WBNX Blog

Big changes! Jericho & Drew Carey come to CW

admin — Fri, Nov 21 2008 02:27pm

The CW today announced a complete revision of its Sunday night lineup, and the fresh imports should excite Clevelanders, in particular. Beginning Nov. 30, “favorite son” Drew Carey and Jericho will help to fill holes vacated by 4 Real, In Harm’s Way, Valentine and Easy Money. And for those who miss the days of blockbuster films on Sunday night, the network will also program a series of “contemporary theatrical titles from MGM” in the 8pm slot. Set in various Northeast Ohio suburbs, Carey’s comedy series reinforced the message “Cleveland Rocks!” to a national audience for nine years; while Jericho became possibly the first series resurrected by fandom outcry. The acclaimed drama followed Skeet Ulrich’s small Kansas community in the aftermath of a nuclear attack that wiped out much of the country. When the show was not renewed for a second season, vocal viewers rose up—and CBS officials later acknowledged “the campaign was the largest the network had seen” to protest a cancellation. Seven midseason episodes were then commissioned to provide closure to the epic saga. Here’s how the exciting new Sunday night block will look, starting next week:

5pm: Everybody Hates Chris (encore)

5:30: The Game (encore)

6pm: The Drew Carey Show (two episodes)

7pm: Jericho

8pm: The CW Sunday Night Movie

CW Sneak Peek at new Kamen Rider series

admin — Wed, Nov 19 2008 04:49pm

There’s a new live-action thrill ride coming to the CW Saturday mornings, and you’ll get a full episode preview on Dec. 13 to build anticipation for its January release. Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight descends from the wildly popular Japanese Kamen Rider films and TV series, a franchise that originated 35 years ago. Back in 1995, WBNX aired Masked Rider, the first American adaptation loosely based on the Kamen saga—but this new adventure is light-years superior. For starters, one of the main stars is charismatic Matt Mullins, a 5-time Kickboxing/Karate World Champion. Matt and a partner actually created the martial arts style/phenomenon known globally as XMA, or Extreme Martial Arts. He’s flanked by Disney favorite Stephen Lunsford and pop singer/actress Marisa Lauren. At first glance, Kamen Rider may seem like another morphing fantasy show for teens, but there’s an ongoing mystery, a creepy shapeshifting villain (William O’Leary), and some of the best choreographed action scenes and special-effects you’ll see on weekly television. Check out the trailer below and post your thoughts.

Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight / All New! Sneak Preview Dec. 13

Thumbs up or down on teen Sam and Dean?

admin — Wed, Nov 19 2008 01:21pm

Are you a big fan of flashback episodes? We saw one pulled off brilliantly last month on Supernatural, when Castiel sent Dean back to 1973 to meet his “future” parents and grandparents. Matt Cohen was so awesome as young John Winchester, it’s a shame we had to leave him in the disco decade. That particular installment also answered loads of mythology questions for devoted viewers. Coming in late January, the horror series again rewinds the clock, and we’ll spend some time with teenage Sam and Dean, played by Colin Ford (pictured, right) and Brock Kelly. Are these two dead ringers for Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, or what?

Supernatural / All New! Thursday 9pm

One Tree Hill’s Galeotti forms new musical duo

admin — Fri, Nov 14 2008 04:28pm

When the cameras stop rolling, it seems the cast of One Tree Hill never stops rockin’. Especially where singer/songwriter Bethany Joy Galeotti (Haley) is concerned. Fresh off her USO performance on this week’s episode, the 27-year-old actress has partnered with longtime friend Amber Sweeney to form the new girl group, Everly. The duo just released “Mission Bell,” a three-song EP on iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby, where the album became the #1 best-seller overnight and remains in the site’s Top 5. Sweeney is an inspirational country-folk-pop songstress who played and sang backup for several years with Enation, the Washington-based band that features Galeotti’s husband, Michael, and actor Jonathan Jackson. Combining her talents with Bethany’s rich, mellow voice has produced some impressive harmonies, as you’ll hear in the video below. Speaking of the USO concert, series creator Mark Schwahn incorporated it as a gesture for Hilarie Burton (Peyton), who lost a childhood friend and mentor in Iraq last year. Looking for a way to come to terms with her loss, Hilarie tells the Sudbury Star, she took part in a recent USO show in Cuba and was thrilled when Mark offered the chance to bring the importance of such events to a broader audience.

One Tree Hill / All New! Monday 9pm

Love Lucy? She rocked American Juniors, too

admin — Thu, Nov 13 2008 02:26pm

Those who were surprised at how well Rose sang last night on Privileged probably never saw Lucy Hale’s introduction to showbiz. Five years ago, at age 14, she appeared on the one-time summer series and Idol spinoff American Juniors. A nationwide audition of thousands of young voices produced twenty finalists to compete for a spot in the new AJ pop group. Lucy impressed the judges at every turn and wound up anchoring the group, which released two albums before disbanding. Throughout the weekly competition, the teen starlet performed such hits as Call Me, Breaking Up is Hard to Do and I’m Gonna Make You Love Me. Music has obviously taken a backseat to acting these days, but Lucy’s not opposed to dusting off the vocal chords when it fits the storyline. She’ll need more than a catchy song to escape her cheating scandal next Tuesday.

Privileged / All New! Tuesday 9pm

Help Supernatural win a People’s Choice Award

admin — Tue, Nov 11 2008 11:05pm

Mobilize the internet troops! Supernatural has scored a much-deserved People’s Choice Award nomination for Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Series, and category winners are determined by the general public’s online voting results. The Winchester brothers face two slumping competitors, Heroes and Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles, one reportedly nearing cancellation and the other dubbed by EW as “a series in crisis.” Based on the 5-million+ tallies for Supernatural on our homepage poll, WBNX viewers can make some serious noise in this national race, and a victory would raise awareness for the fourth-year drama which only seems to get better with age. While you’re voting for Supernatural, show some love for the other CW shows on the ballot. Privileged and 90210 are vying for Favorite New TV Drama; and The Secret Life of Bees, featuring Tristan Wilds (90210) and Hilarie Burton (One Tree Hill) is nominated in two film categories. Fresh Prince star Will Smith also picked up three acting nods. Vote daily at pcavote.com. And don’t miss the next two episodes of Supernatural, beginning this week; they’ll play out like a big-screen epic, with Dean sharing the secret fans have long awaited.

Supernatural / All New! Thursday 9pm

Reaper slacker called a ‘young Jimmy Stewart’

admin — Mon, Nov 10 2008 04:59pm

Midseason is fast approaching, so the return of CW favorite Reaper isn’t far off. Only Pushing Daisies received more critical praise among new series last year, per Metacritic charts, and the unusual blend of dark mythology and humor attracted a loyal following as the series progressed. Stars of the show clearly have respect for each other’s talents, with the eerily-jovial devil himself—Ray Wise—saying Bret Harrison (Sam) reminds him of a young Jimmy Stewart, the Oscar-winning Hollywood legend. Bret suspects that’s only because his voice cracks when he talks. “Well, that’s true,” Wise chuckles to PopDose. “That’s what first made me draw that comparison. But as we’ve gone on, he just comes off so squeaky clean. He’s like an all-American kid, and that was Jimmy Stewart. (Bret) looks so good, and he’s a good little actor. We have a good time together.” Tyler Labine play’s Sam’s goofball buddy, Sock; and among his top 10 reasons for watching the show, he lists “Ray Wise’s teeth. Need I say more?”

Reaper / All New episodes coming midseason

90210 ‘mystery guy’ is a local Buckeye athlete

admin — Thu, Nov 06 2008 03:31pm

If you saw 90210 last night, it was impossible to miss the mysterious chiseled blonde Adonis who emerged dripping wet from Naomi’s pool in the preview for next week. After spying her ex-boyfriend Ethan kissing Annie, jealous Naomi apparently has decided to make waves by flying in Annie’s old flame from Kansas as a surprise 16^th birthday gift. His name is Jason, and he’s played by newcomer Chris Zylka, who’ll be familiar to lots of folks in nearby Warren, Ohio. Chris quarterbacked his 2003 Howland High School football team and actually turned down an offer to play at Ohio State in order to pursue his dream of acting. Entertainment Weekly quoted a 90210 insider as saying the producers were only interested in auditioning “ridiculously hot” actors for the guest role. While Chris been featured in modeling campaigns for Calvin Klein, Lord and Taylor, and Abercrombie & Fitch, this is undoubtedly the 23-year-old’s highest-profile TV appearance. He’s repped by the same agency that launched Zac Efron’s career, so we may be seeing a lot more of the young Buckeye. Question is: Will Annie be happy to see him next Tuesday night?

90210 / All New! Tuesday 8pm

CW adds two intriguing stars to Privileged cast

admin — Tue, Nov 04 2008 08:34pm

Megan (Joanna Garcia) was reunited with her estranged father in a superb episode of Privileged last week. Somehow, we doubt she’ll be quite as happy to see the mother who abandoned her family nearly two decades ago. Sharon Lawrence has won the choice role, and will have lots of explaining to do, if Megan and messed-up sister Lily give her the chance. Lawrence has an enormous screen presence, so the show’s drama level is about to be measurably cranked up. Wonder if she’ll have an inside wink for Michael Cassidy (Charlie), who played her son in last summer’s CW mystery series, Hidden Palms? The veteran actress also gets a comical sendoff this weekend from Desperate Housewives, where she’s been entertaining Wisteria husbands as “Maisy Gibbons.” We noted recently that soap star Ignacio Serricchio will soon join the Privileged cast as a love interest for Sage. Looks like sweet Rose (Lucy Hale) finds romance, as well—with film star James Franco’s younger bro, Dave (Gonzo on Greek). He’s a real charmer and quietly funny, as you’ll see in this “acting school” video featuring the two Francos:

Privileged / All New! Tuesday 9pm

Rare unaired pilot part of Saturday’s Star Trek

admin — Fri, Oct 31 2008 06:09pm

Fans of the original Star Trek series get a special treat this weekend when WBNX airs the first half of an unusual episode, The Menagerie. This Season One two-parter includes extensive footage from the unaired 1966 pilot—back when enigmatic Jeffrey Hunter was Captain of the Enterprise. The story begins with Mr. Spock inexplicably hijacking the starship, which leads to his eventual court-martial. His only trial defense is the video stream of former Capt. Pike’s alien imprisonment that occurred “13 years earlier.” The flashbacks are lifted from the pilot initially rejected by NBC, and Hunter, a matinee-idol at the time, declined involvement in the sci-fi remake. William Shatner assumed the now-legendary lead role as Capt. Kirk. The Menagerie is so revered among Trekkies, it was shown in sold-out theatres across the country last summer as part of regional fan-gatherings. Combined with the breathtaking series premiere of Legend of the Seeker, this Saturday is a milestone night for the sci-fi /fantasy community.

Legend of the Seeker / Series Premiere! Sat. 11pm

Star Trek: The Menagerie, Pt. 1 / Sat. 2am