‘American Idol’ star McPhee weds

13Feb08

 

American Idol star Katharine McPhee has married her long-term partner Nick Cokas.

A representative of the singer confirmed that the wedding took place in Beverly Hills on Saturday.

McPhee, 23, told People magazine: “[Nick] is the love of my life. This is a once in a lifetime occasion and everything is just perfect.”

She met Corkas, 42, in 2005 and they got engaged last year.

The singer’s fellow American Idol contestants Kellie Pickler and Mandisa were among the guests at the ceremony.

McPhee, who lost out to Taylor Hicks in the final of the 2006 reality TV show, reached number two in the US album charts with her debut LP in 2007.

Filed under: American Idol   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: american idol katharine mcphee weds

‘Mighty Boosh’ movie confirmed

13Feb08

 

A movie version of TV show The Mighty Boosh is in the works.

Stars Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt have signed a deal with BBC Films to bring the cult series to the big screen.

The show focuses on friends Vince Noir (Fielding) and Howard Moon (Barratt), who embark on a series of magical adventures.

BBC Films editor Christine Langan told Variety: “Noel and Julian are phenomenally talented, there’s an existing, very loyal fan base, and the project has huge potential.”

The pair are currently working on a script for the movie, which is likely to begin filming early next year.

Filed under: UK TV   |  Leave a Comment

industry hails writers strike end

13Feb08

 

The television and film industry today hailed the end of the US writers’ strike.

The studios on the other side of the dispute, through the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers, issued a statement shortly after it was formally stopped.

It had been a tough three months, they said, but they were happy to be returning to production. “This is a day of relief and optimism for everyone in the entertainment industry,” said the statement.

“We can now all get back to work, with the assurance that we have concluded two groundbreaking labour agreements – with our directors and our writers – that establish a partnership through which our business can grow and prosper in the new digital age.” A recent deal with the Directors Guild of America formed the basis for the writers’ contract.

The statement continued: “The strike has been extraordinarily difficult for all of us, but the hardest hit of all have been the many thousands of businesses, workers and families that are economically dependent on our industry.

“We hope now to focus our collective efforts on what this industry does best (with) writers, directors, actors, production crews and entertainment companies working together to deliver great content to our worldwide audiences.”

DGA president Michael Apted congratulated his colleagues: “The DGA applauds the successful conclusion of the AMPTP-WGA negotiations and the end to the strike.

“The last three months have been painful ones for tens of thousands of working people in and around the entertainment industry, and like everyone else our members are now eager to get back to work.”

Leslie Moonves, CBS president and chief executive, admitted he had felt “many emotions” during the strike. He added: “But right now, there is right now a great sense of relief and a feeling that we’re putting the community back together. And that’s a great feeling.”

Of the strike’s financial impact, Moonves said: “Frankly, revenues were not down a lot, and costs were down a lot. So financially, there wasn’t a lot of pain inflicted on CBS Corp. But I believe in this business, and this business is good when we’re in full-scale production.”

Sid Ganis, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, said he was delighted its Oscars ceremony would now go ahead in full: “I am ecstatic that the 80th Academy Awards presentation can now proceed full steam ahead with talented writers working on the show, a fantastic array of presenters and performers and, most importantly, the ability for all of our honored nominees to attend without hesitation or discomfort.”

Filed under: US TV   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: us tv writers strike ends

writers strike officially ends

13Feb08

 

The US writers’ strike that has put television and film production on hold for more than three months has officially ended.

Writers Guild of America members voted nearly unanimously to halt the action after achieving a deal to give them “a foothold in the digital age”.

The result – with nearly 3,500 for and 283 against the agreement – was announced yesterday evening Pacific Time, during the early hours of today GMT.

WGA West president Patric Verrone gave a press conference in Los Angeles to confirm the agreement.

“Our membership has voted and writers can go back to work,” he announced. “This was not a strike we wanted but one we had to conduct in order to win jurisdiction and establish appropriate residuals for writing in new media and on the internet.

“Those advances now give us a foothold in the digital age. Rather than being shut out of the future of content creation and delivery, writers will lead the way as TV migrates to the internet and platforms for new media are developed.”

Michael Winship, who leads WGA East, added: “The success of this strike is a significant achievement not only for ourselves but the entire creative community, now and in the future.

