Category Archives: Entertainment

NBC’s ‘Perfect Couples’ get the boot early, ‘Paul Reiser Show’ fills in

News, Television, , , , , , ,

This week NBC made the decision to end midseason comedy Perfect Couples earlier than expected to make way for The Paul Reiser Show. Low ratings, per usual, are to blame for the scheduling change which more than likely will lead to the show’s cancellation. Couples will conclude its shortened first season in mid-April, having only aired 11 of the 13 ordered episodes. NBC has not specified when/if these final episodes will air at a later date (not likely) or come packaged in a DVD set. It’s strange to admit, but this show actually started to grow on me after a while. However, I won’t be complaining much once NBC officially puts the kibosh on it.

In case you’re wondering… The Paul Reiser Show is a single camera comedy that follows the actor’s post-Mad About You life. Here’s the official description: “It’s been a few years since his 
hit TV series went off the air. Since then, he’s been enjoying the quiet
life at home with his lovely wife, Claire [Amy Landecker], and kids and generally minding his own business, writing and
producing television but enjoying life out of the spotlight. Getting him 
into trouble — and into adventures — are a group of new “friends,”
most of which he didn’t choose since they’re the husbands of his wife’s 
friends and the dads of his kids’ classmates.” It begins Thursday, April 14 at 8:30PM.

[Via Deadline]

TV Reminder: Robert Knepper reprises T-Bag tonight on ‘Breakout Kings’

Images, Television, , , , , , ,

Prison Break fans, listen here: Robert Knepper will reprise Theodore “T-Bag” Bagwell, the slimy, handicapped villain from Prison Break, on tonight’s episode of Breakout Kings. In an interview with TVLine, Knepper shared his excitement about bring back the fan favorite everyone loved to loathe.

“Nick Santora – one of my favorite writers on Prison Break – wrote me an email right before we started shooting, saying, “You know what? I think this might be the best dialogue I’ve ever written for T-Bag.” And I’m here to tell you it was. It was all the familiar things you love to hate about T-Bag – the danger, the humor – but it was interesting to highlight him in this episode by saying, “Let’s try to get in his head a bit. Let’s figure out why he’s doing this.” And the pathos and emotion that comes out is just…. I could not have just jumped into this thing if I hadn’t had four years of basically getting ready for it.”

When asked why is escapes prison this time around he said, “There is a huge reason. I’m not going to give it away, because it’s so beautiful, and it’s such an incredibly important reason. I will tell you that he’s not escaping to escape. It’s not just, “I want to be free.” He has a very, very specific reason for doing it, and it will break your heart.”

Knepper’s four-episode guest stint on Breakout Kings begins tonight in “The Bag Man” at 10PM on A&E. Check out a handful of images in the gallery below.

[Images via IGN]

ABC moves ‘No Ordinary Family’ penultimate episode to a Saturday

Images, News, Television, , , , , ,

If the episode order cut wasn’t enough to make you accept the fact that ABC is just about ready to remove No Ordinary Family from its schedule after this season, this should: the network has bumped the first season’s penultimate (second-to-last) episode to Saturday, March 26th at 10PM. An airing of Dancing with the Stars has been selected to take over NOF‘s normal slot Tuesdays at 8PM starting March 29. It’s being reported that Lucy Lawless will return in the Saturday episode “No Ordinary Future” as the mysterious Mrs. X. As things stand now, the season (likely series) finale is set to air on Tuesday, April 5th at 8PM. So mark your calendars accordingly. And if you haven’t started to mourn the loss of this fun superhero family show, let them tears roll now.

Update: Everyone’s favorite pop-soul artist Sara Bareilles guest stars in this week’s upcoming ep “No Ordinary Animal”! Check out stills in the gallery below.

[Via IGN 1, 2]

“Till The World Ends” gets a modern rock twist

EXPERIENCE, Music, Video, , , , ,

YouTuber Jimmy Wong struts his musical abilities to give Britney Spears’ latest single “Till The World Ends” a modern rock twist it was born to find. Jimmy performs the vocals, MIDI keyboards, guitar, drums, tambourine and claps, adds kick drum and snare hits to the mix, and brings it all together in this highly entertaining video. This talent deserves some props; head over to Jimmy’s YouTube channel and see what else he’s been up to. His Super Mario Bros. a capella cover and Asians in the library reaction song are instant hits.

