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Tag: Television

  • ‘Bates Motel’ Renewed for a Third Season

    According to A&E Network executive vice president and general manager David McKillop, the original drama-thriller series Bates Motel has been renewed for a third season. Production of ten new episodes, which are produced by Universal Television, will commence in the fall.

    Bates Motel stars Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore, and is described as being a “contemporary prequel” to Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1960 film Psycho, and details the life of Norman Bates and his mother Norma prior to the events depicted in Hitchcock’s film. The series takes place in a modern day setting, in a different fictional town – Bates Motel takes place in “White Pine Bay, Oregon (with its main industry being marijuana production), as opposed to Pyscho’s setting of “Fairvale, California).

    McKillop said in a statement on Monday, “The incredible writing team and talented Bates Motel cast has made this series one of the most compelling original dramas on television. The brilliant twists and turns of the past two seasons keep its loyal fanbase coming back for more. We are so proud of the show.”

    Here is the trailer for the series:

    Bates Motel, which is produced by Carlton Cuse of ABC’s Lost and Kerry Ehrin, is A&E’s top dramatic series of all time among adults 18-49. When season 2 premiered on March 3, 4.6 million viewers tuned in, including 2.6 million adults 18-49 and 2.2 million adults 25-54.

    Cuse has cited David Lynch’s cult classic Twin Peaks as being a primary model for Bates Motel, and commented, “We pretty much ripped off Twin Peaks. If you wanted to get that confession, the answer is yes. I loved that show. They only did 30 episodes. Kerry (Ehrin) and I thought we’d do the 70 that are missing.”

    Bates Motel has garnered generally favorable reviews, scoring 67% on Metacritic. Rotten Tomatoes has rated the series as being 86% “fresh.”

    Image via YouTube

  • ‘Derek’ Season 2: Here’s A Deleted Scene And Outtakes

    It was just announced that Netflix will debut Derek: Season 2 on May 30th after it hits the UK’s Channel 4 on April 23rd.

    Creator and star Ricky Gervais shared a deleted scene and some outtakes on his Facebook Page:

    Post by Ricky Gervais.

    Image via Facebook

  • ‘Derek’ Season 2 Gets Netflix Release Date

    ‘Derek’ Season 2 Gets Netflix Release Date

    The second season of Ricky Gervais’ Derek now has a Netflix release date, and it’s much earlier in the year than the first season’s.

    The show will return to Netflix on May 30th. Last year’s premiere was in September. The Netflix release, according to producer Charlie Henson, is worldwide.



    The season will hit Channel 4 in the UK on April 23rd.

    Netflix has already released second seasons of its originals Lilyhammer and House of Cards, and has set dates for those of Orange is the New Black and Derek. We’re still waiting to hear a date for Hemlock Grove’s sophomore season, though it is expected to be announced any day now.

    Image via Twitter

  • Hootsuite Recreates ‘Game Of Thrones’ Title Sequence For Social Networks

    Hootsuite has a new ad out taking advantage of all the hype around Game of Thrones. It’s a recreation of the show’s title sequence with social networks representing kingdoms. It’s appropriately titled “A Game of Social Thrones”.

    Not bad. It’s approaching 250,000 views since its Friday release.

    Image via YouTube

  • Microsoft And Yahoo Both Said To Be Working On New Original TV Shows

    Two reports are circulating this morning indicating that Microsoft and Yahoo are both working (separately) on new original television shows that would follow the high-quality series trend set by Netflix and followed by Amazon and others.

    Bloomberg is reporting that Microsoft’s Xbox TV studio plans to roll out new shows in June with a total of six series lined up. These include: Every Street United, Humans, Fearless, a comedy sketch show with Sarah Silverman and Michael Cera’s JASH comedy collective, a stop-motion show with Seth Green’s Stoopid Buddy Stoodios (of Robot Chicken fame) and a documentary series from the producers of Searching for Sugar Man. They’ll also reportedly offer a live broadcast of Bonnaroo. Bloomberg reports:

    Unlike the critically-lauded titles Netflix chooses by number-crunching its subscribers’ favorite actors and genres, Tellem said Microsoft’s marching orders are to focus on its gamer audience, typically males between 18 to 34 years old.

    “We aren’t trying to find something that’s going to be accepted by the largest common denominator, which is what a lot of people in the business look for,” she [Microsoft’s Nancy Tellem] said. “We’re focused on what we feel our audience on our platform wants.”

