TV Talk show hosts collect canned goods for Los Angeles food bank
Dr. Phil is doing his part to help feed the hungry. So are Ellen DeGeneres, Bonnie Hunt, Jay Leno and Craig Ferguson.
These Los Angeles-based TV talk show hosts have joined forces for the “Yes We Can” campaign. They have asked audience members to bring canned goods to every taping from now until the end of the season. The cans will be distributed to food banks in the greater Los Angeles area.
To help food banks elsewhere, the talk show hosts have taped public service announcements to direct viewers to the website www.feedingamerica.org where individuals can input their zip codes for locations of their closest agency.
“The economic downturn has impacted everyone in some way, but what we have noticed is that those who used to support our food banks, now find themselves in the unexpected position of needing food to put on the table themselves,” said Dr. Phil McGraw, who was born in Vinita. “Thanks to our very generous audience members, we recently had a very successful holiday drive to collect necessities for our military. So, we are going to continue to pay it forward. We don’t charge anything to come see our shows, and our audience has shown us that their support is unqualified when we try to make a difference.”
–Penny TV
Happy Birthday, Lake Bell
March 24, 2009 – Lake Bell Siegel,
who played Sally Heep on “Boston Legal” (14 episodes in 2004-06), turns 30 today.
She played Dr. Laura Daughtery on “Surface” (2005-06 on NBC).
Her first acting role was as Gina Micelli in the 2001 movie “Slammed,” She was 22.
Best wishes to Lake and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Lake Bell who stars in the film arrives for the World film premiere of What Happens in Vegas in Leicester Square, London, Tuesday, April 22, 2008. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth).
‘The Amazing Race’ ends for Oklahoman
Christie and Jodi on "The Amazing Race" (CBS Photo)
Flight attendants Christie Volkmer and Jodi Wincheski came close to overcoming a speed bump in Sunday’s episode of “The Amazing Race” on CBS. But in the end, an elephant resulted in their elimination.
Since they were the last team to arrive on last week’s episode, which was not an elimination round, they had to perform an extra task during Leg 6 of the race in India. They painted an elephant for an upcoming festival.
Volkmer, who lives in Choctaw, and Wincheski did make up a lot of time when brothers Mark and Michael Munoz had trouble locating a miniature elephant in a barrell of hay. But the brothers beat them to the pit stop by about a minute, and they were once again the last team to arrive. (Just two weeks ago, they were the first to arrive in Russia and received motorcycles for their efforts).
Six teams remain in Season 14 of “The Amazing Race,” which concludes May 10. For the remaider of the race, Volkmer and Wincheski were sequestered at a villa in Thailand with the other eliminated teams. To see short videos of the teams interacting at the villa. go to www.cbs.com.
–Penny TV
’24′ in a fight against gobal warming
Last year, the production team for “24″ announced its intent to reduce its carbon emissions. Last week, those associated with the show were pleased to announce that they have surprised even themselves with their efforts thus far.
Since implementing carbon emission reduction techniques for Season 7 of “24,” the show starring Kiefer Sutherland as a former Counter Terrorist Unit agent has reduced its carbon footprint by 43 percent through greener production practices.
Among the things the production team did were replace incadescent lighting with compact fluorescent lighting wherever possible, enocurage staff to turn off all electrical equipment when not in use, introduce the use of biodiesel-blended fuels to power generators and production vehicles and distribute all scripts and schedules electronically.
But the “24″ team is not done doing their part. They have purchased high-quality carbon offsets to address its remaining unavoidable emissions, and cast members are taping public service announcements to educate and inspire viewers to help solve the climate-change problem. Sutherland appears in the first campaign ad, which started airing March 2, and scheduled to appear in upcoming ads are Cherry Jones (President Taylor), Carlos Bernard (Tony Almeida) and Mary Lynn Rajskub (Chloe O’Brian).
All the public service announcements will direct viewers to go to Fox.com for tips on what they can do to reduce their own carbon footprints.
–Penny TV
Happy Birthday, Cole Hauser
March 22, 2009 — Cole Kenneth
Hauser, who played Trevor Cobb on “K-Ville” (2007-08 on Fox), turns 34 today.
He played Steve Curtis on “ER” (four episodes in 2004 on NBC).
His first acting role was as Jack Connors in the 1992 movie “School Ties.” He was 17.
