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Tag: Television

  • Amber Stevens Marries ‘Greek’ Costar

    22 Jump Street actress Amber Stevens married her Greek costar Andrew J. West on Friday.

    The two exchanged vows at the Carondelet House in Los Angeles. West, 31, commented, “I could not imagine a better send-off into the rest of our lives together. Amber was beaming all night. We were surrounded by so much love.”

    Stevens, 28, added, “It was the most magical night of my life. I wish I could rewind and play it again, but I’m so looking forward to our future together.”

    The couple met on the set of the defunct ABC Family dramedy Greek, which concerned the dealings of the students of fictional Cyprus-Rhodes University who participated in the school’s fraternity and sorority system.

    During a guest spot on Conan in June, Stevens recalled the first time she met West, who is best known as “Gareth” on AMC’s The Walking Dead. “He came in to play my boyfriend on the show (Greek). We were introduced by the casting director, and I remember I went back to the hair and makeup room immediately and started Googling him. I was like, ‘Well, that guy was cute!’,” the actress remarked.

    Thank you @cakeandart ! (And @abhiously for the photobomb) #cakeandart #amberandandy

    A photo posted by Andrew J West (@andrewjwest) on

    Stevens, daughter of former American Top 40 host and present The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson announcer Shadoe Stevens, added, “At the very end of the day was a heavy make-out scene. The catering came out, and it was Indian food. And he just couldn’t resist. So he came over to me and said, ‘I hope it’s okay with you, but … I really want to eat this Indian food. But I know we have to kiss later, is that cool?’ And I was like, ‘Yes!’”

    Stevens, who has a blog called Amber Eats LA, added, “I thought it was so hot that he wanted to eat. It was really important to me that I found a man who enjoyed eating.”

    Ladies and gentlemen, my Wife! @stevecowell_photo #amberandandy

    A photo posted by Andrew J West (@andrewjwest) on

    Stevens will next be seen in the horror film Jessabelle, and West will appear in the comedy Walter, alongside Peter Facinelli.

  • Sarah Michelle Gellar: Prinze Jr. Exaggerating Post-Op

    Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar’s husband of 12 years, Freddie Prinze Jr., has been exaggerating about the difficulty of his spinal surgery postoperative recovery, according to the former Buffy the Vampire Slayer star.

    Prinze Jr., 38, underwent the procedure in November, and is presently doing physical therapy. The I Know What You Did Last Summer and She’s All That actor has been posting a slew of dramatic tweets, documenting his ordeal.

    Gellar, 37, chimed in to say that Prinze Jr.’s take on his recovery has been “greatly exaggerated.”

    While attending the 4th Annual Santa’s Secret Workshop at the Andaz Hotel in West Hollywood, Gellar commented on Prinze Jr.’s actual status. When asked how her husband was holding up, Gellar replied sarcastically, “You mean ‘learning how to walk’?! I can’t even. … I’m not joking. Our mail woman – god bless her heart – was like, ‘I prayed for you Freddie and it worked, you’re walking’. He’s fine. He did have very serious surgery, there’s no question, but his ‘learning how to walk again’ has been greatly exaggerated.”

    Prinze Jr., who presently works as a World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. editor and director, used Twitter to comprehensively document his surgery:

    Back in July, Prinze Jr. was in the news after bashing 24 costar Kiefer Sutherland. Prinze had commented, “Kiefer was the most unprofessional dude in the world. That’s not me talking trash, I’d say it to his face, I think everyone that’s worked with him has said that.”

    The recovering actor added, “I just wanted to quit the business after that. So, I just sort of stopped.”

  • Sarah Michelle Gellar Reacts to ‘Peter Pan Live!’

    Former Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar took to Twitter to relate her take on Peter Pan Live!, along with various other Hollywood personalities.

    Girls actress Allison Williams played the title role in the NBC production, which aired Thursday. The program was watched by 9.1 million viewers, down from the 18.6 millions viewers garnered by NBC’s The Sound of Music Live! last year.

    The live special was narrated by Minnie Driver, who was also cast as the adult character Wendy. Christopher Walken played Captain Hook.

    Commenting on the role, Williams, 26, said, “To most of America I’m going to be a new face, which is part of what’s exciting about it for me. To those people, I’ll be Peter Pan.”

