Comedy Archives - Page 90 of 131

TV programs cash in with product placement

March 23, 2011 Tom Comi

By Tom Comi While the creation of the DVR has made life much better for TV viewers, advertisers and networks have had to be creative about how they offset the fact that so many people are bypassing commercials. This has led to ads being inserted into the actual shows, whether it’s for a scripted drama or a reality program. And the interesting thing is viewers oftentimes don’t even realize they are being pitched on an item. Fox’s American Idol has been at the forefront of such blatant product placement, with on-air promotions for AT&T, Coke, Ford and Apple’s iTunes. Extreme […]

Finales of “Hot in Cleveland,” “Retired at 35” air tonight

March 23, 2011 StayTuned Staff

Rookie sitcom Retired at 35 finishes off its first season tonight with “Secrets and Lies,” in which Alan and Elaine aren’t sure how to handle their first anniversary as a separated couple. Also, David decides he needs to come clean to Jessica about his one-night stand with her mother. Meanwhile, Hot in Cleveland ends its winter finale on a cliffhanger in “Law & Elka,” with Joy getting involved in another scandal while trying to fix her immigration status. It involves the governor’s wife, played by guest star Amy Sedaris. Meanwhile, Elka faces a tough judge (Sherri Shepherd) at her trial, […]

Is Will Arnett the answer at “The Office”?

March 22, 2011 Tom Comi

With Steve Carrell wrapping up his final season at NBC’s critically-acclaimed The Office, there have been a ton of names surfacing as to which actor is best suited to headline the show moving forward. Color me less than enthused about the latest name to enter the fray: Will Arnett. Reports have surfaced that Ricky Gervais — who starred in the British version and serves as a producer on the American remake — will not only appear in the season finale but he will be joined by Arnett. Don’t get me wrong, Arnett is a fine actor; but his track record […]

VOD Spotlight: “Yogi Bear”

March 22, 2011 Jeff Pfeiffer

The original Yogi Bear cartoon of the 1960s had Yogi and pal Boo Boo interacting with human campers. They were all animated, but technology has come a long way since then. In the film Yogi Bear, Yogi (voiced by Dan Aykroyd) and Boo Boo (voiced by Justin Timberlake) are created with special effects, and the rest of the cast are real people, but the story of the two picnic basket thieves was carefully rendered to maintain the irreverence and personalities of the two bears — a notion that set well with the two stars of the film. “Every Wednesday afternoon […]

VOD Spotlight: “How Do You Know”

March 22, 2011 Jeff Pfeiffer

Written and directed by James L. Brooks (As Good as It Gets, Terms of Endearment), How Do You Know has Brooks’ signature look at lives in transition. The title refers to that moment when people realize they are truly in love but there is far more going on in this film. “We all have, at some point, a feeling that everything we’ve depended on we can’t depend on anymore. And when that happens, the only thing we have left is love,” says Brooks. “You can think your life is terrible, and then he or she walks in and it’s not […]

TV Land greenlights 2 new series, renews “Retired at 35”

March 21, 2011 StayTuned Staff

NY, March 21, 2011 — TV Land announced today that the network is moving forward with three sitcoms — two new series and a renewal for Retired at 35. These series join Hot in Cleveland which is now up to a 24-episode order for season three. These pick-ups take TV Land from zero to four scripted sitcoms within less than a year’s time, along with several additional sitcoms in development. The two new series joining the network’s roster are Happily Divorced marking Fran Drescher’s (The Nanny) return to television joined by John Michael Higgins (Best in Show), Tichina Arnold (Everybody […]

“Retired at 35” sneak peek: “Workin’ Man”

March 16, 2011 StayTuned Staff

In tonight’s episode of Retired at 35 — “Workin’ Man” — Alan sets David up with some job interviews in an effort to build his confidence, but makes matters worse when David strikes out on all of them. Also, David has an uncomfortable reunion with Jessica’s mother, Susan.

“Hot in Cleveland” sneak peek: “Elka’s Snowbird”

March 16, 2011 StayTuned Staff

In tonight’s episode of Hot in Cleveland — “Elka’s Snowbird” — Elka tries to convince Max (Carl Reiner), who is pining to fly to Florida, that she can keep him warm in the cold Cleveland winter. Melanie, looking to do some meaningful charity work, enlists Joy to help her cook and serve healthy meals at the Senior Center with disastrous results. And Victoria falls hard for a man (Gregory Harrison) she meets during an “Oh Hi, Ohio” interview, only to be thwarted by his two children, who have decided to hate her. Hot in Cleveland airs tonight at 10pm on […]

Jon Cryer gets the last laugh

March 11, 2011 Tom Comi

By Tom Comi There’s an old expression that if you can’t beat somebody then you should join them, and Jon Cryer did just that on Conan O’Brien’s show last night in a hilarious self-effacing monologue in which he admitted that he is indeed a troll. For those living under a rock, Cryer’s appearance was in response to comments made by his former Two and a Half Men co-star Charlies Sheen, who earlier this week said he is a troll for not coming to Sheen’s defense after getting fired. Conan introduced Cryer, who walked out and addressed the audience. “Those words […]

“Retired at 35” Sneak Peek: “The Tell-Tale Cart”

March 9, 2011 StayTuned Staff

On tonight’s episode of Retired at 35, “The Tell-Tale Cart,” Alan (George Segal) hits Elaine (Jessica Walter) with a golf cart, but puts the blame on David (Johnathan McClain). Meanwhile, David takes advantage of Elaine’s empty apartment and plans a romantic dinner with Jessica (Ryan Michelle Bathe). Retired at 35 airs tonight at 10:30pm ET on TV Land.