“The Young and the Restless” picked up for three more years
From left, Amelia Heinle, Elinor Donahue and Billy Miller in "The Young and the Restless" - CBS Photo by Monty Brinton
CBS has renewed “The Young and the Restless” through the 2013-2014 season.
“The Young and the Restless” has been the #1 daytime drama on television for more than two decades, as well as an enduring symbol of CBS’s success in the daypart,” Barbara Bloom, Senior Vice President, Daytime, CBS, said in a news release. “Our audience’s beloved characters in Genoa City will continue to flourish under the leadership of Head Writer and Executive Producer Maria Bell and the wonderful storytelling ahead.”
“The Young and the Restless” airs weekdays at 11 a.m. on CBS.
Garth Brooks’ song “Unanswered Prayers” converts well into Lifetime movie
Eric Close and Samantha Mathis in "Unanswered Prayers" - Lifetime Photo by Kent Eanes
If you’re familiar with Oklahoma country star Garth Brooks’ song “Unanswered Prayers,” you’ll already know the basic plot line of the new Lifetime movie based on the tune.
The movie “Unanswered Prayers” is the story of Ben Beck (Eric Close), who is happily married to Lorrie (Samantha Mathis) and he has a good life running a family business with her and raising their teenage son Jesse (Tony Oller ).
However, Ben’s high school sweetheart Ava Andersson (Mädchen Amick) comes back into town, divorced and lonely, and memories of younger days and dreams return.
Ben is faced with deciding whether he still wants to try and make those dreams he once had come true with Ava, or realizing that the love and family he has now make him happier than he ever could’ve hoped for.
Close, Mathis and Amick make their roles believable without going over the melodramatic edge, as well as drawing sympathy for each character in their own way.
Though in a smaller part, Patty Duke also gives solid support as Lorrie’s mother Irene.
The message of the song “Unanswered Prayers,” written by Garth Brooks, Pat Alger and Larry Bastian, has been translated well into this Lifetime movie.
Brooks also served as an executive producer on the film.
“Unanswered Prayers,” premieres at 8 p.m. Monday on Lifetime.
Read about Brandy McDonnell’s interview with executive producer Garth Brooks in The Oklahoman Sunday and more from co-star Patty Duke in The Oklahoman on Monday.
Both stories will be online at NewsOK.com, and/or you can go to Brandy’s blog directly for her article at blog.newsok.com/bamsblog/
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Mädchen Amick and Eric Close in "Unanswered Prayers" - Lifetime Photo by Anthony Platt
Michael J. Fox to return as guest star on “The Good Wife”
Michael J. Fox in "The Good Wife" - CBS Photo
Michael J. Fox will reprise his guest starring role as attorney Louis Canning in an upcoming episode of “The Good Wife,” according to a CBS news release.
The series stars Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick, a wife and mother who’s gone back to work as a lawyer to support her family when her husband, Peter (Chris Noth) is imprisoned after a political scandal.
Peter is now out of prison and on the campaign trail, while Alicia continues to hone her attorney skills.
In the upcoming episode featuring Fox, Alicia attempts to sign homeowners up for a class action lawsuit when she finds herself competing against Canning, who rushes to sign the same clients.
And, as before, Alicia begins to question his motives.
“The Sing-Off”: Get ready for some fun and talented vocalizing when the show returns Dec. 6
From left, Ben Folds, Nick Lachey, Shawn Stockman and Nicole Scherzinger of "The Sing-Off" - NBC Photo by Chris Haston
Ten a cappella groups will compete in the return of “The Sing-Off,” which begins its five-episode run at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 on NBC, continuing Dec. 8, 13 and 15 and ending in a live finale Dec. 20.
Each show starts at 7 p.m. and lasts two hours.
The a capella groups, consisting of people from all walks of life and different ages, perform popular songs from various genres without lip synching or back-up bands.
Nick Lachey serves as host on “The Sing-Off,” with fellow recording artists Ben Folds, Shawn Stockman and Nicole Scherzinger judging the contestants and narrowing down the finalists to the top three groups.
The winning group, chosen by viewers, will receive a grand prize of $100,000 and a Sony recording contract.
I really enjoy this show and the first episode has some really talented vocalists.
I appreciate the format of a cappella singing as it is presented here because there are so many different versions of old and new music performed that you get to hear familiar songs in a different way – and it’s so pleasant to hear good, solid, unadulterated singing voices.
The judges are very constructive with their critiques and are personable as well with the contestants.
The stories on how each of the groups came together are usually interesting and are brief, so they give worthwhile background information without taking away too much time from the actual performances.
