Category Archives: Entertainment

The current season of ‘House’ will be its last

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Everybody lies. But in this particular situation, the creators of the long-running medical drama House are not. In a joint statement released today series creator David Shore, executive producer Katie Jacobs, and star Hugh Laurie announced that the current eighth season of House will be the show’s last. Here is an excerpt from the statement (jump after the break to read it in full):

The decision to end the show now, or ever, is a painful one, as it risks putting asunder hundreds of close friendships that have developed over the last eight years – but also because the show itself has been a source of great pride to everyone involved.

Since it began, House has aspired to offer a coherent and satisfying world in which everlasting human questions of ethics and emotion, logic and truth, could be examined, played out, and occasionally answered. This sounds like fancy talk, but it really isn’t. House has, in its time, intrigued audiences around the world in vast numbers, and has shown that there is a strong appetite for television drama that relies on more than prettiness or gun play.

But now that time is drawing to a close.  The producers have always imagined House as an enigmatic creature;  he should never be the last one to leave the party.  How much better to disappear before the music stops, while there is still some promise and mystique in the air.

Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly said this: “While it’s with much regret, and a lump in our throats, we respect the decision Hugh, David and Katie have made. A true original, on the page and amazingly brought to life by Hugh Laurie, there is only one Dr. House. For eight seasons, the entire House team has given us – and fans around the world – some of the most compelling characters and affecting stories ever seen on television. They have been creatively tenacious and collaborative throughout this incredible run, and they are amongst the most superior talents in the business. For all the above, we wholeheartedly thank them, and the fans who have supported the show.”

Though House‘s ratings have been on a decline since last season, the show is still creatively strong and like Reilly I have much respect for Shore and his team and their decision to end the show on their terms and before things get too stale for viewers. Now that Shore knows that the show will end this May, he has plenty of time to imagine a proper series finale to satisfy fans. “I want to do [the ending] right,” he told TVLine. And now that the end is in sight, he can.

As a fan from nearly the beginning, I must say that no House next year is going to a strange feeling to overcome. Even network head Reilly admitted that it’s going to be hard to imagine FOX without veteran drama House. But like they say, out with the old and in with the new. House‘s departure will make way for new pilots and give shows like Terra Nova, Alcatraz, and Touch an opportunity to land a place on next fall’s schedule.

In the end, what I think people will remember most about House is House himself played by the brilliant Hugh Laurie. All the drama born out of the patients of the week and the rotating diagnostic team have been entertaining (to say the least), but the show has always hinged on House and Laurie’s breathtaking portrayal of an emotional, curious, broken genius. And that is what I will fondly remember when I look back on House.

[Via TVLine] Continue reading The current season of ‘House’ will be its last →

‘AHS’ season 2 scoop: Jessica Lange is back and the location is (sorta) revealed

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On Tuesday night American Horror Story co-creator Ryan Murphy guested on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live and he dropped some juicy hints surrounding the second season of the FX horror anthology. He confirmed that Jessica Lange, who recently won a Golden Globe for her brilliant turn as nosy neighbor Constance Langdon, will in fact return to the show in season two. (As was already made public, she will not reprise Constance but instead play an entirely new character.) Murphy’s reveal, embedded after the break, insinuates that she will make “an appearance” at some point during the next season and perhaps won’t be billed as a series regular. But nothing has been set in stone just yet.

Murphy also spilled that he is currently in talks with four actors from season 1 to have them appear in the new season in some capacity. He specified that none of them are from the Harmon family, so that logically leaves us with the aforementioned Lange, Denis O’Hare (Larry), Evan Peters (Tate), and Frances Conroy (Moira). Though all these actors were fantastic, my fingers are crossed especially tight for the return of Peters!

And then Murphy let loose one more morsel of season 2 intel: the new horror story will take place on the east coast at “a horror institution.” Until more information leaks, use your imagination.

