[Press Release - Released by Hallmark] GABRIELLE ANWAR AND CRAIG SHEFFER TO STAR IN 'MURDER AMONG FRIENDS' (TENTATIVE TITLE), A HALLMARK CHANNEL ORIGINAL MOVIE WHICH HAS BEGUN PRODUCTION IN VANCOUVER Will Premiere on Hallmark Channel in 2010 Gabrielle Anwar("Burn Notice") and Craig Sheffer ("One Tree Hill") have been cast to star in "Murder Among Friends" (tentative title), a Hallmark Channel Original Movie about a group of college friends who reunite for a bridal shower that turns into a crime scene investigation when one of the friends is found dead and is presumed to have been murdered. One of the friends is devastated and becomes fixated on solving the crime. "Murder Among Friends" has begun production in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, and will premiere on Hallmark Channel in 2010. Joss Jenner (Anwar), an art authenticator, joins her college girlfriends, including her beautiful former roommate, Cait Randell (Thea Gill, "Queer As Folk"), with whom she has [...]

This is a post from Daemon's TV.

Gabrielle Anwar and Craig Sheffer To Star in Hallmark's MURDER AMONG FRIENDS

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[Press Release - Released by ABC Family] BREAK OUT THE POPCORN! IT'S A HARRY POTTER PACKED WEEKEND ON ABC FAMILY WITH THE FIRST FOUR FILMS IN THE SERIES, DECEMBER 4-6 Event Features Exclusive First Looks at Footage from the "Harry Potter Ultimate Editions" and "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" Blu-Ray and DVD Features Burbank, CA (November 9, 2009) – ABC Family continues the holiday cheer with its "Harry Potter" weekend on December 4-6, airing the first four installments of the popular film series as part of the network's "25 Days of Christmas" programming event. To add to the magic, ABC Family will also be airing exclusive footage from "Creating the World of Harry Potter," an eight-hour documentary series revealing the filmmaking magic behind all of the films in the series. For the first time ever, uncover the intimate details, never-before-seen screen tests, inside stories by cast and filmmakers, and directors' critical decisions [...]

This is a post from Daemon's TV.

HARRY POTTER Packed Weekend on ABC Family

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By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

I owe Dexter Morgan and Co. an apology.

I'm not really avoiding him.

Er, them.

It's amazing how much DVR time one does NOT have when one is holding down multiple occupations.

So goes the life of this particular writer these days.

But perhaps what is most frustrating for me is that this season continues to impress. Thus, I'm feeling even worse for falling behind on covering life at Miami Metro Homicide.

(Ne'er mind I'm wondering why my lapse in covering the show couldn't have happened LAST year, when I was already bored to tears by the time we reached this point in the season).

So where are we?

I have to say I'm happy Deb is now back at work after ... well, let's just call it her recovery.

And her breakdown.

I'm not sure I wanted to have her moping around for an inordinate amount of time. Focusing her energies on catching the Trinity Killer WHILE still being in mourning is much stronger play.

And taking Dex's apartment is a big step - for both she and her brother.

This is really the first time we're going to be able to see Deb living by herself, being settled, being ... well, just Deb. As for Dexter, giving up his apartment to his sister seems to be requiring some extra effort. Looks like the idea of having the newly constructed "Dexter's Domain" shed in the backyard of Camp Morgan isn't quite the same as having the apartment (gee, ya' think?).

But turning Quinn into the next Sergeant Doakes ...? Not so much. Please, folks. We already did the someone-on-the-squad-is-suspicious-of-Dex routine. No one is ever going to do it as good - or intensely - as Doakes (or Erik King). Quite frankly, I'm finding the Quinn character pretty useless at this point. Not to mention Desmond Harrington is seemingly unconvincing in his sudden fixation on Dexter. Yeah, okay, so he stole money from a crime scene and Dex spotted the deed. Yeah, okay, so he's trying to kiss arse to cover his own. But suddenly going after Dex? Like, did I miss something?

John Lithgow continues to be so redonkulously good as the Trinity Killer - FAR more convincing than Jimmy Smits ever was as Miguel Prado. I never bought Prado's secret life of serial killerness, but Lithgow has redefined it for me. I was a little hesitant (or would that be concerned?) he and Dexter were going to become BFFs, but that actually has NOT happened. Instead, their relationship is this this arm's length distance that is friendly without being Prado redux.

Thank.Goodness.

What intrigues me, though, is the vigor with which James Remar's Harry is adamant at Dex's killing this season. I'm not sure we've ever seen the character portrayed in this light. He's been far more controlled, calculated, instructor-like. We've never really seen him saying, "Kill him now!" It's a nice twist (not to mention we get to see lots of James in the episodes, and that is never a bad thing).

