Entertainment Extra - Your source for on screen entertainment from the Logansport Pharos-Tribune
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10 TV ENCORE This week's Feature Late Marg Helgenberger returns to CBS in 'Intelligence' By Kyla Brewer TV Media H omecoming is traditionally in the fall, but one of the most popular stars to emerge from CBS in the past decade is experiencing a prime-time homecoming this January. Fans of Marg Helgenberger — a.k.a. Catherine Willows from the mega-hit drama "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" — were likely weeping after her departure in 2012, but the actress is back on the network in a brand new series with a lot of promise. She stars alongside Josh Holloway in the highly anticipated new drama "Intelligence," which premieres in its regular time-slot Monday, Jan. 13. Holloway, who's best known from his role as Sawyer in ABC's former hit "Lost," stars as Gabriel Vaughn, a government operative who's surgically enhanced with a high-tech microchip that allows him to access Internet, Wi-Fi, telephone and satellite data. As Director Lillian Strand, Helgenberger leads the elite cyber-security government agency in charge of Vaughn and his newly implanted technol- ogy. Future technology meets present-day threats as Gabriel faces off against terrorists and other enemies of the United States. With a penchant for potentially reckless behavior, Gabriel is a bit of a loose cannon, and the secretive government agency isn't taking any chances with its prized technology. In an interesting twist, his "minder" or guardian is a female Secret Service agent, Riley Neal (Meghan Ory, "Once Upon a Time"), flipping traditional gender roles. There's no damsel in distress here. Neal is one tough cookie, and it's up to her to keep Holloway and the technology implanted within him safe. The promise of action, drama and maybe even a little romance seems tailor-made for television, but "Intelligence" is actually based on John Dixon's novel "Phoenix Island," which is due to be published by Simon & Schuster on Jan. 21. Michael Seitzman adapted Dixon's story for the small screen in conjunction with ABC Studios and CBS Television Studios. In a promo for the new series, Helgenberger described the show Walker's Muffler & Brake • Converters starting at $125 installed • Brake Sale $69 Pads & Labor • Mufflers $50 installed • $19.99 oil change Walker Wireless 2 x 2" (prices cover most vehicles some restrictions do apply) Auto Services include struts, ball joints, fuel pumps, tune ups, diagnostics call today for prices 574-722-7457 • 700 State Rd 25 South Just off South Cicott Street B-4 the train tressel as "James Bond meets Frankenstein meets Mission: Impossible," while former executive producer/showrunner René Echeverria explained the premise as "the 'Six Million Dollar Man' for the information age" in reference to the classic '70s Lee Majors series. It's unclear why Echeverria exited the show in July, though the split was reportedly amicable. Seemingly unphased by Echeverria's departure, the cast and crew continued with "Intelligence," and the show enjoyed a strong lead-in for its special preview episode on Tuesday, Jan. 7, when it followed a premiere episode of the toprated drama "NCIS." It was a smart move from a network known for smart moves. "Intelligence" was originally set to launch after Olympics coverage in February, but CBS has decided to run with it earlier, presumably to fill the void left by the freshman flop "Hostages." Despite a stellar cast that included Golden Globe winner Toni Collette and Emmy nominee Dylan McDermott, "Hostages" wasn't the runaway hit everyone was hoping it would be. Luckily, "Intelligence" has a trio of bankable stars to draw viewers, many of whom will likely be tuning in just to see Helgenberger. The Nebraska native spent 12 seasons on "CSI," which netted her both a People's Choice Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. It was her work on "China Beach," however, that earned her a coveted Best Supporting Actress Emmy. Holloway is also a Screen Actors Guild Award winner, thanks to his role on "Lost," and has amassed a long list of film credits that include "Whisper" (2007) "Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol" (2011) and "Paranoia" (2013). On the small screen, he's also appeared in "NCIS" and "Community." Canadian actress Ory most recently starred as Ruby Lucas/ Red Riding Hood on ABC's "Once Upon a Time" and has made appearances in "The Outer Limits" and "Dark Angel." "Intelligence" also stars John Billingsley ("Star Trek: Enterprise") as the designer of the microchip, Dr. Shenendoah Cassidy, P.J. Byrne ("NCIS") as his son Nelson Cassidy, and Michael Rady ("Sleeper Cell") as federal investigator Chris Jameson. It isn't clear whether or not these stars will fare better than McDermott and Collette, but it appears the network has decided to cut its losses with "Hostages" and bring in "Intelligence," which it has been promoting heavily since this summer's San Diego Comic-Con. The show was one of the first CBS series out of the gate when stars Holloway, Helgenberger and Ory appeared in a panel discussion with executive producers Seitzman and Tripp Vinson on Thursday, July 18. In addition to its similarities to "The Six Million Dollar Man," some TV fans may draw comparisons between the premise for "Intelligence" and NBC's defunct comedy "Chuck," about a bumbling computer whiz whose brain is embedded with government secrets. But CBS's offering is definitely not a sitcom. Tune in to "Intelligence" for a dose of action, adventure and high-tech drama Monday, Jan. 13. Laughs Conan: Conan O'Brien Some are saying that, while at Nelson Mandela's memorial, President Obama flirted with the female prime minister of Denmark right in front of Michelle Obama. Man, if President Obama felt that the flight to South Africa was long, can you imagine the way home? The Tonight Show: Jay Leno The world said goodbye today to Nelson Mandela. And what a life he lived. He spent 27 years in prison and then ascended to become president of his country. He went from prison to politics. It was exactly the opposite of how we do it in this country. The Late Show: David Letterman Did you see "The Sound of Music?" It was the most exciting live TV event since Matt Lauer's on-air prostate examination. The Late, Late Show: Craig Ferguson One difference between the Golden Globes and the Oscars is they serve dinner at the Golden Globes, which creates problems because a lot of actresses haven't seen food in a long time. Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Jimmy Fallon This morning at the Golden Globe nominations, "The Butler" did not get nominated for best dramatic film, which is too bad because it's the one character who's already dressed for an awards show. Weekend Update With Seth Meyers and Cecily Strong Members of the deaf community were upset this week by the sign language interpreter used during Nelson Mandela's memorial service calling him a fake and saying he was using unintelligible gestures. The interpreter defended himself by saying, "Pizza. Thank you. Rainbow." Marg Helgenberger returns to CBS in "Intelligence" 2 x 1"