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‘Two and a Half Men’ Season 9 Premiere Draws Record Number of Viewers

By
Rebecca Murray
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Jon Cryer and Ashton Kutcher in Two and a Half Men
Jon Cryer and Ashton Kutcher in Two and a Half Men - © CBS Broadcasting Inc.

It seems everyone wanted to know what happened to Charlie Sheen’s character and how Ashton Kutcher would handle taking over one of the lead roles in Two and a Half Men. The ninth season premiered to huge numbers, with over 27.8 million viewers tuning in to see how the show would handle the transition from Sheen to Kutcher.

The premiere marked the show’s highest-rated episode to date, with the Two and a Half Men premiere registering a 10.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic and a 12.2 rating among viewers 25-54. The number’s posted far surpassed all expectations, and now the real question is how many people will tune in to episode two since we’ve seen what happens to Sheen and learned a little background on Kutcher’s character.

Kutcher was introduced as billionaire Walden Schmidt, a sad-sack of a man who shows up on Alan Harper’s (Jon Cryer) back porch after trying to drown himself following a devastating breakup with his girlfriend. He’s handsome and a billionaire, but for some reason he doesn’t think he has a reason to go on – or that he’ll ever find another woman. Seriously? Anyway, he offers to buy the house and promptly becomes Alan’s new buddy.

Hung October Episode Guide

By
Rebecca Murray
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Hung PosterThe HBO comedy series Hung will return for its third season October 2, 2011 with Thomas Jane back as male hooker, Ray Drecker. Also returning for the 10 episode 3rd season are Jane Adams as Ray’s business partner, Tanya Skagle; Anne Heche as Ray’s ex-wife, Jessica Haxon; Charlie Saxton as Ray’s son Damon; Sianoa Smit-McPhee as Ray’s daughter Darby; Rebecca Creskoff as Ray and Tanya’s former partner Lenore; and Gregg Henry as Mike, Ray’s friend and fellow teacher. Stephen Amell joins the cast as Jason, a new male hooker and client of Lenore’s.

HBO provides this synopsis of season 3: “Having skirted the watchful eyes of family and friends, Ray and Tanya are taking their business to the next level. But can they continue to fly under the radar of the law after setting up a new, very public front for their gigolo enterprise?”

October 2011 Episodes:

Episode #21: “Don’t Give Up on Detroit” or “Hung Like a Horse”
Debut: SUNDAY, OCT. 2 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT)
Other HBO playdates: Oct. 2 (midnight), 4 (2:05 a.m.), 6 (8:30 p.m.) and 7 (midnight)
HBO2 playdates: Oct. 3 (11:00 p.m.), 4 (9:30 p.m.), 8 (noon, 9:30 p.m.) and 22 (8:00 p.m.)
Ray (Thomas Jane) and Tanya (Jane Adams) must convince a bank officer and her friend that their “Wellness Center for Women” idea is financially sound. Lenore (Rebecca Creskoff) discovers a new prospect to rival Ray.
Written by Dmitry Lipkin & Colette Burson; directed by Colette Burson.

Episode #22: “Take the Cake” or “Are You Packing?”
Debut: SUNDAY, OCT. 9 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: Oct. 9 (midnight), 11 (2:30 a.m.), 13 (10:30 p.m.) and 14 (midnight)
HBO2 playdates: Oct. 10 (11:00 p.m.), 11 (9:30 p.m.), 15 (1:30 p.m., 9:00 p.m.) and 22 (8:30 p.m.)
After Ray’s client is stolen by Jason (Stephen Amell), Tanya decides to handle the competition herself. Lenore learns a shocking secret about Jason. Jessica (Anne Heche) tries her hand at independence. Charlie (Lennie James) asks Tanya for a jailhouse favor. Ray meets a client who likes to dress up as a cop.
Written by Julia Brownell; directed by Uta Briesewitz.

Episode #23: “Mister Drecker” or “Ease Up on the Whup-Ass”
Debut: SUNDAY, OCT. 16 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: Oct. 16 (midnight), 18 (1:30 a.m.), 20 (10:30 p.m.) and 21 (midnight)
HBO2 playdates: Oct. 17 (11:00 p.m.), 18 (9:30 p.m.) and 22 (1:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m.)
Ray fears he’s blown his cover when he mistakes a former student for a client. Tanya finds herself in charge of a felon. Jessica is hired to work in the office of Dr. Matt Kopylov (Matt Walsh), the husband of Ronnie’s (Eddie Jemison) mistress. Lenore brokers a deal with Sandee (Analeigh Tipton).
Written by Eduardo Machado & Drew Lindo; directed by Gloria Muzio.

