Television « Gunkee’s Entertainment News

September 4th, 2010

Fall TV for September 5-11, 2010

NEW Series and Season Premieres for the Week of September 5 – 11, 2010

Here comes the judge! This week daytime TV kicks off new season premieres with The People’s Court, Judge Alex, Divorce Court, and Judge Mathis leading the way into the new fall TV season.

In new fall TV shows viewers will find a variety of characters including cheerleaders, secret spies, food fanatics, beast hunters, a curious monkey, and a certain cat that wears a hat.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2010

12:00pm

100 Greatest Artists of All Time (VH1, Series Premiere)

“Hour 1” counts down the greatest artists beginning with #100 counting down to #81.

8:00pm

Jerseylicious (Style, Season 2 Premiere)

“Bronzer, Babies and Break-ups” – Gayle feels the loss of Alexa and Olivia; Alexa helps Christy feel pretty again.

9:00pm

All American Handyman (HGTV, Series Premiere)

“Hello Contestants, Goodbye Contestants” – Twenty handymen must build something that showcases their creativity and skill.

Mel B: It’s a Scary World (Style, Series Premiere)

“Mel B: Spice Mom” – Mel is asked to perform with the Pussycat Dolls.

MDA Telethon (CW, Special)

MDA Telethon raises funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

10:00pm

Freaky Eaters (TLC, Series Premiere)

“Addicted to Cheeseburgers” – A 34-year-old diabetic is in need of help to save him from his addiction to cheeseburgers.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010

7:30am

Cat in the Hat (PBS, Series Premiere)

“Show Me the Honey; Migration Vacation” – Sally and Nick do the bee dance and learn how to make honey; the purple martin swallow goes missing.

9:00am

Live With Regis and Kelly (ABC, Season Premiere)

Guests are Laura Linney (The Big C) and reality TV star Bethenny Frankel. The musical group Train performs.

The People’s Court (CBS, Season Premiere)

10:00am

The Wendy Williams Show (Fox, Season Premiere)

Guests are Caroline Manzo, Jacqueline Laurito, and Teresa Giudice (The Real Housewives of New Jersey). Musical guest Sean Kingston performs.

2:00pm

Curious George (PBS, Season Premiere)

“George and Marco Sound It Out” – Voices of William H. Macy and Frank Welker.

Judge Alex (Fox, Season Premiere)

“Toren vs Williams” – A woman wants her former boyfriend to pay up a personal loan she made him to buy a motorcycle.

3:30pm

Divorce Court (Fox, Season Premiere)

“Dietra Hicks vs Loren Harper” – He says she owes him 16 therapy sessions; she says she found her ring on another woman’s finger.

7:00pm

Access Hollywood (Fox, Season Premiere)

Audition tapes for “Biggest Loser’ contestants; the best of the worst celebrities of the summer; a fall TV preview.

8:00pm

Little People, Big World (TLC, Season 6 Premiere)

“Little Pain, Little Gain” – Matt suffers a vertigo collapse; Amy gets checked out and discovers she is clinically obese.

Rush Zone: Guardians of the Core (Nick Toons, Series Premiere)

“A Hero is Born” – A 10-year-old boy learns that he must protect the shards from getting into the hands of Blitz Botz.

9:00m

Hoarders (A&E, Season 3 Premiere)

A widow hoarder needs help from her daughters; an unhealthy environment for a couple and their kids.

10:15pm

Thintervention with Jackie Warner (Bravo, Series Premiere)

“Experience Thintervention” – Clients are told to remove all sugar from their homes.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2010

11:00am

The View (ABC, Season Premiere)

Guest TV host David Letterman of “The Late Show with David Letterman.”

2:00pm

Judge Mathis (CW, Season Premiere)

A man says his ex-girlfriend spent all of her money on drugs and alcohol even though she had a child to support.

10:00pm

Sons of Anarchy (FX, Season 3 Premiere)

“So” – The aftermath of Abel’s kidnapping has the Sons reeling; Gemma is hit with some unexpected news.

Rehab: Party at the Hard Rock Hotel (TruTV, Season Premiere)

WWE NXT (Syfy, Season Premiere)

We all know wrestling is science fiction and so do the first ever Divas on NXT.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2010

8:00pm

America’s Next Top Model (CW, Season 15 Premiere)

Semifinalists perfect the runway walk and attend a party hosted by designer Cynthia Rowley; 14 finalists are selected.

