Good News: NBC is said to be in serious discussions with regards to developing a spin-off of THE OFFICE. Bad News: No, Mindy Kaling’s Kelly Kapoor is not getting her own show (Hat Tip: @jfuentes), but rather Rainn Wilson’s Dwight “Only enjoyable in small doses” Schrute. [Source]

Good News: Actor Jason O’Mara has some pretty concrete ideas when it comes to improving TERRA NOVA should the show be fortunate enough to see a second season. Bad News: None of which involve hiring a more competent writing staff. [Source]

Good News: On January 12th, COMMUNITY star Danny Pudi and wife Bridget welcomed happy and healthy twins into the world. Bad News: Based on NBC’s ever-expanding development slate, we suspect Pudi will have an awful lot of time to play “Daddy” come fall. [Source]

Good News: According to The Internet Move Database LOST, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER and DEXTER were among the top 10 most viewed television series of the past decade. Bad News: Joining them on the list were HEROES, GLEE and GOSSIP GIRL. [Source]

COMMUNITY Fans: Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid.
While NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt was quick to reinforce the fact that COMMUNITY has (a) not been canceled, and (b) will return to the air at a date to be determined in the Spring, he was slightly less forthright when asked about the potential of a fourth season. Translation: Fans of Greendale Community College should pretty much expect to hold their breath until the last possible moment (Read: the annual May Upfront) when a decision on the show’s future (or lack thereof) will be made based on NBC’s scheduling needs and pilot development.

“Sexytime” is coming to SVU
In a not-so-subtle attempt to re-energize the waning interest in NBC’s once dominant LAW & ORDER franchise, Greenblatt enthusiastically introduced a clip of SVU series star Mariska Hargitay expressing excitement for the show’s latest guest star Harry Connick Jr., who will be joining the show for a 4 episode arc as an assistant deputy attorney and love interest for Benson.

13 might be the new 22
In news that sure as heck won’t come as music to the ears of any of our fellow TV Addicts reading this, Greenblatt — whose previous job was that of President of Showtime Entertainment — spent an inordinate amount of time pointing to the advantages of cable. More to the point, Greenblatt foresees a day when the Networks move to more of a cable model with… wait for it… shorter seasons! “I don’t know if every show benefits from 22 episodes stretched across 9 months with all kinds of repeats,” said Greenblatt. “I think there are going to be some shows that benefit from compacted schedules and putting them on either in the fall or spring and the resting them and bringing them back the following year,”

NBC’s Fall was a Disaster
While news of NBC’s less that successful Fall probably won’t come as much of a surprise to all seventeen of you who sampled THE PLAYBOY CLUB, PRIME SUSPECT or FREE AGENTS, Greenblatt was very open about the Network’s lacklustre start to the season. And while he was quick to voice his support for the likes of WHITNEY, UP ALL NIGHT and GRIMM, he wasn’t shy about expressing his disappointment in PRIME SUSPECT (“Maybe I should just blame the hat and move on”), THE PLAYBOY CLUB (“It was just a rejected concept”) and FREE AGENTS (“Great elements don’t always equal a hit show”).

SMASH isn’t the be all or end all
Despite what the increasingly ubiquitous marketing campaign might have you believe, the fate of NBC’s midseason schedule doesn’t rest solely on SMASH’s shoulders. True, enough money to feed a mid-sized developing country has been put aside to market the show, and yes, very soon you won’t be able to turn on your television without hearing Katharine McPhee belt “Beautiful”, that said, expectations remain realistic. Said Greenblatt, “I think SMASH is going to be very important to us. I don’t believe it’s a make it or break it kind of show for us, but I think we’re proud of it and excited about what it could do.”

When we first got wind of Louis CK’s plan to disrupt the traditional means of distributing content by offering up a brand new standup special for an affordable through his personal website louisck.net, our first thought was where do we sign-up? Our second thought — after eagerly handing over our $5 to CK via a hassle free payment system and enjoying his unique brand of self-deprecating and hilarious humor was — could this business model work for the rest of Hollywood?
 
