Category Archives: Television

Hulu Plus brings TV & movie content to Apple devices, Xbox 360, PS3, TVs & Blu-ray players

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The rumor mill just couldn’t handle it anymore so Hulu decided to make things official: Hulu is expanding its video streaming services to an electronic device near you.  The new subscription-based service does not replace Hulu.com, mind you; it gives TV addicts the option to pay $10/month to access full libraries of TV shows on their computers and many other devices.  So you know how many of your favorite TV shows you watch on Hulu.com are limited to streaming only five episodes at a time?  Hulu Plus subscribers will gain access to every episode of every season “for almost all of the current broadcast shows” Hulu offers.  In addition to having access to modern hit shows like House and Modern Family, Hulu Plus subscribers will be able to watch  “back seasons or full runs” of some classic TV shows.  These include The X-Files, Arrested Development, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Hulu calls it “a treasure chest in the cloud for TV lovers.”  I concur.  And here’s the kicker: all native HD content will stream in 720p high definition.

If you’re a Hulu Price subscriber you can take all your Hulu content into your living room and on the go.  I’ll list out the devices.  Samsung Internet-connected and Samsung App-enabled TVs & Blu-ray players (available today); Sony & VIZIO Internet-connected TVs & Blu-ray players (support coming Fall 2010); Microsoft Xbox 360 (coming early 2011); Sony PlayStation 3 (coming soon).  Got an Apple device?  There’s a Hulu Plus app available in the App Store; it runs on iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPod touch 3G (all running iOS4), and iPad.  And it will stream content over 3G and WiFi.  Score!  You can download the app today for free and watch some free content to test it out for yourself.  It’s pretty incredible, the ability to watch all your favorite (network) TV shows in HD away from the computer.  Sure you have to cough up $10 a month but if you’re a TV junkie like me, a price like that might just have you consider cutting the cable cord and opting for Hulu all the way.  Unless, of course, True Blood and Mad Men mean too much to you.  Decisions, decisions..

Currently Hulu is handing out invitations for Hulu Plus.  If you want to be considered for the first wave of subscribers, click here.  Hulu says, “We’ll be sending out as many invitations as we can each week, and as soon as we’re ready, we’ll remove the need for an invitation and start bringing in new subscribers without delay.”  Look after the break for an informative video about Hulu Plus.

[Via HuluBlog] Continue reading Hulu Plus brings TV & movie content to Apple devices, Xbox 360, PS3, TVs & Blu-ray players →

The Cleveland Show gets picked up for a third season

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Well would you look at that?  Following in Glee‘s footsteps, FOX has decided to green light a third season for its hit animated program The Cleveland Show.  Yes, there’s a solid reason why the Family Guy spin-off got renewed for a third season so early in the game: it was the highest rated new scripted half-hour program among the 18-34 demographic.  Voice of Cleveland Brown/co-creator/executive producer Mike Henry on the early pickup: “Thanks to FOX for their continued support.  I’m thrilled to keep my multiracial existence going for another season.”  Renewal news comes as a big relief for Henry and co. since the turnaround time for animation creation is very time intensive.  Henry: “It’s about a ten month process from start to finish.  But we don’t really try to be too topical and…I think it works to our advantage because hopefully in five years the episodes will still be as funny as they are now.”

Season 3 is so far out.  Want some details about what’s planned for season 2?  Will.I.Am, Justin Timberlake, T-Pain, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West (to reprise “Kenny West”), Tony Hawk, Carl Reiner, and the cast members of Glee are planned to lend their voices to the series; a Family Guy crossover episode is planned that’ll land Peter, Joe and Quagmire in LOCALE; and in the finale episode the Browns will journey to Comic Con.  Says Henry: “[In the finale] the whole family goes to Comic-Con for summer vacation.  Co-creator Rich Appel: “I think it’s safe to say that the nerds on our staff will not disappoint the nerds in our viewing public.”  The Cleveland Show is here to stay, folks.

