Jeff Pfeiffer, Author at StayTuned Magazine

New Live-Action Series Expands Cartoon Network’s Universe

June 26, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

It may not seem natural to have live-action series on a channel called Cartoon Network, but the net has made that concept work. And Unnatural History, the channel’s newest live-action effort, seems like the most natural fit of them all. It plays out much like a cartoon, in fact, with plenty of high-flying action, quirky characters and mysteries along the lines of Scooby-Doo. That might have much to do with the fact that the series is created and written by Mike Werb, who wrote the similarly cartoon-flavored film The Mask. The actors are indeed real, and the star, Kevin G. […]

“Twilight” mania hits TV

June 23, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

By Jeff Pfeiffer The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, the latest in the red-hot teen vampire movie franchise, seems destined to be one of the biggest box-office hits of this summer after it hits theaters June 30. And hoping to ride that wave of success, a few TV networks will be bringing you Twilight-related programming in the next week or so: Jimmy Kimmel Live’s Twilight Saga: Total Eclipse of the Heart — June 23, 10pm ET/PT on ABC. In this special, the stars of Eclipse — Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Dakota Fanning, Ashley Greene, Peter Facinelli, Bryce Dallas Howard, Julia […]

VOD Spotlight: Alice Eve is the “hard 10” of “She’s Out of My League”

June 22, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

Can an average Joe and a brainy blonde bombshell find true happiness together? That’s the question at the center of the romantic comedy She’s Out of My League. When airport security agent Kirk (Jay Baruchel) catches the eye of a stunning party planner named Molly (Alive Eve), no one can believe it’s really happening — especially him. Part of the reason Kirk doubts himself comes from his pals’ “fool-proof” system of calculating a person’s romantic potential. Actor T. J. Miller, whose character Stainer is the ultimate arbiter of the rating system, explains the complex algorithms that form its basis. It […]

VOD Spotlight: “Green Zone” gets help from veterans

June 22, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

Director/producer Paul Greengrass (United 93) began his career covering global conflict for British television. Green Zone, a look at a weapons inspector who uncovers a web of deceit while looking for Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, offered him a perfect blend of politics, reality and action. Matt Damon stars as Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller, a career soldier who served in the 1990 Gulf War and has now returned to a very different Iraq to lead a group of WMD hunters known as MET D (Mobile Exploration Team Delta). For realism, Greengrass surrounded Damon (whom he had directed in The […]

“American Idol” Season 10 auditions start in Nashville

June 21, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

FOX has announced cities that will host auditions this summer for the 10th season of American Idol. For the first time, 15-year-olds will be allowed to audition (the previous minimum age was 16). “A lot of young, talented people are now seeking careers and representation before they turn 16,” says Cecile Frot-Coutaz, executive producer of the show. “Lowering the age limit allows us to tap into this talent pool.” Auditions are open to men and women 15-28 years old who are eligible to work in the United States. Things kick off July 17 in Nashville at the Bridgestone Arena (501 […]

Larry King hosts all-star telethon for Gulf disaster relief

June 17, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

This Monday, June 21, at 8pm ET, CNN’s Larry King Live will be presenting a two-hour telethon called Disaster in the Gulf: How You Can Help, which will focus on what people can do to help the Gulf Coast in the wake of the ongoing oil disaster there. Donations will go to aid in rebuilding the Gulf Coast through three charities: Helping Communities with United Way United Way is offering immediate help to the families along the Gulf that are facing financial, educational and health-related challenges as a result from the economic disruption of this oil spill. This Oil Spill […]

VOD Spotlight: The gritty landscape of “The Book of Eli”

June 15, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

Filmmakers Allen and Albert Hughes (Menace II Society, From Hell) always bring a distinct visual style to their films, and The Book of Eli is no different. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic America, which is now a wasteland. A wandering warrior named Eli (Denzel Washington) seeks only peace, but if challenged will cut his attackers down quickly. He wants to fulfill his destiny and bring help to a ravaged humanity, but he faces a big challenge when he comes upon Carnegie (Gary Oldman), the self-appointed despot of a makeshift town of thieves and gunmen. In creating the look […]

World Cup-themed Wipeout episode airs June 29

June 14, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

Giant soccer balls, a trampoline sweeper and the fling set are among the obstacles on a new episode of ABC’s hit competition series Wipeout, airing June 29 at 8pm ET and tying in with the network’s monthlong coverage of World Cup soccer. During the episode, Wipeout‘s signature obstacle — Big Balls — transforms into Big Soccer Balls that go head-to-head against contestants, along with the Trampoline Sweeper and the Fling Set, two new obstacles. ______________________ Credit: Jeff Samaripa/ABC

Weeklong Discovery Channel 25th anniversary celebration starts Sunday

June 11, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

From Discovery: During the week of June 13, Discovery will commemorate its first 25 years by hosting celebrations on air, online and in the heart of communities around the globe. On June 17, 1985, John Hendricks launched Discovery Channel to 156,000 subscribers; today, the network reaches more than 100 million subscribers in the U.S. alone and globally, Discovery Communications has more than 100 networks in over 180 countries, touching 1.5 billion subscribers. From Sunday, June 13 through Saturday, June 19 at 9PM ET/PT, Discovery Channel’s 25th Anniversary Week features a look back at the people, places and events that have […]

VOD Spotlight: Isle of Mania — Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island”

June 10, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

By Karl J. Paloucek One of the problems with director Alfred Hitchcock’s psychological thrillers is that over time, their references to psychoanalysis have not aged well. The science was in its early infancy and its treatment in movies like Spellbound and Psycho that was once clever now seems clumsy and weak. Academy Award winner Martin Scorsese – one of the few directors to come close to catching up to the Master of Suspense with his 1991 remake of J. Lee Thompson’s Cape Fear – has an advantage in being able to rely on decades of development and history where behavioral […]