MSN TV Blog - TV Buzz

Which talker landed an interview with Paris Jackson?

By TVDeeva Deanna Barnert Dec 6, 2011 8:45AM

Paris Jackson

This week's daytime lineup boasts the first real interview with Paris Jackson, daughter of King of Pop Michael Jackson, not to mention another round of holiday survival tips and tricks. The casts from Garry Marshall's star-studded "New Year's Eve" and Diablo Cody's "Young Adult" are making the rounds, along with the "Hot in Cleveland" gals and Jonah Hill. In addition to playing guest to promote his film, "The Sitter," Hill joins Derek Hough and Josh Groban as one of Kelly Ripa's "Live! With Kelly" co-hosts this week. Plus, Lady Gaga, Lenny Kravitz, Avril Lavigne, Andrea Bocelli, Robin Thicke and Jackie Evancho will perform. 


Schedules subject to change


"Anderson"
Mon: Melissa McCarthy, Victoria Ruvolo
Tues: Meredith Vieira and Richard Cohen, Betty White, Octavia Spencer
Wed: Valerie Bertinelli, Wendie Malick & Jane Leeves
Thurs: Steve Harvey
Fri: Heidi Klum co-hosts

"Live! With Kelly"
Mon: Jeffrey Donovan, Elizabeth Olsen, Paula Deen, guest co-host Derek Hough
Tue: Sarah Jessica Parker, Emily Van Camp, Richard Blais, guest co-host Jonah Hill
Wed: Zac Efron, Andrew Carmellini, guest co-host Josh Groban
Thurs: Jessica Biel, Anne Burrell, guest co-host Josh Groban
Fri: Charlize Theron, Abigail Breslin, Michael Symon, Cody Simpson, guest co-host Josh Groban


Bing: Watch clips and episodes of 'Ellen Show'


"The Ellen DeGeneres Show"
Mon: Josh Duhamel, Laura Dern
Tues: Hilary Swank, Steve Jones, Sabrina Soto
Wed: Katherine Heigl, Lenny Kravitz performs
Thurs: Paris Jackson, Pierce Brosnan, Bethenny Frankel
Fri: Lady Gaga talks and performs

"The Rachael Ray Show"
Mon: Piper Perabo
Tues: Chef John Besh, Beth Stern, Mat Kearney performs
Wed: Avril Lavigne cooks and performs
Thurs:  Felicity Jones
Fri: Jonah Hill, Kendra Scott


"The Talk"
Mon: Fred Willard, guest co-host Nancy Grace
Tues: Melissa Gilbert, Chi-Lan Lieu, Andrea Bocelli performs
Wed: NeNe Leakes, Donald Faison, Jackie Evancho performs
Thurs: Vicki Lawrence, Jason Priestley, Sara Leibowitz
Fri: Jeremy Piven

"Today"
Mon (7-9 a.m.): Giuliana Rancic, Harry Connick Jr
Tues (7-9 a.m.): The Professionals 
Wed (7-9 a.m.): Michelle Pfeiffer and Zac Efron, Martha Stewart (9-11 a.m.): Gary Marshall
Thurs (7-9 a.m.): Jessica Biel and Seth Meyers (10-11 a.m.): Melissa Gilbert
Fri (7-9 a.m.): The Brown Sisters perform (10-11 a.m.): Robin Thicke performs. 


"The View"
Mon: Jane Fonda, Paul Anka performs
Tues: Condoleezza Rice, Patricia Cornwell, Jackie Evancho
Wed: Bill Clinton, Cheryl Hines
Thurs: Martha Stewart
Fri: Ralph Fiennes, Ivanka Trump


"The Wendy Williams Show"
Mon: Kristen Johnston
Tues: Bill & Giuliana Rancic, the latest "Biggest Loser" castoff
Wed: Janna Robinson
Thurs: Ivanka Trump, the cast of "The A-List: Dallas"       
Fri: Tai Beauchamp         

 

The crooner and 'Office' star channel some classic variety-show charm for 'Bublé Christmas' promos

By Kenny Herzog Dec 5, 2011 1:09PM
Who can be Grouchy on Christmas when Buble is in the building? (Credit: Eric Leibowitz/NBC)By the looks of it, NBC's "A Michael Bublé Christmas" special, which airs tomorrow night and aims to start a new annual tradition, will be downright old-fashioned. Kellie Pickler, Justin Bieber and some Muppets will be dropping by, and Buble will sing and swing with all your favorite yuletide classics. 

