Blake Griffin to appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Thursday night
Los Angeles Clippers NBA star Blake Griffin - AP Photo by Gus Ruelas
Former University of Oklahoma and current Los Angeles Clippers NBA star Blake Griffin is scheduled to appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Thursday night.
Other scheduled guests are actor Jason Sudeikis and singer Keri Hilson.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live” airs at 12 a.m. weeknights on ABC.
Los Angeles Clippers NBA star Blake Griffin in action. - AP Photo by Mark J. Terrill
Not much fun in “Mr. Sunshine”
Matthew Perry of "Mr. Sunshine" - ABC Photo by Bob D'Amico
Being a “Friend” is a hard act to follow.
Former “Friends” stars Matt LeBlanc and Courteney Cox have had success at it recently, but Matthew Perry’s new show, “Mr. Sunshine,” doesn’t measure up to “Episodes” or even “Cougar Town,” which I find to be hit-and-miss funny.
Perry stars as Ben Donovan, a self-involved manager of a San Diego sports arena, the Sunshine Center.
Odd mishaps and bizarre requests are apparently nothing but the norm here, but if they’re supposed to be of the “wackiness ensues” variety, the incidents in the pilot aren’t really that wacky, nor that humorous.
Clichéd is probably the best word to describe the problems with this series:
Allison Janney has to deal with the clichéd role of Perry’s politically incorrect boss who has a clichéd aversion to clowns, and Perry’s role itself is the clichéd selfish 40-year-old male character just realizing he might want to care about someone besides himself.
And then there’s Andrea Anders as marketing director Alice, Ben’s friend with benefits, who ends their casual relationship to commit to another man, but seems to want to commit to Ben – yet another clichéd TV situation.
Janney, Perry and Anders are all good actors who deserve better – as does Jorge Garcia of “Lost,” who is wasted in a minor role in the pilot.
Surely Perry, also an executive producer and a co-writer of the pilot, can come up with something better than this.
Here’s hoping this is one of those instances where the show gets better as it goes along – or everyone mentioned above finds something more suited to their talents in the near future.
“Mr. Sunshine” premieres at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
“Dancing With the Stars” returns March 21
“Dancing With the Stars” will return with a two-hour Season 12 premiere at 7 p.m. on March 21 on ABC, according to a news release.
“Dancing With the Stars the Results Show” will premiere the following week at 8 p.m. on March 29 on ABC.
This season’s cast will be announced live on Feb. 28 during “The Bachelor.”
“Dancing With the Stars” is hosted by Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke and features celebrities performing choreographed dance routines which are judged by ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.
“Take the Money and Run” to premiere April 14 on ABC
New reality competition series “Take the Money and Run,” from the producers of “The Amazing Race” and the “CSI” franchise, is set to premiere at 7 p.m. April 14 on ABC.
The six-episode unscripted series combines the elements of an edge-of-your-seat spy thriller with the opportunity to root for real people in different locales trying to outwit legitimate professionals, according to an ABC news release.
The cat and mouse format pits everyday people against real life law enforcement for a prize of $100,000.
Profiles Television LLC and Jerry Bruckheimer Television will produce “Take the Money and Run” with the show being distributed in the U.S. by Horizon Alternative Television.
Jerry Bruckheimer, Bertram van Munster, Jonathan Littman, Elise Doganieri and Philip Morrow are executive producers, with KristieAnne Reed and Mark Dziak serving as co-executive producers.
“Off the Map” on course for drama fans
Mamie Gummer co-stars in "Off the Map." - ABC Photo by Bob D'Amico
Life or death situations. Personal lives at crossroads. Medical dilemmas. And coconuts.
What do these four things add up to?
“Off the Map,” a new medical drama by “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice” executive producers Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers, and “Grey’s Anatomy” executive producer/creator Jenna Bans.
The series centers on a group of doctors working at the only clinic in a small town in the South American jungle.
In the pilot episode, Lily Brenner (Caroline Dhavernas) arrives with fellow doctors Mina Minard (Mamie Gummer) and Tommy Fuller (Zach Gilford) to assist Ben Keeton (Martin Henderson) at the clinic he founded after walking away from his job as the Chief of Surgery at UCLA.
Brenner, Minard and Fuller are all eager for a fresh start at their careers.
Keeton has support in teaching the newcomers in this difficult environment from Dr. Otis Cole (Jason George), Dr. Ryan Clark (Rachelle Lefevre) and local doctor Zita Alvarez (Valerie Cruz).
Hints are given in the premiere of the show that each character has had, and will have, lots of drama – not surprising, of course, but it’s a good thing, because each role is interesting and the cast works together well.
Gummer, whose mother is Meryl Streep, has been particularly impressive in the couple of guest appearances she’s made on the stellar series “The Good Wife,” and I’m glad she’s a main character in “Off the Map.”
Gilford is a favorite from another amazing series, “Friday Night Lights,” and I’m looking forward to seeing him exercise his acting skills in a different type of role now.
