NBC Plans to Stream New Fall Shows, Offer Blogs
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Comedy, Drama, Prime Time, Reality, NBC, ER, My Name Is Earl, Internet, Video,
In a press release from NBC today, they announced that NBC.com will stream episodes of their new fall shows for free—Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Kidnapped, 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights and Heroes—following the original airing of the episodes. NBC.com is also going to offer blogs written by a variety of shows’ creators, producers or cast members. The blogs will be online for every show on the air, with an additional live blog immediately after the premiere episode.
Jeff Gaspin, President, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment, Digital Content and Cross-Network Strategy said of the news, “When you launch a new season, it’s important that you get the shows in front of as many eyeballs as possible. We’ve created a variety of new, engaging digital offerings to generate excitement and drive viewership to the network.”
Upcoming premiere blogs include:
- Deal or No Deal (9/18), The Banker’s Blog
- Studio 60 (9/18), Aaron Sorkin, Creator and Executive Producer and Thomas Schlamme, Executive Producer and Director
- Kidnapped (9/20), Jason Smilovic, Creator and Executive Producer
- My Name Is Earl (9/21), Greg Garcia, Creator and Executive Producer
- The Office (9/21), Greg Daniels, Executive Producer
- 30 Rock (11/11), Tina Fey, Creator and Executive Producer
A number of other blogs will accompany the shows’ premieres, including Law & Order, ER, Heroes, Friday Night Lights and Twenty Good Years, among others.
Read More 
| Lost Remote
Gallery: NBC Plans to Stream New Fall Shows, Offer Blogs
Advertisement
Mike “Boogie” Wins Big Brother: All-Stars
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Prime Time, Reality, CBS, Internet,
The finale of Big Brother 7: All-Stars aired last night—and it came down to two finalists I could have cared less about. I committed to the whole season this summer… a rigorous schedule of three episodes each week and countless hours spent following live feeds online. What a tremendous waste—to get to the final two and not care either way who won it. But, since I had already put in so much of my time, I had to see how it would all shake out. And more importantly, who would win the America’s Choice of $25,000.
After questioning from the jury, a lame live show had the jurors inserting the key of their chosen winner (Mike or Erika) into the key contraption-thingy. With little fanfare, Mike won by a landslide, emerging from the Big Brother house to take the prize. Ho-hum. Let’s get on to the interesting stuff—who would win America’s Choice? Of course, Janelle was the winner, so at least something interesting happened during the finale. It would have been a far more interesting show had Janelle and Dr. Will made it to final two, but those are the breaks. As for me, I think that was the last Big Brother I’ll watch.
Read More | Zap2it
Gallery: Mike “Boogie” Wins Big Brother: All-Stars
NAACP Reserves Judgment for New Season of Survivor
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Prime Time, Reality, CBS, Survivor,
If you are on the fence about whether or not to watch the new season of Survivor because of its racial experiment, you’re not alone. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) opposes the concept of splitting the teams by race, but will “reserve judgment until the reality-TV show actually airs.”
“Concerning the new season of Survivor, whether we like the concept or not—and for the record, we do not—it is premature to judge the show purely on conjecture,” according to a statement from the NAACP. “We will judge the show on what we see, and we will monitor the public response.”
In response, executive producer Mark Burnett said, “I agree with the NAACP in that ‘there is no escaping the reality that race is a complex and emotional issue in America, one we are still reluctant to confront and address,’ and I am happy that they have reserved judgment until they watch the series. I would encourage anyone to follow this lead and watch at least a few episodes to get a clear picture of how the dynamic will play out.”
The new season of Survivor: Cook Islands begins on Thursday at 8 p.m. The 20 contestants will be divided into the following groups: black, white, Hispanic and Asian.
Read More | Yahoo! News
Gallery: NAACP Reserves Judgment for New Season of Survivor
Dancing With the Stars’ Favorite to Win
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Prime Time, Reality, ABC, Dancing With The Stars, Internet,
Internet odds-makers have pegged Mario Lopez (Saved by the Bell) to be this season’s Dancing with the Stars winner. Online bookie PinnacleSports.com has Lopez favored, with his odds of winning at 3-to-1. His professional partner is Karina Smirnoff, a newcomer to the series this year. With his background as a drummer and dancer on 1980s Kids Incorporated (remember that show?), maybe he will lead the pack.
