Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Year End Round Up’ Category

Year-End Round Up: The Faces of 2012

Posted in Movies, New Faces, New Shows, Television, Year End Round Up on December 29, 2012| 2 Comments »

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:

Jenna-Louise Coleman

1. Jenna-Louise Coleman – Jenna is the new companion of Doctor Who on the legendary, long-running sci-fi series, appearing earlier this year in one of the final episodes featuring Amy and Rory, the Doctor most recent companions and who appeared in the Christmas Day episode. Jenna-Louise had roles in the U.K. series Emmerdale, Waterloo Road, Dancing on the Edge and Room at the Top as well as the made-for-TV movie Titanic and the box office film Captain America: The First Avenger.

Douglas Booth

2. Douglas Booth – Douglas appeared in the box office film (that ended up going straight to video) entitled LOL that starred Miley Cyrus and Demi Moore as well as roles in the mini-series The Pillars of the Earth and Great Expectations. He will appear in next year’s film adaptation of Romeo & Juliet alongside Hailee Steinfeld and the 2014 film Noah that will star Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson and Logan Lerman.

Gina Carano

3. Gina Carano – Mixed martial arts expert Gina starred in the box office movie Haywire that came out in January of this year, starring opposite Michael Fassbender, Antonio Bandares, Michael Douglas and Ewan McGregor [among others] and she will be seen in next year’s The Fast and the Furious 6, starring many of the original franchise actors as well as next year’s In the Blood alongside Cam Gigandet and Danny Trejo. She is also one of the first actresses to be cast in the proposed female-based version of The Expendables that is being planned for 2015.

Josh Hutcherson

4. Josh Hutcherson – Josh is no stranger to box office films, but this year he appeared in the book to film adaptation of The Hunger Games as well as the three-years in the making reboot of Red Dawn. Among his other movie roles are Journey to the Center of the Earth and the film’s sequel. He will appear in the third Journey to the Center of the Earth movie set for next year as well as the second film adaptation of The Hunger Games trilogy also set for next year. Among his other film roles are Zathura, Bridge to Terabithia, Firehouse Dog and the critically-acclaimed The Kids are All Right.

Mackenzie Foy

5. Mackenzie Foy – Mackenzie landed the role of one of the most-talked about fictional characters in the young adult genre: Renesmee Carlie Cullen, the daughter of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan in the final Twilight saga movie. She appeared in episodes of Hawaii Five-0, FlashForward and R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour. She has three upcoming projects including the film Plastic Jesus with Hilarie Burton, The Conjuring with Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson and Wish You Well with Josh Lucas and Ellen Burstyn.

Suraj Sharma

6. Suraj Sharma – Suraj is a complete newcomer to acting, but he landed one of the most-buzzed-about roles: that of the lead character in the book to film adaptation of the best-selling novel Life of Pi as directed by Ang Lee. You can bet that he will be much in demand now that the film is out.

Zoe Kazan

7. Zoe Kazan – Zoe wrote and starred in the indie film Ruby Sparks earlier this year that received critical acclaim and she has four projects in the works, including In Your Eyes with Nikki Reed and Jennifer Gray, Some Girl(s) with Kristen Bell and Jennifer Morrison, The F Word with Daniel Radcliffe and Amanda Crew and The Pretty One with Jake Johnson and Ron Livingston. Previously she starred in episodes of Bored to Death and Medium as well as roles in the box office films I Hate Valentine’s Day, It’s Complicated and the indie films Me & Orson Welles and The Private Lives of Pippa Lee.

Stephen Amell

8. Stephen Amell – Stephen is the hot lead on The CW series Arrow that has taken the 2012-2013 TV season by storm. Among his other TV credits are roles in Queer as Folk, the short-lived Beautiful People, The Vampire Diaries, 90210, Hung, Private Practice and Heartland. He also appeared in the made-for-TV movies The Cutting Edge: Fire & Ice and Justice for Natalee Holloway.

Lara Pulver

9. Lara Pulver — Lara turned heads in her role of Irene Adler in the mini-series Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia. Prior to that Lara appeared in episodes of Robin Hood, MI-5 and True Blood. She will also be seen next year in the new TV series Da Vinci’s Demons.

Jay Ryan

10. Jay Ryan – New Zealand born Jay is the star of the new remake of Beauty And the Beast on The CW alongside Kristin Kreuk; but he got his start in TV shows like Hercules and Xena followed later by the Australian soap opera Neighbours. He also appeared in episodes of Sea Patrol, Offspring and Legend of the Seeker. His first big break here in the states came from his small recurring role in the short-lived TV series Terra Nova.

Sutton Foster

11. Sutton Foster – Sutton made a big splash on TV this year in the ABC Family series Bunheads, but she is best known for her work in theatre, appearing in the Broadway play Thoroughly Modern Millie and Anything Goes (both of which she won a Tony) and Little Women and Shrek the Musical [among others]. She also appeared in episodes of Flight of the Conchords, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Royal Pains.

Tom Weston-Jones

12. Tom Weston-Jones – Tom got noticed by American viewers thanks to his role in the new BBC America period piece TV series Copper as well as his role in the mini-series World Without End. His other TV credit is the long-running spy series MI-5 (also known as Spooks in the U.K.).

Jessica Pare

13. Jessica Pare – Jessica turned heads as Megan Calvet Draper on the critically acclaimed and award-winning AMC drama Mad Men. Prior to that she had guest roles in episodes of the short-lived series Jack & Bobby and Life and she appeared in the box office films Wicker Park and Hot Tub Time Machine.

Dean Geyer

14. Dean Geyer – Dean is making heads turn as Brody Weston, the new hottie from NYADA that took Rachel’s heart on Glee. Much like the aforementioned Jay Ryan, Dean appeared in the Australian soap opera Neighbours (yes, he’s Aussie) and had a recurring role in the short-lived TV series Terra Nova. He also competed in the 2006 Australian Idol and holds a black belt in karate.

Quvenzhane Wallis

15. Quvenzhané (pronounced Qui-ven-ZHEN-ay) Wallis – Quvenzhané is the young actress catching attention for her riveting debut performance in the independent film Beasts of the Southern Wild that has been receiving rave reviews all year. This impressive youngster will next be seen in next year’s planned box office film Twelve Years a Slave that will star Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Paul Giamatti [among others].

Daniel Lissing

16. Daniel Lissing – Daniel is one of the cast members of the soon-to-be-defunct ABC drama Last Resort where he appears as Navy Seal James King. This Aussie appeared in the down under TV shows Home and Away, Out of the Blue, Packed to the Rafters and Crownies. He will soon appear in the film John Doe alongside Jamie Bamber.

Kara Hayward

17. Kara Hayward – Kara made her acting debut in the much-buzzed-about indie film Moonrise Kingdom, starring alongside the likes of Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Edward Norton and Tilda Swinton. Her next project will be the teen drama film The Sisterhood of Night that will co-star Georgie Henley (from The Chronicles of Narnia franchise).

Skylar Astin

18. Skylar Astin – Skylar starred in this year’s musical-comedy Pitch Perfect alongside Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow and Rebel Wilson and was one of the voices in the top-rated animated film Wreck-It Ralph. He appeared in the box office film Taking Woodstock as well as episodes of Girls and House. He has two projects coming up: 21 and Over with Miles Teller and Justin Chon and Cavemen with Camilla Belle and Chad Michael Murray.

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 2013

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round Up: Ratings for 2012

Posted in Ratings, Television, Year End Round Up on December 28, 2012| Leave a Comment »

One of the most important aspects of television is the ratings each show receives on a weekly basis. As I have stated in years past, many can argue that the Nielson ratings are flawed and in desperate need of an overhaul; yet the industry still greatly relies on these tallies every day. And while the industry continues to believe that the only numbers that matter are for the 18 to 49 year-old adults, I hold firm to the belief that the overall millions of viewers are what truly make a difference.