“The commitment and solidarity of our members made it happen and have been an inspiration not only to us but the entire organised labour movement. We will build on that energy and unity to make our two unions stronger than ever.”

The Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation has estimated the action cost $733m in lost production spending and another $1.3bn indirectly.

The three-year deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers will now be formally ratified by WGA members in a postal vote.

Filed under: US TV   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: us tv writers strike ends

cbs orders more ‘rules’ ‘shark’

13Feb08

 

CBS has ordered additional episodes of Shark and Rules of Engagement for this season.

The network has picked up four more episodes of the James Woods legal drama, plus six new instalments of the half-hour comedy, for broadcast later this season. It is also expected to give the go-ahead to a couple more episodes of The New Adventures of Old Christine.

The future of Shark this season had been in doubt after Dexter was scheduled in its regular Sunday, 10pm slot.

Elsewhere at CBS, production will resume on six to seven episodes for most of its major series, including the CSI franchise, Ghost Whisperer, Cold Case, NCIS, Criminal Minds and Without A Trace.

Filed under: US TV   |  Leave a Comment

heroes and chuck to return

13Feb08

 

Heroes will return for a third season this autumn, it has been confirmed.

NBC has promised a “major relaunch” of the show when the cult drama comes back following an absence of almost nine months.

The network has also renewed freshman drama series Chuck and Life and will support both with high profile relaunch campaigns.

“These pickups are a sign of our confidence in these quality series and will allow the respective producers to get a head start on their creative arc for next season,” said Mark Graboff, co-chairman of NBC Entertainment. “As a result, they give us a lot to build on as we point to next year’s schedule.”

Filed under: US TV   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: us tv heroes returning

friday-15th-february-2009

13Feb08

 

Alex arrives on the street at the crack of dawn to see Michelle and tells an intrigued Norris that Michelle is his mum. However, he’s upset when he sees her and Ryan looking closer than ever and leaves feeling lonely and rejected.

Meanwhile, Norris has made sure the entire street knows that Ryan isn’t Michelle’s real son, while Michelle’s panicked when she receives a call from Nick telling her Alex is missing. Nick gives up searching for his son, claiming he’s done this before and he’s losing patience. But when Alex later arrives in the pub escorted by a police officer claiming that he lives with her at the Rovers, Michelle’s shocked. What has Alex done?

Jack is feeling suffocated by Rita and Emily and goes into the betting shop to hide from them. Realising that the last time he placed a bet was the day Vera died and he hasn’t checked if it was a winner or not.

As Dan starts to look up the records – Jack’s over the moon to discover that every horse he bet on came in and he’s owed £3,000! As he frantically searches for the betting slip so he can pick up his winnings, he’s horrified to learn that Vera took the ticket and put it somewhere safe – it’s nowhere to be seen. However, Dan’s made it quite clear – no ticket, no money. Will he let Jack off?

Elsewhere, Steve gives in to Liz’s endless pleas to redecorate the Rovers and put her own stamp on it. Also, Roy leaves for Africa, but after Becky arrives with all her possessions, he seems more nervous about her moving into the flat.

Filed under: Corrie   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: corrie 15th february

friday-15th-february-2009

13Feb08

 

Stacey’s holding onto the envelope Bradley gave her. She’s just about to open it when she falters – she needs to know more about Bradley’s new girlfriend. Bradley quickly explains that she’s not his new girlfriend, only his flatmates.

The pair are talking when Bradley takes the envelope back from her. A convention guide moves them on to the next exhibit. Stacey attempts to make small talk with Bradley as she wants things back to the way they were. It’s obvious, however, that Bradley’s finding it hard to forgive and forget.

Stacey tries to explain to Bradley that she doesn’t like life without him and that she wants him back. Bradley doesn’t react too well to her saying this, so she heads into another room and grabs for her tube ticket. He catches up with her and takes her into his arms. She suggests that they both get away from it all for a short while, maybe go traveling as friends. Will Bradley take Stacey up on her offer?

Meanwhile, Tanya’s hit rock bottom. Her outburst in the courtroom, coupled with the DVD going missing means she doesn’t have as strong a case against Max as she did. She tells Abi and Lauren that she’s made a decision and to go pack their things – there’s a taxi coming in 45 minutes.

