Dr. Horrible Comic Live & Soundtrack Coming Soon

Fans of Dr. Horrible (which you should all be) can now check out the first installment of the Dr. Horrible Webcomics now online here. This issue, “Captain Hammer: Be Like Me! Nemesis of Dr. Horrible” was written by Dr. Horrible co-writer Zack Whedon.

Whedon’s next webcomic will focus on Moist. “I’m interested in exploring how Moist became Moist,” Whedon said. “It’ll be ‘Moist: Humidity Rising.’ He is so far from making it into the Evil League of Evil, because he really isn’t that bad at all.” (Instead, Moist is in the Henchman’s Union, because he accumulated enough hours “assisting evil people, and inconveniencing people. It doesn’t take much,” Whedon said.)

Seems that the Dr. Horrible team created back stories for all the characters including all the members of the Evil League of Evil.  We might expect webcomics focused on Bad Horse and Fake Thomas Jefferson in the future.  Fingers crossed.

And in other fantastic news, the Dr. Horrible soundtrack will be available for download on iTunes beginning September 2.  “The soundtrack is rapidly approaching,” Whedon said. “And all those cut-offs, where the songs would just end,” such as on “Freeze Ray,” when Neil Patrick Harris sings, “I will stop…” just as he’s interrupted and forced to stop singing, “they will be on there as they are on the show. They’re just in a much higher quality, and no sound effects. I sing along to everything and it’ll be weeks before I can stop. It’s driven me mad. Luckily, I can still hold down a job.”

As someone who listens on a daily basis (no joke) to a homemade Dr. Horrible soundtrack, I must say I’m quite excited to download the real track starting Tuesday.

PUSHING DAISIES, THE OFFICE, ELI STONE and More Honored at Paley

The Paley Center just announced the FAll 2008 lineup for”The Public Programs at the Paley Center” and there are quite a few of our favorites being celebrated.  How I wish I lived in Los Angeles.  If you’re in the L.A. area and plan on attending, drop me a line and let me know.Here are some of the shows that will be examined during the Fall Paley season.

• The Office
  October 14 : With Greg Daniels and members of the writing staff

• Family Guy
  October 16 : With Seth MacFarlane and additional members of the creative team

• The Dream World of Eli Stone
  October 20 : With Greg Berlanti, Jonny Lee Miller, Natasha Henstridge, and additional members of the cast and creative team

• Prison Break
  October 27 : With Wentworth Miller, Amaury Nolasco, Robert Knepper, Matt Olmstead, and additional panelists

• Pushing Daisies
  November 11 : With Bryan Fuller and additional members of the creative team

• Inside Criminal Minds
  November 17 : With Joe Mantegna, Thomas Gibson, Paget Brewster, Shemar Moore, and additional members of the cast and creative team

• Monk: 100 Episodes and Counting
  December 2 : With Tony Shaloub, Traylor Howard, Ted Levine, Jason Gray-Stanford, and additional members of the cast and creative team

• True Blood
  December 4 : With Alan Ball and members of the cast and creative team

Michael Phelps to Host SNL’s Season Premiere

You knew this was coming…

Michael Phelps will be hosting SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE when the show kicks off its 34th season on September 13th.  Phelps joins a long list of distinguished athletes who have been asked to host.  Some like fellow Olympian Nancy Kerrigan and Yankees star Derek Jeter* have been quite horrendous.  Just horrible.  But others like QB rivals Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have actually been fantastic.  It’s not about being a good actor, it’s really about being prepared and fully committed to making yourself look like an ass on LIVE national TV.

Who knows how Phelps will do, but after the global exposure he’s had as of late, I’m sure that being on TV doesn’t phase Michael that much.

Lil Wayne will be the musical guest on the 13th.

*I guess some of you found him humorous.  Maybe it was the Red Sox fan in me that was hating on him.

Solange Knowles is a Fool

I have to take a break from TV talk for a just a second to let you all know that Solange Knowles – Beyonce’s little sis – is an asshat.  I just saw this video clip over at JustJared.com and I had to share it with you all.

Out promoting her new album, Solange was asked in a pre-interview about whether or not she wanted to comment on the closing of Jay-Z’s Vegas nightclub.  She declined. And so after an enthusiastic intro by the news anchor, Solange gets all huffy saying, “I have to say, that was not a very professional introduction before. Please don’t tie me into family and my brother-in-law’s establishment.” It seems Miss Solange thought the talk of Jay-Z happened on air. It didn’t. She looked stupid.

And so what if she was asked the question. There are polite and more professional ways to respond. Need a hint Solange? Try “no comment”.

How rich is that Solange doesn’t want to be tied into “family”. Like this chick would even have a career if she wasn’t Beyonce’s sister.

