Category: English Entertainment

  • Seth Meyers extends NBC contract through 2021

    Seth Meyers extends NBC contract through 2021

    MUMBAI: Late-night host and Saturday Night Live veteran Seth Meyers has extended his contract with NBC Entertainment through February 2021.

     

    Meyers began his tenure at Late Night in February 2014 and since his arrival the show has remained a vital component of NBC’s late-night dominance.

     

    “I can’t thank NBC enough for continuing to support our show and this more than makes up for my disappointment in not getting cast in The Wiz,” said Meyers.

     

    “As a writer, performer and host, Seth has a rich history at NBC and we are thrilled that he’ll be at the helm of Late Night for many more years. His knowledge of both current events and pop culture is unparalleled and he brings that expertise to Late Night every night. The show couldn’t be in better hands,” said NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt. 

     

    Meyers will also host a 2016 New Year’s Eve Late Night 10 pm primetime special that will highlight all the news and current events of the year.

     

    Late Night with Seth Meyers, which airs at 12:30 a.m. and often outperforms The Late Show with Stephen Colbert despite starting an hour later, averaged a 0.51 rating, 3 share and 1.658 million viewers overall in the fourth quarter of 2015, to maintain 100 per cent of its 18-49 rating year to year and grow by four per cent in total viewers. For the quarter, Late Night stretched its advantage over CBS’s Late Late Show to +50 per cent in adults 18-49 (with a 0.51 rating versus a 0.34), up from the prior year’s +46 per cent (0.51 vs. 0.35), and increased its margin over ABC’s Nightline in their head-to-head half-hour from 12:30-1 a.m. ET to +47 per cent (0.56 vs. 0.38 for that half-hour), up from the year-earlier +39 per cent (0.57 vs. 0.41).

     

    Late Night with Seth Meyers is executive produced by Lorne Michaels and produced by Mike Shoemaker.

  • Peter Chernin backs former Viacom exec Van Toffler’s new digital studio

    Peter Chernin backs former Viacom exec Van Toffler’s new digital studio

    MUMBAI: Former MTV and Viacom executive Van Toffler has launched a new digital content studio called Gunpowder & Sky, which is being backed by Peter Chernin.
     
    Toffler has joined hands with former Endemol global head of strategy Floris Bauer, and Otter Media, which is the digital joint venture between Chernin Group and AT&T – to form Gunpowder & Sky.
     
    The new studio will focus on cutting-edge entertainment for millennial audiences of varying lengths from 90 seconds to 90 minutes, which will be distributed online globally online.
     
    Chernin Group CEO Peter Chernin said, “Gunpowder & Sky is a bold move for us into what we think is the next great opportunity in content production — producing premium groundbreaking video with up-and-coming as well as established writers, directors and talent for primary distribution on emerging platforms.”
     
    “The organising principle is, we want to nurture and find people with new ideas about how to tell stories. And we want to do that globally, with stuff that lives primarily in the digital ecosystem,” said Toffler, who will head Gunpowder & Sky as CEO.
     
    In a statement, Chernin called Gunpower & Sky “the next great opportunity” in content production with new as well as established writers, directors and talent for distribution on emerging digital platforms.
  • Comedy Central to launch homegrown show ‘Challenge Accepted;’ Cyrus Sahukar to host

    Comedy Central to launch homegrown show ‘Challenge Accepted;’ Cyrus Sahukar to host

    MUMBAI: Comedy Central is all set to launch a new homegrown show called Challenge Accepted and has roped in Cyrus Sahukar as host.

     

    The channel’s latest laughter riot will showcase an exciting dare-based fight to the finish between five contestants competing for a grand prize, and is set to premiere on 30 January at 8.30 pm.

     

    The rule of the game is simple: Be a sport and accept every challenge. However, the dares will be accompanied by hilarious and embarrassing situations for the contestants, making it difficult for them to complete the challenge.

     

    “The success of shows such as Impractical JokersKey & Peele and Whose Line Is It Anyway in India have proved that our viewers have an appetite for differentiated comedy content. Taking a step closer towards home, we are excited to bring to the audience, Challenge Accepted – a prank-comedy that features home-grown comedians. Viewers are in for a visual treat watching Cyrus challenge these contestants with weird, wild and unexpected dares,” says Viacom18 EVP and head – English and Youth Entertainment Ferzad Palia.

     

    As per the format, each unaware contestant is challenged to face various awkward situations and obstacles thrown by Sahukar – their host and challenger.

