“The Vampire Diaries”: More juicy back story and wolf puns
Taylor Kinney and Ian Somerhalder in "The Vampire Diaries." - The CW Photo by Bob Mahoney
I enjoyed Damon’s (Ian Somerhalder) wolf puns in tonight’s episode of “The Vampire Diaries,” and his faceoff with Mason (Taylor Kinney) should be the start of something exciting.
Katherine (Nina Dobrev) continues to surprise with her self-induced resistance to vervain and it was nice to be able to see in the back story part of the episode how she fell in love with Stefan (Paul Wesley).
I hope the romance between Alaric (Matt Davis) and Jenna (Sara Canning) keeps going.
It was also delightful to watch Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Katherine in a scene together – if only Elena had asked the right questions.
And Taylor (Michael Trevino) found out what triggers the werewolf curse – will he be able to avoid it?
“The Vampire Diaries” airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays on The CW.
– Melissa Hayer
“Lone Star” not given a chance
Adrianne Palicki and James Wolk in "Lone Star." - Fox Photo by Bill Matlock
Fox network says its new drama “Lone Star” is being taken off the air after just two episodes have been shown, according to an Associated Press report.
This is such a shame for television viewers for two reasons.
First of all, this action certainly doesn’t encourage TV fans to take a chance on investing in anything new, since networks seem to be so cancel-happy.
Second of all, “Lone Star” has received critical praise, and it was among my favorites for the new season.
It was given a tremendously competitive time slot that would’ve been tough for an established series.
Why couldn’t it be moved to another night and at least given a decent shot at picking up viewers?
There always should be room on TV for quality shows – and this was one of them.
– Melissa Hayer
“Human Target” second season premiere date postponed
Mark Valley of "Human Target" - Fox Photo by Mathieu Young
The second season premiere date of Fox’s action series “Human Target” has been postponed until 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, according to a Fox news release.
“Human Target,” based on the DC Comics comic book and graphic novel, is an action drama featuring Christopher Chance (Mark Valley), a personal security expert hired to shield those in danger from an imminent threat that can’t be solved through normal means of protection.
Season two will begin where the first season’s cliffhanger ended with Chance (Valley) and Guerrero (Jackie Earle Haley) racing to rescue their kidnapped associate Winston (Chi McBride.
Chance vows to retire from the security business, but is lured back to work by billionaire philanthropist Ilsa Pucci (new series regular Indira Varma).
Pucci needs his protection after her husband is mysteriously murdered.
The team encounters Ames (new cast member Janet Montgomery) while on assignment.
Ames is a chameleon-like thief with a past connection to Winston.
Season two of “Human Target” was originally scheduled to debut at 7 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 1, but encore episodes of “House” will now air in that time slot on Fox.
Actor displays heart in A&E reality series “Teach: Tony Danza”
Tony Danza - A&E Photo by Andrew Eccles
Education is a major issue these days and I think everyone understands how valuable good teachers are.
Actor Tony Danza decided to give teaching a try last year at Northeast High School in Philadelphia and it was filmed for the seven-episode, one-hour A&E reality show “Teach: Tony Danza.”
He taught a 10th grade English class with 26 students in back-to-back 45-minute periods.
Now Danza has a degree in history education and had wanted to teach before his acting career got started, so this doesn’t just seem to be something he chose to do out of the blue.
He talks briefly at the beginning of the series about being accused by the media of doing the show as a boost to his entertainment livelihood, but from what I’ve seen on “Teach: Tony Danza,” he appears to be sincere in wanting to try and make a difference.
Danza had guidance in the classroom by teaching coach David Cohn and the school’s principal Linda Carroll makes it clear that she won’t let him continue teaching if he’s not cutting it.
Danza displays lots of emotion, makes mistakes and the students also share their views on what they think of his teaching skills.
This series presents a good example of what it’s like to be a teacher and how the main ingredients of a good teacher are compassion and the desire to help make someone be the best that they can be.
“Teach: Tony Danza” premieres at 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 1 on A&E.
