10 things we learned from watching TV last week 3
Feature by Tim Carson
Here’s what we learned from watching TV between 28th January and 5th February, 2012.
1. Whitechapel is the perfect way to start the week. A nicely put together TV cop show, it has all the classic elements with the added bonus of Steve Pemberton as weird crime historian Edward Buchan. Buchan’s interest in historical crime and how it can help solve modern day crimes gives the show its edge making it darker, creepier and scarier than most other detective dramas. Great fun.
Whitechapel, ITV1, Monday, 9pm
2. Battlestar Galactica continues to surprise and amaze. Yes, it’s a repeat but for those of us who somehow missed it (what were we thinking!) now we see why everyone raved about it. Give us a break we got there in the end.
Battlestar Galactica, Sky Atlantic, Tuesday, 9pm.
3. Being married to a prisoner can be hard. Especially if you had no idea you husband was a murderer. Or at least that’s the premise of BBC’s new Tuesday night drama Prisoners’ Wives, which sadly isn’t very arresting.
Prisoners’ Wives, BBC1, Tuesday, 9pm
4. Steven Mackintosh is on a roll. In the last few years he’s had key roles in Luther and The Jury excelling in both and now he’s doing the same as John in BBC1’s clever new thriller Inside Men. Very well done sir.
Inside Men, BBC1, Thursday, 9pm
5. Flashbacks can be very helpful. This week’s Mad Dogs saw the return of Ben Chaplin as Alvo and no he’s not still alive – or at least probably not. In a series of flashbacks we get to discover how Alvo got mixed up with Mackenzie, Dominic and bent copper Maria. And were there a few clues as to why Baxter, Quinn, Woody and Rick are still caught up in a seemingly endless chain of misfortune? Is it all just bad luck or is there more too it? I guess we’ll have to wait till series three to find out.
Mad Dogs, Sky1, Thursday, 9pm
6. The Good Wife continues to strike the perfect balance of humour, emotional drama and political intrigue and, of course, a little bit of legal shenanigans.
The Good Wife, More 4, Thursday, 9pm
7. New Girl gets better and better. Really, it’s one of the few US comedies that can make you laugh out loud. Try it you’ll like it.
New Girl, C4, Friday, 8.30pm
8. Pan Am really is quite silly. This week the guys and gals form the Pan Am crew are the first US plane to fly into Moscow where they promptly get arrested for spying and almost cause an international incident. Luckily another spy helps them escape. Next week the crew solve the Cuban Missile crisis or something. It’s still quite entertaining.
Pan Am, BBC2, Saturday, 10.45pm
9. Without Birdsong Sunday night is missing a top-notch prime-time drama. Sorry Call The Midwife and Wild at Heart just don’t cut it.
Birdsong, BBC1, Sunday, 9pm
10. It was worth re-making Hawaii Five-O. Now well into its second series the remade cop show has all the elements for a perfect hour of escapism. A top cast, stunning locations and generally clever-plotting (there is the odd dodgy story) and entertaining action. Much like the old show in fact.
Hawaii Five-O, Sky1, Sunday, 9pm
Next: Previously on What we learnt from TV
What did you learn from TV this week? Tell us…
Bobby Cannavale joins Boardwalk Empire
Story by Jack Foley
BOBBY Cannavale has joined the cast of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire.
The acclaimed screen and stage actor will join the period drama as series regular Gyp Rosetti, who is described as “a charming but ruthless gangster who challenges Nucky (Steve Buscemi)”.
The character is expected to fill the gap left by Buscemi’s former co-star Michael Pitt, whose Jimmy Darmody was unexpectedly killed off at the end of the show’s sophomore season.
Cannavale’s hiring provides a high-profile counterpart to Buscemi given his on-screen persona from films including The Station Agent and Win Win… not to mention his Broadway clout.
Cannavale also recently completed production on his upcoming a 10-episode arc on Showtime’s Nurse Jackie and recently wrapped shooting on Lovelace with Amanda Seyfried.
