Tonight, in EVERWOOD’S rightful place is the new CW show RUNAWAY. To be honest, this TV addict is still incredibly bitter about EVERWOOD’S CANCELLATION. Just wanted to hear from all the angry EVERWOOD fans out there, are you going to watch RUNAWAY?
Archives for September 2006
A Great Night of Television: Heroes Premieres & More
Tonight is an exciting night of TV, especially on NBC, where after a summer of hype, HEROES finally premieres (click here to read my HEROES Comic Con Report). Also on NBC, is the second episode of the brilliant STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP, and in this TV addict’s opinion, it’s better then last week’s premiere. Over on CBS, I’ll be watching HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER in the hopes that Marshall wins back Lilly, and PVR’ing (while I watch HEROES), the incomparable Elaine… sorry Christine, in the funniest sitcom with the worst title THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE. At 8PM, I’ll start off my night by watching America’s dumbest, nay, luckiest criminals (Michael Scoffield brilliant move to map out your whole plan on your body by the way) try and escape to freedom with five million dollars. Finally, in the category of ‘simply not funny’ is THE CLASS. Much to my chagrin, I simply haven’t found the first three episodes of this sitcom funny, and may only return when Sara Gilbert (Darlene from ROSEANNE) returns in future episodes.
Brothers & Sisters is Surprisingly Good
In spite of all the negative media buzz and behind the scenes changes, I still felt compelled to tune into last night’s series premiere of ABC’S BROTHERS & SISTERS. No, not for Calista Flockhart – rather to support ALIAS alum Ron Rifkin.
Thankfully, Rifkin’s character, Sloane, sorry… Saul Holden, is already up to his evil antics, mysteriously moving around [family] funds from the company pension plan. Rifkin’s character aside, I found myself surprised with how much I enjoyed last night’s premiere. The pilot was well acted and enough questions were raised to keep me hooked. Whether or not I stay tuned will depend on the quality of the story-telling, but with Greg Berlanti (EVERWOOD) at the helm, I have faith that the show will remain must watch throughout the season.
Desperate Housewives Returns
In last night’s third season premiere of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, narrator Mary-Alice had this to say about rain, “This is what rainy days are good for, they make everything clean again. Which is necessary on a street like Wisteria Lane, where everything can get so messy”
Reading between the lines, it sounds as if creator Marc Cherry was asking the audience to forgive him for a not-so-spectacular second season, while at the same time pronouncing that HOUSEWIVES is ready to take back the title of the ‘most-buzzed about show on TV’ (watch your back GREY’S ANATOMY).
Last night’s episode gave fans everything they should expect from a re-energized group of housewives. A new and intriguing mystery (so long Betty Applewhite!), a classic Bree moment (“I don’t do that — I’m a Republican!”), some phenomenal guest stars (properly used) including the always fantastic Laurie Metcalf (ROSEANNE), Dougray Scott and Kathryn Joosten (I love Mrs. Landingham) and finally, no Paul Young — His character and story sucked all the entertainment out of last season.
So far I’m loving Gabrielle’s battle of wits with her maid/surrogate Xiao-Mei. And was surprisingly not annoyed by Susan and her story with Mike ‘coma-boy’ Delfino. My only complaint about the episode is the Lynette/Tom storyline. Everytime ‘crazy’ Nora enters a scene I want to fast-forward my PVR. Even in TV land, no woman is that deluded to think she can just join a family like that. Let’s hope the writers have a plan to make Nora ‘disappear’ and soon. This is after-all Wisteria Lane and folks have a habit of disappearing all the time. Perhaps creepy Orson will take care of Lynette’s ‘Nora problem’ for us?
All this TV addict has to say is this: Marc Cherry, keep giving us episodes as fun as last night, and you won’t have to worry about opening season four with a mea culpa.
