Random clicking of news and tidbits on current and past television programming in the U.S., as well as what's happening in the TV-on-DVD market. Pop culture on the tube. Reliving our childhood one disc at a time.
September is typically a busy month for TV-on-DVD releases, aiming for the fans and binge watchers before the new season begin. The 2014-2015 television season doesn't officially kick-off until September 22 but many shows are returning and/or debuting before that date.
Season 2 ofChicago Fire and the first season of its procedural spin-off,Chicago P.D. both hit the shelves today.
Grey's Anatomy fans can relive the final season featuring Cristina with the complete tenth season set.New Girl's see-saw romance that defined Season 3 comes out on DVD.
Additionally,The Originals (spin-off ofThe Vampire Diaries) and Person of Interest see multiple format releases today. Fans can pick up the DVD/Blu-ray combo of the freshman supernatural series or repeat the death that shocked viewers on the third season of the CBS drama.
Summer pirate adventure Crossbones releases its first season on DVD. The fate of the show that follows Blackbeard still remains in the air but viewers can repeat that incredible season (or series) finale.
On the retro TV front, Mill Creek Entertainment continues re-releasing previous Sony sets. This time around, 1970s hits Soap and What's Happening!! each receive a Season 1 & 2 combo release. Individual sets of both shows' seasons are also released.
The first and second seasons of Benson become available as well, and in both combo or individual sets. While Season 1 was originally released to retail in 2007, this is the first time Season 2 gets a retail release. A previous set was offered but only as a Sony MOD DVD-R.
Finally, western TV show fans will be anxious to pick up The Official 7th Season of Bonanza.
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.
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 Dayis 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.
As Gleeprepares to celebrate its 100th episode on March 18, 2014, details are beginning to emerge regarding the milestone extravaganza.
According to co-creator Ryan Murphy, all the Gleeoriginals have been invited to return for the 100th episode bash. Amber Riley (Mercedes), Mark Saling (Puck), Harry Shum, Jr. (Mike), and Heather Morris (Brittany) have all been confirmed to appear. While Amber, Mark, and Harry have made appearances on the show this season, Heather Morris has been absent from the canvas (and glaringly during the Cory Monteith tribute episode) since the departing the show last spring. Additionally, Broadway royalty Kristin Chenoweth will reprise her role of April Rhodes.
Update: Another original member, Dianna Agron (Quinn) will also be returning for the 100th episode. Rumors began swirling that there was bad blood within the cast when Agron was absent from the Cory Monteith tribute episode.
The episode will also feature the ten fan-chosen Glee songs from previous episodes, newly remixed and performed by the current members of New Directions. Voting for the faves has already taken place and closed so you'll just have to wait and see what songs the public requested.
Fans of Alias' spydaddy Victor Garber will get to see him in several shows towards the latter half of the television season.
Garber, who was last seen on the short-lived NBC drama Deception, will arrive in the supernatural burg of Sleepy Hollow playing none other than Ichabod's papa. Details are still hush-hush but Garber is signed on for at least one episode. Ichabod recently shared some fond memories of papa Crane thus setting up for the upcoming appearance.
The actor is also scheduled to appear on CBS' hit drama The Good Wife as a judge. No dates have been given for either appearance.
New Girl fans don't fear, Coach isn't leaving anytime soon.
Damon Wayans Jr.'s return to the FOX comedy has just been extended. Wayans Jr.'s original four-episode arc started this past Tuesday, but we are now getting word that Coach will be sticking around for the remainder of the season. But don't worry if you're Team Winston, there are no plans for Coach to be a replacement. It just appears that the foursome will expand to a dynamic fivesome, at least for the rest of this season.
Wayans Jr. will continue to be billed as a "Special Guest Star" despite the extension.
FOX's Glee has had a difficult year with the passing of original cast member Cory Monteith, who portrayed quarterback Finn Hudson. The loss has forced creators to reexamine the show's endgame in next year's final season.
One idea that is currently being mulled on the set is making a full-time move to New York City. Now before you East Coasters start jumping for joy, it doesn't mean that the show's production is going to move from LA...though on-location shoots most likely will increase. What it means is that the Lima, Ohio setting will be phased out and the show will entirely be set in NYC. The switch is being considered for all of next season but there have been several hints that the change could occur as early as this current season.
