Taylor Swift hosts "Saturday Night Live" this weekend, with musical guest Taylor Swift. Here are the promos she shot with Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader. "SNL" has had a couple weeks off. You think it'll come back strong, or be as bad as it's been most of the season?
Here's my take on two DVD sets that came out last week, "Battlestar Galactica: The Plan" and "The Mighty Boosh Special Edition."
What are we going to do with our Mondays after tonight? "Greek" wraps up another awesome season with a song, a dance and a battle-bot showdown.
Before you get to the video sneaks, though, check out the "Greek Rap" performed by actor/singer and apparent "Greek" fan Zach Selwyn (above). Below you'll find ABC Family's description of the finale, along with three videos--including a great surprise in the last one. So if you don't want it to see a spoiler, don't watch the last one, OK? Can you wait? I didn't think so. The finale airs at 8 p.m. Monday on ABC Family.
Andy, Erin, Kelly and Ryan get their groove on. NBC photos
In it, Kelly (Mindy Kaling) and Erin (Ellie Kemper) shoot a video for their new girl group, Subtle Sexuality, with a song that allows Mindy to slam the former object of her affections, Ryan (B.J. Novak). "Male Prima Donna" is an outstanding, auto-tuned triumph. With the gals in all kinds of wack clothes, Ryan rapping as Mr. Understood and Andy (Ed Helms) stealing the show as the Nard Dog, I can't picture how it could be better.
Ladies and gentlemen, here's Subtle Sexuality:
Abed (Danny Pudi) becomes Batman on "Community." NBC photosDanny Pudi has a lot in common with his character, Abed, on NBC's "Community."
They're both biracial. They both like making new friends. They love pop culture from the 1980s.
And it turns out they both do dead-on, hilarious impersonations of Christian Bale.
In the comedy's Halloween episode Thursday, Pudi's socially awkward Abed tones down his frenetic persona to be the Dark Knight at the Day of the Dead party his classmate, Annie (Alison Brie), is throwing for their Spanish class.
"It was such a treat to play Batman," Chicago native Pudi told me via e-mail Wednesday. "But it wasn't the first time. There was one Halloween ... around 1990 when I played the Dark Knight. That Batman was a little more innocent and the costume wasn't as good. I believe it was from Walgreens and made of plastic."
THE LEAGUE
9:30 p.m. Thursday, FX
Tune in or out? 
out of four.
One question popped into my head after watching FX's raunchy new comedy about the arrested-development members of a fantasy football league: Do straight guys really make so many homo-suggestive comments in a day? Not that there's anything wrong with that, but really guys, just try sex with your buds if you are so curious.
(I should probably be offended that they use gay jokes as weapons, but these boys are so hopeless, it's not worth effort. Besides, their preoccupation with the subject matter makes me laugh.)
NBC and "30 Rock" have created this online exclusive showing Frank (Judah Friedlander) and Lutz (John Lutz) dueling over their knowledge of porn. It's hilarious, if you're into crazy porn titles. Enjoy. For more "30 Rock" clips go to NBC.com.
Nightman is coming to Comedy Central next summer. FX photos
Frank, meet Cartman.
Things just got sunnier on Comedy Central. The network that already brings us the kid curmudgeon Cartman will now have Danny De Vito's nasty little man Frank Reynolds and the self-centered gang from Paddy's Pub. The network landed syndication rights to "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," and will begin airing old episodes of the FX comedy next summer.
New seasons of "Sunny" will continue to air on FX, which has ordered sixth and seventh seasons so far. (The show is currently in its fifth season.) So we can potentially watch Mac, Dennis, Charlie, Dee and Frank all the time. Woo-hoo!
I attached the Comedy Central press release below. For a sneak peek at this week's "Sunny," follow the Greenman link.
Puck and Rachel get hit with a Slushy during the "Mash-Up" episode of "Glee." Fox photo
In this week's "Glee," Puck (Mark Salling) surprises everyone when he serenades Rachel (Lea Michele) with his "personal tribute to a musical Jewish icon." We finally get to hear Salling, who told me during the Chicago stop of the Gleek Tour that he's been a guitarist and songwriter "all my life," perform his solo of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline," which he said was his favorite song to sing (see second video).
In "Mash-Up," airing at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Puck's performance heats up the love quadrangle of Rachel, Quinn, Finn and Puck. But it won't get too hot: Slushies will be thrown. Sorry Puck, that's the price of true love.(Did you hear Joss Whedon will direct a "Glee" episode?)
Joss Whedon will direct an episode of Fox's "Glee."
Joss Whedon
On Monday, both Whedon and Fox confirmed that he will direct one of the final nine episodes of the musical comedies freshman season. Fox picked it up for a full season earlier this fall.
"Why GLEE?" Whedon wrote on fan blog whedonesque.com. "Because I love cops, serial killers and gritty urban drama (I haven't seen the show yet). Why me? Because they're struggling and can't afford real directors."
He went on to say who he will kill off on "Glee" and talked about "Dollhouse" and other news. Read the full post below.
Are you giddy about Whedon directing "Glee"? Read what Whedon posted on his fan site below:
Greenman is back!
"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" creators Rob McElhenney and Glenn Howerton promised that Charlie Day would don the green body suit this season, and he is.
In the upcoming episode of the FX comedy, Greenman goes to Game 5 of the 2008 World Series. But that, I believe, is all in flashback as the gang tries to explain to a judge why they received a huge parking citation for during the World Series. Watch a sneak peek of "The World Series Defense" below. It airs at 9 p.m. Thursday on FX. (Watch video sneak peeks of other shows.)
If you like watching "Saturday Night Live" players crack up during sketches, you probably loved last night's "SNL."
Anheuser-Busch sponsored most of the Gerard Butler-hosted "SNL," introducing never-before-seen dress rehearsal outtakes from past "SNL" seasons. They were great, but I admit that I'm one of those giggle-fit fans. (Harvey Keitel, Bill Hader, Sean Hayes and the wall-challenged Robot all had me giggling too.)
The outtakes were great, but the highlight for me--as is usually the case--was Seth Meyer's "Weekend Update." Meyers' sharp wit and cutting commentary were back in full force. I've listed some of the best below.
out of four
The 20th "Treehouse of Horror" special confirms my theory that everybody wants to break out in song. In it, Moe the Bartender spikes Marge's beer with Homer's blood and tries to seduce her with a song. You think Marge posing in Playboy is scary? Wait until you hear Moe sing. Earlier, Apu turns action hero when he saves the Simpsons from zombified Springfield, and Lisa and Bart have a showdown a la Alfred Hitchcock. I'm never disappointed in this annual event.
I'm starting my weekly (and late) review of "Saturday Night Live" with a disclaimer: I fully admit that I watched "SNL" through the haze of a mighty hangover thanks to Saturday's ChicagoNow bloggers' party and, um, karaoke extravaganza.
Still, I'm now calling the show "Saturday Night Lame." Wow, what a stinker it was. Poor Drew Barrymore. You'd think the "SNL" writers would have busted out some of their better material for Barrymore, who has hosted the sketch show more often than any other woman (six).
They didn't.
This week's episode of "Glee" is called "Throwdown," so it's little wonder that Quinn gets upset when she sees how well Finn and Rachel are getting along--as you can see in the peek below of the kids singing "No Air." Also below, the Glee Club sings Avril Lavigne's "Keep Holdin' On." The episode airs at 8 p.m. Wednesday on Fox.
Wanda Sykes keeps it raunchy in her HBO special "I'ma Be Me." HBO photo
WANDA SYKES: I'MA BE ME
9 p.m. Saturday, HBO
Tune in or out? out of four
Charlie (Evan Handler) and Sue Collini (Kathleen Turner) meet with Rick Springfield in "Californication." Showtime photo
CALIFORNICATION
9 p.m. Sunday, Showtime
Tune in or out? out of four
Jack McBrayer doesn't mind being recognized as his "30 Rock" character, Kenneth the Page.
"Kenneth, first off," a reporter said during a conference call with the actor on Thursday, "I'm sorry, Jack-"
"Same thing," McBrayer responded with the same southern drawl as Kenny.
