10 posts tagged “nbc”
With that rebel Jeff Zucker behind the monster truck wheel at NBC, the peacock network released it's lineup for the 2008-2009 season this week, a good six weeks before the traditional upfront presentations that Zucker has decided to shun (he's calling it an "infront," har-har). And since entertainment chief Ben Silverman is his navigator, that means there's some good, a lot of bad, and definitely some ugly on the roster. Aw, come on, it's been a while for the GBU, I can't help myself.
The Good
Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can't lose! For real, ya'll. NBC's deal with DirecTV is official for Friday Night Lights. As much as I knock Silverman, he did make season three happen. Kudos, Benji. Next season, thirteen episodes featuring the Dillon Panthers will appear on DirecTV's subscriber based 101 channel in the fall and then on NBC in 2009. Jason Katims hopes to get writers to work as soon as possible with production slated to begin in July. Well, barring a SAG strike. But this is good news, so let's not visit the recent breakdown between AFTRA and SAG.
ER will say goodbye after fifteen seasons. Finally.
Ian McShane is set to star in Kings, a show about "exploration of the timeless David vs. Goliath struggle." It will be strange to see Swearengen not swear on the telly.
Donal Logue is joining Life when it returns. Damien Lewis and Donal Logue. Redheads Rule! (not that I'm biased or anything)
Heroes and Chuck are still partnered as the pitch perfect antidote to my Monday blues.
Silverman's fave 30 Rock got a full season renewal. It even won a Peabody this week, so added to the awards it has garnered already this is not a real surprise, just good news.
The Bad
Knight Rider got a pickup. Consider kudos retracted, Silverman.
Scrubs is done at NBC after this season. That's a little sad but not the big bad. The badness actually concerns rumors that ABC may pick it up. I love Scrubs (watched so much I know dialogue) but isn't it time to end? Unless the remaining episodes at NBC can't send it off properly, just let it flatline already. Please, before I lose all luh-ove for it. Not even pitch perfect Dr. Cox and Turk can balance out the annoyance that has become JD any more. Doesn't Braff have a movie to direct with an "adult contemporary alternative" soundtrack featuring at least one whiny British dude, loads of acoustic guitar, and Imogen Heap? (And I say that as someone known to indulge in the guilty pleasure of whiny British dudes, acoustic guitar, and Imogen Heap).
A new mother-daughter sitcom called Kath & Kim starring Molly Shannon and Selma Blair. Does Molly Shannon look old enough to play Selma Blair's mom? That can't be their relationship, right? Eh, not generally a fan of either, especially Blair's wooden delivery.
Thursday Night Live, an extra special dose of political satire leading up to the elections. Really, the time we already spend together not laughing isn't enough? Let's take a guess as to what we'll see. Lots of Darrell Hammond doing spot-on impressions. Plenty of Amy Poehler. Seth Meyers trying to crack wise. And an extra dose of Samberg's SNL Digital Shorts. Yeah, only if there is a change in the balance of Kristen Wiig and Kenan Thompson appearances. She is a comedic goddess. Can't say the same for Good Burger.
Camelot? Merlin? Crusoe? Why does "original" programming seem to be such a turn-off for NBC?
The Ugly
Lipstick Jungle was renewed. I caught a repeat of it on Bravo late one Sunday night while trying to fall asleep. Twenty minutes and the Zs came easily. Not even for the love of Andrew McCarthy would I watch it again. And after I saw Pretty in Pink when I was eleven, I spent an entire Sunday night dinner at my grandparents staring at his picture in Teen Tiger Bop Beat Magazine. I also saw Fresh Horses and Mannequin in the theater. That's some stalkerific tween devotion right there.
They are planning a spin-off of The Office. Why? Duh, to mess with a good thing, of course! So do they consider the spin-off of a remake "original"? If you're interested in details, including a Will Arnett rumor (NBC, you evil bastards!), here you go. I only skimmed because I refuse to acknowledge it exists until production starts (lalalalala, I can't hear you!). Avoidant much?
In other telly news . . .
