Category Archives: Television

‘Late Night with Jimmy Fallon’ parodies ‘Game of Thrones’

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Jimmy Fallon and his talented team at Late Night have a new digital series parodying HBO’s popular fantasy series Game of Thrones aptly titled Game of Desks. Fallon pulls double duty portraying skewed versions of Ned Stark and Daenerys Targaryen here, as does announcer Higgins who plays a convincing Lord Varys and Khal Drogo. From the impressive opening animation to the elaborate set pieces and wardrobe, Game of Desks makes an entertaining Thrones parody that every fan of the show will enjoy watching. Mash play and take it in! Catch some fantastic promotional posters in the gallery below.

[Images via @jimmyfallon]

Bill Hader to depart ‘SNL’ this week, Fred Armisen & Jason Sudeikis may follow

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A trio of SNL veterans may be departing Studio 8H this weekend when the late-night sketch comedy show closes its 38th season. One is definitely confirmed to make an exit and that’s Bill Hader. The talented comedian-actor joined the cast of SNL as a featured player in 2005 and a year later he became a main member of the cast. After eights years of so many laughs (his wildly outrageous Weekend Update character Stefon will forever remain in our hearts) Hader is ready to leave his game-show host personas and impressive impersonations (James Carville and Clint Eastwood come to mind) behind.

“It was a hard decision, but it has to happen at some point,” Hader told The New York Times. “It got to a point where I said, ‘Maybe it’s just time to go.’ ”

This Saturday’s episode will be Hader’s last. But what about Jason Sudeikis, who has been fiddling with the idea of leaving the show since last year, and Fred Armisen, a 10-year vet? A New York Post article claims they will be joining Hader on the outs, but the report has not been confirmed by the actors or SNL boss Lorne Michaels.

Michaels praised Hader’s tenure with the Times. “He was so completely committed to the art of it, and enough a student of it, that there’s something strikingly original. He didn’t explode onto the air, but gradually he found his voice, and that became a huge thing.” He also commented on the rumors involving Sudeikis and Armisen. “I think they’re making their decisions, and we’ll know soon enough. I’ve said what I wanted to say to both. You never keep anybody there who doesn’t want to be there, and there is a right time to leave, but it’s more about where they are in their lives.”

Bill is one of the best talents to grace 30 Rock’s Studio 8H and he will sorely be missed next season. And if Fred and Jason leave too, next year one will be one of transition for the long-running sketch show. Also departing in early 2014 is Seth Meyers who is leaving the Weekend Update desk to take over NBC’s Late Night when Jimmy Fallon moves to The Tonight Show.

Update: Armisen and Sudeikis are joining Hader in not returning to SNL next season.

2013 Upfronts: The CW orders 5 new series for next season

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The big four networks have revealed their new shows for the fall, but let’s not forget about CBS’ sister network The CW. Today at the Upfronts the young-skewing net showed off five new dramas including The Vampire Diaries spinoff The Originals and The Tomorrow People from TVD‘s Julie Plec and Arrow‘s Greg Berlanti. Learn all about The CW’s new fall lineup after the break. Continue reading 2013 Upfronts: The CW orders 5 new series for next season →

2013 Upfronts: CBS orders 8 new series for next season

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On Wednesday CBS was the last of the big four networks to present their 2013-15 TV season offerings at the 2013 Upfronts, unveiling 11 new series coming to the the Eye network: five comedies and three dramas. Jump after the break to get more information about all of the new shows including synopses, cast and creator/executive producer listings, clips, and initial reactions.

Significant changes to the schedule include: Hawaii Five-0 steps out of Mondays at 10 to make room for new dramas Hostages and Intelligence–the former (which will air 15 episodes total) will premiere in the fall and the latter will take over in February; Five-0 moves to Fridays at 9 where it will be sandwiched between Undercover Boss and Blue Bloods… Person of Interest leaves its Thursday post to join the NCIS franchise on Tuesdays at 10… This allows the Thursday comedy block to expand to two hours–stuffed between veterans The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men are newcomers The Millers and The Crazy Ones; closing out the night is Elementary.

Elsewhere: Returning sitcom Mike & Molly along with new comedy Friends with Better Lives and new dramas Reckless and Intelligence are being held for midseason debuts.

