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As Pawn Stars continues, the show's blend of comedy and drama keeps audiences engaged and rooting for the colorful cast of characters. Chumlee, once a comedic foil, has evolved into a trusted expert on the show while other cast members handle negotiations and development. The mainstream popularity of Pawn Stars has led to a surge in celebrity appearances, but some viewers feel the show has lost its initial authenticity.

Since its 2009 debut, the reality television series Pawn Stars, which follows the business dealings and interpersonal conflicts at a family-owned Las Vegas pawnshop, became the History Channels highest-rated show and the second most popular reality show on television, behind Jersey Shore.

The shows primary setting, the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, was opened in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1989 by Pawn Stars patriarch Richard Old Man Harrison and son Rick Harrison, who jointly operated the store until the elder Harrison died...

The Film Society of Lincoln Center has announced the complete lineup for the Projections section of the 54th New York Film Festival. Heading into its third year, the annual celebration will take place October 7 through October 9 and include 44 films in 11 programs with 10 world premieres, five North American premieres and 13 U.S. premieres.

The slate features “experimental narratives, avant-garde poetics, crossovers into documentary and ethnographic realms, and contemporary art practices,” per the festival’s press release. The Projections section will bring together a diverse offering of short, medium, and feature-length work by some of today’s most vital and groundbreaking visual artists.

Read More: Nyff Reveals Main Slate of 2016 Titles, Including ‘Manchester By the Sea,’ ‘Paterson’ and ‘Personal Shopper’

Among the films which will be highlighted is Eduardo Williams’s “The Human Surge,” winner of the top prize in Locarno’s 2016 Filmmakers of the Present section and called “the most ambitious...

As with their Convergence section, the New York Film Festival offers an expanded view of the current cinema with yet another installment in their Projections series, a showcase of recent developments in and classic examples of experimental work from around the globe. These are hard to pin down as fitting particular types, and the only qualifier I can give is that whatever I manage to see from Projections stands as some of the most fascinating, enriching work I encounter at Nyff every given year.

I’m particularly excited about a few things here: two new Nathaniel Dorsky shorts, for one thing, and The Human Surge, a Locarno title and recent Tiff selection that we (positively!) assessed as being “pretty much a film that, by nature, is unlovable.” But that’s a very small pack that stands out, not least of which is because they have individual program slots. Read a...

At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what's streaming on Netflix, we've got you covered.

TV Worth Watching

"Mad Men" (Sunday on AMC at 10 p.m.)

It's the end of an era. Pour yourself an Old Fashioned and toast the end of "Mad Men," 'cause Don Draper leaves us on May 17. Farewell, Don/Dick, Peggy, Joan, Roger, and -- wherever she is -- Lois the foot-crushing secretary. #TeamLois4Life

"Scandal" (Thursday on ABC at 9 p.m.)

"Scandal" is so devoted to its own name that every episode feels like a season finale. But the real end of Season 4 happens May 14 with "You Can't Take Command." ABC promises it will be "shocking" and since it's "Scandal," we believe it.

"Saturday Night Live" (Saturday on NBC at 11:29 p.m.)

Louis C.K. will host the Season 40 finale with Rihanna as musical guest. We have high expectations for both stars,...

In May we will see almost 60 titles leave Netflix, but nearly 60 titles are being added. One of the big warnings I will heed is that you’ve got until May 5 to watch Skyfall, so get on that. The Netflix original Grace & Frankie makes its debut on May 8 and stars Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston.

Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, The Boxtrolls, and Fruitvale Station are just some of the great titles heading your way next month. Check out the full list of new movies and TV shows coming to Netflix.

Available May 1

Beyond Clueless (2014)

Jimi: All Is by My Side (2013)

Legally Blonde (2001)

Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003)

Longmire: Season 3

No No: A Dockumentary (2014)

Shameless: Series 10

The Last Waltz (1978)

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005)

Underclassman (2015)

Witnesses: Season 1

Available May 2

Lalaloopsy: Festival of Sugary Sweets (2015)

LeapFrog Letter Factory Adventures: Amazing Word Explorers (2015)

Available May 3

Anita (2013)

D.L. Hughley...

