By Missy Lee   Tue, Mar 31, 2009

Chances are that if you were in your early 20's in 1994, you watched "The Real World" on MTV. The original “reality TV” series, The Real World was famous for taking a group of strangers from very different backgrounds and putting them all under one roof for four months, turn on the camera's and see what happens. Oh, and every season they were in a different city.

At the time the concept was original, fresh and daring. And highly addictive for those in their mid teens to their mid twenties. The 1994 season was no different. Set in San Francisco in an incredible house on Lombard Street, the cast of characters included a young Republican, an aspiring cartoonist, a medical student, a rapper, a blond girl-next-door type, a bike messenger atrocious manners and TV's first openly gay, HIV+ cast member.

The cast member was named Pedro Zamora and he was from Miami via the 1980 Mariel boatlift from Cuba. His casting and brave struggle with HIV/AIDS was a landmark in the history of television and important to the AIDS movement.

By being a part of the show, Zamora gave a face to the disease and ensured that every American who watched the show could say they knew someone who suffered from the disease.

The movie could have simply retold the story of what happened inside the house, what had already been seen by millions of Americans; instead, the movie tells the story of Pedro Zamora both before his time on The Real World, and after.

Written by Academy Award winner Dustin Lance Black, Pedro isn't a linear narrative and it doesn't rely heavily on cheesy flashbacks; it inner cuts his early childhood, his journey to America, his teenage years and how he came to be on MTV seamlessly. It never feels contrived, and viewers will undoubtedly learn things about Pedro Zamora's life and death that were not widely known at the time.

And for those who may be wondering how the movie handles the entire issue of the Pedro and bike messenger Puck relationship, fear not, the infamous peanut butter incident is relived, albeit without much fanfare.

While many who watch the movie may have been viewers back in 1994 and recall the nastiness that was Puck, by only devoting a marginal amount of time to that relationship, it educates the viewer that Pedro Zamora's life was much, much more than four months on a TV show.

The film, which airs Wednesday night, April 1^st at 8:00 p.m., will be introduced by former President Bill Clinton, who has long credited Zamora with personalizing and humanizing the epidemic. “To this day, Pedro Zamora remains an extraordinary example of what a huge impact one young person can make in our world,” President Clinton said. “I’m glad to have known him, and I’m grateful his life has been able to inspire and enrich so many others.”

Nearly 15 years since Pedro heightened national awareness of HIV/AIDS, the epidemic in the U.S. remains a serious concern, especially among younger Americans (under 30) who account for a larger share of new infections than any other age group. Other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) – such as chlamydia and gonorrhea – are even more common, with one in two sexually active Americans being infected by age 25 – and most not knowing it.

Since 1997, MTV and the Kaiser Family Foundation have partnered to inform millions of young adults about HIV, other STDs and related sexual health issues.  Beginning in April (STD Awareness Month), MTV and Kaiser will partner with Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its nearly 880 affiliate health centers to make an aggressive push to inform America’s young people about STDs, as well as help normalize and drive increased testing.  Full details on the rest of the campaign will be unveiled soon. 

Planned Parenthood is also developing an educational discussion guide for teens, young adults, and parents to use when they watch the Pedro premiere on MTV. It will be available for download on MTV’s ItsYourSexLife.com and at Planned Parenthood.

By Missy Lee   Wed, Jun 23, 2010

It’s been said that dynamite comes in small packages and that’s certainly true in the case of InSession’s (formerly CourtTV) Beth Karas.

The 5’2” blond hair, blue eyed Karas has been with the legal network since 1994 and has covered the high profile trials of Phil Spector, Robert Blake, and Martha Stewart as well as Scott Peterson and Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel.

Karas also criss-crosses the country covering lesser known but no less intriguing trials such as the recent trial of Raynella Dossett-Leath, a retired nurse accused of killing her second husband and making it look like a suicide.

Dossett-Leath is also charged with killing her first husband, Knox County D. A. Eddie Dossett back in the early 1990’s. 

ILoveTelevision.com caught up with Karas in Knoxville, TN while she was covering the Dossett-Leath trial for InSession to find out more about the life of an on-air, on the go legal correspondent. 

When asked to name the most interesting case she’s ever covered, Karas doesn’t waste any time answering.

“I’ve been doing this for 15 years so it’s hard to say any one case is the most interesting, but I like a case that is circumstantial and there’s a lot of forensic evidence, so one of the most interesting was Scott Peterson. I was in Redwood City, CA for six months covering that. It started June 1 and ended in mid-December. And there was no camera in it and it was still interesting!”

Because there was no camera, Karas who lives by her Blackberry, was getting regular transmissions from her producers out of the courtroom for the trial.

“I was getting almost verbatim transcripts…cross has just begun, Mark Geragos just asked this question of the witness, well listen to this…but it was fascinating because it was circumstantial.”

Another common question viewers have is whether or not she has any opinion about the guilt or innocence of the defendant.

“Certainly on the air I am down the middle, but I am only human so I have opinions! But a lot of times I flip-flop during the trial. When the prosecution is putting on their case I sort of see things from their point of view but then when we get to the defense case, if there is a defense case, I start saying, ‘Well wait a second.’ So I definitely flip-flop. I’ll say, ‘Well the person might have done it but I think there is reasonable doubt so I think it should be a not guilty verdict.’”

Karas is quick to point out that she’s all over the map in terms of whether she’s right or not in her assessment of any particular trial, and that the system doesn’t set out to put innocent people on trial.

“Let’s hope that when somebody is arrested and brought to trial that the prosecutor has enough evidence beyond a reasonable doubt or at least in his or her heart believes a person is guilty.”

Karas acknowledges that mistakes do happen and add’s, “One innocent person in prison is too many.”

When Karas covers a trial, she is there from gavel-to-gavel, which means spending a lot of time away from her apartment in Manhattan.

“The Peterson trial lasted six months, the Spector trial lasted five and the (David) Westerfield trial in San Diego was four months. So yes, I cover some long trials, but Scott Peterson was the longest.”

And all this travel begs the question: How do you have a personal life? 

“That is a question I get asked a lot and I don’t have a pat answer, but I will tell you, it’s difficult. When you travel the way I do and for as long as I have it’s difficult. Sometimes I go through stretches where I’m in New York for a while, but I have a wonderful network of people across the country; defense lawyers, prosecutors, police officers, etc.”

