9 Aug 2014

Dee Haslam’s newest reality TV show has people talking

Dee Haslam wears all sorts of different hats. And she wears them well.

She’s the CEO and founder of RIVR, a production company that has created groundbreaking tv series and reality TV shows with cult followings – Trading Spaces, Whale Wars and the World Series of Poker to name a few. She’s the President of the Cleveland Browns Foundation, where she’s quietly becoming a fixture in the community for involvement in trying to create tangible change and for her dedicated charity work. She’s also the wife of team owner Jimmy Haslam, playing an integral role in the ownership group with a passionate interest in the football team.

“Rowhouse Showdown” and “Tiny House Nation” are renovation and design shows that are part of the summer launch of the rebranded FYI Network, formerly known as Bio. And they are diving into a crowded pool filled with firmly established shows from HGTV, DIY, TLC and Bravo.

Good design — sometimes deemed the je né sais quoi of interior design and architecture — is the intent behind two new series on television and online at fyi.tv.

“Rowhouse Showdown” and “Tiny House Nation” are renovation and design shows that are part of the summer launch of the rebranded FYI Network, formerly known as Bio. FYI, a division of A+E Networks, stands for “for your imagination, inspiration and innovation” and focuses on four categories: food, style, relationships and homes.

OPINION: I was in the newsroom on Monday when someone shouted out: "Eight hundred thousand dollars of taxpayer money on a new season of X Factor? What the hell?" And we all got outraged.

I was particularly pleased, because it was column week, and this sounded like the ideal topic. NZ On Air wasting scarce taxpayer dollars on trash TV? Perfect.

I could also point out that the show received $1.6m in NZ On Air funding for its first season, and that it wasn't even original programming but was instead a franchise of that slimy villain Simon Cowell and his over-rehearsed insults.

As a soon-to-be 21 year-old Josh (Josh Thomas) sits across from his girlfriend droning on about his melancohlic outlook and body dysmorphia, a waitress brings the couple an overpriced sundae. "Why can't I ever just let myself properly enjoy things?" Josh asks. "All I can think about is my rubbish face."

His girlfriend, Claire (Caitlyn Stasey), quietly listens to her boyfriend's soliloquy, finally interrupting him. She thinks it's best if she and Josh break up because they've drifted apart. "Also you're gay," she adds. Josh, taken back, assures her she's wrong. "Josh," she says, "you're probably gay."

Reality television has become an integral part of Western pop culture whether or not you like it – and there are a million reasons you shouldn’t. Many of these shows highlight the glamorous lives of the outrageously wealthy, or the over-dramatized dysfunctions of the most banal D-list celebrities. For such a popular genre of television, many real-life topics pertinent to, you know, reality, are left by the wayside. Where are the shows that engage viewers about issues affecting us all, like the struggling health of our environment? For years, various television networks have tried to create successful “eco” reality programming, but none have been successful enough to make it past the first few seasons.

Given the already overwhelming amount of quality TV worth watching, does anyone really want to dig deeper into their pockets to pay for even more of it?

We’ll start to find out this weekend, as two premium US cable channels make their boldest moves yet to grab new viewers and subscribers. On Aug. 8, Cinemax premieres The Knick, starring Clive Owen as a surgeon in 1900-era New York City, with Steven Soderburgh directing all 10 episodes. One night later, Starz unveils Outlander, about a nurse from the 20^th century who time-travels back to 18^th century Scotland. The series is based on the eight novels by Diana Gabaldon, which combine historical fiction, romance and adventure, and have sold more than 25 million copies worldwide.

American channels Starz, Cinemax, Sundance TV and others are cranking out quality dramas right under your nose

There’s something of an original scripted programming arms race going on right now, with each stop on the cable dial trying to find its breakout hit. Even Bravo, the home of every reality show you hate to love, is trying its hand at its first scripted fare. And as each channel is trying to set itself apart, they’re all going for the biggest lynchpin in the plan to become a home for discerning viewers: the prestige drama.

Warner Bros. has made a slew of release date announcements this week, laying claim to a number of opening weekends through 2020. Outside of the DC superhero movies on the docket, what else might be in store in the years ahead?

The studio has dated two untitled animated feature films for release May 25, 2018, and May 24, 2019. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the animated movies could be additional sequels to this year's blockbuster The Lego Movie or maybe a sequel to their forthcoming animated Ninjago movie.

While marquee superheroes like Batman and Superman hogged most of the San Diego Comic-Con spotlight a few weeks ago, there was another famous comic book character who made a surprisingly big splash: Deadpool.

The wise-cracking Marvel Comics antihero last appeared on the big screen in 2009’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (played by Ryan Reynolds). But despite having a script, a director, and a willing star in Reynolds, a standalone “Deadpool” movie has been stuck in development hell for years.

Listen, most good things aren't built to last. We're back to the mediocre wide releases this week – featuring ninja turtles and Helen Mirren, our favorite ninja turtle.

In Theaters

Only seven years after the last attempt to make mutated reptiles cool, Michael Bay is trying again with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. With only 20% on Rotten Tomatoes, it promises to be not good – and not very female, either. Meanwhile, Helen Mirren saw all those scamps in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and felt really jealous she wasn't invited. So she went ahead and made her own version, The Hundred-Foot Journey, and none of those other nerds are invited to enjoy all the amazing food. Hmph.

In this week’s new releases, Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo return to the big screen for more action and fun in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” Brendan Gleeson stars as a Catholic priest in “Calvary.”