The Emmy-winning "30 Rock" returns at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 15 with the episode called "Season Four." And Kenneth the page (Jack McBrayer) is not happy. NBC released three sneak peek videos you can watch below, followed by the network's description of the episode.
Wedded miss? "The Office" co-workers gather for the wedding of Jim and Pam. NBC photo
If you haven't heard, this Thursday Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fischer) get married on "The Office." NBC didn't send out screeners, but they've flooded the Internet with sneak peeks of the hour-long episode that begins at 8 p.m.
ABC debuted two new sitcoms last week that are headlined by former "Back to You" co-stars Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton. That sitcom didn't have the staying power of either star's previous hit show, Grammer's "Frasier" or Heaton's "Everybody Loves Raymond." One of them returns to form in the new series. Keep reading to find out.
Amber Riley and Chris Colfer became TV stars thanks to "Glee." Fox photo
Just a year ago, "Glee" star Chris Colfer was in high school. His co-star, Amber Riley, had been rejected by "American Idol." Now they're on one of the hottest shows on TV.
Here's your chance to become TV stars, Chicagoans--and not on a reality show!
Fox is casting for a new scripted comedy pilot, and the network is turning to the Web to find 18- to 22-year-olds who can pass for teens about 16 or 17 years old. The two-week search started Oct. 5 and ends Oct. 19, so hurry up.
The as-yet-untitled project comes from the executive producers of "That '70s Show"--writer/producer Mark Brazill, producers Tom Werner and Mike Clements. It centers on a group of teens and is based on Brazill's working-class upbringing in Buffalo, NY. Several roles will be cast, including the four below.
Are you ready to sing another song over and over and over and over and ...? "Glee" returns at 8 p.m. Wednesday with "Vitamin D," in which Mr. Schuester pits the boys against the girls. The boys sing a little Bon Jovi and Usher, as you can see in the clip provided by Fox. Don't say I didn't warn you about having the songs stuck in your head.
Madonna almost had a moment with Lady Gaga on "Saturday Night Live."
"Saturday Night Live" almost had a moment this week, but Kenan Thompson got in the way.
Madonna did get one funny line out, though, asking Gaga, "What the hell is a disco stick?" (Don't get it? Listen to Gaga's "Love Games.")
Thompson, as DJ Dynasty Handbag, sat between the warring divas and when they went in for a kiss, he gave them his cheeks. The skit didn't end nearly as hot as it could have.
Cleveland tries to connect with Donna's kids, but Meadowlark Lemon suffers for it. Fox photo
THE CLEVELAND SHOW
7:30 p.m. Sunday, Fox
Tune in or out? 
out of four.
FRIDAY UPDATE: The Associated Press reports that Robert J. "Joe" Halderman, a "48 Hours" producer, was arrested Thursday and indicted on one count of attempted first-degree grand larceny for his alleged involvement in the Letterman extortion plot. He is due to be arraigned later Friday.
David Letterman. CBS photo
"I have a little story that I'd like to tell you ... Do you feel like a story," Dave asked as the studio audience applauded.
He went to tell how a man had tried to extort $2 million from him or else the man would make public news that Dave had had sexual relationships with female members of his "Late Show" staff.
The man was arrested on Thursday. Letterman did not identify him, but TMZ and Radar Online report the alleged extortionist is Robert Halderman, 51. TMZ says he's a New York businessman, while Radar Online claims he is a CBS producer who had been living with the woman with whom Letterman had relations.
So that's the news. Now back to Dave's hilarious story.
In this NBC video, John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer take us behind the scenes at the wedding of Jim Halpert and Pam Beesly on "The Office." They so sweet! Tune in at 8 p.m. Oct. 8 for the wedding, but don't forget to watch this week's episode, "The Promotion," as well!
Ryan Reynolds hosts this weekend's "Saturday Night Live," and frankly, I don't care if it's as bad as last week's "SNL" season premiere. Just write Reynolds into every skit, sucky or not. (And please, send up his shirtless movies scenes in at least five of those skits.) NBC released this promo for the show with Reynolds, Kenan Thompson and, um, musical guest Lady Gaga. Enjoy.
Megan Fox hosted and U2 performed on the disappointing season premiere of "Saturday Night Live." NBC photos
Megan Fox hosted the season premiere of "Saturday Night Live," but she's not the talk of the night.
"SNL" newcomer Jenny Slate made sure people noticed her debut. She dropped an F-bomb in the "Biker Chick Chat" sketch that did not get bleeped. And guess what? The slip-up didn't even help the skit.
When "Family Guy" returns at 8 p.m. Sunday, Stewie and Brian take on the "multiverse" and other animation styles. It is hilarious. I love how Seth McFarlane and company gently poke at their fellow Fox series "Fringe," as well as Disney, other animated shows and comic strips. Watch the sneak peek for the Season 7 premiere, "Road to the Multiverse," below.
Fox is showering us with gifts from "Glee" today. Here's a sneak peek of the Sept. 30 episode, "The Rhodes Not Taken." Kristin Chenoweth, who just won an Emmy for her role as Olive on the dearly departed "Pushing Daisies," guest stars as April Rhodes, an old classmate of Will (Matthew Morrison) who he enlists to re-energize the Glee Club. The episode also features the Glee Club singing "Somebody to Love." Unfortunately the sneak doesn't show Mercedes (Amber Riley) belting out her part. Have to save something for when we all tune in at 8 p.m. Sept. 30 on Fox.
"The Simpsons" launches its 21st season with Seth Rogen co-writing and guest voicing a premiere called "Homer The Whopper." Need I say more to get you to watch? I won't, but Fox has provided the video interview and sneak peek below. Afterward you can read the episode description. A tease: Homer might become a big movie star.
This latest episode of "Glee," called "Preggers," has been my favorite of the season so far. So silly and touching. It had everything that is great about this show: comedy, heart, music and Jane Lynch. Fox has provided this clip of Kurt and Tina practicing their dance to Beyonce's "Single Ladies." It's awesome. Enjoy.
COUGAR TOWN
8:30 p.m. Wednesday, ABC
Tune in or out? out of four.
President Obama took a seat on David Letterman's couch Monday. See video below. CBS photo
President Obama doesn't think racism is the cause of all the criticism he's faced lately.
"Well, first of all, I think it's important to realize that I was actually black before the election, so ... I ...," Obama told David Letterman Monday as the "Late Show" audience interrupted with applause. "This is true. This is true."
Letterman replied, "How long have you been a black man?"
Obama said that his election "tells you ... a lot about where the country's at."
The show was taped earlier today in New York and will air at 10:35 p.m. on CBS. During his visit, the first time a sitting president has been a guest on a late-night talk show according to CBS, the president promoted his policies and talked about his daughters.
Letterman gave 10 reasons why Obama came on the show, which you can read and watch below.
The "Glee" club will perform on our TV screens a lot more this season. Fox photo
Let's hear it for the nerds, geeks and Gleeks.
Fox has ordered a full season of the new comedy "Glee," the network announced on Monday. That means nine more episodes will be filmed to air after the already-shot 13 episodes.
PARKS AND RECREATION
7:30 p.m. Thursday, NBC
Tune in or out? out of four
COMMUNITY
8:30 p.m. Thursday, NBC
Tune in or out? out of four.
IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA
9 p.m. Thursday, FX
Tune in or out? out of four.
WARNING: Some might consider some of the information in this article to be spoilers. Apparently the show's creators do not.
I was planning to hold onto these video clips previewing Season 5 of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" until I posted my interviews with Glenn Howerton and Rob McElhenney, but after watching the first four episodes of the season, I have to share them now. Thank you FX for sending them out. ("Sunny" Chicago premiere party alert after the vids!)
Totally frigging hilarious. I can't wait for more, even though the gang isn't bringing the Nightman tour to Chicago. Enjoy and come back Wednesday night for my interviews with the guys.
Syfy's hit series "Eureka" closes its third season at 8 p.m. Friday with "What Goes Around Comes Around." As usual, Carter (Colin Ferguson) and the people of Eureka are delaing with odd goings-on. Syfy provided the video sneak peek below, and the episode description afterward.
