the TV addict » Veronica Mars

If For No Other Reason Than We’re Counting Down the Days Until Kristen Bell Returns to Our Living Room on a Regularly Scheduled Basis [Video]

theTVaddict — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:37:57 +0000

Saved by the [Kristen] Bell: Your First Look at Showtime’s HOUSE OF LIES

theTVaddict — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:43:00 +0000

Because we sure as heck aren’t about to miss out on the opportunity to remind fans that after a string of forgettable movies VERONICA MARS’ Kristen Bell is returning to the medium in which she belongs (Read: The small screen), theTVaddict.com is thrilled to unveil this first look at Showtime’s newest series HOUSE OF LIES. Premiering January 8th, HOUSE OF LIES is built upon Martin Kihn’s popular book entitled How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Tell You the Time and revolves around dueling management consulting firms staffed with a handful of very good-looking people including Don Cheadle, Ben Schwartz, Josh Lawson, and Dawn Olivieri.

Brilliant Television Writing Does Not Guarantee Television Viewers

Tiffany Vogt — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:49:33 +0000

In response to my recent article “Superheroes Are Dropping Like Flies! An Investigation Why Television Seems to be the Genre’s Kryptonite,” one commenter offered his opinion that superhero shows are failing because the shows are not well-written. But unlike in the movie Field of Dreams, the theory of “If you build it, they will come,” does not hold true on television. In fact, if anything, time and time again, great writing is an anathema to the average television viewer. It does not lure in more viewers and it does not guarantee a higher retention rate. Great writing is but one ingredient needed to draw and retain viewers.

Examples of ratings-challenged television shows offering superior writing include a large number of “brilliant but cancelled” shows from the past decade. Among those are: TERRIERS, BATTLESTAR GALATICA, DEADWOOD, FIREFLY, VERONICA MARS, EVERWOOD, WONDERFALLS, ELI STONE, KINGS and even fan-favorites TERMINATOR: SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES and DOLLHOUSE. (If looking at the current television landscape, it also includes such current shows as the Emmy-winning MAD MEN and BREAKING BAD and newcomer FX’s JUSTIFIED. It appears that no matter how many awards or how much critical-acclaim, even those will not draw in viewers.)

What is fascinating about all these shows is that whether they were immediately heralded as “brilliantly written,” now that they are gone those are the tags we put on them. Why? Because they were. For whatever reason, the average viewer just did not see or perhaps appreciate the superior writing of these shows when they were on. It is certainly true that a small devoted and vocal bunch of viewers immediately saw and appreciated what they had — but in television, small is never better. Television shows only survive if they can pull in a large number of viewers. More viewers equals more ad revenue and thus a longer chance at longevity.

There is a reason all of these shows are now called “brilliant but cancelled” — they simply are.

But great writing just is not enough. Whatever viewers are looking for, it does not rest on the quality of writing alone. If that were true, a large portion of what is succeeding would have died a long time ago.

Instead, shows that offer comfort and familiarity succeed, like NCIS, NCIS:LA and THE MENTALIST. Those shows offer a steady stream of formulaic stories each week, but viewers flock to them. The consistency works in their favor. In addition, they offer surrogate families for viewers to visit each week. It is a winning combination of comfort and charisma.

Simply put, viewers crave “comfort food” television more than they seek out riskier fare such as MAD MEN and BREAKING BAD.

In addition, the prevalence of reality television shows perfectly illustrates how attractive and deep-rooted the mass television audience is with “voyeuristic” and competition shows. Viewers enjoy the titillation of peeking into someone else’s life and seeing what they are doing, such as TEEN MOM and JERSEY SHORE — alas, transparency into whether or not such reality TV shows are scripted, storyboarded or staged is not so clear to viewers. The average viewer also wants to see people engaged in dramatic, sensationalized competition shows such as DANCING WITH THE STARS and SURVIVOR. These types of shows offer another kind of viewing “food group” that satisfies the viewers’ cravings.

The last category is alternative scripted television. This is where shows like FRINGE, CHUCK and STARGATE: UNIVERSE consistently hover. They are not offering the “comfort food,” nor sensationalist/titillation of competitive and/or voyeuristic television shows. Instead, they are competing for the remnants of the available television audience — ones who are looking for something different, something entertaining, and, sometimes, something that will ultimately be labeled “brilliant but cancelled.”

