The Office Scores Super Bowl Slot
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Prime Time, NBC, The Office, News,
Over the past few years, football lovers have been given something almost as exciting to watch after the Super Bowl as they have during the game. Remember when Francie was killed on Alias? When House diagnosed Mira Sorvino while she was at the South Pole? How about that explosion on Grey’s Anatomy?
Well, it’ll be NBC‘s turn to air the game next February and the network has made its post-game choice: The Office. According to Entertainment Weekly, the producers are may even put together another hour-long episode for the coveted time slot. Of course, details about the plans are being kept secret. (I’m going to make an early guess and say that it will somehow involve a wedding or a baby. Or both.)
Super Bowl XLIII will be played on February 1, 2009. Until then, keep yourself busy with The Office when it returns on September 25.
Entertainment Weekly
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Friday Ratings: Olympics Ceremony Brings the Gold to NBC
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Specials, Sports, NBC, Ratings,
Let’s face it. Viewers probably weren’t watching Swingtown last night. So let’s just focus on the one event the world was glued to: the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Although a lot of controversy has surrounded this year’s games, the ratings - at least for the tape-delayed opening ceremony - surpassed expectations:
- Beijing’s opening day was the most-watched summer ceremony held outside the United States.
- The 2004 Athens games scored a 18.0 rating/30 share; Friday’s event earned a 21.5 rating/37 share.
- In comparison, the 1996 Atlanta games pulled in a 23.6/45 on its opening day.
NBC is planning up to 3600 hours of coverage through August 24.
Variety
Deal or Deal Has Its First Millionaire
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Games, Prime Time, NBC, News, Video,
After nearly three years, the wait is almost over. According to Howie Mandel, Deal or No Deal will have its first millionaire very soon.
The surprise announcement was made during Thursday night’s finale of Last Comic Standing. (You can see that clip after the jump.) Since the date of the milestone wasn’t revealed, it’s not known how many suitcases aided the winner in their mission. In the program’s ‘Million Dollar Mission’ - which will be implemented again next season - an additional case worth $1 million will be added to the mix after each failed attempt.
Find out which overly-excited contestant finally wins when Deal or No Deal returns on Monday, August 25.
Click to continue reading Deal or Deal Has Its First Millionaire
Futon Critic
A Final Bow for the Gladiators?
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Prime Time, Reality, NBC, Editorial,
In my estimation, NBC has always been something of a ride-it-till-the-wheels-fall-off kind of network. Habitually in fourth place behind all the other major networks, the channel is always striving for a first-place hit. For a brief moment in the winter of the writers’ strike, NBC found television gold in the form of a re-make.
More than twelve million tuned in for the January premiere of the first season of the re-vamped American Gladiators and NBC suddenly had a hit on its hands. Instead of playing it cool or playing it safe, the network went full steam ahead into a second season. Way back in April, before season two’s May premiere, NBC announced tentative plans to bring the show back in the summer of 2009 for yet a third season.
But now the second season of the show has arrived, has been aired and has ended. Will NBC still bring this brutal physical reality competition back for another turn in the TV spotlight?
Click to continue reading A Final Bow for the Gladiators?
NBC
Paula Abdul Cancels Concert Again
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Music, FOX, NBC, American Idol, Cancellations,
Apparently four extra months of rehearsal time wasn’t simply enough.
Although she was given a second chance to participate in Today‘s Summer Concert Series, Paula Abdul has just gone two-for-two. The American Idol judge has just canceled her live gig scheduled for August 29. This show-stopping move comes months after she was slated to perform on April 25.
Predictably, Abdul once again blames other commitments (this time for the FOX) as the reason for the decision. (As if the producers weren’t given plenty of notice about her morning show appearance.) Of course, an insider claims Paula’s busy calendar wasn’t really the issue. “Please. She can’t perform live. Her voice on the single is so mixed and electronicized you don’t know what she really sounds like any more,” said a source.