    Gellar chimed in:


    Carrie Underwood, star of The Sound of Music Live! prasied the production:


    Zach Braff is being funny again:


    Anna Kendrick got confused:


    Various other celebrity tweets:

    Christopher Walken perform’s “Hook’s Tango”:

  • Patti Stanger Offers Jennifer Lopez Dating Tips

    Patti Stanger, host of Bravo’s The Millionaire Matchmaker, has offered Jennifer Lopez some dating advice, and bluntly suggested that the actress should not “lead with the cooch.”

    Stanger, 54, who is sometimes referred to as “The Simon Cowell of Dating,” was very forward in her remarks regarding what tactics J.Lo might implement to land a man. Stanger told Huffpost Live on December 3 that Lopez is the millionaire she would most like to match.

    Lopez recently published a memoir called True Love, which documents her various romances. Stanger thinks that Lopez’ string of failed relationships has something to do with the pop singer’s sex appeal.

    Stanger remarked, “I think I could help her, really. There’s some stuff that she’s doing that I would love to fix. The first thing is: Don’t lead with the cooch.” Stanger added that if Lopez could lose the sex aspect of her allure off the bat, a potential suitor would be able to engage her mentally, and focus on her “hobbies, wishes, and passions.”

    Perhaps J.Lo’s new video for “Booty” illustrates what Stanger means by not leading with the cooch:

    Commenting on Lopez’ June seperation from backup dancer and choreographer Casper Smart, Stanger said, “And actually, I would like her to date up and not down. There’s a lid for every pot.”

    Lopez, who has been previously linked to Chris Judd, Ben Affleck and Marc Anthony, should be “looking for a billionaire, who just hasn’t found the right one,” according to Stanger.

    “She’s a drop-dead gorgeous woman. She’s super successful,” said Stanger of “Jenny From the Block,” adding that “she made her money, she has her kids. Let’s make love a priority right now.”

    #JLoTrueLove is a Top 10 #NyTimes Best Seller!! #SoExcited #Thankyou this is such a blessing.

    A photo posted by Jennifer Lopez (@jlo) on

    Lopez, 45, has an estimated net worth of roughly $315 million.

  • Netflix May Have Its Jessica Jones And Luke Cage

    Netflix May Have Its Jessica Jones And Luke Cage

    Thursday saw some big news in the Marvel world, particularly with Ryan Reynolds being named as Deadpool in an upcoming film and Benedict Cumberbatch being named as Doctor Strange.

    As you may know, Netflix has a few original series from Marvel in the works, beginning with Daredevil, which is to debut in 2015.

    This will be followed by Jessica Jones, Iron Fist and Luke Cage. These will combine as one big “epic,” and culminate in a miniseries event, The Defenders. The endeavor will stretch over multiple years, and as the announcement said, will take Netflix members “deep into the gritty world of heroes and villains of Hell’s Kitchen, New York.”

    It appears that Marvel now has its Jessica Jones and Luke Cage. Deadline is reporting:

    Marvel is mum as usual, but I hear they have tapped Krysten Ritter for the lead in the company’s straight-to-series drama Jessica Jones. Ritter was one of five actresses who tested for the role. I hear it came down to her and Teresa Palmer, with both doing chemistry reads with The Following‘s Mike Colter, believed to be the choice for male lead Luke Cage.

    Ritter is known for her roles on Breaking Bad and Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Tea Leoni Dating ‘Madam Secretary’ Costar Tim Daly

    Actress Tea Leoni has been discreetly dating her Madam Secretary costar Tim Daly since the summer. Leoni also plays his on-screen wife in the CBS political drama.

    The couple was first spotted together over the July 4th holiday, as Daly, 58, performed Red at the Dorset Theatre in Dorset, Vermont. The two were seen offscreen again on November 14, strolling arm in arm in the Venice area of Los Angeles.

    Leoni, 49, finalized her divorce from X-Files and Californication star David Duchovny in August, citing “an irretrievable breakdown.” The two had been married for 17 years, though had been separated since 2011.

    Daly himself divorced his ex-wife of 26 years, Amy Van Nostrand, in 2010.

    Madam Secretary premiered on September 21 to solid reviews, and has steadily risen in ratings. Leoni portrays a former CIA analyst turned college professor who is tapped by the president to become Secretary of State.

