2010 Winter Olympics full of excitement
USA figure skater Evan Lysacek waves U.S. flag during victory ceremony. - AP Photo
Wow.
As a TV fan and a sports fan, the 2010 Winter Olympics couldn’t have been more entertaining.
Here are some of my favorite moments:
♦♦♦ USA’s Evan Lysacek edging out Russia’s Evgeni Plushenko for the gold medal in men’s figure skating.
Though Plushenko seemed to pout on the podium, Lysacek displayed nothing but integrity that night and in interviews afterward.
♦♦♦ Canada’s Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir illustrating exquisite elegance while winning the ice dancing gold medal, and USA’s Meryl Davis and Charlie White were also charming and alluring winning the silver.
♦♦♦ USA speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno winning more medals in the Winter Olympics than any American ever. Most of his races had something wild happening in them and were very exciting to watch.
♦♦♦ USA’s Shaun White’s Double McTwist 1260 after already having secured the gold medal in halfpipe competition.
♦♦♦ USA’s Lindsey Vonn winning the gold medal in women’s downhill skiiing despite a shin injury.
♦♦♦ The gold medal run of USA’s Steven Holcomb, Justin Olsen, Steve Mesler and Curtis Tomasevicz in men’s four-man bobsled. A team from Russia and another team from USA ended up on their side before finishing in their attempts, but steerer Holcomb’s team made it through quick and clean.
♦♦♦ Canada figure skater Joannie Rochette demonstrating incredible grace in deciding to skate for her mother, who had passed away just before her competition began, and finding the strength to win the bronze medal.
♦♦♦ USA winning the silver medal after making the tying goal right before the end of regulation and taking Canada to overtime in men’s hockey.
Though winning the gold would’ve been amazing, the USA men’s hockey team has nothing to hang their heads about.
Goalie Ryan Miller was phenomenal throughout the Olympics and the whole team did their best, which is all we can expect from anyone – and what the Olympics are all about.
– Melissa Hayer
USA goalie Ryan Miller - AP Photo
‘Last Comic Standing’ seeks contenders for Season 7
It’s never too late to try out for
“Last Comic Standing.” Take Grandma lee, for example.
The 75-year-old Oklahoma City-born comic appeared on the show in 2004. She didn’t make it into the house, but she was asked back to perform on the season finale.
So take a chance like she did and audition for Season 7 of “Last Comic Standing.” Open casting calls will be held March 6 at the Improv in Los Angeles and March 21 at the Gotham Comedy Club in New York City.
Those selected will compete for a $250,000 cash prize and exclusive talent deal when the show premieres in summer on NBC.
Craig Robinson is the show’s new host. He started out as a stand-up comedian and first made his mark in the comedy circuit at the 1998 Montreal “Just For Laughs” Festival. Now he plays the sarcastic Dunder-Mifflin warehouse worker Darryl Philbin on “The Office.”
–Penny TV
Happy Birthday, Ali Larter
Feb. 28, 2010 — Alison
Elizabeth Larter, who plays Niki Sanders on “Heroes” (8 p.m. Mondays on NBC), turns 34 today.
She played Lisa Sheridan in the 2009 movie “Obsessed.”
Her first acting role was as Maddie in a 1997 episode of “Suddenly Susan.” She was 21.
Best wishes to Ali and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Ali Larter attends the NBC Universal Experience at Rockefeller Center as part of Upfront Week on Monday, May 12, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
Oklahomans added to reality contestants list (updated Feb. 2010)
“Oh, my gravy!”
That’s what cowboys Jet and Cord McCoy would probably say to the fact that they are the latest reality contestants with Oklahoma ties.
They said that phrase at least three times during last week’s (Feb. 21) episode of “The Amazing Race.”
Following is a list of reality contestants with Oklahoma ties. It is believed to be complete, but if someone is missing from the list, please email psoldan@opubco.com.
