Two years later, showrunner Damon Lindelof addresses the polarizing ‘LOST’ finale

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The date is May 23, 2012. Exactly two years ago on this day the cult ABC drama LOST aired its series finale to much fanfare. In a word, it was polarizing–some accepted it and enjoyed it, while others were extremely disappointed by the lack of answers. In an interview with The Verge’s Josh Topolsky, LOST showrunner/executive producer/writer Damon Lindelof ends his radio silence and discusses the ending of his six year long tale of mystery and connectedness. Topolsky sides with those viewers that remain bitter about the ending, and Lindelof came prepared to admit faults and also defend what came to pass. There are way too many choice quotes to transcript here; so if you’re a fan of the addicting roller coaster that was LOST set aside half an hour to watch this educational video. (And it goes without saying…but…MAJOR SPOILERS here, so beware.)

No matter how you felt after the series wrapped on May 23 in 2010, there’s no denying that LOST kept you in a trance for six whole years and impacted you in some way, shape or form. Though I find myself in Topolsky’s camp (I wanted answers, dammit!), I must say that LOST will forever remain one of my favorite TV shows of all time.

Kristen Wiig parts ways with ‘SNL’ (also, Samberg’s “Lazy Sunday 2” video inside!)

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Last night Kristin Wiig made it official with a curtain call at the end of the season 37 finale. After spending seven wonderful years as a member of the Saturday Night Live cast, Wiig has decided to move on to shift her focus on other projects including film ventures. In her final episode Wiig played some of her most memorable characters including the bizarre small hands freakshow in the “Lawrence Welk” cold opening (with Mad Men‘s Jon Hamm!) and the theatrical Mindy in “The Secret Word” game show sketch. Also brought back was the instant classic “The Californians” for a second round before her departure. (I probably could have done with one more Kathy Lee Gifford impression, Gilly (with Will Forte!), the Target lady, and movie reviewer Aunt Linda); but we’ll always have the archives.) At the very end of the show she “graduated” and received hugs from all her castmates and SNL head honcho Lorne Michaels in a very emotional send off. In case you missed it, you can watch the goodbye after the break.

It was rumored that Andy Samberg and Jason Sudekis would also be leaving this season because their contracts are up, too. In the past two weeks Samberg and his Lonely Island crew celebrated 100 Digital Shorts and brought back SNL alum Chris Parnell for a sequel to their breakout viral rap “Lazy Sunday.” You can watch both of these hysterical clips after the break. For Samberg this feels like a nice send off; Sudekis, however, was featured in only a handful of sketches as of late. Though nothing has been confirmed by NBC yet, don’t be surprised if these two aren’t included in next season’s opening credits. We can hope that Samberg will return every now and then for a Digital Short, and Sudekis should reprise his role as Republican Mitt Romney (especially if he becomes the next POTUS).

For now, farewell Kristen Wiig. The show will go on, but it will never be the same without you. Continue reading Kristen Wiig parts ways with ‘SNL’ (also, Samberg’s “Lazy Sunday 2” video inside!) →

‘Community’ creator Dan Harmon is forced out as showrunner

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Sad times for Community fans. Creator/executive producer/writer Dan Harmon will no longer serve as the NBC’s sitcom showrunner when it returns for its shortened fourth season in the fall. David Guarascio and Moses Port (Just Shoot Me, Aliens in America) have been tapped to take over Harmon’s vacated positon.

So what happened? Recently Harmon was in the news because of a feud between him and Community star Chevy Chase went viral. To make what may be a long story short… It was reported that Chase stormed off the set during the filming of the final shot of the season. In retaliation Harmon shared a private voicemail from Chase at the show’s wrap party and in it Chase said some pretty nasty things about Harmon and Community itself. I won’t go into full detail here, but if you do some light digging you can find the recording and additional detail surrounding the feud floating on the ‘Net. In any case, the public feud concludes with Chase sending Harmon a second lewd voicemail after finding out that Harmon played his previous message at the wrap party, in front of the actor’s wife and children no less. Though he wouldn’t apoligize directly to Chase, Harmon took to his blog to apologize formally the fans. “That was a dumb, unclassy, inconsiderate move on my part. I’m very sorry it’s reflecting poorly on the show,” he posted.