[Via TVLine] Continue reading ‘AHS’ season 2 scoop: Jessica Lange is back and the location is (sorta) revealed →

Sneak a peek at ‘The River’ before watching tonight’s two-hour series premiere

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Go behind the scenes with the creators and cast of ABC’s The River before tuning into tonight’s series premiere. Creator Oren Peli, executive producers Michael Green and Zack Estrin, and stars Joe Anderson, Leslie Hope, Bruce Greenwood, and Paul Blackthorne do a fine job at hyping the show and gearing audiences for an “intense” and “scary” journey along the Amazon River in search of Greenwood’s character Emmett Cole. Peli says the network allowed him “to go as scary as [he wanted]” so you have been warned. Mash play and introduce yourself to the ensemble cast, the pedigree, and the intriguing story behind The River. Lost fans, with faint whispers and booming intangible mystical monsters lurking in the night, you should feel right at home. For the rest of you, let this extended trailer be a litmus test. If you are fully engaged the premiere is a must-see; if you are shrieking in terror throughout fiddling with the volume perhaps this isn’t quite your cup of tea. But even if you do fall into that latter category, give the pilot a shot and allow your imagination to run free…and terrified.

The River premieres tonight at 9PM on ABC.

This week in NEW TV: ‘Smash’ & ‘The River’

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MONDAY

Smash — NBC — 10PM

I’m sure you’ve seen ads everyone for NBC’s upcoming musical drama Smash starring Katherine McPhee of American Idol fame. The question remains: is this show worth checking out? With a talented ensemble cast including Debra Messing (Will & Grace), Jack Davenport (FlashForward), Anjelica Huston, and Megan Hilty (of Broadway fame in 9 to 5: The Musical), exciting musical numbers, and a compelling plot that’s expected to captivate viewers quickly, Smash is definitely a new series you don’t want to miss out on giving a try. It’s easy to compare this show to FOX’s Glee since both of them include characters bursting out into song multiple times per episode, but you should know that it will be immediately apparent that the two don’t share all that much in common. For one this show tells a grander story of two aspiring artists vying for the lead role in a Broadway musical; Rachel Berry has time before she makes it that far. This story will encourage competition, backstabbing, and everything else that comes with a dramatic rise to stardom. From the commercials you should have an idea that Smash will try its best to weave a character-driven story with an extraordinary cast consisting of real-life singers and talented veteran actors. That should be enough to get you started on the pilot and from there we’ll see where it takes us. My prediction? NBC has a Smash hit and home-run with this one.

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TUESDAY

The River — ABC — 9PM (two-hour premiere)

Lots and lots of hype is surrounding The River, ABC’s fright fest from the creator of Paranormal Activity Oren Peli. Is all of it justifiable? I scream with a resounding yes. As you know I was fortunate enough to screen the pilot at Comic Con and I must say this show is not for the faint hearted. This show is genuinely scary and the strong pilot will make you forcibly jump out of your seat, I can promise you that. The eight episode first season will play like a miniseries, taking you on an adventure through the Amazon River in search of wildlife expert and TV personality Dr. Emmett Cole (played wonderfully by Bruce Greenwood). The rescue team consists of Cole’s wife played by Leslie Hope (24) and son Joe Anderson (Across The Universe). Paul Blackthorne (24) leads a camera crew that documents all the craziness that goes down during the mission. Though The River will frighten you at the same time it will grip you and keep you engaged from the start. The Amazonian backdrop and the various plot devices utilized to their advantages (including shaky cam, docu-style taping and elements of supernatural surprise and edge-of-your-seat it’s too quiet…SCARES) will hook you in the first hour and it’ll be hard to drop this show from your weekly schedule. The mystery of Cole’s disappearance will keep you guessing at who in the ensemble cast may be part of a larger conspiracy. The stars have aligned leading up to the premiere of this show; the cast is great, the plot is intriguing, the pedigree is there with Peli and executive prouder Steven Spielberg. And if FX’s American Horror Story proved anything, it’s that US audiences are drawn to TV experiences like they’ve never witnessed before. I can say without hesitation that The River is excitedly different from anything produced for the small screen sitting in your room.

