New Images From Warehouse 13 Season 3

I am so excited to share new photos from the upcoming season of my current favorite Syfy show, Warehouse 13! We are still more than one month away from its premiere, but the photos are getting me pumped! While completely non-spoilery, the photos still provide a great anticipation factor...so here they are...







Season 3 of Warehouse 13 premieres Monday, July 11 at 9/8c only on Syfy.

America’s Got Talent Season Premiere Preview

The two-hour season premiere of America’s Got Talent airs tonight! Prince Poppycock was my favorite last season and I cannot wait to find out who comes out to become my favorite this season! Check out a preview of the premiere below!



This looks like quite an exciting season! I'll be watching! Will you?

America’s Got Talent premieres tonight at 8/7c on NBC.

Manafest Set To Release Live in Concert DVD/CD

Two-time JUNO nominated, Manafest is set to release his first live DVD/CD "Manafest Live in Concert" on June 7, 2011.

"Manafest Live in Concert" was recorded in full on the Superchick Reinvention Tour last fall. The project includes Manafest’s hit songs from his albums Glory, Citizens Activ, and the most recent and award-nominated project The Chase. The Chase is currently No. 1 Soundscan Canada - Canadian Christian Chart. Manafest fans can check out a preview of the DVD/CD by “Like”ing his Facebook Page.



Manafest Live In Concert Track listing:
1. Avalanche
2. 4-3-2-1
3. Top Of The World
4. No Plan B
5. Bounce
6. Impossible
7. Bring The Ruckus
8. Fear
9. Every time You Run
10. Renegade
11. Fire In The Kitchen
12. The Chase
13. *Full LIVE Concert DVD included
14. *Bonus videos for Avalanche, No Plan B & Impossible

“Avalanche,” gave Manafest his highest charting single at CHR peaking at No. 4 as well as No. 10 on Rock. The recent radio single “No Plan B” produced his second Top 15 CHR hit off of this album coming in at No. 13. The third single off of The Chase will release “Every time You Run” to radio on June 10th, so stay tuned for more new music from Manafest!

Maybe I’m Amazed Cover’s Competition

In celebration of the upcoming deluxe reissue release of McCartney & McCartney II on June 14th, MPL and Concord Music Group are giving fans a chance to win big with just a cover to their name!

It's really simple. Just film your cover of Paul’s track ‘Maybe I’m Amazed’, upload it to YouTube and follow the simple steps below to enter. Then get all of your friends to ‘like’ your video. The video with the most ‘likes’ wins!



Steps to win:
1. Record your own Cover version of Maybe I’m Amazed.
2. Visit Paul’s YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/paulmccartney
3. Log in and submit your response to the official Maybe I’m Amazed music video.
4. Get as many of your friends to like the video in order for it to win!
5. The winner will be the video with the most likes.

The competition began yesterday evening and will close for new entries on June 16th at 4pm. Votes will still count until the competition fully closes on July 23rd at 4pm.

Prize:
The winner will receive the deluxe reissue editions of McCartney, McCartney II and Band on the Run.

The lavishly packaged 3 disc (2 CD, 1 DVD) McCartney Deluxe Edition includes an exclusive bonus DVD featuring rare and previously unseen footage, an extraordinary 128-page hard bound book containing many exclusive and unpublished photos by Paul and Linda McCartney, original album artwork, downloadable hi-res audio versions of the remastered album and bonus audio tracks, an illustrated history of the making of the album, and expanded track by track information for the two audio discs as well as detailed historical information on the film content.

The 4 disc (3 CD, 1 DVD) Deluxe Edition of McCartney II not only includes an exclusive bonus DVD featuring rare and previously unseen footage (including performances of ‘Coming Up’ and the new video for the unreleased track ‘Blue Sway’) but includes an additional seven rare bonus audio tracks exclusive to this edition. Additionally, the McCartney II deluxe edition contains an extraordinary 128-page hard bound book featuring many previously unpublished photos by Linda McCartney, original album and single artwork, downloadable hi-res audio versions of the remastered album, an illustrated history of the making of the album, and expanded track by track information for all three audio discs plus detailed historical information on the film content.

The 4 disc (3CD, 1 DVD) deluxe edition includes an extraordinary 120-page hard bound book containing many unseen and unpublished photos by Linda McCartney and Clive Arrowsmith, album and single artwork, downloadable hi-res audio versions of the remastered album and bonus audio tracks, a full history of the album complete with a new interview with Paul and expanded track by track information for all four discs. The deluxe edition also includes a special Band on the Run audio documentary (originally produced for the 25th Anniversary edition.)

For more information on the deluxe edition releases of McCartney I and McCartney II, please visit PaulMcCartney.com.

Kodak Presents...Behind the Scenes Moment With Kings of Leon

Kodak has teamed up with Kings Of Leon to give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at their latest music video, “Back Down South.” This behind the scenes look is exclusively on Facebook from May 26 - May 31, 2011, so head on over to Facebook quickly!



“Back Down South” was shot an hour south of Nashville, TN with members of the Kings of Leon fan club as well as kids from the local community. Kodak armed the 80 fans in attendance with the latest KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Cameras and KODAK EASYSHARE TOUCH Cameras, who spent sun-up to sun-down with the band earlier this month – capturing exclusive behind-the-scenes HD videos and photos to share using the KODAK Share Button, with their friends and family via Facebook and other social networks. That's pretty darn cool experience! Plus, I'd love to get my hands on a Kodak Easyshare Touch Camera. Talk about useful during San Diego Comic Con this coming July.



Anyway, the music video for the new Kings of Leon single will be premiering on Vevo on May 31st, so make sure to head on over to Vevo at the end of this Memorial Day Weekend!

Becki Newton & Greg Grunberg on Love Bites

I remember walking down the street in downtown LA a number of times and seeing signs around that Love Bites was filming. Finally, the comedy is making its way to airing on NBC! I've missed Becki Newton since her Ugly Betty days and have missed Grunny since his Heroes days. So it will be so much fun watching the two on Love Bites as well as Constance Zimmer and the wonderful guest stars that will be in every single episode! Check out Newton and Grunberg in brief interviews below to find out more about this new show that you'll soon fall in love with!

Photos By: Chris Haston/NBC


"Love Bites" is an hour-long romantic comedy anthology series featuring three, loosely- connected, modern stories of love, sex, marriage and dating. Each of the multiple vignettes will involve an array of talented guest stars every week and will illuminate the theme of love with a fresh, irreverent spin.

Anchoring the series and appearing in each episode are stars Becki Newton ("Ugly Betty") as Annie Matopoulos, a single New York City girl looking for "Mr. Right Now," and Constance Zimmer ("Entourage") and Greg Grunberg ("Heroes") as Colleen and Judd Rouscher, a happily married Venice Beach couple.

Guest cast for the pilot episode includes Jennifer Love Hewitt ("Ghost Whisperer"), Craig Robinson (NBC’s "The Office"), Kyle Howard ("My Boys"), Steve Howey ("Bride Wars"), Lindsay Price ("Eastwick"), Larry Wilmore ("The Daily Show"), Guillermo Diaz ("Mercy"), Krysten Ritter ("Breaking Bad"), David Giuntoli ("Privileged"), and Charlyne Yi ("Knocked Up").





Love Bites premieres Thursday, June 2nd 10/9c on NBC.

DVD Review: Reagan

Release Date: May 24, 2011
Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 94 minutes

Americans know President Ronald Reagan’s politics, his policies, and his oratorical prowess. But as we approach what would have been his 100th birthday in February 2011, the totality of the legacy of America’s 40th president is still eclipsed by the myth. While some say he’s a hero, and others call him an empty suit, one thing is for certain – President Ronald Reagan made history. But what made him? Using rare archival footage and personal interviews with those who knew him best, REAGAN goes beyond the myth to reveal the epic story of an unforgettable man who, against all odds, rose to the pinnacle of power.

