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Archive: October 2010 (261-270 of 590)

Oct 18 2010 05:50 PM ET

'American Idol,' 'Glee,' and football top the list of most expensive broadcast TV shows for advertising

Categories: American Idol, Glee, Simpsons did it!, Sports

Advertising Age has just released its annual survey of the average cost of an advertisement on broadcast TV shows, and the results are fascinating brain candy for the TV fetishist. Fox dominates the ad dollars with five of the six most expensive shows on TV. The upcoming Simon Cowell-free season of American Idol ranks at No. 1 with an average of $467,617 for a 30-second spot. While slots 3-6 are taken up by Glee, Family Guy, The Simpsons, and House.

The list makes for interesting reading: check out the complete top ten after the jump. It’s especially fascinating to see the relative old age of all the most expensive shows: Setting aside Glee, the four youngest shows in the top ten are House, The Office, Grey’s Anatomy, and Desperate Housewives, which are all in their seventh seasons. (On the opposite end of the spectrum, The Simpsons is approximately a billion years old.) You can’t but wonder: Was 2004 the last year for new popular hits on broadcast TV? READ FULL STORY »

Oct 18 2010 05:41 PM ET

Excess Hollywood: Johnny Galecki lands 'I'm.Mortal'

by Kate Ward

Categories: Casting, Deals, Excess Hollywood, Movies, Television

Big Bang Theory‘s Johnny Galecki has signed on to star in sci-fi I’m.Mortal – co-starring Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried — a film about a future in which the rich can live forever after the aging gene is shut off, while the poor have to negotiate for survival. Where does “Soft Kitty” figure into all of this? [THR]
Raise your hopes for an awesome reunion! Former My Name is Earl star Jason Lee is set to star in an upcoming episode of Raising Hope, Fox’s sitcom created by Earl‘s Greg Garcia. Lee will play a washed-up rocker named Smokey Daniels who is hired to perform at a supermarket rock concert. [Deadline]
News that makes us plotz: Richard Dreyfuss is heading off-Broadway to star in Imagining Heschel, a show that revolves around conversations between Cardinal Augustin Bea and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel in 1960s and 1970s. [Variety]
Why the (happy) face? Why, Fox announced via press release that it has acquired syndication rights to ABC’s hit Modern Family!
Richard Branson is in negotiations to acquire Columbus, a film in the same vein as 300 — but centered on Christopher Columbus’ discovery of America — that has McG attached as director. Somehow, I can’t imagine this shirtless. (But it’s Javier Bardem’s role to turn down, no?) [Deadline]
House executive producer Greg Yaitanes is considering adapting Lisa Lutz’s The Spellman Files for ABC. The book centers around a family of private investigators, a life that would suck if you ever wanted to sneak home your friend’s dad’s dirty magazines. [Variety]
Magnet announced via press release that it has acquired The Troll Hunter, a film from John M. Jacobsen and Sveinung Golimo about Day Man a group of film students attempting to catch real-life trolls on film. These guys already did it, though.

Oct 18 2010 05:23 PM ET

Mel Gibson to cameo in 'Hangover 2'

by Jeff Labrecque

Categories: Casting, Mel Gibson, Movies

Image Credit: Frank Masi; Inset: Lester Cohen/WireImage.comMel Gibson is about to get the Mike Tyson Treatment. No, no one’s going to bite his ear off. But the Oscar-winning filmmaker, whose long-controversial reputation was dealt another blow after a wave of threatening profanity-laced voice recordings, will have a role in the upcoming sequel to The Hangover. Sources tell EW that Gibson won’t play himself, à la Tyson, but an outlandish character, à la Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder.

Though The Hangover won’t be released until May, the question must be asked: Too soon? No matter how hilarious the cameo, will audiences still be nursing a grudge? If the role requires that Gibson make fun of his real-life problems, will critics savage him for trying to make light of a serious situation? In his favor is the fact that Gibson can be effortlessly funny. (See: Maverick.) That’s not to excuse his trail of offensive statements over the years, but the man has a funny bone. Still, Gibson figures to be more of a liability right now than an attraction, so I at least give The Hangover folks credit for being ambitious.

How does Gibson’s involvement impact your interest in The Hangover 2?