Laguerta and Batista ... meh. It's okay. Still cute. It's interesting to see these characters being so cutesy, warm and fuzzy. We seem to be delving into the personal of a lot of the characters this year, which is not a bad thing. I like it - particularly because it's not being overdone.

As for Rita and Co. and/or the "work" that is being done on the marriage ... I confess I like Rita being more pensive and concerned. Julie Benz has some serious do-not-f**k-with-me looks. And yet, I'm still finding this all somewhat of a leap of faith. Like, I just don't get how we suddenly had problems in the marriage because of the new baby. Strain, maybe. Awkwardness, sure. But therapy?

And yet, in all honesty, I think I'd rather watch uncertainty and rockiness as opposed to happy-go-lucky (ahem, last season). It is far more engaging to see a person - or persons - struggle to co-exist.

Particularly with that someone is Dexter Morgan.

New episodes of Dexter air Sunday at 9 p.m. on Showtime. Check out the official Dexter Web site for the inside scoop on the series. You can follow the show on Twitter: Twitter.com/sho_dexter; or, become a fan on Facebook: Facebook.com/Dexter. More at Pass The Remote...

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

After taking a second second job (got to love this economy, eh?), I have to apologize to regular readers of PTR for getting my Dexter and Dollhouse write-ups posted a wee bit tardier than usual.




Dollhouse

Let me sum up last week's episode of Dollhouse this way: Dichen Lachman rocks.

Seriously.

Her portrayal of Sierra stole several episodes away from Eliza Dushku's Echo last season.

As in, Echo who?

There is something about her ability to assume all the different doll personalities that seems so incredibly natural - almost instinctive. So any episode that is going to feature her backstory coming full circle is good by me.

Particularly since when I last left the dolls, I was ... well, let's just say somewhat concerned that the action and suspense of the first season had all but disappeared this season.

Alas, I spoke too soon.

Last week's ep counts as a wow ep for me.

Learning that Sierra came from a mental institution whereby she was deliberately being made coo coo for cocoa puffs by the doctor who turns out to be one of Rossum's biggest clients AND obsessed with her after the fact?

Nice.

And Topher's emotional decision to have to let Sierra go (per demented doc's request), only to one up the dollhouse, imprint Sierra with her "clean" (as in, NOT coo coo) master imprint to get revenge on dearly demented doc?

A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

We recall Topher has a particular fondness for Sierra. Once a year, he imprints her with "his" perfect geek girl personality to play video games, eat pizza, hang out. It's his reward, as it were, for what he does. Playing on that theme - and giving us the full story that it was, in fact, Topher who saved Sierra from the mental institution - was tight writing. I like it when writers fill in the blanks for us and loop it back to what we already know in such a seamless way that it's as if we already feel as if we knew that element of the story.

Now the love story with Victor ... hmmm. Cute, but I don't get it. Can a doll - in their wiped clean state - really fall for another doll? I guess so.

In any event, this ep was all about Dichen for me. She delivered another powerhouse performance (the mental institution scenes alone were just fantastic) that did not have me missing Echo, Ballard or anyone else for that matter.

THAT is how much of an asset she - and her character - are to this show.

New episodes of Dollhouse air Fridays at 9 p.m. on FOX. For the scoop on the series, head on over to the show's official site.






Dexter

Keeping to the co-stars-sometimes-rock-it-better-than-the-leads theme, can I get another amen for JC?

That would be Jennifer Carpenter.

OMG.

The woman continues to impress me season in, season out.

We already know I wouldn't have gotten through last season's doldrums without her. But this past week's episode of Dexter had me watching her take the character of Debra Morgan to a whole new level of mess.

In a good way.

I confess I knew it was probably too good to be true for her to stay in her happy-go-lucky state of grace with Anton. Although the character deserved to at least experience some sort of happiness, you are much more engaged as the viewer when Deb Morgan is struggling with herself.

On all levels.

Emotionally. Mentally. Physically.

And boy did we get it all once again in this ep.

Torturing herself by not taking the pain medication to heal up the bullet wounds.

Breaking down to her brother, feeling as if she is a black mark of doom on everything she touches.

Beside herself on the loss of Lundy.

The wounds of Debra Morgan run ever so deep. Just when we think they might be healing, something tears them open once again. But what convinces us, the viewer, of just how real and painful those wounds are is JC's portrayal. She has an emotional depth that, for me, just pulls one through the screen.

Seriously.

It is intense. I don't care if she's hyperventilating as she confesses to Dex over the spot where Lundy was shot, or running for her life in the film Quarantine, her intensity is palpable. And much like with Dichen Lachman over on Dollhouse, Dexter would not be the same with out Jennifer Carpenter.

