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My Little Pony Trotting Back to TV

BuzzSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:30:00 -0800

The beloved '80s toy turned movie turned TV show, My Little Pony, is getting resurrected with a series set to air on the new Discovery-Hasbro kids channel.

Makes sense since My Little Pony is a Hasbro creation, but I have mixed feelings over this news. I was nutty for the toys growing up - I even had a tiny plastic pony tent that I used to pitch in my living room. And while I'm glad to see an old familiar friend make a comeback, I hope they don't turn it into some newfangled 2.0 version meant to look more slick, like so many other cartoons nowadays. Don't mess with a classic, people!

What's your take on My Little Pony's TV update? Were you a fan of the original?

Link Time! GMA Cancels Adam Lambert Appearance

BuzzSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:30:18 -0800

Good Morning America pulls the plug on Adam Lambert's scheduled performance - TV Squad
Check out Taylor Lautner's Rolling Stone cover- hot! - PopSugar
Missed Lady Gaga on Leno? Here's the video - Best Week Ever
Nick Lachey to host The Sing-Off, a four-night reality competition series on NBC - People
ABC shuts down production on FlashForward for now - Ausiello Files
Psych gets renewed for a fifth season on USA - Inside TV
Words you thought you'd never hear: Mariah Carey is receiving an acting award - Moviefone
John Travolta's 10 best movies - Rotten Tomatoes
Dreamworks signs off on Real Steel movie with Hugh Jackman in the lead - MTV Movies Blog
Joss Whedon is being honored with the 2010 Vanguard Award from the Producers Guild of America - HitFix

Link Time! New Moon Director Chris Weitz Has a New Project

BuzzSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:30:52 -0800

New Moon director Chris Weitz reveals his next film, titled The Gardener - Cinematical
Who was the most over-the-top on the AMAs stage? - PopSugar
ABC halts Cougar Town due to a "private family matter" for Courteney Cox - HitFix
Here's a sneak peek at the final episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8 - People
Taking a page from Kevin James's resume, TLC is doing a new show about mall cops - TV Squad
Behind the scenes of Avatar - Rotten Tomatoes
Will the Grammys let Lady Gaga compete for Best New Artist? Pretty, pretty please! - Rock & Roll Daily
What's really based on true life and what was just made up in The Blind Side - Moviefone
Parks and Recreation's Aziz Ansari on his favorite music growing up - Pitchfork
Kat Dennings joins the Thor cast - MTV Splash Page
The top five turkeys on TV - as in failures, not the bird - The TV Addict
Heroes stars reveal what they're thankful for this year - TV.com

Link Time! New Moon Breaks Midnight Sales Records

BuzzSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:30:38 -0800

New Moon tops Harry Potter and The Dark Knight for its midnight showing ticket sales - PopSugar
Is Taylor Kitsch taking an early departure from Friday Night Lights? - Ausiello Files
Top 10 star-crossed lovers in film - Rotten Tomatoes
30 Rock's Judah Friedlander talks about his hat collection and his plans to save NBC - TV.com
Steven Spielberg and Stephen King team up to frighten the bejesus out of us with Under the Dome - MTV Movies Blog
Vampire Weekend debut their new video for "Cousins" - Stereogum
Jason Segel sings about how he wants to give you his phone number - and bed you - TresSugar
Imogen Heap writes songs for Zach Braff - Spinner

Are There Too Many Chef Shows on TV?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:30:02 -0800

We've already talked about the abundance of dance shows on TV, but there's another genre that seems to be taking over the networks - competitive cooking. NBC just picked up United Plates of America, a new series by the producers of Top Chef which will pit hopeful restaurateurs against each other for the ultimate prize of starting their own chain. The winner gets to open four locations on the night of the finale. That's a pretty cool gift package, but it has me thinking - don't we have enough of this programming on TV already?

The premise does sound more unique than most, but it used to be that the Food Network was the only TV cooking choice with its popular Iron Chef franchise. Since then, other channels have gotten in on the act, too, like Fox's Hell's Kitchen and of course Bravo with Top Chef, Top Chef Masters, Top Chef: Just Desserts . . . need I go on?

Of course, if you're a foodie, you may be excited to have yet another show for your TiVo queue, but I wonder if all of this is overkill. How about you?

Top Chef Producers to Create NBC Restaurateur Show

YumSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:10:49 -0800

From Magical Elves, the producers of Bravo's Top Chef, Top Chef Masters, and the soon-to-air Top Chef: Just Desserts, comes yet another reality TV show, tentatively titled United Plates of America.

