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Family

Minus Jon: TLC announces retooled “Kate Plus 8”

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 […]

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TV News & Program Updates

BET J relaunches as Centric today

With little fanfare, this morning BET J relaunched as the new, 24-hour entertainment network Centric. The channel — a partnership between BET Networks and MTV Networks — features artists, music, series, movies and reality programming geared toward African-American and multicultural adults in the 25-54 year-old demographic. Some highlights of what’s on Centric during its launch week:

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Family

Sterling Knight headlines new Disney Channel movie

Production has begun on a new music-filled Disney Channel original movie called Starstruck, which features Sterling Knight, who has become a star in his own right thanks to his role in Disney’s popular series Sonny With a Chance. Scheduled to premiere on the network in 2010, the film is currently filming in and around Los Angeles at locations such as Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, the Hollywood sign, Grauman’s Chinese Theater and the Venice Boardwalk. The film introduces actress Danielle Campbell. The story follows Jessica Olson (Campbell), a down-to-earth Midwestern girl who literally collides with teen heartthrob and pop star Christopher […]

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Drama

“Castle” novel to be released

ABC’s crime series Castle is about mystery writer Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion), who ends up assisting police detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) on a case. It became somewhat of a hit after debuting in midseason, and just returned to start a second season this week. Next week, however, will see the release of Heat Wave, a crime novel written by “Richard Castle,” who will “publish” it on-air this season. The hardcover book will be available in stores on September 29. Several chapters had already been made available to fans at abc.com. The plot of Heat Wave is similar to Castle’s […]

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Drama

“Damages” adds Scott, Short, Tomlin and Carradine for Season 3

LOS ANGELES – FX’s award-winning legal thriller Damages is adding four superior actors to its cast with Campbell Scott and Martin Short signing on as series regulars, and Lily Tomlin and Keith Carradine joining as special guest stars for the upcoming season premiering in January. Production of the show’s 13-episode third season begins today in New York. For the second consecutive year, Damages received seven Emmy Award nominations and Glenn Close won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

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TV News & Program Updates

Psych’s Spot the Pineapple Sweepstakes

Psych fans know about the pineapple that’s hidden in every episode of the show. USA Network and Psych are giving viewers an even greater incentive to play along — a weekly chance to win a custom Psych prize pack in their Spot the Pineapple Sweepstakes. All you have to do is identify the location of the pineapple, then enter to win. (*Choosing the wrong answer does not disqualify from entry.) There are two ways to enter — via text message or by visiting the website. The Season 4 contest runs from Friday, August 7 to Thursday, Oct 22. For more […]

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TV News & Program Updates

“The Office” edition of Clue coming this fall

The classic whodunit game Clue will be available this fall in a collector’s edition based on the hit comedy The Office. In the mystery game, players find themselves being called into work by Michael Scott on a Saturday. Upon arrival, they discover that Toby, Michael’s nemesis from HR, is “dead” in the lobby. Along with Toby are instructions for a mandatory Team Building game of Clue. The employees must determine who “killed” Toby, what office weapon was used (nine potential weapons include the Dundee Trophy, a ream of Dunder Mifflin paper, a World’s Best Boss coffee mug, a rabid bat, […]

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TV News & Program Updates

Oprah’s show goes ’60s retro with “Mad Men”-inspired episode

On the Monday, Sept. 21, episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show (syndicated; check local listings for time and channel in your area), Oprah goes back to the 1960s. Inspired by AMC’s hit series Mad Men, Oprah offers a blast-from-the-past ’60s-themed set, a studio audience decked out in their best ’60s costumes, and appearances by Mad Men stars Jon Hamm and January Jones. There will also be a performance by the Jersey Boys and some surprise guests. Even Oprah goes a little Mad as she dons a one-of-a-kind dress created by Mad Men‘s Emmy-winning costume designer, Janie Bryant. And O also […]

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Animation

Catch a sneak preview of “Archer” Thursday on FX

The new animated comedy Archer won’t hit airwaves until January, but FX is offering a sneak preview Thursday at 10:30pm ET/PT, immediately following the season premiere of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The network had originally scheduled Archer for a fall premiere, but production schedules have forced it to move to early next year. This will also make it possible for FX to allow another new comedy, The League, to bow in late October (time and date TBD) during football season. The League follows a group of fantasy football junkies who try to juggle their everyday lives with their gridiron […]

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TV News & Program Updates

WWE CEO Linda McMahon mulls Senate run

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.