News, entertainment, opinion, and whatever sparks interest in Burbank the Media City
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Tag Archives | television

"More Cotswolds Memoirs" book cover

Burbank Beat: Downton Abbey, art festival, Annual Care Walk

Tuesday, March 29 — Behind the scenes at “Downton Abbey” at the Buena Vista Library , 300 North Buena Vista Street, begins 7 p.m. tonight.  English actress, comedy writer, and author, Diz White, will take the audience on a colorful , amusing, and visual journey of  Cotswolds, an area in south central England, where she has a cottage. Also White will include the filming locations for the popular PBS drama, “Downton Abbey,” and her experience meeting the cast. White is the author of several books... Read More →

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Copycat Killers TV series graphic

“Copycat Killers” TV series premieres this Saturday

A new TV series debuting this Saturday takes a look at the dark side of Hollywood films. Frequently motion pictures are inspired by reality, however, in some strange and terrifying cases killers imitate or copy what they’ve seen on the big screen.  “Copycat Killers” is a behind the scenes look at headline grabbing murder cases and the dramatic hunt for the perpetrators. “Copycat Killers” contains interviews; from law enforcement investigators to family members of victims to experts, in a variety of fields, including Russell... Read More →

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Former “Glee” star Mark Salling facing child porn charges

The year is ending on a sour note for a former star of the hit TV series “Glee.” Mark Salling, who played bad boy  Noah “Puck” Puckerman, on the comedy/musical is facing charges of possession of child pornography. Salling was arrested yesterday at his home in nearby by Sunland and is now out on bail. A tip led to the actor’s arrest according to ABC News.  

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Clapboard entertainment - Hollywood

Showbiz Tidbits: September 14, 2015

Arnold Schwarzenegger lands new TV gig. The former California governor/actor has been named host of NBC’s  “The Celebrity Apprentice.”  Schwarzenegger takes over in the 7th season of the reality show for billionaire/super personality/now presidential candidate, Donald Trump. “Arnold Schwarzenegger is the epitome of a global brand in entertainment and business, and his accomplishments in the political arena speak for themselves. It was Arnold’s personal passion for the format that Mark Burnett and Donald Trump built over the last decade, as well as his fresh take on how to... Read More →

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Deadliest Catch Discovery Channel reality series photo

Updated: Reality TV show producer gunned down in Pasadena

Updated: 11:50 p.m. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s  Department is reporting a suspect in the shooting death of TV producer Joe McMahon has been located. The unidentified suspect was discovered in his vehicle, dead from an apparent “self-inflicted gunshot wound,” at around 4 p.m. in the West Los Angeles area, according to a news release. The suspect is believed to be in his early twenties. No further details at this point.   Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide detectives are investigating the death of a reality TV producer, gunned down... Read More →

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NBC peacock logo

Web Buzz: NBC dumps Trump, Ellen launches new venture and more

NBC dumps Donald Trump. The network released a statement saying it fired the Donald because of negative remarks he made about Mexicans, when he launched his presidential campaign earlier this month on Tuesday, June 16. Trump’s race for president is probably more of a problem for the network than the derogatory comments.  No matter. NBC fired Trump. More here on USA Today. TV talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres, launched a new venture this week. DeGeneres... Read More →

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showbiz clapper board clip art

Showbiz Buzz: Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg, and more

Superstar director/producer/actor, Clint Eastwood, has selected another project about a real-life hero. Eastwood has signed on to tell the story of pilot, Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who managed to land a crippled jet airliner, packed with passengers and crew, on New York’s Hudson River in 2009. Last year, Eastwood received accolades for “American Sniper” ( 2014) , which is about one of the most lethal snipers in U.S. history, U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle.  More details on the Hollywood Reporter Big time director, Steven Spielberg and wife/actress, Kate Capshaw... Read More →

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Burbank on Parade 2015 image

