Category Archives: Television

Lost finale night just got bigger

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Sunday, May 23 is the day Lost ends.  But thanks to a recent change in plans, the show is looking forward to going out with a bang.  Before the 2 hour finale episode airs, an upgraded two hour retrospective (clip show) starting at 7PM ET will journey us back in time and make us relive how it all started and how we got to the events leading up to “The End.”  Following the finale (and local news) is a one hour special edition of Jimmy Kimmel Live called “Aloha to Lost”;  it promises to include an analysis of the finale and interviews with a number of casts members.  Previously it was mentioned that executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carton Cuse would join in on the discussion.  However, they announced on this week’s Lost podcast that they will not attend the live special.  In fact, they plan on going “radio silent” post-finale.  The episode “will be speaking for itself,” says Lindelof.  (Note that Darlton will appear as regular guests on JKL on Friday, May 21; they plan to tape a special video for Lost fans that will air on the special just two days later.)  In sum, ABC is dedicating 5 hours of Lost on May 23.  Lost finale night just got bigger, didn’t it?

Oh, but there’s more.  On Twitter Cuse announced there will be a special event called “Lost Live: The Final Celebration” at UCLA’s Royce Hall on May 13.  It will feature a live orchestra conducted by Lost composer Michael Giacchino and several cast members, plus Darlton, will be in there.  A private screening of the second-to-last episode will air for the fans in attendance.  Tickets are not on sale yet.  In addition, comedy troupe the Upright Citizens Brigade plans to host two Lost events on May 22, the night before the finale, in Los Angeles and New York.  Special guests like cast members and celebrity fans plan to be in attendance.  UCB member and well-known Lost fan Paul Scheer is working on making it all happen.

Update: Tickets for “Lost Live: The Final Celebration” go on sale Friday, April 23 at 10AM PT at at uclalive.org and ticketmaster.com.  It had been confirmed that composer Michael Giacchino will conduct a live orchestra and play songs from the show and that the following cast members will make an appearence:  Nestor Carbonell (Richard), Michael Emerson (Ben), and Jorge Garcia (Hurley).  All ticket proceeds will go to the Colburn School of Performing Arts.  After the concert, a screening of the penultimate episode will air for the attendees to experience together.  Note that if you’re there, you will be part of a select group of Lost fans to watch this episode a full five days before the rest of the world.  Think about it.  Tickmaster states in big bold letters “NO CELLPHONES ALLOWED.”  So you can forget about sharing the juicy details of the episode on Twitter and Facebook during the screening. [Via IGN]

The image above is called “Final Flight.”  It is the final cast photo.  *tear*

[Via TheWrap; Zap2it; Variety]

HBO renews How To Make It In America for a second season

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YES!  Now that the excitement is out there let me tell you what it’s about: HBO has renewed How To Make It In America for a second season!  HTMIIA, produced by Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson, and Rob Weiss (Entourage), follows 20-somethings who are trying to make it big in the fashion industry in New York City.

Although it attracted an average of less than 1 million viewers at its Sunday night spot, HBO obviously still believes in its potential, and so do I.  Though the plotlines are nothing to rave about, it’s the character developments and relationships that get you invested in the show.  Main protangonists Ben (Bryan Greenburg) and Cam (Victor Russek) play believable characters set in a real world environment and situation.  The show uses the streets of NYC to its advantage by injecting a big shot of realism into everything that goes down around the characters.  By the end of the 8-epsiode run I was really pulling for Ben & Cam and I’m excited to see what the writers have in store for them (the same goes for Cam’s cousin Rene, played by Luis Guzman).  I’m glad we haven’t seen the last of Rasta Monsta!  The rest of the ensemble, including Rachel (Lake Bell), Kaplan (Eddie Kaye Thomas), and Domingo (Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi), make for a great supporting cast.

How To Make It In America is expected to return to HBO sometime during summer 2011 with another 8-episode run.

[Via EW-HollywoodInsider; LATimesBlog]

Stewart & Colbert extend contracts with Comedy Central

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Jon Stewart of The Daily Show and Stephen Colbert of The Colbert Report aren’t going anywhere for the foreseeable future.  Both political satirists have extended their contracts with Comedy Central, making the network their home for at least the next few years.  Stewart, who became the host of The Daily Show in 1999, will stick with it at least until June 2013 and Cobert will man his position through 2012.  Staying with cable instead of jumping to the big networks makes sense for the dynamic duo; the cable environment allows for more creative freedom and less restriction on lambasting politicians and celebrities alike.  Something Conan is fervently looking forward to, I’m sure of it.

[Via IGN]

Are you a Gleek? There’s an app for you.

