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"Baggage" & "Catch 21" Return August 16 One's on at 5:30, The Other 6:30. From The Futon Critic |
Posted 7/26/10 |
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GSN announced today the return of
two original series: the network's highest rated original
strip series ever, "Baggage", hosted by Jerry Springer,
returns for its second season; and the perennially popular
"Catch 21", hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro, will launch its fourth
season. "Catch 21" premieres Monday, August 16, 2010 at 5:30
p.m. ET/PT. "Baggage" premieres Monday, August 16, 2010 at
6:30 p.m. ET/PT. On each half-hour episode of "Baggage", Springer guides the fun as one dater chooses among three contestants who reveal the intimate secrets and hidden flaws that are typically kept under wraps to impress a first date. Each contestant enters with three suitcases - small, medium and large - containing the quirky, annoying and sometimes truly shocking "baggage" that may or may not eliminate the contestants from competition, to the accompaniment of the dater's tagline, "I'm sorry, but you have too much baggage." Can the dater handle a woman who sleeps with 15 stuffed animals? A 42-year old man who colors his eyebrows and eyelashes? What if he still lives with mom - or she was previously a go-go dancer? With a lively pace and a playful sense of humor, "Baggage" reveals what people are willing to put up with in the name of finding love. "Baggage" is produced by a unit of Comcast Entertainment Studios, with Jay James and Michael Binkow serving as Executive Producers. "Catch 21" is one of GSN viewers' favorite series, with ratings and key demo delivery having progressively grown with each season. Its fast-paced game play features host Alfonso Ribeiro quizzing contestants three at a time as they compete to win playing cards, and try to build the hand that comes closest to 21. Following three elimination rounds, the last player standing attempts to build 21 from a larger-than-life deck for a shot at up to $25,000. Fans of "Catch 21" can also extend the experience into their homes every day by competing in "Catch 21" online cash competitions, downloading the "Catch 21" iPhone game, and playing the free online game against other GSN fans for prizes. All are available at GSN.com/CATCH21. "Catch 21" is created and executive produced by four-time Emmy - winner Merrill Heatter whose iconic game show creations include "Hollywood Squares", "High Rollers", "Gambit", and more than 30 other game show series. Executive producer Scott Sternberg's credits include "Rock & Roll Jeopardy!", "The Singing Office", "The Gong Show", and two seasons of "That's the Question" for GSN. He is CEO and founder of Scott Sternberg Productions. |
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"Got To Dance" Casting More Info on CBS-Paula Abdul Series From The Futon Critic |
Posted 7/26/10 |
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The audition process for the
upcoming CBS reality-competition series GOT TO DANCE (working
title) has started. To get a leg up on the competition and
apply for the chance to appear on GOT TO DANCE and audition
for Paula Abdul, prospective dancers can log on to www.cbs.com/dance
for an application and further details. This is a nationwide
search open to all U.S. residents. There is no age limit or
minimum. Dancers can perform any type or style of dance, as an
individual or in a group. Paula Abdul, the award-winning dancer/choreographer, dynamic performer, multi-platinum recording artist and popular entertainment personality, is executive producer, creative partner and lead expert for the show. She will also serve as coach, mentor and advocate for contestants during the performances and elimination process, providing critical input and guidance while sharing her experience with hopeful contestants. GOT TO DANCE is based on the British hit that debuted earlier this year and has been a ratings sensation for Britain's Sky 1, making it one of the UK's top-rated pay TV series this season. |
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"Big Brother", Bigger Finale Two Hours to Follow "Survivor" Premiere From The Futon Critic |
Posted 7/26/10 |
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CBS will broadcast a special
two-hour finale of "Big Brother" on Wednesday, Sept. 15
(9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT), following the season premiere of
"Survivor Nicaragua" (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT). This summer's edition of "Big Brother" is winning its time periods in adults 18-49 and posting significant year-to-year increases versus last summer, up +14% in viewers (6.91m vs. 6.06m), +20% in adults 18-49 (2.4/08 vs. 2.0/07), +25% in adults 18-34 (2.0/08 vs. 1.6/06) and +12% in adults 25-54 (2.8/09 vs. 2.5/07). |
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Monday Lightning Round Idol Auditions Begin... A Label Switch... Looking for A New Imam on Reality TV From Various Sources |
Posted 7/26/10 |
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Rich Fields Out at TPIR... Confirmed Auditions for New Voice Begin September From About.com Game Shows |
Posted 7/23/10 |
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After weeks of speculation, a
report has come forward saying that Rich Fields, the voice of
"The Price Is Right" since the death of Rod Roddy in 2004, is
no longer the announcer for the long running CBS daytime game
show.
Fields has issued his own release on his website, saying, "[Executive Producer] Mike [Richards] explained to me that he loves having the 'house bands' and 'live performers' all the time on TPIR and that he hopes to make it more of a 'variety show within a game show'. He believes that having a comedian at the announcer's position from now on will enhance this new change in direction." He then goes on to thank former
host Bob Barker for giving him the opportunity and current
host Drew Carey for being his biggest champion.
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Strike Two for "Pyramid" CBS Opts for "Project Mom" to Replace ATWT From New York Times |
Posted 7/22/10 |
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CBS has ordered a daily daytime
talk show that will replace the soap opera “As The World
Turns” in the fall. The concept is being called a variation of ABC’s popular talk show “The View,” but with five moms meeting around the table. The show’s roundtable will include five moms, including Julie Chen, the wife of the CBS Corporation chief executive Leslie Moonves. The other hosts are Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Holly Robinson Peete, Leah Remini, and Marissa Jaret Winokur. Ms. Gilbert developed the format for the show, and will executive-produce as well as co-host it. New York magazine reported Wednesday that Ms. Chen will give up her daily co-hosting job on CBS’s “The Early Show,” but “may maintain a presence” in some way. Ms. Chen is also the host of the CBS summer reality show “Big Brother.” CBS announced the end of “As The World Turns” earlier this year. It considered a number of formats in its place, including a game show and a cooking show. The network says the untitled talk show will look at “topical events and contemporary issues through the eyes of parents.”
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VH1 Gets "Money Hungry" Catch It August 2 From The Futon Critic |
Posted 7/22/10 |
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With America's obesity epidemic at
an all-time high, the struggle to shed pounds has become an
obsession. But what many Americans are finding is that good
health and good looks aren't motivation enough to put down the
fries. So this summer, VH1 is giving viewers a
never-before-seen comedic look at a weight loss competition
using the greatest American motivator of all... MONEY! That's
right, "Money Hungry," premiering Monday, August 2 at 9:00 PM*
puts $10,000 of the contestants' own money on the line to
encourage them to drop those unwanted pounds once and for all.
Tune in to see the drama, laughs and tears as these overweight
teams fight to lose their fat and not their money! Hosted by Dan Cortese, VH1's new series "Money Hungry" will test 12 pairs of contestants to see which team can resist temptation and drop the most weight. But this isn't your average weight loss show. These contestants were hand picked for their larger than life personalities and they have come ready to do anything to take home the money. The excitement and drama will be high as each team on "Money Hungry" will have to put up an entry fee of $10,000 of their own money to begin the competition. In a winner takes all fashion, the couple who sheds the most combined weight will walk away with $100,000. Still want that donut? Each week couples will face grueling challenges, supersized temptations and pressure filled weigh-ins on their quest for the $100,000 grand prize. Although the contestants will be given access to personal trainers, personalized meal plans and state of the art amenities, working out and dieting are only half the battle. Game play and strategy are a huge part of Money Hungry. Alliances will be formed, backs will be stabbed, and hearts will be broken during the fierce competition. |
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"Shark" Gets Stewed ABC Pulls Planned Return of Holdback Episode From The Futon Critic |
Posted 7/22/10 |
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ABC has tabled its plans to revive
"Shark Tank" in a move confirmed via scheduling updates
released by the network this afternoon. "Shark Tank" isn't returning to ABC's lineup anytime soon. Originally set to return on Thursday, July 15 at 8:00/7:00c and then bumped to July 29, the series is now off the schedule completely. "Wipeout" will continue in the slot for the rest of the summer, in addition to its regular Tuesday, 8:00/7:00c airings. ABC still has one original installment of "Shark Tank" yet to air. |
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Buff Cobb: 1927 -
2010 TV Host, Actress Was on "Masquerade Party" From New York Times |
Posted 7/22/10 |
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Buff Cobb, who with Mike Wallace,
her husband at the time, hosted “Mike and Buff,” one of
television’s first talk shows, died on July 12 at a nursing
home in Lebanon, N.H. She was 82.
Her death was confirmed by her
half brother, Thomas Cobb Brody. |
 Buff Cobb (photo courtesy Life Magazine) |
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Jimmy Johnson Plays Survivor... Wait,
WHAT?! Former Football Coach, Commentator Reportedly on Nicaragua Season From the Dallas Morning News |
Posted 7/22/10 |
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Jimmy Johnson won a college
football championship and two Super Bowls. But can he survive
in the wilderness? The former Dallas Cowboys coach will be a contestant on the CBS reality show "Survivor: Nicaragua" this fall, a source close to Johnson told the Dallas Morning News. The series is being taped in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. Filming started at the end of June, according to local reports. The filming schedule will leave Johnson plenty of room to return in time for the NFL season. Johnson is an analyst for the Fox NFL Sunday studio show. Johnson, 67, will be one of the oldest contestants to ever appear on “Survivor,” one of his favorite television shows. The Miami Herald reported last year that he was almost a contestant on "Survivor: Gabon" (which aired in 2008), but he failed a physical. He has lost weight since. Johnson coached the Cowboys from 1989-1993 and won back-to-back Super Bowls. He also coached the University of Miami, Oklahoma State and Miami Dolphins. "Survivor: Nicaragua" will be broadcast in September on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. (a switch from its Thursday time slot in recent years). CBS usually releases a cast list a few weeks before the first episode.
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Thursday Lightning Round Talent on Tour... Talent in Court... A Few Good Minutes with Scott Conant... From Various Sources |
Posted 7/22/10 |
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Don't Forget the Myspace "Lyrics" Enlists Corporate Sibling for Casting From TV Week |
Posted 7/21/10 |
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For the upcoming syndicated run of
"Don't Forget The Lyrics!" one way for fans to audition for
the program will be via MySpace Karaoke, reports WebNewser. Twentieth Television inked a deal with MySpace Karaoke to make the social networking site its official casting partner. MySpace users will be able to upload their karaoke performances of one of five songs and submit them to "Don't Forget The Lyrics" as a sample of their work. Mari Bower, MySpace executive director of business development and MySpace Karaoke general manager, blogged about the arrangement, saying, "Karaoke is something we've all probably done at some point in our life, maybe unwillingly, but we've all done it! ... MySpace Karaoke is excited to announce its television debut as the official casting partner of Twentieth Television's musical game show 'Don't Forget the Lyrics!’" |
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Five Against JLC "Heads or Tails" Gets Axed From Broadcast |
Posted 7/21/10 |
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Justin Lee Collins’ game show and
chat show are set to be axed by Five after both performed
poorly in the ratings. Game show Heads or Tails, made by Eyeworks UK, averaged just 580,000 viewers (2.7% share) when it was stripped over 11 nights from 20 December last year – falling to a low of 322,000 (1.5%). It performed even worse when repeated in April, averaging 308,300 (1.5%) and tumbling to 215,500 (1%) for the final installment. Chat show Good Times, produced by Tiger Aspect, also performed poorly. The weekly show, which aired in a 10pm slot on Monday nights from the end of March, delivered an average audience of 321,400 (1.86%) over its 10-part run. It launched with 666,000 (3.26%) on 29 March but nose-dived to a low of 157,500 (1.6%) toward the end of its run. A spokesman for Five said “no decision has yet been made” on the two shows, but an official statement is understood to be pending. It will not mark the end of JLC’s presence on the channel. Five signed a £1m, two-year golden handcuffs deal with the presenter last summer and recently commissioned a documentary titled Big In Japan, which will be closer in style to his old Channel 4 shows. |
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It's Time to Face the Holes... Again! Cartoon Network Picks Up 10 Eps of "Hole in the Wall" From Variety |
Posted 7/21/10 |
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Cartoon Network has uncovered the
"Hole in the Wall," ordering a new version of the Human
Tetris-like gamer. "Hole," which originally ran on Fox during the 2008-2009 TV season, has now been updated for Cartoon Network's younger-skewing audience. Cartoon has picked up 10 new episodes of the show. In the new version, the half-hour game show will pit two teams of families against each other. But the gist of the show is the same: Contestants, dressed in spandex, contort their bodies in order to clear a series of moving barriers with various cut-out shapes. "Hole" represents the latest game to find new life after an initial broadcast run. Other shows making the transition include "The Singing Bee," which originally aired on NBC but later moved to CMT.
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 "Hole in the Wall" will return to TV via Cartoon Network (photo courtesy Fox) |
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Wednesday Lightning Round Bachelorettes Hospitalized... Isaak, Connick for Idol Judge... Ed McMahon House for Sale From Various Sources |
Posted 7/21/10 |
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More on "Masterchef" Catch It On Fox July 27 From The Futon Critic |
Posted 7/20/10 |
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Sharpen your knives and fire up
your stoves! Famed chef Gordon Ramsay's newest culinary
competition series, Masterchef, based on the smash
international hit, is set to start cooking Tuesday, July 27
(9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. After a nationwide search for
the best home cooks in America, the series will turn one of 50
hopefuls into a culinary star and America's first-ever
Masterchef. In the premiere episode, the hopefuls will have one hour to prepare their signature dishes and present them to the distinguished Masterchef judging panel: Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay; restaurateur and wine maker Joe Bastianich; and the youngest four-star chef in America, Graham Elliot. The judges are looking for passion, creativity and most importantly great flavor and taste. Only the most deserving home cooks who impress the judges will win the coveted white apron and will move on to the next round of the competition. On Tuesday, Aug. 3 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), the judges will reveal the Top 30, and each week, the stakes will be raised as more hopefuls are eliminated until the Top 14 are announced on Tuesday, Aug. 10 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Then, beginning Wednesday, Aug. 18 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), the show moves to a new night and expands to two-hour episodes as the hopefuls dish out their absolute best in an effort to impress the judges and continue in the competition. |
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More on "Shaq vs." Another Copyright Case Settled Out of Court From Toronto Sun |
Posted 7/20/10 |
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Executives behind basketball
ace-turned-reality TV star Shaquille O'Neal's hit show SHAQ
VS. have reached a settlement with a disgruntled author who
alleged they stole his concept for the program. Writer Todd Gallagher filed suit against O'Neal's talent representatives at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment in October (09), claiming they had agreed to turn his book, Andy Roddick Beat Me with a Frying Pan, into a TV series in 2008. In court papers, he alleged he was forced out of the project before William Morris bosses decided to go ahead with the idea with O'Neal, another of their clients, instead. The show featured O'Neal competing against other top sporting athletes at their own game. Gallagher reached out to the company to discuss a settlement over the new TV deal but decided to take legal action and sued for $5 million when his demands for a meeting were not met. |
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GSN, Arkadium Team Up On Offer: Cash Game for Mahjongg Madness From Marketwire |
Posted 7/20/10 |
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Today at Casual Connect Seattle
2010, GSN (Game Show Network) and Arkadium, a premier game
solutions developer for the casual, social and advergaming
markets, announced that the two companies have partnered to
launch a new monetization option for Arkadium's Mahjongg
Dimensions Facebook application. The skill-based version of
the game, developed by GSN, will soon be available in the
existing Facebook application, and will be added to both GSN
Cash Games and the WorldWinner partner network. GSN, which has long offered players a destination for tournament-based online games, is leading innovation to bring the cash games platform to Facebook and enable players to withdraw real winnings. With over 1 million monthly active users* on Facebook, the Mahjongg Dimensions application (co-developed by MobScience and Arkadium) has already rivaled the popularity of the original online version. GSN's new cash gaming adaptation of the game will create a new level of competition for Facebook players. Users will be able to connect to their friends online and build communities of competition as they challenge one another for cash and prizes. "This announcement further illustrates Arkadium's continued expansion of monetization features for the company's growing portfolio of games," said Kenny Rosenblatt, CEO of Arkadium. "We've already experienced much success with in-game micro transactions and cross-platform game sales, and with the help of GSN, we're excited to bring an added incentive for friendly competition across social platforms." "Many companies have had great success driving traffic to their Facebook games, but difficulty monetizing that traffic is still very much a moving target," said Mark Cullinane, SVP, Business Development and Digital Distribution of GSN Digital. "For this reason, GSN is bringing its highly successful monetization platform to our partners on Facebook. With Arkadium's Mahjongg Dimensions application, we plan to deliver a fun, high quality casual game, where users can up the stakes of competitions by challenging their friends for cash prizes." |
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"1 vs." Indonesia Endemol Sells Quiz to Asia From C21Media |
Posted 7/20/10 |
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Hong Kong-based Endemol Asia is to
produce a 52-episode season of its well-traveled gameshow
format 1 vs. 100 for an Indonesian broadcaster. The format - which already airs in the UK, Israel and the US, among other territories - will be produced for PT Indosiar Visual Manditi (IVM), marking the first time the broadcaster has worked with the Big Brother company. The 52x30' series will run three times a week from August this year, airing as 1 Lawan 100. The quiz format sees one contestant pitted against 100 opponents, with the aim being to defeat the entire team. In Asia, the format is already airing in China, Korea and Vietnam, in its second, seventh and fifth seasons, respectively. Triandy Suyatman, program director for IVM, said its success across the region indicated it would "prove to be every bit as popular with audiences in Indonesia." |
 "1 vs. 100" has been axed on Xbox Live (photo courtesy NBC) |
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Allez Cuisine, Mate! Australia's Seven Picks Up "Iron Chef" From Herald Sun |
Posted 7/20/10 |
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An Australian version of Iron Chef
will soon be served up by Channel 7. Industry sources confirmed Seven had bought the Japanese format for the culinary game show as part of an aggressive bid to throw a spanner in Channel 10's MasterChef ratings juggernaut. In each episode, a new challenger chef "battles" one of the resident "Iron Chefs" - each of whom specializes in a different cuisine - in a one-hour cooking competition based on a theme ingredient. Versions currently air in the US and UK. There is speculation the network may poach some of MasterChef's celebrity chefs and series one contestants as the show's resident kitchen whizzes. Sources said while the deal had been done for the show, planning was still in the early stages, with an Aussie title still to be decided. Seven declined to comment yesterday. It is believed the network has also bought a second foreign cooking show format. The heavy investment in cooking shows comes as Seven attempts to break into the ratings and advertising market dominated by Ten's MasterChef. My Kitchen Rules and My Restaurant Rules are both likely to return to Seven next year as the networks aims to become king of the TV kitchen. Seven's Iron Chef swoop comes off the back of Sunday night's Iron Chef episode on MasterChef, which drew 2.188 million viewers. Chef Hiroyuki Sakai, one of the chefs from the much-loved Japanese TV show, will grill contestants before they battle it out in Sunday night's grand final. |
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Tuesday Lightning Round Probst Presides Over "Office" Wedding... "Minute to Win It" Games Explained... Playing "Chicago" in NYC From Various Sources |
Posted 7/20/10 |
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Bethenny Frankel to Play 5th Grader "Real Housewife" Tapes Episode From Examiner |
Posted 7/19/10 |
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Bethenny Frankel was in Los
Angeles yesterday taping 'Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader'.
