“New Girl”: Ryan Kwanten guest stars on Valentine’s Day episode tonight
Zooey Deschanel and Ryan Kwanten in "New Girl" - Fox Photo
“New Girl” fans will receive a special treat in tonight’s Valenine’s Day episode as”True Blood” star Ryan Kwanten makes a guest appearance on the sitcom, which airs at 8 p.m. Tuesdays on Fox.
In this episode, Jess (Zooey Deschanel) is single for the first time on Valentine’s Day, so she convinces Schmidt (Max Greenfield ) to be her wingman as she tries to have an attachment-free fling with a handsome stranger (Kwanten), according to a news release.
“Glee” and “Raising Hope” also feature Valentine’s Day-related story lines on Fox tonight.
In information on the shows provided by the network, “Glee,” which airs at 7 p.m., features Will (Matthew Morrison) challenging the New Directions to find and perform the world’s greatest love songs, while Rachel’s (Lea Michele) two dads, Hiram (guest star Jeff Goldblum) and LeRoy Berry (guest star Brian Stokes Mitchell), pay a visit to McKinley High School.
On “Raising Hope,” which airs at 8:31 p.m., Virginia (Martha Plimpton) and Burt (Garret Dillahunt) convince Jimmy (Lucas Neff) to create a fake girlfriend (guest star Ashley Tisdale) to make Sabrina (Shannon Woodward) jealous. But when their acting becomes too convincing and Sabrina falls for their fake relationship, all plans could backfire on Jimmy.
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From left, Damian McGinty, Vanessa Lengies and Kevin McHale in "Glee"
Ashley Tisdale and Lucas Neff in "Raising Hope - Fox Photos
“Touch”: Preview of new Fox drama to air tonight
From left, Kiefer Sutherland and David Mazouz of "Touch" - Fox Photo
Kiefer Sutherland (“24″) returns to television as the lead in the Fox drama “Touch.”
Sutherland plays Martin Bohm, a widower and single father haunted by an inability to connect to his emotionally challenged 11-year-old son Jake (David Mazouz).
Martin discovers, however, that Jake can predict events before they happen and then everything changes, according to a news release.
In a special preview of the pilot episode, which airs at 8 tonight, Jan 25, on Fox, Martin becomes associated with social worker Clea Hopkins (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and Professor Arthur Teller (guest star Danny Glover), who may have the keys to help unlock Jake’s mind.
The series premiere of “Touch” is scheduled for 8 p.m., Monday, March 19.
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
“Alcatraz” should attract “Lost” fans
From left, Jorge Garcia, Sarah Jones and Sam Neill of "Alcatraz" - Fox Photo
“Alcatraz,” from executive producer J.J. Abrams (“Lost,” “Fringe”), is an intriguing new drama about the mysterious reappearance of 302 of Alcatraz’s most notorious prisoners and guards 50 years after they vanished.
Three of the people headlining the investigation of this phenomena are San Francisco Police Department Det. Rebecca Madsen (Sarah Jones); Alcatraz expert and comic book enthusiast Dr. Diego “Doc” Soto (Jorge Garcia) and government agent Emerson Hauser (Sam Neill).
Madsen became involved after she was assigned to a homicide case and a fingerprint lead her to a suspect, Jack Sylvane (Jeffrey Pierce). Sylvane is an Alcatraz inmate who was supposed to have died over 30 years ago, however.
Madsen has a special interest in the case since her grandfather and surrogate uncle, Ray Archer (Robert Forster), were guards at the prison.
Madsen teams up with Soto and Hauser (who knows a lot more than he’s telling) to track down Sylvane, who’s using murder to claim revenge from past events.
And, curiously, he hasn’t aged a day since 1963 when he was a prisoner at Alcatraz, which was run by the merciless Warden Edwin James (Jonny Coyne) and the cruel Associate Warden E.B. Tiller (Jason Butler Harner).
This is just the beginning of what viewers are going to learn about what appears to be some kind of conspiracy/plot relating to why the prisoners and guards disappeared years ago and why they’re showing up again, and I’m definitely hooked on wanting to find out what’s behind it all.
