the EMPIRE grows the Lee way ... TV's Newest Hit

“My grandfather told me that a man needs three things: his word, his Bible and his gun," confessed Lee Daniels recently.

"I try to keep my word, I don't own a gun and I do keep my Bible close.  You know, Lapacazo one of my favorite things about creating EMPIRE is that I get to hire up and coming talent above-and-below the line and that includes hiring young directors for the series."

I continue to be deeply inspired by Lee and I hope to be employed, very soon, as a unit publicist on all of his up coming films—I'm just saying that I am dreaming aloud and sending my good intentions into the universe.

If you didn't check out the latest episode then hit Hulu baby or treat yourself with Hulu Plus and make sure you keep the EMPIRE growing.

Go on - treat your inner “diva” with  "False Imposition” —EMPIRE is on FOX @ 9PM.

L’s just saying “clip it” --

"Pull Yourself Together"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2opoNYeNyGg

"Cookie's Announcement"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maX2_ndwqsQ

"Prove It"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQhAZp_ux9A

L’s Hollywood is here in NYC!

Monday, January 19 at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT  “The Nightly Show,” hosted by Larry Wilmore will air following “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” on Comedy Central!

The first guest line up: Senator Cory Booker, Talib Kweli and Bill Burr and they are all ready for a taste of extra nightlyness!

Also scheduled to appear on Comedy Central’s “The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore” in January include Amy Holmes, Jon Lovett, Kathleen Madigan, Soledad O’Brien, David Remnick, Frank Rich, Ilyasah Shabazz, Matt Taibbi, Baratunde Thurston and Ali Wentworth.

Continuing in Comedy Central’s grand tradition of producing groundbreaking late night formats, “The Nightly Show” (twitter: @NightlyShow) will provide viewers with Larry Wilmore’s deconstructive point of view and comedic take on current events and pop culture. Hosted by Wilmore, the series will feature a diverse panel of voices including Contributors Shenaz Treasury, Ricky Velez, Mike Yard and guests who will participate and offer a perspective largely missing in the late night television landscape.

“The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore” was created by Jon Stewart and produced by Stewart’s Busboy Productions with Stewart, Wilmore and Rory Albanese serving as Executive Producers, Amy Ozols as Co-Executive Producer and Sue Fellows as Supervising Producer. Robin Thede is the series’ Head Writer.

Available on-air, online and on-the-go via the Comedy Central App, Comedy Central (www.cc.com) is the #1 brand in comedy and is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA and VIAB).

For up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs visit Comedy Central’s press Web site at press.cc.com and follow on Twitter @ComedyCentralPR for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

Larry Makes America Laugh!

Hey New York, good news! People are working and laughing, but mostly working as they make you/us laugh! You can and should thank a tall, bald, smart Black man for that: specifically Larry Wilmore.

He's easy to find in NYC (Monday through Friday) and he works nights, sort of!

The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore is debuting Monday, January 19th.

His savvy PR people gave myNewYorkeye something "for you" —and advance look at the show's premiere, and that first episode's panelists which will include Senator Cory Booker, rapper Talib Kweli and comedian Bill Burr.

Other guests during the month of January include John Leguizamo, Jon Lovett, Kathleen Madigan, Soledad O'Brien, David Remnick, Frank Rich, Ilyasah Shabazz, Matt Taibbi, Baratunde Thurston and Ali Wentworth.

It's in the very funny COMEDY CENTRAL.

Take a peek below and check out the official press release via the link!

http://press.cc.com/press-release/2015/01/16/press-cory-booker-talib-kweli-bill-burr-scheduled-as-premiere-night-panelists-for-the-nightly-show

LARRY WILMORE invited Us to Breakfast!

Today, Art and I are going to meet break bread with Larry Wilmore.

Brace yourselves New York, there is a new black man with his own late night show and he is poised to make you think and laugh but mostly laugh!

Larry Wilmore  already has an Emmy® Award.  He is also a TV producer, actor, comedian and writer and he’s been doing it for more than 25 years. Always busy and making thick TV dollars, he helped launch ABC's “black-ish” serving as executive producer.

So the brass at Comedy Central had the good sense to give him his own show. It’s properly titled  “The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore.” 

It will premiere on January 19th!

“The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore” is being shot in NYC which is always a great shot in the “money arm” and so needed because, in case you don’t know, the city is expensive! 

If the face is familiar but you can’t place the name, you might know him from his memorable appearances as the “Senior Black Correspondent” on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” as well as for hosting his own Showtime “town hall”-style comedy specials, “Larry Wilmore’s Race, Religion & Sex.”

A veteran of funny, he has written for “In Living Color,” “The PJ’s” (which he co-created), “The Office” (on which he has appeared as Mr. Brown, the diversity consultant), and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

A blast from the blast, he also served as creator, writer, and executive producer of “The Bernie Mac Show,” earning him a 2002 Emmy® Award for “Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series” and a 2001 Peabody Award.

We will share the images later. But for now, you know a bit more about Larry Wilmore who we like just because he is treating us to  breakfast which is a great way to begin a friendship!

AND YOU WORK WITH YOUR BROTHER? THE DUPLASS BROTHERS CAN!

The sibling issue, for some can be devastating but not so for the Duplass brothers—Jay and Mark!

They get along so well, they convinced HBO to green light their new comedy series “Togetherness” - debuting Jan. 11th. 