While it is true that not every low-rated television show offers brilliant writing, it is true that most brilliantly written television shows tend to consistently pull in a lower number of viewers.

Over the years there have been anomalies as shows like THE WEST WING and LOST somehow eluded the curse of low-ratings while offering some of the best television writing ever to grace the television screen. But THE WEST WING and LOST also possessed more than one secret ingredient: they also offered large doses of “comfort food” and charisma. These were surrogate families that the mass viewing audience were more than happy to tune in to see every week.

Many have noted over the years that making a successful television show is like capturing “lightning in a bottle.” It is rare. It is extremely elusive. To gather each piece needed to launch and sustain a high-rated television show requires a remarkable number of “stars to align.” A show needs a great showrunner, fantastic directors, a phenomenal cast, brilliant writing, and a zillion other phenomenally talented crew to make it all work flawlessly.

It is not to say that the networks and studios do not try. They spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year trying to replicate “lightning in a bottle.” But even copycatting what has worked before is never a guarantee. Why? Because viewers are fickle. They do not always appreciate a recycling of a successful formula — sometimes they do, like with the CSI, LAW & ORDER and NCIS franchises. But other times, like with LOST and THE WEST WING, viewers tend to shy away from something they feel is a rehash of another successful show. One reason is that LOST and THE WEST WING were heavily serialized shows and once the story is done, it is done. The CSIs and LAW & ORDERs offer procedural stories — the crime of the week — and thus, it feels less like a repeat of a story already seen — and if it is, it is okay, because it is only for one episode, not 6 or 7 years.

The trick is to come up with something that will take all the key ingredients and whip up a new confection of television delights. Televisions shows require a special recipe for success — they cannot subsist on just one ingredient alone.

So in response to the edict that a television show failed because it was not written well, I remind you: there are lots of fantastically, if not brilliantly, written television shows that fail each year. If only writing alone would guarantee television viewers, then so many amazing televisions shows would still be on the air today. Alas, the average television viewer is not lured by writing. The average viewer’s taste seeks something much more elusive — a magic ingredient that is never really known.

Television success is like magic — it never feels real, but when it happens we are enchanted.

Tiffany Vogt is a contributing writer to The TV Addict. She has a great love for television and firmly believes that entertainment is a world of wondrous adventures that deserves to be shared and explored – she invites you to join her. Please feel free to contact Tiffany at Tiffany_Vogt_2000@yahoo.com or follow her at on Twitter (@TVWatchtower). Tiffany also writes as a columnist for NiceGirlsTV.

Did the CW Just Green Light a VERONICA MARS Spin-off?

theTVaddict — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:27:41 +0000

Of course not! But curiously enough, what the perennial fifth place network did do was hand out a script order to a series that sounds eerily familiar to the non-existent fourth season of VERONICA MARS that could have been. According to Deadline Hollywood, GOSSIP GIRL creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage have signed on to produce an untitled drama based on the idea by [and starring] Michelle Trachtenberg about a young criminology student with a gift for profiling and a dark past. According to us, now would be your cue to hit the comments below to express your outrage.

An Open Letter to Kristen Bell

theTVaddict — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:17:50 +0000

Dear Ms. Bell,

It’s a cold, cruel world out there, as evidenced by the chilly reception critics gave your latest big-screen offering, When In Rome. But you know where it’s nice and toasty? In the warm embrace of your small-screen fans, who adore everything you do, whether it was your starring role on VERONICA MARS or those cheeky GOSSIP GIRL voiceovers. Heck, many of us even stayed with HEROES way longer than we would have — or should have — when you came on board.

We get the appeal of movies, we do. Hey, we’ve all gone slummin’ for a buck. But if the best you can do is pad your resume with one regrettable pic (Couples Retreat)) after another (When in Rome), is that really your best option? Isn’t that rather like leaving a job at Goldman-Sachs to wait tables at Denny’s? Especially given the amazing roles being created for actresses on everything from comedies to dramas. When so many movie stars are flocking to the small screen — heck, a recent DAMAGES scene featured Glenn Close, Martin Short and Lily Tomlin! — why buck the trend?

