'Jane By Design': 5 things to know about ABC Family's adorable new show
ABC Family continues its trend of adorable yet addictive family-friendly programming with "Jane By Design," which premieres Tuesday, Jan. 3 on the network. Erica Dasher stars as high-schooler Jane Quimby, who somehow manages to score a part-time gig as an assistant at a fashion design house when she applies for an internship.
Andie MacDowell plays the appropriately three-named designer boss, Gray Chandler Murray, and though she only appears via video chat in the first episode, her playful bitchiness shines through. For a lady who seems like such a down-to-earth person in real life, she sure plays a realistic witch.
Here are five more things you should know about the new series:
1. Yes, it will remind you of "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead." But is that such a bad thing? Sure, there's no Josh Charles, and Dasher's Jane is more of the adorable, awkward type (as opposed to Christina Applegate's popular, bitchy type). But it's got the same fish-out-of-water charm combined with the fantasy fashion world you only see on TV. We dig it.
2. There are cute boys. Duh. This is ABC Family, after all. But is it weird that we find Jane's former high school hot-shot older brother Ben (David Clayton Rogers), who is raising his kid sister after their dad died, way cuter than Jane's BFF Billy (Nicholas Roux)? Maybe it's because Billy's strange mullet-mohawk hybrid freaks us out. Does that mean we're getting older?
3. There are trying-on-clothes montages set to Pink songs. Also duh. This is an ABC Family show about fashion -- did you think we could escape without any?
4. Did we mention Dasher is ultra-charming? Because she is. Her take on wide-eyed teen is perfection, and although occasionally Jane seems more sophisticated than she should be, she pulls it off. The one thing we don't believe: That a girl as daring in the clothes department as Jane would lack enough self-esteem to talk to her crush. Come on, girlfriend talked her way into a grown-up job, she could at least hold her own in a conversation with a cute boy from school. Plus, Dasher is gorgeous -- there's no way boys wouldn't be lining up to talk to her.
5. There is an icky older-dude flirtation. "JBD" takes the now-common student-teacher relationship trope and twists it a little so that an older, senior fashion designer at Donovan Decker, where Jane lucks into her assistant job, flirts with the girl he does not realize is underage. And she flirts back.
The Lime TV News, The Latest TeleVision News On Shows And Stars
dinsdag 3 januari 2012
Netflix Locks Release Date for Mobster Series 'Lilyhammer'
Netflix Locks Release Date for Mobster Series 'Lilyhammer'
Netflix is no longer hunting down a release date for "Lilyhammer," its new original series starring Steven Van Zandt as a mobster in witness protection. The first eight episodes of the comedy-drama's first season will be available for online streaming in the U.S., Canada and Latin America starting Feb. 6.
Netflix had said it was planning a first-quarter rollout for the show, in which the E Street Band guitarist plays a mobster reminiscent of his "Sopranos" character, Silvio Dante.
The one-hour show -- which is set in Lillehammer, Norway, where New York transplant Frank "The Fixer" Tagliano tries to make a new life for himself -- was developed by and is a production of Norway's Rubicon TV AS. "Lilyhammer" will also air on Norwegian TV, Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos recently told TheWrap.
"It's a very quirky, funny, serious show that I think people are really going to love," he said. "It's a really fun thing to watch, because it is a really familiar character in a totally unfamiliar place. It's [like] 'Northern Exposure' meets 'Sopranos.' "
"I am very careful with my choices and this project was so exciting to me because of the wonderful writing, the rich characters and the fascinating culture of Norway," Van Zandt, who is also executive producing the show, said in a statement. "Netflix is the perfect home for such a unique show."
Among the other original series Netflix has planned is David Fincher's "House of Cards," due in the fourth quarter or early 2013. The company is also planning to relaunch "Arrested Development" next year.
"Lilyhammer" was created by Anne Bjornstad and Eilif Skodvin and developed by Rubicon TV AS. It was written by Bjornstad, Skodvin and Van Zandt. Trond Berg Nilsen and Agnete Thuland are producing, while Lasse Hallberg and Van Zandt are executive producing.
Netflix is no longer hunting down a release date for "Lilyhammer," its new original series starring Steven Van Zandt as a mobster in witness protection. The first eight episodes of the comedy-drama's first season will be available for online streaming in the U.S., Canada and Latin America starting Feb. 6.
Netflix had said it was planning a first-quarter rollout for the show, in which the E Street Band guitarist plays a mobster reminiscent of his "Sopranos" character, Silvio Dante.
The one-hour show -- which is set in Lillehammer, Norway, where New York transplant Frank "The Fixer" Tagliano tries to make a new life for himself -- was developed by and is a production of Norway's Rubicon TV AS. "Lilyhammer" will also air on Norwegian TV, Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos recently told TheWrap.
"It's a very quirky, funny, serious show that I think people are really going to love," he said. "It's a really fun thing to watch, because it is a really familiar character in a totally unfamiliar place. It's [like] 'Northern Exposure' meets 'Sopranos.' "
"I am very careful with my choices and this project was so exciting to me because of the wonderful writing, the rich characters and the fascinating culture of Norway," Van Zandt, who is also executive producing the show, said in a statement. "Netflix is the perfect home for such a unique show."
Among the other original series Netflix has planned is David Fincher's "House of Cards," due in the fourth quarter or early 2013. The company is also planning to relaunch "Arrested Development" next year.
"Lilyhammer" was created by Anne Bjornstad and Eilif Skodvin and developed by Rubicon TV AS. It was written by Bjornstad, Skodvin and Van Zandt. Trond Berg Nilsen and Agnete Thuland are producing, while Lasse Hallberg and Van Zandt are executive producing.
Official Big Brother UK releases new photos of the CELEBRITY 2012 HOUSE!
Official Big Brother UK releases new photos of the CELEBRITY 2012 HOUSE!
Here are the first pictures taken of the new CBBUK 2012 house, looks amazing and I think with the line up of celebs this year will be a great and amazing edition.
Here are the first pictures taken of the new CBBUK 2012 house, looks amazing and I think with the line up of celebs this year will be a great and amazing edition.
TV Tonight 3rd of January 2012
TV Tonight 3rd of January 2012
The daily list in alphabetical order, of all the new episodes airing.
Allein gegen die Zeit S02E11: "18:00"
Allein gegen die Zeit S02E10: "17:00"
Bargain Hunt S31E02: "Series 31, Episode 2"
Body Of Proof S02E11: "Falling for You"
Campus PD S04E01: "An assault on a bar bouncer is investigated"
Celebrity Mastermind S10E06: "Series 10, Episode 6"
Chelsea Lately S05E198: "Robin Wright, Jo Koy, Loni Love, Ross Mathews"
Chopped S10E02: "Chop on Through"
Conan S02E26: "Gary Oldman, Mindy Kaling, Everlast"
Cowboy Builders S06E01: "Wolverhampton"
Days of our Lives S47E38: "Ep. #11748"
Deal Or No Deal (UK) S07E123: "Episode 1803"
Dickinson's Real Deal S08E21: "Series 8, Episode 21"
Dirty Jobs S08E04: "Water Softener Technician"
Doctors S13E168: "Mr Fitch Comes Home"
EastEnders S28E03: "January 3, 2012"
Emmerdale S41E02: "January 3, 2012"
Escape To The Country S12E01: "South Cumbria"
Extreme Couponing S03E04: "All-Stars: Antoinette vs. Judy"
Extreme Couponing S03E03: "All-Stars: Jen vs. Joni"
Flip Men S01E12: "Mike Fights Doug"
Flip Men S01E11: "Death Trap"
General Hospital (US) S49E191: "#12465"
Got to Dance S03E05: "Series 3, Episode 5"
Got to Dance S03E04: "Series 3, Episode 4"
Great British Railway Journeys S03E02: "Darsham to Felixstowe"
Hardcore Pawn S05E07: "TBA"
Hidden City S01E05: "New York City: Son of Sam, Sid and Nancy, Nicky Barnes"
Holby City S14E12: "When the Hangover Strikes"
Hollyoaks S18E02: "January 3, 2012"
Jane By Design S01E01: "Pilot"
Jeopardy! S28E77: "Show #6282"
Last Man Standing S01E12: "Moon Over Kenya"
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon S02E196: "William H. Macy, Sean Avery, Black Star"
Late Show with David Letterman S18E184
My First Place S20E16: "Bachelor's Commitment Issues"
Natsume Yūjin-Chō S04E01: "Episode 1"
NCIS S09E12: "Housekeeping"
NCIS: Los Angeles S03E12: "The Watchers"
Nederland van boven S01E05: "Wilde natuur"
NFL Films Presents S45E18: "It's Not Gonna Be Pretty"
One Born Every Minute (US) S02E06: "Graduating to Parenthood"
One Life to Live S44E118: "Ep. #11097"
Parenthood (2010) S03E12: "Road Trip"
Pointless S05E86: "Series 5, Episode 86"
Public Enemies S01E01: "Episode 1"
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is S05E02: "Series 5, Episode 2"
Ruben vs Sophie S02E04: "Season 2, Episode 4"
Saints and Scroungers S03E02: "Series 3, Episode 2"
Storage Hunters S01E15: "TBA"
Storage Wars S02E26: "Hooray for Holly-Weird"
Storage Wars S02E25: "Brandi's First Time"
Swamp Loggers S04E12: "Blame Game"
Switched at Birth S01E11: "Starry Night"
Taboo S08E01: "Secret Lives"
Teen Mom 2 S02E06: "Home for Christmas"
Texas Multi Mamas S01E03: "TBA"
Texas Multi Mamas S01E04: "TBA"
The Biggest Loser S13E01: "Season 13, Episode 1"
The Biggest Loser (2009) S03E01: "Series 3, Episode 1"
The Bold and the Beautiful S25E201: "Ep. #6230"
The Chase (2009) S05E01: "Series 5, Episode 1"
The Colbert Report S08E01: "Sen. Bernie Sanders"
The Daily Show S17E01: "TBA"
The Ellen DeGeneres Show S09E70: "Howie Mandel, Elle Fanning"
The Jeremy Kyle Show S07E77: "January 3, 2012"
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson S08E02
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno S19E217
The Young and the Restless S39E198: "Ep. #9813"
Thuis S17E92: "Season 17, Episode 92"
Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood S06E05: "Coming Clean"
Unforgettable S01E12: "Butterfly Effect"
Wanted Down Under S06E02: "Series 6, Episode 2"
What Not To Wear (US) S09E15: "Beryl"
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (UK) S29E07: "New Year Special"
Wife Swap S07E02: "Gary Busey / Ted Haggard"
Work It S01E01: "Pilot"
The daily list in alphabetical order, of all the new episodes airing.