With that thought in mind, and as I have done for years, I conducted my own ratings research, covering dramatic programming on the major and cable networks from January to mid-December. Please note these numbers are the overall average of viewers for each show based on early overnight numbers divided by the number of episodes aired within the time frame, as referenced below. Please remember that I cover only dramatic programming on the major and cable networks.

First of all, the following is a list (from highest to lowest) of all the dramas from the major networks that aired during the last half of the 2011-2012 TV season, covering January through May 2012 (mainly from mid-season to the season finales in May):

NCIS (CBS) – 18.8 million
NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS) – 14.3 million
Person of Interest (CBS) – 14 million
The Mentalist (CBS) – 13.1 million
Criminal Minds (CBS) – 11.4 million
CSI (CBS) – 11.3 million
Blue Bloods (CBS) – 11 million
Unforgettable (CBS) – 10.8 million *
Castle (ABC) – 10.6 million
Hawaii Five-0 (CBS) – 10.2 million
The Good Wife (CBS) – 10.1 million
CSI: Miami (CBS) – 9.7 million *
CSI: NY (CBS) and Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) [TIE] – 9.6 million
Once Upon a Time (ABC) – 9.3 million
A Gifted Man (CBS) – 9 million *
Desperate Housewives (ABC) – 8.6 million *
Body of Proof (ABC) – 8 million
Harry’s Law (NBC) – 7.7 million *
Missing (ABC) – 7.5 million *
Revenge (ABC) and Bones (FOX) – 7.4 million
Scandal (ABC) – 7.2 million
Private Practice (ABC) – 7 million
Touch (FOX) – 6.9 million
Smash (NBC) – 6.8 million
House (FOX) * and Glee (FOX) – 6.5 million
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) – 6.2 million
GCB (ABC) – 6 million *
Alcatraz (FOX) – 5.9 million *
The Finder (FOX) – 5.5 million *
Grimm (NBC) – 4.9 million
Parenthood (NBC) – 4.8 million
NYC 22 (CBS) – 4.6 million *
The River (ABC) – 4.2 million *
Prime Suspect (NBC) – 4 million *
Chuck (NBC) – 3.8 million *
Pan Am (ABC) – 3.7 million *
Awake (NBC) – 3.3 million *
Fringe (FOX) – 3.1 million
The Vampire Diaries (The CW) and The Firm (NBC) * [TIE] – 2.6 million
Supernatural (The CW) – 1.7 million
The Secret Circle (The CW) – 1.6 million *
Nikita (The CW) and One Tree Hill (The CW) * – 1.5 million
Hart of Dixie (The CW) – 1.4 million
90210 (The CW) – 1.3 million
Gossip Girl (The CW) and Ringer (The CW) * – 1.2 million
The L.A. Complex (The CW) * – 590,000 viewers

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

NOTE: Unforgettable was cancelled by CBS only to be brought back after the fact with plans to have new episodes airing sometime in 2013.

During that same approximate time period – January to roughly mid-June 2011 – a large number of cable dramas aired new episodes – and they are listed in order of their overall viewership (highest to lowest):

The Walking Dead (AMC) – 7.5 million
Game of Thrones (HBO) – 3.8 million
Royal Pains (USA) – 3.4 million
In Plain Sight (USA) – 3.3 million *
Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family), Fairly Legal (USA) * and White Collar (USA) [TIE] – 2.8 million
Army Wives (Lifetime) – 2.7 million
Psych (USA) – 2.6 million
Hell on Wheels (AMC) and The Client List (Lifetime) [TIE] – 2.5 million
Justified (FX) and Leverage (TNT) * [TIE] – 2.4 million
Mad Men (AMC) – 2.3 million
Southland (TNT) – 1.9 million
Switched at Birth (ABC Family) and Merlin (Syfy) [TIE] – 1.7 million
The Secret Life of the American Teenager (ABC Family) and Eureka (Syfy) * [TIE] – 1.6 million
Being Human (Syfy) – 1.5 million
Spartacus: Vengeance (Starz), Breakout Kings (A&E) *, The Killing (AMC) * and The Lying Game (ABC Family) [TIE] – 1.4 million
Lost Girl (Syfy), Make It or Break It (ABC Family) * and Jane By Design (ABC Family) * [TIE] – 1.2 million
The Borgias (Showtime) – 574,000 viewers
Luck (HBO) * – 564,000 viewers
Magic City (Starz) – 416,000 viewers

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

NOTE: The Killing was cancelled by AMC only to be brought back after the fact with plans to have a new season airing sometime in 2013.

As we move into the summer months, the following list shows all the dramas from both the major and cable networks that aired from approximately late May to mid-October in order of their overall viewership (highest to lowest):

The Closer (TNT) – 6.5 million *
Rookie Blue (ABC) – 5.7 million
Rizzoli & Isles (TNT) – 5.4 million
Major Crimes (TNT) and True Blood (HBO) – 4.7 million
Burn Notice (USA) – 4.4 million
Perception (TNT) – 4.2 million
Longmire (A&E) – 4 million
Royal Pains (USA) – 3.9 million
Suits (USA) – 3.8 million
Dallas (TNT) – 3.7 million
Covert Affairs (USA) – 3.4 million
White Collar (USA) and Falling Skies (TNT) [TIE] – 3.3 million
Army Wives (Lifetime) – 3.2 million
Saving Hope (NBC) * and The Glades (A&E) [TIE] – 3 million
Franklin & Bash (TNT) – 2.9 million
Necessary Roughness (USA) – 2.7 million
Leverage (TNT) * and Breaking Bad (AMC) – 2.6 million
Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family) – 2.5 million
Drop Dead Diva (Lifetime) – 2.3 million
Common Law (USA) * – 2.1 million
The Newsroom (HBO) – 2 million
Warehouse 13 (Syfy) – 1.7 million
Teen Wolf (MTV) – 1.6 million
The Secret Life of the American Teenager and Bunheads (both on ABC Family) and Alphas (Syfy) [TIE] – 1.4 million
Jane By Design (ABC Family) * – 1.3 million
Lost Girl (Syfy) – 1.2 million
The L.A. Complex (The CW) * – 572,000 viewers

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

Next, we have the ratings results for all of the dramas that aired on the major networks for the first part of the 2012-2013 TV season, covering September to approximately mid-December (highest to lowest):

NCIS (CBS) – 18.2 million
NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS) – 15.5 million
Person of Interest (CBS) – 14.3 million
Criminal Minds (CBS) – 11.8 million
Vegas and Elementary (both on CBS) [TIE] – 11 million
Blue Bloods (CBS) – 10.7 million
CSI (CBS) – 10.6 million
Castle (ABC) – 10.5 million
The Mentalist (CBS) – 9.6 million
CSI: NY (CBS), Once Upon a Time (ABC) and The Good Wife (CBS) [TIE] – 9.5 million
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – 9.4 million
Hawaii Five-0 (CBS) – 8.8 million
Revolution (NBC) – 8.5 million
Revenge (ABC) – 8.2 million
Bones (FOX) – 7.3 million
Scandal (ABC) – 6.7 million
Last Resort (ABC) – 6.6 million * (the remaining 3 episodes will air in early 2013)
Nashville (ABC) – 6.5 million
Glee (FOX) and Chicago Fire (NBC) [TIE] – 6.1 million
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) – 5.5 million
Grimm (NBC) – 5.2 million
Parenthood (NBC) – 4.9 million
666 Park Avenue (ABC) – 4.8 million * (the remaining 4 episodes may air in summer 2013)
Private Practice (ABC) – 4.7 million
The Mob Doctor (FOX) – 3.7 million * (2 more episodes will air on December 29 and 31)
Arrow (The CW) – 3.6 million
The Vampire Diaries (The CW) – 2.9 million
Fringe (FOX) – 2.8 million * (the show will air its 2-hour series finale on January 18)
Supernatural (The CW) – 2.2 million
Beauty And the Beast (The CW) – 2.1 million
Hart of Dixie (The CW) – 1.4 million
Emily Owens, M.D. (The CW) – 1.3 million * (the remaining 6 episodes will air in early 2013)
90210 (The CW) and Nikita (The CW) [TIE] – 1 million
Gossip Girl (The CW) – 785,000 viewers *

