NEWS - DESPERATION

2 Emmy nominations for Desperation

Posted: July 7, 2006, 00:12
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The Emmy nominations are out and Desperation got two:

Art Direction for a Miniseries, or Movie: "Bleak House (Masterpiece Theatre),'' PBS; "Elizabeth I,'' HBO; "The Girl in the Cafe,'' HBO; "Into the West,'' TNT; "Stephen King's Desperation,'' ABC.

Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special: "Category 7: The End of the World: Night 1,'' CBS; "Flight 93,'' A&E; "Into the West: Manifest Destiny,'' TNT; "Sleeper Cell: Youmud-Din,'' Showtime; "Stephen King's Desperation,'' ABC.

Thanks to Bev Vincent

Desperation Week; Ended

Posted: May 28, 2006, 00:24
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So, with this Desperation Week has officially ended. I want to thank all of you that participated either by entering the contest, sending in comments, donating prizes, giving interviews for making it a success. Maybe there will be another week that is dedicated to something special later on as well.

With that said, here is the answers to the last two questions.

Thursday:
Question: The 1st Japanese edition of Carrie was copyrighted in what year?
Answer: 1975

Friday:
Question: What does it say on the note on which the Can Tah stands when Steve (Steven Weber) and Cynthia (Kelly Overton) is caught under it’s spell (you don’t have to include the name of the person who has signed the note)?
Answer: Hey Jim! What the hell is this? Any idea?

And…the winner of the authentic Can Tah from the movie is Anrie van Dyk from The Netherlands, congratulations!

Desperation Week; Day 5

Posted: May 26, 2006, 22:57
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OK, Desperation Week is about to come to an end. Today I have another interview for you. This time I have talked to the great actor Steven Weber and you can read what he had to say here.

Don’t forget to check in tomorrow when I’ll present the winner of the grand prize. A real Can Tah.

Interview with King on Desperation DVD

Posted: May 26, 2006, 00:37
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The moderator of King’s message board confirms that there will be an interview but no commentary (by King) on the DVD edition of Desperation.

7.5 million viewers saw Desperation

Posted: May 25, 2006, 22:39
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The atrocious decision of ABC to run 'Desperation' against the 'American Idol' finals Country Music Awards got the expected result.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The first half of the "American Idol"
finale Tuesday drew more than 30 million fans to see the last lap of the
sing-off between Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee.

The 8 p.m. edition of "Idol" drew 30.7 million viewers and 11.8 rating/33
share in the adults 18-49 demographic, which amounted to the highest marks
ever for the first half of an "Idol" finale, according to preliminary
estimates from Nielsen Media Research. At 9 p.m., Fox was still on fire with
the sophomore season finale of "House" (25.8 million, 10.3/25).

"Idol's" fearsome start left the competition in the dust. CBS was the
closest competitor to Fox for the night with its 8-11 p.m. telecast of the
Academy of Country Music Awards (12 million, 3.5/9).

ABC and NBC were pretty well pummeled with their made-for-TV movies. The
second half of NBC's "10.5: Apocalypse" disaster mini pulled in only about 6
million viewers and 2.3/6 in the key demo from 9-11 p.m.. ABC's three-hour
"Stephen King's Desperation" was only a little better off with 7.5 million
viewers and 2.5/7 in adults 18-49.

Thanks to Rocky Wood.

Desperation Week; Day 4 (part 2)

Posted: May 25, 2006, 22:09
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Here is what all of you thought about Desperation:

Overall, it was a pretty good adaptation, and probably the best we're going to get. That being said, sometimes I think it went over the top and it nowhere matched the raw intensity of the book.

DESPERATIONS, chilling, grab you by the seat, and wonderfully created.

It was a letdown when Tak had to leave Perlman (was perfect, by the way!), but at least we still had Skerritt to hold the weight up. The "Ghost Pie" thing was pretty dumb, but thank God (har-de-Har) they didn't skimp on the touchy religious aspects and they sure as HELL didn't skimp on the violence, so I'll give this a thumbs up. The kid (Shane Haboucha) did a pretty good job, and c'mon, how can you not like the Frewer?

