TBS orders 10 episodes of “Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse”
Tyler Perry - AP Photo
TBS has ordered 10 episodes of the new series “Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse,” a dramedy based on Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married?” movies.
This is the third Tyler Perry series to be featured on TBS, after “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” and “Meet the Browns.”
“Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse” focuses on the ups-and-downs of marital life for Marcus and Angela, two characters from the feature films “Why Did I Get Married?” and “Why Did I Get Married Too?”
Michael Jai White and Tasha Smith are set to reprise the roles of TV anchor Marcus and salon owner Angela, with additional cast members to be announced, according to a news release.
In a new direction from his family-oriented sitcoms, “For Better or Worse” will target young adults.
The show’s production is scheduled to begin this summer at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.
Brian Austin Green and Harold Perrineau to lead cast of TBS pilot “The Wedding Band”
Brian Austin Green - AP Photo by Chris Pizzello
Brian Austin Green and Harold Perrineau will star in the TBS pilot “The Wedding Band.”
“The Wedding Band” is an hour-long comedy featuring a group of guys who try to escape the stress and craziness of their lives by performing in a wedding band, according to a TBS news release.
The anchors of the band are two lifelong best friends – one is a perennial bachelor and the other is a married father with two children.
The band’s goal is to make every wedding, birthday or bar mitzvah a concert to remember.
Peter Cambor and Derek Miller join Green and Perrineau in the cast.
The pilot is from FremantleMedia and executive produced by Tollin Productions (“Smallville, “Arli$$”).
Josh Lobis and Darin Moiselle of “South Park” wrote the script and serve as co-executive producers.
Bryan Gordon (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) will direct and co-executive produce the project.
Harold Perrineau - AP Photo by Jennifer Graylock
Festivus!: TBS schedules nine-hour Seinfeld marathon Nov. 26
From left, Jerry Stiller and Michael Richards in "The Strike" episode of "Seinfeld." - PROVIDED PHOTO COURTESY OF TBS
If you’d like some humor to tune in to the day after Thanksgiving while you’re enjoying leftovers (and if you don’t want to be out shopping with the masses), TBS has a deal for you.
The network will be airing the “Seinfeld: Happy Festivus” marathon Nov. 26, with nine hours of classic “Seinfeld” episodes, according to a TBS news release.
The event begins at 10 a.m. with “The Contest’ and closes at 6:30 p.m. with the Festivus-themed show “The Stike.”
“Seinfeld,” which premiered in 1990, stars Jerry Seinfeld as a stand-up comedian sharing miscellaneous adventures and misadventures with his three best friends: Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus); George (Jason Alexander) and Kramer (Michael Richards).
Following is a complete schedule of the sitcom’s episodes included in the “Seinfeld: Happy Festivus” marathon on TBS:
10 a.m. – “The Contest” – Jerry, George, Kramer and Elaine vie over self-denial in an episode frequently cited by fans as the series’ best.
10:30 a.m. – “The Label Maker” – Jerry and Elaine are suspicious of a friend’s gifts.
11 a.m. – “The Soup Nazi” – Jerry’s favorite soup vendor won’t serve his new girlfriend (Alexandra Wentworth).
11:30 p.m. – “The Pool Guy” – The pool man at Jerry’s health club wants to be his best friend.
Noon – “The Gum” – Kramer complicates Jerry’s quest to locate a special brand of Chinese gum.
12:30 p.m. – “The Seven” – Jerry’s girlfriend (Lisa Deanne) wears the same dress, and Elaine loses a bike to Kramer.
1 p.m. – “The Wait Out” – Jerry and Elaine anticipate dating soon-to-be-single friends (Cary Elwes and Debra Messing).
1:30 p.m. – “The Comeback” – Jerry joins a tennis club, and a co-worker’s insults push George to the limit.
2 p.m. – “The Susie” – Elaine creates an alternate persona at work as George tries to keep his girlfriend.
2:30 p.m. – “The Muffin Tops” – Elaine becomes a partner in a muffin business. And Jerry shaves his chest.
3 p.m. – “The Summer of George” – George plans a vacation, and Elaine critiques a co-worker. Molly Shannon and Raquel Welch guest-star.
3:30 p.m. – “The Apology” – Jerry’s girlfriend teaches him some naked truths. And George anticipates an apology.
4 p.m. – “The Burning” – George seeks timely exits. And Elaine learns Puddy (Patrick Warburton) is religious.
4:30 p.m. – “The Cartoon” – Susan (Heidi Swedburg) learns a friend is a big success with a one-woman show about Jerry.
5 p.m. – “The Dealership” – Jerry seeks a good deal on a new car from Elaine’s boyfriend, Puddy.
5:30 p.m. – “The Reverse Peephole” – Puddy wears a fur coat; Jerry doesn’t use a wallet; Newman may face eviction.
6 p.m. – “The Strongbox” – Kramer hides his strongbox key at Jerry’s place; a neighbor feuds with Jerry.
6:30 p.m. – “The Strike” – George’s father introduces Festivus as Kramer returns to work at the bagel shop.
“Glory Daze,” new TBS comedy series, to premiere Nov. 16
From left, Kelly Blatz, Drew Seeley, Hartley Sawyer and Matt Bush of "Glory Daze." - TBS Photo by Eric McCandless
TBS will be premiering its new one-hour comedy series “Glory Daze” at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 16.
Set in 1986 on an Indiana college campus, “Glory Daze” features a cast of fresh faces including Kelly Blatz, Callard Harris, Matt Bush, Drew Seeley, Hartley Sawyer and Julianna Guill, according to a TBS news release.
“Saturday Night Live” alum Tim Meadows also stars as a recently divorced, very liberal professor with a chip on his shoulder.
To see a promotional clip for “Glory Daze,” click here.
