I just saw the press release announcing the new Celebrity Dating Show called The Choice and hosted by the beautiful Cat Deeley. You can see how they’ve stolen a bit of The Voice and merged it with half a dozen other dating shows on TV. Should be fun to watch if they can get some good celebrities. Plus, I think the shock value will be good if they don’t tell the contestants that they’ll be matching with celebrities. Plus, I’m always in for watching for of Cat Deeley on TV.

Here’s the full release for The Choice on Fox debuting Thursday, June 7 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)!

FOX takes the dating game show for a spin by giving celebrities THE CHOICE to prove that love is really blind. Hosted by Cat Deeley and debuting Thursday, June 7 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), THE CHOICE features the world’s most eligible celebrities (to be announced) competing to find true love among a group of sexy singles…they can’t see.

“We wanted to put a new spin on the dating game show that gives celebrities THE CHOICE of a lifetime and the chance to prove you really shouldn’t judge a book by its cover,” said Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company.

Filmed in front of a live audience, each episode begins with four of the world’s most eligible bachelors sitting in rotating chairs, turning their backs on love and unable to see the sexy singles looking for a date with fame. In this initial “Blind Round,” each celebrity can only use his suitors’ voices – as they share information about their life, passions, turn-ons and turn-offs – to help himself make THE CHOICE. When the celebrity bachelor likes what he hears, he pulls his “love handle,” spinning his chair around to bring him face-to-face for the first time with his potential mate. If more than one celebrity pulls the handle, they must battle it out for her affection until the sexy single gets THE CHOICE to pick whose dating pool she wants to swim in.

Once each bachelor has his three hotties, the teams enter the “Speed Choice” round, where each woman has only seconds to convince her leading man to sweep her off her feet to the final round.
In the final round, love is on the line when host Deeley poses a challenge question to each of the team’s final two. The celebrities must then make THE CHOICE between each of their two remaining eligible ladies, whisking one away on a dream date and leaving one in no man’s land.

Some of the world’s most famous bachelorettes will also be blinded by love in an episode that features the ladies sitting in the hot seats. These coveted women will make not only their chairs, but their suitors’ heads spin when the men realize this is a date of a lifetime.

THE CHOICE is produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions (HELL’S KITCHEN and KITCHEN NIGHTMARES). Arthur Smith, Kent Weed and Scott St. John (“Deal or No Deal”) serve as executive producers.

About Cat Deeley
Birmingham, England native Cat Deeley is one of the foremost television presenters both in the United States and the U.K. In 2005, Deeley broke into the world of male-dominated television hosts when she began hosting FOX’s SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, earning an Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Host in 2011. Deeley was the first ever Brit to host “Live! with Regis and Kelly.” She also was Jay Leno’s first regular entertainment correspondent on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and she performed the same duty for “Good Morning America.” Deeley is a double BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Award winner and has won many other awards for her work on some of the U.K.’s hottest primetime shows.

About A. Smith & Co. Productions
Smith & Co. Productions creates some of the most innovative, highly rated and high quality programming for the domestic and international television marketplace. Founded in 2000 by Arthur Smith and Kent Weed, the company has produced more than 2000 hours of award-winning programming. The company’s current production slate includes such hits as HELL’S KITCHEN, KITCHEN NIGHTMARES, “American Ninja Warrior,” “Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura,” “Full Throttle Saloon,” “Unsung,” “UFC Countdown” and many others. A. Smith & Co.’s library of programming includes hit shows like “The Swan,” “Skating with Celebrities,” “Paradise Hotel,” “Trading Spaces” and “Pros vs. Joes.” A. Smith & Co. has developed and produced the No. 1 show in America an astonishing 20 times and a Top 10 show over 75 times. The company has produced programs with budgets totaling approximately a billion dollars, for more than 40 broadcast and cable networks. In 2011, A. Smith & Co. joined forces with Tinopolis Group and in doing so became the leading North American television production entity within the Tinopolis organization with the ability to tap into that company’s resources on a worldwide basis.

Last night, in the most high-stakes episode of the show yet, celebrity judges CeeLo, Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton made their toughest decisions of the season by deciding which members of their team would advance to the season finale. Now, in anticipation of the May 8th show, these four finalists will be taking the stage at Tower 5, Universal CityWalk’s new interactive outdoor concert venue, for an exclusive live performance.

Come cheer on your favorite singer as each finalist—Chris Mann for Team Christina, Juliet Simms for Team CeeLo, Tony Lucca for Team Adam, and Jermaine Paul for Team Blake—take the stage to perform one song each before next week’s final showdown.

