SAG Awards Nominations

The nominations for the 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were announced today. The awards are scheduled to be presented on January 27, 2008. No word yet on what the ceremony will entail in light of the WGA strike.

Once again, I’m disappointed that FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS was left out in the cold, but sadly I’m getting used to it.

My personal favorites in each category are bolded. A (*) indicates who I think will win.

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

• BOSTON LEGAL (ABC)
• THE CLOSER (TNT)
• GREY’S ANATOMY (ABC)
• MAD MEN (AMC)
• THE SOPRANOS (HBO) (*)

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

• 30 ROCK (NBC)
• DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC)
• ENTOURAGE (HBO)
• THE OFFICE (NBC)
• UGLY BETTY (ABC) (*)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series

• JAMES GANDOLFINI / Tony Soprano – “The Sopranos” (HBO) (*)
• MICHAEL C. HALL / Dexter Morgan – “Dexter” (Showtime)
• JON HAMM / Don Draper – “Mad Men” (AMC)
• HUGH LAURIE / Dr. Gregory House – “House” (FOX)
• JAMES SPADER / Alan Shore – “Boston Legal” (ABC)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series

• GLENN CLOSE / Patty Hewes – “Damages” (FX) (*)
  
• EDIE FALCO / Carmela Soprano – “The Sopranos” (HBO)
• SALLY FIELD / Nora Walker – “Brothers & Sisters” (ABC)
• HOLLY HUNTER / Grace Hanadarko – “Saving Grace” (TNT)
• KYRA SEDGWICK / Deputy Police Chief Brenda Johnson – “The Closer” (TNT)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series

• ALEC BALDWIN / Jack Donaghy – “30 Rock” (NBC) (*)
• STEVE CARELL / Michael Scott – “The Office” (NBC)
• RICKY GERVAIS / Andy Millman – “Extras” (NBC)
• JEREMY PIVEN / Ari Gold – “Entourage” (HBO)
• TONY SHALHOUB / Adrian Monk – “Monk” (USA)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series

• CHRISTINA APPLEGATE / Samantha Newly – “Samantha Who?” (ABC)
• AMERICA FERRERA / Betty Suarez – “Ugly Betty” (ABC)(*)
• TINA FEY / Liz Lemon – “30 Rock” (NBC)
• MARY-LOUISE PARKER / Nancy Botwin – “Weeds” (Showtime)
• VANESSA WILLIAMS / Wilhelmina Slater – “Ugly Betty” (ABC)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

• MICHAEL KEATON / James Jesus Angleton – “The Company (TNT)
• KEVIN KLINE / Jacques – “As You Like It” (HBO)
• OLIVER PLATT / George Steinbrenner – “The Bronx is Burning” (ESPN) (*)
• SAM SHEPARD / Frank Whiteley – “Ruffian” (ABC)
• JOHN TURTURRO / Billy Martin – “The Bronx is Burning” (ESPN)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

• ELLEN BURSTYN / Posey Benetto – “Mitch Albom’s For One More Day” (ABC)
• DEBRA MESSING / Molly Kagan – “The Starter Wife” (USA) (*)
• ANNA PAQUIN / Elaine Goodale – “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” (HBO)
• QUEEN LATIFAH / Ana – “Life Support “ (HBO)
• VANESSA REDGRAVE / Woman – “The Fever” (HBO)
• GENA ROWLANDS / Melissa Eisenbloom – “What If God Were the Sun?” (Lifetime)

JOURNEYMAN Ends? GOSSIP Goes On

Tonight we have what might just be the last episode of JOURNEYMAN…ever. I’ve been lamenting the loss for a few weeks now, and tonight is the night it ends. I have plans and will not be able to watch it until the morning. I’ll be doing all I can to avoid spoilers.

Journeyman | 10pm on NBC
“Perfidia”
Dan meets another time traveler (Don McManus), whom he agrees to help reunite with a past love; Livia lands in the present just as her wedding in the past is about to happen; Jack seeks answers from Elliot; Katie panics when she finds blood at home.

But thankfully we still have GOSSIP GIRL. Oh those kids on the Upper East side do make me happy. Tonight we have a brand new episode and it seems that past indiscretion’s could be coming back to haunt…everyone.

Gossip Girl | 9pm on The CW
“Roman Holiday”
Blair’s father comes home for Christmas—and brings his boyfriend with him. Meanwhile, Serena and Dan plan holiday surprises for one another; Blair worries what information Chuck may share while vacationing with Nate

Still On My Christmas List…

Since I didn’t get what I wanted last year for Christmas I thought I would ask Santa again. Same wish…not much has changed. All I want for Christmas is…

PUSHING DAISIES & GOSSIP GIRL Set for PaleyFest ’08

Although the full schedule won’t be released until February 4th, The Paley Center for Media has announced that freshman standouts PUSHING DAISIES and GOSSIP GIRL will be two shows featured in their annual William S. Paley Television Festival.  PaleyFest ’08 will take place from March 14th-March 27th.

