The past decade of television has offered some of the best shows to ever grace the celluloid small screen. Critics and fans agree that shows like LOST, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, DEXTER, 24, THE WEST WING, HOUSE, DEADWOOD, THE WIRE, and THE SHIELD were among this “golden renaissance” era; and they paved the way for shows like THE GOOD WIFE, BREAKING BAD, MAD MEN, DAMAGES, JUSTIFIED, HOMELAND, LUTHER, SONS OF ANARCHY, SHERLOCK, and DOWNTON ABBEY. These are just a few of the multitude of extraordinary shows that sprang up in this creative climate when studios and television viewers were willing to embrace shows that were a little more cutting-edge and outside-the-box than television of years past.
However, that “hey day” seems to be slipping away. It is getting harder and harder to get television audiences to checkout and stick with television shows that are considered “thinking” shows. Back at the height of their popularity shows like HOUSE and LOST commanded 24-27 million viewers. But that was several years ago. LOST fell to below 10 million viewers when it ended its run, and HOUSE is limping out with a weekly average of 6 million viewers. Creatively, these shows have been strong from beginning to end. Instead, what happened was viewer-fatigue. Shows that last more than 5 years are a rarity on television today. There are the procedurals that are still going strong, but as popular and well-done as they are, these are not the type of shows you think of when you hear the phrase “smart TV.” They are along the lines of “safe TV” – well-crafted and consistent, and they resolve their weekly stories in easy fashion.
As much as pains us to consider it, shows like THE WEST WING and LOST would fail miserably in today’s television climate. Why? Because viewers are tired of shows that make them think that hard. [Read more…]
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A Dance, A Love Triangle and a Goodbye! We Preview Tonight’s Kleenex-Inducing Episode of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES
The CW drama series THE VAMPIRE DIARIES knows exactly how to tease its fans and how to wring every bit of emotion out just one episode of television. In the upcoming ‘Do Not Go Gentle’ episode, that last remaining white oak stake has a vital role to play. We knew it as soon as everyone realized it was missing and when it was revealed last week that Alaric’s alter-ego self and Esther possessing-her-daughter Rebekah had teamed-up. So as the evil duo unleashes their plan to take down the Originals, it sets off a chain of events that will leave fans reaching for their kleenex boxes. [Read more…]
We Shine the Spotlight on Rachel G. Fox
For such a young actress, Rachel G. Fox is a well-known face to television viewers. Vividly remembered as Lynette’s step-daughter Kayla on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and currently as Ryder’s girlfriend on MELISSA & JOEY, Rachel has carved out a fantastic niche of strong-willed characters. In the the past year, Rachel has also brought her powerful talents to the big screen in such films as “Dream House” along side Daniel Craig and Naomi Watts, and the upcoming indie film “Jewtopia,” which co-stars Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jon Lovitz. Adding to her rapidly growing resume is the most recent episode of PRIVATE PRACTICE, where Rachel yet again portrayed a young woman that you will not soon forget. In an exclusive interview, Rachel talked candidly about her varied career and the highlights of working on all these fantastic film and television projects. [Read more…]
Jonathan Patrick Moore and Andra Fuller Welcome You to THE L.A. COMPLEX
It is a special achievement when an American television network picks up a foreign television series for broadcast in the U.S. But THE L.A. Complex is no ordinary series. It is a Canadian series that has the audacity to depict the trials and tribulations of six struggling entertainers in sunny, cutthroat Los Angeles, California. The Toronto-filmed series smartly incorporates scenes and settings from the L.A. amongst their own colorful city images. The show captures the vibrant energy of the “city that never sleeps” and focuses tightly on its youthful, charming and bound-to-succeed-no-matter-what-the-cost ensemble of characters. [Read more…]
