MSN TV Blog - TV Buzz

Soap reboot experience remains a work in progress

By TVDeeva Deanna Barnert Thu 1:18 PM

"All My Children" and "One Life to Live" have remained in the top 10 on Hulu since premiering on April 29, but the online soap reboots are reducing the number of episodes released per week. Viewing patterns indicated the shows were producing too much content for many viewers to consume, so fans can expect two episodes of each show to air each week, starting Monday, May 20.

 

Bing: More about "All My Children"  | "One Life to Live" 

 

New episodes of "All My Children" will now be released Mondays and Wednesdays, with fresh episodes of "One Life to Live" posted Tuesdays and Thursdays. The behind the scenes series "More" will run as a single show on Fridays.

 

"When it comes to online, as with all new technology, it's adapt or fail," Prospect Park explained in a news release. "We feel fortunate to be an online company and to have such an opportunity to adapt. Of course, we will continue to evaluate all the data that comes in and will be vigilant about revising our strategy as needed."

 

The change stems from viewing patterns that have emerged during the first month of streaming. First, fans have been binge viewing or watching on demand, usually during the weekend: That means many fans have been trying to cram five hours of soaps into their weekend. On ABC, fans watched episodes close to their airdate, so they didn't fall as far behind. They also tended to watch only two to three episodes a week. But with the action-packed reboots, it's not as easy to follow when you've missed episodes. Plus, Prospect Park clearly doesn't want fans skipping episodes. 


Plus: 'The Bachelorette' Season 9 | What we learned from 'The Office' | 10 reasons to love 'The Mindy Project'

 

Another interesting shift in viewing was that fans aren't watching both shows. On television, maintaining audience is a key factor, with fans often watching whatever airs next. That doesn't apply on the Internet. Prospect Park likely hopes that, with less to consume, fans will go back to watching both series. 

 

While the shows will release fewer episodes at a time, production will continue at the same pace through mid-June. Prospect Park will focus on editing while productions halts in July, with production resuming in August.

 

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Hulu will continue to stream all current episodes for free so that viewers who've fallen behind can catch up. There is no mention in the release about how this affects iTunes or how the show is performing there.


"All My Children" and "One Life to Live" can be streamed via Hulu, Hulu Plus and iTunes.

 

New 'Late Night' host says the new 'Tonight Show' star paved the way

By Mekeisha Madden Toby Thu 12:41 PM

'Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers' '/' NBC

 

Seth Meyers is sending a lot of love and gratitude Jimmy Fallon's way.

 

Meyers said he wouldn't have been promoted to his new "Late Night" hosting gig if Fallon hadn't proved that anchoring "Weekend Update" is the perfect training ground. Fallon will take the lead on "The Tonight Show" in February 2014. And Meyers will step into his new job around the same time, NBC announced this week.

 

Bing: More on 'The Tonight Show' | Jimmy Fallon | Seth Meyers

 

"I think I owe a debt of gratitude to Jimmy for having gone from 'Update' to 'Late Night' and shown that it's a nice progression," Meyers said on the 'Today' show Thursday. "So I'm very happy to be doing it. But, I mean, I think if you sit at that 'Update' desk, you learn how to talk about topical stories and certainly with the guests, you learn to talk to crazy people. Although, if you do late night there are real crazy people as opposed to Bill Hader  pretending to be one."

 

Plus: 'The Bachelorette' Season 9 | What we learned from 'The Office' | 10 reasons to love 'The Mindy Project'

 

Hosting "Late Night with Seth Meyers" wasn't his only option. ESPN had been courting Meyers to helm a new late-night sports talk show. Meyers impressed ESPN executives when he twice hosted the ESPY Awards. But in the end, Meyers wanted to keep working with his "SNL" boss, Lorne Michaels, and opted to stay at NBC. Meyers, who is the head writer for "Saturday Night Live," will continue working on the show through the fall.

 

"I'm nowhere near emotionally ready for Saturday to be my last show -- I wouldn't be able to handle that," Meyers said of the "SNL" season finale, which airs May 18. "It's very strange to get a job that doesn't start for eight, nine months. So I think we'll do a lot of talking about it. But I think it'll be one of those things where the first show you do you're gonna learn 1,000 things you didn't know yet."

