January 31st, 2010
Original Article from New to TV
If you’ve watched Southland (the TV cop drama that moved from NBC to TNT), you know that the show has a great ensemble cast that really makes the show worth watching.
One of those characters, gang detective Nate Moretta, played by Kevin Alejandro, will be taking center stage in the next couple of episodes as Nate’s personal life comes more to the forefront.
For Alejandro, the chance to play a LAPD cop has been exciting.
“I love the opportunity to jump into something that I didn’t know anything about — doing research for my character, doing ride-alongs with the LAPD and doing weapons training,” Alejandro said.
But it also has made him realize how dangerous the job of a cop can be – literally putting your life on the line everyday.
“You gain a new perspective about what these guys do for us, and they are outnumbered,” Alejandro said. "It gives you a window into a world that’s very real and scary, especially when we are out there shooting scenes in those areas."
Alejandro, 33, said that while shooting a late night shot with his character Nate’s gang detective partner Sammy (Shawn Hatosy, Alpha Dog), production had to be stopped because of a gang alteration nearby.
“That’s how real the situations you get into. That’s what is intriguing about using LA as a natural backdrop,” Alejandro said.
In the episode airing Tuesday, Feb. 2, "Sally in the Alley," Sammy and Nate will have their work cut out for them when an unidentified female is found dead in the middle of a Los Angeles alley, her body being used for target practice by gang members. While they are dealing with that, Nate’s tension mounts when his little sister Mercedes disappears, revealing a secret from Nate’s past that blindsides Sammy.
The Mercedes storyline definitely will change Nate’s current life for his family. I’ve already seen the episode when it originally aired on NBC, but I don’t want to reveal it for new fans of the show – but it’s juicy.
“A story unfolds with our characters starting in the next episode. You get to start figuring out who we are," Alejandro said.
Following the Feb. 2 "Sally in the Alley" episode, the following Southland episodes will air: "Two Gangs," "Westside" and Derailed." These episodes were part of the original episodes shown on NBC. A week or so before new episodes were supposed to start, NBC decided to drop the show — leaving Southland fans mystified. Thankfully, TNT picked up the series and began airing the original episodes in January as a new series, so new fans could start out from the beginning. Southland airs at 10 p.m. ET/PT on TNT on Tuesdays.
Starting March 2, TNT will air six all new episodes that haven’t aired, bringing a total of 13 episodes to TNT.
"The next episodes are very explosive, very true to the show we have created. Great things are happening. Now that we are on TNT they are letting us have a little more liberties with our imagery," Alejandro said.
Alejandro, who has played numerous roles on television over the years, is very happy with his role on Southland.
“I absolutely love being part of the show. It’s being run by a group of wonderful people and the amazing John Wells. The cast is extremely talented — they are a great bunch of people to be around. It’s a classy project and I’m proud to be a part of it," Alejandro said.
Alejandro hopes that the fans and TNT will agree, letting the show continue after the final six episodes air.
"So far it’s been great for us. The numbers are doing really well. We are at a good time slot. We have a lot of new audience members, which are helping us. Hopefully the viewers will let us go on for another season," Alejandro said.
Alejandro also is playing a new role on the popular HBO series True Blood, which will air this summer. Timing worked out perfectly for him, because he’s had a long break from Southland’s filming and True Blood is filming right now, freeing him for the role.
On True Blood, Alejandro will play a love interest for Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) in season three. His character, Jesus, is an orderly who is caring for Lafayette’s mom (Alfre Woodward). If you watch True Blood, you know that Lafayette is totally hilarious, so this will be totally worth watching.
Alejandro’s TV roles are numerous, including stints on Shark, Ugly Betty, Drive, Sleeper Cell and Weeds, as well as one-episode appearances on several shows ranging from 24, Heroes and CSI: Miami, among others.
With the recent news of the cancellation of Ugly Betty on ABC, Alejandro said he still stays in touch with Ana Ortiz, who played Hilda Suarez.
Alejandro played Santos, a love interest for Hilda and the father of Justin Suarez. His character was killed in the first-season finale.
"I keep in touch with Ana. She’s wonderful and talented. And when you are talented, you know you are destined for great things. Sometimes things like this happen for a reason. And you never know, happiness and something better may be around the corner," Alejandro said about Ugly Betty’s cancellation.
Alejandro is a Texas native, born in San Antonio, moving to another small Texas town, Snyder, at age 8. He received a scholarship to study theater arts at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas. After two years in Austin, he set off to Hollywood where he began his professional career in acting.