Here’s the full press release:

NBC’s “The Voice” Final Four Set to Perform Live at

Universal CityWalk’s State-of-the-Art “5 Towers” Concert Venue

Performance Will Be Streamed Live to Facebook, NBC.com and the

NBC Experience Store in New York

Universal City, CA – Universal CityWalk’s® “5 Towers” state-of-the art concert venue welcomes the Final Four of NBC’s blockbuster vocal competition show, “The Voice,” for a live performance at 10:30am on Thursday, May 3, 2012.  The special one-time concert in Los Angeles invites fans to Universal CityWalk to cheer on their favorite performer. “The Voice” winner will be announced next Tuesday, May 8.

CityWalk’s new interactive outdoor concert venue will serve as the energetic backdrop to showcase the leading vocal artists from celebrity musician coaches Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. The artist lineup set to command the stage at “5 Towers” include Kansas native Chris Mann for Team Christina, Florida native Juliet Simms for Team CeeLo, Connecticut native Tony Lucca for Team Adam, and New York native Jermaine Paul for Team Blake.  Competing to be named “The Voice” in Season 2 of the hit show, each of the final four artists will perform one song on the “5 Towers” stage and the performances will be streamed live to Facebook, NBC.com and at the NBC Experience Store in New York.

First to christen the “5 Towers” stage in July 2011 was none other than CeeLo himself paving the way for the first-of-its kind outdoor concert venue with fan immersive features and next-generation technology.  The Music Spotlight Series held this spring at “5  Towers” featured Billboard chart-topping talent Carly Rae Jepsen, as well as an eclectic and impressive lineup of local homegrown favorites including The Thomas Nicholas Band, Midnight Red, and Cherri Bomb, to name a few.

“We are so excited to have the finalists from ‘The Voice’ here at the 5 Towers on CityWalk,” said Pat Donahue, Director of CityWalk Entertainment.  “While we’ve hosted established recording artists like Flo Rida, Good Charlotte and Justin Bieber, we also have a strong commitment to supporting emerging artists.  It’s a great privilege to provide up-and-coming talent with an outstanding, state of the art venue to do what they love to do – which is to play great music and entertain the masses!”

Before the final four contestants were announced, the eight semi-finalists recently were treated to a behind-the-scenes sneak peek of Universal Studios Hollywood’s epic, new thrill ride,Transformers™:  The Ride-3D, set to open officially on May 25, 2012. Photos and video featuring the semi-finalists in the theme park are available upon request.

More information on Universal CityWalk’s upcoming events is available atwww.CityWalkHollywood.com.  Artist announcements and “5 Towers” concert venue events can also be found on Twitter @CityWalkLA and Facebook-Universal CityWalk Hollywood.

“The Voice” Final Four Live Performances at Universal CityWalk “5 Towers” Concert Venue

100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA  91608

Press Check-In: 8:30AM  /  Media Interviews: 9-11AM  /  Live Concert: 10:30AM-11AM

Universal Studios Hollywood ^SM, The Entertainment Capital of L.A.^SM, includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour; the CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex, the Universal CityWalk Cinemas, the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert venue, and the Gibson Amphitheatre concert and special event arena.  World-class rides and attractions include the intense, award-winning new ride, “King Kong 360 3-D” on the famed behind-the-scenes Studio Tour, “The Simpsons Ride^TM,” “Revenge of the Mummy^SM —The Ride” indoor roller coaster and “Jurassic Park® —The Ride,” as well as the much-anticipated mega-attraction, “Transformers™:  The Ride-3D,” opening in May 2012.

Universal Studios Hollywood is a unit of the Universal Parks & Resorts division of NBCUniversal.  NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.  NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks.  Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

About NBC’s “The Voice”

“The Voice” is a vocal competition show featuring celebrity musician coaches Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. Carson Daly hosts and serves as producer, and Christina Milian serves as social media correspondent. The show’s innovative format features three stages of competition: the first begins with the blind audition, and then the competition enters into a battle phase, and finally, the live performance shows. In the end, each coach will have one star artist left ready to compete against the other teams’ finalists to be named “The Voice” – the winner will receive the grand prize of a recording contract.

“The Voice” is a presentation of One Three Inc. (a Hearst/Mark Burnett company), Talpa Media USA Inc. and Warner Horizon Television. The series is created by John de Mol, who executive-produces along with Burnett, Audrey Morrissey, Stijn Bakkers and Lee Metzger.

Listen to the podcast

Episode 37 direct download

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Time Stamps
0:00 – Introduction
0:16 – Awake
14:18 – Glee
23:03 – Fringe
28:46 – X-Factor judge offers and wrap-up

Summary

For this TV in Review, we focus on our last new show for the 2012 mid-season and offer our thoughts on the winter “finales” of Fringe & Glee. Check out the teasers below for a taste of what we discuss!

Awake- We praise the long-awaited premiere of NBC’s new high-concept drama. Find out why we think it is the most successful new show of the 2012 mid-season and find out why we *shocker* disagree about the which of the two realities feels more “real.”

Glee- Hear out thoughts on the shocking events on the latest episode and why we wish New Directions had lost at Regionals.

