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Hugh Jackman to Host 2009 Oscars

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Award Shows, ABC, News

Hugh JackmanLooks like will have more than just a stolen statue to gripe about.

Although his hilarious performance at the September Emmys had many talking Oscar (you can see the clip here), The Office star will not be hosting the upcoming Academy Awards. Instead of going with one of the funniest men alive, the producers chose to pick the Sexiest Man Alive.

On February 22nd, will be the one Laurence Mark and Bill Condon count on to bring viewers back to the annual event. (Last year’s broadcast - which came after the writers’ strike - was the lowest-rated in history.) Even though the Australia star follows a long line of comedians, the 40-year-old is no stranger to hosting duties. Hugh fronted three Tonys telecasts between 2003-05 and won an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Performer in a Variety, Musical or Comedy program in 2005.

The 81st Annual Academy Awards airs Sunday, February 22 on ABC.

Read More | Futon Critic

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SNL Makes Plans for Saturday Debate Sketch

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Late Night, NBC, Saturday Night Live

Gwen IfillQueen Latifah

Although has not yet guaranteed a debate sketch this weekend, we are one step closer to knowing what one might look like.

According to Entertainment Weekly, if the political parody makes Saturday’s cut (as if the show has anything better to creatively offer), Oscar-nominated actress will be stepping in as Gwen Ifill. Ifill - a senior correspondent for The New Hour with Jim Lehrer and the managing editor of PBS’ Washington Week - was the moderator for Thursday’s debate.

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Read More | Entertainment Weekly

Michael Phelps to Host SNL

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Late Night, NBC, Saturday Night Live, News

Michael PhelpsSo you win 8 gold medals and help NBC score phenomenal ratings—what do you do next? Go to Disneyland? Well, that’s entirely possible. But Michael Phelps still has one more challenge he needs to tackle: hosting Saturday Night Live.

To thank the swimmer for all that he has done for them our country, the Peacock network has given the It Boy the chance to kick off its 34th season. (I mean - if you’re going to milk a cash cow…you gotta do it while it’s still fresh, right?)

Surprisingly, despite all his hours on camera, this gig will actually mark Michael’s acting debut. It’ll also probably be the first time he’s ever seen fully-clothed. (That is, of course, assuming the producers allow him to be clothed.)

The season premiere of - featuring Michael Phelps and musician Lil Wayne - debuts on September 13.

To get a look at TV Envy’s Fall Programming Schedule, click here.

Read More | Futon Critic

NBC Lines Up Another Celeb-Reality Show

Posted by Kathleen Kane Categories: Comedy, Drama, Prime Time, Reality, NBC, Announcements, News, Rumors

NBC trying its hardest to find that special celeb-realityBecause we can apparently never have enough celebrity reality shows, NBC is currently developing yet another one.

Realizing that perhaps the very out there circus atmosphere was not their forté, producers have opted to focus on resorting to what they do best: partying!

Well, okay, maybe not the Paris Hilton kind of party, but the more formal kind. A typical episode for Celebrity Come Dine With Me will feature one celebrity who hosts a dinner party for his or her famous friends. At the end of the night, the party will be judged on presentation, food, and entertainment value.

Sounds kind of lame to you, too, right? I mean, I love watching celebrities, but watching them eat and be entertained doesn’t interest me all too much. I say that knowing that the show has found “success” in 16 other countries.

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Read More | The Hollywood Reporter

Meet the Press’ Tim Russert Dies After Heart Attack

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: NBC, News

Tim RussertTim Russert, host of Meet the Press, died Friday. He was 58 years old.

While his network has not officially released the details, the New York Post claims the journalist died after suffering a heart attack at NBC News’ Washington Bureau. Russert worked there as the bureau chief.

Time recently named Tim one of the ‘World’s Most Influential People’. The magazine praised the news analyst for being one “among the most astute, discerning and relentless pursuers of truth in the nation.”

Russert joined the NBC News family back in 1984 and was Meet the Press’ moderator since 1991. No immediate announcement has been made about the fate of his program.

Read More | MSNBC

Signs It Might Be Time for Regis Philbin to Retire

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Daytime, Talk Shows, ABC, Editorial

Regis Philbin, Kelly Ripa and David Letterman

After endless hours of daytime television viewing, I have come to an unfortunate conclusion: needs to start planning his retirement. (At least from non-scripted fare.)

Although I do still regularly watch , Philbin’s frequent errors simply make me cringe. While he has the charm to pull some of them off, I sometimes wonder if he has any idea what he’s talking about at all.  If it wasn’t for Ripa’s amazing ability to overlook senior moments, her co-host would often come off looking quite sad.

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Jimmy Fallon Takes Over for Conan O’Brien

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Late Night, NBC, Saturday Night Live, News

DescriptionWhat was rumored over a year ago is now finally set to happen.  Jimmy Fallon has been tapped to be Conan O’Brien’s late-night successor.

Speculation as to who would fill the 12:30 AM slot has been ongoing since NBC decided to end ‘s run back in 2004.  With the 2009 deadline now approaching, the network is formally expected to reveal its newest golden child next month.  (I guess that means more ‘Last Calls’ for snubbed Carson Daly.)

Since leaving , Fallon has appeared in a few film projects including last year’s Factory Girl with Sienna Miller.

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

Whoopi Goldberg Addresses Former Co-Star Patrick Swayze

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Daytime, Talk Shows, ABC, Video

On today’s episode of The View, host took time out to talk about her friend Patrick Swayze.  (It was recently announced that the Ghost star was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.)

She revealed that her memorable role in the weeper was primarily due to her former co-star’s influence.  Had Swayze not influenced director Jerry Zucker to cast Goldberg, she would not have received her 1991 win for Best Supporting Actress.


Another Emotional Day for Ellen DeGeneres

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Daytime, Talk Shows, Syndication, Video

Talk show host spoke very passionately today about a topic very close to her heart.  (Thankfully, it had nothing to do with dogs.)  The issue? Homosexuality.

Ellen felt the need to speak up after a 15-year-old boy was recently murdered for being openly gay.  You can see her emotional plea below:


Tina Fey Returns to Saturday Night Live

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Late Night, NBC, Saturday Night Live, Announcements, News

Ok, well kind of…

Tina Fey, SNL‘s former head writer and co-anchor of the ‘Weekend Update’, will be making a welcome return to her old stomping grounds.  But instead of taking the lead behind the scenes, the recent Golden Globe-winner will be front and center on the main stage.  On Feb. 23rd, the 30 Rock star will be the host of .

With or without Fey, the late-night program will undoubtedly receive a warm reception when it reboots next weekend.  Fans not only need something - anything - new to watch, they desperately need some political satire.  Stat.  It’ll be interesting to see how the variety show encapsulates almost four months of election news.

A week after Tina’s gig, another big-named guest will help bring laughter back to Saturday nights: Juno‘s .

Read More | TV Guide

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