The TV festival allows fans to interact with the creators and stars of their favorite shows in these intimate sessions.  In years past shows like “Ugly Betty”, “The Family Guy”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Brothers & Sisters”, and “Alias” among others. Last year I attended panels for THE OFFICE and PRISON BREAK and found them to be an amazing experiences.

Tickets will go on sale to Paley members on February 7th and to the general public on February 10th. I’m going to start planning my trip soon so maybe I’ll see you there.

PSYCH and MONK Coming to NBC

Two of USA’s hit TV shows are being called up to the big leagues. NBC is going to start airing episodes of PSYCH and MONK on Sunday nights from 8-10pm beginning on March 2nd. Both shows begin airing their six-episode winter season on USA on January 11th. As owners of USA and with rights to their programming, NBC may also consider airing reruns of both PSYCH and MONK as they will be new to most of the traditional NBC audience.

NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios co-chair, Ben Silverman, claims that the promotion of these shows from cable to network was not in response to the ongoing WGA strike. “A lot of this we would be doing anyway,” he said. “The strike is pointing a flashlight on it.” Yeah, not sure I believe that. Tell me the one about the networks not knowing that value of new media again, Ben.

Other networks are also considering dipping into their cable-based shows for reairing in the primetime grid. Rumors were swirling that CBS was thinking about cleaning up Showtime’s DEXTER for network airing, just as TBS has done with HBO’s SEX AND THE CITY and A&E has done with THE SOPRANOS.

This move only shows that the AMPTP are planning for the long haul and finding ways to keep viewers tuned in without the help of the writers. But, that being said, I’m happy that MONK and PSYCH (especially Pysch) are getting exposed to a wider audience through this endeavor. MONK already has an established fan base (led my Mom & Dad GMMR), but PSYCH is one of the funniest comedies on TV and has been a secret for way too long.

CLASH OF THE CHOIRS Gets It Right

Want to revitalize AMERICAN IDOL and make it a more interesting competition? Start making it about the singing again!!  See AMERICAN IDOL producers spend months crossing the country looking for undiscovered talent and we are still left with contestants like Sanjaya. Because for American Idol it’s not all about the singing, it’s also about having the right look, being the right age, and having the right personality to sell yourself on TV – all of which are important to becoming a successful pop artist, true – but at the end of the day it comes down to the voice.  If the voice is there, then perhaps everything else will follow.

The CLASH OF THE CHOIRS chorale directors had less than three weeks to find their talent and have them ready for a live audience on national TV. Over the past two night, viewers have been exposed to unbelievable talent, the likes of which we have never seen in a TV signing competition before. The CLASH OF THE CHOIRS soloists only have to worry about their God given talent, and not about looking the part or appealing to the teeny boopers that vote for you.  And let me tell you, these people can sign!!  I would be utterly shocked if a few record deals didn’t come out of this four night holiday show.

Listen, I know American Idol and Clash of the Choirs aren’t the same.  And I’m not naive enough to think that American Idol could get along based on just the talent of the singers.  But I gotta tell you, listening to these choirs and soloists perform last night and then again tonight…well, it’s been a nice treat for my ears.

Jamie Lynn Spears is Pregnant

Jamie Lynn Spears, star of one of Nickelodeon’s most successful tween shows, ZOEY 101, (and yes the sister of Britney) is ready to announce that at 16 years old she is pregnant. Talk about a role model for our young ones!! The baby’s father is Spears’ boyfriend, Casey Aldridge, whom reports say she met at church (too easy so I’ll leave it alone)A statement from Nickelodoeon said, “We respect Jamie Lynn’s decision to take responsibility in this sensitive and personal situation…We know this is a very difficult time for her and her family, and our primary concern right now is for Jamie-Lynn’s well-being.”

No word yet on what this will mean to the production of Zoey 101.

I’m so glad my niece skipped right over Zoey 101 and went straight for Hannah Montana or this would have been an interesting one fro her mom to explain. Miley Cyrus…keep ’em closed!!

Source: TMZ

NEW! Lost Season 4 Trailer (Extended)

A girl goes to get a cup of coffee from Dunkin Donuts and comes back to an inbox flooded with emails about the NEW Season 4 LOST trailer. I too am excited to see it and super excited for the return of LOST (finally) on Thursday, January 31st at 9pm on ABC.

Check out the trailer and get psyched for the new season to begin!!

Thanks to CR, KK, MG, CK, EM, JS, and JK for the tip!

