Golden Globes TV Winners!

The 68th Annual Golden Globes were handed out last night and there were some surprises on the TV side.  'Glee' walked away the big winner, while Katey Sagal won a much deserved prize.  Here are the complete list of winners from the TV side of things:


Best Television Series - Drama
Boardwalk Empire (HBO)

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Drama
Katey Sagal - Sons Of Anarchy (FX)

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Drama
Steve Buscemi - Boardwalk Empire (HBO)

Best Television Series - Comedy Or Musical
Glee (FOX)

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Comedy Or Musical
Laura Linney - The Big C (Showtime)

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Comedy Or Musical 
Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

Best Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made for Television
Carlos (Sundance)

Best Performance by an Actress In A Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Claire Danes - Temple Grandin (HBO)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Al Pacino - You Don't Know Jack (HBO)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Jane Lynch - Glee (FOX)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Chris Colfer - Glee (FOX)

'Touched By An Angel' star dies at 47

John Dye, who starred as the Angel of Death in the long-running CBS show 'Touched By An Angel', passed away Monday at the age of the 47.

According to medical examiners, while no cause of death has yet been declared, they believe heart failure was to blame.

One of Dye's younger brothers, Jerre, said that John suffered a heart attack at his San Francisco home, and that the family had waited to make the death public until they figured out memorial plans.

Relatives also told authorities that Dye suffered from congestive heart failure, meaning his heart was unable to pump enough blood to the rest of his body. The condition often causes organ damage and fluid buildup.

"Dear, sweet John Dye, rest in peace," costar Valerie Bertinelli tweeted.

Dye joined Roma Downey and Della Reese on 'Touched' -- in which heavenly messengers helped people get through tough patches in life -- as a sort of angel of death, though his role evolved. He was on the CBS series from its second season in 1995 until it ended in 2003.

Besides his brother Jerre, Dye is survived by his other brother Jamey; his father, James; and his grandmother, Irene Duvall.

A memorial service is planned for Jan. 22 at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church,in Amory, Miss., Dye's hometown.

Casting News! HIMYM and Charlie's Angels

There's some interesting casting news in the TV world today. 

'How I Met your Mother' is about to cast John Lithgow as Barney's real long lost father.

In other news, the forthcoming TV reboot of 'Charlie's Angels' has found it's Charlie.  Robert Wagner has been cast as the man behind the voice.  So far it isn't clear whether or not Charlie will actually be seen as opposed to just being heard in the original series.

What do you think of the casting choices?

ABC gives early renewals to 6 shows

ABC announced today that it has given early renewals to 6 series.

'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Castle,' 'Modern Family,' 'Private Practice,' 'Cougar Town,' and 'The Middle' were all given the good news today.
  
'Grey's' and 'Modern Family' should come as no surprise to anyone.  The 2 shows have been solid performers for the network.

The other shows were mild surprises that the renewals came so early.  All do fairly well for the network, but an early renewal is normally reserved for ratings champs.
 
Conspicuously missing from the list was 'Desperate Housewives.'  The show has consistently performed well for ABC on a tough night against the NFL.  Speculation is that due to some contracts for the actresses being up this year, that the renewal will need to wait until it's all ironed out.

'Barney Miller' star Steve Landesberg dies at 65

Steve Landesberg, best known as Detective Arthur Dietrich on the classic TV series 'Barney Miller' has died at the age of 65 after battling cancer.

"It is with great sadness to report the loss of my friend and client Steve Landesberg," Jeffrey Leavitt of Leavitt Talent Group said in a statement.  "Working with Steve was an honor both personally and professionally. My heart goes out to his family. He will be missed," Leavitt said.

Born Nov. 23, 1945 in New York City, Landesberg began his career as a stand-up comedian and was a contemporary of top 1970s draws such as Freddie Prinze and Jimmy Walker.

He landed the role of Det. Arthur Dietrich on "Barney Miller" in 1975, and stayed with the show about New York cops until it ended in 1982.

Landesberg went on to work in a variety of TV and movie roles, including the series "Cosby" and "The Ghost Whisperer," and the hit 2008 movie "Forgetting Sarah Marshall."

Landesberg passed away in New York. He is survived by his wife Nancy and his daughter.

Golden Globe Nominations announced!

The Golden Globe nominations were announced yesterday, 'Glee' led the TV nominations with 5.