Alejandro also was voted No. 7 in Entertainment Weekly’s "15 Smartest, Sexiest Crime-fighters of ‘09: the Men" on EW.com, in August 2009.
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Southland airs at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Tuesdays on TNT.
Images: TNT/Southland/Mitch Haaseth.
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January 29th, 2010
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Josh Schwartz has another TV project in his hands.
CBS has greenlit a Josh Schwartz half-hour comedy pilot, according to Hollywood Reporter. This Warner Bros. TV pilot from Schwartz and Matt Miller is called Hitched and focuses on a twentysomething newlywed couple who are still learning about each other, surrounded by family and friends.
Schwartz is the co-creator and executive producer of Chuck and Gossip Girl and former executive producer of one of my favorite shows, The O.C. Miller is a Chuck executive producer.
While I’m happy Schwartz is working on new projects, I hope he continues to work hard on Gossip Girl, which I love.
CBS also greenlit an untitled comedy pilot from writer Tadd Quill (Scrubs) about a widowed father who is raising a 12-year-old son while reentering the dating scene.
It will be interesting to see who will be cast for these pilots.
Image: INF
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January 28th, 2010
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Never Back Down star Sean Faris (young Tom Cruise look-alike) will be playing an ex-high school football star and hunky bartender Ben at the Mystic Grill on Thursday’s all new episode of The Vampire Diaries.
>© 2010 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved
“Unpleasantville,” episode 1.11, will have Elena (Nina Dobrev) and the rest of the gang attending the school’s ’50s dance. The episode will air at 8 p.m. ET/PT tonight on The CW.
Here’s the official episode description:
As Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) try to figure out the identity of the new vampire in town, Stefan gives Elena jewelry filled with Vervain to protect her family and friends.
Hurting for money, Matt (Zach Roerig) takes a job at the Mystic Grill, where former high school football star Ben (guest star Faris) works as a bartender.
Ben comes to Bonnie’s (Katerina Graham) aid when he notices Damon is bothering her.
Damon and Stefan accompany Elena to a school dance with a 1950s’ theme, where Alaric (guest star Matt Davis) introduces himself to Damon.
I want to know who the creepy vampire on Elena’s ceiling is in the clip above! I’m also interested to see what happens between Alaric and Damon, and what Damon will think about Stefan’s proposal (see clips below). Also, I feel sorry for Bonnie because Damon isn’t going to give up until he gets Katherine’s tomb opened! I’m curious to see what Sean Faris’ character will be up to on the show and I want to see something form between Jeremy and Anna.
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January 27th, 2010
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A winner has been selected in The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty Giveaway here at New to TV! (So sorry about the delay in picking the winner!)
Congratulations to Kate, who won a The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty prize pack featuring
- * 3-CD pack including: Jackson 5: “I Want You Back! Unreleased Masters”, Jackson 5 “Love Songs” and The Jacksons “Destiny”
* The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty t-shirt and bag
Her winning comment made on Jan. 10 was: “Michael has always been a favorite as well as the Jackson 5. Janet also a classic. It’s good that after a lifetime of hardship, after MJ’s death they are able to be remembered fondly. Thanks for the giveaway!”
The winner was picked from entries received before the 10 p.m. CST Jan. 10 deadline using a random number generator.
New episodes of The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty air on Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on A&E. The new real-life series that chronicles the personal and professional lives of Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon as they prepare for a Jackson Five reunion, while also coming to terms with Michael’s tragic loss. Visit the official The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty Web site here.
Image: A&E/The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty
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January 26th, 2010
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Tom Sizemore will guest star as a self-obsessed actor who becomes involved with the cops on tonight’s new episode of Southland, “See the Woman,” airing at 10 p.m. ET/PT tonight (Tuesday) on TNT.
Meanwhile, Officer Dewey (guest star C. Thomas Howell) causes a rift in his relationship with his partner Chickie (Arija Bareikis) when he becomes star struck by Timmy Davis (guest star Sizemore). But when he loses track of the actor and gets himself stuck in a bad position, Chickie finds herself questioning her decision to take him on as her partner. All I have to say is: Poor Chickie! Dewey represents the “bad cop” of the group, the guy who needs to retire, but changed his mind.
Also, officer Ben Sherman (Benjamin McKenzie, The O.C.) reveals details of his past to the department therapist and to his partner, officer John Cooper (Michael Cudlitz), making the motivation behind his decision to be a cop clear.
