Frances Conroy in 'American Horror Story' Season 1 - Photo Credit: FXRyan Murphy, co-creator of American Horror Story (and the guy behind Glee), tweeted the news that another cast member from season one of the critically acclaimed series will be rejoining the show for season two:
Thrilled to announce Emmy nominee Frances Conroy is returning to AHS. Devils and angels this year…Frannie plays the ultimate angel.” – @MrRPMurphy
Conroy was nominated for an Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie Emmy for her role as Moira O’Hara in the first season of AHS, but this is an entirely new character. Murphy tweeted this in response to a comment from a fan:
@AnAvidTVWatcher A very different role for Frannie this year. Much more powerful…and all-knowing. #feministhorroricon”
American Horror Story: Asylum‘s cast also includes Jessica Lange, Joseph Fiennes, Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, Lily Rabe, Zachary Quinto, and James Cromwell.
This year’s Hugo Award for the Best Graphic Story went to Ursula Vernon for her comic, Digger. Digger‘s win marks the first for Vernon and the first for the comic’s publisher, Sofawolf Press.
Speaking about her win, Vernon said, “I’m so honored and grateful to see my little wombat bring home a Hugo. Thanks to everyone who made Digger a success.”
Digger is the story of “a practical wombat trapped in a quirky fantasy world.” First published in 2003, the series finished up on the internet in 2010. Sofawolf Press then published the comic in six print volumes, concluding with volume six in summer 2011.
Sofawolf CEO Jeffery Eddy said, “We always knew Digger was exceptional, and it is our pleasure to have played a part in presenting it to the wider community and giving it the recognition it deserves.”
More on The Hugo Awards [Courtesy of Sofawolf]:
“The Hugo Awards are the popular awards for the field of science fiction and fantasy. They are awarded in a ceremony each year at the World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon), which this year was held in Chicago, Illinois. In 2009, the World Science Fiction Society, which administers the Hugo Awards, added a category for ‘Best Graphic Story,’ to be presented for five years as a trial to evaluate the breadth of content in that category in science fiction and fantasy. At the World Science Fiction Society’s meeting this weekend, the group voted to remove the five-year sunset clause and make the award for Best Graphic Story a permanent part of the Hugo slate.”
American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez performed Marvin Gaye’s “You’re All I Need to Get By” with the God’s Appointed People Choir at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Sanchez, who isn’t old enough to vote, tweeted her thanks to the DNC after her performance was over:
“Thank you so much for having me @demconvention. It was an honor to perform tonight!” – JSanchezAI11
Followed by: “Special thanks to Gods Appointed People Choir @inspirethefire. It was honor to share the stage with you tonight!:
I. Can’t. Wait. Thanks to my sisters, I’m now totally, completely hooked on this remarkable series which features some of the best acting on television. Downton Abbey‘s third season premieres in the UK on Sunday, September 16th but unfortunately in the States we have to wait until January 2013 to catch up with the Crawleys. Still, watching the trailer makes us feel that much closer to the debut of the new season.
Lady Gaga tweeted details of her 2013 concert schedule this morning, announcing the North American portion of her worldwide Born This Way Ball tour to her millions of followers. The tour actually kicked off in April 2012 and will continue into 2013, beginning with a concert in Vancouver.
