DreamWorks Animation is the latest to acquire a teen network popular for its online content for a whopping $33 million. The acquisition deal is expected to be finalized within this month.

DreamWorks is buying AwesomenessTV, a YouTube teen network and the deal will involve additional payments worth $117 million on condition that certain earnings goals are met by 2014 and 2015.

AwesomenessTV airs talk shows and programs that are both scripted and unscripted (reality). It also features sketch comedy and a television show in Nickelodeon is in the works.

Currently, the network has 14.4 million subscribers and more than 57,000 channels on YouTube. And its more than 1 million videos have already been viewed 809 million times.

DreamWorks CEO Jeffery Katzenberg and AwesomenessTV CEO Brian Robbins are reported to be collaborating in certain projects aimed at a win-win situation for both of their networks. Analysts, on the other hand, are seeing the move of DreamWorks as recognizing the fact that their younger audience are tech-savvy people who often stream videos online, on mobile devices as well as in social media sites.

In a move to better serve its young audience, DreamWorks has also partnered with LaunchPad Toys to provide the new iOS app called Toontastic Jr. Shrek. The app features Shrek in educational games that aim to promote a toy experience to kids. Through the app, they can create an imaginary world with their own characters, stories, voice recording and sound effects.

Image via realmagik

Hollywood producers Rich Frank formerly of Walt Disney TV and Jeff Kwatinetz, a talent manager, have taken the two old dramas online in the hope of gaining lifelong fans. Starting today, half-hour episodes will be shown via the free Hulu.com website and the paid service Hulu Plus from Monday to Thursday. The two apparently want to take advantage of the growing interest on TV series shown online pioneered by the House of Cards.

In reviving the old drama series, the two Hollywood veterans also aim to capture the younger and more internet-savvy audience through the use of modern music, contemporary actors and faster-paced storylines. At the same time, they still want to gain the attention of the older viewers with the same suspense and drama the series was known for. This move is considered to be a test for the oldies whether they will be enticed to migrate online.

The power of social media is also being tapped for the revival of the two shows. Each of these to soap operas have a Facebook page that has so far gained more than a million likes already. The stars are contributing as well by tweeting and giving questions through video chat. Promotions via print, TV and radio are also being done to create as much hype as possible for the two TV series.

The “One Life to Live” drama stars Jenni Farley of Jersey Shore as a bartender while rapper Snoop Dogg who’s now known as Snoop Lion wrote and sang the theme song. Snoop will also appear in some episodes like he did in the original drama shown before over ABC.

“All My Children,” on the other hand, still have Julia Barr (as Brooke) and David Canary (as Adam) as the anchor character. Others in the cast are Eric Nelsen and Denyse Tontz.

If you have doubts about how cool British TV shows are check out these four series for yourself and be the judge:

Dr. Who

Geeks all over the world cannot get enough of what is considered the longest running science fiction TV series of all time. The new incarnation of Dr. Who series, which started again with Christopher Eccleston, maintains the mad, screwball elements of classic Dr. Who but with edgier, witty writing. Since the new series started in 2005, Eccleston has been replaced by David Tennant and Matt Smith, who bring their own unique interpretations of the Dr. Who character. This is a series you should definitely check out especially if you’re a science fiction fan.

Strike Back

Strike Back is the action/espionage series that mainstream US networks can only dream of doing. It’s got a lot of sex, a lot of violence, and it’s got a killer story that will draw you in. Three “seasons” have already been produced and all of them are amazing. If you’re the testosterone junkie that can’t get enough of mayhem then Strike Back is the series for you.

Luther

The morally conflicted police character has been done so many times before but Luther, which stars the awesome Idris Elba, turns the concept on its ear. Luther is an extremely complex character and Elba really brings him to life with his superb acting. The story is also amazing – so tightly wound that you’ll be pulled in immediately. There’s talk of a third series so you’ll get more Luther fun in the future.

Utopia

Utopia could probably be the most British of the shows on this list. This is a series that throws linear plot development out the window and goes for something more cerebral. If you’re familiar with the comicbook writer Grant Morrisson then you’ll feel at home with this series. Truly worth checking out.

About The Author

Derek Gallimore loves to watch TV shows on his days off from working at Boutique London Lets, a company where you can rent luxury London apartments.

From reality shows to drama, the new TV spring lineup brings some changes to your plasma TV. Not all of the shows coming down the line seem built to last. Here’s a primer on what to expect from the major networks and premium channels for spring shows.

ABC

• Bet on Your Baby - Beginning April 13, there will be a new game show for parents: Parents must guess or predict what their baby will do for a chance to win $50,000 toward their child’s college tuition.
• Family Tools - Premiering in May comes Family Tools, a drama about a handyman adapted from the BBC show White Van Man. The British drama had a good show of it in season one before going off the rails on season two; thus far, there have only been 10 episodes of Family Tools ordered so don’t get too attached to this one.
• Mistresses - ABC is again borrowing from the Brits with this one, adapting a 2008-2010 British drama about four female friends and their different relationships. Think Sex in the City, but with more cheating and scandal.

