ABC Family celebrates 25 Days of Christmas with sweepstakes
Santa, snowglobes and a sweepstakes. That’s what is in store for visitors to www.ABCFamily.com this holiday season.
Every day between Dec. 1 and 25, online visitors can enter the “25 Days of Christmas Sweeptakes” for a chance to win daily prizes — and maybe even the $25,000 grand prize.
But that’s not the only reason to visit www.ABCFamily.com/.
Check out the “Search for Santa” interactive application to locate St. Nick leading up to his big day. Daily clues will help in the search for Santa, and participants will accrue points to help land a spot on the leader board. The point totals also boost the “Belief-o-Meter” that proves some people still do believe in Santa Claus.
Create a “Snowglobe” to email friends and family. Personalize it by uploading photos and selecting different backgrounds.
And keep track of ABC Family’s “25 Days of Christmas” programming with the online Advent calender. Clicking on Christmas tree ornaments could reveal ABC Family stars sharing their favorite holiday memories.
–Penny TV
Happy Birthday, Kaley Couco
Nov. 30, 2008 — Kaley Christine Cuoco, who plays Penny on “The Big Bang Theory” (7 p.m. Mondays on CBS), turns 23 today.
She played Bridget Hennessy on “8 Simple Rules … for Dating My Teenage Daughter” (2002-05 on ABC).
Her first acting role was as Connie Reinhardt in the 1992 TV movie “Quicksand: No Escape.” She was 7.
Best wishes to Kaley and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: CBS Photo featuring Kaley Couco in “The Big Bang Theory.”
And the CMA Award winners were …
For those who missed country music’s biggest night Nov. 12 on CBS, don’t fret.
Country Music Television (CMT) will rebroadcast the 42nd Annual CMA Awards at 8 p.m. today (Nov. 29).
First-time hosts and reigning male and female vocalists Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood guided the evening with poise and humor.
The show included performances by Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn (Ronnie Dunn was raised in Tulsa), Kenny Chesney, The Eagles, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert (she lives in Tishomingo), Paisley, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Underwood (she’s from Checotah) and Keith Urban.
Special Hollywood guests included Miley Cyrus, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon, along with other presenters Billy Ray Cyrus, Vince Gill, Julianne Hough, Heidi Newfield, Jake Owen, John Rich, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Jimmy Wayne, Lee Ann Womack and Shania Twain.
For a full recap of the evening, including memorable moments from the CMA Red Carpet (and a complete list of winners), go to www.CMT.com/. There are also 30-plus photo galleries featuring the most memorable fashion moments over the years with such artists as Shania Twain, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Dolly Parton and more (above photo featuring Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood is from the CMT 2008 photo gallery).
–Penny TV
Happy Birthday, Howie Mandel
Nov. 29, 2008 — Howie Michael Mandel II, who hosts “Deal or No Deal” (7 p.m. Fridays on NBC, weekdays in syndication), turns 53 today.
He played Dr. Wayne Fiscus on “St. Elsewhere” (1982-88 on NBC).
His first acting role was as Matt Lloyd in the 1981 movie “Gas.” He was 26.
Best wishes to Howie and everybody who shares this special day with him.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: NBC Photo featuring Howie Mandel as host of “Deal or No Deal.”
Totally Best voting underway at Disney
Who was the Totally Best Guest on the Disney Channel this year? The network wants to know.
Today through Dec. 31, everyone is invited to vote for their favorite performers, episodes, music videos and more in an online poll at www.DisneyChannel.com/.
Voting will determine the “Totally New Year” programming lineup that will air from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Dec. 31 on Disney. Hosting the network’s annual New Year’s Even programming event will be “Wizards of Waverly Place” cast members Selena Gomez, David Henrie, Jake T. Austin and Jennifer Stone (pictured in Disney Channel Photo above).
There are 21 categories to vote for, including Totally Best Guest, Totally Silly Siblings, Totally Hair-Raising and Totally Random Relatives.
