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'Mad Men' recap: The Bob Benson mystery solved, maybe
Photo credit: AMC
And so Sunday night, the great mystery of "Mad Men's" Season 6 six is solved -- Bob Benson.
Let's quickly add up the "nots," as in the not-what-Bob-is (though some speculated he was): Journalist, spy, KGB agent (no one thought of that, but someone should have), corporate espionage craftsman.
Instead, Bob's just a prefabricated Potemkin suit -- not quite a grifter,...
Read more »Starz orders 50 Cent drama
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Starz, still in the hunt for that big genre-bending drama that'll attract viewers and buzz, has ordered one from an unlikely source: Curtis Jackson. That would be 50 Cent. Fitty. Or Fiddy. Your choice. Will he star? Good question ... read on.
Per the network, the new show, "Power," "tells the story of James 'Ghost' St. Patrick, a wealthy New York City nightclub owner who caters...
Read more »Does Matthew Perry wish 'Friends' had not stopped? (Answer below)
Photo credit: NBC
"Friends," one of the most beloved TV comedies in the history of the universe, wrapped nine years ago, and to this day fans bemoan the premature wrap. (If you can call 10 seasons "premature.") But who would have thought Matthew Perry would be among the bemoaners? According to this fascinating discussion from the Hollywood Reporter's excellent roundtable series, he does, or did. THR TV editor Lacey Rose does the honors here. Perry talks about TV now and then, and his thoughts about "Friends" around the 18-minute mark. (Other stars here include "New Girl's" Jake Johnson, Jim Parsons, Eric Stonestreet, Adam Scott, Fred Armisen ... )
Sarah Palin returns to Fox News
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Remember all those posts -- some of them mine -- about the bitter falling out Sarah Palin had with Fox News over a number of matters, including her being relegated to a bench-warming role at the conventions and reported sniping between her and Fox News chief Roger Ailes, leading to her departure from the network not quite six months ago?
Well: File all that under "let bygones be...
Read more »Paul McCartney on 'The Colbert Report'
Photo credit: AP
Paul McCartney returned to "The Colbert Report" last night (Wednesday) for a full hour special edition - six songs, lots of kvelling by the host (and who can blame him) - and this nice twelve-minute interview. My only complaint is that when Colbert says McCartney had 71 singles that were top ten hits, he neglects to mention that John Lennon and Paul McCartney shared many of those. Sir Paul doesn't correct him either, and I have no idea why. Otherwise, all good and interesting. Check it out (plus a Colbert/McCartney duet.)
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Fallon: Slow jammin' the news with Chris Christie
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"Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" slow-jammed that special election in New Jersey business with the man who called it - Gov. Chris Chrisite - and if you expected fat jokes, well, you would not have been disappointed. (And no, the governor did not announce his candidacy for the White House.)
'Breaking Bad': A final 'victory' for Walter White?
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There is a most excellent bit of "Breaking Bad" finale bait at EW.com at the moment, in which "BB" creator Vince Gilligan notes that the end represents "something of a victory" for Walter White-Bryan Cranston.
Meaning ... he survives for the movie? Or for the 2023 Netflix "Breaking Bad Returns!" 10-episode binge bust revival?
What?...
Read more »Soledad O'Brien of Smithtown joins 'Real Sports'
Photo credit: Andrew Eccles
Soledad O'Brien, CNN"s talented and hardworking former morning person and long form anchor who didn't quite mesh with the new Jeff Zucker CNN, is joining "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel." She's from Smithtown, and grew up in St. James, by the way, but I'll bet you know that already.
Besides contributing to "Real Sports," she'll also develop docs for HBO, or per the network:
In addition to joining REAL SPORTS, O’Brien and her production company, Starfish Media Group, will have an overall relationship with HBO granting the network first look at scripted projects and long-form programming concepts that she and her team develop.
'Portlandia' gets order for two more seasons
Photo credit: IFC
"Portlandia," IFC's very funny send-up of Portland, just got a pair of new seasons -- a 4th and 5th. This also means Fred Armisen, who stars with Carrie Brownstein, will continue to be gainfully employed, now that his "Saturday Night Live" run has ended.
"IFC has renewed its hit original comedy series 'Portlandia' for fourth and fifth seasons. Each season will feature...
Read more »The all-British 'Daily Show': 'Veep's' Armando Iannucci
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John Oliver took over from Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show" Monday while the latter moonlights in the Middle East (he's directing a movie), and the question of the moment is simply this: How's John doing?
Let's put it this way: Jon shouldn't be worried. It's been, from my sampling, a flawless transition, but especially important for this show, he's particularly solid on the interviews.
Curious....
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