Reagan is not a fascinating or enlightening documentary in any way shape or form. There is nothing new shared in this documentary for people who know their history. If you are lacking such knowledge, this DVD is for you. Otherwise, there really are just a few topics discussed in this hour and a half doc which recap Reagan's announcement for a run for presidency as well as re-election, the assassination attempt against his life, the recession, Soviet Union, and a few other topics. The doc highlights the 1930s, late 1960s, late 1970s, the early 1980s, and 1994. Personal and professional photographs are shared as well as video footage from his acting days and a 1954 home video. A portion of the "Ronald Reagan: An American Life" audio book is heard... which is probably more interesting than this documentary.

Though footage from the presidential debate was actually very interesting to see, especially while hearing Reagan's circle talk about the debate and campaign in general. But while viewers do get to see Reagan signing very important bills at his desk in one moment and Reagan relaxing on the ranch in another moment, there really was not as much range or depth in this documentary as expected. Sure, the doc focuses a bit on his relationships and shows a bit of his family life, but there's quite a disconnect in this documentary in that viewers do not learn about all of the brilliant things that he did for this country. Some topics are mentioned and briefly shown, but the nitty gritty parts of Reagan's journey are not highlighted.

This documentary definitely falls short of really getting down to explaining what made him such a hero, how he accomplished what he did. They'll throw around "recession" and "depression" a bit, show him talking about the price of bread, and smiling in Moscow but it's not enough. Ronald Reagan was the oldest president when he was first inaugurated and this documentary does quite a disservice at highlighting what this man accomplished and how he did it. Maybe it's just me but it is not enough to know that people succeed and try to succeed but how they go about doing it. On top of that, there are no bonus features. Really, the only reason to own a copy of this DVD would be to have an incredibly general overview of Reagan's presidency. Otherwise, just wait for a re-run on the History Channel if you feel that you must see this.

Appearing in this Documentary:
Former Secretary of State, General Colin Powell and George Shultz
Former ABC News White House Correspondent, Sam Donaldson
Author, Bob Colacello (Ronnie & Nancy)
CNN Sr. Political Analyst, David Gergen
CBS News Anchor, Bob Schieffer
Secret Service Agent, Jerry Parr
Reagan Biographer, Lou Cannon
Advisor to President Reagan, Annelise Anderson
Author, Matthew Dallek (The Right Moment)
Nuclear Arms Negotiator, Ken Adelman
Cultural Advisor to President Reagan, Suzanne Massie
Son of Ronald Reagan, Ronald Prescott Reagan (Speech from memorial)

Own Reagan on DVD today.

Ice Road Truckers Premiere Chat With Alex

In celebration of the upcoming season premiere of Ice Road Truckers, Alex Debogorski will host a fan chat on History.com, which is sponsored by Ford Trucks.

Starting at 9pm/8c on premiere night, viewers can chat with fellow fans and beginning at 11pm/10c, after the 2 hour premiere, fans can chat live with Alex Debogoski. Fans can RSVP and/or get more details here. This is an opportunity that does not come often, so this is definitely an event that Ice Road Truckers fans do not want to miss!

Ice Road Truckers Season 5 premieres Sunday June 5 at 9pm/8c to HISTORY.

The Biggest Loser Highlights

What a season this has been and what a season we've got in store for us this fall! The Biggest Loser returns for an all new season in September! Stay tuned!

DVD Review - Lemonade Mouth: Extended Edition

Release Date: May 24, 2011
Rating: TV-G
Running Time: 107 minutes

This spirited, music-driven movie introduces an unlikely ensemble of five students -- Olivia, Wen, Stella, Mohini and Charlie – who, after meeting in detention, gradually realize their shared musical connection and belief that it's time for the students of Mesa High to stand up and be heard on things big and small (ranging from the school Principal's exclusive support of the athletic programs to the removal of the popular organic lemonade from the cafeteria). Ultimately, as they open up to each other and form friendships, they start a band -- Lemonade Mouth -- that soon resonates with students sidelined by the high school elite. However, not everyone in the school is ready to cheer them on, especially since the popular rock group Mudslide Crush is determined to maintain their headline status and win the coveted Rising Star music competition.

Based on the book Lemonade Mouth by Mark Peter Hughes and directed by award-winning Patricia Riggen (La Misma Luna aka Under the Same Moon), executive-produced by Debra Martin Chase (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Disney Channel's "The Cheetah Girls" movies), co-produced by Gaylyn Fraiche (Just Wright, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2) and choreographed by Chris Scott (TV’s "So You Think You Can Dance").

Lemonade Mouth is about a group of people who meet in detention and form a band that ends up saving the school's music program. It is not like previous Disney movie musicals. The characters are realistic, the conflicts are realistic, the story is well written, and the songs are meaningful. The only exaggerated characters are Tisha Campbell-Martin's, the egotistical rival band, and the two mean girls. Aside from that cheesiness, this Disney film can be viewed and enjoyed by all ages. This is not High School Musical or Camp Rock. This is something that young adults and adults can genuinely enjoy right off the bat. What's so great about this film is that it shows the good, the bad, and the ugly moments that a band encounters. While there are sparks forming between two band mates, another band mate finds herself caught in the middle when she finds out that their band's first gig is opening for her boyfriend's band. Then there are the individual struggles that each member faces at home. I found one of those stories to be quite moving as a father moved his girlfriend's belongings into their home without talking with his son about having proposed to his girlfriend. Everyone has their family drama and it is played out in the most moving of ways (and very well done, I might add).

These characters are fighting to be heard and/or stay strong in their own homes while fighting to do just the same in the band for not only themselves but their school. The band is a great boost of self-esteem for every member and that takes their determination to be heard even higher than they could have ever expected. There are really so many positive messages in this film from individualism and empowerment to friendship and self expression. The narration of one character in the beginning comes full circle at the end and the revelation of why there is narration is heartwarming to say the least. Everything comes together so well in the end. The cast did a wonderful job and the writers knocked it out of the park. Hayley Kiyoko is a firecracker! Bridgit Mendler and Naomi Scott are fantastic singers. The guys did a great job as well. Round of applause for everyone involved in this project. The music is fantastic, not the least bit cheesy or overdone. This is music I would not mind adding to my collection. So having said that, I would definitely recommend that you get your copy of Lemonade Mouth today. You should probably buy two copies just in case you wear the first one out. Go ahead and pick up your copy of the book with the same name by Mark Peter Hughes as well!



Bonus Features:

Extended Music Scene (5:31 minutes) - This scene shows a talk show segment with the band where relationships within the band is the main topic of discussion. The band also plays a song, "High Wire." The song is light and fun whereas the interview was awkward, almost cringe worthy. But definitely tune in for the musical performance!

Rock Along - Watch the film sing a long style with this feature. This feature was expected, given that the most recent Disney movie musicals have this feature on their DVDs. So make sure to take advantage of it and learn the words to your favorite Lemonade Mouth tunes!



Own Lemonade Mouth: Extended Edition on DVD today.

DVD Review: I Am Number Four

Release Date: May 24, 2011
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: Approx. 109 minutes

Three are dead. Who is Number Four? From director D.J. Caruso (Disturbia), producer Michael Bay (Transformers) and the writers of TV’s Smallville, comes this gripping, action-packed thriller. John Smith (Alex Pettyfer) is an extraordinary teen masking his true identity to elude a deadly enemy sent to destroy him. Living with his guardian (Timothy Olyphant) in the small town he now calls home, John encounters unexpected, life-changing events — his first love (Dianna Agron, TV’s Glee), powerful new abilities and a secret connection to the others who share his incredible destiny. Complete with deleted scenes and more, I Am Number Four is an explosive, suspense-filled ride that will take you to the edge of your seat and beyond.

I Am Number is just as dark as one would expect though not as action packed as the trailers may have made themselves appear to be. But the action that is delivered is incredible. There's quite a romance that sparks as well though that can definitely be explored more in future films if I Am Number Four continues on to explore the other four of the nine aliens. Really, the entire movie seemed like a set up to the major action for another film or two. As each alien embraces their destiny, more action finds them and vice versa. I have yet to read the best-selling young adult novel by Pittacus Lore that this film is based on...but if more films are made, I will definitely start...especially to make more sense of what I just saw. The film made sense but it seems as though there was so much detail that was left out.

