Daft Punk, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis & Lorde rule the Grammys

February 2, 2014Music, News56th Grammys, award show, awards show, Grammy winners, Grammys, winnersScott Meisner

Daft Punk pretty much swept the Grammys this year, taking home five statues for their latest effort Random Access Memories and its hit single “Get Lucky” featuring Pharrell Williams. The electronic duo nabbed Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Dance/Electronica Album, and Best Engineered Album. Their performance with Nile Rodgers and Stevie Wonder is one for the ages.

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis also had a show-stopping performance involving simultaneous marriages in the aisles. They were awarded five Grammys: Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for “Thrift Shop,” and Best Rap Album for The Heist.

Also gaining much recognition is up-and-comer Lorde whose mega single “Royals” off her debut album Pure Heroine received Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.

Click here to view a list of all the winners.

Apple reports 2014 Q1 earnings: $13.1b profit on $57.6b revenue

February 2, 2014News, Technology, VideoApple, Apple quarterly earnings, Apple sales, earnings, finance, financial results, money, profit, quarterly earnings, revenue, sales, sales figures, Tim CookScott Meisner

On January 27 Apple reported its 2014 first quarter financial results. Apple posted a record $13.1 billion profit on $57.6 billion in revenue. Compare this to one year ago, that’s the same $13.1 billion profit and up on $54.5 billion in revenue. Says CEO Tim Cook: “We are really happy with our record iPhone and iPad sales, the strong performance of our Mac products and the continued growth of iTunes, Software and Services. We love having the most satisfied, loyal and engaged customers, and are continuing to invest heavily in our future to make their experiences with our products and services even better.”

Now let’s break it down by product category. Apple sold a record 51 million iPhones in the quarter (compared to 47.8 million in the year-ago quarter); a record 26 million iPads (compared to 22.9 million); and 4.8 million Macs (compared to 4.1 million). iPod sales continue to decline at a steady rate.

Looking ahead to the second fiscal quarter of 2014, Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer expects revenue between $42 billion and $44 billion.

[Via Apple]

‘Hannibal’ season 2 trailer will whet your appetite and then some

January 20, 2014Television, VideoHannibal, Hannibal season 2, NBC, teaser, trailer, TV teaser, TV trailerScott Meisner

The best series on TV you’re not watching is Bryan Fuller’s adaptation of Thomas Harris’ novel Red Dragon and his take on the famed fictional serial killer who eats his victims, Hannibal Lector. From the brilliant cast led by Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy (who play the nefarious Dr. Lector and gifted FBI profiler Will Graham, respectively) to the stunning cinematography, NBC’s Hannibal is one of the most compelling and thrilling dramas on TV today. Despite poor ratings last year, the Peacock miraculously renewed Fuller’s show for a second season and here we have our very first taste (or apéritif, if I may) of what’s in store. At the end of season 1 Fuller took fans on an unexpected turn by placing Graham behind bars letting the public think that he committed Hannibal’s heinous crimes.

Enjoy the masterfully cut trailer hanging above. After the break, a tantalizing teaser. Hannibal is back February 28. Continue reading ‘Hannibal’ season 2 trailer will whet your appetite and then some →

‘Game of Thrones’ season 4 trailer

January 20, 2014Television, VideoGame of Thrones, Game of Thrones season 4, trailer, TV trailerScott Meisner

Joffrey thinks he’s won the war. Tyrion’s in shackles. Jaime has a new hand. Arya is ready for a fight. The Wildlings (and Daenerys, for that matter) are still determined they can take the Seven Kingdoms.

“If you want justice, you’ve come to the wrong place,” beams the small but strong Lannister.

Game of Thrones returns for a fourth season on April 6 to HBO.

‘The Walking Dead’ season 4B teaser

January 20, 2014Television, VideoAMC, The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead season 3, The Walking Dead season 4, TV teaserScott Meisner

It’s not much but it’s something; here’s a tease at the upcoming second half of season four of The Walking Dead. The Governor’s gone and our band of survivors are displaced. The tagline: “Don’t look back.”

The Walking Dead resumes February 9 on AMC.