The comedy is about the struggles associated around love in particular, Brett and Michelle who are struggling to rekindle the spark in their relationship, which has puttered out from the stresses of marriage and children. When Brett’s friend Alex and Michelle’s sister, Tina, move in with them, the foursome engage in a tragically comedic struggle to follow their personal dreams, while still remaining good friends, siblings and spouses to each other.

The writers on the team are Jay Duplass & Mark Duplass & Steve Zissis.  An interesting note, this is a TV debut from the brothers. 

The new comedy series begins its eight-episode season SUNDAY, JAN. 11 (9:30-10:00 p.m. ET/PT).

Here is what the funny brothers had to say about blending laughter and pathos. 

myNewYorkeye: Together you have written, directed and produced more than 20 movies. How is working on a series different from working on a film?

Mark Duplass: The main difference is being able to track the very intricate, subtle interactions between the characters. When you’re dealing with the 90-minute format of a movie, you’ve set the whole thing up, then you’ve got a good chunk in the middle where you can dig into things, and then you’ve got to wrap it up. With TV, you put the ball in the air and you have tons of time to mine all of those awkward, funny, sad interpersonal relationship dynamics that really get us excited about storytelling. 

myNewYorkeye: Why did you bring TOGETHERNESS to HBO?

Mark Duplass: The thing that makes HBO really exciting is that they bet on their filmmakers. They help you when you need it, but they don’t necessarily try to develop you too much or push you too much in one direction. It was really exciting to be able to make a show and be fully supported, but also to do exactly we wanted to do.

myNewYorkeye: With Mark in one of the lead roles, it begs the question: Does any of the show come from personal experience? What other influences went into creating the show?

Jay Duplass: Mark and I spent a ton of time in our 20s trying to be very referential, trying to be the Coen brothers and failing miserably at that. Then we lucked into this experience where we started making fun of ourselves on screen. The first movie we ever made that was really any good was a seven-minute short film about a guy trying to perfect the personal greeting of his answering machine and failing to do so, and having a nervous breakdown, which actually happened to one of us in real life.

This show is an extension of our caveman style of filmmaking. Mark and I did not grow up in Hollywood. We didn’t know anyone in the industry, and we didn’t have any awareness of people who made movies until we went to college in Austin and saw what Richard Linklater was doing. We’ve always made things by hand and represented our own world, and I think TOGETHERNESS is probably the truest and most accurate thing that we’ve ever done.

The show is about being in your late 30s, living on the East Side of LA, having kids and trying to be a family person, and trying to also make your own dreams come true. That’s really just the stuff of our lives and the conflict of our lives. In terms of drawing inspiration, we just talk about our own lives and the lives of our best friends and our family, and all the material comes from there.

myNewYorkeye: How do you work together?

Mark Duplass: Every project is a little different in terms of how we approach it, but this is the most intensely collaborative project we’ve done, because it’s bigger in scope. We’re functioning in a lot of roles and we’re preparing a bit more on this show than we normally do. There are just natural lines that get divided, where Jay and I talk about who is going to take the lead at this one given moment. We’ve never had an issue with crazy ego stuff about letting one person take the lead, which is important because you can’t have two people sitting in the driver’s seat at all times trying to push the pedal and fight with each other. It’s a great comfort to know that if I’m feeling grumpy and uninspired, Jay will push a little bit harder and get things done.

Jay Duplass: One thing that’s nice is when stuff goes down, Mark and I can discuss it between the two of us, and be super honest.

myNewYorkeye: How did you find your collaborative voice for TOGETHERNESS?

Mark Duplass: Jay and I discovered our voice through the conversations we’ve had our whole lives, where we’re up an hour or two late and a little bit tired, and either crying or laughing about something that’s going on in our lives. If we feel like we have one major strength, it is to look at the pain and the struggles of intimacy and friendships and your dreams, and take one step back and realize how stupid and funny you look in the middle of all of it.

myNewYorkeye: What is it about minor victories in life that inspire people to keep going?

Jay Duplass: We’ve realized that the big victories never tend to be exactly what you think they will be, whereas sometimes the minor victories are the ones that really count. For example, everyone tells you how wonderful it is to have children, but in our experience 90% is struggle and 10% is totally, absolutely beautiful and validates the whole experience. Take this morning: Before I took my two-year-old son to school, we were rushing and rushing, and he said, “I want stay with you, Dad.” That made up for the whole last month when he’s had a sinus infection and has been whining nonstop. That kind of little victory, that's what life is like and that’s what we’re trying to represent.

myNewYorkeye: In the show, Brett’s best friend and Michelle’s sister both move in with the married couple. What is the dynamic of this foursome?

Mark Duplass: Alex and Brett are soul mates in a way, but the arrival of Tina makes things much more complex. What’s really interesting to us is how group dynamics change, depending on who’s in the group and how many are in the group.

myNewYorkeye: What does music bring to the show?

Jay Duplass: We spent a lot of time on the music, more than on any other project, because we have four equally strong lead characters. Brett is into Rush, really intense prog-rock. Michelle is into ‘80s New Wave. Tina’s probably into hair bands, so in the pilot, you hear Sebastian Bach. We imagine that Alex grew up in Detroit, so he listens to old-school rap.

myNewYorkeye: What does “togetherness” mean to you?

Jay Duplass: Togetherness is a double-edged sword. At first you think it can be a saccharine feeling, where you want to be with your family and snuggle up together. The other side is that you feel trapped, and the only thing that you want to do is escape.