Wow. While I admittedly thought it was funny that Justin Guarini was doing free shows on Universal’s CityWalk, I must say he has now just earned a bit more of my respect. At least he has the guts to show up and face the public!
New York Post
Shane West Checks Back Into ER
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Drama, Prime Time, NBC, ER, Gossip,
No legs? No problem! According to Entertainment Weekly, Shane West will be returning to ER for the show’s final season. And he’ll, thankfully, be doing a lot better than when he left County General.
When we last saw Ray Barnett in May 2007, he was heading back home to get away from Neela and to deal with his recently amputated legs. (Actor West was also hoping to score a new show on FOX.) Now, with a new set of prosthetics, Ray is ready to visit Chicago as a fully-rehabbed man.
The good news? Ray’s presence will definitely have some sort of effect on his ex-roommate’s life. The bad news? West is only scheduled to appear in two episodes. The first being on October 30, the second happening sometime before the series finale.
Let’s just hope someone ends up with a functional relationship by the time this whole thing wraps up.
Entertainment Weekly
Jay Leno’s Last Day Announced
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Late Night, Talk Shows, ABC, NBC, Gossip, News, Rumors,
What seemed so far off in the future has now been given a date. Jay Leno‘s departure from The Tonight Show will happen on May 29, 2009.
This calendar announcement was announced earlier Monday by NBC. The news ended any speculation that the network might chicken out and keep the ratings winner in place a bit longer. Also solidifying the decision made years ago was the date chosen for Conan O’Brien‘s time shift: June 1.
Click to continue reading Jay Leno’s Last Day Announced
Hollywood Reporter
Will There Be a Friends Movie?
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Prime Time, NBC, Gossip, News, Rumors,
Sex and the City broke box office records. Get Smart had a first place finish. Why shouldn’t there be a Friends movie?
According to UK’s Daily Mail, a big-screen adaptation of the NBC hit has finally been greenlighted. Although a reunion seemed extremely unlikely when the comedy ended in 2004, the success of SATC has apparently given the show’s main six hope.
And while Jennifer Aniston could definitely do without the paycheck, she is reportedly willing to play along. “Jennifer, Courteney and the rest of the cast are keen to reprise their roles, under the right circumstances,” said a source.
If the story is true, production on the Warner Bros. feature may begin within the next 18 months. Could I be more excited?
Daily Mail
The Office Welcomes Back Amy Ryan
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Prime Time, NBC, The Office, Gossip, News,
I’m happy to report that one of my favorite actresses from 2007 will be returning to one of my favorite television shows next year.
It’s just been announced that Amy Ryan will be hanging around Dunder Mifflin for at least another 5 episodes this fall. At the end of The Office‘s last season, Ryan entered the scene as HR rep Holly Flax, the woman who replaced Toby Flenderson. In the finale, Holly and Michael seemed to make an actual connection. Unfortunately, news of Jan’s surprise pregnancy threw things off course.
This is not the first project that Ryan and Steve Carell have worked on together; the two were both in the charming Dan in Real Life. Dan was just one of three movies that Amy starred in last year that I absolutely loved. The Oscar-nominated actress was also featured in Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead and Gone Baby Gone.
Click to continue reading The Office Welcomes Back Amy Ryan
Variety
Nicole Richie to Guest Star on Chuck
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Prime Time, NBC, Gossip, News,
After years of acting like a bratty socialite, Nicole Richie has finally decided to dabble in real comedic fare. (I mean - if Paris Hilton can attempt it, anyone can.)
Next fall, we’ll be seeing Richie in an episode of NBC’s Chuck. The new mom will play a “snarky and spiteful girl who tortured Sarah in school.” (That description is so Lohan on Ugly Betty.) The two cross paths again when Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) is forced to attend her high school reunion for a mission.
This job actually won’t be the first non-reality role for Nicole. The Simple Life star has also made appearances on American Dreams and 8 Simple Rules.
Futon Critic
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