Mad Men – Recap & Review – A Tale of Two Cities

photo: amc

Mad Men
A Tale of Two Cities

Original Air Date: Jun 2, 2013

Ryan O – Staff Writer
ryano@thetwocentscorp.com

This episode is a tale of two cities and it was the best of times and the worst of times. You could say the cities are represented by old versus young, men versus women, New York versus Los Angeles or CGC versus SCDP. But, really it’s the status quo versus change.

The state of things is up for grabs, both in the country and at the still-nameless firm. Who handles what and how? What will the name be? Can the status quo maintain its hold?

Matt Smith Leaving Doctor Who at Year’s End

photo: bbc

Matt Smith and BBC announced today that Doctor Who will soon be in need of a new Time Lord after this year’s Christmas special wraps. Smith first stepped into the TARDIS in 2010 and will leave the role at the end of this year after starring in the 50th anniversary program in November and again in the Christmas special.

From official statements posted on BBC’s website:

Matt Smith says: “Doctor Who has been the most brilliant experience for me as an actor and a bloke, and that largely is down to the cast, crew and fans of the show. I’m incredibly grateful to all the cast and crew who work tirelessly every day, to realise all the elements of the show and deliver Doctor Who to the audience. Many of them have become good friends and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last four years.

Farewell…Jean Stapleton

stapleton

Jean Stapleton, Actor

Known to most as Archie Bunker’s long-suffering wife Edith in the 1970s television series “All in the Family,” Jean Stapleton died Friday in New York of natural causes. She was 90.

Stapleton won three Emmys for her work as Edith Bunker on the long-running CBS sitcom. She also received Emmy nominations for two other performances: as Eleanor Roosevelt in the 1982 CBS telefilm Eleanor, First Lady of the World and as Aunt Vivian on the ABC series Grace Under Fire.

Arrested Development – Recap & Review – Indian Takers

photo: netflix

Arrested Development
Indian Takers

Original Air Date: May 26, 2013

Ryan O – Staff Writer
ryano@thetwocentscorp.com

In the third episode of the new season, we follow Lindsay. We watch what happens to her from when she found out she was adopted at the end of the third season through a visit to India to ending up on an ostrich farm.

It’s a pretty good episode that includes some fun callbacks, a few Easter eggs, and a couple of interesting cameos. It also features things that will be called back to — pieces that will make sense later.

Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj Not Returning to American Idol

photo: fox

It’s official: Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj won’t be returning for another season as American Idol judges.

A joint statement from Fox and producers of the singing competition show FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment declared, “Mariah Carey is a true global icon – one of the most accomplished artists on the planet – and we feel extremely fortunate that she was able to bring her wisdom and experience to the American Idol contestants this season. We know she will remain an inspiration to Idol hopefuls for many seasons to come.”

An updated statement from Fox said, “Nicki Minaj is a superstar who brought a level of honesty and passion to American Idol and who had a tremendous positive impact on so many contestants this season. Given her extremely busy career, we understand and respect her decision and wish her the best.”

NBC Renews Hannibal for Season 2

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NBC has given a 13-episode second-season renewal to its critically applauded drama “Hannibal.” The new season will air no earlier than midseason.

“Hannibal” is based on the characters from the novel “Red Dragon” by Thomas Harris and was developed for television by Bryan Fuller, who also serves as writer and executive producer.

The announcement was made by NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke.

“The Voice” Expanding to Two Hours for Live June 10, 17 Telecasts

photo: nbc

NBC’s hit competition series “The Voice” will expand to two hours for the live June 10 and June 17 episodes.

For the June 10 program, the remaining artists will sing for both the coaches — Adam Levine, Shakira, Blake Shelton and Usher — as well as nationwide audience. At-home viewers will begin voting at the show’s conclusion to see who moves on and who is eliminated.

The final artists will perform on the June 17 telecast, competing one last time before the newest champion is announced the following night.

USA Network Summer Schedule Features Two New Series

photo: usa

USA Network is turning up the heat this summer with a sizzling line up of captivating shows on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays nights. The summer schedule for the #1 network in all of basic cable includes a powerful line-up of new originals and fan favorite returning series.

This summer, USA will launch two new series, including the provocative drama GRACELAND from WHITE COLLAR creator Jeff Eastin, starring and Daniel Sunjata (“Rescue Me”) Aaron Tveit (“Les Miserables”), and the fun-filled reality competition series SUMMER CAMP from the producers of “Big Brother.”

The summer line up is as follows:

Neil Patrick Harris to Host 2013 Primetime Emmy Awards

harris hosting the emmys!

Neil Patrick Harris has been named host and producer of THE 65TH PRIMETIME EMMY® AWARDS, to be broadcast from NOKIA Theater L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles, Sunday, Sept. 22 on the CBS Television Network. This will be the multi-talented television, film and stage actor’s second time hosting the Emmy Awards, which he emceed to critical acclaim when the program last aired on CBS in 2009. As previously announced, Ken Ehrlich will serve as Executive Producer of this year’s Emmy broadcast.

“Neil is the quintessential host – engaging, entertaining and a true showman – with a passion for celebrating the medium we all love. We’re thrilled for him to return for CBS’s broadcast of the Emmy Awards,” said Nina Tassler, President, CBS Entertainment.

Arrested Development – Recap & Review – Borderline Personalities

photo: netflix

Arrested Development
Borderline Personalities

Original Air Date: May 26, 2013

Lauren A. – Sr. Reviewer
lauren@thetwocentscorp.com

George Sr.’s Arrested Development opens in a sweat lodge on the border of California and Mexico, where the elder Bluth is running a scam to squeeze money out of CEOs. See, George Sr. stowed away with Michael after he duped his twin brother Oscar into taking his place at the big Bluth boat party so many years ago. He talked Michael into going back for the beginning of a “fourth season that would never come”. Facing Lucille’s trial expenses, George Sr. went to Stan Sitwell for money, where he learned about a project involving a wall along the Mexican border.

After an argument with Lucille, George Sr. runs into Oscar, who has taken up with a silent aura-reader named Heartfire, a loud woman named China Garden, and a Dr. Norman (John Slattery). Oscar convinces George Sr. to return with him to the Mexican border, and we start to see where the writers are going with this new season of an old favorite.