Follow TVBlips on Twitter
L.A. Times - TV News
| Recent Articles |
'Men of a Certain Age' on TNT
'Everybody Loves Raymond's' Ray Romano makes a striking transition from sitcom glory with his complex role as the linchpin of three pals commiserating over middle-age malaise.
>
...
Tags:
Other
Ray Romano
FX
TNT
'Shatner's Raw Nerve'
In a potentially juicy discussion with Rush Limbaugh, William Shatner isn't raw and seems to lack nerve.
>
I think we can take William Shatner off the "Oprah Replacement" list, but ...
Tags:
Other
William Shatner
The Biography Channel
Oprah Winfrey
Adam Lambert gets guest spot on 'The View' after outcry from supporters
ABC had canceled Lambert's appearances on 'Good Morning America' and 'Jimmy Kimmel Live.' His backers believed it was because he is gay.
>
After taking heat ...
Tags:
Reality
Adam Lambert
ABC
Good Morning America
Jimmy Kimmel Live
The View
American Idol
Comcast to buy control of NBC Universal in $30-billion transaction
The deal underscores how the high profit-margin business of cable TV has become the financial backbone of media conglomerates.
>
In a momentous shift in the ...
Tags:
Other
Comcast Network
NBC Universal
Pioneering 'Monk' ends its run Friday
The series about a neurotic detective helped blur the line between cable and broadcast fare.
>
On tonight's series finale of USA's " Monk ," the title detective played by Tony ...
Tags:
Comedy
Monk
Tony Shalhoub
Controversy surrounds Adam Lambert's canceled appearances
A conservative group says his AMA performance was 'indecent and inappropriate.'
>
The decision by ABC to cancel Adam Lambert's upcoming appearance on the ...
Tags:
Reality
Adam Lambert
ABC
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Controversy
American Music Awards
ABC closer to seating Stephanopoulos on 'Good Morning America'
Network executives are said to be in talks with the former Clinton White House advisor. He would replace Diane Sawyer, who will inherit the 'World News' anchor desk from Charles Gibson.
>
...
Tags:
Drama
Diane Sawyer
Good Morning America
House
ABC
The Closer
Stakes rising for cable TV firms and content providers
Programmers signal that they want upcoming contract talks with cable and other distribution companies to involve cash.
>
The quality of programming being ...
Tags:
Other
A big Grammy nomination: This show has got to go
People will disagree over the nominees. But can they agree that this nomination telecast isn't worthy?
>
This year's Grammy nominations promise to inspire ...
Tags:
Other
'Ugly Betty' gets a prettier time slot
Languishing on Fridays, the comedy moves to Wednesdays on Jan. 6. Its creator is 'grateful to ABC.'
>
Will "Ugly Betty's" move from the Friday-night dead ...
Tags:
Comedy
Ugly Betty
ABC
Donny Osmond helps make 'Dancing With the Stars' No. 1
For one week at least, Donny Osmond was a big-time television star again.
Tags:
Reality
Dancing With The Stars
Make 'Em Laugh
Lea Michele's 'Glee'-ful awakening
"I channel Tracy Flick, yes."
>
As ambitious glee clubber and social pariah Rachel Berry, Lea Michele has been called RuPaul, taken more than a few fruit ...
'Conspiracy Theory With Jesse Ventura' on a mission
The former politician and wrestler mines the world of supposed coverups and secrets on truTV while playing fast and loose with actual facts.
>
Jesse Ventura, who used to be the ...
Tags:
Other
Jesse Csincsak
Court TV
First-year show creators, producers hope for Golden Globe nomination
"Modern Family," "Glee," "Community" and "The Good Wife" are some of the breakout shows that could get a nod.
>
It's no wonder the Golden Globes have a ...
Tags:
Comedy
Hope Davis
Modern Family
Glee
Community
The Good Wife
Golden Globes
ABC still mulls succession plan
As Diane Sawyer prepares to replace Charles Gibson at night, her morning job is still up for grabs.
>
ABC is expected to announce today that Diane Sawyer ...
Tags:
News/Talk
Diane Sawyer
ABC
Good Morning America
REI TV ads portray the outdoors in all its uncomfortable glory
The outdoor retailer and BBDO have made the daring creative choice to show the backcountry as it is frequently experienced by most of us: cold, wet , often dreary and miserable. Are they nuts?
>
...