     

    “Getting anyone to do anything I want, has been a life time challenge. Hence, with a show like this, it has been an emotional fantasy come true. The show has been great fun shooting and as expected, quite often, the unexpected has happened,” adds Sahukar.

  • Michelle Guthrie & Anthony Wong to head APAC Effie Awards 2016 jury

    Michelle Guthrie & Anthony Wong to head APAC Effie Awards 2016 jury

    MUMBAI: Asia Pacific Effie Awards has named Michelle Guthrie and Anthony Wong as the first two heads of jury for the 2016 awards.

     

    Google managing director APAC Guthrie is responsible for driving the company’s strategy and relationships with marketing and advertising agencies across Asia. Prior to joining Google in Singapore in 2011, Guthrie was managing director and senior advisor of Providence Equity Partners from 2007 to 2009. She has held several key executive positions, culminating as CEO from 2003 to 2007 since she began her career in Asia at News Corp’s Star.

     

    “I am delighted to join the APAC Effie as a Head of Jury and review some of the best marketing works in Asia Pacific. I look forward to a very stimulating experience while sharing my perspectives and playing a role in driving marketing effectiveness in the region,” Guthrie said.

     

    On the other hand, Wong is Ogilvy & Mather Group worldwide effectiveness director and WPP global client leader – team Huawei. Since he joined Ogilvy in 2006, he has helped his teams and clients achieve best-selling brand and product launches across categories and borders, and win marketing effectiveness awards. Over the years he has also served in various roles at the China EFFIE and APAC Effie Awards.

     

    Wong said, “I am honoured and excited to be appointed a Head of Jury at the APAC Effies, as I believe Asia Pacific should, and will, set new global standards for effectiveness.”

     

    2016 Awards chairman Cheuk Chiang added, “With experience comes great wisdom so it’s fantastic that the Effie Awards have been able to attract high calibre, seasoned experts like Michelle and Anthony. Both are sure to bring an unsurpassed level of knowledge to help elevate and drive a new standard for effectiveness.”

  • Colors Infinity steals the show at the 73 Golden Globe Awards with four big wins

    Colors Infinity steals the show at the 73 Golden Globe Awards with four big wins

    MUMBAI: Colors Infinity wins big at the 73 Annual Golden Globe Awards with two of its shows. The critically acclaimed TV series of 2015, Mr. Robot, bagged the coveted title of best TV series drama against shows like Empire, Narcos, Outlander and the biggest competitor, Game of Thrones.

     

    Contending with such popular series for the award makes the win all that much more of a coup for the new series, which has completed only its first season. On the other hand, Mozart tn the Jungle, which will soon air on the channel, picked up the best TV series musical or comedy.  

     

    Mr. Robot, written and directed by Sam Esmail, gained a loyal fan base this year for its gritty depiction of the world of hacking. The show gained immense popularity in India through its instant premiere on Colors Infinity, a channel which is known to handpick the best of international content, bringing highly acclaimed never seen before series to India. The director accepted the award with a mix of quirk and grace, saying, “I got to thank the Hollywood foreign press. I mean, they gave the best drama series award to a show called Mr. Robot. And that took a lot of courage, so thank you.”

     

    In addition, Christian Slater also won the best performance by an actor in a supporting role in a series, limited series or motion picture made for television for his role in Mr. Robot, while Gael Garcia Bernal bagged the best performance by an actor in a television series musical or comedy for his role in Mozart in the Jungle.

  • Romedy Now will air ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’

    Romedy Now will air ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’

    MUMBAI: This January, get ready to witness a combination of love and laughter as Romedy Now is all set to air back-to-back episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond, a comic family delight for its audience. Indian viewers will also be able to connect with the show due to the significance of family sentiments and emotions.

     

    Starting 14 January 2016, the popular American sitcom will have a new destination, the happiest place on TV, Romedy Now! The channel will air all nine seasons of the show, starting from Season 01 on 14 January 2016 at 8 pm. To air from Monday to Friday, the iconic show will further strengthen the current line-up of the leading English GEC.

     

    Everybody Loves Raymond stars stand-up comedian and Emmy-Award winner Ray Romano. The story revolves around Ray Barone, a successful sportswriter living on Long Island, New York, with his wife Debra (Patricia Heaton) and three kids. But their big happy family gets a bit too big and less happy — when Ray’s meddling parents, Frank (Peter Boyle) and Marie (Doris Roberts), frequently stop by, since they live directly across the street. Brother Robert (Brad Garrett), a divorced police officer, is constantly moving in and out of his parents’ house, and loves to drop by and show his resentment towards Ray’s successful career and happy family life. Dodging Marie’s constant critique of Debra’s cooking, Frank’s witty one-liners and Robert’s dead-pan despair, Ray and Debra just wish someone would ring their doorbell before entering once in a while.

