TV Buzz Blog

'The Killing': 'Beau Soleil'

In the penultimate episode, the mystery races towards the finish line with a series of implausible scenarios

By Miss Sarah Jo Jun 13, 2011 5:38PM

Are these really our only two choices? A turgid, mood-heavy, slow-moving slog with occasionally powerful moments, or a fast-paced and fairly suspenseful story made up almost entirely of utterly implausible occurrences? In the space of one hour, we find out that Terry is a prostitute, Darren Richmond (at the very least) frequents her escort service, and that Holder and Linden can magically trace back and find an erased message board posting in less time than it takes to say "Pimp My Feet."

The police: Apparently making up for tons of lost time and energy, the cops are somehow able to find out that Rosie was stopping off at the Indian casino to make large deposits of cash to an account in her aunt Terry's name, determine that Terry is an escort for an organization called Beau Soleil and obtain the description, email and a first-hand account of a violent customer who drove the girls down to the river and talked about "what it would feel like to drown." All in one (1) day. It is one thing to explore red herrings and well-intentioned but misguided police work early in your series; it is another to throw a bunch of brand-new (and largely clichéd and ridiculous) information in your last two episodes.

The family: Not much here, other than Aunt Terry being part of the oldest profession. That was some seriously contrived conflict between Mitch and Stan, which will surely resolve itself in next week's finale, when he finally tells her about the new house (like people do in real life). One grace note: Jamie Anne Allman's gut-punch of a scene where she connected "Orpheus" fascination with drowning and Rosie's death, and cold fear just washed over her face.

The campaign: Sigh. Is this why they hired Billy Campbell? To morph into the faceless specter of murder, who also inexplicably uses the same email address to arrange his appearance schedule and solicit for sex? It is hard to believe that this isn't another final fake-out from the producers who brought us Bennet Ahmed and his secret ring of Somali super-heroes, although it is obvious something strange is going on with Richmond. The photos and the prostitute's story are all pointing towards some kind of secret life, but murder? Stay tuned for next week.

As long as we are cataloging farfetched situations: Holder manages to make an appointment that very night with the one particular girl who posted the warning about Orpheus, and also gets her to come to his hotel room alone, despite never having been a client of Beau Soleil.
Michelle Forbes was really giving a powerful performance; too bad the writing has left her in the lurch for the final stretch.
On the good side: The grainy lighting and overcast sky really made that scene in Drexler's house with the overhead pool particularly creepy. He's certainly one to watch in the final analysis.
"Maybe none of us knew her." Sadly, I don't think we ever will either.

Amy Pietz Talks 'Nine Lives of Chloe King'

Veteran actress excited about her latest mom role on ABC Family

By MSN TV Jun 13, 2011 5:26PM

By Mekeisha Madden Toby
Special to MSN TV

Actress Amy Pietz doesn't wear mom jeans and she doesn't cotton to many of the mom roles written by Hollywood scribes.

Bing: More about Amy Pietz | 'The Nine Lives of Chloe King'

"I've always turned down mom roles unless they're quirky or really weird," Pietz said. "I'm not interested in playing a mom wearing sweater sets."

Video: Watch the first five minutes of the pilot episode

Of course, Pietz has made exceptions. She dazzled fans as matriarch Franny Tolchuck on The CW's beloved and short-lived comedy, "Aliens in America."

And then there's the mom role Pietz rejected that she wishes she hadn't.

"I turned down 'Modern Family' for some crazy reason," Pietz, 42, confessed at ABC's summer TV press junket last month in Burbank, Calif. She could've played Claire Dunphy on the critically acclaimed comedy, a part that earned Julie Bowen, 41, an Emmy nomination.
"That was not a good decision," Pietz said. "but it wasn't written the way I wanted to speak."

Pietz, who is best known for her turn on "Caroline in the City" (1995-2000), is getting a second chance of sorts in her new role as Meredith King. She's the mom on ABC Family's new sci-fi drama "The Nine Lives of Chloe King."

"I've never done sci-fi or action," Pietz said. "Yet, at the same time there is a 'Gilmore Girls' type relationship (between Chloe and Meredith).
"I read the first three pages of the script and it sounded like me. And I thought, 'I can do this.'"