It was great to see Teresa Palmer in a role where she gets to talk in her natural dialect. As you may remember, I first saw her in and reviewed the film, 2:37, and then enjoyed Palmer in The Grudge 2, Bedtime Stories, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, and Take Me Home Tonight. So, as a big fan of hers, it was very exciting to see her in such an action packed role. The guardian, Henri, played by Timothy Olyphant also caught my attention. Olyphant really knew how to carry the story along and deliver the story well. Callan McAuliffe also brings some comic relief to the film, which there isn't much of overall. Dianna Agron's character did not have much depth to it, so hopefully if another film is made, we can get more from her character.

Overall, the film's action sequences were a thrill to see. But the film simply lacked the suspense and depth that I had anticipated. While the actors did their very best with the material at hand, don't say I didn't tell you about the dead spots in this film. It's takes awhile to pick up in the beginning, there's action, then there's not for a long time, then there's action and then comes the end. That's basically the formula of the film. So if you can deal with that, go out and get your copy today!

DVD Bonus Features:

Becoming Number 6 (11:44 minutes) - This featurette is all about Number Six, played by Teresa Palmer. Palmer does a fabulous job taking viewers behind the scenes as she talks about her character, preparing for the role, as well as working with CGI and wires among other things on set. We see her in every element above which is nice, because it's not often we get to see so much of the actors in their rehearsal state and working out 6-7 weeks before shooting. Palmer takes direction very well and was very determined to not just get the job done but enjoy every moment. She seems like a dream actor to work with. What also makes this feature stand out from others is that not only do we get to see rehearsals on and off set but the pre-visualization of the hallway scene, sword fight scene, and shoulder kill scene. You'll want more Palmer and more behind the scenes footage...and you're also left wanting to know about the status of more films showcasing the other numbers. Needless to say, this is a great feature that you do not want to miss!

Appearing in this Feature:
Actors, Teresa Palmer, Dianna Agron, Alex Pettyfer
Director, D.J. Caruso

Bloopers (3:16 minutes) - The blooper reel shows the cast messing up their lines throughout shooting, having issues with props, and making funny faces. Alex's cell phone rang during one of the takes and the reaction on his face was priceless. Teresa Palmer and Dianna Agron are rarely seen in the blooper reel. The guys definitely had more "moments." While this is not the most entertaining blooper reel, it is still fun to watch.

Blu-ray Bonus Features:
Everything on the DVD plus…
* 6 Deleted Scenes with Introductions by Director D.J. Caruso
* “Strangers in Paradise” (Extended)
* “Sam’s Mom”
* “Worth Mentioning”
* “Power Prank”
* “Trying to Connect”
* “Extended Warsaw Basement”

Movie Download Bonus Features:
Everything on the DVD plus…
* 1 Deleted Scene: “Power Prank”

Own I Am Number Four on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD today.

Blu-Ray Giveaway: Ice Road Truckers Deadliest Roads Season One

Release Date: May 24, 2011
Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 7 hours, 30 minutes (3 discs)

Get ready to rumble…over some of the most lethal roads in the world with the new, adrenaline-pumping spin-off from ICE ROAD TRUCKERS, the #1 rated series on HISTORY with IRT: DEADLIEST ROADS!

From the crowded streets of Delhi, to treacherously steep, narrow and congested roads blasted into the mountainside, IRT: DEADLIEST ROADS: THE COMPLETE SEASON ONE, sends today’s toughest drivers to navigate the world’s most dangerous roads, barreling their way through India’s Himalayan highways, some of the most historic – and lethal – on the planet.

Featuring seasoned – and fan-favorite -- drivers Rick Yemm, Lisa Kelly and Alex Debogorski, this pulse-pounding series embarks on an exhilarating, exhausting and terrifying adventure, where the difference between life and death is just a few inches…or one very blind corner. Available on both DVD and Blu-ray, fear is driven to new heights as both releases feature nearly eight hours of in-the-cab insanity across 13 white-knuckle episodes, plus additional bonus footage!

Bonus Feature:
* Additional Footage

How to Enter the Giveaway:
If you are 18+ and in the United States of America, comment below with your email address or send an email to melodysimpson@hollywoodthewriteway.com detailing either your favorite ice road trucker or your favorite episode of Ice Road Truckers Deadliest Roads Season One. A giveaway recipient will be chosen at random on Thursday, May 26, 2011.

Own Ice Road Truckers Deadliest Roads Season One on Blu-ray and DVD today.

Cat Deeley Stands Up To Cancer

As someone who has cancer running in her family, it is very important to help spread the word about raising awareness and money for research and simply spreading hope. Having lost a loved one and almost losing another, it's very important to me to make sure that the least amount of people as possible have to go through such a loss. So for more details on how to Stand Up 2 Cancer, visit the official website here.

Also, be sure to catch Cat Deeley hosting the new season of So You Think You Can Dance, which airs its 2 hour premiere Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 8/7c on Fox.

Book Review: The First Husband by Laura Dave

Annie Adams thinks she has it all. Her longtime boyfriend, Nick, is on the verge of becoming a successful film director, her travel column is nationally syndicated, and they've got a great dog. Her life finally feels like it is falling into place. Until, out of nowhere, Nick announces that he's reconnected with a woman from his past and he's moving out.

Reeling from Nick's exit, Annie stumbles into her neighborhood bar and finds Griffin, a down to earth chef who seems to be everything she didn‚Äôt know she wanted. Three months later, they‚ are married. And Annie finds herself in a small Massachusetts town -- completely unmoored and wondering if she‚ has picked a life on the rebound. When Nick returns, wanting a second chance, Annie's stuck: truly torn between her husband and the man she may have been meant to marry.

A wry observer of modern love, Laura Dave "steers clear of easy answers to explore the romantic choices we make" (USA Today). The First Husband is her most delightful work to date, bursting with humor, and rife with surprising insight about love, marriage, family, and fresh starts -- in the places we least expect to find them.

The First Husband by Laura Dave is the perfect beach read, road trip read, summer read, or any day of the year read. I am thrilled to say that Laura Dave has become a regular author in my book collection. Her writing is fantastic! Dave is brilliant at making complex situations out of characters who desire simple things...the main one of those things is love. With love, comes accepting the fact that every character has their flaws and has their share of mistakes. With these, Dave really brings to light how our decisions affect not only ourselves but those around us as well. As I mentioned in my review for Dave's The Divorce Party, Dave really knows how to provoke the reader to think about their own actions when it comes to love, life, and the fight to keep a relationship together. Only, in this book, Annie is torn between two men. This might seem be the main conflict at hand but there is a lot in store for the reader to anticipate.

The way that Dave reveals certain plot points, the way that pieces to the puzzle are handed to the readers, it's done so well! Not only are there great parallels shared between Annie and Griffin, who were raised in two completely different environments, but it is incredibly intriguing to find how well Annie connects with Griffin's brother and not so well with Griffin's mother (who still loves Griffin's ex). Griffin's brother at times actually has more character than Griffin and his relationship with Annie is often more engaging than her conversations with Griffin. That is until the opening of Griffin's restaurant, when Nick comes into town to win Annie back. Annie and Griffin's relationship have quite a few hardships and realistic hardships at that. And the hardships that Annie faces with Nick lead her to Griffin, who encourages Annie to take a look at herself. As a traveling writer, Annie may have thought that she was living the life but all long she was running from it. She really couldn't make a decision about being with Griffin or Nick until she made the decision to face herself. What's more compelling than that?

Self reflection always makes for a moving story but the chances that Annie takes throughout this journey make for an even more engaging story. Dave does a wonderful job giving the readers a chance to get inside Annie's mind as they watch her makes certain choices whether it has to do with herself as individual or as a married woman. The latter was especially for someone such as myself, who has no intention of getting married... especially in the quick way that it happened for Annie. And Dave's humor is light and fun but also bold and thought provoking, so there is also something to be entertained by. This is more than just a love story. There's self-love, trust, and taking risks among other themes which are very well crafted in this novel. The First Husband is enjoyable for everyone from teens and beyond. There's a lot to appreciate here, so you don't want to be without a copy of The First Husband.

