Jeff Pfeiffer, Author at StayTuned Magazine

NBC airing network TV premiere of WrestleMania 29

August 2, 2013 Jeff Pfeiffer

For the fifth year in a row, WWE and NBC are teaming to bring WrestleMania to network television. The most recent installment, WrestleMania 29, will make its network TV debut Aug. 3 at 9pm ET/PT in a one-hour broadcast called WrestleMania 29: The World Television Premiere. The broadcast recaps top moments from WrestleMania 29, including the highly anticipated rematch between The Rock and John Cena for the WWE Championship. NBC’s broadcast will feature The Rock/Cena main event (pictured) in its entirety for the first time on broadcast television. Other high profile matches included The Undertaker vs. CM Punk, and Triple H […]

Shark Week 2013 schedule

August 1, 2013 Jeff Pfeiffer

After 26 years, you might think Discovery Channel has little new to offer during its popular annual Shark Week programming event, but the programmers and scientists — and the sharks — continue to surprise. For Shark Week 2013, beginning Aug. 4, the network says it is including the most premiere hours in the history of the Shark Week franchise, including 11 new specials that explore everything from the prehistoric megalodon shark, to “voodoo sharks” that turn up in the bayous of Louisiana, to another installment in the popular Air Jaws series, to real shark attack footage captured by eyewitnesses, and […]

Sharknado merchandise on the way

August 1, 2013 Jeff Pfeiffer

Probably not too surprisingly, given how much of a pop-culture phenomenon the film has become, Syfy and production company The Asylum announced yesterday that the first Sharknado merchandise program is in development with Earthbound LLC, a direct-to-retail and brand licensing agency. Sharknado will be translated into a wide range of potential merchandise, from fashion tees, bags, posters, accessories and costumes to gaming, and other areas. According to a Syfy release, the first wave of Sharknado T-shirts will hit retail stores nationally within the coming weeks. “We’re excited to be working with Earthbound and Syfy, and to seeing Sharknado on every […]

TCA: CW wants to expand upon DC universe, may spin off Flash series from “Arrow”

July 30, 2013 Jeff Pfeiffer

At The CW executive panel this morning, network president Mark Pedowitz addressed the Television Critics Association (TCA) Summer 2013 Press Tour gathering. Among the things he talked about was how the upcoming season of The CW’s hit series Arrow will feature an origin story for Barry Allen — better known to comic book fans as The Flash. If this storyline goes well with viewers, Pedowitz suggested there may be a Flash spinoff series. “We plan to introduce a reoccurring character and an origin story of Dr. Barry Allen, who you now know is The Flash,” said Pedowitz. “… [W]e’re planning […]

TCA: Robin Williams’ funniest moments at “The Crazy Ones” panel

July 30, 2013 Jeff Pfeiffer

At the TCA Summer 2013 Press Tour on Monday, CBS presented a panel for its new sitcom The Crazy Ones, marking the return to network television of Sarah Michelle Gellar and, most notably, Robin Williams. Williams and Gellar play a father/daughter team who run an ad agency, with the father an unorthodox advertising genius, and the daughter a more focused and organized professional. As most fans know, turning Robin Williams loose in the role of an “unorthodox” character can lead to plenty of improvisation and riffing (and that seems evident right from the pilot episode), and creator and executive producer […]

TCA: CBS renews “Under the Dome”; Stephen King to write Season 2 premiere

July 29, 2013 Jeff Pfeiffer

At the CBS executive session this morning at the Television Critics Association (TCA) 2013 Summer Press Tour, CBS president and CEO Les Moonves — making his first appearance at TCA in many years as a fill-in for CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler, who had to return home for a personal situation — announced that CBS has renewed its hit Under the Dome, with the 13-episode Season 2 airing next summer. Additionally, it was announced that author Stephen King, on whose novel the series is based, will be writing the Season 2 premiere episode. Moonves was disappointed that Tassler could not […]

TCA 2013: NBC wants to be in the “event business”

July 27, 2013 Jeff Pfeiffer

At the Television Critics Association (TCA) 2013 Summer Press Tour this morning, NBC delivered its executive session, with NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt (pictured center), NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke (pictured left), and NBC Entertainment President of Alternative and Late Night Programming Paul Telegdy (pictured right) addressing reporters. “Flat is the new up,” commented Greenblatt, as he pointed out that among broadcast networks, NBC was the only net that had at least maintained its position this season while the others lost ground. Perhaps realizing that holding steady is perhaps not the most satisfying thing to be boasting about on a […]

Starz renews “Black Sails” before first season begins

July 27, 2013 Jeff Pfeiffer

At the Television Critics Association (TCA) 2013 Summer Press Tour on Friday, during the Starz Executive Session, Starz CEO Chris Albrecht announced that the network is renewing the new pirate drama Black Sails for a second season — with the first season yet to premiere this coming January. “I’m very pleased to announce a renewal, a second season pickup for Black Sails. Yes, Starz is doing it again,” said Albrecht, referring to Starz’ history of renewing series before they have aired (Magic City was given a second season before its series debut, and the former series Spartacus was upped for […]

TCA Summer 2013: HBO Executive Session

July 25, 2013 Jeff Pfeiffer

Thursday at the Television Critics Association (TCA) 2013 Summer Press Tour, HBO CEO Richard Plepler, and president of HBO programming Michael Lombardo, addressed reporters about the current state of their network, and plans for the future. Here are some of the highlights. Game of Thrones According to Michael Lombardo, when it comes to Game of Thrones, “As far as I’m concerned, it can go on as long as there are stories to tell. I know there are the issues with the books and catching up. We certainly haven’t gotten anywhere near that conversation with David [Benioff] and Dan [Weiss] yet.” […]

TCA Summer 2013: Keith Olbermann talks return to ESPN, “Carlos Danger”

July 25, 2013 Jeff Pfeiffer

At the Television Critics Association (TCA) Summer Press Tour on Wednesday, ESPN presented in the afternoon, with one of the highlights being the return of former network star Keith Olbermann to the family. Olbermann will be hosting the late-night, Monday-Friday program Olbermann on ESPN2 at 11pm ET starting Aug. 26. Although it was reported by The New York Times last week following the announcement of the show that the famously and vociferously left-leaning Olbermann had a clause in his ESPN contract forbidding him from discussing politics on this new show, Olbermann, fresh off his first rehearsal for his new show the […]