Showtime

• Bob Saget: That’s What I’m Talkin’ About - Longtime comedian and family favorite Bob Saget returns to TV with a comedy special, “Bob Saget: That’s What I’m Talkin’ About.” While Saget’s sitcom work make him seem like a family man, his humor veers toward the dark and can be effectively funny when it goes there. Worth a tune-in if you’ve enjoyed his previous work.
• The Big C - While not exactly new, this Showtime cancer drama is switching to a new format — four hour long shows instead of the previous shorter shows. Expect to see the major character’s Cathy Jameson (played by Laura Linney) wind down her life as the series answers some of the big questions last season’s cliffhanger finale left open. While this one promises more drama than comedy in its final season, Showtime promises a “satisfying” ending.

Bravo

• The Real Housewives of Orange County - This reality drama follows a rotating cast of glitzy Orange County, California housewives. Past seasons have seen the housewives adapt to financial losses, foreclosures, evictions, marital stress and more. Live vicariously through these OC divas as they shop, gossip and play to the cameras.
• The Kandi Facory - Watch Kandi Burress as she tries to help 16 young artists get their musical careers off the ground. Bravo began The Kandi Factory as a one-time special, but so many viewers tuned it to watch that the station ordered a full-season reality series for Kandi and her crew. This show started in April 2013 and has premiered two episodes so far.
• Newlyweds: The First Year - Beginning in May, this reality show chronicles four couples’ first year of marriage. The couples never meet but viewers will experience the commonalities in their relationships.

NBC

• Hannibal - Fans of the film “Silence of the Lambs” will want to watch Hannibal, which features serial killer Hannibal Lechter and which premiered in April. This psychological thriller with police and FBI presence looks promising.

These new spring releases cover the gamut, so there’s sure to be something for everyone. Only time will tell which of these releases has staying power in the crowded television marketplace.

GH first aired over ABC television network in 1963 and since then became a big hit with its medical stories, love triangles and presence of hot female stars.

For the period 1979 to 1988, the show gained the most number of viewers than any other soap opera aired during daytime. The top rating it earned was attributed to the popularity of General Hospital’s super couple Luke and Laura. In fact, the couple’s wedding that occurred in 1981 attracted 30 million viewers making it the highest-rated hour in American soap opera history.

For the first 13 years, General Hospital occupied the 1:00 p.m. timeslot and lasted for half an hour per episode. When the timeslot was moved to 3:00 p.m., the show was expanded to 45 minutes. From 1978, each episode lasted for an hour. Since September last year, the timeslot of GH was moved an hour earlier to 2:00 p.m.

It cannot be denied as well that GH produced stars who made it big after being featured in the soap opera. Among the male celebrities who gained popularity courtesy of the show include singer Rick Springfield (Dr. Noah Drake), another singer Jack Wagner (Frisco Jones), Antonio Sabato Jr., Canadian Jason Thompson (Dr. Patrick Drake) and Brandon Barash (Johnny Zachara).

General Hospital, of course, earned awards through the years. Many of its cast have won Emmy Awards while the show itself earned recognition in different categories sine 1981.

Image via sharetv

In honor of William Shatner’s birthday, the TV network thought it wise to give fans a blast by letting them watch the popular TV series (and they mean every episode of the Star Trek series) without being charged a single fee. This special gift will run until the end of April.

In addition to the free viewing campaign, Hulu is also conducting a survey via its Tumblr site. Users are asked to vote on their favorite characters in the series from James Kirk and William Riker to Spock, Nine and Wesley Crusher.

By May, the film sequel Star Trek: Into the Darkness will be released so avid fans have another movie to watch out for.

This award-winning American TV series started in 1966 and since then, has had several spin-off shows. It has gained recognition from the Emmy Awards, Hugo Awards and Academy Award. Created by Gene Roddenberry, the series stars William Shatner as Capt. James T. Kirk.

Star Trek has, so far, six television series. These include The Original Series (TOS), The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager and Enterprise.

The film versions, totaling 11 of them, were produced by Paramount Pictures. The last one was released in 2009.

Image via Forbes

Sunny days, sweepin’ the clouds away…so goes the Sesame Street theme song which, no doubt, a lot of kids know.

Who could ever forget this popular TV show for kids that has been replayed over and over again and watched by many generations of children in the different parts of the world.

The show’s popularity did not stop in the 1980′s or in the 1990′s because up to now, Sesame Street continues to gain young viewers worldwide. Originally produced by the Children’s Television Workshop until 2000, it is now celebrating its 44th year.

And to add to that achievement, Sesame Street recently hit one billion views on its YouTube official channel. To mark this milestone, the people behind the show produced a song featuring Count Von Count. It’s about counting the you’s on YouTube.

Earlier, the show issued a call to both parents and kids to help them attain the 1 billion mark. The call was done through a video starring Telly Monster saying that if they gain the 1 billion views on the popular video sharing site, a top secret video will be released.

