Monday, July 22, 2013

Glee Delays Production Over Cory Monteith Passing

In light of the tragic passing of beloved GLEE cast member Cory Monteith, the series’ executive producers, 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Broadcasting Company have jointly decided to delay the start of production of GLEE until early August. Season Five of GLEE will now premiere on Thursday, Sept. 26 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.  No further details are available at this time.

Monteith played loveable FINN HUDSON, the star quarterback of McKinley High who became a leader of glee club New Directions. Outside of GLEE, Monteith worked closely with several charitable organizations, devoted to helping people effect positive change in their lives. In honor of his passing, the following groups will be accepting donations in his name:

·         Project Limelight Society: www.projectlimelightsociety.org
·         Virgin Unite: www.virginunite.com
·         Chrysalis: www.changelives.org/donate

GLEE is produced by Ryan Murphy Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television. Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan are co-creators of the series. Murphy, Falchuk, Brennan and Dante Di Loreto serve as executive producers. “Like” GLEE on Facebook and download the Facebook Fan Page app at www.facebook.com/Glee. Follow the series on Twitter @GLEEonFOX and join the discussion at #glee.

Friday, July 19, 2013

65th Primetime Emmy Award Nominations


-->
Just announced, this year's Emmy nominations for primetime TV.  The presentation airs on CBS, Sunday, September 22nd, 8-11 p.m.  Neil Patrick Harris will be the host.  Yay!
Watch the announcement here or read the list below:

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
Breaking Bad • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Bryan Cranston as Walter White

Downton Abbey • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production
Hugh Bonneville as Robert, Earl of Grantham

Homeland • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Productions, Cherry Pie Productions, Keshet, Fox 21
Damian Lewis as Nicholas Brody

House Of Cards • Netflix • Donen/Fincher/Roth and Trigger Street Productions, Inc. in association with Media Rights Capital for Netflix
Kevin Spacey as Francis Underwood

Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
Jon Hamm as Don Draper

The Newsroom • HBO • HBO Entertainment
Jeff Daniels as Will McAvoy

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Bates Motel • A&E • Universal Television, Carlton Cuse Productions and Kerry Ehrin Productions
Vera Farmiga as Norma Bates

Downton Abbey • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production
Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley

Homeland • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Productions, Cherry Pie Productions, Keshet, Fox 21
Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison

House Of Cards • Netflix • Donen/Fincher/Roth and Trigger Street Productions, Inc. in association with Media Rights Capital for Netflix
Robin Wright as Claire Underwood

Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson
Nashville • ABC • ABC Studios
Connie Britton as Rayna James

Scandal • ABC • ABC Studios
Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie
Behind The Candelabra • HBO • Jerry Weintraub Productions in association with HBO Films
Michael Douglas as Liberace

Behind The Candelabra • HBO • Jerry Weintraub Productions in association with HBO Films
Matt Damon as Scott Thorson

The Girl • HBO • Warner Bros. Entertainment, GmbH/Moonlighting and BBC in association with HBO Films and Wall to Wall Media
Toby Jones as Alfred Hitchcock

Parade's End • HBO • A Mammoth Screen Production, Trademark Films, BBC Worldwide and Lookout Point in association with HBO Miniseries and the BBC
Benedict Cumberbatch as Christopher Tietjens

Phil Spector • HBO • Levinson/Fontana Productions in association with HBO Films
Al Pacino as Phil Spector

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie
American Horror Story: Asylum • FX Networks • 20th Century Fox Television
Jessica Lange as Sister Jude Martin

The Big C: Hereafter • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Sony Pictures Television, Perkins Street Productions, Farm Kid, Original Film
Laura Linney as Cathy Jamison

Phil Spector • HBO • Levinson/Fontana Productions in association with HBO Films
Helen Mirren as Linda Kenney-Baden

Political Animals • USA • Berlanti Productions and Laurence Mark Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television
Sigourney Weaver as Elaine Barrish Hammond

Top Of The Lake • Sundance Channel • A See-Saw Films production in association with Screen Australia, Screen NSW and Fulcrum Media Finance for BBC Two, Sundance Channel, UKTV and BBC Worldwide
Elisabeth Moss as Robin

Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program
American Idol • FOX • FremantleMedia North America, Inc. and 19 TV Ltd.
Ryan Seacrest, Host

Betty White's Off Their Rockers • NBC • Kinetic Content, Inc.
Betty White, Host

Dancing With The Stars • ABC • BBC Worldwide Productions
Tom Bergeron, Host

Project Runway • Lifetime • The Weinstein Company, Bunim-Murray Productions and Full Picture Entertainment in association with Lifetime
Heidi Klum, Host
Tim Gunn, Host

