Category Archives: Television

TV reminder: This is the official start week to the new fall season

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*This post will remain at the top of the page through the end of the week. For newer posts, simply scroll down.*

A friendly reminder: Today, Monday, September 24, is when you’ll start to see an explosion of new programming from the big four networks. Many new and returning shows are scheduled to premiered this week through Sunday the 30th. And then there are some–like Nashville and Community and The CW’s entire lineup–that won’t enter the scene until next month. Here are quick links to my previously posted 2012 Fall TV Schedules:

NBC // FOX // ABC //  CBS //  THE CW

I’ll be back to remind you about select premieres on cable periodically through the fall season. Happy watching!

2012 Emmys results: ‘Modern Family’ & ‘Homeland’ big winners

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On Sunday night, Modern Family and Homeland scored big wins at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards. The ABC comedy was awarded a total of four Emmys: Eric Stonestreet for Outstanding Supporting Actor; Julie Bowen for Outstanding Supporting Actress; Steven Levitan for Outstanding Director; and the show was named Outstanding Comedy. Elsewhere in comedy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep) managed to beat Amy Poehler for Outstanding Actress; Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men) rock his category to surpass Jim Parsons, Louis C.K., Larry David, and Alec Baldwin to win Outstanding Actor. Speaking of Louie, the comedian took home two Emmys–one for Outstanding Writing for the Louie episode “Pregnant” and another writing achievement for his standup special Live at the Beacon Theatre.

The Showtime political drama Homeland was awarded five Emmys: Claire Danes for Outstanding Actress; Damian Lewis for Outstanding Actor; Outstanding Writing for the “Pilot” epiosde by Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon, and Gideon Raff; at the Creative Emmys the show picked up Best Casting; and lastly it broke Mad Men‘s impressive streak and won Outstanding Drama. Elsewhere in drama, Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey) was crowned Outstanding Supporting Actress; Aaron Paul triumphed over his Breaking Bad co-star Giancarlo Esposito to win Outstanding Supporting Actor; and Tim Van Patten nabbed Outstanding Director for his work on Boardwalk Empire.

Other notable wins… the HBO movie Game Change swept the Miniseries/Movie category with five wins including Outstanding Actress (Julianne Moore), Outstanding Writing (Danny Strong), Outstanding Directing (Jay Roach), Best Casting, and it took home Outstanding Miniseries or Movie. The highly rated History channel miniseries Hatfields and McCoys won two Emmys and Jessica Lange nabbed Outstanding Supporting Actress for her role in FX’s American Horror Story. And like clockwork Comedy Central’s The Daily Show With Jon Stewart won Outstanding Variety Series for the tenth year in a row.

Jump after the break to see all the night’s winners. Continue reading 2012 Emmys results: ‘Modern Family’ & ‘Homeland’ big winners →

Kick off the final season of ‘The Office’ with this (emotional) retrospective

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Tonight (9/20) NBC kicks off the final season of The Office at 9PM. After what will be nine seasons of ups and downs in terms of sheer laughs and creative direction, Dunder Mifflin will close its doors for good this May. Before you sit down and watch tonight’s season premiere, watch this admittedly emotional retrospective that highlights some of the best, most memorable moments from the wacky, longrunning mockumentary. We miss you Michael Scott.

Tonight’s NBC lineup also includes the Up All Night (8:30PM) and Parks and Rec (9:30PM) season premieres, and they are preceded by an SNL Weekend Update Thursday special (8PM).

‘Bates Motel’ finds its Norman Bates

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A&E’s upcoming Psycho prequel series from Carlton Cuse (Lost) and Kerry Ehrin (Friday Night Lights) has just found its Norman Bates. Twenty-year-old Englishman Freddy Highmore, who you should remember from films such as Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, August Rush, and The Spiderwick Chronicles, has been cast as the famous series killer invented by Alfred Hitchcock. Cuse celebrated the news in a tweet: “I am so delighted that Freddie Highmore will play our young Norman Bates. He is a wonderfully gifted actor and a great guy.”

In other casting news, actor Max Thieriot (Jumper) has landed the role of Norman’s brother Dylan. In another tweet Cuse shared, “Max Thieriot joins BATES MOTEL playing Norma’s OTHER son, Dylan. Max is a phenomenal, smart & magnetic actor. An amazing casting day.”

Bates Motel is described as “a contemporary exploration of the formative years of Norman Bates’ relationship with his mother, Norma [played by Vera Farmiga], and the world they inhabit. Viewers will have access to the dark, twisted backstory and learn firsthand how Norma helped forge the most famous serial killer of them all.”

It’s expected to premiere on A&E in October 2013.

[Via TV Guide; Twitter]

‘Entourage’ movie update: Creator Doug Ellin is almost done with the script!

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If you thought you’d never see the boys again, you thought wrong. Entourage creator Doug Ellin spilled to Deadline that his plans to bring back Vince, Drama, Turtle, E, and Ari for one last big screen hurrah are chugging along at a brisk pace. As of this past Wednesday he claimed to be on page 110 of the screenplay and that he has hopes to finish it by this Sunday. Though the plot is being kept under wraps, Ellin teased what’s in store for fans of the hit HBO series. If you recall, during a post-credits sequence agent Ari Gold received an important phone call from John Ellis asking if he would succeed him as the head of a studio. “There are interesting developments about Ari as a studio head, and that’s still the first page for me,” said Ellin. “But foremost is the friendship between the guys who are still hanging out and going to fun parties, and it continues with the same characters.”