Karas does admit that she looks forward to going to some cities because it gives her a chance to catch up with some people. However, this nomadic life does come with a price.

“I don’t have a family, I don’t have children, and it’s not going to happen. I don’t see it on the horizon so I’ve learned to fulfill myself in other ways.”

One of the ways Karas fulfills herself is through her work with the National MPS Society located in Raleigh-Durham, NC. Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) and related diseases are genetic lysosomal storage diseases (LSD) caused by the body's inability to produce specific enzymes.

Karas lost two brothers to a form of the disease known as ML III in adulthood. Her younger brother died of the disease in 1993 while she was still a prosecutor with the Manhattan D. A.’s office. It was after his death that she resigned from the D. A.’s office and went to work for what was then CourtTV (now InSession).

“I had a very hard time dealing with my brother’s death and knew I needed to make a change in my life. I had a very maternal relationship with him even though we weren’t very far apart in age. He used to tell me I needed to be on TV because I like to talk. That wasn’t even on my radar. I was a lawyer. I ended up at CourtTV when the man who started the network, Steve Brill asked me to do it.”

Karas gave her letter of resignation on the 6 month anniversary of her brother’s death.

“I do believe he had something to do with it.”

Her other brother passed away a week after the events of 9/11. Karas was reporting from Ground Zero when she got a call from her brother’s doctor telling her she needed to come home to be with her brother.

Karas arrived in Massachusetts the next day and her brother passed away as she was reading him the Lord’s Prayer.

It was after his death that she was able to devote the time to becoming active with the National MPS Society.

On a lighter note, Karas is an avid knitter, which she says helps her unwind.

“During the Scott Peterson trial, not in court, but weekends on airplanes I made like 2 sweaters, 6 ponchos, and other gifts. I was making my own designs and different textures. I was knitting up a storm, making gifts and all sorts of things. However, my right hand has some carpal tunnel so it’s slowed me down. I’ve had to lay off knitting for the time being.”

Karas even admits the at one time she wanted to be a fashion designer and often made her own clothes while in the D. A.’s office.

She is also an avid reader and hopes to one day pen her own books; True crime of course.

As for the Dossett-Leath trial, it ended in mistrial after the jury hung. However, the book hasn’t closed on this case for Karas.

“Quite frankly, there’s a lot of twists and turns and a boat load of information in this case that I don’t usually encounter. There’s no doubt this is a case I am going to follow because there’s more to the case.”

Fun Facts about Beth Karas:

Worked with both former New York Governor Elliot Spitzer and John Kennedy Jr. in the Manhattan D. A.’s office

Attended Mount Holyoke College in South-Hadley, Massachusetts, the nation's oldest women's college.

Counts Vanity Fair crime reporter Dominick Dunne as a close friend

By Missy Lee   Tue, Mar 10, 2009

On tonight's episode of Law & Order: SVU a familiar face returns, much to the delight of long time fans. Actress Stephanie March reprises her role as A.D.A. Alexandra Cabot for 6 episodes starting tonight. For four seasons March played the tough as nails prosecutor and with great fanfare her character was whisked off into witness protection, believed dead by everyone but Det. Stabler and Benson.

Two seasons later her character returned from witness protection to testify against the man who shot her, only to be whisked off again at trial's end. This also served to remind SVU fans of the Alex Cabot character and set up her return in the short lived Dick Wolf vehicle, Conviction.

While March was billed as the star of that show, long time fans complained that "this Alex Cabot" wasn't the Alex they knew and loved. Even worse, the answers to how her character not only returned from "the program," but resumed her life in the D.A.'s office, were never revealed.

Fear not fans, in a recent interview both March and executive producer Neal Baer promised all would be revealed in a "touching and beautifully written" way. March even talked about Alex's love life and a certain brunette detective.


(Missy Lee):    Yes, I’m just curious to know which Alex Cabot are we going to get, the old Alex Cabot or the Alex Cabot from Conviction? They’re not exactly the same Alex Cabot.

Stephanie March:    They’re not entire - they’re about the same height.

(Missy Lee):    Yeah, I understand that, you’re about 5’ 91/2” and I'm 6'1"  so I applaud you for wearing heels.

Stephanie March:    Oh thanks, thank you so much. You know I think this is probably - I mean I know exactly how I feel about the character and I’m pretty excited about bringing her back.

    But Neal could probably speak to this specifically in terms of plot a little bit better.

Neal Baer:    Well I think it’s Alex Cabot who was both on Conviction and SVU because as you’ll see in the episode on May - on March 10th, you’ll understand why Alex Cabot did not go back to SVU.

    Why she was fearful and she has changed a bit. She’s stronger.

(Missy Lee):    Well it would be harder to get stronger than Alex Cabot was because she was a pretty fierce woman.

Stephanie March:    Well if I may interject, I think she was pretty strong and determined but not as knowledgeable or seasoned. And so I’d like to think that maybe this time around she’ll be a little wiser and a little - life has roughed her up a little more.

    Made her slightly more sympathetic.

Neal Baer:    She’s definitely more vulnerable, that you see from the very beginning and she’s more questioning. So as Stephanie just said you know she was maybe more surface tough then.

    You’ll understand when she comes back that that maybe was more of a cover and that she is much more questioning and much more open to the situ - to the complexities of the situation.

Stephanie March:    Exactly.

Neal Baer:    I’m trying to steer around with a - by not giving away the plot...

(Missy Lee):    Specific plot points? Okay.

Neal Baer:    You know you’ll certainly recognize her as the Alex Cabot you loved five years ago on SVU because it’s still Stephanie and we’re writing her as Alex Cabot.

    So it’s just hugely fun for us.

Stephanie March:    Hopefully it will complete a circle and make sense. I mean it makes sense to me because I’m in the middle of it, but as people see it I think it will make a lot of sense.

(Missy Lee):    So we’re going to find out how you managed to come back from witness protection?

Stephanie March:    Yeah.

(Missy Lee):    Oh well hallelujah. That was really one of the biggest drawbacks that I think people had with Conviction that they were left without an explanation.

Stephanie March:    Well I think this will be nice and neat and make sense.

(Missy Lee):    Okay, thank you.

Stephanie March:    No problem.

Neal Baer:    Yeah, there is definitely a - she, Stephanie has a great scene with Mariska, Chris, Ice-T and Belzer where this definitely comes up, we definitely talk about witness protection.

    We definitely talk about the past and it’s quite a moving scene.

(Missy Lee):    Well good, thank you for that because that’s what readers have been waiting on.

Stephanie March:    Great. Well I’m excited.

(Missy Lee):    We’re excited to have you back.

Stephanie March:    Thank you.

Neal Baer:    And it’s also really nice to see Stephanie with BD because they’re - we have some interesting shows going back to season two with Richard Thomas and Karen Allen where I remember Stephanie and BD’s character fought with each other and really grappled with some issues.

Stephanie March:    Yeah, and we get to revisit it. Plus I like working with BD because he’s my friend anyway so this time I get paid to have dinner together.

Neal Baer:    And you know the other thing I’ll just add is that we really wanted to kind of have a reunion so we brought back John Cullum who did some wonderful shows Stephanie.

Stephanie March:    Yeah.

Neal Baer:    And Mariette Hartley as well.

Stephanie March:    And Joanna Merlin who have I haven’t seen.

Neal Baer:    And Joanna Merlin who plays just (ex-cop) piece. So we’ve got three characters who really echo back to Cabot and they bring up the issue too with Cabot, oh and David Burton as well.

    They all are surprised and a little questioning and wondering if she’s really back to her old self. So it’s not just our main characters but all of our supporting characters as well have some questions about is she really read to come back to SVU.

Stephanie March:    Yeah.

(Missy Lee):    Are you coming back in a Liz Donnelly type role or - because you were bureau (team) on Conviction.

Stephanie March:    Well I will say this much, I am coming back to that which has most affected me. I’m coming back to SVU.

(Missy Lee):    Okay.

Neal Baer:    I’m glad you brought up Liz Donnelly because Stephanie will be doing a very big show at the end of sweeps on March 31st with Judith.

Stephanie March:    I love Judith, that’s good news.

Neal Baer:    So they will be back together again.

(Missy Lee):    Okay. Oh, one last question, that whole Robert thing, is Alex going to be married or please tell me she like ditched him. Or you’re not going to tell me that are you, because that’s probably some plot point.

Stephanie March:    Neal, can I talk about this?

Neal Baer:    Sure.

Stephanie March:    Alex Cabot’s on the prowl.

(Missy Lee):    Is she prowling for some more (desk sex)?

Stephanie March:    She’s on the prowl. She’s not tied to too many people.

(Missy Lee):    Okay. All right. But are we going to see more desk sex?

Stephanie March:    Desk sex?

(Missy Lee):    Well you and Jim (on Conviction) had desk sex.

Stephanie March:    Right. You know I’ll tell you we haven’t seen any desk sex yet. There’s so many items of furnisher in which to tackle I don’t expect to return to the desk.

(Missy Lee):    Okay. All right. Is this Alex Cabot going to be an equal opportunity prowler or is she just going to be strictly a hetero?

Stephanie March:    I think we haven’t determined all of it yet. I think some of it’s still a mystery.

(Missy Lee):    I ask because I have a large lesbian contingent that read and they - that was something they all wanted to know. Because you know in their world, Alex and Olivia are just so in love and they just don’t know it.

Stephanie March:    I’m not saying we’re not.

(Missy Lee):    But you’re not saying you are, okay.

Stephanie March:    I’m not saying we’re not in love.

Neal Baer:    I can tell you that the writers are very aware of...

(Missy Lee):    Oh I know they are, you and I had this discussion at the Director’s Guild during the Paley Festival for Law and Order. I asked you specifically about that.

    I’ve already had this discussion with you.

Stephanie March:    And I would make the vote on prop eight that would make your reader’s happy. So just - we can leave it there.

(Missy Lee):    And I appreciate that.

Stephanie March:    No problem.

(Missy Lee):    That’s all I have.

Law & Order: SVU airs at 10 o'clock, Tuesdays on NBC.

By Anna Fugazzi   Tue, Mar 31, 2009

In conjunction with the launch of the new season of the ABC Family original series, “Greek,” ABCFamily.com will be hosting weekly online viewing parties allowing fans to watch current episodes of the series simultaneously with others while chatting in real time.

 
Beginning today, March 31, fans of ABC Family’s hit series “Greek” can visit ABCFamily.com  to host their own Viewing Parties through View2Gether.com’s social viewing platform.  View2gether.com’s unique synchronous streaming technology enables viewers to create an online lounge, meet other fans of “Greek,” customize content and watch and discuss current episodes of the popular ABC Family series together in real time, regardless of the viewers geographic location.

 
The "Greek" Viewing Parties are integrated within ABCFamily.com’s popular community allowing fans to create their own parties with friends or meet other fans of the show and watch current episodes of the ABC Family series.  In the coming weeks, members of the “Greek” cast will be hosting their own viewing parties of their favorite episodes this season, chatting directly with fans and giving behind-the-scenes details.

 
New episodes of “Greek” air on ABC Family Mondays (8:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT).  Jesse McCartney joined the cast in this week's premiere episode, “Take Me Home Cyprus Rhodes” (directed by Michael Lange and written by Jessica O’Toole & Amy Rardin.).  Episodes will be available online the day after their network premiere.

The ensemble cast includes Jacob Zachar as Rusty, Spencer Grammer as Casey, Scott Michael Foster as Cappie, Jake McDorman as Evan, Clark Duke as Dale, Dilshad Vadsaria as Rebecca, Paul James as Calvin, Amber Stevens as Ashleigh and Tiffany DuPont as Frannie.

By Jonah Tarleton   Tue, Mar 31, 2009

Beginning today, Take180.com officially launches its site with three new original participatory web series, “My Date,” “I <3 Vampires,” and the already popular “Electric Spoofaloo.” All episodes are 180 seconds (3 minutes) in length or less.

Take180 is a new website featuring shows made with audience participation. Members of the site’s community contribute videos, stories, photos and artwork in response to specific challenges from the show producers. The community also provides feedback by commenting and voting on submissions from other members. Winning submissions are then featured in future episodes, and the winners of each challenge receive various prizes. To celebrate its launch, the site is hosting a sweepstakes in which the winner and two companions will be flown to Hollywood to attend the premiere of the Disney-Pixar film “Up.”

 
“Take180 gives young people the incredible opportunity to see their actual experiences, ideas and feelings come vividly to life in primetime-quality web shows.” said Chris M. Williams, General Manager of T180 Studios, the studio behind Take180. “It truly breaks the mold."

Take180 opened to the public in beta in the fall of 2008 with three pilot series, “My Alibi,” “In2ition” and “The Juice Box.” Since that time, its programming has received over nine million views across the internet. Several Take180 videos have achieved hit status by being the most viewed and/or the most popular of the day on MySpace and YouTube. These include Electric Spoofaloo's "Two and a Half Watchmen" (a parody of the movie "Watchmen" and the television series "Two and A Half Men"). Take180’s pilot series “My Alibi” is also available on ABCFamily.com.

The entire pilot series and the first episodes and trailers for the new series are all available today on Take180.com and Take180’s official channels on MySpace and YouTube.

“ELECTRIC SPOOFALOO” - Nothing in pop culture is safe from Electric Spoofaloo. Each month, Take180 members pitch spoof concepts within a given theme. During a no-holds-barred selection show, the Take180 creative team chooses three finalists and, after the audience votes, the winners get to see their idea come to life. The series stars Take180 favorite Devon Kelly. New episodes launch every other week alternating between the selection show and the completed parody.

 
“MY DATE” - This show asks the audience to share their best and worst dating stories. The Take180 cast brings these stories to life in Crush, the hottest date spot in town. Each date is observed by our host, Crush waitress Iris, who offers us her insightful, clever and sometimes biting advice about how to survive the world of dating. The series stars newcomers Jonna Walsh and Brian Ames. New episodes launch weekly on Mondays.

 
“I <3 VAMPIRES” (read as “I Heart Vampires”) - Corbin — the #1 fan of a hit vampire book series — runs the top fansite, IHeartVampires.net, with her best friend Luci. After Corbin leaks part of the final novel, the “fangosphere” explodes, sending the girls on an adventure where they cross paths with the mysterious Nick, and their lives begin to imitate the very series that they love. Only with the audience’s help can Corbin and Luci complete their quest and set the world right again. The series stars newcomers Cherylin Wilson (“90210”), Erin Way and Adam Chambers (Take180’s “My Alibi”). A trailer and the first two episodes of the series are currently posted on Take180, with new episodes launching every other Thursday.

By Missy Lee  

The documentary series, an outgrowth of USA Network’s CHARACTER PROJECT initiative, will follow Brokaw as he travels across Highway 50 documenting the lives of Americans living along this transcontinental road that connects the Pacific to the Atlantic.  Brokaw will capture the stories of real everyday people and explore how their lives are being impacted economically, politically and culturally during these extraordinary times.

Co-produced by Peacock Productions, the documentary will premiere as a one-hour primetime special in January 2010 on USA Network timed to the first anniversary of President Obama’s inauguration.  The announcement was made by Bonnie Hammer, president, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment and Universal Cable Productions.

Beginning this spring, Brokaw will broadcast updates on his travels in “Dispatches From The Road,” short vignettes featuring the people and places he will visit on his Highway 50 road trip. These accounts will be televised in primetime on USA Network, as well as on the Today Show, MSNBC and NBC Nightly News.

"HIGHWAY 50 promises to be an amazing chronicle of real-life stories along the 'backbone of America'," said Hammer.  "Tom Brokaw is the perfect partner for what's undeniably a passion project for all concerned."

“I’m thrilled to work with USA on this exciting, eye-opening series on real American characters,” said Brokaw. “From the determined fishermen in Chesapeake Bay to the green energy visionaries in Sacramento, you will see the changing face of a nation.”

Brokaw will embark on his journey into a new American Era as he travels across the United States along Highway 50, traversing 12 states and documenting the lives of Americans during these historic and challenging times.  Along the way, he will meet, befriend and immerse himself in the personal lives of ordinary and extraordinary people to reveal uniquely American stories of hardship and hope, as well as struggle and survival.  Each story will have an epilogue, to discover where these people were when Brokaw first met them, and how their lives have changed since the historic election of Barack Obama.

The documentary was inspired by the series of photographs captured along this historic route by renowned Scottish-born photographer David Eustace for USA Network’s CHARACTER PROJECT. Eustace traveled the entirety of Highway 50 in the summer of 2008 and photographed the diverse people and places he encountered on his 3000-mile journey. His photographs will be featured in the upcoming USA Network book, American Character: A Photographic Journey, for which Brokaw penned the foreword.

CHARACTER PROJECT is USA Network’s ongoing artistic initiative committed to celebrating America’s characters – the extraordinary people, from all walks of life, who make this country unique. The project was inspired by USA’s “CHARACTERS WELCOME” brand, and was developed with the support of Aperture Foundation.  During the summer of 2008, USA Network assembled a group of 11 world-class photographers and sent them out to capture the character of America today.  The subjects they photographed are as varied as the country itself, from high school football players in Texas and organic farmers in the Northwest, to musicians in Michigan and parades in New York.

The book, born from CHARACTER PROJECT, American Character: A Photographic Journey, will be published by Chronicle Books in March 2009. The collected works will also be displayed in a series of gallery exhibitions visiting seven American cities: New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. 

By Anna Fugazzi   Tue, Mar 17, 2009

Six-time Emmy Award and five-time Golden Globe Award winner Carol Burnett will guest-star on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit".

"Having Carol Burnett on SVU is a dream come true. When you grow up wanting to be a writer, you can count on one hand the actors you'd give anything to work with. Carol Burnett is my thumb," said Baer.

"Every time I mention to someone that I'm about to work on "Law & Order: SVU", they immediately say 'Oh, that's my favorite show!' I'm so glad that they all share my opinion," Burnett added.

One of America's most beloved and versatile entertainers, Carol Burnett has also been recognized with a Peabody Award and more People's Choice Awards than any other woman in the award show's history. In 2003, she received the Kennedy Center Honors and in 2005 the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Since ending the 11-year run of "The Carol Burnett Show", she has moved easily from the stage to television, from feature films to films for television, and from variety specials to music and comedy specials.

Burnett will next co-star with Michael Keaton in this summer's upcoming feature, "The Post Grad Survival Guide". Recently, she portrayed the villainess Kangaroo in 20th Century Fox's blockbuster animated feature "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who", with Jim Carrey and Steve Carell.

In television, Burnett starred in the 2005 version of "Once Upon A Mattress" for ABC TV, where she played Queen Aggravain and Tracey Ullman co-starred as Princess Winnifred, the role Carol made famous during its smash Broadway run. The CBS Special "The Carol Burnett Show: Let's Bump Up The Lights", was broadcast in May of 2004 and Carol's previous special, "The Carol Burnett Show: Show Stoppers", was the fourth most watched program of 2001 and was nominated for three Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special. Guest-starring television appearances include "Desperate Housewives" and "Mad About You", for which she won an Outstanding Guest Actress Emmy Award.

Burnett last appeared on Broadway in the 1999 Stephen Sondheim musical review "Putting It Together." Prior to that, she and Philip Bosco both received Best Actor Tony Award nominations in 1995 for their co-starring roles in "Moon Over Buffalo." Burnett and her late daughter, Carrie Hamilton, co-wrote the play "Hollywood Arms," directed by Hal Prince and based on Burnett's 1986 best-selling memoir One More Time. The production made its Broadway debut in 2002.

Burnett is currently working on a second book.

By Anna Fugazzi   Mon, Mar 16, 2009

Viewers will learn how Amy and Ricky first met at band camp in this pivotal episode before next week’s first season finale episode. In a series of flashbacks that take place as Amy lies in her hospital bed waiting to give birth to their son, she reflects on the events that led her to this unexpected point in her life. “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” episode “One Night at Band Camp” premieres on ABC Family on Monday, March 16 (8:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT).

In “One Night at Band Camp,” Amy is in the hospital and slides in and out of sleep as she waits to get her epidural during labor. When awake, she's angry and is barking demands at those by her side, but while asleep she dreams about how she got to this point. As Amy dozes, viewers flashback to see Ricky notice his next conquest, Amy, at band camp. Ricky actively pursues Amy by complimenting her and giving her his undivided attention. Through her voiceover, it’s clear that Amy is charmed by him and can’t believe this new cute guy wants to be with her. But it’s not just Amy and Ricky’s relationship that viewers learn more about in these flashbacks: They also see the beginning of Jack and Grace’s relationship; Ben getting his braces off and looking forward to an awesome freshman year; and Adrian disapproving of her mom getting involved with Mr. Juergens.

Back in real time, Grace’s brother, Tom, tries to give her back her promise ring and tells Jack that Grace misses him. While Grace considers getting back together with Jack, Adrian admits she still has feelings for Ricky.

By Missy Lee   Tue, Mar 10, 2009

David Waldon was set to become this site's Managing Editor when he passed away suddenly in early February. The following is a snapshot of his life as I knew him.

David Waldon was a force bigger than life and simply recounting a single memory won’t do, so I am going to share some of my favorite moments with Dave.

I first met Dave in the Summer of 2000 at the FOX TCA party. At the time I was working as a publicist (as Dave would call it, the Dark Side) for a kid on Malcolm in the Middle. Trying to get interviews for a 12 year old is tough and as I looked around, I spied a guy in a booth wearing a Cubs hat. It was kismet as I too am a Cubs fan. I am also a Yankees fan, a fact Dave let slide.

Long story short, Dave threw me a bone and spent a few minutes with my client and he and I started talking Cubs baseball. The rest, as they say, is history.

Dave helped me navigate my first press tour in my post entertainment publicist career. He explained to me the way things worked and how to handle tough situations. And he was overjoyed when I’d “returned to the fold” as a journalist instead of ‘PR flack’ for some celebrity.

Throughout the years Dave was a constant in my life and in the year 2005 Dave and I became even more connected; I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and I had brain surgery at UCLA both occurred in a span of about 6 weeks. It was a busy summer to say the least and Dave was always on the list of people to be notified after surgery, etc. And he was there the night I had my going away dinner as I moved permanently back to Tennessee. And he was there to answer my calls on the various nights over the last three years when I’ve had to call him frustrated with living back in a red state, and offering encouragement when things have looked bleak. And to make the pilgrimage to iHop with on subsequent trips to LA.

Dave was one of two people I called from Chicago in September 2007 to share my first trip to Wrigley with. It was Dave I called from Atlanta in 2003 as I watched the Cubs lose to the Braves, but celebrated getting a foul ball tossed to me by Mike Remlinger. And it was Dave I shared the resigned phone call with year after year as the Cubs last chance to win or even go to the Series came to a brutal end.

He and I became even closer as we discussed how our respective health issues had shaped us. Going into a coma and having a liver transplant and having a brain surgery less than 300 people have ever had are things most people never experience. But in Dave I found someone who could relate and we leaned on each other. And he never once failed to ask me how my health was and I’d return the favor. And we fussed over and at each other about health issues. We even had a good natured debate running about which trumped the other; brain surgery or live transplant.

We also debated a lot of other things, always respectfully and with understanding. Of particular note was the past election. I was a die-hard Hillary supporter and Dave was an Obama man. I called him the day of the roll call during the DNC and I was in tears. So was Dave. He assumed I was crying because of the historic moment and I vehemently corrected him by saying that while his dream of seeing an African-American president being nominated was coming true, my dream of seeing a woman nominated was slipping away.

Just as I understood why this was important to him, he understood why Hillary was important to me. And he let me vent about it and listened while I railed about the fact that yet another penis would be in the White House. And in the end we shared a phone call on the night of Nov. 4, 2008 of high celebration and once again tears as our candidate had been elected.

David Waldon was not just a good man, he was a great man. A rare man among a sea of chumps. And that rare friend that always, always had the best of intentions toward you.

Dave and I spoke on every holiday. I often told myself that I was calling him like I call all my friends far away from home on the holidays to make sure they knew they were loved, but in reality, I got just as much from those calls as Dave did. Probably more.

It is hard to contemplate a world without David Waldon; in fact I don’t really want to. Knowing I will never again banter with him, that I will never again hear him say: “You know Melissa, one day I’m going to find somebody and then you’ll have missed out on all the opportunities I’ve given you!” And knowing that never again will I get to good naturedly tell him: “David, you are the geekiest, whitest black man I know!” I am still unable to wrap my head around it and frankly I don’t want to.

There will never be another press tour, awards season, fall TV schedule or baseball season that is the same. Never again will I call Dave on Oscar Sunday and hear “Oscar Central.”

And should the Cubs finally win a World Series, it will be bittersweet, though I am sure the sky will be filled with thunder as Dave will have all of Heaven jumping up and down.

The world was better for having had David Waldon for a mere 38 years than never having had him at all. And the world is diminished because it will not have David Waldon for another day.

I love you David. Godspeed.

By Anna Fugazzi   Tue, Mar 31, 2009

The additional filmmakers are: Dan Klores (Black Magic, Crazy Love), Barry Levinson (Diner, The Natural) and Albert Maysles (Gimme Shelter, Grey Gardens) along with previously announced participant, Barbara Kopple (Harlan County USA and Shut Up & Sing), will turn their lenses to a variety of sports subjects from the past 30 years in sports:  Reggie Miller and the New York Knicks, The Steinbrenners, The Baltimore Colts' departure to Indianapolis and the title fight between Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes.  Debuting on ESPN in October 2009, "30 for 30" will gather 30 filmmakers to create 30 one-hour films on sports topics from 1979 - 2009, the ESPN years.

The Films

King of the New York Streets (Dan Klores)
Reggie Miller single-handedly crushed the hearts of Knick fans multiple times.  But it was the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals which solidified Miller as Public Enemy #1 in New York City. With moments to go in Game 1, and facing a seemingly insurmountable deficit of 105-99, Miller scored eight points in 8.9 seconds to give his Indiana Pacers an astonishing victory. This career-defining performance, combined with his give-and-take with Knicks fan Spike Lee throughout the series, made Miller and the Knicks a highlight of the 1995 NBA playoffs.  Award-winning director Dan Klores will explore how Miller proudly built his legend as "The Garden's Greatest Villain."

The Steinbrenner Family Business (Barbara Kopple)
Love him or hate him, there is no denying that George Steinbrenner has been one of the most colorful and successful owners in contemporary sports. Since buying the New York Yankees in 1973 for under $10 million, "King George" emphatically branded the world's most celebrated sports franchise as his own. The Boss has boasted ten pennants, six World Series trophies and a corporate net worth well above $1 billion. As the team has transitioned to new leadership and moves into a new stadium this spring, two-time Oscar-winning director Barbara Kopple will examine this challenging and intriguing transfer of power of baseball's ultimate Family Business.

And The Band Marched On: The Colts Sneak Out of Baltimore (Barry Levinson)
In late March of 1984, a moving company secretly packed up the Baltimore Colts' belongings and its fleet of vans snuck off in the darkness of the early morning. A city of deeply devoted fans was left in shock and disbelief. What caused owner Robert Irsay to turn his back on a town that was as closely linked to its team as any in the NFL? Academy Award-winning filmmaker Barry Levinson, himself a long-standing Baltimore Colts fanatic, will probe that question in light of the changing relationship of sports to community. Through the eyes of members of the Colts Marching Band, Levinson will illustrate how a fan base copes with losing the team that it loves.

Muhammad and Larry (Albert Maysles)
In October of 1980, Muhammad Ali was preparing to fight for an unprecedented fourth heavyweight title against his friend and former sparring partner Larry Holmes. To say that the great Ali was in the twilight of his career would be generous: Most of his admiring fans, friends and fight scribes considered his bravado delusional. What was left for him to prove? In the weeks of training before the fight, documentarians Albert and David Maysles took an intimate look at Ali trying to convince the world and perhaps himself, that he was still "The Greatest."  At the same time, they documented the mild-mannered and undervalued champion Holmes as he confidently prepared to put an end to the career of a man for whom he had an abiding and deep affection. In the raw moments after Ali's humbling defeat in this one-sided fight, the Maysles footage never received a public screening or airing.  Here for the first time is the unseen filmed build up to that fight, accompanied by freshly shot interviews by Albert Maysles with members from both the Ali and Holmes camps, as well as others who were prime witnesses to one of the last chapters of Ali's legendary career.

By Missy Lee   Tue, Mar 31, 2009

MTV’s “The Real World: Brooklyn” will air its final episode Wednesday, April 1 at 10:00PM (ET/PT) immediately followed by “The Real World: Brooklyn Reunion Special” at 11:00PM (ET/PT) where viewers can reunite with their favorite cast for a full update.

When the pranks are taken too far, the roommates go head-to-head in an explosive finale that almost destroys the bond between the girls and guys. In a season packed with emotion, excitement and suspense, these eight roommates learned to love and hate each other while pursuing their lifelong dreams.

By Missy Lee   Wed, Mar 18, 2009

By Missy Lee   Tue, Mar 17, 2009

President Barack Obama will be making his first sit-down talk show appearance in studio in front of a live audience since becoming elected on Thursday, March 19 on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (Monday – Friday, 11:35 p.m.-12:37 a.m. ET on NBC). This marks the first appearance of a sitting President on a late night talk show.

Among other topics, President Obama will be sitting down to talk about his economic plan. President Obama made his first "Tonight Show" appearance on December 1, 2006.

By Anna Fugazzi   Sun, Mar 15, 2009

For all the really great women out there that can’t seem to figure out why they are single – meet Steven Ward. This matchmaker is here to give women a unique perspective on dating – an inside peak into the male brain.  Steven refuses to sugar coat anything and instead tells women exactly how men think and feel, so they can understand how they are perceived. This Spring, VH1 is putting his skills to the test with eight - one hour episodes of VH1’s “Tough Love” premiering on Sunday, March 15 at 10PM*. Steven’s brutally honest approach to matchmaking is what’s made him one of America’s most successful matchmakers.  He has the guts to tell women not what they want to hear, but what they need to hear in order to find love.

Steven Ward is Vice President and Partner of Master Matchmakers, a business founded by his mother, JoAnn Ward. Based in Philadelphia, PA, JoAnn has been matching clients for the past 23 years.  Now a master matchmaker himself, Steven seeks to connect sophisticated singles that are looking for long - term relationships.

Flower Films and High Noon Entertainment have partnered with VH1 to produce “Tough Love.”  High Noon Entertainment is one of America’s largest creators of unscripted television, currently producing projects for VH1 and various networks.  Nancy Juvonen and Drew Barrymore’s Flower Films has produced highly successful feature films such as Never Been Kissed, Fifty First Dates, Fever Pitch and He’s Just Not That Into You.  Flower Films’ knack for romance and comedy, combined with High Noon's experience in reality television, creates a powerful, dynamic partnership.

“We are thrilled to partner with Drew Barrymore as well as Flower Films and High Noon Entertainment on this project,” said Jeff Olde, Executive Vice President, Original Programming and Production, VH1. “The moment they introduced us to Steven we knew that he is not your mother’s matchmaker and has the rare courage to tell women what men honestly think. Our collaboration will maximize all of the positive potential in what’s sure to be an entertaining show with real heart and stakes.”

In each of the eight episodes, Steven will examine the bad habits of eight women and retrain them on the basics of dating and maintaining a relationship.  During this “tough love boot camp,” Steven will attempt to reshape their “destructive” dating habits using his rules of dating.  Steven will tackle such issues as first impressions, jealousy and communication while challenging the women with situations outside their comfort zones.  Once they have completed the lesson, the women will be sent out on dates with men hand-picked by Steven from his pool of hot, eligible bachelors.

“We at Flower Films are intrigued by the dissection of relationships, just like every other person on the planet,” said Executive Producer, Barrymore.  “We’re all trying to figure out how to make love function while continuing to better ourselves. This show is a fun way to do that.”

In this new series, Steven is tested like never before as he attempts to break old dating habits and transform these eight women who have been unlucky in love.  Through his no holds barred technique he’ll seek to help women understand how they’re seen through the eyes of the elusive single male. Although they may not like his rules, they’ve got to listen to this matchmaker’s “Tough Love” if they want to find true love.  VH1’s “Tough Love” premieres on Sunday, March 15 at 10PM* A sneak premiere of the series’ first episode will launch on VH1.com on Tuesday, March 10. Additional content including weekly sneak peeks and full episodes will be available on VH1.com throughout the season.

By Jonah Tarleton   Thu, Mar 12, 2009

Tune into Oprah for today's show if you have a teenaged son or daughter. Use this opportunity to talk about dating violence and to educate both your son's and daughter's that it is never ok to hit in a relationship, on either side.

For more info and a video preview, check out Oprah.com

By Anna Fugazzi   Tue, Mar 10, 2009

The Mighty Boosh will make its way to the U.S. on Sunday, March 29, at 1 a.m. (ET/PT), joining Adult Swim’s Sunday line-up. An idea originally created by Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding in a London pub as a sketch comedy has evolved from live theatre to radio and, finally, to a groundbreaking television series. All three seasons of The Mighty Boosh are slated to air on Adult Swim in 2009, beginning with the third season on March 29. 

U.S. television audiences will soon get the chance to experience the fantastical comedic universe written by, and starring, comedians Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding. Barratt and Fielding’s characters were first created for their comedy sketch series Unnatural Acts, which soon made its way to three stage productions The Mighty Boosh, Arctic Boosh and Authoboosh. The live act was then commissioned by the BBC for a six-part radio series that eventually became the successful and award-winning U.K. television series on BBC3. In 2006, Barratt and Fielding launched their first nationwide tour The Mighty Boosh Live across the U.K. Their second tour Boosh Live sold out venues at 90 stops across the U.K. and Ireland and wrapped up earlier this year. 

In The Mighty Boosh, self-absorbed wannabe glam rocker Vince Noir (Fielding) and the intellectually vain and self-proclaimed genius and jazz aficionado Howard Moon (Barratt) are in a band looking to discover “the new sound” and live alongside a freelance shaman, Naboo (Michael Fielding) and Bollo (David Brown), a talking Gorilla. Each season, The Mighty Boosh creates its own unique environment, taking place in a vast array of locales, including the “Zooniverse”, the Frozen Tundra and the Australian desert. All three seasons of The Mighty Boosh are set to be released on DVD this summer.

By Jonah Tarleton   Tue, Mar 10, 2009

Turner Classic Movies (TCM), television’s foremost authority and showplace for classic film, is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year by sharing a passion for cinema with the network’s devoted fans. The centerpiece of the celebration will be an April festival featuring a group of 15 TCM fans presenting their favorite movies. Celebrity fans of TCM will be featured throughout the year. TCM’s 2009 lineup will also feature a month-long examination of RACE AND HOLLYWOOD: LATINO IMAGES IN FILM in May. Original productions in 2009 will include a partially animated reflection on the childhood of legendary animator Chuck Jones; a unique and innovative special from Warren Beatty about the legacy of Dick Tracy; and an all-new documentary special on movie thrillers.

In March, Emmy® winner and longtime TCM fan Alec Baldwin joins TCM host Robert Osborne for a new season of THE ESSENTIALS, while Oscar® nominee and Emmy winner John Lithgow will host the third installment of THE ESSENTIALS, JR., beginning in June. New editions of TCM’s GUEST PROGRAMMER showcase will feature such personalities as Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins, comedian Richard Lewis, legendary comedian Bob Newhart, Oscar and Emmy-winning actress Cloris Leachman, comedian and commentator Dennis Miller, director John Landis and actor Tommy “Tiny” Lister. In March, Patti Davis will join Osborne to introduce the films of her father, Ronald Reagan. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin will be on-hand with Osborne July 20 to introduce a collection of movies commemorating the first moon landing.

Other events scheduled include a festival commemorating 1939, Hollywood’s Golden Year; a collection of hilarious mockumentaries; a month-long look at the greatest directors of all time; a collection of comedies featuring Hollywood’s funniest ladies; festivals celebrating the careers of the Korda brothers, Frank Capra, Morris Engel and composer Bernard Herrmann; and TCM’s annual Summer Under the Stars festival in August.

“We are very excited about sharing our 15th anniversary with the fans who have helped make TCM television’s ultimate authority on classic film,” said Charles Tabesh, senior vice president of programming for TCM. “We also look forward to taking a close look at Latino images in film in our third RACE AND HOLLYWOOD festival and premiering a number of new, original specials covering a range of topics. No other network on television can offer the depth of cinematic programming, commentary and history that TCM provides.”

The following are the highlights of TCM’s 2009 slate:

TCM Original Programming:
CHUCK JONES: MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD – Premieres Tuesday, March 24
TCM and filmmakers Peggy Stern and John Canemaker, who earned Oscars® for the animated short “The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation,” have collected the memories of one of Hollywood’s greatest animators in this unique, half-hour film. The project grew out of director Stern’s interest in exploring the childhood experiences of artists. In 1997, Canemaker, a longtime mutual friend of Jones and Stern, brought them together for the interviews that became the basis of the film. During the interviews, Jones spontaneously began sketching his boyhood self as he related his memories. These sketches later inspired the documentary’s animated sequences, which Canemaker directed. Shortly before his death, Jones had an opportunity to see a test cut of the film, with new animation and archival imagery blended into the interview footage, and pronounced it “delightful.” The Jones family subsequently provided additional material from the family archive, resulting in an intimate film full of revealing anecdotes about the events and personalities that influenced his early creative life and long career in cartoons.

TCM Showcases:
GUEST PROGRAMMERS
Each month on this movie showcase, TCM invites a celebrity to exchange star status for a role as a devoted fan of classic film by picking a few favorite movies and sharing with viewers what he or she has come to love about each one. Upcoming stars featured on the showcase include Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins, comedian Richard Lewis, legendary comedian Bob Newhart, Oscar and Emmy-winning actress Cloris Leachman, comedian and commentator Dennis Miller, director John Landis and actor Tommy “Tiny” Lister.

THE ESSENTIALS – Hosted by Alec Baldwin and Robert Osborne—Saturday nights
Fresh off his Emmy® for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, Alec Baldwin (30 Rock) has signed to co-host TCM’s signature movie showcase, THE ESSENTIALS. Beginning in March, Baldwin, who possesses a deep love and understanding of classic films, will join TCM host Robert Osborne in introducing “must see” movies each week, with an eye toward helping viewers better understand why these films are important and the impact they had on audiences and the culture at large.

THE ESSENTIALS JR. – Hosted by John Lithgow – June-August
Oscar nominee and Emmy winner John Lithgow joins TCM for the network’s third installment of THE ESSENTIALS JR. This summertime showcase presents classic “must see” classic movies for the entire family. It’s a perfect opportunity for parents and grandparents to introduce their children to the movies they loved when they were young.

TCM Spotlights:
TCM SPOTLIGHT: KORDA – March
TCM will pay tribute to the legendary Korda brothers: director and producer Alexander Korda, director Zoltán Korda and art director Vincent Korda. Working together and separately, the trio helped create some of the most sumptuous motion pictures ever, including The Four Feathers (1939), The Thief of Bagdad (1940), Jungle Book (1942) and Sahara (1943).

RONALD REAGAN – Wednesdays in March
TCM will pay tribute to one of the most popular actors of the 1940s and ‘50s and one of the most beloved politicians of the modern era: Ronald Reagan. Daughter Patti Davis will join host Robert Osborne for the month-long festival. She will provide personal insights and memories of Reagan during introductions to the tribute’s 31 films. TCM’s STAR OF THE MONTH: RONALD REAGAN festival will air Wednesdays in March, beginning each night at 8 p.m. (ET). Among the films set to be featured in the collection are such enduring classics as Knute Rockne, All American (1940 – March 18 at 8 p.m.) and King’s Row (1942 – March 18 at 10 p.m.); memorable Westerns like The Santa Fe Trail (1940 – March 25 at 8 p.m.); exciting war movies like Hellcats of the Navy (1957 – March 25 at 11:15 p.m.); passionate romances like Dark Victory (1939 – March 19 at 6 a.m.); and four entries in his series of Lt. “Brass” Bancroft movies from 1939 and 1940.

By Missy Lee   Tue, Mar 10, 2009

The Law & Order: SVU star will miss a few weeks of work after undergoing a second surgery to address complications from the collapsed lung she suffered in January, a rep for NBC confirmed Monday to E! News.

"She is feeling better and should be back in a couple of weeks," the network said.

Hargitay, 45, was hospitalized last week with chest pains, which her publicist said were related to her prior condition.

Though she originally wasn't expected to miss any work, doctors have advised the Emmy winner to rest up. However, per EW.com, Det. Olivia Benson is only expected to be MIA for one episode.

"My personal thought is she just needs to take a little time and rest," Ice-T, whose character will fill in for Hargitay's in her absence, told People of his SVU costar. "I mean, it's a serious thing. You can't just come right back. You'll reinjure yourself."

Like her character, Olivia Benson, Mariska is tough as nails.

"Mariska is the type of woman that if you walk up and say, 'How are you?' She's almost like a guy and is like, 'Yeah, yeah, I'm all right,'" added Ice-T.

"It's almost as if you insult her. She doesn't want you to feel sorry for her, she's like, 'I'm on my feet.'"

By Anna Fugazzi   Mon, Mar 09, 2009

Martha Stewart's beloved five-month-old chow pup, Genghis Khan, was among 17 pooches killed Friday in a propane tank explosion that left one person critically injured.

Apparently a spark or jolt of static electricity ignited the propane as a deliveryman was filling the tank, sending a ball of flame 75 feet in the air and through the pens at Pazzazz Pet Boarding, a kennel in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains that breeds and trains show dogs.

The deliveryman, Timothy Kleinhagen, remains hospitalized in critical condition. Despite suffering extensive burns, he managed to toss a terrier over a fence to safety, per the Allentown Morning Call newspaper. In all, only a half-dozen dogs were saved.

"I am deeply saddened by this story. My heart goes out to [Pazzazz owner] Karen Tracy and I am hoping for a speedy recovery for those (both pets and humans) injured in this terrible event," Stewart wrote on her blog alongside a pictorial tribute to her late pet.

Genghis Khan, a chow who frequently appeared in Stewart's magazine and on her TV show, was the grandson of the homemaking maven's beloved Paw Paw, who went to the great kennel in the sky last April. Stewart adopted Genghis last fall to join her two French bulldogs, Francesca and Sharkey.

The pup, the only boy in his litter, is survived by his mother, Sahara, and two sisters.