    Commenting on her character Elizabeth Faulkner McCord, Leoni told E! in July, “There was something – I adored her. I adored her by page two, there’s no sarcasm to her. Sarcasm is too slow. I want to wake up and be her every day.”

    The former The Naked Truth star added, “I think in a lot of ways it’s inspiring to see women that we want to see. I think when I sort of set out to do this gal, I thought, ‘Who do I want in office?’ That’s been guiding my choices.”

    On the show, Daly plays Henry McCord, a Georgetown ethics professor, prior NSA spy and pilot within the United States Marine Corps.

    The on-screen and off-screen couple appears in a scene in Madam Secretary:

    Commenting on his new girlfriend, who incidentally attended the same Vermont high school as he did, Daly said, “She’s not a whiner. She wants to work hard and she wants to have fun.”

    The former Private Practice star added, “We get along really, really well. We have a really good time. I’ve gotten along with plenty of people, but the chemistry sucked. And I’ve hated people where the chemistry is great. It’s much better if you get along and the chemistry is good. That’s perfect.”

  • Tim Daly Dating ‘Madam Secretary’ Costar Tea Leoni

    Actor Tim Daly has been discreetly dating his Madam Secretary costar Tea Leoni since the summer. Leoni also plays his on-screen wife in the CBS political drama.

    The couple was first spotted together over the July 4th holiday, as Daly, 58, performed Red at the Dorset Theatre in Dorset, Vermont.

    Leoni, 49, finalized her divorce from X-Files and Californication star David Duchovny in August, citing “an irretrievable breakdown.” The two had been married for 17 years, though had been separated since 2011.

    Daly himself divorced his ex-wife of 26 years, Amy Van Nostrand, in 2010.

    Madam Secretary premiered on September 21 to solid reviews, and has steadily risen in ratings. Leoni portrays a former CIA analyst turned college professor who is tapped by the president to become Secretary of State.

    Commenting on her character Elizabeth Faulkner McCord, Leoni told E! in July, “There was something – I adored her. I adored her by page two, there’s no sarcasm to her. Sarcasm is too slow. I want to wake up and be her every day.”

    The former The Naked Truth star added, “I think in a lot of ways it’s inspiring to see women that we want to see. I think when I sort of set out to do this gal, I thought, ‘Who do I want in office?’ That’s been guiding my choices.”

    On the show, Daly plays Henry McCord, a Georgetown ethics professor, prior NSA spy and pilot within the United States Marine Corps.

    The on-screen and off-screen couple discusses Madam Secretary:

    Commenting on his new girlfriend, who incidentally attended the same Vermont high school as he did, Daly said, “She’s not a whiner. She wants to work hard and she wants to have fun.”

    The former Private Practice star added, “We get along really, really well. We have a really good time. I’ve gotten along with plenty of people, but the chemistry sucked. And I’ve hated people where the chemistry is great. It’s much better if you get along and the chemistry is good. That’s perfect.”

  • Eva Mendes In No Rush to ‘Bounce Back’ Post Baby

    While making a Wednesday appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, actress Eva Mendes revealed that she is in no rush to get back to her pre-pregnancy physique.

    Mendes, 40, remarked, “The whole bounce back thing, I’m like, oh gosh, ease up. It’s okay, we don’t have to. Eventually, maybe, but certainly not in a couple weeks.”

    The 2 Fast 2 Furious star has an 11-week-old daughter named Esmeralda Amada with Drive star Ryan Gosling.

    Mendes did offer Ellen some postpartum weight loss tips – “Breastfeeding really does help to shrink your uterus back to normal size. It does! I know it’s a really weird thing to say, but it does.” Ellen replied, “It does. That’s what I’m doing. I’ve lost five pounds!”

    Mendes began dating her The Place Beyond the Pines costar Gosling in 2011, and the two welcomed their first child on September 12, 2014.

    Commenting on the couple’s new life as parents, Mendes said, “We’re getting the hang of it, the sleeping thing, but I’m exhausted and it’s the best. Really, I’m so incredibly tired. I thought I was tired before at times, but no, nothing like this. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

    Mendes recently told The Violet Files, “I thought my wild nights were over but these are some of the wildest nights I’ve ever had,” adding, “I’m doing it without a nanny for now but I’m open to the idea of having a nanny in the future. Esmeralda has two amazing grandmothers and incredible aunties who come over and really help me.”

