TV News & Program Updates

No Picture
TV News & Program Updates

Patrick Swayze remembered

September 15, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

Following the passing of actor Patrick Swayze yesterday at the age of 57 after a 20-month battle with pancreatic cancer, the actor best known for his blockbuster films Dirty Dancing and Ghost will be remembered through specials and tributes on television: Patrick Swayze: Last Dance — ABC, Sept. 15 at 10pm ET. Taped in December 2008, this Barbara Walters special originally aired in January 2009 (called Patrick Swayze: The Truth) — nearly a year after Swayze was first diagnosed — and was his final television interview. From their California ranch, Swayze and his wife, Lisa Niemi, spoke about the diagnosis, […]

No Picture
Drama

Maura Tierney opts out of “Parenthood”

September 11, 2009 Lori Acken

ER and Rescue Me alum Maura Tierney has left the cast of NBC’s upcoming series Parenthood to focus on her treatment for breast cancer. Production of the series, originally scheduled for a fall debut, had been put on hold to accommodate Tierney’s diagnosis. In a statement, Tierney’s spokeswoman said, “Maura Tierney regrets that she will not be able to continue her role on Parenthood due to a conflict with the production schedule of the show and her breast cancer treatments. Ms. Tierney and her doctors remain confident that the outcome of her treatments will be positive. She is deeply disappointed that she […]

No Picture
Comedy

“Family Guy” cast appears on new “Actors Studio”

September 11, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

By Jeff Pfeiffer A few years ago, Bravo’s Inside the Actors Studio brought on the voice cast of The Simpsons for a very memorable interview, with each cast member alternating between his or her real identity and animated alter-ego. Things should be similarly entertaining in a new Actors Studio this Monday, September 14, when Seth MacFarlane, Alex Borstein, Mike Henry and Seth Green (pictured left to right) talk to host James Lipton as both themselves and their respective Family Guy characters. Sorry, Meg fans (if there are any) — Mila Kunis will not be there. But we can expect to […]

No Picture
Reality TV

“Amazing Race” announces 12 new teams

September 11, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

CBS has announced the 12 new teams competing in the 15th installment of The Amazing Race, kicking off with a two-hour episode Sept. 27. Season 15 includes a team of Harlem Globetrotters, two female pro poker players, the first ever racer with Asperger’s Syndrome, married yoga teachers and a former Miss America. Herbert “Flight Time” Lang & Nathaniel “The Big Easy” Lofton — Age 32 and 28. These two friends are teammates on the renowned Harlem Globetrotters and met five years ago at the team’s training camp. Herbert stands at 6’3″ and believes he can get along with anyone on […]

No Picture
Sports

Your Week 1 NFL TV schedule

September 10, 2009 Ryan Berenz

By Ryan The NFL is playing a game tonight, and it actually counts for something! The Tennessee Titans take on the Super Bowl XLIII champion Pittsburgh Steelers in Heinz Field. It’s the first regular-season game for NBC’s new broadcast team of Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth, following the retirement of John Madden. Other national TV games of note is the Sunday night matchup at Lambeau Field with Jay Cutler playing in his first regular-season game as a Chicago Bear, taking on the Green Bay Packers. And on Monday night, ESPN has a doubleheader with Terrell Owens making his Buffalo Bills […]

No Picture
Music

FOX and MySpace launch “Glee” karaoke contest

September 9, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

Starting today (September 9) at 6pm ET, fans 14 years of age and older are invited to record their interpretations of songs featured in the hot new FOX series Glee (which debuts new episodes tonight) and posting their videos online at karaoke.myspace.com to be evaluated by judges in the Glee MySpace Karaoke Contest. The contest ends September 23, and a grand prize winner will be announced on or about October 21. The grand prize winner will receive a trip to Hollywood to visit the set of Glee. Winners will be selected on the basis of singing ability, entertainment value and […]

No Picture
TV News & Program Updates

Cesar Millan and Scooby-Doo celebrate the big four-oh

September 8, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

Today in Los Angeles, noted dog behaviorist Cesar Millan (of the hit series Dog Whisperer) teamed up with noted cartoon dog Scooby-Doo to celebrate each other’s 40th birthday. The event, held at the East Valley Animal Shelter in Van Nuys, also raised awareness of pet adoption and garnered $10,000 for the Cesar and Ilusion Millan Foundation, courtesy of a Cartoon Network donation. But perhaps even more appreciated by the animals was the donation of 40,000 Snausages Scooby-Snacks! “I’m so happy to be celebrating my 40th birthday with an icon like Scooby-Doo,” said Millan. “And I’m thrilled to use this celebratory […]

No Picture
Interview

DJ AM’s last interview was personal, giving addicts hope

September 3, 2009 Barb Oates

By Barb Oates It seemed at age 36 Adam Goldstein (a.k.a. DJ AM) had finally overcome his demons. When we met in July, I never imagined he would be dead four weeks later — allegedly falling victim to the drug he so faithfully and confidently professed his sobriety to. Having survived last year’s devastating plane crash that killed four people and critically injured him and blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, he said to me: “I often sometimes go, ‘Why am I still here? How am I still here?’ And then I realize I’m never going to get the answer to that. […]

No Picture
Sports

College football kickoff weekend schedule on ESPN networks

September 3, 2009 Ryan Berenz

By Ryan Prepared for some collegiate pigskin? There are 28 games over the next five days on all of ESPN/ABC’s TV, radio, web and mobile media properties. Fifteen of the top 25 teams are in action on ESPN networks this weekend, including No. 3 Oklahoma, No. 5 Alabama, No. 6 Ohio State, No. 7 Virginia Tech and No. 8 Mississippi. ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU And ABC College Football Kickoff Week Schedule Sept. 3-7 Thursday, Sept. 3 South Carolina at N.C. State, 7pm ET, ESPN North Texas at Ball State, 7:30pm ET, ESPNU Oregon at Boise State, 10:15pm ET, ESPN