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

ADDITIONAL NOTES FOR THE 2012-2013 TV SEASON:

1. The CBS drama Made In Jersey aired only two episodes this fall before it was cancelled; however, the episodes that were filmed prior to the cancellation aired as burn-off on Saturdays during the fall. The ratings for that series were not included above simply because of its quick cancellation;

2. A special airing of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, the much buzzed about internet series created by Joss Whedon, finally aired on The CW on October 9; but it earned a disappointing 570,000 viewers;

3. A special airing of Mockingbird Lane, the reboot of the classic TV comedy The Munsters from the mind of Bryan Fuller (that did not receive a series pick-up by the network) aired on NBC on October 2, earning a respectful 5.4 million viewers;

4. Pretty Little Liars aired another Halloween episode on October 23 on ABC Family, earning 2.8 million viewers;

5. A special two-hour special episode of Royal Pains, focusing on the wedding of Evan and Paige, aired on December 16, earning 3.2 million viewers;

6. The annual Doctor Who Christmas special aired on BBC America on Christmas Day, earning 1.4 million viewers; and,

7. A holiday special of Call the Midwife will air on PBS on December 31, making it impossible to include the ratings due to the fact this report had to be posted before the airdate.

Lastly, the cable networks aired a number of their summer shows during the fall as well as debuting one new show, competing against the major network shows. The following is a list of how those shows performed in the overall ratings over the course of mid-August to mid-December (highest to lowest):

The Walking Dead (AMC) – 10.1 million
Sons of Anarchy (FX) – 4.4 million
Rizzoli & Isles (TNT) – 4 million
American Horror Story: Asylum (FX) – 2.7 million
Covert Affairs (USA Network) – 2.5 million
Burn Notice (USA Network) – 2.4 million
Boardwalk Empire (HBO), Dexter (Showtime) and Leverage * (TNT) [TIE] – 2.3 million
Hell on Wheels (AMC) – 2.1 million
Homeland (Showtime) – 2 million
Switched at Birth (ABC Family) and Haven (Syfy) – 1.6 million
Copper (BBC America) – 692,000 viewers
Treme (HBO) – 533,000 viewers
Boss (Starz) – 363,000 viewers *
Strike Back (Cinemax) – 255,000 viewers
Hunted (Cinemax) – 157,000 viewers *

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

ADDITIONAL NOTES FOR THE FALL CABLE SERIES:

1. The overall rating for Strike Back is an approximated average, as not all of the ratings for the current season could be tracked down; and,

2. The final two episodes of the current season of Haven will actually air on January 17.

It should be noted that the following cable series aired throughout 2012, but their overall ratings were difficult, if not impossible, to track down:

Bedlam – BBC America
Being Human – BBC America
Doctor Who – BBC America
Inside Men – BBC America
The Fades – BBC America
The Hour – BBC America
White Heat – BBC America
Whitechapel – BBC America
Damages – DirecTV
XIII The Series – Reelz Channel

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

1. CBS is still 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 2012 and CBS has the most dramas in the top 20 over all the other networks;

2. The top new drama of the fall season goes to CBS with both Vegas and Elementary winning as highest rated new series; but the new drama Arrow on The CW broke records for that network and Revolution on NBC helped launch the network into top place for the first time in years;

3. Castle has, once again, won the year as the top drama on ABC with Last Resort being the top rated new fall drama for the network; but sadly, that series will end after its initial 13-episode first season order;

4. NBC saw a marked improvement in their ratings in the 2012-2013 TV season actually winning the ratings race over the first three weeks of the season and winning November sweeps for the first time in 9 years;

5. FOX had a lackluster year to say the least with Touch behind the highest rated series during the early part of the year and Bones winning for the fall season; sadly, very little else has succeeded on FOX for the entire year;

6. For the past few seasons, The Vampire Diaries has been the top rated show for the network, which was the case for the earlier part of the year, but this fall the new series Arrow has taken its place; and the real competition will be to see which of the following shows will survive the 2012-2013 season: Beauty And the Beast, Hart of Dixie or 90210; and

7. It is apparent that The Walking Dead on AMC has far-outdistanced all other cable shows, becoming the first cable series to beat every other show of the fall season in adults from 18 to 49 years of age and Major Crimes on TNT being the highest rated new show of the summer; it should also be noted that TNT was the most watched network for the entire year, even beating out the USA Network for that accolade.

And, for the first time in all the years of my putting together these year-end reports, I am including a list of the majority of the made-for-TV movies and/or mini-series that aired during 2012, ranked highest to lowest for overall ratings. They are as follows (based on those for which ratings could be tracked down):

Hatfield & McCoys (History) [3-part] – 13.8 million
Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt (CBS) – 12.8 million
Firelight and Christmas with Holly (both on ABC) [TIE] – 7.7 million
Smile As Big As the Moon (ABC) – 6.9 million
Steel Magnolias (Lifetime) – 6.5 million
Drew Peterson: Untouchable (Lifetime) – 5.8 million
Let It Shine (Disney) – 5.7 million
Girl vs. Monster (Disney) – 4.9 million
Downton Abbey (PBS) [7-part] – 4.6 million (approximate average)
Radio Rebel (Disney) – 4.3 million
Frenemies (Disney) 4.2 million
Abducted: The Carlina White Story (Lifetime) – 4.1 million
Help for the Holidays (Hallmark) – 3.6 million
Liz & Dick (Lifetime) – 3.5 million
A Bride for Christmas, The Christmas Heart and Matchmaker Santa (all on Hallmark) [TIE] – 3.3 million
The Mistle-Tones (ABC Family) and Baby’s First Christmas (Hallmark) [TIE] – 3.2 million
Come Dance with Me (Hallmark) – 3.1 million
A Golden Christmas 3 (ION) – 3 million
Hitched for the Holidays (Hallmark) – 2.8 million
Seal Team Six: The Hunt for Osama bin Laden (National Geographic) and Chasing Leprechauns (Hallmark) [TIE] – 2.7 million
A Taste of Romance and Naughty or Nice (both on Hallmark) and Home Alone: Holiday Heist (ABC Family [TIE] – 2.6 million
A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song (ABC Family); Notes from the Heart Healer and The Wishing Tree (both on Hallmark) [TIE] – 2.5 million
Jules Verne’s Mysterious Island (Syfy), Undercover Bridesmaid (Hallmark) and An Officer and a Murderer (Lifetime) [TIE] – 2.4 million
Love at the Thanksgiving Parade and It’s Christmas, Carol (both on Hallmark) [TIE] – 2.3 million
Swamp Volcano (Syfy), Kiss at Pine Lake and Christmas Song (both on Hallmark) [TIE] – 2.2 million
Game Change (HBO), Political Animals (USA) [6-parts], The Good Witch’s Charm (Hallmark), The Merry In-Laws (Lifetime) and 12 Disasters of Christmas (Syfy) [TIE] – 2.1 million
Love at the Christmas Table, Fatal Honeymoon, The Real St. Nick and Killer Among Us (all on Lifetime) [TIE] – 2 million
The Philadelphia Experiment (Syfy) and The Eleventh Victim (Lifetime) 1.9 million
Puppy Love (Hallmark); Coma (A&E) [2-parts] and Finding Mrs. Claus (Lifetime) [TIE] – 1.7 million
The Christmas Consultant (Lifetime) – 1.6 million
Boogeyman (Syfy) and Last Hours in Suburbia and All About Christmas Eve (both on Lifetime) [TIE] – 1.5 million
Ghost Storm (Syfy), Fixing Pete and How to Fall in Love (both on Hallmark); The March Sisters at Christmas and Holiday High School Reunion (both on Lifetime) [TIE] – 1.4 million
Rise of Zombies (Syfy) – 1.3 million
Haunted High and Pegasus vs. Chimera (both on Syfy) and Left to Die (Lifetime) [TIE] – 1.2 million
Aladdin & the Death Lamp (Syfy) and Holiday Spin (Lifetime) [TIE] – 1.1 million
Smart Cookies (Hallmark) – 1 million
The Girl (HBO) – 722,000 viewers
The Music Teacher (Hallmark) – 688,000 viewers
Hemingway & Gelhorn (HBO) – 548,000 viewers
Crimson Petal & the White (Encore) [2-parts] – 214,000 viewers