Episode #24: “F*ck Me, Mr. Drecker” or “Let’s Not Go to Jail”
Debut: SUNDAY, OCT. 23 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: Oct. 23 (midnight), 25 (3:00 a.m.), 27 (10:30 p.m., 2:00 a.m.) and 28 (midnight)
HBO2 playdates: Oct. 24 (11:00 p.m.), 25 (9:30 p.m.) and 29 (1:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m.)
Ray and Tanya conspire to get rid of an explosive client. Charlie advises Tanya to keep Lydia (Ana Ortiz) happy. Lenore manages Sandee’s rising demands, and Matt and Jessica bond.
Written by Brett C. Leonard; directed by Dan Attias.

Episode #25: “We’re Golden” or “Crooks and Big Beaver”
Debut: SUNDAY, OCT. 30 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: Oct. 30 (midnight) and Nov. 1 (3:05 a.m.), 3 (10:30 p.m.) and 4 (midnight)
HBO2 playdate: Oct. 31 (11:00 p.m.)
After Ray tells Lydia he’s leaving the business, she takes Ray and Tanya on a ride they will never forget. Darby (Sianoa Smit-McPhee) threatens to leave home, and Lenore confronts Jason about missing a date with a client.
Written by Colette Burson & Dmitry Lipkin; directed by Gloria Muzio.

Source: HBO – Sept 20, 2011

Starz Plans a Tribute to Andy Whitfield

By
Rebecca Murray
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Andy Whitfield stars in Spartacus: Blood and Sand
Andy Whitfield stars in 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand' - © 2010 Starz Entertainment, LLC

Spartacus star Andy Whitfield passed away on September 11, 2011 after a battle with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Starz has planned a tribute to include fan-favorite episodes of the popular series, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, in honor of the talented 39 year old actor. The tribute to Whitfield will showcase five episodes of Spartacus: Blood and Sand (including the show’s premiere and finale) and will air on Sunday, October 2nd at 9pm.
 
Starz will air the entire season of Spartacus: Blood and Sand on December 16, 2011.
 
“He was chosen after a worldwide search to find the perfect Hollywood star to play the title role with passion and grace. His fans, friends, and colleagues alike have compared Whitefield’s own persona, to that of the noble, brave, honorable gladiator character he played on screen,” stated the network in the press release announcing the tribute.
 
Source: Starz
 

‘Abduction’ – Taylor Lautner Interview

By
Rebecca Murray
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Taylor Lautner in Abduction
Taylor Lautner in 'Abduction' - © Lionsgate Films

In this video interview provided by Lionsgate Films, Taylor Lautner – best known for going shirtless in Twilight – talks about Abduction, his first starring role outside of the teen vampire/werewolf film series. Lautner explains the appeal of Abduction, the story, his character, and handling the film’s stunts. He also discusses his co-stars (Lily Collins, Sigourney Weaver, Maria Bello, and Jason Isaacs), filming in Pittsburgh, and working with director John Singleton.


The Plot: For as long as he can remember, Nathan Harper (Taylor Lautner) has had the uneasy feeling that he’s living someone else’s life. When he stumbles upon an image of himself as a little boy on a missing persons website, all of Nathan’s darkest fears come true: he realizes his parents are not his own and his life is a lie, carefully fabricated to hide something more mysterious and dangerous than he could have ever imagined.





Just as he begins to piece together his true identity, Nathan is targeted by a team of trained killers, forcing him on the run with the only person he can trust, his neighbor, Karen (Lily Collins). Every second counts as Nathan and Karen race to evade an army of assassins and federal operatives. But as his opponents close in, Nathan realizes that the only way he’ll survive – and solve the mystery of his elusive biological father – is to stop running and take matters into his own hands.

