Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Year End Round Up’ Category

Year-End Round-Up: Faces of 2015

Posted in Familiar Faces, Movies, Music, New Faces, Television, Year End Round Up on December 29, 2015| 1 Comment »

The following list highlights the actors and actresses on television and on the big screen who really caught viewers’ attention throughout this year. They appear in no particular order:

Mackenzie Mauzy1. Mackenzie Mauzy – Soap opera fans will be familiar with Mackenzie from her days on The Bold and the Beautiful, but it was her role in the short-lived, but popular ABC series Forever as well as her role as Rapunzel in the box office adaptation of the Broadway play Into the Woods. She will be next seen in the Lifetime movie Manson’s Lost Girls (working title) about the teenaged girls who fell under the spell of Charles Manson.

Taron Egerton

2. Taron Egerton – Taron got his big break in the box office film Kingsman: The Secret Service alongside Colin Firth and Samuel L. Jackson and he will be appearing in the sequel that is set to air in 2017. He will also be seen in the upcoming movies Legends with Tom Hardy and Eddie the Eagle with Hugh Jackman and Christopher Walken. He will also lend his voice to the animated film Sing with Scarlett Johansson and Matthew McConaughey.

Constance Wu

3. Constance Wu – She turned heads at the beginning of this year in her role of Jessica Huang on Fresh Off the Boat, the popular ABC comedy that focuses on a Taiwanese family making their way in 1990s America. She will also star in the low budget Kickstarter-based film Low Budget Ethnic Movie. Prior to Fresh Off the Boat, Constance appeared in episodes of One Life to Live, Torchwood and the online series Spooked.

Austin Stowell

4. Austin Stowell – He appeared in the final season of The Secret Life of the American Teenager before appearing in Dolphin Tale and its sequel. He also appeared in the made-for-TV movie A Way Back Home, the box office hit Whiplash and the new TNT drama Public Morals. But it was his role in Bridge of Spies, the much-buzzed about box office film that stars Tom Hanks. He has five new projects in the works for the next two years.

Melissa Benoist

5. Melissa Benoist – Melissa first got TV viewers’ attention on the final two seasons of the FOX musicomedy Glee and she appeared in the box office films Whiplash alongside Miles Tiller and J.K. Simmons, The Longest Ride with Britt Roberson and Scott Eastwood and Danny Collins alongside Al Pacino, Jennifer Garner and Annette Bening. But it has been her turn as Kara Danvers in the new fall CBS series Supergirl that has put in her the spotlight.

Thomas Mann

6. Thomas Mann – Thomas has appeared in the box office films Project X, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, Beautiful Creatures and It’s Kind of a Funny Story; but it was his role in the indie film Me and Earl and the Dying Girl that really turned heads. He has nearly a dozen new projects in the works, including Amityville: The Awakening and Kong: Skull Island.

Johanna Braddy

7. Johanna Braddy – She has had quite a year appearing in the Lifetime drama UnReal and the buzzed about ABC drama Quantico, but she has been working in the industry for over a decade, appearing in episodes of The Riches, Lie to Me, Greek, Southland, CSI: Miami, Leverage, Hit the Floor and Necessary Roughness as well as a role in the box office films Easy A and Paranormal Activity 3.

Yaya Dacosta

8. Yaya DaCosta – She got her big break through America’s Next Top Model, but since appearing in that reality series, Yaya has appeared in All My Children, Ugly Betty, Army Wives, Body of Proof, House and Unforgettable. She then landed the lead role in the Lifetime made-for-TV movie Whitney, based on the life of the late, great singer. Now she has taken her recurring role of April Sexton from Chicago Fire into a lead role on the spin-off series Chicago Med.

Rhys Matthew Bond

9. Rhys Matthew Bond – The British born actor doesn’t have a long resume of TV or film roles, but he has made an impression with TV viewers appearing in the Good Witch series that is based on the long-running and extremely popular The Good Witch franchise of made-for-TV movies. He also appeared in the first original scripted drama Ties That Bind on the UP Channel; and he had a small role in the Lifetime made-for-TV movie The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story.

Alycia Debnam-Carey

10. Alycia Debnam-Carey – This Australian beauty first got viewers’ attention as Lexa in the edgy, futuristic drama The 100 on The CW before landing a lead role in the AMC prequel series Fear the Walking Dead. She also appeared in the box office film Into the Storm alongside Sarah Wayne Callies and Richard Armitage. She will next be seen in the box office film Friend Request will William Moseley, Connor Paolo and Brit Morgan.

Scott Eastwood

11. Scott Eastwood – Son of the great Clint Eastwood, Scott turned heads in The Longest Ride, the box office adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks novel. Prior to that he had small roles in several of his father’s films under the name Scott Reeves as well as appearing in the films The Perfect Wave and Fury. He also had a small role in the TV shows Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. He will also appear in the upcoming films Snowden and Suicide Squad.

Elizabeth Gillies

12. Elizabeth Gillies – She appeared in the popular Nickelodeon series Victorious for four seasons, but it was her role of Gigi in the music-based FX comedy Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll alongside Denis Leary that has put her on the map. She also appeared in the box office film Vacation and the made-for-TV movie Killing Daddy.

Cody Christian

13. Cody Christian – Cody first came to the attention of television viewers with his role of Mike Montgomery, the younger brother of Aria Montgomery, on Pretty Little Liars before moving on to his role of Theo Raeken in the latest season of Teen Wolf. He will next be seen in the box office movie Killing Animals that will also star James Franco.

Emma Ishta

14. Emma Ishta – Emma’s big break came in the form of her leading role in the new ABC Family drama Stitchers that has a very unusual premise: A young woman is recruited into a secret government agency to be “stitched” into the minds of the recently deceased, using their memories to investigate murders. Prior to this role she appeared in one episode of both short-lived shows Black Box and Manhattan Love Story.

Luke Kleintank

15. Luke Kleintank – Luke has appeared in the TV shows No Ordinary Family, The Young and the Restless, Gossip Girl, Bones, Pretty Little Liars and Person of Interest, but it is his role on the much-buzzed about online series The Man in the High Castle based on the acclaimed novel by Philip K. Dick. He also appeared in the family film Max alongside Robbie Amell, Thomas Haden Church and Lauren Graham.

Alexandra Park

16. Alexandra Park – The Elizabeth Hurley look-alike beauty from Australia who plays the former’s daughter in the controversial E! drama The Royals, has also appeared in the Aussie drama The Elephant Princess and the long-running Aussie soap opera Home and Away.

Bren Foster

17. Bren Foster – The handsome Australian actor got his start on Home and Away and then eventually landed a role on the long running soap opera Days of Our Lives. Now he has a role on the TNT apocalyptic drama The Last Ship as Wolf Taylor, a new member of the team.

Priyanka Chopra

18. Priyanka Chopra – Priyanka may be a new face to the US audience, but she is considered the Beyonce of India. She is a beauty queen turned singer-actress, who is a huge Bollywood star. In fact, she is the first Bollywood female actress to land a leading role in a primetime American TV show, being the lead star of the new hit ABC drama Quantico.

Who are some of the new faces from this year who caught your attention either on television or in film? Please share.

