“Doctors” advice for preventing brain injury
“The Doctors” offer free advice every
weekday on their syndicated series (3 p.m. on KWTV-9 in Oklahoma City).
Last week’s helpful information included life-saving tips on how to prevent brain injury.
Dr. Neil Martin, chief of neurosurgery at UCLA Medical Center, joined the show’s four hosts — Dr. James Sears (pediatrician), Dr. Travis Stork (E.R. physician), Dr. Lisa Masterson (obstetrician and gynecologist) and Dr. Andrew Ordon (plastic surgeon and reconstructive surgery expert) — to discuss the recent death of actress Natasha Richardson and explain how an epidural hematoma can lead to brain death.
“This was such a freakish accident,” Dr. Stork said of Richardson’s fall during a ski lesson. “But by and large, closed head traumas can be treated if you act quickly.” (Richardson refused medical treatment until she started having headaches about three hours later).
“The Doctors” check list of how to quickly diagnose and prevent a brain trauma injury:
••• Treat Blows to the head seriously – A lot of people hit their head and are stunned by the injury and will say they’re fine because of embarrassment. Without overreacting to every bump on the head, take time to access how you feel and know the symptoms of possible brain injury.
••• Look for warning signs – Youngsters bump their heads all the time, and usually everything is fine. Parents should look into the eyes of their children and make sure they are acting completely normal. Warning signs to look for are slurred speech, drowsiness, nausea, lethargy and strange repetitive speech.
••• Time is critical – If someone exhibits behavior listed above, take that person to the emergency room immediately. If a person loses consciousness for any period of time, it is imperative to go to the ER.
••• Wearing helmets is the best prevention – Wear helmets when doing any activity that is potentially dangerous and where falls are common. Parents should wear helmets, too, or else their kids won’t want to wear them.
For additional information — or to ask the doctors a question on another topic — go online to www.thedoctorstv.com.
–Penny TV
Happy Birthday, Rhea Perlman
March 31, 2009 — Rhea Perlman,
who played Carla Tortelli on “Cheers” (1982-93), turns 61 today.
She played Mrs. Pearl Caraldo on “Pearl” and Abbie Schaeffer on “Kate Brasher” (2001).
Her first acting role was as Woman on Ferry in the 1972 mvie “Hot Dogs for Gauguin.” She was 24.
Best wishes to Rhea and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Rhea Perlman arrives for the Showtime premiere of “Fat Actress” at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, California on Wednesday, February 23, 2005. Perlman is being fined for failing to disclose political donations during the 2003 gubernatorial recall campaign that put Arnold Schwarzenegger in office, the state Fair Political Practices Commission said Friday, March 11, 2005. (Mirek Towski/DMI via AP).
Animal Planet’s ‘Hero of the Year’ search under way
Aninal advocates are in demand at Animal Planet. So much so that just nominating one will automatically enter you to win a $50 PetSmart gift card.
So think about someone who demonstrates an extraordinary effort in support of animals in your community (The Oklahoman’s Carrie Coppernoll comes to mind), and scribble a few words (250 or less) about what they do.
“Hero of the Year” nominations will be accepted online at www.AnimalPlanet.com through June 28. By nominating a friend or family member for the honor, the nominator is entered into a daily drawing for a $50 PetSmart gift card.
A panel of judges will select 10 finalists for “Hero of the Year,” and viewers will be asked to vote for their favorite from Sept. 14-27.
The winner will be recognized on-air and will receive a trip for two to a destination that supports their animal welfare passion. Additionally, Animal Planet will donate $10,000 to the recipient’s favorite animal-related charity.
–Penny TV
Happy Birthday, Piers Morgan
March 30, 2009 — Piers Stefan Morgan,
who is a judge on “America’s Got Talent” (Season 4 premieres in summer on NBC), turns 44 today.
He won the first installment of NBC’s “The Celebrity Apprentice” in 2008.
His first TV appearance was in 1992 on “The Word.” He was 27.
Best wishes to Piers and everybody who shares this special day with him.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Piers Morgan on “The Celebrity Aprpentice” (NBC Photo)
Win a trip to Los Angeles to work out with a celebrity trainer
Harley Pasternak is the man behind the hard bodies of Halle Berry, Eva Mendes and Katherine Heigl. And the celebrity trainer is offering everybody a chance to train with him in Los Angeles.
To enter “The MomLogic.com/The Harley Pasternak Zip Up Your Jeans Challenge,” go to http://community.momlogic.com/group/zipupyourjeans. The sweepstakes is open to U.S. residents 18 years of age and older, and everybody can enter once every weekday until April 24.
There will be 32 daily drawings, with winners receiving a copy of the “5 Factor Diet Book” ($25 value). There will also be eight individual drawings, with winners getting the book and a subscription to 5FactorDiet.com ($208 value).
The grand prize winner will receive two round-trip tickets to Los Abgeles and two hourlong training sessions with Pasternack and his staff ($3,700 value).
