust slate of original productions - including three new networks. With nearly 500 hours of new original productions scheduled for primetime and late night, the Company is shining a spotlight on the growth the Hispanic population is fueling across the nation, while remaining keenly focused on innovation and expansion.
In addition to the launch of three new networks and continued ratings momentum vs. ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX, today’s Univision Upfront presentation will underscore how its enhanced partnership with Televisa is creating powerful new cross-platform branding and integration opportunities that have not existed until now.
“There is a New American Reality and businesses looking to deliver growth need to establish and maintain a relationship with the fastest-growing consumer segment in our nation,” said Falco. “Univision’s close to 50-year relationship with Hispanics makes us one of the leading media brands in this country and the gateway to connect with this consumer.”
“Recognizing the power of the burgeoning Hispanic consumer base, Univision is investing in expanding our content across all media platforms with both traditional distributors as well as online and mobile video providers. Today we are expanding our already robust slate of original programming by unveiling nearly 500 hours of new original productions in primetime and late night, innovative series and specials,” added Conde. “We have also expanded our partnership with Televisa, and other leading Spanish-language producers in the world, to deliver the content Hispanic America seeks via Univision’s multiple outlets and services. In addition, the upcoming launches of Sports, Novela and News networks will further deliver culturally-relevant, proven content to our audiences.”
“The groundswell of the Census has led to more demand than ever. Active clients are looking to raise the bar and do more across the entire media portfolio, while inactive clients are looking for strategies to win with Hispanics,” said Lawenda. “Univision is able to surround the Hispanic consumer unlike any other company in media today. Our expanded partnership with Televisa, coupled with our investment in original productions, creates unprecedented branding and integration opportunities for marketers looking to connect with an incredibly valuable audience.”
Read about the new programming after the jump.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Fall TV
Win tickets to TNT premiere party
The Austin American-Statesman is giving away 20 pairs of tickets to a premiere party for the quirky, new TNT lawyer series “Franklin & Bash,” starring Mark Paul Gosselaar & Breckin Meyer. One lucky winner will get to meet and greet the duo at the event, scheduled for Tuesday, May 24 at Speakeasy, 412 Congress Avenue.
To enter (entries must be received by midnight Thursday, May 19, so act quickly!) just send your name, phone number & email address to events@statesman.com.
“Franklin & Bash” premieres on TNT June 1st, airing Wednesdays at 8 p.m. central time.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Event
Adult Swim announces fall programming
From a network press release:
Adult Swim celebrated a new slate of programming for the 2011-12 season last night during their star-studded annual Upfront event in New York City. Coming off a stellar first quarter, in which the network added an hour of primetime to its schedule, Adult Swim ranked as cable television’s #1 network for total day delivery of adults 18-34 and adults 18-49. Adult Swim also has ranked #1 in total day delivery of adults 18-24 and men 18-24 every quarter since becoming its own individually ranked network in 2005 (23 consecutive quarters).
New original series and specials:
“NTSF:SD:SUV::” NTSF:SD:SUV:: — (National Terrorism Strike Force: San Diego: Sport Utility Vehicle), is a clandestine team of government agents working together to protect San Diego from numerous terrorist threats coming in daily from such evil countries as Mexico, Canada and Guam. This team of highly trained operatives has only one job: saving your ass so you can drive your Prius and see your movies in 3-D without worrying about living in a country run by no-good terrorists. As with many other acronym-ed police procedurals that dominate the airwaves, NTSF:SD:SUV::’s season of 15-minute episodes is ripped from the headlines and full of suspense, action, drama, cliffhangers, yelling, passionate love-making, more yelling, death and plenty of pregnant pauses. NTSF:SD:SUV:: is created by Paul Scheer and stars Scheer, Rebecca Romjin, Rob Riggle, Kate Mulgrew, Brandon Johnson, June Diane Raphael, Martin Starr and S.A.M., the first sentient robot on television. Paul Scheer and Jonathan Stern are executive producers. Curtis Gwinn is co-executive producer. Series premieres this summer on Adult Swim.
“THE VENTURE BROS. SPECIAL - FROM THE LADLE TO THE GRAVE: THE STORY OF SHALLOW GRAVY” — See the Venture Family as you’ve never seen them before: in a 15-minute documentary-style animated special. Follow the meteoric rise, the equally meteoric fall, and the decidedly un-meteor-like second coming of the most important band Hank Venture, Dermott Fitctel and H.E.L.P.eR. robot have ever been in: Shallow Gravy. If you’re hungry for rock, then open wide, because here comes a ladle of heavy metal fire and metaphoric meat drippings. Launched on Adult Swim in August 2004, The Venture Bros. is an inspired spoof of 1960s action cartoon shows such as Johnny Quest. Created by Jackson Publick III (King of the Hill, The Tick), the 30-minute animated series follows the bizarre misadventures of the Venture family. The Venture Bros. Special - From the Ladle to the Grave: The Story of Shallow Gravy premieres July 24 on Adult Swim.
“THE HEART, SHE HOLLER” — The Heart, She Holler is a new live-action soap opera about folk who ain’t never used soap or seen an opera. It’s a satire on the emotional Hee-Hawification of America, set in a town so inbred, the folks have become almost supernaturally wrong. The series is produced by PFFR, and stars Patton Oswalt and Heather Lawless. The Heart, She Holler premieres this fall on Adult Swim.
“CHINA, IL” — Frank and Steve Smith are brothers who teach in the history department of a state university in China, Illinois. They also happen to be legends in their own minds who will often sacrifice facts, lessons and syllabi for the sake of being awesome. Created by Brad Neely, executive produced by Brad Neely (Creased Comics) and Daniel Weidenfeld and produced by Titmouse, Inc. (Metalocalypse), China, IL premieres this fall on Adult Swim.
“TIGHT BROS” — Tight Bros is a new animated comedy that follows two moronic “clergybros” who are on a quest for fat beats, hot chicks and tricked out cell phones. Vince and Aaron were called by God to spread a holy message: one of peace, love and tearin’ up the club. By day the two sell religious kitsch at a kiosk in Viceroy Del Sol mall. By night they hunt for babes, but only with mega tans and super smooth waxes in place. Premiering in the spring of 2012, Tight Bros is created and written and executive produced by Sam Johnson and Chris Marcil.
“BLACK DYNAMITE” — Based on 2009′s critically-acclaimed feature film, Black Dynamite, the new 30-minute animated series will premiere in the spring of 2012. The Black Dynamite animated series further chronicles the exploits of the central character, Black Dynamite, and his crew. Under the direction of Carl Jones (The Boondocks), the series features The Voice talent of Michael Jai White, Tommy Davidson, Kym Whitley and Byron Minns, all of whom starred in the feature film. The feature film is an outrageous action comedy-spoof that follows ex-CIA agent and full-time ladies man, Black Dynamite, who’s out to avenge the death of his brother against kung-fu masters, drug-dealing pimps and The Man. Black Dynamite, the animated series, is being produced by Ars Nova Entertainment. Carl Jones is executive producer. Jon Steingart and Jillian Apfelbaum also serve as executive producers. Brian Ash is co-executive producer. Scott Sanders, Michael Jai White and Byron Minns are producers. Black Dynamite is being animated by Titmouse, Inc.
Read about returning shows and projects in development after the jump.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Fall TV
The CW announces fall lineup
From a network press release:
May 19, 2011 (New York, New York) - The CW Network unveiled the schedule for its 2011-2012 season today at its annual upfront presentation for advertisers, affiliates and national media from Jazz at Lincoln Center. Electro hip-hop group LMFAO staged a rousing flash mob dance and performed their hit song “Party Rock Anthem” to open the show. The announcement was made by Dawn Ostroff, President of Entertainment, and Mark Pedowitz, the new President of The CW.
“We’re thrilled to present the most exciting primetime schedule The CW has ever had, comprised of shows that feature bold concepts, proven TV stars and up-and-coming, breakout talent,” said Ostroff. “In just five years, we’ve built an instantly recognizable brand that resonates with both viewers and advertisers and is known for being smartly provocative, culturally current, emotionally authentic and a leader in digital and social media. This upcoming season will continue to establish The CW as a premier destination for our viewers, especially women.”
“Our priority this season was adding more original programming this upcoming year, and we’ve done that with shows that will appeal to our core audience of women, while also bringing in new viewers,” said Pedowitz. “We’re being aggressive with smart, bold scheduling moves designed to improve key time periods and grow our audience.”
Find the complete schedule with new series descriptions after the jump.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Fall TV
May 18, 2011
CBS unveils fall primetime lineup
From a CBS press release:
NEW YORK — CBS announced today its new 2011-2012 primetime schedule, ordering five new series and making key time-period moves for “CSI” and “The Good Wife” to strengthen its already top-rated primetime lineup. CBS will, once again, finish the season as America’s most watched network, marking the eighth time it has done so in the last nine years.
The new series include three new dramas and two new comedies: “PERSON OF INTEREST,” a crime thriller from renowned executive producer J.J. Abrams starring Jim Caviezel, Emmy Award winner Michael Emerson and Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson; “UNFORGETTABLE,” starring Dylan Walsh and Poppy Montgomery as a former detective with a rare condition that enables her to remember virtually every detail from every day of her life; “A GIFTED MAN,” about a preeminent surgeon whose life changes forever when his deceased ex-wife returns, starring Patrick Wilson and Jennifer Ehle; “2 BROKE GIRLS,” a comedy about two strikingly different young waitresses who form an unlikely friendship, starring Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs; and an odd-couple comedy, “HOW TO BE A GENTLEMAN,” starring David Hornsby and Kevin Dillon, about a refined magazine columnist and his very unrefined personal trainer.
The freshmen series will be joined by 19 returning shows, including the season’s #1 drama/scripted series, “NCIS;” #1 comedy, “The Big Bang Theory;” #1 news magazine, “60 Minutes;” # 1 new comedy, “Mike & Molly;” along with two franchise reality series, “Survivor” and the seven-time Emmy Award winner, “The Amazing Race.”
The other returning series include: “How I Met Your Mother;” “Hawaii Five-0;” “NCIS: Los Angles;” “Criminal Minds;” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation;” “The Mentalist;” “CSI: NY;” “Blue Bloods;” “Rules of Engagement;” “48 Hours Mystery;” “The Good Wife;” and “CSI: Miami.”
For mid-season, CBS will present the third season of the reality series “Undercover Boss,” and the new police drama, “The 2-2,” from Tribeca Productions and executive producers Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal.
See the new 2011-2012 schedule after the jump.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Entertainment, Fall TV
May 17, 2011
ABC announces fall primetime schedule
From a network press release:
Paul Lee, president, ABC Entertainment Group, will discuss ABC’s plans for next season and present the network’s 2011-12 fall schedule before the advertising and media communities this afternoon at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall.
New series for the 2011-12 season are “Apartment 23,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “Good Christian Belles,” “Last Man Standing,” “Man Up,” “Missing,” “Once Upon a Time,” “Pan Am,” “Revenge,” “The River,” “Scandal,” “Suburgatory” and “Work It.”
“America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “The Bachelor,” “Body Of Proof,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Happy Endings,” “Secret Millionaire,” “Shark Tank” and “20/20” join previously announced returning series “Castle,” “Cougar Town,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Middle,” “Modern Family” and “Private Practice.” “Saturday Night College Football” also returns.
“We’re thrilled to be launching a really diverse and ambitious schedule that balances the strength and stability of our returning hits with a slew of bold new shows,” said Lee.
See the complete night-by-night schedule (with show descriptions) after the jump …
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Fall TV
May 16, 2011
Preview of Kyle Killen's NBC pickup, 'Awake' (video)
Austinite Kyle Killen, who created Fox’s critically acclaimed (but quickly axed) 2010 series, “Lone Star,” will have a new show on NBC in 2012, “Awake.” Killen again explores the theme of dual realities.
Take a look at the preview and let me know what you think:
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Mid-season TV
Fox announces fall, midseason lineups
From a network press release:
Peter Rice, Chairman, Entertainment, Fox Networks Group; and Kevin Reilly, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company, today unveiled the FOX primetime schedule for the 2011-2012 television season to the national advertising community during its annual Programming Presentation at The New Beacon Theatre.
“Nothing impacts culture the way a television show does,” said Rice. “And here at FOX, we have the most talked about, most followed, most creative shows that build connections between viewers and brands.”
“Going into next year, we’ve rejuvenated AMERICAN IDOL, built a core strength across the week and developed a really fresh, creative new lineup for next season,” said Reilly. “From razor-sharp comedies to epic dramas to a massive talent competition series, I think we have the goods to continue to be pop culture’s most vibrant platform, as well as the top network.”
Launching this fall is the highly anticipated singing competition series THE X FACTOR, which marks the return of Simon Cowell to FOX. Cowell, along with Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Cheryl Cole and Paula Abdul, will judge the U.S. version of the international television phenomenon that will award an unprecedented $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music to the next global superstar or breakout music group.
Epic family adventure series TERRA NOVA, executive-produced by Steven Spielberg (“Saving Private Ryan,” “Jurassic Park”), Peter Chernin, René Echevarria (“Castle,” “The 4400”) and Brannon Braga (“24”) and starring Jason O’Mara (“Life On Mars”) and Stephen Lang (“Avatar”), premieres in the fall. The ambitious series follows an ordinary family on an extraordinary journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a small part of a daring experiment to save the human race.
Also debuting this fall are the half-hour comedies NEW GIRL (working title) and I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER (working title). Created by Liz Meriwether (“No Strings Attached”), NEW GIRL (wt) is a new single-camera ensemble comedy starring Zooey Deschanel (“(500) Days of Summer”) as Jess, an offbeat girl who - after a bad breakup - moves in with three single guys and essentially sets a bomb off in their lives. New multi-camera family comedy I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER (wt) stars Emmy Award winner Jaime Pressly (“My Name Is Earl”) and Tony Award winner Katie Finneran (“Wonderfalls”) as single moms, life-long friends - and former nerds - who fear their privileged and overly indulged daughters are turning out to be just like the girls who picked on them in high school.
ALLEN GREGORY is the new animated comedy joining the Sunday ANIMATION DOMINATION lineup this fall. Created by and featuring the voice of Jonah Hill (“Get Him to the Greek,” “Superbad”), ALLEN GREGORY is the story of an extremely pretentious 7-year-old about to embark on his greatest challenge yet: leaving the safety of homeschooling and attending elementary school with children his own age.
Television’s No. 1 hit series, AMERICAN IDOL, will kick off midseason with a special premiere event Sunday, Jan. 22 (9:00-10:00 PM), immediately following the NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. Entering its remarkable 11th season, the series will continue to empower contestants and viewers to share their voices in deciding who will be the next AMERICAN IDOL.
The two new dramas set to launch in midseason are ALCATRAZ and THE FINDER. From executive producer J.J. Abrams (“Lost,” “Star Trek”) and writer Elizabeth Sarnoff (“Lost”) and starring Sarah Jones (“Sons of Anarchy”), Jorge Garcia (“Lost”) and Sam Neill (“Jurassic Park”), ALCATRAZ is the chilling new thriller centered on America’s most infamous prison and the mysterious return of its most notorious criminals. Created by Hart Hanson, the executive producer and creator of BONES, THE FINDER is a new procedural drama starring Geoff Stults (“She’s Out of My League”) as an Iraq war vet with an extraordinary ability to help people find the unfindable.
Based on the hit cult classic and featuring the voices of the film’s original cast, NAPOLEON DYNAMITE is the new animated comedy premiering in midseason. The series follows the continuing adventures of Napoleon Dynamite, America’s most awesomely awkward teenager, and his quirky family and friends as they navigate life in rural Idaho.
In March, while GLEE takes a break before its spring semester return, FOX will continue the laughs on Tuesdays with a block of four half-hour comedies. The night will feature the critically acclaimed RAISING HOPE, new comedies I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER (wt) and NEW GIRL (wt), as well as one of the additional comedies in development, including FAMILY ALBUM (working title) and LITTLE IN COMMON (working title). Starring Mike O’Malley (GLEE) and Rachael Harris (“The Hangover”), FAMILY ALBUM (wt) is the single-camera comedy that takes a snapshot of the Bronsky clan as they reveal the hilarious stories behind the photo-worthy moments of life. The new family comedy LITTLE IN COMMON (wt), starring Rob Corddry (“Hot Tub Time Machine”) and Kevin Hart (“Death at a Funeral”), follows three diverse middle-class families who become intertwined when their children play on youth sports teams together.
In addition, Kiefer Sutherland, star of the landmark Emmy Award-winning series “24,” returns to FOX in TOUCH, scheduled to go into pilot production this June. Written and created by Tim Kring (“Heroes”), TOUCH centers on the relationship between a single father and his 11-year-old son with special needs. Their relationship and their lives take an extraordinary turn when the gifted son begins to make connections in his life and around the world.
This spring, FOX will celebrate its 25th birthday with a star-studded look back at the last quarter-century on the FOX 25th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL (working title) airing Sunday, April 1. FOX’s biggest stars from both past and present will make appearances to honor the network that began 25 years ago.
Other FOX series returning in 2011-2012 include: AMERICAN DAD (Season 7), AMERICAN IDOL (Season 11), AMERICA’S MOST WANTED (quarterly specials), BOB’S BURGERS (Season 2), BONES (Season 7), THE CLEVELAND SHOW (Season 3), COPS (Season 24), FAMILY GUY (Season 9), FRINGE (Season 4), GLEE (Season 3), HELL’S KITCHEN (Season 9), HOUSE (Season 8), KITCHEN NIGHTMARES (Season 4), MASTERCHEF (Season 2), MOBBED (specials), RAISING HOPE (Season 2), THE SIMPSONS (Season 23) and SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (Season 8). AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS, NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE and TEEN CHOICE 2011 will also return to the FOX schedule.
Check out the complete schedule after the jump.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Fall TV
NBC announces fall lineup, mid-season highlights
From the network’s press release:
NBC has introduced its 2011-12 primetime schedule, showcasing six new dramas and six new comedies from a roster of renowned hit-makers that includes Steven Spielberg, Lorne Michaels, Brian Grazer, Tom Werner, John Grisham and Peter Berg, among many others.
The season’s new dramas are “Smash,” “Prime Suspect,” “The Playboy Club,” “Awake,” “Grimm” and “The Firm”; and the new comedies are “Up All Night,” “Whitney,” “Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea,” “Free Agents,” “Best Friends Forever” and “Bent.”
Returning shows include “Parenthood,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Harry’s Law,” “Chuck” (for its fifth and final season of 13 episodes), “Community,” “Parks and Recreation,” “The Office,” “30 Rock” and “Dateline NBC.” Among next season’s returning alternative series are “The Voice,” “The Sing-Off,” “The Celebrity Apprentice” and “The Biggest Loser,” each in two-hour formats.
The new lineup combines schedule stability with strategic changes that position the network for future growth. Key facets of the schedule include a new hour of comedy with the Wednesday debuts of “Up All Night” (7-7:30 p.m.) and “Free Agents” (7:30-8 p.m.) and an update to NBC’s critically acclaimed Thursday lineup with the premieres this fall of the new comedy “Whitney” (8:30-9 p.m.) and the first-year drama “Prime Suspect” (9-10 p.m.). In addition, NBC has made a strong commitment to original scripted programming on Friday nights with the pairing of “Chuck” (7-8 p.m.) in its climactic season with the new drama “Grimm” (8-9 p.m. ET).
The #1 new series of the current season, “The Voice,” returns at mid-season on Monday nights (7-9 p.m.) and will serve as the lead-in to the new musical drama “Smash” (9-10 p.m.). In the fall on Mondays from 7-9 p.m. will be another growing NBC reality success, “The Sing-Off,” now in a weekly format following its strong December showings of the past two years.
Additional details unveiled in today’s announcement include a run of uninterrupted originals for “30 Rock” starting at mid-season and a post-football Sunday lineup of “Dateline NBC” (6-7 p.m.), “The Celebrity Apprentice” (7-9 p.m.) and the new drama “The Firm” (9-10 p.m.). Additional new series ready for mid-season include the drama “Awake” and the comedies “Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea,” “Best Friends Forever” and “Bent.”
The announcements were made by Bob Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment.
“Next season begins the rebuilding of the NBC primetime schedule, and our goal is to reinvigorate our audience with a line-up of appointment television that includes our best returning shows and a variety of innovative and attention-getting new series. We’ll be placing a great deal of emphasis on how we launch each one of our programs and on maximizing the network’s strengths throughout the fall and well into mid-season,” said Greenblatt. “Considering it’s only been three months since new management took over, I’m very pleased with what has resulted from a very strong pilot season. And with a powerful new asset like ‘The Voice’ already in hand, we go into the 2011-12 season with cautious but incredible optimism.”
Read the night-by-night schedule after the jump.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Fall TV
May 11, 2011
Fox drops five shows, adds four replacements
In advance of next week’s “upfront” presentations in which the major television networks reveal their fall lineups for advertisers, Fox has lowered the boom on five current series and ordered four new shows for the fall.
Going away: two dramas that have been around for a while — “Lie To Me” and “Human Target” — and the freshman comedies “Breaking In” and “Traffic Light” (both mid-season replacements). Also canceled is “The Chicago Code,” the critically well-received cop drama from Shawn Ryan, creator of “The Shield.”
Ryan was all over Twitter Tuesday night, reposting kind words from fans and — in a classy move reminiscent of Austin’s Kyle Killen when his own Fox show was canceled last fall — praising the network that gave his show a chance. It’s been a tough year for Ryan, who was also the show runner on FX’s “Terriers,” which got the axe earlier in the season.
Fox has already announced four new shows for its fall lineup, including a pair of dramas and two comedies.
Actress singer Zooey Deschanel’s (pictured, left) single-camera, single girl sitcom “The New Girl” got an early nod as did the Jaime Pressly vehicle “I Hate My Teenage Daughter” (Pressly has long been buddies with Fox and just appeared on an episode of “Raising Hope” with her “My Name Is Earl” co-star Ethan Suplee).
Fox’s new dramas are J.J. Abrams’ time-bending prison drama “Alcatraz” and a “Bones” spin-off, “The Finder.” For “Alcatraz,” creator Abrams is teaming back up with “Lost” star Jorge Garcia.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Entertainment, Fall TV
May 9, 2011
New series follows creation of UTSA football program
Fox Sports Southwest has announced the premiere of a new documentary series following the inaugural season of the University of Texas at San Antonio football program.
The series, “UTSA Football: The Birth of a Program,” debuts at 11:30 a.m. (CT) on Saturday, May 14 and provides a behind-the-scenes look at how the UTSA football program began two years ago.
“We’re excited about this series,” FOX Sports Southwest Senior Vice President/General Manager Jon Heidtke said in a press release. “It’s a fascinating story and a tremendous opportunity for football fans to get an inside, behind-the-scenes look at how a major college program is put together.”
“We are very excited that FOX Sports Southwest is giving us a forum to tell our story,” University Athletics Director Lynn Hickey said. “I think football fans will enjoy seeing a behind-the-scenes look at how things have come together the last two-and-a-half years and this just adds another level of excitement to what already is a great time to be a Roadrunner.”
Find a list of additional air dates and times after the jump.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Sports on TV
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“American Experience” 8 p.m., PBS: “Soundtrack for a Revolution” explores music’s impact on — and chronicling of — the civil-rights movement.
“Stargate Universe” 8 p.m., Syfy: Tonight’s episode is the series finale.
Tuesday:
“Raising Hope” 8 p.m., Fox: It’s kind of a “My Name Is Earl” reunion as this show, its stylistic successor, welcomes Jamie Pressly and Ethan Suplee as nosy neighbors.
“Frontline” 8 p.m., PBS: “Kill/Capture” probes our country’s Afghanistan war strategy.
Wednesday:
“Better With You” 7:30 p.m., ABC: A birth and a wedding are in the offing during tonight’s first season finale.
“Money Hunters” 7:30 p.m., DIY: I hope they catch that creepy stack of bills with the googly eyes from those TV commercials.
“Desperate Landscapes” 9 p.m., DIY: Maybe tonight the hedges will discover that the old oak tree has been secret meeting the hydrangea out on the berm. This is like “Desperate Housewives,” but with yards, right?
Thursday:
“Vampire Diaries” 7 p.m., The CW: A plot device hinges on the film “Gone With the Wind?” This show just gets weirder and weirder.
“Community” 7 p.m., NBC: Season 2’s two-part paintball finale concludes tonight.
“Overheard with Evan Smith” 7 p.m., PBS: Evan chats up Wendy Kopp, the founder of Teach for America.
“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” 8 p.m., CBS: Wow, tonight’s episode marks the end of eleven seasons.
“Nikita” 8 p.m., The CW: Alex goes rogue and a trapped Michael can’t rescue Nikita in the Season 1 finale.
“Outsourced” 9:30 p.m., NBC: Another two-part season finale concludes tonight, but I’m hoping this one doesn’t get a Season 2.
Friday:
“Smallville” 7 p.m., The CW: Of course the man of steel gets a super-sized, two-hour series finale. And of course Lex Luthor’s around to help him, uh, celebrate.
“CSI: NY” 8 p.m., CBS: Say sayonara to Season 7.
“Blue Bloods” 9 p.m., CBS: The family cop drama’s first season concludes with an attack on the clandestine Blue Templars.
Saturday:
“Dr. Who” 8 p.m., BBC America: Neil Gaiman wrote tonight’s episode, so it should be creepy, thrilling and beautiful.
“Saturday Night Live” 10:30 p.m., NBC: Hey Big Tuna, check it out — Ed Helms (Andy from “The Office”) hosts while Paul Simon sings. This could also have worked the other way around.
Sunday:
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” 7 p.m., ABC: Season 8 concludes with a sick 9-year-old’s visit to meet Atticus Shaffer from ABC’s “The Middle.”
“Survivor: Redemption Island” 7 p.m., CBS: Tonight’s two-hour season finale is directly followed by the obligatory reunion show.
“Desperate Housewives” 8 p.m., ABC: Another season finale, another murder.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, TV tips
May 2, 2011
This week's TV Picks
Here are my thoughts on what to watch (and what to avoid watching) this week:
Monday:
“Relapse” 8 p.m., A&E: Season 1 concludes tonight. If the network relapses, we might get a Season 2.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” 8 p.m., Logo: Just when you thought it was over, here’s a Season 3 recap.
“Hawaii Five-0” 9 p.m., CBS: Rick Springfield guest stars as a fashion photographer-slash-murder victim. He probably talked to strangers.
Tuesday:
“Glee” 7 p.m., Fox: Sue takes over the school newspaper and gives journalism students an idea of what real-world editors are like.
“Black in Latin America” 7 p.m., PBS: Slavery wasn’t abolished in Brazil until 1888, and the country is still dealing with its fallout.
“The Voice” 8 p.m., NBC: The auditions conclude in this inexplicably popular hot mess of a musical reality show.
“The Good Wife” 9 p.m., CBS: The show brings in guest star Martha Plimpton from “Raising Hope,” which is okay, I guess, as long as she doesn’t bring Maw Maw with her.
Wednesday:
“Women’s Softball” 6:30 p.m., FSSW: Texas takes on Texas A&M. It’s the brawl to settle … something. A bar bet, maybe?
“I’m Alive” 7 p.m., Animal Planet: Me, too. But you don’t see anybody making a TV show about it.
“Modern Family” 8 p.m., ABC: It’s Mother’s Day and it should be a mother of an episode because Claire and Gloria are the mothers of all TV mothers.
“Spouse vs. House” 9 p.m., TLC: This new renovation reality show forces one spouse to move out while the other remodels.
Thursday:
“Wipeout” 7 p.m., ABC: It’s really hard to continue to not watch this show when they have a game called the “scareousel.”
“Community” 7 p.m., NBC: Part one of the two-part season finale finds the Greendale gang involved in another heated game of paintball. This time, “Lost’s” Josh Holloway shows up as a mysterious combatant.
“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” 8 p.m., CBS: Serial killer Nate Haskell kidnaps Ray’s ex and serial complimenter Eddie Haskell tells the Beaver’s mom that she looks nice today.
“30 Rock” 9 p.m., NBC: It’s summer vacation time as Season 5 comes to an end.
Friday:
“Shark Tank” 7 p.m., ABC: One of the pitches on this show is for “male-oriented candles.” Seriously. ‘Cuz guys love candles.
“Friday Night Lights” 7 p.m., NBC: A new player joins the Lions as Coach Taylor mediates locker room rumbles.
“Overheard with Evan Smith” 8:30 p.m., PBS: Evan chats with actress Holland Taylor, who stars in a one-woman show about former Texas Governor Ann Richards.
“Fringe” 8 p.m., Fox: Season 3 departs tonight and so does at least one character.
Saturday:
“PCL Baseball: Nashville at Round Rock” 7 p.m., KBVO: Look for me up in the Dell Diamond’s home run porch, hassling Nashville’s left fielder.
Sunday:
“Amazing Race: Unfinished Business” 7 p.m., CBS: The season wraps up as the remaining teams race to the Miami finish line.
“Nature” 7 p.m., PBS: Tonight is the first of a grizzly, three-part journey through Alaska’s bear country.
“Brothers And Sisters” 9 p.m., ABC: The season wraps up with Sarah and Luc racing toward the altar.
“CSI: Miami” 9 p.m., CBS: The season wraps up with Horatio racing after an escaped convict.
“Journey of The Bonesetter’s Daughter” 9 p.m., PBS: This documentary chronicles the creation of the San Francisco Opera production based on the Amy Tan novel.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
April 29, 2011
JB and Sandy's KEYE-TV simulcast to end
Radio duo JB and Sandy, whose Mix 94.7 program has been simulcast on local KEYE-TV are losing their TV gig. The CBS affiliate has announced that they will be replaced by “We Are Austin Mornings,” an extension of its 4-5 p.m. weekday lifestyle program, “We Are Austin Live.”
The new program will be similar to national morning news/chat programs, but with an Austin focus. Erika Gonzalez will host the show, which begins July 1 (Gonzalez came to Austin from the Rio Grande Valley in 2009 to appear on Telemundo’s news program “Conteo Noticias” with Fred Cantu). Meteorologist Kelly Slifka will provide weather and traffic updates and “We Are Austin Live” hosts Jason Wheeler and Bettie Cross will contribute content to “Austin Mornings.”
JB and Sandy got the KEYE job in October, 2009, when the station axed its morning news program and moved anchor Cantu to Spanish-language Telemundo and co-anchor Michelle Valles to the station’s new 4 p.m. lifestyle show. Both Cantu and Valles have since vacated those positions.
“We’ve learned how to do different things with ‘Austin Live’ and now we are bringing this energy and creativity to ‘Austin Mornings,’ ” KEYE News Director Suzanne Black said in a press release.
Station manager Amy Villarreal praised the departing duo. “The show did well, it was creative and the ratings grew. This is not a reflection of the great work JB, Sandy, Sara, Alex and Cassiday do every day.”
The pair’s simulcasts will continue until June 30, KEYE spokesperson Jerry Wagley said.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Entertainment, Local news, Local people on TV
April 28, 2011
Steve Carell's exit from 'The Office'
In honor of Steve Carell’s exit from “The Office” tonight (8 p.m., NBC), here’s a video that purports to contain every “that’s what she said” joke Michael Scott ever uttered:
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
More Austinites to appear on ABC's 'Shark Tank' Friday
ABC’s “Shark Tank,” the reality show in which entrepreneurs pitch their products and ideas to investor “sharks” in the hopes of obtaining cash infusions in exchange for a stake in their success, is becoming a regular stop for Austinites.
We just wrote about Erin Whalen and Tim Stansbury, creators of Grease Monkey Wipes, who first appeared on the show last year and were featured in an update segment last week.
Now brothers David and Stuart Pikoff, founders of the Austin-based Games2U are slated to make their pitch to the sharks at 7 p.m. Friday on ABC. The company dispatches mobile entertainment units with video games, laser tag and other entertainment apparatus to parties and events, along with a game coach who oversees each party.
The Pikoffs can’t tell us how they fared — and we wouldn’t want to be spoilers anyway. But it sounds as if they think the appearance will be good for business.
“The entire experience of participating in the show was an unforgettable one,” said David. “The brand visibility will really help us achieve our objective of being the clear and obvious leader in our market segment.”
The Pikoffs moved to Austin the early ’80s (David is a St. Edward’s grad).
Games2U gets further exposure on the Rachel Ray Show, Friday at 10 a.m. on WGN. While the rest of the free world basks in the afterglow of the royal wedding, the chipmunk-cheeked host takes a ride in one of the company’s Giant Hamster Balls.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV
April 26, 2011
Austin 'Jersey Shore' producer casts new reality show here
“I think it’s time to show America what goes on down in Austin.”
That’s Scott Jeffress talking. A producer on MTV’s popular “Jersey Shore,” Jeffress sent a buzz through Austin’s social media scene recently by posting a one-page website, lostinaustincasting.com.
“Giddy up Texas, time to show the rest of the country what getting REAL is all about!” the site, which is essentially an application form, reads. “When they say ‘Don’t mess with Texas,’ they’re talking about you. Wherever you go, you make a name for yourself. You’ve always had the personality, the looks, the charm, and the style to stand out … Do you rule the bar scene, rope in the hottest of the hot, drink anyone under the table? We want to hear from you! Is everything really bigger in Texas? Prove it. Time to go big, because going home isn’t an option.”
“The objective of this is to — you know, similar to ‘Jersey Shore,’ how we looked at the East Coast, the younger generation and how they spend their summers, it’s going to be a similar thing for the kids of the south,” Jeffress says, on the phone from Los Angeles. “What I’m doing is using primarily Texans who have moved in from outside of Austin and are moving to Austin to seek fame and fortune and success in the most exciting city in Texas.”
48 hours after launching the website, Jeffress was well on his way to finding a cast. At that point, “we had over 200 really good cast possibilities,” he says. “So they’re coming out of the woodwork and they’re very excited and it looks really good.”
The producer wants to put together a group of eight males and females to room together in the heart of the city and chronicle them as they pursue their goals, which — to hear Jeffress explain it — will go beyond “Gym, tan, laundry.”
“Some may be trying to become a musician; there may be kids going to college; some in the tech industry,” he explains. “It’ll be a wide range of goals and career opportunities but it will certainly be a wide range of characters as well.”
Ah, yes … characters. One suspects Jeffress wouldn’t mind landing another personality who could catch fire like “Jersey Shore’s” Snooki or The Situation. After all, one of the questions on the application is “What is your favorite way to let loose and have fun?” and the site’s introduction claims the show is looking for “the biggest and baddest” Texans who are at least 21 years old and relocated to Austin or are planning to move here “for the party of a lifetime.”
It hardly sounds like job interviews and test preparation.
Jeffress and his company Badaddy Productions are essentially producing the show “on spec” and plan to shop it around to five or six networks. It’s not exactly a long shot; Jeffress is known in the industry from his work on such shows as “Jersey Shore” and “The Bachelor,” and Freemantle Media, producer of “American Idol,” has partnered up with Badaddy to get Jeffress’ ideas on the air, he says.
He’s casting another reality show, “Texas Red,” in affluent Texas suburbs in addition to another show in Boston and he’s producing sizzle reels for programs set in L.A. and Phoenix.
“I’m very excited about the possibility of having some shows on the air this year,” Jeffress says.
He’s already got one: “Repo Games,” which Jeffress worked on with his Jersey Shore partner SallyAnn Salsano, premieres tonight at 7 p.m. on Spike.
Read Statesman staffer Peter Mongillo’s January interview with Jeffress after the jump.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Reality TV
April 25, 2011
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“Property Virgins” 7 p.m., HGTV: A Toronto couple wants a kung fu studio in their basement. This half hour will go by as fast as lightning.
“Bad Girls Club” 8 p.m., Oxygen: Yep, it’s a slow Monday. That’s good news for this show’s Season 6 finale at a backbiting-filled a photo shoot.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” 9 p.m., LOGO: Season 3 concludes. This hour, by contrast, will drag.
“Asteroids: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly” 9 p.m., Science: I’m assuming this show is about Clint Eastwood playing an outdated arcade game, but I could be wrong.
“Wild About Prince Harry” 9 p.m., TLC: Are we? I guess we’ll know when the ratings come in.
