Posted Feb 15th 2010 2:30PM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: Celebrities, Awards, Reality-Free
OK, all at once: "Nooooooooooooooooooo!"
Barbara Walters says that this year will be the final year that she has an Oscars special. Walters says that while she loves doing the specials and ABC is happy with the ratings the specials get, she feels that they are a little "been there, done that." The last one will air on March 7.
It must be hard to keep a show like that going anyway. I mean, there are approximately 37 entertainment news shows on every single night now (plus 24 hours of celebrity coverage on E! and on the web) and as the years went by her interviews with celebrities weren't as important or newsworthy. Now
everyone asks a celeb "what type of tree would you be?"
Fear not, Barbara Walters fans. She's going to continue as one of the panelists on
'The View' and she will continue her annual 'Barbara Walters Chooses The Most Painfully Obvious People For Her 10 Most Fascinating People List (Plus A Couple of Head-Scratchers)" specials.
Posted Feb 15th 2010 1:02PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: OpEd, Celebrities, Awards, Reality-Free
A few weeks from now, March 7th to be exact, Kathryn Bigelow may be the first woman to ever win the Academy Award for Best Director.
The odds are in her favor, especially after winning the DGA competition. Therefore, the announcement that
Bigelow will direct the HBO pilot, 'The Miraculous Year,' is a coup for the cable net.
'The Miraculous Year' is the story of a Broadway composer who's popular and successful, but self-destructive, and how he views his eccentric family. Screenwriter John Logan is doing the script, and he's also executive producing with Lydia Pilcher. Logan has worked with HBO before on another show business oriented project, 'RKO 281' which told the story of Orson Welles' battle to create 'Citizen Kane.'
Continue reading 'The Hurt Locker' Director Kathryn Bigelow to Direct HBO Pilot
Posted Feb 12th 2010 2:00PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: OpEd, Celebrities, Awards, Casting, Reality-Free
Does it take an Oscar winner to play a character that's already won an Oscar for another actress? No, but it can't hurt. After over half a year of
speculation and rumor, Michael Ausiello in Entertainment Weekly has reported HBO's confirmation that
Kate Winslet will star in 'Mildred Pierce,' the remake of the 1945 Joan Crawford movie of the same name.
There's a lot to be excited about with this news. For starters, instead of just a two-hour TV movie, HBO is giving the adaptation of James M. Cain's novel time. It'll be a five-hour miniseries which virtually ensures more time to delve into the original story. Then there's Winslet essaying the role. She's such a good actress that it's a certainty she won't do what Joan did with the role. We'll be seeing another Mildred, Winslet's own interpretation of the role.
Continue reading 'Mildred Pierce' Mini-Series a Go With Kate Winslet
Posted Feb 12th 2010 8:01AM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: OpEd, Daytime, Celebrities, Awards, Casting, Emmys, Reality-Free
Since April 1, 1963,
'General Hospital' has been broadcast on ABC. If you're keeping count, and they are at the network, that means 'General Hospital' will air episode 12,000 on February 23. It's a remarkable achievement, especially when coupled with the fact that in that the past 47 years, 'GH' has won the Daytime Emmy as Outstanding Drama Series ten times. That's more than any other soap opera; and the Daytime Emmys only began being doled out in 1971!
To commemorate the 12,000th show, SoapCentral.com reports that
'General Hospital' has conjured up a new opening for the show. The current one, with music by Dave Koz, includes a collection of images of the stars. It also ends with one of the best endings ever for a credit sequence. All the men are gathered for a big group shot, sitting and posed in a variety of ways. They're all in black and white on a white set.
Continue reading 'General Hospital' Hits 12,000 Episodes
Posted Feb 11th 2010 9:15PM by Michael Pascua
Filed under: Awards, So You Think You Can Dance
Having connections pays off for
'So You Think You Can Dance' contestant Jonathan "Legacy" Perez.
Zap2it has confirmed that Legacy will be a part of the Academy Awards, dancing with The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers. He received the position after he helped 'SYTYCD' judge Adam Shankman with the audition process. Shankman is producing the Oscars with Bill Mechanic.
Unlike the Emmys, which have an Outstanding Choreography category, having dancers on the Oscars feels out of place. The five songs nominated for Best Original Song don't have any place for breakdancers, so my only guess is that the show will open with a flashy performance. Legacy hasn't provided any solid details to how he will be involved.