– Melissa Hayer
The second season of “The Good Wife” certain to be drama-filled
Josh Charles, Julianna Margulies and Chris Noth of "The Good Wife." - CBS Photo by Justin Stephens
The second season premiere of “The Good Wife” begins with a maddening turn of events involving Alicia’s (Julianna Margulies) romantic dilemma.
Does she stay with husband Peter (Chris Noth) or take the plunge into a new relationship with boss/old friend Will Gardner (Josh Charles)?
I won’t give away what happens, of course, though it makes sense in some ways for the direction of the show.
Margulies plays attorney Alicia Florrick, a wife and mother who had taken over full responsibility for her family and re-entered the workforce after a political scandal landed her husband, Peter (Chris Noth), in jail in the first season.
Peter’s been back home for a bit and he and Alicia are trying to figure out how their marriage should end up, while Alicia tries to decide how to deal with her feelings for Will at the same time.
There is also a merger with a law firm led by Derrick Bond (Michael Ealy) that Will and partner Diane Lockhart are getting accustomed to, as well as a new private investigator, Blake Calamar (Scott Porter), that fellow detective Kalinda Sharma (Archie Panjabi) has to get used to working with, – or competing with.
I’m particularly looking forward to seeing how the Blake/Kalinda association develops, but overall it looks as though this will be another season of intriguing cases and even more riveting personal drama for “The Good Wife” and her counterparts.
Season two of “The Good Wife” debuts at 9 p.m. tomorrow on CBS.
– Melissa Hayer
“No Ordinary Family” a little ordinary
Kay Panabaker, Jimmy Bennett, Julie Benz and Michael Chiklis of "No Ordinary Family." - ABC Photo by Bob D'Amico
Perhaps my expectations were too high for “No Ordinary Family,” but I found the ABC drama a little ordinary.
The premise of the show is that a disconnected family goes on a trip together to have some bonding time, survives a plane crash and ends up with special powers.
Michael Chiklis plays dad Jim Powell, a police sketch artist who’s losing his sense of purpose as he watches his fellow police officers actively involved in crime fighting, his wife constantly working and his teenage children getting more independent.
Julie Benz portrays mom Stephanie Powell (Julie Benz), who is an award-winning scientist who struggles to balance her family life with her busy work schedule.
Their children are Daphne (Kay Panabaker), 16, and JJ (Jimmy Bennett), 14.
Daphne is popular but learns that her boyfriend is cheating on her.
JJ struggles with a learning disability and bad grades in school.
When the family travels to South America to accompany Stephanie on a business trip, the plane crashes in the Amazon River, but fortunately they all survive.
Soon thereafter they’re all involved in their daily activities back home when they discover they each have different special powers like superheroes.
Seeing each family member discover these new powers is fun and the show does have potential.
When the super powers aren’t being explored, however, the cliche characters and situations bog down the pilot episode.
On the plus side, it’s a decent family show and if you’re a superhero fan, you’ll probably enjoy the series.
I may check out a few more episodes and see if it gets more intriguing.
“No Ordinary Family” premieres at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 28 on ABC.
– Melissa Hayer
“Dexter” copes with tragedy as season five begins
Michael C. Hall of "Dexter" - Showtime Photo by Randy Tepper
The fifth season of Showtime’s drama “Dexter” begins with Dexter (Michael C. Hall) trying to deal with the grief of losing his wife Rita (Julie Benz).
Dexter has trouble dealing with his feelings of guilt – he’s a serial killer after all, so feelings aren’t exactly his strong suit.
Dexter is a serial killer with a code, though, and it’s a code that designates only criminals as his victims, which included the Trinity Killer.
In the season four finale, the Trinity Killer got to Rita before Dexter got to him, however, and that leads to Dexter blaming himself for what happened to her.
And how will Dexter now take care of his two stepchildren and baby, perform his duties as a Miami blood-spatter analyst and continue to carry out his serial killing ways?