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

FINAL NOTE: Please note that I do not include DVR ratings, online viewership (etc.) because those numbers – while helpful for the networks to know just how many people are actually watching their shows (and in essence making the advertisers happy) – are not seen as essential because none of these viewing options provide advertising money to the networks.

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.

TOMORROW: Faces of 2012

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round Up: Condolences for 2012

Posted in Movies, Music, Television, Year End Round Up on December 27, 2012| Leave a Comment »

The following industry personalities (listed in alphabetical order) passed away in 2012 and heartfelt condolences are extended to their families, friends and fans:

Ian Abercrombie (Legendary British Actor)
Neil Armstrong (Astronaut)

Fontella Bass (Legendary Singer)
Maeve Binchy (Irish Author)
Lucille Bliss (Voice of Smurfette)
Ernest Borgnine (Legendary Actor)
Ray Bradbury (Legendary Author)
Peter Breck (Actor)
Helen Gurley Brown (Cosmopolitan Editor)
Dave Brubeck (Legendary Jazz Pianist and Composer)

Dick Clark (TV Host)
Gary Collins (Actor and TV Host)
Don Cornelius (TV Show, Soul Train)

Richard Dawson (Actor)
Phyllis Diller (Legendary Comedian)
Michael Clarke Duncan (Actor)
Charles Durning (Legendary Character Actor)

Nora Ephron (Director and Writer)
Chad Everett (Actor)

James Farentino (Actor)

Ben Gazzara (Actor)
Robin Gibb (Singer)
Andy Griffith (Legendary Actor)

Larry Hagman (Legendary Actor)
Marvin Hamlisch (Oscar-winning Composer)
Robert Hegyes (Actor, Welcome Back Kotter)
Sherman Hemsley (Actor, The Jeffersons)
Celeste Holm (Legendary Actress)
Whitney Houston (Singer-Actress)

Etta James (Legendary Singer)
Davy Jones (Singer-Actor)
Kathryn Joosten (Character Actress)

Alex Karras (Football Great-Actor)
Jack Klugman (Legendary Actor)

George Lindsay (Actor, The Andy Griffith Show)

Russell Means (Oglala Sioux Activist)
Nolan Miller (Fashion Designer)

Jerry Nelson (Voice of Sesame Street Characters)

Michael O’Hare (Actor)
Lupe Ontiveros (Latino Actress)

Ron Palillo (Actor, Welcome Back Kotter)
Joe Paterno (Disgraced Football Coach)

Deborah Raffin (Actress)
Sally Ride (Former Astronaut)
Jenni Rivera (Latin Singer and TV Star)
Ann Rutherford (Legendary Actress)

Vidal Sassoon (World-Renowned Hair Stylist)
Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf (Military Leader)
Tony Scott (Film Director)
Earl Scruggs (Blue Grass Artist)
Maurice Sendak (Children’s Book Author and Illustrator)
Ravi Shankar (Legendary Sitar Player and Father of Singer Norah Jones)
Robert Sherman (Songwriter)
Donna Summer (Singer)

Gore Vidal (Author)

Mike Wallace (Legendary Newscaster)
Doc Watson (Folk Musician)
Andy Williams (Legendary Singer)
William Windom (Legendary Actor)

Richard Zanuck (Legendary Producer)

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 before proceeding to the next section.

TOMORROW: Ratings

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round Up: Awards for 2012

Posted in Awards, Movies, Music, Television, Year End Round Up on December 26, 2012| 2 Comments »

Just like every other year, a lot of awards are given out this year with some very interesting and some very expected winners. And, while the following isn’t the full list of award winners for the past year (as that would be far TOO long) these are the highlights:

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS (January):

Favorite TV Drama Actress: Nina Dobrev
Favorite TV Comedy Actor: Neil Patrick Harris
Favorite Movie Star Under 25: Chloe Grace Moretz
Favorite Book Adaptation: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Favorite Cable TV Drama: Pretty Little Liars
Favorite TV Drama Actor: Nathan Fillion
Favorite TV Crime Drama: Castle
Favorite New TV Drama: Person of Interest
Favorite Movie Actor: Johnny Depp
Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show: Supernatural
Favorite Action Movie Star: Hugh Jackman
Favorite Comedic Movie Actress: Emma Stone
Favorite Country Artist: Taylor Swift

CRITICS’ CHOICE MOVIE AWARDS (January):

Best Picture: The Artist
Best Actress: Viola Davis, The Help
Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, The Help
Best Young Actor/Actress: Thomas Horn, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Best Acting Ensemble: The cast of The Help
Best Animated Feature: Rango
Best Song: “Life’s a Happy Song” from The Muppets
Best Costume Design: The Artist
Best Makeup: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Best Score: The Artist

GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS (January):

Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: The Artist
Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama: Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy: Jean DuJardin, The Artist
Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy: Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn
Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Octavia Spencer, The Help
Director: Martin Scorsese, Hugo
TV Series, Drama: Homeland
TV Series, Comedy: Modern Family
TV Movie or Miniseries: Downton Abbey
Actress in a TV Series, Drama: Claire Danes, Homeland
Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie: Idris Elba, Luther
Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or TV Movie: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones

SCREEN ACTORS GUILD (January):

Male Actor, Supporting: Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Stunt Ensemble, Motion Picture: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Male Actor, Drama Series: Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Female Actor, Drama Series: Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
Ensemble, Drama: Boardwalk Empire
Stunt Ensemble, Television Series: Game of Thrones

GRAMMY AWARDS (February):

Album of the Year: 21, Adele
Record of the Year: Rolling in the Deep, Adele
Country Album: Own the Night, Lady Antebellum
Song of the Year: Rolling in the Deep, Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth
Rock Performance: Walk, Foo Fighters
R&B Performance: Is This Love, Corinne Bailey Rae
Country Solo Performance: Mean, Taylor Swift
Country Song: Mean, Taylor Swift
Rock Song: Walk, Foo Fighters
Rock Album: Wasting Light, Foo Fighters
Song Written for Visual Media: “I See the Light” (From Tangled)

BAFTA AWARDS (British Awards) (February):