Following the feud and the apology, things settled down as Community returned from its extended hiatus and wrapped up its third season. At the Upfronts NBC entertainment president Bob Greenblatt addressed the future of the show. Would Chase and/or Harmon be forced to quit the show so things can move forward smoothly in season four? Greenblatt said that he expected “Dan’s voice to be a part of this show somehow. I’m just not sure if that means him running it day to day or consulting on it.”

Flashforward to near present day. On May 18, one day after the season three finale, news broke that Harmon will not be returning as Community showrunner. Speculation ensued; did Harmon step down from his post or was he forced to quit. In a blog post he admitted that Sony Pictures Television (the studio that owns the show) kicked him out without even consulting him about it. “Why’d Sony want me gone? I can’t answer that because I’ve been in as much contact with them as you have.  They literally haven’t called me since the season four pickup, so their reasons for replacing me are clearly none of my business.  Community is their property, I only own ten percent of it, and I kind of don’t want to hear what their complaints are because I’m sure it would hurt my feelings even more now that I’d be listening for free.”

NBC says that Harmon will remain attached to Community as a “consulting producer” but the showrunner reveals that the network is technically obliged to holding onto him like this and that this new title ultimately still renders him powerless. He writes: “However, if I actually chose to go to the office, I wouldn’t have any power there.  Nobody would have to do anything I said, ever.  I would be “offering” thoughts on other people’s scripts, not allowed to rewrite them, not allowed to ask anyone else to rewrite them, not allowed to say whether a single joke was funny or go near the edit bay, etc.  It’s….not really the way the previous episodes got done.  I was what you might call a….hands on producer.  Are my….periods giving this enough….pointedness?  I’m not saying you can’t make a good version of Community without me, but I am definitely saying that you can’t make my version of it unless I have the option of saying “it has to be like this or I quit” roughly 8 times a day.” Consulting producer means nothing without creative control.

So Harmon was fired and that is that. Also not returning next season to focus on other projects are executive producers Neil Goldman and Garrett Donovan and writer/producer Chris McKenna. Will Community be different next year? Almost certainly. Without Harmon’s voice and knowledge of these characters he created the show will feel a tad off; or maybe it won’t, we’ll have to wait and see. However season four (and beyond) turns out, Community fans will always have Harmon’s hard work that makes up seasons 1-4 to look back on. In a way the season three finale felt very much like a series finale, the closing of a chapter with Dan Harmon’s signature scribbled directly on it.

[Via TV Guide]

‘Halo 4’ game box art unveiled, Limited Edition package detailed

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The long-awaited return of Master Chief is almost here. Halo 4 is so close you can taste it preorder it. This week Microsoft fleshed out the $100 “Limited Edition” package that will go on sale alongside the standard $60 version of Halo 4 when it hits shelves November 6. Forty extra bucks will get you the following: War Games Map Pack (early access to “three future competitive multiplayer map packs, each including three locations”); Specializations (early access to “six Specializations to achieve higher ranks in your Spartan career and new unlockable customization options”); UNSC Infinity Briefing Packet (“includes an armor customization schematic, a blueprint of the massive ship itself, and insight into what it means to be one of humanity’s finest warriors: the Spartan-IVs”); and bonus digital content available through Xbox Live including unique armor and weapon skins, an exclusive in-game emblem, Avatar props, and an extended 90-minute version of the live-action digital series Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn (it provides “an enthralling backstory leading up to the events of Halo 4). Preorder your UNSC-engraved Halo 4 Limited Edition package today. Image of the LE case and PR after the break.

Oh, and how awesome is the official Halo 4 game box art that’s pasted above? Watch it come alive after the break.

[Via Joystiq] Continue reading ‘Halo 4’ game box art unveiled, Limited Edition package detailed →

Behind-the-scenes of ‘Epic Mickey 2’ with lead developer Warren Spector

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Here’s another look at Warren Spector’s sequel Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two. Developer Junction Point Studios enhances gameplay and takes advantage of the next-gen console’s high-def support in a game that brings together former opponents Mickey and Oswald. Look for the title this holiday season available on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (with Move support), in addition to Nintendo’s Wii.