But as "SNL" fans know from Bublé's appearances, the 36-year-old entertainer shares fellow standards-bearer Josh Groban's knack for comedic timing. And "Bublé Christmas" producer Ben Silverman ("The Office") definitely gets the nostalgic humor in archival holiday variety shows of yore. Which is probably why he called on "Office" mate Ed Helms to get dressed up like a "Saturday Night Fever" extra, join Bublé in the below viral bit and rally an even wider and more diverse audience for their special.


And given that Dean Martin's no longer around with his boozily wholesome and, in hindsight, unintentionally hilarious Christmas productions, Helms and Bublé's ironic homage will have to suffice.

 
"A Michael Bublé Christmas" airs Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
 

No to 'Celebrity Big Brother'

By Corey Levitan Dec 5, 2011 9:55AM

gossiprocks.comLindsay Lohan will make her first "Ellen" show appearance since 2009 on Thursday, Dec. 15, Perez Hilton scoops.


Expect the 25-year-old star of TV, movies and cell blocks to promote her spread in January's Playboy (out later this month) and her soon-to-relaunch clothing line, 6126, in addition to jokingly addressing her legal troubles -- the latest of which was a four-and-a-half hour incarceration last month for violating a probation order imposed after she was jailed in 2007 for DUI. (Ha ha ha!)


One TV location you will not see Lohan is on "Celebrity Big Brother" -- despite a report published yesterday in Britain's "Daily Mail" newspaper calling the deal close and noting that producers of the UK reality show already flew to L.A. to lure her.

"Lindsay is not doing 'Big Brother,'" a Lohan rep emphatically told E! Online in response to the report.

 

Even if she wanted to, it would be a difficult trick. In addition to her still-unfulfilled, court-ordered 423 hours of community service at the L.A. morgue and 18 psychotherapy sessions, Lohan isn't allowed to leave Cali without the approval of her probation officer.

 

"The Ellen DeGeneres Show" airs weekdays. Check local listings.

 

Soap fans are celebrating today, even though it won't save their shows

By TVDeeva Deanna Barnert Dec 2, 2011 5:37PM

Brian Frons/AP

After completely changing the face of ABC daytime by replacing "All My Children" and "One Life to Live" with lifestyle talk shows "The Chew" and "The Revolution" and also landing Katie Couric's new talker for next fall, Brian Frons has stepped down as president, Daytime, Disney/ABC Television Group. Vicki Dummer, Senior VP of current series and specials, has been tapped to replace Frons in a new position.
 

Bing: More on Brian Frons | More on the canceled soaps


“While my decision to try something new was not arrived at easily, nine years is a long time in television terms, Frons said in a statement. "I’m proud of the performance of ABC daytime over that time, and of all of the accomplishments that our team achieved along the way. I’ll miss my colleagues and the wonderful talent that makes our shows, but know they are in very capable hands with Vicki going forward.”

Many soaps fans who have been crushed by the cancellation of "All My Children" and impending January finale of "One Life to Live," have been slamming Frons over the changes to ABC Daytime. They are certainly cheering over his exit, even though it's too late to save their shows.

While ABC/Disney isn't cheering, they've decided to make the most of the shakeup by revamping the power structure. "While we understand his decision to leave at the end of his contract, we’re sad to see him go," Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney/ABC Television Group said. “We took this opportunity to rethink our business, and the result was the creation of Times Square Studios."

Times Square Studios will oversee current programming, as well as the development of new programming focused primarily in the areas of non-scripted lifestyle and health for Daytime and Syndication. The combination of daytime and syndication are a natural fit, as a healthy portion of the daytime scene is composed of syndicated shows these days.

"Having it be part of the ABC Entertainment Group, under the supervision of proven executives Vicki Dummer and Paul Lee, provides us the opportunity to bring greater creative resources, development strength and operational flexibility to this key area of our business," Sweeney said.

Vicki Dummer will be promoted to executive vice president, Times Square Studios, Current Series & Specials. She will continue to report to Paul Lee, president, ABC Entertainment Group, who, with this announcement, adds Times Square Studios to his portfolio. Abra Potkin, former CBS News and entertainment development executive, has been hired as senior vice president, East Coast Programming & Development, Times Square Studios; and ABC Daytime veteran Ann Lewis Roberts has been named senior vice president, West Coast Current Programming & Development, Times Square Studios. Both will report to Ms. Dummer.
 
Frons will stick around through the end of his contract in January 2012 to help the transition.