    The Place Beyond the Pines trailer:

    Mendes appeared in the 2014 neo-noir film Lost River, which was written, produced and directed by Gosling. Here is the trailer:

  • Allison Williams Ready to Take on ‘Peter Pan Live!’

    Girls actress Allison Williams will play the title role in NBC’s Peter Pan Live!, which airs Thursday, December 4 at 8/7 c.

    The live special will be narrated by Minnie Driver, who is also cast as the adult character Wendy. Christopher Walken will play Captain Hook.

    Commenting on the role, Williams, 26, said, “To most of America I’m going to be a new face, which is part of what’s exciting about it for me. To those people, I’ll be Peter Pan.”

    Williams, the daughter of NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams, added that she and her grandmother used to act out Peter Pan when she was little. “She was Wendy. My grandfather was Captain Hook and I was Peter, obviously. She would sew my shadow on,” Williams remarked. “She was very, very excited. And then they came to the studio and saw me fly, which was really sweet.”

    Here is a Peter Pan Live! promo:

    While Williams is best known for her portrayal of Marnie Michaels on the Lena Dunham comedy Girls, she is not seeking to distance herself from the risqué HBO series.

    Williams revealed that Dunham was on of the first people she called after landing the Peter Pan role – “She was on location with show executive producer Jenni Konner. And the scream I heard was deafening.”

    Williams on Girls:

    Williams added, ”’Because they’ve heard me talk about these scripts I get sent. There have been things I was excited about but didn’t get. There were things I was excited about but couldn’t do. I’ve spent the last four years with these people and we’ve all been talking about what’s next for us. And they both said, ‘This is better than what we could have dreamed for your next thing.’ And it was exactly how I felt, but it was so meaningful to hear it from them.”’

  • Eliza Coupe Engaged to Darin Olien

    Eliza Coupe Engaged to Darin Olien

    Actress Eliza Coupe announced her Thanksgiving engagement to superfoods nutritionist Darin Olien.

    Coupe, 33, posted a picture of herself on Instagram, smiling and embracing Olien on Thursday, with her Jean Dousset engagement ring on display. The caption read, “Giving Thanks.”

    The couple has been dating for almost a year.

    Coupe, who is best known for playing Jane Kerkovich-Williams on the ABC comedy Happy Endings and as Denise “Jo” Mahoney on the ABC medical dramedy Scrubs, was previously married to puppeteer Randall Whittinghill from December 2007 to June 2013.

    Giving Thanks. @darin_olien

    A photo posted by Eliza Coupe (@theelizacoupe) on

    Just a lil Sunday hike in the rain with the man I'm gonna marry. @darin_olien @superlife1

    A photo posted by Eliza Coupe (@theelizacoupe) on

    Olien, often called “the Indiana Jones of superfoods,” is the founder of SuperLife, a “one-of-a-kind comprehensive look at dieting and nutrition, a timeless and essential guide to maintaining the human body and maximizing its potential.”

    Olien has sourced more than 300 foods and ingredients from around the world, while working directly with the people of Peru, Bhutan, the Amazon region, the Himalayas, the South Pacific and many other countries in Latin America, Asia and Africa.

    Coupe currently stars alongside Jay Harrington in the USA Network legal comedy series Benched.

    Commenting on her role on Benched, Coupe said – “I used every bit of my personal life,” the actress remarked about the opening scene of the show which features Coupe having a mental breakdown. “I really did just pour it all into that. And I’m on great terms with my ex-husband, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s still a divorce.”

  • Netflix Bill Burr Stand-Up Special Gets A Trailer

    Netflix Bill Burr Stand-Up Special Gets A Trailer

    In August, Netflix announced four exclusive stand-up comedy specials from comedians Bill Cosby, Bill Burr, Jim Jefferies & Chelsea Peretti. The Jefferies special debuted on August 29th. The Peretti special debuted on November 14th. The Cosby special was supposed to debut last week, but was pulled because of all of those rape allegations that have been mounting against him.

    Bill Burr’s special is still yet to come, however, and it will debut this Friday. Netflix just released this trailer for it.