Best Film: The Artist
Leading Actor: Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Leading Actress: Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Adapted Screenplay: Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy, Bridget O’ Connor & Peter Straughan
Outstanding British Film: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Production Design: Hugo
Special Visual Effects: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Part 2
Makeup & Hair: The Iron Lady

ACADEMY AWARDS (February)

Best Picture: The Artist
Actor in a Leading Role: Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Actress in a Leading Role: Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Actress in a Supporting Role: Octavia Spencer, The Help
Actor in a Supporting Role: Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Director: Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Original Screenplay: Midnight in Paris, Written by Woody Allen
Animated Feature Film: Rango
Film Editing: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

RAZZIE AWARDS (February):

Worst Picture: Jack and Jill
Worst Actor: Adam Sandler, Jack and Jill and Just Go With It
Worst Actress: Adam Sander (as “Jill”), Jack and Jill
Worst Screen Ensemble: The entire cast of Jack and Jill

ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS (April):

Entertainer of the Year: Taylor Swift
Male Vocalist: Blake Shelton
Female Vocalist: Miranda Lambert
Vocal Group: Lady Antebellum
Album of the Year: Four The Record – Miranda Lambert
Single Record of the Year: Don’t You Wanna Stay – Jason Aldean With Kelly Clarkson
Song of the Year: Crazy Girl – Eli Young Band

NEW NOW NEXT AWARDS (April):

Next Mega Star: Josh Hutcherson, The Hunger Games
Cause Your Hot: Naya Rivera, Glee
TV You Betta Watch: GCB
Best New Indulgence: Revenge
Superfan Site Award: http://www.vampire-diaries.net
Next Must-See Movie: The Avengers

BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS (May):

Artist: Adele
Female Artist: Adele
Billboard 200 Artist: Adele
Hot 100 Artist: Adele
Digital Songs Artist: Adele
Radio Songs Artist: Adele
Digital Media Artist: Adele
Pop Artist: Adele
Country Artist: Lady Antebellum
Rock Artist: Coldplay
Alternative Artist: Coldplay

MTV MUSIC AWARDS (June):

Movie of the Year: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1
Best Female Performance: Jennifer Lawrence, The Hunger Games
Best Male Performance: Josh Hutcherson, The Hunger Games
Best Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Tom Felton and the entire cast of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

CMT MUSIC AWARDS (June):

Video of the Year: Good Girl, Carrie Underwood
Male Video of the Year: I Don’t Want This Night to End, Luke Bryan
Female Video of the Year: Over You, Miranda Lambert
Group Video of the Year: We Owned the Night, Lady Antebellum
Collaborative Video of the Year: Remind Me, Brad Paisley with Carrie Underwood
CMT Performance of the Year: Tattoos on This Town, Jason Aldean

TONY AWARDS (June):

Best Musical: Once
Best Play: Clybourne Park
Best Performance by an Actress, Musical: Audra McDonald, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
Best Revival of a Musical: The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
Best Revival of a Play: Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
Best Original Score: Newsies (Music by Alan Menken and Lyrics by Jack Feldman)
Best Performance by an Actor, Play: Christian Borle (Peter and the Starcatcher)
Isabelle Stevenson Award: Bernadette Peters

TEEN CHOICE AWARDS (July):

Choice Movie Actress: Action Zoe Saldana, Colombiana
Choice Movie Sci-Fi/Fantasy: The Hunger Games
Choice Movie Actress Sci-Fi/Fantasy: Jennifer Lawrence, The Hunger Games
Choice Movie Drama: The Lucky One
Choice Movie Actress Drama: Emma Stone, The Help
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 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 Actress Action: Linda Hunt, NCIS: Los Angeles
Choice Summer TV Show: Teen Wolf
Choice Summer TV Star Female: Troian Bellisario, Pretty Little Liars
Choice Summer TV Star Male: Tyler Posey, Teen Wolf
Choice TV Villain: Janel Parrish, Pretty Little Liars
Choice TV Female Scene Stealer: Candice Accola, The Vampire Dairies
Choice TV Male Scene Stealer: Michael Trevino, The Vampire Diaries

SATURN AWARDS (July)

Best Science Fiction Film: Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Best Fantasy Film: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2
Best Horror/Thriller Film: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Best Action/Adventure Film: Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol
Best Supporting Actor: Andy Serkis (Rise of the Planet of the Apes)
Best Supporting Actress: Emily Blunt (The Adjustment Bureau)
Best Music: Michael Giacchino (Super 8)
Best Costume: Alexandra Byrne (Thor)
Best Animated Film: Puss in Boots
Best Network Television Series: Fringe (Fox)
Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series: Breaking Bad (AMC)
Best Youth-Oriented Television Series: Teen Wolf (MTV)
Best Actress on Television: Anna Torv (Fringe)
Best Supporting Actress on Television: Michelle Forbes (The Killing)
Best Guest Star on Television: Tom Skerritt (Leverage)

TELEVISION CRITICS ASSOCIATION AWARDS (July):

Individual Achievement in Drama: Claire Danes, Homeland
Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming: Switched at Birth
Outstanding New Program: Homeland
Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials: Downton Abbey
Outstanding Achievement in Drama: Breaking Bad
Program of the Year: Game of Thrones

EMMY AWARDS (September)

Drama Series: Homeland
Actress, Drama Series: Claire Danes, Homeland
Actor, Drama Series: Damian Lewis, Homeland
Supporting Actor, Drama Series: Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
Supporting Actress, Drama Series: Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Miniseries or Movie: Game Change
Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Julianne Moore, Game Change
Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Kevin Costner, Hatfields & McCoys
Supporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Tom Berenger, Hatfields & McCoys,
Writing, Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special: Danny Strong, Game Change

CMA AWARDS (November):

Entertainer of the Year: Blake Shelton
Album of the Year: Chief, Eric Church
Female Vocalist of the Year: Miranda Lambert
Male Vocalist of the Year: Blake Shelton
Song of the Year: Over You, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert
Musical Event of the Year: Feel Like a Rock Star, Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw
New Artist of the Year: Hunter Hayes

AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS (November):

Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group: Maroon 5
Favorite Country Female Artist: Taylor Swift
Favorite Country Male Artist: Luke Bryan
Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group: Lady Antebellum
Favorite Country Album: Blown Away, Carrie Underwood
Favorite Alternative Rock Music Artist: Linkin Park
Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist: Adele
New Artist of the Year: Carly Rae Jepsen

Congratulations to all of these winners (and the countless others who won awards) over the course of 2012. 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

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round Up: Music Moments in 2012

Posted in Music, Video, Year End Round Up on December 25, 2012| 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:

Best Musical Performance in a TV series – Connie Britton, Hayden Panettiere, Charles Esten, Sam Palladio, Clare Bowen and Jonathan Jackson on Nashville

Most Played Single of the Year – “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Ray Jepsen

Best Worldwide Singer – Adele

Best and Worst of Viral Music – “Gangnam Style” by Psy, the Korean rapper

Best Remake of a Hit Single – “Share It Maybe” by Cookie Monster (remake of “Call Me Maybe”)

Best Single of the Year – “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Goyte

The Teens Are Just Crazy for Them But the Rest of the World Just Does Not Get Them – One Direction

That Took Long Enough – “Lights” by Ellie Goulding (it took about a year for this single to make it onto the Billboard charts after its released in England)

Best Female Country Singer – Miranda Lambert

Most Haunting Rock Song – “Seven Devils” by Florence + the Machine

NOTE:  This show was used in the season finale of Revenge in May 2012 and in the Beautiful Creatures movie trailer.

Best Single of the Year – “Anna Sun” by Walk the Moon

Best Single from a Feature Film – “Skyfall” by Adele

Rising Music Star – ZZ Ward

From Street Performing to the Big Leagues – Andy Grammer

NOTE:  Andy went from performing at the Santa Monica (California) Promenade (an outdoor mall) to the Billboard charts.

