WINTER 2014: NBC CANCELS 'SEAN SAVES THE WORLD'

While Sean Harrison was busy trying to save the world, and Sean Hayes was busy trying to save his new show, viewers were busy saving something else.

Sean Saves the World has spent the better part of this TV season trying to rack up viewers and decent ratings for NBC, unfortunately to no avail. News broke yesterday that the network has abruptly stopped production on the freshman comedy. There were four episodes left to produce in the 18-episode order. So yeah, basically the show is cancelled.

NBC moved the struggling comedy to a new time slot to boost ratings, and it failed miserably. Two episodes remain to be aired and will be scheduled after the Winter Olympics.

WINTER 2014: ELLEN POMPEO, PATRICK DEMPSEY SIGN ON FOR MORE 'GREY'S ANATOMY'

It was touch-and-go this past fall with renegotiation rumors but Grey's Anatomy fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Meredith and Derek are not going anywhere, anytime soon.

Original cast members Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey have signed new two-year deals that will keep the couple on the show through Season 12. Of course ABC has only renewed Grey's through the end of this current season but with these new deals in place, it definitely is an incentive to keep the medical drama going.

Other original cast members Justin Chambers, Chandra Wilson, and James Pickens, Jr., as well as Sara Ramirez, have yet to renew their contracts which expire at the end of this season. As reported earlier this fall, Sandra Oh is departing the show in May.

Do you think the show still has some steam left in it after 10 years?

WINTER 2014: 'SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE' FINDS SETH MEYERS' REPLACEMENT

Saturday Night Live has found Seth Meyers' replacement on "Weekend Update," and it isn't any member of the current cast.

SNL head writer Colin Jost has been chosen to take over Seth Meyers' spot on "Weekend Update." Jost joined the staff in 2005 and was named its head writer in 2012. Apart from writing for SNL (and winning numerous awards for it), Jost is also a stand-up comedian who has appeared in comedy festivals as well as Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Jost seems to be following the latest tradition of replacing departing news anchors with head writers. Both Seth Meyers and his predecessor, Tina Fey, were head writers before taking over desk duty.

Seth Meyers' final appearance on SNL and "Weekend Update" will be February 1. His late night show is scheduled to premiere on February 24. Meanwhile, Jost is expected to pick up desk duties and join co-anchor Cecily Strong on March 1.

WINTER 2014: JASON ISAACS, PATRICK J. ADAMS CAST FOR NBC'S 'ROSEMARY'S BABY' ADAPTATION

Casting for NBC's upcoming adaptation of the 1968 film Rosemary's Baby continues to take shape.

Just a few weeks after it was announced that Zoe Saldana will portray mother-to-be Rosemary, we've now learned that Patrick J. Adams (Suits) will play Rosemary's husband, Guy. The TV adaptation moves the setting to Paris where Guy and Rosemary move into an apartment with a dark history. Film and television star Jason Isaacs has also signed on the production and will portray Roman Castevet, neighbor to the young couple and who also happens to be the warlock and leader of the cult.

This one is shaping up to be a doozy...Stay Tuned!

SPRING 2014: 'ONCE UPON A TIME' PLANNING TO KILL OFF A SERIES REGULAR

ABC's Once Upon a Time is enjoying a lengthy winter break (new episodes return March 9) but that hasn't stopped the show's creators from dropping hints on the season finale.

Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis have revealed that a major character will be killed off during the second half of this season. Now before you say to yourself "Oh they always kill off a character who comes back to life thanks to magic," let us say clearly that this character will be dead and done. According to the creators, the upcoming death will result in the exit of a series regular and right now everyone is a candidate.

Personally, Stay Tuned believes that the character to bite the dust will be Neal/Baelfire since the show has little to lose writing him off. A part of us, however, is pulling for Henry to be the victim. It would definitely spark a new conflict between the recently peaceful group of frenemies, and let's be honest, Henry Jared Gilmore is getting older and awkward and that just isn't cute when a tween fantasizes about fairy tales.

We'll just have to wait and see...Stay Tuned!

