“Greek” actors visit OU
“Greek” was the word at the University of Oklahoma bookstore on Friday.
Actresses Amber Stevens and Dilshad Vadsaria from the ABC Family series “Greek” were on campus to meet students and help promote voter registration. They also signed autographs and took pictures with the hundreds of OU students who lined up to meet them.
“I’m really glad I got to come here, because the campus is beautiful and the people in Oklahoma are really nice,” said Vadsaria (in ABC Family Photo at right), who plays Rebecca on the show. She and Stevens (in ABC Family Photo at left) also visited campuses at Notre Dame and California State-Northridge.
Stevens, who plays Ashleigh, had some work to do before she could visit OU, however. She got word that something went wrong during production and a few of her lines needed to be re-recorded.
“They found out I was in Oklahoma last night and freaked out,” she said. “They found a really cool little studio in Oklahoma City (Garman Productions) and emailed over footage. The production director, who is back in Los Angeles, was on the phone listening to what we were doing and giving direction. It was really cool.”
Oklahoma actor Danny Weaver, who has a recurring role in “Greek,” also flew in for the campus visit. He couldn’t turn down a trip back to his alma mater, even though he was on the “Greek” set in Los Angeles until 1:30 a.m. Friday filming scenes .
–Penny TV
Emmy invites an Oklahoman to the ball
She would have been there anyway, but Oklahoma actress Kristin Chenoweth will for sure take the stage when ABC presents “The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards” at 7 p.m. Sept. 21.
Chenoweth, who grew up in Broken Arrow and graduated from Oklahoma City University, has been named as a presenter for the event that honors TV’s best performances for the 2007-08 season.
That’s fitting, because she announced the nominees along with Neil Patrick Harris in July. Even more fitting is the fact that she will be teamed with Harris as a presenter.
And both Chenoweth and Harris could — and hopefully will — take the stage a second time. Chenoweth (pictured at right in ABC Photo) is nominated for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for her portrayal of Olive Snook on ABC’s “Pushing Daisies.” Harris is nominated for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for his performance as Barney Stinson on CBS’ “How I Met Your Mother.”
–Penny TV
Program Planner: Sept. 7-13
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 Sept. 7:
SUNDAY SEPT. 7
◊“2008 MTV Video Music Awards” (8 p.m. on MTV): British comedian Russell Brand will host the 25th annual event live from Hollywood. Artists nominated for best female video include Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Jordin Sparks and Katy Perry.
◊“25 Biggest Renovating Mistakes” (7 p.m. on HGTV): This new special counts down the most common errors that homeowners make in undertaking remodeling projects. A panel of experts explains how to correct the mistakes and offers tips for avoiding more of them in the future.
◊“America United: In Support of Our Troops” (8 p.m. on ABC): Toby Keith, Janet Jackson, Snoop Dogg, Pamela Anderson, Clint Black, D.L. Hughley and Z.Z. Top are among the performers appearing during the show, which also includes troop tributes and human interest stories.
◊“Entourage” (9 p.m. on HBO)(HBO Photo above): In the fifth-season opener, Vince (Adrian Grenier) must find a way to rejuvenate his career after a disastrous screening of his movie “Medellin” at the Cannes Film Festival.His half brother Drama (Kevin Dillon) continues his successful television career while experiencing problems in his love life. ◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): Toby Keith performs for the Lucas family of Cullen, Va., in this installment that originally aired in March.
◊“The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle” (8 p.m. on Sundance): This six-part comedy series stars Jennifer Saunders (“Ab Fab”) as Vivienne Vyle, a daytime talk show host who approaches her troubled and unstable guests with honesty and unflinching directness.
◊“Pinky Dinky Doo” (6 p.m. on Noggin): The animated series based on the popular books by Jim Jinkins opens its second season with back-to-back episodes. Each episode consists of two stories with a break in between where Pinky leads viewers through interactive games designed to enhance literacy and expand vocabulary.
