Posted Feb 4th 2010 7:29PM by Kona Gallagher
Filed under: Watercooler Talk, Celebrities, Alumni, Awards, Reality-Free
The Adam Lambert/ABC controversy is one of those things that makes zero sense to me. If you recall, after Lambert kissed a dude and briefly simulated oral sex with someone in his band
on the American Music Awards, ABC freaked out and started banning him from their shows. The network canceled appearances on '
Jimmy Kimmel Live' and '
Good Morning America,' apparently fearing that the '
American Idol' runner-up wouldn't be able to refrain from nibbling George Stephanopoulos' ear at 7:30 AM. What I don't get is why this is such a big deal: it's as if ABC is operating in a world in which Lady Gaga and her antics don't exist.
Now the big Lambert news is that
he may be attending the Oscars, which is airing March 7 on ABC. As Lambert isn't in the film industry, this makes little sense-- except that he may be attending the ceremony with longtime friend Anna Kendrick, who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her turn in the George Clooney film, '
Up In The Air.'
Continue reading Will ABC Let Adam Lambert Into the Oscars?
Posted Feb 4th 2010 9:46AM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: Other Drama Shows, OpEd, Pickups and Renewals, Awards, Reality-Free
The television gods have spoken. Okay, not really. But the people in power at HBO have had their say and
'Big Love' will be back for a fifth season. Ten more episodes have been ordered as the fourth season continues to unfold. Hallelujah! The story of the Hendricksons goes on and on.
Unlike some other HBO drama series,
'Big Love' has not been a sky-rocket. It's been more a slow boil, gradually picking up fans and followers as the show evolves. Perhaps it was the very nature of the situation, a polygamist family living in plain sight in modern day Utah while keeping their way of life a closely guarded secret.
Bill and his three wives and passel of children try to keep to the principle while blending with suburbia, but they're continually pulled into controversy based on their individual pasts and the choices they've made. It all adds up to great drama.
Continue reading HBO Renews 'Big Love' for Fifth Season
Posted Feb 2nd 2010 2:03PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: OpEd, Celebrities, Awards, Casting, Reality-Free
Goodbye Broadway, hello television. Tony-award winning Matthew Broderick has decided to do a television series as the next iteration of his multifaceted career. Considering his success in most every endeavor, there's little reason to doubt that he's going to do pretty well.
Remember, this is the guy who
was Ferris Bueller. He played Leo Bloom in 'The Producers' and, hell, he's the voice of Simba, 'The Lion King.'
NBC has lined up Broderick to star in a comedy pilot called 'Beach Lane.' The show has already been greenlighted, in part because of Broderick's attachment and
Lorne Michaels' producing.
Continue reading Matthew Broderick Takes on TV
Posted Jan 31st 2010 1:29PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, OpEd, Celebrities, Awards, Casting, Emmys, Reality-Free
You could say that most people's interest in a
new comedy from Friends' star Matthew Perry called Mr. Sunshine, would be pretty high. He's a popular actor.
Friends was a popular show. People reacted favorably to Courteney Cox's new comedy
Cougar Town... You see where I'm going here.
Well, the interest meter just moved up considerably because
West Wing Emmy-winner
Allison Janney will co-star with Matthew in Mr. Sunshine.
Mr. Sunshine is an ABC pilot they'll be filming, and it's about a guy who reaches his 40th birthday and wonders if he can continue just getting by on his charm and nonchalant style.
Mr. Sunshine is set in San Diego, where Perry's character manages an aging stadium. Janney is playing Crystal Cohen, the lady in charge of the place. That's right; she's Matthew's boss.
Continue reading Allison Janney joins Matthew Perry's Mr. Sunshine
Posted Jan 20th 2010 2:00PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, TV Royalty, OpEd, Video, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Awards, Reality-Free
If you're one of the millions, nay billions, who's laughed at the antics of Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer or if you can't pick up an order of kung pao shrimp without wondering if they shorted you on the number of shrimp, then you -- my friend -- are a Larry David fan. The brain behind
Seinfeld and
Curb Your Enthusiasm, David has a unique comic view of the world and on February 20, the
Writers Guild of America is giving Larry David a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The actual award is called the Paddy Chayevsky Laurel award for television, and Larry has most definitely earned the recognition.