Currently, Rachel, Kurt, and Santana are the only McKinley High characters living in NYC. Decisions will have to be made on which Lima characters would make the sojourn to the Big Apple, and exactly how they would fit in.
If the show decides to move in this direction, it would be a refreshing change for the weakening musical drama.
Glee, the musical drama following a high school glee club will end in 2015 after its sixth season.
Co-creator Ryan Murphy confirmed the show's ending Wednesday night while attending an event at the Paley Center. The show is currently in its fifth season and taking a breather after recently airing the special tribute episode to fallen castmember Cory Monteith.
The actor's passing has caused a major re-write for the show's endgame season and finale. Murphy shares that the final season was supposed to center heavily on the Rachel/Finn relationship to give the couple a happy ending in the finale. The co-creator does have another idea in mind that will honor the actor and his character's memory during those final moments next year.
Glee is currently on hiatus during Major League Baseball and will return November 7 on FOX.
Is David Boreanaz reaching the end of his run on Bones? Will the ninth season be his last?
Possibly.
Rumblings are being heard that Boreanaz is planning to hang up Booth's suit in spring 2014 when the current season ends. Plain and simple, David is getting tired of Seeley Booth and is ready to move on to other projects. Now this isn't the first time Boreanaz has announced leaving the show. In 2012, shortly after Season 7, the actor stated he was going to appear in one more season. He later agreed to remain on the show through Season 9. Will he make good on his word this time around? Max Headblog and Stay Tuned will place their bets on YES.
What will happen to the show if Boreanaz does leave? Most likely Bones will pack it up and watch Booth and Brennan ride off in the sunset. Interestingly though, Emily Deschanel would be willing to continue with a Booth-less Season 10 and fly solo. That idea, however, is unlikely to fly since the characters have become romantically linked and are scheduled to wed later this month. Booth wouldn't leave Brennan on his own, and there wouldn't be a separation so the only thing left would be to kill him off. And let me just say, that's not going to fly with anyone. Let's face facts, a Booth-less Bones will be a total bore. Pay attention FOX, end the show on a high note.
On the heels of the series premiere of ABC's Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (literally on the same day the new comics-book based series aired), FOX has ordered straight to series Gotham, a drama based on the DC Comics character Commissioner James Gordon. Umm yeah, the one from the Batman universe. Don't expect to see any glimpses of the Dark Knight though. Gothamwill explore the origins stories of both Commissioner Gordon and the villains that made Gotham City into the metropolis we have grown to love.
The Mindy Project is bringing on an ex-Happy Endings alum as part of its cast.
Adam Pally, who was last seen as Max Blum on the dearly departed comedy Happy Endings, was originally slated to appear on the show for a multi-episode arc this fall. Those plans, however, have changed...and for the better. Pally has now been upped to series regular, and will portray a new doctor at the OB/GYN practice. His first episode on the FOX comedy is scheduled for October 1.
Tuesday night belongs to FOX as the network premieres its comedy lineup consisting of two new shows and two returning series.
You may have already heard some controversial stories about the new series Dads. The comedy features Seth Green and Giovanni Ribisi as best buds/business partners who suddenly find themselves coping with new roommates in the form of their fathers. The show faced controversy during the summer as protests emerged over the less than politically correct portrayal of Asian-Americans, particularly Brenda Song's character. We're not sure how Dads will fare this fall but the controversy has generated buzz and interest, and of course loyal Seth Green fans will check out his new venture. 8 pm on FOX.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine has been heralded as the best new comedy this fall. The pairing of carefree cop Andy Samberg with strict captain Andre Braugher fuels the balance between comedic and serious tone. Braugher's character is determined to whip into shape the uninhibited 99th precinct. Terry Crews forms part of the show's supporting cast. Saturday Night Live fans will definitely tune in to see Andy Samberg, and the last few minutes of the premiere episode will leave viewers wanting more. 8:30 pm on FOX.
