Twilley and “The Bachelorette”
Fans of “The Bachelorette” predicted that Blaine Twilley of Tulsa would receive a “first impression” rose from DeAnna Pappas on the premiere episode. And he did.
Now if Twilley (far left in above ABC Photo) can just convince Pappas that he has a serious side despite his sometimes wacky behavior, he might make the cut when the bachelors are whittled down to 12 on the second episode (8 p.m. Monday, May 26, on ABC).
Twilley, 33, is a graduate of Tulsa Metro Christian Adacemy and works as a software programmer in Dallas.
He is the son of former Tulsa football player Howard Twilley, who was the runner-up in the 1965 Heisman Trophy race.
— Penny TV
Program Planner: May 25-31
Sunday’s Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of May 25:
SUNDAY
•“Shark Swarm” (7 p.m. on Hallmark): A new thriller starring Armand Assante (“American Gangster”) as a developer who poisons the water in a fishing village to kill the fish and drive out the locals. John Schneider plays a fisherman who doesn’t like being messed with by sharks — including the human variety.
•“Meerkat Manor: The Story Begins” (7 p.m. on Animal Planet): Whoopi Goldberg (”The View”) narrates the special that was filmed over a seven-month period. The movie follows Flower’s journey from birth to matriarch of the Whiskers family.
•USA airs a 10-hour “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” marathon beginning at 11 a.m. today.
•The 2008 National Memorial Day Concert (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Gary Sinise (‘‘CSI: NY”) and Joe Mantegna (‘‘Criminal Minds”) co-host the event. Charles Durning, a decorated World War II veteran, will receive a special honor.
•“Recount” (8 p.m. on HBO): This new HBO film revisits the 2000 presidential election, where ambiguous results from Florida kept the outcome uncertain for weeks. Kevin Spacey (“K-PAX”) stars as Ron Klain, Al Gore’s former chief of staff. Laura Dern (“Rambling Rose”) plays Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris.
MONDAY
• “It’s Complicated” 7 p.m. on E!; Series premiere.
•“Wildfire” (8 p.m. on ABC Family): Series finale.
•“Antiques Roadshow” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Features a swap-meet find that cost $195 and turns out to be a prop from the 1939 film “Only Angels Have Wings” that is worth $4,000 to $5,000.
•“The Andromeda Strain” (8-10 p.m. today and Tuesday on A&E): New miniseries based on the best-selling novel from Michael Crichton.
•BBC America will air a 10-hour “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” marathon of digitally remasters episodes beginning at 8 a.m.
•USA will air a 12-hour “NCIS” marathon beginning at 5 a.m. today.
TUESDAY
• “According to Jim” (7:30 p.m. on ABC): Seventh-season finale.
•“Killing for a Living” (8 p.m. on Animal Planet): Series premiere.
•“The Moment of Truth” (7 p.m. on Fox): Second-season premiere. •“Independent Lens: New Year Baby” (10 p.m. on OETA-13): New documentary by Cambodian-American filmmaker Socheata Poeuv who journeys to
•“Men in Trees” (9 p.m. on ABC): Series returns with three new episodes. Sofia Vergara (“The Knights of Prosperity”) guest stars. •
“Great Performances: Maestro” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Profiles conductor Valery Gergiev whose positions include director of the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia, and principal conductor of the London Symphony. He also runs a couple of festivals and has regular gigs with the Metropolitan Opera and the Rotterdam Philharmonic.
•“David McCullough: Painting With Words” (6 p.m. on HBO): Explores the public and private worlds of the two-time Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner. He penned the best-selling biography that inspired the HBO miniseries “John Adams.”
THURSDAY
•“Lost” (8 p.m. on ABC): Fourth-season finale.
•“Speeders” (7 p.m. on truTV): Second-season premiere.