The First Husband by Laura Dave released in bookstores May 16, 2011.

How My Fall 2011 - 2012 Schedule is Shaping Up

Sunday
8-9 ONCE UPON A TIME (ABC)
9-9:30 Family Guy (Fox)
10-11 CSI: Miami (CBS)

Monday
8-9 TERRA NOVA (Fox)
8:30-9 2 BROKE GIRLS (CBS) - Pilot
9-10 House (Fox)
10-11 Castle

Tuesday
8-8:30 The Biggest Loser (NBC), LAST MAN STANDING (ABC) - Pilot
8-9 Glee (Fox)
8:30-9 MAN UP (ABC) - Pilot
9-9:30 NEW GIRL (Fox)
9:00-10:00 PM RINGER (The CW)
9:30-10 Raising Hope (Fox)
10-11 Parenthood (NBC), UNFORGETTABLE (CBS)

Wednesday
8-8:30 The Middle (ABC)
8-9:30 THE X FACTOR (Fox)
9-9:30 Modern Family (ABC)
9-10 Criminal Minds (CBS)
10-11 REVENGE (ABC), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC)

Thursday
8-8:30 The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
8-9 The Vampire Diaries (The CW), THE X FACTOR (Fox)
9-9:30 The Office (NBC)
9-10 Grey's Anatomy (ABC), THE SECRET CIRCLE (The CW), Bones (Fox)

Friday
8-9 Chuck (NBC), Nikita (The CW), A GIFTED MAN (CBS), Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC)
9-10 Fringe (Fox), GRIMM (NBC)

Midseason/Airing TBA:
Cougar Town (ABC), SCANDAL (ABC), APARTMENT 23 (ABC), The Voice (NBC), SMASH (NBC), ARE YOU THERE VODKA? IT’S ME CHELSEA (NBC), AWAKE (NBC), ALCATRAZ (Fox), THE FINDER (Fox), One Tree Hill (The CW)

Catch Up Over The Summer
The Good Wife (CBS), Community (NBC), Parks and Recreation (NBC), Supernatural (The CW)

Want To See A Syfy Inspired Playground?

I am very excited to help share the news that Syfy has teamed up with KaBoom!, the national non-profit dedicated to saving play for a very special cause!

This coming Thursday morning, Syfy will be providing a charter school in Washington DC with an innovative new Imagination Playground play equipment system! Forty kids from DC Prep will be part of the presentation, along with VIPs and special guests from Syfy, KaBOOM and DC Prep. Syfy really takes their slogan "Imagine Greater" to heart!

With focus on loose parts, Imagination Playground offers a changing array of elements that allows children to constantly reconfigure their environment and to design their own course of play. Giant foam blocks, mats, wagons, fabric and crates overflow with creative potential for children to play, dream, build and explore endless possibilities.

Syfy funded the playground donation with proceeds from a promotional auction held on syfy.com in conjunction with the June 1st Season 2 premiere of the Syfy reality series, Hollywood Treasure.

This is such a great cause and such a wonderful presentation to be taken place, so if you're in the DC area, make sure to head on over to DC Prep Thursday morning to witness the reveal of the new playground!

New Pirates Featurette!

Pondering over what to see this weekend? I'm not...



Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides hits theaters in 3D nationwide today!

Trailer for Fright Night

Since sharing the synopsis and a first look at the upcoming horror, Fright Night starring Colin Farrell, the trailer has released and it's below!
Check it out:



Fright Night stars Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, David Tennant, Imogen Poots and Toni Collette. Stellar cast. Brilliant story. I can't wait to see it!

Fright Night hits theaters August 19th, 2011.

Previews & Descriptions Of New Series Coming to The CW

Here's a look at all of the new shows coming to The CW this upcoming season!



HART OF DIXIE
Fast-talking New Yorker and brand new doctor Zoe Hart has it all figured out – after graduating top of her class from medical school, she’ll follow in her father’s footsteps and become a cardio-thoracic surgeon. But when her dreams fall apart, Zoe decides to accept an offer from a stranger, Dr. Harley Wilkes, to work with him at his small practice in Bluebell, Alabama. Zoe arrives in this small Gulf Coast town only to find that Harley has passed away and left his half of the medical practice to her in his will. She quickly finds that Southern hospitality isn’t always so hospitable – the other doctor in town, Brick Breeland, is less than pleased to be sharing the practice with this young outsider, and his daughter, Lemon, is a Southern belle whose sweet disposition turns sour when she meets Zoe. Zoe’s only allies are the mayor, former football star Lavon Hayes, her bad-boy neighbor Wade Kinsella, and handsome lawyer George Tucker – who just happens to be Lemon’s fiancé. Zoe is out of her element and ready to pack her bags, but a surprise visit by her snobby New York mother leads to Zoe’s decision to stay in Bluebell for a while, discovering small-town life and a side of herself she hadn’t known was there. The series stars Rachel Bilson as Dr. Zoe Hart, Jaime King as Lemon Breeland, Wilson Bethel as Wade Kinsella, Cress Williams as Lavon Hayes, McKaley Miller as Rose and Scott Porter as George Tucker. HART OF DIXIE is from Bonanza Productions Inc., in association with Fake Empire, Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios, with executive producers Leila Gerstein (“Gossip Girl,” “Eli Stone”), Josh Schwartz (“Gossip Girl,” “Chuck,” “The O.C.”), Stephanie Savage (“Gossip Girl,” “The O.C.”), Len Goldstein and Jason Ensler (“Gossip Girl,” “Chuck”). The pilot was directed by Jason Ensler.

Verdict: While I adore Rachel Bilson and Jaime King and am thrilled that Bilson is returning to the small screen with Josh Schwartz, I have zero interest in this series.



RINGER
Sarah Michelle Gellar stars as a woman who, after witnessing a murder, goes on the run, hiding out by assuming the life of her wealthy identical twin sister – only to learn that her sister’s seemingly idyllic life is just as complicated and dangerous as the one she’s trying to leave behind. Bridget is six months sober and starting to turn her life around when she is the sole witness to a professional hit. Despite the assurances of her FBI protector, Agent Victor Machado, Bridget knows her life is on the line. She flees to New York, telling no one, not even her Narcotics Anonymous sponsor, Malcolm. In New York, Bridget reunites with her estranged twin, Siobhan. Wealthy, pampered and married to the strikingly handsome Andrew Martin, Siobhan lives what appears to be a fairy tale life – a life where no one knows that Bridget exists. The sisters seem to be mending their frayed relationship, until Siobhan disappears mysteriously, and Bridget makes the split decision to take on her sister’s identity. She discovers shocking secrets, not only about her sister and her marriage, but also about Siobhan’s best friend, Gemma, and Gemma’s husband, Henry. And when someone tries to kill Bridget in her sister’s penthouse, she realizes she is no safer as Siobhan than she is as herself. The series stars Sarah Michelle Gellar as Bridget and Siobhan, Kristoffer Polaha as Henry, Ioan Gruffudd as Andrew Martin, Nestor Carbonell as Agent Victor Machado and Tara Summers as Gemma. RINGER is produced by CBS Television Studios and Warner Bros. Television in association with ABC Television Studios and Brillstein Entertainment with executive producers Pam Veasey (“CSI, NY,” “The District”), Peter Traugott (“Samantha Who?”) and Emmy Award-winner Richard Shepard (“Ugly Betty”). The pilot was directed by Richard Shepard.

Verdict: The premise of this series is so brilliant and placing Gellar in the lead just makes me even more excited! Like so many others, I've been waiting for Gellar's return to the small screen and this series is the perfect series for her return. I will definitely be watching.