Tuesday:
“Glee” 7 p.m., Fox: I don’t like this show and I’m not big on Lady Gaga (whose music is performed tonight) but you probably like both, so knock yourself out.
“The Voice” 8 p.m., NBC: The peacock network’s answer to “American Idol” debuts tonight as host Carson Daly guides mentors Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton through a round of auditions during which the singers remain unseen.
“Independent Lens” 9 p.m., PBS: Fascinating documentary of Mark Hogancamp, brain-damaged in an assault, whose efforts to heal physically and emotionally include building a World War II town in his yard and constructing an elaborate war fantasy in which he is the hero.
Wednesday:
“Inside the Royal Wedding” 7 p.m., NBC: Matt Lauer and Meredith Viera host this behind-the-scenes look at ceremony preparations.
“South Park” 9 p.m., Comedy Central: Season 15 kicks off tonight.
Thursday:
“The Office” 8 p.m., NBC: Farewell, Michael Scott. Steve Carell’s run on the show ends with tonight’s 52-minute episode. (Note: this pushes “Parks and Recreation” to a weird, off-hour starting time).
“True Crime with Aphrodite Jones” 9 p.m., I.D.: A pastor, a mistress and a murder in Waco are explored.
“Son of a Gun” 10 p.m., MTV: Rapper Cory Gunz tries to succeed in the music business in the series opener.
Friday:
Royal Wedding coverage, 3 a.m., ABC, NBC: Cheerio! William and Kate tie the knot and these two broadcast networks (and a ton of cable outlets — check your listings) are on it early.
“The Royal Wedding: Modern Majesty” 7 p.m., CBS: The ceremony’s over, but the TV goes on and on and on …
“Friday Night Lights” 7 p.m., NBC: Eric tries to get the Lions in line.
Saturday:
“NASCAR Racing” 6 p.m., Fox: The wheels on the cars go ‘round and ‘round in Richmond.
“Austin City Limits” 7 p.m., PBS: Alejandro Escovedo and Trombone Shorty kick out the jams in this repeat.
Sunday:
“Celebrity Apprentice” 8 p.m., NBC: Self-proclaimed “hair king” Farouk Shami shows up as a guest judge. Shami, who lost the 2010 Texas Democratic primary nomination to former Houston mayor Bill White, is the founder and chairman of Farouk Systems. Hey, maybe he can do something for the follicle-challenged Trump.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
April 22, 2011
Local 'Grease Monkeys' return to 'Shark Tank'
Fifteen months ago, a pair of Austin entrepreneurs appeared on “Shark Tank,” the ABC reality show in which inventors and business owners pitch their products and ideas to a panel of investors, hoping to secure funding in exchange for a stake in the entrepreneurs’ companies.
Erin Whalen and Tim Stansbury, creators of Grease Monkey Wipes, appeared before the show’s investor “sharks” in hopes of obtaining $40,000 in funding in return for a 40 percent stake in their business. The duo succeeded, with two of the program’s investors hopping onto their business plan. The heavy duty cleaning wipes, using an all natural citrus formula to safely clean grease, grime, oil, adhesives, ink and much more, were initially pitched as a way for bicyclists and mechanics to keep clean during maintenance and repair work.
At 7 p.m. tonight on ABC, the pair will be featured in a follow-up segment on the show that was filmed in January. The update focuses on how Grease Monkey Wipes has grown from a local company to a major player in the multi-billion dollar cleaning industry.
“Our Shark Tank experience has given us tremendous momentum,” said Stansbury. “The combination of investment, mentorship and exposure has provided Grease Monkey Wipes opportunities we never before thought possible.”
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Reality TV
April 21, 2011
City of Austin reality TV show premieres Friday
“Dare to Go Zero,” a reality television program produced by the City of Austin, premieres tomorrow at 7 p.m. on the City’s Channel 6 and at austinrecycles.com. The show pits four local families against each other in a five-week competition to recycle more and send less to the landfill.
You can read my Austin American-Statesman story on the show by clicking here.
Here’s a promo for the first episode:
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Reality TV
April 18, 2011
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“American Masters” 8 p.m., PBS: Tonight’s documentary profiles pioneering environmentalist John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club.
“Hawaii Five-0” 9 p.m., CBS: Rapper Sean “Diddy Daddy Puffy Stuffy Snarky Snoopy” Combs guest stars as an undercover mainland cop.
Tuesday:
“Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution” 7 p.m., ABC: The chef’s fascinating battle with Los Angeles’ public schools continues as he dons a tomato costume and pushes healthy food choices.
“Biggest Loser Couples” 7 p.m., NBC: A river surfing challenge leads to a helicopter ride and I start having Brad Womack flashbacks.
“Black in Latin America” 7 p.m., PBS: Henry Louis Gates Jr. examines the African base of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
“Traffic Light” 8:30 p.m., Fox: I like this show, but I appear to be in the minority.
“Body of Proof” 9 p.m., ABC: “Mad Men’s” Joan, Christina Hendricks, portrays twins, but one of them is deceased. Dibs on the live one.
“Parenthood” 9 p.m., NBC: Season 2 concludes tonight.
Wednesday:
“The Middle” 7 p.m., ABC: Frankie becomes obsessed with the royal wedding. Of course she does.
Thursday:
“Community” 7 p.m., NBC: Yeah, it’s a clip show, but here’s the clever conceit: None of these clips were from any previous shows.
“Vampire Diaries” 7 p.m., The CW: Tonight’s show has a flashback to the year 1491. I am expecting to hear the phrase ”Columbus who?”
“Bones” 8 p.m., Fox: A 17th-century treasure map, a dead museum security guard and no Nicolas Cage in sight? Please.
“The Office” 8 p.m., NBC: Michael doles out his final Dundie Awards.
“30 Rock” 9 p.m., NBC: “TGS” faces cancellation in tonight’s hour-long 100th episode.
Friday:
“Friday Night Lights” 7 p.m., NBC: Luke faces consequences for his aggressive on-field conduct.
“Girls’ Night Out: Superstar Women of Country” 8 p.m., CBS: The Judds, Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill and a host of other top country acts perform.
“Fringe” 8 p.m., Fox: Walternate’s on the warpath.
Saturday:
“Chase” 7 p.m., NBC: Another remaining episode of this lame-duck series is burned off tonight.
Sunday:
“Human Planet” 7 p.m., Discovery: So much more comforting than “Planet of the Apes.”
“The Simpsons Movie” 7 p.m., Fox: Green Day performs in the Springfield family’s big-screen adventure.
“The Killing” 9 p.m., AMC: The slow-moving, brilliantly-acted murder saga continues with surprising revelations about victim Rosie’s personal life as her funeral is planned.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, TV tips
April 15, 2011
Join 'FNL' stars at red carpet screening
The fifth and final season of DirecTV/NBC’s critically-acclaimed (and locally-filmed) “Friday Night Lights” finally hits NBC tonight at 7 p.m.
San Antonio businessman Red McCombs serves as Honorary Chairman and legendary football coach Spike Dykes will emcee the VIP Reception.
Here is the schedule of events for the event, to be held at the JW Marriott, 23808 Resort Parkway in San Antonio:
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
VIP Cocktail Reception & Auction (Presented by Red & Charline McCombs)
7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Red Carpet Walk
7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Season 5 Premiere: Episodes I & II
For tickets and information, visit the Gridiron Heroes website.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Friday Night Lights, Local people on TV
Your strange addiction could land you on TV
“My Strange Addiction,” the TLC documentary program that chronicles individuals suffering from problematic obsessions, is casting for this summer’s Season 2.
One of most popular stories from Season 1, according to 20 West Productions Director of Development (and the show’s Executive Producer) Jason Bolicki, concerned an Austin woman named Lori who had been addicted to sleeping with her running blow dryer for over twenty years. Other subjects have felt compelled to eat toilet paper or wear a fur suit.
“Many people who suffer from strange addictions have told us that they don’t know how to quit,” Bolicki said. “There’s no specific 12-step program to stop eating laundry detergent, so we try to help these individuals find new roads to recovery.”
If you or someone you know is battling an unusual addiction or behavior and would be interested in appearing on the show, Bolicki asks you to send a short description of the addiction and the impact it has on the sufferer’s daily life to casting@20west.tv. You must include your name, age, city of residence, a current photo and a phone number or email address where you can be reached for further questions.
Here’s a clip of Lori, the Austin woman mentioned above:
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV
April 14, 2011
Here's where to get your royal wedding fix
Our friends over at TV Tango have compiled a list of hundreds of television programs devoting time to the upcoming nuptials of William and Kate.
The usual network suspects are there, but cable channels including the Travel Channel, Food Network and even the Weather Channel are jumping onto the royal bandwagon. Spanish-language network Telemundo also appears frequently in the list, which is broken down by date and time.
Please remember to verify listings before making your watching plans and remember that all of the times listed at TV Tango are for the Eastern time zone, so tune in an hour earlier.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
April 11, 2011
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“House” 7 p.m., Fox: Thirteen is back.
“Law & Order: Los Angeles” 8 p.m., NBC: A revamped, Terrence Howard- and Alfred Molina-heavy “LO:LA” returns tonight with a two-hour kick-off.
“American Experience” 8 p.m., PBS: “The Great Famine” examines American initiatives to aid Russia’s famine-stricken populace in the 1920s.
Tuesday:
“Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution” 7 p.m., ABC: Season 2 begins as Oliver butts heads with the Los Angeles Unified School District.
“Frontline” 8 p.m., PBS: How can we get rank-and-file Texans to watch more public television? Air programs about high school football!
“Body of Proof” 9 p.m., ABC: A detached hand and foot are found and Megan would give an arm and a leg to figure out why.
Wednesday:
“Modern Family” 8 p.m., ABC: Cam gets a temporary gig as a school music teacher — Manny and Luke’s school.
“Shedding for the Wedding” 8 p.m., The CW: Who will win the dream wedding? Tune in to tonight’s first-season finale to find out.
“Happy Endings” 8:30 p.m., ABC: “24’s” Elisha Cuthbert stars in this drippy ensemble comedy, premiering tonight. Unfortunately, no mountain lions are present. A second episode follows.
Thursday:
“The Paul Reiser Show” 7:30 p.m., NBC: The peacock network welcomes Reiser back into it’s fold in a show that resembles HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” but is nowhere near as funny. Adding insult to injury, “Curb’s” Larry David appears in tonight’s premiere episode.
“Bones” 8 p.m., Fox: “Laugh-In” stalwart Jo Anne Worley guest stars as a pet psychic. In other news, Jo Anne Worley is still alive and kicking.
“The Office” 8 p.m., NBC: Will Ferrell’s 4-episode arc begins tonight along with the hard countdown to Steve Carell’s departure.
“Live From the Artists Den” 9 p.m., PBS: Elvis Costello and the Sugarcanes kick off Season 3.
Friday:
“Friday Night Lights” 7 p.m., NBC: Season 5 begins with Coach Taylor’s quest for a better season than last year’s dismal Lions’ outing.
“Fringe” 8 p.m., Fox: Broadcast TV’s best drama is back and the “Fringe” team wants Olivia back, too.
Saturday:
“Truth Be Told” 7 p.m., Fox: What revival of the TV movie would be complete without “American Idol” non-winner Danny Gokey appearing as Danny Gokey?
“Aries Spears: Hollywood, Look I’m Smiling” 8 p.m., Showtime: Well, I hope you’re at the dentist, because nobody else remembers who you are.
Sunday:
“The Buddy Holly Story” 7:30 p.m., Fuse: If you’ve been watching Gary Busey fall apart on the apprentice, check him out circa 1978 when he earned an Oscar nomination for his performance as the titular rock pioneer.
“Game of Thrones” 8 p.m., HBO: The pay cable network’s medieval tale premieres tonight.
“The Killing” 9 p.m., AMC: This wonderfully layered and slow burning murder saga continues with the revelation of more of victim Rosie’s secrets.
“The Borgias” 9 p.m., Showtime: The successor to “The Tudors”-style soft-core history continues with the introduction of Machiavelli. You know, as in: “Wow, that was really Machiavellian.”
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, TV tips
April 8, 2011
'Idol' shocker: Pia sent packing
“American Idol” front-running contestant Pia Toscano was sent packing at the end of the popular Fox reality singing competition’s Thursday elimination show.
Theories on Toscano’s elimination abound, but the most popular seems to be that she was so universally praised that voters, thinking she was a shoe-in, neglected to vote for her. Others blame “Idol’s” assumed young female voting bloc, accused of sending home mostly women this season.
Internet news and entertainment sites are reeling from the shock:
Fox News Latino chronicled judges’ comments, including Jennifer Lopez’ statement that “I have no idea what just happened here. I’m shocked. I’m angry. I don’t even know what to say.”
MTV wrote that “All sense of logic was officially thrown out the window … there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the voting patterns on the 10th season of the show.”
The Daily Mail’s wrap-up included outraged tweets from celebrities including Ashton Kutcher, former “Idol” contestant Jennifer Hudson and even actor Tom Hanks, who wrote, “Don’t have an Idol habit, but how could the USA vote Pia off? I may be done for the Season.”
Commenters on various bogs weren’t as shocked, calling the singer wooden and devoid of personality.
What do you think? Are you in the judges and celebs camp who think Toscano’s elimination is a crime or do you think the singer was little more than a pretty robot who deserved to go? Are you through with “Idol” or do you plan to continue watching?
Did America get it right?
Sound off in the comments below.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Categories: American Idol, Entertainment, Reality TV
April 6, 2011
'Friday Night Lights' Season 5 DVD released
It’s true, most of us haven’t yet seen Season 5 of the critically-acclaimed (and locally-shot) DirecTV/NBC family football drama, “Friday Night Lights.” The final season has already aired on the satellite provider, but doesn’t hit NBC until April 15th.
That didn’t stop Universal Studios from releasing “Friday Night Lights: The Fifth and Final Season,” a three DVD set, on Tuesday. The package includes all 13 episodes of the show’s stellar final season, stills from the entire series run and a 30-minute wrap-up — “As the Lights Go Out,” which is likely to give fans’ tear ducts a Dillon Lions-level workout.
You could just watch from week to week for free on NBC, and for many of you who can’t stomach the thought that the show is coming to an end and want to prolong the final season, that’s the way to go. But the DVD set (list priced at $34.98 but available all over at discount) is there for those who just can’t wait.
Are you going to rush out and buy it now or wait until it hits network TV in a week and a half? Sound off in the comments below.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment, Friday Night Lights, Local people on TV
April 4, 2011
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“The Event” 8 p.m., NBC: They keep calling this show’s embedded aliens “the sleepers,” but I think that’s a more apt description of the audience about ten minutes in.
“Castle” 9 p.m., ABC: A reporter is found dead in a pizza oven. What a horrible way to pie. Er, die.
“Harry’s Law” 9 p.m., NBC: The first season ends tonight, and not a moment too soon.
Tuesday:
“No Ordinary Family’ 7 p.m., ABC: Season 1 (and probably the series, as key cast members are filming new pilots) wraps up tonight.
“The Good Wife” 9 p.m., CBS: Alicia takes on Michael J. Fox.
Wednesday:
“Extreme Couponing” 8 p.m., TLC: We are one step closer to the “Mr. Show with Bob and David” bit “Coupon — the Movie” becoming a reality.
“Breaking In” 8:30 p.m., Fox: Christian Slater has killed off a couple of dramas in the past few years; let’s see how he does in a comedy, I guess.
“Off the Map” 9 p.m., ABC: The first season ends tonight (see “Harry’s Law,” above, for rest of description).
“Glamour Belles” 9 p.m., Lifetime: Tonight is the premiere episode of this reality series that takes place in a Tennessee pageant dress shop.
“Tori & Dean: sTORIbook Weddings” 9 p.m., Oxygen: I guess anybody can be a wedding planner. I already knew anybody can be a reality show star.
“Workaholics” 9:30 p.m., Comedy Central: Ostensibly a comedy, this new series focuses on a trio of hard-partying telemarketers.
Thursday:
“Bones” 8 p.m., Fox: Something bad is afoot — like 14 dismembered feet.
“Real Housewives of New York City” 9 p.m., Bravo: Season 4 kicks off with a rooftop mixer. And by mixer, I mean cocktail blender.
“Gigolos” 10 p.m., Showtime: What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. And, in the case of this new show about male escorts, it also gets beamed to the homes of millions of pay-cable subscribers.
Friday:
“Shark Tank” 7 p.m., ABC: Jeff Foxworthy joins the gang of potential investors. Man, how demoralizing would it be to have your business idea rejected by Jeff Foxworthy?
“Who Do You Think You Are?” 7 p.m., NBC: Ashley Judd’s ancestry is explored in the Season 2 wrap-up.
Saturday:
“NASCAR Racing” 6 p.m., Fox: Want to watch cars go in circles for four hours? You’ve come to the right place.
“Saturday Night Live” 10:30 p.m., NBC: If Betty White fared okay on the long-running sketch show, this week’s host Helen Mirren should be outstanding. The Foo Fighters perform.
Sunday:
“Secret Millionaire” 7 p.m., ABC: It’s the season finale so, after tonight, all of you millionaires can take the summer off, okay?
“Human Planet” 7 p.m., Discovery: New documentary series examines people and the environment.
“The Simpsons” 7 p.m., Fox: Attention, magic geeks: Penn and Teller guest star with David Copperfield as Lisa becomes a magician’s assistant.
“The Judds” 8 p.m., OWN: Hey, Ashley’s famous kin need TV time, too. The kickoff of this six-part series shows the mother-daughter country music duo prepping for their 2010 reunion tour.
“Born Fighting” 8 p.m., Smithsonian: Democratic Senator James Webb of Virginia hosts this look at the Scotch-Irish influence on America.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, TV tips
April 2, 2011
Enter our TV theme song contest
My Sunday column this week is all about theme songs vanishing from television programs.
In conjunction with that column, I’m running a contest. From the column:
Austin is a musical city, and TV shows need themes. South by Southwest is over, and you’re either musically inspired or seeking your next gig. So here’s the deal: Let’s write theme songs for shows that don’t have them. Create something supernatural for “Supernatural.” Knock out a theme for “The Event” (quick, before it’s canceled!). It doesn’t even need to be a current show — go ahead and give “Lost” the “Gilligan’s Island” treatment.
If you want to, just create lyrics for an existing musical theme like Prady did for “Hawaii Five-0”: They live in Hawaii/And they’re really tough/One of them’s named Danno/As if that’s not enough …
Hum it, sing it a cappella, or grab a guitar, keyboard or bongos and play along if you’d like. Get the band back together and jam out for “Grey’s Anatomy.” Add visuals if you’re so inclined, but feel free to keep it bare-bones simple — it could just be you, your dulcet tones and a cellphone camera.
When you’ve got something good, upload it to YouTube and send me a link. I’ll put the most creative entries on the TV Blog and reward my favorite with some of the ridiculous promotional stuff the networks won’t stop sending me.
As an example, I wrote and recorded a cheesy, retro sitcom theme song for “The Middle.” Check it out, above. Don’t worry if you can’t sing; I can’t either. I’ll score on cleverness, not vocal prowess. And remember, your entry doesn’t have to be this elaborate; it could be as simple as just singing into your webcam.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment
April 1, 2011
HBO announces return dates for 'True Blood,' others
From an HBO press release:
The 12-episode fourth season of “True Blood” will kick off Sunday, June 26 at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT). Based on the popular Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris, this hit drama series was created by Alan Ball, creator of HBO’s Emmy®-winning series “Six Feet Under.” The show follows the romance between waitress Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), who can hear people’s thoughts, and her soul mate, 173-year-old vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer).
The 10-episode eighth season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” will kick off Sunday, July 10 at 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT). This Emmy®- and Golden Globe-winning comedy series stars “Seinfeld” co-creator Larry David as himself in an unsparing but tongue-in-cheek depiction of his life. The new season was shot in New York and Los Angeles.
The 8-episode eighth and final season of “Entourage” will kick off Sunday, July 24 at 10:30 p.m. (ET/PT). Created by Doug Ellin, this hit comedy series draws on the experiences of Hollywood insiders and stars Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara and three-time Emmy® winner Jeremy Piven.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
Creator Weiner wins some, loses some in 'Mad Men' fight
“Mad Men” is coming back to AMC, but not ‘til 2012. According to series creator Matthew Weiner, the far-off return date is not due to the contentious and protracted contract negotiations he just wrapped up with the cable network.
Weiner told Deadline.com that AMC informed him in October that its full slate of original programming meant the show could not return this summer as Weiner wanted.
Reports had pegged the negotiations’ sticking points as issues with cast members, episode length and product placement. AMC had reportedly asked Weiner to cut (or drastically reduce the presence of) two full-time cast members each year of the next three years.
It appears as though Weiner won that particular battle — although he said he reserves the right to cut cast members for dramatic purposes.
AMC also demanded that each episode be cut by 2 minutes, from 47 to 45 minutes in length. Let’s call that one a draw — Weiner will create 47-minute versions of all episodes, but only the first and last of each season will be broadcast on AMC. Weiner will deliver 45-minute versions of all other episodes to the network, with the original, full length versions being available through other outlets including iTunes and DVD.
Finally, Weiner seems to have won on the product placement point, too. He told Deadline.com that the series’ existing policy will not change. “I don’t want the audience to feel they are being sold on the show,” he said.
The contract puts Weiner in place for two more years, although Deadline.com says his 3-year deal with producer Lionsgate means that this is essentially a renewal through Season 7, which Weiner has said should be the series’ last.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
March 31, 2011
70th annual Peabody Awards winners announced
Claire Danes in HBO’s “Temple Grandin.”
The University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication has announced the winners of the 70th Annual Peabody Awards, which honor excellence in electronic media.
“For 70 years the Peabody Award has defined excellence in electronic media,” said Horace Newcomb, director of the Peabody Awards. “This list of Peabody recipients continues the commitment of the University of Georgia and the Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, the stewards of the award. With that commitment, we challenge media makers and distributors to reach higher, try harder and be ever mindful of their central role in public life.”
This year’s record 39 recipients include miniseries such as HBO’s “The Pacific,” documentaries including PBS’ “Independent Lens” and entertainment programs such as CBS’ “The Good Wife” and TNT’s “Men of a Certain Age.” The locally-filmed HBO movie “Temple Grandin” was also honored.
Here is a list of the TV winners:
Justified (FX)
Great Performances: Macbeth (PBS)
Coverage of the Gulf Oil Spill (CNN)
The Pacific (HBO)
Sherlock: A Study in Pink (PBS)
LennonNYC (PBS)
Burma VJ (HBO)
Men of a Certain Age (TNT)
Independent Lens: Reel Injun: On the Trail of the Hollywood Indian (PBS)
Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals (HBO)
Wonders of the Solar System with Brian Cox (Science Channel)
Degrassi: My Body Is a Cage (TeenNick)
My Lai (PBS)
For Neda (HBO)
12th & Delaware (HBO)
Elia Kazan: A Letter to Elia (PBS)
If God Is Willing and da Creek Don’t Rise (HBO)
William Kentridge: Anything Is Possible (PBS)
30 for 30 (ESPN)
POV: The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers
(PBS)
Temple Grandin (HBO)
The Wounded Patrol (PBS)
The Good Wife (CBS)
Dallas, Texas television station WFAA was honored for “Bitter Lessons,” an investigation that “exposed abuses by government-funded ‘career’ schools that provide poor training and sometimes leave desperate students deeper in debt than they started,” and C-SPAN was awarded for its video library (cspan.org/videolibrary), a searchable online archive of every program the network has shown since 1987.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV
Both "FNL" leads might be headed to FX
TV.com reports that “Friday Night Lights” star Kyle Chandler is being courted by FX. The cable network wants him to star in “Powers,” one of two upcoming TV projects that thrusts cops into supernatural worlds.
Connie Britton, who plays Chandler’s wife on “FNL,” has already been signed to FX’s “American Horror Story,” a drama from “Glee’s” Ryan Murphy (that project just got eponentially more appealing with the signing “True Blood’s” wonderfully malevolent Denis O’Hare).
Will you follow Chandler and Britton to their next TV projects? Can you see them playing anyone other than the Taylors? Sound off in the comments below.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Fall TV, Friday Night Lights, Local people on TV
March 29, 2011
AMC: 'Mad Men' to return in 2012
We’ll have to wait a while to see how Don Draper’s new marriage is working out for him.
Zap2It reports that AMC has finally authorized production on Season 5 of it’s popular 1960’s-era advertising drama “Mad Men” while it continues to complete “non-cast negotiations” with creator Matthew Weiner. Protracted negotiations, however, have pushed the series’ next installment to early 2012.
AMC announced the deal in response to earlier reports about contentious, fever-pitched negotiations between Weiner and the network on budgeting — specifically, the infusion of product placement into episodes, a slight trimming of each episode to make room for additional commercials and the elimination or scaling-back of two cast members, according to stories including this one at Deadline.com.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment
March 28, 2011
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“All Together Now: A Celebration of Service” 7 p.m., NBC: Former presidents and current U.S. leader Barack Obama pay tribute to American volunteerism.
“Mad Love” 7:30 p.m., CBS: The wonderful Judy Greer and some other actors you don’t need to worry about engage in relationship-based shenanigans.
“Nurse Jackie” 9 p.m., Showtime: Emmy-winner Edie Falco returns for a third season as the titular pill-popping anti-hero.
“United States of Tara” 9:30 p.m., Showtime: A stellar season 3 kicks off as Tara (and the multiple personalities dwelling with her) head back to college.
Tuesday:
“Jump City Seattle” 7 p.m., G4: Were you aware that the wall-and-roof-jumping pseudo-sport “parkour” has playoffs? Nor was I.
“Dancing With the Stars” 8 p.m., ABC: Who stays and who goes? Find out in the season’s first results episode.
“Body of Proof” 9 p.m., ABC: Dana Delaney plays a disgraced former surgeon who becomes a medical examiner/crime-solver. It’s like Quincy, but prettier.
Wednesday:
“American Idol” 7 p.m., Fox: Do you like ‘80s music? Tune in tonight and see it trashed, karaoke-style.
“Criminal Minds” 8 p.m., CBS: Thugs attack a new victim every night. It’s nice, at least, that they don’t keep killing the same victim, I guess.
“Mr. Sunshine” 8:30 p.m., ABC: A funeral at the Sunshine Center/ it’s probably just a bit too early for this series to start mourning. But just a bit.
Thursday:
“Grey’s Anatomy” 8 p.m., ABC: Yep, it’s a musical episode. Seattle Grace-Mercy West, meet shark.
“Mobbed” 8 p.m., Fox: Host Howie Mandel looses flash mobs on an unsuspecting public in this “Glee”-ful new series.
“Swamp People” 8 p.m., History: Season 2 begins with tem prep work.
“True Crime with Aphrodite Jones” 9 p.m., I.D.: The JonBenet Ramsey case is reexamined in the Season 2 kickoff.
Friday:
“CHAOS” 7 p.m., CBS: Yes, another spy drama hits the airwaves. No, this is not an April Fool’s joke. Freddy Rodriguez stars.
“Camelot” 9 p.m., Starz: Arthur inherits the throne in the premiere of this historical drama.
Saturday:
“NCAA Basketball Tournament: Final Four” 5 p.m., CBS: Live from Houston.
“NCAA Basketball Tournament: Final Four” 7:30 p.m., CBS: Are you still suffering from March madness? You know that it’s April, right?
Sunday:
“Secret Millionaire” 7 p.m., ABC: The couple who owns fitness company Curves spend time in Houston’s dangerous Third Ward. Then, I guess, they head back to their mansion.
“Academy of Country Music Awards” 7 p.m., CBS: From Las Vegas, Blake Shelton and Reba McEntire watch Miranda Lambert perform and probably clean-up on awards. Other performers include Taylor Swift, Toby Keith and Keith Urban.
“The Civil War” 7 p.m., PBS: Director Ken Burns’ landmark documentary gets a rerun starting tonight.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Mid-season TV, Random thoughts, TV tips
March 15, 2011
Recap: 'The Bachelor' week 11
After ten weeks, we finally know what it takes to make stoic, careful Brad Womack show some real emotion: his family. The Austin bar owner — who has been so expressive on this season of “The Bachelor” that he could have a second career appearing in those Old Navy mannequin ads — turned on the waterworks when his family appeared from the brush outside his temporary Cape Town, South Africa digs. Naturally, because he’s displaying actual emotion, Brad covers his face and moves away from the camera (and, not incidentally, his loved ones).
The fam asks him if he’s ready to propose to somebody. Brad tells them that he’s narrowed it down to two special ladies and, actually, that since he skipped proposing to either finalist the last time he was on the show and since he’s been enjoying the final season of “Big Love” on HBO so much, he’s going to propose to both of them.
Just kidding.
Brad says that he wants his family to help him choose his new wife and I don’t get that at all because I don’t even let my family pick out my ties.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Reality TV
March 14, 2011
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“The Bachelor” 7 p.m., ABC: Everybody sing, Toto-style — “Brad picks his ma-ate down in Aaaa-frica …” Tune in tonight to see which woman wins this game show’s prize: a person she’ll wake up next to every day for the rest of her life (no, there’s no “door number two”).
“The Event” 8 p.m., NBC: I don’t know why the aliens bothered to launch a satellite to send that coded message to their people when they could have just updated their status on Spacebook.
“Wedding Wars” 8 p.m., VH1: One Austin presence on a reality show ends; another begins. Look for a local couple on the premiere of this reality program that makes the pre-wedding period seem hellish. See? Reality!
Tuesday:
“Glee” 7 p.m., Fox: Blah, blah, blah, Sue, blah, blah, original music, blah, blah, Regionals, blah, blah, blah, blah, Sue.
“V” 8 p.m., ABC: Season 2 — and, quite possibly, the series — ends tonight with another predictable setback for the human freedom fighters.
Wednesday:
“Shedding for the Wedding” 8 p.m., The CW: I know that contestants have to leave the show, but it seems a little extreme when the trip is by ambulance.
“Mr. Sunshine” 8:30 p.m., ABC: Troubadour James Taylor guest stars. Did anyone else always think that song “Shower the People” was about gym class?
“Off the Map” 9 p.m., ABC: When has a show’s title ever better explained where it lands on viewers’ priority lists?
Thursday:
“Bones” 8 p.m., Fox: Booth and Brennan are trapped in an elevator. I hope there isn’t a Steven Tyler crossover from that other Fox show.
Friday:
“Supernanny” 7 p.m. ABC: The series concludes tonight. I feel a little guilty that I’ve never watched it, but I just didn’t think I could get into a weekly serial about Clark Kent’s babysitter.
Saturday:
“Pompeii: Back from the Dead” 7 p.m., Discovery: It looks like Discovery is the last network to cash in on the zombie craze.
“HGTV Dream Home Giveaway” 7 p.m., HGTV: Find out who won the vermont ski retreat, half a million bucks and a new car tonight.
“Norbit” 8 p.m., ABC: Hey, here’s something different - a film in which Eddie Murphy plays multiple roles!
Sunday:
“Celebrity Apprentice” 8 p.m., NBC: Two teams try to out-Sheen each other.
“Detroit 1-8-7” 9 p.m., ABC: Season 1 ends tonight and Fitch and his crew search for clues about the possibility of a Season 2.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Mid-season TV, Random thoughts, TV tips
March 11, 2011
TV at SXSW Interactive
If you see me roaming around the Austin Convention Center or any of the other downtown venues teeming with SXSWers over the next five or six days, say hello — I’ll be among the throng of Statesman staff covering the annual event.
Why send the TV guy to a tech gathering? It turns out that television — in both its technological creeping into the online world and its increasing interactivity with social media — continues to grow in importance as a Festival topic.
If you catch me on Friday, I’ll be the excited, eager, smiling fellow attending lots of TV-related panels.
By late Saturday, I will be the weary, dragging guy wearing a scowl and trying to find a free plug to charge up his MacBook between lots of TV-related panels.
Sunday morning, thanks to the extra hour of sleep provided by the end of daylight savings time, I will again be the excited, eager dude attending lots of TV-related panels.
By Tuesday night, I will resemble one of the zombies from AMC’s “The Walking Dead.”
Here are some of the (mostly TV-related) panels and events I expect to be covering during the Interactive portion of SXSW. You will be able to find my write-ups shortly after each concludes over on the Digital Savant Blog:
- Fan to Fanatic: True Blood’s Marketing Hook
- Hate Gone Viral
- It’s Not TV, It’s Social TV
- Social Media is Science Fiction
- RockLive Presents: SXSW ScreenBurn Mike Tyson Meet & Greet
- Old Spice Resurrected: How Aging Icon Pwned Internet
- Subtle Sexuality: NBC.com Adds Spice to Shows
- Barry Diller Shares Insight on All Things Media
- SXSW keynote: Felicia Day
- TV Networks Extending Interactivity for Fans
- SXSW meet up: Convergence with Turner Broadcasting
- Practically Funny: How Alternative Comedy Kings Have Learned To Reach the Masses
- What We Really Want In Web TV
- Ask Oprah’s All-Stars with Suze Orman, Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz
- Cristina’s Big Bowl of Love with Cristina Ferrare
- Enough Already with Peter Walsh
- The Gayle King Show
- In The Bedroom With Dr. Laura Berman
- Kidnapped By The Kids
- Miracle Detectives
- Oprah Presents Master Class
- Our America with Lisa Ling
- Searching For …
- Season 25: Oprah Behind The Scenes
- Your OWN Show: Oprah’s Search For The Next TV Star
- Simon did not seek out the police beat, it’s simply what was assigned to him at the Baltimore Sun, at which point he just tried to get as good at job as he possibly could.
- Newspapers, Simon said, react when people of note are killed or someone is killed in the wrong zip code. He claimed that most people took that as ‘that’s the way news works.’ But it seemed to him to miss what was really going on in Baltimore, where the culture of drugs had devalued black and brown life. The extraordinary thing, he said, was how routine the violence had become.
- Simon dismissed criticism that some of his characters dialogue has been difficult to understand. “My fear as a writer,” he said, “is that people living the event will read what I wrote and say this guy is a fraud. That fear has served me really well in terms of writing dialogue.” Authenticity is crucial to Simon. “Anything worth writing about in a narrative way is worth getting right.”
- When he was 11- or 12-years-old, Simon read Jim Bouton’s baseball biography, “Ball Four.” “It’s not only a great book about baseball,” he said, “it’s a great book about America … he was a marginal player and he basically took notes for a year. It was beautifully written as sort of a diary of a baseball player. It’s not only about him and his baseball team, it’s about America changing in the 1970s.” Bouton made the players in the book palpably human in a way they never were when they were just baseball cards and stats, Simon said, calling it “revolutionary.”
- On New Orleans residents: “Their nuances have nuances.”
- Simon called network procedurals and reality crime shows including “Cops” “the indulgence of our most fascistic impulses.”
- The former journalist said that seeing the argument for the Iraq war disintegrate so quickly was “really shocking.” He claimed it was as if the administration was saying that the truth no longer mattered, that they’d moved past it.
- The great thing about HBO, Simon said, is that “you could dissent.” He claims the pay cable network was initially afraid of “The Wire” because they thought it was a cop show, and broadcast networks did cop shows. HBO feared that viewers would say “that’s not HBO, it’s TV.” He penned a memo to HBO bigwigs telling them that it would be the end of the beginning for them to do something firmly in the broadcast network wheelhouse. But if they could take a form that the networks owned and subvert it, it would be successful.
- SImon reiterated what he’d told me earlier about ratings not being as important for HBO shows. But he added that his shows generally have a good shelf life beyond their initial runs. “The Wire” sells more DVDs now, he said, than when it was initially on the air.
- “Treme,” Simon said, “is an argument for the American city.” He talked about how small-town values were being pushed at the Republican Presidential Convention, but called the push for a return to a Norman Rockwell-esque vision of America “absurd,” noting that America is becoming more urban and multicultural every day. He joked about the sanitization of Manhattan, saying the only place anyone would get mugged there is in a four-star restaurant.
- Simon says New Orleans, the setting for “Treme,” breathes culture in a way a lot of city’s don’t.
