Archives for July 2014
Morning Static: ARROW, Y&R, GAME OF THRONES & More!
• Arrow Season 3: Intel on Roy’s New Role, Sara’s Status, the Baby and More
• Funny Business: Jessica Biel Cast as Jess’ New Nemesis
• CW Pulls Comedy Series ‘Backpackers’ & ‘Seed’, Moves Up Premiere of ‘Top Model’
• Live from New York: It’s the ‘Late Show’ with Stephen Colbert
• The Art of TV Costume Design: Inside This Year’s Costume Exhibition At FIDM
• Casting Coup: ‘Game of Thrones’ actress joins ABC’s ‘Resurrection’
• Shemar Moore to Return to The Young and the Restless — But There’s a Catch
• First Look: ABC’s black-ish Makes Bold (Fashion) Statement in Key Art.
• Must Read TV: George R.R. Martin Writes Back to Young Fan’s Heartfelt Letter.
• Scoop: Scandal Books Portia de Rossi for a ‘Top-Secret Arc’
• Girls Get: Judd Apatow’s Daughter Guest-Starring in Season 4.
• From the Department of Awesome: Check Out the Real-Life Better Call Saul Billboard.
• We Love Infographics! How The Television Has Evolved.
• Attention Clone Club: Orphan Black Comic Books to Expand Sci-Fi Series’ World.
• Deal of the Day: Huge savings on DOCTOR WHO Seasons 1 thru 11 bundle via Amazon.
On TV Tonight: Thursday July 24, 2014
NET | 8PM | 8:30PM | 9PM | 9:30PM | 10PM | 10:30PM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ABC | Black Box | NY Med | ||||
CBS | The Big Bang Theory (R) | The Millers (R) | Big Brother | Elementary (R) | ||
CW | The Vampire Diaries (R) | The Originals (R) | ||||
FOX | Hell’s Kitchen | Gang Related | ||||
NBC | Hollywood Game Night | Welcome to Sweden | Working the Engels | Last Comic Standing | ||
MISC | Defiance (Syfy) | Project Runway (Lifetime) Rush (USA) Rectify (Sundance) Dominion (Syfy) | The Honorable Woman (SundanceTV) |
Why Aren’t More People Watching ORPHAN BLACK?
The Most Terrifying Murderer on Television is a Woman You’ve Never Even Heard Of.
Bone chilling music crashes through the scene; a familiar uneasiness comes over me. Helena is here, she commands every inch of my Macbook as if she is a virus that I can’t exit out of. I am entranced by this intense and naïve creature, who dims all those around her. In “Effects of External Conditions” we met this beautifully haunting character, and although you may expect to be repulsed by her barbaric and gruesome disposition, you can’t help but savor the moments she graces your screen. There’s just one problem: why isn’t she hailed as one of the best characters of our generation? Why isn’t she on t-shirts? Why isn’t she the center conversation? The topic of more articles? Why is it that, Tatiana Maslany, the fearless woman behind this character isn’t recognized and admired as affectionately as she should be? Is it because she isn’t a man? Is it because her killings aren’t justified with an alpha male complex like that of Dexter Morgan? Or is it because audiences have yet to discover this unique, little show?
It is both unsettling and irksome to me that I know at least five people who have DEXTER t-shirts, but are oblivious to the captivating world Graeme Manson and John Fawcett created. This is not to diminish the genius that is DEXTER, for it is a groundbreaking show in it’s own right. Even so, I cannot seem to understand why viewers are so apt to celebrate this tortured man who has no issue playing God, yet shun this powerful and horrifying woman as a public enemy. The only difference in their approach lies in each character’s answer to the ever-present question: What is normal, and does it matter? For one is pretending to be normal, while normality is a foreign concept to the other.
ORPHAN BLACK does not pity Helena, nor does it make excuses to appease her critics. She is what she is and that’s just something we all need to accept, no matter how unnatural it may seem. She’s a cold-blooded killer who has earned her reputation time and again, yet exists in this Peter Pan-like state. Unlike the age-old tale of a boy’s refusal to grow up, Helena simply doesn’t know how to. Helena was never shown affection; and was brought up with the knowledge that she was the original clone, that the others were just mere copies of her God-like physique and intellect. She doesn’t make these decisions; she was and continues to be influenced, and is solely going off of the path set forth by her capturers. DEXTER, on the other hand, is his own judge and jury. He is in a constant state of limbo, for he tries to justify what he’s doing in his own head; a quality that humanizes him. In a sense, Dexter is much more nefarious. He is fully aware of what he is doing and actively is his greatest critic. Helena, however, ruthlessly moves through the motions of a serial killer, with an acute sense of femininity matched by no one.
