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NBC Renews Parks and Recreation, Up All Night, and Whitney

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:47:05 PDT

NBC has had mostly good tidings for fans of its comedies so far, renewing 30 Rock and Community, and now it's also given additional seasons to Parks and Recreation, Whitney, and Up All Night. However, we've also got some cancellation news to report: Are You There, Chelsea, Awake, Bent, and Best Friends Forever have all gotten the ax. All four shows were midseason entrants, and I'm not terribly surprised to see them go. In the meantime, I plan on celebrating the Parks and Recreation news (especially since it's also getting a full 22-episode order) the same way the gang gave it up for Leslie's election victory on the season finale.

Photos courtesy of NBC

Pilot Scoop: Awake

Becky Kirsch — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:45:08 PST

It may seem like we're heading into the homestretch of TV season, but a few midseason shows are still making their way out of the starting gate. One of those new series is Awake, which focuses on a man who finds himself living in two different realities after a tragic car accident. Before you check out the premiere tonight, here's what you're in for.

What it's about: Jason Isaacs (who looks quite different without his platinum-blond Lucius Malfoy Harry Potter wig) stars as Michael Britten, a man who has lost either his wife or his son in a car accident. The confusion is that he's leading two different lives: one in which his wife is alive but his son has died, and the other in which the opposite is true. When he goes to sleep at night, he is able to live the other reality - a conundrum that his two therapists (he has one in each reality) are struggling to work through. The issue is that he doesn't want to resolve his problem, because then he'd have to face the truth that either his wife or son is truly gone.
Where it works: The pilot is compelling from start to finish, and I love that there's a sci-fi aspect built into a typical procedural; Michael also works as a detective, so there's an extra layer built in as his two psyches begin to affect his work (and in the pilot, help him solve both of the cases he's working on.) I'm also intrigued by the many variables that could shake up his situation: is it possible that he's the one that's dead? What happens if he moves away or changes too many things? Will his wife and son get older?
Where it doesn't: My biggest issue with Awake is how much is riding on the mystery of Michael's condition. Are we going to have to wait until the series finale to get some answers behind what's happening here?
When it's on: Thursdays at 10 p.m. on NBC
You might like this show if: You appreciate procedurals with a twist - and not a twist that's too gimmicky.
See pictures from Awake and watch a preview when you
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Photo courtesy of NBC

Get a Sneak Peek at NBC's New Shows

BuzzSugar — Mon, 16 May 2011 16:20:13 PDT

If you're still recovering from the sting of cancellation for some of your favorite shows, here's something that might cheer you up. NBC has already revealed its 2011 Fall schedule, and now I've got closer looks at all of the brand-new series. See which of your favorite stars are returning to the small screen, along with previews of all of the new shows. Don't forget to tell us which ones you're excited for (I've already got high hopes for Up All Night and The Playboy Club).

NBC Pilots: Get the Scoop on the New Shows

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 13 May 2011 16:20:42 PDT

Upfronts news means that we're finding out about what will happen in the upcoming TV season. Each network is clearing room in its schedule by getting rid of current shows to make way for new series, like NBC, which just canceled The Event and Law & Order: Los Angeles. But let's look to the future - here are the pilots NBC has just picked up, which star a host of familiar faces like Debra Messing, Will Arnett, Amanda Peet, and more.

COMEDY

Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea: Based on Chelsea Handler's best-selling memoir about her life as a twentysomething. Laura Prepon stars in the Chelsea role.
Free Agents: A male and female PR agent who are both on the rebound (Hank Azaria and Kathryn Hahn) fight their attraction to each other in this remake of a British sitcom of the same name.
Bent: Amanda Peet plays a divorced single mom who falls for the contractor she hired to do work on her house, played by Perfect Couples's David Walton.
Best Friends Forever: A woman moves in with her best friend, even though the best friend is already living with her boyfriend.
Up All Night: Christina Applegate stars as a woman juggling work and motherhood. Maya Rudolph and Will Arnett costar, and Lorne Michaels is producing.
Whitney: Comedienne Whitney Cummings headlines this sitcom as one half of a young couple figuring out their committed relationship.

To find out about NBC's new dramas, just

DRAMA

The Playboy Club: The period drama is set in Chicago's Playboy Club in 1963 and features an ensemble cast that includes David Krumholtz, Amber Heard, Eddie Cibrian, and Jenna Dewan-Tatum.
Grimm: A police detective discovers the creatures from fairy tales are real, and now must protect humankind from them.
Smash: This musical drama follows a group of people putting on a Broadway play about Marilyn Monroe. Debra Messing, Katharine McPhee, and Anjelica Huston star.
Awake: A police detective (Jason Isaacs, aka Lucius Malfoy) wakes up after a car accident and finds himself alternating between two different realities: one where his wife is still alive and one where his son is still alive.
Prime Suspect: Maria Bello plays a tough NYC detective in this UK remake (Helen Mirren had the role in the original).

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:30:00 PST

All of the new DVD releases hit stores (and Netflix) on Tuesdays. So each week in What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday, I sort through the best of the batch and tell you what to add to your queue. In addition to the titles below, Awake, a thriller staring Hayden Christensen and Jessica Alba is out on DVD as well.

Into the Wild
There has been no shortage of buzz around this heartbreaking and visually stunning film directed by Sean Penn and starring Emile Hirsh. While it didn't make it as far at the Oscars as many hoped it would, it did make it onto my March Must-Haves, and I know many people are just as excited as I am that this movie is finally out on DVD. Into the Wild is based on the best-selling true story by Jon Krakauer all about a young, upper-middle class man with the world at his feet who decides to part with his normal, steady life in search of adventure. He sets out on a journey across the country and eventually ends up alone in the wilderness of Alaska.