What’s Your Favorite TV Show Holiday Episode?

Ah, the very special holiday episode. Most shows have had at least one, and more often than not they are emotional episodes that pull at our heart strings and make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Whether it’s Lorelai and Rory exchanging presents, Pam getting that perfect green teapot from Jim, or a big ‘ol rockin’ party at the Buy More, there’s been a lot of great holiday episodes in our TV history. But what’s your favorite?

Share with us your favorite holiday-themed TV episode!!

This is a lot tougher than it seems. So many fond memories to choose from. But here’s a glimpse at my favorite holiday episode of all time…

The Office (UK) Christmas Special

JOURNEYMAN: Sweet Caroline (So Good, So Good, So Good)

Life is so cruel. NBC gives us perhaps the BEST episodes of JOURNEYMAN to date right on the heels of this Wednesday’s series finale? Like I didn’t have reason enough to be unhappy with NBC these days.

So much happened during tonight’s episode I don’t even no where to start, or for that matter that I understood everything I saw after just one viewing. From Dan’s biggest drama to date to hints as to some of answers to his travels, bravo to the writers for being respectful to the audience by beginning to wrap things up with some hint of closure.

The long and the short of it was, Dan traveled back to the early 80’s to help a family in crisis and while he was there he accidentally left behind his brand new digital camera. The camera ended up in the hands of a company that created technology well ahead of its time. Dan returns to an alternate 2007, one with advanced technologies well before their time. But a fancy new Jetson’s computer is the least of Dan’s worries. The simple act of leaving that camera behind had much more dire consequences. It erased Zach from existence! Back in 2000, there was a bug with this new technology that threatened to erase all of Dan’s files at the paper. He took off to take care of it, and in doing so left Katie all alone on the night that Zach was supposed to be conceived. No Dan, no sex, no Zach. Crazy!!!

Read more

Sean Gunn Relives His Gilmore Days

There are some days that I just sob from the loss I feel now that GILMORE GIRLS is gone.  Ok, maybe sob is a bit dramatic, but I certainly do get bummed out.  So imagine by utter joy when I saw that my favorite Stars Hollower, Kirk (played by the hilarious Sean Gunn) was asked to share with us his favorite Kirk episodes.  I think you all know by now that any Kirk-heavy eps were my favorites, but now let’s see what The Gunnster has to say about his faves.Here are a few….

9. Season 3’s ”They Shoot Gilmores, Don’t They?”
It’s the one where… Lorelei is determined to keep Kirk from winning the Stars Hollow dance marathon yet again. ”The final moment, where I’m hoisting my trophy and running around to the theme from Rocky, is one of my favorites. I wish I could say I improvised that, but I didn’t. That was all in the script.”

2. Season 3’s ”A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving”
It’s the one where… Kirk gets a cat that he names Kirk. ”This is the other episode fans say is their favorite. What I really like about it is that all the action takes place offscreen, which to me is always funnier. The last scene, where Kirk is bandaged and describing how Cat Kirk is terrorizing him, is the only time in the whole seven years of doing the show that I can remember doing a take, and having Dan Palladino say, ‘Sean, that was a little too big. Can you bring it down a little bit?”’ (continue reading at EW.com)

Alright GILMORE GIRLS fans, we don’t get an opportunity to talk about our show anymore.  Do you have any favorite Kirk episodes to add?  Or any favorite episodes in general?

Conan & Leno Returning to TV…But Why?

Fans of late night TV will be happy to know that come January 2nd LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O’BRIEN and THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO will be back on NBC late night with all new episodes.  After being on a hiatus for the past two months due to the WGA strike, Conan and Jay are returning to their desks sans writers.  No, the strike isn’t over but the late night chatters are opting to return rather than layoff their staff.

Unfortunately, now with the New Year upon us, I am left with a difficult decision,” O’Brien said. “Either go back to work and keep my staff employed, or stay dark, and allow 80 people, many of whom have worked for me for 14 years, to lose their jobs,” O’Brien’s statement read. “An unwritten version of Late Night, though not desirable, is possible— and no one has to be fired.”

Word of Jay and Conan returning comes on the heels of the announcement that David Letterman was seeking a waiver from the WGA to return to his show, with his writers in tow.  Letterman can conduct independent negotiations with CBS (and not the AMPTP) to bring THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN back to TV soon because unlike Leno and O’Brien, Letterman owns his show outright through his Worldwide Pants company.

So late night TV is poised to be back on January 2nd.  Expect word from Jimmy Kimmel and Craig Ferguson soon.