Continue reading 'So You Think You Can Dance' Star To Appear on Oscars
Posted Feb 4th 2010 7:29PM by Kona Gallagher
Filed under: Watercooler Talk, Celebrities, Alumni, Awards, Reality-Free
The Adam Lambert/ABC controversy is one of those things that makes zero sense to me. If you recall, after Lambert kissed a dude and briefly simulated oral sex with someone in his band
on the American Music Awards, ABC freaked out and started banning him from their shows. The network canceled appearances on '
Jimmy Kimmel Live' and '
Good Morning America,' apparently fearing that the '
American Idol' runner-up wouldn't be able to refrain from nibbling George Stephanopoulos' ear at 7:30 AM. What I don't get is why this is such a big deal: it's as if ABC is operating in a world in which Lady Gaga and her antics don't exist.
Now the big Lambert news is that
he may be attending the Oscars, which is airing March 7 on ABC. As Lambert isn't in the film industry, this makes little sense-- except that he may be attending the ceremony with longtime friend Anna Kendrick, who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her turn in the George Clooney film, '
Up In The Air.'
Continue reading Will ABC Let Adam Lambert Into the Oscars?
Posted Feb 4th 2010 9:46AM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: Other Drama Shows, OpEd, Pickups and Renewals, Awards, Reality-Free
The television gods have spoken. Okay, not really. But the people in power at HBO have had their say and
'Big Love' will be back for a fifth season. Ten more episodes have been ordered as the fourth season continues to unfold. Hallelujah! The story of the Hendricksons goes on and on.
Unlike some other HBO drama series,
'Big Love' has not been a sky-rocket. It's been more a slow boil, gradually picking up fans and followers as the show evolves. Perhaps it was the very nature of the situation, a polygamist family living in plain sight in modern day Utah while keeping their way of life a closely guarded secret.
Bill and his three wives and passel of children try to keep to the principle while blending with suburbia, but they're continually pulled into controversy based on their individual pasts and the choices they've made. It all adds up to great drama.
Continue reading HBO Renews 'Big Love' for Fifth Season
Posted Feb 2nd 2010 2:03PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: OpEd, Celebrities, Awards, Casting, Reality-Free
Goodbye Broadway, hello television. Tony-award winning Matthew Broderick has decided to do a television series as the next iteration of his multifaceted career. Considering his success in most every endeavor, there's little reason to doubt that he's going to do pretty well.
Remember, this is the guy who
was Ferris Bueller. He played Leo Bloom in 'The Producers' and, hell, he's the voice of Simba, 'The Lion King.'
NBC has lined up Broderick to star in a comedy pilot called 'Beach Lane.' The show has already been greenlighted, in part because of Broderick's attachment and
Lorne Michaels' producing.
Continue reading Matthew Broderick Takes on TV
Posted Jan 31st 2010 1:29PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, OpEd, Celebrities, Awards, Casting, Emmys, Reality-Free
You could say that most people's interest in a
new comedy from Friends' star Matthew Perry called Mr. Sunshine, would be pretty high. He's a popular actor.
Friends was a popular show. People reacted favorably to Courteney Cox's new comedy
Cougar Town... You see where I'm going here.
Well, the interest meter just moved up considerably because
West Wing Emmy-winner
Allison Janney will co-star with Matthew in Mr. Sunshine.
Mr. Sunshine is an ABC pilot they'll be filming, and it's about a guy who reaches his 40th birthday and wonders if he can continue just getting by on his charm and nonchalant style.
Mr. Sunshine is set in San Diego, where Perry's character manages an aging stadium. Janney is playing Crystal Cohen, the lady in charge of the place. That's right; she's Matthew's boss.
Continue reading Allison Janney joins Matthew Perry's Mr. Sunshine
Posted Jan 20th 2010 2:00PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, TV Royalty, OpEd, Video, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Awards, Reality-Free
If you're one of the millions, nay billions, who's laughed at the antics of Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer or if you can't pick up an order of kung pao shrimp without wondering if they shorted you on the number of shrimp, then you -- my friend -- are a Larry David fan. The brain behind
Seinfeld and
Curb Your Enthusiasm, David has a unique comic view of the world and on February 20, the
Writers Guild of America is giving Larry David a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The actual award is called the Paddy Chayevsky Laurel award for television, and Larry has most definitely earned the recognition.