TBS orders 90 episodes of “Are We There Yet?”
Coy Stewart, Essence Atkins, Terry Crews, Teala Dunn and Ice Cube of "Are We There Yet?" - Photo by Williams & Hirakawa/TBS
“Are We There Yet?” has been picked up for an additional 90 episodes, according to a news release from TBS.
The series, which premiered June 2, had a 10-episode run this summer.
Terry Crews and Essence Atkins star in the sitcom as Nick and Suzanne, a newly married couple whose blended family takes on the challenges of everyday life.
Teala Dunn and Coy Stewart portray Lindsey and Kevin, Nick and Suzanne’s 14- and 10-year-old children.
Co-executive producer Ice Cube appears in a recurring guest starring role as Suzanne’s brother.
“Are We There Yet?”: TBS comedy pilot not there yet in the laughs department
Teala Dunn, Essence Atkins, Terry Crews and Coy Stewart of "Are We There Yet?" - TBS Photo
Though I haven’t seen the movie “Are We There Yet?,” I hope it’s better than the TBS comedy series derived from it.
Terry Crews (“Everybody Hates Chris”) is Nick and Essence Atkins (“Half and Half”) is Suzanne and they are a newly married couple raising two children, Lindsey, 14, and Kevin, 10, played by Teala Dunn and Coy Stewart, respectively.
Executive producer Ice Cube plays a recurring role as Suzanne’s brother and television veteran Telma Hopkins portrays Nick’s mother.
Though Crews and Atkins seem to be trying, I didn’t find any real laughs in the pilot episode.
It’s a generic family sitcom with a generic plot of a blended family trying to fit together. It’s not particularly offensive, but not particularly amusing either.
If you’re a fan of the movie, tune in and see what you think, otherwise, you can probably find something better to watch.
– Melissa Hayer
16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® “By the Numbers”
PRESS RELEASE PROVIDED BY SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS:
The 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony will be simulcast live on TNT and TBS from the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m..
An encore presentation will air on TNT at 10 p.m. (Viewers watching via satellite or in HD should check local listings.)
Preceding the SAG Awards® ceremony will be the premiere of “TNT and PEOPLE Magazine Present the SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS® RED CARPET SHOW” at 6:30 p.m. and the annual tnt.tv and tbs.com Red Carpet Webcast at 5:15 p.m.
To create a dramatic arrivals area, impressive set and intimate dinner setting for the world’s leading actors who are gathering on Saturday, Jan. 23 at the Shrine Exposition Center, the SAG Awards® will…
➢ Lay 17,193 square feet of red carpet in the arrivals area, edged by 442 lineal feet of 30” tall hedge and 157 lineal feet of 8′ tall hedge
➢ Accommodate nearly 300 fans in two six-foot three-row bleachers placed along a 207’ section of the red carpet arrivals area
➢ Lay 11,800 square feet of black carpet in the interior Shrine entrance and the showroom.
➢ Cover the showroom walls with 15,000 square feet of black drape to create a neutral background and block sunlight.
➢ Post five 10’ Actor® statues along the red carpet and onstage.
➢ On the stage, install 700 feet of steel tubing to support 120 running feet of 22’ high set walls punctuated by eight gold and platinum fluted columns and a central radiating backlit golden sunburst. Two stepped deco arches will be accented by 30 feet of translucent etched fins. Crowning the stage will be 400 feet of gold-leafed and copper-leafed deco molding, illuminated by 400 feet of warm white neon tubing.
➢ Float a 20’ wide “silver screen” framed by a platinum and gold screen-surround illuminated by 80 feet of embedded LED lights at center stage in front of 200 running feet of 30’ high fiber-optic star cloth.
➢ Line the stage floor with 150 ’4’x8’ sheets of black Formica.
➢ Above the stage hang a 5-foot square crystal beaded art deco chandelier that will be echoed by the four chandeliers hung from the Expo Hall’s ornate ceiling.
➢ Place over 1200 Regency champagne glasses, 1200 Vinea Bordeaux Magnums and 1200 Opus water glasses, 2,400 pieces Montecito silver plated flatware and 1,200 Smoked Elegance Charger plates, on 86 rectangular dinner tables and over 2,000 glasses at two 16’ beverage bars and two wine tasting bars.
➢ Create custom table coverings from 800 yards of platinum ridge-textured silk, complemented by 1,200 soft gold bisque-lined silk napkins
➢ Soften 1200 Fanfare Gold Chameleon chairs with 1200 silver stretch seat cushions 1,200 black padded seat cushions.
➢ Create a stunning visual setting through the use of florals spanning each of the tables in a bridge/arched silver container, designed by Keith Greco, consisting of over 2,000 cream toned roses, highlighted by hundreds of white hydrangeas, accentuated by over 1,000 various white orchids (phaeleanopsis, dendrobrium and cymbidium) and supplemented with hundreds of arabicum lilies. Adding a garden/green texture to each of the arrangements are hundreds of bunches of various foliage such as bear grass, bells of Ireland, galax, green safari sunset and trachelium. The use of the various white flowers with the dramatic touches of foliage create the movement and look of a floating arched garden.