HEROES: Not Just for Comic Book Geeks
If creator Tim Kring had one super power, it would be the ability to ensure that all of America tunes into the series premiere of HEROES. Yet since Kring has yet to be affected by a total eclipse of the sun or an experiment gone terribly wrong, he’ll settle for getting this message across to television viewers across the country: “While HEROES tells the story of everyday people who have extraordinary powers, the show isn’t just for comic book fans,” he stresses. “We’re going for a much broader audience”
Ordinary people with super powers — sounds familiar right? But before you jump to Collusus-sized conclusions, know that HEROES is not an X-Men clone. In fact, Kring admits that he didn’t even read comic books as a kid. Instead, the inspiration for the NBC series — which debuts at 9 p.m. on Monday, September 25 — stemmed from two recent movies he fell head-over-heels in love with: THE INCREDIBLES and ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. In fact, with a multi-cultural, globe-spanning cast of characters linked together by a mysterious destiny, HEROES has more in common with another serialized TV drama you may be familiar with: LOST.
For viewers worried about diving into yet another complicated continuing drama, Krieg is quick to offer up assurances that HEROES focuses more on character than mythology. Chimes in star Greg Grunberg — who plays mind reader Matt Parkman — “We have a lot of fun as we discover what we can do with our powers. As I learn to better control my abilities in future episodes,” he continues, “I start to use [them] to better please my wife!”
Needless to say, with great power comes great responsibility. And as one might predict, Kring previews that not all of our budding heroes will use their powers for good. Guessing which characters will be drawn to the dark side of their powers is part of the fun… and not just for the audience. “There’s an honesty and immediacy to the performances when actor’s don’t know what’s going to happen next,” says Grunberg. Not that he wouldn’t love to have his character’s mind-reading ability… if only to reassure himself about the security of his job! “I’d love to be in Tim’s head and learn the future of the show,” the actor admits. “If an episode is titled, ‘Farewell To Parkman, I’ll know I’m in trouble!”
Got Questions for Degrassi’s Jamie Johnston and Lauren Collins?
In anticipation of DEGRASSI’S return to the airwaves for a sixth season (Fridays at 9PM on the N, starting September 29), the TV addict will be interviewing two of the show’s biggest stars. So if you’ve got any questions for JAMIE JOHNSTON (Peter) and LAUREN COLLINS (Paige), please post below or email theTVaddict at info@thetvaddict.com.
Degrassi Season 6 Scoop!
the TV addict recently bumped into a star of DEGRASSI TNG on the streets of Toronto (there’s one good reason about living in Canada eh!). That said, I was lucky enough to pick up some scoop about the upcoming sixth season. Highlight the white text below to discover what will happen to one of your favourite students.
One of our favourite Degrassi students will be stabbed this season by a student from a rival school.
TV Quotes of the Week!
This Week on TV
Hey tv fans! Are you enjoying the new fall season so far? I know I am! I’m keeping up fairly well so far, but unless something gets canceled soon, I may be in trouble this week! lol Let’s get to it!
Sunday starts the week off strong with quite a few new episodes. My personal picks are The Amazing Race, the 2-hour episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (they go to Alaska!), the season finale of Three Moons Over Milford and the premieres of Brothers & Sisters on ABC. You can also catch the season premieres of Cold Case, Without a Trace & Desperate Housewives along with new episodes of NFL Football: Denver Broncos at New England Patriots, The Simpsons, American Dad, Family Guy & The War at Home.
Televisions ‘Bad Boy’ Syndrome
Part of my Saturday morning tradition is watching FELICITY reruns on Canada’s W NETWORK (10AM EST). For over a year (four seasons in TV land), I’ve watched Felicity struggle with a new city, family, school and of course her personal life. Yet as we head into the fourth (and final) season, Felicity is still completely clueless as she struggles with the eternal question: Ben or Noel?
Now maybe it’s because I’m not a fifteen year old girl (even though my television viewing habits might make one believe otherwise!), but can someone please explain to me the appeal of the ‘TV Bad Boy’. How is Felicity, after four years, still debating between Ben or Noel? I don’t get it, what’s to debate? Noel is a smart, hard-working and clearly in love with Felicity — while Ben is a habitual screw-up, who’s constantly dealing with personal issues and never seems to be there for Felicity when she needs him.
Of course in Felicity’s defense, she’s not the only television heroine who happens to have a weakness for the ‘TV bad boy’. It just so happens that Neptune’s smartest sleuth, VERONICA MARS, isn’t so smart when it comes to her own love life. For some inexplicable reason, Veronica is still in love with one Logan Echolls — a trust fund baby with some serious anger-management issues. Hopefully when Veronica starts college, she’ll smarten up and find someone better suited for her. I wouldn’t count on it though — after four years of college, Felicity still can’t make a decision!