9:00pm

Hellcats (CW, Series Premiere)

“A World Full of Strangers” – Marti, a law student, tries out for the university’s legendary cheer squad.

Inside the NFL (SHO-E, Season Premiere)

NFL news and highlights.

10:00pm

Terriers (FX, Series Premiere)

“Pilot” – A favor for an old drinking buddy leads Hank and Britt down a rabbit hole of corruption in deceptively sunny Ocean Beach.

Black Gold (TruTV, Season Premiere)

The world has changed and drillers must dig deeper to keep America running.

10:30pm

Girl on the Run (Sundance, Series Premiere)

“Winter 2011” – Reports from the Winter 2011 shows.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2010

8:00pm

The Vampire Diaries (CW, Season 2 Premiere)

“The Return” – Elena comes home to a nightmare; Damon realizes Katherine has returned; Tyler receives a surprise visit from his uncle.

9:00pm

Nikita (CW, Series Premiere)

“Pilot” – After years in hiding, a former spy and assassin seeks retribution against a secret U.S. Agency known as Division.

Destination Truth (Syfy, Season 4 Premiere)

“Poltergeists of Pompeii; Nandi Beast” – The team investigates the legendary city of Pompeii and investigates the Nandi Beast in Africa.

10:00pm

Beast Legends (Syfy, Series Premiere)

“Kraken” – The team attempts to find the weaponry to handle the infamous sea creature, the Kraken.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2010

12:05am

Wild Things (SHO-E, Series Premiere)

“Bull Riding Ranch Hands” Part One

8:00pm

The Suite Life on Deck (Disney, Season Premiere)

“Party On!” – Zack plans a party to help Sean win over London but secretly uses this as a ploy to surprise Maya.

Stand Up To Cancer

Simulcast live and commercial free on ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Bio, Discovery Health, E!, G4, HBO, HBO Latino, MLB Network, mun2, Showtime, Smithsonian Channel, The Style Network, TV One, and VH1. Celebrities support research into the disease. Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond, Natasha Bedingfield, Queen Latifah. Hosted by Katie Couric, Diane Sawyer, and Brian Williams.

10:00pm

Four Weddings (TLC, Season 2 Premiere)

“…and Musical Chairs” – An all-Spanish Christian ceremony; Native American ceremony; black tie; the laid back approach.

11:00pm

Martin Lawrence Presents 1st Amendment Stand-Up (Starz, Season Premiere)

Guests include David Raibon, Smokey Suarez, and Drew Fraser.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2010

8:00pm

Cops (Fox, Season 23 Premiere)

A suspect is pursued by an officer on foot; a boa constrictor is found in a residential area.

Dogs 101 (Animal Planet, Season 3 Premiere)

The Irish Wolfhound and Pit Bull Terries are featured.

9:00pm

America’s Most Wanted (Fox, Season 24 Premiere)

Profiling a man with connections to the September 11 attacks and other plots against America.

10:00pm

Invisible Worlds (Discovery, Series Premiere (slideshow))

“Off the Scale” – Creatures that aren’t easily seen impact humans.

[Sources are embedded in TV show titles]

September 2nd, 2010

America’s Got Talent Top Ten of 2010

The semi-finals of season five of America’s Got Talent are over; the Top Ten acts have been decided.

Click on the links below to see the performance that catapulted these acts to the be one of the top Ten AGT acts of 2010.

1. Anna & Patryk on America’s Got Talent

This 12-year-old dancing pair have cut a rug this whole season. Coming back from being a Wild Card act, they now find themselves the first act chosen to be in this year’s Top Ten.

2. Michael Grimm on America’s Got Talent

When viewers first heard blues-man Michael sing the first thought in everyone’s head was, “Here is this year’s Kevin Skinner.”

3. Prince Poppycock on America’s Got Talent

Come on, admit it; even his name makes you smile. From the outrageous costumes he designs himself to the operatic singing voice, this guy really knows how to entertain. In his semi-final performance he became the new Queen as he sang Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.

4. Taylor Mathews on America’s Got Talent

Taylor wowed us when he took the stage in his audition. Certainly no one expected to hear “Over the Rainbow” sang by this young man but he made it his own and it worked really good. Taylor vows to “find the real Taylor” that we first saw and quit trying to be something he’s not. (Well, he wouldn’t have lost himself to begin with if he hadn’t been following the judges’ advice of “Switch it up” or “Try something different.” He’s a good example of why it is not always necessary to follow the judges advice.")

