Help the Smithsonian Channel with the Hope Diamond
The Hope Diamond needs a makeover, and the Smithsonian Channel needs help with the design.
Actually, the House of Harry Winston has submitted three possible designs in honor of the 50th anniversary of the diamond’s donation to the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History. But the American public can vote on the new setting for the stunning 45.52-carat blue diamond.
Go to www.smithsonianchannel.com/site/smithsonian/hope.html to pick one of the new settings. Voting ends Sept. 7.
The Hope Diamond will be put on display in its new setting at the National Museum of Natural History, and the Smithsonian Channel (channel 267 on Direct TV, 374 on Dish Network) will document the event with a new special, “Mystery of the Hope Diamond,” scheduled to premiere in March.
The Hope Diamond will be returned to its permanent setting before the close of 2010.
Jeweler Harry Winston, by the way, bought the Hope Diamond from the estate of American socialite Evalyn Walsh McLean in 1949. He donated it to the Smithsonian Institution on November 10, 1958, sending it through the U.S. postal service in a plain brown paper bag.
–Penny TV
Happy Birthday, Craig Kilborn
Aug. 24, 2009 — Craig Kilborn,
who hosts “The Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn” (weeknights on CBS), turns 47 today.
He plays Kilborn in the 2009 movie “Action Hero.”
His first acting role was Lewis in a 1999 episode of “Martial Law.” He was 37.
Best wishes to Craig and everybody who shares this special day with him.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Craig Kilborn, who appears in the film “Old School,” poses for photos before a screening of the movie Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rene Macura)
Happy Birthday, Jay Mohr
Aug. 23, 2009 — Jon Ferguson
Mohr, who plays Gary Brooks on “Gary Unmarried” (Season 2 premieres Sept. 23 on CBS), turns 39 today.
He played Professor Rick Payne on 33 episodes of “Ghost Whisperer” (2006-08 on CBS, show’s fifth season premieres Sept. 25).
His first acting role was as Dorfman in the 1990 TV series “ABC TGIF.” He was 20.
Best wishes to Jay and everybody who shares this special day with him.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Jay Mohr and his wife actress Nikki Cox attend the CBS Upfront at Carnegie Hall on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
Happy Birthday, Cindy Williams
Aug. 22, 2009 — Cynthia Jane
Williams, who played Shirley Feeney on “Laverne & Shirley” (1976-83), turns 62 today.
She played House Mother in the series “Drive” (2007 on Fox).
Her first acting role was as Agnes in a 1970 episode of “Barefoot in the Park.” She was 23.
Best wishes to Cindy and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Cindy Williams smiles as she receives her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004. Penny Marshall, who also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Marshall and Williams starred together in the TV show, “Laverne and Shirley.” (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
‘So You Think You Can Dance’ weekly podcast
Can’t wait until Season 6? Feeling like getting off the couch and moving? Dance finalists from “So You Think You Can Dance” teach cardio funk, hip-hop and latin dance in an exercise video. Lisa Potts of the Oklahoma Press Association and I talk about it on this week’s podcast. Also find out about Season 6 spoilers and breaking news about a choreographer.
– Yvette Walker
TV Preview Podcast: ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’
Each week, The Oklahoman TV Editor Penny Soldan hosts an audio podcast discussing an upcoming TV premiere.
This week’s premiere is the new Disney Channel original movie “Wizards of Waverly Place” premiering at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28.
To hear her discussion with Melissa Hayer, assistant news research editor for The Oklahoman, click here
Pictured above: “Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie,” the Disney Channel Original Movie based on the hit series, stars Jake T. Austin as Max Russo, David Henrie as Justin Russo, Selena Gomez as Alex Russo, Maria Canals-Barrera as Theresa Russo and David Deluise as Jerry Russo. (DISNEY CHANNEL/BOB D’AMICO)
CBS hosts Multicultural Sketch Comedy Showcase
CBS is searching for a diverse group of
individuals for its fifth annual multicultural sketch comedy talent showcase.
It’s not too late to apply, as submissions will be accepted through Aug. 28. But applications will only be accepted from black, American Indian, Asian, Latino and Pacific Islander actors and performers with disabilities.
And there is one more requirement: extensive sketch comedy experience.
For those who meet the guidelines, send photos and resumes to AFTRA, 5757 Wilshire Blvd., 9th Floor, Los Angeles, CA. 90036 – c/o Caroline Coderoni Attn: CBS Comedy Showcase. Submissions can also be sent electronically at www.breakdownexpress.com through actors access listed as the CBS Multicultural Sketch Comedy Showcase.
Each audition will require a one-minute original sketch comedy monologue. On hand for the auditions will be CBS Entertainment executives, casting directors from the network’s primetime and daytime programs, as well as casting directors from shows on other networks. And an invitation has also been extended to casting directors from production companies that work with CBS.
For those who don’t meet the guidelines for this event, don’t fret. CBS is planning more talent showcases with other groups. For information regarding the CBS Diversity Institute, go to www.cbsdiversity.com.
–Penny TV
Top 20 Guest Stars on TV Shows airing Aug. 23-29, 2009
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 20 (or more) celebrities making special TV appearances the week of Aug. 23.
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
••Dylan Baker (“Kings”) on “Monk,” 8 p.m. Friday on USA.
••Michael Biehn (“Aliens”) on “Dark Blue,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on TNT.