Everybody who casts votes in all the caterogies will unlock the new “Wizards of Waverly Place Time Twister” game and can play as a “Wizards of Waverly Place” character or as themselves by uploading a photo.
Disney Channel stars planning to join the cast of “Wizards of Waverly Place” to help celebrate the “Totally New Year” include “Hannah Montana’s” Miley Cyrus, Emily Osment, Mitchel Musso, Jason Earles and Moises Arias; “The Suite Life on Deck’s” Cole Sprouse, Dylan Sprouse, Brenda Song and Debby Ryan; “Sonny with a Chance’s” Demi Lovato, Tiffany Thornton, Brandon Smith, Doug Brochu, Allisyn Arm and Sterling Knight; “Camp Rock’s” Alyson Stoner, Meaghan Jette Martin and Roshon Fegan; “Hatching Pete’s” Jason Dolley; “Minutemen’s” Nicholas Braun; “Cory in the House’s” Madison Pettis; and Jonas Brothers.
–Penny TV
TV Preview Podcast: ‘Flirting With Forty’
"Flirting With Forty" (Lifetime Photo)
Each week, The Oklahoman TV Editor Penny Soldan hosts an audio podcast discussing an upcoming TV premiere.
This week’s premiere is the new Lifetime original movie “Flirting With Forty” starring Heather Locklear and Robert Buckley.
To hear her discussion with Melissa Hayer, assistant news research for The Oklahoman, click here
Happy Birthday, Paul Shaffer
Nov. 28, 2008 — Paul Shaffer, who is the musical director on “Late Night With David Letterman” (10:35 p.m. weeknights on CBS), turns 59 today.
He provided the voice of Hermes, the Messenger God on the Disney Channel shows “House of Mouse” (2001-02) and “Hercules” (1998-99).
His first acting role was as Paul in the 1977 TV series “A Year at the Top” (lasted five episodes on CBS). He was 28.
Best wishes to Paul and everybody who shares this special day with him.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Musician Paul Shaffer arrives at the National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New York in this Aug. 28, 2002 file photo. (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg).
Program Planner: Nov. 30-Dec. 6
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 Nov. 30:
SUNDAY NOV. 30
◊“Britney Spears: For the Record” (8 p.m. on MTV): Britney Spears granted access to filmmaker Phil Griffin to tell her side of the story in her own words in this 90-minute documentary. It includes footage of Spears recording her new album “Circus” that will be released Dec. 2 on her 27th birthday.
◊“Britz” (7 p.m. today and Monday on BBC America): This two-part drama tells the story of brother and sister Sohail and Nasima (Riz Ahmed, Manjinder Virk), British-born Muslims who have conflicting personal experiences in post 9/11 Britain.
◊“Cheech & Chong Roast” (9 p.m. on TBS): In this new special, friends and fellow stars pay tribute to Richard Anthony “Cheech” Marin and Tommy Chong. Brad Garrett (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) hosts the event and roasters include Tom Arnold (“Roseanne”), television journalist Geraldo Rivera, magicians Penn & Teller and Wilmer Valderrama (“That ’70s Show”).
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): Rush and the team reopen the 2005 murder case of a young black politician who vowed to rid the lower-class neighborhood he grew up in of drug dealers. Jonathan LaPaglia (”The District”) guest stars as Assistant District Attorney Curtis Bell.
◊“Faith Hill, Joy to the World” (7 p.m. on CMT): backed by an orchestra led by conductor David Campbell, the Grammy winner performs holiday favorites from her upcoming Christmas album “Joy to the World.”
◊“Home For the Holidays” (7 p.m. on HGTV): Monica Pedersen (“Designed to Sell”) hosts this new special that shows viewers how HGTV’s top designers celebrate the season. Among those sharing holiday traditions with viewers are Vern Yip (“Deserving Design”), Kim Myles (“Myles of Style”) and Steve Watson (“Don’t Sweat It”).
◊“Laffapalooza!” (10 p.m. on TBS): Tracy Morgan (“30 Rock”) hosts this comedy show that will feature performances by comedians Mark Curry, Sheryl Underwood, Earthquake, Corey Holcomb and Lavell Crawford.
