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Buzz News Roundup, 7/6

BuzzSugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:30:29 -0700

ABC shows are turning up on Hulu, starting with Grey's Anatomy today. - CNET
Fox has tapped Nimrod Antal to direct another Predator movie, Predators, with Robert Rodriguez producing. - Variety
Mekhi Phifer will join Fox's Lie to Me as a regular, while Jennifer Beals will be a recurring guest star. - The Hollywood Reporter
The 1980s Aaron Spelling-produced TV series T.J. Hooker is headed for the big screen as an action comedy. - TV.com
The Sci Fi Channel officially becomes Syfy tomorrow. - New York Daily News
Last week Charlie Day and Christina Applegate joined the cast of the rom-com Going the Distance, and now Jason Sudeikis is coming on board as well. - Reuters
Chandra Wilson will be the first Grey's Anatomy cast member to direct an episode. - Entertainment Weekly
Warner Bros. has picked up the rights to most of Midway Games' assets, including the rights to popular video games like Mortal Kombat and Spy Hunter. - ComingSoon

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Link Time! 3/5

BuzzSugar — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:30:27 -0800

The photo spread of comedic actors in Vanity Fair is sparking some discussion, from whether it's insulting that women go fully nude for the magazine while the men wear bodysuits, to why it's funny when men are "naked" but it's not funny when women are naked. - Jezebel and Popwatch
This reimagining of Watchmen as an '80s Saturday morning cartoon is genius. - The Onion AV Club
I kinda wish I were going to South by Southwest this year so I could see this movie, Sorry, Thanks (starring Wiley Wiggins from Dazed and Confused!). - Cinematical
Aw, I don't like it when Arcade Fire and the Flaming Lips fight! - Vulture
That's a wrap for Top Chef! Test your knowledge of the finale with this quiz. - YumSugar
Here's the new Clap Your Hands Say Yeah song from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. - You Ain't No Picasso
Speaking of which, what NBC wants to know about Jimmy Fallon's early shows. - The TV Addict
Six reasons why Lie to Me might get canceled. - CliqueClack TV

Lie to Me's Brendan Hines on Always Telling the Truth

BuzzSugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:30:24 -0800

In Lie to Me, the new Fox drama premiering tonight, Brendan Hines plays Eli, a researcher who always says anything that's on his mind. In the first couple of episodes, Hines's character often made me chuckle, so at Fox's all-star party at TCA, I caught up with him to ask about the show, his character, and whether he's now self-conscious about lying. Here are highlights:

Tell me about your character. He has this radical honesty thing going on.
I have it going on in spades. My character is brutally honest at all times. Not only does he tell a truth when he's asked a question, but he'll always just spit out what's on his mind no matter what. To me, that's fascinating. I love it when characters in TV or movies get put in incredibly awkward situations, and my character does - quite a bit - get put in those situations.

It seems like that would happen a lot if you were a person who just spit out whatever was on your mind.
It does, and I didn't even realize this until we started shooting the show, but I've known people like this for years. Maybe they haven't taken this sort of pledge where they're like, "Oh, I'm going to be honest at all times," but they are the kind of people who will just always tell you what's on their minds and not spare anybody's feelings at all. Problem with those people, you don't want to be around them all that much, so it's a difficult thing for the writers to try to do, which is to stay true to this pledge that the guy has taken, yet still make him likable and accessible.

Has playing him made you more honest in your own life?
No, but I will tell you that I am much more conscious of the lies that I tell. I do sort of stand back and assess whether or not I had to tell that lie, because most of the ones that you tell, they're harmless, or you think they are. As far as my character is concerned, he thinks any lie whatsoever is a no-no.

To hear whether Hines has become a good lie-spotter and whether he'll be involved in any on-screen romances, just read more.

Between shooting the show and meeting Dr. Paul Ekman [on whose work the show is based], have you learned a lot about the science of lying?
I've learned a pretty fair amount. I've read a lot of Paul's books. As soon as I knew we were getting started on the show, I bought all of them, and I just started to delve. But anytime I'm around Paul, I try not to talk to him about the science. I have a challenge that I've set for myself, basically, where I try to have the most benign, normal conversation with Paul and just make sure that he never calls me out on anything or goes, "bullsh*t."

Do you have a favorite trick you've learned for spotting other people lying?
Yes, but I'm a little worried that I'm imposing it on people when I'm not actually there. . . I'll be sitting back and watching two people talk and just be like "Aw, yeah, no way, you are so full of sh*t." Who knows if I'm actually seeing what I think I'm seeing or if I'm just imposing it on those conversations.