The new list of TV shows and movies coming to Netflix streaming has arrived. Among the arrivals set to join the subscription service's lineup in May are Legally Blonde, Zombeavers, Fruitvale Station and Inglorious Basterds. For TV, expect additional seasons of Shameless, Royal Pains and more.  Below is the list of TV shows and movies coming to Netflix Streaming in May. Please keep in mind that dates and titles are subject to change... Friday, May 1 Legally Blonde Legally Blonde 2 Longmire (Season 3) Shameless (UK, Season 10) Witnesses (Season 1) Week of May 3 Royal Pains (Season 6) - 5/3/2015 Grace and Frankie - 5/8/2015 The Adventures of Puss in Boots (Season 1, 5 new eps) - 5/8/2015 Week of May 10 Fruitvale Station - 5/12/2015 American Restoration (New Collection) - 5/14/2015 Dance Moms (New Collection) - 5/14/2015 Duck Dynasty (New Collection) - 5/14/2015 Hoarders (New Collection) - 5/14/2015 Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (Season 4) - 5/14/2015 Granite Flats (Seasons 1-3) 5/15/2015 Dawg Fight - 5/15/2015 Week of May 17 Zombeavers -...

Some new titles are slated to hit Netflix next month, but things are a bit thin in the quality department. Highlights include Quentin Tarantino’s WWII saga Inglourious Basterds, Laika’s delightful The Boxtrolls, the emotional 2013 drama Fruitvale Station, and…not much else. On the Netflix Originals front, however, we do have the Jane Fonda/Lily Tomlin comedy Grace & Frankie coming on May 8th. Check out the full list of new movies and TV shows coming to Netflix in May below, via THR. Available May 1 Beyond Clueless (2014) Jimi: All Is by My Side (2013) Legally Blonde (2001) Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003) Longmire: Season 3 No No: A Dockumentary (2014) Shameless: Series 10 The Last Waltz (1978) The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005) Underclassman (2015) Witnesses: Season 1 Available May 2 Lalaloopsy: Festival of Sugary Sweets (2015) LeapFrog Letter Factory Adventures: Amazing Word Explorers (2015) Available May 3 Anita (2013) D.L. Hughley: Clear (2014) Royal Pains: Season 6 Available May 5 A Few Best Men...

May on Netflix brings more high-profile original series, including "Grace and Frankie," starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as two women who bond when their husbands -- Sam Waterston and Martin Sheen -- reveal they're gay and leave their wives to be together. It's from Marta Kauffman, the co-creator of "Friends."

Also new, the sci-fi mystery series "Between," in which a disease has wiped out everyone over 21. Unlike other Netflix series, "Between" will air a new episode every week for six weeks, beginning on May 21. Jennette McCurdy from "iCarly" stars.

And debuting on May 22: A comedy special from Jen Kirkman, best known for her appearances on "Chelsea Lately" and "Drunk History."

Here's a full rundown of what's new on Netflix in May 2015, provided by Netflix. As always, all titles and dates are subject to change. We've also go you covered in terms of what's leaving Netflix in May 2015, in case you were wondering.

While the work can be grueling, there's definitely an upside to doing restoration work for Rick Dale of Rick's Restorations in Las Vegas -- and it's not just being on television. In this exclusive clip from the coming episode of "American Restoration" (airing Thurs. June 5 at 10:00 p.m. on History), funk legend George Clinton drops by with a 1923 Chickering quarter baby grand piano. It's water damaged from a flood, but it holds four decades worth of memories for Clinton, who wrote and recorded some of his most memorable songs on it. In this exclusive clip, he proves that a piano doesn't have to be in tune to bust out some P-Funk awesomeness. The show, which will air back-to-back half-hour episodes for six weeks, is just the beginning. Dale is bringing in some big jobs this season, including a knife throwing board from David Copperfield’s Museum of Conjuring Arts,...