 

The "Saturday Night Live" Season 38 finale airs Saturday, May 18, at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" airs weeknights at 12:35 a.m. ET/PT on NBC.

 

Would the Dowager Countess approve?

By MSN TV Wed 3:42 PM

By Michelle Strub

MSN TV

 

So many questions! Sean "Diddy" Combs tweeted Wednesday afternoon that he's joining the cast of "Downton Abbey." Right now it's unclear if this is real, a publicity stunt, he's having a public meltdown, or if the rapper-turned-sometimes-actor has been hacked.

 

Twitter/@iamdiddy

 

 

Bing: Sean "Diddy" Combs | 'Downton Abbey'

 

"Downton" producers previously announced that they're adding the show's first black character in Season 4, but named Gary Carr as the actor to play the part.

 

More: 'Downton Abbey' Season 4 gets January 2014 date in U.S.

 

We're sure we'll know soon whether this is actually happening -- thank you, Internet sleuths (and/or hopefully a statement from PBS)! Until then, we'll just sit here pondering all the ways this could go wrong ... or right?

 

What do you think the Dowager Countess would say about all of this? Tell us at MSN TV on Facebook and Twitter.

 

UPDATE [3:08 p.m. PT]: According to the Sun-Times, a spokeswoman for WGBH, the Boston public TV station that brings the British series to America, has said this is untrue -- Diddy is NOT joining the cast.

 

UPDATE [3:32 p.m. PT]: Diddy continues to tweet as if it's true and has Instagrammed a photo from the set as "proof." 


More: Most shocking moments of 'Downton' Season 3 

Instagram/@iamdiddy

 Instagram/@iamdiddy


Update [5:18 p.m. PT]: Diddy posted yet another photo supposedly from the set of "Downton." That facial hair doesn't really seem to match the era in which the show takes place, right? Looks like we'll be anxiously awaiting midnight to see what it is he's pulling. That Diddy!


Instagram/@iamdiddy

UPDATE [12 a.m. PT]: Well, Diddy wasn't kidding after all. Downton Diddy he is.

 

Barbara Walters, Shaquille O'Neal, Katie Couric, Selena Gomez, Honey Boo Boo and more

By TVDeeva Deanna Barnert Wed 1:32 PM

Daytime hosts, notable athletes, sports newsman and reality TV stars turned out to help "Maury" celebrate its 2500th episode, airing Friday, May 17. The landmark episode also caught up with memorable first guests and featured a few surprises for Maury Povich, including his wife Connie Chung jumping out of a cake!


Bing: More about "Maury" | Watch clips and episodes of "Maury"

 

The guest list for the big "Maury" episode featured Barbara Walters, Shaquille O'Neal, Katie Couric, the ladies of "The Talk," Donald Trump, Joan Rivers, Kathy Griffin, NeNe Leakes, Steve Harvey, Wendy Williams, Jack Hanna, Billy Bush and Kit Hoover, Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, former Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann, "Pardon the Interruption" hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon and fellow NBC Universal talk show hosts Jerry Springer, Steve Wilkos and Trisha Goddard. 


Plus: 'The Bachelorette' Season 9 | What we learned from 'The Office' | 10 reasons to love 'The Mindy Project'


Selena Gomez and Honey Boo Boo also got involved in the celebration via video messages. Gomez had a surprise for a returning guest, while Honey Boo Boo let Povich know that he's not the father. Phew!

 

"Maury" will also catch up with the guests who started it all, including the guests who took the very first paternity and lie detector tests and the show's first out of control teen.

 

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Povich has more than 2500 reasons to celebrate. "Maury" goes into its landmark episode with 100 consecutive weeks as the #1 syndicated talk show among Women 18-34, Adults 18-34 and Adults 18-49.

 

"Maury" airs weekdays in syndication. 

 

Jacqueline MacInnes Wood is exiting, but not for good

By TVDeeva Deanna Barnert Tue 5:50 PM

 

"The Bold and the Beautiful" beauty Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy) is taking a break from the drama this summer, but the Daytime Emmy nominee is not leaving for good.


Bing: More about Jacqueline MacInnes Wood | 'The Bold and the Beautiful'

 

"Jacqueline MacInnes Wood is taking a short break, as she has done in the past, from 'B&B,'" a show rep told MSN TV. "She remains as the character of 'Steffy Forrester'; and is continuing to tape, currently, with episodes airing through July of 2013 and then beyond."  


