Posted in Geekdom, News, Paley Center, Surveys, Television on December 22, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Do you want to vote on the best TV spy show of all time?
Check out this fun article from the Paley Center for Media that includes a poll of the many great spy series (classic and modern) from which to make your selection.
Among the choices are 24, MacGyver, Mission Impossible (the original TV series), I Spy and The Wild Wild West among others.
Make your voice heard.
Posted in New Faces, New Shows, News, Television, TV Calendar on December 19, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Sarah Jones
Mid-season programming will be upon us in a few weeks and with that there will be new shows a plenty on the major networks. From those new dramas there will be actors and actresses for whom TV viewers should pay extra attention to because, in my opinion, they are the faces off mid-season.
Those actors and actresses appear below in no particular order:
Dylan Minnette
Sarah Jones – Sarah is the latest ingénue to be chosen by J.J. Abrams for one of his groundbreaking new series. This time around it is the new FOX drama Alcatraz, which centers on a group of missing prisoners and guards who reappear in the present day and chronicles the efforts of a team of FBI agents to track them down and unravel the mystery behind their disappearance thirty years prior. She will star as Rebecca Madsen, a smart, thoughtful and a little obsessive police officer. Sarah has appeared in Sons of Anarchy and Big Love as well as the made-for-TV movies Loves Takes Wing and Love Finds a Home (based on the book series from Janette Oke).
Alcatraz debuts on FOX on January 16 at 8 PM with a two-hour series premiere.
Natasha Calis
Dylan Minnette – Dylan will star as Rex Britten in the new NBC drama Awake alongside Jason Isaacs. Isaacs plays a police detective who regains consciousness following a car accident involving his wife Hannah (Laura Allen) and his son Rex. Michael moves back and forth between two realities: in one, Rex survived while Hannah is dead; in the other, Hannah survived but Rex did not. Dylan has starred in the TV shows Prison Break, Lost, Saving Grace and Men of a Certain Age. He has also appeared in the box office film Let Me In.
Awake has yet to be scheduled by NBC.
Maddie Hasson
Natasha Calis – The new NBC series The Firm, based on the 1993 feature film, picks up 10 years after those events finding lawyer Mitch McDeere (Josh Lucas) coming out of near total isolation after his family has spent a decade in the Federal Witness Protection Program. Natasha will appear as daughter Claire McDeere. Her previous work includes the made-for-TV movies Christmas Caper, Impact, Alice, Held Hostage and Gone. She will be seen in the upcoming box office film The Possession, which will star Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Kyra Sedgwick.
The Firm will air its two-hour premiere on NBC on January 8 at 9 PM.
Megan Hilty
Maddie Hasson – The Finder is the new FOX series that is a spin-off from Bones centering on Walter Sherman (Geoff Stults), a remarkable man with an eccentric personality and a unique gift to help others recover what they’ve lost. Maddie will star as Willa Monday, who was raised to be a criminal by her extended family of gypsies but now on probation and under the protection of Walter’s brother-in-arms Leo (Michael Clarke Duncan); and they on occasion use her hard-gained skills in their own work. Maddie is a relative newcomer with one small role in an independent film called God Bless America.
The Finder will debut on FOX on January 12 at 9 PM.
Katharine McPhee
Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee – Both ladies will star in the new NBC musical drama Smash that takes a behind-the-scenes look at how a Broadway musical – based on the life of Marilyn Monroe – is put together from the ground up. Megan will star as tough Broadway veteran Ivy Lynn who is the obvious choice for the lead role; but enter Karen Cartwright (McPhee), a young girl from Iowa with a dream of making it on Broadway who walks in and blows everyone away. Megan has appeared on Broadway in Wicked and 9 to 5: The Musical as well as guest appearances in TV shows such as The Closer, Desperate Housewives, Eli Stone and Bones. Whereas, Katharine was the runner-up in the American Idol competition in 2006 and appeared in the box office films The House Bunny, You May Not Kiss the Bride and Shark Night 3D.
Smash will airs it series premiere on February 6 on NBC at 10 PM.
Erica Dasher
Erica Dasher – Jane by Design is a new, light-hearted drama about Jane Quimby (Dasher), a teenager who lands a job at Donovan Decker, a hip fashion house, when they mistake her for an adult. Jane soon finds herself juggling life both as a regular high school student and as an assistant to a high powered executive in the cutthroat world of fashion… all while trying to keep her true identity a secret. Erica is a relative newcomer, but she did appear in the web series The Lake.