Summer is here! Here’s the lowdown on when you can expect your favorite shows to return (or your soon-to-be favorite shows to premiere) this year. Schedule your DVR accordingly with our handy calendar below:

May 28

So You Think You Can Dance (Fox)

May 29

New Undateable (NBC)

May 30

New Crossbones (NBC)

Mystery Millionaire (WeTV)

May 31

New Sing Your Face Off (ABC)

Bet On Your Baby (ABC)

June 1

New Halt and Catch Fire (AMC)

New Return to Amish (TLC)

New Last Seen Alive (Investigation Discovery)

Food Network Star (Food Network)

Mountain Men (History)

June 2

New Ladies of London (Bravo)

New Copycat...

ITV has purchased a large stake of Us reality TV producer Leftfield Entertainment.

Leftfield is behind several Us shows such as Pawn Stars and The Real Housewives of New Jersey.

The UK broadcaster has bought an 80% stake in the company for $360m (£212m).

Depending on Leftfield's profit growth, ITV also has the option to buy the remaining 20% for $800m (£472m).

ITV stated that its Us studios branch has now become the largest independent unscripted producer in the Us.

Adam Crozier, chief executive of ITV, said: "Leftfield is a fantastic success story, rapidly growing from a single pilot to become one of the biggest indies in the Us.

"The team has combined creativity with strong production expertise, with over 70% of the business coming from returning series and a pipeline of new ideas coming through in 2014 and into 2015 that is really encouraging."

Leftfield also produce Counting Cars and American Restoration among other shows.

ITV Studios has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Pawn Stars and Real Housewives of New Jersey producer Leftfield for $360 million. U.K. TV giant ITV said the deal would make its U.S. production operation the largest indie producer of unscripted programming in the U.S. ITV also said the deal will enhance its earnings from day one.  Photos: TV Showrunners' Top Offices Leftfield and its joint venture produce more than 300 hours of unscripted programming for more than 30 U.S. networks. Other shows include Couting Cars and American Restoration.   There are potential further payments

read more...

Hustle. Beauty. Pie. Idol. Gangster. Dreamz. Gigolo. Virgin. Violet. Outlaws. Idiot. Girl. Boy.

They’re a collection of words (or, in the case of “dreamz,” almost-words) that seem to have little in common, until you put the word “American” in front of them. Then each becomes a title, and not just any title — an evocative, slightly ironic title which promises a story that could only happen in these United States, one offering commentary on our shared national experience and way of life. It’s audacious, patriotic, grandiose — sort of like America itself, or at least the idea of “America.”

Either that…...

After a day of giving thanks, eating turkey, and watching TV with the family, a common impulse is to get out of the house and go shopping. Just kidding! Instead of braving the Black Friday brawls, sit back and relax with even more TV marathons. (That’s what Cyber Monday is for, isn’t it?) Standouts include complete(-ish) sets of favorite franchises such as Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, and Star Trek, as well as guilty-pleasure reality series like House Hunters International and Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta.

Check out the weekend guide to binge-watching...

What screams America more than baseball, Coca-Cola and Dodger Dogs?

"American Restoration" on History celebrates its 100th episode at 10:30 p.m. Et Tuesday (June 18) when Rick Dale gets an assist from former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda.

Dale takes an old Coke cooler and restores its luster. The trickier part is turning the cooler into a hot dog machine -- for Dodger Dogs, naturally -- that must retain heat.

"It was masterfully done, and I think it's going to be a big hit," Lasorda says. "I was very, very surprised to see the word 'Dodgers' and how beautifully that hot dog stand was made."

The episode leading up to the show's 100th airs at 10 p.m. Tuesday and features singer and songwriter Jason Mraz. He and his dad, Tom, want to restore a sign reading "Frank D. Fixer" that belonged to Jason's grandfather.

