In Defense of George R.R. Martin’s ‘Game of Thrones’ Book Delays

TV Tattle

In defense of George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones book delays

Martin’s announcement over the weekend that The Winds of Winter won’t be released in time for Season 6 of his HBO series prompted some outcry from his loyal fans. But as Maureen Ryan points out, “Life is fleeting, the future is unpredictable and George R.R. Martin does not work for us.” She adds that “Martin is not a machine, he’s a human being, and as he said in his blog post, no one could be more disappointed than he is at this moment. But I’m inclined to think we’re not even entitled to our own disappointment.” PLUS: Martin “astonished” by fan support, and Martin sheds light on Jon Snow cliffhanger.


White House petition calls for Obama to pardon Making a Murderer’s Steven Avery

The White House petition needs 100,000 signatures to trigger a response from President Obama’s people. It has nearly 81,000 so far. Meanwhile, a separate Change.org petition has attracted more than 160,000 signatures.


Ellen renewed through 2020

The Ellen DeGeneres Show has received a three-year renewal from 10 NBC-owned stations that will bring it up to the 2019-2020 season.


The Meredith Vieira Show canceled after 2 seasons

The former View star’s daytime talk show was down 25% in Season 2.


Judd Apatow’s Love starring Gillian Jacobs gets a teaser—it premieres on Netflix 5 days after Valentine’s Day

Watch the first teaser for the romantic comedy.


Downton Abbey creator to release a novel as if it were a TV series

Julian Fellowes’ Belgravia will be released in 10 weekly episode-like installments, with each chapter costing $1.99 each or $13.99 for the whole book.


Chris Rock’s compares the Oscars to New Year’s Eve in his first promo

“It’ll be a night that ends with a lot of drunk, disappointed people swearing they’ll do better next year,” he says.


John Stamos on his DUI arrest: “It was really stupid and ignorant of me”

“I could have hurt somebody… I hated myself for that,” Stamos told Howard Stern this morning.


Jimmy Kimmel kisses Howard Stern to ring in the new New Year

Kimmel and the shock jock celebrated New Year’s Eve on stage at a Billy Joel concert. PLUS: Will Kimmel host a Guns N’ Roses reunion this week?

The Bachelor spoiler Reality Steve: “If this show wasn’t my job, would I watch it? Absolutely not”

Stephen Carbone earns a six-figure income spoiling The Bachelor and its various spinoffs. “I can’t believe I get this much information, every season. I still think it’s weird that I get it,” says the 40-year-old who goes by the name Reality Steve. He adds, “I’ve always liked to write, and I’ve always liked to be very sarcastic and very snarky about things. This show makes it easier, but if this show wasn’t my job, would I watch it? Absolutely not. I wouldn’t care.” PLUS: Reality Steve “wouldn’t consider myself a journalist at all.”


CNN to host a primetime town hall with President Obama on guns in America

The one-hour town hall is being put together “in hopes of mounting a final pitch to the public.”


John Oliver explains how to deal with your New Year’s Resolutions disappointment

Deep down, we all know the key to a successful resolution is not hard work and dedication,” Oliver says in a newly posted video. “It’s managing disappointment.” PLUS: Last Week Tonight returns Feb. 14.


Happy Endings is now streaming on Hulu

All three seasons and 57 episodes of the acclaimed ABC comedy are now available for streaming.


NCIS
star Michael Weatherly gets 3 years probation after pleading no contest to DUI

Weatherly will also have to participate in a three-month Mother’s Against Drunk Driving alcohol program.

Portlandia releases its first audiobook

Listen to Fred Armisen’s Candace Devereaux recall a trip to Europe.


Australia gets a Breaking Bad restaurant and a George Costanza-themed bar

Heisenberg Haus recently opened in Brisbane, drawing inspiration from Walter White’s alter ego. Meanwhile, George’s Bar in Melbourne will serve Seinfeld’s Costanza-themed toasties and cocktails.


Disney used General Hospital characters to promote ESPN’s New Year’s Eve College Football Playoffs

An episode last week of the soap opera contained no less than seven references to the playoffs.


Syfy will experiment with technology with the launch of Syfy Labs

The cable channel hopes to boost interest in its original programming via a new technology laboratory.


Xander Berkeley to lead The Walking Dead’s Hilltop Colony

The 24 alum will be playing the villainous character named Gregory.


Sam Champion will return to GMA for 1 week only

The former Good Morning America weatherman will fill in for Ginger Zee next week.


Jeff Daniels to appear on Inside the Actor’s Studio

The Newsroom star’s episode will air on Jan. 7.


The Mysteries of Laura books Harold Perrineau and Greg Grunberg

The Lost vets will appear in the same episode this spring.


U.S. Post Office unveils Star Trek stamps

The four new stamps are intended to celebrate the franchise’s 50th anniversary.


Mindy Kaling mourns her former Oscar-winning cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond

The acclaimed cinematographer, who shot The Deer Hunt and won an Oscar for Close Encounters of a Third Kind, died on New Year’s Day at age 85. In recent years, Zsigmond shot many episodes of The Mindy Project.


The Voice winner Jordan Smith gets engaged

Smith announced the news on New Year’s Eve, writing on social media: “RINGING in the new year with my future wife. She said YES! #Mr&MrsSmith.”