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Patrick Swayze Dead At 57

Jeremy Singer — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:50:08 +0000

In a year littered with celebrity passings, one more soul was added to the list today as Houston-born actor Patrick Swayze died- after a nearly two year battle with pancreatic cancer.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the 57-year-old Dirty Dancing star passed away with family at his side.

“Patrick Swayze passed away peacefully today with family at his side after facing the challenges of his illness for the last 20 months,” said a statement released Monday evening in Los Angeles by his publicist, Annett Wolf. No other details were given.

Swayze first came forward about his diagnosis in spring 2008, but decided to undergo treatments at the Stanford University Medical Center and still continue working at the same time-most recently on A&E’s now cancelled series The Beast. The actor was told he had Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN), a rare stage IV pancreatic cancer.

After he was treated with Cyberknife radiotherapy cancer treatment in 2008, Swayze appreared to be healthy -appearing on the ABC, NBC and CBS Simulcast of Standup to Cancer- but on January 9 2009, the actor was hospitilized with Pneumonia.

Swayze checked out a week later, but was then told in April 2009 that the cancer had attacked his liver. The actor admitted that his chain smoking “may had haved something to do with it,” but continued to smoke regardless.

Story Developing…

Defying Gravity – Even Sci-fi Can Be Sexy

Robert Ostfield — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:41:02 +0000

We are not generally into the whole sci-fi thing but this show looks pretty good. It should be considering it’s the same team who came up with Grey’s Anatomy. Defying Gravity follows a group of eight young astronauts on a six year space mission. There is comedy, politics and some romance (leave it to Jordan to focus on sex, even when it’s in outer space). We sat down with Laura Harris who is one of the stars of Defying Gravity. Check out the show airing on CTV and ABC sunday evenings.

Teenage Triple Threat Mishon Sets Eyes On The Prize

Emma Renda — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:40:44 +0000

It’s not unusual for an actor to release an album, or a musician to star in movies and television. What’s rare is to do both before the age of 16. (And to be a pretty hot dancer, to boot.)

Mishon just became legal to drive in the United States, but he has already starred in three seasons of ABC’s Lincoln Heights and is releasing his second LP, The Yearbook, this fall.

With a two singles circulating the airwaves, “Excuse Me, Mama” and “Just a Kiss,” attention is flying fast and heavy at the budding triple threat. Mishon was taken under the wing of producer extraordinaire Vincent Herbert, who signed the young R&B singer to his new label Streamline Records, a joint venture with Interscope. Herbert, known for working with major pop stars such as Lady GaGa, Destiny’s Child and Toni Braxton, produced The Yearbook alongside Mishon.

“It’s reassuring to know that someone like that is behind you,” Mishon says. “It’s great being around him, he works hard.”

Mishon is no stranger to hard work himself. He has been living the abstract life of a teen pop star since he was 9, when he was picked up by Dynasty Records, which released his first album, Still Mishon, in 2004.

But before Mishon had the chance to settle into his career as a musician, he was cast in a lead role on ABC’s Lincoln Heights. After three seasons playing the kid brother to the leading character, Mishon signed on for another two seasons and is currently on set filming in Los Angeles, incidentally his hometown.

Although television was his first big break into the mainstream, Mishon’s focus lies in music.

“I definitely realized singing first,” Mishon says. “I’ve been singing ever since I was a baby, actually. I’ve been moulding my craft ever since [singing to Dynasty]. It’s been a blessing to have the experience I’ve had so far.”

Citing influences such as Michael Jackson and Usher, Mishon’s calling card has become his R&B ballads like “Excuse Me, Mama.”

“That song was basically about being chivalrous,” Mishon says of the song that details a young guy in a shopping mall swooning over a beautiful girl. Instead of approaching her directly, Mishon sings about being a gentleman and asking her mother’s permission. “Like I could say, ‘Excuse me, mama. Hey, you’re daughter is fine, can I get her number?’”

The song was written by Dwight Watson a.k.a. King Pin, an up-and-coming writer in the biz, according to Mishon. But Mishon has also written songs about his personal experiences, such as another ballad “Sidelines,” which he performed on Lincoln Heights as part of their prom episode.

“It speaks about me liking a girl and she knows it, but she has me on the sideline just waiting for her,” Mishon says. So what happened? “We got together but we broke up like a week later,” he says, with a laugh.

Although Mishon’s music personality is laden with charm and suave, his social life is a low-key one. Because of his packed schedule, Mishon is home-schooled by his mother, Shontay. The closest he ever got to the typical high school experience is on the set of Lincoln Heights, and though his career is something he would never sacrifice, he admits it isn’t easy to live at such an accelerated pace.

His closest friends are his parents, his summers are spent on tour or on set, and instead of going to his own prom, he is hiring himself out in a contest on his website for one lucky lady to win him as a date to their prom.

“I felt like prom is just a big thing for a lot of people,” Mishon says of the contest, which also includes a full shopping spree for the winner.

Increasing his visibility as the release date for The Yearbook approaches is paramount for the fledgling star, hence the contest and the blog and the Twitter account. Plans for a tour later this year are in the works, although no concrete details have been announced. Mishon is even a veteran on tour, as he hit the road last summer with BET’s Black College Tour with Chamillionaire.

“That was crazy, a lot of screaming girls,” Mishon says. “Being on stage and hearing people sing my songs, like ‘Excuse Me,’ the whole song all the way through, is pretty life-changing.”

His next tour will only mean bigger audiences and, well, more screaming girls if things keep up the way they’re going.