TOMORROW: New Faces of 2016

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: TV Ratings 2015

Posted in Ratings, Television, Year End Round Up on December 28, 2015| Leave a Comment »

As I have stated for years now, TV ratings are the life’s blood of every series on the major and cable networks. The success or failure of every show is at the mercy of their ratings.

Sadly, though, the networks have become far too dependent on the very limiting 18-39 year old viewers and are continuing to ignore and overlook the rest of the viewers who are outside of that age group. I have had a problem with that close-minded thought process ever since I reached my 40’s.

Needless to say, I have made it my mission to only focus on the overall viewership (the millions of viewers who watched each show) of the major and cable network dramas. Each section below will feature a list of all the dramas (and dramas only) from highest to lowest rated and a brief explanation of the time period for which each list covers.

Here we go…

The first list is the major network dramas that aired from January through June, covering the last half of the 2014-2015 TV season:

NCIS (CBS) – 16.8 million
NCIS: New Orleans (CBS) – 14.6 million
Empire (FOX) – 11.5 million
Blue Bloods (CBS) – 11.3 million
Madam Secretary (CBS) – 11 million
Scorpion (CBS) – 10.3 million
Criminal Minds (CBS) – 10 million
Hawaii Five-0 (CBS) – 9.5 million
NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS) – 9.4 million
The Mentalist (CBS) – 9.3 million *
Person of Interest (CBS) – 9.1 million
How to Get Away with Murder (ABC) – 8.7 million
The Good Wife (CBS) and Scandal (ABC) – 8.6 million
CSI (CBS) – 8.4 million *
Castle (ABC) and CSI: Cyber (CBS) – 8.1 million
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – 8 million
The Blacklist (NBC) – 7.7 million
Elementary (CBS) – 7.6 million
Stalker (ABC) – 7.2 million *
Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. (NBC) – 7.1 million
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) – 6.9 million
The Mysteries of Laura (NBC) – 6.5 million
Battle Creek (CBS) – 6.2 million *
Gotham (FOX) – 5.7 million
The Night Shift (NBC) – 5.5 million
AD The Bible Continues (NBC) – 5.4 million *
Once Upon a Time (ABC) – 5.1 million
Secrets & Lies and American Crime (ABC) – 5 million
Nashville (ABC) – 4.9 million
Grimm (NBC) – 4.8 million
Parenthood (NBC) – 4.7 million *
Bones (FOX) – 4.5 million
Forever (ABC) – 4.4 million *
Sleepy Hollow (FOX), State of Affairs (NBC) * and Revenge (ABC) * – 4.3 million
Marvel’s Agent Carter (ABC) – 4.2 million
Backstrom (FOX) – 4 million *
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC) – 3.9 million
Allegiance (NBC) – 3.8 million *
The Slap (NBC) – 3.7 million *
The Flash (The CW) – 3.6 million
The Following (FOX) * and Resurrection (ABC) * – 3.5 million
Constantine (NBC) – 3.2 million *
American Odyssey (NBC) – 3 million *
Arrow (The CW) – 2.7 million
Supernatural (The CW) – 2 million
iZombie (The CW) and Glee (FOX) * – 1.9 million
Red Band Society (FOX) – 1.8 million *
The 100 (The CW) – 1.6 million
The Vampire Diaries (The CW) – 1.5 million
The Originals and Jane the Virgin (The CW) – 1.3 million
Hart of Dixie (The CW) – 1.2 million *
Reign (The CW) – 1 million

* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending

The second list covers all of the cable network dramas from that same time period – January through June:

The Walking Dead (AMC) – 14.2 million
Game of Thrones (HBO) – 6.9 million
Major Crimes (TNT) – 3.8 million
Rizzoli & Isles (TNT) – 3.4 million
The Librarians (TNT) – 3.3 million
Better Call Saul (AMC) – 3.2 million
The Haves and Have Nots (OWN) and American Horror Story: Hotel (FX) – 3.1 million
Vikings (History Channel) – 2.5 million
If Loving You Is Wrong (OWN) – 2.2 million
Mad Men (AMC) – 2.1 million *
Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family) – 1.9 million
Justified (FX) * and Bates Motel (A&E) – 1.8 million
Good Witch (Hallmark), Being Mary Jane (BET) and Suits (USA Network) – 1.7 million
Perception (TNT) – 1.6 million *
The Fosters (ABC Family) – 1.3 million
Switched at Birth (ABC Family) and Dig (USA Network) * – 1.2 million
When Calls the Heart (Hallmark) – 1.1 million
The Returned (A&E) *, The Royals (E!) and The Americans (FX) – 1.1 million
Outlander (Starz) – 1 million
The Transporter: The Series (TNT) – 873,000 viewers *
The Lizzie Borden Chronicles (Lifetime) – 810,000 viewers *
Chasing Life (ABC Family) – 809,000 viewers *
12 Monkeys (Syfy) – 798,000 viewers
Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce (Bravo) – 794,000 viewers
Black Sails (Starz) – 727,000 viewers
Finding Carter (MTV) – 715,000 viewers
Turn (AMC) – 696,000 viewers
Lost Girl (Syfy) – 621,000 viewers
Eye Candy (MTV) – 591,000 viewers *
Banshee (Cinemax) – 582,000 viewers *
Helix (Syfy) – 564,000 viewers *
Olympus (Syfy) – 550,000 viewers *
Bitten (Syfy) – 489,000 viewers
Orphan Black (BBC America) – 438,000 viewers
Broadchurch (BBC America) – 360,000 viewers
Salem (WGN America) – 352,000 viewers
Hindsight (VH1) – 263,000 viewers *
The Musketeers (BBC America) – 234,000 viewers (average) *
Ripper Street (BBC America) – 190,000 viewers +
The Red Road (Sundance) – 178,000 viewers *
The Missing (Starz) – 149,000 viewers

* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
+ show has since moved from cable TV to streaming online

NOTE: Ratings for the following shows could not be tracked down: Babylon (Sundance), Downton Abbey (PBS), Fortitude (Pivot), Full Circle: Chicago Payback (DirecTV) and Tatau (BBC America).

The third list covers all of the dramas that aired on major networks over the summer from about the end of April through about mid-September:

Zoo (CBS) – 5.9 million
Under the Dome (CBS) – 4.6 million *
Extant (CBS) – 4.4 million *
The Astronaut Wives Club (ABC) – 4.3 million *
Rookie Blue (ABC) – 3.9 million *
Wayward Pines (FOX) – 3.8 million
Mistresses and The Whispers * (ABC) – 3.5 million
Aquarius (NBC) – 2.6 million *
Hannibal (NBC) – 1.7 million *
Beauty And the Beast (The CW) – 977,000 viewers
The Messengers (The CW) – 945,000 viewers *

* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending

The fourth list covers all of the dramas that aired on the cable networks over the summer from about the end of June through about October:

Fear the Walking Dead (AMC) – 7.6 million
Rizzoli & Isles (TNT) – 4.3 million
Major Crimes (TNT) – 4.2 million
The Haves and Have Nots (OWN) – 3.2 million
The Last Ship (TNT) and True Detective ^ (HBO) – 2.6 million
Suits (USA Network) -2.3 million
Murder in the First and Proof * (TNT) – 2.1 million
Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family) and Falling Skies (TNT) * – 2 million
Hell on Wheels (AMC) – 1.8 million
Royal Pains (USA Network) and Cedar Cove (Hallmark) ^ – 1.5 million
Ray Donovan (Showtime), Devious Maids (Lifetime) and Mr. Robot (USA Network) – 1.4 million
The Strain (FX), Power (Starz) and Complications (USA Network) * – 1.3 million
Tyrant (FX), The Fosters (ABC Family), Teen Wolf (MTV) and Humans (AMC) – 1.2 million
Defiance (Syfy) – 1 million *
Killjoys (Syfy) – 954,000 viewers
Dark Matter (Syfy) – 951,000 viewers
Dominion (Syfy) – 867,000 viewers *
Stitchers (ABC Family) – 859,000 viewers
Graceland (USA Network) – 847,000 viewers *
Scream: The Series (MTV) – 751,000 viewers
UnReal (Lifetime) – 696,000 viewers
Chasing Life (ABC Family) – 666,000 viewers *
Penny Dreadful (Showtime) – 611,000 viewers
Masters of Sex (Showtime) – 595,000 viewers
Halt & Catch Fire (AMC) – 523,000 viewers
Strike Back (Cinemax) – 235,000 viewers *
Rectify (Sundance) – 154,000 viewers
Atlantis (Syfy) – 118,000 viewers (average) *
Deutschland 83 (Sundance) – 90,000 viewers ^

* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
^ a decision has yet to be made if this show will return for another season

NOTE: Ratings for the following show could not be tracked down: Rogue (DirecTV).

The fifth list covers the cable network dramas that aired from approximately August to mid-December:

Into the Badlands (AMC) – 3.9 million
American Horror Story: Hotel (FX) – 3 million
Major Crimes (TNT) – 2.9 million
If Loving You Is Wrong (OWN) – 2.3 million
The Librarians (TNT) – 1.9 million (approximate)
Being Mary Jane (BET) – 1.7 million
Homeland (Showtime) – 1.5 million
Fargo (FX) – 1.3 million
Public Morals (TNT) 1 million *
The Bastard Executioner (FX) – 1 million *
Agent X (TNT) – 963,000 viewers (approximate) *
Z Nation (Syfy) – 876,000 viewers
The Affair (Showtime) – 842,000 viewers
Haven (Syfy) – 654,000 viewers *
Satisfaction (USA Network) – 647,000 viewers ^
The Royals (E) – 583,000 viewers (approximate)
Legends (TNT) – 557,000 viewers (approximate) *
Finding Carter (MTV) – 412,000 viewers
Continuum (Syfy) – 410,000 viewers *
Doctor Who (BBC America) – 968,000 viewers
The Leftovers (HBO) – 698,000 viewers
The Knick (Cinemax) – 240,000 viewers
Manhattan (WGN America) – 239,000 viewers
Ties That Bind (UP Channel) – 171,000 viewers ^
Da Vinci’s Demons (Starz) – 150,000 viewers (approximate) *
Flesh and Bone (Starz) – 113,000 viewers (approximate)
South of Hell (WE tv) – 107,000 viewers (average) ^
The Returned (Sundance) – 82,000 viewers (approximate)

NOTE: Ratings for the following show could not be tracked down: Kingdom (DirecTV).

* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
^ a decision has yet to be made if this show will return for another season
(approximate) means these shows still had episodes to air at the very end of the year and the ratings for those episodes could not be provided in time for this year-end report

The sixth and final list covers all of the major network dramas that aired during the first half of the 2015-2016 TV season, covering September to approximately mid-December:

NCIS (CBS) – 16.5 million
NCIS: New Orleans (CBS) – 12.7 million
Empire (FOX) and CSI (CBS) * – 12.2 million
Blue Bloods (CBS) – 10.4 million
Madam Secretary (CBS) – 10.3 million
Scorpion (CBS) – 9.5 million
Chicago Med (NBC) – 8.9 million
Hawaii Five-0 (CBS) – 8.6 million
Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal (ABC) and Supergirl and Criminal Minds (CBS) – 8.5 million
Blindspot (NBC) – 8.4 million
NCIS: Los Angeles and The Good Wife (CBS) – 8.2 million
Chicago Fire (NBC) and Limitless (CBS) – 8 million
Code Black (CBS) – 7.3 million
Castle (ABC) – 7.2 million
How to Get Away with Murder (ABC) – 7.1 million
The Mysteries of Laura (NBC) – 6.9 million
The Blacklist (NBC) – 6.8 million
Chicago P.D. (NBC) – 6.5 million
Elementary (CBS) – 6.2 million
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) and CSI: Cyber (CBS) – 6.1 million
Rosewood (FOX) – 5.4 million
Bones (FOX) and Once Upon a Time (ABC) – 5 million
Quantico (ABC) – 4.9 million
Nashville (ABC) – 4.5 million
Gotham (FOX) – 4.3 million
The Player (NBC) – 4 million *
Heroes Reborn (NBC) and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Blood & Oil * (ABC) – 3.9 million
Grimm (NBC) – 3.6 million
The Flash (The CW) – 3.5 million
Sleepy Hollow (FOX) – 3.3 million
Arrow (The CW) – 2.7 million
Wicked City (ABC) – 2.5 million *
Scream Queens (FOX) – 2.3 million
Minority Report (FOX) – 2.2 million *
Supernatural (The CW) – 1.9 million
iZombie (The CW) – 1.5 million
The Vampire Diaries (The CW) – 1.3 million
Reign and Jane the Virgin (The CW) – 1.1 million
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and The Originals (The CW) – 1 million

* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending

The final analyses of all these ratings for both the major and cable networks for the entire year are as follows:

1. NCIS is still the top rated drama on the air: a title the show has held for a number of years now. In fact, once again, CBS is the top network overall with more dramas in the top 10 than any other network throughout the entire year. The lowest rated dramas on CBS are Elementary and CSI: Cyber, but the ratings for both shows are still better than nearly half of the dramas on all other networks.

2.  Just like last year, How to Get Away with Murder slightly edged out both Scandal and Castle as the number one drama on ABC in the first half of the year, but all three shows as well as Grey’s Anatomy were nearly neck and neck for the top spot in the latter half of the year.  On the opposite end, the lowest rated dramas include the cancelled drama Resurrection, the soon-to-be officially cancelled Blood & Oil and the fan favorite (but poorly performing) Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

3. Over on FOX, the drama Empire blew away all of the other dramas on the network, beating once top series Bones for the top spot. The poorest performing dramas on FOX included the cancelled Red Band Society, Glee and The Following as well as soon-to-be officially cancelled Minority Report and the less-than-stellar Scream Queens.

4. While the new NBC drama Blindspot became the first new show of the fall season to receive a pick-up order for a second season, it was beaten out by the new drama Chicago Med as the top rated show for the network. But, previous winner The Blacklist is still holding its own with Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. right on its heels. The lowest rated dramas on the network include the cancelled dramas Constantine and American Odyssey as well as Heroes Reborn and Grimm.

5. For the second year, The Flash is the top rated drama on The CW with former winner Arrow not that far behind. Meanwhile, the cancelled drama Hart of Dixie as well as Reign, The Originals and the new drama Crazy Ex-Girlfriend are all battling for bottom of the list for the network.