◊“Play It Back: ‘70s Game Shows” (6 p.m. on GSN): Carolina Rhea (“Sabrina, the Teenage Witch”) hosts three retrospective specials about classic game shows. This week’s installment focuses on “Match Game,” “The Dating Game,” “The newlywed Game,” “Hollywood Squares” and “Family Feud.”
◊“Sandhogs” (9 p.m. on History): This 11-episode series focuses on the men and projects integral to maintaining New York City’s infrastructure. They are the builders of water and sewage tunnels, subway systems and bridge footings.
◊“ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway” (6 p.m. on Showtime): This 2005 documentary from Dori Berinstein follows four productions from the 2004 Broadway season from the audition and rehearsal stage through the Tony Awards.
◊“True Blood” (8 p.m. on HBO): In this new series from “Six Feet Under” creator Alan Ball, Oscar winner Anna Paquin (“The Piano”) plays Sookie Stackhouse, a young waitress with telepathic powers who finds herself attracted to a handsome vampire (Stephen Moyer).
MONDAY SEPT. 8
◊“The Bonnie Hunt Show” (1 p.m. on KFOR-4): Bonnie Hunt welcomes fellow actor and comedian Robin Williams as the first guest on her new syndicated talk show. She worked with Williams on the movie “Jumanji.”
◊“CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” (8 p.m. on ABC): Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Trace Adkins, Billy Ray Cyrus, Faith Hill, Jewel, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Dwight Yoakam are among the performers appearing during the show, which also includes stories of deserving fans who are rewarded with personal attention from their idols.
◊“Deal or No Deal” (2 p.m. on KOCB-34, 5 p.m. on KOKH-25): In the new half-hour syndicated version of the game show, which will also be hosted by Howie Mandel, contestants can win up to $500,000 each weekday. Other differences? Contestants (not models) will be holding the cases (22 instead of 26).
◊“The Doctors” (3 p.m. on KWTV-9): This new syndicated talk show will provide viewers with a source of medical and health advice despensed daily by emergency room physician Travis Stork (and former ABC “Bachelor” in Paris), obstetrician and gynecologist Lisa Masterson, pediatrician Jim Sears and plastic surgeon Andrew Ordon.
◊“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (9 a.m. on KOCO-5): The talk show host opens season six in a new studio on the Warner Bros. lot. Her guests include Michelle Obama and the Jonas Brothers.
◊“Faldo-Azinger: Captain’s Challenge” (6 p.m. on Golf Channel): In this two-part special which concludes Sept. 15, Ryder Cup captains Nick Faldo (Europe) and Paul Azinger (USA) will go head-to-head in a three-competion challenge — fly fishing, poker and golf.
◊“Family Court With Judge Penny” (4:30 and 7:30 p.m. on KSBI-52): Presiding over this new syndicated court show is Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, who focuses mostly on family and relationship matters.
◊“High School Musical: Get In the Picture” (7 p.m. on ABC): Four finalists are narrowed down to one, with the winner getting a music video in “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” as well as a recording contract for two digital singles with Walt Disney Records.
◊“Inside the Box” (3:30 p.m. on KFOR-4):5 and 7 p.m. on KSBI-52): This new syndicated game show hosted by actor/comedian Sam Kalilieh has a similar format to “20 Questions” with a few minor twists.
◊“Jeopardy!” (3:30 p.m. on KFOR-4): The quiz show hosted by Alex Trebek will kick off its 25th season in syndication with a special “Kids Week Reunion.” It will bring back 15 players, who were 10-12 years old when they competed in the first Kids Week shows in 1999 and 2000.
◊“Judge Karen” (2:30 p.m. on KOKH-25): Judge Karen Mills-Francis is the first black judge from the South Florida area to have a nationally syndicated show. She will hear small claim matters on her court series.
