Tate Stevens Wins The X Factor

The second season of THE X FACTOR concluded last night as Tate Stevens was crowned the winner during a live two-hour season finale on FOX. Hosts Khloé Kardashian Odom and Mario Lopez revealed that following last night’s performance show, Stevens had the highest number of votes over runner-up Carly Rose Sonenclar and second runner-up Fifth Harmony.

Stevens, 37, who was mentored by L.A. Reid, gets a $5 million recording contract with Sony Music. In addition, this year’s winner will also receive production and creative support to develop, create, record and shoot his first original track and music video. The prize culminates with the winner’s video premiering as a Pepsi commercial during the live telecast of the “55^th Annual GRAMMY Awards^®.”

The two-night event featured performances from One Direction and rapper Pitbull, as well as a series of duets performed last night by special guests paired up with THE X FACTOR finalists, including country superstar LeAnn Rimes with Carly Rose Sonenclar, pop singer and THE X FACTOR judge Demi Lovato with Fifth Harmony and country music group Little Big Town with Tate Stevens. THE X FACTOR’s Top 13 Finalists also reunited for a special performance of “You Are Not Alone,” in tribute to the Newtown, CT, families.

Online auditions for the third season of THE X FACTOR are now open through June 15, 2013 at 11:59 PM PT. Solo artists and vocal groups 12 years old and over may submit their two-minute a cappella audition videos at www.TheXFactorUSA.com. In addition to online auditions, aspiring performers will soon be able to participate in open call auditions held in Los Angeles, CA (March 6, 2013); Charleston, SC (March 19, 2013); New Orleans, LA (April 14, 2013); Long Island, NY (April 25, 2013); and Denver, CO (May 14, 2013). Please continue to check www.TheXFactorUSA.com for more information and full terms, conditions and eligibility.

Inside the White House at Christmas via NBC

Meredith Vieira tours the White House while volunteers decorate for the holidays. "A White House Christmas: First Families Remember" airs Thursday, December 20 on NBC (8-9 p.m. ET) with an encore telecast on Friday, December 21 on NBC (9-10 p.m. ET).

Turner Classic Movies' "31 Days of Oscar"

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will offer movie fans a viewing of Oscar-winning films, studio by studio, this February with the 2013 edition of 31 DAYS OF OSCAR®. 

The Academy Awards® for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented live on Oscar Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 at 7pm ET at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and televised live by ABC and in more than 200 countries worldwide.

Under the theme Oscar by Studio, the network will present a slate of more than 350 movies grouped according to the studios that produced or released them. Each film is an Academy Award® nominee or winner.

In addition, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has provided the original Academy Awards® radio broadcasts from 1930-1952. Specially chosen clips from the radio archives will be featured throughout TCM's 31 DAYS OF OSCAR website.


Throughout the presentation, TCM's Robert Osborne, the official biographer of the Academy Awards®, and Ben Mankiewicz will guide viewers on a fascinating tour through each studio's history, stars and signature films. Radio Archive Sneak Preview, featuring the 1943 Academy Awards acceptance speech by Jack Warner:
http://on.tcm.com/3gQAPm

Hollywood was built upon the studio system, which saw nearly ever aspect of the movie industry controlled by the studio bosses. As the movie industry grew, so did the power wielded by the studios, which reached their zenith during the 1930s and '40s before more independent forces began to point the industry in a new direction.TCM's 31 DAYS OF OSCAR showcase will feature collections from all of the major studios including the five largest, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Twentieth Century-Fox, Paramount, Warner Bros. and RKO Radio Pictures as well as the studios that were lesser in power, but just as influential in style, Universal, Columbia and United Artists, the latter of which operated primarily as a distributor of independently produced films.

The February lineup will also feature masterworks from a number of smaller studios that dealt in lower budgets, the so-called “Poverty Row” studios like Republic and Monogram Pictures, both domestic and foreign, including Ealing Studios and Otto Preminger Films. In addition, the lineup includes films from studios that challenged traditional Hollywood, like Seven Arts Productions and Embassy Pictures Inc., or that found success in the corporate Hollywood of the 1980s, like Touchstone Pictures.

31 DAYS OF OSCAR Video Promo: http://on.tcm.com/3a2dHO

31 DAYS OF OSCAR – Oscar by Studio

The following is a rundown of studios featured in TCM's 31 DAYS OF OSCAR, along with some of their films being presented by TCM. A complete printable schedule is available at http://www.tcm.com/2013/31days/teaser/index.html.


