The Week Ahead in TV
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Drama, Late Night, Prime Time, ABC, Cable, NBC, The CW, America’s Next Top Model, Degrassi, Everybody Hates Chris, Saturday Night Live, The CW, The Office,
The CW let America’s Next Top Model kick off the new network last week—now they’re hoping you’ll stick around to see the other premieres they have to offer. Also up, the much-hyped debut of Ugly Betty. Will the stellar reviews have any effect on last season’s best comedy,The Office?
MONDAY
Heroes (9pm on NBC)
7th Heaven (8pm on CW)
Runaway (9pm on CW)
TUESDAY
Gilmore Girls (8pm on CW)
WEDNESDAY
One Tree Hill (9pm on CW)
THURSDAY
Ugly Betty (8pm on ABC)
Smallville (8pm on CW)
Supernatural (9pm on CW)
FRIDAY
Degrassi (9pm EST on The N)
SATURDAY
Saturday Night Live (11:30pm on NBC)
SUNDAY (10/1)
Everybody Hates Chris (7pm on CW)
All of Us (7:30pm on CW)
Girlfriends (8pm on CW)
The Game (8:30pm on CW)
Gallery: The Week Ahead in TV
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Weekend Update Co-anchor Announced
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Comedy, Late Night, NBC, News, Rumors,
Despite the rumors that Jason Sudeikis would be taking over for Tina Fey on Saturday Night Live‘s Weekend Update, it’s just been announced that Seth Meyers will be taking on the job. This comes from show creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels today, so it seems the rumors have finally been put to rest. Amy Poehler will continue her co-anchor spot on the Update segment. There were four cast members who auditioned for the job, but Michaels found Meyers to have the best chemistry with Poehler. Meyers is also one of the head writers for the show. Of the recent cast downsizing at SNL, Michaels said: “The show has succeeded and prospered to some degree on its ability to reinvent itself, and this was a time for everything to be re-examined.” Check out all the big changes when SNL begins on September 30th. Comic Dane Cook hosts.
Read More 
| Yahoo! News
Gallery: Weekend Update Co-anchor Announced
Three SNL Cast Members Get Pink Slips
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Comedy, Late Night, NBC, Saturday Night Live, Rumors,
Early SNL firing rumors are now official. E! Online is reporting that a press release for the upcoming 32nd season omitted the names of three cast members’ names: unfortunately, Chris Parnell, Horatio Sanz and Finesse Mitchell will not be returning this season. The news comes as a “non-announcement,” since neither NBC nor Saturday Night Live released any official statement about the cast. Early rumors pegged Parnell and Sanz as fired, but did not predict Mitchell would not be returning. Instead, most were reporting that it would be Kenan Thompson or Darrell Hammond that would get the axe. Sanz had made a statement about a month ago to the Chicago Sun-Times, saying “I haven’t been approached with anything that’s led me to believe I won’t be back.” Seems the decision may have come as a surprise to him. NBC rep Marc Liepis doesn’t believe there is any ill-will about the decision, saying “I believe there were mutual choices made. When you’re on the show for eight years, I don’t think you look at it as a firing.” Both Parnell and Sanz have been on SNL for eight years, while Mitchell had only a three year run.
Saturday Night Live will air on September 30th, with host Dane Cook and musical guest The Killers. No official word yet on who will be taking over Tina Fey’s chair on Weekend Update, although early rumors pegged Jason Sudeikis. Guess we’ll know for sure on the 30th.
