Since we can now breathe easier that a deal will be in place soon, we can start to direct our attention to our returning shows -- when and will they be back?
Michael Ausiello over at TVguide.com has begun to assemble some information based on his insiders. Here it is...
Keep in mind that the following information remains extremely tentative and is subject to change (and probably will). In other words, I strongly suggest you refresh your browser at least once an hour to ensure that you're getting the most up-to-date scoop possible.
24
Expected to return this fall or January '09.
30 Rock
Expected to shoot 5 to 10 new episodes to air in April/May.
Back to You
Two pre-strike episodes remain. Future TBD*.
Battlestar Galactica
Returns April 4 with first half of 20-episode final season. Production on second half could start as early as March. Airdate for those TBD.
The Big Bang Theory
Expected to shoot 5 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.
Big Love
Expected to go into production on Season 3 in March. Airdate info is TBD.
Big Shots
No new episodes expected. Ever.
Bionic Woman
No new episodes expected. Ever.
Bones
Four pre-strike episodes left. Unclear whether additional episodes will be produced for this season.
Boston Legal
Expected to shoot 4 or 7 new episodes to air in April/May.
Brothers & Sisters
One pre-strike episode remains. Expected to shoot 4 or 5 additional episodes to air in April/May.
Burn Notice
Production on Season 2 expected to get underway in late April. New episodes could start airing as early as July.
Chuck
No new episodes until fall.
The Closer
Expected to kick off its fourth season this summer.
Cold Case
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.
Criminal Minds
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.
CSI
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.
CSI: Miami
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.
CSI: NY
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.
Desperate Housewives
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.
Dirty Sexy Money
No new episodes planned until fall; three remaining pre-strike episodes will undergo some tweaking and kick off fall run.
ER
TBD.
Everybody Hates Chris
Twelve pre-strike episodes remain. No additional episodes expected for this season.
Friday Night Lights
No new episodes expected for this season. Future TBD.
Ghost Whisperer
TBD.
Gossip Girl
Expected to shoot up to 9 new episodes to air in April/May/June.
Greek
Kicks off second half of Season 1 on March 24. Still awaiting Season 2 pickup.
Grey's Anatomy
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May
Heroes
TBD.
House
Expected to shoot 4 to 6 new episodes to air in April/May.
How I Met Your Mother
Expected to shoot 5 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.
Jericho
Seven episodes remain. No additional episodes expected for this season.
Journeyman
No new episodes expected. Ever.
Las Vegas
Two pre-strike episodes remain. No additional episodes expected for this season.
Law & Order
TBD.
Law & Order: CI
TBD.
Law & Order: SVU
Production resumes in early March. Remains unclear whether episodes produced will be for this season or next.
Life
No new episodes expected until fall.
Life Is Wild
No new episodes expected. Ever.
Lost
Six pre-strike episodes remain. Six additional episodes could air this season.
Medium
Six pre-strike episodes remain. Expected to shoot additional episodes for this season.
Men in Trees
Eleven pre-strike episodes remain. No additional episodes expected this season.
Moonlight
No new episodes expected until fall.
My Name Is Earl
Expected to shoot 8 to 10 new episodes to air in April/May.
NCIS
Expected to shoot 5 to 7 new episodes, only three of which may air this season.
The New Adventures of Old Christine
Seven pre-strike episodes remain. No additional episodes expected this season.
Nip/Tuck
Season 5 concludes Feb. 19. Production on the show's eight-episode sixth season expected to start up this summer. Airdate TBD.
Numbers
Expected to shoot 5 to 7 new episodes, only three of which may air this season.
October Road
Five pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.
The Office
Expected to shoot 5 to 10 new episodes to air in April/May.
One Tree Hill
Six pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.
Prison Break
Two pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.
Private Practice
Slim chance it could return with 4 or 5 new episodes this season. Either way, it'll be back in the fall.
Pushing Daisies
No new episodes until fall.
Reaper
Three pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.
Samantha Who?
Three remaining pre-strike episodes remain. Expected to shoot an additional 4 to 8 episodes to air after the new season of Dancing with the Stars.
Saturday Night Live
Could be back on the air as early as Feb. 16.
Scrubs
Four pre-strike episodes remain. Four additional episodes will likely be shot; unclear whether they'll air on NBC or go straight to DVD.
