“The Vampire Diaries,” “Gossip Girl” included in early series renewals by The CW Network
Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley in "The Vampire Diaries" - The CW Photo by Bob Mahoney
The CW Network has given early renewals to five of its established series for next season, according to a news release.
“The Vampire Diaries,” “Gossip Girl,” “Supernatural” and “90210″ have been given early pickups, as well as “America’s Next Top Model.”
“America’s Next Top Model” has been ordered for both cycles next season, with a fall kick-off featuring its first-ever All-Star Edition. Models who became breakout characters and had the most memorable stories from past cycles will be spotlighted.
From left, Penn Badgley, Leighton Meester and Chace Crawford in "Gossip Girl" - The CW Photo by Giovanni Rufino
“The Office’s” Michael Scott will be missed
Steve Carell as Michael Scott on "The Office" - NBC Photo
Hats off to NBC for giving Steve Carell’s character Michael Scott the perfect send-off on “The Office” Thursday.
If you haven’t seen this episode and are planning on viewing it, don’t read any further.
But if you did watch, and/or are a major “Office” fan – what did you think of the show?
I thought it was touching the way Michael went through his goodbye list and bid farewell to each of his employees in his own special way.
Some of his trademark awkward, politically incorrect moments ensued, of course, but there were many more sweet ones.
Highlights were Michael playing paintball with Dwight (Rainn Wilson), and Dwight reading his recommendation letter from Michael.
The teary-eyed discussion between Michael and Jim (John Krasinski) after Jim figured out Michael was leaving sooner than he had let on.
And Pam (Jenna Fischer) almost missing Michael’s departure, but getting to the airport to see him off just in time.
Here’s to hoping “The Office” will continue on successfully, but it will never be quite the same.
Thanks for all of the fun, Steve Carell!
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Rex Ryan guest stars on “CSI: NY” this week; makes first “Late Night with David Letterman” visit Monday
Rex Ryan - AP Photo
New York Jets head coach (and former Southwestern Oklahoma State University football player) Rex Ryan will be making his first appearance on “Late Night with David Letterman” at 10:35 p.m. Monday on CBS.
Ryan will be promoting his new football memoir “Play It Like You Mean It: Passion, Laughs and Leadership in the World’s Most Beautiful Game,” scheduled for released in bookstores May 3, according to a news release.
Ryan and Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum are also guest stars on “CSI: NY” at 8 p.m. this Friday on CBS.
To watch a clip of Ryan and Tannenbaum on “CSI: NY,” click here.
TBS orders 10 episodes of “Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse”
Tyler Perry - AP Photo
TBS has ordered 10 episodes of the new series “Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse,” a dramedy based on Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married?” movies.
This is the third Tyler Perry series to be featured on TBS, after “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” and “Meet the Browns.”
“Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse” focuses on the ups-and-downs of marital life for Marcus and Angela, two characters from the feature films “Why Did I Get Married?” and “Why Did I Get Married Too?”
Michael Jai White and Tasha Smith are set to reprise the roles of TV anchor Marcus and salon owner Angela, with additional cast members to be announced, according to a news release.
In a new direction from his family-oriented sitcoms, “For Better or Worse” will target young adults.
The show’s production is scheduled to begin this summer at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.
Hanson to play “Give a Little” on “Dancing with the Stars: The Road to the Finals” tonight
Hanson performing Monday night on "Dancing with the Stars" - ABC Photo
After performing “MmmBop”on last night’s “Dancing with the Stars” show, Hanson will be playing their new song “Give a Little” during the one-hour special “Dancing with the Stars: The Road to the Finals” airing at 7 p.m. tonight, April 26, on ABC.
Brothers, and Tulsa natives, Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson make up the band Hanson.
The cast of the musical “Rock of Ages,” starring Constantine Maroulis and Rebecca Faulkenberry, will also be featured singing a special medley of the show’s hits created especially for “Dancing with the Stars.”
The live episode includes the remaining dancing couples looking ahead, through live interviews and video, to what it will take for each of them to reach the finals, as well as past “Dancing with the Stars” celebrities and the judges providing commentary on each pair, according to a news release.
