31 May 2011

"The Glee Project" Search For The Next Glee Star Premieres June 12

I think I've said I'm done watching Glee. But, as much as I want to complete do away with it, the show won't let you forget it's still on air. The cast is still very much visible in the news, especially since their summer tour is on. I'm getting a case of Glee overkill. I'm at this point where I'm starting to dislike everyone in the cast now. :P

Which brings me to this....The Glee Project.

If you haven't heard, it's a reality TV series where nameless talents compete with each other, in the hopes of earning a plum role in Glee's succeeding seasons.

These are the ones who've made the cut and a few people are already standing out for me:



As much as I'd like to stay away from anything Glee, I think I'd like to watch this one. Only because there are new people to watch. And I'd like to catch the next new talent...before s/he ends up becoming useless in the actual series.

Here are the contenders singing "Fireworks":



The Glee Project will air June 12, six episodes, and will also feature Darren Criss. It will air on Oxygen.

29 May 2011

Happy Endings' Right Episode Order (IT WAS A MESS!)

On television, Happy Endings' episode order was not the original order the writers intended. The change was done in order to keep focus off Alex & Dave's relationship drama, thinking it would be a huge turn off with viewers.

I was more annoyed that it's out of order, really. So here's the correct sequence:

  1. Pilot
  2. Bo Fight (aired on TV as Episode 10)
  3. Barefoot Pedaler (aired on TV as Episode 11)
  4. Dave of the Dead (aired on TV as Episode 7)
  5. Quicksand Girlfriend (aired on TV as Episode 2)
  6. Why Can’t You Read Me (NEVER AIRED. And I need to watch this!)
  7. Of Mice and Jazz Kwon Do (aired on TV as Episode 6)
  8. Mein Coming Out (aired on TV as Episode 4)
  9. Your Couples, Friends, and Neighbors (aired on TV as Episode 3)
  10. You’ve Got Male (aired on TV as Episode 9)
  11. The Girl with the David Tattoo (aired on TV as Episode 8)
  12. Like Father, Like Gun (aired on TV as Episode 5)
  13. The Shershow Redemption 

You can follow the writers of Happy Endings on their Twitter account.

27 May 2011

Summer TV Guide 2011: What Are You Watching This Time?


My TV Watchlist is significantly slim this week because a lot of shows have already aired their season finale. If you still haven't gone over last season's shows, perhaps this is the time to catch up. You have a full week before another set of TV programs premiere for the Summer run.

I am looking forward to the return of Rizzoli & Isles, White Collar, The Big C, Pretty Little Liars and Drop Dead Diva. But there are some new ones worth checking out, as well:

*all in American time*

Franklin & Bash
June 1st
Lawyer series. Hip & young lawyer series. Looks fun. Stars that guy from Clueless (the skateboarding dude) and Mark-Paul Gosselaar (didn't he just play a lawyer last season?)



Love Bites
June 2nd
This show almost didn't get done. It had all sorts of production problems or something. But I'm glad they're giving it a chance. Because I love Becki Newton (Amanda, Ugly Betty). Trailer looks adorable. Lots of familiar looking stars. Rock 'em, Becki!



9 Lives of Chloe King
June 14th
It's supposed to go back to back with Pretty Little Liars. I've seen the trailer before and I wasn't impressed to be honest. But I'm still gonna watch the pilot, just to see how it goes. It stars a new girl from...Canada, I think?



Wilfred
June 23rd
You can read all about this in a previous entry here.

Necessary Roughness
June 29th
Features a sexy shrink who works with football players and their issues. I dunno who the actress is, but I do find the premise interesting.



Alphas
July 11th
If you're looking for a show to replace Heroes on your list, have a look at this one. Looks cool.



Find something interesting?

Ed Westwick aka Chuck Bass is Coming To The Philippines

Spotted on Twitter...the announcement that Chuck Bass (aka Ed Westwick) is coming to the Philippines for clothing line, Penshoppe.

You can follow @penshoppe on Twitter for more details.