- Music plays a big part in New Orleans andSimon talked about the difficulties of incorporating so much music into a series. It’s difficult to leave so much of it out because it’s so good, he said, but he insisted that the music must either be advancing the narrative or the story must be moving while the music plays in the background. “If the storytelling is stopped during the music,” he explained, “you had better not stay with it for more than 45 seconds.”
- Full versions of many “Treme” musical numbers are available on iTunes, Simon noted. Since they were released after the season, they are not selling well and some of the proceeds go to charity.
- Simon said that while it’s not fair to judge fan (and initial critical) reaction as harshly as he does, he is “generally disappointed” in online commentary of his work.
- “The ugliest part of writing is being alone,” Simon said, calling the craft “an act of sheer bravado and vanity.” He questioned why he should be the one who gets to stand up in front of the campfire and tell us his story. “Me holding court is effrontery even if I get away with it and I know that,” he said. “The ones who don’t know that are the dangerous ones. “
- Simon claims he did not do well at anything academically after the 7th grade, when he discovered girls.
- His father once told him that you learn to write by reading other writers. Journalists, he said, have stopped reading, claiming they read what’s in their own papers or on their own beats. It’s the same in Hollywood, he added, where smart people differentiate themselves by reading aggressively and widely.
- As a child, Rosenthal would watch “The Honeymooners” and, he says, “I wanted to be them.”
- He tried to perform stand up comedy once. “It scared the hell out of me,” he said.
- When Rosenthal arrived in Russia, his fear of being killed was soon replaced by his fear that the Russians were going to ruin his show.
- Vodka flows freely in Russia. “I got hammered at every meal,’ Rosenthal said.
- Most people think you should write as broadly as you can in order to reach as many as possibly. Just the opposite is true, Rosenthal said. “Write as specifically as you can.”
- Rosenthal’s first sitcom was with Robert Mitchum in 1989. He followed that up with “Baby Talk,” the television version of the “Look Who’s Talking” films.
- The writer/director had high praise for Stephen Colbert, who he called “The Fred Astaire of comedians,” praising his verbal dexterity.
- Who else on TV does Rosenthal like? Louis C.K. A lot.
- Rosenthal had one speaking line in “The Simpsons Movie.” At the end, he says, when his name appeared in the credits, his son turned to him and said “finally you’ve done something I can be proud of.”
- One audience member asked Rosenthal the difference between writing for television and writing for the Web. “The Web is shorter,” Rosenthal said.
- A few weeks into “Everybody Loves Raymond,” Rosenthal got a call from Norman Lear inviting him to lunch. Lear said he was bringing a friend, who turned out to be Carl Reiner. They’re all buddies now, Rosenthal said. “I’m the young one.”
- When Rosenthal was developing the sitcom based partially on the real life of comedian Ray Romano, who was set to star, he got a call from Scott Baio, who wanted to audition for the part of Raymond. Rosenthal said anytime Romano got out of line he reminded the comic that Scott Baio was waiting in the wings.
- Rosenthal was asked if the reality television series he is currently developing would be based around his own parents, who were the model for the parents in “Everybody Loves Raymond” and practically steal his new film. “No,” he replied. “Let them get their own damned show.”
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment, TV Technology
March 10, 2011
'Friday Night Lights' to receive Television Academy Honor
Austin-shot “Friday Night Lights,” the NBC/DirecTV drama that has concluded its 5-season run on the latter (the final season begins airing on NBC April 15) is one of eight programs chosen to receive the Television Academy Honor” award. Bestowed by the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences, the awards recognize “Television with a Conscience.”
“We continue to be impressed each year by the amount of programming that not only entertains the audience, but uses the medium of television to showcase and expand understanding about important social issues,” said the Academy Chairman and CEO John Shaffner. “The programs selected exemplify the idea of television with a conscience.”
“Friday Night Lights” was recognized for “I Can’t,” an episode dealing with teen pregnancy. From the Academy’s press release:
One of America’s most acclaimed family drama series tackles a difficult situation that teens and adults face every day: unwanted pregnancy. As Becky (Madison Burge) faces a heartbreaking decision and seeks support, information and advice from friends and total strangers, the episode delves into the human emotion surrounding abortion with honesty and grace, never succumbing to the politically charged emotion that usually overwhelms the dialogue around this controversial issue. (Produced by Imagine Television, Film 44 and Universal Media Studios)
The Awards will be handed out May 5 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Read about the other winners after the jump.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Friday Night Lights, Local people on TV
March 8, 2011
Recap: 'The Bachelor' week 10, March 7
Wow.
That just confirmed my worst fears about how groups of women behave when they are alone together.
With Chris Harrison.
And a studio audience.
On national television.
If last week was “Wild Kingdom,” Monday’s episode was a National Geographic special featuring a pride of jungle cats (although, seriously, did y’all see any pride last night?) circling the wagons around a spider named Michelle.
“The Bachelor’s” rejects, almost none of whom I remembered (or recognized … what happened to Ashley H.?) returned to discuss their experiences on the show and hash out their feuds, but mostly to tear into this season’s villain with relish.
Mmmmmm … relish (sorry — the season recap was so boring that I started daydreaming about those new hot dogs they showed on the Sonic commercial).
Can spiders shed crocodile tears? Because Michelle had the waterworks cranked up to a degree that could put the rest of this week’s ABC shows under a watering ban. Revenge is indeed a dish best served cold and I guess when that coldness mixes with the “hot seat,” it creates rain … from Michelle’s eyes.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, Reality TV
March 7, 2011
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“The Bachelor: The Women Tell All” 7 p.m., ABC: Brads rejects return to confront him and each other in this season-stretching episode.
“The Event” 7 p.m., NBC: Remember this show? Nah, me neither. But whatever it is, I guess it’s back. Are you excited? Nah, me neither.
“Greek” 8 p.m., ABC Family: That’s all, folks. This series calls it quits after tonight’s episode.
“Outrageous Kid Parties” 8:30 p.m., TLC: An 8-year-old gets an extravagant rock and roll-themed bash. I hope they keep the groupies and hotel room-trashing to a minimum.
“Stargate Universe” 9 p.m., Syfy: It’s still canceled, but the final ten episodes begin airing tonight.
Tuesday:
“Glee” 7 p.m., Fox: Gwyneth Paltrow is back, this time as the substitute sex education teacher.
“Southland” 9 p.m., TNT: Season 3 concludes with Ben’s last day as a rookie.
Wednesday:
“Are We There Yet?” 8 p.m., TBS: Nope, not yet.
“Weatherproof” 8 p.m., TWC: Sure, knowing how to break out of a crevasse seems like a pretty specialized piece of information. But when you need it, it’s really going to come in handy.
“Nothing Personal” 9 p.m., Discovery I.D.: When your nickname is “Champagne” or “Big Sal,” you’re either an exotic dancer or a mobster. In the case of this new series, it’s the latter.
Thursday:
“The Big Bang Theory” 7 p.m., CBS: Leonard must choose between Priya and penny. Oh, the predicaments ladies’ man nerds find themselves in.
“Man vs. Wild” 8 p.m., Discovery: Snakes and leeches? I know it would mean the end of the series, but I’ve got to bet on “wild” this week.
Friday:
“Fringe” 8 p.m., Fox: I don’t think the harm Walter’s done to the fabric of the universe is going to be solved with a pre-wash stain lifter.
“Say Yes to the Dress” 8 p.m., TLC: The title of this episode is “Search and Dress-cue” which, if you ask me, sounds kind of “Dress-perate.”
Saturday:
“I Love Lucy Marathon” 5 a.m., Hallmark: This runs until 3 a.m. Monday, so chances are your favorite episode is playing at some point.
“Rascal Flatts: Nothing Like This” 8 p.m., ABC: The country acts performs from St. Paul, Minnesota.
“Battle of Los Angeles” 8 p.m., Syfy: Aliens arrive, possibly to take Charlie Sheen home.
“Saturday Night Live” 10:30 p.m., NBC: Comic Zach Galifianakis returns to host.
Sunday:
“Secret Millionaire” 7 p.m., ABC: Tonight’s millionaire is a real estate magnate who’s also an Elvis impersonator. See — that’s exactly the kind of thing you’d want to keep secret.
“Sister Wives” 8 p.m., TLC: Season 2 begins tonight.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
March 1, 2011
Dish Network issues statement on carriage feud with KXAN, KNVA
Dish Network has weighed in on the ongoing retransmission battle with LIN Media, owner of Austin NBC affiliate KXAN and The CW outlet KNVA that we reported yesterday. Dish Network subscribers will lose those channels beginning on March 5 if a new agreement between broadcaster and the satellite provider is not reached.
Here is the statement from Dish:
“LIN Media, a corporate media conglomerate, is threatening to block DISH Network customers from watching its local channels in 17 markets across the country. LIN Media is demanding more than a 140 percent rate hike and other burdensome contract terms that ultimately will result in higher prices for consumers. We are pleased the FCC is meeting this week to seek changes to the outdated retransmission consent process. In the meantime, DISH Network is diligently negotiating with LIN Media, and we’re hopeful we can reach a fair agreement.”
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, TV Technology
Recap: 'The Bachelor' week 9, Feb. 28
Welcome to the jungle.
There are roaring lions; funny-looking giraffes; big gray elephants; and a slow, lumbering creature that drags its knuckles on the ground as it walks.
Sorry, Brad, that was a cheap shot.
This week Brad and the three remaining harem members are in South Africa doing all kinds of South African-y things. He begins the episode by saying that he has no clue what he’s doing and I’m thinking that might be the first time he’s struck me as having a clue.
He’s going to spend a whole day (and, if he plays his cards right, a whole night) with each contestant — Chantal, Emily and Ashley. He starts with Chantal because the producers asked him to go in alphabetical order. Sorry — that was another cheap shot, but nothing is happening yet and I’m bored.
Brad asks Chantal to guess what they’re going to do on their date. Chantal is thinking, “Duh. We’re in the middle of a wildlife refuge in South Africa.” But she doesn’t want to lose the game, so she gamely asks, “Safari?” and Brad is all stunned that she figured it out. Everything Brad does is “amazing” to Chantal. He’s an “amazing, amazing man.’ He’s “so amazing.” Amazing, amazing, amazing. And I’m thinking he must be doing magic tricks off camera or something, because I’ve been watching this show for nine weeks and I haven’t seen a single thing yet I’d describe as “amazing.”
Read about the dates and find out who goes home after the jump.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Reality TV, Recap
February 28, 2011
Dish Network subscribers might lose KXAN and KNVA
Sigh.
Another ongoing retransmission fight might result in Dish Network subscribers losing access to Austin NBC affiliate KXAN and The CW outlet KNVA beginning March 5.
These stations are important assets to the local community,” Eric Lassberg, president and general manager of KXAN and KNVA said via press release. “Without a fair agreement, we will not be able to provide the premiere news, sports, entertainment, weather, traffic updates, political coverage and other local and national programming that is most important to you.”
The same press release says that it appears unlikely that a new agreement between the satellite television provider and Lin Media, owner of the stations, will be reached by the midnight, March 4 deadline.
In the event of an impasse, viewers are being urged to seek alternative methods of viewing such as switching providers or obtaining the signal via over-the-air antenna.
More information on the dispute can be found at the KXAN website.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Entertainment, TV Technology, TV tips
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“The Bachelor” 7 p.m., ABC: Yeah, Brad and his babes are headed to Africa. But the real excitement tonight comes from the announcement of the next “Dancing With the Stars” cast (if you’re into that sort of thing).
“The Cape” 8 p.m., NBC: Elliott Gould and Li’l Romeo win this week’s “most mis-matched guest stars” award.
“Alan K. Simpson: Nothing Else Matters” 9 p.m., PBS: This look at the former Wyoming Senator features one of the last interviews with the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.
Tuesday:
“American Idol” 7 p.m., Fox: Voting begins as the guys kick off the competition phase of the musical reality competition.
“In Performance at the White House” 7 p.m., PBS: Michelle and President Barack Obama host a tribute to Motown.
“Cuff Me If You Can” 9 p.m., Investigation Discovery: The premiere of this documentary series about criminals on the lam profiles a 2007 murderer.
Wednesday:
“American Idol” 7 p.m., ABC: And now it’s the girls’ turn.
“Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior” 9 p.m., CBS: The gang tracks down a serial killer who removes a victim’s eyes. Where was he or she before I had to watch “Shedding for the Wedding?”
Thursday:
“Islam and the West” 7 p.m., Smithsonian: This new series’ title says it all.
“KLRU Civic Summit: Planning the Future” 7:30 p.m., PBS: Former mayors of Austin, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio discuss Austin’s transition to a major city.
“Fairly Legal” 9 p.m., USA: Kate takes on Homeland Security.
Friday:
“The Defenders” 7 p.m., CBS: Kathy Griffin guest stars. Who knew the “D” in D-List stood for “Defenders?”
“NAACP Image Awards” 7 p.m., Fox: Wayne Brady and Holly Robinson Peete co-host this tribute to African American artists.
Saturday:
“Lobster Wars” 7 p.m., Green: Where do they get those tiny guns and uniforms?
“Secrets from a Stylist” 8 p.m., HGTV: Hey — I thought stylists were supposed to keep secrets, like bartenders and therapists.
“Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3D” 9 p.m., GAC: The country crooner performs his greatest hits.
Sunday:
“Secret Millionaire” 7 p.m., ABC: Season 2 of the reality series kicks off with millionaire Dani Johnson, who started the first of her five businesses from her car’s trunk.
“America’s Next Great Restaurant” 7 p.m., NBC: It’s probably not America’s next great TV show, but who knows? The series opener finds 21 contestants competing to open their own restaurant chain.
“Celebrity Apprentice” 8 p.m., NBC: 16 celebs including Gary Busey and Meat Loaf kick off Season 11.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Mid-season TV, Random thoughts, TV tips
February 25, 2011
Zach Anner wins show on Oprah's network
Meet Zach Anner, national television star. In a surprise move, Oprah Winfrey awarded both the Austin resident and his co-finalist, Kristina Kuzmic-Crocco, their own shows on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Anner will produce a humorous “travel show for people who never thought they could travel.” Anner knows something about the topic, having spent his life in a wheelchair as a result of cerebral palsy.
As one of ten out of 15,000 applicants chosen to appear on the reality competition “Your OWN Show: Oprah’s Search for the Next TV Star,” Anner excelled week after week, charming the show’s hosts and celebrity mentors, and earning the respect of his competitors as they fell away one by one.
In Friday’s finale, Winfrey expressed concerns about the physical toll his own show could take on Anner but, in the end, he was just too good to pass up. The pair’s prizes also include a new car and $100,000 from sponsor Kohl’s
“On the day of my pilot shoot I had a fever of 100-and-something. So when you saw me coughing (during the finale), it’s because I was dying,” Anner joked to a crowd of friends and fans at a private Alamo Drafthouse watch party. He had high praise for his competitor, asking the crowd to root for Kristina as well. “We were legitimately rooting for each other,” he said.
“I’m a lucky dude, because I really have no talent,” Anner said, adding that he wants to film an episode in Austin. “Without this city, I would never have learned the skills to do so well,” he said.
Anner’s show is expected to premiere sometime this summer.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Reality TV
Trailer for Friday's 'Fringe' throwback episode
Tonight’s episode of “Fringe” is a good one, focusing almost entirely on young Olivia and Peter, as well as both Walters and their wives. Learn how Walternate discovered the alternate universe (and a technology never fully realized in our universe that he was responsible for creating in his) as well as a peek into Olivia’s abusive childhood home life.
Check out this trailer and watch the entire episode tonight at 8 p.m. CT on Fox.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
February 24, 2011
Shami to appear on 'Celebrity Apprentice'
Maybe former Texas gubernatorial candidate and self-proclaimed “hair king” Farouk Shami can give the Donald some grooming tips.
An NBC press release reveals that Shami, who lost the 2010 Texas Democratic primary nomination to former Houston mayor Bill White, will appear with host Donald Trump as a guest judge on the May 1 episode of “Celebrity Apprentice.”
Watch the drama unfold beginning Sunday, March 6 at 9 p.m. Eastern! NBC’s hit show The Celebrity Apprentice returns to primetime for its 11th consecutive season. Making a guest appearance amid the all-star line up will be Farouk Systems Founder and Chairman, Farouk Shami, who will appear as a guest judge during a special task in episode 9 airing May 1st.
“The next season of The Celebrity Apprentice will be the most exciting yet,” said Donald Trump, the show’s star and executive producer. “We are thrilled to bring back the celebrity format with 16 new and unbelievably talented celebrities who will help me make The Celebrity Apprentice one of the hottest shows on television this spring. Our cast and the tasks they perform in conjunction with our sponsor partners are just outstanding. As the top television shows for product placement and brand integration, The Apprentice proves the extraordinary value we offer to our sponsor partners.”
This season’s cast includes Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe Leakes, actresses Lisa Rinna and Marlee Matlin, model Niki Taylor, singer Dionne Warwick, former The View co-host Star Jones, Playmate Hope Dworaczyk and LaToya Jackson. On the men’s side, rapper Lil Jon, actor Gary Busey, former baseball player Jose Canseco, Survivor winner Richard Hatch, former teen idol David Cassidy, and singers Meat Loaf, John Rich and Sugar Ray lead singer Mark McGrath.
“Watch me, the Hair King, on The Celebrity Apprentice with my good friend Donald Trump,” Shami said. “We are proud to have gotten the opportunity to share in this experience. You won’t want to miss out on this season!”
The newest season of The Celebrity Apprentice premieres Sunday March 6th at 9 p.m. on NBC.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Reality TV
OWN renews 'Our America with Lisa Ling'
From an Oprah Winfrey Network press release:
OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK ANNOUNCES SECOND SEASON PICK UP FOR ORIGINAL SERIES ‘OUR AMERICA WITH LISA LING’
Announcement Comes As Series’ Second Episode Grows 24% From Its Premiere Week
Los Angeles, CA —- OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network has picked up a second season of the popular doc-series “Our America with Lisa Ling” (Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT), it was announced today by Lisa Erspamer, chief creative officer, OWN. The new season will include six investigative specials in the series.
“‘Our America’s’ thought-provoking programming has resonated with our audience,” said Ms. Erspamer. “In the second season Lisa will dig even deeper into our society covering provocative issues that spark discussion and conversation.”
“I am truly elated that OWN’s audience has responded to ‘Our America,’ and I’m thrilled to get the chance to produce more episodes,” said series host and executive producer Lisa Ling. “We set out to create shows that don’t tell viewers what to think, but rather, to take them along to experience different aspects of this country that we inhabit. It has been a most scintillating journey.”
The pick up announcement comes as the series’ second episode on Tuesday, February 22 (10 p.m. ET/PT) grew 24% from its premiere week with a .51 W25-54 / 733,000 P2+, ranking #16 in the hour among cable competition.
From religious movements to sex offenders to drug addiction and online brides, “Our America with Lisa Ling” takes viewers along for an in-depth look at some of the most controversial and thought-provoking issues in the United States today. In each episode, Lisa immerses herself into the lives of the people she meets, offering compelling accounts of varied experiences and providing insight into some of our nation’s most contentious issues. In sharing these stories, Lisa challenges viewers to understand different perspectives and even question what they themselves have always known to be true in “Our America.”
“Our America with Lisa Ling” is produced by part2pictures. Lisa Ling, David Shadrack Smith and Greg Henry are the executive producers.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
February 23, 2011
Recap: 'The Bachelor' week 8, Feb. 21
So, I struggled with this week’s recap, which is why it’s being posted two days late. Maybe I’m suffering “Bachelor” burnout, but it just didn’t seem like much happened in this episode — much that I could find any interesting way to write about, in any event. I did my best, but you’ve been warned.
It was so bad that I had to resort to artificial means of entertainment to make it through a re-watch: Every time Brad said either “This was the girl I liked the first time I met her” or “more than you know,” I ate a Girl Scout cookie (and, by the way, calling them “Thin Mints” is just flat-out deceptive). It’s the middle-aged homebody’s version of a drinking game. I gained about six pounds. Don’t judge.
In this week’s episode, Brad’s going on hometown dates with the four remaining contestants, but not before he tells us where he stands with each one. Chantal, he says, has taken him on an emotional roller coaster (and I’m assuming he could only get on it because there was a sign that said “you must be this dull to ride.”) Brad says that he and Ashley have hit some speed bumps. Maybe that’s because they’re moving way too fast. Shawntel, he claims, has never subjected him to drama, games or a roller coaster. Perhaps that’s why she’s the long shot. Finally, he claims that there’s something very real between him and Emily. There’s something between them, alright but, oh, Brad … ghosts aren’t real and Ricky Bobby is always in the room!
Brad says he’s so excited to meet the young women’s families and all I can think is, if you’re truly excited about something, do you have to keep saying how excited you are about it? Shouldn’t it just be kind of obvious?
Continue reading about Brad’s trips after the jump.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, Reality TV, Recap
February 22, 2011
Rob Thomas' new Fox pilot set in Austin
Industry website deadline.com reports that a new comedy pilot from Austinite and “Veronica Mars” creator Rob Thomas is set in Austin.
The single-camera series, “Little in Common,” will star Rob Cordry and Paula Marshall as a couple that relocates with their children from San Jose, California to Austin and clash with two other families via their kids’ participation in youth sports.
There’s no word yet on whether or not the pilot (or a series) will actually be filmed here.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV
February 21, 2011
Zach Anner makes it to Oprah's 'OWN Show' finale
Terey Summers, a comedic motivational speaker whose dream was to host a traditional talk show, was eliminated from “Your OWN Show: Oprah’s Search for the Next TV Star” Friday night. That means Austin’s Zach Anner and fellow contestant Kristina Kuzmic-Crocco advance to the final episode where they will compete for their own show on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
Terey had difficulty articulating her show concept to the reporters, while Kristina had to defend her stance in her frequent battles with departed contestant Elizabeth Espinosa. Only Zach went through this segment of the episode unscathed, utterly charming the reporters and disarming them with his quick wit.
The contestants were each surprised by Oprah herself, who showed up to interview them about their proposed shows, philosophies and their motivations. Each of the three competitors — once they got over the shock of being interviewed by Oprah — performed well under pressure, getting high marks from their prospective boss for their answers to her questions.
But if they all skated through, Zach turned in a gold medal performance. At the end of his interview, instead of just thanking Winfrey, he turned the tables by saying he wished he could ask her some questions. And when Winfrey told him to go ahead, he had several good questions to toss at her — questions Winfrey aide (and the week’s mentor) Gayle King said her friend and boss had never before heard.
The contestants’ final task was to interview King. Again, Terey lagged behind Kristina and Zach.
In the judging phase, both Terey and Kristina were grilled by hosts Nancy O’Dell and Carson Kressley along with King. The trio pointed out that Zach was the only one of the remaining three contestants who had never landed in the bottom two and sent him back to green room safety.
In the end, it was Kristina’s on-camera comfortableness and Terey’s unclear vision for her show that led the judges to send Terey home, leaving Zach and Kristina to battle it out this Friday to decide a winner. The previews showed both of the remaining contestants seeming to have problems, so I’m sure there’s some drama left to be seen, enough to fill an extra 30 minutes — Friday’s finale will be 90 minutes long instead of the usual hour.
“Your OWN Show”
8 p.m. CT Fridays, OWN
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Reality TV
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“The Bachelor” 7 p.m., ABC: Brad visits the final four’s hometowns, presumably via helicopter since he seems to take one everyplace else.
“World’s Deadliest Towns” 7 p.m., Animal Planet: There are still places on the globe where animals pose a very real threat to humans. This new series takes humans to those places. Yeah, I don’t know why, either.
“Hawaii Five-0” 9 p.m., CBS: Dane Cook guest stars, which should put to rest those persistent rumors that this show might actually be a comedy.
Tuesday:
“No Ordinary Family” 7 p.m., ABC: Anthony Michael-Hall guest stars as somebody’s dad and I start swigging Geritol and comparison-shopping for walkers.
“Raising Hope” 8 p.m., Fox: Amy Sedaris! Amy Sedaris!
“Traffic Light” 8:30 p.m., Fox: Week three; still funny.
“The Real Housewives of Miami” 9 p.m., Bravo: You know the drill. Same channel, different housewives in tonight’s spinoff kickoff.
Wednesday:
“The Middle” 7 p.m., ABC: “I have had it with these @#$@$$@!!! Hecks on this @#$@$$@!!! plane!”
“America’s Next Top Model” 7 p.m., The CW: As Season 16 begins, I think this show might be on the bubble. No, wait — it the models who are walking a pool runway inside of bubbles. Of course.
“Modern Family” 8 p.m., ABC: Claire and Phil’s arguments are so rare that, while he continues to engage in the battle, Phil has no idea what it’s about.
Thursday:
“American Idol” 7 p.m., Fox: The Top 20 — ten females and ten males — are revealed and the competition can finally begin.
“Overheard with Evan Smith” 7 p.m., PBS: Evan pulls Whole Foods CEO John Mackey off the shelf for tonight’s interview.
“Private Practice” 9 p.m., ABC: A patient complains of multiple personality disorder and a patient complains of multiple personality disorder.
Friday:
“Fringe” 8 p.m. Fox: Tonight’s episode is titled “6 Months Later.” If there’s actually any chance of a new episode of “Fringe” in six months, I’ll be a happy TV writer.
“Your OWN Show” 8 p.m., OWN: Tune in and see if Austin’s Zach Anner gets his own OWN show in tonight’s season finale.
“Supernatural” 8 p.m., The CW: Sam and Dean find themselves in an alternate universe, where they are the real actors who actually play those characters on a TV show called “Supernatural.” Viewer headaches abound and a mass run on Excedrin causes a nationwide shortage.
“Austin City Limits” 9 p.m., PBS: Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel perform in this terrific rerun.
Saturday:
“Must Love Cats” 7 p.m., Animal Planet: Stop telling me what to do, basic cable network.
“2011 Film Independent Spirit Awards” 9 p.m., IFC: Joel McHale, host of “The Soup” on E! and star of NBC’s “Community,” hosts this celebration of independent cinema.
“An Idiot Abroad” 9 p.m., Science: Karl explores Brazil’s gay scene.
Sunday:
“Amazing Race: Unfinished Business” 7 p.m., CBS: Broadcast TV’s only original counter-programming picks up all the Oscar-intolerant viewers.
“83rd Academy Awards” 7:30 p.m., ABC: Anne Hathaway and James Franco host. Hopefully the broadcast won’t seem to last 127 hours.
“CSI: Miami” 9 p.m., CBS: (See first Sunday listing, above.)
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Mid-season TV, Random thoughts, TV tips
February 19, 2011
KidVid: Here's what's coming up in childrens' programming
I’m not sure what it has to do with Presidents’ Day, but that is the marketing tactic PBS Kids is using to get parents and their tots to tune in for three new episodes of “Curious George” Monday though Wednesday, Feb. 21-23 on PBS. The new episodes feature the mischievous monkey “imagining a world where everything is monkey-sized; building a soapbox derby racer; making a George-O-Matic dessert vending machine; and meeting some ewe-tiful sheep.”
TV by the Numbers has a press release from DisneyXD stating that its Mitchell Musso (“Hannah Montana”) vehicle, “Pair of Kings,” has been picked up for a second season. The second season will begin airing later this year.
“High School Musical” fans: TV Guide has posted an item with casting information about spin-off project “Madison High,” in which “HSM” drama director Ms. Darbus bolts for another school with another student body full of ridiculously-talented singers and dancers. Paul Hoen (“Camp Rock 2”) will direct the pilot episode. No word yet on a start date for the potential series.
Jack Black is returning to host Nickelodeon’s “Kids’ Choice Awards,” airing at 7 pm CT April 2.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
February 18, 2011
More Top TV tweets
David Simon, Paul Scheer, Mary Lynn Rajskub and … you?
Here are some of my favorite, recent Tweets from the people who make — and watch — television. Did I include yours?
Find out after the jump — and follow me on Twitter here.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts
February 17, 2011
Felicia Day visits Fallon's 'Late Night'
Day, who appeared in Joss Whedon’s “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” and her own Web projects — and who occasionally pops up on series television — visited “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” last night and spoke about her new project, a web video series based on BioWare’s “Dragon Age” video games. Head on over to Digital Savant to view video from her appearance.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV
Readers weigh in on 'Fringe' (and 'Glee)
From the reader mailbag:
Like you, I like “Fringe” and have seen every episode. However, unlike you, I also like “Glee” and have seen every episode (my wife thinks I’m trying to revert to sixty years ago). Yes, I’m almost 70 so it may not make sense but I want to be entertained and I enjoy a diverse universe (no pun intended) of TV shows.
D.O.
I’m glad you’re a fellow “Fringe” fan. Unfortunately, the ratings trended down again this week and it seems as if its chances for renewal are getting slimmer each week. That’s disappointing, because I enjoy it so, so much.
As far as “Glee” goes, you’re not alone, as you know. It’s hugely popular. If you’re a regular reader you probably know that I was a huge fan of the show when it premiered and remained so until about half way through the first season, when I feel that it went off the rails. While I still think it remains entertaining, I have so much that I have to watch for my job that I just can’t allot time to a show that frustrates me because I feel that the characters’ personalities change so much from episode to episode and are twisted around to serve increasingly ridiculous plots. Every so often I tune in again just to see if I think it’s heading back in the right direction.
There’s no way my preferences are ever going to match every one of my readers’, and I really wish I still liked “Glee” as much as you and so many others do. Maybe that will happen eventually.
In the meantime, we’ll always have “Fringe.” Well, at least for a little while longer.
Loved your article today and your continuing support of my favorite show!!!!!!
At 69, I am probably one of the older viewers, but I love it. Not only the storyline, but especially the acting.
J.M.
I’m discovering that love for “Fringe” (and “Glee,” apparently) knows no age boundaries. I agree that the acting is good over all and John Noble, in particular, is top-notch.
Good column and great update. Unfortunately, I’m still ticked at the years I wasted on “Lost” and don’t think I’ll commit to another TV drama.
You’re right about “Glee” though - the writers aren’t even trying. Too bad - I really enjoyed some of the musical numbers in season 1. The only memorable bit from season 2 is the masterful re-purposing of “I Want To Hold Your Hand.”
Thanks for the great columns!
J.
I agree that “Lost” turned out to be somewhat less than the sum of its parts. Although I do not consider the time I spent watching it wasted (well, maybe the first half of Season 3 and the last half of the final season) I was disappointed by the ending.
I take a lot of heat for being down on “Glee,” but it’s really just tough love. I was a huge supporter when it premiered and it pains me to see the muddled mess it has become.
We really enjoyed your article on “Fringe.” As much as I think about the show I did not get the with/without drugs as a reason for the contrast in our Walter and alter Walter. Thanks for the article. My other reason for emailing is that I cannot find when the next season of “Friday Night Lights” can be viewed. I started watching that one on the advice of your predecessor. I’ve looked on NBC and on HULU. Thanks Again.
S.M.
That’s interesting. I may have overstepped by implying that that was the cause for the difference in personality between Walters over here and over there. To what would you attribute the difference? I guess the fact that Bell had parts of Walter’s brain removed probably has more to do with it, now that I think of it. Also, having one’s son stolen away to another Universe could be a factor.
The final season of “Friday Night Lights” hits NBC on April 15. And it’s a good one. “FNL” would have died on Fridays if DirecTV had not stepped in and saved it.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Friday Night Lights, Random thoughts, Reader Mailbag
February 15, 2011
Recap: 'The Bachelor' week 7, Feb. 14
Three one-on-one dates this week and one group grope. How Anguilla it all turn out?
The first date card from Brad reads “Three things I will bring to a desert island: A picnic lunch; champagne; and Emily.” Awww. But, really, that’s four things because Emily brings the memory of her deceased race car driver fiancee Ricky Bobby with her everywhere. I hope the destination island is big.
Because they’re going more than twenty paces, a helicopter flies in to whisk them away. The sandbar they land on is not really that big, and I’m afraid that if the waves get too high they could both be drowned. I scan the horizon to see if Michelle is bobbing up and down anywhere on the coastline trying to make that happen.
They drink champagne because, well, Emily’s quiet and she seems to be one of the more chaste women in this mess and, so, there’s probably not much else to do. They each admit that the other makes them nervous and I’m thinking, “brilliant, secluded, activity-free spot for a date, then.” Emily says their relationship will only work if the sun and moon are out at the same time. Somewhere off camera, a prop master curses then dives into action. Because, suddenly, both heavenly bodies are out together — and the sun and moon are, too — and Brad and Emily kiss.
Over dinner, Brad pops the question: Can I meet your daughter? It’s an appropriate question because next week is the episode where Brad goes to the surviving women’s hometowns to meet their families and tries to explain to them why he’s dating their daughters but making out with three other chicks. Emily is hesitant and says she knows she is overprotective, but that’s a big step. She promises to consider it. Brad tells her he knows that he’s breaking the rules, but that’s okay because he’s a loner, Dottie, a rebel! He’s going to give her a rose at the end of the week, so he doesn’t want her to worry about that. He tells her to do whatever she has to do — make phone calls, buy cases of Chapstick — to prepare for his visit.
Shawntel N. gets the next one-on-one date. Brad takes her through the streets of Anguilla. I still think he’s pronouncing it wrong, but I pronounce the double l’s in ‘tortilla,” so what do I know? They ride bicycles to the farmers’ market because, I don’t know, maybe the chopper is out of gas after lugging around Brad, Emily and all that extra champagne weight. They drink from coconuts and then Brad passes out and Shawntel surgically harvests his kidney for sale on the Caribbean black market. Just kidding, but she works with dead bodies and she totally could.
They meet and chat up some locals and Shawntel says she likes seeing Brad interact with other people (mostly, I’m figuring, other people who aren’t her Michelle). Look at them jump rope! Cute! Brad’s voice-over says he’s seeing a different side of Shawntel today and, from the camera angles, I’m guessing it’s her backside because that’s all they’re showing (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
Brad tells Shawntel about his daddy issues and she responds by admitting that she’s falling for him (Brad, not his pop). Brad thanks her and tells the camera that this makes him happy (hey — that’s the same line that worked for Chantal!). It rains during dinner, which is like Viagra for these kids, so there’s lots more kissing. Then they’re treated to a reggae serenade (which, frankly, makes about as much sense as a romantic break-dance) by some big-deal Anguillan artist who probably sold more records there than The Beatles.
Next, Britt finally gets her one-on-one date. Sadly, it’s also going to be her one-and-only-one-on-one date. Brad walks her out to the beach and tells her he’s picked up women in helicopters, he’s picked them up in convertibles and he’s picked them up in boats, but he’s never picked one up in a yacht (he’s probably also picked up women in the HEB, too. I’m surprised he doesn’t mention that). Britt asks how they’ll get to the vessel and Brad says there’s only one way. So they wade out into the water and the next thing you know they’re standing on the deck. I’m guessing the editors conveniently cut the segment where the helicopter picked them up and flew them to the yacht.
Then Brad tells Britt to go jump off a cliff and she does. To be fair, they’re cliff diving and he jumped first. Still, though poor Britt is petrified she finally does it “for Brad,” who says he is proud of her for overcoming her fears. Of course.
Sitting on the beach, Brad tries to get something going but just isn’t feeling it. The couple make wee, tiny small talk but it is pretty clear that they have no connection. He tells the camera that he just doesn’t get it: here he is in one of the most romantic spots on Earth with a beautiful woman but he has no inclination to grab her and kiss her. I’m figuring that’s because Britt hasn’t told Brad that she’s afraid to kiss him. If she’d only done that he would have to move in — you know, to help her overcome her fear.
During dinner, Brad admits to Britt that he doesn’t see himself spending the rest of the evening with her, much less his whole life, and sends her home. I feel bad for Britt because she stuck around this long without a solo date with Brad when some of the other women have had, like, three. Hmmm … why do you think that chemistry hasn’t developed, Brad? I imagine Brad didn’t do very well in chemistry.
In the wee hours of the morning, our bachelor sneaks into Chantal O., Ashley and crazy Michelle’s bedrooms with a flashlight and wakes them up. You just know he wanted to dip their hands into a bowl of warm water while they were still asleep and see if he could make them pee. Anyway, the girls are kind of grumpy because it’s early and they don’t have time to shower or put on make-up. Judging from what they’re wearing when they leave, they didn’t have much time to choose outfits, either.
