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Live From Pasadena, CBS Kicks Off Network Week at TCA

BuzzSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:30:17 -0700

Greetings from Pasadena! I'm down here for the Summer installment of the TCA press tour, which gives TV critics from around the country a chance to hobnob with television stars, writers, and creators. After some cable events last week, the network portion of the tour kicked off this morning with CBS. I'll be blogging and Twittering the highlights all week long, so stay tuned! Here's some of the news so far:

With Guiding Light ending after 72 years of radio and TV episodes, CBS is bringing back another classic to take its place: the game show Let's Make a Deal. The show's most famous edition, hosted by Monty Hall, aired in the late '60s and early '70s. This new version will have Wayne Brady at the helm. Brady and Hall will be here later today to chat about the show, and I'll let you know if any audience members show up in crazy costumes to get their questions chosen. (My guess: probably not.)
At the first session of the day, CBS's entertainment president, Nina Tassler, talked a bit about CSI - and pointed out that if you didn't like Laurence Fishburne's character's wardrobe, you're in luck, because his clothes are getting a bit of a makeover this season. And that's not all: His character is "more settled in his role, he's in a leadership capacity, he's more versed in the language of CSI," Tassler said. She also confirmed that Jorja Fox's Sara Sidle will be back for the first five episodes of the season.
If you're a fan of NCIS, CBS wants to get you hooked on NCIS: Los Angeles right from the start. The first few episodes of the new show will feature some actors from the original crossing over, including Pauley Perrette and Rocky Carroll.

For the rest of the day, we'll be hearing more about some upcoming shows on CBS, including Jenna Elfman's Accidentally On Purpose and this Fall's Emmy awards, before heading to a party tonight with CBS, CW, and Showtime stars. To hear about some events I'm looking forward to for the rest of the week, just read more.

On Tuesday, the CW will take the stage and give us our first chance to chat with the casts of Melrose Place and The Beautiful Life - though Mischa Barton isn't appearing on The Beautiful Life's panel because she's just started shooting in New York.
Also on Tuesday, we'll head to the sets of Castle and Private Practice. Later in the week, we'll be on set at The Office!
At lunch on Saturday, ABC will screen the first episode of Flash Forward. The bits I saw at Comic-Con had me intrigued, and I can't wait to see the whole thing.
Fox has a So You Think You Can Dance panel scheduled for Thursday morning - just hours before we'll learn the identity of America's favorite dancer for season five! I'm also hoping to attend a couple of SYTYCD events this week to chat with the dancers and the cast of Glee.

If you've got any burning questions for the talent behind your favorite shows, leave me a comment or drop me a note on Twitter, and keep checking back all week for more news and highlights from Pasadena!

Photos courtesy of CBS

Laurence Fishburne Has His Eye on CSI

BuzzSugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:30:56 -0700

One of the big questions back at the TCA press tour was what CSI would look like without its leading man, William Petersen, who's leaving this season. Here's our first big clue: Laurence Fishburne is in talks to step in as the new male lead.

He'd be getting a pretty meaty role, too. As CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler described it, the new guy comes from outside the CSI unit and has a genetic profile comparable to that of a serial killer. He knows about the tendency, though he hasn't actually acted on any killer impulses to date.

Searching for the right actor for the role has apparently been a huge undertaking, with John Malkovich and Kurt Russell also named as top choices - but Malkovich turned down the job.

Landing an Oscar nominee and big name like Fishburne would seem like a serious score for CSI - but, if you're not already a viewer, would it draw you in? And, if you are a CSI fan, do you think Fishburne would mesh well with the current cast?

Source

CBS Boss Talks Vampires, Swingers, and CSI Sans Petersen

BuzzSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:30:58 -0700

Nina Tassler was the third network executive of the week to take the stage at the TCA press tour today, and she shed some light on the departure of Moonlight, the future of Swingtown, and what CSI will look like sans William Petersen. Some highlights:

To help fill the hole on CSI left by Petersen's departure later this season, Tassler said the producers plan to introduce a new character with "an interesting genetic profile" that is comparable to that found in many serial killers. His character is on something of a journey of self-discovery, she said. But he's not going to be a direct replacement for Petersen's character: "He is an outsider coming into the CSI unit," Tassler said, and he is not (at least immediately) the boss. They're still searching for an actor to play the role.
As for Moonlight, Tassler reminded reporters that she's not anti-vampire. "Everybody knows I love vampires," she said. "Vampires, witches, werewolves, warlocks - I love them all." But she said that while there was a lot of outcry over the show's cancellation, most of it was passion for star Alex O'Loughlin rather than the show as a whole. She said she'd love to find a place for O'Loughlin on another show in the future.
Tassler said CBS supports and believes in Swingtown, but she's "a little disappointed in the ratings." As of now, there's no decision made about whether to renew the show or not - though CBS is at least confident enough to have the cast attend tonight's all-star party.