If you didn’t get to see Southland when it aired for a short time on NBC, try it now on TNT where it has a fresh start as a new series. I really love this show and its characters, so I hope people will watch this show.
Though this episode description doesn’t mention Regina King’s character Lydia Adams, you can be sure she will play an important role on this episode.
Visit TNT’s official site for Southland for more information. Southland airs at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Tuesdays on TNT.
Image: TNT/Southland
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January 26th, 2010
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A winner has been selected in the Steven Seagal Lawman Giveaway here at New to TV! (So sorry about the delay in picking the winner!)
Congratulations to Laura DeLuca, who won a Steven Seagal Lawman Limited Edition Collector’s Set wrapped in a keepsake “bulletproof” vest featuring:
- Steven Seagal Lawman DVD with 2 full episodes
- Steven Seagal “Mojo Priest” CD
- “The Path Beyond Thought” DVD which documents Steven Seagal’s work in Japan establishing his dojo and teaching Aikido.
- Steven Seagal Lawman long-sleeved T-shirt
- Steven Seagal Lawman Stainless Steel Drink Tumbler
Her winning comment on Dec. 26 was: “He still looks good even though he’s getting older.”
The winner was picked from entries received before the Jan. 11 deadline using a random number generator.
The giveaway was held in conjunction with A&E in celebration of the debut of the new show Steven Seagal Lawman, which airs on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on A&E.
The show follows movie star Seagal, who for almost 20 years has been working a fully-commissioned deputy with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana. Besides tagging along as he is out on patrol and works case, the Seagal’s show also follows him off-deputy, including musical performances and philanthropic efforts – in Jefferson Parish and New Orleans.
Image: A&E, Credit: Michael Muller
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January 25th, 2010
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Join in the live blog for the airing of Life Unexpected’s second episode “Home Inspected” on The CW at 9 p.m. ET/PT tonight! (Click here to see photos from the episode)
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January 25th, 2010
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On the second episode of Life Unexpected, airing at 9 p.m. ET/PT tonight on The CW, Cate (Shiri Appleby) and Baze (Kristoffer Polaha) are forced to fight for custody of their newfound daughter Lux (Britt Robertson) when a social worker pays a visit to see if they are fit parents. The episode title is “Home Inspected.”
COPYRIGHT: © 2010 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved.
Lux is torn when her boyfriend, Bug (guest star Rafi Gavron, 24), and best friend, Natasha (guest star Ksenia Solo), suggest that Cate and Baze may not be in it for the long haul and that Lux should return to her old life and the people who love her most of all.
As new parents, I’m not sure Cate and Baze realize how much they are already over their head having a teenager! They didn’t know she had a boyfriend and I don’t think they realize how close her bond is with her friends (who also are in the foster care system). The friends had planned to get their own place when Lux got emancipated, so this new parental relationship isn’t good in her friends’ eyes.
Meanwhile, Cate is pressured by the executives at the radio station to deny that she has a daughter in order to save her job (which is totally ridiculous!)
Why is Lux so happy in this picture? This is the first time in her life she has had her “own” bedroom and her own bed.
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January 24th, 2010
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New TV shows and their stars are continuing to make a splash at the award shows.
At the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, Julianna Marguiles from CBS’s new show The Good Wife picked up the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series. Marguiles won a similar award at the Golden Globes.
Meanwhile, the Glee cast from FOX walked away with the award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a comedy. Glee also won awards at the Golden Globes and People’s Choice.
Here’s a complete list of the 2010 Screen Actors Guild Awards:
- Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
- Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: Michael C. Hall, Dexter
- Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama: Mad Men
- Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: Tina Fey, 30 Rock
- Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
- Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy: Glee
- Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Mo’Nique, Precious
- Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
- Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
- Lifetime Achievement: Betty White
- Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: Drew Barrymore, Grey Gardens
- Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: Kevin Bacon, Taking Chance
- Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
- Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: Inglourious Basterds
- Pictured in the photo gallery: Julianna Marguiles, The Good Wife; Matthew Morrison, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Lea Michele and Jane Lynch, Glee.
Images: INF
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January 22nd, 2010
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Are you ready for Caprica to premiere? The new show will debut at 9 p.m. ET/PT tonight on Syfy.
Set 58 years before Battlestar Galactica, Caprica (a scifi family saga) follows two rival families – the Graystones and the Adamas in the world of 12 peaceful colonies. When tragedy strikes both families, lines are drawn that will determine the fate of the human race.
Here are more photos from the pilot episode:
Syfy Photos: Jeff Weddell
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