TV News

Comic-Con TV 2011: The Walking Dead Season 2 Trailer

The cast and crew of the hit AMC series
arrived at Comic-Con to a horde of fans salivating for news
on The Walking Dead’s second season. The panel drew in both
the television and comic fans in attendance at the annual convention
in San Diego -as well as anyone there with a love of zombies. In
addition to hearing the series discussed, those lucky enough to
actually get a seat for the panel were first to see the trailer for
the second season.

Comic-Con TV 2011: Locke and Key Pilot

Locke and Key
was amongst the pilots not picked up to series during Network
Upfronts. But the adaption of the comic book series that
failed to find a home on FOX, received a special screening of the
pilot at this year’s Comic-Con. IDW -publisher of the comics-
received permission to air the single episode as a treat for its
fans.

On hand for the panel was writer and
producer of the pilot Josh Friedman. He offered up the screening as
way to enjoy what they had done, rather than think about what could
have been. Producer Robert Orci, and director Mark Romanek were also
in attendance, along with Joe Hill, writer of the comic series.
Almost all of the panel stressed that the pilot’s airing was not in a
bid to get the series picked up, but just to allow fans to see the
work that went into it.

Michelle Krusiec Joins Fringe

Michelle Krusiec has apparently joined the cast of Fringe for a recurring role in the series fourth season. The actress announced it on July 11 via a tweet that has now been removed.

Earlier this month, the TV series was rumored to be looking for a “recurring Asian female character” for the first episode of the new season. Filming for the episode started on July 14 and should end by July 25. The actress’s twitter page has had no activity since the above (now removed) tweet which also mentioned leaving for Vancouver to start filming. She previously appeared in Dirty Sexy Money, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and Community. The new cast member will join Seth Gabel (Agent Lincoln Lee) who was promoted to series regular for the upcoming season.

FX Announces New Drama Series

The network that has earned critical
acclaim for its dramas – and comedies – is adding another to its
lineup. Deadline reported that FX has picked up the series
American Horror Story and is planning for an October premier.
Touted as a psycho-sexual thriller, it has been signed for a thirteen-episode season.

American Horror Story‘s plot
will follow a cheating husband and his jilted wife as they try to
begin anew in a house that refuses to let them forget their past
indiscretions. The series will draw on the supernatural and
psychological horror aspects present in many films from the 1970s.
Cast as the husband, who works as a therapist, is Dylan McDermott
(The Practice). Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights)
will be filling the role of his wife. Oscar winner, Jessica Lange,
will also have a major role in the series. In addition, Frances
Conroy (Six Feet Under),
Denis O’Hare (True Blood),
and Evan Peters (Kick-Ass)
will be co-starring.

Game of Thrones Casting News

The HBO adaption of George R.R.
Martin’s ongoing fantasy series has been bringing in new actors to
fill the roles of characters that will be introduced in the second
season. Several roles have been filled so far; a couple of them are
fan favorites, and at least one them will have a major impact on the
series. Though there are many well-known actors, Game of Thrones has
proven it can pull impressive performances from unexpected places.

South Park Renewed Through 2013

South Park has been renewed. After the phenomenal critical success of the satirical religious musical “The Book of Mormon” penned by series creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker (alongside Robert Lopez), many fans of the show fell into speculation surrounding the future of South Park, when its renewal wasn’t announced alongside the usual crop of Comedy Central shows. Although Stone and Parker were quick to dismiss the suggestion that they were leaving the show behind for further ventures onto Broadway, it did little to calm the waters. 

The June mid-season finale of the show “You’re Getting Old” helped not one bit with the speculation, with its content and premise essentially suggesting that Stone and Parker were getting bored of the show. Following increased speculation with the episode out in the public domain, Parker, whilst appearing on The Daily Show to promote the musical, responded with “We love South Park, that’s still our thing.” 

Emmy Nominations 2011: Fringe Snubbed & Game of Thrones Praised

This year’s Emmy nominations have just been unveiled as reported by Ali, and two dramas dear to Player Affinity TV (PATV) have met strikingly different fates. Fringe was all but ignored while Game of Thrones not only won recognition but arguably broke the glass ceiling. Since the announcement yesterday, Fringe
seems to have garnered better chances in a less prestigious contest.
The series has been appearing systematically on lists about the “Biggest
Snubs” of this year’s Emmy Awards. Fox’s sci-fi drama received Emmy
nominations in 2009 and 2010 for visual effects and sound editing
respectively. For its third season, generally considered by fans as its
best by far, expectations were high. Many timidly hoped for a nomination
of the drama series itself, more felt Anna Torv’s performance deserved a
nod, but all agreed John Noble could not be denied an Emmy. Anna Torv
and John Noble have both impressed and delighted viewers by each of them
playing several characters throughout the season.

63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Nominations Released

Today
the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the nominations
for the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards. The nominations for the main
categories went as follows: Outstanding Comedy Series – The Big Bang Theory • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television; Glee • FOX • Ryan Murphy Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television; Modern Family • ABC • Twentieth Century Fox Television; The Office • NBC • Produced by Deedle-Dee Productions and Reveille LLC in association with Universal Media Studios; Parks And Recreation • NBC • Produced by Deedle-Dee Productions, Fremulon, 3 Arts and Universal Media Studios; 30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Media Studios

Archer at Comic-Con 2011

The FX series Archer will
have a panel on Thursday, July 21 from 4 to 5PM PT in the Indigo room at
the annual San Diego Comic-Con International. In attendance will be the
voice actors for the show: H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Chris
Parnell, Judy Greer, Amber Nash, and George Coe. Also, the creator
and executive producer of the series Adam Reed will be fielding
questions and discussing the series.

Creators of ‘Robot Chicken’ Produce Series for YouTube

Seth
Green and Matthew Senreich are taking to the internet for their next
series. Stoopid Monkey (also
the name of the pair’s production company) will incorporate real
people in live action as they interact with the stop-motion created
titular character and his two companions, Biggie and QT. The series
premieres via YouTube on July 15, with two new episodes being
released each Friday for the following ten weeks.