WINTER 2014: NBC PLANNING 'CHICAGO P.D./LAW & ORDER: SVU' CROSSOVER EVENT

NBC isn't wasting any time in using a veteran TV show to boost one of its new midseason dramas.

The network has a crossover event planned for newbie Chicago P.D. and stable powerhouse Law & Order: SVU. Sophia Bush's Detective Erin Lindsay will appear on the February 26 episode of SVU to share a scene with Mariska Hargitay's Sgt. Olivia Benson. Following that appearance, Ice-T and Kelli Giddish (as Detectives Tutuola and Rollins) head over to Chicago P.D. for a visit.

No details have surfaced yet on what case will unite these two burgs. Both shows are produced by Dick Wolf, so expect some good storytelling and consistency.

WINTER 2014: SETH MEYERS DROPS HINT ON HIS FINAL 'SNL' APPEARANCE

Departing cast member Seth Meyers gave a clue on his last Saturday Night Live show.

During NBC's turn at Sunday's Television Critics Association winter press tour, Meyers stated that he was two shows away from cutting ties with SNL. So his final airdate would be the February 1 show with host Melissa McCarthy and musical act Imagine Dragons. The Weekend Update anchor and NBC have been preparing for the late night transitions, where Meyers will be taking over Jimmy Fallon's current show and retitled to Late Night with Seth Meyers. Meyers admits that it would be difficult trying to manage both Late Night and SNL in a double duty capacity. Finally, Meyers also hinted that co-anchor Cecily Strong may end up paired with another partner to host Weekend Update.

We'll just have to Stay Tuned on that last one...

WINTER 2014: 'HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN' REBOOT IS IN THE WORKS; MARK WAHLBERG TO EXEC PRODUCE

The 1980s classic featuring an angel and a human companion doing good deeds is getting a reboot.

Highway to Heaven premiered on NBC in 1984 and featured former Little House on the Prairie co-stars Michael Landon and Victor French. Landon portrayed Jonathan Smith, an angel sent to Earth on probation to do good deeds, at least enough to earn him his wings and entry into heaven. French played Mark Gordon, the human and live companion who helped Jonathan complete the assignments sent down from God. The assignments usually consisted of helping troubled souls.

The new project is being headed by A&E Studios and Halfire-Core Entertainment, and film star Mark Wahlberg (Yes, Marky Mark) is attached as an executive producer. Former Hell on Wheels showrunner John Wirth is writing the script.

IN MEMORIAM: 'GILLIGAN'S ISLAND'S RUSSELL JOHNSON AND 'THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY'S DAVE MADDEN

Yesterday we lost two classic television actors that marked the 1960s and 1970s.

Russell Johnson, mostly recognizable from his role as The Professor on Gilligan's Island, passed away at age 89. Johnson's early acting career began in the movies before transitioning over to guest and starring television roles. In 1964, Johnson was cast as Roy Hinkley, a.k.a. The Professor, on CBS' Gilligan's Island. Former castmate Dawn Wells broke the news yesterday via her Twitter account. Johnson was in a Hospice facility and surrounded by his wife and children when he died.

Dave Madden, who was best known as the The Partridge Family's band manager Reuben Kincaid, also passed away yesterday of congestive heart and kidney failure. Madden was 82. Madden was prominent in the '70s and '80s television landscape, appearing in guest roles on Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, and Barney Miller. He also had a recurring role on CBS' Alice as frequent diner Earl Hicks.

SPRING 2014: BENJAMIN BRATT JOINS FOX'S '24: LIVE ANOTHER DAY'

Earlier this week we learned that FOX's 24: Live Another Day will premiere on May 5 in a 12-episode series event. Now we are learning some details about the ever-increasing cast.

Benjamin Bratt has signed up to join the cast of the latest 24 adventure. Bratt will portray Steve Harris, the head of the CIA operations tracking fugitive Jack Bauer's movements in London. Bauer is in the UK to thwart a terrorist attack but Harris has other plans for our favorite fugitive.

