GSN reviving 'The Newlywed Game'
CULVER CITY, Calif., Dec. 20 (UPI) -- The once popular U.S. TV game show "The Newlywed Game" will soon breathe new life on the Game Show Network, a producer says.
Michael Davies will be the executive producer for the incarnation of the marriage-based series. The TV official says the new version will embrace social changes since the series last aired, The Hollywood Reporter said Friday.
"Marriage has changed over the years -- what couples talk about, what they fight about," Davies said. "So there will be a lot of updating just by the fact of our casting. In doing presentations, it's become clear to us that wives today are far more vocal than in the previous episodes. There's just a lot of guys looking concerned that they're about to get in trouble -- and usually they do. It's thoroughly entertaining."
"Newlywed" first aired in 1966 with host Bob Eubanks, but underwent numerous host and format changes over the years. The last incarnation of the series went off the air in 2000.
Davies told the Reporter he is hoping to find former contestants from the original show to appear on the new GSN series against a fresh batch of newlyweds.
The network has ordered 40 episodes. The host has not yet been announced.
Chenoweth of 'Daisies' signs onto 'Mad'
NEW YORK, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- "Pushing Daisies" star Kristin Chenoweth is joining the cast of the new U.S. TV drama "Going Mad" following the cancellation of her ABC series, a producer says.
"Mad" producer David E. Kelley said with ABC dropping "Daisies," he was able to get Chenoweth to play attorney Skippy Pylon in the quirky new drama on NBC, The Hollywood Reporter said Friday.
"I could only picture Kristin playing this role," Kelley said. "I've wanted to work with her for a long time and can't wait to reveal her as someone who's completely mad."
The NBC series marks the first project Kelley is producing under his new overall deal with Warner Bros. TV.
The Reporter said "Mad" will also allow Chenoweth, who earned a best supporting actress Emmy nomination for her work on "Daisies," to maintain her relationship with WBTV.
Winfrey named 2008 PETA Person of the Year
NORFOLK, Va., Dec. 20 (UPI) -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals says U.S. TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey is the group's 2008 Person of the Year.
The animal rights organization said in a statement that Winfrey has been a strong supporter of animals through her popular NBC talk show and her other media offerings, E! Online reported Friday.
PETA President Ingrid Newkirk credited Winfrey, saying the celebrity "used her powerful voice to defend those without one."
The group also detailed Winfrey's heartfelt reaction to the death of her pet cocker spaniel in March as a key reason for honoring her.
E! Online said Winfrey featured 2008 shows that focused on living conditions faced by animals before slaughter on factory farms, along with controversial puppy mills.
'Knight' top choice for film critics group
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- The African-American Film Critics Association says "The Dark Knight" is its movie of the year thanks, in part, to the late Australian actor Heath Ledger.
The critics group announced Friday the newest movie about the comic book hero Batman beat out all other 2008 contenders abetted by Ledger's best supporting actor award-winning performance, Ledger, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Ledger plays Batman's nemesis, the Joker, in the action-drama. The actor died in January of an accidental drug overdose, but has earned kudos for his work in the Christopher Nolan-directed blockbuster.
The African-American group also honored actor Frank Langella with a best actor award for his portrayal of disgraced U.S. President Richard Nixon in the political drama "Frost/Nixon."
Angelina Jolie's role in the film "The Changeling" earned her a best actress award of 2008, while the group tabbed "Doubt" actress Viola Davis as best supporting actress.
The Times said the association, which is consisted of African-American media professionals from across the nation, gave director Danny Boyle best director kudos for 2008 for "Slumdog Millionaire."