 

The cast pops up on 'Today' to celebrate their 'Homecoming' and make Matt Lauer's day

By Kenny Herzog Dec 2, 2011 11:32AM

Who can blame Matt Lauer for being smitten and sentimental as he interviewed eight surviving cast members of classic CBS series "The Waltons" this morning on "Today"? After all, it was the first time that many Waltons had been together in one room in more than two decades, thanks to a 40th anniversary screening of their inaugural TV movie, "The Homecoming," tonight in New Jersey. For the first time in 30 years, the entire cast of the beloved series will reunite at the Landmark Loew's Jersey Theatre in Journal Square, N.J.

 

Bing: More on "The Waltons"

But their interview with Lauer was also a chance to reflect on how cynical and mean-spirited primetime family dramas and even comedies have become in the ensuing four decades. As Michael Learned, aka Olivia Walton, pointed out, their show took place amid the Great Depression and World War II, tackling everything from Nazi terror to Dust Bowl poverty. Yet, it managed to focus on the idea that the strength of individual families persevered through some of America's toughest times.

Much as we love the sibling rivalry of modern sitcoms like "Arrested Development" or nuclear-unit tension of hits ranging from "Parenthood" to "Boardwalk Empire," it's hard not to yearn along with Lauer and "The Waltons" cast for a time when TV offered hopeful respite from a volatile world. And delicious family dinners. 
 

The OWN empress puts gabby Wendy Williams in her place ... adorably

By Kenny Herzog Dec 1, 2011 5:16PM

Sometimes, we hire our friends and loved ones just to give them a break or to nurture their skills before they use it as a stepping stone toward their ultimate dream. Other times, we give those close to us an opportunity, and the moment someone else offers bigger bucks and wider acclaim, they flee to new environs without a minute of second thought.

 
 
We're inclined to believe that, in the case of Oprah Winfrey's BFF Gayle King leaving her eponymous show on the OWN network for co-hosting duties on CBS' "Early Show," it's at least 75 percent the former. Wendy Williams, however, was a bit more skeptical of the shakeup, opining publicly on her own televised chat-fest that King's maneuver can only indicate that she and the Big O are over as besties for the resties. 

Not one to take any gossip about her inner circle lying down, Oprah sent Williams a brief letter to clarify any speculation out there, which Williams of course shared on the air. The note simply assured Wendy W. and America that "there is only happiness for Gayle and this wonderful opportunity," and even punctuated it with a smiley emoticon!

Now if that doesn't say friendship, then OMG we don't know what is LOL. 
 
Take a look for yourself:
 

The two-plus-minute teaser melodramatically sells the show's past and future legacy

By Kenny Herzog Dec 1, 2011 10:37AM
Original 'Dallas' star Larry Hagman with young gun Josh Henderson. (Credit: Zade Rosenthal)
What's old isn't always new again in prime-time drama. Just ask the folks behind 2009's "Melrose Place" redux. But TNT's impending re-launch of iconic family soap "Dallas" seems to have "hit" written all over it. And not just because its network managed to eke boffo ratings out of "Franklin & Bash."

Bing: More on "Dallas"

The below, extended trailer for the series, which won't see TV screens until a TBD date in Summer 2012, mixes new production footage with behind-the-scenes, roundtable cast interviews. Naturally, its self-appointed gravitas are a bit hysterical (e.g. "One show changed television forever."), and the pounding score is only slightly over the top. 

Still, the return of original Ewings Patrick Duffy, Larry Hagman and Linda Gray, as well as the magnetic appeal of familiar young faces like "Desperate Housewives" alum Jesse Metcalfe and "Fast & Furious"/"As the World Turns" star Jordana Brewster, makes for some enticing cross-generational chemistry. 

View the trailer below for yourself and decide if "Dallas" 2.0 will be worth space in your DVR. Although, after streaming it a couple of times, it's hard to deny that Southfork circa 1978 is where pulpy, hour-long network drama got its spurs.

"Dallas" premieres Summer 2012 on TNT.
 

Gloria Estefan reportedly in line to play Santana's mom

By Corey Levitan Dec 1, 2011 9:43AM

infosurhoy.comAccording to this Entertainment Weekly report, Gloria Estefan is in negotiations to appear on "Glee" in late January.


If negotiations succeed, Estefan should play the mother of Santana Lopez (Naya Rivera) in the same episode where Ricky Martin appears as a Spanish teacher with two musical numbers. (TVLine broke that story on Tuesday.)


A source told "EW" the "Glee" cast is "really really big fans of hers and we love her music and her husband's music."


This AOL report fuels speculation that Santana's dad could be played by Javier Bardem, who according to  this 2010 'EW' report was expected to appear in Season 2.


But that's wishful thinking at this point.

"Glee" airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.