Sorry, that was just a little late night venting on my part. Some people!!

CHUCK Gets Some Casting News & Some Great News

Do you miss Chuck Bartowski?  Yeah, me too, but we’re going to have to wait until September 29th to have Chuck and his cohorts back.  I know it seems like a long ways away but I promise it will be here before you know it.  But to help pass the time how about I pass a long a little CHUCK scoop…will that help?

As was first reported by Michael Ausiello, CHUCK is adding a few more names to its already kick ass line up of guest stars this season.  Morgan Fairchild and Bruce”The Scarecrow” Boxleitner will be guesting as Mr. & Mrs. Awesome  – the parents of Ryan McPartlin’s Captain Awesome. How awesome?  (Sorry I have no will power, I just had to)

And file this under news that just make me giddy –  Ausiello reports that Carl Lumbly will be coming on board as a”sensei” to NSA agent Casey, played by Adam Baldwin. Dixon!! You know I love me my ALIAS peeps.  I’m pushing for Michael Vartan to guest next.  Zachary Levi & Michael Vartan sharing screen time.  Yeah…it’s too sweet to even imagine.

And now for some really fantastic news for all of us CHUCK fans – a little birdie just dropped me a line to share the news that CHUCK has already received the order for the back 9 episodes of the season.  That means that NBC has officially picked up CHUCK for a full 22 episode season!  Can I get ‘holla’!  Picking up the back 9 before the second season even premieres is a huge vote of confidence from NBC.  Kudos to  Chuck and friends!

If you missed the CHUCK season 2 sneak peek that they showed at Comic Con, check it out here: Chuck vs. Season 2 (Comic Con Trailer)

Kristin Chenoweth in “Intervention”

Ms. Chenoweth, how I love thee. In the latest installment from FunnyorDie.com, PUSHING DAISIES star Kristin Chenoweth take on the serious issue of drug abusive in a way that only she can. She may look and sound sweet & innocent, but…

You’re quite close to death, because you’re addicted to meth

WARNING! The content is NSFW and not for younger or sensitive sensibilities.

See more Kristin Chenoweth videos at Funny or Die

I have to go watch again…too funny!!

For more on Pushing Daisies visit ThePieMaker.com.

BONES Season Premiere Just One Week Away!

Hey Bones fans!
How are things, hmmm? Just thought I’d pop in and remind you that we are only one week away from the two hour season premiere of BONES. Yay! I’ve never been to England, so I feel like I get to go via B+B, like the Gumshoes on Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. I’ll be back next Wednesday with more BONES information and Thursday with my review, but for now, enjoy what I’ve got to offer. Oh, and special thanks to Space for her wicked sweet (as Sweets would say) banner. Cool, yeah?

Spoiler information including a few promo vids after the jump.

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ABC Picks Up 5 New Series for ’08-’09

ABC officially announced today that it picked up five new shows for the 2008-09 season. “It was worth taking the time to go through the pilot process to really do it right,” said Sephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment. The series include three new dramas, “Castle,” “Cupid” and “The Unusuals,” and two new comedies, “Better Off Ted” and “Single with Parents.” Here’s a little run down on each.

For a summary of each new show, continue reading after the jump.

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The WB is Back!

The WB is without a doubt responsible for my current TV addiction.  The shows that aired during the network’s heyday still rank as some of my favorite of all time, and the first shows that I was truly invested in as a fan.  When The WB was in full swing programs like “Everwood”, “Felicty”, “Gilmore Girls” and “Dawson’s Creek” were filling up my TV schedule. And although I might not have been watching at the time, The WB was also breaking new ground (and setting the stage for syndication heaven) with “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Charmed”, “Angel”, “7th Heaven” and others. Looking back it was like my own little golden age of TV.

In what is perhaps my favorite promo of all time, check out just some of the faces that were on the network back in the day.  Try not to let the nostalgia make you weepy.

A Fond Farewell…
The WB cornered the teen market like no network ever has…at least for a while.  In the late 90’s, The WB, feeling it was losing its teen audience, made the shift to a more family friendly network.  Riding on the success of “7th Heaven”, the network moved away from the teen angst and into a new era focusing on family and diversity. The already flailing network continued to lose viewers and in 2006 it was announced that The WB was to be no more.  The WB and former rival UPN merged and became what we know today as The CW. Some of The WB’s more successful shows such as “Smallville”, “Supernatural” and “One Tree Hill” survived the merger and moved to the newly formed network, but The WB was over. The lights were out.  The iconic Michigan J. Frog was officially laid to rest.