As much as I respect the Emmy Association, I can’t help but think they share the same emotional complex as that of Dexter. How was Maslany overlooked for this years Emmy nominations? I cannot name another actress working today more deserving of that nomination. I am continually blown away with the performances given by the nominees, and they are all exceptionally strong performers. However, the versatility of Maslany displayed by her range of characters, a quality unmatched by any other actor nominated this year. Helena is, as I’ve expressed, one of the most potent and raw characters I’ve ever seen. Portraying that character alone should have gotten her a nomination. I cannot analyze Cosima, Sarah, Allison, and Rachel, for their genius and depth would be enough to write an article three times this length.
ORPHAN BLACK has such a firm and unwavering following. The #CloneClub is helping launch this show into the mega hit it deserves to be. My only wish is that people start to recognize it for what it is, a brilliant masterpiece.
Basically, if I don’t see Helena on the shirt of a fifteen year old shopping in the local Hot Topic in the near future, I will be very, very displeased.
Victoria Nelli loves TV so much that she is paying $30,000 a year to learn about it in College. When she’s not learning about TV she enjoys writing about her favorite shows, interviewing anyone in the industry that will let her, and ranting about how underrated Parks and Recreation is. She is very much aware of her Netflix addiction, and no she will not be seeking help anytime soon. You can follow her on Twitter @VictoriaNelli
Morning Static: THE MINDY PROJECT, DOWNTON ABBEY, ONCE UPON A TIME & More!
• Pilot Watch: Anthony Hopkins, Evan Rachel Wood to Star in HBO’s ‘Westworld’
• Scoop: Elisabeth Rohm Joins New CBS Drama ‘Stalker’ As New Regular.
• Must See TV: What will happen when every episode of ‘The Simpsons’ is at your fingertips?
• The Mindy Project Season 3: Cheers Vet Rhea Perlman to Play Danny’s Mother.
• Chuck It Out! Witches of East End Recruits Chuck’s Sarah Lancaster for ‘Mysterious’ Role
• They Have To Go Back! Another ‘Lost’ alum to guest on ‘Hawaii Five-0’
• TCA: ‘Downton Abbey’ Returning January 4, PBS Chief Paula Kerger Says.
• Once Upon a Time Casting Another Frozen Role — Who Should Fill It?
• Casting Coup: Craig Bierko To Star In New Lifetime Series ‘Un-Real’, Michael Irby Joins ‘The Lottery’
• Deal of the Day: Huge savings on DOCTOR WHO Seasons 1 thru 11 bundle via Amazon.
On TV Tonight: Wednesday July 23, 2014
NET | 8PM | 8:30PM | 9PM | 9:30PM | 10PM | 10:30PM |
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ABC | The Middle (R) | The Goldbergs (R) | Modern Family (R) | The Middle (R) | Motive | |
CBS | Big Brother | Extant | Criminal Minds (R) | |||
CW | Arrow (R) | The 100 (R) | ||||
FOX | So You Think You Can Dance | The Bridge (FX) | ||||
NBC | America’s Got Talent (R) | Taxi Brooklyn | ||||
Misc | Young & Hungry/Mystery Girls (ABC Family) | The Divide (WETV) The 2014 ESPYs (ESPN) | Catfish: The TV Show (MTV) Hot in Cleveland/Jennifer Falls (TV Land) |
FINDING CARTER Scoop: Anna Jacoby-Heron Talks Secrets, Being the Good Twin and Taylor’s Romantic Prospects
What is the bigger nightmare: your sister being abducted at the age of 3 or how your family falls apart when she comes home 13 years later? For Taylor Wilson (Anna Jacoby-Heron), both options are equally tough and nightmarish.
In the new MTV drama FINDING CARTER, the spotlight is turned on one family after their daughter is returned after being abducted as a young child. But just what happens when someone who did not know they were abducted is forcibly returned and does not want to be there? Curiously, it is not what anyone expects and that is what makes FINDING CARTER so fascinating. Just what will Carter (Kathryn Prescott) do next and how will the family she comes home to handle it? For her twin sister Taylor, life has changed as she knew it and she is not sure whether it is for better or worse. Only one thing is certain: she loves her sister and is grateful to have her back.