Oct 18 2010 04:58 PM ET

'Simpsons' producer on Vatican's assertion that Homer is Catholic: 'I really don't think he could go without eating meat on Fridays'

by Dan Snierson

Categories: Television, The Simpsons

Image Credit: FoxHe may drink too much and strangle his son—and, sure, there was that time he sold his soul to the devil for a donut—but Homer Simpson seems to have the Vatican seal of approval. In an article from the Oct. 17 edition of the Vatican publication L’Osservatore Romano—which also references a story in the Italian Jesuit magazine La Civilita Cattolica—Fox’s The Simpsons is praised for covering issues of faith, family, and Christianity (plus, they say prayers before meals!). There is also mention of the animated comedy’s 2005 episode in which Homer and Bart consider converting to Catholicism after Bart befriends a Catholic priest (voiced by Liam Neeson). “Few people know it, and he does everything he can to hide it… [but] it is true: Homer J. Simpson is a Catholic,” states L’Osservatore Romano, which also tipped its papal hat to the show last year during The Simpsons’ 20^th anniversary celebration. (Perhaps they didn’t see The Simpsons Movie, in which Homer mocks churchgoers as “pious morons” who are “too busy talking to their phony-baloney god.”)

Simpsons HQ is flattered and amused by the attention from the Vatican. “My first reaction is shock and awe,” exec producer Al Jean tells EW.com, “and I guess it makes up for me not going to church for 20 years.” That said, Jean is quick to throw not-so-holy water on the Homer-is-Catholic assertion, pointing out that the family attends the First Church of Springfield, which is decidedly Presbylutheran. “We’ve pretty clearly shown that Homer is not Catholic,” he says. “I really don’t think he could go without eating meat on Fridays—for even an hour.”

Do you think the Church has a case, PopWatchers? Or did you question Homer’s faith ever since the episode when he said, “I’m not normally a praying man, but if you’re up there, please save me, Superman!“

Oct 18 2010 04:57 PM ET

Are we using TV to replace the family and friends we don't have?

by Sandra Gonzalez

Categories: Everything Reminds Us of 'Friends', Have You Seen This?, HeadScratcher, Made Us Think, Television, That Was Way Harsh, Tai

Image Credit: FoxSince moving to New York one year ago, it has become more and more apparent to me how much I value my relationships with my family and friends. But as much as I miss their physical presence, I honestly don’t have much time to miss them because I talk to them all the time — on the phone, over IM, via video chat, and text. And more often than not, we talk about and bond over TV. According to this recently published L.A. Times essay, this does not count as bonding.

In addition to criticizing television shows with (what article author Neal Gabler perceived to be) aggrandized portrayals of familial bonds and friendships (see: Modern Family, Cougar Town, Glee, Parenthood, and a dozen others mentioned), Gabler used 10-year-old theories to defend its claim that we use television — and the characters on our favorite shows — to replace what we can’t and don’t have. “TV has learned how to compensate for the increasing alienation it seems to induce,” Gabler says, basing much of his opinion on 2000′s Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community by Robert D. Putnam.

My answer to all this is my Tuesday night. On a normal week, I am logged into my instant messenger five minutes before the start of Glee to watch it with one of my best friends who lives in Texas, nearly 2,000 miles away. Immediately after the show and our post-game review, I call my sister in Indiana and tell her to load up the latest Supernatural episode on her computer. She’s in college and usually busy during the show’s original Friday night airing, so we have a tradition: Tuesday re-watch, always after Glee. It’s our chance to talk about the show like we used to when we were both back home watching from the couch.

These are just two of two dozen examples of how TV keeps me connected with my friends, with my family, and sometimes introduces me to new friends. Is this wrong? READ FULL STORY »

Oct 18 2010 04:20 PM ET

'Glee' tunes get the video game treatment in 'Karaoke Revolution Glee' (Exclusive)

by Emily Exton

Categories: Advance Advancement, Glee, Videogames

If you’re in search of a new go-to karaoke song (because who isn’t?), Glee‘s ever-growing catalog features plenty of great contenders (a premature kudos to the brave soul who tackles this one) that are both silly and ambitious. Soon enough, you’ll be able to practice for your next karaoke session with the video game Karaoke Revolution Glee, available for Nintendo Wii on Nov. 9. Follow the bouncing ball by belting out your favorite songs as the 13th member of New Directions (just keep an eye out for slushies and the various tricks of Coach Sue Sylvester), or challenge your friends to your very own Diva Off. Check out EW’s exclusive look at images from the game’s versions of “Somebody to Love” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” (previously unreleased) below. Gleeks: Even if you already treat each new episode like your own private karaoke session, are you still excited about a Glee-based video game? READ FULL STORY »

Oct 18 2010 03:55 PM ET

Happy 23rd Birthday, Zac Efron! Now go shave that beard!

by Catherine Fuentes

Categories: Celebrity Birthdays, Inappropriate Crushes, Zac Efron

Image Credit: Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage.comThere comes a day when all teen idols must grow up, and for Zac Efron, that day is today. For today, on Oct. 18, the High School Musical star turns 23, and leaves us fans wondering if he wishes that he could be 17 Again instead of getting one year closer to (deeper into?) adulthood.

