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Celebs Celebrate 40 Years of Sesame Street

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Daytime, Kids, PBS

Sesame Street - Oscar the GrouchCelebrities are lining up to appear on the children’s series Sesame Street. Though the viewers probably aren’t in the target audience for many of these A-list stars, Sesame Street holds a special place in many of our hearts. The series is celebrating its 40th season on TV, and it’s going to get a year to remember.

So far, the guest list for the season includes huge names like , Adam Sandler, Cameron Diaz, Eva Longoria-Parker, Ricky Gervais, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Hugh Jackman, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Matthew Fox. First Lady Michelle Obama will also be putting in an appearance.

Read More | Perez Hilton

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Sunday Ratings: Oscars Rebound from Record-Low

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

Yesterday’s tradition-breaking awards ceremony paid off nicely for ABC. Hugh Jackman instead of a comedian as host? Previous award winners presenting the acting categories? Both were gambles that contributed to the telecast’s ratings rebound.

Hugh Jackman at the 81st Annual Academy Awards

  • The 81st Annual Academy Awards drew in 36.3 million viewers. That’s up from last year’s record low (32 million) when No Country for Old Men won Best Film.
  • The broadcast became the third smallest Oscars ceremony ever. (The 2003 telecast - Chicago‘s year - comes in behind at 33 million.)
  • Despite it’s ranking in Academy history, the event was the most-watched entertainment program since the 2007 Oscars. That includes episodes of American Idol.
  • The broadcast also had the best demos (12.1 in 18-49) for any entertainment-related program since Idol in February 2008.

 

Read More | Variety

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

‘Viva Laughlin’ Canceled; ‘The Amazing Race’ Returns

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Drama, Music, Prime Time, CBS, Cancellations

Viva Laughlin has had hits in the theaters (X-Men) and on Broadway (The Boy from Oz), but his mark on television will have to wait.  Jackman served as the executive producer of —the first significant cancellation of the fall season.

Yes, you could argue that Nashville technically earned that dubious honor, but Fox claimed the show was returning in October (yeah—I know it’s gone).  Then there was that small CW show, .  The pseudo-news program that really didn’t exist was just replaced by reruns of .  Regardless, I can safely say that Viva was the first ‘scripted’ show to go kaput.

After only one week on air (granted, there were two episodes), put the brakes on the musical drama.  Many who saw Thursday’s overnight ratings predicted this day would come—though I’m not sure they imagined it would arrive so soon.  Unfortunately, Viva’s second dismal performance last night drove the nail in its coffin.

The good news from all of this?  Fans of will get to see their beloved show return even earlier than expected.  It will now take over the vacant 8pm Sunday time slot starting November 4th (a CSI rerun will warm the spot until then).  While I feel bad for Hugh Jackman, I’d happily take over him any day of the week.

Read More | Variety

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