6. Once again, The Walking Dead was the top rated show out of all the cable network dramas to air throughout the year with its spin-off series Fear the Walking Dead, Game of Thrones on HBO and Zoo on CBS taking the next three slots at the top of the ratings.

There is one last list, though, and it is long so be prepared. The following covers all of the made-for-TV movies, mini-series, event series and specials that aired during 2015 on both the major and cable networks for which ratings could be tracked down:

Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors (NBC) – 12.8 million
The Wiz Live! (NBC) – 11.1 million
The Dovekeepers (CBS) – 7.7 million (average over 2 nights)
Teen Beach 2 (Disney) – 7.5 million
Descendants (Disney) – 6.6 million
A Christmas Detour (Hallmark) – 4.8 million
Crown for Christmas (Hallmark) – 4.3 million
Christmas Land (Hallmark) – 4.2 million
Invisible Sister (Disney) – 4 million
A Christmas Melody (Hallmark) – 4 million
Killing Jesus (NatGeo) – 3.7 million
I’m Not Ready for Christmas (Hallmark) – 3.6 million
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas (Hallmark) – 3.5 million
Northpole: Open for Christmas (Hallmark) – 3.5 million
Just in Time for Christmas (Hallmark) – 3.5 million
Ice Sculpture Christmas (Hallmark) – 3.3 million
Charming Christmas (Hallmark) – 3.3 million
Merry Matrimony (Hallmark) – 3.3 million
Angel of Christmas (Hallmark) – 3.3 million
Karen Kingsbury’s The Bridge (Hallmark) – 3.2 million
Christmas Incorporated (Hallmark) – 3.2 million
Sons of Liberty (History) [mini-series] – 3.1 million (average over 3 nights)
Once Upon a Holiday (Hallmark) – 3.1 million
12 Gifts of Christmas (Hallmark) – 3.1 million
Cleveland Abduction (Lifetime) – 3.1 million
Texas Rising (History) – 3.1 million (average over 4 nights)
All of My Heart (Hallmark) – 3 million
Harvest Moon (Hallmark) – 2.9 million
Good Witch Halloween (Hallmark) – 2.7 million
Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise (Hallmark) – 2.7 million
October Kiss (Hallmark) – 2.6 million
Surprised By Love (Hallmark) – 2.4 million
With This Ring (Lifetime) – 2.4 million
So You Said Yes (Hallmark) – 2.4 million
Tis the Season for Love (Hallmark) – 2.3 million
A Novel Romance (Hallmark) – 2.2 million
Bridal Wave (Hallmark) – 2.2 million
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe (Lifetime) – 2.2 million (average over 2 nights)
A Country Wedding (Hallmark) – 2.2 million
Autumn Dreams (Hallmark) – 2.1 million
Love By the Book (Hallmark) – 2 million
A Wish Come True (Hallmark) – 1.9 million
Kept Woman (Lifetime) – 1.9 million
Love On the Air (Hallmark) – 1.9 million
Book of Negroes (BET) – 1.8 million (average over 3 nights)
If There Be Thorns (Lifetime) – 1.8 million
Seeds of Yesterday (Lifetime) – 1.8 million
Kidnapped: The Hannah Anderson Story (Lifetime) – 1.8 million
The Flight Before Christmas (Lifetime) – 1.8 million
Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow (Lifetime) – 1.7 million
Whitney (Lifetime) – 1.7 million
Portrait of Love (Hallmark) – 1.7 million
Just the Way You Are (Hallmark) – 1.7 million
Double Daddy (Lifetime) – 1.7 million
Perfect High (Lifetime) – 1.7 million
Family for Christmas (Hallmark) – 1.7 million
Beautiful & Twisted (Lifetime) – 1.6 million
Babysitter’s Black Book (Lifetime) – 1.6 million
The Unauthorized Full House Story (Lifetime) – 1.6 million
Tut (Spike) – 1.5 million (average over 3 nights)
A Gift Wrapped Christmas (Lifetime) – 1.4 million
The Bride He Bought Online (Lifetime) – 1.4 million
The Perfect Match (Hallmark) – 1.4 million
Garage Sale Mystery: The Deadly Room (Hallmark) – 1.4 million
Last Chance for Christmas (Lifetime) – 1.3 million
Lost Boy (Lifetime) – 1.3 million
Bessie (HBO) – 1.3 million
Murder in Mexico (Lifetime) – 1.3 million
The Murder Pact (Lifetime) – 1.3 million
Childhood’s End (Syfy) – 1.3 million (average over 3 nights)
The Christmas Gift (Lifetime) – 1.2 million
Megachurch Murders (Lifetime) – 1.2 million
The Preacher’s Sin (Lifetime) – 1.2 million
Wish Upon a Christmas (Lifetime) – 1.1 million
Becoming Santa (Lifetime) – 1.1 million
Murder She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.1 million
Saints & Strangers (NatGeo) [mini-series] – 1.1 million (average over 2 nights)
The Christmas Note (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1 million
Debbie Macomber’s Dashing Through the Snow (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1 million
Murder She Baked: A Plum Pudding Mystery (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 987,000 viewers
The Hollow (Syfy) – 978,000 viewers
Magic Stocking (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 922, 000 viewers
Ungodly Acts (Lifetime) – 915,000 viewers
The Expanse (Syfy) – 910,000 viewers (First Three Parts Only)
They Found Hell (Syfy) – 840,000 viewers
Signed Sealed Delivered: Truth Be Told (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 806,000 viewers
Back to School Mom (Lifetime) – 798,000 viewers
10,000 Days (Syfy) – 774,000 viewers
Beverly Lewis’s The Reckoning (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 760,000 viewers
Night of the Wild (Syfy) – 713,000 viewers
Sister Code (BET) – 676,000 viewers
Maid for Murder (Lifetime) – 676,000 viewers
Angels in the Snow (UP Channel) – 660,000 viewers
The Unauthorized Beverly Hills 90210 Story (Lifetime) – 654,000 viewers
Buried Secrets (LMN) – 621,000 viewers
My One Christmas Wish (UP Channel) – 596,000 viewers
Reluctant Witness (Lifetime) – 506,000 viewers
Fan Girl (ABC Family) – 425,000 viewers
Royal Family Thanksgiving (TV One) – 412,000 viewers
The Unauthorized Melrose Place Story (Lifetime) – 382,000 viewers
Runaway Island (TV One) – 356,000 viewers
Royal Family Christmas (TV One) – 343,000 viewers
A Baby for Christmas (UP Channel) – 316,000 viewers
Beverly Hills Christmas (UP Channel) – 306,000 viewers
The Last Kingdom (BBC America) – 290,000 viewers (average over 8 nights)
Nightingale (HBO) – 219,000 viewers
Casual Vacancy (HBO) – 173,000 viewers (average over 2 nights)

What shows, made-for-TV movies, mini-series and/or specials have you enjoyed the most throughout the year? Please share.