GAME OF THRONES® BECOMES FIRST TV SERIES TO BE SHOWCASED IN IMAX®

For One Week Only Beginning January 23

It’s a bloody mess and it’s a hit in every corner of the world.  The cast delivers consistent and compelling performances and the characters that creator George R.R. Martin created and wonderfully flawed and absolutely fascinating.

The only “rub” that rabid fans complain about is that the mayhem and intrigue is confined to the small screen.

The fan-dome grumbled and HBO listened and for one week (Beginning January 23rd) the bloody saga is going big and I mean IMAX ®big!

Google search to find the IMAX® Theatres (Nationwide) that will Screen Two Episodes from Game of Thrones® Season 4 Followed by the Worldwide Debut of the Season 5 Sneak-Peek Trailer Exclusively Created for IMAX 

HBO has always been an innovator and an incubator for creative genius so, it’s no wonder that on January 23, 2015, HBO will become the first television network to feature its programming in IMAX® theatres, showing two episodes from season four of Game of Thrones followed by the eagerly anticipated worldwide debut of an exclusively created sneak-peek trailer for IMAX of season five.

The episodes will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX® format and will be released for an exclusive one-week engagement in upwards of 150 IMAX theatres across the country’s top markets through January 29.

In coming days, fans can log onto www.imax.com  for screening information and to purchase tickets.

Game of Thrones has been hailed as “a masterpiece in the making” (Washington Post) and “the most epic, ambitious show on television” (Chicago Sun-Times).  “The cinematic brilliance and grand scope of the series is perfect for the IMAX format,” said Pamela Levine, chief marketing officer at HBO.  “We are always looking to provide fans with new and exciting ways to experience the show and viewing two key episodes, along with the new trailer, on such an impressive platform makes for a great event.” 

"IMAX always seeks innovative ways to provide moviegoers a unique and differentiated experience and today’s partnership with HBO and Game of Thrones achieves just that," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. “This deal also furthers our efforts to offer exhibitors the opportunity to participate in alternative forms of content in a new and exciting way. As part of our broader strategy, we will continue to look for one-of-a-kind ways to provide consumers with special IMAX experiences.”

The IMAX® release of Game of Thrones will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

 "We couldn’t think of a series more fitting than Game of Thrones to be the first presented in IMAX,” said Greg Foster, Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. “The scope and production quality of the show is quite remarkable, which will be highlighted even further in select IMAX locations – allowing fans, as never before, to become a part of author George R. R. Martin’s world that David Benioff and D. B. Weiss created for HBO. It has the action, storyline and epic nature that our fans seek in IMAX and we’re thrilled to team with HBO and our longtime partners at Warner Brothers to offer audiences a chance to experience it in the ultimate theatre setting joined by other fans of the series.”

Episode Synopses

Episode nine, “The Watchers on the Wall,” takes place entirely at The Wall with the Night’s Watch hopelessly outnumbered as they attempt to defend Castle Black from the Wildings and features one the fiercest and most intense battle scenes ever filmed for television.  Episode 10, the season finale entitled “The Children,” features Dany coming to grips with the realities of ruling a kingdom, Bran learning the startling reality of his destiny and Tyrion facing the truth of his unfortunate situation.  Game of Thrones is an epic series whose storylines of treachery and nobility, family and honor, ambition and love, and death and survival, have captured the imagination of fans globally and made it one of the most popular shows on television.

EMMY®-WINNING SERIES BANSHEE RETURNS FOR THIRD SEASON JAN. 9, EXCLUSIVELY ON CINEMAX

Banshee - Lucas Hood

Are you a fan of BANSHEE?  No, shame on you!  Take an opportunity to join the BANSHEE crew.

In September 2013, BANSHEE received a Primetime Emmy® Award for Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Supporting Role.

TV Guide described the second season as “addictively entertaining,” while the Daily Beast called it “must-see TV.”

BANSHEE returns for its ten-episode third season FRIDAY, JAN. 9 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on CINEMAX. 

The Emmy®-winning show is executive produced by Jonathan Tropper, Peter Macdissi, Alan Ball and Greg Yaitanes.

The show stars Antony Starr (“Wish You Were Here”) as Lucas Hood, an ex-con and master thief who assumes the identity of the sheriff of Banshee, Pa., where he continues his criminal pursuits while enforcing his own code of justice.

Other returning cast regulars include: Ivana Milicevic (“Untitled Cameron Crowe Project,” HBO’s “Mind of the Married Man”) as Carrie Hopewell, a notorious jewel thief who lives in Banshee under an assumed identity with her family, which has recently learned of her criminal past; Ulrich Thomsen (“The Celebration”) as Kai Proctor, an intimidating, wealthy businessman who believes he is above the law; Frankie Faison (“The Good Wife,” HBO’s “The Wire”) as Sugar Bates, a powerful and wise former boxer and ex-con who is now the owner of the local watering hole; and Hoon Lee (“The Blacklist”) as Job, a dangerous transvestite computer hacker who assists Lucas and Carrie in their criminal enterprises.

Returning cast regulars also include: Rus Blackwell (HBO’s “Recount”) as Gordon Hopewell, Banshee’s district attorney-turned-mayor; Matt Servitto (HBO’s “The Sopranos”) as Brock Lotus, Lucas’ long-suffering veteran deputy; Trieste Kelly Dunn (“Brothers and Sisters”) as Siobhan Kelly, Lucas’s deputy and new girlfriend; Ryann Shane (“Blue Bloods”) as Deva, the Hopewell’s daughter, who is rattled after learning that Lucas fathered her; Lili Simmons (HBO’s “True Detective”) as Rebecca Bowman, who has been taken under the wing of her uncle, Kai Proctor, and is looking to assume a larger role in his criminal activities; Odette Annable (“House, M.D.”) as Nola Longshadow, a Native American assassin out to avenge her brother’s killing; and Geno Segers (“Teen Wolf”) as Chayton Littlestone, the Kinaho tribe’s imposing leader.