Reality contestants with Oklahoma ties:
••Sean Algaier, Glenpool, NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” (Season 8, Top 15, 2009)
••Shirin Askari, Tulsa, Lifetime’s “Project Runway” (Season 6, Top 8, 2009)
••Dave Ball, Edmond, CBS’s “Survivor” (Season 19, Top 8, 2009)
••Matt Breitzke, Bixby, Fox’s “American Idol” (Season 8 semifinalist, Top 36, 2009)
••Travis Brorsen and Presley, Perry, CBS’s “Greatest American Dog” (Season 1 winner, 2008)
••Mikey Burnett, Tulsa, SPIKE’s “The Ultimate Fighter” (Season 4, quarterfinalist, 2006)
••Champ Devere (brothers Niles and Beau Johnson), Konawa, CMT’s “Can You Duet” (Season 1, Top 25, 2008)
••Danny Cahill, Broken Arrow, NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” (Season 8 winner, 2009)
••David Cook, Tulsa, Fox’s “American Idol” (Season 7 winner, 2008)
••Leah Darrow, Oklahoma City, UPN’s “America’s Next Top Model” (Season 3, Top 13, 2004)
••Melinda Doolittle, Tulsa, Fox’s “American Idol” (Season 6, Top 3,, 2007)
••Michael “Cowboy” Ellis, Durant, CBS’s “Big Brother” (Season 5 runner-up, 2004)
••Cheryl and Daris George, Ardmore, NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” (Season 9 contenders, 2010)
••Kayne Gillaspie, Norman, Bravo’s “Project Runway” (Season 3, Top 5, 2006)
••Sarah Greyson, Edmond, MTV’s “Road Rules” (Campus Crawl, voted off, 2002)
••Cassie Grisham, Norman, CW’s “America’s Next Top Model” (Season 3, Top 8, 2004)
••Amanda and Neill Harmer, Bethany, NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” (Season 5, Top 15, 2008)
••Gerald Harris, Tulsa, SPIKE’s “The Ultimate Fighter” (Season 7, first round, 2008)
••The Herndon Twins (sisters Addi Panter and Jala Verner), Edmond, CMT’s “Can You Duet” (Season 1, Top 12, 2008)
••Tara Huckeby, Shawnee, ABC’s “The Bachelor” (Season 5 runner-up, 2004)
••George Huff, Norman, Fox’s American Idol” (Season 3, Top 5, 2004)
••Amy “Amis” Jenkins, Bartlesville, CW’s “America’s Next Top Model” (Season 10, Top 14, 2008)
••Teresa Keegan, Tulsa, Bravo’s “Top Design” (Season 2, Top 8, 2008)
••Miranda Lambert, Tishomingo, USA Network’s “Nashville Star” (Season 1, Top 3, 2003)
••Grandma Lee, Oklahoma City, NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” (Season 4, Top 10, 2009)
••Scout Cloud Lee, Stillwater, CBS’s “Survivor” (Season 9, Top 3, 2004)
••Nathan Marlow, Edmond, CBS’s “Big Brother” (Season 4, Top 8, 2003)
••Jet and Cord McCoy, Tupelo, CBS’s “The Amazing Race” (Season 16 contenders, 2010)
••Jason Meadows, Calera, USA Network’s “Nashville Star” (Season 3 runner-up, 2005)
••John Paul Merritt, Oklahoma City, ABC’s “The Bachelorette” (Season 3 runner-up, 2005)
••Valerie Naifeh, OKC, ABC’s “The Great Domestic Showdown” (Season 1, Top 3, 2004)
••Carri Perrier, Oklahoma City, ABC’s The Bachelor” (Season 12, Top 14, 2008)
••Brandon Quinton, Ada, CBS’s “Survivor” (Season 3, Top 8, 2001)
••Jason Ramsey, Oklahoma City, NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” (Season 3, Top 50, 2006)
••Carolyn Ridenour, Tulsa, ABC’s “The Bachelor” (Season 6, Top 25, 2004)
••Kahlen Rondot, Broken Arrow, UPN’s “America’s Next Top Model” (Season 4 runner-up, 2005)
••Jacob John Smalley, Oklahoma City, Fox’s “American Idol” (Season 2 semifinalist, 2003)
••Mark Smith, Tahlequah, SCI FI’s “WCG Ultimate Gamer” (Season 1 winner, 2009)
••Shelly Spottedhorse, Oklahoma City, MTV’s “Road Rules” (Season 1, one of five in cast, 1994)
••Phil Stacey, Shawnee, Fox’s “American Idol” (Season 6, Top 6, 2007)
••Tommy Stanley, Cushing, NBC’s “Nashville Star” (Season 6, Top 8 2008)
••Krysta Starkey, Oklahoma City, ABC’s “The Bachelor” (Season 6, Top 25, 2004)
••Kimberly Sullivan, Norman, ABC’s “The Bachelor” (Season 14, Top 25, 2009)
••Blaine Twilley, Tulsa, ABC’s “The Bachelorette” (Season 4, Top 6, 2008)
••Carrie Underwood, Checotah, Fox’s “American Idol” (Season 4 winner, 2005)
••Brian Vardeman, Lawton, ABC’s “The Bachelorette” (Season 5, Top 30, 2009)
••Christie Volkmer, Choctaw, CBS’s “The Amazing Race” (Season 14, Top 7, 2009)
••Alaina Whitaker, Tulsa, FOX’s “American Idol” (Season 7, Top 24, 2008)
••Matt Wiman, Tulsa, SPIKE’s “The Ultimate Fighter” (Season 5, quarterfinalist, 2008)
Pictured above: THE AMAZING RACE 16–Rodeo brothers from Oklahoma, Jet McCoy, a 30 year-old cowboy and Cord McCoy, a 29 year-old professional bull rider, are one of the teams of the CBS series THE AMAZING RACE 16 (Monty Brinton/CBS)
NOTE: A big THANKS goes out to Ryan LaCroix, who helped add six Oklahoma contestants to this list.