In addition, co-worker and detective Joey Quinn (Desmond Harrington) also becomes suspicious of Dexter and begins his own investigation into Dexter’s possible role in her murder.
Michael C. Hall’s performance continues to be powerful and one of the very best on television.
The writers also deserve much credit for keeping up the quality of this show.
Making a serial killer a likeable and sympathetic character has been a gripping and fascinating thing to watch so far, and I’m betting this season will be no different.
“Dexter’s” season five premieres at 8 p.m. tomorrow, Sept. 26, on Showtime.
– Melissa Hayer
Actor Will Estes talks about “Blue Bloods”
Will Estes as Jamie Reagan in "Blue Bloods." - CBS Photo by Marni Grossman
(This story was published in The Oklahoman’s Weekend section 9/24/2010.)
Will Estes has played a man in uniform before.
Estes, 31, a Los Angeles native, portrayed Marine JJ Pryor on “American Dreams,” the 2002-05 NBC series set in the 1960s.
Now he’s wearing the uniform of rookie New York police officer Jamie Reagan in the new drama “Blue Bloods,” which premieres at 9 tonight on CBS.
Jamie’s whole family is involved in law enforcement. His father Frank (Tom Selleck) is the New York Police Commissioner, and his brother Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) is also on the force as a detective.
His sister Erin (Bridget Moynahan) is an assistant district attorney.
Jamie graduated Harvard intending on becoming a lawyer but decided to be a cop instead, which his fiancee is having to get used to.
Jamie is also quickly put on the spot when he’s asked to join a covert police investigation that even his father doesn’t know anything about.
In a recent telephone interview, Estes fielded a few questions about the show and himself.
Q: How’s it going filming “Blue Bloods”?
A: Oh, it’s going really well, thanks. I’ve moved out to New York to shoot it, and it’s been a lot of fun so far.
Q: How is filming in New York City?
A: It’s fun. It’s an intense city. I’ve visited New York before, but I’m basically living here now, so it’s a whole other deal, but it’s been a lot of fun. I enjoy the city quite a bit.
Q: Have you gotten to work with any actual police officers?
A: I have, yeah. We have a wonderful technical adviser on the show. And, we’ve had a couple guys actually supporting him, technically advising, but the main technical adviser is fantastic. He was 24 years on the NYPD force.
He was a detective first grade, and he’s taken me already to a couple precincts, one of which was the 42, the 42nd precinct, and I got to see roll call.
I’ve just spent as much time as I can with him and sort of soaked up the NYPD culture. He actually gave me a big packet that I have yet to finish of things that are everything from top to bottom NYPD. I know a little bit about police, and I’ve played a military character before, and some of that parlays. But the NYPD is definitely a brotherhood unto its own, so I’m trying to learn specifically about it, as well.
Q: What’s it like working with Tom Selleck?
A: It’s great. He’s just a consummate professional. … He really makes a point to focus on each and every part of what we’re doing and every scene.
I’ve got to say I’ve already learned a lot working with him. Donnie Wahlberg, as well, is obviously fantastic. But, he’s a pro; he’s been doing it a long time. He knows what he’s doing. I don’t often get a chance to work with a guy like him, so I sincerely enjoy it.
Q: On the personal side, what do you like to do besides act?
A: I try to read as much as I can. I’m in the middle of a book that a good friend of mine gave me right now called “A Rumor of War” by Philip Caputo. I’m enjoying that, so I try to stay well-read.
I’m trying to do some research for my character in my off time, and, not a lot in New York, but I grew up in Los Angeles by the ocean, so I love to be out on the water. I like to surf. I like sailboats, although I rarely get on them anymore. I’m big on the environment. I just put solar panels on my house in Los Angeles, so that’s a lot of fun.
– Melissa Hayer
“Vampire Diaries:” Werewolves picked up the pace tonight
Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder on "The Vampire Diaries." - The CW Photo by Bob Mahoney
Well, I’m certainly no longer disinterested in the werewolf story line on “The Vampire Diaries.”