Grand Marshal announced for Burbank on Parade 2015

The theme of the 34th annual Burbank on Parade is “Burbank– City of the Wild Wild West.”  Yesterday the selection of veteran actor, Gerald McRaney, as the Grand Marshal was announced in a news release. McRaney is a familiar face on television. He’s appeared in numerous series from back in the day “Gunsmoke” (1955), to “Simon and Simon” (1981-1989), “Major Dad” (1989-1993), “Touched by an Angel” (1995-1998), “Deadwood” (2005-2006), “Justified” (2013), “House of Cards” (2013-2014), and “Longmire” (2012-2014). Another fan favorite, Johnny Crawford , a former Mouseketeer who played Mark McCain... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- A plume of smoke from a fire in the 300 block of West Spazier Avenue in Burbank March 20, 2015

Fire at Burbank home of actor Justin Baldoni’s mother

A plume of smoke from a fire burning in the 300 block of West Spazier Avenue in Burbank could be seen for miles today. At one point, the column of smoke was so tall and so dark that some spectators thought there might be a brush fire on the rampage. That turned out not to be the case. The fire broke out at around 11: 20 a.m. Burbank Fire Captain Peter Hendrickson told Media City Groove the “… fire completely enveloped the rear detached garage and quickly began to... Read More →

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Photo courtesy Greenleaf & Associates

Legendary announcer Gary Owens dead at 80

The legendary announcer of the classic TV series “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In” has gone silent. Gary Owens reportedly passed away  peacefully at his home in Encino yesterday surrounded by family, according to a news release.  No exact cause of death was given, but Public Relations specialist, Vicki Greenleaf, told Media City Groove his passing was related to age and diabetes. Owens’ distinctive baritone voice with its smooth dulcet tones and his skills for comedy, as well as deadpan deliveries, made him a star. Owen started off as a gag... Read More →

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video thumbnail of Middle Seat commercial

Burbank director wins $1 million in Doritos “Crash the Super Bowl” contest

For the second straight year, a Burbank resident is part of the winning team taking home the first place grand prize in the Doritos “Crash The Super Bowl” contest. Director  Scott Zabielski, reportedly pulled together the required 30-second TV commercial on a budget of only $2,000, according to KTLA . The commercial is called “Middle Seat” and stars Zabielski’s own small son. Zabielski’s commercial along with the second place winner, “When Pigs Fly,” played during  yesterday’s Super Bowl XLIX.  The grand prize is $1 million and... Read More →

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Super Bowl XLIX in Arizona graphic

Super Bowl Sunday: Pizza, beer, and McDonald’s freebies

While the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots are gearing up for that Super Bowl XLIX showdown in Arizona, restaurants, fast food joints, and takeout places are getting ready to throw down some serious eats. Sales of beer, chicken wings, and pizza will skyrocket on Super Bowl Sunday, according to Restaurant News. Some of the big chains are offering some pretty tempting food deals. Papa John’s deal is for a free pizza, but only after Super Bowl Sunday. And McDonald’s, Read More →

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SAG logo

21st Annual SAG Awards nominees announced today

A lot of chatter around the entertainment community today about the newly released nominees for the 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. The nominees were announced this morning at the Pacific Design Center’s SilverScreen Theater in West Hollywood by actress/director/producer and recipient, Eva Longoria,and Actor, Ansel Elgort,( “The Fault in Our Stars” (2014) and  “Divergent” (2014) ). Here are the nominees for the top film categories: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role STEVE CARELL / John du Pont – “FOXCATCHER” (Sony Pictures Classics) BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH... Read More →

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Barbra Streisand new Album "Partners"

Web Buzz: Barbra Streisand, L.A. Daily News, and Fantasy 5 winner

For the first time in over 50 years, the legendary Barbra Streisand will appear on the “Tonight Show.” Streisand is scheduled to sit down with “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon on Monday, September 15. The day before the singer’s new album “Partners” drops. The album is a collection of duets with famous male vocalists like Lionel Richie, Billy Joel, Michael Bublé , Blake Shelton, Babyface, Stevie Wonder, and John Mayer. A lot of chatter on the Internet about the possible sell of... Read More →

