News

So, Castle viewers, it appears we are 2-for-2 thus far in the private eye arc.

Because whereas last week’s episode found much merriment in Rick’s very first case, one which pitted him against Beckett and the boys, this time around there was the entertaining wrinkle of him working his own case — the search for a telenovela star’s valuable purse — which was at first only tangentially, but then directly, related to the murder at hand.

Sure, Rick’s P.I. business has yet to take off, website revamp or not. (Did anyone else freeze-frame the screen to search...

Will Arnett is already plotting his post-Millers TV comeback.

The former Arrested Development star has been tapped to lead Flaked, a new comedy series for Netflix, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Arnett plays a self-appointed guru named Chip who inadvertently falls in love with his best friend’s crush.

Arnett will write Flaked with co-creator Mark Chappell (The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret). The two will executive-produce the series alongside Mitch Hurwitz (Arrested Development) and Peter Principato (Blask-ish).

Ordered for eight episodes, Flaked will premiere on Netflix in 2016.

Ready for more of today’s newsy nuggets? Well…

* Kim Richards...

Britney Spears is certainly smitten with the new man in her life, writer/producer Charlie Ebersol.

Though the two have only been dating for two months, Charlie has already spent Christmas with Britney and her two sons Preston and Jayden, and now, might have just received an especially extravagant birthday gift from the 33-year-old pop star.

Britney posted these pictures of her and Charlie celebrating his 32nd birthday by riding a pair of horses on Tuesday, captioning the collage, "Birthday horses for my birthday boy."

Photos: Britney Spears and 15 More Unforgettable Stage Styles

Though it's possible the two simply went on a riding trip, knowing Britney's past generosity, it wouldn't be far-fetched to believe that she actually purchased the animals.

She also gave him one very detailed movie-themed cake, complete with fake popcorn and film strips.

"I believe it's clear that I won the birthday cake war!" she wrote.

Britney's referring to her own birthday cake this...

Britney Spears' new beau seems to be fitting in nicely with her family.

Last month, the 32-year-old "Work B**ch" singer confirmed that she was dating 31-year-old writer and producer Charlie Ebersol. By the end of November, the two were already spending the holidays together and he was hanging with her sons.

Photos: Star Shots -- What's on Instagram?

Spears posted an Instagram pic of her in the arms of Ebersol as the couple frolicked on the beach with her boys, Jayden and Sean. She captioned the image: "So grateful for family time this weekend. My boys!"

So grateful for family time this weekend. ❤️ my boys!

Фото опубликовано Britney Spears (@britneyspears) ноя 11, 2014 at 5:28 Pst

The pop princess broke up with her longtime boyfriend David Lucado at the end of the summer, and seems to have happily moved on with her new guy.

Ebersol is the son of former NBC Sports chief Dick Ebersol, and besides...

Love is in the air for Britney Spears.

After multiple reports that the 32-year-old pop star has moved on from ex-boyfriend David Lucado with 31-year-old writer and producer Charlie Ebersol, she all but confirmed the news in an interview with Jersey Shore's Pauly D.

"Yes, there is a special someone. It's very new," she said last night as she was celebrating "Britney Day" in Las Vegas, when she received the keys to the city.

Video: Oops She Did It Again! Britney Spears Takes a Tumble On-Stage

The pair are "taking it very slow," according to People.

"He is the sweetest guy ever and they are very much enjoying getting to know one another," E! Online adds. "They are both very happy and having fun. It's just the beginning so no idea if it will become serious, but right now they are having a lot of fun together."

So just who is the lucky man that caught...

This is a great week to be Britney Spears. The singer was honored with the key to the Las Vegas Strip, her smash Planet Hollywood residency added more dates, and - the dashing cherry on top - she has a handsome new beau. The singer, 32, has struck up a new romance with writer and producer Charlie Ebersol, 31. "It's new," a source tells People, adding that the pair "are taking it slow." (Ebersol and a rep for Spears did not immediately comment.) Whether Ebersol is her new steady or a fun autumn bonus remains to be seen, but he definitely has the eligible bachelor thing down!

Monday’s season premiere of The Originals witnessed a major power shift in New Orleans, as old enemies were pushed aside and even older enemies returned to settle their scores.

Related The Originals Season 2: Phoebe Tonkin on Hope’s Return, Hayley’s New Ally

First, a quick recap of the premiere’s biggest twists: Hayley took care of Francesca once and for all; Klaus was restored to full strength, following the destruction of the moonlight rings; new witch “Kaleb” was revealed to actually be Kol; and Finn maneuvered into a new position as Cami’s college advisor “Vincent.”