Feb. 1-5: Warner Bros. – Films include The Jazz Singer (1927), The Public Enemy (1931), 42nd Street (1933), The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), Casablanca (1942), Rebel Without a Cause (1955), My Fair Lady (1964).

Feb. 5: Allied Artists – Films include Friendly Persuasion (1956), Billy Budd (1962), Cabaret (1972) and Papillon (1973).

Feb. 6: Seven Arts Productions – Films include The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone (1961), Lolita (1962), What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) and The Night of the Iguana (1964).   

Feb. 6-7: Universal – Films include All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), Imitation of Life (1934), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), The Naked City (1948), The Sting (1973) and The Deer Hunter (1978).  

Feb. 7: Svensk Filmindustri – Films include Wild Strawberries (1957), The Virgin Spring (1960), My Life as a Dog (1987).
 
Feb. 7: Lux Film – Films include Bitter Rice (1949), Big Deal on Madonna Street (1958) and the TCM premiere of I Compagni (1963).

Feb. 8-10: Twentieth Century-Fox – Films include The Rains Came (1939), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), The Mark of Zorro (1940), Anna and the King of Siam (1946), The Snake Pit (1948), The Robe (1953), Hello, Dolly! (1969) and Cocoon (1985).   

Feb. 11-13: RKO Radio Pictures – Films include Cimarron (1931), Flying Down to Rio (1933), Alice Adams (1935), Love Affair (1939), Citizen Kane (1941), Notorious (1946) and The Brave One (1956).

Feb. 14: Filmways – Films include The Americanization of Emily (1964), The Sandpiper (1965) and Ice Station Zebra (1968)

Feb. 14: Selznick International - A Star Is Born (1937), Gone With the Wind (1939), Rebecca (1940), Spellbound (1945).  

Feb. 15-19: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer – Films include The Broadway Melody (1929), Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), Mrs. Miniver (1942), Singin’ in the Rain (1952), The Bad and the Beautiful (1952), Gigi (1958), Ben-Hur (1959), Doctor Zhivago (1965) and Victor/Victoria (1982).

Feb. 19-21: Paramount Pictures – Films include Wings (1927), The Smiling Lieutenant (1931), The Lady Eve (1941), Going My Way (1944), Double Indemnity (1944), A Place in the Sun (1951) and Alfie (1966).

Feb. 20: Sol Lesser Productions – Films include Way Down South (1939), That Uncertain Feeling (1941) and Stage Door Canteen (1943). 

Feb. 20: Cinerama Productions – Films include This Is Cinerama (1952), How the West Was Won (1962) and The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm (1962).

Feb. 21: Walter Wanger Productions – Films include Stagecoach (1939), The Long Voyage Home (1940) and Foreign Correspondent (1940).

Feb. 22-25: Columbia Pictures – Films include The Awful Truth (1937), You Can’t Take It With You (1938), All the King’s Men (1949), From Here To Eternity (1953), On the Waterfront (1954), Easy Rider (1969), The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977).

Feb. 25: Touchstone Pictures – Films include Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) and Dead Poets Society (1989).

Feb. 26: Hal Roach Studios – Films include Topper (1937), Merrily We Live (1938), Captain Fury (1939) and One Million B.C. (1940).

Feb. 26-27: The Samuel Goldwyn Company/Samuel Goldwyn Productions – Films include Dodsworth (1936), Stella Dallas (1937), Wuthering Heights (1939), Ball of Fire (1941), The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) and Guys and Dolls (1955).

Feb. 27: Alexander Korda Films – Films include That Hamilton Woman (1941), Lydia (1941) and The Jungle Book (1942).

Feb. 27: London Film Productions – Films include The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933), The Four Feathers (1939), The Thief of Bagdad (1940) and The Third Man (1949).

Feb. 28: Ealing Studios – Films include The Lavender Hill Mob (1951), The Man in the White Suit (1951) and The Ladykillers (1955)

Feb. 28: Otto Preminger Films – Films include The Moon Is Blue (1953), The Man With the Golden Arm (1955) and The Cardinal (1955).

Feb. 28: Embassy Pictures Corporation – Films include The Graduate (1967), The Producers (1968), The Lion in Winter (1968) and Carnal Knowledge (1971).

March 1-3: United Artists – Films include The Circus (1928), Red River (1948), Cyrano de Bergerac (1950), Around the World in 80 Days (1956), Some Like It Hot (1959), The Apartment (1960), West Side Story (1961), Fiddler on the Roof (1971) and Annie Hall (1977).

