Ex productora denunció por acoso sexual a Henry Ian Cusick.

Quizás la fuerte identificación con su personaje en la serie Lost, un náufrago que durante meses vivió solo en la isla, sea la causa de la supuesta conducta inapropiada por la que fue demandado Henry Ian Cusick. El actor que interpreta a Desmond, acaba de llegar a un acuerdo económico con su ex compañera de trabajo Chelsea Stone, quien lo había acusado por un supuesto caso de acoso sexual. Según declaró la demandante, Cusick la habría tocado de forma inapropiada en varias ocasiones y que gemía cuando lo hacía. La mujer también comentó que la cadena ABC estaba al tanto de la situación pero que prefirió hacer la vista gorda.

A pesar de que la veracidad del hecho levantó ciertas dudas ya que Stone realizó la denuncia dos años después, el actor escocés (que en realidad nació en Perú) prefirió cortar por lo sano y hacerse cargo de la compensación económica que la mujer exigía.

According to a lawsuit filed today in Los Angeles Superior Court, Chelsea Stone claims that while working on the show, Cusick placed his hand on her buttocks and caressed the back of her body while making moaning sounds.

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A wonderful way to see and hear what the Gospel of John is all about.

“The Gospel of John” video is terrific.

I came upon it recently when I caught a part of it on TBN. My interest was piqued and a Google search followed.

I discovered via Google that someone had taken the time to put the 129-minute video into nineteen (ten-minute) installments on the internet.

With a little bit of work I was able to figure out what sections of the book of John are in each of the 19 installments and create a coordinated list.

Once I had the list created, I could read/study a particular portion of John and then view the video version of that passage. 

Along the way, I discovered that the “Gospel of John” video follows the New International Version almost word for word.  That was refreshing since most books and movies aren’t like that.

Seeing the video, after studying the portion of John it presented, gave me insights that I wasn’t getting from just reading/studying the selection. 

There was no attempt in the video to supply answers to “What does He mean?” verses and sections.  You just get the Scripture as it is. 

I found the video to be informative, enlightening, and inspiring. 

I came away with a much clearer idea of the relationship Jesus had with the Pharisees.  He never stopped calling them out for full exposure.  That they plotted to kill Him comes as no surprise after watching His collection of encounters with them in this video. 

The toughest part to watch was the crucifixion. It wasn’t because of what they showed rather it was what you heard and knew was going on that was troubling ………. but in a necessary way. 

The most moving part, for me, was the coverage of John 17 in which Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples, and for us believers.

Philip Saville is the director of “The Gospel of John” and the actor portraying Jesus is Henry Ian Cusick.  There is plenty of narration and Christopher Plummer is extraordinary in that capacity.

I recommend the following nineteen-day devotional: first read the portion of John covered in the video and then watch the video itself that covers that section. 

Those having doubts about the videos should try one out.  Do a Google search on – “elmo 066 gospel of john the movie, part whatever (choose a number 1-19)”.  In front of the “66″ is a zero. View the video with the appropriate Scripture handy and I suspect you will see the same possibilities I did.

Here are the video part numbers and the sections of John they represent:
 1  – 1:1-1:39
 2  – 1:40-2:14
 3  – 2:15-4:3
 4  – 4:4-4:54
 5  – 5:1-5:47
 6  – 6:1-6:68
 7  – 6:69-8:6
 8  – 8:7-9:2
 9  – 9:3-10:5
10 – 10:6-11:20
11 – 11:21-11:57
12 – 12:1-12:47
13 – 12:48-14:1
14 – 14:2-16:7
15 – 16:8-18:5
16 – 18:6-19:8
17 – 19:9-19:37
18 – 19:38-21:8
19 – 21:9-21:25

I would certainly be interested in any feedback that you might offer – 85peterjulie17 at gmail.com

"Darwin's Darkest Hour" star Frances O'Connor with Reno-based producer Norman Stephens.

When National Geographic Television executives decided to take a break from documentary filmmaking and create the company’s first fully-scripted docu-drama, they turned to Reno-based producer Norman Stephens.

The movie was to examine the life of British scientist Charles Darwin, and Stephens, who has more than two decades of television experience, saw it as an ideal project.

“Everyone’s sort of mourning the death of the TV movie, and I think that we’re finding new avenues to use the TV-movie format,” Stephens said. “I think that it’s going to be embraced. I don’t think the TV movie is dead.”

It’s certainly not dead this week. The finished film, “Darwin’s Darkest Hour,” is debuting Tuesday as the kickoff to the new season of “Nova” on PBS, and Stephens said he’s pleased to be closing in on the air date.

Click here for full story: http://www.rgj.com/article/20091004/ENT/910040311/1056/Reno-producer-brings-Darwin-s-life-to-the-small-screen

• Nemrég ismét a Dharma kikötőnél forgattak. Most Josh Holloway (Sawyer) és Evangeline Lilly (Kate) forgattak egy közös jelenetet.
• Itt van rengeteg forgatási kép szeptember 21-éről. William Mapother (Ethan) és Jeff Fahey (Frank) is látható.
• Henry Ian Cusick (Desmond) szerepelni fog a 6. évad premierjében.
• Rob McElhenney (Aldo) jövőhéten repül Hawaii-ra forgatásra.
• Alan Dale (Charles Widmore) is hamarosan Hawaii-on lesz a 6. évad forgatása miatt.
• Jorge Garcia (Hurley) és Daniel Dae Kim (Jin) megerősítették azt, hogy az 5. évad végén felrobbant a bomba.
• A Juliet-et játszó színésznő Elizabeth Mitchell nemrég ért haza Hawaii-ról és még legalább egyszer vissza fog menni forgatni.
• Jorge Garcia még mindig abban bízik, hogy megkapjuk Libby sztoriját, de azt mondta, hogy ne nagyon számítsunk Cynthia Watros visszatérésére.
• “Miután elolvastam a forgatókönyvet, ez volt az első az egész sorozatban, hogy azt mondtam volna: ‘Atyaég, ez elképesztő.’” – Terry O’Quinn (Locke) a 6×01ról.

Episodes twenty-two through twenty-four of season 2 and episodes one and two of season 3 of ABC’s hit television show Lost first aired from May 17, 2006 until October 11, 2006.

Plot Synopsis

After surviving on a mysterious Island for over a month after a plane crash, the search for rescue has taken a back seat. When the survivors discover an underground bunker built by an organization named The Dharma Initiative, the era of exploration and discovery begins. As it becomes increasingly clearer that there are other inhabitants on the Island, thoughts turn to defense rather than only survival.

Initial Reaction

Week 13 of my Lost Rewatch finds me at the end of season 2 and the beginning of season 3, reviewing the episodes “Three Minutes”, “Live Together, Die Alone”, “A Tale of Two Cities”, and “The Glass Ballerina”. The season 2 finale was amazing. I mean, we finally got to see what happens when the button isn’t pressed, and it is indeed catastrophic. I also felt season 3 started off pretty strong as well. When I watched the show as it aired, I got a bit frustrated during this first run of episodes in season 3, but subsequent viewings have led me to like the episodes more.

In-Depth Discussion

In “Three Minutes,” we get an on-Island flashback of Michael, and see what happened to him during the time he was away hunting for Walt. He was allowed to see Walt for three minutes, and was told to go back to the survivors’ camp and bring back Jack, Kate, Sawyer, and Hurley. In the present, Michael goes about trying to get only those people to come with him to get Walt, but Sayid gets informed about the situation and decides to help as well. He tells Jack he suspects Michael has been “compromised,” and they should plan to expect a trap. A funeral is held for Ana Lucia and Libby, but it comes to a surprising end when a sailboat is spotted offshore.

In “Live Together, Die Alone,” we see some flashbacks of Desmond for the first time. We see him getting out of a military prison and being dishonorably discharged. He gets in the car with Charles Widmore, who attempts to bribe him to stay away from his daughter forever. Later, Desmond decides to join a sailboat race around the world to prove to Charles that he is man enough to marry his daughter. He receives the sailboat to use in the race from none other than Libby, but ends up crashing on the Island. Kelvin rescues him and brings him into the hatch, and teaches him all about the setup and the button. He shows Desmond about the “failsafe key” as well. Eventually, Desmond snuck out to follow Kelvin to discover that he had repaired the sailboat and was planning on leaving. After an altercation, Kelvin ended up dead, and Desmond almost missed pressing the button. On the Island, Desmond is the one in the sailboat. Sayid decides to use it in order to set a trap for the Others and Michael, while Jack, Kate, Sawyer, and Hurley go with Michael to hunt for Walt. Sun and Jin join Sayid in the sailboat, because they know how to operate it. Meanwhile, John has completely lost faith and decides to get Desmond to help him force Eko not to press the button. Desmond initiates a lock-down, keeping Eko out of the computer room. Meanwhile, everyone finds out about Michael’s betrayal when Jack tells them, but they keep going as part of the plan. At the hatch, Eko rigs some dynamite to try to blow open the blast doors to no avail, almost getting himself and Charlie killed. Sayid finally reaches the Others’ camp only to find it abandoned, with a fake Dharma hatch door. Team Jack finds the exit point for the pneumatic tubes of the Pearl, emptying into an open field. They see Sayid’s signal fire, and realize Michael is leading them to a different location. They are assaulted and captured by the Others. In the hatch, John gives the printouts from the Pearl to Desmond, who begins pouring over the pages. He discovers that the time he missed pressing the button corresponded exactly with the moment flight 815 crashed on the Island, confirming for him that the button is real. John actually breaks the computer to prevent the button from being pressed, but Desmond rushes underground and turns the fail-safe key. Meanwhile, everyone is captive on the docks, and Ben makes the deal with Michael to leave the Island. Finally, we see a scientific outpost somewhere in the arctic, and two people call Penny Widmore, telling her that they believe they have “found it.”