He also co-starred with Chris Rock on Broadway’s The Motherf—-er With the Hat, snagging a Tony Award nomination in the process.
Find out more about Bobby Cannavale in our interview
Next story: Californication and Shameless US renewed for sixth and third seasons
In Treatment: Series 3 - Preview
Preview by Jack Foley
HBO’s critically acclaimed Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award-winning series In Treatment returns for a third and final season on DVD from HBO Home Entertainment.
Released on February 6, 2012 the complete Season Three DVD box set features the final 28 gripping episodes across four discs.
Gabriel Byrne plays a therapist who exhibits an insightful, confident demeanour when treating his patients, but displays a crippling insecurity while counselled by his own therapist.
The new series brings new patients including Frances (Debra Winger), a very successful actress and Jesse (Dane DeHaan), a teenager living with his adoptive parents.
There’s also Sunil (Irrfan Khan) and Adele (Amy Ryan) to deal with, as well as his own personal problems to talk through in this gripping, emotionally involving and ultimately unforgettable series.
Win In Treatment: Series 3 on DVD
To celebrate the release of In Treatment: Series 3 on DVD and Blu-ray on Monday, February 6, 2012, IndieLondon has teamed up with HBO Home Entertainment to offer readers the chance to win 1 of 2 copies on DVD. Simply answer the following question…
What is the name of the patient played by Debra Winger in In Treatment: Series 3?
Simply send the answer to In Treatment S3 competition and include your name, address, telephone number and email
Californication and Shameless US renewed for sixth and third seasons
Story by Jack Foley
DAVID Duchovny’s Californication and William H Macy’s Shameless have both been renewed for further seasons.
Californication will now enjoy a sixth season of sexual comedy, while the US version of Shameless gets a third season.
Showtime has renewed freshman comedy House of Lies, featuring Don Cheadle, for a second run.
Commenting on all three renewals, David Nevins, head of Showtime entertainment, said: “These three shows are clearly resonating with audiences as evidenced by their steady growth on Sunday nights.
“We are extremely pleased with the creative work being done by the casts, producers and writers – and I so appreciate that each of these series has such a clear and distinctive voice.”
In the US, Shameless is currently averaging 4.75 million weekly viewers across multiple platforms and now ranks as the cable network’s No. 2 rated show behind Dexter.
House of Lies – the dark comedy that co-stars Kristen Bell – debuted as the network’s second-highest-rated debut premiere and is currently tracking to become its highest-rated comedy.
And Californication, which has previously earned Duchovny a Golden Globe for his portrayal of a womanizing author, averages nearly 3 million viewers across multiple platforms and is up 10 per cent year-over-year.
All three shows are aired on UK channels with Sky Atlantic having recently announced that House of Lies will form a future part of its line-up.
Next story: Ewan McGregor teases The Corrections
Ewan McGregor teases The Corrections
Story by Jack Foley
EWAN McGregor has been dropping some teasers about his starring role in forthcoming HBO series The Corrections.
Based on Jonathan Franzen’s 2001 novel that traces the troubled lives of an elderly Midwestern couple and their three children from the 1950s to the millennium, the pilot also stars Oscar winners Dianne Wiest and Chris Cooper.
But speaking about his excitement for the project, McGregor – who will play troubled academic Chip – predicted that it will remain accurate to the source material as well as being “really detailed”.
Franzen has adapted his novel himself, alongside director Noah Baumbach.
“It looks like we’ll have the luxury of time to push deeper through the book and explore parts of the story that aren’t in it,” McGregor added.
Next story: Sir David Jason casts doubts over US Only Fools & Horses remake
Sir David Jason casts doubts over US Only Fools & Horses remake
Story by Jack Foley
SIR David Jason has cast doubts over whether a UK remake of his classic comedy show Only Fools & Horses would work.
Speaking to the BBC, the veteran actor – who became a household favourite playing Del Boy in the series from 1981 to 2003 – said he doubted whether it will travel successfully across the pond.