It turns out they’re headed to the beach for a sunrise photo shoot for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition (which, not coincidentally, hits newsstands today). Frankly, I’m not sure what sport this show falls into, but it’s competitive, I’ll give you that.
Ashley goes first. The photographer convinces her to drop her top and cover her chest with conch shells. I imagine it was all Brad could do to avoid grabbing them and making honking noises, but instead of saying “honk, honk!” he’d say “conch, conch!” Chantal, a front-runner but so insecure, drops her top as well. Crazy Michelle says she can’t be talked into stuff like that. But you now who is good at being talked into stuff? Brad. Michelle says she wants to do a shoot with him and they go all “From Here to Eternity” on the sand, except it really does feel like an eternity because Michelle is really pushing it and, clearly, everybody else is uncomfortable.
After the shoot, the foursome enjoy a pool party, except “enjoy” is the wrong word because everybody is really tense and uncomfortable. They’re all mad at each other and Brad feels guilty. He especially feels guilty about making out with evil Michelle, so he pulls Chantal and Ashley aside and tries to apologize in his own “I didn’t do anything wrong; open up to me and tell me what you’re feeling” kind of way. This is the only date this week with a rose and Brad gives it to Ashley, which ticks off crazy Michelle and freaks out Chantal. “If you can’t pick me fir-fir-first out of three women, then just send me ho-ho-home,” she chokes out through her tears.
Just before the weekly cocktail party, Brad tells host Chris Harrison that he’s already made his decision and he wants to skip the party and go straight to the Rose Ceremony. Harrison says, “Let me play devil’s advocate,” which I’m pretty sure is a sneaky way for him to imply that Brad is, in fact, the devil. I’m pretty sure he’s going to point out to Brad that he’ll be giving up a few hours at an open bar, but instead he asks if conversations with the women might sway Brad’s opinion. But Brad stands firm.
The ladies assemble at the beach and Brad hands out the roses. Ashley’s already got hers. Emily (Brad kept his word!) and Shawntel get them first, leaving Chantal and crazy Michelle. Chantal gets the final rose and Michelle says her goodbyes to the other girls. Actually, I think she only says goodbye to Emily and Ashley. We probably couldn’t print what she likely said to Chantal and Shawntel.
I think Michelle is in shock but, whatever — she’s speechless for once and that’s all that really matters. She is silent as Brad walks her to the limo and puts her inside. She is wordless as the limo drives off. She stares silently into the camera and then flops down on the back seat and stares intently and noiselessly into the camera. I’m going to say she’s in the fetal position even though she’s lying flat because, well, I just picture her stretching out in the womb, too, because she instinctively knew it would cause discomfort to her human host. Anyway, yeah. The one time you want to see her freak out she keeps her composure. Way to go, Michelle … twist that knife ‘til the bitter end.
Next week, Brad visits the four remaining ladies’ hometowns. That’s a lot of helicopter fuel.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Entertainment, Reality TV, Recap
February 14, 2011
Pamela Ribon lands new ABC Family project
ABC FAMILY has bought the rights to WHY MOMS ARE WEIRD! Yes, we’re going to try to make my life as a sitcom. My mom’s not very happy about this one, but my sister is! “LET ME NO WHN U NEED ME 4 CASTING,” she texted.
There are a few more details on the series, as well as her new novel, “You Take It From Here,” on her site.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV
'Bones' creator nabs AFF's Outstanding Television Writer Award
The Austin Film Festival has announced that “Bones” creator Hart Hanson has been named recipient of the 2011 Outstanding Television Writer Award and will appear at the Festival in October along with “Bones” stars Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz.
Hanson will accept the Award at the Festival’s annual Awards Luncheon on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at the Austin Club.
Awards Luncheon tickets are $50 each and are available for purchase by Conference and Producers Badge holders only. For additional information on the 18th Annual Austin Film Festival & Conference, panels and film screenings, and how to purchase everything from a Producers Badge to a Film Pass, visit the official website or call 1-800-310-FEST (3378).
Read the AFF’s press release after the jump.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Event
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“The Bachelor” 7 p.m., ABC: Find out why Brad cancels tonight’s cocktail party, then chat about it at www.austin360.com/tvblog on Tuesday.
“Mad Love” 7:30 p.m., CBS: Yeah, the girl from “Scrubs” and the guy from “American Pie” are in it, but the real reason to watch this kind of average new sitcom is that Judy Greer is in it, and I would DVR a half-hour of her sitting in a chair and staring at the camera.
“Searching For …” 8 p.m., OWN: Looking for that long-lost birth mother or an estranged brother? No access to Facebook? Maybe Oprah can help in this series premiere.
Tuesday:
“Prime News” 5 p.m., HLN: Austin radio personality Bobby Bones is slated to make his debut as a panelist on the current events cable show.
“Breaking Down the Bars” 8 p.m., OWN: Women inmates are followed in Oprah’s new reality series.
“Parenthood” 9 p.m., NBC: Ben from “Lost” drops by and, you know, probably bugs his eyes out a lot at the Bravermans.
Wednesday:
“Survivor: Redemption Island” 7 p.m., CBS: “Boston” Rob and 17 other castaways land in Nicaragua in the 22nd Season kick-off.
“American Idol” 7 p.m., Fox: Tune in to see if any of the four Austinites or two Georgetown hopefuls are still in the game.
“Modern Family” 8 p.m., ABC: Matriarch Shelley Long is back and she’s toting Matt Dillon as Claire’s high school boyfriend.
“Mr. Sunshine” 8:30 p.m., ABC: Popular Jonas Brother Nick guests along with Kathy Najimy.
“Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior” 9 p.m., CBS: It’s a competent spin-off, but remind me why we seem to have an unending thirst for dramatized child abductions?
Thursday:
“Bones” 8 p.m. Fox: The remains of a wedding planner are found on a tanning bed. I told you those things were bad for you.
“The Battle for Marjah” 8 p.m., HBO: A marine, NATO and Afghan mission to free the Afghanistan town from Taliban control is documented by embedded journalist Ben Anderson.
“The Office” 8 p.m., NBC: Michael premieres his action film, “Threat Level Midnight.”
Friday:
“The Defenders” 7 p.m., CBS: Dan Aykroyd plays a judge caught on the other side of the bench.
“Who Do You Think You Are?” 7 p.m., NBC: Yeah, Rosie O’Donnell? Who? I asked you a question!
Saturday:
“Over the Hedge” 8 p.m., ABC: Bruce Willis stars in the role he was born to play — a wiseacre raccoon — in this animated theatrical romp.
Sunday:
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” 7 p.m., ABC: A soldier wounded in the Fort Hood rampage gets a dream wedding and a new home.
“Amazing Race: Unfinished Business” 7 p.m., CBS: Former teams return in the Season 18 opener.
“Saturday Night Live: Just the Commercials” 7 p.m., NBC: Little Chocolate Donuts!
“Saturday Night Live Backstage” 8 p.m., NBC: This new special goes behind the scenery of Studio 8H and includes appearances by “Mad Men” star Jon Hamm and frequent host Alec Baldwin.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Mid-season TV, Random thoughts, Reality TV, TV tips
February 13, 2011
'Fringe' falls further on Fridays
According to our friends over at TV by the Numbers, “Fringe” dipped to a 1.4 adults 18-49 rating in its fourth Friday episode, down 12.5% from last Friday.
That’s not good.
Commenters to that post are all but declaring the brilliant Fox show, which I just praised in my Sunday column, to be dead.
Beginning the night in second place in its time slot, behind only CBS’ “CSI:NY,” the show went on to lose viewers in its second half hour, falling to fourth place, ahead of only “Supernatural” on the CW.
Fox head Kevin Reilly said that “Fringe” would be safe on Fridays as long as it held it’s Thursday ratings, which it did for a few short weeks. Alas, that trend seems to have ended.
Do you think “Fringe” is doomed? Sound off in the comments, below.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Ratings
February 11, 2011
Austinites absent from 'Idol' Hollywood week
I didn’t see a single one of our six local contestants in the first episode of “American Idol’s” Hollywood week Thursday on Fox, did you? Instead, we were treated to the same roll call of hopefuls spotlighted during their respective city’s audition episodes.
It’s becoming clear that “Idol” works backwards. I don’t believe they begin even editing the audition episodes until after Hollywood week has concluded and they know which contestants are actually moving on to the main competition. Then they must edit the Hollywood week shows to showcase those particular contestants. Lastly, I think, they put together the audition episodes, to introduce those featured singers and their back-stories.
It seems particularly obvious this season and the whole thing seems a lot more manipulative when viewed in this light. What fun is Hollywood week if you already know that most of the featured audition contestants will make it through?
Perhaps next week when the Hollywood rounds continue with group performances, we’ll finally get to see some Austin and Georgetown faces, since the anointed few will by design have others around them with whom to create conflict.
Who’s your favorite “Idol” contestant so far? Do you think any of our local peeps have a chance?
Sound off in the comments below.
Permalink | | Categories: American Idol, Entertainment, Mid-season TV, Random thoughts, Reality TV
February 10, 2011
Local filmmaker Grappell's 'Quadrangle' lands on HBO
Austin filmmaker Amy Grappell’s documentary “Quadrangle,” a SXSW 2010 Best Documentary Short and Wholphin Best Short Film award-winner, premieres on HBO2 at 8 p.m. Wednesday, February 16.
From the film’s press release:
Blending photographs and modern-day interviews, director Amy Grappell reveals how two bored suburban couples began swapping partners, in the era of “free love,” searching for an alternative to divorce. They fancied themselves social revolutionaries, but their four-way marital bliss was only temporary as tangible factors like living arrangements sunk in, gossip took its toll and individual egos trumped idealism.
Among the film’s other awards: An Honorable Mention Jury Prize at Sundance; Best Live Action Short at AFI 2010; and Best Short Doc at the Dallas International Film Festival. The film will have repeat HBO2 showings on Feb. 19 at 10:30 a.m.; Feb. 22 at 10:00 a.m.; and Feb. 29 at 12:30 p.m.
Finally, “Quadrangle” will also be screening live in Houston at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at 7 p.m. Feb 13. Further information on the film can be found at this website.
“Quadrangle” began as an art installation. Read jeanne Claire van Ryzin’s 2009 story about the exhibit after the jump.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV
February 8, 2011
Review: 'Traffic Light' (8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Fox)
“Traffic Light,” premiering at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday on Fox, is a great new sitcom with an inexplicably awful name. The pilot episode, sent to critics last summer under the much better title “Mixed Signals,” is a full of laughs, interesting and relatable characters and awkwardly funny situations.
The show focuses on a trio of 30-something buddies: Mike (David Denman, Roy on NBC’s “The Office”) as lawyer/family man Mike; confirmed bachelor Ethan (Kris Marshall); and Adam (Nelson Franklin, who also appeared on a handful of episodes of “The Office”). The show’s humor comes from these guys’ efforts to navigate their relationships and love lives — Mike with wife Lisa (Liz Lapira) and Adam with live-in girlfriend Callie (Aya Cash). Ethan’s bachelor status leaves the door open for a continual series of mismatched female guest appearances.
The set-up is not exactly original, but it is written in a believable style that favors organic humor over set-ups and punchlines. The combination of a family man, a bachelor and a guy entering his first serious relationship provides a deep well of contrasting opinions and hilarious and heartwarming potential situations. Denman, Marshall and Franklin have a natural and authentic rapport — it’s easy to believe they’ve been friends forever.
Contrast it with NBC’s similarly set-up but dreadful sitcom “Perfect Couples,” and it becomes crystal clear how miraculous “Traffic Light” is. Don’t let the awful name stop you from watching.
“Traffic Light”
8:30 p.m. CT Tuesdays, Fox
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Mid-season TV, Review
Recap: 'The Bachelor' week 6, Feb. 7
Michelle’s black eye is gone this week. Well, except for the one that she continues to give network television.
So here’s the deal … the producers must have had a private talk with Austin “Bachelor” Brad Womack and told him something like this: “Yes, we know Michelle is psychotic. No, you can’t send her home. Yes, we know she scares you — she scares us, too. No, you can’t send her home.”
While I’m sure part of their reason for wanting Brad to keep her around is that they must be genuinely afraid of what she’ll do when she gets cut, I think they have an ulterior motive … she’s too crazy good of a character in an otherwise pretty dull and lifeless cast led by “The Bachelor” himself. Still, if tonight is any indication, she’s not going to be around much longer. Just to be safe, her next one-on-one date with Brad should be at Restful Acres Sanitarium.
Monday’s episode begins with the harem’s trip to Costa Rica where they hike to their luxurious digs in the middle of the rain forest and all find out why it’s called the rain forest. Seriously, Brad — you could have just taken these women to a wet t-shirt contest in Santa Monica and saved ABC a whole lotta’ coin.
What happens next? Continue reading after the jump …
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Entertainment, Mid-season TV, Random thoughts, Reality TV, Recap
February 7, 2011
KVUE reveals "Oprah" replacement
Have you wondered what’s going to happen locally when Oprah Winfrey packs up her powerhouse nationally syndicated talk show and moves it over to her own cable network, OWN?
Wonder no more! Patti Smith, President and General Manager of Austin ABC affiliate KVUE, says that “Ellen” will replace Oprah in the station’s lineup in September (since Winfrey’s show is syndicated, stations carrying the broadcast are free to replace the departing talk show with whatever programming they desire).
But can anybody really replace Oprah? Is Ellen DeGeneres up to the challenge? Sound off in the comments below after you check out this clip of DeGeneres — pre-Oprah retirment announcement — suggesting that Winfrey pack it in and get out of her way:
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
Groupon vs. Homeaway: Which Super Bowl ad offended you more?
Two commercials run during the Super Bowl have received especially strong negative reaction — spots by Groupon and Home Away.
Do you think these spots went too far? Did one offend you more than the other, or do viewers just need to lighten up?
Take another look and sound off in the comments below.
Groupon:
Homeaway:
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment, Sports on TV
Recap: 'Your OWN Show' week 5, Feb. 4
Austin’s Zach Anner sailed through another week on “Your OWN Show: Oprah’s Search for the Next TV Star.”
His team won the episode’s challenge, which was to produce a commercial for sponsor Kohl’s, in what was the show’s least subtle example of product placement to date (and that’s saying something!)
Celebrity mentor Daisy Fuentes wasn’t much help. So, since the show couldn’t make the Kohl’s commercials the entire point of the episode, the teams were also tasked with interviewing Fuentes for half their score.
Both team’s commercials were decent, although there’s no way the contestants put them together on their own (and, if they’re smart, Kohl’s probably wouldn’t let OWN show any that they had). So that part of the competition was a wash and it came down to the interviews.
I was a little worried because though Zach is funny and wildly charismatic, his competition had what should have amounted to a slam dunk in Elizabeth Espinosa, a television news reporter in Los Angeles. You’d think a 3-minute celebrity interview would be right up Elizabeth’s alley, but her segment was flat and awkward.
Zach, on the other, hand, charmed Fuentes by asking about her charity work and revealing, when Fuentes admitted that she learned English by watching “I Love Lucy” reruns, that he had learned it the same way.
Because the women of Elizabeth’s team had been bickering (again) throughout the challenge, Elizabeth ended up facing elimination along with her team’s producer, Kristina (who remains as annoying and controlling as ever). Since elimination hinges on who conducts the best interview with the week’s celebrity guest, Elizabeth should have had it in the bag. Never mind her professional experience — she’d already interviewed Fuentes once and been told what she had done wrong in the eyes of the judges.
But in spite of Kristina’s lackluster, low-energy performance, Elizabeth blew the challenge a second time by stealing questions from Zach’s much more successful interview and was sent packing.
Next week, money guru Suze Orman leads the teams (and “teams” is becoming a specious term with just two contestants left on one side and only three on the other) in producing a financial segment. Remaining contestant Alicia is the only original hopeful who wanted to produce a financial show, so that could work for or against her, depending on her attitude and her chemistry with Orman.
Are you still watching? Do you think Zach can take it all and win his own OWN show (sponsored by Kohl’s)? Sound off in the comments. below.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Reality TV, Recap
Cowell's "X Factor" to hold Dallas auditions
Contestants will compete for a $5 million Sony record deal.
“I like the idea that a 12-year-old on this show can compete with an older singer and a singing group,” said Cowell. “I’ve never believed there should be a cut-off age for talent, and we are going to put our money where our mouths are with the $5 million recording contract. I’m doing this show in America because I genuinely believe we can find a superstar.”
Register for audition information at the show’s website and check out the full press release after the jump.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: American Idol, Entertainment, Reality TV
'The Chicago Code' premieres Monday
“The Chicago Code,” Fox’s mid-season police drama premiering today at 8 p.m., comes with high expectations. These are built in, for better or worse, when your new series’ creator is Shawn Ryan, who brought to television last season’s often lamented “Terriers” and the insert-superlative-here FX cop drama, “The Shield.”
While I’m not sure it’s worthy of its hype as the second coming, “The Chicago Code” looks to meet most of those expectations.
For starters, the show is set in Ryan’s hometown of Chicago, so the settings and plot lines — encompassing routine police fare, deep undercover work and corrupt politics —have an organic, authentic feel. And the series is beautifully shot in a gritty, cinematic style.
The cast does a (no pun intended) uniformly good job with well-drawn characters, especially Jason Clarke as difficult Detective Jarek Wysocki and Jennifer Beals as his ex-partner, Teresa Colvin, who also happens to be the city’s current Superintendent of Police. The pilot uses the fairly conventional and slightly disappointing “dismissing of potential partners” tactic to deliver Wysocki “Friday Night Light’s” Matt Lauria as his new ride-along Caleb Evers, but the dominoes must be set up. Delroy Lindo (late of NBC’s 2006 drama “Kidnapped”) is menacing, yet subtly so, as dirty Alderman Patrick Gibbons.
Chicago and its corrupt politics are hot right now, courtesy of CBS’ hit legal drama “The Good Wife.” While “The Chicago Code” won’t spend as much time in court, it seems to be melding the seamiest political elements of that show (minus the heavy-handed exhibitionism) with authentic police drama.
I’m a little burned out on cop shows, but the complex characters and relationships — as fully defined as I’ve seen in a pilot — its creator’s exceptional pedigree and the fact that it’s not just another procedural mark “The Chicago Code” as a quality effort. If cop shows are your thing, I think you’ll like this one.
“The Chicago Code”
8 p.m. Mondays, Fox
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment, Mid-season TV, Random thoughts, Review
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“The Electric Company” 4:30 p.m., PBS: Season 3 kicks off with a round of wordball. Word.
“How I Met Your Mother” 7 p.m., CBS: Pop tart Katy Perry guest stars.
“Intervention” 8 p.m., A&E: Local drug and alcohol treatment center Austin Recovery is featured in tonight’s story of an inventor and dad fighting both of those addictions.
“The Chicago Code” 8 p.m., Fox: “The Shield” creator Shawn Ryan sets his sights on the windy city in the premiere of this cop series with political corruption and deep undercover work.
Tuesday:
“Glee” 7 p.m., Fox: The gang mans a kissing booth, so don’t be surprised to run across sexual themes in this episode.
“Raising Hope” 8 p.m., Fox: The hit freshman sitcom returns after a long hiatus as Jimmy bonds with another single pop.
“Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy” 8 p.m., History: Really? I bet this would be huge in France. Moonshine and frog-jumping are explored in the series premiere. Moonshine. Frog-jumping. Larry the Cable Guy. Yep, that sounds about right.
“Traffic Light” 8:30 p.m., Fox: Don’t let the awful name scare you off of this funny and touching new relationship comedy.
“Top Shot” 9 p.m., Discovery: Season 2 opens with a Civil War-themed challenge.
Wednesday:
“The Middle” 7 p.m., ABC: I’ll bet all the kissing in this Valentine’s-themed episode is a lot more wholesome than what we saw on “Glee” last night.
“Modern Family’ 8 p.m., ABC: Last year’s Valentine’s Day episode was one of the funniest of the series, so I’ve got high-hopes for tonight’s outing.
“Friday Night Lights” 8 p.m., DirecTV: The series ends its run on the 101 Network tonight. If you’re not a DirecTV subscriber, the final season is slated to re-air on NBC beginning in April.
“Human Target” 8 p.m., Fox: Season 2 concludes tonight.
“Mr. Sunshine” 8:30 p.m., ABC: “Friends” star Matthew Perry returns to series television as a grumpier Chandler in this new series.
“Justified” 9 p.m., FX: Boyd Crowder escapes in the Season 2 premiere.
Thursday:
“American Idol” 7 p.m., Fox: The Hollywood round begins. Four Austinites and two Georgetown residents made it to this round; maybe we’ll catch a glimpse of them tonight.
“Community” 7 p.m., NBC: Troy and Abed compete for the librarian’s affections.
“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” 8 p.m., CBS: A dead body is found in a thrift store donation box. Look — they’re thankful for just about any donation, but even I know they only accept live bodies.
“The Office” 8 p.m., NBC: Okay, I’m betting that Michael and Holly’s kisses will be the most awkward and disturbing of the week.
Friday:
“Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown,” “A Charlie Brown Valentine” 7 p.m., ABC: The blockhead gets a holiday-themed twin spin in back-to-back 1975 and 2002 specials. Meanwhile, we all remember our own little red-haired girls.
“Fringe” 8 p.m., Fox: It’s back to the alternate universe to battle a bio-terrorist with flesh-eating intentions.
Saturday:
“NASCAR Racing” 7 p.m., Fox: Two-time winner Kevin Harvick and other drivers spin you right ‘round, baby, right ‘round in the Daytona Beach Budweiser Shootout.
Sunday:
“Must Love Cats” 7 p.m., Animal Planet: Two stories are explored in tonight’s premiere episode. One is about a San Francisco cat suspected of repeat burglaries and the other is just too gross to mention here. I am not a feline fan, but I think the second tale will give even the most ardent cat lover second thoughts.
“Grammy Awards” 7 p.m., CBS: Eminem and Bruno Mars, who lead the pack in nominations, are both scheduled to perform.
“The Simpsons” 7 p.m., Fox: Marge’s hair turns gray, which leads me to believe that the worldwide blue ink shortage I warned y’all about is finally coming to pass. Are you happy now?
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Mid-season TV, Random thoughts, TV tips
February 6, 2011
Super Bowl commercials
Some of the Super Bowl advertisements featured in the Life & Arts TV column today were released in advance of the broadcast. Those ads are embedded below. A number of other spots can be found by clicking here.
Which spots from the big game were your favorites? Sound off in the comments, below.
GoDaddy.com:
Chevy:
CareerBuilder.com:
Cars.com:
Pirates of the Carribbean: On Stranger Tides:
HEB:
NFLPA:
Permalink | Comments (8) | Categories: Entertainment, Sports on TV
February 4, 2011
Fans of 'The Simpsons': Check out the McBain movie
“Mendoooooooozaaaaaaaa!!!”
Somebody stitched together those Ranier Wolfcastle “McBain” segments from various episodes of “The Simpsons” and it turns out they make a pretty decent little movie, which I found over at CollegeHumor.com.
Check it out:
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
New Kyle Killen pilot picked up by NBC
12:38 p.m.: Updated to add quote from Killen.
The Hollywood Reporter has announced that Austinite Kyle Killen’s hour-long dramatic pilot, “REM,” has been picked up by NBC in a sweep of four projects.
From the article:
“REM,” an hourlong project from Killen, is described as a procedural hybrid that centers on the simultaneous and parallel lives of a detective who can’t let go of any aspect of his fractured family after a car accident. Killen wrote and will executive produce for 20th TV. Killen created the short-lived (and complicated) Fox soap “Lone Star” that debuted to abysmal numbers (4.1 million) in September of last year.
“I’m very excited that NBC has given me another chance to corner the market on shows that people don’t watch or understand,” the self-deprecating Killen told me on Friday. “I will try hard not to let them down.”
Read about the other three pickups, all comedies, in the full article here.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV
February 3, 2011
'American Idol' sends Austinites to Hollywood
You wouldn’t know it by watching Wednesday’s Austin “American Idol” auditions (which largely focused on out-of-staters and singers from tiny and obscure Texas towns and cities) but four singers who call Austin home and another couple of crooners from Georgetown were passed through to the Hollywood rounds, which begin Feb. 10 on Fox.
You could head to the show’s website, to meet them, but there are 47 videos there (although Ryan Seacrest said on Wednesday’s broadcast that 50 made the cut) and you’ve got to watch each one to find the locals. And every video is preceded by a commercial you can’t skip through.
Hey, I like Jennifer Lopez’ gams as much as the next guy, but I don’t need to see her dragging a razor over them 47 times (you know, in addition to the hundreds of times I’ve already imagined it).
To save you the trouble, I’ve extracted the videos of the six local hopefuls and embedded them below.
Do you know any of these folks? Do you think they’ve got the goods to be crowned Season 10’s “American Idol?”
Take a look at the videos and sound off in the comments, below.
Corbin Chase, Austin:
Scott Grimes, Austin:
Jonathas Ojeda, Austin:
Dominic Yanez, Austin:
Chase Dean, Georgetown:
Courtney Nowell, Georgetown:
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: American Idol, Entertainment, Local people on TV, Reality TV
February 2, 2011
It's official: 'Beavis and Butthead' to return Summer 2011
As tweeted by teen pop idol Justin Bieber Wednesday, “Beavis and Butthead,” the iconic 1990s animated MTV series created by Austin’s Mike Judge, is returning to MTV.
The cast of the cable network’s controversial teen drama “Skins” revealed the news at the channel’s upfront presentation in New York.
The music video-ripping duo’s return has been rumored for months, but inclusion in the upfront, in which networks reveal their programming plans, makes it official. Besides — the Bieb wouldn’t tweet it were it untrue, right?
Are you a “B&B” fan? Sound off in the comments below.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV
Final season of 'Friday Night Lights' hits NBC in April
Michael Ausiello at TV Line reports that the fifth season of Austin-shot “Friday Night Lights,” currently running on cable provider DirecTV’s 101 Channel, will premiere on broadcast network NBC at 7 p.m. CT April 15.
The family football drama stars Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler, pictured above. Season 5 is the series’ last hurrah.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Friday Night Lights, Local people on TV
'American Idol' Austin auditions air Wednesday
Austin gets the spotlight on “American Idol” tonight at 7 p.m on Fox. The show will make it look like the auditions are taking place at the Frank Erwin Center, but the people you’ll see tonight were actually culled from that August 2010 round and filmed for tonight’s broadcast at the Barton Creek Resort back in October.
Here’s a pretty comprehensive video round-up of all things “Idol” and Austin. Check it out - along with this Erwin Center audition photo gallery — and let us know if you’re enjoying this season in the comments below:
Selected Austin auditions:
See more auditions and videos of the August Frank Erwin Center auditions and “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest’s visit to Austin after the jump …
Permalink | | Categories: American Idol, Entertainment, Local people on TV, Reality TV
February 1, 2011
Recap: 'The Bachelor' week 5, Jan. 31
This is either Brad consoling Emily at the speedway or a scene from the new Power Rangers movie.
On this week’s episode of “The Bachelor,” what happens in Vegas is broadcast to millions of viewers with questionable taste in television and one hapless critic. The episode begins with all of the women getting kicked out of the mansion. No, Austinite Brad Womack hasn’t suddenly realized how tasteless and sordid this whole thing is and decided to put a stop to it — the show is moving to Sin City for some high-rolling shenanigans!
Shawntel is selected for the week’s one-on-one date with Brad. Her clue promises that she and Brad will end the date with a bang, and I am hoping that means he’s going to take her to a Todd Rundgren concert, but I’m afraid I know better. In preparation for her date, Brad sets her loose in a mall and tells her to buy whatever she wants. Look, ladies — isn’t Brad dreamy? He actually likes to go shopping! Maybe later he and Shawntel can sit around in their pajamas, paint their nails and chat about Justin Bieber. Anyway, Shawntel leaves the mall with a lot of baggage. Too bad it’s not emotional baggage, because the only women that Brad is interested in keeping around have closets full of it.
Before her rooftop date with Brad, Shawntel walks into the suite carrying, like, fifty shopping bags. There’s either a bellhop shortage in Vegas or Shawntel is a lousy tipper. This gives the other women a reason to work themselves up into a luxurious, foamy lather of jealousy and self-doubt. Later, Shawntel admits to the camera that she is worried about discussing her job as a funeral director and embalmer with Brad. But during dinner she has no trouble sharing the most nauseating details of inserting draining tubes into veins and replacing body fluids with chemicals in between bites. Shawntel shouldn’t have worried about being comfortable around Brad — after all, she’s got tons of experience with stiffs! The two end of them up watching fireworks over the tacky Vegas skyline (and now I’m hoping that’s the bang) while Shawntel gets a rose and repeatedly checks her date’s pulse. With her tongue.
What happens next? Find out after the jump …
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Reality TV, Recap
January 31, 2011
Recap: 'Your OWN Show' week 4, Jan. 28
Zach Anner’s team went down in flames on “Your OWN Show” Friday, but the Austinite is safe. Sent packing following last week’s cooking segment competition was Dr. Tony Roach (pictured), who left of his own volition (and, he reminded us, with his dignity intact) when it became clear that he was going to fall in favor of the increasingly unlikeable Ryan.
The episode was rife with largely manufactured strife, but little humor. The only memorable line of the night cam courtesy of Zach when his team first met Stone, who asked them if any of them cooked. “I don’t cook,” Zach said. “I set things on fire.”
In retrospect, it was smart for Zach to volunteer to be his team’s executive producer this week. Unlike, say, “The Apprentice,” the team leader has yet to be held responsible for failure on this show. Hosts Nancy O’Dell, Carson Kressley and the week’s celebrity mentor always put the blame on the on-air talent.
And as the show goes on, it becomes more and more difficult to invest too much in the competitions themselves, since the whole structure is flawed: in the end, it comes down to who can conduct the best one-on-one interview with the celebrity guest. While a team win in the competition can (temporarily) protect a week contestant, this contestant is going to come down to who can conduct the best interview.
Next week the teams are tasked to create a commercial for sponsor Kohl’s with celebrity guest Daisy Fuentes. This is the lowest the show has gone in the corporate shilling. I can understand cooking, makeover and comedy segments, but when’s the last time Dr. Oz, David Letterman or Oprah had to create a commercial?
Do you think Tony was right to bail when he did? It doesn’t really seem as if creating a commercial would be in his wheelhouse. Sound off in the comments below.
“Your OWN Show: Oprah’s Search for the Next TV Star”
Fridays, 8 p.m. CT, OWN
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Reality TV, Recap
January 28, 2011
More great TV tweets
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts
January 26, 2011
Bobby Bones stands in for Regis Philbin (w/video)
Austin radio personality Bobby Bones co-hosted “Live! With Regis and Kelly” Wednesday as one of five winners of the nationally syndicated television show’s “Men of Radio Co-Host for a Day Search.”
While his KISS-FM radio show replayed old segments (three of his radio co-hosts followed him to New York), Bones chatted with co-host Kelly Ripa, “Modern Family” actor Rico Rodriguez and Kyle Richards from “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”
Bones began the show by telling Ripa he’d had a big night. “Oprah called and told me I’m her half-brother,” he cracked to big laughs from the studio audience. The radio host displayed comfortable chemistry with Ripa, reading a self-deprecating poem he had written for her Tuesday night and carefully choosing moments to interject his quick wit. Ripa read a news item about the cast of “Jersey Shore” heading to Italy. “At least they’re gone from here,” Bones quipped. When 12-year-old Rodriguez responded to Bones’ questions about his love life by saying he was years away from all of that, Bones responded “So am I, dude. So am I.” And eyeing a designer Barbie doll during a quick toy segment at the end of the show, Bones said that he was going to pretend like he didn’t already have one and act really curious.
“I didn’t want to try too hard, but I really wanted to have a presence,” said Bones, who added that the most difficult thing about his appearance was just trying to be himself in an unfamiliar environment. “I’m always surprised when people who are really famous are really nice, and she really was,” Bones said of Ripa who, along with other show staffers, gave him good marks on his performance. “They said they loved me,” Bones noted. “They may say that to everyone.”
Did you watch? Do you think Bones did a good job representing Austin? Sound off in the comments below, and check out this video of Bones telling Ripa how he earned his nickname:
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV
Free Gulf documentary at Alamo Drafthouse February 9
Texas Parks and Wildlife is hosting a special, free screening of “The State of the Gulf: America’s Sea” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar.
The one-hour documentary examines the Gulf of Mexico’s ecology and the natural and man-made threats it faces. Texas Parks and Wildlife executive director Carter Smith will be on hand to discuss the challenges the body of water faces.
For reservations, information and age restrictions, click here. The documentary will air Feb. 24-27 on all Texas PBS stations.For more information on the film, click here.
Check out this preview:
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Event
January 25, 2011
Recap: 'The Bachelor' week 4, Jan. 24
Wow. Was there a full moon on Monday? I mean, beside the eight or nine always precariously peeking out from the skimpy bikini bottoms that seem to cluster around “The Bachelor” Stephen Bradley Pickelsimer — er, I mean, Brad Womack — wherever he goes?
Cuz the women were bringing the crazy Monday night. I am beginning to think that ABC stands for “Always Be Crazy.”
For starters, psycho Michelle wakes up with a black eye and she doesn’t know how she got it. Frankly, I wouldn’t have been surprised to find out that any of the other girls took a pop at her while she slept, but I have a hunch that this bruise was self inflicted. I have no proof, but I could easily see Michelle stuffing a sock full of jealousy, hatred and self-loathing and repeatedly smacking her face with it, all the while chanting, “This will make him love me!”
In her confessionals to the camera, Michelle physically threatens the other women with bodily injury including, for instance, planting her boney elbows in their faces. Seriously — if Brad picks her and then goes back and watches all of this stuff the producers and editors have hidden from him, he’s going to be upset.
Michelle’s problem is that she feels that she and Pickelsimer have a connection and, so, when she sees him take other women out on dates and form connections with them, too, she feels hurt and gets nutty. I’m not saying that’s an improper reaction to the circumstance but, you know, what did Michelle think was going to happen? If Brad picks you in the third week and the show is suddenly over, then ABC has to start airing new episodes of “Flash Forward” and nobody wants that.
Also in the crazy club? Ashley H. and, sadly, Chantal.
Read the rest of the recap — including an explanation for that picture up there — and see some exclusive “Bachelor” hot tub video after the jump.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Entertainment, Reality TV, Recap
January 24, 2011
Recap: 'Your OWN Show' Week 3, Jan. 21
Zach Anner survived last week’s contest by flying under the radar. This week, he took center stage and propelled his team to a victory on “Your OWN Show: Oprah’s Search for the Next TV Star.”
If the first two challenges of the reality competition on Oprah Winfrey’s new cable network — sex and fashion — didn’t play to Anner’s strengths, this week’s late night talk show segment was right up his alley.
Coached by former late night TV host Arsenio Hall, the two competing teams were instructed to complete a three-and-a-half minute late night talk show segment complete with a comic monologue and a brief interview with Hall.
The (largely) women’s team, Team Vision, has a built-in, working comic in Terey Summers, a motivational speaker and improviser. But Aunt Flora (pictured, who wants to do a cooking show) complains that she hasn’t been on camera yet and pretty much insists on interviewing Hall. It’s all downhill from there.
Team Focus wisely turns, as it did in week one, to its comic star, Zach, who wants to interview Hall. Zach’s hilarious idea is that he’ll be sitting behind a desk in his wheelchair (he has cerebral palsy) conducting the interview and then, when the show is over, he will drive off, revealing that the desk is actually attached to his wheelchair. It’s a brilliant sight gag.
But the Team-elected producer of the segment, minister Tony Roach (who wants to ultimately do a motivational talk show) decides that Alicia Taylor (financial show) should interview Hall, because she had a natural connection with him when they met Hall as a group. Zach, Tony decides, will do the monologue.
Zach still uses the desk bit, and it is still hilarious, but it doesn’t make as much sense. Still, he has a great time (from what we see of it) poking fun at himself, “Your OWN Show” co-host Carson Kressley and, for contemporary pop-culture good measure, Lady Gaga. Each team is the audience for the competing team this week, and Team Vision can’t help but laugh at Zach’s antics. Alicia does a decent job interviewing Hall. She is personable and confident. I can’t see her doing this kind of show, ultimately, but I think she could definitely be a television personality of some sort.