Movie poster: ‘Anchorman 2’ (video teaser inside)

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We already know it’s official. But now it’s official official. Director Adam McKay and star Will Ferrell are hard at work on the sequel to the 2004 cult comedy Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. If this shiny poster says anything, its that the boys of the Channel 4 news team are back in action; that is, Ron (Ferrel), Champ (David Koechner), Brian (Paul Rudd), and Brick (Steve Carrell). Whether or not the film’s actual title is Anchorman: The Legend Continues is still debatable but seems likely.

In an interview with EW, McKay spilled the deets surrounding the secretive teaser trailer he and the stars recently cooked up. Producing the clip “was like the Manhattan Project–except without the possibility of destroying all of mankind, said McKay. He continued, “Paramount came to us with the idea of the teaser, and since we’re writing the script, it was a good chance to see the characters and hang out with the actors to inspire writing. All of the actors slipped right into character and they all looked amazing. Paul has a beard and we’re thinking of keeping it. Kind of an Eddie Rabbit-meets-Serpico look.” Unfortunately for viewers the super-teaser does not reveal an ounce of plot detail. “Nothing’s set,” McKay added. “Right now I can say for sure there is no Ghost Rider cameo or a scene where Ron fights a wolverine on a nose-diving helicopter. We’re either going to shoot the movie in 3-D or 1/2 D.”

The teaser hasn’t hit the web officially yet, but you can hop after the break to watch a shaky, shot-in-the-theatre version if you can’t wait any longer. It’s playing today in front of The Dictator, FYI. More as this story develops, San Diegites. Continue reading Movie poster: ‘Anchorman 2’ (video teaser inside) →

A&E cancels ‘Breakout Kings’ after two seasons

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Today cable network A&E cancelled addicting drama Breakout Kings after two seasons of holding modest ratings. From Matt Olmstead and Nick Santora (the creators of FOX’s Prison Break), Breakout Kings followed a special task force consisting of U.S. marshals and convicts whose goal was to chase down and lock up criminals. Though season 1 was criticized for lack of character development, season 2 made up for it by delving directly into the psyche of arguably the most interesting and entertaining character of the series, Lloyd Lowery (played by the brilliant Jimmi Simpson). Spoiler alert… Season 2 also happened to open with a major death, that of U.S. Marshal Charlie Duchamp (Laz Alonso). The loss of Alonso was hard-hitting, but it also accelerated the series in many ways: Zancanelli allotted the Kings more freedom in terms of how they assisted in tracking down criminals on the loose, and the death sparked the season long arc (and oh-so-gratifying conclusion) involving the maniac Damien Fontleroy (props to Jason Behr for a killer performance).

Spoiler alert… Season 2 ended not so long ago with the Kings in a sticky situation. The U.S. Marshals Chief Director gave the trio an offer they seemingly could not refuse: if they tell the truth about Damien’s fall and turn in Ray they will be immediately released from prison with time served. Thankfully, and in a rare move, co-showrunner Santora shed light on the direction the show would have taken if it had continued on. Via Twitter: “How it ends. BOKs pretend to turn Ray in but double cross Marshals so they go free & Ray walks. Shea gets rich w/ elbow savers. Erica raises daughter in the country. Ray starts private security biz, lives near his daughter. Lloyd & Jules marry. Name their son Charlie.” He concluded, “Wish A&E kept BOK going. Matt and I don’t own the show. So when it’s cancelled, it’s over. Goodbye to the BOK fans. Thanx for the support.” While Santora is now looking for his next show to work on, his partner Olmstead has already moved on to executive produce the upcoming NBC drama Chicago Fire. (Update (5/18): Santora has joined the CBS Dennis Quaid/Michael Chiklis period drama Vegas as co-executive producer.)

The tag for this season was “one king will fall.” Unfortunately, they all fell by season’s end. And it was because of a force infinitely more powerful and twisted than Damien Fontleroy: ratings. Ray, Shamus, Erica, Lloyd, Jules. Your antics will be missed.

[Via Deadline 1, 2]

2012 Upfronts: The CW orders 5 new series for next season

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You can’t call it the Upfronts without including the network-that-could The CW. With their flagship series Gossip Girl fading away next season, The CW is prepared to reinvigorate its schedule with a grand total of five new series for the 2012-13 TV season. The three shows premiering this fall are medical drama Emily Owens, M.D., DC Comics adaptation Arrow, and a modern twist on Beauty and the Beast. Entering midseason is a Sex in the City prequel series The Carrie Diaries and investigative thriller Cult. Jump after the break to get more information about all of the new shows including synopses, cast and creator/executive producer listings, and clips.