“They can do brilliant comedy [in America] but I don’t see that they can bring off Fools and Horses,” he said.
“The language will have to change so much and there will be so many parts of the storyline you have to change. It’s so London and so British, [in] its humour, that you wonder. It’s London based and it took quite a long time for the rest of the country to catch up with the phrases.
“I have no idea what the American equivalent of ‘plonker’ is, for example. Or ‘dipstick’.”
Sir David was reacting to news that the ABC network is to make a pilot for a US version of the series, although he did not object in principal to the idea of the Americans having a go.
Indeed, he even went so far as to suggest which actor he’d like to see playing Del Boy… opting for Johnny Depp!
“You would never get him because he’s too big but I’d go for Johnny Depp because he’s such a good actor,” he said.
Find out more about the remake plans
Next story: Shirley MacLaine joins Downton Abbey
Shirley MacLaine joins Downton Abbey
Story by Jack Foley
OSCAR-winning US actress Shirley MacLaine has joined the cast of Downton Abbey.
The veteran screen legend will join the third series as the mother of Elizabeth McGovern’s Lady Grantham, a character named Martha Levinson.
She will begin filming with the rest of the cast next month.
Announcing the casting coup on Monday night (January 30, 2012), Laura Mackie, ITV’s director of drama, said: “It is so exciting to have an actress of Shirley MacLaine’s stature joining our brilliant Downton Abbey cast. It’s a tribute to the show’s success on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Gareth Neame, of Downton producer Carnival Films, added: “Julian [Fellowes] has written another brilliant character in Martha Levinson, who will be a wonderful combatant for Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess.”
In a career spanning decades, MacLaine has starred in more than 50 films and won her Oscar in 1984 for Terms of Endearment.
She has been nominated for a further five Academy Awards and recently received France’s most prestigious cultural award, the Legion of Honour.
Next story: Susan Sarandon joining The Big C
Susan Sarandon joining The Big C
Story by Jack Foley
SUSAN Sarandon is to appear in cancer dramedy The Big C in a recurring role.
The acclaimed actress will join the show’s third season as Joy, a cancer survivor who is using her unique experience to inspire and motivate others.
The casting continues the series’ history with booking big-name guest stars in roles that significantly impact the main character of Cathy (Laura Linney), a woman who is determined to make the most of her life after being diagnosed with cancer herself.
Series creator Darlene Hunt told The Hollywood Reporter: “She’s another cancer survivor who has used her cancer experience in a unique way trying to inspire other people. She makes Cathy question whether she’s doing enough with her own cancer experience.”
Sarandon is no stranger to the small screen, having previously appeared in Rescue Me, ER, Friends and 30 Rock.
She joins the previously announced season 3 guest star Victor Garber, who will appear in the premiere as a foil for Sean (John Benjamin Hickey) when an accidental phone call “leads to a harassing situation”.
Next story: John Hurt labels Downton Abbey as poxy
10 things we learned from watching TV last week 2
Feature by Tim Carson
Here’s what we learned from watching TV between 23th January and 29nd January, 2012.
1. How do some of these programmes get commissioned? For example Bigger Than Cheryl what is that about and why? Three women who look nothing – I mean absolutely nothing – like Cheryl Cole compete to win a contract at a lookalike agency. Shockingly awful (pictured above).
Bigger Than Cheryl, Sky Living, Sunday, 8pm
2. Budgies are not dull. Watching the humble and popular pet in the wild was amazing. Earthflight captured footage of a flock of budgies that didn’t just amount to thousands but had millions of birds flying across the outback searching for food. Truly jaw-dropping.
Earthflight, BBC1, Thursday, 8pm
3. People are weird – especially the people who dressed up like characters from a Jane Austen novel to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Sense and Sensibility in Bath. They did get fed by the contestants in this year’s Masterchef for free so I guess it’s not all bad. MasterChef, BBC1, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 9pm.
