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Year-End Round-Up: The Faces of 2013

Posted in Movies, New Faces, New Shows, Television, Year End Round Up on December 29, 2013| 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:

Travis Fimmel

Travis Fimmel

1. Travis Fimmel – Travis isn’t a newcomer to television, as he starred in the short-lived shows Tarzan and The Beast (with the late Patrick Swayze) and before that he was a Calvin Klein model, but it was his lead role of Ragnar Lothbrok in the History Channel mini-series Vikings that caught viewers by surprise. He will appear in next year’s box office film Overdrive with Twilight franchise alum Jamie Campbell Bower and is rumored to have a role in the film adaptation of the video game series Warcraft.

Ambyr Childers

Ambyr Childers

2. Ambyr Childers – The All My Children alum who played Colby Chandler for two years made waves in the much-buzzed-about box office film The Master, starring alongside Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Joaquin Phoenix. She also had a leading role in the 2010 Mexican horror film remake We Are What We Are and she had small roles in the 2013 films 2 Guns, Broken City and Gangster Squad. She also appeared in two episodes of this year’s new Showtime drama Ray Donovan.

Anthony Starr

Anthony Starr

3. Anthony Starr – This New Zealand actor landed the lead role of Lucas Hood in the Cinemax drama Banshee. Prior to that he appeared in the New Zealand shows Mercy Peak and Outrageous Fortune as well as the Australian shows Rush, Tricky Business and Lowdown. He also appeared in the 2012 independent film Wish You Were Here alongside Joel Edgerton and Teresa Palmer.

Ahna O'Reilly

Ahna O’Reilly

4. Ahna O’Reilly – Ahna appeared in an episode of CSI: NY and The Vampire Diaries and the made-for-TV movie Call Me Crazy: A Five Film as well as small roles in the box office films Forgetting Sarah Marshall, The Help and Fruitvale Station. But, it was her role of Chris Ann Brennan in the Ashton Kutcher-led film jOBS that got her attention. She will also be seen in the upcoming box office films CBGB, Lucky Them and As I Lay Dying.

Avan Jogia

Avan Jogia

5. Avan Jogia – The Canadian actor got his first big break in the 2006 made-for-TV movie A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story and then he appeared in three episodes of the short-lived Caprica. In 2010, he was a series regular on the Nickelodeon teen comedy-drama Victorious before landing the lead role on the ABC Family mystery thriller Twisted.

Matthias Schoenaerts

Matthias Schoenaerts

6. Matthias Schoenaerts – Matthias has a long resume of roles throughout Europe, but it was his appearance in 2012 independent film Rust and Bone alongside Marion Cotillard that turned heads. He will next be seen in the box office films Animal Rescue with Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace, Suite Francaise with Michelle Williams and Kristin Scott Thomas, The Loft with Karl Urban, Rhona Mitra, James Marsden and Wentworth Miller, A Little Chaos with Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman and Stanley Tucci and Far From The Maddening Crowd with Carey Mulligan, Michael Sheen and Juno Temple.

Emily Bett Rickards

Emily Bett Rickards

7. Emily Bett Rickards – This Canadian newcomer quickly became a fan-favorite on The CW series Arrow in her role of IT expert Felicity Smoak, a role that was made her a series regular in the show’s ongoing second season. Before landing a role on Arrow, though, Emily appeared in the Lifetime made-for-TV movie Romeo Killer: The Chris Porco Story and the direct to DVD movie Flicka: Country Pride. She will also be seen in the independent film Dakota’s Summer, co-starring with Keith Carradine.

Sharni Vinson

Sharni Vinson

8. Sharni Vinson – The Australian beauty turned heads in the horror comedy You’re Next, but she got her start on the long-running Australian soap opera Home and Away and has appeared in episodes of CSI: NY, Cold Case and NCIS. She also appeared in the 2010 film Step Up 3D and the 2011 direct to DVD sequel Blue Crush 2. She is also expected to be part of the buzzed-about all-female Expendables project from producer Adi Shankar that already includes among its cast Katee Sackhoff and Gina Carano.

Aneurin Barnard

Aneurin Barnard

9. Aneurin Barnard – While Aneurin originated the role of Melchior Gabor in the London West End production of the hit musical Spring Awakening and he appeared alongside Doctor Who alum Karen Gillan in the BBC film We’ll Take Manhattan, it was his role of Richard, Duke of Gloucester in the Starz mini-series The White Queen that got him noticed. He will soon be seen alongside Michael Sheen, Sam Neill, Ioan Gruffudd and Lena Headey in the box office film The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box.

Liam James

Liam James

10. Liam James – TV viewers will recognize Liam as Young Shawn on the long-running US Network dramedy Psych in which he appeared from 2006 to 2010, and as Noah Curtis in the box office film 2012. But it was his role of Duncan in this summer’s critically acclaimed film The Way, Way Back that got him noticed. He also appeared in the 2010 made-for-TV movie Christmas Comes to Canaan and the AMC drama The Killing.

Cristin Milioti

Cristin Milioti

11. Cristin Milioti – Typically, I avoid TV comedies, but the casting of [FINALLY] “The Mother” on How I Met Your Mother was big news. Cristin landed the much-wondered-about role after years of speculation as to who was The Mother. Among her previous credits are appearances on TV shows like The Sopranos, The Good Wife, Nurse Jackie and 30 Rock as well as originating the role of Girl in the Broadway musical Once for which she earned a Tony nomination. Up next is a role in the box office film The Wolf of Wall Street alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.

Tom Mison

Tom Mison

12. Tom Mison – As most TV viewers know by now, Tom plays the unexpected time-traveling fictional character Ichabod Crane in the FOX thriller Sleepy Hollow that became the, excuse the pun, sleeper hit of the fall. Prior to his role in this series, he appeared in the pilot episode of Secret Diary of a Call Girl and the BBC shows The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard, Inspector Lewis and Poirot. He also had a role in the mini-series Parade’s End and the box office films Lost in Austen, One Day and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o

13. Lupita Nyong’o – Her first role (ever – outside of stage production) was as Patsey in the acclaimed 2013 film 12 Years a Slave, a role she landed three weeks before graduating from the Yale School of Drama. Lupita was born in Mexico but raised in Kenya and educated here in the US. She will next be seen in the Liam Neeson-led box office film Non-Stop. Her stage work includes The Winter’s Tale, Uncle Vanya, The Taming of the Shrew and Elijah.

Also, there were two groups of people (from film and TV) that got quite a lot of attention during the past year and they include:

The Cast of The Sapphires

The Cast of The Sapphires

1. The Cast of the indie film The Sapphires – Irish actor-comedian Chris O’Dowd (Girls, Bridesmaids and Family Tree), played Dave Lovelace, a talent scout who discovers four talented Aboriginal girls – Gail (Deborah Mailman), Julie (Jessica Mauboy), Kay (Shari Sebbens) and Cynthia (Miranda Tapsell) – making them into The Sapphires and setting off to Vietnam in 1968 to perform for the troops.

The Unholy Trinity of The Following

The Unholy Trinity of The Following

2. The “Unholy Trinity” from The Following – Actor Adan Canto and Nico Tortorella and actress Valorie Curry starred in the first season of the disturbing FOX thriller The Following as what became to be known as the “Unholy Trinity” (Paul, Emma and Jacob) of serial killer Dr. Joe Carroll (James Purefoy).

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 2014

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Year-End Round-Up: Ratings for 2013

Posted in Ratings, Television, Year End Round Up on December 28, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Television ratings are, of course, a crucial part of every TV season, making or breaking a new series or keeping an existing series on the air. And while the networks, and the all-important advertisers, prefer to look only at specific demographic ratings – namely among them the 18 to 34 year olds – I don’t agree with the “younger viewers are more important” philosophy.

That age group may be important because the networks and advertisers want the “young” watching their shows and buying their products, but it is actually the viewers over 40 who make the real difference. It’s just a shame that the networks and advertisers can’t see that.

In an effort to focus only on the overall viewership (typically the millions of viewers who watched each show) of the major and cable network dramas, the following lists are a breakdown of the entire year.

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.

Let’s get started!!