"When we look at these signs,...

The “American Restoration” crew got a visit from Billy Joel this week and, surprisingly, he didn’t want them to restore a piano. Instead, he needed them to restore a vintage motorcycle.

It was a 1967 Bsa bike -- just like the first motorcycle Billy ever rode. Billy said the bike he brought to the shop was the closest he’s ever come to that original motorcycle, and he wanted to relive the glory days. Billy has his own bike shop, but he didn’t want to mess up the hard-to-find classic chopper. That approach paid off, because Rick Dale made Billy’s dreams come true.

Joel was quite pleased with the work. “Oh wow!” he exclaimed. “When that thing first came out in the mid-60s, they were beautiful bikes. I don’t remember them looking that good. That looks great ... “It’s hard to believe it is the same bike.

On TV this Tuesday: The Young and the Restless remembers the woman behind Kay Chancellor, a piano man visits American Restoration, Body of Proof‘s series finale ties up loose ends and Tyler Perry goes Downton with The Haves and the Have Nots. Here are 10 programs to keep on your radar.

Check local listings The Young and the Restless (CBS) | The daytime drama celebrates Jeanne Cooper — its longest-running cast member, who passed away in early May – with an hour full of classic clips and fond remembrances.

Related | May Sweeps Scorecard: How Did Your Favorites Fare?

8 pm Extreme Weight Loss (ABC...

American Restoration, the History Channel show that seeks to “bring a bit of history back to life,” is returning with new episodes this summer, beginning with special hour-long show featuring Billy Joel. The episode, which airs May 28, will follow Joel as he takes his frozen-motored British Royal Star motorcycle to the show’s expert, Rick Dale, to be restored at his shop in Las Vegas. Promo clips show a very warmly dressed Joel bundled up in a coat and sweater while he talks parts with a sleeveless-shirted Dale. The 64-year-old musician proves that he knows a thing or two about...

Tune in alert for Billy Joel and Jason Mraz, who both enlist the services of Rick Dale this season on History.s American Restoration. From History The Piano Man brings in a rare Bsa 850 motorcycle, which has deep ties to his storied motorcycle past. Jason Mraz, known for the chart topping hits .I.m Yours. and .The Remedy,. needs Rick to restore an a sign from his grandfather.s old shop. Rick had an amazing time digging into the backstory of these two celebrity.s items. American Restoration tells the story behind things you just don.t see any more. A barber shop towel steamer, a 1964 Ducati Falcon, a Gatling gun arcade game.oddball artifacts like these are part of America.s cultural...

"American Restoration" is back with new episodes, and they're packed with more drama and celebs than ever before, promises the show's star, Rick Dale. Of course, the heart of the show is still the meticulous work Dale and his team do at his Las Vegas-based shop, Rick's Restorations.

The show began as a spin-off of "Pawn Stars," after Dale proved to be one of the most popular reoccurring experts popping in and out of the Silver and Gold Pawn Shop. Now Dale is a bona fide TV star in his own right, as "American Restoration" continues to attract legions of loyal fans who love watching him breathe life back into weathered antiques and vintage swag.

HuffPost TV caught up with Dale to chat about working with rock star/restauranteur Sammy Hagar, what he's learned from Pawn Star Rick Harrison and why we'll be seeing more family drama this season.

What...

Pawn Stars, Storage Wars and Dance Moms are all A+E Networks programs. Not to be confused with A&E of course. These and other unscripted programs were dropped by Netflix last fall, but never fear, Amazon Prime has come to the rescue.

I did mention A&E and that channel is relevant after all. According to Deadline, A&E, bio, History and Lifetime programs are also included now on Amazon Prime. For $79 a year, you can take advantage of this continuously developing service from Amazon. But the center of the update were recently added reality shows like Pawn Stars.

When last I brought you an update on Amazon Prime, scripted shows were the focus as Falling Skies and The Closer were being added to the Amazon Prime streaming catalog.

