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'SNL:' Was this Fred Armisen's farewell show, too?
Photo credit: IFC
Much online speculation at the moment about Fred Armisen's performance as Ian Rubbish on last night's season finale of "Saturday Night Live," as in: Was this the end?
There's certainly been nothing official from the show as yet, but the presence of Carrie Brownstein -- also of "Portlandia" -- next to him indicated that this was sort of a goodbye party. Who knows. We await the news release, or comment.
Meanwhile, also on stage, some of these other big stars were Kim Gordon, J Mascis, Aimee Mann, and Steve Jones. My thanks to Consequence of Sound for knowing who they were because I did not.
Jason Sudeikis, on drums, may be going too, so -- just to recap -- Bill Hader, Sudeikis, Armisen and Seth Meyers gone next season. Meyers stays on til February. Wow.
'SNL:' Stefon's farewell
Photo credit: AP
It's not all that often that a very major presence on "Saturday Night Live" leaves this stage -- in this instance, Bill Hader, along with his rainbow coalition of characters, impersonations, and eyebrows. So Stefon's exit last night will forever remain one of those "SNL" moments we could never forget even if we wanted to. This exit is reasonably amazing.
So goodbye Stefon, and mazel tov.
Official final season trailer for 'Dexter'
"Dexter's" eighth and final season begins in just a month or so - June 30 - but until then, fans may content themselves with the final season trailer. And here it is!
'American Idol' gets worst finale ratings in show's history
Photo credit: Getty Images
"American Idol" viewership totals for the finale are in, and they are grim: A considerable drop from last year's final in both total viewers and the bread-and-butter young adult total.
Fox, to its credit, just sent out the figures, and didn't attempt to sugarcoat anything. This is one of those "it is what it is" situations, and no reason to apply a spin no one would believe...
Read more »'The Office' finale review: Steve Carell returns
Photo credit: NBC
"The Office" finale? We must in the end take the good with the bad with only merely OK. And in the end, "The Office" finale was all of those things -- maybe that's the benefit, or drawback, of having an hour and 15 minutes to wrap.
It was, as expected, sweet and gentle. Pam's closing line was just about perfect: "There's a lot of beauty in ordinary things. Isn't that...
Read more »CW: 'The Originals' goes Tuesdays at 8
Photo credit: AP
CW's big "The Vampire Diaries" spin-off - "The Originals,"- with Joseph Morgan, Daniel Gillies, Claire Holt et al - will land Tuesdays at 8, the network announced this morning. Also: A historic "period" drama will join the lineup. Historic? Period? On the CW?! Don't worry - historic and highly hormonal teens will be involved.
In other CW news...viewers...
Read more »CBS's 'Under the Dome' gets a first look
Photo credit: Shane Leonard
"Under the Dome," one of the events of our TV summer, arrives June 24 on CBS, but the trailer arrives right now. Check it out. I think this'll be good - who doesn't love anything by Stephen King (this was adapted from the 2009 novel)? - but I simply can't help but think of "The Simpsons Movie" whenever I think of this...
USA getting into comedy business
Photo credit: AP
USA has ordered a handful of comedies, to bow in 2014. That's a first for the network which has long ceded the sitcom to rivals like TNT or FX. There are three - or two, and a pilot order. Quickly, they are: "Sirens," from Denis Leary (not starring) and Bob Fisher; about EMS crews in Chicago; "Playing House,' with Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair, about two close pals who rediscover their friendship; and an order for "Love is Dead," a rom-com about a company that breaks up romances... Why comedies and why now? Because "Modern Family" reruns will air on USA starting Sept. 24, and obviously USA is looking for companions...
Saying goodbye to 'The Office': Why we loved it, maybe still do
And so it has come to the end, as it must for all good things. The end: "The Office" wraps nine seasons tonight, and some of us are wistful, some of us could care less, and some of us stopped watching years ago. I fall squarely in the wistful camp, and this morning offer this random collection of "what I'll miss the most" thoughts about the show. For the purposes...
Read more »CBS fall lineup: Video
And here they are...CBS's newcomers. Mostly comedies...