CW president Mark Pedowitz kicked off the presentation by stating that “This is a transformative year for the CW with bigger and bolder programming.” He shared high praise for Emily Owens, M.D. which stars Meryl Streep’s daughter Mamie Gummer. He also addressed the Ringer cancellation and plans for Gossip Girl. “I don’t think anything went wrong with Ringer,” he said. “I was happy it’s there…The show was well-crafted, well-produced, well-written, but it was a complicated serialized show. After it finished a run in the fall and came back in January, the audience went somewhere else. And it just could not find the 18-34 demo that we hoped.” He promised that star Sarah Michelle Gellar “is coming back to this network as a producer or as an actress.” Phew. On Gossip Girl‘s sixth and final season, Pedowitz said it will likely contain 11 episodes and finish its run before the holiday season. Last, the CW prez let slip that the network will wait until October for the fall schedule to air to ensure “no traction” with the other broadcast nets who traditionally premiere their shows in late August/September. Continue reading 2012 Upfronts: The CW orders 5 new series for next season →

2012 Upfronts: CBS orders 7 new series for next season

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CBS got its shot at showing off its new lineup today, marking the final presentation from the Big Four networks at this year’s Upfronts. The Eye announced a total of seven new series; two comedies, four dramas, and one reality show. The fall will usher in four new shows, and the remaining three will join in come midseason. Jump after the break to get more information about all of the new shows including synopses, cast and creator/executive producer listings, and clips.

Also posted after the break is CBS’ 2012-13 programming schedule. The network slightly shuffled things around precisely so that each of the four new shows premiering this fall will have a solid lead-in to boost initial ratings. Breakout comedy from Michael Patrick King and Whitney Cummings 2 Broke Girls has been shifted to 9PM on Mondays to make way for new comedy Partners; veteran sitcom How I Met Your Mother is the lead-in at 8PM. Period drama Vegas nabbed the Tuesday 10PM spot where it will follow the NCIS duo. To help support the growing Person of Interest, comedies The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men will kick off Thursday nights at 8PM and 8:30PM, respectively; the contemporary Sherlock Holmes crime drama Elementary follows POI at 10PM. CSI: NY relocates to Fridays at 8PM and serves as a lead-in to new legal drama Made in Jersey. One last alteration: The Mentalist, entering its fifth season, will make itself comfortable on Sunday nights at 10PM. Continue reading 2012 Upfronts: CBS orders 7 new series for next season →

2012 Upfronts: ABC orders 10 new series for next season

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ABC continued the Upfronts run today and unveiled 10 new series coming to the network next season; four comedies and six dramas. Four newbies will premiere this fall, and the others will sit on the bench until midseason. Jump after the break to get more information about all of the new shows including synopses, cast and creator/executive producer listings, and clips.

Also posted after the break is ABC’s 2012-13 programming schedule. Notable changes to the schedule include comedies Happy Endings and Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23 moving to Tuesdays; in November the Tim Allen comedy Last Man Standing will premiere on Friday where it will serve as a lead-in to Reba McEntire’s new half-hour sitcom Malibu Country (hello TGIF); and Revenge is relocating to Sunday (taking over Desperate Housewives‘ recently relinquished 9PM slot) where it will be sandwiched between returning fantasy series Once Upon A Time and the new supernatural drama 666 Park Avenue.

Here are a few highlights from ABC’s Upfront presentation led by the network’s president Paul Lee. He is confident that Happy Endings “can open a comedy block at 9PM on Tuesday,” which certainly bodes well for fans of the hilarious comedy. On Sunday night’s epic lineup that includes Once, Revenge, and 666: “It’s battle between good and evil from 8PM all the way to 11PM.” Looking to the future, Lee confirmed that series based on the Marvel Avenger The Hulk is in the works for the 2013-14 TV season; reports claim that filmmaker Guillermo del Toro is attached. Also an all-star edition of Dancing with the Stars is coming in the fall. Last, Lee was determined to shine a light on what ABC hopes to share with its viewers when the 2012-13 season rolls around this September. “Why just watch when you can feel?” he exclaimed. “It sums up the added DNA that this brand brings as far as the emotional connection to viewers.” Continue reading 2012 Upfronts: ABC orders 10 new series for next season →