THE SECRET CIRCLE
Cassie Blake was a happy, normal teenage girl – until her mother Amelia dies in what appears to be a tragic accidental fire. Orphaned and deeply saddened, Cassie moves in with her warm and loving grandmother Jane in the beautiful small town of Chance Harbor, Washington – the town her mother left so many years before – where the residents seem to know more about Cassie than she does about herself. As Cassie gets to know her high school classmates, including sweet-natured Diana and her handsome boyfriend Adam, brooding loner Nick, mean-girl Faye and her sidekick Melissa, strange and frightening things begin to happen. When her new friends explain that they are all descended from powerful witches, and they’ve been waiting for Cassie to join them and complete a new generation of the Secret Circle, Cassie refuses to believe them – until Adam shows her how to unlock her incredible magical powers. But it’s not until Cassie discovers a message from her mother in an old leather-bound book of spells hidden in her mother’s childhood bedroom, that she understands her true and dangerous destiny. What Cassie and the others don’t yet know is that darker powers are at play, powers that might be linked to the adults in the town, including Diana’s father and Faye’s mother – and that Cassie’s mother’s death might not have been an accident. The series stars Britt Robertson as Cassie Blake, Thomas Dekker as Adam Conant, Gale Harold as Charles Meade, Phoebe Tonkin as Fay Chamberlain, Jessica Parker Kennedy as Melissa, Shelley Hennig as Diana Meade, Louis Hunter as Nick, Ashley Crow as Jane Blake and Natasha Henstridge as Dawn Chamberlain. Based upon the book series by L.J. Smith (author of “The Vampire Diaries” book series), THE SECRET CIRCLE is from Outerbanks Entertainment and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios with executive producers Kevin Williamson (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Scream,” “Dawson’s Creek”), Andrew Miller (“Imaginary Bitches”), Leslie Morgenstein (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Gossip Girl”) and Gina Girolamo. Elizabeth Craft (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Lie to Me”) & Sarah Fain (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Lie to Me”) were executive producers on the pilot which was directed by Liz Friedlander (“The Vampire Diaries,” “90210″).

Verdict: Ever since Charmed went off the air, I've been searching for my new witch fix. This might be it. Even though Life Unexpected was so wrongly cut short, I am hoping that Britt Robertson can call this show home for quite some time. Also, I've missed Thomas Dekker since his Terminator days. I will be tuning in!

H8R
Celebrities go head-to-head with civilians who hate them to win their “haters” over. Hosted by Mario Lopez, H8R is from Horizon Alternative Television with executive producers Lisa Gregorisch-Dempsey (“Extra”), Jeremy Spiegel (“Extra”) and Mario Lopez.

Mid-Season Series:

RE-MODELED
Modeling industry veteran Paul Fisher is planning to bring together hundreds of small agencies around the world in a new venture called The Network. The Network will give Paul the leverage to change the industry from the inside out. He has two missions: to make sure agents in small towns no longer get screwed, and to empower models to take control of their careers and lead healthier lives. RE-MODELED is from Fly on the Wall Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television with executive producers Allison Grodner (“Big Brother,” “You’re Cut Off,” “She’s Got The Look,” “Plain Jane”), Rich Meehan (“Big Brother,” “You’re Cut Off,” “She’s Got The Look,” “Plain Jane”), Amy Palmer (“You’re Cut Off,” “Plain Jane”), Paul Fisher (“I Want To Be A Hilton”), Greg Seuss (“What’s Wrong with Virginia,” “Tug”) and Erik Stone (“Aisha Tyler Is Lit: Live at the Fillmore”).

THE FRAME
What happens when your whole life is reduced to one Frame? There’s only one rule: if you’re out of the Frame, you’re out of the game. Ten teams of two, chosen for their dynamic personalities and their existing deep-rooted relationships, are selected to compete in this wild social experiment. These teams will each live in one Frame – a stripped down version of their home living space – for up to 8 weeks, with the entire world watching their inter-personal soap operas play out atop a highly formatted game. Couples cannot physically see one another, but each “frame” is rigged with plasma screens & communication devices that allow for visual and verbal interaction. The teams will face outrageous challenges, punishments, head-to-head competitions, and eliminations, all while isolated from the outside world. With 24/7 web cams streaming content live, and a bi-weekly television show, audiences will vote for – and have control over – many elements of the show, from rewards to punishments to eliminations. The last couple standing will be America’s favorite pair, and walk away with a cash prize. THE FRAME is from Shed Media and Armoza International Media with executive producers Nick Emmerson (“Bethenny Ever After,” “Supernanny,” “Who Do You Think You Are,” “The Real Housewives of New York City”) and Jen O’Connell (“Bethenny Ever After,” “Supernanny,” “Who Do You Think You Are,” “The Real Housewives of New York City”).

The CW 2011 - 2012 Programming Schedule

Check out the schedule for this fall below. Stay tuned for my comments...

MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM GOSSIP GIRL (New Time)
9:00-10:00 PM HART OF DIXIE (New Series)

TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM 90210 (New Night)
9:00-10:00 PM RINGER (New Series)

WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM H8R (New Series)
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL

THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM THE VAMPIRE DIARIES
9:00-10:00 PM THE SECRET CIRCLE (New Series)

FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM NIKITA (New Night)
9:00-10:00 PM SUPERNATURAL

Mid-Season:
ONE TREE HILL, RE-MODELED, THE FRAME

First Look & Descriptions Of New Series Coming to CBS

Here's a look at all of the new shows coming to CBS this upcoming season. Stay tuned for previews!

Dramas:



UNFORGETTABLE stars Poppy Montgomery as Carrie Wells, an enigmatic former police detective with a rare condition that makes her memory so flawless that every place, every conversation, every moment of joy and every heartbreak is forever embedded in her mind. It's not just that she doesn't forget anything - she can't; except for one thing: the details that would help solve her sister's long-ago murder. Carrie has tried to put her past behind her, but she's unexpectedly reunited with her ex-boyfriend and partner, NYPD Detective Al Burns (Dylan Walsh), when she consults on a homicide case. His squad includes Det. Mike Costello (Michael Gaston), Al's right-hand man; Detective Roe Saunders (Kevin Rankin), the junior member of the team; and Detective Nina Inara (Daya Vaidya), a sassy, street-smart cop. Being back on the job after a break feels surprisingly right for Carrie. Despite her conflicted feelings for Al, she decides to permanently join his unit as a detective solving homicides - most notably, the unsolved murder of her sister. All she needs to do is remember. Ed Redlich, John Bellucci, Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly are executive producers for Sony Television Studios in association with CBS Television Studios.

Verdict: This looks brilliant. This is definitely a must see for me. I do plan on tuning in each and every week.



PERSON OF INTEREST stars Jim Caviezel, Emmy Award winner Michael Emerson and Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson in a crime thriller about a presumed dead former-CIA agent who teams up with a mysterious billionaire to prevent violent crimes by using their own brand of vigilante justice. Reese's (Caviezel) special training in covert operations appeals to Finch (Emerson), a software genius who invented a program that uses pattern recognition to identify people about to be involved in violent crimes. Using state-of-the-art surveillance technology, the two work outside of the law using Reese's adept skills and Finch's unlimited wealth to unravel the mystery of the person of interest and stop the crime before it happens. Reese's actions catch the attention of the NYPD, including homicide detective Carter (Henson), and Fusco (Kevin Chapman), a cop who Reese uses to his advantage. With infinite crimes to investigate, Reese and Finch find that the right person, with the right information, at the right time, can change everything. Emmy Award winners J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk ("Lost"), Academy Award nominee Jonathan Nolan ("Memento"), David Semel ("Heroes") and Greg Plageman ("Cold Case") are the executive producers for Warner Bros. Television.

Verdict: While I love JJ Abrams' work, I've reached my limit for crime dramas, so I will have to pass on this and catch the series on DVD when it is over if I am so inclined to do so.