Read the complete text

Desperation Week; Day 4 (part 1)

Posted: May 25, 2006, 22:04
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The second winner in Desperation Week has been selected. I will announce the winner after giving you the right answer to Tuesday and Wednesday’s question.

Tuesday:
Question: Who was Philtrum Press publisher who also produced the limited edition of Eyes of the Dragon, The Ideal Genuine Man, and The Plant , along with Six Stories?
Answer: Michael Alpert.

Wednesday:
Question: What is the police officer's name who abducts the traveler's in Desperation?
Answer: Collie Entragian.

The first one was a bit harder then the second one that was really easy. And the winner (drawn from all the correct entries between Monday and Wednesday) of a limited edition copy of Desperation is Simon McNamee from the Australia. Congratulation!

The next question is already online so if you haven’t already, head over there and enter.

Desperation Week; Day 3 (part 2)

Posted: May 24, 2006, 08:48
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Here is a very interesting interview with Brandon Kihl who did the sculpting and props on Desperation. Brandon has also done the Can Tah that is the grand prize in the Desperation Week contest.

Desperation Week; Day 3 (part 1)

Posted: May 24, 2006, 08:42
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I hope you all saw Desperation yesterday... If not the DVD will be out on August 29 in the US. Now I want to ask all of you that did see it to Please mail me your comments about it. I will then put them all on my site tomorrow so you can get an idea of what everyone thought about it.

BUT, I don’t want a review, only shorter comments in one or two sentences, OK? Just click here to send a mail

Desperation Week; Day 2 (part 2)

Posted: May 23, 2006, 08:18
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My review of Desperation is now online. It doesn’t contain any spoilers (if you have read the book) so you can read it when you have the time.

And when you have seen Desperation tonight as I’m sure most of those who can will, Please mail me your comments about it. I will then put them together so you can all see what the fans thought about it tomorrow. Oh, and I don’t want a review, only shorter comments in one or two sentences, OK? Just click here to send a mail

Desperation Week; Day 2 (part 1)

Posted: May 23, 2006, 08:17
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The first winner in Desperation Week has been selected. I will announce the winner after giving you the right answer to Monday’s question.

Question When was Desperation published?
Answer 1996.

This one was an easy one and most of you got it right. And the winner of a first edition copy of Desperation is Shayne Sullivan from the US. Congratulation!

The next question is already online so if you haven’t already, head over there and enter.

Desperation Week; Day 1

Posted: May 22, 2006, 08:41
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OK, Desperation Week has now officially kicked of. The contest is up and running (enter by clicking the link on your right) and believe me, you don’t want to miss this one.

Today I also have a brand new interview with Mick Garris, director of Desperation for you to check out. Enjoy!

Desperation not longer on DVD

Posted: May 21, 2006, 23:52
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I talked to Mick Garris about Desperation being longer on DVD and he told me that that is not the case. He doesn’t think there will be any substantial differences between the movie that airs and the film on the DVD, except that that DVD will be in widescreen 16:9 format, and without the commercial breaks. And the DVD will also have the 5.1 surround sound track, which really delivers the full orchestral score and sound mix the way it was intended.

There will however be some extra material on the DVD.

Director’s cut of Desperation

Posted: May 19, 2006, 23:19
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The moderator of King's official board had the following to say about the DVD edition of Desperation:

I’ve been told the DVD will be more of a "director’s cut" version so will have scenes deleted from the ABC broadcast.

King wants you to watch Desperation

Posted: May 18, 2006, 19:42
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King comments on ABC's scheduling Desperation against American Idol...

Dear Web Site Visitors,

Those of you who are familiar with the wonderful world of television may have noticed that Desperation — probably the best TV movie to be made from my work — has been scheduled by ABC to run, not just against American Idol, but against the American Idol finals! When I see this kind of scheduling, my heart is warmed by how well I have been treated by all my friends at ABC. One can truly say that with friends like this, one doesn’t need enemas. Little joke there. But am I bitter? HELL, YES, I AM BITTER! Oh, well, good work always finds a place in time, and ours may be in the DVD racks eventually. For now, please remember that Desperation airs on ABC May 23rd. Those of you who watch will get a gold star. Those of you who don’t, and watch American Idol instead…well, just remember: I have strange powers. I have been watching you all for some time through your computers. (This is actually a power conferred upon me by the Bush Administration.) I watch you when you eat, I watch you when you sleep, and I watch you when you undress. In regard to this last comment, some of you need more stylish underwear, but never mind; the point is, I will know if you watch American Idol and if something bad happens to you, it will be your own fault.