Allein gegen die Zeit S02E11: "18:00"
Allein gegen die Zeit S02E10: "17:00"
Bargain Hunt S31E02: "Series 31, Episode 2"
Body Of Proof S02E11: "Falling for You"
Campus PD S04E01: "An assault on a bar bouncer is investigated"
Celebrity Mastermind S10E06: "Series 10, Episode 6"
Chelsea Lately S05E198: "Robin Wright, Jo Koy, Loni Love, Ross Mathews"
Chopped S10E02: "Chop on Through"
Conan S02E26: "Gary Oldman, Mindy Kaling, Everlast"
Cowboy Builders S06E01: "Wolverhampton"
Days of our Lives S47E38: "Ep. #11748"
Deal Or No Deal (UK) S07E123: "Episode 1803"
Dickinson's Real Deal S08E21: "Series 8, Episode 21"
Dirty Jobs S08E04: "Water Softener Technician"
Doctors S13E168: "Mr Fitch Comes Home"
EastEnders S28E03: "January 3, 2012"
Emmerdale S41E02: "January 3, 2012"
Escape To The Country S12E01: "South Cumbria"
Extreme Couponing S03E04: "All-Stars: Antoinette vs. Judy"
Extreme Couponing S03E03: "All-Stars: Jen vs. Joni"
Flip Men S01E12: "Mike Fights Doug"
Flip Men S01E11: "Death Trap"
General Hospital (US) S49E191: "#12465"
Got to Dance S03E05: "Series 3, Episode 5"
Got to Dance S03E04: "Series 3, Episode 4"
Great British Railway Journeys S03E02: "Darsham to Felixstowe"
Hardcore Pawn S05E07: "TBA"
Hidden City S01E05: "New York City: Son of Sam, Sid and Nancy, Nicky Barnes"
Holby City S14E12: "When the Hangover Strikes"
Hollyoaks S18E02: "January 3, 2012"
Jane By Design S01E01: "Pilot"
Jeopardy! S28E77: "Show #6282"
Last Man Standing S01E12: "Moon Over Kenya"
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon S02E196: "William H. Macy, Sean Avery, Black Star"
Late Show with David Letterman S18E184
My First Place S20E16: "Bachelor's Commitment Issues"
Natsume Yūjin-Chō S04E01: "Episode 1"
NCIS S09E12: "Housekeeping"
NCIS: Los Angeles S03E12: "The Watchers"
Nederland van boven S01E05: "Wilde natuur"
NFL Films Presents S45E18: "It's Not Gonna Be Pretty"
One Born Every Minute (US) S02E06: "Graduating to Parenthood"
One Life to Live S44E118: "Ep. #11097"
Parenthood (2010) S03E12: "Road Trip"
Pointless S05E86: "Series 5, Episode 86"
Public Enemies S01E01: "Episode 1"
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is S05E02: "Series 5, Episode 2"
Ruben vs Sophie S02E04: "Season 2, Episode 4"
Saints and Scroungers S03E02: "Series 3, Episode 2"
Storage Hunters S01E15: "TBA"
Storage Wars S02E26: "Hooray for Holly-Weird"
Storage Wars S02E25: "Brandi's First Time"
Swamp Loggers S04E12: "Blame Game"
Switched at Birth S01E11: "Starry Night"
Taboo S08E01: "Secret Lives"
Teen Mom 2 S02E06: "Home for Christmas"
Texas Multi Mamas S01E03: "TBA"
Texas Multi Mamas S01E04: "TBA"
The Biggest Loser S13E01: "Season 13, Episode 1"
The Biggest Loser (2009) S03E01: "Series 3, Episode 1"
The Bold and the Beautiful S25E201: "Ep. #6230"
The Chase (2009) S05E01: "Series 5, Episode 1"
The Colbert Report S08E01: "Sen. Bernie Sanders"
The Daily Show S17E01: "TBA"
The Ellen DeGeneres Show S09E70: "Howie Mandel, Elle Fanning"
The Jeremy Kyle Show S07E77: "January 3, 2012"
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson S08E02
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno S19E217
The Young and the Restless S39E198: "Ep. #9813"
Thuis S17E92: "Season 17, Episode 92"
Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood S06E05: "Coming Clean"
Unforgettable S01E12: "Butterfly Effect"
Wanted Down Under S06E02: "Series 6, Episode 2"
What Not To Wear (US) S09E15: "Beryl"
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (UK) S29E07: "New Year Special"
Wife Swap S07E02: "Gary Busey / Ted Haggard"
Work It S01E01: "Pilot"
Indian TV Features Edgy Shows Without The Edge
Indian TV Features Edgy Shows Without The Edge
Would the sex, drugs and rock-n-roll fueled TV show "Californication" be worth watching without the sex, drugs and rock-n- roll? What about serial killer series "Dexter" without the gore?
In an effort to attract younger viewers without offending the older ones, Indian TV is now showing some of America's edgiest shows — but cutting out the edge.
As India urbanizes and its middle class grows, a delicate dilemma has hit a media culture long dominated by local TV shows aimed at rural audiences, such as the soap opera "Baalika Vadhu" or "Child Bride," about a girl married off at age 10. While the young and hip audiences that attract advertising dollars want foreign imports, no broadcaster wants to upset conservative viewers or attract government ire.
"This is a very sensitive time for the media in India," said TV critic Shailaja Bajpai. "Many stations are afraid of government banning orders," but at the same time, output needs refreshing to bring in audiences."
So TV channels resort to inconsistent and clumsy self-censorship, snipping scenes that are central to a show's plot with abandon. While they bleep out profanities, they will also cut a reference to the drug "crack" from one part of a show, while letting it slide a few minutes later.
Even more absurd are the imports that have English subtitles to assist those with a shaky grasp of the language. Censors often let the spoken word slide through, but change it or strike it completely from the subtitles. So while a character on "The Big Bang Theory" is allowed to say the word "intimate," the subtitles only showed "int ------."
One incident turned an episode of "Friends" into a legend of unwatchable TV. The show hinged on the gag that two pages in a cookbook got stuck together and the character Rachel mistakenly made a fruit pastry with beef. The station bleeped out the word "beef," a show of sensitivity for Hindus' reverence for cows, leaving viewers to guess why her diners were so disgusted.
It's just as perplexing for the suddenly chaste vampires of HBO's lusty "True Blood" and for the serial killer star of "Dexter," who is constantly changing blood-splattered clothes for no apparent reason on Indian TV. Or for David Duchovny's "Californication" lech Hank Moody, who disappears into a bedroom with a beautiful women and then suddenly appears in a disjointed scene from later in the episode.
Nevertheless, young Indians, who have embraced Levis, McDonalds and MTV, are hungering for Western television.
"I no longer want to watch the stupid shows I watched with my family growing up, I want entertainment and there is very little on Hindi-language television," said Abhinav Mohan, a 22-year-old mass-communication student, who watches the disjointed imports instead. "Though heavily censored, I can still follow them."
Broadcasting the shows, while editing them into confusion, underscores the fine line entertainment companies like the NewsCorp-owned Star and FX are trying to walk to attract urban youth while not angering their more traditional parents.
Bollywood actors only began kissing onscreen in the last decade. As recently as 2007, an arrest warrant was briefly issued for Hollywood star Richard Gere after he kissed the cheek of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty at an AIDS awareness rally.
"Indian produced movies and TV are very formulaic, you always know what you are going to get," said Rahul Gupta, a media company owner in New Delhi. "Today's youth are more likely to get what they want from Hollywood than Bollywood and TV companies are starting to realize it and hope to cash in."
In an effort to head off government interference, the industry created its own regulatory body in June to deal with complaints. Now, in addition to the odd censoring, viewers must also suffer a banner that repeatedly scrolls across the screen, advising viewers how to complain to the Broadcasting Content Complaints Council. More than 3,000 have.
The complaints range from "scantily and vulgarly dressed women" on MTV's "Grind" to a scene "misguiding children to kill," on the southern Indian family melodrama "Muddu Bidda," or "Cute Girl."
So far, only six channels have been called in for a hearing. Their apologies have been enough to satisfy the council and prevent it from referring the cases to the government, which has the power to ban shows.
Would the sex, drugs and rock-n-roll fueled TV show "Californication" be worth watching without the sex, drugs and rock-n- roll? What about serial killer series "Dexter" without the gore?
In an effort to attract younger viewers without offending the older ones, Indian TV is now showing some of America's edgiest shows — but cutting out the edge.
As India urbanizes and its middle class grows, a delicate dilemma has hit a media culture long dominated by local TV shows aimed at rural audiences, such as the soap opera "Baalika Vadhu" or "Child Bride," about a girl married off at age 10. While the young and hip audiences that attract advertising dollars want foreign imports, no broadcaster wants to upset conservative viewers or attract government ire.
"This is a very sensitive time for the media in India," said TV critic Shailaja Bajpai. "Many stations are afraid of government banning orders," but at the same time, output needs refreshing to bring in audiences."
So TV channels resort to inconsistent and clumsy self-censorship, snipping scenes that are central to a show's plot with abandon. While they bleep out profanities, they will also cut a reference to the drug "crack" from one part of a show, while letting it slide a few minutes later.
Even more absurd are the imports that have English subtitles to assist those with a shaky grasp of the language. Censors often let the spoken word slide through, but change it or strike it completely from the subtitles. So while a character on "The Big Bang Theory" is allowed to say the word "intimate," the subtitles only showed "int ------."
One incident turned an episode of "Friends" into a legend of unwatchable TV. The show hinged on the gag that two pages in a cookbook got stuck together and the character Rachel mistakenly made a fruit pastry with beef. The station bleeped out the word "beef," a show of sensitivity for Hindus' reverence for cows, leaving viewers to guess why her diners were so disgusted.
It's just as perplexing for the suddenly chaste vampires of HBO's lusty "True Blood" and for the serial killer star of "Dexter," who is constantly changing blood-splattered clothes for no apparent reason on Indian TV. Or for David Duchovny's "Californication" lech Hank Moody, who disappears into a bedroom with a beautiful women and then suddenly appears in a disjointed scene from later in the episode.
Nevertheless, young Indians, who have embraced Levis, McDonalds and MTV, are hungering for Western television.
"I no longer want to watch the stupid shows I watched with my family growing up, I want entertainment and there is very little on Hindi-language television," said Abhinav Mohan, a 22-year-old mass-communication student, who watches the disjointed imports instead. "Though heavily censored, I can still follow them."
Broadcasting the shows, while editing them into confusion, underscores the fine line entertainment companies like the NewsCorp-owned Star and FX are trying to walk to attract urban youth while not angering their more traditional parents.
Bollywood actors only began kissing onscreen in the last decade. As recently as 2007, an arrest warrant was briefly issued for Hollywood star Richard Gere after he kissed the cheek of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty at an AIDS awareness rally.
