FIRST LOOK
http://www.eonline.com/news
ON TELEVISION (MONDAY 12/23/13)
ABC: Shrek The Halls at 8pm
ABC: A Chipmunk Christmas at 8:30pm
DIY: House Crashers (Premiere) at 10pm
NBC: Hollywood Game Night (Premiere) at 10pm
SMITHSONIAN: Space Voyagers (Premiere) at 8pm
ABC: The Great Christmas Light Fight (Finale) at 9pm
NBC: The Sing-Off (Finale) at 8pm
TRAVEL: Bizarre Foods America (Finale) at 9pm
Fox reached for the stars – and got them – for The Simpsons‘ upcoming Hollywood-themed “Steal This Episode.” “Judd Apatow, Leslie Mann, Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen have been looking for a project to do together for a long time. So we were happy to finally give them this opportunity,” said exec producer Matt Selman. “Will Arnett, Channing Tatum and Rob Halford never wanted to work together, so please don’t tell them they’re in the same episode.” Show airs Sunday, January 5 at 8p.
(Source: Cynopsis)
After A&E put Duck Dynasty‘s Phil Robertson on “indefinite” hiatus for anti-gay remarks he made in the January issue of GQ, the Robertson clan suggested the hit show might not go on without him. “We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm,” they said in a statement on Thursday. Petitions calling for Robertson’s reinstatement have drawn almost 300,000 signatures, but with nine out of ten episodes already in the can, Robertson should still be on-screen, at least for now, when season five of the reality show launches Wednesday, January 15.
(Source: Cynopsis)
An animated promo for NBC’s Community explains the comedy’s interrupted-by-Olympics sked after its season five premiere on Thursday, January 2 at 8p. Series creator Dan Harmon, who left after season three, is back at the helm; the first new episode is titled “Repilot.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Drake will be the first Saturday Night Live host of 2014, serving as musical guest as well on January 18. While the rapper/actor performed on the show in 2011, this will be his first time hosting. NBC sketch show airs Saturdays at 11:30p; drop-ins on December 21 included Barry Gibb, Madonna and Paul McCartney.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Long-running web hit Jake and Amir (half a billion views across all platforms) is in development for television at TBS. CollegeHumor scribes Jake Hurwitz and Amir Blumenfeld will write and act in the series; Ed Helms (The Office) will produce.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Canceled talk show Katie will change to a mostly live format for its final six months, says the Hollywood Reporter. Tapings for the syndicated one-hour Disney/ABC chatfest were running as long two hours, tacking on production and editing expenses. Host Katie Couric takes her place as Yahoo! global anchor in 2014.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The annual 24-hour A Christmas Story marathon on TBS will be sponsored by Amazon and, appropriately, Marathon Petroleum. Last year’s airings drew 48.8 million viewers over the course of the 24 hours, with 4.5 million at 10a on Christmas morning. Marathon starts at 8p December 24.
(Source: Cynopsis)
With items like bedazzled Berkin bags and golden caviar, the personal shoppers – or “luxury lifestyle experts” – on E!‘s Buying for Billionaires have their work cut out for them pleasing extraordinarily wealthy clients. One-hour special premieres Thursday, December 26 at 9p.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The Broadcast Film Critics Association and African-American net TV One are teaming for “Celebration of Black Cinema,” honoring performers and movies including 12 Years a Slave and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, to be held at House of Blues on Tuesday, January 7. The event will air on TV One in February.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Fred Armisen (Saturday Night Live, Portlandia) and Balthazar Getty (Brothers & Sisters) are two of the guest stars brightening upcoming episodes of Showtime comedy House of Lies. Previously announced guest stars include Daniel Stern, Mekhi Phifer and Griffin Dunne. Season three launches Sunday, January 12 at 10p.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Gbenga Akinnagbe (The Wire) has been cast in Fox’s 24: Live Another Day, reports Deadline. Event series bows in spring 2014.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Kimberly Elise (Diary of a Mad Black Woman) will star in original UP movie, Apple Mortgage Cake. The Entertainment One production is based on the true story of a woman who made headlines baking cakes to save her house from foreclosure.
(Source: Cynopsis)
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake killed it on SNL this past weekend. Here are some highlights.
Wrappinville Cold Open
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/wrappinville-cold-open/n44599
Family Feud
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/family-feud/n44603
Barry Gibb Talk Show with guests Madonna & Barry Gibb
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/barry-gibb-talk-show/n44606
WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – $31.5 million
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues – $$26.8 million
Frozen – $19.1 million
American Hustle – $19.1 million
Saving Mr. Banks – $9.3 million
(Source: Box Office Mojo)