Smallville
Four pre-strike episodes remain. Expected to shoot 3 to 5 additional episodes to air in April/May.
Supernatural
Two pre-strike episodes remain. Expected to shoot 3 to 5 additional episodes to air in April/May.
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Five pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.
Two and a Half Men
Expected to shoot 5 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.
Ugly Betty
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.
Without a Trace
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.
Women's Murder Club
Shocking development: A deal to bring the show back this season is being hammered out as I write this. Stay tuned...
Monday, February 11, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
I'm Lost...
And that's a good thing...
If you watch the show you know what I am talking about. It's that feeling that every time you take one step forward on this show, you always seem to be taking two steps back. But this time, we know there is an end-point. We know that we have seen 2 of 48 episodes under the heading 'The Beginning of the End' (last weeks episode). We know that everything we are learning has a purpose and a reason, and isn't just there to fill space to fill a season with an unforeseen ending. This is new territory for television.
You see a lot of stories about writers and producers who are informed that there show will be not renewed -- sometimes they have a season, sometimes they have a few episodes - and they always say that 'this will let them go out their way'. That statement has never been truer than it is now with Lost -- and the viewer benefits the most. I can comfortably sit back, enjoy the ride, and watch this unbelievable break-through television show unfold in front of us.
Sorry, I am just giddy. This show is so damn good. It really is. Sometimes I just pause the show, rewind a bit, watch some scenes over again and yell to Lauren, "this show is so good!". She usually responds back, "Great. I don't Fu**ing care." Her loss, not mine.
So here is what I think we know going-forward:
-Flashbacks are still in-play. Now we'll get to guess each week whether what we are seeing is a flashback, flashforward - and how 'forward' it is compared to other flashforwards...
-We know Kate, Jack, and Hurley are part of the Oceanic 6. We need 3 more.
-We know that other survivors were left behind or something like that and its tormenting Jack
-We know that Hurley is still crazy
-We know that going with Locke will become a bad idea -- but eventually they will have to come back together as Hurley gets 'rescued' too and he was with Locke.
-We know that the 'rescue' team was organized by the dude from The Wire and Oz who also pretends to be an Oceanic lawyer later. He wants Ben Linus.
-We know that the plane was found -- and everyone thinks the passengers are dead. And we know there is some conspiracy behind it because someone actually found the whole plane and its not their plane....hmmm....
-We know that Dharma did some work with Polar Bears in the desert
-We know from bloggers that the man in the rocking chair in the cabin that Hurley saw was Jack's dad.
----I know that information like that is fodder for the internet, but I am not going to worry about the fantasy aspect of the show at this point. I am locked into the conspiracy, the rescue, and the Oceanic 6. If they want to resolve the supernatural parts at some point too, that's fine with me. For now I will just assume Hurley is crazy and the island has unexplained powers which is what drew Dharma to it in the first place. Oh yeah, and who the hell were/are the settlers that Ben became a part of? And where the hell is Richard? I know in real life he is with Jimmy Smits on 'Cain' -- but what about on the island -- solve that mystery please...
I am sure there are 100 other things we know that are worth talking about - please leave them in the comments section as I would love to read them.
Long story short...I love this show. If you are not watching - get the DVD's, get going. It is just so good.
If you watch the show you know what I am talking about. It's that feeling that every time you take one step forward on this show, you always seem to be taking two steps back. But this time, we know there is an end-point. We know that we have seen 2 of 48 episodes under the heading 'The Beginning of the End' (last weeks episode). We know that everything we are learning has a purpose and a reason, and isn't just there to fill space to fill a season with an unforeseen ending. This is new territory for television.
You see a lot of stories about writers and producers who are informed that there show will be not renewed -- sometimes they have a season, sometimes they have a few episodes - and they always say that 'this will let them go out their way'. That statement has never been truer than it is now with Lost -- and the viewer benefits the most. I can comfortably sit back, enjoy the ride, and watch this unbelievable break-through television show unfold in front of us.
Sorry, I am just giddy. This show is so damn good. It really is. Sometimes I just pause the show, rewind a bit, watch some scenes over again and yell to Lauren, "this show is so good!". She usually responds back, "Great. I don't Fu**ing care." Her loss, not mine.