◊“Mindhunter” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): Former FBI agent John Douglas interviews two of the nation’s most disturbing and violent serial killers, Joseph Kondro and Donald Harvey.
◊“Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood” (9:30 p.m. on E!): The series once again takes viewers inside the heartwarming, hilarious and refreshingly normal home life of this international icon and his family. Visitors to “Tha Hood” in Season 2 include football superstars Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, David Spade (“Just Shoot Me”) and Roy Jones Jr. (“The Matrix Reloaded”).
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on Connecticut in women’s college basketball action airing live at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
MONDAY, DEC. 1
◊“All of Us” (5 p.m. on Showtime): Airing on World AIDS Day, this new documentary profiles Mehret Mandefro, a doctor from Ethiopia who’s studying — and trying to stop — the spread of HIV among black American women.
◊“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (7:32 p.m. on ABC): Boris Karloff (“Frankenstein”) narrates and voices the
green-skinned grouch in this 1966 animated holiday story loved by all tall and small.
◊“Handy Manny” (8 a.m. on Disney): When Manny’s new vintage motorcycle breaks down on a deserted road, the tools are afraid they won’t be able to fix it before it gets dark. They search the motorcycle’s saddlebags and discover Flicker, a talking flashlight, that joins the cast in this animated series recently honored with an Environmental Media Award for best children’s live action/animated television program.
◊“I Am Because We Are” (8 p.m. on Sundance): This new documentary about Malawi’s AIDS orphans was written and produced by Madonna.
◊“I Survived …” (8 p.m. on Biography): Season 2 features all-new first-person survival accounts of ordinary people who encountered extraordinary challenges to their lives and survived to tell about it.
◊“Mom’s Cooking” (10 a.m. on Lifetime): In each episode of this new culinary series, host Joe Corsano follows participants as they surprise and enlist their mother to teach them how to make a treasured recipe step-by-step.
◊“Shrek the Halls” (7 p.m. on ABC): “Twas the night before Christmas and not a swamp rat did creep, as mother and babe played kazoo in their sleep….” That’s the story America’s favorite green ogre tells his family in this animated special featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas.
◊TCM Birthday Tribute: Woody Allen was born on this day in 1935, and TCM celebrates by airing three of his films — 1969’s “Take the Money and Run” (1:30 p.m.), 1977’s “Annie Hall” (3 p.m.) and 1986’s “Hannah and Her Sisters” (5 p.m.).
TUESDAY, DEC. 2
◊2008 World Music Awards (7 p.m. on My Network TV): The 20th annual event will include performances by Alicia Keys, Kid Rock, Beyonce, Solange and others. Ringo Starr will accept the Diamond Award on behalf of The Beatles for selling more records than any other recording-artist in the history of the music industry.
◊“According to Jim” (8 p.m. on ABC): Jim Belushi returns for his eighth season as Jim, an all-American guy who is devoted to his wife and their five children. He loves his family, but he continues to test his wife’s patience with his stubborn antics.
◊“The Bad Girls Club” (9 p.m. on Oxygen): Season 3 will bring seven new “bad girls” together in a Los Angeles mansion. They have issues with anger, trust and control, and claim they want to change.
◊“Party Monsters: Cabo” (9 p.m. on E!): This new competition reality series takes nine party planners to the oceanfront LG Villa in Cabo to see who can throw the ultimate party. The contestants will present their party ideas to celebrity guests including P. Diddy, Carmen Electra, Brody Jenner and Lil Jon. The winner will receive a coveted celebrity event-planner position at LG worth $100,000.
◊“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” (7 p.m. on ABC): In this perennial favorite created in 1970 by Rankin-Bass Productions, Fred Astaire narrates the story of Kris Kringle, a young boy with a desire to do good things for others.
