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TCA

Family’s Affairs

Posted by RabbitEars ABC Family held its TCA presentation this morning, with a few notable announcements: * The Secret Life of the American Teenager, an immediate hit for the network after premiering just two weeks ago (it debuted to the network’s highest original series telecast ever), has already been renewed for thirteen additional episodes. One of these new episodes will air in September, while the remaining 12 will hit the airwaves in January. * Greek returns for another season Aug. 26. As it returns, spring break is over, and the gang returns to campus to complete their school year. * […]

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TCA

Ashton and Company Come Knockin’

Posted by RabbitEars ABC is somewhat on its way to becoming known as the “anti-FOX” when it comes to reality shows, with many of its programs being fairly family-friendly and not in the business of embarrassing or psychologically scarring anyone for ratings purposes. Likewise with their new series Opportunity Knocks, premiering Sept. 23. In the show, host J.D. Roth (who, according to his bio, you can blame for “being directly involved in and responsible for over 2,000 episodes of reality/game television” either through creating, producing or hosting them, including Beauty and the Geek, The Pick Up Artist and Age of […]

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TCA

Imperioli Lands on “Mars”

Posted by RabbitEars Michael Imperioli, famed as Christopher on The Sopranos, is back on series TV (on the other side of the law) in Life on Mars, an ABC remake of the hit BBC series premiering Oct. 9. The series follows Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara), a New York City detective suddenly thrust back into the year 1973 (details on exactly how are not being offered. There is almost a Lost quality about possible meanings — is Sam in heaven? Did he travel through time?) Imperioli plays 1973 detective Ray Carling, a big, tough guy in the classic New York cop […]

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TCA

Holmes Romances the “Stone”

Posted by RabbitEars ABC confirmed this morning at the summer TCA tour that Katie Holmes will be guest-starring on its quirky hit Eli Stone when it returns this fall. Holmes, who began filming her episode yesterday, plays an attorney and will be in a sizable portion of the episode (the second episode of the season, airing Oct. 21). In a tantalizing note, it was revealed that she will be singing and dancing, but no details are being offered by executive producer Greg Berlanti (who also worked with Holmes when he executive produced Dawson’s Creek). Speaking of singing, George Michael has […]

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TCA

Perlman’s “Anarchic” Ride

Posted by Rabbitears Ron Perlman (Hellboy II: The Golden Army) stars in a seemingly rare non-makeup-heavy role in Sons of Anarchy, a new FX series debuting in September. It’s an interesting-looking “family drama” set in the rough world of a motorcycle gang, a group disillusioned by the government and now surviving in its own self-contained society, with its own rules. Charlie Hunnam plays Jax Teller, whose love for this brotherhood begins to conflict with his growing concern over the club’s lawlessness, which includes such activities as arms dealing. Perlman plays Jax’s stepfather, who also has certain ideas for the direction […]

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TCA

Aftereffects of FX

Posted by Rabbitears FX displayed its justifiable bragging rights this morning during their presentation at the summer Television Critics Association (TCA) tour. During the introductory executive session, the network made a strong case for how FX ushered in the new era of top-flight basic cable programming with the launch of The Shield (originally title Rampart) in 2001. They pointed out how shortly afterward, USA began the first of its successful character-driven shows with Monk. The last seven years has also seen the rise of other outstanding original scripted dramas on networks that may once have only shown sports, movies, or […]

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TCA

TCA Talk #2

Posted by Barb More news and notes from the TCA tour: Tommy Lee Claims Ludacris Is “A Sweetheart” Hip hop superstar Chris “Ludacris” Bridges and Mötley Crüe rocker Tommy Lee battle it out to become eco-friendly on Planet Green’s Battleground Earth (premiering Aug. 3 at 10pm ET). After weeks of sparing, trying to outwit and conserve more energy than the other, the two have forged a genuine friendship. “Man, we really became good friends. I absolutely adore him,” Lee says. “He’s a sweetheart. He’s got a big heart, man. He is just a real passionate, cool, cool guy, you know, […]

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TV News & Program Updates

I Think I'm Gonna Blog "Hurl!"

Posted by Ryan Not disgusted enough by the gastronomical excesses of competitive eating contests? Then see if you’ve got the stomach to handle G4’s new reality competition series Hurl! This half-hour series, premiering July 15 at 9pm ET, has all the gluttony of your standard speed-eating contest, but adds a twist. Following their fill-up with food, the engorged contestants have to do a challenge designed to test the very limits of the human esophagus — carnival rides, bungee jumping, high diving, mechanical bull-riding or anything else that will get them green about the gills. The last one to lose his […]

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TCA

TCA Talk

Some of the hot talk so far from this year’s summer Television Critics Association (TCA) press tour: TV’s New “It” Girl: Olivia Munn The sexy, sassy and completely unfiltered Olivia Munn provided the laughs at a press conference this week for G4’s live interactive series, “Attack of the Show,” airing weeknights at 7pm ET/PT. Munn, along with Kevin Peira, say their series is targeted to young men and focuses on everything they need to know about technology, games, TV, gadgets, comic books, internet culture and more. Munn, the show’s standout, says she does receive a lot of fan mail. “I […]

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Sports

The Road Begins: GOLF CHANNEL's "Highway 18"

Posted by Ryan Anyone who’s played golf knows that it’s a stressful game. But a typical round doesn’t also include a road race, tough trivia questions, getting dropped off in a swamp and having eight people trying to get you kicked off the course. GOLF CHANNEL’s new 10-episode reality competition series Highway 18, premiering July 22 at 10pm ET, puts five teams of two golfers on the ultimate road rally through Florida, as they face golf challenges both on and off the course to stave off elimination and be the last team standing. “There’s a race element to it, there’s […]