Welcome back, Dance Moms nation. Quick poll before we begin. Raise your hand if you swore you were done, that’s it, finis, and never coming back after the end of last week’s episode … and you did it anyway. Raise your hand if you are checking the recap first to see if you can handle watching this week’s episode before you actually do. Raise your hand if you think what Dance Moms really needs is a whole lot less of Maddie and Mackenzie, Chloe and Kendall, Nia and Paige and Brooke and Asia.

You have been warned.

We start this week in Los Angeles where Abby informs us that she does not miss her students at all. Because that’s what you want in a dance teacher — someone who cannot wait to be away from her dancers. Abby and her buddy, Dance Moms co-creator John Corella, are on the hunt for a location for ALDC West. ALDC LA, if you will. And they’re starting at some place called Evo — fairy looking thing — ve dance studio. Where you can Get Fit & Sexy Now!

Oh. Hold the phone. It’s not a plain old dance studio. It’s a “Pole Dancing and Exotic Arts Studio.” Because that’s what you want to have on a show ostensibly about children’s competitive dance. But they do offer Groupon and Living Social deals and also pole parties, so that’s good to know.

Sure enough, the professional-cheerleader-looking receptionist agrees to give them a walk-about in the place, beginning with the Pole Room. Abby protests that she’s looking for a pole-free establishment, but she gives one a whirl anyway.

Abby decides that Kelly would make a better pole dancer because Kelly failed at regular dance (which I am sure would warm the cockles of the pole dancers’ hearts if they overheard her saying that), plus she’s always taking her clothes off. Then she heads for what I guess is the Silks Room and reveals a little secret: She’s checked with a structural engineer to see about getting some silks installed back in Pittsburgh. She wants to be among the first studios in the area to offer that type of dance. She’s got a little Cirque obsession going on.

Abby says she likes the space, but she’s not so sure it’s good for teaching children (clutch my head, clutch my head). Still, she might come back to take a class or two her own self, which I hope we get on film. Also, she’s pretty sure she’s coming to Cali one way or another, and that Maddie and Mack will follow her lead. As for the others, who cares? They can stay in Pittsburgh with the newly installed silks.

From Hollywood to Candyland, where the boys, Cathy and Anthony all got the ”wear red” memo and the latest three imports did not. Mick and Gino are gone. Hadley and Yvette Walts are here. Frankly, they both look a little dubious about the situation, but Yvette says that she was thrilled when Cathy called to invite her to join up with the Apples, because she and Cathy have the same goal: to tear Abby down the way Abby tore Hadley down on AUDC with her road kill remark.

Then Yvette gets teary-eyed and says Hadley can’t wait to perform again for Abby and show her how much she has improved. Well that’s lovely, but you do know that she will be performing for Cathy, right, Yvette? And that as long as you’re doing that, Abby won’t give a herd of flying monkeys about how much Hadley has improved? Just so we’re clear.

Next newbie is Campbell, daughter of Alli.

Alli is big fan of lipstick and says that people fall in love with Campbell whether she’s onstage or off. Cathy says Campbell has amazing stage presence. I secretly hope Campbell also has a brother named Glen, just because I am like that.

Last of the newbies is a timid looking little muffin named Mari, who is the daughter of Gina. Not Zach’s mom Gina. The other Gina. We’ll call her Eyeliner Gina.

Eyeliner Gina is also a dance teacher, but she says she wants Mari to dance for Cathy because she is a leader in the industry and can make Mari famous, which apparently the home studio cannot. You sure you want this kind of famous, Eyeliner Gina? Because it doesn’t really have all that much to do with dance. Just so we’re clear.

Cathy says that even though this is the dream team she hoped to establish, the children’s places on said team aren’t secure until she says so, and someone may still go home after all. This is because she prefers to choreograph dances with uneven numbers. Also, she wants to be certain that everyone there has her back.

Look at this! The Apple Parents have a lounge of their own now! Or at least a sectional sofa and some tissues and Purell. In what looks like the costume room. Also, they have to watch what’s going on in the studio via a television. But you know. Baby steps.

The Apples group dance this week will be about the dawning of puppy love — which is what got poor Gino kicked out in the first place. While the kids begin to work on it, the parents talk amongst themselves. Eyeliner Gina — whom a) I’ve decided is my new favorite Dance Mom and b) whose name I am going to change to Gina Collins because she’s the very spit of Jackie Collins …

… worries that the dancer who does get eliminated is going to be totally humiliated. Plus she put her whole entire life and her businesses on hold to give Mari this big break. I predict Gina Collins will be gone by the end of this episode just because of that revelation. I hope not, though. I need you, Gina.

Gina Collins gets off on the wrong foot with Rick immediately by pointing out Jalen’s affinity for spinning on his head. “He can do a lot more than spin on his head,” Rick protests, while we watch footage of him spinning on his hands, break-dance style, for the purpose of example. Gina Collins is undaunted. She points out that you can pretty much take anyone off the street and teach him to spin on his head, while her daughter is a trained pirouette artiste. Rick says, well, you can also take anyone off the street and teach him how to spin like that, too. The conversation holds up for about another 40 seconds before Rick storms out of the room. Yvette says she’s glad for that, because yelling is not how she rolls. Nick’s mom, Donna, says Gina has to understand that Rick’s all hot-tempered like that because he comes from the street, yo. So I imagine we could probably teach him hip-hop pretty fast.

Back in L.A., Abby continues her dance studio tour, reminding us that she sure as heck does not intend to die in Pittsburgh, plus all the little wannabe stars in La La Land need her guidance desperately. She says that while she’s out here ramming around Cali-style, the kids better be back there in Pittsburgh working their left-behind arses off. And they are.

Their mothers, on the other hand, are at Mohan’s, shooting tequila. Mmmmm! Tequila! Right, Melissa?

Mmmmm!

Jill says the reason for the mom’s sudden conviviality is not having Abby around to terrorize everyone. Christi wonders how Abby is going to be accepted in skinny-obsessed L.A. Kristie says, believe it or not, they love her out there. And there’s a lot more tyrants just like her, so she’ll even blend. Kelly wonders what will become of them if Abby does go to L.A. and Jill says that the Pitt studio is all but doomed. Holly wants to know if Cathy will keep coming after them in the meantime. Christi says oh yes, even it means she has to enter herself in the competitions. Then we lift some Cosmos to an Abby-free world.

