A SNL SHOUT OUT, BECOMES A BASIC CABLE TV SHOW.

FUSION TV today announced that the first season of 'The A.V. Club' will premiere March 16 @ 9PM. The weekly show will be hosted by The A.V. Club's editor-at-large John Teti and feature the editorial brains behind the iconic pop culture site sharing their distinct perspective on movies, music, television, and more.

"Last year, my A.V. Club colleagues and I surveyed the media landscape and reached a troubling conclusion: There simply aren't enough television shows. To remedy that shortfall, we're taking matters into our own hands," Teti said in a post today.

The A.V. Club is an entertainment website for pop-culture obsessives, by pop-culture obsessives. Publishing since 1993, The A.V. Club's videos, reviews, interviews, and features can all be found at AVClub.com.

'The A.V. Club' show is produced by Onion Studios. Alicia Haywood, MaryBeth Searls and James Fleischel serve as executive producers. This marks the first series to premiere on FUSION TV from a Fusion Media Group digital brand; last fall the network aired an election special from the editors of The Onion.

"FMG's collection of digital brands serve young, savvy, and highly engaged audiences -- and now we have a unique opportunity to extend the reach of these leading brands across new platforms," said Daniel Eilemberg, President of FUSION. "We are excited to bring the passionate, pop culture obsessed voice of The A.V. Club to a broader audience on our FUSION TV network."

CBS SCREWS-UP: TO NETFLIX THE NEXT TV STAR TREK-TO GEEKS WHO CAN'T AFFORD IT.

CINEMA'S "YEAR OF THE BIBLE" CONTINUES, WITH "SEXY" COUNTRY ROM-COM, THE SONG...

Before SHADES OF GRAY, "Dating Naked", or even Harlequin romance novels, there was Song of Solomon, the "sexy" book of the Bible. From the best-selling book of all time, the racy Song of Solomon has inspired a new movie THE SONG opening nationwide this Friday.
Starring Alan Powell of pop band Anthem Lights, Caitlin Nicol-Thomas ("Nashville"), and Ali Faulkner (THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 1), THE SONG is a music-driven romantic drama combining ancient wisdom and a classic love triangle to deliver the most provocative film in Hollywood's "Year of the Bible". The PG-13 rating hints at the not-quite Sunday school fare. 
Releasing nationwide on September 26^th from Samuel Goldwyn Films and City on A Hill Studio, THE SONG takes an honest look into the life of a world-weary recording artist searching for meaning and love. Inspired by Song of Solomon (known for its poetic language about love and lovers), THE SONG features 11 original songs with an American Roots flavor.
The film has been screened for more than 10,000 pastors and church leaders over the course of the summer. Additionally, an extensive line of curriculum resources are available to further the experience and become a catalyst for strengthening marriage. Executive Producer of THE SONG and Teaching Pastor of America's fourth largest church, Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY, Kyle Idleman hopes the film will generate honest conversations about topics often avoided in ministry settings.
"I think the church often hides under the covers, so to speak, when it comes to the issues of love, sex and marriage, and by doing so popular culture continues to shape how we think about these subjects. It seems like it might be good for [the church] to step back and ask the question, 'How's that workin' out for us?'" says Idleman.
THE SONG follows aspiring singer-songwriter Jed King (Alan Powell) as he struggles to catch a break and escape the long shadow of his father, a country music legend. After reluctantly accepting a gig at a local vineyard harvest festival, Jed is love-struck by the vineyard owner's daughter, Rose (Ali Faulkner), and a romance quickly blooms. Soon after their wedding, Jed writes Rose "The Song," which becomes a breakout hit. Thrust into a life of stardom and a world of temptation in the form of fellow performer Shelby Bale (Caitlin Nicol-Thomas), Jed's life and marriage begin to fall apart.
Woven throughout the story is voice-over narration taken from verses in Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes and Proverbs; metaphorically, the film draws on the life and writings of King Solomon, thought to be one of the wisest men in history, and known for his book on love and intimacy. However, with its entertaining blend of music, romance and heartbreak, THE SONG plays to wider audiences and is reminiscent of films like WALK THE LINE, COUNTRY STRONG, and CRAZY HEART.
"THE SONG has the potential to resonate with anyone, regardless of their beliefs or background. I think movie-goers will appreciate this film as a stand-alone music-driven drama that plays as a cautionary love story and not a cinematic sermon," says writer and director Richard Ramsey.
What others are saying:

• "THE SONG has a great message on priorities, communication, faith and redemption." – Jeff Foxworthy
• "THE SONG's music will stick with you, as will the message. Go see this important film."- John Howard, Duck Commander
• "A real interpretation of life on the road, and a STAR performance from Alan Powell – THE SONG is not your glossy Christian movie."- Chuck Howard, Multi-platinum, award-winning music producer/songwriter who created hits for country stars LeAnn Rimes, Trick Pony, and others
• "This is not a typical Christian film. It is a raw portrayal of tragic choices while at the same time offering hope of redemption."- Michael Catt, Pastor, Sherwood Baptist Church

LILO UPSET OVER CRITICAL REVEIW, OVER HER SURPRISE HIT TV MOVIE.

SHAMELESS RENEWAL OF EPISODES.


LOS ANGELES, Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hot off their highly successful freshman seasons, SHOWTIME has ordered second seasons of SHAMELESS and EPISODES, it was announced today by David Nevins, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc. Starring William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum, the outrageous hour-long family drama SHAMELESS received a 12-episode order for its second season, while half-hour comedy series EPISODES, starring TV icon Matt LeBlanc as a fictional version of himself, received a second season order with the number of episodes to be determined. Both series premiered on January 9 to widespread critical and audience acclaim, with SHAMELESS becoming SHOWTIME's best performing freshman drama ever. Production on both series will begin later this year.

"The viewer loyalty and critical acclaim that has met both SHAMELESS and EPISODES since their January debuts makes it clear that these two brash and sophisticated series are burgeoning hits," said Nevins. "John Wells is carving out a tone that is truly unique in the television landscape—equal parts drama and comedy. And EPISODES marks the universally embraced and hilarious return to television of an inspired comedy triumvirate: Matt LeBlanc, and creators Jeffrey Klarik and David Crane. We are thrilled with the response to both series and eager to start planning for their second seasons."

From John Wells (ER, The West Wing, Southland) and Paul Abbott (State of Play, Touching Evil) , SHAMELESS is based on the long-running hit UK series and stars Emmy® winner and Oscar® nominee William H. Macy ( Fargo, Door to Door) and Golden Globe® nominee Emmy Rossum (The Phantom of the Opera, Mystic River). Macy plays a working class patriarch of an unconventional Chicago brood of six kids headed by the eldest sibling (Rossum) who keep the home afloat while their dad is out drinking and carousing. The series averages nearly four million weekly viewers across multiple platforms and is on pace to be the network's second-highest rated drama series behind DEXTER (5.2 million). SHAMELESS is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with John Wells Productions and Warner Bros. Television. Wells and Abbott are executive producers; Andrew Stearn (The West Wing, Southland) also serves as executive producer.

"We're delighted that our wonderful partners at SHOWTIME are giving us the opportunity to make additional episodes of SHAMELESS," said executive producer John Wells. "We're having an unbelievably good time making the show and look forward to bringing more of the humor, pathos, and wild sexuality of the dysfunctional Gallagher family to a shocked American audience."

