TV News Headlines - Yahoo! News

U.S. 'Idol' winner shines light on South's Gullah culture

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:23:00 -0400

By Harriet McLeod CHARLESTON, South Carolina (Reuters) - "American Idol" winner Candice Glover, whose powerful voice clinched the title of the popular TV singing show, comes from a sea island culture made up of descendants of West African slaves. "I speak another language," she said during the Fox TV show. "It's called Geechee." Some 14.2 million TV viewers tuned in to watch Glover beat Kree Harrison to win the season 12 "American Idol" crown on Thursday. Glover, 23, is a native of rural St. Helena Island in the coastal South Carolina Lowcountry. ...

NBC's 'The Voice' confirms Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton returning

Fri, 17 May 2013 20:48:09 -0400

By Jethro Nededog LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - The gang's back together! NBC announced on Friday that pop diva Christina Aguilera and funk singer Cee Lo Green will be reuniting with pop star Adam Levine and country singer Blake Shelton for Season 5, as TheWrap was the first to report. The network also said that Shakira and Usher are set to return on Season 6, which will air in midseason 2014. ...

'21 Jump Street' villain Rob Riggle joins Fox comedy 'Let's Be Cops'

Fri, 17 May 2013 20:43:19 -0400

By Jeff Sneider LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - After finding himself on the wrong side of the law in "21 Jump Street," Rob Riggle is joining the police force himself. The actor's set to co-star in Luke Greenfield's comedy "Let's Be Cops," which will be distributed by 20th Century Fox. Sitcom stars Jake Johnson ("New Girl") and Damon Wayans Jr. ("Happy Endings") play two best friends who decide to impersonate cops for kicks but find themselves in over their heads when they unknowingly mess with a real mobster. ...

Dr. McWeedy? 'Grey's Anatomy' star Patrick Dempsey mulls career as marijuana mogul

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:01:29 -0400

By Tim Kenneally LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - If this acting thing doesn't work out for Patrick Dempsey, don't worry; he has a backup plan. "Grey's Anatomy" star Dempsey gave an interview to Bon Appetit magazine recently, in which he admits he could see his recently acquired coffee company Tully's peddling pot in a retail setting. "Coffee is good for your mind - it's basically a legalized drug," Dempsey - who cops to a five-cup-a-day habit in the interview - opines. "The next step is selling marijuana, of course. ...

Bill Hader on leaving 'SNL': Don't expect a Stefon movie

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:47:22 -0400

By Tim Kenneally LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Years of staying up late on Saturday nights to make the nation laugh have apparently left Bill Hader a little sleep-deprived. Hader, who announced earlier this week that he's leaving "Saturday Night Live" after eight seasons when the show wraps its current season, revealed his plans for the future in an interview with GQ. From the sound of things, he's scheduled some nap time for himself. "Sleep," Hader said when asked about his post-"SNL" plans. "Spending time with my family. A new set of concerns. Heading back to L.A. ...

Amazon kills 'Zombieland' TV project, backs 'Alpha House'

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:31:24 -0400

By Alistair Barr SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc decided not to turn pilot project "Zombieland" into a full TV series, but is going ahead with "Alpha House," as the world's largest online retailer enters the next stage of its foray into original video creation. "Zombieland" writer and producer Rhett Reese wrote on Twitter that Amazon's decision was "sad for everyone" and blamed it on negative online reviews of the pilot by viewers. ...

'The Office' finale draws season high of 5.7 million viewers

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:52:40 -0400

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The finale of NBC's "The Office" drew a season high of 5.7 million viewers, as fans tuned in to see the show's biggest star Steve Carell return for a wedding and nostalgic farewell. The 75-minute finale episode, which aired from 9 p.m. to 10:15 p.m EDT after an hour-long retrospective featuring cast members and producers, was watched by 3.8 million viewers in the 18-49 demographic coveted by advertisers, according to Nielsen ratings figures provided by NBC. The 5.7 million finale viewership marked a 16-month high for the show. ...

Inside Bravo's 'Real Housewives of New York' standoff: What went wrong? What went right?