[Via IGN, here & here]

Kanye West prepared for a comeback with BET Awards performance

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 Ever since his grave mistake of interrupting Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Music Awards and apologizing to her and his fans on The Jay Leno Show, Kanye hid from the public spotlight.  After locking himself up in the studio to work on his upcoming album (check out the phenomenal first single here), ‘Ye is ready to perform on a stage in front of a large audience for the first time in a long time.  It’s been confirmed that he will perform at the BET Awards on June 27.  Kanye West is finally ready to show his face to the world again.  Question is–is the world ready for Mr. West?

[Via EW-MusicMix]

FlashForward fans plan local “blackouts” in attempt to revive the series

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FlashForward fans never say die!  In a last resort effort to save the show from the dark and gloomy death by cancellation it received back in mid-May, FlashForward fans around the world are rallying together to show their support for the short-lived sci-fi drama.  The fight to encourage ABC to bring back the show began when fans mailed over 20,000 friendship bracelets to ABC head Steve McPherson.  (The bracelet was a significant item on the show; it was given to protagonist Mark Benford by his daughter Charlie…but if you’re reading this you know that already.)  Also since April, fans have been signing online petitions and mailing handwritten letters to ABC studios to “save FlashFoward” from its (no longer pending, really) demise.  All of these efforts to force ABC to open their hearts to fans and bring the show back culminate in what is about to happen later today: a staged “global blackout” in front of ABC studios.

On June 10, 2010 (that’s today people!) FlashForward super fans around the world will congregate in front of their local ABC affiliates and lay (as unconscious as possible) on the ground for two minutes and seventeen seconds at a designated time.  A majority of the meetups will last about two hours; for the rest of the time fans will carry signs, wear FlashForward t-shirts, and raise awareness about the cause to bystanders.  The following US cities will take part in the blackout today: Los Angeles, New York, Detroit, Seattle, and Chicago.  North Carolina also has groups at the ready.  And this will truly be a “global” blackout; fans from Toronto, Canada, London, England, Hanover, Germany, Endinburgh, Scottland, Italy, Brazil and many others are also anticipating blackout day.  More details are available at www.preventtheblackout.com, a neat fan-made site that collates contact and RSVP information for the day’s events.

If you’re a fan of the show and happen to live near a participating location, go out and support FlashForward!  Though all signs point to this show being a goner (the show has been cancelled and both Joseph Fiennes (Benford) and Christine Woods (Janis Hawk) have been cast to new series), there’s no reason not to give the show a glimmer of hope for potential survival by joining this exciting grassroots movement.  And when you make it there and wake up from the blackout don’t forget to ask your fellow supports, “What did you see?”

[Via SaveFlashForward]

Will Forte to guest star in Parks & Rec next season

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SNL’s MacGruber (the movie is hilarious, go see it!) has accepted an invitation to guest star in NBC’s Parks & Recreation in a season three episode.  According to Ausiello, Forte “will play a Pawnee resident whose obsession with the Twilight franchise complicates a pet project Poehler’s Leslie is working on.  Hint: Think time capsule.”  Forte will be third SNL member to visit Pawnee, following Fred Armisen as  Raul, the head of the Venezuelan delegation, in “Sister City” and Andy Samberg’s loud-mouthed Park Ranger Carl in “Park Safety.”

[Via EW-AusielloFiles]

Entourage returns to HBO June 27 [Update]

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The seventh season of Entourage is set to hit the airwaves this summer on June 27.  It will air at 10:30PM on HBO, joining Hung (season 2), True Blood (season 3), and newcomer Treme on Sunday nights.  The teaser trailer (embedded after the break) asks “Once you have it all…what’s next?”  The poster answers, “Enjoy the ride.”  Last time we saw the gang, Ari bought out Terrance’s agency, Vince, Drama, and Turtle were setting off for Rome to watch Vince start a new film, and E successfully proposed to Sloan.  Looking forward to see where things go next.

Update: Look after the break for an extended trailer with season 7 footage included.