So here is what I think we know going-forward:
-Flashbacks are still in-play. Now we'll get to guess each week whether what we are seeing is a flashback, flashforward - and how 'forward' it is compared to other flashforwards...
-We know Kate, Jack, and Hurley are part of the Oceanic 6. We need 3 more.
-We know that other survivors were left behind or something like that and its tormenting Jack
-We know that Hurley is still crazy
-We know that going with Locke will become a bad idea -- but eventually they will have to come back together as Hurley gets 'rescued' too and he was with Locke.
-We know that the 'rescue' team was organized by the dude from The Wire and Oz who also pretends to be an Oceanic lawyer later. He wants Ben Linus.
-We know that the plane was found -- and everyone thinks the passengers are dead. And we know there is some conspiracy behind it because someone actually found the whole plane and its not their plane....hmmm....
-We know that Dharma did some work with Polar Bears in the desert
-We know from bloggers that the man in the rocking chair in the cabin that Hurley saw was Jack's dad.
----I know that information like that is fodder for the internet, but I am not going to worry about the fantasy aspect of the show at this point. I am locked into the conspiracy, the rescue, and the Oceanic 6. If they want to resolve the supernatural parts at some point too, that's fine with me. For now I will just assume Hurley is crazy and the island has unexplained powers which is what drew Dharma to it in the first place. Oh yeah, and who the hell were/are the settlers that Ben became a part of? And where the hell is Richard? I know in real life he is with Jimmy Smits on 'Cain' -- but what about on the island -- solve that mystery please...
I am sure there are 100 other things we know that are worth talking about - please leave them in the comments section as I would love to read them.
Long story short...I love this show. If you are not watching - get the DVD's, get going. It is just so good.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Soneone Didn't Do Their Due Dilligence...
So I didn't blog about Lost. Turns out I have a lot to say but haven't felt motivated to sit down and write any of it. Maybe I will wait until tomorrow after 2 episodes are under our belts. If you give a crap what I thought about episode 1 and 2, then come on back tomorrow before noon and I will have some earth-shattering opinions for you.
Here are some other things in the TV World you might want to know about:
1. Critics and sometimes-reader SDR say AMC's 'Breaking Bad' is a pretty good show. I am looking forward to checking it out.
2. Mixed reviews all around for HBO's 'In Treatment'. My issue with the show is the time commitment -- 5 nights a week, 30 minutes, multiple weeks -- its like a having a job, and that's no fun. My dad always says having season tickets is like going to work because you are obligated to attend games instead of the excitement of getting to go to games when you want to. I can buy that argument. But that's pretty big talk from a guy who was a lifelong NorthStar and Gopher football (at Memorial Stadium) season ticket holder.
3. Lipstick Jungle premieres this week to worse reviews that Cashmere Mafia did. Can't wait....
4. The writers strike might come to an end soon. But they still have to agree on Saturday to the deal on the table, then hammer it out over the next few weeks. This season is lost, let's just hope Pilot season can be saved so we can have our old and new shows back in the Fall.
5. The local Dairy Queen ad where the shrimp finds out he is eating popcorn shrimp, then his wife asks where the kids are is borderline uncomfortable. I am still avoiding talking to the kids about what happened to Nemo's mother and siblings. They still think she is on vacation. Seriously.
6. T-Wolves playing Friday night against Boston. KG NOT PLAYING. Good investment Edward. Caveat Emptor they always told me.
And now my favorite story of the day for so many different reasons....
Will Arnett (Arrested Development, Blades of Glory, 30 Rock) was going to be the voice of KITT in the new Knight Rider TV movie in a couple of weeks. I am assuming the movie was finished as was Arnett's work. But guess what....
You see, Arnett had done voice-over work for General Motors in the past, and the new KITT is a Ford. So Arnett is out. Seriously. Out. For that....
And to make the story even more odd, Val Kilmer is in. Really? Val Kilmer coming in to be the voice of KITT at the last second makes me wonder what the hell happened to the former Batman and action star of the 90's...
Either way, should still be one hell of a TV movie with probably no cheesy dialogue or poor special effects. It's going to be great.
Here are some other things in the TV World you might want to know about:
1. Critics and sometimes-reader SDR say AMC's 'Breaking Bad' is a pretty good show. I am looking forward to checking it out.
2. Mixed reviews all around for HBO's 'In Treatment'. My issue with the show is the time commitment -- 5 nights a week, 30 minutes, multiple weeks -- its like a having a job, and that's no fun. My dad always says having season tickets is like going to work because you are obligated to attend games instead of the excitement of getting to go to games when you want to. I can buy that argument. But that's pretty big talk from a guy who was a lifelong NorthStar and Gopher football (at Memorial Stadium) season ticket holder.
3. Lipstick Jungle premieres this week to worse reviews that Cashmere Mafia did. Can't wait....
4. The writers strike might come to an end soon. But they still have to agree on Saturday to the deal on the table, then hammer it out over the next few weeks. This season is lost, let's just hope Pilot season can be saved so we can have our old and new shows back in the Fall.
5. The local Dairy Queen ad where the shrimp finds out he is eating popcorn shrimp, then his wife asks where the kids are is borderline uncomfortable. I am still avoiding talking to the kids about what happened to Nemo's mother and siblings. They still think she is on vacation. Seriously.
6. T-Wolves playing Friday night against Boston. KG NOT PLAYING. Good investment Edward. Caveat Emptor they always told me.
And now my favorite story of the day for so many different reasons....
Will Arnett (Arrested Development, Blades of Glory, 30 Rock) was going to be the voice of KITT in the new Knight Rider TV movie in a couple of weeks. I am assuming the movie was finished as was Arnett's work. But guess what....
You see, Arnett had done voice-over work for General Motors in the past, and the new KITT is a Ford. So Arnett is out. Seriously. Out. For that....
And to make the story even more odd, Val Kilmer is in. Really? Val Kilmer coming in to be the voice of KITT at the last second makes me wonder what the hell happened to the former Batman and action star of the 90's...
Either way, should still be one hell of a TV movie with probably no cheesy dialogue or poor special effects. It's going to be great.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Living Spoiler Free...
Didn't get to Lost last night as my evening was spent on the town. When I got home I needed to watch the Badgers game on TIVO as they dismantled the Hoosiers of Indiana. This was hands-down their best overall game of the year on both ends of the floor. Even though Butch couldn't find the basket from 2 feet away, he made two key three-pointers and Krabbenhoft, Landry, and Hughes just keep getting better. It was a great game (unless you are a Hoosiers fan or someone who likes to watch teams score more points than 49 (sorry we brought out the good defense TV-watchers of America).
So Lost will wait until tonight. Seriously can't wait. No articles, no reviews, no comments, no nothing...it's like I am living with blinders on - since everyone and their mother on the internet has something to say about it today. I will stick to sports scores, work, and blogging until I get to it tonight.
Did I mention I was on the town last night? Oh yeah - red carpet, searchlights and all...Lauren and I were invited to the grand opening of the new R.Normans Steak House and Seven Sushi Lounge on 7th and Hennepin last night. We know all the right person to get into this event...
The sushi was awesome, the beef was cooked medium, the crowd was swanky and self-important, and the musical performer was Paris Bennett. I believe if you watch American Idol that this is a sort of a big deal. I don't. I thought she was fine.
The sushi was great though. I am sure Lauren and I will turn up on the who's-who page of many fine Twin Cities publications -- the cameras were all over us. Then again those might have been security cameras and no I didn't put any sushi-rice-ice cream balls in my pockets.
So Lost will wait until tonight. Seriously can't wait. No articles, no reviews, no comments, no nothing...it's like I am living with blinders on - since everyone and their mother on the internet has something to say about it today. I will stick to sports scores, work, and blogging until I get to it tonight.
Did I mention I was on the town last night? Oh yeah - red carpet, searchlights and all...Lauren and I were invited to the grand opening of the new R.Normans Steak House and Seven Sushi Lounge on 7th and Hennepin last night. We know all the right person to get into this event...
The sushi was awesome, the beef was cooked medium, the crowd was swanky and self-important, and the musical performer was Paris Bennett. I believe if you watch American Idol that this is a sort of a big deal. I don't. I thought she was fine.
The sushi was great though. I am sure Lauren and I will turn up on the who's-who page of many fine Twin Cities publications -- the cameras were all over us. Then again those might have been security cameras and no I didn't put any sushi-rice-ice cream balls in my pockets.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
End the Strike
Seriously. End it. Did you see this? I think we hit bottom:
The 22 fight-trained pitbulls recovered from disgraced NFL star Michael Vick's property after his dog fighting ring was exposed will have their "rehabilitation" chronicled in Dogtown, a new series on National Geographic Channel.
The 22 fight-trained pitbulls recovered from disgraced NFL star Michael Vick's property after his dog fighting ring was exposed will have their "rehabilitation" chronicled in Dogtown, a new series on National Geographic Channel.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
DISASTER STRIKES!!!
My 9th worst nightmare happened. The other eight are pretty bad, but in context, number nine blows. Hard.
You see, the old boob tube froze up last night. It's happened before, Comcast isn't perfect, in fact, they blow too. Hard.
So I unplugged the DVR as I have many, many times before. But this time disaster struck. When I started it back up again the old DVR showed 0% space used up.
ZERO PERCENT.
Here is what is gone:
1. All my settings for shows to record and the supporting meta-data: First run, repeats, start times, end time extensions, how many to save, etc...
2. Pushing Daisies -- all 10 episodes
3. Chuck -- all 10 episodes
4. DirtySexyMoney - all 10 episodes
5. Sarah Connor Chronicles -- all 4 episodes
6. All our kids programming including the kick-ass 50 minute Backyardigans Knight movie. Which if you've seen it, you know it rocks. And did I mention it's 50 minutes?
So here I am, like Bruce Banner at the end of an episode of 'The Incredible Hulk'. And just because they called him David Banner, doesn't take away from the analogy -- I am lost, wearing only my tattered clothes, hitchhiking down the road trying to figure out what is next for me. Cue awesome closing music. Fade Out.
So I will start over. I will rent season 1 on DVD of all three shows -- something to do this summer. And maybe I will go to bed a little earlier the next few weeks. Maybe my wife and I will find the time to continue the elementary school debate before the clock hits midnight. I wasn't going to watch the Sarah Connor Chronicles anyway. I think they still publish books, right? Plus now I am free to enjoy Eli Stone and pick up another couple of shows and still have room on the DVR...
Lemons. Lemonade. Sold.
3 nights until LOST. Full review coming this weekend.
You see, the old boob tube froze up last night. It's happened before, Comcast isn't perfect, in fact, they blow too. Hard.
So I unplugged the DVR as I have many, many times before. But this time disaster struck. When I started it back up again the old DVR showed 0% space used up.
ZERO PERCENT.
Here is what is gone:
1. All my settings for shows to record and the supporting meta-data: First run, repeats, start times, end time extensions, how many to save, etc...
2. Pushing Daisies -- all 10 episodes
3. Chuck -- all 10 episodes
4. DirtySexyMoney - all 10 episodes
5. Sarah Connor Chronicles -- all 4 episodes
6. All our kids programming including the kick-ass 50 minute Backyardigans Knight movie. Which if you've seen it, you know it rocks. And did I mention it's 50 minutes?
So here I am, like Bruce Banner at the end of an episode of 'The Incredible Hulk'. And just because they called him David Banner, doesn't take away from the analogy -- I am lost, wearing only my tattered clothes, hitchhiking down the road trying to figure out what is next for me. Cue awesome closing music. Fade Out.
So I will start over. I will rent season 1 on DVD of all three shows -- something to do this summer. And maybe I will go to bed a little earlier the next few weeks. Maybe my wife and I will find the time to continue the elementary school debate before the clock hits midnight. I wasn't going to watch the Sarah Connor Chronicles anyway. I think they still publish books, right? Plus now I am free to enjoy Eli Stone and pick up another couple of shows and still have room on the DVR...
Lemons. Lemonade. Sold.
3 nights until LOST. Full review coming this weekend.
Friday, January 25, 2008
What's Wrong With America? Friday Edition
"Fox's 'The Moment of Truth', the new lie-detector reality show, was seen by 23.2 million viewers Wednesday night, the most-watched series debut in more than a year."
So here is how it goes...a lot of people like the Idol show -- I get the appeal, it's not for me, but I get the appeal. And frankly when my kids are a little older we will probably watch it together because frankly there isn't much else we can watch together. We tried American Gladiators, the net result was a severe beatdown that I took from the kids later that night as we tried the home version of the Eliminator and Joust. My back has yet to recover. In my defense, they tag teamed me and I didn't see it coming.