"Indian produced movies and TV are very formulaic, you always know what you are going to get," said Rahul Gupta, a media company owner in New Delhi. "Today's youth are more likely to get what they want from Hollywood than Bollywood and TV companies are starting to realize it and hope to cash in."
In an effort to head off government interference, the industry created its own regulatory body in June to deal with complaints. Now, in addition to the odd censoring, viewers must also suffer a banner that repeatedly scrolls across the screen, advising viewers how to complain to the Broadcasting Content Complaints Council. More than 3,000 have.
The complaints range from "scantily and vulgarly dressed women" on MTV's "Grind" to a scene "misguiding children to kill," on the southern Indian family melodrama "Muddu Bidda," or "Cute Girl."
So far, only six channels have been called in for a hearing. Their apologies have been enough to satisfy the council and prevent it from referring the cases to the government, which has the power to ban shows.
'Alcatraz': Jorge Garcia & Sarah Jones Talk From The Set Of New J.J. Abrams Thriller
'Alcatraz': Jorge Garcia & Sarah Jones Talk From The Set Of New J.J. Abrams Thriller
Alcatraz is a term deeply ingrained in our cultural consciousness as a source of mystery and curiosity, so it seems fitting that J.J. Abrams and Elizabeth Sarnoff, two of the genius minds behind the equally enigmatic "Lost," would choose to tackle the iconic island for another high-concept TV series. "Alcatraz" (premiering Mon., Jan. 16, 8 p.m. EST on Fox) might be lacking smoke monsters and polar bears, but there are still plenty of questions to be answered, as HuffPost TV discovered when we visited the Vancouver-based set in October.
The show's story begins in March 1963, when history tells us the prison was closed due to unmanageable operating costs and the erosion of buildings from years of salt water exposure. But in the world of "Alcatraz," the true reason for the closure is far more compelling: 302 prisoners and guards mysteriously vanish without a trace, only to reappear in our time without having aged. An unlikely team -- Alcatraz historian and comic book writer Doctor Diego Soto (Jorge Garcia), police detective Rebecca Madsen (Sarah Jones) and government agent Emerson Hauser (Sam Neill) -- must work together to capture the returned inmates and discover the truth behind their disappearance.
The series was conceived by Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt, former "Kyle XY" writers, who sold the concept to Abrams' Bad Robot production company. But Sarnoff, who has now stepped down as showrunner, took another stab at the story before shopping around to the networks.
Another "Lost" alum, Jack Bender, serves as executive producer, and he was on hand to answer reporters' questions during the group set visit. On the surface, the two island-based shows share similar DNA -- and not just because of Abrams and Garcia. But Bender insisted that "Alcatraz" is designed to be more accessible than its predecessor.
"I think the networks are certainly afraid of the mythology of the show overpowering an audience's potential to come aboard the train if they've missed a few [episodes]," he said. "I think that our show is going to walk that fine line, hopefully, because each week there is going to be a story unfolding that begins and ends. And there's still this overreaching, 'What happened? How the hell did this happen? What's going on?' vibe to the show that will be, season by season, revealed in a slow fashion so that the mystery stays alive and well."
Mystery series are somewhat dependent on the cast and crew's ability to keep a secret, and Abrams has arguably created a whole sub-genre of television show that's designed to keep the audience guessing, from "Alias" and "Lost" to "Fringe" and "Person of Interest." "Alcatraz" will be no exception.
Garcia, who shot to fame as the lovable Hurley on "Lost," told The Huffington Post that he's become accustomed to not knowing anything about his character's backstory -- and that he knows better than to ask. "I've gotten used to working this way from having done a show with these people before," he said. "I enjoy having to fill in my own blanks at the beginning. If stuff gets revealed later, even if it seems contradictory, I always feel that contradiction is what makes us people. So when you behave in a way that's not how people would have expected, it's a very human way to behave. So I've always enjoyed those moments myself as an actor."
While Garcia admitted that his new character on "Alcatraz" has his humorous moments, fans shouldn't expect Hurley 2.0 from Doc Soto. "It's fun finding a new guy. I'm digging what they've been writing for me," he said. "I wear a lot more clothes than on 'Lost' -- I've been doing that and I did that for six years; now let's explore somebody new and go see where I would go with it a different way."
Though Garcia and Neill's characters are integral parts of the story, Detective Rebecca Madsen is our true entry point to the mystery. She's a Scully-esque skeptic whose family history is inexorably linked to the prison. Sarah Jones has appeared in numerous guest spots and recurring roles (most notably in "Big Love" and "Sons of Anarchy"), but "Alcatraz" marks her first experience as the lead.
Jones described the show as a "procedural hybrid" that balances the weekly mysteries with added character development and ongoing mythology. In terms of her character, Jones said: "It's about her journey into a very new phase, a new chapter in her life that connects her to her past that she didn't know about before. Her world is basically turned upside down in the pilot and [the show] follows her through trying to put the pieces together, while she's catching the worst of the worst coming back and wreaking havoc on the good people of America."
Though Sam Neill wasn't on set during The Huffington Post's visit, his co-star helped shed a little light on Neill's cryptic Emerson Hauser, a member of a shadowy government agency who seems to know far more about the secrets of Alcatraz than he's letting on.
"There's definitely secrets he's keeping from them," Garcia admitted. "He lets stuff out, but really lets it out in a very thin trickle. It's not like a big idea of you become president and then go, 'All right, let me show you what's in the secret closet where the aliens are.' It becomes very need-to-know with him, because he's old-school G-man."
Luckily Rebecca and Doc have each other when Hauser's being guarded. "It's us against Hauser sometimes, very much," Garcia said. "I think we have this kind of relationship where we look out for each other. She does the ass kicking stuff; I do the vagrant. But we also try to watch each other's back. We know that we have to deal with Hauser -- and Hauser's not going to always give us a lot of information, so there are sometimes moments where we just find ourselves having to be in cahoots with each other, I think."
Jones agreed, adding: "I really like what the writers have done with their relationship. ... I like that Rebecca is not quick to trust people. There's very few people in her life that she allows herself to get close to and trust and I like that the writers aren't so quick to make Rebecca and Doc best friends. There's a relationship that's built and sometimes they have a moment together and sometimes she pushes him away; but that's something I'm really grateful to the writers for, because it allows Doc and Rebecca to actually get to know each other and learn how to trust each other."
Unlike Garcia, Jones is new to working with Abrams' closely-guarded plot turns, so she's still trying to figure out the show's central mystery: Where did the inmates disappear to?
"A part of each episode is that you get a little bit closer to finding out why these guys are here: Where did they come from, who's running it, you know?" she said. "I don't even know yet -- I'm trying to figure it out. I've got my own theories about it with a bit of the clues that we get every episode, but I'm sure they're not right. I'm sure I'll be way off and have no idea what I was talking about!"
You can attempt to solve the mystery yourself when "Alcatraz" premieres with a two-hour episode on Mon., Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. EST on Fox.
Alcatraz is a term deeply ingrained in our cultural consciousness as a source of mystery and curiosity, so it seems fitting that J.J. Abrams and Elizabeth Sarnoff, two of the genius minds behind the equally enigmatic "Lost," would choose to tackle the iconic island for another high-concept TV series. "Alcatraz" (premiering Mon., Jan. 16, 8 p.m. EST on Fox) might be lacking smoke monsters and polar bears, but there are still plenty of questions to be answered, as HuffPost TV discovered when we visited the Vancouver-based set in October.
The show's story begins in March 1963, when history tells us the prison was closed due to unmanageable operating costs and the erosion of buildings from years of salt water exposure. But in the world of "Alcatraz," the true reason for the closure is far more compelling: 302 prisoners and guards mysteriously vanish without a trace, only to reappear in our time without having aged. An unlikely team -- Alcatraz historian and comic book writer Doctor Diego Soto (Jorge Garcia), police detective Rebecca Madsen (Sarah Jones) and government agent Emerson Hauser (Sam Neill) -- must work together to capture the returned inmates and discover the truth behind their disappearance.
The series was conceived by Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt, former "Kyle XY" writers, who sold the concept to Abrams' Bad Robot production company. But Sarnoff, who has now stepped down as showrunner, took another stab at the story before shopping around to the networks.
Another "Lost" alum, Jack Bender, serves as executive producer, and he was on hand to answer reporters' questions during the group set visit. On the surface, the two island-based shows share similar DNA -- and not just because of Abrams and Garcia. But Bender insisted that "Alcatraz" is designed to be more accessible than its predecessor.
"I think the networks are certainly afraid of the mythology of the show overpowering an audience's potential to come aboard the train if they've missed a few [episodes]," he said. "I think that our show is going to walk that fine line, hopefully, because each week there is going to be a story unfolding that begins and ends. And there's still this overreaching, 'What happened? How the hell did this happen? What's going on?' vibe to the show that will be, season by season, revealed in a slow fashion so that the mystery stays alive and well."
Mystery series are somewhat dependent on the cast and crew's ability to keep a secret, and Abrams has arguably created a whole sub-genre of television show that's designed to keep the audience guessing, from "Alias" and "Lost" to "Fringe" and "Person of Interest." "Alcatraz" will be no exception.
Garcia, who shot to fame as the lovable Hurley on "Lost," told The Huffington Post that he's become accustomed to not knowing anything about his character's backstory -- and that he knows better than to ask. "I've gotten used to working this way from having done a show with these people before," he said. "I enjoy having to fill in my own blanks at the beginning. If stuff gets revealed later, even if it seems contradictory, I always feel that contradiction is what makes us people. So when you behave in a way that's not how people would have expected, it's a very human way to behave. So I've always enjoyed those moments myself as an actor."
While Garcia admitted that his new character on "Alcatraz" has his humorous moments, fans shouldn't expect Hurley 2.0 from Doc Soto. "It's fun finding a new guy. I'm digging what they've been writing for me," he said. "I wear a lot more clothes than on 'Lost' -- I've been doing that and I did that for six years; now let's explore somebody new and go see where I would go with it a different way."
Though Garcia and Neill's characters are integral parts of the story, Detective Rebecca Madsen is our true entry point to the mystery. She's a Scully-esque skeptic whose family history is inexorably linked to the prison. Sarah Jones has appeared in numerous guest spots and recurring roles (most notably in "Big Love" and "Sons of Anarchy"), but "Alcatraz" marks her first experience as the lead.
Jones described the show as a "procedural hybrid" that balances the weekly mysteries with added character development and ongoing mythology. In terms of her character, Jones said: "It's about her journey into a very new phase, a new chapter in her life that connects her to her past that she didn't know about before. Her world is basically turned upside down in the pilot and [the show] follows her through trying to put the pieces together, while she's catching the worst of the worst coming back and wreaking havoc on the good people of America."
Though Sam Neill wasn't on set during The Huffington Post's visit, his co-star helped shed a little light on Neill's cryptic Emerson Hauser, a member of a shadowy government agency who seems to know far more about the secrets of Alcatraz than he's letting on.
