The Office: 100th Episode and Season Finale Preview
May 14, 2009 by Chandra
Sweet! The Office is doing double duty tonight, May 14, ending its fifth season at 9pm ET with the episode “Company Picnic,” which is also the mockumentary’s hallmark 100th episode. Equally nice, Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone) and Idris Elba (The Wire) return to reprise their roles as Holly Flax and Charles Miner, respectively.
The occasion is the annual Dunder Mifflin company picnic. During the outdoor festivities, Michael and Holly are reunited, and somehow that entails Michael having some big plans for her. Also, the office employees compete in the picnic’s volleyball tournament.
A sneak peek montage and an on-the-set video are after the jump to give a hint of what’s coming up on the very special season finale.
Alan Alda Guests on ‘30 Rock’
May 7, 2009 by Chandra
Tonight’s (May 7) NBC comedy lineup includes special guest star Alan Alda (The West Wing, ER, M*A*S*H) on 30 Rock.
Keep reading to learn what else is happening on all four sitcoms. And, remember, next Thursday, May 14, is season-finale time for each of the shows.
MY NAME IS EARL
Inside Probe, Part 2: The intriguing story of Crab Shack owner Ernie Belcher’s disappearance told in Part One concludes dramatically. Earl and Randy think it was an alien abduction, Darnell suspects a hundred-year-old feud, and Joy and Catalina believe it had something to do with Ernie’s freaky sex tapes. When the truth is revealed, however, everyone is shocked to realize the answer has been under their noses all along. Geraldo Rivera and NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip return as guest stars. [8pm]
NBC Thursday-Night Comedies Wind Down Season
April 30, 2009 by Chandra
There are just three more fresh episodes left in the current seasons of NBC’s four Thursday primetime sitcoms. Here’s what’s coming up tonight.
MY NAME IS EARL
Inside Probe, Part 1: When Crab Shack owner Ernie Belcher disappears, Geraldo Rivera’s TV show Inside Probe arrives in Camden to investigate. Eight years later, the story has become a murder case, with Earl and Randy the prime suspects as Rivera’s report finally airs on television. Yet, after NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip provides clues from the fateful night, other Camden residents also become suspects. The episode concludes next week. [8pm]
TV Divas Invade NBC’s Comedy Lineup
February 12, 2009 by Chandra
I guarantee that fans of old-school nighttime soaps are gonna love MY NAME IS EARL’s brand-new episode “Friends with Benefits” tonight at 8pm EST. It features Falcon Crest’s Morgan Fairchild and Knots Landing’s Joan Van Ark as guest stars. How sweet is that?
Now all we need is somebody from Dallas and the nostalgic circle of joy would be complete. Also dropping by during the episode is Less Than Perfect alumna Andrea Parker.
When Mr. Turtle finds his way home after being lost, Earl decides to return him to Darnell, who’s in Witness Protection and currently living in an upscale community with his family. Joy struggles to adjust to their new wealthy lifestyle and fit in with her trophy-wife neighbors, while back in Camden, Randy accidentally starts dating a guy named Jim (!).
Following at 8:30pm are divas Jennifer Coolidge (Legally Blonde) and Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live) on KATH & KIM’s “Celebrity“: When Kath decides to audition for a community production of Cats after watching the performance of local celebrity Lenore (Coolidge), she prepares for the trials and tribulations of fame by asking Athena (Rudolph) for spiritual guidance. Meanwhile, Phil gives Kim a job at his sandwich shop, which leads to some surprising results.
John Hamm Hams It Up on ‘30 Rock’ Tonight
February 5, 2009 by Chandra
I just know all the Mad Men fans out there can’t wait for the next fresh episode of 30 Rock called “Generalissimo.” That’s because it features the one and only John Hamm, who happens to play Don Draper on AMC’s Emmy-winning, critically acclaimed period drama.
On NBC’s own Emmy-winning sitcom, Hamm guest stars as Dr. Drew Baird, Liz Lemon’s cute single neighbor and latest love thang, as the photo above clearly shows. Somehow, I don’t think the relationship is going to work out too well because, well, these things never do for poor, lovelorn Liz. That’s one of the reasons why fans care about her travails so much.
Incidentally, Hamm’s longtime significant other Jennifer Westfeldt, former star of the ABC sitcom Notes from the Underbelly, is guesting on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy tonight at 9pm EST [view a sneak peek]. In addition, The Riches’ Noel Fisher (Cael Malloy) has a role on Fox’s Bones at 8pm EST [view a sneak peek]. Just thought I’d throw that out there for folks who care…
As for comedy shows, other notable guest stars coming up tonight include Dexter’s Lauren Vélez on Ugly Betty, country music’s Wynonna Judd on Kath & Kim, former series regular Rashida Jones on The Office, and Ugly Betty’s Salma Hayek returning on 30 Rock. Read on for plotlines — there’s got to be something for everybody.
‘The Office’ Countdown to Super Bowl XLIII
January 30, 2009 by Chandra
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.
‘30 Rock’ and ‘The Office’ Get Another Season
In 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.
Dwight and Andy Throw Down on ‘The Office’
January 15, 2009 by Chandra
Uh-oh, fight lovers!
It looks like tonight’s new episode of The Office, 2009’s first of the year called “Duel,” is going to be the one where Andy learns about the hanky panky happening between his fiancée Angela and their officemate Dwight. And, of course, the news will come not from one of the cheaters, but from Mr. Big Mouth himself, also known as bossman Michael.
When he’s not busy revealing stuff that’s none of his business, Michael deals with the stress of being told to report to the corporate offices in order to speak with Wallace. What could possibly be the reason?
I have not a clue, but take a brief look at the episode anyway in the promo clip after the jump. Then place your bets on who would win in a bona fide fight, Dwight or Andy.
‘Office’ Memo: Super Bowl, Multitasking, Wedding
There’s a whole lot going on at The Office these days. In the last week alone:
• Jack Black, Jessica Alba, and Cloris Leachman have all been cast for the show’s big hourlong post-Super Bowl episode. According to Zap2it’s Korbi, the entertainers were already filming their guest-star stints earlier this week, as well, which will reportedly have them appearing in a movie that some of the Office workers are watching.
In other words, Black et al won’t be in the office itself, but on a screen somewhere within the office. Kind of takes the fizz out of the whole idea of seeing Jack and Steve Carell cut it up together, doesn’t it?
Also, it seems the trio are the only three big names on tap for the special episode, which is a relief for those of us who believe stunt casting is almost never a good a thing.
Earl, K&K, Office, Rock Holiday Episode Sneak Peeks
December 10, 2008 by Chandra
Tomorrow, NBC is intent on getting the fans of its Thursday-night sitcom lineup in the mood for Christmas by rolling out four back-to-back holiday episodes. That’s right — My Name Is Earl, Kath & Kim, The Office, *and* 30 Rock are all taking on Xmas in a very big way.
8pm - My Name Is Earl presents “Orphan Earl”: Earl decides to cross a man off of his list whom Joy and her pals have been conning for years.
8:30pm - Kath & Kim presents “Friends”: Kath and Phil throw a Christmas party to widen their circle of “couple friends.”
9pm - The Office presents “Moroccan Christmas”: Meredith’s hair catches on fire at Phyllis’ Moroccan-inspired holiday party, and, of course, Michael just makes the whole situation even worse (I’m guessing).
9:30pm - 30 Rock presents “Christmas Special”: Awesome Emmy winner Elaine Stritch returns as Jack’s mother Colleen on an epsiode that finds Liz Lemon ditched by her parents for the holidays and Jack wishing he could do the same to his “challenging” mom.
Previews for each and every episode follow the jump.