Competition is sure to be tough—when Dancing with the Stars premieres Tuesday night, look for such adept hoofers as NFL’s Emmitt Smith, Tucker Carlson from MSNBC, and talk-show host Jerry Springer. OK, they don’t exactly scream dance talent, but the other contestants are Vivica A. Fox (odds of winning are 4-to-1), Monique Coleman (of High School Musical) at 9-to-2 odds, Joey Lawrence (6-to-1 odds), and Harry Hamlin with 13-to-2 odds. Shanna Moakler, Willa Ford and Sara Evans are also participating in the dancefest. Springer is the longshot, with odds at 49-to-1.
Read More | Zap2it
Gallery: Dancing With the Stars’ Favorite to Win
Celebration and Tragedy for Anna Nicole Smith
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Reality, Announcements, Cable/Satellite, News,
Just days after the celebrating the arrival of her newborn daughter, Anna Nicole Smith is now coping with the death of her son. Daniel Smith - often seen on camera during The Anna Nicole Show days - was found dead on Sunday. The 20-year-old had been visiting the Bahamas where his mother gave birth last Thursday.
The death—acknowledged by reps for TrimSpa (Anna’s diet product) and Smith’s personal website—remains a mystery. “We have yet to learn the cause of death but do not believe that drugs or alcohol were a factor,” the web statement said. Meanwhile, the Royal Bahamian Police Force will only confirm that a celebrity’s son was found deceased at Nassau’s private Doctor’s Hospital.
Read More | Anna Nicole Smith
Gallery: Celebration and Tragedy for Anna Nicole Smith
The Week Ahead in TV
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Daytime, Music, Prime Time, Reality, Sports, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Amazing Race, The, Dancing With The Stars, Desperate Housewives, Family Guy, Rock Star, Survivor, News,
Things are starting to kick into high-gear now with the introduction of three high-profile reality shows and the finales of several others:
SUNDAY
Sunday Night Football (7pm EST on NBC): TV sales will increase once women realize that football season will contend with Desperate Housewives.
FOX Comedies (starting @ 8pm): Those men not already watching football—and/or live on the West Coast—will have a line-up of father-oriented comedies to watch: The Simpsons, American Dad, Family Guy and The War at Home.
MONDAY
9/11 Anniversary (various): Most of the networks will choose to pay tribute on the 5-year anniversary. Other programming will most likely be interrupted by a scheduled Pres. Bush speech at 9pm EST.
TUESDAY
Big Brother (8pm on CBS): The finale between Mike Boogie and Erika. Sadly, someone has to be chosen the winner. Maybe they can just have each other.
Dancing with the Stars (8pm on ABC): The 2-hour debut of the ABC powerhouse. Am I the only one who believes that Mario Lopez still deserves some karmic embarrassment for cheating on Ali Landry before their wedding?
WEDNESDAY
Today Show (NBC): The debut of Meredith Vieira. I’m betting she’s happy to have a little more testosterone in her life.
Rock Star: Supernova (8pm on CBS): The winner will be announced. If Dilana doesn’t win, I’ll be boycotting CBS.
THURSDAY
Survivor: Cook Islands (8pm on CBS): My 24-hour boycott of CBS will have ended when I return to watch this controversial racial experiment. Being 1/2 Asian, 1/2 Hispanic…I’m not sure which team I will root for. I just know that if those two tribes merge, the other groups could be in a world of hurt.
SUNDAY (9/17)
The Amazing Race 10 (8:30pm on CBS): Twelve teams of two will depart from Seattle and travel around the world. Twelve teams of two will also be that much closer to Phil Keoghan than I will ever be.
Gallery: The Week Ahead in TV
Newlyweds Reach Divorce Settlement
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Music, Reality, Cable/Satellite, News,
Newlyweds Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson have reached an agreement about their divorce settlement—surprisingly enough, Nick will be walking away with less than expected. Perhaps to put things behind him quickly, Lachey agreed to take much less than the 50 percent he’s entitled to. Since Simpson didn’t sign a prenuptial agreement, California law entitles him to half of the assets. At half, Lachey would get $18 million, but he has decided to settle for less, bypassing the need to go to court.
Neither Simpson nor Lachey have withered from the spotlight since the split. Lachey’s recent wins at the Teen Choice awards and romance with MTVs Vanessa Minnillo, as well as the popularity of his heartbreaking song “What’s Left of Me,” have kept him front and center. Similarly, Simpson continues to get attention with her new album “A Public Affair,” her bout with laryngitis, and links to both funny man Dane Cook and musician John Mayer (she’s not dating either of them).