[Via Facebook] Continue reading Entourage returns to HBO June 27 [Update] →

A zombie from AMC’s “The Walking Dead” [Update]

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The Walking Dead Picture

Look what we have here!  It’s a makeup test photo from AMC’s “The Walking Dead“, a new TV series based on Robert Kirkman’s comic book that shares the same name.  The upcoming series stars Andrew Lincoln as protagonist Rick Grimes, Sarah Waynes Callies as his wife Lori Grimes, and Jon Bernthal as Grimes’ partner.  Together they will lead a resistance in the fight against a zombie-dominated world.  “The Walking Dead” begins this October on AMC.  That is one good looking zombie, if I may be so bold.

Update: Quint from Aint It Cool News sat down with The Walking Dead comic book creator Robert Kirkman to talk about the upcoming AMC series.  Look after the break for some worthy takeaways. Continue reading A zombie from AMC’s “The Walking Dead” [Update] →

Lost: The Complete Collection coming to DVD & Blu-Ray August 24

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Lost fans, “The End” has come and gone.  But the show must go on…in your living room.  Today ABC released the details concerning the DVD & Blu-Ray release of Lost: The Complete Collection.  Here’s what you need to know.  The ultimate fan package includes:

• Every Episode in the Series (Seasons 1 through 6)

• Over 30hrs of Season 1-6 Bonus materials (previously released materials from Season 1-5 and the all-new Season 6 bonus material)

• A unique series of featurettes that takes viewers on very personal tours of Oahu where the series was created, with key cast and crew as they reflect.

• Exploring the global phenomenon that is Lost, bonus showcases events ranging from the series cast and crew at San Diego’s famed Comic-Con convention to international voice recordings, local events and even fan parties, all of which helped make the show into a worldwide favorite.

• A closer look at some of the props with cast, writers and producers, exploring their significance, stories and emotional ties to the characters.

• Humorous yet emotional look at every character who died on the series

• 16 hilarious Lost “Slapdowns” featurettes showcasing celebrity Lost fans who confront Executive Producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse to ask press questions about the final season, including the Muppets and cast members Nestor Carbonell, Michael Emerson, Rebecca Mader and more.

The packaging and its contents include: “a Special Edition collectible ‘Senet’ Game as seen in Season Six, a custom LOST island replica, an exclusive episode guide, a collectible Ankh, and a black light penlight.”  Though the list prices for the DVD and Blu-Ray collections are $229.99 and $279.99, respectively, you can pre-order them at Amazon for $148.99 and $194.99.  Don’t wait and miss out on the reduced pricing.

ABC also divulged information about the release of Lost: The Complete Sixth and Final Season DVD & Blu-Ray box sets.  These will include: every sixth season episode; bloopers and deleted scenes; audio commentaries; and the following featurettes- “The End: Crafting a Final Season”, “A Heroes Journey”, “See You In Another Life, Brotha”, and “LOST On Location.”  Finally there’s the Lost Blu-Ray & DVD exclusive that’s described as: “Go deeper into the world of LOST with a much-anticipated new chapter of the island’s story from Executive Producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse.”  This is likely the Hurley-Ben epilogue Michael Emerson hinted at during his interview on G4’s Attack of the Show.  It will be a 15-20 minute clip that reveals the life of Hurley as the new Jacob and Ben as his #2.  (Note: All Lost: The Complete Sixth and Final Season extras are included in The Complete Collection package.)  Though the list prices for the DVD and Blu-Ray box sets are $59.99 and $79.99, respectively, you can pre-order them at Amazon for $38.99 and $51.99.  Don’t wait and miss out on the reduced pricing.Both Lost: The Complete Collection and Lost: The Complete Sixth and Final Season DVD & Blu-Ray sets will be made available online and in stores on August 24.  Look after the break for the full press release and more details.