Best wishes to Cole and everybody who shares this special day with him.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Fox Photo featuring Cole Hauser as Detective Trevor Cobb on K-VILLE.
‘The Docors’ offer tips to assemble first aid kit
Two weeks ago, “The Doctors” shared a supermarket safety check list with viewers. Last week’s helpful information included assembling a first aid kit that can saves lives in case of an emergency.
The syndicated show “The Doctors” is certainly worth the visit at 3 p.m. weekdays on KWTV-9.
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) — tackle a variety of helpful health topics all week long.
Viewers can even go online to www.thedoctorstv.com and ask the doctors a question.
Here is the information the doctors collected from the American Red Cross on assembling a first aid kit (these reccommendations are for a family of four):
** 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
** 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
** 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
** 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
** 5 antiseptic wipe packets
** 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
** 1 blanket (space blanket)
** 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
** 1 instant cold compress
** 2 pair of non-latex gloves (size: large)
** 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
** Scissors
** 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
** 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
** 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
** 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
** Oral thermometer (non-mercury/non-glass)
** 2 triangular bandages
** Tweezers
** First aid instruction booklet
NOTE: Include any personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers, and check the kit regularly for expiration dates and replace any used or out-of-date contents.
–Penny TV
TV Preview Podcast: ‘Cruise Inc: Big Money on the High Seas’
Each week, The Oklahoman TV Editor Penny Soldan hosts an audio podcast discussing an upcoming TV premiere.
This week’s premiere is the new CNBC special news report “Cruise Inc: Big Money on the High Seas” premiering at 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 24.
To hear her discussion with Don P. Brown, features copy editor for The Oklahoman, click here
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Disney has ‘Special Agent Oso’ assignment for preschoolers
“Special Agent Oso” is a new animated series premiering April 4 on the Disney Channel. But viewers can get an advanced look at the show beginning Saturday (March 21) on www.PlayhouseDisney.com.
Oscar nominee Sean Astin (“Kangaroo Court”) provides the voice of Oso, a bumbling panda bear that is a special agent-in-training at U.N.I.Q.U.E. (United Network for Investigating Quite Usual Events). The international organization of stuffed animals is charged with helping kids accomplish everyday tasks such as mailing a letter, cleaning their room or learning how to use the library.
Throughout every special assignment, the accident-prone Oso maintains a sunny outlook on life and an enthusiasm for his job with his catchphrase, “It’s all part of the plan.” “Secret Agent Oso” also features the voices of Meghan Strange (“The Land Before Time”) as Paw Pilot; Gary Anthony Williams (“Boston Legal”) as Mr. Dos; Amber Hood (“Danger Rangers”) as Agent Dotty; Phill Lewis (“The Suite Life on Deck”) as Agent Wolfie; and Cam Clarke (“The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”) as Whirly Bird and R.R. Rapide.
And when the series begins airing, go back to PlayhouseDisney.com to help Oso with assignments. The interactive game, which emphasizes discovery, humor and organizational skills, calls upon youngsters to help accomplish special missions by breaking down everyday tasks using three simple steps, just as Oso does.
–Penny TV
Top 30 Guest Stars on TV Shows airing
March 22-28, 2009
Jo Frost (ABC Photo)
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of the top guest stars (and all the premieres and finales, see separate blog) appearing on TV next week.
And here are 30 celebrities making special TV appearances the week of March 22.
If a well-known personality was missed, feel free to add his or her name in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
GUEST STARS
••Tom Arnold (“Roseanne”) on “ER,” 9 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Michael Bergin (“Baywatch”) on “Make Me a Supermodel,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on Bravo.
••Clint Bowyer (NASCAR driver) on “The Biggest Loser,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on NBC.
••Jessica Capshaw (“The Practice”) on “Grey’s Anatomy,” 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Cheech and Chong (“Up in Smoke”) on “MADtv,” 10 p.m. Saturday on Fox.
••Stacey Dash (“Clueless”) on “The Game,” 7:30 p.m. Friday on CW.
••Idris Elba (“The Wire”) on “The Office,” 8 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Miguel Ferrer (“Crossing Jordan”) on “Kings,” 7 p.m. Sunday on NBC.