A little while ago, I read that Rob Thomas was developing a pilot for ABC in addition to Cupid Redux and writing the Recycling 90210 pilot (maybe "creative conservation" is an unclear-on-the-concept effort by the networks to go green). It is a go, according to E!'s TV Diva Kristin Dos Santos. This one is the remake (three makes you Remake Rob, my friend) of an hourly from New Zealand called Outrageous Fortune. The big news, though, is that Kristen Bell is in talks to star. Yeah, yeah, what about Heroes and Gossip Girl? Well, she isn't signed for too many episodes as Elle next season and she can literally phone in her XOXOs, right? In addition to KB, Rene Russo is rumored to be up for the role of her mother. Love her, she's smart, sometimes goofy, and can kick serious ass. Hmm, that sounds like casting perfection. Okay, Remake Rob, once again, I am your bitch, which is a good thing since it seems you are fighting for primetime domination.
CBS greenlit another series starring the lovely Simon Baker. Well, I guess being canceled twice doesn't mean squat when it comes to a contract. First The Guardian and then Smith, two CBS shows I enjoyed and not just for the Australian eye candy that is Simon Baker. (We won't mention how many times I've caught Something New on the HBOs or how I wish there was video on-line of The Daily Show interview during his scruffy summer hiatus talking about how he doesn't wear deodorant because he drinks so much water his super-hydrated sweat doesn't give off toxic fumes and I didn't bat an eyelash at the absurdity of it because his grin hypnotized me). Jonny Lee Miller was in Smith, too, heh. Anyway, The Mentalist is about a guy "who uses his special gifts to help the police as an independent detective." So a little like Psych without the yuk-yuks, I'm guessing. And Owain Yeoman. Sure, fine, whatever, I dig mysteries and, from time to time, like to wade in the shallow end (will it be paired with Moonlight?), so I'll check it out.
Clear eyes! Full hearts! Can't lose!
Looks like I can take down that light bulb in my sidebar. Nikki Finke is reporting that NBC teamed with DirecTV to air Friday Night Lights' third season "across multipurpose platforms." I imagine Coach's Follicles of Emotion are truly ecstatic that we'll get another season to see Taylor family dinners, the Panthers go for State again, Street become a father, Riggo stalk Lyla, Smash try to walk the walk in college, Saracen put the pieces of his heart back together, Julie sulk about something Tami/Eric/Matt/Baby Gracie did, and, hopefully, never see Landry and Tyra in another daytime drama-inspired storyline. Unless they want to "take out" Matt Czuchry's heinous bangs. That I can handle.
03/07/08 ETA: Okay, so we all know Nikki isn't always right. Remember her post about the positive talks early in the writer's strike, hinting they would end in time to give LaLaland a very merry generic holiday season? Yeah. TV Guide's awesome Michael Ausiello did some additional digging and he now reports that a deal is in the works. Still good news. E!'s Kristin Dos Santos posted a quote from Jason Katims, FNL showrunner, about the deal, optimism, and being too early in negotiations to cheer about a deal.
I read rumors that NBC might shop Friday Night Lights around a bit, maybe shove it onto another network like they did with L&O:Criminal Intent to little brother USA. This is the first legitimate mention I've seen about that possibility though. Still seems like a stretch, especially with the networks that execs are supposedly reaching out to.
NBC Looks to Keep 'Friday Night Lights' Burning
But then Taylor Kitsch just took a role in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Riggins getting his Marvel on as Gambit doesn't bode well for the show's immediate future.
Oh, and evidently the big boys at VH1 halted the campaign that Best Week Ever started to keep Friday Night Lights from getting NBC's boot in the ass.
Did VH1 Brass Kill Best Week Ever's 'Save Friday Night Lights' Campaign?
I usually don't participate in these campaigns. I still can't believe the peanuts drive worked for Jericho, although CBS may be thinking the same thing right now with recent ratings. I might sign a petition, send an e-mai, letters are very rare. But I will promote these campaigns so that others can participate if they wish, which is why I posted about it earlier. And I'm keeping the shiny light bulb in my sidebar. I like it.
