Bill Engvall stars in Hallmark Channel’s “Kiss at Pine Lake”

May 14, 2012 | By Karl Paloucek
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Hallmark Channel pulls off a bit of a “first” this month with one of its original films. Comedian Bill Engvall, who’s been doing standup routines about parenting for decades, steps into his first dramatic role in Kiss at Pine Lake. The film is about Luke (Barry Watson), a young philanthropist trying to save the summer camp of his youth, and Zoe (Mia Kirshner), the girl who haunts his camp memories, representing the development firm that’s trying to wheedle it away from him. Engvall’s role is of Zoe’s father, though they’re largely estranged since her parents’ divorce. It’s a small part [...]

Don Rickles to receive Johnny Carson award on Comedy Central

May 4, 2012 | By Tom Comi
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There are very few comedians who last more than five decades in an industry not known for rewarding longevity, but Don Rickles is far from your average funny man. And it’s that very reason why the performer who has been deemed “The Merchant of Venom” and “Mr. Warmth” will be honored on Comedy Central Sunday night (9pm ET/PT). It’s fitting that Rickles will be presented with the “Johnny Carson Award For Comedic Excellence” as part of the 2012 Comedy Awards, because it was Carson himself who gave him his big break. Not only did the young comic make his national [...]

VOD Spotlight: Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah make a “Joyful Noise”

May 1, 2012 | By Karl Paloucek
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Dolly Parton is nothing if not forthright when discussing her role as G.G. in the film Joyful Noise, costarring Queen Latifah. “It really is the perfect part for me,” Parton says of G.G. — which stands for “Gorgeous Grandma.” “She likes the hair and nails and clothes, and she’s had a few procedures done. She comes right out with whatever she thinks, and I’m like that. I was real comfortable with it.” She may have been comfortable, but it was also part of the role of G.G. to maintain an uncomfortable relationship with Vi Rose, Latifah’s character. It was a [...]

VOD Spotlight: Real-life romance inspires Marshall’s “New Year’s Eve”

May 1, 2012 | By Karl Paloucek
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Garry Marshall has been a part of our entertainment culture for decades and has his fingerprints on some of the most memorable projects of all time, from The Dick Van Dyke Show and Happy Days to Pretty Woman and Runaway Bride. But according to Marshall, there was something particularly special about directing the film New Year’s Eve. It was on a New Year’s Eve nearly 50 years ago that Marshall proposed to his wife, Barbara. “She was wearing a dress the same color as the dress Halle Berry wears in the movie,” he says. “We were in love, we were [...]

“Common Law” brings buddy-cop formula to USA Network

April 30, 2012 | By Stacey Harrison
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Warren Kole (left) and Michael Ealy star in USA Network's fun new buddy cop series, "Common Law."

They say that in acting, dying is easy and comedy is hard. Michael Ealy and Warren Kole are firm believers in that now, after having spent several months on the set of USA Network’s new buddy-cop series Common Law trying to be funny while also being constantly exhausted from their 80-hour work weeks. “This has by far been the most difficult job I’ve ever had,” said Ealy, who struggled at times to keep his trademark deep blue eyes open as he and Kole played bickering L.A. cops forced into couples counseling by their captain. “In drama, you can use whatever [...]

“The Office” and “Two and a Half Men”: I wish I knew how to quit you

April 30, 2012 | By Tom Comi
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One of the most difficult decisions to make as a TV viewer is knowing when to say farewell to a series you have been faithful to over the years. I’ve already said my goodbyes to 30 Rock, and I’m very close to pulling the plug on The Office and Two and a Half Men. Severing ties with a sitcom or drama you were at one time very attached to is never easy, and it’s something I don’t take lightly. In fact, to a fault, I probably stick around much longer than I probably should. I try to convince myself that [...]

Cymphonique Miller has the latest on “How to Rock”

April 20, 2012 | By Karl Paloucek
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Make no mistake, those of you kids out there who dream of having your own Nickelodeon series — it’s a lot harder than it looks. And it’s a lot more work. Not only are there endless rehearsals of various sorts, but there are junkets to attend, press conferences of all sorts, and if you’re really unlucky, you get to sit in a room with your dad and a bunch of other grown-ups while talking to me about your show and whatever else Nickelodeon wants you to tell me. It’s not a life most parents would recommend for their children, but [...]

7 Questions With … “Common Law’s” Michael Ealy

April 20, 2012 | By Stacey Harrison
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When asked about the risk of looking too long into Michael Ealy’s deep blue eyes, Warren Kole — Ealy’s costar in the upcoming USA Network series Common Law — jokingly compared it to staring directly into the sun. Stare too long, and you’ll get lost, or perhaps go blind. Audiences will get plenty of chances soon to ignore that warning, as Ealy headlines the comedy Think Like a Man, which opens today in theaters, and can see him reviving the buddy-cop genre Fridays beginning May 11 in Common Law. RELATED: “Common Law” brings buddy-cop formula to USA Network You’re at a magazine rack [...]

Nickelodeon upfront forecasts a big year ahead

April 19, 2012 | By Karl Paloucek
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CHICAGO – April 19, 2012 - There’s been a fair amount of buzz in the press about Nickelodeon‘s recent ratings decline, but the network put on its brave face today here in Chicago to to put its best foot forward at its upfront to advertisers and to a few of us in the press. As at its recent upfront in Los Angeles, the kids’ network announced the anticipated arrival of more than 650 new episodes of its various shows, in every genre, including new episodes of existing series as well as outright new projects. And I’m going to tell you about [...]

HBO makes first full episodes of “Girls” and “Veep” available for free

April 16, 2012 | By Jeff Pfeiffer
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If you missed the premiere of HBO’s new comedy series Girls (pictured) last night, or want to catch it again — or never saw it because you don’t subscribe to HBO — the network is giving you the chance to see the series premiere for free. All audiences, HBO subscribers and non-subscribers alike, will be able to watch the first full episodes of both Girls and Veep — another of HBO’s new comedy series, which premieres next Sunday, April 22 — on multiple platforms. Both series’ pilots will be available on these platforms beginning the day after they premiere on [...]

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