“New Girl”: Ryan Kwanten guest stars on Valentine’s Day episode tonight
Zooey Deschanel and Ryan Kwanten in "New Girl" - Fox Photo
“New Girl” fans will receive a special treat in tonight’s Valenine’s Day episode as”True Blood” star Ryan Kwanten makes a guest appearance on the sitcom, which airs at 8 p.m. Tuesdays on Fox.
In this episode, Jess (Zooey Deschanel) is single for the first time on Valentine’s Day, so she convinces Schmidt (Max Greenfield ) to be her wingman as she tries to have an attachment-free fling with a handsome stranger (Kwanten), according to a news release.
“Glee” and “Raising Hope” also feature Valentine’s Day-related story lines on Fox tonight.
In information on the shows provided by the network, “Glee,” which airs at 7 p.m., features Will (Matthew Morrison) challenging the New Directions to find and perform the world’s greatest love songs, while Rachel’s (Lea Michele) two dads, Hiram (guest star Jeff Goldblum) and LeRoy Berry (guest star Brian Stokes Mitchell), pay a visit to McKinley High School.
On “Raising Hope,” which airs at 8:31 p.m., Virginia (Martha Plimpton) and Burt (Garret Dillahunt) convince Jimmy (Lucas Neff) to create a fake girlfriend (guest star Ashley Tisdale) to make Sabrina (Shannon Woodward) jealous. But when their acting becomes too convincing and Sabrina falls for their fake relationship, all plans could backfire on Jimmy.
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From left, Damian McGinty, Vanessa Lengies and Kevin McHale in "Glee"
Ashley Tisdale and Lucas Neff in "Raising Hope - Fox Photos
“Army Wives” and “Coming Home” returning March 4 to Lifetime
Catherine Bell and Kim Delaney in "Army Wives" - Lifetime Photo
“Army Wives” will return for its sixth season at 8 p.m., Sunday, March 4, on Lifetime, followed by new episodes of the network’s award-winning docu-series “Coming Home” at 9 p.m., according to a news release.
“Army Wives” follows the lives of a diverse group of women (and one man) who live with their spouses and families on an active army post.
Kim Delaney, Sally Pressman, Brigid Brannagh, Brian McNamara, Sterling K. Brown, Wendy Davis, Drew Fuller, Terry Serpico and Catherine Bell star in the series.
Susan Lucci (“All My Children”) is scheduled to make several special guest star appearances this season as Audrey, the wife of a retired Brigadier General.
Lucci also co-starred with Delany on “All My Children.”
The summary for the upcoming season, provided by Lifetime, is as follows:
The sixth season of “Army Wives” will see significant changes to the tribe. As they prepare to leave the recently decommissioned Fort Marshall and go their separate ways, one of them will be bidding a final farewell. In the season premiere, Roxy (Pressman) is having a hard time adjusting to the idea of moving away from her close knit group of friends, especially Pamela (Brannagh), while Michael (McNamara) and Claudia Joy (Delaney) face a tough decision about their future. Despite the turmoil, Denise (Bell) and Frank (Serpico) are planning a party for Molly’s first birthday, which may be the last time the group gathers to celebrate a milestone. But when Joan (Davis) gets word of a potentially deadly event that will descend on Fort Marshall, the tribe must band together yet again and prepare for their lives to change in an instant.
“Coming Home” follows surprise reunions of members of all five branches of the military with their spouses, children, parents and other loved ones as they return home from active duty throughout the world.
Former “American Idol” finalist Matt Rogers hosts this series, with each episode highlighting multiple reunions featuring service members and their emotional stories.
Information on what’s ahead for this show, provided by Lifetime, is as follows:
Upcoming episodes of “Coming Home” feature more dramatic and emotional surprise reunions and a number of special guest appearances including Grammy Award-winning country music star Clint Black, who helps two adorable kids write a song about their Army captain father who just returned from Afghanistan and is hiding in the next room. Sesame Street’s very own Elmo and Rosita travel all the way to Fort Bliss, Texas, to put together a once-in-a-lifetime surprise for the children of an Army sergeant who are having an especially hard time with their father’s deployment in Iraq. And the NFL’s Oakland Raiders also join in on one of the season’s biggest moments when they help surprise the children of a lifelong Oakland Raiders fan who hasn’t seen his family in over a year when he suits up in the infamous Silver and Black to make a stunning appearance mid-field during halftime at a game in front of a stadium full of Raider Nation fans.
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
"Coming Home" - Lifetime Photo
“Grimm”: “Tarantella” episode airs tonight
Amy Acker as Lena in "Grimm" - NBC Photo
In tonight’s episode of “Grimm,” Amy Acker guest stars as Lena, a Spinnetod, which is billed as the “black widow” of the creature world.
Lena is spinning her web of death on unsuspecting men in Portland and Nick (David Giuntoli) and Hank (Russell Hornsby) are assigned the task of tracking her down.