TOMORROW: Faces of 2015

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: Condolences for 2015

Posted in Books, Movies, Music, Television, Year End Round Up on December 27, 2015| 1 Comment »

The following industry personalities (listed in alphabetical order) passed away in 2015 and heartfelt condolences are extended to their families, friends and fans:

Frank Albanese (Actor, The Sopranos)
Jayne Meadows Allen (Comedian and Actress)
Lynn Anderson (Country Singer)

Yogi Berra (New York Yankees Legend)
James Best (Actor, The Dukes of Hazzard)
Theodore Bikel (Actor, Fiddler On The Roof)
Khan Bonfils (British Actor Star Wars and James Bond franchises
Martin E. Brooks (Actor, Six Million Dollar Man and Bionic Woman)
Bobbi Kristina Brown (Daughter of the late Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown) [She was only 22]

David Canary (Actor, All My Children)
Judy Carne (Laugh-In Star)
David Carr (New York Times Critic and Media Columnist)
Jack Carter (Comedic Actor)
Brian Clemens (Writer/Producer of TV’s The Avengers)
George Coe (Original SNL Member and Archer Voice Actor)
Jackie Collins (Romance Novelist)
Former Child Actor (and TV Producer) Kevin Corcoran, “Old Yeller”
Catherine “The Log Lady” Coulson (Actress, Twin Peaks)
Yvonne Craig (Actress, Batgirl on Batman)
Wes Craven (Director, Scream and Nightmare on Elm Street)
Jonathan Crombie (Canadian actor from Anne of Green Gables movies)
Andrae Crouch (Gospel Singer)
Suzanne Crough (Actress, The Partridge Family)

Jean Darling (Actress, Our Gang)
Little Jimmy Dickens (Legendary Country Singer)
Donna Douglas (Actress, The Beverly Hillbillies)
Richard Dysart (Actor, L.A. Law)

Anita Ekberg (Legendary Actress)

Joe Franklin (TV Talk Show Pioneer)
Stan Freberg (Satirist and Looney Tunes Voice Actor)

Frank Gifford (Sportscaster and NFL Hall of Famer)
Samuel Goldwyn, Jr. (Son of Hollywood Mogul)
Lesley Gore (Singer-Songwriter “It’s My Party”)
John Guillermin (British Director, The Towering Inferno and 1976’s King Kong)

Edward Hermann (Actor Gilmore Girls and Lost Boys)
James Horner (Film Composer “Titanic”)

Marty Ingels (Comic Actor and Industry Raconteur) [and husband of Legendary Shirley Jones]

Doug Jones (Actor, The Love Bug)
Louis Jourdan (Veteran Actor, Gigi)

Mary Doyle Keefe (Model for “Rosie the Riveter” in the Normal Rockefeller painting)
B.B. King (Blues Legend)
Ben K. King (Legendary Singer, “Stand By Me”)

Jack Larson (Veteran Actor, The Adventures of Superman)
Christopher Lee (Actor The Lord of the Rings)
Cynthia Lennon (John Lennon’s first wife and mother of Julian Lennon)
Geoffrey Lewis (Actor, High Plains Drifter and Any Which Way You Can) [Father of actress Juliette Lewis]
Robert Loggia (Veteran Actor)

Nathaniel Marston (Actor, One Life to Live)
Colleen McCullough (Best-Selling Author, “The Thorn Birds”)
Patrick Macnee (Actor, Avengers)
Anne Meara (Comedian-Actress) [Ben Stiller’s mom]
Windell Middlebrooks (Actor, Body of Proof) [He was only 36}
Martin Milner (Actor, Adam-12 and Route 66)
Al Molinaro (Actor, Happy Days)
Ron Moody (Actor, Original box office movie Oliver!)
Dickie Moore (Actor, Little Rascals)
Harry Morgan (Actor, MASH)
Bess Myerson (Former Miss America and TV Personality)

Taylor Negron (Actor-Comedian)
Leonard Nimoy (Legendary Actor)
Patricia Norris (Costume Designer)

Maureen O’Hara (Legendary Actress)
Gary Owens (Legendary TV announcer)

Melody Patterson (Actress, F Troop)
Jim Perry (Game Show Host)
Amanda Peterson (Actress, Can’t Buy Me Love)
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper (Wrestler and Actor)
Ben Powers (Actor, Good Times)

Roger Rees (Actor, Warehouse 13)
Alex Rocco (Actor, The Godfather)

Stuart Scott (ESPN Anchor)
Omar Sharif (Legendary Actor)
Bob Simon (Longtime 60 Minutes and CBS News Reporter)
Sam Simon (Co-Creator, The Simpsons)
Percy Sledge (Legendary Singer, “When a Man Loves a Woman”)
Stewart Stern (Writer of Rebel Without a Cause)

Rod Taylor (Actor, The Birds)
Nigel Terry (Actor, Excalibur)
Fred Thompson (Actor, Law & Order and Former Senator)
Mary Ellen Trainor (Actress, Roswell and The Goonies)

Dick Van Patten (Actor, Eight is Enough)
Daniel Von Bargen (Actor, Seinfeld)

Alberta Watson (Actress, Le Femme Nikita)
Scott Weiland (Lead Singer, Stone Temple Pilots)
Jerry Weintraub (Legendary Producer)
Grace Lee Whitney (Actress, Star Trek)
Ben Woolf (Actor, American Horror Story)

NOTE: This list, in no way, covers all the industry talent who passed away this year. Again, condolences are extended to one and all.

Out of respect, please take a moment of silence.

TOMORROW: Ratings

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: Awards of 2015

Posted in Awards, Year End Round Up on December 26, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Every year there are lots of awards shows, some important, some just fun and numerous just silly or nonsensical, but the following list is just some of the top winners over the course of the year:

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS (January)

Favorite TV Icon – Betty White
Favorite Cable Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show – Outlander (Starz)
Favorite Cable TV Actor – Matthew Bomer, White Collar (USA Network)
Favorite New TV Comedy – Jane the Virgin (The CW)
Favorite Cable TV Drama – Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family)
Favorite TV Crime Drama – Castle (ABC)
Favorite Crime Drama, TV Actor – Nathan Fillion (Castle)
Favorite Crime Drama, TV Actress – Stana Katic (Castle)
Favorite Network Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show – Beauty And the Beast
Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actor – Misha Collins (Supernatural)
Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actress – Kristin Kreuk (Beauty And the Beast)
Favorite New TV Drama – The Flash (The CW)

GOLDEN GLOBES (January)

Best Movie, Drama – Boyhood
Lead Actor, Movie Drama – Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything
Lead Actress, Movie Drama – Julianne Moore, Still Alice
Lead Actor, Movie Comedy or Musical – Michael Keaton, Birdman
Supporting Actress, Movie – Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Animated Feature – How to Train Your Dragon 2
Lead Actress, Movie Comedy or Musical – Amy Adams, Big Eyes
Support Actor, Series, Miniseries or TV Movie – Matthew Bomer, The Normal Heart
Lead Actress, TV Comedy or Musical – Gina Rodriguez – Jane the Virgin
Support Actress, Series, Miniseries, or TV Movie – Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey

SAG AWARDS (January)

Male TV Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries – Mark Ruffalo, The Normal Heart
Female TV Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries – Frances McDormand, Olive Kitteridge
Male TV Actor in a Drama Series – Kevin Spacey, House of Cards
Female TV Actor in a Drama Series – Viola Davis, How to Get Away With Murder
Male Movie Actor in a Supporting Role – J.K. Simmons, Whiplash
Female Movie Actor in a Leading Role – Julianne Moore, Still Alice
Ensemble in a Motion Picture – Birdman
Lifetime achievement award – Debbie Reynolds

BAFTA (February)