Programs not returning next season: CSI: NY, Golden Boy, Made In Jersey, Vegas, Partners, and Rules of Engagement.

Update: CBS has uploaded extended “first looks” for all of their upcoming fall shows; they are embedded after the break. Continue reading 2013 Upfronts: CBS orders 8 new series for next season →

2013 Upfronts: ABC orders 13 new series for next season

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On Tuesday ABC took the stage at the 2013 Upfronts, unveiling 11 new series coming to the network next season: five comedies, seven dramas, and one reality show. Jump after the break to get more information about all of the new shows including synopses, cast and creator/executive producer listings, clips, and initial reactions.

Significant changes to the schedule include: Tuesday night at the network undergoes a complete overhaul; the highly anticipated drama Marvel’s Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D. opens the night at 8PM leading into two new sitcoms The Goldbergs and Trophy Wife and another new drama Lucky 7… The Dancing with the Stars results show has been yanked from the sked on Tuesday to make room for S.H.I.E.L.D. and it will now be integrated in the two-hour Stars performance show on Mondays… On Wednesdays The Middle will serve as the lead-in for the new James Caan sitcom Back In The Game and Rebel Wilson’s Super Fun Night gets the plum post-Modern Family slot at 9:30PM; Nashville will continue to close the night… Originally the plan was to have Once spinoff Once Upon A Time In Wonderland air in the winter when the flagship series will be on hiatus, but the network ultimately decided to run both Once and its spinoff concurrently in the fall; Wonderland opens Wednesday night to lead into Shonda Rhimes’ dramas Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal to make for a “empowered female” night… The Neighbors relocates to Fridays at 8:30PM paired with Last Man Standing.

Elsewhere: ABC president Paul Lee shared his plan to divide some of the network’s high profile dramas in 12-episode halves; at least Once, Revenge, and Scandal will air 12 episodes uninterrupted in the fall, take a break, and then return with another 12 episodes that will last until May. Bridging the gap in-between will be limited series like reality show The Quest… Lee also spoke about his “hard decision” to cancel the acclaimed comedy Happy Endings: “I do think Happy Endings is absolutely on brand,” he said. “What we found was it was just too narrow. It was a very hard decision because, as you know, I love that show and I found it very hard to make that decision. On the same token, I think Super Fun Night and Mixology [coming midseason] are broader shows that will bring in a wider audience.” Happy Endings still has the opportunity to be saved by a cable network like USA… Returning sitcom Suburgatory and new comedy Mixology, along with new dramas Killer Women, Mind Games, and Resurrection are being held for midseason… Following in FOX’s footsteps, ABC is touting “limited series” with shorter, cable-like runs; midseason’s Resurrection will play out as a limited series with 13 episodes.

Programs not returning next season: 666 Park Avenue, Body of Proof, Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23, Family Tools, Happy Endings, How To Live With Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life), Last Resort, Malibu Country, Private Practice, Red Widow, and Zero Hour. Continue reading 2013 Upfronts: ABC orders 13 new series for next season →

2013 Upfronts: FOX orders 11 new series for next season

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FOX followed NBC at the 2013 Upfronts on Monday, unveiling 11 new series coming to the network next season: six comedies, four dramas, and one reality show. Jump after the break to get more information about all of the new shows including synopses, cast and creator/executive producer listings, clips, and initial reactions.

Significant changes to the schedule include: Monday night is genre night for FOX; in the fall Bones is paired with Sleepy Hollow from Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, and in late fall J.J. Abrams and J.H. Wyman’s Almost Human will lead into new episodes of Sleepy Hollow and then The Following when midseason rolls around… Joining New Girl and The Mindy Project on Tuesday nights is multi-cam comedy from Seth MacFarlane Dads and single-cam sitcom starring Andy Samberg and Andre Braugher Brooklyn Nine-Nine; the network opens a second comedy block in late fall with Raising Hope and Enlisted with Geoff Stults on Friday nights… Bones is also relocating from to Friday starting in late fall where it will lead into the aforementioned second comedy block… When Glee goes off the air in midseason, Greg Kinnear drama Rake will take over the Thursday at 9PM slot; Glee will return in late spring and finish its fifth cycle in June.

