60th Annual Primetime Emmy’s Announced July 17, 2008 4:57 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Awards, News, Television.add a comment
This morning, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences unveiled the nominations for the 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. Leading the pack was HBO’s John Adams, which received 23 nominations, followed by NBC’s 30 Rock with 17, AMC’s Mad Men with 16 and ABC’s Pushing Daisies with 12. Click here to check out the full list of nominees.
J. Michael Straczynski: No More Babylon 5 Projects, But Interested in Feature-Film July 17, 2008 4:43 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Babylon 5, Movies, News, Television.add a comment
Babylon 5 creator, J. Michael Straczynski, has written a note on his moderated newsgroup (and his official site) that he is no longer interested in making any more straight-to-DVD movies. JMS basically feels that the DVD movies do more harm than good, saying that they take away some of what made the original TV series so special. However, he’s not against the idea of doing more Babylon 5 material, it’s just that he will no longer doing any more low-budget DVDs, TV movies or computer games and that he’d only be interested in a big-budget feature-length movie. JMS notes that the budget was only $2 million and that they did the best they could with it.
It’s hard to fault him really, I mean $2 million is not nearly enough to do justice to the series. Heck, the two SG-1 direct-to-DVD movies had considerably larger budgets ($7 million each).
Here’s JMS’s complete note to fans on the subject:
One final note re: recent discussions on TMoS and more Lost Tales.
B5:TLT was commissioned at a $2 million budget to, yet one more time, “test the waters” for B5. We did what we could with that, and that was that. As we did with Rangers, which also suffered from not having a lot of money because of concerns about “is there really a B5 audience?” Which is, of course, a foolish question from a studio that has never really understood what it has in B5.
Of late, there have been more discussions from WB about doing more DVDs, again at a low cost, or a cable thing, again with minimal investment.
So for the last few months, I’ve been giving this whole subject a lot of quiet thought. And I’ve come to a conclusion.
B5 as a five year story stands beautifully on its own. If anything else is to be continued from that story, it should be something that adds to the legacy of B5, rather than subtracts from it.
As well intentioned as Rangers and TLT were, as enticing as it was to return to those familiar waters, in the end I think they did more to subtract from the legacy than add to it. I don’t regret having made them, because I needed to go through that to get to the point where I am now psychologically, but from where I sit now, I wouldn’t make them again.
So I’ve let everyone up here know that I’m not interested in doing any more low-budget DVDs. I’m not interested in doing any low-budget cable things or small computer games. The only thing I would be interested in doing regarding Babylon 5 from this point on is a full- featured, big-budget feature film.
It’s that or nothing.
And if it’s nothing, I’m totally cool with that because the original story stands on its own just fine. I’m not lobbying for it, I’m not asking fans to write in about it (nor should you) because such campaigns never really have much impact…that’s simply the position I’ve taken up here. Lord knows I don’t lack for other things to do these days. I’m busier on more prestige projects with terrific people and great film-makers than at any other time in my career.
At the end of the day, for me, it’s not just a matter of getting more B5. It’s a matter of getting more *good* B5 that respects what came before it and doesn’t have to compromise visually or in terms of
action. The original show deserves better than that, the surviving cast members deserve better than that, and the fans who have supported it over the years definitely deserve better than that. A lot better.
So I’ve drawn that line in the sand, and I’m happy living on whichever side of that line the universe puts me. Just thought you should know, ’cause it’s your show too.
jms
Source: J. Michael Straczynski
FX Notes: “Nip/Tuck”, “Shield”, ‘Philadelphia’ and More July 16, 2008 7:14 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, News, Nip/Tuck, Shield, Television.add a comment
The FX network has announced that Nip/Tuck will receive three more seasons, ending its run in early 2011 and The Shield will begin its final season in September. FX ordered 19 more episodes of Nip/Tuck, beyond the 22 episodes ordered for the current season, and 39 episodes of its comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which should also last into at least 2011.
“One of the reasons you see us announcing the end of ‘The Shield’ well in advance . . . and announcing now that ‘Nip/Tuck’ is going to end in three years is we’re publicly challenging ourselves and saying we’re not going to wait until the light is blinking red,” Landgraf said.
“We’re going to plan for the orderly and dignified ending of great shows and we’re going to launch new great shows at the same time, and we’re going to get the new shows on the air before the shows that have been the great shows as part of our brand are over,” he said. “I feel very confident over time that we’re going to achieve that. We decided we’re going to achieve it and we’re planning to achieve it.”
For more on the networks plans, including new series, click here.
Universal Pictures Adapting “Second Sight” July 16, 2008 5:04 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Second Sight, Television.add a comment
Yet another BBC series is being adapted to American audiences. Universal Pictures has tapped Craig Rosenberg to adapt the BBC series Second Sight. The 1999 series starred Clive Owen, who played Ross Tanner, a homicide detective who led an elite unit charged with tackling high-profile murder cases, all while Tanner suffered from a rare degenerative eye disease that caused hallucinations and increasing blindness.