The first list is the major network dramas that aired from January through May 2013, covering the last half of 2012-2013 TV season:

NCIS (CBS) – 19.4 million
NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS) -15.5 million
Person of Interest (CBS) – 13.4 million
Blue Bloods (CBS) – 10.7 million
Elementary (CBS) – 10.5 million
Castle (ABC) – 10.2 million
CSI (CBS) – 10.2 million
Criminal Minds (CBS) – 10.1 million
CSI: NY (CBS) – 9.7 million *
The Mentalist (CBS) – 9.5 million
The Good Wife (CBS) – 9.3 million
Hawaii Five-0 (CBS) – 8.7 million
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – 8.6 million
Vegas (CBS) – 8.5 million *
Golden Boy (CBS) – 8.3 million *
Scandal (ABC) – 8.2 million
The Following (FOX) – 7.9 million
Body of Proof (ABC) – 7.9 million *
Once Upon a Time (ABC) – 7.5 million
Bones (FOX) – 7.3 million
Chicago Fire (NBC) – 6.8 million
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) – 6.4 million
Revolution (NBC) – 6.3 million
Glee (FOX) – 6.1 million
Nashville (ABC) – 5.6 million
Revenge (ABC) – 5.6 million
Zero Hour (ABC) – 5.5 million *
Last Resort (ABC) – 5.4 million *
Grimm (NBC) – 5.2 million
Parenthood (NBC) – 5.1 million
Private Practice (ABC) – 4.4 million *
Red Widow (ABC) – 4.1 million *
Deception (NBC) – 3.6 million *
Arrow (The CW) – 3 million
Hannibal (NBC) – 2.9 million
The Mob Doctor (FOX) – 2.9 million *
Do No Harm (NBC) – 2.7 million *
Smash (NBC) – 2.5 million *
The Vampire Diaries (The CW) – 2.5 million
Supernatural (The CW) – 2.2 million
Touch (FOX) – 2.2 million *
Fringe (FOX) – 1.9 million *
Beauty And the Beast (The CW) – 1.5 million
Emily Owens, M.D. (The CW) – 1.3 million *
The Carrie Diaries (The CW) – 1.3 million
Nikita (The CW) – 1.3 million
Hart of Dixie (The CW) – 1.2 million
Cult (The CW) – 759,000 viewers *
90210 (The CW) – 596,000 viewers *

* 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 May – and just a little into June:

The Walking Dead (AMC) – 11.4 million
The Bible (5-part limited series on History Channel) – 11.4 million
Downton Abbey (PBS) – 8.5 million (approximate)
Game of Thrones (HBO) – 5 million
Vikings (9-part limited series on History Channel) – 4.3 million
Suits (USA Network) – 3.3 million
Bates Motel (FX) – 2.8 million
Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family) – 2.7 million
Psych (USA Network) – 2.6 million
Mad Men (AMC) – 2.5 million
Dallas (TNT) – 2.5 million
Army Wives (Lifetime) – 2.5 million *
Justified (FX) – 2.4 million
American Horror Story: Asylum (FX) – 2.3 million
White Collar (USA Network) – 2.3 million
The Client List (Lifetime) – 2.1 million *
Necessary Roughness (USA Network) – 2.1 million
Defiance (Syfy) – 1.9 million
The Americans (FX) – 1.8 million
Switched at Birth (ABC Family) – 1.7 million
Merlin (Syfy) – 1.5 million *
Monday Mornings (TNT) – 1.4 million *
Southland (TNT) – 1.4 million *
Haven (Syfy) – 1.4 million
Warehouse 13 (Syfy) – 1.4 million
The Lying Game (ABC Family) – 1.3 million *
Doctor Who (BBC America) – 1.2 million (approximate)
Bunheads (ABC Family) – 1.1 million *
Being Human (Syfy) – 1.1 million
The Secret Life of the American Teenager (ABC Family) – 1 million *
Continuum (Syfy) – 1 million
Spartacus (Starz) – 1 million *
Lost Girl (Syfy) – 989,000 viewers
The Borgias (Showtime) – 569,000 viewers *
Da Vinci’s Demons (Starz) – 518,000 viewers
Banshee (Cinemax) – 445,000 viewers
Orphan Black (BBC America) – 417,000 viewers

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

The third list covers all of the dramas that aired on both the major and cable networks over the summer, specifically from late May to approximately mid-September:

Under the Dome (CBS) – 10.9 million
Rizzoli & Isles (TNT) – 5.7 million
Rookie Blue (ABC) – 5.5 million
Major Crimes (TNT) – 4.9 million
Motive (ABC) – 4.8 million
True Blood (HBO) – 4.2 million
Mistresses (ABC) – 4 million
Longmire (A&E) – 3.8 million
Royal Pains (USA Network) – 3.5 million
Perception (TNT) – 3.5 million
Falling Skies (TNT) – 3.1 million
King & Maxwell (TNT) – 3.1 million *
Suits (USA Network) – 2.9 million
The Glades (A&E) – 2.6 million *
Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family) – 2.6 million
Devious Maids (Lifetime) – 2.5 million
Covert Affairs (USA Network) – 2.5 million
Necessary Roughness (USA Network) – 2.5 million *
Dexter (Showtime) – 2.4 million *
Burn Notice (USA Network) – 2.3 million *
Hit the Floor (VH1) – 2.2 million
Drop Dead Diva (Lifetime) – 2.2 million
Graceland (USA Network) – 2.2 million
Cedar Cove (Hallmark) – 2.1 million (average)
Franklin & Bash (TNT) – 1.9 million
Teen Wolf (MTV) – 1.9 million
Zero Hour (ABC) – 1.9 million *
666 Park Avenue (ABC) – 1.9 million *
The Haves and Have Nots (Oxygen) – 1.8 million
The Fosters (ABC Family) – 1.8 million
The Bridge (FX) – 1.8 million
Switched at Birth (ABC Family) – 1.8 million
Do No Harm (NBC) – 1.7 million *
Ray Donovan (Showtime) – 1.5 million
Twisted (ABC Family) – 1.5 million
The Killing (AMC) – 1.2 million *
Continuum (Syfy) – 1.2 million
Primeval: New World (Syfy) – 900,000 viewers *
Sinbad (Syfy) – 844,000 viewers *
Cult (The CW) – 563,000 viewers *
Magic City (Starz) – 457,000 viewers *
Being Human (BBC America) – 108,000 viewers *

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

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

The Walking Dead (AMC) – 11.6 million
Sons of Anarchy (FX) – 4.5 million
American Horror Story: Coven (FX) – 4.2 million
Major Crimes (TNT) – 4 million (approximate) **
Pretty Little Liars [Halloween Episode] (ABC Family) – 3.2 million
White Collar (USA Network) – 2.3 million
Boardwalk Empire (HBO) – 2.1 million
Homeland (Showtime) – 2 million
Covert Affairs (USA Network) – 1.9 million
Hell on Wheels (AMC) – 1.9 million
Haven (Syfy) – 1.5 million
Mob City (3-part limited series) (TNT) – 1.7 million
Drop Dead Diva (Lifetime) – 1.7 million
Witches of East End (Lifetime) – 1.7 million
Ravenswood (ABC Family) – 1.3 million
Masters of Sex (Showtime) – 1.1 million
Low Winter Sun (AMC) – 1.1 million *
The White Queen (Starz) – 831,000 viewers
Strike Back (Cinemax) – 400 viewers (approximate)
Atlantis (BBC America) – 398,000 viewers (approximate) ***
Strike Back: Origins (Cinemax) – 198,000 viewers (approximate)

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

** Major Crimes aired two episodes on December 23 and December 29, but those ratings could not be factored in to this list.