Elsewhere: For next season FOX is focused on introducing new programming all year round by staggering premieres in fall, late fall, midseason, and in the summer. The network is looking to “reinvent the miniseries” with “limited event series.” Two major event series were announced at their upfronts presentation: Wayward Pines (10 episodes) from M. Night Shyamalan (starring Matt Dillon) and the return of 24 (subtitled Live Another Day, 12 episodes)  with Kiefer Sutherland back the iconic role of Jack Bauer. These shows are slated to debut in 2014… Following the Super Bowl on February 2, the network will air a new episode of New Girl and pair it with a new half-hour comedy still TBD… Also coming in 2014 is Seth MacFarlane’s reboot of Carl Sagan’s Cosmos with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson on board to host the 13-episode journey through our universe… The Cleveland Show‘s fate is still up in the air… Gang Related, Surviving Jack, Us & Them, and the animated Murder Police are being held for midseason.

Programs not returning next season: Ben and Kate, The Mob Doctor, Fringe, and Touch. Continue reading 2013 Upfronts: FOX orders 11 new series for next season →

2013 Upfronts: NBC orders 17 new series for next season

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Today NBC kicked off the 2013 Upfronts, an annual event where the big four networks present their upcoming slate of new programming to advertisers and the press. The Peacock unveiled 17 new series coming to the network next season: six comedies, eight dramas, and three reality shows. Jump after the break to get more information about all of the new shows including synopses, cast and creator/executive producer listings, clips, and initial reactions.

Significant changes to the schedule include: Revolution moves from Monday nights at 10PM to Wednesday nights at 8PM to make room for James Spader in The Blacklist (the new drama falls into the network’s high profile slot after The Voice)… Parks And Recreation shifts to 8PM on Thursday nights to lead a family themed night that includes three new half-hour sitcoms and Parenthood at 10PM… The network is expanding its genre night on Fridays by pairing Grimm with Dracula in the fall, and midseason will welcome Crossbones… In midseason when the football season is over, scripted programming will be introduced on Sunday nights with J.J. Abrams’ Believe and Rand Ravich’s Crisis occupying the 9PM-11PM timeframe.

Elsewhere: Community is coming back for a 13-episode fourth season but it doesn’t have a slot on the schedule yet… Hannibal‘s fate is still up in the air… Jimmy Fallon will take over The Tonight Show during the Winter Olympics starting Monday, February 4 at 11:30PM; Seth Meyers will fill Fallon’s seat at Late Night at 12:30AM. About a Boy, The Family Guide, and Crossbones are being held for midseason; Chicago PD, The Night Shift, and Undateable have yet to be scheduled.

Programs not returning next season: 1600 Penn, 30 Rock, Animal Practice, Deception, Do No Harm, Go On, Guys With Kids, The New Normal, The Office, Rock Center with Brian Williams, Smash, Up All Night, and Whitney. Continue reading 2013 Upfronts: NBC orders 17 new series for next season →

It’s official: Kiefer Sutherland returns as Jack Bauer in FOX’s event series ’24: Live Another Day’

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What a year it has been for fans of groundbreaking television returning to their former glory. Seven years after it aired its final episode due to low ratings and forced cancellation, Arrested Development is returning with 15 new installments in under two weeks time. 24 bowed out after eight seasons on air, and rumors of a feature film had been swirling since it ended. Following Arrested‘s lead, the creative heads behind the suspenseful drama ultimately decided to opt out of a movie and instead bring the series back in episodic form. Are you getting this? 24 is coming back for more!

FOX is labeling the return of 24 as an “event series,” meaning it will come in a smaller, yet still impactful package. 24: Live Another Day will retain the 24 DNA by telling a season-long story that takes place over the course of one day in Jack Bauer’s life, however this time around the trek will be truncated into 12 episodes instead of the usual 24. FOX chairmen Kevin Reilly spilled the following: “It will go chronologically over the day, but it will skip hours. It will be dictated by the plot…The spine of the original 24 episodes was about 12 hours. Those were when the big events occurred, and then there were little events and connective tissue in between. So [we’re] taking the best 12 [of the 24].” He added, “A lot of who’s who in Hollywood wanted to participate in this,” so fans can expect some surprise special guests to pop up over the course of the season in addition to fan favorites (Chloe must return!). No plot details have surfaced yet, but the official PR states the new season will find Jack “several years following the events of the final season.”