    Netflix also has an animated comedy series in the works with Burr. It currently has three other Bill Burr stand-up specials available for streaming. One of these – You People Are All The Same – is also labeled a Netflix Original.

    In other stand-up comedy on Netflix news, the company announced last week that it’s also getting Nick Offerman’s American Ham. That will appear on December 12.

    Image via YouTube

  • ‘House Of Cards’ Season 3 Has A Release Date

    ‘House Of Cards’ Season 3 Has A Release Date

    Netflix announced the release date for House of Cards: Season 3. This came via the House of Cards Twitter account in the form of a special message from the White House and President Underwood.

    By the way, I hope you were caught up on Season 2. Otherwise, spoiler alert!

    So there’s your date. 02/27. You can start getting excited now.

    Season 3 is debuting a couple weeks later in the year than when Season 2 made its appearance on the streaming service, which was on Valentine’s Day.

    Image via Netflix

  • Alyson Hannigan Won’t Let Her Kids Watch TV Yet

    Alyson Hannigan owes her career to television. The TV star got her big break thanks to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and How I Met Your Mother. Despite her strong ties to television, her children aren’t going to be watching it anytime soon.

    Speaking to Cover Media, Hannigan says she and her husband do not allow their children to watch television. Her children, with the oldest, Satyana, being five and the youngest, Keeva, being two, are of the age at which most parents introduce children to educational television like Sesame Street. Her kids won’t be sharing adventures with Elmo and pals just yet, however, as Hannigan wants to wait.

    How much longer will her kids have to wait before they can experience the very thing that made their mother famous? She says Satyana is almost ready to start watching television. In fact, she’s surprised Satyana hasn’t been begging to watch television. After all, her daughter surely has friends that talk about the latest Yo Gabba Gabba. Instead, her daughter has been convinced that television is just news and sports – both of which are pretty boring to a five-year-old girl.

    Satyana hasn’t been completely shut off from the world of visual media though. Like every other girl her age, she has at least seen Frozen, but with a twist. Hannigan decided that her daughter could only watch Frozen without any audio. While it may seem a little weird, she has it better than some of us that still can’t let it go.

    Even as Hannigan’s daughter starts to watch movies and television, most of her mother’s career will remain inaccessible. Hannigan’s latest film – American Reunion – is the fourth theatrical film in the American Pie series of sex comedies. On second thought, maybe her kids are growing up faster than previously thought:

  • Netflix Originals Viewed By 7 In 10 [Report]

    Netflix Originals Viewed By 7 In 10 [Report]

    Centris Marketing Science released some research indicating that seven in ten Netflix subscribers watch the company’s original programming to some extent.

    The popularity of Netflix’s original content has always been something of a mystery beyond the little clues Netflix has provided from time to time, and this is certainly not official, but it does suggest that there’s a pretty good deal of interest in what Netflix is stamping its name on.

    “Netflix is notoriously cagey when it comes to sharing viewership data for its original shows,” the report says. “To shed light upon this topic, the Centris Evolution of Video Tracking Survey has been asking Netflix subscribers about their viewing of original programming since Q1 2014. Netflix’s investment in original content seems to be paying off. Most subscribers have watched at least some original programming. Social media buzz, including that around Emmy nominations and awards received, could also be having an impact; viewership of original programming overall appears to have increased over the past six months.”

    According to Centris, viewing of Netflix Original content has increased since Q1 to reach that seven in ten figure.

    “Although Netflix originals viewership continues to be most common among Millennials, viewing is up across age groups,” Centris notes. “As of Q3 2014, even in the 55+ age group, the majority have watched original programming on Netflix.”

    Netflix recently made an adjustment to its search feature, which enables you to search specifically for Netflix Originals.

    Nielsen will soon start measuring viewing on Netflix, though this information will only be available to the content providers.

    Via Variety

    Images via Centris

  • Rachel McAdams Cast in “True Detective”

    Rachel McAdams Cast in “True Detective”

    Mean Girls actress Rachel McAdams has been cast in the second season of HBO’s hit police drama True Detective.

    McAdams will play Ani Bezzerides, a by-the-book Ventura County, California Sheriff’s detective whose unyielding ethics cause conflict with her contemporaries.