*** Atlantis aired one final episode in 2013 on December 28, but that rating could not be factored in to this list.

The fifth and final list covers all of the major network dramas that aired during the first half of the 2013-2014 TV season, covering September to approximately mid-December:

NCIS (CBS) – 19 million
NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS) – 14.7 million
Person of Interest (CBS) – 12.1 million
The Blacklist (NBC) – 11.3 million
Castle (ABC) – 11.1 million
Criminal Minds (CBS) – 11.1 million
Blue Bloods (CBS) – 10.9 million
CSI (CBS) – 9.8 million
Hawaii Five-0 (CBS) – 9.4 million
The Good Wife (CBS) – 9.4 million
The Mentalist (CBS) – 9.2 million
Scandal (ABC) – 9.1 million
Elementary (CBS) – 9 million
Chicago Fire (NBC) – 8.2 million
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC) – 7.9 million
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – 7.9 million
Sleepy Hollow (FOX) – 7.5 million
Once Upon a Time (ABC) – 7.1 million
Bones (FOX) – 7 million
Almost Human (FOX) – 6.6 million
Revenge (ABC) – 6.2 million
Nashville (ABC) – 5.7 million
Ironside (NBC) – 5.6 million (only 3 episodes aired) *
Grimm (NBC) – 5.5 million
Revolution (NBC) – 5.4 million
Hostages (ABC) – 5.2 million
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) – 5 million
Glee (FOX) – 4.5 million
Parenthood (NBC) – 4.2 million
Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (ABC) – 4.1 million
Lucky 7 (ABC) – 3.7 million (only 2 episodes aired) *
Betrayal (ABC) -3.6 million
Dracula (NBC) – 3.6 million
Arrow (The CW) – 2.8 million
The Vampire Diaries (The CW) – 2.5 million
Supernatural (The CW) – 2.3 million
The Originals (The CW) – 2.2 million
The Tomorrow People (The CW) – 1.8 million
Reign (The CW) – 1.8 million
Hart of Dixie (The CW) – 1.1 million
Beauty And the Beast (The CW) – 866,000 viewers
The Carrie Diaries (The CW) – 839,000 viewers
Nikita (The CW) – 773,000 viewers *

* 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. CBS remains the number one most watched network with NCIS and its spin-off NCIS: Los Angeles, once again, being the highest rated dramas for the entire year of 2013. The network also had the most dramas in the top 20 over all of the other networks;

2. The top new drama of the fall season goes to NBC with The Blacklist. The FOX drama Sleepy Hollow hasn’t reached double digit numbers, but it is the most-buzzed-about new drama of the fall season; and to the surprise of many The CW series Reign is actually pulling in better than expected ratings;

3. Castle is still the top rated drama over at ABC, but Scandal is closing in fast. Also, the much-hyped Joss Whedon series Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was expected to be the ratings darling of the fall, but that just has not happened;

4. NBC has had success with its reality programming (for the most part), but is suffering greatly with its comedies and can only crow over the undeniable success of The Blacklist, but it is the little-talked-about Chicago Fire that is really making waves and should get far more credit than it has to date;

5. FOX is having another less-than-banner year – despite the appeal of Sleepy Hollow – and while the long-running drama Bones finally provided fans with the wedding of its titular characters, the ratings for its few dramas just aren’t there;

6. The CW has seen its returning dramas Beauty And the Beast, The Carrie Diaries and the final season of Nikita all crumble in the ratings, in all three cases drastically; and the hoped-for-success of the UK remake of The Tomorrow People being the next Arrow just hasn’t happened either. However, Arrow is still going strong, Supernatural has had yet another resurgence and the new dramas The Originals and Reign are both pulling in great numbers;

7. In the cable world, its reigning king – The Walking Dead on AMC – is the show that is still going strong; and on the opposite spectrum the History Channel limited series The Bible pulled in far greater numbers than anyone could have prophesized. CBS was also able to add yet another hit series to its line-up, albeit a summer series, in the form of the Stephen King inspired drama Under the Dome. And, Downton Abbey continues to bring in more and more viewers for PBS with each new season.

But wait there is one last list. The following list, which is very lengthy, covers all of the made-for-TV movies, mini-series and specials that aired during 2013 on both the major and cable networks for which ratings could be tracked down:

The Sound of Music (3-Hour LIVE Presentation) – 18.5 million
Bonnie & Clyde (2-night event on A&E, History and Lifetime) – 9.8 million (first night)
Teen Beach Movie (Disney) – 8.4 million
Bonnie & Clyde (2-night event on A&E, History and Lifetime) – 7.4 million (second night)
Remember Sunday (ABC) – 6.8 million
Christmas in Conway (ABC) – 6.5 million
The Wizards of Waverly Place (Disney) – 5.9 million
The Makeover (ABC) – 5.2 million
Crazy Sexy Cool: The TLC Story (VH1) – 4.5 million
A Very Merry Mix-Up (Hallmark) – 4.3 million
The Christmas Ornament (Hallmark) – 4.3 million
Let It Snow (Hallmark) – 4.2 million
Being Mary Jane (BET) – 4 million
Catch a Christmas Star (Hallmark) – 3.9 million
Fir Crazy (Hallmark) – 3.8 million
Window Wonderland (Hallmark) – 3.7 million
Killing Lincoln (National Geographic) – 3.4 million
Snow Bride (Hallmark) – 3.4 million
The Christmas Spirit (Hallmark) – 3.4 million
Killing Kennedy (National Geographic) – 3.4 million
Prosecuting Casey Anthony (Lifetime) – 3.3 million
Anna Nicole (Lifetime) – 3.3 million
The Thanksgiving House (Hallmark) – 3.2 million
Jodi Arias: Dirty Little Secret (Lifetime) – 3.1 million
Santa Switch (Hallmark) – 3 million
Christmas on the Bayou (Lifetime) – 3 million
Twists of Faith (Lifetime) – 2.9 million
Second Chances (Hallmark) – 2.8 million
The Good Witch’s Destiny (Hallmark) – 2.8 million
Christmas in the City (Lifetime) – 2.6 million
Holidaze (ABC Family) – 2.6 million
A Country Christmas Story (Lifetime) – 2.5 million
Doctor Who Christmas Episode “The Time of the Doctor” (BBC America) – 2.5 million
Behind the Candelabra (HBO) – 2.4 million
Finding Christmas (Hallmark) – 2.4 million
Doctor Who “The Day of the Doctor” [50th Anniversary Special] (BBC America) – 2.4 million
Garage Sale Mystery (Hallmark) – 2.3 million
An Amish Murder (Lifetime) – 2.2 million
Betty & Coretta (Lifetime) – 2.2 million
Psych: The Musical Episode (USA Network) – 2.2 million
Pastor Brown (Lifetime) – 2.1 million
A Snow Globe Christmas (Lifetime) – 2.1 million
Ring of Fire (Lifetime) – 2.1 million
Baby Sellers (Lifetime) – 2.1 million
Dear Secret Santa (Lifetime) – 2.1 million
Be My Valentine (Hallmark) – 2 million
The Sweeter Side of Life (Hallmark) – 2 million
Romeo Killer: The Chris Porco Story (Lifetime) – 2 million
End of the World (Syfy) – 1.9 million
All I Want for Christmas (ION) – 1.9 million
The Challenger Disaster (simulcast on Science and Discovery) – 1.9 million
Tasmanian Devil (Syfy) – 1.8 million
Escape from Polygamy (Lifetime) – 1.8 million
A Sister’s Nightmare (Lifetime) – 1.8 million
Taken: The Search for Sophie Parker (Lifetime) – 1.8 million
Christmas Belle (ION) – 1.8 million
Sins of the Preacher (Lifetime) – 1.7 million
The Twelve Trees of Christmas (Lifetime) – 1.7 million
Missing at 17 (Lifetime) – 1.7 million
Signed, Sealed, Delivered (Hallmark) – 1.7 million
Gone Missing (Lifetime) – 1.7 million
The Husband She Met Online (Lifetime) – 1.6 million
Hidden Away (Lifetime) – 1.6 million
The Good Mother (Lifetime) – 1.6 million
Beast of the Bering Sea (Syfy) – 1.5 million
Reading, Writing & Romance (Hallmark) – 1.5 million
The Cheating Pact (Lifetime) – 1.5 million
Beverly Lewis’ The Confession (Hallmark) – 1.5 million
Battledogs (Syfy) – 1.5 million
A Mother’s Rage (Lifetime) – 1.5 million
Abominable Snowman (Syfy) – 1.5 million
Chupacabra vs. The Alamo (Syfy) – 1.5 million
Stonados (Syfy) – 1.5 million
Pete’s Christmas (Hallmark) – 1.5 million
Kristin’s Christmas Past (Lifetime) – 1.4 million
The Surrogate (Lifetime) – 1.4 million
Robocroc (Syfy) – 1.4 million
Sharknado (Syfy) – 1.4 million
Banner 4th of July (Hallmark) – 1.4 million
Lovestruck: The Musical (ABC Family) – 1.4 million
A Sister’s Revenge (Lifetime) – 1.3 million
Grave Halloween (Syfy) – 1.3 million
Notes from Dad (Hallmark) – 1.3 million
Call Me Crazy: A Five Film (Lifetime) – 1.3 million
Nearlyweds (Hallmark) – 1.3 million
Invasion Roswell (Syfy) – 1.2 million
Dangerous Intuition (Lifetime) – 1.2 million
Into the Dark (Lifetime) – 1.2 million
Zombie Night (Syfy) – 1.1 million
Deadly Spa (Lifetime) – 1.1 million
Rajin’ Cajun Redneck Gators (Syfy) – 1.1 million
Shadow on the Mesa (Hallmark Movie Channel) – 1.1 million
Restless Virgins (Lifetime) – 1.1 million
Our Wild Hearts (Hallmark Movie Channel) – 1.1 million
Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome (Syfy) – 1.1 million
Goodnight for Justice: The Queen of Hearts (Hallmark Movie Channel) – 1 million
Stalkers (Lifetime) – 983,000 viewers
Over/Under (USA Network) – 921,000 viewers
Tom, Dick & Harriet (Hallmark) – 855,000 viewers
Christmas Bounty (ABC Family) – 828,000 viewers
Mr. Hockey: The Gordie Howe Story (Hallmark) – 706,000 viewers
Mary & Martha (HBO) – 552,000 viewers
Space Warriors (Hallmark) – 479,000 viewers
Dear Dumb Diary (Hallmark) – 259,000 viewers
Parade’s End (4-part mini-series HBO) – 177,000 viewers (average)

