“Harry’s Law”: Second season brings changes, unyielding adversary for Harry
From left, back row: Nate Corddry, Mark Valley, Karen Olivo and Christopher McDonald, and, at front, Kathy Bates, of "Harry's Law" - NBC Photo
The second season of “Harry’s Law” begins with some changes, a challenging murder case and a devious adversary for Harry (Kathy Bates).
Harry has moved her office upstairs from the Harry’s Law and Fine Shoes store to a sophisticated loft, and added a couple of attorneys to her team.
Oliver Richard (Mark Valley of “Human Target, “Boston Legal”), one of Harry’s former co-workers, has joined her firm, as well as Cassie Reynolds (Karen Olivo of “Law & Order,” “The Good Wife”), a young lawyer who has the resourcefulness to stand up to Harry.
Also, Harry’s protégé Adam Branch (Nate Corddry) and her flashy friend Tommy Jefferson (Christopher McDonald) are back to assist Harry with a case in which she reluctantly agrees to defend Eric Sanders (Alfred Molina), a man accused of brutally killing his wife.
Harry goes up against ruthless D.A. Roseanna Remmick (Jean Smart) as she defends her client and Remmick will stop at pretty much nothing to win the case.
The changes are good for the show, particularly the addition of Valley to the cast, and the first case of the season is absorbing and a considerable test, even for Harry.
Bates continues to excel in this role and Smart is just plain evil as Remmick.
Molina is skillful as well at keeping you guessing whether he’s really guilty or not.
The second season of “Harry’s Law” premieres at 8 p.m. Wednesday on NBC.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
“The Biggest Loser” kicking off 13-city search for new contestants
NBC’s reality show “The Biggest Loser” is initiating a 13-city cross-country search to find new contestants July 30 in Austin.
Individuals and teams of two with at least 85 pounds to lose are encouraged to apply for the next edition of the show, which is set to air in January 2012.
Casting producers are on the lookout for outgoing and charismatic contestants who have the personality, desire and competitiveness to vie for this opportunity to lose weight, change their lives and compete for a grand prize of $250,00, according to a news release.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and legal residents of the United States.
Lining up will not be allowed more than three hours before the start of the open call and candidates should bring a non-returnable photo of themselves (and their partners if applicable.)
Alison Sweeney is host of the “The Biggest Loser,” and Season 12′s contestants will work out under the supervision of professional trainers Bob Harper, Anna Kournikova and Dolvett Quince.
The audition schedule, provided by NBC, is as follows:
SATURDAY, JULY 30
AUSTIN
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The Long Center for the Performing Arts
701 West Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78704
NY TRI-STATE AREA
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace
Newark, NJ 07112
DETROIT
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Gardner-White Furniture
45300 Hayes Road
Macomb, MI 48044-3846
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6
CHARLOTTE
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Planet Fitness
10215-B University City Blvd. (Located in the Back Creek Shopping Center)
Charlotte, NC 28213
WASHINGTON, DC
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex
8001 Sheriff Road
Landover, MD 20785
ATLANTA
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Hard Rock Cafe
215 Peachtree Street Northeast
Atlanta, GA 30303
SATURDAY, AUGUST 13
ST. LOUIS
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Chesterfield Mall
291 Chesterfield Mall (at the intersection of Highway 40 and Clarkson Rd)
Chesterfield, MO 63017-4811
SALT LAKE CITY
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
KSL 5 TV
55 North 300 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84180
PHOENIX
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Superstition Springs Center
6555 E. Southern Ave.
Mesa, AZ 85206
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20
CHICAGO
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Chicago Home Fitness
2070 North Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
DALLAS
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Gilley’s Dallas
1135 South Lamar Street
Dallas, TX 75215-1036
ORLANDO
the groove
Universal CityWalk at Universal Orlando Resort
6000 Universal Blvd. Orlando, FL 32819
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27
LOS ANGELES
Citadel Outlets
100 Citadel Drive Los Angeles, CA 90040
If you are unable to attend a casting call and would still like to audition, information on how to apply for the show and submit a videotape is available on www.nbc.com/casting and www.thebiggestlosercasting.com.
NBC’s fall premiere schedule set
From left, David Giuntoli and Russell Hornsby in "Grimm" - NBC Photo
NBC has provided the following list for its 2011-12 fall premiere lineup (new shows are in upper case):
Thursday, Sept. 8
7 p.m. “NFL Kickoff Special 2011″ (regular season)
7:30 to 10 p.m. “Sunday Night Football” (regular season)
Sunday, Sept. 11
6 p.m. “Football Night in America” (regular season)
7 to 10:30 p.m. “Sunday Night Football”
Tuesday, Sept. 13
9 p.m “Parenthood”
Wednesday, Sept. 14
7 to 9 p.m. “America’s Got Talent” (season finale)
9 p.m. “UP ALL NIGHT”
9:30 p.m. “FREE AGENTS”
Monday, Sept. 19
7 to 9 p.m. “The Sing-Off”
9 p.m. “THE PLAYBOY CLUB”
Tuesday, Sept. 20
7 to 9 p.m. “The Biggest Loser”
Wednesday, Sept. 21
7 p.m. “UP ALL NIGHT” (regular time period debut with original episode)
7:30 p.m. “FREE AGENTS” (regular time period debut with original episode)
8 p.m. “Harry’s Law”
9 p.m. “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”
Thursday, Sept. 22
7 p.m. “Community”
7:30 p.m. “Parks and Recreation”
8 p.m. “The Office”
8:30 p.m. “WHITNEY”
9 p.m. “PRIME SUSPECT”
Friday, Sept. 23
8-10 p.m. “Dateline NBC”
Friday, Oct. 21
7 p.m. “Chuck”
8 p.m. “GRIMM”
9 p.m. “Dateline NBC”
Saturday, Sept. 24
7 p.m. “Harry’s Law” (Repeat)
8 p.m. “Prime Suspect” (Repeat)
9 p.m. “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (Repeat)
Christina Applegate and Will Arnett in "Up All Night" - NBC Photo
NBC signs Kelli Giddish and Danny Pino to “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”
Kelli Giddish - AP Photo
Kelli Giddish and Danny Pino have been signed as two new series regulars on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” which will debut its 13th season this fall at 9 p.m. Wednesdays on NBC, according to a news release.