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[Images via IGN 1, 2]

Super Bowl XLVI: The Commercials! [Update: record ratings]

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It’s a fact: there is a giant segment of people out there who watch the Super Bowl every year for one reason and one reason only: for the commercials. Companies like Anheuser Busch and E*Trade think up of ways to capture the wild imaginations of the public and deep way down their pockets to score spots between all the football action. This year a 30-second spot costs companies on average $3.5 million! In the end it’s all about attracting eyeballs and that’s what the Super Bowl spectacle does best. Last year a record-breaking 111 million viewers tuned into the game. And with a matchup like the Patriots versus the Giants this year’s viewership is bound to jump even higher.

With the world watching and so much money spent, this year’s commercials are expected to go above and beyond what we’ve ever seen before. Prior to the big game, companies have released teasers and even full-length ads that will be aired on Sunday. The two most popular ones so far have been Honda’s Ferris Bueller-inspired spot and Volkswagen’s Star Wars-themed “The Bark Side” starring a collection of dogs barking the Imperial March. Watch these now after the break.

Following the game on Sunday, check back here to revisit your favorite Super Bowl 46 commercials. They will all be embedded after the break!

Update: The game is over (the Giants beat the Patriots, YEAH!) and the most buzzed about commercials are posted after the break, along with the theatrical trailers that aired (Avengers, anyone?).

Update 2: What did I tell yah? A whopping 111.3 million people tuned into the Super Bowl yesterday, topping last year’s viewership (111 million) to become the most watched program in TV history. Continue reading Super Bowl XLVI: The Commercials! [Update: record ratings] →

Daniel Craig in Bond 23, ‘Skyfall’

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Here it is, the first official image from the latest Bond film. If you didn’t know already, the 23rd movie in the long-running franchise is called Skyfall and in it we find Daniel Craig playing 007 for the third time following Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. The still released by Sony features Craig as a scruffy Bond handling his Walther PPK pistol in a colorful Shanghai. Bond’s rugged appearance including his deathly stare into the distance and the setting do a fantastic job of evoking anticipation for the Sam Mendes-directed flick. Expect a whole lot more to emerge regarding Bond’s next adventure as we get closer to the November 9 theatrical release.

‘Back to the Future’ might find new life on the Broadway stage

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Take a deep breath, this is heavy. The classic 1980s trilogy Back to the Future might be revisited, not on the silver screen but on Broadway! According to Deadline, Robert Zemeckis–director of all three Back to the Future films–is in “early talks” with his BTTF co-writer Bob Gale and the film’s talented composer Alan Silvestri. If it all comes together, Zemeckis’ production company ImageMovers will be involved. The three movies have grossed almost $1 billion worldwide, and so a plan to tap back into the franchise’s success shouldn’t come as a total shock. The recent Blu-ray release and Nike’s sneaker auction justifiably injected hype and excitement into the acclaimed sci-fi saga. I hope you’re with me when I say that a stage adaptation of Back to the Future is a tantalizing prospect worth salivating over.

[Via Deadline]

NBC picks up J.J. Abrams’ next sci-fi drama ‘Revolution’, The CW takes ‘Shelter’

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NBC is allowing J.J. Abrams to stir a Revolution by greenlighting his new sci-fi drama from Warner Bros. TV and Bad Robot. Eric Kripke (Supernatural) will pen the script and together he and Abrams will tell a story described back in September as “an epic adventure thriller.” Since then, however, two new and fuller loglines have surfaced that help generate a grander buzz for the project:

A high octane action drama from J. J. Abrams following a group of characters struggling to survive and reunite with loved ones in a world where all forms of energy have mysteriously ceased to exist.

In this epic adventure thriller, a family struggles to reunite in a post-apocalyptic American landscape: a world of empty cities, local militias and heroic freedom fighters, where every single piece of technology — computers, planes, cars, phones, even lights — has mysteriously blacked out … forever.

