Emma Stone does Le Jeunes de Paris on SNL again
Loved this the last time she was on SNL, here she is doing the sketch about youth in Paris again on last nights SNL.
The Lime TV News, The Latest TeleVision News On Shows And Stars
zondag 27 november 2011
Here are 23 great old shows to watch with the family during the holidays.
Here are 23 great old shows to watch with the family during the holidays.
Comedy
NewsRadio
Between 1995 and 1999, the American public was blessed with this brilliant NBC sitcom, which takes place at an AM news station in New York City. Likely a precursor to shows like The Office, Party Down, and even Arrested Development, NewsRadio's zany workplace antics and all-star ensemble cast (including the late great Phil Hartman) make the business of satire look as smart as it is absurd.
Recommended relative pairing: Your sister's college roommate who swears she's "over" The Daily Show.
Felicity
A romantic gal named Felicity decides to pass on her acceptance to Stanford to attend the "University of New York," where she can chase her high school crush. What could go wrong? This WB classic was a mega-hit for the college-bound demo, but its PG-13, Sex and the City-meets-coming-of-age vibe holds up long after your college days have passed.
Recommended relative pairing: Your young-at-heart mother, who once lived vicariously through your college stories but needs a new outlet.
The Larry Sanders Show
This show is a veritable who's who of every single comedian who ever lived. Well, almost... but it does feature appearances from a baby Sarah Silverman, Roseanne, Janeane Garofalo, Jeffrey Tambor, Rip Torn, Jon Stewart, and plenty more. Think Curb Your Enthusiasm meets Late Show with David Letterman. This show did meta before meta was cool.
Recommended relative pairing: Your sauce-hitting uncle who corners people with his inappropriate knock-knock jokes.
Reno 911
Before the U.S. version of The Office ever aired, back when the word "mockumentary" was known only by Christopher Guest enthusiasts, there was Reno 911. A caricature of Cops set in desolate Reno, Nevada, the series follows a cast of inept, short-shorts-wearing officers who serve as proof that sometimes crime does pay.
Recommended relative pairing: Your single-again older brother who needs a dumb laugh.
Married... with Children
Modern Family's Ed O'Neill plays Al Bundy, a blue collar shoe salesman who's been stuck in a rut since the end of his high school football glory days. Middle-class, white-bred America has definitely seen darker days, but you'd hardly know from this '90s comedy. Oh, and don't miss Up All Night's Christina Applegate as Al's sexually-charged ditz of a daughter, Kelly.
Recommended relative pairing: Your sister's new fiancé who's still talking about the game-winning touchdown he made at State... eight years ago.
Psych
Now in its sixth season, this detective procedural follows a "psychic" Santa Barbara-based police consultant named Shawn (James Roday) and his partner, Gus (Dulé Hill), as they solve crimes and crack jokes. If you haven't yet caught the bug, now's the time: The first five seasons are on Netflix.
Recommended relative pairing: Your slightly geeky brother who likes to think he's not that geeky.
Drama
The Wonder Years
If you've somehow never heard of The Wonder Years, then I'm assigning this one as holiday TV homework. The series follows Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage) as he attempts to navigate through adolescence in the late '60s/early '70s. It's riveting, it's genuine, and it's got a killer soundtrack.
Recommended relative pairing: Your stern, no-nonsense father.
Breaking Bad
It's time to jump on this train if you haven't already. Netflix now has Seasons 1 through 3, which will put you that much closer to not having to leave the room when your friends start talking about Walt's latest snafu. Break out the beakers, it's time to take science to the streets!
Recommended relative pairing: Your uncle who works for the DEA.
Sons of Anarchy
As one of FX's early breakout series, this criminal drama about a tight-knit motorcycle club on the outside of the law is kind of like a macho soap opera. Season 4 ends on December 6, but with the first three seasons on Netflix, you can be nearly caught up in no time.
Recommended relative pairing: Your aunt who recently started dating a hardcore biker enthusiast.
The Vampire Diaries
The CW has finally opened its doors to Netflix, which is now home to Seasons 1 and 2 of this vampy teen drama. Plus: CWtv.com and Hulu consistently stream the five most recent episodes, so most of Season 3 is at your bloody disposal, too. Plus plus: You can work your way through our TVD photo-recap treasury as you go.
Recommended relative pairing: Your melodramatic cousin who's been acting suspicious ever since she started hanging out with the goth crowd at school.
Carlos
This three-part French miniseries made waves at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. It's based on the life of Carlos the Jackal, a terrorist who was once one of the world's most wanted international fugitives. It's a great way to kill five-and-a-half hours, and you'll walk away feeling more worldly than you ever have while sitting through your uncle's Euro-trip slideshows.
Recommended relative pairing: Your college kid brother who was just evicted from Occupy Wall Street.
British
Downton Abbey
This period drama takes place around the time of World War I (in the pilot, the characters react to news of the sinking Titanic, two years before the war began) and essentially conveys what it was like to be filthy rich before and during the world's first major collapse into large-scale warfare. It was awarded the Guinness Book of World Records prize for "most critically acclaimed television show" in 2011, so you KNOW it's good.
Recommended relative pairing: Your wife's grandmother, who always sips her tea with her pinky up.
Lost In Austen
This British miniseries follows an obsessed Jane Austen fan who mysteriously swaps places with one of Austen's fictional characters, Elizabeth Bennet (an American remake is in development). Anyone who's seen A&E's epic Pride and Prejudice miniseries starring Colin Firth will laugh out loud, because Lost in Austen is practically a scene-by-scene parody.
Recommended relative pairing: Your crazy aunt who swears Colin Firth communicates with her directly through the TV whenever she's drunk and home alone.
Shameless
Yes, there was a British version long before William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum signed on to portray members of the uber-dysfunctional Gallagher clan. If you're curious about the series that inspired the American adaptation, look no further.
Recommended relative pairing: Your kid cousin, the kleptomaniac.
Skins
No, not the failed MTV version, the good version—the award-winning British version that tactfully scrutinizes the taboos of teenage life, from sex and drugs to broken families and body image issues. It gets bonus points for having a great soundtrack, too.
Recommended relative pairing: Your pushy aunt who keeps rattling on about what it was like to be young.
Sci-Fi
Sliders
No, not the kind you order at the gastropub. These "sliders" are an offbeat gang of scientists who've discovered a way to travel—or slide—between parallel and alternate universes but can't quite figure out how to get back home. Imagine what life would be like if America had lost the Revolutionary War—there's an episode about that. Imagine what life would be like if technology had been banned after Hiroshima—there's an episode about that, too. If you're looking to jump-start your imagination and with a little Jerry O'Connell love on the side, this is your show.
Recommended relative pairing: Your grandpa, the history-buff; Jeffy O'Connell fans.
Firefly
If you've never heard of this cult classic, it's probably because you've never crossed paths with a Firefly fan. Joss Whedon's 2002 space western is as cool as it sounds... because it's a space western, duh. Highly underrated at the time, it only lasted a single season, but it's a single season that lives on, thanks to the internet. You can find every episode on Netflix or Hulu Plus, but for those without subscription services, Hulu's basic service offers five free episodes at a time, and they stream on a rotating basis.
Recommended relative pairing: Your neo-anarchist cousin who always wears a vest and suspenders and ties a bandana around his neck.
Misfits
Technically we could have included this in the "British" section, but its sci-fi elements trump its accents. This is a show about a group of juvenile delinquents who get caught in an electrical storm while doing community service and wind up with special powers. Trust us, it's great.
Recommended relative pairing: Your shifty older cousin who swears he once got hit by lightening (he didn't).
"Nonfiction"
Gangland
This real-life look at real-life street gangs paints a jarring picture of the culture and politics behind the most notorious, feared gangs in America, proving gang culture threatens more than just our country's sense of style.
Recommended relative pairing: Your little cousin who's always pretending to be a thug.
Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking
Science is a ton of fun when there's nothing else on TV! Seriously, though, this documentary miniseries explores Stephen Hawking's complex theories on time, the universe, and aliens by accompanying them with CGI imagery and a symphonic soundtrack. If you're looking to learn something this weekend, this is your show.
Recommended relative pairing: Your precocious kid brother who refuses to watch anything on TV because he thinks it will rot his brain.
Jockeys
Prepare for the upcoming HBO drama Luck with this documentary reality series. If you don't think horse jockeys can be defined as "athletes," you might reconsider after watching; the series chronicles a group of jockeys as they ride in the famous 30-day Oak Tree Meet at Santa Anita Park.
Recommended relative pairing: Your grandma. She sure loves the track.
Teen Mom
We know this show is ridiculous. It's one of the most heinous shows on TV, featuring young girls who are now making a profit off of having babies while still babies themselves. But as far as trashy television is concerned, it's pretty easy to get sucked in. Seasons 1 and 2 are on Netflix, but all three seasons are available to stream at MTV.com.
Recommended relative pairing: The kid sister you're trying to scare straight.
Comedy
NewsRadio
Between 1995 and 1999, the American public was blessed with this brilliant NBC sitcom, which takes place at an AM news station in New York City. Likely a precursor to shows like The Office, Party Down, and even Arrested Development, NewsRadio's zany workplace antics and all-star ensemble cast (including the late great Phil Hartman) make the business of satire look as smart as it is absurd.
Recommended relative pairing: Your sister's college roommate who swears she's "over" The Daily Show.
Felicity
A romantic gal named Felicity decides to pass on her acceptance to Stanford to attend the "University of New York," where she can chase her high school crush. What could go wrong? This WB classic was a mega-hit for the college-bound demo, but its PG-13, Sex and the City-meets-coming-of-age vibe holds up long after your college days have passed.
Recommended relative pairing: Your young-at-heart mother, who once lived vicariously through your college stories but needs a new outlet.
The Larry Sanders Show
This show is a veritable who's who of every single comedian who ever lived. Well, almost... but it does feature appearances from a baby Sarah Silverman, Roseanne, Janeane Garofalo, Jeffrey Tambor, Rip Torn, Jon Stewart, and plenty more. Think Curb Your Enthusiasm meets Late Show with David Letterman. This show did meta before meta was cool.
Recommended relative pairing: Your sauce-hitting uncle who corners people with his inappropriate knock-knock jokes.
Reno 911
Before the U.S. version of The Office ever aired, back when the word "mockumentary" was known only by Christopher Guest enthusiasts, there was Reno 911. A caricature of Cops set in desolate Reno, Nevada, the series follows a cast of inept, short-shorts-wearing officers who serve as proof that sometimes crime does pay.
Recommended relative pairing: Your single-again older brother who needs a dumb laugh.
Married... with Children
Modern Family's Ed O'Neill plays Al Bundy, a blue collar shoe salesman who's been stuck in a rut since the end of his high school football glory days. Middle-class, white-bred America has definitely seen darker days, but you'd hardly know from this '90s comedy. Oh, and don't miss Up All Night's Christina Applegate as Al's sexually-charged ditz of a daughter, Kelly.
Recommended relative pairing: Your sister's new fiancé who's still talking about the game-winning touchdown he made at State... eight years ago.
Psych
Now in its sixth season, this detective procedural follows a "psychic" Santa Barbara-based police consultant named Shawn (James Roday) and his partner, Gus (Dulé Hill), as they solve crimes and crack jokes. If you haven't yet caught the bug, now's the time: The first five seasons are on Netflix.
Recommended relative pairing: Your slightly geeky brother who likes to think he's not that geeky.
Drama
The Wonder Years
If you've somehow never heard of The Wonder Years, then I'm assigning this one as holiday TV homework. The series follows Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage) as he attempts to navigate through adolescence in the late '60s/early '70s. It's riveting, it's genuine, and it's got a killer soundtrack.
Recommended relative pairing: Your stern, no-nonsense father.
Breaking Bad
It's time to jump on this train if you haven't already. Netflix now has Seasons 1 through 3, which will put you that much closer to not having to leave the room when your friends start talking about Walt's latest snafu. Break out the beakers, it's time to take science to the streets!
Recommended relative pairing: Your uncle who works for the DEA.
Sons of Anarchy
As one of FX's early breakout series, this criminal drama about a tight-knit motorcycle club on the outside of the law is kind of like a macho soap opera. Season 4 ends on December 6, but with the first three seasons on Netflix, you can be nearly caught up in no time.
Recommended relative pairing: Your aunt who recently started dating a hardcore biker enthusiast.
The Vampire Diaries
The CW has finally opened its doors to Netflix, which is now home to Seasons 1 and 2 of this vampy teen drama. Plus: CWtv.com and Hulu consistently stream the five most recent episodes, so most of Season 3 is at your bloody disposal, too. Plus plus: You can work your way through our TVD photo-recap treasury as you go.
Recommended relative pairing: Your melodramatic cousin who's been acting suspicious ever since she started hanging out with the goth crowd at school.