Lady Gaga 2013 Tour Dates:
Jan. 11: Vancouver, BC (Rogers Arena)
Jan. 14: Tacoma, WA (Tacoma Dome)
Jan. 17: San Jose, CA (HP Pavilion)
Jan. 20: Los Angeles, CA (Staples Center)
Jan. 23: Phoenix, AZ (US Airways Center)
Jan. 25: Las Vegas, NV (MGM Grand Garden Arena)
Jan. 29: Dallas, TX (American Airlines Center)
Jan. 31: Houston, TX (Toyota Center)
Feb. 2: St. Louis, MO (Scottrade Center)
Feb. 4: Kansas City, MO (Sprint Center)
Feb. 6: St. Paul, MN (Xcel Energy Center)
Feb. 8: Toronto, ON (Air Canada Centre)
Feb. 11: Montreal, QC (Bell Centre)
Feb. 13: Chicago, IL (United Center)
Feb. 16: Detroit, MI (Palace of Auburn Hills)
Feb. 19: Philadelphia, PA (Wells Fargo Center)
Feb. 22: New York, NY (Madison Square Garden)
Feb. 25: Washington, D.C. (Verizon Center)
Feb. 27: Boston, MA (TD Garden)
Mar. 2: Atlantic City, NJ (Boardwalk Hall)
Mar. 6: Brooklyn, NY (Barclays Center)
Mar. 10: Nashville, TN (Bridgestone Arena)
Mar. 11: Atlanta, GA (Philips Arena)
Mar. 13: Tampa, FL (Tampa Bay Times Forum)
Mar. 15: Ft. Lauderdale, FL (BankAtlantic Center)
Mar. 16: Miami, FL (American Airlines Arena)
Also today, Lady Gaga posted this information on her upcoming album ARTPOP which is coming out in 2013:
“Im excited to tell you all that ARTPOP is going to be a multimedia experience that comes in different forms. The most major way to fully immerse yourself in ARTPOP is through the APP. ARTPOP will be released as an IPAD, iPhone, mobile and computer compatible application (WORLD) that is completely interactive with chats, films for every song, extra music, content, gaga inspired games, fashion updates, magazines, and more still in the works! I will also be able to upload new things to the APP all the time, the same way i upload to twitter and LM.com. You inspired me to create something that communicated with images, because YOU do, YOU communicate with me and each other with .gifs and pictures, and artwork, graphics ALL DAY 24/7/ YOU’RE an ARTPOP generation. Im hoping you will all continue to grow together and stay connected through your creativity. much love. love, gaga p.s (start asking for IPADS FOR XMAS!!) its gonna be so fun. but dont worry. it will also be released in the regular physical and digitals which will be unique and different to the app.” – Lady Gaga
Summit Entertainment released this new poster designed by SA Studios for the horror film, Sinister, coming to theaters on October 5, 2012. The new posters will be available to moviegoers at the Tugg.com hometown premieres, if they meet the “attendance threshold.” Don’t ask me … I have no idea what that is.
Sinister is a frightening new thriller from the producer of the Paranormal Activity films and the writer-director of The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Ethan Hawke plays a true crime novelist who discovers a box of mysterious, disturbing home movies that plunge his family into a nightmarish experience of supernatural horror.
Sons of Anarchy
FX launches the fifth season of its award-winning drama Sons of Anarchy on September 11 at 10 PM ET/PT with a special 90-minute episode and will continue to run on Tuesdays at 10 PM. The series is an adrenalized drama with darkly comedic undertones that explores a notorious outlaw motorcycle club’s (MC) desire to protect its livelihood while ensuring that their simple, sheltered town of Charming, California remains exactly that, charming. Season five begins with Jax and Tara as the club’s new king and queen after learning the truth behind his father’s death and facing the consequences of the club’s illicit deeds. Stripped of his patch after Jax discovers he was complicit in John Teller’s death, Clay recovers from gunshot wounds that nearly killed him while Gemma is faced with a new life without the comfort of her family. With the threat of RICO still looming, Jax has to find a way to protect his family and save his club as SAMCRO is pulled into a conflict with a potent new enemy.
The Ultimate Fighter The Ultimate Fighter Fridays returns on September 14 with a special two-hour premiere at 9 PM ET/PT and then will continue to run on Fridays at 10 PM ET/PT. The season will kick-off with 16 gripping elimination fights. The winners in the elimination round, or “Fight In,” will become official cast members and earn their way into The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) house in Las Vegas where cameras will document their activity before and after their training and fights. The 16 winners will be drafted into opposing teams of eight by Shane Carwin and top contender and previous TUF winner Roy Nelson. Each team will train at the TUF gym and reside in the TUF house together for the duration of the season. Winners will advance in the tournament until ultimately, one man is crowned The Ultimate Fighter.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia returns for its eighth season on October 11 and will continue to run Thursdays at 10 PM ET/PT. Sunny has become one of the top scripted comedies on cable. Last season, the Gang lived it up at the Jersey Shore, Frank married a hooker, and Mac got very, very fat. This season, stay tuned to see the Gang go to therapy, hunt for Nazi treasure and try to undermine Philly’s toughest union – the trashmen! Charlie and Dee find love, Frank re-enters the business world, and Dee blurs the lines between the real and virtual worlds when she falls into an obsession with computer games. Get ready for even more disagreements, disunion and divisiveness as the Gang tries once again to scheme their way to happiness!
The League The League kicks off its fourth season also on October 11, airing Thursdays at 10:30 PM ET/PT. To be a fan of The League, you don’t need to know much about fantasy football, or sports at all. You just need to have friends that you hate. FX’s ensemble comedy follows a group of old friends in a fantasy football league who care deeply about one another – so deeply that they use every opportunity to make each other’s lives miserable.