Happy Birthday, Donal Logue
Feb. 27, 2010 — Donal
Francis Logue, who played Sean Finnerty on “Grounded for Life” (2001-05), turns 44 today.
He played Captain Kevin Tidwell on “Life” (2008-09).
His first acting role was as Danny McGoff in the 1990 TV movie “Common Ground.” He was 24.
Best wishes to Donal and everybody who shares this special day with him.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Donal Logue arrives at the premiere of “Max Payne” Monday, Oct. 13, 2008, in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)
Animal Planet wants more ‘Pit Boss’
“Pit Boss” will air its final episode of the season at 9 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 27) on Animal Planet.
But that won’t be the last viewers see of Shorty Rossi and his pit bull rescuing team that includes Oklahoma native Ronald Lee Clark.
Animal Planet has ordered 14 episodes for Season 2 of the show, which is scheduled to air in summer. Season 1 consisted of six episodes.
“Pit Boss” follows the goings on at Shortywood Productions in Venice Beach, Calif. Clark works at the talent management company that caters to little people along with Sebastian Saraceno and Ashley Brooks.
And since Shorty also works to rescue and raise awareness of pit bulls, everybody in the office helps out, too.
“It is really exciting seeing dogs get adopted, doing all types events amd meeting great exciting new people,” Ronald said in an interview with The Oklahoman before the show premiered. “We have a really good time.
“And I’m absolutely hoping they run this show into ground until people get sick of us and change the channel.”
–Penny TV
Pictured above: “Pit Boss” star Shorty Rossi, second from right, poses with his staff, from left, Ashley Brooks, Sebastian Saraceno and Ronald Lee Clark with his pit bulls on the patio behind his Venice, California, office (Animal Planet Photo)
Top 30 Guest Stars on TV Shows airing Feb. 28-March 6, 2010
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 (or more) celebrities making special TV appearances the week of Feb. 28.
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.
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
GUEST STARS
••Trace Adkins (“The Celebrity Apprentice”) on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” 7 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
••John Amos (“Men in Trees”) on “Two and a Half Men,” 8 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Alec Baldwin (“30 Rock) on “The Marriage Ref,” 9:30 p.m. Sunday on NBC.
••Noah Bean (“Damages”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Ed Begley Jr. (“Gary Unmarried”) on “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Julie Benz (“Dexter”) on “Desperate Housewives,” 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
••Benjamin Bratt (“Miss Congeniality”) on “Modern Family,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••James Cameron on “Inside the Actors Studio,” 6 p.m. Monday on Bravo.
••Diahann Carroll (“Julia”) on “White Collar,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on USA Network.
••Gary Cole (“The West Wing”) on “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Alan Cumming (“The L Word”) on “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Beverly D’Angelo (“Entourage”) on “Cougar Town,” 8:30 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Clea Duvall (“Carnivale”) on “Private Practice,” 9:01 p.m. Thursday on ABC.
••Tina Fey (“30 Rock) on “The Marriage Ref,” 9 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••William Forsythe (“John Doe”) on “CSI: Miami,” 9 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Kathy Griffin (“My Life on the D-List”) on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on NBC.
••Zeljko Ivanek (“Damages”) on “Big Love,” 8 p.m. Sunday on HBO.
••Stacy Keach (“Titus”) on “Two and a Half Men,” 8 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Moira Kelly (“One Tree Hill”) on “NUMB3RS,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••David Koechner (“Anchorman”) on “Gary Unmarried,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Eva Longoria-Parker (“Desperate Housewives”) on “The Marriage Ref,” 9 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Sean Maguire (“The Class”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Joshua Malina (“The West Wing”) on “House,” 7 p.m. Monday on Fox.
••Malcolm McDowell (“Heroes”) on “CSI: Miami,” 9 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Rachel Miner (“Californication”) on “Cold Case,” 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
••Sheri Moon (“Halloween”) on “CSI: Miami,” 9 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Dean Norris (“Breaking Bad”) on “Medium,” 8 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Cheri Oteri (“Saturday Night Live”) on “Imagination Movers,” 9 a.m. Sunday on Disney.