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:51:42 -0400

By Jethro Nededog LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New York" resumed shooting Season 6 on Wednesday - a week late - with just four of the women returning to their jobs after a failed attempt to band together for bigger paychecks. The road to that point was filled with lessons for the network and the housewives. Bravo would ultimately crush the women's "Friends-style" negotiation tactics - something it had actually set out to avoid in the first place. ...

Fox's 'American Idol' brings in record low TV audience

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:49:40 -0400

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The number of Americans who watched vocal powerhouse Candice Glover win the "American Idol" title sank to 14.2 million, a decline of 31 percent from last year's record low, according to ratings data on Friday. The singing competition, now in Season 12, was once a TV industry juggernaut for Fox that brought in more than 30 million viewers for its finale in the peak years of 2006 and 2007. On Thursday night, it was the second most-watched program on U.S. television, beat out by the season finale of CBS comedy "The Big Bang Theory" with 14.8 million viewers. ...

Espionage, comedy veterans touted for upcoming TV season

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:13:39 -0400

By Liana B. Baker NEW YORK (Reuters) - The big four U.S. broadcast networks, in need of new TV hits to turn around slumping ratings, are betting espionage programs and old comedy stars will convince advertisers to spend about $9 billion during the so-called upfront selling season. This week, the broadcast networks have been wooing advertisers, giving them previews of the new shows and revealing the upcoming fall schedules all in the hope that they will get commitments for billions of dollars. ...

Lifetime's Jodi Arias biopic gets a premiere date

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:46:30 -0400

By Tim Kenneally LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Suffering from Jodi Arias withdrawal after spending the last, oh, five months or so obsessively following her trial? Here's some good news - you'll be able to live the whole legal saga over again next month. Lifetime's Arias biopic "Jodi Arias: Dirty Little Secret" will premiere June 22 at 8 p.m., the network said Thursday. Arias was convicted of first-degree murder for the gruesome 2008 death of her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander last week. ...

New online soaps cut release schedule to twice a week

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:04:50 -0400

(Reuters) - New episodes of relaunched soap operas "All My Children" and "One Life to Live" will now appear online two times a week, rather than four, after producers concluded fans weren't keeping up with the heavier schedule. The one-time ABC dramas attracted millions of views through Hulu.com, Hulu Plus and Apple Inc's iTunes since they were revived on the Internet on April 29, production company Prospect Park said in a letter to fans on Thursday. But online viewing data showed many fans weren't watching the new 30-minute episodes during the first 24 hours. ...

U.S. soul singer Candice Glover wins "American Idol"

Thu, 16 May 2013 23:34:47 -0400

By Patricia Reaney (Reuters) - Candice Glover, a soul singer from rural South Carolina, was named "American Idol" on Thursday, becoming the first female singer to win the television singing competition since 2007. Glover, 23, defeated country singer Kree Harrison in the popular vote with her powerful voice in what judges deemed a close contest to take the title on season 12 of the Fox network show. "You are officially our American idol," host Ryan Seacrest said as the crowd of more than 7,000 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles cheered. ...

Comedian Meyers to stay at NBC's 'SNL' ahead of 'Late Night' gig

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:07:37 -0400

(Reuters) - "Saturday Night Live" cast member Seth Meyers said on Thursday that he will stay on at the NBC live television comedy show until the end of the year, before he begins hosting the network's "Late Night" talk show in February 2014. Meyers, 39, will take the reins from Jimmy Fallon on "Late Night" in a programming shuffle at NBC. Fallon will succeed Jay Leno as host of the earlier "Tonight Show." Meyer's announcement comes ahead of the "SNL" Saturday season finale, which is expected to be the final show for several longtime cast members. ...

Steve Carell helps 'The Office' close its doors in moving finale

Thu, 16 May 2013 23:39:15 -0400

By Piya Sinha-Roy LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The doors of Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch closed for the last time on Thursday as NBC's "The Office" wrapped up after a nine-season run with a nostalgic finale featuring a long-awaited wedding and the return of the show's biggest star, Steve Carell. Emmy-winning mockumentary "The Office," adapted from Ricky Gervais' British series of the same name, saw a documentary crew filming the daily lives of employees at the Dunder Mifflin paper company, led for several years by hapless boss Michael Scott, played by Carell. ...