◊“Judge Mathis” (11 a.m. on KOKH-25): Judge Greg Mathis begins his 10th season. He vows to inject more social commentary into the show.
◊“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” (7 p.m. on Fox): John’s 16th birthday forces him to confront the reality of his destiny in the second-season premiere. Shirley Manson (“Garbage”) joins the cast as Catherine Weaver, the chief executive of a high-tech corporation.
◊“Wheel of Fortune” (6:30 p.m. on KOCO-5): The stakes have been raised for the game show’s 26th season. A new $1 million Bonus Wedge will be in play through the first three rounds.
◊“The Wonder Pets!” (7 p.m.on Nickelodeon): In this new Bollywood-themed episode titled “Save the Bengal Tiger,” Indian actress Nandita Das provides the voice of the bengal tiger and sibling duo Salim and Sulaiman Merchant compose the musical score.
TUESDAY SEPT. 9
◊“Debating Our Destiny II” (8 p.m. on PBS): This new documentary special revisits presidential and vice presidential debates from more recent election years, starting with the first George W. Bush-Al Gore face-off in 2000. Veteran debate moderator Jim Lehrer interviews Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Democratic candidates John Kerry and Joseph Lieberman.
◊“Fashion Rocks” (8 p.m. on CBS): Denis Leary (“Rescue Me”) hosts the fifth annual event that benefits Stand Up To Cancer. Taped at Radio City Music Hall in New York, the event merges performances by such stars as Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, Justin Timberlake, Lil’ Wayne, Keith Urban, Mariah Carey, Rihanna and others with designs by icons of the fashion world.
◊“Fringe” (7 p.m. on Fox): This new series from “Lost” creator J.J. Abrams of ‘‘Lost” stars Anna Torv as FBI Special Agent Olivia Dunham who investigates an airplane that landed at Boston’s Logan Airport with everyone aboard mysteriously dead.
◊“Kicking It” (8 p.m. on ESPN2): Colin Farrell (“Phone Booth”) narrates this new documentary that chronicles the personal struggles and triumphs of seven soccer players from six countries who participated in the 4th Annual Homeless World Cup.
◊“Privileged” (8 p.m. on CW): Based on the best-selling book “How To Teach Filthy Rich Girls” by Zoe Dean, this new series stars JoAnna Garcia (“Reba”) as a live-in tutor to wild and wealthy teenage twin sisters in Palm Beach.
◊“The Rachel Zoe Project” (10 p.m. on Bravo): In the series premiere, celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe is under pressure to find the perfect red carpet gown for actress Joy Bryant .
◊“Somebodies” (9:30 p.m. on BET): This new comedy written, directed and starring Hadjii follows a black undergraduate student at a large unversity is who is trying to figure out his place in the world. His housemates are preparing to transition out of college and into the real world.
◊“Weird, True & Freaky” (9 p.m. on Animal Planet): In the series premiere, true stories of two-headed animals are featured.
WEDNESDAY SEPT. 10
◊“Do Not Disturb” (8:30 p.m. on Fox): Jerry O’Connell (“Sliders”) and Niecy Nash (“Reno 911!”) star in this new comedy that focuses on the staff at one of New York City’s hippest hotels, The Inn.
◊“Great Performances” (8 p.m. on OETA-13): Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti died a year ago thsi month at age 71. This new installment titled ‘‘Pavarotti: A Life in Seven Arias” uses some of his most memorable performances as a framework to trace the tenor’s career.
◊“The Human Camera” (8 p.m. on BBC America): This new documentary profiles British artist Stephen Wiltshire, who can look at a building and sketch it from memory in almost photographic detail. He is also autistic.
◊“Inside the NFL” (8 p.m. on Showtime): Former NFL players-turned commentators Phil Simms and Cris Collinsworth will co-host the football show along with Emmy-winning studio host James Brown.
