Thompson on Hollywood

Daniel Craig Lets His Goofy Flag Fly in SNL Promo [Video]

Video

As Bond Week continues, Blond Bond Daniel Craig is prepping for his first hosting gig on Saturday Night Live.

By Maggie Lange
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October 3, 2012 11:27 AM
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HBO Renews 'Boardwalk Empire' for Fourth Season: Why?

Television

Judging from the first four episodes of "Boardwalk Empire" Season Three, I cannot commend HBO for renewing the series for a fourth season. HBO is looking at the fact that the first two episodes of its third season averaged 2.5 million viewers, somewhat down from the Season Two finale of 3 million. Last week the show won three Emmys, down from Season One's eight; exec producer Tim Van Patten won for directing.

By Anne Thompson
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October 2, 2012 2:05 PM
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'Treme' Season 3, Ep. 2: A Deep Specificity of Culture

Television

Decades ago, I'd heard that Eric Overmeyer and the wonderful actress Ellen McElduff had begun living part-time in her native Louisiana. This is obviously well before Katrina, but even then, New Orleans was in need of support. Cajun culture was having its brief moment in the sun, but the city and state were already in severe economic distress...

By Terry Curtis Fox
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October 1, 2012 2:00 AM
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Julian Fellowes Contemplates 'Downton Abbey' Prequel

Television

"Downton Abbey" creator Julian Fellowes is mulling over a prequel to the latest British upstairs-downstairs series. His idea is an origin story, centering on "the courtship between Robert and Cora." He mused about the history of Lord and Lady Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern and Hugh Bonneville) at a BAFTA screenwriting lecture reported by the Daily Mail:

By Maggie Lange
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September 28, 2012 11:53 AM
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DGA's Grim Stats on Director Diversity in Television: 'Our Industry Has to Do Better'

Television

The Directors Guild of America's findings on the diversity of directors in episodic television are grim. Included in their analysis were 3,100 episodes of over 190 scripted shows produced across network and cable channels throughout 2011-2012. After the DGA adjusted their parameters to allow more accurate statistics for this year's report, they adjusted the prior year's results.

By Sophia Savage
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September 27, 2012 4:10 PM
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Why Everyone Should Be Watching 'Homeland'

Television

Showtime's Emmy winner for Best Drama returns Sunday for its second season. Fans can spend a few days pondering last season's stunning finale, but for newcomers it's time to play catch up. Because everyone should be watching "Homeland": it's the most astute piece of film or television to come out of the War on Terror.

By Matt Brennan
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September 26, 2012 4:21 PM
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Cowboys and Gangsters: Konrad Hits Network Television with 60s Procedural 'Vegas,' Starring Dennis Quaid

Television

Like many other Hollywood heavyweights these days, producer Cathy Konrad ("Girl Interrupted," "Walk the Line," "3:10 to Yuma") has turned from movies to television. It's instructive how her new well-reviewed series "Vegas," which debuts at 10 PM Tuesday September 25, wound up on CBS.

By Anne Thompson
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September 25, 2012 2:46 PM
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Confessions of an Emmy Virgin

Television

Sunday marked my first night at the Emmys. The theme of the night, for me as an awards telecast virgin, was a lifting of the veil. I saw things no man should see—unless that man wants his illusions shattered.

By Ryan Lattanzio
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September 24, 2012 4:29 PM
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Emmy Wrap: 'Homeland,' 'Modern Family' Clean Up During Dull Evening Capped by Star-Packed HBO Party (Video)

Television

The 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, proved to be a gratifying night for big winners "Homeland," "Modern Family" and "Game Change"— "and no one watching at home," reports Salon.

By Anne Thompson and Maggie Lange
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September 24, 2012 1:37 PM
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TV's 'Revolution' Reminds Why Networks Aren't Earning Emmy Drama Love

Reviews

When the lights – and all computers, telephones, car engines, and batteries – go off permanently and seemingly forever during the pilot of “Revolution,” the audience is left in the dark for only one or two minutes. Then, 15 years later, sunlight shines on a rural village, its good guy leader is killed by one of the militias that roam a dystopian America, and a fascinating idea becomes trapped in a mixture of stereotyped characters and stereotyped plot.