liz.raftery

A native of Clearwater, Florida and alum of Boston's Emerson College, Liz has been working at TV Guide since 2012. Prior to that, she was a freelance writer for outlets including People and The Boston Globe.

Fox Slashes Episode Order for The Goodwin Games

Fox has reduced the order of its midseason comedy The Goodwin Games from 13 episodes to seven, TVGuide.com has confirmed.A lack of room on Fox's Tuesday comedy block is the reason for the change, according to a network rep. Fox recently ordered 24 episodes of Raising Hope, New Girl and The Mindy Project, along with 19 episodes of Ben and Kate. The seven Goodwin Games episodes will air sometime in the spring.The single-camera comedy, from How I Met Your Mother executive producers Carter Bays, Craig Thomas and Chris Harris, stars Becki Newton, Scott Foley and TJ Miller as estranged siblings who reconnect when they stand to inherit a fortune after their father's death.

Fri, Nov 2, 2012

Fox Slashes Episode Order for The Goodwin Games

Flashdance's Michael Nouri Arrested on Suspicion of Domestic Violence

Actor Michael Nouri, who starred in Flashdance and whose television credits include Damages and NCIS, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of felony domestic violence.

Fri, Nov 2, 2012

Flashdance's Michael Nouri Arrested on Suspicion of Domestic Violence

USA Cancels Political Animals

Political Animals will not return for a second season, TVGuide.com has confirmed. The six-episode series, starring Sigourney Weaver and Carla Gugino, was originally conceived as a miniseries, but producer Greg Berlanti and some of the show's stars hinted that it might be picked up for a second season if the initial run drew enough viewers. The show premiered to 3.8 million total viewers and averaged a modest 3.2 million viewers for the six weeks it was on the air.

Fri, Nov 2, 2012

Poll: Should the New York City Marathon Go On?

New York City is fully immersed in Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts, with thousands of residents still without power and mass transit only partially restored, but the city is still planning to hold its marathon on Sunday. Some are calling the race a symbol of New Yorkers' resilience, while others are lambasting the decision, saying that the resources being diverted to the race could be better used in such devastated areas like Staten Island and parts of Queens. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has never wavered in his decision to continue with the marathon, even though other elected officials, including Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, and some runners have said it should be postponed or canceled.

Fri, Nov 2, 2012

Poll: Should the New York City Marathon Go On?

VIDEO: Watch Joe Biden Deliver the Late Show Top 10

Joe Biden is doing everything he can to make sure voters make their voices heard in this year's election, whether by heading to the polls Tuesday or voting early in the states that allow it — and Thursday night, that included an appearance by the vice president on The Late Show with David Letterman. In a pre-taped message recorded along the campaign trail, Biden delivered the show's Top 10 list — Top 10 Reasons to Vote Early.

Fri, Nov 2, 2012

VIDEO: Watch Joe Biden Deliver the Late Show Top 10

CMA Awards: Who Were the Big Winners on Country's Biggest Night?

Country's hottest couple, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert, were the big winners at last night's CMA Awards — but the real story of the evening was who left empty-handed.

Fri, Nov 2, 2012

CMA Awards: Who Were the Big Winners on Country's Biggest Night?

The X Factor Elimination Shocker: Who Made It to the Top 12?

The X Factor had its first live performance elimination show Thursday night, with each judge choosing one of their protégés to send home, narrowing the field down to 12. The setup for the evening was that each judge designated two of their four contestants "safe," requiring the remaining pair to each perform live to stay in the competition. Unfortunately, the sing-offs were an overall snoozefest, with nearly all the contestants choosing to perform ballads (or at least ballad-ish versions of more upbeat songs) as they faced elimination, so as to truly show off their vocal talents. (For viewers who couldn't experience the excitement of live performances, that meant two hours of adult contemporary shlock.) Read on to find out which frontrunner was shockingly eliminated.

Fri, Nov 2, 2012

The X Factor Elimination Shocker: Who Made It to the Top 12?

Exclusive: Michael Madsen Heads to The Mob Doctor

Michael Madsen has booked a two-episode arc on Fox's The Mob Doctor, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively. Madsen will play Russell King, a veteran criminal whose crimes require a certain flair and professional expertise. On the night of a big job, King has a flare-up of back pain and discovers he requires immediate surgery. We're guessing The Mob Doctor herself, Jordana Spiro's Grace Devlin, will be called on to help.

Thu, Nov 1, 2012

Exclusive: Michael Madsen Heads to The Mob Doctor

The X Factor: Which Judges "Failed" Their Protégés for the First Live Performances?

The X Factor returned with its first live show Wednesday night, which featured the Top 16 contestants performing songs with the theme "Made in America" in front of the judges and America. The episode also marked the introduction of new co-hosts Mario Lopez and Khloe Kardashian. Lopez, who has hosted before and is a correspondent for Extra, predictably held his own, but Kardashian has a long way to go before proving that she was the right choice for the job. Other than calling Simon Cowell "sexy" repeatedly, and awkwardly putting Demi Lovato on the spot to identify which individual member of one group Lovato thought stood out, Kardashian had little to offer in the way of commentary. (Though it's likely many viewers were too distracted by her extremely low-cut top to pay much attention to what she was saying.) Read on to find out how the Top 16 contestants fared, see what prompted tensions between Cowell and L.A. Reid, and find out which judge made Fox happy for live tape delays!

Thu, Nov 1, 2012

The X Factor: Which Judges "Failed" Their Protégés for the First Live Performances?

The X Factor: Simon Cowell's Thoughts on the Top 16

No one would ever accuse X Factor judge Simon Cowell of lacking confidence, but the reality show mogul believes without a doubt that one of his protégés in the Groups category will win this season of the singing competition. "The groups are a million times better than last year," Cowell said on a conference call Tuesday. "Some of them I could really, really see having a big future outside this competition."

Tue, Oct 30, 2012

The X Factor: Simon Cowell's Thoughts on the Top 16

Ben and Kate's Dakota Johnson on Kate's Happy Halloween --- and "Hunky Love Interest"!

Trick or treat? That's what Kate (Dakota Johnson) will find out on Tuesday's Halloween episode of Ben and Kate (airing at 8:30/7:30c on Fox), when she decides to abandon her typically conservative attitude towards the holiday — i.e. dressing her daughter Maddie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) up as young historical figures — at the encouragement of her flirtatious friend BJ (Lucy Punch). Responsible mom Kate even gets into the Halloween spirit herself, accepting an invitation from her cute neighbor to attend a costume party at his house — and not being shy about showing her interest in him when she arrives.

Mon, Oct 29, 2012

Ben and Kate's Dakota Johnson on Kate's Happy Halloween --- and "Hunky Love Interest"!

A Raising Hope Halloween: A Pacifier, a Gay Bar and … Another Baby on the Way?

The Raising Hope cast is celebrating Halloween in style, and for Burt (Garret Dillahunt), that entails dressing up as the mailman from The Village People. (Never mind the fact that the group didn't actually feature a postal service worker.) What inspired his costume?

Mon, Oct 29, 2012

A Raising Hope Halloween: A Pacifier, a Gay Bar and … Another Baby on the Way?

Up All Night to Go on Extended Hiatus, Return as Multi-Camera Comedy

NBC's Up All Night will halt production next week and return next spring as a multi-camera comedy filmed in front of a live audience, TVGuide.com has confirmed. The show will take a three-month break after wrapping production on its 11th episode next week, in order to convert the stage and set to the new format, NBC said Monday. The existing episodes will air into December, and production will resume in February.

Mon, Oct 29, 2012

Up All Night to Go on Extended Hiatus, Return as Multi-Camera Comedy

Chloe Sevigny to Star in A&E Pilot

Chloe Sevigny has landed a starring role on the A&E pilot Those Who Kill, Deadline reports. The project is based on a Danish TV series adapted from a series of crime novels by Elsebeth Egholm. The books are about a detective and a forensic profiler who "possess a deep understanding of the serial killers they hunt," according to Deadline.

Mon, Oct 29, 2012

Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune Renewed Through 2016

Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune have been renewed through 2016, CBS Television Distribution announced Monday. The renewal brings Wheel of Fortune into its 33rd season and Jeopardy! into its 32nd. Pat Sajak, Vanna White and Alex Trebek all renewed their hosting contracts as well.

Mon, Oct 29, 2012

Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune Renewed Through 2016

Anderson Cooper's Daytime Talk Show Canceled

The current second season of Anderson Cooper's daytime talk show Anderson Live  will be its last. The show has been canceled after two seasons and will end next summer, according to The New York Times. A Warner Brothers executive told the paper the studio had declined to renew the series for a third season due to disappointing ratings.

Mon, Oct 29, 2012

Anderson Cooper's Daytime Talk Show Canceled

Green Day Cancels Remaining 2012 Performances

Green Day has canceled the rest of its scheduled performances in 2012 and early 2013 in the wake of singer Billie Joe Armstrong checking himself into rehab last month. "Obviously the timing for this isn't ideal, but Billie Joe's well-being is our main concern," bassist Mike Dirnt said in a press release on the band's website. "We are happy to say that Billie Joe is doing well, and we want to thank you all for the outpouring of support and well wishes that we have received, and we can't wait to see you all again soon."

Mon, Oct 29, 2012

Green Day Cancels Remaining 2012 Performances

Taylor Swift, LL Cool J to Co-Host Grammy Nominations Concert

Taylor Swift will reunite with LL Cool J to co-host the annual concert to reveal the Grammy nominations in December, CBS announced Monday.

Mon, Oct 29, 2012

Taylor Swift, LL Cool J to Co-Host Grammy Nominations Concert

What's Connie Britton's Beef with Mitt Romney?

Friday Night Lights creator Peter Berg openly criticized Mitt Romney earlier this month for using the show's slogan "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts" on the campaign trail. Now, star Connie Britton and executive producer Sarah Aubrey have followed suit. Britton and Aubrey together penned a column for USA Today slamming Romney's use of the phrase and saying he represents the opposite of everything the show stood for.

Mon, Oct 29, 2012

What's Connie Britton's Beef with Mitt Romney?

Who Won the World Series?

The San Francisco Giants won the World Series Sunday night, completing a four-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers and capturing the title for the second time in three years. The final game went to 10 innings at Comerica Park in Detroit and ended when the Tigers' Miguel Cabrera, who had hit a home run earlier in the game, struck out looking against Giants pitcher Sergio Romo. At the top of the inning, San Francisco second baseman Marco Scutaro singled to bring home designated hitter Ryan Theriot, who had singled earlier in the inning, and pulled the Giants to a 4-3 lead going into the bottom of the 10th.

Mon, Oct 29, 2012

VIDEO: Tom Hanks Uses Slam Poetry to Profess His Love for Full House

Is Tom Hanks on a comedy tour? Fresh off his guest cameos on Saturday Night Live this weekend, Hanks appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night, performing a little slam poetry about bygone sitcom Full House.

Wed, Oct 24, 2012

VIDEO: Tom Hanks Uses Slam Poetry to Profess His Love for Full House

Fox Announces Premiere Dates for Idol, Touch, The Following

Mark your calendars! Fox has announced premiere dates for its winter lineup, including when the new judges' panel will make its debut on American Idol.

Wed, Oct 24, 2012

Fox Announces Premiere Dates for Idol, Touch, The Following