Read More | TMZ.com
Gallery: Newlyweds Reach Divorce Settlement
Tom Sizemore, Andrew Dice Clay Reality Shows on VH1
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Comedy, Reality, Internet,
Those of you dying to see the next screw-ups on their own reality show won’t have to wait much longer. VH1 announced that two reality shows will focus on a couple of has-beens working on their comebacks. I’m sure you’re chomping at the bit to see what Andrew Dice Clay and Tom Sizemore have been up to. I’m all for comeback stories, but these two don’t seem to bring much to the table. You may remember crude Clay in the 1980s—he of the stand-up featuring dirty Mother Goose rhymes (“Little Boy Blue. He needed the money.”), movie roles and even his own sitcom. Where has he been since then? Look no further than the latest reality show to answer that question. His series will follow his current career as author, Sirius satellite radio show producer, and his jump back into a comedy CD. The series will premiere on VH1 in March and will provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse of him touring and dealing with parenting and relationship issues.
Sizemore, on the other hand, had a credible film career, which slowly fell apart with his sex and drug addictions, conviction for assault and battery against “Hollywood Madam” Heidi Fleiss, and sex tape plastered on the Internet. Sizemore’s reality show will take a look at his climb back up the acting ladder, as he goes on jobs and films a BBC movie in Canada. To fill in his story, his own flashback footage of his sex and drug days will probably provide more info than you wanted to know. No word yet on when Sizemore’s show will air.
Read More | Reality TV World
Gallery: Tom Sizemore, Andrew Dice Clay Reality Shows on VH1
The Week Ahead in TV
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Drama, Prime Time, Reality, ABC, FX, FOX, House, My Name Is Earl, Nip/Tuck, Survivor, Talent,
Here’s a look at the highlights for the upcoming week. In addition to more Fox premieres, we have several new personalities to prepare for:
TUESDAY
CBS Evening News: The long awaited debut of Katie (or Katherine?) Couric. Will she be able to turn the perkiness off at night?
The View (ABC syndication): The premiere of of Rosie O’Donnell. My Tivo is ready…let the catfights begin!
House (8pm on Fox): Will House’s limp return? And will Hugh Laurie’s British accent come back with it?
Standoff (9pm on Fox): Romance between hostage negotiators? Now that we already know the plot, do we have to watch?
Nip/Tuck (10pm on FX): The Carver is gone but Kimber’s vanity was still attacked. I’m guessing she still won’t be fat anytime soon.
THURSDAY
‘til Death (8pm on Fox): Brad Garrett and Joely Fisher play an old married couple who have to contend with annoying newlyweds…and My Name is Earl, and Survivor and Ugly Betty...
Happy Hour (8:30pm on Fox): It’s has something to do with a newly single dude, his new roommate and the neighbors he meets. Kind of sounds like Joey and in a similar time slot. We can guess what will happen from here.
FRIDAY
Nanny 911 (8pm on Fox): Do parents home on a Friday night really want to be reminded about why they aren’t going out?
Gallery: The Week Ahead in TV
Rock Star: INXS Contestant Gets Record Deal
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Music, Reality, CBS, Rock Star, Talent,
If you’ve been following along with this season’s Rock Star and wondering what ever happened to last year’s Rock Star: INXS contestants, this one’s for you. Fans of last season’s MiG, one of the three finalists, has signed a record deal. His self-titled debut will be released in January and will feature covers of “A Kiss From A Rose,” by Seal, David Bowie’s “Life On Mars,” The Police’s “Wrapped Around Your Finger” and Green Day’s “Wake Me Up When September Ends.” He also recorded “Baby I Love Your Way,” with Peter Frampton—the first single is already available for download on Yahoo!
If you recall, MiG grew up in Australia, but lived in London, appearing in the musicals Rent and We Will Rock You. Then he took on the challenge of Rock Star: INXS, proving to be a worthy competitor. No word yet on whether or not the entire album will be covers (let’s hope there’s something original in there) or when it will be released.
Read More | People
Gallery: Rock Star: INXS Contestant Gets Record Deal
Advertisement
© Gear Live Media, LLC. 2007 – User-posted content, unless source is quoted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Public Domain License. Gear Live graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, videos, articles, blogs, forums, scripts and other service names are the trademarks of Gear Live Inc.