◊“Shatner’s Raw Nerve” (9 p.m. on Biography): Emmy winner William Shatner (“Boston Legal”) headlines his own edgy and off-beat celebrity interview series. In each 30-minute episode, Shatner will attempt to probe his guest’s most sensitive subjects and touch upon a “raw nerve.”
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 3
◊“Christmas in Rockefeller Center” (7 p.m. on NBC): David Cook from Tulsa and Joe Don Rooney from Picher are planning to perform during the 76th annual tree lighting extravaganza at Rockefeller Center. Rooney will be there with his bandmates from Rascal Flatts. The telecast will be in high definition, so it will feel like you are there (except you won’t be as cold as those standing outside). Al Roker (”Today”) will host the event.
◊“Eyes on Kenya” (7 p.m. on My Network TV): Join Sir Roger Moore, Louis Gossett, Jr., Dean Cain, Shannon Elizabeth and other celebrities as they travel through Kenya. They travel through Nairobi visiting children in need, then go on safari to view animals in the wild.
◊“The Grammy Nominations Concert Live: Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night” (8 p.m. on CBS): For the first time, nominations for The 51st Annual Grammy Awards will announced live. The special will also celebrate the grand opening of the Grammy Museum at L.A. LIVE and feature performances by Celine Dion, Foo Fighters, B.B. King, John Mayer and Taylor Swift.
◊“Jacques D’Amboise in China: The Other Side of the World” (5:30 p.m. on HBO): This new special chronicles the dancer’s journey to Shanghai to direct a cross-cultural ensemble in a performance for the Shanghai Grand Theatre. D’Amboise is the founder of the National Dance Institute in New York City.
◊“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (7 p.m. on CBS): The navigational prowess of “the most famous reindeer of all” will again illuminate Santa Claus’ way into the Christmas season with this digitally re-mastered version of the 1964 animated special. Burl Ives narrates the story based on the popular song of the same title by Johnny Marks.
◊“Secret Millionaire” (7 p.m. on Fox): Based on the hit British series of the same name, this unscripted drama reveals the personal return that participating millionaires receive when they leave their fortunes to invest in those less fortunate.
◊“Spectacle: Elvis Costello With …” (8 p.m. on Sundance): This new music/talk series features an intimate conversation between host Elvis Costello and his guests, punctuated by musical performances by Costello, his guests and a wide variety of musicians. Confirmed guests for the 13-part series include Sir Elton John (first episode), Tony Bennett, Lou Reed and President Bill Clinton.
◊“The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show” (9 p.m. on CBS): Models Alessandra Ambrosio, Selita Ebanks, Doetzen Kroes, Adriana Lima, Marisa Miller and Miranda Kerr hit the runway for this edition of the special. Heidi Klum is also scheduled to make an appearance, and Usher is the musical guest.
THURSDAY, DEC. 4
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): When a young singer is found dead outside an infamous Las Vegas nightclub, the CSI team uncovers a link between the present day crime and a murder from over 50 years ago. Golden Globe Award winner Tippi Hedren (”The Birds”) and Emmy Award winner Robert Guillaume (”Benson”) guest star.
◊“Barbara Walters Presents the 10 Most Fascinating People of 2008” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): This list is drawn from the year’s most prominent names in entertainment, sports, politics and pop cultre. A few of the people making the 2008 honor roll include Tom Cruise, Tina Fey, Will Smith, Rush Limbaugh, Miley Cyrus and Michael Phelps. Last year, “Harry Potter” scribe J.K. Rowling took the No. 1 spot.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): Cristina is awarded the first solo surgery among the residents, but must give it up and choose her replacement. Guest stars include Melissa George (“Alias”), Mary McDonnell (“Battlestar Gallactica”) and Kevin McKidd (“Rome”).
◊“Eleventh Hour” (9 p.m. on CBS): When college students in Oklahoma begin dying of the bends — a condition of sudden decompression normally seen in scuba divers — Dr. Hood’s investigation uncovers a medical cover-up on campus.
◊Oklahoma State University takes on Washington in men’s college basketball action airing live at 10 p.m. on FSOK.
