“Army Wives” and “Coming Home” returning March 4 to Lifetime
Catherine Bell and Kim Delaney in "Army Wives" - Lifetime Photo
“Army Wives” will return for its sixth season at 8 p.m., Sunday, March 4, on Lifetime, followed by new episodes of the network’s award-winning docu-series “Coming Home” at 9 p.m., according to a news release.
“Army Wives” follows the lives of a diverse group of women (and one man) who live with their spouses and families on an active army post.
Kim Delaney, Sally Pressman, Brigid Brannagh, Brian McNamara, Sterling K. Brown, Wendy Davis, Drew Fuller, Terry Serpico and Catherine Bell star in the series.
Susan Lucci (“All My Children”) is scheduled to make several special guest star appearances this season as Audrey, the wife of a retired Brigadier General.
Lucci also co-starred with Delany on “All My Children.”
The summary for the upcoming season, provided by Lifetime, is as follows:
The sixth season of “Army Wives” will see significant changes to the tribe. As they prepare to leave the recently decommissioned Fort Marshall and go their separate ways, one of them will be bidding a final farewell. In the season premiere, Roxy (Pressman) is having a hard time adjusting to the idea of moving away from her close knit group of friends, especially Pamela (Brannagh), while Michael (McNamara) and Claudia Joy (Delaney) face a tough decision about their future. Despite the turmoil, Denise (Bell) and Frank (Serpico) are planning a party for Molly’s first birthday, which may be the last time the group gathers to celebrate a milestone. But when Joan (Davis) gets word of a potentially deadly event that will descend on Fort Marshall, the tribe must band together yet again and prepare for their lives to change in an instant.
“Coming Home” follows surprise reunions of members of all five branches of the military with their spouses, children, parents and other loved ones as they return home from active duty throughout the world.
Former “American Idol” finalist Matt Rogers hosts this series, with each episode highlighting multiple reunions featuring service members and their emotional stories.
Information on what’s ahead for this show, provided by Lifetime, is as follows:
Upcoming episodes of “Coming Home” feature more dramatic and emotional surprise reunions and a number of special guest appearances including Grammy Award-winning country music star Clint Black, who helps two adorable kids write a song about their Army captain father who just returned from Afghanistan and is hiding in the next room. Sesame Street’s very own Elmo and Rosita travel all the way to Fort Bliss, Texas, to put together a once-in-a-lifetime surprise for the children of an Army sergeant who are having an especially hard time with their father’s deployment in Iraq. And the NFL’s Oakland Raiders also join in on one of the season’s biggest moments when they help surprise the children of a lifelong Oakland Raiders fan who hasn’t seen his family in over a year when he suits up in the infamous Silver and Black to make a stunning appearance mid-field during halftime at a game in front of a stadium full of Raider Nation fans.
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
"Coming Home" - Lifetime Photo
Rob Lowe stars in January Lifetime movie “Drew Peterson: Untouchable”
Rob Lowe in the movie "Drew Peterson: Untouchable" - Lifetime Photo
Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee Rob Lowe (“Parks and Recreation”) and Kaley Cuoco (“The Big Bang Theory” star in the Lifetime Original Movie “Drew Peterson: Untouchable,” scheduled to premiere at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21.
The film, based on a true story, centers on the tale of police officer Drew Peterson’s fall from grace after the mysterious disappearance of his fourth wife, according to a news release.,
The summary of the movie, provided by Lifetime, is as follows:
Charming Chicago-area officer Drew Peterson (Lowe) seemed virtually “untouchable” in more ways than one when it came to his womanizing ways, having been married three times before landing the eye and affection of Stacy Cales (Cuoco), a woman half his age. As Peterson’s relationship with Stacy blossoms, his relationship with third wife Kathleen Savio (Cara Buono, Mad Men) unravels in a bitter divorce — until Kathleen is inexplicably found dead in an empty bathtub. Soon after making Stacy his fourth wife and having their first child, Peterson’s jealousy and controlling ways begin to strain their marriage. Suddenly Stacy disappears, leaving her two children, and Peterson’s older children behind. Peterson insists that Stacy left him for another man but in the wake of her disappearance, new questions are raised about Kathleen’s death and her case is re-opened, drawing national media attention to Peterson and the strange cases of Kathleen and Stacy. Peterson seems to bask in the media attention, professing his innocence and announcing his engagement to yet another younger woman. But when authorities take a closer look at the circumstances surrounding both cases, a different kind of spotlight is placed on him as more questions arise. Are Kathleen’s death and Stacy’s still-unknown whereabouts just a tragic coincidence? Or is there more there than meets the eye?