"There's definitely secrets he's keeping from them," Garcia admitted. "He lets stuff out, but really lets it out in a very thin trickle. It's not like a big idea of you become president and then go, 'All right, let me show you what's in the secret closet where the aliens are.' It becomes very need-to-know with him, because he's old-school G-man."
Luckily Rebecca and Doc have each other when Hauser's being guarded. "It's us against Hauser sometimes, very much," Garcia said. "I think we have this kind of relationship where we look out for each other. She does the ass kicking stuff; I do the vagrant. But we also try to watch each other's back. We know that we have to deal with Hauser -- and Hauser's not going to always give us a lot of information, so there are sometimes moments where we just find ourselves having to be in cahoots with each other, I think."
Jones agreed, adding: "I really like what the writers have done with their relationship. ... I like that Rebecca is not quick to trust people. There's very few people in her life that she allows herself to get close to and trust and I like that the writers aren't so quick to make Rebecca and Doc best friends. There's a relationship that's built and sometimes they have a moment together and sometimes she pushes him away; but that's something I'm really grateful to the writers for, because it allows Doc and Rebecca to actually get to know each other and learn how to trust each other."
Unlike Garcia, Jones is new to working with Abrams' closely-guarded plot turns, so she's still trying to figure out the show's central mystery: Where did the inmates disappear to?
"A part of each episode is that you get a little bit closer to finding out why these guys are here: Where did they come from, who's running it, you know?" she said. "I don't even know yet -- I'm trying to figure it out. I've got my own theories about it with a bit of the clues that we get every episode, but I'm sure they're not right. I'm sure I'll be way off and have no idea what I was talking about!"
You can attempt to solve the mystery yourself when "Alcatraz" premieres with a two-hour episode on Mon., Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. EST on Fox.
Alesha quits Strictly for BGT panel
Alesha quits Strictly for BGT panel
Strictly Come Dancing's Alesha Dixon is leaving the show to join the judging panel of hit ITV show Britain's Got Talent, the singer has announced.
Dixon said she will be joining Simon Cowell when he returns to the talent show's judging panel this year.
The 33-year-old, who has spent three years judging dancers on Strictly, will now sit alongside Little Britain actor and comedian David Walliams and Amanda Holden, who is returning to the show for its sixth series.
A statement on her website said: "Alesha has decided not to return to Strictly Come Dancing after a successful three-series run and will instead be joining the Britain's Got Talent panel, alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and David Walliams."
Dixon said: "After three incredible years on the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel I have decided that it is time to move on.
"Strictly Come Dancing will always hold a special place in my heart as it has been such an amazing experience, both as a winning competitor and as a judge.
"I would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved in the show, the production team, my fellow judges, and a very special thank you to the fans for their support."
A spokeswoman for the BBC said: "Alesha has had three very successful series and we wish her well for the future.
"The BBC gave her a fantastic opportunity and she has really grown her career and she is now off for a different challenge.
"We are now looking forward to announcing our new panel in due course."
Strictly Come Dancing's Alesha Dixon is leaving the show to join the judging panel of hit ITV show Britain's Got Talent, the singer has announced.
Dixon said she will be joining Simon Cowell when he returns to the talent show's judging panel this year.
The 33-year-old, who has spent three years judging dancers on Strictly, will now sit alongside Little Britain actor and comedian David Walliams and Amanda Holden, who is returning to the show for its sixth series.
A statement on her website said: "Alesha has decided not to return to Strictly Come Dancing after a successful three-series run and will instead be joining the Britain's Got Talent panel, alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and David Walliams."
Dixon said: "After three incredible years on the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel I have decided that it is time to move on.
"Strictly Come Dancing will always hold a special place in my heart as it has been such an amazing experience, both as a winning competitor and as a judge.
"I would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved in the show, the production team, my fellow judges, and a very special thank you to the fans for their support."
A spokeswoman for the BBC said: "Alesha has had three very successful series and we wish her well for the future.
"The BBC gave her a fantastic opportunity and she has really grown her career and she is now off for a different challenge.
"We are now looking forward to announcing our new panel in due course."
Interview: "It's a Brad, Brad World" Star Brad Goreski
Interview: "It's a Brad, Brad World" Star Brad Goreski
While he first came to reality TV fame for his three seasons on "The Rachel Zoe Project," stylist Brad Goreski has now struck out on his own and has not only started his own business styling celebrities but cameras are also present to catch the ups and downs as he headlines the new Bravo series, "It's a Brad, Brad World." In tonight's premiere episode, viewers will see that Brad's business is off to a slow start and while he tries to jumpstart that side of his life, viewers will also get a window into his home life with partner Gary Janetti and, of course, his dog Penelope. Our Jim Halterman sat down with Goreski recently to talk about shaping the new series, the rift between himself and Zoe as well as what fans can expect to see when they step into his world.
In the beginning of the series, we see you struggling and working out of your garage, which I thought was appealing instead of just seeing you at the top of your game from the start.
Brad Goreski: I think there is a clip going around right now of me saying I was Rachel Zoe's assistant, now what? It was really very much like I wasn't prepared. I don't know if you ever really are. I didn't have any of the pieces in place because I didn't want to do that. When I told Rachel I was leaving, I didn't really want to have a lot of things in place because I wanted to finish out with her and be focused on that job as opposed to taking meetings and doing all this stuff. I really waited until I was finished. I remember waking up the next day having usually just gone to work and start my requests and have fittings, and I was like, "What do I do? I don't know what I do. How do I get clients?' There were so many variables. I didn't have an assistant for such a long time, too. By the time a few months went on, I was really kind of at my wit's end.
You talk about what happened between you and Rachel in the first episode, which I guess you kind of had to since she said in her show that you left and started chasing her clients.
BG: I wanted to address it in the beginning of the show but the show wasn't about that. It was very important to me that it wasn't about whatever drama was happening because I just don't feel like it's important. I feel like people go off and do their own thing. I think having had almost three years with her is different than, say, leaving after I had six months with her. I really did put in my time. It was definitely time for me to move on and I was hoping that she would be able to understand my reasons for going off on my own. We released a press release saying the reasons that I was leaving or what I was going to do so I found it a little strange that... I do feel a little bit [like] I was character assassinated for no reason. I continue to say positive things about Rachel and I always will because my feelings towards her aren't negative.
Having had the experience of doing Rachel's show, were there mandates for your show where you said 'This I want to do or this I don't have any interest in doing?'
BG: We knew that it was going to be about me starting up my business, but I didn't really want there to be any shape. We mapped it around the things that were coming up for me naturally, but I wanted to be very open. I wanted to be very open as well to the audience and allow myself to kind of be exposed in a way, which I am sure maybe will be a little bit hard to deal with once the show has aired because I have cracked myself open in a sense. As somebody who watches reality TV and has had that experience, I was the same way on Rachel's show, that I just wanted it to be very much... I cried so much in this season. [laughs] My tears-per-episode is quite high. There was just a lot going on. I thought after every time I cried, there was a little moment in my head where I am like, "Am I up to like number six? What is going on with me?" It is what was happening at the time. I felt like when we were filming, I thought that it was really fun. There is a lot of fashion in it. There is a lot of my personal life in it. It seems like the feedback I am getting from Twitter and what people are seeing of the teasers and stuff that people are excited.
Is there somebody that you have still yet to work with that you are dying to?
BG: It is funny. I get asked this a lot. For me, I don't really have a bucket list of people. I feel like for me it has been really organic the people who have come in to be my clients. I definitely have a few people that I really like. I love Emma Watson. I love Diane Kruger, all of the big red carpet people, but I am excited about the new people that come my way who are ready to be transformed and have an image made. The process has been very, very organic. I am excited about the people I am working with at the moment.
You and Gary have been together for ten years and he's a television writer. [Janetti has written for 'Will & Grace' and 'Family Guy.'] Do you think the fact that you're both in the entertainment business helps the relationship?
BG: I think so. I think because he understands too. He works with actors and actresses such as I do. Obviously, we work in different ways. He really understands what being involved in the entertainment industry is about and the amount of energy and work that it takes. He is a writer so when he is writing I don't bother him. When I am really in the midst of being on a press tour with somebody or something, he respects that boundary with me as well. It is about our work. It is about what we do, and then when I come home, we reconnect again.
You're all about color in your clothing and in styling celebrities. What is it about a little pop of color that can make such a difference?
BG: People love it. I have people stop me all of the time when I am wearing a lot of color. It would be interesting to watch the show back because I was very into Jil Sander color blocking, crazy over-the-top stuff. I will be interested to see but I am sure I will still be fond of it. There is one outfit I wore that was a royal blue blazer with a raspberry-colored shirt with yellow pants that I wore one day and a bright orange suit and all kinds of crazy stuff. It was really fun.
I noticed the music in your show isn't the same cookie cutter stuff you usually hear in reality shows.
BG: My big thing was I have heard the same music over and over again. was really interested in trying to create a new sound, as well, from the songs I have been influenced by and also just because I am so driven by music that I really wanted the audience to get a fully different experience from what they were watching to what they were hearing and also the way the show is edited... I just wanted it all to seem fresh and new. For somebody who is in the business of style and creating, I thought that it was important that we kind of make a different mark. I think they have done a really good job of doing that. One of the other things we wanted to try to do with this show was to make it visually different, which I think they have done a really good job doing.
"It's a Brad, Brad World" airs every Monday at 10:00/9:00c on Bravo.
While he first came to reality TV fame for his three seasons on "The Rachel Zoe Project," stylist Brad Goreski has now struck out on his own and has not only started his own business styling celebrities but cameras are also present to catch the ups and downs as he headlines the new Bravo series, "It's a Brad, Brad World." In tonight's premiere episode, viewers will see that Brad's business is off to a slow start and while he tries to jumpstart that side of his life, viewers will also get a window into his home life with partner Gary Janetti and, of course, his dog Penelope. Our Jim Halterman sat down with Goreski recently to talk about shaping the new series, the rift between himself and Zoe as well as what fans can expect to see when they step into his world.
In the beginning of the series, we see you struggling and working out of your garage, which I thought was appealing instead of just seeing you at the top of your game from the start.
Brad Goreski: I think there is a clip going around right now of me saying I was Rachel Zoe's assistant, now what? It was really very much like I wasn't prepared. I don't know if you ever really are. I didn't have any of the pieces in place because I didn't want to do that. When I told Rachel I was leaving, I didn't really want to have a lot of things in place because I wanted to finish out with her and be focused on that job as opposed to taking meetings and doing all this stuff. I really waited until I was finished. I remember waking up the next day having usually just gone to work and start my requests and have fittings, and I was like, "What do I do? I don't know what I do. How do I get clients?' There were so many variables. I didn't have an assistant for such a long time, too. By the time a few months went on, I was really kind of at my wit's end.
