If I had a dollar for all the times I've written about Oprah Winfrey in the past few weeks, I'd be able to retire. Well, the O is one busy lady. She's just booked another TV program. On Sunday, December 13, ABC will broadcast Christmas at the White House: An Oprah Primetime Special. Set the DVR for 10 p.m. because that's when President Barack Obama will welcome Oprah into America's grandest national house.
Take that, Barbara Walters! Not so fast with that ascension to the upper echelon, Robin Roberts. Back off, Diane Sawyer. Oprah Winfrey has an 'in' with the First Family and that's why she's going to be visiting the Obamas for a tour of what the holidays are like at the White House. This is the first time President Obama and the First Lady are having Christmas there, and it'll be all new to them.
If you need more proof that the economic collapse is the real thing -- you know, other than your shrinking salary, skyrocketing medical insurance premiums, inability to pay off your credit cards -- here's a major sign. Oprah Winfrey's decided not to do her annual Favorite Things show for the holiday season. That's right, after seven years of largesse, The Oprah Winfrey Show has canceled the funfest of goodies.
Huffington Post has learned exclusively that Favorite Things was scrapped. It used to be a Thanksgiving week staple. The reasons are unclear, but it would seem incongruous to celebrate expensive robes, top of the line chocolates, camcorders and the like when so many people are out of work and in financial straits.
I can't imagine the discipline and training it must take to be a top notch TV game show announcer. But whether it involves daily gargling, diction concentration exercises or repeating phrases like "My grandmother brought candy to the bigamist" over and over, it must take a toll on your sanity.
That's the only explanation I can fathom for The Price Is Right announcer Rich Fields' slow cognitive eradication as evidenced by this video. Let's hope gets a "brand new braaaiin" real soon.
I had no idea that Gossip Girl'sBlake Lively spent that last dozen or so Thanksgivings with Jimmy Fallon. In this clip, we see what happened on those days and why they're spending Thanksgiving apart this year.
I love the reaction of the audience at the start, sensing tension and humor but not really sure what' going on.
It seems like ESPN has been around forever, doesn't it? Can you even remember a time when there hasn't been an ESPN to turn to for a score or breaking news or updates? I can't. But along with the news ESPN provides, the ESPN brand has expanded to include a bunch of networks, a magazine, restaurants and lots of tchotchkes. But let's just look at the TV shows, shall we? One note: SportsCenter is not included because it's more of a daily news show as opposed to the programs that are more talk and game-oriented. Here's the top ten ESPN created shows, from the worst to the first.
10. Sports Nation
This is a relatively new daily show on ESPN with radio talker Colin Cowherd and Michelle Beadle co-hosting. It's supposedly an interactive program with surveys that include the fans, but all the bells and whistles can't change the fact that Cowherd is an obnoxious know-it-all that dominates the conversation – when they have one. It's new and shiny, but it's a mess.
Adam Lambert has been on a lot of shows with "America" in the title, including American Idoland The American Music Awards. He won't be appearing on another show with that word in it though.
ABC has confirmed that Lambert's appearance on Good Morning America on Wednesday has been canceled. And yes, we can all assume that it's because of Lambert's ridiculous performance on the AMAs over the weekend, where he made out with a guy, dragged another guy along on a leash, and also simulated oral sex with a dancer who was down on this knees. You know, because Lambert wanted to be so EDGY. (Update: Lambert will appear on CBS' The Early Show instead, and Dick Clark Productions has released a statement about the performance.)
If you don't already know her story, get ready to hear all about it. On December 13, the TV Guide Network will present a Susan Boyle special. An hour all about the unlikely Scottish singing sensation. I Dreamed a Dream: The Susan Boyle Story is a one-hour documentary/interview/performance special chronicling the rise of the Britain's Got Talent performer who became a You Tube phenom and has just released her first CD.
American Idol's Simon Cowell is the mastermind behind this production, which will also be broadcast in England on the ITV1. It'll have celebrity interviews including Simon himself, footage of Susan's hometown, her TV appearances till now, and -- naturally -- Susan singing songs from I Dreamed A Dream, the new CD.
Who would have thought that America's happiest person in the morning could create such a diabolical series of grizzly murders?
Maybe that's because he has to work in the morning. I know if I had to get up every morning at the ass-crack of dawn, I'd be sharping my kitchen knives every night.
The Today show host and weatherman has written a mystery murder novel titled The Morning Show Murders about a morning show host who does cooking segments and is suspected of murdering his executive producer.