EPISODES is a co-production between Showtime Networks in the U.S. and the BBC in the UK, written and executive produced by two of America's most successful comedy writers David Crane (Friends, The Class) and Jeffrey Klarik (Mad About You, The Class). Jimmy Mulville executive produces through his successful Hat Trick production company (Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Worst Week). This comedy series centers around a husband and wife producing team who are forced to navigate the many pitfalls of the Hollywood television business when their successful British show is brought to America, and the U.S. network insists on making the show more audience friendly by replacing their venerable thespian lead with...Matt LeBlanc. Season one of EPISODES averaged nearly two million weekly viewers across multiple platforms (including On Demand and replays).

"To have the opportunity to make another series of this show with David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik and then to make that show for both Showtime and the BBC, whose combined portfolios of comedy are second to none, is both a thrill and a great privilege," said executive producer Jimmy Mulville. "At the end of the first series the writers have placed our three protagonists in the middle of comedy hell. Like the rest of the audience I can't wait to see

RANT:WHY NOT MOVE SOAPS TO LATE NIGHT TV, TO BREAK THE JUGGER-
NAUT OF WHITE GUYS BEHIND DESKS?

Buzzer Blog and Extra reported that forgettable,but long running soap Guiding Light was being cancelled. I was thinking why not move the genre to 11 PM-2 AM on the CW,Fox and ABC to finally give the audience, some damn variety.

The producers can increase the pacing, so one plot point doesn't take 18 months to develop- to its climax. They could increase the sex and violence,because from Midnight to 6AM, there is relaxed FCC regs-since the kids are finally asleep.

This could help bored,comic overloaded male viewers or frisky ladies craving- a little romance at those hours. Instead of a another smirking,aging frat boy- whose not half as funny as he thinks he is (That means you Carson Daly!)

Finally, why are all these guys white and male? Have we learned nothing from the legend Arsenio Hall here in the Obama era??

EX-L WORD, CYBIL SHEPARD WILL GET PSYCHED WITH DULE HILL AND JAMES RODAY ON USA.

The former Moonlighting and current L Word star will bow for two show for the smug, detective comedy. Her alter ego is a psychoanalyst and liberal "free spirit"- who returns mess with her ex (co-star and game show host Corbin Bernsen) and use her love of her son to get her own way.

THE SIMPSONS MOVIE..."EXCELLENT!!"

First Contact: Captain
Score: Commander

"Hi. I'm Tom Hanks. If you see me on the street,please...just leave me be. Thank You," states the two time Oscar winning comic actor, in this fine translation- of the smug, yet still funny TV show to the silver screen.

While the film lacks the sleazily bold, in-your-face irreverence of Beavis & Butthead Do America or The infamous South Park movie, the film more than makes up for that, with intelligent wit and charm personified through the 2D bug-eyed "nuclear" family.

The only problems are some of the jokes, fall noticeably flat. The director either should have cut them- in order to punch-up the strong, pro-liberal, pro-environment angle and self sacrifice at the climax...of Springfield- trapped in huge snow globe, about to be eradicated by a time bomb.A truly long story, that you will have to see for yourself.

All of the voice acting rules hard, though it would have been nice- if the show's producers opened up its cast. To allow more minority actors, to join the madness and make guest cameos, along with the principles. Since with money being raked in by the flick, this is a mistake that can be easily fixed by using Maggie's first (or second-for true fans) word "...SEQUEL!"

GREY'S ANATOMY SPIN-OFF IN THE WORKS! (UPDATE)

-Kate Walsh's Dr Addison Montgomery-Shepherd will star.

The show's producers is prepping a two-hour "back-door" pilot that would air at the top of the May ratings sweeps period. It goes with out saying it will do well in the ratings. Still, if become an artistic masterstroke- similar to the ensemble, "new" Hollywood medical drama, it could be on the ABC schedule by fall of 2007.

Update (2/24/07) : Taye Diggs- of the noble, but crashed Groundhog Day as 24 thriller, Daybreak will co-star and executive produce, the stealth May pilot with creator Shondra Rimes. Finally, a rumor has come forward that Karyn Parsons (Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Lush Life) will play a relative of the Diggs character and create working family tension.