Guests will dine on an antipasto plate conceived by James Beard Award-winning chef Suzanne Goin, deliciously prepared and artfully arranged by Lucques Catering, consisting of:
➢ Roasted Winter Vegetables with Cous Cous, Pomegranate Salsa and Green Harrissa
➢ Slow-Roasted King Salmon with Cucumbers, Yogurt and Ginger-Mint Chutney
➢ Chopped Chicken with Endive, Bacon, Appland Roaring Forties
➢ Sliced Lamb with French Feta Salsa Verde
➢ Freshly Baked Breadsticks
To prepare this menu, Lucques order for the SAG Awards® from their select group of purveyors includes:
➢ Anchovies 40 Michael Phung
➢ Apples 165 Windrose Farms
➢ Bacon 30 lbs Specialty Foods
➢ Belgium endive 250 Pacific Exotic Mushrooms
➢ Black pepper 12 cups Michael Phung
➢ Butter 8 cups Provvista
➢ Capers 4 cups Michael Phung
➢ Caraway 2 cup Provvista
➢ Carrots 500 Rutiz Farms
➢ Cheese, blue 24 lbs Cheese Works
➢ Cheese, feta 8 lbs L.A. Specialty
➢ Cilantro 65 bunches Tamai Farms
➢ Couscous, dry 90 cups Provvista
➢ Cumin 2 cups Provvista
➢ Dill 10 cups Pacific Exotic Mushrooms
➢ Chicken 50 chickens Premier Meat Co.
➢ Fleur de sel 5 cups Forever Cheese
➢ Garlic 7 heads Schaner Farms
➢ Ginger 3 cups Pacific Exotic Mushrooms
➢ Honey 1 cup Energy Bee Farm
➢ Jalapenos 75 Pacific Exotic Mushrooms
➢ Lamb, Colorado 140 lbs Premier Meat Co.
➢ Lemon 175 Schaner Farms
➢ Mint 25 bunches Tamai Farms
➢ Mustard, Dijon 2 cups Provvista
➢ Mustard, whole grain 4 cups Provvista
➢ Olive oil 12 gallons Provvista
➢ Oregano 11.5 tb Coleman Farms
➢ Parsley 175 bunches Rutiz Farms
➢ Parsnips 475 Weiser Farms
➢ Persian cucumbers 62 Beylik Farms
➢ Pomegranates 140 Schaner Farms
➢ Pomegranate molasses 15 cups Pacific Exotic Mushrooms
➢ Radicchio 77 heads Coleman Farms
➢ Romaine lettuce 154 heads Tamai Farms
➢ Salmon 120 lbs Ocean Jewels
➢ Salt, kosher 4 cups Sysco
➢ Shallots 400 Schaner Farms
➢ Sherry vinegar 1.2 gallons Provvista
➢ Tarragon 3 cups Pacific Exotic Mushrooms
➢ Thyme 5 cups Rutiz Farms
➢ Turnips 475 Flora Bella Farms
➢ Yogurt 2 gallons Pacific Exotic Mushrooms
➢ Yogurt, greek 2 gallons Pacific Exotic Mushrooms
Some interesting facts from Lucuqes Catering Director Jessica Goin about the purveyors chosen by Chef Suzanne Goin:
“Provvista (www.provvista.com) is a great specialty food company started by Joe Guth, a close friend who Suzanne cooked with at Chez Panisse!
Barbara and Bill Spencer own Windrose Farm (www.windrosefarm.org), a small family farm. They’re really amazing people who grow incredible chiles, heirloom apples, tomatoes, beans, etc. They even came to Suzanne’s wedding.
Another great family farm is Rutiz Farms (www.rutizfarms.com), owned by Jerry Rutiz. Suzanne describes his carrots in her cookbook, “This exotic spiced snapper dish evolved from the most mundane ingredient in the mix: the everyday carrot. But the carrots that inspired it, grown by local farmer Jerry Rutiz, are by no means ordinary. His funky-shaped, dirt-encrusted carrots are the sweetest and most delicious of any I’ve tasted.”
Alex Weiser, of Weiser Farms (www.weiserfamilyfarms.com) is another favorite. He grows the most beautiful romanesco (like cauliflower but fractals) that we’ve ever seen.
Bill Coleman farms Coleman Farms with his (I think) SIX grown children. Romeo Coleman is so handsome we call him the Antonio Banderas of Carpinteria (but not to his face because he’s very shy.)
Schaner Farms – Peter Schaner is probably one of our favorite people in all the world (and I think he beats Bill Coleman by two kids!) We even held his brother’s wedding at Lucques. We get our suckling pigs from another brother. Peter has incredible citrus, avocados, pomegranates, child raising tips….
Ocean Jewels is owned by Julie Harman, who we call what else — Ocean Julie. She does amazing work finding great sustainably-fished product, it seems like she and Suzanne drive themselves crazy hunting for the most delicious fish that has the smallest impact on the environment. (i.e. are you better off with a local fish that isn’t fished as sustainably or a fish that is more sustainable but has to be flown in?)
Flora Bella Farm (www.florabellafarm.com) is owned by James Birch. Here’s how Suzanne described him in her cookbook: “If you leaned against your sink, closed your eyes, and focused on conjuring up the quintessential organic farmer, James Birch would appear in your kitchen. He looks like a cross between a grizzly bear and an overgrown Little Prince. And he is, in fact, the king of broccoli.”
Number of farmers who came to chef Suzanne Goin’s wedding to chef David Lentz: six.
Beverages for guests include:
➢ For the tables: 102 magnums of Dry Creek Vineyard’s exclusive 10th Anniversary SAG Awards® Cabernet-based 2007 Cuvée and 204 bottles of Dry Creek Vineyard’s 2007 Russian River Valley Chardonnay]
➢ Dry Creek Vineyard’s wine-tasting bars will offer a selection that includes the 2008 Sonoma County Fumé Blanc and the 2007 Sonoma County Heritage Zinfandel. A total of 192 bottles will be available for tasting.
