Television Blog

SYTYCD: Channing and Kevin eliminated

ywalker — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:03:31 +0000

Channing and Kevin got the boot this week, and the judges were unanimous in their decision. But many viewers on Twitter have complained the Channing should NOT have been picked to leave over Latin dancer Karen. Listen to the podcast!

ABC announces premiere of sixth and final season of “Lost”

Melissa Hayer — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:36:37 +0000

The cast of "Lost" - ABC Photo

ABC has announced the premiere of the sixth and final season of “Lost,” with a special all-night event on Tuesday, February 2. A recap special will kick off the night from 7:00-8:00 p.m., followed by the much anticipated two-hour premiere from 8:00-10:00 p.m.

The series will then air in its regular time period – Tuesday nights from 8:00-9:00 p.m., beginning the following week, on February 9.

“Lost” stars Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Nestor Carbonell as Richard Alpert, Emilie de Ravin as Claire, Michael Emerson as Ben, Jeff Fahey as Frank Lapidus, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Ken Leung as Miles, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Terry O’Quinn as Locke and Zuleikha Robinson as Ilana.

“Lost” was created by Jeffrey Lieber and J.J. Abrams & Damon Lindelof. Abrams, Lindelof, Bryan Burk, Jack Bender, Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz, Jean Higgins and Carlton Cuse serve as executive producers. “Lost,” which is filmed entirely on location in Hawaii and premiered on September 22, 2004, is from ABC Studios.

“Dexter”: Who’s Coming to Dinner?

Melissa Hayer — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:37:49 +0000

John Lithgow, far left, and Michael C. Hall, far right, in a scene from the "Dexter" Thanksgiving episode - Showtime Photo

“If erring is human, then remorse must be too. Wait, does that make me human?” declared Dexter (Michael C. Hall) at the close of last Sunday’s episode.

After Dexter’s confession to Arthur/Trinity (John Lithgow) about his most recent killing, Arthur felt compelled to reveal his darkest family secrets.

Now the closer Dexter gets to Trinity, the more he realizes that all serial killers are not created equal.

With Thanksgiving approaching, Dexter once again is forced into balancing his family obligations with his ever deadly deepening relationships with Trinity and his bizarrely dysfunctional family.

Turkey Day will never be the same after Dexter and the Trinity Killer share a memorable holiday feast.

♦♦♦ Weekly viewership including DVR and On Demand has pushed “Dexter” over the 4 million mark, so tune in to see what everyone’s watching, if you haven’t caught an episode yet.

To check out a clip from the next episode of “Dexter,” click below.

Tune in to “Oprah” today (Nov. 20); she will address her decision to leave show

television — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:03:38 +0000

From Programming Insider:

The big news late Thursday was Oprah Winfrey’s decision to conclude her syndicated talk show in 2011 after 25 seasons on the air to concentrate on her upcoming cable network OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, a joint venture with Discovery Communications.

The Queen of talk, who will officially step down on Sept. 9, 2011, will address her decision to leave on today’s show (airing at 4 p.m. Nov. 20 on KOCO-5 in Oklahoma City).

This does not mean, of course, that Oprah is officially done as a talk show host. A spokesperson at Harpo, Oprah’s production company, declined to comment on what exactly Oprah’s participation would be at OWN.

Said a spokesman for CBS Television Distribution: “We have the greatest respect for Oprah and wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors. We know that anything she turns her hand to will be a great success. We look forward to working with her for the next several years, and hopefully afterwards as well.”

