Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie, Matt Lauer and Natalie Morales unveil the Cat Token (Photo by Jason DeCrow/Invision for Hasbro/AP Images)The campaigns are over and the votes have been counted, and fans have chosen the cat as the new Monopoly token. The response to Hasbro’s call for a new token overwhelmingly indicated fans wanted the cat added to the game, with the kitty receiving over 31% of the overall vote.
Unfortunately, the addition of the cat meant that one token had to be retired. The Scottie dog has a huge fan base apparently and it easily won the ‘save’ vote. However, when the dust settled it was the iron – despite a vocal campaign by supporters – that will no longer be included in new editions of the popular game. The iron entered the game in the 1930s but unless you run out and snag a copy of Monopoly now, you’ll no longer be able to purchase a game with an iron token after mid-to-late 2013.
“We know that cat lovers around the world will be happy to welcome the new cat token into the Monopoly game,” stated Eric Nyman, senior vice president and global brand leader for Hasbro Gaming. “While we’re a bit sad to see the iron go, the cat token is a fantastic choice by the fans and we have no doubt it will become just as iconic as the original tokens.”
Finally, the long, long wait is over and Community is back for season 4! The series kicks off on February 7, 2013 at 8pm with “History 101” and to celebrate NBC’s released an epic trailer.
The Plot:
THE GREENDALE STUDY GROUP RETURNS FROM SUMMER BREAK FOR THEIR FOURTH YEAR – The Study Group returns from summer break ready to tackle their fourth year of Community College. Jeff (Joel McHale) is particularly focused on graduating and is just a few credits away. When there is a mix-up with a history class registration, Dean Pelton (Jim Rash) institutes an elaborate physical competition for class space. Meanwhile, Britta (Gillian Jacobs) helps Abed (Danny Pudi) deal with the anxiety he is experiencing over the thought of the study group graduating and breaking up. Chevy Chase, Alison Brie, Yvette Nicole Brown, Donald Glover and Ken Jeong also star.
UK pop band The Wanted will be opening up their lives for the television audience’s viewing pleasure with a new series on E!. Set to premiere in June, The Wanted Life (the current title) will follow the five members of the band – Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuinness, Tom Parker, and Nathan Sykes – as they move to LA to record their third album.
Cameras will follows as The Wanted get ready for a new tour in 2013, with the guys living together in a home in the Hollywood Hills.
Announcing the new series, Suzanne Kolb, President, E!, stated: “The rock star lifestyle is something that everyone has fantasized about and The Wanted are giving viewers total access into their world as they live out this dream. This series is a perfect blend of music, bromance and superstardom chronicling the lives of one of music’s biggest groups as they continue to make their mark on the global stage.”
“America has a long history of falling for British bad boy musicians, so it’s no surprise that The Wanted are already beloved by legions of fans far and wide,” added Ryan Seacrest, Executive Producer. “This talented and outspoken English-Irish band are setting their own course to fame and this journey is the foundation of the series. It’s a road that’s bound to include irresistible pop tracks along with plenty of humor, antics and drama behind-the-scenes, which I believe will further ignite fascination and even obsession with these guys.”
Details on The Wanted [Courtesy of E!]
At 24, Max George is the ladies’ man of the group and holds nothing back. He nearly signed a deal to play football with Preston North End in Manchester before joining the group. Following a very public break-up with his ex-fiancée, Max is playing the field… and loving it.
Siva Kaneswaran, also 24, is the most serious and Zen-like member of the band although he is constantly working to keep the peace between his girlfriend and his bandmates. He also feels the guys live too wildly, and tries to calm down their activities whenever possible.
Funny but elusive, Jay McGuinness can be the most secretive of the group, and at 22, possesses a “Jekyll and Hyde” personality. He is arguably the group’s biggest supporter but can be completely unpredictable.
Tom Parker, also 24, is a bit of a skeptic and has strong opinions on where the band should be headed, which often gets him into hot water with his bandmates. He’s got a girlfriend who fits right in with the guys but the relationship can be challenged by all the time Tom spends with the group. Tom has an energetic temperament that often leaves a mess in its wake.
