Say Hello To The Cast of Season 13

It's Official!!! Time for that spray tan, crazy outfits, and get ready to head back to the ballroom. Finally the rumors can be put to rest, ABC Network has revealed the cast of season 13 of Dancing With The Stars! Get ready mirror ball trophy fans it will be one amazing season.


In an exclusive announcement made tonight live on ABC and reported by TV Guide the season 13 cast is: David Arquette, Elizabeth Canalis, Kristin Cavallari, Chaz Bono, Chynna Phillips, Nancy Grace, Hope Solo, JR Martinez, Ricki Lake, Rob Kardashian, Ron Artest & Carson Kressley.


I will start with Chaz Bono. This is the first time Dancing With the Stars has had a man who was previously a woman. This will surely raise some eyebrows. "I want people to know we're just normal people like everyone else, says Bono, who will dance with a woman. "It's nothing to be afraid of or think is strange."  Bono also said that this will be a great physical challenge.


Joining Chaz, is the favorite Kardashian playboy Rob. Now let me say this, we saw Kim dance way back on the show, will Rob prove to be the better Kardashian dancer?  Do you feel like the Kardashian's are a bit "overplayed" on our television screens? One thing is for sure Rob will have the ladies tuning in to see him with or without a shirt.


As i last mention in my past DWTS entry, a controversial cast member had signed on to do the show. Well it is now confirmed that Nancy Grace will be in the ballroom. The outspoken TV personality will be a crazy addition to the cast. The question is can she move? Ready for a challenge, Grace feels like she might be mocked for her moves. "I don't know how to dance and I don't know what to wear. I may end up in rags in a pumpkin. But i know i have been invited and I'm going"


Like every year when the cast has been announced, I make a prediction and I think i have now declared someone that i will root for. Over the past few seasons, Ricki Lake has been spotted in the audience at the ballroom. So i had a feeling that one day she would give the spray tan a try. I have always been a fan of Ricki Lake ever since her talk-show days. She did do "Hairspray" so i have a feeling she will be the one of the top contenders this season. I wouldn't be surprise if she is in the top three.


I'm as equally excited to see Mr. Kressley on that ballroom. You can't deny it, Carson sure knows how to have fun and he might even give his competitors a run for their money.


As for the rest of the cast, we will see how they measure up.
Dancing With The Stars premieres Monday September 19 8/7c on ABC Network


What do you think of the cast?


Are you looking forward to seeing these stars in the ballroom? 

Will There Still Be a Happy Ending for Leyton?

He's back! Multiple sources confirmed that One Tree Hill's heartthrob Chad Michael Murray will be back to reprise his role as Lucas in the ninth and final season of One Tree Hill. "The secret is out", announced Murray via Twitter, "I'm excited to say that "Lucas" will be reuniting with the amazing OTH cast." We last saw Lucas back in season six riding off into the sunset with Hilarie Burton's character Peyton. The couple had recently got married and had a baby. But with Murray returning, where does that leave his costar?

Burton left the show at the same time as Murray and had said "never say never" on making an appearance on the show. Well sadly, sources are confirming that Murray will be the only one returning. OTH producers has asked Burton if she would like to come back however she decline. She is now a regular on the series "White Collar"

With just one of the "Leyton" members returning does that mean they are splitsville?  Will producers break up the couple? and Why is Lucas back?

One Tree Hill will return to the CW Spring of 2012.

Are you excited about Lucas returning?

Clear The Dance Floor For The Stars Please

Get ready you loyal mirrorball trophy fans, Season 13 of Dancing with the Stars has already been categorized as one that will give viewers something to talk about. With just three days away till the final reveal, rumors have been swirling around the internet about who is the latest to be putting on their dancing shoes. Reported by E! Online Television Columnist Kristin Dos Santos David Arquette, Rob Kardashian and Chaz Bono have been rumored to be headed to the dance floor. Another report is that one controversial contestant has signed on. Who that person is, well to find out we have to tune into Mondays episode of ABC's The Bachelor Pad 2 at 8/7c for the live announcement.

Dancing with the Stars has been one to bring famous stars to the dance floor, however, the past few seasons have been nothing but D-listers, has beens and the occasional frontrunners from the get go. Ratings have slipped a bit since 2008 but have picked back up at the end of last springs season. 

This year, ABC Network executives have told DWTS producers to step up their game for Season 13. They want the A-listers or stars that know how to give a good competition as well as watercooler moments. The biggest show Dancing with the Stars will compete with this fall is Fox's X-Factor. Can DWTS prove after 13 seasons it still has game? 

What is always so interesting about DWTS is that it always adds different elements to keep it fresh. With the expansion of the stage and set, it creates a sense of involvement with the fans. The dances have also changed. New style of dances as well as theme nights have kept the show interesting and youthful. What fans love is the connection with the professional dancers. 

Coming back to the ballroom this season will be champion Derek Hough who took a hiatus from the show in the spring to film a movie. Derek, who's sister Julianne Hough has also been with the show, is part of the triple threat dancers. Derek, Mark and Maks make up the triple threat because you know at least one of them will make it into the finale. But doesn't that get boring to see the same professional dancer and his partner win season after season or does it make it interesting? Or are they getting way to many stars that have dance experience already? 

The show has been known for getting stars who have dance experience in their back round. That isn't fair is it? Last spring was a different for the first time DWTS didn't have a "dance experienced" star in the top 3 which worked in ratings. Fans want to see and root for a person who has struggled from day one but can see vast improvement between weeks. Are the producers of DWTS finally understanding that we, viewers want a season of amazing competition? I hope so.

I'll be back Monday night to blog about the cast reveal, until then we must enjoy the weekend and anticipate who will be competing for that mirror ball trophy.

Soap Operas & The Daytime Television Changes

I'll never forget waking up to the sounds of the "Young & The Restless" theme song. At the age of eight i was introduced to soap operas. Like many women out there in the world, soap operas were the "in thing" to be watching during the day. They have been around since television was invented and have impacted our daytime television viewing. Flash Forward to many years later, soap opera ratings have been declining and now most of them have been canceled. In September 2011, ABC Network veteran daytime soap opera "All My Children" will end its 41 year run. Another ABC soap opera, "One Life To Live will also be ending 

Daytime television will be making a lot of changes in the coming months not just with soap operas but as well as with talk shows. ABC will be losing two soap operas but will be adding two unscripted shows that will fill in AMC And OLTOL timeslot. They have also signed Katie Couric to do a talk show. CBS will still have "The Talk" but will have less co-host on the show. Regis Phillbin will also be saying goodbye to daytime TV and search for his replacement is currently in talks. But you can't forget the biggest absence from daytime, the big O, Oprah. Many affiliates around the country have decided to make The Ellen DeGeneres Show the main replacement for Oprah's time slot. Ellen's popularity has skyrocked since her comeback with "Finding Nemo" and will surely make a ratings splash when she premieres back in September.

With the changes, will the longtime viewers accept it?  Talk shows and game shows will become more popular in the coming years and you can sure bet that in five to ten years all soap operas will vanish from our daytime screens. It will be interesting to see the older demographics accept the changes. For now enjoy the rest of what is left, I'll do just the same by listening to the Y&R theme as much as i can before I have to say goodbye to that as well. 

Recasting Baby Blues

What is the one thing between Darren on Bewitched and Becky on Rosanne have in common? They have been recast. Recasting can cause television viewers to feel like they are going a bit crazy once they see a different actor or actress on screen. Darren on Bewitched was the most famous recasting in television history. As viewers, we form a bond with the characters on our screens, and when seeing a change up happen, it is like breaking the fourth wall in theatre.

Currently, a very popular award winning TV Sitcom decided to recast a character that does deadpan comedy fabulous. Modern Family has decided to recast Baby Lily. Baby Lilly is the daughter of gay parents Cam and Mitchell and was introduced in the first five minutes of the first episode. Baby Lilly was played by twins Jaden and Ella Hiller, which is really common for having baby twins play a baby character. Modern Family fans have always enjoyed Lilly's non-enthusiastic facial expressions whenever Cam or Mitchell did something funny. As the show is going into its third season, the producers wanted an older toddler version of Baby Lilly. The idea of recasting came last May when show creators Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan were talking about how the twins hadn't talked yet. Since then changes have been made and now in September, fans will meet the new toddler. 

At the end of last season, Lily was only two and after seeing the first promo picture it seems as if Lilly has jumped two years. While thinking about this recasting change I always wonder why weren't the Olsen twins ever considered a casting change. Was it because we as viewers became attached with Mary-Kate and Ashley? Was Mary-Kate and Ashley quick to learn on set? Can we compare the two shows or twins?

It will be interesting to see the dynamic between the three characters now that Lilly will be talking and actually making expressions. Especially when it comes to Cam's crazy antics. Are you ready to see a toddler Baby Lilly?

Confession, I Like to be Spoiled

I have a post-it on my computer back in my hometown that says, "Spoilers are my friends," and every time I would freak out about a spoiler I had read, I would look up at that and take a deep breath. I would wait everyday for a spoiler so much that I would check my "spoiler gods" websites every hour to see if something would be revealed. There are those who can't wait to read about what will happen to their favorite show and those who simply like watching it as it happens. Im one who needs to read before hand to enjoy the show. I have three nights dedicated to "spoiler" night. I anxiously a wait for that magical hour to happen when all will be spoiled for the coming episodes. So, am I a bad TV viewer for wanting to know everything before the episode airs?

I read an article from CTV: Canada Television, that a study was conducted at the University of California regarding spoilers. The study concluded that people actually enjoy the story more when reading a spoiler before watching and that people are able to connect faster with the plot line.

Let's take for instance, the season six finale of Grey's Anatomy. I had read way before the episode title was revealed that a gunman was going to come into the hospital. I then had read a tweet that McDreamy got shot. After seeing promo pictures and seeing sneak peeks, i knew what was coming. So while the episode was airing i felt the anticipation of the scene. It made it more exciting trying to figure out how the gunman was going to shoot him and how Meredith was going to react to that.

Another instance is, a read who the winner is going to be on The Bachelor/Bachelorette. I feel as a viewer, I can be able to see the connection between the two while knowing what is actually going to happen.

It makes my TV viewing more exciting. A dear friend of mine always tells me to stay away from sneak peeks and spoilers. But I can't help it, I see the spoiler and I click.

In my opinion, I do enjoy reading spoilers. In today's growing media technology world, more and more spoilers will be revealed whether you want it to happen or not. It's just up to you if you want to cross the spoiler line. So while you are reading TV Articles or seeing an Entertainment news program and they are talking about the season's secrets maybe you should watch it. It might do you good. However, even if you think you are being spoiled, the producers know how to keep the game going by giving out false information. So Beware!

Sorry Charlie You Aren't Winning

Step a side Charlie because Ashton Kutcher is Winning... DUH! The 33-year-old actor has just about everything, good looks, comedic timing and he is currently winning the heart of Two and A Half Men fans. The show has been in a rocky position since Charlie's crazy behavior began. Despite the drama on set, ratings shot up last season when the show was put on a hiatus. All eyes are on Kutcher as he makes his TV return in September as well as his debut in the hit CBS sitcom. But what about Charlie? According to this interview with Men actor Jon Cryer, fans will learn that Sheen's character has kicked the bucket. The way they will learn about his character's death will be presented in a funny manor. But considering how important Sheen was to the show, is it right for the writers to make light on his situation?

With the addition of Kutcher, the show already feels like it will take on a fresh feeling when it returns to our screens. Critics and fans give Kutcher Two-Thumbs Up. At the taping of the first episode for the season, Kutcher earned rave reviews and a standing O. Him and Demi Moore even put together a "first day" party for producers of the show.

He seems to be on top of the TV world right now. Having just won a Teen Choice award, Kutcher is now the highest-paid actor in sitcom television. As for Sheen, well he sent out his best wishes and congrats to Kutcher via Twitter.

Are you sad to see Charlie Sheen leave Two and a Half Men?
The Ninth season premieres Monday September 19th 9/8c on CBS. I'm sure the return will be a ratings #win.

There Is a Reason Why They Simply Did Not Give You A Rose

Oh the drama, the betrayal, the.. wait you did not receive a rose please leave. Yup the rejects are back! Rated-R, Gia, Michelle, Melissa, Ames, Kasey, Vienna and Jake the Pilot (Vienna's ex) are gracing our television screens tonight for the 3-hour long Bachelor Pad 2 Premiere on ABC. I  must admit i love The Bachelor/ Bachelorette series however with this one i have to say: ABC, what are you thinking?

Last year was the first season of the Bachelor Pad, the concept was to bring past contestants back for a chance at winning money and even a chance at love. Last season's cast was full of contestants whom i loved and remember from different seasons. I maybe watched a couple of episodes and even caught the finale and was very happy when the show had ended. When news broke out there was a Bachelor Pad 2, my first thought was Seriously!