4. Having an ice-cream on the beach isn’t always fun. Or so Quinn (Philip Glenister) found out to his cost in this week’s Mad Dogs as he came face-to-face with the gangster who’s money they’ve stolen. David Warner managed to be intimidating with the ice-cream while looking like a harmless Englishman abroad. Mad Dogs, Sky1, Thursday, 9pm
Read our full episode review
5. Alan Alda likes playing doctors. Best known for his role as whacky surgeon Hawkeye Pierce in MASH Alda cropped up as a cancer specialist in this week’s Big C – having played a doctor in, of course, ER.
The Big C, More 4, Thursday, 10.30pm
6. Alan Cumming continues to try and steal the show as PR fixer Eli Gold in The Good Wife. Hilarious as he tries to handle a cheese scandal.
The Good Wife, More 4, Thursday, 9pm
7. New Girl’s Zooey Deschanel can’t say “penis” or at least her character Jess can’t. Great fun as the cast make the most out of the “accidentally seeing a roommate naked” plot device.
New Girl, C4, Friday, 8.30pm
8. Saturday night finally got a good programme as Pan Am returned with a double episode on BBC2. More fun and frolics with the girls and boys from the Sixties with a bit of spying and murder thrown in.
Pan Am, BBC2, Saturday, 10.10pm
9. Scampi is apparently “chicken nuggets that taste like fish” or at least according to the Mark the manager of the Grosvenor Hotel in Torquay. Totally hilarious reality TV show. The Hotel, C4, Sunday, 8pm
10. Birdsong was one of the most moving programmes shown on TV in recent years. A more moving account of the First World War then Steven Spielberg’s War Horse and far less manipulative.
Birdsong, BBC1, Sunday, 9pm
Read our full episode review
Next: Previously on What we learnt from TV
What did you learn from TV this week? Tell us…
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2012: Boardwalk Empire triumphs
Story by Jack Foley
HBO’s Boardwalk Empire emerged as the big winner at the Screen Actors Guild Awards for TV, picking up two accolades.
Steve Buscemi took home the award for male actor in a drama series, his second in successive years, while the show itself also took home its second consecutive award for ensemble in a drama series.
Speaking on his own behalf, a delighted Buscemi said: “To all the Michael Pitt fans, I know, I’m sorry!”
His comments came in reference to the shocking death of Pitt’s central character at the end of the second season, for which many thought the younger co-star deserved to be recognised.
And speaking as spokesman for the ensemble cast, Buscemi added: “We are so honoured. We love doing this show.”
As widely predicted, ensemble in a comedy series went to Modern Family, marking the ABC comedy’s second consecutive SAG honour.
It was left to the kids on the show to handle the acceptance speech, with 13-year-old Nolan Gould citing W.C. Field’s advice never to work with children or animals as his starting point, but in a comedic way.
“Well, he can kiss my …” he joked, before the rest of the cast rushed in to shut him up.
Modern Family had gone into the ceremony leading the film but the awards were quite generously handed out so that there were several other shows recognised for various achievements.
Kate Winslet took the female actor in a TV movie or mini for her part in Mildred Pierce, although she was not present to pick up the trophy in person.
The award does, however, complete a hat-trick for her, given she had also won an Emmy and Golden Globe.
Paul Giamatti took home the honour for male actor in a TV movie or mini for his performance in Too Big To Fail. Like Winslet, he also was absent.
Female actor in a drama series went to American Horror Story‘s Jessica Lange, marking her first SAG award, prompting her to confess that accepting the role of a demonic mother had required “a leap of faith” on her part.
But she added: “It’s great to play such a big character with so much to do.”
On the comedy side, Alec Baldwin was the recipient of the male actor in a comedy series award for 30 Rock, beating The Office‘s Steve Carell and taking home his sixth award in a row.
While female actor in a comedy series went to Betty White, a recipient of SAG’s Life Achievemnt Award, for Hot in Cleveland. She also received one of the night’s standing ovations, despite also having triumphed in the same category last year.