In “A Tale of Two Cities,” we get a fantastic season-opening scene in which we are first introduced to Juliet Burke, the melancholy Other, who is hosting a book club meeting when it gets interrupted by a loud crash, none other than Flight 815 itself. In the flashback, we see Jack obsessing over Sarah after their break-up, trying to find out who she is going out with now. He ends up clashing with his father yet again. On the Island, Jack, Kate, and Sawyer find themselves in captivity in the strange Dharma station named the Hydra, some sort of zoological research center. Jack is held in a sort of shark tank, while Sawyer is kept in a bear cage. Kate is treated to breakfast as Ben explains that the next two weeks would be “very unpleasant”. Juliet spends her time talking to Jack, trying to build up a level of trust with him. Sawyer spends his time figuring out how to get “fish biscuits” from the animal feeder in his cage. He meets another captive named Karl, who briefly escapes only to be caught again. Jack makes a break-out attempt when Juliet brings him food, but is surprised when he opens the outside door and finds that they are actually somewhat underwater, and the place becomes flooded. He is knocked unconscious and brought back to his prison. Kate is brought to a neighboring cage near Sawyer. When Jack comes to, Juliet is waiting, and reveals that they have extensive files on the survivors. Jack shares a moment with Juliet briefly as she assures him his ex wife Sarah is happy now. As Juliet leaves the room, Ben congratulates her on her progress with Jack.

In “The Glass Ballerina,” we get flashbacks of Sun and Jin, and find out that Sun has a bit of a dark side as well. It is revealed that she indeed had an affair with Jae Le, her English teacher, and her father found out about it. In response, he sends Jin to “deliver a message” to him. Jin refuses to kill him, but tells him to leave Korea instead. Jae Le, thinking Jin has found out about the affair, decides to kill himself by jumping out of the window. On the Island, Sayid, Sun, and Jin continue to monitor the signal fire, waiting for Jack to meet up with them. The Others follow the smoke, however, and find out about their sailboat. Ben sends a team to take the boat away from them. Meanwhile, Kate and Sawyer are forced to do manual labor, clearing rocks out of an area. Kate meets Alex, who is hiding in a bush, and she asks Kate about Karl. Meanwhile, Sayid decides to set a trap for The Others, lighting a signal fire to alert them to their location in order to try to get information  about Jack and the others’ whereabouts. They all arm themselves and prepare for an ambush. At the construction site, Sawyer defies the Others and kisses Kate, which leads to a big fist fight. He says he did it to test their strength. Ben goes to visit Jack, and says that he will let him leave the Island in return for a favor he will ask in the near future, proving he has contact with the outside world by showing him a video tape of the Red Sox winning the World Series. Back at the boat, the Others sneak on board and steal it, but Sun shoots one of them, Colleen, in the stomach before she is able to escape.

Casual Observations

• In Michael’s conversation with the Others, some very interesting questions are asked about Walt, including “has he ever appeared somewhere he was not supposed to be?” This further solidifies Walt’s “special” status, and explains why the Others are interested in him.
• In “Three Minutes,” we get introduced to some new “Others”, including Pickett and Ms. Klugh.
• Desmond has an interesting theory that the Island is in a “snow globe”. It’s also a pretty accurate statement, as we find out in seasons 4 and 5 that there is basically a sphere of electromagnetic energy surrounding the Island, and it prevents travel to and from the Island except on specific bearings.
• The infamous four-toed statue makes its first appearance in “Live Together, Die Alone.” We get next to no information about this thing until well into season 5.
• Kelvin, the man who trained Desmond in the ways of the Dharma Initiative, was the same man who taught Sayid how to torture.
• Kelvin mentions Radzinsky to Desmond, saying he was the one who figured out how to fake a lockdown and started the blast door map. We actually meed Radzinsky in season 5, and it turns out he is kind of a jerk.
• The opening scene of “A Tale of Two Cities” pretty much blew me away. The Others were always built up to be this primitive culture with ragged clothes and tents, and here we discover a suburb in the middle of the jungle with book club meetings. Not to mention seeing the plane crash from an outside perspective. Just awesome.
• In “A Tale of Two Cities,” Tom tells Kate she is “not his type.” This one throw-away line was paid off much later in season 4 as we find out Tom is gay. It’s cool to me how even insignificant lines like this are thought through way in advance on this show.
• While Jack is in the room alone, the intercom starts going off, and we clearly hear Christian Shephard’s voice say “let it go, Jack.” This is one of many cases of whispers mysteriously channelling the voices of the dead.
• In “The Glass Ballerina,” Sawyer and Kate are forced to help the Others with some sort of construction project, clearing rocks out of an area. At the time, I was completely confused as to what they were doing. It isn’t until a long time from now that we get an answer. Juliet jokes with Sawyer, telling him they were building a runway… “for the aliens.” In season 5, this finally pays off as Ajira Flight 316 is brought down safely by Lapidus, conveniently landing on this area. Damon and Carlton later revealed that the runway’s construction was ordered by Jacob.

The Goode Family

Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment Group, outlined ABC’s plans for next season and unveiled the network’s 2009-10 fall schedule before the advertising and media communities at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall.  

New fall and midseason series include “Cougar Town,” “The Deep End,” “Eastwick,” “Flash Forward,” “The Forgotten,” “Hank,” “Happy Town,” “The Middle,” “Modern Family,” “Shark Tank” and “V.” “Better Off Ted,” “Castle,” “Scrubs” and “True Beauty” join previously announced returning series “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “The Bachelor,” “Brothers & Sisters,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Lost,” “Private Practice,” “Supernanny,” “Ugly Betty,” “Wife Swap” and “20/20.” “Saturday Night College Football” will also return.

“Our focus is always on delivering the best stories with the most memorable characters on TV, whether that’s established audience favorites or innovative new shows,” said McPherson. “This year we’ve got the best of both. We’re headed into the season with a strong slate of returning series as well as great new shows from one of our best development seasons ever.”

For the 2008-09 TV season, ABC claims four of the top 10 highest-rated TV series in Adults 18-49, including the top two scripted shows with “Desperate Housewives” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” For the fourth straight season, the Network remains a top destination for upscale viewers, delivering five of the top 15 highest-rated TV series and three of the top four scripted shows among Adults 18-49 in homes w/$100K+ annual income. During the fall, the Net finished No. 1 in the November Sweep among Adults 18-49 for the fourth year in a row. ABC’s audience is growing in 2009, delivering across-the-board gains over the same point last year: Total Viewers +2%, Adults 18-34 +14%, Adults 18-49 +4% and Adults 25-54 +3%.   

Fall premiere dates will be announced at a later time. However “Shark Tank” will premiere over the summer following the special 10th anniversary primetime return of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” and will then move to Tuesday nights at 8:00 p.m. Please note shows picked up but not listed on the schedule will debut later in the 2009-10 season.

ABC’s fall primetime schedule is as follows (all times listed are Eastern):

MONDAY:

8:00 p.m.  “Dancing with the Stars” (two-hours)
10:00 p.m. “Castle”

TUESDAY

8:00 p.m.  “Shark Tank”
9:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show”
10:00 p.m. “The Forgotten”  

WEDNESDAY:

8:00 p.m. “Hank”
8:30 p.m. “The Middle”
9:00 p.m. “Modern Family”
9:30 p.m. “Cougar Town”
10:00 p.m.       “Eastwick”  

THURSDAY:

8:00 p.m. “Flash Forward”
9:00 p.m. “Grey’s Anatomy”
10:00 p.m. “Private Practice”  

FRIDAY:

8:00 p.m. “Supernanny”
9:00 p.m. “Ugly Betty”
10:00 p.m. “20/20”

SATURDAY:

8:00 p.m. “Saturday Night College Football”  

SUNDAY:
7:00 p.m. “America’s Funniest Home Videos”
8:00 p.m. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
9:00 p.m. “Desperate Housewives”
10:00 p.m. “Brothers & Sisters”  

“The Bachelor” will air Monday nights from 8:00-10:00 p.m. following the run of “Dancing with the Stars,” and “Scrubs” and “Better Off Ted” will air at 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., respectively, following the run of “Dancing with the Stars The Results Show.”  

NEW FALL AND MIDSEASON SERIES
 
DRAMA
 
“THE DEEP END” Each year one of LA’s most prestigious law firms recruits four young lawyers from the finest law schools worldwide. The only way for these first-years to survive is to support each other…even as they compete against one another in the cutthroat arena of high-end law. Sex, greed, romance, betrayal – it’s all part of being a first year associate at Sterling Law.   “The Deep End” stars Matt Long as Dylan Hewitt, Ben Lawson as Liam Priory, Tina Majorino as Addy Fisher, Norbert Leo Butz as Rowdy Kaiser, Leah Pipes as Beth Bancroft, Billy Zane as Cliff Huddle, Sherri Saum as Susan Oppenheim and Clancy Brown as Hart Sterling.  
The series is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television. David Hemingson is executive producer/writer. The pilot was directed by Michael Fresco.
 
“EASTWICK” Three very different women find themselves drawn together by a mysterious man who unleashes unique powers in each of them, and this small New England town will never be the same. The series is based on the popular movie “The Witches of Eastwick” and on the novel of the same title by John Updike.  
“Eastwick” stars Rebecca Romijn as Roxie Torcoletti, Lindsay Price as Joanna Frankel, Paul Gross as Darryl Van Horne, Sara Rue as Penny, Veronica Cartwright as Bun, Johann Urb as Will, Jon Bernthal as Raymond and Ashley Benson as Mia.  