➢ 234 magnums of Champagne Taittinger Brut La Française served in the showroom
➢ 144 magnums of Champagne Taittinger Brut La Française served at the post-Awards gala
➢ 1548 glass decanters of Voss sparkling and still water served in the showroom
➢ Another 6,720 unbreakable third-liters of Voss still water for our more than 700 media and 300 fans in the bleachers
➢ At the showroom and gala bars: 108 bottles of Grey Goose Original Vodka and 7 bottles each of Grey Goose La Poire, Grey Goose L’Orange and Grey Goose Le Citron
Sources:
John Shaffner & Joe Stewart, SAG Awards Production Designers
Keaton Walker, SAG Awards Art Director
Mickey Moscynski, SAG Awards Arrivals Art Director
Keith Greco, Keith Greco Designs, SAG Awards Art Director
Andrea Wyn Schall, A Wynning Event, SAG Awards Event Supervisor
Chris Matsumoto, CJ Matsumoto & Sons, Florist
Suzanne Goin, Chef & Jessica Goin, Catering Director, Lucques Catering
Sabrina Keraudren, Brand Manager, Kobrand Corporation
Kim Stare Wallace, Dry Creek Vineyard Vice President
Cynthia Kistler, SAG Awards Associate Producer
And the nominees for the 16th Annual SAG Awards are …
Actors voted for their favorite performances of 2009 in five film and eight primetime television categories. And the top vote-getters will be revealed at The 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards airing live at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, on TNT and TBS.
Those up for awards are:
THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
JEFF BRIDGES / Bad Blake – “CRAZY HEART” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
GEORGE CLOONEY / Ryan Bingham – “UP IN THE AIR” (Paramount Pictures)
COLIN FIRTH / George Falconer – “A SINGLE MAN” (The Weinstein Company)
MORGAN FREEMAN / Nelson Mandela – “INVICTUS” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
JEREMY RENNER / Staff Sgt. William James – “THE HURT LOCKER” (Summit Entertainment)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
SANDRA BULLOCK / Leigh Anne Tuohy – “THE BLIND SIDE” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
HELEN MIRREN / Sofya – “THE LAST STATION” (Sony Pictures Classics)
CAREY MULLIGAN / Jenny – “AN EDUCATION” (Sony Pictures Classics)
GABOUREY SIDIBE / Precious – “PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL ‘PUSH’ BY SAPPHIRE” (Lionsgate)
MERYL STREEP / Julia Child – “JULIE & JULIA” (Columbia Pictures)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
MATT DAMON / Francois Pienaar – “INVICTUS” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
WOODY HARRELSON / Captain Tony Stone – “THE MESSENGER” (Oscilloscope Laboratories)
CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER / Tolstoy – “THE LAST STATION” (Sony Pictures Classics)
STANLEY TUCCI / George Harvey – “THE LOVELY BONES” (Paramount Pictures)
CHRISTOPH WALTZ / Col. Hans Landa – “INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS” (The Weinstein Company/Universal Pictures)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
PENÉLOPE CRUZ / Carla – “NINE” (The Weinstein Company)
VERA FARMIGA / Alex Goran – “UP IN THE AIR” (Paramount Pictures)
ANNA KENDRICK / Natalie Keener – “UP IN THE AIR” (Paramount Pictures)
DIANE KRUGER / Bridget Von Hammersmark – “INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS” (The Weinstein Company/Universal Pictures)
MO’NIQUE / Mary – “PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL ‘PUSH’ BY SAPPHIRE” (Lionsgate)
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
AN EDUCATION (Sony Pictures Classics)
THE HURT LOCKER (Summit Entertainment)
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (The Weinstein Company/Universal Pictures)
NINE (The Weinstein Company)
PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL “PUSH” BY SAPPHIRE (Lionsgate)
PRIMETIME TELEVISION
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
KEVIN BACON / Lt. Col. Michael R. Strobl – “TAKING CHANCE” (HBO)
CUBA GOODING, JR. / Ben Carson – “GIFTED HANDS: THE BEN CARSON STORY” (TNT)
JEREMY IRONS / Alfred Stieglitz – “GEORGIA O’KEEFFE” (Lifetime)
KEVIN KLINE / Cyrano de Bergerac – “GREAT PERFORMANCES: CYRANO de BERGERAC” (PBS)
TOM WILKINSON / Salter – “A NUMBER” (HBO)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
JOAN ALLEN / Georgia O’Keeffe – “GEORGIA O’KEEFFE” (Lifetime)
DREW BARRYMORE / Little Edie – “GREY GARDENS” (HBO)
RUBY DEE / Mrs. Harper – “AMERICA” (Lifetime)
JESSICA LANGE / Big Edie – “GREY GARDENS” (HBO)
SIGOURNEY WEAVER / Mary Griffith – “PRAYERS FOR BOBBY” (Lifetime)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
SIMON BAKER / Patrick Jane – “THE MENTALIST” (CBS)
BRYAN CRANSTON / Walter White – “BREAKING BAD” (AMC)
MICHAEL C. HALL / Dexter Morgan – “DEXTER” (Showtime)
JON HAMM / Don Draper – “MAD MEN” (AMC)
HUGH LAURIE / House – “HOUSE” (FOX)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
PATRICIA ARQUETTE/ Allison Dubois – “MEDIUM” (NBC/CBS)
GLENN CLOSE / Patty Hewes – “DAMAGES” (FX)
MARISKA HARGITAY / Det. Olivia Benson – “LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT” (NBC)
HOLLY HUNTER / Grace Hanadarko – “SAVING GRACE” (TNT)
JULIANNA MARGULIES / Alicia Florrick – “THE GOOD WIFE” (CBS)
KYRA SEDGWICK / Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson – “THE CLOSER” (TNT)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
ALEC BALDWIN / Jack Donaghy – “30 ROCK” (NBC)
STEVE CARELL / Michael Scott – “THE OFFICE” (NBC)
LARRY DAVID / Himself – “CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM” (HBO)
TONY SHALHOUB / Adrian Monk – “MONK” (USA NETWORK)
CHARLIE SHEEN / Charlie Harper – “TWO AND A HALF MEN” (CBS)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE / Samantha Newly – “SAMANTHA WHO?” (ABC)
TONI COLLETTE / Tara Gregor – “UNITED STATES OF TARA” (Showtime)
EDIE FALCO / Jackie Peyton – “NURSE JACKIE” (Showtime)
TINA FEY / Liz Lemon – “30 ROCK” (NBC)
JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS / Christine Campbell – “THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE” (CBS)
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
THE CLOSER (TNT)
DEXTER (Showtime)
THE GOOD WIFE (CBS)
MAD MEN (AMC)
TRUE BLOOD (HBO)
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
30 ROCK (NBC)
CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM (HBO)
GLEE (FOX)
MODERN FAMILY (ABC)
THE OFFICE (NBC)
SAG HONORS FOR STUNT ENSEMBLES
Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
PUBLIC ENEMIES (Universal Pictures)
STAR TREK (Paramount Pictures)
TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN (Paramount Pictures)
Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
24 (FOX)
THE CLOSER (TNT)
DEXTER (Showtime)
HEROES (NBC)
THE UNIT (CBS)
Top 55 TV Programs for Jan. 17-23, 2010
Sunday’s
Oklahoman, which includes TV Week, hits the newsstands in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday afternoon. And it arrives at the doorstep (or hopefully nearby) early Sunday morning.