The television personality tweeted about her adventure when
she was in route to LA. 'OK On the place on my way to LA to film"are you smarter than a 5th grader?"Who has a 5th grade child? Give me some tips! The game show is a competition between an adult and a makeshift classroom of 5th graders. While this doesn't sound like much, usually the 5th graders look smarter. How Bethenny handled the pressure is unknown as she didn't tweet what or how she did on the game show One thing for certain, she missed her baby and after being in Los Angeles all day Sunday, she packed her bags and headed back to the Big Apple to hold the child by morning. This new mom is all about experiencing life with her child and living life to the fullest. |
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"1 vs. 100" Gets Xed Microsoft Cancels Xbox Live Game From Joystiq |
Posted 7/19/10 |
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Inimitable host of the
now-canceled Xbox Live gameshow 1 vs. 100 Chris Cashman
recently spoke to Giant Bomb about his feelings on the show
being disbanded, even going so far as to create a goodbye
video. He called the situation a "bummer," adding, "It wasn't
that long ago that I was blown away by having colored rubber
bands on my braces, so getting to host the first live
videogame ever is pretty much tops." And though he says he's "sure they are plotting something rad," Cashman, sadly, doesn't have any idea what the future of Xbox Live's Primetime channel will hold for gameshows like 1 vs. 100.
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"1 vs. 100" has been axed on Xbox Live (photo courtesy NBC) |
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Battle of the Saturday Night Quizzers BBC1's "Tonight's the Night" Beats "Magic Numbers" From Broadcast |
Posted 7/19/10 |
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A second run of BBC1 game show
Tonight’s the Night trounced ITV1’s new shiny floor series
Magic Numbers on Saturday night. Tonight’s the Night, in which John Barrowman helps deserving people to achieve their dreams, entertained an audience of 4.15m (21.1%) from 8pm to 8.50pm on BBC1, according to overnight Barb figures supplied by Attentional. Despite being below slot the average of 5.1m (22.2%), it tallied up a greater audience than Stephen Mulhern-fronted Magic Numbers, which pulled in 2.65m (13.4%) viewers across ITV1 and ITV1 HD across the 8pm hour. The seven-part show, where a viewer at home plays for a prize of £250,000, was well below the combined slot average of 6.6m (28.6%) for the combined ITV1 and ITV1 HD channels – but the Saturday slot is usually inhabited by juggernauts such as Britain’s Got Talent. |
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Belgium Heads for Israeli "Door" BGoodMedia Signs On for All3Media Format From Worldscreen |
Posted 7/19/10 |
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Through its partnership with
Belgian format production outfit BGoodMedia, ALL3MEDIA
International has secured a local commission on Cash At Your
Door. SBS Belgium has ordered its own version of the game show, which was first developed for Channel 10 in Israel by Matar Universal. This follows the deal signed earlier this year for Dieter Debruyn's BGoodMedia to rep ALL3MEDIA International's formats in Belgium. Announcing the commission, Stephanie Hartog, executive VP of formats at ALL3MEDIA International, commented, “Since establishing our partnership, the team at BGoodMedia have reported strong interest in our formats portfolio from some of Belgium’s leading broadcasters and we are delighted to announce this significant first commission with SBS. Cash At Your Door is a warm, quirky and hugely entertaining format and we are confident that BGoodMedia’s production will prove very popular in Belgium.” Debruyn, managing director at BGoodMedia, added, “SBS quickly saw the potential of Cash At Your Door, which offers an innovative game show alongside a fantastic celebration of family and community. We are already in pre-production on the series and think it will be a great success with Belgian audiences. Our collaboration with ALL3MEDIA International has given us access to a host of ideas from some of the world’s top creative talents and we expect to announce more exciting new commissions very soon.” |
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Monday Lightning Round Trashing Masterchef... Wiping Out for Canada... Who Do the Idols Want in Simon's Chair? From Various Sources |
Posted 7/19/10 |
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Taking the Runway Again Lifetime Reveals Next Batch of Contestants From TV by the Numbers |
Posted 7/18/10 |
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Let the sewing, stitching and
snickering begin! The Emmy® Award nominated series, Project
Runway, kicks off its eighth season with 17 talented designers
– the most in series history – beginning Thursday, July 29, at
9pm ET/PT on Lifetime Television. In the show’s expanded
90-minute format, the new crop of designers will encounter
host Heidi Klum, mentor Tim Gunn and judges Michael Kors and
Nina Garcia and top-name guest designer and celebrity judges,
including actress Selma Blair for the premiere episode, as
they face inventive challenges, unexpected eliminations and
other surprises along the way. Filmed on location in New York,
each episode of the eighth season will feature more couture
creations and fashion flubs as the designers attempt to make
the cut to show at New York Fashion Week at Lincoln Center.
Project Runway is in High-Definition where available. As part of the winner’s prize package, this season’s victorious designer will receive $100,000 from L’Oreal Paris to start his/her own line, a fashion spread in Marie Claire magazine, a $50,000 technology suite by HP and Intel to create his/her own vision and run his/her business and the opportunity to design and sell an exclusive collection on Piperlime.com. The model paired with the winner of Project Runway will also appear in the designer’s editorial feature in Marie Claire and receive $25,000 from L’Oreal Studio Secrets Professional. |
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Two for One? ITV1 Doubles Up Against "101 Ways" From WorldTVPC.com |
Posted 7/18/10 |
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In a move set to rival BBC One’s
new quiz 101 Ways To Leave A Gameshow, ITV1 are launching two
new gameshows in one night in an attempt to win a share of the
UK Saturday night audience that is currently open to change,
due to major shows such as X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing. At 7:15pm, the first show launched will be Odd One In, an alternative quiz show that the celebrity panel and the audience both take part in. The show, hosted by Bradley Walsh, will include a ‘home’ team panel of singer Peter Andre, and stand-up comedian Jason Manford, who will go up against a guest team of two every week, with the aim of the game to choose the ‘Odd One In’ from a selection of people and animals (e.g. ‘which of these people has a fake beard’) by asking a number of questions. The audience will also play along, with those that have the most correct answers playing in a final ‘special round’ to try and win a cash prize. The show that follows, at 8:00pm, entitled Magic Numbers, hosted by presenter and former magician Stephen Mullhern, is based on celebrities completing gameshow challenges in order to generate numbers, and if all numbers generated matches a home viewer’s phone number, the viewer could win up to £250,000 (an alternative lottery, perhaps?). An interview with Mullhern revealed that the show is good family entertainment, even if they do not want to take part. |
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Second Date for "Take Me Out" ITV1 Reups Dating Series From Broadcast |
Posted 7/18/10 |
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ITV1’s Saturday night speed-dating
gameshow Take Me Out is set to return “bigger and better than
ever”, according to host Paddy McGuinness. The news emerged on the comedian’s official Twitter feed, when he urged his 54,333 followers to apply for the new series of the programme. “Fancy being on Saturday night primetime ITV1, you do, good! (sic) You can now apply for the new series of…Take Me Out!” He also revealed that the glossy show, made by Talkback Thames, will be moved from Granada Television Studios in Manchester down to a “big fancy studio” in London. The first series of Take Me Out averaged 4.83m (19.2%) viewers, predominantly in a 7.30pm slot. This was below ITV1’s slot average of 5.72m (25.7%) for the year so far. |
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Inside Piers' Deal "Got Talent" Judge, CNN Close to Deal to Replace Larry King From New York Times |
Posted 7/18/10 |
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An imminent deal between NBC
Universal and Turner Broadcasting is clearing the way for
Piers Morgan to take over for Larry King as the host of CNN’s
9 p.m. hour. Before entering into direct negotiations with CNN, Mr. Morgan extended his contract with NBC for the talent show “America’s Got Talent.” Mr. Morgan will remain a judge on that program through 2013. Wednesday’s New York Times reports that Mr. King’s time slot on CNN is Mr. Morgan’s dream job, but that NBC had full control over his immediate future because his contract granted the network exclusive rights to all his work on American television: CNN had made its interest in Mr. Morgan clear, both to him and to NBC. In the usual course of contractual niceties in the entertainment industry, Mr. Morgan and his representative could listen to what CNN had to say, but had to steer clear of anything that might constitute a formal negotiation. The main action has not directly involved CNN. It is taking place quietly between executives from NBC Universal and Turner Broadcasting, a unit of Time Warner. These talks centered on whether Turner had something to offer NBC Universal. Neither side was prepared on Tuesday to announce what, if anything, Turner might have given in return. But whatever NBC gained, the decision seemed to indicate that NBC’s opinion of Mr. Morgan’s prospects as an interview host did not match CNN’s. If he does take the job, Mr. Morgan would be a chief rival to MSNBC, the news channel owned by NBC. The companies declined to comment on Tuesday. . |
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Weekend Lightning Round Facing the Hole on Cartoon Network... Wipeout Beats Big Brother... Endemol Needs Money From Various Sources |
Posted 7/18/10 |
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"Red Carpet Run" a Big Winner in LA Web Game Gets Kudos at TV Festival From PRLog.org |
Posted 7/16/10 |
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Web Series Red Carpet Run won the
reality/unscripted category in the NextTV Competition at the
LA TV Festival, announced during an award ceremony on
Wednesday night streamed live via Stickam. The category, sponsored by E! Entertainment Television, offers the winner a one-year professional membership with the National Association of Television Program Executives, a Vado HD pocket video camera, and the opportunity for a development meeting with the sponsor. Red Carpet Run is an entertainment trivia game show that puts celeb-obsessed contestants through the ultimate trivial pursuit, challenging their knowledge of all things Hollywood as they run their final round – high speed! – on a moving treadmill. “It’s a huge honor, and we’d like to express thanks to the festival, the judges, and all who helped us to arrive at this point. We want to see the show continue to reach all the movie buff, TV junkie, and Hollywood-trivia loving people we know are out there,” Said Creator and Executive Producer Michael Todd Cohen. Red Carpet Run is produced by Avignon Bound Media International and can be found on Facebook www.facebook.com/redcarpetrun, Twitter @redcarpetrun, and http://redcarpetrun.tv |
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The Downfall of "Downfall"? Troubled Game Ends One Episode Early From Headline Planet |
Posted 7/16/10 |
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ABC has decided to
wrap the Chris Jericho-hosted "Downfall"
next week. Although it originally ordered six episodes of the game show, ABC issued a press release billing next week’s episode–the fifth–as the season finale. The second half of a two-hour "Wipeout" will occupy ABC’s 9PM timeslot on July 27. Jericho has posted on his Twitter account @IamJericho, "Downfall wasn't pulled or cancelled. Due to a faster paced edited show, we simply ran out of contestants after the fifth show and didn't have enough material for a sixth show. We're gonna film more episodes in the fall. Sorry haters." An ABC representative has since confirmed those remarks, per a story from Headline Planet. As it turns out, because the
show was edited to be particularly fast-paced, all viable
contestant footage was used in the first five episodes, and
there was not enough material to produce a sixth. So all
episodes that were produced will indeed have aired come next
Tuesday’s finale.
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 Next week's "Downfall" will be the season finale (photo courtesy ABC) |
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Casting Calls... Project Looking for Players From RealityWanted |
Posted 7/16/10 |
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Are you adventurous and always up
for a new experience? Are you constantly the life of the party
and the center of attention? A major production company is currently casting outgoing men and women (ages 21-35) for an exciting new gameshow pilot. |
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Teletoon Gets "Skatoony" Canadian Cartoon Network Launches Version From CNW |
Posted 7/16/10 |
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TELETOON Canada inc. today
announced its fall 2010 lineup for TELETOON, TELETOON at Night
and TELETOON Retro. Launching on Monday, September 6, 2010,
TELETOON's new slate is full of comedy and action, with just
the right amount of thrills, chills and belly-aching laughter. "From kids and young adults to parents and families, we are bringing viewers of all ages more excitement and entertainment through a host of new series and returning comedy and action favourites this fall," said Carole Bonneau, Vice President, Programming, TELETOON Canada inc. "In addition to breaking new ground with productions like Skatoony and My Babysitter's A Vampire we're also bolstering our programming repertoire with a roster of new series, movies and the latest seasons of our hugely popular titles." The TELETOON lineup from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. consists of a wide-array of new programming, including the live-action/animation hybrid game show Skatoony. |
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"101 Ways"... 4 Million Viewers Endemol Pushes It To an Unsuspecting World From C21Media |
Posted 7/16/10 |
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Endemol's new primetime format 101
Ways to Leave a Gameshow has been sold into Germany, Brazil
and Turkey, following its debut on UK pubcaster BBC1 last
week. The show - a quiz in which losing contestants are physically ejected from a tower - scored a 25.7% audience share (four million viewers) in the UK when in debuted on Saturday. Paul Römer, Endemol's chief creative officer said the ratings showed the format's global potential. German commercial network RTL has now commissioned a 1x90' special for the autumn, to be produced by Endemol Germany, while Brazil's TV Globo and Fox in Turkey have both ordered local versions. Further deals will follow, the Big Brother producer said. In the US, Endemol is producing a pilot for ABC, as reported by C21 last month. The show is shot in Argentina in a purpose-built 100ft tower. Contestants answer general knowledge questions, with the loser of each round leaving the game via a water slide, cannon or catapult. The series is produced at one of Endemol's two production hubs in Argentina, which were first reported on by C21 in March. All 23 international versions of popular format Total Wipeout were produced to a similar model in the country.
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Friday Lightning Round Hottest Game Show Women... CBS Update... "Idol" Auditions Begin From Various Sources |
Posted 7/16/10 |
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Thursday Lightning Round Clay Aiken on Phineas & Ferb... JD Roth at LATV Fest... Another Dance Injury From Various Sources |
Posted 7/15/10 |
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Fantasy Hair Becomes a Competition Catch It on Oxygen August 10 From The Futon Critic |
Posted 7/14/10 |
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Fantasy hair gets even more
outrageous as Oxygen announces ten over the top stylists who
will battle it out with extreme hair creations on the new
competition series "Hair Battle Spectacular," premiering
Tuesday, August 10 at 10pm ET/PT. From across the country,
these contestants bring their own style and flare to the ring. Hosted by actress Brooke Burns, this competition series pits 10 of America's hottest stylists against each other to see who can deliver the biggest and best in fantasy hair design. Part sculpture and part pop art, each challenge requires contestants to create outrageous coifs that resemble everything from multi-layer wedding cakes to toys with moveable pieces. The stylists then enter the ring to present their hair creations in a fully produced, dramatic and stylized performance. After each challenge, the judges -- award-winning fantasy hair designer Derek J, celebrity stylist Lindsay Albanese and a rotating guest judge -- critique the designers on creativity, execution and overall presentation. In addition to blow-by-blow drama in the arena, there is also the day-to-day drama between the cohabitating stylists who fight each week to stay in the game and win the ultimate prize of $100,000. "Hair Battle Spectacular" is produced by 3 Ball Productions with JD Roth, Todd Nelson, Adam Greener, and Mike Nichols serving as executive producers. |
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More "Food Network Star" After the Show Cooking Channel Launches After Party From The Futon Critic |
Posted 7/14/10 |
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Can't get enough of "The Next Food
Network Star"? For all the viewers who want more, "The Next
Food Network Star After Party" will give an all-access recap
and reveal behind-the-scenes scoop about the night's episode.
Premiering on Sunday, July 18th at 11pm on sister network
Cooking Channel, the "After Party" is hosted by Food Network
personalities Adam Gertler, Sunny Anderson and Kelsey Nixon, a
fan-favorite from Star's fourth season. From exclusive
interviews with the contestants voted off to true stories
about the kitchen drama, this is an after-party not to be
missed. *"The Next Food Network Star After Party" will air regularly on Sundays at 11pm on Cooking Channel, until the Star winner is named on Sunday, August 15. |
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ALL3MEDIA Faces Off "Das Duell" Goes Global From Worldscreen |
Posted 7/14/10 |
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The family entertainment game show
Face to Face has been re-commissioned by its launch
broadcaster in Germany, and ALL3MEDIA International has
further scored new options for the format. The studio-based game show watches two contestants battle with brain teasers that are designed to test their logic, mental arithmetic, power of observation, concentration and general knowledge. Winning contestants return to face a new challenger and consecutive wins earn a player the distinction of Face to Face super champion, along with a cash jackpot. Face to Face is the international title for Das Duell, created by White Balance, the specialist game-show division of ALL3MEDIA sister company MME Moviement. ARD, which originally commissioned the series, has given an order for a further 120 episodes. ALL3MEDIA has optioned the show to GloboMedia in Spain and a deal is close to wrapping up in France. Stephanie Hartog, the executive VP of formats at ALL3MEDIA International, commented, “Since its launch at MIPTV, we have seen strong interest from international broadcasters for Face to Face, which offers a compelling, cost-effective prime-time format perfect for local production. ARD’s continued commitment to the show is fantastic proof of its great appeal and the success of the show we look forward to seeing equally successful versions going into production around the world." |
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The Lottery? "Lucky Case" Case Survives Challenge From Hollywood Reporter |
Posted 7/14/10 |
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A case testing whether viewer
contests on "American Idol" and "Deal or No Deal" were
"illegal lotteries" has survived a key hurdle. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated a decision to hear an appeal by Fox, Telescope, 19 Entertainment, Fremantle Media and other producers looking to challenge the merits of a class action lawsuit over these contests. The decision sends the case back to the district court to hear more from the contestants, who allege the shows violated California laws on unfair business practices. Each of these shows give viewers the opportunity to win prizes via a text message contest. In the "American Idol Challenge," viewers answer a trivia question. In the "Lucky Case Game," viewers of "Deal or No Deal" choose a briefcase corresponding to the winning number. Under California law, an illegal lottery has three elements: (1) distribution of a prize; (2) based on chance; and (3) an individual has paid a valuable consideration. The plaintiffs, who didn't win the contest, argued that their 99 cent text message fee was that consideration. The defendants moved to dismiss the case because contestants were given a "free option" — to participate in the contest by going to the game show website. They argued there was no consideration. The district court denied the motion to dismiss, and the defendants appealed. The Ninth Circuit heard a tentative appeal, but it now rules that early appeals on legal questions can only be heard if there's "substantial ground for difference of opinion." The appellate panel rules in the decision that the defendants haven't shown that substantial ground, nor have they cited any California law undermining the district court opinion. |
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Wednesday Lightning Round The Apprentice... Bret's NOT Engaged... Crystal Defense... Betty Heads to College From Hollywood Reporter |
Posted 7/14/10 |
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Shevick-Zupon Passes GSN "The Joke" Network Buys Idea from 1972 From C21Media |
Posted 7/13/10 |
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Commissions from US cable networks
Syfy and GSN are behind the launch of a new reality TV
production company in Santa Monica, headed by a former Hearst
Entertainment executive. Shevick Zupon Entertainment (SZE) is headed by president Jerry Shevick, who oversaw the Modern Marvels franchise while at Hearst, and CEO Mark Zupon. Its programme development efforts are headed by Liberal Media co-founder Amy Shpall-Appel (Celebrity Rehab) as VP and Louie Jones (Celebrity Rehab) as director. The company has launched on the back of a commission from Syfy to produce Hunting Hollywood (6x60'). The unscripted series follows auctioneer Joe Maddalenna "as he uncovers Hollywood's most treasured memorabilia," according to the producers. SZE is also developing Pass the Joke, a fast-paced comedic gameshow, for GSN. The series is based on a 1972 format that originally featured Milton Berle as host. SZE acquired the rights and has teamed up with BermanBraun and Zoo Productions to produce it for GSN. "After going two for two with the first projects we've pitched, I can say we are off to a great start on our mission to create compelling, original content, and valuable, lasting entertainment brands," said Shevick, who also exec produced the History series Food Tech. |
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"Baggage" Goes Global France to Launch Version of GSN Hit From C21Media |
Posted 7/13/10 |
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"Baggage" is heading for France.