Pictured above: Oprah Winfrey smiles as she arrives to the red carpet for the gala screening of “Precious” during the Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)

Cook with Chef Gordon Ramsay at home or on TV

television — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:45:37 +0000

   Want to prepare a three-course meal with Chef Gordon Ramsay? Everyone can do so from the comfort of their own kitchen — and without getting yelled at — when Fox airs “Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live” at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15.
   But Fox is giving a few people passionate about cooking the chance to join Chef Ramsay live on the special. He may or may not scream and yell at his helpers like he does the contestants on “Hell’s Kitchen.” Take your chances by applying for the opportunity at www.fox.com/casting.htm.
   Hurry, though. Deadline for submissions is today (Nov. 20).
   Here is what Chef Ramsay is going to prepare in an hour’s time on live TV: Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp, Chili Peppers and Tomatoes as an appetizer, Steak Diane with Sautéed Potatoes and Peas as the main course and Quick Tiramisu for dessert. The three-course meal will serve four.
   And here’s the shopping list for those who wish to cook along Chef Ramsay at home:

PRODUCE
••1 red chili pepper
••5 large garlic cloves, peeled
••1 large tomato (heirloom or beefsteak)
••1 lemon
••Small handful of fresh basil leaves
••3 scallions
••4 ounces crimini mushrooms, cleaned (can also use button mushrooms instead)
••3 shallots, peeled
••Small handful of flat-leaf parsley
••3 small sprigs of rosemary
••1 pound small waxy potatoes (Yukon Gold, cut in half)
••2 cups peas, defrosted if using frozen

MEAT/FISH
••1/2 pound medium-size raw, peeled shrimps
••4 small sirloin steaks (approx. 7 ounces each)

DAIRY
••1 3/4 cups heavy cream
••1 cup mascarpone
••2 1/2 tablespoons salted butter

PASTA/BREAD
••7 ounces angel hair pasta
••4 Italian Ladyfingers, or Savoiardi

BAKING
••1/4 cup powdered sugar
••1 vanilla bean, or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
••Piece of chocolate (to grate as garnish)

LIQUOR/COFFEE
••4 tablespoons Marsala, or sweet dessert wine such as Vin Santo
••1/4 cup brandy or cognac
••1/4 cup white wine
••1 cup cold strong coffee

CONDIMENTS
••Salt and freshly ground black pepper
••Olive oil
••Extra virgin olive oil
••1-2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, to taste
••1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

MOST IMPORTANT PART
••Friends and family to enjoy the meal, which will be ready at 9 p.m.

–Penny TV

Sink your teeth into “Vampire Diaries” marathon Dec. 14-18 on The CW

Melissa Hayer — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:42 +0000

Paul Wesley, left, and Ian Somerhalder in "The Vampire Diaries" - The CW Photo

The CW Network has announced plans for a special “The Vampire Diaries” Marathon starting on Monday, December 14.

This week-long event offers fans the opportunity to relive “The Vampire Diaries” saga from the very beginning and allows the uninitiated the chance to get into one of TV’s breakout hits.

Airing two episodes each night from Monday, Dec. 14 through Friday, Dec. 18 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. beginning with the season premiere episode, The CW will rebroadcast every episode of its smash hit “The Vampire Diaries” in consecutive order across its entire primetime schedule that week.

After just 10 episodes, “The Vampire Diaries” has become The CW’s most-watched and highest-rated series among adults 18-34 this season.

Based on the best-selling series of books by L. J. Smith, The Vampire Diaries is the story of two vampire brothers obsessed with the same beautiful girl, and battling to control the fate of an entire town.

Beautiful high school student Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev, “DeGrassi: The Next Generation”) has no way of knowing that the handsome and mysterious new boy in school, Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley, “Mad Men”), is a centuries-old vampire.

While Stefan struggles to live peacefully among humans, his older brother Damon (Ian Somerhalder, “Lost”) is the embodiment of vampire violence and brutality.

Now these two vampire brothers ─ one good, one evil ─ are at war for Elena’s soul and for the souls of her friends, family and all the residents of the small town of Mystic Falls.

Top 20 Guest Stars on TV Shows airing Nov. 22-28, 2009

television — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:30:31 +0000

Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a
list of the top guest stars (and all the premieres and finales, see separate blog) appearing on TV next week.
And here are 20 (or more) celebrities making special TV appearances the week of Nov. 22.
If a well-known personality was missed, feel free to add his or her name in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.