BrandX BrandX with Russell Brand begins its seven additional episode run on October 11, airing Thursdays at 11:00 PM ET/PT. The show features Brand’s unvarnished, unfiltered take on current events, politics and pop culture, with the format drawing heavily on Brand’s interaction with a live audience.
American Horror Story: Asylum American Horror Story: Asylum makes its debut on October 17 and will air Wednesdays at 10 PM ET/PT. Set in 1964, American Horror Story: Asylum stars Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe, Zachary Quinto, James Cromwell, and Joseph Fiennes. Last year, the miniseries earned 17 Primetime Emmy® Award nominations, tying for the most of any program this year and setting a record for the most Emmy nominations for a miniseries in basic cable history.
A new video of 90 seconds-worth of footage from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 will air on September 6th during MTV’s Video Music Awards, however Summit Entertainment’s just released this tiny teaser video to put you in the Twilight mood. And Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner will take the stage at the VMAs to introduce the clip, just in case you Twihards need even more of a reason to tune into the broadcast.
Presenters at this year’s Video Music Awards include The Wanted, Andy Samberg, Rashida Jones, 2 Chainz, Ke$ha, Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller and the “Fierce Five,” the U.S. Women’s Olympics Gymnastics Team. Kevin Hart is hosting and Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Frank Ocean, Taylor Swift, Green Day, P!nk, Alicia Keys and One Direction will perform.
Two nights just weren’t enough for the third season premiere week of NBC’s The Voice, so the network’s expanded the event to three nights. Season three kicks off with auditions on September 10th, 11th, and the just-added 12th, all at 8pm. The judging panel from seasons one and two – Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green, Adam Levine, and Blake Shelton – return, as does host Carson Daly as well as social media correspondent Christina Milian.
Monday the 10th’s show will open with the judges demonstrating unity, performing together on stage. They’ll be singing “Start Me Up” before turning the spotlight over to this season’s potential contestants.
And for those expecting the same system in place for this season of The Voice, you’re in for a bit of a surprise as the selection process has been shaken some with coaches now able to ‘steal’ a singer from another team.
Here’s the Scoop on The Voice [Courtesy of NBC]:
– During the blind auditions, the decisions from the musician coaches are based solely on voice and not on looks. The coaches hear the artists perform, but they don’t get to see them — thanks to rotating chairs. If a coach is impressed by the artist’s voice, he/she pushes a button to select the artist for his/her team. At this point, the coach’s chair will swivel so that he/she can face the artist he/she has selected. If more than one coach pushes their button, the power then shifts to the artist to choose which coach they want to work with. If no coach pushes their button, the artist is eliminated from the competition.
– Once the teams are set, the battle is on. Coaches will dedicate themselves to developing their team of artists, giving them advice, and sharing the secrets of their success along with the help from their celebrity advisers. During the battle rounds, the coaches will pit two of their own team members against each other to sing the same song together in front of a studio audience. After the vocal battle, the coach must choose which of his/her singers will advance to the next round of competition, while the losing artist is available to be stolen by another coach.
– At the end of the battles, only the strongest members of each coach’s roster remain and proceed to the new knockout rounds. The artists will be paired again with a member of their team, but this time they find out only minutes before performing who they are being compared against. The artists each select their own song to perform individually, while their direct competitor watches and waits. They are vying for their coach’s confidence and decision to take them to the live shows. Their coach will choose the winner and the artist not selected will be sent home.
– In the final live performance phase of the competition, the top artists from each team will compete each week against each other during a live broadcast. The television audience will vote to save their favorite artists and the two artists with the lowest number of votes will be sent home each week. In the end, one will be named The Voice and will receive the grand prize of a recording contract.
The dramatic film Dead Europe will be premiering at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2012 and in support of its upcoming debut, the first trailer has been released. Directed by Tony Krawitz and adapted from Christos Tsiolkas’ novel by Louise Fox, Dead Europe stars Ewen Leslie, Marton Csokas, and Kodi Smit-McPhee.
The Plot:
Dead Europe, from the producers of Shame and Animal Kingdom, is a tense and moody mystery set on the turbulent streets of contemporary Europe. The film follows a young photographer named Isaac (Ewen Leslie) who – while taking his deceased father’s ashes from Australia to Greece – comes to learn that something sinister happened in his family’s past involving a young Jewish boy. Despite an effort to distract himself with a mix of random sex and drugs, Isaac’s world begins to unravel as he realizes that he cannot escape the ghosts of the past.
This year’s Hugo Award for the Best Graphic Story went to Ursula Vernon for her comic, Digger. Digger‘s win marks the first for Vernon and the first for the comic’s publisher, Sofawolf Press. 