     

    Everybody Loves Raymond was an instant hit abroad and has a huge fan following even in India. While it was being telecast, the show was among Top 5 programs in the prime-time and was watched by over 18 million viewers each week. Further testimony to the success of the show was the fact that the cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond won Primetime Emmy Awards for their roles in the series. 

     

    In order to sustain the buzz around the property, Romedy Now will launch a digital campaign in February. Seeing that ELR can alternatively be termed as a ‘Family Comedy’, the core thought revolves around families spending their time together with Romedy Now. The channel will use #FamilyTimeWithRomedy as a sub-plug and build content and activities around how the channel is the most sought after when it comes to family viewing. Using this, it will explore different traits/habits/likes/dislikes of each family. It will use instances occurring in the show and tie it back with relatable scenes and stills from the show. The campaign will be executed on Facebook and Twitter.

     

    Everybody Loves Raymond is yet another show that weaves into Romedy Now’s philosophy of bringing love and laughter to the Indian television viewers. With How I Met Your Mother, Gilmore Girls, Hot in Cleveland, the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Romedy Now is undoubtedly the happiest place on TV and the ultimate destination to love and laughter!

  • Star English has much to cheer at Golden Globes

    Star English has much to cheer at Golden Globes

    MUMBAI: Star India’s English entertainment bouquet, consisting of Star World, Star World Premiere HD and FX, is known for showcasing the best and latest in English entertainment from across the world. Star India remains the first choice for premium urban audiences seeking quality English entertainment. Cast from some of its leading and critically acclaimed shows like Taraji P Henson (Empire), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Maura Tierney (The Affair), Lady Gaga (American Horror Story – Hotel) and Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) have struck gold at the 2016 Golden Globe awards this year.

     

     The leading lady from Empire, Taraji P Henson, won her first Golden Globe for best actress in a television series drama for her groundbreaking role as Cookie.  Taraji’s character is the heart of the series and provides unforgettable catchphrases, heartbreaking line readings, and natural comedy in a tour de force performance that makes you miss her every second she’s not on screen. Empire Season 2 is currently airing on FX and FX HD every Sunday at 10 pm.

     

    The Mad Men superstar Jon Hamm won the Golden Globe for best performance by an actor in a television series drama. Jon Hamm popularized the character of Don Draper in the series which captures the world of advertising in the 1960s like never before. Despite his outward disenchantment and egotism, the character of Don Draper demonstrates a strict code of personal ethics, insisting on honesty and chivalry in his subordinates, but not always in himself. Mad Men returns to television with FX and FX HD from 29 January 2016 and will continue to air from Monday to Friday at 11 pm.

     

     Maura Tierney from The Affair won the award for best performance by an actress in a supporting role in a series, limited series or motion picture made for television. As a jilted wife slowly coming to terms with a life she never had planned for herself, Maura Tierney found a perfect balance of comedy and tragedy in her character Helen’s situation The Affair Season 2 is coming soon on FX and FX HD as part of special programming for Valentine’s Day on 14th Feb

     

    The singer-actress Lady Gaga won Best Actress in a miniseries or motion picture for television for her role in American Horror Story: Hotel. Gaga plays Countess Elizabeth who is the owner of Hotel Cortez, a ritzy hotel set in modern day Los Angeles, California. Elizabeth is an uber glamorous socialite who secretly maintains her stunningly fierce good looks by using her special clawed gloves to murder people and drink their blood. American Horror Story – Hotel airs on FX and FC HD on every Saturday at 11 pm.

     

    The Crazy-ex girlfriend star Rachel Bloom grabbed the Golden Globe for best performance by an actress in a television series—musical or comedy. Bloom plays a successful Manhattan lawyer Rebecca Bunch who follows her high-school ex, Josh Chan, to the humdrum suburbs of California. The occasional musical numbers in the series act as comedic interjections, but they also telegraph the show’s darker themes, reminding us that our protagonist is slowly unravelling. Crazy ex-girlfriend airs on Star World Premiere HD every Thursday at 10 pm.

     

    Star India has a successful track record in bringing the best of international television, a stellar cast and outstanding performances. The network is home to the shows that have helped these stars acquire world acclaim.

  • Zee Café content line-up for January 2016

    Zee Café content line-up for January 2016

    MUMBAI: After having entertained its viewers all of 2015, Zee Café, the most preferred destination for English Entertainment, promises to continue enthralling its audience with the best and the latest shows all through 2016. 

     

    Gear up to celebrate Republic Day with Zee Café as the channel premieres a marathon of the final season of Cougar Town on 26 January 2016, 1:30 pm onwards. Also get your daily dose of laughter on ‘Comedy Rules @ 8’ on Zee Café with shows such as Two and a Half Men and Mike&Molly from 8:00pm to 9:00pm.

     

    Switched At Birth season 4 premieres on 10 January 2016 at 10:00 pm and will air every Saturdays and Sundays. Also don’t forget to catch the finale of the mini-series, The Astronaut Wives Club on 9 January 2016 at 10:00 pm only on Zee Café.

     

     Apart from the specials and the sitcoms, Along With the U.S. shows such as The Big Bang Theory, and The Vampire Diaries continue to woo the viewers this year. That is not it, tune-in to watch the ongoing shows like Pretty Little Lairs and America’s Got Talent and revel in the blend of amazing shows to keep you entertained throughout the week. And this is just the start!

  • FX and FX HD to air ‘House M.D.’

    FX and FX HD to air ‘House M.D.’

    MUMBAI: FX, the English entertainment channel, is known for showcasing some of the most iconic and critically-acclaimed edge-of-seat content. Upping its game this New Year, the channel is all-set to premiere one of the greatest dramas of all time House M.D. Premiering on 13 January 2016; the show will air on FX and FX HD starting with the very first season, Season 1 down to its final Season 8 every day from Monday to Friday at 10 pm.

     

     House M.D. is a highly acclaimed American medical drama television series. Doctor Gregory House played by famous British actor, writer, director, musician, singer, comedian, and author, Hugh Laurie. Prior to House, Hugh Laurie had made his mark as an actor and comedian with Fry & Laurie, Jeeves and Wooster and few big screen appearances including Stuart Little. But it was through House that he skyrocketed to fame.  Doctor House is the one and only character on global television who everyone across the world loves to hate. This is because he is brilliant – a pure genius and extremely charming in his own fundamentally arrogant and cranky way. He is not just any ordinary doctor fighting off patients’ illnesses. He takes up medical cases that only prove to be the rarest and most interesting to him. Gregory House is considered to be one of the most well written characters of a television series and House M.D. went on to become the most watched television series globally in 2008. The show won numerous renowned awards including five Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, a Peabody Award, and nine People’s Choice Awards.

     

     The series trails Doctor House as he leads an elite medical team to solve bizarre illnesses and save lives despite his own constant physical pain. In the series’ first episode of the very first season, Doctor Gregory House and his choicest team of young medical experts rush to save the life of a kindergarten teacher who starts speaking gibberish and passes out in front of her class. What initially looks like a possible case of brain tumour, the patient does not respond to treatment leaving House and his team to engage in a risky trail-and-error approach to her case. Will House be able to find out what is wrong and in time?

  • Eros International to release ‘2 Penkuttikal’

    Eros International to release ‘2 Penkuttikal’

    MUMBAI: Eros International Media Ltd (Eros International), the leading global company in the Indian film entertainment industry, has announced the release of its upcoming Malayalam film 2 Penkuttikal, coproduced by Cinema Cooks and Eiffel Entertainments. Featuring Tovino Thomas, Amala Paul, Anju Kurian and Anna Fathima, the film will release on 22 January, 2016.

     

    Directed by Jeo Baby, 2 Penkuttikal is a drama about the story of two girls, their struggles and their lives. Anna Fathima has received the Kerala State Award for the Best Child Artist for this film. The film has been edited by Rahman Muhammed Ali and has music by Mathews Pulickan.

     

     After two consecutive Malayalam successes Jeethu Joseph’s Life of Josutty and Salim Ahamed’s Pathemari with the super star Mammootty, Eros continues to invest in high quality film content in regional markets. Commenting on the new venture, Eros International Media Ltd. MD Sunil Lulla said, “At Eros, we continue to focus on our strategic expansion in the Southern markets. The Malayalam film industry has talent in abundance and we are happy to continue our associations with such talent in this industry. This tale of two girls promises to be a poignant film, one that will touch the hearts of the audiences across all generations.”