Rising Star – Jack O’Connell
Animated Film – The Lego Movie

NAACP AWARDS (February)

Actor in a Drama – Shemar Moore, Criminal Minds
Support Actor in a Drama – Joe Morton, Scandal
Support Actress in a Drama – Khandi Alexander, Scandal
TV Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special – The Trip to Bountiful (Lifetime)

GRAMMY AWARDS (February)

Record of the Year – Sam Smith, “Stay With Me”
Song of the Year – Sam Smith, “Stay With Me”
Best New Artist – Sam Smith
Best Pop Vocal Album – Sam Smith, “In The Lonely Hour”
Best Rock Song – Paramore, “Ain’t It Fun”
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media – Frozen
Best Country Album – Miranda Lambert, “Platinum”
Best Country Solo Performance – Carrie Underwood, “Something In The Water”
Best Country Duo/Group Performance – The Band Perry, “Gentle On My Mind”

OSCARS (February)

Best Picture – Birdman
Best Supporting Actor – J.K. Simmons, Whiplash
Best Original Song – “Glory,” Selma
Best Animated Feature Film – Big Hero 6
Best Adapted Screenplay – The Imitation Games

MTV MOVIE AWARDS (April)

Movie of the Year – The Fault in Our Stars
Best Male Performance – Bradley Cooper, American Sniper
Breakthrough Performance – Dylan O’Brien, The Maze Runner
Best Female Performance – Shailene Woodley, The Fault in Our Stars
Best Hero – Dylan O’Brien, The Maze Runner
Best Villain – Meryl Streep, Into the Woods

CRITIC’S CHOICE AWARDS (May)

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Jonathan Banks, Better Call Saul
Best Supporting Actor in a Movie or Limited Series – Bill Murray, Olive Kitteridge
Best Actor in a Movie or Limited Series – David Oyelowo, Nightingale
Best Movie Made for Television – Bessie
Best Limited Series -: Olive Kitteridge
Best Actress in a Drama Series – Taraji P. Henson, Empire

74TH PEABODYS (June)

The Americans (FX)
Jane the Virgin (The CW)
Rectify (Sundance TV)

SATURN AWARDS (June)

Best Comic Book-to-Film Release – Guardians of the Galaxy
Best Fantasy Film Release – The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Best Action/Adventure Film Release – Unbroken
Best Actor in a Film – Chris Pratt, Guardians of the Galaxy
Best Supporting Actor in a Film – Richard Armitage, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Best Film Director – James Gunn, Guardians of the Galaxy
Best Limited Run Television Series – Game of Thrones (HBO)
Best Superhero Adaptation Television Series – The Flash (The CW)
Best Youth-Oriented Television Series – The 100 (The CW)
Best Actress in a Television Series – Caitronia Balfe, Outlander (Starz)
Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series – Maisie Williams, Game of Thrones
Best Guest Performance in a Television Series – Wentworth Miller, The Flash

TEEN CHOICE AWARDS (August)

Choice Movie Action/Adventure – Furious 7
Choice Movie Actor Action/Adventure – Paul Walker, Furious 7
Choice Movie Actress Action/Adventure – Shailene Woodley, Insurgent
Choice Movie Actor: Drama – Scott Eastwood, The Longest Ride
Choice Movie Actress: Drama – Chloe Grace Moretz, If I Stay
Choice Movie Scene Stealer – Chris Evans, Avengers: Age of Ultron
Choice TV Show Drama – Pretty Little Liars
Choice TV Actor Drama – Ian Harding, Pretty Little Liars
Choice TV Actress Drama – Lucy Hale, Pretty Little Liars
Choice TV Actor Sci-Fi/Fantasy – Jared Padalecki, Supernatural
Choice TV Scene Stealer – Dylan O’Brien, Teen Wolf
Choice TV Breakout Star – Grant Gustin, The Flash
Choice TV Chemistry – Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins, Supernatural
Choice Summer TV Show – Teen Wolf
Choice Male Artist – Ed Sheeran
Choice Rock Song -Hozier, “Take Me To Church”
Choice Summer Female Music Star – Taylor Swift

EMMY AWARDS (September)

Drama Series – Game of Thrones (HBO)
Actress in a Drama – Viola Davis, How to Get Away With Murder
Actor in a Drama – Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Actor in a Limited Series or Movie – Richard Jenkins, Olive Kitteridge
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Guest Actress in a Drama Series – Margo Martindale, The Americans
Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie – Regina King, American Crime

Congratulations to all of the above winners (and the countless others who won awards) this year. Are any of the above your favorites? Do you think there was an actor or actress who was overlooked this year? Please share your thoughts.

TOMORROW: Condolences

Read Full Post »

Movie Highlights of 2015

Posted in Movies, Year End Round Up on December 25, 2015| Leave a Comment »

There was a point in time when I truly enjoyed going to the movies as often as I could, but with the proliferation of cell phones (and all that we can “do” via them), the movie-going experience isn’t what it used to be. Far too many people seem to think that it is acceptable to use their cell phones at any time during the movie rather than following the “rules” by putting them away or, at the very least, muting them. If you need to be on your cell phone so damn much, WHY are you even at the movies?!

Given that sad truth, I have severely reduced how many movies I see each year, but still try to reach the goal of seeing at least 25 each year. This year I reached my goal!!

Out of those 25 movies I enjoyed Cinderella, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation and The Martian the most.

It is doubtful that readers care about what movies I saw throughout the year or which ones I liked best so let’s take a look at the biggest box office winners from this year (through the December 19-20 weekend):

1. Jurassic World – 652 million
2. Avengers: Age of Ultron – 459 million
3. Inside Out – 356 million
4. Furious 7 – 353 million
5. Minions – 336 million
6. Star Wars: The Force Awakens – 288 million
7. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 – 256 million
8. The Martian – 224 million
9. Cinderella – 201 million
10. Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation – 195 million
11. Spectre – 194 million
12. Pitch Perfect 2 – 184 million
13. Ant-Man – 180 million
14. Home – 177 million
15. Hotel Transylvania 2 – 168 million
16. Fifty Shades of Grey – 166 million
17. The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water – 163 million
18. Straight Outta Compton – 161 million
19. San Andreas – 155 million
20 Mad Max: Fury Road – 154 million
21. The Divergent Series: Insurgent – 130 million
22. Kingsman: The Secret Service – 128 million
23. The Peanuts Movie – 127 million
24. Spy – 111 million
25. Trainwreck – 110 million

As in years past, I also compiled a list of the movies that were either a disappointment at the box office or simply had horrible-looking trailers [at least in my opinion]. They appear in alphabetical order below:

American Ultra
Cooties
Daddy’s Home
Get Hard
Goosebumps
Hot Pursuit
Hot Tub Time Machine 2
Insidious Chapter 3
Krampus
Maggie
Paul Blart Mall Cop 2
Poltergeist
Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse
Sinister 2
Sisters
The Gallows
The Gift
The Lazarus Effect
The Night Before
The Wedding Ringer
The Woman in Black 2
The Visit
Train Wreck
Unfinished Business
Vacation

What movies did you most enjoy seeing this year? Which movies were disappointments to you? Please share your thoughts and comments.

TOMORROW: Awards

PS: Merry Christmas!!!

