Adam Lambert discusses his AMA controversy (and dresses like a vampire)
We all know that Adam Lambert's Good Morning America performance was canceled because of his controversial appearance at The American Music Awards. But The Early Show snatched him up for a performance this morning and he also talked about the AMAs and why he thinks there was nothing wrong with it.
No Oprah's Favorite Things in 2009
If you need more proof that the economic collapse is the real thing -- you know, other than your shrinking salary, skyrocketing medical insurance premiums, inability to pay off your credit cards -- here's a major sign. Oprah Winfrey's decided not to do her annual Favorite Things show for the holiday season. That's right, after seven years of largesse, The Oprah Winfrey Show has canceled the funfest of goodies.Huffington Post has learned exclusively that Favorite Things was scrapped. It used to be a Thanksgiving week staple. The reasons are unclear, but it would seem incongruous to celebrate expensive robes, top of the line chocolates, camcorders and the like when so many people are out of work and in financial straits.
Continue reading No Oprah's Favorite Things in 2009
Good Morning America cancels Adam Lambert concert
Adam Lambert has been on a lot of shows with "America" in the title, including American Idol and The American Music Awards. He won't be appearing on another show with that word in it though.ABC has confirmed that Lambert's appearance on Good Morning America on Wednesday has been canceled. And yes, we can all assume that it's because of Lambert's ridiculous performance on the AMAs over the weekend, where he made out with a guy, dragged another guy along on a leash, and also simulated oral sex with a dancer who was down on this knees. You know, because Lambert wanted to be so EDGY. (Update: Lambert will appear on CBS' The Early Show instead, and Dick Clark Productions has released a statement about the performance.)
ABC fires All My Children head writer Chuck Pratt
Within a few weeks, All My Children will be turning over a new leaf, officially making the move west to new studios in Los Angeles. Most actors are making the move. Some are not. And today ABC informed the head writer, Charles Pratt Jr., that he's been let go. If he had his suitcases packed, well, sorry about that.Chuck Pratt was hired with some fanfare in June 2008. He was a big hire because his resume is filled with flashy successes, including Desperate Housewives, Melrose Place, Beverly Hills 90210, Ugly Betty, Santa Barbara and General Hospital, among others. Pratt was supposed to revive All My Children to its former luster, but -- alas -- it hasn't happened.
Continue reading ABC fires All My Children head writer Chuck Pratt
Oprah breaks the news to her fans
So Oprah is ending her talk show in September 2011. The news first came out yesterday, but when she announced it on today's live show, there were still a few surprised moans in the audience. What, they didn't know about it already? Weird. Anyway, here's the clip with her announcement.
I hope she can still collect unemployment when the show ends, but I don't think you can if you quit your job.
I hope she can still collect unemployment when the show ends, but I don't think you can if you quit your job.
Family Matters meets The Young and the Restless ... casting wise
It's taken a while, but The Young and the Restless has finally filled a role that's been vacant for too long. No, David Hasselhoff is not coming back as Snapper Foster. The role of Malcolm Winters is returning and Darius McCrary's got the Y&R role. Malcolm, the dynamic younger brother of Neil Winters, has been missing in action for a while because the previous actor in the part, Shemar Moore, has become a star in primetime.The Winters family is an important element in the Y&R canvas and they've missed Malcolm. Shemar was asked to come back, but with his success on Criminal Minds, there simply wasn't time in his schedule for both shows. Truth be told, there probably wasn't enough money to compel him to work that hard. So,while the fans might have liked Shemar back, they'll have to get used to a new face instead.
Continue reading Family Matters meets The Young and the Restless ... casting wise
Oprah to end syndicated show in September 2011
There had been lots of speculation that Oprah Winfrey was going to be giving up on her juggernaut of a syndicated talk show soon, but many of those rumors had been dismissed as negotiating ploys or some other silly rumor. Now, however, it seems like Oprah's departure from daytime is official: Tim Bennett, president of Harpo, confirmed that Oprah will announce on her show tomorrow that she will be ending the program on September 9, 2011.Not coincidentally, that date is the day after the 25th anniversary of her first nationally-syndicated episode, and she'll mark the anniversary on her last show. Bennett told WCCO that this decision was under discussion for months, but the decision ultimately came down to the big O herself.
Continue reading Oprah to end syndicated show in September 2011
Sarah Palin on Oprah and the blinking of her eyes
I watched The Oprah Winfrey Show yesterday to see the one on one between two of the most powerful and influential women in America. Whether you're a fan of Oprah Winfrey or Sarah Palin, there was no doubt that they command a large chunk of public opinion. How could I not see what they would be like in an interview setting? My impression was that they both were completely civil and reserved. I didn't pick up the makings of a great friendship, not that that was likely considering Oprah's support for President Obama.
Still, what I found interesting was that if you read the body language experts, they're reporting that Sarah was not nervous. They're coming to that conclusion based on her ability to control her blinking. Over-blinking mean you're agitated and a normal blink per minute rate -- 30-40 blinks -- is normal. Sarah was blinking normally.
Continue reading Sarah Palin on Oprah and the blinking of her eyes
Barbra Streisand talks to The Doctors
There will be an interesting guest checking in with The Doctors today -- Barbra Streisand. No, the singer/actress/director won't be talking about dry throat or stage fright or even tinnitus, an ailment she suffers from that causes an unending high-pitched ringing in the ears. Barbra Streisand is calling in to The Doctors to discuss heart health awareness for women... and even though I've never watched The Doctors, I will today. I guess that's why and how celebrity helps causes like this. It draws attention and, presumably, I'm going to get something of value out of tuning in. I've already had my eyes opened.
Continue reading Barbra Streisand talks to The Doctors
What would you do if you were Oprah?
