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Coming Out in Hollywood: Is it Still a Risk? Matthew Weiner Thinks So
by Gary Susman, posted Dec 18th 2009 5:00PM
Despite the mainstream audience acceptance of such openly gay performers as Neil Patrick Harris, Ian McKellen, and Ellen DeGeneres, some Hollywood power brokers still feel that TV and movie audiences won't accept gay performers in straight roles.That was made clear on Wednesday when 'Mad Men' creator Matthew Weiner, speaking on a Hollywood panel, said, "Let's not pretend" that gay actors who come out of the closet aren't risking a future of gay typecasting, according to Greg in Hollywood blogger Greg Hernandez.
Jane After Dark: Pondering The Prisoner
by Jane Boursaw, posted Nov 29th 2009 10:02AM

I finished watching The Prisoner this week, and while I had to watch the final episodes a few times, I think I sort of get it. As I mentioned in my post a couple of weeks ago, I haven't seen the original 1960s series, so I'm just basing my thoughts on the current version that just aired on AMC. I'm guessing they'll air the series again sometime soon.
First of all, I was riveted to the series from start to finish. Not only are the characters and storyline intriguing and mysterious, but the musical score by Rupert Gregso-Williams is phenomenal. So hypnotic and evocative. More of my thoughts on The Prisoner -- including possible spoilers -- after the jump.
What Jane is thankful for
by Jane Boursaw, posted Nov 26th 2009 9:02AM
Happy Thanksgiving! It's that time of year when we reflect on all the good things in our lives, and of course, my thoughts turn to TV. Let's take a look at a few things on the tube that make me feel all warm and fuzzy. Sexy vampires. Oh my, we got lots of them this year. The Twilight Saga: New Moon's got nothin' on TV vampires. Eric Northman and Bill Compton from True Blood are definitely at the top of my list. Pictured is that hunk o' steamy vamp himself, Eric, a.k.a. Alexander Skarsgard in real life. But we also got those lovely Salvatore brothers on The Vampire Diaries. Elena certainly has some high-class problems, doesn't she? Steadfast Stefan or bad-vamp Damon? They both have their particular gifts.
I'm digging The Prisoner
by Jane Boursaw, posted Nov 19th 2009 11:02AM
I'm a little behind on my viewing of The Prisoner, but I'm up to episode three, "Anvil," and really digging it so far. It's like The Twilight Zone, Road Warrior, and The Truman Show all rolled into one. And I don't have the slightest idea where it's headed. I haven't seen the original 1960s series, but will definitely have to check it out. If it's anything like this one -- and many say it's better -- I'm sure I'll love it. Not only is the series an intriguing mystery, but it also seems to be a social commentary on fear, guilt, conformity, and control.
Are we all prisoners of something, one way or another? Are we all striving to break free of the social norms that shackle us? Am I off my rocker and reading a whole lot more into this show than is necessary?
Are you liking The Prisoner so far? I'm sort of hoping they turn it into a regular TV series.
Check out Jason's great reviews of The Prisoner.
'The Prisoner' Miniseries on AMC: Six, Meet Two (VIDEO)
by Donald Deane, posted Nov 16th 2009 12:02PM
In AMC's remake of the late 1960s British show 'The Prisoner,' a man finds himself trapped in a desert village where its inhabitants have only numbers for names, deny the existence of an outside world, and have no memory of their lives prior to arriving in the isolated, and constantly surveilled, village.
In this clip from the premiere of the miniseries, the man, dubbed Number Six and portrayed by Jim Caviezel, is brought before the leader of the village, the always-fantastic Ian McKellen as Number Two, and given clues on who and where he is.
Watch the video after the jump.
Jim Caviezel Talks About 'The Prisoner,' Blackberries and Basketball
by Gary Susman, posted Nov 13th 2009 2:00PM
Jim Caviezel is a lot more of a philosopher than most actors. It's that rigorous, philosophical bent that made him ideal to play both Jesus in 'The Passion of the Christ' and the trapped cipher Six in AMC's new remake of 'The Prisoner.'In the update of the 1967 cult-fave series, Caviezel stars as a man who finds himself trapped in a mysterious village, stripped of his freedom and name. Throughout the six-part miniseries, which debuts Sun., Nov. 15 at 8PM ET, he's fighting to understand his predicament, and to escape, but is repeatedly thwarted by village elder Two ('Lord of the Rings' and 'X-Men' vet Ian McKellen).
'The Prisoner' Preview: AMC's Remake Just as Bizarre as the Original (VIDEO)
by Sharon Knolle, posted Nov 12th 2009 1:16PM
Good news for fans of the original 'Prisoner': Critics say AMC's miniseries remake is just as weird, illogical and mystifying.It's a remake of the cult 1960s TV series, which starred Patrick McGoohan as a secret agent who is held against his will in the bizarrely cheerful "Village," from which there is seemingly no escape. The original's plot was so convoluted that fans debate even the chronology of the episodes. Is the end the beginning, or the other way around?