GUEST STARS

••Rosanna Arquette (“The L Word”) on “Eastwick,” 9:01 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Francis Capra (”Veronica Mars”) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Chris Elliott (”Everybody Loves Raymond”) on “How I Met Your Mother,” 7 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Eve (“Eve”) on “Glee,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on Fox.
••Daryl Hall and John Oates (musical artists) on “The Cleveland Show,” 7:30 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
••Chelsea Handler (”Chelsea Lately”) on “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Jonah Hill (“Funny People”) on “The Simpsons,” 7 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
••C. Thomas Howell (”The Outsiders”) on “Criminal Minds,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Shelley Long (”Cheers”) on “Modern Family,” 7 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.
••Ray Mabus (U.S. Secretary of the Navy) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Jilian Michaels (”The Biggest Loser”) on “The Suze Orman Show,” 8 p.m. Saturday on CNBC.
••Marisa Miller (Victoria’s Secret model) on “Gary Unmarried,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Suze Orman (”The Suze Orman Show”) on “The Biggest Loser,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on NBC.
••Pauley Perrette (”NCIS”) on “NCIS: Los Angeles,” 8 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Melissa Peterman (”Reba”) on “Rita Rocks,” 9 p.m. Monday on Lifetime.
••Esteban Powell (“The Cleaner) on “House,” 7 p.m. Monday on Fox.
••Katee Sackhoff (”Battlestar Galactica”) on “The Big Bang Theory,” 8:30 p.m. Monday on CBS.
••Lisa Sheridan (”Invasion”) on “NCIS,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
••Fisher Stevens (”Early Edition”) on “NUMB3RS,” 9 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••D.B. Sweeney (”Jericho”) on “Criminal Minds,” 8 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Jeffrey Tambor (”Arrested Development”) on “Medium,” 8 p.m. Friday on CBS.
••Skeet Ulrich (”Jericho”) on “CSI: NY,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on CBS.
••Casper Van Dien (“Starship Troopers”) on “Monk,” 8 p.m. Friday on USA Network.
••Rod Woodson (pro football player) on “The Biggest Loser,” 7 p.m. Tuesday on NBC.

NOTE: Times are CT. For ET, add one hour.

Pictured above:

GLEE: Eve guest-stars as the head of a rival glee club on in the “Hairography” episode airing Nov. 25 on FOX. Photo: Michael Yarish/FOX

TV Premieres, Finales and Marathons airing Nov. 22-28, 2009

television — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:38 +0000

   Friday is when The Oklahoman posts a list of all the premieres and finales (and all the guest stars, see separate blog) coming up on TV next week.
   And here are the shows beginning and ending the week of Nov. 22.
   If one was missed, the network did not issue a press release about it. But feel free to add it in the comments section to help make this list a complete and accurate source for TV watchers everywhere.

BEGINNINGS
••“The Haunted,” 9 p.m. Sunday on Animal Planet (series premiere).
••“Meet the Natives USA,” 10 p.m. Sunday on Travel Channel (series premiere).
••“Find My Family,” 8:30 p.m. Monday on ABC (series premiere).

ENDINGS
••“Curb Your Enthusiasm,” 8 p.m. Sunday on HBO (seventh-season finale).
••“The Next Iron Chef,” 8 p.m. Sunday on Food Network (first-season finale).
••“Jon and Kate Plus 8,” 8 p.m. Monday on TLC (fifth-season finale).
••“Dancing With the Stars,” 8:01 p.m. Tuesday on ABC (ninth-season finale).
••“Man Shops Globe,” 9 p.m. Wednesday on Sundance (series finale).
••“Shameless,” 7 p.m. Friday on Sundance (fifth-season premiere).