Hitting this elusive figure on YouTube is a first for Sesame Street. The achievement makes it the first American children’s and first non-profit company to earn the recognition.

When the show marked its 40th year in 2009, it became the 15th highest rated children’s TV show in the U.S. At that time, the awards it had received included 8 Grammies and 143 Emmies. Indeed, a remarkable feat unmatched by any other television show for kids.

Photo via last.fm

J.J. Abrams’ new in-the-works NBC drama is setting the TVsphere abuzz as it continues to round up its pilot cast. Believe lead Jake McLaughlin (In the Valley of Elah, Safe House, Warrior) will be joined by actresses Sienna Guillory (Resident Evil series, Love Actually, The Wicked Within) and Jamie Chung (Sucker Punch, The Hangover Part III, Once Upon a Time TV series), as well as newbie actress Johnny Sequoyah.
Jake McLaughlin in Believe plays Tate – a young man sprung from prison in order to protect Bo – a young girl who is also the possessor of great powers. In the story, Bo, who will be played by Sequoyah, is being hunted down by evil elements looking to take advantage of her powers, and it is up to Tate to protect her from harm.

Sienna Guillory as Jill Valentine in Resident Evil

Image via FanPop

Guillory, who has already played roles such as Resident Evil star Jill Valentine, is no stranger to her role as well, as she plays the headstrong assassin Channing. Jamie Chung’s role, on the other hand, will be that of Tate’s prison break accomplice Channing – a straightforward and strong woman working for Winter. Chung has had a rather busy acting career since she started in 2004.

 Jamie Chung as Amber in Sucker Punch

Image via FanPop

With Abrams’ immense popularity, especially among the many science fiction enthusiasts out there, many are speculation that Believe may just be one of the biggest pilots to air this coming Pilot season. This is definitely another show sci-fi and drama fans should watch out for, and you can do so by subscribing to basic TV services such as those offered by GetDirectTV.org .

About the guest author:

Arthur is a freelance blogger who lives and breathes science fiction, and is therefore a loyal Abrams follower.

Banner image via ScreenRant

Sparks beat Blake Lewis in the May 2007 finale. For American Idol’s first six years, the females came out triumphant in the competition. Former champs include Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino and Carrie Underwood.

The last six years saw white males with their guitars winning the competition. These include David Cook and last year’s Philip Philips who won over Jessica Sanchez, who herself had a great following worldwide.

With Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey in the panel of judges, it’s been noted that they chose more female singers several of whom are still in their teens. But the young aspirants are not to be outdone because they’ve shown a great potential to become breakout stars. Among the standout teen singers are Juliana Chahayed (15), Shubha Vedula (17) and the country pair of Jenny Beth Willis and Janelle Arthur.

Even male judge Keith Urban thinks it’s going to be a year for the girls. Although not really his bets, Urban mentioned a few girls and their stellar performance. Angela Miller, he said, did pretty well when she performed her own composition while he praised Kree Harrison as extraordinarily gifted in an unusual way. Urban also described Zoanette Johnson as a box of chocolates for having unique gifts.

Photo via examiner

Baby bumps are in the limelight today as several celebrities are now heavy with a child. Some are flaunting their bumps while some prefer to cover up. Currently, the most followed pregnant celebrities are Kim Kardashian and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian flaunted her baby bump last weekend when the Super Bowl was taking place wearing a spandex outfit. She was doing some errands and didn’t mind showing off that growing tummy. On February 4, Kim was seen getting a manicure at a nail salon before heading off to the gym in Sherman Oaks, California.


Kate Middleton, who’s still early in her pregnancy, would rather hide her growing bump. She was recently seen doing errands on January 30 while heading to a local pharmacy.

Singer Jessica Simpson is also expecting another baby (confirmed to be a boy) with fiance Eric Johnson. The 32-year-old celebrity who announced her pregnancy on Christmas day has an 8th-month-old daughter.

Kristen Bell admits she’s carrying a baby boy as well. The star of House of Lies will be having her first baby with fiance Dax Shepard. Although she’s experiencing some pregnancy woes like morning sickness, the 32-year-old actress is confident she remains attractive even with her bump.

Evan Rachel Wood is a happy pregnant woman. The 25-year-old actress was spotted on January 31 enjoying a shopping spree at some baby shops with partner Jamie Bell in Venice, California.

Other celebrities expecting a baby are Camila Alves, Shakira, Malin Akerman and Jenna Dewan-Tatum.

Photos via usmagazine

Recently, AMC through the official The Walking Dead TV blog released a teaser for the upcoming midseason return for the series. The poster featured fan favorite protagonist ex-sheriff Rick “might-actually-be-turning-insane” Grimes in the foreground, shadowed by an ominous, equally grizzled, The Governor – shown with a bloody, grimy, eyepatch.

