Showtime announced on Thursday (February 2) that [Michael] Sheen will play William Masters and [Lizzy] Caplan will be Virginia Johnson in “Masters of Sex,” which focuses on the “human sexuality pioneers.”
Masters and Johnson began their research at Washington University in 1957, culminating in the publication of the seminal — pun horribly intended — texts “Human Sexual Response” and “Human Sexual Inadequacy,” published in 1966 and 1970. The Showtime series is an adaptation of Thomas Maier’s “Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, The Couple Who Taught America How To Love.” [HitFix]
Lots of news stories out there today. Let’s mow them all down real quick-like, shall we?
Bill Murray helped Letterman celebrate his 30th anniversary – The 61-year-old comedy legend appeared on the show in shoulder pads and eye black, brought Dave a cupcake, and kicked a field goal in the middle of the street. Also, he posed for a picture with the musical act — nine member, all-girl Korean pop group Girls’ Generation (pictured, via Alex Ogle). For any further analysis, please consult the headline of this post. [Uproxx]
RIP Don Cornelius – The longtime “Soul Train” host died today at 75, of what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Cajun Boy has a really nice obit at the Uproxx main page. [Uproxx]
Snooki is either pregnant or not pregnant – You are very welcome for that in-depth and informative medical analysis. That will be $100000000000000000000. (NOTE: I refuse to cover this story any further. I’m prepared to hand in my resignation if it comes to it.) (SECOND NOTE: My resignation letter is a paper plate with the words “I QWIT” spelled out on it in macaroni.) [NY Post]
Everybody on “X Factor” got fired – This week, the show sh-tcanned host Steve Jones, as well as judges Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul. My recommendation for their replacements: Me as the host, and Ghostface Killah and a koala wearing a top hat as judges. Ratings gold. [NY Times]
Showtime remains committed to quality television, nudity – The premium network renewed “House of Lies,” “Shameless,” and “Californication” today. Sometimes I feel like HBO, Starz, and Showtime are in an arms race to see who can get the most nudity on TV. Arms may have been the wrong body part for that analogy. I’ll go crunch some numbers and get back to you. [Deadline]
MOST IMPORTANT BREAKING CHEESEBURGER NEWS – Kate Upton is the new spokesperson for Hardees and Carl’s, Jr. OM NOM, indeed. [With Leather]
YA BOY – The first preview for Channing Tatum’s SNL appearance is after the jump. I’m always depressed when he opens his mouth and he doesn’t sound like Burnsy’s version of him.
“House of Lies” debuted last night on Showtime. In short, it’s one of those shows where the cast is so good that you want to forgive its many faults in the hopes that the writing eventually catches up to the performances. The premiere episode couldn’t manage that feat, offering an uneven and often clumsy introduction to a series about management consultants.
Don Cheadle is the lead, Marty Kaan, a self-loathing but confident charmer who opens the episode by waking up on his ex-wife’s bare ass after a night of mistake sex. We’re soon introduced to Kaan’s family: A controlling, disapproving father and an adolescent son who wears a skirt and is vying to be Sandy in his school’s production of Grease. Later in the episode, we find out that Kaan’s ex-wife (Dawn Olivieri) also heads the number one management consultant firm (to Marty’s number two), setting up what looks to be a series-long rivalry between the firms.
Kristen Bell is Jeannie Van Der Hooven, one of three junior members of the firm. It’s her job, apparently, to give Marty his reality checks and fend off his sexual advances. Josh Lawson and Ben Schwartz (“Parks and Recreation’s” Jean-Ralphio) round out the cast as the other two junior members, whose roles within the firm aren’t particularly well fleshed out in the pilot.
After completing a new deal with “Dexter” star Michael C. Hall, Showtime announced that it had renewed its biggest hit for two more seasons beyond the current Season 6, meaning that foul-mouthed police investigator Deb may actually learn that her brother is a serial killer by Season 8. Showtime president David Nevins told Deadline, “I’m not going to say with absolute certainty that this is the end, but that is the likely scenario, that the series is moving towards a definite end.”
The move makes sense, as more people are watching “Dexter” than ever before — but longtime fans have gotten tired of the show’s creative rut. Alan Sepinwall says:
I stopped watching this season about a month ago, having found this season’s religious themes and stories to be so over-the-top and clumsy that even Hall’s performance wasn’t enough to keep me around… I think the show has overstayed its welcome – at least in its current format. If they shake things up – have Deb find out about Dexter’s night job, have Dexter go on the run, anything but the repetition of the same formula they’ve been using for years – I might be interested again, but the show is too successful for that.
This only confirms my theory that “Dexter” is the best show on television to consistently infuriate its fans. Everything on the show just seems to go in circles. Dexter almost gets caught, he doesn’t get caught, he kills the big bad guy, Michael C. Hall sleeps with a female co-star… it’s just too repetitive for my tastes.
“Shameless” returns to Showtime for a second season in January, and the family dramedy starring William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum’s naked body has a couple of short new promos (videos below).
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “I don’t want to invest my time watching a new show unless a sexy black bartender does a body shot of Emmy Rossum and Emmy Rossum walks around in her underwear and William H. Macy gets tasered in the neck and there are live chickens in the house.” Well, I’ve got good news and good news and more good news.
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