Jane by Design is set to debut on ABC Family on January 3 at 9 PM.
Joe Anderson
Joe Anderson – Joe will star in the new ABC drama The River as Lincoln, the son of famed explorer and nature show star Dr. Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood) who went looking for magic deep in the uncharted Amazon and never returned. Six months after he vanished, his emergency beacon goes off and a team, including Lincoln and his mother, set out to attempt to track him down. Joe has appeared in the box office films Becoming Jane, Across the Universe, Love Happens, The Ruins and The Crazies. He will be seen next year in Part 2 of the Twilight Breaking Dawn film.
The River will air its series premiere on ABC on February 7 at 9 PM.
Dichen Lachman
Dichen Lachman – Dichen will be joining the cast of the Syfy series Being Human for its sophomore season, appearing as a character named Izumi, who is a reclusive, centuries-old vampire. The series, much like the British original for which it is based, is about a vampire, werewolf and ghost who share a house together in Boston. Dichen appeared in the Australian soap opera Neighbours and then landed a role in the short-lived Joss Whedon series Dollhouse. She has also make guest appearances in episodes of Hawaii Five-0, NCIS: Los Angeles and Torchwood.
Being Human will return with its second season on Syfy on January 16 at 9 PM.
David Mazouz
David Mazouz – Ths new FOX drama Touch stars Kiefer Sutherland as Martin Bohm, a former journalist whose wife was killed in the 9/11 attacks with David appearing as his young son Jacob, an autistic mute who is obsessed with numbers and can predict future events. David got his start in the made-for-TV movie Amish Grace and has appeared in episodes of Mike & Molly, Private Practice and Criminal Minds.
Touch will have a special preview on FOX on January 25 at 9 PM with its official premiere on March 19.
Mark Deklin
Mark Deklin – Mark will appear in the much-buzzed about new ABC series GCB (formerly known as Good Christian Bells – aka Bitches) based on the book by Kim Gatlin. The series follows Amanda Vaughn (Leslie Bibb), the former “Queen Bitch” in high school and recently divorced single mother of two children, who returns to Dallas where she grew up, coming face to face with her former school friends. Mark will appear as Blake Reilly, the husband of one Amanda’s friends. Mark has appeared in the short-lived series Justice, The Ex-List and Lone Star as well as role in episodes of TV shows such as Hawaii Five-0, The Mentalist, Nip/Tuck, Big Love and Desperate Housewives. He also appeared in the made-for-TV movie Riverworld and the box office film Herbie Fully Loaded.
GCB will debut on March 4 on ABC at 10 PM.
Keep your eyes on these actors and actresses and mark your calendars for the debuts of these shows too.
Posted in Books, News, Recommendations on December 16, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Here is the next list of modern-day writers who, in their own way, have paid homage to Jane Austen’s legendary stories. Each of these authors have written three or four books either inspired by Austen’s characters or based on the author herself.
They appear in alphabetical order:
An Assembly Such as This by Pamela Aidan
PAMELA AIDAN
“An Assembly Such as This: A Novel Of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman”
Released on May 30, 2006
This book retells the now iconic story of Pride and Prejudice through the eyes of Fitzwilliam Darcy as he visits Netherfield with his good friend Charles Bingley and his sisters. The austere Darcy takes life very seriously, and is at a loss as to how he became friends with the amicable Bingley. Darcy has escaped many marriage-minded mothers and their daughters, which is why he initially disdains the Bennet family. Once he gets to know Elizabeth, however, he realizes his mistake, but his attempts to apologize to her only make him act even more awkwardly in her presence.
Duty and Desire by Pamela Aidan
PAMELA AIDAN
“Duty and Desire: A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentlemen”
Released on October 3, 2006
This book has Darcy wrestling with his infatuation with Elizabeth Bennet. While Darcy exhibits the class snobbery and noblesse oblige readers expect of him, he also has a purpose: Darcy decides he must find another woman “of his own station as beautiful and blessed with wit as Elizabeth Bennet, whose charms would banish her from his mind and displace her in his heart.” While searching for this woman, Darcy looks after his sister, Georgiana, who is emerging from a long depression.