Below,...

Rob counts down the top 50 episodes of TV's longest-running animated series, The Simpsons...

Since its debut in 1989, across 552 episodes and 25 seasons, The Simpsons has become one of the most revered and beloved TV programmes of all time. It’s a true cultural phenomenon that’s influenced not just animation, but all areas of TV comedy and sitcom. For so many of us, its quotes and catchphrases have permeated our everyday vernacular, from single words like “crisitunity” and “embiggen” to phrases “you don’t win friends with salad” and “everything’s coming up Milhouse.”

Personal opinions may vary, but for me the show’s peak years were from season 4 through to 10. They’re consistently funny, all killer and no filler runs with barely a dud episode to be found between 1992-1998. Past this point the standard becomes a little more mixed, and recent seasons have been distinctly average at best. The...

Believe it or not, it's happening. Earlier in the week we posted a Space Jam mod for the NBA 2K14 game, showing just how much fans, oddly, still love that movie. Well, now they're finally, actually, officially making a sequel. Deadline reports that NBC Sports executive Dick Ebersol's two sons are working on developing a sequel to Space Jam, tentatively just Space Jam 2, and have already looped in Miami Heat star LeBron James for a role. This may or may not be officially in the works at WB, tying in the animated Looney Tunes characters that get into the mix with the star NBA players. The original 1996 movie starred Michael Jordan. How far along in development is Space Jam 2? A bit further than we expected. Charlie Ebersol ("The Great Escape", "The Moment", "Race to the Scene") is producing at his production company, The Company, from a script by his brother Willie Ebersol,...

Odd List Simon Brew 15 Nov 2013 - 07:08

Lots of films are dedicated to, or in memory of someone. But it's not always clear why. We've been finding out...

Back when Breaking Bad returned for its final batch of episodes in August 2013, it had a dedication at the end of it. The card read 'Dedicated to our friend Kevin Cordasco'. As it turned out, Kevin Cordasco was a 16-year old who had been battling cancer for seven years, who had met both Bryan Cranston and Vince Gilligan. Cordasco died before he could ever get to see the episode dedicated to him.

I found this such a moving story, that it got me wondering about the dedications that appear on films, and what the story behind them was. After all, the dedications are there for a reason. What I uncovered was some funny stories, mainly extremely sad ones, and some extremely moving dedications.

War is hell, for sure, but war can make for undeniably brilliant movie-making. Here, the Guardian and Observer's critics pick the ten best

• Top 10 action movies

• Top 10 comedy movies

• Top 10 horror movies

• Top 10 sci-fi movies

• Top 10 crime movies

• Top 10 arthouse movies

• Top 10 family movies

10. Where Eagles Dare

As the second world war thriller became bogged down during the mid-60s in plodding epics like Operation Crossbow and The Heroes of Telemark, someone was needed to reintroduce a little sang-froid, some post-Le Carré espionage, and for heaven's sake, some proper macho thrills into the genre. Alistair Maclean stepped up, writing the screenplay and the novel of Where Eagles Dare simultaneously, and Brian G Hutton summoned up a better than usual cast headed by Richard Burton (Major Jonathan Smith), a still fresh-faced Clint Eastwood (Lieutenant Morris Schaffer), and the late Mary Ure (Mary Elison).

Parachuted into the German Alps, they have one...

Sex, sex and more sex.

The latest episode of True Blood gave our Round Table panelists - Chris O'Hara and Leigh Raines of TV Fanatic, Liz Henderson of True-Blood.net - plenty to discuss this week, especially of the naked variety. Which horizontal mambo was the most enticing?

How much will we miss Nora? Does Eric look better with long or short hair? Gather around and join in now!

-------------------------------------------

What was your favorite scene from the episode?

Chris: Pam getting her Freud on and taking us into her mind set behind the once glorious scene of Fangtasia. Her insights into human desire were great. It was vintage Pam once again.

Leigh: I have to say, I still love the shock everyone gets when Bill strolls into a room in broad daylight. Arlene was so wasted she thought she was hallucinating. Sookie's reaction was amazing and Lafayette with his beta blockers.

In “Who Are You, Really?” the sixth season premiere of True Blood, we get one semi-major death, a coupla big entrances (ack! — it’s The Hitcher!), a werewolf ménage à trois and the perfect new nickname for the post-Lilith merger Bill: Billith. (Well done on that one, Pam. As usual.) So what do you say? Shall we dive in?

