There was a time when air travel itself was as exciting as the destinations, and passengers actually dressed up to fly. But that was also the same era that a woman’s ‘place’ or ‘role in society’ was deemed to be at home amongst marriage, children and chores.

Then, the Jet Age dawned upon the 1960s to usher in a new ‘breed’ of women in America. With the world at their feet – actually 30,000 feet under – the stewardesses of the iconic American airline Pan Am were among the first women to see the world like never before, when many others, including men, were not privileged enough to. Personifying glamour, style, freedom and empowerment, these women took control of their own destinies and their lives truly took off into the friendly skies, inspiring a whole generation of men and women.

Welcome to 1963, the start of a unique period in history brought back to life in the glossy and stylishly retro TV drama series Pan Am to chronicle the lives and loves of its aircrew. Premiering 11 February 2012 and airing on Saturdays at 9.50pm first and exclusively on AXN Beyond, Pan Am will follow these lucky first few who could fly regularly on board the world’s largest and most prestigious airline to a truly global adventure.

The drama series is led by Emmy winner Christina Ricci (Grey’s Anatomy) as Maggie Ryan, the purser on board Pan Am’s new Clipper Majestic jet. Having climbed step-by-step up the social ladder to a better life and great opportunity, the resourceful, ambitious but stubborn Maggie is finally riding high and is determined not to fall. She works with the resilient and selfless French native Colette Valois (Karine Vanasse, Midnight in Paris) who has an innate understanding of international affairs, but is a searching wanderer when it comes to affairs of the heart.

Also part of the clique is the competitive rebel Kate Cameron (Kelli Garner, The Aviator) who left her sheltered life in East Granby, Connecticut to brave the world. Now, she must also navigate espionage and intrigue by becoming an international agent for the CIA. Running off on her wedding day, Kate’s enthusiastic, adventurous yet naïve younger sister, Laura Cameron (Margot Robbie, Neighbours) left her past behind to join Kate in a bold move that could bring serious personal consequences.

Piloting the Clipper Majestic on its maiden flight is the charming, industrious but proud Dean Lowrey (Mike Vogel, Cloverfield) who is newly promoted to captain and would not trade this moment for the world. The self-assured and flirty First Officer and Co-Pilot Ted Vanderway (Michael Mosley, Scrubs) is a former Navy test pilot who finds the commercial skies as turbulent as he struggles to overcome past mistakes and prove his worth as an aviator. And as the latter finds out, the ladies flying on Pan Am are different from the rest, “I’ve hit on enough of these girls to know that they’re not like normal women… They are a new breed of women.”

Despite mandatory weigh-ins before flights, grooming inspections and wearing of girdles, Maggie, Kate, Laura and Colette enjoy independence and liberation that was unheard of at that time complete with romantic liaisons, social engagements and a career of their choosing. Most of all, the international travels open their eyes to the world. Viewers will go with Maggie and her crew to new destinations each week including dream cities as London, Paris, Berlin, Monte Carlo, Rome and even Asia’s own Jakarta of half a century ago, re-created in the series.

Along the way, enjoy front-row seats to history in the making, as they witness former US President John Ford Kennedy’s visit to Berlin in 1963 and the arrival of British band The Beatles in New York in 1964…

Indeed, Pan Am will serve up authentic re-creations of the workings of Pan Am in the 60s: from serving seven course meals complete with turtle soup and caviar; to stewardesses playing board and card games with passengers; and a stewardess who was actually recruited to be a CIA operative. The series is executive produced by Nancy Hult Ganis (Akeelah and the Bee), a former Pan Am stewardess who added to her own experiences through extensive research and interviews with other ex-staff. Capturing the essence of the Jet Age, Pan Am has won over many critics including American daily Los Angeles Times’ high praise, “this is as good as it looks, and it looks very good.”

Among the first to be “beautiful, educated and trilingual”, the high flying women of Pan Am are set to take off with you on the captivating new TV drama series into the dreamy and swinging sixties this February. So, buckle up; adventure calls! And thank you for choosing Pan Am on AXN Beyond.

Pan Am premieres 11 February 2012
Airing Saturdays at 9.50pm
First and exclusively on AXN Beyond

Women Take Off With Pan Am on AXN Beyond originally appeared on Starmometer on February 7, 2012.

Titled “Vocal Kombat,” The Voice judges Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green and Blake Shelton literally battle as they follow the voice of that one special singer who is…

The Voice season 2 airs in the Philippines every Monday night at 10.55pm on AXN.

‘The Voice’ Super Bowl Commercial – Must See! originally appeared on Starmometer on February 7, 2012.

Madonna mentioned in an earlier interview that in her 25 years of performing, she never worked so hard or been so detail-oriented as her preparation for this year’s superbowl. And it paid off! People who witnessed the show can only describe the Pop Queen’s 12-minute performance as “spectacular.”

The songs included in her Superbowl medley were her 90s hit “Vogue,” her 2000s dance jam “Music,” LMFAO’s “Sexy and I Know It” where she was joined by Stefan ‘Redfoo’ Gordy and Skyler ‘SkyBlu’ Gordy, her new single, “Give Me All Your Luvin,” with Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., and lastly her 1989 hit, “Like a Prayer,” which she opened with bits from her other hits “Open Your Heart” and “Express Yourself.” She was joined by Cee Lo Green and a gospel choir during that finale number and ended with the message “World Peace” illuminating on the stage.

Watch the video here:

Madonna – Super Bowl 2012 Halftime Performance originally appeared on Starmometer on February 6, 2012.

Radio personality and TV host Howard Stern, being the “shock jock” that he is, will definitely give Simon Cowell a run for his money when it comes to giving critiques to aspiring contestants.

Check out the funny TV spot below for America’s Got Talent, released during the Superbowl:

Howad Stern Joins America’s Got Talent – Funny TV Spot for Superbowl originally appeared on Starmometer on February 6, 2012.

Next week, pop icon Ricky Martin will play the new Spanish teacher at McKinley High.

Check out this first-look video featuring Ricky Martin and New Directions performing LMFAO‘s “Sexy and I Know It:”

First-Look Video: Ricky Martin Performs ‘Sexy and I Know It’ on Glee originally appeared on Starmometer on February 3, 2012.

The Fresh, Real Talent Show – The Voice Season 2

Premiering on February 6, 2012 is Season 2 of The Voice, offering aspiring singers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be mentored by celebrity coaches. Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green and Blake Shelton return with their sizzling chemistry and their trademark red swiveling chairs to judge contestants solely on their vocal talent and not their looks. If more than one coach turns to pick a particular singer, the tide turns and the choice of coach goes to the singer. This season, show producer Mark Burnett has added more rounds of blind auditions and each of the coaches’ teams will be expanded to 12 singers each.

The ante is certainly upped in terms of the diversity and quality of the contestants this season, with Aguilera bagging ‘everything from an opera singer, powerhouse MC to soul singers’ on her team. What is interesting is that savvy contestants who are in demand now know how to play the game, and have taken the opportunity to push the coaches a little further and wrangle for commitment to be kept for a few rounds.

Season 1’s contestants have done well for themselves so far; winner Javier Colon has released a new album in collaboration with Natasha Bedingfield and his coach, Adam Levine, while first runner-up Dia Frampton has also launched her album with the help of coach Blake Shelton. Other contestants – Beverly McClellan from Team Aguilera and Vicci Martinez from Team Cee Lo have also begun recording after the show ended.

Talent-spotting aside, be sure to keep an eye out for new songs from the coaches themselves! After all, Season 1 was the launchpad for Shelton’s ‘Honey Bee’, a country chart-topper, as well as the Maroon 5-Aguilera single ‘Moves Like Jagger’ which hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 list. And as Aguilera teased, look out for the ‘kickass’ opening performance by the coaches this season!

The Voice Season 2 premieres on 6 Feb 2012, Mon at 10.55pm

‘The Voice’ Season 2 Premieres February 6 on AXN originally appeared on Starmometer on February 2, 2012.

RuPaul’s Drag Race, if you have been living under a rock, is a reality TV competition for drag queens.

The show aired its pilot in May 2008 on MTV and on February 2, 2009 on Logo.

The show was marked as the most watched series on Logo in its first season, and it became the most streamed series ever on LogoTV.com during its second. The title of the show is a play on drag queen and drag racing, with the title sequence and theme song “Covergirl (Put the Bass in Your Walk)” both having a drag racing theme. Both the contestants and fans are affectionately referred to as “Racers.”

Now on its 4th season, RuPaul’s Drag Race premieres January 30, 2012.
This season’s winner will headline Logo’s Drag Race Tour featuring Absolut Vodka, wins a one-of-a-kind trip courtesy of AlandChuck.travel, a lifetime supply of NYX Cosmetics, a cash prize of $100,000, and the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar.”

The cash prize for season four marks the largest grand prize the show has offered to date. It’s also the first season since season one to not feature any contestants from Atlanta after two contestants from that city were cast in both seasons two and three.

Guest judges for this season include Pamela Anderson, Billy B., Natalie Cole, Loretta Devine, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Rick Fox, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Wynonna Judd, Regina King, Ross Mathews, Rose McGowan, Jeffrey Moran, Max Mutchnick, Kelly Osbourne, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, Pauley Perrette, Amber Riley, Mike Ruiz, Jennifer Tilly, Dan Savage, John Salley and Nicole Sullivan.

Be mesmerized as fur shawls, metallic corsets, beaded fishnet stockings and pointy boots, with matching the lavishness of an evening eye and face make-up, dominate primetime TV every Monday night at 9pm!

RuPaul is Back with Season 4 of ‘Drag Race’ originally appeared on Starmometer on February 1, 2012.

Feel the passion, adventure and espionage at 30,000 feet in PAN AM, a new drama series set in the 1960s, when Pan American World Airways led the energy and excitement of the Jet Age. In their individual quests for adventure, the “Pan Am” crew of pilots and stewardesses face both opportunity and peril, as they juggle their lives, loves, hopes and dreams while flying around the world to glamorous international cities like Paris, Berlin, Jakarta and Monte Carlo. Fasten your seat belts as the season premieres on February 11, 2012, airing every Saturday at 9:50 PM, first and exclusively on AXN Beyond.

Join psychotherapist Dr. Dani Santino as she balances her workload and the new demands of single motherhood in the drama series NECESSARY ROUGHNESS. When Dani’s perfect world begins to unravel after her husband’s infidelity, she becomes the most sought-after therapist, with high-profile clients from athletes to entertainers and politicians clamoring for her unique brand of therapy. Watch Dani tackle all her and her patient’s issues beginning February 1, 2012, airing every Wednesday at 10:55 PM.

Patti Stranger is back as she moves her matchmaking service to New York City in MILLIONAIRE MATCHMAKER SEASON 4. This season, Patti uses a few new tricks including a spy camera, lie detector test and hiring a make-up specialist from Saturday Night Live. From Wall Street to beach bum, this season also introduces the most over-the-top and challenging millionaires yet including Judith Regan, editor, producer, publisher and TV and radio show host, Freddie Mitchell, ex-wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, and Albie and Chris Manzo, the sons of Caroline from The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Watch Patti and her staff help their millionaire clients find love in the city that never sleeps beginning February 13, 2011, airing weeknights at 10:05 PM.

Meanwhile, a dream team of 18 past cheftestants are back and ready for redemption in TOP CHEF SEASON 8. This season, the Primetime Emmy Award-winning reality contest returns to New York City with host Padma Lakshmi and head judge chef Tom Colicchio, alongside judges Gail Simmons and new this season, best-selling author and chef, Anthony Bourdain. Don’t miss out on all the culinary action beginning February 29, 2012, airing weeknights at 10:05 PM.

Catch these all new programs and more on AXN Beyond this January: SkyCable (Channel 35), Dream Satellite (Channel 36) and Cignal Digital TV (Channel 37).

‘Pan Am,’ ‘Top Chef 8′ on AXN Beyond this February originally appeared on Starmometer on January 31, 2012.

American Idol has been a stepping stone for some Pinoys in the US in launching their music careers.

Some of them who became a household name after making it to the semifinals of the show are Jasmine Trias, Camille Velasco, Ramiele Malubay, Clint Jun Gamboa, AJ Tabaldo, Thia Megia, etc.

This year, one Pinoy is prominent in various lists of rumored Top 24 contestants of American Idol season 11 and she’s none other than Jessica Sanchez.

Jessica Sanchez joined America’s Got Talent season 1 when she was only 12 years old. She did not make it to the finals on that first season of the show where another 12 year old emerged as winner – Bianca Ryan.

Check out our post in 2007 about Jessica Sanchez where she performed Celine Dion‘s “I Surrender” HERE.

Jessica is now 16 years old and according to reports, she made it to the Top 24 (semifinals) of American Idol Season 11.

The annual American Idol spoilers do not disappoint as it always predict the Top 24 with more than 90% accuracy.

The other girls on the list are Elise Testone, Haley Johnsen, Shannon Magrane, Baylie Brown, Hallie Day, Jen Hirsh, Chelsea Sorrell, Skylar Laine, Erika Van Pelt, Brielle Von Hugel and Hollie Cavanagh.

As for the guys, here are the names on the list: Eben Franckewitz, Reed Grimm, Heejun Han, Deandre Brackensick, Aaron Marcellus Sanders, Adam Brock, Creighton Fraker, Phillip Phillips and Joshua Ledet.

Please take note that this list is NOT official. American Idol season 11 has just premiered last week so the announcement of the official Top 24 will be aired some time in February.

Pinay Jessica Sanchez Makes It to American Idol Season 11 Top 24 originally appeared on Starmometer on January 23, 2012.

19-year-old Jessica Whitely from Ohio sang Charice‘s “In This Song” as her audition piece on American Idol.

The verdict: She murdered the song!

Watch the funny video here:

And speaking of Charice, our international song bird was recently featured on Marie Claire Magazine in Malaysia.

The article is titled “Pocket Full of Sunshine” where Charice talked about trying her best to maintain a normal teenage life despite her international success.

Charice’s ‘In This Song’ Murdered by an American Idol Contestant originally appeared on Starmometer on January 23, 2012.

The “Royal Variety Performance” is an annual event attended by the senior members of the Royal family of United Kingdom (UK). The event showcases different astounding performances from comedians, singers, magicians and acrobats who made their mark in their respective fields.

This year’s performances include US “X Factor” judge and former Pussycat Doll Nicole Sherzinger, UK “X Factor” winner Leona Lewis, Pop Sensation Pixie Lott and “Britain’s Got Talent” winner Jai McDowall.

Two of the world’s best music icons Tony Bennett and Barry Manilow will also fly in to UK for a one night only performance. The classical phenomenon Il Divo, Adam Cooper and the cast of “Singin’ In The Rain” will also perform. Britain’s renowned Broadway composer, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber also graces the event.

Besides music, acts from British comedians Jason Manford, Greg Davis and Tim Minchin regale the audience with their funny antics. Sam Wills performs as “The Boy with Tape on his face” amazed the audience a different comedic act.

American singer Cee Lo Green awes his British audience as he performs his new single “Anyway”. He also performs “Somebody to love” with Leona Lewis.

Meanwhile, English singer Pixie Lott also sings her single “All about tonight”. Nicole Sherzinger enthralls everyone with her performance of “Phantom of the Opera”, a Broadway musicalby English-composer Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber. The musical also celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

Some of the event’s highlights are a jaw-dropping performance of Las Vegas’s most popular magic-duo, Penn and Teller, a groundbreaking performance from STOMP, an acrobatic act from Base Berlin, a duet from Rolando Villazon and Hayley Westenra. Peter Kay, who hosts the event, thrills the audience as he leads an orchestra that includes 10 Royal Marine drummers.

The Royal Variety Performance has been presented to the British Royal Family for nearly 100 years and the proceeds of the event go to the Entertainment Artiste’s Benevolent Fund.

Velvet (SkyCable Channel 53) is available on SkyCable Platinum, SkyCable Gold, SkyCable Silver and other quality cable operators nationwide. For updates, log-on to http://www.facebook.com/VelvetChannel.

Take a sneak peek at Nicole Scherzinger’s “Phantom Of The Opera” performance at the Royal Variety here:

Velvet Exclusively Airs ‘The Royal Variety Performance’ originally appeared on Starmometer on January 21, 2012.

Here are the Top 20 programs and comparative TV ratings nationwide from January 10 to 12, 2012 according to Kantar Media:

January 10, 2012 (Tuesday)

Daytime:

Gising Pilipinas (0.7%) / Kape’t Pandasal (1.4%) vs. I-Witness The GMA Documentaries (Replay) (1.5%)
Umagang Kay Ganda (5.4%) vs. Unang Hirit (5.1%)
Spongebob Squarepants (4.5%) vs. Detective Conan (7.5%)
Inazuma Eleven (4.5%) vs. Hunter X Hunter (8.2%)
X-Men The Animated Series (4.4%) vs. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (7.3%)
Kris TV (6.5%) vs. Bleach (8.6%) / Knock Out (9.9%)
Showtime (10.5%) vs. Kapuso Movie Festival (11.1%) / Chef Boy Logro Kusina Master (15.5%)
Happy Yipee Yehey! (8.8%) vs. Eat… Bulaga! (21.3%)
Heartstrings (8.3%) vs. Kokak (14.2%)
Angelito Batang Ama (10.1%) vs. Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin (14.3%)
Pinoy Big Brother Unliday (10.5%) vs. Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Langit (14.2%)
Reputasyon (13.1%) vs. Love You (10.2%)

Primetime:

Maria La Del Barrio (18.7%) vs. Daldalita (14.3%)
TV Patrol (27.4%) vs. 24 Oras (19.2%) vs. Wil Time Bigtime (10.1%)
Ikaw Ay Pag-Ibig (28.3%) vs. Amaya (22.1%)
Budoy (27.7%) vs. Munting Heredera (19.3%)
My Binondo Girl (28.0%) / Nasaan Ka Elisa? (25.1%) vs. Survivor Philippines Celebrity Double Showdown (15.3%) vs. Glamorosa (3.8%) / PS I Love You (1.7%)
Pinoy Big Brother Unlinight (17.0%) vs. Dongyi (12.5%) vs. Journo (1.8%) / Aksyon Journalismo (1.2%)
Bandila (5.9%) vs. Saksi Liga Ng Katotohanan (6.9%) vs. Juicy! (0.9%)
Patrol Ng Pilipino (2.3%) vs. Reporter’s Notebook (4.0%) vs. Jojo A. All The Way!!! (0.3%)

January 11, 2012 (Wednesday)

Daytime:

Gising Pilipinas (0.8%) / Kape’t Pandasal (1.6%) vs. Reporter’s Notebook (Replay) (1.3%)
Umagang Kay Ganda (5.3%) vs. Unang Hirit (4.6%)
Spongebob Squarepants (5.3%) vs. Detective Conan (7.2%)
Inazuma Eleven (4.4%) vs. Hunter X Hunter (8.2%)
X-Men The Animated Series (4.9%) vs. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (7.6%)
Kris TV (7.1%) vs. Bleach (7.9%) / Knock Out (10.1%)
Showtime (10.6%) vs. Kapuso Movie Festival (10.5%) / Chef Boy Logro Kusina Master (14.4%)
Happy Yipee Yehey! (9.5%) vs. Eat… Bulaga! (20.9%)
Heartstrings (8.7%) vs. Kokak (13.3%)
Angelito Batang Ama (11.2%) vs. Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin (15.5%)
Pinoy Big Brother Unliday (11.1%) vs. Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Langit (15.8%)
Reputasyon (13.8%) vs. Love You (9.6%)

Primetime:

Maria La Del Barrio (20.5%) vs. Daldalita (14.3%)
TV Patrol (26.4%) vs. 24 Oras (21.0%) vs. Wil Time Bigtime (8.3%)
Ikaw Ay Pag-Ibig (27.9%) vs. Amaya (21.0%)
Budoy (30.6%) vs. Munting Heredera (20.2%) vs. Glamorosa (3.6%)
My Binondo Girl (29.2%) / Nasaan Ka Elisa? (24.4%) vs. Survivor Philippines Celebrity Double Showdown (16.8%) vs. PS I Love You (2.0%)
Pinoy Big Brother Unlinight (16.2%) vs. Dongyi (13.8%) vs. Anggulo (1.4%) / Aksyon Journalismo (1.4%)
Bandila (6.4%) vs. Saksi Liga Ng Katotohanan (7.7%) vs. Juicy! (1.2%)
Storyline (1.8%) vs. Born To Be Wild (4.9%) vs. Jojo A. All The Way!!! (0.2%)

January 12, 2012 (Thursday)

Daytime:

Gising Pilipinas (0.5%) / Kape’t Pandasal (1.1%) vs. Born To Be Wild (Replay) (1.1%)
Umagang Kay Ganda (4.7%) vs. Unang Hirit (4.8%)
Spongebob Squarepants (5.1%) vs. Detective Conan (7.2%)
Inazuma Eleven (5.0%) vs. Hunter X Hunter (8.8%)
X-Men The Animated Series (4.9%) vs. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (8.8%)
Kris TV (6.0%) vs. Bleach (10.3%) / Knock Out (10.6%)
Showtime (11.6%) vs. Kapuso Movie Festival (7.7%) / Chef Boy Logro Kusina Master (13.5%)
Happy Yipee Yehey! (9.9%) vs. Eat… Bulaga! (21.7%)
Heartstrings (7.1%) vs. Kokak (15.6%)
Angelito Batang Ama (9.8%) vs. Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin (18.0%)
Pinoy Big Brother Unliday (8.5%) vs. Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Langit (16.9%)
Reputasyon (12.0%) vs. Love You (9.9%)

Primetime:

Maria La Del Barrio (19.6%) vs. Daldalita (14.5%)
TV Patrol (27.7%) vs. 24 Oras (21.2%) vs. Wil Time Bigtime (8.9%)
Ikaw Ay Pag-Ibig (30.2%) vs. Amaya (24.9%)
Budoy (31.2%) vs. Munting Heredera (20.9%)
My Binondo Girl (30.2%) / Nasaan Ka Elisa? (27.3%) vs. Survivor Philippines Celebrity Double Showdown (17.6%) vs. Glamorosa (4.5%) / PS I Love You (2.3%) / Public Atorni (2.1%)
Pinoy Big Brother Unlinight (15.8%) vs. Dongyi (13.8%) vs. Aksyon Journalismo (1.1%)
Bandila (6.0%) vs. Saksi Liga Ng Katotohanan (6.9%) vs. Juicy! (0.8%)
Krusada (2.1%) vs. Rescue (3.0%) vs. Jojo A. All The Way!!! (0.2%)

Source: Kantar Media

‘Budoy’ and ‘Ikaw ay Pag-ibig’ Share Lead in Primetime Race Nationwide originally appeared on Starmometer on January 14, 2012.