CBS Bets On Laughs with their 2013 Fall Schedule

Apparently CBS is ready to make Thursday night “Must See TV” again as they attempt to conquer the night NBC owned with hit comedies for decades with their first two-hour comedy block this fall. Joining hits The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men on the night will be the new Robin Williams/Sarah Michelle Gellar comedy The Crazy Ones and the Wil Arnett-starrer The Millers. Those comedies will lead into Elementary for a fun night of TV. It’s the biggest move for the network which is pretty darn stable throughout the rest of its schedule… However, they will have their first split season serialized dramas on Monday nights with Hostages and Intelligence sharing the 10pm slot and displacing Hawaii Five-O to Fridays…. Other news was the cancellation of long-running utility player Rules of Engagement and holding Mike & Molly for midseason…. For more on the new CBS schedule head here or to Deadline.com and check out the new schedule below.

CBS 2013 Fall Schedule~

MONDAY
8-8:30 PM – How I Met Your Mother
8:30-9 PM – WE ARE MEN (new buddy comedy about divorced guys with Jerry O’Connell, Kal Penn and Tony Shaloub)
9-9:30 PM – 2 Broke Girls
9:30-10 PM – MOM (new comedy with Anna Farris as a recovering addict working in Napa Valley co-starring Allison Janney)
10-11 PM – HOSTAGES (a new thriller about a family taken hostage starring Toni Collette and Dylan McDermott) / INTELLIGENCE (Midseason~ A new drama thriller with Josh Holloway and Marg Helgenberger)

TUESDAY
8-9 PM – NCIS
9-10 PM – NCIS: Los Angeles
10-11 PM – Person Of Interest (NT)

WEDNESDAY
8-9 PM – Survivor
9-10 PM – Criminal Minds
10-11 – CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

THURSDAY
8-8:30 PM – The Big Bang Theory
8:30-9 PM – THE MILLERS (new family comedy with Wil Arnett, Margo Martindale and Beau Bridges)
9-9:30 PM – THE CRAZY ONES (new single camera workplace comedy with Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar as high-powered Ad Exec Partners who are also father and daughter)
9:30-10 PM – Two And A Half Men (NT)
10-11 PM – Elementary

FRIDAY
8-9 PM – Undercover Boss
9-10 PM – Hawaii Five-0 (NT)
10-11 PM – Blue Bloods

SATURDAY
8-8:30 PM – COMEDYTIME SATURDAY
8:30-9 PM – COMEDYTIME SATURDAY
9-10 PM – Crimetime Saturday
10-11 PM – 48 Hours

SUNDAY
7-8 PM – 60 Minutes
8-9 PM – The Amazing Race
9-10 PM – The Good Wife
10-11 PM – The Mentalist

Returning midseason: Mike & Molly, Reckless (a new legal drama), and Friends with Better Lives (a new ensemble comedy with James Van Der Beek and Brooklyn Decker).

Cancelled: Rules of Engagement, Partners, The Golden Boy, Vegas, CSI: NY

They’re Here… My Big Bold 2012 Emmy WINNER Predictions…

Sunday night is TV’s biggest night as the Emmy Awards are announced on ABC in a ceremony hosted by a nominee himself, the hilarious Jimmy Kimmel… If history is any indication, Mad Men and Modern Family will repeat as the Drama and Comedy winners. However, I have a feeling we are in for a shakeup this year, especially on the Drama side. It’s the most competitive year in ages with four drama series all boasting a strong shot to win while we should see some new comedy acting winners as well… With that said, take a look at my big bold Emmy winner predictions below and watch the big show Sunday night!

 

My Big Bold 2012 Emmy Award Winner Predictions~

Drama Series:
Boardwalk Empire, Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, Homeland, Mad Men
Will win: Downton Abbey
Should win: Breaking Bad
~ spoiler: Homeland
* this category is fierce. I feel like Mad Men will finally lose the crown, but I won’t be surprised if it grabs one more victory. However, Abbey appeals to all demos of the voting group and should prevail over the classic but violent and dark Bad. If those three all split the vote, the very deserving Homeland or the big winner from the Creative Arts ceremony, Game of Thrones, could pull an upset.