Cassaddee Pope Wins The Voice

Pope with Blake Shelton.

NBC’s “The Voice” named Cassadee Pope as the winner of the popular vocal competition series’ third cycle in last night’s live results show and season finale, earning Pope the grand prize of a recording contract with Universal Republic Records.

Pope, from Team Blake, beat out fellow finalists Terry McDermott (who came in second place) and Nicholas David (third place) -- all of whom performed on the December 18 finale.
The musician coaches are Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green and Blake Shelton.

Pope, from Los Angeles, is starting out fresh as a solo artist after touring with her pop/rock band, Hey Monday. She plays guitar as well as some bass, drums and violin and prides herself on knowing a "surprising amount of 1980s rock music." In her spare time, Pope enjoys her hobbies of cooking, hiking and writing. Follow her on Twitter @CassadeePope and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CassadeePopeMusic.

McDermott, from New Orleans, La., was on Team Blake. Originally from Scotland, McDermott moved to the United States years ago with his band, Driveblind, but now he's trying to make it as a solo artist. His favorite song is "Imagine" by John Lennon. McDermott is a huge soccer enthusiast and currently lives in New Orleans with his wife and son. Follow McDermott on Twitter @TerryMacMusic and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Terry-McDermott-Music.

David is from St. Paul, Minn. and was on Team CeeLo. Formerly overweight, David fell into bad habits when he began performing with a country band after college. After meeting his dream girl five years ago and finding a spiritual path, he has cleaned up his life and now raises their two children (with another on the way). Singing what he calls “heart music,” David continues to perform in nightly gigs. Follow David on Twitter @TheFeelin and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefeelin

“The Voice” returns for a new fourth cycle of new shows on March 25, 2013.

“The Voice” is a presentation of One Three Media (a Hearst/Mark Burnett company), Talpa Media USA Inc. and Warner Horizon Television. The series is created by John de Mol, who executive-produces along with Burnett, Audrey Morrissey, Stijn Bakkers and Lee Metzger.

Sean Hayes Brings New Game Show to NBC

NBC has ordered “Hollywood Game Night,” a new hour-long game show series from Emmy Award-winning actor/producer Sean Hayes (“Will & Grace,” “Hot in Cleveland”), based on his real-life "game nights," featuring A-list celebrities hanging out and living it up in a cocktail party atmosphere.

In the series which has an eight-episode order, two contestants in each episode will be transported from their everyday lives into a once-in-a-lifetime night of fun and celebration as they step beyond the velvet rope and rub shoulders with the celebrity crowd. Part Hollywood club and part casual game night, the series promises viewers a fresh look into the lives of the rich and famous.

The announcement was made today by Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment.

“We are proud to be in business with Sean Hayes, who creatively brings so many good ideas such as this new game show romp that will be raucous and entertaining,” said Telegdy. “Our audience will feel as if they are part of the party as we pull back the curtain on how today’s Hollywood stars play at home while our contestants can earn big money.”

At the end, one of the two contestants will walk away with a cash prize and a night of stories and memories for friends and family back home. Featuring well-known names from the world of television, film, sports and politics, among other entities, this isn't a typical game show -- it's a peek behind the curtain of the Hollywood scene and a chance to hang out for a night with a group of your favorite celebrities.

“Hollywood Game Night” is produced by Hazy Mills Productions (NBC’s “Grimm,” “Hot in Cleveland, “Soul Man”), Mission Control Media (Syfy's "Face Off"), and Universal Television. Hayes, Todd Milliner, Michael Agbabian and Dwight D. Smith are the executive producers.

A Return for All My Children and One Life to Live?

Deadline.com is reporting that Prospect Park, the production company that bought the online rights to broadcast the departed ABC soaps, All My Children and One Life to Live, will indeed bring the shows back after a long delay.  Production may begin next year.

The report says Prospect Park (the company behind Royal Pains on the USA network) has signed deals with the actors union and the directors guild to begin production in the first quarter of 2013.   We still don't know what that means for the writers because there is no clear report about a deal with the Writer's Guild.

What remains to be seen is how many actors will sign on with the new production company.  It's also not known if they'll be offered the same rate of pay they had when they worked for ABC.  Some actors have found work on other soaps and even in prime time.   Kassie DePaiva, Roger Howarth, Michael Easton and Kristen Alderson are playing their “One Life to Live” characters on “General Hospital.”