And now we wait with bated breath for HBO to greenlight Entourage: The Movie. When there’s more, you’ll know. For now, smoke more weed Turtle, seriously.

[Via Deadline]

‘SNL’ adds three featured players, Jason Sudeikis staying on (for now)

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As we inch ever so close to the 38th season premiere of Saturday Night Live, it’s been confirmed that three new featured players will take the place of the departed Kristin Wiig, Andy Samberg, and Abby Elliot. They are Aidy Bryant, Tim Robinson, and Cecily Strong and they all hail from Chicago’s Second City improv comedy club.

In other SNL news, although the most recent reports had Jason Sudeikis eyeing an exit from the late-night NBC show, head honcho Lorne Michaels informs us that the actor will remain on the show “at least until January” so that he can reprise his roles as presidential candidate Mitt Romney and Vice President Joe Biden as we head into election season.

And there’s one more thing: Michaels has shared that featured player Jay Pharoah will be replacing Fred Armisen as President Obama on the show this season. In an interview with the New York Times Michaels said, “Jay has been doing Obama in his act this summer, and Jay is coming into his own. I just thought it might be time to shake it up.”

SNL returns to NBC’s lineup this Saturday night (9/15) at 11:35PM with host Seth MacFarlane and musical guest Frank Ocean.

[Via EW; NYT 1, 2]

FOX schedules bonus episode of ‘Touch’ before second season premieres

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Touch fans, listen here! Kiefer Sutherland’s Martin Bohm is returning to TV earlier than expected in a bonus episode that airs tomorrow night, Friday, September 14 at 8PM. The logline for “The Road Not Taken” goes like this:

In an all-new bonus episode, Martin’s car mysteriously breaks down in the town where he first became a reporter. When he begins to suspect his mentor is involved in illegal activity there, he risks severing their friendship in order to find the truth.

It’s certainly not the more reliable source, but according to Wikipedia this unaired episode is part of season one and takes place after the two-part finale “Gyre.” That final sequence when (spoiler alert) Martin and Jake connect with Amelia’s mother Lucy felt like a fantastic season ender; it will be interesting to see how this lost “episode 13” (which sounds like it may entirely be a flashback) plays into the story and where we left off.

Touch returns for its second season on October 26 on FOX. It will be paired with Fringe on Fridays.

2012 Fall TV Schedule: NBC

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Here we are, the most exciting time of year. Summer is coming to a close, school is back in session, new shows premiere and your favorites return to the magical box in your living room. The 2012 fall TV season technically doesn’t start until later this month, but some of the networks are premiering new shows sooner rather than later. Whip out your calendar; it’s prime time to mark it up.

NBC has the most staggered rollout of the big four networks. In August, the Peacock previewed the Matthew Perry starrer Go On and the wacky Animal Practice to take advantage of its Olympics coverage. They also premiered the controversial reality show Stars Earn Stripes and the second season of Grimm last month. NBC will continue to let shows premiere before the official start of the fall season with The Voice starting Monday, September 10. Also premiering next week is Go On (a re-airing of the pilot on 9/10 plus episode 2 on 9/11), The New Normal (the pilot on 9/10 plus episode 2 on 9/11), Parenthood, and Guys with Kids. The week of September 17 sees the premiere of Revolution, Up All Night, The Office, and Parks and Recreation. Interestingly, the network is only premiering one show during the official start week (that is 9/24 -9/30), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Fans of 30 Rock, Whitney, and Community will have to wait until October. Also premiering that month is the Dick Wolf drama Chicago Fire.

Buzzy NBC dramas to look out for include J.J. Abrams’ Revolution (I saw it, the pilot is good not great, much potential is there) and Hannibal from Bryan Fuller. The latter show is premiering in midseason along with Do No Harm, Infamous, and comedies Next Caller, Save Me, and 1600 Penn.

Ryan Murphy’s The New Normal is certainly the network’s most buzzy new comedy. Having watched the previews of both shows during the summer Olympics, I heartily recommend Go On over Animal Practice, especially if you’ve been following Perry over the years.

Jump after the break to view the full schedule.

Click here to get reacquainted with the new programming.

Look in the gallery below to view key art, aka TV posters!

Continue reading 2012 Fall TV Schedule: NBC →

2012 Fall TV Schedule: FOX

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Here we are, the most exciting time of year. Summer is coming to a close, school is back in session, new shows premiere and your favorites return to the magical box in your living room. The 2012 fall TV season technically doesn’t start until later this month, but some of the networks are premiering new shows sooner rather than later. Whip out your calendar; it’s prime time to mark it up.

