TNT greenlights David E. Kelley’s “Monday Mornings” medical drama series
Ving Rhames in "Monday Mornings" - TNT Photo
TNT has given the greenlight to the new medical drama series “Monday Mornings” from award-winning producer David E. Kelley (“Ally McBeal,” “Chicago Hope”) and practicing neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, M.D., according to a news release.
“Monday Mornings,” based on Gupta’s book, stars Ving Rhames (“Pulp Fiction”), Alfred Molina (“Spider-Man 2″), Jamie Bamber (“Battlestar Galactica”), Jennifer Finnigan (“Better with You”), Bill Irwin (“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation), Keong Sim (“Glee”), Sarayu Rao (“Lions for Lambs” and Emily Swallow (“Southland.”)
The series, formerly known as “Chelsea General,” is produced by TNT Originals and David E. Kelley Productions, with Kelley and Gupta serving as executive producers.
The pilot episode was written by Kelley and directed and executive produced by Bill D’Elia (“Boston Legal, “The West Wing”).
The 10-episode first season of “Monday Mornings” is scheduled to premiere in summer 2013.
TNT has partnered with Turner Broadcasting System International, Inc. to produce the global series, which will air on TNT and Turner networks around the world and will be distributed by TBS International outside of the U.S. and Canada.
A summary of the show, provided by TNT, is as follows:
Set at the fictional Chelsea General Hospital in Portland, Ore., “Monday Mornings” follows the lives of doctors as they push the limits of their abilities and confront their personal and professional failings. The title refers to the hospital’s weekly morbidity and mortality conference, when doctors gather with their peers for a confidential review of complications and errors in patient care.
Leading the staff at Chelsea General are Dr. Harding Hooten (Molina), the steely-eyed chief of surgery, and Dr. Jorge “El Gato” Villanueva (Rhames), the hospital’s trauma chief. Their cadre of medical talent includes hotshot neurosurgeons Dr. Tyler Wilson (Bamber) and Dr. Tina Ridgeway (Finnigan); the abrasive Dr. Buck Tierney (Irwin); the socially challenged Dr. Sung Park (Sim); the petite-but-formidable Dr. Sydney Napur (Rao); and inquisitive resident Dr. Michelle Robidaux (Swallow).
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Mustang resident to be featured on CMT’s “The Singing Bee”
The karaoke showdown series “The Singing Bee” is scheduled to feature Mustang resident Dal Blocker at 7 p.m. Friday, May 11 on CMT.
A summary of the show, provided by CMT, is as follows:
On “The Singing Bee,” contestants don’t have to sing it well, they just have to sing it right! As long as they can belt out the correct lyrics to country tunes and pop favorites, they don’t have to worry about hitting all the right notes. In each episode, six contestants sing it out to compete for the grand prize of $10,000. Hosted by Melissa Peterman, brand new weekly, one-hour episodes promise more laughs, more songs, more surprise guests and more excitement than ever before from local karaoke kings and queens.
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“Hawaii Five-O”: Wo Fat returns in May 7 episode
Alex O'Loughlin as Steve McGarrett, left, fights Mark Dacascos as Wo Fat on "Hawaii Five-0" - CBS Photo
Tomorrow night’s (May 7) episode of “Hawaii Five-0,” “Ua Hopu” (which is Hawaiian for “Caught”) follows Steve (Alex O’Loughlin) as he again takes on arch-nemesis Wo Fat (Mark Dacascos), while also battling the Japanese Yakuza, who is after both of them.
Kono’s (Grace Park) surprising new love interest is also revealed, while Danny (Scott Caan) works with a CIA informant to gain intel to assist Steve.
Viewers are always in for a treat when Wo Fat is featured on this show, and this episode doesn’t disappoint on the action front or with Wo Fat’s story line; and it’s also refreshing to see Kono’s romantic side.
Daniel Dae Kim and Masi Oka also star in “Hawaii Five-0,” with guest stars in this episode including Ian Anthony Dale, Jerry Ying, Glenn Morshower, Atsushi Ohba, Jack McGee, Jacqueline Lord and Spencer Garrett.
“Ua Hopu” was written by Stephanie SenGupta and directed by Larry Teng.
“Hawaii Five-0″ airs at 9 p.m. Mondays on CBS.
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From left, Alex O'Loughlin and Mark Dacascos in a scene from "Hawaii Five-0" - CBS Photo
Simon Baker interview to air on “CBS Sunday Morning With Charles Osgood” May 6
“The Mentalist” star Simon Baker will be featured in an interview with CBS Sunday Morning Correspondent Rita Braver on “CBS Sunday Morning With Charles Osgood” May 6.
A summary and excerpt of the interview, provided by CBS, is as follows:
Best known as “The Mentalist’s” Patrick Jane — a former TV psychic, who, after being exposed as a fraud, uses his uncanny knack for observing human behavior to assist the California state police — Simon Baker admits that he finds the brash, verbose character “sort of a challenge.”
