Jesse James is a Dead Man- Or Just Stupid
Jesse James takes on the role of a modern-day daredevil in “Jesse James Is A Dead Man,” a new, original weekly series on Spike TV premiering on Sunday, May 31 (10:00 – 11:00 PM, ET/PT).
“Our goal was to create a new and distinctive series for Jesse that is unlike anything else on television,” said Sharon Levy, senior vice president of original series for Spike TV. "In this series, viewers will get to experience one of the most fearless guys on the planet in an entirely new way, taking on death-defying physical challenges each week.”
Each episode follows James as he readies himself for a different death-defying challenge he has always wanted to face and beat. Preparing for the risky challenge can often be as dangerous as the challenge itself as he endures a battery of tests to prepare. With CGI effects, viewers get a taste of the enormity of the stunt, revealing the physiological stress James’ body will endure.
Some of the dangerous challenges he’ll be facing include the harrowing, grueling and lawless off-road race better known as the Baja 500, hitting over 200 mph on a Nitro bike supercharged by ultra-combustible nitro-methane fuel and braving harsh Artic weather conditions by riding a motorcycle in minus-60 degree temperature across the infamous Ice Highway that connects the small towns of Inuvik and Aklavik. James will even place his life in the hands of his fans in a featured episode where he will reach out and ask his fans to come up with the craziest, most dangerous stunts imaginable for James to undertake.
Ten weekly one-hour episodes of “Jesse James Is A Dead Man” is being produced for Spike TV by executive producer Jesse James and his production company Payupsucker Productions. Kevin Lee serves as executive producer. The series is also produced in conjunction with BASE Production (“Sports Science,” “Fight Science”). Sharon Levy and Tim Duffy are executives in charge of production for Spike TV.
I could be wrong, but a fellow by the name of Evel Knievel did something similar way back in the 70's. Sure, he never actually jumped the Snake River Canyon, but hey, he wasn't stupid enough to set himself on fire. And didn't a little show called JackASS do a few of these things too?
I'm just not sure we need yet another guy trying to defy the odds, inspiring kids to "try this" at home, and I wonder what Sandra Bullock thinks about this?
ABC's Limited Series, Diamonds
It’s the most romantic stone known, made famous by Marilyn Monroe and Carol Channing; the diamond. But when the daughter of U.S. Senator Joan Cameron (Judy Davis) is killed in a massacre at an African diamond mine, a chain of events begins that uncovers the darkest secrets of some of the players in the international diamond trade. Part One of “Diamonds” airs SUNDAY, MAY 24 (9:00-11:00 p.m.), and Part Two on TUESDAY, MAY 26 (9:00-11:00 p.m.), on the ABC Television Network.
Shot on location in South Africa and Canada, this four-hour limited series provides a fictional look inside one of the world’s most glamorous yet mysterious industries. “Diamonds” dramatically weaves together five storylines to portray the personal and political effects of the blood diamond trade on a global scale. From prospectors scouring the northern barrens to the dazzling estates of the diamond lords of Cape Town, from the diamond fashion shows in London to the war ravaged villages of Sierra Leone, this epic thriller follows the trail of greed and obsession underlying some dazzling gems.
The once mighty Denmont Corporation with headquarters in South Africa is on the verge of collapse, threatened by upstart rivals and new competition in the Canadian Arctic, just beginning to emerge as a diamond-production powerhouse. Usurping control of the company from his estranged father, Lucas Denmont (James Purefoy) seeks to restore the company’s fortunes – at any cost.
When American senator Joan Cameron’s daughter is murdered at a Congolese diamond mine, Cameron travels to Africa to find out why her daughter was killed. The search leads her to Piers Denmont (Sir Derek Jacobi), Lucas’ father, who fears his son may be behind the killing. Meanwhile, geologist Stephanie Dresser, who was in charge of the expedition and witnessed the young woman’s murder, tries to bury her grief in her work, travelling to the Canadian Arctic to hunt diamonds far from the bloodshed of the Congo.