    Meanwhile, Yahoo is “close to ordering” four new web series, according to the Wall Street Journal. These are said to be 10-episode, half-hour comedies .

    Unlike Microsoft, Yahoo is not actually commenting on these plans yet.

    Image via Yahoo

  • Mickey Rooney, Legendary Actor, Dies At 93

    Mickey Rooney, Legendary Actor, Dies At 93

    Hollywood has lost another legend.

    Actor Mickey Rooney has died at age 93. TMZ has learned his death on Sunday, April 6 was due to natural causes.

    Born Joseph Yule, Jr., Rooney acted in more than 200 films over eight decades. Rooney began performing at 17 months old as part of his parents’ vaudeville routine.

    From 1927 to 1936 Rooney was known for his role as Mickey McGuire in several short films based on a character from the comic strip Toonerville Trolley.

    Rooney legally changed his name from Joseph Yule, Jr. to Mickey McGuire while he was shooting the short films to keep the creators of the comic strip from filing a copyright lawsuit. The name change didn’t work, and Rooney was to refrain from being called Mickey McGuire on- and offscreen. After this, Nellie Yule, Rooney’s mother, advised her son to go by the stage name Mickey Looney, he then slightly altered the last name to Rooney.

    Next came one of Rooney’s most notable roles – Andy Hardy. Rooney first played Hardy in the film A Family Affair. The unexpected success of A Family Affair led to 15 more Andy Hardy films released from 1937 to 1958.

    1937 was also the year Rooney met one of his favorite co-stars – Judy Garland. The pair first worked together in Thoroughbreds Don’t Cry. Garland played Betsy Booth in three of the Andy Hardy films. The two continued to work together in a string of musicals, including Babes in Arms, an Oscar-nominated film.

    Rooney’s leading role in the 1940 film Strike Up the Band made him the first teenager to ever be nominated for an Oscar.

    In 1954 Rooney took a stab at television, starring in 33 episodes of The Mickey Rooney Show as a “bumbling actor” trying to make it in show business. Ten years later Rooney starred in another television show Mickey, which ran for 17 episodes.

    Today’s youth got to know Rooney for his roles in the 2006 Ben Stiller film Night at the Museum and in 2011’s The Muppets starring Amy Adams and Jason Segel.

    At 5’2″ Rooney was quite the ladies man, having been married eight times, his first being to Hollywood beauty Ava Gardner. Throughout his eight marriages Rooney fathered nine children.

    In 2011 Rooney claimed he was afraid his stepson Chris Aber was going to kidnap him if Rooney didn’t sign over his assets. Months later the two reached a settlement and Rooney dropped the restraining order.

    Aber caused more trouble for Rooney when he siphoned money from Rooney’s accounts. Aber was made to pay Rooney $2.8 million last year. Things got worse for Aber after Rooney went in front of Congress to testify about elder abuse. Aber and his wife Christina allegedly deprived Rooney of food, medications, and blocked him from leaving his home.

    Fans took to Twitter to mourn the loss of Rooney.

    Three projects Rooney worked on are set to be released in 2014, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (October 4, 2014), Fragments from Olympus: The Vision of Nikola Tesla (October 31, 2014), and Old Soldiers (no release date set).

    Image via YouTube.

  • Anna Kendrick Brings Life Back to “Saturday Night Live”

    Anna Kendrick seems to be Saturday Night Live’s saving gem. The Pitch Perfect star hosted a giggly, upbeat, and musical SNL last night that was smart, funny, and well-executed. Many fans and critics bemoan the show’s fall from grace, and with a full cast of new faces and up-and-comers, it’s easy to overlook. It seems like Anna’s liveliness was the key to showing this young cast’s potential.

    The key? Musical numbers. As we’ve seen for most of the 2000s with Andy Samberg and The Lonely Island, there’s proof that songs are funny. There’s more room for absurd, off-beat humor when it’s set to a tune. It was a safe bet that Anna would bring some music to her hosting gig; she’s been a Tony nominee and saw a huge hit with Pitch Perfect’s “Cups” (which we saw briefly spoofed last night). She’s also set to star in the highly anticipated adaptation of Into the Woods, a musical interpretation of Cinderella. “I got my start in musical theater. When I was 10, my dad took me to see ‘Beauty on the Beast’ on Broadway and I just knew I wanted to be up there,” Anna says.

