"Hello, Jerry!"

That's right... Jerry Seinfeld has come home to TV!

NBC announced today a new comedy-reality series created by Seinfeld's and Ellen Rakieten, a 23-year veteran of The Oprah Winfrey Show. .

This new series, titled The Marriage Ref (working title) will feature opinionated celebrities, comedians and sports stars who will candidly comment, judge, and offer different strategies for real-life couples in the midst of a classic marital dispute.

Seinfeld said "This is not a therapy show, it's a comedy show. After nine years of marriage I have discovered that the comedic potential of this subject is quite rich."

What do you think? How do you feel about Jerry Seinfeld returning to TV via Reality Television? Is there comedy to be found within a marriage crisis? Give us your TwoCents in the comment section below!

NBC Announces HUGE Guest Stars for Jimmy Fallon's First Week

Lorne Michaels, Executive Producer of "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," along with Producer Michael Shoemaker, have announced that two-time Academy Award-winning actor, director and producer Robert De Niro will guest star on the show's premiere Monday, March 2 on NBC at 12:35 a.m. ET.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer Van Morrison will perform from his critically acclaimed "Astral Weeks," named by Rolling Stone Magazine in 2003 as one of the top 20 albums of all time.

Also slated to appear on the show during it's inaugural week are such stars as Tina Fey, Jon Bon Jovi and Santigold (Tuesday, March 3); Cameron Diaz and Billy Crudup (Wednesday, March 4); Donald Trump, Serena Williams and Ludacris (Thursday, March 5); and Drew Barrymore and Mario Batali (Friday, March 6).

TwoCents and Five Questions With...

...Miss Piggy, actress

The long-awaited and brand-spanking new Muppets Christmas special, A Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa, finally hits the airwaves tomorrow, Wednesday December 17th, at 8:00 EST on NBC. We were lucky enough to sit down with Miss Piggy (in all her glamorous, karate-chopping glory) and ask a few questions about her return to the small screen, working with the star-studded cast, and (of course) the frog.

TheTwoCents: Miss Piggy, how are things with you and Kermit these days?

Continue Reading...

[photo: NBC.com]

NBC Says Hi to Hilary Duff

NBC has signed Hilary Duff to a one-year, exclusive, talent and development deal to star in her own series that would also allow her to guest-star or appear in multiple story arcs in various current NBC series, it was announced today by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

“Hilary is an incredibly versatile talent with a huge following whose career we know will continue to soar on NBC,” said Teri Weinberg, Executive Vice President, NBC Entertainment. “We are confident we will develop great ideas that would feature her vast talents and are thrilled to have this opportunity.”

The new series would be produced by Universal Media Studios.

Chat with Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration!

A note from our friend Nette at Nette's Layouts:

Hey Office fans,

Please join us for a special moderated Q & A chat with Bobby Ray Shafer/Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration!

If you have any questions that you'd like to ask Bobby about season 5, Bobby's movie projects or showbiz, then please email me at netteslayouts@aol.com. He's graciously agreed to chat with us!

The first half hour will be a moderated Q & A from the questions that we receive in email, then the chat will open so that everyone can talk to Scranton's favorite refrigeration guy!

When: Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

Where: Office Chat Box... click here.

Time: 7pm pacific time (10pm eastern time)

Please help spread the word!

Thank you!

~Nette (NettesLayouts.com)

NBC is Back on iTunes!!

Apple® and NBC Universal today announced the return of NBC programming to the iTunes® Store (www.iTunes.com) including NBC networks' top 10 series available immediately for purchase and download in both standard definition and stunning high definition. iTunes customers can choose programming from NBC, USA Network, SCI FI Channel, Bravo, Sleuth and NBC News including favorites such as the award-winning and critically acclaimed "Heroes,” and the Emmy award-winning programs "The Office,” "Battlestar Galactica” and "30 Rock.” NBCU standard definition television shows on the iTunes Store are $1.99 per episode and HD programs are available for just one dollar more at $2.99 per episode and select library content is available for $.99. Additional NBCU programming from Oxygen, Telemundo, Mun2 and NBC Sports will be available on iTunes soon.

Continue Reading...

[photo: NBC]

TwoCents 2008 Fall Preview - Sundays (NBC)

Are you ready for some...

NBC's Fall Preview

NBC draws back the curtain to provide broadcast and online audiences an early sneak peek at the network's new and returning series for Fall as title star Zachary Levi ("Chuck") hosts "The NBC Primetime Preview" -- a 30-minute cavalcade highlighted by an exclusive backstage look to be conveyed on a full spectrum of NBC Universal media platforms beginning August 30 through September 28.

The show will also feature appearances by Christian Slater (star of NBC's new drama "My Own Worst Enemy"), Molly Shannon and Selma Blair (stars of NBC's new comedy "Kath & Kim") and many NBC stars from the cast of such favorites as "Heroes" and "The Office," among others.

Continue Reading...

Spring Finale Schedule

If you're like me, you want to know when your favorite shows will end. Well, TheTwoCents Staff will share our daily calendars with you to help! We'll keeping adding more, so keep checking back!

NBC's Sweeps Plans

NBC heads into sweeps with all new "Around the World" episodes and a special "winner takes all" Star Wars-themed episode of its hit game show "Deal or No Deal," the summer season premiere of the successful "American Gladiators," the 200th episode of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," a Mother's Day special from Teleflora hosted by Donny and Marie Osmond, and an array of eagerly anticipated season finales that include one-hour episodes of "My Name is Earl" and "The Office." In addition, NBC will showcase a marquee of series guest stars that include Robin Williams, Matthew Broderick, Edie Falco, Amy Ryan, Hal Holbrook, Aida Turturro, Kelly Preston, Brian Dennehy, Alyssa Milano, Stanley Tucci, Miguel Ferrer, Steve Buscemi, Jason Sudeikis, Kevin Rankin, Michael Rapaport and Jon Heder and the introduction of Anthony Anderson as a new series regular on "Law & Order."

Continue Reading...

NBC's Upfront Announcements - Fall/Winter Schedules

NBC today unveiled its new Fall lineup for the 2008-09 television season, introducing a schedule earlier than ever that combines some of the most acclaimed and popular returning series on television with four new programs that will join the schedule in the opening weeks of the season, including "Kath & Kim," "Knight Rider," "My Own Worst Enemy" and "Crusoe."

Among the critically hailed series returning to the NBC schedule next season will be "ER," the most-nominated series in Emmy Award history, returning for its 15th and final season (see separate release) on NBC's Thursday night lineup, and the acclaimed "Friday Night Lights," slated to re-join the Friday schedule in February as part of a unique broadcast partnership between NBC and DIRECTV (see separate release).

Additionally, the most highly anticipated comedy of the upcoming season, "The Office" spinoff, from Executive Producer Greg Daniels, will get the highly coveted premiere timeslot post Super Bowl XLIII following a special original telecast of "The Office" (see separate release).

Continue Reading for all the info and FULL Fall & Winter Prime Time Schedules...

NBC Returning Shows

Variety reports on NBC's Upfronts (where they announce next season):

"Shows returning to NBC next season include "ER," "The Office," "Chuck," "Life," "The Biggest Loser," "American Gladiators," "Deal or No Deal" and "My Name Is Earl." Also a safe bet to be back: "Medium," "30 Rock," at least one "Law & Order" skein and "Friday Night Lights." First-year drama "Lipstick Jungle" could also return."

Read the whole article HERE.

NBC Announced Scripted Show Returns

Tired of waiting??

NBC will resume the broadcast of many of its scripted series in April with new original episodes following the settlement of the Writers Guild of America strike, including "The Office," "30 Rock," "My Name Is Earl," "Law & Order," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," among other programs, it was announced by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, and Marc Graboff, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

The list of comedies and dramas includes: "My Name Is Earl" (Thursdays, 8-8:30 p.m. ET), which will return with a one-hour episode on Thursday, April 3; the Emmy Award-winning "30 Rock" (Thursdays, 8:30-9 p.m. ET) will begin on Thursday, April 10; likewise, the Emmy-winning "The Office" (Thursdays, 9-9:30 p.m. ET) also resumes with new episodes on Thursday, April 10; and "Scrubs" (Thursdays, 9:30-10 p.m. ET) will come back with original episodes beginning Thursday, April 10.

"ER" (Thursdays, 10-11 p.m. ET) also will come back on Thursday, April 10 with new episodes following the complete run of "Lipstick Jungle," which concludes on March 20.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (Tuesdays, 10-11 p.m. ET) will return with fresh episodes on Tuesday, April 15. "Law & Order" (Wednesdays, 10-11 p.m. ET) resumes with original episodes on Wednesday, April 23. Meanwhile, "Medium" (Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET) continues in originals.

Specific plans for other NBC scripted series are currently being determined and will be announced later.

The following includes NBC's new spring broadcast schedule denoting new return dates with original episodes for some of its scripted programs:

Click for the list...

News on Monk, Psych and "quarterlife"

NBC announces a new premiere date for its critically acclaimed Internet series "quarterlife" from Monday, February 18 to Tuesday, February 26 (10-11 p.m. ET) before it settles into its new regularly scheduled day and time of Sundays (9-10 p.m. ET) beginning March 2.

As a result, "Monk" and "Psych," two hits from USA Network that were previously scheduled for their broadcast premiere on NBC on March 2 (9-11 p.m. ET), will now debut on Sunday, April 6 at 8-9 p.m. (ET) and 9-10 p.m. (ET), respectively.

NBC Announces Prime Time Schedule for 1st Quarter

NBC's first-quarter primetime schedule is slated to deliver significantly more hours of original programming than was ever the case in the first quarter of 2007. The line-up features a schedule packed with original scripted, reality programming and specials, featuring the return of "Medium" on Monday, January 7 (10-11 p.m. ET) plus new episodes of such favorites as "ER," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Friday Night Lights," "Las Vegas," "Scrubs" and the returns of "Law & Order" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." Also included will be the premiere of the previously announced new dramedy "Lipstick Jungle."

In addition, NBC has a solid lineup of original reality programming, including the announcement of the new series premiere of "The Baby Borrowers" on Monday, February 18 (8-9 p.m. ET). It will join another previously announced new reality series, "American Gladiators," and the fresh season debuts of "The Biggest Loser," "The Celebrity Apprentice," "1 vs 100," as well as the continuing hit "Deal or No Deal," which returns to Mondays (9-10 p.m. ET) beginning January 7 in addition to its Wednesday edition (8-9 p.m. ET).

Continue Reading for Full Schedule...

NBC Auction!

I just received the following information from NBC.

NBC is holding an auction right now for props from The Office, Heroes, Friday Night Lights & some other shows. It's running through December 3rd, and a portion of the proceeds go to the United Way. They'll be launching more items after the 3rd. These are all actual props - even the "Fun Run" shirt was worn during the premiere episode.

NBC Main Auction Page

For those of us DYING for anything new pertaining to The Office:
Michael's Watch
Michael's Haiwaian Style Convention Shirt
Roy's Dunder Mifflin Warehouse Shirt
Dunder Mifflen Polo Convention Shirt
"Fun Run" Shirt

NBC to Get "Outsourced"

Hollywood Reporter is stating that a new comedy from Ken Kwapis (The Office, Bernie Mac Show, Larry Sanders Show) will revolve around an office in India.

"NBC is heading east with "Outsourced," an India-set comedy project to be directed and exec produced by Ken Kwapis based on the indie comedy of the same name.

The single-camera project, which has received a premium script commitment from the network, centers on a customer service manager in Seattle whose department is outsourced to India, and he goes there to train his replacement. The project explores the clash of the Western and Indian cultures and chronicles the manager's romance with a local woman."

Read the article HERE.

TwoCents Fall Preview - Fridays (NBC)

A couple Friday shows and we threw in a Saturday too for...

NBC

Show: Las Vegas
Premiere Date: September 28th
Time: 9:00PM EST (moving to 10:00 when FNL starts)
TwoCents Staff Returning Drama Rank: 20 of 25
TwoCents Staff Writer: TBD
Starring: Tom Selleck, Vanessa Marcil, James Lesure, Josh Duhamel, Molly Sims
Description: Television icon Tom Selleck joins the cast this year as A.J. Cooper the mysterious rancher who takes the reigns as the new owner of the Montecito Resort & Casino. Danny McCoy, an ex-U.S. Marine and Las Vegas native, (Josh Duhamel, “All My Children,” “Win a Date with Tad Hamilton,” “Turistas,” and the upcoming “Transformers: The Movie”) heads the surveillance team and deals with card-counting cheaters, costly streaks of random luck and rival casinos stealing their big-money players.

Show: Friday Night Lights
Premiere Date: October 5th
Time: 9:00PM EST
TwoCents Staff Returning Drama Rank: 11 of 25
TwoCents Staff Writer: Tiffiny
Starring: Kyle Chandler, Zach Gilford, Scott Porter, Gaius Charles, Taylor Kitsch, Jesse Plemons, Aimee Teegarden, Minka Kelly, Adrianne Palicki, Connie Britton, Daniella Alonso
Premiere Description: SEASONS OF CHANGE-Season Premiere-- With summer coming to an end, the defending state champion Dillon Panther’s look to continue its success despite a lot of changes taking place. Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler) begins his career as head coach at TMU and immediately discovers the hardship of being separated from his family as Tami Taylor (Connie Britton) heads into labor with their second child. Meanwhile, Tyra Collette (Adrianne Palicki) is revisited from someone in her past that will alter her life forever. Best friends Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford) and Landry Clarke (Jesse Plemons) battle with new lifestyles that neither of them seem ready for.
Tiffiny's TwoCents: Last time: Coach Taylor and the Dillon Panthers won the state championship, but he's leaving for the TMU job in Austin. Mrs. Taylor is pregnant, but still wants to stay in Dillon with Julie. Jason Street is the new QB coach and Matt Saracen is HIS project with Coach leaving. Hopes: That Coach Taylor has a change of heart and stays in Dillon. It would also be nice to see Riggins settled down with a nice girl...and no, I don't mean Lyla Garrity. Tyra and Landry would be a cute odd-couple pairing - the double dates with Julie and Matt could be wonderfully awkward and sweet. I'd also like to see more of the Smash Williams' Emotional Growth, he really made some strides in the last few episodes of Season 1 in his relationships with his teammates and with his bi-polar girlfriend, Waverly.
TV by KP: The premiere episode picks up right where we left this show last season - with GREAT performances, writing, and stories. WOW, this show doesn't get the respect it deserves. I don't know how it wasn't nominated for Emmys this past year, but if the premiere is any indication of this upcoming season, that could change next year!

Show: Saturday Night Live
Premiere Date: Saturday September 29th
Time: 11:30PM EST
TwoCents Staff Rank: N/A
TwoCents Staff Writer: PG Ignacio
Starring: Fred Armisen, Will Forte, Bill Hader, Darrell Hammond, Seth Meyers, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Andy Samberg, Jason Sudeikis, Kenan Thompson, Kristen Wiig
Description: Athlete LeBron James hosts with musical guest Kanye West. Seth Rogan shows up in the 2nd episode.
PG's TwoCents: Where We Left Off: SNL had a very entertaining season that included a list of star-studded hosts such as Scarlett Johansson, Peyton Manning, Justin Timberlake, and Rainn Wilson. *What We're Looking Forward To: The 33rd Season of SNL is set to kick-off with the NBA's new marketing "king" of professional basketball, Lebron James, and show-stopping musical guest Kanye West.

TwoCents Fall Preview - Thursdays (NBC)

Rounding out the Thursdays is a full load of shows on...