What About the Strike?…
I’m all for people going back to work and not losing their jobs, but doesn’t it feels to me like these talk show hosts are giving in to the AMPTP a little?  I mean, nothing has changed in terms of negotiations between the WGA and the AMPTP so what is so different for Leno and Conan? I understand that they don’t need writers to continue, but they didn’t need writers the first day of the strike either, right? If they went dark out of solidarity to their writers then wouldn’t going back on air when nothing has changed with the negotiations mean they were no longer behind their writers?

Of course I’m playing a bit of devil’s advocate here.  I personally don’t believe that Conan, Jay or Dave don’t support their writers or that they no longer believe in the WGA efforts.  But the question still remains the same.

And I have to wonder if the WGA are going to protest Conan and Jay like they did Ellen DeGeneres and Carson Daly.  They did nothing different in returning to work…they just chose to do it earlier.

I’m happy to have late night TV back, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I think it does nothing but hurt the WGA efforts.

What to Watch…Monday, December 17, 2007

Hmmm, I can’t say that all the shows listed below are representative of what I’ll be watching tonight but since there are very few “new” episodes left of any shows these days, I wanted to make sure you had a heads up on a few of them. And don’t forget, if you haven’t seen a show then it’s new to you, so you can always check out reruns of my faves HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (8pm on CBS) and THE BIG BANG THEORY (8:30pm on CBS).

My pick for tonight is going to have to be JOURNEYMAN. Tonight is the last episode before next week’s untimely finale. How I wish NBC would change their minds on this one…I’ve grown attached.

Clash of the Choirs | 8pm on NBC | New
Debut: Musicians assemble hometown choirs to compete in a series of performances over four nights. Viewer votes determine the winning group. In the opener, the choirs perform for the first time.

Duel | 8pm on ABC | New
Debut: Contestants of varying backgrounds answer trivia and strategize to outsmart their opponents in head-to-head matchups. Players begin with 10 chips valued at $5000 each.

K-Ville | 9pm on Fox | New
“Ride Along”
Boulet and Cobb investigate a murderous drug dealer while being accompanied by a reporter from a New York City newspaper. Jodi Mazetta: Mozhan Marno.

Notes from the Underbelly | 9:30pm on ABC | New
“Not Without My Noodles”
Cooper looks for a new friend after becoming annoyed with Lauren’s constant baby concerns. Meanwhile, Julie and Eric prepare for baby Perry’s coming-out party, but getting Danny and Andrew involved causes tension.

Journeyman | 10pm on NBC | New
“The Hanged Man”
Dan saves a mother and child from an RV on a cliff and learns the danger of leaving things undone in the past upon his return. Meanwhile, Katie’s sister visits and suspects Dan needs help.

October Road | 10pm on ABC | New
“Once Around the Block”
Hannah clashes with Ray’s ex-wife over the care of her sons. Meanwhile, Nick sets Ronnie up with Aubrey’s friend for a double date, and Pizza Girl pressures Phil to take his classic car out of the garage.

CSI: Miami | 10pm on CBS | New
“Miami Confidential”
A meth lab is discovered in the apartment of a murder victim, and the investigation leads to an unscrupulous FBI agent with a secret life.

With most of my shows on hold until God knows when, I’ve decided to take this rare (although unfortunate) time to catch on shows past. So I’m here to announce that finally, FINALLY, I’ve started watching BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. Yes, I know, it’s a long time coming and long overdue, but hey, at least I’m getting around to it. I’ve watched the first four episodes so far, and so far I’m liking it. I find myself looking for a break to watch them, so that’s a good sign, right?

What are you watching tonight?

GMMR’s daily “What to Watch” is powered by MeeVee’s interactive TV listings. If you have TiVo you can record your shows directly from the MeeVee interactive guide. Just click on the show name and hit “Record to TiVo” to get started. Never miss your favorite show again.

12 Days of Something…

Big props to Seriously?OMG!WTF?! for bringing to my attention this video of Indiana University’s male a capella group, Straight No Chaser. Now I know this really doesn’t have to do much with TV, but it falls into that category that I call ‘too kick ass not to share’. Just something to lift our spirits while we wait out this writers strike. I wonder if ‘Here Comes Treble’ can pull this off?!

As my long time friends could tell you, this is SO my cup of team.

“Pushing Daisies” & “Friday Night Lights” Among AFI’s Faves

Two of GMMR’s favorites, PUSHING DAISIES and FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS have received the honor of being named to the American Film Institutes list of Top Ten programs of 2007. Awarded to the creative ensembles behind some of the best shows on TV, the AFI’s honor excellence in American film and TV.
Joining Pushing Daisies and Friday Night Lights in the top ten are “Dexter,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” “Longford,” “Mad Men,” “The Sopranos,” “Tell Me You Love Me,” “30 Rock” and “Ugly Betty.”

The AFI honors, which recognizes the entire creative ensemble behind the show, will be presented on January 11th in Los Angeles.

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