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TV News & Program Updates

New Start For “Starter Wife”

It took home one of the 10 Emmys for which it was nominated, but The Starter Wife — the hit USA Network miniseries of earlier this year — will have some more chances to take home the gold when it becomes a series. USA announced today that it has given a series order to Starter, which was originally based on a novel by Gigi Levangie Grazer, who returns as executive producer along with writers Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott. Of course a key ingredient to its success is Debra Messing, and she is indeed coming back to reprise her role […]

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TV News & Program Updates

Monster Chiller Horror Theater!

Sure it’s fun to go out around Halloween time and egg houses, set flaming bags of dog doo on porches and — oops, I mean … go trick-or-treating, make pumpkin pies … (ignore what I said earlier, kids). But it’s also fun to stay home, turn off the lights, and see what your TV has in store for you (as long as it doesn’t pull something along the lines of the boob tube in Poltergeist). With that said, there are plenty of television treats to unwrap this season for all levels of fear tolerance over the next couple of weeks: […]

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Magazine Archive

Alicia Witt Continues Evolving With A “Ridiculously Perfect” Role On TV

Regardless of how long the Law & Order franchise, particularly Criminal Intent — which came dangerously close to cancellation earlier this year before NBC decided to move it to cable — lasts, its newest cast member certainly will keep on moving ahead. When CI shifts over to USA Network to begin its seventh season on Oct. 4, Alicia Witt joins the team in a six-episode story arc (replacing Julianne Nicholson, who is on maternity leave). Witt plays detective Nola Falacci, whom the actress laughingly describes as “sort of a hip chick.” In other words, not your average, buttoned-down TV detective. […]

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Game Shows

“No Deal” To Breast Cancer

I don’t normally like NBC’s Deal Or No Deal, but I do have to applaud the show’s upcoming campaign to help fight and raise awareness of breast cancer. On an October 19 special episode (8pm ET), the show goes “pink” to show its support for the battle. Host Howie Mandel will be garbed in pink socks, the briefcase models will waltz on stage in pink dresses (carrying pink briefcases), and even the Play At Home Lucky Case Game has a “pink” theme, with home viewers having a chance to win $10,000 and a limited edition “Warriors in Pink” Mustang. A […]

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Documentary

Orangutans: The New Meerkats?

After the sad and shocking death of poor Flower on Meerkat Manor last week, I just can’t take the heartache any more! I need to find a new “animal soap,” and I just may have it with Orangutan Island, premiering November 2 on Animal Planet and airing Fridays (filling in the void left when MM goes on hiatus; the season finale of MM serves as a lead-in to the new series on the 2nd). Taking place in Borneo, Orangutan Island follows a group of 35 of the title apes who have been orphaned and live on a river island sanctuary. […]

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Documentary

The War: “A World Without War”

Ken Burns’ The War comes to an end tonight, and, unfortunately, the episode title — “A World Without War” — does not refer to the literal fact that our world has gone on without conflict. Rather, it references America coming to the exhilarating realization that four long years of living in a war climate — either in actual combat, or making sacrifices on the homefront — are over. After being in a “war” mindset for so long, it might take a little readjustment, but it is certainly a worthwhile and joyous one. Right at the beginning, the episode realizes that […]

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Documentary

The War: “The Ghost Front”

Tonight’s episode of The War begins with an incredibly eerie account from Ray Leopold, who explains a conversation he had with a German soldier who had just been captured by his outfit. The German, in perfect, accent-free English, persists in asking Leopold the exact location from which he comes. When Leopold tells him he is from Waterbury, Connecticut, the German turns out to be very familiar with the minute details of the area. Puzzled, Leopold asks how he knows so much. Following the German’s explanation, Leopold says, “my blood ran cold.” The German mentions that he has been trained “for […]

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Documentary

The War: “FUBAR”

Ken Burns’ The War picks up again this Sunday with the first of its final three episodes. When we last saw the series, hopes of a quick end to the war in Europe were running high following the D-Day invasion, and the Allies’ rapid advance toward the German border. But as we see in this episode, nothing can be assumed, certainly not victory against a desperate opponent in wartime. Overconfidence can lead to things becoming “FUBAR” — F***ed Up Beyond All Recognition — very quickly. Now, your local PBS station may choose to run a version of this episode that […]

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Reality TV

Designing Another “Project Runway”

Bravo announced today the return of Project Runway for its fourth season, premiering November 14 at 10pm ET/PT. Heidi Klum returns as host, with judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia, and “mentor” Tim Gunn. The series also promises to include guest stars from among the biggest names in fashion, sports and design. This season’s fashionable competitors: Carmen, 37 – Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.; Resides in N.Y. Chris, 44 – Hometown: San Francisco, Calif.; Resides in N.Y. Christian, 21 – Hometown: Annapolis, Md.; Resides in N.Y. Elisa, 42 – Hometown: El Paso, Texas; Resides in Santa Fe, N.M. Jack, 38 – Hometown: […]