FLASH FORWARD” When a mysterious event causes the entire world to black out, humanity is given a glimpse into its near future, and every man, woman and child is forced to come to grips with whether their destinies can be avoided or fulfilled. Adapting award-winning author Robert J. Sawyer’s revolutionary novel, executive producers David S. Goyer (visionary co-writer of “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight”) and Brannon Braga (“24,” “Star Trek: Enterprise”) invite you to embark on a journey to answer the question, “if you knew what your future held, what would you do?” “Flash Forward” stars Joseph Fiennes as Mark Benford, John Cho as Demetri Noh, Jack Davenport as Lloyd Simcoe, Sonya Walger as Olivia Benford, Courtney B. Vance as Stan Wedeck, Brian O’Byrne as Aaron Stark, Christine Woods as Janis Hawk, Zachary Knighton as Bryce Varley and Peyton List as Nicole. The series is from ABC Studios. David S. Goyer is executive producer/writer/director. Brannon Braga is executive producer and co-wrote the pilot. Other executive producers are Marc Guggenheim, Jessika Goyer, Vince Gerardis and Ralph Vicinanza. Guggenheim will be the showrunner, along with Goyer.

“THE FORGOTTEN” From executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer comes a crime show in which a team of dedicated amateurs work on cases involving unidentified victims. After the police have given up, this group must first solve the puzzle of the victim’s identity in order to then help catch the killer. They work to give the deceased back their names, lest they become — The Forgotten. “The Forgotten” stars Rupert Penry-Jones as Alex, Reiko Aylesworth as Linda, Michelle Borth as Candace, Bob Stephenson as Walter, Anthony Carrigan as Tyler and Rochelle Aytes as Detective Grace Russell. The series is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Warner Bros. Television. Mark Friedman is executive producer/writer, Jerry Bruckheimer and Jonathan Littman are executive producers, KristieAnne Reed is co-executive producer and Danny Cannon is executive producer/director.
 
“HAPPY TOWN” Haplin, Minnesota, “Happy Town,” is approaching almost a decade of peace after being riddled for years by unsolved kidnappings. But in the wake of this small town’s first crime in seven years, some dark truths are being revealed about some familiar faces. They say every town has its secrets… that doesn’t even begin to describe Happy Town. “Happy Town” stars Geoff Stults as Tommy Conroy, Lauren German as Henley, Amy Acker as Rachel Conroy, Dean Winters as John Haplin, John Patrick Amedori as Andrew Haplin, Sarah Gadon as Georgia Bravin, Jay Paulson as Larry ‘Root Beer’ Rogers, Robert Wisdom as Roger Hobbes and Sam Neill as Merritt Grieves. The series is from ABC Studios. Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg are executive producers and co-writers. The pilot was directed by Gary Fleder, who is also an executive producer.
 
“V” “V” is a re-imagining of the 1980’s miniseries about the world’s first encounter with an alien race in which the aliens call themselves The Visitors, and have a seemingly friendly agenda that may or may not be a cover for something more malevolent. “V” stars Elizabeth Mitchell as Erica Evans, Morris Chestnut as Ryan Nichols, Joel Gretsch as Father Jack Landry, Lourdes Benedicto as Valerie Stevens, Logan Huffman as Tyler Evans, Laura Vandervoort as Lisa, with Morena Baccarin as Anna and Scott Wolf as Chad Decker. The series is produced by HDFilms in association with Warner Bros. Television. Scott Peters is executive producer/writer and Steve Pearlman and Jason Hall are executive producers. The pilot was directed and executive produced by Yves Simoneau.
 
COMEDY
 
“COUGAR TOWN” Courteney Cox stars as a recently divorced single mother exploring the honest truths about dating and aging in our beauty and youth obsessed culture. “Cougar Town” stars Courteney Cox as Jules, Christa Miller as Elle, Busy Philipps as Laurie, Dan Byrd as Travis, Brian Van Holt as Bobby, Josh Hopkins as Grayson and Ian Gomez as Andy. The series is from ABC Studios. Bill Lawrence is executive producer/writer/director, Kevin Biegel is writer/co-executive producer, and Courteney Cox and David Arquette are executive producers.
 
“HANK” Kelsey Grammer stars in this timely comedy as Hank Pryor, a titan of industry who suddenly finds himself out of work, almost out of money and around a wife and kids for whom he’s never made much time. Despite his recent setbacks, however, Hank is confident he’s on the road back to the top. He knows he is destined to return to greatness. And he is — just not the greatness he imagines. “Hank” stars Kelsey Grammer as Hank, Melinda McGraw as Tilly, David Koechner as Grady, Macey Cruthird as Maddie and Ryan Wynott as Henry. The series is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with McMonkey Inc., Grammnet Productions, Werner Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television. It is written by Tucker Cawley. Tom Werner, Tucker Cawley, Kelsey Grammer and Mike Clements serve as executive producers. The pilot was directed by James Burrows.
 
“THE MIDDLE” The Hecks are a middle class family living in the middle of Indiana, just trying to keep their heads above water. Emmy-winner Patricia Heaton stars as a wife and mother of three in a comedy about raising a family and lowering your expectations. “The Middle” stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Eden Sher as Sue, Atticus Shaffer as Brick and Charlie McDermott as Axel. The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television. Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline are executive producers/writers and Werner Walian is producer. The pilot was directed by Julie Anne Robinson.
 
“MODERN FAMILY” Today’s American families come in all shapes and sizes. Shot from the perspective of an unseen documentary filmmaker, this comedy takes a modern look at the complications that come with being a family in 2009. “Modern Family” stars Ed O’Neill as Jay, Sofía Vergara as Gloria, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell, Eric Stonestreet as Cameron, Ty Burrell as Phil, Julie Bowen as Claire, Sarah Hyland as Haley, Rico Rodriguez as Manny, Nolan Gould as Luke and Ariel Winter as Alex. The series is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television. Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd are executive producers. The pilot was directed by Jason Winer.
 
ALTERNATIVE SERIES

“SHARK TANK” From Mark Burnett, executive producer of “Survivor” and “The Apprentice,” and Sony Pictures Television comes “Shark Tank,” an exciting new reality show that gives budding entrepreneurs the chance to make their dreams come true and become successful – and possibly wealthy – business people. But the entrepreneurs must first try to convince five tough, multi-millionaire tycoons to part with their own hard-earned cash and give them the funding they need to jumpstart their ideas. In these trying economic times, it’s difficult for an individual possessing a dream or even a working small business poised for growth to get a loan for a risky venture. Whether it be an imaginative enhancement for an existing product, a family recipe that has all the ingredients to become a profitable culinary treat, or the latest technological gadget that could take the world by storm, most of these dreams die an early death because no one dared take a financial chance on someone with an unproven and oftentimes outrageous proposal. Many of these people now see “Shark Tank” as their last chance at success. Some have been laboring on their ideas for years or even decades, have invested large amounts of money, and are being pressured to throw in the towel by friends and family. Others have simply never had access to the means to live out their dreams, until now.   Enter the Sharks of “Shark Tank” – Barbara Corcoran (Manhattan real estate titan), Kevin Harrington (king of infomercials), Robert Herjavec (technology tycoon), Daymond John (fashion mogul) and Kevin O’Leary (venture capitalist) – five multi-millionaires who lifted themselves up by their bootstraps to make their own entrepreneurial dreams come true and turned their ideas into empires. Each week ambitious entrepreneurs from across the country will present their breakthrough business concepts, products, properties and services to the panel of ruthless investors. Their goal is to convince these merciless moguls to invest their own dollars in the concept. Convincing real-life millionaires to part with their own money is no easy task, because when the idea is poor, the Sharks will tear into the ill-prepared presenters and pass on the idea with a simple, “I’m out!” — sending them running for the exit. But these Sharks aren’t just out for blood, they too have a goal: to own a piece of the next big idea. Entrepreneurs will be asked to give up a percentage of their companies’ equity to the Sharks in order to get the investment they need. But when the Sharks hear a really top-notch idea, and more than one of them wants to sink their teeth into it, a war between them will erupt. Then the once-desperate entrepreneur can rejoice when the Sharks reveal their true interest in the product and bid up the price of the investment.  

RETURNING SERIES

DRAMA

“BROTHERS & SISTERS” “Brothers & Sisters” continues to follow the California-based Walker family through the complicated maze of American life today. The compelling one-hour drama series is about a collection of five enmeshed and somewhat damaged adult siblings, their spouses and their strong and passionately devoted mother, Nora Holden (Oscar and Emmy Award winner Sally Field). The Walkers’ lives have not been without challenge; romance, parenting, divorce, infidelity, addiction, war, birth and even death have pushed each of them to the limit, but they continue to work toward living their lives as individuals, while loving each other unconditionally and trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy after the loss of their larger-than-life family patriarch, William Walker. “Brothers & Sisters” stars Dave Annable as Justin Walker, Maxwell Perry Cotton as Cooper Whedon, Kerris Lilla Dorsey as Paige, Sally Field as Nora Holden, Calista Flockhart as Kitty Walker, Balthazar Getty as Thomas Walker, Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Whedon, Rob Lowe as Senator Robert McCallister, Sarah Jane Morris as Julia Walker, Matthew Rhys as Kevin Walker, Ron Rifkin as Saul Holden, Emily VanCamp as Rebecca Harper and Patricia Wettig as Holly Harper. The series produced by ABC Studios. Ken Olin (“Alias,” “thirtysomething”), Greg Berlanti (“Dirty Sexy Money,” “Everwood”), Monica Owusu-Breen (“Alias”), Alison Schapker (“Alias”), Sarah Caplan and Molly Newman are executive producers.  