Cordially,

Steve

See Desperation early...

Posted: April 27, 2006, 00:48
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If you want to see Desperation early, here is your chance:

The Tucson Film Office and Fox Tucson Theatre are presenting an exclusive prescreening of Desperation, a made-for-TV adaptation of Stephen King's book of the same name, on Saturday, May 6. Desperation was filmed in and around Tucson and Bisbee in the fall of 2004. Several cast and production members are scheduled to appear and get a red-carpet welcome, including director Mick Garris, producer Mark Sennet and actors Steven Weber, Annabeth Gish and Ron Perlman. The red-carpet opening event starts at 6:30 p.m., followed by opening comments by the director and producer at 7:15, and the film screens at 7:30. Tickets are available for $25 at the Fox Tucson Theatre box office at 17 W. Congress St.

Thanks to Bev Vincent.

A first review of Desperation

Posted: April 26, 2006, 16:16
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A first review of Desperation has appeared online. There are a few small spoilers so read it on you own risk.

Thanks to Bev Vincent.

Desperation DVD

Posted: April 20, 2006, 23:25
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Fangoria had gotten this new image from Desperation and also had the following report about the DVD release:

Fango got the scoop that Lionsgate Home Entertainment will release the desert-set story of evil and redemption August 29. No word yet on special features, or whether this cut will be more extreme than the one ABC broadcasts.

Thanks to Ari.

Desperation moved to May 23

Posted: April 6, 2006, 17:28
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I just got an email from Mick Garris in which he told me that ABC has moved the airdate
for Desperation to Tuesday, May 23rd. They are getting wonderful feedback to the film, and apparently that would be a stronger night for it.

Desperation trailer

Posted: March 19, 2006, 21:38
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Reports say that the first trailer for Desperation has started to air on ABC. I haven't seen it (I do live in Sweden) but word is that it's looking good.

I have seen Desperation

Posted: February 25, 2006, 00:16
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Today I had the chance to see Desperation and all I can say at the moment is that I loved it and that May 18th can’t come soon enough...

Desperation photos

Posted: January 10, 2006, 00:39
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Fangoria published these cool pictures from Desperation today!



The images are (from left to right, up and down) Annabeth Gish with some KNB EFX-created corpses, Charles Durning sharing a scene with a real live cougar, Kelly Overton and Steven Weber fighting a vicious bird and Garris himself with Ron Perlman, who plays the nasty Collie Entragian.

Thanks to Mike Cahill.

Airdate for Desperation set

Posted: January 5, 2006, 00:32
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Good news! The official airdate for Desperation is Thursday, 18 May 2006.

Thanks to Bev Vincent.

Fall preview for Desperation?

Posted: November 22, 2005, 23:11
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A DVD called ABC Fall Preview Disc DVD (2005) is now given to everyone that gets season 1 of Desperate Housewives at Walmart. On this DVD there are previews for upcoming shows and movies on ABC. And as you may have guessed by now one of the movies is Desperation. So remember this if your thinking of buying season 1 of Desperate Housewives. And if anyone gets this DVD, please let me know.

Desperation release dates

Posted: September 28, 2005, 23:10
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As I have reported earlier Desperation will air in May 2006 and Lion's Gate is probably releasing the DVD the following July.

Desperation done

Posted: July 19, 2005, 23:09
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I talked to Mick Garris again today and he told me that Desperation is in fact 100% done. Now it's just waiting around for ABC to air it in May 2006.

Sad news for Desperation

Posted: July 18, 2005, 23:09
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Sad news for all of you out there that (like me) is waiting to see Desperation. I just talked to Mick Garris and he told me that it probably wouldn’t air until May 2006.

Sneak peek at Desperation

Posted: April 10, 2005, 23:07
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Really Scary has a report from the exclusive sneak peek at the first 15 minutes of Desperation that was shown at the World Horror Con in NYC. And judging from their description of the 15 minutes it seams to be very true to the book.

