“Blue Bloods”: Emotional episode involving 9/11 airs Friday
Tom Selleck as New York City Police Commissioner Frank Reagan in "Blue Bloods" - CBS Photo
“Where were you on 9/11?”
Frank (Tom Selleck) poses this question to Dr. Leon Goodwin (played by Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham) in this weeks’s episode of “Blue Bloods” entitled “The Job” as he seems to be trying to deal with his feelings about being one of the rescue workers on that infamous day in New York City.
Frank has been losing sleep struggling with why he made it through 9/11 physically unscathed while a friend of his that was with him at Ground Zero is very ill, as well as the magnitude of the terrorist attack itself, missing being a police officer, worrying about his family and the daily stress of his current job as police commissioner
Meanwhile, Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) has his hands full with his unsettled wife and one particularly frightened son after he hit a man with his car who was running away from a gunman
His family was in the car with him and they were caught in the crossfire after Danny had gotten out of the vehicle to try to help the victim and fired his weapon at the suspect.
The identity of the man Danny hit with his car is surprising, but it doesn’t hinder Danny’s desire to catch the person responsible for pursuing the accident victim and endangering his family.
Standout scenes in this episode are an especially good heart-to-heart talk between Frank and his father Henry (Len Cariou) and Danny expressing his love for his wife Linda (Amy Carlson) and his sons with a touching gift.
Also of note, “Blue Bloods” is the first scripted drama to shoot at the 9/11 Memorial in New York.
“The Job,” written by Brian Burns and directed by Nick Gomez, is another fine episode for a consistently solid show.
“Blue Bloods” airs at 9 p.m. Fridays on CBS.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
Donnie Wahlberg and Amy Carlson as Danny and Linda Reagan in "Blue Bloods" - CBS Photo
Adele returns to the stage on “The 54th Annual Grammy Awards” Feb. 12
Adele - Columbia Records Photo
Current Grammy Award nominee Adele will perform live for the first time since undergoing vocal cord surgery last fall at “The 54th Annual Grammy Awards,” which airs live at 7 p.m.. Sunday, Feb. 12 on CBS.
“I’m immensely proud to have been asked to perform at this year’s Grammy Awards,” Adele said in a news release. “It’s an absolute honor to be included in such a night and for it to be my first performance in months is very exciting and of course nerve-racking, but what a way to get back into it all.”
Adele, already a two-time Grammy winner, has six nominations: Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Short Form Music Video for “Rolling In The Deep”; Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for “21″; and Best Pop Solo Performance for “Someone Like You.”
Previously announced performers for “The 54th Annual Grammy Awards” include Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Oklahoma native Blake Shelton; Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson; Coldplay and Rihanna; Foo Fighters; Bruno Mars; Paul McCartney; Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift.
LL Cool J will host the Grammy Awards show.
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
“The Good Wife”: Grand jury showdown exceptional
"The Good Wife" cast: from left, Archie Panjabi as Kalinda Sharma, Matt Czuchry as Cary Agos, Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart, Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick, Josh Charles as Will Gardner, Chris Noth as Peter Florrick and Alan Cumming as Eli Gold - CBS Photo
In this week’s episode of “The Good Wife” entitled “Another Ham Sandwich,” Will (Josh Charles) faces off against Special Prosecutor Wendy Scott-Carr (Anika Noni Rose) in front of a grand jury as she tries to get him indicted for bribery.
Other members of the Lockhart-Gardner law firm are forced to appear before the grand jury, as well as a judge, in this intense episode that also features Eli Gold (Alan Cumming) once again tangling with nemesis Stacie Hall (Amy Sedaris).
As usual, Alicia (Julianna Margulies) is as composed as possible under fire, in this case as she’s grilled by the special prosecutor, who is played with absolute ruthlessness by Rose.
The scenes with Cumming and Sedaris add some levity to the seriousness of the grand jury hearing story line, and the way the indictment situation is handled is pure genius.
“Another Ham Sandwich” was written by Leonard Dick and directed by Frederick E.O. Toye and continues the show’s tradition of overall excellence.
“The Good Wife” airs at 8 p.m. Sundays on CBS.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
“Hawaii Five-O”: Nov. 21 “Ki’ilua” episode action-packed
Lauren German and Jimmy Buffett in the Nov. 21 episode of "Hawaii Five-0." - CBS Photo
Steve McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) goes to North Korea with Jenna Kaye (Larisa Oleynik) to deliver a ransom to rebels in exchange for her fiancé, while the rest of the Five-0 team investigate the murder of a reporter who seems to have ties to Jenna in the Nov. 21 “Ki’ilua” episode of “Hawaii Five-0.”