◊“The Next GAC Star” (8 p.m. on GAC): Recoring artist Jack Ingram, who won the 2008 Academy of Country Music’s Best New Male Vocalist award, will be a celebrity judge and offer advice to the six contenders during the finale. The winner gets a record/artist development deal with Original Signal Recordings and a music video played on GAC.
◊“Til Death” (8 p.m. on Fox): Kenny moves in with Joy and Eddie in the third-season premiere.But Kenny’s annoying habits have Joy desperately trying to re-connect him and his ex-wife.
THURSDAY SEPT. 11
◊“102 Minutes That Changed America” (8 p.m. on History): This new special revisits the terrorist attacks on New York’s World Trade Center, reconstructing the events in chronological order using footage from more than 100 sources — amateur and professional.
◊“Dragons’ Den” (8 p.m. on BBC America): Five multimillionaires looking to invest in new ideas hear pitched for a Japanese grill set and a new pooper scooper.
High School Football: Bixby vs. Glenpool at 7:30 p.m. on Cox.
◊“Hole in the Wall” (7 p.m. on Fox): Brooke Burns (“Dog Eat Dog”) and Mark Thompson (“Guinness World Records: Primetime”) co-host this new body-bending game show that is a hit in Japan, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. See special previews of the show at 7 p.m. Sunday and 8:35 p.m. Tuesday.
◊“MTV’s Top Pop Group” (9 p.m. on MTV): Mario Lopez (“The Bold and the Beautiful”) hosts this new lie music competition series that sets out to find the next pop sensation.
◊“Portraits of a Lady” (6:30 p.m. on CInemax): In October 2006, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor posed for her portrait before 25 members of the Painting Group, an organization of artists that meets weekly in New York City. This documentary chronicles the project, that resulted in vastly different images O’Connor by the painters.
FRIDAY SEPT. 12
◊“The 2008 ALMA Awards” (7 p.m. on ABC): Eva Longoria Parker (“Desperate Housewives”) hosts the ?-annual event that honors Hispanic achievement in entertainment. Special honors will be presented to America Ferrera, Linda Ronstadt and Shakira, whose collective work has impacted the entertainment industry and influenced American culture.
◊“Don’t Forget the Lyrics” (8 p.m. on Fox): Will a roller-derby queen from Cincinnati skate her way to $1 million? Find out on the second-season premiere episode.
◊“Gym Teacher: The Movie” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): Christopher Meloni (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”) stars as a humiliated former gymnastics gold medal contender-turned gym teacher who gets a shot at redemption as he vies for the Gym Teacher of the Year award.
◊High School Football: Bishop McGuinness vs. on Guthrie at 7:30 p.m. on KSBI-52; Jenks vs. Tulsa Union at 7:30 p.m. on Cox.
SATURDAY SEPT. 13
◊“Coco Chanel” (7 p.m. on Lifetime): Oscar-winning actress Shirley MacLaine (?) stars as the groundbreaking fashion designer attempting a comeback after 15 years in exile. When the new collection flops, Chanel flashes back to her humble beginnings and her rise to fame in the fashion world. Barbora Bobulova (‘‘In Love and War”) plays Coco as a young woman.
◊“MAD TV” (10 p.m. on Fox): Season 14 of the sketch comedy series opens with four cast additions: Erica Ash (‘‘The Big Gay Sketch Show”), Eric Price (‘‘Reno 911!”), improv artist Lauren Pritchard and stand-up comedian Matt Braunger. Returning cast members are Bobby Lee, Nicole Parker, Crista Flanagan, Arden Myrin, Keegan-Michael Key and Johnny Sanchez.
◊“Saturday Night Live” (10:29 p.m. on NBC): Michael Phelps, who swam his way to Olympic gold eight times at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, will host the 34th season premiere. Also making his “SNL” debut will be hip-hop superstar Lil Wayne.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Washington in college football action airing live at 6:45 p.m. on ESPN.
