Thompson on Hollywood

Farewell to HBO's Under-Appreciated 'Enlightened'

Television

The reaction on the Twittersphere was immediate and noisy to HBO's announcement that it was killing the critically praised but underwatched tragi-comedy "Enlightened," starring Laura Dern (who won a Golden Globe for her turn as sunny but frustrated corporate employee Amy Jellicoe), Mike White (creator of the series), Luke Wilson, Timm Sharp and Diane Ladd.

By Beth Hanna
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March 20, 2013 2:04 PM
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Trailer Watch: 'Game of Thrones' Will Have a 'Beast' of a Third Season

Television

I am not alone in eagerly awaiting the arrival of "Game of Thrones" Season Three on March 31. The new trailer has landed, titled "The Beast." Clearly, just as the first two seasons were jampacked with astonishing deaths and horrifying betrayals, Season 3 will continue to deliver all the expected shocks.

By Anne Thompson
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March 18, 2013 2:26 PM
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'Girls' Recap 10: Saving the Worst for Last

Television

If last week’s episode dealt with body horror (ass splinters! lodged Q-tips!), this week’s episode deals with the horror of finishing things. Hannah struggles -- but not too hard -- with wrapping up her barely inchoate manuscript, while “Girls” struggles with capping off its second season in a coherent, consistent fashion. It fails.

By Beth Hanna
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March 18, 2013 12:30 AM
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EW's 'Games of Thrones' Season 3 Feature Promises 'Shocking Deaths! Wild Weddings!'

News

"Game of Thrones" fans are champing at the bit for the third season of their beloved fantasy saga to come back to HBO (March 31). EW's preview promises tabloid-worthy twists and thrills. Just as the first two seasons were jampacked with astonishing deaths and horrifying betrayals, Season 3 will continue to deliver all the expected shocks.

By Maggie Lange
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March 14, 2013 6:39 PM
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Casting Watch: UK's Finest Rylance to Play Ruthless Tudor Advisor Cromwell in BBC-HBO Adaptation of Mantel Bestseller 'Wolf Hall'

News

In a casting coup, Brit Mark Rylance, one of the greatest Shakespeare thespians of our time, will play statesman Thomas Cromwell in a BBC-HBO adaptation of Hilary Mantel's bestsellers "Wolf Hall" and "Bring Up the Bodies." (Mantel got slammed recently for calling out the media's handling of such royal femmes as Kate Middleton.) Peter Straughan, who garnered an Oscar nod for co-penning 2011's "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," is set to direct the six-part mini-series.

By Anne Thompson and Beth Hanna
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March 8, 2013 1:50 PM
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Watch: Glitzy Promo Teasers for 'Mad Men' Season Six and Soderbergh's 'Behind the Candelabra'

Television

Two glitzy teasers have landed: One for the much-anticipated sixth season of "Mad Men," promising the "affair of the year," and one for Steven Soderbergh's made-for-TV HBO film "Behind the Candelabra."

By Beth Hanna
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March 5, 2013 1:12 PM
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Now and Then: 'Enlightened' and the Perfect TV Ending

Television

Saying farewell to a beloved series is tough going, so I was gratified to have "Enlightened" do it for me. Even if its cancellation isn't yet assured, "Agent of Change," the second season's finale, felt like a goodbye nonetheless -- and a perfect one at that.

By Matt Brennan
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March 5, 2013 12:29 PM
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'Girls' Recap 8: OCD and AA in an Episode That's All Over the Place

Television

“It’s Back” works hard to juggle four different storylines. Two are successful, and two are cringe-inducingly out of left field.

By Beth Hanna
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March 4, 2013 12:33 AM
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Louis C.K. Returns to HBO with Exclusive Hour-Long Standup 'Oh My God'

News

Three-time Emmy winner Louis C.K. is doing his fourth stand-up special for HBO on April 13. "Louis C.K.: Oh My God" is an hour-long exclusive presentation of an all-new performance before a live audience at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix.

By Beth Hanna
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February 28, 2013 2:57 PM
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'Girls' Recap 7: In 'Video Games,' Ben Mendelsohn Guest Stars as Jessa's Flaky Father

Television

In Season One’s “The Return,” we see Hannah and her parents in their natural Horvath habitat, Michigan. In Season Two’s “It’s About Time,” we’re offered a brief glimpse of Jersey girl incognito Marnie’s passive-aggressive relationship with her mother. In this week’s episode, “Video Games,” we’re introduced to Jessa’s father (Ben Mendelsohn) and gain some insight into his character, and the characteristics he’s transferred to his daughter.