Read More | E! Online
Gallery: Three SNL Cast Members Get Pink Slips
Letterman Gets Four More Years
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Late Night, Talk Shows, CBS, NBC, Renewals,
David Letterman has reached an agreement with ABC that will keep the late-night host around for four more years. His contract extension keeps Dave on the Late Show through the 2009-2010 season. Interestingly enough, this is one year past the plan for Leno to step down from the Tonight Show and pass the torch to Conan O’Brien. According to Nielsen Media Research, Leno continues to be the ratings winner, averaging 5.71 million viewers nightly, versus 4.16 million per night for Letterman. The rivalry has been ongoing since Leno took over Johnny Carson’s post on the Tonight Show—and it looks like the competition will now continue against O’Brien. CBS Entertainment and Letterman spokespeople had no comment about the negotiations since the deal is not official yet. Even after all these years, I still prefer Letterman to Leno—Leno is more corny than anything, but Letterman’s goofy persona wins me over. Goofy beats corny in my book any day, but what to do when Letterman and O’Brien go head to head? Two goofs—don’t make me choose!
Read More | Yahoo! News
Gallery: Letterman Gets Four More Years
It’s a good month to be Jimmy Kimmel—last week we announced that Kimmel would be hosting a game show, and this week he learned that his late night talk show has been renewed. ABC renewed Jimmy Kimmel Live for a fifth season, which carries it through 2008. I had no idea the show had even been on that long and sadly, I can’t comment on his talk show skills since I can’t stay up that late! Sorry folks, I’ve got two little ones and sleep is a precious commodity in my home. In response to the renewal news, Kimmel said “I am delighted to have been asked to host a fifth year of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live.’ I watch it all the time.” Andrea Wong, executive vp alternative programming, specials and late-night at ABC Entertainment, called Kimmel “the future of late night television.”
Here’s my chance to catch the Kimmel fever—ABC will be airing a primetime special, called Jimmy Kimmel Live’s All-Star Salute to Jimmy Kimmel Live! (catchy) at 10 p.m. on September 13th. If you’ve never seen the show or if you’re a fan and want to re-live the finer moments, check out this “best of” highlights show featuring surprise guest cameos.
Read More | Yahoo! News
Gallery: Jimmy Kimmel’s Talk Show Renewed
Jimmy Kimmel Set to Host New Game Show
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Comedy, Games, Late Night, ABC,
In addition to Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show, he will also be hosting a game show on ABC, called Set for Life. The new show starts production next week—pitting contestants against each other as they compete to win a monthly cash amount for the rest of their life. Kind of a different twist on game show winnings, but a nice way to ensure that your winnings aren’t spent the second you win them. How much is up for grabs? Well, it appears that millions of dollars are a possibility, with a “last-minute twist” that can alter how much cash is ultimately won. Kimmel is no stranger to game shows, having played sidekick to Ben Stein on Comedy Central’s Win Ben Stein’s Money. That show was so much fun—I wish they still showed it in re-runs. According to David Goldberg of Endemol USA (creator of the game show), “Jimmy’s a very funny and witty entertainer and at his best in front of a live audience. I think he has that everyman quality and a genuine accessibility that should help him as he deals with ordinary people tempting to become set for life.” Well, he’s no Howie Mandel—you make the call on whether or not that’s a good thing!
Read More | Reality TV World
Gallery: Jimmy Kimmel Set to Host New Game Show
Cast Reductions Announced for SNL
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Comedy, Late Night, NBC, Saturday Night Live, News,
Since a press conference last month where Lorne Michaels announced upcoming cuts from the Saturday Night Live cast, many have been speculating about who would be going. Zap2it.com is reporting that at least three members of the cast will be leaving, with the likelihood for a fourth to depart as well. At present, it’s reported that Chris Parnell, Horatio Sanz and Kenan Thompson have been tapped to leave. Discussions of a fourth casualty are circulating about Darrell Hammond, who has had the longest run on the show. Hammond brings his impmeccable impressions to the table (including Donald Trump and Bill Clinton), but perhaps little new material. Horatio Sanz has been riding the SNL gravy train for far too long, as has Parnell—I’m most surprised by Kenan Thompson, who seemed to be featured in a lot of sketches last season. The fate of SNL‘s Weekend Update is also a hot topic, as Lorne Michaels auditioned cast members to take over for Tina Fey, who recently left the show, and Amy Poehler. It’s rumored that new cast member Jason Sudeikis (pictured at right) will be taking over the Update desk. Of course, none of this is confirmed—an NBC spokesman declined to comment.