Neill is effective at playing Hauser as a character you’re not sure is a good guy or a bad guy; Jones is solid as Madsen; and it’s good to have Garcia back in a regular TV role after “Lost – just as it is to see Parminder Nagra (ER), who plays Hauser’s associate Lucy Banerjee, back on television as well.
“Lost” fans, or anyone who enjoys the mystery/thriller genre, should like this series.
“Alcatraz” has a two-hour premiere at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, on Fox.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
“Napoleon Dynamite” animated series premieres Jan. 15
An animated series based on the hit movie “Napoleon Dynamite” debuts with two episodes at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 15 on Fox.
Like the film, the series centers on the comic adventures of awkward teenager Napoleon Dynamite and his offbeat family and friends in the small town of Preston, Idaho.
The show is executive produced by Jared Hess and Jerusha Hess, who wrote and directed the original film, along with Mike Scully (“The Simpsons,” “Parks and Recreation”), and features the voices of the movie’s original cast.
The animation, by Rough Draft Studios (“Futurama,” “The Simpsons Movie”), is excellent and works really well with Napoleon’s offbeat story.
The show seems to flow right along as a continuation of the film, especially since the movie’s cast members are still portraying these characters, and the situations they find themselves in are conceivable in accordance with their quirky natures.
If you are a fan of the movie as I am, you should enjoy this animated series. I found myself chuckling as I watched it, and the best word I could think of to describe it overall would be, of course, sweet!
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
Rodney Carrington to host “American Country New Year’s Eve Live”; Toby Keith also to be featured
Rodney Carrington - Oklahoman Archive Photo
Tulsa comedian/actor Rodney Carrington will host “American Country New Year’s Eve Live” from 11 p.m. to 12: 30 a.m. live on the East Coast (Central, Mountain and Pacific Time tape-delayed) on Fox.
Carrington joins co-hosts Rick Harrison and Austin “Chumlee” Russell of “Pawn Stars”on the countdown to 2012 show, which will feature performances by Norman resident Toby Keith, Joe Nichols, Lauren Alaina, Eli Young Band and Rodney Atkins, according to a news release.
Howie Mandel will make a special appearance to share his New Year’s resolution as well as a preview of his upcoming “Mobbed” series of specials, airing Wednesdays, Jan. 4, Jan. 11, Feb. 1 and Feb. 8 from 8 to 9 p.m. (Central time) on Fox.
Bob Bain serves as executive producer for “American Country New Year’s Eve Live”, Paul Flattery is producer and Michael Dempsey is director.
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Toby Keith - Provided Photo by Andrew Southam
Join Fox mobile club for exclusive behind-the-scenes show content
From left, Cory Monteith, Darren Criss, Chris Colfer, Jenna Ushkowitz, Kevin McHale, Harry Shum Jr., Amber Riley, Lea Michele, Mark Salling, Dianna Agron, Heather Morris, Naya Rivera, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays and Matthew Morrison of "Glee" - Fox Photo
Fans can sign up to join mobile message programs for Fox shows and receive weekly text messages featuring Fox talent and producers, exclusive photos, promos and more, according to a news release.
Glee fans can text GLEE to 94444 today, Nov. 15, to receive on their mobile devices weekly never-before-seen bonus content; New Directions set lists; a special message from Chris Colfer, who plays Kurt Hummel; and more.
“House” fans can text HOUSE to 94444 today as well to sign up for weekly “House-isms” and other fan material from the Princeton Plainsboro crew.
Messages from “New Girl” begin Nov. 22; “Bones” starts Dec. 1; and “Fringe” delivers new content beginning Jan. 6.
All shows can be signed up for by texting the show name (e.g. NEW GIRL) to 94444.
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
Hugh Laurie of "House" - Fox Photo
Megan Mullally joins cast of Fox comedy series “Breaking In”
Megan Mullally - AP Photo
Megan Mullally, who is a graduate of Oklahoma City’s Casady High School, has joined the cast of the Fox comedy series “Breaking In,” playing the new boss of Contra Security after a corporate conglomerate takes control of the company, according to a news release.
The takeover places her in a power struggle with Contra’s former owner Oz (Christian Slater) and employees Cameron (Bret Harrison), Cash (Alphonso McAuley) and Melanie (Odette Annable).
