Entertainment News: Television

A U.S. Court of Appeals panel refuses to block a ruling requiring tax-exempt organizations that run election-related TV ads to reveal their supporters.

Organizers have found ways to skirt their own rules and give corporations and lobbyists a presence at the national event in September. The situation reflects President Obama’s difficulties in delivering on a vow to limit the influence of money in politics.

A GOP primary fight devours time and money while the president’s campaign pours millions into a national field effort.

There’ll be no shortage of laughs when the British comedian hosts the award show, its first host since 1995.

It’s unclear whether a ban on such giving is still valid after the Supreme Court ruling that freed up independent political spending.

Sheldon Adelson comes in first, pumping $5.5 million more into a pro-Gingrich super PAC. But others shell out big for Romney and Santorum.

The GOP hopeful has gotten much of his campaign money from big donors, but now his fundraisers are looking for new sources of cash.

The Republican presidential hopeful spends twice as much as he raises in January, as does a ‘super PAC’ working on his behalf, although he remains the undisputed leader in the party’s money race.

Campaign finance experts say that such transfers underscore a troubling relationship and ‘weakening transparency in the political world.’

Leaders of some of the new groups are taking advantage of the mammoth donations and the lack of oversight to write themselves big paychecks or hire their own companies.

A group supporting Mitt Romney raised $30 million, including three $1-million donations from hedge fund executives. The disclosures underscore the powerful role assumed by wealthy individuals in this election cycle.

Emma Stone’s bustier showstopper, Michelle Williams’ red Valentino gown and Rose Byrne’s ‘Scarface’ jumpsuit add a pop of individuality to the awards season.

As the actress receives a Life Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild, her groundbreaking work on her 1970s sitcom is being compared to new female-centered comedies.

A few super-rich individuals are using their personal and corporate wealth to influence American politics in an unprecedented manner.

Even the GOP candidates whom the groups are supporting now denounce their expanded influence in South Carolina and beyond.

The Republican presidential contender says he learned about expanding employment during his time heading a private equity firm. But under his leadership, Bain Capital often maximized profits in part by firing workers.

The script for ‘Touch’ brought ‘24’ star Kiefer Sutherland back to TV. The Fox show gets a sneak preview Jan. 25 after ‘American Idol.’

He misses fellow trainer Jillian Michaels but emphasizes the goal is helping contestants lose weight.

Showtime documentary examines the super group’s evolution.

A TV writer gets the chance of a lifetime, but like a tragic plot twist, fate intervenes.

Arthur C. Nielsen Jr.’s lifelong efforts remade his father’s once-obscure market research company into a global giant, with a brand name that became a symbol for television ratings.

Voters won’t know ‘super PAC’ donors until after the first several Republican presidential nominating contests, making it difficult to discern who is spending millions to influence them and why.

Martin Scorsese’s documentary shows a man more complex than the ‘Quiet Beatle’ label suggests.

Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s documentary is informative but overlong.

The revelation is likely to spur new inquiries about the solar company’s political influence. Separately, California lawmakers seek investigation of a state tax break the firm received.

A group of venture capitalists is backing United in Purpose, an ambitious project that seeks to affect the 2012 election by registering 5 million new conservative Christians to vote.

Many of the GOP presidential candidate’s mega-donors have won hefty contracts or appointments. Perry’s aides vigorously dispute that any got special perks.

Ryan Murphy, Betty White, Michael C. Hall and others reveal their must-watch shows. They have so many options in this age of DVDs and downloads.

The birth, growth, culture and personalities behind ESPN.

The Republican Governors Assn. gave Rick Perry $4 million in the last five years. As its chairman, he helped funnel millions into the organization.

Louis C.K. says he’s happy to make FX look good with his Emmy bids for lead actor and writing on ‘Louie.’ He also was nominated for writing and editing an HBO special.

It hopes to select an alternate presidential ticket through an online, open convention. Its status as a social welfare group has enabled it to keep private its financiers even as it tries to qualify as a new party.