★★ “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (PG-13) “Considering that two sequels are in the works, it’s clear the filmmakers believe tweens and teens won’t care about the movie’s deficits and will just concentrate on the fun of wisecracking, weapon-wielding turtles. ... And while this reboot is fun, it’s also forgettable and occasionally infuriating.” – Sandie Angulo Chen

FILM star thanks police for their intervention after they arrest Indio Downey for allegedly smoking a crack pipe in the front passenger seat of a car.

ROBERT Downey Jnr’s son has been charged with drug possession after police allegedly saw him smoking from a crack pipe.

Indio Downey, 20, was in the front passenger seat of a car pulled over in Hollywood.

Deanne McDonald must repay the money she got for agreeing to remain tight-lipped about the actor.

Adam Sandler and his HP Production company have gotten a California appeals court to affirm that his former nanny Deanne McDonald must repay $80,000 for breaching a confidential settlement agreement.

The actor hired the nanny in 2009, and when McDonald's employment ended, she raised employment claims. Those never surfaced publicly thanks to a deal worked out in 2010 that paid her $48,000. Her attorneys were handed an additional $32,000. As part of the settlement, McDonald agreed not to disclose anything about Sandler nor disparage him.

Wiz Khalifa has dropped a new leak of his forthcoming Blacc Hollywood LP.

The song is actually a remix of an atmospheric jam of the same name by Los Angeles-based Ghost Loft, from 2013. But while the original sounds like garbled pop music from a mermaid kingdom emerging from a whirlpool, Khalifa adds a touch of heavier bass and reflects on the poignant details of his stoner lifestyle, stems and all.

Would you strap a theater to your face?

Facebook is in talks with Hollywood executives about designing feature films specifically for Oculus Rift, according to a new report in The Information. Such companion videos would release alongside traditional feature films, with full-length movies eventually coming directly to Rift, the report states.

The 3D headset began with a focus on gaming, but it's not surprising that Hollywood is interested in the immersive technology, too. Legendary Pictures recently wrapped up a Rift-based tie-in to its Pacific Rim franchise.

Robin Wright has hit out at the current celebrity culture, insisting today's big Hollywood stars are nothing but "well-paid animals in a zoo".

The 48-year-old star - who has appeared in big movies such as 'Forrest Gump' and 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' - has hit out at today's celebrity culture because she believes it is turning stars into "commodities".

She said: "For actors in Hollywood, it's very straightforward. We're well-paid animals in a zoo. And if you agree to play the dog-and-pony show, and smile on the red carpet, and show up at every envelope that's opened, then you can become a celebrity and become a commodity.

Corporate China has already bought the cinemas and financed the films. Now it is moving into the heart of movieland by buying up one of Los Angeles’ most sought-after locations.

Wanda, the Dalian-based owner of US cinema chain AMC and China’s biggest commercial developer by sales, said on Friday it had won the battle for a plot of land at 9900 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills.

It plans to invest $1.2bn to build a mixed-use development, which will include luxury apartments and office space targeting the entertainment industry.

A producer who worked with Cruz reportedly vows not to hire her again, after she signed a letter condemning Israel's actions.

Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem are reportedly facing a Hollywood backlash over their criticism of Israel's offensive in Gaza.

The couple, along with dozens of other Spanish film stars, directors and writers, signed an open letter which described the actions against Palestinians as "genocide".

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United have made a £55m bid for Real Madrid's 26-year-old midfielder Angel Di Maria. (Daily Express)

United will look to sign former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song, 26, from Barcelona if they fail to land Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal, 27. (Daily Express)

Manchester City are close to announcing the signing of Porto's French defender Eliaquim Mangala, 23, for £32m. (Daily Mail)

PLUS: United want to sign Alex Song from Barcelona if they fail to land Arturo Vidal, while Manchester City are close to signing Porto's Eliaquim Mangala

The summer transfer window is open, and agents and club representatives are plotting their next moves.

Get the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours from the Daily Mirror and plenty more newspapers and websites below.

Liverpool FC have been put on red alert after Borussia Dortmund attacker Marco Reus' agent ruled out a move to Bayern Munich.

The Daily Express believes the Reds have stepped up interest in the German international - along with Arsenal, Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid - following claims the player's buyout clause will drop from £28m to £20m at the end of the season.

Charles Green and George Soros line up bid for Rangers, Aberdeen say title not on agenda and £10m Fraser Forster fee agreed with Southampton.

Charles Green putting together Rangers bid

Charles Green, the former Rangers chief executive, is raising funds to invest in the Scottish Championship club.

The former owner told BBC Sport he has raised nearly £10m with the aim of stabilising the club, which he said was in a perilous position.

Celebrity historian Anne Helen Petersen joins guest host Stephen Quinn to discuss her recent long-form Buzzfeed article The Down and Dirty History of TMZ. In it, she explains how the media outlet's managing editor Harvey Levin altered the way celebrity news is treated, spread and consumed.

The celebrity gossip site has become a multi-million dollar enterprise -- the only outlet of its kind with a TV show, a bus tour, and a reserved computer at the Los Angeles county courthouse.

Liverpool risk missing out on Ezequiel Lavezzi as Juventus have entered the race to sign the Paris St Germain forward, according to The Express.

PSG are reportedly looking to remove the Argentina international from their massive wage bill so they can relaunch a move for Real Madrid’s Angel Di Maria.

Brendan Rodgers is in the market for an attacker but is apparently yet to make a move for Lavezzi, 29, after discovering he is looking for a long-term deal worth around £20m, on top of a transfer fee of £18m.

Hey there Upper East Siders and Angelinos, Lonely boy was out performing with his band in El Lay and you'll be surprised to hear who came out for this special occasion!

Unfortunately, Serena was no where to be found.

But, according to an attendee, Leighton Meester, Jessica Szohr, and Chace Crawford all showed up to support Penn Badgley and his band!

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