NBC

Show: My Name Is Earl
Premiere Date: September 27th
Time: 8:00PM EST
TwoCents Staff Returning Comedy Rank: 4 of 12
TwoCents Staff Writer: Breanna P
Starring: Jason Lee, Ethan Suplee, Nadine Velazquez, Jaime Pressly, Eddie Steeples
Premiere Description: INMATE #28301-016---SEASON PREMIERE--- Earl (Jason Lee) begins his jail sentence and discovers that life is not easy behind bars. He persistently tries to find out the best approach to surviving in his new environment. Meanwhile, Joy (Jaime Pressly) finds out, after a few failed attempts, the perfect gift to pay Earl back for taking her spot in jail comes in the form of taking care of Randy (Ethan Suplee), who is also having a hard time adjusting to his new life without Earl. In prison, Earl is sought out by a bully, who has lived most of his life in jail as a result of Young Earl's mischief. This new life for Earl behind bars must mean years of bad karma or does it?
TV by KP: The premiere episode of Earl is worth the watch. We catch up quickly with all the returning characters and watching Earl try to keep Karma happy and still be able to survive prision is a joy to watch Jason Lee act his way through. I enjoyed it.

Show: The Office
Premiere Date: September 27th
Time: 9:00PM EST
TwoCents Staff Returning Comedy Rank: 1 of 12
TwoCents Staff Writer: The Office Conference Room
Starring: Steve Carell, Kate Flannery, Oscar Nunez, Rainn Wilson, Brian Baumgartner, Angela Kinsey, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, B.j. Novak, Melora Hardin, David Denman, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith
Premiere Description: THE RUN FOR THE CURE-SPECIAL ONE-HOUR PREMIERE - A freak accident causes Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) to feel the office is cursed. He explores the religious beliefs of his employees before deciding to hold a charity 5K fun run. Meanwhile, further developments in the romances of Pam (Jenna Fischer) and Jim (John Krasinski), and Dwight (Rainn Wilson) and Angela (Angela Kinsey) are explored.
TV by KP: When we last left the group, Jim drove back from NYC's job interview to ask Pam on a date, Karen was left in NY, Jan was fired and getting ready to move in with Michael and Ryan was promoted into Jan's job! That's a LOT! I'm spoken with a few guest stars who are in the premiere and they promise we will find out everything about all of this and more including Dwight and Angela! Of course we're looking forward to seeing how everyone else is doing too!

Show: ER
Premiere Date: September 27th
Time: 10:00PM EST
TwoCents Staff Returning Drama Rank: 9 of 25
TwoCents Staff Writer: Amanda
Starring: Goran Visnjic, Linda Cardellini, Parminder Nagra, Mekhi Phifer, Maura Tierney, John Stamos, Scott Grimes
Premiere Description: Abby (Maura Tierney), Pratt (Mekhi Phifer) and Morris (Scott Grimes) try to figure out how to handle Dr. Morretti’s (guest star Stanley Tucci) strict new ER procedures. As the injured arrive at the ER from the anti-war rally, Gates (John Stamos) frantically tries to find out what happened to Neela (Parminder Nagra). Later, Gates takes matters into his own hands when he finds out that a patient was responsible for the explosion at the rally.
Amanda's TwoCents: Where We Left Off: Luka leaves town (and is only coming back for four episodes so far next season), Ray loses both his legs and skips out of town(is on occurrence next season), Abby meets the new Chief, Sarah leaves with her grandparents, Neela goes to an anti-war protest, gunfire is heard, Neela gets trampled and Gates arrives and tries to reach her. What We're Looking Forward To: How many old cast members will be brought back, Ray/Neela/Gates, more storyline for Morris, Neela's accident outcome, Abby's struggle between being a parent and a doctor.

Show: 30 Rock
Premiere Date: October 4th
Time: 8:30PM EST
TwoCents Staff Returning Comedy Rank: 3 of 12
TwoCents Staff Writer: PG Ignacio
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Jack McBrayer, Jane Krakowski, Judah Friedlander, Katrina Bowden, Keith Powell, Lonny Ross, Rachel Dratch, Scott Adsit, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan
Premiere Description: The gang at "30 Rock" returns from their summer hiatus. Liz's (Tina Fey) excitement to be back and see Jack (Alec Baldwin) is quickly squashed when he tells her that despite what she thinks, she is not over Floyd. Jack also tells her about his plan for SeinfeldVision, which entails using NBC-owned footage from Seinfeld's show and inserting him into NBC's current shows. Jerry Seinfeld (Guest Star Jerry Seinfeld) shows up at Jack's office upset about SeinfeldVision. Meanwhile, Jenna (Jane Krakowski) has gained weight over the summer after doing the musical, "Mystic Pizza: The Musical!" and Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) becomes Tracy's (Tracy Morgan) office wife when Tracy's wife kicks him out.
PG Ignacio's TwoCents: Where We Left Off: Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) was doing the usual running-around-like-a-chicken-with-her-head-cut-off trying to the keep TGS running smoothly despite the usual antics of the show's star, Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan), and the disfunctional contribution from the entire TGS staff. Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin), network executive, just suffered a heart attack that doubled as a personal awakening and a lie detector test. Amidst the craziness, Liz is dealing with her own personal problem, the potential falling out with her boyfriend Floyd (Jason Sudeikis, Saturday Night Live).
*What We're Looking Forward To: The premiere marks the return of Jerry Seinfeld to NBC, as a guest star. It will be interesting to see how Liz Lemon continues to keep the TGS crew working together successfully, despite everything they manage to throw at her. The big question is: Do Jack and Liz have feelings for each other? The show recently won the Emmy for Best Comedy Series. Let's see how they follow-up their award-winning first season.

Show: Scrubs
Premiere Date: October 25th
Time: 9:30PM EST
TwoCents Staff Returning Comedy Rank: 5 of 12
TwoCents Staff Writer: Rachel
Starring: Christa Lawrence Miller, Donald Faison, John C. McGinley, Judy Reyes, Ken Jenkins, Neil Flynn, Sarah Chalke, Zach Braff
Description: “Scrubs” focuses on the strange experiences of Dr. John Dorian, or “J.D.” (Zach Braff, “Last Kiss,” “Garden State”), a medical resident, as he continues on his healing career in a surreal hospital, crammed full of unpredictable staffers and patients -- where humor and tragedy can collide at any time.
Rachel's TwoCents: We Last Saw: With JD having second thoughts about Kim and Elliot having second thoughts about Keith, it was inevitable that they would end up on a bed together about to kiss... What We Hope To See: If they kissed (and/or more) and RUINED EVERYTHING!

NBC Direct Offers Episodes For Free Download!

NBC.com today announced the launch of its new service, "NBC Direct," which will allow users to download and view NBC's popular primetime and late-night entertainment programming on their desktops for up to one week after broadcast. This new feature provides yet another platform on which fans will be able to enjoy NBC Entertainment content. The announcement was made by Vivi Zigler, Executive Vice President, NBC Digital Entertainment.

"With the creation of this new service, we are acknowledging that now, more than ever, viewers want to be in control of how, when and where they consumer their favorite entertainment," said Zigler. "Not only does this feature give them more control, but it also gives them a higher quality video experience."

The first version of this new feature, which will begin beta testing in October, will allow users to download full length episodes for viewing on Windows based PCs. Each original episode will be licensed to users for viewing through "NBC Direct" for one week following broadcast and will then expire. The downloaded file will provide users with an improved overall viewing experience compared to traditional streaming video. The list of programs available at launch will include "Heroes," "The Office," "Life," "Bionic Woman," "30 Rock," "Friday Night Lights," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

Later in the beta launch, users will be provided the free subscription option that will allow them to pre-select their favorite NBC programs they want to watch. Those shows will be automatically delivered to their computers as soon as they are available after the original broadcast. The downloadable player will also have filtering technology, which will prevent it from playing any stolen copyrighted material.

Future versions of "NBC Direct," which will roll out over the next several months, will provide expanded platform functionality and will allow DRM ("digital rights management") protected versions of its programs to be downloaded to Macs and portable devices in addition to PCs. NBC.com plans future enhancements such as high-resolution versions of programming made available via a closed P2P ("peer to peer") distribution network. Using closed P2P will ensure that the maximum number of users will be able to view consistent, high-quality content directly from their desktops. Later in 2008, NBC.com plans to offer other business models for downloaded content in order to provide its users multiple options to consume their favorite NBC programs. These paid business models may include download-to-own, rental and subscription.