◊The University of Oklahoma takes on USC in men’s college basketball action airing live at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.
FRIDAY, DEC. 5
◊“Greatest Holiday Moments: TV & Film Countdown” (7 p.m. on NBC): This new special counts down the most memorable holiday moments from the big and small screens, from the old standbys such as ‘‘It’s a Wonderful Life” to modern classics such as ‘‘Home Alone.”
◊“Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh” (7 p.m. on Nickelodeon): Drake Bell and Josh Peck reunite to make holiday memories in this original TV movie. Henry Winkler (“Happy Days”) and mixed martial arts fighter Kimbo Slice guest star as a fair-minded judge and good-hearted ex-jailbird who help Drake and Josh keep their Christmas promise to a family of foster kids.
◊“NUMB3RS” (9 p.m. on CBS): The bombing of a charity’s headquarters forces the team to sift through various rumors about the true reach of the organization’s power. Paul Michael Glaser (“Starsky & Hutch”) guest stars.
SATURDAY, DEC. 6
◊“The Christmas Choir” (8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Emmy winner Rhea Perlman (“Cheers”) and Jason Gedrick (“Windfall”) star in the new movie inspired by the true story of an accountant who convinces a nun to turn members of a homeless shelter into a choir.
◊“CMT Giants: Alan Jackson” (8 p.m. on CMT): This tribute to country music superstar Alan Jackson will feature performances by George Strait, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Dierks Bentley, Lee Ann Womack and Miranda Lambert.
◊“Flirting With Forty” (8 p.m. on Lifetime): Heather Locklear (“Spin City”) stars as a divorced mother of two on the brink of her 40th birthday who, while on vacation, enters into a romance with a younger man (Robert Buckley, “Lipstick Jungle”).
–Penny TV
Presley is signing pawtographs
Perry natives Presley and Travis Brorsen are keeping busy since winning the CBS series “Greatest American Dog.” But they are not too busy to sign autographs.
Or in Presley’s case, pawtographs. He is now 2 years old, nearly 60 pounds and a full bred boxer.
To get a free 8×10 autographed photo of the “Greatest American Dog” winners, send a self-addressed, stamped 9×12 envelope to 7510 Sunset Blvd, #210, Hollywood, CA 90046. Then go to www.travisandpresley.com and fill out a form (that will help in case Travis and Presley want to personalize the photo).
The website mentioned above will also fill everyone in on what Perry’s favorite duo is up to. Here’s a bit of info:
♦♦Julie Jurkowsi from San Diego and her boxer, Dottie, won the double date with Brorsen and Presley in the “Greatest American Date” contest. To view more pictures of their doggy date, go to www.starrymag.com/.
♦♦Brorsen and Presley were in Maine last weekend to film a segment for NEThings.com that will be posted on the site beginning Nov. 30. They will share their thoughts on AstroBone, a dog product company based in New England that ranks as one of Presley’s favorites (he loves the toys).
♦♦Brorsen will be featured on the Animal Planet series “Faithful Friends” in an episode scheduled to air in January.
♦♦Before filming “Greatest American Dog,” the only things Presley knew how to do were sit, stay and back up. Now he is able to rollover, crawl, touch things with his paw and nose, fetch, go around things, jump, stand, dance, shake with both paws, high five, play dead and catch a frisbee, among other things.
♦♦Look for an article on Brorsen and Presley in the Dec. 1 issue of TAILS Magazine.
–Penny TV
Happy Birthday, Curtis Armstrong
Nov. 27, 2008 — Curtis Armstrong, who played Pig Boy on “The Chronicle” (2001-02 on SCI FI Channel), turns 55 today.
He plays The Professor in the upcoming movie “The Gold Retrievers: Legend of the Lost Treasure” (now filming).
His first acting role was as Miles in the 1983 film “Risky Business.” He was 30.
Best wishes to Curtis and everybody who shares this special day with him.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Curtis Armstrong at the Totally Awesome After-Party Event held at The Day After, Hollywood, CA, on Oct. 24, 2006.