Back in Ohio, the cows are fighting, but Anthony is talking to the kids about love. More specifically, kissing. Ewwwww! Right, kids? Oh. I guess not. Campbell fesses up to having a boyfriend, until she realizes that her mother can hear her. Then she owns it anyway. People love her onstage and off after all. Jalen says he’s not sure if he’s ever been kissed on purpose, but one time someone’s lips accidentally slipped onto him, so does that count?

Oh no. Gina Collins and Mari are already missing. The hell!? I get Gina for 10 minutes of comic relief and that’s it? They fled already? From the look on Rick’s face, I’m also a tad worried she could be in the trunk of his car.

Donna volunteers to call Gina Collins to see what’s up and GC says that Mari is really sick and throwing up, but she should be back tomorrow, so no harm done. Plenty of time to perfect the dance. Cathy shows up to do a “mental head count” — insert your own joke here — and notices Mari’s absence. She isn’t pleased. The Apples are going to Dance USA in Youngstown, Ohio, and Cathy says if she can’t conquer her own backyard, how can she conquer the world? Full participation is mandatory. No room for barfing dancers. But we mustn’t be hasty, because Jalen and Campbell are in the weeds with Anthony’s choreography. Might be time to call in a backup.

Cathy doesn’t even bother with Kaya’s given name and just rolls with “Black Patsy.” She says Black Patsy is a lovely lady, far as she’s concerned. I start counting the seconds till Black Patsy and Rick get a load of each other and we potentially get our first-ever Dance Moms cage match, without the cage.

Well I guess this settles it: There’s an Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition makeup room. So we must be having a Season 2. Especially since Abby starts getting overhauled by a makeup lady. In the meantime, John Corella gossips with her about Cathy. John thinks someone from the Pitt Crew should go scout the Youngstown competition since the girls won’t be competing against them, just to see what they’re in for next time they do.

Back in Ohio, Mari’s back and Cathy’s ready to hand out solos. Zack gets one. Hadley gets one. Donna is irritated that Nick is always an also-ran. Can someone get her Christi’s number real quick?

Anthony’s dance for Hadley is called The Golden Couch and it’s about being a woman. Er, what? Oh. It’s about being glamorous. Not the casting couch. I’d still call it something else if I were him. Zack’s solo is called “Puppet.” Anthony’s pulling a Reverse Pinocchio and turning Zack from a boy into a puppet.

And here come the Wileys. Cathy apparently neglected to tell the rest of the troops that she summoned them, because everyone on the Parent Couch looks mortified — particularly Yvette, who has gone a round or two with the franchise’s other bully mama Kristie and almost got her block knocked off.

Nicaya has grown up a ton since we first saw her. She and Hadley both look like bona fide teens. Anthony’s nonplussed at the late entry into the field and orders Nicaya to get in the back row and understudy the other dancers. Kaya — who’s had herself a serious Jill Vertes makeover since we saw her last — comes back to the Parent Sofa and stares down the other parents.

Anybody else worried we are on our way to a completely Pitt-Girls-free episode? Atta boy, JC, Superstar Executive Producer. We tell you we want more of the girls and you treat us to none! That’ll show us!

When we come back from commercial, it’s time to find out who has been voted off First Kiss Island. Cathy takes little Jalen’s hands in hers and he looks up at her balefully.

Psyche! Cathy cuts Campbell, instead. Regular Gina doubles over with surprise. Campbell begins to cry. Cathy tells her to sit and watch the other dancers and learn from them, for all is not lost yet. Alli gathers up her wailing girl.

Come competition day, Jill has brought along Holly and Kelly for spy-tech backup. They marvel at how they’ve never done Dance USA before (and until it merges with in10sity Dance, they never will). The ladies get themselves a program and are disappointed to see that no actual names are listed — only “CADC dancer.” No shortcuts to be had here.

Backstage, Zack calls out “I’m changed!” and appears looking for all the world like Steve Urkel in red boxer briefs. Zack says he would prefer not to appear in public dressed like that. Cathy agrees. Gina agrees. Lori agrees. Cathy and Anthony have it out about the necessity of the “Speedos” to the success of the dance. Anthony says Zack will not do as well if he doesn’t go out there wearing the tighty-reddies. Zack and Gina begin to cry. Misery. It’s not just for the Pitt Crew any more.

Zack says the goofy outfit has undermined his confidence. Then he disappears and reemerges in regular old black dance pants. I’ll give Anthony this much: He now just looks completely like Urkel and not very much like a puppet, save for the red circles and black mouth lines drawn on his face. But he also doesn’t look like a miserably uncomfortable little boy either, and that’s much better.

I suppose after last week, we should really have known that Jill doesn’t understand the subtleties of being a successful spy. This time she decides to do it by marching straight to the consulate of the enemy and knocking on the door to announce her arrival.

Pretty exciting stuff, huh, Viv?

Yvette says she’s thrilled at the intrusion — mostly because I’m sure she was mortified to learn that her plan to show Abby how much Hadley had grown was solidly derailed by Abby not actually, you know, being there. At least someone from ALDC is.

It takes a minute for the Pitt trio to recognize Kaya beneath her Jillification, but once she opens her mouth it’s a done deal. She and Jill promptly get into it about whether or not Kaya was kicked out of the competition after their last encounter, or whether the Wileys left of their own free will. Kelly says she thinks Kaya’s makeover looks more like Holly than Jill, but I still think Jill. It’s the bangs.

This time it’s the Pitt Crew’s turn to take the row behind the Apples instead of vice versa. Cathy says they smell. Hadley’s solo goes first. It’s the sort of solo Abby usually gives Kendall, and she does it well. She’s also been practicing her turns since we saw her last.

Yvette howls her approval.

Zack’s next. Aggggh! Scary!

I love almost everything Zack does, but this dance isn’t my favorite. Let’s just call it an interesting experiment and go back to letting the boy do what he does best, which is beautiful, lyrical dances that show off his grace.

Jill says no matter how well they do, these dancers will always be imports, unlike the ALDC’s homegrown dancers.