“CASTLE” When viewers first met Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) — a famous mystery novelist and divorced father raising his teenage daughter (Molly Quinn as Alexis), while being kept grounded by his Broadway diva mother (Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers) — he was bored with his own success. He then found out that a real-world killer was staging murder scenes depicted in his novels. Castle was questioned by NYPD Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic), a bright and aggressive detective who kept her investigations under tight reins, especially the years-old unsolved murder of her own mother. Though they instantly clashed, sparks of another sort began to fly, leading both to danger and a hint of romance as Castle stepped in to help find the copycat killer. Once that initial case was solved, together Castle and Beckett built on their new relationship investigating more strange homicides in New York – as much fun as one could have with death and murder. In the season finale, Castle, against Beckett’s direct order to stay out of her mom’s case, unearthed information in that homicide which may end his relationship with her forever.  Also starring in the series are Ruben Santiago-Hudson as NYPD Captain Roy Montgomery, Tamala Jones as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, Jon Huertas as NYPD Detective Javier Esposito and Seamus Dever as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan. “Castle” is produced by ABC Studios. Andrew Marlowe serves as executive producer/writer, along with executive producers Rob Bowman, Armyan Bernstein and Laurie Zaks.  

“DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES” After jumping five years ahead into the lives of the women of Wisteria Lane, critically acclaimed series “Desperate Housewives” returns for its sixth season on ABC. Susan (Teri Hatcher) and Mike (James Denton) are brought together by their worst fears; Lynette’s (Felicity Huffman) unexpected pregnancy tests her family; as Bree’s (Marcia Cross) marriage dissolves, she finds herself in the arms of another man; Gabrielle (Eva Longoria Parker) is in for a surprise when she and Carlos (Ricardo Antonio Chavira) welcome their niece into their home; and Katherine (Dana Delany) struggles over the thought of losing Mike. “Desperate Housewives” stars Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Hodge, Eva Longoria Parker as Gabrielle Solis, Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis, Doug Savant as Tom Scavo, Kyle MacLachlan as Orson Hodge, Dana Delany as Katherine Mayfair, Shawn Pyfrom as Andrew Van De Kamp, Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young, James Denton as Mike Delfino, Charlie Carver as Porter Scavo, Max Carver as Preston Scavo, Joshua Moore as Parker Scavo, and Kendall Applegate as Penny Scavo. Marc Cherry serves as executive producer and creator. Sabrina Wind, George Perkins, Larry Shaw and David Grossman are executive producers. “Desperate Housewives” is produced by ABC Studios and is the winner of both the 2005 and 2006 Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy.  

“GREY’S ANATOMY” “Grey’s Anatomy” is the recipient of the 2007 Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama, and multiple Emmy nominations including two for Outstanding Drama Series. The doctors of Seattle Grace Hospital deal with life-or-death consequences on a daily basis – it’s in one another that they find comfort, friendship and, at times, more than friendship. Together they’re discovering that neither medicine nor relationships can be defined in black and white. Real life only comes in shades of grey. “Grey’s Anatomy” stars Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, Katherine Heigl as Isobel “Izzie” Stevens, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, T.R. Knight as George O’Malley, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres, Eric Dane as Mark Sloan, Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey and Kevin McKidd as Owen Hunt. “Grey’s Anatomy” was created and is executive produced by Shonda Rhimes (“Introducing Dorothy Dandridge”). Betsy Beers (“Casanova”), Mark Gordon (“Saving Private Ryan”), Krista Vernoff (“Law & Order”), Rob Corn (“Chicago Hope”), Mark Wilding (“Jake: 2.0”) and Allan Heinberg (“The O.C.) are executive producers. “Grey’s Anatomy” is an ABC Studios production.  

“LOST” After Oceanic Air flight 815 tore apart in mid-air and crashed on a Pacific island, its survivors were forced to find inner strength they never knew they had in order to survive. But they discovered that the island holds many secrets, including a mysterious smoke monster, polar bears, housing and hatches with electricity and hot & cold running water, a group of island residents known as “The Others,” and a mysterious man named Jacob. The survivors have also found signs of those who came to the island before them, including a 19th century sailing ship called The Black Rock, a downed Beechcraft plane from a failed drug run, the remains of an ancient statue, as well as bunkers belonging to the Dharma Initiative — a group of scientific researchers who inhabited the island in the recent past. They also encountered a freighter stationed off the island that some thought would lead to their rescue, but ultimately almost caused their extinction. The band of friends, family, enemies and strangers must continue to work together against all odds if they want to stay alive. But as they have discovered during their journey, nothing is what it seems, and danger and mystery loom behind every corner, with even those they thought could be trusted turning against them. Even heroes have secrets. “Lost” stars Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Henry Ian Cusick as Desmond, Michael Emerson as Ben, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Ken Leung as Miles, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet and Terry O’Quinn as Locke. A 2008 recipient of the prestigious Peabody Award, “Lost” was created by Jeffrey Lieber and J.J. Abrams & Damon Lindelof. Abrams, Lindelof, Bryan Burk, Jack Bender, Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz and Carlton Cuse serve as executive producers. “Lost,” which is filmed entirely on location in Hawaii and premiered on September 22, 2004, is from ABC Studios.  

“PRIVATE PRACTICE” From Shonda Rhimes, the Golden Globe-winning creator of “Grey’s Anatomy,” comes a story about finding a way to begin the rest of your life. Addison Forbes Montgomery is a renowned neonatal surgeon at the pinnacle of her profession. Having left behind Seattle Grace Hospital and a broken marriage, Addison has moved to Los Angeles for sunnier weather and happier possibilities. Now reunited with her friends from medical school, Naomi and Sam Bennett, Addison has joined their co-op practice at Oceanside Wellness Group in Santa Monica. The practice’s resident pediatrician is Dr. Cooper Freedman, Dr. Pete Wilder is the alternative medicine specialist, psychiatrist Dr. Violet Turner and office manager/nurse, William Dell Parker, round out the tightly knit group of professionals. The doctors of Oceanside work together to find solutions to their patients’ needs, but along the way they encounter medical cases that challenge their ethical and moral ideals and their abilities as doctors. For Addison, an old friend’s invitation has brought her to a new city and a new life full of promise – now it’s up to her to take chances in dating and find her place in this new medical environment. At Oceanside Wellness Group, the doctors are dedicated pros; it’s their private lives that need a little practice. “Private Practice” stars v as Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery, Tim Daly as Dr. Pete Wilder, Audra McDonald as Dr. Naomi Bennett, Paul Adelstein as Dr. Cooper Freedman, KaDee Strickland as Dr. Charlotte King, Chris Lowell as William Dell Parker, with Taye Diggs as Dr. Sam Bennett and Amy Brenneman as Dr. Violet Turner. “Private Practice” was created and is executive-produced by Shonda Rhimes. Betsy Beers, Mark Gordon, Mark Tinker, Jon Cowan and Robert Rovner are executive producers. The series is produced by ABC Studios.  

“UGLY BETTY” In the superficial world of high fashion, image is everything. Styles come and go, and the only constants are the super thin beauties who wear them. How can an ordinary girl from Queens possibly fit in? Sweet, intelligent, hard-working and – undoubtedly – fashion-challenged, Betty Suarez dreams of a successful career in magazine publishing. After taking a job at Mode Magazine, the bible of the fashion industry, Betty’s indomitable spirit and bright ideas win over the respect of her Mode cohorts despite continuous predictions of failure. She thrives in the ultra-competitive environment in spite of her lack of fashion sense. Betty forms an unlikely team with her boss, Daniel Meade, the co-editor in chief of Mode Magazine, as they help one another navigate the choppy waters of NYC’s shark infested fashion scene. Now she must prove that she is not just a super assistant with no fashion sense, but an aspiring career woman and editor-to-be while balancing her tumultuous love life and her family responsibilities.  “Ugly Betty” stars America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade, Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater, Ana Ortiz as Hilda, Tony Plana as Ignacio, Becki Newton as Amanda, Mark Indelicato as Justin, Michael Urie as Marc and Judith Light as Claire Meade.  Based on “Yo Soy Betty La Fea,” the groundbreaking Colombian telenovela that became an international phenomenon, “Ugly Betty” is from ABC Studios. The series has been awarded the Golden Globe, Peabody, NAACP, ALMA, GLAAD and Imagen awards and earned 3 Emmy awards and 17 nominations. Executive producers are Silvio Horta (“Urban Legend”), Academy Award-nominee and Emmy Award winner Salma Hayek, Jose Tamez, Richard Heus, Ben Silverman, Teri Weinberg, Tracy Poust and Jon Kinnally.  

COMEDY
 
“BETTER OFF TED” “Better Off Ted” is a satirical office comedy about successful good guy, Ted, who runs research and development at the morally questionable Veridian Dynamics. No achievement is too far-fetched and no invention too unorthodox for Veridian. Need cow-less meat grown in a test tube? Done. Need pumpkins that also double as weapons of mass destruction? No problem. Ted’s a single dad to a seven-year-old girl, and he loves his job, but he’s starting to take a closer look at the company’s extremely dubious practices. Do you manufacture the best teeth whitener ever if it could also kill off all of the planet’s fish? Probably not, but… Ted’s also fighting an attraction to co-worker Linda, who enjoys small acts of rebellion against Veridian (she’s secretly stealing and hoarding all the company’s creamer packets). But he holds back about his true feelings. He’s already had his self imposed “one office affair” with überboss Veronica. Incredibly beautiful (if seemingly devoid of conscience and also emotion-free), Veronica lets nothing get in her way when it comes to serving Veridian’s needs… even if it means doing something like cryogenically freezing an employee for testing purposes. And after all, the employee, research scientist Phil, survived (after he thawed out). So what if he screams like an eagle at the slightest provocation? He and his best friend, fellow research scientist Lem, are both geniuses and when they’re not bickering, they’re responsible for many of Veridian’s miracles of weird science.  “Better Off Ted” stars Jay Harrington as Ted, Portia de Rossi as Veronica, Andrea Anders as Linda, Jonathan Slavin as Phil, Malcolm Barrett as Lem and Isabella Acres as Rose. “Better Off Ted” is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television. Victor Fresco (“My Name Is Earl,” “Andy Richter Controls the Universe”) is executive producer and creator of the series.  