    McAdams will join Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows star Kelly Reilly, who will play Jordan, a washed-up D-list actress who’s married to a criminal entrepreneur called Frank Semyon, who is played by Vince Vaughn.

    Friday Night Lights and John Carter star Taylor Kitsch has also been confirmed as one of the show’s male leads. Kitsch will portray a character named Paul Woodrugh, a war vet and a California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer with a past.

    Colin Farrell was cast as Ray Velcoro, a corrupt detective with conflicting allegiances between his crooked bosses and the mobster who has him under his thumb.

    True Detective season one starred Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, and concerned a hunt for a supernatural serial killer named the Yellow King across Louisiana for 17 years. McConaughey’s popular character, Detective Rustin Spencer “Rust” Cohle, has been parodied:

    Here is a trailer for True Detective season one:

    The second season of the series will will feature eight episodes, all which will be written by series creator Nic Pizzolatto.

    HBO’s official logline for season two of the show reads, “Three police officers and a career criminal must navigate a web of conspiracy in the aftermath of a murder.” Production on the season has commenced, with HBO shooting for a summer broadcast.

    In related McAdams news, the had once dated her The Notebook costar Ryan Gosling. Though, director Nick Cassavetes told VH1 in July, that things weren’t so easy on set between the two.

    Cassavetes remarked, “Maybe I’m not supposed to tell this story, but they were really not getting along one day on set. Really not. And Ryan came to me, and there’s 150 people standing in this big scene, and he says, ‘Nick come here.’ And he’s doing a scene with Rachel and he says, ‘Would you take her out of here and bring in another actress to read off camera with me?’ I said, ‘What?’ He says, ‘I can’t. I can’t do it with her. I’m just not getting anything from this.’”

  • Chromecast Adds Support For Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Sesame Street

    Google announced yet more apps that are now supporting its $35 Chromecast streaming device. These are some significant ones that should only serve to help sales for the holidays (which are bound to be pretty good already).

    The device will now support apps from Comedy Central, Sesame Street, and Nickelodeon. Google says in a brief post on the Chrome blog:

    Chromecast is adding seven more great apps to your casting queue. Get bigger laughs with The Daily Show on Comedy Central, learn with Elmo on Sesame Street Go, or cast Nickelodeon and let Spongebob keep your family entertained. And, no matter how far you travel this winter, stay connected with TuneIn for international radio stations and millions of podcasts. With EPIX, YuppTV and Encore also casting, you have a full lineup of shows, sports, games and movies to last throughout the holiday season.

    Chromecast is frequently gaining support from more and more apps as Google itself continues to improve it with additional functionality. For example, a few days ago, Google announced Google Drive support on Chrome OS, enabling users to cast media files stored with their Google accounts.

    The device is also getting better for more Android devices as the list of those supporting screen mirroring continues to expand.

    Earlier this month, Google announced a set of new “family-friendly” games for Chromecast, as well as support from Showtime and Starz.

    Image via YouTube

  • Netflix Will Soon Get Nick Offerman’s ‘American Ham’

    Netflix Will Soon Get Nick Offerman’s ‘American Ham’

    In a couple weeks, Netflix will debut comedian Nick Offerman’s stand-up special American Ham. This should be a much more crowd-pleasing addition than the Bill Cosby special Netflix just pulled.

    Offerman tweeted:

    The date was confirmed by Netflix via a retweet.

    American Ham premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival in January, and has received mostly positive reviews. The description (via Wikipedia) is as follows:

    A live taping of Nick Offerman’s one-man show at New York’s historic Town Hall theater, featuring a collection of anecdotes, songs and woodworking/oral-sex techniques.

    The film was directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts.

    Image via Twitter

  • Netflix Getting New Show ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ From Tina Fey & Robert Carlock

    Netflix Getting New Show ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ From Tina Fey & Robert Carlock

    Netflix announced late on Friday that it will premiere globally in March a new Tina Fey and Robert Carlock comedy series starring Ellie Kemper (pictured). It’s called Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

    Netflix announced that it will be the exclusive home to the first two seasons of the show from Universal Television, which was initially going to be on NBC.

    The show was created by Fey and Carlock, who will both serve as executive producers along with 30 Rock’s Jeff Richmond, Jack Burditt, and David Miner.