As the taxi pulls up outside, Tanya changes her mind – she can’t make the girls choose between her and Max. Instead, she send them off to school for the rest of the afternoon. As she’s watching them leave, she’s gob-smacked by what she sees. She watches a drunken Max step out of a taxi with her solicitor Harriet’s assistant. Tanya calls Dot to see if she can look after baby Oscar and immediately grabs for a bottle of wine…

Elsewhere, Mo’s a woman on a mission and introduces Charlie to the Lonely Hearts’ column in the Walford Gazette.

Filed under: Eastenders   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: eastenders 15th february

thursday-14th-february-2009

13Feb08

 

It’s Valentine’s Day and letters are dropping onto doormats as a romantic song plays out on the radio. A card arrives for Tanya and it’s from Sean. She’s not impressed and promptly bins it. Max, meanwhile, receives two envelopes – a card from Abi and a padded package. Bradley receives a card on his doormat and it’s been delivered by hand. He opens the door as is shocked to see Stacey stood there.

It’s also the day of Max and Tanya’s first divorce hearing and Tany’s looking optimistic. She doesn’t hesitate in warning Lauren and Abi against the ‘marketing ploy’ that is Valentine’s.

Stacey struggles to find the words as she attempts to reconcile with Bradley. Bradley’s very abrupt with her. It’s clear he doesn’t want to hear what she has to say but listens anyway. He’s amazed when he finds out that she’s bought him two tickets to the Doctor Who convention at St Paul’s Cathedral. She’s hoping he’ll attend with her but just as he’s about to answer, a half-naked woman walks into the kitchen, prompting Stacey to make a hasty exit!

Tanya arrives at the hearing and is seemingly happy about what lay ahead until her solicitor, Harriet, informs her that the DVD has gone missing. Harriet assures a furious Tanya that everything will be fine but they’ll have to change their plea to ‘unreasonable behaviour’. As the hearing begins, Tanya starts to lose her cool when Max starts looking more smug minute-on-minute. Tanya’s incensed when Harriet tells her that there will have to be a new hearing. Outside the court room, Max tells Tanya that everything doesn’t have to be like this. Tanya, however, assures him that it’s over – for good.

Meanwhile, Bradley’s furious with his mum for giving Stacey his new address but she tells him straight – if he’s really moved on since Stacey, why does he carry a photo of her, a love letter and his wedding ring around with him?

At St Paul’s, Stacey’s about to leave after waiting for Bradley until he turns up. He hands her an envelope and they enter the exhibition – but what’s in the envelope?

Filed under: Eastenders   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: eastenders 14th february

friday-22nd-february-2009

13Feb08

 

When Warren finds Louise has packed her bags and has decided to leave him, he feels the need to prove to her that he is serious about going straight. The Osbornes can’t believe their luck when Warren returns to the hospital to hand over the keys to The Dog, but will it be enough to convince Louise that Warren has really changed his ways?

John Paul is keen to avoid Kieron after their illicit kiss at the fashion show, but Kieron catches up with him at the McQueens’ and they’re forced to face up to it. John Paul is surprised by how calm Kieron seems to be about it, and finds himself intrigued by how unconventional he is considering that he’s a priest. As they drink a few beers together and chill out, John Paul finds himself caught up in a silly game of ‘Truth or Dare’, as Kieron insists on proving that not all priests are uptight or prudish.

When Kieron dares him to buy more beer from Drive ‘N’ Buy wearing only his boxers, John Paul is compelled to agree, eager to show that he can have fun too. As they approach Drive ‘N’ Buy, it seems like John Paul is starting to lose his nerve. Will he go through with his prank to impress the priest?

Zak comforts a worried Katy and tries to reassure her that it is perfectly OK for a girl to worry over her boyfriend. Shocked by the news that there was a siege in the village, Justin apologises to Katy for not being there for her and reveals that he had crashed at Danny’s after having one too many drinks with his mate.

It’s the day of Max’s ECG but O.B. still feels like a third wheel in the flat as Max and Steph need time together by themselves. A preoccupied O.B. tries to block out his anxieties by sorting some fruit at MOBS but, still smarting from Zak’s words, he dumps the task and heads off to the village where, as he takes in the surroundings, memories start to flood back. The challenges he has faced, the laughter, friendship, the awful memories of The Dog fire. Moving on the to the cemetery, O.B. places flowers on Mel Burton’s grave before heading back, having made up his mind whether to stay or leave the village for good…

Filed under: 1   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: hollyoaks 22nd february