‘The Office’ Countdown to Super Bowl XLIII

January 30, 2009 by Chandra  

Steve Carell/The Office 5.13

As we sitcom fans already know, the NBC comedy The Office has scored the post-Super Bowl XLIII time slot, which happens to be this very coming Sunday, February 1st.

Follow the jump for a slew of videos featuring various Office people involved with the special two-part, hourlong-episode “Stress Relief,” including guest stars Jack Black and Cloris Leachman in the fourth clip. Actress Jessica Alba is also slated for an appearance and is shown briefly in the fifth video.

Although I reiterate how refreshing it would have been if NBC had given the coveted spot to a struggling yet worthy show like Chuck (which has its own very special 3D episode coming up on Monday, February 2nd) or Life instead, there’s little doubt The Office will do a mighty fine job entertaining viewers come Sunday around 10:30pm EST.

The official network description for the episode teases: “After Dwight’s fire safety seminar goes awry, he must make amends to the stressed-out office. Michael tries a number of ways to get his employees to relax before discovering that he is the number one stressor at work. So that people won’t feel afraid of him, he insists on a no-holds-barred roast of himself. Also, while watching a pirated movie, Andy is convinced that Jim and Pam are film gurus.”

Sneak a few peeks at what’s in store after the cut. NBC has released six videos that I’ve been able to find.

Read more

Next on ‘Burn Notice’: Hot Spot

January 29, 2009 by Chandra  

Jeffrey Donovan, Michael Irving, Bruce Campbell/Burn Notice 2.11

On the next episode of Burn Notice, tonight’s “Hot Spot,” Michael, Fiona, and Sam pretend to be a gang of ruthless car thieves.

The undercover work is for their latest case targeting a thug who has been threatening a local high school football star. When they’re not busy with that, Michael and Fiona also manage to locate the person responsible for trying to murder Michael by setting up the bomb that torched his loft.

Michael Irving guest stars as Coach Sean Martin on this one. And, unless my eyes are deceiving me, that’s former Blade: The Series star Kirk Jones, also known as Onyx hip-hopper Sticky Fingaz, playing the lead bad guy in the promo video after the jump. Very nice.

Follow the cut for a few “Hot Spot” photos and the promo clip just mentioned.

Read more

‘Chuck Versus the Third Dimension’ Preview

January 28, 2009 by Chandra  

Zachary Levi/Chuck 2.12

NBC is rolling out the sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes clips for next Monday’s Chuck, “Chuck Versus the Third Dimension,” the first fresh episode of the sophomore series in 2009.

This is the one in 3D where Lost alum Dominic Monaghan drops by to reprise his role as Charlie Pace play a rock star who causes Chuck Bartowski some serious headaches after the team rescues him from certain death.

Take a look at the earlier post “Preview: Dominic Monaghan in ‘Chuck Versus the Third Dimension’” to see the guest star in action, and follow the jump for a couple of video clips that provide an in-depth look at the episode.

I can’t wait for Chuck to get started again, especially since the show has so many great guest stars and plotlines coming up. If you’re a fan, make sure to begin tuning in on February 2 to help raise the ratings as high as possible and encourage NBC to reward the series with a third season.

Now on to the videos after the jump, the first of which features guest Monaghan among the cast members interviewed.

Read more

‘Meet the Browns’ Gets Enormous Episode Order

January 28, 2009 by Chandra  

David Mann and Tamela J. Mann/Tyler Perry's Meet the BrownsWell, there’s no doubt how much TBS loves Tyler Perry, the man responsible for one, going on two now, of the network’s most popular original series.

Yesterday, the basic-cable network announced that it has ordered an additional 80 — yes, eighty — episodes of Perry’s second sitcom, Meet the Browns, based on premiere ratings that are only surpassed by those that Perry’s first sitcom, House of Payne, earned when it debuted in June 2007. I must say I’m happy about this news because Meet the Browns has proven to be a funny and engaging comedy so far.

Variety reports that Meet the Browns, now nearing the end of a ten-episode trial run, will return in the summer to team up with House of Payne. Obviously, this is a match made in heaven, so Perry fans have a whole lot to look forward to on TBS in a few months.

Photo: David Mann and Tamela J. Mann (Newscom)

‘Zack and Miri Make a Porno’ on DVD February 3

January 25, 2009 by Chandra  

Zack and Miri Make a Porno DVDDirector and writer Kevin Smith has done it again. Combining the talents of Seth Rogen (Pineapple Express, Superbad, Knocked Up) and Elizabeth Banks (Scrubs, The 40 Year Old Virgin, the Spider-Man trilogy) with a hilarious script helped him create his latest hit flick, last year’s distinctively titled sex comedy Zack and Miri Make a Porno.

The movie follows the adventures of Zack Brown (Rogen) and Miriam Linky (Banks) as they attempt to do exactly what the title says. Nobody can claim they don’t know what they’re getting themselves into when they sit down to watch this one.

But, Zack and Miri have a method to their madness besides playing nasty — they need the money to pay their bills. In the process of getting down to business, however, the two oddballs discover their mutual feelings for each other, giving viewers a romance and a porno all rolled up in one!