New Girlreturns for a third season smack dab in the midst of the Nick and Jess relationship. The newly united couple head to Mexico for a romantic getaway and quickly find themselves in problems. Meanwhile one of Schmidt's former girls returns. 9 pm on FOX.
The Mindy Project returns for a sophmore season and immediately resolves what occurred in the office while the good doctor Lahiri was in Haiti. Mindy returns and immediately butts heads with her replacement, Dr. Paul Leotard (played by the over-hyped James Franco). Ratings-wise, viewership might be low since Mindy fans may have already watched the season premiere last week when it was exclusively released on Hulu. If anything, you must watch this show for Morgan Tookers. 9:30 pm on FOX.
Are you looking forward to any premiere in particular? Share with us.
The fall television season is slowly revving up and tonight's premieres are a mix of old, familiar, and new.
Bonesreturns for the its ninth season as Booth and Brennan investigate remains found in an air conditioning unit. Oh and Freddie Prinze, Jr. (Where's he been all this time?) guest stars. 8 pm on FOX.
Dancing with the Stars kicks off its 17th season with a usual two-hour premiere. Click here for the cast lineup of "Stars." Though we are not fans of the show, we can't help but root for our favorite science guy, Bill Nye. 8 pm on ABC.
New mystery drama Sleepy Hollow revives the 1820 short story for a modern-day retelling. Ichabod Crane, a Revolutionary War soldier is resurrected and taken to modern day Sleepy Hollow, NY. Crane teams up with a detective to take on the mutual baddie that has followed him through time, the Headless Horseman. The jury is still out if this is going to work. 9 pm on FOX.
Are you looking forward to any of these shows tonight?
Fans of the short-lived FOX space drama Fireflyhave been clamoring for a reunion or revival ever since it was cancelled in 2002. Though the show only lasted for 14 episodes, the fan base of the Joss Whedon production has only increased thanks to reruns and the release of the complete series on DVD. Well fans are about to see their wishes come true...sort of.
Dark Horse Comics has been teasing fans on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram about the return of Mal and the Serenity crew in an upcoming continuation of the show. It wouldn't be the first time that Dark Horse Comics has continued the life of a cancelled television show. Other popular Joss Whedon productions, Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and Angel, gave fans new seasons after leaving the airwaves. Though it can't beat a live-action reunion of the departed shows, comic books bring forth a new life for the characters and allows the writers to tell stories of great magnitude, which normally couldn't be confined within the budget of a television show.
No exact date has been given yet for the Firefly release...but Stay Tuned for future updates.
Today was FOX's turn at the TCA rodeo in Beverly Hills and while details were given about new shows Sleepy Hollow and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, it was news about Gleethat got the most attention. With the death of Cory Montieth several weeks ago, production was delayed for a week and a tribute episode is being prepared to air as the third episode of the upcoming fifth season. Additionally, cast members are taping public service announcements that will air after that special episode. While the third episode will mark Finn Hudson's exit from the show, no details were given on exactly how the character will be written out.
The show's fifth season is slated to premiere September 26, pushed back one week following Montieth's death. Fox Entertainment Chairman Kevin Reilly expressed the network's plan for Glee, particularly its ending. Reilly believes the show will not go past a sixth season thus making 2015 the targeted ending of the popular musical comedy-drama. Several original cast members have already been dropped to recurring status for this newl season, and actress Jayma Mays will depart the show at the season's end in Spring.
Keep it locked to Stay Tuned for future updates of anything and everything television.
"This is the theme to Garry's show. The theme to Garry's show. This is the theme to Garry Shandling's show."
It's Garry Shandling's Show ran from 1986 to 1990 on the Showtime network and then picked up by FOX from 1988 to 1990. At the time it was unique for a cable show to be picked up and re-broadcasted on network television but FOX was breaking new ground and marking its place among the main three networks. Considered a sitcom, It's Garry Shandling's Show felt more like a reality show with the frequent use of breaking the fourth wall and Garry interacting with the studio audience. Half the fun of the show was Garry speaking to the camera and poking fun at some random subject. Garry usually began each show with a monologue followed by the cleverly written theme song while Garry, and sometimes cast members, pretended to be look busy over the opening.