“SCRUBS” This irreverent and offbeat comedy received two consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2005 and 2006, and was named TV.com’s “Best of 2007” in Comedy. “Scrubs” focuses on the unique point of view of Dr. John Dorian, or “J.D.” (Zach Braff). After surviving his internship and residency, and year as an attending physician with his own class of unmanageable interns at Sacred Heart Hospital, J.D. is moving on to greener pastures. He continues to face many challenges in his personal and professional life trying to balance his roles as doctor, father to Sam, devoted live-in boyfriend and friend to his very quirky companions at Sacred Heart. In its debut year, “Scrubs” was nominated for two Emmy Awards and a People’s Choice Award. It has received a total of 16 Emmy nominations, and it won an Emmy for Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing in 2005 and another for Outstanding Sound Mixing in 2007. In 2004 the series was honored with a prestigious Humanitas Prize. Beginning that same year, it received three consecutive Producers Guild Award nominations, from 2004-2006. “Scrubs” is produced by ABC Studios. Bill Lawrence (“Spin City”) is the executive producer and creator.  

ALTERNATIVE

“AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS” “America’s Funniest Home Videos” will celebrate its 20th season when it returns in the fall. Hosted by Tom Bergeron, “America’s Funniest Home Videos” is the longest-running primetime show in ABC history and has been entertaining viewers for decades by showing what happens when adults, children and even inanimate objects are at their spontaneous best, “America’s Funniest Home Videos” has given away over $10 million in prize money and evaluated more than half a million videotapes from home viewers. Viewers wishing to submit home videos to “America’s Funniest Home Videos” should visit www.ABC.com for details. Vin Di Bona is executive producer, with Todd Thicke and Michele Nasraway serving as co-executive producers.

“THE BACHELOR” ABC’s “The Bachelor” is the original primetime romance reality series that offers one lucky man and 25 lucky women the unique opportunity to find true love. The new Bachelor will get to know 25 women via a series of social gatherings and exotic, romantic dates – some in groups, some individually. He will introduce some of the women to his family, and will visit their hometowns for a slice of their life in an effort to determine the woman with whom he is most compatible. “The Bachelor” is hosted by Chris Harrison and produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss and Martin Hilton are executive producers.  

“DANCING WITH THE STARS” Hosted by Tom Bergeron (“America’s Funniest Home Videos”) and Samantha Harris (“The Insider”), “Dancing with the Stars” challenges celebrities from the worlds of Hollywood, sports, and beyond, to perform choreographed ballroom routines ranging from the foxtrot to the cha cha cha. Celebrities are paired with some of the top professional ballroom dancers in the world and their live televised performances are judged by renowned ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba. “Dancing with the Stars” is the U.S. version of the international smash hit series, “Strictly Come Dancing.” This version is produced by BBC Worldwide Americas. Conrad Green serves as executive producer and Rob Wade and Matilda Zoltowski are co-executive producers. Alex Rudzinski directs.  

“EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION” Put together one very run-down house, a deserving family, several opinionated designers, seven days and what do you get? The answer is “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” The show has won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Reality Program, plus the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Reality Show/Makeover and the Family Television Award for Best Alternative/Reality Program. Each episode is self-contained and features a race against time on a project that would ordinarily take at least four months to achieve, involving a team of designers, contractors and several hundred workers who have just seven days to totally rebuild an entire house – every single room, plus the exterior and landscaping. The lives of the lucky families are forever changed when they learn that they’ve been selected to have their home walls moved, their floors replaced and even their facades radically changed. The result should be a decorator’s delight… if it can be done in time. The design team includes team leader Ty Pennington, with designers Paul DiMeo, Paige Hemmis, Michael Moloney, Ed Sanders, Tracy Hutson, Eduardo Xol, John Littlefield, Rib Hillis and Didiayer Snyder. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America. The executive producer is Anthony Dominici (“America’s Next Top Model,” “The Amazing Race”).  

“SUPERNANNY” “Supernanny” is in its fifth season with Jo Frost criss-crossing America, taking on some of its toughest parenting challenges. She can tame the wildest toddler, soothe the savage six-year-old and get the most difficult child to overcome problems with behavior, sleep, mealtime, potty training and other challenges that have vexed parents around the world for centuries. The series debuted in America in early 2005 and captivated the country with Jo’s practical, no-nonsense style, honed over 20 years of nannying. “Supernanny” is now an international phenomenon; it airs in 172 territories, almost all of them with Frost as Supernanny. The series has been nominated for a People’s Choice Award. Nick Powell is the creator and executive producer of both the American and British versions of the show. Nick Emmerson and Stephanie Schwam are executive producers of the American version. “Supernanny” is produced by Shed Media US.  

“TRUE BEAUTY” What makes a person truly beautiful? From executive producers Tyra Banks (“The Tyra Banks Show,” “America’s Next Top Model”) and Ashton Kutcher (executive producer of “Punk’d” and “Beauty and the Geek”), beauty is redefined in the popular ABC series “True Beauty.” Gorgeous female and handsome male contestants assume they’re being judged solely on their outer appearance, but they’re only half right; outer beauty is just one component the judges are looking for. Contestants, unbeknownst to them, are also being evaluated for their INNER beauty as they’re tested in challenging situations that require them to make moral decisions. Each episode will showcase an outer beauty and an inner beauty challenge, during which contestants will be judged on everything from how well they perform in photo shoots to how well they respect their elders. The three judges will observe and critique the contestants’ behavior and eliminate one person each week. Only after someone is eliminated will the truth about the show be revealed to him/her, as they watch a video montage of their behavior captured by a hidden camera during the shoot. At the end of eight episodes, one winner will be declared, a person who is truly beautiful inside and out. That person will receive a cash prize and a spot in PEOPLE magazine’s 100 Most Beautiful People issue. Executive producers of “True Beauty” are Denise Cramsey (“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”), Tyra Banks and Laura Armstrong for Bankable Productions, and Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg, Karey Burke and Rod Aissa for Katalyst Productions. The series is a production of Warner Horizon Television.  

“WIFE SWAP” Each week two very contradictory families from across the country participate in a two-week-long challenge: The wives exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover daily life in another woman’s shoes. This astonishing experiment repeatedly changes lives and redefines families. In the first week of the swap, the wives move in and adopt their new family’s lifestyle, no matter how different it may be. They agree to follow a manual written by the departing wife that sets out the rules of their new household – how they parent, shop, do the house work, manage their budgets and their social life. In the second week, everything changes. The new wives take charge. They introduce their own set of rules and get to run the new household their way. It’s a radical shock to both families. The results are explosive, enlightening, emotional and often comical. At the end of the show, the two couples meet for the first time. In a highly-charged exchange of views, both couples make a frank assessment of each other and talk about what they’ve learned from the experience. “Wife Swap” is an RDF USA production. The show was created by Stephen Lambert and is executive-produced by Mike Gamson, and Michael Davies of Embassy Row (“Who Wants to be a Millionaire”). Neil Regan, Julie Cooper and Will Nothacker are co-executive producers.  

“20/20” ABC News’ acclaimed series “20/20” has distinguished itself as one of the most esteemed news programs in broadcast journalism. Amid the heated, competitive environment of primetime entertainment, “20/20” has demonstrated its ability to consistently attract a significant segment of the viewing audience by offering viewers more choices and more chances to learn about the world around them. For over three decades, “20/20” has continued to combine hard-hitting investigative reports, newsmaker interviews and compelling human interest and feature stories that have changes lives. The program is co-anchored by the broadcast team of Elizabeth Vargas and John Stossel, both award-winning journalists.

Editor – www.tvview.tv

Worum geht’s?

Nach dem Abgang von Rube Sofer bekommt die Reaper-Clique um George und Mason einen neuen Boss: Cameron Kane. Nicht nur, dass sie sich fragen, warum Rube nun verschwunden ist, bald bemerken sie auch, dass Cameron nur ein routinierter und aalglatter Geschäftsmann ist, der sich in keinster Weise für die Neutoten und das Reaper-Geschäft interessiert. Währenddessen verliebt sich Reggie in den Footballspieler und Star der High School Hudson, der schon bald im Krankenhaus landet und mit dem Tod ringen muss. Die Wege von George und Reggie kreuzen sich bald; und nachdem Reggie George’s Geheimnis erfährt, versuchen beide sich an einem Neustart ihrer Geschwisterbeziehung – jedoch mit einem geteilten Schicksal: George wurde dazu beauftragt, Hudson’s Seele zu nehmen, bevor dieser stirbt…

Wer spielt mit?