Carlos
This three-part French miniseries made waves at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. It's based on the life of Carlos the Jackal, a terrorist who was once one of the world's most wanted international fugitives. It's a great way to kill five-and-a-half hours, and you'll walk away feeling more worldly than you ever have while sitting through your uncle's Euro-trip slideshows.
Recommended relative pairing: Your college kid brother who was just evicted from Occupy Wall Street.
British
Downton Abbey
This period drama takes place around the time of World War I (in the pilot, the characters react to news of the sinking Titanic, two years before the war began) and essentially conveys what it was like to be filthy rich before and during the world's first major collapse into large-scale warfare. It was awarded the Guinness Book of World Records prize for "most critically acclaimed television show" in 2011, so you KNOW it's good.
Recommended relative pairing: Your wife's grandmother, who always sips her tea with her pinky up.
Lost In Austen
This British miniseries follows an obsessed Jane Austen fan who mysteriously swaps places with one of Austen's fictional characters, Elizabeth Bennet (an American remake is in development). Anyone who's seen A&E's epic Pride and Prejudice miniseries starring Colin Firth will laugh out loud, because Lost in Austen is practically a scene-by-scene parody.
Recommended relative pairing: Your crazy aunt who swears Colin Firth communicates with her directly through the TV whenever she's drunk and home alone.
Shameless
Yes, there was a British version long before William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum signed on to portray members of the uber-dysfunctional Gallagher clan. If you're curious about the series that inspired the American adaptation, look no further.
Recommended relative pairing: Your kid cousin, the kleptomaniac.
Skins
No, not the failed MTV version, the good version—the award-winning British version that tactfully scrutinizes the taboos of teenage life, from sex and drugs to broken families and body image issues. It gets bonus points for having a great soundtrack, too.
Recommended relative pairing: Your pushy aunt who keeps rattling on about what it was like to be young.
Sci-Fi
Sliders
No, not the kind you order at the gastropub. These "sliders" are an offbeat gang of scientists who've discovered a way to travel—or slide—between parallel and alternate universes but can't quite figure out how to get back home. Imagine what life would be like if America had lost the Revolutionary War—there's an episode about that. Imagine what life would be like if technology had been banned after Hiroshima—there's an episode about that, too. If you're looking to jump-start your imagination and with a little Jerry O'Connell love on the side, this is your show.
Recommended relative pairing: Your grandpa, the history-buff; Jeffy O'Connell fans.
Firefly
If you've never heard of this cult classic, it's probably because you've never crossed paths with a Firefly fan. Joss Whedon's 2002 space western is as cool as it sounds... because it's a space western, duh. Highly underrated at the time, it only lasted a single season, but it's a single season that lives on, thanks to the internet. You can find every episode on Netflix or Hulu Plus, but for those without subscription services, Hulu's basic service offers five free episodes at a time, and they stream on a rotating basis.
Recommended relative pairing: Your neo-anarchist cousin who always wears a vest and suspenders and ties a bandana around his neck.
Misfits
Technically we could have included this in the "British" section, but its sci-fi elements trump its accents. This is a show about a group of juvenile delinquents who get caught in an electrical storm while doing community service and wind up with special powers. Trust us, it's great.
Recommended relative pairing: Your shifty older cousin who swears he once got hit by lightening (he didn't).
"Nonfiction"
Gangland
This real-life look at real-life street gangs paints a jarring picture of the culture and politics behind the most notorious, feared gangs in America, proving gang culture threatens more than just our country's sense of style.
Recommended relative pairing: Your little cousin who's always pretending to be a thug.
Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking
Science is a ton of fun when there's nothing else on TV! Seriously, though, this documentary miniseries explores Stephen Hawking's complex theories on time, the universe, and aliens by accompanying them with CGI imagery and a symphonic soundtrack. If you're looking to learn something this weekend, this is your show.
Recommended relative pairing: Your precocious kid brother who refuses to watch anything on TV because he thinks it will rot his brain.
Jockeys
Prepare for the upcoming HBO drama Luck with this documentary reality series. If you don't think horse jockeys can be defined as "athletes," you might reconsider after watching; the series chronicles a group of jockeys as they ride in the famous 30-day Oak Tree Meet at Santa Anita Park.
Recommended relative pairing: Your grandma. She sure loves the track.
Teen Mom
We know this show is ridiculous. It's one of the most heinous shows on TV, featuring young girls who are now making a profit off of having babies while still babies themselves. But as far as trashy television is concerned, it's pretty easy to get sucked in. Seasons 1 and 2 are on Netflix, but all three seasons are available to stream at MTV.com.
Recommended relative pairing: The kid sister you're trying to scare straight.
It's a Boy for Curtis Stone and Lindsay Price
It's a Boy for Curtis Stone and Lindsay Price
Top Chef Masters host Curtis Stone and Beverly Hills, 90210 alum Lindsay Price are the proud new parents of a baby boy.
"Lindsay and I are so excited to welcome our sweet little baby boy into the world," Stone tweeted. "It feels so great to be a dad!!!!"Stone did not reveal the child's name, but The Herald Sun reports that the baby is named Hudson and was born Nov. 6 in the U.S.
This is the first child for Stone, 36, and Price, 34, who have been dating since 2009.
Top Chef Masters host Curtis Stone and Beverly Hills, 90210 alum Lindsay Price are the proud new parents of a baby boy.
"Lindsay and I are so excited to welcome our sweet little baby boy into the world," Stone tweeted. "It feels so great to be a dad!!!!"Stone did not reveal the child's name, but The Herald Sun reports that the baby is named Hudson and was born Nov. 6 in the U.S.
This is the first child for Stone, 36, and Price, 34, who have been dating since 2009.
'Homeland' review: Claire Danes, the CIA's (and Showtime's) secret weapon
'Homeland' review: Claire Danes, the CIA's (and Showtime's) secret weapon
Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes in her first return to series TV since "My So Called Life") is a basket case. Seriously, she's potentially psychotic. She may also be the only person standing between the U.S. and another massive terrorist attack. In "Homeland," debuting Sunday (Oct. 2) on Showtime, Danes plays a CIA analyst with big-time doubts about a just-released prisoner of war.
The show, based on the lauded Israeli series "Prisoners of War," chronicles Mathison's personal mission to save the country from another 9/11-sized terrorist attack. Her Carrie Mathison takes personal responsibility for not preventing the devastating attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon and so she's haunted and convinced that -- if only she can figure it out, by any means necessary -- the next attack can be prevented.
British Transplant Damian Lewis ("Dreamcatcher") plays Nicholas Brody, who may be positioning himself as one of the most chilling characters to appear on TV since "Lost's" Benjamin Linus. He's a Marine sergeant who, after almost a decade in captivity, is freed from al Qaeda's clutches.
He returns home to a complicated family situation -- his wife kind of thought he wasn't coming back (draw your own conclusions) and his two kids have grown up without him around. Then there's the wife of Brody's best friend, who died while a POW with him, who just wants to know how it happened and was he there? The guy is scarred -- but the question is how did he heal?
Like all of fiction's best characters -- neither Carrie nor Nick are purely good or evil and the series opener keeps us in suspense about who to trust and whether or not one or both is maniacally dangerous. Is Nick a "Manchurian Candidate" who has been brainwashed into helping al Qaeda plot its next hit? Is Carrie a potentially paranoid psychotic nymphomaniac who has way too much access to sensitive information?
We're looking forward to the rest of the season to watch this finely drawn mystery unravel.
Also turning in a stellar, if understated, performance -- Mandy Patinkin ("Criminal Minds") as Saul, Carrie's CIA handler, mentor and father confessor.
"Homeland" airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime.
Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes in her first return to series TV since "My So Called Life") is a basket case. Seriously, she's potentially psychotic. She may also be the only person standing between the U.S. and another massive terrorist attack. In "Homeland," debuting Sunday (Oct. 2) on Showtime, Danes plays a CIA analyst with big-time doubts about a just-released prisoner of war.
The show, based on the lauded Israeli series "Prisoners of War," chronicles Mathison's personal mission to save the country from another 9/11-sized terrorist attack. Her Carrie Mathison takes personal responsibility for not preventing the devastating attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon and so she's haunted and convinced that -- if only she can figure it out, by any means necessary -- the next attack can be prevented.
British Transplant Damian Lewis ("Dreamcatcher") plays Nicholas Brody, who may be positioning himself as one of the most chilling characters to appear on TV since "Lost's" Benjamin Linus. He's a Marine sergeant who, after almost a decade in captivity, is freed from al Qaeda's clutches.
He returns home to a complicated family situation -- his wife kind of thought he wasn't coming back (draw your own conclusions) and his two kids have grown up without him around. Then there's the wife of Brody's best friend, who died while a POW with him, who just wants to know how it happened and was he there? The guy is scarred -- but the question is how did he heal?
Like all of fiction's best characters -- neither Carrie nor Nick are purely good or evil and the series opener keeps us in suspense about who to trust and whether or not one or both is maniacally dangerous. Is Nick a "Manchurian Candidate" who has been brainwashed into helping al Qaeda plot its next hit? Is Carrie a potentially paranoid psychotic nymphomaniac who has way too much access to sensitive information?
We're looking forward to the rest of the season to watch this finely drawn mystery unravel.
Also turning in a stellar, if understated, performance -- Mandy Patinkin ("Criminal Minds") as Saul, Carrie's CIA handler, mentor and father confessor.
"Homeland" airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime.
'Hell on Wheels' review: A slow ride but a lovely view
'Hell on Wheels' review: A slow ride but a lovely view
AMC has delivered some of the most compelling and intellectual dramas on television in recent years with "Mad Men," "Breaking Bad" and "The Walking Dead." The network is now seeking to add another program to that line-up with the series "Hell on Wheels."
The show focuses on the construction of the transcontinental railroad in post-Civil War America. And with this new America comes the challenges of integration, reconciliation and Westward expansion. It's an ambitious objective that sometimes delivers and sometimes goes a bit off track.
The main character is Cullen Bohannan (Anson Mount), a former Confederate soldier who is looking to start a new life while seeking to avenge his wife's murder. Hip-hop artist Common joins the cast as Elam Ferguson, a recently-freed slave who finds that life after the Emancipation Proclamation isn't significantly different than it was before. The rail building effort is run by Thomas "Doc" Durant (Colm Meaney), a corrupt businessman who is more focused on personal profit than creating the best railroad possible.
What's most impressive about "Hell on Wheels" is the production value. It appears that no detail was overlooked - from the costumes to the set design to the location. Because of this, the show instantly grabs viewers and takes them back in time. What was surprising and worthy of note is how graphic some of the violence and medical practices are. This is mostly a function of the equipment available in the 1860s, so it adds to the realism. But it can be a little much.
The pilot itself is a bit slow in the story department but strong in the character development. The series heats up in the second episode with the introduction of the railroad security chief The Swede (Christopher Heyerdahl). His quiet yet threatening presence is reminiscent of the Arnold Toht character from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (a.k.a. The guy who burns the medallion in his hand).
What's troublesome, sadly, is Cullen Bohannon. He's just your run-of-the-mill Western character in that he's a hard drinking, cigar smoking, rough-and-tumble kinda guy who won't take guff from anyone. He offers the predictable sneers from under his black hat but is seemingly unable to offer much humanity to balance his Western machismo. The biggest question about Bohannon is what will he do after he avenges his wife's murder. He doesn't seem to be particularly invested in the railroad construction and he's pretty much a lone wolf.
Common is competent in his role, although he's not give a lot to work with. Meaney, on the other hand, doesn't offer the bite this role requires. It really deserves someone who can exude conniving and ruthless, like Ian McShane.
At the end of the day, "Hell on Wheels" is beautifully-filmed project that offers exceptional attention to detail on everything but the main character. Here's hoping they can steer it in the right direction.
"Hell on Wheels" airs on AMC on Sunday at 10 p.m. ET.
AMC has delivered some of the most compelling and intellectual dramas on television in recent years with "Mad Men," "Breaking Bad" and "The Walking Dead." The network is now seeking to add another program to that line-up with the series "Hell on Wheels."
The show focuses on the construction of the transcontinental railroad in post-Civil War America. And with this new America comes the challenges of integration, reconciliation and Westward expansion. It's an ambitious objective that sometimes delivers and sometimes goes a bit off track.
The main character is Cullen Bohannan (Anson Mount), a former Confederate soldier who is looking to start a new life while seeking to avenge his wife's murder. Hip-hop artist Common joins the cast as Elam Ferguson, a recently-freed slave who finds that life after the Emancipation Proclamation isn't significantly different than it was before. The rail building effort is run by Thomas "Doc" Durant (Colm Meaney), a corrupt businessman who is more focused on personal profit than creating the best railroad possible.
What's most impressive about "Hell on Wheels" is the production value. It appears that no detail was overlooked - from the costumes to the set design to the location. Because of this, the show instantly grabs viewers and takes them back in time. What was surprising and worthy of note is how graphic some of the violence and medical practices are. This is mostly a function of the equipment available in the 1860s, so it adds to the realism. But it can be a little much.