The All New TheWB.com
But here we are, two years after the end of The WB and the network is back…well kind of.  Later today the network returns with TheWB.com – a video on-demand, interactive and personalized network.  Users will be able to relive the wonder years of The WB by watching full episodes of favorites such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Everwood,” “Friends,” “Gilmore Girls,” “The O.C.,” “One Tree Hill,” “Roswell,” “Smallville”, “Veronica Mars”,  “Angel,” “Babylon 5,” “Firefly,” “In Living Color,” “The Loop” and “MADtv” and other Warner Bros produced programming.

TheWB.com will also debut original series from such creative talent as director/producer McG and writer/producer Josh Schwartz (“Gossip Girl,” “Chuck,” “The O.C.”), among many others (more on these news shows in a bit). A selection of both fan-favorite and original series will be available at launch and others will roll out in coming weeks and months.  Um, yeah…I see no CREEK on that list.  Come on people.

For for you fans of mash-ups and fanvids, hold on to your chapeaus because TheWB.com is offering the tools you need to customize, reorder, re-edit and reinterpret shows in a very personal way.

I’ve was given beta access to TheWB.com back in April and I must say that I’ve really been digging it.  I think as more and more episodes role out it’s going to be a great place to hang out and visit the old faves which checking out some new, original series created just for TheWB.com.  Of course TheWB.com is an ad-supported network, but I hope the powers that be work hard to find the balance between programming and ads. My biggest complaint so far is that the advertising is so in your face that it’s a bit distracting.  Not distracting enough to keep me away from watching “Veronica Mars” whenever I want (which is a huge bonus now that all 3 seasons on DVD were stolen…but I won’t cry…not today!)

I know I’m dedicating a lot of space talking about the launch of the site, but I think it’s pretty exciting.  Old faves coming back are of course great, but TheWB.com is the first real online network and I’m interested to see how viewers respond to this relatively new kind of TV distribution.

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Watch the First 5 Minutes of S2 of GOSSIP GIRL

Since I have absolutely NO willpower, I’ve already watched the first 3 episodes of Season 2 of GOSSIP GIRL, and may I just say that I savored every glorious moment of it. There’s more GOSSIP GIRL gossip coming your way before next Monday’s premiere, but for now why don’t you indulge in all things GG and enjoy the first 5 minute of the new season.

…and discuss!!

You know you love me! XOXO

THE OFFICE Spoilers…Jim & Pam Scoop

SPOILER ALERT! The following post and comments contain spoilers for Season 5 of THE OFFICE. Just warning ya!

Things have been rather quiet around here lately. I’ve been busy watching some of the new Fall TV shows while trying to get work done on the new GMMR (yeah, I know, it’s take forever). But last night NO work was done as I completely buried myself in Season 4 of THE OFFICE on DVD (it’s available in stores on Sept. 2nd). We may have been cheated out of a full season of THE OFFICE, but we weren’t cheated out of bonus features. The deleted scenes for the episodes were almost as long as the episodes themselves. And the blooper reel? Sooo worth it. I was crying real tears (as was John Krasinski every time he broke). I can’t wait to go back and watch the rest of the audio commentaries tonight.

But, all of that was to tell you that I’m 100% in the Dunder Mifflin zone this week. I’m itching for my favorite show to come back and to see what my little office workers have been up to this season.

Jenna Fischer has fueled the fire by sharing quite a lot of Jim & Pam scoop with my girl Kristin Dos Santos from E! In an exclusive interview, Jenna spills all about what Pam’s been up to this summer and the status of her relationship with our boy Jim.

Here’s a sample of what she spills…

Speaking of Jim, because I take my job very seriously, while I was on set, I did check John Krasinski’s pockets for an engagement ring, and I did not find one.
Well, I think it would be a little weird if Jim were coming in to the office with a ring in his pocket if Pam is not there. And, also, you don’t know if it’s on my hand now.

When you look down at your left hand, what do you see?
Right now, I see nothing. I don’t see a ring. I see that I have a hangnail, and that’s about it—I’m hoping for a spa certificate from Rainn.

Where do Jim and Pam stand right now?
Well, Jim didn’t pop the question. And Pam has gone off to art school. So they are not together in the same place right now. But this is not Jim and Pam being separated like they were when Jim went to the Stamford branch. This is Jim and Pam living in different places but still being together and very much connected.

There’s much, much from Jenna over at E! so click here to check it out!

This Week in TV Blog Banter

It’s your weekly round-up of the best in TV blogs. What were bloggers bantering about last week? Check it out for yourselves and weigh in.