Watch the Taylor Lautner interview:

More on Abduction:
—Photo gallery
—Trailer, news and cast info

The Lion King Returns with a Roar

By
Rebecca Murray
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Pumbaa, Timon, Simba in 'The Lion King'
Pumbaa, Timon, Simba in 'The Lion King' - © Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

17 years after audiences first learned what the phase “Hakuna Matata” means, The Lion King proved it’s still a beast at the box office. The 3D release of Walt Disney Pictures’ The Lion King earned $30.2 million, knocking Steven Soderbergh’s star-filled Contagion out of 1st place on its way to becoming the first reissue to top the box office charts in 14 years.
 
Commenting on the film’s success as well as the 5,000 performance of the London stage show, Walt Disney Studios Chairman Rich Ross said, “The Lion King has proven again and again the transcendent power of great stories and characters. From the screen to the stage, this timeless classic continues to touch the hearts of audiences of all ages around the world.”
 
With its re-release, the circle of life story has now made $358.6 million domestically, making it the third highest-grossing animated film of all time and the highest grossing hand-drawn animated film in history. The Lion King can now also claim the second biggest September opening in Disney history and the fifth biggest September opening overall.
 
The Lion King Facts [Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures]:
 
—The Lion King is the top-performing home entertainment release ever.
 
—The Lion King is Disney’s best-selling soundtrack. It received Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (10x platinum). Only four other soundtracks in history have been certified Diamond.
 
—The Lion King has won 2 Academy Awards®, 3 Golden Globes®, 6 Tony Awards® and 3 Grammys®, among other accolades, including over 70 major theatrical honors worldwide.
 
–The stage show has been seen by more than 60 million people worldwide, grossing over $4.6 billion in 18 productions across 14 countries, spanning 5 continents and 8 languages. Current productions include Broadway, North American Tour, Las Vegas, London, Hamburg, Tokyo and Singapore.
 
—The Lion King opened on Broadway in 1997 and in January 2011 became its seventh longest-running show ever.
 
Source: Walt Disney Studios
 

‘Dolphin Tale’ Behind the Scenes: Winter’s Prosthetic Tail Video

By
Rebecca Murray
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Winter in a scene from Dolphin Tale
Winter in a scene from Dolphin Tale - © Warner Bros Pictures

Dolphin Tale, the inspirational true story of a dolphin named Winter who lost her tail in a crab trap, hits theaters this Friday. The feel-good film is looking to snare family audiences as well as animal lovers as it brings to the big screen Winter’s story, with Winter herself in the lead role. In support of the film’s upcoming release, Warner Bros Pictures has provided this behind-the-scenes look at Winter as she patiently waits for her prosthetic tail to be attached.

Winter’s human co-stars include Ashley Judd as Lorraine Nelson, Harry Connick Jr as Dr. Clay Haskett, Morgan Freeman as Dr. Cameron McCarthy, Kris Kristofferson as Reed Haskett, Nathan Gamble as Sawyer Nelson, and Cozi Zuehlsdorff as Hazel Haskett. Austin Stowell stars as Kyle Connellan, Frances Sternhagen is Gloria Forrest, Austin Highsmith is Phoebe, and Betsy Landin is Kat.

The Plot: Dolphin Tale is inspired by the remarkable true story of a courageous dolphin named Winter and the compassionate people who banded together to save her life. The comedy/drama will open in theaters on September 23, 2011.

First Look: ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ Trailer

By
Rebecca Murray
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Judi Dench, Bill Nighy and Tom Wilkinson in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Judi Dench, Bill Nighy and Tom Wilkinson in 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' - © Fox Searchlight

Director John Madden (The Debt, Shakespeare in Love) assembles an incredible cast of older, veteran British actors – as well as Slumdog Millionaire‘s Dev Patel – for the comedy film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Fox Searchlight isn’t releasing the movie until March 2012 (which is strange because it looks like one of those films Oscar voters could get behind) but you can check out the first trailer now:

The Plot: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel follows a group of British retirees who decide to “outsource” their retirement to less expensive and seemingly exotic India. Enticed by advertisements for the newly restored Marigold Hotel and bolstered with visions of a life of leisure, they arrive to find the palace a shell of its former self. Though the new environment is less luxurious than imagined, they are forever transformed by their shared experiences, discovering that life and love can begin again when you let go of the past.

‘The Thing’ Restricted Trailer

By
Rebecca Murray
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Mary Elizabeth Winstead in The Thing
Mary Elizabeth Winstead in 'The Thing' - © Universal Pictures

The The Thing restricted (not safe for work or kids) trailer has arrived showing off some of the gory violence (but no bad language for those watching at work). Set for an October 14, 2011 release, this Thing isn’t a remake of John Carpenter’s 1982 film but more like a prequel to the events that take place in that horror movie.