To see what Tassler had to say about Britney Spears and Sarah Chalke on How I Met Your Mother, just read more.

In response to a question about Britney Spears "saving" HIMYM, Tassler insisted Britney shouldn't get the credit for that. "It was never in danger," she said. "We just took a while to make the announcement."
As for Sarah Chalke, Tassler said she's confirmed for multiple episodes at the start of the season - but, as of now, Tassler doesn't think she's the mother.
Will there be more stunt casting? Yes, Tassler said, probably so. She said actors and their agents approach the shows - often as fans - saying they'd like to do a guest spot, and sometimes those work out on screen.

Photo courtesy of CBS

Sesame Street Spoofs CSI

GiggleSugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:00:00 -0700

When there's rhyme in the streets, it's time for RSI: Rhyme Scene Investigation. These folks need to head over to the nearest spoken word event, if you asked me. (I love the David Caruso Muppet, y'all, and he's just as smug as the original!)

Buzz News Roundup, 9/28

BuzzSugar — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:37:54 -0700

Things are looking up for Sara on "CSI" after last night's premiere - but actress Jorja Fox will likely leave the show in November, TV Guide reports.
Queen Latifah has some strong feelings about rap lyrics that she deems misogynist, violent and vulgar, and says action should have been taken with this issue long ago, writes Reuters.
The script for Francis Ford Coppola's upcoming film, "Tetro," was stolen by armed robbers in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, writes the Hollywood Reporter.
The Futon Critic has the details on Comedy Central's pickup of picked up the Canadian comedy "Kenny vs. Spenny," which will be produced by Trey Parker and Matt Stone of "South Park."
According to Billboard, Duran Duran will celebrate their new album by performing nine shows at the Barrymore Theater on Broadway in New York.
Bonnie Hunt is getting her own syndicated talk show, Entertainment Weekly reports.
Variety has news that the Transformers sequel will open June 26, 2009.
Joseph Fiennes, Blythe Danner and Robert Wagner will star in an FX project about a man who realizes he's a transsexual, ComingSoon reports.

Photo courtesy of CBS

TV Tonight: The New Thursday

BuzzSugar — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 10:38:09 -0700

Last season, Thursday was the night I rarely budged from my couch, what with TV serving up a lovely cocktail of "Ugly Betty" plus "The Office" with a splash of "Grey's Anatomy" on top. This season's Thursday is already looking crowded, and several of the shows that make it such a blockbuster night - "30 Rock" and "Scrubs" on NBC, "Supernatural" on The CW - aren't even coming back just yet.

The rest are, though, starting with "Ugly Betty," which had one of the craziest cliffhangers of the spring. Tonight's premiere episode features a telenovela parody in addition to the big reveal of which characters made it through the finale's apparent bloodbath alive. Then, of course, there's a special hour-long episode of "The Office" going head-to-head with "Grey's" for the first time. Over on "CSI," the big mystery is the search for Sara, who was left for dead in the spring finale. And on "Smallville," Supergirl makes her first appearance. Add in "My Name is Earl," "Without a Trace," "Survivor" and the game shows over on Fox, and it's going to be a crazy night.

The evening's sole new network show is "Big Shots," which is heavy on the eye candy with Michael Vartan, Dylan McDermott, Christopher Titus, and Joshua Malina (for those who prefer eye candy of the geeky kind). Unfortunately, I thought the pilot was pretty dismal, though I'm holding out some hope that things could get better. In such a crowded field, what are you planning to watch? To watch previews for several of the shows, just read more

"Ugly Betty":

"The Office" and "My Name is Earl":

"Smallville":

"Big Shots":

"The Office" photo courtesy of NBC
"Ugly Betty" photo copyright 2007 ABC, Inc.
"Smallville" photo courtesy of The CW

Which of Tonight's Finales Will Be the Best?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 17 May 2007 06:30:18 -0700

A ton of great shows wrap up their seasons tonight: "The Office," "Scrubs" and "ER" on NBC, "CSI" on CBS, "Ugly Betty" and "Grey's Anatomy" on ABC, and "Smallville" and "Supernatural" on the CW. That's a lot of cliffhangers! Weddings, divorces, deaths ... anything can happen. Which of tonight's many finales do you think will be the best?

