TV PREVIEW: THE WANTED

TALK ABOUT REALITY TELEVISION. WELL IT GETS NO MORE REAL THAN THIS NEW SHOW FROM NBC. APPROPRIATELY TITLED ‘THE WANTED’, IT IS SURE TO RAISE EYEBROWS, INTEREST, & CONTROVERSY. IN OTHER WORDS, IT SHOULD BE A RATINGS DARLING, AND PROVOCATIVE TELEVISION, AT THE VERY LEAST. FOR DETAILS, CHECK OUT THE STORY. CHEERS, & ENJOY. I’LL DEFINITELY TUNE IN TO CATCHA THE PREMIERE.

NBC News Goes on International Hunt for an Accused Terrorist in 'The Wanted'

Premiering Monday, July 20, the groundbreaking television event brings together an elite team with backgrounds in intelligence, unconventional warfare and investigative journalism.

NEW YORK, NY — On Monday, July 20, NBC News sets forth on an international hunt for an accused terrorist with "The Wanted" at 10 PM ET.

"The Wanted" brings together an elite team with backgrounds in intelligence, unconventional warfare and investigative journalism. The show focuses on real operators, in search of real targets—all in an effort to see individuals brought to justice.

"We hope this program sheds light on an overlooked story," said David Corvo, executive producer at NBC News. "It is surprising how many people with serious accusations against them are living openly and avoiding any sort of judicial process."

The faces of "The Wanted" include Roger Carstens who is recognized as one of the world's preeminent authorities on counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency; former Navy Seal Scott Tyler, an expert in urban reconnaissance and unconventional warfare; David Crane a decorated former US intelligence official and the first American to serve as Chief Prosecutor of an international war crimes tribunal since Justice Robert Jackson at Nuremberg; and Emmy award-winning investigative journalist Adam Ciralsky. Ciralsky also serves as co-executive producer of "The Wanted" with documentary filmmaker Charlie Ebersol.

"'The Wanted' is about seeking justice for the many victims of terrorism and atrocity around the world," said Crane. "It will start a national conversation, an important dialog about war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and international terrorism, as well as the indifference and political cynicism that hampers international criminal law and the quest for justice. 'The Wanted' drives home the point that the rule of law is more powerful than the rule of the gun."

The July 20 episode follows Mullah Krekar, the founder and leader of Ansar Al Islam, an internationally designated terrorist organization that has been accused of killing hundreds of Americans and other Westerners. Krekar has been called "Bin Laden 2.0" as well as an "Islamic Nazi" and yet he has been living free in Norway—this after the Norwegian Supreme Court declared him a threat to national security and ordered him deported. In "The Wanted," viewers will be taken inside intelligence briefings in the Middle East and surveillance operations in Krekar's community in Oslo.

On July 27, viewers will travel to Germany on the trail of Mamoun Darkazanli. Called "Bin Laden's financier," Spanish officials indicted Darkazanli in 2003 for providing logistical and financial support to Al Qaeda, specifically in connection with 9/11. Still he remains free in Germany. While the team surveils Darkazanli, negotiations for his deportation begin between Spain and Germany.

Executive Producers and Co-Creators Charlie Ebersol and Adam Ciralsky said, "We are excited about our groundbreaking new TV project 'The Wanted' on NBC, and know that viewers will be intrigued by the show." Ebersol and Ciralsky added, "It's like nothing you've ever seen on TV before. The pairing of rigorous investigative journalism with high-end production values has resulted in a fast-paced show which we hope will leave viewers wanting more."

SOURCE: POP TOWER

TV REVIEW: MICHAEL J FOX 'INCURABLE OPTIMIST' SPECIAL

FAN FAVORITE MICHAEL J FOX PREMIERED HIS TOUCHING, ENLGIHTENING SPECIAL ON NBC. I HOPE YOU WATCHED IT. IF NOT, THEN CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE, THEN HEAD TO NBC.COM, WHERE I’M GOING TO ASSUME YOU CAN CATCH IT. IF NOT THERE, TRTY HULU.COM. I LOVE THAT SITE. I USE IT ALL THE TIME. ENJOY

Michael J. Fox: Adventures of an Incurable Optimist

(Special -- ABC, Thurs. May 7, 10 p.m.) Produced by Northern Fox Prods. and Lincoln Square Prods. Executive producers, Michael J. Fox, Nelle Fortenberry, Rudy Bednar.

By BRIAN LOWRY

First, the obvious: This one-hour ABC special featuring Michael J. Fox comes in conjunction with the actor's latest book, "Always Looking Up," from sister Disney unit Hyperion. Yet in keeping with the title, Fox largely erases any cynicism by virtue of the actor's innate likability and good cheer despite his ongoing battle with Parkinson's disease. It's easy to second-guess the mix of interview subjects, but hard to find fault with the messenger or the message. And if this special doesn't cure the blues, at least it's a balm against them.

Having become an activist for Parkinson's research and funding, Fox goes about the unwieldy task of finding and speaking with other optimists, from cancer-surviving Tour de France champ Lance Armstrong to ordinary farmers to other celebrities, among them Chicago Cubs fan Bonnie Hunt and golf buddy Bill Murray. Fox takes his son to the Obama inauguration and chats with his wife, actress Tracy Pollan, who admits to being not quite as optimistic as he is.

The road also leads to Bhutan and a chat with that nation's prime minister about its civic commitment to "positive well-being," and separate powwows with film students in New York and New Delhi. (Fox theorizes that actors are inherently optimistic, a premise tested by their guild's year-long contract negotiations.)

Other interludes include meetings with researchers and Fox's doctor, with whom he discusses how the effects of the disease have "slowed me down a lot, but it hasn't stopped me." The tone is relentlessly inspirational, even if the hour would have benefited from additional focus -- and perhaps a little less optimism regarding how much to incorporate, in what at times becomes an elaborate homemovie.

Such complaints, however, feel like quibbles in the larger scheme of things. Because while Fox's good humor in the face of adversity isn't contagious, after spending this modest amount of time with him, you sort of wish it were.

RUNNING TIME: 60 MIN.

Read the full article at:

http://www.variety.com/story.asp?l=story&r=VE1117940192&c=32

TV REVIEW: SOUTHLAND

I’M EXCITED ABOUT THIS NEXT POST. I DON’T KNOW IF YOU’VE HAD A CHANCE TO CHECK IT OUT YET, BUT THE NEW NBC COP DRAMA “SOUTHLAND” HAS BEEN GETTING RAVE REVIEWS, AS I WAS SURE IT WOULD. AS SOON AS I SAW AN AD FOR IT, I WAS HOOKED. THE STORY ISN’T EXACLTY FRESH, BUT THE PERSPECTIVE IS. FROM WHAT I’VE SEEN IT IS QUITE CINEMATIC IN ITS SCOPE, & I LOVE THE POTENTIAL. I CAN’T WAIT TO GET A CHANCE TO TOTALLY ENJOY THIS SERIES. I ANTICIPATE THAT IT WILL BE AROUND FOR A WHILE. HOPEFULLY BEING ON NBC WON’T HINDER IT FROM BEING AS RAW & GRITTY AS POSSIBLE TO STAY HONEST TO THE STORYLINES. ANYWAY, ENJOY THE POST & LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS. I REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS SHOW. AM I ALONE IN MY EXCITEMENT? LOL SOMEHOW I HIGHLY DOUBT THAT.

From Emmy Award winners John Wells, Ann Biderman and Chris Chulack comes a raw and authentic look at a police unit in Los Angeles. From the beaches of Malibu to the streets of East Los Angeles, NBC's "Southland" is a fast-moving drama that will take viewers inside the lives of cops, criminals, victims and their families.

On "Southland," Michael Cudlitz ("A River Runs Through It") plays John Cooper a seasoned Los Angeles cop, assigned to train young rookie Ben Sherman (Benjamin McKenzie, "The O.C."). Cooper's honest, no-nonsense approach to the job leaves Sherman questioning whether or not he has what it takes to become a police officer.

Cudlitz and McKenzie are joined by other cast members on "Southland," including Regina King ("Ray," "Jerry Maguire"), who plays Detective Lydia Adams. Adams lives with and is the primary caregiver of her mother. Her partner, Detective Russell Clarke (Tom Everett Scott, "Boiler Room") is an unhappily married father of three. Michael McGrady ("The Thin Red Line") plays Detective Daniel "Sal" Salinger. Sal oversees fellow gang detectives Nate Moretta (Kevin Alejandro, "Drive," "Ugly Betty") and Sammy Bryant (Shawn Hatosy, "Alpha Dog"). Arija Bareikis ("Crossing Jordan") plays patrol officer Chickie Brown, a single mom who dreams of being the first woman accepted into SWAT.

"Southland" is a John Wells Production in association with Warner Bros. Television. Wells, Chulack and Biderman serve as executive producers. Biderman is the creator and Chulack will also serve as director of "Southland."

SOURCE: POPTOWER.COM