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.
And the 15th SAG Awards Comedy TV Winners Are…
January 26, 2009 by Chandra
30 Rock! 30 Rock! 30 Rock!
Honestly — if you haven’t yet heard, Tina Fey’s masterful NBC sitcom 30 Rock is on an awards-show roll, and January 25th’s 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards was no different than all of the other ceremonies in recent memory.
The NBC sitcom positively swept the comedy television awards in all three categories: Best Actress, Best Actor, and Best Series. I don’t even have to specify the names of the first two winners because savvy viewers already know.
The biggest loser among the nominees? Ugly Betty, which dropped out of two categories all together. Last year, Vanessa Williams was up for Best Comedy Actress, alongside her co-star America Ferrera, and the series was also nominated for Best Comedy Series then.
‘Burn Notice’ Returns to ‘Do No Harm’ Tonight
January 22, 2009 by Chandra
Burn 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.
Three NBC Sitcoms Return Tonight
January 8, 2009 by Chandra
NBC’s Thursday-night Comedy Done Right lineup returns almost intact tonight, save for The Office, which is a repeat of the current season’s “The Surplus.”
Add a new episode of Ugly Betty for America Ferrera et al fans, and that means there’s a pretty good night of primetime comedy on the way today, January 8.
My Name Is Earl
Got the Babysitter Pregnant
Now there’s a suggestive title, although it’s not what fans might think. Earl didn’t get the babysitter pregnant himself, but he sure plotted to mess her life up when she broke his heart. Older and wiser and with a Karma List on hand, he then decides it’s time to put things right by turning the woman’s immature grown son into a self-supporting man. In the process, Earl realizes his target and his brother Randy have a few things in common. Elsewhere, Joy loses Darnell’s pet turtle (Uh-oh). [8pm, NBC]
Comedy TV Guide: Thu, Oct 30
October 30, 2008 by Chandra
Tina Fey & Company Are Back!
Notable Comedy TV scheduled for Thursday, October 30 follows.
All times are Eastern Standard.
My Name Is Earl — Little Bad Voodoo Brother
Earl plans a Halloween party for Joy’s two sons, and Randy gets the idea that Catalina’s young cousin is capable of dark magic.
[8pm-8:30pm | NBC]
Ugly Betty — Ugly Berry
Kimmie (Lindsay Lohan) is still on hand and at odds with Betty, Hilda spreads the word about her shop, Ignacio prepares to vote for the first time as an American citizen, and Wilhelmina and Daniel disagree about a potential new hire. Model Adriana Lima has a cameo, and Ralph Macchio (My Cousin Vinny, The Karate Kid) guest stars as Archie Rodriguez.
[8pm-9pm | ABC | Trailer]
Comedy TV Guide: Thu, Oct 23
October 23, 2008 by Chandra
Lindsay Lohan Returns on Ugly Betty
Notable Comedy TV scheduled for Thursday, October 23 follows.
All times are Eastern Standard.
My Name Is Earl — Quit Your Snitchin’
Earl must decide whether reporting the theft of Randy’s birthday present to the police is worth listening to Joy go on and on about him being a snitch.
[8pm-8:30pm | NBC]
Ugly Betty — Granny Pants
Kimmie (Lindsay Lohan) asks Betty to help her find a job, Justin auditions for a Broadway musical, and Daniel tries a dating service.
[8pm-9pm | ABC | Sneak Peek]
Comedy TV Guide: Thu, Oct 16
October 16, 2008 by Chandra
Jenna Elfman Guest Stars on My Name Is Earl
Plus, Gio returns to Ugly Betty.
Notable Comedy TV scheduled for Thursday, October 16 follows.
All times are Eastern Standard.
My Name Is Earl — We’ve Got Spirit
Jenna Elfman guest stars as Kimmi Himmler, the owner of a cheerleading camp that Earl attends with Randy to cross his brother off his Karma list. Earl has to work double time to succeed when Kimmi decides to banish the brothers from her camp.
[8pm-8:30pm | NBC | Sneak Peek]
Ugly Betty — Betty Suarez Land
Freddy Rodriguez returns as Gio, and Betty tries to save their relationship, while Daniel deals with the latest shocker involving his family.
[8pm-9pm | ABC | Sneak Peek]
Comedy TV Guide: Thu, Oct 9
October 9, 2008 by Chandra
Kath & Kim, SNL Weekend Update Thursdays, and Testees Premiere!
Plus, The Office returns.
Notable Comedy TV scheduled for Thursday, October 9 follows.
All times are Eastern Standard.
My Name Is Earl — Sweet Johnny
David Arquette guest stars as the title character Sweet Johnny, a well-known local stuntman Earl wronged when he slept with his girlfriend. Now Earl is determined to cross Johnny off his list, despite the daredevil’s amnesia. Also, Joy buys a gun after a carjacking, but Darnell disapproves.
[8pm-8:30pm | NBC]
Ugly Betty — Crimes of Fashion
An accident at Mode brings NYPD Detective Averaimo (Mark Consuelos) to investigate as Betty tries to get to the bottom of the situation herself, and Ignacio discovers surprising information about Hilda and Coach Diaz (Eddie Cibrian).
[8pm-9pm | ABC | Sneak Peek 1 | Sneak Peek 2]
Comedy TV Guide: Thu, Oct 2
October 2, 2008 by Chandra
Another Hourlong My Name Is Earl and Sunny Philly Coming Up!
Plus, new Ugly Betty.
Notable Comedy TV scheduled for Thursday, October 2 follows.
All times are Eastern Standard.
My Name Is Earl — Joy in a Bubble
Joy gets a gross toe infection from a hot tub Earl gives her, forcing our favorite do-gooder to take over Joy’s responsibilities until she heals.
[8pm-8:30pm | NBC | Sneak Peek]
My Name Is Earl — Stole an RV
While Joy and Darnell focus on milking a local legend involving a pig for money, Earl and Randy mistakenly turn the 75-year-old war hero whose RV they stole and subsequently blew up into a killing machine. Jerry Van Dyke guest stars as the RV owner done wrong.
[8:30pm-9pm | NBC]