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Archive: November 2011 (157-169 of 321)

Nov 14 2011 07:54 PM ET

Michele Bachmann blasts CBS for bias: Does she have a point?

by Lanford Beard

Categories: Politics, Television

Image Credit: Paul Sancya/AP Images

Michele Bachmann accused CBS of bias after she alleges she learned she would be asked fewer questions than other candidates at this past Saturday’s Republican debate. According to Bachmann’s campaign manager Keith Nahigian, “The liberal mainstream media elites are manipulating the Republican debates by purposely suppressing our conservative message and limiting Michele’s questions.”

The accusations raise questions about candidates’ right to equal time: Did CBS’ editorial decision reveal an ingrained bias in news organizations as Nahigian argued? Does fairness dictate that networks must pay equal attention to all candidates? Or is this charge a strictly strategic move from Bachmann’s camp? We talked to several political experts for their take on the debate. READ FULL STORY »

Nov 14 2011 06:02 PM ET

Zach Anner in 'Rollin With Zach' promo: 'I didn't know I could do something like this'

by Sandra Gonzalez

Categories: Oprah Winfrey, Reality TV, Television, Trailers

Image Credit: OWN

EW readers largely supported Zach Anner back when he was competing to get a show on the OWN network (even amid that purported voting “scandal”). Well, a few months later and all of that behind him, Anner, who has cerebral palsy (the “sexiest of the palsies”) is set to debut his new travel show, Rollin’ With Zach, for which the first promo was released today.

In the video, viewable at the OWN site, it seems that Anner hasn’t lost an ounce of the wit and charm that first won our attention, votes, and hearts. READ FULL STORY »

Nov 14 2011 06:00 PM ET

CBS announces start date of Rob Schneider comedy, return of 'Undercover Boss'

by Lynette Rice

Categories: Broadcast

Image Credit: Michael Schwartz/WireImage

The wait is over! The new comedy ¡Rob! starring Rob Schneider will bow Jan. 12. The comedy is about a lifelong bachelor who marries into a tight-knit Mexican-American family and stars Cheech Marin, Claudia Bassols, Diana Maria Riva, Eugenio Derbez and Lupe Ontiveros.

The Schneider comedy replaces Rules of Engagement, which will return to its Thursday time period later this season.

CBS will also premiere a third round of Undercover Boss on Sunday, Jan. 15, replacing The Amazing Race (which will also return midseason at a later date).

For more:

NBC reveals midseason debut dates

Nov 14 2011 05:51 PM ET

NBC announces return of '30 Rock,' debut of 'The Firm' and 'Smash'

by Lynette Rice

Categories: 30 Rock, Community, The Celebrity Apprentice, Up All Night, Whitney

NBC revealed its midseason schedule today, which includes the return of 30 Rock and the debut of the new dramas Smash and The Firm.

It also revealed new day and time period changes for Whitney, Up All Night, Rock Center with Brian Williams and Harry’s Law. Community will be temporarily benched but is expected to return later this season. Prime Suspect tabled, too.

Here is the schedule: READ FULL STORY »

Nov 14 2011 05:00 PM ET

NBA players association disbands, leaving the 2011-2012 season up in the air

by Aly Semigran

Categories: not winning, Strike, Television

Image Credit: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Unsportsmanlike conduct? On the 137th day of their lockout, the NBA Players Association has officially disbanded.

According to a report in the New York Times, after being deadlocked in labor negotiations, the National Basketball Players Association decided to disband on Monday, leaving the fate of 2011-2012 up to an entirely different kind of court.

“The players just felt that they had given enough, that the NBA was not willing or prepared to continue to negotiate,” Billy Hunter, the executive director of the NBPA, said at Monday’s press conference alongside NBA players, adding, “Things were not going to get better.” As explained by the NYT, “Without a union, the players are now free to sue the NBA under antitrust laws and challenge the legality of the lockout.” READ FULL STORY »

Nov 14 2011 03:55 PM ET

NBC developing future drama about mechanical people

by Lynette Rice

Categories: Deals, TV Biz, TV Pilots

The Stepford Wives meets … Westworld? NBC is developing a new drama called Beautiful People, a drama from Michael McDonald (Mad TV) in which families of mechanical human beings exist to service the human population — that is, until “some of the mechanicals begin to awaken.”

The network ordered the pilot from Universal TV ABC Studios. The drama was reportedly developed for ABC a few years back but the alphabet passed on it.

McDonald has also served as a director on ABC’s Cougar Town.

Nov 14 2011 03:05 PM ET

Anna Kournikova won't be returning for another season of 'The Biggest Loser'

by Aly Semigran

Categories: Reality TV, Television

Image Credit: Chris Haston/NBC

First Jillian, now Anna.

The Biggest Loser will be down another trainer, as tennis star Anna Kournikova will exit the weight-loss competition series after just one season. Kournikova said in a statement regarding her decision to leave the show, “I enjoyed my time on the Biggest Loser ranch. Although I will not be returning as a full time trainer on season 13, I will always be a part of The Biggest Loser family and my commitment to bettering lives through health and fitness will continue.”

Biggest Loser executive producer Todd Lubin told EW of Kournikova’s addition back in September, “You’re going to be blown away by how sincere she is, how intense she is, how focused she is for these folks. She’s totally dedicated to the point where she’s getting Bob back into the gym. At one point she breaks down in tears, just because she’s so moved by the stories. None of it is fake.”