Related SAG story: Find out who won the film awards
Next TV story: John Hurt labels Downton Abbey as poxy
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10 things we learned from watching TV last week 3 · 1 day ago by
Here’s what we learned from watching TV between 28th January and 5th February, 2012.
1. Whitechapel is the perfect way to start the week. A nicely put together TV cop show, it has all the classic elements with the added bonus of Steve Pemberton as weird crime historian Edward Buchan. Buchan’s interest in historical crime and how it can help solve modern day crimes gives the show its edge making it darker, creepier and scarier than most other detective dramas. Great fun.
Whitechapel, ITV1, Monday, 9pm
2. Battlestar Galactica continues to surprise and amaze. Yes, it’s a repeat but for those of us who somehow missed it (what were we thinking!) now we see why everyone raved about it. Give us a break we got there in the end.
Battlestar Galactica, Sky Atlantic, Tuesday, 9pm.
3. Being married to a prisoner can be hard. Especially if you had no idea you husband was a murderer. Or at least that’s the premise of BBC’s new Tuesday night drama Prisoners’ Wives, which sadly isn’t very arresting.
Prisoners’ Wives, BBC1, Tuesday, 9pm
4. Steven Mackintosh is on a roll. In the last few years he’s had key roles in Luther and The Jury excelling in both and now he’s doing the same as John in BBC1’s clever new thriller Inside Men. Very well done sir.
Inside Men, BBC1, Thursday, 9pm
5. Flashbacks can be very helpful. This week’s Mad Dogs saw the return of Ben Chaplin as Alvo and no he’s not still alive – or at least probably not. In a series of flashbacks we get to discover how Alvo got mixed up with Mackenzie, Dominic and bent copper Maria. And were there a few clues as to why Baxter, Quinn, Woody and Rick are still caught up in a seemingly endless chain of misfortune? Is it all just bad luck or is there more too it? I guess we’ll have to wait till series three to find out.
Mad Dogs, Sky1, Thursday, 9pm
6. The Good Wife continues to strike the perfect balance of humour, emotional drama and political intrigue and, of course, a little bit of legal shenanigans.
The Good Wife, More 4, Thursday, 9pm
7. New Girl gets better and better. Really, it’s one of the few US comedies that can make you laugh out loud. Try it you’ll like it.
New Girl, C4, Friday, 8.30pm
8. Pan Am really is quite silly. This week the guys and gals form the Pan Am crew are the first US plane to fly into Moscow where they promptly get arrested for spying and almost cause an international incident. Luckily another spy helps them escape. Next week the crew solve the Cuban Missile crisis or something. It’s still quite entertaining.
Pan Am, BBC2, Saturday, 10.45pm
9. Without Birdsong Sunday night is missing a top-notch prime-time drama. Sorry Call The Midwife and Wild at Heart just don’t cut it.
Birdsong, BBC1, Sunday, 9pm
10. It was worth re-making Hawaii Five-O. Now well into its second series the remade cop show has all the elements for a perfect hour of escapism. A top cast, stunning locations and generally clever-plotting (there is the odd dodgy story) and entertaining action. Much like the old show in fact.
Hawaii Five-O, Sky1, Sunday, 9pm
Next: Previously on What we learnt from TV
What did you learn from TV this week? Tell us…
Bobby Cannavale joins Boardwalk Empire · 4 days ago by
BOBBY Cannavale has joined the cast of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire.
The acclaimed screen and stage actor will join the period drama as series regular Gyp Rosetti, who is described as “a charming but ruthless gangster who challenges Nucky (Steve Buscemi)”.
The character is expected to fill the gap left by Buscemi’s former co-star Michael Pitt, whose Jimmy Darmody was unexpectedly killed off at the end of the show’s sophomore season.
Cannavale’s hiring provides a high-profile counterpart to Buscemi given his on-screen persona from films including The Station Agent and Win Win… not to mention his Broadway clout.