It’s a question we’ve actually been pondering for quite some time when we weren’t otherwise occupied scanning our Twitter feed for increasingly painful-to-read tweets from the clearly disheartened creators of COMMUNITY (@danharmon) and COUGAR TOWN (@vdoozer). Both of whom who have been forced to helplessly standby as their respective Broadcast Networks quietly begin to withdraw their support for their critically acclaimed albeit ratings anemic shows under the very watchful eye of new leadership. Could a model that saw Louis CK’s loyal fans numbering 100,000 (and counting) generate upwards of half a million dollars (and counting) for the privilege of receiving a fantastic piece of DRM-free entertainment at a drastically reduced price work to save a struggling show such as a COMMUNITY or COUGAR TOWN?  Well, after much thought and a little bit of number crunching we’ve come to this conclusion that, well, it’s just not that simple.

Forgetting for a moment that CK’s one-hour standup special which requires a limited crew and no writing staff or actors to speak of is an entirely different animal from a single camera comedy that undoubtedly employs hundreds of talented people both in front and behind the camera, consider the following: If your average episode of COMMUNITY or COUGAR TOWN costs around 2 million dollars an episode to produce, one would need to raise 26 million dollars for a 13 episode season (Note: We’re dreaming small here!). Divide that 26 million by $32.50 (Ie: The cost of 13 episodes at $2.50 per piece) and what you’re left with is 800,000 contributors needed to turn this pipe-dream into a reality. And while we don’t pretend to know whether or not that many people would be willing to shell out that kind of money on top of their already over-stretched entertainment dollar (see: cable bills, internet access, Netflix, Video Games and what have you) we sure as heck would love for a talent like Bill Lawrence or Dan Harmon to find out. 

And not just because the talented twosomes’ tweets are increasingly sounding like a desperate cry for help. But rather because, as the likes of Radiohead already illustrated in the music world and CK just did in the comedic one, it’s going to take a talent with an already established and fiercely loyal following to leverage the power of their audience to make something like this work. Of course, herein lies the crux of problem. While it’s easy to casually add up a few hundred thousand fans, multiply some random dollar figure by a number of episodes and scratch your head and wonder why [insert your favorite showrunner] hasn’t given [insert your least favorite network] the proverbial middle finger and gone out on his (or her) own. One mustn’t discount the role the giant media conglomerate has played in the success of the show you love so dear.

A passionate fandom is not built in a vacuum. The likes of NBC, CBS and their respective production partners have sunk millions upon millions of dollars into creating, promoting and nurturing these shows over the course of the past three years. Thus, the question isn’t so much whether you’d pay to keep COUGAR TOWN or COMMUNITY alive, but if you’d be willing to pony up $32.50 for Bill Lawrence or Dan Harmon’s next untitled project that may-or-may-not star Joel McHale or Courteney Cox. Just a little something everyone needs to remember before you go about starting that Kickstarter campaign.

This week in Awesome: Not only did PARKS AND RECREATION have Leslie taking a page from FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS’ Coach Eric Taylor (“Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose”) in an effort to inspire the troops, the episode’s final scene that saw her hard-working staff dedicate the next few months of their lives to her election campaign was this close to having us standing up and cheer, “I serve at the pleasure of the President.”

You’re a Mean One, Mr. NBC: Indeed, nothing says cruel and unusual punishment like forcing fans to watch another exemplary episode of COMMUNITY all the while knowing full well that this may be the last time we see it on the air for God knows how long!

Most Controversial Moment: Despite the internet being fiercely divided over this week’s highly contentious episode of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER that removed the possibility of Robin ever having biological children of her very own, there is one thing anyone would be hard-pressed to argue about: Having attracted the show’s highest ratings in two years, the show’s writers must be doing something right.

The Biggest Loser: Judge Nicole Scherzinger, who after crushing the dreams of 14-year old Rachel Crow on Thursday’s edition of THE X FACTOR couldn’t muster even a word or two of an explanation. Weakest link much?

Biggest Head-scratcher: While we’re usually the first to commend those smarter-than-your-average-showrunners over at THE GOOD WIFE for sharp storytelling and believable character development, we feel the need to take them down a peg based on Sunday’s comedy of errors in which daughter Grace was presumed kidnapped having accidentally butt-dialled mother Alicia. To borrow a line from SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE’s Seth and Amy, “Butt-dialing… 12 times… Really?”