“Drew Peterson: Untouchable” is produced by Sony Pictures Televison; executive produced by Judith Verno (“The Craigslist Killer”) and produced by Kyle Clark (“Secretary”) and Lina Wong (“The Craigslist Killer.”
Mikael Salomen (“Camelot”) directed the movie, which features a script written by Teena Booth (“Pregnancy Pact”) and based on the book “Fatal Vows” by Joseph Hosey.
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
“Project Runway All Stars” premieres Jan. 5 on Lifetime
(L to R: Top Row) Elisa Jimenez, Kenley Collins, Austin Scarlett, Mila Hermanovski, Michael Costello, Kara Janx, Sweet P/Kathleen Vaughn (Bottom Row) Anthony Williams, Gordana Gehlhausen, Mondo Guerra, Rami Kashou, April Johnston, Jerell Scott. - Lifetime Photo
Thirteen MVPs from past seasons of the Emmy Award-nominated series “Project Runway” are returning to be judged once again on “Project Runway All Stars,” which debuts at 8 p.m. Jan. 5 on Lifetime.
Designer/judges Isaac Mizrahi and Georgina Chapman join supermodel/host Angela Lindvall, along with fashion tastemaker/mentor and Marie Claire Editor-in-Chief Joanna Coles on the show, according to a news release.
Miss Piggy, supermodel Miranda Kerr and musician/producer Pharrell Williams are among the guest judges scheduled to appear throughout the season.
The All Star designers, in a list provided by Lifetime, are as follows:
- Kenley Collins (Brooklyn, NY) – Season Five, Second Runner-up
- Michael Costello (Palm Springs, CA) – Season Eight, Fourth Place
- Gordana Gehlhausen (San Diego, CA) – Season Six, Fourth Place
- Mondo Guerra (Denver, CO) – Season Eight, Runner-up
- Mila Hermanovski (Los Angeles, CA) – Season Seven, Second Runner-up
- Kara Janx (New York, NY) – Season Two, Fourth Place
- Elisa Jimenez (New York, NY) – Season Four, 10th Place
- April Johnston (Savannah, GA) – Season Eight, Fifth Place
- Rami Kashou (Los Angeles, CA) – Season Four, Runner-up
- Austin Scarlett (New York, NY) – Season One, Fourth Place
- Jerell Scott (New York, NY) – Season Five, Fourth Place
- Sweet P/Kathleen Vaughn (Pasadena, CA) – Season Four, Fifth Place
- Anthony Williams (Atlanta, GA) – Season Seven, Fifth Place
The winner of “Project Runway All Stars” will receive the most substantial prizing in “Project Runway” history, which includes an exclusive designer’s boutique in select Neiman Marcus stores and on NeimanMarcus.com, $100,000 in technology and office space to help grow their business from HP and Intel, $100,000 cash from L’Oreal Paris, a feature spread in Marie Claire, for which he or she will serve as a guest editor for one year, and a sewing and embroidery studio provided by Brother International.
The Weinstein Company and Bunim-Murray Productions serve as producers for “Project Runway All Stars.”
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
“Drop Dead Diva” renewed for fourth season
Brooke Elliott of "Drop Dead Diva" - Lifetime Photo
Lifetime has picked up “Drop Dead Diva” for a fourth season, with 13 episodes scheduled to premiere in 2012, according to a news release.
The series, nominated for a 2011 Humanitas Prize, follows the story of Deb, a shallow, aspiring model who dies in a sudden accident and then finds her soul has resurfaced in the body of Jane, a brilliant, thoughtful, plus-size lawyer.