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: Music Moments in 2015

Posted in Music, Year End Round Up on December 24, 2015| Leave a Comment »

In my world, I couldn’t live without music. In fact, I wake up to music rather than an alarm. I go to bed with music on. I always have the radio on in my car and there is always music playing in my home if the TV isn’t on. That may not be the case for everyone, but – like I said – I can’t live without music.

With that thought in mind here are some of the special music and video moments from this past year in my opinion:

Queen of the Music World: Adele

Here is the video for “Hello” from Adele’s new album “25”:

Theme Song of the Year:  “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten

Here is the video:

Best Parody Video (that created a movement within the fandom): “Shake It Off” Supernatural Parody by The Hillywood Show

Here is the video:

Best Country Music Video: “A Girl In A Country Song” by Maddie and Tae

Here is the video:

Best New Singer (Female): Elle King “Ex’s and Oh’s”

Best Rock Song [TIE]: “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy and “Renegades” by XAmbassadors

Centuries:

Renegades (Audio Version):

Best New Teen Singer: Shawn Mendes “Stitches”

Best New Song for Karaoke: “Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd

Best Dance Tune of the Year:  “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars

See the following video of 66 old dance movie scenes mashed up with the above song:

Best Singers on the Planet: Pentatonix

Here is a video of them singing the Star Wars theme at the American Music Awards and the Christian song “Mary, Did You Know”

Star Wars performance:

Mary, Did You Know:

Best Way to End the Year:

Jimmy Fallon and the Roots with Star Wars cast singing movie theme music acapella:

Which artists stood out for you over this past year? What was your favorite song? Which songs did you get sick of hearing on the radio? What song could you listen to over and over again? What was the top album in your opinion? Please share your thoughts below.

TOMORROW: Movies

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: The Best (and Worst) of Television

Posted in Television, Year End Round Up on December 23, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Every TV season viewers never know what to expect from their favorite shows because the powers that be behind those shows are sneaky, they like to freak us out, make us laugh, make us cheer and sigh in relief. There is always so much going on each TV season that sometimes it’s hard to point out all of the best (and worst) that TV gives us each year, but the following list, which is featured in no particular order, is what really stood out for me:

Blindspot

Best New Drama – Blindspot (NBC)

Best Battle – Peggy Carter’s massive fight in the diner on Agent Carter, Matt Murdock’s hallway fight in Daredevil and the White Walkers attack on Game of Thrones

Clone Dinner Party

Best Use of Clones – The Clone Dinner Party at Allison’s house on Orphan Black

Most Upsetting Deaths on TV – Charlie on Supernatural, Leo on Chasing Life, Derek Shepherd on Grey’s Anatomy and Clara on Doctor Who

Jon Snow

Shocking Death (That Hopefully Isn’t Really Real) – Jon Snow on Game of Thrones

Coolest Gadget on TV – Doctor Who’s new sonic screwdriver, his sonic sunglasses

Christening Speech Jane the Virgin

One of the Most Moving Scenes – The Christening Speech of baby Mateo on Jane the Virgin

Nicest Way to End a Season – Oliver and Felicity driving off together and Oliver being happy in Arrow

Sam Heughan

Best Actor in a TV Show – Sam Heughan, Outlander

Best Online Series – Daredevil and The Man in the High Castle

Tennant

D'Onofrio

Best Villains – David Tennant in Marvel’s Jessica Jones and Vincent D’Onofrio in Marvel’s Daredevil

Best Mini-Series (to Fill the Time During Droughtlander) – Poldark (PBS)

Italia Ricci

Best Actress in a TV Series – Italia Ricci, Chasing Life

Best Guilty Pleasure Shows – The Royals (E!) and Unreal (Lifetime)

Priyanka Chopra

Prettiest Newcomer – Priyanka Chopra on Quantico

Former Fan Favorites That Maybe Need To Come To An End – Once Upon a Time and Scandal (both on ABC) and Sleepy Hollow (FOX)

Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Only Reason to Watch Extant This Summer – Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Best TV Episodes – The Ghost In You” (the scavenger hunt Leo sent April on after his death) on Chasing Life and “If-Then-Else” (the multi-simulations played out by the Machine) on Person of Interest

Toks Olagundoye

Best New Addition to a TV Show – Toks Olagundoye as Hayley Vargas on Castle

Most Anticipated Shows for the Upcoming Mid-Season – Shadowhunters on FreeForm (formerly ABC Family) and The Shannara Chronicles on MTV

Rhys Matthew Bond

Best Male Newcomer – Rhys Matthew Bond on Ties That Bind and Good Witch

Worst Cancellation (After the Fact) – Hindsight on VH1

Killjoys

Coolest New Sci-Fi Series – Killjoys (Syfy)

The Show That Totally “Jumped the Shark” the Most This Year – Reign (The CW)

Scream Queens

Most Over-Rated Fall Drama  – Scream Queens (FOX)

Most Unexpected Cancellations – Graceland (USA Network), Atlantis (BBC America) and Forever (ABC)

Castle

Most Disappointing Split – Castle and Kate being separated on Castle

Christmas Movie Overkill – Hallmark Channel airing too many holiday movies from Halloween to Christmas

PLL 5 Years Forward

The Most Surprising Story Twist – Five year time jump on Pretty Little Liars

Most Hoped For Renewal – Cedar Cove (Hallmark)

The Player

The Most Overlooked New Drama of the Fall Season – The Player (NBC)

Dumbest Name Change for a Network – ABC Family changing to FreeForm in January 2016

Falling Skies

Best Ending to a Long-Running Drama – Falling Skies (TNT)

Favorite New Cable Drama – Good Witch (Hallmark)

Fitz and Simmons Kiss

It’s About Damn Time – Fitz and Simmons kiss on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on what you liked the most and the least on television throughout 2015. Please share.

TOMORROW: Movies

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: My Observations on 2015

Posted in Books, Convention/Event, Messages, Television, Year End Round Up on December 22, 2015| Leave a Comment »

I have been putting together my year-end round-ups on all things entertainment industry related for a decade now; and every year it is a unique experience keeping track of the unique events that take place. Of course, it’s impossible to focus on every single thing that happens, but I sure do enjoy focusing on all the good things that have taken place throughout the year.

As always, I have spent a big portion of my year watching lots and lots of television – I wasn’t known as the “TV Queen” (at one point in time) for nothing. But, I also enjoy reading, setting a goal for myself of reading about 20 books every year. That may not sound like a lot (for some people) but between starting my own new business, all of my freelance writing and real life, reading 20 books is, sometimes, pushing it for me.

That being said, just like last year, I was able to exceed my goal, reading a number of Jane Austen inspired books by Amanda Grange, Jenni James, Beth Revis and Diana Peterfruend as well as several sci-fi-themed novels by Rachel Hawkins, Carrie Jones, Stacey Kade and Deborah Harkness. I also thoroughly enjoyed Frozen Heat by Richard Castle, the latest Veronica Mars book by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham and a delightful book by author Chris Culler. There were also pre-requisite romance novels by Nora Roberts and Robyn Carr as well as Finding Fraser by KC Dyer, a wonderful book based around a woman’s obsession with Jamie Fraser from the Outlander novel.