Buzz got a great interview out of the young actor Tristan Wilds on moving from The Wire‘s Baltimore to 90210‘s, well, 90210. (BuzzSugar)

This week, Sandie took at first look at NBC’s new show, My Own Worst Enemy. (Daemon’s TV)

My favorite comedy, The Office will be returning in just a few short long weeks. I’m passing the time by watching season 4 on DVD. You can too. GMMR is giving away a copy of Season 4 of The Office on DVD. (Give Me My Remote)

Usain Bolt: the next Flavor Flav and even more thoughts from the Beijing Olympics. (Scooter McGavin’s 9th Green)

Vance checks out the new contestants on The Amazing Race (Season 13) and makes gloriously uneducated preconceptions about all the teams. (Tapeworthy)

This week, Jace reviewed Season One of the adorable, charming, and wickedly funny British comedy Gavin & Stacey, which launches on Tuesday evening on BBC America. (Televisionary)

Is Dan overreacting? He was a bit put-off by the teaser for CBS’s The Mentalist which employs some gay stereotypes. (TiFaux)

Raoul gave you his honest take on America’s Greatest Dog…and so did Beth Joy. (TV Filter)

HEROES Season 2 DVD Giveaway

The season premiere of HEROES is just around the corner, so now is the time for newbies to catch up on one of the most talked about shows on TV. And if you’re already a HEROES fan then how about a little refresher to get you excited for the Season 3 premiere? Either way I’ve got you hooked up.

In celebration of tomorrow’s release of HEROES: Season 2 on DVD, GMMR is giving away a copy of the DVD set to one lucky TV lover! I got an advanced copy myself and I must say the winner is in for a bit of a treat.  The 4-disc set includes all the episodes of Season 2 (of course) but the real prize is sick amount of bonus features: commentary, deleted scenes, alternative endings. S3 sneak peek – it’s all there!

To enter: Leave a comment telling us which HEROES character you would like to “shadow” for the day. You know…hang out with as he or she did their good or bad deeds for the day. Would you be more interested in hanging with Peter and trying to save the cheerleader…save the world, or maybe your inner bad ass would want to chill with Sylar for a while. Your call. We won’t judge. ENTER NOW.

Lacey Schwimmer on DANCING WITH THE STARS

Shut the front door! Lacey Mae Schwimmer is the latest pro to be added to the DANCING WITH THE STARS lineup. When the 7th season kicks off on September 22nd, Lacey will be paired up with amateur dancer (but not really since he has worked with some of the top choreographers in the country) Lance Bass.

Say it ain’t so! Lacey what are you doing to be me, girl? You know how I love my SYTYCD alums, but I don’t think I could watch DANCING WITH THE STARS…not even for a Schwimmer. Sorry, but I have my standards.

As for the rest of the DANCING WITH THE STARS pairings, they are as follows:

• Toni Braxton, singer, 40, and season one DWTS champ Alec Mazo
• Lance Bass, singer, 29, and Lacey Schwimmer
• Ted McGinley, actor, 50, and Inna Brayer
• Cloris Leachman, actress, 82, and Corky Ballas
• Warren Sapp, former NFL star, 35, and Kym Johnson
• Rocco DiSpirito, chef, 41, and Karina Smirnoff
• Kim Kardashian, TV personality, 27, and reigning DWTS champ Mark Ballas
• Maurice Green, Olympic gold medalist track and field star, 34, and two-time DWTS champ Cheryl Burke
• Misty May-Treanor, Olympic gold medalist beach volleyball player, 31, and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
• Susan Lucci, Emmy-award winning soap opera actress, 61, and Tony Dovolani
• Jeffrey Ross, 42, comedian, and Edyta Sliwinska
• Cody Linley, 18, actor, and two-time DWTS champ Julianne Hough
• Brooke Burke, 36, TV personality, and Derek Hough

Um, does the inclusion of Ted McGinely mean that the show will be canceled soon? Will the Curse of McGinely work its magic once more? I’m assuming Susan Lucci will make it to the finals. Never underestimate the passion and loyalty of soap opera fans. Think back to Season One and Kelly Monaco’s “win”. Who is Cody Linley and why is he considered a star? Two Olympians? And one of them isn’t even Sir Phelps?

I know this is a huge show and many of you watch…I just don’t know why.

Kara DioGuardi Named New AMERICAN IDOL Judge

Move over Paula, Randy and Simon and make room for Kara DioGuardi – the newest AMERICAN IDOL judge. The Grammy-nominated songwriter will have a permanent seat at the judges table when the 8th season starts in January“We are turning the heat up on ‘Idol’ this year and are thrilled to welcome Kara to the judges’ table,” said creator and executive producer Simon Fuller. “She is a smart, sassy lady, and one of America’s most successful songwriters. We know she will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the show.”

“We had originally intended for AMERICAN IDOL to have four judges,” said executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz. “We’ve seen from our international series that having a fourth judge creates a dynamic that benefits both the contestants and the viewers.”

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