    Makes sense then for Anna’s monologue to feature her as Belle. Entertainment Weekly’s review of the show said Anna was “more charmingly amusing than laugh-out-loud funny,” but still won over the audience with “a combination of clever writing and higher-than-normal energy.” Doesn’t hurt that Anna’s partner in crime last night was Pharrell Williams, who has the biggest song in the country right now with “Happy” and likes to tote a hat that’s as funny as it is large. (Also, Anna’s Dong Song is sure to be a viral hit.)

    LA Times says that Anna’s “tiny adorableness” was a nice breath of fresh air in between episodes of Louis CK (who had a sort of dark tone to his performance) and next week’s show with Seth Rogen, which will most likely include a lot of pot jokes. It’s good to see a young cast shine when led by a bubbly, positive, and talented host.

    Image via Official Website

  • HIMYM Alternate Ending May Quell the Agitators

    This weird thing called democracy sure has its problems sometimes doesn’t it? After the ninth season finale of the CBS series How I Met Your Mother aired on March 31, all heck seemed to break loose from the faithful viewers of the show.

    Resolved not to keep their discontent marginalized to mere social media rantings (although that did happen, a lot),

    HIMYM viewers have composed a petition through change.org ready to submit to CBS to “Rewrite and Reshoot the HIMYM Ending.” So far, this petition has a whopping 17,866 signatures in less than seven days with only 7,134 to go.

    Their message: “You know it’s just wrong.”

    Feeling the heat, creators Carter Bays and co-creator Craig Thomas had to address the HIMYM nation before it got too unruly. Through a series a tweets, this paragraph was formed:

    “16 days ago today we were in the HIMYM edit room, trying to decide between two very different endings. We only shot one script, but through edit room magic we had two possible outcomes for the series. We chose the ending we chose and we stand by it. But we loved the other version too. We’re going to include that version on the Complete Series DVD as an alternate finale to How I Met Your Mother.”

    So sit tight. Maybe the apparently horrible ending was really just a ploy for a great Season DVD profit. Or maybe you, the viewers, have actually made a difference. Rock on, and continue to be outraged and become the Voice of the People to resolve the true things that really matter.


    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Jennette McCurdy Feud With Nickelodeon About Money?

    A child star is causing some drama. Color us shocked.

    Jennette McCurdy of iCarly fame, and now co-star on Nickelodeon’s Sam & Cat, has been feuding with Nickelodeon, and many thought it was about her recently leaked “racy photos.” Turns out if you thought that, you’d be wrong.

    McCurdy is upset that she makes less than co-star Ariana Grande. TMZ has learned that McCurdy has been trying to renegotiate her deal, but so far she has had no luck with the network. This further proves that McCurdy’s problem is with Nickelodeon, not Grande, like many had believed.

    Currently production of Sam & Cat, one of the most popular shows on Nickelodeon, has been halted and season two has not been ordered yet.

    Though a rep for Nickelodeon had an explanation for the halted production. The Nickelodeon rep said, “We are wrapping up what was an unusually long production cycle of ‘Sam & Cat,’ and everyone is understandably tired. We are going into our production hiatus next week which will give everyone on the show a much needed rest.” The rep added that the series would be back in the fall.

    It all started when fans noticed McCurdy was absent from the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards. The actress even took to Twitter to explain her absence.

    Her tweet continued on Twitlonger, “…thoroughly as I would like to, but unfortunately a simpler explanation is all I can write. I was put in an uncomfortable, compromising, unfair situation (many of you have guessed what it is) and I had to look out for me. I chose to not go because sticking up for what is right and what is fair is what my mom taught me is ALWAYS the most important thing. I want to thank those of you who have reached out with kind words of support, McCurdians and Arianators alike. No matter who or what you support, I believe in supporting fairness first. If you have done that, thank you.”

    McCurdy quickly made sure her tweet was understood.

    One fan took to Twitter to show her support for McCurdy’s decisions.

    While another completely blames McCurdy if Sam & Cat is not renewed.

    A rep for Nickelodeon said, “We have nothing but the utmost respect for Jennette and her talent.” If this is true, maybe a renegotiation will happen in the near future.

    Image via Jennette McCurdy, Twitter.

  • Halle Berry TV Show “Extant” Releases Teaser Trailer

    CBS has released a teaser trailer for their new summer series Extant. The sci-fi drama stars Halle Berry as Astronaut Molly Watts who is returning from space after a 13 month solo mission. The very short clip doesn’t tell us what or whom returned with Watts (possibly a baby). We do know that something came back from space with her. There’s also a very terrified look on her face as the trailer closes. The show is being produced by Steven Spielberg’s company Amblin Entertainment.

