News Briefs : Reactions to Teen Wolf Midseason finale, Full Frontal by a True Blood star and more

.... Teen Wolf nails another finale
Serialized dramas live or die by their finales. Teen Wolf's have been excellent since the beginning, and the Season 3A capper didn't disappoint. Neatly tying together one of the show's most elaborate and ambitious plots to date (a sort of supernatural Mexican standoff between three different factions). Feeling very much like a season-ending conclusion rather than mid-season cliffhanger, this finale respected our need for closure and made us even more excited to see what the next batch of episodes will bring us. New monsters, new heartache, even more labyrinthine storytelling— bring it on.

Extended News Briefs : Recent and old News

.... Ellen DeGeneres Is Your 2014 Oscars Host and Other News
Everyone's favorite dancing comedienne and talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres, will return to host the Academy Awards for a second time on March 2, 2014, ABC announced .
After last year's controversy regarding host Seth MacFarlane's questionable comedy stylings, it's probably wise that the Academy went with someone who's generally considered perfect by every single human being on the planet. “She is the consummate entertainer, equally beloved by her peers in the industry, movie fans, and television viewers," ABC President Paul Lee said in a statement. "We very much look forward to having her back on ABC for Oscar Sunday.”
DeGeneres, who last hosted the awards show in 2007, announced the news herself this morning via Twitter, "It's official: I'm hosting the Oscars! I'd like to thank The Academy, my wife Portia and, oh dear, there goes the orchestra."

Shows airing this week 19th - 25th of May 2013

With the 2012/2013 TV fall season coming to an end, a lot of shows are ending. No fewer than 19 shows aired their season finales last week. 

This week, 4 shows Hawaii Five-0, Criminal Minds, Nashville and Modern Family, are airing their season finales, Criminal Minds is doing it with a double episode. This week, no episodes of Continuum and Da Vinci's Demons will be aired, till next week. Next week sees the Season 2 premiere of the Cowboy-Sheriff drama, Longmire.


==== Sunday - "Game of Thrones" Season 3 Episode 8, "Mad Men" Season 6 Episode 8, "Veep" Season 2 Episode 6, "The Borgias" Season 3 Episode 6.

==== Monday - "Revolution"  Season 1 Episode 18, "Defiance" Season 1 Episode 6, "Hawaii Five-0" Season 3 Finale Episode 24, "Warehouse 13" Season 4 Episode 14, "Rectify" Season 1 Episode 6.

==== Tuesday - "Awkward" Season 3 Episode 7, "Grimm" Season 2 Finale Episode 22.

==== Wednesday - "Criminal Minds" Season 8 Finale Episode 23-24, "Modern Family" Season 4 Finale Episode 24, "Nashville" Season 1 Finale Episode 21, "Rogue" Season 1 Episode 9.

==== Thursday - "Hannibal" Season 1 Episode 9, "Men at Work" Season 2 Episode 8.

==== Friday - Empty

==== Saturday - "Orphan Black" Season 1 Episode 9.


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Shows airing this week 12th - 18th of May 2013

With the 2012/2013 TV fall season coming to an end, a lot of shows are ending. No fewer than 19 shows are showing their season finales this week. "Revenge" and "Elementary" are airing 2 episodes back to back to close out the season, while "Once Upon A Time", "2 Broke Girls", "Castle", "How I Met Your Mother", "New Girl", "The Mindy Project", "NCIS", "NCIS:LA", "Arrow", "Supernatural", "The Vampire Diaries", "Greys Anatomy", "Scandal", "The Big Bang Theory", "Nikita" and "Doctor Who".
Because of the number of shows presently on-air airing their final season episodes, I'll be introducing 3 new shows on the list. "Rectify", "Rogue" and "Men At Work". "Rectify" (previously reviewed and written about on this blog) is a drama about a released ex-convict introduced back into society after 15 years, in a small town after DNA evidence proved him innocent. While "Rogue" is about an undercover cop who after suffering a tragedy close to home, lets her job into her personal life. While "Men At Work" is a comedy about 4 co-workers going through life, relationships and dating.