Your character has a very straightforward come-on to one of his colleagues in the first episode. Is there any chance the show will get into a romance between them?
Yes . . .

See, and I haven't watched enough of the show yet to be able to tell if you're lying!
I think the charm of the character that I get to play is that ultimately it's not about him trying to sleep with her - it's his way of saying hello. It's just basically, "Oh, I'd like to sleep with you" and not "Let's get on that right away, let's start to make that happen." It's like, "I just need you to know this, right up front." As far as the writers, they go where they want and I'll follow . . . It could happen. They're always hinting at it.

Photo courtesy of Fox

TCA Tidbits: Paula Abdul, Human Lie Detectors, and More

BuzzSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:15:28 -0800

Today CBS and Showtime are taking the stage at TCA, but before things get too busy, I wanted to wrap up some of the highlights from Fox's jam-packed Tuesday of panels (and parties). Here were some of the highs, lows, and most awkward moments:

I think I already love Glee, Fox's upcoming hourlong comedy about a misfit glee club from Nip/Tuck creator Ryan Murphy - and, judging from the warm reception it got in the room during its presentation, I'm not alone. I caught an advanced screening of the show earlier this week, and it's a quirky mixture of snark and show tunes. It might not appeal to everyone, but if you like Freaks and Geeks and "Don't Stop Believing," it will be worth checking out when it premieres this Spring.
Speaking of singing, things threatened to get a little tense at the afternoon American Idol panel, with lots of questions about Paula Abdul's future with the show. Luckily, attention shifted quickly to the new dynamic on the judging panel now that Kara DioGuardi is adding a second female voice. About having someone to help her take down Simon Cowell, Abdul said: "Kara finally sees what it's like for me, my own private hell." She later said of Simon, "He's the bully brother that sometimes we love each other, and sometimes I try to change seats. He's annoying sometimes. I have to reel him in."
Interesting tidbit for Damages fans: FX President John Landgraf said that even though the Glenn Close drama doesn't meet the ratings standards set by previous FX hits, he's "confident" that Damages will be on the network's schedule even beyond the three seasons that have already been ordered.

To hear whether Dollhouse will bring the funny, what Mary Lynn Rajskub had to say about having fellow comedienne Janeane Garofalo on board for 24, and what's a surefire sign your relationship is about to end, just read more.

Having real-life "human lie detector" Dr. Paul Ekman around certainly made Fox's Lie to Me something beyond just the standard panel. At one point, Ekman dispensed advice on how to tell if your relationship is about to be over: A look of anger on your significant other's face is fine and normal, but if it crosses into disgust, you're out of luck.

Mary Lynn Rajskub said she's been happy to have fellow funny lady Janeane Garofalo join her on the 24 set - though it's not always easy for them to stay serious. "We tried not to laugh when we were in scenes together," she said, and it was tough for them to make eye contact without chuckling. Fun fact: Rajskub replaced Garofalo on The Larry Sanders Show.
Joss Whedon - visiting TCA via satellite from Boston - said that while Dollhouse might not be outright silly, it will still be humorous. "The show is much more straight-ahead dramatic than what we've done before," he said. "However, it is me we're talking about here. We can't fight the funny. The funny is going to win, partially because it makes it more diverting and partially because I believe that's how people react to difficult situations. I couldn’t make a show that’s relentlessly serious and I don’t think anybody would watch it ."
Also, Whedon on the possibility of another Dr. Horrible: "Yeah, we'd like to do that again." He said it's a matter of getting everyone together and finding the time.
I'll share more from the House panel later, but for now, it's worth noting Omar Epps's simple reaction to his character finally having a romantic life: "Foreman. Love life. Great!" He later elaborated: "It's great being in those scenes with Olivia [Wilde], because she's hot." Fair enough.

Photos courtesy of Fox

First Look: Lie to Me

BuzzSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:31:55 -0800

I may just be looking for some bright spots after this fairly lackluster Fall TV season, but I'm starting to think that January/midseason TV is going to be awesome. We've just gotten a new glimpse at Joss Whedon's Dollhouse (which is now set to premiere Friday, Feb. 13), and now here's the first look at the Tim Roth series Lie to Me.

The show, which will air after American Idol starting Jan. 21, is based on the real-life work of Dr. Paul Ekman, an expert in the physical and psychological signs of lying. Roth plays Cal Lightman, a skilled "human lie detector" whose abilities are a boon for his job but a burden at home, where he sometimes knows more than he should about his friends and family. His team includes psychologist Gillian Foster (Kelli Williams), who looks at the big picture when Lightman's caught up in the details; researcher Will Loker (Brendan Hines), who hates lying so much that he always says exactly what's on his mind; and junior member Ria Torres (Monica Raymund), a "natural" with an untrained ability to read people.