Now it’s got your attention, yes? With a pilot pickup, it won’t be long until we get our first glimpse at some of the action. Expect an extended trailer to hit the ‘Net this summer when NBC officially unveils Revolution at the network’s Upfronts presentation.

And for the J.J. diehards, you should also be aware that the CW picked up another new project from the mastermind behind Lost and Fringe. He and One Tree Hill creator Mark Schwahn are developing Shelter, a drama “set at a historic New England summer resort where the new and returning staff attend to the practical, emotional and often comical needs of the guests while navigating friendships, rivalries and romances of their own.”

Update: Deadline reports that Jon Favreau (Iron Man) will direct the Revolution pilot.

[Via EW; Deadline]

Showtime renews dark, edgy new comedy ‘House of Lies’

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This week Showtime renewed its entire Sunday night lineup that includes Shameless (renewed for a third season), Californication (sixth season), and the new dark comedy House of Lies (second season). “These three shows are clearly resonating with audiences as evidenced by their steady growth on Sunday nights,” said the premium cable network’s entertainment president David Nevins. “We are extremely pleased with the creative work being done by the casts, producers and writers – and I so appreciate that each of these series has such a clear and distinctive voice.”

I had a feeling House of Lies would resonate with viewers. The edgy comedy averages 3.98 million viewers each week. Screen actor Don Cheadle, the adorable and snarky Kristen Bell, and Parks and Rec‘s Ben Schwartz carry this comedy to bizarrely enjoyable heights. And lucky for you, it happens to be one of those shows you can jump right into; House of Lies airs Sunday nights at 10PM on Showtime.

[Via EW]

SNL’s Paul Brittain exits the show midseason

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Just when Lorne Michaels was starting to utilize the underused featured player Paul Brittain the comedian decided to part ways with Saturday Night Live. EW scooped that he left the show “effective immediately” as of January 31. A source close to Brittain spilled to EW that “he had the opportunity to pursue other projects, and he and the show parted ways amicably.” And so when you tune into tonight’s new episode of SNL you won’t be surprised when the opening title sequence doesn’t look Brittain freely riding his bike in the Big Apple. But don’t mourn the loss of talent; instead celebrate Brittain’s contributions. After the break you’ll find hilarious installments of his original characters “Sex Ed” and Lord Wyndemere.

[Via EW] Continue reading SNL’s Paul Brittain exits the show midseason →

‘Arrested Development’ is starting production, exec producer confirms return in 2013

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Now everybody scream hallelujah! Executive producer Dean Lorey took to his blog earlier this week to share morsels of information regarding the start of production on the return of Arrested Development to television and the big screen. This is it:

We’re really doing this thing.  Mitch Hurwitz, Jim Vallely and I are off writing the new season of ARRESTED to premiere on Netflix in 2013.  The original cast is back.  There are offices and parking spaces.  We’re shooting this year.  I wish I could give more specifics but, for the moment, even the schedule is being kept under wraps.  But it’s happening and it’s great to be back with my pals from the show.  More later as it becomes okay to release further details…

It’s not much, but official word like this will at least quell the fears of Arrested fans and reassure them that headway is being made on the revival of the cult hit show. They have parking spaces set up, people! Like Lorey concluded, more as this story develops.

[Via Dean Lorey]

Karmin releases new single “Brokenhearted” ahead of ‘SNL’ debut

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You’re gonna be hearing them on the radio before you know it, so you might as well get to know Karmin ahead of time. You should already know who they are; vocalist Amy and keyboardist Nick–collectively Karmin–are the ones who made it big through YouTube by posting infectious cover tracks including a selection from Chris Brown’s catalog. After going viral they signed with Epic Records and in October they released their first single off their debut album. “Crash Your Party” is on its way to one million hits. Next week, they will be performing on SNL and to prepare for it they’ve release another new single to get the people buzzing. It’s called “Brokenhearted” and it sounds like Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj had a baby…which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Regardless of how you might think something like this will resonate with you, take a listen above and prepare for Karmin to dominate the radio waves in the coming months. Their debut album is set to release later this year.