Abby calls in from the AUDC set to see what Jill has learned thus far. Jill has learned this: Hadley (“You mean Road Kill?” exclaims Abby) and Yvette are here, and so are Kaya and Nicaya. And Cathy is still a pain in her ass. Abby is now updated.

Quick look at the ALDC dancers dancing with hats. Oh oh. Hats. Bad news for Chloe.

Backstage in Youngstown, Yvette and Anthony bond, which gets on Gina Collins’ and Kaya’s nerves something fierce. Yvette says her apple red dress proves she’s a team player. Right? Right, you guys? Then she drops the hooey and tells the other two to wise up: It’s the choreographer who picks the dancers, not Cathy. Kaya, forgetting to be Holly on the inside, too, says that’s why Yvette is up Anthony’s ass all day. Ouchie.

Then Kaya tells Yvette she’s just living vicariously through her daughter. This from the woman who gave herself a nickname culled from Patsy Ramsey, the horrifically doomed woman she considered the ultimate stage mom.

Whoa. What just happened here? All of sudden, Regular Gina throws her head back and hollers, “THE KIDS ARE COMING! DON’T YELL AT ME AGAIN!” No one was yelling at you, Regular Gina. Not that we saw, anyway. Also, you scared me! Stop! You’re the sane one, remember?

Cathy, wearing her girdle on the outside, or maybe her weightlifting belt, wants to know what all the bickering is about.

Everyone starts talking at once until Regular Gina’s voice rises above the din again to tell Yvette to sit down and be quiet because no one is going to let her win. Cathy says the only winning we need to concern ourselves with is the dancers. I want to know what’s gotten into Regular Gina.

Group dance time. Huh. I’m not sure what’s going on here. The girls are dressed straight out of a ’50s beach movie. The boys are in pink polos and cargo shorts. Now Zack is dragging Hadley. Now Nick is whirling Mari. The music is really loud for being about a first kiss. Tadaaaaa! Well OK. I guess you had to be there. I hope you had to be there, anyway. It would have been nice to see the dance as a whole. Kelly says they are still no threat.

Zack’s solo gets third in the junior division. Anthony stands by his Red Tighties For Victory assessment. Hadley’s solo gets second in the teen division. Cathy says that doesn’t upset her. I’m guessing because she never keeps dancers around for very long anyway.

The group takes the win. Even so, Cathy says she needs to pare down her team and before she does it, she needs to talk to her own personal dance Yoda about it. That would be Viv. And then — in the episode’s ultimate insult,if you ask me — we don’t even get to see her talk to Viv about it over some sort of dessert. Why must we be punished so!

Abby’s on the phone again, this time calling Gianna to see who’s been coming to class in her absence and who’s been skipping out. Then she doesn’t say word one about that. She tells Gia that she and John have found a potential spot in Beverly Hills for ALDC LA. She tells Gia she sent Jill to Youngstown to watch the Apples dance. She tells Gia she has to go catch some rays now. Then she hangs up.

Meeting up with the Apples in the hallway, Kelly asks Viv sociably why she didn’t dance today. Cathy takes offense. Forgetting that Holly would never say a swear, Kaya says they’re just a bunch of damn stalkers. Since she’s still upright and not bleeding, Kelly decides to push her luck a little further and tell Cathy she noticed that there were four girls dressed for dance on the stage, but only three actually danced. Cathy says they should mind their own business — and besides, where are their girls, anyway? This isn’t an in10sity Dance competition, Cathy. Duh. Jill says they are on vacation. Cathy says Jill’s mouth should be on vacation. I think every day is vacation for Jill’s mouth.

Jill and Kaya get into it all over again and — boop! — Kaya’s got Jill’s nose! Yes she does! Oh yes, she does!

Aaaaand … that’s where we leave it. I’m guessing we will find out next week that Kaya got in trouble for the laying on of hands and that’s the last we’ve seen of the Wileys for this go-round. But not the last we’ve seen of the Apples. Because next week, it’s still all about them, with no sign of the Pitt Crew.

So what say you, Dance Moms nation? Were you happy to have an Apple-centric episode, or sorely disappointed? Did you even stay tuned for the entire hour? Are you worried that we’re setting things up for Dance Moms to move to Canton for good, with something new in the works for the Pitt Crew? Or worse, Abby alone? Are you planning to tune in for a new season of Abby’s Ultimate? What else is on your mind? Sound off in the comments section below.

New episodes of Dance Moms air Tuesday nights at 9/8CT on Lifetime.

The post Dance Moms Season 3 episode 21 recap: While Abby’s Away, It’s Apples All Day appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.

After three episodes, Animal Planet’s new series Treehouse Masters has become a Friday night hit for the network, even though it would appear to have little to do with animals.

Treehouse Masters follows Pete Nelson as he designs private escapes for people who wish to reconnect with nature and perhaps awaken their inner child through treehouses they only could have dreamed of in their youth — some even including functional plumbing and electricity. Nelson has a team of designers and carpenters helping him out, including his son Charlie. Additionally, Pete and his wife, Judy, and daughter, Emily, own and operate TreeHouse Point, a bed and breakfast in Washington.

Watching Pete bring people’s desires to life in Treehouse Masters has clicked almost immediately with viewers. Animal Planet says that the May 31 series premiere of Treehouse Masters brought in 1.3 million P2+ viewers and performed strongly among all key demos, including 924,000 HH; 607,000 P25-54; 516,000 P18-49; 355,000 M25-54; and 252,000 W25-54.

The second episode of Treehouse Masters on June 7 grew its audience 10 percent over the debut, according to Animal Planet, bringing in 1.5 million P2+ viewers. Versus Week One, the series also pulled in 931,000 HH (+1%); 678,000 P18-49 (+31%); 649,000 P25-54 (+7%); 359,000 W18-49 (+57%); 308,000 W25-54 (+22%); and 319,000 M18-49 (+11%).

For the first two weeks, Treehouse Masters had the established fishtank renovation series Tanked as a lead-in. With that show having aired its Season 3 spring season finale on June 7 (the timeslot is being filled with Tanked: Unfiltered Season 2 new episodes), we’ll see if Treehouse Masters can sustain its ratings climb. It seems the sort of show that should maintain interest now that people are aware of it.

