ABC Season Finale Dates

March 16, ABC TV announced its season finale dates, as well as dates for returning episodes.

All times are EDT

Returning Shows

Thursday, May 7
8:00-9:00 p.m. Ugly Betty

Monday, May 18
9:00-11:00 p.m. The Bachelorette

Season Finales

Wednesday, April 29
8:30-9:00 p.m. Better Off Ted

Thursday, April 30
8:00-8:30 p.m. In the Motherhood
8:30-9:00 p.m. Samantha Who?
10:00-11:00 p.m. Private Practice

Friday, May 1
8:00-9:00 p.m. Wife Swap
9:00-10:00 p.m. Supernanny

Tuesday, May 5
8:30-9:00 p.m. According to Jim

Wednesday, May 6
8:00-9:00 p.m. Scrubs

Sunday, May 10
10:00-11:00 p.m. Brothers and Sisters

Monday, May 11
10:00-11:00 p.m. Castle

Tuesday, May 12
10:00-11:00 p.m. Cupid

Wednesday, May 13
9:00-11:00 p.m. Lost

Thursday, May 14
9:00-11:00 p.m. Grey's Anatomy

Friday, May 15
8:00-10:00 p.m. America's Funniest Home Videos

Sunday, May 17
7:00-9:00 p.m. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
9:00-11:00 p.m. Desperate Housewives



Tuesday, May 19
9:00-11:00 p.m. Dancing with the Stars

Thursday, May 21
8:00-10:00 p.m. Ugly Betty

Mall Fun for Kids!

Simon Kidgits Club and qubo^R have teamed together to bring Simon Kidgits Club Book Blast! tour to malls across the country. Celebrity storytellers are just part of the events planned to encourage children to enter the magical world of books. "Maisy" and Veggietales characters "Bob the Tomato" and "Larry the Cucumber" will visit select malls. Rounding out each Book Blast are activities and giveaways that make reading fun.

The sixth annual Book Blast! tour is from Saturday, February 14, through April 4. Check your local mall to see if they will host the Simon Kidgits Club Book Blast!

"Most of qubo's shows are associated with popular children’s books and all are filled with great stories and memorable characters," said Rick Rodriguez president and general manager, qubo. "As firm believers in the power of storytelling, we are delighted to partner with the Simon Kidgits Club in sponsoring 2009 Book Blast! and in helping to nurture a love of reading among children."

During Book Blast!, families can watch segments from Babar, VeggieTales, Jane and the Dragon, The Zula Patrol, and 3-2-1 Penguins! Attending kids will have the chance to pick up various activity sheets and prizes from qubo and at select malls, qubo will be giving away copies of With Love From Maisy.

Even if your family is not a member of Simon Kidgits Club, attending the 2009 Book Blast! is free and open to Kidgits Club members or non-members.

Kidgits Club Members will be eligible to receive a free, comfy Kidgits reading cushion. If your child is not yet a member of Simon Kidgits Club, you can sign them up for a $5 membership fee at your local 2009 Book Blast! Or, visit www.simon.com/kidgits to sign-up online. Membership includes a Kidgits Club membership card and T-shirt, scheduled entertainment and activities for families, a Birthday Club (including birthday card and gift redemption certificate), unique programs and offers, discounts and a quarterly newsletter.

The Simon Kidgits Club Book Blast! tour is sponsored by qubo, the TV and online entertainment service for children and families, and developed by Simon Brand Ventures, the business to consumer arm of Simon Property Group, the nation's largest developer, owner and operator of shopping malls.

Preserving History

Throughout 2009, HistoryTM will commemorate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth with a new initiative entitled "Give a Lincoln for Lincoln." In association with the National Park Foundation and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, this program encourages Americans to donate Lincoln-head pennies, five dollar bills, or make larger donations online to help preserve six key sites associated with Lincoln's life and legacy.

The six sites are:

• Lincoln’s birthplace in Kentucky

• His boyhood home in Indiana

• The Lincoln Home in Springfield, Illinois

• Lincoln’s Cottage in Washington DC

• The Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC

• Fords Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Teacher and student contests, original short form video about Lincoln’s life and Presidency, related lesson plans, as well as instructions for how to donate to this campaign will be available online at www.history.com/lincoln. Log on today to learn how you can help save Lincoln’s legacy!

Stealing Lincoln's Body premieres on The History Channel^TM premieres Monday, February 16, 2009, 9:00-11:00pm e/p. This documentary explores the little known story of a group of counterfeiters who plotted to steal Lincoln's body and hold it for ransom.