Team Vision’s segment largely tanks. Kristina Kuzmic-Crocco — who is bossy and really starting to wear on me — does a super-confident and somewhat amusing monologue. But Aunt Flora, while sweet, makes no connection with Hall. Interviewing celebrities is no easy task and Flora’s just not up to it. She puts Hall on the defensive right away by asking him, “Where have you been?” It’s a fair question and I have to admit that I was wondering the same thing, but it’s not a particularly good lead-off query.
Here’s what else I’m wondering: why do both teams think it’s necessary to have two people on camera every week? It’s kind of weird to watch one person do a monologue and then hand off to another contestant to conduct the interview. I know the segments are short and everyone wants camera time, but the length of the pieces makes it seem even more odd.
In the end, the judges declare Team Focus the winner and send them to the Green Room. Hey — I just remembered that there was almost zero shilling for sponsor Kohl’s this week. I’ll bet they make up for it next time. Anyway, Aunt Flora and Terey are put on the hot seat, conducting one-on-one interviews with Hall in competition for a reprieve. Aunt Flora did poorly in her first shot with Hall and she does no better here. Terey, meanwhile, is comfortable and confident, if not exactly humorous or entertaining. Still, she does well enough to get a pass, sending Aunt Flora home.
Sorry, Aunt Flora, but you did yourself in by insisting that you appear on camera. If you’d have just waited a week, you and Kristina could have gotten into some good fights about your cooking show, which is the theme of the next challenge. Eric Warren, another cooking show wannabee, was sent home last week. That means that the only cooking show hopeful remaining is the uber-annoying Kristina and, unfortunately, that means that she’ll get lots of camera time next week. It also means that I will grind away about an eight of an inch of tooth enamel (maybe one of the upcoming themed challenges will focus on dental care).
I’m predicting a win for Team Vision and a lot of kitchen products from Kohl’s.
Did the judges pick the right team? Will you miss Aunt Flora? Sound off in the comments below.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Reality TV, Recap
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“American Experience” 8 p.m., PBS: Construction of the Panama Canal, which only cost the U.S. $375,000 but claimed the lives of more than 5,000 workers, is explored.
“Stalked: Someone’s Watching” 9:30 p.m., Discovery I.D.: This new series explores stalkers and their victims. I recommend watching this show obsessively: Write fan letters to its actors; Build shrines; Travel to Los Angeles and go through their garbage.
“19 Kids and Counting” 9:30 p.m., TLC: Skydiving and shooting (hopefully not at the same time) mark the new season of Duggar drama.
Tuesday:
“State of the Union Address” 8 p.m., All major broadcast and cable news networks: How we doing? Tune in to find out (or, you know, just look up your checking account balance).
“Dirty Jobs” 8 p.m., Discovery: Want to know the real state of the Union? Mike Rowe delivers a report on America’s infrastructure.
“Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?” 8 p.m., We: Comic Joan Rivers moves in with her daughter in the opener of this new reality series.
“Stand Up Mother” 9 p.m., We: Comic Tammy Pescatelli juggles work and family in another We series opener.
Wednesday:
“Live to Dance” 7 p.m., CBS: Two teams move on in the competition, and they both get clobbered by “American Idol” over on Fox.
“Face Off” 9 p.m., Syfy: The cable network’s new reality series pits special effects artists against each other. Tonight’s challenge: create a human-animal hybrid. It’s like ABC’s “V,” except that this show is potentially entertaining.
Thursday:
“Vampire Diaries” 7 p.m., The CW: Damon wants Elena to keep tabs on Rose. Sorry, I am recapping “The Bachelor” and everything with the word “rose” in it catches my eye.
“The Office” 8 p.m., NBC: When Erin and Gabe’s Scrabble game is a plot-line, you know this show is running out of ideas.
“Archer” 9 p.m., FX: A Swiss ski resort provides the setting for the Season 2 kick-off of this animated spy comedy.
Friday:
“Kitchen Nightmares” 7 p.m., Fox: You know things are bad when Chef Ramsey is the cool head leading an intervention.
“Fringe” 8 p.m., Fox: Walter asks Nina for — oh, who am I kidding? This show is so good that you don’t need plot details, and I’m going to keep promoting it in this spot until it gets renewed for a third season, so tell your friends with Nielsen boxes to step it up.
Saturday:
“Austin City Limits” 7 p.m., PBS: Lyle Lovett and Bob Schneider perform.
“Figure Skating” 8 p.m., NBC: From Greensboro, North Carolina, the U.S. Championship’s women’s final.
“Boomtown” 9 p.m., Planet Green: This new documentary series explores how an oil strike affects a rural community. Well, first, I am guessing it makes it oilier.
Sunday:
“Pro Bowl” 6 p.m., Fox: The AFC battles the NFC in Honolulu in pro football’s all-star game.
“The Lost Valentine” 8 p.m., CBS: Can Betty White revive the broadcast network TV movie? She’s done everything else in the past 12 months.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
January 20, 2011
Engaged Jesse James and Kat Von D to call Austin part-time home
Reality TV personality Jesse James, who moved to Austin last summer after the revelation of extra-marital indiscretions ended his marriage to Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock, is engaged to girlfriend Kat Von D., People magazine reports.
The couple has spent time in Austin, recently ringing in the New Year at Justine’s. People asked Von D if she would relocate from Los Angeles to Austin to live with James and she replied that the couple would maintain residences in both cities. “In the end, home is where the heart is, and my heart’s with him,” she said.
Of the proposal, James told People, “So honored that she said ‘yes.’ Growing old with her is going to be a (expletive) blast!”
Ah, young love. That’s sweet, right?
How do you feel about the motorcycle maven and the tattooed lady playing house here? Sound off in the comments, below.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Reality TV
January 19, 2011
'Bachelor' Brad Womack has a criminal record
EW.com reports that Austin’s Womack, back for a second stint on ABC’s “The Bachelor,” sports a criminal record. The website cites court records revealing that the Austin bar owner was arrested in Texas for forging a driver’s license in 1993.
Meanwhile, Star magazine says Womack has also been busted for bad check passing and public intoxication.
Networks are usually good at discovering this stuff during a vetting process, but Womack’s criminal record is under his birth name, Stephen Bradley Pickelsimer — which, I’m pretty sure, is what I am going to have to call him now in my weekly “Bachelor” recaps.
Are you surprised to learn of Womack’s indiscretions? Sound off in the comments below.
Correction: This post contained information from EW.com indicating that Womack’s surname at birth was Pickelsimer. That information is incorrect. Womack was born Stephen Bradley Womack. His surname changed to Pickelsimer when his mother remarried and, according to court records, was changed back to Womack in 1998.
Clarification: Tela Mange, spokeswoman for the Texas Department for Public Safety, said Brad Womack’s photograph, taken as part of the fingerprinting process for a background investigation, was not from an arrest. Womack’s brother, Chad, said the background check was requested as part of the process for obtaining a Small Business Administration loan.
The photo then, however, became part of his criminal record.
“The photo is attached to the person, not to an event,” Mange says.
Permalink | Comments (25) | Categories: Entertainment, Reality TV
Thursday premieres: 'Fairly Legal" and NBC's 3-hour comedy block
Sarah Shahi stars as mediator Kate Reed in the new USA Network drama, “Fairly Legal.”
“Fairly Legal”
9 p.m., USA Network
Tired of lawyer shows? Me too.
I’m afraid that others like us are going to be turned off by the title of USA’s enchanting new series, “Fairly Legal,” premiering Thursday at 9 p.m. That would be a shame. Because the series, starring an adorable Sarah Shahi as a somewhat goofy but brilliant mediator, is really an anti-lawyer show.
Shahi’s Kate Reed is a former lawyer who got tired of all the legal mumbo-jumbo, rules and loopholes. She still works at her deceased father’s law firm, trying to get warring clients on the same page and, in the pilot, performing pro-bono mediation mandated by an irascible judge. Her stepmother runs the firm now and Sarah still holds a grudge about the woman breaking up her father’s marriage. The divorced Kate has been no luckier in love, but she maintains a friendly relationship with her ex-husband, played by Michael Trucco, who works for the District Attorney. And she’s got new home digs, too, camping out in the marina on her father’s boat.
In spite of all of this upheaval, Kate remains upbeat. She is given to whimsy — especially in her creative solutions in resolving legal disputes — and although she might seem something like a modern day Ally McBeal, “Fairly Legal” is thankfully void of that show’s signature flights of fancy.
One thing I didn’t like about the pilot: the ringtones and photos that pop up whenever Kate’s ever-present cellphone rings are all based on characters from “The Wizard of Oz.” I understand that Kate could consider herself an ersatz Dorothy in her new world and all, but having the Wicked Witch pop up whenever her stepmother calls, the Tin Man for her ex-husband and the Scarecrow for her brother seems unnecessary, gimmicky and forced.
Also premiering Thursday
NBC’s three-hour comedy block is finally here. The network ditched the 9 p.m. drama slot and has filled out the prime time schedule with the return of “Parks and Recreation” (8:30 p.m.) and a new sitcom, “Perfect Couples” (7:30 p.m.).
I’m all for the return of Amy Poehler’s “Parks and Rec,” but “Perfect Couples” is a mess (and really, you’re just handing critics and headline writers a gift when you put the word “perfect” in the title of your show). The acting is bad, the story is pointless and I couldn’t find a single character I cared about. “Perfect Couples” makes “Outsourced” look brilliant.
Here’s NBC’s new Thursday prime time schedule:
7 p.m. “Community”
7:30 p.m. “Perfect Couples”
8 p.m. “The Office”
8:30 p.m. “Parks and Recreation”
9 p.m. “30 Rock”
9:30 p.m. “Outsourced”
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Mid-season TV, Review, TV tips
AFF hosts Sunday panel with writers Hawley and Killen
From the AFF press release for the event, titled “Conversations in Film: Breaking Into & Writing for Television”:
Television is a fickle - but potentially very lucrative - industry and trends can change even during the course of a season. This discussion will cover writing and developing viable TV pilots and spec scripts that will get the attention of producers and executives, how to craft and deliver an effective pitch, pilot pick-ups, how to get on staff, and how to be a working writer outside of LA/NY.
Noah Hawley is an author, screenwriter and producer, whose screenplay credits include Lies & Alibis and Home Free, which he and his brother wrote and sold to Disney earlier this year. Hawley broke into television when he began writing and producing the hit show “Bones” for Fox. He also executive produced the ABC pilot he wrote called “The Unusuals.” Most recently, Hawley worked on “My Generation,” a series he wrote and created, which aired on ABC.
In 2008, Kyle Killen’s script for THE BEAVER landed on top of The Black List and was directed by Jodie Foster, who stars in the film alongside Mel Gibson. The already famous film will finally have its release in the spring of 2011. Killen was also the creator/writer/executive producer of the highly acclaimed albeit short-lived 20th Century Fox Television drama “Lone Star.”
Call Austin Film Festival at 512-478-4795 or visit the AFF website for more information.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Event
January 18, 2011
Recap: 'The Bachelor' week 3 (Jan. 17)
Hey, guess what? A Google search for “Madison” and “Bachelor” turns up a lot of seedy pre-wedding stuff to do in Wisconsin!
Wow. Who’da thought that Madison — the vampire-fetish girl with the fangs who appeared as a dominatrix with Bachelor Brad Womack in last week’s American Red Cross PSAs — would turn out to be the most normal, honest and thoughtful of “The Bachelor” bunch?
Throughout the week captured in Monday’s episode, Madison grew up. A lot. Listening to Emily tell a small group of contestants how she lost the love of her life in a plane crash, Madison had to wipe tears from her eyes. At the cocktail party that ended the week, she told Brad she was questioning her motives for being there — that she had come there hoping to find love but that she had discovered that there were other women who needed this much more than she did.
During the rose ceremony, sensing Brad was about to call her name and offer her a rose, Madison shook her head “no” and left the room. Brad followed her and she told him she was leaving, saying she couldn’t bear the thought of waking up the next day and realizing she had taken a rose that should have gone to one of the other women.
Surprisingly sweet, perceptive Madison took a wooden stake in the heart for Emily.
I’m sure she’ll do fine. There’s always Team Jacob.
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Read the rest of the recap after the jump.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Random thoughts, Reality TV, Review
January 17, 2011
Preview: 'Harry's Law'
Remember last week when I wrote about “Fairly Legal,” USA Network’s fun, quirky dramedy starring Sarah Shahi? I wrote that I was afraid that people were going to avoid watching the new series because we don’t really need another show about lawyers.
“Harry’s Law” is that show. The one we don’t need.
Too cute by a mile, the cloying series finds Kathy Bates as Harry Korn, a patent lawyer who has a late-career epiphany and sets up shop in an abandoned shoe store to practice criminal law. Bates is fine, rising above her homespun, goofy character and annoying supporting cast (including Brittany Snow and “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip’s” Nathan Cordry) but the set-up and plot line is fairly ridiculous.
Creator David E. Kelley has trod this ground before (from “Ally McBeal” to “Boston Legal”) and maybe he’s just out of ideas. Seeing Bates pulling a gun and reversing the threat on a thug who offers “protection” to the storekeepers in the less-than-desireable local where Korn sets up shop is ludicrous. Let’s not even ask why a high-end, designer shoe store was in that area to begin with.
None of it makes sense when you think about it but, unfortunately, there’s nothing interesting enough here to keep one’s mind from wandering. Check out the clip below and tell me you don’t agree.
My grade: D
“Harry’s Law”
9 p.m. Mondays
NBC
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Entertainment, Mid-season TV, Review, TV tips
Recap: 'Your OWN Show' week 2, Jan. 14
I don’t know whether or not the Oprah Winfrey Network studios have a radar smooshed on top of them but, if they do, Zach Anner just flew under it. The affable Austinite, one of nine remaining competitors on “Your OWN Show: Oprah’s Search for the Next TV Star,” was barely shown this week.
That was probably good for Zach, because it’s hard to imagine him knowing much about dresses, shoes, hair and makeup. You know who probably does, though? Co-host Carson Kressley, formerly of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” You know who else probably does? Contestant Ryan, whose head almost exploded when it was announced that fashion designer Vera Wang would be mentoring Teams Focus and Vision in producing a three-and-a-half-minute makeover segment. (On a side note, Wang seems to be participating because she has a fashion line at show sponsor Kohl’s, which I’m pretty sure means that the challenge for one of the upcoming weeks will be built around a down comforter and a quesedilla maker).
Ryan’s fashion freak-out begins when co-host Nancy O’Dell announces that the teams will also be working with celebrity stylist Ken Paves. Ryan makes that “O” face that nets Oprah a royalty every time it appears. I firmly believe that he knows who Paves is, although I’m pretty sure the others’ whoops and hollers of delight are just their way of being polite. Seriously — have you ever heard of Ken Paves? Anyway, any bets who’ll volunteer to lead Team Focus this week?
The teams are told they will each give a makeover to a deserving person nominated by that person’s daughter. I’m hesitant to call these two subjects “winners,” since a makeover from a bunch of amateurs might not turn out to be such a great prize. Team Vision gets Lorie, a single mother who has beaten breast cancer. Team Focus — the mostly men’s team — must makeover Barbara, who we learn has just dropped 140 lbs. Barabra’s story doesn’t pack quite the emotional wallop of a victory over cancer, but that’s just the beginning of Team Focus’ problems.
The teams each ambush their victims — er, subjects — one in a park and the other at a restaurant. The subjects seem kind of uncomfortable at first and it’s no wonder: nobody in America had any idea who these knuckleheads were while this show was being taped and if a mismatched group of amateurs with a camera (followed by, I’m assuming, a group of professionals with cameras taping the first group) ambushed me, I’d be a little freaked out too.
A Kohl’s shopping trip with Vera Wang is followed by a consultation at Paves’ salon, then we head into rehearsals.
Team Focus has a rough time. Eric, chosen by team leader Ryan to introduce the segment on camera, foregoes use of the teleprompter in favor of index cards, but they must have gotten out of order or something because he has a really rough time, stumbling over words and eating up a lot of the team’s precious time. Alicia, though, displays a lot of natural on-camera talent. This is a shame, because the sooner she gets eliminated, the sooner I can drop the goofy names and start referring to these groups as “the women’s team” and “the men’s team.”
Team Vision does much better this week. They decide to put Paves — who came to the studio to do touch ups on the subjects — on camera. This turns out to be a brilliant move: Not only is Paves the most comfortable on camera out of anybody in the studio except O’Dell and Kressley — he also has a natural rapport with Wang. The actual produced segments mimic the rehearsals and Team Vision clearly comes out on top. During the judging segment, Kressley tells Team Focus that the best moments in their segment came after the cameras stopped rolling, when the daughter and her made-over-mom hugged and displayed genuine emotion. He was being kind; those were really the only good moments.
The judges had a few minor problems with Team Vision’s segment, but nothing major. Mostly, they fell all over themselves praising the team, which they declare the victor, sending its members back to the green room for celebratory champagne (probably from the Kohl’s Vineyards).
They ask Team Focus what went wrong and its members start to turn on each other, (except for Zach — seriously, is he even here this week?) Alicia blames Ryan. Ryan says once the cameras roll, success or failure is up to the host. Eric kind of blames himself. In the end, the judges blame Eric and Ryan and send the others back to sweet green room safety.
You know the drill, right? Ryan and Eric each get a chance to redeem themselves by conducting a one-on-one on-camera interview with Wang. Ryan goes first. He claims to have researched Wang online, but you just know he subscribes to Wang Magazine and collects Vera Wang Trading Cards (which they probably sell at Kohl’s). He’s probably got a shrine at home in his parents’ house (where I’m assuming he still lives) with scented candles and newspaper clippings hanging up on the wall next to a map with pushpins indicating all of the Kohl’s stores in the continental Unites States. I’m just going to say it: I believe Ryan is a Wang stalker.
He asks the designer good questions — unusual and interesting. One is about her past as a figure skater and how that affects her fashion sense. Another is about gay marriage. Ryan seems kind of impulsive and inept, but he is also a clever strategist and, frankly, comes off as a really nice guy.
Eric does not fare so well. His creepy questions are all about Wang’s opinion of him and whether or not having his head on Oprah’s chopping block is fair. O’Dell and Kressley cut the interview short and Wang is noticeably relieved.
Finally, the decision is made and Eric is sent home, presumably to build his own revenge shrine against Wang.
And then there were eight.
Next week the teams must produce a late-night talk show segment with celebrity mentor Arsenio Hall. You remember Hall, right? He used to be a celebrity. I was kind of hoping that Jay Leno would be the guest, because he could award the title of winner to one of the teams and then decide he wants it back.
A late-night talk segment, including a comedy monologue, should be right up Zach’s alley, so I am hoping we get to see more of him next week.
Do you think the judges sent the right person packing? Are you pulling for Zach? Sound off in the comments below.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Random thoughts, Reality TV
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“The Bachelor” 7 p.m., ABC: Brad sends two women home and another decides to quit in tonight’s episode. Look for a full recap Tuesday on the TV Blog at www.austin360.com/tvblog.
“Heavy” 7 p.m., A&E: Two Houston residents battle life-threatening weight problems in the premiere episode of this series partially filmed in Austin.
“Mega Dens” 9 p.m., DIY: The series debut finds a family room repurposed as an area for recreational activities.
“Harry’s Law” 9 p.m., NBC: Kathy Bates stars as a fired attorney who sets up shop in an abandoned shoe store, which should be good for all the legal legwork.
Tuesday:
“NCIS” 7 p.m., CBS: “Hi, Bob!” Bob Newhart guest stars.
“Life Unexpected” 7 p.m., The CW: Tonight’s Season 2 finale could be it for the series, so if you’re a fan, you’ll want to tune in.
“Pioneers of Television” 7 p.m., PBS: Season 2 kicks off with a probe of three science fiction TV pioneers, because probing happens a lot in sci-fi.
“Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern” 8 p.m., Travel: Syria is explored in the fifth season opener. “Mmmmm … camel sausage.”
Wednesday:
“American Idol” 7 p.m., Fox: Season 10 finds Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler with Randy Jackson at the judges table. I don’t care about the guys, but I hope they don’t make J-Lo wear robes.
“Minute to Win It” 7 p.m., NBC: I don’t know what the “chocolate unicorn challenge” could possibly consist of, but it sounds fantastically delicious.
“Extra Virgin” 9 p.m., Cooking Channel: Actress Debi Mazar and hubby explore their passion for Tuscan food and each other in tonight’s premiere. Spicy!
“LA: City of Demons” 9 p.m., Investigation Discovery: Author James Ellroy hosts this new series exploring Los Angeles crime.
Thursday:
“American Idol” 7 p.m., Fox: The auditions continue in New Orleans.
“Perfect Couples” 7:30 p.m., NBC: I’m sort of obligated to tell you that this drippy, new sitcom premieres tonight, but I can’t recommend watching it.
“Parks and Recreation” 8:30 p.m., NBC: But I can recommend you check out the return of this ever-improving show to NBC’s expanded Thursday comedy lineup.
“Fairly Legal” 9 p.m., USA: An adorable Sarah Shahi stars as a mediator in this refreshing, whimsical take on the legal show.
Friday:
“Medium” 7 p.m., CBS: That’s all she wrote. New jobs affect the DuBios family in the series closer.
“Kitchen Nightmares” 7 p.m., Fox: Chef Gordon Ramsey goes all extreme makeover on a New Jersey eatery in the third-season kickoff.
“Fringe” 8 p.m. Fox: Members of the Fringe Division set out to prove that television’s best drama can survive on Friday nights.
“Onion News Network” 9 p.m., IFC: The premiere of this tedious take on cable news is all style and no substance. Some things are better in print.
“Portlandia” 9:30 p.m., IFC: Another IFC premiere finds “Saturday NIght Live’s” Fred Armison tackling a variety of bizarre characters in odd and interesting - but not always funny — sketches.
Saturday:
“Austin City Limits” 7 p.m., PBS: Sonic Youth and the Black Keys perform.
“An Idiot Abroad” 8:30 p.m., Science: Comic partners Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant send lackey Karl Pilkington abroad in the premiere of this twisted travelogue.
Sunday:
“The Simpsons” 7 p.m., Fox: James Lipton and David Mamet guest star.
“Nature” 7 p.m., PBS: It’s an evening of bird-watching in the New Guinea rain forest.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts, TV tips
January 16, 2011
'Golden Globes' predictions: How'd I do?
Okay, how’d I do?
Best Television Series — Drama
“Boardwalk Empire”
“Dexter”
“The Good Wife”
“Mad Men”
“The Walking Dead”
Will win: “Mad Men.” HBO’s
“Boardwalk Empire” hasn’t caught fire yet and this was a stellar season for AMC’s signature show.
Possible spoiler: “The Walking Dead.”
Winner: Boardwalk Empire
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series —Drama
Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife”
Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men”
Piper Perabo, “Covert Affairs”
Katey Sagal, “Sons of Anarchy”
Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer”
Will win: Moss. For the episode “The Suitcase” alone, she deserves the honor.
Possible spoiler: Margulies.
Winner: Sagal
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Drama
Steve Buscemi, “Boardwalk Empire”
Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”
Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Hugh Laurie, “House”
Will win: Hamm. This was a complex, defining season for Don Draper and Hamm was up to the challenge.
Possible spoiler: Buscemi.
Winner: Buscemi
Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical
“30 Rock”
“The Big Bang Theory”
“The Big C”
“Glee”
“Modern Family”
“Nurse Jackie”
Will win: “Modern Family.” The second season of ABC’s fantastic comedy was even better than the first.
Possible spoiler: “The Big C.”
Winner: Glee
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Comedy or Musical
Toni Collette, “United States of Tara”
Edie Falco, “Nurse Jackie”
Tina Fey, “30 Rock”
Laura Linney, “The Big C”
Lea Michelle, “Glee”
Will win: Linney. She gave the best overall dramedy performance from a woman this year.
Possible spoiler: Michelle.
Winner: Linney
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Comedy or Musical
Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”
Steve Carell, “The Office”
Thomas Jane, “Hung”
Matthew Morrison, “Glee”
Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory”
Will win: Baldwin. His Jack Donaghy is the corporate suit TV viewers love to hate.
Possible spoiler: Parsons.
Winner: Parsons
Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
“Carlos”
“The Pacific”
“Pillars of the Earth”
“Temple Grandin”
“You Don’t Know Jack”
Will win: “The Pacific.” HBO’s sweeping war saga was epic in scope, but highly personal.
Possible spoiler: “Temple Grandin”
Winner: Carlos
Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Hayley Atwell, “Pillars of the Earth”
Claire Danes, “Temple Grandin”
Judi Dench, “Return to Cranford”
Romola Garai, “Emma”
Jennifer Love Hewitt, “The Client List”
Will win: Danes. As the titular, autistic Grandin, Danes really lost herself in her role.
Possible spoiler: Dench.
Winner: Danes
Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Idris Elba, “Luther”
Ian McShane, “Pillars of the Earth”
Al Pacino, “You Don’t Know Jack”
Dennis Quade, “The Special Relationship”
Edgar Ramirez, “Carlos”
Will win: Pacino, because he’s Al Pacino.
Possible spoiler: Elba.
Winner: Pacino
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Hope Davis, “The Special Relationship”
Jane Lynch, “Glee”
Kelly MacDonald, “Boardwalk Empire”
Julia Stiles, “Dexter”
Sofia Vergara, “Modern Family”
Will win: MacDonald. “Boardwalk Empire” needs to go home with at least one trophy and this is the weakest category for competition.
Possible spoiler: Vergara.
Winner: Lynch
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Scott Cann, “Hawaii Five-0”
Chris Colfer, “Glee”
Chris Noth, “The Good Wife”
Eric Stonestreet, “Modern Family”
David Strathairn, “Temple Grandin”
Will win: Stonestreet. “Modern Family’ is hot and Stonestreet is the closest thing it’s got to a breakout star.
Possible spoiler: Colfer.
Winner: Colfer
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts
January 14, 2011
My TV picks for Sunday's Golden Globe winners
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association hands out the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday in Beverly Hills (the broadcast begins at 7 p.m. CT on NBC). Here are my predictions for the winners in the television categories. Do you think I blew it? Sound off in the comments below.
Best Television Series — Drama:
“Boardwalk Empire”
“Dexter”
“The Good Wife”
“Mad Men”
“The Walking Dead”
Will win: “Mad Men.” HBO’s
“Boardwalk Empire” hasn’t caught fire yet and this was a stellar season for AMC’s signature show.
Possible spoiler: “The Walking Dead.”
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series —Drama
Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife”
Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men”
Piper Perabo, “Covert Affairs”
Katey Sagal, “Sons of Anarchy”
Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer”
Will win: Moss. For the episode “The Suitcase” alone, she deserves the honor.
Possible spoiler: Margulies.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Drama
Steve Buscemi, “Boardwalk Empire”
Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”
Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Hugh Laurie, “House”
Will win: Hamm. This was a complex, defining season for Don Draper and Hamm was up to the challenge.
Possible spoiler: Buscemi.
Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical
“30 Rock”
“The Big Bang Theory”
“The Big C”
“Glee”
“Modern Family”
“Nurse Jackie”
Will win: “Modern Family.” The second season of ABC’s fantastic comedy was even better than the first.
Possible spoiler: “The Big C.”
Winner: Glee
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Comedy or Musical
Toni Collette, “United States of Tara”
Edie Falco, “Nurse Jackie”
Tina Fey, “30 Rock”
Laura Linney, “The Big C”
Lea Michelle, “Glee”
Will win: Linney. She gave the best overall dramedy performance from a woman this year.
Possible spoiler: Michelle.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Comedy or Musical
Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”
Steve Carell, “The Office”
Thomas Jane, “Hung”
Matthew Morrison, “Glee”
Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory”
Will win: Baldwin. His Jack Donaghy is the corporate suit TV viewers love to hate.
Possible spoiler: Parsons.
Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
“Carlos”
“The Pacific”
“Pillars of the Earth”
“Temple Grandin”
“You Don’t Know Jack”
Will win: “The Pacific.” HBO’s sweeping war saga was epic in scope, but highly personal.
Possible spoiler: “Temple Grandin”
Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Hayley Atwell, “Pillars of the Earth”
Claire Danes, “Temple Grandin”
Judi Dench, “Return to Cranford”
Romola Garai, “Emma”
Jennifer Love Hewitt, “The Client List”
Will win: Danes. As the titular, autistic Grandin, Danes really lost herself in her role.
Possible spoiler: Dench.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Idris Elba, “Luther”
Ian McShane, “Pillars of the Earth”
Al Pacino, “You Don’t Know Jack”
Dennis Quade, “The Special Relationship”
Edgar Ramirez, “Carlos”
Will win: Pacino, because he’s Al Pacino.
Possible spoiler: Elba.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Hope Davis, “The Special Relationship”
Jane Lynch, “Glee”
Kelly MacDonald, “Boardwalk Empire”
Julia Stiles, “Dexter”
Sofia Vergara, “Modern Family”
Will win: MacDonald. “Boardwalk Empire” needs to go home with at least one trophy and this is the weakest category for competition.
Possible spoiler: Vergara.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Scott Cann, “Hawaii Five-0”
Chris Colfer, “Glee”
Chris Noth, “The Good Wife”
Eric Stonestreet, “Modern Family”
David Strathairn, “Temple Grandin”
Will win: Stonestreet. “Modern Family’ is hot and Stonestreet is the closest thing it’s got to a breakout star.
Possible spoiler: Colfer.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts
January 11, 2011
Review: 'Lights Out' (FX)
“Lights Out”
Premieres at 9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 1, 2011
FX
I imagine that other reviewers are using terms like “knockout” to describe “Lights Out,” the terrific new drama from FX. I’m inclined to agree with them, albeit in a less clever manner.
The show stars Holt McCallany (“CSI: Miami”) as boxer Patrick “Lights” Leary. A retired heavyweight champ, Leary struggles, years after his decision to leave the ring at the behest of his wife Theresa (Catherine McCormack). We first meet her as she patches him up following a particularly brutal, career-ending bout with opponent “Death Row” Reynolds … a fight he could easily have won by knockout (or just as easily have killed him) but which he lost in a decision after going easy in the final round.
Leary, on the verge of financial ruin, is taunted as a has-been and works as hired muscle for a debt collector, ashamedly so. As violent urges and suppressed rage bubble to the surface in his personal life (none of it, it should be noted, directed toward his wife and children), Leary’s brother Johnny (Pablo Schreiber, “Law & Order”) instigates a rematch with Reynolds without his knowledge. This infuriates Theresa, who is terrified of losing him — and the brutal violence of the sport frightens his youngest child. Then there’s Stacy Keach as “Pops,” Leary’s dad, former trainer and gym owner.
Tuesday’s pilot episode is really good and all the parts are in place for a truly compelling series. The characters are well-drawn and -acted and the fight scenes are realistic and violently poetic. McCallany’s Leary is a good deal more intelligent and well-spoken than commonly-depicted pugilists, which makes his moral and professional dilemma both more interesting and consequential. The behind-the-scenes talent includes players from “In Treatment,” “The Shield” and “The Wire;” that’s an impressive pedigree.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Entertainment, Mid-season TV, Review, Sports on TV
January 10, 2011
This week's TV picks
Monday:
“The Gayle King Show” 9 a.m., OWN: Oprah’s gal pal gets her own show on O’s OWN network.
“Lie to Me” 7 p.m., Fox: Cal pulls a “House” and investigates a mental hospital.
“Stolen Voices, Buried Secrets” 9 p.m., Discovery: This new show tells true murder tales from the victims’ points of view with creepy fictionalized narration from the deceased.
Tuesday:
“V” 8 p.m., ABC: It’s a scaly smack down as Diana and Anna duke it out on the mother ship.
“Lights Out” 9 p.m., FX: The boxing craze hits the small screen as a washed-up prizefighter returns to the ring to support his wife and three daughters in tonight’s premiere episode.
“Independent Lens” 9 p.m., PBS: The plight of Haiti’s orphans is examined through the tales of three teens in “Children of Haiti.”
Wednesday:
“Modern Family” 8 p.m., ABC: “24’s” Mary Lynn Rajskub guests as Mitchell’s old girlfriend. That’s right, I said “girlfriend,” girlfriend.
“Off the Map” 9 p.m., ABC: Sigh. Another medical drama, this time about disillusioned docs who travel to South America in an attempt to reignite their passion for medicine. I feel their pain: I am trying to reignite my passion for medical dramas.
“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” 9 p.m., NBC: I get it, but I still think I’d be more interested if this show fictionalized only crimes involving sport utility vehicles.
Thursday:
“Community” 7 p.m., NBC: Yeah, it’s a repeat, but it’s a repeat of the stellar “dorms in a community college/blanket fort/Professor Professorson” episode, so watch it again.
“Beyond Scared Straight” 9 p.m., A&E: Inmates introduce youths to brutal lock-up reality. Tonight’s premiere is set in a Chowchilla, California women’s prison.
Friday:
“Your OWN Show: Oprah’s Search for the Next TV Star” 8 p.m., OWN: Designer Vera Wang helps Austin’s Zach Anner and his fellow competitors produce makeover segments.
“16th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards” 8 p.m., VH1: Maroon 5 plays the presenters and winners on and off as “Black Swan” takes home a bunch of wins.
Saturday:
“Austin City Limits” 7 p.m., PBS: The National and Band of Horses rock it out.
“Miss America Pageant” 8 p.m., ABC: Chris Harrison co-hosts this year’s pageant from Las Vegas, but I think Chris Hansen would be a better choice because he could keep the predators away.
Sunday:
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” 7 p.m., ABC: Snowboarder Shaun White and chef Paula Deen volunteer tonight in what must be an audition for Sundance channel’s “Iconoclasts.”
“The Simpsons” 7 p.m., Fox: Moe’s bar gets yet another makeover, but this one is “fabulous!”
“Hogs Gone Wild” 9 p.m., Discovery: I know, I thought this show featured pigs in bikinis, too, but the joke’s on us.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Mid-season TV, Reality TV, TV tips
January 7, 2011
Univision to hold reality series auditions in San Antonio
Spanish-language network Univision has scheduled auditions for its popular reality competition “Nuestra Belleza Latina” (Our Latin Beauty) in San Antonio. Auditions will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2011 from 7 a.m. to noon at the Lila Cockrell Theatre, 200 Market Street, San Antonio. It is the first time in five installments that the program has held nationwide try-outs.
Registration packets are availble from Sivan Salon and Day Spa, 15614 Huebner Rd San Antonio, or Univision 41, 411 East Durango, San Antonio. Registration can also be completed — and further information found — online at Univision41.com
From a Univision press release:
“Nuestra Belleza Latina” features some of the most charismatic, intelligent and captivating Hispanic women in the U.S. and Puerto Rico as they face-off in a thrilling competition in which it takes more than looks alone to succeed.
“Beauty certainly helps,” commented Mary Carmen López, first runner up in the 2009 contest. “But a pretty face is not enough, since not all that shines is gold. Women who participate must all have talent and be able to show it off. I would highly recommend coming prepare, as they would for a job interview and very importantly, they should possess that “spark.” Many women can be really pretty, be tall and nice, but they don’t succeed because they lack that spark that judges are looking for,” added López, who started her career in television after her participation in the contest. She is now the entertainment reporter for Univision 41.
Once auditions are complete, the selected group of women will vie for the title of “Nuestra Belleza Latina 2011” and compete for the opportunity of a lifetime: a contract as Univision’s newest on-air personality and $250,000 in cash and prizes.
Females auditioning must be between the ages of 18 and 27, speak fluent Spanish and able to reside in Miami during the length of their participation in the program.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Reality TV
January 6, 2011
'People's Choice Awards' winners -- really, America?
Well the People’s Choice Award winners were announced last night on CBS and they say a lot about us, not all of it good.
Is CBS’ horrible “$#*! My Dad Says” really our favorite new comedy?
Really?
And the once-great but now unwatchable “Glee” is our choice for best comedy? Over, say, “Modern Family?”
Perhaps I woke up in an alternate universe, like the characters on Fox’s nearly perfect (but probably doomed) “Fringe.” At least we got that one right, crowning it our favorite sci-fi show.
