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Reality TV

So You Think You Can Dance? Think Again

Posted by RabbitEars I guess I’m not like a lot of people in this country in that I have no delusions about my abilities in various endeavors requiring physical creative talent, most notably singing and dancing. Frankly, I have none in those categories. This has saved me much humiliation in the form of futile auditions for the likes of American Idol and Dancing With the Stars. Not so with many other people, who do overestimate their talents and throw themselves to the wolves (or the Cowells; same difference) in an effort to get famous, and seem genuinely shocked when faced […]

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TCA

Ashton and Company Come Knockin’

Posted by RabbitEars ABC is somewhat on its way to becoming known as the “anti-FOX” when it comes to reality shows, with many of its programs being fairly family-friendly and not in the business of embarrassing or psychologically scarring anyone for ratings purposes. Likewise with their new series Opportunity Knocks, premiering Sept. 23. In the show, host J.D. Roth (who, according to his bio, you can blame for “being directly involved in and responsible for over 2,000 episodes of reality/game television” either through creating, producing or hosting them, including Beauty and the Geek, The Pick Up Artist and Age of […]

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TCA

Imperioli Lands on “Mars”

Posted by RabbitEars Michael Imperioli, famed as Christopher on The Sopranos, is back on series TV (on the other side of the law) in Life on Mars, an ABC remake of the hit BBC series premiering Oct. 9. The series follows Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara), a New York City detective suddenly thrust back into the year 1973 (details on exactly how are not being offered. There is almost a Lost quality about possible meanings — is Sam in heaven? Did he travel through time?) Imperioli plays 1973 detective Ray Carling, a big, tough guy in the classic New York cop […]

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TCA

Holmes Romances the “Stone”

Posted by RabbitEars ABC confirmed this morning at the summer TCA tour that Katie Holmes will be guest-starring on its quirky hit Eli Stone when it returns this fall. Holmes, who began filming her episode yesterday, plays an attorney and will be in a sizable portion of the episode (the second episode of the season, airing Oct. 21). In a tantalizing note, it was revealed that she will be singing and dancing, but no details are being offered by executive producer Greg Berlanti (who also worked with Holmes when he executive produced Dawson’s Creek). Speaking of singing, George Michael has […]

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TCA

Perlman’s “Anarchic” Ride

Posted by Rabbitears Ron Perlman (Hellboy II: The Golden Army) stars in a seemingly rare non-makeup-heavy role in Sons of Anarchy, a new FX series debuting in September. It’s an interesting-looking “family drama” set in the rough world of a motorcycle gang, a group disillusioned by the government and now surviving in its own self-contained society, with its own rules. Charlie Hunnam plays Jax Teller, whose love for this brotherhood begins to conflict with his growing concern over the club’s lawlessness, which includes such activities as arms dealing. Perlman plays Jax’s stepfather, who also has certain ideas for the direction […]

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TCA

Aftereffects of FX

Posted by Rabbitears FX displayed its justifiable bragging rights this morning during their presentation at the summer Television Critics Association (TCA) tour. During the introductory executive session, the network made a strong case for how FX ushered in the new era of top-flight basic cable programming with the launch of The Shield (originally title Rampart) in 2001. They pointed out how shortly afterward, USA began the first of its successful character-driven shows with Monk. The last seven years has also seen the rise of other outstanding original scripted dramas on networks that may once have only shown sports, movies, or […]

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TCA

TCA Talk #2

Posted by Barb More news and notes from the TCA tour: Tommy Lee Claims Ludacris Is “A Sweetheart” Hip hop superstar Chris “Ludacris” Bridges and Mötley Crüe rocker Tommy Lee battle it out to become eco-friendly on Planet Green’s Battleground Earth (premiering Aug. 3 at 10pm ET). After weeks of sparing, trying to outwit and conserve more energy than the other, the two have forged a genuine friendship. “Man, we really became good friends. I absolutely adore him,” Lee says. “He’s a sweetheart. He’s got a big heart, man. He is just a real passionate, cool, cool guy, you know, […]

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TCA

TCA Talk

Some of the hot talk so far from this year’s summer Television Critics Association (TCA) press tour: TV’s New “It” Girl: Olivia Munn The sexy, sassy and completely unfiltered Olivia Munn provided the laughs at a press conference this week for G4’s live interactive series, “Attack of the Show,” airing weeknights at 7pm ET/PT. Munn, along with Kevin Peira, say their series is targeted to young men and focuses on everything they need to know about technology, games, TV, gadgets, comic books, internet culture and more. Munn, the show’s standout, says she does receive a lot of fan mail. “I […]

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TCA

Tales From TCA: More Fun With Cable

More announcements from the cable portion of TCA: BET * Sunday Best — Premieres Oct. 2. A nationwide search for America’s next great gospel singer. The top contestants will be coached by great performers from the gospel and secular music worlds as they try to win the title, along with prizes for themselves, their churches and their communities. * Exalted! — Premieres Oct. 2. A biography series that profiles various ministers from around the country, going beyond the public image to reveal the human side of these men and women. * American Gangster 2 — Premieres Oct. 4. Second season […]

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TCA

Tales From TCA — July 12 (Cable Day 1)

More announcements from TCA: LIFETIME * Side Order of Life — Premieres Sunday. A young magazine photographer (Marisa Coughlan) rethinks her life and impending marriage after receiving a “wake-up call from the universe.” Jason Priestley co-stars in the original series. * State of Mind — Premieres Sunday. Lili Taylor plays a therapist whose personal problems rival those of her patients and discovers her husband is cheating on her with their marriage counselor. * America’s Psychic Challenge — Premieres Oct. 12. Amateur psychics compete to see whose abilities are the greatest. * How to Look Good Naked — Premieres January 2008. […]