Ugh, according to Michael Ausiello (now of TVGuide EW fame, that was odd to write) two of our favorite Dillon Panthers have been cut from the team show.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS is one of my favorite shows so hearing anything about the upcoming 3rd season is wonderful… except for this. At Paley, we knew Jason Katims was dedicated to bringing Smash’s story to a close and all I can hope for is the best… Street, oh well. At least Murderball has a new star player.
Sources confirm to me exclusively that two of the show’s MVPs, Gaius Charles (Smash) and Scott Porter (Jason), have been taken off contract and will only appear on a recurring basis in Season 3. Although NBC isn’t talking, I’m told the decision was made for both budgetary and creative reasons.
Total bummer, I know, but not a complete surprise. In the case of Smash, executive producer Jason Katims conceded that finding a way to justify hanging onto his college-bound running back would be difficult. “The Smash story definitely creates a challenge for us,” he told me back in May. “He will presumably have graduated [when we return in the fall]. It’s definitely going to require some finessing and the right balance between taking the right amount of poetic license, but not doing anything that would question the authenticity and believability that is so important to our show.”
Similarly, maintaining the viability of Jason – the Panthers’ ex-starting quarterback who was left paralyzed by a Season 1 injury – has also presented challenges. One possible exit strategy has Jason leaving Dillon to start a new life with his pregnant girlfriend.
One thing you can be sure of: Katims remains committed to bringing both characters’ storylines to a satisfying conclusion. As one insider assures, “He has too much respect for the fans — as well as both actors — to leave them hanging like that.”
Holy Frak, I love when shows give a blast from the past and from the video below, it looks like THE CLOSER is going back to a season 1 baddie who had a little obsession with Dept. Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson.
Take a peek at The Closer Season 4:
Oh yes folks, that’s Jason O’Mara reprising his role as Billy Croelick, the psycho from episode 1.12 “Fatal Retraction” — oh this is going to be good!
If you’re hankering for some HEROES, how about some webisode action? It seems like forever since we left Sylar lying in the alley as Chapter Three: Villians was revealed and it was thanks to the WGA strike. Thankfully the future is near as we get closer and closer to Season 3.
Here is a sneak peek at the new HEROES webisodes that premiere on July 14th at NBC.com
This week I got the chance to join a call with some other TV Bloggers to help promote Tricia Helfer’s upcoming stint on Burn Notice. You know and love Helfer from her role as Caprica 6 on the fraktacular Battlestar Galactica and I’m happy to say I love her more now than I ever did before.
On with the Q&A where she’ll talk the end of Battlestar, her new pilot Inseparable and her new role as Carla on Burn Notice!
Panel: Can you start off telling us what is Carla’s back story and how many of the episodes are you going to be in in season two?
T. Helfer: I’m going to be in, I think, seven episodes of the 16 being done. I’m in the first two, and I think the season finale, and then will be in 2009’s episodes as well.
To be completely honest, I really don’t know much of Carla’s back story. Just as she’s mysterious to Michael, she’s also mysterious to the audience, and I think we’ll learn more about her as Michael does and the audience does. At this point, I’ve only filmed the first two episodes, so I have yet to discover a lot about Carla myself. I do know that she was a spy, and that she is now the public face of the organization that burns Michael. So she is definitely in a leadership position, and, at this point, pretty much ordering Michael around.
Panel: Is it difficult coming into a show that’s already become an established hit? I know with Battlestar, I think you were the face of Battlestar Galactica for several months before the series, but here with Burn Notice it’s already had a season and is very well known.
T. Helfer: It’s always daunting going into a show as a guest in a guest role, but with Burn Notice, I honestly can’t say how wonderful they were and how welcoming they were to me. When I first signed on, Jeffrey e-mailed me and welcomed me on, and it’s just nice knowing you’re going down to an open, warm environment, and that people are looking forward to working with you and that type of thing. I sat down with Matt Nix before I went down, and we had a good chat. He gave me a bit of a story arc at that point before they had started filming. Things are still being written, so I could get a broad overview, but no specifics really.