Music video: The Black Eyed Peas – “Just Can’t Get Enough”

Music, Video, , ,

Here’s the latest music video from The Black Eyed Peas. This is the second clip off the Peas’ record The Beginning; it follows the video for “The Time (Dirty Bit).” Interestingly, this video was shot in Japan one week before the earthquake and tsunami took place there. The Peas made sure to regard the matter in the opening and closing of the video. Before it starts a message reads, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the people of Japan. We love you.” At the end it advises viewers to text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to support relief efforts.

Fergie explains what the video is about but her words–like the video–get lost in the disaster that occurred. “It was the easiest video I ever shot because it was us living our lives. I love that it’s showing a true perspective of how it can sometimes be lonely on the road away from our loved ones. It also demonstrates the love and connection we have with Japan.  Our heart goes out to all of the Japanese people who have been affected by this natural disaster.”

[Via Dipdive]

Netflix to bring original programming to its subscribers, starting with David Fincher’s ‘House of Cards’

News, Technology, Television, , , , , , , ,

In an interesting move, Netflix has made the decision to jump into the original programming pool. And with the talent they’ve managed to bring together, you can say they’re ready to make a giant splash. David Fincher (The Social Network) has signed on to direct the pilot House of Cards starring Kevin Spacey, a serialized one hour drama that explores the ruthless underside of British politics at the end of the Thatcher era. Reset against the backdrop of modern-day U.S. electoral politics, the show follows an ambitious politician (Spacey) with his eye on the top job. House of Cards is based on a 1990 Michael Dobbs novel which was turned into a four-part miniseries by the BBC that same year. The program will stream exclusively with Netflix when it releases in spring 2012. The streaming service has committed to 26 episodes (two 13-episode seasons) with Media Rights Capital producing it. Fincher will remain with the show serving as executive producer and over the next few months MRC will assemble teams of producers and actors. In a similar vein to Kiefer Sutherland’s The Confession (airing on Hulu later this month), House of Cards could be a game-changer in terms of original content distribution. Full PR after the break.

[Via Deadline; Netflix]

Continue reading Netflix to bring original programming to its subscribers, starting with David Fincher’s ‘House of Cards’ →

Adrianne Palicki is Wonder Woman

Image cache, News, Television, , , , , ,

Here is the very first image of Adrianne Palicki (Friday Night Lights) suited up as Wonder Woman. NBC wants to reboot the classic 1970s series and they’ve tapped David E. Kelley to write and executive produce it. Can the man with a TV degree in law (The Practice, Ally McBeal, Boston Public, Boston Legal, Harry’s Law) successfully bring back the DC Comics superheroine in a way that is relevant and exciting? Time will tell. But for now gaze at the wonderful image sitting above. Palicki certainly has the looks to play the part. But I’ll wait for a teaser before making any further judgement. Cary Elwes (Saw), Tracie Thoms (Cold Case), Pedro Pascal (The Good Wife), and Elizabeth Hurley are attached to the Warner Bros TV project.

[Via Deadline]

NBC renews ‘Community’, ‘Parks and Recreation’, ‘The Office’

News, Television, , , , , , ,

Fantastic news everybody: NBC has renewed Community, Parks and Rec, and The Office for a third, fourth, and eighth season, respectively! NBC’s other staple comedy 30 Rock was renewed for a sixth season late last year. It will surely be interesting to see how The Office performs without its star Michael Scott (Steve Carrell) and I’m equally looking forward to the return of the Greendale and Pawnee gangs. These shows have proved time and time again that they’ve found their stride. I am beyond elated that NBC has saved these shows from sitting on the cancellation fence and determined their value residing in the network’s Thursday night comedy lineup.

NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt: “Along with 30 Rock, they represent the best of what the NBC comedy brand stands for in terms of originality, wit, and sophistication. The Office continues to fire on all cylinders on the most competitive night of television; Parks & Recreation has come into its own this season as the rightful companion to The Office; and Community is one of the freshest comedies on any network and a solid foundation for Thursday night.”

Greenblatt has ordered 13 comedy pilots each vying for a spot in this talented lineup. Things are not looking up for Outsourced and midseason player Perfect Couples.

For those of you who follow the ratings game: The Office averages a 4.0 rating/10 share in adults 18-49 and 7.7 million viewers; Parks and Rec sees a 2.8/7 and 5.5 million viewers; Community gets a 2.1/6 and 4.7 million.