Brooke Elliott, who lived in Enid for a few years while growing up, stars as Jane.
Margaret Cho, Jackson Hurst, Kate Levering, April Bowlby, Josh Stamberg and Ben Feldman are also cast members of “Drop Dead Diva.”
Josh Berman is creator and executive producer of the show, with Craig Zadan and Neil Meron of Storyline Entertainment and Alex Taub also serving as executive producers.
“America’s Most Wanted” picked up by Lifetime
John Walsh - AP Photo
John Walsh’s pioneering series “America’s Most Wanted” has been picked up by Lifetime for its 25th season after being cancelled this spring by Fox.
“America’s Most Wanted” has played a major role in the capture of more than 1,100 fugitives in the United States and 30 countries, including 17 on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List, as well as in the rescue of 61 children and missing persons, since the show began in 1988, according to a news release.
Host and executive producer Walsh will be presented with the Governors Award, “which salutes an individual, company or organization that has made a substantial impact and demonstrated the extraordinary use of television,” this month at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Walsh became a crime-fighting activist and victims’ advocate after his 6-year-old son Adam was kidnapped and murdered in 1981.
“America’s Most Wanted” will return later this year.
“Against the Wall” is alluring new Lifetime drama
Rachael Carpani and Marisa Ramirez of "Against the Wall" - Lifetime Photo
Abby Kowalski (Rachael Carpani) is a single Chicago police officer who has advanced to being a detective in Lifetime’s new one-hour drama “Against the Wall,” but the catch is the position is in the Internal Affairs division.
And that’s a big catch because her father and three brothers are also members of the Chicago Police Department – and her father Don (Treat Williams) is very anti-Internal Affairs.
Abby’s mother Sheila (Kathy Baker) is caught in the middle, but is supportive of her only daughter making her own decisions.
Also in the pilot episode, Abby runs into a potential love interest, Danny (Chris Johnson), a lawyer and an old friend; and begins her new job with partner Lina (Marisa Ramirez), a pregnant cop who wants to do her best, but doesn’t have the same ambition as Abby.
“Against the Wall” has many positives to start off with: Carpani is especially appealing to watch in her portrayal of Abby, and you can’t go wrong with the high-quality acting Baker and Williams always bring to their projects as well.
The family conflict, police case story lines and Abby’s complicated private life also add to the overall allure of the series.
There’s potential for the plot lines to go in numerous interesting directions, and I’m sure Abby’s brothers Richie (Brandon Quinn), Steve (Steve Byers) and Donnie (James Thomas) will be involved in some of those
Abby Kowalski appears to be a compelling character to follow and I’m looking forward to more episodes of “Against the Wall,” which premieres at 9 p.m. Sunday, July 31, on Lifetime.
Look for my interview with Rachael Carpani on Monday, Aug. 1, in The Oklahoman’s Life section and on www.NewsOK.com.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
“Drop Dead Diva” returns with an engaging third season opener Sunday
“Drop Dead Diva” opens its third season with Jane (Brooke Elliott) keeping an eye on Grayson (Jackson Hurst) while he’s in a coma in the hospital after a car accident.
Of course, Jane’s hoping Grayson will call her Deb again when he wakes up.
But, at the moment, the only two people who know that Jane is really Deb are her best friend Stacy (April Bowlby) and guardian angel Fred (Ben Feldman).
In case you haven’t tuned into “Drop Dead Diva” before, the plot centers on model wannabe Deb, who has died in a car crash, and, after attempting to persuade Fred, who was heaven’s gatekeeper at that time, to return her back to her human body, she is accidentally sent back to Earth in the body of recently deceased plus-size attorney Jane Bingum.
The most entertaining aspect of the series is watching Deb gain a new perspective on life now that she has this different shape – and she also has acquired Jane’s knowledge of the law, which adds to the amusement as well.
Grayson was in a relationship with Deb when she was killed – and is an attorney at the law firm where Jane works.