Wondering why the movie never came to fruition? Reilly confessed that the producers realized that “24 compressed into two hours is not 24.” It’s that simple.

Will this limited event series mark the real end of 24? Reilly wouldn’t say, but he did acknowledge the series’ “franchise-ability;” he won’t promise a new season of 24 every year, but depending on how the upcoming 12 new episodes perform in the ratings he is leaving a door open for a potential sequel of sorts.

24: Live Another Day is slated to premiere May 2014 and serve as a summer series for FOX. It is a production of 20th Century Fox Television in association with Teakwood Lane Productions. Howard Gordon, Brian Grazer, and Kiefer Sutherland will executive produce, along with an additional team to be announced.

[Via Deadline; TVLine; EW; TDB]

The ‘Arrested Development’ trailer has arrived

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Whatever you’re doing right now, STOP IT. Stop it at once and click play to catch your very first glimpse into the new batch of Arrested Development episodes coming to Netflix just two weeks from today. The Bluths are back, and it is so guaranteed their long-awaited return will put the biggest smile on your face.

Arrested Development premires on Netflix with 15 brand new installments all at once on May 26. It’s the final countdown.

ABC picks up ‘Once Upon A Time In Wonderland’

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Here’s the first production still from the Once Upon A Time spinoff now titled Once Upon A Time In Wonderland. English born actress Sophie Lowe stars as Alice, seen for the very first time in the image posted above. Here’s the latest synopsis provided by ABC:

In Victorian England, the young and beautiful Alice (Sophie Lowe) tells a tale of a strange new land that exists on the other side of a rabbit hole.  An invisible cat, a hookah smoking caterpillar and playing cards that talk are just some of the fantastic things she’s seen during this impossible adventure.  Surely this troubled girl must be insane and her doctors aim to cure her with a treatment that will make her forget everything.  Alice seems ready to put it all behind her, especially the painful memory of the genie she fell in love with and lost forever — the handsome and mysterious Cyrus (Peter Gadiot).  But deep down Alice knows this world is real and just in the nick of time, the sardonic Knave of Hearts (Michael Socha) and the irrepressible White Rabbit (John Lithgow) arrive to save her from a doomed fate. Together, the trio will take a tumble down the rabbit hole to this Wonderland where nothing is impossible.

This fresh adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s tale down the rabbit hole comes from Once co-creators Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz and will be executive produced by Steve Perlman and Zack Estrin. Wonderland is envisioned as a standalone, limited series that will air when the flagship series is on its winter hiatus. In a way, it will bridge the gap during the break. Next week ABC will be unveiling its entire slate of new series for next season and there the network will likely shed even more light on the exciting promise of a new realm to be explored.

‘SNL’s Seth Meyers to take over Late Night

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Last month it was announced that Jay Leno is going to re-retire as host of The Tonight Show in the spring 2014. His successor, Jimmy Fallon. With Fallon leaving his Late Night post, rumors began to swirl as to who would take over that soon-to-be vacant position. All signs pointed to SNL cast member, head writer, and anchor of Weekend Update Seth Meyers. The signs pointed the right direction.

Today NBC made it official that Seth Meyers, who has spent twelve seasons with SNL (eight as head writer, seven as Weekend Update anchor), will become the next host of Late Night after Jimmy Fallon transitions to The Tonight Show. Lorne Michaels will executive produce Late Night with Seth Meyers, along with The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and Saturday Night Live. Michael Shoemaker will remain with Late Night as a producer.

“We think Seth is one of the brightest, most insightful comedy writers and performers of his generation,” said NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt. “His years at SNL‘s Weekend Update desk, not to mention being head writer of the show for many seasons, helped him hone a topical brand of comedy that is perfect for the Late Night franchise. We couldn’t be happier that Seth and Jimmy Fallon will be continuing their careers at NBC after growing up in this network’s late night legacy.”

Added Meyers, “I only have to work for Lorne for five more years before I pay him back for the time I totaled his car. 12:30 on NBC has long been incredible real estate. I hope I can do it justice.”

Both Meyers and Fallon made the successful transition from the SNL Weekend Update desk to a late night host; so now the big question remains: who will replace Myers as Weekend Update anchor? Make sure to tune into SNL next Saturday (with host Ben Affleck and musical guest Kanye West) to watch what may very well be Meyers’ final go at the desk.

[Via Deadline]