Overall, “The Sing-Off” is a fun and positive show, and if you’re a music fan, you shouldn’t miss it.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
“Being Erica” returns for third season Jan. 26 on Soapnet
Erin Karpluk of "Being Erica" - Temple Street Productions Photo by Stephen Scott
Soapnet series “Being Erica” returns for its third season at 10 p.m. Jan. 26 with 13 one-hour scripted episodes.
“Being Erica” centers on Erica Strange (Erin Karpluk), a thirty-something woman who has the ability to go back in time to sort out her past regrets, according to a Soapnet news release.
Erica is assisted by mysterious therapist Dr. Tom (Michael Riley) in this time-travel therapy, where she is capable of reliving a past regret each week in order to come back and make a positive change in her present.
At the end of the second season, Erica had lost everything – her job, her boyfriend and her life – had all been left in shambles.
But, unlike the Erica we met in the first season, Erica is now able to deal with these setbacks and turn them into positives.
The theme for the third season of “Being Erica” is transformation, with Erica being more confident and on the path to forging a new identity.
Documentary shows historical view of Oklahoma City in a fun, quirky way
“OKC A to Z,” a locally produced documentary by Jack Frank featuring the unique, historical and charming things about Oklahoma City, will air at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 on OETA.
Chesapeake Energy and the Chickasaw Nation are sponsors of the show.
Frank has a large collection of historic Oklahoma films and has been nominated for two regional Emmy Awards.
“OKC A to Z”, spotlights icons such as the Gold Dome and Fairlawn Cemetery, and includes several historic restaurants such as Ann’s Chicken Fry House and Leo’s Bar-B-Q.
Anton Classen and Gayla Peevey (who is famous for singing “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas) are a couple of the people viewers will learn about and diverse topics such as the sonic booms unleashed on Oklahoma City in the 1960s and the Machine Gun Kelly trial will also be included in the documentary.
“In the daily rush we sometimes forget to appreciate the great things around us,” Frank said in a news release. “We want to highlight something for every letter of the alphabet. One of the best parts of the show is all the people who talked to us about what makes Oklahoma City such a terrific city.”
“OKC A to Z” will also be available on DVD for $19.99 at www.okcatoz.com, Walgreens, Borders and other Oklahoma City retail stores.
Oklahoma City’s Channel 4 news anchor Linda Cavanaugh appears on “The Event”
Did you catch Oklahoma City Channel 4 news anchor Linda Cavanaugh’s cameo on NBC’s “The Event” last night?
If not, and you’d like to check it out, it’s about 12 minutes into the episode, which you can view at www.hulu.com
Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth partners with ShoeDazzle for charity
Kristin Chenoweth - AP Photo by Chris Pizzello
Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth has partnered with ShoeDazzle and designed a limited-edition shoe exclusively for ShoeDazzle members, with 100% of the profits to be donated to her charity of choice, the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute.
Chenoweth designed a grey, suede-like bootie that she has affectionately named “Little Diva,” claiming the inspiration for its style is a tribute to the early 1960s time period of her current Broadway play “Promises, Promises,” according to a ShoeDazzle news release.
The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute (adoptioninstitute.org), is a nonprofit research, policy and education organization and its mission is to provide leadership designed to improve the lives of the people for whom adoption and foster care are daily realities; to enable every child to grow up in a loving, permanent home; and to help their families succeed.
Chenoweth, who is an adoptee herself, serves on the Honorary Board of the Adoption Institute.
ShoeDazzle, partnered with Kristen Bell on its first celebrity-designed shoe, a nude heel, and its proceeds benefited the Art of Elysium, a non-profit focused on easing the suffering of children with serious medical conditions.
ShoeDazzle is an online styling service that delivers personalized monthly shoe, handbag and jewelry recommendations to members from its team of celebrity stylists.
ShoeDazzle’s no-obligation monthly membership cost of $39.95 includes the stylists’ selection service, and your choice of a pair of shoes, a handbag or a jewelry set, as well as shipping both ways and easy returns.
Go to shoedazzle.com for more information.
Kristin Chenoweth's "Little Diva" shoe - Photo Provided by ShoeDazzle
James Garner is among TV icons featured on PBS’ four-part series “Pioneers of Television”
James Garner - AP Photo
PBS’ “Pioneers of Television” returns for a second season from 7 to 8 p.m. Jan. 18-Feb. 8.
The four-part series, narrated by Kelsey Grammer, takes viewers behind the scenes for a look at the inception of four of the most popular genres in television: science fiction, westerns, crime dramas and local kids’ TV, according to a PBS news release.
“Pioneers of Television” employs new interviews with legendary stars, along with never-before-seen images and timeless footage that is still entertaining decades later.
Oklahoma native James Garner, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols, Angie Dickinson, Bill Cosby, Robert Culp, Stefanie Powers, Martin Landau, Peter Graves, Robert Conrad, Linda Evans, MIke Connors, Fess Parker and writer Stephen J. Cannell are among those interviewed for the series.
