May 23, 2012

The Closer – Season 7 – Final Six Episodes – Press Release & Descriptions

The Closer Season 7 : TNT’s Landmark Series The Closer Reaches Powerful Conclusion With Six Final Episodes, Beginning Monday, July 9

Series Finale to Air Monday, August 13, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT), Followed by the Launch of New Series Major Crimes

For seven memorable seasons, Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson and the LAPD’s Major Crimes unit have closed some of television’s most intriguing, mind-bending and surprising cases. This summer, Johnson and her team will face their last cases together as TNT airs the final six episodes of the record-breaking blockbuster series The Closer. The acclaimed series, starring Emmy
Ò winner Kyra Sedgwick, will return Monday, July 9, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) with all-new episodes, leading to the unforgettable series finale on Monday, August 13, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT).

The endearing Brenda Leigh Johnson, seamlessly brought to life by Sedgwick, has brilliantly solved puzzles, interrogated criminals, elicited confessions and closed complex cases for more than seven years with vigor, wit and a whole lot of southern charm. The dedicated detectives working under her have investigated their way through mishaps and successes, creating an indelible cast of characters that have engaged audiences since the beginning.

In addition to Sedgwick, The Closer’s extraordinary Screen Actors Guild Award
Ò–nominated cast includes Jon Tenney as Brenda’s husband, FBI Special Agent Fritz Howard, who worries the stress of the job may be too much for her; J.K. Simmons as interim Police Chief Will Pope, whose career has undergone several seismic shifts; Corey Reynolds as Brenda’s right-hand man, Detective Sergeant David Gabriel; Robert Gossett as Commander Taylor, whose role in the department is constantly being redefined; G.W. Bailey as Lieutenant Provenza, a seasoned veteran who serves as Brenda’s second in command, despite a record of embarrassing blunders; Tony Denison as Lieutenant Andy Flynn, whose sarcastic comments have frequently landed him in sticky situations; Michael Paul Chan as the squad’s tech guru, Lieutenant Mike Tao, whose obsessive attention to detail can try his colleagues’ patience; Raymond Cruz as gang expert Detective Julio Sanchez, who often allows his emotions to get the better of him; and Phillip P. Keene as audio-visual technician Buzz Watson, who demands the utmost respect for the department’s equipment.

Two-time Oscar® nominee Mary McDonnell joined The Closer as a regular cast member last summer in the role of Captain Sharon Raydor, the role that had previously earned her an Emmy® nomination as a guest star. McDonnell will continue to play Raydor in TNT’s new series Major Crimes, which is slated to premiere August 13, right after The Closer’s series finale.

As The Closer winds down with its final six episodes, Brenda thinks she has finally cornered her longtime nemesis, lawyer and suspected rapist and murderer Philip Stroh, played by returning guest star Billy Burke. Brenda has been haunted for years by her obsession with putting Stroh behind bars, and this could be her last chance to close this open case. But her reckless fixation on Stroh could put the case – and Brenda’s career – in jeopardy.

Meanwhile, Capt. Raydor (McDonnell) and Chief Pope (Simmons) will continue investigating a mysterious leak in the department that fueled a federal lawsuit against Brenda. Although the lawsuit was eventually dropped, Pope was forced to put a new policy in place called “The Johnson Rule,” which unfairly tied Brenda’s last name to a requirement concerning the release of suspects in a dangerous environment. The new rule may have effectively ended the case against Brenda, but the new rule back-handedly incriminated her for transgressions she believes she did not commit. It also made Brenda realize that there are people in the department she simply cannot trust.

Brenda’s parents, played by guest stars Frances Sternhagen and Barry Corbin, will also make a return visit this summer, distracting Brenda further and making decisions about her future with the department all the more difficult. In addition, Jon Tenney will take a turn in the director’s chair when he helms a light-hearted episode airing July 16. The episode will introduce viewers to Lieutenant Provenza’s first ex-wife, Liz (guest star Diedre O’Connell), who ropes her former husband into helping recover her wedding ring from a shady gold buyer. But Provenza will once again find himself stuck in a professionally embarrassing situation, this time involving a robbery, a felony murder and an evidence-swallowing dog.

Since its premiere in 2005, The Closer has garnered numerous ad-supported cable viewership records, including being the only series in cable history to rank #1 for five consecutive years. In its seventh season so far, the show is averaging 8.3 million viewers.

The Closer is produced for TNT by The Shephard/Robin Company, in association with Warner Bros. Television. The series was created by James Duff, who serves as executive producer with Greer Shephard, Michael M. Robin, Kyra Sedgwick and Rick Wallace. The show is produced by Andrew J. Sacks. Gil Garcetti, Los Angeles district attorney from 1992 to 2000, serves as consulting producer

Episode Synopses:

“Hostile Witness” – Monday, July 9, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)Brenda thinks she has finally cornered her longtime nemesis, lawyer and suspected rapist and murderer Philip Stroh (guest star Billy Burke), when his latest client shows signs of cracking under pressure. But a shocking courtroom maneuver by Brenda puts the entire case in jeopardy, which does not sit well with new D.A. Claire Baldwin (guest star Amanda Mason Warren).

Directed by Steve Robin
Written by Steven Kane
Created by James Duff

“Fool’s Gold” – Monday, July 16, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)Provenza gets trapped into helping his first ex-wife, Liz (guest star Diedre O’Connell), recover her wedding ring after she got ripped off by a shady gold buyer. But he once again finds himself stuck in a professionally embarrassing situation, this time involving a robbery, a felony murder, an evidence-swallowing dog and a frantically desperate appraiser (guest star Reg Rogers). John Tenney directs.

Directed by Jon Tenney
Written by Ralph Gifford & Carson Moore
Created by James Duff

“Drug Fiend” – Monday, July 23, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)In a case that hits too close to home for Brenda, a well-liked cancer doctor is brutally killed and his drug supply wiped clean. But the case could have a much wider reach than anyone suspects. To make matters worse, Captain Raydor has a new assignment that leaves Brenda questioning her loyalty to Pope. And Gabriel makes a significant life change.

Directed by Paul McCrane
Written by Duppy Demetrius
Created by James Duff

“Last Rites” – Monday, July 30, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)The murder of a priest puts the squad on a collision course with the Catholic Church and drives a wedge between Brenda and Chief Pope. Meanwhile, Brenda’s parents are in town while her father continues his cancer treatments.

Directed by David McWhirter
Written by Leo Geter
Created by James Duff

“Armed Response” – Monday, August 6, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)A young couple hanging out in someone else’s house find themselves in hot water when a security guard and decorated veteran winds up dead in the street outside. But Brenda finds her investigation stifled by the watchful eye of the District Attorney’s office. Meanwhile, Raydor and Pope finally pinpoint the leak in the department.

Directed by Michael M. Robin
Written by Steven Kane & Jim Leonard
Created by James Duff

Series Finale: “The Last Word” – Monday, August 13, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)A young street hustler (guest star Graham Patrick Martin) sees what appears to be a man burying a woman in Griffith Park, prompting an investigation Brenda is convinced will lead to Philip Stroh (guest star Billy Burke). But Brenda’s obsession with Stroh threatens not only her career, but also her life.

Directed by Michael M. Robin
Written by James Duff & Mike Berchem
Created by James Duff.

‘American Idol’ Final Performances: Jessica and Phillip Debut Winner’s Songs

Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips were battling it out for the champion title of “American Idol” season 11 on Tuesday, May 22. These Top 2 finalists sang three songs, one was chosen by executive producer Simon Fuller, another was self-chosen, and the third was the winner’s song.
052312 0452 AmericanIdo1 American Idol Final Performances: Jessica
 and Phillip Debut Winners Songs
Per Fuller’s request, Jessica covered Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” in round 1, while Phillip sang “Stand by Me” by Benny King. Calling it “a battle of the opposites,” Jennifer Lopez said, “At the end of the day America has a tough job.” Randy Jackson said the first round won by Jessica.

In round 2, Jessica reprised her performance of “The Prayer” by Celine Dion, the song of which she sang before entering the Top 24. As for Phillip, he chose to sing Billy Joel’s “Movin’ Out” again. Steven Tyler said, “Jessica took this round again,” but J.Lo disagreed and said the second round belonged to Phillip. Randy, meanwhile, said, “I think that round was a dead heat, even.”

Jessica later sang the song that she will record if she wins the show. It’s a ballad entitled “Change Nothing”. The judges didn’t like the song, but Randy said Jessica “made something more out of the song” and “brought the song to life.” J.Lo further advised her, “I did not think your first single was going to be pop, but you will make many records and you need to say this is not me.”

Phillip’s original song was called “Home” which fits his voice well. “I love the song, I love you, everything about that was perfect, that was your best performance of the night, a true artist, I love it, brilliant genius,” Randy gushed. Steven added, “By virtue of your sound and style, you were perfect tonight, you are the man.”

The final performance show was wrapped up with Scotty McCreery’s performance of “Please Remember Me”. Earlier that night, Jason Derulo also took the stage to sing “Undefeated”.

“Idol” will return Wednesday, May 23 with the announcement of the winner. Aerosmith and Rihanna are billed as musical performers.




‘House M.D.’ Boss Explains the Mysteries in Series Finale

House M.D.” series finale which aired on Monday, May 21 left some burning questions for fans. While viewers might be relieved to see the titular character staying alive after he was trapped in a burning building, some might be wondering how the titular character survived the floor collapsing on him and the subsequent explosion.
052312 0457 HouseMDBo1 House M.D. Boss Explains the Mysteries in 
Series Finale
Addressing this mystery, creator David Shore told TVLine, “It was supposed to be ambiguous as to whether the floor collapsed on him or in front of him; certainly it was nasty stuff. There are a few seconds between the collapse and the explosion. He narrowly got out the back.”

When pressed with question whether it’s possible for a limp man like House to escape that quickly, Shore said to TV Guide, “It was certainly intended to make the audience believe it’s going to be very, very difficult for him to get out.” He went on explaining, “It certainly would have been tricky for him to get out, but we don’t have a full understanding of the geography of the interior. It was supposed to be almost impossible, but possible.”

As for how the fire in the abandoned building started, the writer revealed, “It’s actually alluded to. There was more about it in the original cut of the episode. There is a reference to the fact that the guy fell asleep while smoking. That’s how he got the burns on his chest. He presumably passed out while on heroin and dropped the cigarette and the fire started.”

Also in the series finale, Foreman was smiling when finding House’s nametag under his table. Asked if that meant Foreman knew his former boss was still alive, Shore coyly answered, “The notion is that Foreman had pieced it together and figured it out.”

Of whether he ever considered to kill House in the last episode, Shore said, “Everything was on the table.” He, however, thought that “the idea of people thinking that House is dead is a weird thing to leave people with. It ultimately felt better to have him out there with Wilson doing who knows what.”

Though he keeps House alive, Shore is not willing to picture the doctor’s future once his best friend Wilson dies. “That’s way down the road. And that’s not what it was about,” he insisted. “The story is the story. And the story ends when the story ends.”

While many of the series’ former major characters returned, even in a form of hallucinations, to pay final visit, Lisa Edelstein’s Cuddy was not present in the final episode. “I wanted her to come back, but we weren’t able to make that happen,” Shore claimed, revealing that the ex-girlfriend of House might’ve done something to what Sela Ward’s Stacy did.