Fringe- We discuss what we’ve learned about the Observers, debate whether there really is another timeline and attempt to predict where the show might be going. Hint: We have no idea.

Please let us know your thoughts by dropping us a comment here after listening either here! You can also visit our newly launched Facebook page and leave a comment there! We love to hear feedback and what you thought of the show. We also encourage you to check out our blog or twitter feed to keep up to date with us!

Listen to the podcast

Episode 36 direct download

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Time Stamps
0:00 – Introduction
0:35 – The River
8:51 – Smash
16:36 - Alcatraz
20:04 – Wrap-up

Episode Length: 21:55

Summary

We take a break from discussing some of our established shows to focus on three new mid-season premieres. Take a look at these teasers to get a taste for our thoughts a few episodes into these new shows and see if you can guess which shows we’re sticking with and which we’re letting go!

The River- ABC’s new found footage horror series only has 8 episodes in its first season, but surprisingly slow pacing and unengaging characters make this a difficult show for us to connect with. We discuss the first four episodes of the show, including the success of the documentary style in telling the story.

Smash- NBC’s much hyped backstage Broadway drama is definitely not Glee, but everything that could make the show stand out as a legitimate drama about the highs and lows of putting together a Broadway musical, falls prey to some weak writing and what we argue is a misguided focus on the character of Karen.

Alcatraz- Another much hyped JJ Abrams’ pilot that promises a mysterious island and lots of plot twists, but fails in every way to live up to these promises. We expand more on our initial thoughts from our last TV in Review Podcast and articulate a bit more our major issues with the series.

Please let us know your thoughts by dropping us a comment here after listening either here! We love to hear feedback and what you thought of the show. We also encourage you to check out our blog or twitter feed to keep up to date with us!

Listen to the podcast

Episode 35 direct download

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Time Stamps
0:00 – Introduction
3:27 – Alcatraz
11:38 – Fringe
15:44 – Person of Interest
22:03 – Once Upon A Time
27:03 – The Big Bang Theory
31:21 – Wrap-up

Episode Length: 32:23

Summary

We jump into the 2012 mid-season with a new format for TV Week in Review podcasts and our thoughts on the letdown that was this year’s much hyped Ricky Gervais hosted Golden Globes. Check out the teasers below for a taste of what we discuss!

Alcatraz- Our first new series of 2012 started off with a 2-hour premiere episode. We discuss the inevitable comparison to that other JJ Abrams produced series surrounding a mysterious island, offer our initial impressions of the main characters and give our verdict on how much potential the series appears to have moving forward. Oh, and we give our thoughts on Emerson’s apparent prisoner collecting hobby.

Fringe- We learn new information on the new shape shifters and discuss the subtle ways the writers have been working in the differences between the two timelines.

Person of Interest- Carter’s role in the series is finally picking up, we get a homage to Rear Window and we give discuss the blurring line between Finch and the machine.

Once Upon A Time- Meghan belatedly laments the loss of Sheriff Graham, we finally learn about Rumpelstiltskin’s back story and we discuss what the presence of the “stranger” may mean.

The Big Bang Theory- James is confused by the 100th episode fake-out, Meghan announces her favorite moment of the series and we have a bone to pick with the writers (hint: It involves Sheldon and Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers).

Please let us know your thoughts by dropping us a comment here after listening either here! We love to hear feedback and what you thought of the show. We also encourage you to check out our blog or twitter feed to keep up to date with us!

How genius was it of the Sing Off and NBC to do a Christmas show with the various Sing Off contestants? A really great idea in my book. The following are the videos from the performance in case you missed it.
Read more…

Live Finale: Group Number
The final three open the show with a performance of “The Way You Make Me Feel” by Michael Jackson.
Read more…

Week 10: Pentatonix Mastermix

Pentatonix performs a mastermix of “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson and “Forget You” by Cee Lo Green.
Read more…

Week 9: Group Number
The top five groups open the show with a medley of “I Feel Good” by James Brown, “ABC” by The Jackson 5 and “Crazy in Love” by Beyonce.
Read more…

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Episode 30 direct download

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Episode Length: 16:53

Summary
The newest episode of Dexter ended with the shocking return of Brian Moser, aka the Ice Truck Killer from way back in season one of the series. Based on spoilers, we speculated that he would be returning in this manner, so it was exciting to see one our predictions pan out! Brian’s return may mark a dramatic, series-changing direction for the show, as we have the possibility of Dexter of completely indulging his dark passenger and leaving behind anything he may have learned in the previous seasons. It opens up a lot of possibilities that haven’t been present in the show for a long time. In this special podcast we discuss the implications of this cliffhanger, as well as the interesting juxtaposition between the character of Dexter and the character of Travis.

Let us know what you think after listening to the podcast! Leave us a comment here or tweet us. We love feedback and will respond either with a comment or in our next published show.