Paley Center Honors Late Night Veteran Craig Ferguson

After nine years at the helm of CBS's The Late Late Show, Craig Ferguson will say goodbye, closing this chapter on December 19.  To mark the end of an era, Paley Center for Media will host a special sit down with Ferguson and actor, comedian, screenwriter, Jim Rash (Community).

Craig Ferguson gained a following as one of Great Britain's most successful comedians and made the trip across the pond to Los Angeles in 1994.  He's appeared in numerous film and television shows, most recently Web Therapy with Lisa Kudrow and Hot In Cleveland with Betty White.  Upon taking the reigns of The Late Late Show, Ferguson's popularity soared and the show set all-time viewer records, was nominated for an Emmy in 2006 and received the Peabody Award for Excellence in Broadcasting in 2009 for his interview with Archbishop Desmond Tutu.  Ferguson recently debuted as host for Cox-Arquette's new Celebrity Name Game.

Jim Rash will chat with Ferguson on Monday, December 15, which will be live-streamed via Paley Center website.  In addition, Paley Center will live-tweet from the event via @PaleyCenter, using #PaleyLive, beginning at 7:45 on the red carpet, then during the main event at 8:30 pm in Beverly Hills.  Tickets are currently on sale to the general public.  For more info: Paley Center.

'General Hospital': "SiamNation" Plans Holiday Celebration

It's hard to say exactly why Michael Easton and Kelly Monaco have so much chemistry, but ever

since I watched Port Charles, I've loved them! When Port Charles was cancelled and Kelly Monaco migrated to General Hospital, I began calling the hotline asking that Michael Easton be added to the cast in hopes they would once again be paired.  While it was a tough moment in soap opera history when One Life To Live was cancelled, I was actually praying that GH would finally pursue Michael. To say I was ecstatic when they did is an understatement!

Initially he was added as his One Life To Live character, John McBain and was immediately paired with Kelly Monaco's Sam Morgan.  It was like they'd been working together for the past ten years as sparks flew.  Of course as sometimes is the case, a contractual legal battle between ABC and Prospect Park halted everything when they refused to allow Executive Producer Frank Valentini and Head Writer Ron Carlivati to continue to use the character of McBain.  Things got really heated when Easton was served with a subpoena that he was not allowed on the General Hospital set and for the next few months, got an unplanned vacation. I was really upset, not knowing what to expect, would he return or would my couple be ended forever? 

Luckily Valentini and Carlivati had another plan up their sleeves and created a new character, Silas Clay, Stephen Clay's (Easton's character from Port Charles) brother. 

The road to Silas and Sam wasn't an easy one, but from the moment they met, fans could once again see the sexual tension between them.  Sam initially believed he was Stephen Clay, a serial killer that had kidnapped her months before, however even when she realized he wasn't, it didn't matter much. She clearly didn't like the doc.  But what do they say?  Sometimes the road to love is a rough one? This was the case between Silas and Sam.  As an Oncologist, when Sam's son Danny was diagnosed with leukemia, Silas took the case and his expertise in the field landed him a job at General Hospital as the Chief of Oncology.  Over the horrific ordeal of facing the fact that her son had this potentially

fatal disease, Silas became a friend that Sam could depend on, someone to lean on during such a scary time.  Though initially ice cold, arrogant and distant, Silas finally admitted his feelings and Sam reciprocate.  Fans of SIAM (smush name for the couple) were excited to see the love between them blossom, all building to the night they finally took that last step and made love!

As it goes in soaps, the brief moment of happiness wasn't to last thanks to a surprise twist that Silas's wife Nina was alive! Thought to have died many years ago after an almost lethal dose of medication by her mother, everything changed when Nina arrived on the scene, hell bent on getting her hubby back! Things for the couple went from bad to worse when Silas accused Patrick of killing his nephew Rafe during a brain operation.  Angry at his nephew's early departure, Silas believed in Patrick's guilt and was not happy that Sam sided with him.  After a confrontation, Sam broke up with Silas.  Though Nina is forever out of the picture and Patrick is on the outs with Sam at moment, now that Jason Morgan is back, the question as to whether or not Silas will win back his girl is up in the air.  