It’s definitely easier starting in the beginning with the whole cast and crew, but stepping into a show that you can see and you can see the tone of the show, it’s easier to try and fit in, knowing how they’re going and what they’re looking for. There are pros and cons to both, but they were absolutely welcoming to me. Read the rest of this entry »
Last night the top 14 dancers were pushed to their limits with 2 routines each on the latest episode of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. Kath and I take all 14 to task in this week’s SYTYCD Podcast!
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Read my So You Think You Can DanceAfterElton recaplet , then listen to our latest SYTYCD Podcast to get all of my thoughts on the Top 14 performing. Quickly, two dances for seven couples was waaaay too much this week. It killed the momentum of the show and it killed the personality I come to appreciate from seeing the rehearsal process… that being said, I didn’t love it any less.
There are a ton of videos to get to this week so let’s go…
We threatened to never do another TV Talk Podcast if you didn’t flock to iTunes and leave us comments… well I’m happy to report that you love us as much as we love you! Thanks to your generosity, we are back and this week’s podcast is a lot of fun!
We revise our thoughts on Swingtown now that we’re both completely caught up (and loving it), we talk about my chat with Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica) and her stint on Burn Notice plus some scoop on her new Fox pilot Inseparable.
Next we tackle one of the most talked about Fall pilots, J.J. Abrams FRINGE! Kath and I will review the plot, the mystery and the hotness that is Josh Jackson but don’t worry we don’t spoil anything for you! We’re good like that!
Then it’s time for some listener emails because you guys are cramazing!
Who wants to talk Comic-Con? No? Tough because we run down the shows that will be in San Diego and vent our frustrations over the scheduling. If you’re going to be in town for Comic-Con and you’re a reader or listener, let us know… we’d love to see you!
Before wrapping up this week we have a little fun with our TV version of F, Marry, Kill! That’s right, we each pick one we’d boink, one we’d marry and one we’d go Dexter Morgan on. join in the fun and leave us some comments about who you’d F, Marry and Kill based on our choices. We’ll read some of them on the air in our next podcast.
Hey Bostonians…are you a fan of THE CLOSER? Then join us on Wednesday, July 9th as we get a sneak peek at the Season 4 premiere episode at THE CLOSER Season 4 Boston Premiere Party.
Join Ducky & GMMR and star of THE CLOSER, Tony Denison (Det. Andy Flynn) as we properly kick off season 4 of the hit TNT show with appetizers, a dessert buffet in honor of Brenda Johnson’s sweet tooth, and plenty of prize giveaways.
If you want to attend the invite-only party, here are the details you need to know:
To Enter: Everyone has something to confess. Have you called in sick when you really hit the beach? Do you have a crush on the adorable co-worker in the next cube? Have you ever used a headache as your excuse? Share a confession with us and you might just be able to join us to kick off Season 4 of THE CLOSER. Important! You must be 21+ to attend the event. IDs will be checked at the door.
Event Details: When: Wednesday, July 9th at 7:30pm (GMMR/Ducky readers to meet up a little earlier) Where: Ned Devine’s, Fanueil Hall Who: You, THE CLOSER’s Tony Denison, GMMR & Ducky…and a whole lotta fans of the show
*Please only enter if you can be sure that you can be there on Wednesday night. We want a fun crowd representing Ducky & GMMR, right?
Today, the Orlando Sentinel released the first 5 minutes of the new Batman film, The Dark Knight. It was one of Heath Ledger’s last films before he died and the dude is creepy ass… Hey look, it’s William Fichtner, that makes this TV related, right?
Well, I’m happy to announce that Jeannie Tate is back and on vacation! Jeannie and Russell hit the streets of Rome, stalk Bill Hader and wonder why Tina wanted to know if they had a blender in the house.