[Via Deadline; EW]

‘V’ exec producer hints the best has yet to come

News, Television, , , ,

If you thought the V season 2 finale was phenomenal, apparently the best has yet to come. In an interview with EW, V executive producer Scott Rosenbaum shared his gripes about the shortened season and what he has planned for a third season if ABC decides to pick it up again.

“We had been given an initial episode order of 13, so I had planned a 22-episode season,” Rosenbaum told EW. “When they reduced the order, I had to make a decision. I didn’t feel like it was possible to wrap the show in that amount of time, so I said, ‘You know, I’m going to hope there’s another season, because I’ve pushed the story too far [and] it won’t make sense [to conclude it this soon]. I don’t feel like the audience will feel like we’ve earned those moments.’ So I’m going to keep my fingers crossed and leave it organically where I think the show should end after 10 episodes. I went with hope, and tried to make it feel like a satisfying conclusion.”

He continued, “It’s risky to cancel a show that’s actually garnering some buzz for the network and instead role the dice on something untested.” While that is true, unfortunately it all comes down to ratings. Though this week’s finale managed to reel in 5.3 million viewers (1.8/5 rating in the 18-49 demo) and jump 6% compared to last week, the episode was down 14% from last year’s finale. V is not the ratings boon it deserves to be, but it’s also not ABC’s worst performer; Detroit 1-8-7 (1.3/4) and No Ordinarily Family (0.9/3) have seen their better days.

But let’s end things on a positive note. According to EW, “Rosenbaum says he’s always wanted at least one full season to properly set up the conflict” between the Fifth Column (erm, Project Aries) and the Visitors. Unfortunately he has never received the opportunity to do so since this season was shortened and season one was only alloted 12 episodes in total. He concludes, “What’s so interesting is I feel like the best of the show is ahead of itself.”

Adds star Elizabeth Mitchell: “I fought so hard and so did everyone else. All of the writers, all of the actors, we all tried to put our best foot forward. I feel like we’ve given it everything we can. We’ll see what happens.”

“Mother’s Day” left viewers with a major cliffhanger, so many deaths, and most importantly it opened up windows of imaginative opportunity. This show has never felt so alive; it would be a damn shame if ABC doesn’t give it a chance to shine.

[Via EW (1) (2), Deadline]

“Tron: The Next Day” forms a bridge between the two films

Movies, Video, , , , ,

Miss Tron? Me too. The DVD & Blu-ray sets are coming soon and this week one of the three short films included in the upcoming home releases has found its way onto the Internet. The ten-and-a-half minute clip conveniently forms a bridge between the original 1982 film and the recent box office hit Tron: Legacy. This is something Disney should have released before the 3D flick came out because it provides Tron fans with key character background information that would’ve proved helpful before diving into the modern-day Grid. “Tron: The Next Day” tells the history of Encom after Kevin Flynn mysteriously disappears and the guerilla campaign “Flynn Lives” that follows shortly thereafter. It stars the film’s protagonist Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund) and reunites the Grid’s creators Tron (Bruce Boxleitner) and RAM (Dan Shor) in human form. For DVD bonus content the short boasts high production value (and not to mention a fantastic soundtrack provided by the ingenious duo Daft Punk). Whet your appetite now by watching “The Next Day” right now, and continue to anticipate the April 5 home release.

[Via DigitalTrends]

Good Charlotte brings back ‘Double Dare’ in their new music video

Music, Video, , , , ,

Good Charlotte teamed with Funny or Die to turn their new music video into a nostalgic hit. “Last Night,” a cut off their latest record Cardiology, was filmed on the Family Double Dare set and features the Nickelodeon game show’s host Marc Summers. I really miss all those wacky and messy competitions; let’s hope that Nick has plans to re-air some of the classic episodes later this fall.

[Via EW]

Kanye West to perform at SxSW later this week

Music, News, , , , , ,

If you couldn’t pick up on the not-so-subtle hint in this cryptic teaser released in late February, the exciting news has been made official today: Kanye West will perform at the South by Southwest music festival. The last time West made an appearance at the Austin, Texas event was back in 2009 when he took the stage at the Fader Fort venue with G.O.O.D. Music artists Mr. Hudson, Consequence, and Big Sean. This year he’ll be performing at the VEVO Power Station. Guests have not been revealed, but you can expect featured artists on Ye’s latest album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy to tag along (Nicki Minaj, John Legend, Rick Ross please!). It all goes down Saturday, March 19 at midnight. If you’re not at the event don’t fret–it will stream live online so make sure to check back here for the link.

[Via Idolator]