“Friday Night Lights”: Series and its final season deserve cheers
Connie Britton as Tami Taylor and Kyle Chandler as Eric Taylor of "Friday Night Lights" - NBC Photo by Justin Stephens
“Friday Night Lights” has always showed even more lessons about the game of life than about the game of football – and done an amazing job at covering both.
Its fifth and final season is no different, and is one of the best final seasons of any show.
“Friday Night Lights” has consistently featured incredible writing, resulting in realistic story lines and multidimensional adult and teen roles, as well as phenomenal acting by the entire ensemble cast, even as characters graduated and/or moved on and new ones came onto the Dillon, Texas high school football scene.
Leading the wonderful cast is Kyle Chandler as Coach Eric Taylor, who is attempting to lead East Dillon to a state championship in the final season, and Connie Britton as his wife, Tami, now East Dillon’s guidance counselor.
The Taylors also have two children – young daughter Gracie and oldest daughter Julie (Aimee Teegarden), who is heading off to college.
The Taylor marriage, and family, is as authentic as it is loving.
The most enjoyable aspect of the final season is that a majority of the former major characters return, being woven in suitably for the show’s ending narratives.
Though this final season has already been broadcast on DirecTV, due to a co-production deal between the subscription satellite service and NBC, it will make its premiere at 7 p.m. Friday on NBC.
Coach Taylor’s motto is “Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose!”
Though you may not be able to watch every episode with clear eyes because of the show’s moving, yet never manipulative scenes, you will be left with a full heart.
And if you’re a TV fan, you can’t lose by making this series a favorite.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Leon Russell to perform with Elton John on Saturday Night Live
Inductee Leon Russell performs at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony March 14 in New York. - AP Photo by Evan Agostini
Oklahoma native and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Leon Russell will perform with host/musical guest Elton John on Saturday Night Live this week.
“Saturday Night Live” airs at 10:30 p.m. Saturdays on NBC.
NBC announces spring season finales
Sarah Roemer, back and Jason Ritter in an episode of "The Event" - NBC Photo by Adam Taylor
NBC has announced several of its season finales for shows including “30 Rock,” “The Office,” “Parenthood,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Community,” “The Biggest Loser” and “The Event.”
The schedule, provided by NBC, is as follows:
MONDAY, APRIL 4
“Harry’s Law” (9 p.m.)
FRIDAY, APRIL 8
“Who Do You Think You Are?” (7 p.m.)
TUESDAY, APRIL 19
“Parenthood” (9 p.m.)
SUNDAY, MAY 1
“America’s Next Great Restaurant” (7 p.m.)
THURSDAY, MAY 5
“Perfect Couples” (7:30 p.m.)
“30 Rock” (9 p.m.)
THURSDAY, MAY 12
“Community” (hour-long episode at 7 p.m.)
“Outsourced” (9:30 p.m.)
MONDAY, MAY 16
“Chuck” (7 p.m.)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18
“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m.)
THURSDAY, MAY 19
“The Office” (one-hour finale at 8 p.m.)
“Parks and Recreation” (hour-long finale at 9 p.m.)
MAY 21
“Saturday Night Live” (10:30 p.m.)
SUNDAY, MAY 22
“The Celebrity Apprentice” (8 p.m.)
MONDAY, MAY 23
“The Event” (8 p.m.)
TUESDAY, MAY 24
“The Biggest Loser” (8 p.m.)
From left, B.J. Novak, Steve Carell, Phyllis Smith and Ed Helms in an episode of "The Office" - NBC Photo by Dean Hendler
Blake Shelton named fourth musician coach for new musical competition series “The Voice”
Blake Shelton - Photo courtesy of WMG
Country star Blake Shelton of Tishomingo has been named by NBC as the fourth and final musician coach of “The Voice,” a new musical competition series set for a two-hour premiere at 8 p.m. April 26.
Shelton will join previously announced musician coaches Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine.
“I’m not sure ‘The Voice’ knows what they signed on for by bringing me on the show,” Shelton said jokingly in a news release. “I know this for sure; Christina, Cee Lo, Adam and I are going to have a blast and I am extremely excited to be part of a show that recognizes true vocal talent.”