Giddish, who recently starred in the NBC drama “Chase,” and Pino, who had a seven season starring run on “Cold Case” on CBS, will play detectives on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” which centers on the life and crimes of the Special Victims Unit of the New York Police Department.
This select squad of detectives investigates sexually based crimes.
Mariska Hargitay will be returning as Det. Olivia Benson, but her longtime co-star Christopher Meloni will not be back to reprise his role as Det. Elliot Stabler.
Danny Pino - AP Photo
Six new dramas, six new comedies on NBC’s 2011-12 primetime schedule
Maria Bello as Det. Jane Timoney in "Prime Suspect" - NBC Photo
NBC features six new dramas and six new comedies in its 2011-12 primetime schedule, with names behind them such as Steven Spielberg, Lorne Michaels, Brian Grazer, Tom Werner, John Grisham and Peter Berg.
The new dramas are “Smash,” “Prime Suspect,” “The Playboy Club,” “Awake,” “Grimm” and “The Firm.”
“Up All Night,” Whitney,” “Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea,” “Free Agents,” “Best Friends Forever” and “Bent” are the new comedies.
Returning series include “Parenthood,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Harry’s Law,” “Chuck” (for its fifth and final season of 13 episodes), “Community,” “Parks and Recreation,” “The Office,” “30 Rock” and “Dateline NBC.”
Returning alternative series are “The Voice,” “The Sing-Off,” “The Celebrity Apprentice” and “The Biggest Loser,” each in two-hour formats, according to a news release.
FALL SCHEDULE (provided by NBC)
*New programs in UPPER CASE
MONDAY
7-9 p.m. – “The Sing-Off”
9-10 p.m. – “THE PLAYBOY CLUB”
TUESDAY
7-9 p.m. – “The Biggest Loser”
9-10 p.m. – “Parenthood”
WEDNESDAY
7-7:30 p.m. – “UP ALL NIGHT”
7:30-8 p.m. – “FREE AGENTS”
8-9 p.m. — “Harry’s Law”
9-10 p.m. — “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”
THURSDAY
7-7:30 p.m. – “Community”
7:30-8 p.m. — “Parks and Recreation”
8-8:30 p.m. – “The Office”
8:30-9 p.m. – “WHITNEY”
9-10 p.m. – “PRIME SUSPECT”
FRIDAY
7-8 p.m. – “Chuck”
8-9 p.m. – “GRIMM”
9-10 p.m. – “Dateline NBC”
SATURDAY
Encore programming
SUNDAY
6- 7:15 p.m. — “Football Night in America”
7:15-10:30 p.m. — “NBC Sunday Night Football”
MID-SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
*New programs in UPPER CASE
SUNDAY
6-7 p.m. – “Dateline NBC”
7-9 p.m. – “The Celebrity Apprentice”
9-10 p.m. – “THE FIRM”
MONDAY
7-9 p.m. – “The Voice”
9-10 p.m. – “SMASH”
For more information on the NBC 2011-12 primetime schedule, visit www.nbc.com.
“The Voice” battle rounds close calls
From left, Vicci Martinez, host Carson Daly and Nikki Dawson on "The Voice" - NBC Photo by Lewis Jacobs
I truly didn’t envy coaches Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine and Cee Lo Green on “The Voice” last night when they had to decide who to eliminate from the competition.
Their choices for the first battle round contestants were intriguing; the advice from the coaches and their advisers, which included the duo of Oklahomans Shelton and Reba McEntire, was interesting; and then the battle rounds themselves were extraordinary.
To me, they were all close calls.
I agree with Shelton when he mentioned that he thought Green will regret choosing the two powerhouses of Vicci Martinez and Nikki Dawson from his team to compete against each other at the very beginning.
And, as Levine said, I think their performance was the best of the night as well.
Wouldn’t want to be in those coaches’ shoes during this part of the contest!
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
“The Voice”: More blind auditions Tuesday
From left, "The Voice" coaches Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green with host Carson Daly, at right. - NBC Photo by Chris Haston
If you didn’t catch the premiere of NBC’s “The Voice” last week, tune in tonight.
There are more blind auditions in this episode and they are fascinating to watch – the competition between both the performers attempting to be chosen on a team and the coaches (Oklahoma’s Blake Shelton, Cee Lo Green, Christina Aguilera and Adam Levine) promoting themselves to be chosen by a singer.
It’s also intriguing to observe the coaches as they try to decide whether to push the button that will turn their chairs around and allow them to take a shot at working with the singer on stage.
Then, if more than one coach turns around, it’s fun to see them compete with each other to recruit “The Voice” contestant to their team.
And, of course, last but not least, there are the actual performances by the singers, which in the first week were fantastic.
If you love music, I’m betting you’ll get hooked on this entertaining show.
“The Voice” airs from 8 to 10 p.m. tonight (Tuesday) on NBC.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
“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
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.
“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.