5. Christina & Ali on America’s Got Talent

Yea, they get kudos for being able to belt out songs even when they were told they couldn’t because of their disease. The only reason they are still here is they garnered the sympathy vote. A prime example of why viewers don’t need to hear all the sob, back stories so that the talents can be judged on their talent alone. True talent should stand alone. Christina & Ali are one of the judges picks that are given a Top Ten position.

6. Michael Grasso on America’s Got Talent

The only reason this magician is still here instead of Murray is because of the timing of the choice of tricks he performed. I think he should have been deducted brownie points by the judges by performing the same magical illusion that Murray did in his last performance. He just replaced girls with a tiger. Come on people; wasn’t the tiger a bigger “WOW!?”

7. Fighting Gravity on America’s Got Talent

These frat guys have been my favorite to win from day one. Their act is so hard to describe that I’ll just put a link HERE for you to see for yourself.

8. Jeremy VanSchoonhoven on America’s Got Talent

Bicycle dare devilist Jeremy had a nasty fall in rehearsals that sent him to the hospital for some stitches in his arm. It takes guts and determination to get back up on the bicycle and perform the very stunt that sent you there a few days ago. But he fought through the pain and was rewarded with a place in the Top Ten.

9. Jackie Evancho on America’s Got Talent

Ten-year-old Jackie won the viewers’ votes from acts that were submitted via YouTube. People are having a hard time believing that such a big voice can come from such a young and small person.

10. Studio On Young Beast Society on America’s Got Talent

Studio One is the second act that is given a Top Ten position by the judges. They look like any other dance group to me; I’m not sure what makes them stand out from any others.

Read more America’s Got Talent updates and other TV interests on my Associated Content page that can be found HERE.

September 1st, 2010

Watching Joss Whedon’s Firefly

Guest post written by my buddy Keith Kramer

Nathan Fillion in "Firefly"

One of my favorite science fiction shows to watch on satellite TV is Firefly. I got satellite TV after researching Dish vs Direct TV. Created by Joss Whedon, architect of such shows as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, Firefly follows the exploits of a rag tag band of mercenaries – outlaws, brigands, and other hangers-on – as they complete jobs throughout the galaxy for cold, hard cash. Led by Captain Malcolm (“Mal”) Reynolds, played by Nathan Fillion, the crew of the ship Serenity find themselves in the ‘frontier’ of the galaxy, dogged by the hated “Alliance.”

What is so unique about this show is the mixture of “old western” with straight-up “sci-fi” themes. Whedon has much experience with this genre bending, particular with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the Firefly universe is no different. It captures the pioneering aspect of the Old West with the high technology of a futuristic (26th century) galactic civilization.

Despite the show’s brilliance, Fox canceled it after one season, to die-hard fans’ dismay. These “brown shirts” engaged in a vigorous campaign to bring the show back. While new episodes never returned to network TV, the fan response did allow Joss and Co. to make a Firefly feature film! Named “Serenity,” this movie filled in many of the blanks left by the TV show, and nicely sent off the characters we know and love. Still, reruns air often, and I make sure to catch them whenever I can.

August 31st, 2010

“Person’s Unknown” Leaves Viewers Hanging

Twelve weeks ago NBC began a 13-episode miniseries called “Persons Unknown.” Seven strangers wake up locked in separate hotel rooms, having no idea where they are or how they got there. They soon discover they are in a deserted town with no way out. They are confined to the town limits by some sort of force field that shocks and burns a person when they touch it. What they don’t know is they are being constantly being monitored by secret cameras (which are soon discovered) hidden all over town. A mysterious hotel manager is on hand to help make their stay as comfortable as possible. The deserted town is well stocked with necessities the captives need to survive such as clothing and food. But there is no outside communication – no TV’s, no phones, no computers, no newspapers or magazines. There is a Chinese restaurant in the deserted town that comes complete with Chinese cooks who prepare meals for the hostages every day.

To try to survive or escape, the strangers must bond together and rely on each other. But who can they trust? Can they trust each other? Why were they taken? What will they do to survive? Will they compromise their integrity and honor? What is the purpose of dropping seven strangers in a locked-down town? Is the military behind their captivity? Or maybe the government? Who is behind the omnipresent cameras? Who is behind “The Program?”

To make a long story short, these captives managed to outsmart their kidnappers and escape the town before they were eliminated.