Here is the complete list of TV nominations:

BEST TV SERIES - DRAMA

• Boardwalk Empire
• Dexter
• The Good Wife
• Mad Men
• The Walking Dead

BEST ACTRESS - TV DRAMA SERIES

• Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
• Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
• Piper Perabo, Covert Affairs
• Katey Sagal, Sons of Anarchy
• Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

BEST ACTOR - TV DRAMA SERIES

• Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
• Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
• Michael C. Hall, Dexter
• Jon Hamm, Mad Men
• Hugh Laurie, House

BEST COMEDY SERIES

• 30 Rock
• The Big Bang Theory
• The Big C
• Glee
• Modern Family
• Nurse Jackie

BEST ACTRESS - TV COMEDY

• Toni Collette, United States of Tara
• Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
• Tina Fey, 30 Rock
• Laura Linney, The Big C
• Lea Michele, Glee

BEST ACTOR - TV COMEDY

• Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
• Steve Carell, The Office
• Thomas Jane, Hung
• Matthew Morrison, Glee
• Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

BEST MINI-SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE

• Carlos
• The Pacific
• Pillars of the Earth
• Temple Grandin
• You Don’t Know Jack

BEST ACTRESS - MINI-SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE

• Hayley Atwell, Pillars of the Earth
• Claire Danes, Temple Grandin
• Judi Dench, Return to Cranford
• Romola Garai, Emma
• Jennifer Love Hewitt, The Client List

BEST ACTOR - MINI-SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE

• Idris Elba, Luther
• Ian McShane, Pillars of the Earth
• Al Pacino, You Don’t Know Jack
• Dennis Quaid, The Special Relationship
• Edgar Ramirez, Carlos

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE

• Hope Davis, The Special Relationship
• Jane Lynch, Glee
• Kelly MacDonald, Boardwalk Empire
• Julia Stiles, Dexter
• Sofia Vergara, Modern Family

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE

• Scott Caan, Hawaii Five-0
• Chris Colfer, Glee
• Chris Noth, The Good Wife
• Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
• David Strathairn, Temple Grandin

The 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards, hosted again by Ricky Gervais, will air Jan. 16 on NBC.

TNT Cancels 'Dark Blue'

TNT has cancelled the police drama 'Dark Blue' after just 2 seasons.

The show about an undercover group of cops ended its second season Sept. 10.

The series averaged 2.2 million viewers per episode during the second season.

These numbers were significantly lower than TNT's hit shows 'The Closer' (7.21 million), and 'Rizzoli & Isles' (6.89 million).

Good news for Castle fans! Season gets extended by 2 episodes.

'Castle' fans have something to be happy about today.  The show has done so well for ABC that the network has decided to order 2 more episodes.  This brings the season total to 24.

On average, 'Castle' ranks a strong No. 2 in its Monday timeslot in total viewers (12.8 million) and adults 18-49 (3.2 rating/8 share). Over the last four weeks, 'Castle' -  which is getting a big boost from 'Dancing With The Stars' -  has drawn more viewers than 'Hawaii Five-0'. This has been the show’s best season ever, ratings wise.

The show is also TV’s No. 1 show at 10 p.m. in the highly coveted adults 18-49 demographic.

ABC Cancels 'The Whole Truth'

ABC announced that they would not be ordering any further episodes of the Rob Morrow-Maura Tierney series, 'The Whole Truth.' 

The network had originally ordered 13 episodes, and will air the entire 13, but that will be all. 

A new episode of the drama,  is still scheduled to air Wednesday, but it's unclear when exactly the remaining new episodes will air beyond that. Work on the show's initial 13-episode order will continue until mid-December,

'Truth' becomes the 4th series this fall to be cancelled joining 'Lone Star,' 'My Generation,' and 'Outlaw.'

In addition to the cancellation news, ABC announced that it given full season orders to 'No Ordinary Family,'  'Better With You,' and 'Brothers & Sisters.'  They also ordered 5 more episodes of 'Detroit 1-8-7.'

Mr. Cunningham, Tom Bosley, dies at 83

Tom Bosley, best known as the beloved Mr. Cunningham on TV's iconic series 'Happy Days', has died at the age of 83.

The family says Bosley died of heart failure at 4 a.m. Tuesday at a hospital near his Palm Springs home.  TMZ reported that the actor died of a staph infection.

Bosley's agent, Sheryl Abrams, says he was also battling lung cancer.