    Kemper, who appeared on later seasons of NBC’s The Office, will play a woman who “escapes from a doomsday cult and starts life over in New York.” More from Netflix:

    After living in a cult for fifteen years, Kimmy decides to reclaim her life and start over in New York City. Armed with just a backpack, light-up sneakers, and a couple of way-past-due library books, she’s ready to take on a world she didn’t even think existed anymore. Wide-eyed but resilient, nothing is going to stand in her way. She quickly finds a new job (working for 30 Rock’s Jane Krakowski), a new roommate (Tituss Burgess, 30 Rock), and a new beginning. The cast also includes Lauren Adams, Sara Chase, Sol Miranda and Emmy winner Carol Kane (Taxi, The Princess Bride).

    “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to debut Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt exclusively on Netflix, which has proven to be such an outstanding place for distinctive, original programming,” said Fey and Carlock. “Happily, we will still collaborate with our longtime partners at Universal Television to fulfill Netflix’s two-season order. We grew up at NBC and will continue to develop broadcast projects with them as well. We found the inspiration for this series in Ellie Kemper’s shining all-American face, and we know that she and Kimmy Schmidt have found their best possible home at Netflix.”

    NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt stated: “When the opportunity arose for Tina Fey and Robert Carlock to premiere their new show on Netflix with a two-season commitment, we decided this was the best possible scenario to launch this captivating new series. While it was originally developed for NBC, we have a very drama-heavy mid-season schedule so we’re thrilled about this Netflix opportunity; it’s an instant win-win for everyone, including Tina, Robert, and Universal Television. We’re already talking to these extraordinary creators about new development for NBC, but meanwhile, everyone here from Universal Television will do everything possible to see that Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt becomes a long-running hit on Netflix.”

    Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a production of Universal Television, Little Stranger Inc., 3 Arts Entertainment and Bevel Gears for Netflix.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Christopher Walken, Allison Williams Talk Peter Pan

    NBC is releasing previews and a making-of featurette to fire up audiences for its upcoming musical Peter Pan LIVE! The musical is set to air on December 4. It stars Allison Williams (Girls) as Peter Pan and our old friend Christopher Walken as Captain Hook.

    NBC opted to go with another Live musical following the massive success of The Sound of Music LIVE! That production starring Carrie Underwood as Maria drew over 18 million viewers.

    In one of the released behind-the-scene clips, Williams talks about what it’s like to work with Walken, “He is so deeply cool, even when he’s not doing anything he’s better at acting than I’ve ever been. Even when he’s just sitting around, he’s funnier than I’ve ever been.” She added, “For the next generation of kids seeing this as their first Peter Pan, he will be Captain Hook.”

    Walken has been in over 100 Hollywood movies over his illustrious career. But how does the Academy Award winning actor feel about performing a musical live, not only in front of an audience, but also on national network television? “I dance a little, I sing a little — ya know, that’s what I do.” However, Walken admitted that this kind of live performing is “frankly, intimidating.”

    Check out a couple behind the scenes clips for the massive production:

    If you doubt Christopher Walken’s dancing abilities, check out Fat Boy Slim’s video for Weapon of Choice. The iconic video was directed by Spike Jonze.

    Walken, who was trained as a dancer at the Washington Dance Studio, said, “I’m very aware of rhythm. It’s constantly there. Musical theater includes the audience more. For me the audience is another character in the film or play. I’m always aware of it.”

    To see more previews, interviews, and behind the scenes footage for Peter Pan LIVE! click here. The production airs on Thursday, December 4 at 8/7c.

  • Here’s What’s About To Hit Netflix (Including Lilyhammer Season 3)

    Here’s What’s About To Hit Netflix (Including Lilyhammer Season 3)

    As you know, content comes and goes on Netflix. Each week, we’re bringing you a list of titles that you’ll be able to stream in the U.S. in the coming days. As always, dates are subject to change.

    This week’s list isn’t a very big one, but it does see the return of Netflix’s first original series.

    Available on11/21:

    Lilyhammer: Season 3 – Netflix Original

    After testifying against the Mafia, ex-gangster Frank Tagliano enters witness protection and asks to be sent to Norway. Despite the peaceful surroundings, it’s not long before Frank strays from the straight and narrow.