What drew me back to my couch for the premiere was the Jake and Vienna showdown. For those of you who don't remember or just didn't care to read or see what all of america was talking about last summer, Jake and Vienna fell in "lust" during his season on The Bachelor, they became engaged, he went on Dancing with the Stars, and then they had a very very public break-up. When i saw the promos for the show i thought genius move Bachelor producers, i'm tuning in.

Tonight i had planed to give this another try, but 30 minutes in,i can't bare to watch anymore of it. In the 30 minutes i saw i've learned that while rejected the rejects hooked up with all the other rejects and the phrase, "I've grown up a lot since my time on The Bachelor/ Bachelorette" was overused. I considered hitting the record button on my DVR to later revisit the show but instead i rather, when i'm bored, watch online instead of it take space on the DVR.


The only good thing about the Bachelor Pad 2 is on Aug 29th ABC will announce the new season of Dancing with the Stars during the show.

I now can see why most of these people were rejected and think they can still have there 15 minutes of fame. I'll just leave it to Kasey to sing songs about guarding and protecting Vienna's heart while she cries for every time Jake says a hurtful thing about her.


Forgive me Chris Harrison but Im leaving the mansion till the Next Bachelor is Announced (Ames, we're rooting for you).
-Christina

To Pull the Plug or to Drag it On? The Future of Aging Shows

We all have them, the shows we have been watching religiously for years and years. We look forward to watching them and anticipate the return for them. Like life, television must have an end point. There comes a time when the ratings aren't what they used to be, the writing isn't as good as it was and actors and actresses feel it's time to purse other things. If your show makes it past syndication, then you can expect at least a good 7-8 year run. And even if we don't like to admit it, sometimes its time to pull the plug.

Today as i was on my Twitter, it was confirmed by Michael Ausiello on TVline.com that Desperate Housewives is Ending After Season 8. I have been watching DH since i was 14 years old and i was shocked to find that ABC Network had pulled it after saying they were contracted to go until 2013. But after thinking about it, this year i sort of neglected the ladies of Wisteria Lane. Granted i did get busy and watched most episodes on line, i found that the plot lines weren't "Must Watched TV" worthy. Desperate has always managed to grab the audience attention with crazy drama and unbelievable story lines. Probably one of the best plot lines creator Marc Cherry did was the five year time jump back in season 5. That jump managed to give a fresh vibe to a series that was at the top but slipped after the '08 Writers Strike. But even with the resurfacing in season 7 of character "Paul Young", the ratings still continued to decline.

Networks have the "aging show" problem. Shows such as, CSI, Law and Order:SVU, Grey's Anatomy, and American Idol are facing a tough decision by the networks to keep going or to call a time of death. The addition of new characters and new writers may keep a show going (ER to point out).  I always thought that if your main characters are gone, then its time to say bye and end it on a good note. Once your ratings have slipped and your audience is half non-existant why spend millions of dollars to keep the show on?  With cable shows dominating, network television has a shaky future ahead. While we would love to see our characters live forever in our fictional TV Life, sometimes its ok to admit when its ran its course its time to let it go.

Its clearly the almost end of the, what i like to call "The Stephen McPherson"era. While i enjoyed having the Ladies of Wisteria Lane occupy my Sunday Nights, i can't wait to see what this last season has in store and i know that Marc Cherry will go out with a bang!

-Christina

Celebrating 30 Years of "Music" Television

Long before the Guido's on "Jersey Shore" and the young mom's on "Teen Mom", there was an interesting concept about having music on our television screens 24-7. And thus began MTV, Launching on August 1, 1981 with "Video Killed the Radio Star" as being the first music video, MTV has shaped our culture and has changed many of our lives.


I remember being six years old turning on the TV to MTV to watch the "Spice Girls" talk about if you wanted to be there lover. I then started watching more of MTV when "Veejay" Carson Daily came into the picture with a countdown show named "Total Request Live" aka "TRL."  MTV was all about the music the artist and giving fans what they wanted.

For about 20 years, the shows on MTV were all about the music, or in some way shape or form about the artist who make the music. Now what we have is reality television that is making teenagers turn in to see the reality of teenage pregnancy. You can't dismiss that ratings have decline except when there is a new episode of "Jersey Shore"on. Is our society pushing for more reality television on a channel that was actually made for showing music? Now with all the technology we have, we now have a faster way for getting music at our fingers instead of waiting on our couches for MTV to premiere the latest music video.