    Here’s a plot synopsis for the series taken from IMDB.com: An astronaut (Berry) returns home from a year long solo mission in space. She tries to reconnect with her husband and son in their everyday life. Her experiences in space and home lead to events that ultimately will change the course of human history.

    CBS ordered 13 episodes of the summer series without the benefit of a pilot. The premiere date is set for July 9.

    Spielberg said of landing Berry for Extant, “There’s only one Halle Berry and we are incredibly honored that she has chosen Extant to expand her illustrious career. As she does with everything she touches, she will bring a deep authenticity to her role and I very much look forward to working with her.” CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler added, “Halle is the type of award-winning actress you dream of collaborating with for an event project such as Extant.”

    There are a couple other familiar television faces in the series as well. Goran Visnjic (ER) will play Berry’s husband John Watts. Camryn Manheim (The Practice, Ghost Whisperer) plays a character named Sam Barton.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Netflix’s ‘House Of Cards’ And ‘Orange Is The New Black’ Win Peabody Awards

    The awards for Netflix’s original programming just keep coming. Now, House of Cards and Orange is the New Black have both won Peabody Awards, which are designed to award “stories that matter”.

    Both shows have been ever-present throughout the awards circuit, and both are just in their sophomore seasons, with House of Cards: Season 2 having been released a couple months ago, and Orange is the New Black: Season 2 due out in June.

    Some words from Peabody Awards Director Dr. Jeffrey P. Jones:

    By recognizing specific programming, the Peabody Awards spotlight instances of how electronic media can teach, expand our horizons, defend the public interest, or encourage empathy with others. Such excellent stories exist across genres and media types, and across regions and borders.

    When the first set of Peabody Awards were given out in 1941, broadcasting meant radio. Before the decade was over, the scope of the award grew to include television storytelling. By the late 20th Century, television was redefined through cable and satellite technologies. The Peabody Awards again recognized shifts in storytelling as a result of these changes.

    Early into the 21st century, we began to celebrate exemplary web content, which continues to open doors for new forms of storytelling. And now, with programming readily available for on-demand and online streaming through new platforms and exhibition spaces, what separates these spaces is less meaningful than the stories being told there. Throughout all this, the scope of the Peabody Awards continues to grow as media changes, but our goal remains the same: to recognize stories that matter.

    Obviously Netflix’s big hits illustrate Jones’ point about the changing landscape of how we consume media. These shows have been huge in ushering in web content as a truly valid and respected form of entertainment on par with premium cable channels.

    You can see all the winners here.

    Image via Twitter

  • Heather Locklear Vacations with Richie Sambora

    Actress Heather Locklear and Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora were spotted walking the beach together in Kona, Hawaii on Sunday. After being married for 13 years, the two divorced in 2007, though have maintained an amicable relationship. The two have one daughter together, Ava, who is 16.

    The divorce made headlines after Sambora, 54, began dating Charlie Sheen ex Denise Richards, shortly after his separation from Locklear. Richards and Locklear were close friends at the time, which added insult to injury. Locklear, 52, went on to start a relationship with Melrose Place costar Jack Wagner, which lasted 4 years.

    Locklear is best known for her television roles as Sammy Jo Carrington on Dynasty, Officer Stacy Sheridan on T.J. Hooker, Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place and as Caitlin Moore on Spin City.

    Both Locklear and Sambora have seen substance abuse-related mishaps over the years, and both have been arrested for driving under the influence, as well as checking into rehab facilities. In March, 2008 Locklear’s doctor called 911 claiming that he thought his patient was suicidal, but emergency personnel deemed the actress to be fine upon arriving at her Westlake Village home.

    In January, 2012 Locklear’s sister called the authorities, believing the actress was in danger after ingesting alcohol along with prescription medication. Locklear spent some time at Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks, California after the incident.

    Also in March, 2008 Sambora was arrested for driving under the influence in Laguna Beach. Daughter Ava, who was ten, was a passenger in the vehicle at the time.