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Designed by Smule (the musical geniuses behind Ocarina, Leaf Trombone, I Am T-Pain, and Magic Piano apps), the Glee music app puts you behind the mic and lets you belt out your favorite songs from the FOX hit show.  Here’s how it works.  You got your iPhone or iPad, right?  Plug in some headphones to get the background music pumping.  Hit start and music plays in the ‘phones while the lyrics scroll across the screen.  Now sing.  There’s a live pitch meter that let’s know if you’re in tune or not.  But it doesn’t end there.  Say you can’t sing all-natural and need some help.  The app automatically auto-tunes your voice and generates harmonies from your voice.  Neat-o, right!?  Once you’re done recording a song, you can share it with friends on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, or email (or the entire Glee app network) and listen to other Gleeks rocking out.  Everything is stored on Smule’s servers for easy access right from the app.  If you choose to “broadcast” your recorded song, other app users can find the track and sing on top of it, creating a band-like experience.  A world-wide Glee Club, if you will.

The Glee app is available at the App Store today for $2.99.  It comes with three tracks (“Rehab”, “Somebody to Love”, and “You Keep Me Hanging On”) and Smule promises to add new tracks every week.  They will appear as in-app purchases.  So far, the Glee “music store” includes the following additional songs: “Can’t Fight This Feeling”, “Imagine”, “I’ll Stand By You”, “Lean On Me”, and “No Air”.  The social aspects work over WiFi and 3G.  Well, what are you waiting for!? Gleek out!  (See how it’s done after the break.)

[Via TUAW; Gizmodo]

Continue reading Are you a Gleek? There’s an app for you. →

Kanye West Foundation is back for another round

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The Kanye West Foundation, created by Kanye’s late mother Donda West, is all about keeping kids in school.  As an incentive to keep kids in school, they are given this ultimatum: if they improve their grades, attendance, and behavior they are offered free tickets to see Kanye West perform at the Chicago Theatre at the end of the school year.  Last year more than 2,500 students improved their grades and attendance and were able to see Kanye perform live in a televised concert (broadcasted on FuseTV) in their honor.  Currently the Foundation focuses on public high schools in Chicago, Kanye’s hometown.

This trailer promotes the second annual performance by Kanye.  Ever since his “imma let you finish but” incident with Taylor Swift, Kanye has ducked out of the limelight and into the studio.  He’s currently working on his next album rumored to be called Good Ass Job.  With the goal of diminishing student dropouts in the Chicago area, his foundation spreads a good message that hopefully resonates with the rest of the nation.  Thing is, he might just have to go on a nationwide Foundation tour to give more kids the incentive to stay in school and improve themselves.  Or you can just be really smart and set goals for yourself, then watch the performance when it airs on FuseTV this June.

[Via KanyeBlog]

Trailer: Gears of War 3

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Last night Epic lead designer Cliff Bleszinski unveiled the first trailer for the next installment in the Gears of War series.  Using Late Night with Jimmy Fallon as a platform, Bleszinski debuted a trailer called “Ashes to Ashes” which “outlines the world you’re going to see in Gears of War 3.”  Protagonist Marc Fenix makes an appearence, along with Dom, a female soldier, and of course tons of Locust baddies.  Bleszinski confirms that double barrel shotguns and playable female soldiers will be featured in the game.  Gears of War 3 is slated to release on April 8, 2011.  Starting the hype a bit early there, aren’t you Cliffy B?  Look after the break to watch the full interview.

[Via IGN]

Continue reading Trailer: Gears of War 3 →

House finale shot entirely with Canon 5D Mark II

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Director Greg Yaitanes has informed House fans ’round the world that the upcoming season finale of House will filmed using a Canon 5D Mark II, a DSLR that shoots great HD video.  Yaitanes shared the news on Twitter and began fielding questions about the experience.  The meat of the feedback tells us the production team had a spendid time using the camera.  He shot in “24fps and wanted it for ease of use in tight spaces”; he used “all the Canon primes and the 24-70 and the 70-200 zoom” lenses;  he “mostly gave it a hand held feel…or [used it] on a small tripod; and lastly he “loved it and feel it’s the future” of TV filmmaking.  We already know how well the 5D Mark II can shoot; this episode is going to be gorgeous.  The finale airs May 17 at 8PM on FOX.

[Via Petapixel; Engadget]

Conan O’Brien heading to TBS in November

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It’s official: late-night comedian Conan O’Brien is heading back to the late-night arena this November on TBS.  The show will air from 11PM to midnight (Monday-Thursday), pushing Lopez Tonight to the midnight spot.  George Lopez couldn’t be happier about the new addition: “I can’t think of anything better than doing my show with Conan as my lead-in.  It’s the beginning of a new era in late-night comedy.”

So what happened with FOX?  Well, we’re not entirely sure at the moment. Deadline points out that Team Conan was looking “outside the network box” for quite some time now.  In fact, at one point Conan was in talks with Microsoft about bringing the show to Xbox!  But in the end, Conan decided to go with TBS.  The executives at TBS apparently impressed Conan on a level no other network could come close to.  Then George Lopez sealed the deal with a simple and convincing phone call.