“Breaking In” starts production on its second season in January, which premieres this spring on Fox.
Mullally won two Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and was a nominee for another five Emmy Awards for her role as Karen Walker on NBC’s comedy “Will & Grace.”
She also received four Golden Globe nominations and four Screen Actors Guild Awards for the role.
“Breaking In” is produced by Happy Madison Productions, Adam F. Goldberg Productions and Sethsquatch, Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television, with Adam Goldberg, Seth Gordon and Doug Robinson serving as executive producers, while Goldberg serves as writer.
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“Whitechapel,” “American Horror Story” and “The Walking Dead” among top choices for Halloween-related viewing
From left, Phil Davis, Rupert Penry-Jones and Steve Pemberton of "Whitechapel" - BBC America Photo
My three top choices to get the Halloween goosebumps going for the Halloween television viewing season are as follows:
- BBC America delivers some pre-Halloween chills with the U.S. premiere of the series “Whitechapel” at 9 p.m. Wed., Oct. 26.
“Whitechapel” is set in modern day East London where the police are trying to solve murders that echo cases from the past, including those involving Jack the Ripper and the 1960s crime twins Ronnie and Reggie Kray.
The six part series, from the producers of “Downton Abby,” stars Rupert Penry-Jones (“MI-5,” “Persuasion), Phil Davis (“Sherlock,” “Bleak House”) and Steve Pemberton (“The League of Gentleman).
- “American Horror Story” continues its bloodcurdling run at 9 p.m. Wed. Oct. 26 on FX, with the first of two “Halloween” episodes: Part 1 features the line between the living and the dead blurring on Halloween and two of the house’s previous residents giving the Harmons decorating advice. Part 2, airing at 9 p.m. Wed., Nov. 2, involves Tate coming face-to-face with his past and Ben and Vivien being haunted by one of the house’s newest guests.
Dylan McDermott, Connie Britton and Jessica Lange star in “American Horror Story.”
- “The Walking Dead,” which has just been renewed for a third season, airs its third spine-chiling episode of its second season at 8 p.m. Sun., Oct. 30 on AMC, in which the group desperately awaits Shane’s return as he finds himself trapped in a school surrounded by zombies, while Daryl and Andrea search for someone in the woods.
Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal, Sarah Wayne Callies, Laurie Holden, Jeffrey DeMunn and Steven Yeun star in “The Walking Dead.”
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
Other various Halloween-related viewing options include:
- “Ghost Adventures” airs at 8 p.m. Fri., Oct. 28 on the Travel Channel – Zak, Nick and Aaron have come to Letchworth to unlock “The Village of Secrets.”
- “Iris Johansen’s The Killing Game,” based on the bestselling crime novel of the same name and starring Laura Prepon (“How I Met Your Mother”), airs at 7 p.m. Sun., Oct. 30 on Lifetime Movie Network.
- “Martha Stewart’s Haunted House” re-airs at 9 a.m. Mon., Oct. 31 on the Hallmark Channel, actor Justin Long is a guest.
- “The Sing-Off” airs at 7 p.m. Mon., Oct. 31 on NBC and features an opening medley of “This Is Halloween,” “Werewolves of London” and “Ghostbusters.”
- “Watch What Happens Live” airs at 10 p.m. Mon., Oct. 31 on Bravo – live Halloween party hosted by Andy Cohen in the Bravo Clubhouse.
- The Sundance Channel is offering some movies to whet your Halloween appetite, including “Dream Home,” airing at 10:30 p.m. Fri., Oct. 28, which centers on the story of a newlywed couple who wanted the American dream but end up in the middle of a nightmare. Gary and Jessica have moved into a suburban home in the rural countryside when Jessica begins to have strange, haunting visions of a mysterious woman wandering the halls and the shady locals hint at a morbid and tragic back story to the house; and “One Missed Call,” which airs at 9 p.m. Sat., Oct. 29, and is about college student Beth Raymond, whose friends have all been dying in droves and the one connecting factor between all of the incidents is that just before their deaths, each of the victims received a message in which they heard themselves being killed. Beth receives her own terrifying phone call and has only three days to solve the mystery and cheat death.
