TV Land Renews “The Exes” For A Second Season

photo: tvland

TV Land has picked up its hit original sitcom, “The Exes,” for a second season, it was announced today by Larry W. Jones, president, TV Land. “The Exes,” written by “Frasier” scribe Mark Reisman, stars critically-acclaimed actors Donald Faison (“Scrubs”), Wayne Knight (“Seinfeld,” “Hot In Cleveland”), David Alan Basche (“The Starter Wife”), Kelly Stables (“Two and a Half Men”) and Kristen Johnston (“3rd Rock From The Sun”).

Season two is set to premiere in June of this year along with the network’s new original sitcom, “Have Faith” (working title), starring Cedric “The Entertainer” and Niecy Nash. To date, “The Exes” has averaged an audience of 1.5 million total viewers, earning a .65 Adults 25-54 rating and a .81 among Women 25-54 (Source: Nielsen, 11/30/11-1/25/12, Wed 10:30p-11p, most current data). Guest stars this season have included Judith Light (“Who’s The Boss?”), Diedrich Bader (“The Drew Carey Show”), Janina Gavankar (“True Blood”), Ken Marino (“Party Down”) and NBA star Amar’e Stoudemire.

ABC Family Renews “Secret Life,” Orders New Comedy and Reality Series

ABC Family, the Millennial-skewing network, continues its record breaking momentum as it grows its line-up of groundbreaking original programming. “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” starring Golden Globe® nominee Shailene Woodley, was greenlit for a record breaking 5th season, taking it into over 100 episodes. The network has also given the greenlight to the new comedy series, “Baby Daddy,” which is the highest testing comedy pilot in the network’s history, and is jumping back into the reality space with “Beverly Hills Nannies.”

“We’re very proud of our deep bench of original content successfully built out over eight years of exceptional growth,” said Riley. “This Summer, we’re excited to continue to expand our content across key genres adding another season to our groundbreaking drama, ‘Secret Life,’ wonderful comedy and a return to reality programming as we continue to innovate with our ABC Family brand.”

Bravo Picks Up “Top Chef” For Tenth Season and Kicks Off Nationwide Casting Calls

Bravo’s Emmy and James Beard Award-winning series and the No. 1 rated food show on cable, “Top Chef,” will be returning for a tenth season. Open calls for chefs interested in competing in the high-stakes culinary competition series will be held in cities across the country starting on February 21st.

For additional casting information and to download an application, visit http://www.BravoTV.com/casting. “Top Chef” season 10 casting calls are as follows:

Fox Orders a Fifth Season of “Kitchen Nightmares”

FOX has renewed KITCHEN NIGHTMARES for a fifth season, ordering 16 new episodes of the series, it was announced today by Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company.

“It’s great to be back for a fifth season…who knew there were that many nightmares to be had?!” said series star and executive producer Gordon Ramsay.

Throughout the show’s run, Chef Gordon Ramsay has traveled to 54 cities around the country offering restaurants on the brink of closure some much-needed guidance and, more often than not, a healthy dose of tough love. For many establishments, Chef Ramsay’s inimitable style and unique brand of delivery is difficult to swallow. With the economy hitting the restaurant business especially hard, these restaurateurs are looking to Chef Ramsay to wake them up from their own KITCHEN NIGHTMARES.

American Idol – Recap & Review – Portland

photo: fox

American Idol
Portland

Original Air Date: Feb 1, 2012

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

Idol visited Portland, the city of roses, for the first time. So what did the producers do over and over again? Throw rose petals, again and again. Seriously, once was enough, twice was tiring, but after that it got silly.

And while there were plenty of silly moments on the show, we enjoyed several excellent auditions that showed that the trip to Portland was well worth it. In fact, the episode could be divided into the good, the great and the ugly.

Top Chef – Recap & Review – Bike, Borrow, and Steal

photo: bravo

Top Chef
Bike, Borrow, and Steal

Original Air Date: Feb 1, 2012

Ryan O – Two Cents Senior Reviewer
ryano@thetwocentscorp.com

Pee-Wee Herman! Bikes! At the Alamo! But not in the basement! Fun!

However, there’s a bit of annoyance. You won’t find out the winner of the Last Chance Kitchen until next week. Lame. That seems like a move that doesn’t reward watching Last Chance Kitchen online.

Biggest Loser 13 – Recap & Review – Week 5

photo: nbc

Biggest Loser 13
Week 5

Original Air Date: Jan 31, 2012

Anne – Associate Editor
anne@thetwocentscorp.com

Our excuse theme this week is “I’ll never reach my goal”. I’ll never accomplish what I want, so why bother? Why waste my time? Because it’s worth it for your health, that’s why. It’s ok to have doubts, but you must have the persistence and strength to work through them.

This is also the week that the aqua team gets their chance to come back on to the ranch. Surprisingly, they are NOT welcomed with open arms by the other contestants. There is more tension in this episode then there has been all season. So, let’s get right to it and see what happens!

Raising Hope – Recap & Review – Gambling Again

photo: fox

Raising Hope
Gambling Again

Original Air Date: Jan 31, 2012

Rachel M – Senior Staff Writer
rachelm@thetwocentscorp.com

Burt has a gambling problem. He’s tweeked out, and when he starts to win, he is hooked again. He buys back all their stuff from the pawn shop, and Virginia is desperate to make him stop. When he had a problem when Jimmy was young, Virginia staged a beating from a bookie.

Virginia goes to Gamblers Incognito. While she’s there, she gets advice from Barney, Frank and another member. She practically turns green with greed and goes to implement her own “system.”

New Girl – Recap & Review – Jess & Julia

photo: fox

New Girl
Jess & Julia

Original Air Date: Jan 31, 2012

Rachel M – Senior Staff Writer
rachelm@thetwocentscorp.com

So Nick’s non-labeled girlfriend has been spending a lot of time at the apartment, and Jess is trying to bond with her. But Julia doesn’t seem super interested in becoming part of the pack. Sucks for her. Meanwhile, Jess’s quirky is rubbing off on Winston, and he seriously needs to get his manhood back.

Julia doesn’t really “get” Jess, and ends up insulting her a bit. I feel bad for both of them.

Jane by Design – Recap & Review – The Lookbook

photo:abcfamily

Jane by Design
The Lookbook

Original Air Date: Jan 31, 2012

Lauren A – Senior Reviewer
lauren@thetwocentscorp.com

J’adore a good “will she or won’t she” storyline, and when Jane takes possession of Gray’s lookbook and a ticket to Paris, it’s anyone’s guess as to whether or not Jane will make it to the city of lights with the Donovan Decker exclusive in hand.

Oh, who am I kidding? This is ABC Family. Of COURSE she’ll make it. And it will be worth every beautiful Parisian montage moment.