You talk about what happened between you and Rachel in the first episode, which I guess you kind of had to since she said in her show that you left and started chasing her clients.
BG: I wanted to address it in the beginning of the show but the show wasn't about that. It was very important to me that it wasn't about whatever drama was happening because I just don't feel like it's important. I feel like people go off and do their own thing. I think having had almost three years with her is different than, say, leaving after I had six months with her. I really did put in my time. It was definitely time for me to move on and I was hoping that she would be able to understand my reasons for going off on my own. We released a press release saying the reasons that I was leaving or what I was going to do so I found it a little strange that... I do feel a little bit [like] I was character assassinated for no reason. I continue to say positive things about Rachel and I always will because my feelings towards her aren't negative.
Having had the experience of doing Rachel's show, were there mandates for your show where you said 'This I want to do or this I don't have any interest in doing?'
BG: We knew that it was going to be about me starting up my business, but I didn't really want there to be any shape. We mapped it around the things that were coming up for me naturally, but I wanted to be very open. I wanted to be very open as well to the audience and allow myself to kind of be exposed in a way, which I am sure maybe will be a little bit hard to deal with once the show has aired because I have cracked myself open in a sense. As somebody who watches reality TV and has had that experience, I was the same way on Rachel's show, that I just wanted it to be very much... I cried so much in this season. [laughs] My tears-per-episode is quite high. There was just a lot going on. I thought after every time I cried, there was a little moment in my head where I am like, "Am I up to like number six? What is going on with me?" It is what was happening at the time. I felt like when we were filming, I thought that it was really fun. There is a lot of fashion in it. There is a lot of my personal life in it. It seems like the feedback I am getting from Twitter and what people are seeing of the teasers and stuff that people are excited.
Is there somebody that you have still yet to work with that you are dying to?
BG: It is funny. I get asked this a lot. For me, I don't really have a bucket list of people. I feel like for me it has been really organic the people who have come in to be my clients. I definitely have a few people that I really like. I love Emma Watson. I love Diane Kruger, all of the big red carpet people, but I am excited about the new people that come my way who are ready to be transformed and have an image made. The process has been very, very organic. I am excited about the people I am working with at the moment.
You and Gary have been together for ten years and he's a television writer. [Janetti has written for 'Will & Grace' and 'Family Guy.'] Do you think the fact that you're both in the entertainment business helps the relationship?
BG: I think so. I think because he understands too. He works with actors and actresses such as I do. Obviously, we work in different ways. He really understands what being involved in the entertainment industry is about and the amount of energy and work that it takes. He is a writer so when he is writing I don't bother him. When I am really in the midst of being on a press tour with somebody or something, he respects that boundary with me as well. It is about our work. It is about what we do, and then when I come home, we reconnect again.
You're all about color in your clothing and in styling celebrities. What is it about a little pop of color that can make such a difference?
BG: People love it. I have people stop me all of the time when I am wearing a lot of color. It would be interesting to watch the show back because I was very into Jil Sander color blocking, crazy over-the-top stuff. I will be interested to see but I am sure I will still be fond of it. There is one outfit I wore that was a royal blue blazer with a raspberry-colored shirt with yellow pants that I wore one day and a bright orange suit and all kinds of crazy stuff. It was really fun.
I noticed the music in your show isn't the same cookie cutter stuff you usually hear in reality shows.
BG: My big thing was I have heard the same music over and over again. was really interested in trying to create a new sound, as well, from the songs I have been influenced by and also just because I am so driven by music that I really wanted the audience to get a fully different experience from what they were watching to what they were hearing and also the way the show is edited... I just wanted it all to seem fresh and new. For somebody who is in the business of style and creating, I thought that it was important that we kind of make a different mark. I think they have done a really good job of doing that. One of the other things we wanted to try to do with this show was to make it visually different, which I think they have done a really good job doing.
"It's a Brad, Brad World" airs every Monday at 10:00/9:00c on Bravo.
'30 Rock': Tina Fey and Writers Plot Kim Jong Il's Death
'30 Rock': Tina Fey and Writers Plot Kim Jong Il's Death
The death of the North Korean dictator, who was played by Margaret Cho in a particularly ridiculous fifth season storyline, will be addressed further down the line.
The Jan. 12 return of 30 Rock will definitely take the NBC comedy back to North Korea.
Jack's (Alec Baldwin) wife Avery (Elizabeth Banks) remains a hostage of the country after traveling there on assignment as a journalist, where she immediately won the affection of despot Kim Jong Il (a gender-bending Margaret Cho). The parody's future appearances will just now take place from beyond the grave.
US Weekly reports 30 Rock producer and Tina Fey's fellow showrunner Robert Carlock says that the dictator's Dec. 18 death will find its way into the upcoming season. And since the first half of the season was completed before the news, viewers will just have to wait awhile.
"Jack's love life is pretty complicated and it just got more complicated because I think, technically, Avery is the First Lady of North Korea," Carlock said.
Though that doesn't mean references to Kim Jong Il will necessarily be outdated.
"We realized that, luckily, we hadn't referred to King Jong Il by name yet -- just to North Korea in general," Carlock said. "We can't go back and address the changes there, but the fun puzzle is turning around and trying to figure out how to get her out of there and how to continue things."
As for how they'll deal with Kim Jong Il's demise, Carlock doesn't even completely sold on offing the supreme leader.
"Maybe we'll have to have Margaret Cho showing up again having faked her death," he said, "because she wants to get a gig on a morning talk show."
The death of the North Korean dictator, who was played by Margaret Cho in a particularly ridiculous fifth season storyline, will be addressed further down the line.
The Jan. 12 return of 30 Rock will definitely take the NBC comedy back to North Korea.
Jack's (Alec Baldwin) wife Avery (Elizabeth Banks) remains a hostage of the country after traveling there on assignment as a journalist, where she immediately won the affection of despot Kim Jong Il (a gender-bending Margaret Cho). The parody's future appearances will just now take place from beyond the grave.
US Weekly reports 30 Rock producer and Tina Fey's fellow showrunner Robert Carlock says that the dictator's Dec. 18 death will find its way into the upcoming season. And since the first half of the season was completed before the news, viewers will just have to wait awhile.
"Jack's love life is pretty complicated and it just got more complicated because I think, technically, Avery is the First Lady of North Korea," Carlock said.
Though that doesn't mean references to Kim Jong Il will necessarily be outdated.
"We realized that, luckily, we hadn't referred to King Jong Il by name yet -- just to North Korea in general," Carlock said. "We can't go back and address the changes there, but the fun puzzle is turning around and trying to figure out how to get her out of there and how to continue things."
As for how they'll deal with Kim Jong Il's demise, Carlock doesn't even completely sold on offing the supreme leader.
"Maybe we'll have to have Margaret Cho showing up again having faked her death," he said, "because she wants to get a gig on a morning talk show."
'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Brandi Glanville Married on New Year's Day
'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Brandi Glanville Married on New Year's Day
The divorcee announced the wedding to her friend and manager for MMA fighters, Darin Harvey, on Twitter.
“I'm married again- suuuuuuck it!” the blushing bride tweeted to her followers early Monday morning. She identifies the lucky groom as her friend, Darin Harvey, “a great guy” who manages mixed martial arts fighters.
According to her tweets and photo posts, the bride wore a pair of leggings and decided to go traditional with a white top. The groom wore baggy faded jeans, a white shirt, and topped off the outfit with a cardigan. They made the bond official with a kiss while standing in what appears to be a large ceramic cup.
Following the nuptials, the couple held a reception for guests at Spearmint Rhino, a Vegas strip club. “#GodBlessStrippers” was apparently the wedding’s preferred hash tag.
Brandi had a lot to say about the event while the groom romantically tweeted, “Don't worry @BrandiGlanville and I had a crazy Vegas moment. Getting annulled tomorrow.”
This isn’t the first wedding for Brandi. She famously divorced actor Eddie Cibrian in Oct. 2010 after nine years of marriage and two children together. She then carried on a very public war with his next girlfriend, singer LeAnn Rimes, who he had reportedly started dating while he was still married to Brandi. Cibrian and Rimes married in April of last year.
Brandi joined Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills for the currently airing second season, but the network doesn’t refer to her as an official housewife -- and apparently neither does her new husband.
The divorcee announced the wedding to her friend and manager for MMA fighters, Darin Harvey, on Twitter.
“I'm married again- suuuuuuck it!” the blushing bride tweeted to her followers early Monday morning. She identifies the lucky groom as her friend, Darin Harvey, “a great guy” who manages mixed martial arts fighters.
According to her tweets and photo posts, the bride wore a pair of leggings and decided to go traditional with a white top. The groom wore baggy faded jeans, a white shirt, and topped off the outfit with a cardigan. They made the bond official with a kiss while standing in what appears to be a large ceramic cup.
Following the nuptials, the couple held a reception for guests at Spearmint Rhino, a Vegas strip club. “#GodBlessStrippers” was apparently the wedding’s preferred hash tag.
Brandi had a lot to say about the event while the groom romantically tweeted, “Don't worry @BrandiGlanville and I had a crazy Vegas moment. Getting annulled tomorrow.”
This isn’t the first wedding for Brandi. She famously divorced actor Eddie Cibrian in Oct. 2010 after nine years of marriage and two children together. She then carried on a very public war with his next girlfriend, singer LeAnn Rimes, who he had reportedly started dating while he was still married to Brandi. Cibrian and Rimes married in April of last year.
Brandi joined Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills for the currently airing second season, but the network doesn’t refer to her as an official housewife -- and apparently neither does her new husband.
Figure Skater Johnny Weir Marries
Figure Skater Johnny Weir Marries
Figure skating champion Johnny Weir and boyfriend Victor Vornov married on New Year's Eve.
Weir took to Twitter to announce the news. "I'm married!" he tweeted. "No more livin' in sin!"
Photo gallery: Winter TV preview
For those concerned about missing out on the wedding — there wasn't one. Weir tweeted: "Wedding in summer! But all the official stuff is done now!"
Weir served as a judge on ABC's Skating With the Stars, where he became notorious for feuding with contestants Bethenny Frankel and fellow figure skater Evan Lysacek.
Figure skating champion Johnny Weir and boyfriend Victor Vornov married on New Year's Eve.
Weir took to Twitter to announce the news. "I'm married!" he tweeted. "No more livin' in sin!"
Photo gallery: Winter TV preview
For those concerned about missing out on the wedding — there wasn't one. Weir tweeted: "Wedding in summer! But all the official stuff is done now!"
Weir served as a judge on ABC's Skating With the Stars, where he became notorious for feuding with contestants Bethenny Frankel and fellow figure skater Evan Lysacek.
Joan Collins to cameo in Downton?