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

FINAL NOTE: Please note that I do not include DVR ratings, online viewership (et al) because those numbers – while helpful for the networks to know just how many people are actually watching their shows – are not seen as essential because none of these viewing options provide advertising money or at least not enough to really make a difference.

TOMORROW: Faces of 2013

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Year-End Round-Up: Condolences for 2013

Posted in Movies, Music, Television, Year End Round Up on December 27, 2013| Leave a Comment »

The following industry personalities (listed in alphabetical order) passed away in 2013 and heartfelt condolences are extended to their families, friends and fans:

Chrissy Amphlett (Lead Singer of Band Divinyls)
Allan Arbus (Actor – M*A*S*H)

Conrad Bain (Actor – Diff’rent Strokes)
Karen Black (Actress – Five Easy Pieces)
Henry Bromell (Veteran TV Writer-Producer)
Eileen Brennan (Legendary Actress – Private Benjamin)
Marc Breaux (Legendary Choreographer of Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music)
Dr. Joyce Brothers (Renowned Psychologist)

Mary Carver (Actress, Simon & Simon)
Scott Carpenter (Second American Astronaut to Orbit Earth)
Van Cliburn (Acclaimed Classical Pianist)
Tom Clancy (Best-Selling Author)
Joe Conley (Actor – Ike Godsey on The Waltons)
Jeanne Cooper (Daytime TV Grand Dame [and mother of actor Corbin Bernsen]

Diane Disney Miller (Philanthropist and daughter of late Walt Disney
Deanna Durbin (1930’s and 1940’s child star)

Roger Ebert (Movie Critic)
David R. Ellis (Director)

Dennis Farina (Actor – Get Shorty)
Bonnie Franklin (Actress – One Day at a Time)
Joan Fontaine (Legendary, Oscar-winning Actress)
Steve Forrest (Actor – S.W.A.T.)
Stuart Freeborn (Stars Wars Makeup Artist)
Annette Funicello (Actress-Singer – Original Mouseketeer on Mickey Mouse Club)

James Gandolfini (Actor – The Sopranos)
Gary David Goldberg (Creator of TV Series Family Ties)
Eydie Gorme (Singer and TV Performer)
Richard Griffiths (Actor – Harry Potter Franchise)

Ray Harryhausen (Special Effects Master0
Julie Harris (Legendary Actress – Knots Landing and East of Eden)
Richie Havens (Famed Folk Singer)
Jane Henson (Co-Creator of The Muppets)
Huell Howser (PBS Host in Southern California)

Dean Jeffries (Legendary Custom Car Maker)
George Jones (Legendary Country Singer)

Lisa Robin Kelly (Actress – That 70’s Show)
John Kerr (Stage and Screen Actor – South Pacific and Tea and Sympathy)
Ed Koch (Former New York City Mayor)
C. Everett Koop (Former Surgeon General)

Ed Lauter (Legendary Character Actor)
Elmore Leonard (Legendary Novelist and Screenwriter)

Nelson Mandela (Legendary South African Leader)
Ray Manzarek (Keyboard Player for The Doors)
Mindy McCready (Country Singer)
Cory Montheith (Actor-Singer – Glee)

Peter O’Toole (Legendary Actor)

Patti Page (Legendary Singer)
Margaret Pellegrini (Actress – The Wizard of Oz, one of the last surviving Munchkins)
Pauline Phillips (Creator of “Dear Abby”)
Reg Presley (Singer – “Wild Thing”)
Ray Price (Country Music Legend)

Lou Reed (Legendary Musician)

Robin Sachs (Actor – Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
August Schellenberg (Native American Actor – Free Willy)
Jean Stapleton (Legendary Actress – All in the Family)
Pat Summerall (NFL Broadcaster)

Margaret Thatcher (Former British Prime Minister)
Lee Thompson Young (Actor – Rizzoli & Isles)

Marcia Wallace (Actress, The Bob Newhart Show and Edna Krabappel on The Simpsons)
Paul Walker (Actor, Fast and Furious Franchise)
Esther Williams (Swimming Champion Turned Actress)
Jonathan Winters (Legendary Comedian)

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

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Year-End Round-Up: Awards of 2013

Posted in Awards, Movies, Music, Television, Year End Round Up on December 26, 2013| 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 Movie Actress: Jennifer Lawrence
Favorite Movie Actor: Robert Downey Jr.
Favorite Movie: The Hunger Games
Favorite Action Movie Star: Chris Hemsworth
Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress: Emma Watson
Favorite Dramatic Movie: Perks of Being a Wallflower
Favorite Cable TV Comedy: Awkward.
Favorite Dramatic TV Actor: Nathan Fillion
Favorite Cable TV Drama: Leverage
Favorite New TV Drama: Beauty and the Beast
Favorite TV Crime Drama: Castle
Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show: Supernatural
Favorite Male Artist: Jason Mraz
Favorite Band: Maroon 5

CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARDS (January)

Best Picture: Argo
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis – Lincoln
Best Actress: Jessica Chastain – Zero Dark Thirty
Best Supporting Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman – The Master
Best Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway – Les Misérables
Best Young Actor/Actress: Quvenzhane Wallis – Beasts of the Southern Wild
Best Director: Ben Affleck – Argo
Best Animated Feature: Wreck-It Ralph
Best Actor in an Action Movie: Daniel Craig – Skyfall
Best Actress in an Action Movie: Jennifer Lawrence – The Hunger Games
Best Comedy: Silver Linings Playbook
Best Actor in a Comedy: Bradley Cooper – Silver Linings Playbook
Best Actress in a Comedy: Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook
Best Sci-Fi/Horror Movie: Looper
Best Song: “Skyfall” – performed by Adele/written by Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth

GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS (January):

Motion Picture, Drama: Argo
Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: Les Misérables
Actor in Motion Picture, Drama: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
Actress in Motion Picture, Drama: Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Actor in Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: Hugh Jackman, Les Misérables
Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained
Animated Feature Film: Brave
TV Series, Drama: Homeland
TV Movie or Miniseries: Game Change
Actor in a TV Series, Drama: Damian Lewis, Homeland
Actress in a TV Series, Drama: Claire Danes, Homeland
Actor in a TV Series, Comedy: Don Cheadle, House of Lies
Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie: Kevin Costner, Hatfields & McCoys
Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie: Julianne Moore, Game Change
Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or TV Movie: Ed Harris, Game Change
Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or TV Movie: Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey

SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARD (January)

Male Actor, Lead: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
Female Actor, Lead: Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Male Actor, Supporting: Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln
Female Actor, Supporting: Anne Hathaway, Les Misérables
Ensemble Cast: Argo
Male Actor, TV Movie or Miniseries: Kevin Costner, Hatfields & McCoys
Female Actor, TV Movie or Miniseries: Julianne Moore, Game Change
Male Actor, Drama Series: Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Ensemble Cast, Drama: Downton Abbey
Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble: Game of Thrones
Lifetime Achievement Award: Dick Van Dyke

GRAMMY AWARDS (January)

Record of the Year: “Somebody That I Used to Know,” Gotye featuring Kimbra
Album of the Year: Babel, Mumford & Sons
Song of the Year: “We Are Young,” fun. featuring Janelle Monáe
Best New Artist: fun.
Best Pop Solo Performance: “Set Fire to the Rain,” Adele
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “Somebody That I Used to Know,” Gotye featuring Kimbra
Best Pop Vocal Album: Stronger, Kelly Clarkson
Best Rock Performance: Lonely Boy, The Black Keys
Best Rock Song: “Lonely Boy,” The Black Keys
Best Rock Album: El Camino, The Black Keys
Best Alternative Music Album: Making Mirrors, Gotye
Best Country Solo Performance: “Blown Away,” Carrie Underwood
Best Country Song: “Blown Away,” Carrie Underwood
Best Country Album: Uncaged, Zac Brown Band

ACADEMY AWARDS (February)

Best Motion Picture: Argo
Achievement in Directing: Ang Lee, Life of Pi
Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained
Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: Anne Hathaway, Les Misérables
Original Score: Life of Pi, Mychael Danna
Best Animated Feature Film: Brave

PEABODY AWARDS (March)

Southland (TNT)
Switched at Birth (ABC Family)
Game Change (HBO)
Doctor Who (BBC America)

BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS (May)

Top Hot 100 Song: “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye featuring Kimbra
Top Hot 100 Artist: Maroon 5
Top Rock Artist: fun.
Top Rock Song: “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye featuring Kimbra
Top Pop Album: Adele, 21
Top Rock Album: Mumford & Sons, Babel

CRITICS’ CHOICE TV AWARDS (June)

Drama Series: Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad
Actor in a Drama Series: Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Actress in a Drama Series: Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Michael Cudlitz, Southland
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Monica Potter, Parenthood
Actress in a Movie/Miniseries: Elisabeth Moss, Top of the Lake

SATURN AWARDS (June)

Best Network Television Series: Revolution
Best Youth-Oriented Series on Television: Teen Wolf
Best Actor on Television: Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Kevin Bacon (The Following) – tie
Best Actress on Television: Anna Torv (Fringe)
Best Guest Star on Television: Yvonne Strahovski (Dexter)

YOUNG HOLLYWOOD AWARDS (August)

Crossover of the Year: Lucy Hale, Pretty Little Liars
Actor of the Year: Kit Harington, Game of Thrones
Breakthrough Performance, Male: Liam James, The Way, Way Back
Breakthrough Performance, Female: Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
Superstar of Tomorrow, Female: AnnaSophia Robb, The Carrie Diaries

TELEVISION CRITICS ASSOCATION AWARDS (August)

Individual Achievement in Drama: Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
Individual Achievement in Comedy: Louis C.K., Louie
Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming: Bunheads, ABC Family
Outstanding New Program: The Americans, FX
Outstanding Achievement in Drama: Game of Thrones

TEEN CHOICE AWARDS (August)

Choice Movie Action: Iron Man 3″
Choice Movie Actor Action: Robert Downey, Jr., Iron Man 3
Choice Movie Actress Action: Anne Hathaway, The Dark Knight Rises
Choice Movie Drama: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Choice Movie Actor Drama: Logan Lerman, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Choice Movie Actress Drama: Emma Watson, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Choice Movie Comedy: Pitch Perfect
Choice Movie Actor Comedy: Skylar Astin, Pitch Perfect
Choice Movie Actress Comedy: Rebel Wilson, Pitch Perfect
Choice TV Show Drama: Pretty Little Liars
Choice TV Actor Drama Ian Harding, “Pretty Little Liars
Choice TV Actress Drama Troian Bellisario: Pretty Little Liars
Choice TV Show Fantasy/Sci-Fi: The Vampire Diaries
Choice TV Actor Fantasy/Sci-Fi: Ian Somerhalder, The Vampire Diaries
Choice TV Actress Fantasy/Sci-Fi: Nina Dobrev, The Vampire Diaries
Choice TV Show Action: NCIS: Los Angeles
Choice TV Actor Action: LL Cool J, NCIS: Los Angeles
Choice TV Actress Action: Lucy Liu, Elementary
Choice TV Villain: Janel Parrish, Pretty Little Liars
Choice TV Breakout Show: The Fosters
Choice R&B Artist: Bruno Mars
Choice Rock Group: Paramore
Choice Country Group: Lady Antebellum
Choice Rock Song: “Radioactive,” Imagine Dragons

IMAGEN AWARDS (August)

Best Primetime Television Program: Castle
Best Actor/Television: Jon Huertas, Castle
Best Actress/Television: Monica Raymund, Chicago Fire
Best Supporting Actor/Television: Carlos Gómez, The Glades
Best Supporting Actress/Television: Constance Marie, Switched at Birth

MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS (August)

Best Male Video: Bruno Mars, “Locked Out of Heaven”
Best Collaboration: P!nk feat. Nate Ruess, “Just Give Me a Reason”
Best Rock Video: Thirty Seconds to Mars, “Up in the Air”

EMMY AWARDS (September)

Best Drama: Breaking Bad
Lead Actress, Drama: Claire Danes, Homeland
Supporting Actor, Drama: Bobby Cannavale, Boardwalk Empire
Supporting Actress, Drama: Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad
Guest Actress, Drama: Carrie Preston, The Good Wife
Guest Actor, Drama: Dan Bucatinsky, Scandal
Lead Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Laura Linney, The Big C: Hereafter
Supporting Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Ellen Burstyn, Political Animals

COUNTRY MUSIC AWADS (November)

Musical Event of the Year: “Highway Don’t Care”, Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban
Music Video of the Year: “Highway Don’t Care”, Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban
Single of the Year: “Cruise” by Florida Georgia Line
Vocal Duo of the Year: Florida Georgia Line
New Artist of the Year: Kacey Musgraves
Album of the Year: Blake Shelton, “Based on a True Story”
Vocal Group of the Year: Little Big Town
Female Vocalist of the Year: Miranda Lambert
Male Vocalist of the Year: Blake Shelton

AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS (November)

Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift
Single of the Year: Florida Georgia Line featuring Nelly – “Cruise”
New Artist of the Year: Ariana Grande
Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock: Justin Timberlake
Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock: Taylor Swift
Favorite Male Artist – Country: Luke Bryan
Favorite Female Artist – Country: Taylor Swift
Favorite Band, Duo or Group – Country: Lady Antebellum
Favorite Album – Country: Taylor Swift – Red
Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock: Imagine Dragons
Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary: Maroon 5
Favorite Artist – Latin Music: Marc Anthony
Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational: Matthew West
Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM): Avicii
Top Soundtrack: Pitch Perfect

Let’s send out a hearty congratulations to all of these winners (and the countless others who won awards) over the course of 2013. Are any of your favorites included above? Was there an actress, actor or entertainer who you thought should have received some type of award for their work in television, movies or music who isn’t listed above? Please share your thoughts.

TOMORROW: Condolences

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Year-End Round-Up: Music Moments in 2013

Posted in Music, Year End Round Up on December 25, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Music is an important aspect of all our lives, whether it is in your favorite TV series, playing on your car or office radio or more specifically on iTunes, Pandora or your iPod and/or phone or the latest box office film you have been anxiously waiting to see. Music, obviously, comes in many different formats: pop, hip hop, rap, metal, country, classic rock, inspirational, R&B, Latin, dance and much more.