–Penny TV
The Greatest American Dog is …
It could be Presley, who was born in Perry. The 16-month-old boxer is in the final three on the CBS competition series “Greatest American Dog,” which concludes its 10-week run at 7 p.m. Wednesday (Sept. 10).
Travis Brorsen, also from Perry, helped his pup, Presley, reach the finals with his calm, but persistent, commands during this week’s best-in-show challenge. Although Presley was the only dog to get coaxed out of the circle by a fellow competitor, the judges felt Presley showed more loyalty to his owner than Leroy, the border collie.
Also in the finals are Andrew, a 5-year-old Maltese owned by doggy day care owner Laurie, and Galaxy, a 9-year-old English pointer border collie owned by dog entertainer J.D. (Pictured in the CBS Photo above are, from left, Galaxy, Presley and Andrew).
So not only is Presley the youngest canine competitor, but Travis is the one remaining owner who does not work in the dog industry. He is a part-time actor and bartender.
For nine weeks, however, they have acted the part of “Greatest American Dog” (and owner) perfectly and are in the running for the $250,000 cash prize.
Go Presley.
–Penny TV
OU gymnast on “Oprah”
Gymnast Jonathan Horton, who led the University of Oklahoma to the 2008 NCAA Championship title and Team USA to a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has been invited to appear on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
He will be joined by more than 175 Olympic medalists on the show’s 23rd-season premiere airing at 4 p.m. Monday (Sept. 8th) on KOCO-5. The show, which will air in high definition, is scheduled to tape today (Sept. 3rd) at Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago’s Millennium Park.
A crowd of thousands is expected to gather for the “Welcome Home Team USA” celebration. Chicago is bidding to host the 2016 Olympic Games.
Olympic medalists scheduled to appear on “Oprah” are:
◊Baseball: Jeremy Cummings, Brian Duensing, John Gall, Mike Koplove, Terry Tiffee, Casey Weathers.
◊Basketball (Men’s): Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Tayshaun Prince, Michael Redd, Dwyane Wade, Deron Williams .
◊Basketball (Women’s): Tamika Catchings, Sylvia Fowles, Kara Lawson, Lisa Leslie, DeLisha Milton, Candace Parker, Katie Smith.
◊Beach Volleyball (Men’s): Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers.
◊Beach Volleyball (Women’s): Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh.
◊BMX Racing: Mike Day, Jill Kintner, Donny Robinson.
◊Boxing: Deontay Wilder.
◊Cycling: Kristin Armstrong.
◊Decathlon: Bryan Clay.
◊Equestrian: Laura Kraut, Gina Miles, Will Simpson.
◊Fencing (Men’s): Tim Morehouse, Jason Rogers, Keeth Smart, James Williams.
◊Fencing (Women’s): Emily Cross, Erinn Smart, Hanna Thompson, Mariel Zagunis.
◊Gymnastics (Men’s): Alexander Artemev, Raj Bhavsar, Joe Hagerty, Jonathan Horton, Justin Spring, Kevin Tan.
◊Gymnastics (Women’s): Shawn Johnson, Nastia Liukin, Chellsie Memmel, Samantha Peszek, Alicia Sacramone, Bridget Sloan.
◊Judo: Ronda Rousey.
◊Rowing (Men’s): Josh Inman, Marcus McElhenney, Dan Walsh.
◊Rowing (Women’s): Erin Cafaro, Anna Cummins, Susan Francia, Michelle Guerette, Caroline Lind, Elle Logan, Lindsay Shoop, Mary Whipple.
◊Sailing: Zach Railey, Anna Tunnicliffe.
◊Shooting: Corey Cogdell, Walton G. Eller, Vincent Hancock, Kim Rhode, Jason Turner
◊Soccer (Women’s): Nicole Barnhart, Shannon Boxx, Rachel Buehler, Lori Chalupny, Stephanie Cox, Angela Hucles, Carli Lloyd, Kate Markgraf, Heather Mitts, Heather O’Reilly, Christie Rampone, Hope Solo, Lindsay Tarpley, Aly Wagner.
