Television - Boston.com

CBS up, 'Idol' down as traditional TV season ends

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:48:17 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — CBS strengthened its dominance over the television industry this year at the same time that the unprecedented reign of "American Idol" came to a close.

Michael Douglas hits the right notes as Liberace

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:11:43 GMT

As Liberace, Michael Douglas brings an enormous amount of commitment, dignity, and dimension to “Behind the Candelabra,” creating a complicated man who is loving but narcissistic, exceedingly generous but controlling and predatory, painfully insecure but as loud and brassy as a Las Vegas marquee. It’s a seamless turn, as he thoroughly merges with the role. Beautifully written (by Richard LaGravenese) and directed (by Steven Soderbergh), “Behind the Candelabra” doesn’t quite fit into the biopic genre — simply because it is so good. LaGravanese, whose credits include “The Fisher King,” gives us only one strong arc in the movie, built around Liberace’s relationship with Scott Thorson, who is played by Matt Damon. But it’s a revelatory arc.

Damon and Douglas go ‘Behind the Candelabra’

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:11:19 GMT

Beneath the outlandish costumes, showy personality, and high-watt smile, Liberace was a real person. That sense of humanity — of the famed concert pianist and TV personality’s loves, losses, and struggles — was one of the reasons Steven Soderbergh wanted to make “Behind the Candelabra,” the HBO film debuting Sunday night at 9. The film stars Michael Douglas as the man whom friends called “Lee” and Matt Damon as his young lover Scott Thorson.

Robert Taylor: arresting as TV lawman 'Longmire'

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:49:23 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — You may not recognize Robert Taylor as anyone other than the title character he plays on the crime drama "Longmire." But he's no newcomer.

ESPN hires sports radio host Paul Finebaum

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:13:04 GMT

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Longtime Alabama sports talk show host Paul Finebaum is joining ESPN and the SEC Network.

Critic’s Corner for Friday, May 24

Wed, 22 May 2013 23:52:02 GMT

Arrested Development Sunday on Netflix

Douglas, Damon dramatize a steamy showbiz affair

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:04:08 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The idea of Michael Douglas playing Liberace might seem nearly as outrageous as Liberace himself.

On Demand movie highlights

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:30:33 GMT

A sampling of movies available on cable television

Fox show brings messy workplaces to television

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:29:23 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — This time "you're fired" is more than a Donald Trump catchphrase. Fox is turning the firing of real people from real jobs into prime-time entertainment starting this week.

Fox show brings messy workplaces to television

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:16:52 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — This time "you're fired" is more than a Donald Trump catchphrase. Fox is turning the firing of real people from real jobs into prime-time entertainment starting this week.

Fox show brings messy workplaces to television

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:46:40 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — This time "you're fired" is more than a Donald Trump catchphrase. Fox is turning the firing of real people from real jobs into prime-time entertainment starting this week.

‘Save Me’: Heche becomes enlightened

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:10:27 GMT

In “Save Me,” Anne Heche plays a housewife named Beth who wants to murder her husband as he lies sleeping. He has been cheating on her, but only because she has been such an awful, rage-filled, narcissistic person. Her teen daughter despises her, and so do her neighbors, who cringe when she tries to join them for lunch.

Douglas, Damon dramatize a steamy show-biz affair

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:50:58 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The idea of Michael Douglas playing Liberace might seem nearly as outrageous as Liberace himself.

Nick Jonas, Giuliana Rancic to host Miss USA

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:09:55 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Donald Trump's Miss USA pageant will be hosted by a Jonas brother and an E! News personality.

Singer Kellie Pickler named new 'Dancing' champ

Wed, 22 May 2013 03:16:45 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kellie Pickler came into the final "Dancing With the Stars" episode in second place but finished in first.

Nick Jonas, Giuliana Rancic to host Miss USA

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:52:53 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Donald Trump's Miss USA pageant will be hosted by a Jonas brother and an E! News personality.

A diversion in the air for 'Today'

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:44:47 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Two charter airplanes carrying the "Today" show anchor team and their crew from Hawaii to Yellowstone National Park were diverted in the air to Oklahoma for coverage Tuesday of the catastrophic tornado outside of Oklahoma City.

Nielsen's top programs for May 13-19

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:24:08 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Prime-time viewership numbers compiled by Nielsen for May 13-19. Listings include the week's ranking and viewership.

Critic’s corner: May 23

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:16:07 GMT

Does Someone Have to Go? 9 p.m., Fox

Ratings show 'Idol' decline

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:11:02 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — For the past decade, the "American Idol" season finale has been one of television's biggest events of the year. Now it's not even TV's biggest event of the week.

Ratings show 'Idol' decline

Tue, 21 May 2013 20:49:48 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — For the past decade, the "American Idol" season finale has been one of television's biggest events of the year. Now it's not even TV's biggest event of the week.

ABC counting on story lines to sell Indy 500

Tue, 21 May 2013 20:42:11 GMT

Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti will be trying to become four-time Indianapolis 500 champions, four women will roll off the starting grid, a local boy is on the pole and a group of dynamic rookies that includes A.J. Allmendinger is there to add intrigue.

ESPN cutting workforce, 'smartly managing costs'

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:27:44 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — ESPN is cutting its workforce, the latest Disney division to reduce staff.

At last: 'Arrested' is reborn Sunday on Netflix

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:02:02 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Portia de Rossi only believed it was happening when her agent got the good news from the producers. Michael Cera only believed it was happening when the cameras rolled.

Rowland, Rubio joining Cowell's show

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:29:07 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Simon Cowell has added former Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland and Latin artist Paulina Rubio to the cast of his competition show "The X Factor."