Though still not as fascinating as the vampires, the werewolves brought some excitement tonight, especially considering the information that Elena (Nina Dobrev), Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Alaric (Matt Davis) found out about them.
How long will it be before a vampire tangles with a werewolf?
Caroline’s (Candice Accola) plight is absorbing as well.
The assistance she’s getting from Stefan and the relationship they’re building is entertaining.
The choice Caroline made at the end of the episode was one that made her character very sympathetic.
Has Damon truly lost Elena’s friendship?
I seriously doubt it.
And next week, Katherine will be back – can’t wait.
“The Vampire Diaries” airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays on The CW.
– Melissa Hayer
Oklahomans land two spots on season 10 of ‘The Biggest Loser’
"The Biggest Loser" contestant Allie Ishcomer of Moore - NBC Photo by Chris Haston
Where “The Biggest Loser” is, you can almost always bet there will be an Oklahoman or two. Tuesday night’s season 10 premiere of the show was no exception — three Oklahomans vied for two coveted spots in the show’s cast. During the episode, trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels and host Alison Sweeney traveled to seven cities across America to find 21 contestants.
In each city — Detroit, Los Angeles, Portland, Ore., Atlanta, Phoenix, Oklahoma City and Boston — three contestants were pulled from crowds of local residents who came out for a community fitness challenge. The theme for season 10 is “paying it forward.”
The three contestants competed in physical challenges and in each city, the two contestants who finished the challenges first were taken away in limousines to head to “The Biggest Loser” ranch to begin the competition.
Harper visited Oklahoma City in May to shoot the local segment.
The three contestants singled out in Oklahoma City were Allie Ishcomer, 22, a student from Moore, Lisa Mosely, 31, a sales representative from Norman, and Sandy Dolan, 30, a stay-at-home mother from Fort Worth, Texas.
Season eight winner Danny Cahill, from Broken Arrow, introduced the Oklahoma contestants and challenged them to a 500 step-up competition. Ishcomer finished first, followed by Mosely, solidifying the two as contestants on the show. They joyfully put on their new pink team T-shirts.
Dolan, along with the six other third-place finishers from each city, will be given a chance to join the show later in the season, according to a news release from “The Biggest Loser.”
Each of the 21 would-be contestants was given a few moments during the premiere to tell their story of why they need to be on “The Biggest Loser.”
Ishcomer’s story was about her family’s history of obesity-related heart problems.
When she was 14, Ishcomer underwent vertical gastric bypass surgery.
“The surgeon said if you stay this way, you’re going to die, but if you get (the surgery), it’s going to fix you,” she said on the show.
“What I learned is that it fixes your stomach but it doesn’t fix your thought process on food.”
Her mother has diabetes and suffered a stroke at the age of 48, Ishcomer said.
“I don’t want my legend to be ‘Allie died because of heart attack (and) diabetes,’” she said.
Mosely’s reasons for wanting to be on the show were also family-related. About three months earlier, she said, she came home to find her 12-year-old daughter lying on the couch.
“She’d completely lost her vision,” she said.
Mosely rushed her daughter to an emergency room where it was determined that she was severely dehydrated.
“Then finally, she lets us know that she hadn’t been eating or drinking because she didn’t want to be fat like her mom,” Mosely said, in tears. “How am I going to finish raising her and my son if they don’t want to be like me?”
For Dolan, being on the show is important in order to finish what her brother, Mike, started. He auditioned for the show on March 20, Dolan said. On March 25, Mike, who was in his 30s, died in his sleep, presumably from a heart attack.
“It’s really hard to have to tell your kids that their Uncle Mike is gone and see the devastation on their faces. … How devastated are they going to be if that’s me? I have too much to live for,” she said.
The contestants will compete for $250,000 and the title of season 10s “Biggest Loser.” The show airs at 7 p.m. Tuesdays on NBC.
– Heather Warlick-Moore
"The Biggest Loser" contestant Lisa Mosely of Norman - NBC Photo by Chris Haston