•“At the Death House Door” (8 p.m. on IFC): Tells the story of Pastor Carroll Pickett’s transformation from death penalty advocate to opponent. Pickett served from 1982-1995 as the death house chaplain to the infamous Walls prison unit in Huntsville,
•“Last Comic Standing” (8:30 p.m. on NBC): Angela Kinsey (“The Office”), Oscar Nunez (“The Office”), Neil Flynn (“Scrubs”) and Alfonso Ribeiro (“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”) scout for talent at auditions.
FRIDAY •The 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee (7 p.m. on ABC): Tom Bergeron (”Dancing With the Stars”) hosts the final championship rounds. Live coverage of preliminary championship rounds will air live from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on ESPN. Evan M. O’Dorney of California won last year by spelling ‘‘serrefine” — a surgical instrument. SATURDAY
•“EliteXC Saturday Night Fights” (8 p.m. on CBS): Brings live mixed martial arts fights to primetime. The five-fight lineup includes a female bout between Gina “Conviction” Carano (“Crush” on “American Gladiators”) and Kaitlin Young, and a middleweight championship bout between Scott ‘‘Hands of Steel” Smith and defending champ ‘‘Ruthless” Robbie Lawler.
•“McBride” (8 p.m. on Hallmark): Five-time Emmy winner John Larroquette (“Night Court”) returns to the role of cop-turned attorney for the tenth entry of the original mystery series In the installment titled “Requiem,” McBride must discover who forced a musical prodigy into an early — and permenent — retirement.
•“The D.C. Sniper’s Wife: A Barbara Kopple Film” (8 p.m. on truTV): New documentary that features an interview with Mildred Muhammad, the ex-wife of John Allen Muhammad, whose killing spree rocked the nation’s capital in 2002. •The Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz take on the Tennessee Valley Vipers in arena2 football action airing live at 7 p.m. on KSBI-52. — Penny TV
Keeping up with “Idol” David Cook
Tulsa rocker David Cook, who won the seventh edition of “American Idol,” has been booked for the following appearances:
►“Larry King Live,” 8 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Monday on CNN: He will appear with the other Top 10 “American Idol” finalists David Archuleta (runner-up), Jason Castro, Chikezie, Kristy Lee Cook, Michael Johns, Ramiele Malubay, Syesha Mercado, Carly Smithson and Brook White.
►“Live With Regis and Kelly” at 9 a.m. Monday on KWTV-9: He is scheduled to perform.
►“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” at 9 a.m. Tuesday on KOCO-5: He is scheduled to perform.
This competition is ruff
No need to enter, because my dog will win. But here’s the scoop anyway:
Nickelodeon is looking for canine contestants for “The First Annual Worldwide Fido Awards” that will premiere July 27 and 28.
Viewers can upload videos of their dogs to www.WorldwideFido.com and check out the other entries in the following categories: cutest dog, best dressed, best voice, most outrageous, best trick and dog/owner look-alike.
Online voting will determine the finalists, and the canine winner in each category will be showcased on July 27. The top pooches will then compete the following evening in a live results show, with one being crowned the 2008’s Worldwide Fido winner.
The live broadcast will also feature honorable mentions and a special “hero dog” award.
Good luck to all.
— Penny TV
Calling all “Momma’s Boys” for new NBC reality dating series
This just in from NBC …
Has anyone ever told you you’re a momma’s boy? Are you a mom who’s particular about who your son dates? Who is really the most important woman in every man’s life?
These are the questions executive producers Ryan Seacrest (”American Idol”) and Andrew Glassman (”Average Joe”) will be asking in a nationwide search for the stars of NBC’s upcoming dating show “Momma’s Boys.”
Mothers, sons and brave single women who want to be a part of the “Momma’s Boys” cast can log on to www.nbc.com/Casting/#mb and nbcdatingshow.com for a chance to star in the upcoming series.
“Momma’s Boys,” a new reality series set to premiere after the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, centers on a group of mothers who must help choose the perfect woman for their complacent sons. Ultimately, the series poses the question: “Who is really the most important woman in every man’s life?”
