UPCOMING GUESTS ON “THE TALK” ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK, 2/1-2/3

(*Denotes changes and/or additions to previous schedule, (n) Denotes new)

Wednesday, Feb. 1	TV host Dr. Phil gives relationship advice;  Nancy O’Dell guest co-hosts (CBS Television Distribution’s “Entertainment Tonight”) (n)
*Thursday, Feb. 2	*Actor John Stamos; “Redo-U: Money” with finance expert Stacey Tisdale; Kelly Osbourne guest co-hosts  (n)
*Friday, Feb. 3	*Actor Daniel Radcliffe previews his new movie (CBS Films’ “The Woman in Black”); “Redo-U” Super Bowl snacks with celebrity chef Guy Fieri; Kelly Osbourne guest co-hosts (n)

RATING:  TV14-DL (Rating may change on day of broadcast due to specific subject matter.)

 

Official CBS Website:  http://www.cbs.com/daytime/the_talk/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TheTalkCBS

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/TheTalk_CBS  or @TheTalk_CBS

CBS Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/CBSTweet or @CBSTweet

 

Manhattan (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

“Manhattan” is a romantic comedy and Woody Allen masterpiece that is a timeless classic!  Featuring wonderful cinematography, music, witty dialogue and memorable one-liners and a true Woody Allen classic worth owning on Blu-ray!

Images courtesy of © 1979 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: Manhattan

FILM RELEASE: 1979

DURATION: 96 Minutes

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: Black and White, Widescreen 2:35:1, English Mono DTS-HD Master Audio, Spanish Mono, French Mono, Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French

COMPANY:MGM/20th Century fox

RATED: Not Rated

RELEASE DATE: January 24, 2012

Directed by Woody Allen

Written by Woody Allen and Marshall Brickman

Produced by Charles H. Joffe, Jack Rollins

Executive Producer: Robert Greenhut

Cinematography by Gordon Willis

Edited by Susan E. Morse

Casting by Juliet Taylor

Production Design by Mel Bourne

Set Decoration by Robert Drumheller

Costume Design by Albert Wolsky

Starring:

Woody Allen as Isaac

Diane Keaton as Mary

Michael Murphy as Yale

Mariel Hemingway as Tracy

Meryl Streep as Jill

Anne Byrne Hoffman as Emily

Karen Ludwig as Connie

Michael O’Donoghue as DenniNominated for two Academy Awards * in 1979 and considered “one of Allen’s most enduring accomplishments” (Boxoffice), Manhattan is a wry, touching and finely rendered portrait of modern relationships against the backdrop of urban alienation. Sumptuously photographed in black and white (Allen’s first film in that format) and accompanied by a magnificent Gershwin score, Woody Allen’s aesthetic triumph is a “prismatic portrait of a time and a place that may be studied decades hence” (Time). 42-year-old Manhattan native Isaac Davis (Allen) has a job he hates, a seventeen-year-old girlfriend, Tracy (Mariel Hemingway), he doesn’t love and a lesbian ex-wife, Jill (Meryl Streep), who’s writing a tell-all book about their marriage and whom he’d like to strangle. But when he meets his best friend’s sexy intellectual mistress, Mary (Diane Keaton), Isaac falls head over heels in lust! Leaving Tracy, bedding Mary and quitting his job are just the beginning of Isaac’s quest for romance and fulfillment in a city where sex is as intimate as a handshake and the gateway to true love is a revolving door. *Supporting Actress (Hemingway); Original Screenplay

With the success of Woody Allen’s first drama in 1978 with “Interiors”, Woody Allen returned to the romantic comedy the following year with “Manhattan”.

Always a filmmaker who is willing to give different cinematic techniques a try, Woody Allen and cinematographer Gordon Willis  decided to why not shoot a black and white film and also shoot in anamorphic widescreen.