With Monroe’s (Silas Weir Mitchell) assistance, Nick is introduced to a Spinnetod who has gone the straight and narrow route in life like Monroe, and she is able to give Nick important information about the creature.
“Grimm” fans should enjoy this episode immensely.
Acker, who reunites with her former “Angel” executive producers David Greenwalt and Jim Kouf on this show, is mesmerizing as the tortured Spinnetod with secrets, and the story has all of the right elements to intrigue and thrill viewers.
Giuntoli is reliably good as Nick and the rapport he shares with Mitchell remains such a fun element to the series.
“Grimm” airs at 8 p.m. Fridays on NBC.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
From left, Silas Weir Mitchell and David Giuntoli in "Grimm" - NBC Photo
“Oklahoma Forum”: 2012 legislative session is the Feb. 12 topic
The start of the 2012 legislative session will be discussed by the Capitol Reporters Roundtable on this week’s edition of “Oklahoma Forum” airing at 12:30 p.m. on OETA, according to a news release.
State Capitol reporters featured are:
- Michael McNutt, The Oklahoman and NewsOK
- Michael Cross, KOSU Radio
- M. Scott Carter, The Journal Record
- Shawn Ashley, eCapitol
Next week’s topic will be legislative leadership.
“Oklahoma Forum” can be followed on Twitter and Facebook and its programs are available at www.oeta.tv/okforum.html and on iTunes.
Comments or questions can be emailed to “Oklahoma Forum” at forum@oeta.tv.
“Being Human”: Syfy series renewed for third season
Meaghan Rath and Sam Huntington of "Being Human" - Syfy Photo
Syfy has ordered a 13-episode third season of its drama series “Being Human,” which airs at 8 p.m. Mondays on the network.
After the airing of four episodes in its second season, which premiered Jan. 16, viewership has increased by 27% in Adults 18-49 and by 35% in Adults 25-54, as well as a 15% hike in the amount of total viewers.
With newly-released Live +7 data factored in, the season two premiere of “Being Human” delivered a 1.7 HH rating representing 1.4 million Adults 25-54 (a series high for the demo and +18% over the first season premiere), 1.4 million Adults 18-49 (second highest ranking in the demo and +12% over the season one premiere) and 2.4 million total viewers (the second most-watched episode of any season and +3% over the season one premiere), according to a news release.
With women comprising 52% of the total audience for premiere episodes this season, the show remains Syfy’s most female-skewing scripted series ever.
Sam Witwer, Meaghan Rath and Sam Huntington star in the show about a vampire, a ghost and a werewolf who share a Boston brownstone and work together to keep their supernatural secrets and resist individual temptations as they attempt to live as normal of lives as possible.
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
Sam Witwer in "Being Human" - Syfy Photo
“The Vampire Diaries”: “Dangerous Liaisons” episode airs tonight
In tonight’s episode of “The Vampire Diaries” entitled “Dangerous Liaisons,” Elena (Nina Dobrev) is surprised to receive an invitation to a formal ball, and when Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Stefan (Paul Wesley) hear the party is being hosted at Klaus’s (Joseph Morgan) newly renovated mansion, they both insist on attending the event with her.
Caroline (Candice Accola) and Matt (Zach Roerig) also receive invitations to the ball from unexpected admirers.
At the elegant party, Elena learns of a horrifying plan that could lead to numerous deaths and she must decide who she can trust wither her new information.
Caroline discovers a side of Klaus no one would have suspected.
Finally, after an evening of violence and dashed hopes, Damon finds a new way to cope.
Chris Grismer directed the episode written by Caroline Dries.
“The Vampire Diaries” airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays on The CW.
(Show summary and photos provided by The CW)
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev in a scene from the "Dangerous Liaisons" episode of "The Vampire Diaries"
Oklahoma City resident Danielle Mione named CMT One Country Volunteer of the Month
Danielle Mione, an Oklahoma City resident, has been recognized as the CMT One Country “Volunteer of the Month” for December.
The opportunity to make a difference and collaborate with others is what inspired Mione, a native of Harrisburg, Penn., to become more involved with her community, according to a news release.
Mione developed a passion for Habitat for Humanity during her two years in AmeriCorp NCCC, and while continuing to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity today, she also participates in disaster relief with the Red Cross.
Mione looks at volunteering not only as a way to help the community, but also as a chance to meet new people, learn new skills and have a good time.
“Don’t be afraid to volunteer because you don’t know how to do something… someone will be there to show you, and you may be surprised at what you can do and find something new that you love to be a part of,” Mione said in the news release.
CMT One Country is donating $1,000 to Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity on Mione’s behalf.
