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14 articles
6 Career Paths Jon Hamm Should Consider After 'Mad Men'
2 hours ago
Read More: Review: The Final 'Mad Men' Season Premiere Asks If Don, or Anyone, Can Ever Be Happy The ending of AMC's critically-acclaimed series "Mad Men" has been kept tightly under wraps, with the early reviews revealing very little in regard to plot and characterization, as is the standard. It's what we've come to expect from creator Matthew Weiner, whose drama of epic subtlety — its quiet intrigue often screams volumes more than even the likes of a more brutally upfront show like "Breaking Bad" — comes to an end beginning with the Season 7b premiere on April 5. The fate of "Mad Men" and its dashing, beautifully fleshed out characters may be unknown, but what about its leading man? Jon Hamm has had an amazingly twisted run as the show's brilliant ad man/self-destructive womanizer Don Draper. In a recent GQ feature, the actor, now 44, talks about his thoughts on »
- Travis Clark
Why It's Time for the Emmys to Adopt a Single 'Best Series' Category
4 hours ago
The TV Academy's decision to deny Netflix's appeal on behalf of "Orange is the New Black," forcing the series to compete as a drama at this year's Emmys, provoked the usual head-scratching when the news broke Friday. As I wrote of the Emmy telecast last August, the Academy has struggled to keep pace with the medium's changing landscape, preferring the defensive self-awareness of Seth Meyers' opening monologue to the boldness of awarding literally any other comedy besides "Modern Family" (ABC) the top prize. The tortured new eligibility rules only reinforce the sense that the Academy is out of touch, for which I propose the following solution: ditch the distinction between comedies and dramas altogether. Read More: "Emmy Watch: As TV Enters the Future, Its Academy Remains Stuck in the Past" For now, regardless of content, half-hour series are defined as "comedies" and hour-long series as "dramas"—unless, that is, »
- Matt Brennan
Review: 'House of Cards' Season 3 Episode 7 'Chapter 33' Starts Over
4 hours ago
Episode 6 Review: 'House of Cards' Season 3 Episode 6 'Chapter 32' Breaks Up a Marriage Morning BriefingIt's all okay again! After Episode 6's catastrophic falling out between Frank and Claire, the two patched things up over the course of a month in their time and an episode in ours. Ending chronologically with a renewal of vows that kicked off the sequential events of the episode (written by Beau Willimon), "Chapter 33" attempted to dig into the First Family's unique relationship but came away with as much inside information as Thomas Yates has discovered thus far: bupkis. Though many superficial changes were made — from Claire's hair color to the time-jumping construction — we're essentially right back where we started before the season began, and it doesn't feel earned. The disruption of Frank and Claire as President and U.N. Ambassador was one ripe with possibilities, and up to this point, it really felt »
- Ben Travers
The Big Twist of 'Bloodline': What Happened in Episode 1 of the New Netflix Original?
5 hours ago
Read More: H. Jon Benjamin on Drinking 'Impossible' 'Archer' Cocktails & What It's Like to Work With Louis C.K By now — and we say that with full knowledge it's been less than four days since "Bloodline" premiered — many of you know something big happened in the first episode of the new Netflix original series, if not all the secrets of the 13-episode drama (you crazy binge-watchers, you). That being said, if you don't know or haven't watched, that's okay, too. Indiewire's "Very Good TV Podcast" has sections for both of you in its new episode, with topics ranging from SXSW to "Mad Men" to, yes, "Bloodline," with anything spoiler-y very clearly marked as to not ruin any of the many secrets of Kyle Chandler's new show. This week, Indiewire's TV Editor Liz Shannon Miller and TV Critic Ben Travers dig into the many television events of SXSW, pick their »
- Indiewire
7 Ways the 'Late, Late Show with James Corden' Is Actually Going to Feel New
5 hours ago
Read More: Why We'll Miss Jon Stewart: 'The Daily Show,' Trust and the Chaos of Late Night "The Late Late Show with James Corden" is a "start-up." That was the term used during an interview at CBS Studios three weeks ago, as the show was literally still coming together from the ground up, construction noises echoing from the stage. While Corden and executive producers Rob Crabbe and Ben Winston weren't able to reveal much about their plans for the launch of CBS' new late night entry, they were able to reveal what will hopefully help them stand out in the current crowded landscape and what America can expect from this unknown new presence. A Happy Hour That Includes a Cocktail Hour One element that should help contribute to the idea of creating a congenial atmosphere: A full bar on stage. Though the set-up is meant to invoke a club atmosphere, »