- If you’d like some humor instead of horror, ABC’s Tuesday and Wednesday (Oct. 25 and 26) night comedies, including “Last Man Standing” (7 p.m. Tues.), “The Middle” (7 p.m. Wed.),” “Suburgatory” (7:30 p.m. Wed.), “Modern Family” (8 p.m., Wed.) and “Happy Endings” (8:30 p.m. Wed.) have Halloween themes.
- NBC’s Thursday (Oct. 27) night comedies featuring Halloween episodes include “Community” (7 p.m) “Parks & Recreation” (7:30 p.m.) and “The Office” (8 p.m.)
- Additionally, “The Simpsons’” 22nd annual installment of “Treehouse of Horror” airs at 7 p.m., Sun., Oct. 30, on Fox.
(Information on programs provided by BBC America, FX, AMC, Sundance, ABC, NBC, Fox, Travel Channel, Lifetime Movie Network, Hallmark Channel and Bravo.)
From left, Atticus Shaffer, Patricia Heaton, Jake Netter, Devon Laos, Andrew J. Fishman, Mason Cook and Aidan Potter of "The Middle" - ABC Photo
Seventeen finalists to compete live on “The X Factor” Tuesday
The decisions of judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger were revealed last night as to which members of their groups would go on to the live round of “The X Factor.”
Although he had made it through to the “Judges’ Homes” round in L.A. Reid’s group, Harrah native Brennin Hunt, 26, who now lives in Nashville, didn’t make it through to next week’s live round, which will air from 7 to 9:30, Tuesday, Oct. 25 on Fox.
The 17 remaining acts, according to a news release, are:
The Girls finalists Simon Cowell is mentoring:
Melanie Amaro
Simone Battle
Rachel Crow
Drew Ryniewicz
Tiah Tolliver
The Boys finalists L.A. Reid is mentoring:
Astro
Marcus Canty
Phillip Lomax
Chris Rene
The Over 30s finalists Nicole Scherzinger is mentoring:
LeRoy Bell
Stacy Francis
Dexter Haygood
Josh Krajcik
The Groups finalists Paula Abdul is mentoring:
The Brewer Boys
inTENsity
Lakoda Rayne
The Stereo Hogzz
For more information on these acts, visit www.thexfactorusa.com/contestants and for the latest news on the show, visit www.TheXFactorusa.com.
“The X Factor” “Judges’ Homes” round to begin tonight
From left, "The X Factor" judges L.A. Reid, Nicole Scherzinger, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell - Fox Photo
The beginning of the two-hour “Judges’ Homes” round of “The X Factor” is starting at 7 tonight, after being postponed last night due to the rain-interrupted American League Championship Series Game 4 on Fox.
The second part of the “Judges’ Homes” round will now air from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday (if there’s no ALCS Game 7), according to a news release.
The third and final part of the “Judges’ Homes” round will air from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18.
L.A. Reid will mentor the Boys; Simon Cowell will mentor the Girls; Nicole Scherzinger will mentor the Over 30s and Paula Abdul will mentor the Groups.
Reid’s group includes Brennin Hunt, 26, a Harrah native who now lives in Nashville.