The film would feature a wonderful cast which would include Allen,  Diane Keaton (“Annie Hall”, “Interiors”, “The Godfather” films) Michael Murphy (“Batman Returns”, “X-Men: The Last Stand”, “Magnolia”), Mariel Hemingway (“Star 80″, “The Sex Monster”) and Meryl Streep (“The Devil Wears Prada”, “Doubt”, “Adaptation”, “Out of Africa”).

The film was an amazing success earning $39.9 million in the box office, the 17th highest-grossing picture of 1979, was lauded by film critics and was voted for a plethora of awards, featured at #46 in the American Film Institute’s “100 Years…100 Laughs” and in 2001, selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the United States Library of Congress who deemed the film as “culturally significant”.

And what is most amazing about the film’s success is that after completion of the film, Woody Allen was so unhappy and disappointed with the film that he asked United Artists not to release the film.  In fact, Allen offered to make a movie for free if they would throw the film away.

In this case, it worked for the benefit of the studio to go with the film and whether or not Woody Allen agrees, many consider it among his top masterpiece within his long list of films in his oeuvre.

“Manhattan” begins with the music of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and we are introduced to writer Isaac Davis (played by Wood Allen) who has been wanting to write about his love for New York City.

Davis is a 42-years-old, a television writer who has been divorced twice and and not enjoying his life.  But he is dating a beautiful young 17-year-old named Tracy (played by Mariel Hemingway).

But Davis’ friends are also not in the happiest times of their marriages.

His friend Yale (played by Michael Murphy) who is married to Emily (played by Anne Byrne) but is having an affair with Mary Wilkie (played by Diane Keaton), also a divorcee.  Meanwhile, Isaac’s ex-wife Jill (played by Meryl Streep) is planning to write a book about their marriage and how she came out of the closet as a lesbian and is currently living with her partner Connie (played by Karen Ludwig).

When Isaac hooks up with his friend Yale and is introduced to Mary, needless to say, he finds her to be a snob and is turned off.  During an Equal Rights Amendment fundraising event at the Museum of Modern Art, the two share a cab together and begin talking throughout the night and early morning.

Isaac begins to realize that he is falling for Mary, but yet is dating Tracy.  Feeling that dating a younger woman will not work, he encourages to pursue to study acting in London.  When Isaac finds out Yale has broken up with Mary, immediately he decides to go for Mary and breakup with Tracy.  But what happens when Yale decides to end his marriage with Emily and continue his relationship with Mary?  What about Isaac?   Did he make the wrong decision by dumping Tracy for Mary?

VIDEO:

“Manhattan” is presented in 1080p High Definition, black and white (widescreen 2:35:1).  Having owned the previous DVD release of the film, I’m proud to say that Woody Allen’s classic looks absolutely fantastic on Blu-ray!

While not 100% pristine as there are some white specks that can be seen, still…the picture quality looks clean, contrast levels are fantastic, black levels are nice and deep, white and gray levels are also well-done and very sharp.  There is also a fine layer of grain.

But possibly the biggest difference that previous DVD owner’s will notice with this Blu-ray release is the amount of detail that is evident.  You can see the details on the clothing, the detail on the character’s faces.  I was pretty surprised of how good the picture quality of this film was in HD.  Absolutely fantastic!

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“Manhattan” is presented in English mono DTS-HD Master Audio, Spanish mono and French mono.  With that being said, this lossless soundtrack is primarily dialogue driven and while there is music featured in the film (and the music sounds very good), this is pretty much a front channel 2.0 monaural soundtrack.  I didn’t hear any hiss, crackling or any problems with the soundtrack.

SPECIAL FEATURES

For those not familiar with Woody Allen films, aside from the recent “Midnight in Paris” Blu-ray release, none of his films on DVD or Blu-ray contain special features aside from the theatrical trailer.

Captivating, witty and definitely a Woody Allen masterpiece!

Whether or not what Allen may think, considering he did all he can to have this film shelved.  But while I’ve read many interviews of what made him feel that way, I would probably have to say it was probably director’s exhaustion of working  on a project for too long and also being a perfectionist and feeling it wasn’t good enough.