Just look at Craig T. Nelson. He turned down the role of Jay Pritchett on "Modern Family," much to the delight and benefit of Ed O'Neill. But Nelson redeemed himself with a solid role on NBC's "Parenthood." The same good fortune could easily befall Pietz.

After all, "The Nine Lives of Chloe King" certainly has a lot going for it and that includes a built-in fan base. The show is based on a series of books of the same name from author Celia Thomson and follows Chloe (Skyler Samuels, "The Gates"), a teenage girl who learns she is a descendant of an ancient race. Chloe's bloodline blesses her with extraordinary gifts including enhanced hearing and senses, speed and agility.

"I watched it with my stepdaughter and she was scared and thrilled," said Pietz, who recently married and became a stepmom and is using both of her new roles to evolve.

"I had no experience with teenagers until this year," Pietz said. "And now I've got two. I've got a TV one and a real one and they're both helping me out because I understand this is real. Their issues are real and they deserve weight and care."

"The Nine Lives of Chloe King" premieres Tuesday, June 14, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC Family.

Denise Richards: 'Nobody Can Replace Charlie'

Denise Richards 'Sad' To See Ex Charlie Sheen Leave 'Two And A Half Men'

By Sona Charaipotra Jun 13, 2011 11:23AM

In an unexpected twist on the Charlie Sheen/"Two And A Half Men" drama, ex-wife Denise Richards, who hasn't always had the kindest words for her notoriously womanizing former flame, told reporters this weekend that she thinks "nobody can replace Charlie" on the hit CBS comedy. (Perhaps it has something to do with promoting her upcoming memoir? Just saying.)

"I'm sad to see Charlie not on the show," she said at the 22nd Annual Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation carnival on Sunday. "I think Ashton [Kutcher] is going to be great, [but] nobody can replace Charlie. The show was written for him and he was so brilliant at it. But I think Ashton will make it his own."

Richards, who was married to Sheen for four years, also sheds some light on the positive parts of their relationship in her upcoming memoir, "The Real Girl Next Door" (due July 26). "I get into the good stuff about my marriage because people have only gotten the rotten stuff," she explained. "There was a beautiful love story between us. I talk about how I felt during that time because a lot of women can relate to that, going through a divorce and custody and being a single parent and trying to work."

So why share now? Richards says she hopes to help other women dealing with similar situations. "I went through a lot and I get asked a lot of questions about that time in my life, so I figured I'd share my story and hopefully anyone that's dealing with challenges will know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel," she said. "We had one of the worst divorces, so if we can get into a good place, that's great."

As for Sheen's recent tirade, Richards says she shields their two daughters, Sam and Lola, from the media frenzy. "I protect my children from that," she said. "I don't keep the news on when they are around. So far they're okay, but that could change as kids get older and more aware. But today, we're good."

Richards, currently focused on the second season of her Spike TV football comedy "Blue Mountain State," is still trying to work it, too, with perhaps an upcoming gig on the final season of "Entourage." "They've asked me, but I don't know if we're going to be able to work out dates," she said. "But I'd love to do it -- it's one of my favorite shows."

As for another guest stint on "Men," well, don't hold your breath. "I've not been invited back," she said. And with Ashton bringing some new blood to the eight-year-old comedy, it's not likely she will be.

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Look Who's Talking in Daytime: June 13-17

President Barack Obama coming to 'Today'

By MSN TV Jun 10, 2011 2:29PM

By Deanna Barnert
Special to MSN TV

Here's the lowdown on which daytime shows will be hanging out with Jim Carrey, Ryan Reynolds, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, Fran Drescher, Emma Roberts, Barry Manilow, Katie Holmes, Chord Overstreet, Kendra Wilkinson, Chris Pine and the "Hot in Cleveland" ladies during the week of June 13-17. Amid all the stars, don't miss Anne Curry's first big get as "Today" co-host: On Tuesday she sits down with President Barack Obama!

All guests are subject to change.