Best New Band (TIE) – fun. and The Lumineers

Top Male Country Artist – Hunter Hayes

Best New Imports – Mumford & Sons (who are from the U.K.)

Youngsters on the Rise – Maisy and Lennon Stella, who made waves online and now star as the daughters of Rayna James on the TV series Nashville

Best Rock Band – The Black Keys

Most Moving Performance in a Musical Based Film – Anne Hathaway in Les Miserables

Worst Live Performances by Someone Who Should Have Known Better – Madonna

Best Country Band – Lady Antebellum

Best Single with a TV Influence – “Distance” by Christina Perri

“Distance” by Christina Perri

Catchiest Tune and Craziest Video – “50 Ways to Say Goodbye” by Train

“50 Ways to Say Goodbye” by Train

The Video May Not Make Sense, But This Girl is Just Amazingly Talented (and the hot bodies don’t hurt either, right?) – “Try” by Pink

“Try” by Pink

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

And, most of all, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round Up: Movie Highlights of 2012

Posted in Movies, Year End Round Up on December 24, 2012| Leave a Comment »

For many years now, it was always my goal to see as many movies as possible throughout each calendar year; usually averaging out to about 40 or more movies a year. But as the years have gone by, the cost of seeing a movie has steadily increased, putting up with inconsiderate movie goers who simply cannot turn off their phones or stop talking, it’s almost not worth going to the movies anymore.

That being said – for the first time in years – I have only gone to the movies about a dozen times this year; and sadly, most of the movies I saw were less than pleasurable. But at least there were a few good films this year, including The Lucky One, The Avengers and The Amazing Spider-Man.

But while I was more than disappointed with the selection at the box office, movie goers did not agree with me especially when you look at the top 25 films according to tickets sales (through approximately December 15) which are as follows:

1. Marvel’s The Avengers – 623 million
2. The Dark Knight Rises – 448 million
3. The Hunger Games – 408 million
4. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2 – 280 million
5. Skyfall – 276 million
6. The Amazing Spider-Man – 262 million
7. Brave – 237 million
8. Ted – 219 million
9. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted – 216 million
10. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax – 214 million
11. Men In Black 3 – 179 million
12. Wreck-It-Ralph – 170 million
13. Ice Age: Continental Drift – 161 million
14. Snow White and the Huntsman – 155 million
15. Hotel Transylvania – 144 million
16. 21 Jump Street – 138.4 million
17. Taken 2 – 138.3 million
18. Prometheus – 126.5 million
19. Safe House – 126.2 million
20. The Vow – 125 million
21. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – 123 million
22. Magic Mike – 114 million
23. The Bourne Legacy – 113 million
24. Lincoln – 112.5 million
25. Argo – 106 million

NOTE: There are a few late-December releases that will not be fully referenced in the above list as the box office results for the last two weekends of the year could not be collected before this report needed to be posted.

It should also be noted that the big sleeper hit of the year is a little movie that would normally have been overlooked. Which movie is that, you ask: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. The movie starred a multitude of legendary British actors and actresses, earning $134 million worldwide and capturing the hearts of moviegoers all across the world. There are also plans for a sequel and that should make the countless fans of this great little flick very happy.

This was also the year for animated films to perform very well with Brave, Paranorman, Hotel Transylvania, Ice Age: Continental Drift, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, Rise of the Guardians, Frankenweenie, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted and Wreck-It Ralph all doing really well at the box office and attracting a very divergent audience.

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

A Cabin in the Woods
A Thousand Words
American Reunion
Casa de mi Padre
Dark Shadows
For A Good Time, Call…
Hit & Run
Killing Them Softly
LOL
Madea’s Witness Protection
Parental Guidance
Project X
Savages
Sinister
Ted
That’s My Boy
The Campaign
The Collection
The Dictator
The Five-Year Engagement
The Guilt Trip
The Three Stooges
The Watch
This is 40
Wanderlust
What to Expect When You’re Expecting

But, if you don’t believe my list, how about the top 10 worst films according to the folks over at Time Magazine:

1. Cloud Atlas
2. John Carter
3. Hyde Park on Hudson
4. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
5. This Means War
6. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax
7. Alex Cross
8. What to Expect When You’re Expecting
9. The Odd Life of Timothy Green
10. One for the Money

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

TOMORROW: Music

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round Up: The Best (and Worst) in Television 2012

Posted in Television, Year End Round Up on December 23, 2012| 2 Comments »

As an avid TV viewer, it is always exciting to see what the writers and creators of my favorite shows come up with to entertain and thrill their viewers each week.

The following is a list of the highlights of the past year (in no particular order):

Nikita

Best Show Viewers Simply Aren’t Watching But They Should Be – Nikita

Best Team to Have in Your Corner – Nathan, Hardison, Parker, Eliot and Sophie on Leverage

Best New Bad Guy – Captain Tom Neville (Giancarlo Esposito) on Revolution

She Could Give Victoria Grayson (from Revenge) a Run for Her Money – Melanie “Mellie” Grant (Bellamy Young) on Scandal

Melanie “Melly” Grant (Played by Bellamy Young)

What a Milestone (But Maybe It’s Time to Hang It Up) – NCIS reaching its 200th episode during the 2011-2012 season; but the show has been slowly waning enough during the 2012-2013 TV season that maybe it’s time to let the show end on a high note

The Show That’s Having a Bit of a Sophomore Slump – Revenge

Juliette Barnes (Played by Hayden Panettiere)

Best New TV Bitch – Juliette Barnes on Nashville

We Will Miss These Characters Greatly – Amy and Rory on Doctor Who

The New Queen of Comedy (Sort Of) – Mindy Kaling on The Mindy Project

So Very Glad This Show Has Ended – Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl

Most Welcome Return to TV – Scott Speedman on Last Resort [while the show has lasted that is] and Kristin Kreuk on Beauty And the Beast

New Drama that Deserved More Than a Cancellation [TIE] – Emily Owens, M.D. and Last Resort

The Mob Doctor

It’s About Time – The cancellation of The Mob Doctor (which should have happened after the first two episodes aired because it was THAT bad)

They Give Him the Best Lines [TIE] – Nolan Ross (Gabriel Mann) on Revenge and JT Forbes (Austin Basis) on Beauty And the Beast

I Laughed So Hard I Cried – Eureka episode where Jack keeps swapping bodies with Fargo, Zane and Allison

Best Recurring Character – Kevin (played by Osric Chau) on Supernatural

Kevin (Played by Osric Chau)

Makes This Show Just Go Away, Please! – 90210

Best Meta Episode – “The Final Frontier” of Castle

Best New Summer Cable Series – Longmire

Longmire

Best Guilty Pleasure Show – Bunheads

Can’t Wait To See What Happens Next – Falling Skies (especially after the insane season finale)

Best Mini-Series (Without Question) and Most Anticipated Return by the International Viewing Audience – Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey

Best TV Couple (Four-Way Split) – Mary and Matthew on Downton Abbey, Castle and Beckett on Castle, Michael and Nikita on Nikita and Snow and Charming on Once Upon a Time

The One Legal Show You Should Be Watching – Suits

Best New Mini-Series – Call the Midwife

Call the Midwife

Even With the New Faces and Locations This Show Just Isn’t Any Better – Glee

Young Rising Star – Kiara Glasco (Regular on Copper, guest starred on Haven and appeared in last winter’s Hallmark Channel movie Christmas Magic)

Duke-Audry-Nathan (from Haven)