==== Sunday - "Game of Thrones" Season 3 Episode 7, "Mad Men" Season 6 Episode 7, "Once Upon A Time" Season 2 Finale Episode 22, "Veep" Season 2 Episode 5, "The Borgias" Season 3 Episode 5, "Continuum" Season 2 Episode 4, "Revenge" Season 2 Finale Episode 21/22.

==== Monday - "Revolution" Season 1 Episode 17, "2 Broke Girls" Season 2 Finale Episode 24, "Castle" Season 5 Finale Episode 24, "Defiance" Season 1 Episode 5, "Hawaii Five-0" Season 3 Episode 23, "How I Met Your Mother" Season 8 Finale Episode 24, "Warehouse 13" Season 4 Episode 13, "Rectify" Season 1 Episode 5.

==== Tuesday - "New Girl" Season 2 Finale Episode 25, "Awkward" Season 3 Episode 6, "NCIS" Season 10 Finale Episode 24, "NCIS:LA" Season 4 Finale Episode 24, "Grimm" Season 2 Episode 21, "The Mindy Project" Season 1 Finale Episode 24.

==== Wednesday - "Criminal Minds" Season 8 Episode 22, "Modern Family" Season 4 Episode 23, "Nashville" Season 1 Episode 20, "Arrow" Season 1 Finale Episode 23, "Supernatural" Season 8 Finale Episode 23, "Rogue" Season 1 Episode 8.

==== Thursday - "The Big Bang Theory" Season 6 Finale Episode 24, "Two And A Half Men" Season 10 Finale Episode 24, "The Vampire Diaries" Season 4 Finale Episode 23, "Grey's Anatomy" Season 9 Finale Episode 24, "Elementary" Season 1 Finale Episode 23/24, "Scandal" Season 2 Finale Episode 22, "Hannibal" Season 1 Episode 8, "Men at Work" Season 2 Episode 7.

==== Friday - "Nikita" Season 2 Finale Episode 22, "Da Vinci's Demons" Season 1 Episode 6.

==== Saturday - "Doctor Who" Season 7 Finale Episode 13, "Orphan Black" Season 1 Episode 8..


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NBC's upcoming Media Release, New Shows and Cancelled Shows.

NBC has ordered five new series—three new comedies ("About a Boy", "Sean Saves the World", and "Family Guide") and two new dramas (J.J. Abrams' "Believe" and "Crisis"). They join the previously straight-to-series orders for comedy "The Michael J. Fox Show" and pirate drama "Crossbones".

A young girl and a con! International conspiracies! Man-boy bonds! Man-girl bonds! Man-blind-boy bonds! That's what part of NBC's new fall schedule will feature, as some of the network's secrets have hit the internet in advance of its Upfront presentation in New York, which is scheduled for Monday. So far it's three new comedies and two new dramas for the network, with many more announcements soon to come unless NBC wants to broadcast a lot of dead air. Let's run down the new series:

..... "Believe" has J.J. Abrams' name attached to it, like half of all TV shows on the air right now. He'll executive produce along with Bryan Burk for Bad Robot. The drama sounds like a supernatural thriller and follows a young girl with "a gift" who gets protection from a recently sprung con to keep evil forces at bay. The main actress in this show is an unknown young girl named Johnny Sequoyah, Jake McLaughlin, Kyle MacLachlan, Delroy Lindo, Jaime Chung, and Sienna Guillroy also star.

.... "Crisis" comes from Rand Ravich, the creator of NBC's "Life". This one goes all the way to the top! In the drama, a mystery man brings all of Washington to its knees through an international conspiracy that threatens everyone. Sound like "The Event" Part II! "Crisis" marks the triumphant return to television of Gillian Anderson, "The X-Files" Scully. Also starring are Dermot Mulroney (Enlightened), Max Martini (Revenge), and Rachael Taylor (666 Park Avenue).