'The Office' finale: What its stars will take home from the real office

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:53:01 -0400

By Tim Molloy NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - If you're wondering what "The Office" cast is leaving behind, take a look around the place where you work. The set of the NBC series, which ends tonight, looked like a real office. It was filled with the kinds of tchotchkes, doodles and comical junk we keep on our desks to sneak some real life into our work lives. For eight years, the TV stars who played typical workers - passing the hours with pranks, dodging phone calls, hiding coworker crushes - had routines like those of their characters. ...

'Covert Affairs,' 'Hannibal,' coming to Amazon Prime in new deal with NBC Universal

Thu, 16 May 2013 19:59:05 -0400

By Brent Lang LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Amazon Prime members will now have streaming access to past seasons of "Hannibal," "Covert Affairs," "Grimm" and other NBC Universal shows as part of an expanded licensing deal, the companies said Thursday. Prime members already can stream NBC shows like "Parks & Recreation" and "Heroes," but the new pact enhances offerings from the broadcast and cable company. Among the new additions are USA Network's legal drama "Suits," the musical series "Smash," and Syfy's futuristic sci-fi series "Defiance. ...

China cracks down on over-the-top anti-Japan dramas

Thu, 16 May 2013 22:25:22 -0400

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's television regulator has ordered a crackdown on dramas about the country's battles with Japan during and before World War Two and demanded they be more serious, state media said on Friday, following viewer complaints about ludicrous storylines. Ties have been shadowed for years by what Beijing says has been Tokyo's refusal to admit to wartime atrocities committed by Japanese soldiers in the country between 1937 and 1945, something taught to every Chinese school child and a staple of television dramas. ...

Jennifer Lopez named Chief Creative Officer of NuvoTV

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:29:44 -0400

By Jethro Nededog LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - NuvoTV announced that Jennifer Lopez will assume the position of its Chief Creative Officer at its upfront presentation for advertisers on Wednesday. Lopez - who owns a stake in the English-language cable network for Latinos and produces programming for the network under her company, Nuyorican Productions - took the stage for the presentation alongside NUVOtv's chief executive officer Michael Schwimmer, head of programming Bill Hilary and senior vice president of advertising sales Craig Geller. "Latinos are a force in this country. ...

'Fashion Police' strike: E! president defends Joan Rivers, demands WGA election

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:27:04 -0400

By Todd Cunningham LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - E! president Suzanne Kolb on Wednesday sent a letter to eight striking "Fashion Police" writers, defending the show's host Joan Rivers and insisting on a sanctioned election before it would come to the negotiating table. The writers have been on strike since April 17, after expressing a desire to organize and join the Writers Guild of America West. The writers want the network to recognize the WGA as their bargaining representative, while the network is insisting that a National Labor Relations Board election be held first. ...

Civil rights group calling for 'Modern Family' gay wedding: Marry Cam and Mitch!

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:35:24 -0400

By Tim Kenneally LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - The American Civil Liberties Union has finally weighed in on the topic that's been weighing on the national consciousness for far too long: Whether Mitchell and Cameron from "Modern Family" should tie the knot. The civil-rights group launched a campaign Wednesday urging the public to "RSVP" to a "Modern Family" episode featuring a wedding between the show's gay characters, Mitchell Pritchett and Cameron Tucker, in hopes of persuading show creators Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd that such an episode would be a hit. ...

'Big Bang Theory' meets 'Star Trek'

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:39:25 -0400

By Jethro Nededog LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.Com) - Bazinga! It really seems like a partnership made in geek heaven. Warner Bros. and CBS Consumer products has formed a merchandising alliance between hit comedy, "The Big Bang Theory" and "Star Trek," as well as DC Comics. Under the deals, it is producing a limited-edition collection of co-branded "Big Bang"/"Star Trek" merchandise, which will be available at Hot Topic retails stores and on HotTopic.com. It will include T-shirts and bobbleheads. ...

Amazon Prime subscribers are binging on 'Justified,' 'The Good Wife'

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:46:08 -0400

By Brent Lang LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Amazon provided more evidence of online binge viewing habits Wednesday when it disclosed subscribers' ravenous appetite for episodes of "Justified" and "The Good Wife." According to the online giant, Amazon Prime subscribers tend to watch whole seasons of these shows within two weeks. The company said that 30 percent of customers who stream shows finish up seasons ranging from 10 to more than 20 episodes in that time frame. ...