In 12 Bagages, adapted by Banijay subsidiary JES Prod from US channel Gameshow Network's format Baggage, a single person has to choose between three candidates, each of whom brings with them a bag containing a secret. Benjamin Castaldi has been tapped to host the adaptation. "Candidates try to win, but three of them will come with suitcases, small, medium and large, containing more or less hot secrets about their past. One way to discover their suitors beyond appearances. It'll be fun, I guarantee you!" Thirty episodes are set to premiere by the end of 2010. |
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Regrets? Bruce's Had a Few Forsyth Interviews From UK Press Association |
Posted 7/13/10 |
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Bruce Forsyth says he regrets
doing so many game shows, branding them "money for old rope". The 82-year-old - who has enjoyed a primetime TV career spanning more than half a century fronting family favourites like Play Your Cards Right, The Generation Game and Bruce's Price Is Right - described himself as the "laziest person in the world". The star, who has been in talks to return as Strictly Come Dancing's host, told the Radio Times that doing game shows means being able to polish off a series in two weeks - "then take as much time off as you like". He said hosting game shows had enabled him to spend time with his wife Wilnelia, a former Miss World. The veteran entertainer said: "I regret doing so many game shows, but I started when I met Wilnelia, and we love spending time together. You can do a series in two weeks. Then take as much time off as you like. Money for old rope. "People don't understand I can be the laziest person in the world. In Puerto Rico I eat well, and lounge in the shade on the beach reading lots of books, mostly courtroom dramas." The interview did not name which game shows Brucie regretted doing. |
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Tuesday Lightning Round Nicole's an Easy Mark, Nina's Preggers, Dead "Idoler" Gets Justice |
Posted 7/13/10 |
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Court to Disney: PAY UP! WME May Be Next on Celador's Hit List From Business Week |
Posted 7/12/10 |
 Seeming
to take the advice of its courtroom foes, London-based Celador
Entertainment is planning to sue the William Morris Agency
(now the WME Agency) for what Britain's Guardian newspaper
described today (Monday) as "acting improperly in negotiating
a deal" with Disney's ABC for the hit game show Who Wants to
Be a Millionaire . During the recent trial of a lawsuit
brought by Celador, which claimed that Disney had used
contorted accounting to claim that the show never made money,
Disney lawyer Marty Katz remarked, "If Celador Productions is
unhappy with the deal they got, they have got the wrong
defendant here" and suggested that the company ought to sue
its representatives. In the end, Celador won the ABC/Disney
lawsuit and was awarded $269 million, but Celador founder Paul
Smith is now telling reporters that he may now sue the agency
for millions of dollars. "We haven't decided categorically
whether we have the appetite to proceed with another
litigation, but we certainly believe we have the grounds to do
so," Smith said in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter.
According to the report in the Guardian, Celador has made only
$21 million over more than a decade from Millionaire in the
U.S., while the agency has made $16 million.
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More on "The Great Food Truck Race" Catch It on Food August! From the Futon Critic |
Posted 7/12/10 |
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Amazing chefs across the country
are leaving traditional restaurants behind and hitting the
streets in mobile kitchens serving some of the most unique and
delicious dishes ever tasted. Food Network's new primetime
series, The Great Food Truck Race, features seven such gourmet
food trucks as they embark on an epic coast-to-coast culinary
road trip to convince Americans to step outside their culinary
comfort zones and try something new - from a truck. Tyler
Florence hosts this six-episode competition premiering Sunday,
August 15th at 10pm ET/PT; the series resumes in its regular
timeslot of Sundays at 9pm ET/PT on August 22nd. From
out-of-the-box sandwiches, burgers, and crepes to unique takes
on Vietnamese, French, and Cajun cuisines, the trucks compete
in weekly challenges to see who can sell the most food and
race to the next episode while the losing team drives home.
The last truck standing wins a $50,000 grand prize. "Not only does the series focus on a hot new culinary trend, but the drama of the competition pushes these teams' cooking skills, business savvy and relationships to their limit," said General Manager/Senior Vice President Programming, Bob Tuschman. The seven trucks include: Austin Daily Press (Austin, Texas), Crepes Bonaparte (Fullerton, Calif.), Grill 'Em All (Los Angeles, Calif.), Nana Queens (Culver City, Calif.), Nom Nom Truck (Los Angeles, Calif.), Ragin' Cajun (Hermosa Beach, Calif.), and Spencer on the Go (San Francisco, Calif.). |
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"Ochocinco" Loves Reality NFL Player Stars in Own Series From Cincinnati.com |
Posted 7/9/10 |
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No big surprise here: Chad
Ochocinco loves starring on reality TV shows. "If I could do this again, I would - over and over and over," says Ochocinco, whose VH1 dating series, "Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch," premieres at 9 tonight. It's his third reality series in a year. The Bengals all-time leading receiver was a main character in HBO's "Hard Knocks" training camp show in August, and a top-four finalist on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" in spring. "Ultimate Catch" is Ochocinco's dream: All Chad, all the time, every Sunday night through the NFL regular-season kickoff Sept. 12. The VH1 show is the latest extension of the Ochocinco brand, which includes applications for Apple's iPad and iPhone; an appearance in Monica's "Everything to Me" video; Twitter, Ochocinco News Network and Ustream updates; and T-shirts and apparel at Ochocinco.com. VH1 puts a couple of new twists on the dating show formula, so this isn't a blatant rip-off of ABC's "The Bachelor." The 90-minute premiere opens with 85 women jogging onto the Pasadena Rose Bowl field for a "dating mini-camp." "I haven't seen this many girls on a field since the last time we played the Steelers," quips Ochocinco. In crop tops and short shorts, they compete in three drills - end zone dancing, trash talking and hugging a life-size Chad cutout - hoping to be among the 17 Chad picks to live in a lavish Hollywood mansion. By the end of the show, Chad cuts the field to 16, and places their names in a basketball tournament-style bracket. He'll date the two women in each pairing together, with one advancing to the next round. The winner receives a No. 85 ring covered with 70 carats of diamonds. |
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Monday Lightning Round More on Feud, Ryan & Julianne, Carrie's Wedding |
Posted 7/12/10 |
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More on "Your Chance to Dance" Catch It on CMT July 23 From the Futon Critic |
Posted 7/9/10 |
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Now fans have the opportunity
to pay tribute to their favorite well-known dance routines
from videos, television shows and movies in the new, ten
episode series, "Your Chance to Dance", premiering Friday,
July 23 at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT on CMT. Each one-hour episode,
hosted by TV personality Mark L. Walberg, features five
contestants putting their unique spin on popular video dance
moves before a live studio audience, who then votes to
determine which contestant will win the $10,000 prize. |
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Big Brother vs. Wipeout: Who Won? As Always, It Depends on Who You Ask... From the Futon Critic |
Posted 7/9/10 |
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This from the CBS press
department.... "The
premiere of the 12th edition of "Big Brother" posted gains in
viewers and key demographics compared to last summer's
premiere, leading CBS to a nightly win in all key ratings
categories, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings
for Thursday, July 8. ... and at the same time, this from the ABC press department. "Up against CBS' season
premiere of "Big Brother 12," ABC's "Wipeout" finished as the
most-watched program (7.9 million) in the 8 o'clock hour for
the 3rd week in a row. The ABC unscripted series also held the
No. 1 position in the hour Adults 18-49 (2.4/8-tie), Adults
25-54 (2.9/9-tie) and key Men (M18-49/M25-54). In fact among
viewers and young adults, ABC marked its best-ever performance
against the Thursday premiere of "Big Brother." |
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And the Wednesday Battle? "Minute", "Talent" Winners From the Futon Critic |
Posted 7/9/10 |
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The No. 1 show on broadcast and a
decent showing by a midseason replacement proved just enough
for NBC to eke out a victory last night over Fox. NBC's "America's Got Talent" averaged a 3.3 adults 18-49 rating in the 9 p.m. timeslot for a results episode, according to Nielsen overnights, off 6 percent from last week but still easily the evening's top program, well ahead of No. 2 "So You Think You Can Dance" with a 2.3 on Fox. "Talent's" 8 p.m. lead-in, "Minute to Win It," actually did pretty well, too. The game show, which debuted at midseason earlier this year, averaged a 2.1, just 0.2 behind "Dance." In fact, "Minute" topped dance during their second half hour, 2.4-2.2, as people began tuning to NBC in anticipation of "Talent." The "Talent"-"Minute" combination boosted NBC to a 2.4 average rating and an 8 share on the night. |
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Let's Play the Feud on PS3, iPad Game Now Available on Playstation Network From Financial Post |
Posted 7/8/10 |
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Interactive entertainment
company Ludia and FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) today
announced the availability of the Family Feud game for the
PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system on the
PlayStation®Network. Based on one of the most successful
family game shows of all time – which premieres its 12th
season in syndication with new host Steve Harvey on September
13th (check local listings), PS3™ owners can now play as the
leader of a ‘family’ in a contest to name the most popular
answers to survey questions posed to 100 people. The game
features all of the favorite elements of the show as played on
television, including the scoreboard, face offs, strikes,
stealing and ‘fast money’ rounds. Players can enjoy a
thrilling online multiplayer Family Feud experience as they
compete against friends and/or other players from across North
America in head-to-head challenges via the PlayStation
Network. Additionally, multiplayer local and solo game play is
also supported. “Ludia is happy to extend the ever-popular Family Feud franchise to PlayStation 3 systems via the PlayStation Network,” said Alex Thabet, Founder and CEO of Ludia Inc. “This new game is another great addition to Ludia’s growing portfolio of game show games for PS3™, and further reinforces our multiplatform strategy.”
Also, the Feud is available in
high definition on the iPad. Get a true-to-TV game play
experience thanks to new, eye-popping HD graphics designed and
optimized for the iPad's advanced capabilities. With all your
favorites like the Face Off, Stealing and Fast Money rounds.
Hours of fun guaranteed! |
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Big Money in India New Series Starting Tomorrow From Today24News |
Posted 7/9/10 |
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Reality show, ‘Big Money’ will be
starting from 10 July 2010 at 9pm. The show will be hosted by
actor R. Madhavan. To keep viewers bound, Imagine TV has
brought this KBC type show with an opportunity to win price
money of Rs.1 crore after ‘Desi Girl’ concluded with Roshni
Chopra’s title win. ‘Big Money‘ is the family-based game show
by which Multilingual Indian actor R. Madhavan is set to
return to the small screen as the host. Madhavan confirmed the news on microblogging site Twitter by saying, ‘Announcement folks. I am hosting a family-based game show called ‘BIG MONEY’, Chhote Parde ka Bada Game Show on Imagine. Need all your blessings.’ R. Madhavan asserts, “I’m really excited about the show more so about the concept of entire family coming together in an attempt to earn Big Money.“, “According to me this show would incite’ shout ability’ among the audience as most of them would know the answers themselves thus creating a different kind of anxiety,” exclaimed by the new concept producer Siddharth Basu. |
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More Big Money in India KBC Returns With Old Host From DailyNews365 |
Posted 7/9/10 |
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There is a good news for the
lovers of popular game show- Kaun Banega Crorepati! The show
is back and guess what, with its own original hero Amitabh
Bachchan. The show is to be aired on Sony Entertainment
Channel, which hopes to create magic with the tried and tested
formula of its rival, Star Plus. The launch of Kaun Banega
Crorepati (KBC) was announced by the Hindi general
entertainment channel from Multi Screen Media Ltd (MSML) at a
press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday. The channel is all
set to begin with the fourth season of the show, with Amitabh
Bachchan as its host. Though there was speculation early this year that actor Aamir Khan been approached to host the fourth season of the popular game show, the channel heads maintained that they had always been in talks with Bachchan. This is the third time that Bachchan will host the show. He played host to season 1 and 2 of KBC, while Shahrukh Khan hosted season 3. Although the show was tweaked according to Shahrukh’s style, a little informal, the show failed to draw high television ratings. Coming to the changes in the format of the show or prize money, the channel officials choose not to say anything for now. The season 3 of KBC, which was hosted by Shahrukh Khan had the prize money of Rs 2 crore. |
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Are You Big Brother's Ultimate Fan? You Could Win a Trip to the Finale From the Futon Critic |
Posted 7/9/10 |
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CBS.com announced today the launch
of the "Big Brother" Ultimate Fan contest, an online
interactive social game encouraging fans to earn points and
badges based on their participation around CBS.com's "Big
Brother" hub. Each online activity will garner fans a
different number of points, such as commenting on a video (5
points), voting in the Best of Big Brother Bracket Challenge
(100 points), or becoming a fan of a "Big Brother" house guest
(20 points). Users can also unlock badges by completing
specific tasks and by achieving a certain level of points for
an activity. As fans continue to complete various activities
throughout the site, they will be able to achieve and "unlock"
greater levels of badges, bringing them closer to becoming the
grand prize winner. One week before the end of Season 12 of "Big Brother", a grand prize winner will be randomly drawn from a pool of the top 25 percent of the highest scorers. The winner will receive a trip to the taping of the "Big Brother" finale as well as a chance to meet the current season's houseguests. "As "Big Brother" continues to be one of the most popular shows every summer, we wanted to redefine the online entertainment experience for fans," says Anthony Soohoo, SVP & GM of Entertainment & Lifestyle at CBS Interactive. "We have created a new interactive platform for "Big Brother" fans to be connected to, informed and entertained by the show. This sweepstakes is an example of how we can reward fans for their loyalty and show our appreciation for their continued viewership by helping them enhance and expand their "Big Brother" experience via participation in our online communities and offerings." |
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Primetime Emmy Noms Up Five Chosen for Reality Competition Nod From the Futon Critic |
Posted 7/8/10 |
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Someone
had to be snubbed. For the first time since the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences implemented an Emmy nod for Reality Competition, "Survivor" is not one of the nominees. Among the nominees, Bravo's "Top Chef" & "Project Runway", ABC's "Dancing with the Stars", Fox's "American Idol", and the reigning champion, CBS' "The Amazing Race". Up for the host nod are Phil Keoghan ("The Amazing Race"), Ryan Seacrest ("American Idol"), Tom Bergeron ("Dancing with the Stars"), Heidi Klum ("Project Runway"), and Jeff Probst ("Survivor"). Both Probst and Bergeron have previous statuettes, Probst for "Survivor", Bergeron for "Hollywood Squares". The nominations were revealed at 8:40a ET today. The awards are handed out August 29 on NBC. |
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Friday Lightning Round Three Judges And A Wedding |
Posted 7/9/10 |
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Going to "Battle" on Food Network Catch It July 21, Sneak Preview July 18 From the Futon Critic |
Posted 7/8/10 |
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Temperatures rise this July as
teams of hopeful restaurateurs attempt to open their dream
restaurants in Food Network's new primetime competition
series, 24 Hour Restaurant Battle, premiering Wednesday, July
21st at 10pm ET/PT. Hosted by renowned chef, Scott Conant,
owner of Scarpetta and Faustina at the Cooper Square Hotel,
each one-hour episode features dueling teams who must
conceive, plan, and open their own restaurants in 24 hours. On
each team, one person handles front-of-house issues like
decor, seating, and service while the other manages
back-of-house matters like menu planning, shopping, and
cooking. When the doors open, each restaurant serves a group
of diners along with Scott and a rotating panel of judges.
Based on the restaurant's concept, execution, and viability,
the judges choose a winning team who receive $10,000. For more
information visit:
www.foodnetwork.com/24hour. The show launches as a sneak preview Sunday, July 18. |
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So You Think You Can Watch Online Fox Makes "Dance" Eps Available On Demand From the Futon Critic |
Posted 7/8/10 |
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Can't get enough of "So You Think
You Can Dance"? Want to rewatch your favorite dancer's
performance? For the first time ever, FOX will stream full
episodes of "So You Think You Can Dance" at www.fox.com/dance.