But similar to how I felt about “Annie Hall”, “Manhattan” is a film that I absolute love for its witty banter, its characters and one-liners that Woody Allen that still make me laugh each time I watch this movie (the “Van-Gah” and Fellini one-liner continues to make me laugh out loud to this day).

An apart from the performances and writing,”Manhattan” to me, is a romantic comedy that captures the romantic side of New York City through its wonderful wide shots and composition. Add the music of Zubin Mehta and the New York Philharmonic with beautiful pieces such as “Oh, Lady Be Good”, “‘S Wonderful”, “Love is Here to Stay” and Gary Graffman’s memorable score of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” to name a few.

Bare in mind, this is in the 1970′s and from films such as “Taxi Driver” to “Saturday Night Fever” had always captured the more rugged side of the city.  From focusing on a variety of locations and shooting in black and white, “Manhattan” looks romantic and beautiful.  And this is where we see Woody Allen, the director at his best.  Choreographed scenes that are carefully planned and pulled off with amazing efficacy.

In some ways, this film does getter with time.  And I mean that by saying how I seem to enjoy this film the older I get.  From watching this film for the first time in my late teens and now at the age of 40, there is always something new that I pick up with this film and find myself understanding the character of Isaac (played by Woody Allen) much more.  Even a little bit of the character of Yale.  And I think this film helps people reflect on past decisions, specifically poor ones that come back to bite you in the ass.

As for the Blu-ray release, having owned this film on DVD, you can’t help but notice the clarity and detail of “Manhattan” in HD.  The picture is absolutely fantastic and despite the Blu-ray not having any special features (as nearly all Woody Allen films do not have except the recently released “Midnight In Paris”), this Blu-ray release is definitely worth the upgrade.

Overall, “Manhattan” is a romantic comedy and Woody Allen masterpiece that is a timeless classic!  Featuring wonderful cinematography, music, witty dialogue and memorable one-liners and a true Woody Allen classic worth owning on Blu-ray!

Highly recommended!

 

Digital Manga Anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA Debuts Today!

North America’s First Weekly Digital Manga Anthology Debuts With A Special YU-GI-OH! Trading Card Promotion For All Subscribers

San Francisco, CA, January 30, 2012 – The wait is finally over! VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, launches the debut issue of its new digital manga (graphic novel) magazine – WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA – today! The first issue is available now through VIZManga.com; it will also be part of the upcoming update to the VIZ Manga apps for iPad®, iPhone®, and iPod touch®.

Each new digital edition of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA treats manga fans in North America to the latest chapters of some of the world’s most popular manga series only two weeks after they debut in Japan’s massively popular WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP magazine. The first issue of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA also includes part 1 of an exclusive of an interview with NARUTO creator Masashi Kishimoto, where he discusses the inner workings behind his creative process and how he creates a story that captivates audiences from all over the world.

To further celebrate the launch, WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA has joined forces with Konami to delight Duelists and manga fans with a special offer! Fans that sign up for an annual membership to WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA will receive highly collectable YU-GI-OH! game cards four times a year, delivered right to their doorstep before anyone else has them.

Debut manga chapters featured in WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA include:

BAKUMAN｡(rated ‘T’ for Teens) Chapter 162:
With their new series Reversi doing well in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, Akito and Mashiro are invited to an important industry party. The duo seems on the verge of getting their first-ever anime series, but what hurdles still stand in their way…?
BLEACH (rated ‘T’ for Teens) Chapter 476:
After regaining his true Soul Reaper powers thanks to Rukia and the captains from the Soul Society, Ichigo begins his final battle against Kugo Ginjo. As the fight heats up, both use Bankai to reveal their most powerful forms.

NARUTO (rated ‘T’ for Teens) Chapter 569:
Naruto has been swallowed by the Four-Tailed Beast. He’s transported to another world where he as a deep discussion with the biju, who asks for Naruto’s help from freeing it from the influence of the man masquerading as Madara. Is Naruto strong enough to help a Tailed Beast?!

NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN (rated ‘T’ for Teens) Chapter 185:
On the human front, it looks like girl trouble for Rikuo as Tsurara starts showing some jealousy over his relationship with Kana. And on the yokai front, the battles may be won, but the war is always on as Ryuji shows up with the news that the Nenekirimaru weapon is complete…and Rikuo must go with him to Mt. Osore to check out the brewing situation.

ONE PIECE (rated ‘T’ for Teens) Chapter 652:
After a tough fight, the Straw Hats were able to defeat the New Fish-Man pirates and bring peace to Fish-Man Island. The crew celebrates with a grand feast, but trouble looms as Luffy challenges an even bigger threat in the form of one of the four emperors, Big Mom.

TORIKO (rated ‘T’ for Teens) Chapter 171:
Pumped up – literally! – by their victory at Gourmet Casino, Toriko and company journey to the capital of Jiddal in search of information on foods that will power them up to enter the savage Gourmet World. But will the King of Jiddal and his personal chef keep the info Toriko needs a secret?

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA is available through an annual membership that provides 52 weeks of access to 48 weekly issues for just $25.99. Single issues of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA can be read for four weeks for only $0.99. Each issue may be read on VIZManga.com, and once available, on the updated VIZ Manga App for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. Subscribers to WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA will also receive an annual collector’s yearbook and access to exclusive content, including creator interviews and videos.

For more information on WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA and exclusive subscriber offers, please visit SJAlpha.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan’s largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

 

UPCOMING GUESTS ON “THE LATE LATE SHOW with CRAIG FERGUSON” ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK (January 30 – February 10, 2012)

Following Broadcasts of the “Late Show with David Letterman”)

 

(*Denotes changes and/or additions to previous schedule, (n) Denotes new broadcast)

 

Monday, Jan. 30          Actor Don Cheadle; actress Andrea Riseborough (n)

Tuesday, Jan. 31         Talk and performance by Ringo Starr (n)

Wednesday, Feb. 1     Actor William Shatner (n)

Thursday, Feb. 2         Actor Daniel Radcliffe; comedy by Mark Forward (n)

Friday, Feb. 3             Actress Rachel Bilson; writer/producer David Milch (n)

*Monday, Feb. 6        Actor Mark Harmon from the CBS drama series “NCIS”; actress Martha Plimpton (n)

*Tuesday, Feb. 7       Actor Kenneth Branagh (n)

*Wednesday, Feb. 8  Actress Christina Applegate; stylist Brad Goreski (n)

*Thursday, Feb. 9      Actress Lisa Kudrow; Talk and performance by Weird Al Yankovic (n)

*Friday, Feb. 10        Comedian Chelsea Handler; biologist Dan Riskin (n)

 

On the Web:  www.cbs.com/latenight/latelate/

RATING:  TV-14-D (Rating may change on day of broadcast due to specific subject matter.)

 

JENNIFER LOPEZ TO PRESENT AT 84TH ACADEMY AWARDS®

Beverly Hills, CA – Jennifer Lopez will present at the 84th Academy Awards ceremony, telecast producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer announced today.

Lopez, who serves as a judge on “American Idol,” will be seen next in the feature “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” and recently completed work on “Parker” and “Ice Age: Continental Drift.” Her other film credits include “The Back-Up Plan,” “El Cantante,” “Monster-in-Law,” “Maid in Manhattan,” “Enough,” “The Wedding Planner,”  “Out of Sight” and “Selena.”

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

# # #

ABOUT THE ACADEMY
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards – in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners – the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.

FOLLOW THE ACADEMY
www.oscars.org
www.facebook.com/TheAcademy
www.youtube.com/Oscars
www.twitter.com/TheAcademy

 

The Big Caper (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

“The Big Caper” is a 1957 heist film which is straightforward, simple and banal.  An average storyline with a contrived Hollywood ending.