◊Softball: Monica Abbott, Laura Berg, Crystl Bustos, Andrea Duran, Jennie Finch, Tairia Flowers, Victoria Galindo, Lovie Jung, Kelly Kretschman, Caitlin Lowe, Jessica Mendoza, Stacey Nuveman, Natasha Watley.
◊Swimming (Men’s): Ian Crocker, Mark Gangloff, Matt Grevers, Brendan Hansen, Cullen Jones, Jason Lezak, Ryan Lochte, Aaron Peirsol, Michael Phelps, Peter Vanderkaay, Garrett Weber-Gale.
◊Swimming (Women’s): Elaine Breeden, Caroline Burckle, Natalie Coughlin, Margaret Hoelzer, Katie Hoff, Megan Jendrick, Kara Lynn Joyce, Christine Magnuson, Christine Marshall, Lacey Nymeyer, Allison Schmitt, Emily Silver, Julia Smit, Rebecca Soni, Dara Torres, Kim Vandenberg.
◊Taekwondo: Diana Lopez, Steven Lopez, Mark Lopez.
◊Track and Field (Men’s): Bershawn Jackson.
◊Track and Field (Women’s): Allyson Felix, Shalane Flanagan, Hyleas Fountain, Monique Henderson, Sanya Richards, Stephanie Brown Trafton, Sheena Tosta.
◊Volleyball (Men’s): Gabe Gardner, Tom Hoff, Rich Lambourne, David Lee, Ryan Millar, Reid Priddy, Riley Salmon, Scott Touzinsky.
◊Volleyball (Women’s): Lindsey Berg, Heather Bown, Kim Glass, Tayyiba Haneef-Park, Robyn Ah Mow- Santos, Danielle Scott-Arruda, Stacy Sykora, Kim Willoughby.
◊Water Polo (Men’s): Tony Azevedo, Layne Beaubien, Brandon Brooks, Peter Hudnut, Rick Merlo, Merrill Moses, Jeff Powers, Peter Varellas, Adam Wright.
◊Water Polo (Women’s): Patricia Cardenas, Natalie Golda, Alison Gregorka, Brittany Hayes, Jaime Hipp, Heather Petri, Jessica Steffens, Moriah Van Norman, Brenda Villa, Elsie Windes.
◊Wrestling: Henry Cejudo, Randi Miller.
Two ways to see “Fashion Rocks” concert
Tickets are still available for the fifth annual “Fashion Rocks” concert. The event that combines the world of fashion with musical performances takes place Sept. 5 at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall.
But for those who don’t want to spend between $250 (worst seat) and $10,000 (best seat) per ticket — not to mention air fare and taxi rides to get there — CBS will capture the excitement on film for a 2-hour special airing at 8 p.m. Sept. 9.
Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake and Tim McGraw are scheduled to perform. So are Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, David Bowie, Chris Brown, Chris Cornell, Destiny’s Child, Duffy, Duran Duran, Fergie, Billy Idol, Alicia Keys, Kid Rock, Lil Wayne, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Nelly, One Republic, Pussycat Dolls, Rihanna, Shakira, Solange Knowles and Timbaland, Gwen Stefani, Joss Stone, The Arcade Fire, Rob Thomas and Keith Urban.
New seasonal lines by icons of the fashion world will also be showcased during the event. Denis Leary (“Rescue Me”) will host the show.
If you do decide to see it live, feel good knowing that ticket proceeds will benefit Stand Up To Cancer.
–Penny TV
Computer watch: New, old TV shows available at TheWB.com
The WB is back with an online site that features full-length episodes of classic TV shows and new webisodes of series created specifically for TheWB.com.