Among some of the special music moments from this past year on television and at the box office are as follows:

Most Played Single of the Year – “Royal” by Lorde

Worst Performer of the Year (Hands Down Pathetic!) – Miley Cyrus

Best New Import – Avicii (from Sweden)

Best Overall Singer – P!nk

Actors Rocking on Stage and on the Big Screen – Zachary Levi (First Date) and Kristen Bell (Frozen)

Best New Artist [TIE] – Ariana Grande and Lorde

Best Country Band – Florida Georgia Line

Best Male Country Singer (TIE) – Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan

Top Rock Song – “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons

Best Duet – “Just Give Me a Reason” by P!nk and Nate Ruess

Best Rock Band – Thirty Seconds to Mars

Catchy-est Hit Single (TIE) – “I Love It” by Icona Pop featuring Charli XCX and “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood

Movie That Featured the Best New Songs – Frozen

Best Male Singer – Bruno Mars

Most Overhyped Performers (Three-Way TIE) – Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga

Can They Just Go Away Now (TIE) – One Direction and Justin Bieber

The One Song I Will Immediately Turn Off the Second I Hear It – “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke

Best New Band (Even Though They’ve Been Around Since 2010) – Fitz and the Tantrums

Most Consistent Performers – Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood

Most Moving Single – “Brave” by Sara Bareilles

Best Song Used in a TV Promo – “My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark (Light Em Up)” by Fall Out Boy

Worst Viral Song and Video – “What Does the Fox Say” by Ylvis

Here’s the video to prove it!

Best Viral Group (Who Won Big on TV) – Pentatonix

Here’s just one of their videos to prove it: Wizard of Ahhhs with Todrick Hall

And, just to drive the point home about how talented Pentatonix is, here is another great video of them with violin virtuoso Lindsey Stirling doing the 2013 hit song “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons:

Pentatonix and Lindsey Stirling

Lastly, the following isn’t really music related, but it is a great short film by Rainfall Films that proves a Wonder Woman movie can be made; now let’s see the powers that be move forward with the damn thing already, ok?

Wonder Woman

What artists moved you the most this year? Which ones disappointed you or just made you cringe? What song could you listen to over and over again? Please share your thoughts and comments on the best and worst of the music world this year.

TOMORROW: Awards

PS: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

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Year-End Round-Up: Movie Highlights of 2013

Posted in Movies, Year End Round Up on December 24, 2013| Leave a Comment »

At one point in time, I used to make a goal to see at least 40 theatre movies a year, but those times have come and gone. I now make a more realistic goal of seeing 10 to 12 movies a year because, let’s face it, it is getting more and more expensive to go to the movies – between ticket and parking costs – and the continual barrage of cell phones that people simply cannot, and in many case,s will not turn off for a few hours to enjoy a movie. It is simply not worth going anymore. Am I right or am I right?

Anyway, I took in a few free screenings this year – sadly, none of which are worth commenting on – I hit up a couple of summer blockbusters, namely Man of Steel and Star Trek Into Darkness and I saw some fun flicks like Much Ado About Nothing, Austenland and Frozen. In addition, I got to see the independent film The Book Thief, which I high recommend by the way, and enjoyed the action flicks Thor: The Dark World, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones. Out of the dozen movies I saw this year I have to say Man of Steel was, by far, my favorite.

But my opinion on what was available in the movie theatres throughout 2013 is only of real value to me, so let’s take a look at the films that ranked as the top 25 movies of the year according to the good folks over at Box Office Mojo.

Please note that the following list only covers through the December 21-December 22 box office weekend, as the final two weeks of December, obviously, won’t be fully tallied until the very beginning of January.

Here’s the list:

1. Iron Man 3 – 409 million
2. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – 372 million
3. Despicable Me 2 – 368 million
4. Man of Steel – 291 million
5. Monsters University – 269 million
6. Gravity – 254 million
7. Fast & Furious 6 – 239 million
8. Oz the Great and Powerful – 235 million
9. Star Trek Into Darkness – 229 million
10. World War Z – 202 million
11. Thor: The Dark World – 201 million
12. Frozen – 192 million
13. The Croods – 187 million
14. The Heat – 160 million
15. We’re the Millers – 150 million
16. The Great Gatsby – 145 million
17. The Conjuring – 137 million
18. Identity Thief – 135 million
19. Grown Ups 2 – 134 million
20. The Wolverine – 133 million
21. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – 128 million
22. G.I. Joe: Retaliation – 123 million
23. Now You See Me – 118 million
24. Lee Daniel’s The Butler – 116 million
25. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 – 115 million

Meanwhile, I compiled a list of the movies that were either a disappointment at the box office or simply had horrible-looking trailers (they appear in alphabetical order):

21 and Over
A Haunted House
Admission
Anchorman 2
Bad Grandpa
Dark Skies
Delivery Man
Evil Dead
Girl Most Likely
Grown Ups 2
Hansel & Gretel
Identity Thief
Insidious Chapter 2
Machete Kills
Mama
Movie 43
Pacific Rim
Paradise
Smurfs 2
Spring Breakers
Texas Chainsaw 3D
The Conjuring
The Big Wedding
The Hangover Part III
The Heat
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
The Internship
The Last Exorcism, Part II
The Purge
The To Do List
This Is the End
We’re the Millers

But, if you don’t agree with my list of worst films, how about what Time Magazine had to say were the top 10 worst films of 2013.

Here is their list:

1. Grown Ups 2
2. Salinger
3. The Host
4. After Earth
5. R.I.P.D.
6. Only God Forgives
7. The Big Wedding
8. The Counselor
9. Oz the Great and Powerful
10. The Hangover III

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

TOMORROW: Music

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Year-End Round-Up: The Best (and Worst) of Television in 2013

Posted in Television, Year End Round Up on December 23, 2013| 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:

Best New Villain – Raina, the girl in the flower dress, on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

What’s Up With All the Stunning Deaths (Eight-Way TIE) – Jackie Vance (Paula Newsome) and Eli David (Michael Nouri) on NCIS; Lady Sybil (Jessica Brown Finlay) and Matthew Crowley (Dan Stevens) on Downton Abbey; Evan Marks (Max Brown) on Beauty And the Beast; Sean Pierce (Dillon Casey) on Nikita; Tommy Merlyn (Colin Donnell) on Arrow; Joss Carter (Taraji P. Henson) on Person of Interest; Fauxmanda aka the real Emily Thorne (Margarita Levieva) on Revenge; Kevin Tran (Osric Chau) on Supernatural; Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis) on Homeland; Ryan Fletcher (Noah Bean) on Nikita and Bonnie Bennett (Kat Graham) on The Vampire Diaries

Best Battle – Oliver as the Arrow (Stephen Amell) fighting with Malcolm as the Dark Archer (John Barrowman) in the Arrow season finale in May

Melinda Clarke

Melinda Clarke

She’s Even More Messed Up Than We Thought – Amanda (Melinda Clarke) on Nikita when it was revealed that she was a twin tortured by her scientist father, who she killed and then took over the identity of her twin

Best First Kiss (Three-Way TIE) – Vincent and Catherine (Jay Ryan and Kristin Kreuk) on Beauty And the Beast; Deacon and Rayna (Charles Esten and Connie Britton) on Nashville, Tony and Ziva (Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo) on NCIS and Deeks and Kensi on NCIS: Los Angeles

Big WTF Moments (Four-Way TIE) – Audrey (Emily Rose) goes into the barn on Haven; Nikita (Maggie Q) chops off Michael’s (Shane West) hand to save his life on Nikita; Almost everything that happens on Pretty Little Liars and Dead look-alikes episode of Castle

Sweetest Valentine’s Day Surprise – Flash mob set-up by Vincent for Catherine on Beauty And the Beast

Scandal

Scandal

The Best OMGTV Show (Ever) – Scandal

Craziest First Meeting – Castle (Nathan Fillion meeting his real dad (James Brolin) while in Paris when he working to rescue Alexis from her kidnappers on Castle