MARATHONS
••“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday on USA Network.
••“How Clean Is Your House?” 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday on BBC America.
••“Dogs 101/Cats 101,” 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday on Animal Planet.
••“Cake Boss,” 5 a.m. Thursday to 2 a.m. Friday on TLC.
••“Mythbusters,” 8 a.m. Thursday to 2 a.m. Friday on Discovery.
••“Untamed & Uncut,” 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday on Animal Planet.
••“White Collar,” 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday on USA Network.
••“I’m Alive,” noon to 9 p.m. Friday on Animal Planet.
••“Deadliest Catch,” 8 a.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday on Discovery.
••“Dirty Jobs,” 10 a.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Nov. 29 on Discovery.

NOTE: Times are CT. For ET, add one hour.

Pictured above: DONNY OSMOND, KYM JOHNSON on “Dancing With the Stars” (ABC Photo)

Happy Birthday, Ming-Na

television — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:00:27 +0000

   Nov. 20, 2009 — Ming-Na Wen,
who played Dr. Jing-Mei Chen on “ER” (1995-2004), turns 46 today.
   She played Judge Linda Harris on four episodes of “Two and a Half Men” (2007).
   Her first acting role was as Royal Trumpeter on two episodes of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” (1985). She was 22.
   Best wishes to Ming-Na and everybody who shares this special day with her.
–Penny TV

Pictured above: Ming-Na Wen arrives at the Lili Claire Foundation’s 10th annual benefit dinner in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

People’s Choice Awards nominees announced, voting for winners open until Dec. 8

Melissa Hayer — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:14:04 +0000

New trophy design by Waterford for the People's Choice Awards 2010. Photo by Sonja Flemming - Provided by CBS

The nominations for People’s Choice Awards 2010 have been announced.

Fans voted at www.peopleschoice.com and cast more than 16 million votes to determine the nominees in categories such as “Favorite Movie,” “Favorite Breakout Artist” and “Favorite TV Obsession.”

Winners will be revealed during the live broadcast of People’s Choice Awards 2010 from its new home, the Nokia Theater, L.A. on Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. on CBS.

Queen Latifah will host the only major awards show that honors fan favorites in movies, music and television.

Voting at www.peopleschoice.com and www.myspace.com/peopleschoiceawards for all 35 categories will end on December 8, 2009, except for “Favorite New TV Drama” and “Favorite New TV Comedy,” which will remain open for voting until night of show.

A complete list of the People’s Choice Awards 2010 nominees is as follows:

FAVORITE TV DRAMA
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Grey’s Anatomy
House
Lost
NCIS

FAVORITE TV COMEDY
Desperate Housewives
How I Met Your Mother
The Big Bang Theory
The Office
Two and a Half Men

FAVORITE TV DRAMA ACTOR
Hugh Laurie
Kiefer Sutherland
Mark Harmon
Matthew Fox
Patrick Dempsey

FAVORITE TV DRAMA ACTRESS
Anna Paquin
Blake Lively
Jennifer Love Hewitt
Katherine Heigl
Mariska Hargitay

FAVORITE TV COMEDY ACTOR
Alec Baldwin
Charlie Sheen
Jim Parsons
Neil Patrick Harris
Steve Carell

FAVORITE TV COMEDY ACTRESS
Alyson Hannigan
America Ferrera
Amy Poehler
Eva Longoria Parker
Tina Fey

FAVORITE TV OBSESSION
Dexter
Gossip Girl
The Hills
The Secret Life of the American Teenager
True Blood

FAVORITE TALK SHOW (Mobile Voting Category)
Chelsea Lately
Live with Regis & Kelly
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Tyra Banks Show

FAVORITE SCI FI/FANTASY TV SHOW (Mobile Voting Category)
Heroes
Lost
Supernatural
The Vampire Diaries
True Blood

FAVORITE COMPETITION SHOW
American Idol
Dancing with the Stars
Project Runway
So You Think You Can Dance
Survivor: Samoa