I got this off @PublicityAsia's Twitter account. You can ask to follow her too as her account is private. Her PR firm is working on this with Penshoppe.

Update. Fashion Pulis just confirmed it.

26 May 2011

TV Shows 2011 Mid-Season Rankings

Despite viewers' growing disappointment on American Idol, it still emerged as the top-ranking show for 2011 Mid-Season. But newcomer The Voice has been the biggest surprise as it ended on the fourth spot, following Idols and football. Not bad indeed.

Among scripted series, Modern Family is still the number one show. And among the freshmen series, Mike & Molly and Hawaii Five-O are top picks.

1 AMERICAN IDOL — WED FOX 8.8

2 SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL NBC 8.0

3 AMERICAN IDOL — THU FOX 7.7

4 NFL SUNDAY PRE-KICK NBC 5.6
THE VOICE NBC 5.6

6 DANCING WITH THE STARS ABC 4.8
MODERN FAMILY ABC 4.8

8 NFL THE OT FOX 4.6

9 BIG BANG THEORY CBS 4.4

10 SURVIVOR:NICARAGUA CBS 4.3
GREY’S ANATOMY ABC 4.3

12 NCIS CBS 4.2

13 THE OFFICE NBC 4.0
TWO AND A HALF MEN CBS 4.0
GLEE FOX 4.0

16 FAMILY GUY FOX 3.9
HOUSE FOX 3.9

18 FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA NBC 3.8
AMAZING RACE: 17 CBS 3.8
CRIMINAL MINDS CBS 3.8
SURVIVOR: REDEMPTION ISLAND CBS 3.8
DANCING WITH THE STARS RESULTS SHOW ABC 3.8
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES ABC 3.8

24 NCIS: LA CBS 3.7

25 THE BACHELOR ABC 3.6

26 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER CBS 3.5
BONES FOX 3.5

28 MIKE & MOLLY CBS 3.4
UNDERCOVER BOSS CBS 3.4

30 CSI CBS 3.3
HAWAII FIVE-0 CBS 3.3
HELL’S KITCHEN FOX 3.3
SIMPSON'S FOX 3.3

If your favorite program is not listed here, you can check the full list at EW.

25 May 2011

First Look: Teaser & Photos from "REVENGE", new drama for 2011-2012 Season

Of the 30something new programs to air next season, the rights to air Revenge is apparently selling fast in the international TV market, such as Canada and Asia.


I have not heard of this show prior to reading about the news. But it's supposed to be favored along with The New Girl.

Checking the details, I was pleased to see that it will star Emily Van Camp, who I've grown to love on Brothers and Sisters. But I'm not so thrilled about the premise of Revenge.

Her character (who is also named Emily) returns to Hamptons with a vengeance, hence the title. Unknown to the rest of the elite living in this part of world, she used to be one of them. Their family used to be wealthy and had a status and reputation to preserve. Until something happened and they were forced to move away.

Emily has come back to Hamptons "to right a wrong". Can you imagine all the drama that's going to happen to this story then?

Here's the teaser and tell me what's the international appeal of this show:

22 May 2011

Country Life Magazine Facebook Contest Is A Bust!

The Urban Dictionary's definition of a "bust":



I interrupt the program to air a sentiment over an "unfortunate situation". This entry has nothing to do with Television, but please indulge me...

Online Contests Can Easily Turn To Scams (Or How I Won Country Life Magazine's Facebook Contest But Never Got My Prize)

Other than TV, I spend my 24 hours doing a balancing act among family, friends, work and our seven dogs. I dote on the 7 as if I've given birth to them. I'm not ashamed to admit that, yes, I am one of those dog mommas who would sometimes willingly join contests just to show off our furbabies. A simple thrill, I'm aware, only some people can appreciate.

So when I saw how easy it was to join one of these contests on Facebook...