But for those who can’t wait to begin planning the upcoming week around the best TV has to offer, here is a sneak peek at programs worth watching the week of Jan. 17:
NOTE: Times are CST (for EST, add one hour)
SUNDAY, JAN. 17, 2010
◊“24″ (8 p.m. on Fox): In the Season 8 premiere airing over two consecutive nights, Jack Bauer finds himself drawn back into the adrenalized action after he learns of a plot to assassinate a prominent Middle East peacekeeper. Joining the cast this season are Katee Sackhoff (“Battlestar Galactica”), Freddie Prinze Jr. (“Freddie”), Mykelti Williamson (“Boomtown”), John Boyd (“Lady in the Water”), Jennifer Westfeldt (“Notes from the Underbelly”) and Chris Diamantopoulos (“The Starter Wife”).
◊“The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards” (7 p.m. on NBC): The Hollywood Foreign Press Association honors achievement in film and television from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., with Emmy winner Ricky Gervais (“The Office”) hosting the alcohol-fueled ceremonies. Mavis Spencer, daughter of Oklahoma actress Alfre Woodard, helps hand out awards as Miss Golden Globe.
◊“Aziz Ansari: Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening” (9 p.m. on Comedy Central): Filmed in front of a packed house at the Brentwood Theater in Los Angeles, comedian and actor Aziz Ansari (“Parks and Recreation”) discusses topics ranging from sheets with fraudulent thread counts to the chubbiness of his young cousin, Harris.
◊“Brothers & Sisters” (9:01 p.m. on ABC): Kitty’s friend Buffy (Cheryl Hines, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) steps in where she doesn’t belong, pushing Kitty and Robert to another impasse over politics.
◊“Cold Case” (8 p.m. on CBS): After a private investigator’s remains are found buried in the cement foundation of a demolished building, Lilly and her team reopen the man’s 1974 murder case and discover the investigator had uncovered several unsavory things for his last few clients. Richard Moll (“Night Court”) and Matthew Willig (former NFL player) guest star.
◊“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. on ABC): Celebrity volunteer Xzibit travels with Ty Pennington and the team to Suffield, Conn., to rebuild the small, fire-damaged and deteriorating home of the musical Hill family, who give the gifts of song and inspiration to their community.
◊“Freakiest Festivals” (8 p.m. on FLN): Host Adam Gertier is on a quest to take on America’s most bizarre and extreme festivals and events — from a cook-off in West Virginia where contestants use road kill as the main ingredient to a Colorado coffin race.
◊“Human Target” (7 p.m. on Fox): Adapted from a DC Comics book and graphic novel, this new action series follows Christopher Chance (Mark Valley, “Boston Legal”), a unique private security guard who saves his clients’ lives even if it means turning himself into a human target. Assisting him are Chance’s business partner, Winston (Chi McBride, “Pushing Daisies”), and hired gun Guerrero (Jackie Earle Haley, “Watchmen”).
◊“Iron Chef America” (8 p.m. on Food Network): Chef Jose Garces, the winner of “The Next Iron Chef,” represents the Chairman in Kitchen Stadium for his first battle as an Iron Chef.
◊“Live at the Golden Globes With Carrie Ann & Chris” (5 p.m. on TV Guide Network): Carrie Ann Inaba (“Dancing With the Stars”) and Chris Harrison (“The Bachelor”) co-host the red carpet event that will feature interviews with nominees attending the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
◊“Why Planes Crash: Breaking Point” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): This special hosted by NBC News’ Lester Holt explores the terrifying consequences of plane crashes resulting from structural failure. It features dramatic animations that put viewers right next to passengers facing life or death situations — from an engine loss that caused the deadliest single airplane crash on U.S. soil to a decompression powerful enough to suck a flight attendant out of a plane.
◊“The Wronged Man” (7 p.m. on Lifetime Movie Network): Julia Ormond (“Legends of the Fall”) stars in the true story of Janet “Prissy” Gregory’s 22-year quest to overturn the sentence of wrongfully accused Calvin Willis (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali, “The 4400”).
MONDAY, JAN. 18, 2010
◊“Accidentally on Purpose” (7:30 p.m. on CBS): While working on a story with Sully, Billie gets some surprising news about the newspaper. Meanwhile, Zack and Davis go into the sandwich business together. Executive producer Claudia Lonow’s brother, Michael Rapaport (“My Name is Earl”) returns as Sully, a sports reporter.