Fortunately, these awards are in no way a precursor to the Emmys or any other real awards shows. They are more like looking at your date’s bookshelf or — I guess, these days — browsing history to get a hint of his or her’s true personality.
You want your next blind date to be better, America? Stop asking William Shatner out. Oh, the “S#*!” we Americans vote for.
Here’s an alphabetical list of the 2011 People’s Choice Awards winners in the television category:
Favorite Competition Show: “American Idol”
Favorite New TV Comedy: “$#*! My Dad Says”
Favorite New TV Drama: “Hawaii Five-0”
Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show: “Fringe”
Favorite Talk Show Host: Conan O’Brien
Favorite TV Chef: Rachael Ray
Favorite TV Comedy: “Glee”
Favorite TV Comedy Actor: Neil Patrick Harris
Favorite TV Comedy Actress: Jane Lynch
Favorite TV Crime Drama: “Lie to Me”
Favorite TV Crime Fighter: Tim Roth - “Lie to Me”
Favorite TV Doctor: Gregory House - Hugh Laurie
Favorite TV Family: The Simpsons - “The Simpsons”
Favorite TV Drama: “House M.D.”
Favorite TV Drama Actor: Hugh Laurie
Favorite TV Drama Actress: Lisa Edelstein
Favorite TV Family Movie: “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam”
Favorite TV Guest Star: Demi Lovato - “Grey’s Anatomy”
Favorite TV Guilty Pleasure: “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”
Favorite TV Obsession: “Dexter”
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Entertainment
January 4, 2011
Near record-low ratings for Monday's 'bachelor' premiere
According to Entertainment Weekly, Monday night’s Season 15 debut of “The Bachelor” posted the series’ second-lowest premiere numbers ever, attracting only 8.9 million viewers.
This season marks the first time a former bachelor — Austinite Brad Womack, who left two finalists stranded at the end of Season 11 by choosing neither of them — has returned for a second round.
From the article:
The two-hour reality show only averaged a 2.9 rating/7 share among adults 18-49, down 12 percent from its last midseason premiere on Jan. 4, 2010. (Each 18-49 ratings point represents 1.3 million viewers).
The story noted that ABC tried to pull good news from the ratings, pointing out that the show was number one among female viewers aged 18-34.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Ratings, Reality TV
Fran Harris advances in 'GMA' competition
ABC’s “Good Morning America” narrowed its search for a new advice consultant down to a field of seven today, and former University of Texas basketball star Fran Harris made the cut.
“This contest has been so much fun,” said Harris. “From 15,000 applicants to the top 20 and now the top seven, what an honor.”
From Harris’ publicist:
GMA’s next task is called the Guru Daily Duel. It’s an online reality challenge running from Wednesday, January 5 to Wednesday January 12. Each day, two guru candidates will face off online answering a viewer question. Viewers are encouraged to weigh in on who they think is delivering great advice. Harris will participate in the first duel on Wednesday, January 5.
To read Harris’ advice and cast a vote for your favorite contender, click here.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV
Recap: 'The Bachelor' week 1
When these women start baring their teeth, my money’s on Madison.
Well, that was fast.
It took many of the contestants on this season’s edition of ABC’s “The Bachelor” less than two hours (in reality TV time) to transform from proud, defiant women — the first contestant to meet and recognize Austin’s Brad Womack planted a slap across his face “for every woman in America” — to catty teenage girls, battling for the love and affection of a man they’d just met.
But first, we had to see Womack with his shirt off.
A lot.
And he had to explain how much he’s grown in the three years that have passed since his first “Bachelor” stint in Season 11.
A lot.
He pleaded his case to host Chris Harrison. He talked about his brothers’ families and children and how he now knows that’s what he wants. He asked for forgiveness from DeAnna Pappas and Jenni Croft, the two women he rejected in his previous go-round who were brought back to confront Womack in last night’s episode. He explained his actions and his time in therapy to the contestants, over and over, and offered each of them a chance to leave if they doubted his sincerity. Not surprisingly, none took him up on his offer.
“I am here to find a wife,” Womack said.
I understand why the producers felt compelled to hammer this into our heads, but I sure hope the apology phase of the competition is over because it got real old, real fast.
Has Womack matured? Unlike most of this season’s contestants, I did not see his first stint, so I can’t say. But he seems kind of dull and mopey. Are those signs of growth? Perhaps, though I’m not sure that a shift from admitting you hadn’t found love on a reality television show to being defiantly positive that you can and will is an indicator of maturity. And he seems really calculating, as if he knows that his top priority is the rehabilitation of his image.
When Womack was not throwing himself on the mercy of half the planet’s population, the show had its humorous and interesting moments: Are you as glad as I am that Raichel the “manscaper’s” body waxing began and ended at Womack’s wrist? And did anybody else wish we’d been privy to a meeting between Madison (the woman with the fangs — yes, fangs) and Ashley H. the dentist?
“You look delicious,” the vampire fetishist Madison said to Womack when they met (and then she strategically added, “It’s Brad, right?” to the Bachelor, weary from the repetitive queries about his previous behavior on the show). “She has a very unique and sexy look,” Womack told the camera, later, “but on the other hand … the girl has fangs.”
Jackie, an artist from New York who “likes to sing,” looks a lot like a grown-up Rachel Berry from “Glee” and is just as annoying. During their first meeting, she made Brad “pinky swear” that he wouldn’t break her heart (they must have edited out the segment where she made him insist that he would let her have the solo in the upcoming show choir regional competition). Later she improvised the world’s worst song. That wasn’t as bad as Sarah P., who approached Womack and forced him to drop to his knees and repeat after her, “Will you marry me?”
Many of these beautiful women — teachers, paralegals, etc. — came off as sad and desperate. To be honest, it was kind of depressing. I’m sure “The Bachelorette” is even worse.
In the end, here’s who made the cut: Alli, Ashley H., Ashley S. (first impression rose), Britt, Chantal, Emily, Jackie, Keltie, Kim, Lindsay, Lisa, Madison, Marissa, Meghan, Melissa, Michelle, Raichel, Sarah, Shawntel and Stacey. Yep, all the “wacky moment” gals were among Monday night’s winners.
“I really do think that my wife is in this room,” Womack said after handing out the final rose.
His quest to figure out which one of these contestants is the future Mrs. Womack could be exciting, if the upcoming scenes from the remainder of the season were any indication. Or, at least, scenic. Because, look — there’s Womack ziplining! And cliff diving, walking on the beach, cavorting with lions and hippos, swimming with sharks and, you know, flying in the opposite direction around the earth to reverse its rotation and turn back time — often shirtless and always with gorgeous, bikini-clad babes by his side.
What could possibly have driven him to give this show a second try?
Those promos (and online spoilers) indicate that Womack falls for one of the beauties by season’s end and is worried that, this time, he’ll be the one abandoned. There’s your drama, though it seems kind of obvious.
Anyway, who’s your favorite? Did Womack send the right women packing? Who do you think will win? Sound off in the comments below.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV, Reality TV, Review
January 3, 2011
This week's TV picks
Monday:
‘Wild Kratts’ 4 p.m., PBS: Those crazy Kratts bring their special brand of kid-friendly programming to a new science and nature program.
‘The Bachelor’ 7 p.m., ABC: Austin bachelor Brad Womack is back for another shot at reality-televised true love. Tonight, Womack is confronted by his 2007 rejects and culls the filed of females to twenty.
‘Greek’ 8 p.m., ABC Family: Season 4 begins with struggles for Casey, Ashleigh, Becky, Rusty and, apparently, anybody whose name ends with the “ee” sound.
Tuesday:
‘V’ 8 p.m., ABC: If an alien invasion occurs and nobody sees it, do we all still turn into lizards? Guess we’ll find out when the ratings come in. What ABC is calling Season 2 and I insist is the second half of Season 1 kicks off tonight.
‘Southland’ 8 p.m., TNT: Season 3 of the cop show that basic cable saved begins with a bank robbery and a murder.
‘The Larry Sanders Show’ 10 p.m., IFC: HBO’s brilliant ‘90s spoof starring Garry Shandling as a neurotic late night talk show host s funnier than anything that Conan’s done since his return. After a weekend marathon, it lands in its regular 10 p.m. weekday IFC slot tonight.
Wednesday:
‘Damages’ 9 p.m., 101 Network: If you’re a DirecTV subscriber who has never seen this compelling legal drama, it’s time to catch up. Season 1 reruns begin tonight and the series’ episodes will run in order leading up to the premiere of a brand new Season 4 in summer 2011.
‘The Greatest Tank Battles’ 9 p.m., Military: The Battle of 73 Easting kicks off this new series. If it’s on long enough, I hope to see a re-enactment of the great sandbox battle of ’72 in which the Frito Bandito eraser took out the army minesweeper guy in my backyard.
‘The Ben Stiller Show’ 9:30 p.m., IFC: Tonight’s debut of the early ‘90s cult sketch comedy show features Stiller’s killer send-ups of Bono, Robert DeNiro as Eddy Munster and comic Yakov Smirnoff.
Thursday:
‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ 8 p.m., CBS: Prop comic Carrot Top appears as himself. I hope he plays a victim. And I hope this show is a documentary. Just kidding. Kinda’.
‘Jersey Shore’ 9 p.m., MTV: Oh Snooki, you’re so fine, you’re so fine you — no, wait, I must be thinking about somebody else. Season 3 of the world’s most inexplicably popular show premieres tonight.
Friday:
‘Cotton Bowl’ 7 p.m., Fox: LSU squares off against Texas A&M in Arlington. It’s the first time these teams have faced each other in 15 years.
‘Mr. Show’ 10 p.m., IFC: And so concludes IFC’s pick up of three of the most awesome comedy programs of the ‘90s. Bob Odenkirk and David Cross bust out their sketch comedy chops.
Saturday:
‘Saturday Night Live’ 10:30, NBC: Well if comic actor Jim Carrey can’t breathe some life into ‘SNL,’ it’s probably time to throw in the towel. The Black Keys perform.
Sunday:
‘Bob’s Burgers’ 7:30 p.m., Fox: A new animated show joins the animation domination line-up. Bonus: It replaces ‘American Dad!’ Bonus bonus: It’s not from Seth McFarlane.
‘The Cape’ 8 p.m., NBC: Highly stylized framed-cop-turns-superhero story is ridiculous and kind of fun. It’s also kind of violent for a show kids are going to want to watch.
‘Californication’ 8 p.m., Showtime: Last time we saw David Duchovney’s writer’s-blocked author Hank Moody, he was in the back of a squad car and heading to jail. See how he gets out of that one in tonight’s Season 4 premiere.
‘The Wild Within’ 8 p.m., Travel: An outdoorsman hunts and gathers in worldwide locales in this new nature series. Tonight he tries to tame Alaska.
‘Episodes’ 8:30 p.m., Showtime: Forget Matthem Perry’s middling ABC comedy. Another former ‘Friend,’ Matt LeBlanc, chews up the comic scenery as an arrogant, self-centered Matt LeBlanc in this smart new comedy.
‘Shameless’ 9 p.m., Showtime: I wish I could say that this show puts the “fun” in “dysfunctional,” but it’s really just bleak and sort of puts the “unlike” in “unlikable.” William H. Macy heads up this new effort set in Chicago and stuffed with gratuitous sex, alcohol and booze.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, TV tips
December 30, 2010
Austin's Zach Anner lands on Oprah's network January 7
Remember Zach Anner? We reported last summer about the Austinite’s efforts to win his own show on OWN, the upcoming cable television network from media mogul Oprah Winfrey.
Anner became an Internet sensation earlier this year when his audition video for the channel’s “Your OWN Show: Oprah’s Search for the Next TV Star” went viral, partially due to support from musician John Mayer. Anner’s submission proposed a travel show for people who never thought they could travel, a topic he knows something about.
More than 15,000 hopefuls auditioned live or via online video submissions and over 143 million votes were cast. The field was whittled down to a smaller group that went to Los Angeles for final auditions this fall. Finally, Anner — the self-described “wheelchair-bound lady magnet” with cerebral palsy — has been named as one of ten finalists on the reality competition (other contestants’ proposed topics include health, finance, food, celebrity, inspiration and one man who wants to be “America’s gay best friend).”
The program premieres January 7 at 8 p.m. on OWN. More details about Winfrey’s new network, which launches Saturday, can be found here.
OWN can be found on the following Austin providers’ channels:
Dish Network: 189
Time Warner Cable: 225
AT&T U-verse: 256
DirecTV: 279
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Reality TV
Plenty of TV marathons slated for New Year's weekend
Our friends over at TV Tango have compiled a pretty comprehensive list of New Year’s weekend television marathons and specials.
New Year’s Eve highlights include a “Mr. Show with Bob and David” marathon on IFC, Syfy’s popular “Twilight Zone” marathon (continues through New Year’s Day), and a Marx Brothers movie marathon on TCM.
On New Year’s Day, be sure to catch Discovery’s “Mythbusters” marathon, IFC’s “Larry Sanders Show” marathon and a “Jersey Shore” marathon on MTV.
Sunday, January 2 finds a James Bond movie marathon on BBC America, a “Green Acres” marathon on CMT and, you betcha’ — a “Sarah Palin’s Alaska” marathon on TLC.
Check out the rest of the 342 episodes, specials, movies and marathons over at the TV Tango website.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
December 27, 2010
This week's TV picks
Monday:
‘American Masters’ 8 p.m., PBS: Friends and lovers weigh in on the life of eccentric pianist Glenn Gould.
‘Men of a Certain Age’ 9 p.m., TNT: Penelope Ann Miller guest stars as Joe sets out to conclude his divorce.
‘American Chocolate Championship’ 9 p.m., TLC: I hope ‘milk’ wins!
Tuesday:
‘Rudolph’s Shiny New Year’ 7 p.m., ABC: Morey Amsterdam, Red Skelton and Frank Gorshin contribute their vocal stylings to this holiday not-quite-classic.
‘Kennedy Center Honors’ 8 p.m., CBS: A host of performers and presenters including Julia Roberts and Willie Nelson pay tribute to Oprah Winfrey, Paul McCartney, Merle Haggard, Bill T. Jones and Jerry Herman.
‘Cupcake Wars’ 8 p.m., Food: General Sherman’s use of red velvet batter during the American Civil War is examined. Just kidding — it’s actually something about Melissa Etheridge and the Hard Rock Café.
‘Hardcore Pawn’ 9 p.m., truTV: Season 2 kicks off with an alien adventure.
Wednesday:
‘Undercovers’ 7 p.m., NBC: Yeah, it’s bland, but it’s the only new network programming on tonight.
‘Extreme Couponing’ 7 p.m., TLC: It’s official: anything can be made into a television show.
‘My Strange Addiction’ 8 p.m., TLC: A profile of a woman who eats toilet paper every day. I repeat … anything.
‘I’d Do Anything’ 8 p.m., BBC America: It’s another reality talent show, with the contestants chasing lead roles in the musical ‘Oliver!’
Thursday:
‘Happy New Year, Charlie Brown’ 7 p.m., ABC: A marathon ‘War and Peace’ reading session? That blockhead really knows how to kill a New Year’s shindig.
‘Community’ 7 p.m., NBC: Did you miss this show’s ‘Apollo 13’ parody the first time it aired? Here’s your chance to catch up.
‘Overheard with Evan Smith’ 7 p.m., PBS: Evan chats with Sam Tanenhaus, editor of the New York Times Book Review.
Friday:
‘Live from Lincoln Center’ 7:30 p.m., PBS: The New York Philharmonic plays selections from ‘The Nutcracker.’
‘What Did I Do Last Night?’ 8 p.m., Current: Cameras follow young adults as they party hearty, then show them how stupidly they acted the next morning as they sober up in this new series.
‘Dick Clark’s Primetime New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2011’ 9 p.m., ABC: Ke$ha and Train are among the performers helping the dynamic duo ring in the New Year.
‘New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly’ 9 p.m., NBC: I don’t have any details about this event, but I’ll bet Ke$ha and Train won’t be there.
‘Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On’ 8 p.m., HBO: The Divine Miss M plays Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, performing ‘The Rose,’ ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ and other favorites.
Saturday:
‘Great Performances’ 8 p.m., PBS: Host Paula Zahn and the Vienna Philharmonic celebrate 2011’s arrival with Strauss selections.
Sunday:
‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ 7 p.m., ABC: Volleyball star Misty May helps design a bedroom.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, TV tips
December 21, 2010
Mexicanal Network adds Austin affiliate
The Mexicanal Network, which provides Mexicans living in the United States with news, entertainment and sports programming from their hometowns, is now available to Austin residents. The channel is available digitally on KVAT-LD, Channel 17.1 (the network is available in other states and Texas markets including Dallas, San Antonio, Harlingen and Corpus Christi). In Austin, the signal is only available over-the-air through use of a digital antenna.
“As we have added each new affiliate to our stable, we have made it our mission to not only bring our viewers the best entertainment and news from throughout Mexico, but also strengthen their sense of community by keeping them connected with their hometowns and heritage,” said Mexicanal President Luis Torres-Bohl.
Mexicanal’s programming includes “MX•24 Noticias,” a daily, half-hour original newscast featuring top regional, national and international news; and “De Kiosko en Kiosko,” which explores the culture, customs and traditions of Jalisco’s different municipalities, among others. The network also produces original programs including the boxing series “Cuadrilatero” and “La Ruta de Mexico,” a series about Mexico’s traditions and regional events.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, TV Technology
My TV Top Ten of 2010
Many of my fellow critics are posting their lists of the top ten television programs of 2010, so I might as well toss my remote into the sofa cushions (that’s what TV critics do instead of throwing their hats into the ring).
Here are my choices, in no particular order:
“Fringe”
Network TV’s best drama has really hit it’s stride. A meandering first season almost led me to tune out, but I’m glad I stuck around. I’m still not sure if the writers already knew they were heading to an alternate-universe storyline and just used the first season as a massive set-up or if they came up with the idea late in the game, but since that reveal, the Fox show has been gripping. Delivering “monster of the week” episodes on nearly an X-Files level, “Fringe” has a better, more compelling and specific underlying mythology. The continued snubbing of the show and its actors — specifically the amazing John Noble, but also Anna Torv, who really kicked it into gear this year — is a crime worthy of Fringe Division investigation.
“Community”
NBC’s “Community” is television’s most consistently creative comedy. “30 Rock” once held that title but that show’s machinations, while no less humorous, have become predictable. Meanwhile, “Community” continues to surprise. Writers found the show’s bread and butter in parody episodes tackling motion pictures such as “Apollo 13,” “Goodfellas” and “Mean Girls.” But the show refuses to coast: blanket forts, secret trampolines, paintball wars and self-referential winks to TV tropes delivered by the oxymoronic Abed (who, while emotionless, is the emotional center of the show) are comedic fodder for the denizens of Greendale. And what other community college has dorms? Forget pushing the envelope — this show rips it wide open.
“Sherlock!”
It could have been a disaster — an updated “high-functioning sociopath” Sherlock Holmes who, with Iraq War veteran and blogger John Watson at his side (and smart phone in his pocket) solves mysteries in modern-day London. But by embracing the spirit of the original tales and remaining true to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s characters, “Masterpiece Mystery” on PBS delivered a delightful and far too short series. Only three episodes (and the second was uneven), the show was more of a teaser for a longer run when it returns in Fall, 2011.
“The Big C”
What could have been a cloying, borderline offensive riff on the effects of cancer instead came off as a delightful and compelling, borderline offensive riff on the effects of cancer, due to smart writing, clever plotting and super casting by Showtime. Laura Linney turned in a tour de force performance as the titularly-afflicted mom and wife, who hid her condition from her family for most of the inaugural season. Oliver Platt was delightfully befuddled as Linney’s estranged spouse and John Benjamin Hickey was hilarious as her homeless brother. Phyllis Somerville and Gabourey Sidibe added touches dramatic, comedic and, occasionally, heartbreaking.The final scene was an emotional killer; let’s hope the cancer is not so physically effective.
“The Walking Dead”
While I prefer my zombie flicks more darkly humorous, this earnest and sincere adaptation of a graphic novel is a winner. From it’s protagonist cop waking, alone, in a deserted hospital — deserted by the living, anyway — to a group of survivors’ season-ending knowledge that the epidemic is far worse than they’d dare to imagine, this series delivered unflinching gore and compelling drama to viewers, as well as record ratings to cable network AMC.
“Bored to Death”
I suspect you won’t see this on a lot of lists, but I find HBO’s often laconic, occasionally manic story of a “Craigslist detective” to be consistently entertaining. Much of this is not due to Jason Schwartzman’s sleepy portrayal of the aforementioned novelist, teacher and unlicensed private investigator, Jonathan Ames, but the supporting cast, especially Ted Danson. I’ve kind of lost track of how many times the actor has recreated himself since “Cheers,” but his often addled, deviant bachelor character “George Christopher,” a man-about-town editor who has become largely obsolete in his profession, is a defining role. And Zach Galifianakis delights as Ames’ stoner comic book artist pal, Ray.
“Louie”
Don’t confuse this FX program with “Lucky Louie,” comic Louis C.K.’s dour, off-putting HBO effort from a few years back. “Louis” is dour, it’s true, and it can be off-putting (and unbelievably filthy) but it can also be joyous and, well, revelatory. Like a dirty version of “Seinfeld,” the episodes spin out from C.K.’s short stand-up segments. Unlike “Seinfeld,” this show isn’t intricately plotted. In fact, in its nearly complete lack of plotting, “Louie” may have finally perfected the Seinfeld and Costanza dream of a show about nothing. Except it’s about love and family and sex and religion and parenthood and friendship and health. It’s the year’s best show about everything about nothing.
“Mad Men”
Just on the basis of the episode “The Suitcase,” AMC’s “Mad Men” belongs on this list. But there are other reasons the fourth season of the show was so great. For starters, auteur Matt Weiner put the focus squarely back on the workplace — the newly created Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce — and that’s where the show’s writing and acting excels. I still think this is the only part January Jones could pull off, but Betty is best in small doses and it makes her seem like a better actress than she is. Season 4 was also blissfully free of many of the historical events that have, in past seasons, dictated story lines, leaving Weiner and company free to explore more personal plot lines such as the death of Don’s friend Anna and his relationship with his rebellious daughter, Sally.
“Modern Family”
If you were looking for a sophomore flop, forget it. Last year’s best new comedy, from ABC, continued its string of winning episodes. While we never learn much new about this modern trio of family groups, neither the situations nor the performances have become stale and repetitive. That’s probably because, at the end of the day, all of these characters are just so likable, even when they’re not on their best behavior — which is often.
“Boardwalk Empire”
While it’s easy to write this HBO show off as a prestige period drama or simply “The Sopranos” plopped into Prohibition, “Boardwalk Empire” remains a challenging, sprawling, sometimes difficult to follow character study. From Steve Buscemi’s Napoleonic Jersey kingpin Enoch “Nucky” Thompson to Kelly MacDonald’s awakening widow and mother Margaret Schroeder to Michael Pitt’s intellectual thug Jimmy Darmody to Michael Shannon’s disturbing and zealous-to-the-point-of-murder Agent Van Alden, this hour-long drama is packed with characters — fictional and real — with constantly shifting motivations, alliances and desires. Now that the players are all in place, Season 2 should pick up substantially in pace as it grows smaller in scope.
Honorable Mentions
“Friday Night Lights,” Direct TV/NBC
“Breaking Bad,” AMC
“The Pacific,” HBO
“Lost,” ABC
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Entertainment
December 20, 2010
Meteorologist Kimmel off radio; still on TV
My colleague Gary Dinges reports that meteorologist Troy Kimmel is off the air at Clear Channel’s KASE and KVET, ending a 13-year run.
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have 13 — almost 14 — years on the radio with Clear Channel,” Kimmel told Dinges. “They’re a good company.”
Kimmel’s chief meteorologist position at Austin CBS television affiliate KEYE is unaffected.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local news, Local people on TV
December 17, 2010
NBC's "Idol" competitor to hold Austin auditions
NBC’s answer to Fox’s “American Idol,” entitled “The Voice,” is coming to Austin in search of talent. Auditions will be held January 29, 2011 at Music Lab Rehearsal and Recording Studios, 500 E Saint Elmo Road.
That’s not exactly the Frank Erwin Center, where thousands have camped out to audition for “Idol,” but you’ve gotta start somewhere, right?
Producers, including Mark Burnett, are looking for solo-singing, legal U.S. residents at least 18 years of age who perform any musical style. For more information, check out the show’s website.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
CNN's Larry King signs off (video)
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
December 16, 2010
Screen Actors Guild announces award nominations
The Screen Actors Guild has announced its nominees for the 17th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. The ceremony will be televised live on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011, on TNT and TBS at 7 p.m. (CT). The awards are selected by actors’ peers — panels composed of 2,100 randomly selected Guild members selected this year’s nominees in television and motion pictures.
Television’s most inventive comedy and drama — “Community” and “Fringe” — continue to be snubbed. The absence of “Community” from this list especially stings because of the individual and ensemble nominations for TV Land’s “Hot in Cleveland.” You’d think that fellow actors would be likely to recognize the amazing work of a John Noble or the intricate ensemble work in “Community.”
Oh, well.
Here are the SAG television nominees:
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
JOHN GOODMAN / Neal Nicol - “YOU DON’T KNOW JACK” (HBO)
AL PACINO / Jack Kevorkian - “YOU DON’T KNOW JACK” (HBO)
DENNIS QUAID / Bill Clinton - “THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP” (HBO)
ÉDGAR RAMÍREZ / Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, aka ‘Carlos’ - “CARLOS” (Sundance Channel)
PATRICK STEWART / Macbeth - “MACBETH (GREAT PERFORMANCES)” (Thirteen/PBS)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
CLAIRE DANES / Temple Grandin - “TEMPLE GRANDIN” (HBO)
CATHERINE O’HARA / Aunt Ann - “TEMPLE GRANDIN” (HBO)
JULIA ORMOND / Eustacia Grandin - “TEMPLE GRANDIN” (HBO)
WINONA RYDER / Lois Wilson - “WHEN LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH: THE LOIS WILSON STORY” (CBS)
SUSAN SARANDON / Janet Good - “YOU DON’T KNOW JACK” (HBO)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
STEVE BUSCEMI / Nucky Thompson - “BOARDWALK EMPIRE” (HBO)
BRYAN CRANSTON / Walter White - “BREAKING BAD” (AMC)
MICHAEL C. HALL / Dexter Morgan - “DEXTER” (SHOWTIME)
JON HAMM / Don Draper - “MAD MEN” (AMC)
HUGH LAURIE / Dr. Gregory House - “HOUSE” (FOX)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
GLENN CLOSE / Patty Hewes - “DAMAGES” (FX)
MARISKA HARGITAY / Det. Olivia Benson - “LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT” (NBC)
JULIANNA MARGULIES / Alicia Florrick - “THE GOOD WIFE” (CBS)
ELISABETH MOSS / Peggy Olson - “MAD MEN” (AMC)
KYRA SEDGWICK / Dep. Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson - “THE CLOSER” (TNT)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
ALEC BALDWIN / Jack Donaghy - “30 ROCK” (NBC)
TY BURRELL / Phil Dunphy - “MODERN FAMILY” (ABC)
STEVE CARELL / Michael Scott - “THE OFFICE” (NBC)
CHRIS COLFER / Kurt Hummel - “GLEE” (FOX)
ED O’NEILL / Jay Pritchett - “MODERN FAMILY” (ABC)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
EDIE FALCO / Jackie Peyton - “NURSE JACKIE” (Showtime)
TINA FEY / Liz Lemon - “30 ROCK” (NBC)
JANE LYNCH / Sue Sylvester - “GLEE” (FOX)
SOFIA VERGARA / Gloria Delgado-Pritchett - “MODERN FAMILY” (ABC)
BETTY WHITE / Elka Ostrovsky - “HOT IN CLEVELAND” (TV Land)
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
BOARDWALK EMPIRE (HBO)
STEVE BUSCEMI / Nucky Thompson
DABNEY COLEMAN / Commodore Louis Kaestner
PAZ DE LA HUERTA / Lucy Danzinger
STEPHEN GRAHAM / Al Capone
ANTHONY LACIURA / Eddie Kessler
KELLY MACDONALD / Margaret Schroeder
GRETCHEN MOL / Gillian Darmody
ALESKA PALLADINO / Angela Darmody
VINCENT PIAZZA / Lucky Luciano
MICHAEL PITT / Jimmy Darmody
MICHAEL SHANNON / Agent Nelson Van Alden
PAUL SPARKS / Mickey Doyle
MICHAEL STUHLBARG / Arnold Rothstein
SHEA WHIGHAM / Sheriff Elias Thompson
THE CLOSER (TNT)
G.W. BAILEY / Det. Lt. Provenza
MICHAEL PAUL CHAN / Lt. Mike Tao
RAYMOND CRUZ / Det. Julio Sanchez
JONATHAN DEL ARCO / Dr. Morales
TONY DENISON / Lt. Andy Flynn
ROBERT GOSSETT / Commander Taylor
PHILLIP P. KEENE / Buzz
COREY REYNOLDS / Sgt. David Gabriel
KYRA SEDGWICK / Dep. Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson
J.K. SIMMONS / Asst. Police Chief Will Pope
JON TENNEY / FBI Special Agent Fritz Howard
DEXTER (Showtime)
JENNIFER CARPENTER / Debra Morgan
APRIL HERNANDEZ CASTILLO / Cira
MICHAEL C. HALL / Dexter Morgan
DESMOND HARRINGTON / Joey Quinn
MARIA DOYLE KENNEDY / Sonya
C.S. LEE / Vince Masuka
JONNY LEE MILLER / Jordan Chase
JAMES REMAR / Harry Morgan
JULIA STILES / Lumen Pierce
LAUREN VELEZ / Lt. Maria Laguerta
PETER WELLER / Liddy
DAVID ZAYAS / Sgt. Angel Batista
THE GOOD WIFE (CBS)
CHRISTINE BARANSKI / Diane Lockhart
JOSH CHARLES / Will Gardner
ALAN CUMMING / Eli Gold
MATT CZUCHRY / Cary Agos
JULIANNA MARGULIES / Alicia Florrick
ARCHIE PANJABI / Kalinda Sharma
GRAHAM PHILLIPS / Zach Florrick
MAKENZIE VEGA / Grace Florrick
MAD MEN (AMC)
CARA BUONO / Faye Miller
JON HAMM / Don Draper
JARED HARRIS / Lane Pryce
CHRISTINA HENDRICKS / Joan Harris
JANUARY JONES / Betty Francis (Draper)
VINCENT KARTHEISER / Pete Campbell
MATT LONG / Joey Baird
ROBERT MORSE / Bert Cooper
ELISABETH MOSS / Peggy Olson
JESSICA PARÉ / Megan Calvet
KIERNAN SHIPKA / Sally Draper
JOHN SLATTERY / Roger Sterling
RICH SOMMER / Harry Crane
CHRISTOPHER STANLEY / Henry Francis
AARON STATON / Ken Cosgrove
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
30 ROCK (NBC)
SCOTT ADSIT / Pete Hornberger
ALEC BALDWIN / Jack Donaghy
KATRINA BOWDEN / Cerie
KEVIN BROWN / Dotcom
GRIZZ CHAPMAN / Grizz
TINA FEY / Liz Lemon
JUDAH FRIEDLANDER / Frank Rossitano
JANE KRAKOWSKI / Jenna Maroney
JOHN LUTZ / Lutz
JACK MCBRAYER / Kenneth Parcell
TRACY MORGAN / Tracy Jordan
MAULIK PANCHOLY / Jonathan
KEITH POWELL / Toofer
GLEE (FOX)
MAX ADLER / Dave Karofsky
DIANNA AGRON / Quinn Fabray
CHRIS COLFER / Kurt Hummel
JANE LYNCH / Sue Sylvester
JAYMA MAYS / Emma Pillsbury
KEVIN MCHALE / Arty Abrams
LEA MICHELE / Rachel Berry
CORY MONTEITH / Finn Hudson
HEATHER MORRIS / Brittany Pierce
MATTHEW MORRISON / Will Schuester
MIKE O’MALLEY / Burt Hummel
AMBER RILEY / Mercedes
NAYA RIVERA / Santana Lopez
MARK SALLING / Noah ‘Puck’ Puckerman
HARRY SHUM JR. / Mike Chang
IQBAL THEBA / Principal Figgins
JENNA USHKOWITZ / Tina
HOT IN CLEVELAND (TV Land)
VALERIE BERTINELLI / Melanie Moretti
JANE LEEVES / Joy Scroggs
WENDIE MALICK / Victoria Chase
BETTY WHITE / Elka Ostrovsky
MODERN FAMILY (ABC)
JULIE BOWEN / Claire Dunphy
TY BURRELL / Phil Dunphy
JESSE TYLER FERGUSON / Mitchell Pritchett
NOLAN GOULD / Luke Dunphy
SARAH HYLAND / Haley Dunphy
ED O’NEILL / Jay Pritchett
RICO RODRIGUEZ / Manny Delgado
ERIC STONESTREET / Cameron Tucker
SOFIA VERGARA / Gloria Delgado-Pritchett
ARIEL WINTER / Alex Dunphy
THE OFFICE (NBC)
LESLIE DAVID BAKER / Stanley Hudson
BRIAN BAUMGARTNER / Kevin Malone
CREED BRATTON / Creed Bratton
STEVE CARELL / Michael Scott
JENNA FISCHER / Pam Beesly Halpert
KATE FLANNERY / Meredith Palmer
ED HELMS / Andy Bernard
MINDY KALING / Kelly Kapoor
ELLIE KEMPER / Erin Hannon
ANGELA KINSEY / Angela Martin
JOHN KRASINSKI / Jim Halpert
PAUL LIEBERSTEIN / Toby Flenderson
B.J. NOVAK / Ryan Howard
OSCAR NUÑEZ / Oscar Martinez
CRAIG ROBINSON / Daryll Philbin
PHYLLIS SMITH / Phyllis Lapin-Vance
RAINN WILSON / Dwight Schrute
ZACH WOODS / Gabe Lewis
Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
BURN NOTICE (USA)
CSI: NY (CBS)
DEXTER (SHOWTIME)
SOUTHLAND (TNT)
TRUE BLOOD (HBO)
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Entertainment
Screen Actors Guild announces award nominations
The Screen Actors Guild has announced its nominees for the 17th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. The ceremony will be televised live on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011, on TNT and TBS at 7 p.m. (CT). The awards are selected by actors’ peers — panels composed of 2,100 randomly selected Guild members selected this year’s nominees in television and motion pictures.
Television’s most inventive comedy and drama — “Community” and “Fringe” — continue to be snubbed. The absence of “Community” from this list especially stings because of the individual and ensemble nominations for TV Land’s “Hot in Cleveland.” You’d think that fellow actors would be likely to recognize the amazing work of a John Noble or the intricate ensemble work in “Community.”
Oh, well.