Nineteen-year-old Nathan Sykes is the baby of the group but has proven to be one of the most mature and grounded. He is completely devoted to the fans and feels the group has an image to uphold. Although he’s close with each of his bandmates, he is sometimes left out of the mix when they go out since he’s not old enough to get into bars and clubs in the US.
Channing Tatum stars in 'Side Effects' - Photo Credit: Barry Wetcher / Open Road Films
Channing Tatum reunites with director Steven Soderbergh for Side Effects, a dramatic thriller full of plot twists and gotcha moments. The film marks the third time Tatum and Soderbergh have collaborated following Haywire and Magic Mike, and in this interview courtesy of Open Road Films, Tatum talks about why he enjoys working with the acclaimed filmmaker who keeps threatening to retire.
Tatum also discusses his Side Effects character, researching his role, and working with Rooney Mara (his on-screen wife) and Jude Law.
The Plot:
Side Effects is a provocative thriller about Emily and Martin (Rooney Mara and Channing Tatum), a successful New York couple whose world unravels when a new drug prescribed by Emily’s psychiatrist (Jude Law) – intended to treat anxiety – has unexpected side effects.
Watch the video:
Side Effects opens in theaters on February 8, 2013.
Helen Fielding - Photo Courtesy of KnopfHelen Fielding’s written a new Bridget Jones book and promises this third novel of the series will cover a new phase in the popular character’s life. “My life has moved on,” says Fielding, “and Bridget’s will move on, too.”
Set in the present day in London, we’ll be catching up with Bridget at a later stage in her life. Fans can expect to see the new Bridget Jones book on sale this November. Alfred A Knopf will be publishing the book in the US and has ordered a 250,000 copy first printing.
“Few writers can rival Helen Fielding when it comes to fully capturing the modern woman,” said Sonny Mehta, Knopf Chairman and Editor in Chief. “Her writing is both funny and heartfelt, and her observations about life are piercing and mordantly rendered. I have been waiting a long time to see what’s next for Bridget Jones, and I am beyond thrilled that she’s back.”
“I hope people will have as much fun reading it, as I am writing it,” said Fielding.
Fielding will be appearing at the June 1 BookExpo America in New York in support of the book’s end-of-the-year release.
The first book, Bridget Jones’s Diary, was published in 1996 with Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason following in 1999. The two books have sold over 15 million copies and have made the jump to the big screen with two films starring Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth.
Looking Back On Love is a documentary that goes behind the scenes of Lenny Kravitz’ 9th studio album, Black and White America. Available now on iTunes, the documentary follows Kravitz during the studio sessions in which he created the critically acclaimed album.
Mathieu Bitton shot the film which will, according to the official press release announcing the documentary, allow viewers to “experience the Bahamian culture through a day-to-day look at Lenny’s life, and watch the artist create and record the songs at his Bahamas home studio, Gregory Town Sound.”
Looking Back On Love features exclusive interviews recorded over two years while showcasing Lenny’s recording techniques. Per the announcement: “The spotlight is also on Lenny’s recording techniques, showcasing his musical partner Craig Ross, New Orleans legend Trombone Shorty, and long time collaborators, George Laks, Harold Todd, and Michael Hunter at work at Gregory Town Sound. The film also features in depth examination of the album’s title song; Lenny’s personal history about his upbringing in a mixed family, the 2008 election of President Obama and the message of love that Lenny has been preaching for over 20 years.”
Kravitz, currently working on album #10, has sold more than 38 million albums. He’s also ventured outside of the music arena to act in feature films, including a co-starring role in The Hunger Games franchise as Cinna.
Kravitz can currently be found in the studio recording his next album.
Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, Ryan Seacrest, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson on the set of AMERICAN IDOL (Photo by Michael Becker / FOX)
The guys are up first on American Idol, kicking off the first round of the Hollywood auditions on February 6, 2013. Those fortunate enough to have made it to this stage of the competition will find themselves hitting the stage in Hollywood and once again trying to impress judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban, and Randy Jackson. But this year, there’s a new catch: guys will compete against guys and girls will compete against girls.