Comedy Series:
30 Rock, The Big Bang Theory, Girls Louie, Modern Family, Veep
Will & Should win: Modern Family
~ spoiler: The Big Bang Theory
* where on Earth is Parks and Recreation in this lineup??!!

Lead Actor Drama:
Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Steven Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Damian Lewis (Homeland)
Will & Should win: Bryan Cranston (you just can’t deny him)
~spoiler: Damian Lewis

Lead Actress Drama:
Kathy Bates (Harry’s Law), Glenn Close (Damages), Clare Danes (Homeland), Michelle Dockrey (Downton Abbey), Juliana Marguiles (The Good Wife), Elizabeth Moss (Mad Men)
Will & Should win: Clare Danes (this is the night’s most obvious winner. She has it by a mile)
~ spoiler: if I have to pick one… Juliana Marguiles

Lead Actor Comedy Series:
Alec Baldwin (30 Rock), Don Cheadle (House of Lies), Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men), Louie C.K. (Louie), Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory)
Will win: Jim Parsons
Should win: Garrett Dillahaunt (Raising Hope) or Adam Scott (Parks and Rec), but they weren’t nominated, blergh!
~spoiler: Jon Cryer (don’t underestimate this guy and he has a funny tape)

Lead Actress Comedy:
Zooey Deschanel (New Girl), Lena Dunham (Girls), Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie), Tina Fey (30 Rock), Julia Louis Dreyfuss (Veep), Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation), Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly)
Will win: Julia Louis Dreyfuss (and a very deserving winner at that)
Should win: Amy Poehler (it was her best season yet. She was hilarious and heartwarming but Dreyfuss may just slide by her in the tightest race of the night)
~spoiler: Zooey Deschanel

Supporting Actor Drama Series:
Jim Carter (Downton Abbey), Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey), Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones), Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad), Jared Harris (Mad Men), Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad)
Will & Should win: Giancarlo Esposito
~spoiler: Peter Dinklage

Supporting Actress Drama:
Christine Baranski (The Good Wife), Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey), Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad), Christina Hendricks (Mad Men), Archie Penjabi (The Good Wife), Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey)
Will win: Maggie Smith
Should win: Anna Gunn
~ spoiler: Christina Hendricks

Supporting Actor Comedy:
Ty Burrell (Modern Family), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family), Max Greenfield (New Girl), Bill Hader (Saturday Night Live), Ed O’Neil (Modern Family), Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family)
Will & Should win: Max Greenfield (and he will likely split the Modern Family vote)
~spoiler: Ed O’Neil (he seems like the Modern Family choice this year even though Jesse Tyler Ferguson had the strongest season)

Supporting Actress Comedy:
Mayim Bialik (The Big Bang Theory), Julie Bowen (Modern Family), Kathryn Joosten (Desperate Housewives), Sofia Vergara (Modern Family), Merritt Weaver (Nurse Jackie), Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live)
Will win: Sofia Vergara
Should win: Kristen Wiig
~spoiler: Kristen Wiig or Julie Bowen
* this one should be close with any of them having a shot at the win except for the delightful Weaver or the dearly departed Joosten whose nomination is the prize.

Reality Competition Series:
The Amazing Race, Dancing with the Stars, Project Runway, So You Think You Can Dance, Top Chef, The Voice
Will win: The Amazing Race
Should win: So You Think You Can Dance
~spoiler: Top Chef

Reality Competition Host:
Tom Bergeron (Dancing with the Stars), Cat Deeley (So You Think You Can Dance), Phil Koeghan (The Amazing Race), Ryan Seacrest (American Idol), Betty White (Off Your Rockers)
Will & Should win: Cat Deeley
~spoiler: Ryan Seacreset

Made for TV Movie/Miniseries:
American Horror Story, Game Change, The Hatfields & the McCoys, Hemingway & Gelhorn, Luther, Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia
Will & Should win: Game Change
~ spoiler: American Horror Story