FAVORITE ANIMAL SHOW
Animal Cops
Dog Town
Dog Whisperer
It’s Me or the Dog
Rescue Ink Unleashed

FAVORITE NEW TV DRAMA
Eastwick
FlashForward
Melrose Place
Mercy
The Forgotten
The Good Wife
The Vampire Diaries
Three Rivers
NCIS: Los Angeles
V

FAVORITE NEW TV COMEDY
Accidentally on Purpose
Brothers
Community
Cougar Town
Glee
Hank
The Cleveland Show
The Middle
Modern Family

FAVORITE MOVIE ACTOR
Brad Pitt
Hugh Jackman
Johnny Depp
Robert Pattinson
Ryan Reynolds

FAVORITE MOVIE ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway
Drew Barrymore
Jennifer Aniston
Kristen Stewart
Sandra Bullock

FAVORITE ACTION STAR
Christian Bale
Gerard Butler
Hugh Jackman
Shia LaBeouf
Vin Diesel

FAVORITE COMEDIC STAR
Adam Sandler
Ben Stiller
Jim Carrey
Ryan Reynolds
Vince Vaughn

FAVORITE BREAKOUT MOVIE ACTRESS
Anna Kendrick
Emily Osment
Ginnifer Goodwin
Miley Cyrus
Zoe Saldana

FAVORITE BREAKOUT MOVIE ACTOR
Chris Pine
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Sam Worthington
Taylor Lautner
Zachary Quinto

FAVORITE ON-SCREEN TEAM
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ˆ Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint & Emma Watson
The Proposal ˆ Sandra Bullock & Ryan Reynolds
The Twilight Saga ˆ Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart & Taylor Lautner
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen ˆ Shia LeBeouf & Megan Fox
X-Men Origins: Wolverine ˆ Hugh Jackman, Liev Shreiber, Ryan Reynolds, Will.i.am, Dominic Monaghan & Daniel Henney

FAVORITE FAMILY MOVIE (Mobile Voting Category)
Hannah Montana: The Movie
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Up
Where the Wild Things Are

FAVORITE INDEPENDENT MOVIE
(500) Days of Summer
District 9
Inglourious Basterds
Paranormal Activity
Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail

FAVORITE FRANCHISE (Mobile Voting Category)
Harry Potter
Star Trek
The Twilight Saga
Transformers
X-Men

FAVORITE COMEDY MOVIE
17 Again
Bride Wars
He’s Just Not That Into You
The Hangover
The Proposal

FAVORITE MOVIE
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Star Trek
The Hangover
The Proposal
Twilight

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST
Eminem
Jason Mraz
John Mayer
Keith Urban
Tim McGraw

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST
Beyoncé
Britney Spears
Carrie Underwood
P!nk
Taylor Swift

FAVORITE COUNTRY ARTIST
Brad Paisley
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
Rascal Flatts
Taylor Swift

FAVORITE BREAKOUT MUSIC ARTIST
Adam Lambert
Demi Lovato
Kris Allen
Lady Gaga
Susan Boyle

FAVORITE HIP HOP ARTIST (Mobile Voting Category)
Eminem
Flo Rida
Jay-Z
Lil’ Wayne
T.I.

FAVORITE ROCK BAND
Daughtry
Green Day
Kings of Leon
Muse
Paramore

FAVORITE MUSIC COLLABORATION
Good Girls Go Bad ˆ Cobra Starship & Leighton Meester
Lucky ˆ Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat
Run This Town ˆ Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West
Life Your Live ˆ T.I. & Rihanna
I’m On a Boat ˆ The Lonely Island & T-Pain

FAVORITE R&B ARTIST
Alicia Keys
Beyoncé
Jennifer Hudson
Mariah Carey
Usher

FAVORITE POP ARTIST
Britney Spears
Katy Perry
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift
The Black Eyed Peas

FAVORITE WEB CELEB
Andy Samberg
Ashton Kutcher
Miley Cyrus
P. Diddy
Will Ferrell