There's a lot of speculation in the biz about what will Oprah do next. The daytime talk show giant supposedly made up her mind recently and decided that her syndicated show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, would end its run in syndication and move to OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network (formerly Discovery Health). An official announcement is anticipated before the end of the year, but is that really was Oprah has decided? Nobody knows for certain.There are pros and cons on either side. The companies that syndicated her talk show stand to lose a significant asset if she wraps up the current incarnation and abandons the market. Think of all those afternoon hours around that country that count on Oprah at three or four o'clock, or the morning slots where Oprah leads in to noon newscasts. Companies like CBS Distribution and the Tribune Company have feasted on the robust ratings Oprah has consistently delivered.
Continue reading What would you do if you were Oprah?
Sneak Peek: Oprah's interview with Sarah Palin
Well, the big interview happens this Monday: Oprah interviews former Alaska Governor and VP candidate Sarah Palin. The interview actually took place several days ago so some clips are starting to be released. Here's a first look, where Oprah asks Palin about Levi Johnston.
Update: we love to see comments on our site, but if they go off topic or get into political arguments, they will be deleted. If you want to comment specifically about Palin's appearance on Oprah, that's fine. Other comments will be deleted. Thanks.
Update: we love to see comments on our site, but if they go off topic or get into political arguments, they will be deleted. If you want to comment specifically about Palin's appearance on Oprah, that's fine. Other comments will be deleted. Thanks.
For All My Children's 40th anniversary, Julia Barr and more will be back
There's reason to be hopeful about All My Children's move to Hollywood. Oh, yes, Thorsten Kaye has decided not to go -- bye, bye Zach -- but there's a list of stars lining up for the anniversary that's pretty spectacular. In honor of All My Children's 40th Anniversary, Julia Barr is coming back as Brooke English. Also slated to appear are a bunch of other former AMC stars, including Eva LaRue, Taylor Miller, Laurence Lau, Eden Riegel, Leven Rambin and the previously announced Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos.
Julia's return is a big get because she was such big part of the soap for so long. The two-time Emmy winner was on AMC from 1976 to her exit in 2006. This anniversary show will be a chance for fans to hear what Brooke -- Erica's rival for all those years -- has been up to.
Next in line is Eva LaRue. She's become a prime time star with CSI: Miami. She did two stints with AMC as Dr. Maria Santos Grey.
Continue reading For All My Children's 40th anniversary, Julia Barr and more will be back
Brooke Hundley said a Leno joke was her "breaking point"
Brooke Hundley -- the "tubby temptress" that had an affair with ESPN's Steve Phillips -- spoke to the media for the first time this morning, talking to Kate Snow on Good Morning America. It wasn't an extraordinary interview by any means; Hundley claims that actions the media has described as "stalking" were more like desperate attempts to alert people to what was going on between her and Phillips. You can believe what you want about that.
The most interesting part of the interview, shown below, is that after all the verbal abuse she took -- including being called the C-word and "whore" -- an innocuous Jay Leno joke about her looks was her "breaking point." The joke can be seen in the story: Jay compares Hundley to Phillips' wife and says "What was he thinking?" He then says, "I realize you can't have steak every day, but please..."
So, there you have it. Jay Leno broke the spirit of someone with his "biting" humor. Heck, I figured his lame jokes would have broken everyone's spirit years ago, but I guess some people can still get hurt by his butter knife jabs.
The most interesting part of the interview, shown below, is that after all the verbal abuse she took -- including being called the C-word and "whore" -- an innocuous Jay Leno joke about her looks was her "breaking point." The joke can be seen in the story: Jay compares Hundley to Phillips' wife and says "What was he thinking?" He then says, "I realize you can't have steak every day, but please..."
So, there you have it. Jay Leno broke the spirit of someone with his "biting" humor. Heck, I figured his lame jokes would have broken everyone's spirit years ago, but I guess some people can still get hurt by his butter knife jabs.
Laura Wright is staying with General Hospital
There's a lot to be happy about if you're a fan of General Hospital. There's been some very good news from the soap. Things like James Franco's guest role and the return of the original Lucky, Jonathan Jackson. And Steve Burton has committed to playing Jason for a while longer. And now comes some news that's downright reassuring. Laura Wright has re-signed a four year deal with GH. She Twittered the news to her fans. Four years!
To me, this means that not only can we count on the character of Carly being around for a long time to come -- and played by the same actress who has the most tenure in the part -- but also that GH will likely be around for four more years. Oh, sure, there's nothing guaranteed, but I'm an optimist and I choose to see this as a positive sign.
Continue reading Laura Wright is staying with General Hospital
Right now on Cinematical
The folks at our sister site Cinematical are working hard to give you news and reviews of the best -- and worst -- the silver screen has to offer. Here are some of their musings on the latest blockbusters, indies, and everything in between:- Con: Another vampire movie. Pro: It involves Clueless director Amy Heckerling and Krysten Ritter from Veronica Mars and Breaking Bad. I'm so conflicted!
- Good thing Ian McKellen is so graceful, otherwise, he probably would have drop-kicked Elisabeth Hasselbeck during his recent appearance on The View.
- Is it just me, or does The Men Who Stare at Goats look amazing? See if it lives up to the hype by reading Cinematical's review.
- Cinematical takes a look at some of the best and worst biopics, and I really enjoy the ones on the "best" list. Of course, I also love a few on the worst list, like Evita.
- I really want to see Precious, but I'm also terrified of it. Oprah told me I need to go see it though, and I don't like to defy Oprah. You can read Cinematical's review of Precious here.
The TV Squad Podcast: Vik Sahay of Chuck, Oprah talk, brutal timeslots, and more!
TV Squad Ten: Top Ten ESPN shows from worst to first
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