In London, an ambitious young woman, model Luna Koroma, believes the violence in her parents’ homeland of Sierra Leone has nothing to do with her – then she is hired to be the ‘face’ of the Denmont diamond. As she falls for her irresistibly charming employer, she begins to suspect that Lucas’ business dealings aren’t nearly as clean as he claims.
In Sierra Leone, a young orphan, Sheku, is caught right in the middle of the diamond wars. He is fleeing the warlord who raised him to be a killer with a handful of rough diamonds in his pocket, struggling to reach safety any way he can.
“Diamonds” weaves together these storylines, revealing the complicated web that links these seekers to the perfect stone.
Don't miss the chance to see Judy Davis doing what she does best.
Henry Comes Back on the Season Finale of Ugly Betty
“Ugly Betty” concludes the season with a shocking two-hour telecast, THURSDAY, MAY 21 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. In the first hour, entitled “Curveball” (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), just as Betty agrees to move in with Matt, Henry (guest star Christopher Gorham) pays a visit to NYC, forcing Betty to admit she still has feelings for her former fiance. Meanwhile, Betty and Marc wait to see if their YETI editor interviews resulted in actual jobs; Daniel’s transformation from playboy to devoted husband makes him a media darling; and Wilhelmina cozies up to Victoria Hartley to find out just what kind of connection Claire Meade has to Cal Hartley.
In “The Fall Issue” (9:00-10:00 p.m.), the sudden death of a Mode editor leaves Betty and Marc competing for the same job. Meanwhile, Wilhelmina demands that Claire tender her resignation at a big awards ceremony . . . or she’ll reveal Claire’s dark secret to Cal Hartley; Matt lets his jealousy over Henry get the best of him; and Justin nervously waits to see if he got into performing arts school.
Will Betty finally find true happiness? And more importantly, will Betty be back for another season?
This episode of “Ugly Betty” will be available on ABC.com the day after airing on the network for users to watch online.
Tom Brokaw has Character
It's been a few years since we've seen Tom Brokaw regularly on TV after years of coming into our homes night after night with the day's news. He returns to television on the cable network USA in January 2010 with a "slice-of-life" show that will take Americans into the "backbone" of the country. Tonight USA gives us a sneak peek at the new show.
First stop, Maryland, a sleepy crabbing town along Highway 50. Tom Brokaw discovers one woman's story of triumph during a time of economic upheaval. A bank determines she's too much of a risk and a community steps in.
Today, Wednesday, May 27, at 7/6c, USA Network will offer the first in a series of short monthly broadcast updates, "Dispatches From The Road," featuring Tom Brokaw's inspiring encounters with real Americans during his Highway 50 road trip for his upcoming documentary TOM BROKAW PRESENTS: AMERICAN CHARACTER ALONG HIGHWAY 50. Future reports will also be featured on NBC's television and online properties including "Today Show" and "NBC Nightly News."
In the first installment, Brokaw's initial stop is 60 miles along as he relays the inspiring story of risk-taker Amanda Bramble, a spirited entrepreneur who has realized her personal American dream of opening a seafood restaurant in the sleepy fishing town of Cambridge, Maryland near Chesapeake Bay. "Everyone thought I was crazy, and so did I," she offers in a candid interview.
Bramble shares the plight of local fisherman forced to leave the waters to support their families and recounts the difficult personal challenges created by the recession. Denied financing from the banks, Bramble's passion compelled nine investors from the community to pool their cash and sweat equity to make her culinary dream of Jimmie & Sook's a reality. "Everyone here is giving when there is nothing to give," Bramble says, commenting on the true American grit of the town. "Like crabs, we cling to each other and wait for a place to settle."
TOM BROKAW PRESENTS: AMERICAN CHARACTER ALONG HIGHWAY 50.
Inspired by a series of photographs in USA Network's book American Character: A Photographic Journey, for which he penned the foreword, Brokaw will be hitting the road for an extraordinary journey along Highway 50, a route that has been called the "backbone of America." As he traverses the 12 states along this 3000-mile transcontinental road, Brokaw will document the lives of the Americans he encounters, exploring the profound economic, political and cultural changes they are experiencing during these uncertain, and particularly historic, times.