These Three Remain by Pamela Aidan
PAMELA AIDAN
“These Three Remain: A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman”
Released on January 2, 2007
The storied romance of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet reaches its conclusion. While visiting his aunt’s estate, Fitzwilliam continues alternately courting his beloved Elizabeth and trying to crimp his longing for her. He finally musters his courage and, in an arrogant, bumbling way, proposes marriage. He returns to London in defeat, but realizes, after some time and distance, that her rejection has provided him with the opportunity to become a better man. Months later, a fortuitous meeting with Elizabeth offers them the chance to renew their friendship and for Fitzwilliam to prove he has changed for the better. But just as Fitzwilliam is making headway, George Wickham, his smarmy nemesis, appears and threatens to undo everything.
Young Master Darcy by Pamela Aidan
PAMELA AIDAN
“Young Master Darcy: A Lesson in Honour”
Released on December 1, 2010
It is Christmas, 1797, and thirteen year-old Master Fitzwilliam Darcy is returning from his first term at Eton in full anticipation of the holidays. Soon, he and his family will leave their fashionable London home for Pemberley, their Derbyshire estate, to prepare for the arrival of his irrepressible cousin Richard and the rest of his Matlock relations. But when Darcy arrives in London, he learns that his mother is ill. Her doctor’s prognosis is dire–Lady Anne cannot survive another year! As Christmas approaches, Darcy is torn between his parents’ struggles to carry on and the attraction of an unusual company of players in Lambton for the holidays. With the arrival of Richard and his family, he must try to satisfy the expectations of all and, in doing so, learn what it means to be a
Darcy.
Lydia Bennet's Story by Jane Odiwe
JANE ODIWE
“Lydia Bennet’s Story: A Sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice”
Released on December 1, 2007
This book sees the world through Lydia’s eyes where pleasure and marriage are the only pursuits. Lydia’s dream of following the regiment to the fashionable resort of Brighton comes true, she is soon the darling of all the officers and tempted not only by a handsome royal dragoon, but drawn to the irresistible charms of one already well known to her. But the road to matrimony is fraught with difficulties and even when she is convinced that she has met the man of her dreams, she quickly discovers that her hero is not the man she believes him to be. Before long his reputation has her running back to Hertfordshire to be reunited with Bennets, Bingleys and Darcys, meeting once again for a grand ball at Netherfield Park. Will she resolve her problems to find happiness or will the shocking truth about her husband cause the greatest scandal of all?
Willoughby's Return by Jane Odiwe
JANE ODIWE
“Willoughby’s Return”
Released on November 1, 2009
Odiwe’s sequel to Sense and Sensibility is best at recalling Austen’s descriptive abilities, but falls short in its treatment of Austen’s beloved characters. Three years after Marianne and Col. William Brandon get married, they’re still unable to discuss two critical and intertwined issues: namely, that Marianne feels jealous of William’s ward, Eliza, the illegitimate daughter of his first love; and the reappearance of Eliza’s father, John Willoughby, who was once Marianne’s love. Matters are complicated by the growing affection between Marianne’s sister, Margaret, and William’s nephew Henry, a developing relationship that serves as a stand-in for the original book’s. As their unshared feelings fester, distance grows between Marianne and William; Odiwe nods occasionally to the inequality between marriage partners, which allows the man to carry on much as he did prior to marriage, an issue that Austen herself would likely tackle; unfortunately, it’s hard to maintain suspense when the central plot conflict can be cleared up with a five-minute conversation.
Mr. Darcy's Secret by Jane Odiwe
JANE ODIWE
“Mr. Darcy’s Secret”
Released on February 1, 2011
Caroline Bingley and George Wickham begin to besmirch Darcy’s good name and sow seeds of discontent, but while Darcy and Elizabeth are already at odds, revelations of past conduct emerge that threaten to destroy their happiness.
Excessively Diverted by Juliette Shapiro
JULIETTE SHAPIRO
“Excessively Diverted: The Sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice”
Released in September 2002
Newlyweds Mr and Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy begin their married life at Pemberley quite blissfully but it is not long before the tranquillity they relish is cut short by a series of traumas. The formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh makes little attempt to hide her distain for her nephew’s wife. She is joined by Caroline Bingley, as sharp tongued and resentful as ever, in the shared amusement of criticising Elizabeth. But the new mistress of Pemberley soon has more pressing matters on her mind, the fact that she is carrying the Darcy heir being the most pleasant of them. The sudden return of her sister Lydia brings cause for concern. Alarming reports of a seduction, blackmail and the need to keep news of another’s confinement secret dampen even Elizabeth’s notoriously high spirits and Darcy shows his true character when faced with the most difficult decision of his life. Has he been softened by his love for Elizabeth or is his former remoteness about to be resurrected?