..... About a Boy is a single-camera comedy adaption of the Nick Hornby novel and the 2002 Hugh Grant film that spawned from it. David Walton (Bent) plays a bachelor who forms a friendship with his neighbor's young boy. And yes, the neighbor happens to be a hot single mom (Minnie Driver). Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood) is writing and producing, so you can bet it's going to be all weepy and exhilarating and make you feel feelings you never thought you could. "1600 Penn"s Benjamin Stockham will play the boy (assuming NBC doesn't renew 1600 Penn). Leslie Bibb (Judd Apatow movies) and Al Madrigal (The Daily Show) also star. This show is going to be very easy to like. Update: "1600 Penn" has been cancelled.

.... Sean Saves the World continues Sean Hayes' relationship with NBC. Hayes (Will & Grace) produces and stars as a man dealing with his 14-year-old daughter and his temperamental boss. It's a multi-camera joint. Thomas Lennon (Reno 911!), Echo Kellum (Ben & Kate), and Linda Lavin (Alice) also star.

.... Family Guide is a single-camera sitcom about a boy who worships his blind father and becomes closer to his mom after the two divorce. Parker Posey, JK Simmons, and Eli Baker star, with Bent's DJ Nash behind the series.

These five new shows join "Chicago Fire", "Revolution", "Law & Order: SVU", "Grimm", "Parenthood", "The Voice", and "The Michael J. Fox Show" (new series) on NBC's schedule for 2013-2014. There will be more NBC pickups coming soon, as well as decisions on which of the networks comedies will return.
According to reports online, NBC has passed on the following pilots, taking them out of consideration: Brenda Forever; Drop-Off (previously known as The Gates); Holding Patterns; Joe, Joe, & Jane; Bloodline; Hatfields & McCoys; The Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives; and The Sixth Gun.

RENEWALS

..... NBC has also ordered a sixth season of "Parks and Recreation". With "30 Rock" over and "The Office" ending next week, NBC had little choice but to renew Parks and Recreation, lest the network be without any established returning comedies next season.

CANCELLATIONS

That's two seasons and done for Whitney Cummings' "Whitney", a multi-camera comedy that inexplicably stuck around after being panned by critics and the viewers.

Also moving out of NBC's digs is White House family comedy "1600 Penn", a single-camera sitcom that got off to a rough start in January before eventually picking up a bit. It was too late, though, and the series never really gained any additional viewers.

They also canceled "Guys With Kids" and the Christina Applegate, Will Arnett and Maya Rudolph comedy "Up All Night". Hopefully this is good news for "Go On" and "New Normal".

NBC has not yet made a decision on "Community".


Culled from TV.com

Shows airing this week 5th - 11th of May 2013

This week, 6 shows are finishing for the season. "The Mentalist", "Glee", "Person of Interest", "Community", "Touch" and "Vegas". "The Mentalist", "Glee" and "Person of Interest" have all been renewed for new seasons, "Glee" recently had 2 seasons extension for season 5 and 6 ordered by FOX. No word yet on whether "Community", "Touch" and "Vegas" are coming back, "Community" looks the more likely not to be renewed because NBC is looking to scrap and revamp its comedy slot with only "Parks and Recreation" staying. While "Touch" and "Vegas" are 50/50 to be renewed.
This week, a lot of shows are airing penultimate episodes before they air their season finales next week.

==== Sunday - "Game of Thrones" Season 3 Episode 6, "Mad Men" Season 6 Episode 6, "Once Upon A Time" Season 2 Episode 21, "The Mentalist" Season 5 Finale Episode 22, "Veep" Season 2 Episode 4, "The Borgias" Season 3 Episode 4, "Continuum" Season 2 Episode 3, "Revenge" Season 2 Episode 20.

==== Monday - "Revolution" Season 1 Episode 16, "2 Broke Girls" Season 2 Episode 23, "Castle" Season 5 Episode 23, "Defiance" Season 1 Episode 4, "Hawaii Five-0" Season 3 Episode 22, "How I Met Your Mother" Season 8 Episode 23, "Warehouse 13" Season 4 Episode 12.

==== Tuesday - "New Girl" Season 2 Episode 24, "Awkward" Season 3 Episode 5, "NCIS" Season 10 Episode 23, "NCIS:LA" Season 4 Episode 23, "Grimm" Season 2 Episode 20, "The Mindy Project" Season 1 Episode 23.