A GIFTED MAN is a drama about a brilliant, charismatic surgeon whose life changes forever when his deceased ex-wife begins teaching him the meaning of life from the "hereafter." Michael Holt (Patrick Wilson) is an exceptional doctor who lives a materialistic life of luxury thanks to his work-obsessed career and powerful and wealthy patients; however, Michael's ordered world is rocked when his ex-wife, Anna (Jennifer Ehle), an idealistic free-clinic doctor and the love of his life, mysteriously appears to him. Michael's off-beat sister, Christina (Julie Benz), a single mom to her teenaged son, Milo (Liam Aiken), is thrilled that Anna's back in her brother's life, even as an "illusion," because Michael was always a better person with her. Curious about Michael's sudden change in behavior is his efficient assistant, Rita (Margo Martindale). When Anna asks Michael to go to her clinic to help keep it running, he meets Autumn (Afton Williamson), a volunteer carrying on Anna's work with the underprivileged. Touched by those in need and accepting of Anna's compassionate "presence," Michael's attitude toward serving the rich and poor is turned upside down, and he begins to see that there's room in his life for everyone. Academy Award nominee Susannah Grant ("Erin Brockovich"), Academy Award winner Jonathan Demme ("The Silence of the Lambs"), Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly and Neal Baer ("ER") are executive producers for CBS Television Studios.

Verdict: This looks like it will have me crying quite a bit but I don't mind. It seems very heartfelt and very supernatural, which I love. The cast is amazing! Everything about this show has won me over. I am in.

Comedies:



2 BROKE GIRLS is a comedy about two young women waitressing at a greasy spoon diner who strike up an unlikely friendship in the hopes of launching a successful business - if only they can raise the cash. Sassy, streetwise Max (Kat Dennings) works two jobs just to get by, one of which is waiting tables during the night shift at the retro-hip Williamsburg Diner. Sophisticated Caroline (Beth Behrs) is an uptown trust fund princess who's having a run of bad luck that forces her to reluctantly give waitressing a shot. At first, Max sees Caroline as yet another in a long line of inept servers she must cover for, but she's surprised to find that Caroline has as much substance as she does style. When Caroline discovers Max's knack for baking amazing cupcakes, she sees a lucrative future for them, but they first need to raise the start-up money. While they save their tips, they'll stay at the restaurant, working with Oleg (Jonathan Kite), an overly flirtatious Russian cook; Earl (Garrett Morris), a 75-year-old kool-kat cashier; and Han Lee (Matthew Moy), the new, eager-to-please owner of the diner. Working together, these two broke girls living in one expensive city might just find the perfect recipe for their big break. Michael Patrick King ("Sex and the City") and writer-comedian Whitney Cummings ("Chelsea Lately") are executive producers for Warner Bros. Television.

Verdict: I will definitely check this out. I probably would not have had Kat Dennings and the writing team not been attached, but I am going to give it a shot.



HOW TO BE A GENTLEMAN, inspired by the book of the same name, is a comedy about the unlikely friendship between a traditional, refined writer and an unrefined personal trainer. Andrew Carlson (David Hornsby) is an etiquette columnist whose devotion to ideals from a more civilized time has lead to a life detached from modern society. Infectiously optimistic, Bert Lansing (Kevin Dillon) is a reformed "bad boy" from Andrew's past who inherited a fitness center, but can still be rude, loud and sloppy. When Andrew's editor, Jerry (Dave Foley), tells him to put a modern, sexy twist on his column or be fired, he hires Bert as a life coach in the hopes of learning to be less "gentle man" and more "real man." Andrew's mom, Diane (Nancy Lenehan), and his bossy sister, Janet (Mary Lynn Rajskub), support the plan, as would Janet's husband, Mike (Rhys Darby), if he was allowed to have an opinion. Though Andrew and Bert's views may be centuries apart, they may find they're each other's missing link. David Hornsby ("It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"), Adam Chase ("Friends"), Ted Schachter ("The Invention of Lying"), Joe Hipps and Modi Wiczyk are executive producers for CBS Television Studios.

Verdict: As mentioned in the preview, this an unlikely buddy comedy. I really like buddy comedies but this premise is not for me. It does look like a great comedy, so hopefully it can last.

Midseason Series:

From Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal comes THE 2-2, which follows six diverse NYPD rookies as they patrol the gritty streets of upper Manhattan. The new trainees include Jennifer "White House" Perry (Leelee Sobieski), a former college volleyball star and Marine MP in Iraq with a take-charge attitude; Ray "Lazarus" Harper (Adam Goldberg), the oldest rookie and a former police news reporter with better sources than many seasoned cops; Tonya Sanchez (Judy Marte), who comes from a family with a criminal history and has a very personal connection inside the force; Ahmad "Kiterunner" Kahn (Tom Reed), an Afghani native who fought his way to freedom; Kenny McClaren (Stark Sands), a fourth-generation police officer with great instincts but qualms about joining the force; and Jayson Toney (Harold House Moore), a young basketball legend who squandered his opportunity in the NBA. Their demanding Field Training Officer, Daniel "Yoda" Dean (Terry Kinney), is a case-hardened, unsentimental veteran of the force who emphasizes basics and holds each cop accountable for their actions. With unique backgrounds, personalities and reasons for being on the force, the new cops will make their share of rookie mistakes while they figure out how to relate to their boss, each other and to the people they swore to protect. Two-time Academy Award winner Robert De Niro ("The Godfather: Part II," "Raging Bull"), Jane Rosenthal ("Meet the Parents"), Academy Award nominee Richard Price ("The Color of Money"), Ken Sanzel ("Numb3rs") and James Mangold ("Walk the Line") are executive producers for CBS Television Studios in association with Tribeca Productions. The pilot was directed by James Mangold.

TNT/TBS Upfront News

Check out the highlights from the TNT & TBS Upfront Press Release below:

TNT:

The seventh and final season of The Closer will include 15 episodes in 2011 and six in summer 2012, leading into the launch of Major Crimes, starring Mary McDonnell (Battlestar Galactica). McDonnell has been featured on The Closer as Capt. Raydor. Major Crimes will be executive-produced by James Duff, creator of The Closer, along with Greer Shephard and Michael M. Robin.

Renewed: Rizzoli & Isles; The Closer; Men of a Certain Age, Leverage, HawthoRNe, Memphis Beat and Southland

New Series This Summer:
Falling Skies is the eagerly anticipated series from DreamWorks Television and executive producer Steven Spielberg, starring Noah Wyle.

Franklin & Bash is a light-hearted lawyer drama from Sony Pictures Television.

New Series For 2012: Perception, a series starring Emmy and Screen Actors Guild Award winner Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) that centers on a neuroscientist who works to solve complex criminal cases.

TNT has 10 scripted series in development and 5 unscripted series in development.

TNT is also working with several chart-topping authors on a new lineup of original movies set to debut in November and December 2011. The TNT Tuesday Night Mystery (working title) will feature a slate of six contemporary crime dramas, from true-crime stories to fictional mysteries.

TNT is developing the two-hour movie Innocent, based on the book by best-selling author Scott Turow. TNT is also developing movies based on Richard North Patterson’s Silent Witness; Sandra Brown’s Ricochet; Lisa Gardner’s Hide; April Smith’s Good Morning, Killer; and Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark’s Deck the Halls.

TBS

TBS has given the greenlight to The Wedding Band (working title), an hour-long comedy. TBS has ordered 10 episodes of the series starring Brian Austin Green (Beverly Hills, 90210, Desperate Housewives), Harold Perrineau (Lost, Oz), Peter Cambor (NCIS: Los Angeles, Notes from the Underbelly), Derek Miller (Secret Girlfriend) and Melora Hardin (The Office). The show is executive-produced by Mike Tollin (Smallville, Arli$$). Josh Lobis (South Park) and Darin Moiselle (South Park), who wrote the pilot, serve as co-executive producers with Ben Spector (Two Brothers). Bryan Gordon (Curb Your Enthusiasm) directed and also served as co-executive producer on the pilot. The show, which follows the misadventures of four friends who spend their spare time performing in a band, is slated to premiere in summer 2012.

TBS has 3 scripted series in development and 1 unscripted series in development.

CBS 2011 - 2012 Programming Schedule

Check out the prime time schedule for CBS this fall below. Stay tuned for my comments...