ABC TAKES A REPLICA OF THE “WIPEOUT” OBSTACLE COURSE ON A ROAD TRIP
Just like the popular “Wipeout” obstacle course that delivers laughs, moans and groans to your living room, daring participants will get a chance to partake in the “Wipeout” Road Trip with a modified replica of the course. The replicated course will be set up outdoors and will feature the ever popular Spinning Log Roller and Sucker Punch Wall that will offer participants a chance to win ABC and “Wipeout” branded prizes which may include water bottles, rally towels and t-shirts.
The road trip will kick off at Walt Disney World Resort on May 10-11and travel to select destinations, ultimately ending up at the CMA Music Festival from June 11-14. Just like the lucky contestants on the show, fans who participate will get a chance to wobble across the Spinning Log Roller or have a splendid wipeout, as well as trying to avoid getting slammed by the Sucker Punch Wall. Their attempts will be captured on video and emailed to them so they can be uploaded to social networking sites and shared with friends and family.
In addition, all fans will have the opportunity to get their picture taken with Ballsy, the “Wipeout” mascot, as well as watch an introduction video from “Wipeout” hosts John Henson and John Anderson that includes a sneak peek of the upcoming season and promos on flat screen TVs mounted on the “Wipeout” Road Trip RV.
For more information on the “Wipeout” Road Trip and to live vicariously through participants gloriously wiping out on the tour, be sure to go to www.abcWipeoutRoadTrip.com
You can also follow the “Wipeout” Road Trip on Twitter at twitter.com/ABCWipeout
“Wipeout” Road Trip Dates and Locations (subject to change):
Date Location
May 10-11 Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, FL
May 15-16 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Charlotte NC
May 19-20 World of Coke/Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, GA
May 23-24 Jones Beach, NY Boardwalk (East End, Field 6)
May 26-27 New York, NY (exact locations TBD)
May 29-31 NASCAR Race, Dover, DE
June 3 TBD
June 6-7 Philadelphia International Cycling Championship, Philadelphia, PA
June 11-14 CMA Music Festival, Nashville, TN
“YOU CAN’T EVEN TALK ABOUT IT"
JOHN STOSSEL GIVES HIS TAKE ON TOUGH SUBJECTS,
ON “YOU CAN’T EVEN TALK ABOUT IT,” FRIDAY, MAY 8 ON “20/20”
From pregnancy discrimination laws to doing less for senior citizens, from farming endangered animals to letting athletes do steroids, John Stossel brings us his take on tough subjects in an hour-long report, “You Can’t Even Talk About It,” airing on “20/20,” FRIDAY, MAY 8 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Reports include:
America Needs to Do Less for Its Senior Citizens: Stossel reports when Medicare was created, senior citizens did not live as long, and medicine offered fewer wonderful but expensive treatments. Now Medicare is headed towards bankruptcy. Government has promised seniors $34 trillion dollars more than it has funded. It amounts to generational theft, says Andrew Biggs of the American Enterprise Institute. “The government spends around $6 on seniors for every dollar it spends on children, and yet the poverty rate among children is far higher than it is among seniors,” he says. Stossel confronts seniors about it. Some say, “we’ve paid our dues” and “every paycheck, money was deducted.” But in fact, today the average Medicare beneficiary collects two to three times more than they paid in. Why do even wealthy seniors feel entitled to have taxpayer-subsidized access to state of the art medical care?
Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuits: To protect pregnant women at work, Congress passed the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. It makes it illegal to fire, not hire, or to pay a woman less because she is pregnant. Today employers are even warned not to ask in a job interview, “Are you pregnant?” or “Might you start a family?” If the new law was supposed to end discrimination, it has not -- the number of pregnancy discrimination complaints is on the rise. Stossel argues that the law does more harm than good. Carrie Lukas, a pregnant Vice-President of the Independent Women’s Forum, says: “Sometimes the laws that are intended to help women like me actually end up hurting women like me. All of a sudden a potential employer is looking at me and thinking… ‘she just might turn around and sue us.’ That makes it less likely that I'm going to get hired.”
The Best Way to Save Many Endangered Species Is to Eat Them: International bans on the trade of rare animal parts (tiger organs, elephant tusks, rhino horns) have been about as successful as the international war on drugs. Wild tigers and many of the world’s most prized species are disappearing. Why? Because wherever there is a demand strong enough, market forces overwhelm law enforcement. Terry Anderson of PERK, the Property and Environmental Resource Center, claims that governments have repeatedly failed when they tried to save animals by banning their sale: failed with the Colobus monkey in West Africa… with the alligator in China… and now, with the tiger in Asia. By contrast, does America have a shortage of chickens? No. Because people own them and eat them. Allowing private owners to sell animals for food or tourism saved the Rhino and the elephant in Africa, and the bison in America. Stossel says it could work for other endangered species too, if environmental groups would drop their resistance.
Rescuing Risk Takers: Thrill-seekers hoping to surf the most difficult ocean wave, to bushwhack through treacherous back-country terrain or to catch the biggest ice-water fish sometimes take unnecessary risks, disregarding weather forecasts or warning signs. If they need to be rescued, let’s bill them for the cost of the rescue, says Stossel. New Hampshire does that. Stossel confronts the rescued, who say “no,” tax dollars should pay.
Let Them Do Steroids: Stossel asks: After years of hand-wringing over steroids in baseball, the Olympics, the Tour de France and other sports, isn’t it time to acknowledge that athletes will always be looking for ways to get a competitive edge, and, instead of treating them like children, to let them go ahead and just do it?
Radiating Food Makes It Unsafe to Eat: Last month President Obama told us the fact that 95% of food not inspected by the FDA is “…a hazard to the public health…” But he did not mention that there is one way to make food safe: irradiate it. Irradiation means moving food though a stream of ionized energy -- it’s a little like x-raying it, but with more power. The point is to kill bacteria. And it works. Irradiated meat stays fresh twice as long. Irradiated strawberries last up to three weeks on the shelf. But media hype and small scare groups have made people wary of food irradiation. Ruth Kava of the American Council on Science and Health says the anti-irradiation movement is all about ignorant fear of radiation.
TeeVconomics,
MONEY 101 TO ABC IN A ONE-HOUR SPECIAL
Schools teach us almost everything, but not “Money 101.” For the basics on finance, turn to “UN-BROKE: What You Need to Know About Money.” It’s an unconventional look at the fundamentals of everyday finance with all the facts about credit cards, mortgages, stocks and bonds, investing and 401(k)’s, in a fresh new format combining information and humor. The one-hour special airs FRIDAY, MAY 29 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
Hosted by “Good Morning America” contributor and President of Ariel Investments Mellody Hobson, the special features Will Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, the Jonas Brothers, Christian Slater, Cedric the Entertainer, Seth Green, Sesame Workshop’s Oscar the Grouch, Rosario Dawson and the E*Trade Babies, among others.
Hobson said: “Financial education is critically important, and 'UN-BROKE' proves that it doesn't have to be boring. The economic crisis was a harsh wake-up call that we can't keep doing the same thing in the same way. To me, that meant taking a fresh look at my own approach to financial education. This will make people laugh while they learn.”
The special’s take on basic money sense includes:
- Will Smith, who gets down to basics with a boardroom full of corporate finance executives.
- Samuel L. Jackson, who appears as a bestselling author of self-help books and who is “Broke as Hell and Not Going to Take it Anymore!”
- The Jonas Brothers, who teach screaming teenage girls the mysteries of the stock market.
- Seth Green, who explains the fundamentals of a smart mortgage from his “crib.”
- Cedric the Entertainer, who talks back to credit cards.
- Christian Slater and Rosario Dawson, who visit an office workplace to explain the importance of investing in a 401(k) retirement plan.
- The E*Trade Babies, who meet Mellody for an online chat from their high chairs.
Mid-term Madness on GREEK
Casey and Cappie’s study group for their Woman’s Studies class takes an awkward turn when not one – but two – fellow classmates joining them turn out to both be dating Cappie at the same time. How will Cappie escape this predicament? By studying alone with Casey? Find out in an all-new episode of the ABC Family hit series “GREEK,” premiering Monday, May 25, 2009 (8:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT). The episode, entitled “Social Studies,” was directed by Patrick Norris and written by Matt Whitney.
Meanwhile, when Jordan asks to join Rusty’s Art History study group along with Dale and Calvin, putting her in close contact with Rusty, it causes him to question whether he is capable of being “just friends” with her. And Rebecca turns to Evan to help retrieve her laptop, which has her mid-term paper, from her towed car--leading to quite an entertaining encounter with a guard dog.
Crime 360 Returns
Series Production Returns to Cleveland, Ohio and Features Three New Cities: Rochester, New York; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Indianapolis, Indiana
Season two of the hit A&E original unscripted series “Crime 360,” premieres on Thursday, May 21 at 10 PM ET/PT. The one-hour series, that brings real criminal investigations to life through the use of cutting-edge CGI and forensic technology, returns with all new episodes.
The first season premiere of “Crime 360” recorded 2.3 million total viewers, making it the top justice series debut in A&E’s history. For season two, production returns to Cleveland, OH and features three new cities: Rochester, NY; Little Rock, AR; and Indianapolis, IN.
“’Crime 360’ immerses viewers in real life investigation in a unique way by enhancing the experience with high-tech visualizations of evidence, forensic analysis and detectives’ theories,” said Robert Sharenow, Senior Vice President of Non-Fiction and Alternative Programming, A&E.
Using state-of-the-art 360-degree digital photography, 3D laser scanning and computer-generated imagery (CGI), “Crime 360” takes viewers inside real investigations bringing the crime and evidence to life as it unfolds in real time. Each episode begins the moment detectives are called to the scene and follows the case until it is solved. Viewers are taken along for the investigation, experiencing the crime scene from every angle and the evidence at the microscopic level. As the case develops, and the theories change, the crime-analysis graphics evolve, culminating in a full-blown visualization of what really happened.
Obsessed Premieres on A&E
A&E explores the world of individuals suffering from extreme anxiety disorders, including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder and Hoarding, and tells the stories of their struggles to overcome them in the new original nonfiction series “Obsessed.” The eleven episode, one-hour series debuts Monday, May 25 at 10pm ET/PT following the season premiere of the Emmy-nominated “Intervention.”
According to the Anxiety Disorder Association of America, Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older. “Obsessed” examines the lives of everyday people imprisoned by unmanageable, repetitive behaviors and sometimes debilitating fear. The show explores the stories of sufferers as well as the adverse effects their disorder has on their friends and family. Each participant will undergo a highly successful form of cognitive behavioral therapy that exposes themselves to the sources of their greatest anxiety in an attempt to manage their fears.
“The series sheds a light on the vast world of anxiety disorders, while offering those who suffer from these debilitating afflictions a path to recovery,” said Robert Sharenow, Senior Vice President, Nonfiction and Alternative Programming, A&E Network and BIO. “Like ‘Intervention,’ Obsessed takes an honest and unflinching look at a difficult subject, programming that has come to resonate with our viewers and that underscores the essence of our brand.”
Each one-hour episode of “Obsessed” explores two individual cases where the subjects face debilitating extreme anxiety disorders, their struggle and the process of rehabilitation. Whether it is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder, Hoarding or a variety of phobias, the unscripted series gives viewers a chance to see first-hand how an obsession can radically affect a person’s life. “Obsessed” not only captures the particulars of the condition but sees the subject through the incredible emotion of therapy and one-on-one sessions with one of five therapists: John Tsilimparis, MFT, Karen Pickett, MA, MFT, Shana Doronn, MSW, LCSW, PSY.D, Rebecca L. Gladding, M.D., and Dr. Craig April, Ph.D.
By using cognitive behavioral therapy, each subject is taught how to understand their thought process which contributes to symptoms and how to change thought patterns, manage their anxiety and avoid the debilitating compulsions. The series then revisits each subject after several weeks of treatment to see if the obsession lingers.
In the series opener, Helen, a single mother of three is tormented every day by her OCD as it's making her life a nightmare. Her anxiety was spiked when her father died in a car accident. She has extreme panic attacks while driving and she obsessively puts on her father's bloody clothes from that fatal night. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, (CBT) widely described as the most effective treatment for OCD, Helen must face her fears and try to come to terms with her father's death and her inability to drive. Meanwhile, Scott is a germaphobe who doesn't keep a trashcan in his house, doesn't have any pictures on the wall, washes his hands 50 times a day and sleeps on the sofa because it takes him too long to make his bed in the morning. His OCD has caused him to be desperately alone and he must face his fears through CBT in hopes that he can have a successful relationship.
TeeVconomics,
CNN Money Summit: Money and Main St. Premieres May 14th
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper and chief business correspondent Ali Velshi will co-host this informative hour by interacting with virtual town halls from across the country along with CNN’s Money Team and a panel of financial experts. The special hour, which will also include viewer interaction via Facebook and CNN’s website and iReport, will air on Thursday, May 14th at 8pm ET on CNN.
Cooper, Velshi and guests will discuss the reality of the current recession to help Americans better understand how we got here, and what is being done about it. Other topics explored will be jobs and unemployment in America and the latest on the housing market and interest rates. The panel includes: David Gergen, CNN senior political analyst; CNN’s Christine Romans, Co-Host, Your $$$$$; Katie Benner, writer/reporter, Fortune; Stephen Leeb, economist, Leeb Capital Management; Ryan Mack, financial advisor, and Donna Rosato, senior writer, MONEY magazine. The special will re-air Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, at 8pm ET on CNN.
“NIGHTLINE” TAKES “FACE OFF” SERIES TO THE WEB
ABC News’ “Nightline” is expanding its ongoing relationship with Twitter to develop “NightTline,” a new half-hour digital program hosted by the show’s anchors and correspondents that provides a forum for viewers to simultaneously discuss and debate the news of the day through the prism of Twitter. It will be available for viewing on the “Nightline” page at ABCNEWS.com, http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/. It can also be viewed on ABC News NOW, the network’s 24-hour digital channel. New, unique visualization of Twitter using Pixel touch screen technology will be employed for the first time on the site.
“Nightline” has been a pioneer in its embrace of Twitter,” said James Goldston, “Nightline’s” executive producer. “This new collaboration provides an ideal venue for news and Twitter enthusiasts alike.”
The first episode of “NightTline” will be broadcast on Wednesday, May 13 at 12:30 p.m., ET. Episodes will take on the program’s popular “Face-Off” model, a live debate on issues being discussed on the national stage, which “Nightline” has made successful in its recent on-air programming. This Wednesday’s show takes up the question, “Is torture ever acceptable?” Terry Moran will anchor the program. The debaters include Andrew McCarthy, a former U.S. attorney for the southern district of New York who believes waterboarding is not necessarily torture, and Matthew Alexander, who served in the Air Force for 14 years and believes waterboarding is always torture.
To date, “Nightline” and its anchors and correspondents have more than 1 million Twitter followers. “Nightline” and the program’s anchors and correspondents can be found on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/Nightline
ABC News’ “Nightline” airs at 11:35 p.m., ET/PT and is anchored by Cynthia McFadden, Terry Moran and Martin Bashir. James Goldston is the executive producer.
Amazing Race Finale
Following a Race that spanned three continents, nine countries and 40,000 miles, Tammy and Victor, Cara and Jaime and Luke and Margie will square off in a grueling final leg that will test their endurance, their memory and one Racer's karma, during the season finale of THE AMAZING RACE 14, tonight (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on CBS.