The Great Escape | Picking up right where Season 5 left off, Sookie, Eric, Jessica, Pam, Tara, Nora and Jason beat a hasty retreat just as Billith blows Authority HQ to smithereens and flies off like — as Jason so eloquently puts it — a “nekkid evil Superman.

Fox has one of its better slates coming your way with the new season, especially if you take the midseason shows into account. Some of these shows may not jump out at you now as must-see, but some of them are going to take over, if I’m any judge anyway.

Clear showcase offerings Dads, Almost Human, and Us & Them are guaranteed to take off early. Almost Human has J.J. Abrams recognition to pull people in, though it looks to be a show that could flounder after a few episodes, even if I hope it doesn’t. The other two are going to become hits. Unfortunately, we have to wait until mid-season for the Gavin & Stacey remake.

Rake also looks like a winner, as long as the translation can be made to work as an Americanized product, and the show actually delivers what made the Australian original so brilliant.

Take...

0:00-3:20 – Introduction; iTunes reviews; what Jeff is drinking

3:20-15:35 – “The Great Gatsby” review

15:35-23:35 – “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” review

23:25-27:40 – “Aftershock” review by Jeff, with Eric’s thoughts on Eli Roth

27:40-42:40 – Qotw (movies that made you change your mind about an actor)

42:40-46:15 – Jeff’s review and idea for a new movie franchise (The Great Escape)

46:15-47:45 – “The Return to Noirville,” a noir festival at Cinema 21 in Portland

47:45-52:10 – Summer Box Office Challenge update

52:10-1:01:25 – Character Casserole, summer blockbuster edition

1:01:25-1:03:45 – Wrap-up, where to find us online, and goodbyes

Email – moviebspdx@gmail.com

Facebook – www.facebook.com/MovieBSpdx

Twitter – @moviebs

ClICK Here To Listen

Go to the Movie B.S. webpage

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Read Scorecard Reviews from our film reviews...

Odd List Simon Brew 22 Mar 2013 - 06:26

The humble Spectrum was home to some remarkable games - including these underappreciated masterpieces...

I, like many, spend many years playing Spectrum games. I defended the computer in the school playground, I kept playing with the machine long after everyone had migrated to likes of the Atari St and Commodore Amiga, and I spent an unsavoury amount of my meagre pocket money building up my games collection.

However, a lot of lookbacks at the Spectrum era tend to focus on the big highlights. What I wanted to do here is put together a personal listing of 50 titles that don't seem to get that much attention.

So, if you're wondering why Gollop brothers games, anything by the late, great Mike Singleton, the acclaimed works of Ultimate, the likes of Exolon, Head Over Heels, Advanced Lawnmower Simulator, Match Day, Batty, Wizball, Firefly, Nebulus, Fairlight, The Sentinel,...

And here we are, the last big hurrah before the granddaddy of the awards season, the Academy Awards. As expected, "Zero Dark Thirty" won Original Screenplay but the most surprising winner was "Argo," beating the writing frontrunner, "Lincoln" by Tony Kushner. So more "Argo" power! It's definitely the film to beat this Oscars, and I'm happy that it's my No. 1 film of 2012!

Here's the complete list of WGA winners; for other winners/nominees this awards season, click here:

Film

Original Screenplay

"Zero Dark Thirty" - Written by Mark Boal; Columbia Pictures

Adapted Screenplay

"Argo" - Screenplay by Chris Terrio; based on a selection from "The Master of Disguise" by Antonio J. Mendez and the Wired magazine article "The Great Escape" by Joshuah Bearman; Warner Bros. Pictures

Documentary Screenplay

"Searching for Sugar Man" - Written by Malik Bendejelloul; Sony Pictures Classics

Television

Drama Series

"Breaking Bad" - Written by Sam Catlin,...

Argo continued its domination of award season by claiming one of the last of the pre-Oscar prizes — the Writers Guild Award, where screenwriter Chris Terrio won the honor for adapted screenplay.

Terrio’s competition included Tony Kushner’s Lincoln, David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook, David Magee’s Life of Pi and Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower. All but Chbosky are also up for the Oscar next weekend, with Beasts of the Southern Wild’s Lucy Alibar and Benh Zeitlin taking that slot.

Best original screenplay went to Mark Boal for Zero Dark Thirty, who bested John Gatins’ Flight,...