In a recent exclusive interview, co-star Anna Jacoby-Heron happily talked about her character Taylor’s acclimation to being reunited with her twin sister and the ripple-effects Carter’s return has on everyone’s lives. [Read more…]
TCA 2014: Quick Takes From FX’s TCA Presentations for TYRANT, THE BRIDGE, THE STRAIN, SONS OF ANARCHY and FARGO
On Day 13 of the 16-day biannual Television Critic’s Association Summer 2014 Press Tour, FX introduced its new programming, and the following is a snapshot-look at a few of its new and returning series.
TYRANT
“Tyrant” is FX’s new summer series that debuted June 24th, about a fictional Middle East country Abbudin run by a family dictatorship. Then, on the day of his grandson’s wedding, the reigning dictator Al Fayeed dies, leaving his eldest son Jamal (Ashraf Barhom) to take over. Unfortunately, the younger son, who had fled to the U.S. twenty years earlier changing his name from Bassam to Barry (Adam Rayner), had chosen this pivotal time to return for his nephew’s wedding, and once the father dies, Barry feels compelled to stay to help ease boiling tensions in the country by standing by his older brother Jamal’s ascension to power. The Al Fayeed family has been such an oppressive ruling dictatorship that now that the ruthless father has died, the entire country is unwilling to be subjugated to another. With Jamal’s taking over his father’s role and showing signs of being even more ruthless than his father, the country is on the verge of upheaval with violent protests erupting all over. So Barry is uncertain if he should flee with his family before things get any worse, back to their safe and comfortable lives in the U.S., or if he can really make a difference by staying and supporting his brother’s regime. “Tyrant” is show is a bleak look at tyranny and the tensions of a family that is uncertain how to maintain their position of power or even if they should continue to wield such unchecked power over an entire nation. The theme of the show is “the price of power” and it is explored in a thought-provoking fashion. First point of interest: As intellectually stimulating as it is to watch, “Tyrant” has graphic violence, some of which is sexual violence that can be stomach-turning. Point of interest: Due to a recent military conflict, “Tyrant” relocated the location for filming from Israel to Turkey. (“Tyrant” is a 10-episode series, with four episodes having already aired. New episodes air on Tuesday nights at 10:00 p.m. on FX.) [Read more…]
Morning Static: REVENGE, THE SIMPSONS, SLEEPY HOLLOW & More!
• Risky Business: “Sons of Anarchy” creator hasn’t figured out how the series will end.
• ‘Fargo’ season 2 scoop: Next season set in 1979, more
• ‘American Horror Story: Freak Show’ to be less campy than ‘Coven,’ FX chief says
• Press tour: FXX unveils Simpsons World portal to drooling critics
• Revenge Scoop: Brian Hallisay Heads to the Hamptons – as Emily’s New Lover?
• Must Read TV: Why So Many TV Shows Peak in Season 3
• Woo-Hoo! FXX Plans ‘Simpsons’ Full Series Marathon, Launches ‘Simpsons World’ Digital Experience
• New Girl Creator on Nick and Jess’ Future: “I Don’t Think It’s It for Them At All”
• Sleepy Hollow EPs Tease New Baddies, Romantic ‘Bombs’ in Season 2 — Plus: Scary-Good New Cast Photos
• TCA: Fox’s ‘Mulaney’ Addresses ‘Seinfeld’ Comparisons
• Deal of the Day: Huge savings on DOCTOR WHO Seasons 1 thru 11 bundle via Amazon.
On TV Tonight: Tuesday July 22, 2014
NET | 8PM | 8:30PM | 9PM | 9:30PM | 10PM | 10:30PM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ABC | Extreme Weight Loss | Celebrity Wife Swap | ||||
CBS | NCIS (R) | NCIS: Los Angeles (R) | Person of Interest (R) | |||
CW | Arrow (R) | Supernatural (R) | ||||
FOX | MLB All-Star Game: From Minneapolis | |||||
NBC | Food Fighters | America’s Got Talent | ||||
MISC | Rizzoli & Isles (TNT) Royal Pains (USA) Matador (El Rey) | Face Off (Syfy) Finding Carter (MTV) Perception (TNT) Covert Affairs (USA) | ||||
ABC FAM | Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family) | Chasing Life (ABC Family) |