Lead Actor TV Movie/Miniseries:
Kevin Costner (Hatfields & McCoys), Benedict Cumberpatch (Sherlock), Idris Elba (Luther), Woody Harrelson (Game Change), Clive Owen (Hemingway & Gelhorn), Bill Paxton (Hatfields & McCoys)
Will & Should win: Woody Harrelson
~ spoiler: Bill Paxton

Lead Actress TV Movie/Miniseries:
Connie Britton (American Horror Story), Ashley Judd (Missing), Nicole Kidman (Hemingway & Gelhorn), Julianne Moore (Game Change), Emma Thompson (The Song of Lunch)
Will & Should win: Julianne Moore
~ spoiler: Nicole Kidman

Supporting Actor TV Movie/Miniseries:
Tom Berenger (Hatfields & McCoys), Martin Freeman (Sherlock), Ed Harris (Game Change), Denis O’Hare (American Horror Story), David Strathairn (Hemingway & Gelhorn)
Will win: Ed Harris
Should win: Denis O’Hare
~spoiler: Tom Berenger

Supporting Actress TV Movie/Miniseries:
Frances Conroy (American Horror Story), Judy Davis (Page Eight), Jessica Lange (American Horror Story), Sarah Paulson (Game Change), Mare Winningham (Hatfields & McCoys)
Will win: Jessica Lange (she pretty much has it in the bag)
Should win: Sarah Paulson

And there you have it… my big bold Emmy winner predictions… Do you agree? Am I crazy? Let me know and watch the big show on Sunday night.

“Homeland” Dominates the TCA Nominations!

Earlier this week, Homeland reaped a bunch of Critic’s Choice TV Award nominations, and now the Television Critics Award nominations are honoring the hot and suspenseful drama. (And yes, these are two different critics groups people.) Homeland picked up a leading 4 nominations including Program of the Year, New Program, Drama Series and Individual Achievement in Drama for star Clare Danes. Nabbing 3 nods apiece were Mad Men, Game of Thrones, and Breaking Bad while Modern Family, Parks and Recreation, The Big Bang Theory and Louie lead the Comedy nominations. For more on the TCA’s, head here, and check out all the nominees below.

2012 Television Critics Award Nominations~
ndividual Achievement in Drama

Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad,” AMC)
Claire Danes (“Homeland,” Showtime)
Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones,” HBO)
Jon Hamm (“Mad Men,” AMC)
Jessica Lange (“American Horror Story,” FX)

Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials

“Downton Abbey: Masterpiece” (PBS)
“Game Change” (HBO)
“Hatfields & McCoys” (History)
“Hemingway & Gellhorn” (HBO)
“Sherlock: Masterpiece” (PBS)

Outstanding Achievement in Drama

“Breaking Bad” (AMC)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“Homeland” (Showtime)
“Justified” (FX)
“Mad Men” (AMC)

Individual Achievement in Comedy

Louis C.K. (“Louie,” FX)
Lena Dunham (“Girls,” HBO)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“Veep,” HBO)
Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory,” CBS)
Amy Poehler (“Parks and Recreation,” NBC)

Outstanding Achievement in News and Information

“Anderson Cooper 360” (CNN)
“The Daily Show” (Comedy Central)
“Frontline” (PBS)
“60 Minutes” (CBS)
“The Rachel Maddow Show” (MSNBC)

Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming

“The Amazing Race” (CBS)
“Dancing with the Stars” (ABC)
“The Glee Project” (Oxygen)
“So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox)
“The Voice” (NBC)

Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming

“iCarly” (Nickelodeon)
“Phineas and Ferb” (Disney)
“Sesame Street” (PBS)
“Switched at Birth” (ABC Family)
“Yo Gabba Gabba” (Nick Jr.)