Best Collaboration by Legendary Actors in Guest-Starring Roles – Tim Conway, Paul Dooley, Marion Ross, Ron Glass and Doris Roberts on Major Crimes

Best Guest Star “Get” (Three-Way TIE) – Shirley MacLaine on Downton Abbey; Hal Linden on Supernatural and Alfre Woodard on Copper

Jim Beaver

Jim Beaver

Seeing Him in Guest Roles Elsewhere Just Makes Us Miss Him More on Supernatural – Jim Beaver on Longmire and Revolution

Best Reveal (Three-Way TIE) – Tommy learning that Oliver is the vigilante on Arrow; Learning Neal (Michael Raymond-James) is not only Baelfire but is also Rumplestiltskin’s (Robert Carlyle) son and that Peter Pan (Robbie Kay) is Rumple’s father on Once Upon a Time

Best Cliffhangers (Two-Way TIE) – Peter (Tim McKay) gets blamed for Senator Pratt’s death on White Collar and Sam (LL Cool J) and Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen) are captured and tortured on NCIS: Los Angeles

It’s About Damn Time (Three-Way TIE) – Catherine and Vincent have sex on Beauty And the Beast; Annie and Auggie (Piper Perabo and Chris Gorham) have sex on Covert Affairs; Kate accepts Castle’s (Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion) proposal on Castle; Callie (Kiele Sanchez) accepts Jim’s (Matt Passmore) proposal and Bones and Brennan finally get married on Bones

Seychelle Gabriel

Seychelle Gabriel

You Damn Dirty Mole (TIE) – David Rosen (Joshua Malina) working with Billy Chambers (Matt Letscher) on Scandal and Lourdes (Seychelle Gabriel) being possessed on Falling Skies

Reaching a TV Milestone (Five-Way TIE) – 100th episode of Psych; 100th episode of Castle; 100th episode of Burn Notice; ASL episode of Switched at Birth and 50th Anniversary Doctor Who Episode

We Are SO Gonna Miss You, but Pretty Happy with the Ending (Well, Almost) – Burn Notice series finale

The Show That had a Sophomore Slump, but is Getting its Mojo Back (TIE) – Once Upon a Time and Revenge

Rebecca Wisocky

Rebecca Wisocky

She’s ApeShit Crazy, But TV Viewers LOVE To Watch Her in Action – Evelyn Powell (Rebecca Wisocky) on Devious Maids

New Fall Show That Failed Expectations – Once Upon a Time in Wonderland

I Actually Didn’t See That Coming (TIE) – Reveal that Ms. Blake (Haley Webb), Derek’s lover, is actually the Darach on Teen Wolf and Stacey (April Bowlby) and Owen (Lex Medlin) kissing and becoming a couple on Drop Dead Diva

Didn’t See That Coming This Summer – Season Finale on Falling Skies

Warehouse 13

Warehouse 13

An Episode That Will Become a Classic – The black & white murder mystery episode on Warehouse 13

Special Psych Moments – Lassiter getting married and Juliet finding out the truth about Shawn

Favorite Recurring Guest Star – Charlie (aka Felicia Day) on Supernatural

Not the Outcome Fans Were (Exactly) Expecting – Supernatural’s Season Finale

Sleepy Hollow

Sleepy Hollow

Best New Show of the Fall (TIE) – Sleepy Hollow and The Blacklist

Most Valuable Players (Three-Way TIE) – Melanie “Mellie” Grant (Bellamy Young) and Huck (Guillermo Diaz) on Scandal and Detective Lionel Fusco (Kevin Chapman) on Person of Interest

Wigs, Wigs and More Wigs (What is the Fuss?) – Tom Mison on Sleepy Hollow and Megan Boone on The Blacklist

Most Annoying New Recurring Character – Pi (Myko Olivier), the new boyfriend of Alexis on Castle

Emma Lahana

Emma Lahana

I’m Starting to Warm Up to This New Character – Jennifer Mason (Emma Lahana) on Haven

We Will Never Forget You – Ziva leaves (but does not die) on NCIS

Best Guest Star (Three-Way TIE) – Alex Kingston on Arrow; James Marsters on Warehouse 13; Colin Hanks on NCIS

Best Firefly Reunion (Well, Since the Last Time) – Gina Torres and Nathan Fillion on Castle

Best Existing Cable Show (TIE) – Suits and Switched at Birth

Orphan Black

Orphan Black

The Little Cable Show That Took the Industry by Storm – Orphan Black

Best New Cable Shows of the Summer (TIE) – The Fosters and Graceland

The Remake That Crashed and Burned – Ironside

The Best New Family Friendly Series – Cedar Cove

Under the Dome

Under the Dome

Highest Rated New Summer Drama – Under the Dome

How Could They End It Like That – The cliffhanger ending on The Glades and the unceremonious cancellation of the show without any resolution

The Show That’s Not Experiencing a Sophomore Slump (At All) – Arrow

Best Guilty Pleasure Shows (TIE) – Beauty And the Beast and Continuum

Drop Dead Diva

Drop Dead Diva

So Glad You’re Back – Drop Dead Diva

Best New Sci-Fi Series – Defiance

What The Hell is Going On This Season – Homeland

Still Can’t Believe The Show is Gone – Leverage, which aired its series finale on Christmas Day 2012

The CW

The CW

The Little Network That Could (and Continues On) – The CW

Most Anticipated Shows for the Upcoming Mid-Season TV Season (Three-Way TIE) – Helix on Syfy; Outlander on Starz and Resurrection on ABC

Best Male Newcomer (Three-Way TIE) – Luke Mitchell on The Tomorrow People; Brett Dalton on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Daniel DiTomasso on Witches of East End

Coolest New Tech Team – Fitz and Simmons (Iain De Caestecker and Elizabeth Henstridge) on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Peyton List

Peyton List

Jessica De Gouw

Jessica De Gouw

Prettiest Newcomer (TIE) – Peyton List on The Tomorrow People and Jessica DeGouw on Dracula

The Show That’s Supposed to be Scary But Just Isn’t (At Least Not to Me) – Ravenswood

He Plays Bad Guys SO Damn Well – Mark Pellegrino on The Tomorrow People

Best New Mini-Series – The Bible (History Channel)

The Cast of Nikita

The Cast of Nikita

Sad to See This Show Go, But At Least It Gets to End on Its Own Terms (Sort of) – Nikita

Best New Duo (TIE) – Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison) and Abbie Mills (Nichole Beharie) on Sleepy Hollow and Dorian (Michael Ealy) and John Kennox (Karl Urban) on Almost Human

New Dramas That Are Somehow Still Sticking Around (TIE) – Betrayal and Hostages

New Fall Drama That Should be Doing Better Than It Is – Marvel’s Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Idris Elba

Idris Elba

Returning Mini-Series That Just Wasn’t As Good As Its Previous Versions (Despite Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson) – Luther

New Drama That Just Didn’t Catch a Break – Zero Hour

Worst Cancellations (Four-Way TIE) – The Glades, Bunheads, Copper and Body of Proof

The New Fall Drama That’s Actually Funnier Than You Think – Almost Human

Reign

Reign

Have You Seen Those Amazing Costumes – Reign

Was Hoping For a Turn-Around With This Show, But That Didn’t Happen – Revolution

Really Want to See This Mid-Season Show Do Well – Intelligence on CBS

The Most Reliable Cable Network – Hallmark Channel

Elizabeth and Peter

Elizabeth and Peter

Best Example of a “Perfect” Married Couple – Elizabeth and Peter on White Collar

Craziest Love Triangle – Fitz (Tony Goldwyn), Mellie and Olivia (Kerry Washington) on Scandal

Most Annoying, Unnecessary Character – Peggy Kenter (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) on Nashville

The One Drama That Should Be a Bigger Hit Than It Is – Chicago Fire

The Cast of Parenthood

The Cast of Parenthood

The Most Overlooked Drama – Parenthood

Best New Additions – Root and Shaw on Person of Interest

Most Horrific Wedding – “The Rains of Castamere” otherwise known as the Red Wedding episode of Game of Thrones

THE Actress Who Should Be Getting Every Award Possible – Tatiana Maslany (for her work on Orphan Black)

Best Actor in a Drama – James Spader on The Blacklist

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington

Best Actress in a Drama – Kerry Washington on Scandal

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on what you liked the most and the least on television throughout 2013. Please share.

