TV News & Program Updates Archives - Page 454 of 462

Raimi Back in Syndication

July 17, 2008 Jeff Pfeiffer

Posted by RabbitEars Sam Raimi (Spider-Man) and the team that helped him make the syndicated hits Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess is back in the national syndication game, this time producing a series based on Terry Goodkind’s fantasy bestseller Wizard’s First Rule. As with the other two series, this one features the rugged and beautiful New Zealand landscape as its filming backdrop in the story of a woodsman who discovers his own magical powers and must use them to stop a tyrant from unleashing an ancient evil. Wizard’s First Rule has been cleared to air in 95% […]

Family’s Affairs

July 17, 2008 Jeff Pfeiffer

Posted by RabbitEars ABC Family held its TCA presentation this morning, with a few notable announcements: * The Secret Life of the American Teenager, an immediate hit for the network after premiering just two weeks ago (it debuted to the network’s highest original series telecast ever), has already been renewed for thirteen additional episodes. One of these new episodes will air in September, while the remaining 12 will hit the airwaves in January. * Greek returns for another season Aug. 26. As it returns, spring break is over, and the gang returns to campus to complete their school year. * […]

Ashton and Company Come Knockin’

July 16, 2008 Jeff Pfeiffer

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 […]

Imperioli Lands on “Mars”

July 16, 2008 Jeff Pfeiffer

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 […]

Holmes Romances the “Stone”

July 16, 2008 Jeff Pfeiffer

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 […]

Perlman’s “Anarchic” Ride

July 15, 2008 Jeff Pfeiffer

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 […]

Aftereffects of FX

July 15, 2008 Jeff Pfeiffer

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 […]

TCA Talk #2

July 11, 2008 Jeff Pfeiffer

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, […]

I Think I'm Gonna Blog "Hurl!"

July 10, 2008 Ryan Berenz

Posted by Ryan Not disgusted enough by the gastronomical excesses of competitive eating contests? Then see if you’ve got the stomach to handle G4’s new reality competition series Hurl! This half-hour series, premiering July 15 at 9pm ET, has all the gluttony of your standard speed-eating contest, but adds a twist. Following their fill-up with food, the engorged contestants have to do a challenge designed to test the very limits of the human esophagus — carnival rides, bungee jumping, high diving, mechanical bull-riding or anything else that will get them green about the gills. The last one to lose his […]

TCA Talk

July 10, 2008 Jeff Pfeiffer

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 […]