The TV Gods are certainly smiling down on us today. First a second season for FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, then even more episodes of THE OFFICE and now, if we’re to believe TVGuide’s Michael Ausiello, a final season, albeit a shortened eighteen episode order for SCRUBS. Throw in the cancellation of TWO AND A HALF MEN, the renewal of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER and an EVERWOOD reunion movie (notice I’ve moved on from demanding the show be brought back as a regular series!) and we at theTVaddict.com will be set for life.
Archives for May 2007
The Office Expands, Hollywood’s Officially Run Out of Ideas
This afternoon, E!Online is reporting that NBC has reached an agreement with THE OFFICE to produce 24 episodes of the hit workplace laugher next season, including four hour-long specials.
An expanded OFFICE signifies one thing: the networks have yet again failed in their attempt to produce quality new shows for next season (specifically comedies). Why spend the time and money to produce original and creative content when it’s far easier to spin-off an already established character into say a PRIVATE PRACTICE? Or expand the working hours of THE OFFICE so much so that the quality of the show invariably suffers. Spin-offs and super-sized episodes are the easy way out, and in the long run, do nothing but hurt an already ailing industry.
Let’s face it, creativity in Hollywood is officially dead (or at the very least on life support.) And if this development season has proven anything, it’s that once again network suits have absolutely no idea what they’re doing (a comedy based on the Geico Caveman commercials, seriously?).
With that in mind don’t be surprised when ABC president Steve McPherson steps up to the podium at Tuesday’s ABC UpFront presentation to announce the networks next hit comedy: ACCORDING TO JIM’S COUSIN.
Yup, that noise you heard is the sound of my DVR desperately trying to shut itself down.
NBC Invests In Bionics; LOST Loses To Idol
The football players of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS aren’t the only ones who’ll be using their muscle to shore up NBC’s schedule this fall. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the network is set to announce that THE BIONIC WOMAN has gone from pilot to series with EASTENDERS alum Michelle Ryan in the lead role. Anyone worrying that the world might not need a remake of a somewhat cheesy 70’s series should keep in mind that the show’s pilot was written by BATTLESTAR GALACTICA executive producer David Eick. Consider our DVR’s already set.
In other news, ABC’s Wednesday night line-up may be in trouble. When your much-publicized new comedy – NOTES FROM THE UNDERBELLY – can’t even hold onto the viewers who tuned in for ACCORDING TO JIM, that’s bad. Worse, LOST tied its low in the all-important 18-49 demographic and it’s second-lowest household rating. Even if you don’t quite understand ratings, it’s pretty easy to see that’s not a good thing. With that in mind, we’d like to make a recommendation to ABC: With only 16 episodes per season for the next three years, holding them until January might not be the smartest idea in the world. Yes, we get that the idea is to have a repeat-free season which covers both the February and November sweeps periods. But might it not be wiser to move keep the show away from demo-devouring AMERICAN IDOL? They may not share a time slot, but we can’t help thinking that for many households, “Seacrest, out!” is slang for “nighty-night” as opposed to “quick, turn the channel.”
THE OFFICE: Best Episode of the Season
Following in Pam’s footsteps, I’d like to be honest for a second. I haven’t enjoyed this season of THE OFFICE nearly as much as last season. On the whole, I’ve found season three uneven, frustrating (how long are the writers going to stretch out Pam and Jim’s will-they-or-won’t-they?) and thanks to some over-the-top Michael Scott antics (a fake suicide attempt comes to mind) often not that funny.
That said, tonight’s installment of THE OFFICE was quite possibly the best episode of the season. Michael was ‘Michael’ — but not in that cringe-worthy overbearing way. Each member of the office was given their own moment to shine (Creed never ceases to amaze!). And most importantly, Pam finally had something interesting to say, after spending almost an entire season quietly moping behind her desk.
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FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Gets a Second Season!
Gimme’ a ‘D’… Gimme’ an ‘I’… Gimme’ a ‘L’…. Why the cheer you ask? Well if we’re to believe Kristin over at E!Online, the Dillon Panthers, and fans of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS have plenty to cheer about.
Kristin is reporting that NBC has given FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS a full twenty-two episode second season order. To quote Kristin:
Well, flip my biscuit and color me giddy (that’s Texas talk!) ’cause sources tell me the official word of FNL’s pickup came down today, and the cast is getting ready to fly out to New York City to attend NBC’s upfront presentation.
Gimme’ a ‘K’… Gimme’ a ‘E’… Gimme’ a ‘V’… Gimme’ a ‘I’… Gimme’ a ‘N’… What does that spell… NBC President Kevin Reilly. Thanks for bringing back one of the best new dramas of the season.
Kate Walsh Discovers the Fate of her Show
Next weeks UpFront announcements just got a little less suspensful, and for that you can thank Ellen Degeneres. In an effort to help out anxious star Kate Walsh, Ellen decided to take it upon herself to call ABC President Steve McPherson [during the show] and find out whether or not Walsh’s GREY’S ANATOMY spin-off has a shot at being picked up for next season. Check out the video above for the President’s answer. Needless to say, it should come as a surprise to no one.