In the words of Dexter: "If Deb dies, I'd be lost."

So would we.

Thankfully, she didn't.

But her survival dredged up a whole lotta not-so-goodness.

In other news ... so Dexter's lying finally caught up with him, and Rita is instantly going for ... divorce? Or suggesting the marriage is on the rocks?

Did I miss something, or does this seem a little quick off the draw? I guess we, the viewer, are supposed to understand that there's been "other" stuff going on in the Morgan household contributing to this uncertainty, but I'm not sure I'm buying it on screen. That said, I actually LIKE the conflict and/or the challenge to the relationship (since happy-go-lucky Dexter did NOT work for me). It just seems a little quick. But hey, this is TV.

And I have to say ... did we really think Laguerta's decision to disclose her relationship with Batista WASN'T going to result in brass asking her to transfer Batista out of her squad?

Um, yeah. Even I knew that was coming. Yet, she seemed blissfully ignorant that consequence would ever occur.

Um, duh?

It's decisions like this that still make me wonder how Laguerta ever got to be a Lieutenant in the first place. The woman is not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

No pun intended.

And while Dex comes ever so close to the Trinity Killer this week, Jennifer Carpenter rocked this episode.

Again.

And P.S. ... how much do I love having James Remar in nearly every episode? Love.It.

New episodes of Dexter air Sunday at 9 p.m. on Showtime. Check out the official Dexter Web site for the inside scoop on the series. You can follow More at Pass The Remote...

Every year, blogger buddy Scooter McGavin prompts some TV Bloggers to pick their favorite new shows of the fall season. He then tabulates it all, uses a Snapple Abacus to determine the Top 10 shows and the results are now in! Fall 2009’s Top Blogger Rated Shows: 1. GLEE 2. MODERN FAMILY 3. THE VAMPIRE DIARIES 4. COMMUNITY 5. COUGAR [...] More at Ducky Does TV...

Tonight is a very special SUPERNATURAL. No, it’s not a Christmas special or even the end of the world (been there, done that). Tonight it’s time for the Winchesters to star in their own TV show… or five! In “Changing Channels”, Sam and Dean are paid a visit from an old “friend” that likes [...] More at Ducky Does TV...

The last two Supernatural episodes have been my favorite of the season. I know that’s not a popular opinion in fandom but there you have it. I don’t mind filler episodes, I mean they do have to come up with enough material for 22 and that’s too many to have them all center around the [...] More at RTVW Online...

 For those who don’t follow me elsewhere online, I apologize for the quiet around these parts. I’ve been sick as a dog. Monday was one of my worst days so I didn’t even get my usual Forget Chuck Not post up! Very sad! And I was going to write up a sneak peek review of [...] More at RTVW Online...

Photo: Emmy nominee Simon Baker of the CBS drama "The Mentalist"



by Jennifer Squires Biller


If you haven’t heard, the Emmy nominations were announced on Thursday.

We have to wait until September 20 to see who takes home the naked statues known as Emmys and who shows up with their mother as their date, but meanwhile, here’s a look at the nominees.

Overall, I’m quite pleased with this year’s list. (No, I haven’t been drinking.) It seems Emmy voters may finally be getting that there is more to television than HBO.

I’m absolutely over-the-moon that Pushing Daisies’ Kristin Chenoweth, How I Met Your Mother’s Neil Patrick Harris, and The Mentalist’s Simon Baker scored nominations. Also, a great big high five for Boston Legal - which delivered some Emmy-worthy television in its final episodes - and for Vanessa Williams, who is always downright delicious playing a devilish diva on Ugly Betty. And I’m hoping that this is the year Chandra Wilson gets her well-deserved Emmy for her work on Grey’s Anatomy.

Oh sure, there were several snubs, but not like we usually see. Most notably, where was Josh Holloway of Lost? He has done excellent work and should be recognized. Also, there is no excuse for the complete shut out of Friday Night Lights. It’s one of the best dramas on TV! Just as disappointing, was the lack of love for Psych and its stars. Dule Hill and James Roday make me laugh out loud every week.

That’s my opinion. What do you think of this year’s nominees?