Ellen Muth (George Lass)
Callum Blue (Mason)
Sarah Wynter (Daisy Adair)
Jasmine Guy (Roxy)
Christine Willes (Delores Herbig)
Cynthia Stevenson (Joy Lass)
Britt McKillip (Reggie Lass)
Henry Ian Cusick (Cameron)
Jordan Hudyma (Hudson Hart)
Crystal Dahl (Crystal)

Regie: Stephen Herek
Drehbuch: Stephen Godchaux und John Masius

Gesamteindruck

Es war einmal ein kreativer Bryan Fuller, ein erfahrener Serienschöpfer. Er schenkte uns 13 Folgen Wonderfalls (FOX cancelte die Serie bevor ihrer Beendigung), er schenkte uns zwei Staffeln und 22 Folgen Pushing Daisies (ABC cancelte die Serie auf Grund niedriger Ratings und hohen Produktionskosten), und er gab und zwei Staffeln und 29 Episoden Dead Like Me, bevor Showtime nach dem zweiten Jahr beschloss, die Serie trotz positiver Resonanz bei Zuschauern und Kritikern nicht zu verlängern (dass er auch bei Heroes als Autor beschäftigt ist, wird hier nur am Rande erwähnt). Doch irgendwie entwickelte die Serie sich zum Kult und die Fans wollten mehr. Diese Direct to DVD-Produktion ist das Geburtstagsgeschenk aller Dead Like Me-Fans und könnte ein paar Weichen für die Zukunft freimachen: eventuell weitere Filme, vielleicht eine neue Serie. Nach der Sichtung des Films sage ich: Belasst es bei diesem Film und gut is.
Der Film hat das Problem, genauso seine Geschichten zu erzählen, wie in der Serie: zwei getrennte Storylines (George und ihre Arbeit, Joy und Reggie und ihre Geschichten), die hier sogar irgendwann zusammen führen. Doch dabei hat man schnell zwei Probleme. In Film-Form funktioniert das nicht, und die Zusammenführung von George und Reggie funktioniert absolut nicht und kämpft gegen Charakterentwicklung.
Die Charaktere wären dann das nächste Problem: Sie sind entweder total out of character oder völlig blödsinnig gezeichnet. Cameron als neuer Chef der Reaper-Gruppe ist von vorne bis hinten langweilig, hat kein Profil und hat kein Potential. Selbst seine Motive sind total lächerlich (wenn man mal wissen würde, was sein wirkliches Motiv ist). Mason kommt als noch bescheuerter Idiot rüber als in der Serie; selbst seine “Nicht-Beziehung” mit Daisy kommt keinen Schritt vorwärts und wird, wenn überhaupt, nur angedeutet. Daisy kommt insofern überhaupt nicht rüber, da sie nicht von Laura Harris verkörpert wird. Sarah Wynter wirkt zu brav für diese Rolle und kann man deshalb getrost als Miscast bezeichnen. Roxy wirkt dagegen ziemlich in den Hintergrund gerückt, während George alles an Aufmerksamkeit gegeben wird. Immerhin hat sich an ihrem Charakter nicht viel geändert – sie ist nur reifer geworden. Was Reggie und Joy angeht: Während den letzten Jahren hat sich beim Mutter/Tochter-Gespann wohl nichts verändert, was irgendwie schade ist.
Als eigenständiger Film funktioniert Life After Death auch nicht unbedingt. Zwar wird für neue Zuschauer die Handlung am Anfang wunderbar in Form eines Comics erklärt, allerdings wirkt der Rest des Films so, als müsste man die Serie kennen. Für einige Neueinsteiger könnte es zu einem Beinbruch werden. Zudem ist der Film zu kurz. Weniger als 90 Minuten sind mindestens 20 Minuten zu wenig; zumindest in der George/Reggie-Storyline hätte ich gern mehr gesehen. Nicht nur habe ich das große Plot Hole (George kann mit ihrer Familie nicht in Kontakt treten, dafür sorgt ihr Gedächtnis, welches sich nicht erinnern kann, sobald sie vor ihrer Familie steht – in der Serie wunderbar erklärt und auch dargestellt; im Film völlig vergessen und in die Ecke geschmissen) absichtlich vergessen, auch war dies die interessanteste Story von allem.

Der Film ist nicht schlecht, wird allerdings auch seinen zwei Vorgängerstaffeln in keinster Weise gerecht. Es wirkt wie eine aufgepluste 90-Minuten-Episode, die uns irgend eine Handlung serviert, die in Minute fünf anfängt und in Minute 80 aufgelöst wird, mit einem Strang von weiteren kleinen Handlungen, die von einem der letzten Episoden aufgegriffen wurden, hier fortgeführt werden und auf Erklärung in der nächsten Folge warten. Für eine normale Serienepisode wäre es sicherlich gut, aber für einen Film, der eigenständig sein soll, ist das absolut nicht hilfreich.
Als “Vielleicht-Finale” zur Serie könnte man den Film durchaus sehen, als Wiedergutmachung an die Fans für die abrupte Absetzung – vielleicht hätten die Produzenten sich darauf konzentrieren sollen, einen eigenständigen Film zu produzieren, der nicht so stark von der Serie abhängig ist, dann wäre er besser. So bleibt es nur eine weitere Episode in einer Kultserie, die eigentlich abesetzt worden ist.

Forget any Hell or other conspiracy theories when it’s obvious that the below (L’s personal Oceanic Six) are located on some atoll of fineness:

Jack

Michael from “Melrose Place” had me never wanting to date a doctor. Jack from “Lost” had me figuring that it might not be so bad. (I’m always intrigued by a dude with a hot arm tattoo.) It helps that he’s represented by the aptly named Matthew Fox. Jack is a guy who knows how to get a job done, he can do all sorts of practical things while still looking fine, and he’s got a respectable career! Total package up in here.

Sawyer

Sawyer is the reason why gratuitous male shirtless scenes were invented. His scruff and golden lion’s mane are to pine for. I enjoy him starting out the show as a raging douche, but now he’s…okay, he still has occasionally douchey moments but he’s so damned endearing that it’s forgivable. Give me a snarky nickname, Sawyer! Talk dirty to me in your redneck, Southern twang!

Charlie

Charlie had his irritating moments, like shooting Ethan, but his comic relief and genuine unwavering interest in Claire and the baby was rather quite charming, considering he was an ex-rock star/heroin user. And everyone knows that sarcastic, funny boys with accents are cute, even if they are hobbits.

Boone

He was too useless to continue living on the island. But man, was he pretty.

Desmond

I enjoy Desmond’s long-haired, slightly drunken, Dustin Hoffman-bedraggled look. His pining for Penny is hot. It’s arousing when a dude can call other dudes “brotha” and have it not be weird, but Desmond totally gets away with it, so I gotta give him props.

Sayid

It is so difficult to not giggle with aroused glee when Sayid is on screen. He keeps it so real, you guys. He can tell when someone’s bullshitting him in two seconds flat, he doesn’t get into whiny interpersonal nonsense on the island, and he knows how to do everything, from fussing with gadgets to extracting confessions by means of gruesome torture. He was born to roam the jungle in his sleeveless shirts with a gun on his back. And how can one not be totally hot for a dude who can break a dude’s neck with only his feet? HAWT.

Los Seis de Oceanic se enfrentan al increíble desafío de regresar a la isla para rescatar a aquellos que quedaron atrás. Mientras estos, superando sus miedos y recelos, y dando la espalda a sus nuevas vidas, intentan encontrar un modo para volver, la gente de la isla comenzará a experimentar una serie de sorprendentes sucesos que les pondrá cara a cara con los más profundos misterios ocultos en ese lugar.

Lost (Perdidos para los amigos hispano hablantes) es otra de esas series que, o enamora desde el principio, o causa una gran indiferencia. Si hay alguna serie que juegue y manipule al espectador es sin duda esta, por lo que es lógico que exista gente que no haya decidido aceptar este juego, casi cruel, y haya ignorado el show desde sus primeros episodios. El resto, que disfrutamos con estas comeduras de coco y tomaduras de pelo (masoquistas que somos) seguimos mordiéndonos las uñas frente a la pantalla esperando ansiosos una dosis semanal más de Lost.

Sin entrar en juicios, lo que sí hay que concederle a Lost, sea uno seguidor o no de la serie, son dos cosas. Que esta es la GRAN serie de la televisión. La que nos trajo un nuevo concepto televisivo que consistía, sencillamente, en que un show de la pequeña pantalla podía convertirse, como en los viejos tiempos, en un fenómeno mundial. Y que Lost puede que sea un juego de manipulación, ilusión y engaño, pero al que sus creadores saben jugar de maravilla. Perdidos se ha preocupado desde un principio de responder a una pregunta con otra, y cuando ha llegado el momento de resolver alguna incógnita, acompañarla de varios interrogantes más. Este misterio perpetuo, añadido al aura mitológica de la serie, en la que se intenta hacer notar que cada nuevo dato y factor es crucial, ha logrado mantener una tensión impropia en sus seguidores y crear un auténtico fenómeno analítico a escala global. Sólo hay que visitar los cientos de webs especializadas en la serie que pueblan la red, para comprobar que cada nuevo guiño es estudiado al detalle en busca de la gran respuesta. ¿De qué demonios va realmente esta serie?

Y ahí va otra pregunta tanto o más perturbadora. ¿Acaso importa? La explotación del neomito, de los trucos narrativos, de los personajes, del diseño de producción, de la mitología clásica, de las civilizaciones perdidas, de las luchas corporativas, de la ciencia y la pseudo-ciencia, de los complejos mesiánicos, de las teorías de la conspiración, de la aventura, el espíritu de supervivencia… de los viajes en el tiempo. El aprovechamiento de esta mezcla para crear una paranoia suprema, a escala global, planetaria, universal, han hecho de Lost lo que es. Un show cargado de giros, de cambio, de intriga y de continuo movimiento. En realidad no queremos conocer más respuestas, sino que se nos lancen nuevos interrogantes, nuevos misterios que resolver y que tanto logran imbuirnos en esta obra. Queremos ser parte del misterio, no de la respuesta, y es esa sensación lo que realmente importa. ¿Anticipa esta frase la desilusión que podemos llevarnos al final de la sexta temporada y por tanto, del cierre del show? Tal vez, pero como dicen los más castizos, que nos quiten lo “bailao”. Lost ha proporcionado años de entretenimiento sin parangón del que aún queda lo mejor.