••Jo Frost (“Supernanny”) on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” 7 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
••Seth Green (“Family Guy”) on “American Dad,” 8:30 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
••Tony Hale (“Arrested Development”) on “Chuck,” 7 p.m. Monday on NBC.
••Josh Hopkins (“Swingtown”) on “Private Practice,” 9:02 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Wyclef Jean (Grammy-winning musician) on “”The Electric Company,” 4 p.m. Friday on OETA-13.
••Tom Jones (Grammy-winning singer) on “Top Gear,” 7 p.m. Monday on BBC America.
••Malcolm David Kelley (“Lost”) on “Saving Grace,” 9 p.m. Monday on TNT.
••Elias Koteas (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) on “Saving Grace,” 9 p.m. Monday on TNT.
••Swoosie Kurtz (“Pushing Daisies”) on “Heroes,” 8 p.m. Monday on NBC.
••Matt Lanter (“Heroes”) on “90210,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on CW.
••Chad Lowe (“Life Goes On”) on “Bones,” 7 p.m. Thursday on Fox.
••Billy Lush (“The Black Donnellys”) on “Cold Case,” 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Vanessa Marcil (“Las Vegas”) on “Without a Trace,” 9:01 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Gavin MacLeod (“The Love Boat”) on “The Suite Life on Deck,” 7 p.m. Friday on Disney.
••Colm Meaney (“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”) on “The Simpsons,” 7 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
••Eric McCormack (“Trust Me”) on “Hell’s Kitchen,” 8 p.m. Thursday on Fox.
••Niecy Nash (“Reno 911!”) on Talkshow With Spike Feresten,” 11 p.m. Saturday on Fox.
••Chuck Norris (“Walker, Texas Ranger”) on “Conversations With Michael Eisner,” 8 p.m. Thursday on CNBC.
••Jacqueline Obradors (“NYPD Blue”) on “Cold Case,” 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Robert Patrick (“The Unit”) on “Hell’s Kitchen,” 8 p.m. Thursday on Fox.
••Kurtwood Smith (“Worst Week”) on “Medium,” 9 p.m. Monday on NBC.
••James Van Der Beek (“Dawson’s Creek”) on “One Tree Hill,” 8 p.m. Monday on CW.
••Courtney B. Vance (“Law & Order: Criminal Intent”) on “ER,” 9 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Jon Voight (“Transformers”) on “24,” 8 p.m. Monday on Fox.
••Dean Winters (“Terminator” The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) on “30 Rock,” 8:31 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Alicia Witt (“Cybill”) on “Two and a Half Men,” 8 p.m. Monday on CBS.
16 TV Premieres and Finales airing
March 22-28
"The Penguins of Madagascar" (Nickelodeon Photo)
Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of all the premieres and finales (and all the guest stars, see separate blog) coming up on TV next week.
And here are the shows beginning and ending the week of March 22.
If one was missed, the network did not issue a press release about it. But feel free to add it in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.
BEGINNINGS
••“The Spectacular Spider-Man,” 6:30 p.m. Monday on Disney XD (network premiere).
••“Roomates,” 8 p.m. Monday on ABC Family (series premiere).
••“Sophie,” 8:30 p.m. Monday on ABC Family (series premiere).
••“Table For 12,” 9 p.m. Monday on TLC (series premiere).
••“Revealed,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on Gospel Music Channel (series premiere).
••“American Idol Extra,” 6 p.m. Thursday on Fox Reality Channel (fourth-season premiere).
••“In the Motherhood,” 7 p.m. Thursday on ABC (series premiere).
••“The Penguins of Madagascar,” 8:30 p.m. Saturday on Nickelodeon (series premiere).
ENDINGS
••“Camp Woodward,” 7:30 p.m. Sunday on Fuel TV (series finale).
••“Big Love,” 8 p.m. Sunday on HBO (third-season finale).
••“Eastbound & Down,” 9:30 p.m. Sunday on HBO (first-season finale).
••“The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” 7 p.m. Monday on ABC Family (first-season finale).
••“Bad Girls Club,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Oxygen (third-season finale).
••“Real Vice Cops Uncut,” 10 p.m. Tuesday on SPIKE (second-season finale).
••“Little Miss Perfect,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on Wetv (first-season finale).
••“Mistresses,” 8 p.m. Friday on BBC America (first-season finale).