The girls will take center stage on February 13th, battling it out amongst each other to earn a spot on the Top 40 semifinalists list, which will be announced on Thursday, February 14th.
During the Hollywood rounds, the contestants will sing a cappella in order to make it to the next step. If they survive, they’ll then have to team up – sometimes with complete strangers – for the dreaded group day. And then from there, those who remain in the competition will perform solo one more time as they give it their all for a shot at that Top 40 list.
American Idol air times:
Wednesday, February 6 – 8-10pm
Thursday, February 7 – 8-9pm
Wednesday, February 13 – 8-10pm
Thursday, February 14 – 8-9pm
The Cast of 'Ripper Street' - Photo Courtesy of BBC One
BBC One is ready to head down Ripper Street one more time. The network’s confirmed they’ll be bringing back the popular dramatic series for an eight episode season two in 2014. Thus far, Ripper Street‘s attracted big numbers, averaging 7.1 million viewers per episode.
Ripper Street is set in the East End of London in 1889 and takes place during the aftermath of the Jack the Ripper murders. The series was written by Richard Warlow and the cast is led by Matthew Macfadyen, Jerome Flynn and Adam Rothenberg.
Commenting on the renewal, Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning stated: “Quality and ambition run through Ripper Street, from Richard Warlow’s original scripts, the incredible cast and the captivating direction. All combine to create a period series with a modern and gripping edge that will return for a second series in 2014.”
“I am enormously grateful to have been given the opportunity to return to ‘H’ Division once more and will be working tirelessly to ensure that those who have joined us each week will find ever more compelling crime-fighting thrills down on Ripper Street the second time around,” said creator/writer Richard Warlow. “The series will move forward into the 1890s: the death rattle of a century coming to a close, the labour pains of a modern world on the rise. It is this sense of climax and calamity that, week by week, our heroes will confront with conviction and heroism.”
Filming on season two is expected to begin this spring.
One of the best uses thus far of The Avengers trailer – outside of actually promoting The Avengers – is this hilarious mash-up. Featuring narration from the Breakfast Club trailer, The Avengers are snuggly fit into Breakfast Club categories – a Brain (Iron Man), a Beauty (Black Widow), a Jock (Captain America), a Rebel (Loki), and a Recluse (The Hulk).
Jay, Chris and Chad in a scene from 'Out There' - Photo Courtesy of IFC TV
IFC TV has announced a cast of comedy stars will be guest starring on their new animated show, Out There. The coming-of-age animated comedy will feature appearances by characters voiced by Sarah Silverman, Jemaine Clement, Selma Blair, Nick Offerman, Ellen Page, Stephen Root, Jason Schwartzman and Christian Slater. The series is set to premiere on February 22nd at 10:30pm.
“I’m beyond amazed at the guest stars we were able to cast,” said Ryan Quincy, series creator and Emmy-winning director of South Park. “All of them I’ve long admired and I think they all share an outsider quality that is a perfect fit for the Out There universe.”
The main cast of voice stars is made up of Pamela Adlon, Fred Armisen, Linda Cardellini, John DiMaggio, Kate Micucci, Megan Mullally, and Justin Roiland, with Ryan Quincy voicing the lead character, Chad Stevens.
The Plot: Out There chronicles the misadventures of socially awkward Chad, his little brother Jay (Kate Micucci) and his best friend, Chris (Justin Roiland). Living in the small town of Holford, the boys wander its surreal, bleak landscape waiting out their last few years of high school and discovering that growing up is weird to do. Puberty, first loves, social ostracism, conservative parents, single moms and their disastrous boyfriend choices, Out There confronts these perils of youth and explores that terrifying limbo between childhood and adulthood when fragile young personalities form and re-form. Relive the agony and ecstasy of those special times as Chad and Chris try to navigate life… out there.
