Lori Acken, Author at StayTuned Magazine

ABC yanks “Hank” and “Eastwick”

November 13, 2009 Lori Acken

By Lori Acken We hate to say we told you so. But we told you so. And to be fair, so did pretty much every other TV critic out there, pro or otherwise. As news of Fall Premiere re-ups builds from a trickle to a stream, ABC has officially pulled the plug on its two weakest offerings, Kelsey Grammer’s sitcom Hank and the Rebecca Romijn/Lindsay Price dramedy Eastwick — shows whose admittedly appealing cast members still couldn’t save them. How gone are they?

A&E to debut “The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty” Dec. 13

November 6, 2009 Lori Acken

By Lori Acken Everybody can relax now. The long-rumored Jackson Family reality series has become an actuality — and Michael’s three children are NOT the stars of the show. Instead, it is four of the musical legend’s brothers — Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon — who are featured in A&E’s new docuseries The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty, premiering with back to back episodes on Sunday, Dec. 13 beginning at 9pm ET. The series will follow the brothers as they prepare for a Jackson Five reunion, lend vocals to the soundtrack for Michael’s This Is It feature film and attend it’s bittersweet […]

TV’s “The Doctors” talk H1N1 flu with CNN’s Sanjay Gupta

October 27, 2009 Lori Acken

On Wednesday, October 28, CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta joins former Bachelor Dr. Travis Stork and the rest of the crew on TV’s syndicated The Doctors to separate the facts from fiction about the H1N1 virus and vaccination. “This is an example of when doctors are the worst patients — I thought it was anything but H1N1 when I first got sick,” explains Dr. Gupta, who says he was shocked to learn that he contracted the swine flu while on assignment in Afghanistan. Dr. Gupta and The Doctors doctors also discuss why kids should be a priority when […]

Star-filled “Band From TV” offers its newest album for $1.99 today only

October 21, 2009 Lori Acken

Fans of House, Heroes, Desperate Housewives … and, well, former Bachelor Bob Guiney … wanna hear your favorite stars wail on the mic and the guitar, tickle the ivories, and more? On October 21, Amazon.com will offer Band From TV’s hit album, “Hoggin’ All The Covers” to be downloaded for just $1.99. It’s the Deal of the Day on AmazonMP3.com. The Band From TV lineup includes a powerhouse of well-known actors including Greg Grunberg (drums), currently starring in NBC’s Heroes; Hugh Laurie (keyboards and vocals), star of the FOX hit House, James Denton (guitar and vocals), currently starring in Desperate Housewives; Bob […]

And the new Bachelor is … snzzzzzzzz …

October 14, 2009 Lori Acken

By Lori Acken Well, huh. Apparently the mother lode of excitement that was the recent Bachelorette — what with its bragging girlfriend-haver Wes, toe-lovin’ Tanner, controversial winner Ed, and a host of relentlessly returning cast-offs — was just a little too much for ABC. It’s the only reason I can think of to explain why — after taunting us Bachelor faithful with potential promises of Romeo-in-blue-jeans Reid or Ken-Doll-come-true Kiptyn as Season 14’s one for the roses — they up and settled for snoozy, milquetoast, tattletale Jake. Jake. C’mon now, Alphabet — and sorry Jake’s mom — but surely you know this […]

Comcast’s New On Demand Series “Vampires Revealed” Sinks Its Teeth Into Vampire Culture

October 5, 2009 Lori Acken

They’ve been fascinating folks for years and now vampires are hotter than ever — from The CW’s new series The Vampire Diaries, to the fanatical success of HBO’s toothsome drama True Blood and the feature film Twilight, to the fervor for Twilight’s November sequel, New Moon. With Halloween right around the corner, Comcast On Demand is giving TV viewers a peek into the intriguing world of real-life devotees of the ancient practice of vampirism (including Seregon O’Dassey, pictured) with of its original docu-series, Vampires Revealed, premiering Oct. 5. This entrancing true-life tale offers up surprising evidence that supports — and debunks — […]

Alton Brown Dishes Season 2 Of “The Next Iron Chef” … And Why A Jellyfish Is Not Good Eats

October 4, 2009 Lori Acken

In 2007, telegenic Cleveland chef and restaurateur Michael Symon cooked his way to victory on Food Network’s first ever Next Iron Chef competition, scoring the spot of a departing Mario Batali on the network’s hugely popular Iron Chef America. Two years later, Batali’s back, Symon’s a hit and the net is hunting yet another culinary warrior to defend its Kitchen Stadium, beginning Oct. 4. Back to call the competition, as he does on each episode of Iron Chef America — Good Eats guy Alton Brown, who really liked what he saw … and tasted. I recently caught up with Brown […]

TLC’s official statement about Jon Gosselin’s lawsuit to halt “Kate Plus 8”

October 1, 2009 Lori Acken

From Laurie Goldberg, Senior Vice President, TLC Communications: “We are aware of Jon Gosselin’s recent statements, and remain deeply disappointed at his continued erratic behavior. He and the family were shooting as recently as last Friday, without incident, and his latest comments are grossly inaccurate, without merit and are clearly opportunistic. Despite Jon Gosselin’s repeated self destructive and unprofessional actions, he remains under an exclusive contract with TLC. Direct filming of the children has been currently suspended, pending further conversations between both parents.”

Minus Jon: TLC announces retooled “Kate Plus 8”

September 29, 2009 Lori Acken

By Lori Acken Looks like Papa Gosselin is about to get his much-vocalized wish for more time [to party it up] away from the watchful eyes and lenses of TLC film crews … but possibly with much less cash in the bargain. TLC announced today that — no doubt in light of the show’s plunging ratings and Jon’s escalating affection for the lifestyle of an indulged frat boy — it will relaunch Jon & Kate Plus 8 in November minus its prodigal patriarch. According to the network, the newly named Kate Plus 8 will “adapt to the changing Gosselin family” and “continue […]

WWE CEO Linda McMahon mulls Senate run

September 15, 2009 Lori Acken

By Lori Acken If this is a stunt, even by WWE standards, it’s a doozy. Reports are starting to trickle out that Linda McMahon, CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment and no-nonsense better half of its chairman Vince McMahon is seriously — like, “99% sure” seriously — considering a run for the Connecticut Senate seat currently held by longtime Democratic Senator and current chair of the Senate Banking Committee Christopher Dodd.