Images courtesy of © 1957 P.T.S. Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: The Big Caper

FILM RELEASE DATE: 1957

DURATION: 85 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Black and White, 1:33:1 Full Frame, Dolby Digital

COMPANY: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Twentieth Century Fox

RELEASE DATE: January 2012

Directed by Robert Stevens

Screenplay by Martin Berkeley

Based on the Novel by Lionel White

Produced by Howard Pine, William C. Thomas

Music by Albert Glasser

Cinematography by Lionel London

Edited by George A. Gittens

Art Direction by Alfred Kegerris

Costume Design by Jerry Bos, Fay Moore, Alvina Tomin

Starring:

Rory Calhoun as Frank Harper

Mary Cost as Kay

James Gregory as Flood

Robert H. Harris as Zimmer

Roxanne Arlen as Doll

Corey Allen as Roy

Paul Picerni as Harry

Patrick McVey as Sam Loxley

An indebted con man persuades a crime boss to bankroll a heist on a small town bank, posing as a married couple with the bosses girl.

In 1957, the heist film “The Big Caper” was made.  Featuring an adaptation of the novel by Lionel White, the film is directed by Robert Stevens (“Alfred Hitchcock Presents”, “Never Lose a Stranger”) and a screenplay by Martin Berkeley (“Tarantula”, “Revenge of the Creature”, “The Deadly Mantis”).

The film would star Rory Calhoun (“Texan”, “How to Marry a Millionaire”, “River of No Return”), Mary Costa (“Sleeping Beauty”, “The Great Waltz”) and James Gregory (“The Manchurian Candidate”, “Beneath the Planet of the Apes”, “The Lawless Years”).

“The Big Caper” revolves around Frank Harper (played by Rory Calhoun), a man who is in debt for gambling and wiped out his money on horse races.

Frank decides to pay his good friend and former bank heist professional Flood (played by James Gregory) to rob a small coastal town bank which is the bank used for the payroll for a nearby army base.  But unfortunately, Flood has no intention of going to prison again and wants to live the good life.

But after Frank shows Flood the location and how there are not many police, it appears that there chances of success are high and both men are enticed to robbing the bank.

But first, Frank needs to fit in with the community and learn more about how things work in the small town.  He and Flood’s girlfriend, Kay (played by Mary Costa) purchase a gas station shop and immediately, they start to fit in with the community, making friends and even befriending a police officer.

And for Kay, she starts to enjoy the domestic life of cooking and having people over at their house.   She also starts to fall for Frank, but Frank reminds her that this all for business and their plan is to rob the bank and he would never betray Flood by messing around with his girlfriend.  But Kay tells Frank that she and Flood have been over for a long time, but he still remains loyal to his friend.

Meanwhile, Frank begins to assemble his team and hires Zimmer (played by Robert H. Harris), an alcoholic and pyromaniac.  In addition, Flood brings his men, Roy and Harry (and his intrusive girlfriend Doll).

But when Kay breaks off her relationship with Flood, Flood begins to become jealous that Kay has taken a liking to her new “fake” life with Frank.  Despite both Kay and Frank telling him that nothing happened between them, part of him doesn’t believe it.  Especially when Zimmer tries to fuels the fire by trying to get Flood jealous by telling him that he thinks that Kay is falling in love with Frank.

But when both Frank and Kay start to learn how violent Flood can be and that his jealousy has gotten the best of him and that he wants them dead…. what will happen to Frank and Kay?

MOD PLAYABILITY:

Part of the worry of viewers who had bad experiences with MOD DVD’s is its overall DVD pressing. Granted, those problems were much common during the beginning of MOD’s several years ago but so far, I have not had any problems with MGM’s Limited Edition Collection.

With “The Big Caper”, its printed quite well with printing on top of the DVD, it’s not a plain silver disc with letters. If you didn’t know it was MOD, you would think it was an actual DVD release.