On “The Voice,” the four coaches will each select singers to mentor into artists during blind auditions. Once they have their teams, the coaches will bring in their personal songwriters, producers, and high-powered friends to assist in their team’s development.
Viewers will ultimately decide which singer will win the grand prize, which includes a recording contract and $100,000.
Ben & Jerry’s new ice cream flavor inspired by “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon ” skit
Ben & Jerry's Late Night Snack ice cream - NBC Photo
NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group and “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” have partnered with ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s to offer “Late Night Snack,” a new flavor featuring vanilla bean ice cream with a salty caramel swirl and crunchy fudge-covered potato chip clusters.
The new flavor was inspired by a skit on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” spotlighting Fallon and the show’s house band The Roots performing an original song “Ladysmith Snack Mambazo” about Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
The research and development team at Ben & Jerry’s had long contemplated a flavor with potato chips in some manner, and with Fallon suggesting fudge-covered potato chips, the team put the flavor together.
“Having our own flavor of Ben and Jerry’s gives everyone here at ‘Late Night’ an excuse to do what we were doing anyway, staying up late and eating pint after pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Only now we can call it ‘research,’” Fallon said in a news release. “And we came up with the perfect combo of salty and sweet. I can’t wait for people to try it!”
“When we learned that Jimmy Fallon was a fan of Ben & Jerry’s, and he was willing to support the Fair Trade effort, we jumped at the chance to develop a new flavor inspired by his skit,” Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield also said in a news release. “Our team came up with a truly unique flavor that is one-of-a-kind, just like Fallon!”
In February 2010 Ben & Jerry’s vowed to convert its product line to Fair Trade certified by 2013.
Fair Trade supports fair wages, a safe workplace, sustainability for the land, animal husbandry and community development for farming communities.
NBC and Fallon have pledged their share of the earnings to Fair Trade universities to bolster the use of Fair Trade products on campuses across the country.
“Late Night Snack” arrives in grocery stores and Ben & Jerry’s shops around the country this week.
“Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” airs at 11:35 p.m. weeknights on NBC.
For additional information on Ben & Jerry’s, go to www.benjerry.com.
For more information about “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” go to www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com.
“Celebrity Apprentice” cast, charity goal combine for engaging viewing
The latest edition of "The Celebrity Apprentice," is made up of, from left to right: Lil Jon, Hope Dworaczyk, John Rich, Gary Busey, Richard Hatch, Donald Trump Jr., Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump, David Cassidy, Niki Taylor, Ne Ne Leakes, Dionne Warwick, Jose Canseco, Star Jones, Lisa Rinna, Marlee Matlin, Mark McGrath, Meat Loaf and La Toya Jackson. - NBC Photo by Mitchell Haaseth
If you’re a reality series fan and you like a healthy dose of charity to go along with the conflict that usually ensues on such shows, then “The Celebrity Apprentice” should definitely be one of your favorites.
This season’s diverse cast includes Tulsa native Gary Busey, Jose Canseco, Lil Jon, David Cassidy, John Rich, Mark McGrath, Richard Hatch, Meat Loaf, Hope Dworaczyk, La Toya Jackson, Star Jones, NeNe Leakes, Marlee Matlin, Lisa Rinna, Niki Taylor and Dionne Warwick.
Such contrasting personalities attempting to work together, as well as compete as teams, brings inevitable ego clashes, discord and sometimes surprising alliances as the celebrities try to raise money for their favorite charities, resulting in a combination that makes for an interesting show.
In the premiere episode, the man in charge of saying “You’re fired,” Donald Trump, challenges two teams of the celebrities to run New York City pizzerias as fundraisers.
Last season’s “Celebrity Apprentice” champion Bret Michaels won $390,000 for his charity, the American Diabetes Association, so the process these celebrities go through is worth it.
Some of the celebrities come across during the competition exactly like you think they would (Gary Busey, Richard Hatch, Star Jones, Marlee Matlin in particular), but some aren’t completely predictable, and the interactions run the gamut from amusing to anger-inducing.