Mr. Darcy's Decision by Juliette Shapiro
JULIETTE SHAPIRO
“Mr. Darcy’s Decision: A Sequel to Pride and Prejudice”
Released on August 28, 2008
The book finds the newlyweds in their tumultuous first year of married life at Pemberley, entrenched in the frivolous social pressures of their prying friends and family. While the sharp-tongued duo of Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Caroline Bingley criticizes Elizabeth, the new Mrs. Darcy has a happier matter on her mind—the fact that she is carrying the next Darcy heir. But when the sudden and unexpected return of Elizabeth’s sister Lydia brings alarming reports of seduction and blackmail that threaten the newlyweds’ life together, Mr. Darcy is forced to make the most difficult decision of his lifetime.
Ask Jane Austen by Juliette Shapiro
JULIETTE SHAPIRO
“Ask Jane Austen”
Released on October 31, 2008
The modern day reader frequently remarks upon the uncanny manner, despite changes in the morals and mores of society, in which her acute observations seemed to traverse time and apply in so many ways to us today. So, what if you could confide in Jane Austen, seek her advice? This book allows you to do just that. The answers herein come from Austen’s most famous works: “Sense and Sensibility,” “Pride and Prejudice,” “Mansfield Park,” “Emma,” “Northanger Abbey” and “Persuasion.”
Sandition by Juliette Shapiro
JULIETTE SHAPIRO
“Sanditon: Jane Austen’s Unfinished Masterpiece Completed”
Released on March 1, 2009
Had Jane Austen lived to complete Sanditon, it would have been as treasured as her other novels. In the half-finished masterpiece, Austen fashions one of her classic heroines—Charlotte Heywood. The surviving fragment also sets the story well on its path as Charlotte begins an adventure to Sanditon where a full cast of characters becomes intertwined in various intrigues. At first, Charlotte finds amusement enough standing at her ample Venetian window looking over the placid seafront. However, before long, Charlotte discovers that scandals abound. She becomes captivated by the romance of the seaside lifestyle. But is the town of Sanditon truly a haven and will Charlotte find happiness there?
More lists coming soon…
Posted in Breaking News, Geekdom, News, Television on December 9, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Lost Girl
Lost Girl fans rejoice!! The popular Canadian sci-fi series, which will be debuting on Syfy on January 16 and is now in its second season on the Canadian network Showcase has been picked up for a third season.
You can read all about it here!
Congrats to the cast and crew of this very fun show!!
Posted in Movies, News, Reminder, Television, Video on December 2, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Hide
On December 6 the TNT telefilm Hide will debut at 9 PM as part of the network’s Mystery Night movies franchise.
Based on Lisa Gardner’s book, Carla Gugino plays Boston Police Detective D.D. Warren, who is called to the grounds of an abandoned mental hospital where a buried chamber is discovered. Inside are the mummified remains of six young women, who have all been missing for years. The case leads D.D. to Annabelle (Bridget Regan), a young woman who spent her childhood moving from city to city, from identity to identity, hiding from someone or something totally unknown to her. D.D. uses clues from Annabelle’s secret past to unravel the mystery behind her twisted family history. Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Kevin Alejandro also star.
Here is a trailer for the TNT Mystery Movie Night.
Posted in Books, Geekdom, Holidays, News, Sci-Fi Fashion, Shopping, Television on December 1, 2011| Leave a Comment »
It’s December 1 and that means the big countdown to Christmas has started. You have 24 shopping days left to get just the right gift for your friends, family, co-workers, et al.
With that thought in mind, I wanted to provide a list of just a few cool online resources where geeks go to shop. Take a look at what these locations have available, as you just might find some cool, unique gifts for the upcoming holiday.
Enjoy!
Nextag provides electronics, jewelry, art supplies, computers, home and garden supplies, clothing and accessories and much more. The best part of their site is searching for TV related items for shows like Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries, Glee, Once Upon a Time and even 80’s classic MacGyver. Check it out here.
The folks over at Ript Apparel have cool graphic tees and cheap limited edition t-shirts available for all kinds of genres. You can purchase their special daily t-shirts or visit their “Graveyard” section that features over 40 pages of unique t-shirts. You can visit them here.
Do you know someone who loves superheroes? Well, the Superhero Stuff is the perfect place to shop for them. You can get your hands on t-shirts, hats, hoodies, buckles, jewelry, figurines and much more. They can be found here.