Beginning today, fans will be able to catch performance shows
the Monday following the live broadcast while results shows
will be available the Tuesday after they air at www.fox.com/dance. "So You Think You Can Dance" was created by Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe and comes from 19 Entertainment Ltd. and dick clark productions. The series is executive-produced by Simon Fuller, Nigel Lythgoe and Barry Adelman. Become a fan of "So You Think You Can Dance" on Facebook at www.facebook.com/soyouthinkyoucandance and follow the series on Twitter at www.twitter.com/danceonfox. |
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More on "Millionaire" Video Game Game to Be Available on Major Platforms, PC, Mac From Earth Times |
Posted 7/8/10 |
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Interactive entertainment company
Ludia Inc. announced today that they will create a video game
based on Disney-ABC Domestic Television's popular Who Wants To
Be A Millionaire TV game show. With the North America-wide
exclusive deal, the Millionaire video game will be available
across major console platforms and PC/Mac. “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire continues to be one of the most successful TV game shows, and we are thrilled to create games that will enable fans of the show to experience the legendary ‘hot seat’ like never before,” said Alex Thabet, Founder and CEO of Ludia Inc. “This deal serves to further solidify Ludia’s leadership in the game show video game category, which is proving to be a highly successful area for us across platforms.” The Who Wants To Be A Millionaire video game will feature elements from the television show as players try to win a simulated $1,000,000 by correctly answering 15 multiple choice trivia questions, each worth increasing amounts of money. Players can seek help for the stumper questions via lifelines like “Ask the Audience”, “Double Dip” or “Phone a Friend.” Additionally, the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire video game will incorporate thousands of questions, connected gaming elements, single and multiplayer game modes, as well as reward systems to fuel the competitive fun between players. The initial release of the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire video game is slated for Q3 2010. |
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"Come Dine": Reality At Its Simplest Review of BBC America Series From Los Angeles Times |
Posted 7/8/10 |
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For those who wonder what reality
television would look like if it hadn't been hijacked by drama
queens — Gordon Ramsay, Speidi, Jon and Kate, the assorted
Housewives — or if it wasn't so obviously and ruthlessly
scripted and over-produced, "Come Dine With Me," which
premieres Wednesday on BBC America, is entertaining and
addictive proof that less is definitely more. In various British locales — Bath, Swindon, London, etc. — four strangers each prepare a multi-course meal in his or her home for the other three. The guests then score their experience on a scale of 1 to 10 at the end of the hour, and the winner walks off with 1,000 pounds (a little over $1,500). In the next episode, things begin again. "Come Dine With Me" was created by ITV, which produces, among other things, "Hell's Kitchen" and "Nanny 911," and debuted in 2005. The episodes airing on BBC America are cherrypicked — the first two are from Season 4 — and serve as prologue to the upcoming American version. One hopes the American series will remain true to the show's brisk, no-nonsense formula, which does precisely what reality TV can, and should, do best: offer a glimpse into how people actually live their real lives. |
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Thursday Lightning Round A Breakup... Another Breakup... and Betty White. |
Posted 7/8/10 |
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We're Running Out of "Downfall" Puns Tuesday's Results From the Wrap |
Posted 7/7/10 |
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NBC reality show "America's Got
Talent" was the top program on television Tuesday night, but
Fox scored the highest average primetime audience with a
two-hour episode of "Hell's Kitchen." Gordon Ramsay's cooking competition had an average 3.1 rating/10 share in the key adults 18-49 demographic from 8-10 p.m. "Hell's Kitchen" gave Fox its second straight Tuesday night win. "Losing It With Jillian" kept NBC in second place despite its having the top show for the second week in a row on Tuesday. "America's Got Talent" scored a 3.4/10 from 9-11 p.m., but "Losing It With Jillian" kept the network's average down with a 1.2/4 from 8-9 p.m. NBC could have beaten Fox if it weren't for that pesky extra hour of primetime. "Talent's" numbers were up 17 percent from the show's summer low last week, but "Jillian" was down 8 percent, tying its worst-ever numbers. Overall, NBC averaged a 2.7/8 for Tuesday night. ABC took third place Tuesday with a 1.8/5 from 8-11 p.m. The obstacle-course competition "Wipeout" scored a 2.9/10, up 12 percent from an off week last Tuesday. High-altitude game show "Downfall" continued to see its numbers slip with a 1.3/4, down 7 percent from last week when the show lost 20 percent of its audience. |
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"Millionaire" Hot in Cleveland Auditions July 14 From Cleveland.com |
Posted 7/6/10 |
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The game show "Who Wants to Be a
Millionaire'' will hold contestant auditions in Cleveland from
7 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 14, at the Nautica Pavilion. With
Emmy winner Meredith Vieira as host, the syndicated daytime
version of "Millionaire" will begin its ninth season in
September. The audition line will form in the Nautica Pavilion at the Nautica Entertainment Complex (west side of the Flats, 2014 Sycamore St.; see the Nautica web site). No one will be admitted in line before 6 a.m. "Millionaire" producers are teaming with Netflix for these auditions. Cleveland was one of three cities chosen for traveling auditions this month. The others are Las Vegas and Seattle. Those who audition will have two opportunities to be selected as a contestant. In addition to finding contestants for regular episodes of the game show, "Millionaire" and Netflix also will audition movie trivia buffs for the upcoming sixth annual installment of "Million Dollar Movie Week," a specialty edition of the game show featuring movie-themed questions. Two separate written tests will be administered at the auditions. A movie-themed test will be given for "Million Dollar Movie Week" and a test with general trivia questions will be administered for regular episodes. Those people who pass each test will be asked to come back for a short interview with a "Millionaire" representative. Pre-registration is not required for the auditions. Attendance does not guarantee admittance and participants will be auditioned on a first-come-first-served basis. Those hoping to audition must be 18 or older, a resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia and meet all other eligibility requirements, which can be found at the "Millionaire" web site. |
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"Wipeout" Wipes Out on the DS Review: Nothing to Write Home About From Toledo Free Press |
Posted 7/6/10 |
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ABC and Activision team up to
bring their obstacle course game show “Wipeout” to the
Nintendo DS. This one player game has entertainment potential,
but several shortcomings especially in the areas of movement
and visual effects. Players succeed by conquering almost 40
obstacles before the third attempt where they automatically
advance. This game has three basic rounds in the main TV mode
beginning with eight players —the qualifying, sweeper and
wipeout zone. Obstacles also appear in the obstacle mode where
successes unlock special items and character outfits. Patient players can find some fun, but frustrates with odd physics, problematic button response, limited customization options, and frequent clipping (characters go through objects). The scrolling movement incorporates some 3D perspectives and the high jumps give players serious hang time. Other actions include duck, run, and block. A grasp, climb or special “last resort” button (using the L or R) would have been ideal. The actions are simple but the sequenced challenges are very challenging. Placement is key at the end of jump. Landing on a corner triggers a default sequence that makes you fall off the course — even when you might be able to bump across on another object. The times are shown, but not recorded (a high score board opportunity missed) and players cannot save immediate progress. Developers do not optimize the Nintendo DS capabilities here. Players can use the touch screen to select menus options and that is it. No NDSi camera option to put yourself in the game. No touch screen swipes or hits to lead the action. They miss some basic graphic enhancements as well — most notably visual effects like splashes and mud splats. Players do not even get to see the fall impact most of the time. The sound effects are very basic and do not compensate for the visual weaknesses. The fun music score impresses but the audio comments bore with frequent repetition though sound options allow players to turn them off. The 18 preset character cache includes hosts John Anderson and John Henson plus on-field commentator Jill Wagner. Unfortunately, “Wipeout” is a wash out on the Nintendo DS. But the Wii version (not reviewed here) offers a four player option, taunts, and slow motion replays. |
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Kimberley Locke Shopping Project Situation: Plus-Sized Singing Group From New York Times |
Posted 7/6/10 |
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Some "American Idol" veterans want
to be rock stars, but Kimberley Locke aims to become a
television mogul.
The "Idol" second-season finalist, who finished third behind Clay Aiken and season winner Ruben Studdard, was spotted at Morton's steakhouse in Midtown meeting with cable executives to pitch a new reality show on the search for the next plus-sized, all-girl music group. Locke performed her new dance single, "Strobe Light," produced by "Idol" judge Randy Jackson, at Pacha last week. |
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Show's Over for Some "Idol" Dates Slow Sales Force Cancellations From Atlanta Journal-Constitution |
Posted 7/6/10 |
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On the heels of Jonas Brothers and
Lilith Fair cancellation dates, now “Idols Live” is cutting
concerts due to slow sales. Cleveland’s Sept. 11 is no longer available. Ditto with Omaha, Neb. and Kansas City. Buffalo is dead, too. Toronto as well. Some other concerts are being moved around for routing purposes. Portland, Maine is rumored to be in danger now, too, but tickets are still on sale. |
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Report: Peter Andre Reups with ITV New Deal for "Odd One In" Host From DigitalSpy |
Posted 7/6/10 |
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Peter Andre has reportedly signed
a £1m deal to stay at ITV. The Daily Star reports that the channel has already ordered a third series of the singer's show Peter Andre: The Next Chapter. The deal is also thought to cover Andre's guest spots on This Morning and a number of other projects, which could include Andre's role on new gameshow Odd One In. A source revealed that the channel wants to make Andre the "darling of ITV" and added: "Everyone loves Pete and his show does amazingly well for ITV2. We are putting all our focus on Peter and the future is looking bright for him." |
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"Love" Takes a Holiday... NBC Relaunches Real Folk "Apprentice" From the Futon Critic |
Posted 7/2/10 |
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NBC will debut the newly revised
edition of its previously announced "The Apprentice" series on
Thursdays (10-11 p.m. ET) beginning this Fall. |
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"LMAD" Fires Up Season 2 CBS Trades Vegas for LA From UPI |
Posted 7/2/10 |
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CBS says production is set to
begin this month on Season 2 of its new version of the classic
U.S. game show "Let's Make a Deal." The daytime show is to go before the cameras starting July 9 in Los Angeles with comedian Wayne Brady returning as host. New episodes are to start airing in September, the network said. The original "Let's Make a Deal" was an enormous hit when Monty Hall served as host from 1963-1977. While later versions aired in syndication and prime time, the game show is best remembered for the years hosted by Hall, who serves as a creative consultant on this latest version, CBS noted. |
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Here Come the Houseguests! CBS Makes Usual Teamups, Installs Saboteur From the Futon Critic |
Posted 7/1/10 |
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"Big Brother" welcomes 13 new Houseguests when
CBS's summer series premieres Thursday, July 8 (8:00-9:00 PM,
ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Below are the 13 Houseguests who will compete in the new season of "Big Brother":
- Kristen Bitting (24;
Philadelphia; shoe boutique manager)
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 "Big Brother" launches July 8 on CBS (photo courtesy CBS) |
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More Shuffling... More Talent NBC Sends "Persons Unknown" to Saturdays From The Futon Critic |
Posted 7/1/10 |
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NBC is shuffling the deck chairs
on four nights of its summer schedule, giving new homes to
"Persons Unknown," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and its
"America's Got Talent" encores. Said changes, all confirmed via scheduling updates from the network this afternoon, include a new Monday lineup of "Got Talent" encores at 8:00/7:00c, "Last Comic Standing" originals at 9:00/8:00c and special Monday editions of "Dateline NBC" at 10:00/9:00c starting July 12. "Persons Unknown," which had been airing on Monday nights, will shift to Saturdays at 8:00/7:00c on July 17. "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" will likewise get a new home, three to be exact: Saturdays at 9:00/8:00c, Saturdays at 10:00/9:00c and Sundays at 8:00/7:00c. In addition, "Got Talent" will also encore on Sunday nights starting July 11, while Thursdays will see "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" assume the 10:00/9:00c hour, preceded by "Community," "30 Rock," "The Office" and "Parks & Recreation," beginning July 15. |
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SWEET! Bravo Rounds Out "Just Desserts" Panel, Adds Gail Simmons as Host From The Futon Critic |
Posted 7/1/10 |
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Bravo sweetens the deal as "Top
Chef: Just Desserts" -- a spin-off of the popular
Emmy-nominated and James Beard Award-winning "Top Chef" --
adds celebrated pastry chef Johnny Iuzzini as Head Judge with
critically acclaimed chef Hubert Keller and DailyCandy
Editor-at-Large Dannielle Kyrillos rounding out the judges'
table. As previously announced, "Top Chef" judge Gail Simmons
will serve as the host of Bravo's newest delectable delight
that airs on Bravo later this year. For more information,
visit www.BravoTV.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BravoPR. Each episode of "Top Chef: Just Desserts" holds two challenges for the pastry chefs: the first is a quickfire test of their basic abilities and the second is a more involved elimination challenge designed to test the versatility and inventiveness of the pastry chefs as they take on unique culinary trials such as working with unusual and exotic ingredients or catering for a range of demanding clients. Iuzzini, one of the country's most celebrated and innovative pastry chefs, joins as head judge of "Top Chef: Just Desserts." Currently the Executive Pastry Chef at Restaurant Jean Georges, which has three Michelin stars, and Nougatine, Iuzzini has received numerous accolades throughout his career. In May 2006, The James Beard Foundation awarded Iuzzini "Outstanding Pastry Chef of the Year," for which he was also nominated in 2003; he was named one of the Comite Colbert's "Emerging Young Artists of 2000;" earned the title of "Best New Pastry Chef" by New York Magazine in 2002; and was named one of the "10 Best Pastry Chefs in America" by Pastry Art and Design Magazine in 2003 and 2004. Iuzzini, who has appeared as a guest judge on "Top Chef," published his first cookbook, Dessert Fourplay in 2008. Keller will be a familiar face to "Top Chef" fans having appeared multiple times as a guest judge on "Top Chef" and as a contestant on season one of "Top Chef Masters." His world-renowned restaurants, Fleur de Lys San Francisco and Las Vegas, feature Keller's contemporary French cooking accented with Mediterranean flavors. With his palate attuned to America's evolving tastes, Keller launched his wildly popular Burger Bar restaurants in Las Vegas, St Louis, and San Francisco as well as the cutting edge SLeeK Steakhouse and Ultra Lounge in St Louis. He has won numerous awards including the James Beard Foundation's "Best Chef: California" and has been elected to the Foundation's prestigious Who's Who in Food and Beverage. Food & Wine magazine tapped him as one of the ten Best New Chefs in America, and Restaurants & Institutions gave him its Ivy Award. Entertaining expert and Editor-at-Large of DailyCandy, Kyrillos shares insider scoop with readers across the country on the latest news in food, fashion, travel, gifts and entertaining. She wrote several chapters of DailyCandy's two books, Daily Candy A to Z: An Insider's Guide to the Sweet Life and The DailyCandy Lexicon: Words That Don't Exist But Should. For the past four years, she has also helped cover the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen for Plum TV as an on-camera host. Food & Wine's Simmons, who has been a judge on "Top Chef" for the past seven seasons, takes on the hosting duties of this highly competitive spin-off series showcasing the best of the best in the world of pastry arts. She is responsible for special projects for the magazine, acting as liaison between the marketing and editorial teams on magazine events and chef-related initiatives. During her tenure at the magazine, she has been responsible for the annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, America's premier culinary event. Born in Toronto, Canada, Gail moved to New York City to attend culinary school at what is now the Institute of Culinary Education. She then trained in the kitchens of legendary Le Cirque 2000 and groundbreaking Vong restaurants, and worked for esteemed food critic Jeffrey Steingarten at Vogue as well as for chef Daniel Boulud. Throughout her career, Simmons has contributed to several cookbooks, including It Must've Been Something I Ate by Jeffrey Steingarten, Chef Daniel Boulud: Cooking in New York City and The New American Chef, by Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page. |
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"Minute" Returns July 7 Catch It on NBC From the Futon Critic |
Posted 6/30/10 |
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NBC's popular competition show
"Minute to Win It," will unveil the new "Million Dollar
Mission" when it returns this summer beginning Wednesday, July
7 (8-9 p.m. ET). In the new episodes, one lucky audience
member will be able to participate in the "Million Dollar
Mission," and be able to bypass levels 1 through 9 and
immediately compete at level 10 for $1million. The
million-dollar game is "Supercoin," where in a minute's time a
contestant must bounce coins off of a table and into the
narrow opening of a five-gallon water jug 15 feet away. These new episodes will also feature a variety of competitors including; twin sisters who'll take turns competing at each level; a married couple that will compete for cash for their dream wedding; and a mom and recent graduate who will team up together for the big prize. Some of the exciting games played in the upcoming episodes include: "Candelier," in which the contestant must stack five levels of cans, starting with one can on the bottom and finishing with five cans on the top, with a paper plate in between each level; "Octopus," in which they must remove a ribbon from an upside-down Fiji bottle -- without knocking the bottle over; and "Tweeze Me," where the contestant must use a tweezer to maneuver a Tic Tac breath mint through the spaces in a tennis racket -- and land it in a cup on the other side. |
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Canada Launches Reality Channel First Up... "Survivor Borneo" From The Star Phoenix |
Posted 6/30/10 |
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The "fat, naked guy" from Survivor
is back. The Global Reality Channel will launch on July 1 by airing Richard Hatch's triumphant first season of Survivor from beginning to end. Reruns of Survivor's 20 seasons will be a cornerstone of the new Global Reality Channel, a 24-hour digital service. The channel, billed as "all reality, all the time," will include new seasons of The Apprentice UK and Big Brother, as well as repeats of reality fare such as Deal or No Deal Canada, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, X-Weighted, Project Runway Canada and Fear Factor. As for Survivor, host Jeff Probst never expected the series would still be going strong. Probst was mentally prepared to be done, he was telling anyone who'd listen back in January, 2008. Probst had been intoning the words, "Survivors, ready!" and, "The tribe has spoken," since May, 2000, and he was tired of being bitten by bugs and living out of a backpack. Survivor: Micronesia was to be the last Survivor. The near-record audience of 52 million viewers that tuned in to watch corporate motivational-speaker Hatch win the first Survivor over yoga instructor Kelly Wiglesworth in May, 2000 had dwindled to just 14 million viewers for Survivor: Fiji. |
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William Taylor: 1931 - 2010 Lobbyist Was Contestant on "Tic-Tac Dough" From New York Times |
Posted 6/309/10 |
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William L. Taylor, who as a
lawyer, lobbyist and government official for more than a
half century had significant roles in pressing important
civil rights cases and in drafting and defending civil
rights legislation, died Monday in Bethesda, Md. He was
78 and lived in Washington. His son, David Van Taylor, said the direct cause of death was fluid in his lungs, a complication of a head injury he suffered in a fall a month ago. William Taylor began his long fight for racial justice as a young lawyer at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Inc. working with Thurgood Marshall, who would later become a Supreme Court justice. He helped fight some of the difficult civil rights battles that followed the Supreme Court order in 1954 that schools be desegregated. In the 1950s, Mr. Taylor was a popular contestant on the game show “Tic-Tac-Dough,” his son said. When producers offered him answers, which would have guaranteed his earnings, he refused. He later testified to a grand jury investigating quiz show fraud.The jury foreman, who had heard the testimony of other “Tic-Tac-Dough” contestants, informed Mr. Taylor that he had won more money than anyone else who had not taken answers. His son said that was a lasting source of pride. |
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Naked Vienna? "Bachelor" Castoff Says Yes, Playboy Says No From OK! |
Posted 6/30/10 |
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First, a large public breakup,
next Playboy? Despite reports that former Bachelor star Vienna
Girardi will be stripping down for the cover of Playboy in the
near future, a rep for the magazine confirms the personality