This is a gripping, fan-pleasing episode that is filled with action along with a little bit of fun, as Jimmy Buffett guest-stars as Frank Bama, a helicopter pilot and friend of Joe White’s (Terry O’Quinn) who assists the Five-0 in North Korea.
David Keith also gives a solid performance in a guest starring role in “Ki’ilua,” which is Hawaiian for “Deceiver.”
“Ki’ilua” was written by Peter Lenkov and Paul Zbyszewski and directed by Kate Woods.
“Hawaii Five-0″ also stars Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim, Grace Park and Lauren German and airs at 9 p.m. Mondays on CBS.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
From left, Terry O'Quinn and Scott Caan in the Nov. 21 episode of "Hawaii Five-0" - CBS Photo
CBS stars take over shows’ Twitter and Facebook pages during “CBS Social Media Sweep Week” Nov. 5-11
Alex O'Loughlin of "Hawaii Five-0" - CBS Photo
Stars across CBS will take over the network’s Facebook pages and Twitter feeds Nov. 5-11 as part of “CBS Social Sweep Week.”
Each morning, fans can log on to the network’s Twitter or Facebook accounts, or CBS.com, for a special message revealing which stars from that night’s lineup will be taking over their show’s social media accounts, according to a news release.
Throughout the day, fans can view photos, videos, exclusive show content and status updates posted by the talent, and will also be able to interact by asking questions and commenting on postings as well.
The event begins Saturday, Nov. 5, with the broadcast of the #1-ranked LSU vs. #2-ranked Alabama college football game and continues throughout CBS’s primetime schedule for the following week.
The schedule, provided by CBS, is as follows:
Saturday, Nov. 5
· SEC on CBS
o Facebook.com/SEConCBS www.facebook.com/SEConCBS
o @SEConCBS www.twitter.com/SEConCBS
o #SEConCBS
Sunday, Nov. 6
· NFL on CBS
o Facebook.com/NFLonCBS www.facebook.com/NFLonCBS
o @NFLonCBS www.twitter.com/NFLonCBS
o #NFLonCBS
· THE AMAZING RACE
o Facebook.com/AmazingRace www.facebook.com/AmazingRace
o @AmazingRace_CBS www.twitter.com/AmazingRace
o #AmazingRace
· THE GOOD WIFE
o Facebook.com/TheGoodWife www.facebook.com/TheGoodWife
o @TheGoodWife_CBS www.twitter.com/TheGoodWife_CBS
o #TheGoodWife
· CSI: MIAMI
o Facebook.com/CSIMiami www.facebook.com/CSIMiami
o @CSIMiami_CBS www.twitter.com/CSIMiami_CBS
o #CSIMiami
Monday, Nov. 7
· HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
o Facebook.com/HowIMetYourMotherCBS www.facebook.com/HowIMetYourMotherCBS
o @HIMYM_CBS www.twitter.com/HIMYM_CBS
o #HIMYM
· 2 BROKE GIRLS
o Facebook.com/2BrokeGirls www.facebook.com/2BrokeGirls
o @2BrokeGirls_CBS www.twitter.com/2BrokeGirls_CBS
o #2BrokeGirls
· TWO AND A HALF MEN
o Facebook.com/TwoandaHalfMen www.facebook.com/TwoandaHalfMen
o @TwoHalfMen_CBS www.twitter.com/TwoHalfMen_CBS
o #TwoAndAHalfMen
· MIKE & MOLLY
o Facebook.com/MikeandMollyCBS www.facebook.com/MikeandMollyCBS
o @MikeMolly_CBS www.twitter.com/MikeMolly_CBS
o #MikeandMolly
HAWAII FIVE-0
o Facebook.com/HawaiiFive0CBS www.facebook.com/HawaiiFive0CBS
o @HawaiiFive0CBS www.twitter.com/HawaiiFive0CBS
o #H50
Tuesday, Nov. 8
· NCIS
o Facebook.com/NCIS www.facebook.com/NCIS
o @NCIS_CBS www.twitter.com/NCIS_CBS
o #NCIS
· NCIS: Los Angeles
o Facebook.com/NCISLA www.facebook.com/NCIS
o @NCISLA_CBS www.twitter.com/NCISLA_CBS
o #NCISLA
· UNFORGETTABLE
o Facebook.com/CBSUnforgettable www.facebook.com/CBSUnforgettable
o @un4gettableCBS www.twitter.com/un4gettableCBS
o #Unforgettable
Wednesday, Nov. 9
· SURVIVOR: SOUTH PACIFIC
o Facebook.com/Survivor www.facebook.com/Survivor
o @Survivor_Tweet www.twitter.com/Survivor_Tweet
o #Survivor
· CRIMINAL MINDS
o Facebook.com/CriminalMinds www.facebook.com/CriminalMinds
o @CrimMinds_CBS www.twitter.com/CrimMinds_CBS
o #CriminalMinds
· CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
o Facebook.com/CSICrimeSceneInvestigation www.facebook.com/CSICrimeSceneInvestigation