Here are the SAG television nominees:
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
JOHN GOODMAN / Neal Nicol - “YOU DON’T KNOW JACK” (HBO)
AL PACINO / Jack Kevorkian - “YOU DON’T KNOW JACK” (HBO)
DENNIS QUAID / Bill Clinton - “THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP” (HBO)
ÉDGAR RAMÍREZ / Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, aka ‘Carlos’ - “CARLOS” (Sundance Channel)
PATRICK STEWART / Macbeth - “MACBETH (GREAT PERFORMANCES)” (Thirteen/PBS)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
CLAIRE DANES / Temple Grandin - “TEMPLE GRANDIN” (HBO)
CATHERINE O’HARA / Aunt Ann - “TEMPLE GRANDIN” (HBO)
JULIA ORMOND / Eustacia Grandin - “TEMPLE GRANDIN” (HBO)
WINONA RYDER / Lois Wilson - “WHEN LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH: THE LOIS WILSON STORY” (CBS)
SUSAN SARANDON / Janet Good - “YOU DON’T KNOW JACK” (HBO)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
STEVE BUSCEMI / Nucky Thompson - “BOARDWALK EMPIRE” (HBO)
BRYAN CRANSTON / Walter White - “BREAKING BAD” (AMC)
MICHAEL C. HALL / Dexter Morgan - “DEXTER” (SHOWTIME)
JON HAMM / Don Draper - “MAD MEN” (AMC)
HUGH LAURIE / Dr. Gregory House - “HOUSE” (FOX)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
GLENN CLOSE / Patty Hewes - “DAMAGES” (FX)
MARISKA HARGITAY / Det. Olivia Benson - “LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT” (NBC)
JULIANNA MARGULIES / Alicia Florrick - “THE GOOD WIFE” (CBS)
ELISABETH MOSS / Peggy Olson - “MAD MEN” (AMC)
KYRA SEDGWICK / Dep. Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson - “THE CLOSER” (TNT)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
ALEC BALDWIN / Jack Donaghy - “30 ROCK” (NBC)
TY BURRELL / Phil Dunphy - “MODERN FAMILY” (ABC)
STEVE CARELL / Michael Scott - “THE OFFICE” (NBC)
CHRIS COLFER / Kurt Hummel - “GLEE” (FOX)
ED O’NEILL / Jay Pritchett - “MODERN FAMILY” (ABC)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
EDIE FALCO / Jackie Peyton - “NURSE JACKIE” (Showtime)
TINA FEY / Liz Lemon - “30 ROCK” (NBC)
JANE LYNCH / Sue Sylvester - “GLEE” (FOX)
SOFIA VERGARA / Gloria Delgado-Pritchett - “MODERN FAMILY” (ABC)
BETTY WHITE / Elka Ostrovsky - “HOT IN CLEVELAND” (TV Land)
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
BOARDWALK EMPIRE (HBO)
STEVE BUSCEMI / Nucky Thompson
DABNEY COLEMAN / Commodore Louis Kaestner
PAZ DE LA HUERTA / Lucy Danzinger
STEPHEN GRAHAM / Al Capone
ANTHONY LACIURA / Eddie Kessler
KELLY MACDONALD / Margaret Schroeder
GRETCHEN MOL / Gillian Darmody
ALESKA PALLADINO / Angela Darmody
VINCENT PIAZZA / Lucky Luciano
MICHAEL PITT / Jimmy Darmody
MICHAEL SHANNON / Agent Nelson Van Alden
PAUL SPARKS / Mickey Doyle
MICHAEL STUHLBARG / Arnold Rothstein
SHEA WHIGHAM / Sheriff Elias Thompson
THE CLOSER (TNT)
G.W. BAILEY / Det. Lt. Provenza
MICHAEL PAUL CHAN / Lt. Mike Tao
RAYMOND CRUZ / Det. Julio Sanchez
JONATHAN DEL ARCO / Dr. Morales
TONY DENISON / Lt. Andy Flynn
ROBERT GOSSETT / Commander Taylor
PHILLIP P. KEENE / Buzz
COREY REYNOLDS / Sgt. David Gabriel
KYRA SEDGWICK / Dep. Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson
J.K. SIMMONS / Asst. Police Chief Will Pope
JON TENNEY / FBI Special Agent Fritz Howard
DEXTER (Showtime)
JENNIFER CARPENTER / Debra Morgan
APRIL HERNANDEZ CASTILLO / Cira
MICHAEL C. HALL / Dexter Morgan
DESMOND HARRINGTON / Joey Quinn
MARIA DOYLE KENNEDY / Sonya
C.S. LEE / Vince Masuka
JONNY LEE MILLER / Jordan Chase
JAMES REMAR / Harry Morgan
JULIA STILES / Lumen Pierce
LAUREN VELEZ / Lt. Maria Laguerta
PETER WELLER / Liddy
DAVID ZAYAS / Sgt. Angel Batista
THE GOOD WIFE (CBS)
CHRISTINE BARANSKI / Diane Lockhart
JOSH CHARLES / Will Gardner
ALAN CUMMING / Eli Gold
MATT CZUCHRY / Cary Agos
JULIANNA MARGULIES / Alicia Florrick
ARCHIE PANJABI / Kalinda Sharma
GRAHAM PHILLIPS / Zach Florrick
MAKENZIE VEGA / Grace Florrick
MAD MEN (AMC)
CARA BUONO / Faye Miller
JON HAMM / Don Draper
JARED HARRIS / Lane Pryce
CHRISTINA HENDRICKS / Joan Harris
JANUARY JONES / Betty Francis (Draper)
VINCENT KARTHEISER / Pete Campbell
MATT LONG / Joey Baird
ROBERT MORSE / Bert Cooper
ELISABETH MOSS / Peggy Olson
JESSICA PARÉ / Megan Calvet
KIERNAN SHIPKA / Sally Draper
JOHN SLATTERY / Roger Sterling
RICH SOMMER / Harry Crane
CHRISTOPHER STANLEY / Henry Francis
AARON STATON / Ken Cosgrove
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
30 ROCK (NBC)
SCOTT ADSIT / Pete Hornberger
ALEC BALDWIN / Jack Donaghy
KATRINA BOWDEN / Cerie
KEVIN BROWN / Dotcom
GRIZZ CHAPMAN / Grizz
TINA FEY / Liz Lemon
JUDAH FRIEDLANDER / Frank Rossitano
JANE KRAKOWSKI / Jenna Maroney
JOHN LUTZ / Lutz
JACK MCBRAYER / Kenneth Parcell
TRACY MORGAN / Tracy Jordan
MAULIK PANCHOLY / Jonathan
KEITH POWELL / Toofer
GLEE (FOX)
MAX ADLER / Dave Karofsky
DIANNA AGRON / Quinn Fabray
CHRIS COLFER / Kurt Hummel
JANE LYNCH / Sue Sylvester
JAYMA MAYS / Emma Pillsbury
KEVIN MCHALE / Arty Abrams
LEA MICHELE / Rachel Berry
CORY MONTEITH / Finn Hudson
HEATHER MORRIS / Brittany Pierce
MATTHEW MORRISON / Will Schuester
MIKE O’MALLEY / Burt Hummel
AMBER RILEY / Mercedes
NAYA RIVERA / Santana Lopez
MARK SALLING / Noah ‘Puck’ Puckerman
HARRY SHUM JR. / Mike Chang
IQBAL THEBA / Principal Figgins
JENNA USHKOWITZ / Tina
HOT IN CLEVELAND (TV Land)
VALERIE BERTINELLI / Melanie Moretti
JANE LEEVES / Joy Scroggs
WENDIE MALICK / Victoria Chase
BETTY WHITE / Elka Ostrovsky
MODERN FAMILY (ABC)
JULIE BOWEN / Claire Dunphy
TY BURRELL / Phil Dunphy
JESSE TYLER FERGUSON / Mitchell Pritchett
NOLAN GOULD / Luke Dunphy
SARAH HYLAND / Haley Dunphy
ED O’NEILL / Jay Pritchett
RICO RODRIGUEZ / Manny Delgado
ERIC STONESTREET / Cameron Tucker
SOFIA VERGARA / Gloria Delgado-Pritchett
ARIEL WINTER / Alex Dunphy
THE OFFICE (NBC)
LESLIE DAVID BAKER / Stanley Hudson
BRIAN BAUMGARTNER / Kevin Malone
CREED BRATTON / Creed Bratton
STEVE CARELL / Michael Scott
JENNA FISCHER / Pam Beesly Halpert
KATE FLANNERY / Meredith Palmer
ED HELMS / Andy Bernard
MINDY KALING / Kelly Kapoor
ELLIE KEMPER / Erin Hannon
ANGELA KINSEY / Angela Martin
JOHN KRASINSKI / Jim Halpert
PAUL LIEBERSTEIN / Toby Flenderson
B.J. NOVAK / Ryan Howard
OSCAR NUÑEZ / Oscar Martinez
CRAIG ROBINSON / Daryll Philbin
PHYLLIS SMITH / Phyllis Lapin-Vance
RAINN WILSON / Dwight Schrute
ZACH WOODS / Gabe Lewis
Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
BURN NOTICE (USA)
CSI: NY (CBS)
DEXTER (SHOWTIME)
SOUTHLAND (TNT)
TRUE BLOOD (HBO)
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Entertainment
December 15, 2010
Lesley McCaslin leaves News 8 Austin
Sports reporter Lesley McCaslin has left News 8 Austin, the local news arm of Time Warner Cable, after an impasse in contract negotiations.
Her departure comes just over two weeks after former News Director Kevin Benz left News 8, saying he and the station “decided to part ways.” News 8 is currently going through a change in management and a re-branding to Your News Now (YNN), an effort that has already taken place at TWC news outlets in New York and North Carolina.
McCaslin hopes to be back on the air soon, preferably in Austin.
“I’m going to celebrate Christmas and then I’m going to get right back to work. I love reporting; that’s what I want to do,” she said. “This wasn’t an easy situation. It was really just about … I have to do what’s best for my future. The fact that there may be other bigger possibilities out there for me — I’ve got to be able to look into those. It’s definitely a leap of faith.”
McCaslin said she remains on good terms with her former News 8 cohorts.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local news, Local people on TV, Sports on TV
Meet Brad Womack's new bachelorettes
Zap2it.com has published a list of Brad Womack’s bachelorettes.
The site lists the following 30 women vying for the 38-year-old Austin entrepreneur’s approval:
Alli, 24, an apparel merchant from Columbus, OH
Ashley H., 26, a dentist from Philadelphia, PA
Ashley S., 26, a nanny from New York, NY
Britnee, 25, a paralegal from Holland, PA
Britt, 25, a food writer from Woodinville, WA
Chantal, 28, an executive assistant from Seattle, WA
Cristy, 30, an attorney from Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Emily, 24, a children’s hospital event planner from Charlotte, NC
J, 26, an operations manager from Seattle, WA
Jackie, 27, an artist from New York, NY
Jill, 28, a sales director from Frisco, TX
Keltie, 28, a Radio City Rockette from Hollywood, CA
Kimberly, 27, a marketing coordinator from Charlotte, NC
Lacey, 27, an insurance agent from Tampa, FL
Lauren, 26, a high school teacher from Arlington, VA
Lindsay, 25, a first grade teacher from Plano, TX
Lisa M., 24, a marketing coordinator from Ottawa, KS
Lisa P., 27, a sales consultant from New York, NY
Madison, 25, a model from Brooklyn, NY
Marissa, 26, a sports publicist from Kissimmee, FL
Meghan, 30, a fashion marketer from New York, NY
Melissa, 32, a waitress from Lake Worth, FL
Michelle, 30, a hairstylist from Salt Lake City, UT
Raichel, 29, a ‘manscaper’ from Fullerton, CA
Rebecca, 30, an esthetician from Mission Viejo, CA
Renee, 28, a nanny from Palos Hills, IL
Sarah L., 25, a musical theater performer from Saginaw, MI
Sarah P., 27, a real estate broker from Denver, CO
Shawntel, 25, a funeral director from Chico, CA
Stacey, 26, a bartender from Boston, MA
You’ll recall that in Season 11, Womack dissed the bachelorettes and chose himself. Among other activities, Womack spent some time in therapy to delve into his relationship issues. Will you be watching? Do you think Womack will find true love this time around?
Sound off in the comments.
“The Bachelor” premieres Monday, Jan. 3 at 8 p.m. CT on ABC.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment, Reality TV
December 14, 2010
Golden Globes TV nominations announced
The nominations for the 68th annual Golden Globe Awards were announced this morning by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Here are the nominees in the television categories.
The awards will be broadcast live nationwide on NBC Sunday, January 16, 2011 from 7:00-10:00 p.m. (CST) from the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Best Supporting Actress in a series, mini-series or TV movie
Hope Davis, The Special Relationship
Jane Lynch, Glee
Kelly McDonald, Boardwalk Empire
Julia Stiles, Dexter
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Best Actress in a TV series, comedy
Toni Collette, Unites States of Tara
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Laura Linney, The Bic C
Lea Michele, Glee
Best TV movie or mini-series
Carlos
The Pacific
Pillars of the Earth
Temple Grandin
You Don’t Know Jack
Best Actor in a TV series, comedy
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Steve Carrell, The Office
Thomas Jane, Hung
Matthew Morrison, Glee
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Best Actress in a TV series, drama
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Elizabeth Moss, Mad Men
Piper Perabo, Covert Affairs
Katey Sagal, Sons of Anarchy
Kyra Sedgwick, the Closer
Best Supporting Actor in a series, mini-series, or TV movie
Scott Caan, Hawaii 5-0
Chris Colfer, Glee
Chris Noth, The Good Wife
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
David Strathairn, Temple Grandin
Best TV Series, comedy
30 Rock
The Big Bang Theory
The Big C
Glee
Modern Family
Nurse Jackie
Best Actor in a mini-series or TV movie
Idris Elba, Luther
Ian McShane, Pillars of the Earth
Al Pacino, You Don’t Know Jack
Dennis Quaid, The Special Relationship
Edward Ramirez, Carlos
Best Actress in a mini-series or TV movie
Hayley Atwell, Pillars of the Earth
Claire Danes, Temple Grandin
Judi Dench, Return to Cranford
Romola Garai, Emma
Jennifer Love Hewitt, The Client List
Best Actor in a TV series, drama
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
John Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
Best TV series, drama
Boardwalk Empire
Dexter
The Good Wife
Mad Men
The Walking Dead
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment
December 13, 2010
AFI reveals its TV Programs of the Year
The American Film Institute has revealed the results of its annual juried contest in which scholars, critics and trustees honor outstanding achievements in various artistic disciplines, including television. In addition to critics and trustees, this year’s TV jury included writers, performers and University of Texas at Austin Professor of Communication Janet Staiger.
Here are their TV Programs of the Year, unranked:
The Big C
Boardwalk Empire
Breaking Bad
Glee
Mad Men
Modern Family
The Pacific
Temple Grandin
30 Rock
The Walking Dead
I think this list is pretty solid, but I would make a few changes.
For starters, the ratings-challenged Fox Drama “Fringe” is simply the best show on television right now, so let’s add that. It can replace “Glee,” which is simply unwatchable. And I’d put the uneven but envelope-pushing “Community” in place of the reliably funny “30 Rock.” “Community” is the most creative half-hour comedy on TV in years, and when it hits, it really hits. It’s never predictable and, in network television, that is an outstanding achievement.
Did your favorites make the list? Which programs would you remove and which would you add? Sound off in the comments.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Entertainment, Fall TV
Here's what's on the tube tonight
What is … a cameo? Erstwhile “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek has a guest shot on “How I Met Your Mother” at 7 p.m. on CBS. I’ll take cheap ratings ploy for $100.
Mariah Carey warbles tunes of her new holiday album, “Merry Christmas II You,” at 8 p.m. on her ABC special, “Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to You.” The special was taped at L.A.’s Orpheum Theatre.
If you’ve been getting cold sweats and anxiety waiting for Season 10 of “Intervention,” premiering at 8 p.m. on A&E, you might need help. I’m just sayin’.
A motorcycle built for the Chicago Blackhawks runs into problems on “American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior,” at 8 p.m. on Discovery. It’s just as well — bikes and ice don’t really go together.
Concordia College’s orchestra and choirs perform their annual Christmas concert, “Christmas at Concordia: Journey to Bethlehem,” at 8 p.m. on PBS.
Meanwhile, over on Showtime, it’s the Season 5 finale of “Dexter” at 8 p.m.
Finally, there’s a show premiering on the Science Channel at 9 p.m. called “Tormented by Genius.” I didn’t receive a screener to preview and I can’t find any description of it anywhere, so I’m just assuming that it’s about me and that it’s supposed to be a birthday surprise. Shhhhhh …
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
November 29, 2010
News Director Kevin Benz out at News 8 Austin
Kevin Benz, News 8 Austin’s news director, is leaving after more than 11 years with Time Warner Cable’s local news outfit.
“This morning, News 8 and I decided to part ways,” said Benz, who has been with the station since it went on the air. He had been assisting in facility upgrades and a re-branding of the operation to Your News Now (YNN), an effort that has already taken place at Time Warner news outlets in New York and North Carolina and will occur in Austin early next year. The transition was planned to facilitate efficiencies in marketing, graphics and news sharing, according to Time Warner.
“It just seemed like the right time,” Benz said. “We have great mutual respect for each other. I wish them nothing but the best. I just think it’s the right time for somebody else to take over the leadership there, really.”
Time Warner’s Regional Vice President of Local News Steve Paulus described Benz’ departure as a mutual parting of the ways. “I want to stress that this is not any kind of cost-saving move or anything,” Paulus said. “It was a purely philosophical issue. We’re moving forward with the re-branding and the upgrade. It’s all moving forward.”
I asked Paulus about the sudden nature of the announcement (I had received an invitation from Benz just last week to view the upgrades at the News 8 facilities). “It was sudden in terms of notification,” he said. “We’ve had some discussions over a period of months.”
Benz did not have any immediate plans that he was willing to share. As chair-elect for the Radio Television Digital News Association he is responsible for the planning of next year’s National Excellence in Journalism convention in New Orleans. He’s also on the board of — and does training for — Austin’s Carol Kneeland Project for Responsible Journalism.
“I’ve got a lot going on and I certainly won’t be far away from journalism with these organizations and I don’t plan on being far away for very long,” he explained. “The average news director doesn’t last very long. Eleven years is pretty unheard of.”
Benz said he is incredibly proud to have been a part of News 8.
“Launching a TV station is not for the faint of heart,” he said. “And we took a television station that nobody really believed in, in 1999, and we turned it into something that matters a lot to people in central Texas. We won a national Murrow Award; we won two Sigma Delta Chi Awards for journalistic excellence; we won three national Walter Cronkite Awards for political reporting; we were finalists for a DuPont Columbia — that’s pretty high praise for a television station that’s only been around for 12 years. I really couldn’t be prouder of my work there and I couldn’t be prouder to work with the people over there.”
Benz, who is married to KVUE anchor Olga Campos Benz, will be replaced on an interim (and possibly permanent) basis by current Assistant News Director Mike Pearson.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Entertainment, Local news, Local people on TV
ESPN 'Pony Excess' trailer
I’m heading out soon to interview Thaddeus D. Matula, the director of “Pony Excess,” a documentary about the 1980s downfall of the Southern Methodist University Mustangs that is airing on ESPN’s “30 for 30” December 12.
My story will run on Dec. 11. In the meantime, check out the trailer, below:
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment, Sports on TV
November 22, 2010
This week's TV picks
Monday:
‘Dancing With the Stars’ 7 p.m., ABC: Tonight’s broadcast, the final night of performances this season, runs 11 minutes long. Presumably, that’s to help the ratings of …
‘Skating With the Stars’ 8:11 p.m., ABC: Now here’s the ‘with the Stars’ show Bristol Palin should have been on, right? Any show that puts potentially lethal blades on the feet of inexperienced, B-list celebrities is must-see TV
‘American Masters’ 8 p.m., PBS: The documentary ‘Lennon in NYC’ contains studio and concert footage as well as home movies and interviews that explore the musician’s years in the big apple.
Tuesday:
‘Glee’ 7 p.m., Fox: Carol Burnett tugs our ears as coach Sylvester’s mom. That explains a lot.
‘Dancing With the Stars’ 8 p.m., ABC: Season 11 wraps up tonight with the announcement of a winner, although ‘winner’ is a relative turn on a reality dancing show.
Wednesday:
‘The Middle’ 7 p.m., ABC: It’s a Heck of a Thanksgiving as Norm Macdonald guests as Mike’s brother, Rusty.
‘Merry Madagascar’ 7 p.m., NBC: The animated animals lift ans amnesiac Santa’s sleigh to return back to New York City.
‘Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special’ 7:30 p.m., NBC: All of the top notch vocal talent from 2008’s animated hit returns for this seasonal small-screen outing.
Thursday:
‘Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ 7 p.m., ABC: Wait, is this the one in which Linus waits outside all night for the Great Pumpkin Pie?
‘The Simpsons Movie’ 7 p.m., Fox: Tom Hanks, Albert Brooks and Green Day rock Springfield in the broadcast premiere of the big-screen hit.
‘Taylor Swift — Speak Now’ 7 p.m., NBC: The pop star travels cross country and we get to watch.
‘NBC’s People of the Year’ 8 p.m., NBC: But it’s only November. This is going to seriously cut down on people wanting to do anything notable in December, Matt Lauer.
‘Beyoncé’s I Am … World Tour’ 8:30 p.m., ABC: Kanye West and Jay-Z appear on this look at the singer’s latest tour.
Friday:
‘Happy Feet’ 7 p.m., ABC: This tale of dance-happy penguins iced the competition and took home the Best Animated Feature Oscar.
‘TV’s Funniest Holiday Moments 7 p.m., Fox: host Jane Lynch looks at 30 of ’em.
‘Enchanted’ 8 p.m., NBC: The delightful Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey star in this big-screen tale of a storybook princess come to life.
Saturday:
‘Debbie Macomber’s Call Me Mrs. Miracle’ 7 p.m., Hallmark: ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’s’ Doris Roberts reprises her role as the magical Emily Merkle in this sequel to 2009’s ‘Mrs. Miracle.’
‘Bee Movie’ 8 p.m., NBC: Jerry Seinfeld co-wrote and starred in this animated feature film about a bee with big, unconventional dreams.
Sunday:
‘When Vacations Attack’ 7 p.m., Travel: Good trips go bad, and they’re not just talking about long lines at security.
‘Soul Train Awards’ 8 p.m., BET: Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson host while Bruno Mars, Cee-Lo and R. Kelly are among the performers in tonight’s 23rd annual outing.
‘November Christmas’ 8 p.m., CBS: Sam Elliott, Sarah Paulson and John Corbett star in this new TV movie about a community that delivers an early holiday to a young girl with a terminal illness.
‘Bridalplasty’ 8 p.m., E!: A dozen brides-to-be compete for a suite of plastic surgeries which their future spouses will see for the first time when the winner’s veil is lifted on their wedding day. I’m not making this up.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, TV tips
November 18, 2010
Time Warner Cable testing smaller, cheaper TV bundles
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Time Warner Cable is testing smaller and cheaper channel packaging in light of the current economic reality many subscribers are facing (a subscription is needed to view much of the article).
The offering, called “Time Warner Cable TV Essentials,” will be deployed on a test basis beginning Monday in New York City, where it will cost $39.99 per month, and northern Ohio, where the price will be $29.99 per month, the article says. A Time Warner Cable spokeswoman placed the retail value of the package at $49.99 per month.
Time Warner Cable TV Essentials includes local broadcast stations, major broadcast networks, and a dozen of the highest-rated cable networks, but missing from the tier are ESPN, Comedy Central, TNT, Fox News, MSNBC, Fox regional sports, and MSG.
The company plans to roll the offering out across its other markets next year after obtaining results from the trials of the year-long promotion.
Jeff Simmermon, Director of Digital Communication for Time Warner Cable who tweets as @jeffTWC, commented on the test.
“We’re trying to gather data to find a package and a price point that’s right for our customers looking for a smaller, more stripped down cable offering,” Simmermon wrote on his blog, Untangled. “This isn’t for everyone, and we understand that, too. But we think it’s important that we offer a wider variety of choices and let our customers choose what’s right for them.”
Would you go for a cheaper, stripped down channel package such as the one described in the trial? Log in and sound off in the comments.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Entertainment, TV Technology
Natural gas documentary 'Haynesville' to appear on CNBC
“Haynesville: A Nation’s Hunt for Energy,” the natural gas documentary directed by former Austin American-Statesman employee Gregory Kallenberg, has been purchased by NBC/Universal and is set to make its world television premiere on CNBC Nov. 23 at 8 p.m. CT. The film has previously been cropping up at festivals throught America and Europe.
“We are extremely excited to be working with CNBC to present the film and our take on a pathway to a clean energy future to a nationwide audience,” Kallenberg said.
The film broadly examines the discovery of America’s largest natural gas field (the Haynesville Shale is projected to hold 180 trillion cubic feet of gas or, in economic terms $1.75 trillion dollars worth of energy) in terms of our country’s current and future energy situation.
On a personal level, three residents are featured: A community activist single mom with environmental concerns; a preacher who wants to use the profits for Christian education; and an outdoorsman and hunter who finds himself conflicted as he weighs losing his land against the possibility of becoming a millionaire.
“Energy and its sources are something we all take for granted,” Kallenberg said. “Hopefully, ‘Haynesville’ helps give some perspective on where our energy comes from, the impact it has people’s lives and the potential benefit this energy could potentially have for the United States.”
CNBC has cropped the 72-minute film to an hour for broadcast.
The cable network lists additional showings of the film Nov. 24, 26 and 28. Find complete details at CNBC’s website.
For more information on “Haynesville,” visit the film’s website here.
Finally, check out the documentary’s trailer:
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
Austinite on TLC reality series premiere Friday
Austin resident Tonya Engelbrecht is slated to appear on Friday’s premiere episode of “Homemade Millionaire,” a new six-part reality series from TLC.
In each episode, a trio of female entrepreneurs compete in New York City to win a deal with the Home Shopping Network. Englebrecht’s invention, “Magickurl,” is a self-adhering heated roller consisting of a standard hair roller with a special metal sleeve to conduct heat for quicker, better looking curls.
“Homemade Millionaire,” hosted by Kelly Ripa, premieres on November 19 at 9 p.m. CT.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Reality TV
November 17, 2010
David Brancaccio at free KLRU Community Screening Thursday
From KLRU:
In “Fixing the Future: NOW on PBS,” David Brancaccio visits communities across America, including Austin, using innovative approaches to create jobs and build prosperity. After the economic meltdown of 2008, the nation stands in urgent need of economic growth that’s not based on risky financial bets placed by Wall Street. Brancaccio talks to working Americans who are re-engineering the future, built on American values of commonwealth, shared prosperity, fairness, wellness, sustainability and creativity.
This seems to be right up Austin’s alley.
The event takes place at KLRU’s studio 6a at 25th and Guadalupe. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the event begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free but an RSVP is required by clicking here.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
Dan Rather to pen memoir
The book, “Summing Up,” will recount historical events including the JFK assassination, Watergate and the Iraq War, as well as providing the author’s take on the 2004 Presidential election-based spat with CBS which led him to vacate his anchor chair in 2005 and to leave the network in 2006.
“With the changing climate—and attitude— about news and journalists, I feel I can give readers an honest perspective on the present, and, more important, on the future of news,” Rather said, adding that the time is right to sum up his career in a candid fashion.
Rather currently appears on “Dan Rather Reports,” an Emmy-nominated news magazine on cable’s HDNet.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, News coverage
November 16, 2010
Casting call in Dallas for Season 3 'Glee' role
Oxygen Media has announced open casting calls for “The Glee Project,” a televised reality show that will culminate in the selection of a performer who will appear in a multi-episode guest-starring role on season three of Fox’s “Glee.”
Texas hopefuls can head to Dallas on Saturday, January 8 and Sunday, January 9, 2011.
From the press release:
Oxygen is looking for talented young men and women with strong vocal, acting, dancing abilities and big personalities! Musical theater experience is a plus, but not required. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age (but able to convincingly portray the role of a teenager) and be legally eligible to work in the United States. Candidates must also be available to the production in or about January through April 2011 and be willing to travel as part of production.
Additional information about the casting calls, prizing, eligibility as well as a list of approved audition songs can be found by clicking here.
All of the 34,000 applications submitted through the earlier MySpace/”Glee” auditions have now been processed and the shortlisted applicants will be contacted by Friday, November 19. Applicants who are not shortlisted may still choose to attend an open call. Please go to the Glee Project website for more information and to pre-register for the casting call.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Entertainment, Reality TV
November 15, 2010
NBC announces mid-season schedule, six-comedy Thursdays
‘Parks and Rec’ fans can stop whining. The Amy Poehler comedy returns to NBC on January 20, part of an all-comedy lineup comprised of six half-hour shows.
That’s just one of a spate of announcements NBC made Monday regarding its mid-season prime time schedule.
New dramas “Harry’s Law” and “The Cape” join one comedy, “Perfect Couples,” and a reality show called “America’s Next Great Restaurant” on the schedule, which also shows time slot shifts for “Law & Order: Los Angeles,” “Chase,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Parenthood.”
Check out the night-by night details after the jump.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment, Mid-season TV
'My Generation' is back. Sort of.
As promised last week, “My Generation,” creator Noah Hawley’s ABC faux docudrama that became the second casualty of the Fall season when it was yanked after just two episodes, is back.
Sort of.
All eight episodes of the series are now available on Hulu.com and iTunes. For you math geeks, that would include six outings that never aired.
Speaking of math geeks, the series — set and shot in Austin, though it nearly moved production to North Carolina — revolved around a group of stereotypical students (“the athlete,” “the nerd,” etc.) from the high school graduating class of 2000 at fictional Greenbelt High. The show’s conceit was that a documentary featuring this group had been filmed senior year and in present day, ten years on, the filmmaker had returned to find out what had become of the students.
The show featured a talented ensemble cast including Austin’s Mehcad Brooks (son of American-Statesman editorial writer Alberta Phillips) and the film community’s hope was that the series would fill the local production void left in the wake of the conclusion of “Friday Night Lights,” which was also filmed here. You can check out my brief preview of the series here.
Read the interview I conducted with Hawley during the filming of the “My Generation” pilot here.
An interview with Brett Aycock, an Iraq war veteran and Austinite who served as a military technical advisor to the series can be found here.
Read my take on the “My Generation” iPad app here.
“My Generation” episodes on Hulu here.
“My Generation” episodes on iTunes here.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Fall TV
This week's TV picks
Monday:
‘Castle’ 9 p.m., ABC: Lyle Lovett and his large hair guest star as a questionable government agent.
Tuesday:
‘Glee’ 7 p.m., Fox: I don’t much care for this show any more, but I still like Gwyneth Paltrow, guest starring as New Directions’ substitute teacher, so maybe I’ll give it a shot.
‘Creating the World of Harry Potter: Creatures’ 8 p.m., Biography: Will Dobby the House Elf show up? The Dobbarazzi is standing by.
‘The Good Wife’ 9 p.m., CBS: ‘iCarly’ teen pop star Miranda Cosgrove guests as … wait for it … a teen pop star.
‘Glory Daze’ 9 p.m., TBS: I’m sort of predisposed to pessimism by any show that has a title that substitutes the word ‘daze’ for ‘days’ and I find the 1986 setting suspect (who is specifically nostalgic for 1986?). But maybe it’ll be like an updated ‘Undeclared.’ Series premiere.
Wednesday:
‘Human Target’ 7 p.m., Fox: Season 2 kicks off with a plan to rescue Winston.
‘Better with You’ 7:30 p.m., ABC: Reba McEntire guests as a wedding planner with a possible ulterior motive.
‘Circus’ 8 p.m., PBS: The final two episodes of the series find the 350-performance tour coming to an end.
‘25 Years of Sexy: People’s Sexiest Man Alive!’ 9 p.m., ABC: It’s got to be good — there’s an exclamation mark in the title!
Thursday:
‘Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ 7 p.m., ABC: I like a holiday feast as much as the next guy, but I’m not really sure I’d want it cooked up by a precocious beagle.
‘Bones’ 7 p.m., Fox: Newman! ‘Seinfeld’s’ Wayne Knight guests as a candy tycoon turned suspect when body parts turn up in a gigantic candy bar. ‘Hey … you got your chocolate in my femur.’ ‘You got your femur in my chocolate!’
‘Fringe’ 8 p.m. Fox: Cabbie Henry (Andre Royo) returns as Olivia continues to question her place in the alternate universe.
‘Now on PBS: Fixing the Future’ 8 p.m., PBS: Host David Brancaccio travels the country via sustainable transportation while highlighting innovative communities.
Friday:
‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ 7 p.m., TBS: I defy you to watch this and not have your heart grow three sizes. Go on, try it.
‘Harmony’ 9 p.m., NBC: This project from Prince Charles (no, really) explores how humans can meet the challenges of climate change on a global, local and personal level.
Saturday:
‘The Night Before the Night Before Christmas’ 7 p.m., Hallmark: If you’re a U-verse customer, you’ll have to ask Santa to settle the ongoing carriage dispute if you want to watch this TV movie starring Jennifer Beals and Rick Roberts.
Sunday:
‘2010 American Music Awards’ 7 p.m., ABC: New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys perform together in the 38th annual fan-voted gala.
‘Family Guy’ 8 p.m., Fox: Brian’s self-help best-seller lands him on ‘Real Time with Bill Maher.’
‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ 9 p.m., TBS: Here it is again, in case you missed it on Friday. I wouldn’t watch it twice, though … it can’t be healthy for your heart to grow six sizes.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
November 12, 2010
USA Today: TV comedies laughing all the way to the bank
USA Today reports that TV comedies are having the last laugh this season.
In a season which has seen the cancellation of several prime time dramas, the report touts impressive viewership numbers for network comedies: “Modern Family” (ABC) is up 35%, “The Middle” (ABC) is up 29%, “Glee” (Fox, and questionably classified as a comedy) is up a whopping 43%, and “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS) is up 5% on a new night.
The story goes on to note that six comedies fall in the top ten programs with prized young adult viewers. Only three comedies landed in that category last season.
Quotes from ABC and Fox executives — one of whom claims that viewers are growing tired of crime procedurals and reality programs (please let this be true) — are included in the full story, here.
What’s your favorite comedy? Why? Log in and sound off, below.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Fall TV, Ratings
November 11, 2010
Fox renews 'Simpsons' for 23rd season
D’oh!
Fox has renewed animated stalwart “The Simpsons” for a 23rd season.
From the Fox press release:
The critically praised series has been bestowed with numerous honors, including a Peabody Award, 27 Emmy Awards, 27 Annie Awards, five Genesis Awards, nine International Monitor Awards and seven Environmental Media Awards. “The Simpsons” holds the Guinness Book of World Records titles for Longest-Running Primetime Animated Television Series and Most Guest Stars Featured in a Television Series. Recognized as a pop culture icon, Homer Simpson’s annoyed grunt - “D’oh!” - is an official word in the Oxford English Dictionary, and “The Simpsons” has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. With record-breaking retail sales, “The Simpsons” reigns as one of the best-selling TV DVD properties of all time.
“Like many 22-year-olds, ‘The Simpsons’ is extremely happy remaining at home, on Fox, and hopes it doesn’t have to go out into the real world for many years to come,” said executive producer Al Jean.
“The Simpsons” airs Sundays at 7 p.m. on Fox.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Entertainment
November 10, 2010
Lou Dobbs to join Fox Business Network
“I will let you know when I set my course,” Dobbs promised in his final CNN broadcast, explaining that the cable network had agreed to release him from his contract early. He added at that time that he wanted to “contribute positively to a better understanding of the great issues of our day.”
His CNN bosses said they respected Dobbs’ decision “to carry the banner of advocacy journalism elsewhere” (Dobbs had taken increasingly controversial stands on immigration and trade issues).
Dobbs’ new show is expected to premiere in 2011.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, News coverage
Are you discussing Demi Lovato with your children?
An article in Life & Style magazine finds Texas college student Brian Payne claiming that he saw then 17-year-old “Sonny with a Chance” star Demi Lovato doing lines of cocaine “like a pro” nearly a year ago at a party in North Richland Hills, Texas.
“I just remember her doing it as if she had been doing it for a long time. It didn’t seem like something new to her,” Payne says in the story.
The Disney tween icon, star of the “Camp Rock” movies, left a nationwide tour with the Jonas Brothers and checked into rehab, her handlers reported on November 1. Lovato’s representatives say she “left her tour to seek medical treatment for emotional and physical issues she has dealt with for some time.” The Life & Style article quotes unnamed “insiders” who say the singer and actress was in pain over her break-up with Joe Jonas and “chug(ged) booze straight from the bottle.”
Lovato has reportedly cut herself in the past and told the Associated Press that she left middle school because she was bullied so badly.
Do you have kids who are fans of Lovato’s? Are you shielding them from the news or using it as a teaching moment? How are you approaching the issue? Sound off in the comments.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
November 9, 2010
Unaired 'My Generation' episodes to be available online
Good news for fans of “My Generation,” the Austin-shot and -set faux docudrama that was axed by ABC after only two episodes to become the second casualty of the Fall television season.
“Off to the final sound mix on #MyGeneration,” creator Noah Hawley announced via Twitter. “You’ll be able to watch all eight episodes starting next week on iTunes, Hulu and ABC.com.”
The innovative show attempted to blur the line between reality and fiction and featured an ensemble cast including Austinite Mehcad Brooks, the son of American-Statesman editorial writer Alberta Phillips.