has not been asked to pose in her skivvies. “This is the first we’ve heard of Vienna Girardi appearing on the cover of Playboy,” a rep for Playboy told OK!. “We are not in negotiations with her and have not made her an offer.” Earlier today, various rumors were circulating that Jake Pavelka’s former girlfriend would not only strip for the magazine, but also be featured as the cover model. One source even cited a confirmation from Vienna herself. Vienna and Jake recently split after “falling in love” on last season’s The Bachelor. |
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Surviving More Japanese Game Shows Taiyo Kikaku Reunites with A. Smith & Co. From the Hollywood Reporter |
Posted 6/29/10 |
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They not only survived a
Japanese game show together, they're going to
collaborate on more of them. U.S.-based A. Smith & Co. and Japan's Taiyo Kikaku Co. are joining forces to develop, produce and distribute content for television and other media that will be adapted and expanded to audiences in new marketplaces. The venture harnesses the success both producing companies experienced through their initial collaboration, ABC's "I Survived a Japanese Game Show." While partnerships between U.S. and European TV producers are commonplace, those between the U.S. and Japan are rare as programming tastes tend to be dissimilar. Relationships between producers -- as opposed to producer-broadcaster tie-ups -- are even rarer. It's unclear if any money changed hands in what A. Smith's eponymous founder Arthur Smith said was "a complicated, multifaceted arrangement," but he did say that the Taiyo Kikaku folks are "can-do people like us" and that the cultures "bonded" over the game show they worked on. "The worlds of programming in different territories are merging, and having spent time working in Japan we realized that Taiyo is one of the most creative and progressive companies there," Smith told THR. As part of the alliance, A. Smith & Co. will adapt Taiyo Kikaku formats in the U.S. and other regions; in return, Taiyo Kikaku will convert A. Smith's formats to fit into Japan and other Asian territories. In addition to expanding their respective slates, the partners will tap their creative resources and expertise to collaborate on shows that they will jointly develop and co-produce. In fact, Smith said, the partners spent Monday morning in Los Angeles sifting through "some 75 ideas for projects" that they might develop jointly. |
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Big "Wheel", Bigger Screen Sony to Drop "Wheel of Fortune" iPad App From PadGadget |
Posted 6/29/10 |
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Starting later this summer,
we’ll all be able to get into the game with the Wheel of
Fortune Platinum iPad app. Just released for the iPhone and iPod, Wheel of Fortune Platinum brings the set of this long running television series to mobile devices. A virtual wheel, illuminated puzzle boards and customizable characters help set the stage for your own game show experience. Users are able to use Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or online multi-player capabilities to compete against friends and track puzzles and prizes. Additional features include: * Opening video, graphics, sound effects and music straight from the TV show * Puzzle content written by Wheel of Fortune TV producers * TV show, Toss-up and Speed-up modes * Pass-n-Play multiplay * Career stats * Trophy system and Facebook connect sharing/posting |
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Rated R Becomes an X "No More Reality", Says "Bachelorette" Player at Center of Scandal From People |
Posted 6/29/10 |
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If his fellow Bachelorette
contestants had any doubts, Justin “Rated R” Rego hopes
his next move might quell accusations that he used the
show to promote his wrestling career. “In the next year or so I’m actually looking to be a police officer,” he tells ET Canada in an interview airing Monday. “I’m slowly studying it … that’s something I truly am passionate about and I definitely want to get into.” What he doesn’t want, despite what others have alleged, is fame. “No more reality TV,” he says, adding that he “definitely” does not want to be the next Bachelor. “This has been such a rough experience, like it’s kind of scared me away from doing anything. It’s not fun having you’re name dragged through the mud.” As for allegations that he had a girlfriend when he joined the show, Rego says he did date the woman in question, Jessica Spillas, in the past but they weren’t in a relationship at that time. His ex, he says, took care of him when he broke his foot two weeks before the show started taping, and she was simply “somebody that I always wanted in my life cause she’s a great person.” |
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John "Bernie the
Bolt" Baker: 1938 - 2010 Loader on "The Golden Shot" From Birmingham Post |
Posted 6/29/10 |
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The Birmingham man who shot
to fame as ‘Bernie the Bolt’ on a TV gameshow which
attracted an audience of 17 million, has died aged 72. Behind-the-scenes TV worker John Baker fell into the hit role on ATV’s The Golden Shot which brought him celebrity status and sackfuls of fan mail, from the mid-1960s. John, who lived all his life in Moseley, was chosen by the show’s director to appear blindfolded on screen loading a crossbow for contestants to aim at an apple in the studio. Contestants would instruct him by telephone where to aim, using the words "up a bit", "down a bit" and "fire". Long-time friend Joe Lewis revealed John was at first reluctant to take the job on the program, which was filmed at studios in Broad Street. “It was beyond his wildest dreams in the end,” he said. “He started to get fan mail. He was just this kid from Moseley and suddenly he found himself a bit of a celebrity. “There is a saying ‘it’s nice to be nice’ and he was a nice man. He was a smart, good-looking young fella and would’ve caught people’s eye and he always kept his looks. “He’d get things in the mail from people asking him for advice and saying ‘Oh John, I watched your show, me and my sister think the world of you. If you’re ever passing pop in because our mum would love to see you’.” “It was a fantastically popular show. The way things are with health and safety these days it wouldn’t be allowed.” |
 "Bernie the Bolt" John Baker (photo courtesy Birmingham Post) |
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"Hole in the Wall" Lives... in Philippines Comic Duo Host Foreign Version From Malaya |
Posted 6/29/10 |
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The craziest game show on
primetime is making a big comeback! Get ready for another season of body-bending and mind-twisting entertainment as GMA Network brings anew the most addictive and widely popular segment-turned-worldwide craze, "Hole In The Wall." The TV phenomenon from Japan returns on GMA Telebabad with lots of twists and surprises including big cash prizes, outrageous wall and hole designs and an interactive playing area that would take your viewing experience to a new level. Hole in the Wall is hosted once again by multi-awarded comedians Michael V. and Ogie Alcasid as they assume new and different characters every week. |
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John Henson Gets Married "Wipeout" Host Weds Actress From People |
Posted 6/29/10 |
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No injuries or embarrassing
tumbles marked Wipeout co-host John Henson‘s wedding to
Jill Benjamin on Saturday –- it was just two people who
fell in love tying the knot! Henson, 42, married actress Benjamin in an intimate ceremony among family and friends in Malibu, a rep for Henson confirms to People. The circus-themed reception featured decorations and props handcrafted by the couple. In May, Henson told Hollywoodnews.com, “We have to make sure the caterer is prepared, the bar stocked. There are so many details. It’s like an entire industry. You start to feel like, 25 years from now, the only thing anyone will remember is, ‘did you have monogrammed napkins?’” Currently Henson can be seen co-hosting ABC’s summer hit Wipeout with ESPN’s John Anderson each Tuesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. ET/PT. |
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Clay Aiken for Judge? "Idol 2" Finalist Gives His Insight From Billboard |
Posted 6/29/10 |
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"American Idol's" second
season runner-up Clay Aiken has his own idea of what the
show should do to replace departing judge Simon Cowell. "I've always thought it would be a great addition to the panel to have someone who's a former contestant and knows what it's like to be up on that stage and be critiqued," Aiken tells Billboard.com. So is he raising his hand? "Well, I'm so far removed from it at this point that I don't know if I remember what it's like, but who knows. I would not put myself out there to be as caustic as (Cowell) is, but if they want to call me, bring it on. We can talk." Aiken, however, has plenty of singing to do before having that discussion. The North Carolina-based singer released his fifth album, "Tried & True," on June 1; the collection of pop standards -- including "Unchained Melody," "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," "Misty," "Mack The Knife" and "Moon River" (with Vince Gill) -- marks his first release away from the "American Idol" enclave of 19 Recordings and Sony Music (he's now with Decca), and Aiken feels it shows the measure of the man better than his previous releases. "It's what I've wanted to do for the past seven years," says Aiken, acknowledging he felt like "a square peg in a round hole" on his more contemporary pop albums. "I like songs that have incredible melodies and nice orchestrations and arrangements that are really about the voice and the melody and just being beautiful, and these songs are that. People talk about it being a big decision to change course, but I actually see it as an opportunity to kind of get back to what I've always wanted to do." |
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"Cash Cab" Strikes Gold in Vegas Ben Bailey Wins His First Emmy From GSNN's Chico Alexander |
Posted 6/28/10 |
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The third time was the charm
for Ben Bailey, as a gamble in Las Vegas pays off handsomely
for him and the show that he literally drives around, "Cash
Cab".
The Discovery game show has taken its third consecutive win, beating "The Price Is Right", "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader", "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!" Accepting on behalf of the show was executive Tom Cohen. Host Bailey later picked up his first Emmy for hosting the venerable quiz, beating first-time nominees Wayne Brady (for "Let's Make a Deal") and Carnie Wilson (for "The Newlywed Game"), as well as veterans Pat Sajak (for "Wheel of Fortune") and Alex Trebek (for "Jeopardy!"). Bailey accepted the award on behalf of all cab drivers and stand-up comedians everywhere. Later, the cab was featured in a pre-taped bit featuring Bailey with Erik Estrada and Cheech & Chong. Ryan Seacrest introduced a piece honoring Dick Clark and his years on "American Bandstand". The emcee would go on to play "Pyramid" and "The Challengers", among others. "Believe me, if I lived to be 300, I could never fill your shoes," said Seacrest of his mentor. Dick Clark thanked everyone for their support of "Bandstand" before weeping to a standing ovation.
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 "Cash Cab" wins its third Emmy, as Ben Bailey picks up his first (photo courtesy Discovery) |
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"Silent Library" Returns with Celebs Catch It On MTV Today From MTV PR |
Posted 6/28/10 |
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MTV takes celebrities out of their
comfort zones as “Silent Library” returns with a bang for a
third season. Beginning Monday, June 28th at 5PM ET/PT, the
20-episode run kicks off with members of the New York Giants
tackling some of the wildest challenges yet. It then continues
with pop-punk band All Time Low going all-out for the big win.
“Celeb Week” also welcomes Hey Monday on Wednesday, June 30th,
and wraps up with the hip-hop duo The New Boyz and R&B star
Iyaz appearing on Thursday, July 1st. This season, more celebrities than ever will take a seat at the “Silent Library” table. In the show’s second week, Nadya Suleman, aka the “Octomom” will make a special buzzworthy appearance on Tuesday, July 6th. Additional celebrity episodes throughout the season will include musical artists Honor Society, Aubrey O’Day, Stereo Skyline, Anarbor, Just Kait, and Never Shout Never, plus the cast of MTV’s new scripted series “The Hard Times of RJ Berger.” On each episode of “Silent Library” a team of six contestants attempts a series of offbeat challenges that range from painful to downright gross. The show is set in a library, so the players must remain quiet. The contestants draw cards, and the player who gets the skull and crossbones must endure an unusual punishment, such as getting hit with raw eggs shot from a huge plastic chicken, having his nipples stretched to their limits by remote-controlled boats, or eating a dog sculpture made entirely out of dog food. If they do so quietly, the show’s host, Zero Kazama, awards them a cash prize. But, if the team makes too much noise, they kiss the money goodbye. Brent Haynes, Jason Gwozdz and Amy Emmerich are executives in charge for MTV. “Silent Library” is executive produced by Adam Dolgins and Frank Gregory of Fractured Hip Productions. |
 "Silent Library" bows season 3 next week (photo courtesy MTV) |
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"Red Carpet Run" Finalist Online Show Takes to LA TV Festival From PR Log |
Posted 6/28/10 |
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Original online game show Red
Carpet Run, has been named a finalist in NATPE’s Next TV
competition in the category of Reality/Unscripted/Lifestyle/DIY. The annual competition, sponsored in part by E! Entertainment Television, takes place July 12-15 in Los Angeles as part of the LA TV Festival. All finalists will be screened at the festival and the category winner could get a development meeting with the network. “Whatever happens, this is a big win for Red Carpet Run because it’s opening the content to a wider audience. We had a blast making the show, and put a lot of fun into the programming. We’re tremendously excited about sharing that with as many people as we can,” said Michael Todd Cohen, the show’s creator and Executive Producer. On the show, celeb-obsessed contestants are put through the ultimate trivial pursuit, challenging their knowledge of all things Hollywood as they run their final round – high speed! – on a moving treadmill. Red Carpet Run is hosted by the Food Network’s comedian extraordinaire Noah Starr. New episodes are posted Thursday mornings on redcarpetrun.tv — perfect for those suffering from a work-weary week to tune in before coffee break. For more information, or to watch episodes now visit http://redcarpetrun.tv or join the community on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/redcarpetrun and Twitter @RedCarpetRun. |
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More on "She's Got The Look" TV Land to Launch August From the Futon Critic |
Posted 6/28/10 |
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TV Land's competition reality
series "She's Got The Look" has a whole new look when it
returns for its third season on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at
10PM ET/PT as the series introduces a new host - Brooke Burke
("Dancing With The Stars, "Wild On"); a new city
- Los
Angeles; a new judge - supermodel Roshumba Williams and ten
new finalists all over the age of 35 competing for a second
chance at their dreams. The TV Land PRIME original series is a
collaboration with Wilhelmina Models, Inc. and sets out to
discover a beautiful, sophisticated and confident woman over
the age of 35 who has the potential to transform herself into
a model, representing some of the most high-profile brands and
highly-coveted campaigns in the fashion and beauty industries.
The winner of the series receives a contract with Wilhelmina
Models, Inc. and a photo spread in SELF Magazine. Also joining
Roshumba Williams are returning judges, celebrity stylist
Robert Verdi and Wilhelmina president Sean Patterson. Emmy(R)
Award-Winner Allison Grodner ("Big Brother," "Blowout")
returns as executive producer and has joined forces with
executive producer Rich Meehan ("Big Brother") under their new
banner, Fly On The Wall Entertainment. Rachel Tung is also
executive producer. RoC(R) Skincare is the presenting sponsor
of "She's Got The Look." "She's Got The Look" chronicles a nationwide model search resulting in 10 contenders coming to live together in Los Angeles as they compete in photo shoots, a video shoot and high fashion runway shows. The series is now playing in over 70 countries, with the first three seasons sold around the world. It can be seen in France, Italy, Israel, Australia, Israel, Thailand, Korea, Holland and South Africa. "She's Got The Look" is distributed worldwide by Fremantle Media. Throughout the past three seasons of "She's Got The Look," contestants have ranged from the ages of 35 to 72-years-old. The exposure and success from the series has secured a variety of top-tier bookings for many of the show's alumni with clients such as: Kmart, Verizon, AT&T, Nicole Miller Cosmetics, Hallmark, Microsoft, Toyota, Volvo and many more. These achievements illustrate the shows premise that beauty is timeless. |
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AutoTuning Jeopardy! Category Becomes Instant Online Classic From Gizmodo |
Posted 6/28/10 |
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Presumably in an effort to
engage a younger audience, the producers of a popular TV quiz
show had their respectable, gray-haired host sing clues with
the help of a popular pitch-correcting software used by
artists like T-Pain and Kanye West. If you heard someone mention “Auto-Tune the Jeopardy” last week and figured it was the funny new conceit from the Auto-Tune the News bunch, well, not quite! Last Wednesday, on a real Jeopardy broadcast, Alex crooned “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “The Farmer and the Dell,” and more, all with the help(?) of Antares’ Auto-Tune software. They have some wacky settings that screw up Alex’s voice to the point that you can’t even recognise it, and all his vocals are accompanied by goofy Songsmith-esque backing tracks, so listening to the Auto-Tuned clips isn’t as painfully awkward as you’d assume it would be. In fact, Auto-Tune Alex’s “Oh Susanna” is kinda hot. |
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More on 3D Wheel Friedman Wants to Roll It Out Next Season From Fox News |
Posted 6/25/10 |
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The venerable game show "Wheel of
Fortune," a ratings smash in syndication since 1983, isn't
exactly "Avatar" when it comes to visual complexity. Vanna
White points to letters. Contestants buy vowels. Nevertheless, show producer Harry Friedman says he wants to do it in 3-D. At a recent run-through, host Pat Sajak protruded from the screen like a friendly gargoyle. A camera that whizzed past the "grand prize getaway" to San Francisco made the wooden Victorian townhouses look like pieces of a pop-up book. "Down the road we'll shoot all of our on-location footage of prize packages in 3-D," said Mr. Friedman. Taking a cue from movie studios that have goosed their box-office take with 3-D films like "Toy Story 3" and "Alice in Wonderland," the television industry is betting TV viewers will splurge to watch more-lifelike versions of their favorite athletes, wild animals and, potentially, sitcom characters. |
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VH1 Offers "Bonus" Round Network Pilots Office-Based Competition From The Hollywood Reporter |
Posted 6/25/10 |
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VH1 has scooped up a reality pilot
in which office workers battle for a $50,000 bonus. The recession-appropriate project locks a group of pencil-pushing employees in their workplace for 72 hours. During lockdown, staffers must try to convince their co-workers to vote for them. Whoever gets the most votes wins the bonus. The project's working title is "Office Bonus," and 3 Ball ("The Biggest Loser," "MasterChef") is set to produce; JD Roth, Todd Nelson and Adam Greener are executive producers. If greenlit, the show would join 3 Ball's "Dad Camp" and "The OCD Project" on the network. This summer, VH1 also is launching Chad Ochocinco dating show "The Ultimate Catch" and Season 2 of Terrell Owens' reality effort "The T.O. Show." Both get under way July 11. |
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Latest Contender for "ATWT" Spot: Another
Talk Show Hosting: Valerie Bertinelli, Rove McManus From B&C |
Posted 6/25/10 |
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CBS Television Distribution is
developing a live daily talk show for CBS network intended to
fill the slot left by the departing As the World Turns,
according to sources. The show's working title is Say It Now. CTD had no comment. While the division is developing the show, it is not currently intended for syndication. The pilot was shot in New York about a month ago and it features Valerie Bertinelli, with whom CTD has a development deal, and popular Australian talk-show host Rove McManus, who had his own show on Australia's Ten Network for ten years. CTD's pilot is one of several shows contending for the spot, including two remakes of the game shows Pyramid and Password and a View-like show featuring Julie Chen, co-anchor on CBS' Early Show and wife of CBS topper Leslie Moonves, Leah Remini, star of The King of Queens, Holly Robinson Peete and Sharon Osbourne. CBS hopes to pick its replacement by July. CBS last fall replaced Guiding Light with a reboot of Let's Make a Deal, starring Wayne Brady, and that show's ratings have improved time periods for the network. Game shows are less expensive to produce than talk shows, making them more appealing than talk if they can turn in similar or better ratings. |
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Cake Boss Spins Off Competition Ten to Compete Next Season From the Futon Critic |
Posted 6/25/10 |
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Anyone who's watched an episode of
TLC's hit series CAKE BOSS has dreamt of working alongside the
Valastro family as they create the most mouthwatering treats
on television. And now, there's a new 'help wanted' sign
hanging in the window of family's bakery. TLC today confirms
that CAKE BOSS, which is hotter than ever, is launching a
spin-off a new competition elimination series to find the best
rising baker in the business. Starring Buddy Valastro, the eight episode series will follow along as 10 aspiring cake makers compete in a series of challenges that will reveal if they have what it takes to run a shop as successful as Buddy's. The series will culminate in the sweet prize of winning an apprenticeship at Hoboken, NJ-based Carlo's Bakery, the setting of TLC's CAKE BOSS. Casting for the series starts immediately � anyone who is crazy for cake and determined to demonstrate their artistry and culinary creativity is encouraged to apply. More information can be found at tlc.com/cakeboss. High Noon Entertainment is producing the series for TLC. Shooting is expected to begin in September and the series is currently scheduled to premiere in December. |
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Wii Play "Crosswords" Console Edition of Canceled Quizzer Features Ty Treadway From Zergwatch |
Posted 6/25/10 |
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From the creators who brought you
the award-winning and highly successful television game shows
Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune comes Merv Griffin’s
Crosswords. Featuring TV game show host Ty Treadway, Merv
Griffin’s Crosswords combines a 1,000+ unique and challenging
crossword puzzles with fast-paced game show action in an
incredibly addictive and entertaining casual game.