So You Think You Can Dance • FOX • Dick Clark Productions, Inc. & 19 Entertainment
Cat Deeley, Host

The Taste • ABC • Kinetic Content, LLC
Anthony Bourdain, Host

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Arrested Development • Netflix • Produced by Imagine TV and 20th Century Fox Television for Netflix
Jason Bateman as Michael Bluth

The Big Bang Theory • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television
Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper

Episodes • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Hat Trick Productions, Crane Klarik Productions
Matt LeBlanc as Matt LeBlanc

House Of Lies • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Crescendo Productions, Totally Commercial Films, Refugee Productions, Matthew Carnahan Circus Products
Don Cheadle as Marty Kaan


Louie • FX Networks • Pig Newton, Inc.
Louis C.K. as Louie

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Enlightened • HBO • Ripcord Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Laura Dern as Amy

Girls • HBO • Apatow Productions and I am Jenni Konner Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Lena Dunham as Hannah Horvath

Nurse Jackie • Showtime • Showtime Presents, A Caryn Mandabach Production, Clyde Phillips Productions, Jackson Group Entertainment, Lionsgate Television
Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton

Parks And Recreation • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions, Fremulon, 3 Arts Entertainment and Universal Television
Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Tina Fey as Liz Lemon

Veep • HBO • Dundee Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer

Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
The Amazing Race • CBS • World Race Productions, Inc.
Bertram van Munster, Executive Producer
Elise Doganieri, Executive Producer
Jerry Bruckheimer, Executive Producer
Jonathan Littman, Executive Producer
Mark Vertullo, Executive Producer
Dan Coffie, Co-Executive Producer
Giselle Parets, Co-Executive Producer
Matt Schmidt, Co-Executive Producer
Patrick Cariaga, Co-Executive Producer
Phil Keoghan, Co-Executive Producer
Michael Norton, Supervising Producer
Darren Bunkley, Supervising Producer
Michael Miller, Supervising Producer
Neil Jahss, Supervising Producer
Vanessa Abugho Ballesteros, Senior Producer

Dancing With The Stars • ABC • BBC Worldwide Productions
Conrad Green, Executive Producer
Ashley Edens-Shaffer, Co-Executive Producer
Joe Sungkur, Co-Executive Producer
Deena Katz, Senior Producer
Tara West, Senior Producer
Daniel Martin, Senior Producer
Jonty Nash, Senior Producer
Marcy Walton, Producer
Peter Hebri, Producer
Ashley Shea Landers, Producer

Project Runway • Lifetime • The Weinstein Company, Bunim-Murray Productions and Full Picture Entertainment in association with Lifetime
Heidi Klum, Executive Producer
Harvey Weinstein, Executive Producer
Bob Weinstein, Executive Producer
Meryl Poster, Executive Producer
Jonathan Murray, Executive Producer
Jane Cha Cutler, Executive Producer
Sara Rea, Executive Producer
Colleen Sands, Executive Producer
Rob Sharenow, Executive Producer
Gena McCarthy, Executive Producer
David Hillman, Executive Producer
Desiree Gruber, Executive Producer
Barbara Schneeweiss, Executive Producer
Gil Goldschein, Co-Executive Producer
Teri Weiderman, Supervising Producer
Tim Gunn, Producer

So You Think You Can Dance • FOX • Dick Clark Productions, Inc. & 19 Entertainment
Barry Adelman, Executive Producer
Simon Fuller, Executive Producer
Nigel Lythgoe, Executive Producer
Jeff Thacker, Co-Executive Producer
James Breen, Co-Executive Producer
Zoe Brown, Senior Supervising Producer
Dan Sacks, Senior Supervising Producer
Adam Cooper, Supervising Producer
Mike Deffina, Senior Producer
Hope Wilson, Senior Producer
Matt Kinsey, Producer
Jensen Moon, Producer

Top Chef • Bravo • Magical Elves
Dan Cutforth, Executive Producer
Jane Lipsitz, Executive Producer
Nan Strait, Executive Producer
Casey Kriley, Executive Producer
Andrew Wallace, Executive Producer
Tom Colicchio, Executive Producer
Andrew Cohen, Executive Producer
Dave Serwatka, Executive Producer
Erica Ross, Co-Executive Producer
Doneen Arquines, Supervising Producer
Christian Homlish, Supervising Producer
Meri Haitkin, Supervising Producer
Wade Sheeler, Supervising Producer
Tara Siener, Supervising Producer
Blake Davis, Senior Producer