All My Children left the airwaves in September 2011 after 41 years; One Life to Live ended in January of this year after 44 seasons.

In November 2011, the heads of Prospect Park, Rich Frank and Jeff Kwatinetz, released the following statement:

"After five months of negotiations with various guilds, hundreds of presentations to potential financial and technology partners, and a hope that we could pioneer a new network for the future, it is with great disappointment that we are suspending our aspirations to revive One Life to Live and All My Children via online distribution. We believe we exhausted all reasonable options apparent to us, but despite enormous personal, as well as financial cost to ourselves, we failed to find a solution. ... In the end, the constraints of the current marketplace, including the evolution and impact of new media on our industry simply proved too great a match for even our passion."

As most soap fans know, All My Children was replaced by The Chew, a low-rated talk show about food.  One Life to Live's time slot was initially taken over by The Revolution, which failed in a matter of months.  General Hospital now airs at 2 pm on ABC, followed by Katie! with Katie Couric, now in the old GH spot.

CBS Mid-Season Schedule

Golden Boy, a new CBS entry.

CBS announced mid-season premiere dates for the new drama GOLDEN BOY and the seventh season return of the comedy RULES OF ENGAGEMENT.

The Network also announced the premiere dates of the spring editions of SURVIVOR and THE AMAZING RACE and the season finale of CSI: NY.

As the halfway point of the season approaches, CBS is once again America's most-watched network, leading second-place ABC by +2.55 million viewers. The Network has eight of the top 10 scripted series including NCIS, the top drama, and THE BIG BANG THEORY, the #1 comedy in both viewers and adults 18-49.

For mid-season, CBS will introduce the new drama GOLDEN BOY, which debuts with two special previews on Tuesday, Feb. 26 and Tuesday, March 5 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT, both nights) before moving to its regular Friday (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) time period on March 8.

GOLDEN BOY is about the meteoric rise of an ambitious cop (Theo James) who becomes the youngest police commissioner in the history of New York City. The series explores the high personal and professional cost he pays to achieve it as he is mentored by his partner, an experienced veteran detective (Chi McBride).

VEGAS, the #2 new series of the season, will return to its Tuesday (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) time period on March 12. CSI: NY will have its season finale on Friday, Feb. 22 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT).

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT returns with its seventh season premiere on Monday, Feb. 4 (8:30-9:00 PM, ET/PT).

The spring edition of SURVIVOR, hosted by Emmy Award winner Jeff Probst, premieres Wednesday, Feb. 13 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT), while the spring edition of THE AMAZING RACE, hosted by Phil Keoghan, premieres Sunday, Feb. 17 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT).
Monday, Effective Feb. 4
8:00-8:30 PM HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
8:30-9:00 PM RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (7th Season Premiere)
9:00-9:30 PM 2 BROKE GIRLS
9:30-10:00 PM MIKE & MOLLY
10:00-11:00 PM HAWAII FIVE-0

Wednesday, Effective Feb. 13
8:00-9:00 PM SURVIVOR (26th Edition premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMINAL MINDS
10:00-11:00 PM CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION

Sunday, Effective Feb. 17
7:00-8:00 PM 60 MINUTES
8:00-9:00 PM THE AMAZING RACE (22nd Edition Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM THE GOOD WIFE
10:00-11:00 PM THE MENTALIST

Tuesday, Feb. 26
8:00-9:00 PM NCIS
9:00-10:00 PM NCIS: LOS ANGELES
10:00-11:00 PM GOLDEN BOY (Special Preview)

Tuesday, March 5
8:00-9:00 PM NCIS
9:00-10:00 PM NCIS: LOS ANGELES
10:00-11:00 PM GOLDEN BOY (Special Preview)

Friday, Effective March 8
8:00-9:00 PM UNDERCOVER BOSS
9:00-10:00 PM GOLDEN BOY (Time Period Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM BLUE BLOODS

GOLDEN BOY stars Theo James, Chi McBride, Kevin Alejandro, Bonnie Somerville, Holt McCallany and Stella Maeve. Greg Berlanti and Emmy Award winner Nicholas Wootton ("NYPD Blue") are executive producers for Warner Bros. Television.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT stars Patrick Warburton, Megyn Price, Oliver Hudson, Bianca Kajlich, David Spade and Adhir Kalyan. Tom Hertz, Doug Robinson, Mike Sikowitz, Dan Kopelman and Vanessa McCarthy are executive producers for Happy Madison Productions and CBS Television Studios with Sony Pictures Television.