- Over a 1,000 new crosswords,
created by the Puzzle Master from the show. Play your favorite
themed puzzles such as movies, music, TV shows and more. |
 "Merv Griffin's Crosswords" arrives on the Wii two years after its cancellation (photo courtesy Merv Griffin Entertainment) |
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Jake Pavelka to Head to "Bachelor Pad" "Bachelor's" Jake Pavelka, Vienna Girardi... Surprise, Break Up From Entertainment Tonight |
Posted 6/25/10 |
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Now that last season's "The
Bachelor" is single again, he will be making an appearance on
ABC's new series "Bachelor Pad." "I can't explain everything. It just happened, but Jake Pavelka will definitely play his part in 'Bachelor Pad,'" host Chris Harrison tells ET. "The Bachelor" host goes on to say that he was sorry to hear that Jake and Vienna Girardi broke up. "I haven't talked to either one of them yet," Chris says. "They are two of my favorite people. He is one of our most popular bachelors. I just had dinner with them after 'Dancing with the Stars' and they were doing great. I was out with him and his parents and Vienna, so I was as shocked as anybody. I wish them both the best." "Bachelor Pad," premiering Monday, August 9 at 8 p.m. on ABC, brings together 19 of the most unforgettable characters from seasons' past living together in the "Bachelor Pad" mansion. Each week they'll compete in challenges for immunity and the opportunity to go on a date with contestants of their choice. The winner of the challenge will then grant immunity to one of his or her dates via the presentation of a rose. At the end of each episode, the contestants will vote to determine which cast members will be ousted from the "Bachelor Pad."
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Mexico Wants to Extradite Beresford-Redman "Survivor" Producer Back in America From AP |
Posted 6/25/10 |
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Mexico has formally requested the
extradition of American reality TV producer Bruce
Beresford-Redman on charges of killing his wife at a Cancun
resort, an official said Wednesday. The Foreign Relations Department official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly on the case. He said Mexico has submitted its request to U.S. authorities, but for the moment there were no more details. A spokesman for Richard Hirsch, Beresford-Redman's attorney in California, said nothing formal had been received and he could not comment on the official's statement. Hirsch said previously his client would resist extradition. Extradition requests from foreign governments are received by the U.S. State Department, where spokesman Darby Holladay said Wednesday the agency does not comment on extradition cases. A Mexican judge issued an arrest warrant for Beresford-Redman in the April 8 killing of his wife, Monica, whose body was found in a sewer of a luxury Cancun resort. Investigators have said her body showed signs of asphyxiation and evidence of a heavy blow to the right temple. The former "Survivor" producer and co-creator of "Pimp My Ride" reported her missing two days before the body was found. Beresford-Redman, 38, has denied killing his wife. "I am incensed at the suggestion that I could have had anything to do with her death," he said in a statement released last month. "I am innocent." He returned to Southern California in May even though Mexican authorities had confiscated his passport. He had not been charged at the time, however, and was not barred from leaving the country. It is not clear where he crossed the border or how he did so without his passport. |
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Signed, Sealed, Delivered... "Idol" Runner-Up Crystal Bowersox Signs with Jive/19 From E! Online |
Posted 6/25/10 |
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The country may already be on the
road to selecting their new Idol, but let's not forget about
the old ones just yet, hmmm? This year's runner-up Crystal Bowersox has just secured a record deal of her own, signing with (who else?) 19 Recordings/Jive Records to release her bluesy folk rockin' debut album later this year. "I'm really grateful to be given this opportunity to make an album and let people hear my music, and I'm looking forward to working with all of the folks at 19/Jive," the 24-year-old said. In the meantime, she should be looking forward to taking part in the most special thing on Earth, the American Idol tour, which kicks off its 49-date run July 1 in Detroit. |
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"Get Up" Retitled... More on CMT's "Your Chance to Dance" From TBI Vision |
Posted 6/24/10 |
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Your Chance To Dance is the latest
format from The Singing Bee creator Phil Gurin. The show takes advantage of the latest craze for dancing formats. The format challenges viewers to recreate famous dance moves from their favorite music videos and movies and video tape themselves doing the routine before sending it into the show, where it will be judged by the live studio audience. The most successful will perform their dances on stage and have the chance to win a big money prize. The show is essentially You've Been Framed-meets-Got Talent. The 10x1hour series will air later this year on MTV Networks-owned cable network CMT and will be distributed internationally by the Digital Rights Group, which currently distributes The Gurin Company's karaoke format The Singing Bee and has sold it in to over 30 territories. Gurin says: "Your Chance To Dance is not just another dance contest; it's a warm hearted family entertainment show that focuses on the performance more than the dance skills." |
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"Millionaire" Changes Coming... to the UK Clock, Visual PAF Added From Digital Spy |
Posted 6/24/10 |
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Chris Tarrant has revealed that
two major format changes are to be introduced to his
long-running gameshow Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?. Speaking to The Sun, the broadcaster confirmed that contestants will soon be forced to play against the clock when attempting to secure lower cash values in the show's early stages. The shake-up is a significant change as participants have always been granted as much time as they like to answer questions. In a further twist, Phone-A-Friend helpers will start appearing on screen rather than simply being heard over the phone. Discussing the revamp, which will take effect in new episodes filmed later this summer, Tarrant commented: "I was wary of changing it as I was of the view that it was perfect, so why interfere with it? Yet the changes will work. "One of the things that slows the show down is when people are struggling with a question and they just stare at the screen. So in future we will be doing all the early rounds against the clock. 30 seconds against the clock will really change it." Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? has been on the air since 1998. Its format was previously changed in 2007 when a new system of prize levels was introduced. |
 The time clock will be added to the original British version of "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?" (photo courtesy Disney/ABC) |
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While We're On International
"Millionaire"... Sri Lanka Launches Own Version From C21 Media |
Posted 6/24/10 |
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Sony Pictures Television's
2waytraffic has sold classic gameshow format Who Wants to be a
Millionaire? into a number of new territories, including
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The format has been picked up in Sri Lanka by local broadcaster MTV, which will air a 30x60' series from August. Bangladeshi broadcaster Desh TV will launch its adaptation of the format in September, while in India, Who Wants to be a Millionaire? will air on Sony Entertainment Television from October. The show has also been picked up in Honduras, where Televicentro will launch a version of it early next year. The format has also been renewed in a number of key territories, including France (TF1), the UK (ITV1), and the US (syndication). |
Sri Lanka gets its own version of "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?" (photo courtesy Disney/ABC) |
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Endemol, Malaysia Firm Create JV Deal to See Formats Arrive From C21 Media |
Posted 6/24/10 |
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Endemol has joined forces with
Malaysian content company Astro Entertainment to produce
content for the local market. The joint venture will aim to create premium shows with a distinctly Malaysian feel for local broadcasters that can also be shipped internationally by Endemol's distribution arm. Genres will include drama, entertainment, reality and gameshows. Astro is a subsidiary of Astro All Asia Networks, a Malaysian media group that operates local pay-TV platform Astro TV, as well as Kristal Astro in Brunei and Sun Direct TV in India. Endemol will offer its global programming portfolio through the new venture. The UK-based superindie owns international formats such as Big Brother and Deal or No Deal and dramas such as Wire in the Blood and Robin Hood. The JV's senior executive team is yet to be announced, although Endemol's CEO of Asian operations Arjen van Mierlo will act as MD until a permanent appointment is made. Candidates from within Endemol and the Malaysian TV market will be considered for the role. Other senior appointments will also be made. It is not the first time Endemol has entered the Malaysian market, as it has already produced local comedies Impak Minima and Jodah for Astro. The firm is also in pre-production on TV movies for Astra and Mediaprima's TV3. |
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C4 Ready to "Drop" Again Davina McCall Game to Be Renewed From Digital Spy |
Posted 6/24/10 |
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Channel 4 is reportedly planning
to order another season of The Million Pound Drop. The quiz show was a success in the ratings when it aired live over six consecutive nights last month, The Guardian reports. The program, hosted by Davina McCall, sees contestants being given £1m at the beginning of the game. Players then have to answer eight multiple-choice questions by placing their money on the right trapdoor. If they answer incorrectly, the cash drops and they lose it. Fox has reportedly also expressed an interest in the format. A spokesperson for Channel 4 declined to comment. |
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Ellen DeGeneres Makes A Deal "Idol" Judge to Write Another Tome From Galleycat |
Posted 6/24/10 |
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Comedian Ellen DeGeneres has added
another book to her collection, selling an untitled memoir to
Grand Central. Publication is scheduled for 2011. According to Publishers Lunch, the deal was negotiated by ICM agents Esther Newberg and Eddy Yablans, attorney Kevin Yorn, and manager Eric Gold. DeGeneres has one of the strongest platforms in America with 4,775,359 followers on Twitter, a spot on American Idol, and her own talk show. She's written a few books, including The Funny Thing Is... and My Point...And I Do Have One. Here's more from Publishers Lunch: "DeGeneres's untitled look at her life through her humor ('I found that between my talk show, American Idol and my late night blogging, I didn't have enough ways to express myself')" |
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Report: "Runway" Returns July 29 Joining It, "Austin & Santino" From The Futon Critic |
Posted 6/23/10 |
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"Project Runway" is set to return
next month with some old friends: Austin Scarlett and Santino
Rice. Sources close to the series have indicated the eighth season of "Runway" will roll out Thursday, July 29 on Lifetime followed by spin-off "On The Road With Austin & Santino." The half-hour series follows the "Runway" alums as they cross the country finding women in need of a fashion makeover. In addition, "Runway" will now air at 9:00/8:00c and run 90 minutes with "Austin & Santino" following at 10:30/9:30c. It's not clear how or if "Models of the Runway" will be incorporated into the new season. A Lifetime spokesperson wouldn't confirm any of the above developments however multiple sources now insist it's a done deal. |
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Another "Jack" Attack? Game Show Party Game Classic May Return From 1UP |
Posted 6/23/10 |
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You Don't Know Jack -- the cult
classic trivia game dating back to 1995 -- may be making a
comeback. Mike Bilder of series creator Jellyvision made a guest appearance on the Giant Bomb Podcast during E3 last week, where the deal was teased. This was later followed up by a cryptic post on Jellyvision's website, which promises more news about the partnership will be coming soon. Jellyvision's intent to return to the traditional games business was first revealed in an August, 2008 press release, where Bilder said that the company would be "truly reincarnating You Don't Know Jack" before moving on to "fully exploring" the interactive game show genre with new franchises. |
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"Battle of the Sexes" Coming to Panama Deal Done with Venevision From WorldScreen |
Posted 6/23/10 |
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Televisora Nacional (TVN) in
Panama has signed up to produce and broadcast the game-show
format Battle of the Sexes (Guerra de los sexos) through the
inking of a deal with Venevision International. The game show is an original concept from the Venezuelan TV channel Venevision. The series has found success in Latin America in Ecuador, among other territories. TVN will select its own talent and participants for its local production. “Venevision International is proud to offer an ample variety of proven formats that have been successful in national and international markets, and Guerra de los sexos is another example of the excellence and versatility of our extensive catalogue,” said Manuel Perez, the VP and CFO of Venevision International. “The emphasis on the sale of formats responds to the company’s diversification strategy and to the new trends we envision for the international markets,” he added. “In order to assure continued innovation in our national productions, and to provide the best entertainment options to the Panamanian families, TVN is proud to announce its local production of Guerra de los sexos," added Luis Mouynes, the production and programming director of TVN. "For several years, we have offered our viewers the Venezuelan version of this program; now we have taken this important step that we are sure will please our television audience,” |
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Kellie Pickler Picked "Idol" Alum Engaged From People |
Posted 6/23/10 |
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For Kellie Pickler, June 15 has
long been "sad and hard for me," as it is the birthday of her
late grandmother, Faye Pickler. But the traditional sadness of the day turned to happiness last week, when Pickler's boyfriend, songwriter Kyle Jacobs, proposed on a Florida beach at sunset. "It turned out to be the most amazing day of my life," the fifth-season American Idol star, 23, tells People. "My whole world changed. We both feel like we got my grandmother's blessing." Pickler considers Jacobs's proposal a moment she hardly could have imagined. "I remember saying to Kyle, 'Baby it's like I'm dreaming – but if this isn't real, I'm going to be very upset!' " |
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Who Is Watson? IBM Supercomputer Plays Jeopardy! From PSFK |
Posted 6/22/10 |
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IBM is building a natural language
processing computer, code-named Watson, to compete against
humans on the game show Jeopardy. For the past 3 years, IBM
has been perfecting this supercomputer, which has the ability
to converse naturally with people in everyday language, unlike
typical question-answering systems that can only work with
simply phrased questions. IBM scientists have stored millions of pieces of data in Watson in order for it to answer questions about almost anything, and more significantly, recognize oddly phrased questions to answer them with accurate responses. To test its capabilities, the scientists held mock contests pitting Watson against some of the former contestants in a game where Watson’s artificial intelligence was pushed to the limit due to the nature of the game where clues are puzzling, full of trivia and often use wordplay. Watson won some of the games which impressed the producers of Jeopardy enough to allow it to participate in a televised episode of the show, which could happen this year. IBM has plans for its supercomputer beyond the game show and believes it can be used in several applications in the real world. Says John Kelly, the head of I.B.M.’s research labs: “I want to create a medical version of this. A Watson M.D., if you will.” “The problem right now is the procedures, the new procedures, the new medicines, the new capability is being generated faster than physicians can absorb on the front lines and it can be deployed.” He also envisions using Watson to produce virtual call centers, where the computer would talk directly to the customer and generally be the first line of defense, because, “as you’ve seen, this thing can answer a question faster and more accurately than most human beings.” “I want to create something that I can take into every other retail industry, in the transportation industry, you name it, the banking industry,” Kelly goes on to say. “Any place where time is critical and you need to get advanced state-of-the-art information to the front of decision-makers.”
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"Cube" Lines Up Celebs for New Season Host Schofield Tweets Preview From Digital Spy |
Posted 6/22/10 |
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Phillip Schofield has revealed the
first celebrity contestants for the return of The Cube. The presenter hosted the first series of the ITV1 gameshow, which saw members of the public having to complete challenges in a large glass cube in front of a studio audience. Writing on Twitter, Schofield said: "Do you want to come to see The Cube being recorded?...Would love to see you :) We record at Fountain Studios in Wembley. On my way there now!" "Oh and it looks like our celebs will be Ricky Hatton, Dame Kelly Holmes, Kelly Osbourne and Joe Swash." He added: "Only 2 shows are 'sleb. The others are 'normal' folk! Last night we had a guy who was a self confessed Cube geek, very nail biting moments!!" |
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Sailing Takes Him Away... "Race" Host Phil Keoghan Lines Up New Series From Deadline |
Posted 6/22/10 |
| Phil Keoghan, host and producer of CBS’ realty series The Amazing Race is taking on hosting and producing duties for another unscripted series about a race. Keoghan has teamed with Exodus Film Group, which has secured North American rights to the project. It will chronicle the Velux 5 Oceans 2010-11 race, which features skippers from all over the world sailing alone for 30,000 miles around the globe on high powered racing yachts and video recording their journeys. Search is under way for an U.S. network to carry the series. | |
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Here's a Shocker: "The Biggest Loser"
Dangerous So Sayeth A Former Contestant From PopEater |
Posted 6/22/10 |
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Kai Hibbard, a finalist on the
third season of 'The Biggest Loser,' reveals how dangerous she
feels the show really is to its contestants. "I have people that come up to me and talk to me and ask me why they can't lose 12 pounds in a week when I did. When I didn't. It didn't happen. It's TV," she told the CBS 'Early Show.' "I need to take blame and responsibility for the fact that I helped perpetuate a myth that's dangerous." When asked to clarify about her "a week is not a week on TV" comments, she said, "I'm saying that it would be, most times, longer than a week and I believe once, in my season, it was less than a week." (Contestants weigh-in on the show every week to determine who may get voted off.) Hibbard also claims that the techniques they were taught to lose weight weren't always healthy. "The weight loss for that show is for ratings. People have to remember that 'The Biggest Loser' isn't a weight-loss camp that happens to be filmed for TV. It's a TV show that's made to look like a weight-loss camp. So there was pressure from production and everybody involved in the show to make sure you had as big of numbers as possible every week. |
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More on Syndie "Lyrics!" MySpace Karaoke Replaces House Band From Hollywood Junket |
Posted 6/21/10 |
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A freshened-up version of “Don’t
Forget the Lyrics” is coming to daytime in September in
syndication with a new host, and a simplified game play and
set. Rock band Sugar Ray’s lead man and former Extra host, Mark McGrath serves well as the new sing-a-long karaoke game show host. The main music style categories range from pop, rock, disco, 1990’s, 2000’s, and TV Show Themes. Contestants play for the following money amounts: $1000, $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, and a special category called “Encore” that allows them to play for $50,000. Crooners are equipped with only one “backup” for their help which is multiple choice lyrics. If a contestant misses the first level lyric, they are not out of the game, but they loose their “Encore” option. If a player goes all the way to the “Encore” level, they risk falling back down to $1000 which is what they walk away with should they miss this final and complex lyric. If a contestant misses any one of the levels, they get the chance to double the last money level they achieved. For instance, if a player goes for the $10,000 lyric, but misses it, they automatically get a chance to double the $5000 that they already earned instead of playing for the “Encore” level which they loose. The songs are played to the contestant via “Myspace Karaoke“, axing Rickey Minor and his band who performed on the larger prime time production. The theme song has also been replaced. |
 "Don't Forget the Lyrics!" launches this fall (photo courtesy Fox) |
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"Idol" Lowers Age to 15 Auditions Begin July 17 From USA Today |
Posted 6/21/10 |
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American Idol will lower its
eligibility age for Season 10, reports USA TODAY's Bill
Keveney, allowing 15-year-olds to audition for the first time.