Upcoming episodes of Treehouse Masters include the following (all times ET/PT; descriptions from Animal Planet):

“Treetop Taphouse” – June 21 at 10pm. An Ohio family enlists Pete to build a brewery-in-the-sky on their massive rural property. With the help of a few Amish locals, Pete crafts a barn-themed tavern with a brewing system in the trees accessible by a rope bridge 25 feet off the ground.

“Spirit House Retreat” – June 28 at 10pm. A writer in Rhinebeck, N.Y., calls on Pete to build a hideaway to embrace her creativity. Pete transforms an old cedar tree into a gold-leafed “Spirit House” retreat filled with uplifting oddities and a loft to rest the brain if she hits a writer’s block.

“Backyard Bungalow” – July 5 at 10pm. Faced with the need to expand their house after daughter Hope returns from college, a couple in Medford, Oregon, calls Pete to expand their not-so-empty nest. Distracted by constant visits from the couple filled with ideas, Pete sets off to build the expansion in a series of white oak trees. As the clients’ requests continue to evolve, Pete transforms the design into a multi-faceted guesthouse that can accommodate their daughter as well as other guests who visit the family. It has bunk beds, a comfy loft and a spacious bedroom that sleeps eight comfortably with a living room to take the fun from the main house and entertain visitors with a view of the beautiful mountains.

“Canopy Clubhouse” – July 12 at 10pm. With a budget as high as the trees in its backyard, a family in Bedford, New York, hires Pete to design a dream clubhouse for the entire family. The checklist of requests is anchored by a central two-story structure with a roof reaching 40 feet off the ground, providing a view above the built-in white oak trees. The treehouse has three main areas: a big BBQ patio with a grill for entertaining; a spacious living room decorated with antique treasures for the family to lounge; and a chalkboard-covered playroom complete with a lofted nook for the girls to have sleepovers. To make this treehouse extra special, Pete installs a secret trap door, a dumb-waiter system, and a fire pole and monkey bars.

“Love Is in the Air” – July 19 at 10pm. An adventurous couple wants to host their wedding at Treehouse Point, but all of the existing treehouses are booked. Pete convinces his family to make room for a new addition and constructs a magical Honeymoon Suite. Working with the couple’s tight timeline, Pete constructs the treehouse just in time to host both the wedding and honeymoon. Guests will be able to admire the ceremony from the ground, or climb the stairs to the top of the treehouse and enjoy the view from a crow’s nest 250 feet off the ground.

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Treehouse Masters image: Gilles Mingasson/Animal Planet

The post “Treehouse Masters” helps Animal Planet’s Friday night ratings climb appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.

National Geographic Channel’s two-hour special Sex: How It Works explores sex like never before through gripping real-life stories, new technology and cutting-edge computer graphics, journeying from first times to playing the field, all the way to humankind’s ultimate goal — procreation.

Now that we’ve got your attention …

National Geographic Channel gives viewers a crash course in the science of the birds and bees with a two-hour special Sex: How It Works, premiering Tuesday, June 18, at 8pm ET/PT. Sex: How It Works explores the science behind arousal, orgasms, partner preference and sexual dysfunctions, weaving together real-life case studies, the latest technology and cutting-edge computer graphics. Viewers get a glimpse into the biology and sociology of sex, looking at how the impulse to pass on our genes influences and affects us socially and emotionally. 

Behavioral psychologist Dr. Linda Papadopoulos investigates the science behind sexual arousal. “Men tend to be more visual than women when it comes to what they find enticing, which is partly to do with how men are socialized,” she says. “It’s interesting how sexual lures have adapted. For men, it’s become much more centered around the breasts … I guess the breasts are the new buttocks.”

Sex: How It Works examines both male and female orgasm, how they differ between the sexes, and how MRIs can study the brain during orgasm.

Sex: How It Works delves into the various social and psychological circumstances affecting a person’s sexual well-being, including the dating habits of those simply pursuing sexual conquests, a 30-year-old virgin whose shyness with women has prevented him from having a sexual relationship. The special also follows a couple who practice abstinence for religious reasons, a young man with erectile dysfunction and a woman who identifies herself as asexual. The special also examines the latest research into gay, lesbian and bisexual lifestyles.

“Sex is vital,” says Dr. Papadopoulos. “Even later on [in the relationship], the ability to maintain this sense of feeling needed and feeling connected. The physicality of sex is vital, so this idea that it is just there to ensure that we procreate, I think, isn’t enough. I think it’s a much, much deeper, much more integral part of our humanity.”

Photo: Credit: Pioneer Productions/National Geographic Channel

The post SEX! National Geographic Channel’s special “Sex: How It Works” appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.

Long Island Medium Season 4 episode “Bouffants and Bingo,” original airdate 6/16/2013, finds Theresa at the local salon and at the Hicksville Boys and Girls Club.

Seriously?! Don’t you think Theresa would have been in Vegas years ago if she REALLY could do that? Either way, her pop was adorable and chuckled a bit after the prank before he hit up Theresa for a favor — to help with a local fundraiser for the Hicksville Boys and Girls Club. Now most fans know a night out with Theresa wouldn’t be complete unless she interrupted someone with a special message.

Theresa hands her bingo cards over to her dad and excuses herself for a moment. She approaches a table of strangers and does the whole “Who lost a mother?” intro. Of course, one of the women, Mary, could relate and Theresa begins validating that she’s the real deal with questions like: “What’s with the car?” (They just won a Corvette, Mary tells.) “What’s with the number 4?” (That’s Mary’s favorite number and the number they used to win the car raffle.) “Do you have a dog that died?” (Indeed she did, and Mary considered her black lab her baby.) Well, turns out Mary’s mother wants her to know that she and her dog are together, which is a new revelation for most of us — the idea of animals and humans connecting in the afterlife. But the real message Mary’s mother wanted to share (Mary’s mother died 26 years ago) was that even though she never met Mary’s daughter, her mother wanted her to know that she knows about her and that she should never feel alone.