WINTER 2014: SETTING FOR NEXT CHAPTER OF 'AMERICAN HORROR STORY' REVEALED

Details of the next chapter in the American Horror Story anthology series are slowly emerging now that Coven is beginning to wind down.

According to series creator Ryan Murphy, the fourth chapter/season/story will be set in the 1950s and the premise of the storyline will be associated with the happenings (national? world?) of that specific time period. AHS staple actress Jessica Lange will make her final appearance in the fourth chapter. The actress announced that she will be departing the FX anthology series after this next season. 

Rumors are circulating that Lange is already at work preparing for her role and that much of it involves her practicing speaking with a German accent. Hmmm...Cold War related? Nazis? Your guess is as good as ours but we are already getting excited about it.

WINTER 2014: BILL PAXTON BECOMES AN AGENT "OF S.H.I.E.L.D."

Agent Coulson is about to get a blast from the past when a former colleague shows up on Marvel's Agents of SHIELD.

Big Love's Bill Paxton will be joining the comics-inspired drama later this winter. Paxton will portray high-ranking Agent John Garrett, an old colleague of Coulson's who is miserable sitting behind a desk and being away from all the action.

Garrett soon has his desires fulfilled when he is thrown back into the field with May and Ward.

Paxton is slated to appear in at least four episodes beginning late February/early March.

WINTER 2014: 'GLEE' CHANGES COMING SOON - GOODBYE LIMA, HELLO NYC

Glee is heading to New York City...and saying good-bye to Lima, Ohio.

While new episodes of the musical drama won't begin airing until February 25, it was revealed at the Television Critics Association winter press tour that Glee will be focusing the second half of the current fifth season in New York City.

"Exclusively" is more like the description given.

Since several veteran cast members will be graduating high school in Lima, the show will shift over to New York City for the remainder of its run, which is only through next year's final season. Of course it doesn't make sense that everyone will relocate to the Big Apple so expect to see the final appearances of the newer New Directions members. Additionally, not all those graduating seniors will be making the move to NYC so expect some good-byes.

But don't fret Gleeks, some of these departing characters (Jane Lynch's Sue Sylvester will remain in Lima) will appear in special episodes. All these changes are in preparation for the series finale next year.

SPRING 2014: '24: LIVE ANOTHER DAY' WILL PREMIERE ON MAY 5

24: Live Another Day is getting closer every day, and now the dates have been finalized.

Today, FOX announced the premiere date for the special event series, which picks up from the flagship series 24 though not necessarily right after the events of the final season and episode. Live Another Day is a 12-episode series that will reduce the need for filler as it will tell the events of the latest 24 hours in 12 episodes.

The action-packed drama centering on Jack Bauer's latest dilemma (and in London!) will premiere in a special two-hour episode on Monday, May 5. The following week, May 12, the show will air in its regular 9 pm time slot.

WINTER 2014: ABC'S 'THE ASSETS' IS HISTORY...AFTER ONLY 2 EPISODES

The Assets is history.

ABC has pulled (as expected) the low-rated Cold War drama after only two episodes. It premiered last week to disastrous ratings and continued the downward trend this past Thursday. The Assets was supposed to be an eight-episode miniseries to fill the void while Scandal takes a hiatus. The network, however, was not so thrilled with the less than 3 million viewers at the 10:00 PM slot.

ABC will air repeats of Shark Tank in its place. No word yet on when, or if, the network plans to burn the remaining six episodes later in the year.

WINTER 2014: 'MODERN FAMILY' IS HEADING TO AUSTRALIA

The Pritchetts and Dunphys are going on another vacation this season, and this time it is the Land Down Under, Australia.

In partnership with Qantas Airlines, the ABC comedy will fly down its cast, crew, and showrunner for two weeks in February to shoot the vacation episode that will be aired later this season. Previous seasons of Modern Family has seen the complex family vacation in Hawaii and Wyoming.

No details have been given on what event spearheads this latest excursion but showrunner Steve Levitan assures that the typical Australian things like a kangaroo, koala, and boomerang, and much more will be highlighted in the episode.