Unlike its sister productions, United Plates will air on NBC. The premise: aspiring restaurateurs compete in a number of challenges involving the restaurant's concept, cuisine, management, and marketability. The judges' panel will include wealthy investors in the culinary and business world.The prize is being called "among the biggest in reality show history" - the winner will receive a restaurant chain that opens in four locations across the US - funded by the investors themselves. "It's a culinary competition that anybody can take part in," said executive producer Dan Cutforth. "All you need is a great idea for a restaurant."

Finally, a different foodie reality TV concept. This show could be wildly captivating and educational, because the average American viewer doesn't have an inkling of knowledge about the operations behind a restaurant. I would definitely tune in to check out the show. What about you?

Fall TV Scorecard: What's In, What's Out, and What's in Danger

BuzzSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:30:30 -0700

It's a tough life for a freshman TV series, and every Fall some new shows have to get cut - but on the bright side, others are given a vote of confidence and picked up for a full season. We're at the end of October now, and most of the networks have made their big decisions, so here's a rundown on what shows are in, out, or balancing on the edge.

What's In
At NBC, Parks and Recreation, Community, and Mercy have all been picked up for full seasons, as have CBS shows The Good Wife and NCIS: Los Angeles and ABC's The Middle, Cougar Town, FlashForward, and Modern Family.

Over on The CW, ratings-winner The Vampire Diaries has been given an entire season. Fox's newbies have fared very well, with pop culture phenomenon Glee having gotten an early pickup, while The Cleveland Show got a full season before it premiered, and has already been granted a second season. On HBO, Bored to Death has gotten a second as well.

But not everyone has been so lucky; to see which shows have been canceled and what's in danger, just read more.

What's Out

Despite backing from Ashton Kutcher, The Beautiful Life got axed by The CW after just two episodes, and A&E's Benjamin Bratt vehicle The Cleaner is out too. But it's not all bleak news; though NBC oversaw Southland's surprise cancellation, the show may be getting a second chance from TNT.

Danger Zone

These newer shows haven't been canceled, but that's no guarantee of safety. Melrose Place did get picked up for more episodes - but only an 18-ep season (sister show The Vampire Diaries got 22). Dollhouse is being benched for all-important November sweeps, leaving its fate unclear. And struggling shows The Forgotten, Accidentally on Purpose, and Hank haven't been picked up or axed yet, but the lack of news isn't promising.

It's interesting seeing the season's hits and misses - you guys had some correct predictions for pickups and cancellations, but are you surprised by anything overall?

Photos courtesy of Fox and The CW

Do You Still Follow TV Shows When They Switch Networks?

BuzzSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:30:44 -0800

It's official: Southland is saved! TNT issued a press release this morning announcing that the cable network is resuscitating the cancelled NBC cop drama starting in January.

While this is obviously good news for Benjamin McKenzie fans, I'm still approaching it with moderate skepticism. The series may be alive and kicking, but if the numbers from other swapped shows are any indication, Southland may be in for a struggle. Take, Project Runway: After moving from Bravo to Lifetime, it took off like ratings gangbusters, but has since faced a decline. Or there's my favorite old-school example: Roswell. It used to air on the WB (in its pre-CW days), but after it failed there, it got bounced around to UPN - where it was cancelled again.

Obviously some viewers drop off when a show changes channels, but what about you - do you still follow TV shows when they go under a new network? Or do you lose interest?

Photos courtesy of NBC

Link Time! Eric Dane Dances His Way Into Burlesque

BuzzSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:30:13 -0800

Eric Dane joins Christina Aguilera, Cher, and Kristen Bell in Burlesque - Zap2It
Daniel Radcliffe is lending his voice to a Twilight spoof . . . on The Simpsons! - Hollywood Insider
Tim Burton's career retrospective looks rad - MTV Movies Blog
Director Werner Herzog shares his five favorite films - Rotten Tomatoes
Johnny Depp is named People's Sexiest Man Alive for 2009! - PopSugar
Precious director Lee Daniels is already lining up his next gig, titled Selma - Collider
Charlotte Gainsbourg and Beck make beautiful music together in the video "Heaven Can Wait" - Stereogum
Brooke Shields is moving to The Middle - Ausiello Files
Will Arnett and Justin Theroux sign up for a space love story - Moviefone
New Moon director Chris Weitz says he's quitting movies - Film School Rejects

Jason Lee - Love Him or Leave Him?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:30:15 -0800

Jason Lee has been keeping a low profile since My Name Is Earl went off the air, but he's about to make a return to TV in the upcoming TNT series Delta Blues, which is executive produced by George Clooney. Lee is set to play Dwight Hendricks, a police officer by day, Elvis impersonator by night.

I loved Lee in pretty much every Kevin Smith movie - from Brodie in Mallrats to Banky in Chasing Amy - but I could never warm up to Earl (or that absurd mustache). This role sounds like it could be be great for him though, the perfect combination of serious and wacky. How do you feel about Jason Lee?