- Liz Shannon Miller
Watch: 'Silicon Valley' Season 2 Trailer Shows Mounting Battle Between Tech Startups
6 hours ago
Read More: Why 'Silicon Valley' Could Be HBO's First Comedy With Mass Appeal in Years The game is on as competition between rival startups Pied Piper and Nucleus heats up in a newly released trailer for the sophomore season of HBO's "Silicon Valley" from Mike Judge ("Beavis and Butthead," "King of the Hill," "Office Space"). The pressure is on for Richard (Thomas Middleditch), Gilfoyle (Martin Starr), Erlich (T.J. Miller), Jared (Zach Woods) and Dinesh (Kumail Najiani) to deliver a finished version of Pied Piper. With the help of a new backer, the Pied Piper team tries to get themselves out there and "create synergy, bitches," which Gilfoyle may or may not fully support. Car windows are smashed, shots are taken, walls are sledgehammered and a lot of people are working on laptops. Watch the trailer above. "Silicon Valley" returns for a 10-episode second season premiering Sunday, April 12 at 10pm on HBO. »
- Helen Z. Carefoot
The 15 Best Lgbt Characters On Television: Freddie Fox On 'Cucumber'
6 hours ago
“You’re not casting me. This face is mine… is copyright to me. It’s not to be used for masturbation without my expressed permission, and that permission you do not have, Mr. Best. Literally, do not wank using me. It is forbid— and this is turning you on, isn’t it?” These are the razor-edged words of Freddie Baxter, the 25 year old bisexual dreamboat played by Freddie Fox in his first big TV role. A college dropout working at a cafeteria in Manchester, Freddie owns the serpent’s tongue of Regina George with a body sculpted by some very talented gay gods. He is the Lolita to Cucumber’s Henry Best — that obscure object of desire who, on the dawn of Henry’s midlife crisis, represents the unattainable he cannot help but fawn over. The suspense beleaguering each episode, in fact, revolves around whether the protagonist will be granted »
- Oliver Skinner
The 15 Best Lgbt Characters On Television
7 hours ago
With the 2014-15 television season coming to a close, we here at /bent wanted to do something to commemorate what has genuinely been the most remarkable season for Lgbt representation ever to grace our various small screens. From "Transparent" to "Looking" to "Please Like Me" to "Orange is the New Black," it's not simply that the quantity of Lgbt characters on TV right now is so substantial (though it is), but more about how wonderfully realized so many of them are. Incredible storytellers and the actors they write and direct are collaborating to bring us layered, flawed, beautiful, inspiring, hilarious fictional Lgbt characters on network, cable and streaming series all over the world. The fact that we had trouble narrowing this list down to 15 would seem entirely unheard of just a few years ago (if "Will & Grace" was still on television now, we can't imagine either Will or Jack even »
- /bent
Netflix to Premiere Chris Tucker's First-Ever Stand-Up Comedy Special July 10
9 hours ago
Actor and comedian Chris Tucker will headline his first full length stand-up comedy special, "Chris Tucker Live," premiering exclusively on Netflix on Friday, July 10. Tucker’s stand-up comedy performance will be available to stream in all territories where Netflix is available. In the special, Tucker returns to the stage he loves, as he shares his experiences from childhood to stardom. The special was filmed at the Historic Fox Theatre in Tucker’s hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. “Chris Tucker is a true global movie star and a one-of-a-kind talent whose remarkable energy, delivery and original style make him one of the funniest comedians of our time,” said Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer. “We cannot wait to share his distinct and hilarious voice with our members across the globe.” “I’m thrilled to be partnering with Netflix, one of the true global leaders in entertainment, on my first comedy special,” said Chris Tucker. »
- Tambay A. Obenson
'Mad Men' Season 7 Part 2 Reviews: The Beginning of 'The End of an Era'
9 hours ago
The first reviews for the second half of "Mad Men's" final season are in! And as usual, they're hamstrung by Matthew Weiner's by-now familiar list of broad spoiler taboos, which include the year the episode is set and the all-encompassing "Don's romantic life." Without giving anything away, it's safe to say that "Severance" picks up where "Waterloo" left off, if not in terms of plot — the late Bertram Cooper's name is never mentioned — then theme, with Don still wondering if, to paraphrase the Peggy Lee song that runs through the episode, that's all there is. Closing runs tend to steer TV shows towards comforting conclusions — as parodied, intentionally or not, by the extended wish fulfillment of "Parks & Recreation's" finale — but Weiner has shown little tendency to placate, much more towards leaving us with a hunk of gnawing emptiness to pick over. The festivities surrounding "Mad Men's" final return to the air have. »
- Sam Adams
Disney Channel Developing TV Movie About Pitcher Mo'Ne Davis
10 hours ago
Mo'Ne Davis, the 13-year-old who became the first girl ever to pitch in the Little League World Series, will be the subject of a Disney Channel movie. The inspirational "Throw Like Mo" will be executive produced by Emmy-winning producer Debra Martin Chase. Davis will consult on the movie. “Mo’ne is not only a top-notch athlete in three different sports -- baseball, basketball and soccer -- but she is an exemplary student and someone who will remind our audiences that they can do anything with hard work, dedication and belief in themselves," said Naketha Mattocks, Disney Channels' Vice President of Original Movies. “We know her story will inspire audiences regardless of their age, culture, or gender." Davis is a member of the Philadelphia Taney Dragons and the first Little League athlete to land the cover of Sports Illustrated. She also made headlines last week for collaborating on a sneaker line »
- Inkoo Kang
Review: 'The Walking Dead' Season 5, Episode 15: 'Try' A Little Harder
19 hours ago
Previously: 'The Walking Dead' Season 5, Episode 14, 'Spend': Cookie Crooks Whose Episode Is It? Rick gets the most screen time, but we also check in on Michonne, Sasha, and Carl. Man is the True Monster Sasha's still got Ptsd, and she still isn't handling it that well. Michonne, who was so eager to settle down, now seems conflicted about losing her edge, and helps Sasha mow down some zombies. It's a taste of the old life, and one that she again seems to come to reject by the end of the episode -- I get that Michonne should have some focus this episode, considering her decision at the end, but this really feels like wheel spinning. Considering the events of last episode, there's remarkably little fallout. Deanna interviews Nicholas about what happened, and he naturally lies through his teeth, blaming the Ricketeers for everything. Meanwhile, Glenn gives his own (truthful) account to Rick, »
- Jeff Stone
Review: The Final 'Mad Men' Season Premiere Asks If Don, or Anyone, Can Ever Be Happy
20 hours ago
When series come to a close, especially long-running and critically-hailed television series, knowing that the ending is right around the corner can be so daunting it becomes a distraction. Some shows completely change their rhythms, as "Parks and Recreation" certainly did thanks to a three-year time jump in Season 7. Others are almost too lackadaisical with their sameness, allowing the finale to feel like a monotonous slog (think "Californication" or the overly-long "Lost"). But the greats — we're talking about "Breaking Bad," "The Wire," "Friday Night Lights" and even "Friends" — find a way to be both surprising and the same, because that's exactly how it should be remembered: As it always was. Though it's impossible to tell if "Mad Men" will join the ranks of those elite endings based on just one episode (even in an abbreviated half-season), the final season premiere of Matthew Weiner's game-changing...
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- Ben Travers
Review: ‘Girls' Season 4, Episode 10, ‘Home Birth: Pushing Through
21 hours ago
Previously: Review: 'Girls' Season 4, Episode 9, 'Daddy Issues': Pushing the Boundaries Love Her or Hate Her Let's go with love. It took an entire season of growth, but in the finale Hannah seemed like less of the self-destructive wreck we've seen all season and was back in rare form (save the mild "panic attack" in the opening scene). With Laird and Caroline taking up most of the episode's crazier scenes, it allowed Hannah to serve as a voice of reason during the birth of Jessa Hannah Bluebell Poem Schlessinger Sackler. Witnessing the event and being forced into a situation with an apologetic Adam also gave her a renewed perspective, leading her to finally make a good decision for herself in the end. Another Cringe-Worthy Moment Naysayers of home births may have had a moment during the scenes involving Caroline and Laird, but the fact that they decided to "self-doula" was appropriately awful for everyone. »
- Amber Dowling
14 articles