But why block BWE from cheering for FNL? Viacom is still a member of the CBS family, so is it out of loyalty to Moonlight and CBS? Yeah, FNL was a true threat to CBS' Friday night ratings. Then there's the theory Defamer suggests that BWE and FNL both air on Friday nights. But not in the same time slot, so again, wha? I think it's cool and relevant that a show about pop culture would take an interest in, you know, pop culture.
The whole thing just reminds me of an e-mail rant a while back after trying to find a clip to send some friends of Patton Oswalt's hypothetical conversation with George Lucas as he conceived the Star Wars prequels (shovel to the head!). Long story short, I was peaved about having to find the clip on Comedy Central's site because my slow-ass connection hates their video format, yet loves the YouTube, and particularly loathes the commercials one must watch to get to the funny. Which lead to the writers' strike and the dispute over new media residuals. Then diverged to VH1 and MTV and their brand of reality show suckage. And finally me blaming Viacom for inflicting Heidi Montag, Queen of the F**kwits, on the world. Truly, an atrocious crime against pop culture. If only there was a High Court of Pop Culture, the world would never have been exposed to Heidi's homemade music video directed by Spencer Asshat Pratt. If only . . .
I have been in car repair hell for the past few weeks. Totally distracted by it and other crappiness of life which is why I haven't rambled lately, or finished and/or made a ramble public.
- Did you hear the WGA Strike ended? Yeah, I am so behind that I didn't even post a proper huzzah for the picketing scribes last week. Is a late huzzah better than no huzzah at all? If a huzzah falls in the blogosphere and nobody hollas a huzzah back, um, who cares. Word of the day: huzzzzzaaah. And, no, I am not committing am HUI, huzzah under the influence. Just like the word. Anyway, it's over and time will tell if the writers are truly happy with their deal, but I'm most stoked for all of those below-the-line crew members who can now step away from the Top Ramen with the production frenzy.
- With the strike over, a few of the networks were itching to announce happy news of the renewal-kind:
CBS: Yeah, I don't really watch the eye network which is why I'm sadly not surprised shows like The Big Bang Theory or Ghost Whisperer were renewed. And that's why I don't watch. The cheestastic Moonlight was not picked up but is going back into production. Same for How I Met Your Mother, the only other show I sometimes catch. Scratch that, I also have been charmed by the underrated The New Adventures of Old Christine from time to time (such a great cast). Obviously, execs will wait to see if Jericho's fans really can bring the ratings to keep it from facing the chopping block again. Liked it, didn't love it, but I wish any show with a devoted fan base much luck. Always root for the underdog!
NBC: Well, NBC decided to give newbies Life and Chuck another shot. Excuse me for a sec. Hell YEAH, Bartowski! And it will be lovely to see Damien Lewis get another chance too, ahem. Surprise, surprise they also picked up their only ratings hit, Heroes. As for Friday Night Lights, things look dim (never pardon my puns) for one of the best shows on the telly roster. But televisionaries Ben Silverman and Jeff Zucker know what they're doing, right? American Gladiators, Knight Rider, and Bionic Woman are the future of television. But those remakes, um, wouldn't that be, aren't they, is there such a thing as a re-future? Bionic Woman didn't work out so well, huh? Rewarmed 80s shows might not be the future after all. But then American Gladiators is a hit and gets another season (sigh). Way to uphold that shiny reputation, Silverman. Did we just update our spring wardrobe to the Sonny Crockett collection too?
ABC: The alphabet network renewed the usual ratings grabbing suspects: siblings, housewives, slutty surgeons, and flight 815. Newcomers include Dirty Sexy Money, Samantha Who?, and Pushing Daisies. Not a surprise that the Piemaker and his merry band of darlings will return, but I am interested to see if the show can continue to be charming without being gimmicky.
CW: Not to be outdone by the big boys, the CW announced when new episodes will air of its current shows. Wait, what? Did I miss the announcement? Other than the cancellation of CW Now, anything else, former-frog-now-just-green network? New episodes soon, alrighty.
-There are two online petitions to save Friday Night Lights. Click on the shiny light bulb at the bottom of my sidebar to head over to Best Week Ever's blog devoted to saving the show and sign their petition. They have tons of suggestions for showing your support as a member of the Dillon Panthers Booster Club (what will the assistants at NBC do with cases of light bulbs?). The folks at Save Friday Night Lights also have a petition and are raising funds for customized mini footballs to send to the network.