New cast regulars include Langley Kirkwood (“Black Sails”) as Col. Douglas Stowe, a duplicitous Marine leader, and Afton Williamson (“Nashville”) as Alison Medding, Banshee’s new assistant district attorney.

New guest stars include Denis O’Hare (HBO’s “True Blood”; “American Horror Story”) as FBI Special Agent Robert Phillips, looking to bring Lucas to justice; Chaske Spencer (“Twilight: New Moon”) as Billy Raven, a Kinaho tribe member hired as a new deputy; Tom Pelphrey as Kurt Bunker, a reformed skinhead who applies for the job of deputy at the Banshee sheriff’s department; and Meaghan Rath as Aimee King, the last remaining deputy at the corruption-riddled Kinaho Reservation police department.

BANSHEE was created by Jonathan Tropper (“This Is Where I Leave You”) and David Schickler (“Kissing in Manhattan”); executive producers, Alan Ball (HBO’s “True Blood” and the Emmy®-winning “Six Feet Under”), Greg Yaitanes (Emmy® winner for directing “House, M.D.”), Jonathan Tropper, Peter Macdissi (“Towelhead,” HBO’s “Six Feet Under”); producer, Robert F. Phillips (“Kingdom Hospital”). Scripts were written by Jonathan Tropper, Halley Gross (“Broad City”), Justin Britt-Gibson (“The Strain”), Adam Targum (“CSI: NY”), Christopher Kelley (“The Wreck of the Unfathomable”), Jennifer Ames (HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”) and Steve Turner (HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”). Directors for the new season include Greg Yaitanes, Loni Peristere (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”), Magnus Martens (”Nattskiftet”) and OC Madsen (“Edderkoppen,” “Flame and Citron”).

January’s episodes:

Episode #21: “The Fire Trials”

Debut: FRIDAY, JAN. 9 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)

Other CINEMAX playdates: Jan. 9 (11:00 p.m., midnight, 2:20 a.m.), 10 (9:00 p.m., midnight) 11 (5:00 p.m.), 12 (8:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.) and 14 (9:00 p.m., 1:25 a.m.)

Lucas (Antony Starr), Brock (Matt Servitto) and Siobhan (Trieste Kelly Dunn) exact payback on a skinhead responsible for Emmett’s death. Now waitressing at a local diner, Carrie (Ivana Milicevic) faces new challenges in the wake of her revelation to Gordon (Rus Blackwell) and Deva (Ryann Shane) about her past. After Alex Longshadow’s death, a new, menacing threat looms on the horizon for Lucas, not to mention Proctor (Ulrich Thomsen) and Rebecca (Lili Simmons): Chayton Littlestone (Geno Segers), hell-bent on whipping the Kinaho tribe into a frenzy of violence against their enemies. Investigating the murder of four Marines, Lucas eyes the possibility of a huge, if dangerous, heist, and attempts to reenlist Job (Hoon Lee) to help him and Sugar (Frankie Faison) pull it off.

Written by Jonathan Tropper; directed by Loni Peristere.

Episode #22: “Snakes and Whatnot”

Debut: FRIDAY, JAN. 16 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

Other CINEMAX playdates: Jan. 16 (11:00 p.m., midnight), 17 (9:00 p.m., 12:05 a.m.) 18 (3:40 p.m.), 19 (8:00 p.m., 12:30 a.m.) and 21 (9:00 p.m., 1:30 a.m.)

As Lucas and Carrie case the tunnels under Camp Genoa, Proctor and Rebecca find themselves in a territorial faceoff with two rival drug suppliers and, later, are threatened by a pair of Chayton’s thugs. Lucas and new deputy Billy Raven (Chaske Spencer) pay a visit to a decidedly unfriendly Kinaho bar. Carrie tries to end a relationship with Col. Douglas Stowe (Langley Kirkwood), who may be misrepresenting the amount of cash in Camp Genoa. Gordon hits rock bottom before resolving to turn his life around.

Written by Halley Gross; directed by Loni Peristere.

Episode #23: “A Fixer of Sorts”

Debut: FRIDAY, JAN. 23 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

Other playdates: Jan. 23 (11:00 p.m., midnight), 24 (9:00 p.m., 12:05 p.m.), 25 (5:10 p.m.), 26 (8:00 p.m., 12:45 a.m.) and 28 (9:00 p.m., 1:10 a.m.)

Lucas’ secret is threatened when he’s arrested by FBI Special Agent Robert Phillips (Denis O’Hare), but both men end up at the mercy of Raymond Brantley (Shuler Hensley), a mob kingpin with a deadly mobile agenda.  Against Chayton’s orders, Tommy Littlestone (Ricky Russert) spearheads a second strike against Proctor at a local gentlemen’s club. A revenge-minded Nola Longshadow (Odette Annable) mixes it up with Burton (Matthew Rauch) at Proctor’s mansion.

Written by Justin Britt-Gibson; directed by Magnus Martens.