    Locklear and Sambora were both able to recover. Locklear is now featured on TNT’s legal comedy-drama Franklin & Bash, and Sambora was allowed to bring his talkbox back on tour with Bon Jovi.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • David Duchovny Signs On For NBC Drama About Charles Manson

    David Duchovny has been seen in a handful of films, but perhaps he will always be known as a television actor. As one show ends, another will begin, and he is finally returning to broadcast television, years after The X-Files ended.

    He gained his initial fame as FBI Agent Fox Mulder on The X-Files, and for the past seven years, he has played the constantly drunk, and sex-crazed author, Hank Moody on Californication.

    Chairman of NBC Entertainment Robert Greenblatt said of his casting that “After being involved in the production of both The X-Files and Californication, it gives me great pleasure to work with David Duchovny for the third time on this compelling drama.”

    The series is called Aquarius, and has been given a 13-episode series order before shooting its pilot. However, the show is also being billed as an event series, and may only last for one season. It is similar to what is being done with 24: Live Another Day, and NBC is also bringing back Heroes in a way with an event series called Heroes: Reborn.

    In his return to broadcast television, Duchovny will play a Los Angeles police sergeant who is tracking the infamous cult leader recruiting young women for his “cause,” who has become infamously known as Charles Manson.

    According to NBC, “The twists and turns of a complicated undercover operation will lead Duchovny’s character and his young partner to the brink of Manson’s crimes that will eventually lead to the Tate-LaBianca murders in subsequent seasons.”

    Despite ordering people to commit multiple murders, the tale of Charles Manson has continually sparked interest in people in a similar way to someone like Hannibal Lecter. At the end of the investigation, Manson was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, and he is currently serving a life sentence in Corcoran State Prison in California.

    Aquarius will be set in the late 1960’s, a few years before Charles Manson was caught, and feature a thrilling pursuit of the infamous criminal. Duchovny feels that the show has a chance to be special, and looks forward to getting started with it.

    David Duchovny, who has received Golden Globe nominations for both Californication and The X-Files, has booked his next gig following the seventh and final season of his showtime hit. Season seven of Californication will begin on April 13.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • ‘House Of Cards’ Season 3: Beau Willimon Gives ‘Sneak Peak’ (Yes, ‘Peak’)

    Beau Willimon, showrunner on Netflix’s House of Cards, tweeted a “sneak peak” of the first scene of the third season today.

    Something about it sounds familiar.

    Just in case you’re seeing this on another day in the future, please note the publication date.

    They are in the middle of writing the season though. That’s true.

    Image via Twitter

  • Netflix’s ‘Narcos’ Gets Star, Showrunner [Report]

    Netflix has had an upcoming original series called Narcos in the works for quite some time, but we’ve heard very little about its progress until now.

    Deadline first reported on the Gaumont International Television project as a Netflix original early last year, saying it would debut in 2014, and that it would be thirteen episodes and directed by Jose Padilha, known for the Elite Squad films and more recently the Robocop remake.

    Deadline got another exclusive on this show, and is now reporting that Chris Brancato will run the it, and that it will star Wagner Moura, a well-known star in Brazil, as Pablo Escobar. It also shares this description::

    The series will chronicle the life and death of Escobar, the ruthless cartel boss and known terrorist who also was a congressman, a family man and revered by the poor as a new Robin Hood….[It]begins with the hunt for Escobar but moves on to the rise and subsequent fall of the Cali cartel, the north valley cartel, and the move into Mexico….

    Netflix has worked with Gaumont on Hemlock Grove, which is due for a second season very soon, though no announcement has been made yet.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • January Jones Plays Prank on Ex-Boyfriend

    January Jones Plays Prank on Ex-Boyfriend

    During her segment on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Friday, actress January Jones recounted how she’d pulled a fast one on her high school ex- boyfriend, Sioux Falls, South Dakota Realtor Tony Erickson.

    The preemptive April Fool’s prank began on Thursday, when Erickson noticed a few missed calls from a Los Angeles area code at his Hegg ReaItors office. When he’d finally picked up, it was Jones, 36, at the other end, a fellow Roosevelt High School alum. Erickson commented, “This is the last person I thought would be calling me. I hadn’t talked to her in 20 years.”

    Jones told him she was flying into Sioux Falls on Friday with the intention of buying some property, and wanted Erickson to meet her at Sioux Falls Regional Airport with some options put together. Erickson compiled some $1 million to $2 million property listings and went to the airport.

    “I really didn’t know what to think. It kind of took me off guard,” Erickson said. “So I asked her more what she was looking for. She played along with it well. Obviously, she’s a fantastic actress.”