Dhavernas and Henderson are strong also, and the well-paced pilot gets the show off to a good start.
Whether or not you’re a “Grey’s Anatomy” and/or “Private Practice” fan, I’d recommend giving “Off the Map” a try.
“Off the Map” premieres at 9 p.m. Jan. 12 on ABC.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Zach Gilford co-stars in "Off the Map." - ABC Photo by Bob D'Amico
“Good Morning America” joins “Modern Family” in search for a real American modern family
From left, Eric Stonestreet, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Sofia Vergara, Nolan Gould, Ty Burrell, Ariel Winter, Ed O'Neill, Julie Bowen, Rico Rodriguez and Sarah Hyland of "Modern Family" - ABC Photo by Bob D'Amico
ABC’s “Good Morning America” has teamed up with the network’s comedy “Modern Family” in search of a real modern American family.
As fans watch “Modern Family” each week and most likely see similarities to their own families, they can now tell “Good Morning America” why their family stands out.
As of Dec. 15, viewers can log on to abcnews.go.com/GMA/good-morning-america-find-americas-real-modern-families/story?id=12393130 and tell “Good Morning America” in 250 words or less why their family is a one-of-a-kind modern family, according to an ABC news release.
Family photographs may be included with submissions.
The top three families will be profiled on “Good Morning America” during the week of February 14.
“Good Morning America” will also travel to the set of “Modern Family” the week of February 14 to give viewers an exclusive, all-access, behind-the-scenes look at the hit show, including interviews with cast members.
In addition, viewers can take interactive quizzes, view slideshows and video, and look at celebrity modern families at abcnews.go.com/gma. More will be posted on “GMA’s” Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/GoodMorningAmerica.
The Emmy Award-winning series “Modern Family” takes a modern and humorous look at the complications that go along with being a family today.
The series airs at 8 p.m. Wednesdays on ABC and stars Ed O’Neill, Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Eric Stonestreet, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Sarah Hyland, Ariel Winter, Nolan Gould and Rico Rodriguez.
2010 a year filled with gifts for TV fans
Evangeline Lilly and Matthew Fox of "Lost" - ABC Photo by Mario Perez
Now that Christmas is almost upon us, I’ve made a few notes about some
of the gifts bestowed upon TV fans this past year:
Though it was sad for such an entertaining, maddening, theory-provoking,
compelling series to end, the finale of “Lost” was unbelievably
emotional and moving, particularly Matthew Fox’s performance in his role as conflicted leader Jack Shephard. Overall, I don’t know that any show has piqued the imagination like this one and the indelible castaway characters will be greatly missed.
Another series that challenges the mind, “Fringe” was especially
demanding of viewers as they watched the third season begin this fall
with Olivia (Anna Torv) stuck in the sci-fi drama’s alternate universe
and that world’s Olivia taking her place in ours. My only small
complaint, though, is that I hope more scenes featuring Walter (John
Noble) will be upcoming in 2011. He adds warmth and humor to the
fascinating, strange and bizarre events that occur in this show’s story lines.
“The Good Wife” hasn’t missed a beat in its second season, continuing
its solid story lines centering on attorney Alicia Florrick (Julianna
Margulies) and her complicated relationships with her husband Peter
(Chris Noth)and old friend/boss Will (Josh Charles)as well as the
intriguing cases she works on. Extra kudos for Michael J. Fox’s
wonderful guest starring performance.
“Dexter” had a tough assignment in its fifth season, following up after
its fourth season’s jaw-dropping conclusion in 2009. But as every season
has been so far, the writing’s held up, always going in unexpected yet
satisfying directions. Michael C. Hall contributed as always as well in
making this past season and its finale thrilling and poignant – no easy
feat for a show about a serial killer.
The updated version of “Hawaii Five-0″ brought action and humor in its debut in the
fall 2010 season. This show has just the right ingredients to take your
mind off your busy day, relax and enjoy the scenery of Hawaii, the fun
rapport between Steve McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) and Danny “Danno”
Williams (Scott Caan) and watch the 5-0 team catch the bad guys in
sometimes unorthodox, but pretty much always successful, ways. Remaking
shows often doesn’t work, but this one clicks on every level.
A&E scored a home run this summer with its new drama “The Glades.” Jim Longworth
(Matt Passmore), a Chicago police detective who has relocated to Florida, is a
completely endearing character – smart, sarcastic, ingenious and
hilarious, and this is another series with interesting and sharp
writing. There is also great chemistry between Passmore and Kiele
Sanchez, who plays Longworth’s romantic interest Callie, a nurse and a single-mom who is estranged from her prison inmate husband.
“The Walking Dead” only had a six-episode first season on AMC, but it
couldn’t have packed more into them – this series has everything:
suspense, gore, action scenes, quiet, tender moments, compassion, love,
empathy, bravery, dignity – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Though it’s centered on a zombie apocalypse-affected world, this show is
much more than a horror fest.