Seinfeld remains a masterpiece of character and comedy with or without a plot. The very nothingness of
Seinfeld made it historic television. It was a show that NBC nearly canceled because the suits didn't get it (what a shock!), then went on to become America's favorite half-hour. Twenty years later,
Seinfeld is embedded in the psyche of pop culture. Not bad for a nothing kind of show.
Continue reading WGA to honor Curb Your Enthusiasm's Larry David
Posted Jan 19th 2010 3:00PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: Industry, OpEd, Awards, Reality-Free, Glee
Flush from winning the Golden Globe as Best TV Show - Musical or Comedy,
Glee creator Ryan Murphy was in a jolly mood when confronted by the media. Can you blame the guy? Glee is definitely the success story of 2009, the little show that could. A smart, sassy high school musical that's become a cultural phenomenon. If I were Ryan Murphy, I'd be singing and dancing and spilling my guts, too. If you prefer being totally surprised and abhor spoilers -- STOP READING NOW.
Continue reading Gushing about Glee
Posted Jan 18th 2010 7:00AM by Jane Boursaw
Filed under: OpEd, Celebrities, Awards
When
I talked with Ricky Gervais a few weeks ago, he said his game plan as host of the
Golden Globes was to keep things rolling and have fun with it. He also said comedians are "meant to push the barriers a little bit and see what happens."
He definitely pushed a few barriers on the Golden Globes last night, taking potshots at Paul McCartney's marital troubles, Kiefer Sutherland's anger management issues, and Angelina Jolie's penchant for adopting children from Third World countries (too much, given the dire crisis in Haiti?)
Even Mel Gibson's alcohol troubles came up. Gervais appeared on stage drinking a beer as he introduced his next presenter. "Don't get me wrong," he said. "I like a drink as much as the next man, unless the next man is ... Mel Gibson."
Overall, Gervais' hosting skills fell a little flat for me. Next year, I suggest that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association consider Robert Downey Jr. as host of the Golden Globes. His
Best Actor speech for Sherlock Holmes was inspired, funny and charming.
How do you think Ricky Gervais did as host?
Posted Jan 18th 2010 2:00AM by Jane Boursaw
Filed under: OpEd, Watercooler Talk, Celebrities, Awards
Did your favorite actors and TV shows score Golden Globe awards tonight? Let's take a look at how things shook out in the TV categories at the 67th Annual Golden Globes.
Mad Men, Best Television Series - Drama. With competition from
Big Love,
Dexter,
House, and
True Blood, I'm really glad I wasn't picking the winner here. They're all fantastic. I wouldn't say that
True Blood delivered its best episodes last season, so I don't have a problem with that one not winning (though I'm a big fan of the show).
Mad Men is definitely deserving (especially the "lawn mower" episode), although
Dexter and
Big Love both had great seasons.
Continue reading Michael C. Hall, Mad Men score Golden Globe awards
Posted Jan 15th 2010 10:33AM by Nick Zaino
Filed under: Animation, Interviews, Awards
When Ricky Gervais hosts the Golden Globes this Sunday (NBC, 8PM EST), don't expect any pre-taped pieces or large choreographed numbers. Gervais, speaking to the press on a conference call, said he is avoiding all of that. He has planned what he wants to do, but he won't rehearse it, alone or with anyone on the show.
"I want to host it a little bit more like someone from the Rat Pack would host it," he says. "You know, just off the cuff and just playing the room and having fun with the people and roasting a few of the A-listers and hopefully it'll be fun for the room and the people at home."
"I do want people to have the feeling that anything can happen," he adds. "I want to be reactive so I don't want to just go out there and read an alter cue and do a very staid joke and have that sort of polite sort of titter."
Continue reading Ricky Gervais plays it loose for the Golden Globes and HBO
Posted Jan 14th 2010 9:00AM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: OpEd, Celebrities, Dexter, Awards, Reality-Free
Michael C. Hall is 38 years old. He's at the top of his profession. His role as Dexter Morgan has brought him acclaim, awards and fame. Now, out of nowhere,
Dexter star Michael C. Hall has cancer. He revealed that he's been treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma, a treatable form of cancer. Thanks to the team of doctors in Los Angeles, Hall said that he is in remission and hopes to stay there.
This weekend at the Golden Globes, Hall will be there with his new wife, co-star Jennifer Carpenter. He's nominated for
Dexter. If he wins -- and he's done amazing work on the show -- you can expect Hollywood to cheer for him. It will have double meaning.