Three of the new shows premiered Aug. 27. They are:
◊“Blue Water High”: (The WB.com Photo at right) The ultimate adventure comes to life for six Australian teenagers in this drama set at an exclusive, ultra-competitive surf academy where they live, study, surf and socialize together. “Blue Water High” stars include Adam Saunders, Chris Foy, Kate Bell, Khan Chittenden, Sophie Luck and Tahyna Tozzi.
◊“A Boy Wearing Makeup”: Mathieu Francis is a boy … who wears makeup … and looks fabulous. In this highly personal online video diary, Mathieu dispenses makeup advice and fashion tips while taking viewers along on his own personal journey.
◊“Whatever Hollywood”: Suri, Apple and Shiloh are three best friends who are taking Hollywood by storm and playing by their own rules. Tune in to their self-described fun and silly short films (many featuring their own original music), as well as the reality-style “Whatever Show.” “Whatever Hollywood” stars Ellyn Ruschak as Suri, Alyssa Ruschak as Shiloh and Jenny Alden as Apple.
New shows coming soon include:
◊“Sorority Forever” (premieres Sept. 8): Director/producer McG teams up with Big Fantastic – producers of the hit digital series “Prom Queen” – on an innovative mystery/drama which peeks behind the walls of one of the most intriguing secret societies in the world: the sorority. “Sorority Forever” stars Jessica Rose (“lonelygirl15”), Mikaela Hoover, Taryn Southern, Anabella Casanova, Candice Patton, Annemarie Pazmino, Jessica Morris, Cary Hungerford, Angie Cole, David Loren and Joaquin Pastor.
◊“Downers Grove” (premieres Sept. 29): Alden, Brett, Pudge, and Jodi never grew up. When everyone their age went away to college, they stayed in the suburbs, always on the prowl for the next party and never far from disturbing the peace. “Downers Grove” stars David Horwitz, Michael Blaiklock, Justin Becker, Elisha Yaffe, Anne Gregory, Heidi Heaslet, Ashton Grant and Kasia Szarek.
◊“High Drama: Against All Oz” (premieres Oct. 6): Created by James Percelay (“Snaps,” “Saturday Night Live”), this unscripted series documents the production of a big-budget high school musical version of “The Wizard of Oz” at Barnstable High School in Hyannis, Mass., bringing viewers all the real and imagined behind-the-scenes drama on and off the stage.
Classic shows that can be watched at any time of the day include:
◊“Angel” (episodes 1-5 from Season 1)
◊“Babylon 5” (all 23 episodes from Season 1, including the pilot)
◊“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (episodes 1-5 from Season 1)
◊“Everwood” (episodes 1-5 from Season 1)
◊“Firefly” (episodes 1-5 from Season 1)
◊“Friends” (seven episodes from Seasons 1, 4, 5, 8 and 10)
◊“Gilmore Girls” (pilot and episodes 1-4 from Season 1)
◊“The Loop” (five episodes from Season 2)
◊“MADtv” (all 22 episodes from Season 12)
◊“The O.C.” (pilot and episodes 1-9 from Season 1)
◊“One Tree Hill” (pilot and episodes 1-9 from Season 1)
◊“Roswell” (pilot and episodes 1-4 from Season 1)
◊“Smallville” (pilot and episodes 1-4 from Season 1)
◊“Veronica Mars” (all 23 episodes from Season 1, including pilot)
–Penny TV
TV Talk: Aug. 31-Sept. 6
The Oklahoman’s TV Talk personalities Penny Soldan and Heather Warlick tape a weekly video for Newsok.tv that highlights upcoming TV programs worth watching. (Mel Bracht fills in when Heather is on assignment).
They’re not fast talkers, but just in case you didn’t catch all the information for a show of interest, here is their script for the week of Aug. 31:
P: Hi, I’m Penny Soldan, this is my guest co-host Mel Bracht, and this is TV Talk, your guide to what’s worth watching. We have lots of premieres, sporting events and specials to highlight, so here we go.
