April comes in like a lion

by Joshua Maloni
Niagara Frontier Publications, April 5, 2008

From “Battlestar Galactica”: Katee Sackhoff as Kara “Starbuck”
Thrace (Sci Fi Channel Photo: Justin Stephens)

TV lovers take note: April is showering in significant events. Though we’ve long seen this month as the waiting room to May’s season finales, this year is different thanks to these shows.

“Idol Gives Back”

“American Idol,” television’s No. 1 program for four seasons and counting, will once again use its star power to raise funds for a half-dozen charities. “Idol Gives Back,” the show’s second annual fundraiser, will be filmed Sunday and Wednesday in Hollywood.

In addition to performances by the remaining eight contestants, “Idol Gives Back” will feature appearances by Bono, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Miley Cyrus, Eli Manning, Robin Williams, Celine Dion, Billy Crystal, Kiefer Sutherland, Fergie, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Snoop Dogg, Heart, Elliott Yamin, Fantasia and Amy Adams – to name a few.

Producer Nigel Lythgoe spoke passionately this week about raising money for sick and impoverished kids via the Children’s Defense Fund, The Children’s Health Fund, The Global Fund, Make It Right, Malaria No More and Save the Children’s U.S. Programs. He said this week’s “Idol” programs would not simply be about celebrities, but rather about helping those in need.

“At the end of the day, this is about charity – where this money is coming from, where it’s going, and raising as much as we can,” he said by phone.

For the next week, Lythgoe’s intent will be to raise money for others – even if that means fewer viewers.

“ ‘Idol’ is ‘Idol’ and that is always going to be watched. … It’s trying to inform an audience and educate an audience on what they should be doing,” he told the Sentinel. “It was so successful last year, with $76 million, who would say we wouldn’t do it this year? That would be crazy.”

“Somebody needs to do it,” he said.

Beyond this week, those interested will have the opportunity to make a donation to these charities by way of “American Idol” purchases.

“There’s a number of downloads, like we did last year with Elvis and Celine, that are going to be available and exclusive,” Lythgoe said. “There’s lots of little goodies that I think are going to come out from it that I think will hopefully keep people donating throughout the months.”

The top eight finalists will perform Tuesday, April 8, at 8 p.m. on FOX (Ch. 6). “Idol Gives Back” airs from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesday. Last season’s winner, Jordin Sparks, and Chris Brown will perform Thursday at 8 p.m., prior to one contestant’s elimination.

The Beginning of the End for “Battlestar Galactica”

The Cylons have revealed themselves, Earth is in sight, and President Roslin’s cancer is back. For “BSG” fans, a more significant question is what will happen to Katee Sackhoff?

Her kick-butt character, Viper pilot Kara “Starbuck” Thrace, has seemingly returned from the dead. She may or may not be a Cylon, and she may or may not marry Anders.

“BSG” is ending its run this season. Undoubtedly, its conclusion will not please everyone. Nor will Sackhoff’s sudden (but sure to be short-lived) unemployment. With rave reviews for her work here and as crazy-cool baddie Sarah Corvus on the recently canceled “Bionic Woman,” Sackhoff has become one of this season’s breakout stars.

She spoke last week about playing two strong-willed, sci-fi action stars.

“I always had to remind myself of who I was, because I think that the two characters were so different but could have been played so similar. I always had to make sure that I knew where I was and let go of the other story line, even if I was working on both shows in the same day,” Sackhoff told the Sentinel. “Starbuck comes so easily to me now that even the lines and the dialogue, I don’t even memorize the dialogue anymore. I show up to work, I (talk) to the writers, but now they know my way of speaking so well, or so much, that Starbuck’s dialogue is just so easy to memorize, and it’s – that’s the writing. But ‘Bionic Woman,’ I always had to talk myself into it and make sure I was where I was supposed to be.

“And as far as the strong characters are concerned, I, you know, I have this deep affinity for these characters,” she said.

As for her next role, though, Sackhoff hopes to find something a little more girly.

“I think that I’ve reluctantly turned into the go-to tough girl in this business, and I’m ready to do a job that requires no blood and guts and ghosts or anything,” she said. “So, a nice little romantic comedy with James McAvoy would be fantastic!”

“Battlestar Galactica” premiered last night on the Sci Fi Channel (Ch. 38) and airs Fridays at 10 p.m.

“The Biggest Loser” finale

“The Biggest Loser” trainers Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper
(NBC Photo: Mitchell Haaseth)

Producers of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” are throwing in a “shocking” twist to next week’s episode: Fans of the show will decide by call-in vote one of the finalists.

“All are so deserving of an opportunity to make the finale, we thought what better way to do it?” Executive Producer Mark Koops said Friday.

On next week’s show, the four semi-finalists will compete sans trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels. The two losing the highest percentage of weight will earn a spot on the live season finale. They’ll be joined by the bottom two participant earning the most fan votes.

Unlike past seasons, this go-around of “The Biggest Loser” has featured two-person teams of competitors. Thanks to Harper and Michaels, the average weight lost per person, so far, is more than 90 pounds.

Both trainers have become famous for their hard-nosed workouts and competitive nature. Michaels told the Sentinel that Harper is “a lot tougher than people expect him to be.”

“In the gym, he’s all about business,” she said.

In turn, Harper said Michaels is, “One of the best trainers in the world,” and said when they get in the gym with their teams and compete, it’s like a “dance-off.”

Koops said the success of the contestants lies both in the workouts and in Harper and Michaels becoming mentors to each “Loser.”

He said Bob and Jillian have “become so much more” than just trainers.

“The Biggest Loser” live finale airs at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15.