Best Love Triangle – Nathan, Audrey and Duke on Haven

Most Disappointing Mini-Series – Political Animals

Best Flashback Episode of the Year – “Blue Butterfly” (1947 based episode) on Castle

Funniest Duo on Cable – Shawn and Gus on Psych

Gus and Shawn (from Psych)

Best Male Newcomer (Four-Way Split) – Stephen Amell on Arrow, Jay Ryan on Beauty And the Beast; Tom Weston-Jones on Copper and Colin O’Donoghue on Once Upon a Time

What a Great Job of Casting – The casting department at Once Upon a Time when they cast youngster Bailee Madison as the younger version of Snow White; she and Ginnifer Goodwin (who plays the grown up version of Snow White) look SO much alike

Leverage

Most Overlooked Cable Series – Leverage on TNT

Best New “Cast” Addition – Bear (the dog) on Person of Interest

Best New Drama for 2012-2013 TV Season – Arrow

Arrow

The OMG Moments of the 2011-2012 Season (Five-Way Split) – Learning that it was Tyler, not Daniel, who was shot on the beach on Revenge; Damon and Elena finally kiss and the car accident that results in Elena’s death and resurrection as a vampire on The Vampire Diaries; Mona is revealed as being on the “A” team on Pretty Little Liars; Zoe and Wade have sex while George leaves Lemon at the altar on Hart of Dixie and the explosion at the NCIS building and Ducky’s heart attack on the season finale of NCIS

Why Did These Characters Have to Die? (Six-Way Split)- Nate on Burn Notice; Simon on Covert Affairs; Lena on Warehouse 13; Mark on Grey’s Anatomy; Lori on The Walking Dead and Brenda’s mom on The Closer

Munroe (played by Silas Weir Mitchell)

Best Sidekick (Tie) – Munroe on Grimm and Birkhoff on Nikita

Birkhoff (played by Aaron Standford)

The OMG Moments of the Summer 2012 TV Season (Three-Way Split) – Jinks brought back to life by Claudia on Warehouse 13; Tobey is part of the “A” team on Pretty Little Liars and Annie killing Lena on Covert Affairs

Very Happy This Finally Happened – Emma broke the curse on Once Upon a Time

Warehouse 13

What the Hell Just Happened – Everything that took place during the mid-season finale of Warehouse 13

The OMG Moments of the 2012-2013 Season – Damon and Elena have sex in The Vampire Diaries (and learning that she is sired to him); Fitz is shot by Huck’s girlfriend Becky on Scandal; Cora and Hook making it to Storybrooke after Emma and Snow finally make it home on Once Upon a Time; Tommy’s dad (John Barrowman) is the “The Hood” copycat on Arrow

Did You Know They Aren’t Americans – Daniel Lissing and Daisy Betts on Last Resort, Jay Ryan from Beauty And the Beast and Clare Bowen from Nashville (all Australian) and Sam Palladio from Nashville and Damian Lewis and David Harewood from Homeland (all British)

The Best Damn Looking Cast (and Group of Guest Stars) on Network TV – Everyone on The Vampire Diaries

The Vampire Diaries

Most Heart-wrenching Moment of Summer Cable TV – Henry (Corbin Bernson) being shot at point blank range by one of his former cop buddies in the season finale of Psych

Best Supporting Actor (TIE) – Columbus Short on Scandal and Austin Basis on Beauty And the Beast

Sarah Rafferty

Best Supporting Actress (TIE) – Sarah Rafferty on Suits and Candice Accola on The Vampire Diaries

Candice Accola

Best Recurring Characters/Actors (TIE) – Annabeth Nass (Kaitlyn Black) on Hart of Dixie and Adalind Schade (Claire Coffee) on Grimm

They Have One of THE Most Complicated Relationships on TV – Fitz and Olivia on Scandal

Olivia and Fitz on Scandal

Most Impressive Season Premiere Ratings for a Cable Series (AGAIN) – The Walking Dead earning 10.9 million

Character That Viewers Really Seem to Dislike With a Passion – Charlie Matheson on Revolution

Sebastian Stan

Best Guest Star, Actor – Sebastian Stan on Once Upon a Time

Best Guest Star, Actress – Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio on Grimm

It’s About Damn Time That Happened (Three-Way Split) – Auggie kisses Annie in season finale of Covert Affairs; Castle and Beckett finally have sex on Castle; Jim proposes to Callie in the season finale of The Glades

S.H.I.E.L.D.

Most Anticipated Upcoming Pilot – S.H.I.E.L.D., the Avengers pilot to be executive produced by Joss Whedon (let’s hope the show is picked up)

Best Partners (Four-Way Split) – Neal and Peter on White Collar; Harvey and Mike on Suits; Emily and Nolan on Revenge and Finch and Reese on Person of Interest

Great Twists in a New Series – Putting Oliver (aka Arrow) together with Helena (aka The Huntress) while Oliver’s best friend Tommy and Oliver’s former girlfriend Laurel get closer and the character played by John Barrowman is revealed to be Tommy’s dad, who cuts him off completely from his trust fund and is working with Oliver’s mom Moira for what appears to be nefarious reasons

Tracy Spiridakos

Prettiest Newcomer (TIE) – Tracy Spiridakos on Revolution and Jamie Chung on Once Upon a Time

Jamie Chung

Best Actress and Best Actor (Again) – Claire Danes and Damian Lewis on Homeland

Most Anticipated Shows for the Upcoming Mid-Season TV Season (Four-Way Tie) – Deception on NBC; the debut of Canadian series Continuum and the brand new series Defiance both on Syfy and The Following on FOX

The Cable Network That Provides the Most Entertaining Programs – ABC Family

ABC Family

We Will Really Miss These Shows (Three-Way Tie) – Eureka which ended on Syfy, In Plain Sight which ended on USA Network and Chuck which ended on NBC

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on what you liked the most and the least of the past year. Please share.

TOMORROW: Movies

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round Up: My Observations on 2012

Posted in Books, Convention/Event, Messages, Year End Round Up on December 22, 2012| Leave a Comment »

In celebration of the past year in the worlds of television, movies, music and books, the year-end articles that I will be posting over the course of the next week or so will highlight the best (and in some instances the worst) that each of these entertainment genres had to offer those of us who partake in the enjoyment each medium provides.

But, much like each year, I want to take a few extra moments to look back – selfish though it may be – on some of my personal goals for the year. It was my hope to again read 20 books this year, and I actually surpassed that goal by reading 21 books. Okay, so it’s not that much over my goal, but at least I met my goal this year. I finally got the chance to start the much-buzzed-about book series The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare – which is being made into a film franchise set to start next year – and while I know a number of people who didn’t like the books at all, I found them fun to read and I plan to read the rest of the book series as soon as possible.

I also read a handful of Jane Austen-inspired books by authors like Heather Lynn Rigaud, Karen Doornebos and Victoria Connelly – what a delight those were!! – as well as some pleasant Christian-based books by Lisa Wingate and Delia Parr that reminded me of my days growing up in Southeastern Pennsylvania, attending church with my family. Lastly, I enjoyed reading some of the young adult novels by Lauren Kate, Sophie Jordan, Ally Condle, Catherine Fisher, Andrea Cremer and Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (several of which are being made into box office movies that will hit theatres next year).

Once again this year like many other years past I have had the great opportunity to attend a lot of exciting TV-related events, including the annual Paley Fest in March, Comic Con in July and the Paley Preview Parties in September. As part of my press ‘duties’ I also attended Wonder Con in March, NBC Universal’s Press Day in April, the Fall Season Preview at the TV Academy of Arts and Sciences in August as well as a number of Paley Center events honoring shows like Justified, Missing, In Plain Sight, Person of Interest, Teen Wolf, Awkward, Eureka and the online series Husbands. In addition, I had the chance to see an advanced screening of the box office film Mirror Mirror and advanced screenings of the TV shows Smash and The Newsroom. To cap it all off I attended the reunion concert of The Monkees at the Greek Theatre last month.