In a wide-ranging interview with CBS Sunday Morning Correspondent Rita Braver, Baker speaks candidly about his personal shyness, his difficult childhood and the less-than-successful years of effort that culminated in his star turn on “The Mentalist.”
Yet, to Baker, as devoted husband and proud father of three, success is not measured onscreen or in the trappings of stardom.
“All this stuff is great,” he tells Braver. “But you know, at the end of the day, being a parent — that’s head and shoulders above it all.”
“CBS Sunday Morning With Charles Osgood” airs from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Sundays on CBS.
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Oklahoma native and celebrity stylist Tammy Mixon to appear on “Celebrity Apprentice” Sunday
Celebrity stylist and Norman resident Tammy Mixon will be making her primetime television debut on “The Celebrity Apprentice” at 8 p.m., Sunday, May 6 on NBC.
Mixon, who has more than 25 years experience as an international platform artist and for the past ten years has been the lead hairstylist at the Donald Trump-owned Miss Teen, Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, will be involved along with Farouk Systems and three other stylists in the task for the five remaining celebrities on the show, according to a news release.
“The whole experience was exciting and the cast and crew were terrific to work with,” Mixon said in the news release.
Some of the celebrity clients Mixon has worked with include E! news personality Giuliana Rancic, television journalist Natalie Morales, Olympic stars and Oklahoma residents Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci, as well as singer/songwriter Krystal Keith, daughter of country singer and Oklahoma native Toby Keith.
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“The Vampire Diaries,” “Supernatural” and “90210″ given early renewals for 2012-13 season
From left, Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley and Nina Dobrev of "The Vampire Diaries" - The CW Photo
The CW Network announced today it has given early pickups to the “The Vampire Diaries,” “Supernatural” and “90210,” with all three shows returning for the 2012-13 season, according to a news release.
“The Vampire Diaries,” The CW’s top-rated series, will return for its fourth season, “Supernatural” for its eighth season and “90210″ for its fifth season.
Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley star in “The Vampire Diaries,” which airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays; Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles and University of Central Oklahoma alumnus Jim Beaver star in “Supernatural,” which airs at 8 p.m., Fridays; and Shenae Grimes and Jessica Stroup are among the cast of “90210,” which airs at 7 p.m., Tuesdays.
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From left, Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki and Jim Beaver of "Supernatural" - The CW Photo
From left, Jessica Stroup and Shenae Grimes of "90210" - The CW Photos
Author with Oklahoma ties Karen Schreck makes Rise & Shine appearance May 11
Karen Schreck - Photo by Greg Halvorsen Schreck
Author Karen Schreck, whose latest book was inspired by her Oklahoma roots, will be on KAUT-43′s “Rise & Shine” at 7:15 a.m. , Friday, May 11.
Information provided in a news release said Karen’s family was part of the original Sooner Rush, eventually establishing a life in Oklahoma. Her mother’s life story, about a childhood sweetheart-turned-husband who died fighting in World War II provided the inspiration for one of the character’s storylines in her new young adult novel, “While He Was Away.” Karen’s love of the beautiful Oklahoma land and her family’s ties to the state helped to create the story’s setting and characters.
Schreck will also be involved in a presentation and book signing of her new novel at 6 p.m., Friday, May 11 at Best of Books in Edmond and at 3 p.m., Saturday, May 12 at Full Circle Books in Oklahoma City.
The young adult novel “Dream Journal,” a 2006 Young Adult Book Sense Pick, and the award-winning children’s book “Lucy’s Family Tree” are among Schreck’s previous works. For more information on the author, visit karenschreck.com.
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Desmond Mason and Nathan Lee to be featured on OETA “Gallery” series May 3
Desmond Mason - Provided Photo
The OETA Emmy Award-winning arts documentary program “Gallery” is featuring former NBA star Desmond Mason and former hip hop artist turned painter Nathan Lee at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 3.
Mason played basketball for Oklahoma State University before spending 10 seasons in the NBA playing for Seattle, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Oklahoma City and Sacramento.
After retiring from the NBA in 2010, he is now focusing on art.
An artist since the age of 13, Mason got a degree in studio art from OSU and painted throughout his NBA career, with exhibits in his various home towns raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities, according to a news release.
Now he’s raising money for charities in his new home state.
“Gallery” spends a new day with Mason, giving viewers the chance to meet his family , see his new home and discover more about his life in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma-born Nathan Lee’s artistic career began in the hip hop culture on the streets of New York City, but now he’s back in the state and doing all he can to add color to Oklahoma’s creative canvas, including contributing his own artwork as well as running an outreach program for minority artists and mentoring talented teens.
This episode of “Gallery” encores twice during the month of May: at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 17, and at 11 a.m., Sunday, May 27.
