The third and final season of Aaron Sorkin’s HBO political drama The Newsroom premieres this November. To kick off the hype train the premium cable network released this “Copier Tease” starring a Xerox machine printing out actual (?) script pages from the new season. The big shocker: Jeff Daniels’ Will McAvoy utters “Well…I think it’s time for me to quit.” Is the face of ACN ready for retirement? Watch then discuss below.
ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE
In support of the ALS Association, I participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge that is sweeping the nation.
Enjoy the clip, and most importantly, donate!
2014 Emmys: ‘Breaking Bad’ & ‘Modern Family’ big winners, again
For the second year in a row, Breaking Bad and Modern Family won Best Drama and Best Comedy, respectively, at the Emmys. The AMC drama claimed six trophies for its final season. In addition to winning the big one, Bryan Cranston was crowned Best Actor and his co-stars Aaron Paul and Anna Gunn were named Best Supporting Actors. Also, series creator Vince Gilligan won Best Directing for the finale “Felina” and Moira Walley-Beckett won Best Writing for the penultimate episode “Ozymandias.” Modern Family went on to win two more statues: one for Best Supporting Actor (Ty Burrell) and another for Best Directing (Gail Mancuso). Sherlock was also a big winner at Emmys scoring three statues that night for Best Lead Actor (Benedict Cumberbatch), Best Supporting Actor (Martin Freeman), and Best Writing (Steven Moffat). Elsewhere, Fargo won Best TV Miniseries and Best Directing and American Horror Story: Coven‘s Jessica Lange and Kathy Bates won Best Lead Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively.
For the full list of winners, click here.
Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul & Julia Louis-Dreyfus make funny in ‘Pawn Stars’ parody
The Emmys are coming and the Television Academy sure knows how to spread the word. It’s produced this wildly entertaining and quite funny Pawn Stars parody reuniting Breaking Bad partners-in-crime Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul. They star in the 6+ minute clip as Buzz and Randy Jackson of “Barely Legal Pawn” where they encounter celebrity client Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She’s looking to sell her Seinfeld Emmy because she wants to buy a private island, just like Celine Dion. Cranston’s comedic prowess shines here, and after some haggling the clip takes an expected twist in the end that Bad fans will rejoice over. So sit back and watch these Emmy-winning actors do their thing.
The 66th Primetime Emmy Awards hosted by Seth Meyers airs live Monday, Aug. 25 at 8PM (ET) on NBC.
‘Parks & Rec’ season 6 gag reel
The upcoming seventh season of NBC’s Parks And Recreation will be the series’ last, so you need to get all your laughs in now before the curtain closes. Enter the season 6 gag reel brimming with so much funny you might need to take an intermission or two. My favorite part? That’s when Jim O’Heir (aka Jerry/Larry/Terry Gergich) actually pulls a Jerry in real life and totally messes up a take. What’s yours?
Parks & Rec returns in 2015.
‘American Horror Story: Freak Show’ lands early October premiere, extends two teasers [Update: new teasers inside!]
We have a date! The Freaks come to town in the next iteration of Ryan Murphy’s FX anthology series on October 8. The network also released a tantalizing description of the upcoming season:
American Horror Story: Freak Show begins its tale in the quiet, sleepy hamlet of Jupiter, Florida. The year is 1952. A troupe of curiosities has just arrived to town, coinciding with the strange emergence of a dark entity that savagely threatens the lives of townsfolk and freaks alike. This is the story of the performers and their desperate journey of survival amidst the dying world of the American carny experience.
And if that wasn’t enough, there are two brand new teasers hyping the big premiere. Above, a haunting creature extends an invitation to the Freak Show. After the break, a mustached man licks a lollipop; any more detail would ruin the surprise!
As we approach AHS: FS’s October premiere date there’s bound to be more where this came from. I wonder what other Freaks we’ll be introduced to next…
Update (8/28): And just like that, two new teasers involving a three-legged acrobat and a caged woman are chilling after the break awaiting your dissection.
