May 20, 2010
HISTORY SPECIAL DOCUMENTING DISCOVERY TO AIR MAY 25 AT 9PM ET/PT
HISTORY CHANNEL™, THE UNIVERSITY OF OSLO AND THE SENCKENBERG RESEARCH INSTITUTE REVEAL LANDMARK SCIENTIFIC FIND
47 Million Year Old Primate Fossil Set to Revolutionize Understanding of Human Evolution
HISTORY, together with the University of Oslo and the Senckenberg Research Institute, today reveal a landmark scientific find: the 47 million year old fossilized remains of a primate. The most complete fossil primate ever found, the young female specimen — known as "Ida" — is set to revolutionize our understanding of human evolution. Twenty times older than most fossils that explain human evolution, "Ida" is a transitional species showing characteristics from the very primitive non-human evolutionary line (prosimians, such as lemurs), but she is more related to the human evolutionary line (anthropoids, such as monkeys, apes and humans). This places Ida at the very root of anthropoid evolution — when primates were first developing the features that would evolve into our own. The scientists' findings are published today by PLoS One, the open source journal of the Public Library of Science.
The find is lauded as the most important scientific discovery of recent times. HISTORY will premiere the major television special —"THE LINK"— chronicling the discovery and study of the fossil. The two-hour program, produced by London-based Atlantic Productions, will air on HISTORY on Monday, May 25 at 9pm ET/PT. "THE LINK" is presented with limited commercials made possible by Ally Bank.
Source: Image Net.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The Missing Link?
NBC Network 2009-2010 Primetime Schedule
NBC announced its 2009-2010 programming schedule on May 19. The network had already reupped several shows and announced new series. Why they dragged it out for two weeks is beyond me, although it may be they wanted to "personalize" the presentations for the midwest and west coasts, which some in the entertainment say are different than the east coast.
Returning to the network are The Office, 30 Rock, The Biggest Loser, The Celebrity Apprentice, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Friday Night Lights, Law & Order, Southland, Dateline NBC, Heroes, and Chuck. NBC also renewed Last Call with Carson Daly. During the Fall and early Winter, Football Night in America and NBC Sunday Night Football fill NBC's Sunday evenings. SNL Weekend Update Thursday will return for a six episode, limited run early in the season.
The Jay Leno Show will fill the weeknight 10:00-11:00 PM ET time slot. With its addition to the primetime lineup, Thursday nights really will be NBC's highly touted "Night of Comedy." Other new series are second attempt to bring a television adaptation of the film Parenthood; Trauma, a medical emergency drama; Mercy, a hospital drama focusing on the nurses' perception of their jobs; the post-apocolyptic thriller, Day One; Community, a comedy set at a Community College; and 100 Questions, a romantic comedy that answers questions about love.
The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics will be used to introduce viewers to midseason replacements, including Sunday nights of documentary and reality programming (i.e., Dateline, Marriage Ref, Celebrity Apprentice) and Monday nights of sci-fi thrills (i.e., Chuck, Day One).
Additionally, NBC still plans to broadcast the new documentary series Who Do You Think You Are?, based on a mega-hit BBC genealogy series that Canada's CBC also adapted for their nation. (I'm really looking forward to it and wish NBC would get it on already!)
During the summer, NBC will broadcast original episodes of Breakthrough with Tony Robbins; The Jay Leno Show; Friday Night Lights; and America's got Talent.
All times are ET/PT and subject to change.
Monday
8:00 PM - Heroes (new time)
9:00 PM - Trauma (new)
10:00 PM - The Jay Leno Show (new)
Tuesday
8:00 PM - The Biggest Loser (2-hours)
10:00 PM - The Jay Leno Show (new)
Wednesday
8:00 PM - Parenthood (new)
9:00 PM - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (new day & time)
10:00 PM - The Jay Leno Show (new)
Thursday
8:00 PM - SNL Weekend Update Thursday (multi-episode run)
8:30 PM – Parks and Recreation
9:00 PM – The Office
9:30 PM – Community (new)
10:00 PM - The Jay Leno Show (new)
Friday
8:00 PM - Law & Order (new day & time)
9:00 PM - Southland (new day & time)
10:00 PM - The Jay Leno Show (new)
Saturday
8:00 PM – Dateline NBC
9:00 PM - Trauma (encore broadcast)
10:00 PM – Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (encore broadcast)
Sunday
7:00 PM - Football Night in America
8:20 PM - NBC Sunday Night Football
NBC's primetime will be pre-empted February 12-28, for coverage of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Marriage Ref, a comedy from Jerry Seinfeld and Ellen Rakieten, and the third edition of The Celebrity Apprentice will air on Sundays after the Olympic events have concluded. Chuck and the new comedy 100 Questions will also premiere after the Olympics.