The Voice • NBC • One Three, Inc., Talpa Media USA, Inc. in association with Warner Horizon Television
John De Mol, Executive Producer
Mark Burnett, Executive Producer
Audrey Morrissey, Executive Producer
Stijn Bakkers, Executive Producer
Lee Metzger, Executive Producer
Chad Hines, Co-Executive Producer
Jim Roush, Co-Executive Producer
Amanda Zucker, Co-Executive Producer
Nicolle Yaron, Senior Supervising Producer
Mike Yurchuk, Senior Supervising Producer
Kyra Thompson, Supervising Producer
Teddy Valenti, Senior Producer
May Johnson, Producer
Carson Daly, Producer
Ashley Baumann, Producer
Keith Dinielli, Producer

Outstanding Variety Series
The Colbert Report • Comedy Central • Hello Doggie, Inc. with Busboy Productions and Spartina Productions

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart • Comedy Central • Central Productions, LLC
Jimmy Kimmel Live • ABC • ABC Studios in association with Jackhole Industries

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon • NBC • Universal Television and Broadway Video

Real Time With Bill Maher • HBO • Bill Maher Productions and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

Saturday Night Live • NBC • SNL Studios in association with Universal Television and Broadway Video

Outstanding Miniseries Or Movie
American Horror Story: Asylum • FX Networks • 20th Century Fox Television

Behind The Candelabra • HBO • Jerry Weintraub Productions in association with HBO Films

The Bible • HISTORY • LightWorkers Media and Hearst Productions for History

Phil Spector • HBO • Levinson/Fontana Productions in association with HBO Films

Political Animals • USA • Berlanti Productions and Laurence Mark Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television

Top Of The Lake • Sundance Channel • A See-Saw Films production in association with Screen Australia, Screen NSW and Fulcrum Media Finance for BBC Two, Sundance Channel, UKTV and BBC Worldwide

Outstanding Comedy Series
The Big Bang Theory • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television

Girls • HBO • Apatow Productions and I am Jenni Konner Productions in association with HBO Entertainment

Louie • FX Networks • Pig Newton, Inc.

Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Veep • HBO • Dundee Productions in association with HBO Entertainment

Outstanding Drama Series
Breaking Bad • AMC • Sony Pictures Television

Downton Abbey • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production

Game Of Thrones • HBO • Bighead, Littlehead, Television 360, Startling
Television and Generator Productions in association with HBO Entertainment

Homeland • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Productions, Cherry Pie Productions, Keshet, Fox 21

House Of Cards • Netflix • Donen/Fincher/Roth and Trigger Street
Productions, Inc. in association with Media Rights Capital for Netflix

Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire • HBO • Leverage, Closest to the Hole Productions, Sikelia Productions and Cold Front Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Bobby Cannavale as Gyp Rosetti

Breaking Bad • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut

Breaking Bad • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman

Downton Abbey • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production
Jim Carter as Mr. Carson

Game Of Thrones • HBO • Bighead, Littlehead, Television 360, Startling
Television and Generator Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister

Homeland • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Productions, Cherry Pie Productions, Keshet, Fox 21
Mandy Patinkin as Saul Berenson

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Breaking Bad • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Anna Gunn as Skyler White
Downton Abbey • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production
Maggie Smith as Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham

Game Of Thrones • HBO • Bighead, Littlehead, Television 360, Startling
Television and Generator Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen

The Good Wife • CBS • CBS Television Studios in association with Scott Free Productions and King Size Productions
Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart

Homeland • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Productions, Cherry Pie Productions, Keshet, Fox 21
Morena Baccarin as Jessica Brody

Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
Christina Hendricks as Joan Harris

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series
The Good Wife • CBS • CBS Television Studios in association with Scott Free Productions and King Size Productions
Nathan Lane as Clarke Hayden

The Good Wife • CBS • CBS Television Studios in association with Scott Free Productions and King Size Productions
Michael J. Fox as Louis Canning

Homeland • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Productions, Cherry Pie Productions, Keshet, Fox 21
Rupert Friend as Peter Quinn

Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
Robert Morse as Bertram Cooper

Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
Harry Hamlin as Jim Cutler

Scandal • ABC • ABC Studios
Dan Bucatinsky as James Novack

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series
The Americans • FX Networks • Fox Television Studios and FX Productions
Margo Martindale as Claudia