Is there anything that Jane Lynch can't do? The comic actress -- who some people are already declaring is a shoo-in for the Primetime Emmy as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama series for Glee -- has veered into a new venue.
In addition to her television characters, Jane's brilliant performance as Sue Sylvester, her semi-regular shrink role, Dr. Freeman, on Two and a Half Men, Constance on Party Down, she's now doing commercials.
Yes, the latest triumph for La Lynch is a set of XBox 360 commercials that are all about fun.
So just what is that "wascally wundit" Lou Dobbs up to now that he's gainfully unemployed? Is he donating his time in a nearby soup kitchen? Is he taking a long trip to the Bahamas or Cabo San Lucas in order to "find himself"?
No, he's considering a run for president.
When asked by a New York Daily News reporter if talks about him considering a 2012 run were just "crazy talk," the former CNN anchor responded with "What's so crazy about that? Golly!" And might I just add a "Jilly-gee-wilikers" for good measure.
He said he's currently in talks about exploring the possibly for a campaign and said "For the first time, I'm actually listening to some people about politics." Hey, a TV news host actually "listening" to someone. Now there's a novel idea.
This is no way to wish Paula Deen a Happy Thanksgiving.
At an event in Atlanta this morning, someone threw a ham and it hit Deen right in the face. Now, I'm not sure if they did it deliberately, it seems more like they were shipping/packaging hams and she didn't know it was going to be thrown to her. You can hear someone say "oh my God" in this clip and catch a quick glimpse of her husband as she walks off camera. She's fine though. (Update: I embedded new video.)
Hmm... it seems like every network is expanding at the waistline. That is, a bunch of them are getting into food in a big way. Like Fine Living becoming the Cooking Channel. TLC is also adding more yum yum to the schedule. And the latest has an Oprah angle. Perhaps it's a coincidence, but just about everyone connected to Oprah Winfrey is getting a TV show these days... Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil, Nate Berkus. And now chef Art Smith has landed a show on TLC. Smith is well-known as Oprah's personal chef.
Art Smith was on Bravo's Top Chef Masters last summer -- that was his audition -- and he showed himself as a homey, pleasant, unpretentious cook. For TLC, he's going to host Craving Comfort, with the emphasis on Southern comfort food.
If I had a dollar for all the times I've written about Oprah Winfrey in the past few weeks, I'd be able to retire. Well, the O is one busy lady. She's just booked another TV program. On Sunday, December 13, ABC will broadcast Christmas at the White House: An Oprah Primetime Special. Set the DVR for 10 p.m. because that's when President Barack Obama will welcome Oprah into America's grandest national house.
If you need more proof that the economic collapse is the real thing -- you know, other than your shrinking salary, skyrocketing medical insurance premiums, inability to pay off your credit cards -- here's a major sign. 
It seems like ESPN has been around forever, doesn't it? Can you even remember a time when there hasn't been an ESPN to turn to for a score or breaking news or updates? I can't. But along with the news ESPN provides, the ESPN brand has expanded to include a bunch of networks, a magazine, restaurants and lots of tchotchkes. But let's just look at the TV shows, shall we? One note: SportsCenter is not included because it's more of a daily news show as opposed to the programs that are more talk and game-oriented. Here's the top ten ESPN created shows, from the worst to the first. 
Adam Lambert has been on a lot of shows with "America" in the title, including 
At 8, ABC has a new V, then the two-hour season finale of Dancing with the Stars.
If you don't already know her story, get ready to hear all about it. On December 13, the 
Who would have thought that America's happiest person in the morning could create such a diabolical series of grizzly murders? 
Is there anything that Jane Lynch can't do? The comic actress -- who some people are already declaring is a shoo-in for the Primetime Emmy as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama series for Glee -- has veered into a new venue. 
So just what is that "wascally wundit" Lou Dobbs up to now that he's gainfully unemployed? Is he donating his time in a nearby soup kitchen? Is he taking a long trip to the Bahamas or Cabo San Lucas in order to "find himself"? 
Hmm... it seems like every network is expanding at the waistline. That is, a bunch of them are getting into food in a big way. Like 
At 8, ABC has a new Dancing with the Stars, followed by Find My Family and a new Castle.
Have any questions for Rich Sommer of Mad Men? Ask them here!
Syfy's Alice -- An early look
The TV Squad Podcast: Surprising shows, decade-end lists, and the Commenter of the Week!