I quickly sent Country Life Magazine, through BCMedia PH, this entry via email:


And they confirmed:
from BC Media info@bcmedia.ph
to MM
date Tue, Apr 12, 2011 at 10:56 PM
subject Re: Pet Photo Submission

Congratulations! Your photo has been chosen as one of the finalists! You can share this link to friends and family so they can vote for your pet: [removed link]

Regards,
Matt

They confirmed twice. Their email is working.

from BC Media info@bcmedia.ph
to MM
date Mon, Apr 18, 2011 at 10:32 AM
subject Re: Pet Photo Submission

Congratulations! Your photo has been chosen as a finalist in the
Most Likes Pet Contest!
Step 1: Share this link with your family and friends,
[removed link] and click "Like"

Step 2: Go to the Most Likes Pet Contest photo album or this link:

[removed link]
and click "Like" on the photo of your choice

And all would've been peachy, because this photo DID WIN against about more than ten entries. Here was the official announcement:


Because the announcement was done after regular business hours, I thought I should email them that I was aware I'd won, before actually calling:


from MM mindymore2005@gmail.com
to BC Media
date Wed, May 4, 2011 at 6:52 AM subject Re: Pet Photo Winner mailed-by gmail.com
 
Hi,
I read the result of the Photo Contest and gladly found out our submission was the winner. I'll be calling within the day, as per your instructions.

My real name is +++++++++++++.

Thanks!

The email also served as a verification, I thought. Because the contest's rules were straightforward and simple, and because the announcement was made public, anyone could come forward and claim they've won.

It did seem peculiar to me that I never got the confirmation I've won via email, where they can privately tell me what I must do next to get the prize, or ask me to prove:
1) the photo's really mine.
2) the dogs are mine.
3) my identity.

But I set those thoughts aside and doing what they said, I called up the their office the next morning and was able to talk to the first person who answered that phone number posted online.

She sounded nice and was accommodating when I asked questions. I've forgotten to jot down her name (which I should've done!) but she did get my details and told me to wait for the text message, where further instructions to claiming the prize would be given. The prize is not with them. I have to claim it from, what I guess, is a sister company.

Days passed and no text message beeped on my phone. Calling their office again didn't achieve anything. Understandably, people working in a publication/media office are busy. I should know.

So, I left this message on their Facebook Page and shot the same via email:


Email detail:
From MM mindymore2005@gmail.com
to BC Media
date Mon, May 16, 2011 at 7:03 PM
subject Pet Photo Winner - I've yet to receive the GC's
mailed-by gmail.com

Screen cap of the email:



But how busy must their office be to reply to at least one of my messages? Country life news and on-goings must be bustling with events the magazine had to cover. Because they never got back to me.

Another week was over and I still have not heard from anyone.

And so, I gave up waiting.


Here's what I think went wrong:
  • Country Life Magazine / BCMedia Ph was only looking to gain from the contest. The actual execution? Pfft. Who cares?? 
  • They suck at communication. For a media outfit, you would expect so much more, right?

Here's what I've realized: Facebook "Like"contests can go two ways:

It can be potentially fun, if handled right. From the launch, to the actual contest, to the announcement of the winners and the awarding of the prizes, if the contest was managed properly, it would be a win-win situation. Page owners would get the audience they needed and participants would be encouraged to join more of the gimmicks and promotions next time. No one walks away complaining.

If handled poorly? It's a potential scam. Country Life Magazine / BCMedia Ph isn't the first one to do this, of course. But the lack of planning and foresight (not to mention the lack of communication!) is misleading.
  • The contest does achieve something successfully. And that is, to pad the number of people who've "liked" the page and increase its fan base. That worked to Country Life Magazine's advantage. When I entered the photo, their membership was something between 150-250 Likers only. With the contest done, they were able to double that. 
  • Expectedly, there's no real challenge when joining such contest. It's gauged based on popularity.  It's all relative. And easy to manipulate.
  • The rules aren't explicit. As I've written above, they didn't even verify if I was truly the winner and the pet-owner. I would willingly bring the dogs with me to their office, if they asked. :P

I've been suckered.