Game Of Thrones • HBO • Bighead, Littlehead, Television 360, Startling
Television and Generator Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Diana Rigg as Olenna Tyrell

The Good Wife • CBS • CBS Television Studios in association with Scott Free Productions and King Size Productions
Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni

Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
Linda Cardellini as Sylvia Rosen

The Newsroom • HBO • HBO Entertainment
Jane Fonda as Leona Lansing

Shameless • Showtime • Showtime Presents, John Wells Productions, Warner Bros. Television
Joan Cusack as Sheila Jackson

Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series
Breaking Bad • Dead Freight • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
George Mastras, Written by

Breaking Bad • Say My Name • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Thomas Schnauz, Written by

Downton Abbey • Episode 4 • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production
Julian Fellowes, Written by

Game Of Thrones • The Rains Of Castamere • HBO • Bighead, Littlehead, Television 360, Startling Television and Generator Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
David Benioff, Written by
D.B. Weiss, Written by

Homeland • Q&A • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Productions, Cherry Pie Productions, Keshet, Fox 21
Henry Bromell, Written by

Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire • Margate Sands • HBO • Leverage, Closest to the Hole Productions, Sikelia Productions and Cold Front Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Tim Van Patten, Directed by


Breaking Bad • Gliding Over All • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Michelle MacLaren, Directed by

Downton Abbey • Episode 4 • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production
Jeremy Webb, Directed by

Homeland • Q&A • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Productions, Cherry Pie Productions, Keshet, Fox 21
Lesli Linka Glatter, Directed by

House Of Cards • Chapter 1 • Netflix • Donen/Fincher/Roth and Trigger Street Productions, Inc. in association with Media Rights Capital for Netflix
David Fincher, Directed by

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Girls • HBO • Apatow Productions and I am Jenni Konner Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Adam Driver as Adam Sackler

Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett

Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Ed O'Neill as Jay Pritchett

Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy

Saturday Night Live • NBC • SNL Studios in association with Universal Television and Broadway Video
Bill Hader as Various characters

Veep • HBO • Dundee Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Tony Hale as Gary Walsh

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
The Big Bang Theory • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television
Mayim Bialik as Amy Farrah Fowler

Glee • FOX • Ryan Murphy Television in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester
Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Sofia Vergara as Gloria Pritchett

Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy

Nurse Jackie • Showtime • Showtime Presents, A Caryn Mandabach Production, Clyde Phillips Productions, Jackson Group Entertainment, Lionsgate Television
Merritt Wever as Zoey Barkow

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Jane Krakowski as Jenna Maroney

Veep • HBO • Dundee Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Anna Chlumsky as Amy Brookheimer

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series
The Big Bang Theory • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television
Bob Newhart as Arthur Jeffries/Professor Proton

Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Nathan Lane as Pepper Saltzman

Nurse Jackie • Showtime • Showtime Presents, A Caryn Mandabach Production, Clyde Phillips Productions, Jackson Group Entertainment, Lionsgate Television
Bobby Cannavale as Dr. Mike Cruz

Saturday Night Live • NBC • SNL Studios in association with Universal Television and Broadway Video
Louis C.K., Host

Saturday Night Live • NBC • SNL Studios in association with Universal Television and Broadway Video
Justin Timberlake, Host

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Will Forte as Paul

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series
Enlightened • HBO • Ripcord Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Molly Shannon as Eileen Foliente

Glee • FOX • Ryan Murphy Television in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Dot-Marie Jones as Shannon Beiste

Louie • FX Networks • Pig Newton, Inc.
Melissa Leo as Laurie

Saturday Night Live • NBC • SNL Studios in association with Universal Television and Broadway Video
Melissa McCarthy, Host

Saturday Night Live • NBC • SNL Studios in association with Universal Television and Broadway Video
Kristen Wiig, Host

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Elaine Stritch as Colleen Donaghy

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

James Franco to Guest on The Mindy Project

  
Actor and filmmaker James Franco will guest-star in the season premiere of THE MINDY PROJECT airing Tuesday, Sept. 17 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) and continue his two-episode arc in the season’s second episode, Tuesday, Sept. 24 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.  

Franco will play DR. PAUL LEOTARD, the charismatic and popular doctor who replaces MINDY (Mindy Kaling) at Shulman & Associates while she is in Haiti on a volunteer mission. A former professional fashion model, Dr. Leotard radically altered his career goals after he accidentally walked off a runway at fashion week and was saved by a pregnant woman. From that day forward, he devoted himself to helping pregnant women and immediately applied to medical school. 