Miley Cyrus Wants to make a Kids version of “Sex and the City” July 16, 2008 4:20 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Miley Cyrus, Movies, News, Sex and the City, Television.1 comment so far
Miley Cyrus tells TV Guide that she wants to make a “younger, cleaner version” of the HBO/big-screen hit, Sex and the City. Um, yeah I’m sure that’ll work out just fine. Here’s what the tween sensation told the magazine:
I’d love to do a younger, cleaner version of Sex and the City.
Cyrus is currently gracing the cover of the TV magazine, and her cover feature has her discussing various topics including her upcomign 3-D movie, her controversial Vanity Fair photo spread and more.
Source: JustJared
“The Mole” Needs Saving July 16, 2008 4:10 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in ABC, News, Television, The Mole.add a comment
The return of The Mole on ABC has not been very successful for the network. The show has suffered weak ratings ever since its return, especially among adults 18-49. However, the show’s producers have none the less set up a web site asking for fans to do anything and everything (with an emphasis on getting their friends and family to watch) to keep the show from getting canceled. So far the website (Save the Mole) consists of an open letter to the fans from producers Scott Stone and Clay Newbill. They also ask for hardcore fans to post on ABC message boards and go to the Mole Facebook page. They also announced that the FOX Reality Channel will be running a marathon of the current season thus far this Sunday at 11am, so viewers can catch up.
Click here to check out the site.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Tuesday, July 15, 2008 July 16, 2008 3:49 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.add a comment
A complete breakdown of the night’s ratings follows after the jump.
“Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” and “Heroes: Going Postal” Available to Watch Online July 16, 2008 3:23 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, Heroes, Heroes: Going Postal, News, Online Videos, Television, Videos, Webisodes.add a comment
Two highly anticipated online series, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog from Joss Whedon and Heroes: Going Postal, a web-series within the Heroes universe, have gone live. Check out the two series at the links below.
William Petersen Leaving “CSI” July 16, 2008 1:14 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in CBS, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, News, Television.1 comment so far
Turns out that contract William Peterson inked last March wasn’t a long-term one. Michael Ausiello of Entertainment Weekly is reporting that the actor will be gone by midseason. His 10th episode will be his last as a full-time regular.
“Billy is leaving,” confirms the show’s executive producer, Carol Mendelsohn. “But he will remain throughout the run of the series an executive producer. And he will, whenever CBS asks, come back. I don’t think you’ve seen the last of Gil Grissom.”
Source: Entertainment Weekly
Broadcast TV Ratings for Monday, July 14, 2008 July 15, 2008 3:17 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.add a comment
Broadcast TV Ratings for Sunday, July 13, 2008 July 14, 2008 10:05 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.add a comment
A complete breakdown of the night’s ratings follows after the jump.
DVD Giveaway: Win “The Closer: Season Three” on DVD! July 14, 2008 4:33 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in DVD, Giveaways, Television, The Closer, The Closer: Season Three.comments closed
The Closer: Season Three (official site) is now available to own on DVD [Release Date: 7/01/2008] and Your Entertainment Now has a free copy of the DVD up for grabs! Details on how to enter the contest (plus some photos and video clips from the series) follow after the jump.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Saturday, July 12, 2008 July 14, 2008 11:25 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.add a comment
“Saving Grace” & “The Closer”: Rapid Recaps July 13, 2008 8:27 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in News, Saving Grace, Television, The Closer, TNT.add a comment
New seasons of Saving Grace and The Closer return to TNT tomorrow (July 14th) and since it’s been some time between new episodes, some of you may have forgotten everything that went down last season. If that’s the case, TNT has put together some really nice rapid recap clips for each show. Check out the recaps at the links below to prepare yourselves for the new seasons of both shows tomorrow night on TNT (The Closer: Season Four at 9pm ET and Saving Grace: Season Two at 10pm).
Saving Grace:
Rapid Recap
Show Page
The Closer:
Rapid Recap
Show Page
Also, be sure to check out the site tomorrow because I just might be starting a new giveaway for one of the show’s.
Complete Comic-Con Schedule Released July 13, 2008 7:58 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Comic-Con, Comic-Con 2008, Movies, News, Television.add a comment
The schedule for all four days (plus the Wednesday preview) of this year’s Comic-Con International in San Diego has been revealed. Check out what’s in store for this year’s event by clicking on the links below.
“Birds of Prey”: Photos and Clips July 13, 2008 7:45 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Birds of Prey, Birds of Prey: The Complete Series DVD, DVD, Television.add a comment
Birds of Prey, the short-lived WB TV series that ran from 2002-2003, hits DVD this Tuesday (click here to purchase it). I’ll aslo be putting up a review in time for its release, so check back for that. In the meantime, check out some photos from the series, and a video clip, after the jump.