The latest installment of “The Celebrity Apprentice” has a two-hour premiere at 8 p.m. Sunday.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
“The Biggest Loser” auditions to be held in Dallas March 12
NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” will be holding auditions for contestants for its next edition from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Methodist Dallas Medical Center in Dallas on March 12.
Individuals and teams of two who have at least 100 pounds to lose are invited to apply for Season Twelve, which will air this fall, according to a news release.
Casting producers are looking for outgoing and charismatic teams of two and individuals with the personality, desire and competitive edge to take on this opportunity to lose weight, change their lives and vie for a grand prize of $250,000.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, legal residents of the United States, and should bring a non-returnable photo of themselves (and their partners if applying as a team). If your partner is unable to attend, please bring a photo of them.
The casting team will provide applications, website versions aren’t necessary.
Candidates are asked not to line up prior to three hours before the beginning of the open call.
The address of the Methodist Dallas Medical Center is 221 W. Colorado, Dallas, TX 75208.
For those who can’t attend casting call, information on how to apply to the show and submit a videotape is available on www.nbc.com/casting and www.thebiggestlosercasting.com.
Season 11 of “The Biggest Loser” is currently airing at 7 p.m. Tuesdays on NBC.
Greyson Chance to appear on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” tonight
Greyson Chance - The Oklahoman Photo by Paul Hellstern
Teen singer/songwriter/pianist Greyson Chance of Edmond is scheduled to appear on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” tonight.
“Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” airs at 11:37 p.m. on NBC.
“The Office” celebrates “Valentine’s Day”
Amy Ryan and Steve Carell in the "PDA" episode of "The Office" - NBC Photo by Danny Feld
If you are someone who finds public displays of affection inappropriate, you should enjoy tomorrow night’s episode of “The Office,” though you might feel a little uncomfortable watching as well.
Reunited couple Holly (Amy Ryan) and Michael (Steve Carell) are the PDA offenders, and the rest of “The Office” staff have to endure their joy of being back together – and the PDA itself, in addition to the response to it, is predictably quite humorous.
Meanwhile, Gabe (Zach Woods) sends Erin (Ellie Kemper) on a Valentine’s Day treasure hunt, which is somewhat awkward because of who assists Erin on her quest..
Valentine’s Day comments by staff members and some sweet moments round out an entertaining show for “Office” fans.
“The Office” airs at 8 p.m. Thursdays on NBC.
Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
“Smucker’s Stars on Ice 25th Anniversary Tour” special to air Saturday
The “Smucker’s Stars on Ice 25th Anniversary Tour” cast, clockwise from left: Olympic Silver Medalist Sasha Cohen; Four-Time World Champion & Four-Time Canadian National Champion Kurt Browning; Olympic Silver Medalist Benjamin Agosto; 2010 Olympic Bronze Medalist, Joannie Rochette; Olympic Gold Medalist David Pelletier; Olympic Silver Medalist Tanith Belbin, World Champion & Six-Time U.S. Champion Todd Eldredge; 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist Evan Lysacek; Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Ekaterina Gordeeva; Olympic Gold Medalist Jamie Salé; Two-Time World Bronze Medalist & Three-Time U.S. National Champion Michael Weiss - "Smucker’s Stars on Ice" Photo by Paul Harvath
A “Smucker’s Stars on Ice 25th Anniversary Tour” one-hour special, hosted by Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton, will air at 2:30 p.m. Saturday on NBC.
Olympic gold medalists Evan Lysacek; Jamie Salé and David Pelletier (Canada); Ekaterina Gordeeva (Russia); Olympic silver medalists Sasha Cohen and Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto; world champions Todd Eldredge and Kurt Browning (Canada), Olympic bronze medalist Joannie Rochette (Canada) and world bronze medalist Michael Weiss are included in the cast of figure skaters appearing in the special.
The “Smucker’s Stars on Ice Tour” is produced by Hamilton, who also founded the tour in 1986, according to a news release.
Tickets for the “Smucker’s Stars on Ice 25th Anniversary Tour” are on sale now and start at $25, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
For more information, go to www.starsonice.com.
