NBC Announces New Drama ‘Dracula’ Starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers

NBC and Sky Living today announced the co-production of “Dracula,” a provocative new drama series version of the classic Bram Stoker novel starring Golden Globe winner Jonathan Rhys Meyers (“The Tudors,” “Elvis”) in the title role. It was announced jointly today by Universal Television Executive Vice President Bela Bajaria, and Sky’s Head of Drama, Anne Mensah.

“Dracula” is from the producers behind the critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning hit “Downton Abbey,” Carnival Films & Television, along with Flame Ventures and Playground, and will begin production later this year.

The 10-episode series introduces Dracula as he arrives in London, posing as an American entrepreneur who maintains that he wants to bring modern science to Victorian society. In reality, he hopes to wreak revenge on the people who ruined his life centuries earlier. There’s only one circumstance that can potentially thwart his plan: Dracula falls hopelessly in love with a woman who seems to be a reincarnation of his dead wife.

Farewell…Sherman Hemsley

movin’ on up RIP ^i^

Sherman Hemsley, Actor

TheTwoCents is sad to announce that Sherman Hemsley died today in his home in El Paso at the age of 74. His death was confirmed by the El Paso Sheriff’s department.

The South Philadelphia native was most known for playing George Jefferson, first on All in the Family, where he terrorized Archie Bunker, then on The Jefferson’s, where he encountered the first ever mixed-race couple on TV; Tom and Helen Willis. To this day I can still sing the theme song by heart.

He will certainly be missed. Goodbye Mr. Hemsley.

NBC to Offer Viewers Two-Week Sampling of All Fall Series Prior to Network Broadcasts

watch nbc’s new shows early

NBC again will offer full-episode, pre-sampling versions of its new fall series prior to the network time-period premieres as each new primetime program will receive a digital sampling window for marketing and promotional purposes over multiple platforms leading into the regular series premiere.

As NBC takes advantage of the Summer Olympics springboard to provide a full-episode and commercial-free network preview of the new comedies “Go On” (August 8) and “Animal Practice” (August 12), the online preview for those shows will be available over a wide spectrum for viewing immediately following their initial broadcasts beginning August 9 and 13, respectively. All other new new fall series will receive a two-week digital sampling period leading up to the broadcast series premiere.

The Closer – Recap & Review – Drug Fiend

photo: tnt

The Closer
Drug Fiend

Original Air Date: Jul 23, 2012

Will – Sr. Reviewer
will@thetwocentscorp.com

As we count down the episodes of The Closer until the series finale, the episodes just keep getting better and better! I would also say that this was a very emotional episode where we get to see a rare side of Brenda. We get to see her express emotions and see the raw emotions. This is something that we rarely see with Brenda and it was quite an emotional performance. Even though the show is coming to an end, Brenda is still investigating murders and putting all that she’s got into it.

A cancer doctor is murdered in his practice on a weekend and Brenda and the team are called to investigate. Since it is a Sunday morning, Sargent David Gabriel is called from church and this is where get to meet his new girlfriend, Anne Mason. She is studying to become a lawyer so the team does not approve of a police officer dating a lawyer. My biggest laugh out loud moment was when Brenda met her. It was so funny to see Brenda flustered and couldn’t find the right words to say.

MasterChef – Recap & Review – Top 6 Compete, Part 1

photo: fox

MasterChef
Top 6 Compete, Part 1

Original Air Date: Jul 23, 2012

JD – Sr. Staff Writer
jd@thetwocentscorp.com

So do you guys remember a few episodes ago, an elimination challenge sent home BOTH Tanya and Cowboy Mike? When that sort of thing happens, I always wonder how it’s going to affect the show. I mean, they have a certain number of episodes they’re supposed to make, right?

Monday’s episode of MasterChef answered my question, throwing a twist at our remaining 6 cooks, and bringing back some people we missed, and people we were glad to see go. Bummer, right? Not really.