"A lot of young, talented people are now seeking careers and
representation before they turn 16," executive producer Cecile
Frot-Coutaz. says. "Lowering the age limit allows us to tap
into this talent pool." The show previously had a 16-to-28 age
limit. So what does this mean for the show? First off, it's probably just the opening volley of several changes. Bigger, more significant changes to the show are likely on the horizon: After all, there's still a judge and a music director to replace. But it does suggest that Idol still has its eye on the teen audience -- a demographic that hung in with Season 9 better than adults did. Lowering the eligibility age to 15 may not make much of a difference in the upper half of the final round, either. After all, the Season 9 teens had pretty much been winnowed out by the Top Four, and the last teens to finish in the Top Two were Season 7 runner-up David Archuleta and Season 6 champ Jordin Sparks. It does, however, open up greater possibilities for a true teen heartthrob to emerge from the show, for Idol to find the equivalent of a Justin Bieber (who's now 16) or a slightly older Greyson Chance (still just 12). Factor in the announcement that Idol will accept online auditions via MySpace, and it's pretty clear the producers hope to create a viral sensation along the lines of Chance or General Larry Platt, just eligible to compete. (But if you think the show pimps its favorite contestants now, wait till you see what happens when one of them gets 10 million YouTube hits under his or her belt.) Even if the show gets an act that makes it only to say, the Top Seven, where Tim Urban fell out last season, that kind of teen hysteria is something that Idol could use going forward. And it does show that Idol's serious about retaining a younger audience -- and that's something that bears watching as the show's producers announce additional changes for next season. Those 15-year-olds can start auditioning July 17 in Nashville, Tenn. |
 15-year-olds can start audition for "American Idol" July 17 (photo courtesy Fox) |
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Going Global with Travel "World's Wackiest Game Shows" Launches July 13 From USA Today |
Posted 6/21/10 |
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The Travel Channel is going global
— for game-show fanatics — with the launch July 13 of World's
Wackiest Game Shows. "If you provide quality programming, people will find you," says host Todd Newton, a veteran of game-show network GSN and retailer HSN. "People into game shows are going to find us." |
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"Jeopardy!" Goes Mobile Sony Releases New Version From AppScout |
Posted 6/21/10 |
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Sony has announced a brand new
version of Jeopardy! Mobile with realistic game play, new
personal avatars, and enhanced music from the popular
television game show. Brand new features include multiplayer gaming on a single device with pass-n-play, online leaderboards, and unlockable trophies. The game will be available shortly for Java, Brew, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile phones from select wireless carriers. Prices will range from $2.49 to $9.99 depending on your carrier. While no specific carrier announcements have been made, the new Jeopardy! Mobile is currently available on the AT&T Wireless MEdia Mall. |
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"Weakest Link" Goes Online BBCWW Releases Pay-To-Play Version From Techwatch |
Posted 6/21/10 |
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The commercial arm of the BBC is
reported to be planning its first venture into the pay-to-play
game sector with a version of the successful TV quiz show, The
Weakest Link, being the first game to get the BBCW treatment. This is not a totally new venture for BBC Worldwide as it already runs a game based on the show fronted by Anne Robinson, but this will be the first time that the channel will be charging people to play the game. BBCW has licensed Amuso.com to launch and market the game. It is believed that players will be charged around £1 per session and in order to abide with the gambling rules there will be an online protection system designed to prevent the under 18’s from playing. |
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"Minute" Heads Down Under NBCU Sells Show to Australia From C21Media |
Posted 6/21/10 |
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Shine Australia has produced a
local version of an NBC Universal (NBCU) gameshow format for
local network Channel Seven. NBCU's international formats division, headed by the recently appointed Michael Edelstein and run by Yvonne Pillkington, announced Shine has made an eight-part season of its show Minute to Win It. The series kicks off on Seven tomorrow in the 19.30 slot. The format features a series of seemingly simple games that contestants take part in while under increasing pressure to win a large cash prize. The commission follows news that US network NBC has upped its order of the format to 39 episodes. NBCU has also sold the format into Germany and Poland. Separately, international formats developer Friday TV, a subsidiary of Shine's Metronome Film & Television, has sold the rights into territories including Brazil. The Seven deal is one of the first NBCU has inked since Edelstein took over its international production division, replacing Denise O'Donoghue, in January. The company plans to double its international revenues to US$5bn within two years. |
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"Bullseye" Returning to Five? Darting Game Revival Reportedly to Be Hosted by Justin Lee Collins From Digital Spy |
Posted 6/21/10 |
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Bullseye has been revived for a
new series on Five, according to reports. Jim Bowen's classic darts gameshow, which was a hit on ITV during the 1980s, will apparently return with Justin Lee Collins as host. Creator Andrew Wood told The Sun: "There is plenty of quantity on TV but not much quality. So many formats are awful. Bullseye could be Five's flagship show." Challenge TV originally brought back the format in 2006 with comedian Dave Spikey as presenter. |
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Frank Sidebottom:
1956-2010 Papier-Mache Comic Was on UK "Remote Control" From Digital Spy |
Posted 6/21/10 |
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Comedian Frank Sidebottom, real
name Chris Sievey, has passed away at his home in Hale. The TV star and stand-up was found collapsed at his house on Hawthorn Road by his girlfriend at 12.40am today, according to the Manchester Evening News. It is believed that he was still alive when he was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital in an ambulance, but he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. Sievey, whose Sidebottom character was best known for his distinctive oversized papier-mache head, recently underwent an operation to remove a tumour from his chest. Last week, the comic announced plans to release unofficial England World Cup song 'Three Shirts On My Line', which he hoped would raise money for cancer charities. Popular comedy character Sidebottom was based around an aspiring popstar from the village of Timperley, Cheshire. He was an enthusiastic character who still lived at home with his mother and had a puppet sidekick called Little Frank. Sidebottom won cult status in the '80s when he was a regular on the university circuit with his comedy covers and discussions about his hobbies. He landed TV appearances on Granada, Television South/ITV Saturday morning children's show No. 73, Channel 4 gameshow Remote Control and even his own short-lived series Frank Sidebottom's Fantastic Shed Show. He also regularly collaborated with former Radio 1 DJs Mark and Lard, while in 2009 and early 2010 he toured with punk-poet John Cooper Clarke. |
 Frank Sidebottom (photo courtesy BrooklynVegan.com) |
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Wayne Brady Plays Toronto "LMAD" Host Part of Just For Laughs From Theater Mania |
Posted 6/21/10 |
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Broadway veterans Wayne Brady and
Brad Garrett will be among the gala hosts at the Toronto Just
for Laughs Festival, according to a report in Variety. The Festival will offer six gala performances from July 8-10. They will feature such performers as Mike Birbiglia, Gabriel Igelsias, Harland Williams, Tim Minchin, Sebastian Maniscalo, Elon Gold, Tommy Tiernan, John Heffron, Mike Wilmot, Jimmy Carr and Todd Barry, along with guest hosts Garry Shandling, Demetri Martin, and Louis C.K. Brady appeared in the Broadway production of Chicago and is currently appearing at Las Vegas' Venetian Hotel. He is also set to appear this summer in the Hollywood Bowl's production of Rent and has received a 2010 Daytime Emmy Award nomination for hosting the game show Let's Make a Deal. |
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Man Goes After "Idol" Subject: Texting Apparatuses From New York Daily News |
Posted 6/21/10 |
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A Texas retiree is taking on a
producer of "American Idol," saying he created the audience
voting system the hit show uses. Edward Lyda, 66, filed a patent in 1999 called a "Response Apparatus Method and System" that allows a television show to have people text-message their responses, according to the lawsuit in Manhattan Federal Court. "Idol" first aired in June 2002. "This is intellectual property and they infringed on his patent," said lawyer David Fink of FremantleMedia North America. A spokesman for FremantleMedia declined to comment. |
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"The Big Game" Launches PokerStars.net TV Series Plays on TV, Online From Cardplayer |
Posted 6/21/10 |
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Tonight, the eagerly anticipated
PokerStars.net Big Game will finally premiere. Card Player
caught up with PokerStars pro Barry Greenstein at the World
Series of Poker to talk a little bit about the new show, and
just how much staking goes on at these televised cash games. “I personally have never been backed or sold a piece of myself,” said Greenstein, speaking about High Stakes Poker and the new PokerStars show, which airs tonight at 2 a.m. on FOX in most locations. “The ones who do sell pieces are usually the young guys; they have a network. The older players are used to being on their own.” The PokerStars.net The Big Game will not be available to all American viewers unfortunately; it depends on whether your FOX affiliate decided to carry the show. Click below to find out if and when the show will air in your area. Unlike High Stakes Poker, which aired new episodes once a week, The Big Game will be a daily show with new episodes debuting each week night, similar to NBC’s Poker After Dark. “Cash games are what poker is,” said Greenstein, explaining why cash games on TV seem to be especially popular amongst the hardcore poker fans. “That’s how [most poker pros] make their living.” |
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Fox "Drops" It Like It's Hot Endemol Commissioned Pilot for US "Million Pound Drop" From C21Media |
Posted 6/18/10 |
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Fox has picked up the rights to
Endemol's UK multi-platform gameshow format The Million Pound
Drop Live and will begin producing a pilot in August. The US version is to be called The Money Drop and will be made stateside by Endemol USA. The commission is Endemol's second from a US network this month, following ABC's acquisition of 101 Ways To Leave A Gameshow last week. The deal comes after the series aired in the UK on Channel 4 (C4) as a live week-long event in May, averaging an 11.9% audience share - a 22% increase on C4's 22.00 slot average. The show was also a success online, with a total of 450,000 people playing along at home during the week and a considerable amount of Twitter activity being registered, with the #millionpounddrop hashtag being tweeted by the public some 500,000 times on one day. Contestants in the gameshow answer multiple-choice questions to hang on to a large cash prize, which in the UK version was £1m. "Like Deal or No Deal, the best gameshows are simple and straightforward but with huge stakes," said Endemol USA chairman David Goldberg. "The Money Drop follows in its tradition - it is truly a spectacle, event television at its best. After the show's explosive success in the UK, I'm even more excited about its prospects in America and for the opportunity to be producing this gameshow with Mike Darnell and Fox." C4 has already ordered a second season of the show, to air in October.
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Top Chef Goes to Washington Only 1.8 Million Tune In From Washington Post |
Posted 6/18/10 |
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Are "reality TV series" and
"Washington, D.C.," mutually exclusive? America didn't have much of an appetite for the debut of "Top Chef: D.C." Wednesday night on Bravo. The cooking competition series' seventh edition opened inauspiciously when just 1.8 million people tuned in. That's the franchise's smallest opening audience since the first edition was launched way back in March of 2006. This news comes about six months after MTV's "Real World D.C." opened with one of its smallest kickoff crowds in that reality franchise's long history. The run of "Real World D.C." went on to become the lowest-rated in its 23-edition history. Word of "Top Chef's" watered-down D.C. ratings comes even before viewers know that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, CIA Director Leon Panetta, White House assistant chef Sam Kass and MSNBC host Joe Scarborough are going to make appearances in coming weeks! |
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NBC Orders Over Third-Hour of "Minute" (Or Roughly 21 Episodes) From Worldscreen |
Posted 6/18/10 |
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NBC has ordered an additional 21
episodes of the game show Minute To Win It, which Friday TV
has sold into 34 markets. Minute To Win It premiered with an 18-episode run on NBC in mid-March. The show has also been sold in markets such as Germany, Poland, Brazil and Turkey. SVT also recently announced that it will air the show in the fall. "Entering the American market is a dream come true for anyone who works with format development," said Estelle Bodén, the CEO of Friday TV, part of Metronome Film & Television. "Minute To Win It has put us on the map in the States, but don’t forget that we’ve previously succeeded in selling both Single Moms and Clash of the Choirs in the U.S." Bodén added: "Selling and producing 39 episodes on one of the world’s largest TV channels and selling the rights to the format in a total of 34 countries—all in less than 3 months’ time—is just a huge deal. The key to our success in the USA is, of course, the excellence of the format—but also the fact that Jock Millgårdh and Mattias Olsson are on site in Los Angeles. They’ve been very involved in the actual production, which has been instrumental in the fantastic result. Our success in the U.S. has also been invaluable as we’ve sold the format in other areas of the world." |
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Another Year, Another Expected "Race" Win Competition Isn't So Happy About It From the Envelope |
Posted 6/17/10 |
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The reality-competition and the
variety-music-comedy series Emmy categories have since 2003
annually grown to resemble scenes from the movie "Groundhog
Day." Odds are, on the night the trophies are handed out, the envelope will be opened and a presenter will utter the words "The Amazing Race" for reality-competition and "The Daily Show" for variety. It's been this way for seven consecutive years, the two shows currently sharing the Emmy record for successive wins in a single category. That CBS' global chase extravaganza "The Amazing Race" has so consistently taken home the Emmy since the inception of the reality-competition grouping has proved vexing to fellow category travelers like the Fox mega-hit "American Idol" (seven nominations, seven losses) and ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" (nominated the last four years without a win). There have been suggestions that it's hardly an apples-to-apples match-up to have "The Amazing Race" compete with more artistically driven fare like "Idol" and "Dancing," that perhaps "Race" should be relegated to a newly formed category like, say, "international team competition series." Others maintain it's ludicrous and drives down Emmy interest to continually pay homage to the same show rather than spread the wealth. But to "Amazing Race" executive producer Bertram Van Munster, it's silly, if not a little insulting, to debate the merits of a program that wins the Emmy each year fair and square. "I'm always honestly surprised and extremely honored to win every time, but by the same token I feel we earn the accolades with our extraordinary casting and storytelling," Van Munster says. "Compared with a lot of other reality shows, we're non-formulaic and truly unpredictable." Van Munster cites a "Race" installment last season that found racers enduring a grueling reenactment of a World War I battle in Massiges, France, and the producers uncovering the remains of a fallen 19-year-old French soldier who had apparently been buried alive during fighting nearly 100 years ago. "It's all about avoiding being stagnant," he maintains, "and no one works harder at staying fresh and imaginative than we do on this show." Perhaps not surprisingly, this sentiment isn't echoed by the ever-colorful Donald Trump, who, while extolling the virtues of his own NBC series, "Celebrity Apprentice," took a shot at "The Amazing Race" in April in the Hollywood Reporter. "It's a shame that 'Amazing Race' keeps winning," Trump said. "It wins every year because they know how to politic the Emmys.... Instead of shows that deserve to win, [the Emmys] pick 'Amazing Race.'" Responding to Trump's smack, Van Munster admits he's grateful for the free publicity but questions the billionaire hotel magnate's qualifications for assessing television quality. "[Trump is] completely entitled to his opinion, but he's a real estate man. It's tough to take seriously a guy who isn't even in my profession." |
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More on "Bachelor Pad" Contestants Announced From the Futon Critic |
Posted 6/17/10 |
| Fan-favorites, arch-rivals, villains and the sexiest participants from the hugely successful "Bachelor" franchise reunite under one roof in a competitive reality series to compete for $250,000 and perhaps a "second chance" at love, on ABC's "Bachelor Pad," premiering MONDAY, AUGUST 9 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET). The series begins with 19 of the most unforgettable characters from seasons past living together in the "Bachelor Pad" mansion. Each week they'll square off in head-to-head challenges to compete for immunity and the opportunity to go on a date with contestants of their choice. The winner of the challenge will then grant immunity to one of his or her dates via the presentation of a rose. At the end of each episode, the contestants will vote amongst themselves to determine which cast members will be eliminated from the competition. | |
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Big Money in India R Madhavan Set to Return For Game From India Journal |
Posted 6/17/10 |
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He charmed the big screen audience
with ‘3 Idiots’ and now superstar R Madhavan is set to
entertain his fans on TV with a new game show ‘Big Money’. Sameer Nair and Siddhartha Basu, the brains behind the successful game show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, are joining hands again for a similar show on Imagine. The format of the show is different as a team of four people related to each other will participate and questions will be posed to them based on what they see on television. A prize money of Rs 1 crore will be given away on the show for which the official announcement is yet to be made. “Yes... I am hosting a game show on Imagine called Big Money. Really looking forward to it as I have been a great fan of Siddharth Basu. This concept is unique to the Indian viewers and families who watch TV will completely relate to it and enjoy it,” Madhavan said. “In our country where family ties and values are very strong, it would be interesting to see how they react under pressure to win one crore. Such a pleasure to be working with Imagine,” he added. The 40-year-old actor, who celebrated his birthday on June 1, is not new to the small screen as he started his career with serials like ‘Banegi Apni Baat’ and ‘Sea Hawks’. After making it big in the South Indian film industry, Madhavan had a stint with TV again in 2005 with game show ‘Deal Ya No Deal’. The star is back after a gap of four years with ‘Big Money’ which is set to air in July. |
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Bob Barker to Match PETA Former "TPIR" Host to Double Anything Over $16 From Look to the Stars |
Posted 6/17/10 |
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Bob Barker has joined once again
with PETA for their latest membership drive – and has agreed
to match donations to the charity dollar for dollar! PETA is trying to sign up 1000 new members to their organization by July 31, and the former game show host will match all donations over $16. And if you are already a member, Bob will match your donations until July 4. |
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Simon Fuller Bows Out of Idol Bid CKX Still Up For Sale From New York Post |
Posted 6/17/10 |
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The bidding process for CKX Inc.