The principal cast consisted of Garry's friends and neighbors, Nancy Bancroft and the Schumacher family. Other cast members that dropped by were Garry's mother Ruth, annoying condo association president Leonard Smith, and Nancy's boyfriend/husband Ian McFyfer. Pretty much all of Garry's friends knew he was on a TV show being taped in front of a studio audience, and they worked around it. Whatever shenanigans Garry had lined up each week was almost always poked fun at or parodied. Shandling was a genius in making fun of conventional plot devices. Whether it was particular looks into the camera, spit takes, or cliffhangers, It's Garry Shandling's Show would take the idea and run with it. The video below parodies the ending device for two-part episodes. 'To be Continued' is frequently used in sitcoms but it wasn't typical for this show since every episode resolved the issue within the 24 minutes.
It's Garry Shandling's Showwould cross into other shows and genres just for the laughs. One particular episode was when the show entered the universe of the soap opera General Hospital. The story originated with a fight between Garry and his mother over advertising her store on his show. After he refuses, Ruth ends up going to General Hospital to advertise and Garry and pals witness it while watching the afternoon soap. Garry and pals enter the hospital and its the actual hospital with actual characters, not actors playing those characters. Using the typical soap opera music, camera work, and stares, Garry Shandling succeeded in making the audience laugh at the parodies. Aside from its purpose to mock lightheartedly, the show wanted to take advantage of Ian Buchanan's (Ian McFyfer) previous ties to the soap opera and actually had him reprise his role of Duke Lavery and reunite with his GHon-screen love Anna (played by Finola Hughes). Buchanan was really able to display his comedic chops thanks to Garry Shandling and shake off that shroud of soap opera drama. The scene is provided below.
In its four-year run, Garry Shandling was able to find and maintain an audience following. The adult humor on the show was a refreshing change for the television landscape, which was slowly exiting from primetime soap operas and dramas, and bringing the sitcom back on the front burner. The show was also heralded for lining up big named guest stars to pop over to Garry's house for a quick cameo. Rob Reiner and Tom Petty were frequent guest stars of the show, and Garry Shandling was the last show Gilda Radner was on before succumbing to ovarian cancer. Garry even got Jeff Goldblum to wish his little buddy Grant Schumacher a happy birthday.
Garry Shandling has a different sense of humor that attracts a range of audiences. Some get it, others don't. His shows have always been types of mockumentaries, as seen with these clips of It's Garry Shandling's Show and in HBO's The Larry Sanders Show. Garry is able to grab the television entertainment medium, poke holes at it, and slowly open each one wider.
The good people over at Shout! Factory released the complete series set of It's Garry Shandling's Show back in 2009. The release was an instant winner for the company as fans rushed to purchase the sets, at $100 a pop. The complete series set release helped establish Shout! Factory's credibility in the expanding TV-on-DVD market and most likely set the standard on how complete sets should be produced. Additionally, the company became the model of studios releasing complete series sets before individual season sets. Shout! took the risk and found out successfully that fans are willing to shell out the cash in order to get their whole shows on one set. You can purchase the complete series or individual seasons from Shout! Factory's website.
Well that about wraps up our trip down the world of Garry Shandling. If you haven't caught an episode of It's Garry Shandling's Show, we highly recommend that you do. You won't regret it, and most likely, you'll end up watching the next episode...and the next one...and the next one...and the next one.
Keep it locked to Stay Tuned for future updates of anything and everything television.
Oh William and Kate, you guys sure know how to turn the world around with your contractions. Since pretty much the whole world is on Royal Baby Watch, we here at Stay Tuned have decided to take the extensive media coverage with humor. So we've decided to feature some of the funniest and wildest births that have come across our television.
In the second season of Martin, Martin gets stuck host a baby shower for one of Gina's friends. After an argument breaks up the shower, the mother-to-be goes into labor in Martin's apartment and it is up to him and the guys to deliver the baby. Apart from the hilarious (and unreal) birth, this episode features probably to the best appearance of Dragonfly Jones, as well as the first appearance of Elroy Preston. The episode is presented in its entirety.
"Stand in the place where you live. Now face north. Think about direction. Wonder why you haven't before."