Singer Shakira will leave NBC's 'The Voice' after season

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:00:30 -0400

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pop singer Shakira will leave NBC's television singing competition program "The Voice" after only one season as a judge in order to spend more time with her family. The Colombian singer told entertainment news outlet "Access Hollywood" after Tuesday's episode of "The Voice" that she wanted to spend more time with her infant child and finish up a new album. "Not for next season," Shakira, 36, said when asked if she was coming back. "I was really struggling with the fact that I had to leave my nest with my little baby," she added. ...

CBS upfront: Trying not to be smug, taking digs at NBC's 'Drama'

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:42:51 -0400

(Strong language in second paragraph) By Tim Molloy NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - CBS tried not to look "smug" Wednesday as it told advertisers a simple story: We're No. 1. The network delivered its upfront presentation to ad buyers a day after ABC's Jimmy Kimmel called CBS executives "smug motherf-----s" at his own network's upfront. CBS CEO Les Moonves jokingly pledged to try to be less smug Wednesday, but couldn't resist a sharp dig at NBC's morning and late-night "drama." Moonves said his network believes drama belongs in primetime - "not at 7 in the morning or 11:30 at night. ...

CBS adds Robin Williams to veteran hits in fall TV lineup

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:10:17 -0400

By Liana B. Baker (Reuters) - Top-rated U.S. broadcast network CBS will bring comedian Robin Williams back to television next season to plug one of the few holes in its primetime schedule. CBS Corp unveiled eight new series on Wednesday ahead of its upfront presentation in New York, an annual rite when broadcasters try to persuade advertisers to spend billions of dollars in commercials for their new shows. CBS is riding a stable of megahits, including crime drama "NCIS" and comedies "The Big Bang Theory" and "Two and a Half Men. ...

Warner Bros. elevates three executives in TV unit revamp

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:53:33 -0400

(Reuters) - Time Warner Inc's Warner Bros. studio on Wednesday promoted three executives in its television unit as part of changes to address the growing importance of digital entertainment platforms for Hollywood content. Peter Roth, Craig Hunegs and Jeffrey Schlesinger will run the Warner Bros. television businesses, the company said in a statement announcing a realignment of its TV and home entertainment businesses. The studio's current TV hits include CBS comedies "The Big Bang Theory" and "2 Broke Girls." Bruce Rosenblum, who had served as president of Warner Bros. ...

PBS says rapper Diddy will not appear on 'Downton Abbey'

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:54:19 -0400

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Music mogul and rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs will not be appearing in British period TV drama "Downton Abbey," U.S. broadcaster PBS said on Wednesday, despite tweets saying he would be joining the hit show's upcoming season. Diddy set social media abuzz on Wednesday after posts on his verified Twitter account said, "MY BIG NEWS: So happy to announce that Im a series regular on DOWNTON ABBEY-my favorite show+i'll be debuting a sneak peek tonight 12am PST!." "It's not true," PBS spokeswoman Carrie Johnson said in an email to Reuters. ...

Battered networks blow up traditional TV schedule to take on cable, streaming rivals

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:10:13 -0400

By Tim Molloy NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - One of the biggest television shows next season won't air until the season is nearly over - and that should tell you something about broadcasters' wavering loyalty to the traditional September-May broadcast season. Fox plans to debut its 12-episode "24" revival in May, and use it to launch another much-hyped, limited-run series, M. Night Shyamalan's "Wayward Pines." The network is following the lead of NBC, which used an unconventional April launch date for "The Voice" in 2011 to build it into a hit. ...

PBS says rapper Diddy will not appear on 'Downton Abbey'

Wed, 15 May 2013 19:56:37 -0400

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Music mogul and rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs will not be appearing in British period TV drama "Downtown Abbey," U.S. broadcaster PBS said on Wednesday, despite tweets saying he would be joining the hit show's upcoming season. Diddy set social media abuzz on Wednesday after posts on his verified Twitter account said, "MY BIG NEWS: So happy to announce that Im a series regular on DOWNTON ABBEY-my favorite show+i'll be debuting a sneak peek tonight 12am PST!." "It's not true," PBS spokeswoman Carrie Johnson said in an email to Reuters. ...