••Bruno Campos (“Nip/Tuck”) on “Royal Pains,” 9 p.m. Thursday on USA.
••Loretta Devine (“Boston Public”) on “Grey’s Anatomy,” 7 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Griffin Dunne (“Trust Me”) on “Leverage,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on TNT.
••Brendan Fehr (“Rowell”) on “Bones,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on Fox.
••Rick Fox (fomer Boston Celtics player) on “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” 7 p.m. Friday on Fox.
••Jennie Garth (“90210″) on “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” 7 p.m. Friday on Fox.
••Hanson (Tulsa-based rock band) on “Talkshow With Spike Feresten,” 11 p.m. Saturday on Fox.
••Ken Howard (“The White Shadow”) on “Cold Case,” 8:59 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Bernie Kopell (“The Love Boat”) on “Monk,” 8 p.m. Friday on USA.
••Jane Lynch (“Glee”) on “Criminal Minds,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Samantha Mathis (“A Stranger’s Heart”) on “Royal Pains,” 9 p.m. Thursday on USA.
••Meat Loaf (“Fight Club”) on “House,” 7 p.m. Monday on Fox.
••Martin Mull (“Roseanne”) on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on NBC.
••Kathy Najimy (“Sister Act”) on “Drop Dead Diva,” 8 p.m. Sunday on Lifetime.
••Deborah Norville (“Inside Edition”) on “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” 7 p.m. Friday on Fox.
••Teri Polo (“The Wedding Bells”) on “Drop Dead Diva,” 8 p.m. Sunday on Lifetime.
••Lauren Prepon (“That ’70s Show”) on “How I Met Your Mother,” 7 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Bob Saget (“Surviving Suburbia”) on “Entourage,” 9:30 p.m. Sunday on HBO.
••Henry Thomas (“ET”) on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” 7:59 p.m. Thursday on CBS.
••Rip Torn (“The Lyon’s Den”) on “30 Rock,” 7 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh (Olympic gold medalists) on “Shaq VS,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on ABC.
••Robin Weigert (“Deadwood”) on “The Cleaner,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on A&E.
••Wil Wheaton (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”) on “Leverage,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on TNT.
••Kathleen Wilhoite (“Gilmore Girls”) on “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Serena Williams (Wimbledon tennis champion) on “Shaq VS,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on ABC.
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
Pictured Above: Brooke Elliott and Kathy Najimy star in the spirited new comedic drama “Drop Dead Diva” (Lifetime Photo)
TV Premieres and Finales airing Aug. 23-29
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 Aug. 23.
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
••“What Would Brian Boitano Make?” Noon Sunday on Food Network (series premiere).
••“Where is Warehouse Mouse?” 7:25 a.m. Monday on Disney (series premiere).
••“The Fresh Beat Band,” 11 a.m. Monday on Nickelodeon (series premiere).
••“Out of Egypt,” 8 p.m. Monday on Discovery (series premiere).
••“The $ports Take,” 5:30 p.m. Tuesday on Versus (series premiere).
••“The Rachel Zoe Project,” 9 p.m. Monday on Bravo (second-season premiere).
••“Crash Course,” 8:02 p.m. Wednesday on ABC (series premiere).
••“Marked,” 8 p.m. Thursday on History (series premiere).
••“Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory,” 8 p.m. Thursday on MTV (second-season premiere).
••“Bully Beatdown,” 8:30 p.m. Thursday on MTV (second-season premiere).
••“Nitro Circus,” 9 p.m. Thursday on MTV (second-season premiere).
••“Pranked,” 9:30 p.m. Thursday on MTV (series premiere).
••“Mayweather/Marquez 24/7,” 9:15 p.m. Saturday on HBO (season premiere).
ENDINGS
••“Great American Road Trip,” 7 p.m. Monday on NBC (series finale).
••“The Closer,” 8 p.m. Monday on TNT (summer finale).
••“Dating in the Dark,” 8 p.m. Monday on ABC (first-season finale).
••“Make It or Break It,” 8 p.m. Monday on ABC Family (mid-season finale).
••“Raising the Bar,” 9 p.m. Monday on TNT (summer finale).
••“Nurse Jackie,” 9:30 p.m. Monday on Showtime (first-season finale).
••“The Cleaner,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on A&E (second-season finale).
••“Bad Girls,” 7:30 p.m. Wednedsay on Logo (seventh-season finale).
••“Royal Pains,” 9 p.m. Thursday on USA (first-season finale).
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
Pictured Above: THE FRESH BEAT BAND– Pictured: (l-r) Twist (in yellow, Jon Beavers), Kiki (on guitar, Yvette Gonzalez), Shout (orange sweater, Thomas Hobson), Marina (drums, Shayna Rose) in THE FRESH BEAT BAND on Nickelodeon (Photo: Randee St. Nicholas/Nickelodeon)
Happy Birthday, Hayden Panettiere
Aug. 21, 2009 — Hayden Leslie
Panettiere, who plays Claire Bennet on “Heroes” (Season 4 premieres Sept. 21 on NBC), turns 20 today.
She played Elizabeth “Lizzie” Spaulding on “The Guiding Light” (1996-2000 on CBS).
Her first acting rike was as Young Girl in a 1996 episode of “Aliens in the Family.” She was 7.
Best wishes to Hayden and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Hayden Panettiere arrives at the Teen Choice Awards on Sunday Aug. 9, 2009, in Universal City, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