The tagline of “Persons Unknown” kept promising after every episode that by the end of the summer all of our questions would be answered – “All will be revealed.” This past weekend the final two episodes of “Person’s Unknown” was aired and let me tell you I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS! The final scene showed the two lead characters waking up in two separate rooms in separate places. One character, Janet, had the other five characters with her that were with her in captivity the first time – Charlie, Moira, Erika, McNair and Bill. The other lead character, Joe, had an all new cast with him (except for Renbe, Janet’s husband, who had been searching for her and was successful in getting close to The Program.) Joe gathers all his people together and they get on an elevator. When the elevator doors open, Janet and her crew are greeted by the one-eyed Night Manager who says to them, “Welcome to Level Two.” The camera pans away to show they are on a large ship in the middle of an ocean.

Viewers are now wondering of this ship will become wrecked on an island where the captives will find a crashed plane.

[Persons Unknown photo © NBC]

August 28th, 2010

TV Premieres for August 29 to September 4, 2010

NEW Season & Series Premieres and Specials on TV for the Week of August 29 – September 4, 2010

SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 2010

8:00pm

62nd PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS (NBC Special Premiere)

Comedian Jimmy Fallon hosts the ceremonies in Los Angeles that honor excellence in TV programming.

10:00pm

AMAZING WEDDING CAKES (We, Season Premiere)

“Stacked Teacups, Sci Fi Victorian, & Koi” – A 3-tiered teacup cake for a tea party; Chris fulfills a request for “steam punk” cake.

BAD UNIVERSE (Discovery, Series Premiere)

“Asteroid Apocalypse” – Phil Plait investigates the possibility that an asteroid like the one that wiped out the dinosaurs may strike again.

MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2010

11:30am

THE FRESH BEAT BAND (Nick, Jr Season Premiere)

“Circus Mojo” – Marina encourages her friends to perform in the circus when it comes to town.

10:00pm

QUINTS BY SURPRISE (TLC Season Premiere)

“Meet the Joneses” – The Joneses put their home on the market to try to lower their expenses; is it more than they bargained for?

TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2010

10:00pm

CHOPPED CHAMPIONS (Food, Series Premiere)

“$50,000 Tournament: Part 1” – Rocky Mountain oysters for appetizers prove to be a challenge.

10:15pm

PRIMETIME:CRIME (ABC Season Premiere)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2010

8:00pm

CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL (ABC Special Premiere)

Musical guests include Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Billy Currington, and Alan Jackson. Hosted by Tim McGraw.

CHANGING LANES (Bet, Series Premiere)

30 drivers are picked to show off their ‘on track’ skills in a professional manner.

9:00pm

MOST SHOCKING (TruTV Season Premiere)

“Fights and Wild Riots” – The wildest fights caught on tape.

10:00pm

SCI FI SCIENCE (Science Season Premiere)

“Earth 2.0” – Dr. Michio Kaku comes up with plans for the construction of Earth 2.0.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2010

10:00pm

TIL DEBT DO US PART (CNBC Season Premiere)

Families receive help with their debt problems.

[Sources embedded in TV show titles. Click on one for more info.]

August 26th, 2010

AGT Semi-Final Results: The First Five Finalists

On Tuesday, August 24, 2010, the first 12 semi-finalists battled for a chance to be in the Top 10 on season 5 of "America’s Got Talent." Few of the acts stepped it up to produce the “wow” factor that Howie and America are looking for, yet five of the acts will be voted through to be in the Top Ten acts of season five of “America’s Got Talent.” Read the recap of the first semi-final show at "America’s Got Talent" Semi-Finals Part 1.

Last night Nick Cannon, the host of “America’s Got Talent” announced the 5 top vote getters. I believe this announcement proved that America can get it wrong. It appears to me that Americans have fallen for sob stories over pure, raw talent as the results of the votes. But it really doesn’t matter if I agree or disagree with the results – they are what they are. To see who America voted through to the finals read "America’s Got Talent" Semi-Final Results Part 1.

What about you? Did your favorite act get the ax last night? Or is it yet to be seen if they will kick it up a notch and wow America?

August 25th, 2010

Watching Ellen’s Talk Show

Thanks for the article from Maxine Taylor

I love to watch The Ellen DeGeneres Show on my DIRECTV in Texas. Her talk show is so funny. She always has great guests on there. During American Idol, she always puts whoever was kicked off on her show. She has a little segment where the audience dances. It is so funny when she dances down the aisles. This show is the only talk show that I watch almost everyday. It puts me in a good mood and she is so funny. I also love listening to her talk about how much she is in love with Portia her wife. They get along really well and just make a great couple. This show is the type that just puts a smile on my face anytime that I watch it. I love having something like this on every morning when I get out of bed. I can lay around in my pajamas and enjoy it while the kids watch cartoons in the other room. It is a great way to start out any day for me honestly.