Then it was on to the beauty salon where Theresa was getting her traditional cut and color at Ahead Haircutting. While in complete hair foils, Theresa turns to another patron and asks if she knew someone that died in a car accident. This time it was Leah’s turn, a woman from East Meadow, N.Y., who says it was her father-in-law who died 20 years ago. Leah’s with her teenage daughter. Theresa asks them about the fish and tells that he’s asking them to bring it up from the basement. The ladies know exactly what she’s talking about. “What’s with the deck?” Apparently Leah’s ex-husband is a carpenter. Theresa tells them that her father-in-law wants that deck to get fixed. Theresa then turns to the teen and asks her if she can sense him or feel him, and she’s bought to tears, as she never actually knew him but can feel him. Leah shares how her daughter hasn’t talked to her father in some time, and Theresa interprets the spiritual connection as a way in which her ex-father-in-law was trying to make them reconnect.

The real tearjerker moment of the “Bouffants and Bingo” episode came at the Hicksville Boys and Girls Club fundraiser.

WIN A READING WITH THERESA CAPUTO. Hint for this week’s contest: Before walking into the fundraiser Theresa mentions how she wishes her hair was puffier.

At the fundraiser a crowd of about 100 people gathered for a group reading. Scanning the room Theresa moves in on three teens and asks, “Whose mom is departed right here?” The three teens stand. “Who goes by John John?” Aghast, one of them says, “I’m John and my dad’s name is John.” Theresa says she feels as if the younger teen is asking to just hear her mother’s voice just one more time. “Did she pass a long time ago?” The teens — John, Erin and Kelly — share that they lost their mother to breast cancer 10 years ago, when Kelly was just 6. Theresa looks at Kelly and says that her mother makes her feel like Kelly is trying so hard to remember what she looked and smelled like when she held her. Ugh, gut wrenching. “Do you wear her blanket?” Theresa asks. Kelly tells how when she was little she had a yellow blanket with silk on one side that she used to share with her mother. Theresa tells Kelly that as she wraps herself in the yellow blanket know that her mother is with her. “Your mom just whispered in your ear, and said, ‘I’m right here.’”

Confused, Theresa asks the teens: “Is your dad newly departed?” The room of attendees gasp in utter despair. The teens also lost their father a few months prior to colon cancer. Theresa tells them that their father wants to apologize for his quick departure. “I miss my parents like no one could ever explain,” tells John. “Knowing now that at 17 years old I’m literally an orphan, with both of my parents gone, I feel like my whole world fell apart. My heart just literally ripped in half.” Pass the Kleenex now!

Theresa asks them if they felt their mother’s soul with them when their father died. Looking at his older sister, John says, “You flat out said, ‘I feel Mom here,’ the day we were sitting on his bed,” John says. Theresa tells the teens that their father wants them to know that their mother came for their dad’s soul. Theresa turns to John and says, “He actually said to you, ‘I love you more. I’m sorry for this burden you carry.’” And elaborates on how his father doesn’t want him to feel like he has to be the dad. “I need you to live your life for you. No matter what in life you choose to do, I will be so proud of you.”

Just to have that one last time to hear from their parents was life-changing for these teens. It was an episode that truly left you counting your blessings.

The post Long Island Medium Season 4 recap of “Bouffants and Bingo” appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.

After gaining its second-highest audience ever for a FIFA World Cup qualifying or international friendly match telecast with its coverage of the June 11 USA vs Panama World Cup qualifier, ESPN will again have coverage of the U.S. Men’s National Team in action, as the USA vs Honduras World Cup qualifier airs June 18 on ESPN. The match will also be available on WatchESPN.

UniMas will have Spanish-language coverage of the June 18 match.

The USMNT sits atop the standings in the Hexagonal round of the qualifying series for the CONCACAF, with 10 points. There are six teams competing in this round, and the top three earn automatic berths to the World Cup in Brazil 2014. The fourth team plays a two-legged playoff vs. New Zealand, representing the Oceania Football Confederation.

The USMNT most recently defeated Panama, 2-0, on June 11, to complete three straight victories. The U.S. has played three of its first five matches on the road, and has posted three wins and three shutouts. USA enters this match sporting a 24-match unbeaten run (22-0-2) in qualifying at home. Their last loss on home soil came Sept. 1, 2001 — a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Honduras.

Honduras is currently in fourth place in the Hexagonal, with 7 points, having most recently defeated Jamaica 2-0 on June 11.

In the last USA vs Honduras World Cup qualifying match, played in February at San Pedro Sula, Honduras defeated the United States 2-1.

For ESPN’s coverage of USA vs Honduras, Ian Darke and Taylor Twellman will call the match, which is taking place at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. Bob Ley, Alexi Lalas and Kasey Keller will provide studio commentary.

The USA vs Honduras World Cup qualifier airs live on ESPN and WatchESPN June 18 at 8:30pm ET.

Spanish-language coverage of the USA vs Honduras World Cup qualifier airs on UniMas June 18 at 8pm ET.

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USA’s Clint Dempsey: YCJ Photos/Icon SMI/NEWSCOM

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“My great-grandfather said, ‘Life is on the wire, and everything else is just waiting,’” Nik Wallenda tells me in our interview.

Nik Wallenda, who has been walking on wires since the age of 2 — following in the 200-year, multi-generation tradition of his famed family — recounts his great-grandfather’s saying when he is asked why he does what he does. And what he does is thrill audiences with incredible feats of high wire walking, including a year ago when he walked across Niagara Falls on a wire.

“It’s what I do,” says Wallenda. “It’s kind of life to me. Although you can’t relate to it, I can’t not relate to it because I’ve done it so long.”

Nik Wallenda’s latest step forward in his life on a wire will come this week, when he attempts to walk over part of the Grand Canyon without using a harness. This feat will be chronicled in a live Discovery Channel special called Skywire Live With Nik Wallenda.

Wallenda admits that this would be the longest that he’s walked on a wire (about 1,400 feet), and, at 1,500 feet high, “definitely the highest, as well. Nobody in the world has ever walked over the Grand Canyon, so I’ll be the first person in the world to do that over the wire.”

The area of the canyon that Wallenda will walk is about an hour from Flagstaff, Ariz., on Navajo land, over the Little Colorado River. While Wallenda’s walk over Niagara Falls last year saw him face difficulties in the form of mist and wind, for the Grand Canyon walk, he is most concerned about the wind.