o @CSI_CBS www.twitter.com/CSI_CBS
o #CSI
Thursday, Nov. 10
· THE BIG BANG THEORY
o Facebook.com/TheBigBangTheory www.facebook.com/TheBigBangTheory
o @BigBang_CBS www.twitter.com/BigBang_CBS
o #BigBangTheory
· RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
o Facebook.com/RulesofEngagement www.facebook.com/RulesofEngagement
o @RulesEngagement www.twitter.com/RulesEngagement
o #RulesOfEngagement
· PERSON OF INTEREST
o Facebook.com/PersonOfInterestCBS www.facebook.com/PersonOfInterestCBS
o @PersonInterest www.twitter.com/PersonInterest
o #PersonOfInterest
· THE MENTALIST
o Facebook.com/TheMentalist www.facebook.com/TheMentalist
o @Mentalist_CBS www.twitter.com/Mentalist_CBS
o #TheMentalist
Friday, Nov. 11
· A GIFTED MAN
o Facebook.com/AGiftedMan www.facebook.com/AGiftedMan
o @AGiftedMan_CBS www.twitter.com/AGiftedMan_CBS
o #AGiftedMan
· CSI: NY
o Facebook.com/CSINY www.facebook.com/CSINY
o @CSINY_CBS www.twitter.com/CSINY_CBS
o #CSINY
· BLUE BLOODS
o Facebook.com/CBSBlueBloods www.facebook.com/CBSBlueBloods
o @BlueBloods_CBS www.twitter.com/BlueBloods_CBS
o #BlueBloods
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
Julianna Margulies of "The Good Wife" - CBS Photo
Simon Baker directs tomorrow’s thrilling episode of “The Mentalist”
From left, David Paymer and Simon Baker in the "Blinking Red Light" episode of "The Mentalist" - CBS PHOTO
While trying to track down a serial killer, Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) works with a blogger who has devoted his life to finding the murderer on “The Mentalist” tomorrow night.
Baker directed this superbly-written episode, and it’s a job well done as the show has a splendid, suspenseful slow build on its way to an especially chilling ending.
This is the second episode of “The Mentalist” Baker has directed.
David Paymer (“The Good Wife”) is proficient in his role as the blogger, James Panzer; and William Mapother (“Lost”) is suitably creepy as a suspect in the case, Richard Haibach.
Missi Pyle and Michael Rady also guest star in this episode, titled “Blinking Red Light,” written by Ken Woodruff.
Along with Baker, Robin Tunney, Tim Kang, Owain Yeoman and Amanda Righetti star in “The Mentalist,” which airs at 9 p.m. Thursdays on CBS.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twittter: @MelissaHayer
Simon Baker in the "Blinking Red Light" episode of "The Mentalist" - CBS Photo
CBS announces program changes tonight
Jennifer Ehle and Patrick Wilson of "A Gifted Man" - CBS Photo
Tonight’s scheduled lineup of new episodes of “A Gifted Man,” “CSI: NY” and “Blue Bloods” have been replaced with rebroadcasts, according to a news release.
The revised schedule, provided by CBS, is as follows:
7 p.m. “A Gifted Man” (Pilot, originally aired Sept. 23, 2011)
8 p.m. “CSI: Miami” (“Sudden Death,” originally aired Oct. 10, 2010)
9 p.m. “CSI: NY” (“Smooth Criminal,” originally aired Feb. 11, 2011)
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
Oklahoman Ronnie Stancle on “Let’s Make a Deal” Monday
Ronnie Stancle from Oklahoma City will be a contestant on the game show “Let’s Make a Deal” at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, on KWTV (Channel 9).
If you’d like to attend a free taping of “Let’s Make a Deal” in Hollywood, visit www.cbs.com/daytime/lets_make_a_deal.
Details about tape dates are also available at this site.
One out of every eighteen audience members will be a contestant on the show, according to a news release.
Information can also be obtained by calling the “Let’s Make a Deal” Audience Hotline at (888) 5-DEAL-50.
“Let’s Make a Deal” is hosted by Emmy Award-winner Wayne Brady at the Sunset Bronson Studios in Hollywood.
“Hawaii Five-O” soundtrack to be released Oct. 4
CBS Records is set to release a specially produced soundtrack for the television show “Hawaii Five-0″ Oct. 4.