As we enter the home stretch to the Academy Awards, writers were celebrated Sunday. The 2012 Writers Guild Awards honored the best writing in film, television, radio, new media, and video games. "Zero Dark Thirty" and "Argo" took home the original and adapted screenplay awards, respectively. While "Breaking Bad," and "Louie" took home awards for best drama and comedy series.

Here is the full winners list:

Television

Drama SERIESBreaking Bad (AMC), Written by Sam Catlin, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison, George Mastras, Thomas Schnauz, Moira Walley-Beckett

Comedy SERIESLouie (FX), Written by Pamela Adlon, Vernon Chatman, Louis C.K.

New SERIESGirls (HBO), Written by Judd Apatow, Lesley Arfin, Lena Dunham, Sarah Heyward, Bruce Eric Kaplan, Jenni Konner, Deborah Schoeneman, Dan Sterling

Episodic DRAMAMad Men (AMC) - "The Other Woman" - Written by Semi Chellas and Matthew Weiner 

Episodic COMEDYModern Family (ABC) - "Virgin Territory" - Written by Elaine Ko

Long Form -...

Given that for most people reading this website, Christmas brings with it the coldest and most treacherous of outdoor experiences, it’s little wonder that cinema plays such a big part of the holiday season. Families gathering in their warmly lit living rooms next to the tree and watching classic films of heartwarming sentiment or epic scale is as much a part of common tradition as gift opening or alcohol fuelled social faux pas. While for the Us the classic is It’s a Wonderful Life and over here in the rocky United Kingdom it’s The Great Escape, we all have our quintessential Xmas movie looping every year at the same time ad nauseam. ‘Tis the season for such folly, after all.

But rather than simply highlight the virtues of the Harry Potter franchise or predictable screenings of Die Hard and Doctor Zhivago, Unsung Gems takes this opportunity to...

TNT has cancelled The Great Escape after one season on the air, reports TV Guide. It was their first attempt at producing an original reality show but won't be their last.

Hosted by NFL Network's Rich Eisen, The Great Escape pits three pairs against each other as they try to escape from being held captive. They then search for clues and four hidden pieces of a puzzle -- all while avoiding roaming guards that might send a team back to the beginning. The first team to reach the host with a finished puzzle wins $100,000.

The series debuted in June with a 0.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 1.6 million viewers. Opposite some stiff competition, the numbers quickly dwindled and drew a 0.3 rating with 873,000 viewers for the August finale.

TNT has three new non-scripted shows slated for 2013;...

TNT has ordered "The Hero," a reality competition show hosted by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, to series.

The premise of "The Hero" puts 10 ordinary people in a house and presents them with a series of a mental, physical and emotional challenges meant to test their courage and willingness to sacrifice. Johnson, who's also serving as an executive producer on the series, will serve as a motivational mentor to the contestants. Weekly voting conducted on social media will let fans determine which of the contestants was the most heroic that week.

"'The Hero' speaks to everything I believe in when it comes to challenging ourselves, to becoming better people every day and to making the right choices while growing from the wrong ones," Johnson said in a statement. "Bridging the digital and physical world on the small screen in a way that's never been done before will enable fans to use...

The following is a list of all comic books, graphic novels and special items that will be available this week and shipped to comic book stores who have placed orders for them.

215 Ink

Warped Adventures Of Sandy And Angus Tp, $19.99

Abrams

Kel Gilligan’s Daredevil Stunt Show Hc, $16.95

Alterna Comics

Fubar Summer Special (One Shot), $2.99

Amulet Books

Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales Volume 2 Big Bad Ironclad Gn, $12.95

Archaia Entertainment

Mouse Guard Legends Of The Guard Volume 1 Hc (Leather Bound Edition), $39.95

Return Of The Dapper Men Volume 1 Hc (Leather Bound Edition), $49.95

Archie Comic Publications

Betty And Veronica Friends Double Digest #228, $3.99

Sonic Saga Volume 1 Darkest Storm Tp, $11.99

Sonic The Hedgehog #240 (Greg Horn Cover), $2.99

Sonic The Hedgehog #240 (Sega Cover), $2.99

Avatar Press

Crossed Badlands #10 (Raulo Caceres Auxiliary Edition), $3.99

Crossed Badlands #12 (Jacen Burrows Regular Cover), $3.99

Crossed Badlands #12 (Jacen Burrows Red Crossed Incentive Cover), Ar

Crossed Badlands #12 (Jacen Burrows Torture Cover), $3.99

Crossed Badlands #12 (Jacen Burrows Wraparound...

