stacyjenelsmith

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‘Nurse Jackie’ Gets an Assist From a ‘Dexter’ Mastermind

Posted on 04/14/2013 by stacyjenelsmith | AARP Blog Author | Comments

EntertainmentWhen Nurse Jackie debuted in 2009, ingesting mass quantities of Oxycontin and Adderall, trading sex for pills, careening from raw emotion to mordant humor, she didn’t look like a strong candidate for longevity. But here we are, about to embark upon Season 5, premiering on Showtime tonight. Emmy winner Edie Falco’s emergency room anti-heroine has made it through rehab and is about to face her toughest challenge yet – sobriety. Taking her on that journey is the series’ new showrunner, …

Don Draper Is Back But Is He Losing His Touch?

Posted on 04/7/2013 by stacyjenelsmith | AARP Blog Author | Comments

EntertainmentAt the Mad Men Season 6 premiere last month at the Director’s Guild Theater in Hollywood, Jon Hamm told reporters that the drama’s time frame for this season has parallels to today – an intriguing idea, in that Mad Men is now in 1968, arguably the most dramatic year of calamity and change in those tumultuous times. (Yes, yes – we know hyper-secretive series creator Matt Weiner wanted the year kept under wraps, but it has already been reported elsewhere.) There is certainly …

Let’s Go Shopping With ‘Mr. Selfridge’!

Posted on 03/31/2013 by stacyjenelsmith | AARP Blog Author | Comments

EntertainmentPoor Mr. Selfridge, freighted with comparisons before he even opens for business. Will the Masterpiece Classics series that debuts tonight (3/31) on PBS become the new Downton Abbey? After all, Downton’s timeslot successor is also set in Edwardian England, and comes complete with upper crust accents and cantilevered hats. Will audiences be able to accept Jeremy Piven as pioneering showman of shopping Harry Gordon Selfridge after seeing him for eight seasons as f-bomb hurling Hollywood agent Ari Gold on Entourage? Well, …

‘Game of Thrones’, a Love-Hate Affair

Posted on 03/23/2013 by stacyjenelsmith | AARP Blog Author | Comments

EntertainmentGame of Thrones, Season 3, is seven days away, and already you can hear it coming. The HBO fantasy drama series is at the center of a pop culture tornado roaring our way, swirling with action figures and bobblehead dolls, crowds of fans and photographers at its Grauman’s Chinese Theatre premiere, a couple of TV Critics awards, a Peabody and more. Distinctively, G of T can claim both a collection of prestigious honors and a worldwide cult following in 70+ countries. …

5 Reasons Not to Quit ‘DWTS’

Posted on 03/17/2013 by stacyjenelsmith | AARP Blog Author | Comments

EntertainmentWhen my daughter was a toddler, Barney the purple dinosaur was a hit. He seemed charming, at first — but years of all that gooey sweetness took a toll. By the time she was five, I started to crack, and one day, the “I Love You” song came on and I had to leave the room. Nowadays, it’s Randy Jackson’s “Yo” and that tired American Idol bit of the judges making like a contestant is going to get the axe, …

‘Dallas’ Gives J.R., and Hagman, a Proper Sendoff

Posted on 03/10/2013 by stacyjenelsmith | AARP Blog Author | Comments

EntertainmentThey’re giving the devil his due Monday night – J.R. Ewing, played to perfection since 1978 by Larry Hagman, will be buried. The episode airing at 9 p.m. ET on TNT, will not disappoint. Not only have new Dallas creator Cynthia Cidre and her writing team given the iconic character a memorable farewell for the actor who died last November (it will make you cry), they’ve used the occasion to break out a batch of new storylines. Foremost among them, as you …