Amazon’s Director of Digital Video Content Acquisition Brad Beale said, “We remain focused on adding TV episodes and movies...

Tune in alert for some jolly holiday-themed previews for you for this week.s all-new episodes of American Pickers, Pawn Stars, Invention USA and American Restoration on History. American Pickers- Airs Mondays at 9/8c This week the American Pickers meet a man named Woody and he is in a selling mood. When the holiday spirit takes over, how much do the Pickers end up with? Check out the latest preview: .American Pickers. Preview: Pawn Stars- Airs Mondays at 10/9c Stay tuned for an all-new episode of Pawn Stars. Christmas cheer is in the air. but one member of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop is not on board. Will Chumlee be able to save Christmas...

The History Channel’s quest to capitalize on our nostalgia for classic Americana has led them to a few memorable series in American Pickers, Pawn Stars, and the like, but American Restoration takes it a step further by taking the treasures those other shows highlight and making them look brand new. Where the show trips up in its concept, which sounds neat for anyone interested in antiques or restoration, is that the final delivered product isn’t always respective of the item’s age. On top of that, unless you’re very interested in show host Rick Dale, his crew, and the handiwork required to make an antique look brand new, chances are most viewers will favor a very abridged form of each episode.

Read more...

By Allen Gardner

Pier Paolo Pasolini’S Trilogy Of Life (Criterion) Pier Paolo Pasolini was Italy’s last Neo-Realist, a product of post-ww II Europe who was fervently Catholic, openly gay, defiantly Marxist, and one of the most original voices of the 20th century’s second half. Before his brutal murder in 1975 (after the premiere of his still-controversial swan song, “Salo”), Pasolini directed a trilogy of films based on masterpieces of medieval literature: Boccaccio’s “The Decameron,” Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales,” and “The Thousand and One Nights (also known as “The Arabian Nights”). The three films celebrate the uninhibited, earthy, raw carnal nature of the original texts, leaving little to the imagination, but also offering Pasolini’s own very unique and pointed views on modern society, consumerism, religious and sexual mores (and hypocrisies), and an unexpurgated celebration of the human body, both male and female. Extraordinary production design by Dante Ferretti and another evocative,...

Tune in alert for next week, make sure to clear your calendar on Wednesday night because we have the return of all-new episodes of Cajun Pawn Stars and the season premiere of American Restoration on History! Cajun Pawn Stars- Airs Wednesdays at 9/8c This Tuesday, all-new episodes of Cajun Pawn Stars are returning at 9:30p! When you go down south, the game of Pawn is all about putting-up or shutting-up, and this season is no different. This week, Jimmie is tempted to go hog wild over buying a vintage coin-operated kiddie pig ride. Does his plan include taking this little piggy all the way home or will this mechanical swine opt to root somewhere else? Don.t miss...

Would you ever think being an antique restorer could land you and your business in front of millions of television viewers each week? I'm sure when Rick Dale of American Restoration began fixing up things as a business; he never considered his face would become a household name.

What started as a small role on the popular television series Pawn Stars would eventually spin off to his own reality series, well... Dale had to wonder... how did I get here?

Now one of History Channels hit series on collecting, his restoration business is booming! Dale was kind enough to take a break from beautifying things to tell me more about his passion for restoring Americana items and to give me a little sneak preview of an upcoming show...

Rh: I'm curious, were you a collector or a restorer first?

Dale: I started as a restorer. I got my start in 1983 doing excavation business.

On "American Restoration" (Wed., 10 p.m. Est on History) Ron Dale and his nephew Tyler took a vintage tank for a spin.

Although Tyler acknowledged that his dad wouldn't really approve of their time-wasting, he and Ron clambered in to have some fun.

What else could two guys do in an armored vehicle but doughnuts?

Much hilarity enused as the tank's owner drove the pair around the lot doing doughnuts at speed.

"American Restoration" airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Est on History.