Note: N=New, NT=New Time, all times ET/PT

SUNDAY
7:00-8:00 PM 60 MINUTES
8:00-9:00 PM THE AMAZING RACE
9:00-10:00 PM THE GOOD WIFE (NT)
10:00-11:00 PM CSI: MIAMI

MONDAY
8:00-8:30 PM HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
8:30-9:00 PM 2 BROKE GIRLS (N)
9:00-9:30 PM TWO AND A HALF MEN
9:30-10:00 PM MIKE & MOLLY
10:00-11:00 PM HAWAII FIVE-0

TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM NCIS
9:00-10:00 PM NCIS: LOS ANGELES
10:00-11:00 PM UNFORGETTABLE (N)

WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM SURVIVOR: SOUTH PACIFIC
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMINAL MINDS
10:00-11:00 PM CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (NT)

THURSDAY
8:00-8:30 PM THE BIG BANG THEORY
8:30-9:00 PM HOW TO BE A GENTLEMAN (N)
9:00-10:00 PM PERSON OF INTEREST (N)
10:00-11:00 PM THE MENTALIST

FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM A GIFTED MAN (N)
9:00-10:00 PM CSI: NY
10:00-11:00 PM BLUE BLOODS

SATURDAY
8:00-8:30 PM RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (NT)
8:30-9:00 PM COMEDYTIME SATURDAY
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMETIME SATURDAY
10:00-11:00 PM 48 HOURS MYSTERY

Mid-season: UNDERCOVER BOSS and the new police drama, THE 2-2

Previews & Descriptions Of New Series Coming to ABC

Here's a look at all of the new shows coming to ABC this upcoming season. Stay tuned for previews!

LAST MAN STANDING



Today it's a woman's world, and this man's man is on a mission to get men back to their rightful place in society.

Tim Allen returns to ABC in this new comedy from Jack Burditt (30 Rock). Men may have built civilizations, invented the locomotive and created ESPN, but they're about to find out that it's not a man's world anymore. You can't get manlier than Mike Baxter. He's the marketing director for an iconic outdoor sporting goods store, he loves to have adventures while he's traveling for work and, of course, he drives a pick-up truck. While Mike is king of the hill at work, he's the odd man out in a home that is dominated by women -- namely his wife, Vanessa, and their three daughters, 22- year-old Kristin, 17-year-old Mandy and 14-year-old Eve. After being a stay-at-home mom for years, Vanessa recently returned to the workplace and was quickly promoted (much to the dismay of her primarily male co-workers). As a result of Vanessa's increased work load, Mike is pulled into more hands-on parenting than ever before.

Verdict: I do plan on watching this. I may be a bit over-excited to see Tim Allen back on the small screen in sitcom format, plus the writing seems to be good so at this point, count me in!

MAN UP



Three modern men try to get in touch with their inner tough guys and redefine what it means to be a "real man" in this funny and relatable comedy.

Will's grandfather fought in WWII. Will's father fought in Vietnam. Will plays Call of Duty on his PS3 and drinks non-dairy hazelnut creamer. So what happened to all the real men? They're still here -- they just smell like pomegranate body wash now. Meet Will (Mather Zickel). His evolved, sensitive nature is why his awesome wife, Theresa (Teri Polo), married him. But Will and his friends find themselves wondering -- in a world of Axe ads and manscaping -- what does it really mean to be a guy anymore? Will is more interested in finding the perfect gift for his son Nathan's (Jake Johnson) 13th birthday than in doing his job selling insurance; sensitive soul Craig (Christopher Moynihan) still pines for his college ex, Lisa; and Kenny (Dan Fogler) clamps down on his anger and asks himself, "What would Tobey Maguire do?," when his ex, Brenda (Amanda Detmer), starts seeing a guy (Henry Simmons) who is everything he's not and much better looking. After Craig crashes Lisa's wedding to try to win her back, they are all faced with an opportunity to Man Up and be like their forefathers.

Verdict: This looks hilarious! It's not something that I would typically watch, so I am excited about watching the Pilot and taking it from there.

SUBURGATORY



Single father George only wants the best for his 16-year-old daughter, Tessa. So when he finds a box of condoms on her nightstand, he moves them out of their apartment in New York City to a house in the suburbs. But all Tessa sees is the horror of over-manicured lawns and plastic Franken-moms. Being in the 'burbs can be hell, but it also may just bring Tessa and George closer than they've ever been.

Tessa (Jane Levy) and George (Jeremy Sisto) have been on their own ever since Tessa's mom pulled a "Kramer vs. Kramer" before she was even potty trained. So far, George has done a pretty good job of raising Tessa without a maternal figure in their lives, but suddenly he's feeling a little out of his league. So it's goodbye New York City and hello suburbs. At first Tessa is horrified by the big-haired, fake-boobed mothers and their sugar-free Red Bull-chugging kids. But little by little she and her dad begin finding a way to survive on the clean streets of the 'burbs. Sure, the neighbors might smother you with love while their kids stare daggers at your back, but underneath all that plastic and caffeine, they're really not half bad. And they do make a tasty pot roast.

Verdict: Cheryl Hines is wonderful but I cannot subject myself to this comedy. How did this get greenlit?

REVENGE



Wealth, beauty and status define the people in this town, but one woman is willing to destroy everyone for the sake of revenge.

Emily Thorne (Emily Van Camp) is new to the Hamptons. She's met some of her wealthy neighbors, has made a few new friends and seemingly blends into the town. But something is a little odd about a young girl living in a wealthy town all on her own, and the truth is that Emily isn't exactly new to the neighborhood. In fact, this was once her old neighborhood, until something bad happened that ruined her family and their reputation. Now Emily is back, and she's returned to right some of those wrongs in the best way she knows how – with a vengeance.

Verdict: This looks fantastic! This is probably going to be one of the best dramas this season. Of course I will be watching!

CHARLIE’S ANGELS



Everyone deserves a second chance -- even a thief, a street racer and a cop who got in a little too deep. After all, the three women who solve cases for their elusive boss, Charlie Townsend, are no saints. They're angels... Charlie's Angels.

Set in Miami, this fun, glamorous, action-packed take on the 1970s smash hit series introduces us to three new angels, all fearless detectives, head-turning beauties and close friends. There's Abby (Rachael Taylor), a Park Avenue princess who became a world-class thief. Then there's Kate (Annie Ilonzeh), a Miami cop who fell from grace, losing both her career and her fiancé. Finally there's Gloria, a disgraced army lieutenant who has a way with explosives. When one of the angels' missions ends in Gloria's tragic death, Charlie persuades them to partner with Gloria's childhood friend, Eve (Minka Kelly), a street racer with a mysterious past. They may not know each other yet, but one thing's for sure -- Abby, Kate and Eve will always have each others' backs.

Verdict: Well...if this encourages whoever is in charge of green lighting a Charlie's Angels 3 movie to do so, then I'll DVR this. Otherwise, there really is no point in reviving this series. Sorry Minka Kelly.

ONCE UPON A TIME



From the inventive minds of Lost executive producers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis comes a bold new imagining of the world, where fairy tales and the modern-day are about to collide.

And they all lived happily ever after – or so everyone was led to believe. Emma Swan knows how to take care of herself. She's a 28-year-old bail bonds collector who's been on her own ever since she was abandoned as a baby. But when the son she gave up years ago finds her, everything starts to change. Henry is now 10 years old and in desperate need of Emma's help. He believes that Emma actually comes from an alternate world and is Snow White and Prince Charming's missing daughter. According to his book of fairytales, they sent her away to protect her from the Evil Queen's curse, which trapped the fairytale world forever, frozen in time, and brought them into our modern world. Of course Emma doesn't believe a word, but when she brings Henry back to Storybrooke, she finds herself drawn to this unusual boy and his strange New England town. Concerned for Henry, she decides to stay for a while, but she soon suspects that Storybrooke is more than it seems. It's a place where magic has been forgotten, but is still powerfully close… where fairytale characters are alive, even though they don't remember who they once were. The epic battle for the future of all worlds is beginning, but for good to win, Emma will have to accept her destiny and fight like hell.

Verdict: I adore Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, and Robert Carlyle so I will be tuning into the Pilot. This series is very original and very creative, so I hope that it can last. It definitely brings something very unique to the ABC lineup.