[Via /Film]

Continue reading Lost: The Complete Collection coming to DVD & Blu-Ray August 24 →

“Get a Mac” ad campaign is officially over

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About a month ago actor Justin Long (aka Mac) hinted that Apple was done with the “Get a Mac” TV commercial series that started way backin 2006.  The latest “Get a Mac” ad was released in October 2009.  So it comes at no surprise that Apple has officially decided to pull the plug on it.  Watch the compilation video above to reminisce the good ‘ol days of PC (the hilarious John Hodgeman) and Mac.  In addition to removing the commercials from the airwaves, Apple has replaced the “Get a Mac” website (which allowed you to watch the ads on demand) with a “Why You’ll Love a Mac” page.  Head over to AdFreak where you’ll find a listing of every ad made over the years (there’s 66 in total).  Look after the break to watch my two favorite spots.

[Via MacRumors; Gizmodo] Continue reading “Get a Mac” ad campaign is officially over →

Glee renewed for season three (already!)

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You might be wondering why Mr. Will Shuester is giving us that smirk.  Maybe it’s because FOX has gone ahead and renewed Glee for a third season!  Though this news does come early, it is definitely not a surprise.  The numbers say it all: Glee is the number one new scripted series among adults 18-49 and adults 18-34, and has averaged 9.4 million total viewers, according to EW.  Here’s what some people had to say about the early pickup.  Peter Rice, the Fox Networks Group Entertainment Chairman: “In just one year, Glee has transcended the television landscape and emerged as a global pop culture phenomenon.”  Kevin Reilly, Fox Entertainment President: “Everything about Glee – from the concept to the characters to the marketing – has been innovative and risky, but with [series creator] Ryan Murphy tapping into the zeitgeist, the risk has paid off with this truly remarkable series. Glee has one of the most active, devoted fan bases I’ve ever seen, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to give Gleeks a third season of their favorite show.”  Creator Ryan Murphy: “It’s been a whirlwind year – from shooting the pilot to performing at the White House to the concert tour that began last week – and yet we all feel like we’ve just begun this amazing musical journey. We think our Gleeks worldwide are going to love what we’ll have in store for them in seasons two and three.”  So in other words…Glee isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.  Gleek out!

[Via EW-HollywoodInsider]

Rob Corddry’s “Childrens Hospital” web series coming to Adult Swim this summer

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You know Rob Corddry.  He started as a correspondant on The Daily Show and he starred in the failed FOX series The Winner and movies Harold & Kumar: Escape from Guantanamo Bay and Hot Tub Time Machine.  Well he’s a got an award-winning web series called “Childrens Hospital” and it’s downright hysterical.  Created and written by Corddry and collaborators David Wain and Jonathan Stern, “Childrens Hospital” is a satirical medical comedy that “explores the emotional struggles and sexual politics of a group of doctors charged with healthy libidos.  Their dedication to their personal lives is relentless, interrupted only by the occasional need to treat sick children.” 

Check out this all-star cast: Rob Corddry, Malin Akerman (Watchmen), Lake Bell (How To Make It In America), Ken Marino (Party Down), Megan Mullally (Will & Grace), Rob Huebel (Human Giant) and Henry Winkler.  And the guest stars are even better:  Ed Begley Jr. (Arrested Development), Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation), John Cho (Star Trek), Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters), Kurtwood Smith (That ’70s Show), Lizzy Caplan (Party Down), Rachel Harris (The Hangover) , David Wain, Paul Scheer (Human Giant), Kerri Kenney-Silver (The State), Marion Ross (Happy Days),  Erinn Hayes (Worst Week),  Jason Sudeikis (SNL),  Ed Helms (The Office), and Michael Cera (Arrested Development).

What started as a web series is being turned into a television show to be aired on Adult Swim (late-night Cartoon Network) this summer.  You can watch season one in its entirety right now at TheWB.com, or you can wait to watch it on TV starting July 11 at 10:30PM.  Watch the trailer here.  Ten episodes have been produced and they’re each about 4-5 minutes long.  Season two will follow in August.

[Via IGN]