There were a couple of lumps of coal in viewers’ stockings worth
mentioning in 2010, however.
ABC’s “Skating With the Stars” seemed to be a good idea and was hyped to
be comparable to “Dancing With the Stars,” but ended up being quite the
dud. The only point of it seemed to be holding your breath and hoping
the competitors didn’t fall – or if you’re
not-so-sportsmanlike-inclined, laughing when there were spills on the
ice.
And then there’s the cancellation of shows before they’re really given a
fair chance to build up a following. 2010′s fall season featured one of
the most egregious of these incidents when Fox’s “Lone Star” was given
the boot after only two episodes, despite receiving critical praise.
Would it have had a better chance on a cable network – probably. Too
bad one of them hasn’t picked it up.
– Meilssa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Anna Torv in "Fringe" - Fox Photo by Michael Courtney
From left, Scott Caan and Alex O'Loughlin in "Hawaii Five-0" - CBS Photo by Neil Jacobs
ABC announces premiere dates for “Mr. Sunshine” and “Happy Endings”
From left: Allison Janney, Matthew Perry, James Lesure, Andrea Anders and Nate Torrence of "Mr. Sunshine" - ABC Photo by Bob D'Amico
ABC has announced premiere dates for new comedies “Mr. Sunshine,” starring Matthew Perry and Allison Janney, and “Happy Endings,” which features an ensemble cast that includes Elisha Cuthbert.
“Mr. Sunshine” debuts Feb. 9 at 8:30 p.m. and “Happy Endings” begins April 13 at 9 p.m., according to an ABC news release.
Matthew Perry’s character Ben Donovan in “Mr. Sunshine” is a self-involved manager of a San Diego sports arena, the Sunshine Center, where curious mishaps and bizarre requests are the norm.
Donovan’s co-workers include his boss, attractive, powerful and erratic arena owner Crystal (Janney); cute, tomboyish marketing director (and also Ben’s friend with benefits) Alice (Andrea Anders), handsome and unbelievably happy former basketball player Alonzo (James Lesure); and Ben’s newest employee (and Crystal’s clueless son Roman (Nate Torrence).
“Happy Endings” is a take on modern friendship and what one urban family will do to stay friends after the perfect couple who brought them all together, Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) and Dave (Zachary Knighton) split up on their wedding day.
The failed wedding makes them all question their life choices, including Alex’s sister Jane (Eliza Coupe), a suburban housewife, and her buttoned-up husband Brad (Damon Wayans Jr.) who are contemplating starting a family; their gay friend Max (Adam Pally) and Penny, who worries about never finding the right guy.
Then there are Alex and Dave themselves, who strike a truce and have to learn to live with the changes their breakup has brought.
From left: Zachary Knighton, Eliza Coupe, Damon Wayans Jr., Casey Wilson, Adam Pally and Elisha Cuthbert of "Happy Endings" - ABC Photo by Bob D'Amico
“Secret Millionaire” premieres March 6 on ABC
“Secret Millionaire,” a one-hour alternative series that follows some of America’s most successful, self-made business people as they spend a week in the country’s poorest areas and ultimately give unsung community heroes hundreds of thousands of dollars of their own money, premieres at 7 p.m. March 6 on ABC.
Each episode of the show, based on the UK series of the same name, follows one of America’s most successful business people for one week as they leave behind the comforts of home and their true identities to live and volunteer in some of the most impoverished neighborhoods in the country, according to an ABC news release.
While assuming these new identities and living in local housing on welfare-level wages, their mission is to discover the most deserving individuals within the community who continually sacrifice to help those in need – and encourage others to do the same.
At the end of the Secret Millionaires’ journeys they reveal their true identities and donate their own money to these community activists.
Executive producers of “Secret Millionaire” are Grant Mansfield, Natalka Znak, Claire O’Donohoe and Leslie Garvin. Paul Osborne is co-executive producer
The show is a Zodiak USA Production.
“V” to feature original cast member Marc Singer as guest star
Marc Singer, who played freedom fighter Mike Donovan in the original “V” series, will appear as a guest star in the second season finale of ABC’s new version of the show about the world’s first alien encounter.
Season two of “V” will premiere at 8 p.m. Jan. 4 on ABC.
Singer will be playing a member of a top secret organization comprised of high-ranking military and government leaders from around the globe who have long suspected that the Visitors, despite what they say, are very much not here in peace, according to an ABC news release.
Singer is the second original “V” cast member to appear in the new season.
Jane Badler, who played Diana in the original show, portrays the mother of Anna (Morena Baccarin) in a recurring guest starring role this season.
Elizabeth Mitchell, Morris Chestnut, Joel Gretsch, Charles Mesure, Logan Huffman, Laura Vandervoot and Scott Wolf co-star along with Baccarin in the series.
“V” is produced by HDFilms in association with Warner Bros. Television and its executive producers are Scott Rosenbaum, Steve Pearlman and Jace Hall.