Seinfeld remains a masterpiece of character and comedy with or without a plot. The very nothingness of
Seinfeld made it historic television. It was a show that NBC nearly canceled because the suits didn't get it (what a shock!), then went on to become America's favorite half-hour. Twenty years later,
Seinfeld is embedded in the psyche of pop culture. Not bad for a nothing kind of show.
Continue reading WGA to honor Curb Your Enthusiasm's Larry David
Posted Jan 19th 2010 3:00PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: Industry, OpEd, Awards, Reality-Free, Glee
Flush from winning the Golden Globe as Best TV Show - Musical or Comedy,
Glee creator Ryan Murphy was in a jolly mood when confronted by the media. Can you blame the guy? Glee is definitely the success story of 2009, the little show that could. A smart, sassy high school musical that's become a cultural phenomenon. If I were Ryan Murphy, I'd be singing and dancing and spilling my guts, too. If you prefer being totally surprised and abhor spoilers -- STOP READING NOW.
Continue reading Gushing about Glee
Posted Jan 18th 2010 7:00AM by Jane Boursaw
Filed under: OpEd, Celebrities, Awards
When
I talked with Ricky Gervais a few weeks ago, he said his game plan as host of the
Golden Globes was to keep things rolling and have fun with it. He also said comedians are "meant to push the barriers a little bit and see what happens."
He definitely pushed a few barriers on the Golden Globes last night, taking potshots at Paul McCartney's marital troubles, Kiefer Sutherland's anger management issues, and Angelina Jolie's penchant for adopting children from Third World countries (too much, given the dire crisis in Haiti?)
Even Mel Gibson's alcohol troubles came up. Gervais appeared on stage drinking a beer as he introduced his next presenter. "Don't get me wrong," he said. "I like a drink as much as the next man, unless the next man is ... Mel Gibson."
Overall, Gervais' hosting skills fell a little flat for me. Next year, I suggest that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association consider Robert Downey Jr. as host of the Golden Globes. His
Best Actor speech for Sherlock Holmes was inspired, funny and charming.
How do you think Ricky Gervais did as host?
Posted Jan 18th 2010 2:00AM by Jane Boursaw
Filed under: OpEd, Watercooler Talk, Celebrities, Awards
Did your favorite actors and TV shows score Golden Globe awards tonight? Let's take a look at how things shook out in the TV categories at the 67th Annual Golden Globes.
Mad Men, Best Television Series - Drama. With competition from
Big Love,
Dexter,
House, and
True Blood, I'm really glad I wasn't picking the winner here. They're all fantastic. I wouldn't say that
True Blood delivered its best episodes last season, so I don't have a problem with that one not winning (though I'm a big fan of the show).
Mad Men is definitely deserving (especially the "lawn mower" episode), although
Dexter and
Big Love both had great seasons.
Continue reading Michael C. Hall, Mad Men score Golden Globe awards
Posted Jan 15th 2010 10:33AM by Nick Zaino
Filed under: Animation, Interviews, Awards
When Ricky Gervais hosts the Golden Globes this Sunday (NBC, 8PM EST), don't expect any pre-taped pieces or large choreographed numbers. Gervais, speaking to the press on a conference call, said he is avoiding all of that. He has planned what he wants to do, but he won't rehearse it, alone or with anyone on the show.
"I want to host it a little bit more like someone from the Rat Pack would host it," he says. "You know, just off the cuff and just playing the room and having fun with the people and roasting a few of the A-listers and hopefully it'll be fun for the room and the people at home."
"I do want people to have the feeling that anything can happen," he adds. "I want to be reactive so I don't want to just go out there and read an alter cue and do a very staid joke and have that sort of polite sort of titter."
Continue reading Ricky Gervais plays it loose for the Golden Globes and HBO
Posted Jan 14th 2010 9:00AM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: OpEd, Celebrities, Dexter, Awards, Reality-Free
Michael C. Hall is 38 years old. He's at the top of his profession. His role as Dexter Morgan has brought him acclaim, awards and fame. Now, out of nowhere,
Dexter star Michael C. Hall has cancer. He revealed that he's been treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma, a treatable form of cancer. Thanks to the team of doctors in Los Angeles, Hall said that he is in remission and hopes to stay there.
This weekend at the Golden Globes, Hall will be there with his new wife, co-star Jennifer Carpenter. He's nominated for
Dexter. If he wins -- and he's done amazing work on the show -- you can expect Hollywood to cheer for him. It will have double meaning.
Continue reading Michael C. Hall of Dexter stricken with cancer
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