SueTube – Let’s talk TV with critic Susan Young

Frustrated that your favorite show got snuffed?

Well, ABC is giving “Night Stalker” fans a chance to see some unaired episodes through iTunes.

ABC has made three previously unaired episodes of “Night Stalker” available for purchase for $1.99 per episode on the iTunes Music Store (www.itunes.com). These episodes join seven other previously released “Night Stalker” installments on iTunes Music Store.

The three newly released “Night Stalker” episodes are:

* “Into Night” — When two office workers toiling late into the night are found dead the next morning, their bodies mummified, the police attempt to explain the strange deaths away, while Kolchak tries to find out who – or what – killed them before it happens again.

* “Timeless” — Kolchak and Reed are perplexed when they cover a bizarre murder that appears to mirror similar deaths that have occurred every 35 years since the paper was founded.

* “What’s the Frequency, Kolchak?” — Kolchak is kidnapped by a demented man (guest star Paul Krieger) who claims the reporter has been sending him “hidden” messages via his newspaper stories . . . and that they were both institutionalized together at the same mental hospital. While trying to find a way to free himself, Kolchak discovers his tormentor seems to be responsible for a series of sudden disappearances that may have ended in murder

Based on the cult favorite ’70s classic, “Night Stalker” is a mystery series starring Stuart Townsend (“League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”), Gabrielle Union (“The Honeymooners”), Cotter Smith (“X2”) and Eric Jungmann (“Not Another Teen Movie”). Frank Spotnitz (“The X Files”) is creator and executive producer of the series. Dan Sackheim (“The X Files”) served as executive producer and director.

UPN gets this wedding started when a San Francisco man surprises his girlfriend with what UPN is calling the ultimate marriage proposal, wedding and reception.

We’ll be the judge of that.

It all happens on the reality series “Get This Party Started” at 9 p.m. on Feb. 21 on UPN-Channel 44.

Kristin Cavallari (“Laguna Beach”) and Ethan Erickson (“Extra”) host the show which features aspiring musical artist Anthony, who wanted to express his love for his girlfriend Shannon in a big and unique way by proposing and throwing her the surprise wedding of her dreams.

As part of the ruse, Shannon thinks she is rehearsing to be part of a music video for her boyfriend Anthony, while the elite party team converts an empty loft into an elegant and chic setting for the wedding.

But won’t Shannon wonder why mom and dad are in a music video?

“Rock Star: The Series” – just a working title, so don’t get too attached – returns this summer to CBS.

But first, they need to round up some rockers. So get in line.

Auditions will be taking place in early March. Applications for potential singers can be found at CBS.com and http://rockstar.msn.com. Auditions are open to men and women all over the world who are at least 21 years-old.

Open calls will take place in the following cities. Cities are subject to change, with venues announced at a later date.

March 1, 2006

Bob Woodruff’s brother David Woodruff discussed Bob’s condition on “Good Morning America” today.

David has been by Bob’s side since the ABC anchor was brought to the military hospital in Germany. Bob is now on his way home to the United States.

“We got a lot of great news this morning,” David Woodruff said. ” He’s improved markedly over the night. He looks much better than he looked the day before. (The doctors said this morning) his signs are great, probably as good as can be expected at this stage.”

Woodruff is still heavily sedated and at this point it is too early to tell what his prognosis might be. He suffered broken ribs, a broken shoulder and skull fracture. He also had some facial wounds on one side of his face.

“The doctors said at the beginning of this, this is not going to be a sprint. This is going to be a marathon,” David Woodruff said. “And we’re committed to making sure we’re there running that marathon with him.”

David Woodruff also cleared up some confusion about what happened after his brother had been hit.

“Bob had come down through the hatch. (Producer) Vinny (Malhotra) picked him up by his lapels. (Bob) opened up his eyes and said, ‘Am I alive?’ And at that point he started to feel the pain. He used some colorful language and said ‘This hurts a lot’ and then he became unconscious.”

The family has been reading the postings on the ABC Web site.

(Bob’s wife) Lee wanted me to tell everyone how much she appreciates the support from everybody, from the team at ABC, from all her friends, family and all the people out there who are praying for Bob and (camaraman) Doug (Vogt),” David said. “I know Doug’s wife would say the same thing.”

Spike TV has fast-tracked a new series based on the Marvel comic book “Blade,” which begins taping this spring and premieres in June.

“Blade” will be the network’s first original scripted series and has ordered 11 one-hour episodes in addition to the two-hour kick-off.

According to the over-written press release, “Blade” centers on an immortal warrior fighting a shadowy underworld of vampires who want to destroy the human race. The title character is a half-man, half-vampire who uses his superhuman powers and skills to fearlessly battle the demonic creatures of the night in a blood-drenched crusade to prevent the ascendance of vampires
over mankind.

In other words, a perfect fit for Spike.

ABC News President David Westin issued the following update at 4:45 a.m. Jan. 31 on the condition of ABC News Anchor Bob Woodruff and ABC News Cameraman Doug Vogt:

7:15 a.m. Monday, Jan. 30, ABC News President David Westin issued the following update on the condition of ABC News Anchor Bob Woodruff and ABC News Cameraman Doug Vogt:

Early Saturday morning in Iraq, ABC anchor Bob Woodruff , 44, and cameraman Doug Vogt, 46,were riding with an Iraqi Army unit when the vehicle hit an IED, or improvised explosive device.

The two were embedded with the 4th Infantry Division when the attack happened near Taji. Both were wearing helmets and body armor, but sustained injuries from flying metal. There are reports that an attack ensued after the IED exploded.
Woodruff and Vogt were then taken to a U.S. military hospital for surgery immediately after the attack.

Jason Lee, star of “My Name is Earl” couldn’t make the press session for his show because he had the chicken pox.

The chicken pox?

Yep, it seems Lee never had chicken pox. Although we’re a bit confused on the timing. On Sunday Jan. 15, there was a segment on “Desperate Housewives” about a parent trying to avoid the chicken pox.
On that Monday, Jason Lee was at the Golden Globes _ where the cast of “Desperate Housewives were also in attendence _ and on Tuesday, he says he was covered in bumps that turned out to be chicken pox.
Coincidence? Maybe.
All we know is that it won’t throw the series off schedule.

“No, no, no. He’ll be in all the
episodes,” creator Gregg Garcia assured the critics at the winter press tour. “We’re just shut down until he is feeling better and is presentable to put on TV again. “

For all you briefcase addicts, NBC announced the Howie Mandel hosted game show “Deal or No Deal” will be back on the air in March after the Winter Olympics.

So just what is the draw of a show in which all the contestants have to do is whittle down briefcases to win money.

“There’s nothing else on television that allows you to go home with a lot of money with absolutely no skill,” Mandel told critics at the winter press tour. “And I think it’s really obvious there’s no skill. You can be a rock and move into another tax bracket.”