Best Series, Drama
'Big Love'
'Breaking Bad'
'Damages'
'Dexter'
'House'
'Lost'
'Mad Men'

Best Series, Comedy
'30 Rock'
'Entourage'
'Family Guy'
'Flight Of The Conchords'
'How I Met Your Mother'
'The Office'
'Weeds'

Best Actor, Drama
Bryan Cranston 'Breaking Bad'
Michael C. Hall 'Dexter'
Hugh Laurie 'House'
Gabriel Byrne 'In Treatment'
Jon Hamm 'Mad Men'
Simon Baker 'The Mentalist'

Best Actor, Comedy
Alec Baldwin '30 Rock'
Tony Shalhoub 'Monk'
Jim Parsons 'The Big Bang Theory'
Steve Carell 'The Office'
Charlie Sheen 'Two And A Half Men'
Jemaine Clement 'Flight Of The Conchords'

Best Actress, Drama
Sally Field 'Brothers & Sisters'
Glenn Close 'Damages'
Mariska Hargitay 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'
Holly Hunter 'Saving Grace'
Kyra Sedgwick 'The Closer'
Elisabeth Moss 'Mad Men'

Best Actress, Comedy
Tina Fey '30 Rock'
Christina Applegate 'Samantha Who?'
Julia Louis-Dreyfus 'The New Adventures Of Old Christine'
Sarah Silverman 'The Sarah Silverman Program'
Mary-Louise Parker 'Weeds'
Toni Collette 'United States Of Tara'

Best Supporting Actor, Drama Series
William Shatner 'Boston Legal'
Christian Clemenson 'Boston Legal'
Aaron Paul 'Breaking Bad'
Michael Emerson 'Lost'
John Slattery 'Mad Men'
William Hurt 'Damages'

Best Supporting Actress, Drama Series
Rose Byrne 'Damages'
Hope Davis 'In Treatment'
Chandra Wilson 'Grey's Anatomy'
Sandra Oh 'Grey's Anatomy'
Dianne Wiest 'In Treatment'
Cherry Jones '24'

Best Supporting Actor, Comedy Series
Kevin Dillon 'Entourage'
Tracy Morgan '30 Rock'
Neil Patrick Harris 'How I Met Your Mother'
Rainn Wilson 'The Office'
Jon Cryer 'Two And A Half Men'
Jack McBrayer '30 Rock'

Best Supporting Actress, Comedy Series
Kristin Chenoweth 'Pushing Daisies'
Kristen Wiig 'Saturday Night Live'
Amy Poehler 'Saturday Night Live'
Jane Krakowski '30 Rock'
Vanessa Williams 'Ugly Betty'
Elizabeth Perkins 'Weeds'

Best Reality-Competition Program'American Idol'
'Dancing With The Stars'
'Project Runway'
'The Amazing Race'
'Top Chef'

Best Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program
Ryan Seacrest 'American Idol'
Tom Bergeron 'Dancing With the Stars'
Phil Keoghan 'The Amazing Race'
Heidi Klum 'Project Runway'
Jeff Probst 'Survivor'
Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio 'Top Chef'

Best Variety, Music or Comedy Series
'Late Show With David Letterman'
'Real Time With Bill Maher'
'Saturday Night Live'
'The Colbert Report'
'The Daily Show With Jon Stewart'

Best Guest Actor In A Drama Series
Edward Asner 'CSI: NY'
Ted Danson 'Damages'
Jimmy Smits 'Dexter'
Ernest Borgnine 'ER'
Michael J. Fox 'Rescue Me'

Best Guest Actress In A Drama Series
Sharon Lawrence 'Grey's Anatomy'
Ellen Burstyn 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'
Brenda Blethyn 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'
Carol Burnett 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'
CCH Pounder 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency'

Best Guest Actor In A Comedy Series
Beau Bridges 'Desperate Housewives'
Justin Timberlake 'Saturday Night Live'
Steve Martin '30 Rock'
Jon Hamm '30 Rock'
Alan Alda '30 Rock'

Best Guest Actress In A Comedy Series
Christine Baranski 'The Big Bang Theory'
Gena Rowlands 'Monk'
Betty White 'My Name Is Earl'
Tina Fey 'Saturday Night Live'
Jennifer Aniston '30 Rock'
Elaine Stritch '30 Rock'

Best Miniseries
'Generation Kill'
'Little Dorritt'

Best Lead Actor, Miniseries or Movie
Kevin Kline 'Cyrano de Bergerac'
Brendan Gleeson 'Into The Storm'
Sir Ian McKellen 'King Lear'
Kevin Bacon 'Taking Chance'
Kiefer Sutherland '24: Redemption'
Kenneth Branagh 'Wallander: One Step Behind'

Best Lead Actress, Miniseries or Movie
Chandra Wilson 'Accidental Friendship'
Shirley MacLaine 'Coco Chanel'
Drew Barrymore 'Grey Gardens'Jessica Lange 'Grey Gardens'
Sigourney Weaver 'Prayers For Bobby'

More at Tube Talk...

by Jennifer Squires Biller