Esta quinta temporada, una de las mejores de la serie -aunque sólo sea por su acertado sentido del ritmo, endiablado en esta ocasión-, ha recuperado el tono de las primeras campañas añadiéndolas además el aliciente de ir mostrándonos cada uno de esos supuestamente momentos claves de la trama, tantas veces sugeridos antes, a través de los ojos de los protagonistas. En esta campaña, Lost se ha permitido el lujo de analizarse a sí misma, de convertirse en un auto-homenaje a su mitología, sin ningún rubor. Se ha recuperado ese espíritu aventurero, se han recuperado las mejores versiones de los personajes, se ha recuperado el misterio, la tensión y la acción y sobre todo, se ha recuperado esa insana costumbre de sugerir siempre y nunca clarificar del todo nada. Una respuesta = dos nuevos interrogantes, es la lógica matemática de una serie que sigue volviéndonos locos a pesar de sus manías.

Perdidos, ya cerca de su final y de su esperada conclusión, ha vuelto a ser más que nunca lo que siempre ha intentado ser. Una gran interrogación, formada por muchas otras más pequeñas más o menos importantes, de la que ya queda muy poco para conocer la respuesta final. La solución total a esa sensación perpetua de que esto sí es en realidad una trama meditada cuidadosamente de antemano y cuya conclusión sus creadores conocían desde el principio. ¿Será realmente así? ¿Estará a la altura de todos estos años de tortura psicológica constante?. Lo sabremos dentro de un año.

Title: Lost: Season Four
Year: 2008
Network: ABC
Creators: J.J. Abrams, Jeffrey Lieber, Damon Lindelof
Directors: Jack Bender, Stephen Williams, Eric Laneuville, Stephen Semel, Paul A. Edwards
Writers: Damon Lindelof, Carlton Cuse, Drew Goddard, Brian K. Vaughan, Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz, Elizabeth Sarnoff, Greggory Nations, Christina M. Kim, Kyle Pennington
Starring: Naveen Andrews, Henry Ian Cusick, Jeremy Davies, Emilie de Ravin, Michael Emerson, Matthew Fox, Jorge Garcia, Josh Holloway, Daniel Dae Kim, Yunjin Kim, Ken Leung, Evangeline Lilly, Rebecca Mader, Elizabeth Mitchell, Terry O’Quinn, Harold Perrineau
Music: Michael Giacchino
Distinctions: Emmy for outstanding sound mixing
Episodes: 14, at c. 43 minutes
Synopsis: Survivors vs. The Boat
How I saw it: a few episodes streaming online, February 2008; on video (rented from Netflix), over the past couple weeks
Subjective Rating: 7/10
Objective Rating: 9/10 (1 point off for pacing)

This was the first time the DVD of the previous season came out early enough for us to be caught up in time to watch the show as it aired. Unfortunately, we grew bored after about three episodes and stopped watching. Nothing really seemed to be happening, and the cliff-hangers were completely dumb. It didn’t help that two of the best characters were killed off in season three. I had thought I would give up on the show, but eventually curiosity and my obsessive-compulsive nature (I started the show, so I have to finish it!) got the best of me and we rented it. I’m glad we did. Those first episodes were just as bad or worse as I remembered, but it picks up eventually. A lot happens in the last few episodes, and the finale is pretty crazy.

Title: Lost: Season Three
Year: 2006-2007
Network: ABC
Creators: J.J. Abrams, Jeffrey Lieber, Damon Lindelof
Directors: Jack Bender, Paul A. Edwards, Stephen Williams, Tucker Gates, Paris Barclay, Eric Laneuville, Karen Gaviola, Fred Toye, Bobby Roth
Writers: J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, Jeff Pinkner, Drew Goddard, Carlton Cuse, Elizabeth Sarnoff, Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz, Alison Schapker, Monica Breen, Christina M. Kim, Jordan Rosenberg, Brian K. Vaughan
Starring: Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Naveen Andrews, Henry Ian Cusick, Emilie de Ravin, Michael Emerson, Matthew Fox, Jorge Garcia, Josh Holloway, Daniel Dae Kim, Yunjin Kim, Evangeline Lilly, Elizabeth Mitchell, Dominic Monaghan, Terry O’Quinn
Music: Michael Giacchino
Distinctions: Emmy for outstanding supporting actor (O’Quinn)
Episodes: 23, at c. 43 minutes
Synopsis: Survivors vs. Others
How I saw it: on video (rented from Netflix), December 2007
Subjective Rating: 9/10
Objective Rating: 10/10

A lot is answered and explained, leaving most of the remaining “mysteries” fairly concrete and specific. The heroes appear to be at least somewhat in control of things for once. I’ve yet to watch any of season five, but I’d guess this will have been the show’s peak.

“I confess that I do not believe in time.”

-Vladimir Nabokov

“A User’s Guide To Time Travel,” from the super powers issue of Wired.

There’s a lot of other great stories in that issue, like stuff on how to be invisible and antigravity.

Richard Alpert/Ram Dass talks about LSD.

Desmond, and to a certain extent, the show as well, are being sued for sexual harassment.

Warren Ellis says that the future will be one of the eat or be eaten variety. Mostly the “be eaten” variety, actually. Prepare for the Robochompocalypse.

“Wild nights are my glory,” the unearthly stranger told them. “I just got caught in a downdraft and blown off course. Let me sit down for a moment, and then I’ll be on my way. Speaking of ways, by the way, there is such a thing as a tesseract.”

-from A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle, one of my favorite books growing up and one of those few books that I try to read again once every year.

Blah.

Speaking of time travel, the new Star Trek comes out today and I’m excited.

“I Want to go ahead of Father Time with a scythe of my own.”

-H.G. Wells

Lost

“AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS”
“America’s Funniest Home Videos” will celebrate its 20th season when it returns to the ABC Television Network. Hosted by Tom Bergeron, “America’s Funniest Home Videos” is the longest-running primetime show in ABC history and has been entertaining viewers for decades by showing what happens when adults, children and even inanimate objects are at their spontaneous best. “America’s Funniest Home Videos” has given away over $10 million in prize money and evaluated more than half a million videotapes from home viewers. Viewers wishing to submit home videos to “America’s Funniest Home Videos” should visit www.ABC.com for details.

“THE BACHELOR”
ABC’s “The Bachelor” is the original primetime romance reality series that offers one lucky man and 25 lucky women the unique opportunity to find true love. The new Bachelor will get to know 25 women via a series of social gatherings and exotic, romantic dates – some in groups, some individually. He will introduce some of the women to his family, and will visit their hometowns for a slice of their life in an effort to determine the woman with whom he is most compatible.

“BROTHERS & SISTERS”
“Brothers & Sisters” continues to follow the California-based Walker family through the complicated maze of American life today. The compelling one-hour drama series is about a collection of five enmeshed and somewhat damaged adult siblings, their spouses and their strong but passionately devoted mother, Nora Holden (Oscar and Emmy Award winner Sally Field). The Walkers’ lives have not been without challenge; romance, parenting, divorce, infidelity, addiction, war, birth and even death have pushed each of them to the limit, but they continue to work toward living their lives as individuals, while loving each other unconditionally and trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy after the loss of their larger-than-life family patriarch, William Walker.

“Brothers & Sisters” stars Dave Annable as Justin Walker, Maxwell Perry Cotton as Cooper Whedon, Kerris Lilla Dorsey as Paige, Sally Field as Nora Holden, Calista Flockhart as Kitty Walker, Balthazar Getty as Thomas Walker, Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Whedon, Rob Lowe as Senator Robert McCallister, Sarah Jane Morris as Julia Walker, Matthew Rhys as Kevin Walker, Ron Rifkin as Saul Holden, Emily VanCamp as Rebecca Harper and Patricia Wettig as Holly Harper.

“DANCING WITH THE STARS”
Hosted by Tom Bergeron (“America’s Funniest Home Videos”) and Samantha Harris (“The Insider”), “Dancing with the Stars” challenges celebrities from the worlds of Hollywood, sports and beyond to perform choreographed ballroom routines ranging from the foxtrot to the cha cha cha. Celebrities are paired with some of the top professional ballroom dancers in the world, and their live televised performances are judged by renowned ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

“DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES”
Season five of “Desperate Housewives” resumes five years ahead into the lives of the women of Wisteria Lane. Susan Mayer (Teri Hatcher) is learning to move on without Mike; Lynette Scavo (Felicity Huffman) has been struggling to keep her family together; Bree Hodge (Marcia Cross) is a successful entrepreneur; Gabrielle Solis (Eva Longoria Parker) has her hands full as a mother of two; Katherine Mayfair (Dana Delany) has found a new love; and Edie Britt (Nicollette Sheridan) has a peculiar new husband.

“Desperate Housewives” stars Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Hodge, Eva Longoria Parker as Gabrielle Solis, Nicollette Sheridan as Edie Britt, Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis, Doug Savant as Tom Scavo, Kyle MacLachlan as Orson Hodge, Dana Delany as Katherine Mayfair, Neal McDonough as Dave, Shawn Pyfrom as Andrew Van De Kamp, Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young, James Denton as Mike Delfino, Charlie Carver as Porter Scavo, Max Carver as Preston Scavo, Joshua Moore as Parker Scavo, and Kendall Applegate as Penny Scavo. Marc Cherry is executive producer and creator.

“EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION”
Put together one very run-down house, a deserving family, several opinionated designers, seven days and what do you get? The answer is “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” The show has won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Reality Program, plus the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Reality

Show/Makeover and the Family Television Award for Best Alternative/Reality Program. Each episode is self-contained and features a race against time on a project that would ordinarily take at least four months to achieve, involving a team of designers, contractors and several hundred workers who have just seven days to totally rebuild an entire house – every single room, plus the exterior and landscaping. The lives of the lucky families are forever changed when they learn that they’ve been selected to have their home walls moved, their floors replaced and even their facades radically changed. The result should be a decorator’s delight… if it can be done in time.