◊“American Character Along Highway 50″ (7 p.m. on USA Network): This special follows journalist Tom Brokaw as he travels across Highway 50 documenting the lives of Americans along the transcontinental road that connects the Pacific to the Atlantic. Brokaw captures the stories of real people and explores how their lives are being impacted economically, politically and culturally during these extraordinary times.
◊“American Pickers” (8 p.m. on History): This new series follows the adventures of Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, business partners of Antique Archaeology based in Iowa, who are professional “pickers” trolling America’s small towns to salvage rare collectibles and good junk from regular folks. They get their hands dirty in search of weird and wonderful Americana.
◊“Be Good Johnny Weir” (9:30 p.m. on Sundance): This new eight-part documentary series explores the life of one of America’s most outspoken and colorful sports figures, three-time U.S. National Figure Skating Champion and World Medalist Johnny Weir. He is as comfortable walking in a downtown New York fashion show as he is on the ice, and he is known for giving candid, irreverent, responses at press events.
◊“Beyond Wise Guys” (7 p.m. on Documentary Channel): Narrated by Paul Borghese (“Julie & Julia”) and executive produced by John Turturro (“The Bronx Is Burning”), this documentary shows how Italian-Americans transformed themselves from outsiders, stereotyped by the Hollywood establishment as mobsters, into industry insiders. Featured are interviews with well-known contemporary Italian-American filmmakers who used their heritage to positively shape the art and craft of American cinema.
◊“Big Time Rush” (7:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon): Four fun-loving best friends from Minnesota trade in hockey practice for vocal lessons in this new musical comedy series that chronicles the making of a music group. They move from Minneapolis to Hollywood after being discovered by an eccentric record executive during a nationwide casting call for a new boy band. But the boys quickly realize they have a very short window to prove to themselves that they are serious about their new career choice.
◊“The Buried Life” (9 p.m. on MTV): This new documentary series follows Duncan, Ben, Jonnie and Dave, who travel across the country in their purple bus named Penelope in an attempt to cross off items on their list of “100 things to do before they die.” The guys make a promise that for each item they cross off their list, they will help a perfect stranger accomplish one of their goals.
◊“Chuck” (7 p.m. on NBC): When Awesome is mistaken for a super spy by the evil Sydney Price (Angie Harmon, “Law & Order”), Chuck must become his handler and show him the spy ropes.
◊“Fashion Police: The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards” (9 p.m. on E!): Host Joan Rivers will be joined by popular outspoken personalities Khloe Kardashian Odom, Giuliana Rancic and Jay Manuel to assess the fashion choices of Hollywood’s stars attending the event. They will debate over who deserves the titles of fashion’s biggest winners and losers.
◊“Heroes” (8 p.m. on NBC): Hiro’s life hangs in the balance as his brain tumor worsens, prompting him to subconsciously deal with some of his past decisions. George Takei (“Star Trek”) and David Anders (“Alias”) guest star.
◊“Obama’s America: 2010 and Beyond” (9 p.m. on MSNBC): Moderated by Chris Matthews (“Hardball”) and featuring radio host Tom Joyner, this two-hour special airing live from Texas Southern University in Houston will explore some of the most pressing and provocative issues connected to race and race relations in the U.S.
◊“How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m. on CBS): Marshall insists that his attractibe co-worker, Jenkins (Amanda Peet, 2012), tell Lily what really happened after Lily won’t believe that Jenkins kissed him. Series star Neil Patrick Harris (Barney Stinson) directed this episode.
◊“I’m in the Band” (6 p.m. on Disney XD): This new music-filled comedy series follows a teenager who realizes his wildest dream when he joins his favorite rock band, Iron Weasel.
◊“Improv-Ice” (5 p.m. on Hallmark Channel): Hosted by Olympic champions Brian Boitano and Kristi Yamaguchi, the live audience helps give an assist in picking the most innovative routines for the skaters to perform backed by the live music of the rock band the Goo Goo Dolls. Skating champions Sasha Cohen, Nancy Kerrigan, Kurt Browning, Evan Lysacek are among the performers.
◊“Life UneXpected” (8 p.m. on CW): This new series stars Brittany Robertson as Lux, an Oregon teenager who, after bouncing around from one foster home to another, decides to become an emancipated minor. Her quest reunites her with her biological father (Kristoffer Polaha), a bar owner who didn’t even know she existed, and her birth mother (Shiri Appleby), a local radio star.
◊“The Suite Life on Deck” (5:30 p.m. on Disney XD): Mr. Moseby forbids football on the Sky Deck so the students decide to play fantasy football instead. Cody enlists Kirby to teach him about football, and London unveils her secret weapon – Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Kurt Warner.
◊“Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m. on CBS): Charlie endures a colonoscopy to get out of a trip to see Chelsea’s bigoted parents, only to return home and find them in his living room. Stacy Keach (“Titus”) guest stars as Chelsea’s father.
TUESDAY, JAN. 19, 2010
◊“American Idol” (7 p.m. on Fox): Guest judge Shania Twain (Grammy winner) helps Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi critique the talent at the Chicago auditions.
◊“The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m. on NBC): Host Alison Sweeney surprises the contestants with the news that this will be student/teacher week, in which the contestants on each team assume the role of either teacher or student. The teachers get to work out with the trainers and then have to teach the students what they learned.
◊“Love That Girl!” (8 p.m. on TV One): This new black sitcom stars Tatyana Ali (“Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”) as a young divorcee who returns home to southern California for a second chance in life and a career in her father’s real estate business. The four-episode series executive produced by Martin Lawrence (“Martin”) opens with back-to-back episodes and airs over three consecutive nights.
◊“The Millionaire Matchmaker” (9 p.m. on Bravo): In Season 3, matchmaker Patti Stanger and her staff once again give their big-bucks clients complete transformations with the help of personal shoppers, date coaches and therapists. In each episode, two wealthy clients are set up on dates hand-picked by Stanger based upon their beauty and intelligence.