Actor/Director Ron Howard said, "I'm so saddened by the loss of our wonderful Tom Bosley. Remarkable on so many levels, Tom's insight, talent, strength of character and comic timing made him a vital central figure in the Happy Days experience.   A great father and husband, and a wonderful artist, Tom lead by example, and made us all laugh while he was doing it.   My last conversations with Tom reflected the love of life and peace of mind that he always maintained throughout his full and rewarding life.  I miss him already."

Actor Henry Winkler, who played Arthur Fonzarelli on 'Happy Days' says he's shocked to hear the news.

"I'm just in shock, I really am," Winkler told KNX 1070 News Radio.   "I spoke to him just a few weeks ago and he seemed to be getting his strength back," he said.

Scott Baio, who played Chachi said,  "He was a good man who taught me a lot about the business and business itself. He was a professional guy ... I'm sad."

He's survived by his wife, actress Patricia Carr, daughter Amy and three grandchildren.

Barbara Billingsley, Beaver's Mom, dies at 94.

One of TV's greatest mom's has died.  Barbara Billingsley, best known for playing June Cleaver, Beaver's mom on Leave It To Beaver, died at 94.

Billingsley died early Saturday at her Santa Monica, Calif., home, family spokeswoman Judy Twersky said. The actress had suffered from a rheumatoid disease.

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend and lifetime mentor Barbara Billingsley. She will live in the hearts of her fans as a wonderful actress and be remembered by her friends as a gracious lady."  Beaver co-star Jerry Mathers who played Billingsley's mischievous son, Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver,  told TMZ.   "She will be deeply missed by all of her family, friends, fans and most especially by me."

"America's favorite mother is now gone. I feel very fortunate to have been her 'son' for 11 years," said Tony Dow, who played Wally Cleaver. "We were wonderful friends and I will miss her very much."

Billingsley, who began her career as a model before venturing into acting, was married three times and leaves behind two sons, Drew and Glenn.

FX renews 'Sons of Anarchy'

This will not come as a surprise to anyone, but FX has renewed 'Sons of Anarchy' for a 4th season.  

"Sons of Anarchy is the most popular show FX has ever had, and the #1 series in basic cable for our key demographic.  It is also one of the best, most original series on television,” said FX president John Landgraf.

With the success of past shows such as 'The Shield,' 'Nip/Tuck,' and 'Damages,' and with 'Rescue Me' entering its final season, 'Anarchy' has become the networks flagship show.  

Season 3 will conclude on November 30. The 13-episode fourth season will most likely begin fall 2011.

'My Generation' cancelled by ABC

ABC has announced that they have pulled the plug on the ensemble drama 'My Generation' after just 2 episodes.  This makes it the 2nd network show to be cancelled this season following last weeks cancellation of 'Lone Star' by Fox.

The show, which  followed a group of young people 10 years after they graduated from high school, managed only a 1.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic on its last outing.

'My Generation' had 8 more episodes already produced, though the network has not yet decided if they will be made available on ABC.com or burned off some other way. The network also has yet to settle on what will fill the 8 p.m. slot this week.

Iconic TV Producer Stephen J. Cannell dies

Stephen J. Cannell,  one of the most successful television producers of the '70s, '80s and '90s, died on Thursday  evening. He was 69.

Cannell passed away at his home in Pasadena, Calif., on Thursday night from complications associated with melanoma, his family said in a statement on Friday.

Cannell started out as a writer on shows including "Ironside" and "Columbo," but made his biggest mark as creator or co-creator of dramas including "The Rockford Files," "The Greatest American Hero," "Hardcastle and McCormick," "Baretta," "The A-Team," "Wiseguy," "Hunter," "21 Jump Street," "Silk Stalkings" and "The Commish."

Cannell was an Emmy winner in 1978 for producing "The Rockford Files," Cannell earned later Emmy nods for writing the "Tenspeed and Brown Shoe" and "Greatest American Hero" pilots and for producing "Wiseguy."

Cannell also wrote 16 novels, and acted quite frequently with credits including "Renegade," and was most recently seen as himself on episodes of ABC's "Castle."

Cannell is survived by Marcia, his wife of 46 years, their three children, and three grandchildren.

Fox cancels 'Lone Star' after 2 episodes

The new fall season has its first casualty.  Fox has cancelled the critically-acclaimed but low rated 'Lone Star' after just 2 episodes.

'Lie To Me' which wasn't supposed to return until later this fall will instead return next Monday and assume the 'Lone Star' timeslot.

'Lone Star' started off very badly last week, with just over 4 million viewers.  This week the numbers were even worse, when viewership dropped to just 3.2 million.