As for playability, I played “The Big Caper” on my Blu-ray player and DVD player with no problems. I then played it on my Mac and PC, no problems whatsoever.

VIDEO AND AUDIO:

“The Big Caper” is presented in black and white (1:33:1 full frame).  Picture quality is actually good as there are not many blemishes or damage.  You do see the occasional white specks and scratches but for the most part, contrast for the film look good and there is a fine layer of grain.  Back levels are good and no sign of a major DNR.

Dialogue is presented in Dolby Digital, dialogue is clear.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“The Big Caper” comes with no special features.

When it comes to ’50s heist films, among the best is Stanley Kubrick’s 1956 film “The Killing”.

MGM tried to repeat that success with their 1957 film “The Big Caper” but as “The Killing” focused on the characters and a bank heist gone wrong, “The Big Caper” goes a different route in which two of the robbers in the group, a man and a woman, disguise themselves as a couple and get used to their new life.

Granted, for the man…Frank, it’s all about business and his goal of robbing the bank.  For Kay, she always wanted that family life and wants to keep it that way, especially since she is falling for Frank.

The problem is, Kay is Flood’s girlfriend and despite their relationship is pretty much down in the dumps, Flood has a reputation for a person not to be messed with.

The film focuses primarily on Frank and Kay who are changed by their life in the coastal town and the fact that they are falling in love with each other, it starts to cause problems in the overall planning of the heist as Flood can sense that something may be developing between the two and once again, you mess with Flood…bad things will come.

For the most part, “The Big Caper” has a feeling of a Monogram Pictures film (known for producing low-budget films in Hollywood) but with better location shots and maybe even a higher budget.  While Flood and the pyromaniac Zimmer are worthy antagonists, the problem is that once you see a film like “The Killing”, “The Big Caper” is almost lowered to something like a TV movie.  It has dangerous people, but not dangerous enough.  It has action, but only for a short duration.

Whereas “The Killing” made you wonder if they can pull of a heist, “The Big Caper” becomes less about the heist but more of the survival of Frank and Kay, as you know that Flood is going to turn on them.

Needless to say, the film doesn’t stray far from any major twists and you can pretty much sense how things are probably going to end as the film makes things a bit obvious.

Still, “The Big Caper” does have charm, especially with the romance factor between Frank and Kay but I will say that how the film ends within the last minute, it’s such an easy way-out which was typical for films at the time but I suppose this film can fit into the long list of films with the banality of happy endings.  Although this happy ending felt cheap and contrived!

As for the DVD, as mentioned, picture quality was good and there is no major damage to the video or audio.

Overall, “The Big Caper” may not be anywhere near the quality of “The Killing” but if you are looking for a ’50s heist films that is straightforward and banal, then give this film a try!

 

 

ABC’S “ONCE UPON A TIME” DRAWS IT BIGGEST AUDIENCE IN 11 WEEKS (1/29)

Quick Take for Sunday, January 29, 2012
(Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)

Standing as the Top Non-Sports Show at 7pm in Adults 18-49, ABC’s
“America’s Funniest Home Videos” Equals its Highest Rating Since May

Sunday’s No. 1 Non-Sports TV Program in Adults 18-49, ABC’s “Once Upon a Time” Attracts its Biggest Audience in 11 Weeks and the Series’ 2nd-Best-Ever Teen Number

ABC’s “Hallmark Hall of Fame” is Up Over the Franchise’s Most Recent Movie, Drawing the Network’s Biggest Audience in the Time Period Since November

“America’s Funniest Home Videos” (7:00-8:00 p.m.)
During the 7 o’clock hour, opposite the NFL’s 2012 Pro Bowl, ABC’s “America’s Funniest Home Videos” ranked as the dominant No. 1 non-sports program in Adults 18-49, leading runner-up CBS’ “60 Minutes” by 27% (1.9/5 vs. 1.5/4).

* ABC’s “America’s Funniest Home Videos” attracted its biggest audience (7.3 million) since November (2nd-largest of the season) and equaled its top Adult 18-49 number since early-May – since 11/27/11 and 5/1/11, respectively.