◊“Nova” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): An international team of archeologists, architects and engineers is racing against time to save the Sphinx from erosion.
◊“Paranormal Cops” (9:30 p.m. on A&E): This new series follows a group of Chicago-area police officers who apply their forensic and investigative expertise to paranormal casework. Responding to the pleas of people who are victimized by distressing and inexplicable activities in their homes and workplaces, these cops bring their no-nonsense approach to hunting ghosts and real-life police skills to separate the fact from fiction.
◊“Sesame Street” (9 a.m. on OETA-13): Julianna Margulies (“The Good Wife”) helps Big Bird when he hurts his wing. Matthew Fox (“Lost”) presents the “Word on the Street”: “Bone.”
◊“White Collar” (9 p.m. on USA Network): The winter premiere begins where the fall season cliffhanger left off with the tables turned between Neal and Peter. After going deep into the underworld of corrupt Wall Street brokers, the question remains as to whose side Peter is on.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 20, 2010
◊“American Idol” (7 p.m. on Fox): Guest judge Kristin Chenoweth (“Pushing Daisies”) helps Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi critique the talent at the Orlando auditions.
◊“Being Erica” (9 p.m. on SoapNet): In Season 2, Erica is more experienced in the ways of time travel and therapy. As she continues to move forward in her journey, she will come to understand that changing her life isn’t a quick fix. It involves facing an ever-expanding series of challenges.
◊“Human Spark” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): Host Alan Alda gets a highly detailed scan of his brain, which for a man in his early 70s in in remarkably good shape. He learns that the human ability to imagine fires most fiercely when we are doing nothing at all.
◊“Human Target” (8 p.m. on Fox): Chance and Winston encounter some severe turbulance when they work together to protect a client they have never met from an assassin aboard a passenger plane. Courtney Ford (“Dexter”) and Alessandro Juliani (“Battlestar Galactica”) guest star.
◊“Mantracker” (9 p.m. on Science Channel): The chase continues with Season 2 of this adventure series that challenges the wits and wills of weekend warriors in an intense game of cat and mouse played out in the rough countryside. Each episode, two new competitors have a day and a half to reach a finish line that is 22 miles away without getting caught by the “Mantracker, a veteran outdoorsman trained in tracking and retrieving missing persons in the deep wilderness.
◊“Meteorite Men” (8 p.m. on Science Channel): This new series follows Geoff Notkin and Steve Arnold, who build and keep secret maps of locations where they believe meteorites have fallen. Armed with an assortment of high-tech equipment, they search these secret locations combating rugged terrain and challenging weather conditions in their pursuit of scientific treasures.
◊“Modern Family” (8 p.m. on ABC): Mitchell plants the seed in Jay’s head that he thinks one of Jay’s old buddies, Shorty (Chazz Palminteri, “Analyze This”), might be secretly gay. Jay doesn’t believe it, although he now keeps noticing all the questionable signs.
◊“The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m. on CBS): Christine’s promising romance with therapist boyfriend Max (Eric McCormack, “Will & Grace”) threatens to be derailed by old flame Mr. Harris (Blair Underwood, “Dirty Sexy Money”).
◊“Spectacle: Elvis Costello With Bruce Springsteen” (9 p.m. on Sundance): Host Elvis Costello sits down with Bruce Springsteen for a special two-part episode that concludes Jan. 27. With his guitar in hand, Springsteen opens up about his pre-E Street Band bands, his early and current inspirations and the resurgence of New Jersey. E Street Band members Nils Lofgren and Roy Bittan also sit in for a couple of songs.
THURSDAY, JAN. 21, 2010
◊“30 Rock” (8:30 p.m. on NBC): When Liz Lemon decides to take the show on the road to cure a case of the winter blues for the staff, the anticipated trip doesn’t exactly go as planned. Julianne Moore (“Blindness”) guest stars.
◊“Bones” (7 p.m. on Fox): Mr. White (Richard T. Jones, “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) and his team of government agents put the Jeffersonian Lab on lock down and demand that Brennan and her forensics team determine a cause of death for an unidentified, but highly classified set of remains. Meanwhile, Booth’s boss, Andrew Hacker (Diedrich Bader, “The Drew Carey Show”), helps him break into the lab and determine the motive behind the mystery investigation.
◊“Burn Notice” (9 p.m. on USA Network): Michael, a blacklisted spy who finds himself stranded on Miami, takes on a violent con man in the winter premiere. Guest star Sharon Gless reunites with her “Cagney & Lacey” partner Tyne Daly, who plays Michael’s mother on the series.
◊“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (8 p.m. on CBS): The CSI team explores the outwardly sedate world of professional golf after the body of a legendary player is discovered during a major tournament. Pro golfers Rocco Mediate, Gary McCord, Duffy Waldorf and Natalie Gulbis guest star as themselves.
◊“The Deep End” (7 p.m. on ABC): Leah Pipes (“Sorority Row”), Tina Majorino (“Big Love”), Matt Long (“Jack and Bobby”), Ben Lawon (“Neighbours”) and Mehcad Brooks (“True Blood”) star in this new drama that follows the tragedies and triumphs of five earnest twenty-something first-year associates fighting to stay afloat in one of Los Angeles’ top law firms.
◊“Food Tech” (8 p.m. on History): In this new series, food industry veteran Bobby Bognar criss-crosses the nation in search of the origins and production secrets behind the foods we love. In the premiere episode, he unearths the hidden mysteries in a cheeseburger and fries, including how they get the sesame seeds to stick to the bun and what it takes to stuff 20 tomatoes inside a ketchup bottle.