TOMORROW: Movies

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Year-End Round-Up: My Observations on 2013

Posted in Books, Convention/Event, Messages, Year End Round Up on December 22, 2013| Leave a Comment »

For about the past 8 years (give or take) I have been compiling a year-end round-up of all things entertainment, focusing on the worlds of television, movies, music and books; and in a year where scandals including those surrounding Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Lindsay Lohan, Lance Armstrong, Manti Te’o, Julianne Hough, Paula Deen and Amanda Bynes [among others] have been all over the headlines, it will be nice to focus on many of the good things that happened throughout 2013.

Before I start digging into the good things that happened this year in those four areas of the entertainment world, I want to take a short amount of time to focus on some of the goals for which I set for myself. Yeah, I’m being a little selfish for a quick moment.

Each year, it is my hope to read at least 20 books and most years I have been able to reach that goal; but this year I was little under that amount. But I have a very good reason for not reaching my goal. I was given a wonderful thank you gift by a friend of a friend for helping out with a much needed hotel room for Comic Con 2013. That gift was the beautiful leather-bound “Firefly: A Celebration” (which you can find here) that took me nearly three months to read (a little at a time every night).

In addition, I read quite a lot of sci-fi-based, young adult novels by Catherine Fisher, Cassandra Clare, Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, Maggie Stiefvater, Ally Condle, Veronica Roth, Sophie Jordan, Kiera Cass and Suzanne Collins. I also read a delightful novel called “While We Were Watching Downton Abbey” by Wendy Wax that focused on the wonderful international mini-series that took the world by storm back in 2010. I also continued with my Austen-esque yearly reading with books by Victoria Connelly and Shannon Hale.

And, as usual, I had the opportunity to attend numerous TV-related events, including PaleyFest, WonderCon and Comic-Con [much like I have done for many years now] as well as a handful of events at the Paley Center such as panels for Suits, Pretty Little Liars, China Beach’s 25th Anniversary and Castle. In addition, I visited the Warner Bros. Exhibit at the Paley Center, took a trip to Long Beach to visit the Princess Diana Exhibit on the Queen Mary and, for the 4th year in a year, went to the Pomona Fairgrounds for their annual Harvest Festival. Lastly, I took a trip back to Pittsburgh (my former hometown area) for the first time in five years, visiting family and friends.

But enough about all of that, tomorrow I will start rolling out my year-end round-up starting with the best (and worst) in television with much more as 2013 comes to an end.

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.

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Year-End Round Up: Closing Out 2012

Posted in Messages, Year End Round Up on December 31, 2012| Leave a Comment »

What a complicated and unbelievable year 2012 has been 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.

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Year-End Round Up: The New Faces of 2013

Posted in Movies, New Faces, New Shows, Television, Year End Round Up on December 30, 2012| 1 Comment »

Much like the Faces of 2012, there are always entertainers of note to be on the look-out for in the new year. With the help of some online research, here are my predictions for the faces of 2013 (in no particular order):

Meagan Good

1. Meagan Good – Meagan will star in the new NBC drama Deception, which is set to debut on January 7, and appeared in this year’s Think Like a Man box office movie. She has also appeared in episodes of Californication and such films as Biker Boyz, Deliver Us From Eva, Brick, Stomp the Yard and Jumping the Broom.

Chadwick Boseman

2. Chadwick Boseman – Chadwick will star as legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson alongside Harrison Ford in the upcoming box office film 42, but he has also appeared in the TV shows Lincoln Heights and Persons Unknown. He also had guest roles in shows like Castle, The Glades, Justified and Fringe.

Yulia Snigir

3. Yulia Snigir – Yulia is a newcomer from Russia who is set to play one of the villains in the upcoming box office film A Good Day to Die Hard alongside Bruce Willis and Jai Courtney (more on him below). Prior to her acting career, Yulia was a model and was crowned a chess master at the age of 15.

John Magaro

4. John Magaro – John will star in the film Not Fade Away, which is the directorial debut of David Chase (the man behind The Sopranos). He has also appeared in the box office films The Brave One, The Box and My Soul to Take as well as a guest role in an episode of Person of Interest. He will also appear in an upcoming film with Tom Hanks called Captain Phillips.

Alice Englert

5. Alice Englert – Newcomer Alice will star as the female lead in the book to film adaptation of Beautiful Creatures (one of the wanna-be Twilight follow-ups) and has also starred in the indie film Ginger & Rosa with Elle Fanning, Christina Hendricks and Annette Benning.

Tom Riley

6. Tom Riley – Tom will star as Leonardo Da Vinci in the new Starz drama Da Vinci’s Demons that is set to debut next year. He also appeared in the TV movie Lost in Austen and episodes of Inspector Lewis and Agatha Christie’s Poirot.

Tatiana Maslany

7. Tatiana Maslany – Tatiana will star in the new BBC America drama Orphan Black, which will premiere next spring. She has also appeared in the TV series Instant Star, Flashpoint, Heartland, Alphas and Being Erica as well as the made-for-TV movies World Without End and The Nativity.

Alden Ehrenreich

8. Alden Ehrenreich – Newcomer Alden will have the male lead role alongside Alice Englert (see her information above) in the book to film adaptation of Beautiful Creatures and he also has a role in the as-yet untitled new Woody Allen film He also appeared in an episode of Supernatural and CSI and the horror flick Twixt.

Sarayu Rao

9. Sarayu Rao – Sarayu will star in the new TNT drama Monday Mornings from David E. Kelly that will debut on February 4. She has appeared in episodes of TV shows like Bones, Life, Hawthorne, Sons of Tucson, Harry’s Law, In Plain Sight and NCIS: Los Angeles as well as a small role in the box office film Lions for Lambs.

Jeremy Jordan

10. Jeremy Jordan – Jeremy will appear as one of the new guys on the NBC musical-drama Smash when it returns on February 5. His background is primarily in theatre, appearing in the Broadway plays Rock of Ages, West Side Story, Newsies and Bonnie & Clyde.

Eleanor Tomlinson

11. Eleanor Tomlinson – Eleanor will star alongside Nicholas Hoult in the upcoming fairytale film Jack the Giant Slayer as the kidnapped princess and she will star in the upcoming BBC One mini-series The White Queen. She also had roles in the box office films The Illusionist and Alice in Wonderland.

Jai Courtney

12. Jai Courtney – Jai will star in two big box office films next year, including A Good Day to Die Hard, as the estranged son of Bruce Willis and I, Frankenstein with Yvonne Strahovski and Aaron Eckhart. He also had a role in the TV series Spartacus: Vengeance and appears in this month’s Jack Reacher with Tom Cruise at the box office.

Adelaide Clemons

13. Adelaide Clemons – Adelaide will star in next year’s The Great Gatsby alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire and appeared in this year’s Silent Hill: Revelation 3D. She also appeared in an episode of Lie to Me and had small roles in the box office film X-Men Origins: Wolverine and the made-for-TV movie The Pacific.

Mads Mikkelsen

14. Mads Mikkelsen – Mads will star as Hannibal Lecter in the new NBC thriller Hannibal next year, but is a well-known actor in Europe. He has starred in the box office films King Arthur, Casino Royale, Clash of the Titans and The Three Musketeers.

Jemima West

15. Jemima West – Jemima will star in the much-buzzed-about book to film adaptation The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones that will be released next year and she had a small role in the TV series The Borgias. She has also appeared in various French TV shows and mini-series.

Theo James

16. Theo James – Theo will be the lead in the new CBS police drama Golden Boy that will debut in February. His other credits include a memorable role in the first season of Downton Abbey (he was Mr. Pamuk who had the one-night stand with Lady Mary that took his life) and he starred in the U.K. series Bedlam. His movie roles include The Inbetweeners Movie, the Woody Allen flick You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger and Underworld: Awakening, starring alongside Kate Beckinsale.

Are there any actors or actresses who you think are the faces to watch in 2013? Please share.

TOMORROW: Let’s Close Out 2012

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