Jeff Pfeiffer, Author at StayTuned Magazine

Better Late Than Never! — Fall Preview Updates

September 6, 2007 Jeff Pfeiffer

Well, wouldn’t you know it, but those crazy TV networks went and changed a few dates for their programming premieres for this upcoming fall season — and right after we went to print with our special Fall Preview edition of Channel Guide magazine. Ah, the perils of the TV magazine biz … But they haven’t totally thwarted us. We’re here with their late-breaking updates to make sure that you have all of the pertinent information ammunition that you need to make this upcoming fall season your best viewing one yet: * Nip/Tuck — The fifth season premiere of the hit […]

7 Questions With … Chad Faust

August 19, 2007 Jeff Pfeiffer

1. What Has Been Your Strangest Fan Encounter? Chad Faust: Here’s a funny one. It was from The 4400. I got this fan letter from a woman, and one of the things she said in it was that she thought that I was “capable of mass seduction.” Which I thought was … I mean … I guess a compliment! [laughs] Then I was in the makeup room, and [my costar] Joel [Gretsch] was reading this letter from a fan, and he goes, “This woman thinks I’m capable of mass seduction!” And it was the same woman! 2. You’re At A […]

Furry Meerkats Continue Their Fight For Survival

August 16, 2007 Jeff Pfeiffer

Ready for the return of a drama about certain families that involves adultery, treachery, murders of family members by rival gangs, love affairs, plots to create power shifts, turf wars and more? No, The Sopranos hasn’t come back. These real-life “mobs” are the heroes, heroines, villains and those of murky intent found in Animal Planet‘s cult hit Meerkat Manor, debuting its third season Aug. 10. Already a part of pop culture, with references to the ‘kats made on shows such as Rescue Me, Jeopardy!, Brothers & Sisters and The Class, the series offers all the combined cuteness and hard-edged reality […]

No “Sunset” For “Tan”

August 7, 2007 Jeff Pfeiffer

* The hit — and hysterical — E! reality series Sunset Tan returns with oh-so-superficial new episodes on August 19 at 10:30pm ET/PT, right after the equally fluffy Girls Next Door. In these six episodes, tanning salon masterminds Jeff Bozz and Devin Haman meet with George Maloof (frankly, all of these names sound phony) to begin work on a new salon at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas. Of course, the Olly Girls — the only women who could possibly make the Girls Next Door look like intellectuals by comparison — are back, and are ridiculously asked to start taking […]

“Is This Cartoon Going on the Air Live?”

July 23, 2007 Jeff Pfeiffer

Homer Simpson may not have worked out very well as the voice of the animated Poochie character, but plenty of other folks have lent their vocal talents to the long-running comedy The Simpsons to great effect. FOX recently announced the next batch of celebrities who will contribute even further to pop culture by starring as guest voices in the upcoming 19th season: * In the Sept. 23 season premiere, “He Loves to Fly and He D’ohs,” Lionel Richie and Stephen Colbert guest star. It’s another wacky Homer adventure, as our dimwitted hero is serenaded by Richie with a customized version […]

Tales From TCA: More Fun With Cable

July 16, 2007 Jeff Pfeiffer

More announcements from the cable portion of TCA: BET * Sunday Best — Premieres Oct. 2. A nationwide search for America’s next great gospel singer. The top contestants will be coached by great performers from the gospel and secular music worlds as they try to win the title, along with prizes for themselves, their churches and their communities. * Exalted! — Premieres Oct. 2. A biography series that profiles various ministers from around the country, going beyond the public image to reveal the human side of these men and women. * American Gangster 2 — Premieres Oct. 4. Second season […]

Shark Week 2007

July 16, 2007 Jeff Pfeiffer

Since its premiere in 1988 as Discovery Channel‘s first weeklong event, Shark Week has become something of a summertime tradition for viewers, and cable’s longest-running event. Whether the series has done harm or good to the shark’s reputation during this time may depend upon what particular audience members take away from it — do they learn and understand more about sharks, or just get a scary thrill from stories about shark attacks? It may be a combination of both, but after nearly 20 years, perhaps some lessons have sunk in that these fascinating creatures aren’t the monsters depicted in the […]

Tales From TCA — July 12 (Cable Day 1)

July 13, 2007 Jeff Pfeiffer

More announcements from TCA: LIFETIME * Side Order of Life — Premieres Sunday. A young magazine photographer (Marisa Coughlan) rethinks her life and impending marriage after receiving a “wake-up call from the universe.” Jason Priestley co-stars in the original series. * State of Mind — Premieres Sunday. Lili Taylor plays a therapist whose personal problems rival those of her patients and discovers her husband is cheating on her with their marriage counselor. * America’s Psychic Challenge — Premieres Oct. 12. Amateur psychics compete to see whose abilities are the greatest. * How to Look Good Naked — Premieres January 2008. […]

Tales From TCA — July 11 (PBS)

July 11, 2007 Jeff Pfeiffer

The Summer Television Critics Association press tour is underway in Beverly Hills. PBS continued its presentation today with several announcements: * The new PBS World network will launch Aug. 15, with documentary, public affairs and news programming available 24/7. Series such as Nova, Frontline, Nature and more will be regularly featured on the channel, which will initially be offered in 20 major and mid-sized markets around the country. * WordGirl — Premieres Sept. 7. Weekly animated series airing as part of PBS Kids. It follows the adventuresof fifth-grader Becky Botsford, who can transform into a superheroine and use vocabulary to defeat outlaws bent on “word” domination. […]

Firecrackers: The Silent Killer

June 29, 2007 Jeff Pfeiffer

Man, it seems like July 4 has gotten almost as dangerous now as it was for our forefathers back in the Revolutionary Era! If your neighborhood is anything like mine during the Fourth of July, with nuts setting off fireworks at all hours of the night and blowing off various appendages, you might be safer just sitting in the house this Independence Day weekend and watching some of these patriotic specials and general marathons: Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular — July 4, CBS, live 10pm ET, tape-delayed PT. All-American rocker John Mellencamp joins the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra in this special […]