Episode #24: “Real Life Is the Nightmare”

Debut: FRIDAY, JAN. 30 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

Other CINEMAX playdates: Jan. 30 (11:00 p.m., midnight), 31 (9:00 p.m., 11:30 p.m.), and Feb. 1 (3:45 p.m.), 2 (8:00 p.m., 12:50 a.m.) and 4 (9:00 p.m., 12:45 a.m.)

Siobhan is torn between exposing Lucas and keeping his secret. Brock seethes upon learning that his ex, Emily (Tanya Clarke), is working as a caregiver for Proctor’s mom. Rebecca impresses Burton but inflames Chayton. Job and Sugar mop up critical surveillance. Carrie takes off on a thrill ride after walking out on her job. Gordon changes his mind about Proctor’s plea bargain. Chayton readies his army for an assault.

Written by Justin Britt-Gibson; directed by Magnus Martens.

Trailer - http://www.cinemax.com/banshee

GIRLS - Back For a 4th Season - Begins Jan 11th!

If your a fan of the EMMY®-WINNING COMEDY SERIES GIRLS, created by and starring Lena Dunham — mark your digital alert to Jan 11th because HBO is bringing the whiny girls back for a 4th season.

It’s a brilliant comedy that is set in Brooklyn.  Interesting note but there are few people of color in Dunham’s version of Brooklyn which is more like 1955 Brooklyn — nope there were more people of color in that neck of NYC then.

I’ve no idea where her Brooklyn is but it’s a funny place and I have been a fan of the well written, acted and directed series.

The producers include Judd Apatow, Jenni Konner, Lena Dunham, Ilene S. Landress, Murray Miller, Paul Simms And Bruce Eric Kaplan Executive Produce.

In case this is your first walk into the Whitest places on earth — here is what you will see in season 4.

Hannah has left New York to attend the prestigious Iowa Writers’ Workshop, hoping to become a more serious writer, while facing uncertainty in her relationship with Adam. Back in the city, Marnie is pursuing a music career, trying to balance her personal and professional relationship with Desi. New graduate Shoshanna is interviewing for jobs and struggling to sort out her relationship with Ray. And Jessa is trying sobriety through AA, but her knack for creating drama is undiminished. 

If you don’t know — now you know. Girls is created by and starring Lena Dunham, the Emmy®-winning HBO series GIRLS takes a comic look at the assorted humiliations and rare triumphs of a group of women in their 20s. Judd Apatow, Jenni Konner, Lena Dunham, Ilene S. Landress, Murray Miller, Paul Simms and Bruce Eric Kaplan executive produce the show, which kicks off its ten-episode fourth season SUNDAY, JAN. 11 (9:00-9:30 p.m. ET/PT), followed by other half-hour episodes on subsequent Sundays at the same time.

In addition to Dunham, who stars as Hannah, the cast includes Allison Williams as Marnie; Jemima Kirke as Jessa; Zosia Mamet as Shoshanna; Alex Karpovsky as Ray; Adam Driver as Adam; Andrew Rannells as Elijah; and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Desi.

Returning guest stars for the fourth season of GIRLS include: Rita Wilson as Marnie’s mother; Peter Scolari and Becky Ann Baker as Hannah’s parents; Jon Glaser as Laird; Gaby Hoffman as Adam’s sister, Caroline; Louise Lasser as Beedie; and Bob Balaban as Dr. Rice

New guest stars this season include Ana Gasteyer and Anthony Edwards as Shoshanna’s parents; Natasha Lyonne as Rickie; Gillian Jacobs as Mimi-Rose Howard; Marc Maron as Ted; Zachary Quinto as Ace; Jason Ritter as Scott; Maude Apatow as Cleo; and Spike Jonze as Marcos.

January’s episodes:

Episode #33: “Iowa”

Debut: SUNDAY, JAN. 11 (9:00-9:30 p.m. ET/PT)

Other HBO playdates: Jan. 11 (10:30 p.m., midnight), 12 (9:50 p.m.), 13 (11:00 p.m.), 14 (8:30 p.m.), 15 (midnight), 16 (1:00 a.m.) and 17 (11:55 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Jan. 12 (11:50 p.m.), 15 (8:00 p.m.) and 17 (1:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m.)

After a congratulatory dinner with her parents (Becky Ann Baker, Peter Scolari), Hannah (Lena Dunham) and Adam (Adam Driver) pack up the last of her boxes and discuss “the plan” for their soon-to-be long-distance relationship. Marnie (Allison Williams) and Desi (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) perform as part of a jazz brunch for a distracted crowd at a downtown restaurant. Shoshanna (Zosia Mamet) signs for her diploma with her parents (Ana Gasteyer, Anthony Edwards), who make a bigger deal out of the event than she thinks necessary. Jessa (Jemima Kirke) is confronted by Beedie’s (Louise Lasser) daughter, Rickie (Natasha Lyonne), and later seems nonplussed by Hannah’s impending departure.

Written by Lena Dunham & Judd Apatow; directed by Lena Dunham.

Episode #34: “Triggering”

Debut: SUNDAY, JAN. 18 (9:00-9:30 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Jan. 18 (10:30 p.m., midnight), 19 (11:25 p.m.), 20 (11:15 p.m.), 21 (8:30 p.m.), 22 (midnight), 23 (1:00 a.m.) and 24 (11:45 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Jan. 19 (10:00 p.m.), 22 (8:00 p.m.) and 24 (1:15 p.m., 8:00 p.m.)