    When Erickson arrived at the airport, he was met by five fellow employees, one of which had paper over her face with an image of Jones on it. Erickson then realized he’d been tricked, and Jones texted him to tell him to tune into her Fallon appearance on Friday. Jones sure enough began describing the prank, adding that “He (Erickson) broke my heart 20 years ago. He deserved it.”

    Erickson’s wife Christine, who was in on the prank, said “Nobody deserves it more than he does. He’s sent people from his office on wild goose chases.” Tony Erickson added, “It was pretty funny. She did a great job. But as soon as Jimmy Fallon said my name the first time, I thought that was it. And right away I’m getting texts and Facebook messages, and it’s still pretty crazy.”

    January Jones is best known for playing Betty Draper on AMC’s critically acclaimed hit series Mad Men, which will commence its final season on April 13th.

    Image via YouTube

  • Crackle And Rdio Launch Chromecast Support [Update: So Does Vudu]

    Update: Vudu has also launched Chromecast support.

    Google already has a hit on its hands with the Chromecast, and it’s only going to get better as more apps support it. Google launched the SDK out of beta just last month, essentially giving developers the license to go wild and make their own products Chromecast-ready.

    Today, Crackle and Rdio both announced support.

    If you’re unfamiliar with Crackle, it’s a unit of Sony Pictures Television, and features free movies and shows, and even some originals. Crackle says:

    Google Chromecast owners can now watch Crackle’s curated collection of hit movies and television shows, including genres like action, comedy, crime, horror and sci-fi; as well as original Crackle series such as Jerry Seinfeld’s Emmy nominated “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,” “Chosen,” starring Chad Michael Murray and Rose McGowan and “Cleaners,” starring Emmanuelle Chiriqi and David Arquette. Fan favorite shows available on Crackle include “Seinfeld,” “The Shield,” “Damages” and much more.

    Crackle has apps on Android, iOS and Chrome for Windows and Macs.

    Rdio is a service for listening to, discovering and sharing music. It’s available on iOS and Android.

    “Rdio on Google Chromecast marks another milestone in Rdio’s commitment to delivering the best music experience everywhere,” said Rdio CEO Anthony Bay. “Music fans can access Rdio’s massive catalog of over 20 million songs or start a station easily, all from Chromecast on their TV.”

    Chromecast recently expanded into the UK. Meanwhile, the competition is heating up.

    Image via YouTube

  • ‘House, M.D.’ Complete Series About To Hit Netflix

    On Friday, we posted our weekly list of titles that are coming to Netflix. One that we probably should have highlighted more given the apparently huge interest in the show is House, M.D. A Netflix spokesperson tells it will be available for streaming in the U.S. on April 1st.

    As described by Netflix:

    This Emmy-winning hospital drama stars Hugh Laurie as the perpetually ornery yet indisputably brilliant Dr. Gregory House, a paradoxical physician who loathes his patients but has a knack for treating the most mysterious afflictions.

    Assuming this isn’t an April Fool’s joke (that’s only if Netflix is the one playing the joke), you can expect it to be available on Tuesday. We’re not sure what time it will actually appear, but keep an eye out.

    You might also be interested to know that the sixth season of Mad Men just became available as well. You get roughly two weeks to get caught up on that until the new season begins.

    See more recently added titles here.

    Image via Netflix

  • Michael Chiklis Joins Cast of American Horror Story

    The creators of FX’s American Horror Story revealed Friday that the Emmy Golden Globe award-winning actor Michael Chiklis will be joining the cast of season four, entitled Freakshow.

    Freakshow will be set in Jupiter, Florida in 1950 and will star Jessica Lange. For this chapter of the America Horror Story anthology, Lange will play a German expatriate managing one of the last remaining freakshows in the U.S.

    The cast of American Horror Story: Coven gathered for the closing night of Paleyfest at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, and creator Ryan Murphy revealed that all who were on the panel will be returning for Freakshow. Chilkis was also introduced for his role as a season four character who will be the ex-husband of Kathy Bates’ character, and the father of Even Peters’ character. Here’s the full clip:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie9wDi0pUCk

    Confirmed returning cast members include include Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Gabourey Sidibe, Jamie Brewer, Frances Conroy and Kathy Bates, and they’ll portray freakshow performers that Lange’s character has rescued. Denis O’Hare and Emma Roberts are also negotiating a return for AHS season 4.