The pilot itself is a bit slow in the story department but strong in the character development. The series heats up in the second episode with the introduction of the railroad security chief The Swede (Christopher Heyerdahl). His quiet yet threatening presence is reminiscent of the Arnold Toht character from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (a.k.a. The guy who burns the medallion in his hand).
What's troublesome, sadly, is Cullen Bohannon. He's just your run-of-the-mill Western character in that he's a hard drinking, cigar smoking, rough-and-tumble kinda guy who won't take guff from anyone. He offers the predictable sneers from under his black hat but is seemingly unable to offer much humanity to balance his Western machismo. The biggest question about Bohannon is what will he do after he avenges his wife's murder. He doesn't seem to be particularly invested in the railroad construction and he's pretty much a lone wolf.
Common is competent in his role, although he's not give a lot to work with. Meaney, on the other hand, doesn't offer the bite this role requires. It really deserves someone who can exude conniving and ruthless, like Ian McShane.
At the end of the day, "Hell on Wheels" is beautifully-filmed project that offers exceptional attention to detail on everything but the main character. Here's hoping they can steer it in the right direction.
"Hell on Wheels" airs on AMC on Sunday at 10 p.m. ET.
'Leverage' Season 4: Aldis Hodge bares (almost) all as the season continues
'Leverage' Season 4: Aldis Hodge bares (almost) all as the season continues
"Leverage" returns on Sunday, Nov. 27, on TNT with the winter half of its season-four episodes, and fans will get to see a whole lot of series star Aldis Hodge.
In "The Experimental Job," tech wizard Alec Hardison (Hodge) and rest of the team -- grifter Sophie Devereaux (Gina Bellman); retrieval specialist Eliot Spencer (Christian Kane) and reformed thief Parker (Beth Riesgraf), led by former insurance investigator Nate Ford (Timothy Hutton) -- return to continue fighting for the little guy against giant corporations and overbearing government officials.
When homeless veterans start disappearing in Boston, the team must go back to college and infiltrate secret societies. And that's where things start getting dodgy for Hardison.
"Fans might get a little leg action," Hodge tells Zap2it, "because, my character, there's a scene where he's ... actually, I don't want to give it away."
aldis-hodge-320.jpgUrged to share a little bit, Hodge says, "My character, he goes to college, and there's a hazing that goes on where he has to jog around in his underwear. The ladies may be getting a little leg action, a little man-cake.
"We know the girls care, and we're trying to give the girls a little something."
Since the show shoots in Oregon, it wasn't exactly toasty warm while the scene was being filmed.
"We were shooting, of course, in Portland," says Hodge, "so it's cold even throughout the summer. Every now and then, you'll get a nice day, but not on that day. We were shooting at a college that was open. We sectioned off part of the property, but still everybody was going to school, doing their thing, and me and a bunch of dudes are running around in our underwear.
"We had to streak. It was weird because, not so much for the part where I'm streaking in front of strangers, but I was streaking in front of my work people, who I've been with for the last three, four years, and I've gotta see them again next week, next year, you know what I mean.
"It's like, 'Oh, dang, I don't want them to see this much of me.'"
Asked who made him suffer the most afterward, Hodge says, "Um, well, actually, I shot the scene with just a few other extras in the scene, so it wasn't with my fellow co-stars. I think they have yet to see it. I'm pretty sure the suffering will come right after the episode on Sunday."
Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for christian-kane-leverage-large.jpgAs to which cast member he expects to give him the most grief in the future, Hodge says, "Christian. Yeah, Christian, definitely."
Since Kane is a musician, perhaps he will immortalize the moment in song.
Hodge says, "He probably will."
"Leverage" returns on Sunday, Nov. 27, on TNT with the winter half of its season-four episodes, and fans will get to see a whole lot of series star Aldis Hodge.
In "The Experimental Job," tech wizard Alec Hardison (Hodge) and rest of the team -- grifter Sophie Devereaux (Gina Bellman); retrieval specialist Eliot Spencer (Christian Kane) and reformed thief Parker (Beth Riesgraf), led by former insurance investigator Nate Ford (Timothy Hutton) -- return to continue fighting for the little guy against giant corporations and overbearing government officials.
When homeless veterans start disappearing in Boston, the team must go back to college and infiltrate secret societies. And that's where things start getting dodgy for Hardison.
"Fans might get a little leg action," Hodge tells Zap2it, "because, my character, there's a scene where he's ... actually, I don't want to give it away."
aldis-hodge-320.jpgUrged to share a little bit, Hodge says, "My character, he goes to college, and there's a hazing that goes on where he has to jog around in his underwear. The ladies may be getting a little leg action, a little man-cake.
"We know the girls care, and we're trying to give the girls a little something."
Since the show shoots in Oregon, it wasn't exactly toasty warm while the scene was being filmed.
"We were shooting, of course, in Portland," says Hodge, "so it's cold even throughout the summer. Every now and then, you'll get a nice day, but not on that day. We were shooting at a college that was open. We sectioned off part of the property, but still everybody was going to school, doing their thing, and me and a bunch of dudes are running around in our underwear.
"We had to streak. It was weird because, not so much for the part where I'm streaking in front of strangers, but I was streaking in front of my work people, who I've been with for the last three, four years, and I've gotta see them again next week, next year, you know what I mean.
"It's like, 'Oh, dang, I don't want them to see this much of me.'"
Asked who made him suffer the most afterward, Hodge says, "Um, well, actually, I shot the scene with just a few other extras in the scene, so it wasn't with my fellow co-stars. I think they have yet to see it. I'm pretty sure the suffering will come right after the episode on Sunday."
Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for christian-kane-leverage-large.jpgAs to which cast member he expects to give him the most grief in the future, Hodge says, "Christian. Yeah, Christian, definitely."
Since Kane is a musician, perhaps he will immortalize the moment in song.
Hodge says, "He probably will."
Glee Club TV Competition Shows in Copyright Infringement Dispute
Glee Club TV Competition Shows in Copyright Infringement Dispute
What Fox's "Glee" has wrought: Dutch broadcaster NCRV, the creator of "The Singing Office," has accused the Canadian producer of "Canada Sings" ripping off its series' format after selling the worldwide rights to Endemol.
Patty Geneste, CEO of Amsterdam-based format distributor Absolutely Independent, on Friday said Insight Productions, the creator of Canada Sings, infringed on the copyright for The Singing Office by making the Canadian show without paying for the format rights.
“This is a no brainer for us,” Geneste said after recently viewing an episode of Canada Sings, which has ordinary Canadians form workplace singing groups and compete head-to-head against other employee teams.
“There’s only a few slight differences that had nothing to do with the structure or format,” she added.
The Singing Office, which has been sold into around 20 territories worldwide, also makes singing stars out of ordinary office workers.
Former 'NSync-er Joey Fatone and former Spice Girl Mel B hosted the U.S. version of The Singing Office on TLC.
But John Brunton, president and CEO of Insight Productions, said NCRV has no smoking gun because he got the inspiration for Canada Sings from Fox’s popular Glee drama series.
“We haven’t infringed on anyone’s copyright on that show,” Brunton said.
The stakes in the Dutch-Canadian format flap only got larger this week when Insight Productions announced it has sold the worldwide format rights to Canada Sings to Endemol.
Absolutely and NCRV have given Insight Productions and Endemol until Monday to respond to accusations of format plagiarism.
If Insight and Absolutely do not settle the copyright dispute on their own, the matter is likely headed to mediation with FRAPA, which offers a dispute resolution structure for the format TV business.
What Fox's "Glee" has wrought: Dutch broadcaster NCRV, the creator of "The Singing Office," has accused the Canadian producer of "Canada Sings" ripping off its series' format after selling the worldwide rights to Endemol.
Patty Geneste, CEO of Amsterdam-based format distributor Absolutely Independent, on Friday said Insight Productions, the creator of Canada Sings, infringed on the copyright for The Singing Office by making the Canadian show without paying for the format rights.
“This is a no brainer for us,” Geneste said after recently viewing an episode of Canada Sings, which has ordinary Canadians form workplace singing groups and compete head-to-head against other employee teams.
“There’s only a few slight differences that had nothing to do with the structure or format,” she added.
The Singing Office, which has been sold into around 20 territories worldwide, also makes singing stars out of ordinary office workers.
Former 'NSync-er Joey Fatone and former Spice Girl Mel B hosted the U.S. version of The Singing Office on TLC.
But John Brunton, president and CEO of Insight Productions, said NCRV has no smoking gun because he got the inspiration for Canada Sings from Fox’s popular Glee drama series.
“We haven’t infringed on anyone’s copyright on that show,” Brunton said.
The stakes in the Dutch-Canadian format flap only got larger this week when Insight Productions announced it has sold the worldwide format rights to Canada Sings to Endemol.
Absolutely and NCRV have given Insight Productions and Endemol until Monday to respond to accusations of format plagiarism.
If Insight and Absolutely do not settle the copyright dispute on their own, the matter is likely headed to mediation with FRAPA, which offers a dispute resolution structure for the format TV business.
Mediaset to Bid on Troubled Reality TV Production Company Endemol
Mediaset to Bid on Troubled Reality TV Production Company Endemol
Time Warner is also reportedly interested in pursuing the producer and creator of "Big Brother," "Deal or No Deal" and "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
ROME – Mediaset, the Italian broadcast and cinema giant controlled by Italy’s recently ousted prime minister, has said it will make a bid to take over troubled Dutch reality television producer Endemol.
The bid, which will be made jointly with Italian private equity fund Clessindra, was not quantified. But bankers say the company -- which created Big Brother, Deal or No Deal, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition -- is worth around €1.1 billion ($1.4 billion) despite being saddled with around €2.8 billion ($3.7 billion) in debt.
Time-Warner is also reported to be interested in taking over the company.
Berlusconi, who is on trial in Italy on three separate civil cases, resigned as Italian Prime Minister Nov. 12 amid personal and political scandals and the growing reach of Europe’s debt crisis. It is not clear if he played a key role in evaluating whether to make a bid for Endemol.
Mediaset is Europe’s largest media conglomerate, with holdings that include three national television networks in Italy and one in Spain, plus cinema production and distribution company Medusa, a large media buying company, and a variety of print media companies and Internet holdings.
Time Warner is also reportedly interested in pursuing the producer and creator of "Big Brother," "Deal or No Deal" and "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
ROME – Mediaset, the Italian broadcast and cinema giant controlled by Italy’s recently ousted prime minister, has said it will make a bid to take over troubled Dutch reality television producer Endemol.
The bid, which will be made jointly with Italian private equity fund Clessindra, was not quantified. But bankers say the company -- which created Big Brother, Deal or No Deal, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition -- is worth around €1.1 billion ($1.4 billion) despite being saddled with around €2.8 billion ($3.7 billion) in debt.
Time-Warner is also reported to be interested in taking over the company.
Berlusconi, who is on trial in Italy on three separate civil cases, resigned as Italian Prime Minister Nov. 12 amid personal and political scandals and the growing reach of Europe’s debt crisis. It is not clear if he played a key role in evaluating whether to make a bid for Endemol.
Mediaset is Europe’s largest media conglomerate, with holdings that include three national television networks in Italy and one in Spain, plus cinema production and distribution company Medusa, a large media buying company, and a variety of print media companies and Internet holdings.
The 2 and a half men effect....
The 2 and a half men effect....
The recent news of the decline of Ashtons personal life just makes me think, does the lead on 2 and a half men cause your personal life to take a nose dive.
It isn't hard to compare Charlie Sheens decline and the one Ashton is going trough at the moment.
The rating keep climbing and their personal life kept getting worse and worse.
The recent news of the decline of Ashtons personal life just makes me think, does the lead on 2 and a half men cause your personal life to take a nose dive.
It isn't hard to compare Charlie Sheens decline and the one Ashton is going trough at the moment.
The rating keep climbing and their personal life kept getting worse and worse.
Michele Bachmann Demands Apology Over "Lyin'" Intro Music on Jimmy Fallon
Michele Bachmann Demands Apology Over "Lyin'" Intro Music on Jimmy Fallon
Michele Bachmann is no "Lyin' A-- B----" and she is demanding an apology from NBC for insinuating that she might be one through a poor song choice.
On Monday, Bachmann appeared on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, where she came out on stage to the 1985 Fishbone song "Lyin' A-- B----," played by house band The Roots. Jimmy Fallon later apologized via Twitter for their choice of intro music. "I'm honored that @michelebachmann was on our show yesterday and I'm so sorry about the intro mess. I really hope she comes back."