Since it was a year ago New Years Eve that Silas and Sam consummated their relationship, the couple's fandom SiamNation want to celebrate.  To that end, RHeart Radio is hosting a "SiamNation Holiday Celebration" to remember the couple and why we love them so much.  You're invited to join us on December 17 at 9pm (ET), as we take a look at the couple, discuss our favorite moments and encourage fans to call in.  SiamNation has been doing trivia questions leading up to the big event and RHeart Radio has donated a signed item that will serve as a grand prize! The catch? You must be listening to the show to win!  

SiamNation Holiday Celebration

Where: RHeart Radio, the Fan's Voice on Blogtalk Radio

When:  December 17, 2014

Time:   9:00pm (ET)

Phone #: (646) 200-0145

Link: SiamNation Holiday Celebration

Follow on twitter: @SiamNation; @RHeartRadio

Like SiamNation FB Page

It's going to be a fun night, so don't miss it! 

Nichole Beharie Snags NAACP Image Award Nomination

With all the surrounding drama on social media regarding Sleepy Hollow, one thing that fans do agree on is the incredible performance by our girl Nichole Beharie, who plays Abbie Mills on the historical thriller.  Looks like the NAACP agrees as this morning it was announced she has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the Outstanding Actress in a Drama category!

Nichole Beharie plays one of the strongest women on television, Abbie Mills, who learns in season one she is one of the two witnesses prophesied in the Bible, tasked with stopping the coming apocalypse with her partner Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison). While Sleepy Hollow scored praise that initially showed via ratings in its freshman year, the series has seen its share of growing pains with the Sleepyhead fandom not afraid to express their disdain at the direction season two has gone thus far. Through it all, Beharie has been a class act, surprised at the amount of support that fans have thrown her way.

Many within the fandom really felt that Nichole's character Abbie has been sidelined this year in favor of a storyline involving Crane family drama.  Things really came to a head after the airing of "Deliverance", in which some fans felt she was depicted as Ichabod's sidekick.  Fans really became heated when her opinion as one of the Witnesses was disregarded and Ichabod sided with his wife Katrina against her regarding their son Henry (who by the way is the Horseman of War). Then as the episode unfolded, Abbie seemed to be thrust into the background as Ichabod took the reigns and saved Katrina after almost birthing the demon Moloch.  Fans felt she was written as a stereotypical "helper", instead of the fierce, take charge woman previously seen.

For Beharie's part in addressing fan's concerns, during an interview, she had this to say, "Well, I'm highly aware of that just because I'm an actress and I'm African-American, so I'm aware of that kind of thing, those stereotypes."  She went on to say, "I think it's just- we have amazing fans, they're so

passionate and I think they want to see the female characters on the show be developed totally in the way that some shows haven't done, in the way that everyone has expected from a show like this.  One part of me is like "why does it have to be political or weird about who's doing what?" But I just think it's people caring about each character so much, and that's definitely a testament to the other actors
work and the writers and the whole upheaval.  It's really entertaining from this end. It's almost like you guys are entertaining us after we attempt to give you your jollies." She added that whenever an issue arises, it is brought up and "everyone is cool, really understands it."

Ultimately, I feel that Beharie's NAACP Image Nomination is well-deserved and I know Sleepyheads will be rooting for her to bring it home.  She is up against some amazingly talented women in her category, including Gabrielle Union (Being Mary Jane, BET), Kerry Washington (Scandal, ABC), Octavia Spencer (Red Band Society, FOX) and Viola Davis (How To Get Away With Murder, ABC).  Click here for a full list: NAACP Image Award Nominees

Fans can watch the ceremony for the first time online as it will be live-streamed on the NAACP Image Awards website, February 6, 2015 at 9p/8c in a two-hour special. In addition, there will be a pre-show of red carpet arrivals, live-streamed in a one-hour special beginning at 8p/7c.

