ABC's 'Duets' opens with a whisper
No rest for weary ears. Only a day after Phillip Phillips was crowned the winner of this season's "American Idol," ABC launched its own singing program, "Duets," to a disappointing debut last night. The show finished a distant second in young adults to Fox's returning "So You Think You Can Dance," according to Variety.
The show, which pairs "Idol" veteran Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, and Robin Thicke with contestants for, well, duets, drew 6.7 million viewers over its two-hour time slot, the report said. You can watch the full episode on ABC's site.
Did you watch the show? What did you think? Does it have potential?
Thursday combo 'Idol'/TV chat at 11 a.m.
From 11 a.m. to 11:45, come chat about all things "American Idol." Did the right person win? Did Steven Tyler call anything beautiful? Did JLo get "goosies"? Will you watch next year?
And then from 11:45-12:30 we'll switch to our usual TV free-skate, wherein we talk about whatever you like from the "Revenge" finale to the upcoming summer shows. It's not a chat sprint, it's a chat marathon! Be sure to carbo-load.
Donald Driver wins 'Dancing With the Stars'
AP Photo/Adam Taylor, ABC
After 10 weeks of highly entertaining performances and phenomenal dancing, Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd were crowned "Dancing with the Stars" champions, on the two-hour esason finale of "Dancing with the Stars the Results Show" on Tuesday May 22, 2012 on ABC.
Football star Donald Driver made it all the way as the season-14 winner of "Dancing With the Stars." Driver and his professional partner, Peta Murgatroyd, had been standout dancers all season long, but they really impressed the ballroom with their country-fied freestyle.
Opera singer Katherine Jenkins, who landed a perfect score the night before, came in second place and Cuban actor William Levy took third.
'House' finale: The drama signs off after 8 seasons
After eight seasons of medical oddities and Dr. Gregory House's surly behavior, the FOX hit "House" signed off on May 21.
(Please note: Spoiler alert below).
FULL ENTRY'Celebrity Apprentice' winner is ...
Former late night talk show host Arsenio Hall took home the title of the "Celebrity Apprentice" on May 20 season finale. The actor/comedian bested "American Idol" runner-up and singer Clay Aiken for the win.
CW Fall 2012-2013 schedule released
The CW has released it's Fall 2012/2013 schedule with three new shows (in caps.)
It is:
THE CW FALL 2011-12 SCHEDULE
MONDAY
8-9 p.m. – 90210
9-10 p.m. – Gossip Girl
TUESDAY
8-9 p.m. – Hart of Dixie
9-10 p.m. -- EMILY OWENS, M.D.
WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m. – ARROW
9-10 p.m. – Supernatural
THURSDAY
8-9 p.m. -- The Vampire Diaries
9-10 p.m. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. – America's Next Top Model
9-10 p.m. – Nikita
'American Idol' chat with Sarah Rodman
It's down to the final two, and Globe critic Sarah Rodman is chatting today about "American Idol!" Log on at 11 and chat!
Is Jennifer Lopez leaving 'American Idol'?
Jennifer Lopez may be vacating her seat at the judges' table on "American Idol," according to E! News. No formal announcement has been made.
FULL ENTRYCBS announced Fall 2012 schedule
CBS unveiled its fall 2012 lineup, which includes four new shows (three dramas and a comedy) and day shifts for "The Mentalist" (from Thursday to Sunday) and "Two and a Half Men" (from Monday to Thursday). Mid-season additions will include three new shows ("Friend Me" -- comedy, "Golden Boy" -- drama, and "The Job" -- reality) as well as the return of "Undercover Boss."
Monday
8 p.m. How I Met Your Mother
8:30 p.m. Partners (NEW!)
9 p.m. 2 Broke Girls
9 p.m. Mike & Molly
10 p.m. Hawaii Five-0
Tuesday
8 p.m. NCIS
9 p.m. NCIS: Los Angeles
10 p.m. Vegas (NEW!)
Wednesday
8 p.m. Survivor
9 p.m. Criminal Minds
10 p.m. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Thursday
8 p.m. The Big Bang Theory
8:30 p.m. Two and a Half Men
9 p.m. Person of Interest
10 p.m. Elementary (NEW!)
Friday
8 p.m. CSI: NY
9 p.m. Made in Jersey (NEW!)
10 p.m. Blue Bloods
Saturday
8 p.m. Crimetime Saturday (encores)
9 p.m. Crimetime Saturday (encores)
10 p.m. 48 Hours Mystery
Sunday
7 p.m. 60 Minutes
8 p.m. The Amazing Race
9 p.m. The Good Wife
10 p.m. The Mentalist
'Bachelorette' contestants make their first impressions
ABC/Craig Sjodin
First impressions are hard to break, right? The folks at New York Magazine's online culture blog Vulture have assembled another one of their clever clip reels. At just over a minute long, the video strings together a series of the best (and worst) one-liners from the season opener of "The Bachelorette" as the guys introduce themselves to Emily -- and the world.
A few choice excerpts:
"Life's not measured by the number of breaths we take, but the number of moments that take our breath away."
"I'm a high school biology teacher, but I'm here to have chemistry with you."
Just try not to cringe. We dare you. Watch the full video here.
ABC unveils its schedule
The network upfront presentations continue in New York and ABC unveiled its schedule today. We've already told you what has been canceled and renewed, so here's a look at your Alphabet net line-up for next season. A few returning shows are getting night and timeslot shifts including "Last Man Standing," which moves to Friday, and "Revenge" which is sliding to Sunday. Among the new shows, "Nashville" should be of interest to "Friday Night Lights" fans as it stars the fabulous Connie Britton aka Tami Taylor.
ABC's fall 2012-2013 schedule (New programs in ALL CAPS):
MONDAY (fall)
8pm - 10pm "Dancing With the Stars"
10pm - 11pm "Castle"
MONDAY (midseason)
8pm - 10pm "The Bachelor"
10pm - 11pm "Castle"
TUESDAY (fall)
8pm - 9pm "Dancing With the Stars" Results Show
9pm - 9:30pm "Happy Endings"
9:30pm - 10pm "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23"
10pm - 11pm "Private Practice"
TUESDAY (midseason)
8pm - 8:30pm HOW TO LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE
8:30pm - 9pm THE FAMILY TOOLS
9pm - 9:30pm "Happy Endings"
9:30pm - 10pm "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23"
10pm - 11pm "Private Practice"
WEDNESDAY
8pm - 8:30pm "The Middle"
8:30pm - 9pm "Suburgatory"
9pm - 9:30pm "Modern Family"
9:30pm - 10pm THE NEIGHBORS
10pm - 11pm NASHVILLE
THURSDAY
8pm - 9pm LAST RESORT
9pm - 10pm "Grey's Anatomy"
10pm - 11pm "Scandal"
FRIDAY
8pm - 9pm "Shark Tank"
9pm - 10pm "Primetime: What Would You Do?"
10pm - 11pm "20/20"
FRIDAY (starting in November)
8pm - 8:30pm "Last Man Standing"
8:30pm - 9pm MALIBU COUNTRY
9pm - 10pm "Shark Tank"
10pm - 11pm "20/20"
SUNDAY
8pm - 9pm "Once Upon a Time"
9pm - 10pm "Revenge"
10pm - 11pm 666 PARK AVENUE
'Bachelorette' season premiere: Emily Maynard meets the guys
ABC/CRAIG SJODIN
Emily Maynard in the season-eight premiere of "The Bachelorette."
Emily Maynard is looking for love on reality TV again as the latest single lady on ABC's "The Bachelorette." Single mom Maynard, who once seemed destined for post-reality TV bliss when season 15 "Bachelor" Brad Womack proposed at the end of his run on "The Bachelor," met her suitors on the May 14 premiere.
Maynard spent the episode sizing up her 25 guys, including one flashy type who arrived in a helicopter. What did you think about the season-eight kickoff? Did the right guys get a rose? Take our poll and sound off in the comments!
'America's Got Talent' welcomes Howard Stern
Notorious shock jock Howard Stern made an energetic debut on the season-seven premiere of NBC's "America's Got Talent" on May 14.
FULL ENTRYTV Upfronts: Renewed? Canceled? Coming Soon?
Watch a clip of "Revolution," a new NBC drama about the fallout of a worldwide cataclysmic blackout from J.J. Abrams.
It's that time of year again, upfronts, when the TV networks unveil their line-ups for the upcoming season to their advertisers, and also, the rest of us.
Of course, most viewers are less concerned about what will be on next fall than whether or not their favorite bubble show is getting the axe right now, so herewith is a partial round-up of some of the good news and the bad news -- broken down by the networks who have made their announcements thus far -- and shows to look forward to in the 2012-2013 season we've been able to cobble together.
(NBC and FOX made their official announcements today. ABC holds their presentation tomorrow, CBS goes on Wednesday, and the CW on Thursday.)
NBC
Canceled: "Awake," "Bent," "Best Friends Forever," "The Firm," "Harry's Law," and "Are You There, Chelsea?"
Renewed: "Parks and Recreation," "Community," "30 Rock" (for a final season), "Parenthood," "The Office," "Up All Night," "Whitney," "Law & Order: SVU," "The Voice," "Rock Center with Brian Williams," "Grimm," "Fashion Star," "Celebrity Apprentice," and "Smash," which moves to mid-season.
New shows:
Dramas: "Revolution" (about the fallout of a worldwide cataclysmic blackout from J.J. Abrams, see clip above), "Chicago Fire" (from Dick Wolf), and "Do No Harm."
Comedies: "Go On" (starring Matthew Perry), "The New Normal," "Animal Practice," and "Guys With Kids" (executive produced by Jimmy Fallon).
'Desperate Housewives' finale: What did you think?
AP Photo/ABC, Ron Tom
In this publicity image released by ABC, Marcia Cross, left, and Scott Bakula are shown with, from right, Eva Longoria, Felicity Huffman and Teri Hatcher in a scene from the series finale of "Desperate Housewives."
After eight racy seasons, ABC's "Desperate Housewives" has wrapped up the primetime antics. The fabulous foursome signed off on the series finale, which aired on May 13.
Did you check out the final walk down Wisteria Lane? If you caught the series finale, let us know, did you like it?
Arcade Fire, Foo Fighters to back Mick Jagger on 'SNL'
Mick Jagger may not have his Rolling Stones bandmates on the May 19 season finale of "Saturday Night Live," but he has found some serviceable fill-ins for when he performs as musical guest, in addition to hosting the show. Arcade Fire and Foo Fighters will serve as Jagger's backing band, according to Entertainment Weekly. A pair of tweets from the rock bands confirmed the news.
FULL ENTRYFriday 11 a.m. 'American Idol' chat
The top three singers have been revealed! Globe critic Sarah Rodman will be online at 11 a.m. to chat about the week on "American Idol." Log on and sound off!
Thursday noon TV chat
Globe critic Sarah Rodman is here to chat about everything going on in TV-land over the past week. Log on and sound off!
Lady Gaga 'The Simpsons' trailer released
Springfield is about to welcome another celebrity visitor: Lady Gaga.
AP
Lady Gaga leaves a hotel in Hong Kong Tuesday, May 8, 2012.
In "Lisa Goes Gaga," "The Simpsons" season 23 finale, the pop megastar will head to the funny family's town to cheer up Lisa through the power of music, a flash mob, and more. Judging by the trailer, Gaga's penchant for outrageous outfits will also play a big role in the episode, as the promo features Homer nibbling her famed meat dress and Maggie shuffling around in her best Gaga drag.
FULL ENTRYJermaine Paul wins 'The Voice'
Former background singer Jermaine Paul is now in the spotlight.
The 33-year-old crooner, who has backed stars like Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige, was crowned the winner of the second season of NBC's "The Voice" on May 8. Paul, bested rocker Juliet Simms, who Boston.com readers had pegged as the singer to take home the "Voice" title.
After learning that he won, Paul was joined on stage by members of his family and sang an emotional version of R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly."
About Viewer Discretion
Contributors
Matthew Gilbert is the Globe's TV critic.Sarah Rodman is a staff TV and music critic for the Boston Globe.
Michael Brodeur is the assistant arts editor for the Boston Globe, covering pop music, TV, and nightlife.
Nicole Cammorata is a producer for Arts & Entertainment and Things to Do at Boston.com.
Katie McLeod is Boston.com's features editor.
Rachel Raczka is a producer for Lifestyle and Arts & Entertainment at Boston.com.
Glenn Yoder is an Arts & Entertainment producer at Boston.com.
Mawuse Ziegbe is an Arts & Entertainment producer at Boston.com.