And Deb/Jane is still in love with him, but she isn’t supposed to tell him who she really is.
Grayson became engaged at the end of last season, but he called Jane “Deb” right before the car accident – and his fiancé is also keeping watch over him at the hospital in this episode.
Jane is also tasked with taking the case of a Hollywood star who’s been accused of hitting a girl with his car, and, though she at first isn’t keen on the assignment, she is encouraged by April, who’s a fan of the star, and who becomes Jane’s intern on the case.
Elliott, who lived in Enid for a few years while growing up, remains charming as Jane.
And with a nice “Don’t Leave Me This Way” musical number, guest stars including Paula Abdul and LeAnn Rimes, and canny lawyering by Jane, who endures emotional drama due to Grayson’s situation as well, this show has a combination that adds up to a pleasing season opener for fans.
“Drop Dead Diva’s” third season debuts at 8 p.m. Sunday on Lifetime.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
“The Protector” fails to preserve interest
From left, Ally Walker and Tisha Campbell-Martin of "The Protector" - Lifetime Photo
Another procedural drama, “The Protector,” hits the airwaves at 9 p.m. Sunday on Lifetime.
And another procedural drama is just what it is.
“The Protector” stars Ally Walker as divorced mother/Los Angeles homicide detective Gloria Sheppard who is raising her two sons, Leo (Thomas Robinson) and Nick (Sage Ryan) with the live-in assistance of her troubled younger brother Davey (Chris Payne Gilbert).
Other stars in the series include Tisha Campbell-Martin (who was born in Oklahoma City) and Miguel Ferrer.
Campbell-Martin plays Sheppard’s partner Michelle Dulcett and Ferrer portrays their boss Lt. Felix Valdez.
The pilot episode is average – although Walker and Campbell-Martin give good effort, there just seems to be an overall nuance that comes across in the show of trying too hard – for Sheppard to be a bit quirky, for her to have a demanding job, but still be the greatest mom ever, for her to be an incredible crime-solver, but yet irritating to some colleagues.
All qualities, which also can be included in the dreaded group entitled “television series clichés,” are viable ones, but only if written and executed perfectly – or if there is an extra ingredient added that creates a twist on the usual formula – which, unfortunately, isn’t the case here.
I didn’t completely dislike “The Protector,” but I was disinterested enough to feel like I didn’t need to tune in on a regular basis.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Lifetime announces 2011-12 schedule
From left, Tisha Campbell-Martin and Ally Walker of "The Protector" - Lifetime Photo
Lifetime has announced its 2011-12 programming schedule, which includes the addition of two new scripted dramas and 11 reality shows.
The network has also renewed “Army Wives” for a 13-episode sixth season and “Drop Dead Diva returns June 19.
The new dramas “The Protector” and “Against the Wall” are slated to debut this summer.
In information provided by Lifetime about the upcoming schedule, “The Protector” stars Ally Walker as divorced mother Gloria Sheppard, who juggles her personal and professional life as an intuitive LAPD homicide detective. Gloria raises her two sons with the help of her troubled younger brother Davey (Chris Payne). Tisha Campbell-Martin co-stars as Sheppard’s partner and Miguel Ferrer plays their boss.
“Against the Wall” features Rachael Carpani, who co-stars along with Treat Williams and Kathy Baker, as Chicago police detective Abby Kowalski, who causes a rift within her close-knit blue collar family of cops when she makes the decision to join the department’s Internal Affairs division.
Lifetime has also ordered the drama pilot “Modern Love,” which centers on newspaper science editor Simon McElvane as he deals with a disintegrating marriage, the ramifications of possibly starting over, and adjusting his relationship with his adopted 15-year-old daughter.
McElvane is unexpectedly given the job of editor of the newspaper’s Modern Love column and finds out he has much to learn about life and love. The series will include actual column stories optioned from the New York Times.
On the unscripted series side, “Project Runway” will be back for its ninth season this summer.
