TV

The latest television news from the Plain Dealer

'True Blood,' `Kath & Kim' and more: TV best bets for Oct. 5-11:

by Mark Dawidziak/Plain Dealer Television Critic

Saturday October 04, 2008, 6:00 AM

HBO

So as I was saying, Sookie, there I was at Antietam ...

"How Ohio Pulled It Off" (8 p.m. Monday, Documentary Channel) -- This channel can be a hard find, but if you get it, make the effort to find its documentary about Ohio's role in deciding the 2004 presidential election. Among the politicians interviewed are Gov. Ted Strickland and U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich.

"World's Funniest Moments" (9 p.m. Wednesday, WUAB Channel 43) -- Cleveland native and Kent State University graduate Arsenio Hall, late of late-night on Fox and "Martial Law" on CBS, is the host for this MyNetworkTV reality show that rides the wave of the YouTube craze. It packages outrageous and spectacular moments caught by professionals and amateurs armed with cameras.

"Kath & Kim" (8:30 p.m. Thursday, WKYC Channel 3) -- This is the premiere of NBC's Americanized version of the Australian series that aired first on Trio, then on the Sundance Channel. Shaker Heights native Molly Shannon ("Saturday Night Live") plays Kath, the divorced mother of Kim (Selma Blair), a self-absorbed princess who moves back home after separating from her husband.

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Project Runway recap: All remaining designers still in

by Kim Crow/Plain Dealer Style Editor

Wednesday October 01, 2008, 9:56 PM

BravoTV.comA meeting of the We-Hate-Kenley Club.

In a twist the savvy viewer sorta saw coming, nobody was eliminated from the finalist round on Project Runway tonight. Instead, Jerell, Kenley, Korto and Leanne were all given a chance to create a runway collection for New York Fashion Week -- but someone will be eliminated before the all-important runway show at Bryant Park.

Wednesday's challenge put the designers at the New York Botanical Garden, where they were challenged to come up with an evening gown inspired by nature. Which seems like the perfect assignment for any designer, but this tense, overwrought group seemed to put more effort into cattiness and clique-i-ness than into their runway looks.

And it showed.

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Channel 45 and Channel 49 get new name: Western Reserve Public Media

by Julie E. Washington / Plain Dealer Reporter

Wednesday October 01, 2008, 4:51 PM

WNEO Channel 45 and its sister station WEAO Channel 49 kicked off October by launching a new corporate umbrella name, Western Reserve Public Media.

The name reflects the organization's regional coverage of Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Youngstown and Warren.

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Cleveland Film Society fundraisers scheduled

by Julie E. Washington / Plain Dealer reporter

Wednesday October 01, 2008, 4:39 PM

Cleveland Internatinal Film festival has brought in a global smorgasbord of films in the past, like "Mongol."

Sip wine, mingle and expose your mind to new ideas at Film Feasts, a series of fundraisers for the Cleveland Film Society, which presents the Cleveland International Film Festival.

Topics include film, food, musical theater, and there's even a session for dog lovers. The series runs from Wednesday, Oct. 22, to Friday, Feb. 27, 2009. CIFF members get a 10 percent discount on all Film Feasts. Peruse the schedule and buy tickets at www.clevelandfilm.org.

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The Plain Dealer's Lisa Griffis to appear on 'The Today Show's 'Joy Fit Club'

by Julie E. Washington / Plain Dealer reporter

Wednesday October 01, 2008, 4:34 PM

Lisa Griffis

"The Today Show's" nutritionist Joy Bauer salutes a Cleveland weight-loss success story on Monday, Oct. 6.

Lakewood resident Lisa Griffis will be inducted into Bauer's "Joy Fit Club" for her 180-pound loss.

"My motto is, put down the fork and move your butt," said Griffis, who is The Plain Dealer's deputy design director for the business section.

