Jeff Pfeiffer, Author at StayTuned Magazine

Discovery wields “Big Giant Swords” docuseries

January 9, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

Swords aren’t very practical nowadays, and aren’t seen too much outside of a Peter Jackson Middle-earth film. But I’ve long been fascinated with the subculture of modern-day folks who make and collect swords and other medieval items (for what purpose, I’m not sure). Hell, I once knew a guy who even spent a boatload of money on a full suit of armor at a local renaissance faire. Perhaps I can get some answers to my questions of why medieval weaponry has such a niche following, in Discovery Channel’s new series Big Giant Swords (title says it all!). Big Giant Swords follows Irishman Mike […]

SundanceTV’s “Babylon” a dark satire set in a modern police force

January 8, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

In yet another example of how television is becoming a hot destination for big-name film talents, Oscar winning filmmaker Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) has co-created and is executive-producing SundanceTV’s latest scripted series, the six-part comedy-drama Babylon, premiering tonight and starring Brit Marling (Another Earth, The East) and James Nesbitt (The Hobbit, The Missing). “Television has changed so much since I last worked there on Inspector Morse,” said Boyle in a release for the show. “The confidence and ambition of writers writing for the medium is palpable and is electrifying audiences around the world.” Boyle found some of those electrifying writers in Sam Bain, Jesse Armstrong […]

John Travolta will star in FX’s “American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson”

January 7, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

In his first television starring role since Welcome Back, Kotter, John Travolta has been cast as defense attorney Robert Shapiro in the upcoming FX miniseries American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson. Travolta will also serve as a producer of the 10-part series. As Robert Shapiro, John Travolta portrays a man who was a key member of O.J. Simpson’s “Dream Team” during the murder trial that captivated the nation. Travolta joins a cast including David Schwimmer as O.J. Simpson’s confidant and attorney Robert Kardashian, Cuba Gooding Jr. as O.J. Simpson, and Sarah Paulson as prosecutor Marcia Clark. The miniseries is based on the book […]

Destination America’s Impact Wrestling coverage begins with special broadcast this week

January 7, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

TNA’s Impact Wrestling will now be featured on Destination America, with coverage beginning Jan. 7 with a special live broadcast at 9pm ET. The series will move to its permanent time slot on Fridays from 9-11pm ET beginning Jan. 16, with encores at 11pm. Impact Wrestling: Unlocked, with announcer Mike Tenay, will air Saturdays from 10am-12pm ET beginning Jan. 17, to look back at the previous week’s Impact Wrestling. Leading into the Jan. 7 live broadcast, Destination America will air a marathon that day from 9am-9pm, looking back at the biggest moments and most heated rivalries. The special live broadcast on Wednesday, […]

“Game of Thrones” to be featured in IMAX (updated)

January 6, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

Given its epic scope and colorful, fantasy-world backdrop, it probably makes sense that HBO’s hit Game of Thrones is becoming the first TV series to be showcased in IMAX. Starting Jan. 23, and running for one week only, through Jan. 29, Jan. 29, two episodes from Season 4 of Game of Thrones, followed by the worldwide debut of a sneak-peek Season 5 trailer exclusively created for IMAX, will air in nearly 150 IMAX theaters across the country’s top markets (click here for screening info, and to buy tickets). The IMAX release of Game of Thrones will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound […]

ESPN’s Stuart Scott dies at 49

January 4, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

Longtime ESPN anchor Stuart Scott passed away this morning at the age of 49. Scott was diagnosed with cancer in November 2007, and had waged an ongoing battle with recurring bouts of the disease. Stuart Scott began at ESPN in 1993, and many of his longtime colleagues at the network, and elsewhere, were noticeably emotional this morning when remembering their friend. The crew of ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown, including Chris Berman, spoke fondly of Scott, with a combination of tears and laughter at recalling how full of life he was. Hannah Storm nearly broke down when announcing the news. Rich […]

“Life Itself” documentary about Roger Ebert debuts on CNN

January 4, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

Following its successful theatrical exhibition, Steve James’ (Hoop Dreams) documentary Life Itself makes its global television debut on CNN (U.S.) Jan. 4 at 9pm (re-air at 11pm). The film, which premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, is based on the 2012 memoir of the same title, written by legendary film critic Roger Ebert, and has been honored as Best Documentary by the National Board of Review. It is also in contention for an Oscar in the Best Documentary Feature category. According to Steve James, “I owe so much to Roger for his support and critical insights into my work […]

OWN airing monthlong celebration honoring civil rights legends

January 3, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

Throughout January, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network will be airing a month of programs honoring civil rights legends as the 50th anniversary of the historic Selma to Montgomery marches led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. nears. On Jan. 4, at 9pm ET/PT, Oprah will host a special episode of Oprah Prime, celebrating the life of Dr. King and the Selma marches. The episode features a conversation with David Oyelowo, who portrays Dr. King in the new movie Selma, along with the film’s director, Ava DuVernay. The episode also looks at stories of those impacted by the march and their reflections on that time […]

FXM airing New Year’s Day marathon of “Fargo” series

January 1, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

In case you missed the outstanding Fargo limited series that aired on FX last year, you’ll have a chance to catch up with the first installment (the series has been renewed) during a marathon of all 10 episodes airing Jan. 1 beginning at 2pm ET on FXM. The first two episodes will air commercial-free, and additional episodes will air with limited commercial interruptions. An adaptation of the classic Academy Award winning feature film of the same title by Joel & Ethan Coen, Fargo featured an all-new “true crime” story and followed a new case and new characters, all entrenched in the trademark humor, murder […]

Hey, Duggars, make some room for “Bringing Up Bates” on UP

January 1, 2015 Jeff Pfeiffer

Is there room for another super-sized family, a la The Duggars, on TV? UP thinks so. Starting tonight, viewers can follow the “uncommon, ultra-conservative” Bates family when the reality series Bringing Up Bates premieres on UP at 9pm ET. (The Bates family actually first appeared on TLC, the Duggars’ network, in a brief 2012 series called United Bates of America, and also appeared with the Duggars on some episodes of 19 Kids and Counting.) From UP: “Twenty-seven years ago Gil and Kelly Jo Bates tied the knot with no plans to have kids. Fast-forward 19 kids later and this tight-knit family, seemingly too good […]