PBS provided the following descriptions of each hour-long “Pioneers of Television” episode:
“SCIENCE FICTION” (7 p.m., Tuesday, January 18):
Storytellers Gene Roddenberry, Irwin Allen and Rod Serling created the
storylines and characters behind the best-loved futuristic television of
their time. But as Roddenberry’s “Star Trek” competed for ratings with
Allen’s “Lost in Space,” each show’s creator aimed for a very different
direction. This episode explores how Roddenberry and Serling (of “The
Twilight Zone”) used the future as a stage for modern morality plays,
and William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols and other
science-fiction stars describe how they prepared to interact on-camera
with a malevolent alien force… or, perhaps, a giant radish.
“WESTERNS” (7 p.m., Tuesday, January 25):
Known everywhere as the quintessential American cultural identity,
westerns filled small screens across the country night after night and
were some of the most successful television shows in history. Fess
Parker’s portrayal of Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett channeled the
bravery, independence, honesty and rugged individualism of a young
nation — and made Walt Disney enough money to build an empire. Westerns
introduced James Garner, who starred in the television hit “Maverick,”
where he developed the reluctant hero character that would cement his
successful TV and film career. Garner, in his only recent interview, and
Parker tell their stories, and Linda Evans recalls how two strong female
characters emerged with her onscreen interaction with Barbara Stanwyck
in “The Big Valley.” This episode also examines the success of Robert
Conrad in “The Wild Wild West,” the popularity of “Bonanza” and the
creation of the classic series “Gunsmoke” with James Arness — one of
the longest-running television series of all time.
“CRIME DRAMAS” (7 p.m., Tuesday, February 1):
As viewers reveled in being transported to shadowy underworlds, creative
geniuses emerged in the forms of Jack Webb (“Dragnet”), Desi Arnaz (“The
Untouchables”) and Bruce Geller (“Mannix” and “Mission: Impossible”).
Groundbreaking actors Bill Cosby (“I Spy”) and Angie Dickinson (“Police
Woman”) reveal the methods behind their successes as the first
African-American and breakthrough female lead characters in a television
series. Barbara Bain and Martin Landau share the secrets behind the
innovative hit “Mission: Impossible”; Peter Falk’s friends and
colleagues recall the evolution of his “Columbo” character; and James
Garner and series creator Stephen J. Cannell recount the success of “The Rockford Files.”
“LOCAL KIDS’ TV” (7 p.m., Tuesday, February 8):
Local kids’ programs shaped the childhoods of millions of American
children in the early years of television. Performers such as Willard
Scott and William Shatner honed their skills performing on live TV with
small budgets and little support. With the flimsiest of second-hand
store costumes and their own imaginations, they learned how to make
their audience laugh, smile and think. One early talent, Stan Freberg,
got off the bus in the middle of Hollywood, became a cartoon voice
talent and created “Time for Beany” — a show that captured seven out of
10 viewers, including Albert Einstein, during its run in Los Angeles.
Freberg’s story is told along with the stories of legendary Muppets
creator Jim Henson (who started on local television as a teenager),
actor Chuck McCann (originator of New York’s “Puppet Hotel”), Larry
Harmon (who popularized Bozo the Clown) and Nancy Claster (who developed
the Baltimore kids’ series “Romper Room” — the first franchised show in
television history).
Sam Elliott boosts “November Christmas” to holiday heights
Sam Elliott, Emily Lind and John Corbett of "November Christmas" - Hallmark Hall of Fame Photo by Erik Heinila
Hallmark Hall of Fame movies have a tradition of putting viewers in the holiday spirit and “November Christmas” is no exception.
The film’s narrator is a young woman, Vanessa, who is sharing her story with a group of children through a children’s book she has written and illustrated.
Though seriously ill when she was a child, her father Tom (John Corbett) conspired with a neighbor, Jess (Sam Elliott), to bring her some holiday cheer.
Jess enlists his friends in the small town to join in on the endeavor and manages to receive some revitalization of his own along the way.
As expected, this is a heart-warming story, though mostly predictable.
Sam Elliott’s performance makes it completely worthwhile, however, as he demonstrates a quiet strength, tenderness and abundant love as his life is enriched helping this family.
Corbett is good as a father trying to make his sick daughter as happy as possible while also attempting to allay the fears of her overprotective mother Beth (Sarah Paulson) and give their son Gordon (Max Charles) a normal life as well.
Emily Alyn Lind is solid as the young Vanessa, a resilient little girl just wanting to be done with her illness and move on with her life.
Karen Allen lends steadfast support in her role as Jess’ wife Claire, also.
“November Christmas,” which airs at 8 p.m. Nov. 28 on CBS, is sound viewing to help usher in the holidays.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
