The times are definitely changing in the TV landscape, as Harry’s Law was canceled by NBC, even though it was the network’s most watched scripted series. If Oscar winner Kathy Bates, solid critical response, and dependable ratings couldn’t save the show, what’s the true criteria for saving a show? Harry’s Law star Nate Corddry was predictably dumbfounded by NBC’s move, and in the following clip he expresses his frustration over the cancellation. (Click on the audio player to hear Nate Corddry)
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After dominating the radio business for over 30 years, Howard Stern really has nothing to prove. Signing up as a judge on the NBC reality series America’s Got Talent should be a welcome challenge for Stern, and his biting humor and candor should add an extra dimension to the show. Stern believes he’s a good fit for America’s Got Talent, and the radio icon has nothing but praise for host Nick Cannon and his fellow judges Howie Mandel and Sharon Osbourne.
America’s Got Talent’s controversy factor has reached new heights with the hiring of shock jock Howard Stern, a radio icon who never minces his words. Fellow judge Howie Mandel is completely supportive of Stern’s addition, as he describes his colleague as a passionate, edgy and compassionate person. Mandel admits he may not completely agree with Stern’s opinion, but nonetheless he sounds definitely excited to have Stern on board. (Click on the audio player to hear Howie Mandel)
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For a new show, NBC’s comedy “Up All Night” hasn’t had any trouble attracting big-name guest stars. Jason Lee, Nick Cannon, and Henry Winkler have already made appearances, and music legend Stevie Nicks will be on the show tonight. Maya Rudolph, one of the show’s stars, is in awe of the talent that’s stopped by their set this season.
You don’t see Stevie Nicks on television much. Aside from the occasional performance, talk show appearance, or documentary interview, the singer’s TV sightings have been few and far between. As far as we can tell from her IMDb profile, she’s never acted on a network show. But all that will change next week, as she makes an appearance playing herself on the NBC comedy “Up All Night.”
She agreed to do the show because she’s a fan of its stars, Christina Applegate and Maya Rudolph. And when she walked onto the set and met them for the first time, Nicks — who has a flair for the mystical — told us she felt a very strong connection to them, as if she’d known them for a very long time.
Wilmer Valderrama’s back on TV again… the former “That ‘70s Show” star is featured on the new series “Awake.” He’s not the only “’70s” star who’s back on TV… Ashton Kutcher’s on “Two and a Half Men,’ and Laura Prepon’s on “Are You There, Chelsea.” Of course, Mila Kunis was Golden Globe-nominated for “Black Swan,” and she’s a voice on “Family Guy,” so she’s been doing quite well for herself, too. I asked Wilmer why so many of the “’70s” cast members have done so well…
Katherine McPhee became a star after she was a contestant on season five of American Idol. McPhee finished in second place next to Taylor Hicks. Since then, McPhee has gone on to do movies and currently stars in the NBC musical drama, Smash.
While American Idol was a great and grueling experience for McPhee, she told us that starring on Smash is more grueling, and that she has to pace herself while being on a television series.
We first got to know Katharine McPhee back in 2006, when she went all the way to the “American Idol” finale. And even though she lost to Taylor Hicks she’s managed to come away with the more enduring career. This week, her brand-new TV show premieres… it’s called “Smash,” and its executive producer is none other than Steven Spielberg. And, as it turns out, Katharine told me the seeds of the show were first planted during her time on “Idol”.
The Voice, the reality musical talent series, was a surprise hit last season on NBC. Like so many other reality shows, the series is looking for the next great singer. The shows judging panel features R&B hit singer Cee-Loo Green, country star Blake Shelton, and pop stars Adam Levine (lead singer of Maroon 5) and Christina Aguilera, all of whom had great chemistry together.
While the show was liked by both fans and critics, Adam Levine admitted that at times the judges had no idea what they were doing and were uneasy. However, Levine thinks the shows second season, which premieres tonight after the Super Bowl on NBC, will be better than the last.
Comedian Ricky Gervais didn’t make a lot of friends in Hollywood when he hosted the Golden Globe Awards last year. By making fun of many celebrities — and even the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which stages the awards — Gervais brought tons of controversy to the normally stoic affair. But the bruised egos made for great publicity, and Gervais was invited back to host this year’s edition of the awards extravaganza.
While promoting his new HBO series, “Life’s Too Short,” at the Television Critics Association meetings, Gervais talked about his frank and fearless attitude toward the Golden Globes. After all, he reasoned, what was the worst thing that could happen? Not getting to host the show again? (Click on the audio player to hear Ricky Gervais)
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How far will Gervais push the envelope this year? Find out when he hosts the 69th Golden Globe Awards ceremony Sunday night, live at 8/7 central on NBC.