The product line over at Her Universe just increased recently, adding to its collection new items honoring the TV shows Warehouse 13, Eureka and Battlestar Galactica as well as adding to its Star Wars collection. To find just the right fashionable apparel for the female sci-fi/genre fan, visit them here.
Lastly, for all you Doctor Who fans of the female persuasion (or for you guys who want to make your fellow lady Doctor Who fans happy), check out this cool book: “Chicks Dig Time Lords: A Celebration of Doctor Who by the Women Who Love It”
Here is the official description of the book: “A host of award-winning female novelists, academics and actresses come together to celebrate the phenomenon that is Doctor Who, discuss their inventive involvement with the show’s fandom and examine why they adore the series. These essays will delight male and female readers alike by delving into the extraordinary aspects of being a female Doctor Who enthusiast. Essays include Carole Barrowman discussing what it was like to grow up with her brother John (including the fact that he’s still afraid of shop-window dummies), columnist Jackie Jenkins providing a Bridget Jones’ Diary-style memoir of working on Doctor Who Magazine, novelist Lloyd Rose analyzing Rose’s changes between the ninth and tenth Doctors and much more. Other contributors include Elizabeth Bear (Jenny Casey), Lisa Bowerman (Bernice Summerfield), Mary Robinette Kowal (Shades of Milk and Honey), Jody Lynn Nye (Mythology series), Kate Orman (Seeing I), and Catherynne M. Valente (The Orphan’s Tales). Also featured is a comic from the Torchwood Babiez creators, plus interviews with Doctor Who companions India Fisher (Charley) and Sophie Aldred (Ace).”
You can find the book at Amazon here.
Happy Shopping!
Posted in News, Reminder, Television, TV Calendar on December 1, 2011| Leave a Comment »
The following is a list of the fall finales, special holiday episodes and the debut of a BBC series that will air next week:
The fall finales of both Gossip Girl and Hart of Dixie will air on December 5 on the CW at 8 and 9 PM respectively.
90210 will air its fall finale of on the CW at 8 PM on December 6.
The stand-alone holiday episodes of Warehouse 13, Eureka and Haven will air on December 6 on Syfy at 8, 9 and 10 PM respectively.
The second season finale of Covert Affairs will air at 10 PM on USA Network on December 6.
State of Play (a 2004 series) will debut at 10 PM on BBC America starting on December 7.
Mark your calendars!
Posted in Movies, News, Reminder, Television, Video on November 30, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Neverland
The Syfy 4-hour mini-series Neverland will debut at 9 PM (both nights) on December 4 and 5.
The mini-series takes on Peter Pan in this original prequel to the classic J. M Barrie story, sweeping in time from the turbulent seas of the pirates of the Caribbean and the back alleys of Dickensian London to a world of pure imagination. The film stars Rhys Ifans (The Amazing Spider-Man) as James Hook, Keira Knightley as the voice of Tinker Bell, Anna Friel (Pushing Daisies) as Captain Elizabeth Bonny, Oscar nominee Bob Hoskins (Hook) as Smee, Raoul Trujillo (Tin Man) and Charlie Rowe (Pirate Radio) as Peter Pan.
Here is the trailer for Neverland.
Posted in Movies, News, Reminder, Television, Video on November 30, 2011| 2 Comments »
Christmas Mail
On December 4 the holiday movie Christmas Mail will debut on ION at 11 PM.
A Post Office boss becomes suspicious of his new official “Santa Writer,” Kristi, prompting him to enlist reluctant Postman Matt to spy on her. Before long, Matt and Kristi fall for each other, only to realize all is not what it seems this Christmas season. Ashley Scott, A.J. Buckley, Lochlyn Munro and Piper Harris star.
Here is a trailer for Christmas Mail.
Posted in Movies, News, Reminder, Television on November 30, 2011| Leave a Comment »
A Golden Christmas
On December 4 the ION made-for-TV movie A Golden Christmas 2: The Second Tail will air at 9 PM.
When golden retriever owner, Lisa, takes her dog Jake and her neighbors’ dogs for a walk one day, she interrupts a wedding proposal involving none other than her ex, David. Now, with David’s wedding approaching, Lisa and he must decide whether to leave their love in the past, or to give it another chance. With a little help of three lovable pups, it’s sure to be a Christmas to remember. The cast includes Julie Gonzalo, Bruce Davison, Kelly Stables and Alley Mills.
Rueben's Ramblings 