I've been suckered into asking my friends/family on Facebook to like their page. My friends/family have been suckered, too.  Because they granted my request and did press "Like". (My apologies, friends!)

That's not a complaint. That's a realization. Of how easily fooled we all are.

And in exchange for the 150+ people I gave their page? I got ignored. That's the thanks I get for helping them pad their page with fans. :P Nice one, media people! :P

So...never again. No more contests for us.  I'm dialing down on showing off our furbabies in Facebook contests and relieve the people in my contact list of my pestering.

And you companies and entities with Pages would have get your "Likes"  more creatively from our contact lists. Or at least really have the enthusiasm to run a proper contest.

Coz you know what Country Life Magazine? You took the fun out of it. :P

Here's their reply, as of 6:03 am:


I have a Page and I know how notifications work. It cannot be missed. Unless you have a few admins reading and one of them did read and forgot to delegate. Poor execution and handling.

So no more, thank you.

20 May 2011

First Look: Teaser from "NEW GIRL" a new TV show starring Zooey Deschanel

Watching New Girl's new teaser, I can only say one thing: Zooey Deschanel, I love you.

I hope I'm gonna love this show as much as I'm growing to love Happy Endings. The title's kinda limiting though. What if the show makes it all the way to the second season (and third and fourth....) and she will no longer be the "new girl"?

WATCH:

18 May 2011

First Look: Teaser & Photos from "ONCE UPON A TIME" with Jennifer Morrison

I took a power nap tonight and dreamt of the Gingerbread Man talking to me in the kitchen. It was straight out of a scene from Shrek and I have this new show, Once Upon A Time, to blame.

Let me explain why...Once Upon A Time is a fantasy series. Where Snow White, evil stepmothers and other fairy tale characters mingle with regular people. Don't mistake the series for something light and fun to watch with the kids. It's made by the people who have written Lost. And more than anything, Once Upon A Time is probably just as confusing, but powerful, as that show.

I was staring at its artwork for more than ten minutes, I think. Maybe my subconscious took it all in. So I had a dream about the Gingerbread Man.

I was staring because....Once Upon A Time's artwork is the UGLIEST I've seen from an American series.


And apparently, I'm not the only one who has noticed. Vulture says all of ABC Network's artwork of its latest shows are AWFUL. Take a look.

Anyway, here are teasers to Once Upon A Time.



17 May 2011

First Look: Teaser from "ALCATRAZ" a new show for 2011-2012 Season

If you've been following Too Much TV on Facebook, I mentioned that this series, Alcatraz, did not fly with the focus group/test audience. It was almost in danger of not getting picked up for airing. Watching the trailer below, I think I know why. The story's easily confusing. And it feels like it's masking itself as a thriller or a suspense, when it's really not.

I'm not saying I don't like it, because I've been dying to see how this J.J. Abrams series could translate itself on the small screen. I think I have a problem with the female lead (Sarah Jones). I think I don't get her yet, not totally convinced with her. Yet.

Sam Neil, however....man, his voice is creepy!!! Hearing him talk this way, at 6:00 in the morning, is a bad way to wake up. I got tingles all over. The weather is warm but I'm having goosebumps.

Anyway, Alcatraz will premiere on Fox mid-season. Watch the trailer and tell me if Jack Sylvane is the pogi-est 85 year old man you've seen....(next to Aragorn, LOTR maybe?)

16 May 2011

First Look: Photos & Teaser from "SMASH", a new musical for 2011-2012 Season

Move over Glee, Smash isn't going to be the only musical program next season. I have a feeling American Idol's Katherine McPhee is going to be huge again...

STARS: Debra Messing,  Katharine McPhee, Anjelica Huston
LOGLINE: Smash is a musical drama that celebrates the beauty and heartbreak of the Broadway theater as it follows a cross-section of dreamers and schemers who all have one common desire -- to be a "Smash." The series centers on a desire to create a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe

Here's the video teaser:



And here are the photos:





First Look: Photos & Teaser from "THE PLAYBOY CLUB" for 2011-2012 Season

The Playboy Club. Hmmmm. This is looking a lot like Mad Men to me.

STARS: Eddie Cibrian, Amber Heard, David Krumholtz
LOGLINE: The Playboy Club is a provocative new drama about a time and place that challenged the social mores, where a visionary entrepreneur created an empire and an icon changed American culture. It's the early '60s, and the legendary Playboy Club in Chicago is the door to all of your fantasies -- and the key is the most sought-after status symbol of its kind.

Here's the video teaser:



And the photos:



First Look: Photos & Teaser from "AWAKE", an Inception-inspired show for 2011-2012 Season

Quite in-between about Awake. I love the idea of it being likened to Inception. But I'm not so sure how strong this show is going to play out.

STARS: Jason Isaacs, Wilmer Valderrama
LOGLINE: In order to keep both of his loved ones alive at one time, he begins living two dueling realities in parallel worlds, which churns up confusion.

Here's the video teaser:



And the photos below:



15 May 2011

Upcoming New TV Shows Fall 2011-2012


It's the Upfronts, a time when TV networks announce what's in store for next season, in to lure in advertisers for the programs they're having.

If you haven't been following Too Much TV's Facebook Page or my Twitter account, I've been posting updates for  Fall 2011-2012 upcoming new TV shows. I'm reposting it here and I will be updating this too.

May 14
  • Upcoming show "Work It" starring "Prison Break's" Amaury Nolasco has a plot line so similar to Tom Hanks' "Bossom Buddies", an 80's TV show. Been there, done that!
  • Happy Endings' Damon Wayans Jr. is actually on a new show with Zooey Deschanel (The New Girl). But since Endings is renewed, he will bow out of the Deschanel show.
  • New show "Good Christian Belles" (where Belle was switched from Bitch) is touted as the new "Desperate Housewives".
  • Missing Baze from "Life Unexpected"? His new show coming next season is "Ringer" with Sarah Michelle Gellar aka Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
  • And of course also upcoming from CBS --- "Person of Interest" starring THE Michael Emerson. (That's Ben from "Lost", dear Losties!)
  • CBS announcing new shows. Not very familiar with their line-up. Though I think I'll watch out for the Kat Dennings starrer "Two Broke Girls.

May 13
  • NBC has picked up the new series "Awake" which is like "Inception" on television. I hope it's good! It stars Jason Isaacs.
  • I'm also loving the idea behind upcoming series, "Grimm". The logline says it's about a "detective whose mission is to protect humans living in a world where Grimm’s Fairy Tale characters actually exist."

10 May 2011

Game of Thrones: Dani's Evolution!

Daenerys displays girl power. She is finally feeling empowered. Guess being pregnant does that to you, huh?


I am a Khaleesi of the Dothraki. I am the wife of the great Kahl and I carry his son inside me. The next time you raise a hand to me... will be the last time you have hands.

Applause! Applause!
Game of Thrones, Episode 4 Season 1

05 May 2011

Why aren't you watching "HAPPY ENDINGS" yet?

Just doing a quick blog post to let you know --- if you haven't gotten around to watching this newest couple/friendship sitcom on the block, Happy Endings, you're missing a lot of good laughs.

There's so many good things about this show. I dunno where to start.

I wrote a short introduction about it here and there have been six or seven episodes aired since.  And with every episode? It just keeps getting better and better. Walang patapon. (Nothing is wasted.) So consistently funny.

I have not been this eager and excited to watch something new from a comedy, week after week since, I don't know...How I Met Your Mother's earlier seasons? Sure, I love Modern Family. And I think The Middle is fantastic but so underrated. I definitely adore Community and I find Raising Hope endearing.

But there's something about Happy Endings that brings this familiar enthusiasm I have for a TV show. I knew I was hooked when one weekend, I was wishing it was a Wednesday already so I can watch a new episode.

I think I've found my new TV Best Friends. HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY! Watch, watch, watch!