TV | Journal Gazette

Ratings show 'Idol' decline

DAVID BAUDER — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:37:14 EST

NEW YORK (AP) For the past decade, the "American Idol" season finale has been one of television's biggest events of the year. Now it's not even TV's biggest event of the week.

Nielsen's top programs for May 13-19

Associated Press — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:41:39 EST

NEW YORK (AP) Prime-time viewership numbers compiled by Nielsen for May 13-19. Listings include the week's ranking and viewership.1. "NCIS," CBS, 18.79 million.2. "The Big Bang Theory," CBS, 15.48 million.

Fewer gay characters to be on TV next season

June Thomas — Mon, 20 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

As the broadcast TV channels unveiled their fall schedules last week, one characteristic of the 2013-14 TV season became clear: It will be a lot more heterosexual than the current season, which officially ends Wednesday.

USA plans its first sitcoms, a post-WWII drama series

David Bauder — Fri, 17 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

The USA television network is looking for laughs and announced Thursday it will premiere its first-ever situation comedies next winter.

CW schedule adds iHeartRadio events

Lynn Elber — Fri, 17 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

The CW network is bringing a popular radio music series to television and is going heavy on escapist fare in its new programming for next season. As part of a three-year deal, the iHeartRadio Music Festival will air exclusively on the network and stream on CWTV.com

Robin Williams comedy among fall fare on CBS

David Bauder — Thu, 16 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

CBS on Wednesday revealed a few nips and tucks it is planning next season for what is already network television's most successful schedule, including adding a comedy with Robin Williams playing an unorthodox advertising executive with Sarah Michelle Gellar as his daughter.

Expect cliffhanger from 'Big Bang Theory' finale

MICHAEL CIDONI LENNOX — Thu, 16 May 2013 07:34:46 EST

Listening to actor Simon Helberg talk about "The Big Bang Theory," you'd think his show was actually a nerdy nighttime soap. The actor, who plays aerospace engineer Howard Wolowitz on the CBS sitcom, dropped a few hints about what to expect from Thursday night's season finale.

'Downton’ returns in January

Associated Press — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

PBS says the fourth season of Downton Abbey will begin in January and run for eight weeks. The series is the highest-rated drama in public TV's history.

ABC calls on Marvel series

Lynn Elber — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

ABC is cutting its aging "Dancing With the Stars" back to two hours and one night next season, creating a slot for a new drama series based on the Marvel Comics world that's aimed at expanding the network's audience, its programming chief said Tuesday.

CBS adding Robin Williams comedy

David Bauder — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:42:49 EST

NEW YORK – CBS on Wednesday revealed a few nips and tucks it is planning next season for what is already network television’s most successful schedule, including adding a comedy with Robin Williams playing an unorthodox advertising executive and Sarah Michelle Gellar as his daughter.

ABC adds 14 new shows for next season

Lynn Elber — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:10:03 EST

NEW YORK – ABC is cutting its aging “Dancing With the Stars” back to two hours and one night next season, creating a slot for a new drama series based on the Marvel Comics world that’s aimed at expanding the network’s audience, its programming chief said Tuesday.

Miniseries join proven producers on Fox

Lynn Elber — Tue, 14 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Fox, facing the ebbing ratings power of "American Idol," is betting big on its first miniseries showcase, starting with a limited-edition "24" and shows from heavyweight producers Seth MacFarlane and J.J. Abrams to invigorate its schedule.

Fox schedule includes '24' return

Lynn Elber — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:34:46 EST

NEW YORK – Fox, facing the ebbing ratings power of “American Idol,” is betting big on its first miniseries showcase, starting with a limited-edition “24” and shows from heavyweight producers Seth MacFarlane and J.J. Abrams to invigorate its schedule.

NBC looks to bounce back in ratings

DAVID BAUDER — Mon, 13 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

NBC will try to awaken the ghosts of past dominance on Thursday night by making it a "family night" of television bolstered by the additions of Sean Hayes and Michael J. Fox.

NBC hopes Hayes, Fox can bolster Thursdays

DAVID BAUDER — Sun, 12 May 2013 19:41:29 EST

NEW YORK NBC will try to awaken the ghosts of past dominance on Thursday night by making it a "family night" of television bolstered by the additions of Sean Hayes and Michael J. Fox.