From the Department of Thou Shalt Covet Objects From Thy Favorite TV Set: Is anyone else obsessed with the Victoria’s Grayson’s mesmerizing black and white chair on REVENGE? Or are you — as you should be — too busy counting down the days until the new season’s guiltiest pleasure returns?

Most Unexpected Moment: Question: When is the only acceptable time for a transgendered person to get into a fight with two grown men? Answer: On Tuesday’s hilarious RAISING HOPE, which now that BETTER OFF TED has been put to bed, is quietly solidifying itself into the funniest show you — yes YOU — aren’t watching.

Occupy Ustream: A company with far too much disposable income on their hand has apparently offered Octomom Nadya Suleman six-figures to star in her own weekly internet show to be broadcast on Ustream.

Adding Insult to Industry: Despite announcing that the incredibly unfunny MAN UP! is being yanked from their schedule, ABC has yet to throw COUGAR TOWN a bone. Deciding instead to fill the space with repeats of Tim Allen’s LAST MAN STANDING. Ouch!

And the Award for the Hardest Working Man in Show Business Goest To…: Mark Pellegrino, who following stints this year on CSI:MIAMI, BEING HUMAN, BREAK OUT KINGS, THE CLOSER, SUPERNATURAL, and LOCK & KEY will end the year by infusing a little ruthlessness into CASTLE’s 1940′s film noir episode. Speaking of which…

Funniest Moment: Five days after the fact, we’re still chuckling over Castle’s suggestion to Beckett that the only way they’re going escape being cuffed together was for her hand to be sawed off 127 Hours-style because “it’s smaller.”

Good News: PAN AM finally became a trending topic on Twitter. Bad News: Thanks to the confusion surrounding its current status, which in case you’re wondering, has ABC officially claiming that the show is still in contention for a second season despite having just shortened its first season to 14 episodes. [Source]

Good News: In an effort to reverse its recent ratings decline, GLEE is currently negotiating with a big name musical talent for an upcoming guest spot in early 2012. Bad News: Ricky Martin was a “big name musical talent” in 1999. [Source]

Good News: Thanks to its fervent internet based fandom, COMMUNITY has won TV Guide Magazine’s 2011 Fan Favorite Award. Bad News: For TV Guide Magazine’s slightly older subscriber set, which upon receiving the issue in their mailbox were rumored to have been heard uttering the words, “What’s a Community?” [Source]

Most Abused Character: THE WALKING DEAD’s Daryl was thrown from a horse, fell onto an arrow and down a cliff (twice), survived a zombie attack and was shot in the head… by one of his pals. Suddenly, your sucky Monday isn’t looking so bad, huh?

Thanks For the Warning: Mr. Julie Chen — aka CBS prez Les Moonves said that TWO AND A HALF MEN could run for “many, many” years.

The “Enough Is Enough” Award Goes To… : THE RIKKI LAKE SHOW, set to debut this fall. Because what the country needs is yet another chat-fest.

Show Most Deserving Of A Rescue Effort: NBC’s COMMUNITY is the thinking man’s sitcom and the dumb dude’s chance to feel smart.

Silliest Theory: Fox News suggested that GLEE is suffering because of a focus on stories over music. The reality? GLEE is suffering a ratings decline because the stories stink.

Funniest Cold Open: Despite genuinely heartwarming and hilarious episodes of RAISING HOPE, MODERN FAMILY and HAPPY ENDINGS this week, THE OFFICE’s cold-open that showcased the extent to which Pam and Jim would use their “Baby on Board” to their advantage was the only thing that prompted an honest-to-goodness laugh-out-loud moment from us (Think water bottle, duct tape and any excuse to get out of a meeting!)

Most Unnecessary Return: DEXTER already spends enough time talking to his dead dad. Did we really need his dead brother putting in appearances, too?

Best On Screen Meltdown: Little Sydney Braverman made up for her season long disappearing act on this week’s PARENTHOOD a classic meltdown that — if we do say so ourselves — was a little too reminiscent of a certain TV Addict’s childhood.