One of the most celebrated actors of his generation, James Franco is perhaps best known for his Academy Award-nominated performance as mountain climber Aron Ralston in the acclaimed 2010 feature “127 Hours.”  Equally adept at comedy as he is at drama, Franco also has starred in several box office comedy hits, including “This is the End” and “Pineapple Express.” Other starring roles in films include “Oz the Great and Powerful,” “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” and “The Spider-Man” franchise. Franco’s breakthrough starring role was on the now-classic TV series “Freaks and Geeks,” and he continues to appear on the small screen in series such as “Hollywood Heights” and “General Hospital.” Franco will also be seen in his own feature adaptation of William Faulkner’s “As I Lay Dying,” which he directed.

Heading into its sophomore season, THE MINDY PROJECT, is a single-camera comedy from Emmy Award-nominated writer/producer and New York Times best-selling author Mindy Kaling (“The Office”) that follows a skilled OB/GYN (Kaling) trying to balance both her personal and professional life.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Bravo Marks 10th Anniversary of "Queer Eye" with Marathon Broadcast

Bravo Media embarks on a milestone as Monday, July 15 marks the 10-year
anniversary of the Emmy Award-winning series “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and pays homage with a marathon from 6a.m. – 5p.m. ET/PT, highlighting the “best of” from all five seasons including the series premiere (7/15/03) and finale (10/30/07).

The series, which starred “The Fab Five,” including Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas, Thom Filicia, Carson Kressley and Jai Rodriguez, ran from 2003-2007 and followed the men as they performed a “make-better” on someone by revamping his wardrobe, upgrading his home décor, and offering overall lifestyle advice. Bravo’s launch of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” pushed boundaries for diversity in reality television.

The critically-acclaimed, cutting-edge series received numerous accolades including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Program, three GLAAD Media Awards nominations and two wins for Outstanding Reality Program in addition to raves by Entertainment Weekly, TV Guide, and The Associated Press, among others.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Necessary Roughness Changes: Good or Bad?

I still like Necessary Roughness on USA (Wednesdays at 10), but
I'm not convinced the changes made this season live up to the show's previous greatness.

This year, Callie Thorne's character, Dr. Dani Santino, has left the Hawks football franchise to join a high-level talent agency that reps celebrities - actors, actresses, pro athletes.  While she still interacts with Nico Careles (Scott Cohen), the shady security guy who's now with the new firm, and Terrence "TK" King (Mehcad Brooks), her star patient from the team, there are too many characters who didn't make the switch.  Most notable are her on/off boyfriend Matt (Marc Blucas), her children (who are only making guest appearances this season) and the Hawks former coach played by Gregory Alan Williams.

Change is good.  Too much change translates to a whole new show and that's what Necessary Roughness has become.

True, John Stamos is talented.  But his portrayal of Connor McClane, the head of the V3 agency, hits the same note over and over.  He's cute, sharp and charming, but not surprising from week to week.

Hearing about the various demons celebs seem to have to tackle in order to ply their craft gets tiresome week after week.  How many stories can there be of actors who can't deliver their lines or sports stars who can't compete because of something in their past Dr. Dani has fix?

Personally, I enjoyed the interaction between Dani and her teenaged kids.  It made the show more multidimensional.  Why did producers think it had to go?

The underplot that keeps me hanging on is the hint that the FBI or another law enforcement agency is investigating V3.  So far we've seen only glimpses to that effect via short scenes with Nico and agents discussing the firm in deserted parking lots.  What's ahead for the firm and for Dr. Dani remains to be seen and I'll hang on until I get too bored or until the plot unravels.

In the meantime, there's a back story brewing about TK getting a reality show as he works his way to fame beyond the football field.

Here's a glimpse:

Monday, July 8, 2013

TWO-TIME EMMY AWARD-WINNING CHOREOGRAPHER PAULA ABDUL TO GUEST-JUDGE ON “SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE”

World-renowned choreographer and two-time Emmy Award winner Paula Abdul will join Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and FOX Sports broadcaster Erin Andrews as a guest judge on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE tomorrow night, Tuesday, July 9 (8:00-10:00 PM live ET/ tape-delayed PT), on FOX.  Abdul will lend her expertise to critique and praise the dancers as they battle it out to remain in the competition. 