"CSI" photo courtesy of CBS.
"Ugly Betty" photo copyright 2007 ABC, Inc..
"The Office" photo Source.

Ring in the New Year with TV Marathons

BuzzSugar — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 15:58:11 -0800

When New Year's rolls around, I often find myself getting ready for - and recovering from - my night out with nothing but football on the tube. If that's not your style, I've rounded up some of the marathons the networks and cable channels have planned to help us ring in 2007. These times should be good for the Eastern and Pacific time zones, but be sure to check your own listings!

TBS will show a dozen episodes of "Seinfeld" starting at 7 p.m. New Year's Eve
ABC Family will show 10 episodes of "Ugly Betty" starting at 9 a.m. New Year's Eve
The N brings us a "Beyond the Break" marathon on New Year's Eve starting at 6 p.m. Eastern and 3 p.m. Pacific
TNT has a "Law and Order" marathon starting at 11 p.m. New Year's Eve, followed by a "Charmed" marathon starting at 4 p.m. New Year's Day
USA has 24 hours of "Law and Order: SVU" starting at 6 a.m. New Year's Eve, followed by 14 episodes of "Monk" starting at 6 a.m. on New Year's Day
VH1 is kicking off 2007 with "Beauty and the Geek 2" starting at 2 p.m. New Year's Day
NBC has a mini-marathon of "Heroes," with three episodes starting at 8 p.m. New Year's Day
MTV is showing 12 episodes of "Next" starting at 5 a.m. New Year's Day
A&E has a "CSI: Miami" marathon starting at 8 a.m. New Year's Day
Bravo will be showing the third season of "The Biggest Loser" starting at 10 a.m. New Year's Day
TLC has a marathon of "Flip That House" starting at 4 p.m New Year's Day

What to TiVo: Monday

BuzzSugar — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:50:49 -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
ABC Family is new with Lincoln Heights
E! has Keeping Up With the Kardashians and is new with The Soup Presents: The Best Talk Show Moments
Bravo is new with Million Dollar Listing
Comedy Central is new with The Daily Show With Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report
FX has 13 Going on 30
TLC is new with Jon & Kate Plus 8
VH1 is new with For the Love of Ray Jay 2
MTV is new with World's Strictest Parents
Late-night highlights include Ellen DeGeneres, Eva Longoria Parker, Kobe Bryant and Carlos Santana on Lopez Tonight on TBS; Jamie Foxx and Toby Keith on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC; Bill Murray and Gabourey Sidibe on The Late Show With David Letterman on CBS; Carla Gugino on The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson on CBS; Howie Mandel and Diablo Cody on The Jay Leno Show on NBC; Kelsey Grammer and David Gray on The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien on NBC; Laurence Fishburne on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on NBC; and Emmanuelle Chriqui on Last Call With Carson Daly on NBC

What to TiVo: Thursday

BuzzSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:50:44 -0800

ABC is new with FlashForward, Grey's Anatomy, and Private Practice
CBS is new with Survivor, CSI, and The Mentalist
FOX is new with Bones and Fringe
NBC is new with Community, Parks and Recreation, The Office, and 30 Rock
The CW is new with Vampire Diaries and Supernatural
Bravo is new with Real Housewives of Atlanta and Real Housewives of Orange County
MTV is new with World's Strictest Parents and Gone Too Far
Comedy Central is new with The Daily Show With Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report
FX is new with It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The League
Lifetime is new with Project Runway
VH1 has 40 Naughtiest Celebrity Scandals
Late-night highlights include Bill Maher, Gabourey Sidibe, and Keith Urban on The Late Show With David Letterman on CBS; Wanda Sykes and Rachael Ray on The Jay Leno Show on NBC; Jim Carrey and Olivia Wilde on The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien on NBC; Florence and the Machine on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC; Denis Leary and Jena Malone on The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson on CBS; Ian McKellan, Paula Patton, Yoko Ono, and Sean Lennon on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on NBC; and Matisyahu on Last Call With Carson Daly