Outstanding New Program

“Girls” (HBO)
“Homeland” (Showtime)
“New Girl” (Fox)
“Revenge” (ABC)
“Smash” (NBC)

Outstanding Achievement in Comedy

“The Big Bang Theory” (CBS)
“Community” (NBC)
“Louie” (FX)
“Modern Family” (ABC)
“Parks and Recreation” (NBC)

Career Achievement Award

Dick Clark
Andy Griffith
David Letterman
Regis Philbin
William Shatner

Heritage Award

“Cheers” (NBC)
“Lost” (ABC)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
“Star Trek” (NBC)
“Twin Peaks” (ABC)

Program of the Year

“Breaking Bad” (AMC)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“Homeland” (Showtime)
“Mad Men” (AMC)
“Downton Abbey: Masterpiece” (PBS)

Harry Potter casts as Spell at the People’s Choice Awards

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 was not only the biggest movie of 2011, but it’s also the People’s Choice Award winner for Best Film. In fact, the movie won 4 awards at last nights kudosfest hosted by The Big Bang Theory’s Kaley Cuoco. It was a deserving winner and one of several that made me happy. Usually this show, voted on by the fans online, is a wash honoring several blah choices like Taylor Swift and Adam Sandler. However, this year, along with Potter, I was thrilled to see wins for Hot in Cleveland, Neil Patrick Harris, Ellen Degeneres, Bridesmaids, Lea Michelle and Emma Stone. Check out all the winners below and for more on what the people love, head to their website here.

2012 People’s Choice Award Winners:
MOVIES
Favorite Movie: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2″
Favorite Drama Movie: “Water for Elephants”
Favorite Comedy Movie: “Bridesmaids”
Favorite Action Movie: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2″
Favorite Movie Actress: Emma Stone
Favorite Movie Actor: Johnny Depp
Favorite Comedic Movie Actress: Emma Stone
Favorite Comedic Movie Actor: Adam Sandler
Favorite Action Movie Star: Hugh Jackman
Favorite Movie Icon: Morgan Freeman
Favorite Movie Star Under 25: Chloe Grace Moretz
Favorite Ensemble Movie Cast: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2″
Favorite Book Adaptation: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2″
Favorite Movie Superhero: “The Green Lantern”
Favorite Animated Movie Voice: Johnny Depp, “Rango”

TELEVISION
Favorite Network TV Drama: “Supernatural”
Favorite Cable TV Drama: “Pretty Little Liars”
Favorite Network TV Comedy: “How I Met Your Mother”
Favorite Cable TV Comedy: “Hot in Cleveland”
Favorite TV Crime Drama: “Castle”
Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show: “Supernatural”
Favorite TV Competition Show: “American Idol”
Favorite New TV Drama: “Person of Interest”
Favorite New TV Comedy: “2 Broke Girls”
Favorite TV Comedy Actor: Neil Patrick Harris, “How I Met Your Mother”
Favorite TV Comedy Actress: Lea Michele, “Glee”
Favorite TV Drama Actor: Nathan Fillion, “Castle”
Favorite TV Drama Actress: Nina Dobrev, “The Vampire Diaries”
Favorite Daytime TV Host: Ellen DeGeneres
Favorite Late-Night TV Host: Jimmy Fallon
Favorite TV Guest Star: Katy Perry, “How I Met Your Mother”
Favorite Celebreality Star: Kim Kardashian

MUSIC
Favorite Album: “Born This Way,” Lady Gaga
Favorite Song of the Year: “E.T.,” Katy Perry featuring Kanye West
Favorite Music Video: Katy Perry, “Last Friday Night”
Favorite Tour Headliner: Katy Perry
Favorite Male Artist: Bruno Mars
Favorite Female Artist: Katy Perry
Favorite Pop Artist: Demi Lovato
Favorite Band: Maroon 5
Favorite R&B Artist: Rihanna
Favorite Hip-Hop Artist: Eminem
Favorite Country Artist: Taylor Swift

Emmy Awards Preview: Comedy Series

Here’s the latest installment of my series looking at this year’s competitors for the Emmy Awards. Today, it’s the big shows vying for the Outstanding Comedy Series trophy. 30 Rock has won it the past 3 years, but I smell an upset coming…

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES:

Locks~

Glee: This unstoppable phenomenon is riding high with big ratings, Madonna tributes and Golden Globe and SAG Award wins. I think it has the buzz, the creative cache and a great mix of heart, humor and wit with an acerbic edge which all adds up to the strongest shot at stealing the title this year.