Synopsis
Who will stand up to villains now that a heartbroken Dark Knight has mysteriously vanished? Never fear, New Gothamites, a trio of champions is ready to take wing – and Helena, the daughter of Batman and Catwoman, is among them. She calls herself Huntress and crime is her prey. Teenaged Dinah is the youngest of the group, learning as she goes and gifted in clairvoyance. And overseeing the awesome threesome’s high-tech nerve center is Batgirl. Left wheelchair-bound by The Joker, she has reinvented herself as Oracle, the team’s cyber expert. Huntress, Dinah, Oracle: They are the Birds of Prey. Fighting together. Living together. And soaring into adventure together in 13 breathtaking live-action episodes.
Army Wives Given Early Third Season Renewal July 13, 2008 7:38 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Army Wives, Lifetime, News, Renewals, Television.1 comment so far
Just five episodes in to the new season, Lifetime has renewed its hit drama series Army Wives for a third season. The move is in response to continued strong ratings, especially among the networks key demographics of women 18-49 and women 25-54, ranking No. 1 in both demographics across all ad supported basic cable programming.
Since premiering last year, ‘Army Wives’ has become a game-changer for Lifetime. Announcing this early renewal is a testament to the enormous faith and confidence we have in this show and its incredibly talented cast and production team, Lifetime CEO Andrea Wong said. “‘Army Wives’ exemplifies what Lifetime is all about—friendship, compassion, humor and heart. We are very proud of both its water cooler resonance and its success.
18 episodes have been ordered for the third season, which will begin airing in 2009. Army Wives airs Sunday nights on Lifetime at 10pm. The press release follows after the jump.
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” Returning for a Seventh Season July 13, 2008 7:30 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Curb Your Enthusiasm, HBO, News, Renewals, Television.5 comments
HBO announced on Thursday that they’ve given the go-ahead on a seventh season of the comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm and Larry David is returning. The network plans to premiere the new season sometime in the beginning of 2009, a gap of more than one year since the sixth season ended in November 2007. David is quoted by HBO West Coast president Michael Lombardo as being “excited about it”.
Source: Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
Broadcast TV Ratings for Friday, July 11, 2008 July 12, 2008 5:09 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.add a comment
Reminder: DVD Giveaways for “ER” and “Popeye” July 11, 2008 10:04 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in DVD, ER: Season Nine, Giveaways, Popeye The Sailor: 1938-1943 Volume Two, Television.add a comment
If you haven’t yet entered either of my latest DVD giveways, I wanted to give you all a heads up that there is still time. The giveaway for ER: Season Nine ends on Monday (7/14), and the one for Popeye The Sailor: 1938-1943 Volume Two ends the following week (7/21). Click the links below for instructions on how to enter.
Good luck!
“Fat Sells” Greenlit at HBO July 10, 2008 5:40 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Fat Sells, HBO, New Show Orders, News, Television.add a comment
We’re about to find out if the American public, who annually dishes out billions upon billions of dollars in weight loss programs, are interested in watching a series revolving around the industry. HBO has greenlit a pilot called Fat Sells. The show is centered on a head of a weight loss company, who’s life starts to go down hill after he gets investigated by the FDA for his company’s weight loss claims. Forest Whitaker is attached to executive producer alongside Dave Broome (executive producer of The Biggest Loser). Whitaker may also direct the pilot.
Source: Variety
“Mad Men” Creator Has a 10-year (Only Four More Seasons) Plan For the Show July 10, 2008 5:30 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in AMC, Mad Men, News, Television.add a comment
At the TCA panel for Mad Men, the show’s creator, Matt Weiner, revealed that the series will air for just four more years. The plan is for the show to jump into the future approximately two years every season, which means that the story will end in 1969. It’s certainly going to be quite interesting to see the transformation of the show over the coming seasons as it exits the 50’s and enters the 1960’s.
Mad Men joins a list of recent series setting end points for their runs (Battlestar Galactica-4 years and Lost-6 years to name a few.) Though I would love if my favorite show could go on and on, I understand and agree with this policy. I think all shows would improve dramatically if their respective creators have a diagram of where it begins and where it ends.
Season two of Mad Men premieres on AMC July 27th. The season one DVD set (which is terrific by the way, and absolutely LOADED with extras) is available to own on DVD and Blu-ray Hi-Def.
Source: THR
Sopranos Actor Says No To Feature Film July 10, 2008 5:09 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in News, Television, The Sopranos.add a comment
Those holding out hope for a Sopranos movie better move on to something else. Director-actor Peter Bogdanovich was asked by the Orlando Sentinel about the possibility and he said it’s not going to happen:
I spoke to David Chase a month ago, and he said no. He said he thought about it, and he can’t figure out a way to do it. So I don’t think it will ever happen. I don’t think you can ever say never, but my hunch is it won’t happen.
Source: Orlando Sentinel
Broadcast TV Ratings for Wednesday, July 9, 2008 July 10, 2008 3:35 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.add a comment
Broadcast TV Ratings for Tuesday, July 8, 2008 July 9, 2008 7:35 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.add a comment
A complete breakdown of the night’s ratings follows after the jump.
Your Entertainment Now 