Drama ensues when numerous mothers and their eligible bachelor sons are housed together with several single women. As the tension mounts, viewers will watch as possessive mothers influence their son’s search for the perfect mate.
Seeking Disney musical stars
Youngsters who have a favorite song from the “High School Musical” movies are invited to submit their renditions to the Disney Channel.
Some of the videos will be selected to air during the Disney Channel’s “High School Musical” marathon airing June 13 at 5 p.m. (original “High School Musical” movie) and 7 p.m. (“High School Musical 2”).
To participate in the “My School Musical” programming event, log onto www.DisneyChannel.com, choose from the hit songs “Bop to the Top,” “Getcha Head in the Game,” Fabulous” and “I Don’t Dance,” and upload your videos. The website includes instructions on how to create videos with friends and family and submit them for consideration. Youngsters must have their parents’ permission to submit content.
Videos will be accepted through May 30.
— Penny TV
Fox news for fans
Fall begins early on Fox, but spring won’t come quick enough for fans of “American Idol” and “24.”
Those two shows won’t join the Fox lineup until midseason, but four others will premiere two weeks before the official start of the 2008-09 TV season. Fans of “Prison Break,” “Bones” and “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” will see two-hour season premieres of these shows the week of Aug. 25, while the new drama “Fringe” will begin with a two-hour pilot on Aug. 26.
Here’s a list of shows that will and won’t return to Fox in 2008-09, as well as info on new ones to look forward to in fall and spring.
►Will Return: American Dad, American Idol (midseason), America’s Most Wanted, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, Bones, Cops, Don’t Forget the Lyrics, Family Guy, Hell’s Kitchen (midseason), House, King of the Hill, Kitchen Nightmares, “The Moment of Truth, Prison Break, The Simpsons, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Til Death, 24 (midseason).
►Won’t Return: Back to You,
►New Series:
The Cleveland Show (midseason): This new animated series centers on the life of Cleveland Brown (voiced by Mike Henry). His high school sweetheart married another man, but Cleveland told Donna he would also be there for her. So when her husband leaves her, Donna offers Cleveland another chance at love.
Do Not Disturb: This workplace comedy is set at one of New York City’s hottest and hippest hotels: The Inn. Robert Wagner (“Hart to Hart”) plays the The Inn’s owner, who takes all the credit. Jerry O’Connell (“Crossing Jordan”) plays the detail-oriented general manager who will do whatever it takes to keep the hotel and its employees up to his standards.
Dollhouse (midseason): Eliza Dushku (“Tru Calling”) plays a member of an underground group who have had their personalities wiped clean so they can be imprinted with any number of new personas. Confined to a secret facility known as the “Dollhouse,” the members carry out engagements for the wealthy, powerful and connected.
Fringe (Fox Photo above): When an international flight lands at
Secret Millionaire (midseason): This dramatic unscripted series takes America’s wealthiest individuals away from their lavish lifestyles and places them undercover into impoverished neighborhoods. Shot under the guise of a documentary, the series reveals the dramatic personal return that millionaires will get when they leave their fortunes to invest in those less fortunate.
Sit Down, Shut Up (midseason): This animated comedy focuses on the lives of eight staff members at a high school in a small northeastern fishing town who never lose sight of the fact that the children must always come second. Providing voices are Will Forte (“Saturday Night Live”), Jason Bateman (“Juno”) and Henry Winkler (“Happy Days”). –Penny TV
NBC ready for ‘Super Season’
Network schedules are always subject to change, but NBC has mapped out a complete 52-week program strategy for 2008-09 that will stagger series premieres throughout fall, winter and summer.That way, NBC can take full advantage of its “super season” of events that includes the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and Super Bowl XLIII.Here’s a list of shows that will and won’t return to NBC in 2008-09, as well as info on new ones to look forward to in fall, winter and summer.