TV is now the place to be. Trust us. Take a glance at The Hollywood Reporter’s Pilot Log and you’ll find a slew of amazing roles that are more challenging and rewarding than those you’ve been making for the silver screen.

And hey, we’re not asking you to give up movies. That’s why God created the hiatus.

So while we’d loved to have seen you sign on as the lead in the CW’s LA FEMME NIKITA reboot, we completely understand if you’ve outgrown the teen-friendly network. But if it’s romantic comedy you crave, does it not make sense to have the creators of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER or THE OC pen it instead of the guy who wrote Old Dogs?

You know we love you,
XOXO
The TV Addict

Tina Majorino: When Child Stars Go Good

theTVaddict — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:34:07 +0000

It’s the most important question facing young actors in Hollywood today. How does one avoid becoming a child star cliché?

Well, if you’re actress Tina Majorino, who spent the majority of her youth growing up on screen in a string of high profile films including Corinna, Corrinna, Waterworld and Alice in Wonderland. You avoid a starring role in the E! Network “Child Stars Gone Bad!” Special by taking a break from the business at the tender age of 13. A decision that Majorino credits as the best one of her life.

“Having worked since I was a baby, I was tired and just wanted to be kid,” explained the talented young actress who between 1999 and 2004 retired from acting to return to school, dance and spend time with friends and family. “I wanted that time to get to know myself and make sure that acting was what I really wanted to do. I didn’t want to half ass it and wanted to make sure I was completely committed to my art.”

A risky career move that now seems to be paying big dividends. Now all grown up (25!) Majorino, who this TV Addict had the chance to chat with at the recent Television Critics Press Tour in Pasadena couldn’t be more well-adjusted and credits her ‘wonderful family and friends’ for ensuring she remained what we like to think of as ‘the anti-Lohan.’

“There are a lot of people in Hollywood who are going to try and tell you what it is you need to be doing and what they think is a good move for you and it’s not necessarily true,” said Majorino on the pitfalls of growing up on camera. “It’s important to get to know yourself, because as an actor, there are so many traps that you can fall into if you don’t have the wherewithal to protect yourself and know what’s right for you.”

Luckily for fans of quality television, what’s been right for Majorino have been memorable roles on cult favorites such as VERONICA MARS and BIG LOVE.

“I loved doing the show [VERONICA MARS] and it’s really fun for me because people either don’t know the show or they’re die hard fans. So when you’re meeting someone who has watched the show, it’s a blast to talk to them because they really enjoyed the characters and they’re so into it. Really, it’s an honor,” reflected Majorino, being sure to add her love for BIG LOVE, “I love that show so much, it’s so quirky and everybody — from the actors, directors and producers — are just amazing.”

Which naturally begs the question: What led to Majorino’s latest decision that has her jumping from HBO’s successful polygamist drama into THE DEEP END, a new ABC series that has her playing a brilliant and eager-to-please first year associate named Addie Fisher.

“The great part about this role is that [unlike previous characters such as BIG LOVE's Heather Tuttle] Addie grows out of her naiveté. She starts out being completely green and not knowing up from down but she evolves, learns, and gets tougher,” promised the actress when asked about her affinity for playing brilliant albeit somewhat socially awkward characters . “Fingers crossed we’ll get the opportunity to do some more as you never know what’s in store for these characters.

“It’s such a privilege to be able to wake up and do something that you enjoy so much. I am fully aware of how blessed I am.”

Kristen Bell Needs YOUR Help to Make the VERONICA MARS Movie a Reality

theTVaddict — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:45:51 +0000

Kristen Bell may not possess the proficiency for computers that her TV-alter ego Veronica Mars did, but that’s not about to stop her from making her presence felt since discovering this new-fangled craze called twitter. In fact, since making her presence known on twitter late last week, Bell has been tweeting up a storm; Replying to fan questions (Yes, she’ll be at San Diego’s Comic Con on July 24th), offering up 140 character movie reviews (On My Sister’s Keeper, “that movie rocked me emotionally. i felt like i had been pepper sprayed by the end my eyes were so swollen from tears.”) and did we mention, enlisting you, the fans in her mini MARS movie revolution?