WINTER 2014: PALEYFEST 2014 SCHEDULES 'LOST' 10TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION

The cast of Lost are preparing to reunite for one night in what is being touted as a 10th Anniversary Reunion. The much anticipated reunion will take place at PaleyFest 2014, a two-week celebration of television right in the heart of Hollywood. This year's event, which is organized by The Paley Center for Media, will take place at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland.

The Lost panel will take place on Sunday, March 16. No participants have been named yet but it is expected to be revealed in the next few weeks.

Lost premiered September 22, 2004 on ABC and became an international phenomenon lasting for six seasons and 121 episodes.

NEW RELEASE TUESDAY (1/7/14): THE FOLLOWING, ARCHER, CHINA BEACH & MORE

A bunch of fan favorites are hitting store shelves today and we have a breakdown of what's worth picking up and viewing.

Thriller Pick-of-the-Week

The Following - The Complete 1st Season (DVD/BD)

FOX's midseason hit, The Following, releases its short first season and provides viewers an opportunity to catch up on the rollercoaster before its second season debuts later this month.

Comedy Pick-of-the-Week

Archer - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD/BD)

FX's popular animated comedy, Archer, gets a fourth season release just days before the premiere of its new season. This latest release continues to follow the missions and antics of Sterling Archer and gang at ISIS. Break out the liquor and bring on the drinking games!

Retro Pick-of-the-Week

Barney Miller - The Complete Fourth Season

This classic situation comedy, set in the 12th Precinct of Manhattan, New York City, releases another individual season. Back in 2011, the entire Barney Miller series was released in a complete box set by Shout! Factory after obtaining the rights from Sony Television. Now Shout! is releasing the sets that Sony didn't get to and frankly we love it. Barney Miller has become a little gem for Stay Tuned and we are currently halfway through the show's eight season run. The comedy, antics, and chemistry between the detectives of the 12th helped propel the show's popularity, and its influence in future police comedies is clearly noted (Hello Brooklyn Nine-Nine!).

China Beach - Season 2

One of the most requested television series releases its second season. StarVista/Time Life did an excellent job obtaining the rights of almost all of the original music, which was emblematic in the storytelling of the characters and essential for the backdrop of the Vietnam War.

Honorable Mention

House of Lies - The Second Season

Star Trek: Enterprise - Season: Three (BD)

 

WINTER 2014: 'SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE' FINDS ITS AFRICAN-AMERICAN FEMALE CAST MEMBER

Saturday Night Live has finally found its female African-American cast member in the form of Sasheer Zamata.

Sasheer Zamata is a graduate of the University of Virginia and has performed in numerous comedy festivals as well as the famed Upright Citizen's Brigade. Zamata becomes the first African-American female to appear on SNL since Maya Rudolph departed the late-night sketch comedy show back in 2007.

The pressure for an African-American female player started back in November when actress Kerry Washington hosted SNL. The cold opening poked fun at the fact that Washington would have to play all of its planned African-American women in the skit, which involved several exits and costume changes in those first minutes. Cast members Kenan Thompson and Jay Pharoah have also been very vocal about the casting need and were sort of the catalyst for the search when they both refused to dress in drag.

Zamata's credits include a web series, Pursuit of Sexiness, as well as appearances in videos for College Humor and Fodder. Her first SNL air date is January 18 when Drake hosts and musical guests.

WINTER 2014: JAMES AVERY, 'UNCLE PHIL' ON FRESH PRINCE, DEAD AT 65

Actor James Avery, most famous for his role as Will Smith's Uncle Phil on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, has passed away at 65 from complications following open heart surgery. Former co-star and close friend Alfonso Ribeiro broke the news this morning through his Twitter account. Avery passed away at a Los Angeles hospital on New Year's Eve, December 31.

James Avery was a dedicated actor of both film and television for the past 30 years. Avery appeared in more than 30 films since 1980, usually in small supporting roles. But some roles were more memorable such as the MVA instructor on License to Drive and the cranky neighbor from The Brady Bunch Movie. In television, Avery was a character actor appearing in numerous dramas and comedies before taking on the lead role of patriarch Philip Banks on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.