“Once Upon a Time” (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
Rising week to week and building sharply on its lead-in against the football game (+48% in viewers/+79% in young adults), ABC freshman drama “Once Upon a Time” emerged as Sunday’s
No. 1 non-sports TV program among Adults 18-49 (3.4/8). During the 8 o’clock hour, ABC’s “Once Upon a Time” outdelivered CBS’ “Undercover Boss” by 13% (3.0/7) and Fox’s animated comedies by 48% (“The Simpsons”/”Napoleon Dynamite” = 2.3/5).

* Growing week to week in Viewers (+16%) and Adults 18-49 (+6%), “Once Upon a Time” (10.8 million) produced its most-watched telecast overall in 11 weeks – since 11/13/11. In addition, the Disney-owned drama surged by 24% over the prior week in Teens 12-17 to match the series’ 2nd-highest-ever number.

* Although facing the Pro Bowl this year, “Once Upon a Time” delivered big time-period increases for ABC in the hour, growing over the year-ago night with original programming by 2.3 million viewers and by 42% in Adults 18-49 (“Home Edition” = 8.5 million and 2.4/6 on 1/30/11).

“Hallmark Hall of Fame: A Smile as Big as the Moon” (9:00-11:00 p.m.)
From 9:00-11:00 p.m., ABC’s “Hallmark Hall of Fame: A Smile as Big as the Moon” was up from the last “Hallmark Hall of Fame” movie (on 11/27/11), gaining 7% in Total Viewers (6.9 million vs. 6.4 million) and surging 36% in Adults 18-49 (1.5/4 vs. 1.1/2).

* With “A Smile as Big as the Moon,” the Network pulled in its largest audience in the 2-hour time period since November – since 11/20/11.

A note about increasing DVR penetration and year-to-year rating comparisons: Year-to-year rating comparisons based on the Live + Same Day data stream are distorted by the level of DVR penetration in the Nielsen sample, which has jumped up to 43% currently, from 39% at the same point in 2011. More viewers are watching shows on their own timetables, which may not be reflected in the overnight next day numbers. The only truly valid year-to-year comparison would be one based on the Live + 7 Day metric, once those stats are released by Nielsen.

Source: The Nielsen Company (Fast Affiliate, Live + Same Day Ratings), 01/29/12.

 

TINSEL KOREY (THE TWILIGHT SAGA) AND SHANNEN DOHERTY (90210) STAR IN SYFY’S FIRST EVER ORIGINAL FAIRY TALE DOUBLE FEATURE IN FEBRUARY

NEW YORK – January 30, 2012 – Tinsel Korey (The Twilight Saga) and Shannen Doherty (90210) become embroiled in two dark takes on the increasingly popular fairy tale genre – the first ever Syfy Original Movie Double Feature – while Gina Holden (Flash Gordon) is trapped on a deadly deserted island, in a special three-pack of February Saturday Original Movies.

In Jules Verne’s Mysterious Island, premiering Saturday, February 11 at 9PM (ET/PT),
a group of travelers become stranded on a mysterious island. Confronting vicious pirates, terrifying creatures and an active volcano, they must find a way to escape. The movie, a production of K2 Pictures, stars Gina Holden and Mark Sheppard (Supernatural).

Black Forest, starring Tinsel Korey and Ben Cross (Chariots of Fire), tells the chilling story of tourists lost in a magical forest, who battle evil fairy tale creatures plotting to kidnap one of their babies and slaughter the rest of them. A production of UFO Films, Black Forest airs Saturday, February 25 at 7PM (ET/PT).

Shannen Doherty and Paul McGillion (Stargate Atlantis) star in Gretl: Witch Hunter, premiering Saturday, February 25 at 9PM (ET/PT). Twenty years after his encounter with the witch, a grown-up Hansel returns to the haunted forest, seeking revenge. But there’s a surprise waiting — his sister Gretl (who he thought had been killed) is the witch’s protégée. Gretl: Witch Hunter is a production of Vesuvius Productions and distributed by Sony Pictures Television.