On TV this Sunday: True Blood‘s fang gang signs off for a while, there’s unrest in The Newsroom at the end of its freshman run, Episodes and The Great Escape wrap their seasons, and Drop Dead Diva’s Stacy may not be able to have her “pake” and eat it, too. Here are 10 programs to keep on your radar tonight.

8 pm Good Luck Charlie (Disney Channel) | Teddy takes her volleyball coach’s advice too seriously, and Bob finds solace at Pj’s new apartment.

Related | Fall TV: Your Guide to 110 September Premieres and Finales!

9 pm True Blood (HBO...

Zap2it: Did it give you confidence going into "The Great Escape" that it was being made by those behind "The Amazing Race"?

Rich Eisen: Well, when Bert (executive producer Bertram Van Munster) is sitting there at 3 in the morning, it's great to have him on his umpteenth rodeo here. I mean, he knows what he's doing; he knows how to shoot it and how to create the drama and, most importantly, how to run the game. The thing has to be done right, so just watching that is pretty neat to see.

Zap2it: With moviemakers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer also among the executive producers of "The Great Escape," how involved are they?

Rich Eisen: They have people from [their company] Imagine Entertainment who are on the set. The concept of this is that it's a summer blockbuster movie every Sunday night. The way they created an environment...

"The Great Escape" (Sun., 10 p.m. Et on TNT) debuted Sunday night with a Series Premiere episode set in -- where else? -- Alacatraz.

Teams had to solve a riddle that provided the combination to a padlock. The Green Team managed to solve the riddle but had evidently forgotten some of their math basics.

They spent so long trying to work it out that it cost them the race and a shot at the $100,000 grand prize.

"The Great Escape" is TNT's first reality competition show, and it is executive-produced by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer in collaboration with "The Amazing Race" heads, Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri. It continues on Sundays at 10 p.m. Et on TNT.

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

"The Great Escape" (Sun., 10 p.m. Et on TNT) debuted Sunday night with a series premiere episode set in -- where else? -- Alacatraz.

Teams had to solve a riddle that provided the combination to a padlock. The Green Team managed to solve the riddle but had evidently forgotten some of their math basics.

They spent so long trying to work it out that it cost them the race and a shot at the $100,000 grand prize.

"The Great Escape" is TNT's first reality competition show, and it is executive-produced by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer in collaboration with "The Amazing Race" heads, Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri. Hosted by Rich Eisen, it continues on Sundays at 10 p.m. Et on TNT.

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

TNT debuted a new reality competition show Sunday night (June 24) called "The Great Escape," hosted by Rich Eisen. The show pits three teams of two against each other in a remote location that they must "escape" from. The first team to do it earns $100,000.

The first episode put the teams at the nearly un-escape-able Alcatraz Prison in San Francisco. But instead of it being some kind of really hard mind game, where they had to do a lot of thinking for themselves, the show hands the teams a map with stages and puzzles/tasks to complete. So it was like watching a leg of "The Amazing Race."

Except there are "guards" wandering about the prison who can "capture" the teams, which means sending them back to the start to look for a key, then letting pick up at the point where they were captured.

For sure a fun premise, the execution was pretty mediocre.

"The Amazing Race" has won so many Emmys for outstanding reality/competition series -- eight, to be exact -- it would be amazing if its makers didn't reapply the formula somehow.

Actually, they tried last summer with ABC's short-lived "Take the Money and Run." They're trying again this summer: In association with Oscar winners and Imagine Entertainment partners Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, producers Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri launch the unscripted TNT series "The Great Escape" Sunday, June 24.

Described by host and NFL Network sportscaster Rich Eisen as "a mini-movie every week," the new show takes contestants to undisclosed locations (early episodes are set on Alcatraz Island and aboard the USS Hornet), where they're given challenges they must conquer to win a big cash reward. It might not be the same as racing around the world, but Eisen believes it's close enough.

"When I was presented with the opportunity,...

By Jay Bobbin The Amazing Race has won so many Emmys for Outstanding Reality-Competition Series — eight, to be exact — it would be amazing if its makers didn’t reapply the formula somehow. Actually, they tried last summer with ABC’s short-lived Take the Money & Run. Undeterred, they’re trying again this summer: In association with Oscar winners and Imagine Entertainment partners Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, producers Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri launch the unscripted TNT series The Great Escape. Described by host and NFL Network sportscaster Rich Eisen as “a mini-movie every week,” the new show takes contestants [...]...