- Joel Surnow left 24. The show was its worst last season (hell, I can't even remember most of it) so maybe it's time for a little new life to creatively revitalize it. Probably the best for Surnow and the show. Wonder what it will be like without the ultra-conservative steering the wheel? Time will tell, dink dank, dink dank.
- Ausiello's strike chart is now being regularly updated as a post-strike chart for the RETURN of shows to the telly. Five new episodes of Gossip Girl.Oh, Little J, feel the wrath of B.
-Coming Soon: my Pro/Con list for watching Rock of Love II: Barbie Hair and Botoxxx Club for Middleaged Dirtbag and Women With Rock-Bottom Low Self-Esteem. Spoiler: much like the bimbos on this show, the Pros lose.
- This just went up at Radar's "The Idiot Box" earlier today. Seems they had a little one-on-one with NBC's Entertainment head honcho Ben Silverman at a launch party for Lipstick Jungle (ugh). And Ben Silverman loves the 30 Rock. Well, doy, it wins shiny awards that translate into advertising dollars, forget that it's fabulous and funny and helmed by TV's girl-geek-goddess Tina Fey (hey, I love that show, just sayin). This was obvious because he included it in each answer when asked about the future for Friday Night Lights.
I love it. You love it. Unfortunately, no one watches it. That's the thing with shows. People have to watch them. We're NBC, we have a reputation to uphold. And, man, with this writers' strike ... well, we'll see what we can do. But start watching 30 Rock.
True, the strike didn't help FNL. Being a critical darling (often the first nail in a show's coffin) with an incomplete season and a small audience doesn't bode well for any show. But if it hadn't been shoved to Friday night with the lame excuse of the show's name confusing people when it aired any other night (how stupid do you think viewers are?), it might have a chance at a larger audience. Changing time slots can be positive, but Friday at 9/8 pm is a killer for many shows, especially those looking for an audience, needing big numbers for survival. Although, competitors Women's Murder Club and Moonlight somehow manage to do so (I know!). I hate it when execs put out a hit out on a good show.
- Also at NBC, president and CEO Jeff Zucker announced that the peacock network is ditching upfronts and pilots. With more networks moving to year-round programming, the upfronts announcement is not a surprise. And why trot out your fall schedule to advertisers with such fanfare when so much changes? Apart from the fact that a lot of people get good work during the pilot season, I've never really understood the point of network-produced pilots.They rarely represent the show that ends up being produced and most of them don't even make it to a schedule. If it does, so many changes occur between the pilot and the first episode, they often barely resemble each other. Putting more into the first six episodes of a show seems like a logical move, economically and creatively. Maybe a small mini-pilot, such as the Veronica Mars season four FBI pitch, would be a good compromise for those not willing to ditch pilots completely. But the industry doesn't always embrace change (looking at you, studio system), so we'll have to see if it catches on.
- So, I missed all of In Treatment this week. After Tell Me You Love Me, I'm not psyched to watch a show about therapy sessions, but for Gabriel Byrne, I'm willing to give it a whirl. Although, I may not make it through "Jake and Amy" because of the possibility for Tell Me You Love Me redux (or reflux, depending on how you look at it). For those who missed it, HBO is airing all the episodes in "Week One" marathons this weekend, HBO2 on Saturday night and on HBO Sunday evening.
- For some Lost giggles, check this out. The gals at Jezebel figured out that their relationship with Lost is much like one with an abusive boyfriend, complete with indicators from the National Domestic Abuse Hotline. Ah, I remember that feeling. It's okay, you're not alone, all TV-geeks go through it at least once. Hee.
Last night while watching Chuck and Heroes, basking in new programming while I still can, I caught at least one promo for NBC's brand spankin' new show, American Gladiators. What? Oh, right, it's not new new; it's revamped. Better than new. If you say so, NBC. Did you see the first version?
I remember reading a call for PAs not long ago for American Gladiators and wondering (a) why this show was being brought back to life and (b) how that gig would really bite and/or be a story to tell. I completely forgot that Laila Ali would host, which I guess she can thank her stint on Dancing With the Stars for (Ian Ziering is doubling his daily self-tanner in case Double Dare calls). And Hulk Hogan will co-host. Well, he does need to increase the cash flow with looming alimony payments that will keep Linda in mascara and puppy massage therapists (damn you, VH1!).
My point? This is what we have to look forward to if the WGA strike continues for months and months. The sad thing is NBC obviously had this one in the works. The strike may have inspired execs to push production earlier this fall (I'm guessing it was slated for summer), but it was still developed before a strike was certain. So AG actually had more thought behind it then a spring filler show will most likely have. That's scarier than Bret Michaels without his bandana. We can look forward to worse programming than a revival of a crappy '90s competitive "gameshow" that originally appeared in weekend syndication with the objective of civilians trying to best Chippendale Gladiators using giant Q-tips while on a balance beam (or so I heard, ahem). Now that's quality, NBC. The more you know. The less I want to?
I'm going to give this whole brevity thing a whirl, but don't expect miracles overnight. So this one may be shorter, but it's Friday and Sunday, not the biggest nights for the networks. Here we go:
Friday
The New Kids
Luckily, Moonlight debuts on CBS a week earlier than Friday Night Lights. I feel that Joss Whedon's Angel took the Forever Knight-ish concept in such a fabulous direction, there was no need to revisit it so soon. Moonlight screams canceled-after-four-episodes disaster. Retooled, recast, rescheduled, and promoted with a cheesy faux-interview with a vampire (wink-nudge, get it? Marketing genius, I tell you!), critics only very recently got to review the new pilot. The news, she ain't good. David Greenwalt took over and promptly ditched showrunner duties due to "exhaustion." Caused by "ginormous headache and general pain in the ass"? The-sneaky-bastards-that-be (looking at you, Joel Silver.You know you love it.) hooked the VM audience by bringing in Jason Dohring as a fanged one with supreme wealth. Please, give him loads of worthy snark. In interviews, Dohring invoked (by way of publicists, I'm sure) the name of Logan Echolls, one of my favorite characters created for television. Dirty trick, dude (give the publicist a raise.) So that's a long meandering way of me saying I expect it to disappoint, don't hold much hope it will get better, but I am still going to check it out. And engage in my own MST3K-style commentary.
On ABC, Women's Murder Club. Well, I know nothing other than Angie Harmon and Dead Like Me's Laura Harris are in the cast. Ugh, Brett Ratner is executive producer. Oh, right, Joe Simpson, the man responsible for Jessica and Ashlee still getting work and being hounded by the paparazzi he alerts, also has some connection that garnered a production credit. That should be enough.
The Old Gang
I did not want to watch Friday
Night Lights but dammit-to-hell,
Bravo! sprang a marathon on me one Saturday afternoon last Spring. Hello, we've
met, I'm a marathon whore. It's charming, what can I say. Sorry, Dohring,
but Kyle Chandler won me over many moons ago as Jeff on Homefront so he's got seniority. Plus, I have to see how the
college players respond to his mood ring-like follicles of extreme emotion. A show that centers around Friday night football airing on Friday nights during football season seems riskier than a two-point conversion though.
I just cannot believe Ghost Whisperer is on season three. Just had to say that. Hey, maybe Moonlight does have a shot on CBS then?
Sunday
The New Kids
Nada. Besides the musical produced by Hugh Jackaman on CBS, Viva Laughlin, in late October. Speaking of shows that spell disaster. . . Still grateful Rob Thomas didn't take the gig to run this baby. My loyalty is shaky as is, bud.
The Old Gang
Dexter. Dexter. Dexter.
Not as overlooked as The Wire, true,
but why do the Emmy voters not see how amazing Michael C. Hall is? That's criminal. He was so damn good as David on Six Feet Under, but Dexter is in a whole other league. The promos featuring INXS' "Devil Inisde" are kind of a weird way to link it with Brotherhood, though.
I may have thrown up a little when I heard Nathan Fillion joined Desperate Housewives. I haven't watched since mid-season one after the hype-smoke cleared to reveal irritating characters and stupid stupid plotlines. At least
he's hitched to Dana Delaney, and I hope will only hang out with the Scavos. Maybe at least one scene with the new gay couple on Wisteria Lane? When I watched daytime schlock many many moons ago, One Life to Live was a flavor of the month and Tuc Watkins
(Beggars and Choosers, you deserved a longer life) and Nathan Fillion's characters had such an entertaining hate-hate relationship.
VM Count: 2; For the week: 9. Oh hell, let's make it an even 10. John Enbom, another VM writer and half of the Klembom writing team, is working on The Sarah Connor Chronicles which FOX pushed to early 2008 now. Yeah, that works. Okay, I'm done with those now. Promise.
Let's just cut to the chase and see what Wednesday and Thursday have on their TV-trays for Fall 2007 Again, check out Futon Critic's guide for scheduling details.
Wednesday
The New Kids
ABC's Pushing Daisies is
the show that seems to be on everyone's must-see list. Critics either like it or love it. Those who only like it say
it may be too quirky and stylized. Promos remind me of Dead Like Me meets Edward
Scissorhands. Or even Big Fish. All have a special place in my heart, so consider me prepared to be fully twitterpated next week.
An hour after Daisies, following the Shondafication of Hump Day (why isn't Grey's on Wednesdays too then?), is Dirty Sexy Money. Originally, I was only interested in this show because my favorite VM scribe Diane Ruggiero got a gig with it, but she's since jumped over to Big Shots. Well, here's hoping Peter Krause can make me forget my Six Feet Nate-Hate and remember my Sports Night Casey-Love. This may be my cheesy-soapy-goodness show for the season.
Bionic Woman. Sigh, NBC, I'm still not sold on it enough to watch it live, although it sounds like Michelle Ryan gives one hell of a performance. Following is Life. I will admit, Damien Lewis on my TV every week is quite the effing draw, but it will be recorded for the weekend.
Gossip Girl also repeats on Sundays. It's not on my A-list by any means, but I will probably catch the soap again.
The Old Gang
The second episode of ABC's Grey's spawn, Private Practice, is supposedly worse than the pilot that aired last Spring. Wow. Marti Noxon as showrunner makes it tough to say no; Kate Walsh's hypnotic auburn locks that turn me red with envy could trick me into catching a few minutes; but for the love of Paul Adelstein, Taye Diggs, Tim Daly, and Chris Lowell (I adore this kid and think he got the shaft on VM, shoehorned into a tragically awful love triangle mooning over Miss Mars instead of getting to be a real, live boy), it's probably just-say-no time for me. Sorry, Amy Brenneman.
Thursday
The New Kids
ABC brings
Michael Vartan back to the telly with Big Shots. Vartan, people. But reviews of the pilot are so bad that TV Guide's Michael Aussiello even invoked the word "abysmal" for it in this week's spoiler chat. I will probably give it a whirl once the season progresses because many of
the VM peeps are working on it, including Rob Thomas as a consulting producer and, as
previously mentioned, Diane Ruggiero. Also, Charisma Carpenter just signed on for a recurring stint. Here's to her stealing scenes from the boys as the delightfully devilish bitch she portrays so damn well.
The Old Gang
Old habits are hard to break and NBC's Thursday night comedy lineup is one of mine. Once they all became single-camera shows with no laugh tracks, this sitcom snob couldn't resist. I needed more chuckles in my diet. This week, there are one-hour episodes of My Name is Earl and The Office. 30 Rock slowly grew on me, although I still rarely watch an entire episode and find Tracy Morgan annoyingly unfunny. Scrubs will be back in a few weeks for its final season, which, although I do love it, wish had happened last season.
Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy return in the same time slots
to battle NBC's lineup. Ugly Betty is fun, but I really don't get the hype. America Ferrera, hell yes. The show, not so much.
Smallville returns
for season seven with Clark
and Lex as enemies, no more of that frenemy bullshit, bitches. And thanks
to promos, we know
that Super Girl stops by for a visit. Yeah, I never watch it, but I know people who do.
And then we have Supernatural.
I'm no fangirl, and I don't always catch this show, but I do love it and will probably try to regularly watch it. The Winchester Boys, Demons, and Metallicar, outstanding combination.
VM Count: Only 3!
Okay, Fall, you and I do not have a good relationship. Your arrival means the farewell of my bestest buddy, Summer, as well as shorter days, dead leaves, and drab colors that I cannot wear. (Just because pumpkins are harvested this season, must we dress like them?) And you're pals with Winter, which does you no favors because it gives me cold days, no leaves, no flip flops, and seasonal affective disorder. But Fall, you do also bring newbies for the small screen. And provide an excuse to eat candy and watch horror flicks called Halloween. For those gifts, I cannot hold a grudge.
Since the upfronts last May, shows have been retooled and recast, scheduled and promoted.
And in the next few weeks, based merely on a handful of viewers that actually have Nielsen
boxes, some will be declared a screaming success while others may
struggle to get a full season pickup or, worse, get the axe. And as well all know, quality is not always a deciding factor. At least this season I don’t have to hold my
breath to see if Veronica Mars got decent numbers in it's target demo. Sigh. (Let's see how many times I manage to bring it up this week. Count at the end!).
This season I am on the hunt for a new favorite. I also retired Grey's Anatomy as my cheesy-soapy-goodness, and Private Practice is definitely not in the running. Hmmmm, so many shiny new shows (check out the Futon Critic's guide, it rocks). I didn't even watch any online because I want to see the debuts live. Let's take a look at what Monday and Tuesday offer.
Monday
The New Kids
ABC's amnesiac comedy Samantha Who? has some great actresses in its cast including Christina Applegate (Samantha), Jean Smart, Jennifer Esposito, and Melissa McCarthy. Chicks with serious comedic gifts. When it premieres in October, it doesn't have an easy time slot against Heroes. I'll probably record to watch later.
Have you heard about Chuck? I haven’t seen a single ad for it. In the last two minutes. NBC is really promoting this bad boy. Josh Scwhartz created it, Zachary Levi stars, and VM's Phil Klemmer contributes his talents to scripts. Oh, and Adam Baldwin too. Yeah, I'm there. This is supposed to be a breakthrough role for Levi. I don't doubt it. His Kipp and Andrea Parker's Lydia were the only reasons I rarely tuned in to Less the Perfect even though Sara Rue is incredibly charming. Speaking of charming, I read an interview with him during Perfect that confirmed why I adored such a snitty character; it's the actor. So I'd watch it even without the hype.
The peacock network's time traveling Journeyman doesn't grab me but I am intrigued. Eh, that's alright. I really don't need or want to watch three hours of telly in one night.
Big Bang Theory on CBS. Kaley Cuoco got another primetime gig. Nope.
K-Ville debuted last week and the buzz is not good. Reviving the buddy-cop show in the era of procedural crime dramas. Setting that show in an area that is still in such turmoil two years after a devastating disaster. That adds up to quite the programming gamble. But I just found out a friend of a friend got a callback for it so here's hoping FOX doesn't yank it after only a few episodes. coughDrivecough. Such a nasty habit, FOX.
The Old Gang
Heroes was renewed. With the skyrocketing ratings and the mostly deserved hype, it really was touch and go for a nanosecond. Whew, I'm glad I caught up on the show before last season's finale. Kristen Bell and Alias' David Anders joined the cast for season two's superpower hijinks. And even though they will not be sharing scenes (based only on casting info.), Veronica Mars and Sark on the same show! Sneaky, sneaky, NBC. Because although I really enjoy Heroes, I still don't get the hype, but now resistance is futile.
Prison Break, you completely lost me at T-bag's severed hand reattachment at a vet's office. Oy. Best of luck in your Panamanian prison adventures, boys.
I like How I Met Your Mother. It's not appointment TV, but I dig it from time to time. In the season premiere, Mandy Moore and Enrique Iglasias guest as Ted and Robin's respective rebounds.
Tuesday
The New Kids
Cavemen. Carpoolers. Cashmere Mafia. Fact: I will not watch ABC on Tuesday nights.
Cane. Sorry Jimmy Smits and Nestor Carbonell, I only have room for one cheesy-soapy-goodness drama and your soap about a family of Cuban-American sugar moguls is most likely not it. I prefer some crazy with a dash of funny to be key ingredients so I'm betting on ABC's Dirty Sexy Money instead, but more about that in the next installment.
The CW's Reaper has gotten the stamp of approval as best new comedy from critics. Kid's soul was sold to the Devil by his parents before he was born. Turning twenty-one means kid must fulfill his destiny as Satan's bounty hunter. The premise could go very wrong, so it impresses me that it evidently has done the opposite. Kevin Smith directed the pilot. Bret Harrison gets to show off his comedic chops as the lead, Sam. And Twin Peaks' Leland Palmer, Ray Wise, is expertly cast as the Devil. Even without my Tuesday Mars Fix, it looks like it will be the same bat time, same bat channel on Tuesdays for me. Sneaky, sneaky, CW bastards.
The Old Gang
Here's the rundown on those returning that I will not be watching:
Bones. Despite David Boreanz, I just can't watch Emily Deschanel.
House. Despite the fabulous Hugh Laurie, I've been over the formula since season two.
L&O: Special Victims Unit. Despite Christopher Meloni, I'm two blocks past over for L&O anything.
Nip/Tuck. Despite devilish Julian McMahon, I stopped caring three seasons ago.
NCIS and The Unit. Despite, well, nothing, never seen them, don't watch CBS much.
So Tuedays will actually be a free night to get actual things accomplished with a little Reaper break. Good to know. That's why I plan ahead. Because it looks like Wednesdays are a goner. . . .
VM count: 4
What's the what with the new fall lineup on NBC? Well, clickity-click for the complete schedule, or just read the following to see what's has this tv-geek all a-twitter.
What's new?
Seems like they are going to surf the sci-fi wave and capitalize on Heroes' success (no, I don't watch; yes, I tried to watch; because I adore Greg Grunberg; uh-huh, I'm sure it is amazing). There's a show about a bionic woman aptly named Bionic Woman, a timetraveler drama called Journeyman, and a comedic hour-long from The O.C.'s Josh Schwartz about a techie who downloads the CIA database into his noggin called Chuck. I'm intrigued by the latter because The O.C. was my snarky soapy goodness indulgence until mid-season-two (and again in season four), one thing I did like about Less Than Perfect was Zachary Levi, and it reminds me a skosh of Jake 2.0, which I enjoyed the few times I've caught repeats on Sci-Fi. They've also added Life (a cop/prison drama), The IT Crowd (retooling another BBC show), and Lipstick Jungle (Brook Shields takes Manhattan in a power suit). I'll probably catch The IT Crowd if it is as smart as The Office.
What's old?
Thursday night's shows are returning. My Name is Earl and 30 Rock take over the funnies for the first hour. The Office moves to 9/8 pm. Contrary to rumors, The Office will remain a half-hour show but there will be four one-hour specials. I wasn't thrilled about that rumor. The Office is a favorite must-see but even I grow weary of Michael Scott's cringe-worthy antics sometimes, especially in the super-sized episodes. Plus, how many stories could they stretch into an hour without viewers losing interest? Scrubs returns to NBC instead of defecting to ABC for it's last season. Even ER will be back on Thursdays, hopefully for it's last season (pleeeeeeaaaase). Other shows returning that I care about watching: Friday Night Lights (but on Friday nights so anyone actually at a Friday night game in the fall will miss it). Yeah, that's all
What's gone?
Crossing Jordan (really, it is still on the air), Studio 60 (like Matt and Danny, too self-absorbed and whiny for its own good), The Black Donnellys (never have an unreliable narrator who doesn't even witness most of the tales he spins),
Raines (I got a kick out of Jeff Goldblum in this role). Seems they are moving L&O: Criminal Intent to USA, which although I no longer watch any of that franchise, I'm all for keeping the great Vincent D'Onofrio on the small screen.
What about reality? I don't do network reality shows. Okay, I have one exception. Project Runway. But that's on Bravo.