Modern Family: However, in this corner is the other new comedy that has great buzz, incredible reviews and non-stop hilarity. The first great family sitcom to come around in years may also be ABC’s first shot at winning this awards since the early 90’s and Roseanne.

30 Rock: After three-peating last year, this train shows no signs of slowing down. The jewel in NBC’s tarnished crown (sorry Office) still has more jokes per minute than any other show on TV and the heat of its multiple award-winning stars Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin. Look for it to compete with Glee for the most overall nominations for a comedy this year.

The Office: After winning the prize in 2006, the show has been a bridesmaid the last 3 years. I doubt that will change but who can be sad with a 5th consecutive nomination, right?

Good Bets~

The Big Bang Theory: Ready to grab its first series nomination, Bang continues to grow in the ratings and remains a critic’s favorite. Revenge of the nerds indeed.

Curb Your Enthusiasm: Larry David can’t be ruled out at the Emmys. After 5 nominations, Curb is still a threat, especially coming off a season that featured the lauded Seinfeld reunion storyline.

Likely Contenders Battling for the last spot~

Nurse Jackie:  another freshman show with a dark edge, Jackie is a breath of fresh air as it tackles a complicated woman juggling her home and work life and an addiction to pills. The show mixes humor, tragedy and absurdity beautifully, but may suffer from people thinking it’s just the “Edie Falco” show.

Weeds: Everyone’s favorite show about a pot dealing mom, Weeds was the jewel in Showtime’s comedy crown til those pesky ladies Jackie and Tara showed up. Will they grab a nomination for the second year in a row?

Two and a Half Men: despite Charlie Sheens personal troubles, Men has been nominated for the big prize 3 times and could still contend this year. It is the highest rated comedy on television after all.

How I Met Your Mother: Grabbing it’s first series nom last year, Mother continues to get strong ratings despite CBS often treating it like a bad stepchild. The first true successor to the Friends throne could find itself back in the race again after another creatively brisk year. It also has added advantage of Neil Patrick Harris!

Lovable Longshot~

Ugly Betty: previously nominated in its first season, Betty fell out of favor with the academy soon after.  Instead its actors, costumers, and production department continued to garner nominations. Will their final creatively rejuvenated season put this deserving and already sorely missed gem back in Emmy’s good graces?

Outside Chance~

Entourage: after 4 comedy series nominations and no wins, will HBO’s Entourage still be in the game this year? I wouldn’t count it out. The biz loves satires about the biz. However, it looks like this year the boys may finally be out of luck. (And on a personal note, the show is just not funny. Bam, I said it!)

Cougar Town: A show whose name confuses too many viewers, Town has grown into a wonderful ensemble with a fiercely funny Courtney Cox Arquette leading the way. If people will give the show a shot, they’d realize it has all the brilliance of its creators work on the early years of Scrubs.

Parks and Recreation: the most improved show on TV this season, Parks is quickly rivaling 30 Rock for NBC’s best sitcom. Amy Poehler leads a cracker jack ensemble that deserves more attention and kudos by the second.

Family Guy: this animated Emmy winner shocked the industry by landing in the running for Best Comedy Series last year. However, the buzz has faded and I think it may be returning to the “Animated” category in the future…

On the ballot but not gonna happen: Better Off Ted, Scrubs, New Adventures of Old Christine, The Middle, Hung, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Chuck, United States of Tara, Community, Party Down, Desperate Housewives.

~Now, here’s how I’d rank my top 10 favorites from this list…

1. Glee

2. Modern Family

3. 30 Rock

4. Ugly Betty

5. Nurse Jackie

6. Parks and Recreation

7. The Office

8. Cougar Town

9. The New Adventures of Old Christine

10. Better Off Ted

~And finally these are the big 7 contenders I think will actually land the nominations for Best Comedy Series:

30 Rock, The Big Bang Theory, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Glee, Modern Family, Nurse Jackie, The Office 

(I’d say How I Met Your Mother and Weeds are the most likely to usurp a spot)