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“Banshee”: New Cinemax action series begins production
Antony Starr - AP Photo
The HBO/Cinemax action series “Banshee” has started production in and around Charlotte, N.C. on 10 hour-long episodes that are scheduled to premiere on Cinemax in 2013.
Antony Starr, (Australian series “Rush”) leads “Banshee” as Lucas Hood, an ex-con and master thief who takes on the identity of the sheriff of Banshee, Pa., where he continues his criminal activities while being hunted by the gangsters he betrayed years earlier.
Other cast members, according to a news release, include Ivana Milicevic (“Charlie’s Angels”) as Carrie Hopewell, a notorious jewel thief who now lives in Banshee under an assumed identity with her new family, who know nothing of her past; Ulrich Thomsen (“The Celebration”) as Proctor, an intimidating, wealthy local businessman who believes he is above the law; Frankie Faison (“The Good Wife,”) as Sugar Bates, a wise, powerful former boxer and ex-con who now owns the local watering hole; Rus Blackwell (“Burn Notice”) as Gulf War hero Gordon Hopewell, Banshee’s district attorney, who is married to Carrie; Ryann Shane (“Blue Bloods”) as Deva Hopewell, Carrie and Gordon’s rebellious daughter; and Ben Cross (“Star Trek”) as Mr. Rabbit, a ruthless Ukrainian gangster who has been hunting Lucas and Carrie, his former top thieves, for 15 years.
The show is executive produced by Alan Ball (“True Blood,” “Six Feet Under”), Greg Yaitanes (“House,” “Lost”), Peter Macdissi (“Towelhead,” “Six Feet Under”), Jonathan Tropper (author of the New York Times bestseller “This Is Where I Leave You”) and David Schickler (author of “Kissing in Manhattan” and “Sweet and Vicious”).
The scripts were conceived and written by Tropper and Schickler, with Emmy-winner Yaitanes directing and additional directors to be announced.
“Banshee” is the latest primetime drama series to be added to the upcoming Cinemax schedule, which also includes season two of “Strike Back,” starring Sullivan Stapleton and Philip Winchester, and “Hunted,” starring Melissa George.
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Oscar nominee “Hell and Back Again” debuts May 28 on PBS
Nathan and Ashley Harris - Provided Photo
The film “Hell and Back Again,” which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary, is scheduled to premiere on PBS’ “Independent Lens” at 9 p.m., Memorial Day, Monday, May 28 (check local listings).
A summary and production credits for the movie, provided by PBS, are as follows:
The story follows the U.S. Marines Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, as they launch a major assault on a Taliban stronghold in Southern Afghanistan. Within hours of being dropped deep behind enemy lines, Sergeant Harris’s unit is attacked from all sides. Cut off and surrounded, the Marines fight a ghostlike enemy and experience immense hostility from displaced villagers. Frustration grows on both sides, as any common ground, or success, seems elusive.
The parallel story begins with Sergeant Harris’s return home to his wife after he is severely injured. He’s in terrible physical pain and becomes dependent on his pain medication. But his
psychological pain may be worse, as he attempts to reconcile the gulf between his experiences at war and the return to civilian life, one of a generation of veterans struggling to find an identity in a country that is often indifferent.
Nathan and Ashley Harris have shared their most intimate and painful moments for the film in order to illuminate what they, and thousands like them, are going through. Ashley’s role in
Nathan’s rehabilitation is testimony to what thousands of loved ones are experiencing: trying to maintain normalcy while picking up the pieces of the lives of the wounded warriors who return
home.
Winner of the Sundance Film Festival Documentary Grand Jury Award and Cinematography Award, “Hell and Back Again” is Danfung Dennis’s first feature film and the first ever to be shot
entirely with a highly customized Canon 5D Mark II digital SLR camera rig. Despite widespread publication of Dennis’s pictures as a photojournalist for several international news outlets, he
found that he was unable to convey the brutal realities on the ground — either the public was numb to these same images of war or traditional media outlets were not committed to coverage
of the conflicts. This drove Dennis to explore the medium of the moving image. Whereas before he was simply making pictures with movement, in “Hell and Back Again” he combines
photojournalism with the tradition and narrative structure of filmmaking.
“Hell and Back Again” is filmed and directed by Danfung Dennis and produced by Mike Lerner and Martin Herring. Executive producers are Dan Cogan, Karol Martesko-Fenster, Gernot
Schaffler, and Thomas Brunner. The film is edited by Fiona Otway, with music, sound design, and original song, “Hell and Back, ” by J. Ralph. “Hell and Back” is performed by Willie Nelson.
To learn more about the film, visit the “Hell and Back Again” interactive companion website (www.pbs.org/independentlens/hell-and-back-again), which features detailed information on the
film, including an interview with the filmmaker and links and resources pertaining to the film’s subject matter. The site also features a Talkback section for viewers to share their ideas and
opinions, preview clips of the film, and more.
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