Plus: What we learned from 'The Office' | 10 reasons to love 'The Mindy Project' | TV's hottest moms


During Wood's past breaks from the soap, she shot the blockbuster "Final Destination 5," the pilot for "Arrow" and the upcoming Lifetime thriller "Her Husband's Betrayal." A DJ and singer, Wood also released her debut single "After Hours" in January 2012.

 

As "The Bold and the Beautiful" fans know, Wood's character Steffy been caught in a love triangle that aims to rival the show's epic Taylor/Ridge/Brooke triangle. As the scheming vixen of the younger set, Ridge and Taylor's daughter stooped pretty low in her battle to win Bill's son Liam away from Brooke's daughter Hope. Though Steffy seemed to have no limits, she's shown a softer side of late. That and a bun in the oven helped her finally marry Liam, but as news of Wood's short-term exit broke, Steffy was mowed down in a motorcycle accident on the show. 


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With Woods set to tape scenes Friday, May 17, and air into August, one can expect Steffy will wake up before exiting the canvas this summer. The fate of her unborn baby is another matter. 

  

"The Bold and the Beautiful" airs weekdays on CBS.

 

Soap opera and children's TV veteran Ron Weaver dead at 75

By TVDeeva Deanna Barnert May 14, 2013 4:03PM

"The Bold and the Beautiful" and the daytime television community lost another member of its family on May 11 when Ronald L Weaver passed away. Soap opera fans may not recognize Weaver's face, but his work is another story. The producer helped launch "The Bold and the Beautiful" and worked with the drama until April of this year, earning three Daytime Emmys along the way. Weaver also had a hand in launching beloved daytime children's show like "Sesame Street" and "The Electric Company."


Bing: More about Ron Weaver | "The Bold and the Beautiful"

 

"I am saddened to learn of the passing of Ron Weaver," said "The Bold and the Beautiful" showrunner Bradley Bell. "Ron was talented, a good friend to all of us, and a 26 year producer of 'The Bold and the Beautiful.' He will be missed, will always be remembered and will forever remain in our hearts."


Weaver joined "The Bold and the Beautiful" back in 1986, helping creators William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell launch their CBS soap opera. When he retired almost three decades later, he was the series' number two behind the scenes player. In addition to serving as the show's senior producer, he was vice president of BBL Distribution, Inc., the distribution arm of Bell-Phillip Television Productions. Weaver oversaw the day-to-day management of the series, as well as its international sales, operations and promotion.


Plus: What we learned from 'The Office' | 10 reasons to love 'The Mindy Project' | TV's hottest moms


With "The Bold and the Beautiful" earning a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Drama SeriesWeaver is in the running for a fourth trophy, along with his former production team. Those interested in the history of the series might enjoy Weaver's blog post about the team that helped create the show.

 

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Before moving into the soap biz, Weaver spent 13 years with Children's Television Workshop, climbing to Director of Operations and Production Services. During his tenure with CTW, Weaver helped launch "Sesame Street," "The Electric Company," "3-2-1 Contact," "Feeling Good" and "The Best of Families," as well as the international co-productions of "Sesame Street" in Latin America.


Born on June 9, 1937, Weaver was drawn to entertainment from childhood. After a two-year stint in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, he moved to New York City to build an acting career. He spent 20 year as a performer and photographer, studying under Lee Strasberg, before transitioning into production. One of his early gigs behind the camera was writing and producing for the documentary series "Eye on New York." 

 

In 2010, Weaver also released his first novel, "Soul Mates." "The Bold and the Beautiful" castmembers supported his book launch with readings at local bookstores. (Click to watch video of Ronn MossLesli Kay and Lesley-Anne Down sharing Weaver's work.)

 

Weaver passed away in his Los Angeles home on May 11 and is survived by his partner of 29 yearsFranko E. Weaver; daughter Jen Finkle-Weaver; son Kevin Weaver, an Atlantic Records Group exec; and grandchildren Ella, Taji, Kyle and Davis.

 

A private funeral service will be held in Encino. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Three Rivers Lions Club (P.O. Box 134, Three Rivers, MI 49093) or AIDS Project Los Angeles.


"The Bold and the Beautiful" airs weekdays on CBS.