It's a shame Lie to Me can't be paired with House - the shows seem to have a similar structure, and they're both about people who are obsessed with lying. Sounds like a match made in heaven to me! Maybe next Fall? To watch the trailer, just read more.

Photo and video courtesy of Fox

Buzz News Roundup, 9/24

BuzzSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:32:35 -0700

Lifetime just paid a whole lot of money for the reruns of How I Met Your Mother. - Hollywood Reporter
Bruce Willis will make his directorial debut with the indie psychological drama Three Stories About Joan. - ComingSoon
Billy Crystal will join Dwayne Johnson, Ashley Judd, and Julie Andrews in the comedy Tooth Fairy. - Variety
Mary McDonnell of Battlestar Galactica will guest star on Grey's Anatomy. - E! Online
A recent study shows that there are more than double the number of gay and bisexual characters in prime-time TV series this Fall compared with last year. - AP
Fox has picked up the series Lie to Me, starring Tim Roth, for midseason. - TV Guide
Kanye West is teaming up with Comedy Central for "a project described as hip-hop meets the Muppets." - Billboard

Photo courtesy of CBS

Tim Roth to Fox: Lie To Me

BuzzSugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:33:39 -0700

It seems Fox is a little obsessed with lying and lie detection these days. The Moment of Truth is still a ratings success, and now, the network has recruited Tim Roth to star in a new drama series about "deception detection."

In Lie to Me, Roth will play Dr. Cal Lightman, the scientist who pioneered the lie-detection field - and who's based on a real-life scientist, Dr. Paul Ekman, who was featured prominently in many stories about the psychology of reading people's faces. According to Variety, the fictional Lightman is "a human lie detector, skilled at reading the human face, body and voice to uncover the truth in criminal and private investigations. The fact that the character can apply the same skills to his personal life complicates his relationships."

Lie to Me marks Roth's first time leading a TV series, and he apparently took three months of pursuing by the show's producers before he would finally agree to the job. The show's pilot is scheduled to film in August, and Fox has already committed to ordering 13 episodes of the show.

I'm pretty fascinated by the idea of being a "human lie detector," and I'm curious to see how Roth does on the small screen. How about you? Would you check out this show?

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What to TiVo: Monday

BuzzSugar — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:50:19 -0800

ABC is new with Dancing With the Stars and Castle
CBS is new with How I Met Your Mother, Accidentally on Purpose, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, and CSI: Miami
FOX is new with House and Lie to Me
NBC is new with Heroes and Trauma
The CW has repeats of One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl
MTV is new with World's Strictest Parents
TLC is new with Jon & Kate Plus 8
Bravo is new with Million Dollar Listing and Chef Academy
Comedy Central is new with The Daily Show With Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report
E! is new with The Soup Presents: Love and Other Burning Sensations
VH1 is new with For the Love of Ray J
Late-night highlights include Eva Mendes on Lopez Tonight on TBS; Taylor Lautner, Timbaland, and Nelly Furtado on The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien on NBC; Robin Williams and Ashley Greene on The Late Show With David Letterman on CBS; and Andre Agassi and Weezer on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC

90210 vs. Melrose Place: Which Was More Scandalous?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:30:19 -0800

The Tuesday night CW block made a particularly strong showing this week. Personally, I thought 90210 had one of its best episodes of the season - nice character development, a few teary moments, and some "oh no she didn't" disses. And as for Melrose Place, I've got two words for you: Heather Locklear. Yes, Amanda Woodward is back, and it's quickly becoming clear that the residents aren't going to have it easy any time soon.

So with plenty of drama to go around, which show shocked more? Let's break down all the juicy tidbits and decide the victor when you read more.

90210 point: Well, Annie sleeps with Jasper, and she skips into the kitchen in the morning to tell her parents about her new boyfriend. Debbie invites him for dinner - but once Dixon warns about his druggie reputation, Deb and Harry are less than enthused and forbid Annie from seeing him. She, of course, gets defensive, and as for Jasper's reaction? He tries to kill Navid by pushing him down the stairs at school.
Melrose Place counterpoint: Speaking of crazy murderers, did Michael off Sydney? Sure seems like it after David ransacks his car and finds her bloody necklace in a plastic bag. Now, he's determined to clear Auggie's name (who has since been shunned by all of his friends) and get payback by putting Michael behind bars.

90210 point: Richard and his mom walk in on Naomi with Jamie. (How about the Dean sarcastically calling Naomi "classy?" Ouch.) Naomi admits to Jamie that she was dating Richard for the wrong reasons, and he breaks up with her over it. Her guilty conscience getting the best of her, Naomi then confesses to Richard, too. Jamie finds out and asks to get back together, but unfortunately for him, Naomi had an epiphany during their 24 hours apart - she's still not over Liam.
Melrose Place counterpoint: Like I said, Amanda Woodward is back, and she's out to make Ella's life hell. First she fires Caleb, and then she sends in an agent named Melissa to lure Ella away from WPK as a "test." Oh, and did I mention that Melissa comes on to Ella and the two women make out in a back room? That part totally came out of nowhere - talk about scandalous.

90210 point: Last week Silver's mom Jackie wasn't waking up, and this week starts with her being rushed to the hospital. The doctor tells Silver and Kelly to say their goodbyes, but Kelly refuses after all the years her mother mistreated her. She regrets that decision later, so she finally makes amends and tells Jackie that she forgives her. Jackie passes soon after, and I admittedly got a bit choked up.
Melrose Place counterpoint: Things are looking up for Riley - her jeans campaign is all over magazines - but once Amanda Woodward steps in, she concocts a rags-to-riches fake bio for Riley for PR purposes. Once the press starts asking questions, Riley admits to the lie and things blow up in WPR's face. Amanda seeks revenge by asking Ella to rat on Riley for abusing her sick days for the photo shoots. When Ella won't agree, ruthless Amanda does it herself, and Riley gets fired.

90210 point: Adrianna tells Navid that he was easy to get over because she was never really in love with him. Brutal. Then Naomi discovers Adrianna's stash, and she says good riddance to Adrianna, too. This can't be good for her substance problem.
Melrose Place counterpoint: Can we talk about Violet and Auggie's sex scene on the kitchen counter? Lauren's stripteases make me blush enough already, but this may have even topped that.

90210 point: I still can't stand Jen, but we're slowly starting to see her softer side. Ryan suggests going camping, and she packs a fondue set and a Burberry rain coat - not exactly low-maintenance is she? After she complains a lot, Ryan tells her he's disappointed since he's always bending over backwards for her. She takes his words to heart - even builds a fire! - and opens up about being broke . . . and still married.
Melrose Place counterpoint: In other couple news, David woos Lauren by decorating her apartment like Autumn, complete with falling leaves. But just as things get hot and heavy, she puts on the brakes, because of her "issues" with intimacy. How long are they going to drag this out?

While I really enjoyed 90210, we're talking about scandal here, so I'm going to give this week to Melrose Place. Having Amanda Woodward on your side already makes you a lock, but then throw in the borderline porno - Auggie and Violet, Lauren and David, Ella and Melissa - and it's a no-brainer. Plus, we had a great MP cliffhanger - what exactly is Sydney is referencing in her letter to Amanda that says, "You'll never find it?" You'll never find what?!

Tell me your theories (and what you thought about the episodes) in the comments! And don't forget that if you're a 90210 follower, you can always join the 90210 Superfans group in the Buzz Community.

Photos courtesy of The CW

What to TiVo: Monday

BuzzSugar — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:50:00 -0800

ABC is new with Dancing With the Stars and Castle
CBS is new with How I Met Your Mother, Accidentally on Purpose, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, and CSI: Miami
FOX is new with House and Lie to Me
NBC is new with Heroes and Trauma
The CW is new with One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl
E! has E! Investigates: Last Days of Michael Jackson, and is new with The Soup Presents: Ladies, Ladies, Ladies and 10 Vampires We Love
MTV is new with True Life, Twilight: Love Bites, and Twilight New Moon: An MTV Movie News Special
TLC is new with Jon & Kate Plus 8
Bravo is new with Million Dollar Listing and Chef Academy
VH1 has repeats of Tough Love 2, For the Love of Ray Jay 2, and I Want to Work for Diddy 2
Late-night highlights include Taylor Lautner and Heather Locklear on The Jay Leno Show on NBC; Sharon Stone, Seth Meyers, Wyclef Jean, and Cyndi Lauper on The Late Show With David Letterman on CBS; Kristen Stewart, Judd Apatow, and Carrie Underwood on The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien on NBC; Ted Danson, Khloe Kardashian, and Lamar Odom on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC; LL Cool J and Mindy Kaling on The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson on CBS; and Tim McGraw and Anna Torv on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on NBC