Cannavale also recently completed production on his upcoming a 10-episode arc on Showtime’s Nurse Jackie and recently wrapped shooting on Lovelace with Amanda Seyfried.
He also co-starred with Chris Rock on Broadway’s The Motherf—-er With the Hat, snagging a Tony Award nomination in the process.
Find out more about Bobby Cannavale in our interview
Next story: Californication and Shameless US renewed for sixth and third seasons
In Treatment: Series 3 - Preview · 6 days ago by
HBO’s critically acclaimed Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award-winning series In Treatment returns for a third and final season on DVD from HBO Home Entertainment.
Released on February 6, 2012 the complete Season Three DVD box set features the final 28 gripping episodes across four discs.
Gabriel Byrne plays a therapist who exhibits an insightful, confident demeanour when treating his patients, but displays a crippling insecurity while counselled by his own therapist.
The new series brings new patients including Frances (Debra Winger), a very successful actress and Jesse (Dane DeHaan), a teenager living with his adoptive parents.
There’s also Sunil (Irrfan Khan) and Adele (Amy Ryan) to deal with, as well as his own personal problems to talk through in this gripping, emotionally involving and ultimately unforgettable series.
Win In Treatment: Series 3 on DVD
To celebrate the release of In Treatment: Series 3 on DVD and Blu-ray on Monday, February 6, 2012, IndieLondon has teamed up with HBO Home Entertainment to offer readers the chance to win 1 of 2 copies on DVD. Simply answer the following question…
What is the name of the patient played by Debra Winger in In Treatment: Series 3?
Simply send the answer to In Treatment S3 competition and include your name, address, telephone number and email
Californication and Shameless US renewed for sixth and third seasons · 7 days ago by
DAVID Duchovny’s Californication and William H Macy’s Shameless have both been renewed for further seasons.
Californication will now enjoy a sixth season of sexual comedy, while the US version of Shameless gets a third season.
Showtime has renewed freshman comedy House of Lies, featuring Don Cheadle, for a second run.
Commenting on all three renewals, David Nevins, head of Showtime entertainment, said: “These three shows are clearly resonating with audiences as evidenced by their steady growth on Sunday nights.
“We are extremely pleased with the creative work being done by the casts, producers and writers – and I so appreciate that each of these series has such a clear and distinctive voice.”
In the US, Shameless is currently averaging 4.75 million weekly viewers across multiple platforms and now ranks as the cable network’s No. 2 rated show behind Dexter.
House of Lies – the dark comedy that co-stars Kristen Bell – debuted as the network’s second-highest-rated debut premiere and is currently tracking to become its highest-rated comedy.
And Californication, which has previously earned Duchovny a Golden Globe for his portrayal of a womanizing author, averages nearly 3 million viewers across multiple platforms and is up 10 per cent year-over-year.
All three shows are aired on UK channels with Sky Atlantic having recently announced that House of Lies will form a future part of its line-up.
Next story: Ewan McGregor teases The Corrections
Ewan McGregor teases The Corrections · 7 days ago by
EWAN McGregor has been dropping some teasers about his starring role in forthcoming HBO series The Corrections.
Based on Jonathan Franzen’s 2001 novel that traces the troubled lives of an elderly Midwestern couple and their three children from the 1950s to the millennium, the pilot also stars Oscar winners Dianne Wiest and Chris Cooper.
But speaking about his excitement for the project, McGregor – who will play troubled academic Chip – predicted that it will remain accurate to the source material as well as being “really detailed”.
Franzen has adapted his novel himself, alongside director Noah Baumbach.
“It looks like we’ll have the luxury of time to push deeper through the book and explore parts of the story that aren’t in it,” McGregor added.
Next story: Sir David Jason casts doubts over US Only Fools & Horses remake
Sir David Jason casts doubts over US Only Fools & Horses remake · 7 days ago by
SIR David Jason has cast doubts over whether a UK remake of his classic comedy show Only Fools & Horses would work.
Speaking to the BBC, the veteran actor – who became a household favourite playing Del Boy in the series from 1981 to 2003 – said he doubted whether it will travel successfully across the pond.