Bachmann appeared on Fox News' America's Newsroom on Wednesday, accepting Fallon's apology, but imploring NBC to apologize as well. "If that had been Michelle Obama, who'd come out on the stage, and if that song had been played for Michelle Obama, I have no doubt that NBC would have apologized to her and likely they would have fired the drummer, or at least suspended him," Bachmann said. "None of that happened from NBC. And this is clearly a form of bias on the part of the Hollywood entertainment elite, but it's also, I think, sexism as well. This wouldn't be tolerated if this was Michelle Obama; it shouldn't be tolerated if it's a conservative woman either."
In response to his choice of music, Roots drummer Questlove said in a statement: "The performance was a tongue-in-cheek and spur of the moment decision. The show was not aware of it and I feel bad if her feelings were hurt. That was not my intention."
Michele Bachmann is no "Lyin' A-- B----" and she is demanding an apology from NBC for insinuating that she might be one through a poor song choice.
On Monday, Bachmann appeared on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, where she came out on stage to the 1985 Fishbone song "Lyin' A-- B----," played by house band The Roots. Jimmy Fallon later apologized via Twitter for their choice of intro music. "I'm honored that @michelebachmann was on our show yesterday and I'm so sorry about the intro mess. I really hope she comes back."
Bachmann appeared on Fox News' America's Newsroom on Wednesday, accepting Fallon's apology, but imploring NBC to apologize as well. "If that had been Michelle Obama, who'd come out on the stage, and if that song had been played for Michelle Obama, I have no doubt that NBC would have apologized to her and likely they would have fired the drummer, or at least suspended him," Bachmann said. "None of that happened from NBC. And this is clearly a form of bias on the part of the Hollywood entertainment elite, but it's also, I think, sexism as well. This wouldn't be tolerated if this was Michelle Obama; it shouldn't be tolerated if it's a conservative woman either."
In response to his choice of music, Roots drummer Questlove said in a statement: "The performance was a tongue-in-cheek and spur of the moment decision. The show was not aware of it and I feel bad if her feelings were hurt. That was not my intention."
Lifetime picks up 'America's Most Wanted'
Lifetime picks up 'America's Most Wanted'
Lifetime will put John Walsh back to work: The network announced today that it has picked up "America's Most Wanted".
The show that began its run on the Fox owned and operated stations and then moved to the network will return for its 25th season later this year on Lifetime. (In May, Fox canceled the show as a weekly Saturday series because the show was no longer profitable but it will still air quarterly specials -- the first of which will bow in October.)
"I've always believed there was something very special about "America's Most Wanted" and that there should be a home for it on television, and I couldn't be happier to now be able bring it back on Lifetime," said Walsh in a statement. "We've often been called the court of last resort ... now we are back in the game and ready to saddle up for another season to get justice for victims and put dangerous criminals behind bars."
Hosted and executive produced by Walsh, "America's Most Wanted" has helped to capture more than 1,100 fugitives in the U.S. and 30 countries, including 17 on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List. Last season, the show averaged 5 million viewers on Fox and a 1.7 rating in the adult demo.
Lifetime will put John Walsh back to work: The network announced today that it has picked up "America's Most Wanted".
The show that began its run on the Fox owned and operated stations and then moved to the network will return for its 25th season later this year on Lifetime. (In May, Fox canceled the show as a weekly Saturday series because the show was no longer profitable but it will still air quarterly specials -- the first of which will bow in October.)
"I've always believed there was something very special about "America's Most Wanted" and that there should be a home for it on television, and I couldn't be happier to now be able bring it back on Lifetime," said Walsh in a statement. "We've often been called the court of last resort ... now we are back in the game and ready to saddle up for another season to get justice for victims and put dangerous criminals behind bars."
Hosted and executive produced by Walsh, "America's Most Wanted" has helped to capture more than 1,100 fugitives in the U.S. and 30 countries, including 17 on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List. Last season, the show averaged 5 million viewers on Fox and a 1.7 rating in the adult demo.
BBC Christmas Television Schedule 2011
BBC Christmas Television Schedule 2011
It has long been my personal opinion that the BBC has the best Christmas Television schedule of the world, the best movies, shows and specials.
Check out the 2011 Television schedule below:
BBC 1
Christmas Eve Saturday 24th December 2011
6.00am Breakfast
09.00am The Nativity (Repeat)
10.00am Saturday Kitchen
11.15am Nigel Slater's Simple Christmas
12.15pm BBC News
12.20pm Regional News
12.25pm Weather
12.30pm Keeping Up Appearances (Repeat)
01.30pm Film : The Santa Clause 3 : The Escape Clause (2007)
02.55pm Film : G-Force (2009)
04.20pm BBC News
04.25pm Regional News
04.30pm Weather
04.35pm Winter Wipeout
05.35pm Film : The Chronicles of Narnia : The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
07.45pm Merlin
08.30pm EastEnders
09.00pm Outnumbered
09.40pm Lapland
10.55pm National Lottery Saturday Draws
11.05pm BBC News
11.15pm Weather
11.20pm To Be Announced
11.50pm Midnight Mass live from a candlelit St George’s Roman
01.00am Film : At First Sight (1999)
03.00am Weatherview
03.05am BBC News
Christmas Day Sunday 25th December 2011
06.00am Breakfast
09.00am The Nativity (Repeat)
10.00am Christmas Day Eucharist live from Lichfield Cathedral
11.00am Songs of Praise : Big Sing introduced by Aled Jones
11.40am Morecambe and Wise (Repeat)
12.25pm BBC News
12.30pm Weather
12.35pm Film : Kung Fu Panda (2008)
02.00pm Top of The Pops
03.00pm The Queen's Speech
03.10pm Film : Ratatouille (2007)
04.50pm Shrek the Halls (Repeat)
05.15pm BBC News
05.25pm Weather
05.30pm Jim'll Fix It with Shane Ritchie
06.00pm The Gruffalo's Child
06.30pm Doctor Who : The Doctor, The Widow & The Wardrobe
07.30pm Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special
08.30pm EastEnders
09.30pm Absolutely Fabulous
10.00pm Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow
11.00pm Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special
11.30pm BBC News
11.40pm Weather
11.45pm On Christmas Night
11.50pm Have I Got a Bit More News for You
12.30am The Graham Norton Show Christmas Special (Repeat)
01.30am Lapland (Repeat)
02.45am Weatherview
02.50am BBC News
Boxing Day Monday 26th December 2011
06.00am Breakfast
09.00am CBeebies Panto Strictly Cinderella
09.30am Horrible Histories Horrible Christmas (Repeat)
09.45am Deadly 60 Bites (Repeat)
10.00am Film : The Jungle Book 2 (2003)
11.05am Film : Beverley Hills Chihuahua (2008)
12.30pm BBC News
12.43pm Regional News
12.45pm Morecambe and Wise (Repeat)
01.50pm Doctor Who (Repeat)
02.50pm Film : Bedtime Stories (2008)
04.20pm Film : Madagascar Escape 2 Africa (2008)
05.40pm BBC News
05.50pm Regional News
05.55pm Weather
06.00pm Celebrity Mastermind
06.30pm Countryfile
07.30pm The Borrowers
09.00pm EastEnders
09.30pm The Royal Bodyguard
10.00pm Mrs Brown's Boys
10.30pm BBC News
10.40pm Regional News
10.43pm Weather
10.45pm Match of the Day
12.15am Film : Blades of Glory (2007)
01.45am Weatherview
01.50am To Be Announced
02.50am BBC News
Bank Holiday Tuesday 27th December 2011
07.30am Match of the Day (Repeat)
09.00am Justin's House (Repeat)
09.40am Film : Road to Eldarado (2007)
11.00am Film : Hotel for Dogs (2009)
12.35pm BBC News
12.45pm Regional News
12.48pm Weather
12.50pm Eastenders omnibus
02.45pm Film : Shrek (2001)
03.45pm Film : Shrek 2 (2004)
05.10pm Film : Monsters vs Aliens (2009)
06.35pm BBC News
06.50pm Regional News
06.55pm Weather
07.00pm Celebrity Mastermind
07.30pm EastEnders
07.57pm BBC News, Regional News
08.00pm Holby City
09.00pm Great Expectations
10.00pm BBC News
10.10pm Regional News
10.15pm Weather
10.20pm John Bishop's Britain Christmas Special
10.50pm Absolutely Fabulous
11.20pm Film : I Love You, Man (2009)
01.00am Weatherview
01.05am To be announced
04.05am BBC News
BBC 2
Christmas Eve Saturday 24th December 2011
06.00am The Pingu Show (Repeat)
06.10am Timmy's Christmas Surprise (Repeat)
06.35am Mister Maker Comes to Town (Repeat)
07.00am Bear Behaving Badly (Repeat)
07.25am The Slammer (Repeat)
07.55am The Story of Tracy Beaker (Repeat)
08.10am Eliot Kid animation (Repeat)
08.25am The League of Super Evil (Repeat)
08.35am What's New Scooby-Doo ? animation (Repeat)
09.00am Film : The Sword in the Stone (1963)
10.20am Film : Homeward Bound II : Lost in San Fransisco (1996)
11.40am Pinnochio
01.25pm Roh
02.25pm Tosca
05.05pm Flog It! (Repeat)
05.30pm Dad's Army Turkey Dinner (Repeat)
06.00pm Carols from King's
07.15pm Porridge
08.00pm Morecambe and Wise Christmas Special
09.00pm The Many Faces of Les Dawson
10.00pm The Best of Les Dawson
10.25pm Blankety Blank (Repeat)
10.55pm Being Ronnie Corbett (Repeat)
12.25am Ruth Jones' Christmas Cracker
01.05am To be announced
03.30am A Perfectly French Christmas with Raymond Blanc
Christmas Day Sunday 25th December 2011
06.00am Charlie and Lola animation (Repeat)
06.20am Zingzillas (Repeat)
06.40am Octonauts animation (Repeat)
07.05am Arthur animation (Repeat)
07.55am Shaun the Sheep (Repeat)
08.05am To be announced
08.25am To be announced
08.40am Little Howard's Big Christmas Question (Repeat)
09.15am To be announced
09.30am Film : The Magic Roundabout (2005)
10.50am Film : Nativity! (2009)
12.30pm The Prince and the Composer
02.00pm A Musical Nativity with John Rutter
03.00pm Film : She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)
05.20pm The Queen's Speech
05.30pm The Good Life (Repeat)
06.00pm Darcey Bussell Dances Hollywood
07.30pm James May's Man Lab Christmas Special
08.30pm Dad's Army The Love of Three Oranges
09.00pm Blackadder the Third (Repeat)
09.30pm Three Men in a Boat Go to Cape Cod
10.30pm To be announced
11.00pm Victoria Wood with All the Trimmings (Repeat)
11.55pm The Many Faces of Les Dawson
12.55am To be announced
Boxing Day Monday 26th December 2011
06.00am Show Me Show Me (Repeat)
06.25am Something Special (Repeat)
06.45am Mike the Knight (Repeat)
07.00am Who Let the Dogs Out? (Repeat)
07.30am Sam and Mark's Big Friday Wind Up (Repeat)
08.05am Junior Bake Off (Repeat)
08.35am To be announced
08.40am Pixar : 25 Magic Moments (Repeat)
09.40am The Crimson Wing : The Mystery of the Flamingos
10.55am Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
12.50pm Mansfield Park
02.40pm Emma
04.35pm Final Score
05.10pm Film : Becoming Jane (2007)
07.00pm The John Craven Years
08.00pm The Many Loves of Miss Jane Austen
09.00pm Film : Young Victoria (2009)
10.30pm Victoria Wood : As Seen on TV (Repeat)
12.00am Have I Got News for You (Repeat)
12.30am QI (Repeat)
01.00am Never Mind the Buzzcocks (Repeat)
01.30am To be announced
02.55am Drama Connections (Repeat)
03.25am The Toys That Made Christmas
03.50am Film : Revolutionary Road (2008)
Bank Holiday Tuesday 27th December 2011
06.00am Little Charley Bear (Repeat)
06.05am The Adventures of Abney and Teal (Repeat)
06.20am Raa Raa the Noisy Lion (Repeat)
06.30am Octonauts animation (Repeat)
06.45am Mike the Knight (Repeat)
07.00am Who Let the Dog's Out (Repeat)
07.30am Sam and Mark's Big Friday Wind Up (Repeat)
07.55am Junior Bake Off (Repeat)
08.30am To be announced
09.15am Film : Camp Rock (2007)
10.45am Madagascar
11.45am Yellowstone
12.45pm Racing from Chepstow including the Welsh Grand National
03.05pm Coast
03.30pm Flog It!
04.30pm Escape to the Country
05.30pm Antiques Road Trip
06.15pm University Challenge
06.45pm Bleak Old Shop of Stuff
07.45pm Top Gear
09.00pm Three Men in a Boat Go to Cape Cod
10.00pm Brian Cox's Night with the Stars
11.00pm QI
11.30pm Top of the Pops
01.00am To be announced
04.30am The John Craven Years
It has long been my personal opinion that the BBC has the best Christmas Television schedule of the world, the best movies, shows and specials.