Image via AMC TV Blogs

The popular AMC series left the midseason with so many cliffhangers, teasing for a whole new dynamic for the zombie apocalypse survivors in the coming episodes. The bloodshed, for one, came more from humans fighting amongst themselves than from zombie attacks  - particularly with that last episode where Rick’s crew’s rescue mission from within The Governor’s walls ends in a wild wild west shootout in the middle of the streets.

A new group also joins the story. Led by Tyreese (Chad Coleman), the new kids on the block stumble upon the prison where Rick’s group is holed up. Readers of the comic are excited with the addition of Tyreese, as he play a major role in the comics.

It’s also unclear what the outcome of the shootout exactly is, and the recently released poser’s teaser of getting even can definitely swing both ways – what with The Governor pissed off about Rick’s group messing things up in his little walled city, and Rick & Co. out to get even with the abduction of Glenn and Maggie although “an eye for an eye” might also be taken personally what with Michonne taking out The Governor’s eye in their last encounter.

About the author:

Jay is a huge TV geek and comicbook nerd and it just gives him goosebumps when both his loves come together gracefully.

For sure you have your own favorite TV weddings. Here we share some of the best episodes that saw the main characters starting their happily ever after journey.

Grey’s Anatomy featured the most unique twist of events. Izzie played by Katherine Heigl took charge in organizing the wedding of Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek (Patrick Dempsey) and she planned it according to her dream wedding. In The engaged couple agreed to Izzie’s every detail and in the end, the wedding planner also ended up saying “I do” to Alex (Justin Chambers) while Meredith and Alex exchanged vows via the post-it.

Who could ever forget the wedding of Friends stars Ross (played by David Schwimmer) and Emily (Helen Baxendale). The event had a lot of twists that it had to be shown in two parts. Ross accidentally uttered the wrong name while making their vows while Chandler (played by Matthew Perry) and Monica (Courtney Cox) ended up in bed after having too much drinks.

On Beverly Hills 90210, Kelly (Jennie Garth) and Brandon (Jason Priestley) were set to get married but they stil had doubts. The rest of the gang were also experiencing trials in their respective love lives. What happened in the end? The wedding was called off and it was the right thing to do because when you have doubts, it’s best not to proceed.

Of course, there’s also a royal wedding and it happened in Gossip Girl. Blair played by Leighton Meester was the apple of the eye of three guys – Louis, Chuck and Dan. Blair was actually in love with Chuck but she decided to marry Louis. In the middle of the wedding, Georgina announced Blair’s love for Chuck which shocked everyone. The wedding pushed through but at the reception, Blair realized she made a mistake and escaped from the scene with the help of Dan (played by Penn Badgley).

Photos via tvrage and telephonoscope

You have a reason to rejoice as new TV dramas are set to be launched during this first quarter of 2013.

First up, The Carrie Diaries premiers on January 14. Considered a prequel to Sex and the City, 16-year-old AnnaSophia Robb plays the lead role. The series starts in a 1984 setting with Carrie dealing with the loss of her mom and her high school life in suburban Connecticut. Then came the opportunity to work as an intern in a law firm in Manhattan, New York where the youngster became in awe of her new environment and many things about it.

The Following is another new show to watch out for. Airing on January 21, this crime series stars Kevin Bacon who is trying out the small screen for the first time. In this drama, Kevin plays the role of Ryan Hardy, a former federal agent who was called back to work. Apparently, the serial killer he helped catch and who was sentenced to death was able to escape from prison. So expect a lot of action from Kevin Bacon here.

In February, Monday Mornings will launch on TNT. Another show about the lives of doctors so it should be interesting not only for medical people but also for those who are plain movie and TV fans. Ally McBeal producer David Kelley is behind this project which stars Alfred Molina, Ving Rhames and Jamie Bamber playing as doctors. It’s being adapted from a book written by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a medical correspondent of CNN.

March will see the airing of A&E’s Bates Motel. This one is for the thrill seekers. Norman Bates is the main character, a mama’s boy who often gets into trouble. Freddie Highmore of the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory film plays Norman while Vera Farmiga plays her mom. Some members of the production team came from the popular “Lost” and “Friday Night Lights” series.

Photos via filmaffinity.com and facebook.com

Industry analysts today are seeing lower TV ratings and only a few shows from the broadcast giants to survive in the coming year. Despite the collaboration of ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and CW or the so-called Big 5 broadcast companies to come up with some 30 shows, it is predicted that only six of them will become successful.

But that does not stop these major networks from pushing with their projects. As the cliche goes, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” And that’s exactly what these broadcast giants are doing right now.

Content producers are recognizing the important role of social media and are now utilizing them to reach out to their target audience. They strongly believe that this new media will enable them to get their fans to tune in to their TV shows particularly on premiere night. Additionally, they are targeting the network of friends on various platforms as a way to get the word out about their new shows.

Fortunately, some have started creating fan pages on Facebook to engage their audience. An example is the recast of Dallas, a hit TV series back in 1978. The team behind the show took advantage of Facebook’s transition to Timeline and engaged fans through story telling from the perspective of the main character J.R. Ewing. In three to four months’ time, the fanbase went up from 30,000 to a million.

The new show of Eva Longoria entitled Ready for Love is also collaborating with Facebook. A fan page for the show is already in place and fans can virtually meet the three bachelors to be featured in the show. Ready for Love will air early next year on NBC.

Moving onwards, movie fans should watch out for the new TV shows right on Facebook and other social media platforms. who knows, you might just get the chance to connect with your favorite celebrities online.

Photo via ultimatedallas.com

The latest buzz is that the main characters will be tying the knot in the finale scheduled on January 22.

Although this is not yet confirmed, Kate Walsh who plays Addison Montgomery hinted there’s a strong possibility the finale will lead to a wedding for a happy ending. Walsh added her character deserves a great ending to her relationship after going through her struggles from heartaches to hardships.

In the drama series, Addison Montgomery has adopted a son Henry and is near achieving her fairy tale life she’s always dreamed of for many years. Analysts are discounting an unhappy ending for the main character so it’s more of a positive finale.

But Kate Walsh explained the ending won’t just focus on her character getting married. There will be other details worth waiting for, she hinted.

The January 22 final episode of the Private Practice will be entitled “In Which We Say Goodbye.”

The show first aired in September 2007 on American Broadcasting Company. It followed the life of Dr. Addison Montgomery as she started private practice in Los Angeles after leaving Seattle Grace Hospital. Apart from her life as a doctor, the comedy-drama also featured the private lives of the lead star and her co-workers.

Shonda Rhimes is the creator of the series and is also one of the executive producers along with five others. The show is now on its sixth and final season.

Photo via wetpaint.com

“Go On”

Tuesday 9/8c, NBC

NBC delivers the goods with a new vehicle for with Matthew Perry (“Friends”) as Ryan King, a radio sports jockey who recently lost his wife. He heads back into the studio a little too soon and it’s clear he’s in need of both professional and personal help. He’s forced to attend grief counseling in an effort to salvage, well, everything.

After all his attempts, it’s about time Perry got it right. This is a good show for him because he’s able to stretch his range as an actor. There are many poignant moments where he’s left to deal with the death of his wife, but he is a comedic heavyweight and his deadpan delivery and genuine warmth has him back in a familiar spotlight. He’ll never be Chandler Bing again, but Ryan King already sounds good, doesn’t it?

“The Mob Doctor”

Monday 9/8c, FOX

For those of you who like the one-hour dramas typically served up by FOX, then “The Mob Doctor” is going to hit home. The setup is right out of mob folklore. Dr. Grace Devlin, played by Jordana Spiro (“My Boys”), is trying to protect her brother from the mob and is paying off his debt by doing favors for them.

As a skilled surgeon, she’s called upon by Constantine Alexander, played by William Forsythe (“Boardwalk Empire”). Constantine is a mob thug who’s bound and determined to make certain Dr. Devlin does what she’s told. Of course she has to do all this without her hospital administrators discovering what she’s doing, which sometimes involves the use of their equipment and supplies.

It’s a gripping drama that seems to have potential and can hopefully fill the void left by “House,” which isn’t returning for a ninth season.

“Arrow”

Wednesday 8/7c, CW

The CW steps up to the plate this season with “Arrow.” This comic-book driven show stars Stephen Amell (“Heartland”) as Oliver Queen, an über rich guy who’s thrown off his yacht, eventually washing up on a deserted island. He makes a bow from old generator parts he finds and the rest, as they say, his history.

Queen becomes an expert marksman and uses his vast fortune to create a wide range of trick arrows, which play a prominent role in this 60-minute superhero action-adventure. The pilot episode was strong, drawing in over 4 million viewers, and the show is attracting fans of this genre.

“Last Resort”

Thursday 8/7c, ABC

ABC’s “Last Resort” is taking everyone by surprise. Many people tuned in to see what the latest war-related television show was going to look like, and instead discovered they were entering a world of intrigue, espionage, cover-ups, and action not frequently seen on television.

The show is like something right out of a Tom Clancy novel, featuring Andre Braugher (“Men of a Certain Age”) as sub commander Captain Marcus Chaplain. He and his submarine were used as pawns to incite a war in Pakistan. Politically driven, this “edge of your chair” thriller follows the exploits of Chaplain as he’s forced to go it alone to protect himself, his crew, and ultimately his country.

Nashville

Wednesday 10/9c, ABC

This smash ABC hit has people buzzing about next year’s Emmy Awards. The series is set in the country music capital of the world, and features veteran actor Connie Britton (“Friday Night Lights”) as aging country music superstar Rayna Jaymes. She finds herself with a shrinking fan base and an industry that has moved away from strict talent and toward anything that can be successfully marketed. Enter the young, beautiful, and not-so talented Juliette Barnes, played by Hayden Panettiere (“Heroes”), who has now been paired with Jaymes per the record label request.

Which show new fall shows are you most excited about?

About the Author

Lisa has been a writer for Usdish.com  for over a year now and loves the chance to write about her favorite shows. When she isn’t writing, she likes to hangout on the internet.

News of a reunion of this popular teen cast is hot again after Katie Holmes appeared on last week’s Late Night episode with Jimmy Fallon. When asked about it, Holmes said although they’ve talked about it,
there’s no clear plan on any reunion happening anytime soon.

Katie Holmes became popular when she appeared as Joey Potter in Dawson’s Creek. The TV drama series featured the lives of four teenagers from high school to college. Produced by Sony Television, the show first aired in January 1998 on The WB. The setting was a seaside town of Capeside (fictional) in Massachusetts. Boston still in Massachusetts was also a featured setting in the later seasons.

Although the TV drama ended in 2003, some countries are still doing re-runs. These include Australia, Canada, Norway, Denmark, U.K., France, Greece, Romania, India, Indonesia, Italy, Lithuania, Latin America and the Middle East. That’s clear proof of Dawson’s Creek popularity worldwide.

Next year marks the 10th year the series bade goodbye to the boob tube. Kevin Williamson was the show’s producer. Interestingly, only Katie Holmes appeared in all the 128 episodes of the TV drama series back then.

For those who don’t remember, Katie Holmes played Joey Potter in Dawson’s Creek. She was that bookish teenager who had a big crush on Dawson Leery played by James Van Der Beek but who ended up falling in love with Pacey Witter. The other member of the group was Jen Lindley.

Photo via tumblr.com

So far, Britney Spears already got a thumbs up from producer Simon Cowell for being a “very, very good judge.” She was all praises for the singers she mentors and remained undaunted when criticisms were hurled against the contestants she manage. She was caught throwing her amazing praises at three times to several contestants particularly to David Correy who found his birth mother through the show, Jennel Garcia who performed “Home Sweet Home” by Motley Crue and Emblem3.

Did you know, though, that Britney did not get a lot of positive feedback from the audience and some members during their tapings? She actually got boos from the audience which made her apprehensive about staying in the show. During a guest appearance at the “Tonight with Jay Leno” show earlier, she admitted to being affected by the boos but thankfully, Simon Cowell urged the “Toxic” singer to continue adding that she was doing a brilliant job.

Currently, there are 16 acts competing in The X Factor. Next Thursday, four will be cut by the judges that include Cowell, Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Demi Levato.

Aside from the fact that the show is so unbelievably gory that it is impossible to enjoy popcorn and my favorite soda while I watch, there are dozens of other reasons the show is almost unwatchable, yet anyone who I suggest the show to will watch it with the same intensity as my wife and I.

Hopefully, by me pointing out all of the reasons you shouldn’t watch the show, I will gain some insight of exactly why I can’t stop watching it.  Whatever the conclusion is, I’m sure I’ll keep watching in the end. 

Bad Acting = Success!

I admit that I began watching “The Walking Dead” long before it gained the immense popularity it now has.  The funny part about it was, I only watched about the first five minutes of the first episode before I gave up on it.

The first scene was horribly grotesque, which is usually pretty appealing to me, but when a character named “Shane” entered the scene, things went down faster than a zombie with an impaled head.  His awful accent coupled with an odd fascination for stroking his hair was too much to handle, and I shut it off.

It wasn’t until a friend advised that I watch beyond the opening display of poor acting that I actually watched the first episode.  After that, I was hooked and I can’t explain why, because the acting never got any better!

To be fair, the acting did actually get better when Jeffrey Demunn, an actor with some actual credentials arrived on scene.  But, it wasn’t long before writers threw him to the zombies like a beef steak to a St. Bernard, but I still kept watching!

Painfully Predictable

So, if I were to ask you what could possibly happen if a group of 10-20 people were thrown into a world filled with zombies ready to gobble you up quicker than slop in a pig trough, what would you say?  If your thoughts revolve around the words “kill” or “die” you are correct.

The funny thing about being a Walking Dead fan is I sit down before each episode and actually ask myself what could happen next.  Walking Dead producers have yet to disappoint.

Here is a brief synopsis of every episode: Zombies walk around looking for anything with a pulse to devour, while humans use guns and crude weaponry to turn zombies into fertilizer, that about sums it up.

Granted, there are some plot twists, like killing off the only actor capable doing what his title implies, but outside of fairly basic story lines, there isn’t much to it.  But, I still love it!

Just One Explanation

The only conclusion that I have regarding why I love “The Walking Dead” so much, is because the special effects and make-up artists make the show disturbingly realistic.  I have woken many times during the night with images of those decomposing flesh-eaters in my mind.  They are truly horrifying.

Also, I believe that the filming and acting is so bad that it gives it a gritty, unfinished look that is only akin to the most classic horror flicks.  It is so unappealing visually, that you can’t take your eyes off of it.  I know; it doesn’t make sense to me either.

Preparing for a Pending Apocalypse

As I discuss the most recent episodes of “The Walking Dead”, a funny thing happens.  The conversation inevitably turns to what would happen in the unlikely, no, completely impossible event of a zombie apocalypse?  This usually turns to comparisons of gun caches and weapons, and eventually leads to imagined plans of how to handle a pending zombie invasion.

I’m not sure if writers of “The Walking Dead” planned on their gory little program growing to the scale it has, but this fan certainly hopes that nothing will change.  The unfamiliar faces, coupled with lackluster filming in a drab environment provide perfect imagery for the most intense, unendurably suspenseful zombie story ever put on film.

About The Author

Bart Vale writes for businesses that can provide many of your apocalyptic needs, like: home generators, scrap metal, and gun safes.  Much of his writing reflects his personal experiences, which he hopes readers will find humorous and helpful. 

It’s been eight years since the Friends show was aborted in 2004. Where are the guys now and what have they been up to?

Matt LeBlanc – Matt is in the U.K. now doing his dark comedy Episodes, his only TV project after Friends. The actor who played Joey in the hit TV show earned him a Golden Globe award.

Lisa Kudrow – Lisa who played Phoebe Buffay is still pursuing her acting career until now. She’s also a writer and webseries producer and is currently starring in Web Therapy. She won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class this 2012 for her show and was nominated for Outstanding Reality Program for Who Do You Think You Are which she is producing.

Courtney Cox – Courtney who played the role of Monica Geller is now starring in a lead role on Cougar Town. This comedy series aired on ABC began in 2009 and the show’s fourth season is set to premiere in January 2013. Cox is also into directing and in fact, directed two of Cougar Town’s 15 edpisodes in the third season.

Jennifer Aniston – Jennifer is still very much into acting until today and she even got her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in February this year. The actress who played Rachel Green in Friends has done a number of movies and is among the top earning actors in Hollywood included in the Forbes 2008 list.

Matthew Perry – This actor who was Chandley Bing in Friends is also a co-writer and executive producer now. He is now starring in NBC’s comedy show Go On as sportscaster Ryan King.

David Schwimmer – David continues his acting career and is also into directing films and TV shows. He is also an active diretor of the Rape Treatment Center in Santa Monica.

Phineas and Ferb is a hit not only among the kiddos but even among the older children. The reason this Disney cartoon program appeals to a wide age range is because of its so-called nerdy humor. Also, grown ups can relate well with the situation of these two siblings who doesn’t seem to run out of ideas just to make their summer vacation worthwhile and not boring. Add to the scenario their older sister who always attempts to get her brothers busted although in vain most of the time.

If you think that Spongebob Squarepants is for small children only, you’re not quite right. This TV show also appeals to the growing up kids and one of the attractions here are the unique names of the cartoon characters. The lead character alone is already quite popular and add to that his friends such as Patrick the starfish and Squidward.

For parents who want to stay away from cartoons, the Muppet Show is a good program to introduce to your kids. Contrary to what many believe, this show was actually not meant for small children but it was a hit among the young viewers. The presence of Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, famous Sesame Street characters, is a plus factor.

If you’re after real people, then The Adventures of Pete and Pete is one of the best comedy shows on TV for the pre-teens. With a weird family such as the mother having a metal plate on her head and a super hero named Artie, this show takes you to the activities of two brothers who have the same name in what they perceive as a strange world.

Photos via youtubepop.wikia.com and tvtropes.org

For The Voice, the battle rounds among the singers will have a new format. In this new season, a coach is given the chance to steal a losing contestant who has been sent home. In addition, the losing contestant can choose to change his coach but only if more than one coach hits the red buzzer.

There’s also the knockout round wherein each coach will choose only five singers from their team who will then proceed to the live shows. Coaches for The Voice are Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green and Blake Shelton and host is Carson Daly.

The X Factor, on the other hand, will add Britney Spears and Demil Levato to its panel of judges. As such, Aguilera and Spears will again be pitted against each other. But the two who started out in the Mickey Mouse Club are not taking it personal. Aguilera admits their paths will always cross even moving forward.

In terms of viewership, you be the judge is these new surprises in the shows will be effective in attracting more viewers. The second season of The Voice gained some 14 million viewers while the X Factor recorded 12 million people in its first season.

Photo via hollywire.com

 Share updates and reminders

 Many people spend more time online than watching TV, particularly those in the younger demographics, so TV commercials often aren’t enough to drum up awareness for a show. Various social networks provide a convenient platform for keeping viewers up to speed about what is coming up with their favorite shows.

 Offer sneak peeks and insider information

 Sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are all excellent for providing fans a glance behind the scenes of their favorite shows. Sharing photos or tidbits about upcoming episodes helps TV shows energize their fanbase by involving them more in the show.

Hold frequent Twitter sessions between fans and those involved with the show

 While Twitter is an excellent vehicle for driving traffic to a show’s website, it is even better for engaging viewers in creative ways. One approach is allocating times for eager fans to communicate with those involved in the show. Actors and members of the creative team can chat through social media a certain time each week, which is an extra promotional step that can make loyal fans even more devoted.