“They can do brilliant comedy [in America] but I don’t see that they can bring off Fools and Horses,” he said.
“The language will have to change so much and there will be so many parts of the storyline you have to change. It’s so London and so British, [in] its humour, that you wonder. It’s London based and it took quite a long time for the rest of the country to catch up with the phrases.
“I have no idea what the American equivalent of ‘plonker’ is, for example. Or ‘dipstick’.”
Sir David was reacting to news that the ABC network is to make a pilot for a US version of the series, although he did not object in principal to the idea of the Americans having a go.
Indeed, he even went so far as to suggest which actor he’d like to see playing Del Boy… opting for Johnny Depp!
“You would never get him because he’s too big but I’d go for Johnny Depp because he’s such a good actor,” he said.
Find out more about the remake plans
Next story: Shirley MacLaine joins Downton Abbey
Shirley MacLaine joins Downton Abbey · 8 days ago by
OSCAR-winning US actress Shirley MacLaine has joined the cast of Downton Abbey.
The veteran screen legend will join the third series as the mother of Elizabeth McGovern’s Lady Grantham, a character named Martha Levinson.
She will begin filming with the rest of the cast next month.
Announcing the casting coup on Monday night (January 30, 2012), Laura Mackie, ITV’s director of drama, said: “It is so exciting to have an actress of Shirley MacLaine’s stature joining our brilliant Downton Abbey cast. It’s a tribute to the show’s success on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Gareth Neame, of Downton producer Carnival Films, added: “Julian [Fellowes] has written another brilliant character in Martha Levinson, who will be a wonderful combatant for Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess.”
In a career spanning decades, MacLaine has starred in more than 50 films and won her Oscar in 1984 for Terms of Endearment.
She has been nominated for a further five Academy Awards and recently received France’s most prestigious cultural award, the Legion of Honour.
Next story: Susan Sarandon joining The Big C
Susan Sarandon joining The Big C · 8 days ago by
SUSAN Sarandon is to appear in cancer dramedy The Big C in a recurring role.
The acclaimed actress will join the show’s third season as Joy, a cancer survivor who is using her unique experience to inspire and motivate others.
The casting continues the series’ history with booking big-name guest stars in roles that significantly impact the main character of Cathy (Laura Linney), a woman who is determined to make the most of her life after being diagnosed with cancer herself.
Series creator Darlene Hunt told The Hollywood Reporter: “She’s another cancer survivor who has used her cancer experience in a unique way trying to inspire other people. She makes Cathy question whether she’s doing enough with her own cancer experience.”
Sarandon is no stranger to the small screen, having previously appeared in Rescue Me, ER, Friends and 30 Rock.
She joins the previously announced season 3 guest star Victor Garber, who will appear in the premiere as a foil for Sean (John Benjamin Hickey) when an accidental phone call “leads to a harassing situation”.
Next story: John Hurt labels Downton Abbey as poxy
10 things we learned from watching TV last week 2 · 9 days ago by
Here’s what we learned from watching TV between 23th January and 29nd January, 2012.
1. How do some of these programmes get commissioned? For example Bigger Than Cheryl what is that about and why? Three women who look nothing – I mean absolutely nothing – like Cheryl Cole compete to win a contract at a lookalike agency. Shockingly awful (pictured above).
Bigger Than Cheryl, Sky Living, Sunday, 8pm
2. Budgies are not dull. Watching the humble and popular pet in the wild was amazing. Earthflight captured footage of a flock of budgies that didn’t just amount to thousands but had millions of birds flying across the outback searching for food. Truly jaw-dropping.
Earthflight, BBC1, Thursday, 8pm
3. People are weird – especially the people who dressed up like characters from a Jane Austen novel to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Sense and Sensibility in Bath. They did get fed by the contestants in this year’s Masterchef for free so I guess it’s not all bad. MasterChef, BBC1, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 9pm.
