Jeff Pfeiffer, Author at StayTuned Magazine

Interview: Billy Burke of CBS’ “Zoo”

June 24, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

Nature runs amok in CBS’ new thriller Zoo, which is based on the bestseller by James Patterson and is about violent animal attacks against humans that begin sweeping the planet. Costar Billy Burke, who explains that from his understanding the show is “loosely” based on Patterson’s novel, says his role in Zoo is different from his last regular TV starring role, in another dystopian drama, NBC’s Revolution. “It’s not nearly as active as Revolution,” Burke tells us, “where I was in a fight to the death pretty much daily. I’m the scientist in this show. [My character] Mitch likes to […]

When does Suits Season 5 begin?

June 22, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

As Season 5 of USA’s hit drama begins on June 24, Pearson Specter Litt has scored a hard-fought victory, but the fight has left the firm shaken. Although she avoided jail time, Donna (Sarah Rafferty) has left Harvey (Gabriel Macht) after more than a decade of working together. She is now working for his longtime rival Louis (Rick Hoffman). And while Jessica (Gina Torres) adjusts to being single, Mike (Patrick J. Adams) and Rachel (Meghan Markle) are giddy after his marriage proposal. Charles Barkley guest-stars on the July 8 episode. Here are some of the upcoming Suits Season 5 episodes […]

HBO’s “Ballers” has the balls to use NFL team names without league consent

June 17, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

Given how touchy the NFL can be about how it is portrayed (see ESPN’s Playmakers, which got a little too real for the Shield’s liking and was canceled), it will be interesting to see how HBO’s new comedy series Ballers fares. While it is billed as a comedy, and can be very funny, it also touches on matters that aren’t humorous, particularly the financial problems that can affect the non-superstars of the league, as well as the health concerns that every player has a risk of facing. And, perhaps most egregiously to the NFL, the show is using real team […]

Mr. Robot a smart and fun new psycho-techno-thriller

June 16, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

It probably is no surprise that the pilot episode of USA Network’s new psycho-techno-thriller series Mr. Robot won an Audience Award at the younger and generally left-leaning SXSW festival earlier this year. Its themes, which will presumably carry over into the rest of the series, deal with much of what society as a whole, and the younger generation in particular, is grappling with. Anyone who takes even a casual look at the world today will recognize topics the series addresses, from its protagonist’s concerns about income inequality, to the show’s portrayal of hacker collectives similar to Anonymous, to the talk […]

TCM will honor Christopher Lee with film tribute

June 12, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

Legendary actor Christopher Lee passed away June 7 at the age of 93. Known to generations of filmgoers largely for his villainous and horror roles, Lee’s memorable presence spanned from the classic Hammer horror films (most notably Dracula), where he was often paired with Peter Cushing; to deadly assassin Scaramanga in the James Bond film The Man With the Golden Gun; to the turncoat wizard Saruman in the Lord of the Rings films; and evil Sith Lord Count Dooku in the Star Wars prequels. All told, Lee’s film career encompassed more than 275 credits. Several of Lee’s most famous appearances from the 1950s into the 1970s […]

Aquarius recap: “Home Is Where You’re Happy”

June 12, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

The Aquarius episode “Home Is Where You’re Happy” (another episode named after a song off of Charles Manson’s debut studio album) really exemplified some of the things that are bothering me about this series. First and foremost, how it is trying to throw in a lot of storylines amid the overarching search for Emma (Emma Dumont) and Manson (Gethin Anthony). That might not be a problem in and of itself, but the show seems to be stumbling at weaving these storylines together seamlessly, and last night’s episode especially seemed like merely a series of vignettes, almost, strung together in a quasi-’60s era […]

My Brother’s Keeper initiative subject of new Discovery/OWN special

June 10, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

President Barack Obama will appear in a new Discovery Channel/OWN special that looks at the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiative, the principles of which include ensuring all youth complete their post-secondary education and training and are employed once they’re out of school. Titled Rise: The Promise of My Brother’s Keeper, and appropriately airing on Father’s Day, June 21, the program explores the lives and families of boys and young men of color from four programs around the U.S. that are living the principles of the MBK initiative. The film, directed by Dawn Porter (Gideon’s Army), also addresses President Obama’s challenge to cities […]

Here’s a look at the new Powerpuff Girls

June 9, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

Cartoon Network just released a first look at character artwork featuring Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup from the all-new series The Powerpuff Girls, a reimagined version of the favorite ’90s series, which was created by Craig McCracken and won two Emmy Awards. The new Powerpuff Girls is slated for a 2016 global launch, and is executive produced by Nick Jennings (Adventure Time) and Bob Boyle, creator of Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Providing the voices in the series will be Amanda Leighton as Blossom, Kristen Li as Bubbles and Natalie Palamides as Buttercup (all pictured below). Tom Kenny will be reprising his role from the original series as […]

Aquarius recap: “Never Say Never to Always”

June 4, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

Manson sings! We get to hear Charlie (Gethin Anthony) cut his demo tape in this episode (along with Emma, Katie and other young women on backup vocals), all made possible through the kind donation of Emma’s father, Ken’s (Brian F. O’Byrne) $2,000. When we meet Ken at the start of this episode, he is ashamedly dressing after his encounter with Charlie, and flings the second half of his money to Manson before leaving in the wee hours. But not before Emma (Emma Dumont) notices her old man speeding away, and she seems concerned. Later on, when Charlie shows the girls the […]

The Television Critics Association announces 2015 TCA Awards nominees

June 4, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

The Television Critics Association (TCA), a media organization in which most of us here at Channel Guide are a part, today announced the nominees for the group’s 2015 TCA Awards. The 2015 TCA Awards recognize outstanding television programming in the 2014-2015 season, honoring actors, producers and programs in a variety of categories, including news and information, youth, reality, drama and comedy. Past winners can be seen here. The winners of the 31st Annual TCA Awards will be announced at the invitation-only presentation on Saturday, August 8, 2015, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The celebrity host for the event will be announced later this […]