A successful 'Family': Seth MacFarlane morphs from 'Family Guy' to Oscar guy
Seth MacFarlane's "Family Guy" celebrates its 200th episode
They say that everyone deserves a second chance, but in the cutthroat world of prime-time television, more often than not it's only the strong that survive.
Glee, on Fox
The competition is fierce as the highly anticipated school production of "Grease" gets underway and Marley, Jake, Kitty and Ryder vie for the roles of Sandy and Danny. Former glee club members Mercedes and Mike return to cast the play.
Best in the Northwest: Seattle hosts Season 10 of 'Top Chef'
Hugh Acheson, Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons of “Top Chef: Seattle”
As far as reality food TV goes, it’s pretty tough to knock “Top Chef” off its top perch.
Q: I know Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant went on to do "Extras" and other stuff, but did anyone else famous come out of the British version of "The Office"?
Actually, Tim Canterbury is poised to outdo his boss in the next couple of years.
Ricky Gervais, who played the general manager on "The Office," is of course a celebrity in his own right in the U.S. as well, and while Martin Freeman, who played sales rep Tim Canterbury on the series, is less of a well-known name now, that won't be the case for long.
The Middle, on ABC
Frankie's first day of her dental-assistant course doesn't go well when the teacher (guest star Jane Kaczmarek) makes an example of her in front of the class. Meanwhile, Sue and Brick believe they've found a hidden treasure and take it to a pawnshop.
Covert Affairs, on USA
Piper Perabo stars in her Golden Globe-nominated role as CIA operative Annie Walker. The hit international spy drama follows Walker, a linguistics expert, as she takes on dangerous missions that span the globe.
The Voice, on NBC
Vocalists lay it all on the line as they perform in the very first live episode of the season. In this final phase of the competition, the strongest singers from each team compete and the two with the least number of votes will be sent home each week.
Q: Are they really remaking "Steel Magnolias"?
They already have.
Just a few weeks ago, Lifetime aired its original telefilm adaptation of the play by Robert Harling, which is better known as a film starring Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts (and Shirley MacLaine, Sally Field, Olympia Dukakis and Daryl Hannah -- it's hard to say who the main stars were in such an ensemble).
The updated film, this time with an all-black cast, was a ratings smash for Lifetime, the third-most-watched telecast in the network's history.
Choosing Cuoco: 'Big Bang' leading lady to host awards show again
Kaley Cuoco of “The Big Bang Theory” will host the People’s Choice Awards 2013
CHOOSING CUOCO: Portraying the queen of the geek posse on "The Big Bang Theory" hasn't held Kaley Cuoco back from becoming a popular host choice for an awards show decided by popular vote.
New Releases for the week of November 4 - 10
The Amazing Spider-Man
Peter Parker discovers a connection between his late father and Oscorp scientist Dr. Connors. After being bitten by a spider in the doctor’s lab, Peter discovers he has developed some of the abilities of a spider and begins to dole out vigilante justice as the masked Spider-Man. As he unravels the truth of Dr. Connors’ work, and falls in love with the beautiful lab assistant -- and police chief’s daughter -- Gwen Stacey, Peter struggles to keep his city, his family, and the woman he loves safe.
Director: Marc Webb. Stars: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Martin Sheen, Sally Field, Denis Leary. 2012. 136 min. Action.
Fire With Fire
Firefighter Jeremy Coleman is looking for a drink after a hard day’s work, but when he walks into a liquor store, his whole life changes. Witnessing the brutal murder of the store clerk, Jeremy is required to testify and is pulled into the witness protection program, leaving everything behind. His only consolation is a budding relationship with the beautiful U.S. Marshal Talia. As the trial looms nearer, both Jeremy and Talia’s lives are in ever-increasing danger. When Talia is gravely injured, Jeremy goes to great lengths to save the woman he loves and ensure that justice is served.
Director: David Barrett. Stars: Josh Duhamel, Rosario Dawson, Bruce Willis, 50 Cent, Richard Schiff. 2012. 97 min. Action.
Arthur Christmas
With the current Santa on the cusp of retirement, his son Steve -- and his state-of-the-art, militaristic present-delivery system -- is poised to inherit the role. As Christmas Eve grinds to a close, an elf discovers that a child has been missed. Neither Santa nor Steve seem to care, so it’s up to Steve’s hapless younger brother, Arthur, to get the present to the child and save Christmas.
Directors: Sarah Smith, Barry Cook. Stars: James McAvoy, Bill Nighy, Hugh Laurie. 2011. 97 min. Animated.
Your Sister's Sister
After the death of his brother, Iris sends a grieving Jack to her family’s island cabin to recuperate. There, he meets Iris’s sister, Hannah, a lesbian who is still reeling from an emotional breakup. Jack and Hannah share a brief romantic encounter and things begin to get complicated, especially when Iris’s feelings for Jack are revealed.
Director: Lynn Shelton. Stars: Emily Blunt, Mark Duplass, Rosemarie DeWitt, Mike Birbiglia. 2011. 90 min. Comedy.