The Plot: Antarctica: an extraordinary continent of awesome beauty. It is also home to an isolated outpost where a discovery full of scientific possibility becomes a mission of survival when an alien is unearthed by a crew of international scientists. The shape-shifting creature, accidentally unleashed at this marooned colony, has the ability to turn itself into a perfect replica of any living being. It can look just like you or me, but inside, it remains inhuman. In the thriller The Thing, paranoia spreads like an epidemic among a group of researchers as they’re infected, one by one, by a mystery from another planet.

Paleontologist Kate Lloyd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) has traveled to the desolate region for the expedition of her lifetime. Joining a Norwegian scientific team that has stumbled across an extraterrestrial ship buried in the ice, she discovers an organism that seems to have died in the crash eons ago. But it is about to wake up. When a simple experiment frees the alien from its frozen prison, Kate must join the crew’s pilot, Carter (Joel Edgerton), to keep it from killing them off one at a time. And in this vast, intense land, a parasite that can mimic anything it touches will pit human against human as it tries to survive and flourish.

Watch The Thing trailer:

Lester Holt Announced as New Dateline NBC Host

By
Rebecca Murray
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Lester Holt
Lester Holt - Photo © NBCUniversal, Inc.

Lester Holt will be replacing Ann Curry on Dateline NBC, with NBC News announcing today Holt’s new position as principal anchor of the series which will kick off its 20th season on September 23, 2011. Holt will also continue to report as a correspondent, according to NBC, along with correspondents Chris Hansen, Hoda Kotb, Josh Mankiewicz, Keith Morrison and Dennis Murphy.

NBC News President Steve Capus announced the change, stating, “One of the hardest working men on television, we are so pleased that Lester has added Dateline to his portfolio. Lester joins an impressive lineage of reporters who have graced the anchor desk over the past 20 years and we’re really excited to watch as he makes his mark on the award-winning newsmagazine as it continues to tell great stories.”

More on Lester Holt [Courtesy of NBC]:

A staple at NBC News, Holt is also the weekend anchor for NBC Nightly News and the co-anchor of the weekend edition of TODAY. In addition, he serves as fill-in anchor and correspondent for NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams and TODAY.

He has reported from the Kuwait/Iraqi border as US forces prepared to launch their invasion of Iraq, the front lines in Lebanon on the war between Israel and Hezbollah, and from London on the terror threat to U.S. bound-airliners from the UK. Holt also traveled to Haiti where he reported on the immediate aftermath and response to the devastating earthquake and he was on the streets of Cairo covering the political and civil unrest in Egypt. More recently, Holt traveled overseas to cover the earthquake and nuclear crisis in Japan, and he reported on violence in Chicago schools and the recession for Dateline.

Before being named co-anchor of the weekend edition of TODAY, he anchored Lester Holt Live, and served as the lead anchor for daytime news and breaking coverage on MSNBC where he reported on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and Decision 2000. Holt came to MSNBC from WBBM-TV in Chicago, where he spent 14 years. He has contributed to the CBS News broadcast 48 Hours, earning a 1990 Robert F. Kennedy Journalism award for his work on 48 Hours: No Place Like Home. In 2010, Holt was part of the TODAY anchor team that won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Morning Program.

Prior to NBC News, Holt worked as a reporter at WCBS-TV in New York City from 1981-82. In 1982 he transferred to sister station KCBS-TV (then KNXT) in Los Angeles as a reporter and weekend anchor and returned to WCBS-TV a year later as a reporter and weekend anchor.

Holt studied government at California State University in Sacramento. He resides in New York City with his wife.

Source: NBC – Sept 19, 2011

Spotlight On: The Canadian Tenors Perform ‘Hallelujah’

By
Rebecca Murray
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If you watched the 2011 Primetime Emmys, you probably got chills – I know I did – when the Canadian Tenors performed “Hallelujah” during the show’s “In Memoriam” segment honoring entertainment industry individuals who’ve passed away since the 2010 Emmys. The Canadian Tenors rendition of the song ranks right up there with Jeff Buckley’s and was one of the highlights of this year’s Emmys.

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