The list of the groups and their mentors announced last night, provided by Fox, is as follows:
THE EIGHT BOYS WHOM L.A. REID WILL MENTOR:
Skyelor Anderson
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Currently Resides: Southaven, MS
Age: 16
Brian Bradley
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Currently Resides: Brooklyn, NY
Age: 15
Marcus Canty
Hometown: Bowie, MD
Currently Resides: Bowie, MD
Age: 20
Tim Cifers
Hometown: Granville County, NC
Currently Resides: Willow Spring, NC
Age: 30
Brennin Hunt
Hometown: Harrah, OK
Currently Resides: Nashville, TN
Age: 26
Phillip Lomax
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Currently Resides: Seattle, WA
Age: 22
Chris Rene
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Currently Resides: Santa Cruz, CA
Age: 28
Nick Voss
Hometown: Hialeah, FL
Currently Resides: Hialeah, FL
Age: 22
THE EIGHT GIRLS WHOM SIMON COWELL WILL MENTOR:
Melanie Amaro
Hometown: Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Currently Resides: Coral Springs, FL
Age: 19
Simone Battle
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 22
Rachel Crow
Hometown: Longmont, CO
Currently Resides: Burbank, CA
Age: 13
Caitlin Koch
Hometown: Orchard Park, NY
Currently Resides: Orchard Park, NY
Age: 21
Jazzlyn Little
Hometown: Cape Coral, FL
Currently Resides: Cape Coral, FL
Age: 16
Drew Ryniewicz
Hometown: Chino Valley, AZ
Currently Resides: Chino Valley, AZ
Age: 14
Tiah Tolliver
Hometown: Chula Vista, CA
Currently Resides: Bremerton, WA
Age: 20
Tora Woloshin
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Currently Resides: Tucson, AZ
Age: 22
THE EIGHT OVER 30s WHOM NICOLE SCHERZINGER WILL MENTOR:
LeRoy Bell
Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Currently Resides: Edmonds, WA
Age: 60
Tiger Budbill
Hometown: Seattle/White Center, WA
Currently Resides: Bothell, WA
Age: 42
Christa Collins
Hometown: Burlington, IA
Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 32
Stacy Francis
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 42
Elaine Gibbs
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 53
Dexter Haygood
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Currently Resides: Chicago, IL
Age: 49
James Kenney
Hometown: Portland, OR
Currently Resides: West Hollywood, CA
Age: 34
Josh Krajcik
Hometown: Wooster, OH
Currently Resides: Columbus, OH
Age: 30
THE EIGHT GROUPS THAT PAULA ABDUL WILL MENTOR:
2squar’d
Liza Forero Age: 27 Hometown: Edison, NJ Resides: Miami, FL
Deveraux Lavinia Age: 27 Hometown: Miami, FL
Abighail Mary Age: 28 Hometown: Miami, FL Resides: Pembroke Pines, FL
Aimee Santos Age: 25 Hometown: Quebec, Canada Resides: Miramar, FL
4Shore
Allynn Walker Bey Age: 23 Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Jessie Nunn III Age: 21 Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Daijreous Poole Age: 21 Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Brandon Showell Age: 21 Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
The Anser
Gray Aydelott Age: 22 Hometown: Kaysville, UT Resides: Orem, UT
Jarrett Burns Age: 27 Hometown: Orem, UT
PJ Schwartz Age: 21 Hometown: Bountiful, UT
Brewer Boys
Justin Brewer Age: 17 Hometown: Temecula, CA
Nathan Brewer Age: 14 Hometown: Temecula, CA
Illusion/Confusion
Lazaro Chavez Age: 26 Hometown: Hialeah, FL
Ahmed Jaime Age: 26 Hometown: Miami, FL
Richard Mason Age: 26 Hometown: Hialeah, FL
InTENsity
Nick Dean Age: 15 Hometown: Rochester, NY
Francesca Duncan Age: 17 Hometown: Orange Co., NY Resides: Brockport, NY
John Lindahl Age: 14 Hometown: Travuco Canyon, CA
Emily Michalak Age: 13 Hometown: Pine Brook, NJ
Arin Ray Age: 16 Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Lauren Ashley Redmond Age: 17 Hometown: Houston, TX Resides: DeSoto, TX
Ellona Santiago Age: 15 Hometown: San Lorenzo, CA
Ma’at Bingham Shango Age: 12 Hometown: Houston, TX
Austin Percario Age: 15 Hometown: Warren, NJ
Emily Wilson Age: 15 Hometown: Warren, NJ
Lakoda Rayne
Cari Fletcher Age: 17 Hometown: Wall Township, NJ
Dani Knights Age: 22 Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA
Paige Ogle Age: 18 Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Hayley Orrantia Age: 17 Hometown: Highland Village, TX
Stereo Hogzz
Kregg Gibson Age: 25 Hometown: Houston, TX
Jonathan Glenn Age: 25 Hometown: Houston, TX
George Jenkins III Age: 25 Hometown: Houston, TX
Justin Williams Age: 25 Hometown: Houston, TX
Leeland Stephenson Age: 24 Hometown: Houston, TX
For more information on “The X Factor,” visit www.TheXFactorusa.com and for more information on each of the top 32 acts, visit www.thexfactorusa.com/contestants.