Update 5:47 Pm Saturday: Producers of the TNT competition reality series The Great Escape have reached an agreement with Iatse. The union called a strike this morning after declaring Profiles Television Productions unfair for interfering with Iatse organizing efforts. The crew is back at work after walking a picket line for seven hours today in Santa Clarita, Calif., where the show is shooting at the Placerita Canyon Power Plant. Iatse said the union and producers will negotiate a contract that provides crew members the health benefits, pension and safe working conditions that other entertainment industry workers have. Previously, 10 Am Saturday: The Iatse has gone on strike today against Profiles Television Productions, producer of TNT’s new competition show The Great Escape after declaring the company “an unfair employer” earlier this morning. The union accuses Profiles of obstructing efforts to organize the show’s crew. The action-adventure reality series is hosted by Rich Eisen,...

The Turner Entertainment Networks plunged into the middle of an upfronts week dominated by the broadcast networks. As Conan joked in an otherwise anemic monologue, TNT/TBS had to settle for a 9 a.m. slot across from Penn Station while CBS grabbed cocktail hour at Carnegie Hall.

But the Hammerstein Ballroom was lovely as the network paraded out their current stars and introduced us to what they hope will be upcoming favorites.

President Michael Wright touted the networks' "popcorn mindset" as a plan to "entertain and excite viewers, while taking them on a ride that lands them safely at the end."

Premiering Wednesday, June 13 has to be the most anticipated of the new series. The resurrection of the classic over-the-top family drama, Dallas couples fan favorites with the next generation of the feuding Ewing clan.

Along with J.R., Bobby, Sue Ellen and several other original cast members we'll enjoy...

The clock is ticking as a contestant attempts to escape from the USS Hornet aircraft carrier by rappelling over the side, in this brand new photo from TNT's upcoming reality series The Great Escape.

The Great Escape, which comes from the producers of CBS hit The Amazing Race, follows teams as they compete in challenges similar to scenes from action/adventure movies. Rich Eisen hosts the show, which premieres Sunday, June 24 at 10/9c, after a new episode of Falling Skies.

Read More >...

We know you're probably preparing yourselves for the season finales of some of your favorite shows, but there's plenty of new and returning series premiering this summer to not just tide you over until the fall, but completely entertain you.

From "True Blood" Season 5 to the premiere of TNT's new "Dallas" reboot to the TV return of Charlie Sheen in FX's "Anger Management" to the beginning of the end of fan-favorite shows "The Closer" and "Damages," we've got you covered with all of the most important summer TV premiere dates.

For those who think summer TV is just filler, this lineup proves otherwise: HBO's new Aaron Sorkin series "The Newsroom" will make its debut, as will USA's ambitious and star-studded "Political Animals"; comedy fans have new seasons of "Episodes," "Louie" and MTV's "Awkward."; and reality TV addicts will get more "Big Brother," "The Bachelorette" and "Bachelor Pad," "Snooki & JWoww" and...

We know you're probably preparing yourselves for the season finales of some of your favorite shows, but there's plenty of new and returning series premiering this summer to not just tide you over until the fall, but completely entertain you.

From "True Blood" Season 5 to the premiere of TNT's new "Dallas" reboot to the TV return of Charlie Sheen in FX's "Anger Management" to the beginning of the end of fan-favorite shows "The Closer" and "Damages," we've got you covered with all of the most important summer TV premiere dates.

For those who think summer TV is just filler, this lineup proves otherwise: HBO's new Aaron Sorkin series "The Newsroom" will make its debut, as will USA's ambitious and star-studded "Political Animals"; comedy fans have new seasons of "Episodes," "Louie" and MTV's "Awkward."; and reality TV addicts will get more "Big Brother," "The Bachelorette" and "Bachelor Pad," "Snooki & JWoww" and...

Rich Eisen is starting one of the biggest weeks of his year.

The 2012 NFL Draft begins Thursday (April 26) with coverage on both Espn and the NFL Network, respectively the veteran sportscaster's former and current television homes. Eisen has gotten to New York City a few days early to prepare for the NFL Network telecasts, but as he knows from experience, that probably doesn't cover all that will ensue in the selecting.

"It's just so much fun," the "NFL Total Access" and "NFL GameDay Morning" host tells Zap2it. "I'm a native New Yorker, so getting to work in that art-deco jewel in the middle of Manhattan called Radio City Music Hall is just a dream come true. It's awesome, and it's what I call the end of the talent-evaluation process and the beginning of the regenerative process of the NFL, where the new blood comes in.

"All of these guys...

Falling Skies returns to TNT in June. Now, if only they would put the first season on iTunes in Canada...