Continue reading Michael C. Hall of Dexter stricken with cancer
Posted Jan 12th 2010 5:01PM by John Scott Lewinski
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, Celebrities, Awards
Remember when the
Miss America Pageant was a major event on the national television candle? The folks at TLC want it to be that kind of show again.
If you were born anywhere around the late 80s, you probably don't. But, throughout the 50s into the 80s, the annual televised event was more than just entertainment. It was news. And the winner, whether it was Lee Meriweather, Phyllis George or Vanessa Williams, had a shot at becoming a major celebrity.
But now? Name the current Miss America. Quickly. Don't look it up. Name last year's winner. Name any of the last five. Case closed. While it was once a proud contest/variety show, Miss America show is now overshadowed by other "rags to riches" battles like
American Idol, America's Got Talent, etc. To get Miss America back on the pop culture map, the show's producers are mixing up the judges with a surreal mix of faces from through the media.
Continue reading Once proud Miss America pageant survives on cable
Posted Jan 12th 2010 1:41PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: Other Drama Shows, Industry, OpEd, Lost, Curb Your Enthusiasm, 30 Rock, Awards, Breaking Bad, Reality-Free, Mad Men, Glee, Modern Family
There's been so much action going on with the TCA and the midseason returns and what-not that we sort of missed the announcement for the
DGA Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television nominations for 2009. It's quite an interesting bunch, as much for what and who's included and who and what were left out.
Since the DGA noms come from the directors themselves, these awards are indicative of what the professionals really think of their peers. Very illuminating, if you ask me. Check it out, category by category, and feel free to comment on my comments.
Continue reading DGA Nominations for the best in TV in 2009
Posted Jan 1st 2010 5:00PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: OpEd, Daytime, Video, Awards, Emmys, Reality-Free
On soaps, every now and then the powers that be -- usually the head writer who's overdosed on Red Bull and jelly beans months before -- comes up with the idea of doing a special episode. They'll focus on a single character and think outside the box. Sometimes they hit the jackpot; sometimes they create a clunker.
The Young and the Restless offered a very special New Year's Eve episode yesterday and it was a home run.
Headwriter Maria Arena Bell and her talented team, including
Hogan Sheffer, decided to put the character of Billy Abbott under the microscope and, as it turned out,
Y&R pulled off a great episode.
It wouldn't have worked nearly as well if not for the riveting performance of actor Billy Miller. He rose to the occasion and this could be an award-winner if it's submitted for the next round of Daytime Emmys. If you haven't seen it yet or it's in your DVR waiting to be viewed, be warned that there are SPOILERS ahead.
Continue reading The Young and the Restless serves up a winner
Posted Jan 1st 2010 11:02AM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: OpEd, Battlestar Galactica, Grey's Anatomy, Celebrities, Awards, TV Squad Lists, Damages, Emmys, Reality-Free
More of our best of the decade coverage, which started on Tuesday. You can read the other posts at the link above. Here, we talk about the best dramatic actresses of the decade.
Television has always been good to the ladies. Actresses have flourished in dramatic series, and in the past decade, we've seen some amazing performances. There have been lawyers, cops, a U.S. president, nurses, doctors, judges, mothers, daughters and even a real housewife from New Jersey whose husband was in the waste disposal business.
Many of these women have already been honored with Emmys and Golden Globes... and now they get the recognition of TV Squad.
Here, then, without further vamping, the best dramatic actresses of the past ten years:
Continue reading Best TV of the '00s: Dramatic Actress
Posted Dec 25th 2009 2:08PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: OpEd, CSI, Video, Awards, Emmys, Reality-Free, Burn Notice
Have you received all your Christmas gifts? Would you like one more? Okay, here it is, when
Burn Notice returns for the winter season on January 21, the first episode will include guest star Tyne Daly. That's right, Tyne will be reuniting with her
Cagney & Lacey co-star
Sharon Gless. This is will be the first of seven new
Burn Notices till next summer.
There's another
Cagney & Lacey story in the news.
CSI creator Anthony Zuiker wants to revive the show for CBS. For those who don't recall,
Cagney & Lacey was the top female cop drama of the 1980's -- actually of all time. It was a serious police drama, unlike something jiggly like
Charlie's Angels or safe and pedestrian like
Police Woman.
Continue reading Cagney and Lacey reunite on first Burn Notice of 2010
Next Page »
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Six Reasons Why '24' Has Jumped the You-Know-What
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