No Desperation in May

Posted: March 1, 2005, 23:03
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Fangoria.com reports that Desperation WON'T air in May. The good news is that Mick sent me this really cool photo from the set.

Despite what you may have read elsewhere, Mick Garris' ABC telemovie version of Stephen King’s DESPERATION won’t be airing during this May’s sweeps period. "We don’t deliver until June, and ABC has used up their promotional budget for the season, so it ain’t going to be pushed for May," Garris tells Fango. "It’s possibly going to be November. Or the following February…or May 2006."

Advance word on DESPERATION, which the author himself praised at www.stephenking.com, is running high. "Both King and the network got the finished cut, and both are extremely enthusiastic," adds Garris, who begins prepping his next dream project, the all-star MASTERS OF HORROR series, tomorrow in Vancouver. —Tony Timpone, Fangoria.com

Thanks to Jonathan Reitan.

No violence from Desperation will get lost

Posted: February 25, 2005, 23:02
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I talked to Mick Garris today about King's comments on Desperation and he said that they had gotten a reaction from the network, and that they absolutely love the film, and none of the violence that King mentions in his piece is going to be lost. How about that?

King comments about Desperation

Posted: February 24, 2005, 23:01
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King put this comment about Desperation yesterday:

Comments on Desperation from Stephen King
I ordinarily don’t comment far in advance on films based on my work, especially TV films, but in the case of Desperation I am going to make an exception because my old partner in crime, Mick Garris, has produced an extraordinary piece of work, and the ensemble cast is outstanding. Ron Perlman as Collie Entragian will haunt your dreams. You might want to consider making time in May (tentative) for this one, which is when ABC plans to run it.

One word of warning: this is TV and it’s impossible to tell in advance how much of a given piece of work will be cut. The version of Desperation I saw was graphic and very frightening. This may make the network uneasy.

Stephen King
Posted 23 February 2005

More Desperation pictures

Posted: February 3, 2005, 23:00
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On King's official site they have posted 9 images from Desperation. Like the once Garris sent me they look really cool.

Desperation premiers at...

Posted: January 25, 2005, 22:58
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Fangoria reports that Desperation will be released from Lions Gate Home Entertainment on July 12 and premiere during the May sweeps on ABC.

Thanks to Mike Cahill.

Pictures from Desperation

Posted: January 12, 2005, 00:11
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Today I got these pictures from the filming of Desperation from Mick Garris. As you can see this movie looks really cool. Just check out the picture of Ron Pearlman as Collie Entragian below!

The image to the right shows Mick Garris himself along with Shane Haboucha who plays David Carver.







Sylvia Kelegian in Desperation

Posted: November 18, 2004, 23:56
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Sylvia Kelegian joins the cast for Desperation. She will play Ellie Carver.

Thanks to Bev Vincent.

Kelly Overton joins Desperation

Posted: November 11, 2004, 23:54
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Kelly Overton has joined the cast of Desperation. She will be playing Cynthia Smith.

Thanks to Gary Shaw.

More Desperation casting news

Posted: October 29, 2004, 23:52
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Charles Durning as TomI just spoke to Mick Garris and he confirmed what I thought. That Tom Skerritt will play Johnny Marinville in Desperation. He also told me that Since Cliff Robertson recently had back surgery, and is recovering, he has been replaced by Charles Durning.

Cast for Desperation

Posted: October 28, 2004, 23:46
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Shane Haboucha as DavidThe cast for Desperation is starting to take shape. Here are the first names. Ron Perlman (Hellboy) will play Collie Entragian, Tom Skerritt (don't know who he will play) Steven Weber (The Shining) is Steve, Annabeth Gish (The X Files) takes the female lead as Mary, Cliff Robertson (Riding the Bullet) is Tom the veterinarian, Shane Haboucha (THE O.C.) stars as young David and Matt Frewer (Riding the Bullet, The Stand) is Ralph. There are also some articles available online.

Ron Perlman as Collie Entragian Tom Skerritt Annabeth Gish as Mary

Cliff Robertson as Tom Matt Frewer as Ralph Steven Weber as Steve

Thanks to Randy Ford and Jonathan Kennedy.

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