Joan Collins to cameo in Downton?
Joan Collins is rumoured to have been lined up for a cameo in the new series of Downton Abbey.
After Nigel Havers proved a hit in the Christmas episode, producers are said to be hoping to sign up a number of star cameos for next year's series, set in the roaring twenties.
Joan, who is a huge fan of the show, tweeted: "Lots of tweets from people who think I should be in Downton Abbey. I think every actor in the UK would like to be, but I'd love to!!"
An insider told the Daily Express Joan is one of the stars the producers have in mind.
The 78-year-old Dynasty actress could also be making another cameo appearance in 2012.
In April her novelist sister Jackie Collins revealed that Joan is a big fan of ITV holiday sitcom Benidorm, and is keen to appear on the show.
Joan Collins is rumoured to have been lined up for a cameo in the new series of Downton Abbey.
After Nigel Havers proved a hit in the Christmas episode, producers are said to be hoping to sign up a number of star cameos for next year's series, set in the roaring twenties.
Joan, who is a huge fan of the show, tweeted: "Lots of tweets from people who think I should be in Downton Abbey. I think every actor in the UK would like to be, but I'd love to!!"
An insider told the Daily Express Joan is one of the stars the producers have in mind.
The 78-year-old Dynasty actress could also be making another cameo appearance in 2012.
In April her novelist sister Jackie Collins revealed that Joan is a big fan of ITV holiday sitcom Benidorm, and is keen to appear on the show.
NFL Playoff Schedule 2012
NFL Playoff Schedule 2012
Twelve teams begin their quest for Super Bowl XLVI this Saturday.
Twelve teams begin their quest for Super Bowl XLVI (46) beginning this Saturday when the New Orleans Saints host the Detroit Lions and the Houston Texans take on the Cincinnati Bengals in the day's wild card match-ups.
The following day, wild card games pit the Atlanta Falcons against the New York Giants (who secured the spot with a victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the regular season's final game on Jan. 1), and the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Denver Broncos. NBC, Fox and CBS will broadcast the wild card weekend games.
The New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers join in for divisional playoffs the following weekend.
Super Bowl XLVI takes place Sunday, Feb. 5, and will be telecast on NBC. The game will also be officially live streamed for the first time ever. Madonna will be the halftime performer.
The Pro Bowl and NBC’s broadcasts of wild card playoff games will also be available on the NFL and NBC websites through Verizon’s NFL Mobile app.
Wild-card games
Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012
AFC - Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texans, 4:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
NFC - Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)
Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012
NFC - Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)
AFC - Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos, 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
Divisional playoffs
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012
New England Patriots vs. TBD, 8 p.m. ET
San Francisco 49ers vs.TBD, 4 p.m. ET
Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012
Baltimore Ravens (12-4) vs. TBD, 1 p.m. ET
Green Bay Packers (15-1) vs. TBD, 4:30 p.m. ET
Twelve teams begin their quest for Super Bowl XLVI this Saturday.
Twelve teams begin their quest for Super Bowl XLVI (46) beginning this Saturday when the New Orleans Saints host the Detroit Lions and the Houston Texans take on the Cincinnati Bengals in the day's wild card match-ups.
The following day, wild card games pit the Atlanta Falcons against the New York Giants (who secured the spot with a victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the regular season's final game on Jan. 1), and the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Denver Broncos. NBC, Fox and CBS will broadcast the wild card weekend games.
The New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers join in for divisional playoffs the following weekend.
Super Bowl XLVI takes place Sunday, Feb. 5, and will be telecast on NBC. The game will also be officially live streamed for the first time ever. Madonna will be the halftime performer.
The Pro Bowl and NBC’s broadcasts of wild card playoff games will also be available on the NFL and NBC websites through Verizon’s NFL Mobile app.
Wild-card games
Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012
AFC - Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texans, 4:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
NFC - Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)
Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012
NFC - Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)
AFC - Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos, 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
Divisional playoffs
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012
New England Patriots vs. TBD, 8 p.m. ET
San Francisco 49ers vs.TBD, 4 p.m. ET
Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012
Baltimore Ravens (12-4) vs. TBD, 1 p.m. ET
Green Bay Packers (15-1) vs. TBD, 4:30 p.m. ET
'Homeland' and '24' EP Howard Gordon Sued Over Fatal Car Accident
'Homeland' and '24' EP Howard Gordon Sued Over Fatal Car Accident
The family of a man struck by Gordon's wife in 2011 is seeking damages from the producer's family.
Howard Gordon, executive producer of Showtime's Homeland and the upcoming NBC drama Awake, is being sued by the family of a man who Gordan's wife fatally hit with her car in 2011.
Cambria Lee Gordon struck 83-year-old pedestrian William Howard Smerling in Santa Monica, California, on July 20 of last year. He was hospitalized but later died.
Now, as TMZ first reported, Smerling's family are seeking damages for his death.
Mrs. Gordon took her eyes off the wheel when her cell phone fell off the seat and onto her car's floor. She immediately stopped on the scene and has since fully cooperated with law enforcement. Since both Gordon and his wife are registered owners of the vehicle, they're both being sued.
Only Mrs. Gordon faces misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charges, for which the maximum punishment is one year in jail.
Homeland was recently nominated for three Golden Globe awards and three Writers Guild of America awards.
The family of a man struck by Gordon's wife in 2011 is seeking damages from the producer's family.
Howard Gordon, executive producer of Showtime's Homeland and the upcoming NBC drama Awake, is being sued by the family of a man who Gordan's wife fatally hit with her car in 2011.
Cambria Lee Gordon struck 83-year-old pedestrian William Howard Smerling in Santa Monica, California, on July 20 of last year. He was hospitalized but later died.
Now, as TMZ first reported, Smerling's family are seeking damages for his death.
Mrs. Gordon took her eyes off the wheel when her cell phone fell off the seat and onto her car's floor. She immediately stopped on the scene and has since fully cooperated with law enforcement. Since both Gordon and his wife are registered owners of the vehicle, they're both being sued.
Only Mrs. Gordon faces misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charges, for which the maximum punishment is one year in jail.
Homeland was recently nominated for three Golden Globe awards and three Writers Guild of America awards.
2012 UK TV Preview
2012 UK TV Preview
An early New Year highlight will be the second series of ‘Sherlock’ (New Year’s Day, 8.10pm, BBC1). Three stand-alone feature-length films lie in wait for the brilliantly eccentric Benedict Cumberbatch and the stolid, long-suffering Martin Freeman. Both are perfectly cast in their roles as Sherlock and Watson, and the three stories – ‘A Scandal In Belgravia’, ‘The Hounds Of Baskerville’ and ‘The Reichenbach Fall’ – get the year’s TV off to flyer.
Later in 2012, Cumberbatch stars in ‘Parade’s End’, a story about the lives and loves of the aristocracy around the time of World War I. He plays a conservative landowner who is having an illicit relationship with Rebecca Hall’s spirited suffragette; while Adelaide Clemens is his beautiful, vicious, socialite wife. Adapted from Ford Madox Ford's novels by Sir Tom Stoppard, and with a quality supporting cast on board, this looks like it could be top class.
Talking of the antics of the historical elite, ‘Downton Abbey’ will return in September. In the meantime, its creator Julian Fellowes has turned his prolific pen to the enduringly fascinating story of the ‘Titanic’ in a four-part drama coming to ITV1 this Spring. Linus Roache, Celia Imrie and Toby Jones star. Fellowes promises that the action will focus not on the first-class passengers, or the poor devils in steerage, but the (as he claims) “previously untold” stories of the second class passengers. Sadly, despite our repeated letters, he has refused to include the Downton cast in the yarn; we believe that Miracle Recovery Matthew could have saved the day with some amphibious wheelchair heroics.
Staying with the historical, men of a certain age upon whom the shower scene in ‘American Werewolf In London’ left a profound and lasting effect will be delighted to know that the peerlessly lovely Jenny Agutter will be back on screens in 2012. She heads the cast of ‘Call The Midwife’ (Miranda Hart is also involved) in a period drama about, well, midwives in 1950s East London. It looks a bit like a classier version of ‘The Royal’ (if such a thing is possible).
From the same era, newsroom drama ‘The Hour’ returns for a second series, and we’re excited that Peter Capaldi is joining the cast. The series will move on to 1957 and focus on the Cold War; presumably there will not be any Malcolm Tucker-like swearing.
Talking of journalism, we’ll be keeping our eye out for ‘Hacks’, starring Claire Foy as a tabloid editor on Channel 4 early in the year. Written by ‘Drop The Dead Donkey’ creator Guy Jenkin, it sounds like a dark black comedy about the lengths newspapers will go to in their search for the story.
One woman with an opinion on that is Sienna Miller, who takes time off from sticking it to the media to star in an interesting-sounding drama about Alfred Hitchcock (played by Toby Jones). La Miller plays Tippi Hedren, who was the star of ‘The Birds’, and the object of Hitch’s obsession. ‘The Girl’ is a feature-length film and will be on BBC2.
If there’s anything that TV producers like more than a detective, it’s a “reimagining” of a beloved character as a youngster. Inspector Morse is the latest to get the treatment in ‘Endeavour’ (January 2nd, 9pm, ITV1). Steven Evans plays the grumpy young sleuth in 1965, already fond of crosswords and his car, investigating the case of a missing schoolgirl that takes him to Oxford. This is a feature-length film, plans are afoot for a series.
BBC2 is also getting in on the crime act with ‘Line Of Duty’ (featuring Vicky McClure and Lenny James), a heavy-sounding exploration of a fatal shooting by police and the ensuing cover-up. Topical comparison’s to 2011’s Mark Duggan case are already being made.
Given the economic times, it’s perhaps no surprise that dramas about winning the lottery are up front in writers’ minds. The great Timothy Spall stars in ‘The Syndicate’ for BBC1, a drama about a group of supermarket workers in Leeds whose lives are changed by six little numbers, and the fallout from their windfall. The presence of Spall, and the fact that it is written by Kay Mellor (‘Band Of Gold’, ‘Fat Friends’) pretty much guarantees that this five-parter will be warm, human and bittersweet.
We don’t know too much about Australian import ‘Winners And Losers’, which is coming to ITV2, other than to say that it’s about four unpopular girls whose lives are turned upside down by a lottery win.
One of the most intriguing ideas on the horizon is ‘Eternal Law’, which comes to ITV1 in January and imagines two angels sent to earth… to work in a law firm and influence humanity for good. Ashley Pharoah and Matthew Graham, writers of ‘Life On Mars’, are the men behind the frankly implausible idea of lawyers being anything other than devils, but we’re looking forward to seeing how this works out.
January will also see Sky 1 dip their toes in big-budget drama with the lavish ‘Treasure Island’. A mighty cast including Eddie Izzard, Elijah Wood, Philip Glenister and Donald Sutherland tackle Robert Louis Stevenson’s great pirate yarn, and jolly good fun it is too.