Seth Meyers & Jimmy Fallon prepare for their new late-night digs

January 20, 2014Television, VideoJimmy Fallon, late night, Late Night with Seth Meyers, NBC, promos, Seth Meyers, The Tonight Show starring Jimmy FallonScott Meisner

Next month Seth Meyers exits Saturday Night Live to become the new host of Late Night as Jimmy Fallon takes over The Tonight Show. In the promo embedded above, you’ll see just how physically close Meyers’ new job is going to be to his old job–they’re “basically 30 feet” from each other as SNL‘s home is located in the famed Studio 8H and the new Late Night is housed inside Studio 8G. Looks like Seth has some work to do, and fast; Late Night with Seth Meyers premieres February 24 on NBC.

After the break, the Peacock introduces “a new era” of late night as Jimmy Fallon is about to take the reins from Jay Leno to host The Tonight Show. The clip looks back at the previous Tonight Show hosts, even the fleeting Conan O’Brien. Fallon, because he’s the best, has decided to revert the show’s name to its original style; instead of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, his show will be called The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, just as it was with original host Steve Allen, Jack Parr, and the late great Johnny Carson. A second clip featuring a kid version of Fallon follows. Fallon’s Tonight Show premieres February 17.

Update: Fallon passes the Late Night pickle to Meyers after the break, as is tradition. Continue reading Seth Meyers & Jimmy Fallon prepare for their new late-night digs →

Mark your calendars: FOX sets a return date for ’24’

January 20, 2014News, Television2014 TCA, 2014 TCA winter press tour, 24, 24: Live Another Day, FOX, TCAScott Meisner

24 fans, perk up! A new day is upon us. FOX resurrects 24 with series players Kiefer Sutherland (protagonist Jack Bauer), Mary Lynn Rajskub (Jack’s right-hand analyst Chloe O’Brien), Kim Raver (Jack’s former lover Audrey Raines), and William Devane (once US Secretary of Defense James Heller) on Monday, May 5 at 8PM. Like all proper 24 premieres, this special “event series” dubbed Live Another Day will have a two-hour launch and then the following Monday it will play out in 24‘s old 9PM timeslot.

The latest logline goes like this: “Set and shot in London, the suspenseful event series once again will follow the exploits of heroic agent Jack Bauer as he attempts to thwart an unthinkable terrorist attack that could change the world forever. Retaining the real-time, nail-biting, fast-paced format with split screens and interweaving storylines.

At the winter TCAs more details leaked out about the highly anticipated return of 24. The season takes place four years after the events that unfolded in season 8, and Jack is still on the run but this time in London. “He is still a fugitive who he has been hunted–and he is still hunted,” spilled EP Manny Coto. Yvonne Strahovski (Chuck) plays Kate Morgan, the CIA agent hunting down Jack. “Jack is not quite Osama Bin Laden, but he is someone to be captured,” continued the EPs. “And when Jack reenters the story on his own terms, we will learn he has a mission. Whether it’s good or dark we don’t know, but this CIA agent [Kate] is determined to catch him, and as she gets closer and closer to him, Chloe O’Brien reenters the picture.”

“Chloe and Jack are pitted against each other due to a set of circumstances,” revealed Sutherland at the press event. Turns out Chloe has “turned herself against the government” and it will take some convincing on Jack’s back to bring her back into the fold. “There is no Chloe without Jack,” remarked Rajskub, so I’m guessing it won’t take long to get to the happy reunion we’ve all been waiting for.

What else? When we reenter the world of 24 Devane’s James Heller is now President of the United States. And what of his daughter Audrey? “When we last left Audrey, she was in a very bad place with Jack, so [in the years that have passed] she has come out of the ‘wilderness.’ But the interesting thing will be, when Jack reenters the picture, how will she react to that?” pondered EP Evan Katz.

If you don’t have time to watch up on 24 between now and May it’s no problem according to EP Howard Gordon. “You can actually pick this series up without having seen Season 8, or any of the show at all,” he said. “The benefit of coming back four years later is that those four years need to be explained, so the exposition will not come off as exposition but a justified moment of characters catching up,” added Sutherland.

And of course there was discussion of the oft-rumored 24 feature film. “The script for the film is very, very different,” Sutherland shared. “[Live Another Day] was the opportunity that presented itself to us first, and it’s a fantastic idea. And if this ends up rebooting the show or causing the film to be made, so be it.”

Those’ll be words to make any 24 fan very, very enthused. Now here’s that date again: 24: Live Another Day premieres May 5 on FOX.

[Via TVLine; EW]

FOX announces new direction for ‘Glee’: it’s off to NYC!

