Jeff Pfeiffer, Author at StayTuned Magazine

Roots: The Classic Novel and Miniseries Gets a Powerful New Adaptation

May 30, 2016 Jeff Pfeiffer

Roots, based on Alex Haley’s novel, was first produced for television in 1977, when the epic, eight-part miniseries went on to gain huge audiences (its finale still ranks as the No. 3 highest-rated episode of television) and launch a star in LeVar Burton, who played the iconic character of Kunta Kinte. In History’s exceptional four-part retelling of Roots, it is into Burton’s memorable shoes that actor Malachi Kirby now steps as Kunta, the initial, and overarching, protagonist in a story that leads from 1750 Africa, to the slave trade and plantation life, and beyond the Civil War. Although this new […]

Memorial Day 2016 TV programming

May 27, 2016 Jeff Pfeiffer

Memorial Day 2016 in America is Monday, May 30. The day, and the days leading up to it, will feature plenty of somber programming related to the true nature of the holiday — remembering those who died while serving in America’s armed forces — as well as lighter fare to help people enjoy the time off that they hopefully have. Here are some of the TV highlights this weekend. Memorial Day 2016 TV Programming (All Times Eastern) Monster Week 2016 — May 26-June 2 on Animal Planet. Animal Planet’s annual programming event about creepy crawlies. See more details here. Syfy Memorial Day […]

Animal Planet’s Monster Week 2016 Begins Tonight

May 26, 2016 Jeff Pfeiffer

One of Animal Planet’s fan-favorite annual programming events begins its latest installment tonight, May 26. Monster Week 2016 kicks off at 9pm ET/PT with the “Devil of the Deep” episode of River Monsters, and runs through the season finale of River Monsters on June 2 at 8pm ET/PT. The network says that 11 new specials will be featured during the week. (Sorry, no new mermaid specials this year, although the original Mermaids will air on May 28.) According to Animal Planet, last year’s Monster Week drove the network to rank among the top 10 ad-supported cable networks among Men 25-54 and Men […]

Starz Original Programming Is Moving to Sunday Nights

May 25, 2016 Jeff Pfeiffer

Do Starz original series like Outlander have what it takes to go up against hugely popular fare like Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead? The network thinks so, and is ready to test that confidence out by moving its entire original programming slate from Saturday nights to Sunday nights beginning July 17 with the Season 3 premiere of Power. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter posted online today, Starz CEO Chris Albrecht said, “We see opportunity. Saturdays have worked so well that we feel our shows are going to be able to stand up on the most watched night of the week.” Albrecht, who was HBO […]

Discovery’s Sonic Sea Dives Into How Noise Pollution Increasingly Threatens Sea Creatures

May 19, 2016 Jeff Pfeiffer

In the darkness of the sea, whales and other marine life depend upon sound to survive, but that is being threatened, thanks to humanity. Airing as part of Discovery Channel’s Discovery Impact, the documentary film Sonic Sea travels below the ocean’s surface to uncover the damaging consequences that increased noise pollution is having on wildlife. Actress Rachel McAdams narrates the film, which also features an interview with musical artist Sting, along with various experts in the fields of ocean ecology and wildlife activism. Over the last century, extremely loud noise from commercial ships, oil and gas exploration, naval sonar exercises and […]

Legendary CBS Newsman Morley Safer Dies at 84

May 19, 2016 Jeff Pfeiffer

Just a week after retiring from 60 Minutes following 46 seasons reporting for the iconic news program, equally legendary newsman Morley Safer has passed away today at age 84, CBS announced. Safer reportedly died in his Manhattan home; no cause of death has been announced at this time. Safer had been in declining health when he announced his retirement. CBS broadcast a special hour dedicated to Safer just this past Sunday. “Morley was one of the most important journalists in any medium, ever,” said CBS Chairman and CEO Leslie Moonves. “He broke ground in war reporting and made a name that will […]

“We’ll Always Have the Hamptons”: Royal Pains Begins Its Farewell Season Tonight

May 18, 2016 Jeff Pfeiffer

Although newer USA Network series like Mr. Robot have grabbed more of the spotlight over the years, Royal Pains has steadily been a tried-and-true audience favorite for the channel. The drama series begins its eighth and final season this month. “It’s with great sadness, but even greater thankfulness, that we prepare for our final summer sunsets as Royal Pains comes to an end,” said co-creator and executive producer Andrew Lenchewski and executive producer Michael Rauch in a release. USA says that the final season, along with featuring the show’s 100th episode midway through, will explore pivotal life decisions for everyone […]

Megyn Kelly and Donald Trump: Together Again in FOX Special

May 17, 2016 Jeff Pfeiffer

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has a recent antagonistic history with FOX News Channel anchor Megyn Kelly, stemming back to a confrontation at a GOP debate last August. Following Kelly’s tough questioning of the candidate, especially about his sexist comments regarding women, Trump responded with some horribly misogynistic comments about Kelly, then sat out another FOX News debate in January. By the time Trump appeared at another FOX debate in March, things were a little better between the two, if still icy. But it appears the two may have become on better terms, or least amenable enough with each other […]

New to On Demand: The Witch

May 17, 2016 Jeff Pfeiffer

“Did ye make an unholy bond with that goat?” This line is among the sometimes-tricky-to-listen-to Puritan-ese spoken in The Witch that, out of context, may seem ridiculous. But within the world of writer/director Robert Eggers’ frightening film, viewers will take it in with a shuddering seriousness (a footnote to the film indicates that much of such dialogue was taken straight from source material of the time). That is part of what makes Eggers so successful in his presentation of his self-described “New England folk tale” — his willingness to fully immerse us in the world of 1630 America (or, what […]

NBC 2016-17 Schedule: Blindspot Moves to Wednesday, Blacklist Gets a Spinoff and More

May 16, 2016 Jeff Pfeiffer

The NBC 2016-17 primetime schedule has been announced. Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, says that his network has “managed to substantially stabilize our entire year-round schedule. … In addition to adding three new shows, we’ve moved only four existing shows to different time periods, as well as welcoming NFL football on Thursday.” One of the shows being moved is NBC’s hit drama Blindspot, which moves to Wednesdays at 8pm ET for its sophomore season. Among the newcomers for fall are Timeless, from Eric Kripke (Revolution) and Shawn Ryan (The Shield); This Is Us, from Dan Fogelman (Crazy, Stupid, Love) and The Good Place, from Mike Schur. […]