Information about CMT One Country, provided by CMT, is as follows:
CMT One Country celebrates the accomplishments of everyday heroes and showcases nonprofit partners that are working to keep America great. Volunteers who log at least four hours per month with CMTONECOUNTRY.com are automatically eligible to win incredible rewards: CMT merchandise, MP3 player, $150 iTunes gift cards, and a $1,000.00 donation to the charity of their choice. In addition, each Volunteer of the Month is entered to win the grand prize, a VIP trip to the 2012 CMT Music Awards.
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
Miranda Lambert makes her acting debut on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” Wednesday
Miranda Lambert - Provided Photo
Tishomingo resident and country music star Miranda Lambert is making her acting debut on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, on NBC.
Lambert’s guest-starring role is a brief but solid performance on the show, which, according to a news release, is one of her favorite series.
In this episode, an aspiring actress is found unconscious in Central Park with drugs in her system and evidence of sexual trauma after she has auditioned for a reality show producer.
When New York Police Detectives Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Nick Amaro (Danny Pino) arrive to speak to the producer (Michael McKean), they catch him on the casting couch with another actress (Lambert) and prevent him from assaulting her.
After the producer is arrested, the story turns into a situation where his son (Cameron Monaghan) resorts to drastic measures to try and get his father out of jail.
Hargitay’s portrayal of Benson using her extensive skills to handle this crisis is commendable, and the chemistry between her and Harry Connick Jr. as ADA David Haden is appealing as the pair finds they work well together during this event.
Also starring in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” are Ice-T, Dann Florek, Richard Belzer and Kelli Giddish.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
Mariska Hargitay of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" - NBC Photo
“The River”: Thriller not so thrilling
Bruce Greenwood stars in "The River" - ABC Photo
After Dr. Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood), wildlife expert and host of “The Undiscovered Country” television show, goes missing in the Amazon, his family, friends and crew set out on a mission to find him in the new ABC thriller “The River.”
His wife Tess (Leslie Hope) and estranged son Lincoln (Joe Anderson) lead the group into unexplored territory on the Amazon River while the journey is filmed as a documentary by Dr. Cole’s ex-producer Clark (Paul Blackthorne) in order to fund the trip.
The crew includes family friend Lena (Eloise Mumford), mechanic Emilio (Daniel Zacapa), his daughter Jahel (Paulina Gaitan) and bodyguard Captain Kurt Brynildson (Thomas Kretschmann).
“The River” has an impressive pedigree: It’s from Amblin’s Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Television’s Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey, and showrunner/executive producer Michael Green (“Heroes, “Kings”) and is also executive produced by Oren Peli (creator of “Paranormal Activity”, Zack Estrin (“Prison Break”) – who also serves as showrunner – Jason Blum (“Paranormal Activity 1, 2 and 3″) and Steven Schneider.
“The River” was created by Oren Peli and Michael R. Perry, with a teleplay by Michael Green and Michael R. Perry and story by Oren Peli and Michael R.
Perry.
Unfortunately, the pedigree isn’t enough to help this show rise above being the corny, clichéd, unscary program that it is.
Although the actors seem to be giving it their best shot, scenes in the beginning of the series involving Dr. Cole’s spirit inhabiting one of the crew members, the “disappearance” of Tess and a teddy bear that doesn’t want to stay in the position that it’s been left in are much more humorous than frightening.
If you want to give this show a try, you’ve been forewarned to at least lower your expectations.
“The River” debuts with a two-hour premiere at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 7, on ABC.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
“The Walking Dead” returns with “Nebraska” episode Feb. 12
From left, Andrew Lincoln, Sarah Wayne Callies and Jon Bernthal of "The Walking Dead" - AMC Photo
At the end of the first half of the second season of “The Walking Dead,” Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and his group of survivors had made a discovery at Hershel’s farm that brought about a violent, shocking event – the killing of the walkers who had been secretly kept in the barn, which included Carol’s (Melissa Suzanne McBride) missing daughter Sophia (Madison Lintz).
As the series returns with the “Nebraska” episode Feb. 12, everyone tries to pick up the pieces from this event and decide how to move on, and there is debate about Shane’s (Jon Bernthal) role in the resolution of the situation.
Shane himself remains convinced he’s always doing the right thing to protect his fellow survivors and has a surprising supporter for the way he handled the barn walkers.
Hershel (Scott Wilson) deals with his devastation over the barn walker deaths by disappearing and taking up an old habit, so Rick and Glenn (Steven Yeun) have to go into town to try and find him when his medical expertise is needed at the farm.
Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) later decides to search for the three and an unfortunate incident results .
Lincoln is especially strong in this episode as his character tries to persuade Hershel to come back home, as well as in the way Rick handles a pair of threatening newcomers.
In addition, Bernthal’s portrayal of Shane continues to make his character one of the most compelling to watch on this gripping show.
The second season of “The Walking Dead” resumes at 8 p.m, Sunday,. Feb. 12 on AMC.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