The presidential contenders devoted much of their resources to fundraising and travel, in an effort to fill their coffers for the GOP primary.

As the 10th anniversary of the attacks approaches, TV specials look at Sept. 11 from every angle. The mostly elegiac programs range from the fresh to the trivial.

Republican front-runner Mitt Romney raises $18.3 million — and his rivals lag far behind. President Obama’s robust $86.7 million only emphasizes the challenges ahead.

The so-called Noble Experiment gets an in-depth look in a three-part, six-hour documentary on PBS from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick.

The fiscal conservative from Minnesota and 2012 presidential contender has benefited personally from federal funds and federal farm subsidies.

The Foreign Press Assn. snubs some critical darlings and past Emmy winners.

‘The Walking Dead’ and ‘True Blood’ are left out of the nominations as are ‘Kyra Sedgwick and Lea Michele.

Donations from Wall Street are hindered by regulations that inhibit donations by financial services company employees to sitting governors.

A tale of the 2008 financial meltdown comes to HBO, with straightforward direction by Curtis Hanson and a sizable cast led by William Hurt.

In his new novel, Albert Brooks imagines a post-earthquake L.A. bailed out by the Chinese in the year 2030.

And the actor says he’s ‘dreading’ the move back to Los Angeles.

The author takes readers along for the ride on the iconic motorcycle daredevil’s stunning feats, spectacular failures and the wildly colorful life in between.

Roberts quit the popular western at the height of its popularity. He later starred in the TV series ‘Trapper John M.D.’

A memorial service for television producer and executive David Gerber, who died Jan. 2 at age 86, will be held Tuesday morning at 20th Century Fox Studios’ Darryl F.

She started working for CBS in 1941 and soon was promoted into directing and producing positions. She left the business in 1954.

The former president of the Costume Designers Guild worked on films and many TV productions.

She never complained about being overshadowed by a talking horse, said her human costar, Alan Young. As the show reemerged in syndication, Hines enjoyed being discovered by new audiences.

Alaina Reed Hall, a singer and actress who played Olivia Robinson on “Sesame Street” for a dozen years beginning in the mid-1970s and later played Rose Holloway on the situation comedy “227,” has died.

Young stars Anne Hathaway and James Franco host a professional, predictable Academy Awards telecast.

Over four decades, he wrote jokes and scripts for ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show,’ ‘Taxi, ‘Cheers’ and many others.

The Nickelodeon movie features ‘iCarly’s’ Jerry Trainor and Jennette McCurdy in a fun, if obvious, bit of gaming rivalry.

The comedian’s collection of personal essays is heavier on pop culture than on biography.

The performer, known for his natural ability with horses, co-founded the Stuntmen’s Assn. of Motion Pictures. He received the Golden Boot for his contributions to the western genre.

The documentary ‘Troubadours’ on KOCE talks to ‘60s and ‘70s artists about their time at West Hollywood’s Troubadour.

In what will be Jillian Michaels’ final season, two new trainers will be introduced and the show’s most morbidly obese contestant will compete against Olympic gold medalist Rulon Gardner.

The award show was a celebration of television, set to an up beat.

‘He was the big brother that all of us wish for,’ said his co-star on the show, Bill Cosby. The Emmy-nominated Culp also won plaudits for his role in the 1969 movie ‘Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice.’

Late at night, the comic actor turned talk show host is displaying a unique way with questions, a penchant for high-quality skits and multiple other ways of charming an audience.

Cast against type, Steve Buscemi rules Atlantic City as a powerbroker in the lavish series about the beginnings of organized crime.

Forget the inspirational. New cooking show tries a much different approach.

He said he could name the title of any of the 179 “I Love Lucy” episodes when given three words from the script -- “unless the line is ‘Honey, I’m home.’ ”

He wrote for many TV shows in the 1960s and ‘70s, and was nominated for an Emmy for an episode of ‘Ben Casey.’