 

 

Mark Burnett courting former Alaskan governor for syndicated talk show

By TVDeeva Deanna Barnert May 14, 2013 2:05PM

Reality TV guru Mark Burnett apparently sees Sarah Palin as the next Oprah. Now, he just has to convince the conservative firebrand, politician and best-selling author to sign on. Palin allegedly turned down Burnett's offer to host a major syndicated talk show, but isn't ruling out the idea of bringing her brand to the "lamestream media."

 

Bing: More about Sarah Palin | Mark Burnett


"Todd and I have always loved working with Mark Burnett, and our family is always up for adventure, so never say never," Palin told Newsmax.

 

While the specifics of Burnett's offer weren't released, the story offers a few theories on why Palin hasn't signed on yet. One source pointed to the show location, which would be either New York or Los Angeles. That would cause a clear logistical issue for the Alaskan native, but another insider points to Palin's "distaste for cultural elites in the Big Apple and LA."

 

Plus: What we learned from 'The Office' | 10 reasons to love 'The Mindy Project' | TV's hottest moms

 

A third insider suggests location isn't the sticking issue: Money is.

 

While Burnett didn't comment on the story, Palin's quote indicates the talk show could still come to fruition.

 

Want more TV? Find MSN TV on Facebook and Twitter

 

Former Vice Presidential candidate Palin teamed up with Burnett's production company to host TLC's "Sarah Palin's Alaska" in 2010-11. This venture would be Burnett's first daytime talk show, though he's certainly no newcomer to TV. The King of Reality TV changed the face of primetime when he launched "Survivor" in 2000. Current shows include "The Apprentice," "The Voice" and "Shark Tank." Burnett and wife Roma Downy also produced the History channel's hit miniseries "The Bible."


 

Season 8 ends with Ted's future wife, and who it is may surprise you

By Mekeisha Madden Toby May 14, 2013 12:15PM

'HIMYM' '/' CBS

ICYMI: This post includes details from the "How I Met Your Mother" Season 8 finale.

 

After eight seasons, fans of the hit CBS comedy "How I Met Your Mother," finally know who the mother is. It's actress Cristin Milioti, who appeared at the tail end of the show's Season 8 finale Monday night.

 

Identified only as "The Girl With the Yellow Umbrella," Milioti will play a major part in the final season of "How I Met Your Mother," when the sitcom returns next fall, CBS confirmed. For weeks, fans have been speculating about who the mother would be, drawing from a long list of guest stars who have appeared on the show, including pop star Britney Spears.

 

Bing: More on 'How I Met Your Mother' | Cristin Milioti

 

Milioti is best known for her Tony-nominated performance in the stage production of "Once," and her turn as "sexy baby" writer Abby Flynn on the "30 Rock" episode, "TGS Hates Women." Best of all, fans can't have any preconceived notions about what kind of woman she is because Ted (Josh Radnor) hasn't met her yet. A closing montage showed everyone en route to Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) and Robin's (Cobie Smulders) wedding, but Milioti's character wasn't introduced to anyone other than the audience.

 

Plus: What we learned from 'The Office' | 10 reasons to love 'The Mindy Project' | TV's hottest moms

 

"It was a pretty big umbrella to fill, casting the title role in a series that's been on the air for eight years," said Carter Bays, the co-creator and executive producer behind "HIMYM," in a statement. "And yet Cristin Milioti is, against all odds, exactly what we were looking for. She made us laugh on '30 Rock,' she made us swoon in 'Once,' and her ukulele skills are no joke. We're thrilled to welcome her to the 'How I Met Your Mother' family, and look forward to getting to know her -- and the character she plays -- much better in the coming final season."

 

Rumors have been swirling that the whole season will play out in real time. Bays didn't confirm or deny this but said Season 9 will, "tell the epic story of the longest wedding weekend ever" and that he and co-creator and executive producer, Craig Thomas will, "take some risks with time."

 

"How I Met Your Mother" returns for its ninth and final season this fall on CBS.  

 

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Deanna Barnert

Deanna Barnert | Los Angeles, Calif.

Entertainment journalist Deanna "TVDeeva" Barnert visits sets, interviews industry players and critiques the final product. Buzz's daytime TV queen covers it all for MSN TV, but loves her sitcoms, soaps and any juicy drama that doesn't call itself Reality TV.