••Sam Page (“Mad Men”) on “Greek,” 9 p.m. Monday on ABC Family.
••Robert Pattinson (“Twilight”) on “The View,” 10 a.m. Tuesday on ABC.
••Will Patton (“24”) on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” 8 p.m. Thursday on CBS.
••Laura Prepon (“That ’70s Show”) on “Medium,” 8 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Linda Purl (“Bones”) on “The Office,” 8 p.m. Thursday on NBC.
••Rascal Flatts (country music group) on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” 8 p.m. Thursday on CBS.
••Kelly Ripa (“Live With Regis and Kelly”) on “The Marriage Ref,” 9:30 p.m. Sunday on NBC.
••Alan Ruck (“Spin City”) on “NUMB3RS,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Jeri Ryan (“Leverage”) on “Psych,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on USA Network.
••Alison Sweeney (“The Biggest Loser”) on “Mercy,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on NBC.
••Carrie Underwood (“American Idol”) on “How I Met Your Mother,” 7 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Ashley Williams (“Side Order of Life”) on “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
Pictured above: “Unshockable” — Rascal Flatts band members Joe Don Rooney (center) and Gary Levox (center right), along with band manager Buddy Mills (Alan Ruck, second right), talk with CSI investigators Catherine (Marg Helgenberger, left) and Nick (George Eads, back left) after band member, Jay DeMarcus (not pictured), is electrocuted by his guitar during a concert, on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Thursday, March 4, on CBS (CBS Photo)
TV Premieres and Finales airing Feb. 28-March 6, 2010
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 Feb. 28.
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.
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
BEGINNINGS
••”The Marriage Ref,” 9:30 p.m. Sunday on NBC (sneak preview, series premieres 9 p.m. Thursday).
••”Rules of Engagement,” 7:30 p.m. Monday on CBS (fourth-season premiere).
••”The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” 10:35 p.m. Monday on NBC (former host returns).
••”Madman of the Sea,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on Animal Planet (series premiere).
••”Parenthood,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on NBC (series premiere).
••”Southland,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on TNT (second-season premiere).
••”Players,” 9:30 p.m. Tuesday on SPIKE (series premiere).
••”Web Soup,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on G4 (second-season premiere).
••”The Locator,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on WEtv (fourth-season premiere).
••”Instant Recall,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday on GSN (series premiere).
••”The Real Housewives of New York City,” 10 p.m. Thursday on Bravo (third-season premiere).
••”Who Do You Think You Are?” 7 p.m. Friday on NBC (series premiere).
••”Destination Design,” 12:30 p.m. Saturday on HGTV (series premiere).
ENDINGS
••”The Bachelor,” 7 p.m. Monday on ABC (14h-season finale).
••”Nip/Tuck,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on FX (series finale).
••”Burn Notice,” 9 p.m. Thursday on USA Network (third-season finale).
••”The Real Housewives of Orange County,” 9 p.m. Thursday on Bravo (fifth-season finale).
Pictured above: From right to Left: Bianca Kajlich, Oliver Hudson, David Spade, Patrick Warburton, Megyn Price and Adhir Kalyan star on RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, on Monday, March 1 on CBS. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS
Happy Birthday, Greg Germann
Feb. 26, 2010 –Gregory Andrew Germann, who played Richard Fish on “Ally McBeal” (1997-2002 on Fox), turns 52 today.
He played Sherman Yablonsky in short-lived ABC series “In Case of Emergency” (13 episodes in 2007).
His first acting role was as Creepy in the 1985 film “Streetwalkin.” He was 27.
Best wishes to Greg and everybody who shares this special day with him.
–Penny TV
ABC Family casting for ‘Huge’ scripted summer series
Calling all aspiring plus-size actors: ABC Family
is casting for its new summer series “Huge.”
Casting producers for the show will be in Austin, Texas, on Monday and Tuesday (March 1 and 2). The open auditions will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. at Austin Creative Alliance (701 Tillery St., Suite 8A).
The search is for individuals to play 15-16 year olds. Actors may be older, but must be believable as mid-teens.
“Huge,” based on author Sasha Paley’s book of the same title, is being developed by Winnie Holzman (“Wicked,” “My So-Called Life,” “Once & Again”) and daughter Savannah Dooley. The show will follow the lives of six teens and the staff at a weight-loss camp as they look beneath the surface to discover their true selves and the truth about each other.
Casting is open to actors and non-actor/newcomers. For those who cannot attend one of the casting calls, which will also be held in Atlanta, New York, Chicago and Seattle, videos can be submitted online at www.abcfamily.com.
–Penny TV