'46th NAACP Image Awards' To Be Live Streamed

Now that everything as migrated to the web, with worldwide access at the touch of a finger via mobile devices, as well as computers, the NAACP is taking advantage.  For the first time NAACP Image Award nominations will be streamed live, Tuesday December 9 at 9:00 a.m. via

http://www.naacpimageawards.net/

Several will be on hand to make the announcement including Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish), Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin), Tessa Thompson (Dear White People), Jason George (Grey's Anatomy), Alfred Enoch (How to Get Away With Murder) and Aja Naomi King (How to Get Away With Murder).  Of course the President and CEO of the NAACP, Cornell William Brooks will present, with Special Commentary by Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight) and Jake Smollett (The Middleman).

The NAACP Image Awards, founded in 1967, the organization honors people of color in film, television, music, art and literature.  First televised in 1994, the organization is moving with the times, making the jump to present both the nominations and ceremony via live stream February 6, 2015, at 9p/8c as a two-hour special.  In addition, there will be a one-hour red carpet live stream prior to the ceremony beginning at 8p/7c.

BET's Hit "Being Mary Jane"- Exclusive S2 Premiere Screening

BET's mega hit "Being Mary Jane" is set to return February 3 at 10 p.m. for its season two premiere. The series' freshman season was nothing short of incredible, rated the #1 original drama in all of cable and also scoring big in the coveted 18-49 female demographic.

Paley Center for Media plans an exclusive, advance screening of the season two premiere December 11, welcoming Mara Brock Akil.

"Being Mary Jane" follows multi-dimensional lives of women, regardless of race, that critics and audiences have wholeheartedly embraced.  In my opinion, it celebrates all women, their daily struggles to juggle their careers and personal lives, as well as figure out where they fit in the world. Executive Produced by Mara Brock Akil, the series follows a young African-American network news anchor, Mary Jane Paul, her ups and downs in balancing career, friends and love as a successful professional woman.  Veteran actors Richard Roundtree, Margaret Avery are set to appear in season two and will also feature guest stars Gary Dourdan, Chris Spencer, Salli Richardson-Whitefield, Christina Vidal, Kyle Massey, Thomas Q. Jones and S. Epatha Merkerson.

The special screening of the season two premiere is December 11, at Paley Center for Media at 7:00 p.m.  Executive Producer Mara Brock Akil and Executive Producer/Director Salim Akil will attend. Tickets are on sale for $15 for members, $25 for general public and more information can be found on Paley Center website.

'Sleepy Hollow'- Orlando Jones to Officiate Captain Irving Funeral

Sleepy Hollow's mid-season finale was definitely a game changer, as one of Sleepyhead's beloved characters was ceremoniously killed off by the Horseman of War himself!  One could hear fans cry out as the sheer magnitude of moment hit our hearts!  We shed tears as the devastating blow unfolded on our screens...Frank Irving is dead!

Portrayed by the incredibly talented Orlando Jones, fan reaction rippled throughout social media Monday night, with most wondering if this really is the end? Showrunner Mark Goffman told EW that dead doesn't always mean dead on Sleepy Hollow!  Be that as it may the show's dynamic, which has already suffered this season, will once again shift.  Question- is it a good thing or will the popular character's absence be the final straw for fans already upset at Irving and Jenny (Lyndie Greenwood) being sidelined this season?  I choose to believe the writers know what they're doing and am confident we'll see him again.  

Fans are in such a state of shock over the early exit, those in Wilmington, North Carolina where the show is filmed, are planning a mock funeral for our favorite Sleepy PD Captain.  Orlando Jones posted the following on tumblr, asking fans to send in their condolences via video:

theorlandojones:

Brothers and sisters, let us pray. 

The Honorable Reverend LaMont Nixon Fatback has just finished writing the eulogy he will be giving at the funeral service for recently deceased police Captain Frank Irving from Sleepy Hollow PD.

Please join us on Saturday, December 6, 12pm EST at:

Scottish Rite Temple

1415 South 17th St

Wilmington, NC

Because Masons

More info at the link below:

www.facebook.com/events/359553707551101/?ref=br_tf

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you record your own eulogy/remembrance of the captain (aka Mr. BAMF) and upload it to Youtube with the hash tag #RIPFrankIrving.  

Thank you Heavenly Father/Mother/Friend/Beloved God for allowing this upstanding Chocolate American to enter our homes each week, even when you asked him to play social secretary for a 250 year old British guy an dhis son who looked about 40 years older than the 250 year old English dude. And we call him a Chocolate American Lord Jesus because although many people don't like 

black folk, everybody likes candy.  

We need you to throw this fish back, Lord. 

Amen. 

I remember when the show first began and I was on the fence about Captain Irving- was he a Jedi Knight or a Darth-Vader-in-training?  Speculation about the hesitant believer ran rampant until the one defining moment, that changed Irving's outlook and position on everything in "Midnight Ride".  Who can forget the look on the Captain's face upon seeing the Headless Horseman for the first time? He didn't have time to process before the incredible Ninja dodge of the Horseman's axe, as he held the demonic skull!  What about when he finally came to grips with what was really going on underneath his nose, in his jurisdiction? "What do you want me to tell him? The Headless Horseman is mowing people down to bring about the End of Days. For further questions please call Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison) the man who beheaded him in 1781!"

Not only did he join the fight, but when his little girl Macy (Amandla Stenberg) was at the mercy of demonic possession, he took the fall for the men murdered that night.  Honorable to a fault, even when he realized that Henry owned his soul, he never gave up... 

This is my tribute to our fallen soldier 

Oh Captain, My Captain

Once a skeptic, then believer

Almost had his head sliced, with the swing of a cleaver

A comrade in arms, who joined the cause

Not afraid to break out the guns or defy the law

To protect your daughter, and stand true to thyself

No matter the cost, and what the bible fortells

Even when Henry claimed your soul

Still a team player, refused to stroll

When it came time choose

To fight or to lose

My Captain took up the sword 

And saved the world

Oh Captain, My Captain

Our hero that fell, took one for the team

We honor thee, for your bravery

With your soul free to fly, now with the angels we hope

Team Witness can use, your Heavenly host

No matter where you are, Sleepyheads will cry out

We'll miss our Captain's clout

And will forever never doubt

Oh Captain, My Captain

 ♥We love you Orlando and pray for Heavenly help from our Captain Irving!♥  

(Mr. & Mrs. BAMF)

Sleepy Hollow Addicts Website                                                        Follow on twitter: @SleepyAddict

NAACP Image Award Nominee Announcement To Be Live Streamed

The NAACP Image Award Nominees, honorees and show details is set to be announced Tuesday, December 9 at 9:00 a.m. from Paley Center for Media.

This year, for the first time, the announcement will be live streamed online via NAACP Image Awards website, with Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish), Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin), Tessa Thompson (Dear White People), Jason George (Greys Anatomy) and President & CEO of NAACP, Cornell William Brooks scheduled to appear.  In addition, Special Commentary will be provided by Nischelle Turner and Roland Martin.  

The NAACP Image Awards were created to recognize people of color whose excellence in film, television, art, music and literature, stand above the rest in 35 different categories. The awards ceremony first commenced in 1967, and was finally nationally televised in 1994 on one of the leading networks of today, FOX.  It wasn't until 2007 that the event was broadcast live and now with the explosion on the net, this year will be another milestone as it live streams online.  Hosted by Steve Harvey last year, there is no word yet on exactly who will be tapped to host this year.

Last year some of the winners of the coveted award in film and television included Kerry Washington (Scandal), Angela Basset (Black Nativity), Forest Whitaker (Lee Daniels' The Butler), Kevin Hart, "Being Mary Jane", "Black Girls Rock", to name a few.

TheNAACP Image Awards show is set to commence via livestream February 6, in a two-hour special, beginning at 9p/8c, with a live pre-show on the red carpet beginning at 8p/7c.