(Additional reporting by Kate Ward)

Nov 14 2011 01:50 PM ET

Neil Patrick Harris to guest-host on 'Live! with Kelly'

by Jeff Labrecque

Categories: Neil Patrick Harris, TV Biz

Image Credit: Reed Saxon/AP Images

Neil Patrick Harris will co-host Live! with Kelly for five shows, beginning Nov. 28, the show announced today. Harris, who currently is starring in A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas, has filled in for Regis Philbin in the past. Among the guests sitting down with Harris and Ripa will be Betty White, Maya Rudolph, Marcia Cross, supermodel Molly Sims, Angie Harmon, and Kristen Johnston. The week also will feature musical performances by Avril Lavigne, Hot Chelle Rae and Cobra Starship, plus a special demo by Science Bob.

Jerry Seinfeld will guest-host on Nov. 21-23.

Nov 14 2011 01:35 PM ET

'How I Met Your Mother': Barney and Robin [SPOILER]! -- EXCLUSIVE VIDEO

by Sandra Gonzalez

Categories: EW Exclusive, How I Met Your Mother, Television

Image Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS

If you really, really don’t want to know how things panned out after last week’s epic taxi cab kiss between Barney and Robin, I suggest you don’t click below, readers. [Spoilers for tonight's HIMYM below!]

READ FULL STORY »

Nov 14 2011 12:04 PM ET

'Pan Am' picks up viewers on big football night

by Lynette Rice

Categories: Television, TV Ratings

Image Credit: ABC

Football continues to help keep the lights on at NBC: The bitter rivalry (and the battle for first place in the AFC East) between the Patriots and the Jets gave NBC a win among adults 18-49 (6.0 rating/14 share) and viewers (15.7 million) on Sunday, according to early results.

Fox’s Animation Domination came in second in the demo (3.8/9), with The Simpsons earning a 3.5/8 and 7.5 million, Allen Gregory, a 2.0/5 and 4.2 million (that’s down 5 percent from last week), Family Guy (3.1/7, 5.9 million), and American Dad (2.4/5, 4.8 million). Each 18-49 ratings point equals 1.3 million viewers.

ABC came in third for the night (2.6/6), with America’s Funniest Home Videos earning a 1.7/4 and 7.2 million, followed by Once Upon A Time (3.8/9, 11.3 million), Desperate Housewives (3.0/7, 9.2 million) and Pan Am (1.8/4, 5.6 million), which was up 6 percent from last week. Remember, we still haven’t heard whether this show will receive a full season pickup.

CBS came in fourth (2.3/5), with 60 Minutes posting a 2.3/6 and 13.2 million, The Amazing Race tying its season low with a 2.7/ 6 and 10.6 million, The Good Wife at a 2.0/4 and 10 million, and CSI: Miami, 2.1/5 and 9.8 million.

Nov 14 2011 12:01 PM ET

'Mad Men' actress to guest on 'Don't Trust The B--- in Apartment 23' -- EXCLUSIVE

by Sandra Gonzalez

Categories: Casting Scoops, EW Exclusive, Mad Men, Television

Image Credit: AMC

James Van Der Beek is going to be a father… to Sally Draper!

EW has learned exclusively that Mad Men actress Kiernan Shipka is set to guest on ABC’s Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 as herself. The storyline finds Van Der Beek (who plays himself on the midseason show) signing on to do a movie playing a single dad after learning Shipka will co-star.

Shipka is the latest of several actors set to appear as themselves on the show, which does not yet have a premiere date. Previously, Kevin Sorbo and Dean Cain were also announced as guest stars.

Nov 14 2011 09:36 AM ET

Katie Couric talker sold in more than 80 percent of U.S.

by Lynette Rice

Categories: TV Biz

Image Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Anticipation for Katie Couric’s new syndicated talker is definitely strong: Her eponymous show has already been sold in more than 80% of the country. Katie, which is from Disney-ABC Domestic TV, will premiere in September 2012.

The one-hour daily talk show has been picked up in 55 of the country’s top 60 markets, including Minneapolis, Cleveland, St. Louis, Portland, San Antonio and Nashville, and slotted in early fringe timeslots (after 4 but before 7:30 p.m.).

“We are absolutely thrilled with the quality of stations onboard to launch 2012′s most highly anticipated new syndicated talker,” said Janice Marinelli, Disney-ABC Domestic TV President, in a statement. “The extraordinary momentum behind this series is a true testament to Katie’s talent, appeal and her incomparable ability to connect with viewers.”

While preparing to host her talk show, Couric currently serves as a member of the ABC News Team. Her talk show will be executive produced by former NBC topper Jeff Zucker.

Nov 14 2011 09:00 AM ET

Chelsea Clinton joins NBC News

by Jeff Labrecque

Categories: Casting, Television, TV Biz

Image Credit: Mark Lennihan/AP

Chelsea Clinton will join NBC News as a full-time special correspondent assigned to uplifting stories like its “Making a Difference” series, according to the New York Times. In a statement to the paper, Clinton said, “I hope telling stories through ‘Making a Difference’ — as in my academic work and nonprofit work — will help me to live my grandmother’s adage of ‘Life is not about what happens to you, but about what you do with what happens to you.’ ”

“What we talked about was if she were to come on board that’s the kind of thing she would be interested in doing,” said NBC News president Steve Capus. “We knew she wasn’t going to do the lead story. But having somebody who was going to do really captivating feature assignments for the ‘Making a Difference’ franchise really kind of synced up.”