Future of ‘Heroes’ paintings up for grabs

By Kimberly Nordyke
Nov 15, 2007

Looking for clues to the fate of the “Heroes”?  Three original paintings by artist Tim Sale featured in NBC’s hit series that foretell the characters’ future are part of an online auction launching Monday by NBC Universal Video, Music & Product Development and Delivery Agent in conjunction with the NBC Universal Online Store.

The auction, which can be found at www.NBC.com/auctions, will feature props, wardrobe items and other collectibles from NBC and Universal Media Studios series including “Heroes,” “The Office,” “30 Rock,” “Las Vegas” and “Friday Night Lights.”

The first group of items, which will be available to bid on through Dec. 3, also will include Michael Scott’s (Steve Carell) Timex watch and Hawaiian “Convention” shirt from “The Office”; a poker set used by the main cast of “30 Rock”; Tim Riggins’ (Taylor Kitsch) jersey, a signed football by three cast members and a megaphone signed by Minka Kelly from “Friday Night Lights”; and Danny’s (Josh Duhamel) signed Letterman jacket from “Las Vegas.”

A portion of the auction’s proceeds will benefit the United Way and its various partner organizations. Kim Niemi, senior vp at NBC Universal Video, Music & Product Development, said this marks the first time the company has launched an auction platform offering multiple items. She said they’ve been working for about a year to gather up the best items for the shows’ fans.

“We worked with the shows to identify props and wardrobe items and pieces that the fans are really excited about,” she said. “We have a great selection of dozens and dozens of items.”

Niemi added that each auction will last two weeks, with a new group of items becoming available about every three weeks.

Added Vivi Zigler, executive vp at NBC Digital Entertainment: “It’s great to host an event like this, where fans get to own a piece of their favorite show. It’s the ultimate interactive experience.”

United Way of American president and CEO Brian Gallagher noted the significance of the auction to his organization.

“We are delighted that NBC can leverage this exciting and unique online event to support the work of United Way to advance the common good and improve the lives of millions of Americans,” he said.

Added Delivery Agent CEO Mike Fitzsimmons: “As a valued partner, we are excited to deploy this interactive first-of-its kind auction for NBC. We strive to provide innovative tools for our partners to offer some of the coolest products to their dedicated viewers in new and exciting ways.”

Items From ‘Heroes,’ ‘30 Rock’ & More Being Auctioned Off For Charity

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (November 15, 2007) — NBC Universal Video, Music & Product Development and Delivery Agent, in conjunction with the NBC Universal Online Store, is set to launch a live online auction at NBC.com of select items from some of NBC and Universal Media Studio’s top shows, including “Heroes,” “30 Rock” and “The Office.”

The online auction powered by Delivery Agent, the leader in shopping-enabled entertainment for television shows, motion pictures, sports and music videos, kicks off today on NBC.com and will feature props, wardrobe items and other rare collectibles that were featured on an array of hit NBC shows. A portion of the auction’s proceeds will benefit the United Way and its various partner organizations.

Fans can log on to NBC.com/auctions and participate in the auction running from November 19 through December 3. The auction will feature items from the following NBC/Universal Media Studios shows: “Heroes,” “The Office,” “30 Rock,” “Las Vegas” and “Friday Night Lights.”

“This is a great way for fans to have a chance to own a piece of their favorite NBC shows” says Kim Niemi, Senior Vice
President, NBC Universal Video, Music & Product Development. “These are one of a kind items that cannot be found any where else, and it is fantastic that while doing this we are able to also support such a great charity organization like United Way“.

“NBC.com has become the gathering destination for show fans,” said Vivi Zigler, Executive Vice President, NBC Digital
Entertainment. “It’s great to host an event like this, where fans get to own a piece of their favorite show. It’s the ultimate interactive experience.”

“As a valued partner, we are excited to deploy this interactive first-of-its kind auction for NBC.” said Mike Fitzsimmons, CEO of Delivery Agent. “We strive to provide innovative tools for our partners to offer some of the coolest products to their dedicated viewers in new and exciting ways.”

Some of the featured items include three original paintings that were seen on the hit sophomore series “Heroes,” Michael Scott’s (Steve Carell) Timex watch and Hawaiian “Convention” shirt from “The Office,” and a poker set used by the main cast of “30 Rock.” Other items up for auction include Tim Riggins’ (Taylor Kitsch) jersey, a signed football by Zack Gilford and a mega phone signed by Minka Kelly as well as Danny’s (Josh Duhamel) signed Letterman jacket from “Las Vegas.”

For a complete rundown of what is being offered, log on to www.nbc.com/auctions

TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

Let TV Faves Provide Gift Ideas For Holiday Shopping
By John Crook
November 2007

Watching a favorite television show is always a good way to take a break from the stress of the oncoming holidays, but it also can serve as a source for helpful gift ideas for friends and family members on your shopping list.

Each fall, TV-related items are among the hottest holiday gift picks, with enough variety to please even the most discerning recipient.  From ABC, home of some of TVs biggest hits at present, comes a pair of items for couch potatoes who packed on some pounds watching Dancing With the Stars: a Dancing With the Stars Cardio Dance DVD and a book showing you how to jive,  samba and tango yourself into better shape. More sedentary types may go for the Dancing calendar or travel mug.

The Walker family does quite a bit of tippling on Brothers & Sisters, so ABC offers a Walker Landing Winery picnic set as well as a picture frame bearing the shows logo and, of course, the complete first season of the series on DVD, among several other items.  Fans of the top-rated Greys Anatomy can select from a line of cards and napkins from Hallmark, T-shirts, a magazine, calendar, soundtrack CD, trivia board game and season three DVD set.

If Lost is struggling a bit in the ratings, you’d never know it from the tie-ins shoppers can choose from, such as a canvas tote bag, Rubiks cube, T-shirt and notebooks all bearing the Dharma logo, action figures of the shows characters, a board game, calendar, puzzle, magazine and season three DVD’s.

The resurgent Desperate Housewives has inspired a Wisteria Lane spa wrap and bath bag, a cookbook, a CD-ROM game, third-season DVDs and a line of American Greetings cards.

If you know a fan who’s in the mood for Mode, check out the gift line from Ugly Betty, including a canvas tote, mug, T-shirt and DVD’s of the first season. And if Housewives, Brothers & Sisters and Betty dont max out your soap quota, consider the new calendar of hot guys from ABC soap operas.

CBS offers game show fans the new book Come On Down! Behind the Big Doors at The Price Is Right.

Fox viewers who are going through withdrawal waiting for the return of American Idol may get a fix from a new game, the American Idol Double Dance Showdown with headset microphone and hand-held microphone, and Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol for Playstation 2.

Also from Fox: the PC game Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?; a series of Fox Sports handheld games and a Tailgating Handbook; the tongue-in-cheek Family Guy: Peter Griffin’s Guide to the Holidays book; a soundtrack CD from House; Homer Simpsons slippers and a Simpsons edition of the vintage Clue board game.  One of the most noteworthy items in the NBC catalog is The Biggest Loser BodyBugg, the fitness system used on The Biggest Loser,  including a wireless communicator, two sessions with a phone coach or fitness trainer, a three-month online subscription to a Web site that tracks progress and other accessories.

Game show fans can enjoy playing 1 vs. 100” and Deal or No Deal in a variety of formats. There’s also a home version of The Singing Bee on DVD.

The success of Heroes has inspired a graphic novel spin-off from DC Comics, along with a Heroes lunchbox, drinking glass and season one DVD’s, while the equally acclaimed but ratings challenged Friday Night Lights also has a DVD set and soundtrack CD.

For that baby boomer and hard-core Saturday Night Live fan on your gift list, consider the Best of Saturday Night Live 10-DVD set or, on a more modest scale, a DVD of highlights from the 2006-07 season and a CD of musical performances from the series.

The Dwight Schrute bobblehead toy is an absolute must for any fan of The Office, and if you’re still wondering why 30 Rock snagged the Emmy as best comedy series several weeks ago, check out the first season on DVD.

NBC also offers Sounds of the Season CDs from musicians Elliott Yamin, KT Tunstall and Taylor Swift, plus a complete line of Veggie Tales books, toys, CDs and DVDs.

Also of interest to small fry, Nickelodeons popular Dora the Explorer inspires the Dora Saves the Mermaids DVD adventure and accompanying Sparkle and Twirl Mermaid doll, as well as a Dora Candyland CD-ROM game. Boys will go for the Go, Diego, Go! Safari Rescue DVD and accompanying Baby Jaguar toy or new Drake & Josh games for Game Boy Advance and Nintendo, as well as the first DVD release from the Nicktoons anime series Kappa Mikey.

Nick also offers several SpongeBob SquarePants items, including a digital camera and digital music player, a Monopoly CD-ROM game and season five DVD’s of the series, as well as a new CD and DVD from The Naked Brothers Band, a Wonder Pets: Save the Reindeer DVD adventure, Zoey 101” games for Game Boy Advance and Nintendo, and  for kids who prefer to do their own virtual shopping  Neopets cash cards to spend online.

Toys and kids products with a PBS tie-in include a Bob the Builder remote-control Scrambler; an I Love You Barney singing plush toy; a book and CD companion to the Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies preschool series.

If youre feeling a little retro, the vintage Alvin and the Chipmunks are still in vogue thanks to new games for both Playstation 2 and Nintendo formats.  Tweens and teens with iPods will appreciate two items from Cableorganizer.com: the CableYoYo Pop, which stores and protects iPod earbuds, and the earPod, which houses the wires in the plastic enclosure to keep them from getting tangled.

Ben 10” is the hot title from Cartoon Network this season, with the Ben 10 Deluxe Omnitrix, Diamondhead and Wildmutt metamorfigure toys. There’s also a new Pokemon Trading Figure Game. Season Three of Fraggle Rock is available from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, while MGM has released the animated The Pink Panther: A Pink Christmas.

Disney, as always, has an extensive line of kids products, including the Hannah Montana Singing Doll and pop star stage; a Disney Princess Enchanted Barbie castle and a Tea Time With Belle toy; the Cars Mega Mack Playtown; and the Little Einsteins Pat Pat Rocket. Disney also offers the family comedy Meet The Robinsons and the blockbuster High School Musical 2: Extended Edition DVD.

From Discovery Kids comes the diamond dust microscope for girls; a talking telescope; and two toys, Paz’s Lift-Off Rocket and Paz’s RC Big Red Fire Truck.  Other toys, DVDs and apparel based on popular children’s cartoons include an extensive line of Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake toys for tots; the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Party Van and Surveillance Don figure; a line of Teletubbies T-shirts; a Doodlebops dance mat, superstar drum set and keytar; a Dittydoodle Works DVD; The Wiggles: Getting Strong on DVD; and a Thomas and Friends Ultimate Christmas DVD, as well as a Thomas at Tidmouth Railway Station toy.

Of course, Discovery and its sister channels have an extensive line of appealing products for adults, too, headed by the stunning Planet Earth series on DVD, narrated by Sigourney Weaver (BBC Warner Video also has the series as it originally aired on the BBC, narrated by David Attenborough, so be sure you know which version you are buying). Also of note: Meerkat Manor slippers and the first two seasons of that popular Animal Planet series on DVD; the dazzling Blue Planet: Seas of Life DVD set; and, in conjunction with TLC, DVD sets of Miami Ink and Little People, Big World.  History Channel fans will enjoy DVDs from the Modern Marvels series, as well as Mysteries of the Bible, Cities of the Underworld and The History Channel Presents: The Civil War.  Of course, no documentary collection would be complete without Ken Burns recent and stunning The War, complete on DVD from PBS. Among outstanding music DVD releases, Bon Jovi: Lost Highway: The Concert includes 30 minutes of footage not seen in the recent A&E telecast.

Got a friend or relative who’s into vintage TV in a big way? Check out some of the new DVD mega-sets,  such as The Man From U.N.C.L.E.: The Complete Series, Here’s Johnny: The Definitive DVD Collection From the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Bob Hope Ultimate Collection: Special Edition, I Love Lucy: The Complete Series, Star Trek: The Complete Series, Roots: The Next Generation and The Complete Space: 1999 Mega-set. Other complete series DVD collections include more current titles such as Seinfeld, Northern Exposure, Twin Peaks, Gilmore Girls, Angel, Miami Vice, The O.C., The King of Queens, Stargate SG-1” and The X-Files: The Complete Collector’s Edition. Although it was recently canceled after only one season, The Dresden Files DVD set also offers plenty of spooky fun, while the Battlestar Galactica: Razor Unrated Extended Edition DVD will be a must for fans of that sci-fi cult hit.

New DVD titles aimed at Anglophiles include Benny Hill: The Complete Megaset, the first two seasons of the sexy Brit airline soap Mile High, season three of Doctor Who, Helen Mirren in Prime Suspect 7, season one of The Street and Hetty Wainthropp Investigates: The Complete Collection, sure to appeal to fans of both Patricia Routledge (Keeping Up Appearances) and Dominic Monaghan (Lost, Lord of the Rings).

Among blockbuster movie releases on DVD, pride of place goes to The James Bond Ultimate Collector’s Edition, but don’t overlook other promising prospects such as The Jason Bourne Collection, Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, Mr. Brooks, Knocked Up, Ratatouille and the 40th anniversary rerelease of The Jungle Book, among many others.  For that sports fan on your gift list, ESPN offers an X Games combo pack with skateboard, knee pads and elbow pads; an X Games Mini Shred Skateboard; a 21st Century trivia game; a collection of handheld games; decorative ornaments; and a series of books: 23 Ways to Get to First Base Uncyclopedia, Guide to Psycho Fan Behavior, The Best of X Games and Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship. If you’re still in sports mode, also check out the extensive vintage sports films now on DVD, including Baltimore Orioles Legends: Cal Ripken Jr. Collector’s Edition, Chicago Cubs Legends: Great Games Collector’s Edition, New York Yankees: 1977 World Series Collector’s Edition and several others.

Paramount Home Video is the place to go for some of the best in comedy on DVD, including seasons one and two of The Upright Citizens Brigade (look for a young Amy Poehler), The Best of the Colbert Report, The Roast of William Shatner from Comedy Central, South Park: The Complete Tenth Season, The Best of Chappelle’s Show Uncensored and season one of The Sarah Silverman Program, among others. If you prefer to go the audio-only route, Steven Wright’s I Still Have a Pony comedy act on CD is hard to beat, along with George Lopez’s America’s Mexican and Michael Ian Black’s I Am a Wonderful Man CDs. And, from HBO,
there’s season three of Entourage.

For reality TV fans, Bravo has an extensive line of Project Runway apparel items, ranging from a Nick Verreos Chop apron to a Tim Gunn necktie and T-shirts. And for those not content to sit and watch passively, DIY Network offers an extensive line of books such as DIY to the Rescue, Fresh Coat, Grounds for Improvement and Knitty Gritty Knits. If someone you know recently welcomed a new baby, you might want to consider the line of Fabulously Fit Moms workout DVDs (but it’s probably best to ask first). From Court TV, consider Murder by the Book: The Complete First Season.

Finally, if someone you know is still slack-jawed over the most startling series finale in recent TV history, HBO’s The Sopranos: Season 6, Part II on DVD will let you play that abrupt final jumpto- black over and over again.