“[Winds] are definitely hard to predict,” he says. “There’s always something unique about every walk that I do, and this one is definitely the winds, the drafts, the directions of the wind. … If the winds are too strong we would have to postpone, but the time of year that we chose, we chose because of the fact that winds are supposed to be at a low at that time.”

While the walk itself is a challenge, requiring training in directional winds on a cable of the same length (but low to the ground, in a safer environment), as well as mental prep, there are also technical challenges for how to film such an event for audiences.

“Discovery’s going to do an amazing job,” says Wallenda. “They’ve got a lot of really cool things going on with the way the viewers are going to be able to see it. … You’ll have my point of view, and — just like you see over a football game — we’ll have a camera floating alongside of me to get some angles, as well as helicopters.”

Wallenda himself will be miked up during his walk. “Willie Geist and Natalie Morales are going to cohost it,” he says, “and I’ll be talking with them while I’m walking, I’m sure.”

Of course, when not talking or thinking about his next project (he is currently working on permits to walk from Europe to Asia over the Bosporus), walking on a wire can offer a unique sort of peace on occasion for Wallenda.

“Depending on the situation, and depending on the wind and environment, it’s very peaceful and relaxing at times. Of course, very, very focused, a lot of mental preparation. But there are times when it can become very peaceful.”

Skywire Live With Nik Wallenda airs live on Discovery Channel June 23 beginning at 8pm ET/5pm PT.

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Nik Wallenda photo: Credit Jason Elias/Discovery Channel

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On Demand DVD New Releases June 17-23: It’s good week for music fans with Glastonbury the Movie (In Flashback), Greenwich Village: Music That Defined a Generation, all premiering this week. Indie film fans will want to consider Maniac, Stoker, or Breakup at a Wedding. In addition, Movie 43, the Golden Globe-nominated Quartet and Jack the Giant Slayer will all be available.

American Idiots  Four friends embark on a cross-country journey to Las Vegas in an old RV to stop a wedding and save a friend from losing the love of his life. Jeffrey  T. Schoettlin, Sean Muramatsu, Caroline D’Amore (R, 1:32)  6/18 (same day as theatrical release)

Breakup at a Wedding A videographer captures an engaged couple’s decision to proceed with a sham wedding after the bride calls off the ceremony and decides to break up with her partner, who secretly hopes that his surprise gift will ultimately change her mind.  Philip Quinaz, Alison Fyhrie, Chris Manley (PG-13, 1;25)  6/18 (same day as theatrical release)

Maniac The owner of a mannequin shop develops a dangerous obsession with a young artist. Elijah Wood, America Olivo, Nora Arnezeder  (NR, 1: 29) 6/18 

Jack the Giant Slayer (3-D) The famous “Jack and the Beanstalk” fairy tale is expanded for this visual epic about a young farmhand who joins the ancient war between humans and giants after opening a gateway between the two worlds. Nicholas Hoult, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci (PG-13, 1:54) 6/18 (weeks before Netflix release)

The Last Exorcism Part II Nell Sweetzer, the possessed girl from the first film, is trying to move on with her life, but the evil force from her past returns with an even more terrifying plan. Ashley Bell, Julia Garner, Spencer Treat Clark (PG-13, 1:28) 6/18

Movie 43 This beyond outrageous comedy weaves together an all-star cast throughout a series of interconnected short films that represent a washed-up producer’s ideas for a new project. Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet (R, 1:34) 6/18

Stoker Director Park Chan-wook (Oldboy) makes his American film debut (and first English-language film) with a dark drama about a mother and daughter whose family dynamic is shattered when the father dies and a mysterious uncle moves in. Mia Wasikowska, Matthew Goode, Nicole Kidman (R, 1:39) 6/18

Quartet Dustin Hoffman takes the director’s chair for this highbrow comedy that takes place at a home for retired musicians. The annual concert to celebrate Verdi’s birthday is thrown into chaos by the arrival of the diva ex-wife of one of the residents. Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly (PG-13, 1:38) 6/18

Other titles premiering June 18: The Girl, Glastonbury the Movie (In Flashback), Greenwich Village: Music That Defined a Generation, Summoned, 21 & Over.

And, to round out the week:

All American Zombie Drugs The story of two stoners, Vinny and Sebastion, who are living in small town suburbia and reveling in the glory days of their high school years. The two start a business doing the only thing they have ever excelled at … drugs. With the help of a jealous girlfriend and a rich goth chick, the pals take on the mob, angry, geeky, frat-boys, and zombies in the search of the perfect high. (PG-13,  1:39) 6/23

Availability dates subject to change. Check your cable provider for ordering information. 3-D movies require a 3-D TV.

© 2013 The Weinstein Company. Credit: Kerry Brown

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True Blood Season 6
Sunday, June 16
HBO, 8pm ET/PT

(Also, don’t miss the two-part social media event that kicks off 9am ET June 16 when HBO reveals exclusive secrets from the set of True Blood Season 6 via the profiles on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Vine. Then there’s #TrueBlood: Live From the Set, the interactive pre show on HBO at 8:45pm ET/PT hosted by Parks and Recreation actress Retta. Also, 13 cast members will answer questions from fans, including Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Ryan Kwanten, Rutina Wesley, Sam Trammell, Nelsan Ellis, Deborah Ann Woll, Carrie Preston, Todd Low, Chris Bauer, Kristin Bauer van Straten and Joe Manganiello. Fans can submit questions at truebloodlive.com.)

I’ll be honest, I was a little tired of True Blood Season 6 before I even put in the screener DVDs. And I’m not the only one. Even Charlaine Harris, who started all this wonderful mess with her Sookie Stackhouse books, says she’s closing up shop in Bon Temps after the just released Dead Ever After. It feels like maybe True Blood is one of those brightly burning candles destined to go out quickly. Not that six seasons can be called quick.

But after 60-some episodes of vampires, werewolves, Maenads, shapeshifters, witches, faeries … did I leave anything out? Yeah, it can get a little much. Oh right, mediums. Sorry, Lafayette! (It goes to a greater point, though, about how the need to give every single character in this huuuuge cast something different to do really led to fatigue.)