As always, watch the simply divine and utterly genius Jeannie Tate Show (episode 7):
I won’t lie, I missed seeing those vicious circles called Tina Tate’s eyes but at least there were still a couple jokes at her expense. You know that bitch is living it up at home while Tina and Russell are away. Can she drive anymore? Who’s taking those kids to soccer practice? Jeannie, I’ve missed you!
We’re still two months away from the actual EMMY Awards, but with all of the short-list action being revealed, I had to do a quick Emmy post about where all of our favorite shows stand in the race for Gold. Thanks to Tom O’Neil at GoldDerby for keeping all of us on top of this crazy Emmy process.
Kristin Chenoweth (hey girl, love me some Pushing Daisies) and my main man Neil Patrick Harris will reveal the nominees on July 17th.
Here’s how the categories are shaping up for the pre-Emmy short-list. From these nominees below, the final groups will be determined - but know this… someone or something below will win!
*Updated: 7/2/08 - Still to be announced is the Best Male Comedy which rumor has it, features my boy Lee Pace!
BEST DRAMA ACTOR
Gabriel Byrne, “In Treatment” (”Paul and Gina: Week 4″)
Kyle Chandler, “Friday Night Lights” (”Last Day of Summer”)
Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad” (”Pilot”)
Patrick Dempsey, “Grey’s Anatomy” (episode?)
Michael C. Hall, “Dexter (”There’s Something About Harry”)
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men” (”The Wheel”)
Eddie Izzard, “The Riches” (”Last Temptation of Wayne”)
Hugh Laurie, “House” (”House’s Head”)
Denis Leary, “Rescue Me” (”Babyface”)
James Spader, “Boston Legal” (”The Court Supreme”)
BEST DRAMA ACTRESS
Patricia Arquette, “Medium” ( “Aftertaste”)
Glenn Close, “Damages” (”Pilot”)
Minnie Driver, “The Riches” (”Dead Calm”)
Sally Field, “Brothers and Sisters” (”History Repeating”)
Mariska Hargitay, “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” (”Undercover”)
Holly Hunter, “Saving Grace” (”Tacos, Tulips, Duck and Spices”)
Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men” (”The Hobo Code”)
Mary McDonnell, “Battlestar Galactica” (”Faith”)
Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer” (”Manhunt”)
Jeanne Tripplehorn, “Big Love” (”Take Me As I Am”)
BEST SUPPORTING DRAMA ACTRESS
Jane Alexander, “Tell Me You Love Me” (Episode 10)
Candice Bergen, “Boston Legal” (”The Mighty Rogues”)
Rose Byrne, “Damages” (”Because I Know Patty”)
Jill Clayburgh, “Dirty Sexy Money” (”The Watch”)
Sharon Gless, “Burn Notice” (”Identity”)
Rachel Griffiths, “Brothers and Sisters” (”Domestic Issues”)
Christina Hendricks, “Mad Men” (”Babylon”)
S. Epatha Merkerson, “Law and Order” (”Bottomless”)
Sandra Oh, “Grey’s Anatomy” (”The Becoming”)
Dianne Wiest, “In Treatment” (”Paul and Gina: Week ?”)
Chandra Wilson, “Grey’s Anatomy” (”Lay Your Hands on Me”)
I just got off the call with Tricia Helfer, that frakkin’ kick ass actress from Battlestar Galactica and now Burn Notice and I’m happy to say I love her more now than I ever did before.
While I won’t have the full interview up for another day or so, I wanted to quick share some of the highlights about her stint with Michael Westen on Burn Notice, her plans for Comic-Con and her role as Mason on the Fox pilot Inseparable.
Comic-Con and Battlestar Galactica:
Tricia confirmed that she will be attending the BSG Comic-Con panel and that the theme this year is Cylon/Human Couples. So far she knows that Six & Baltar will share the stage with Starbuck & Anders. Frak, that sounds awesome!
