Jeff Pfeiffer, Author at StayTuned Magazine

VOD Spotlight: See film history made in “Me and Orson Welles”

August 17, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

By Elaine Bergstrom The film Me and Orson Welles, as well as the book on which it is based, looks at the controversial 1937 production of Julius Caesar at the famed Mercury Theatre in New York City. Caesar was the first stage play at the Mercury and secured Orson Welles’ reputation as a director. It also took place less than three months after the dilapidated theater was purchased. As a result, along with rehearsals, the company had to work on restoring the theater.

“Shark Week” Again Brings Us Up Close To Toothy Predators

August 12, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

Thirty-five years ago this summer, the movie Jaws scared audiences out of the water with its thrilling — if unrealistic — portrayal of a shark terrorizing a tourist community. Twenty-three years ago this summer, Discovery Channel began helping to undo some of the bad rap sharks got from Jaws by starting its annual Shark Week event. Over the years, the network’s varied shark-themed specials have walked that fine line between exciting (and maybe scaring) us with the harrowing spectacle of these ancient predators in action, and educating us about their reality. Discovery continues this with Shark Week 2010, beginning Aug. […]

A classier “Housewives” for Bravo?

August 5, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

By Emily Mitchell “D.C. has a certain expectation of how you behave and treat people and argue. I think you are going to see a more refined edge to these women. It’s probably going to be a little classier,” says Mary Schmidt Amons, one of the stars of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of D.C. In other words, the nation’s capital will be no place for wig-pulling and girl fights. With a dynamic cast, the network’s fifth Housewives series — which joins Orange County, New York, Atlanta and New Jersey — promises to add another facet of drama in its portrayal […]

“Late Night” Star And Huge TV Fan Jimmy Fallon Hosts Television’s Biggest Night

August 1, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

Last year, Jimmy Fallon and his staff won an Emmy for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media — Nonfiction for The Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Digital Experience at nbc.com. This year, first-time Emmy host Fallon plans to incorporate much of that same interactive, digital expertise that marks his Late Night series into what he hopes will be a “big party” that celebrates television when the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards airs live Aug. 29 on NBC. “People should have their laptops by them while they watch the show,” Fallon says. “We’re going to try to get as interactive as we […]

Syfy Hit “Warehouse 13” Returns

July 31, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

Much like the secrecy that surrounds their fictional title location, producers of Syfy‘s megahit series Warehouse 13 (the most successful show in the network’s history) are keeping tight wraps on what will transpire in the show’s upcoming second season. Even the cast is kept in the dark in some cases. “They don’t want us to really talk about what’s going on in the show,” laughs Joanne Kelly, who plays Secret-Service-agent-turned-Warehouse-guardian Myka Bering. “They don’t tell me. I’m not privy. I get the scripts like a week before [we shoot].” Nonetheless, Kelly is excited for Season 2, and fans should be […]

VOD Spotlight: Sam Worthington takes on the gods in “Clash of the Titans”

July 27, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

By Karl J. Paloucek Movie remakes can be a crapshoot. Not all are Psycho-clone disasters, but just announcing the do-over of a popular film can abrade the nerves of the original’s fans and set a wave of sentiment against the new project from the start. In such circumstances, the best thing a filmmaker can do is to make it his or her own and pursue the vision in a totally new way. That’s the good news about director Louis Leterrier’s Clash of the Titans — though telling essentially the same story, it bears little resemblance in tone, pace or color […]

TBS presents week of Steinbrenner “Seinfeld” episodes

July 19, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

To celebrate the life of late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who passed away last week at the age of 80, TBS will feature 10 episodes of Seinfeld this week that feature the memorable, fictionalized character of Steinbrenner (as voiced by series co-creator Larry David, with actor Lee Bear standing in as Steinbrenner, usually seen only from the back). “Who else could be a memorable character on a television show without actually appearing on the show?” Jerry Seinfeld said after Steinbrenner’s passing. “You felt George even though he wasn’t there. That’s how huge a force of personality he was.” […]

VOD Spotlight: Comedy gets physical for Jennifer Aniston in “The Bounty Hunter”

July 13, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

By Elaine Bergstrom As any fan knows, Jennifer Aniston has a knack for comedy. But in the romantic action comedy The Bounty Hunter, Aniston — playing a journalist who jumps bail because she has a lead on a murder coverup — also tries her hand at action.

Atmospheric Stephen King Tale Is In Good Creative Hands In New Syfy Series

July 2, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

“The ability to show up in different places all around the world without the jetlag … that would be my power! Just to be able to think about L.A. and go back, or think about [my home state of] Washington and go back, and then come back here [to Nova Scotia] to work!” Actress Emily Rose (Jericho) laughs as she imagines what supernatural power she would like to have if she really lived in a town like the one her character visits in the new Syfy series Haven. For the people in Haven, Maine, are quite accustomed to such powers […]

What to Watch — Independence Day 2010

June 29, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

This coming Independence Day weekend in America offers plenty of patriotic specials, movie and series marathons, sports and more that let you exercise your freedom to sit in front of your TV and channel-surf to your heart’s delight. Here are a few highlights. All times Eastern unless otherwise noted; programming subject to change: Wimbledon Tennis: Ladies’ Semifinals — July 1 live and tape at noon on NBC (check local listings). John Wayne All-American Weekend — July 1 at 8pm through July 5 at 4:15am on AMC. Nonstop airings of The Duke’s classic movies, with titles including his memorable Westerns like […]