Cable channel TNT has announced premiere dates for the series in its summer schedule, which includes two of the coolest shows on TV: Leverage and Falling Skies. The slate also features returnees Rizzoli & Isles, Franklin & Bash and The Closer. These five continuing series will be joined by debutants Dallas, Perception, Major Crimes and the unscripted competition show The Great Escape.

“Each show in TNT’s summer lineup entertains in its own unique voice, but together these drama series are designed to appeal to viewers who want to be taken on a great ride,” Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM), said in a press release. “Whether it’s a clever procedural, an action-adventure drama, or a sweeping family saga, the dramas...

Get ready to head back to Southfork ranch: TNT's "Dallas" reboot has been scheduled for the summer! The continuation of the '80s soap starring Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy bows on TNT Wed., June 13 at 9 p.m. Et. Season 1 of "Dallas" will have 10 episodes.

"The Closer" begins its final six episodes on Mon., July 9 at 9 p.m. Et. Its spinoff, "Major Crimes" starring "Battlestar Galactica's" Mary McDonnell, debuts after "The Closer" finale on Mon., Aug. 13, at 10 p.m. Et. It moves to its regular timeslot, Mondays at 9 p.m. Et, the following week. Season 1 of "Major Crimes" will consist of 10 episodes.

Other TNT summer premieres include "Leverage" Season 5 on Sun., July 15 at 8 p.m. Et; "Rizzoli & Isles" Season 3 on Tues., June 5 at 9 p.m. Et; "Franklin & Bash" Season 2 on Tues., June 5 at 10 p.m. Et; "Falling Skies" Season 2 on Sun., June 17 at 9 p.m. Et; new reality series "The Great Escape" Sun.

Get ready to head back to Southfork ranch: TNT's "Dallas" reboot has been scheduled for the summer! The continuation of the '80s soap starring Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy bows on TNT Wed., June 13 at 9 p.m. Et. Season 1 of "Dallas" will have 10 episodes.

"The Closer" begins its final six episodes on Mon., July 9 at 9 p.m. Et. Its spinoff, "Major Crimes" starring "Battlestar Galactica's" Mary McDonnell, debuts after "The Closer" finale on Mon., Aug. 13, at 10 p.m. Et. It moves to its regular timeslot, Mondays at 9 p.m. Et, the following week. Season 1 of "Major Crimes" will consist of 10 episodes.

Other TNT summer premieres include "Leverage" Season 5 on Sun., July 15 at 8 p.m. Et; "Rizzoli & Isles" Season 3 on Tues., June 5 at 9 p.m. Et; "Franklin & Bash" Season 2 on Tues., June 5 at 10 p.m. Et; "Falling Skies" Season 2 on Sun., June 17 at 9 p.m. Et; new reality series "The Great Escape" Sun.

Spring has not even yet sprung, but TNT has just unveiled its rather robust summer line-up, including premieres for new seasons of Falling Skies, Rizzoli & Isles and Leverage, and launch dates for Dallas, a thrill-seeking new reality competition and The Closer‘s spin-off, Major Crimes.

Check it out, then tell us which new or returning series you are most looking forward to.

Tuesday, June 5

9/8c | Rizzoli & Isles (Season 3, 10 summer episodes)

10 pm | Franklin & Bash (Season 2, 10 episodes)

Franklin & Bash Scoop: Life Unexpected‘s Shiri Appleby Lawyers Up

Wednesday, June 13

9 pm | Dallas (Season 1, 10 episodes)

Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray reprise their famous characters as J.

Frank Darabont is not down and out with all the Walking Dead drama that occurred this past summer. Instead the former zombie showrunner has pacted with TNT on a pilot order for “L.A. Noir,” a drama based on the book by John Buntin.

According to Variety the book revolves around,

“Set in the 1940′s and ’50s, project will examine the conflict between the often corrupt Los Angeles Police Department — and its leader, Chief William Parker — and underworld figures such as Mickey Cohen.”

There is no relationship between the series and the book it is based on with the popular video game created by Rockstar games, at least one that is planned at this moment.

The site reports that Darabont will write and direct the pilot much like he did with AMC’s The Walking Dead. He will also exec produce with Michael De Luca and Elliot Webb. This marks...

Ron Howard has signed on to executive produce a reality show. The Beautiful Mind director will serve as an executive producer on the series The Great Escape for TNT. The Great Escape will follow three different teams as they compete for a cash prize in a variety of movie set locations, including castles, sinking ships and prisons. "This is exactly the kind of fun, smart, unscripted competition show we've been looking for to complement TNT's entertaining lineup (more)...