Read more

‘Soul Men’ on DVD Next Month

January 24, 2009 by Chandra  

Soul Men DVDThe comedy drama Soul Men was a bittersweet film release for two major reasons: the cast includes comedian Bernie Mac and musician Isaac Hayes, both of whom passed away unexpectedly within a day of each other, on August 9th and August 10th of last year, respectively. Fans of the entertainers will have the chance to own a memento next month when the music-themed movie is released on DVD on Tuesday, February 10.

Soul Men is about two estranged soul music legends (Mac and Samuel L. Jackson) who discover their friend and former bandleader has died. Afterwards, they decide to reunite to honor his memory by delivering a final memorial performance together at the historic Apollo Theatre in New York. The only problem is they must first work through their twenty-year grudge during a five-day cross-country car trip to the venue.

Additional co-stars include Sharon Leal (Boston Public), Sean Hayes (Will & Grace), Jennifer Coolidge (American Pie), and music artist John Legend. Better still, the DVD release features a tribute to both Mac and Hayes among the special features.

Follow the jump for more details about the DVD versions of Soul Men, as well as stills from the film.

Read more

‘Burn Notice’ Returns to ‘Do No Harm’ Tonight

January 22, 2009 by Chandra  

Jeffrey Donovan/Burn NoticeBurn Notice fans are in for a huge delight tonight when the USA Network crime dramedy returns to resume its second season at 10pm EST with the premiere “Do No Harm.”

Longtime viewers will remember that the midseason hiatus began with a bomb waiting for Michael in his apartment. Well, I’m happy to say the former spy survives the disastrous explosion, but it does leave a noticeable mark on his attitude.

As a result, when he decides to help a father with a dying son who has been scammed by a shady drug company, Michael’s approach gives the series a fresh new feel. Yes, it’s darker and moodier, but at the same time, it also has the welcome potential to create more explosions as the season progresses.

I’ve seen the episode, so trust me: If you’re a Burn Notice fan, you won’t want to miss this one. It’s what some folks who like fancy words tend to call “seminal.”

Also coming up tonight on comedy television are new episodes of all four Thursday-night NBC sitcoms and ABC’s Ugly Betty. Synopses follow the jump.

Read more

Preview: Dominic Monaghan in ‘Chuck Versus the Third Dimension’

January 20, 2009 by Chandra  

Yvonne Strahovski, Zachary Levi, Adam Baldwin/ChuckIf you haven’t heard yet, Lost alum Dominic Monaghan has an upcoming guest-star gig on the very special February 2 episode of Chuck called “Chuck Versus the Third Dimension.”

The episode’s not just a big deal because of Monaghan, of course, but also because (1) it’s the first new Chuck of 2009 and (2) it will supposedly be broadcast in exciting 3-D. I say supposedly because I’ve tried watching 3-D TV and movies before, and neither ever did a thing for me. Maybe this time will be the charm.

Monaghan plays — surprise … not! — a rock star, this one named Tyler Martin. When the international sensation becomes the target of deadly crooks, Team Chuck steps in and saves his butt. Dear old Chuck then has second thoughts about that turn of events when he and Tyler have all kinds of problems during a night hanging out.

Read more

‘Kath & Kim’ Rookie Season Cut Short

January 20, 2009 by Chandra  

Kath & KimI’ve got bad news here, Kath & Kim fans. Just like the equally awful — no offense intended — NBC drama Knight Rider before it, the NBC sitcom Kath & Kim has suffered a sheering of sorts at the hands of network programming executives.

In the midst of all the Television Critics Association press tour madness last week, the Futon Critic learned that instead of making good on its 22-episode, full-season order for the Australian import back in November, NBC intends to decrease the comedy’s freshman season to just 17 episodes instead.

The reason is presumably the usual suspect, of course: unimpressive ratings, especially among those highly coveted adults aged 18 to 49. Consequently, as already posted, when the comedy ends its run, Amy Poehler’s new series will take over Kath & Kim’s post-My Name Is Earl time slot.

Read more

‘30 Rock’ and ‘The Office’ Get Another Season

January 18, 2009 by Chandra  

Tracy Morgan, Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin/30 RockIn what qualifies as complete no-brainer news, NBC has given sitcoms 30 Rock and The Office early pickups for a fourth and sixth season, respectively.

The network announced the decision on January 15 during its presentation at the Televsion Critics Association press tour. Also the recipient of another season is weight-loss reality hit The Biggest Loser.

In addition, while no decision has been made about new comedy Kath & Kim, it was announced that Amy Poehler’s still untitled sitcom will take over the Australian import’s time slot, beginning on Thursday, April 9, at 8:30pm EST.

I’m really looking forward to that one, which stars Office alumna Rashida Jones and current Scrubs intern Aziz Ansari, as well. Hopefully, someone will finally come up with a title by the time it premieres.

Photos: Nicole Rivelli/NBC

Next Page »


About Us | Advertise with us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
Get This Theme


All content is Copyright © 2005-2009 b5media. All rights reserved.