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Drama

First songs from NBC’s “Smash” now available on iTunes

NBC’s Smash — a great new drama about various Broadway types trying to bring a musical about the life of Marilyn Monroe to the stage — premieres this Monday, Feb. 6 at 10pm ET. Each week, select songs (which are mostly original songs written for the series) from each episode will be made available for purchase at the iTunes store. Additionally, episode recaps, photos, video and musical performance highlights (and there are some outstandingly choreographed and performed numbers here), as well as games, songs and fan challenges from new Smash episodes, will be available at nbc.com/smash. Timed with the series’ […]

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Documentary

“Michael Feinstein’s American Songbook” returns to PBS

The American songwriting tradition gets another boost Friday with the Season 2 premiere of Michael Feinstein’s American Songbook. And if there’s one thing that can be said about the new season, according to its executive producer, Amber Edwards, it’s that this time, they had even greater access to America’s song treasures. Having established “the brand” of the series in Season 1, more collectors — both famous and unknown outside of collectors’ circles — came forward to share their collections and to work with them on American Songbook this time round. “The ‘street cred’ that we got from the first season […]

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Music

BET and Centric programming pays homage to Don Cornelius and “Soul Train”

The world was shocked and saddened today to hear of the passing of legendary and influential Soul Train creator, executive producer and host (for 22 of its 35 seasons) Don Cornelius, who was found in his Los Angeles home dead of a gunshot wound in what appears to have been a suicide, though the investigation was said to be ongoing. He was 75. “We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Don Cornelius,” said Debra L. Lee, Chairman & CEO of BET Networks. “He was a pioneer in the television and music industries, and his legacy and influence […]

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Music

Stars come out on PBS for “Tony Bennett Duets II”

There’s a moment in his duet with Michael Buble when Tony Bennett sings the lyrics “Baby, I don’t get around anymore.” Fortunately for all of us, that couldn’t be further from the truth. This rousing collaboration is just one of many in the PBS Great Performances series Tony Bennett Duets II airing tonight at 9pm ET (check your local listings). And it’s just further evidence that no singer in history has perfected the cross-over appeal more than Bennett himself. For those who doubt that statement, you only need to tune in tonight for proof. Whether it’s teaming up with a […]

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Drama

NBC debuts pilot for “Smash” on YouTube prior to TV airing

If you can’t wait until Feb. 6 to catch the debut of NBC’s new series Smash, a drama that follows the lives of a cross-section of Broadway types looking to bring a musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe to the stage, you can watch it on YouTube. NBC has recently uploaded it, perhaps to build buzz, perhaps to thwart pirates. Either way, it’s a good chance to check out the show, which I found enjoyable in the episodes I’ve seen (and I’m not a Glee fan), though at this point I find it hard to see how it […]

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Music

Lea Michele to mentor singers on Oxygen’s “The Glee Project”

Oxygen’s The Glee Project was a pleasant surprise last season, and a big reason it resonated was because it featured current Glee cast members mentoring the very contestants who were auditioning to appear on the hit Fox show. If there was one void, though, it was that the star of the show that spawned the reality show never made an appearance. Fortunately, for Gleeks all over the world, it was announced this past weekend by Lea Michele herself that she will be making her debut when the reality series returns this summer. “So excited to announce that I’ll be guest […]

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Lifestyle

Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony talk “Q’Viva! The Chosen” at TCA

Since October 2011, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and Jamie King have been traveling throughout the Americas in search of the most outstanding singers, musicians, dancers and amazing artists to be part of their passion project — ¡Q’Viva! The Chosen — which is set to debut on Univision Jan. 28 at 7pm ET/PT. The outcome of their search is a celebration of Latino culture, where the best artists are being brought back to the U.S. for a chance to be part of a live show that the network says will be the “greatest celebration of Latin music and performance.” Lopez, Anothny […]

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Comedy

McBride, Bieber, Gaga, Poinsettia Bowl and “The X-Factor” highlight great night of entertainment

It might seem a little sacrilegious during the holidays to refer to a piece of technology as a savior, but the DVR can certainly be your best friend with so many great specials, movies and sporting events airing this time of year. Our favorite dramas and sitcoms take a well-deserved break to make room for more seasonal fare, and tonight is a great example of the entertainment cup running over. So set that DVR to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun this evening.

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Documentary

TLC special goes inside the world of Justin Bieber

This Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 9pm ET, TLC will present a one-hour holiday special called This Is Justin Bieber, which purports to take an intimate look at the inner workings of the teen superstar’s world. In addition to sharing personal interviews, the singer performs acoustic renditions of songs from his new holiday album, Under the Mistletoe, as well as new performances of his own songs and other R&B hits. Throughout the special, British personality Reggie Yates will also join Bieber on a behind-the-scenes private tour of London, a special performance on The X Factor UK, and a collaboration with British […]

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Family

Justin Bieber, Cee Lo Green and Jennifer Hudson headline TNT’s “Christmas in Washington”

Many people would spend a lot money to see Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson or Cee Lo Green alone in concert. But because this is the giving season, TNT will feature all three singers in what should be one of best Christmas in Washington concerts ever. Hosted by TBS/TNT posterchild Conan O’Brien, the annual special airing tonight (8pmET) will also showcase the talents of Victoria Justice and The Band Perry. What makes this show unique in a TV landscape with entirely too many holiday shows is that it takes place in the nation’s capital at the National Building Museum. This is […]