Many who grew up with MTV will complain that it isn't the same (sometimes i find myself missing TRL, Say what Karaoke,  Diary) but MTV still provides us with interesting water cooler moments and even an unpredictable awards show, the VMA's.

And for that we salute you MTV for all that you have done for our society! Happy 30th!
-Christina

Review: The Bachelorette Season 7 Finale: A First Impression is Everything

Sorry ladies but JP is officially off the market. The 34 year-old construction manager from Roslyn, NY beat out wine maker Ben Flajnik to win the heart of Ashley Hebert, the season 7 Bachelorette. It had been a very bumpy road for Ashley since the beginning and on Monday nights finale it seemed like the first impression didn't make the road any smoother.


Always on the last episode of The Bachelorette, the final two get to meet the family. We previously met Ashley's family on Brad's season of The Bachelor and we can't forget Ashley's sister Chrystie. JP was the first on to meet the family. While it seemed that all was well with JP, Chrystie shocked Ashley by saying she didn't see the 34 year-old as being the one for her sister. Ashley in tears kept trying to prove to her sister that she had from the beginning a strong connection with him. Her sister's words left doubt in Ashley's mind just as it was Ben's turn to meet the family.
Ben was well liked by the family and even manage to impress Chystie. However, the feelings Ashley had for JP out weighted any disapproval from her sister.


Both guys selected rings from Neil Lane. And it was time to head down to the proposal site. The producers on ABC always do a great job hiding who is the first person out until the very last moment. A foot comes out from the helicopter and is indeed is Ben F's. As he is walking up to where Ashley is, they are playing his montage he filmed before the proposal. Very confident he gets to Ashley and goes down on one knee and ask her to marry him. Ashley turns him down and that's the end for Ben.


The next helicopter comes to the proposal site which has JP inside. He walks over to Ashley and she greets him with a kiss. As he talks about his insecurity issues, Ashley finally reveals her true feelings for him. Time for the Magical Proposal.


At the After the Final Rose Special Ashley and JP make there first official appearance since getting engaged and yes they still are engaged. Chrystie was in the audience and apologized to JP. Seems all is well for Ashley and JP and i wish them the best of luck for there future!
-Christina Jovanna

Any Promotion Is Good Promotion Right?

49 days, 2 hours, 42 minutes, 16 seconds, that's how long we have until the 2011-2012 Television Season begins. Hello and welcome to the blog from Television Addict Christina Jovanna. Before I begin i want to introduce myself. I attend Texas State University and pursing a career in Mass Communication-Electronic Media. From the age of eleven I've been passionate about television. Recently this past summer i took one of my core media class and took an interest in writing and blogging. And what better way than to start than by blogging about this television season. With that being said, welcome.

This week is a special week for all television critics out there because it is the 2011 Television Critics Associated press tour. Here hundreds of television and entertainment journalists gather to hear what the networks will bring for the upcoming season.
At the TCA's its the Networks time to shine, promoting there shows, grabbing the attention from critics as well as viewers. It also the time to promote upcoming pilots that will make there debut in our living rooms. As a devoted viewer, promotion, in my opinion, is what grabs the audience attention and is crucial for any network. Now that most of the cast from major shows are back at work filming and producing content for September, August is a month where the promotion shines.

We took a poll in my programming class about what makes a show successful. Yes of course ratings are an important factor as well as awards and an outstanding cast, but what some of us were missing in our list of answers was promotion. I have to admit i look forward to a 15 second promo during a football game then sometimes the actual game (even though i do love football).

For a show runner whose pilot is going to air in less then a month, promotion is what they live for. But does it really make a difference for the viewer? Here's my question, what makes YOU want to watch a show? Does promotion really do good for the network, exec producers, viewers?  Is too much promotion  really that good for the people?

The key for making a connection with your audience through your promo campaigns is timing, visual effects and music. If you find the right techniques then you will make an audience impact. While sometimes i do get a little bored with the same promos airing over and over, i feel that sooner or later i will watch the show which is what the networks want. Maybe promotion isn't that bad after all. So while your sitting on your couch and a promo comes on, think its only the network saying to you, "We want you to come aboard this September, will you?"

I leave you with one of my favorite promo campaigns from the 2008 Fall Season. This was aired the last week of August on ABC Network: ABC 2008 Fall Promo  What a way to anticipate September. Until next time folks!
-Christina Jovanna