is starting to look like an "American Idol" audition -- as one
strong contestant is now out while another dark horse is
suddenly back in the action. According to two sources, Simon Fuller's bid is no longer in play for the "American Idol" franchise owner. A rep for Fuller said he was in the UK and unavailable for comment. Separately, former CKX Chairman and CEO Robert Sillerman, who stepped down on May 7 and holds 21 percent of the stock, is in discussions with a private financing source to make an offer to the current CKX team led by Michael Ferrel. Simon Fuller AP Simon Fuller A third bidder and lead player in the chase for CKX, which also owns rights to the images of Muhammad Ali and Elvis Presley, is entrepreneur Allen Shapiro who is spearheading a bid by JPMorgan Chase's private-equity arm One Equity Partners. That bid is supported by music business supremo Irving Azoff. A spokeswoman for Shapiro had no comment. |
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Erin Andrews Turns Free Agent ESPN Dancer Entertaining Offers From USA Today |
Posted 6/17/10 |
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Pending TV free agent Erin Andrews
says she has received multiple job offers from both sports and
entertainment shows and networks after her recent turn on
ABC's Dancing with the Stars. Andrews says her preference is to stay in sports once her ESPN contract expires July 1. But she won't "close the door" on entertainment opportunities. DWTS helped her get back on track after her ordeal with peephole video stalker Michael David Barrett, who was sentenced to 2½ years in jail. Her run to the finals of DWTS, the second most-watched show this season — behind Fox's American Idoland ahead of NBC's Sunday Night Football, says Nielsen — also increased her image and marketability. "She is one of the top sports personalities in the country," says Michael Norton of Gillette. The number of suitors calling agent Babette Perry at IMG since DWTS ended has "just been crazy," Andrews says. "It's actually been surprising. I will be honest: I did this show to get happy. I never thought of what it would do for me in my career. It's crazy." Her final assignment as ESPN's college sports sideline reporter before her contract expires will be coverage of the College World Series starting Saturday. She says she's weighing everything from hosting to reporting: "I definitely know sports is in there, is in the mix." |
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Yeah, About Those Pictures... Betty White's People Say Rumor Is False From Syracuse.com |
Posted 6/17/10 |
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Rumors have been circulating on
the web about nude photos of Betty White and her late husband
TV game show host Allen Ludden. Gossip sites have reported how
the photos were found in her old house. According to White's
agent Jeff Witjas, that rumor is not true. "This is simply not her," Jeff Witjas told ABCNews.com. "This has come up over the years -- people claim they have photos of Betty and Allen, and it's simply not true. And Betty's laughing. She can't believe people are still talking about this." |
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Big Brother 3's Paoni Involved in Lethal
Wreck Houseguest Arrested, Charged From Examiner |
Posted 6/17/10 |
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Many Big Brother fans were shocked
to hear of this horrifying news that Tonya Paoni, 43, from Big
Brother 3 was arrested and charged with reckless homicide and
an aggravated DUI for allegedly causing a five-vehicle crash
that killed two people last summer near Springfield, Illinois. Springfield's State Journal-Register , stated that Paoni was driving on Interstate 72 at 10 p.m. on July 17, 2009, when her Toyota Corolla rear-ended a Ford Explorer. The Explorer crashed into the highway median and rolled over several times. Cameron Weider, 21, who was a passenger in the backseat of the Explorer, was thrown from the truck and died. Another passenger in the Explorer, Eric Finneran, 21, was killed as well, but not from the impact of the Explorer against the median. Finneran got out of the SUV and was standing along the westbound side of the road after the accident, and got hit and killed by a passing car that had swerved to avoid a fender-bender between two other vehicles that collided while trying to protect themselves and others from a further pile up. The driver of the Explorer, Zachary Barnes, 22, was not fatally hurt. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was treated for injuries. He was then charged with driving under the influence of drugs. Paoni was arrested for this incident May 27 and is currently behind bars in Sangamon County Jail in lieu of a $1 million bond or $100,000 cash bail. She is being held responsible for Finneran's death and, in addition to aggravated DUI and reckless homicide, is charged with two counts of aggravated reckless conduct, two counts of aggravated reckless driving, DUI and speeding. |
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"Game Night" Casting Families Wanted for New Hub Series From Reality Wanted |
Posted 6/15/10 |
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For the first time in game show
history, the biggest name in family games, Hasbro, is looking
for families to compete in an exciting TV Game Show called
"FAMILY GAME NIGHT." Does your family love to play games like Scrabble, Boggle and Guesstures? Are you over the top competitors? If so, your family may win cash, prizes and/or a dream vacation package. Each family must consist of TWO PARENTS and at least TWO SIBLINGS AGES 8-15. All contestants should be physically fit to play this exciting, intense, and interactive game. *FAMILY MUST LIVE WITHIN OR NEAR THE LOS ANGELES AREA. Also, we encourage you to forward this message to interested families via e-mail, facebook, twitter, etc. as time is limited and we have numerous episodes available. |
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Baggage Now Casting Season 2 On the Way? From Reality Wanted |
Posted 6/15/10 |
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GSN is now casting for returning
hit show (C-Note: the casting doesn't mention the show
outright, but with cues like "#1 Game Show" and "Comcast
Entertainment Studios", it's more than likely "Baggage")! All participants will receive $500 for a one day in-studio shoot and a chance to win a great prize!! SEEKING: Single male and female ages 28 – 60 with fun and outgoing personalities. We are looking to cast hundreds of people for a long running season, so don’t hesitate, auditions are taking place now!! Thanks and hope to hear from you! |
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"Dropping" Another Hit? Channel 4 Looks to Replicate Success From New Media Age |
Posted 6/15/10 |
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Endemol is looking to pair up with
more broadcasters to create integrated TV-web shows similar to
The Million Pound Drop, which aired on Channel 4 last month. Nick Hall, Endemol’s director of operations for digital media, who was promoted to the position last week, said this will be a key focus of his new role. “There are projects in the pipeline that have been spurred into life off the back of The Million Pound Drop,” he said. Viewers of the program could interact with the live gameshow via a playalong game online, created by Pancentric Digital and Monterosa, which attracted 450,000 players |
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Three Countries Go to "Splatalot" Canada, UK, Australia Sign On From Broadcast |
Posted 6/15/10 |
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The BBC has signed up for a new
medieval-themed gameshow for pre-teens that will be produced
in Canada. Splatalot is a physical gameshow in which 12 young contestants compete against an international squad of six gladiators to cross a moat, storm a castle and steal the crown. Canadian indie Marblemedia is to produce the 26-episode run, which will be shot north of Toronto this summer for delivery in spring 2011. Canadian kids broadcaster YTV and Australian digital children’s channel ABC3 are also partnering on the series. Three versions will be shot and tailored for each of the participating territories, with two hosts from each country. CBBC controller Damian Kavanagh said: “This should be a fantastic show with lots of humor and physical comedy, and should prove a big hit with our audience. It’s been fascinating to collaborate and share ideas with producers in other markets.” Marblemedia is also developing an interactive online environment, with a series of strategy and puzzle games. International distribution of Splatalot will be handled by Distribution360, a new sales outfit established by Marblemedia and Seven24 Films. |
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Jeff Schroeder Goes Around the World For
Free "Amazing Racer" Hosts Season 2 of CBS Web Series From Wallet Pop |
Posted 6/15/10 |
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CBS reality heartthrob Jeff
Schroeder, who appeared on last summer's Big Brother 11 and
the most recent season of The Amazing Race, will head up a new
show by himself. This time, he'll travel the world over 100
days with not a penny in his pocket. In a true test of budget
travel, he'll see the world with nothing more than a backpack
and help from fans on the Web. The show, Around the World for
Free, will be on CBS.com. How will it work? Schroeder leaves New York City in July, and every day, he and his field producer, Zsolt Luka, will travel and film. Luka will edit and publish webisodes for CBS.com as they go. Both of them will leave without cash, relying instead on the help of the strangers they meet and the itinerary planning of their fans. Schroeder isn't without those: The affable, toothsome Chicagoan was one of the most popular contestants on both his previous programs. He didn't win either, but the girlfriend he met on Big Brother, Jordan Lloyd, won the $500,000 jackpot, and the couple went on to play The Amazing Race together. Schroeder's two-time reality show failure has turned into a big personal win: travel the planet for free, and host a show about how he did it. It's the second series for the optimistic travel program. Last year, an Amazing Race winner, Alex Boylan, was on its first season, hitting four continents, 16 countries, and covering more than 45,000 miles. That series, which spanned 129 webisodes over 159 days, was compiled into 11 one-hour episodes that aired on WGN America, and CBS liked it so much, it acquired the rights to the show for its own site. |
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BB's Josie Is A Woman on a Mission... Houseguest Wants to Bring "Crystal Maze" Back From Digital Spy |
Posted 6/15/10 |
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Josie Gibson said during her press
interviews that the main reason she wanted to take part in Big
Brother was to help bring back Channel 4 gameshow The Crystal
Maze. The sales rep from Bristol, 25, said that she hoped appearing on the reality show would "raise awareness" about her campaign. "Really, I'm on a mission to bring The Crystal Maze back. When they end Big Brother, they should bring it back on Channel 4," she told DS. "I will raise awareness, because we really, really need it back. Can you remember it? It was brilliant, wasn't it? It was the most brilliant best show on Earth. I can't believe they got rid of it." The Crystal Maze aired for five series between 1990 and 1995 and was hosted by Richard O'Brien and Ed Tudor-Pole. |
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Betty White Enjoys "The View" First Lady of Game Shows Talks... Password From Examiner |
Posted 6/15/10 |
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Betty White appeared on ABC's live
talk show 'The View' on Monday, June 14, 2010. The
comedian/actress was welcomed to The View by co-hosts Whoopi
Goldberg, Sherri Shepherd, Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck..
The studio audience gave the 88 year old actress and comedian
a standing ovation, as she walked onto the stage. White talked about various subjects, including live TV, sitcoms, Golden Girls co-star Rue McClanahan, The Proposal co-star Sandra Bullock, show business and her newest show, Hot in Cleveland on TVLand. A veteran of live TV and scripted shows, white has been in show business for 63 years, 'but who's counting?' Ms. White said that when she stared in live TV she was on the set five and a half hours a day, six days a week. She said that live TV has not changed all that much, but audiences have. When White star ed her TV career, television seemed like a miracle to home viewers. Now the audience has seen everything and heard every joke, so audiences are more difficult to please. When asked why the game show 'Password' didn't make it, White replied that it was the perfect game show but the younger generation couldn't seem to keep up with the game. The producers want the younger people on the show, but unfortunately, they have become overly dependent on computers and are not able to think on their feet. White has hosted, or guested on , several game shows, including the original 'Password.' |
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Absorbent and Yellow and Porous Is He... John O'Hurley to Guest on "Spongebob" From UPI |
Posted 6/15/10 |
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Victoria Beckham, John O'Hurley
and Sebastian Bach have signed on to lend their voices for the
U.S. television special "The Clash of Triton," Nickelodeon
said. The new half-hour SpongeBob SquarePants program is to premiere July 5, the network said. Beckham will play Queen Amphitrite, while O'Hurley portrays her husband, King Neptune, and Bach plays their rebellious son, Triton. "We're happy to have such a talented and eclectic group of celebrities lend their voices to this SpongeBob special," Brown Johnson, president of animation at Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group, said in a statement Monday. "Victoria, John and Sebastian truly brought Bikini Bottom's royal family to life!" |
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Pavelka Drops Dead... "Bachelor" to Guest on Hit Series "Drop Dead Diva" From M&C |
Posted 6/15/10 |
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Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva" is a
critical darling and a ratings smasher. Now the series will
see a reality star guest on the new season. "The Bachelor" and "Dancing with the Stars" Jake Pavelka will be cast on the series that boasts Brooke Elliott and Margaret Cho. In an episode titled "Good Grief," Jake begins shooting his scenes on June 18 for an air date of Aug. 22. Pavelka will guest star as Toby Davlin, a suitor on game show "Finding the One", where a producer is being sued for inflicting emotional harm when Toby spurns one bachelorette for another. “I am honored to be a part of Drop Dead Diva this season,” Pavelka told People magazine, “and cannot wait to meet the cast and crew.” |
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NBC Is "Bluffing" DL Hughley to Host Pilot From Reuters |
Posted 6/14/10 |
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Contestants must try to bluff
their way into winning a half-million dollars. For each
episode, seven contestants will use their knowledge and
deceptive talents -- and even steal one another's money -- in
order to advance in the game as they are gradually reduced to
a single winner. The show comes from Jeff Apploff, who previously created "Don't Forget the Lyrics." One of "The Original Kings of Comedy," Hughley was the star of the ABC sitcom "The Hughleys" and was recently a correspondent for "The Jay Leno Show." "Who's Bluffing Who?" is one of a couple of truth-spotting game shows in the works. ABC is piloting "Survivor" producer Mark Burnett's "Trust Me, I'm a Game Show Host," where contestants try to spot which of two hosts are lying. GSN just launched "Late Night Liars" in primetime.
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More Game Shows from Ubisoft "Millionaire", "Hollywood Squares" Coming From IGN |
Posted 6/14/10 |
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Target and Ubisoft will team up at
the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, June 15–17,
for an exclusive preview of four upcoming family fun games.
Target's Bullseye Lounge will feature two upcoming
fitness-themed titles, Gold's Gym Dance Workout and Dance on
Broadway, as well as video game adaptations of the hit
television game shows, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and
Hollywood Squares. Ubisoft's games, playable on Wii, will
offer Expo attendees a chance to engage in competitive
gameplay while at the three-day event at the Los Angeles
Convention Center. The
new Who Wants To Be A Millionaire video game is created by
Ludia and is based on the Disney-ABC Domestic Television hit
game show, which will premiere its ninth season in syndication
this fall. The Millionaire video game, on display in the
Bullseye Lounge at E3, will put the brains of expo attendees
to work as they compete against one another to answer
increasingly difficult trivia questions. Visitors to the
Bullseye Lounge will be able to experience the drama and
intensity of the pop culture game show sensation first-hand,
as they test their trivia knowledge and give their "final
answers." |
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More on "Restaurant" Judges Named From the Futon Critic |
Posted 6/14/10 |
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Curtis Stone, internationally
renowned chef (NBC's "The Biggest Loser," "Take Home Chef"),
Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Chipotle, and
Lorena Garcia, executive chef and restaurateur, join Bobby
Flay ("Iron Chef America: The Series") as investors and judges
on NBC's new alternative competition series "America's Next
Great Restaurant" premiering next season. The series from Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz of Magical Elves (Emmy Award-nominated producers of "Project Runway" and "Top Chef") features contestants vying for arguably the biggest prize in reality show history -- the opportunity to see their ideas turned into a new restaurant chain in three cities across America. Thousands of potential restaurateurs submitted ideas, which were narrowed down to the select few candidates that will be featured on the series. Each week the judges/investors, Flay, Stone, Ells and Garcia, will put the chosen few through rigorous business and cooking challenges to discover which contestant's concept has the greatest potential for success. The stakes have never been higher as the investors put their own money on the line for the winning concept, turning one contestant's ultimate dream into a reality. |
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Sponsors Deal for "Top Chef" Toyota, Dial Chief Amongst Them From the Futon Critic |
Posted 6/14/10 |
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Bravo has secured partnerships
with Toyota, Dial NutriSkin, Samsung, Kikkoman and Snyder's of
Hanover as official sponsors for the seventh season of Bravo's
Emmy and James Beard Award-winning series and the No. 1 food
show on cable, "Top Chef," premiering Wednesday, June 16 at 9
p.m. ET/PT. These multi-platform deals provide an
unprecedented level of brand exposure through exclusive
in-show product integration along with a major on-air and
online presence, marking the largest digital play in Bravo's
history. The announcements were made by Susan Malfa, Senior
Vice President, Ad Sales, Bravo Media and Oxygen Media. "We continue to develop substantial multi-platform opportunities for our partners to bring consumer awareness and exposure to their brands, while also delivering creative and exciting new ways for viewers to engage and interact with 'Top Chef'," said Malfa. Toyota returns to the series for the seventh consecutive year as a sponsor, with Dial NutriSkin, Samsung, Kikkoman, Snyder's of Hanover and Hilton Hotels joining as first-time sponsors. |
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Amitabh Bachchan to Return to KBC Indian "Millionaire" to Play on Sony From India-Server |
Posted 6/14/10 |
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The fourth season of KBC will be
telecast on Sony this time. Since Star Plus didn’t renew the
contract with KBC, so automatically the telecast passed to
Sony Entertainment Channel. The most popular reality game show Kaun Banega Crorepati has changed channels this time. It will be telecast on Sony in the coming months. It is officially announced that the show would be hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. The show is produced by Siddharth Basu from Synergy (now called Big Synergy) for Star Plus. It will now be aired on Sony. Sources say “It’s natural for them to give it to Sony. The talks have already been initiated on the money and who the host will be. We’ll have to wait and watch.” Ajit Thakur, the executive VP of the channel says “discussions about the show have recently begun at multiple levels. Till everything gets sorted, it’s difficult to issue a statement.” The actual quiz master Basu says “Star relinquished the KBC license some time back. And yes, the show is with Sony now. All the questions regarding the show and the host will have to be addressed to them since they are the broadcasters now. Of course, my company, Big Synergy, looks forward to producing it for them.” Sources say that Basu was also trying to rope in KBC for their channel in the previous years. Now the thing landed automatically for them. |
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Jimmy Dean:
1928-2010 Singer, Actor, Sausage Guy, Game Show Fixture From New York Times |
Posted 6/14/10 |
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Jimmy Dean, a country music legend
for his smash hit about a workingman hero, ''Big Bad John,''
and an entrepreneur known for his sausage brand, died on
Sunday. He was 81. His wife, Donna Meade Dean, said her husband died at their Henrico County, Va., home. She told The Associated Press that he had some health problems but was still functioning well, so his death came as a shock. She said he was eating in front of the television. She left the room for a time and came back and he was unresponsive. She said he was pronounced dead at 7:54 p.m. ''He was amazing,'' she said. ''He had a lot of talents.'' Born in 1928, Dean was raised in poverty in Plainview, Texas, and dropped out of high school after the ninth grade. He went on to a successful entertainment career in the 1950s and '60s that included the nationally televised ''The Jimmy Dean Show.'' In 1969, Dean went into the sausage business, starting the Jimmy Dean Meat Co. in his hometown. He sold the company to Sara Lee Corp. in 1984. Dean lived in semiretirement with his wife, who is a songwriter and recording artist, on their 200-acre estate just outside Richmond, where he enjoyed investing, boating and watching the sun set over the James River. During his heyday, he was a fixture on the game show circuit, appearing on I've Got a Secret, Missing Links, The Hollywood Squares, Letters to Laugh-In. GSNN's Chris Tufts contributed to this story. |
 Jimmy Dean (photo courtesy Wordpress) |
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Piers Morgan to Take Over Larry King's Spot "Talent" Judge Expected to Sign Deal Worth $8M From Telegraph |
Posted 6/14/10 |
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Piers Morgan is to replace Larry
King, the veteran US interviewer, in an $8 million deal with
CNN. The America's Got Talent judge and former newspaper editor is on the verge of signing a four-year contract to take over King's primetime show in the autumn. He has built a profile in the US and in the UK judging both versions of the series. CNN executives were also impressed by his British chat show, Piers Morgan's Life Stories, in which he interviewed Gordon Brown. King, 76, has reigned over American television for decades, with the Larry King Show first airing in 1985. However, his ratings for the first three months of this year fell to an all-time low of just 771,000 viewers, down 43 per cent in the last year. Morgan is expected to quit his role on Britain's Got Talent and base himself permanently in the US. |
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Revillame Cleared in "Wowowee!" Probe No Charges for Host in 2006 Stampede From Manila Bulletin |
Posted 6/14/10 |
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Acting Justice Secretary Alberto
Agra affirmed the decision of the former Justice Secretary
Raul Gonzalez, clearing television host Willie Revillame of
liability in the 2006 University of Life Theater and
Recreation Arena (ULTRA) stampede which killed 71
audience-fans of ABS-CBN's popular noontime TV game show “Wowowee.” Agra denied the motion for reconsideration (MR) filed by private complainants. The order was promulgated last June 8. He also directed the Chief State Prosecutor to exclude Revillame from the information for reckless imprudence, resulting in multiple homicide and serious physical injuries. “This resolves the motion for reconsideration (MR) filed by private complainants of this Department's resolution promulgated on Aug. 22, 2007 (Resolution No. 575, series of 2007) in the above-captioned case, dismissing the complaint against respondent Wilfredo Revillame and directing the Chief State Prosecutor to move for his exclusion from the information for reckless imprudence, resulting in multiple homicide and serious physical injuries,” Agra said. |
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Lythgoe to "Idol": It's The Music, Stupid Former Showrunner Has Words From CTV |
Posted 6/14/10 |
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"American Idol" shouldn't try to
replace Simon Cowell now that the sharp-tongued judge has left
to helm a new reality series, says former "Idol" producer and
"So You Think You Can Dance" judge Nigel Lythgoe. The variety show guru, who worked on "Idol" until 2008, says the singing competition should stick with three judges and pay more attention to the music after a lacklustre season. "It's never been my opinion that four judges work on that program because it should be about the talent," Lythgoe said in a recent interview from New York before heading to Alberta for the Banff World Television Festival. "The team took their eye off the ball a little bit and was more worried about the judges and what was happening with them than it was regarding the talent last year. It became about Kara (DioGuardi) joining and making the fourth judge, Paula (Abdul) leaving, Ellen (Degeneres) joining and Simon leaving and much more about them and concentrating on that than on the talent that they were finding." "It wasn't a vintage year." "American Idol"'s ninth season wrapped last month with its lowest-rated finale ever. Former paint salesman Lee DeWyze took the crown, but much of the attention was on Cowell's final appearance as he prepares to launch a new reality show, "The X Factor," on Fox and CTV. Despite its shortcomings, Lythgoe complained that "American Idol" is lumped in with reality fare at the Emmys, when he says it should be considered a variety show. "I don't honestly see how 'American Idol,' with all of that intricacy of what that production involves -- from going out to the football stadiums to finishing in the Nokia Theater with KISS exploding out of the woodwork and Prince walking on and all of that -- can be compared with a bunch of people running around the world that wins every year," says Lythgoe, referring to perennial reality champ, "The Amazing Race." "It's frustrating." The Emmy nominations are set to be announced July 8. |
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"Late Night Liars" Launches Catch It on GSN Fr | |
The Futon Critic
Los Angeles Times