“I think over the past five or six years I’ve had ups and downs but I think that this time I’m really gonna do it,” Mishon says. “Like I say, I’ve got Interscope behind me working hard. It’s all about focus. As long as you stay focussed, you’ll reach your goal.

“I love music, I love to dance. It’s just in my heart, and if you love something, why not pursue it?”

Ugly Betty Among 12 Shows Returning To ABC

Eva Lam — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:57:48 +0000

Fans of “Ugly Betty” can breathe a sign of relief.

Despite speculation that it was on the bubble, the comedy about the affable Plain Jane was one of 12 series given early renewals by ABC on Thursday for next fall’s lineup.

Some of the shows being brought back were no surprise due to strong ratings, including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Brothers & Sisters” and “Dancing with the Stars.” Also returning is “Lost,” another expected move given the network’s agreement with the show’s creators to end the drama after six seasons.

Rounding out the renewals were “America’s Funniest Home Videos” – back for a 20th season – “The Bachelor,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Private Practice,” “Supernanny” and “Wife Swap.”

Other shows, including “Samantha Who?” and all of ABC’s midseason series, must wait until next month to find out if they will return.

ABC Resurrects Cancelled Shows

Eva Lam — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:27:48 +0000

It’s closure time for fans of “Pushing Daisies,” “Eli Stone” and “Dirty Sexy Money.”

The cancelled ABC shows will return to the tube in the coming months – if only on a temporary basis – to run off their remaining episodes every Saturday at 10 p.m.

“Pushing Daisies,” the critically acclaimed series about a pie-maker with a magical touch, is first on the schedule, resuming May 30 and concluding June 13.

“Eli Stone,” starring Jonny Lee Miller as an attorney beset by hallucinations/visions, will take up the Saturday time slot from June 20 to July 11.

Finally, “Dirty Sexy Money” will wrap up the adventure of the wealthy Darling family from July 18 to Aug. 8.

All three shows were in their sophomore seasons when they were axed by ABC due to dwindling ratings.

Isaiah Washington Files Complaint Against ABC

andPOP Staff — Tue, 13 May 2008 09:28:26 +0000

Disgraced actor Isaiah Washington has filed a complaint with the Screen Actors Guild after his picture was used in a recent episode of “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Washington left the show last season after his famed explosion on the set, calling then-closeted co-star T.R. Knight a homophobic slur.

In the show, a newspaper article was shown in the May 9 episode revealing that Washington’s character had received a prestigious award. Unfortunately, it also used a photograph of the actor.

Washington’s attorney claims that ABC has “the rights of the character to advance the story, but not the image.”

Washington is pursuing a financial settlement.

‘Scrubs’ Continues Series on ABC

andPOP Staff — Tue, 13 May 2008 08:52:46 +0000

“Scrubs” fans can relax: the show isn’t over after all! It’s just moving.

After NBC heavily advertised last week’s episode, a fairy tale theme, as the series finale, many fans were confused and disappointed. It contained timeline errors and did not justifiably sum up the series.

Star Zach Braff posted an explanation in a MySpace bulletin yesterday. “I was not allowed to say it until today, but Scrubs will be moving to ABC for its final season,” he confessed. “We are currently filming the 8th and final season. The true finale of the show will air on ABC in the fall. NBC merely promoted the Fairy Tale episode as the finale, as it was the last episode they owned.”

The episode featured fan favourite Dr. Cox as the chief of medicine, though he had recently left. Braff explained that the episodes had been aired out of order due to the writer’s strike.

‘Men In Trees’ Gets the Axe

andPOP Staff — Tue, 06 May 2008 02:53:50 +0000

“Men in Trees” is officially getting the axe.

Series creator Jenny Bicks confirmed the news with “TV Guide” on Sunday. Bicks thanked all the fans who supported the show, and that she was “really proud of the work we did on ‘MIT’.”

At the very least, fans will get a fairy tale ending. In preparation for the show’s possible demise, an alternate ending to the season finale was shot, to round out the show.

As for why “Trees” fell, Bicks blames scheduling. “I wish the show had not been moved six times and put onto two long hiatuses. No show could survive that.”

The last batch of episodes begin May 28.

Alicia Silverstone Making TV Comeback

andPOP Staff — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:03:50 +0000

Everyone’s favourite “Clueless” actress is making a comeback.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Alicia Silverstone has just been cast in the upcoming ABC series, “Bad Mother’s Handbook.” Alia Shawkat of “Arrested Development” fame is also signed on to the project.

The comedy, show with a single camera, will be follow 32-year-old Karen (Silverstone) as she attempts to take care of her 16-year-old daughter (Shawkat) and her 48-year-old mother.

Silverstone has recently been involved in low-profile projects, including a nude PSA for PETA.

‘Dancing With The Stars’ Cast Announced

andPOP Staff — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:09:09 +0000

The eclectic new cast of “Dancing With The Stars” was announced yesterday, featuring everyone from young R&B artists to infamous figure skaters.

The men in the running are comedian Adam Carolla, Chilean actor Cristian de la Fuente, “Police Academy” star Steve Guttenberg, 21-year-old Grammy nominee Mario, illusionist Penn Jillette and NFL star player Jason Taylor. Lovely ladies Priscilla Presley, “American Pie” actress Shannon Elizabeth, Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, the original “Tracy Turnblad” Marissa Jaret Winokur, tennis champ Monica Seles and Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin will also tear it up on the dance floor.

Stars will be paired up with their professional dancer partners this morning, and fans will get to see them in action on March 17. They’ll have to prove themselves right away, as the March 25 episode will be a double elimination – the first in “Dancing with the Stars” history.