►Will Return: The Biggest Loser, The Celebrity Apprentice (midseason), Chuck, Dateline, Deal or No Deal, ER, Friday Night Nights (midseason), Heroes, Law & Order (midseason), Law & Order: SVU, Life, Lipstick Jungle, Medium (midseason), My Name Is Earl, The Office, Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock.
►Won’t Return: Amne$ia, Bionic Woman, Journeyman, Las Vegas, My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad, 1 vs. 100, Phenomenon, quarterlife, Scrubs (picked up by ABC), The Singing Bee.
►New Series (descriptions provided by NBC):
America’s Toughest Jobs (summer): This extreme competition series will test 12 people who venture out of their safe, comfortable careers and are injected into some of the most demanding jobs on earth – from logging high in the Oregon Forest to oil drilling on the Texas range.
Chopping Block (summer): Rock-star chef Marco Pierre White comes to America to host this reality competition set in the high-drama, high-stakes world of New York City restaurants. The teams, which are made up of couples, will be tested in challenges that vary from having less than a week to design and revamp a restaurant space to planning a menu and creating a signature dish.
Crusoe: In this new drama based on the “Robinson Crusoe” novel by Daniel Defoe, a young man leaves his true love to embark on an adventure — only to end up shipwrecked on a remote tropical island for 28 years. His desire to return to his wife and his strong and unlikely friendship with Friday are the only things that keep him sane.
Kath & Kim: Molly Shannon (”Saturday Night Live”) stars as Kath Day, a 40-something divorcee who finally has time for herself and her valiant search for love. Selma Blair “Hellboy”) plays Kim, her daughter, who is recently separated from her husband and decides to move back home. It is based on the most successful comedy in Australia of the same name.
Kings (winter): Christopher Egan (”Resident Evil: Extinction”) plays David Shepherd, a young soldier who rescues the king’s (Golden Globe winner Ian McShane, “Deadwood”) son from enemy territory and sets events in motion that will finally bring peace. Suddenly, David is thrust into the limelight, earning the affections of women — including the king’s daughter.
Knight Rider: On the heels of NBC’s hit movie, the iconic 1980s television classic comes roaring back to life as an updated drama series showcasing the new customized KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) Ford Mustang.
The Listener (summer): Craig Olejnik (”The Runaway”) plays a 24-year-old paramedic living with a secret: he can read people’s minds. This telepathic procedural takes viewers into the heart of a tortured hero who struggles to solve crimes with his unique gift.
Merlin (winter): This fantasy series is set in the mythic city of Camelot, but it is inspired by 21st Century storytelling. Before Merlin (Colin Morgan, “Doctor Who”) and Arthur (Bradley James, “Lewis”) became legends, they were ambitious young men looking for adventure, hoping to live up to their family’s expectations, discovering love and finding their own true destiny.
My Own Worst Enemy: Henry Spivey (Christian Slater, “Heathers”) is a middle-class efficiency expert living a humdrum life in the suburbs. Edward Albright is an operative who speaks 13 languages and is trained to kill with his teeth. Henry and Edward are polar opposites who share only one thing in common — the same body.
The Office Spin-Off (winter): The next chapter of what viewers have come to know and love about “The Office,” complete with new faces and new locations, but with the same unique sense of humor.
The Philanthropist (winter): Teddy Rist loves women, money and power. After the tragic death of his only child, Teddy has an awakening and becomes the world’s first vigilante philanthropist — a renegade billionaire who uses his wealth, connections and power to help people in need.
Shark Taggers (summer): This reality series follows daring marine biologists as they track down the ocean’s top predators and hand-tag them with cutting-edge satellite transmitters or investigate bull sharks’ sudden attacks on surfers.
SNL Thursday Night Live: With all of the excitement and attention around “Saturday Night Live” during the presidential primaries, the anticipation for the show’s take on this Fall’s election will be at a fever pitch, “SNL Thursday Night Live” will keep the momentum — and the laughs — going. — Penny TV
CBS answers a few TV Forum questions
Quite a few readers have been calling the TV Forum line to find out whether their favorite shows were coming back or not. And most inquiries were about the “The Unit,” starring Dennis Haysbert (brother-in-law to Langston University president Dr. JoAnn W. Haysbert).