Production on the show will stop immediately according to a 20th Century Fox spokesperson.  “We will have shot five completed episodes after the pilot,” says the rep, “and will not complete principal photography on episode 106.”  It’s not clear what will happen to the four unaired episodes.

'Big Bang' explodes in new time slot

CBS much talked about move of 'Big Bang Theory' to Thursdays appears to have paid off.  The show premiered last night to monster ratings.

The sitcom easily won its timeslot at 8 p.m. and averaged a stunning 13.95 million viewers opposite heavy competition from the other broadcast networks.  That's even slightly higher than their premiere last year in its old Monday night timeslot.

Much was talked about this move when CBS announced it.  After all, 'Big Bang Theory' was doing very well on Mondays and the show it was replacing, 'Survivor', had been dominating its timeslot for year on Thursday nights.  However, 'Survivor' has handily won it's timeslot each of the first 2 weeks in its new home on Wednesdays at 8.  

'The Mentalist' on CBS was the nights highest rated show, drawing 15.3 million viewers.  Over on NBC, 'The Apprentice' continued to struggle, pulling in only 3.8 million viewers. 

'Lost' stars to reunite for new series

'Lost' creator JJ Abrams is re-teaming with two of the stars of his hit ABC series.

Terry O'Quinn who played John Locke and Michael Emerson who played Benjamin Linus will be starring in a new pilot for NBC. 

The show, tentatively titled 'Odd Jobs' is being described as a comedic drama,  and would likely see the two actors starring as ex-black-ops agents. NBC has “committed” to a pilot of the program. 

Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec, who worked with Abrams on the series 'Alias' will write the pilot for Warner Brothers and Bad Robot Productions.

'Glee' scores big for Fox, impacts entire night

After a disastrous showing with 'Lone Star', Fox rebounded in a big way with the season premiere of 'Glee.'

'Glee' scored big, being the highest rated show of the night, drawing 12.3 million viewers and a 5.5 rating.  It was the second highest rated episode of the series ever and it was up 57% from last years premiere.

The news was not so good for Fox other entries on last nights schedule.  'Raising Hope' and 'Running Wilde,' the two comedies that the network launched last night, failed to draw decent numbers even with the great lead-in.

Glee's impact was felt across every network.  NCIS, Dancing With The Stars, and The Biggest Loser all saw significant declines in their ratings opposite 'Glee.'

NCIS was down 19% from last seasons premiere, The Biggest Loser was down 24% from last season's premiere, and even ABC powerhouse 'DWTS' was down 3% from last years 2nd night premiere.  

'The Event' and 'Hawaii Five-0' debut to big ratings, DWTS destroys the competition

Last night was the first official night of the fall TV season and one of the busiest TV nights in recent memory.  The ratings numbers are in and to no ones surprise, ABC's 'Dancing With The Stars' was the nights highest rated show. 

DWTS scored a 5.0 rating and was watched by 21 million viewers, blowing away the competition.  This was a 22% increase of last years premiere.
Over on NBC,  the much talked about premiere of  'The Event' opened big as well.  The conspiracy drama drew 11.2 million viewers and 3.7 rating, coming within a tenth of a point of the highly touted 'Hawaii Five-0' reboot (13.8, 3.8), which debuted solidly for CBS.  'Chuck' opened the night for the peacock network with 6.1 million viewers and a 2.1 rating.

Probably the biggest surprise of the night came from Fox.  Their critically acclaimed drama, 'Lone Star' bombed.  Drawing only 4.1 million viewers and 1.3 rating.  'Lone Star' ratings dropped 68% from its lead in, 'House,' which drew a solid 10.5 million viewers and 4.1 rating.

HBO Renews Boardwalk Empire

HBO has renewed 'Boardwalk Empire' for a 2nd season after just one episode. 

The series debuted with a 4.8 rating, making it the highest rated HBO series since the 'Deadwood' premiere in 2004.

Michael Lombardo, President of HBO Programming, released a statement, “All the ingredients aligned for this one, from Mark Wahlberg and Steve Levinson’s initial pitch, to Martin Scorsese’s enormous contributions as director and executive producer, to the genius of Terry Winter and the expertise of Tim Van Patten, to a stellar cast led by Steve Buscemi,” said Lombardo.  “The response from the media and our viewers has been nothing short of amazing.”

'Boardwalk Empire'  is set in Atlantic City at the dawn of Prohibition, when the sale of alcohol became illegal throughout the United States.