◊“Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m. on ABC): After learning of Richard’s drinking problem, Derek confronts him for the sake of his friend and the hospital. Kim Raver (“Lipstick Jungle”) guest stars.
◊“Live From Lincoln Center” (7 p.m. on OETA-13): The new installment “Joshua Bell With Rriends @ the Penthouse” features the celebrated violinist performing with friends in the Kaplan Penthouse. His musical friends include Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth, Marvin Hamlisch and Frankie Moreno.
◊“The Mentalist” (9 p.m. on CBS): Jane and the team investigate the murder of the mayor’s aide. Sharon Lawrence (“NYPD Blue”) guest stars as Mayor Melba Walker Shannon.
◊“Sesame Street” (9 a.m. on OETA-13): Rocco Fiorentino (blind, sixth-grade jazz singer) stops by for some fun. Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) presents the “Word on the Street”: “Miniature.”
◊“Vampire Diaries” (7 p.m. on CW): Damon takes a trip to Georgia, where he surprises an old flame (Gina Torres, “Eli Stone”) and enlists her help to figure out how to open the tomb. In the process, Damon comes face to face with someone who is determined to make him pay for past wrongs.
FRIDAY, JAN. 22, 2010
◊“Caprica” (8 p.m. on Syfy): This new series follows two rival families and their patriarchs – Daniel Graystone (Eric Stoltz) and Joseph Adama (Esai Morales) – as they compete and thrive in the realm of the 12 Colonies. It will feature the passion, intrigue, political backbiting and family conflict in an omnipotent society that is at the height of its glory and on the brink of its fall.
◊“Dollhouse” (8 p.m. on Fox): Set in the year 2020, Echo and her surviving Dollhouse crew attempt to restore order to a devastating future world before mankind is eliminated in “Epitaph 2: The Return,” the series finale episode.
◊“Man Caves” (7:30 p.m. on DIY): In this two-and-a-half marathon, viewers get an insider’s look at the man caves of some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.
◊“Medium” (8 p.m. on CBS): Allison dreams of a schizophrenic child, who she later meets as the well-adjusted roommate of a missing psychiatric patient, and questions whether she was responsible for killing her own parents. Danielle Panabaker (“Shark”) guest stars as Summer Lowry, the schizophrenic young girl from Allison’s dreams.
◊“Spartacus: Blood and Sand” (9 p.m. on Starz): Australian actor Andy Whitfield stars as the gladiator warrior Spartacus in this new series. Lucy Lawless (“Xena: Warrior Princess”) plays Lucretia, who along with her husband, Batiatus, own the Ludus gladiator camp. They bought Spartacus hoping his fighting prowess will help them regain their status in the brutal world of gladiatorial contests.
◊“Supernanny” (7 p.m. on ABC): This special episode features the world’s first Super-Manny, Mike Ruggles, a Chicago native with more than 17 years of experience as a teacher and developmental therapist for children. But he faces his biggest challenge with a chaotic family of six from Colorado.
◊“Shark Tank” (8 p.m. on ABC): Things percolate between the Sharks and a husband and wife team from Santa Monica after Kevin O’Leary mocks their poorly executed business pitch about providing legal services at a coffee house. Another coffee-oriented pitch finds a man who has created a way to determine if a cup of Joe does or doesn’t contain caffeine.
◊“Wizards of Waverly Place” (7 p.m. on Disney): This special hourlong episode features guest stars Gregg Sulkin (Disney Channel UK’s “As The Bell Rings”) and Bridgit Mendler (“Good Luck Charlie”) reprising their roles as Alex’s new boyfriend, Mason, and Justin’s vampire girlfriend Juliet Van Heusen, who recently disappeared after being turned into a mummy’s minion.
SATURDAY, JAN. 23, 2010
◊“The 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards” (7 p.m. on TNT and TBS): Actors honor their peers in the annual ceremony, which will air live from the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center. Betty White will receive the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment.
◊“Arj Barker: LYAO” (11 p.m. on Comedy Central): This new stand-up special brings the “Flight of the Conchords” star to the stage to poke fun at controversial topics ranging from global warming to losing Pluto as a planet.
◊“Artie Lange: Jack and Coke” (10 p.m. on Comedy Central): This special brings Artie Lange’s uncensored observations and incredible knack for funny storytelling to the stage. He talks about his competition with Heath Ledger and the opening monologue he’d do if he were ever asked to host the Oscars.
◊“Live at the Screen Actors Guild Awards With Carrie Ann & Chris” (5 p.m. on TV Guide Network): Carrie Ann Inaba (“Dancing With the Stars”) and Chris Harrison (“The Bachelor”) co-host the red carpet event that will feature interviews with nominees attending the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.
◊“Mexican Made Easy” (8:30 a.m. on Food Network): In this new series, professional chef and cookbook author Marcela Valladolid prepares a fresh take on Mexican food and shares simple and authentic recipes with viewers.
◊“The Screen Actors Guild Awards Red Carpet Show” (6:30 p.m. on TNT): People Magazines deputy managing editor Peter Castro and entertainment reporter Thea Andrews co-host this live pre-show telecast. They will interview this year’s nominees, past recipients and presenters as they walk down the red carpet on their way into the prestigious ceremony. Also on hand to report on the hottest red carpet styles and trends will be People StyleWatch correspondent Lori Bergamotto.
–Penny TV
Happy Birthday, Kim Coles
Jan. 11, 2010 –Kim Coles,
who played Mercy on “10 Items or Less” (2009 on TBS), turns 48 today.
She appeared as Synclaire James-Jones on “Living Single” (1993-98).
Her first acting role was as various characters on “In Living Color.” She was 28.
Best wishes to Kim and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV
Pictured at right: Kim Coles arrives at the 18th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, Saturday, April 14, 2007. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