In addition to “Project Runway,” recently renewed hospital docu-drama “One Born Every Minute” and surprise military personnel reunion series “Coming Home,” the network has picked up the following reality shows (series descriptions provided by Lifetime):
- The real-life series “Vanished with Beth Holloway,” launching Monday, a one-hour docu-reality program hosted by Beth Holloway exploring
true mysteries of families who have been victimized by unsolved abductions, disappearances and unspeakable crimes. Lifetime has ordered 10 one-hour
episodes of the program. “Vanished with Beth Holloway” will debut after the world premiere of the original movie “Justice for Natalee Holloway.”
- “Love Handles,” set to launch in May, an hour-long docu-series from executive producer SallyAnn Salsano (Jersey Shore) featuring a dual transformation of overweight couples as they attempt to save their lives and relationships by confronting what lies at the core of the emotional, dietary and physical issues deeply affecting their well-being. Lifetime has ordered eight hour-long episodes.
- 12 half-hour episodes of “Brighton Beach,” which follows the colorful women and men who live, love and work in the famous Brooklyn neighborhood, home to a vibrant Russian-American community where viewers will meet the multi-generational families whose dramas and dreams contend with their Russian heritage.
- “The Conversation,” hosted by British television personality and renowned photographer Amanda de Cadenet and executive produced by Demi Moore and de Cadenet, which,in eight 60-minute episodes, will provide a refreshing and modern take on celebrity interviews as de Cadenet sits down with some of the world’s most famous women to discuss topics universal to all women.
- “Dance Moms,” which reveals the world of competitive dance where overbearing mothers push their daughters to the brink while vicariously living out their own dreams through their young performers. Lifetime has ordered six hour-long episodes.
- “The Day that Changed My Life,” which through in-depth interview segments and re-enactments, showcases true stories of ordinary people whose lives took unexpected and dramatic turns following incidents ranging from terrifying accidents to chance encounters with strangers to mind-bending miracles. Six 60-minute episodes have been ordered.
- Eight one-hour episodes each of “Project Runway All Stars,” featuring talented and memorable past contestants from the series who will once again
compete against each other in a series of challenges to show they still have the innovation, talent and poise that made them household names, and “Project Accessory,” following enterprising artists who will be put to the test to create the newest and hottest trends in accessories as they compete for a cash grand prize to help them launch their own fashion accessories business.
- The docu-series “Roseanne’s Nuts,” marking Emmy-winning actress, comedienne and best-selling author Roseanne Barr’s return to television as she takes on her newest endeavor managing a fully-functional 40-acre macadamia and livestock farm in Hawaii alongside her long-time boyfriend and son. Lifetime has ordered 16 half-hour episodes of the program.
- Seven one-hour episodes of “To Live & Buy,” following best friends and interior designers Tracy Hutson and Tanya McQueen (Extreme Makeover: Home
Edition) as they crisscross America to find cool relics to restore and transform into stunning and eclectic pieces for their Los Angeles home decor store.
- Six hour-long episodes of “The Tracey Gold Project (wt),” hosted by Tracey Gold (Growing Pains), who uses her personal experience fighting anorexia to help women overcome major eating disorders.
“Drop Dead Diva” to re-air pilot and three additional first season episodes April 8
The "Drop Dead Diva" cast: From left, April Bowlby, Margaret Cho, Josh Stamberg, Brooke Elliott, Jackson Hurst, Kate Levering and Ben Feldman. - Lifetime Television Photo
Lifetime is set to air the “Drop Dead Diva” pilot and three additional episodes from the first season back-to-back tomorrow night, beginning at 7 p.m.
The episodes feature guest stars including Sharon Lawrence and Rosie O’Donnell, according to a news release.
“Drop Dead Diva,” which has been on Lifetime for two seasons during the summertime, is a one-hour comedy/drama centering on a shallow wannabe model who has died in a sudden car accident, but finds her soul has resurfaced in the body of a brilliant, plus-size and recently deceased attorney, Jane.
Season 3 is scheduled to debut in June.
Cast members include Brooke Elliott, Margaret Cho, Jackson Hurst, Kate Levering, April Bowlby, Josh Stamberg and Ben Feldman.