In her first days as a grad student, Hannah discovers she can get more for her money, rent-wise, in Iowa. Later, during a video chat, she slyly prods Marnie for intel about Adam. At her first seminar, Hannah warns her fellow workshop writers that her piece might trigger some intense emotions – but doesn’t get the feedback she had hoped for.

Written by Jenni Konner & Lena Dunham; directed by Lena Dunham.

Episode #35: “Female Author”

Debut: SUNDAY, JAN. 25 (9:00-9:30 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Jan. 25 (10:30 p.m., midnight), 26 (10:30 p.m.), 27 (11:05 p.m.), 28 (8:30 p.m.), 29 (midnight), 30 (1:00 a.m.) and 31 (12:45 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Jan. 26 (10:00 p.m.), 29 (8:00 p.m.) and 31 (1:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m.)

 

With only one class a week, Hannah finds herself doing a lot of nothing in her free time, while a visiting Elijah (Andrew Rannells) has become the social butterfly of Iowa. Ray (Alex Karpovsky) gives Marnie a wake-up call about Desi’s true intentions before their meeting with a record label. Shoshanna aces, then blows, a job interview. Adam unwittingly gets drawn into Jessa’s chaotic web after an AA meeting. At a poets’ party in Iowa, Hannah rants about the undue expectations put on women writers, and takes things too far in critiquing her classmates.

Written by Sarah Heyward; directed by Jesse Peretz.

In 2014, the series received Emmy® nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Lena Dunham) and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Adam Driver). In Sept. 2012, GIRLS won an Emmy® for Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series

GIRLS has just been nominated for 2015 Golden Globe Awards in the categories of Best Television Series – Comedy or Musical and Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical (Lena Dunham), and was nominated in the same categories for 2014. In Jan. 2013, GIRLS was the only HBO series to be honored at the Golden Globe Awards, winning awards in the same two categories.

GIRLS was created by Lena Dunham; executive producers, Lena Dunham, Judd Apatow, Jenni Konner, Ilene S. Landress, Murray Miller, Paul Simms and Bruce Eric Kaplan; producer, Jesse Peretz; co-producer, Sarah Heyward.

THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY PARTNERING WITH AMERICAN MEDIA, INC. TO PRODUCE RADAR ONLINE TALK SHOW

The Weinstein Company (TWC) announced today that they are joining forces with American Media, Inc. (AMI) to develop and produce a talk show based around popular entertainment and gossip website Radar Online. 

The program will utilize the well-established brand and extensive audience that Radar already boasts to bring the latest pop culture, lifestyle and reality entertainment stories to TV audiences. TWC and AMI are planning for the live daily program to offer a fresh perspective on the newsmagazine and celebrity format pioneered by the likes of Entertainment Tonight, Inside Edition and with the added personality of late night talk shows like former E! hit Chelsea Lately.

Commented TWC Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein: “We’re so delighted to be partnering with American Media and their Radar Online brand in this exciting new venture. Our television department has made a huge mark in the reality programming sector, and we’re so happy to be taking the next step into the talk show format. We aim to set ourselves apart from the others by offering viewers the widest range of stories out there and delivering them in the most entertaining way possible.”

“This is an exciting step in the continued evolution of Radar Online as it further establishes itself as the leader in entertainment and celebrity reporting,” said AMI Chairman, President and CEO David J. Pecker. “Partnering with the incredible team at The Weinstein Company underscores the trust and influence of Radar’s reporting and bringing it to life in an innovative, fresh new format for the news magazine genre.”

The project will leverage the world-class reporting team at Radar Online and draw upon their team of journalists and correspondents in New York, Los Angeles, and around the country. 

Radar Online recently earned seven awards at the 2014 National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards including top honors for Investigative Story of the Year. It has previously been honored as Best Entertainment Website at the National Journalism Awards (2011). 

The site has grown to more than 15 million unique visitors per month since becoming a digital-first publication in 2008. 

The Radar digital platform will play a key role in the experience, driving content and discussions to the show, making it a truly integrated TV and on-line offering and a place for audiences to share their stories, opinions and interact.

 If you don't know -- now you know.  The Weinstein Company (TWC) is a multimedia production and distribution company launched in October 2005 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films in 1979. TWC also encompasses Dimension Films, the genre label founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein, which has released such popular franchises as SCREAM, SPY KIDS and SCARY MOVIE. Together TWC and Dimension Films have released a broad range of mainstream, genre and specialty films that have been commercial and critical successes. During Harvey and Bob’s tenure at Miramax and TWC, they have received 331 Oscar nominations and won 79 Academy Awards.

Since 2005, TWC and Dimension Films have released such films as GRINDHOUSE; 1408; I’M NOT THERE; THE GREAT DEBATERS; VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA; THE READER; THE ROAD; HALLOWEEN; THE PAT TILLMAN STORY; PIRANHA 3D; INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS; A SINGLE MAN; BLUE VALENTINE; THE KING’S SPEECH; THE COMPANY MEN; MIRAL; SCRE4M; SUBMARINE; DIRTY GIRL; APOLLO 18; OUR IDIOT BROTHER; I DON’T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT; SARAH’S KEY; SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD IN 4D; MY WEEK WITH MARILYN; THE IRON LADY; W.E.; CORIOLANUS; UNDEFEATED; THE ARTIST; BULLY; THE INTOUCHABLES; LAWLESS; KILLING THEM SOFTLY; THE MASTER; SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK; DJANGO UNCHAINED; QUARTET; ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH; DARK SKIES; THE SAPPHIRES; SCARY MOVIE 5; KON-TIKI; UNFINISHED SONG; FRUITVALE STATION; LEE DANIELS' THE BUTLER; THE GRANDMASTER; SALINGER; 12-12-12; PHILOMENA; MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM; AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY; VAMPIRE ACADEMY; THE RAILWAY MAN; THE IMMIGRANT; YVES SAINT LAURENT; BEGIN AGAIN; THE GIVER; FRANK MILLER’S SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR; THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY; TRACKS; ST.VINCENT; THE IMITATION GAME and BIG EYES. Upcoming releases include PADDINGTON.