I asked her about whether or not there is hope for the humans and the cylons now that they’ve discovered a devastated Earth and she seemed optomistic without revealing a frakkin’ thing (damn, those trained to not spoil). She thinks that the cylons that are in cooperation with the humans will work together and keep pushing forward, that they have to keep trying because that’s their nature.
She heads back to Vancouver for the final shots of the Battlestar Galactica series tomorrow and the mood on set is frantic. She said that instead of everyone being relaxed and laid back like she thought it would be, everyone is crazy busy and trying to cram so much into their normal production schedule so everyone is like walking zombies up there in Canada.
Being her first series finale, she doesn’t know how she’ll feel when she walks off the lot for the last time but she imagines it will be rough.
Tricia Helfer talks Burn Notice:
Her character Carla will torment Michael even when she’s not on screen. Even though she’s only shot the first two episodes of the season, she’s done some call in work for upcoming episodes where she’ll be taunting our gang via cell phone. As she put it, “Carla is always watching!”, so while she may not be on the show, that’s all the rest of the characters are talking about. Loves it!
She believes that she’ll be in 7 episodes total. 2 this half of the season (the summer portion) and 5 when the show returns for the second half of Season 2 in early 2009. So yeah, but boo… that means we’re getting very little Burn Notice this summer. Probably 8 eps before disappearing.
She has yet to film a scene with Gabriel Anwar’s Fiona but assumes that those scenes will not be pretty. She’s dying to see what happens between them though! Aren’t we all sista!!!
What about Fox’s new pilot INSEPARABLE?
She plays a police psychologist named Mason who has treated the main character both before his paralyzing accident and after so she knows the heart of this man.
Her character is not in the pilot that much but becomes a larger focus as the next few episodes unfold.
It looks like Inseparable will be a mid-season show for Fox’s early 2009 schedule.
She was incredibly energetic, fun, and chatty for it being 8am in Los Angeles. I have to say that she’s my new BFF and just doesn’t realize it. Katee Sackoff watch you ass! Do you think she would pull my bicycle behind her hog or get me a sidecar? Helfer, call me!
If you’re not watching ABC Family’s new hilarious action-adventure/sci-fi/comedy THE MIDDLEMAN you’re missing out. It’s pretty damn great and one of my favorite things about the show is the character Wendy Watson played to the snarkiest by actress Natalie Morales.
Last week I participated in a call with Natalie and she was fun, personable and willing to chat… that’s how I like my girls. Guess which question was mine!
Panel: In real life, how are you with weird things, like are you jaded or do you usually freak out?
N. Morales: What do you mean weird things?
Panel: Like your character, she’s just jaded.
N. Morales: You know what? No, I grew up as an only child and so I’ve always kind of been curious and interested in a lot of stuff. In that, I think Wendy and I have a lot in common.
Panel: What do you enjoy most about playing her?
N. Morales: I think, I get to have fun with her. They kind of let me have free range on the comedic styling’s of Wendy Watson. I get to deliver lines in a crazy fashion if I feel like it. I love doing that. I love the fact that she’s sort of the comedic relief of the show in a way, even though Ida pretty much steals the show. She’s very funny.
Panel: What’s the stunt work like?
N. Morales: The stunt work is pretty interesting, actually. Greg Burnette, who’s our stunt coordinator is just amazing. If you look him up, …300,000 credits. He just rules. He teaches me stuff and I actually get to do a lot of my own stunts. I’ve done wire work and a bunch of things like that, a lot of falling and yes, I actually love the stunt work. I really do.
Wow gang, the SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE SPOILERS this week have kind of been all over the place so more than ever this is just a hodge-podge of what I could find online for you folks. It may get a little clearer as the day unfolds and I will update accordingly.
Tomorrow night is the night kids, I cannot wait! We are in Week 4 of performances and I still love this show more than ice-cream and sparklers.
So You Think You Can Dance Season 4 (Week 4) routines and choreographer spoilers after the jump… Read the rest of this entry »
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