No, seriously. According to Bell, if you want to see VERONICA MARS on the big screen (and really, who doesn’t?), the proverbial ball — as the saying goes — is in your court. Explained Bell via twitter yesterday, “VM movie fans- rob [Thomas] and i took it to WB- and they said ‘there is no enthusiasm’ to make it So fans have to convince WB! rob and i r in!” Adding, “ive told em i want to so bad- i think they dont think it will make any money so they want to be sure people will see it. big business. ugh.”

Which naturally begs the question, will you join in Bell’s crusade? And if so, will you use the hashtag #veronicamars in your tweets to help get the topic trending on twitter? Because in case you were wondering, this TV Addict is so totally in.

Breaking: VERONICA MARS Movie Officially Gets the Green Light

theTVaddict — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:37:33 +0000

[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

LOS ANGELES, California — Warner Bros. Pictures is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached between Joel Silver Productions and Warner Bros. Pictures to commence shooting the highly anticipated VERONICA MARS movie with Kristen Bell (FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL, WHEN IN ROME, HEROES) set to star.

A Warner Bros. Picture Production, VERONICA MARS is produced by Joel Silver, and based on the popular television series of the same name that ran on UPN and later the CW from 2004-2007.

“Kristen Bell is one of the most gifted actresses working today and we’re thrilled that she, alongside MARS mastermind Rob Thomas have agreed to continue the story they started.” Silver said.

“After ending the series in the unfortunate manner in which we did, I’m thrilled to be able to return to Neptune and give fans the resolution they so richly deserve.” Elaborated Thomas.

“I loved Veronica right off the bat and am thrilled to be given another chance to tell her story. Veronica was so strong and I think it is so important because there are so few shows, and now movies, that portray women, especially young women as being strong and being able to stand up for themselves.” Said Bell.

The screenplay by Rob Thomas will find Veronica back in college for her senior year as she balances books, boys and a mystery unlike she has ever faced before.

Also onboard are original cast members Percy Daggs III, Jason Dohring, Francis Capra, Ryan Hansen, Tina Majorino and Enrico Colantoni

VERONICA MARS: The Movie will be filmed on location in San Diego beginning in early May and will be released in Spring 2010 by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Oh, and on the off chance you’ve gotten this far and still think this press release is real, we’re sorry to inform you that someone forgot what day it is!

Good News, Bad News: Brian Austin Green, VERONICA MARS & DirecTV

theTVaddict — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:35:15 +0000

Good News: Brian Austin Green just snagged himself another starring role, joining Gabrielle Union, Tim Matheson, Minka Kelly and Jason Dohring in the CW’s BODY POLITIC. Bad News: It’s never a good sign when cast members are already jumping ship, even if his role in the new CW series is no doubt contingent on TERMINATOR’s future, or lack there of. [Source]

Good News: Satellite provider DirecTV continues to win over the hearts of TV Addicts everywhere by providing a second home for short-lived favorites such as SMITH, EYES and THE NINE. Bad News: We still don’t get DirecTV in Canada. [Source]

Good News: VERONICA MARS mastermind Rob Thomas doesn’t believe that his beloved series’ much-buzzed-about jump to the big screen is completely dead. Bad News: “Right now it’s just looking depressing,” revealed Thomas in a recent interview. “I think honestly if we would have had the pitch ready a year earlier, it would be a go project. The hope that we would get a quick greenlight didn’t materialize. This is the least optimistic I’ve felt in a while.” [Source]

Exclusive Video: Enrico Colantoni Updates Fans on VERONICA MARS The Movie

theTVaddict — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:33:32 +0000

Okay, so Enrico Colantoni wasn’t too specific and let’s face it, didn’t exactly provide what some might consider ‘actual details’ on the highly anticipated (read: dreamed about) VERONICA MARS movie. But everybody’s favorite local sheriff turned private investigator was kind enough time to stop by the tiny slice of real estate that this TV Addict carved out on the red carpet during Friday’s 2008 Gemini Awards (Canada’s Emmy equivalent) to give us an update on the movie.

Simply click play on the above video for Mr. Colantoni’s surprisingly candid answer and be sure to check back tomorrow to find out what Natasha Henstridge had to say about ELI STONE’s sudden cancellation.