Food Network Star – Recap & Review – Finale: A Star is Born

photo: food network

Food Network Star
Finale: A Star Is Born

Original Air Date: Jul 22, 2012

Melanie – Associate Staff Writer
melanie@thetwocentscorp.com

Well here we are, the finale. After all the weeks of grueling competitions, painful eliminations, and tons of amazing dishes we’re finally learning who got the most viewer votes. Is it Michelle and her New England inspired cuisine? Is it Martie and her easy entertaining? Maybe Justin with his outside the box dishes? Or maybe Yvan and his family style meals?

I can tell you that more than a few votes went out from my computer and phone line for Martie! But in the end, I was to be disappointed.

The Newsroom — Recap & Review — Amen

photo: hbo

The Newsroom
Amen

Original Air Date: Jul 22, 2012

Patricia Morris Buckley — Sr. Staff Writer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com

News that Aaron Sorkin has let go much of the writing staff on The Newsroom should come as no surprise after this episode. It was trite in some places, maudlin in others and – worse of all – plainly predictable.

This episode took place during the Arab Spring as the team tries to get reports out of the country with no internet. They’ve got a staff reporter in Cairo, but he’s holed up in a hotel room until Don bullies him to go out on the street. Of course, he’s immediately attacked and injured.

Neal suggests an on-line Egyptian reporter who has somehow figured a way to keep broadcasting despite the lack of internet connection. The reporter’s name is Amen and Mac asks that he uncover his face and use his full name. Right away, you know something is going to happen to him. We’ve seen this plot on many, many other shows. Not the quality you expect from something with Sorkin’s name on it. (Hence the firings?)

Falling Skies — Recap & Review — Molon Labe

photo: tnt

Falling Skies
Molon Labe

Original Air Date: Jul 22, 2012

Patricia Morris Buckley — Sr. Staff Writer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com

Last we left our band of heroes, Karen had gotten Ben to agree to show her the hide out of the skitter rebels, Maggie had a major wound in her side leaking blood and Weaver had just had a life-saving blood detox.

Just a normal day at the 2nd Mass, right?

Right away, things go from bad to worse. Karen led Ben right into a trap complete with skitters, a mech and — whoa! — an overlord (AKA Fish Head). She even tried to seduce him into putting back on the wiggly harness. Yuck! What I didn’t understand is why they didn’t just let the rouse keep going? Ben would have given them the location by taking Karen there. Instead, they just wanted to cut to the chase by looking inside Ben’s head.

Mariah Carey Officially Named American Idol Judge

Fox Entertainment president Kevin Reilly opened his executive session at the Television Critics Association summer press tour with some news: Mariah Carey will be on the American Idol judges panel next season.

“We do in fact have one judge whose deal closed very, very recently,” said Reilly. “I think it’s the biggest recording artist that any of these shows have ever had. It’s an artist that many contestants have tried to emulate, have tried to sing [her] songs, have tried to hit the notes. Because [the deal] really only concluded hours ago, our new judge couldn’t be with us.”

Reilly phoned Carey from his seat on the dais at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

“I am so excited to be joining Idol,” said Carey. “I wish I could be there today. I can’t wait too get started.”

Reilly also confirmed that Jennifer Lopez is indeed exiting.

3 New Ways to Audition for Idol: Online, Bus Tour and By Nomination

AMERICAN IDOL is expanding audition opportunities by providing aspiring superstars three additional ways to audition for the No. 1 show on television, including the “AMERICAN IDOL Small Town Audition Bus Tour,” the “Nominate An Idol” program and online auditions.

The series will leave no stone unturned in its quest for talent, and for the first time ever, will embark on the “AMERICAN IDOL Small Town Audition Bus Tour,” a 10-town nationwide mobile tour offering hopefuls a chance to audition for IDOL. The mobile audition bus will hit the road next month, giving thousands of hopefuls the chance of a lifetime. The “AMERICAN IDOL Small Town Audition Bus Tour” will stop at the following cities: Idaho Falls, ID; Billings, MT; Casper, WY; Rock Rapids, IA; Iowa City, IA; Bowling Green, KY; Clarksdale, MS; Joplin, MO; Dodge City, KA; and Grand Junction, CO. Specific locations and dates to be announced. Please keep checking http://www.americanidol.com for forms, rules and terms and conditions.