I’ve been a fan of Efron since way back in the day when he appeared on Summerland. And though I tried and tried to resist the peppy musical stylings of the High School Musical franchise, my efforts were futile — I quickly became hooked on the Disney trilogy. (I blame a summer internship and a need to learn the “We’re All in This Together” dance routine for a charity contest.) When Efron started to appear in more mainstream (read: you no longer need to hide the DVD jacket to rent in public without any children) titles like Hairspray and 17 Again, I felt this would be the prime opportunity for the public at large to see that Efron is actually a amiable young actor. I can’t help but root for him — he’s just too darn likable.

But then the beard had to happen. That unfortunate beard. Sigh. How is it that facial hair can look so terrible on someone who could even pull off this look? PopWatchers, what do you think is the perfect 23rd birthday present for Efron? A gift card to The Art of Shaving?

Oct 18 2010 03:29 PM ET

'Glee' does the time warp again: Shots from the upcoming 'Rocky Horror' episode (Exclusive)

by Margaret Lyons

Categories: Glee, Movies, Music, Television

Image Credit: Fox

I shiver with antici…pation for upcoming Rocky Horror episode of Glee. And these exclusive new preview photos are just making the wait worse. John Stamos’ sexy dentist as Eddie is kind of brilliant — “Hot Patootie Bless My Soul” is right in Stamos’ wheelhouse. READ FULL STORY »

Oct 18 2010 02:30 PM ET

Season Pity Pass: Which TV show is only on your DVR out of habit?

by Mandi Bierly

Categories: Brothers & Sisters, Television

Image Credit: Richard Cartwright/ABCWhy am I still DVRing Brothers & Sisters? No, really. Why? One excruciatingly depressing clip was enough to turn me off of watching the season premiere. I switched off the second episode at the point where the kids thought Nora was a lesbian. Last night, well, I made it through the hour (read Annie Barrett’s recap), but only because I wanted to see if HIV-positive Saul (Ron Rifkin) would be starting a relationship with Charlie (guest star Stephen Collins) — apparently not, because then I would’ve actually liked the direction of one arc on this show now. Instead, I’m just left wondering if fifth graders like Sarah’s son, Cooper, really perform productions of Romeo and Juliet so their uncle and aunt can compare themselves to the star-crossed lovers and their mother’s boyfriend can tell them that people kiss with their hearts, not their lips. Isn’t Cooper a little too young to sell the “O, happy dagger!” line?

I understand that the accident in last season’s finale did a number on everyone, and a year later, they’re not the same people they were. But I miss those people. Even Robert. I’m sorry I wanted your character gone, Rob Lowe, and I’m not even enjoying Kitty’s new love interest (despite the fact that he spent most of last night in a wifebeater). But you got out just in time. Look what’s happening to Holly. Amnesia should be a juicy storyline, but I can’t understand why she wouldn’t want to try to get to know her daughter, who’s being open and honest. Oh, right, because Emily VanCamp is leaving the show. I’d like to think I’m holding on because I truly believe that the writers will give me back my Walkers once they’re done cleaning up the mess of the time jump and exits, but my faith isn’t what it used to be either. I’ll keep recording Brothers & Sisters — at least Sarah’s hair has improved since the season premiere — but only because I used to be invested, I like watching people drink, and there’s no current scheduling conflict.

Your turn. What show currently has your Season Pity Pass, and why do you keep holding on? (Maybe another reader can get you to cut the cord.)

Oct 18 2010 01:51 PM ET

'Dancing With the Stars': Derek Hough on working with Jen, future plans, and dream celeb partner

by Annie Barrett

Categories: An EW Exclusive!, Dancing With the Stars, Derek Hough, Reality TV

Baby Derek is back, and he would like to give you a high five. HIGH FIVE HIM! Thanks to all of you who submitted questions for Dancing With the Stars‘ own Fantastic Mr. Fox last week. Below, Derek helps us rev up for Week 5 with an all-readers’ Q&A!

You are doing a fantastic job with Jennifer [Grey] this season. How do you balance pushing and challenging her around her injuries? She looks fantastic for her age, but she is 50, not 30. Do you worry about pushing her too much, especially when you guys hit two dances for one week? –Susan
I do worry about pushing Jen, but the really great thing is that she’s a wonderful communicator. She lets me know when she can’t do something or when it doesn’t feel right and then we just change it up a bit to make sure it works for her. It’s very easy to forget that someone with her flexibility and stamina is 50.

I love your choreography. And I love seeing Louis and Dmitry on So You Think You Can Dance. Will you ever choreograph for SYTYCD? –Jwill
I don’t know that choreographing for them is in my future; they’d have to ask me and DWTS would have to give me permissions. But never say never. READ FULL STORY »