Update 2 (8/30): A fifth teaser surfaced today featuring a contortionist; with three legs is she the acrobat we were acquainted with before?
Update 3 (9/4): Three more! A twisted mask, a scary clown, and a sword swallower star. And no, that is not Lorde in the “Twisted Smile” clip; it’s Amanda Jenssen.
Update 4 (9/12): A new teaser titled “Big and Small” includes a giant and a little person. Continue reading ‘American Horror Story: Freak Show’ lands early October premiere, extends two teasers [Update: new teasers inside!]
Extended look at Fox’s origin story ‘Gotham’
Here’s your first intensive look at the fall’s most anticipated new drama, Gotham. Warner Bros. and Fox have released a 20-minute behind-the-scenes look at the massive origin story revolving around Detective James Gordon (Ben McKenzie). Creator Bruno Heller (The Mentalist) has DC Comics heroes and villains at his disposal and from the get-go viewers will be drawn into gritty, violent world filled with the likes of a young Bruce Wayne (aka Batman), Selina Kyle (Catwoman), Oswald Cobblepot (Penguin), Edward Nygma (The Riddler), and Ivy Pepper (Poison Ivy). The ensemble cast also includes Sean Pertwee as Wayne’s butler and confidant Alfred Pennyworth, Donal Logue as Gordon’s parter Harvey Bullock, and Jada Pinkett Smith plays an original villain envisioned specifically for the series, Fish Mooney.
You’ll hear from Heller, McKenzie, and most of the cast, as well as other creatives involved in the making of the series. It’s a fascinating look at how the world of Gotham has been remade for the small screen. If you haven’t been counting down the days until Gotham‘s September 22 premiere, consider this the tipping point.
Hannah rides a bike in brief tease at ‘Girls’ season 4
There’s not much here, but for fans of HBO’s Girls anything is something. Star Lena Dunham rides a bike clumsily in this season 4 tease. When we last saw Hannah Horvath she decided to ditch NYC to participate in the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Might this be her failed attempt to make it to class? Hannah’s story continues when Girls returns to HBO early next year.
Yahoo teases ‘Community’ season 6 in packed (retrospective) trailer
Warning: the following trailer does not contain new footage. Production on the holy sixth season of Dan Harmon’s Community begins later this fall. The trailer does pack juicy morsels of goodness from every season NBC aired up to this point, though. There’s funny stuff throughout, but the best gag has to be when the trailer pretty much disregards the existence of the Harmon-less season 4. Enjoy, and get ready for Community “better than it was before. Better. Stronger. Faster.”
‘Phineas and Ferb’ to air ‘LOST’ inspired episode written by Damon Lindelof with guest star Terry O’Quinn
After conquering Marvel’s superheroes and Star Wars, Disney’s hit cartoon Phineas and Ferb is about to get Lost. In an upcoming installment “Lost in Danville” set to air Monday, September 29 at 7:30pm (ET) on Disney XD, the tinkering boys will find themselves in a mysterious episode written by Lost showrunner Damon Lindelof.
A mysterious locked capsule falls into Phineas and Ferb’s back yard and they struggle to open it, only to discover they have unleashed something they cannot control. Meanwhile, Perry learns that Dr. Doofenshmirtz has been abducted and tracks him to Seattle where another evil scientist, Professor Mystery, has his own sinister plan.
A locked capsule? A polar bear pictured in the still above? Perhaps the elusive Dharma Initiative and the sinister Smoke Monster will play pivotal roles here. Guest voices includes Lost‘s very own Terry O’Quinn (John Locke) as Professor Mystery and Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle) and Rob Morrow (Numbers) play capsule inhabitants Denise and Bernie (perhaps Danville’s very own Bernard and Rose?–just a theory!).
The ABC drama premiered on 9/22 back in 2004; celebrate 10 years of Lost by watching this specially themed P&F episode that is bound to be filled with easter eggs galore.