Get a Life was a sitcom that ran on Sunday nights during FOX's early broadcasting days, specifically from 1990 to 1992. The show follows the life of Chris Peterson, a 30-year old paperboy who lives in an apartment above his parents' garage. Holding the same job since he was a kid, Chris refuses to accept and live life as an adult. His childish, naive behavior often got him in silly and outlandish situations. For example, falling out of an airplane after mistaking an exit door for the bathroom. In fact, Get a Life was an unconventional comedy with many surreal episodes. What other TV show at the time killed off its main character twelve times?
Chris' parents, Fred and Gladys Peterson, were just as much off-the-wall as their son. Always wearing pajamas, the Peterson parents were always doing some strange activity like polishing their handguns, and always made comments criticizing their son's lifestyle or poking fun at one of his odd quirks. One such oddity was Chris' fear of nudity.
Chris Peterson almost always focused on trying to find direction in his life, and more importantly, trying to find a place where he belongs. Whether it was with a street gang or a group of construction workers, he tried growing up but always ended up being that little boy in a 30-year old's body.
By the show's second season, FOX had pressured the producers to make Chris Peterson more independent. So in a manner to do what the network had asked, and at the same time laugh in its face, the producers had Chris move out from his parents house...and into the garage of ex-cop Gus Borden. Gus, a sociopathic ex-cop fired for peeing on his boss, becomes Chris' foil in the second season. In the full episode below, Chris time travels (see how surreal the show was?) to 1977 in attempts to save Gus' enforcement career. He does, however, run into trouble with disturbing the past and encounters oddities as a result of the journey...such as two-headed zombies.
Get a Life was a ridiculous show that was suitable for FOX and despite it only lasting two seasons, the show was a fan favorite and has retained a cult following in the decades after its demise. Looking back, it could be one of the most underappreciated comedies from the '90s. Chris Elliott did an incredible job in making Chris Peterson a believable character that could be living across the street from your house. The childlike nature, almost innocence, made you feel sorry that he was a 30-year old paperboy. And if the wacky episodes didn't leave its mark, then the show's memorable theme song sure did. R.E.M.'s Stand was etched in the viewers mind as the opening depicted Chris delivering newspapers in his neighborhood. Stand was forever associated with Get a Life and helped place the show on the map.
The good people at Shout! Factory released the complete series on DVD back in September 2012, and with original music intact! Though the show's taste of humor may turn some viewers off, this set is definitely worth having in your personal library. You can purchase a copy from Shout's website!
This wraps up another Sunday Show Spotlight...remembering the great, and not so great, from Sunday night television. Keep checking back with Stay Tuned for future posts of anything and everything television. Also, visit us on our Facebook page, Stay Tuned: Channel Surfing through the Years!
The other day Stay Tuned revealed the latest animation news from this year's Comic-Con involving a crossover episode with The Simpsonsand Family Guy. That episode is scheduled for the 2014 season. Today, however, more news was released regarding another crossover episode but this time in Matt Groening's universes of The Simpsonsand Futurama.
While no specifics were given on the nature of the special episode, the planned crossover will take place on The Simpsons either for its finale next May or as the 2014 season premiere.
Finally, the Family Guy panel at Comic-Con revealed its future plans including integrating Cleveland Brown and his family back into the Quahog fold now that The Cleveland Show was not renewed. It appears that the whole Brown clan is slated to return to the Family Guy canvas and Cleveland and Peter Griffin will rekindle their friendship. Additionally, executive producers and showrunners hinted that one of the Griffin family members will be killed off in the upcoming fall season.
Remember to Stay Tuned for more TV updates coming out of San Diego's Comic-Con!
Some may take this news as hell is freezing over. Others will bask in the possibilities. No matter how you feel, the crossover will happen.
It has been leaked that the Griffins of Family Guy will crossover to Springfield, USA and meet The Simpsons. Before you get worked up, don't plan on it happening anytime soon. The tentatively scheduled crossover episode is planned for the fall 2014 season. It will definitely be hyped as a major event for FOX's Sunday night Animation Domination line-up.
What do fans think about this potential crossover in the works? Will it be successful or turn out to be a dud like when The Flintstones met The Jetsons? Share with us your thoughts and comment below.