With all that said, tomorrow I will take a look at the best and worst in television with much more to come throughout the rest of this year.

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 2011

Posted in Messages, Year End Round Up on December 31, 2011| Leave a Comment »

What an incredible year 2011 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.

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round Up: Faces to Watch in 2012

Posted in Movies, New Faces, New Shows, News, Television, Year End Round Up on December 30, 2011| 1 Comment »

Much like the New Faces of 2011, 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 2012 (in no particular order):

Chris Zylka

1. Chris Zylka – Chris first got noticed for his role on the short-lived TV adaptation of the box office film 10 Things I Hate About You, but it’s been his recent (which has now been turned into a series regular) role on the new CW series The Secret Circle, as witch (warlock) Jake Armstrong that has turned heads. But it will be his role of Flash Thompson in the Spiderman reboot – The Amazing Spider-Man – that is slated for release next July that will get him even more attention.

Bella Heathcote

2. Bella Heathcote – Bella got her start on the Australian soap Neighbours and appeared in the Justin Timberlake film In Time; but it will be her turn in the much anticipated box office film Dark Shadows – alongside the likes of Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Lee Miller and Michelle Pfeiffer – that will garner her a lot of attention. She is also set to star in the David Chase (the man behind The Sopranos) film Twylight Zones and Cogan’s Trade that will star Brad Pitt.

Lily Collins

3. Lily Collins – Lily got her big break in the Sandra Bullock film The Blind Side then starred alongside Peter Bettany and Maggie Q in the thriller Priest as well as with Taylor Lautner in the action film Abduction. However, it will be her role as Snow White in the upcoming box office film Mirror Mirror that will put her on the map. She will also star in the lead role in the film adaptation of the best-selling novel The Mortal Instruments with Jamie Campbell Bower as well as the film The English Teacher, which stars Julianne Moore and Greg Kinnear.

Henry Cavill

4. Henry Cavill – Unless you’ve been living under a rock, Henry should be on the top of the list for movie goers because of his recent role in Immortals and the fact that he landed the plum role of Clark Kent aka Superman in the latest reboot of that popular franchise – The Man of Steel. He will also appear in the film The Cold Light of Day alongside Bruce Willis and Sigourney Weaver. TV viewers will remember Henry from his days on The Tudors and movie fans will recognize him from his role in The Count of Monte Cristo.

Nicholas Hoult

5. Nicholas Hoult – As a child, Nicholas starred alongside Hugh Grant in the acclaimed film About a Boy and then had a role in the scandal-riddled British series Skins. He also appeared in the films The Single Man with Colin Firth and Clash of the Titans. As a young adult, he appeared in the hot summer blockbuster X-Men: First Class alongside James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender. Next year, he will have the lead role in the box office film Jack the Giant Killer alongside Stanley Tucci, Ewan McGregor and Ian McShane as well as the lead role in the film adaptation of the zombie-filled novel Warm Bodies.

Juno Temple

6. Juno Temple – Juno has appeared in a number of films such as Atonement, Year One, Greenberg and The Other Boleyn Girl. She also had a role in the latest film adaptation of The Three Musketeers alongside Logan Lerman and Matthew Macfayden and the buzzed-about independent film Dirty Girl. She has five films coming up next year, including The Dark Knights Rises and the drama Lovelace about erotic superstar Linda Lovelace.

Brit Marling

7. Brit Marling – Brit was the movie festival darling this year for the independent film Another Earth where she starred alongside Lost alum William Mapother; but it is the three big movies coming next year for which she will be starring that will assuredly get her noticed. They include Arbitrage with Richard Gere; The East with Alexander Skarsgard, Ellen Page and Patricia Clarkson and The Company You Keep with Robert Redford, Anna Kendrick and Shia LaBeouf.

Jeremy Irvine

8. Jeremy Irvine – Jeremy is a relative newcomer, but he is hitting the ground big with the lead role in the Steven Spielberg film War Horse that opens on Christmas Day. He will also appear as Pip in the new film adaptation of Great Expectations that will open next year as well as starring in the film Now Is Good with Dakota Fanning and Olivia Williams as well as the anticipated 2013 film The Railway Man with Rachel Weisz and Colin Firth.

Benjamin Walker

9. Benjamin Walker – Benjamin made his mark in the Broadway play Inherit the Wind (as well as marrying Mamie Gummer, Meryl Streep’s daughter) and starred in the films Kinsey and Flags of Our Fathers. But it will be his upcoming lead role in the film Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and the film adaptation of John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost, playing archangel Michael fighting against Bradley Cooper as Lucifer.

India Eisley

10. India Eisley – India got her big break on TV via the ABC Family Channel series The Secret Life of the American Teenager, but it will be her role as the daughter of Selene and Michael in the January 2012 release of Underworld: Awakening with Kate Beckinsale that will put her on the map.

Callan McAuliffe

11. Callan McAuliffe – Callan made his first big splash on the big screen via the 2010 Rob Reiner family film Flipped and then appeared in the sci-fi thriller I Am Number Four. Next up he will appear as young Jay Gatsby (to be played by Leonardo di Caprio as an adult) in the new film adaptation of The Great Gatsby and he will also have a role in the film Paradise Lost.

Thomas Horn

12. Thomas Horn – The young newcomer whose one claim to fame is being the Teen Jeopardy champ will star in the upcoming film Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, based on the 2005 novel by Jonathan S. Foer, alongside Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock. The film opens on Christmas Day and will assuredly be considered as an Oscar contender.

Sarah Gadon

13. Sarah Gadon – Sarah has a long resume of work on TV including the popular Canadian series Being Erica as well as the short-lived series Happy Town. She has also appeared in the films Charlie Bartlett, Dream House (with Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz) and A Dangerous Method (with Kiera Knightley). But it will be her role in the upcoming film Cosmopolis alongside Robert Pattinson, the film Antiviral with Malcolm McDowell and the mini-series World Without End (the sequel to the mini-series The Pillars of the Earth) alongside Cynthia Nixon and Miranda Richardson.

Asa Butterfield

14. Asa Butterfield – Asa has appeared in the box office films The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, The Wolfman and Nanny McPhee Returns as well as the recurring role of Mordred in the UK series Merlin; but it is his lead role in the Martin Scorsese film Hugo that has gotten him attention. Next up he will appear in the film adaptation of Ender’s Game based on the popular novel by Orson Scott Card.

There will also be two very interesting groups of actors/actresses for which movie goers should keep an eye out for in the new year, including the following:

The Hunger Game

1. The cast members of the upcoming film adaptation of the Hunger Games novel by Suzanne Collins: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Willow Shields, Alexander Ludwig, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jacqueline Emerson, Jack Quaid, Leven Rambin, Dayo Okeniyi and Amandla Stenberg.

The Hobbitt

2. The cast of the much anticipated box office prequel to The Lord of the Rings franchise The Hobbit includes Luke Evans, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Aidan Turner, Benedict Cumberbatch, Lee Pace, Stephen Fry, Evangeline Lilly, Dean O’Gorman, James Nesbitt and Graham McTavish as well as Stephen Hunter, Peter Hambleton, John Callen, Mark Hadlow, Ken Stott, Adam Brown, William Kircher and Jed Brophy.

Are there any actors or actresses who you think are the faces to watch in 2012? Please share.

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.

TOMORROW: Closing Out 2011

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »