ESPN held its upfront presentation Tuesday morning at the Nokia Theater in New York. Anchors Scott Van Pelt and Steve Levy hosted the event as a mock SportsCenter episode. The 80-minute presentation was light on programming announcements, but the biggest news was the addition of a block of live SportsCenters from 6 am to 3 pm/ET, beginning Monday, Aug. 11. A new web site, SportsCenter.com, will also debut in August. It was also confirmed that The Early Show's Hannah Storm will be one of the new anchors for this block. In other SportsCenter news, a 1 am/ET edition produced live in Los Angeles, will premiere on April 9, 2009.Other new programming includes ESPN Homecoming, an profile/interview show with Rick Reilly, who the network poached from Sports Illustrated last fall.Features reporter, deadpan "comedian" and Dancing With the Stars vet Kenny Mayne will host a new humor show for espn.com called Mayne Street.ESPN will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2009 with "30 For 30," a series...
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What is it with this season? Good dancers are going home, people are fainting and, sadly, parents keep passing away! Marie — I'm sorry about your father. I'm sure you'll find comfort in your family during this time and we hope to see you back and sassy next week on the dance floor!Well, it could have been worse than Jane Seymour going home. For a second, I got a huge knot in my stomach thinking my Helio was on his way out! Or Jennie! Poor, sweet, most-improved Jennie. Luckily, we'll see her again next week.I was a bit surprised that Cameron found his way out of the bottom two. I guess the soap fans came through for him. I wouldn't have been sad to see him go though. His schedule is insane! He needs to sit down and take a nap. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. I'd be the biggest cranky pants if I were in his shoes they'd probably run me off the show. My one burning question of the night: Who did Kenny Mayne's make-up for the "Dance Center" bit? Was that turquoise eyeshadow ...
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This show is like The Godfather: Just when you thinkyou're out, they pull you back in. That's been the case with Season 2winner Drew Lachey filling in as cohost, and we've seen fellow Season 2alum Kenny Mayne back as well. And now we have the return of Season 4'sBilly Ray Cyrus, who will perform his latest hit single, "Ready, Set,Don't Go," on the results show. Oh, and he'll be singing the tunewith his daughter Miley, a.k.a. Hannah Montana, so just be glad you don'thave to pay $1,000 (or more!) to see her. — Joe Friedrich
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Episode Recap: "Eviction 1" So Josie Maran was the night's ballroom roadkill. Was anyone really surprised? Didn't think so! Sorry Josie, I'm just being honest. Very classy of Alec to ask the viewers to vote for his new wife Edyta and Cameron Mathison, though. I was not happy about Mark Cuban being in the bottom two! And who voted for Wayne Newton? Please shout if you're out there, because I don't get it. On a lighter note, Dolly Parton sang "9 to 5"! (And some new song I had no interest in.) Question: Does anyone know when she started straightening her hair? I loved the Dolly with the gigantic mane of curls. It just wasn't the same!I thought Kenny Mayne's bit was really funny! How about those old photos of Len Goodman? He looked the same only with more hair! So, the first week is over! Was it all you thought it would be? Who got your vote this week? My eyes are already on next week and the next victim. Start making your predictions now, because it will be here before you know it.For...
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Various-grade celebrities have already attempted dancing and skating on reality TV shows, and now a fresh slate of would-be winners will turn to driving, mashing the gas for an ABC series set to air this summer.A dozen stars have signed on for the Fast Cars & Superstars—Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race, with would-be leadfoots including athletes (2007 Australian Open tennis champion Serena Williams, bullrider Ty Murray, WWE champ John Cena) and performers (singer Jewel, actors William Shatner and
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