Jeff Pfeiffer, Author at StayTuned Magazine

Subject of PBS’ “The Amish: Shunned” finds Amish reality shows “inaccurate” and “disappointing”

February 4, 2014 Jeff Pfeiffer

Tonight, PBS debuts its American Experience film “The Amish: Shunned,” a follow-up to its successful and fascinating 2012 installment “The Amish.” The two-hour “The Amish Shunned” focuses on the Amish practice of “shunning,” and the cost people who leave the Amish pay. The program follows seven former Amish, who reflect on their decisions to leave the community. Among those featured is Naomi Kramer, a former member of the Old Order Amish who has gone on to become a nurse and to set up the Amish Descendant Scholarship Fund for other former Amish. At a press conference for “The Amish: Shunned” […]

Ranking the 2014 Puppy Bowl, Kitten Bowl and Fish Bowl

February 3, 2014 Jeff Pfeiffer

Before, during and after Super Bowl XLVIII there were a number of other viewing options to occupy your time if you so chose (which may have come in handy for many, given how the Big Game almost immediately turned into a blowout). Animal lovers, in particular, had more options than usual this year to get their “bowl” fix on. There was, of course, the tried-and-true Puppy Bowl, which has adorably dominated the space for 10 installments now. But newcomers Kitten Bowl and Fish Bowl also appeared on the scene this past Super Bowl Sunday, staking claims for not only the […]

Guest lists for final week of “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” and “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon”

February 3, 2014 Jeff Pfeiffer

The week of Feb. 3 begins NBC’s late-night hosting transition, with Jay Leno ending (again) his 20-plus-year run as host of The Tonight Show. The Tonight Show‘s new helmer, Jimmy Fallon — who takes over as host starting Feb. 17 — will also be ending his current hosting gig this week, when he bids farewell to Late Night after five years. Seth Meyers, who himself just said goodbye to Saturday Night Live on Feb. 1, will be the new host of Late Night starting Feb. 24. Before the changeovers, though, Leno and Fallon will each bring their current stints to […]

TCM’s 31 Days of Oscar 2014 begins with documentary about Academy Awards

February 1, 2014 Jeff Pfeiffer

Although the Oscars are going back to being held in March in 2014 (March 2), TCM will again be airing its annual “31 Days of Oscar” event throughout February and through March 3. Helping to start off this monthlong celebration is the Feb. 1 premiere of the new original documentary And the Oscar Goes To…, a look back at 85 years of the famous award. The documentary comes from filmmakers who have won Oscars themselves — Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman — and includes interviews with Oscar-nominated actors and actresses such as Annette Bening, Ellen Burstyn, George Clooney, Tom Hanks, […]

“Sharknado 2” starts filming in February; Ian Ziering and Tara Reid to reprise roles

January 31, 2014 Jeff Pfeiffer

As if New York City hasn’t seen its share of craziness lately, with snowstorms and the influx of Super Bowl fans and media, the Big Apple will be bitten again soon, when Syfy begins filming its sequel to last year’s social-media hit Sharknado. The network announced that Sharknado 2: The Second One will begin filming in New York on Feb. 13. Sharknado stars Ian Ziering and Tara Reid (pictured below in a scene from the first movie) will reprise their roles as Fin and April, Syfy also announced. Also returning for Sharknado 2 are director Anthony Ferrante and writer Thunder Levin. “Sharknado was […]

“General Hospital” February sweeps storylines

January 31, 2014 Jeff Pfeiffer

ABC announced some of the storylines that will be airing on its daytime drama General Hospital in February 2014. GH has been doing well in the ratings lately, and it most recently featured Chandra Wilson (Grey’s Anatomy) in a bit of stunt casting, but these February sweeps storylines look geared to pump up that viewership in an even stronger way. In February, the long-running soap opera — which celebrated 50 years on the air last year — will also be airing its 13,000th episode. General Hospital February Sweeps Storylines (descriptions from ABC): Feb. 5: Guest star Shirley Jones plays a […]

Black History Month 2014 TV programming

January 30, 2014 Jeff Pfeiffer

Here is some of the notable TV programming airing in recognition of Black History Month 2014. All times are Eastern; please check back for updates and additions. PBS Black Culture Connection (BCC) — Ongoing. Along with its on-air programming commemorating Black History Month 2014, PBS.org offers the BCC online extension, featuring black films, stories and discussion. It’s a digital partnership with the Because of Them, We Can campaign, which aims to educate and connect a new generation to heroes who paved the way. Black History Month on BIO.com — Ongoing. BIO.com has a number of videos on its site celebrating […]

PBS re-airing Pete Seeger “American Masters” film

January 30, 2014 Jeff Pfeiffer

PBS has announced that it will be re-airing a 2008 film from its acclaimed American Masters series called “Pete Seeger: The Power of Song,” for a special broadcast in memoriam of legendary singer, songwriter and activist Pete Seeger, who passed away Monday at the age of 94. The film will also stream online at pbs.org/americanmasters. Film synopsis from PBS: “Pete Seeger: The Power of Song” is the singer’s first authorized film biography, and it poetically documents Pete Seeger’s unique experience and contributions. The man, who introduced America to its own folk heritage, got a whole generation passionate about playing the […]

First Lady Michelle Obama hosts Puppy Bowl “training camp”

January 29, 2014 Jeff Pfeiffer

Ahead of Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl X this Sunday, hype for the annual special was amped up recently when First Lady Michelle Obama and the First Family’s dogs Bo and Sunny worked to “train” some of the pups for the big game. Joined by 12 first- and second-grade students from Harriet Tubman Elementary School, Michelle Obama, Bo and Sunny put the puppies through their paces to make sure they were ready to compete in Puppy Bowl X, and to be healthy for life. Animal Planet says it was inspired by the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative to overcome childhood obesity, […]

Mexico vs South Korea international friendly: date, time, channel

January 29, 2014 Jeff Pfeiffer

The Mexican national team — “El Tri” — had to work hard to get a 2014 World Cup berth, eventually qualifying after beating New Zealand on two consecutive occasions in a playoff series. Before heading off to the big event in Brazil this June, Mexico will have five test matches to play in preparation, with the first of those matches taking place Jan. 29 against the Korea Republic’s (South Korea) “Taegeuk Warriors.” South Korea was one of the first teams to secure a place at the 2014 World Cup during the final qualifying phase. UniMás and Univision Deportes Network will […]