==== Wednesday - "Criminal Minds" Season 8 Episode 21, "Modern Family" Season 4 Episode 22, "Nashville" Season 1 Episode 19, "Arrow" Season 1 Episode 22, "Supernatural" Season 8 Episode 22.

==== Thursday - "The Big Bang Theory" Season 6 Episode 23, "Two And A Half Men" Season 10 Episode 23, "The Vampire Diaries" Season 4 Episode 22, "Grey's Anatomy" Season 9 Episode 23, "Person Of Interest" Season 2 Finale Episode 22, "Elementary" Season 1 Episode 22, "Glee" Season 4 Finale Episode 22, "Scandal" Season 2 Episode 21,"Community" Season 4 Finale Episode 13, "Hannibal" Season 1 Episode 7.

==== Friday - "Nikita" Season 2 Episode 20, "Da Vinci's Demons" Season 1 Episode 5, "Vegas" Season 1 Episode 21, "Touch" Season 2 Finale Episode 13.

==== Saturday - "Doctor Who" Season 7 Episode 12, "Orphan Black" Season 1 Episode 7, "Smash" Season 2 Episode 15.


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Shows airing this week 28th of April - 4th of May 2013

This week, 5 shows are ending their season this week, "The Good Wife", "Vikings", "The Following", "Bomb Girls" and "The Americans". "Vikings" and "The Americans" have both being renewed for new seasons, while no official word yet on the "The Good Wife", its still favored to be renewed, while "The Following" and "Bomb Girls" haven't been officially renewed yet.
Also this week, "Warehouse 13" returns after 6 months hiatus to resume season 4, also back is "Revenge" and "Nashville" who have aired only one episode in the last 6 weeks.

==== Sunday - "Game of Thrones" Season 3 Episode 5, "Mad Men" Season 6 Episode 5, "Vikings" Season 1 Finale Episode 9, "Once Upon A Time" Season 2 Episode 20, "The Good Wife" Season 4 Finale, Episode 22, "The Mentalist" Season 5 Episode 21, "Veep" Season 2 Episode 3, "The Borgias" Season 3 Episode 3, "Continuum" Season 2 Episode 2, "Revenge" Season 2 Episode 19.

==== Monday - "Revolution" Season 1 Episode 15, "The Following" Season 1 Finale Episode 15, "Bomb Girls" Season 2 Finale Episode 12, "2 Broke Girls" Season 2 Episode 22, "Castle" Season 5 Episode 22, "Defiance" Season 1 Episode 3, "Hawaii Five-0" Season 3 Episode 21, "How I Met Your Mother" Season 8 Episode 22, "Warehouse 13" Season 4 Episode 11.

==== Tuesday - "New Girl" Season 2 Episode 23, "Awkward" Season 3 Episode 4, "NCIS" Season 10 Episode 22, "NCIS:LA" Season 4 Episode 22, "Grimm" Season 2 Episode 19, "The Mindy Project" Season 1 Episode 22.

==== Wednesday - "Criminal Minds" Season 8 Episode 20, "Modern Family" Season 4 Episode 21, "Nashville" Season 1 Episode 18, "The Americans" Season 1 Finale Episode 13, "Arrow" Season 1 Episode 21, "Supernatural" Season 8 Episode 21.

==== Thursday - "The Big Bang Theory" Season 6 Episode 22, "Two And A Half Men" Season 10 Episode 22' "The Vampire Diaries" Season 4 Episode 21, "Grey's Anatomy" Season 9 Episode 22, "Person Of Interest" Season 2 Episode 21, "Elementary" Season 1 Episode 21, "Glee" Season 4 Episode 21, "Scandal" Season 2 Episode 20,"Community" Season 4 Episode 12, "Hannibal" Season 1 Episode 6.

==== Friday - "Nikita" Season 2 Episode 20, "Da Vinci's Demons" Season 1 Episode 4, "Vegas" Season 1 Episode 20, "Touch" Season 2 Episode 12.

==== Saturday - "Doctor Who" Season 7 Episode 11, "Orphan Black" Season 1 Episode 6, "Smash" Season 2 Episode 14.