Channel Surfing
Is anybody else getting the sense that we might finally be reaching saturation point where reality TV is concerned? Why anyone is still watching the lackluster remaining contestants battle it out on what COUNTDOWN’s Keith Olbermann has taken to dubbing AMERICAN I-DULL is beyond us, and the girls of AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL seem to be sleepwalking down the runway. Here’s hoping that when the networks roll out their reality-heavy summer lineups, they are met with a collective yawn by the audience.
Speaking of reality, we know MyNetwork TV is struggling to find an audience, but is HOOTERS DREAM GIRL CHALLENGE really the way they want to go? That’s the kind of pandering that even FOX – home of THE LITTLEST GROOM and the infamous WHO WANTS TO MARRY A MILLIONARE? – wouldn’t sink to. The two-hour fleshfest was embarrassing on pretty much every level. One highlight included the breathless hostess informing us that over 300,000 – that’s thousand, not million – people had voted to determine which wing-serving, bikini-wearing, mama-shaming beauty would grace the cover of… huh? Who even knew there was a Hooters magazine?
Anybody else remember when a typical series at least 25 episodes? LOST is cutting down to 16. THE TUDORS offers 10. Back in 1984, the sixth season of KNOTS LANDING featured 30 episodes – none of which were repackaged clipfests. Now, we’re getting less programming and more commercials… and the networks wonder why viewers are checking out in droves?
2007 May UpFront Rumour Roundup
Next week in New York, the ‘big five’ (NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX and the CW) will announce their Fall ’07 television lineups to advertisers. From May 14 -18, network presidents will pull out all the stops (including a song-and-dance number by UGLY BETTY’s Marc, Amanda and Justin) to impress Madison Ave. with a slate of new shows guaranteed to save television from the evils of the internet, xbox and you know, the outside world.
With that in mind, we at theTVaddict.com thought we’d share some of the rumors that have floated across our desk up here in TV Addict Central (think: the Batcave).
THE CW is incredibly high on Josh Schwartz’s (THE OC) latest project GOSSIP GIRL. So much so that we’d be shocked if it didn’t make the fall schedule with a possible time-slot being Tuesday at 8PM. (Hmmm, I wonder what other female-centric show the CW could pair GOSSIP GIRL with?)
In spite of the mixed reaction, ABC still has high hopes for Shonda Rhimes untitled GREY’S spin-off. Expect Addison to show up on the alphabet’s fall schedule, with possible air dates including Sunday and Monday nights.
NBC, the network in need of the most serious overhaul is hoping the BIONIC WOMAN flexes some ratings muscle. Execs feel that the re-imagination of the 70’s action drama may be the ideal companion for their freshman break-out hit HEROES.
FOX has already committed thirteen episodes to the Kelsey Grammer/ Patricia Heaton comedy BACK TO YOU (formerly ACTION NEWS) and is looking positively towards their own big-budget action vehicle the SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES. CHRONICLES stars Lena Headey and Thomas Dekker (Zach from HEROES) and follows the two as the kick-butt mother must protect her 15-year old son John Conner from internet speculation that he may be gay, who may be humanity’s last hope for survival.
Finally there’s CBS, the network with the least holes in its schedule. Expect Jimmy Smits to make a return to television with LOS DUQUES — the tale of a multi-generational Latin American family in the rum business — thus ending our dreams of seeing THE WEST WING: THE NEXT GENERATION
The Next IDOL?
Seeing as AMERICAN IDOL is far-and-away the highest rated show on television, it was inevitable that the producers would attempt to expand their empire. So expect to see a show which mirrors many aspects of IDOL but focuses on propelling a band into the limelight as opposed to a single performer. Producers stress that this will, in fact, be its own animal, and will not – according to Variety – include crossovers from Simon Cowell or Ryan Seacrest. It will, however, reportedly continue one of IDOL’s most ludicrous aspects by having the bands compete in a variety of styles. Why not just call it AMERICAN WEDDING SINGER, since few radio-ready bands are asked to venture beyond the type of music with which they make their name. Can you see Green Day performing ABBA’s Dancing Queen? Then again, this might lead to some interesting renditions. In any case, the show will differ from the mothership in one important way: It will follow the personal lives of the various competitors. Frankly, we’ve always been amazed that IDOL hasn’t expanded the franchise by throwing contestants into a BIG BROTHER-like house and letting the public get a voyeuristic thrill by watching their daily lives. Then again, given the incredibly dull personas who remain in the running for the title, perhaps AMERICAN PAINT DRYING would be more interesting.
Live Blogging LOST (Episode 20, Season 3)
Tonight’s episode of LOST promises to be a doozy, as we finally get the long awaited ‘Ben’ flashback. Producers Cuse and Lindeloff even went as far as to tease EW with the sentence, “Illumination and answers… to be followed by even more questions and delighted bafflement.” Needless to say we at theTVaddict.com couldn’t be more excited for tonight and hope you can stop by for LIVE LOST BLOGGING at 10PM (est).
10:01PM: Are we seeing the birth of Ben?
10:01PM: “So why don’t you start at the beginning”… okay, this episode is definitely getting off on the right foot! Which reminds me, I hope Ben explains the giant foot!
10:12PM: Young Ben or Harry Potter? You decide
10:15PM: Umm… Ben… there’s a new sheriff in town, and his name rhymes with block.