And while the three episodes HBO made available for preview show that True Blood still has plenty of bad habits — I, for one, never have had much patience for all the winking at the camera that seems to be between every other line of dialogue — there’s still some intrigue to be had. The Bill-turning-into-Lillith cliffhanger is dealt with immediately, with Bill trying to figure out just what the hell he has turned into. His powers and limitations seem different, but the main takeaways are that he now can see the future — and it ain’t pretty — and that he sees himself as being responsible for saving all vampire-kind. Oh, and get used to hearing the word “Billith,” not just on oh-so-clever websites but on the show itself. Sigh. See what I mean about winking?

Despite the seemingly new paradigm of Bill (Stephen Moyer) being a godlady and humans developing effective weapons in a growing war on vampires, many of the characters are still doing the same thing. Sookie (Anna Paquin) is still swearing off supernatural beings and failing miserably at it, Sam (Sam Trammell) is still not telling people he’s a shifter, Alcide (Joe Manganiello) is finding his way as leader of his pack (and being kind of a Big Dick Richie about it), and Tara (Rutina Wesley) is still as defiant as ever. Characters with bigger changes are Erik (Alexander Skarsgard), who is finally going back to being a badass. He’s taking point for the vamps in the war against the scheming Louisiana governor (Arliss Howard) who is intent on eliminating all fangers. While when Mr. Northman was introduced he was a dangerous, seductive villain, he was necessarily softened the last couple seasons in order to make him a suitable hero/love interest for Sookie. But now the writers have satisfyingly synthesized those sides of the character to make him both the good guy and someone we matter-of-factly accept as being capable of horrible things.

RELATED: Stephen Moyer talks about being Bill

Jason (Ryan Kwanten) is the same lovable dummy, but he does show some growth as he meets a mysterious stranger, played by Rutger Hauer, who will figure in greatly to the confrontation against Warlo, the powerful vampire who murdered Jason and Sookie’s parents. For those who remember the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer film, Hauer is not dressed all that differently here than he was as his character in that, which I admit threw me just a little. He brings a much-needed grounding to the madness that often takes True Blood from being fun and campy to just being lame. Lame like latter-day John Waters lame.

But it’s not just Hauer who belongs at the grown-up table. Deborah Ann Woll has always managed to inject Jessica with plenty of humanity and genuine pathos to keep things from getting too nonsensical. Her perspective on Bill’s transformation is one of the more fresh ideas True Blood has had in awhile, and it wisely appears as though it will be explored thoroughly this season.

No season of True Blood would be complete without an overarching (ahem, overreaching) metaphor relating to vampires’ struggles for acceptance. This season it’s the Holocaust, not only in the attempted genocide from humans, but also experimentation. Steve Newlin (Michael McMillan) finds himself a captive in a most unfortunate place, where he is being interrogated under the threat of being experimented on. Something tells me they’re going to go ahead and experiment on him anyway. Wouldn’t you?

I didn’t even get to Andy Bellefleur and his four new fairy daughters, did I? Oh well. They’re going to play an important part, too, in addition to potentially make even the most diehard Truebies fans feel like poor Andy: over-freaking-whelmed.

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Magic City Season 2 premiere date: Friday, June 17 at 9pm ET/PT

New to the cast is Academy Award nominee James Caan (The Godfather) as Sy Berman, the head of the Chicago mob and Ben Diamond’s (Danny Huston) boss. A father figure to Ben, Sy saw the potential in the young con and encouraged Ben’s criminal talents, although, unbeknownst to Ben, Sy also has a secret connection to Ben’s wife Lily (Jessica Marais). Esai Morales (Caprica) joins the series as Carlos “El Tiburon” Ruiz, a former rebel who fought beside Castro, and a hero to the Cubans who is now working to free Cuba from the man he once considered to be like a brother. Jamie Harris (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) plays Nicky Grillo, the tough, cocaine-snorting mob guy from Tampa with a volatile temper and a secret past. Sherilyn Fenn (Twin Peaks) stars as Madame Renee, a former call girl who runs a brothel that Ben financially backs. The stakes are even higher this season as Ike tries to once and for all rid himself of Ben Diamond.

Season two will also see the return of creator and executive producer Mitch Glazer, as well as Olga Kurylenko (as Ike’s wife Vera Evans), Kelly Lynch (as Meg Bannock), Steven Strait (as Stevie Evans), Christian Cooke (as Danny Evans) and Elena Satine (as Judy Silver).

Magic City Season 2 premiere date on Friday, June 17 at 9pm ET/PT coincides with the Starz FREE PREVIEW WEEKEND on DISH Network and DirecTV, which begins on Friday, June 14 and runs through Monday, June 17.

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Univision Deportes announced that it will have exclusive live Spanish-language coverage of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013, which begins this Saturday, June 15, and runs through June 30. Coverage will be held across Univision Deportes properties, including broadcast, cable and interactive platforms.

The television coverage will be spotlighted on Univision, UniMás and Univision Deportes Network. Univision will carry nine matches, including three group stage contests featuring Mexico vs Italy; host country Brazil vs Mexico; and Japan vs Mexico. Univision will also carry the final rounds of the tournament.

UniMás will broadcast five games, including the Italy vs Brazil matchup. Univision Deportes Network will carry three matches (two of them exclusive coverage), and will also air live post-game programs after every match of the tournament. Additionally, Univision Deportes Network will rebroadcast all FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 matches.

RELATED: ENGLISH-LANGUAGE COVERAGE OF FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP 2013 ON ESPN

Univision says that each match in its coverage of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 will feature an hour of pre-game coverage on Futbol Central. UniMás will provide additional coverage by launching Republica de la Copa, a special 90-minute program airing each night of the tournament at 10pm ET/PT. This show will mix sports and entertainment, and feature commentary and analysis from leading Univision Deportes personalities and legendary soccer players and coaches, including Ivan Zamorano; Javier “El Vasco” Aguirre; Pavel Pardo Segura; Fernando Morientes; and Antonio “El Turco” Mohamed.

Live-streaming of all FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 matches will also be available in the United States and Puerto Rico for free at UnivisionDeportes.com and UVideos. Online and on mobile, there will be a Facebook plug-in with real-time commentary from fans.

FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 Spanish-language coverage on Univision networks TV schedule (all times ET)

UNIVISION
Confederations Cup 2013 opening ceremony, and Brazil vs Japan — June 15 at 2pm
Mexico vs Italy — June 16 at 3pm
Brazil vs Mexico — June 19 at 3pm
Japan vs Mexico — June 22 at 3pm
Nigeria vs Spain — June 23 at 3pm
Semifinal: Winner Group A vs Runner-Up Group B — June 26 at 3pm
Semifinal: Winner Group B vs Runner-Up Group A — June 27 at 3pm
Third-Place Match — June 30 at 12pm
Final — June 30 at 6pm

UniMás
Spain vs Uruguay — June 16 at 6pm
Italy vs Japan — June 19 at 6pm
Spain vs Tahiti — June 20 at 3pm
Nigeria vs Uruguay — June 20 at 6pm
Italy vs Brazil — June 22 at 3pm

UNIVISION DEPORTES NETWORK
Brazil vs Japan — June 15 at 3pm
Tahiti vs Nigeria — June 17 at 3pm
Uruguay vs Tahiti — June 23 at 3pm

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Original Univision press release, in Spanish:

UNIVISION DEPORTES PRESENTA COBERTURA EN VIVO SIN PRECEDENTE DE LA COPA FIFA CONFEDERACIONES 2013 EN TODAS LAS PLATAFORMAS

MIAMI – 11 DE JUNIO, 2013 – Univision Deportes, el brazo deportivo de Univision Communications Inc., la principal compañía de medios de comunicación al servicio de la comunidad hispana en los Estados Unidos, dio a conocer hoy su plan de cobertura exclusiva en español de la Copa FIFA Confederaciones 2013, la novena edición del torneo internacional de fútbol que realiza la FIFA cada cuatro años. La cobertura integral del torneo podrá verse en todas las propiedades de Univision Deportes, incluyendo televisión abierta y por cable y plataformas interactivas.

Cada partido de la Copa FIFA Confederaciones estará precedido por una hora de cobertura preliminar en “Fútbol Central”. Y para ofrecer cobertura adicional, UniMás lanzará “República de la Copa”, un programa especial de 90 minutos que saldrá al aire todas las noches del campeonato a las 10 p.m. hora del Este/Pacífico. El primer magacín informativo de su estilo en la televisión en español, que presenta una mezcla de deportes con entretenimiento, “República de la Copa” presentará comentarios y análisis a cargo de destacadas personalidades de Univision Deportes y de legendarios jugadores y entrenadores, entre ellos: Iván Zamorano, ex integrante de la Selección Nacional de Chile; Javier “El Vasco” Aguirre, actual gerente del CF Espanyol en Barcelona y ex centrocampista y entrenador de la Selección Nacional Mexicana; Pável Pardo Segura, ex centrocampista defensivo del Club América de la Liga MX, de los Chicago Fire de la MLS y del equipo alemán VfB Stuttgart; Fernando Morientes, ex jugador del Real Madrid, Valencia y la Selección Nacional Española; y Antonio “El Turco” Mohamed, ex gerente del Club Tijuana de la Liga MX y ex jugador en México y Argentina. Conducido por Alan Tacher, Montserrat Olivier y Francisco Javier Gonzales, “República de la Copa” también dará una mirada profunda al país anfitrión, Brasil, con segmentos de viajes y reportes del estado de la nación, de cara a la Copa Mundial de la FIFA.

Adicionalmente, luego de cada partido del torneo, “Contacto Deportivo” saldrá al aire a las 11:30 p.m. hora del Este/Pacífico por UniMás. “Univision Deportes Fútbol Club”, transmitido de lunes a viernes a las 8 p.m. hora del Este/5 p.m. Pacífico por Univision Deportes Network, también dará cobertura a la Copa Confederaciones, al igual que “Despierta América” y el “Noticiero Univision”. Los reporteros de Univision Deportes con base en Brasil cubrirán el progreso de los equipos de México, Brasil y España.

Univision transmitirá un total de nueve partidos, incluyendo a tres encuentros de la etapa de grupos: México vs. Italia, el domingo 16 de junio a las 2 p.m. hora del Este; Brasil vs. México, el miércoles 19 de junio a las 2 p.m. hora del Este; y Japón vs. México, el sábado 22 de junio a las 2 p.m. hora del Este; además de las rondas finales del torneo. UniMás transmitirá cinco partidos, incluyendo al muy esperado duelo entre los legendarios equipos de Italia y Brasil, el sábado 22 de junio a las 2 p.m. hora del Este. Univision Deportes Network dará cobertura exclusiva en vivo a dos partidos y también transmitirá programas en vivo después de cada juego del campeonato. Además, todos los partidos de la Copa FIFA Confederaciones 2013 serán retransmitidos por Univision Deportes Network. Antes del evento de este año, los fanáticos podrán revivir los 23 mejores partidos jugados en la historia de la Copa Confederaciones, entre ellos el que llevó a México a la final en 1999, por Univision Deportes Network.

La emoción de la Copa FIFA Confederaciones 2013 comenzará el sábado 15 de junio a las 2 p.m. hora del Este/11 a.m. Pacífico en la Cadena Univision con la ceremonia de apertura del campeonato y el partido inicial, Brasil vs. Japón, en vivo desde el Estádio Nacional en Brasilia, capital del país anfitrión.

También habrá transmisión (streaming) en vivo de todos los partidos de la Copa FIFA Confederaciones 2013, disponible gratis en EE.UU. y Puerto Rico por UnivisionDeportes.com y UVideos, en línea y en la web móvil, con una conexión a un plug-in de Facebook para comentarios de los hinchas en tiempo real. La cobertura a fondo en línea y en móvil se irá actualizando a medida que progresa el campeonato, con momentos culminantes de los partidos, datos y resultados diarios, las últimas noticias, calendarios y más. Adicionalmente, los fans pueden unirse a la conversación acerca de la Copa Confederaciones de la FIFA en Twitter vía @UnivisionSports y usando el hashtag #UDCopaConfed, además de comentar con junto con otros en Facebook.com/UnivisionDeportes. La página de Facebook incluirá una aplicación de predicciones que les permitirá a los hinchas adivinar los resultados de todos los juegos y competir por el primer lugar en el tablero.

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© FIFA.com

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