Check out the 2011 Television schedule below:
BBC 1
Christmas Eve Saturday 24th December 2011
6.00am Breakfast
09.00am The Nativity (Repeat)
10.00am Saturday Kitchen
11.15am Nigel Slater's Simple Christmas
12.15pm BBC News
12.20pm Regional News
12.25pm Weather
12.30pm Keeping Up Appearances (Repeat)
01.30pm Film : The Santa Clause 3 : The Escape Clause (2007)
02.55pm Film : G-Force (2009)
04.20pm BBC News
04.25pm Regional News
04.30pm Weather
04.35pm Winter Wipeout
05.35pm Film : The Chronicles of Narnia : The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
07.45pm Merlin
08.30pm EastEnders
09.00pm Outnumbered
09.40pm Lapland
10.55pm National Lottery Saturday Draws
11.05pm BBC News
11.15pm Weather
11.20pm To Be Announced
11.50pm Midnight Mass live from a candlelit St George’s Roman
01.00am Film : At First Sight (1999)
03.00am Weatherview
03.05am BBC News
Christmas Day Sunday 25th December 2011
06.00am Breakfast
09.00am The Nativity (Repeat)
10.00am Christmas Day Eucharist live from Lichfield Cathedral
11.00am Songs of Praise : Big Sing introduced by Aled Jones
11.40am Morecambe and Wise (Repeat)
12.25pm BBC News
12.30pm Weather
12.35pm Film : Kung Fu Panda (2008)
02.00pm Top of The Pops
03.00pm The Queen's Speech
03.10pm Film : Ratatouille (2007)
04.50pm Shrek the Halls (Repeat)
05.15pm BBC News
05.25pm Weather
05.30pm Jim'll Fix It with Shane Ritchie
06.00pm The Gruffalo's Child
06.30pm Doctor Who : The Doctor, The Widow & The Wardrobe
07.30pm Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special
08.30pm EastEnders
09.30pm Absolutely Fabulous
10.00pm Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow
11.00pm Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special
11.30pm BBC News
11.40pm Weather
11.45pm On Christmas Night
11.50pm Have I Got a Bit More News for You
12.30am The Graham Norton Show Christmas Special (Repeat)
01.30am Lapland (Repeat)
02.45am Weatherview
02.50am BBC News
Boxing Day Monday 26th December 2011
06.00am Breakfast
09.00am CBeebies Panto Strictly Cinderella
09.30am Horrible Histories Horrible Christmas (Repeat)
09.45am Deadly 60 Bites (Repeat)
10.00am Film : The Jungle Book 2 (2003)
11.05am Film : Beverley Hills Chihuahua (2008)
12.30pm BBC News
12.43pm Regional News
12.45pm Morecambe and Wise (Repeat)
01.50pm Doctor Who (Repeat)
02.50pm Film : Bedtime Stories (2008)
04.20pm Film : Madagascar Escape 2 Africa (2008)
05.40pm BBC News
05.50pm Regional News
05.55pm Weather
06.00pm Celebrity Mastermind
06.30pm Countryfile
07.30pm The Borrowers
09.00pm EastEnders
09.30pm The Royal Bodyguard
10.00pm Mrs Brown's Boys
10.30pm BBC News
10.40pm Regional News
10.43pm Weather
10.45pm Match of the Day
12.15am Film : Blades of Glory (2007)
01.45am Weatherview
01.50am To Be Announced
02.50am BBC News
Bank Holiday Tuesday 27th December 2011
07.30am Match of the Day (Repeat)
09.00am Justin's House (Repeat)
09.40am Film : Road to Eldarado (2007)
11.00am Film : Hotel for Dogs (2009)
12.35pm BBC News
12.45pm Regional News
12.48pm Weather
12.50pm Eastenders omnibus
02.45pm Film : Shrek (2001)
03.45pm Film : Shrek 2 (2004)
05.10pm Film : Monsters vs Aliens (2009)
06.35pm BBC News
06.50pm Regional News
06.55pm Weather
07.00pm Celebrity Mastermind
07.30pm EastEnders
07.57pm BBC News, Regional News
08.00pm Holby City
09.00pm Great Expectations
10.00pm BBC News
10.10pm Regional News
10.15pm Weather
10.20pm John Bishop's Britain Christmas Special
10.50pm Absolutely Fabulous
11.20pm Film : I Love You, Man (2009)
01.00am Weatherview
01.05am To be announced
04.05am BBC News
BBC 2
Christmas Eve Saturday 24th December 2011
06.00am The Pingu Show (Repeat)
06.10am Timmy's Christmas Surprise (Repeat)
06.35am Mister Maker Comes to Town (Repeat)
07.00am Bear Behaving Badly (Repeat)
07.25am The Slammer (Repeat)
07.55am The Story of Tracy Beaker (Repeat)
08.10am Eliot Kid animation (Repeat)
08.25am The League of Super Evil (Repeat)
08.35am What's New Scooby-Doo ? animation (Repeat)
09.00am Film : The Sword in the Stone (1963)
10.20am Film : Homeward Bound II : Lost in San Fransisco (1996)
11.40am Pinnochio
01.25pm Roh
02.25pm Tosca
05.05pm Flog It! (Repeat)
05.30pm Dad's Army Turkey Dinner (Repeat)
06.00pm Carols from King's
07.15pm Porridge
08.00pm Morecambe and Wise Christmas Special
09.00pm The Many Faces of Les Dawson
10.00pm The Best of Les Dawson
10.25pm Blankety Blank (Repeat)
10.55pm Being Ronnie Corbett (Repeat)
12.25am Ruth Jones' Christmas Cracker
01.05am To be announced
03.30am A Perfectly French Christmas with Raymond Blanc
Christmas Day Sunday 25th December 2011
06.00am Charlie and Lola animation (Repeat)
06.20am Zingzillas (Repeat)
06.40am Octonauts animation (Repeat)
07.05am Arthur animation (Repeat)
07.55am Shaun the Sheep (Repeat)
08.05am To be announced
08.25am To be announced
08.40am Little Howard's Big Christmas Question (Repeat)
09.15am To be announced
09.30am Film : The Magic Roundabout (2005)
10.50am Film : Nativity! (2009)
12.30pm The Prince and the Composer
02.00pm A Musical Nativity with John Rutter
03.00pm Film : She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)
05.20pm The Queen's Speech
05.30pm The Good Life (Repeat)
06.00pm Darcey Bussell Dances Hollywood
07.30pm James May's Man Lab Christmas Special
08.30pm Dad's Army The Love of Three Oranges
09.00pm Blackadder the Third (Repeat)
09.30pm Three Men in a Boat Go to Cape Cod
10.30pm To be announced
11.00pm Victoria Wood with All the Trimmings (Repeat)
11.55pm The Many Faces of Les Dawson
12.55am To be announced
Boxing Day Monday 26th December 2011
06.00am Show Me Show Me (Repeat)
06.25am Something Special (Repeat)
06.45am Mike the Knight (Repeat)
07.00am Who Let the Dogs Out? (Repeat)
07.30am Sam and Mark's Big Friday Wind Up (Repeat)
08.05am Junior Bake Off (Repeat)
08.35am To be announced
08.40am Pixar : 25 Magic Moments (Repeat)
09.40am The Crimson Wing : The Mystery of the Flamingos
10.55am Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
12.50pm Mansfield Park
02.40pm Emma
04.35pm Final Score
05.10pm Film : Becoming Jane (2007)
07.00pm The John Craven Years
08.00pm The Many Loves of Miss Jane Austen
09.00pm Film : Young Victoria (2009)
10.30pm Victoria Wood : As Seen on TV (Repeat)
12.00am Have I Got News for You (Repeat)
12.30am QI (Repeat)
01.00am Never Mind the Buzzcocks (Repeat)
01.30am To be announced
02.55am Drama Connections (Repeat)
03.25am The Toys That Made Christmas
03.50am Film : Revolutionary Road (2008)
Bank Holiday Tuesday 27th December 2011
06.00am Little Charley Bear (Repeat)
06.05am The Adventures of Abney and Teal (Repeat)
06.20am Raa Raa the Noisy Lion (Repeat)
06.30am Octonauts animation (Repeat)
06.45am Mike the Knight (Repeat)
07.00am Who Let the Dog's Out (Repeat)
07.30am Sam and Mark's Big Friday Wind Up (Repeat)
07.55am Junior Bake Off (Repeat)
08.30am To be announced
09.15am Film : Camp Rock (2007)
10.45am Madagascar
11.45am Yellowstone
12.45pm Racing from Chepstow including the Welsh Grand National
03.05pm Coast
03.30pm Flog It!
04.30pm Escape to the Country
05.30pm Antiques Road Trip
06.15pm University Challenge
06.45pm Bleak Old Shop of Stuff
07.45pm Top Gear
09.00pm Three Men in a Boat Go to Cape Cod
10.00pm Brian Cox's Night with the Stars
11.00pm QI
11.30pm Top of the Pops
01.00am To be announced
04.30am The John Craven Years
'X-Files' Actor John Neville Dies at 86
'X-Files' Actor John Neville Dies at 86
Canadian actor John Neville, perhaps best known for his role as The Well-Manicured Man in 'The X-Files,' has died at the age of 86.
The Canadian Press reports that Neville, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, died Saturday in Toronto, surrounded by family. The veteran actor appeared in dozens of productions over the course of his sixty-year career, but it was his titular role in Terry Gilliam's 'The Adventures of Baron Munchausen' that earned him critical acclaim and public visibility. Though the film was a commercial failure, few could fault Neville's wry performance, and he went on to become a mainstay in films, television and theater.
Though he turned in many memorable on-screen performances, Neville seemed just as comfortable working behind the scenes, serving as artistic director of the Nottingham Playhouse in the 1960s and, after his move to Canada, the Stratford Festival in the 1980s.
As well as his stint at Stratford, Neville also served as artistic director for Edmonton's Citadel Theatre in the 1970s and Halifax's Neptune Theatre from 1978-1983.
British-born Neville emigrated to Canada in 1972, where he subsequently became a citizen. In 2006, he was named a member of the Order of Canada for his work in Canadian theatre, and he became an officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1965.
Des McAnuff, current artistic director of the Stratford Festival, said of the actor: "John Neville was a superb actor, an outstanding director and a terrific artistic leader of our Festival. His charisma and charm were matched by the generosity of his spirit."
Neville is survived by his wife, Caroline, and their six children and six grandchildren.
Canadian actor John Neville, perhaps best known for his role as The Well-Manicured Man in 'The X-Files,' has died at the age of 86.
The Canadian Press reports that Neville, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, died Saturday in Toronto, surrounded by family. The veteran actor appeared in dozens of productions over the course of his sixty-year career, but it was his titular role in Terry Gilliam's 'The Adventures of Baron Munchausen' that earned him critical acclaim and public visibility. Though the film was a commercial failure, few could fault Neville's wry performance, and he went on to become a mainstay in films, television and theater.
Though he turned in many memorable on-screen performances, Neville seemed just as comfortable working behind the scenes, serving as artistic director of the Nottingham Playhouse in the 1960s and, after his move to Canada, the Stratford Festival in the 1980s.
As well as his stint at Stratford, Neville also served as artistic director for Edmonton's Citadel Theatre in the 1970s and Halifax's Neptune Theatre from 1978-1983.
British-born Neville emigrated to Canada in 1972, where he subsequently became a citizen. In 2006, he was named a member of the Order of Canada for his work in Canadian theatre, and he became an officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1965.
Des McAnuff, current artistic director of the Stratford Festival, said of the actor: "John Neville was a superb actor, an outstanding director and a terrific artistic leader of our Festival. His charisma and charm were matched by the generosity of his spirit."
Neville is survived by his wife, Caroline, and their six children and six grandchildren.
'Maybe it was something I ate?' Janet Devlin forgets her lyrics on X Factor, blaming the temporary amnesia on the urge to throw-up
'Maybe it was something I ate?' Janet Devlin forgets her lyrics on X Factor, blaming the temporary amnesia on the urge to throw-up
The X Factor nearly turned into a gruesome saga as Janet Devlin thought she was going to throw up onstage.
During the first song Guilty Pleasures round, the Irish teenager sang looked uncomfortable as she battled to remember the lyrics to Hanson's anthemic pop song MMMBop.
After receiving criticism from the judges, the 16-year-old blamed the mishap on 'something I ate'.
Trouble ahead? Janet Devlin might struggle making the semi-final after forgetting her lyrics on live television
Louis Walsh quizzed Janet, saying: 'Did you forget the words? You kind of messed up, but at least you carried on. It wasn't great, but I believe in you.'
Tulisa Contostavlos agreed, adding: 'You look upset, maybe the nerves took over? I found it quite mediocre. I know you're capable of more.'