TWC boasts an active television production division which garnered nine Emmy nominations in 2013 and five in 2014. 

TWC Television produces the reality powerhouse Project Runway, which is currently in its 13th season on Lifetime; with its spin-off series and critically-acclaimed Project Runway All Stars, hosted by Alyssa Milano and Project Runway Under The Gunn, hosted by Tim Gunn.  Recent TWC television productions include Mob Wives for VH1, Million Dollar Shoppers for Lifetime, Rodeo Girls for A&E and Trailer Park: Welcome to Myrtle Manor for TLC. Scripted projects currently in production include John Fusco's historical action-adventure epic Marco Polo.  Announced scripted projects in development include Ten Commandments, a ten-part event series with each episode to be helmed by a different A-list director and focusing on one commandment and an adaptation of Daniel Stashower’s bestselling Civil War-era spy thriller The Hour Of Peril.  

TWC also developed Amy Sherman Palladino’s The Nanny Diaries for ABC and produced the Peabody award-winning HBO series The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, directed by Anthony Minghella.

Knowledge is power so learn about American Media, Inc. (AMI) which owns and operates the leading print and digital celebrity and health & fitness media brands in the United States.  

AMI’s titles include National Enquirer, Star, OK!, Globe, National Examiner, Soap Opera Digest, Shape, Fit Pregnancy, Natural Health, Men’s Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Flex and Muscle & Fitness Hers.  AMI also manages 17 different digital sites including RadarOnline.com, OKmagazine.com, Shape.com, FitPregnancy.com, MensFitness.com and MuscleandFitness.com.  AMI’s magazines have a combined total circulation of 5.9+ million and reach more than 53 million men and women each month.  AMI’s digital properties reach an average of 52+ million unique visitors and 350+ million page views monthly.

TV - Comedy Central

Here is another “look” at something new.  This time it’s for a new late night series on Comedy Central which is the place to find laughter!

This time, you can laugh late-night and you can laugh BLACK with the very smart, very funny upcoming series premiere of The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore.

Good news, it’s coming in 2015!  Mark your digital reminder for January 19th and tag Comedy Central.

Replacing The Colbert Report, the very funny Wilmore will air original episodes four nights a week. In anticipation for the series debut, check out the first promo below. 

The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX6xoYMNJfw

Website:

http://www.cc.com/shows/the-nightly-show

 

STARZ making Stars in “Survivor’s Remorse"

Jessie T. Usher who plays basketball phenom Cab Calloway, in the new original Starz series “Survivor’s Remorse”and Ronreaco Lee , who plays his manger and "voice of reason," are two artists that are headed toward long, and fruitful careers in television,film and in Mr. Lee's case—theatre.

At the risk of sounding like a hippie, Jessie and Ronreaco give off good vibes and they inspired me to push my own creative envelope.  That might sound simple but I'm a New Yorker and seasoned Hollywood veteran with a veneer that rarely cracks.  Yet, these "youngsters" had me smiling all week and dreaming.

"Survivor’s Remorse," which is set in Atlanta is a modern morality tale about the lure of fame, riches and family ties.

The story follows Cam Calloway (Jessie T. Usher) the b-ball wonder who, just in his early 20’s is suddenly thrust into the limelight after signing a multi-million dollar contract with a professional basketball team.

More money equals more problems and the comedy/drama around that rise to fame is what makes this story bounce. It's that microscopic examination of what happens when you “make it out" that makes this Starz original series "one to watch."

When Cab's cousin and confidant Reggie Vaughn (Ronreaco Lee) relocates to Georgia (to participate in his journey to success) they both confront the challenges of balancing their colorful family and upholding those inherited values.

Their roots are planted inside an impoverished community and it's those experiences that shape them for better or worse.

In the end, this series has created powerful,and unforgettable characters that wrestle with the rewards and pitfalls of stardom, love and loyalty.

The cast also includes Erica Ash  as M-Chuck, the sister of Cam  and Tichina Arnold as Cassie, Cam’s mother and Mike Epps (“Being Mary Jane") as Cam’s Uncle Julius.

“Survivor’s Remorse” premieres Saturday, October 4th at 9pm ET/PT exclusively on STARZ with a six-episode season. It's executive produced by actor/writer Michael O' Malley, who played Burt on the series "Glee"—a role that was created for him by Ryan Murphy. 

Here's what Mr. Usher and Mr. Lee shared about working in Hollywood.

myNewYorkeye: Are there any similarities between you and your character?

Jessie Usher: Yes, Cab is new to the game and this is my first leading role. So, I connect with the pressure. He's also has a giving heart and I'm also very close to my family. I still live at home  with my parents.

Ronreaco Lee: There are a few parallels with Reggie. I am cautious and always thinking and planning ahead.  I'm the "consilleri" ( Robert Duvall) character.

myNewYorkeye: I enjoyed the dialogue, it flowed.  Can you give me some insight?