PAN AM



Passion, jealousy and espionage... They do it all – and they do it at 30,000 feet. The style of the 1960s, the energy and excitement of the Jet Age and a drama full of sexy entanglements deliciously mesh in this thrilling and highly-original new series.

In this modern world, air travel represents the height of luxury and Pan Am is the biggest name in the business. The planes are glamorous, the pilots are rock stars and the stewardesses are the most desirable women in the world. Not only are these flyboys and girls young and good looking, but to represent Pan Am they also have to be educated, cultured and refined. They're trained to handle everything from in-air emergencies to unwanted advances – all without rumpling their pristine uniforms or mussing their hair. There's Dean (Jonah Lotan) – a cocky, charismatic and ambitious new pilot – the first of a new breed not trained in the war. On the sly against company policy, he's dating Bridget, a stunning beauty with a mysterious past. A rebellious bohemian, Maggie (Christina Ricci) turns into a buttoned up professional for work so she can see the world. Rounding out the crew are flirtatious Collette (Karine Vanasse), the adventurous Kate (Kelli Garner) and, finally, Laura (Margot Robbie) – Kate's beauty queen younger sister, a runaway bride, who recently fled a life of domestic boredom to take to the skies.

Verdict: The preview did not strike me in the least bit...until I saw Kelli Garner. I absolutely love Garner's acting and now I must give this show a chance. Part of me wanted to give it a chance initially since Christina Ricci is starring in the series, but a larger part of me was just so not grabbed by the preview. Little did I know that Garner was involved! Count me in for the Pilot and then, we'll go from there.

WORK IT



This high-concept comedy centers on two unrepentant guy's guys who, unable to find work, dress as women to get jobs as pharmaceutical reps. Not only do they pull it off, but they might just learn to be better men in the process.

With unemployment an ongoing issue and women now outnumbering men in the workforce, the new comedy series "Work It" follows two alpha males who realize the only way to beat the current "mancession" and land a job in pharmaceutical sales is to pass themselves off as women. Combining all the best elements of the workplace comedy, the buddy comedy and the family comedy, "Work It" centers on Lee Standish (Ben Koldyke) -- a quick-witted and likable family man who used to be a top car salesman until he got laid off -- and Angel Ortiz (Amaury Nolasco) -- a single, hot-headed ladies' man with no filter -- who quickly learn there are fundamental differences in the worlds of men and women that go beyond teetering in high heels and tightening up with Spanx. Lee and Angel are determined to keep their ruse going for as long as they can -- and keep their newly found jobs — in this smart, funny and relevant look at male and female relationships at work, at home and socially. Being a better man sometimes means having to be a better woman.

Verdict: This looks funny but it won't take my interest for long, so it's not for me. It is great to see ABC taking such chances with its characters and the lengths they will go to support their families.

GOOD CHRISTIAN BELLES



The soap returns to Dallas in this wicked new drama based on Kim Gatlin's book, Good Christian Bitches, that shows that you can go home again... but only if you're ready to face the sins of your past.

Amanda Vaughn (Leslie Bibb), once the ultimate high school "mean girl," is forced to return home in disgrace after her marriage ends in scandal. Amanda is nothing like the girl she was 20 years ago, but as her old classmates reacquaint themselves with the new Amanda, will her home town welcome her with open arms or seek revenge? No one in this town is a saint, but that doesn't mean they can't have a heart. As Amanda and her teenage kids try to adjust to their new lives, the ladies from her past alternate between sympathy and scheming.

Verdict: While I am a big Kristin Chenoweth fan, I'm not exactly interested in the premise of this show, so I do not plan on tuning in.

SCANDAL



From the creator and executive producers of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice comes a drama revolving around the life and work of a professional crisis manager and her dysfunctional staff.

A former media relations consultant to the President, Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) dedicates her life to protecting and defending the public images of our nation's elite. After leaving the White House, the power consultant opened her own firm, hoping to start a new chapter -- both professionally and personally -- but she can't seem to completely cut ties with her past. Slowly it becomes apparent that her staff, who specialize in fixing the lives of other people, can't quite fix the ones closest at hand -- their own.

Verdict: There's a great cast here and from creator, Shonda Rhimes, there's going to be a lot of drama to look forward to. I will definitely check this out and actually give it a shot (as I did not give Off the Map a shot).

THE RIVER



The River follows the story of wildlife expert and TV personality Emmet Cole. Emmet set course around the world with his wife, Tess, and son, Lincoln, while filming what would become one of the most popular shows in television. After he goes missing deep in the Amazon, his family, friends and crew set out on a mysterious and deadly journey to find him.

Famed explorer Dr. Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood) went looking for magic deep in the uncharted Amazon and never returned. The shocking truth about his disappearance is out there, somewhere, just waiting to be discovered. To the millions of kids who grew up watching his nature show, Dr. Cole was a hero. To his own son, Lincoln (Joe Anderson), he was more of an enigma. Now, six months after he vanished, Lincoln is finally ready to bury the past when Dr. Cole's emergency beacon suddenly goes off. At the urging of his mother, Tess (Leslie Hope), Lincoln reluctantly joins her on a search for his father. To fund the rescue, they agree to let Dr. Cole's cagey ex-producer, Clark (Paul Blackthorne), film the mission documentary-style. The mixed crew of old friends and new acquaintances includes the sexy and resourceful Lena (Eloise Mumford), loyal mechanic Emilio (Daniel Zacapa) and lethal bodyguard Captain Kurt Brynildson (Thomas Kretschmann).

Verdict: This looks very thrilling and I am sure that I will be hearing a lot about this show on Twitter this fall. Though this is not for me, so I'll pass on this at this point in time. However, if I continue to hear good things about the show and people who know me tell me that I would enjoy it, I'll definitely catch it on DVD next summer.

APARTMENT 23



After a naïve Midwestern girl's big city dreams are dashed her first week in New York, she finds herself living with her worst nightmare in this hilarious, contemporary comedy about a female odd couple who are surrounded by an outrageous cast of characters.

June (Dreama Walker) moves to Manhattan for a dream job and the perfect company apartment, only to have them disappear in a puff of reality, thanks to a CEO from the Bernie Madoff school of embezzlement. Deep in debt and out on the streets, June scrambles to land a job and place to live. It seems her luck has turned around when she gets hired at a coffee shop and finds Chloe (Krysten Ritter), a charming, vivacious roommate... with the morals of a pirate. She swindles June out of all her savings, but she and her snarky friend, James Van Der Beek (playing himself), soon learn that, just because June's naïve, she isn't stupid. June ingeniously turns the tables on Chloe, who is so shocked about being scammed herself that she decides to pull June into her colorful band of friends. Sure, it's all dysfunctional, bizarre and overwhelming, but so is New York City. And with the help of Chloe and the other oddballs around her, June might just learn the survival secrets she needs to make it there.

Verdict: Great cast, fun writing, I'll definitely check this out.

MISSING



Becca Winstone (Ashley Judd) learns that her son, Michael, disappears while studying abroad, and it's a race against time when she travels to Europe to track him down. A surprising turn of events reveals just how far one mother will go to protect her family. Exotic locations and thrilling twists will keep you riveted in "Missing."

How far would you go to save the only thing you have left in the world? At 8 years old, Michael watched as his father, CIA Agent Paul Winstone, was murdered. Now 10 years later, Paul's wife, Becca, is faced with the reality of her son growing up. When Michael is afforded the opportunity to study abroad, his mother reluctantly agrees it's time to let him go. Just a few weeks into his trip Michael disappears, and Becca immediately suspects foul play. When she arrives in Rome, she begins piecing together the clues left behind. It isn't long before the kidnappers realize they've picked a fight with the wrong woman. Becca Winstone has a secret of her own -- before Paul's death, she was also a lethal CIA Agent. But if she wants to find her son alive, Becca will have to rely on old friends and reopen old wounds. Her resourcefulness, skill and determination will be put to the test – but a mother's love knows no limits.

Verdict: This looks fantastic although I am concerned about the longevity of this series. Part of me wants to check this show out but another part of me feels like this could be wrapped up in a movie...so I am wondering what separates this show from similar movies.