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 98 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)

 

UPCOMING GUESTS ON THE “LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN” ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK, 1/30-2/10

Monday through Friday, 11:35 PM-12:37 AM, ET/PT

(*Denotes changes and/or additions to previous schedule

(n) Denotes new broadcast)

 

Monday, Jan. 30      Actress Jennifer Lopez; actor Rob Schneider from the CBS comedy series “Rob”; musical guest James McCartney (n)

Tuesday, Jan. 31     Actor Bill Murray; musical guests Girls’ Generation (n)

Wednesday, Feb. 1 Radio star Howard Stern; musical guests The Airborne Toxic Event (n)

*Thursday, Feb. 2  Actor Woody Harrelson; actor/comedian Stephen Merchant; musical guest Lana Del Rey (n)

Friday, Feb. 3          Actress Michelle Williams; comedian Jake Johannsen; musical guest Ziggy Marley (n)

Monday, Feb. 6       Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar; musical guest Die Antwoord (n)

Tuesday, Feb. 7      Actor Denzel Washington; musical guests The Fray (n)

Wednesday, Feb. 8 Actor Ryan Reynolds; musical guest Dierks Bentley (n)

Thursday, Feb. 9     Actor Nicolas Cage; musical guests The Kills (n)

Friday, Feb. 10       Actor David Spade from the CBS comedy series “Rules of Engagement”; musical guest Betty Wright (n)

 

RATING: TV-PG (Rating may change on day of broadcast due to specific subject matter.)

 

Official CBS Website:  http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/Letterman

Twitter:  http://twitter/#!/Late_Show

CBS Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/CBSTweet

 

PAN AM: 1964 – SEASON FINALE

LOVE LOOMS LARGE AS NEW YEAR’S APPROACHES, ON ABC’S “PAN AM”

Ashley Greene (“The Twilight Saga” Films) and Darren Pettie (“Mad Men”) Guest Star

“1964″ – Life has changed on a dime for the crew of Pan Am. Since President Kennedy’s assassination and as New Year’s Eve approaches for the start of 1964, everyone’s lives are hurtling towards new starts: Colette is caught up in a whirlwind courtship with a foreign prince, and Dean is still kicking himself over losing her; Amanda and Ted’s wedding plans are racing forward, thrilling his family, but making him more nervous by the day; Kate’s spy supervisor, Richard, is shot and she tries to figure out whether he or someone else is a double agent — He warns her that the first person to ask her how he is doing will be the double agent, but the first person who does is the one person she never imagined; and Amanda makes Laura a startling offer. Meanwhile, Broyles puts Maggie in a life-threatening position-which sparks a major attraction to him — Laura forges on, still loving the man she can’t have, and Dean is put on trial for the decisions he made during the Haiti landing, on the Season Finale of “Pan Am,” SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

“Pan Am” stars Christina Ricci as Maggie, Margot Robbie as Laura, Michael Mosley as Ted, Mike Vogel as Dean, Karine Vanasse as Colette and Kelli Garner as Kate.

Guest starring are Ashley Greene as Amanda Mason and Darren Pettie as George Broyles, Mark Blum as Captain Jackson, Pedro Carmo as Roberto, Jeremy Davidson as Richard, David Harbour as Roger Anderson, Marek Piter as Omar, Haythem Noor as Andre, Kal Parekh as Sanjeev, David Pittu as Base Manager, Jonathan Raviv as Josefo and Jay O. Sanders as Douglas Vanderway.

“1964″ was written by Nick Thiel and directed by Andrew Bernstein.

“Pan Am” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s Selected HD Format, with 5.1 channel surround sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

This episode of “Pan Am” will be available on ABC.com the day after air for users to watch online. For more information on “Pan Am” visit ABC.com/PanAm.

 

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