The "Joy Fit Club" recognizes dieters who lose more than 100 pounds without weight-loss surgery. Griffis will appear in the 11 a.m. segment of "Today," which airs weekdays on Channel 3.

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Eileen McShea leaving WKYC 'Good Company' job

by Julie E. Washington / Plain Dealer reporter

Wednesday October 01, 2008, 4:00 PM

.

Plain Dealer file photoEileen McShea

"Good Company" earns its keep through commercials and segments paid for by the folks who appear. McShea said she was told that, due to the soggy economy, the show's paid segments were not bringing in enough revenue to support four hosts. She said she co-hosted the show for several weeks with no pay

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'Biggest Loser': Jerry Skeabeck goes home, Coleen doesn't

by Mark Dawidziak/Plain Dealer Television Critic

Wednesday October 01, 2008, 11:32 AM

NBC

Jerry Skeabeck

Tuesday's episode-ending weigh-in eliminated Middleburg Heights resident Jerry Skeabeck, 51, a police sergeant in the village of Highland Hills. His starting weight was 380 pounds.

But before the weigh-in, "Biggest Loser: Families" host Alison Sweeney announced a surprise twist: only one member of the family team with the lowest weight loss would be going home. That means Jerry Skeabeck's daughter, North Royalton resident Coleen Skeabeck, will be back for the fourth episode, airing at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, on WKYC Channel 3.

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Paul Newman marathon set for Sunday on Turner Classic Movies

by Mark Dawidziak/Plain Dealer Television Critic

Tuesday September 30, 2008, 7:07 PM

Newman

The schedule of 11 films:

6 a.m.: "The Rack" (1956) -- Newman as a Korean War veteran on trial for treason (from Rod Serling's teleplay).

8 a.m.: "Until They Sail" (1957) -- Newman as a Marine captain who falls for a widow played by Jean Simmons.

10 a.m.: "Torn Curtain" (1966) -- Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, this thriller teams Newman with Julie Andrews.

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Politicians, not celebrities, made for original tabloid fodder

by Joann Connors / Plain Dealer Reporter

Monday September 29, 2008, 3:05 PM

Bill Kennedy / The Plain DealerPresidential candidates can run but they cannot hide from the celebrity-and-gossip treatment in glossy magazines and on tabloid TV. September brought a glut of stories about the candidates' private lives.

Have you read what The Richmond Recorder wrote about one of the presidential candidates?
We probably shouldn't be passing this along, but another newspaper printed it, so what the heck.

According to the Recorder, it is "well known" in Washington that this candidate has fathered several illegitimate children. With his housekeeper.

Outrageous! Wait, though. It gets worse.

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TV best bets for Sept. 28-Oct. 4: 'The Simpsons' begins its 20th season with Homer in jail, plus new 'Dexter,' 'Chuck,' 'Pushing Daisies'

by Mark Dawidziak/Plain Dealer Television Critic

Sunday September 28, 2008, 12:00 AM

Free Homer!

"The Simpsons" (8 p.m. Sunday, WJW Channel 8) -- Woo-hoo! Break out the forbidden doughnuts and pop a Duff beer. "The Simpsons" starts its 20th season with an episode about Homer in jail after a St. Patrick's Day fight.

"Dexter" (9 p.m. Sunday, Showtime) -- Michael C. Hall's serial killer who targets serial killers is one of the most intriguing characters in television. The third season begins with Jimmy Smits joining the cast as an ambitious assistant district attorney.

"Chuck" (8 p.m. Monday, WKYC Channel 3) -- Computer-geek-turned-spy Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi) returns for another season of impossible missions -- like asking Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) for a date. His main assignment, of course, is to survive a second NBC season against ABC's "Dancing With the Stars." Sorry 'bout that, Chuck.

"Pushing Daisies" (8 p.m. Wednesday, WEWS Channel 5) -- The second-season opener of this winning blend of comedy, drama and life-affirming fantasy. Lee Pace plays a pie maker who can bring dead things to life by touching them (but a second touch sends them back).

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