    Here’s a promo for Freakshow:

    Twitter intrigue regarding the casting of Chiklis:

    Chiklis, 50, is best known for his roles including include Commissioner Tony Scali on the ABC police comedy-drama The Commish, LAPD Detective Vic Mackey on the FX police drama The Shield, the Thing in the Fantastic Four film series and as Jim Powell on the ABC science-fiction comedy-drama No Ordinary Family. He also appeared as Vincent Savino in the CBS Crime drama Vegas.

    Image via YouTube

  • Vitamix Blender Spoof with Fallon, Schwarzenegger

    While aping the popular home shopping network QVC Monday, former California governor and action star Arnold Schwarzenegger joined The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon to demonstrate a Vitamix blender, as well as a “Slap Chop” slicing and dicing utensil.

    Schwarzenegger was also promoting his latest fundraising venture, which involves the Sabotage star running over things in an old Austrian tank. Schwarzenegger explained, “This is the actual tank I drove in the Austrian army when I was 18 years old. Now we are using it for fundraising, as I am very passionate about after school programs.”

    Regarding the QVC spoof, Schwarzenegger told Fallon during his interview, “When I see a product I really love, I really get into it, I get behind it, I want it to be successful and to sell it- that’s just me.” That was the segue into a skit called Now We’re Cookin’ With Zach Striker, which starred a blonde-wigged Fallon and Schwarzenegger as a famous and Slap Chop-obsessed foodie.

    An increasingly impatient Schwarzenegger, drawing upon his acting experience from 1987’s sci-fi epic Predator, repeatedly exclaimed, “Let’s Get to the Chopper!,” while growing ever impatient with Fallon’s Vitamix blender presentation:

    Here’s the clip:

    After flipping the demonstration table over, Schwarzenegger warns, “I’ll be back,” one his most famous lines, taken from James Cameron’s 1984 sci-fi classic The Terminator.

    Here’s the trailer for Schwarzenegger’s latest film, Sabotage:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeHpSdQSH0c

    Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger was born on July 30, 1947, and is an Austrian American actor, politician, businessman, investor and former professional bodybuilder. Schwarzenegger served two terms as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011, won the Mr. Universe title at age 20, and went on to win the Mr. Olympia contest seven times. Schwarzenegger is also considered to be a Hollywood icon, starring in major hits including Conan the Barbarian (1982), Commando (1985), Predator (1987), Twins (1988), Total Recall (1990), Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) and True Lies (1994).

    Image via YouTube

  • Once Upon A Time In Wonderland Has Been Cancelled By ABC

    It probably does not come as a surprise to most people, but Once Upon A Time In Wonderland will not be returning to ABC for a second season. The show shares certain elements, but has a completely different cast.

    The series was a spin-off from their hit show Once Upon A Time, although it was never able to pick up the same popularity that the original had. Making a spin-off can often be a risky decision, and while it has worked well in a handful of situations, some spin-offs have also failed miserably.

    There were rumors that Once Upon A Time In Wonderland was on the verge of being cancelled for a while, but the news was officially confirmed that it would not be returning in the fall by ABC on Friday.

    On Thursday night, it was also announced that next week’s episode would be the series finale, rather than simply a season finale. The series stars Sophie Lowe as Alice, and similarly to Once Upon A Time, it even introduced a former cast member from Lost, having Naveen Andrews as Jafar. Both shows share creators Adam Horowitz and Edwart Kitsis, who had worked together on ABC’s Lost.

    Despite the fact that Once Upon A Time In Wonderland recently saw its highest rating since airing in November, the show only averages about 3.3 million viewers, while its predecessor Once Upon A Time is currently No. 1 in its slot with adults 18-49 for the 3rd week in a row.

    Once Upon A Time In Wonderland has struggled with its slot of Thursday at 8 p.m., while Once Upon A Time continues to have success on Sunday nights at 8 p.m. The original story that was planned for the spin-off will have completed as a stand-alone season, but there was a hope that there could be a new tale told in the same world next season.

    Once Upon A Time has been one of ABC’s flagship series for the past three seasons, and while it has not been officially ordered for next season yet, it is expected to return. The first one did not prove to be a success, but perhaps a Once Upon A Time spin-off in another land could work out better.

    Since Once Upon A Time In Wonderland did not yield a second season, is there a Disney land that would work better? The original show has featured time in Neverland, and recently alluded to Oz, should one of them spark a separate series?

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