News This Weekend: Finales and renewals

--- Airing this weekend on Sunday is the Season Finale of both "The Good Wife" and "Vikings", while "Revenge" is back on air after 3 weeks break.

--- The CW has renewed struggling "Beauty and the Beast" and "Hart of Dixie" for Seasons 2 and 3, respectively, and also given a series order to "The Vampire Diaries" spin-off "The Originals". They join "Supernatural", "Arrow" and "The Vampire Diaries" on the list of shows confirmed to be returning to The CW for the 2013-2014 TV season.

The quick series pickup of "The Originals" comes the day after its backdoor pilot debuted as an episode of "The Vampire Diaries". The CW apparently would rather take its chances with a new series that can sucker in a built-in audience.

The CW has eight pilots in contention as well as decisions to make regarding "Nikita" and "The Carrie Diaries". Rumors abound that "Nikita" is coming back for one final season and that it would be a short order of episodes rather than the normal 20-plus episodes. With a short order of 13 episodes, "Nikita" can come back next season and finish its series and be replaced by "The Carrie Diaries" which also has a 13 episodes order.

--- NBC has renewed five shows for new seasons, the network announced today. "Revolution", "Grimm", "Chicago Fire", "Parenthood", "Law & Order:SVU" have all been renewed. No word yet on "Hannibal" receiving a second season order while "Deception" and "Smash" will almost certainly be cancelled.

NBC says this was the drama round, so there's no word yet on "Parks & Recreation", "Community", "Whitney", "Guys with Kids" and others.

--- CBS has renewed its long-running comedy Two and a Half Men for an eleventh season. But the show isn't coming back the way you're used to. Angus T. Jones, who plays the half-man Jake, will not be returning as a series regular. It's probably a mutual agreement, as Jones has been thinking about going to college.

Shows airing this week 21st - 27th April 2013

Premiering this week is the second season of the Sci-fi series, "Continuum". Based on network changes, "Grimm" is moving from Fridays back to Tuesdays it was on in October, last year, so no episode of "Grimm" this week. Also "Castle" is switching its episode 21 with that of episode 22 because it contains the use of bombs in it, and based on the recent Boston bomb attack, it was replaced. No word yet whether the bomb episode would still air this season, or In the summer.
A lot of Shows are returning this week after 2-3 weeks breaks, Arrow, Person Of Interest, Supernatural, Greys Anatomy, Scandal.

==== Sunday - "Game of Thrones" Season 3 Episode 4, "Mad Men" Season 6 Episode 4, "Vikings" Season 1 Episode 8, "Once Upon A Time" Season 2 Episode 19, "The Good Wife" Season 4 Episode 21, "The Mentalist" Season 5 Episode 20, "Veep" Season 2 Episode 2, "The Borgias" Season 3 Episode 2, "Continuum" Season 2 Premiere,

==== Monday - "Revolution" Season 1 Episode 14, "The Following" Season 1 Episode 14, "Bomb Girls" Season 2 Episode 11, "Castle" Season 5 Episode 22, "Defiance" Season 1 Episode 2.

==== Tuesday - "Awkward" Season 3 Episode 3, "NCIS" Season 10 Episode 21' "NCIS:LA" Season 4 Episode 21.

==== Wednesday - "The Americans" Season 1 Episode 12, "Arrow" Season 1 Episode 20, "Supernatural" Season 8 Episode 20.

==== Thursday - "The Big Bang Theory" Season 6 Episode 20, "Two And A Half Men" Season 10 Episode 21' "The Vampire Diaries" Season 4 Episode 20, "Grey's Anatomy" Season 9 Episode 21, "Person Of Interest" Season 2 Episode 20, "Elementary" Season 1 Episode 20, "Glee" Season 4 Episode 20, "Scandal" Season 2 Episode 19,"Community" Season 4 Episode 11, "Hannibal" Season 1 Episode 4.

==== Friday - "Nikita" Season 2 Episode 19, "Da Vinci's Demons" Season 1 Episode 3, "Vegas" Season 1 Episode 19, "Touch" Season 2 Episode 11.