August 21st, 2010

TV Series and Premieres for August 22-28, 2010

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2010

12:00pm

Aarti Party (Food Series Premiere)

Winner of 2010’s “The Next Food Network Star,”

Aarti Sequeria makes her debut on the Food Channel.

5:00pm

Zevo-3 (Nick Toons Series Premiere)

10:00pm

Family Style (Food Series Premiere)

“The Grand Opening” – Two hard-headed siblings work together for their grand opening of an upscale restaurant.

Keeping Up With the Kardashians (E! Season Premiere)

Swamp People (History Series Premiere)

“Big Head Bites It” – Junior Edwards and his son make special weapons; Joe L’enfant and his stepson hit the marshlands.

10:30pm

The Spin Crowd (E! Series Premiere)

A look inside one of the entertainment industry’s hottest PR agencies with Jonathan Cheban & Simon Huck.

MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 2010

4:00pm

Head Rush (Science Series Premiere)

Join Mythbusters’ Kari Byron in her new science show “Head Rush” with games, experiments, and special science celebrities.

4:30pm

WordGirl (PBS Season Premiere)

Becky wants to enjoy her last day of vacation, but Tobey’s robot keeps getting in the way.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2010

10:00pm

She’s Got the Look (TV Land Season Premiere)

“Bikini Beauties” – Ten models face their first elimination challenge where they must pair up and strip down to their bikinis.

Who the (Bleep) Did I Marry? (ID Series Premiere)

“Mr. Good Times” – Mary Jo Buttafuocco is shot pointblank in the head by her husband’s teenage lover.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2010

10:00pm

Best Places I’ve Ever Been (Travel Series Premiere)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2010

10:00pm

Beyond Survival with Les Stroud (Discovery Series Premiere)

“Sri Lanka” – In Sri Lanka, Stroud lives alongside men once believed to be half human.

11:00pm

Blood Dolphins (Animal Planet Series Premiere)

“Return to Taiji” – Ric & Lincoln O’Barry use the power of international outrage to attempt to stop dolphin hunting.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010

7:00pm

Pet-o-rama (Animal Planet Series Premiere)

Pets are forced to participate in a make-shift talent show or pet beauty pageant in their own home so their owner can can boasting rights – or not – that their pet is the best.

8:00pm

Bad Dog! (Animal Planet Series Premiere)

Which is worse – a parrot that cusses like a sailor or a shoplifting Husky? Bad pets! Bad pets! Whatcha gonna do…

August 20th, 2010

2010 Fall TV Season and Series Premieres

New & Old Fall TV for September through November 2010

There are over 50 NEW TV programs debuting in the 201 Fall TV Season and over 90 TV programs returning for another season.

Check out all these TV shows at

2010 FALL TV SERIES PREMIERES and

2010 FALL TV SEASON PREMIERES

August 19th, 2010

A Review of the Top 24 Talents Going to the Semi-Finals on "America’s Got Talent"

From LA to Dallas to New York to Orlando to Portland to Chicago then on to Las Vegas and Hollywood, the judges on "America’s Got Talent" have been busy this summer looking for the next big talent worthy of a million dollars and a headline show in Las Vegas. America and AGT have narrowed the talent field down to 24 who are now fighting for a chance in the Top Ten spots in the finals. Who is your favorite to win season 5 of "America’s Got Talent?" Find out who the 24 talents are at "America’s Got Talent" Semi-Finals Preview.

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Fall TV for September 5-11, 2010

NEW Series and Season Premieres for the Week of September 5 – 11, 2010

America’s Got Talent Top Ten of 2010

Watching Joss Whedon’s Firefly

Guest post written by my buddy Keith Kramer

“Person’s Unknown” Leaves Viewers Hanging

TV Premieres for August 29 to September 4, 2010

NEW Season & Series Premieres and Specials on TV for the Week of August 29 – September 4, 2010

AGT Semi-Final Results: The First Five Finalists

Watching Ellen’s Talk Show

TV Series and Premieres for August 22-28, 2010

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2010

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010

2010 Fall TV Season and Series Premieres

A Review of the Top 24 Talents Going to the Semi-Finals on "America’s Got Talent"

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