"Saturday Night Live" has locked in hosts Megan Fox, Ryan Reynolds, Drew Barrymore and Gerard Butler.
Host Megan Fox and musical guest U2 will help "Saturday Night Live" launch its 35th season on Sept. 26.
I'm still kinda pissed off that "SNL" guru Lorne Michaels dumped cast member Michaela Watkins, who developed memorable characters and impersonations in her one season on the show--celeb blogger Angie Tempura ("Bitch please"), plus newswomen Barbara Walters and Hoda Kotb.
Have you seen Jimmy Fallon imitate "Twilight" star Robert Pattinson on "Late Night"? He's hilarious. Fallon was at it again last night, airing a new "Robert is bothered" skit that's just too funny. Fallon's also come up with a Robert is Bothered Web site that has more skits, like Robert's Shark Week rant below. If Twilighters aren't offended, they should suck this stuff up.
"Glee" opens its freshman season at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, on Fox. Fox photo
If Fox's wonderful comedy "Glee" hasn't won you over yet, well, where have you been? The network has aired the pilot three times! But it's not too late to join the fun at McKinley High School.
The series kicks off its first season at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, with an episode called "Showmance." You'll be hard-pressed to find a better first episode of any series this fall.
As "Showmance" begins, Glee Club has just a few members and may be shut down. But things have a way of changing comically on "Glee."
Here are some of the characters you'll come to know, love and laugh with on "Glee," as seen through interviews with the actors who play them. I had the chance to interview them when the Gleek Tour came to Orland Park in August.
They loved "Showmance." You will too. RedEye photo
The general consensus about Fox's comedy "Glee"?
It's not a loser. The gleeks who told me about their most embarrassing high school memories got together and watched the show's fall premiere, called "Showmance," at RedEye on Thursday night. They loved it.
The episode kicks off the series' freshman season at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, on Fox. And don't forget the tweet-peat of the pilot at 8 p.m. Friday on Fox. You don't want to miss this series. At least that's what these gleeks think.
Joel McHale is all about Show Patrol. Well, maybe that's an exaggeration. But he is all about Show Patrol readers, especially if they watch his new fall comedy, "Community," on NBC. Next week I'll offer my fall winners and losers, and "Community" is on the winner list--and not because McHale is giving me a shout-out. Despite having gone to a community college myself, I found the mocking of such schools and their students funny. The fall semester for "Community," co-starring Chevy Chase and Chicago native Dan Pudi (with McHale in video below), begins at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 17.
When I asked readers to share their craziest high school memories with me for the Glee Club event, I didn't expect so many confessions of public indecency.
Wow, I love these gleeks. And that's why I'm inviting everyone who submitted stories to watch the fall premiere of "Glee" with me on Thursday, a week before it airs on Fox.
The following ChicagoNow members are now part of the Show Patrol Glee Club. Besides the sneak peek, they're going to get some "Glee" swag that Fox so kindly provided. Congrats. I'll see you Thursday.
Looks like David Letterman stole the Top 10 sketch from Britney Spears on the "Late Show," which was taped earlier Tuesday to be broadcast at 10:35 p.m. on CBS.
| Roast of Joan Rivers | Sun, Aug 9 10pm / 9c | |||
| Extended Preview | ||||
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THE COMEDY CENTRAL ROAST OF JOAN RIVERS
9 p.m. Sunday, Comedy Central
Tune in or out? Have only seen clips, but I plan to tune in.
Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers will reunite on the "Weekend Update" anchor desk. NBC photo
It's back to the anchor desk for Amy Poehler this fall, at least temporarily.
The former "Saturday Night Live" and current "Parks and Recreation" star will appear in the Sept. 17 season premiere of "Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update Thursday."
She'll rejoin co-anchor Seth Meyers on Sept. 24. "Parks and Recreation" begins its second season on Sept. 17. NBC plans to air six episodes of "Weekend Update Thursday."
The cast of Fox's outstanding fall comedy "Glee" embark on a 10-city tour in August that will bring them to Orland Park on Aug. 21.
The Gleek Tour stops from 3 to 6 p.m. at Orland Square mall, 500 Orland Square. Cast members Cory Monteith, Lea Michele, Amber Riley, Chris Colfer, Jenna Ushkowitz, Kevin McHale, Dianna Agron and Mark Salling will appear at the Hot Topic store.
They will sign autographs, do a Q&A session and give fans a sneak peek at the upcoming season that launches at 8 p.m. Sept. 9. And extended cut of the pilot, which aired earlier this year, will be broadcast at 7:58 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Read about the "Glee" panel at San Diego Comic-Con.
Matthew Morrison (from left), Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Dianna Agron and producers Ian Brennan and Dante Di Loreto gleeked out fans at the "Glee" Comic-Con panel. Fox photo
Fox is pushing up the fall premiere of its wonderful, beyond hilarious fall comedy "Glee" a week to Sept. 9.
If you ask me, that's not soon enough.
The network is no doubt responding to the enthusiastic welcome the episode received from a thankful crowd at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday. At least a thousand fans, including Joss Whedon, the man behind the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" musical episode and "Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog," were doubled-over laughing at Jane Lynch and crew.
"Glee" creators Ryan Murphy ("Nip/Tuck"), Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan literally packed the episode, called "Showmance," with three laughs a minute and at least five songs, including versions of Kanye West's "Golddigger," Rihanna's "Take a Bow" and Salt-n-Pepa's "Push It," complete with hilariously inappropriate choreography.
The episode made up about 45 of the best minutes I spent at Comic-Con.
Michael Ian Black (left) and Michael Showalter play deluded hosts of a sketch comedy show in "Michael and Michael Have Issues." Comedy Central photo
MICHAEL AND MICHAEL HAVE ISSUES
9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Comedy Central
Tune in or out? out of four
The Simpsons. Fox photo
Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock is about to undertake his greatest challenge.
He's directing "The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special in 3-D on Ice," a documentary about the cultural phenomenon of the Fox animated series.
"When they first called me about this, I thought it was a prank and I hung up," the "Super Size Me" director says in a Fox release. "And then my agent called back and said, 'No, no, this is for real,' at which point I fainted. Then when I woke up, I called everyone I knew because it was the coolest thing I could ever get to do in my career."
Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie get the Spurlock treatment on Jan. 14, Fox says, the final special that will wrap up the network's year-long celebration of "The Simpsons" 20 years on TV.
Kevin Dillon (left), Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly and Jerry Ferrara of "Entourage." HBO photo
ENTOURAGE
9:30 p.m. Sunday, HBO
Tune in or out? out of four.
"Entourage" could sure use some Viagra.
Sacha Baron Cohen has been on a whirlwind tour to promote his latest ambush comedy, "Brüno."
Usually, Cohen dons his latest alter ego, the flamboyantly gay Austrian fashionista, but earlier this week let me down when he went on "Late Show with David Letterman" as himself.
He was back on the show Thursday night--as Brüno--delivering the "Top Ten Reasons to See the New Movie 'Brüno.'"
The movie opens Friday.
Kanye West chats with Ellen DeGeneres after performing for her variety special. TBS photos
Viewers of "Ellen's Bigger, Longer & Wider Show" on Saturday may not see one of the sweetest moments from Ellen DeGeneres' variety show that was filmed at the Chicago Theatre.
At the end of the live show, the talk show host opened up the floor to audience questions. A newlywed asked for advice about marriage, to which DeGeneres, now married to actress Portia de Rossi, said, "Marry someone with your same shoe size."
De Rossi peeked out from the stage wings and DeGeneres smiled.
Lem (Malcolm Barrett, left) faces the consequences when his boss, Ted (Jay Harrington), joins the secret Medieval Fight Club on "Better Off Ted." ABC photos
BETTER OFF TED
8:30 p.m. Tuesday, ABC
Tune in or out? out of four.
ABC's excellent workplace comedy "Better Off Ted" returns on Tuesday with the first of six brand new episodes, and I can't wait. (Especially after ABC last week reran the brilliant episode in which the company, Veridian Dynamics, installed water fountains that their black employees couldn't use.)