Read More | Zap2it
Gallery: Cast Reductions Announced for SNL
Jon Stewart Scores Comedy Central Pilot
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Comedy, Late Night, Cable, Daily Show, The,
Since taking over the seat for The Daily Show in 1996, Jon Stewart’s star has continued to rise. The news has never been more interesting or funny, and all because of his excellent comedic delivery and timing. Stewart’s other endeavors, including books (Naked Pictures of Famous People and A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction), as well as producing The Colbert Report have taken him to the next level. Not to be outdone by… um,... himself, he has signed a deal with Comedy Central to produce a sitcom. The comedy, titled Three Strikes, is set in the world of minor league baseball and is written by Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck, writers for King of the Hill, The Larry Sanders Show, and Late Show With David Letterman. No other details have been released about who will star in the sitcom or when it will air.
Read More | Reuters
Gallery: Jon Stewart Scores Comedy Central Pilot
Tina Fey Resigns From SNL
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Comedy, Late Night, Prime Time, NBC, Saturday Night Live, News,
The rumors have come to fruition. Tina Fey is leaving Saturday Night Live to pursue her new gig on the NBC series 30 Rock, which premieres on October 11th. Fey has been with SNL since 1997, starting as a writer and becoming the first female head writer in 1999. Her role as co-anchor for the “Weekend Update” segment of the show began in 2000. During Fey’s appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Friday, she said, “The new show’s going to take a lot of time. I wanted to stop doing Saturday Night Live so I could spend more time with Star Jones.”
The plot of 30 Rock in many ways mirrors her role on SNL—she’ll play the head writer of a fictional late-night sketch show. So, not much of a stretch, I suppose… but she has a lot of great experience to work with. Fey told Leno, “This is the big leap I’m making, it’s a show about working at a late-night comedy show… I’m very creative.”
According to Lorne Michaels, executive producer of 30 Rock and SNL, they will test various individuals and duos in September to find a replacment for Fey on “Weekend Update.” “If you’re asking if I’m happy about it, no,” said Michaels. “Tina disappearing is a huge hole in the writing staff.”
Read More | CBS News
Gallery: Tina Fey Resigns From SNL
FOX’s Fall Premieres Announced
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Late Night, Prime Time, FOX, House, Prison Break, Announcements,
Pencil these into your calendar – the fall premiere info has been set for FOX (subject to change, as nothing about TV programming is ever set in stone…). There are six new primetime shows and an early start date for some returning favorites:
Monday, August 21
8:00 PM Prison Break (Season Premiere)
9:00 PM Vanished (Series Premiere)
Wednesday, August 30
8:00 PM Bones (Season Premiere)
9:00 PM Justice (Series Premiere)
Thursday, August 31
8:00 PM Duets (2-Hour Series Premiere)
Tuesday, September 5
8:00 PM Standoff (Series Premiere)
9:00 PM House (Season Premiere)
Thursday, September 7
8:00 PM ‘Til Death (Series Premiere)
8:30 PM Happy Hour (Series Premiere)
9:00 PM Duets (Time Period Premiere)
Friday, September 8
8:00 PM Nanny 911 (Season Premiere)
9:00 PM Duets Results Show (Series Premiere)
Saturday, September 9
8:00 PM Cops (Season Premiere)
8:30 PM Cops (Season Premiere)
9:00 PM America’s Most Wanted: America Fights Back (Season Premiere)
Sunday, September 10
8:00 PM The Simpsons (Season Premiere)
8:30 PM American Dad (Season Premiere)
9:00 PM Family Guy (Season Premiere)
9:30 PM The War at Home (Season Premiere)
Saturday, September 16
11:00 PM MADtv (Season Premiere)
Midnight Talk Show With Spike Ferensten (Series Premiere)
Read More | Zap2it
Gallery: FOX’s Fall Premieres Announced
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