Just like last year I attended Paley Fest in Los Angeles, taking part in panels for Scandal, Teen Wolf, Outlander, Arrow and The Flash and Jane the Virgin. I, once again, attended Wonder Con in Anaheim, Comic Con in San Diego and the annual Preview Parties held at the Paley Center for Media.

That’s enough about me, though, so starting tomorrow my first year-end round-up focusing on the best and worst of television will go live and for each day throughout the rest of the year I will spotlight the year of 2015.

NOTE: I apologize in advance for any omissions, spelling errors or oversights I may have made, but I don’t apologize for any of the choices I made.

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: Closing Out 2014

Posted in Messages, Year End Round Up on December 31, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Needless to say, 2014 has been an interesting, exciting and unpredictable year for fans of television, movies, music and books. While we have all had good and bad times throughout the year, we can all rejoice in the great entertainment these medium have provided.

Have a wonderful New Year!

PS: Thank you all so very much for visiting my site. I hope you will continue to visit as often as you can.

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: The New Faces of 2015

Posted in Movies, New Faces, New Shows, Online Series, Television, Year End Round Up on December 30, 2014| 1 Comment »

Much like the Faces of 2014, there are always entertainers of note to be on the look-out for in the new year or those who made great waves throughout the current year who will, undoubtedly, be big stars in the new year.

Here are my predictions for the faces of 2015 (in no particular order):

Luke Bracey and Liana Liberato

Luke Bracey and Liana Liberato

Luke Bracey and Liana Liberato – Luke is known for his work on the Australian soap opera Home and Away and small roles in the films Monte Carlo and G.I. Joe: Retaliation. Liana has appeared in TV shows like House, Cold Case, CSI: Miami and Sons of Anarchy as well as the films Trespass and Stuck in Love. But, this year they starred in the film The Best of Me, the latest Nicholas Sparks movie adaptation; and Luke appeared alongside Pierce Brosnan in The November Man while Liana also appeared in If I Stay. She will next be seen in the film Dear Eleanor alongside Jessica Alba, Josh Lucas and Isabelle Fuhrman while Luke will next be seen in American Dream with Nick Stahl and Michiel Huisman and the remake of Point Break.

Robin Lord Taylor

Robin Lord Taylor

Robin Lord Taylor – Robin’s first big break came via the film Accepted then he appeared in episodes of Life on Mars, Law & Order, Person of Interest, The Good Wife and The Walking Dead and he also appeared in the films Another Earth. But, it has been his role as Oswald Cobblepot (aka The Penguin) in the new FOX drama Gotham that has brought him accolades and attention.

Tobey Kebbell

Tobey Kebbell

Toby Kebbell – Toby has appeared in the box office films Alexander, Match Point, RocknRolla, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, War Horse and The Counselor. But it was his role in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes that put him in front of the public. And now, he has been cast as Dr. Doom in Fantastic Four reboot as well as appearing in the video game adaptation Warcraft and the upcoming Ben Hur remake.

Jenny Slate

Jenny Slate

Jenny Slate – This SNL alum has appeared in episodes of Bored to Death, Raising Hope, House of Lies, Parks and Recreation and the FX series Married, but it was her lead role in this year’s hit indie film Obvious Child that garnered her the most attention. She will soon be seen in the box office film The Longest Week alongside Jason Bateman, Olivia Wilde and Billy Crudup as well as the upcoming Digging for Fire that will star Anna Kendrick, Orlando Bloom, Sam Rockwell, Chris Messina and Jake Johnson.

Nolan Sotillo

Nolan Sotillo

Nolan Sotillo – Newcomer Nolan is one of the teen stars of the under-appreciated new FOX medical drama Red Band Society and he appeared in the box office film Prom. Nolan is also a singer-songwriter, who was part of a teen musical group called Invasion.

Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan – Matt stars as John Constantine in the NBC thriller series Constantine based on the DC Comics character, but he has appeared in episodes of The Tudors, Torchwood and the short-lived spin-off Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior. He has also appeared in the films Layer Cake, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Flypaper, Armistice and provided his voice to the video game Assassin’s Creed IV.

Keiynan Lonsdale

Keiynan Lonsdale

Keiynan Lonsdale – Keiynan is an Australian actor, singer and dancer who appeared in the Aussie series Dance Academy who has landed a role in the upcoming film Insurgent (the sequel to Divergent based on the book series by Veronica Roth). He will also appear in the upcoming film The Finest Hours that will also star Chris Pine, Eric Bana, Holliday Grainger, Ben Foster and Casey Affleck.

Camren Bicondova

Camren Bicondova

Camren Bicondova – Newcomer Camren is a teen model and dancer who landed a pivotal role on the FOX drama Gotham, playing Selina Kyle (aka the future Catwoman). She guest-starred in an episode of the Disney series Shake It Up and in the foreign dance film Battlefield America.

Jack O'Connell

Jack O’Connell

Jack O’Connell – British TV viewers will know Jack from the series Skins and he had a role in the box office film 300: Rise of an Empire, but his role in the acclaimed film ’71 and his upcoming role in the Angelina Jolie-directed film Unbroken that will put him on top of the heap. He will then be seen in next year’s Tulip Fever with Zach Galifianakis and Christoph Waltz and Section 6.

Wes Chatham

Wes Chatham

Wes Chatham – Wes turned heads in his recurring role on the CBS series The Unit and appeared in the films W. and The Help; but it will be his role in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2 that will get him noticed. He will also appear in the film Broken Horses with Vincent D’Onofrio and Anton Yelchin and he will be seen in next year’s Syfy drama The Expanse.

Ryan Guzman

Ryan Guzman

Ryan Guzman – Ryan turned heads in several of the Step Up franchise films and his brief recurring role on Pretty Little Liars; but he will appear alongside Jennifer Lopez in the thriller The Boy Next Door and then in the live-film adaptation of Jem and the Holograms as well as That’s What I’m Talking About with Tyler Hoechlin and Zoey Deutch.

Grant Gustin

Grant Gustin

Grant Gustin – He may have made fans of Glee upset with his role of Sebastian Smythe in Glee as well as a recurring role on 90210, but it has been his role in this fall’s small-screen adaptation of The Flash that has put in on the map.

Gina Rodriguez

Gina Rodriguez

Gina Rodriguez – In her role of Jane Villanueva on the charming new CW series Jane the Virgin, Gina is being touted as one of the breakthrough faces of the fall TV season. But this isn’t her first time on the small screen, she has appeared in episodes of Law & Order, Army Wives, The Bold & the Beautiful and Longmire as well as the acclaimed indie film Filly Brown.

Lorenzo Richelmy

Lorenzo Richelmy

Lorenzo Richelmy – Lorenzo is an Italian actor who has appeared in TV and film in European productions, but who has made his American debut in the Netflix drama Marco Polo about the famed explorer’s adventures in 13th Century China.

Gal Gadot

Gal Gadot

Gal Gadot – Film goers may recognize Gal from her role in the Fast & Furious franchise or possible from the small screen in the extremely short-lived series The Beautiful Life, but it is her casting as Wonder Woman in the upcoming film Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice that will turn heads. She is also set to appear in the Wonder Woman stand-alone film (there is FINALLY going to be one!!) and the 2017 Justice League film.

Are there any actors or actresses who you think are the faces to watch in 2014? Please share.

TOMORROW: Closing Out 2014

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »