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Monday, August 27, 2012

FALL SEASON NEW TV SERIES and HBO The season five finale of True Blood; The Client List's new season with Jennifer Love-Hewitt


The Client List poster.jpg

File:The Client List poster.jpg
They really, really, really want you to watch the new mid-week fall comedies.
They, the networks, call them “sneak peeks,” or just plain “previews,” and we seem to be getting an awful lot of them lately and will continue to do so well into the new season. And not just on regular TV.
NBC was first off the mark with Go On, its new single-camera sitcom with former Friend Matthew Perry as a sports radio host in therapy, which got a boost last month with a preview episode during the Olympics.
NBC followed the closing ceremonies with another preview, this one of Animal Practice, in which Justin Kirk plays a misanthropic veterinarian — a Dog House, if you will.
Those shows debut Sept. 11 and 26, respectively.
CTV pulled the same stunt with its belated acquisition of Charlie Sheen’s new comedy, Anger Management, which previewed after the Olympics and will do so again Sept. 11, to officially debut the 18th.
If you ask me, this is like opening up your Christmas presents a couple of days early.
It could be argued that these previews are a way to get a leg up on the other network premieres, except for the fact that all the other networks are doing it too.
ABC will preview its oddball aliens-in-America comedy, The Neighbors, on Sept. 26, the same day NBC officially launches Guys With Kids . . . after its preview on Sept. 12. Neighbors makes its time-slot debut Oct. 3.
It’s hard enough keeping these debut dates straight, let alone all the early starts.
Sometimes a preview is not a preview at all. Go On debuts on NBC on Sept. 11, but Global is treating that and Sept. 18 as previews, moving the show to its own Wednesday-night time slot on the 26th.
You still with me here? This stuff gives me a massive headache.
It’s not just actual television. The latest trend is to preview new shows online.
You will, for example, be able to sample the envelope-pushing surrogate mom comedy The New Normal, starting Wednesday at CTV.ca.
And you are already (as of Monday) able to check out two new Fox sitcoms, Ben & Kate and The Mindy Project, on Citytv.ca and Rogers Anyplace TV. Both shows debut Tuesday, Sept. 25, at 8:30 and 9:30 p.m., respectively.
HELLO, I MUST BE GOING
As one season begins, another must end, and as poetic as that may sound I, in fact, refer to the fall and summer TV seasons, which are another thing entirely.
One of the first summer series to shut down for the year also happens to be the best series currently on television: Breaking Bad ties up its eight-episode half-a-season on Sunday, Sept. 2.
The increasingly megalomaniacal Walter White will return to wrap up his final eight episodes on July 15 of next year.
The summer cop shows all wind up the same week, with In Plain Sight ending Sept. 4, Psych on Sept. 5 and Rookie Blue on Sept. 6.
Gordon Ramsay, by now a network unto himself, takes off for the winter with the new Hotel Hell closing its doors Sept. 3, and Hell’s Kitchen and MasterChef coming off the range on Sept. 10.
The new-rules So You Think You Can Dance, which seems to have found the magic formula this season, comes down to its final favourite male and female on Sept. 18.
And finally, finale-wise, America’s Got Talent winds up Sept. 13, with the Big Brother house getting shuttered Sept. 19.
CONTINUUM CONTINUES
And speaking of summer series . . .
Showcase used the weekend’s Fan Expo to announce the second-season renewal of its record-breaking sci-fi series Continuum, to start shooting here in Toronto early next year.
Continuum was the top-rated specialty-channel series of the summer, with a weekly audience of more than one million, averaging out as the No. 1 show among the Sunday-night specialties and beating all previous Showcase numbers, particularly the premiere and finale.


Top Stories on the Web:

TV Tonight: Five Worth Watching on Sunday


True Blood

HBO The season five finale of True Blood aired Aug. 26.
 
Watching Sunday night’s fifth season finale of HBO’s True Blood was a little like watching an old SCTV skit — everybody was blowin’ up, real good! Heads were exploding left and right and blood was everywhere.
So SPOILER ALERT! Do not read on if you don’t want all the gory details.
The main storyline seemed to be about Bill (Stephen Moyer) psyching out Salome to see who would drink the Sanguinista’s sacred Lilith blood and be King of the Vampire Authority. Sookie (Anna Paquin) and Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) want to stop this, so they round up a posse to bust their vampire pals — including Bill — out of vampire prison. Sookie’s brother Jason (Ryan Kwanten) went along with the plan but has sworn off vampires now that he knows it was them that done in his parents. “Tell all these f---in’ fangers to go back to hell where they came from,” he declares, his red neck turning positively purple.
When Sookie tells him to calm down he says, “If I want to be a fool, I will be a fool — that’s my God given right as an American.”
This was Alan Ball’s final episode as showrunner and clearly he was getting his licks in while he could.
A couple of storylines seemed slapped on. There was a big, Hillbilly-style lynchin’ among the werewolves with hunky Alcide (Joe Manganiello) emerging as top dog. Rev. Newlin (Michael McMillian) had to go on camera to defend himself from some religious hijinks. Instead he turned into a bloody woman on camera.
There was also some comedy relief in the episode, some of it intentional. Sam (Sam Trammell) shape shifting into a fly in order to elude power-mad Bill was laughable at times. Scenes shot from Sam’s fly-eye perspective in the air ducts momentarily gave the show a honeycombed, Honey I Shrunk the Kids perspective.
More purposefully played for laughs was fairy Marilla giving birth to four baby daughters in the bar. New dad detective Andy (Chris Bauer) could only look on helplessly as salt-loving Marilla screamed out each child. Let’s just say fairies seem to have a lot of loud fun giving birth.
The vampire authority prison break was violent and bloody, with receptionist Chelsea losing her head. Then it got a little sexy. Tara (Rutina Wesley) helped spring Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) out of her cell and then the two enjoyed a long, sensual smooch. “I KNEW it,” said Jessica. “Oh, okay,” said Sookie.
Sookie and Eric tried to bring Bill back from the dark side but it was too late. Bill liquidated Salome and, convinced he’s the chosen one and filled with religious fervour, he gulped down the sacred but nasty bat blood. At first it looked like that was bye-bye Bill as he, too, dissolved into a red, stick pool of blood on the floor. Then he rose up out of the plasma goo, all Apocalypse Now-like, to emerge as big, red, naked, super vampire Bill.
“RUN!” yells Eric to Sookie—and that’s where season five ends.

The Client List's new season with Jennifer Love-Hewitt

File:The Client List poster.jpg

The Client List is an American television drama series based on the 2010 television film of the same name, which is currently airing on the Lifetime network.[1] The series stars Jennifer Love Hewitt, who starred in the film,[2] though she plays a different character in a premise that is slightly different from the film. The series premiered on Sunday, April 8, 2012.[3]
Lifetime ordered an initial ten episodes for season one.[4] On May 26, 2012 Lifetime renewed the show for a second season in 2013; it will consist of fifteen episodes.[5]

The Client List
The Client List poster.jpg
Promotional poster
FormatDrama
Created bySuzanne Martin
Developed byJordan Budde
StarringJennifer Love Hewitt
Loretta Devine
Colin Egglesfield
Rebecca Field
Naturi Naughton
Alicia Lagano
Kathleen York
Brian Hallisay
Cybill Shepherd
Composer(s)Pieter Schlosser
David Baerwald
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)Jennifer Love Hewitt
Dannielle Thomas
Howard Braunstein
Michael Jeffe
AJ Rinella
Jordan Budde
Running time40 minutes
Production company(s)Fedora Films
Jaffe-Braunstein Entertainment
Sony Pictures Television
ITV Studios
Broadcast
Original channelLifetime
Original runApril 8, 2012 (2012-04-08) – present
External links
Website

The Client List is an American television drama series based on the 2010 television film of the same name, which is currently airing on the Lifetime network.[1] The series stars Jennifer Love Hewitt, who starred in the film,[2] though she plays a different character in a premise that is slightly different from the film. The series premiered on Sunday, April 8, 2012.[3]
Lifetime ordered an initial ten episodes for season one.[4] On May 26, 2012 Lifetime renewed the show for a second season in 2013; it will consist of fifteen episodes.[5]

Contents

 [hide

Premise

The series follows Riley Parks (Jennifer Love Hewitt), who begins work in a day spa in a local town after her husband abandons her and their children, leaving her in financial debt. She quickly realizes that the spa gives much more than massages, but works with the parlor's owner in order to keep food on the table. While helping to run the business, she struggles to discreetly balance two lives – a single mother who must provide for her family and a strong businesswoman working in a unique and frowned-upon business.[6]

Cast

Main cast

  • Jennifer Love Hewitt as Riley Parks (née Campbell), the main character whose husband's leaves her during a financial crisis when they risk losing their house to foreclosure. Riley is hired at The Rub as a massage therapist and soon realizes the only way to make enough money to get caught up financially is to agree to give "extras" to some of the clients. At first hesitant to, she soon accepts this as a way to provide for her family, catch up on her mortgage, save their house and provide a good lifestyle for her and her children. She has a supportive brother-in-law, Evan, who is always looking after her children when she is out and is a close friend to her. Riley's best friend Lacey tells her that Kyle planned on leaving her after Lacey finds out the truth about Riley's extra services that she provides at her massage job.
  • Loretta Devine as Georgia Cummings,[7] the owner of the massage parlor, The Rub, in Sugar Land.
  • Colin Egglesfield as Evan Parks,[8] Riley's brother-in-law, her husband's brother, who also harbors secret feelings for her.
  • Rebecca Field as Lacey,[9] Riley’s best friend since childhood who has discovered the truth about what Riley and what most of the other massage therapists do and wants her to quit.
  • Naturi Naughton as Kendra,[10] a hard-working masseuse at the parlor.
  • Alicia Lagano as Selena Ramos,[11] a masseuse at the parlor, who often offers "extra services" to her clients. Selena also recommended the masseuse job to Riley. She is jealous of Riley's relationship with Georgia, who gives her extra responsibilities at the shop. She also is currently seeing Riley's brother-in-law, Evan.
  • Kathleen York as Jolene,[12] another masseuse working at the parlor, who does not give "extras". She only gives "straight" massages.
  • Brian Hallisay as Kyle Parks (recurring role, episodes 1–6; main role, episode 7–present), Riley's husband and Evan's brother, who ran away from his family.
  • Cybill Shepherd as Lynette Montgomery,[13] Riley's mother who works at a hair salon and has been married many times. She tries to look out for Riley's and her grandchildren's best interests.

Recurring cast

  • Tyler Champagne as Travis Parks, Kyle and Riley's son
  • Cassidy Guetersloh as Katie Parks, Kyle and Riley's daughter
  • Desi Lydic as Dee Ann, a masseuse working at the parlor
  • Elisabeth Röhm as Taylor Berkhalter,[14] a woman who continually competes with Riley and ends up buying the hair salon where Lynette and Lacey both work.
  • Greg Grunberg as Dale, Lacey's husband
  • Brian Kerwin as Garrett, Lynette's ex-boyfriend, whom Lynette almost considered marrying.
  • Bart Johnson as Beau Berkhalter, Taylor's husband, for whom Evan is also working for.
  • Jon Prescott as Dr. Mark Flemming, a single-father widower who asked Riley on a date.

Guest stars

Production

Development

On August 10, 2011, Lifetime announced the production of a series based on the 2010 television film, with Jennifer Love Hewitt reprising the lead role. The series, however, is a re-imagining of the film and is not a direct continuation of the film's storyline.[1] The pilot was written by Jordan Budde, and the film's producers all executive-produced the series alongside Hewitt.[4]
Nancy Dubuc, president and general manager of Lifetime, stated: "Beloved by viewers, Jennifer Love Hewitt is an amazing talent on and off the screen and we are very excited about continuing our relationship with her on The Client List. This project falls in line with our strategy to expand Lifetime's slate with unapologetic programming that will surprise audiences." Hewitt later stated: "I am thrilled to be working with the fantastic team at Lifetime again. Jordan Budde has written a show that truly reflects the spirit of the movie and I am looking forward to an amazing partnership with Lifetime as both a producer and actress. After hearing Lifetime's vision for the new direction of the network, as well as the amazing level of talent they are working with, I knew I wanted to partner with them in making quality television."[6]
Three promotional materials were filmed in October 2011.[15] and released before the series premiered.[16] The first of these materials, released on January 26, 2012, featured Hewitt performing Shirley Bassey's "Big Spender" in a music video-style advert, in reference to the true nature of the work at the massage parlor.[17] The video received much interest from the media due to Hewitt's risqué role, who noted that "based on this new promo, the show is going to be seriously hot."[18][19]

Filming and premiere

Season 1 consists of 10 episodes. The series began filming on January 17, 2012.[20]. Filming of Season 1 ended on May 2, 2012.[21]. The series premiered on April 8, 2012, with the first season slated to end on June 17, 2012.[22]

Ratings

The premiere episode was watched by 2.79 million viewers.[23] The first season averaged 2.52 million viewers

Controversy

The Client List was the subject of a nationwide campaign by licensed massage therapists to stop the show before it aired. The group is Massage Therapists Against The Client List. Petitions[24] have gathered over 3,178 signatures as of April 30, 2012. The group asserts that:
The Client List is a series that perpetuates the misconception that Massage Therapy includes inappropriate sexual contact. Massage Therapists are trained healthcare professionals and in most states are licensed and regulated by state medical boards. They adhere to a code of ethics and in some cases are under higher ethical standards than other healthcare professionals – because of these very same misconceptions. Many therapists are now working in doctor's offices and hospitals and providing valuable therapeutic services. The Client List is a huge step backwards."[24]
A&E responded to the controversy with the following press release:
We appreciate your feedback concerning the new Lifetime Television series entitled, The Client List. For many years, Lifetime television has explored the complexity of women's lives and their stories through fiction and non-fiction movies, series and programs. The Client List is a fictionalized story about the experiences of a single mother as she unexpectedly faces dire economic circumstances. The series also features a broad range of characters with alternative points of view who make different choices. The Client List is not intended to depict any specific spa or massage entity, nor in any way demean or disparage the therapeutic massage profession and its benefits and contributions to the health and wellness industry.[25]