The breathtaking scenery and unforgettable characters, along with the thought-provoking tale of a young man's journey on the path less taken makes for an important and moving film. Special features include interesting information about the true-life inspirations for the movie.

For two more selections,

Things We Lost in the Fire
Starring Halle Berry and Benicio Del Toro, Things We Lost in the Fire is Susanne Bier's directorial follow-up to her Oscar-nominated After the Wedding. At first glance, this movie looked melodramatic and depressing but I gave it a shot (after all, who can resist Benicio?) and I'm so glad I did.

The story follows a widow (Berry) attempting to put her life back together after her husband tragically dies. Benicio plays the husband's childhood best friend, now a troubled recovering drug addict, who moves in with the grieving woman and her children. Together they deal with the loss and learn to accept each other, in memory of the man they all cherished. This isn't an escape movie, but it is touching and features some beautiful performances by Berry and Del Toro. Special features include audio commentary and extra scenes.

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
First off, until now I've never been concerned that a DVD cover might have the same effect on my vision as looking straight into the sun. Those are some bright colors. Moving on. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium stars Dustin Hoffman as a 243-year-old toy store owner and Natalie Portman as the store's manager. When Mr. Magorium discovers he's not well, he turns to Portman's character to take over his magical world of toys. Lots of colors, slapstick comedy and whimsical fun make this a great choice for family viewing, especially with little ones in the house.

Re-Balancing and Rejuvenating Facial Oils, Part II

BellaSugar — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 08:00:58 PST

Yesterday I brought you the first installment of my series on face oils. These gentle and fast-absorbing products are a relatively new way to increase hydration as well as re-balance and rejuvenate dry winter skin. Here are three more products to check out.

Neal's Yard Organic Orange Flower Facial Oil ($60) helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, eliminate toxins as well as balance the moisture levels in the skin. It is made from mandarin, pomegranate, primrose, ylang ylang, neroli and macadamia seed oil. After continued use, the result is soft, supple and balanced skin. Use morning and/or evening and massage into the face and neck.

For two more re-balancing and rejuvenating facial oils,

Clarins Santal Fave Treatment Oil ($45) is nourishing oil that helps calm redness and promotes radiance. Apply in the evening followed by a moisturizer.

Awake Aroma Facial Oil ($40) is a bedtime treatment that works wonders to soothe dehydrated and malnourished skin. Made from Vitamin E, herbs and macadamia oil, it penetrates the deep layers of your skin to protect skin without clogging your pores.

Jessica Alba Gets Knocked Up

babysugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:15:00 PST

We told you about the entertaining pregnant dance, Get Knocked Up before news broke that Awake star Jessica Alba is pregnant! According to People, "Jessica Alba and Cash Warren are expecting their first baby."

Congratulations to the couple! What better way to welcome her to mommyhood than with a baby dance from Get Knocked Up.

Source

Box Office: Enchanted's Spell Is Long-Lasting

BuzzSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 07:30:00 PST

For the second weekend in a row, Enchanted hypnotized audiences, topping the box office by a long shot with $17 million. Family holiday flick This Christmas stayed strong at No. 2, though took home about half as much as Enchanted did. Beowulf followed up in third place while the new psychological thriller Awake came in at No. 4 with $6 million. Hitman just barely edged out Fred Claus for fifth place.

This weekend I'll be curious to see if The Golden Compass succeeds in drawing the masses that New Line is so desperate to see. According to Variety, the studio held sneak preview screenings this past weekend, hoping to "boost interest in the film, which has been lagging in tracking, although awareness is high." Also opening this Friday is the romantic drama Atonement, starring James McAvoy and Keira Knightley.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

Jessica, Hayden and Rachel Are Wide Awake in NYC

Molly — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:11:26 PST

While she's not the star of the film, I must say that fresh off her morning of charity Rachel Bilson stole the show in her strapless blue and white dress at last night's Manhattan premiere of the thriller Awake. She was out to support her boy, Hayden, who is in the movie alongside Jessica Alba, who herself was dateless. Sadly it looks like R-Bils and Hayden are taking their cues from the Affleck-Garners and didn't do the red carpet thing. Hopefully, they won't keep it up when they have their own movie, Jumper to promote. Awake looks a little intense for my Thanksgiving tastes (eesh being awake during surgery and not able to tell your doctor, who is actually trying to kill you), but hopefully it's a hit for Jessica and Hayden. Judging from their red carpet smiles, at least it looks like they must have had fun together making it.

To see more of Rachel, Hayden and Jessica just

View 15 Photos ›

Images include Rachel Bilson, Georgina Chapman, Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba, Lena Olin, Fisher Stevens, Joby Harold.

Source

Movie Preview: Awake

BuzzSugar — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 08:30:00 PST

Strangely, it appears that Awake was originally in production years ago, and is now scheduled to open November 30 but hasn't really been on anyone's radar at all. It stars Jessica Alba, Hayden Christensen and Terrence Howard, yet nobody's been talking about it - until now with the release of a full-length trailer.

The movie doesn't look like a total gem, and yet the trailer seriously freaked me out by tapping into a major fear. Christensen plays a man who experiences "anesthetic awareness." He goes under anesthesia for his operation but is still aware of everything around him. Terrence Howard plays his surgeon friend who operates on him, and Jessica Alba plays the confused wife. There looks to be an element of the supernatural to it all as well. To check out the trailer for Awake and tell me what you think,