In the world of comedy, we’re excited about rumours that ‘Mid-morning Matters With Alan Partridge’ might be coming to BBC2, although details are as yet unclear. Jack Whitehall is set for a BBC3 comedy about a useless teacher in ‘Bad Education’, while the delightfully quirky Zooey Deschanel comes to Channel4 in a sitcom about a girl who finds her boyfriend is cheating on her. She moves in with three blokes, and laughs ensue in ‘The New Girl’, which is on the channel in January.
Warwick Davis of ‘Life’s Too Short’ has been doing a pilot of a comedy panel game called ‘Ace Of Clubs’, and Sharon Horgan (‘Pulling’) stars in a fun-sounding BBC3 production about a woman wrongly imprisoned for murdering her boss. It’s called ‘Life Story’.
However, none of these sound like they might be as (unintentionally) funny as the surely dire reboot of ‘Dallas’ that is coming to Channel 5. And finally, great news for fans of campery: there’s a shake-up in the ‘Dancing On Ice’ panel as Gardiner and Bunton get the chop in favour of skating legend Katarina Witt… and Louie Spence!
An early New Year highlight will be the second series of ‘Sherlock’ (New Year’s Day, 8.10pm, BBC1). Three stand-alone feature-length films lie in wait for the brilliantly eccentric Benedict Cumberbatch and the stolid, long-suffering Martin Freeman. Both are perfectly cast in their roles as Sherlock and Watson, and the three stories – ‘A Scandal In Belgravia’, ‘The Hounds Of Baskerville’ and ‘The Reichenbach Fall’ – get the year’s TV off to flyer.
Later in 2012, Cumberbatch stars in ‘Parade’s End’, a story about the lives and loves of the aristocracy around the time of World War I. He plays a conservative landowner who is having an illicit relationship with Rebecca Hall’s spirited suffragette; while Adelaide Clemens is his beautiful, vicious, socialite wife. Adapted from Ford Madox Ford's novels by Sir Tom Stoppard, and with a quality supporting cast on board, this looks like it could be top class.
Talking of the antics of the historical elite, ‘Downton Abbey’ will return in September. In the meantime, its creator Julian Fellowes has turned his prolific pen to the enduringly fascinating story of the ‘Titanic’ in a four-part drama coming to ITV1 this Spring. Linus Roache, Celia Imrie and Toby Jones star. Fellowes promises that the action will focus not on the first-class passengers, or the poor devils in steerage, but the (as he claims) “previously untold” stories of the second class passengers. Sadly, despite our repeated letters, he has refused to include the Downton cast in the yarn; we believe that Miracle Recovery Matthew could have saved the day with some amphibious wheelchair heroics.
Staying with the historical, men of a certain age upon whom the shower scene in ‘American Werewolf In London’ left a profound and lasting effect will be delighted to know that the peerlessly lovely Jenny Agutter will be back on screens in 2012. She heads the cast of ‘Call The Midwife’ (Miranda Hart is also involved) in a period drama about, well, midwives in 1950s East London. It looks a bit like a classier version of ‘The Royal’ (if such a thing is possible).
From the same era, newsroom drama ‘The Hour’ returns for a second series, and we’re excited that Peter Capaldi is joining the cast. The series will move on to 1957 and focus on the Cold War; presumably there will not be any Malcolm Tucker-like swearing.
Talking of journalism, we’ll be keeping our eye out for ‘Hacks’, starring Claire Foy as a tabloid editor on Channel 4 early in the year. Written by ‘Drop The Dead Donkey’ creator Guy Jenkin, it sounds like a dark black comedy about the lengths newspapers will go to in their search for the story.
One woman with an opinion on that is Sienna Miller, who takes time off from sticking it to the media to star in an interesting-sounding drama about Alfred Hitchcock (played by Toby Jones). La Miller plays Tippi Hedren, who was the star of ‘The Birds’, and the object of Hitch’s obsession. ‘The Girl’ is a feature-length film and will be on BBC2.
If there’s anything that TV producers like more than a detective, it’s a “reimagining” of a beloved character as a youngster. Inspector Morse is the latest to get the treatment in ‘Endeavour’ (January 2nd, 9pm, ITV1). Steven Evans plays the grumpy young sleuth in 1965, already fond of crosswords and his car, investigating the case of a missing schoolgirl that takes him to Oxford. This is a feature-length film, plans are afoot for a series.
BBC2 is also getting in on the crime act with ‘Line Of Duty’ (featuring Vicky McClure and Lenny James), a heavy-sounding exploration of a fatal shooting by police and the ensuing cover-up. Topical comparison’s to 2011’s Mark Duggan case are already being made.
Given the economic times, it’s perhaps no surprise that dramas about winning the lottery are up front in writers’ minds. The great Timothy Spall stars in ‘The Syndicate’ for BBC1, a drama about a group of supermarket workers in Leeds whose lives are changed by six little numbers, and the fallout from their windfall. The presence of Spall, and the fact that it is written by Kay Mellor (‘Band Of Gold’, ‘Fat Friends’) pretty much guarantees that this five-parter will be warm, human and bittersweet.
We don’t know too much about Australian import ‘Winners And Losers’, which is coming to ITV2, other than to say that it’s about four unpopular girls whose lives are turned upside down by a lottery win.
One of the most intriguing ideas on the horizon is ‘Eternal Law’, which comes to ITV1 in January and imagines two angels sent to earth… to work in a law firm and influence humanity for good. Ashley Pharoah and Matthew Graham, writers of ‘Life On Mars’, are the men behind the frankly implausible idea of lawyers being anything other than devils, but we’re looking forward to seeing how this works out.
January will also see Sky 1 dip their toes in big-budget drama with the lavish ‘Treasure Island’. A mighty cast including Eddie Izzard, Elijah Wood, Philip Glenister and Donald Sutherland tackle Robert Louis Stevenson’s great pirate yarn, and jolly good fun it is too.
In the world of comedy, we’re excited about rumours that ‘Mid-morning Matters With Alan Partridge’ might be coming to BBC2, although details are as yet unclear. Jack Whitehall is set for a BBC3 comedy about a useless teacher in ‘Bad Education’, while the delightfully quirky Zooey Deschanel comes to Channel4 in a sitcom about a girl who finds her boyfriend is cheating on her. She moves in with three blokes, and laughs ensue in ‘The New Girl’, which is on the channel in January.
Warwick Davis of ‘Life’s Too Short’ has been doing a pilot of a comedy panel game called ‘Ace Of Clubs’, and Sharon Horgan (‘Pulling’) stars in a fun-sounding BBC3 production about a woman wrongly imprisoned for murdering her boss. It’s called ‘Life Story’.
However, none of these sound like they might be as (unintentionally) funny as the surely dire reboot of ‘Dallas’ that is coming to Channel 5. And finally, great news for fans of campery: there’s a shake-up in the ‘Dancing On Ice’ panel as Gardiner and Bunton get the chop in favour of skating legend Katarina Witt… and Louie Spence!
NBC Sports Network Official Launch Replaces Versus on Monday
NBC Sports Network Official Launch Replaces Versus on Monday
Doc about a 40-year-old Canadian hockey grudge and a breakdown of the NHL's 2012 Winter Classic were the channel's centerpieces on its first day of rebranding.
The NBC Sports Network debuted Monday, officially replacing Versus (once named the OLN channel) in a rebranding reboot.
The channel will broadcast sports and sports-related content 24/7, with an emphasis on National Hockey League and Major League Soccer.
NBC touted the rechristened channel's hockey coverage during its Sunday Night Football broadcast of the Giants/Cowboys game on New Year's Day.
NBC Sports Network, or NBCSN for short, kicked off Monday afternoon with post-game analysis of the 2012 NHL Winter Classic followed by the documentary Cold War on Ice: Summit Series '72, about the grudge matches between Canadian and Russian hockey teams 40 years ago.
Earlier this year, the NHL signed a new 10-year exclusive rights deal with parent company Comcast/NBCUniversal that puts 100 NHL games annually on NBC and NBC Sports Network.
Programming for the channel's immediate future includes the new NBC Sports Talk, a Detroit Red Wings vs. Dallas Stars game, Dakar Rally Highlights (Argentinean rider Jorge Martinez Boero fell, suffered a heart attack, and died on the first day of the South American race), and NFL Turning Point.
Doc about a 40-year-old Canadian hockey grudge and a breakdown of the NHL's 2012 Winter Classic were the channel's centerpieces on its first day of rebranding.
The NBC Sports Network debuted Monday, officially replacing Versus (once named the OLN channel) in a rebranding reboot.
The channel will broadcast sports and sports-related content 24/7, with an emphasis on National Hockey League and Major League Soccer.
NBC touted the rechristened channel's hockey coverage during its Sunday Night Football broadcast of the Giants/Cowboys game on New Year's Day.
NBC Sports Network, or NBCSN for short, kicked off Monday afternoon with post-game analysis of the 2012 NHL Winter Classic followed by the documentary Cold War on Ice: Summit Series '72, about the grudge matches between Canadian and Russian hockey teams 40 years ago.
Earlier this year, the NHL signed a new 10-year exclusive rights deal with parent company Comcast/NBCUniversal that puts 100 NHL games annually on NBC and NBC Sports Network.
Programming for the channel's immediate future includes the new NBC Sports Talk, a Detroit Red Wings vs. Dallas Stars game, Dakar Rally Highlights (Argentinean rider Jorge Martinez Boero fell, suffered a heart attack, and died on the first day of the South American race), and NFL Turning Point.
EastEnder 'Mo' set to Dance On Ice
EastEnder 'Mo' set to Dance On Ice
EastEnders star Laila Morse is putting Albert Square on ice while she gets in training for reality television success.
The actress, who plays Mo Harris in the soap, is one of 15 celebrities set to compete in the new series of ITV1's Dancing On Ice.
The 66-year-old, who is the oldest contestant this year, said her family thought she was "mad" to take part but she was looking forward to it.
She said: "I can't wait for all of it - the sparkles, false eyelashes and tans. It's like being pampered. We'll be skating out each Sunday looking like we've been Tangoed."
There is no return for controversial judge Jason Gardiner with two new judges - former Olympic champion Katarina Witt and choreographer Louie Spence - joining Robin Cousins on the panel.
Among the other celebrities taking part in the show, hosted by Phillip Schofield and Christine Bleakley, are Dallas actress Charlene Tilton, 1980s actor Corey Feldman, Sugababe Heidi Range and singer Chesney Hawkes.
The One And Only hitmaker got a shock when he turned up to training and spotted his wife's friend, the skier Chemmy Alcott.
He said: "Chemmy and I are mates, she's friends with my wife. Obviously we're not allowed to say anything, so my first day at the rink I saw Chemmy and I said 'What are you doing here?' and she said 'What are you doing here?'.