Tags:
Other
Prime-time shows get last laugh on Leno
Despite the dire predictions of some pundits, it appears there's life yet in scripted TV, as hits spring up around the ex-'Tonight' host's weeknight talk-block.
>
...
Tags:
News/Talk
NBC Universal
Jay Leno
Prime Time
Physicist Michio Kaku invites viewers through the wormhole
The host of the new 'Sci-Fi Science' will look at the physics behind light sabers, traveling at warp speed and more.
>
In a sense, all science starts as ...
Tags:
Other
LCD TV prices plunge 22% from pre-Black Friday levels
The smaller the model, the further the prices fall. But the best deals may be gone for now.
>
You weren't imagining those killer deals on televisions over ...
Tags:
Other
Manly-man shows take on more challenges
Viewers are tuning in to reality-TV series about dangerous jobs, such as 'Deadliest Catch' and 'Ice Road Truckers,' and networks are adding more. Next up: CMT's 'Gator 911' and 'Danger Coast.'
>
...
Tags:
Reality
Deadliest Catch
Ice Road Truckers
Jesse Ventura searches for coverups
Minnesota's former governor is the host of 'Conspiracy Theory' on truTV
>
Jesse Ventura is back. The former pro wrestler, who served as Minnesota governor ...
Tags:
Other
Jesse Csincsak
HBO goes back to New Jersey for 'Boardwalk Empire' ambitious
The cable giant revisits 'The Sopranos' home turf for its ambitious new series, but this time the setting is 1920s Atlantic City.
>
The sign on the ...
Tags:
Drama
The Sopranos
'Scrubs' learns to play 'House'
An acerbic doctor hectoring a fresh batch of medical students? The ABC show learns its lessons well as it begins its ninth season.
>
"Medicine is, well, it's a dead career." That's ...
Tags:
Drama
ABC
John C. McGinley
Scrubs
House
'Oprah' exit may weaken daytime talk shows
The influential role of Winfrey's show is unlikely to be matched by another show on broadcast TV.
>
Oprah Winfrey's exit from daytime TV will mean more than ...
Tags:
Other
Oprah Winfrey
Ice Cube documents Raider love in 'Straight Outta L.A.'
The ESPN '30 for 30' film focuses on the football team's time in Los Angeles, where it remains popular.
>
USC and UCLA square off today at the Coliseum, but ...
Tags:
Other
Ice Cube
ESPN
'The Golden Age of Television'
Criterion set contains eight classic 1950s teleplays.
>
When the small screen was in its infancy in the 1950s, a group of young, scrappy writers such as Rod ...
Tags:
Other
'QI' is quizzically goofy
No doubt I am committing some sort of critic's breach of conduct, but I have discovered my new favorite television show, and it isn't even on television. At least not here.
Tags:
Other
USC-UCLA rivalry no longer channels the same electricity
A nighttime start and a non-network telecast are clear indicators that Bruins-vs.-Trojans has lost some of its old cachet when compared to, say, Ohio State-Michigan or Alabama-Auburn.
>
...
Tags:
Other
'The 2000 Year Old Man'
The evolution of the classic routine featuring Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner is captured hilariously in a three-CD, single-DVD set.
>
Clear out all those books ...
Tags:
Other
Carl Reiner
Glenn Beck has big plans
The conservative TV and radio host wants to hold conventions to move his followers to political action and 'change America's course.' Some say his activism could widen the split within the GOP.
>
...
Tags:
Other
Glenn Beck
'Lopez Tonight' bandleader Michael Bearden finds solace after 'This Is It'
The music director for Michael Jackson's ill-fated comeback tour now heads up the music on George Lopez's new TBS talk show.
>
" Lopez Tonight " is only a few weeks old, but host ...
Tags:
Other
George Lopez
Michael Jackson
TBS
Happy feat in strappy heels
On a dare, an entertainment reporter steps into the shoes (and sultry zebra dress) of a 'Dancing With the Stars' contestant. In a grueling test of stamina and nerves, she discovers her inner shimmy.
>
...
Tags:
Reality
Dancing With The Stars
NBC's 'Nightly News' anchor Brian Williams shows his lighter side
He loosens up on appearances on '30 Rock' and 'Saturday Night Live.' And it hasn't hurt him in the ratings.
>
When the writers of "30 Rock" sent Brian Williams lines earlier this ...
Tags:
Comedy
Brian Williams
30 Rock
Saturday Night Live
Tina Fey
Afternoons without Oprah
Who will fill the void, and who will watch, when the queen of daytime TV departs for cable in 2011?