Brutally honest Gary Barlow slated the performance, quipping: 'It was a real mess. For the second time, you've forgotten the words. You are not a groove vocalist, you shouldn't be singing that.
Even Kelly struggled to find a compliment, saying: 'There's always the second song. You're a fighter, remember that.'
When Dermot pushed on a reason for the temporary amnesia, Devlin said: 'It's not my fault if I feel like I'm going to throw up. Maybe it was something I ate.'
Janet originally forgot the words to her song earlier this month, during a version of Jackson 5 song I Want You Back.
The X Factor nearly turned into a gruesome saga as Janet Devlin thought she was going to throw up onstage.
During the first song Guilty Pleasures round, the Irish teenager sang looked uncomfortable as she battled to remember the lyrics to Hanson's anthemic pop song MMMBop.
After receiving criticism from the judges, the 16-year-old blamed the mishap on 'something I ate'.
Trouble ahead? Janet Devlin might struggle making the semi-final after forgetting her lyrics on live television
Louis Walsh quizzed Janet, saying: 'Did you forget the words? You kind of messed up, but at least you carried on. It wasn't great, but I believe in you.'
Tulisa Contostavlos agreed, adding: 'You look upset, maybe the nerves took over? I found it quite mediocre. I know you're capable of more.'
Brutally honest Gary Barlow slated the performance, quipping: 'It was a real mess. For the second time, you've forgotten the words. You are not a groove vocalist, you shouldn't be singing that.
Even Kelly struggled to find a compliment, saying: 'There's always the second song. You're a fighter, remember that.'
When Dermot pushed on a reason for the temporary amnesia, Devlin said: 'It's not my fault if I feel like I'm going to throw up. Maybe it was something I ate.'
Janet originally forgot the words to her song earlier this month, during a version of Jackson 5 song I Want You Back.
New Show: Junk Men
New Show: Junk Men
Rocket Ride New series. Life at a Long Island junkyard whose employees specialise in creating unusual contraptions from scrap. A man searches for a component for a jet-propelled merry-go-round
QUEST 9:00pm Fri 2 Dec
Rocket Ride New series. Life at a Long Island junkyard whose employees specialise in creating unusual contraptions from scrap. A man searches for a component for a jet-propelled merry-go-round
QUEST 9:00pm Fri 2 Dec
Mimi Rogers to Play Ashton Kutcher's Mom on Two and a Half Men
Mimi Rogers to Play Ashton Kutcher's Mom on Two and a Half Men
Mimi Rogers will guest-star on Two and a Half Men as Ashton Kutcher's mom, TVGuide.com has confirmed.
Rogers will appear in at least two episodes as Walden's mother, according to Deadline, which first reported the casting. Like her computer whiz kid son, Mama Schmidt is a brainiac as well, being a renowned primatologist.It is unclear when Rogers' episodes will air.
Rogers, who earned her big break in 1987's Someone to Watch Over Me, is perhaps best known to TV fans as Agent Diana Fowley on The X-Files. She's also appeared in Austin Powers and Dawson's Creek, playing Michelle Williams' mother.
Two and a Half Men airs Mondays at 9/8c on CBS.
Mimi Rogers will guest-star on Two and a Half Men as Ashton Kutcher's mom, TVGuide.com has confirmed.
Rogers will appear in at least two episodes as Walden's mother, according to Deadline, which first reported the casting. Like her computer whiz kid son, Mama Schmidt is a brainiac as well, being a renowned primatologist.It is unclear when Rogers' episodes will air.
Rogers, who earned her big break in 1987's Someone to Watch Over Me, is perhaps best known to TV fans as Agent Diana Fowley on The X-Files. She's also appeared in Austin Powers and Dawson's Creek, playing Michelle Williams' mother.
Two and a Half Men airs Mondays at 9/8c on CBS.
Glee Casts Guiding Light Actress to Play Mama Trouty Mouth
Glee Casts Guiding Light Actress to Play Mama Trouty Mouth
Glee has cast Guiding Light actress Tanya Clarke to play mom to Sam Evans (Chord Overstreet), Entertainment Weekly reports.
Gleeks will meet Mary Evans in the Dec. 6 episode and the role may recur. The actress, who has also appeared on NCIS: Los Angeles, will be paired with Smallville's John Schneider as Sam's dad.
It was said that Sam and his family moved away from Lima, Ohio in the season premiere because his dad got a job in another town. Overstreet, however, has since inked a deal to return to Glee in a recurring capacity.
Glee has cast Guiding Light actress Tanya Clarke to play mom to Sam Evans (Chord Overstreet), Entertainment Weekly reports.
Gleeks will meet Mary Evans in the Dec. 6 episode and the role may recur. The actress, who has also appeared on NCIS: Los Angeles, will be paired with Smallville's John Schneider as Sam's dad.
It was said that Sam and his family moved away from Lima, Ohio in the season premiere because his dad got a job in another town. Overstreet, however, has since inked a deal to return to Glee in a recurring capacity.
Starz Renews ‘Spartacus’ For Third Season
Starz Renews ‘Spartacus’ For Third Season
Just like it did with Spartacus‘ second season, which was ordered before the series had premiered, Starz today renewed the toga-and-sandals drama for a third season ahead of the January 27 debut of Season 2, Spartacus: Vengeance. Production on the yet-untitled third season is slated to begin in New Zealand in early 2012. “Many surprises are in store for Vengeance viewers this year, but rest assured the multi-layered plot and richly developed characters will continue to be a trademark of this series,” said exec producer Rob Tapert. Vengeance marks the debut of Liam McIntyre in the title role of Spartacus, in which he succeeded the late Andy Whitfield. McIntyre is joined by returning cast members Lucy Lawless, Peter Mensah, Manu Bennett, as Crixus, Dustin Clare, Nick E. Tarabay, and Katrina Law. The most recent chapter of Spartacus was the prequel, Gods Of The Arena which ran in January 2011 and averaged an estimated 6.2 million total viewers per episode across all linear channels and on-demand viewing.
Just like it did with Spartacus‘ second season, which was ordered before the series had premiered, Starz today renewed the toga-and-sandals drama for a third season ahead of the January 27 debut of Season 2, Spartacus: Vengeance. Production on the yet-untitled third season is slated to begin in New Zealand in early 2012. “Many surprises are in store for Vengeance viewers this year, but rest assured the multi-layered plot and richly developed characters will continue to be a trademark of this series,” said exec producer Rob Tapert. Vengeance marks the debut of Liam McIntyre in the title role of Spartacus, in which he succeeded the late Andy Whitfield. McIntyre is joined by returning cast members Lucy Lawless, Peter Mensah, Manu Bennett, as Crixus, Dustin Clare, Nick E. Tarabay, and Katrina Law. The most recent chapter of Spartacus was the prequel, Gods Of The Arena which ran in January 2011 and averaged an estimated 6.2 million total viewers per episode across all linear channels and on-demand viewing.
Wilmer Valderrama to Play Sexy New Age Guru on Suburgatory
Wilmer Valderrama to Play Sexy New Age Guru on Suburgatory
Wilmer Valderrama is coming to Suburgatory to provide Chatswin's soccer moms with some spiritual -- and sexual -- healing.
The 31-year-old actor has signed to guest-star on the ABC comedy as Yoni, the town's answer to both the Dalai Lama and Richard Gere, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively.
"He is highly spiritual, with a great head of hair. Self-trained in the art of Reiki, Yoni stands alone as Chatswin's new age guru, making him extremely popular with moms," series creator Emily Kapnek says. "He's also great in bed." (Guess we should have expected that based on his name!)
Valderrama's episode will air early next year. The actor co-stars in NBC's upcoming midseason drama Awake, about a police detective (Jason Isaacs) who is involved in a traumatic car accident and wakes up in two fractured realities. Most recently, he guest-starred in the mid-season finale of Royal Pains as a hallucinating art enthusiast who may or may not be dead when the series resumes next year. Valderrama also provides the voice for the title character of Disney's animated series Handy Manny.
ABC picked up a full season of Suburgatory in October, and last week, promoted Ana Gasteyer to a series regular.
Wilmer Valderrama is coming to Suburgatory to provide Chatswin's soccer moms with some spiritual -- and sexual -- healing.
The 31-year-old actor has signed to guest-star on the ABC comedy as Yoni, the town's answer to both the Dalai Lama and Richard Gere, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively.
"He is highly spiritual, with a great head of hair. Self-trained in the art of Reiki, Yoni stands alone as Chatswin's new age guru, making him extremely popular with moms," series creator Emily Kapnek says. "He's also great in bed." (Guess we should have expected that based on his name!)
Valderrama's episode will air early next year. The actor co-stars in NBC's upcoming midseason drama Awake, about a police detective (Jason Isaacs) who is involved in a traumatic car accident and wakes up in two fractured realities. Most recently, he guest-starred in the mid-season finale of Royal Pains as a hallucinating art enthusiast who may or may not be dead when the series resumes next year. Valderrama also provides the voice for the title character of Disney's animated series Handy Manny.
ABC picked up a full season of Suburgatory in October, and last week, promoted Ana Gasteyer to a series regular.
Jenna Elfman to Guest-Star on Shameless
Jenna Elfman to Guest-Star on Shameless
Jenna Elfman will guest-star in the upcoming season of Shameless, AOL TV reports.
The Dharma & Greg star will appear in the second season finale as Jill, who has a dangerous past and, according to the network, "an awkward present" — whatever that means. No word on who she'll be interacting with, but the second season will take place during a sweltering Chicago summer.
Elfman, who appeared on the season premiere of Two and a Half Men, recently signed on for the next season of Damages.
Shameless is slated to return Sunday, Jan. 8 on Showtime.
Jenna Elfman will guest-star in the upcoming season of Shameless, AOL TV reports.
The Dharma & Greg star will appear in the second season finale as Jill, who has a dangerous past and, according to the network, "an awkward present" — whatever that means. No word on who she'll be interacting with, but the second season will take place during a sweltering Chicago summer.
Elfman, who appeared on the season premiere of Two and a Half Men, recently signed on for the next season of Damages.
Shameless is slated to return Sunday, Jan. 8 on Showtime.
Downton Abbey Ordered for a Third Season
Downton Abbey Ordered for a Third Season
Just as Season 2 of Downton Abbey reaches its conclusion in the U.K., Britain's ITV announced Thursday that it has commissioned a third season of eight episodes.
Season 3 will continue the adventures of the Crawley family and their servants during 1920-21. It is expected to air sometime next year.
In the U.K., the second season finale airs Sunday, but American audiences will have to wait until Sunday, Jan. 8 to even begin watching Season 2, which is set around World War I.
The first season of the series was entered into the TV movie/miniseries Emmy category and won several Emmys, including ones for Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, Costuming, Directing, Cinematography, Writing, Sound Editing, Single-Camera Editing, Casting, Art Direction and Outstanding Miniseries.
Just as Season 2 of Downton Abbey reaches its conclusion in the U.K., Britain's ITV announced Thursday that it has commissioned a third season of eight episodes.
Season 3 will continue the adventures of the Crawley family and their servants during 1920-21. It is expected to air sometime next year.
In the U.K., the second season finale airs Sunday, but American audiences will have to wait until Sunday, Jan. 8 to even begin watching Season 2, which is set around World War I.
The first season of the series was entered into the TV movie/miniseries Emmy category and won several Emmys, including ones for Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, Costuming, Directing, Cinematography, Writing, Sound Editing, Single-Camera Editing, Casting, Art Direction and Outstanding Miniseries.
Treme - The show will end after 4 seasons
Treme - The show will end after 4 seasons
It looks like the fourth season will be the last for the HBO drama "Treme."
Exec producer David Simon told the New Orleans Times-Picayune earlier this week that he and the pay cabler have agreed to the end date...
It looks like the fourth season will be the last for the HBO drama "Treme."
Exec producer David Simon told the New Orleans Times-Picayune earlier this week that he and the pay cabler have agreed to the end date...
Kenan Thompson has gotten married, Us Weekly reports.
Kenan Thompson has gotten married, Us Weekly reports.
The Saturday Night Live star wed model Christine Evangeline Friday in the Arctic Room of Atlanta's George Aquarium. Thompson, 33, rented out the aquarium and Nick Cannon emceed and served as DJ."[They're] very happy. They've lived together as a couple and were excited to share the moments with close friends," a source tells the magazine. "She was thrilled and a beautiful bride."
The couple got engaged in September.
The Saturday Night Live star wed model Christine Evangeline Friday in the Arctic Room of Atlanta's George Aquarium. Thompson, 33, rented out the aquarium and Nick Cannon emceed and served as DJ."[They're] very happy. They've lived together as a couple and were excited to share the moments with close friends," a source tells the magazine. "She was thrilled and a beautiful bride."
The couple got engaged in September.
Ranking NBC's In-Progress Pilots, from Sarah Silverman to Snoop Dogg
Ranking NBC's In-Progress Pilots, from Sarah Silverman to Snoop Dogg
Holding steady at fourth place with a lackluster fall 2011 season, NBC has seemingly nothing—and everything—to lose in 2012. And so the network is spending unprecedented amounts (The Hollywood Reporter estimates the cost of the Peacock's development season to be somewhere in the $100 million range) in its desperate search for the one hit, or hits, that can turn the ship around. With news of NBC pilot orders arriving every day (today’s was for Sarah Silverman’s still-untitled autobiographical sitcom), we thought we’d take a closer look at where all that money is going—and play a little armchair quarterback based on whatever information is available thus far. Keep in mind: These are all snap judgments! We haven’t read any of these pilots.
HEAVY INTEREST
The Munsters (ordered to pilot)
Logline: A “visually spectacular” one-hour drama. Like [Bryan] Fuller’s previous series, Pushing Daisies, the project features striking visuals mixed with all the classic Munsters archetypes. Grandpa Sam Dracula is essentially Dracula who assembled Herman because no man was good enough for his daughter Lily, a sexy vamp. Lily’s niece Marilyn the freak is actually normal and Lily and Herman’s only child, Eddie, has his werewolf tendencies surface in puberty, forcing the family to relocate to their famous 1313 Mockingbird Lane address.
Talent: Written by Bryan Fuller, beloved TV auteur.
Prognosis: EXCELLENT
Everything about this project sounds like TV crack. The Munsters is a great vintage sitcom that has huge potential as a darker and more ambitious show, and Fuller is just the guy to mine it. We're hearing great things about the script, too. Let’s hope they keep the theme song.
Untitled Sarah Silverman Comedy (ordered to pilot)
Logline: An autobiographical series about a woman readjusting to the single life after a decade-long live-in relationship.
Talent: The great Sarah S.
Prognosis: EXCELLENT
Silverman has changed the landscape for women in comedy (there would be no Whitney without her, for better or for worse), but no one matches her amazing mind. I’ve always felt the best is yet to come with Silverman, and I’m kind of hoping this is it.
Untitled Ryan Murphy/Allison Adler Comedy
Logline: A heartwarming comedy about a blended family of a gay couple and the woman who becomes a surrogate to help them start a family. Murphy and Adler conceived the idea for the comedy drawing on their real-life experiences of having a family or looking to have one.
Talent: Murphy, ‘nuff said. And Adler is co-E.P. of Glee.
Prognosis: VERY GOOD
I hate shows about parenting almost as much as I hate hearing people talk about their kids. Sorry, Up All Night. And gay parents on network TV—it may work as one-third of Modern Family, but I wonder if there’s really an appetite for it out in Americaland. But the pedigree is superb, and American Horror Story has managed to win over most of the early naysayers (including me), making this project a must-see before a word has been put on the page.
Isabel (ordered to pilot)
Logline: A single-camera family comedy with “a magical twist,” based on French-Canadian series Le Monde De Charlotte.
Talent: Director Todd Holland, who won two Emmys for his work on Malcolm in the Middle.
Prognosis: GOOD
Too little to go on here, but assuming it’s a Coraline-style story, I’m in. You may not know it, but I’m a “little girl lost in a magic world” kind of guy at heart.
Beautiful People (ordered to pilot)
Logline: A character-driven futuristic drama set 10 minutes into the future where families of mechanical human beings who look human exist to service the human population—that is, until some of the mechanicals begin to “awaken.”
Talent: Written ten years ago by MAD TV alum/Cougar Town co-executive producer Michael McDonald.
Prognosis: FAIR
Sci-fi has been so spotty on TV, I’m finding it hard to believe this story of replicants and their oppressors is really going to catch on with a wider audience.
Wiseguy
Logline: A “re-imagining” of the original series centers on a disgraced former cop who, while serving time in prison, cuts a deal to work undercover for time off his sentence. The show begins as he’s being released — now he’ll put the connections he made behind bars to good use in the field as he helps the police take down a criminal organization.
Talent: Homeland’s Alex Cary writes.
Prognosis: GOOD
Wiseguy is one of those classic series that has been elevated over the years to the pantheon of TV legend. With Cary—who crafts gripping mindf*ckery every week on Homeland—on board, this could be a reboot in great hands.
BUZZY
Hannibal
Logline: Based on the iconic literary and film character Hannibal Lecter. [Bryan] Fuller, a well-known foodie as evidenced by his previous series Pushing Daisies, loved the dark, sick side of Hannibal, who tends to feast on his victims.
Talent: Bryan Fuller again.
Prognosis: GOOD
Hannibal Lecter, the TV show? Are you kidding me? Worth a check-out at least.
Big Men
Logline: Single-camera comedy about a group of men who meet at a weight-loss clinic.
Talent: Written by Irish Bridesmaids star and comedian Chris O’Dowd, based on his idea.
Prognosis: GOOD
O’Dowd won over hearts in Bridesmaids as a puppydog policeman, and the premise of this show is so out-there, I’m extremely intrigued.
The New Nabors
Logline: A comedy from The Jim Henson Company about a human family and the repercussions they encounter living next door to a family of puppets.
Talent: Muppets people and John Hoffman, who wrote and directed 2003 family comedy Good Boy!.
Prognosis: GOOD
Puppets are hot again.
1600 Penn
Logline: About a dysfunctional family that just happens to live at the most famous address in America, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Talent: Created by Josh Gad (Broadway’s Book of Mormon) and Jon Lovett, former speechwriter for Barack Obama.
Prognosis: GOOD
We have already explored the possibilities of this show, and concluded a White House sitcom seems like it could be good if done right.
POSSIBILITIES
Vanish
Logline: Centers on a man with a mysterious past who protects deserving people from danger, and helps them disappear.
Talent: Written by Moonlight creator Trevor Munson and produced by Sam Raimi.
Prognosis: FAIR
From the man who brought us Moonlight, CBS’s ill-fated Shannon Sossamon werewolf vehicle (just kidding about the werewolf part, chillax!), comes this story about a professional disappear-er. Seems like a lot of other shows that hinge on one gimmick, then promptly fade away.
RIP
Logline: Single-camera comedy about a reluctant angel: “A ‘Kindness Guru’ who happens to be an asshole dies and in order to get to heaven is forced to return to earth and help people with the aid of his simple-minded brother.”
Talent: Written by veteran TV director Marc Buckland, who most recently directed the Grimm pilot.
Prognosis: FAIR
Sounds like Cupid meets My Name is Earl. Not really my cup of tea, but maybe it’s yours!
Kept Men
Logline: A multi-camera comedy about two friends who become supported by their respective wives after their business closes down.
Talent: From Kevin Heffernan and Steve Lemme, members of the Broken Lizard comedy filmmaking group behind such movies as Super Troopers and Beerfest.
Prognosis: FAIR
Well, say what you will about Broken Lizard, but the guys have worked in the comedy trenches and have an inkling about what’s funny. This show will probably never see the light of day, but I’d be willing to give it a shot if it did.
Major Crimes
Logline: “ER in the LA prosecutor’s office.” Major Crimes is set in the world of young ADAs in a Los Angeles downtown court building. Moving at a bullet pace, the show focuses on an ensemble cast of massively overworked ADAs falling in love, battling their own demons and ambitions, while seeking out justice on the run.
Talent: Written by Josh Goldin and former LA Times entertainment reporter Rachel Abramowitz. FX recently passed on their other pilot, Outlaw Country, a crime story set in Nashville.
Prognosis: FAIR
Outlaw Country was supposed to be a sure thing, which just goes to show that nothing is ever a sure thing! This one might need a new title, though. Major Crimes sounds weird, like your little sister is saying it. “Guys! Major crimes are happening! Stop fooling around and prosecute them!”
DON’T COUNT ON IT
Untitled Karaoke Comedy Project
Logline: A comedy set in a karaoke bar.
Talent: Adam Levine.
Prognosis: POOR
A karaoke sitcom from Adam Levine. Right.
The Infidel
Logline: Based on the 2010 British feature film, a comedy, it centers on “a devoutly Muslim family man who is shocked to discover upon the death of his mother that he was adopted, and was actually born a Jew."
Talent: Stars Iranian actor-comedian Omid Djalili, who starred in the film. Written by Mark O’Keefe, who wrote Bruce Almighty.
Prognosis: POOR
America is not ready for another racist sitcom based on a movie. Just ask the makers of Outsourced.
Untitled Jim Gaffigan Comedy
Logline: Gaffigan will write and star in the project based on his life as a lazy man, married to a strong woman, raising four children in a two-bedroom apartment in New York City.
Talent: Jim Gaffigan, duh.
Prognosis: POOR
It’s just kind of hard to get excited about a Jim Gaffigan vehicle, you know? The guy has worked steadily forever, but has never really broken through to the next level. At what point do we stop giving him chances?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Untitled Tim and Michael Hobert Comedy
Logline: Written by brothers Tim and Michael Hobert based on their experience working together, the single-camera comedy centers on a twentysomething man who lands a dream job as the assistant to a commercial director—his older brother Tim—only to learn that his job is mostly about keeping his brother’s hectic home life running smoothly.
Talent: Tim Hobert, co-executive producer on ABC’s The Middle, and his littler brother, who's twelve years his junior.
Prognosis: POOR
Wow, it’s our lives, reflected on the screen: The successful sitcom writer and the little brother he transforms into his personal slave! People outside Hollywood don’t care about Hollywood. (And you can’t use Entourage as your evidence against that anymore, sorry.)
Palm Beach
Logline: A family soap about “an Upstairs, Downstairs-style family in the exclusive enclave of Palm Beach.”
Talent: Written by Burr Steers, writer/director of films like Igby Goes Down, and Zac Efron vehicles 17 Again and Charlie St. Cloud.
Prognosis: POOR
Doing nighttime soaps isn’t as easy as it sounds, and this one just sounds kind of boring. Palm Beach? Upstairs, Downstairs? At least compare it to Downton Abbey so someone has some idea of what you’re referring to.
Life As I Blow It
Logline: Single-camera comedy based on a comedian in the Midwest surrounded by her eccentric friends and family whose opinions and actions know no boundaries.
Talent: Chelsea Lately comedian Sarah Colonna.
Prognosis: POOR
I realize not all loglines are going to give you goosebumps, but this one seriously put me to sleep before I reached “eccentric.”
Satellites
Logline: It’s set in the chaotic world of satellite radio and centers around a former reluctant ’90s boy-band member and a female blogger/podcaster who co-host a relationship call-in show. They must contend not only with their loaded animosity for each other but also the insanity of working in the new world of radio—where the hip-hop station is across the hall from the gay station, which is next door to the nothing-but-windchimes station.
Talent: Weeds writer Stephen Falk is penning the script.
Prognosis: POOR
Seriously? Satellite radio? They know most of those stations are programmed by computers, right?
Downwardly Mobile
Logline: The ensemble comedy revolves around a family and friends living in a mobile home community.
Talent: Roseanne Barr co-created with her boyfriend and former Roseanne E.P. Eric Gilliland.
Prognosis: POOR
I totally concede that Roseanne was one of the best, most ahead-of-its-time sitcoms in TV history. But it belonged in a certain time and place, and as much as it pains me to say, there will be no comebacks for Roseanne Barr. Her outspokenness has turned her into something of a Hollywood pariah, and her reality TV show was atrocious.
Untitled Snoop Dogg Comedy
Logline: Snoop Dogg is the dad of a sitcom family.
Talent: Don Reo (Two and a Half Men, ‘Til Death) is writing.
Prognosis: POOR
This show will never see the light of day. If it does, I pledge to smoke an eighth of weed as my penance.
Holding steady at fourth place with a lackluster fall 2011 season, NBC has seemingly nothing—and everything—to lose in 2012. And so the network is spending unprecedented amounts (The Hollywood Reporter estimates the cost of the Peacock's development season to be somewhere in the $100 million range) in its desperate search for the one hit, or hits, that can turn the ship around. With news of NBC pilot orders arriving every day (today’s was for Sarah Silverman’s still-untitled autobiographical sitcom), we thought we’d take a closer look at where all that money is going—and play a little armchair quarterback based on whatever information is available thus far. Keep in mind: These are all snap judgments! We haven’t read any of these pilots.
HEAVY INTEREST
The Munsters (ordered to pilot)
Logline: A “visually spectacular” one-hour drama. Like [Bryan] Fuller’s previous series, Pushing Daisies, the project features striking visuals mixed with all the classic Munsters archetypes. Grandpa Sam Dracula is essentially Dracula who assembled Herman because no man was good enough for his daughter Lily, a sexy vamp. Lily’s niece Marilyn the freak is actually normal and Lily and Herman’s only child, Eddie, has his werewolf tendencies surface in puberty, forcing the family to relocate to their famous 1313 Mockingbird Lane address.
