Jeff Pfeiffer, Author at StayTuned Magazine

TCA: “Downton Abbey” Season 3 panel wows critics

July 22, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer

PBS had the spotlight on Day 1 of the Summer 2012 Television Critics Association (TCA) Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, and while the day offered plenty of fascinating glimpses of upcoming programming offerings — from the new British acquisition Call the Midwife to the return of Kenneth Branagh’s Wallander — the final panel of the day, as expected, proved to be, as the Brits might say, the real “cracker.” It was the session for the upcoming American premiere on PBS of Season 3 of the smash hit Downton Abbey, which premieres in the States on Jan. […]

London Olympics to kick off with Danny Boyle’s “Isles of Wonder” ceremony

July 19, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer

Welcoming the Olympics back to England with a nod to one of the most famous Brits in history — William Shakespeare — opening ceremony director Danny Boyle will be crafting an introduction called “Isles of Wonder,” inspired by a speech from The Bard’s famous play The Tempest. Boyle, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind Slumdog Millionaire, as well as Trainspotting, 28 Days Later and others, revealed that the opening sequence will feature an idyllic British countryside setting complete with live farm animals, including 70 sheep, 12 horses, 10 chickens and nine geese. Legendary British musical artist Paul McCartney has said that he […]

“Mad Men,” “American Horror Story” lead Emmy nominations

July 19, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer

AMC’s Mad Men (pictured) and FX’s American Horror Story both earned 17 nods apiece as the nominations for the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards were announced today. Television Academy Chairman and CEO Bruce Rosenblum presided over the nominations, along with actress Kerry Washington and Jimmy Kimmel, who will host this year’s Emmy telecast live at 7pm ET Sept. 23 on ABC. PBS’ period piece Downton Abbey — competing this year in the Outstanding Drama Series category for the first time — was close behind with 16 nominations, and History’s record-breaking Hatfields & McCoys miniseries also earned 16 nominations. Rounding out the […]

Where to get your Batman fix on TV this weekend

July 18, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer

And where … is the Batman? Well, most notably the Caped Crusader will be kicking ass at the box office starting Friday, July 20, as the final installment of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, premieres in theaters. But if that’s not enough for you, or if you can’t get tickets, Gotham’s Dark Knight can also be seen on television in various incarnations throughout this coming weekend. Here are some highlights: * Batman: The Animated Series Rises Marathon — July 20, 4-9pm ET on The Hub. A 10-episode marathon of episodes from the superb early ’90s series Batman: […]

Statements on Steven Tyler’s “American Idol” departure

July 12, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer

Steven Tyler has decided to depart his role as a judge on American Idol, FOX announced in a press release today. Tyler served as a judge during the hit series’ 10th and 11th seasons. Following are statements from Tyler and network and show execs. Steven Tyler: “After some long …hard … thoughts … I’ve decided it’s time for me to let go of my mistress American Idol before she boils my rabbit. I strayed from my first love, Aerosmith, and I’m back – but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I’ve got two fists in the air and […]

Sex and Celibacy: TLC’s “Strange Sex” and “Virgin Diaries” return

July 12, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer

Two ends of the titillation spectrum are on hand as a couple of popular TLC franchises come back over the next week. Season 3 of the series Strange Sex returns Sunday, July 15, at 10pm and 10:30pm ET/PT with a look at more bizarre sexual fetishes and conditions. This season will include a man who cured his erectile dysfunction by drinking his wife’s breast milk, a woman who undergoes vaginal rejuvenation (hymenoplasty) for her 40th wedding anniversary, a woman who experiences painful orgasms and the woman in the video below, who has an uncomfortable-looking condition called gigantomastia that gives her […]

FEARnet to add two-hour “Funhouse” weekend programming block

July 10, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer

FEARnet — a multiplatform service dedicated to horror, suspense and thriller content currently available in more than 7 million American homes via its linear cable channel — is adding a new two-hour weekend programming block to that linear channel starting Saturday, Aug. 18, in which it will bring back a couple of animated favorites from the past, as well as air two live-action series — including one never seen before on U.S. airwaves. Dubbed “Funhouse,” the programming block is aimed at the Adult 18-34 demo, a group that other networks, notably Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, have found success with by […]

Documentary special looks at the history and evolution of the Batmobile

July 10, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer

The CW will be airing the broadcast network premiere of a new half-hour special about the history and evolution of Batman’s iconic ride — the Batmobile — on July 16 (the special makes its world premiere July 12 at Comic-Con in San Diego, where all six of the Batmobiles from film and TV will also appear for the first time together). The special is simply, and appropriately, called The Batmobile, and uses archival footage, images and illustrations of the Batmobile to document its birth and evolution to the present day. Interviews with filmmakers, key designers, builders, stunt drivers, actors and […]

“The Closer”: Kyra Sedgwick says goodbye (video)

July 9, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer

With the final six episodes of The Closer beginning tonight, TNT has released this video in which star Kyra Sedgwick emotionally reflects on playing Brenda Leigh Johnson for seven seasons, and tearfully thanks the cast, crew and fans of the series. The behind-the-scenes video also shows her wrapping her final scene as Brenda. RELATED STORY: KYRA SEDGWICK SHARES WHAT’S IN STORE FOR FINAL EPISODES OF “THE CLOSER” The Closer‘s final six episodes begin tonight, July 9, at 9pm ET/PT on TNT. The series finale is set to air Monday, Aug. 13.

Telemundo casting for its new talent competition show “Yo Me Llamo”

July 6, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer

Telemundo has launched its first national casting call for the international TV hit Yo Me Llamo (My Name Is) across five top Hispanic markets. Casting calls will be held from July 7 to July 23 in the markets listed below. Yo Me Llamo asks contestants to not only show exceptional musical talent, but to also demonstrate their ability to convey the personalities, style and even charisma of popular artists. Already a hit in 47 countries, the show is an established international reality series, and Telemundo will be airing it in the U.S. starting in the third quarter of this year. […]