References

  1. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (August 10, 2011). "Lifetime Greenlights 'The Client List' Series Starring & Produced By Jennifer Love Hewitt". Deadline. http://www.deadline.com/2011/08/lifetime-greenlights-the-client-list-series-starring-produced-by-jennifer-love-hewitt/. Retrieved August 11, 2011. 
  2. ^ Corneau, Allison (August 11, 2011). "Jennifer Love Hewitt Reprising Role as Stripper on The Client List TV Series". Us Magazine. http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/news/jennifer-love-hewitts-prostitution-flick-the-client-list-to-become-tv-series-2011118. Retrieved August 11, 2011. 
  3. ^ "Lifetime and Jennifer Love Hewitt to Share ‘The Client List’ with Viewers on April 8 – Ratings | TVbytheNumbers". Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. February 21, 2012. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/02/21/lifetime-and-jennifer-love-hewitt-to-share-the-client-list-with-viewers-on-april-8/121102/. Retrieved April 16, 2012. 
  4. ^ a b Stanhope, Kate (August 10, 2011). "Lifetime Turning The Client List Into TV Series Starring Jennifer Love Hewitt". TV Guide. http://www.tvguide.com/News/Client-List-TV-Series-Lifetime-1036285.aspx. Retrieved August 11, 2011. 
  5. ^ Eng, Joyce (May 7, 2012). "Lifetime Renews "The Client List"". TV Guide. http://www.tvguide.com/News/Lifetime-Renews-Client-List-1047031.aspx. Retrieved May 7, 2012. 
  6. ^ a b Seidman, Robert (August 10, 2011). "Jennifer Love Hewitt to Star in and Executive Produce New Lifetime Series 'The Client List'". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/08/10/jennifer-love-hewitt-to-star-in-and-executive-produce-new-lifetime-series-the-client-list/100123/. Retrieved August 14, 2011. 
  7. ^ "Loretta Devine Is Added To The Client List". Cinemablend.com. January 16, 2012. http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Loretta-Devine-Added-Client-List-38670.html. Retrieved January 27, 2012. 
  8. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (December 14, 2011). "TV CASTINGS: Colin Egglesfield To Co-Star On Lifetime Drama Series 'The Client List', Elizabeth Ho Joins TBS Comedy Pilot 'BFF'". Deadline.com. http://www.deadline.com/2011/12/tv-castings-colin-egglesfield-to-co-star-on-lifetime-drama-series-the-client-list-elizabeth-ho-joins-tbs-comedy-pilot-bff/. Retrieved January 27, 2012. 
  9. ^ Andreeva, Nellie. "TV Castings: Lifetime's 'Client List' & Fox's 'Little Brother' Add Actresses". Deadline.com. http://www.deadline.com/2011/12/tv-castings-lifetimes-client-list-foxs-little-brother-add-actresses/. Retrieved January 27, 2012. 
  10. ^ Andreeva, Nellie. "Naturi Naughton Joins Lifetime's 'Client List'". Deadline.com. http://www.deadline.com/2011/12/naturi-naughton-joins-lifetimes-client-list/. Retrieved January 27, 2012. 
  11. ^ Rob Owen. "Ex-Portlander Alicia Lagano shows her grit in 'Client List'". The Oregonian. http://www.oregonlive.com/movies/index.ssf/2012/04/ex-portlander_alicia_lagano_sh.html. Retrieved April 17, 2012. 
  12. ^ Andreeva, Nellie. "Lifetime Castings: Kathleen York On 'Client List', Christian Campbell 'Sworn To Silence'". Deadline.com. http://www.deadline.com/2012/01/lifetime-castings-kathleen-york-in-client-list-christian-campbell-sworn-to-silence/. Retrieved January 27, 2012. 
  13. ^ Rose, Lacey (January 3, 2012). "Cybill Shepherd Joins 'The Client List'". The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cybill-shepherd-the-client-list-lifetime-277568. Retrieved January 27, 2012. 
  14. ^ "Breaking News – Development Update: Thursday, January 5". The Futon Critic. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/01/05/development-update-thursday-january-5-241214/9581/. Retrieved April 16, 2012. 
  15. ^ Morning lovelys!, @TheReal_Jlh (Jennifer Love Hewitt's verified Twitter account)
  16. ^ "The Client List – Jennifer Love Hewitt – Behind the Scenes". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVqWsl71kWk. Retrieved January 27, 2012. 
  17. ^ "STAGE TUBE: THE CLIENT LIST Channels Broadway in New Promo with Jennifer Love Hewitt!". Broadway World.com. http://broadwayworld.com/article/STAGE-TUBE-THE-CLIENT-LIST-Channels-Broadway-in-New-Promo-20120126. Retrieved January 27, 2012. 
  18. ^ Scott, Andy. "Jennifer Love-Hewitt Bares Cleavage, Sings ‘Big Spender’ in Preview for ‘The Client List’". Celebuzz.com. http://www.celebuzz.com/2012-01-26/jennifer-love-hewitt-bares-cleavage-sings-big-spender-in-preview-for-the-client-list-video/. Retrieved January 27, 2012. 
  19. ^ "First Look At Jennifer Love Hewitt's New Lifetime Series, The Client List". Perez Hilton.com. http://perezhilton.com/2012-01-26-exclusive-lifetime-jennifer-love-hewitt-the-client-list-music-video. Retrieved January 27, 2012. 
  20. ^ Love Hewitt, Jennifer. "TheReal_Jlh – Officially shooting". Twitter. https://twitter.com/#!/TheReal_Jlh/status/159450307632439298. Retrieved January 26, 2012. 
  21. ^ Last day on The Client List..., @TheReal_Jlh (Jennifer Love Hewitt's verified Twitter account)
  22. ^ The Client List listings, The Futon Critic
  23. ^ Andreeva, Nellie. "Lifetime's 'Client List' Debuts With 2.8 Million". Deadline.com. http://www.deadline.com/2012/04/lifetimes-client-list-debuts-with-2-8-million/. Retrieved April 16, 2012. 
  24. ^ a b Share this signature on Facebook. "Women's Rights Petition: Lifetime Television, 111 8th Avenue New York, NY 1001: Do not air The Client List.". Change.org. http://www.change.org/petitions/lifetime-television-111-8th-avenue-new-york-ny-1001-do-not-air-the-client-list. Retrieved May 2, 2012. 
  25. ^ "American Massage Therapy Association | Missouri Chapter". Amtamo.org. April 27, 2012. http://www.amtamo.org/index.php?src=news&srctype=detail&category=Current%20News&refno=63. Retrieved May 2, 2012. 

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