Bing: More about President Barack Obama

"Live with Regis and Kelly"
Monday: Angela Bassett, Emma Roberts, guest co-host Joy Philbin
Tuesday: Betty White, Blake Lively, Jeff Gordon, Jordin Sparks
Wednesday: Ryan Reynolds, Larry the Cable Guy, guest co-host Kristin Chenoweth
Thursday: Jim Carrey, Michael Bolton
Friday: Cory Monteith, Ryan & Tatum O'Neal, guest co-host Kara DioGuardi

"The Ellen Degeneres Show"
Monday: Jimmy Fallon, Chord Overstreet, Kendra Wilkinson
Tuesday: Chris Pine, Kelly Osbourne
Wednesday: Katie Holmes, Kim & Kourtney Kardashian, Onerepublic performs
Thursday: Kaley Cuoco, Keith Urban, Bethenny Frankel (Rebroadcast)
Friday: Christian Slater, La Toya Jackson, Jennifer Hudson & Savannah Robinson (Rebroadcast)

"The Gayle King Show"
Monday: TBA
Tuesday: Barry Manilow, Tatum O'Neal
Wednesday: Angela Bassett
Thursday: The Beatles Show
Friday: Liza Minnelli, Fran Drescher

"The Talk"
Monday: Margaret Cho; Amanda Goldberg and Ruthanna Khalighi Hopper
Tuesday: Jada Pinkett Smith; Peter Gallagher
Wednesday: Scott Bakula
Thursday: Mira & Paul Sorvino, Tiffani Thiessen (n)
Friday: Sarah Ferguson, Willie Garson

"The View"
Monday: Jada Pinkett Smith
Tuesday: President Barack Obama, Fran Drescher ("Happily Divorced"); musical guests Jackie Evancho with David Foster
Wednesday: Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves & Wendy Malick
Thursday: Diane Sawyer; musical guest Chaka Kahn
Friday: Chris Rock & Bobby Cannavale

"Today"
Monday: Jackie Evancho performs.
Tuesday: Blake Lively, Jada Pinkett Smith, Rocco Dispirito
Wednesday: Ryan Reynolds, Kara Dioguardi.
Thursday: Jim Carrey, Paula Deen
Friday: Kenny Chesney performs live on the plaza -- twice!

Jimmy Kimmel and Katie Couric Spoof Kate Gosselin

Watch the fake new reality show 'Katie Plus Eighty'

By MSN TV Jun 9, 2011 2:44PM

By Deanna Barnert
Special to MSN TV

On the heels of announcing she's returning to daytime in 2012 Katie Couric visited "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Tuesday night. America's sweetheart promoted her NY Times Best Seller, "The Best Advice I Ever Got," talked about her move to ABC News and shared the promo for her spoof-tastic new reality show, "Katie Plus Eighty."

Bing: More about Katie Couric

The late night visit was quite the love fest, with Katie and Jimmy clearly excited to hang out for the first time. They dished and giggled about Disneyland, Katie's book and the essay Kimmel wrote for it, and the ABC welcoming committee.

"Mickey hasn't called. Minnie called me, though. So has Happy and Goofy," Couric quipped. "Everyone's been incredibly warm and welcoming and gracious. So far so good."

The real fun came when Couric started talking about her new daytime gig. After she and Jimmy shared a laugh over her "ambushing" Sarah Palin, they shared something even better: a promo for Couric's upcoming reality TV show, "Katie Plus 80."

"I'm particularly excited about that, Jimmy," Katie said of her new faux reality show. "That's really what clinched the deal for me. I thought people really deserved an inside look at my life, because it's so fascinating. When they offered me that, I said, 'yeah, absolutely. I definitely want cameras in my house.'"

Jon Cryer Speaks Out on Sheen Fiasco

Chatting with Letterman last night, Cryer wished Sheen 'nothing but the best'

By Sona Charaipotra Jun 9, 2011 11:04AM

Gotta hand it to that Jon Cryer. Throughout the whole Charlie Sheen meltdown/near death of his hit show "Two And A Half Men," he's been one hell of a respectable, non-trash-talking stand-up guy.

