HBO Renews "Eastbound & Down"

HBO has renewed the comedy series EASTBOUND & DOWN for a second season, it was announced today by Michael Lombardo, president, Programming Group and West Coast Operations, HBO. Production on the new episodes will begin later this year, with debut slated for 2010.

Starring Danny McBride (“Tropic Thunder,” “Pineapple Express”), EASTBOUND & DOWN tells the story of Kenny Powers, who used to be a star pitcher until his self-destructive behavior knocked him out of Major League Baseball. In the first season of the series, he returned home to North Carolina to teach Phys Ed at the middle school he once attended, and eventually scored another big-league job offer.

“EASTBOUND & DOWN’s raucous comedy sparked a loyal and enthusiastic following that grew throughout the season, and we’re happy to bring the show back for more innings,” noted Lombardo. “It will be fun to see what happens to Kenny in season two.”

Updated: HBO Announces Inauguration Performers

The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) is pleased to announce the producers and initial talent lineup for WE ARE ONE: THE OBAMA INAUGURAL CELEBRATION AT THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL, the Opening Celebration for the 56th Presidential Inaugural, to be presented exclusively by HBO on SUNDAY, JAN. 18 (7:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT). The event will be free and open to the public, kicking off the most open and accessible Inauguration in history.

Updated 1/16:
New musical performers include: Jon Bon Jovi and Mstr.Sgt. Caleb Green (US Army).
New readers include: Ashley Judd, Kal Penn, Forest Whitaker and Tiger Woods.

Musical performers scheduled for the event include Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher Raymond IV, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am and Stevie Wonder. Among those reading historical passages will be Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington. The Rt. Reverend V. Gene Robinson will give the invocation. Rob Mathes will be the music director and arranger for the backing band, which will support all of the artists. Additional performers will be announced as they are confirmed.

"Our intention is to root the event in history, celebrating the moments when our nation has united to face great challenges and prevail," observed George Stevens, Jr. "We will combine historical readings by prominent actors with music from an array of the greatest stars of today."

30 Rock Is the "John Adams" Of TV Comedies!

What does that mean? Both swept up a lot of awards for TV at the 2009 Golden Globes! Here are the winners of all the TV Categories.

Best Television Series - Drama
Mad Men (AMC)
Lionsgate

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Drama
Anna Paquin – True Blood (HBO)

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Drama
Gabriel Byrne – In Treatment (HBO)

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Ricky Gervais Takes Over HBO This Weekend

Ricky Gervais, Emmy(r)-winning star of the acclaimed HBO series "Extras," makes his American TV stand-up debut when RICKY GERVAIS: OUT OF ENGLAND - THE STAND-UP SPECIAL is presented SATURDAY, NOV. 15 (9:00-10:15 p.m. ET/10:00-11:15 p.m. PT). Taped in summer 2008 before a live audience at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the special includes material from his three sold-out British stand-up tours, featuring Gervais' unique take on such disparate (and often politically incorrect) issues as fund-raising, fame, nursery rhymes, Nazis, moronic friends and obesity.

Other HBO playdates: Nov. 15 (12:45 a.m. ET/12:10 a.m. PT), 18 (1:00 a.m.), 21 (8:30 p.m.), 24 (9:30 p.m.) and 30 (2:00 a.m.), and Dec. 3 (11:30 p.m.)

Ricky Gervais HBO Stand-Up Special

Ricky Gervais, Emmy(r)-winning star of the acclaimed HBO series "Extras," makes his American TV stand-up debut when RICKY GERVAIS: OUT OF ENGLAND - THE STAND-UP SPECIAL is presented SATURDAY, NOV. 15 (9:00-10:15 p.m. ET/10:00-11:15 p.m. PT). Taped last summer before a live audience at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the special includes material from his three sold-out British stand-up tours, featuring Gervais' unique take on such disparate (and often politically incorrect) issues as fund-raising, fame, nursery rhymes, Nazis, moronic friends and obesity.

Other HBO playdates: Nov. 15 (12:45 a.m. ET/12:10 a.m. PT), 18 (1:00 a.m.), 21 (8:30 p.m.), 24 (9:30 p.m.) and 30 (2:00 a.m.), and Dec. 3 (11:30 p.m.)

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"Extras" Grand Finale this December

Andy Millman gave up his day job to pursue fame in the movies, only to find he couldn't land the big parts. Then things changed for the determined Andy, who became the star of a hit, albeit lowbrow, sitcom - only to discover success isn't all it seems. Now, desperate for respect, Andy is about to take drastic measures that will turn his life upside down.

The Emmy(r)-winning HBO comedy series concludes its second season with an 80-minute episode when EXTRAS: THE EXTRA SPECIAL SERIES FINALE debuts SUNDAY, DEC. 16 (9:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Like every other episode in the series, the finale was written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant (creators of the Golden Globe-winning BBC comedy series "The Office").

Other HBO playdates: Dec. 19 (8:30 p.m., 4:10 a.m.), 22 (11:50 p.m.), 23 (4:30 p.m.), 25 (7:30 p.m.), 28 (12:30 a.m.) and 31 (10:30 a.m.), and Jan. 3 (6:30 p.m.), 5 (12:30 p.m.), 7 (10:00 p.m.) and 13 (4:15 p.m.).

HBO2 playdates: Dec. 24 (11:55 p.m.), 25 (2:15 a.m.) and 30 (4:00 a.m.).
"Fame is a mask that eats into the face - even a pug-nosed face," says Ricky Gervais. "Andy Millman is now a big star. He has a hit TV show, a brand-new hot-shot agent and a multi-million-dollar mansion. But it's not enough."

EXTRAS stars Ricky Gervais (recent Emmy(r) winner for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series) as Andy Millman. The cast also features Stephen Merchant as Andy's incompetent agent; Ashley Jensen ("Ugly Betty") as Maggie Jacobs, Andy's friend and former fellow extra; and Shaun Williamson ("EastEnders") as another unfortunate client of Andy's agent.

Guest stars in EXTRAS: THE EXTRA SPECIAL SERIES FINALE include singer George Michael, actor Clive Owen, chef Gordon Ramsay, TV host Jonathan Ross and actor David Tennant.

The first season of EXTRAS launched in Sept. 2005, while the second season launched last January. New York's Daily News called it "fabulously funny" and the Washington Post described the show as "yet another roguish triumph for Gervais." TV Guide said, "EXTRAS is a winner," and the San Francisco Chronicle hailed the show as "wickedly funny" and "searingly original." Guests in past episodes included Kate Winslet, Patrick Stewart, David Bowie, Orlando Bloom, Ian McKellen and Daniel Radcliffe.

In addition to the Emmy(r) for Ricky Gervais, the second season of EXTRAS received Emmy(r) nominations for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (Ian McKellen), Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant), and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant). Season one of the series also received four Emmy(r) nominations, including two for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (Patrick Stewart, Ben Stiller), Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (Kate Winslet) and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant).

EXTRAS: THE EXTRA SPECIAL SERIES FINALE was written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant; producer, Charlie Hanson; executive produced by Jon Plowman.

HBO's New Show "In Treatment"'s Schedule Could Put You There!

The new drama series IN TREATMENT will be launched with an innovative scheduling strategy when it debuts MONDAY, JAN. 28 on HBO, it was announced today by David Baldwin, executive vice president, program planning, HBO. Debuting new episodes Monday through Friday at the same time (9:30-10:00 p.m. ET/PT), the show captures sessions between a psychotherapist (played by Gabriel Byrne) and his patients, with the same patient returning for another session on the same weekday throughout the series' nine-week run.

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Hughley Follows up Studio 60 with Stand Up Special

Whether headlining sold-out stand-up comedy concerts or starring in numerous TV series, D.L. Hughley always does things his own way, with no apologies. Now, the popular comic returns to HBO for his fourth solo stand-up special on the network when D.L. HUGHLEY: UNAPOLOGETIC debuts SATURDAY, SEPT. 22 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

Other HBO playdates: Sept. 28 (1:30 a.m.) and Oct. 1 (11:00 p.m.), 4 (10:15 p.m.), 9 (3:15 a.m.), 15 (11:30 p.m.) and 21 (midnight).

HBO2 playdates: Sept. 23 (midnight) and Oct. 10 (10:00 p.m.), 12 (midnight) and 24 (2:55 a.m.).

Taped before a live audience at the historic Lincoln Theater in Washington, D.C., D.L. HUGHLEY: UNAPOLOGETIC features his take on: the immigration debate; Cuban refugees; airplane restrictions; the "n" word; Don Imus and freedom of speech; the price of gasoline and cocaine; the NRA; and much more, as well as capturing his interactions with hapless audience members in the first row.

Making his HBO debut on "Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam," D.L. Hughley went on to star in three solo specials on the network, including a 1992 edition of "One-Night Stand," a 1994 "HBO Comedy Half-Hour" and 1999's "D.L. Hughley: Going Home." His other TV credits include the popular sitcom "The Hughleys," which ran four seasons, the special "Shocked and Appalled" and the talk show "Weekends at the D.L."

In the late 1990s, Hughley was part of the hit "Original Kings of Comedy Tour," which played to packed houses in more than 50 cities across the country and was later the subject of a feature film directed by Spike Lee. He recently starred in the drama series "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip."

Justin Timberlake About to Rock Your Body - On Cable Anyway

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE: FUTURESEX/LOVESHOW, starring the four-time Grammy winner in his first solo HBO concert event, debuts MONDAY, SEPT. 3 (9:00 p.m.-midnight ET/PT), this coming Labor Day Weekend. Presented from Madison Square Garden in New York City, the special was taped Aug. 16 during the second U.S. leg of his FutureSex/LoveShow world tour and features the singer performing his hits, accompanied by a 14-piece band and backup dancers.

Other HBO playdates: Sept. 6 (8:00 p.m.), 8 (5:00 p.m.), 12 (7:00 p.m.), 17 (11:00 p.m.), 26 (2:30 p.m., 1:30 a.m.) and 30 (3:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Sept. 9 (10:00 p.m.), 11 (1:30 p.m.), 19 (11:30 p.m.), 22 (1:00 p.m., 1:00 a.m.) and 28 (8:00 p.m.)

Songs featured in JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE: FUTURESEX/LOVESHOW include:
"Futuresex/Lovesound"
"Like I Love You"
"My Love"
"Senorita"
"Sexy Ladies"
"Until the End of Time"
"What Goes Around...Comes Around"
"Chop Me Up"
"Rock Your Body"
"Gone"
"Take It from Here"
"Last Night"
"Damn Girl"
"Summer Love"
"Losing My Way"
"Cry Me a River"
"Love Stoned"
"SexyBack"
"All Over Again (Another Song)"

After rising to fame as a member of *NSYNC in the '90s, Justin Timberlake released his first solo album, "Justified," in 2002. The album won a Grammy and produced numerous hit singles, including "Cry Me a River" (which also won a Grammy) and "Like I Love You." Timberlake's second album, "FutureSex/LoveSounds," was released last year and has sold nearly six million copies to date; his latest hit singles include "My Love," featuring T.I., "What Goes Around...Comes Around" and "SexyBack," featuring Timbaland. Earlier this year, "FutureSex/LoveSounds" brought Timberlake two more Grammys, for the songs "My Love" and "SexyBack." He was previously seen on HBO in the 2000 special "*NSYNC Live from Madison Square Garden."

Timberlake has also gained attention recently for starring roles in the feature films "Alpha Dog" and "Black Snake Moan," and his voice was featured in "Shrek the Third."

"Real Time With Bill Maher" Returns Tonight!

REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER returns from hiatus and resumes its fifth season FRIDAY, AUG. 24 (11:00 p.m.-midnight ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

Allowing Maher to offer his unique perspective on contemporary issues, the show includes an opening monologue, roundtable discussions with panelists, and interviews with in-studio and satellite guests.

Featured on this week's show as roundtable guests are columnist Stephen Hayes, correspondent Michel Martin and actor Tim Robbins; presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is an interview guest.

HBO Goes to Work on "The Pacific"

Production has begun in Australia on THE PACIFIC, it was announced today by Colin Callender, president, HBO Films. Shooting through mid-2008, the epic ten-hour miniseries is executive produced by Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman, the creative team behind the Emmy(r)-winning 2001 HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers."

THE PACIFIC is produced by HBO Films in association with Playtone and DreamWorks Television. The production is based at Melbourne Central City Studios in Melbourne, Victoria, with filming taking place in and around Melbourne, where U.S. troops camped in 1943, and multiple locations in Far North Queensland. Kary Antholis, senior vice president, HBO Films, is the executive in charge of the project. THE PACIFIC is scheduled to debut on HBO in 2009.

The miniseries tracks the intertwined odysseys of three U.S. Marines - Robert Leckie (played by James Badge Dale [pictured]), Eugene Sledge (Joe Mazzello) and John Basilone (Jon Seda) - across the vast canvas of the Pacific. The extraordinary experiences of these men and their fellow Marines take them from the first clash with the Japanese in the haunted jungles of Guadalcanal, through the impenetrable rain forests of Cape Gloucester, across the blasted coral strongholds of Peleliu, up the black sand terraces of Iwo Jima, through the killing fields of Okinawa, to the triumphant, yet uneasy, return home after V-J Day.

Carl Franklin (HBO's "Rome"), Jeremy Podeswa (HBO's "Six Feet Under"), Tony To (HBO's "Band of Brothers"), Tim Van Patten (HBO's "The Sopranos") and Graham Yost (HBO's "From the Earth to the Moon") will direct episodes. Writers and additional directors will be announced as they are confirmed.

In addition to James Badge Dale ("The Departed"), Joe Mazzello ("Without a Trace") and Jon Seda ("Kevin Hill"), actors featured in THE PACIFIC include (in alphabetical order) Akos Armont, Jon Bernthal ("The Office"), Joshua Biton ("National Treasure"), Adam Booth ("Doctors"), Simon Bossell ("Hotel de Love"), Laurence Breuls ("Ghost Rider"), Tom Budge ("Last Train to Freo"), Linda Cropper ("McLeod's Daughters"), Brendan Fletcher ("Tideland"), Eamon Farren ("The Outsider"), Leon Ford (HBO's "Tsunami: The Aftermath"), Daniel Frederiksen ("Stingers"), Scott Gibson ("Lucky Number Slevin"), Joshua Helman, Ashton Holmes ("A History of Violence"), Andrew Lees, Rami Malek ("The War at Home"), Martin McCann ("Closing the Ring"), Ian Meadows ("Home and Away"), Toby Moore ("Joanne Lees: Murder in the Outback"), Rohan Nichol ("All Saints"), Henry Nixon ("Happy Feet"), Keith Nobbs ("The Black Donnellys"), Annie Parisse ("Law & Order"), Sam Parsonson ("Love My Way"), Jacob Pitts ("The Novice"), Rupert Reid ("The Matrix Reloaded"), Mitch Ryan, William Sadler ("The Shawshank Redemption"), Gary Sweet ("Down in Splendor"), Anna Torv ("Young Lions"), Sandy Winton ("Two Twisted"), Dylan Young and Ashley Zukerman. Additional actors will be announced as they are confirmed.

THE PACIFIC is based on the books "With the Old Breed," by Eugene Sledge, which was hailed by historian Paul Fussell as "one of the finest memoirs to emerge from any war," and "Helmet for My Pillow," by Robert Leckie (recipient of the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Annual Award), as well as original interviews conducted by the filmmakers. Continuing the World War II oral history work begun by his father Stephen E. Ambrose (author of the book "Band of Brothers"), Hugh Ambrose serves as a consultant on the miniseries.

THE PACIFIC is produced by HBO Films in association with Playtone and DreamWorks Television; executive producers, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Gary Goetzman; co-executive producers, Tony To, Graham Yost; supervising producer, Bruce McKenna; producer, Gene Kelly; co-producers, Robert Schenkkan, George P. Pelecanos, Michelle Ashford; directors of photography, Remi Adefarasin, BSC and Steve Windon; production designer, Anthony Pratt; WWII consultant, Hugh Ambrose; military advisor, Capt. Dale Dye; U.S. casting, Meg Liberman; Australian casting, Christine King. Channel Seven has the exclusive broadcast rights in Australia.

Don't Be Looking For Danny Tanner!

He's starred in hit TV shows, written and directed cult comedy favorites, and recently stole the show in a controversial feature film. Now, this multi-talented performer stars in his second HBO stand-up special when BOB SAGET: THAT AIN'T RIGHT debuts SATURDAY, AUG. 25 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

Other HBO playdates: Aug. 30 (10:00 p.m.) and 31 (2:25 a.m.), and Sept. 4 (11:30 p.m.), 7 (12:30 a.m.), 10 (10:30 p.m.) and 20 (1:00 a.m.).

HBO2 playdates: Aug. 26 (11:35 p.m.) and Sept. 8 (10:00 p.m.), 14 (2:00 a.m.) and 25 (1:00 a.m.).

Taped before a packed audience at New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, BOB SAGET: THAT AIN'T RIGHT captures the outspoken comic at his take-no-prisoners best. Among the topics are: animal sex, snuff videos, prison, single parenthood, and the sexual orientation of his former sitcom co-stars.

A familiar face on the comedy scene for 30 years, Bob Saget starred in the family-friendly hit series "Full House" and "America's Funniest Home Videos," and made his HBO debut in 1990 with his solo stand-up special "Bob Saget: In the Dream State."

Saget also directed the cult favorite film "Dirty Work," directed and produced the TV movie "For Hope," starred in the off-Broadway play "Privilege," appeared in the feature film "Half Baked," and guest starred on HBO's "Entourage." His performance in the 2005 film "The Aristocrats" was perhaps the most talked-about segment of the controversial film. Last year, he wrote, directed and produced the feature film "Farce of the Penguins." Currently Saget hosts the hit prime-time game show "1 vs. 100," returning for its second season this fall.