Talent: Written by Bryan Fuller, beloved TV auteur.
Prognosis: EXCELLENT
Everything about this project sounds like TV crack. The Munsters is a great vintage sitcom that has huge potential as a darker and more ambitious show, and Fuller is just the guy to mine it. We're hearing great things about the script, too. Let’s hope they keep the theme song.
Untitled Sarah Silverman Comedy (ordered to pilot)
Logline: An autobiographical series about a woman readjusting to the single life after a decade-long live-in relationship.
Talent: The great Sarah S.
Prognosis: EXCELLENT
Silverman has changed the landscape for women in comedy (there would be no Whitney without her, for better or for worse), but no one matches her amazing mind. I’ve always felt the best is yet to come with Silverman, and I’m kind of hoping this is it.
Untitled Ryan Murphy/Allison Adler Comedy
Logline: A heartwarming comedy about a blended family of a gay couple and the woman who becomes a surrogate to help them start a family. Murphy and Adler conceived the idea for the comedy drawing on their real-life experiences of having a family or looking to have one.
Talent: Murphy, ‘nuff said. And Adler is co-E.P. of Glee.
Prognosis: VERY GOOD
I hate shows about parenting almost as much as I hate hearing people talk about their kids. Sorry, Up All Night. And gay parents on network TV—it may work as one-third of Modern Family, but I wonder if there’s really an appetite for it out in Americaland. But the pedigree is superb, and American Horror Story has managed to win over most of the early naysayers (including me), making this project a must-see before a word has been put on the page.
Isabel (ordered to pilot)
Logline: A single-camera family comedy with “a magical twist,” based on French-Canadian series Le Monde De Charlotte.
Talent: Director Todd Holland, who won two Emmys for his work on Malcolm in the Middle.
Prognosis: GOOD
Too little to go on here, but assuming it’s a Coraline-style story, I’m in. You may not know it, but I’m a “little girl lost in a magic world” kind of guy at heart.
Beautiful People (ordered to pilot)
Logline: A character-driven futuristic drama set 10 minutes into the future where families of mechanical human beings who look human exist to service the human population—that is, until some of the mechanicals begin to “awaken.”
Talent: Written ten years ago by MAD TV alum/Cougar Town co-executive producer Michael McDonald.
Prognosis: FAIR
Sci-fi has been so spotty on TV, I’m finding it hard to believe this story of replicants and their oppressors is really going to catch on with a wider audience.
Wiseguy
Logline: A “re-imagining” of the original series centers on a disgraced former cop who, while serving time in prison, cuts a deal to work undercover for time off his sentence. The show begins as he’s being released — now he’ll put the connections he made behind bars to good use in the field as he helps the police take down a criminal organization.
Talent: Homeland’s Alex Cary writes.
Prognosis: GOOD
Wiseguy is one of those classic series that has been elevated over the years to the pantheon of TV legend. With Cary—who crafts gripping mindf*ckery every week on Homeland—on board, this could be a reboot in great hands.
BUZZY
Hannibal
Logline: Based on the iconic literary and film character Hannibal Lecter. [Bryan] Fuller, a well-known foodie as evidenced by his previous series Pushing Daisies, loved the dark, sick side of Hannibal, who tends to feast on his victims.
Talent: Bryan Fuller again.
Prognosis: GOOD
Hannibal Lecter, the TV show? Are you kidding me? Worth a check-out at least.
Big Men
Logline: Single-camera comedy about a group of men who meet at a weight-loss clinic.
Talent: Written by Irish Bridesmaids star and comedian Chris O’Dowd, based on his idea.
Prognosis: GOOD
O’Dowd won over hearts in Bridesmaids as a puppydog policeman, and the premise of this show is so out-there, I’m extremely intrigued.
The New Nabors
Logline: A comedy from The Jim Henson Company about a human family and the repercussions they encounter living next door to a family of puppets.
Talent: Muppets people and John Hoffman, who wrote and directed 2003 family comedy Good Boy!.
Prognosis: GOOD
Puppets are hot again.
1600 Penn
Logline: About a dysfunctional family that just happens to live at the most famous address in America, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Talent: Created by Josh Gad (Broadway’s Book of Mormon) and Jon Lovett, former speechwriter for Barack Obama.
Prognosis: GOOD
We have already explored the possibilities of this show, and concluded a White House sitcom seems like it could be good if done right.
POSSIBILITIES
Vanish
Logline: Centers on a man with a mysterious past who protects deserving people from danger, and helps them disappear.
Talent: Written by Moonlight creator Trevor Munson and produced by Sam Raimi.
Prognosis: FAIR
From the man who brought us Moonlight, CBS’s ill-fated Shannon Sossamon werewolf vehicle (just kidding about the werewolf part, chillax!), comes this story about a professional disappear-er. Seems like a lot of other shows that hinge on one gimmick, then promptly fade away.
RIP
Logline: Single-camera comedy about a reluctant angel: “A ‘Kindness Guru’ who happens to be an asshole dies and in order to get to heaven is forced to return to earth and help people with the aid of his simple-minded brother.”
Talent: Written by veteran TV director Marc Buckland, who most recently directed the Grimm pilot.
Prognosis: FAIR
Sounds like Cupid meets My Name is Earl. Not really my cup of tea, but maybe it’s yours!
Kept Men
Logline: A multi-camera comedy about two friends who become supported by their respective wives after their business closes down.
Talent: From Kevin Heffernan and Steve Lemme, members of the Broken Lizard comedy filmmaking group behind such movies as Super Troopers and Beerfest.
Prognosis: FAIR
Well, say what you will about Broken Lizard, but the guys have worked in the comedy trenches and have an inkling about what’s funny. This show will probably never see the light of day, but I’d be willing to give it a shot if it did.
Major Crimes
Logline: “ER in the LA prosecutor’s office.” Major Crimes is set in the world of young ADAs in a Los Angeles downtown court building. Moving at a bullet pace, the show focuses on an ensemble cast of massively overworked ADAs falling in love, battling their own demons and ambitions, while seeking out justice on the run.
Talent: Written by Josh Goldin and former LA Times entertainment reporter Rachel Abramowitz. FX recently passed on their other pilot, Outlaw Country, a crime story set in Nashville.
Prognosis: FAIR
Outlaw Country was supposed to be a sure thing, which just goes to show that nothing is ever a sure thing! This one might need a new title, though. Major Crimes sounds weird, like your little sister is saying it. “Guys! Major crimes are happening! Stop fooling around and prosecute them!”
DON’T COUNT ON IT
Untitled Karaoke Comedy Project
Logline: A comedy set in a karaoke bar.
Talent: Adam Levine.
Prognosis: POOR
A karaoke sitcom from Adam Levine. Right.
The Infidel
Logline: Based on the 2010 British feature film, a comedy, it centers on “a devoutly Muslim family man who is shocked to discover upon the death of his mother that he was adopted, and was actually born a Jew."
Talent: Stars Iranian actor-comedian Omid Djalili, who starred in the film. Written by Mark O’Keefe, who wrote Bruce Almighty.
Prognosis: POOR
America is not ready for another racist sitcom based on a movie. Just ask the makers of Outsourced.
Untitled Jim Gaffigan Comedy
Logline: Gaffigan will write and star in the project based on his life as a lazy man, married to a strong woman, raising four children in a two-bedroom apartment in New York City.
Talent: Jim Gaffigan, duh.
Prognosis: POOR
It’s just kind of hard to get excited about a Jim Gaffigan vehicle, you know? The guy has worked steadily forever, but has never really broken through to the next level. At what point do we stop giving him chances?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Untitled Tim and Michael Hobert Comedy
Logline: Written by brothers Tim and Michael Hobert based on their experience working together, the single-camera comedy centers on a twentysomething man who lands a dream job as the assistant to a commercial director—his older brother Tim—only to learn that his job is mostly about keeping his brother’s hectic home life running smoothly.
Talent: Tim Hobert, co-executive producer on ABC’s The Middle, and his littler brother, who's twelve years his junior.
Prognosis: POOR
Wow, it’s our lives, reflected on the screen: The successful sitcom writer and the little brother he transforms into his personal slave! People outside Hollywood don’t care about Hollywood. (And you can’t use Entourage as your evidence against that anymore, sorry.)
Palm Beach
Logline: A family soap about “an Upstairs, Downstairs-style family in the exclusive enclave of Palm Beach.”
Talent: Written by Burr Steers, writer/director of films like Igby Goes Down, and Zac Efron vehicles 17 Again and Charlie St. Cloud.
Prognosis: POOR
Doing nighttime soaps isn’t as easy as it sounds, and this one just sounds kind of boring. Palm Beach? Upstairs, Downstairs? At least compare it to Downton Abbey so someone has some idea of what you’re referring to.
Life As I Blow It
Logline: Single-camera comedy based on a comedian in the Midwest surrounded by her eccentric friends and family whose opinions and actions know no boundaries.
Talent: Chelsea Lately comedian Sarah Colonna.
Prognosis: POOR
I realize not all loglines are going to give you goosebumps, but this one seriously put me to sleep before I reached “eccentric.”
Satellites
Logline: It’s set in the chaotic world of satellite radio and centers around a former reluctant ’90s boy-band member and a female blogger/podcaster who co-host a relationship call-in show. They must contend not only with their loaded animosity for each other but also the insanity of working in the new world of radio—where the hip-hop station is across the hall from the gay station, which is next door to the nothing-but-windchimes station.
Talent: Weeds writer Stephen Falk is penning the script.
Prognosis: POOR
Seriously? Satellite radio? They know most of those stations are programmed by computers, right?
Downwardly Mobile
Logline: The ensemble comedy revolves around a family and friends living in a mobile home community.
Talent: Roseanne Barr co-created with her boyfriend and former Roseanne E.P. Eric Gilliland.
Prognosis: POOR
I totally concede that Roseanne was one of the best, most ahead-of-its-time sitcoms in TV history. But it belonged in a certain time and place, and as much as it pains me to say, there will be no comebacks for Roseanne Barr. Her outspokenness has turned her into something of a Hollywood pariah, and her reality TV show was atrocious.
Untitled Snoop Dogg Comedy
Logline: Snoop Dogg is the dad of a sitcom family.
Talent: Don Reo (Two and a Half Men, ‘Til Death) is writing.
Prognosis: POOR
This show will never see the light of day. If it does, I pledge to smoke an eighth of weed as my penance.
'Once Upon a Time's' Raphael Sbarge: 'Consciousness always comes with a price'
'Once Upon a Time's' Raphael Sbarge: 'Consciousness always comes with a price'
"Once Upon a Time" is back Sunday (Nov. 27) with an episode that centers around Jiminy Cricket/Archie Hopper, played by Raphael Sbarge. The episode description says that Cricket is looking to get away from the family business in Fairytale Land. So what is this family business and what is Jiminy looking to do instead?
"I'm not actually allowed to divulge that information," laughs Sbarge.
"What we get to see in the episode essentially is the person who is Jiminy Cricket. Essentially how he evolved," says Sbarge. "Jiminy Cricket is ultimately an icon of doing the right thing, 'let your concience be your guide.' What we get to see is the struggle, the fire that he has to walk through in order to have a sense of what the right thing is. Consciousness always comes with a price."
We wondered if Jiminy's real-world counterpart Archie being a therapist has anything to do with Jiminy's desire to strike out on his own.
Sbarge says, "I think it's so clever that they made him a therapist. In the world we live in now, it's so complex, with so many gray areas, so many perceptions of right and wrong. There is genuine right and wrong, but there is a big whole world."
"The focus on helping people find their way through and to effectively do the right thing, it's such a wonderful metaphor for the modern world. Someone who helps you find your conscience," says Sbarge.
"Once Upon a Time" airs Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
"Once Upon a Time" is back Sunday (Nov. 27) with an episode that centers around Jiminy Cricket/Archie Hopper, played by Raphael Sbarge. The episode description says that Cricket is looking to get away from the family business in Fairytale Land. So what is this family business and what is Jiminy looking to do instead?
"I'm not actually allowed to divulge that information," laughs Sbarge.
"What we get to see in the episode essentially is the person who is Jiminy Cricket. Essentially how he evolved," says Sbarge. "Jiminy Cricket is ultimately an icon of doing the right thing, 'let your concience be your guide.' What we get to see is the struggle, the fire that he has to walk through in order to have a sense of what the right thing is. Consciousness always comes with a price."
We wondered if Jiminy's real-world counterpart Archie being a therapist has anything to do with Jiminy's desire to strike out on his own.
Sbarge says, "I think it's so clever that they made him a therapist. In the world we live in now, it's so complex, with so many gray areas, so many perceptions of right and wrong. There is genuine right and wrong, but there is a big whole world."
"The focus on helping people find their way through and to effectively do the right thing, it's such a wonderful metaphor for the modern world. Someone who helps you find your conscience," says Sbarge.
"Once Upon a Time" airs Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
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