Swayze Delivers

The Beast
premieres Thursday, Jan. 15, 10:00pm ET
A & E
The pilot episode of The Beast is taut drama. The premiere is so well done that during the opening scenes, you do not realize what is really going on. Patrick Swayze stars as Charles Barker and Travis Fimmel portrays Ellis Dove. The entire episode is theatrical quality writing, directing, acting, and cinematography. Strong character development adds to the depth of the story. Light humor is laced through the Pilot, easing some of its intensity, while adding a human quality to these action heroes with flawed personalities and lives.
The Beast Pilot Episode Review >> (some spoilers)

Fairy Tales, A Big Race & Valentine's Fun for Little Ones

Jan. 6th, Hit Entertainment and Lionsgate released three new preschool DVDs.

Barney: Once Upon a Dino Tale features a series of classic fairy tales told for little ones, starring Barney, Baby Bop, Riff, BJ, and playground friends David and Tracey. It all begins when Jingles the Jester arrives, asking for help selecting a perfect fairy tale to cheer up Princess Rosey. Barney: Once Upon a Dino Tale Review >>

In Bob the Builder: Race to the Finish, everyone in Sunflower Valley is excited that special athletic events will be held when they complete the new stadium at Bobland. Two new big machines are brought in to help, but their curiosity may keep the stadium from being completed on time. Meanwhile, Wendy is persuaded to train as Sunflower Valley's best hope at a medal, which keeps her away from the build. Bob is at his wits end! Can everything get done on time so the games can be held? Bob the Builder: Race to the Finish Review >>.

Barney: Be My Valentine has been re-released on DVD. Barney, Baby Bop™ and BJ™ as they visit the Queen of Hearts' Royal Valentine Castle where there are magical surprises behind every door. The DVD features, of course, many songs, as well as crafts and activities related to Valentine's Day.

Reflections

Happy New Year everyone!

Last year was very hectic, changing the site url and re-establishing Family Screen Scene has been a tedious process. It was necessary, though, because of the spammers who were hijacking the site and my email address.

I am grateful to the publicists who have stuck with me from qubo, Lionsgate, Fox Home Video, Discovery Kids, Greenleaf, Electric Artists, Warner Home Video, and others. Even VH1 and MTV. Goodness knows I've been terribly unorganized and slow to get things done this year as I rebuilt and updated. The hardest part is behind me. Thank you for your faith in the site.

I continued experimenting with content on primetime shows. It's clear Family Screen Scene is a destination for those seeking information about children's and kids and family entertainment, as well as educational programming. I'll still do some primetime show updates, such as Desperate Housewives and Lost. Although DH has lost its way again, it's still compelling to me. Lost I will not give up on until the end when the truth will be found... But, the greatest concentration will continue to be the kids and educational genres.

Gayle O. and Carol F.: What would I ever have done without your encouragement?

In the coming year, I hope to begin video content. Bandwidth issues have been the hold back. I'm crossing my fingers I'll get it going in '09. Hopefully, I'll incorporate the blog into the site, making that easier to find. That is, if I can figure out how. (I'll ask Gayle. She'll know!)

I hope everyone who visits my site will find what they are looking for and have fun doing so.

Wishing everyone a blessed New Year.

TV Premieres January 3 - 4

Underdog to Wonderdog is a makeover series from Animal Planet focusing on dogs living in shelters that need special help. Each showcased pooch is rescued, groomed, trained, and rehabilitated. It is then adopted into a loving home. The new owners are given a customized dog house. The series will air Saturdays, beginning Jan. 3 at 8:00pm e/p.

Jan. 3, 8:00-9:00pm e/p, CBS premieres a new prank show from the pro-team of Ashton Kutcher & Jason Goldberg ("Punk'd"). "Game Show in My Head" is called that because the contestants wear an ear piece while show host Joe Rogan ("Fear Factor") instructs them to perform a daring task in Los Angeles. They hope it's funny. There are five pranks per contestant, worth $5,000 each. If someone doesn't complete one, they lose the money they've won. A bonus round will give the contestants a chance to double their winnings.

Superstars of Dance premieres Sunday, Jan. 4, 9:00-11:00pm e/p on NBC, but will air Mondays, Jan. 5 through Jan. 19, 8:00-10:00pm e/p. The Season Finale is Monday, Jan. 26, 8:00-9:00pm e/p. This talent show is from the producers of So You Think You Can Dance.