And so it continues. Yesterday night, chatting with David Letterman on "The Late Show," he once again opened up about the whole fiasco, and had nothing but well wishes for Sheen, who's publicly berated Cryer and the "Men" cast and crew repeatedly while spewing hate on his whirlwind media rampage.

"We want nothing but the best for him," Cryer said, despite Letterman's baiting with repeated jokes at Sheen's expense. "I want him to get healthy, I want him to stay sober, I want him to be reunited with his family. That would be the best thing. I love him. He's a great friend."

As for Sheen's recent comment that Cryer was a troll, the "Men" star deflected, saying that pals often taunt each other. Uh, sure.

In any case, Cryer said it took a long time for the "Men" folks to see how much Sheen's life was really disintegrating. "It's as much a mystery to me as to everybody, really. We didn't see where it was going," he confessed. "This has never happened before. It wasn't like back in 1963. Oh, everyone remembers Fred McMurray went bat-shit and started talking about free mason ninjas and stuff. It was crazy! Nobody was prepared for this."

Bing: More about 'Two and a Half Men'

As for Sheen's dismissal, Cryer commented that it was inevitable. "Nobody in show business can possibly get away with making fun of their boss," he said to Letterman with a smirk. "It just doesn't happen, as you know, Dave."

"None of us wanted to continue with the show if we felt like it was hurting him," he added. "When we shut down, it was like the end of the world for some people. There are a lot of fans."

Cryer says he'll welcome Sheen's replacement, Ashton Kutcher, whom he hung out with on the CBS corporate jet, with open arms. Despite a recent incident on the CBS corporate jet, "which was pretty schnazzy," Cryer said. "But what gave me pause was, when Ashton came on the plane, he said, 'Ah, you know what I love about private jets? You can bring knives on board."

Yup, that Cryer. He's been through a lot, but he's still standing.

What to Watch This Weekend: 'The Glee Project'

Oxygen's 'Glee Project' should keep Gleeks busy this summer

By Sona Charaipotra Jun 9, 2011 10:34AM

With "Glee" gone but not nearly forgotten this summer, Oxygen TV is banking on Gleeks all out tendency towards participation with their behind-the-scenes series "The Glee Project," debuting Sunday at TK p.m., via which producers will pick the next big "Glee" star. After all, the musical comedy has to keep up with it's create-a-star contemporaries, like "The Sing Along," "The Voice," and, of course, "American Idol."

BING: More "Glee Project"

So now that we've seen the sneak peeks at the top 12 contenders (or perhaps not -- check out the video below for more!), who tops our list of must-see "Glee" star?

Bryce: He's got the look, the vibe, and having studied on scholarship at Berklee School of Music in Boston, the talent.

Emily: Reeor! This girl is feisty! Her bold personality may be better-suited to the reality world, but "Glee" could use a diva who can hold her own against Lea Michele and Amber Riley -- and this girl is ready to bring it.

Cameron: His aw shucks geekiness is super-endearing -- and the nerd with hidden talent persona could be just what the cast needs.

Ellis: A big, bold voice coming out of a tiny package -- Ellis's youthful energy (and look) make her fit the high school scene seamlessly.

"The Glee Project" debuts Sunday, June 12 at 9 p.m. on Oxygen.

First Look at 'The Walking Dead' Season 2

AMC releases photos of upcoming season

By MSN TV Jun 9, 2011 8:45AM

Can't wait for the next season of AMC's "The Walking Dead"?

Well, AMC released a "first look" photo of Season 2, which should hopefully tie you over for at least a couple of more weeks. You can find more photos here.

Bing: More about 'The Walking Dead'

"The Walking Dead," currently in production in the greater Atlanta area, will return with 13 new episodes in the fall on AMC.

Executive Producer/Writer/Director Frank Darabont says, "At this moment, I'm standing on a stretch of post-apocalypse interstate in Georgia, littered with abandoned cars and blessing my good luck to be reunited with our amazing cast, and our fantastic directors and crew. Across the board, there are none better. It's great to be shooting again. I think we've embarked on a great season."

What do you think? What would you like to see in Season 2?

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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.

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