AMC's six-hour miniseries retains the essential elements of the original: A man (Jim Caviezel) wakes up in "The Village" with no idea how he got there. He's now addressed simply as "Six" and told that the real world does not exist. Overseeing the sinister enclave is "Two" (Ian McKellen), whose reasons for keeping Six a prisoner are not clear.
Read more and watch a video preview after the jump.
Ask TV Squad: Eureka, The Prisoner and more!
by Isabelle Carreau, posted Nov 11th 2009 3:04PM
The "Ask TV Squad" column, published every Wednesday, answers your questions about current and past TV shows, as well as about the celebrities appearing on TV. Every week, I will pick a question (or more) sent to us and provide answers in the column. If your question is not picked for a column, it may be answered in a subsequent column or in TV Squad's APB Podcast.To submit questions to the "Ask TV Squad" column, you can post them below in comments or email them to asktvsquad@gmail.com.
This week, I answer questions about Eureka, The Prisoner and how to leave comments on TVSquad.com.
Right now on Cinematical
by Kona Gallagher, posted Nov 8th 2009 11:30AM
The folks at our sister site Cinematical are working hard to give you news and reviews of the best -- and worst -- the silver screen has to offer. Here are some of their musings on the latest blockbusters, indies, and everything in between:- Con: Another vampire movie. Pro: It involves Clueless director Amy Heckerling and Krysten Ritter from Veronica Mars and Breaking Bad. I'm so conflicted!
- Good thing Ian McKellen is so graceful, otherwise, he probably would have drop-kicked Elisabeth Hasselbeck during his recent appearance on The View.
- Is it just me, or does The Men Who Stare at Goats look amazing? See if it lives up to the hype by reading Cinematical's review.
- Cinematical takes a look at some of the best and worst biopics, and I really enjoy the ones on the "best" list. Of course, I also love a few on the worst list, like Evita.
- I really want to see Precious, but I'm also terrified of it. Oprah told me I need to go see it though, and I don't like to defy Oprah. You can read Cinematical's review of Precious here.
Ian McKellen Hopes to School Audiences in 'The Academy'
by Rebecca Paiement, posted Nov 2nd 2009 2:10PM
Famed British stage and screen actor and Tony Award winner Ian McKellen is coming to the small screen, with a new series he hopes to bring to both the UK and U.S. markets later this year.Variety reports that 'The Academy,' a half-hour mockumentary series, would showcase the actor playing his own fictional brother, "Murray McKellen," struggling to find funding for the also-imaginary Clapham Academy of Creative Arts. When a "documentary" on the school is proposed, McKellen's character sees a golden opportunity to save the dilapidated institution.
The Prisoner looks to escape the odds - Comic-Con Report
by John Scott Lewinski, posted Jul 25th 2009 5:22AM
It's always daunting to remake a classic. In TV circles, it doesn't get much more "classic" than The Prisoner.In a press conference at Comic-Con International Friday, the cast and creative team from AMC's six-episode remake discussed the rigors of re-envisioning Patrick McGoohan's landmark show.
Series stars Jim Caviezel and Jamie Campbell-Bower joined writer Bill Gallagher to greet the press after presenting a nine-minute trailer for the show to a packed Comic-Con panel.
Extras: The Complete Second Season - DVD review
by Joel Keller, posted Aug 20th 2007 10:00AM
Yes, I know it's been a couple of months since the second season of Extras came out on DVD. But since I reviewed Season One earlier this year, I figured it would only be fair to look over Season Two, even if it's only for anal completist reasons (Of course, our UK Bureau -- otherwise known as "Martin Conaghan" -- reviewed the series when it aired on the BBC; his reviews start 1/4 of the way down this page).From everything I heard and read, the second season of the Ricky Gervais / Stephen Merchant comedy was better than the first season. Of course, given the high standards set by Gervais and Merchant, that was saying a lot. After watching Season Two, I have to say that I agree with those assessments, but not for the reason that you think.
McKellen and Gervais to share onscreen kiss
by Annie Wu, posted Jun 14th 2006 5:34PM
BBC/HBO's Extras has some fantastic A-listers lined up to guest star in the upcoming season. Among the big names are Chris Martin (Coldplay), Daniel Radcliffe, Orlando Bloom, David Bowie, and Stephen Fry. Sir Ian McKellen from X-Men and Lord of the Rings is also set to make an appearance, and, the word is, he's going to share an onscreen kiss with the star, Ricky Gervais. McKellen's a funny guy... I remember when he snuck a kiss from Jimmy Fallon when he hosted Saturday Night Live a few years ago. It threw me, a Fallon fangirl at the time, into a fit, but it was hysterical.
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