>
Oprah Winfrey told her audience Friday that she had ...
Tags:
Other
Oprah Winfrey
Memorial celebration to be held for late comedy writer Larry Gelbart
The award-winning writer died Sept. 11.
>
A celebration of the life of award-winning comedy writer Larry Gelbart, who died Sept. 11 at age 81, will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at ...
Tags:
Reality
The Hills
Oprah to end her show in 2011
She's expected to deliver a new program to a cable outlet she's starting. Her exit is a blow to two networks.
>
In another blow to the struggling business ...
Tags:
Other
Oprah Winfrey
California approves new standards on energy-hungry TVs
The California Energy Commission votes 5-0 in favor of the nation's first efficiency regulations for televisions of up to 58 inches sold in the state. The stricter rules take effect Jan. 1, 2011.
>
...
Tags:
Other
'Parks and Recreation' develops a community
After a slow start in front of a skeptical audience, the second-season sitcom has become a critical favorite under series creators Greg Daniels and Michael Schur.
>
In the NBC ...
Tags:
Comedy
Parks and Recreation
Greg Daniels
NBC Universal
Amy Poehler
Community
'Terror in Mumbai'
The HBO doc recounts the deadly 2008 attack in India, using security footage, intercepted cellphone conversations and videotape to give viewers a 'you-are-there' feel.
>
On Nov. 26, ...
Tags:
Drama
HBO
Lewis
Poirot
Gillian Anderson
Hamish Hamilton to direct Oscars broadcast
British director has helmed concert shows with Britney Spears and U2, and the MTV awards.
>
At 82, the Academy Awards are long overdue for some cosmetic ...
Tags:
Other
Britney Spears
MTV
Academy Awards
Composers and lyricists make pitch to join Teamsters
Seeing demand for movie and TV music growing and take-home pay shrinking, about half of a group of 400 sign up to band together with an unlikely ally.
>
...
Tags:
Comedy
AMC
Mad Men
Make 'Em Laugh
CNN's Candy Crowley talks about her new look
A distinguished journalistic career doesn't shield Crowley from speculations on her weight, so she'd like to make things clear: 'I'm lighter now in a lot of ways.'
>
...
Tags:
Other
Heather Locklear returns to 'Melrose Place' just in time
The CW series has been struggling, and the addition of the original series' most famous character, Locklear's Amanda Woodward, could be the boost it needs.
>
That shaking underneath ...
Tags:
Drama
Heather Locklear
Melrose Place
The CW Television Network
William Shatner
Larry Hagman
Edward Woodward dies at 79; British actor starred in 'The Equalizer,' 'Breaker Morant'
The Golden Globe and Emmy-winning Royal Academy of Dramatic Art graduate also recorded 12 solo albums as a singer.
>
Edward Woodward, the British actor who ...
Tags:
Other
Emmy Awards
Edward Norton
Ken Ober dies at 52; host of MTV's 'Remote Control' game show
The comedian and actor was doing stand-up when he landed the job of guiding the 1980s game show, which featured raucous question-and-answer trivia contests about TV reruns.
>
...
Tags:
Comedy
MTV
The Game
Monica
Passing: Dennis Cole: Popular '60s television actor
Dennis Cole, popular TV guest star from '60s through '90s, dies at 69; Bruce King, three-time New Mexico governor, dies at 85; Francisco Ayala, Spanish writer and sociologist, dies at 103.
>
...
Tags:
Other
'Passing: Dennis Cole: Popular '60s television actor'
Dennis Cole, popular TV guest star from '60s through '90s, dies at 69; Bruce King, three-time New Mexico governor, dies at 85; Francisco Ayala, Spanish writer and sociologist, dies at 103.
>
...
Tags:
Other
Network TV winners and losers
As broadcasters approach midseason, we look at what's working (and not) on their schedules. One guess where 'The Jay Leno Show' falls.
>
TV ratings haven't ...
Tags:
Other
Jay Leno
Guy Fieri hits the road, not for dives, but for concert halls
The Food Network personality's Guy Fieri Road Show is part cooking demonstration, part concert. It comes to the Gibson Amphitheatre Dec. 17.
>
Guy Fieri ...
Tags:
Drama
Food Network
The Hits
Revolutionary Road
Jasmine Guy
'Chef Academy'
Bravo tries a slightly different recipe on the cooking-competition genre.
>
Like Motown Records in the 1960s, Bravo is a network that likes to find a thing ...
Tags:
