Channel Surfing – March 11, 2010

All the tube news that’s fit to surf …

- It’s looking more and more like the current season of 24 could be the show’s last one, at least on Fox. It’s my all-time favorite TV drama, but even I have to admit that the show just isn’t as compelling as it once was (though the last few episodes have picked up the pace). A big-screen 24 is almost certainly going to happen, and the idea has even been floated that another network might be interested in the Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) action series if Fox does pull the plug after the May season eight finale.

- Fans took it to Facebook, and Lorne Michaels listened: Betty White will host the May 8, Mother’s Day, edition of Saturday Night Live, which will also include a reunion of SNL alums Tina Fey, Molly Shannon, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Ana Gasteyer and Rachel Dratch.

- It’s official: Conan O’Brien and “The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour” is coming soon to a city near you. Tickets are already on sale.

- Coming soon to a bookstore near you: Night of the Living Trekkies, a novel about zombies and a Trek fan convention.

- Sad news from sports and TV lands: NFL Hall of Famer and Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy star Merlin Olsen died earlier today after a battle with cancer. He was 69.

- Survivor and The Apprentice producer Mark Burnett is producing a new game show that will feature two hosts.

- Rejoice Felicity fans: Keri Russell is headed back to primetime.

- As is Jimmy Smits.

- This should be cool: CBS is going to broadcast the NCAA men’s basketball final four tournament games and the national championship game in 3D, in movie theaters all across the country.

- And, just in time: Panasonic sold the world’s first 3D home entertainment system in New York City on Wednesday. Cost: $2,900, and that only includes one pair of special 3D glasses.

- Among the new shows Bravo announced in the network’s annual upfront presentation in New York on Wednesday: The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Fashion Masters (sort of an all-star Project Runway) and Hitmakers (sort of an American Idol for singer/songwriters).

- And the 14th season of South Park premieres on Comedy Central on March 17 (10PM ET), and Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker talked to the New York Times about what’s ahead for the series, including their unique spin on the clip show, which will be the theme for the show’s 200th episode on April 14.

Hey, What’s That Don Draper Doll Doing With Barbie?!?!

Didja hear about the Mad Men Barbies? To coincide with the Emmy-winning AMC series’ fourth season premiere in July, Mattel is releasing a set of Mad Men-themed dolls, featuring Barbie dolls in the likenesses of Don Draper (Jon Hamm), Betty Draper (January Jones), Roger Sterling (John Slattery) and Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks). The dolls will cost $74.95 each, and no, they won’t come with accessories like cigarettes and tiny glasses of vodka for those 10AM meetings with Ken, Barbie and Skipper.

The Mad Men dolls are the latest in Barbie’s pop culture line, which also includes dolls that pay homage to Heidi Klum, Cyndi Lauper, Charlie’s Angels, Elvis in Jailhouse Rock, the Twilight gang, Johnny Depp in Alice in Wonderland, Star Trek, I Love Lucy, Goldie Hawn from Laugh-In, Diahann Carroll as Julia, Barbra Streisand, and my fave, the Carol Burnett Barbie, which honors one of her most famous Carol Burnett Show sketches, the “Went With the Wind” skit in which her Scarlett makes a dress out of curtains (and leaves the curtain rod in!).

A few suggestions for other TV dolls Mattel might consider adding to the collection:

- Lost I personally want a Hurley doll, because he remains the coolest of the island castaways, but show fans could create their own love triangle with Barbie versions of Jack, Kate and Sawyer. Optional accessories: Dharma-brand chocolate bars, a hatch to replace the Barbie Dream House and an Oceanic Airlines plane (which can be split in half, of course).

- 24 This Jack Bauer doll would come with an audio chip, allowing Jack to utter phrases like “Damnit!” “Chloe, I need the location now!” and “I’m gonna need a hacksaw.” Jack would come with his magic Jack bag, filled with cell phone, laptop and CTU badge, while Tony Almeida, David Palmer, Chloe O’Brian and Kim Bauer dolls would also round out the set, and yes, the Kim doll would come with a plastic mountain lion.

- American Idol Actually, only a Simon Cowell doll. He’ll come with a week’s worth of black Armani t-shirts and the ability to roll his eyes at the other dolls.

- Big Love Let’s have Barbie versions of Bill Henrickson and his three wives. But warning to the other female dolls in your collection: Now that Bill’s gone public with his polygamy, he could be looking to add to his brood. Run, Barbies, run!

- Classic female TV stars Nothing snarky here. Mattel has Barbie versions of Lucy and her chocolate factory adventure, Goldie Hawn on Laugh-In and Carol Burnett and the curtain dress, but where’s the Mary Tyler Moore doll, with the little beret she tosses up in the air? And the Betty White doll, both Mary Tyler Moore Show and Golden Girls versions? Tina Fey as Liz Lemon and from her Saturday Night Live news co-anchor stint … Bea Arthur, Golden Girls and Maude versions … Roseanne as Roseanne? What other TV or pop culture stars would you like to see immortalized in the Barbie universe?

Must-See TV DVDs: March 10, 2010

MUST-SEE TV DVD OF THE WEEK

Scarecrow and Mrs. King: The Complete First Season (Warner Home Video)
Details:
Before he was Babylon 5’s Capt. Sheridan and after she was Sabrina Duncan, one of the original Charlie’s Angels, Bruce Boxleitner and Kate Jackson were Lee Stetson and Amanda King, a spy guy and a divorced housewife, who became unlikely colleagues after he gave her a package while he was being pursued on spy guy duty. High concept, yes, but the lighthearted drama was fun, bolstered by the chemistry between Boxleitner and Jackson, as Mrs. King became more and more embroiled in agency activity (much to “Scarecrow’s” initial chagrin).
TV Screener Tidbit:
The show ended after four seasons, when Jackson’s role had to be reduced because she was diagnosed with breast cancer. And since Scarecrow and Mrs. King’s 1983-87 run, there have been several rumors about a remake … who would you cast in the roles for a redo?

BEST OF THE REST:
Tremors: Complete Series
(Universal Home Entertainment)
Details:
All 13 episodes of the campy big-screen TV spin-off are included in this collection, in which the citizens of Perfection try to co-exist with the Graboids — especially El Blanco — scientists and the wacky experiments taking place in town, as well as the rubberneckers who float through town and stir up trouble. Among the series’ stars: Family Ties dad Michael Gross and Back to the Future’s Christopher Lloyd as Cletus Poffenberger, one of the best TV character names of all time.
TV Screener Tidbit: The series followed three Tremors movies, and was followed by a fourth flick. A fifth movie, Tremors: The Thunder From Down Under, is rumored for a straight-to-DVD release in 2010, with Gross returning as Burt Gummer.

Greek: Chapter 4 (Disney Home Entertainment)
Details:
Pop singer (and former soap star) Jesse McCartney joined the cast for this chapter of the college drama, playing Andy, the new pledge who stirred up some trouble for Rusty and the gang. Chapter four also finds Casey finally realizing that she’s still in love with Cappie, though it would take a bit longer for them to reunite …
Bonus Features: Bloopers, audio commentaries, a storyline recap, a behind-the-scenes look at the chapter finale and Jesse McCartney’s “How Do You Sleep?” video.

In Plain Sight: Season Two (Universal Home Entertainment)
Details:
No spoilers here about how this season ends – except to say it involves a gunshot and a cliffhanger, which will be resolved in the season three premiere on March 31. But if you haven’t yet checked out this entertaining USA series, which stars Mary McCormack as a Federal Witness Protection program agent in Albuquerque, season two is as good a place as any to jump in, with guest stars like Martin Landau, Mitch Pileggi, Laura Prepon and The Office’s David Denman.
Bonus Features: Audio commentary, a gag reel and deleted scenes.

Hannah Montana: Miley Says Goodbye? (Disney Home Entertainment)
Details:
The show’s third season finale doesn’t air on Disney Channel until March 14, so this DVD, which includes six total episodes from the season, gives Hannah fans the chance to see it ahead of time, and find out whether double-life-living teen Hannah decides to stay in Malibu or return to her Tennessee home and her horse, Blue Jeans. PS – The season three finale marks the beginning of the end for the series either way, as the show’s fourth – and final – season begins airing in July.
Bonus Features: A photo frame, an alternate ending for the finale and an interview with Miley Cyrus‘ sister.

The Commish – Season 1 (Anchor Bay)
Details: Michael Chiklis
is a former Brooklyn cop who becomes the unorthodox police commissioner of a small town in upstate New York. It’s a fine enough drama, but it makes for much more interesting viewing if you’ve since seen Chiklis in his Emmy-winning role on The Shield … there’s no way anyone could have predicted “The Commish” could become a badass like Vic Mackey.
Bonus Features: New interviews with Chiklis and series co-creator Stephen J. Cannell.

AND THE REST …
Dalziel and Pascoe: Season One
(BBC Warner)

Matt Houston: The First Season (Paramount Home Entertainment)

Silk Stalkings: The Complete First Season (Mill Creek Entertainment)

Tenspeed & Brown Show: The Complete Series (Mill Creek Entertainment)

Walker, Texas Ranger: The Seventh Season (Paramount Home Entertainment)

Wanted: Dead or Alive – Season Two (Mill Creek Entertainment)

Channel Surfing – March 9, 2010

All the tube news that’s fit to surf …

- At last: Betty White confirms she’ll host Saturday Night Live this season, though details remain scarce. A Betty-hosted SNL would make a great season 35 finale for the show, doncha think?

- More late night news: Andy Richter filled in for Reeg on this morning’s Live with Regis & Kelly, and he minced no words while sharing his take on the Conan/NBC/Leno mess. He also confirmed, sorta, that a Conan live tour is happening. Check out the video here.

- More Conan news: ABC’s underrated Castle – starring the always awesome Nathan Fillionwill spoof the recent NBC late-night debacle, which, on Castle, will end with a murder!

- Intentional pun ahead: HBO is having lots of luck with its upcoming drama Luck. Not only will Dustin Hoffman star, but Oscar nominee Nick Nolte is reportedly in talks to join the cast of the gambling drama.

- More great casting news: 24/Samantha Who?/Frasier/Designing Women star Jean Smart will play the governor of Hawaii in CBS’ Hawaii Five-O remake (the character was male in the original series), while Ed star and Scrubs guest star Tom Cavanagh has signed on for the ABC drama pilot Edgar Floats, about a police psychologist-turned-bounty hunter.

- And still more Oscar-caliber talent in primetime: Kathy Bates, who’s been playing the new Dunder-Mifflin owner as a guest star on The Office this season, will play a cranky attorney in David E. Kelley’s NBC legal drama pilot, Kindreds.

- Another new primetime lawyer: Felicity and The Unit star Scott Foley (who recently guest starred as Courteney Cox’s love interest on Cougar Town), who’ll play an ADA in ABC’s crime drama True Blue.

- Brooke Burke, the season seven winner of Dancing With the Stars, has officially been signed as the new co-host for DWTS when it premieres its 10th season on March 22.

- Good news Fringe fans: You won’t have to wait around to see if your show will be on the bubble when Fox announces its fall scheduled in May. The show has already been renewed.

- Also renewed for next season: Brothers & Sisters.

- And, who do fans most want to see playing Captain America on the big screen? The Office star John Krasinski. He’s one of my fave TV dudes, but I’m bummed that Ryan McPartlin isn’t on the list. Chuck’s “Captain Awesome” would make a perfect Captain America.

Jimmy Kimmel’s All-Star Handsome Men’s Club

Jimmy Kimmel has outdone himself with his latest post-Oscar telecast skit, the “Handsome Men’s Club,” in which a who’s who of People Sexiest Men Alive alumni join the late-night host in a very special club. Jimmy’s the president, but it turns out only one other person thinks he should even be a member.

I won’t list the celebs who co-star, because that would spoil the fun of seeing them as they pop up throughout, but there are actors, musicians, athletes … and a special “twist” at the end.

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