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Frozen movie poster

Around the Southland: “Frozen” actress selling Studio City home

The actress who sings the popular Oscar-winning song “Let It Go” in the mega animated hit “Frozen” (2013) is parting ways with her Studio City home. Idina Menzel, who won a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway musical, “Wicked,” is selling the home with her ex-husband, actor Taye Diggs. The couple announced their divorce last December and Diggs, star of such TV series as “The Practice” and movies like “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” (1998)  has moved on and reportedly found love... Read More →

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Actress Melissa McCarthy throws out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium June 28, 2014

Photo Gallery: Actress Melissa McCarthy throws out first pitch at Dodger game

  Last Saturday actress, Melissa McCarthy, got to  throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Dodgers vs St. Louis Cardinals game at Dodger Stadium. McCarthy’s pitch was pretty good. It managed to find home plate. For that the actress was thrilled. McCarthy wrapped things up with a  hug and then a photo with Dodger catcher, Drew Butera. By the way, the Dodgers would go on to beat the Cardinals 9-1.   McCarthy is the star of the hit CBS... Read More →

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vintage TV set free clipart

Watching television most popular leisure activity for Americans

Despite all the options Americans have they still spend most of their leisure time watching television.  If you’re 15 years or older, you were eyeballing the small tube 2.8 hours per day in 2013. That’s what the latest stats from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics  discovered. The data appears in the latest  American Time Use Survey. The second most popular leisure time activity — socializing with friends or attending social events. That accounted for 43 minutes of the average American’s day. The fitness... Read More →

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Actress Sophia Bush at Dodger Stadium June 13, 2014

Photo Gallery: Actress Sophia Bush threw out first pitch at Dodger game

Actress Sophia Bush, star of the NBC drama  “Chicago P.D.,” threw out the ceremonial first pitch at last night’s Dodger game. The Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3 in front of a crowd of nearly 43,000 at Dodger Stadium. More photos from the game on Jon Soo Hoo’s LA Photo Blog.

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Actress Eva Longoria appears at Burbank YMCA special event

Actress/producer/director, Eva Longoria, dropped by the Burbank YMCA today to host a special event. Longoria was there to encourage kids to drink more water.  Also, the event was to celebrate the donation of thousands of Brita water filter pitchers and dispensers to YMCA locations nationwide. This three-year commitment is designed to give kids participating in before and after school programs “… access to clean, clear, filtered water,” according to a news release. Brita’ donation continues its involvement with organizations fighting childhood obesity and promoting healthier lifestyles for kids. Brita is... Read More →

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Actor/producer/writer Seth Green joins forces with NASA

You might need to give NASA some kudos for the comfortable high-tech seats in your ride. NASA has made great strides in long distance travel in space as well as here on Earth. NASA’s Technology Transfer Program is responsible for finding the widest possible applications for the agency’s research. “NASA technologies improve our everyday lives, including providing us with safer, cleaner modes of transportation, supporting millions of passengers and packages traveling by air and ground everyday with efficiencies, comfort and safety,” said Daniel Lockney, NASA’s Technology Transfer Program executive,... Read More →

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Matthew Perry's Malibu home

Around the Southland: Matthew Perry’s Malibu home on the market again

  “Friends” costar, Matthew Perry has put his Malibu home up for sale again. The ultra-modern 4-bedroom 6-bath home overlooks the Malibu Pier. Back in 2011 it went n the market for $13.5 million for about five months, according to the Zillow blog. It’s now being relisted for a million less — $12.5 million. This beach home has incredible views and unique style. Check out other photos here. The stunning home reportedly has been newly redecorated. Perry has been a player in the real estate game for... Read More →

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Amy Poehler new book cover for "Yes Please"

Amy Poehler has a new book coming out

   Actress and funny lady, Amy Poehler, has a new book coming out. “Yes Please” will be published by a new imprint of  HarperCollins called Dey Street Books. The “Today Show” website  was the first to reveal the book cover. Poehler reportedly will dish up advice about friendship, parenting, and oh yes, her experience in the rough and tumble entertainment biz. Poehler is the star of the hit NBC series, “Parks and Recreation.” The 42 year-old actress has appeared on the big screen... Read More →

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