    Available on 11/22:

    Ida (2014)

    Agata Kulesza, Agata Trzebuchowska, Dawid Ogrodnik, Joanna Kulig, Adam Szyszkowski, Jerzy Trela

    Raised in a Catholic orphanage during the Nazi occupation of Poland, Anna is poised to join the order when she learns she has a surviving aunt. But visiting the woman before taking her vows uncovers some inconvenient truths about her heritage.

    Nikita: Season 4

    Nikita is one of the most highly skilled assassins on the planet, and her target is the mysterious corporation that created her. The Division, as it’s known, picks up at-risk teens to train as killers, and Nikita will do anything to bring it down.

    Ripper Street: Series 2

    It’s been six months since the last Jack the Ripper killing, and East London is hopeful that his reign of terror might have run its course.

    Available on 11/23:

    Happy Christmas (2014)

    Anna Kendrick, Melanie Lynskey, Mark Webber

    After splitting up with her boyfriend just before the holidays, a young woman moves in with her older brother and his family. But as she tries to climb out of her rut and start over, her self-destructive behavior gets in the way.

    Available on 11/25:

    Beyond the Edge (2013)

    Edmund Hillary’s 1953 ascent of Mt. Everest was an event that amazed the world and led to a new age of mountaineering and ambitious exploration. Hilary’s triumphant saga is retold using both modern footage, and recordings and photos from the time.

    Running from Crazy (2013)

    Plagued by her family’s history of mental illness, including the suicides of her uncle Ernest and her sister Margaux, actress Mariel Hemingway becomes an advocate for suicide prevention and strives to find balance in her life.

    War Story (2014)

    Catherine Keener, Ben Kingsley, Hafsia Herzi, Vincenzo Amato, Donatella Finocchiaro, Guido Caprino
    After being held hostage in Libya, a war photographer struggles to cope with PTSD and takes some time off to heal in Sicily, where she tries to help a Tunisian immigrant who desperately needs an abortion.

    Available on 11/26:

    Bomb Girls: Facing the Enemy

    Focusing on a group of women working in a Canadian munitions factory during World War II, this ensemble drama depicts the dangers and new experiences they face. While drawn from diverse backgrounds, the women soon form strong bonds with their peers.

    VeggieTales in the House (2014) – Netflix Original

    Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki, Rob Paulsen

    The beloved faith-based brand hits the small screen with a fresh new look and all-new adventures. Join Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber, and all their veggie friends as they explore new areas of their wondrous house while singing catchy, original songs included in each episode. Perfect for young families, this laugh-out-loud comedy seamlessly weaves good moral values into each episode in a fun, exciting way for Veggie lovers of all ages.

    See more recently added titles here.

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  • Netflix Officially Revives ‘Longmire’

    Netflix Officially Revives ‘Longmire’

    Last week, we learned that Netflix was in talks to produce a new season of Longmire, which was canceled by A&E. The company has now made it official.

    This is one thing Netflix is making a habit out of. It’s bringing back canceled shows and giving them new life, or at least proper conclusions, as in the case with The Killing.

    A ten-episode fourth season of Longmire will make its debut on the streaming service next year in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where Netflix just announced plans to launch in March.

    “When Warner Horizon Television came to us with the idea for a new season of Longmire, we were intrigued because the series is so unique, and consistently great. We are thrilled to help continue Walt Longmire’s story for his large and passionate following,” said Cindy Holland, Vice President of Original Content at Netflix.

    In a joint statement, the Longmire executive producers said: “We’re excited and honored to have the opportunity to bring this show that we love so much, and all its devoted fans, to Netflix.”

    Here’s what Netflix says about the upcoming season:

    Season four of Longmire picks up moments after season three’s exciting finale. Walt Longmire (series star Robert Taylor), having found out who was behind the murder of his wife, succumbs to his darker impulses and takes off in pursuit of the killer with murder on his mind. Meanwhile, Branch Connally (Bailey Chase), the deputy who Walt fired for erratic, violent behavior, believes he has already figured out who the real culprit is. But during his confrontation with this suspected killer, a gun goes off. Now the audience will finally learn what happened, and whether Walt can be stopped before he makes a fatal choice.

    The first two seasons of Longmire are currently available for streaming on Netflix in the U.S. Presumably, the third season will be available eventually.

    Image via YouTube