Tweet in-character while episode is running

A show can add another dimension to characters by providing in-character tweets throughout the show that relate to the events unfolding on the screen. Not only is this a way for fans to stay in the loop about plot twists if they can’t get to a television, but it is an added bonus for anyone who wants to know more about their favorite characters. It is a creative, modern way to further immerse viewers in the characters’ world.

Devise socially-driven apps for the show

Encourage viewers to interact through socialized apps based around the TV show. You can incorporate incentives for using the app to its full potential, like badges or honorary titles, to increase the chances that people join in. The more viewers who contribute to show-based discussions, games, and contents, the more of a community that will develop, which can quickly and effectively boost a show’s following.

Upload notable clips for people to re-watch and share

Select the best parts of each episode for circulation on video-sharing websites. Not only can fans watch their favorite parts over again, but they can share their favorite ones, too. Make sure all the videos you upload are embeddable. By allowing viewers to share their favorite moments on their websites and social media pages, you are likely to gain viewers through their contacts.

Many shows know that, in order to succeed, they need to reach out to fans. Social media serves as the perfect vehicle for accomplishing that aim; whether spreading awareness about upcoming episodes, offering behind-the-scenes information, communicating directly with fans, or providing clips that viewers can watch again and share, socially-driven networks seem to be future of a viewer-centered television experience.

About The Author

Guest post contributed by Peter Nevis, on behalf of Orangeline.com.au. Peter contributes to various marketing blogs. He’s a marketing expert and enjoys writing articles about SEO & online marketing strategies.

Normally, TV networks announce a casting call for those who’d like to have a home makeover. Location is an important consideration which means you have to live close to the city center or live within the city.

Some producers are also after an energetic and charming personality who is not shy to face the camera so not everyone who applies can be accepted. Applicants may have to submit photos or a video of themselves and their property. Having some skills in do-it-yourself projects is also beneficial as the host or his staff may involve you in the makeover work.

You should know too that the cost of the renovation work is not always free. Some shows will require you to pay the bills. In Clean House, however, they sometimes shoulder part of the expense as long as you put some unused stuff on a yard sale and earn at least the minimum amount they need. For the other shows such as 10 Grand in Your Hand, you will need a $20,000 budget and $5,000 for Sweat Equity.

As for the house, an old house with lots of features is usually popular. Some shows require families to stay temporarily in a hotel for a few days while the makeover is being done while some involve family members in the simple do-it-yourself tasks.

So don’t just jump on the chance to have a home makeover. Do your homework first so you won’t get disappointed.
Photo via sunset.com

1. Sesame Street: We had to start the list out with a classic; who doesn’t love Big Bird? The show was born in 1966, when television producer Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett (vice president of the Carnegie Foundation) decided to create a kid’s show that would “master the addictive qualities of television and do something good with them.” Sesame Street provides children with real life tools like how to get ready for school, integrate values, and learn colors, shapes, letters, and other basic preschool skills. The show makes learning fun by using lively and interesting puppets and by also providing celebrity guest appearances.

2. Dora the Explorer: Dora the Explorer focuses on the main character (Dora) and her educational adventures with her animal friends. The show aims to include children, as Dora, an adorable seven-year old Latina heroine, asks the audience for help solving various riddles and puzzles involving colors, shapes, numbers, and much more. Once Dora has waited an allotted time for her audience to shout the answer at the TV, an arrow on the show clicks on the correct answer. She also sometimes shouts out words in Spanish and asks the audience to repeat them back or help her sing a song with the words strung together.

3. The Backyardigans: A Canadian/American animated series, The Backyardigans revolves around five animal children, who transform their backyard into an adventure land, through good old imagination of course. The show is meant to teach children to be creative and that it doesn’t matter what you are, but who you are. Their adventures include trips to the heart of the jungle, to the beach where they surf, to being transformed into ghosts where no one can see them, to cruising around the world in their sports car, and so much more. Each half hour segment bursts with inspiration as a different musical theme such as jazz, polka, or rock is also played throughout their adventure that day.

4. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Who wouldn’t want to have fun with Mickey and Minnie- while still learning something? This lively series can be found on the Disney Channel and is meant to get kids to interact by solving stimulating challenges that are built around an individual theme. The world’s most beloved characters, including Daisy, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, and of course Mickey and Minnie, work together to make kids have so much fun that they don’t even realize that they’re actually learning something beneficial. Eye-popping 3-D animation brings the characters to life even more to add that extra wow factor that kids are looking for.

5. The Magic School Bus: Looking to be transported to a different part of the world for a day? The Magic School Bus can do that. The show features a schoolteacher named Ms. Frizzle who owns a magic school bus, which transports her class to various parts of the world. Their trips are mostly science-related, as they often take trips to locations like the solar system, the past, the human body, straight into a cloud, and to study dinosaurs’ bones and teeth (career in archeology or dental assistant, anyone?). Scientific facts accompany the hilarious antics of the class pet, a lizard named Liz.

Kristy Collins is a graduate from a local college with a degree in English. Her passions include writing, photography, and traveling.