“The Unit” fans will be please to hear that, yes, the CBS series will return with new episodes in fall. “Cane” and “Shark” fans, however, are not so fortunate. CBS canceled those shows.
Here’s a list of shows that will and won’t return to CBS in 2008-09, as well as info on new ones to look forward to in fall.
►Will Return: The Amazing Race, The Big Bang Theory, Cold Case, Criminal Minds, CSI, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, Ghost Whisperer, How I Met Your Mother, NCIS, The New Adventures of Old Christine, NUMB3RS, Rules of Engagement (midseason), 60 Minutes, Survivor, Two and a Half Men, The Unit, Without a Trace.
►Won’t Return: Cane, Jericho, Kid Nation, Moonlight, Secret Talents of the Stars, Shark, Viva Laughlin, Welcome to the Captain.
►New Series (descriptions provided by CBS):
Eleventh Hour: Rufus Sewell (”The Illusionist”) stars as a biophysicist and special science advisor to the government, who investigates scientific crises and oddities.
The Ex List: Elizabeth Reaser (”Grey’s Anatomy”) stars as a single, 30-something, successful business owner who is surprised to learn from a psychic that she’s already dated her future husband. If she doesn’t find him in the next year, she’ll remain alone forever.
Harper’s Island (midseason): A murder mystery that unfolds as friends and family attend week-long festivities at a destination wedding on a secluded and picturesque island off the coast of Seattle, infamous for a homicidal maniac’s rampage seven years ago.
The Mentalist (CBS Photo above): Simon Baker (“The Guardian”) stars as a detective and independent consultant with the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI), who has a remarkable track record for solving crimes by using his razor-sharp skills of observation.
Project Gary: Jay Mohr (”Ghost Whisperer”) and Paula Marshall (”Nip/Tuck”) star as a recently single painting contractor, and his controlling ex-wife, who face post-divorce mayhem after 15 years of marriage as they each embark on new relationships.
Worst Week: Kyle Bornheimer (“Jericho”) stars as an entertainment magazine editor who will do anything to please his girlfriend’s parents, but instead he becomes a one-man wrecking crew whenever he’s around them.
— Penny TV
The CW series count
Seven new series will air on The CW in fall, but the names of only three are known. Actually, make that two and a tentative one.
The as yet untitled “Beverly Hills, 90210” spinoff will premiere on Tuesdays in fall. Former “90210” alum Jennie Garth will reprise her role as Kelly Taylor, who is now a guidance counselor at her alma mater.
The CW will partner with Media Rights Capital for Sunday’s three-hour programming block that will consist of two dramas and two comedies. Details on the series will be released at a later date.
Here’s a list of shows that will and won’t return to The CW in 2008-09, as well as info on new ones to look forward to in fall.
►Will Return: America’s Next Top Model, Everybody Hates Chris, The Game, Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, Reaper (midseason), Smallville, Supernatural.
►Won’t Return: Aliens in America, Beauty and the Geek, CW Now, Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants, Girlfriends, Life Is Wild, Online Nation, WWE Friday Night Smackdown (moving to MyNetworkTV).
►New Series (descriptions provided by The CW):
90210 (tentative title, The CW Photo above): A look at life through the eyes of Annie Mills (Shenae Grimes, “Degrassi: The Next Generation”) and her brother
Surviving the Filthy Rich: JoAnna Garcia (“Reba”) stars as a Yale grad who gets fired from a tabloid rag, meets meets cosmetics mogul Laurel Limoges (casting to be determined) and becomes the live-in tutor for Laurel’s twin teen granddaughters in the heady Palm Beach world of wealth and power.
Stylista: Eleven aspiring fashion enthusiasts vie for a much-coveted editorial job with Elle magazine.
— Penny TV