–Penny TV
History.com launches first original web series
Want a quick history lesson on the great moon hoax? How about the death of President Garfield?
Check out History Channel’s first made-for-the-web video series “Great and Telling Tales with Timothy Dickinson.” It is available at www.history.com/timothydickinson and features original animation incorporated with compelling naratives on historial events. Other topics for the 12-episode short-form series include Jimmy Carter vs. the Killer Rabbit and why it took so long for people to believe in dinosaurs.
Dickinson, the show’s narrator, is a historian who has been dubbed a walking encyclopedia. He uses each animated Webisode to expound on his obsession with the unexpected twists and turns of history.
–Penny TV
Happy Birthday, Tracey Needham
March 28, 2009 — Tracey Renee
Needham, who played Inspector Candace “C. D.” DeLorenzo on “The Division” (2001-03 on Lifetime), turns 42 today.
She played Lt. j.g. Meg Austin on “JAG” (1995-96) and Paige Tacher on “Life Goes On” (1990-93).
Her first acting role was as Girl on photographs on “Jake and the Fatman” (1988 episode titled “Rhapsody in Blue”). She was 21.
Best wishes to Tracey and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Tracey Needham on “The Division” (Lifetime Photo).
TV Preview Podcast: ‘The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’
Each week, The Oklahoman TV Editor Penny Soldan hosts an audio podcast discussing an upcoming TV premiere.
This week’s premiere is the new HBO series “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” premiering at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 29.
To hear her discussion with Melissa Hayer, assistant news research editor for The Oklahoman, click here.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
DirecTV is good to cancelled shows
Three shows that didn’t last long on network television are getting guaranteed runs on DirecTV.
That’s good news for fans of the dramas “Smith,” “The Nine” and “Eyes.” The bad news is that new episodes are not being produced. DirecTV will only air the episodes that were already filmed — although several have never before been seen.
That’s the same treatment DirecTV gave “Wonderland” recently. The series was pulled from ABC in spring 2000 after two episodes, but all eight “Wonderland” episodes that were produced aired commercial free and in HD on DirecTV’s 101 Network.
Here is what viewers have to look forward to:
“Smith” 9 p.m. Wednesdays from April 8-May 7 (seven episodes produced, three aired on CBS in 2006): This drama follows the adventures of a team of thieves who visit different cities to execute high-level crimes. The cast includes Ray Liotta (“Goodfellas”), Simon Baker (“The Mentalist”), “Jonny Lee Miller (“Eli Stone”), Franky G (“Jonny Zero”; he studied criminal law investigation at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma) and Virginia Madsen (“Sideways”).
“The Nine” 9 p.m. Wednesdays from May 27-August 19 (13 episodes produced, nine aired on ABC in 2006-07): Nine people learn they share a common bond that was forged when they lived through a 52-hour hostage standoff during a bank robbery. The cast includes Timothy Daly (“Eyes”), Chi McBride (“Boston Public”), Kim Raver (“Third Watch”) and Lourdes Benedicto (“NYPD Blue”).
“Eyes” 8 p.m. Wednesdays starting in July (13 episodes produced, five aired on ABC in 2005): The drama follows the firm of Judd Risk Management, which uses marginally legal means to investigate individuals and crimes where law enforcement would fall short. The cast includes Timothy Daly (“The Nine”), Laura Leighton (“Melrose Place”), Eric Mabius
(“Ugly Betty”) and Garcelle Beauvais (“NYPD Blue”).
No news on whether any network will air the remaining episodes of “The Chopping Block,” which was axed from NBC’s schedule after its third episode on March 25. Repeats of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” will air in its place beginning April 1.
–Penny TV
Dr. Phil shares 10 warning signs of abuse
Last Friday, Dr. Phil devoted his syndicated talk show to domestic abuse.
He underlined the warning signs that indicate domestic violence in a relationship. And he offered a step-by-step plan on how to escape.
Here’s his checklists:
WARNING SIGNS THAT YOU MAY BE INVOLVED IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP:
* History of past battering
* Threats of violence
* Breaking items in anger
* Use of force during arguments
* Unreasonable jealousy
* Controlling behavior
* Quick involvement in the relationship
* Verbal abuse, blaming others for problems
* Cruelty to children and animals
* Abrupt mood changes
IF YOU ARE BEING ABUSED:
* Call the police
* Avoid becoming isolated and confide in someone
* Do NOT feel shame and know that no one has the right to hit or control you with fear
* Know that there is no excuse for abuse, it is NOT your fault and you are NOT alone
* Keep a record (including pictures if possible) in a safe place
* Consider ending the relationship as soon as possible
* Develop a safety/exit plan that DOES NOT include confronting your abuser:
1. Know emergency numbers
2. Keep spare house and car keys and a suitcase with essentials hidden but accessible
3. Know where you can stay in an emergency
4. Hide key documents and some emergency money
5. Work out a distress signal-system with a friend or loved one
For more of Dr. Phil’s advice on domestic abuse, visit www.drphil.com.
–Penny TV
