Jeff Pfeiffer, Author at StayTuned Magazine

Michael Jackson specials abound on King of Pop’s birthday

August 27, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

This Saturday, August 29, would have been Michael Jackson’s 51st birthday. If you haven’t gotten your fill of MJ programming since his passing on June 25, several premiere and encore specials will air over the next few days to commemorate the life of one of the greatest pop-culture figures ever. Michael Jackson: Life of a Superstar (new) — BET, Aug. 27 at 10pm; Aug. 29 at 1pm, 6pm, 9pm; Aug. 30 at 4pm, 7pm ET/PT. This one-hour documentary focuses on Jackson’s music career at a young age and looks at his solo years, in addition to how his collaboration with […]

“Survivor: Samoa” castaways announced

August 27, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

CBS has announced today the 20 castaways who will compete in the 19th installment of Survivor, which takes place amid Samoa’s white sand beaches, lush green valleys and towering waterfalls. Despite the picturesque landscape, the competitors will face exposure to the elements and wildlife living in the mysterious rainforests that cover rugged volcanic mountain peaks. From the start of the game, Survivor embraces the culture of the native Samoans by incorporating an ancient tradition of electing an individual leader of the village. Without speaking, both tribes must immediately choose one member of their group to become their sole decision maker — […]

Larry David spills about a “Seinfeld” reunion on “Curb”

August 26, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

By Emily Mitchell When Seinfeld ended in 1998, it was a gateway for executive producer and cowriter Larry David to venture out onto his own project: the sagacious Curb Your Enthusiasm. The show documents his fictionalized life post-Seinfeld. It’s a loosely scripted half-hour comedy about his awkward social and cultural interactions with his friends and neighbors. The show begins its seventh season September 20 after a two-year hiatus, and promises to be possibly its best with a story arc that centers around a Seinfeld reunion. Despite saying in the past that a Seinfeld reunion would never happen, David had the […]

Selena Gomez music video premieres on Disney Channel

August 26, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

This Friday, August 28 — following the premiere of the original movie Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie — Disney Channel will present the world premiere of Selena Gomez and The Scene’s first music video, “Falling Down,” from their upcoming debut album Kiss & Tell, which releases September 29. The video was directed by Chris Dooley, who also directed “Stand” for Jewel, and “Land of a Thousand Words” for Scissor Sisters. ___________________ © 2009 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Credit: Bob D’Amico

Season 9 “Dancing With the Stars” pairings announced

August 24, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

ABC has announced the celebrity and professional pairings for Season 9 of Dancing With the Stars, which premieres September 21. * Singer Aaron Carter and Karina Smirnoff (returning for her seventh season) * Olympic champion swimmer Natalie Coughlin with Alec Mazo (Season 1 champion, returning for his fifth season) * Iron Chef star Mark Dacascos with Lacey Schwimmer (back for her third season) * Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay with Cheryl Burke (returning for her eighth season) * Singer Macy Gray with Jonathan Roberts (returning for his seventh season) * Actor Ashley Hamilton with Edyta Sliwinska (the only pro […]

“The Biggest Loser” announces Season 8 contestants

August 24, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

NBC’s hit reality series The Biggest Loser is back September 15, and with it comes 16 new people getting another chance to transform their bodies and lives. Among them are a returning fan favorite, as well as the heaviest contestant in the show’s history. Last season’s heaviest contestant, 20-year-old student Daniel Wright from Willow Spring, NC, was popular among fans and will have another chance to finish the weight-loss journey he started in Season 7, when he went from 454 pounds to 312 pounds. Wright looks to inspire 30-year-old social worker Shauntina “Shay” Sorrells of Newport Beach, CA, who has […]

Director Brian Levant restores “emotional reality” to new live-action “Scooby-Doo” film

August 19, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

By Jeff Pfeiffer Zoinks! Has it really been 40 years since Scooby-Doo and the gang of Mystery Inc. entered pop culture? It sure has. But one mystery we never fully pieced together in all of this time is how Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby got together in the first place. In the fun film Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins, premiering September 13 on Cartoon Network and continuing the net’s new direction toward increased live-action projects, we do find out how Shaggy came to own the famed Great Dane and how the disparate group became friends at Coolsville High. We also […]

“America’s Next Top Model” seeks cycle 14 contestants

August 18, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

Cycle 13 of America’s Next Top Model has yet to debut (it premieres Sept. 9 on The CW), but producers are already looking for the next batch of aspiring models for Cycle 14. After holding an open casting call this past weekend in New York City, casting directors will continue the search for more in other auditions. They will be looking for women, ages 18-27, of diverse backgrounds, shapes and sizes, and with a minimum height requirement of 5′ 7” tall. Open call cities are as follows (locations and time subject to change): August 22: Atlanta — 10am-3pm at The […]

“Grey’s Anatomy” reversioned into Colombian “Super Series”

August 12, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

Given its melodramatics, it probably makes sense that ABC’s hit drama Grey’s Anatomy will be reversioned into a telenovela of sorts. A Latin American version of Grey’s, called A Corazón Abierto (An Open Heart), has started production in Bogotá for airing in the Colombian market. The reversioned script was written by Fernando Gaitán, who also wrote Colombia’s Yo Soy Betty, La Fea, the original Ugly Betty. A Corazón Abierto is being produced as a limited-run “super series” of 80 original episodes that will air daily, and includes over 40 replicated hospital sets from the original Grey’s. Rafael Novoa, Carolina Gómez, Jorge […]

“Idol” guest judges confirmed

August 6, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

Peter Rice, chairman of entertainment at FOX, confirmed today at TCA that Victoria Beckham and Katy Perry would be guest judges on the next season of American Idol. Rice also addressed the departure of judge Paula Abdul: “It’s very saddening to us. She was the only member whose contract was up … we very much wanted her to return. We made an offer we feel was very fair; it was a substantial raise. Between now and January we will come up with a replacement for Paula. We’re very sad that she’s not coming back.” Although there will be a search […]