Celebrating moms

Journal Gazette — Sun, 12 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Mothers raise us, they dote on us and sometimes they even manage to not embarrass us in public.

On the air

Sun, 12 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Guest lineups for the Sunday TV news shows:

Kennedy retrospective, Latino history on PBS schedule

Lynn Elber — Fri, 10 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

LOS ANGELES - PBS' fall schedule will examine President John F. Kennedy's life and his death 50 years ago through a modern lens, part of the network's increased emphasis on relevance, its programming chief said.

CW announces ’The 100’ among its new series

Lynn Elber — Fri, 10 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

LOS ANGELES - The CW is adding three new sci-fi and fantasy series to its 2013-14 schedule, along with a drama about the teenage Mary, Queen of Scots.

NBC orders 5 new TV series for next season

David Bauder — Fri, 10 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

NEW YORK - Sean Hayes, Parker Posey, Minnie Driver and Gillian Anderson will have prominent roles in new television series that NBC has decided to air next season.

Fox orders new J.J. Abrams drama, Samberg comedy

Lynn Elber — Fri, 10 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

LOS ANGELES - A futuristic drama from producer-writer J.J. Abrams of Lost and the Star Trek movie franchise and a comedy with Andy Samberg of Saturday Night Live fame as a carefree police detective will be on Fox's new schedule, the network said.

AMC's 'The Killing': back to life for season 3

FRAZIER MOORE — Thu, 09 May 2013 08:26:04 EST

Against all odds, "The Killing" lives.

TV series plan big season finales

Verne Gay — Thu, 09 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

The end is near, at least for these series, as the 2012-13 season wraps. Here's your handy scorecard of what basics to expect and when over the next few weeks.

Directing is her passion

Patricia Sheridan — Sun, 05 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Former Dutch fashion model-turned-actor and director Famke Janssen recently played the big bad witch Muriel in the film "Hansel Gretel: Witch Hunters." The 48-year-old has also starred in "X-Men," "Golden Eye," "Taken" and "Taken 2."

Bourdain finds home on CNN

Neal Justin — Sun, 05 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Renowned foodie Anthony Bourdain has traveled to some of the world's most exotic places, satisfying his appetite for both great meals and savory stories. He now finds himself in unexpected territory - the airwaves of CNN.

On the air

Sun, 05 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Guest lineups for the Sunday TV news shows:

'American Idol' is now 3rd-rated competition show

DAVID BAUDER — Wed, 01 May 2013 07:17:15 EST

Television's champion for nearly a decade, Fox's "American Idol," now isn't even the most popular competition show on the air.

From Big C to hereafter

Rob Owen — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

and final - season of Showtime's cancer dramedy "The Big C" is subtitled "Hereafter." It is made up of four one-hour episodes that wrap up the story of cancer patient Cathy (Laura Linney) and her extended family.

Plot twist! Beloved soaps revived online

Frazier Moore — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Taped to a wall at the entrance to the Connecticut Film Center in Stamford is this greeting: "Welcome (back) to Pine Valley."

CBS renews 'Two and a Half Men' for another year

Associated Press — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:17:53 EST

CBS says it's bringing "Two and a Half Men" back next season.

Summer in bloom

Journal Gazette — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

As the 2012-13 TV season winds down, many series are just getting started for the summer. Here is a list of upcoming TV premieres, according to information released by the networks.

Some reality-TV hits made mark on pop culture

Emily Yahr — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

The new E! reality series "What Would Ryan Lochte Do?" has been the butt of many jokes this week.

Nielsen's top programs for April 15-21

Associated Press — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 07:45:52 EST

Prime-time viewership numbers compiled by Nielsen for April 15-21. Listings include the week's ranking and viewership.

Stars excited by Netflix's latest

Rob Owen — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Even stars can be star-struck. While discussing the new Netflix streaming series at a hotel bar in January, young actors Bill Skarsgard and Landon Liboiron became momentarily distracted when actor Giancarlo Esposito walked by.

Awards for TV changed

Lynn Elber — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

A TV miniseries and movie comeback will mean more Emmy Awards than expected at this year's ceremony.