The design team includes team leader Ty Pennington, with designers Paul DiMeo, Paige Hemmis, Michael Moloney, Ed Sanders, Tracy Hutson, Eduardo Xol, John Littlefield, Rib Hillis and Didiayer Snyder.

“GREY’S ANATOMY”
“Grey’s Anatomy” is the recipient of the 2007 Golden Globe Award for Best Drama Television Series and multiple Emmy nominations, including two for Outstanding Drama Series.

The doctors of Seattle Grace Hospital deal with life-or-death consequences on a daily basis – it’s in one another that they find comfort, friendship and, at times, more than friendship. Together they’re discovering that neither medicine nor relationships can be defined in black and white. Real life only comes in shades of grey.

“Grey’s Anatomy” stars Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, Katherine Heigl as Isobel “Izzie” Stevens, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, T.R. Knight as George O’Malley, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres, Eric Dane as Mark Sloan, Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey and Kevin McKidd as Owen Hunt.

“LOST”
After Oceanic Air flight 815 tore apart in mid-air and crashed on a Pacific island, its survivors were forced to find inner strength they never knew they had in order to survive. But they discovered that the island holds many secrets, including a mysterious smoke monster, polar bears, housing and hatches with electricity and hot & cold running water, a group of island residents known as “The Others,” and a mysterious man named Jacob. The survivors have also found signs of those who came to the island before them, including a 19th century sailing ship called The Black Rock, a downed Beechcraft plane from a failed drug run, the remains of an ancient statue, as well as bunkers belonging to the Dharma Initiative — a group of scientific researchers who inhabited the island in the recent past. They also encountered a freighter stationed off the island that some thought would lead to their rescue, but ultimately almost caused their extinction. The band of friends, family, enemies and strangers must continue to work together against all odds if they want to stay alive. But as they have discovered during their journey, nothing is what it seems, and danger and mystery loom behind every corner, with even those they thought could be trusted turning against them. Even heroes have secrets.

“Lost” stars Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Henry Ian Cusick as Desmond, Jeremy Davies as Daniel Faraday, Michael Emerson as Ben, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Ken Leung as Miles, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet and Terry O’Quinn as Locke.

“PRIVATE PRACTICE”
From Shonda Rhimes, the Golden Globe-winning creator of “Grey’s Anatomy,” comes a story about finding a way to begin the rest of your life. Addison Forbes Montgomery is a renowned neonatal surgeon at the pinnacle of her profession. Having left behind Seattle Grace Hospital and a broken marriage, Addison has moved to Los Angeles for sunnier weather and happier possibilities. Now reunited with her friends from medical school, Naomi and Sam Bennett, Addison has joined their co-op practice at Oceanside Wellness Group in Santa Monica. The practice’s resident pediatrician is Dr. Cooper Freedman, Dr. Pete Wilder is the alternative medicine specialist, psychiatrist Dr. Violet Turner and office manager/nurse, William Dell Parker, round out the tightly knit group of professionals. The doctors of Oceanside work together to find solutions to their patients’ needs, but along the way they encounter medical cases that challenge their ethical and moral ideals and their abilities as doctors. For Addison, an old friend’s invitation has brought her to a new city and a new life full of promise – now it’s up to her to take chances in dating and find her place in this new medical environment. At Oceanside Wellness Group, the doctors are dedicated pros; it’s their private lives that need a little practice.

“Private Practice” stars Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery, Tim Daly as Dr. Pete Wilder, Audra McDonald as Dr. Naomi Bennett, Paul Adelstein as Dr. Cooper Freedman, KaDee Strickland as Dr. Charlotte King, Chris Lowell as William Dell Parker, with Taye Diggs as Dr. Sam Bennett and Amy Brenneman as Dr. Violet Turner.

“SUPERNANNY”
“Supernanny” is in its fifth season with Jo Frost criss-crossing America, taking on some of its toughest parenting challenges. She can tame the wildest toddler, soothe the savage six-year-old and get the most difficult child to overcome problems with behavior, sleep, mealtime, potty training and other challenges that have vexed parents around the world for centuries. The series debuted in America in early 2005 and captivated the country with Jo’s practical, no-nonsense style, honed over 20 years of nannying. “Supernanny” is now an international phenomenon; it airs in 172 territories, almost all of them with Frost as Supernanny. The series has been nominated for a People’s Choice Award.

“UGLY BETTY”
In the superficial world of high fashion, image is everything. Styles come and go, and the only constants are the super thin beauties who wear them. How can an ordinary girl from Queens possibly fit in? Sweet, intelligent, hard-working and – undoubtedly — fashionably challenged, Betty Suarez dreams of a successful career in magazine publishing. After taking a job at Mode Magazine, the bible of the fashion industry, Betty’s indomitable spirit and bright ideas wins over the respect of her Mode cohorts despite continuous predictions of failure. She thrives in the ultra-competitive environment in spite of her lack of fashion sense. Betty forms an unlikely team with her boss, Daniel Meade, the co-editor in chief of Mode

Magazine, as they help one another navigate the choppy waters of NYC’s shark infested fashion scene. Now she must prove that she is not just a super assistant with no fashion sense, but an aspiring career woman and editor-to-be while balancing her tumultuous love life and her familial responsibilities.

“Ugly Betty” stars America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade, Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater, Ana Ortiz as Hilda, Tony Plana as Ignacio, Ashley Jensen as Christina, Becki Newton as Amanda, Mark Indelicato as Justin, Michael Urie as Marc and Judith Light as Claire Meade.

“WIFE SWAP”
Each week two very contradictory families from across the country participate in a two-week-long challenge: The wives exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover daily life in another woman’s shoes. This astonishing experiment repeatedly changes lives and redefines families.

In the first week of the swap, the wives move in and adopt their new family’s lifestyle no matter how different it may be. They agree to follow a manual written by the departing wife that sets out the rules of their new household – how they parent, shop, do the house work, manage their budgets and their social life. In the second week, everything changes. The new wives take charge. They introduce their own set of rules and get to run the new household their way. It’s a radical shock to both families. The results are explosive, enlightening, emotional and often comical.

At the end of the show, the two couples meet for the first time. In a highly-charged exchange of views, both couples make a frank assessment of each other and talk about what they’ve learned from the experience.

Editor – www.tvview.tv

Lost – Season 5, Episode 14: The Variable – 2009

Direção: Paul A. Edwards

Roteiro: Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz

Elenco: Jeremy Davies, Ken Leung, Jorge Garcia, Josh Holloway, Evangeline Lilly, Matthew Fox, Elizabeth Mitchell, Eric Lange, Doug Hutchison, François Chau, Henry Ian Cusick, Daniel Dae Kim, Nestor Carbonell, Alan Dale, Alice Evans

Como a surpresinha no final do decimo terceiro episódio era o retorno de Daniel Faraday, esse episódio foca no cientista e suas pirações que ninguém entende.

A chegada de Daniel na ilha tem um único objetivo, evitar que um acidente ocorra. O acidente em questão é a perfuração e liberação de uma energia, que será a responsável pela queda do voo da Oceanic. Pra falar a verdade essa parte do Daniel na época da Dharma e esse papo de perfuração já aconteceu em um outro episódio, mas lá nada ficava muito claro.

Enquanto trabalha para evitar que o acidente aconteça, temos flashbacks de Daniel em sua infância quando sua mãe Eloise Hawking começa a guiar a vida do menino em direção a seu destino, ser um homem da ciência.

O problema com o segurança de Sawyer acaba por promover uma reunião com todos o povo do futuro. Um grupo com Sawyer, Juliet, Miles, Hugo e Jin decide vazar da Dharma e voltar a viver na floresta, enquanto um grupo com Jack, Kate e Daniel vai atrás de Eloise, que nessa época é uma dos Outros. Acontece que na saída do grupo de Jack, Radzinsky acaba interceptando o grupo e uma troca de tiros rola na oficina, eles conseguem escapar e chegar até o acampamento dos Outros, mas com o alarme acionado o grupo de Sawyer acaba tendo a fuga atrapalhada e só piora com a descoberta de Radzinsky que Phil, o segurança, está trancado no armário.

Links

Is it possible that one of my favorite “Lost” characters, Desmond Hume, is a big old perv?

Can his man keep his hands - or lips - to himself?/ABC

Apparently so – or at least the man who plays him, the good-looking and seemingly charming Henry Ian Cusick. A woman who was formerly employed by ABC filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Cusick last week. And you won’t believe what she claims he did.

According to E! Online, Chelsea Stone asserts that the Scottish lad accosted her on the “Lost” set in October 2007. He “placed his hand on her buttocks” and caressed her back “while making moaning sounds.” But evidently he was just warming up! He then, E! reports, placed his face in her cleavage (why is she standing still for this??) and moved his head back and forth. Oh, and he also touched her breasts with his man-paws and kissed her full on the mouth for good measure.

Yup, sounds like a perv to me.

Stone’s suit also claims she reported the incident to her supervisor, who told her to avoid being near the actor. (Typical! What are the chances her supervisor was a man?) Stone says she was fired 12 days later, alleging it was retaliation for reporting the incident. The suit states that Stone worked for the network since 1997.

Stone didn’t just lose her job, though. E! reports that the lawsuit states “plaintiff suffered humiliation and severe mental and emotional distress, and suffered injury when by means of her stress plaintiff miscarried.”

Now that’s just horrible.

You can read the entire lawsuit here.

In the meantime, what does this mean for Cusick’s future on the show? Well, as you may recall, I previously indicated that I think his character will be the one to perish this season. (Not that I have insider information or anything.) And judging by “Lost’s” past history of killing off characters who have run-ins with the law (see Ana Lucia and Libby; though Jin’s gotten a pass – so far), I wouldn’t at all be surprised if Desmond bit the big one by season’s end. And he did get shot a couple weeks back…