January 20, 2014News, Television2014 TCA, 2014 TCA winter press tour, FOX, Glee, TCAScott Meisner

At the Television Critics Association winter press tour, FOX head Kevin Reilly made a major announcement regarding Glee‘s creative direction: the second half of the musical dramedy will be set exclusively in New York City. No more bouncing back and forth between William McKinley High in Lima, Ohio and Rachel, Kurt, and Santana’s loft in NYC. Reilly explained how the creative shift will work:

“Creatively, it would ridiculous if everybody moves to New York,” he said. “This season, there’s going to be a graduation [from McKinley High]. Several of the cast members will move on, and a few others will go to New York.” For those characters who don’t transfer over to the NYC setting, it won’t be the last time you ever see them. They “will arc back in when we do special episodes. They’ll always be a part of it. The way it’s going to dovetail next season, we’re going to see some familiar faces coming around in some capacity.”

Though Reilly and show creator Ryan Murphy are keeping mum on which characters will remain, there is one that will most definitely be staying. “As long as there’s a show, there’s Jane [Lynch],” commented Reilly; Sue Sylvester is coming to the city that never sleeps.

In closing, Reilly confirmed that the next season of Glee–it’s fifth–will be its last and that Murphy is already hard at work on what’s in store. “We do have [the show] through next season and that will be the final season,” said Reilly. “[Murphy’s] got some fantastic ideas on what we’re going to next year for the final year.”

Glee returns with new episodes on February 25.

[Via TVLine]

HBO renews ‘The Newsroom’ for third and final season

January 20, 2014News, TelevisionHBO, renewal, renewed, The NewsroomScott Meisner

Of course HBO’s The Newsroom starring Jeff Daniels and Emily Mortimer is returning for another season. Unfortunately, however, the third season of Aaron Sorkin’s fast-talking cable news drama will be its last. Sorkin, a filmmaker who’s ready to focus on his next big movie based on Steve Jobs’ life, will give the series a proper ending.

“The Newsroom is classic Aaron Sorkin – smart, riveting and thought-provoking,” said HBO programming president Michael Lombardo. “I’m sure this farewell season will be one to remember.”

As a staunch supporter of the show, I’m equally surprised and saddened to hear it’s coming to an end. I always imagined that The Newsroom could go on for awhile, picking apart real-life news along with fictional tales for years. But this is Sorkin’s baby and if he’s saying this is it then that’s reason enough to pull the plug while it’s on top. (Still, another season or two would’ve been welcomed with open arms, but oh well.)

The Newsroom returns for its final hurrah later this year.

‘SNL’ hires Sasheer Zamata, first female African American cast member since 2007

January 20, 2014News, TelevisionNBC, Saturday Night Live, SNL, SNL cast memberScott Meisner

Can’t say this happens all the time. In the middle of its 39th season, SNL has added a new featured player to its sprawling cast of up-and-coming comics. Enter 27-year-old Sasheer Zamata; she hails from NYC and studied improv at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade. She also happens to be the first female African American in SNL‘s cast since Maya Rudolph departed the late-night sketch comedy show in 2007. Zamata made her big debut this past weekend on the show Drake hosted so well.

In addition to bringing on Zamata, SNL bossman Lorne Michaels showed his support in diversifying his show by also hiring two female African American writers in LaKendra Tookes and Leslie Jones.

2014 Oscar nods are in!

January 20, 2014Movies, News2014 Oscars, 86th Academy Awards, Academy Awards, awards show, nods, nominations, OscarsScott Meisner

The nominations are here for the 86th Academy Awards. There are nine films vying for Best Picture and they are American Hustle, Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers Club, Gravity, Her, Nebraska, Philomena. 12 Years a Slave, and The Wolf of Wall Street. David O. Russell (American Hustle) Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity), Alexander Payne (Nebraska), Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), and Martin Scorsese (The Wolf of Wall Street) are up for Best Director. American Hustle and Gravity are the most nominated movies this year with 10 apiece. As for snubs, people are buzzing that star Tom Hanks and director Paul Greengrass were not recognized for their respective contributions to Captain Phillips; also no love for Sam Rockwell (The Way, Way Back), Scarlett Johansson (Her), Pixar’s animated Monsters University, and Ed Sheeran’s phenomenal song “I See Fire” from The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Click here for the full list of nominees.

Ellen DeGeneres hosts the Oscars live Sunday, March 2 at 7PM EST on ABC.