David Alan Grier performs at the 2008 TBS Presents "A Very Funny" Festival: Just For Laughs. TBS photo
David Alan Grier won't tell any jokes about the Rod Blagojevich scandal when he hosts the "Comedy You Can Believe In" show at 7 p.m. Friday at the Vic Theatre.
"I don't find that funny," he told me during a call to promote the Just For Laughs festival in Chicago this week. "What's the best Rod Bla-, Bla-, Bla-, Bla-, Bla-, Bla-, Bla- ... Blagojevich joke you've heard?"
Grier, whose festival show is being filmed to be aired on TBS at 9 p.m. June 28, feels better about another politician from Chicago, so much so that he's titled a book after him.
"It's called 'Barack Like Me.' Get it?" he said. "'Barack Like Me.' Not 'Blagojevich Like Me.' Woo!"
Grier won't be doing his own stand-up during the show, but he'll perform funny bits between the sets of comics Bruce Bruce, Mark Curry, Eric Spears, Marina Franklin, Joe Koy and Ralph Harris.
"I'll try to come up with stuff that's funny, to stretch your comedy laughter dollar," Grier said. "As opposed to 'just the dude that's hosting.'"
Grier laughed about a wide variety of topics, from his past trips to Chicago to Speidi to Roland Burris to his meltdown after "Dancing with the Stars."
NURSE JACKIE
9:30 p.m. Monday, Showtime
Tune in or out?
out of four.
As Nurse Jackie, Edie Falco takes a tried-and-true TV staple--the tarnished saint--and makes it into another Emmy-worthy character not unlike her Carmelo Soprano. She transcends the material given her, which is good but nothing new, as her Jackie pops pills and cheats on her sweet hubby but thrives in her job of healing the sick. It's a tour-de-force performance.
Paulo Costanzo stars as Evan Lawson in USA Network's "Royal Pains."
Paulo Costanzo is rolling in wealth on his new TV series, "Royal Pains."
As Evan Lawson, the social-climbing brother of Dr. Hank Lawson (Mark Feuerstein), he gets to spend time in East Coast mansions and on beaches in the Hamptons with lots of babes. But those aren't even the best perks, he told me recently.
"My trailer is actually made of platinum and virgins," he said. "Platinum's more expensive than gold, just so you know. And diamond studs as well. Don't forget the diamond studs."
Ellen DeGeneres tapes her show on May 3, 2008, in Pioneer Court in downtown Chicago. She'll be back in town next week. Tribune photo/Zbigniew Bzdak
It's a good thing Ellen DeGeneres won't be throwing out the opening pitch at Tuesday's Cubs/Sox game.
"I have held a baseball before," DeGeneres said Wednesday. "I've played baseball--not baseball, softball. It's the same thing--whiffle ball, it's the same thing, right? Football, actually. Actually, I've seen the games."
The comedian and talk show host, who will be in town to film "Ellen's Bigger Longer & Wider Show" June 17 at the Chicago Theater, plans to sing during the seventh inning stretch. She told me during a conference call that she's excited to come back to the Windy City, where she filmed an episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" last year.
Yes, that was Mark-Paul Gosselaar on Monday's "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon." He just looked like Zack Morris from "Saved By the Bell."
The "Raising the Bar" star did the entire interview as his "Bell" character, complete with bleached blond hair, 1990s clothes and a huge, old-school cell phone.
WEEDS
9 p.m. June 8, Showtime
Tune in or out? out of four.
Last season some viewers and critics complained that the cannabis comedy jumped the shark with its Mexican drug ring story. They must have been high.
President Barack Obama left for the Middle East on Wednesday, but last night he had more important matters on his mind: His endorsement of Conan O'Brien as the new "Tonight Show" host.
The TBS Presents A "Very Funny" Festival: Just For Laughs from June 17-21 in Chicago keeps growing.
Robert Smigel and Dino Stamatopoulos. Courtesy TBS
"The Unaired Bozo Circus Parody: The Original 'TV Funhouse' Pilot" is a dark parody, with Bozo as a boozed up clown. Performances are set for June 17 and 18 at the Lakeshore Theater.
Below are other additions and changes to the festival schedule, all from a TBS press release:
Conan O'Brien launched a new era for NBC's "Tonight Show" on Monday, proving that his brand of humor can work at any time of the night.
And unlike his shaky start as "Late Night" host 16 years ago--when he was fired after one show and then brought back--O'Brien kicked things off with a fast-paced, topical and hilarious hour filled with classic Conan--pre-filmed videos, silly studio hijinks and a sharp back-and-forth with his first guest, Will Ferrell.
"It's so incredible because no one thought you could do it," Ferrell said. He then offered O'Brien advice for living in L.A., including tipping him off to a hot burger joint called Burger King.
Conan O'Brien promises to create a lot of new skits for his "Tonight Show" that will utilize his new surroundings at Universal Studios in Burbank, Calif.
"It would be a shame to just dust off the 'Late Night Show' and move it to 10:30 p.m.," he said during a recent chat with reporters. "I think people would be disappointed if I didn't reinvent myself to some degree."
Still, I hope he'll bring back some classic Conan beyond what he's already promised to keep--Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, Noches de Passion With Conan O'Brien, Year 2000 and Jim Gaffigan's Pale Force cartoon. Here are three I'd like to see again:
Conan O'Brien begins his West Coast-based "Tonight Show" on Monday. NBC photo
Conan O'Brien isn't just moving to an earlier hour and "The Tonight Show." He's had to move his wife and two children across the country, from New York to L.A. Last week O'Brien talked with reporters about getting used to his new city.
Conan O'Brien hits a California beach. NBC photo/Paul Drinkwater
He still plans to be silly.
"I feel like I'm going to have plenty of opportunities to make a jackass of myself in that hour," he told reporters last week when talking about "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien," which kicks off at 10:35 p.m. on NBC.
O'Brien, with his tall red hair and gangly build, has been playing the fool for 16 years as host of "Late Night" at 11:30 p.m.--and I mean that in the most complimentary way. He never fails to crack up his audiences, even when a joke bombs.
"Even more than the joke, I love responding to how the audience responds to a joke. I like it when a joke doesn't work," he said. "I like it when a joke leads to me acting something out. I like it when things go off the rails a little bit. That's just my sense of humor and my sensibility."
Jay Leno signed off as host of "The Tonight Show" on Friday with a low-key performance that was, in some ways, typical of any night from the past 17 years.
It just took a few minutes to get started.
Leno tried to quiet his audience for almost two minutes before he was able to start his monologue, which focused on all the changes in the world since he started hosting "The Tonight Show" in 1992.
PUSHING DAISIES
9 p.m. Saturday, June 6 and 13, ABC
Tune in or out? out of four.
Of all the shows canceled over the past few years, "Pushing Daisies" is the one I'll miss the most.
ABC stopped production of this whimsical-yet-dark comedy about a sweet pie maker with a magic touch last fall, but thankfully the network is airing three unseen episodes on consecutive Saturdays.
As angry as I am over the cancellation, I have to give ABC credit for having ever taken a chance on the show. It's like nothing before it. I just wish the network had allowed creator Bryan Fuller to film a proper series finale. (Kristin Chenoweth isn't happy about that either.)
Anyway, as the story goes ...
Bill Crystal sings to Jay Leno on Thursday. NBC photo
Jay Leno is counting down to his final "Tonight Show" on Friday--apparently with the worst jokes he can muster--when he'll hand over the long-running chat fest to Conan O'Brien, who will be his final guest.
But on Thursday night, Billy Crystal, Leno's first guest when "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" launched 17 years ago, serenaded Leno. As he has on the Oscar telecasts, Crystal changed the words to famous songs to reflect his, um, feelings:
MANEATER
8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Lifetime
Tune in or out? out of four.
Even playing a gold-digger, Sarah Chalke is adorable. She stars as a vapid socialite who schemes to land Hollywood's hottest new producer--and by hot, I mean smoking Philip Winchester. Of course, her plans backfire.
Tim Meadows. Tribune photo
TBS has ordered 10 episodes of "The Very Funny Show," which will be taped at Zanies Comedy Club in June during TBS's Just For Laughs festival. Former "Saturday Night Live" cast member and sometime Chicago resident Tim Meadows will host the half-hour, late-night standup series. It will premiere in November, TBS said Thursday.
The Goode family: Gerald, Helen, Bliss, Che and Ubuntu. ABC photo
THE GOODE FAMILY
8 p.m. Wednesday, ABC
Tune in or out? out of four.
Mike Judge skewered red state values in his Fox animated comedy "King of the Hill." Consider his new series the reverse: He's mocking blue state values.
Rob Thomas' hilarious comedy "Party Down" wraps up its first season Friday, but its motley crew of cater-waiters isn't serving its last laughs.
Starz has given the series a second season, which means Thomas and his co-creators--John Enbom, Dan Etheridge and Paul Rudd--are busy brainstorming 10 more events the Party Down team will cater. Nothing's set in stone, Thomas told me last week, but it's obvious these guys would make awesome party planners.
Rob Thomas' hilarious comedy "Party Down" wraps up its first season Friday, but its motley crew of cater-waiters isn't serving its last laughs.
Starz has given the series a second season, which means Thomas and his co-creators--John Enbom, Dan Etheridge and Paul Rudd--are busy brainstorming 10 more events the Party Down team will cater. Nothing's set in stone, Thomas told me last week, but it's obvious these guys would make awesome party planners.
Morgan (Joshua Gomez) will be eating a lot of Subway sandwiches on "Chuck." NBC photo
Go get a foot-long, people. Subway not only helped with the Twitter campaign to #savechuck, but the company has struck a deal with NBC to become a major sponsor, which means more Chuck, Sarah, Casey, Jeffster, Ellie and Awesome for all of us.
Posted at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 19
NBC finally made the official announcement today: “Chuck” will be back next season, and Subway will be a major sponsor.
Go get a foot-long, people. Subway not only helped with the Twitter campaign to #savechuck, but the company has struck a deal with NBC to become a major sponsor, which means more Chuck, Sarah, Casey, Jeffster, Ellie and Awesome for all of us.
NBC says the show will return to its 7 p.m. Monday slot after the Winter Olympics. That's a long wait until next Spring.
'GLEE' MAKES ME HAPPY
JANE LYNCH ON 'GLEE'
JANE LYNCH ON "PARTY DOWN'
The cast of "Glee." Fox photos
Murphy came up with the optimistic, uplifting musical comedy, "Glee." Fox has been so taken by the show that it's airing a special preview after Tuesday's "American Idol."
"I wanted to do a show that has a bigger heart and is kinder," Murphy told reporters last week. "But make no mistake. It still has an edge."
RYAN MURPHY TALKS 'GLEE'
JANE LYNCH ON 'GLEE'
JANE LYNCH ON "PARTY DOWN'
GLEE
8 p.m. (or after "American Idol") Tuesday, Fox
Tune in or out? out of four.
Posted at 2 a.m. Tuesday, May 18
JANE LYNCH TALKS "GLEE"
"GLEE" WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY
After eight years of living in the dark, strange world of “Nip/Tuck,” Ryan Murphy was ready for something different.
Murphy came up with the optimistic, uplifting musical comedy, “Glee.” Fox has been so taken by the show that it’s airing a special preview after Tuesday’s “American Idol.”
“I wanted to do a show that has a bigger heart and is kinder,” Murphy told reporters last week. “But make no mistake. It still has an edge.”
It definitely has an edge, mixing “Mean Girls” with “Election” and the darkest parts of “Hairspray.” It captures high school life—losers versus popular kids—in an only slightly heightened manner. But it's heart is with those geeky types who populate the glee club, a group of underdogs Murphy thinks viewers will love.
"I didn’t want to do a show where [all the characters] were all sort of super glossy and fantastic," he said.
Murphy said his own experiences as a high school musical theater geek informed the story—especially how getting a theater part made people feel "optimism about what you can become.”
“It’s just about a belief in yourself,” said Murphy, who grew up in Indiana. "I remember that feeling, and it was very important to me. And that’s what I wanted the show to be about.”
Ryan had a lot more to say about the series, how he picked the songs and debuting after “Idol.”
Posted at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 19
JANE LYNCH TALKS "GLEE"
RYAN MURPHY FINDS "GLEE"
GLEE
8 p.m. (or after “American Idol”) Tuesday, Fox
Tune in or out? out of four.
Posted at 12:05 a.m. Tuesday, May 19
"GLEE" WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY
JANE LYNCH TALKS "PARTY DOWN"
RYAN MURPHY FINDS "GLEE"
Jane Lynch sets the tone for Fox's wonderfully subversive new comedy, "Glee," by shouting the show's very first line.
"You think this is hard?" the Chicago native's character, Sue, yells at the cheerleaders she's coaching. "Try being water-boarded, that's hard."
In a high school full of mean girls, Sue, coach of the highly successful Cheerios, may be the meanest. Because of that, Lynch has many of the funniest lines in the show's pilot, which Fox is giving a special preview Tuesday after "American Idol." The show will return this fall.
Posted at 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 18
Vik Sahay loves “Chuck” fans.
Sahay, who plays nerdy Lester Patel on the NBC comedy, told me on Monday that he’s “blown away” by fan support that has saved the much-loved but low-rated show.
“I am so moved and overwhelmed and grateful,” he said. “I kind of can’t believe it, but it looks like [fan support] made a huge impact. ... I’m kind of speechless and blown away by it. And so appreciative and grateful.”
MY EARLIER CHAT WITH VIK SAHAY.
Vik Sahay loves "Chuck" fans.
Sahay, who plays nerdy Lester Patel on the NBC comedy, told me on Monday that he's "blown away" by fan support that has saved the much-loved but low-rated show.
"I am so moved and overwhelmed and grateful," he said. "I kind of can't believe it, but it looks like [fan support] made a huge impact. ... I'm kind of speechless and blown away by it. And so appreciative and grateful."
Posted at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 17
Put the gun down, Zach, "Chuck" is coming back for a third season. NBC photo
Sometimes the good guys prevail. Fans of “Chuck,” you are the good guys.
NBC has renewed the spy comedy for at least 13 episodes next season, giving fans who have campaigned to save the show something to celebrate—a third season. We have to thank all the fans, critics and advertisers such as Subway and Nerds for never giving up on this awesome—yes, Captain, I said it—awesome show. We should also tip our hats to Chuck himself—Zachary Levi—who has been out there everywhere working for a renewal.
Posted at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 17
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE JUST SHORTS
8 p.m. Sunday, NBC
Who better than Andy Samberg to host this new special that NBC says will present the late-night comedy show’s “greatest short films from the past 34 years?” After all, he and his buddies from The Lonely Island, “SNL” writers Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer, are responsible for several of them.
Their “SNL Digital Shorts” include “[Bleep] in a Box,” “[Bleep] in My Pants,” “Motherlover” and “Lazy Sunday.” Samberg will introduce plenty of older shorts too, including the Christopher Guest-directed “Synchronized Swimmers” with Martin Short, Robert Smigel’s “TV Funhouse,” “MacGruber,” “Deep Thoughts with Jack Handey,” “Mr. Bill” and others.
Posted at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, May 17
Will Ferrell—and a horde of other oldies—returned to the “Saturday Night Live” studio last night to make the season finale a fun reunion show.
Still, the finale didn’t outdo last week’s Justin Timberlake showcase.
Surprise appearances ruled the night. Besides Ferrell, “SNL” alums Norm Macdonald, Maya Rudolph, and Amy Poehler popped in. Tom Hanks, Anne Hathaway, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Moss and Artie Lange also showed up, along with musical guest Green Day and a few others I'm sure I missed.
Put the gun down, Zach, "Chuck" is coming back this fall. NBC photo
Sometimes the good guys prevail. Fans of "Chuck," you are the good guys.
NBC has renewed the spy comedy for at least 13 episodes next season, giving fans who have campaigned to save the show something to celebrate--a third season. We have to thank all the fans, critics and advertisers such as Subway and Nerds for never giving up on this awesome--yes, Captain, I said it--awesome show. We should also tip our hats to Chuck himself--Zachary Levi--who has been out there everywhere working for a renewal.
The good news comes with possibly bad, however. According to reports, creators Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak and Warner Bros. Television had to agree to a smaller budget than the previous two seasons.
That could mean fewer great guest stars, alterations in the writers' room or, gulp, ditching some of the regular cast members.
Reports have the show airing on Friday nights this fall, possibly up against another low-rated series, "Dollhouse," which Fox has reportedly renewed. I've got calls in to NBC and will keep you posted, but for now, happy-happy, joy-joy!
Will Ferrell--and a horde of other oldies--returned to the "Saturday Night Live" studio last night to make the season finale a fun reunion show.
Still, the finale didn't outdo last week's Justin Timberlake showcase.
Surprise appearances ruled the night. Besides Ferrell, "SNL" alums Norm Macdonald, Maya Rudolph, and Amy Poehler popped in. Tom Hanks, Anne Hathaway, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Moss and Artie Lange also showed up, along with musical guest Green Day and a few others I'm sure I missed.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE JUST SHORTS
8 p.m. Sunday, NBC
Who better than Andy Samberg to host this new special that NBC says will present the late-night comedy show's "greatest short films from the past 34 years?" After all, he and his buddies from The Lonely Island, "SNL" writers Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer, are responsible for several of them.
Their "SNL Digital Shorts" include "[Bleep] in a Box," "[Bleep] in My Pants," "Motherlover" and "Lazy Sunday." Samberg will introduce plenty of older shorts too, including the Christopher Guest-directed "Synchronized Swimmers" with Martin Short, Robert Smigel's "TV Funhouse," "MacGruber," "Deep Thoughts with Jack Handey," "Mr. Bill" and others.
Posted at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 15
FAMILY GUY
8 p.m. Sunday, Fox
Tune in or out? out of four.
A psychic tells Peter Griffin that in a past life he was a 17th Century English gentleman named Griffin Peterson, who founded the colony of Quahog in America after he was torn from his great love, Lady (Lois) Redbush, by the jealous—and short—King Stewart III. As if the time-traveling main plot isn’t funny enough, this season finale gets merrily sidetracked with appearances by Alan Rickman, Jason Segel, Neil Patrick Harris and Josh Radnor, who are mocked after lending their voices.
Posted at 5:15 p.m. Friday, May 15
JIM JEFFRIES - HBO Special preview - Sluts and Studs
JIM JEFFERIES: I SWEAR TO GOD
9 p.m. Saturday, HBO
Tune in or out? out of four.
The Australian comic alternately charms and offends the audience in his first full-length HBO special, railing against Pandas (“[Bleep] ’em. Let ’em die off.”), Christians (“You’re wrong.”) and people who don’t get drunk (“No one gives a [bleep] that your kids don’t have bruises!”). His assessment of terminology used for burn victims—“Burned beyond recognition? You ever seen a burn victim? The term should be ‘burned to recognition’”—is particularly cringe-inducing. With more jokes about AIDS, atheism and South African gay bars that always cross the line, Jefferies’ stand-up sermons are challenging. But once you forget political correctness, you’ll be a convert.
Posted at 12:15 p.m. Friday, May 15
Sign Mark-Paul Gosselaar up for that “Saved by the Bell” reunion Jimmy Fallon has been pushing.
Gosselaar, who played high school hunk Zack on the 1990s teen series, told RedEye on Friday that he and Fallon have “something good cooking.”
“I don’t want to give too much away but I’m doing his show June 8,” Gosselaar said. “I’m not going to do the standard interview, I’ll put it that way.”
out of four.
A psychic tells Peter Griffin that in a past life he was a 17th Century English gentleman named Griffin Peterson, who founded the colony of Quahog in America after he was torn from his great love, Lady (Lois) Redbush, by the jealous--and short--King Stewart III. As if the time-traveling main plot isn't funny enough, this season finale gets merrily sidetracked with appearances by Alan Rickman, Jason Segel, Neil Patrick Harris and Josh Radnor, who are mocked after lending their voices.
JIM JEFFRIES - HBO Special preview - Sluts and Studs
JIM JEFFERIES: I SWEAR TO GOD
9 p.m. Saturday, HBO
Tune in or out? out of four.
The Australian comic alternately charms and offends the audience in his first full-length HBO special, railing against Pandas ("[Bleep] 'em. Let 'em die off."), Christians ("You're wrong.") and people who don't get drunk ("No one gives a [bleep] that your kids don't have bruises!"). His assessment of terminology used for burn victims--"Burned beyond recognition? You ever seen a burn victim? The term should be 'burned to recognition'"--is particularly cringe-inducing. With more jokes about AIDS, atheism and South African gay bars that always cross the line, Jefferies' stand-up sermons are challenging. But once you forget political correctness, you'll be a convert.
Posted at 10:45 pm. Wednesday, May 13
THE OFFICE
8 p.m. Thursday, NBC
The comedy celebrates its fifth-season finale and 100th episode with the return of Amy Ryan as Holly Flax, Michael’s (Steve Carell) old flame. Michael’s plans to win Holly back at the annual Dunder Mifflin picnic go awry, as does Dwight’s (Rainn Wilson) plan to win the volleyball tournament.
30 ROCK
8:30 p.m. Thursday, NBC
Jack Donaghy’s dad, Milton (Alan Alda), needs a new kidney, which gives Jack (Alec Baldwin) an idea that involves a ton of guest cameos (Sheryl Crow, Mary J. Blige, Elvis Costello, Adam Levine, Clay Aiken). Meanwhile, Liz (Tina Fey) gets some cred as a relationship expert and Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) helps Tracy (Tracy Morgan) overcome his fear of returning to his old high school.
Posted at 3:55 p.m. Wednesday, May 13
I love pop singer Adele, who is guest starring as herself on the latest episode of “Ugly Betty” airing at 7 p.m. Thursday on ABC. In the episode called “In the Stars,” the British chanteuse croons “Who Wants to be Right as Rain?” at a photo shoot planned by Betty, Marc and Matt (America Ferrera, Michael Urie and Daniel Eric Gold) that ends with a surprise wedding. Enjoy the song.
I love pop singer Adele, who is guest starring as herself on the latest episode of "Ugly Betty" airing at 7 p.m. Thursday on ABC. In the episode called "In the Stars," the British chanteuse croons "Who Wants to be Right as Rain?" at a photo shoot planned by Betty, Marc and Matt (America Ferrera, Michael Urie and Daniel Eric Gold) that ends with a surprise wedding. Enjoy the song.
Posted at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 12
Showtime’s “Weeds” keeps making interesting casting choices for the fifth season that begins June 8.
Alanis Morissette (left) will join the cast for at least seven episodes. This follows the casting of Jennifer Jason Leigh (right) as Nancy’s sister, Jill. If you haven’t watched Season 4 yet, turn away! Spoilers ahead.
Posted at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 12
Eminem and Stewie Griffin will, um, rap, during Sunday's Animation Domination. Fox photo
So Eminem does have a sense of humor—and a heart.
The rapper—who's been getting dissed by Mariah Carey’s hubby, Nick Cannon—will take on Stewie Griffin from “Family Guy” this Sunday. An animated Eminem will appear with the cartoon kid in segments throughout Fox’s Animation Domination line-up. (MySpace Music will make a special Eminem announcement Sunday.)
"It was a thrill to work with Stewie," Eminem said in a Fox press release. "I'm a big fan of talking babies and their humor."
THE OFFICE
8 p.m. Thursday, NBC
The comedy celebrates its fifth-season finale and 100th episode with the return of Amy Ryan as Holly Flax, Michael's (Steve Carell) old flame. Michael's plans to win Holly back at the annual Dunder Mifflin picnic go awry, as does Dwight's (Rainn Wilson) plan to win the volleyball tournament.
30 ROCK
8:30 p.m. Thursday, NBC
Jack Donaghy's dad, Milton (Alan Alda), needs a new kidney, which gives Jack (Alec Baldwin) an idea that involves a ton of guest cameos (Sheryl Crow, Mary J. Blige, Elvis Costello, Adam Levine, Clay Aiken). Meanwhile, Liz (Tina Fey) gets some cred as a relationship expert and Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) helps Tracy (Tracy Morgan) overcome his fear of returning to his old high school.
Alanis Morissette, Jennifer Jason LeighShowtime's "Weeds" keeps making interesting casting choices for the fifth season that begins June 8.
Alanis Morissette (left) will join the cast for at least seven episodes. This follows the casting of Jennifer Jason Leigh (right) as Nancy's sister, Jill. If you haven't watched Season 4 yet, turn away! Spoilers ahead.
Martin Short
Short has been added to the festival, which runs from June 17-21 in local theaters. He joins Ellen DeGeneres, David Alan Grier, Lisa Lampanelli, Jimmy Fallon and a ton of other comics who will perform here in June as part of the Just For Laughs fest.
Posted at 9:50 a.m. Monday, May 11
TBS has announced it’s bringing even more funny—and Martin Short—to Chicago this summer with the debut of the TBS Presents A “Very Funny” Festival.
Short has been added to the festival, which runs from June 17-21 in local theaters. He joins Ellen DeGeneres, David Alan Grier, Lisa Lampanelli, Jimmy Fallon and a ton of other comics who will perform throughout the city in June. (Find more info at this earlier post.)
Posted at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, May 10
Justin Timberlake was back on “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, bringing some great surprise guests, favorite old sketches and a digital short to rival “[Bleep] in a Box.”
In “Motherlover,” Timberlake and Andy Samberg—dressed in the Jodeci-like get-ups—picked up where “[Bleep] in a Box” left off. As their crass crooners leave a police station, they dump their gift boxes into a garbage bin.
When they realize it’s Mother’s Day, they concoct “the second best idea that we’ve ever had” by deciding to “[bleep] each other’s moms.”
“It would be my honor to be your new stepfather,” they sing to each other.
Added bonus for the boys? Susan Sarandon and Patricia Clarkson play their mothers.
Justin Timberlake was back on "Saturday Night Live" this weekend, bringing some great surprise guests, favorite old sketches and a digital short to rival "[Bleep] in a Box."
In "Motherlover," Timberlake and Andy Samberg--dressed in the Jodeci-like get-ups--picked up where "[Bleep] in a Box" left off. As their crass crooners leave a police station, they dump their gift boxes into a garbage bin.
When they realize it's Mother's Day, they concoct "the second best idea that we've ever had" by deciding to "[bleep] each other's moms."
"It would be my honor to be your new stepfather," they sing to each other.
Added bonus for the boys? Susan Sarandon and Patricia Clarkson play their mothers.
Posted at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, May 5
The season and possible series finale of “Scrubs” airs at 7 p.m. Wednesday on ABC, and it’s going to be packed with guest stars. More than 50 former guests—including Tom Cavanaugh and Amy Smart—return (see complete list below).
Only writer/director/creator Bill Lawrence could pull this off.
In “My Finale,” J.D. (Zach Braff) is leaving Sacred Heart Hospital to move closer to his son and Kim. But before he goes, he wants to get that hug from Dr. Cox (John C McGinley) and learn the Janitor’s (Neil Flynn) name. He’s also dealing with Elliot (Sarah Chalke), who pushed him to take their relationship to another level by moving her furniture into his apartment.
So the 50 guest stars? I bet Lawrence has another crazy fantasy sequence planned for viewers.
Lawrence might be in his own fantasyland if ABC picks up “Scrubs” for a ninth season. Everyone involved in the show thought this was it. But the show has garnered decent ratings for ABC, so Lawrence and the network are in talks to bring it back. The catch? Both Braff and Judy Reyes have said they are done with the series. And McGinley, Flynn and Donald Faison have done pilots that could get picked up as fall series.
Do you think “Scrubs” could work without Braff and the other stars we’ve come to love? Leave me a comment and enjoy these sneak peeks of the finale.
Posted at 6:15 p.m. Friday, May 1
Ellen Page of “Juno” fame guest stars on this Sunday’s “The Simpsons,” playing Alaska Nebraska, a young music sensation not unlike Hannah Montana. Well, I shouldn’t say that because I’ve never met Hannah Montana, or Miley Cyrus. She/they probably aren’t as mean as Alaska Nebraska is. Anyway, in this video from Fox, Page chats with the voice of Lisa Simpson, Yeardley Smith.
The new episode, called “Waverly Hills 9021-Do’h!,” airs at 7 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
Posted at 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 1
The Save “Chuck” campaigns got a big boost on Friday. Candy maker Wonka said it will deliver more than 1,000 packs of Nerds candy to NBC in support of the spy comedy.
According to Wonka, “Chuck” co-creator and producer Josh Schwartz came up with the idea when he was interviewed by The New York Times’ Dave Itzkoff. In the April 20 story, Schwartz said fans could send Nerds just as “Jericho” fans has sent CBS peanuts to save that show.
Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi, right), as fans know, is part of the Nerd Herd computer tech team at the Buy More.
You can send Nerds to NBC at the below addresses. Check my past “Chuck” posts for more ways to show support. NBC is likely to make an announcement on the show Monday, May 4.
NBC’s “Chuck”
Attn: Ben Silverman
3000 W Alameda Ave., Admin Bldg
Burbank, CA 91523
NBC’s “Chuck”
Attn: Angela Bromstad
100 Universal City Plaza, Bldg 1320E 4th Floor
Universal City, CA 91608
Ellen Page of "Juno" fame guest stars on this Sunday's "The Simpsons," playing Alaska Nebraska, a young music sensation not unlike Hannah Montana. Well, I shouldn't say that because I've never met Hannah Montana, or Miley Cyrus. She/they probably aren't as mean as Alaska Nebraska is. Anyway, in this video from Fox, Page chats with the voice of Lisa Simpson, Yeardley Smith.
The new episode, called "Waverly Hills 9021-Do'h!," airs at 7 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
Zachary Levi of NBC's "Chuck" clowns with a giant Nerds box.
According to Wonka, "Chuck" co-creator and producer Josh Schwartz came up with the idea when he was interviewed by The New York Times' Dave Itzkoff. In the April 20 story, Schwartz said fans could send Nerds just as "Jericho" fans has sent CBS peanuts to save that show.
Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi), as fans know, is part of the Nerd Herd computer tech team at the Buy More.
You can send Nerds to NBC at the below addresses.
Posted at 9:20 a.m. Friday, May 1
Starz airs new episodes Friday of its extremely funny comedies “Head Case” and “Party Down” at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., but I can’t wait for you to see the, so here are some clips from the eps.
On “Head Case,” Dr. Goode (Alexandra Wentworth) works with Mario Batali, Kevin Nealon (above) and Sandra Bernhard.
The “Party Down” caterers work a corporate retreat where Casey (Lizzy Caplan) helps speaker Rick Fox, which gets Henry (Adam Scott) and Roman (Martin Starr) all riled up. Robb Corddry guest stars as well. You can watch more clips below, and on Starz’s YouTube page.
JANE LYNCH ON "PARTY DOWN"
THE WATCHER CHATS WITH "PARTY DOWN" CREATOR ROB THOMAS
President Obama discussed his first 100 days in office at 7 p.m. Wednesday, pre-empting shows on most of the networks.
The creator of ABC's very funny "Better Off Ted," Victor Fresco, has something to say about that. Obama bumped the season finale of his sitcom, about the people who work at a morally-questionable corporation called Veridian Dynamics. So Fresco created this mock commercial from Veridian.
It's pretty hilarious. ABC will air the show's season finale, but the network has yet to decide the date.
Posted at 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 29
President Obama discussed his first 100 days in office at 7 p.m. Wednesday, pre-empting shows on most of the networks.
The creator of ABC’s very funny "Better Off Ted," Victor Fresco, has something to say about that. Obama bumped the season finale of his sitcom, about the people who work at a morally-questionable corporation called Veridian Dynamics. So Fresco created this mock commercial from Veridian.
It’s pretty hilarious. ABC will air the show’s season finale, but the network has yet to decide the date.
READ MY REVIEW OF "BETTER OFF TED" HERE.
Posted at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 29
READ MY REVIEW OF "KROD MANDOON ..."
Sean Maguire stars in Comedy Central's "Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire," which airs new episodes at 9 p.m. Thursdays. Comedy Central photos
Sean Maguire was suffering for his job one recent Friday.
“I got absolutely shit-faced last night,” the star of Comedy Central’s “Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire” said. “The phone was ringing and I was like, ‘That can’t be for me.’”
We connected the day after the debut of “Krod,” an off-the-wall, Monty Python-like spoof of sword-and-sorcery films that’s filled with juvenile sex and body-part jokes and a lot of sword-fighting. Maguire had attended the premiere party, a task he says he doesn’t enjoy, so he used his “go-to move”: “Get drunk and that way no one will be able to find you,” he said, joking about the thought process behind his getting blasted. “Nothing bad can happen if you’re boozed up.”
Maguire, who did a similar movie mockery in “Meet the Spartans,” pulled himself together and happily chatted about “Krod,” singing “Every Sperm is Sacred” in a Monty Python movie, being a “buff man” and his love of topless skateboarders. Believe me, this is a guy you want to hang out with.
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Sean Maguire stars in Comedy Central's "Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire," which airs new episodes at 9 p.m. Thursdays. Comedy Central photos
Sean Maguire was suffering for his job one recent Friday.
"I got absolutely shit-faced last night," the star of Comedy Central's "Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire" said. "The phone was ringing and I was like, 'That can't be for me.'"
We connected the day after the debut of "Krod," an off-the-wall, Monty Python-like spoof of sword-and-sorcery films that's filled with juvenile sex and body-part jokes and a lot of sword-fighting. Maguire had attended the premiere party, a task he says he doesn't enjoy, so he used his "go-to move": "Get drunk and that way no one will be able to find you," he said, joking about the thought process behind his getting blasted. "Nothing bad can happen if you're boozed up."
Maguire, who did a similar movie mockery in "Meet the Spartans," pulled himself together and happily chatted about "Krod," singing "Every Sperm is Sacred" in a Monty Python movie, being a "buff man" and his love of topless skateboarders. Believe me, this is a guy you want to hang out with.
Posted at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28
PULLING: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON DVD set
$24.98 in stores from MPI Home Media
Tune in or out? out of four.
Many writers have compared this biting British comedy, which has aired on Sundance Channel in the U.S., to “Sex and the City,” but that does “Pulling” a great disservice. The humor is much darker in “Pulling” than in “Sex.” And Donna, Karen and Louise are anything but glamorous, which makes them much more relatable than the “Sex” gals.
Posted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 27
Everything I’ve ever written on “Chuck,” including an interview with Vik Sahay.
I’m going to work late today, because I’m watching yet again the phenomenal Season 2 finale of “Chuck,” which blew my mind Monday.
How many different ways can I express how many different kinds of awesome it was? Best … TV … season … finale … ever.
And I say “season” finale as opposed to “series” finale because NBC MUST bring it back after that beyond delightful, fully satisfying, unbelievably riotous hour.
NBC, can you be awesome? Save Chuck! I’ve recently come into a little bit of money … Will that help your decision?
I’m not going to do a blow-by-blow of the episode here. But I do want to share some of the best writing on TV ever. Below you’ll find some of the great lines from “Chuck Versus The Ring,” which was written by co-creator Chris Fedak and Ali Adler.
Lauren Conrad told reporters last week that in the May 3 episode of Fox's "Family Guy," "they basically make fun of me for being dumb."
And how. Here's a clip from the episode, titled "We Love You Conrad," in which "The Hills" star plays herself as a brainy target of Brian's affections. Read more of the Conrad interview here. The episode airs at 8 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
Posted at 10 p.m. Monday, April 27
Morgan (Joshua Gomez, center) introduces Lester (Vik Sahay, left) and Jeff (Scott Krinksy, right) as Jeffster makes a triumphant return to “Chuck” in the season finale Monday. NBC photo
”Chuck” closed out its second season with an incredible episode that, as creators Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak have said all along, was a “game-changer.”
Jeffster is a wedding band! And Lester is the wedding singer!
Oh, wait, maybe that's not the game-changer. Maybe it has to do with Chuck (Zachary Levi). (No worries, no spoilers here.)
Anyway, “Chuck” has deservedly earned a groundswell of support from a rabid fan base, several TV critics including this one, and secret agents all over the world. (They can’t be vocal because they are secret agents—but trust me.)
“Chuck” needs the love, as it is what they call a “bubble show.” NBC is deciding whether it should return next fall. All the networks are looking over schedules, ratings and the money machine to decide the fate of several bubble shows.
Zap2it asked visitors to its site to vote on which bubble shows should return and which should get canceled. People voted to save four of my fave comedies, including my beloved “Chuck,” the wonderful “Reaper,” “Better Off Ted” and “Samantha Who?”
Read the list and vote at Zap2it.com.
Posted at 3:55 p.m. Monday, April 27
Lauren Conrad told reporters last week that in the May 3 episode of Fox’s “Family Guy," “they basically make fun of me for being dumb."
And how. Here are a cpuple of clips from the episode, titled “We Love You Conrad,” in which "The Hills" star plays herself as a brainy target of Brian's affections. Read more of the Conrad interview here. The episode airs at 8 p.m. may 3 on Fox.
Posted at 12:25 a.m. Monday, July 27
Matthew Bomer (right) and Tim DeKay co-star in a new USA Network series tentatively called "White Collar." USA photo
Don’t panic, “Chuck” fans. Just because Matthew Bomer’s pilot for USA Network, “White Collar,” has been greenlit for a series doesn’t mean all hope is lost for “Chuck’s” renewal.
Bomer wasn’t a series regular on “Chuck,” where he occasionally played spy Bryce Larkin, Chuck’s former bud and Sarah’s former boyfriend. (He’s back for Monday's season finale, by the way.)
Posted at 7:55 p.m. Friday, April 24
An NBC rep for the series "Chuck" said rumors the the series has been renewed are not true.
"No decision will be made until early May," NBC's Jamie French wrote in an e-mail.
He was responding to a post on the Web site series.nu which said that the show has been given a 13-episode order for next year, citing a source at NBC.
"The NBC insider says that Chuck will get a third season of 13 episodes. But another insider at WB is telling its not 100% sure, but its looking very good for the show," the post stated.
WB is Warner Brothers, the studio that produces "Chuck," which airs its Season 2 finale at 7 p.m. Monday. (Be sure to watch and Save Chuck!) I was unable to track down a Warner Brothers rep.
"Chuck" has been ratings challenged during both its seasons, but it does have a rabid fan base and, simply because its so damn good, deserves to be renewed. Here's hoping that rumor turns into fact come May.
Posted at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 23
Here are several sneak peeks at the Season 2 finale of "Chuck," which airs at 7 p.m. Monday. It's going to be awesome!
Tune in, and don't forget the big Finale and a Footlong "Save Chuck" event going on. On Monday you should go to your local Subway, buy a footlong and leave a note in the suggestion box stating that NBC should SAVE CHUCK!
For more ways to save the show, including snail mailing NBC, go to this post.
Enjoy the clips below, and the finale.
Here are several sneak peeks at the Season 2 finale of "Chuck," which airs at 7 p.m. Monday. It's going to be awesome!
Tune in, and don't forget the big Finale and a Footlong "Save Chuck" event going on. On Monday you should go to your local Subway, buy a footlong and leave a note in the suggestion box stating that NBC should SAVE CHUCK!
For more ways to save the show, including snail mailing NBC, go to this post.
Enjoy the clips below, and the finale.
Posted at 12:20 a.m. Tuesday, April 21
Cartman obviously reads the news. In the mid-season finale of “South Park,” he decides he’s going to run away from home to become a pirate.
Cartman doesn’t get it quite right, though, in "Fatbeard." He enlists Butters and others to join him on Skull Island, where they can hunt for buried treasure. He just has to figure out how to get to Somalia.
The episode airs at 9 p.m. Wednesday on Comedy Central.
Lauren Conrad, above with Brian, voices herself on "Family Guy." Fox photos
"The Hills" star Lauren Conrad won't be attending the wedding of her co-stars, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, but she is guest starring on an upcoming episode of "Family Guy."
Conrad was asked about going to the wedding Monday during a conference about "Family Guy."
"Probably not," she said laughing, adding that she was invited.