According to Deadline, Conan will own his yet-to-be-named show, just like David Letterman owns his show and Craig Ferguson’s under Worldwide Pants.  Reruns of Family Guy and The Office will lead into Conan’s new show and likely continue to garner a young audience for the ex-Tonight Show host.  How does the competition look?  Since he’s moving from network to cable TV, he won’t be in the same ratings ring as Letterman, Leno, and the others.  However, there will be tough competition at the 11PM spot in cable world, as he’s pitted directly against Comedy Central’s Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report.  On cable, Conan will be able to get away with, let’s say, more risqué material, and this creative freedom will fuel the show with laughs.  Something tells me he’ll do just fine.

With his nation-wide comedy tour starting today in Eugene, Oregon, today is a great day for Conan O’Brien.  “In three months I’ve gone from network television to Twitter to performing live in theaters, and now I’m headed to basic cable.  My plan is working perfectly.”  Look after the break for the full PR announcement.

[Via Deadline]

Continue reading Conan O’Brien heading to TBS in November →

A still from the Fringe musical episode

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Ausiello Files’ snagged a still from the set of the April 29 Fringe musical episode.  In it, the characters will cover popular songs that will play out in a Walter Bishop hallucination.

Executive producer Jeff Pinkner: “We didn’t set out to do a musical.  We set out to do an episode that explored Walter’s state of mind — he’s dealing with some very upsetting news.  When we realized that the way Walter would deal with such news would be to try to anesthetize himself with copious amounts of marijuana, well, singing and dancing became a natural outcome.”  Agent Olivia Dunham embodies what Ausiello calls “a retro private-eye persona” and Pinkner goes on to tease: “It’ll be interesting to see how Walter really perceives her.”

Fringe airs Thursday nights at 9PM on FOX.

[Via EW-AusielloFiles]

Glee club battle: Jimmy Fallon crew vs. Parks & Rec cast

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This is a must watch for Glee, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and Parks & Recreation fans alike!  Last week on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy introduced a new segment he calls 6-Bee.  It’s a story that follows the LNWJF crew on the road to sectionals.  Clearly Fallon & co. are big fans of Glee (who isn’t?).  In this episode, Jimmy Fallon crew (including Jimmy, staffers, and SNL’s Abby Elliot) face off against the cast of Parks & Rec and The Roots in a Glee club battle of epic proportions.  A major amount of hilarity and musical genius ensues.

Look after the break for episode 1; Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On a Prayer” is the song of choice. Continue reading Glee club battle: Jimmy Fallon crew vs. Parks & Rec cast →

AMC’s The Walking Dead casts Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes

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Last month, AMC announced a new show based on Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead, a highly acclaimed comic book series about a world run by zombies.  Actor Andrew Lincoln (Love, Actually) has been given the lead role in Rick Grimes, a “small-town police officer who leads a group of survivors of a zombie apocalypse.”  Says Kirkman: “Andrew Lincoln, wow–what an amazing find this guy is.  Writing Rick Grimes month after month in the comic series, I had no idea he was an actual living breathing human being and yet here he is.  I couldn’t be more thrilled with how this show is coming together.”  His partner Shane had already been cast; Jon Bernthal (The Pacific) got the part.  Together they will fight off zombies when The Walking Dead premieres on AMC this October.

[Via IGN]

Craig Ferguson hires MythBusters’ Grant Imahara to create his robot skeleton sidekick

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TV’s Craig Ferguson from The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson made a Twitter account.  Then he decided to call all of his followers his “robot skeleton army.”  Then Grant Imahara from MythBusters send Ferguson a tweet ultimatum: if Ferguson could somehow get Imahara to exceed 100,000 followers, he would help him create an actual robot skeleton sidekick for the late night show.  Since Ferguson had a massive  “robot skeleton army” it did not take long for them to help Imahara gain over 120,000 followers.  Also, Ferguson happens to be a huge Mythbusters fan so he was psyched for all this to happen.  Watch the video above to learn about Geoff Peterson, robot skeleton sidekick.

How will Geoff Peterson interact on the show?  Says Imahara: “In auto-mode setting, Craig can sit at his desk with a black box and hit any of seven red buttons for these pre-recorded responses.  In manual mode, there’s radio-control movement.  [Geoff can be put] “on a stand… and by remote-control, Craig can move [the robot’s] head, jaw, and arm.”  “[Ferguson’s] very into the design of it.  They have big plans for Geoff Peterson. Craig and the writers think they may want to send Geoff out into the world, interview people — things like that.”

You can see the recently unveiled Geoff Peterson in action on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.  It airs weeknights at 12:37PM on CBS.

[Via EW]