Three L.A.-area foodies are among the cooks competing to be ‘The Next Food Network Star.’

Food Network show pits seven teams of mobile chefs against one another.

The exuberant actor, easily identifiable on-screen, lent his voice to Gumby, Archie Andrews, Buzz Buzzard and many other animated figures. He also could be heard at Disney theme parks.

The Wild West showman Buffalo Bill and the colorful region he promoted around the world are celebrated at a museum complex in Cody, Wyo.

The comforts are minimal, and the neighbors can be less than tame (roaming bears, anyone?), but the payoff is huge: serenity, natural beauty and wildlife galore. It’s an area the old Rough Rider knew well.

Ovens aren’t hot enough, some dishes are strange and the chefs nearly come to blows.

She embodied many fairly significant shifts in how women were viewed, on television and in the culture.

Albano was an outsize personality who, in a career spanning nearly five decades, was known as much for his showmanship as for his talent in the ring.

Gerber was best known in the industry for dealing with serious, often controversial subjects as one of television’s pioneers of social realism. He was an Emmy, Golden Globe and Peabody award winner.

Veteran entertainment writer and editor whose newspaper career spanned the 1940s to the ‘80s was known for witty, elegant writing.

The History Channel series works hard to keep viewers caught up in the tension but often slips into tedium.

McWilliams, whose other television work included ‘Guiding Light’ and ‘Judging Amy,’ also directed and acted on stage. Her film roles included ‘Mermaids’ in 1990.

He received an Emmy Award for his work on ‘All in the Family’ and launched a spinoff, ‘The Jeffersons.’ He also helped create ‘Three’s Company’ and produced another spinoff, ‘Three’s a Crowd.’

Don’t expect the ‘Lost’ finale to answer all the island’s intricacies, but that’s the beauty of a show with such complex characters and winding plotting.

He became a sensation among young baby boomers as the ‘King of the Wild Frontier.’ He then went on to become a Santa Barbara hotel developer and Santa Ynez winery owner.

Simmons, who influenced the careers of numerous sportscasters, was president of ESPN during the network’s launch in 1979 and helped create ‘SportsCenter.’ He also worked with ABC and NBC.

The award-winning writer died Sept. 11.

A record 72% of the viewing audience watched the 1967 ‘Fugitive’ finale. Eckstein produced the 1971 television movie ‘Duel,’ which was directed by a 24-year-old Steven Spielberg.

The actress came to Hollywood as a finalist in a national talent contest, then appeared in numerous movies before starring on TV in the popular ‘My Little Margie’ and ‘The Gale Storm Show.’

He played patriarch Palmer Cortlandt on the soap opera from 1979 until the show’s 40th anniversary episode this month.

Subway, one of the NBC show’s sponsors, will pay Season 8 contestant Shay Sorrells $1,000 a pound to keep dropping weight.

Carter played Julia Sugarbaker in the CBS sitcom about four women running an Atlanta interior design firm. She and her husband, Hal Holbrook, appeared in the 2009 film ‘That Evening Sun.’

The tough-talking trainer from ‘The Biggest Loser’ debuts in her own NBC show, ‘Losing It with Jillian.’

The chef keeps his ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ temper in check on his latest TV competition, which celebrates home cooks.

The veteran comedy writer and director launched hit TV shows ‘Gomer Pyle’ and ‘Sanford and Son.’ He credited his longevity to working with youngsters.

The comedian acquired a cult-like following among adults with a show ostensibly meant for children. His signature routine, which he elevated to an art form, was pie-throwing.

The performer appeared on many other TV shows, in movies and in Las Vegas.

Berg was a pioneer of the made-for-TV film format. He helped launch the careers of directors Sydney Pollack and Mark Rydell. Three of his sons are in the entertainment industry; one is a biographer.

Memorable ‘Real World’ cast member Pedro Zamora, an AIDS educator, is the subject of the film scripted by Dustin Lance Black.

The actor took over the TV role for 52 episodes after Clayton Moore walked out in a reported pay dispute, and also played the lead in the 1947 Columbia serial ‘Jack Armstrong: The All-American Boy.’

The broadcasting pioneer helped shape public television programming in the 1960s and later was appointed by President Clinton to the board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

The mix of eloquence and authority that the CBS newsman embodied is a far cry from today’s anxiety-provoking TV outlets.

Other news outlets were reluctant to cite the website as the source for confirmation of the pop star’s demise.

Loser teachers populate Fox’s new animated sitcom, which is closer to ‘Family Guy’ than to ‘The Simpsons.’

He was the first African American to join the International Cinematographers Guild. For 15 years, he also worked in various capacities on Michael Jackson’s music videos, tours and other projects.

She was best known for touting ‘long-lasting’ Hazel Bishop lipstick during commercial breaks on ‘This Is Your Life’ but also was an actress and TV host.

An appearance on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ propels the 47-year-old singer onto the world stage - with nary a speck of glitz or glamour.

The Food Network personality’s Guy Fieri Road Show is part cooking demonstration, part concert. It comes to the Gibson Amphitheatre Dec. 17.

The Ryan Seacrest-produced E! show fits a ‘new chapter in my life,’ says the widow of mogul Aaron Spelling.

The veteran actor found fame four decades ago as a meek poet on the landmark TV comedy show and most recently had a recurring role on ‘Boston Legal.’

“I channel Tracy Flick, yes.”

The Emmy-nominated actor was also in the TV series ’12 O’Clock High’ and the films ‘Valley of the Dolls’ and ‘The Thomas Crown Affair.’ In the 1980s, he had a recurring role on ‘Dynasty.’

The comedian and actor was doing stand-up when he landed the job of guiding the 1980s game show, which featured raucous question-and-answer trivia contests about TV reruns.

The ‘CBS Evening News’ standard-bearer guided a nation through times of turmoil and great achievement. He was long considered ‘the most trusted man in America.’

After an early modeling and stage career, she became a versatile performer on dozens of programs, notably as secretary Della Street in ‘Perry Mason.’

The 64-year veteran, who was working for the network until January, negotiated contracts for shows such as ‘I Love Lucy,’ ‘All in the Family’ and ‘The Young and the Restless,’ among others.

‘The first pioneering major news consultant in the country’ was responsible for the ‘Action News’ format that featured more lifestyle and crime stories.

The service for the star of 1950s situation comedies ‘My Little Margie’ and ‘The Gale Storm Show: Oh! Susanna’ will take place Saturday in Dana Point.

A delusional patient stabbed Carter and Lucy nine years ago. Lucy died in the next episode, but for Carter, it just marked the beginning of a saga.

There’s fun in an unlikely place as Starz does the sitcom with ‘Party Down.’

The ‘Arrested Development’ actress, wed last year to talk-show queen DeGeneres, costars in ‘Better Off Ted.’

For 22 years, the veteran television and commercial announcer told TV and radio audiences that ‘You’re in good hands with Allstate.’

With the spinoffs and sponsorships that can come a winner’s way, the Season 5 competition will surely heat up.

The series’ pilot established a tone for the many seasons that, surprisingly, came to follow.

One gut-wrenching episode from 1995 still packs a powerful punch, and a fragility-of-life lesson too.

Contestants in ‘The Last Cake Standing’ face the kind of rigorous ordeal that feeds a genre’s success.

After starting his acting career on Broadway, he starred in the 1960s TV series ‘Bringing Up Buddy’ and ‘It’s About Time.’

Call it a cynic’s guide to surviving the ‘burbs, but it’s really an old-fashioned sitcom with Bob Saget at the helm playing a grumpy dad.

The documentary details the brutality and the back story of the Ali-Frazier legendary bouts.

Inventors bring their gadgets for Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan to certify for TV sellability in new Discovery series.

The sword-and-sorcery genre gets a going-over in this Comedy Central/BBC co-production.

The patients at “ER’s” County General Hospital weren’t the only ones receiving a little TLC.

Michael Scott’s sad-sack demeanor is bringing viewer morale down. A fresh face at the helm just might work wonders.

Stacey Anderson, 40, has her pick of much younger suitors. Beware of the kiss of death.

Tom Selleck’s good-guy appeal and a strong supporting cast make for an engrossing police tale that isn’t afraid to linger over the details.

Bill Paxton, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloë Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin discuss the series’ philosophy and the challenge of understanding their characters.

Kevin Bacon gives a riveting performance as a Marine who escorts the casket of a fallen Marine back to his hometown. The film is based on a true story.

Kevin Bacon stars as a Marine escorting the casket of a slain Marine across the U.S.

Injuries bedevil the ballroom dance show. All that grace comes with rigors.

Fresh from her post-Oscars show lap dance with Hugh Jackman, the TV host is excited about ‘The View’s’ West Coast layover.

He was a pioneer in network TV coverage of economic issues. With his distinctive bow tie, slow-paced delivery and use of his middle initial in his sign-off, he became highly recognizable.

Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic play a mystery writer and a cop working together on cases in the new ABC show.

Lifetime airs the story of Mary Griffith, who spurned religious ideals to champion gay causes after her son’s suicide.

The two-story, 25,000-square-foot structure has some real personality.

The time-bending begins anew in a continuation of the British original ‘Life on Mars’ story. What matters most: Philip Glenister’s righteous thug is back.

NBC’s police procedural franchise gets translated for the telly with British settings, accents and pacing.

The star of the MTV reality show is looking forward to living her life off-camera.

Once reportedly on the way out as CBS news anchor, Couric’s tough interview with Sarah Palin has helped stabilize the situation.

The stars are attractive, but the sparks never really fly between them, leaving this version bland.

It may seem like a dream job. But trophy presenters always end up empty-handed.

The field will be pared to the final 36, and it’s likely many contestants won’t be gracious losers.

Four women’s romantic lives are jammed with issues you’ve seen before. But the acting is terrific.

NBC reality show, hosted by Marco Pierre White, is the latest in a sometimes-moving feast of cooking-centric contests.

The name calling. The judgmental attitude. Besides entertainment, is there a point?

Creator Jenji Kohan gives Mary-Louise Parker’s character a change of venue to stir up the dealing action.

Clint Ritchie, the tall, handsome actor who played Clint Buchanan for two decades on the ABC soap opera “One Life to Live,” died Saturday in Roseville, Calif., after a brief illness, network spokeswoman Lauri Hogan said.

Controversy over daughter Bristol Palin’s pregnancy gave Republicans an opportunity to rail at the media Wednesday night.

TNT’s new drama series “Trust Me” revolves around the chemistry between Mason and Conner, best friends who find their lives upended at a treacherous Chicago-based ad agency.

Terry O’Quinn’s Locke is back from the dead on ‘Lost.’ Really.

What didn’t get nominated may be a bigger surprise than what did.

Thomas, a staff announcer at L.A.’s Channel 9 for 27 years, also created the Oscars-prediction show ‘Your Choice for the Oscars.’

While lawyers tailor their legal suits, the show’s L.A. scenes are in the can, and New York awaits.

The competition is on to crown ‘America’s next drag superstar,’ and who better to preside over the proceedings than onetime club icon RuPaul.

Showtime series developed by Diablo ‘Juno’ Cody starts Toni Collette as a woman with multiple personalities.

Spearheaded by Jon Hamm’s acting and Matt Weiner’s smart storytelling, the critics’ darling gathers Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations.

Miniseries with Dougray Scott has intrigue and accents.

No milk cow blues. He’s an Australian farm boy at heart. Actually. On beauty and ‘The Beast’ Beauty and ‘The Beast’

Unlike other reality TV shows, this one delivers the goods: real designed clothes and a winner chosen based on talent.

The conservative author says she was ‘flattered’ to be taken to task by ‘The Early Show’ anchor.

‘The Last Templar’ is the latest in the hot quest-for-holy-relic trend. It knows its genre, but not its story.

History series digs deep into the lives of New York’s sandhogs, unseen but essential.

Its focus on competition shows over traditional cooking shows meets with success, and other channels are sharpening their knives.

The long-running series has one of television’s most loyal audiences, but it’s had to survive a few crises along the way.

Bernie Hamilton, an actor best known for playing the no-nonsense police captain on the popular 1970s TV series “Starsky and Hutch,” has died.

The Sherlock Holmes template has worked so well on “House” that really it was only a matter of time before it was reclaimed by a detective show.

No surprise here, but Snoop Dogg is not a big worrier.

No freshman network show is recognized, but HBO’s ‘In Treatment’ and ‘True Blood’ get nods.

The satellite provider gets the jump on NBC in airing the new season. Will fans switch to the satellite provider, wait or, ahem, see it another way?

The comedian has joined the cable network. But it’s Anderson Cooper, Wolf Blitzer, Lou Dobbs and the rest who crack us up. After all, can a hologram be taken seriously?

As the economy reels, many top performers show little appetite for another clash with the studios.

Last year’s walkout by the writers hurt many types of shows, but if the actors go out, only some scripted programs would be affected.

Sure, the writers strike put a crimp in the season. But even so, these nominations seem stale.

Long-lost relatives and loved ones are reunited, and well, tears flow.

Producer Barney Rosenzweig led a letter-writing campaign decrying a recent Times story that he felt slighted the ‘80s show. But some ‘C & L’ fans needed no encouragement.

From villains and nerds to most preposterous story lines, here are some nominees you won’t see on Emmy night.

On the Web, the former Danity Kane performer has earned a fame that has taken on a life of its own. Whether that’s a good thing, only time will tell.

The man behind ‘Fear Factor’ is happy to entertain viewers any way he can. Really. His latest -- ‘Wipeout’ -- involves a giant obstacle course.

Producers hope the full-fledged award show will help dispel clouds of gloom.

As the FX show enters its seventh and final season, producer Shawn Ryan talks about sacrifices along the way.

The series from Josh Schwartz is taping its first season, with an eye toward a 2009 arrival.

The election played havoc with prime-time schedules, so TV executives hope a ratings rebound is coming in its wake.

SOON, IT will all return: the mammoth egos, the nasty feuds, the career fates that teeter on choosing just the right fabric swatch.

While broadcasters stick with reality this summer, and have some hits, cable puts in a strong showing with scripted shows.

With image and politics overlapping, TV personalities are in tight races.

The star of both ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ and ‘Kitchen Nightmares’ on Fox says worries related to the latter show, featuring real restaurant owners in dire fiscal straits, have given him an ulcer.

There’s nothing original about the MTV musical, but it has a certain appeal.

Commentary

The networks are making big plans for election night, with high hopes for viewership and one nagging concern: that they can get the data right.

The hosts of the new reality show follow in the footsteps of the U.K.’s Simon Cowell, Cat Deeley and others

A Fox News technician transcribing the tape overnight heard it, and it took off from there.

Changes in the Communist country affect us all, the newsman says.

The HBO documentary follows the Hollywood madam as she tries to open a brothel for female clients.

In an Olympics in which the host country almost seems to be trying too hard to put on a perfect show, the U.S. team takes a ‘Never let ‘em see you sweat’ ethos and runs with it.

The former ‘Dr. Who’ star takes on much more mature fare in Showtime’s steamy British import series ‘Secret Diary of a Call Girl.’

Get ready for some teen angst with fresh and familiar faces as the CW revisits the ‘90s drama.