Ron Howard is venturing into new territory. The award-winning filmmaker will executive producer TNT's first-ever reality competition, "The Great Escape."

The series will follow three teams as they compete for cash in castles, sinking ships, prisons and more action movie-esque locations each week. Howard, Brian Grazer and Bertram van Munster ("The Amazing Race") are among the executive producers of the show, which will be hosted by NFL Network star Rich Eisen.

“This is exactly the kind of fun, smart, unscripted competition show we’ve been looking for to complement TNT’s entertaining lineup of scripted dramas," TNT’s executive vice-president of programming Michael Wright said in a statement.

"The Great Escape" will kick off its 10-episode run on TNT this summer.

Ron Howard is venturing into new territory. The award-winning filmmaker will executive producer TNT's first-ever reality competition, "The Great Escape."

The series will follow three teams as they compete for cash in castles, sinking ships, prisons and more action movie-esque locations each week. Howard, Brian Grazer and Bertram van Munster ("The Amazing Race") are among the executive producers of the show, which will be hosted by NFL Network star Rich Eisen.

“This is exactly the kind of fun, smart, unscripted competition show we’ve been looking for to complement TNT’s entertaining lineup of scripted dramas," TNT’s executive vice-president of programming Michael Wright said in a statement.

"The Great Escape" will kick off its 10-episode run on TNT this summer.

TNT has added its first-ever reality competition to its roster with The Great Escape, a series that will follow three teams each week as they surmount obstacles, fend off pursuers, and compete for cash in cinematic venues such as castles and sinking ships. “The Great Escape is a fast-paced series with all the heart-pounding excitement and nail-biting suspense of a summer popcorn movie,” said TNT’s executive vice-president of programming Michael Wright. “This is exactly the kind of fun, smart, unscripted competition show we’ve been looking for to complement TNT’s entertaining lineup of scripted dramas.”

Ron Howard, Brian Grazer,...

Glee is officially livin’ la vida loca!

As we first reported, Ricky Martin will play a Spanish teacher on Fox’s hit musical this spring, and when he finally hit the set this week, the cast went TwitPic cray-zay. See for yourselves here and here and here.

Ready for more of today’s TV dish? Well…

• Comedy icon Carl Reiner will play a Godfather-type character on an upcoming episode of Parks and Recreation, TV Guide Magazine reports. The story finds Leslie campaigning at a Pawnee senior center and needing the endorsement of Reiner’s character to lock in votes. (You...

TNT has ordered adventure reality series The Great Escape. From Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and The Amazing Race's Bertram Van Munster and Elise Doganieri, the series has been picked up for 10 episodes with an eye for a summer launch. To be hosted by NFL Total Access' Rich Eisen, The Great Escape thrusts ordinary people -- put in teams -- into their own version of a action-adventure film. Contestants will have to try to overcome obstacles, solve puzzles and be the first to get out to win the grand prize. The series, which is being produced by Fox TV Studios, Imagine

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Exclusive: TNT is re-entering the reality arena with The Great Escape, a new action adventure series from Oscar-winning filmmakers Brian Grazer and Ron Howard and Emmy-winning Amazing Race creators Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri. The show, which has been picked up for 10 episodes for summer premiere, will be hosted by Rich Eisen (NFL Total Access). The Great Escape puts teams of ordinary people in the middle of their own epic action/adventure movie. Players must work together to evade pursuers, overcome obstacles, solve puzzles and be the first to reach freedom to win a cash prize. The Great Escape is produced by Fox TV Studios, Imagine Entertainment, The Hochberg Ebersol Co., Profiles TV Prods. and executive produced by Imagine’s Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Francie Calfo, Elise Doganieri, Bertram van Munster, Justin Hochberg and Charlie Ebersol. This marks TNT’s biggest foray into reality since the 2009 series Wedding Day,...

First, there was The Gravedigger. Then, Gormogon. Now, Bones‘ Booth and Brennan will go up against… a “tech-savvy foe”?!

Doesn’t sound too menacing, but details surrounding Bones‘ Season 7 big bad have surfaced and he (or she) sounds spooky.

Bones Ep Stephen Nathan describes this new villain as “someone who is an extremely odd and fearless foe,” though “much more… 21st-century” than previous nemeses.

Nathan tells TVGuide.com this “nefarious character” will surface at the end of Episode 6 — aka Emily Deschanel’s final episode before her maternity leave. Once the actress returns for new episodes, “We will follow [the new villain] for a...