NBC struggles with time slot

Andy Edelstein — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Thursday nights at 10 used to be the crown jewel of the NBC prime-time schedule - the home of such classics as "Hill Street Blues," "L.A. Law" and "ER." But ever since the latter ended its run in 2009, the slot has been the place where shows go to die. NBC is hoping to reverse its luck with "Hannibal," whose ratings grew slightly with its second episode last week.

NCAA men's basketball title game wins ratings

DAVID BAUDER — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 07:13:54 EST

Unlike the men's basketball championship game itself, there was no contest in the ratings. Louisville's gripping victory over Michigan to win the NCAA tournament was easily the most popular event on prime-time television last week.

Defiance' builds new world

Rob Owen — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Since its conversion from "Sci Fi Channel" to "Syfy" a few years back, this cable network has taken a broader approach to its programming, developing series that have more of a fantasy appeal than sci-fi proper. So it's a welcome return to form to see Syfy re-embrace science fiction with "Defiance" (9 p.m. Monday), an OK-but-not-exceptional new drama.

Late-night TV still bastion for white male hosts

Lynn Elber — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

The role of female talk show hosts in late-night TV broadcast network history, all 50-plus years of it, can be summed up in two words: Joan Rivers. It takes just another two - Arsenio Hall - to do the same for minorities.

MTV cancels BUCKWILD' after death

Vicki Smith — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

MTV said Wednesday it is canceling its West Virginia-based reality TV show "BUCKWILD" a week after the accidental death of 21-year-old star Shain Gandee.

NBC renews Carson Daly's show for 13th season

Associated Press — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 08:11:24 EST

NBC is keeping Carson Daly's show in its late-night lineup.

'BUCKWILD' is canceled

Vicki Smith — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:18:24 EST

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - MTV said Wednesday it is canceling its West Virginia-based reality TV show BUCKWILD a week after the accidental death of 21-year-old star Shain Gandee.

Church date show planned for GSN

Associated Press — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

The GSN television network is looking to build on the success of "The American Bible Challenge" with a church-based dating show.

Has NBC learned lesson on transitions?

David Bauder • — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

NBC's recent personnel transition in morning television was a disaster. Executives hope their luck is better late at night, and they have a year to try and make it a smooth handoff from Jay Leno to Jimmy Fallon at the "Tonight" show.

Henderson steps up as lead Dallas' villain

Alicia Rancilio — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

When Larry Hagman died of cancer last November, TNT's "Dallas" reboot was put to the test over how to write his character out of the show.

Mad Men' tackles social anxiety

Lynn Elber — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

In the first episode of the first season of "Mad Men," Don Draper's next-in-line affair, Rachel Menken, hears his brutal philosophy: Love is nothing more than an ad man's myth, and everyone is born alone and dies alone.

Leno to leave NBC's 'Tonight Show' next spring

DAVID BAUDER — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 18:59:10 EST

NEW YORK NBC on Wednesday announced its long-rumored switch in late night, replacing Jay Leno at the "Tonight" show with Jimmy Fallon and moving the iconic franchise back to New York.

Mikkelsen chewed over killer role

Frazier Moore — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

It's fair to say that Mads Mikkelsen dines out on his new starring role.

Cable TV has big night Sunday

DAVID BAUDER — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 07:10:26 EST

Easter Sunday was a busy night for television, although not necessarily broadcast TV.

Networks seek next hit with pack of pilots

Rob Owen — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

At this point in the TV season, viewers begin to fret about the status of their favorite shows. But even as network executives ponder the fate of shows, they are also playing judge, jury and executioner on a raft of pilots for prospective news series.

Local tattoo artist takes talent to TV

Keiara Carr — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

Teresa Sharpe didn't want the average butterfly or tribal arm band for her first tattoo.

Viewers vote to choose 100th Psych' ending

David Bauder — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

From a bank of chairs in an NBC Universal control room, technician Antonella Caruso counted down as if she were anticipating a rocket booster's liftoff: "Nine, eight, seven, six ...

Reality shows make splash as they return to air

DAVID BAUDER — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 07:08:36 EST

Two popular reality shows made a splash upon their re-entry during the past week — and a new one had a strong debut.

Nielsen's top programs for March 18-24

The Associated Press — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 06:59:17 EST

Prime-time viewership numbers compiled by Nielsen for March 18-24. Listings include the week's ranking and viewership.