TV Replay scours the vast television landscape to find the most interesting, amusing, and, on a good day, amazing moments, and delivers them right to your browser.

On "American Restoration" (Wed., 10 p.m. Est on History) Ron Dale and his nephew Tyler took a vintage tank for a spin.

Although Tyler acknowledged that his dad wouldn't really approve of their time-wasting, he and Ron climbed in to have some fun.

What else could two guys do in an armored vehicle but doughnuts?

Much hilarity ensued as the tank's owner drove the pair around the lot maneuvering the tank at an impressive speed.

"American Restoration" airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Est on History.

TV Replay scours the vast television landscape to find the most interesting, amusing, and, on a good day, amazing moments, and delivers them right to your browser.

Top tip for anyone standing next to a cannon. If someone looks like they might be about to fire it, stand waaay back.

Not everyone did that on "American Restoration" (Wed., 10 p.m. Est on History), and so there were some frayed nerves by the end of Wednesday night's episode

Rick Dale and his crew had restored a 19th-century cannon, only to discover that "it actually came from the Civil War." After the guys had finished with it, the owner said she'd never seen the cannon look so good.

She asked if they could fire it. So they did and she nearly jumped out of her skin.

"American Restoration" airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Est on History.

TV Replay scours the vast television landscape to find the most interesting, amusing, and, on a good day, amazing moments, and delivers them right to your browser.

Here's a tip for anyone standing next to a cannon: If someone looks like they might be about to fire it, stand way back.

Not everyone did that on "American Restoration" (Wed., 10 p.m. Est on History), and so there were some frayed nerves by the end of Wednesday night's episode

Rick Dale and his crew had restored a 19th-century cannon, only to discover that "it actually came from the Civil War." After the guys had finished with it, the owner said she'd never seen the cannon look so good.

She asked if they could fire it. So they did and she nearly jumped out of her skin.

"American Restoration" airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Est on History.

TV Replay scours the vast television landscape to find the most interesting, amusing, and, on a good day, amazing moments, and delivers them right to your browser.

Rick Dale and his team of restorers decided to take a well-earned break from work on "American Restoration" (Wed., 10 p.m. Est on History), so they hit the paintball range.

The guys had a lot of fun running around in the Nevada sunshine firing paint at each other, but some of the shots looked like they hurt when they landed.

Rick's son, Tyler, summed it up: "I guess this is a good day off work. Nice 'cause we're not in the shop. Bad, 'cause the whole left side of my body is hurting."

Watch the crew at work on "American Restoration," Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Est on History.

TV Replay scours the vast television landscape to find the most interesting, amusing, and, on a good day, amazing moments, and delivers them right to your browser.

Rick Dale and his team of restorers decided to take a well-earned break from work on "American Restoration" (Wed., 10 p.m. Est on History), so they hit the paintball range.

The guys had a lot of fun running around in the Nevada sunshine firing paint at each other, but some of the shots looked like they hurt when they landed.

Rick's son, Tyler, summed it up: "I guess this is a good day off work. Nice 'cause we're not in the shop. Bad, 'cause the whole left side of my body is hurting."

Watch the crew at work on "American Restoration," Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Est on History.

TV Replay scours the vast television landscape to find the most interesting, amusing, and, on a good day, amazing moments, and delivers them right to your browser.

Everything old is new again at Rick.s Restorations.as History's Hit Series American Restoration Returns with New Episodes, Jan. 11 at 10 p.m. It takes plenty of know-how to transform a piece of rusty trash into a valuable historic treasure. Rick Dale, owner of Rick.s Restorations, a Las Vegas restoration shop, is up for the challenge . and History viewers love to see him in action. This series is currently averaging 2.5 million total viewers and boosting the Friday 10-11 p.m. time slot by more than 140 percent. American Restoration returns for new episodes starting Wednesday, January 11 at 10 p.m. with back-to-back episodes on History. Rick.s customers bring in a brand new batch of oddball artifacts .