"We often banter about who is going to win. Chemmy jokes that it's going to be her but she doesn't realise the power of the Hawk."
Also appearing in this series are fitness guru Rosemary Conley, children's TV presenters Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes, actress Jennifer Ellison, TV presenter Andy Akinwolere, Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden, Hollyoaks star Jorgie Porter, founder of freerunning Sebastien Foucan and Coronation Street star Andy Whyment.
EastEnders star Laila Morse is putting Albert Square on ice while she gets in training for reality television success.
The actress, who plays Mo Harris in the soap, is one of 15 celebrities set to compete in the new series of ITV1's Dancing On Ice.
The 66-year-old, who is the oldest contestant this year, said her family thought she was "mad" to take part but she was looking forward to it.
She said: "I can't wait for all of it - the sparkles, false eyelashes and tans. It's like being pampered. We'll be skating out each Sunday looking like we've been Tangoed."
There is no return for controversial judge Jason Gardiner with two new judges - former Olympic champion Katarina Witt and choreographer Louie Spence - joining Robin Cousins on the panel.
Among the other celebrities taking part in the show, hosted by Phillip Schofield and Christine Bleakley, are Dallas actress Charlene Tilton, 1980s actor Corey Feldman, Sugababe Heidi Range and singer Chesney Hawkes.
The One And Only hitmaker got a shock when he turned up to training and spotted his wife's friend, the skier Chemmy Alcott.
He said: "Chemmy and I are mates, she's friends with my wife. Obviously we're not allowed to say anything, so my first day at the rink I saw Chemmy and I said 'What are you doing here?' and she said 'What are you doing here?'.
"We often banter about who is going to win. Chemmy jokes that it's going to be her but she doesn't realise the power of the Hawk."
Also appearing in this series are fitness guru Rosemary Conley, children's TV presenters Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes, actress Jennifer Ellison, TV presenter Andy Akinwolere, Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden, Hollyoaks star Jorgie Porter, founder of freerunning Sebastien Foucan and Coronation Street star Andy Whyment.
'Sunday Night Football' Giants-Cowboys Game Breaks Record
'Sunday Night Football' Giants-Cowboys Game Breaks Record
NBC's "Sunday Night Football" matchup of the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants scored the highest overnight ratings in the show's six-year history and the highest overnight ratings of any Sunday or Monday primetime game in 13 years, according to preliminary numbers.
The game, in which the Giants beat the Cowboys 31-14 to win the NFC East, scored a 17.1 overnight rating and a 27 share in metered market household ratings. It was the best such rating for any primetime Sunday or Monday game since a Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins game had a 17.4/27 on Dec. 21, 1998 for ABC.
It was also the best overnight rating for any NFL primetime regular-season final game in 17 years. The best was the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings game that earned a 19.6/33 on Dec. 26, 1994, also for ABC.
NBC won the night on the strength of the Cowboys-Giants game, the highest-rated program of the night. From 7-11, it averaged a 12.9/21 in metered markets, topping the 7.5/12 for CBS, which was boosted by NFL overrun. Fox had a 3.0/5 and ABC a 2.5/4.
NBC's "Sunday Night Football" matchup of the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants scored the highest overnight ratings in the show's six-year history and the highest overnight ratings of any Sunday or Monday primetime game in 13 years, according to preliminary numbers.
The game, in which the Giants beat the Cowboys 31-14 to win the NFC East, scored a 17.1 overnight rating and a 27 share in metered market household ratings. It was the best such rating for any primetime Sunday or Monday game since a Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins game had a 17.4/27 on Dec. 21, 1998 for ABC.
It was also the best overnight rating for any NFL primetime regular-season final game in 17 years. The best was the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings game that earned a 19.6/33 on Dec. 26, 1994, also for ABC.
NBC won the night on the strength of the Cowboys-Giants game, the highest-rated program of the night. From 7-11, it averaged a 12.9/21 in metered markets, topping the 7.5/12 for CBS, which was boosted by NFL overrun. Fox had a 3.0/5 and ABC a 2.5/4.
UK Soap preview 2012
UK Soap preview 2012
What’s going to happen in the New Year in Soapland? Well, lots of things, that’s what. If nothing happened, it’d make for very boring TV. But what’s the big news for you to look forward to in the next few months? Look away now if you don’t like spoilers as Jon Horsley looks at what’s coming up in ‘Coronation Street’, ‘EastEnders’ and ‘Emmerdale’ in our 2012 soaps preview…
EastEnders
2011 kicks off with the fall out from Pat’s funeral (depending on when you're reading this – she dies) with Carol’s old love David Wicks back in the Square – but her brothers aren’t going to be too pleased with that, are they? (No). So how long will the old lothario remain?
There’s also the big mystery surrounding the departure of Heather. We know she’s leaving and we think she’s being murdered but by who? And in what circumstances? We fear for the killer when Shirley gets her hands on them.
There’s a new arrival soon in the shape of Ray, Morgan’s dad, who Bianca hasn’t seen for five years. With her and Ricky on rocky ground, it’s going to be interesting to see how that plays out. We’re guessing there’ll be some kind of love/hate sparks and maybe a passionate affair. Just a guess, mind you.
Speaking of love problems, what’s going to happen to the Masoods now that their tormentor in chief is gone? Zainab and Masood are closer again. But will Jane get in the way? Ian and Mandy continue seeing each other of course, but some people are amazed with how much she gets away with – and there could be cracks appearing.
And of course, there are the Mitchells. We’re all waiting to see who is behind Phil’s stalking. It’s got to be someone close to him – and what price do they want him to pay? Will he finally go down for his crimes? We hope so. And we hope when inside he gets addicted to crack again and starts growling around like a red-faced bear all over again.
Coronation Street
Becky’s on her way out, as we’ve known for a while. But the big question is – will she be able to convince Steve that Tracy lied about losing her babies? And if Steve is convinced – say by some medical evidence – what effect will that have on their relationship? It won’t be pretty, we know that much.
And following Becky’s exit, ‘Corrie’ also loses Rosie Webster again. Rosie wins a chance to appear on a fly on the wall show in that London, so ditches Jason right away and hops on the Virgin train. Doesn’t sound like a very final exit, does it? We’ll see Flanagan again, mark our words.
Then there’s Frank’s trial for rape. Carla is put on the witness stand – but his lawyers are going to call her character into question. So it’s a good thing she’s not having any illicit affairs, isn’t it? Oh. Yeah. If Leanne hadn’t messed around with Nick at this time last year, we’d feel sorry for her.
Emmerdale
There’s one thing that hangs over the village – who really attacked Cain? And is he going to tell the police the truth? We’re told there will be a big reveal before the end of January. One thing is for certain – it wasn’t Tom King. Or maybe…
Of course, damaged though Cain is, if Jai and Charity get closer – or even get married – that will finish him off. Can he manage to get in the way of it? As of course he did between John and Moira Barton. The Bartons are split by Moira’s incredibly unlikely affair with Cain. It’s going to continue to have reverberations for poor Holly. And will lead to the departure of one member of the family...
And if you can bear to watch other families in trauma, we've not heard the last of Laurel's dalliance with Marlon. You can't put that kind of thing behind you, not in Soapland. Particularly if Ashley gets the wrong idea into his head. Which he certainly will.
If troubled teens are your bag, then Sean has some meaty storylines as his family fall on hard times. And don’t forget the continuing drama of Amy and her adoption plans for poor little Kyle.
What’s going to happen in the New Year in Soapland? Well, lots of things, that’s what. If nothing happened, it’d make for very boring TV. But what’s the big news for you to look forward to in the next few months? Look away now if you don’t like spoilers as Jon Horsley looks at what’s coming up in ‘Coronation Street’, ‘EastEnders’ and ‘Emmerdale’ in our 2012 soaps preview…
EastEnders
2011 kicks off with the fall out from Pat’s funeral (depending on when you're reading this – she dies) with Carol’s old love David Wicks back in the Square – but her brothers aren’t going to be too pleased with that, are they? (No). So how long will the old lothario remain?
There’s also the big mystery surrounding the departure of Heather. We know she’s leaving and we think she’s being murdered but by who? And in what circumstances? We fear for the killer when Shirley gets her hands on them.
There’s a new arrival soon in the shape of Ray, Morgan’s dad, who Bianca hasn’t seen for five years. With her and Ricky on rocky ground, it’s going to be interesting to see how that plays out. We’re guessing there’ll be some kind of love/hate sparks and maybe a passionate affair. Just a guess, mind you.
Speaking of love problems, what’s going to happen to the Masoods now that their tormentor in chief is gone? Zainab and Masood are closer again. But will Jane get in the way? Ian and Mandy continue seeing each other of course, but some people are amazed with how much she gets away with – and there could be cracks appearing.
And of course, there are the Mitchells. We’re all waiting to see who is behind Phil’s stalking. It’s got to be someone close to him – and what price do they want him to pay? Will he finally go down for his crimes? We hope so. And we hope when inside he gets addicted to crack again and starts growling around like a red-faced bear all over again.
Coronation Street
Becky’s on her way out, as we’ve known for a while. But the big question is – will she be able to convince Steve that Tracy lied about losing her babies? And if Steve is convinced – say by some medical evidence – what effect will that have on their relationship? It won’t be pretty, we know that much.
And following Becky’s exit, ‘Corrie’ also loses Rosie Webster again. Rosie wins a chance to appear on a fly on the wall show in that London, so ditches Jason right away and hops on the Virgin train. Doesn’t sound like a very final exit, does it? We’ll see Flanagan again, mark our words.
Then there’s Frank’s trial for rape. Carla is put on the witness stand – but his lawyers are going to call her character into question. So it’s a good thing she’s not having any illicit affairs, isn’t it? Oh. Yeah. If Leanne hadn’t messed around with Nick at this time last year, we’d feel sorry for her.
Emmerdale
There’s one thing that hangs over the village – who really attacked Cain? And is he going to tell the police the truth? We’re told there will be a big reveal before the end of January. One thing is for certain – it wasn’t Tom King. Or maybe…
Of course, damaged though Cain is, if Jai and Charity get closer – or even get married – that will finish him off. Can he manage to get in the way of it? As of course he did between John and Moira Barton. The Bartons are split by Moira’s incredibly unlikely affair with Cain. It’s going to continue to have reverberations for poor Holly. And will lead to the departure of one member of the family...
And if you can bear to watch other families in trauma, we've not heard the last of Laurel's dalliance with Marlon. You can't put that kind of thing behind you, not in Soapland. Particularly if Ashley gets the wrong idea into his head. Which he certainly will.
If troubled teens are your bag, then Sean has some meaty storylines as his family fall on hard times. And don’t forget the continuing drama of Amy and her adoption plans for poor little Kyle.
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