“Hawaii Five-0: Original Songs From The Television Series” features new and previously unreleased tracks from recording artists including Bob Dylan, Train, Goo Goo Dolls, The Swell Season, Switchfoot, Jimmy Cliff, Ziggy Marley and ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro that are available exclusively on this soundtrack, according to a news release.
Producers of the series listened to dozens of submitted tracks before deciding on the ones best suited for this season’s upcoming story lines, so this collection is made up of mostly brand new and previously unreleased tracks that will be woven into upcoming episodes this season.
The previously unreleased Bob Dylan song “Don’t Ever Take Yourself Away” in particular is from recording sessions in the early 1980s and has been newly mixed and mastered for this soundtrack.
Also included is the first commercial release of the “Hawaii Five-0 Main Title Theme” recorded for the update of the classic series in 2010, as well as a suite of the show’s score “Book ‘em Danno,” produced and arranged by Brian Tyler and Keith Power.
“Closer,” by Corinne Bailey Rae and the Hawaiian standard “Hi’ilawe” by John Cruz from the first season of the show are also on the soundtrack.
The complete track listing for “Hawaii Five-0: Original Songs From The Television Series,” provided by CBS, is as follows:
1. Hawaii Five-0 Main Title Theme
2. World Upside Down Jimmy Cliff
3. The Best of Me Goo Goo Dolls
4. Out of Control Switchfoot
5. Should We Believe Train
6. Closer Corinne Bailey Rae
7. Don’t Ever Take Yourself Away Bob Dylan
8. Ukulele Five-0 Jake Shimabukuro
9. Love That’s Bigger The Swell Season
10. Pass It On Ziggy Marley
11. Hi’ilawe John Cruz
12. Book ‘em Danno (Hawaii Five-0 Suite 2010) Brian Tyler and Keith Power
For news on “Hawaii Five-0″ music, visit hawaii50music.com and for updates on all things “Hawaii Five-O,” go to www.cbs.com/HawaiiFive0.
“Hawaii Five-0,” starring Alex O’Loughlin, Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park, airs at 9 p.m. Mondays on CBS.
From left, Daniel Dae Kim, Scott Caan, Grace Park and Alex O'Loughlin of "Hawaii Five-0" - CBS Photo
Will Estes honing his police skills in second season of “Blue Bloods”
Will Estes - Provided Photo by Teren Oddo
(A version of this story was published in the Life section of The Oklahoman, Monday, 9/19/2011.)
Will Estes’ character Jamie Reagan will be sharpening his police skills in the second season of the drama “Blue Bloods,” which premieres at 9 p.m. Friday on CBS.
Estes, 32, a Los Angeles native who has appearances in upcoming projects including the movie “The Dark Knight Rises” and the independent film “Inner Auto Movie Project,” shared some details on the second season of the series, as well as his thoughts on the freshman year of “Blue Bloods” during a recent phone interview.
“I’m very excited about some stuff that my character has this season. It looks like I’m gonna be able to get out of the uniform a little bit more and do some plainclothes work and some undercover work,” he said.
And with the new season comes new beginnings.
“My character also has a new partner,” Estes said. “We’re excited to have Monica Raymund on the show this year, and I’m very excited about doing the undercover stuff.”
There also will be a new mayor to change the political landscape for his father, New York City Police Commissioner Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck).
Additionally, Checotah native and country star Carrie Underwood is appearing with Tony Bennett in the second season premiere.
The singers, portraying themselves at a fundraiser attended by Reagan family members, will perform a duet of “It Had to Be You,” which is on Bennett’s new album, “Duets II,” available for sale Tuesday.
Although Jamie and his fiancee separated in the first season of “Blue Bloods,” and romance is uncertain for the future, Jamie can always count on some good bonding time with his grandfather to keep him busy when he’s not working.
“We had sort of a theme going on a little bit the first season where I had broken up with my fiancee, and Len Cariou’s character, you know, Henry the grandfather, was hangin’ out at the house.
“We couldn’t figure out why Jamie was there in particular, you know Jamie has his own apartment and everything. And I said I think he comes over to hang out with Henry ’cause he doesn’t have a date, and he doesn’t have anything else going on, and Henry’s kind of in the same boat, and they’re sort of peas in a pod together.”
Estes had high praise for his cast mates, including Cariou, Donnie Wahlberg and Bridget Moynahan.
But Selleck in particular has been a big influence.
“He’s just so studied, and so professional, and takes what he does to heart, and I’ve learned a lot from him already.
“He’s great at what he does,” Estes added. “And people tell me that I was so good in a scene with Tom, and … you know that when you’re in a scene with a great actor they make you better, and so I always know that that’s a compliment for Tom as well.”
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