Ronreaco Lee: One of the most exciting elements about the series is the writing.  The show runner is Michael O' Malley.  He's also earned an Emmy nomination for his role as Burt on "Glee."

Jessie Usher: Michael is wonderful to work with.  The pacing of the show and the camaraderie that he makes happen, it just inspires you to want the best from yourself.

myNewYorkeye: I'm getting the strongest sense that you both aspire for careers behind the camera. Correct?

Ronreaco Lee: Correct,  The writing drew me to this project and Michael is an excellent show-runner. He has the actors and the show's best interest firmly in hand. That's a solid quality. 

John Nelson, our first AD also makes the working experience special.

myNewYorkeye: The series feels cinematic. Why?

Ronreaco Lee: Good eye Lapacazo, Our director of photography Oliver (from "Scandal") really knows how to make every frame beautiful. It's by design not accident.

myNewYorkeye: You both spoke about being "ahead of the game" —elaborate.

Jessie Usher: I'm falling in love with the art of the DP (director of photography). I'm working on that journey. 

Ronreaco Lee: I'm on the directing path. I'm paying my dues. Matt Nicks, who is a show runner and creator of "Burn Notice" noticed that I really wanted to direct, so he extended an invitation to shadow a director.  It was a tremendous opportunity and that's part of my creative journey.  I also feel the stage calling.

myNewYorkeye: I'm feeling an EGOT for you both. Well maybe not the "Grammy" so well make up our own word to describe the winning circle.

‘KEY AND PEELE’ RETURNS FOR SEASON 4

Season 4 of Key and Peele’s outrageously funny and unapologetically smart series, “Key and Peele,” roars back to Comedy Central Wednesday, Sept. 24.

Happy days are here again! If you haven’t caught on to the fact I’m a fan, let me state it plain: I’m a fan! These savvy businessmen can also wear the tag “comic genius” with ease. And if you’re not familiar with Key and Peele by now, what the hell’s the matter with you?

Keegan-Michael Key (married, 43 years old, from Detroit) and Jordan Peele (single, 35 years old, from New York City) first met at a sketch club in Chicago, and then worked together on “Mad TV,” creating comedy with such a signature style of sketch writing and performance dynamics that it demands that you keep eyeballs on them at all times.

This year, they were named to Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” list. They were also featured on the cover of the magazine’s “Ideas” issue. They also won a prestigious Peabody Award, which honors programming excellence.

On their busy press tour to highlight their new season, I got the opportunity to chat with the dynamic duo. It sounds easy, but a cellphone battery drama had me begging—in the rain—for Harlem store owners to let me get a quickie charge.

A final text from the tense publicist, chastising me on my tardiness that simply said, “This isn’t good,” motivated me to reframe, and I placed myself inside a Key and Peele sketch scenario.

“Yo!” I shouted at a deli owner, whose Arabic rap music was blasting through the door. “Charge me quick. I’m late for a Key and Peele.” My Brown brother didn’t miss a beat. He replied, “Brazilian [waxing] is better.” Then he added, “Naw, Comedy Central funny men—I know.”

Saved by the healing power of comedy and it’s ability to connect cultures, my interview proceeded.

Here’s what Key and Peele had to share about their new season on Comedy Central and what’s in their Netflix queue.

myNewYorkeye: Brothers, I’m sorry for the delay. My battery died and I was thrust into the 1980s. After the Time magazine coverage, do people know you by your full names?

Peele: People still don’t really know our names: Who’s Keegan? Who’s Jordan? But just this past year, there’s been a difference. We feel very lucky.

myNewYorkeye: Wow, y’all did have a bonus year! What are your favorite characters to play?

Peele: Meegan. Definitely her. I love her and it’s nice to get in touch with my femme side. It’s liberating not to always have to feel “manly.” I work to make her look pretty, even down to her heels, which are terrible to walk in. Like really, what’s that about?

myNewYorkeye: Heels? Don’t get me started! A cruel, sadistic invention by men to dominate women and make it hella hard to run! What about you, Key?

Key: No heels for me. My favorite character is Mr. Garvey, the substitute teacher. He’s clueless to his environment and just doesn’t understand the cultural clues that are all around him. He’s so afraid of the kids trying to “get over on him” that he’s missing every opportunity to connect. He’s single-minded and utterly un-PC. That also makes playing the character liberating. He doesn’t think, but he speaks—a lot.

myNewYorkeye: Your comedy is built on layers of communication, with body language being front and center. Crafted or all improv?

Key: Both. Our sketches are carefully scripted, so thank you for that observation. The funny is in layers, and the body language is definitely part of it.

myNewYorkeye: I’m getting a text from your PR rep to wrap to up. So, last question: What’s in your Netflix queue?

Key: Oh boy. Man, that’s hard. Let me think.

At this point, the conversation had become blended and peppered with laughter and the type of cross-talk that’s associated with long friendships.

Key: Counting backward, the third favorite spot is held by “BoJack Horseman,” “House of Cards” and a documentary about death ­row­—it was fascinating. I think it was called “Into the void.” I was just saying to my wife, “If that type of behavior was in a script, no one would buy it.” Then, it made me think: Is this behavior authentic, or is it just because the cameras are there?

Peele: Human beings never cease to fascinate. OK, in my cue, “Attack on Titans,” “House of Cards” and the documentary called “Let It Burn.”

*DON'T MISS OUT ON THE ALL NEW SEASON OF KEY & PEELE ONLY ON COMEDY CENTRAL TOMORROW 9/24 at 10:30pm PST/EST!*