4. Having an ice-cream on the beach isn’t always fun. Or so Quinn (Philip Glenister) found out to his cost in this week’s Mad Dogs as he came face-to-face with the gangster who’s money they’ve stolen. David Warner managed to be intimidating with the ice-cream while looking like a harmless Englishman abroad. Mad Dogs, Sky1, Thursday, 9pm
Read our full episode review
5. Alan Alda likes playing doctors. Best known for his role as whacky surgeon Hawkeye Pierce in MASH Alda cropped up as a cancer specialist in this week’s Big C – having played a doctor in, of course, ER.
The Big C, More 4, Thursday, 10.30pm
6. Alan Cumming continues to try and steal the show as PR fixer Eli Gold in The Good Wife. Hilarious as he tries to handle a cheese scandal.
The Good Wife, More 4, Thursday, 9pm
7. New Girl’s Zooey Deschanel can’t say “penis” or at least her character Jess can’t. Great fun as the cast make the most out of the “accidentally seeing a roommate naked” plot device.
New Girl, C4, Friday, 8.30pm
8. Saturday night finally got a good programme as Pan Am returned with a double episode on BBC2. More fun and frolics with the girls and boys from the Sixties with a bit of spying and murder thrown in.
Pan Am, BBC2, Saturday, 10.10pm
9. Scampi is apparently “chicken nuggets that taste like fish” or at least according to the Mark the manager of the Grosvenor Hotel in Torquay. Totally hilarious reality TV show. The Hotel, C4, Sunday, 8pm
10. Birdsong was one of the most moving programmes shown on TV in recent years. A more moving account of the First World War then Steven Spielberg’s War Horse and far less manipulative.
Birdsong, BBC1, Sunday, 9pm
Read our full episode review
Next: Previously on What we learnt from TV
What did you learn from TV this week? Tell us…
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2012: Boardwalk Empire triumphs · 9 days ago by
HBO’s Boardwalk Empire emerged as the big winner at the Screen Actors Guild Awards for TV, picking up two accolades.
Steve Buscemi took home the award for male actor in a drama series, his second in successive years, while the show itself also took home its second consecutive award for ensemble in a drama series.
Speaking on his own behalf, a delighted Buscemi said: “To all the Michael Pitt fans, I know, I’m sorry!”
His comments came in reference to the shocking death of Pitt’s central character at the end of the second season, for which many thought the younger co-star deserved to be recognised.
And speaking as spokesman for the ensemble cast, Buscemi added: “We are so honoured. We love doing this show.”
As widely predicted, ensemble in a comedy series went to Modern Family, marking the ABC comedy’s second consecutive SAG honour.
It was left to the kids on the show to handle the acceptance speech, with 13-year-old Nolan Gould citing W.C. Field’s advice never to work with children or animals as his starting point, but in a comedic way.
“Well, he can kiss my …” he joked, before the rest of the cast rushed in to shut him up.
Modern Family had gone into the ceremony leading the film but the awards were quite generously handed out so that there were several other shows recognised for various achievements.
Kate Winslet took the female actor in a TV movie or mini for her part in Mildred Pierce, although she was not present to pick up the trophy in person.
The award does, however, complete a hat-trick for her, given she had also won an Emmy and Golden Globe.
Paul Giamatti took home the honour for male actor in a TV movie or mini for his performance in Too Big To Fail. Like Winslet, he also was absent.
Female actor in a drama series went to American Horror Story‘s Jessica Lange, marking her first SAG award, prompting her to confess that accepting the role of a demonic mother had required “a leap of faith” on her part.
But she added: “It’s great to play such a big character with so much to do.”
On the comedy side, Alec Baldwin was the recipient of the male actor in a comedy series award for 30 Rock, beating The Office‘s Steve Carell and taking home his sixth award in a row.
While female actor in a comedy series went to Betty White, a recipient of SAG’s Life Achievemnt Award, for Hot in Cleveland. She also received one of the night’s standing ovations, despite also having triumphed in the same category last year.
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