Most Unexpected Twist: With its penchant for twists we didn’t see coming, Sunday’s HOMELAND didn’t just manage to cement its status as our favorite freshman drama of the season, but the thinking man’s version of 24.

Classiest Exit: After thirty plus years spent brightening up the morning of people from all walks of life, Regis Philbin bid adieu to the genre he practically invented. And while many might have been taken aback by the slightly stoic nature of his farewell, like his entertainment icons Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, he did it his way.

Most Bizarre Twist: After popping back onto the pop culture radar a few weeks ago by being repeatedly referenced on HAPPY ENDINGS, Brett Butler (of GRACE UNDER FIRE fame) told ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT that she’s now psychic. And, of course, pimping a reality show about her newfound abilities. I predict an epic failure in Ms. Butler’s future.

Best Reason To Keep Up With The News: NPR’s hysterical news quiz WAIT WAIT, DON’T TELL ME will get a special televised airing on BBC-AMERICA on December 23.

Best Merchandising: CBS is selling “Soft Kitty” t-shirts inspired by Sheldon’s favorite lullaby on THE BIG BANG THEORY.

Best Merchandising [Runner-Up]: Somebody is going to need to tell us where we can get a hold of some of that PARKS AND RECREATION retro merchandise, and STAT!

Sign That Twitter May Have Jumped the Shark:  Simon Cowell joined the social media site.

Most Shocking Break-Up: Move over Demi and Ashton. After an impromptu night of passion, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER’s Barney agrees to break up with Nora only to see Robin stay together with Kevin. Talk about the complete and utter opposite of Legen… wait for it… dary!

Let’s Give A Big Texas Welcome To… : James Wolk, star of the killed-before-it’s-time primetime sudser LONE STAR, who’ll be playing boyfriend to HAPPY ENDINGS’ Max.

Procedural of Interest
Having spent the better part of our TV blogging “career” railing against CBS’ inexplicably popular brand of cookie-cutter procedurals, we were as surprised as anyone to discover that our favorite new show of the fall — PERSON OF INTEREST — is just that! In fact, thanks to the budding bromance between Reese (Jim Caviezel) and Fitch (Michael Emerson), the ever-expanding cast of morally dubious supporting players (Enrico Colantoni FTW!) and the addictive allure that comes with creator Jonah Nolan’s storytelling prowess, we can’t recall the last time we were this excited to find out what happens next.

Star Wattage
If one had asked us at the start of the television season to pick our “guaranteed locks” for favorite Fall show, there is no question in our mind that we would have bet the farm on the likes of 2 BROKE GIRLS, NEW GIRL and UP ALL NIGHT based solely on the like-ability factor of stars Kat Dennings, Zooey Deschanel and Christina Applegate. Unfortunately, now almost mid-way through the television season the only prediction we care to make with regards to UP ALL NIGHT and to a lesser extent NEW GIRL is that they are both perilously close to being dumped off our weekly sked alongside the already forgotten 2 BROKE GIRLS . Suffice it to say, likeable leading ladies with an off-the-charts “Q Score” can only do so much where weak writing is concerned.

A Magical Start
If the popularity of NCIS and unpopularity of PARKS AND RECREATION have illustrated anything over the course of the past few seasons it’s that when it comes to viewing habits, America and the TV Addict don’t exactly see eye-to-eye. Until now. Enter ONCE UPON A TIME, ABC’s fairy tale-infused drama that has captured not just the our imagination, but the rest of North America’s as well. And while we don’t pretend to know if the hit ABC series which continues to retain a remarkable amount of their 13 million plus eyeballs on a week-in-and-week-out basis will continue to deliver a happy ending, we sure as heck are pleased with its storybook start.

NBC
What’s the only thing more surprising than yesterday’s news that has NBC’s benching COMMUNITY to make room for the returning 30 ROCK come midseason? How about the fact that it took so long to shuffle the ratings anemic series off the schedule. Look, as much as it pains this card-carrying member of the Jeff Winger Fan Club to say so, the facts are these: If two plus seasons of middling ratings are any indication, the majority of Americans have zero interest in enrolling in Greendale Community College. What’s more, if NBC ever hopes to climb its way out of the basement, step number one is moving the ratings-repellent series out of its Thursday night time slot. Don’t shoot the messenger.