In tomorrow night’s all-new episode, the competition continues when the Top 18 finalists – Jasmine Mason and Alan Bersten; Mariah Spears and “BluPrint”; Makenzie Dustman and Paul Karmiryan; Hayley Erbert and Curtis Holland; Amy Yakima and “Fik-Shun”; Alexis Juliano and Nico Greetham; Jasmine Harper and Aaron Turner; Jenna Johnson and Tucker Knox; and Malece Miller and Jade Zuberi – compete once again for America and the judges, including guest judges Andrews and Abdul.

Abdul was a resident judge for eight seasons on AMERICAN IDOL and the first season on THE X FACTOR. She has worldwide album sales exceeding 50 million records, two No. 1 albums, six No. 1 singles, a Grammy Award, seven MTV Awards, two People’s Choice Awards and two Kids’ Choice Awards. Her two Emmy Awards are both for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography. In 1990, she won for her work on “The 17th Annual American Music Awards.” In 1989, she earned the award for FOX’s “The Tracey Ullman Show.”

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Finally, USA Programs Available on the Web

USA Network has announced the launch of TV Everywhere, giving fans unprecedented access to its original content the day after air – anywhere, anytime, on any device. USA is the first cable entertainment network within NBCUniversal to provide this offering, which marks an important step in the company’s long-term strategy to provide both viewers and marketers a user friendly way to engage with its content on multiple platforms. USA fans will be able to access their favorite original series via www.usanetwork.com and a new app, “USA Now,” which derives its name from the Bravo Now app. Launching today for iOS, “USA Now” will be available in an Android version in mid-July.

“We know many of today’s viewers live in a time-shifted world and are consuming content on multiple screens. TV Everywhere allows us to cater to this audience,” said Chris McCumber, Co-President of USA Network. “Making our original series more accessible on digital platforms is a key driver of audience growth, and allows fans to interact with our content on an even deeper level,” said Jeff Wachtel, Co-President, USA Network.

USA’s TV Everywhere will include a powerful offering of streamed episodes, along with second screen experiences, infused with social networking opportunities. Fans will be able to watch episodes from the network’s portfolio of hit originals, including GRACELAND, SUITS, BURN NOTICE and PSYCH. The second phase of USA’s TV Everywhere roll-out will incorporate additional second screen capabilities, such as personalization and more gamification elements. Viewers will receive show recommendations based on their viewing habits, and have the ability to sign-up for alerts on the latest updates about newly available content and social activations.

"Through our commitment to bringing viewers TV Everywhere from across our portfolio of networks, advertisers are going to have so many more places to showcase their brands and products to a highly engaged, digital audience," said Linda Yaccarino, President, Advertising Sales, NBCUniversal. "USA Now means more access to USA's valuable consumers who are taking every advantage of second screen viewing, providing increased reach opportunities for all our advertising partners."

TV Everywhere is available on an authenticated basis to subscribers of participating MVPDs. Fans can access long-form content through USA Network digital touchpoints on PCs, mobile devices, tablets and on the digital platforms of participating cable, satellite, and telco services, via “TV Everywhere,” including, Armstrong, Cablevision's Optimum TV, DISH Network, Mediacom, Suddenlink, and Verizon FiOS. Once the Android app launches in mid-July, “USA Now” will be available to approximately 50% of the Pay TV households. The network expects to add Comcast and other MVPDs in the coming weeks.

Earlier this year during Upfronts, USA unveiled an innovative web design to unify the viewing experience – both visually & functionally. The network also launched “USA Sync,” which syndicates content to over 95 million users across the web, mobile and social channels, as well as leading second screen apps, including Shazam, Viggle, zeebox, and NextGuide.

Committed to giving fans fun digital entertainment, USA has launched second screen activations across all its original programs, including Emmy-nominated PSYCH: HashTag Killer, the award winning graphic novel series BURN NOTICE: A New Day, and most recently, GRACELAND: Undercover and NECESSARY ROUGHNESS: TK Gets Real.

USA partnered with Bottle Rocket Apps, which specializes in building custom, high-end mobile apps, to design “USA Now,” for iOS and Android.

The #1 network in all of basic cable for an unprecedented seven straight years, USA Network is seen in over 102 million U.S. homes. USA is a leader in scripted programming with a powerful stable of originals, spectacular live television and is home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, a broad portfolio of acquired series and entertainment events. A trailblazer in digital innovation and storytelling, USA is defining, driving and setting the industry standard for Social TV. The network has garnered an Emmy nomination for its fan favorite Psych: HashTag Killer along with multiple Shortys and an Advertising Age Vanguard Media award. USA is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal. The award-winning website is located at http://www.usanetwork.com with social touchpoints on Facebook and Twitter.