FOX
RENEWS HIT ANIMATED SERIES “THE SIMPSONS”
FOR TWO ADDITIONAL SEASONS
Los
Angeles, Ca., February 26th, 2009
FOX has ordered two additional
seasons of THE SIMPSONS, which will bring the longest-running
series in primetime television history through its 22nd
season. The 44-episode pickup ensures the series will reach an
astounding 493 episodes. THE SIMPSONS airs Sundays (8:00-8:30 PM
ET/PT) on FOX.
Since
its debut on January 14, 1990, THE SIMPSONS immediately struck a chord
with viewers across the country as it poked fun of itself and
everything in its wake. With its subversive humor and delightful wit,
the series has made an indelible imprint on American pop culture and
has become one of television’s most iconic families.
“Best.
20 Years. Ever.,” a year-long global celebration honoring all things
THE SIMPSONS, launched in January 2009 and will culminate on January
14, 2010, the 20th anniversary of the series’ debut.
The
critically praised series has been bestowed with numerous honors,
including a Peabody Award, 24 Emmy Awards, 23 Annie Awards, four
Genesis Awards, nine International Monitor Awards and seven
Environmental Media Awards. THE SIMPSONS holds the Guinness Book of
World Records titles for Longest-Running Primetime Animated Television
Series and Most Guest Stars Featured in a Television Series.
Recognized as a pop culture icon, Homer Simpson’s annoyed grunt –
“D’oh!” – is an official word in the Oxford English
Dictionary, and THE SIMPSONS has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
With record-breaking retail sales, THE SIMPSONS reigns as one the
best-selling TV DVD properties of all time. In 2007, THE SIMPSONS
celebrated an unprecedented 400 episodes, and the long-awaited “The
Simpsons Movie” was released and went on to gross $526 million
worldwide to date. Additionally, “The Simpsons Ride” opened in May
2008 at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL, and Hollywood, CA.
THE
SIMPSONS is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th
Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, and Al Jean
are the executive producers. Film Roman is the animation house.
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CBS
ORDERS TWO MORE EDITIONS OF "SURVIVOR" FOR BROADCAST DURING
THE 2009-2010 SEASON
New
York, N.Y., February 26th, 2009.
CBS has ordered two more editions
of SURVIVOR to be broadcast during the 2009-2010 season. These
will mark the 19th and 20th editions of broadcast television's
longest-running reality competition series. Jeff Probst, who won the
Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition
Series, will continue as host.
"SURVIVOR
is one of CBS's signature series and a symbol of enduring quality and
entertainment on prime time television," said Nina Tassler,
President, CBS Entertainment. "Every season delivers a
fresh new adventure for viewers and a time period-winning performance
on the network. We're excited to deliver audiences two more
editions of outstanding production values, exotic scenery, new
castaways and, of course, our Emmy Award-winning host."
"I
am happy to be able produce two more editions of survivor for our
loyal fans," said Mark Burnett, Executive Producer of SURVIVOR.
"Our show stands for high quality family entertainment and all of
us on this team will continue to deliver on this promise."
"We
have a unique relationship with our audience," said Jeff Probst,
host of SURVIVOR. "They tell us what they like and we
listen. It's worked for 18 editions and we're looking
forward to delivering two more satisfying seasons!"
This
fall, SURVIVOR: GABON (8.4/14, 13.8 million viewers), the franchise's
17th edition, continued its ratings dominance, winning its Thursday
(8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) time period every week in viewers, adults 18-49
(4.6/12) and adults 25-54 (5.8/14).
The
18th edition, SURVIVOR: TOCANTINS, premiered on Feb. 12 and
continues to place first in its time period in viewers (13.61m),
adults 18-49 (4.5/13) and adults 25-54 (5.6/14). Last week's episode
built on its premiere by +2% in adults 18-49 (4.5/12 from 4.4/13) and
by +4% in adults 18-34 (2.6/08 from 2.5/07).
The
groundbreaking reality series, which premiered in May 2000, has
anchored CBS's winning Thursday lineup since February 2001.
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THE
CW ANNOUNCES EARLY PICKUPS OF SERIES
Los Angeles, Ca.
February 25, 2009
The CW
announced today the early pickups of six series, including five of the
network’s signature dramas and the reality hit AMERICA’S NEXT TOP
MODEL, which will all return in Fall 2009.
“As
we continue to build The CW Network as a destination for young women,
these six shows have clearly contributed to strengthening our schedule
and our brand identity,” said Dawn Ostroff, President,
Entertainment, The CW. “By securing these signature hits for
next season, we’re furthering our commitment to deliver
high-quality, original programming to our viewers, advertisers and
affiliates.”
Among
the series receiving early pickups for next season are The CW’s
Monday tandem of sophomore sensation GOSSIP GIRL and ONE TREE HILL,
which combined to lift The CW to become the fall’s #1 network on
Monday with women 18-34. Both GOSSIP GIRL and ONE TREE HILL have
scored double-digit gains compared to their previous seasons.
Freshman hit 90210 has improved the network’s Tuesday night by
double-digit increases in key demos. Wednesday anchor
AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL, which consistently wins its time period
with young women, will also be back with superstar Tyra Banks and new
groups of aspiring models for cycles 13 and 14.
Also
renewed were the network’s established Thursday team of SMALLVILLE,
in its ninth season, and SUPERNATURAL, which after posting ratings
growth this season, will enter its fifth season next year.
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ANDY
RICHTER NAMED ANNOUNCER FOR NBC'S 'THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH CONAN
O'BRIEN'
Universal City, Ca., February 24th, 2009.
Conan O'Brien will have a
familiar face when he begins his new "The Tonight Show with Conan
O'Brien" on NBC where he will reunite with Andy Richter
("Late Night with Conan O'Brien") -- for the first time on a
daily basis in almost nine years -- as the network announced that
Richter will return to its late-night lineup as the announcer for the
new show that begins June 1. In addition to his announcing duties,
Richter will participate in comedic pieces.
Few performers enjoy the chemistry that Richter and O'Brien developed
over their seven years together on "Late Night with Conan
O'Brien." Richter will join O'Brien for the first time on a daily
basis since May 26, 2000.
"Andy is one of the funniest people I know and we've maintained a
close friendship since he left "Late Night," said O'Brien.
"We have a proven chemistry that will be an incredible asset to
"The Tonight Show." I'm looking forward to working with Andy
on a daily basis again, particularly since he owes me $300."
Actor and writer Andy Richter rose to fame while having the best seat
in the house on NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" as
O'Brien's sidekick since its premiere on September 13, 1993. Since his
departure from the show in 2000, Richter starred in the Emmy nominated
"Andy Richter Controls the Universe" for the Fox network,
and most recently starred in the series "Andy Barker, P.I."
for NBC. Richter has been very active in the feature film world as
well. His many appearances include such films as Robert Altman's
"Dr. T and the Women" and "Scary Movie 2",
"Elf" and "Madagascar: (both 1 and 2), "Talladega
Nights", "Blades of Glory" and "Semi-Pro".
This summer, he can be seen in the Fox feature "They Came From
Upstairs". Richter attended the University of Illinois
Urbana/Champaign and Columbia College, where he studied film and
video.
"The Tonight Show" continues to be the most dominant
late-night institution in television history. Since it first premiered
on September 27, 1954 with Steve Allen, "The Tonight Show"
has had just four permanent hosts, including Leno. Allen, host of the
then titled "Tonight," eventually left late night to start
his own primetime variety series on NBC. Jack Paar premiered on July
29, 1957. On October 1, 1962, Johnny Carson stepped on stage for day
one of his tenure as host of "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny
Carson." Leno, who began guest-hosting "The Tonight Show
Starring Johnny Carson" in September 1987, became host of
"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on May 25, 1992. O'Brien
joined NBC as a writer on "Saturday Night Live" in 1988 and
premiered as host of "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" on
September 13, 1993. O'Brien becomes the fifth host of "The
Tonight Show" on June 1, 2009.
"The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" will originate from
Stage 1 at Universal Studios and will be produced by Universal Media
Studios. Jeff Ross is the executive producer.
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AMERICA’S
HOTTEST DANCE SHOW “SO
YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE” SWINGS
INTO FIFTH SEASON THURSDAY,
MAY 21 AND WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 ON FOX
Los
Angeles, Ca., February 24th, 2009
Summer
sensation SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE kicks off its fifth season with a
two-night, four-hour season premiere Thursday, May 21 (8:00-10:00 PM
ET/PT) and Wednesday, May 27 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Hosted by
Cat Deeley, the original dance competition series will inspire and
amaze viewers as dancers skilled in styles ranging from hip-hop to
ballroom compete to be named America’s Favorite Dancer.
Last
season’s winner, Joshua Allen, danced off with a $250,000 cash
prize, the title of America’s Favorite Dancer and an offer for a
featured dance role in the upcoming Adam Shankman film “Step Up
3-D.”
Once
the DANCE auditions conclude, weekly performance shows will air on
Wednesdays (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and weekly results shows will air on
Thursdays (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).
Auditions
for Season Five are still underway. Dancers can strut their stuff for
judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy in Denver on Tuesday, March 12;
in Memphis on Monday, March 16; and in Seattle on Saturday, March 28.
For the latest audition information, log on to fox.com/dance.
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NASCAR'S JEFF BURTON TO
APPEAR ON GENERAL HOSPITAL
New York, N.Y. February 27th, 2009.
NASCAR's Jeff Burton drives into
Port Charles and the daytime drama "General Hospital" in an
episode that airs WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18.
In the storyline, Burton visits neighborhood tavern Jake's, where he's
having a conversation about racing with bartender Coleman (Blake
Gibbons) when Dr. Patrick Drake (Jason Thompson) arrives. Despite
being a race car enthusiast, Drake does not recognize the 21-time
winner on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition, and a comedic beat
ensues.
Burton will also be seen on ABC later this year as the network
televises the final 11 races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, starting
with the September 12 event at Richmond, Virginia. ABC has the live
coverage of all 10 races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, which
determines the NASCAR champion.
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FAITH
HILL, TOBY KEITH, TIM McGRAW, SUGARLAND, TAYLOR SWIFT AND KEITH URBAN
WILL BE AMONG THE PERFORMERS ON "GEORGE STRAIT: 1ACM ARTIST OF
THE DECADE"
New
York, N.Y. February 27th, 2009.
Faith
Hill, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban
will be among the performers on George Strait - ACM Artist of the
Decade. The new, all-star concert special will be broadcast on the CBS
Television Network later this year. The show, produced for
television by dick clark productions, will pay tribute to "The
King of Country," George Strait, and his legendary 25-year
career.
Only four other acts have received the Artist of the Decade accolade,
including Marty Robbins in 1969, Loretta Lynn in 1979, Alabama in 1988
and Garth Brooks in 1998. This marks the first time the honor
will be presented as a separate television special.
The tribute special will be taped at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las
Vegas on Monday, April 6, the night following the 44TH ANNUAL ACADEMY
OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, which will be broadcast Sunday, April 5
(8:00-11:00PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television network.
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'SATURDAY
NIGHT LIVE' RETURNS WITH A PAIR OF LIVE SHOWS IN MARCH
New
York, N.Y., February
27th, 2009.
Dwayne Johnson returns for his
third time hosting March 7, and stars in Disney’s “Race to Witch
Mountain,” which opens Friday, March 13. He also recently wrapped
filming the comedy “Tooth Fairy,” starring alongside Julie
Andrews, Ashley Judd and Billy Crystal. Since his breakout role in the
film, “The Mummy Returns” and box office powerhouse “The
Scorpion King,” Dwayne Johnson has firmly established himself as one
of Hollywood’s top leading men. Johnson excelled as a high school
All-American and star defensive lineman for the University of Miami
Hurricanes and led his team to win the National Championship in 1991.
Johnson has numerous film credits under his belt including “Get
Smart,” “Southland Tales,” “Gridiron Gang,” “The
Rundown,” “Walking Tall” and “Be Cool”.
Singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne will join Johnson as the show’s
musical guest debut. His latest release “Gossip in the Grain,”
debuted at #3 on the Billboard charts during its first week and was
the top selling album on iTunes. LaMontagne has won over music critics
with a unique voice that Rolling Stone Magazine describes as “full
of the warm yearning of a young Van Morrison.” His debut release
“Trouble” was a top 40 hit in the United Kingdom and the album
peaked at number 5 in that country. It sold over 400,000 copies
worldwide. LaMontagne’s sophomore release “Till the Sun Turns
Black” was a top 40 hit in the United States, peaking at #28 on the
Billboard 200 chart, selling 28,000 copies in its first week of
release.
“30 Rock” star and SNL alum Tracy Morgan will host March 14.
Morgan plays the wild and unpredictable movie star Tracy Jordan in
NBC's two-time Emmy Award-winning comedy, "30 Rock." Morgan
will appear in Disney’s 2009 animated summer blockbuster
“G-Force” and also in David O’Russell’s feature film
“Nailed,” starring alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Biel. As
a stand-up comic who headlined across the country, Morgan was first
introduced to TV audiences in his role as "Hustleman" on the
hit comedy series "Martin." Morgan joined "Saturday
Night Live" in 1996, where he appeared for seven seasons and
created such memorable characters as "Astronaut Jones" and
"Brian Fellows." After leaving "Saturday Night
Live," Morgan went on to star in his own comedy series "The
Tracy Morgan Show" and as the voice of "Spoonie Luv" on
"Crank Yankers." Morgan's feature-film credits include
"The Longest Yard," "Little Man," "Jay and
Silent Bob Strike Back," "Head of State," "First
Sunday" and "Superhero Movie". The "30 Rock"
cast won the 2009 SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
in a Comedy Series. Morgan received an individual nomination in both
2008 and 2009 for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting
Actor in a Comedy Series.
Kelly Clarkson, whose fourth album “All I Ever Wanted” is due out
on March 10, returns to the SNL stage as musical guest. Clarkson, who
has sold over twenty million records worldwide, first appeared on the
music scene during the first season of "American Idol" in
2002. Clarkson beat out more than 10,000 people to land the $1 million
recording contract as the show’s first winner. Her first single,
“A Moment Like This” came out in late September of 2002 and sold
nearly 250,000 copies in its first week. Her superstardom was secured
with “Breakaway” in 2005, which sold over ten million copies, spun
off five Top Ten hits, and stayed on the charts for two full years.
The platinum-selling follow-up, “My December”, arrived in 2007.
Clarkson has had nine of her singles becoming Top 10 hits on the
Billboard Hot 100. In 2008, she joined VH1's list of 10 sexiest women
of the new millennium at #8 and also hit #28 on Vh1's Top 30 Hottest
Rock Front Women. As of 2008 she is one of the 10 most played artists
on adult contemporary radio. Clarkson won over 60 awards and received
over 100 nominations. She has won 2 Grammy Awards (Best Female Pop
Vocal Performance "Since U Been Gone", Best Pop Vocal Album
"Breakaway").
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UPCOMING
GUESTS ON THE "LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN"
Thursday,
March 5
Comedian/talk show host Jon Stewart; musical guests U2
Friday,
March 6
Actor Jason Segel from the CBS comedy series "How I Met Your
Mother"; comedian Brian Kiley; musical guests U2
Monday,
March 9
Actor Russell Brand; animal expert Jack Hanna
Tuesday,
March 10
Stupid Pet Tricks; actor Paul Rudd
Wednesday,
March 11 News anchor Tom
Brokaw; musical guests Razorlight
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LISTINGS
FOR 'LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON'
Thursday,
March 5 – Show 0004 - Guests include Donald Trump (NBC's "The
Celebrity Apprentice"), Serena Williams, and musical guest
Ludacris
Friday, March 6 – Show 0005 - Guests include Drew Barrymore, Chace
Crawford, and Mario Batali
Monday, March 9 – Show 0006 - Guests include Rose Byrne and musical
guest The Lonely Island
Tuesday, March 10 – Show 0007 - Guests include Emily Blunt, Michael
Stipe, and musical guest Pussycat Dolls
Wednesday, March 11 – Show 0008 – Guests include Russell Brand,
Kevin Rose & Alex Albrecht, and musical guest The Virgins
Thursday, March 12 – Show 0009 – Guests include Tracy Morgan
(NBC's "30 Rock") and Malin Akerman
Friday, March 13 – Show 0010 – Guests include Brian Williams
(NBC's "Nightly News with Brian Williams"), Kristen Wiig
(NBC's "Saturday Night Live"), and musical guest Trace
Adkins
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UPCOMING
GUESTS ON "THE LATE LATE SHOW with CRAIG FERGUSON"
Thursday,
March 5
Actress Holly Hunter; music by Andrew Bird
Friday,
March 6
Actress Amy Adams; music by M. Ward
Monday,
March 9
TBD
Tuesday,
March 10
Chef Gordon Ramsay
Wednesday,
March 11 Actor Tim Daly;
Egyptologist Dr. Kara Cooney
Thursday,
March 12
Actor Jason Segel; music by Sara Bareilles
Friday,
March 13
Actress Christina Ricci; comedian Mike Birbiglia
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LISTINGS
FOR "LAST CALL WITH CARSON DALY"
Thursday,
March 5 – 981 Robert Francis
Friday, March 6 – 982 N.A.S.A.
Monday, March 9 – TBD
Tuesday, March 10 – 983 Robin Thicke
Wednesday, March 11 – 984 Patton Oswalt with musical guest M83
Thursday, March 12 – 985 Ken Jeong
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QUOTABLES
FROM NBC'S 'LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN'
February
16 – February 20
"We're starting to reminisce about our beginnings in September of
1993… When we went on the air back in 1993 I had no way of knowing
that 16 years later we'd have an African American President. And, this
is interesting, Barack Obama had no way of knowing that an albino
would be taking over the Tonight Show."
"In those days, back into 1993, you weren't allowed to say things
on television like douchebag, dipwad or a-hole. I don't have a joke, I
just like saying those things on television."
"Let's get something clear, are you clapping because you're happy
to see me – or because I'm leaving?"
"After tonight we only have 2 more shows left. Unless NBC
pre-empts us for more "Knight Rider.""
"It's really going to be tough to leave New York City – At
first I was worried that I'd miss my favorite restaurant. But then I
found out the Olive Garden is a national chain."
"To be fair both New York and LA have downsides. LA has
earthquakes, mudslides and brushfires. And New York has the Knicks,
Mets & Jets."
"This is the 16th Season of "Late Night with Conan
O'Brien." That's 5 more than "MASH", 5 more than
"Cheers", and TEN more than anybody wanted."
"All week, I've been receiving a lot of calls from other TV
hosts. Jay Leno called to wish me good luck and Larry King called to
ask me what time he's supposed to take his pills."
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