Renewals: AMC’s ‘Halt And Catch Fire’, FX’s ‘The Strain’ & Showtime’s ‘Masters of Sex’
Let’s start with the unexpected. AMC has gone ahead and renewed freshman series Halt And Catch Fire for a second season. Despite middling ratings and buzz, the 80s period drama about the PC Revolution will return next year. Star Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies) provided the initial draw and after a slow build the show became fun summer fare with its knack for capturing the exciting, experimental era it’s set in. From the technological jargon to the music, HCF eventually found its creative streak and has me yearning to see more in a second season. Props to Pace’s costars Scoot McNairy, Mackenzie Davis, and Kerry Bishé for their emotionally grounded performances that made it easy to get invested.
“This is a show about invention, experimentation and the inherent risks in trying to break new ground — themes that really resonate with us as a network and attracted a passionate audience,” said AMC president Charlie Collier. “We have a history of demonstrating patience through the early seasons of new shows, betting on talent and building audience over time. We see that opportunity here and look forward to a second season of Halt and Catch Fire from creators Chris Cantwell and Chris Rogers, and showrunner Jonathan Lisco.”
Elsewhere, FX renewed Guillermo del Toro and Carlton Cuse’s vampire horror fest The Strain and Showtime is bringing back Masters of Sex and Ray Donovan for a third season. No surprise here, really. Though I’m not the loudest Strain supporter (I have issues with the writing and acting) it’s the type of summer fare that just makes sense. As for Masters of Sex, this is the show that just keeps on giving. This season’s bottle episode “Fight” might be the series best thus far featuring phenomenal performances by stars Martin Sheen and Lizzy Caplan.
“We’ve never had any doubts about The Strain,” said FX Networks head John Landgraf. “It is thrilling when you have a show that is a creative and commercial hit, which is a rare accomplishment in this increasingly crowded marketplace. We look forward having it on FX for as long as Carlton, Guillermo and Chuck Hogan need to tell this epic tale.” Added del Toro: “I am thrilled! Another season to spread the virus! Working with Carlton, Chuck and FX has been immensely rewarding and we have such sights to unveil in the upcoming episodes — the blood hits the fan on this one, mankind becomes an endangered species.” Added Cuse: “I am grateful for all the blood, sweat and tears (but mostly blood) given to the project by all involved, and I could not be more excited to continue telling this epic story.”
“Both Ray Donovan and Masters of Sex are quintessentially Showtime: bold, provocative, premium television with production values at the top of the food chain,” said Showtime president David Nevins. “These acclaimed shows are filled with complex and interesting characters and settings that will no doubt give audiences compelling television to invest in for seasons to come.”
Paul Rudd is Ant-Man
On August 18 Marvel initiated principal photography on its next super hero franchise, Ant-Man. Above is the first image of Paul Rudd as Scott Lang aka Ant-Man. At the start of the movie he is a thief, and by the end he will be transformed into a superhero with the power to drastically decrease in size and increase in strength. Rudd stars alongside Michael Douglas (who plays his mentor Dr. Hank Pym), Evangeline Lilly (who plays Hope Van Dyne, daughter of Hank Pym), Corey Stoll, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Abby Ryder Fortson, Judy Greer, David Dastmalchian, Wood Harris, John Slattery, and Gregg Turkington, and T.I. And here’s the latest synopsis:
Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, con-man Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.
Ant-Man, directed by Peyton Reed (Edgar Wright stepped away from the project), hits theatres July 17, 2015 and will shot on location in San Francisco (see above) and Atlanta, Georgia.
Can comedic actor Paul Rudd suit up and transform into a respectable super hero? If Chris Pratt of Parks and Rec fame can do it (aka Guardians of the Galaxy‘s Star-Lord), I have faith. Skip after the break for a Comic Con-exclusive poster featuring concept art from the upcoming flick.
[Via Marvel 1, 2] Continue reading Paul Rudd is Ant-Man