M: On Sunday, CBS will air 19 consecutive hours of “The 43rd annual Labor Day Telethon” beginning at 11 p.m. Jerry Lewis returns as host for the muscular dystrophy benefit, and his co-hosts include Tom Bergeron, Alison Sweeney and Nancy O’Dell.
P: On Monday, three shows return and one begins. The series premiere is “Raising the Bar” at 9 p.m. on TNT. Mark-Paul Gosselaar from “Saved by the Bell” and Jane Kaczmarek from “Malcolm in the Middle” star in the courtroom drama that covers both sides of the legal process.
M: Monday’s returnees are the second-season premiere of “Gossip Girl” at 7 p.m. on CW, the sixth-season premiere of “One Tree Hill” at 8 p.m. on CW and the two-hour, fourth-season premiere of “Prison Break” at 7 p.m. on Fox.
P: Tuesday’s top pick is the new series “90210″ at 7 p.m. on CW. This spin-off from the 1990s teen drama even features two cast members from “Beverly Hills, 90210.” Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty, who played best friends in the original, are back a counselor and a guest drama teacher at West Beverly Hills High.
M: Also on Tuesday, the police drama “The Shield” returns for its seventh and final season at 9 p.m. on FX. And “The View” begins its 12th season at 10 a.m. on ABC.
P: That brings us to Wednesday, and once again there’s lots to watch. First and foremost, check out “Top Design” at 9 p.m. on Bravo. Tulsa native Teresa Keegan is one of the 13 designers competing for $100,000.
M: Wednesday’s other highlights include the series premiere of “Sons of Anarchy” at 9 p.m. on FX, the two-hour 11th-season premiere of “America’s Next Top Model” at 7 p.m. on CW and the two-hour fourth-season premiere of “Bones” at 7 p.m. on Fox.
P: On Thursday, Fox will air a special two-hour episode of “Kitchen Nightmares” at 7 p.m. Chef Gordon Ramsay revisits the kitchens of six restaurants that were once on the verge of disaster.
M: Thursday also marks the return of High School football games to Cox and KSBI-52. Kicking off the coverage are Heritage Hall and Casady at 7:30 p.m. on KSBI and Holland Hall and Cascia Hall at 7 :30 p.m. on Cox.
P: Friday’s high school football matchups feature Moore and Westmoore at 7:30 p.m. on Cox and Bishop McGuinness and Guthrie at 7:30 p.m. on KSBI.
M: Also on Friday, ABC, NBC and CBS will televise “Stand Up tp Cancer” at 7 p.m. Actors, athletes, musicians and journalists will take part in this hourlong commercial free fundraising special.
P: And Saturday, be sure and watch “The Locator” at 8 p.m. on WE TV. Enid native Troy Dunn is the locator. He helps track down family members and friends who have lost touch and want another chance.
M: Don’t worry, the OU football game should be over before 7. The Sooners kick off at 2:30 p.m. on ABC and their opponent is Cincinnati.
P: We’re not done yet. We want to go over fall premiere dates for Tuesday’s primetime network shows. And I already mentioned the first one, which “90210″ Tuesday CW.
M: On Sept. 9, Fox premieres “Fringe” and CW premieres “Privileged.”
P: On Sept. 16, “House” returns on Fox and “The Biggest Loser: Families” begins on NBC.
M: On Sept. 23, CBS brings back “NCIS” and “Without a Trace” and introduces the new series “The Mentalist.”
P: Also on Sept. 23, there ‘s “Opportunity Knocks” on ABC and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” on NBC.
M: And “Dancing With the Stars” opens with a special performance show Sept. 23 and moves into its regular day and time period premiere at 8 p.m. Sept. 30.
P: Heather will hopefully return to the co-host chair next week. If not, Mel will be back. And we’ll have Wednedsay’s network premiere dates and much more.
M: And for even more TV choices, check out newsok.com/tv or TV Week in Sunday’s Oklahoman.