All times are ET/PT and subject to change.
Monday
8:00 PM - Chuck
9:00 PM - Day One (new)
10:00 PM - The Jay Leno Show (new)
Tuesday
8:00 PM - The Biggest Loser (90-minutes)
9:30 PM - 100 Questions
10:00 PM - The Jay Leno Show (new)
Wednesday
8:00 PM - Mercy (new)
9:00 PM - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (new day & time)
10:00 PM - The Jay Leno Show (new)
Thursday
8:00 PM - Community (new)
8:30 PM – Parks and Recreation
9:00 PM – The Office
9:30 PM – 30 Rock
10:00 PM - The Jay Leno Show (new)
Friday
8:00 PM - Law & Order (new day & time)
9:00 PM - Southland (new day & time)
10:00 PM - The Jay Leno Show (new)
Saturday
8:00 PM – Dateline NBC
9:00 PM - Southland (encore broadcast)
10:00 PM – Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (encore broadcast)
Sunday
7:00 PM - Dateline NBC
8:00 PM - The Marriage Ref
9:00 PM - The Celebrity Apprentice
CBS Network 2009-2010 Primetime Schedule
May 20, CBS announced its 2009-2010 primetime schedule. The network that claims four number one series in their respective categories, has reupped eighteen of its series and will add eight new series for Fall or midseason. Medium also joins the lineup, moving from NBC to CBS to be paired on Friday nights with Ghost Whisperer.
New series for Fall include the NCIS spin-off, NCIS: Los Angeles; The Good Wife, a courtroom drama about a wife whose politician husband is incarcerated; Three Rivers, which follows the personal and professional lives a transplant surgical team; and Accidentally on Purpose, starring Jenna Elfman as a woman who finds herself pregnant by a much younger man.
CBS has also picked up four new shows for midseason, including a Jerry Bruckheimer medical drama, Miami Trauma. The police drama, The Bridge, and alternative series, Undercover Boss, and Arranged Marriage, are also slated to premiere in early 2010.
Returning series are the #1 drama, CSI; #1 comedy, Two and a Half Men; #1 new series, The Mentalist; #1 news magazine, 60 Minutes; Survivor; The Amazing Race; The Big Bang Theory; How I Met Your Mother; CSI: Miami; NCIS; The New Adventures of Old Christine; Gary Unmarried; Criminal Minds; CSI: NY; Ghost Whisperer; Numb3rs; 48 Hours Mystery; and Cold Case.
All times are ET/PT and subject to change.
Monday
8:00 PM - How I Met Your Mother (new time)
8:30 PM - Accidentally on Purpose (new)
9:00 PM - Two and a Half Men
9:30 PM - The Big Bang Theory (new time)
10:00 PM - CSI: Miami
Tuesday
8:00- PM NCIS
9:00 PM - NCIS: Los Angeles (new)
10:00 PM - The Good Wife (new)
Wednesday
8:00 PM - The New Adventures of Old Christine
8:30 PM - Gary Unmarried
9:00 PM - Criminal Minds
10:00 PM - CSI: NY
Thursday
8:00 PM - Survivor
9:00 PM - CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
10:00 PM - The Mentalist (new time)
Friday
8:00 PM - Ghost Whisperer
9:00 PM - Medium (new day, time and network)
10:00 PM - Numb3rs
Saturday
8:00 PM - Crimetime Saturday
9:00 PM - Crimetime Saturday
10:00 PM - 48 Hours Mystery
Sunday
7:00 PM - 60 Minutes
8:00 PM - The Amazing Race
9:00 PM - Three Rivers (new)
10:00 PM - Cold Case (new time)
The midseason schedule and premiere dates will be announced later this year.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts Review
The Dr. Dolittle series continues with "Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts," released on DVD and Blu Ray May 19, 2009.
Dr. Dolittle is helping animals in China as his daughter, Maya, prepares to go to veterinary school. Her pet dog, Lucky, isn't too happy about the separation, but it's what she needs to do to help animals. As she's packing, the DVD orientation arrives. The years of study, training, and examinations are overwhelming to the young woman who only wants to help animals. Her mother, Lisa, reassures her that the time spent is well worth the effort for the rewards it will bring Maya.
The day is interrupted by a neighborhood emergency - a cat is stuck in a tree top. Maya quickly climbs up a ladder and begins talking to it to see if she can find out why it won't come down. It seems the cat is being bathed by its elderly owner. Maya expalins to the lady that cats aren't supposed to take baths. The owner and pet are reunited with a new understanding.
The event was captured by a television news camera and soon, Maya's gift is known to Hollywood. An agent enlists his superstar, Tiffany Monaco, to entice Maya to LA so he can get her signed and on television. Tiffany is glad to help, especially since Maya helped her with her own pet dog.
Promising her mother that she'll be gone just for the weekend, Maya heads to the bright lights and seductive glamour of Hollywood. She attends an A-list party where she meets a famous, well-adjustedm former child star, Brandon Turner. He can't believe she really talks to animals, so Maya asks his pet Sheltie for a piece of information about Brandon that only his pet pooch would know. With an embarrassing fact revealed, Brandon is convinced - and smitten with Maya's sweet personality and good looks.
Tiffany and Maya make the rounds as they try to find famous young celebrities who will participate in a television show that let's Maya help animals by listening to their problems with their owners and helping them solve them. The stars of movies, television and music are thoroughly convinced that Maya helped them and endorse the show. The unscrupulous agent persuades Maya to sign the contract without reading it, even though Maya knows she shouldn't.
To do this show and stay with her celebrity friends, Maya decides to not go to college. Her mother, of course, is shocked. But, Maya has been convinced that she can help animals without all those years of vet school. It takes a sick dog that Maya cannot help without medical training to persuade her that if she really wants to help animals as her father does, she must complete her education. That's great, but there's that nasty contract she signed that just might prevent Maya from fulfilling her dream.
Dr. Dolitle: Million Dollar Mutts really is a heart-warming family film. It conveys the importance of a complete education to reach one's highest goals. The film also emphasizes that not all child stars are spoiled or get into drugs or face tremendous problems. Brandon is a nice young man, who follows Maya's lead to college. Maya's mother has a strong, but kind, disposition, allowing her daughter a special opportunity, but is there to remind her of what is important in the long run. The film also shows that a young adult who has been raised with strong values will recognize what is important, even if they are momentarily blinded by the glitz of celebrity life.
Special Features found on both the Blu Ray Disc and Standard DVD include:
Special features include:
Tiffany’s Tricked Out Cell Phone featurette
No Business Like Show Business featurette
Star Tours: Dolittle Style featurette
DVD Special Features:
Presented in widescreen (1.78:1 ratio) format, English, Spanish and French Dolby Surround 5.1 with English and Spanish subtitles.
Blu-Ray Special Features:
The feature film is presented in widescreen format (1.78:1
aspect ratio) with English 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio and Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby Digital with English, Spanish, French, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean and Thai subtitles.
Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts
Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts [Blu-ray]
Cast
Kyla Pratt... Maya Dolittle
Karen Holness... Lisa Dolittle
Tegan Moss... Tiffany Monaco
Brandon Jay McLaren... Brandon Turner
Jason Bryden... Rick Beverley
Crew
Director: Alex Zamm
Writers: Steve Altiere
Daniel Altiere
ABC Network 2009-2010 Primetime Schedule
May 19, ABC announced its primetime schedule for 2009-2010. The network had previously announced its returning shows were America's Funniest Home Videos, The Bachelor, Brothers & Sisters, Dancing with the Stars, Desperate Housewives, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Grey's Anatomy, Lost, Private Practice, Saturday Night Football, Supernanny, Ugly Betty, Wife Swap, and 20/20. Better Off Ted, Castle, Scrubs, and True Beauty were added to the renewal list.
New shows coming to primetime during the '09/'10 season are Cougar Town, The Deep End, Eastwick, Flash Forward, The Forgotten, Hank, Happy Town, The Middle, Modern Family, Shark Tank, and V.
All times are ET/PT and subject to change.
Monday
8:00 PM - Dancing with the Stars (two-hours)
10:00 PM - Castle
Tuesday
8:00 PM - Shark Tank (new)
9:00 PM - Dancing with the Stars: The Results Show
10:00 PM - The Forgotten (new)
Wednesday
8:00 PM - Hank (new)
8:30 PM - The Middle
9:00 PM - Modern Family
9:30 PM - Cougar Town
10:00 PM - Eastwick
Thursday
8:00 PM - Flash Forward
9:00 PM - Grey's Anatomy
10:00 PM - Private Practice
Friday
8:00 PM - Supernanny
9:00 PM - Ugly Betty
10:00 PM 20/20
Saturday
8:00 PM - Saturday Night College Football
Sunday
7:00 PM - America's Funniest Home Videos
8:00 PM - Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
9:00 PM - Desperate Housewives
10:00 PM - Brothers & Sisters
The Midseason schedule will be released at a later date.
FOX Network 2009-2010 Primetime Schedule
May 18, FOX Channel announced its 2009-2010 programming slate. House, Lie to Me, Dollhouse, 'Til Death, Bones, Fringe, American Dad, Family Guy, The Simpsons, Cops, America's Most Wanted (AMW), 24, Hell's Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, So You Think You Can Dance, and, of course, American Idol are returning to primetime. So You Think You Can Dance moves to the Fall schedule for its sixth season (suppose FOX hopes a Fall run will up the pre-Idol ratings). 24's day will be set in "...New York City, amidst the shadows of the Statue of Liberty and the United Nations."
The network previously announced that King of the Hill, MadTV, and Prison Break were canceled. Although ABC had considered taking King, they opted to bring a new animated comedy from the show's producers to their primetime schedule.
New shows include the much buzzed about Glee, which has a sneak peek Tuesday, May 19 at 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT. Other freshman series are Brothers, The Wanda Sykes Show, Human Target, Past Life, The Cleveland Show, from the team behind Family Guy.
All times are ET/PT and subject to change.
Monday
8:00-9:00 PM - House
9:00-10:00 PM - Lie To Me
Tuesday
8:00-10:00 PM - So You Think You Can Dance Performance Show
Wednesday
8:00-9:00 PM - So You Think You Can Dance Results Show
9:00-10:00 PM - Glee (new)
Thursday
8:00-9:00 PM - Bones
9:00-10:00 PM- Fringe
Friday
8:00-8:30 PM - Brothers (new)
8:30-9:00 PM- 'Til Death
9:00-10:00 PM - Dollhouse
Saturday
8:00-8:30 PM - Cops
8:30-9:00 PM - Cops
9:00-10:00 PM - America's Most Wanted
11:00 PM-Midnight - The Wanda Sykes Show (working title) (new)
Midnight-12:30 AM - Animation Domination Encores
Sunday
7:00-8:00 PM - The OT (NFL post-game)
8:00-8:30 PM - The Simpsons
8:30-9:00 PM - The Cleveland Show
9:00-9:30 PM - Family Guy
9:30-10:00 PM - American Dad
All times are ET/PT and subject to change.
Monday
8:00-9:00 PM - House
9:00-10:00 PM - 24
Tuesday
8:00-9:00 PM - American Idol Performance Show
9:00-10:00 PM - Past Life
Wednesday
8:00-9:00 PM - American Idol Results Show
9:00-10:00 PM - Human Target (January) / Glee (Spring)
Thursday
8:00-9:00 PM Bones
9:00-10:00 PM Fringe
Friday
8:00-8:30 PM - Brothers
8:30-9:00 PM - ‘Til Death
9:00-10:00 PM - Dollhouse
Saturday
8:00-8:30 PM - Cops
8:30-9:00 PM - Cops
9:00-10:00 PM - America's Most Wanted
11:00 PM-Midnight - The Wanda Sykes Show (working title) (new)
Midnight-12:30 AM - Animation Domination Encores
Sunday
7:00-7:30 PM - Animation Domination Encores
7:30-8:00 PM - American Dad
8:00-8:30 PM - The Simpsons
8:30-9:00 PM - Sons of Tucson
9:00-9:30 PM - Family Guy
9:30-10:00 PM - The Celveland Show
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The Superstars
Based on the Wide World of Sports series The Superstars, this competition premieres on ABC, Tuesday, June 23, 8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT.
Eight celebrities are paired with eight professional male and female athletes to compete against each other in varying sporting events. Each week a team will be eliminated until one team is ultimately crowned the winner. Competitors' athletic prowess will be put to the test with events including swimming, biking, running and kayaking, in addition to other head-to-head athletic challenges that will test strength, speed, stamina, agility, as well as an element of strategy. The six-episode series will be shot entirely on location at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.
“The Superstars” is produced by Juma Entertainment and Blue Entertainment Sports Television (BEST). Robert Horowitz, president, Juma Entertainment, Lewis Fenton, head of production, Juma Entertainment, Dennis Spencer, executive vice president, BEST and Michael Principe, managing director, BEST, are the executive producers.
Source: ABC Press.