Reflecting on 5 Seasons of IN PLAIN SIGHT with stars Mary McCormack, Fred Weller, Lesley Ann Warren, Tangie Ambrose and Rachel Boston
It is an achievement for any series to reach the 5-year benchmark these days on television, and when IN PLAIN SIGHT ends its wonderful run on May 4th, it will be with heavy hearts for many of the fans. USA Network’s insightful and highly entertaining look at what it means to shepherd witnesses through the witness protection system charmed viewers with its quirky, yet heart-warming characters. [Read more…]
IN PLAIN SIGHT Scoop: Stephen Lang Talks Portraying Mary Shannon’s Long-Lost Father
From the very beginning of IN PLAIN SIGHT, the shadow of James Wiley Shannon has cast a pall over U.S. Marshal Mary Shannon’s world. He was the one that got away. Her dead-beat dad that bailed on her and her family when she was 7 years old, and with a long rap sheet of bank robberies under his belt, James Shannon was the essence of “wily”. Mary had long espoused that the minute she ever saw her father again, she was slapping the cuffs on him and handing him over to law enforcement. As was seen in last week’s episode, that is exactly what happened. Jim Shannon finally made his reappearance in Mary’s life, asking for help, and she promptly whipped out the handcuffs. In a recent conference call with press Stephen Lang shared what drew him to the role of Jim Shannon, a career-criminal who returned to reunite with his daughter. [Read more…]
Hell Hath No Fury Like a Mother Scorned: A Closer Look at Television’s Latest Breed of Wicked Mothers
From ONCE UPON A TIME to THE GOOD WIFE to REVENGE, there is a whole new breed of mothers who will not only kill to protect their children, but who will do all sorts of diabolical things in the name of love.
In ONCE UPON A TIME, Regina’s mother tore her lover’s heart out. In THE GOOD WIFE, Jackie stole the house that her daughter-in-law wanted to buy. And in REVENGE, Victoria had her son brutally beaten up in jail. [Read more…]
The Beginning of the End: Colin Ferguson and Jaime Paglia Preview the Final Season of EUREKA
In a touching swan-song, EUREKA’s 5th and final season begins airing April 16th on Syfy. It has always been a quirky, funny show that only fine connoisseurs of television could truly appreciate. Fortunately, EUREKA’s fans have been there from the beginning and exactly how rare a gem it is. To reward those fans, and hopefully lure a few more before the show ends, creator and executive producer Jaime Paglia and his crack team of talent have whipped up a perfect concoction of science fiction meets drama and comedy that ventures into the extraordinary for the show’s final season. In a recent press conference call, Jaime Paglia and Colin Ferguson talked about what they have loved about EUREKA and what fun adventures lie ahead for our heroes. [Read more…]
We Preview Tonight’s HART OF DIXIE Bachelorette and Bachelor Party Extravaganza
In the upcoming episode “Bachelorettes & Bullets”, airing April 16th, HART OF DIXIE rewards fans with an episode that has a bit of everything for everyone. It has tears, laughter, surprises and lots and lots of bullets. Things are going to be spicy and interesting with the dual celebrations of Lemon’s bachelorette party and George’s bachelor party. While Lemon is being swooped away on a fun bus, courtesy of little sis Magnolia, George is planning a weekend with the boys of hunting at the cabin. Astoundingly, both make clean getaways, but what happens during their simultaneous celebrations is a bit more entangled and messy. [Read more…]
Adam Baldwin Talks Reuniting With His FIREFLY Co-Star Nathan Fillion on CASTLE
Whenever a television show can give a warm nod to the fans that have followed actors from their prior television shows, it is a token of the mutual love between the show and the fans. Fortunately, for fans, the writers of CASTLE delight in tossing FIREFLY fans a little love-note once in a while. This upcoming episode “Headhunters” reunites star Nathan Fillion with his former FIREFLY co-star Adam Baldwin for a bit of light-hearted fun and adventure. In an exclusive interview, Adam Baldwin talked about what it was like working on CASTLE bringing the memorable character of Detective Ethan Slaughter to life along side his long-time friend and co-star Nathan Fillion. [Read more…]