FOX’s fall rollout begins next week on Thursday, September 13 with the two-night premiere of The X Factor (now with Britney Spears and Demi Lovato) and Glee. Monday, September 17 sees the return of Bones and the series premiere of new medical drama The Mob Doctor. During the official start week (9/24 – 9/30) viewers will catch two new episodes of New Girl as well as the series premiere of Ben And Kate and The Mindy Project, plus the return of Kitchen Nightmares, Fringe, and the Sunday night Animation Domination lineup. October sees the premieres of Raising Hope, The Cleveland Show, and Kiefer Sutherland’s Touch.

Buzzy FOX comedies to look out for include Ben And Kate (starring Dakota Johnson, Nat Faxon, and Maggie Jones) and The Mindy Project (starring Mindy Kaling).

A FOX drama to look out for is The Following from Kevin Williamson starring Kevin Bacon. It premieres in midseason along with comedy The Goodwin Games.

Jump after the break to view the full schedule.

Click here to get reacquainted with the new programming.

Look in the gallery below to view key art, aka TV posters!

Continue reading 2012 Fall TV Schedule: FOX →

2012 Fall TV Schedule: ABC

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Here we are, the most exciting time of year. Summer is coming to a close, school is back in session, new shows premiere and your favorites return to the magical box in your living room. The 2012 fall TV season technically doesn’t start until later this month, but some of the networks are premiering new shows sooner rather than later. Whip out your calendar; it’s prime time to mark it up.

ABC is following CBS with a rather traditional fall rollout, however they are saving a handful of shows for October and November starts. After Shark Tank, What Would You Do?, and 20/20 begin on Friday, September 24, the majority of ABC’s fall shows will premiere during official start week–that is Monday, September 24 through Sunday, September 30. October will see the premieres of Nashville and returning shows Suburgatory, Happy Endings, and Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23. In early November the Tim Allen starrer Last Man Standing returns to the schedule with Reba McEntire’s Malibu Country.

Buzzy ABC dramas to look out for include new country/pop musical Nashville (starring Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere), Shawn Ryan’s politically charged Last Resort (starring Andre Braugher and Scott Speedman), and the mysterious 666 Park Avenue (starring Terry O’Quinn, Vanessa Williams, Rachael Taylor, and Dave Annable).

None of the network’s fall comedies particularly stand out yet, but be on the look out for midseason entrants How To Live With Your Parents (For The Rest Of Your Life) (starring Sarah Chalke and Brad Garrett) and Family Tools (starring Kyle Bornheimer and J.K. Simmons). Other mid-season starters include Zero Hour and Red Widow.

Jump after the break to view the full schedule.

Click here to get reacquainted with the new programming.

Look in the gallery below to view key art, aka TV posters!

Continue reading 2012 Fall TV Schedule: ABC →

2012 Fall TV Schedule: CBS

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Here we are, the most exciting time of year. Summer is coming to a close, school is back in session, new shows premiere and your favorites return to the magical box in your living room. The 2012 fall TV season technically doesn’t start until later this month, but some of the networks are premiering new shows sooner rather than later. Whip out your calendar; it’s prime time to mark it up.

As is tradition, CBS has no surprises up its sleeves when it comes to rolling out their fall TV shows. After Survivor: Philippines begins on Wednesday, September 19, the rest of the network’s lineup will premiere during the official start week–that is Monday, September 24 through Sunday, September 30.

Buzzy CBS dramas to look out for include period show Vegas (starring Dennis Quaid and Michael Chiklis) and the Sherlock Homes inspired Elementary (starring Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu as Joan Watson).

The only new comedy entering the fray for CBS this fall is Partners (starring Michael Urie, David Krumholtz, Sophia Bush, and Brandon Routh). It comes from Will & Grace creators David Kohan and Max Mutchnick, so it might be worth giving a shot if your schedule allows for it.

The following shows are being held for midseason starts: Friend Me, Golden Boy, and The Job.

Jump after the break to view the full schedule.

Click here to get reacquainted with the new programming.

Look in the gallery below to view key art, aka TV posters!

Continue reading 2012 Fall TV Schedule: CBS →

2012 Fall TV Schedule: THE CW

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Here we are, the most exciting time of year. Summer is coming to a close, school is back in session, new shows premiere and your favorites return to the magical box in your living room. The 2012 fall TV season technically doesn’t start until later this month, but some of the networks are premiering new shows sooner rather than later. Whip out your calendar; it’s prime time to mark it up.

The CW is starting late. They’re letting their new and returning shows out of the gate next month. It’s all part of the network president Mark Pedowitz’s plan to let viewers sample the big four networks’ new programs before diving into The CW’s offerings with “no traction.” The network kicks things off October 2 with the return of the Rachel Bilson starrer Hart of Dixie, followed by Supernatural the following day. The following week of October 10 sees the return of 90210, Gossip Girl, and The Vampire Diaries. New shows Arrow and Beauty and the Beast also premiere that week. The week of October 16 sees the premiere of Emily Owens M.D. and on Friday, October 19 America’s Next Top Model returns to the schedule along with Nikita. The following shows are being held for midseason starts: The Carrie Diaries, Cult.

Jump after the break to view the full schedule.

Click here to get reacquainted with the new programming.

Look in the gallery below to view key art, aka TV posters!

Continue reading 2012 Fall TV Schedule: THE CW →