==== Saturday - "Doctor Who" Season 7 Episode 10, "Orphan Black" Season 1 Episode 5, "Smash" Season 2 Episode 13.

Shows airing this week 14th - 20th April 2013

These are the episodes of the various shows airing this week, some shows are still on break, while some have finished for the season, and some shows haven't started their new seasons. Meanwhile "Spartacus's aired its Series finale last Friday, meaning there will be no more episodes of "Spartacus", while "Go On" aired its season finale last week. "Once Upon A Time" is airing an highlight show of the whole season, and showing previews of the upcoming 4 final episodes of the season. "Suburgatory" is airing its season finales this week with a 2 episode blowout.
While this week will see the Season 3 Premiere of "Awkward" with 2 episodes airing, this week also sees the return to renowned places of power, while one is a comedic spoof of the White House, "Veep" takes a look at the office of The Vice-President of The United States of America. While "The Borgias" takes a look at the power struggle in the Vatican during the reign of Pope Borgias.
Also premiering this week is the Series Premier of "Defiance", a post apocalyptic series set on Earth in the future with humanity and aliens living together in a world ravaged by creatures. This Show has a game that accompanies it with characters appearing on both mediums.

==== Sunday - "Game of Thrones" Season 3 Episode 3, "Mad Men" Season 6 Episode 3, "Vikings" Season 1 Episode 7, "Once Upon A Time" Season 2 Episode 00, "The Good Wife" Season 4 Episode 20, "The Mentalist" Season 5 Episode 19, "Veep" Season 2 Premiere, "The Borgias" Season 3 Premiere.

==== Monday - "Revolution" Season 1 Episode 13, "The Following" Season 1 Episode 12, "Bomb Girls" Season 2 Episode 9, "2 Broke Girls" Season 2 Episode 21, "Castle" Season 5 Episode 20, "Defiance" Series Premiere, "Hawaii Five-0" Season 3 Episode 20, "How I Met Your Mother" Season 8 Episode 21.

==== Tuesday - "Awkward" Season 3 2-Episodes Premiere

==== Wednesday - "Suburgatory" Season 2 Finale, Episodes 21 and 22, "The Americans" Season 1 Episode 11.

==== Thursday - "The Vampire Diaries" Season 4 Episode 19, "Community" Season 4 Episode 10, "Hannibal" Season 1 Episode 3.

==== Friday - "Grimm" Season 2 Episode 18, "Nikita" Season 2 Episode 18, "Da Vinci's Demons" Season 1 Episode 2, "Vegas" Season 1 Episode 18.

==== Saturday - "Doctor Who" Season 7 Episode 9, "Orphan Black" Season 1 Episode 4.

Shows airing this week 8th - 14th April 2013

These are the episodes of the various shows airing this week, some shows are on break, while some have finished for the season, and some shows haven't started their new seasons. Meanwhile Spartacus, Californication, House of Lies and Shameless will air their finales this week, Spartacus's is airing its Series finale this coming Friday, meaning this will be the last episode of Spartacus.

==== Sunday - "Game of Thrones" Episode 2, "Mad Men" ( Season 6, 2hrs Premiere), "Shameless" Episode 12 ( Season Finale), "Californication" Episode 12 ( Season Finale), "House of Lies" Episode 12 (Season Finale), "Vikings" Episode 6.

==== Monday - "Revolution" Episode 13, "The Carrie Diaries" Episode 13, "The Following" Episode 12, "Bomb Girls" Episode 9.

==== Tuesday - "New Girl" Episode 22, "The Mindy Project" Episode 21.

==== Wednesday - "Criminal Minds" Episode 19, "Modern Family" Episode 20, "Nashville" Episode 17, "Suburgatory" Episode 20, "The Americans" Episode 10.

==== Thursday - "Community" Episode 9, "Glee" Episode 18, "Go On" Episode 22, "Hannibal" Episode 2.

==== Friday - "Grimm" Episode 18, "Nikita" Episode 17, "Spartacus" Episode 10 ( Series Finale), "Touch" Episode 11, "Vegas" Episode 17.

==== Saturday - "Doctor Who" Episode 8, "Orphan Black" Episode 3.