“Dancing with the Stars the Results Show” follows at 8 p.m., in which another couple will be eliminated and NKOTBSB (New Kids On the Block/Back Street Boys) will perform “Don’t Turn Out the Lights,” accompanied on the ballroom floor by dance pros Lacey Schwimmer and Tony Dovolani and members of the “DWTS” Troupe.
NKOTBSB will also present a two-song medley of their hit songs “Step by Step” and “I Want It That Way,” accompanied by Anna Trebunskaya and Peta Murgatroyd.
Singer Pia Toscano is also scheduled to sing “I’ll Stand by You,” accompanied by Mark Ballas and Karina Smirnoff.
“The Glades”: Second season begins June 5
Matt Passmore of "The Glades" - A&E Photo
The second season of the A&E drama “The Glades” premieres at 9 p.m. June 5, according to a news release.
“The Glades” stars Australian actor Matt Passmore as Jim Longworth, a Chicago homicide detective forced to relocate to the fictional town of Palm Glade, Florida where the devoted golfer ends up being busier solving murders than he had planned.
Co-stars include Kiele Sanchez, Carlos Gomez and Michelle Hurd.
Season two of “The Glades” will consist of thirteen one-hour episodes.
OU drama professor guest stars on NBC’s “Chase”
Darryl Cox - Provided Photo
Darryl Cox, professor of Acting for the Camera at the University of Oklahoma, is appearing in a recurring guest starring role on the NBC drama “Chase.”
Cox portrays Jared Porter, a dark figure from Daisy Ogbaa’s past who resurfaces in three episodes beginning tomorrow, April 23, according to a news release.
Cox, who filmed the episodes in Dallas in December and January, has credits that include over 40 principal roles in features; TV dramas, movies, miniseries and sitcoms; daytime soaps and children’s shows; as well as dozens of national and regional commercials.
Cox is also a military veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Forrest Sherman, including a Persian Gulf tour of duty in 1980.
For more information about the OU School of Drama, go to www.ou.edu/finearts/drama/.
“Chase” airs at 7 p.m. Saturdays on NBC.
“Treme,” featuring former Tulsan Melissa Leo, returns Sunday on HBO
Melissa Leo in "Treme" - HBO Photo by Paul Schiraldi
“Treme,” HBO’s series about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, begins its 11-episode second season at 9 p.m. Sunday, April 24, according to a news release.
The show’s stars include former Tulsa resident and Academy Award-winner Melissa Leo, Khandi Alexander, Clarke Peters, David Morse, Wendell Pierce, Lucia Micarelli and Steve Zahn.
Hawaii Five-O’s Alex O’Loughlin among Men’s Fitness magazine’s 25 Fittest Guys
Alex O'Loughlin in Men's Fitness magazine
Men’s Fitness magazine has announced in a news release its list of the 25 Fittest Guys, and Alex O’Loughlin of “Hawaii Five-0;” Joel McHale of “Community and “The Soup;” Joe Manganiello of “True Blood,” Henry Cavill of “The Tudors” and Chip Wade of “Curb Appeal: The Block” and Designed to Sell” are among the men chosen from the small screen.
Other honorees include Chris Evans, Liam Neeson, LeBron James, Michael Fassbender, Bradley Cooper; Kellan Lutz, David Beckham, Chris Pine, Dr. Dre and Jeremy Renner.
For the complete list and some information on the 25 Fittest Guys health regimens, check out the June/July issue of Men’s Fitness magazine, on sale nationwide May 9.
“The Voice”: Sneak peek to air this evening of NBC’s new vocal competition featuring Oklahoman Blake Shelton as a coach
From left, Cee Lo Green, Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton of "The Voice" - NBC Photo by Michael Desmond
NBC is offering a 12-minute sneak preview of its new vocal competition “The Voice” at 10:35 tonight, April 21, before the “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.”
This preview will spotlight its four musician coaches, Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Oklahoman Blake Shelton performing Green’s hit song “Crazy,” as well as informative vignettes from the series, according to a news release
There will be a two-minute version of the sneak peek featuring the coaches singing airing at 10:30, just before the regular broadcast of “Saturday Night Live,” April 23 as well.
“The Voice” will have a two-hour premiere at 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, on NBC.