Brooks became the first actor from a cancelled Fall series to land a new gig when he was cast in the USA network pilot “Necessary Roughness.” Brooks will play a star athlete forced into sessions with a therapist played by Callie Thorne.
Follow Hawley’s tweets here.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment
Meet the new Conan, same as the old Conan (w/video)
Conan O’Brien’s late night exile ended Monday with the debut of the former “Tonight Show” host’s self-titled talker on TBS. The lanky, bearded redhead is no longer “legally prohibited from being funny on television,” so what happened?
This was CoCo at his oxymoronically most manic and lackluster, trying frantically to please but displaying little of the loose comic genius he unleashed upon audiences during his final week in his former gig — despite the freedom inherent in his new, basic cable job.
The funniest part of the show was the taped opening segment. Similar in tone (and partially in content) to the piece O’Brien showed on his live tour stops this summer, the segment showcased the host’s strong suit — he’s primarily a comedy writer.
In the piece, O’Brien turns down NBC’s plan to move him to midnight (“What’s the worst that can happen?” he says) and is promptly ambushed by gangsters with semi-automatic weapons. After getting out of a full body cast, he is berated by his “wife” to get a job and take care of his fourteen kids.
We see him applying for an advertising gig — with “Mad Men’s” Don Draper. “It’s 1964 and you’re two-years-old,” Draper says. “Get out of my office.” Conan unsuccessfully works the counter at a fast food joint and is about to jump off a bridge when his guardian angel, Larry King (“but you’re still alive,” O’Brien says) directs him to basic cable, where TBS’ offer, slid across the table on a folded piece of paper, reads “Much less.”
What followed was a prototypical late night show: monologue; desk segment with taped bit; guest; guest; musical guest; interspersed with repeated jabs at his former employer. Parts of it were edgy, I guess, if it was 30 years ago and David Letterman was doing them. A taped segment from Ricky Gervais providing consolation for the host’s next four or five failures (he ends up on a local midwestern channel, according to Gervais) was self-deprecating and predictably amusing.
O’Brien’s strong suit has never been interviewing and Seth Rogan’s a better actor than talk show guest, so that segment was kind of a wash. Lea Michele, it turns out, is much more interesting when singing than making congratulatory chit-chat.
More fun was O’Brien’s musical performance with Jack White — it was the one point in the night when he cut loose and began to approach the free-wheeling, nothing-to-lose, NBC short-timer Conan, and it conjured good memories of his live, summer gigs.
Maybe the show will improve this week, but it’s frustrating to be so disappointed so early. It was the same sort of let-down I experience after each year’s “Saturday Night Live” premiere. You know … they had all summer to get ready for this and this was the best they could come up with? I guess that, once again, I am the victim of my own high expectations.
In any event, it should be interesting to see how it all shakes out.
Am I being too hard on Conan? Check out last night’s cold opening, then log in and sound off in the comments.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Entertainment
Texas Governor Rick Perry visits 'The Daily Show'
Was that weird or was it just me?
What Texas Governor Rick Perry and Jon Stewart engaged in on “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central Monday night was less of a conversation and more of an alternating series of statements.
Stewart announced his guest at the top of the show: “Apparently he found out that once, in my youth, I messed with Texas. He’s here to exact his revenge.”
A seemingly uncomfortable Perry seemed intent on giving long-winded, anecdotal answers sometimes only tangentially related to the questions while Stewart seemed to barely listen to his guest and, instead, seemed to be searching for anything funny he could draw out of the segment.
“What has you fed up, succinctly?” Stewart began the interview, referring to Perry’s new book “Fed Up: Our Fight to Save America from Washington.”
“Watching Washington tell the states how to run their business,” Perry answered. “All the way down from whether you put too much salt on your food or all the way up to … incandescent light bulbs in your house. I mean think about that —” Perry seemed to stop in mid sentence, looked his host in the eye and nodded.
“Wait,” Stewart replied, “the salt part or the light bulb part?”
“Should they be able to tell you how much lead can be in your paint or how much salmonella can be in your … lights?” Stewart asked while Perry talked over him, launching into an anecdote about Texas cleaning up its air and the Obama administration trying to take over the permitting.
Stewart then asked Perry what happened to George W. Bush when he went to Washington, an apt question to ask the author of a book on State vs. Federal government since Bush ran both.
“When they cross the Potomac River, something happens from time to time,” Perry replied, noting that he wasn’t talking only about Bush. “There’s like a virus that is — maybe they spew it out, I don’t know what happens, but …”
“So you believe Washington is a home of, let’s say, a type of Ebola?” Stewart cracked.
“I can’t prove that,” Perry responded.
Perry said that politicians get caught up in the culture of Washington, which he claimed was not true of Governors.
“Every day, we’re right there with our people. We’re talking to them. I mean, I go to church with ‘em, I shop with ‘em.”
“Does that freak them out?” Stewart joked.
After a break, the exchange got a bit more substantial with the pair discussing, among other topics, outsourcing. Perry noted that a number of companies have left California and relocated to Texas this year. Stewart pointed out that as Texas is a pressure valve for the American economy, India could act similarly for the world economy.
“You wanna’ live in India or Texas?” Perry asked.
“For real?” Stewart replied, after an uncomfortable pause. “I really like where I live now. But thank you.”
All in all, the appearance really wasn’t either of the men’s finest moments. Stewart is capable of having substantive, thoughtful discussions with politicians, but it seemed as if he thought that either Perry or the topic of his book was not worthy of that treatment. And the segment didn’t really work as comedy either, with a somewhat stiff Perry failing to join into the kind of fun Stewart was clearly going for.
The extended segment, which did not run on air (but is the last of the clips posted below) was actually the most interesting and substantive portion. Go figure.
What did you think? Did you hear anything new here? Did you at least laugh? Check out the video clips below and sound off in the comments.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Rick Perry Pt. 1 | ||||
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| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Rick Perry Pt. 2 | ||||
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| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Exclusive - Rick Perry Extended Interview | ||||
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Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV
November 8, 2010
This week's TV picks
Monday
‘Jeopardy!’ 4 p.m., NBC: What is … a chance to win big bucks on a game show? Austin native Katie Singh, now a sophomore at Northwestern University, is one of 15 students selected to compete in this year’s “Jeopardy!” College Championship. The two-week tournament begins today and runs through Friday, Nov. 19.
‘Matt Lauer Reports’ 7 p.m., NBC: Matt talks to former President George W. Bush about his book ‘Decision Points.’
‘Hoarders’ 9 p.m., A&E: Okay, you know your clutter is out of control when the detritus is so deep that you don’t realize there’s a homeless person living with you. But if that person is living with you, is he or she actually homeless? ‘Hoarders’ raises so many questions.
‘Conan’ 10 p.m., TBS: Go orange! And this time we’re not talking about the Longhorns.
Tuesday
‘Millionaire Matchmaker’ 8 p.m., Bravo: Pattie searches for a match for a female pro poker player, so expect tons of bad puns related to cards.
‘Dirty Jobs’ 8 p.m., Discovery: Mike travels to Wills Point, Texas to help relocate a pair of deer.
‘The Good Wife’ 9 p.m., CBS: Michael J. Fox guest stars as an attorney who leverages his disability to curry favor with a jury.
‘Independent Lens’ 9:30 p.m., PBS: ‘The Longoria Affair’ explores an incident involving a decorated Hispanic World War II veteran and the Three Rivers, Texas funeral home that refused to hold his funeral. The situation catalyzed the movement for Mexican American civil rights.
Wednesday
‘44th Annual CMA Awards’ 7 p.m., ABC: Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood host, while Miranda Lambert and Sheryl Crow sing a tribute to Loretta Lynn.
‘Psych’ 9 p.m., USA: The second half of the current season kicks off tonight with a prison break and a murder frame-up.
‘Austin City Limits’ 10 p.m., PBS: Steve Martin strums the banjo and Sara Jarosz does the singer-songwriter thing.
Thursday
‘The Big Bang Theory’ 7 p.m., CBS: Wil Wheaton is back for sweeps.
‘Community’ 7 p.m., NBC: The Greendale gang takes on the mystery genre.
‘30 Rock’ 7:30 p.m., NBC: Haven’t had your fill of national politics? ‘Mad Men’s’ John Slattery guests tonight as a Congressional candidate.
‘The Office’ 8 p.m., NBC: The Dunder Mifflin Sabre crew gathers to watch ‘Glee,’ which is the only way you’ll get me to watch ‘Glee’ (although I’m not that hot on ‘The Office’ either).
‘Private Practice’ 9 p.m., ABC: I got all excited because I heard that the hospital staff members were going to be fighting demons, but it turns out they’re just personal demons.
‘Burn Notice’ 9 p.m., USA: Back from hiatus, the renegade spy drama finds Mike buddying up to a vigilante bomber.
Friday
‘CSI:NY’ 8 p.m., CBS: John Larroquette guest stars in a case in which a woman is scared to death. Literally.
Saturday
‘Austin City Limits’ 7 p.m., PBS: Roseanne Cash and Brandi Carlile perform.
‘America’s Cutest Cat 2010’ 8 p.m., Animal Planet: This show gathers Internet clips of adorable felines all in one place on one night, so y’all can stop forwarding me YouTube links now, okay?
‘Back from Hell: A Tribute to Sam Kinison’ 9 p.m., Comedy Central: Clips of the screaming comedian and remembrances from comics including Denis Leary and Chris Rock highlight this retrospective.
Sunday
‘Desperate Housewives’ 8 p.m., ABC: Turkey time! It’s Thanksgiving on Wisteria Lane.
‘Tina Fey: The Mark Twain Prize’ 8 p.m., PBS: Former ‘SNL’ and current ‘30 Rock’ cohorts honor the wry comic and Sarah Palin impersonator from D.C.’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
‘Sarah Palin’s Alaska’ 8 p.m., TLC: Speaking of Sarah Palin … Will I be watching this new Jon & Kate network show? Gosh golly jiminy Christmas you betcha’!
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Fall TV, TV tips
Olbermann to return to MSNBC Tuesday
Well, that was fast.
“Countdown” host Keith Olbermann will return to his MSNBC show Tuesday night, just days after being suspended for breaking network policy regarding financial political contributions.
Olbermann was punished by the cable news network for donating to three Democratic candidates in the last election cycle and failing to follow MSNBC’s policy that the network must be notified in advance of such contributions.
“Greetings From Exile! A quick, overwhelmed, stunned THANK YOU for support that feels like a global hug & obviously left me tweetless XO,” the pundit said via Twitter.
What do you think? Was Olbermann’s two-day suspension a fair punishment for his actions? Will you watch to see what the host says Tuesday upon his return to “Countdown?”
Log in and sound off below.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
November 5, 2010
Friday on IFC: 'Todd Margaret' ends, 'Undeclared' returns
It’s a night of beginnings and endings on IFC. The eclectic cable channel, which has had success with reruns of Judd Apatow’s series “Freaks and Geeks,” begins showing reruns of another Apatow series, “Undeclared,” tonight at 10 p.m.
“Undeclared,” which originally ran on Fox in 2001 and 2002, stars Carla Gallo and Apatow stalwart Seth Rogan. The series followed California college freshmen and was set in the years that it ran. So, while it didn’t initially have the nostalgia factor of “Freaks,” it might provide an interesting look back to the beginning of the last decade now.
Also tonight, the David Cross fish-out-of-water series, “The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret,” concludes at 9 p.m. We’ll finally get to find out what led to the trail scene that begins each episode, in which Cross’ character is read a laundry list of offenses, and hopefully we’ll learn how it all washes out.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
November 4, 2010
E!'s 'Bridalplasty' trailer lands online (video)
Remember when I told y’all about “Bridalplasty,” the horrific-sounding E! reality show in which brides-to-be compete for a chance to win the plastic surgeries of their choice — and the winner reveals the results to her betrothed when he lifts her veil during their wedding ceremony?
I know; I tried to forget, too.
Here’s the trailer for the show, which premieres Nov. 28:
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Reality TV
Curly web site takes on Bravo's Stanger
Austin-based website NaturallyCurly.com has taken on reality television star Patti Stanger and her anti-curl comments.
Stanger, the host of Bravo’s “The Millionaire Matchmaker,” has routinely instructed women on her show to straighten their hair, using terms including “rat’s nest” to refer to curly tresses.
The site, run by former American-Statesman employees Gretchen Heber and Michelle Breyer, sent Stanger a letter accusing her of living in a time warp and promoting Barbie Doll standards. Stanger responded via Twitter, telling the “naturally curly bunch” that millionaire men don’t like curly hair and instructing them on where to buy a flat iron.
The skirmish has attracted the attention of national media including Allure and Us magazines as well as news network CNN, and has inspired Breyer and Heber to create the Facebook group “No More Curl Bashing.”
This isn’t the first time the pair have fought this battle: several years ago they chastised Disney for turning a curly-haired ugly duckling into straight-haired royalty in the movie “The Princess Diaries.”
“It’s not even about straight versus curly anymore, it’s about women embracing their natural beauty and leaving the torturous methods used to become what is socially accepted as beautiful behind,” a press release from NaturallyCurly reads, in part. “If you love your curly hair, you shouldn’t flat iron it just to find your soul mate. If you want to straighten out your curls, go for it, that’s what being a woman is all about: options. Patti Stanger is a giant step backwards in terms of female empowerment.”
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment, Reality TV
Governor Perry to appear on 'The Daily Show'
Texas Governor Rick Perry is slated to appear on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” Monday, Nov. 8 according to spokeswoman, Catherine Frazier. The newly-reelected Perry will discuss his book “Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America from Washington” with host Jon Stewart.
The Governor has already promoted the book on the “Today” show and “Fox & Friends.”
“The Daily Show,” which has become a popular spot for politicians hoping to reach young Americans, airs weeknights at 10 p.m. central time.
Will you watch? If you were Stewart, what questions would you ask Perry? Sound off in the comments.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV
November 3, 2010
'Circus' premieres on PBS Wednesday
“Circus,” a new 6-hour PBS documentary series with all the drama of a reality series and beauty of a fine arts performance, premieres tonight at 8 p.m.
In tonight’s episode, “First of May,” viewers will meet the players and personalities of the Big Apple Circus family, staff, crew, clowns and wire-walkers as they prepare for their annual tour.
Here’s a behind-the-scense excerpt from the series:
Watch the full episode. See more Circus.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
November 2, 2010
Stay classy, San Diego (video)
Oops.
You’ve got to love live TV.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Entertainment
Watch Conan O'Brien's 'Show Zero' (video)
Conan O’Brien gave a stripped down version of his new TBS talk show, premiering at 10 p.m. CT Nov. 8, via a live, streaming online event Monday night.
His house band consisted of a piccolo player. Guest Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) stayed only long enough to say hello. Then the musical guest band ran into the conference room from which the show was webcast, set up quickly and played the first chord from its new album. Sidekick Andy Richter gave two short endorsements of Diet Coke, then a list of credits — probably longer than the actual show — flashed quickly onscreen and it was over.
Did you watch Show Zero? Did you find it funny? Check it out and sound off in the comments below.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
November 1, 2010
Oprah Winfrey reveals new network's schedule
Media mogul Oprah Winfrey has announced the inaugural lineup for her new Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) which begins broadcasting at noon on January 1, 2011.
The weekend launch will contain a sampler of programming the new channel will offer, including:
The last item on that list is the reality competition featuring Austinite Zach Anner, who won a spot after charming Internet voters including musician John Mayer.
More information can be found in the network’s press release here.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
October 31, 2010
'The Walking Dead' premieres Sunday (video)
“The Walking Dead,” AMC’s newest original series, debuts tonight. You can read my preview of the zombie series by clicking here.
Below, check out AMC’s official trailer for the series along with a fan-created opening title sequence created by Daniel M. Kanemoto that you won’t see on AMC.
Official AMC trailer:
Kanemoto’s title sequence:
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment, Fall TV
October 24, 2010
AFF panel wrap: 'Lone Star' screening
Kyle Killen is either the nicest guy in Hollywood or as good a con man as the lead character in his spectacular failure, “Lone Star.” The signature show of the 2010 Fox fall season, “Lone Star” was cancelled after only two episodes had aired.
Killen’s got to be kind of tired of talking about it, right? But he approached me in the lobby of the Driskill Hotel in between panels at the Austin Film Festival, not vice-versa. And there he was again on Sunday, showing the series’ pilot at the Alamo Ritz and taking questions from the large, enthusiastic and exasperated audience afterward.
You’d think that Killen would be bitter — after all, the series was his first foray into television (he’d previously written short stories and a feature screenplay, “The Beaver,” plagued by its own unusual problems). But if he is disappointed, he’s also optimistic. And more than anything, he’s grateful.
He told the audience that Fox let him make exactly the show he wanted to make and never tried to make him change it. He revealed that the network did everything they could to help the show survive: it not only supported his urgent Internet campaign to get viewers, but also pulled technological tricks to allow its popular lead-in “House” to run three minutes into “Lone Star’s” time slot so the show could count some of that program’s audience.
Killen suggested that he was too ambitious in trying to put a show with cable sensibility on a network, and conceded that, in hindsight, the marketing — although extensive — may have been off (at least one woman in the audience admitted that she was turned off by the print ads showing star James Wolk in two nearly identical photos with his two wives). Finally, he realized in retrospect that the slow pacing in the first half of the pilot might have been challenging for network viewers.
Killen said that everyone involved with the show would land on their feet. He retains a good relationship with Fox and plans to take his next project, whatever that turns out to be, back to a broadcast network.
But this time, he says, he’ll try to do a “network” show there.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
AFF panel: A Conversation with David Simon
Much-admired television dramatist David Simon (“The Wire,” and “Treme,” “Homicide: Life on the Street,” “The Corner,” “Generation Kill”) sat down Saturday at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel with moderator Robert Draper for a discussion of Simon’s career.
Just a few hours earlier, Simon had been given his latest accolade, being granted the Outstanding Television Award from the Austin Film Festival.
I have written a lot about Simon lately. You can read my Oct. 17 American-Statesman interview with the writer here, and a longer transcript of our interview can be found here.
In this post, I’m just going to hit on highlights of Simon’s conversation with author Draper, who is also a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine and National Geographic and a correspondent for GQ.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
October 23, 2010
AFF Panel: The Business of Writing for Television
A room full of writers hoping to get a toehold in the television business got to meet some heavyweights at the Austin Film Festival Saturday morning.
Members of the “Business of Writing for Television” panel included Bryan Brucks, a manager and producer whose clients have written on such shows as “Seinfeld” and “Murphy Brown,” and Tiffany Ward from Creative Artists Agency. Writers on the panel included Phil Rosenthal (“Everybody Loves Raymond”), Pamela Ribon (“Samantha Who”) and Noah Hawley (“The Unusuals,” “My Generation”).
The panel was less upbeat and more realistic than others at the Festival this year, addressing the ruthless nature of the business and the shrinking number of jobs for writers in a post-writer’s strike, recession-driven television economy.
Hawley, in particular, seemed to have a bad taste in his mouth following the cancelation of his ABC fall drama, “My Generation,” after only two episodes. He said it was unfair to call the show a failure, because ABC didn’t give it a chance to fail. He placed the blame squarely on the network, calling it “a marketing and time slot failure.”
There was some discussion about ABC’s hit comedy, “Modern Family,” and that what brought viewers back week after week was the characters.
“And the lesson should be ‘let writers create great shows with characters that people can relate to,’ because they (network executives) don’t understand why a show is a success,” Hawley said. “You’d think that if you knew how to do it, they would just let you do it, but that’s not the case.”
The networks don’t set out to make bad shows, Hawley said, but a shrinking business has left them “terrified.”
“Their answer to it is to try to appeal to the broadest audience possible, which means to water down the content as much as possible to make it appealing to 15-year-old boys and 70-year-old women,” he explained. “And what show appeals to those two demographics?”
“You just described ‘Golden Girls’,” joked panel moderator Stuart Kelban.
The panel talked about dwindling writing staffs on network shows.
“I think as long as ratings continue to shrink, (the networks) are going to have a hard time spending more money,” Hawley said. “Certainly the cable model is becoming more and more attractive.”
Agents will steer writers toward broadcast networks because there is a bigger audience and there’s still potentially more money to be made on a network show, he said, but he derided network product as less interesting storytelling. “It’s certainly a dilemma I wrestle with — to go and do cable or stay in network,” Hawley said, adding that he was in discussion with cable networks who might still have an interest in “My Generation.”
The panel then discussed how individual cable networks have much more distinct personalities than the networks. USA shows, for instance, are different from AMC shows. Panelists suggested that writers take their show ideas to the appropriate channel.
“If it’s a Starz idea,” Ward said, “Take it to Starz.”
Hawley pointed out another cable advantage for writers: If you develop a show for cable and they pick it up, they’ll show all the episodes that have been produced. “They don’t waste money the same way,” he said.
Ward pointed out, though, that agents might be steering clients toward the broadcast networks simply because there is more opportunity for success there by virtue of the fact that they produce so many more shows than the niche cable outlets.
“There are just more slots,” she said. “HBO will only make so many shows; they don’t have to fill a certain amount of air.”
“The (broadcast) networks buy more pitches and develop before it gets to the pilot process,” Ribon added. “They buy, maybe, 75 pitches and they develop it with you and you turn in your script and you miss Christmas and then you do a lot of notes and you wait and then Valentine’s Day is ruined when they’re not going to shoot your pilot.
“But then maybe they do,” she continued, “and that’s a smaller amount and everybody goes through the pilot process and an event smaller amount gets on the air. But that’s a lot of jobs, in the beginning, that ABC’s going to have that FX isn’t.”
At one point, Kelban noted that none of the panelists had mentioned reality television.
“I think that the glut of reality shows we’ve seen could signal more than just a trend, and that is the end of civilization,” Rosenthal said to an explosive laugh from the audience.
He neglected to mention that he’s currently developing one.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
Reader mail: Will Fox cancel the World Series because it's set in Texas?
I received the following letter from a reader this morning. Check it out:
Hello Mr. Roe
Do you think fox will cancel the World Series, due to the fact that no one likes to watch any programs that feature Texas ( Lone star, My generation, the only 2 shows canceled this year) I know that you only like to write about Texas shows and “Texas actors ” I feel bad for Baseball, 100 plus years and Texas is going to put a knife in. If Texans don’t watch Texas shows, then why would the other 49 states? Have a great day sir, I hope you don’t get caught in the traffic for that beautiful orange team today. Go Iowa st, or who ever the no horns play. Fight on
Al Quintero
What do you think? With “Lone Star” and “My Generation” gone, and Houston-set “Chase” and Dallas-set “The Good Guys” on the bubble and leaning toward not making a return next season, is a World Series with the Rangers compelling enough to stay off the Fox chopping block?
We all know it is, but Mr. Quintero raises a humorous point, don’t you think?
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment, Sports on TV
October 22, 2010
AFF panel: The Teleplay
Television writer Sterling Anderson (“The Unit,” “Medium,” “Heist”) joined story consultant, independent producer, writing instructor and Aaron Spelling protege Jen Grisanti to address a room full of Austin Film Festival attendees who had made it to at least the second round of the conference’s 2010 Teleplay Competition on Friday.
After giving some background about themselves, the duo answered questions from the room full of writers who were mostly interested in how to nab a job in a TV series writers’ room.
Grisanti told the competitors they’d need at least four current scripts in their portfolios, two of them “spec” scripts (example scripts they’d written for currently running shows) and two of them original pilots. Shw said the writers should write spec scripts for shows that fall in the genre they would like to pursue as a career. “You never want spec scripts that are more than two years old,” Grisanti said, adding that the moment a show was canceled, any spec scripts based on them would be more or less worthless.
Anderson said that he prefers to work in television, which he says is a writer’s medium, over feature films, which he calls a director’s medium. He also opined that television currently surpasses movies in terms of quality. He talked briefly about the politics of the writer’s room and stressed the importance of learning the pecking order.
Both panelists said writers should expect to be fired, calling it a right of passage and a chance to “write your way into your next job.”
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
AFF panel: A Conversation with Phil Rosenthal
His film, which opened this year’s Festival, chronicles his efforts to create a Russian-language version of the popular American sitcom in Russia.
Rosenthal talked about the show and the movie, as well as his background. He also answered questions from the room full of aspiring writers.
Here are some highlights of the panel:
Best story: As a gift, Rosenthal got everybody on his staff a toaster engraved “Everybody Loves Raymond.” He sent one to his parents. Eventually, he called them up to see how they liked it. Turns out his folks, thinking he’d just sent them a regular toaster, took it, unopened, to Macy’s, lied and exchanged it because they wanted a coffeemaker instead. “The joke in our writers room,” Rosenthal said, “was that somebody probably got that toaster, brught it home, opened it up, saw what it was, brought it back to the store and said, ‘We’d like the “Frasier” toaster.’”
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
AFF: Aspiring screenwriter Roby Brown (video)
I ran into Austinite and aspiring television writer Roby Brown at the Austin Film Festival on Thursday. Brown saw my solicitation for attendees looking at television writing careers and was kind enough to sit down and chat with me for a few minutes.
If you’re aspiring to a career in television, are attending the Fest and would like to tell me your story, please email me by clicking here.
Here’s my interview with Roby, Reader’s Digest-style:
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Entertainment
October 21, 2010
AFF: Kyle Killen talks about canceled 'Lone Star' Sunday
The Los Angeles Times’ Showtracker blog has a post about ‘Lone Star’ creator Kyle Killen’s Sunday panel at the Austin Film Festival.
“I’m as excited as I can be talking about a canceled show,” Killen is quoted as saying in the piece. “I would love to be at the festival under different circumstances. But I’m excitied and bolstered by the enthusiasm on what the show did.”
“Lone Star,” one of the centerpiece’s of Fox’s 2010-2011 fall television season, fell victim to low ratings and was yanked form the network’s schedule after just two airings.
I’ll be attending the panel and will post a wrap-up here Sunday afternoon.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
October 20, 2010
The rest of my conversation with David Simon
I recently had the good fortune to interview David Simon, the creator of “Homicide,” “The Wire” and “Treme,” in advance of his appearance at the Austin Film Festival, where he will receive the 2010 Outstanding Television Writer award.
Our interview was long and comprehensive, but on some days space is tight in the Statesman and the story, which you can read here, had to be trimmed.
Below is a more complete version of our conversation. The first question and answer appear below, the rest can be found after the jump.
You’re a newspaperman. How did you get into television?
“I was a police reporter in Baltimore for the Baltimore Sun, and they let me into the Homicide Unit after I’d been there about five years. They let me in in 1988 and why they did I don’t know. The Police Commissioner actually died before I had a chance to sit down with him and ask him why he’d agreed to do it. I like to think it was fairly pure — he’d been a homicide detective earlier in his career and he’d told people it was the most enjoyable posting he’d had. So it may have been as simple as that. But for whatever reason, you know, the vote against me in the Unit was three detectives in favor, 33 against. But the Police Commissioner let me in and I wrote a book about the year in this Homicide Unit.
“And then there was this fella named Barry Levinson, an A-list director from Baltimore whose company bought the book and made it into a television show. And then they came to me and said, ‘Do you want to try your hand at writing a couple of scripts?’ I got together with one of my college friends who worked with me on the college newspaper, David Mills. He was the guy who, on the college newspaper, was always — on Thursday nights or whatever, Wednesday nights, whenever they were on — he would stop putting out his pages, you know? He would walk out of the shop — we had like a 2 a.m. deadline — because he wanted to watch ‘Hill Street Blues’ or ‘St. Elsewhere.’ He was a devoted fan of television drama and I was not. I didn’t watch that stuff regularly or with any degree of awareness. So when they offered me this opportunity, I went and got him, since he actually knew the form. Armed with, you know, some existing ‘Homicide’ scripts and David’s knowledge of television, we wrote a script and it won the WGA Award, the Writers’ Guild award, that year.
“And so David immediately left the Washington Post and said ‘You’re nuts, I’m going to Hollywood.’ I said, ‘No, you’re nuts. That’s a good job. Don’t quit that job.’ I stayed at the paper and worked on a second book, ‘The Corner,’ and then, at some point, my newspaper started going down, the way a lot of newspapers started going don — chain-owned newspapers around the country.
“And this was before the Internet and before the real nosedive. These were the buyouts that were kind of the victory lap of all the surviving morning monopoly dailies, you know, that were chain-owned and people on Wall Street figured out that if you put out a weaker paper with, uh, less reporters, less news hole and less coverage, you could make more money.
“So it was that period of the nineties and I sort of saw the writing on the wall. I was not happy with the management of the paper and, so, they were offering me a job on this television show. And I took it kind of as a lark thinking, well, I’ll learn this new skill set and maybe it’ll help me do ‘The Corner’ as a miniseries and that’ll sell more books. ‘Cuz my commitment was to ‘The Corner’ as a book at that point. But I thought, I’ll go back to the Washington Post or I’ll find my way to a better paper. That was the plan. And that was still the plan until I looked up and I’d been doing television for about eight, nine years.
“And so people, these poor kids come up to me and they’re, like, ‘How do you get into television?’ and I’m like, ‘well, first write a book and then find an A-list director who buys it and makes it’ and they just look at me and they go, ‘Oh, God … you’re no help,’ you know. I guess this is a long-winded way of saying there was no plan. I had no plan.”
Read (much) more from Simon, including why TV is his preferred medium, the future of ‘Treme,’ if and how TV can effect change, how he feels about being an “entertainer” and what he’s going to do with his $500,000 MacArthur Foundation grant, after the jump.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment
'Daytripper' Season 2 kicks off Thursday on KLRU
If memory serves, Chet Garner and company used to toss their recording gear into a couple of rugged vehicles when heading off to explore one-day-distant destinations for our viewing pleasure.
But in the promo for Thursday’s Season 2 “Daytripper” opener (8:30 p.m., KLRU) focusing on Brenham, Texas, a dapper Chet — resplendent in a smoking jacket with a pipe and sunglasses — may have joined the glitterati, deplaning from what appears to be a private jet.
Huh. I guess a lot can happen between seasons.
Has Garner gone all Hollywood on us? He has pulled some suspiciously diva-esque moves, dropping “Austin” from his travelogue’s name and expanding his empire to include several other Texas PBS affiliates. And there’s that Lone Star Emmy award his program nabbed last week in Dallas — an Emmy can change a man.
But I suspect that the various cheeseburgers, animals and nature he cavorts with in the piece indicate that we’re in for the same old humorous, familiar tour guide this year.
Check out the promo and let me know what you think, and consider attending the Season 2 Premiere Party at the Mueller Austin Lake Park Amphitheater, which will feature eats from Hat Creek Burgers and beverages from Live Oak Brewing (Evite here.)
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV
October 19, 2010
TMZ reports actor Tom Bosley is dead at 83
TMZ is reporting that actor Tom Bosley has died in Palm Springs. The actor celebrated his 83rd birthday on October 1.
Bosley is best remembered for portraying Howard Cunningham, Richie’s dad, on the hit ABC series “Happy Days.” On that show, the put-upon patriarch put up with The Fonz, and also put him up — in the family’s garage apartment.
The website’s story includes comments from Henry Winkler, who played Fonzie, as well as Scott Baio, who portrayed Chachi (who, as you might recall, loved Joanie).
“Tom Bosley was our mentor,” Winkler told TMZ. “He was a true artist … a great husband, and a fabulous father and grandfather. He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.”
“He was a good man who taught me a lot about the business and business itself. He was a professional guy … I’m sad,” Baio said.
The actor, who won a Tony Award for his work on Broadway, had film roles in “The World of Henry Orient” and “Divorce American Style.” He went on to appear in television’s “Murder, She Wrote” and starred in “The Father Dowling Mysteries.”
TMZ reports that Bosley had been suffering from a staph infection.
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Possible salvation for 'Chuck' and 'Homer'
EW.com reports that NBC’s “Chuck” is close to getting another of its nine lives. The spy dramedy with a rabid but small fan base “is on the verge of receiving a full-season pickup from NBC,” Michael Ausiello writes.
The Vatican has weighed in on Homer Simpson’s religion. He’s Catholic, they say. The Fox show’s producer, Al Jean, tells EW.com not so fast, pointing out that, among other things, Homer would have trouble, um, fasting. “We’ve pretty clearly shown that Homer is not Catholic,” Jean says. “I really don’t think he could go without eating meat on Fridays—for even an hour.”
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Fall TV
October 18, 2010
This week's TV picks
Monday:
‘Dancing with the Stars’ 7 p.m., ABC: This week, contestants perform to TV-show themes. That’s right, TV shows used to have themes.
Tuesday:
‘Weird, True and Freaky’ 7 p.m., Animal Planet: Tattooed and surgically altered pets? Check, check and check.
‘Dirty Jobs’ 8 p.m., Discovery: Sloths, lemurs and bearcats, oh my! Mike gets down and dirty at an exotic Texas ranch.
‘Parenthood’ 9 p.m., NBC: Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me angst but make it sweet! The Bravermans prepare for Halloween.
Wednesday:
‘Michael Feinstein’s American Songbook’ 7 p.m., PBS: The series concludes with a look at prohibition-era jazz.
‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ 8 p.m., NBC: ‘True Blood’ star and University of Texas at Austin alumnus Kevin Alejandro portrays an assault victim in tonight’s episode, which also features David Alan Grier.
Thursday:
‘Community’ 7 p.m., NBC: Pierce realizes that he is old.
‘Overheard with Evan Smith’ 7 p.m., PBS: Newsweek columnist Jonathan Alter discusses his book ‘The Promise: President Obama, Year One’ in the premiere of this ‘Texas Monthly Talks’ successor.
’30 Rock’ 7:30 p.m., NBC: Kelsey Grammer makes a guest appearance as himself (or as Frasier, it’s hard to tell).
‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ 8 p.m., CBS: You know you’re a hoarder when bodies start turning up beneath the mounds of trash.
‘The Daytripper’ 8:30 p.m., PBS: Host Chet Garner and company travel to Brenham in tonight’s Season 2 debut.
Friday:
‘Medium’ 7 p.m., CBS: After a skin graft, Alison’s injured hand starts to turn on her. I wonder if the graft was done with shark skin, because it sounds like this show has jumped one.
‘Fatal Attractions’ 8 p.m., Animal Planet: An elderly woman is killed trying to mediate a conflict between two bears. It’s like an allegory for so many situations in life, but also just a reminder not to screw round with bears.
Saturday:
‘Austin City Limits’ 7 p.m., PBS: Hook ‘em and horns: Alejandro Escovedo and New Orleans’ Trombone Shorty perform.
‘Brave New Voices 2010’ 10 p.m., HBO: Artists from four states compete in the 2010 National Youth Poetry Slam Championship in Los Angeles. Judges include Penn Jillette and Sanaa Lathan.
Sunday:
‘Nature’ 7 p.m., PBS: Did you know that crows can remember faces and hold grudges? Just when you thought the birds couldn’t get any more creepy and sinister.
‘Sunday Night Football’ 7:15 p.m., NBC: The Packers take on the Vikings in Green Bay and I almost can’t decide whom I’d rather see lose, but let’s go with the Packers.
‘Masterpiece Mystery!’ 8 p.m., PBS: Sherlock Holmes and Watson are re-imagined as, respectively, a high-functioning sociopath and an Afghan War veteran in this modern-day update.
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October 16, 2010
KLRU, KTBC, KVUE and KXAN win Lone Star Emmys
The Lone Star Emmys were handed out in Dallas Saturday and there were a few local names and stations among the winners.
KVUE News “Nightbeat” took home an Outstanding Achievement in Newscast, Evening, Medium Markets; while KXAN “Austin News Today” grabbed a similar honor for Outstanding Achievement in Newscast, Morning/Daytime.
Chet Garner’s “The Austin Daytripper,” which aired locally on KLRU (the program has since expanded to other Texas stations and has been renamed “The Daytripper”) was recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Texas Heritage, Program/Special.
Austin Fox affiliate KTBC won Outstanding Achievement in Promotion, News Promo, Single Spot; and “Central Texas Gardener” took home the award for Informational/Instructional, Program/Special/Feature/Segment.
The Lone Star Emmys are awarded yearly by the Texas Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment, Local news, Local people on TV