Reality TV
Does the somewhat disappointing ratings for THE X FACTOR (Read: The most over-hyped reality show in the history of broadcasting) signify the beginning of the end for the scourge on our society that is reality television? Considering Network Executives constant need for cheap alternative programming, probably not. But it sure as heck won’t stop us from taking a perverse amount of pleasure in the recent downward ratings trend that reality shows across the board are seeing coupled with the resurgence of interest in quality scripted comedy and dramas on behalf of the major networks. We’re just sayin’

If for no other reason that we didn’t want to miss this opportunity to remind you that COMMUNITY — also known as the best show you’re still not watching — airs tonight at 8PM on NBC (CityTV in Canada), we thought now might be as good a time as any to share with you some snappy answers to stupid questions courtesy of the dynamic duo that is Donald Glover (Troy) and Danny Pudi (Abed).

Is there any feeling of accomplishment knowing COMMUNITY has survived for three whole seasons?
Danny Pudi: We still are kind of an under-the-radar show. I fee like my friends watch our show, my parents watch our show and critics like it, so it’s hard to feel like we’ve kind of broken free. We’re still kinda subversive kind a thing like, “Really it’s been out for two years already?” Which I love because going into this third season we’ve already done 49 episodes and I feel like we’ve really gone to some crazy places. We all know each other now, we all bounce of each other chemistry wise. We all fear Chevy Chase/Love him! Actually I don’t really fear him. What’s funny about working with him is that I can definitely say I’m in a select group of people that have worked with Chevy Chase for two years. How many people can say they’ve worked for Chevy Chase for 2 and a half years.
Donald Glover:: No one! He left SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE after a year.
Danny Pudi: And Beverly D’angelo is missing!
Donald Glover:: We’re the only ones.

Since COMMUNITY hasn’t become as mainstream as we’d like to believe, what can you tell fans — actually make that non-fans — to possibly entice them to tune into an episode this season?
Danny Pudi: Panty Raids!
Donald Glover:: You want to hear some fake guest stars? Joshua Jackson, Ben Weber, Donatello from the Ninja Turtles, Luigi, not Mario.
Danny Pudi: The Mona Lisa Painting.
Donald Glover:: Just the painting, Debra Messing.
Danny Pudi: Iqbal Theba, as his character from GLEE, not as my dad!
Donald Glover:: Prince, the re-animated corpse of Michael Jackson… what, too soon?
Danny Pudi: Moon rocks.
Donald Glover:: Bobby Brown. Did I already say Joshua Jackson?

What was your first reaction upon learning John Goodman was joining the show?
Donald Glover:: Well, okay. Someone established like me!
Danny Pudi: I want to be there when Chevy meets him.
Donald Glover:: Also the Big Lebowski, ROSEANNE, every time he’s on SNL, so good.
Danny Pudi: He’s just a beast of an actor. So intense, so strong, it’s going to be a fun dynamic to bounce off of.

Do you have a favorite supporting character on the show?
Danny Pudi: Anytime Starburns is on screen it makes me laugh.
Donald Glover:: Fat Neal is really funny.
Danny Pudi: Dean Pelton is a series regular now and that’s great for us. I feel like he’s sort of a secret weapon on our show.
Donald Glover:: He’s so funny.

GLEE recently made headlines by discussing which students may-or-may-not be graduating. Do you fear for your livelihood knowing that creator Dan Harmon can graduate your characters at any time!
Danny Pudi: No!
Donald Glover:: No, Dan [COMMUNITY creator Dan Harmon] already talked about the fact that we would graduate and it would still be the same. The good thing about this show now is that I think it lives beyond the Greendale walls. The third episode takes place at our house.
Danny Pudi: The writers are very aware of our audience.
Donald Glover:: The audience is super smart, they’re not going to reject the show because it doesn’t take place in study hall, they just want to hang out with the characters.
Danny Pudi: I trust the writers will figure it out because they’re awesome.

COMMUNITY airs Thursdays at 8PM on NBC (CityTV in Canada) and stars Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Donald Glover, Chevy Chase, Ken Jeong and Jim Rash. Catch up on past episodes you may have missed for free online at clicktowatch.tv