Back to the rant...
So what it comes down to is that 23 million people were so frickin lazy, they couldn't pick up the remote control when the show was over and pick something else. Anything else. Instead, they stayed around (and justified for FOX) a show that asks people if they have inappropriately touched a co-worker or cheated on a spouse. Some thoughts...
1. There is a chance everyone was repulsed (car accident style and had to watch once) - I will feel better if week 2 scores less than 10 million idiots.
2. There is a chance that the show is super clever and the next big thing and I am dogging it without watching it. I am sure this is the reason. Uh huh.
3. America has nothing else to watch (copyright writers strike day 112) -- but I will not buy this. Watching good or better TV is too easy -- but we still fall into a pattern of leaving the TV on to see what's next.
It's time we got involved in our viewing, time to take command of the TV Guide and program it --it is still programming too many of us. There is just too much good TV still out there to be seen. That's all I am saying. Let's not give credence to FOX reality shows and the lot -- it will only spawn more. And just when we thought this crappy phenomenon was over, the writers cannibalize themselves. They really did.
SOME OTHER THOUGHTS FROM THIS WEEK:
-Check out the new Law and Order -- the stories are better and the new cast members are excellent.
-Watching Gene Simmons on Celebrity Apprentice has been a treat, I will definitely tune into his other show 'Family Jewels' when it comes back. He is a total trip. I also looked him up and found out his real name is Chaim Witz and he was born in Haifa. I never knew that. Too funny.
-I will now be tuning out Celebrity Apprentice now that Gene Simmons got himself fired. Never seen anyone ask for it like he did. I assume he was bored.
-Did I mention Lost comes back next week?
-I think I am going to try Eli Stone, the new lawyer/fantasy show.
-Avid reader M.R. from 'Smokedale' reminds me to mention that it's getting harder and harder to read and enjoy Bill Simmons on ESPN.com. I mention this here only because Simmons has been my favorite on-line read for years. In reality, he is the writer I always wanted to be, and made it happen on his own, his way. It's a great story. His knowledge of sports mixed with pop culture is rivaled by no one and he can weave it perfectly into a 10,000 word essay. The problem is, with all the recent success by him home teams - Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots - and his continued use of the same 10 movie analogies, we are subjected to Boston articles littered with re-hashed pop culture almost endlessly. It is now to the point of saturation where I think I just need a short break from Simmons and his endless references to the Karate Kid and Shawshank. I hear the cries of reader M.K. -- but it will be hard to quit him. And yes, that was my shout out to the legacy of Heath Ledger.
-One benefit of the strike is that all major networks, during what is normally a sweeps month, will be devoting prime-time coverage to Super Tuesday. Wow, what a novel idea...
Happy Weekend to all.
So here is how it goes...a lot of people like the Idol show -- I get the appeal, it's not for me, but I get the appeal. And frankly when my kids are a little older we will probably watch it together because frankly there isn't much else we can watch together. We tried American Gladiators, the net result was a severe beatdown that I took from the kids later that night as we tried the home version of the Eliminator and Joust. My back has yet to recover. In my defense, they tag teamed me and I didn't see it coming.
Back to the rant...
So what it comes down to is that 23 million people were so frickin lazy, they couldn't pick up the remote control when the show was over and pick something else. Anything else. Instead, they stayed around (and justified for FOX) a show that asks people if they have inappropriately touched a co-worker or cheated on a spouse. Some thoughts...
1. There is a chance everyone was repulsed (car accident style and had to watch once) - I will feel better if week 2 scores less than 10 million idiots.
2. There is a chance that the show is super clever and the next big thing and I am dogging it without watching it. I am sure this is the reason. Uh huh.
3. America has nothing else to watch (copyright writers strike day 112) -- but I will not buy this. Watching good or better TV is too easy -- but we still fall into a pattern of leaving the TV on to see what's next.
It's time we got involved in our viewing, time to take command of the TV Guide and program it --it is still programming too many of us. There is just too much good TV still out there to be seen. That's all I am saying. Let's not give credence to FOX reality shows and the lot -- it will only spawn more. And just when we thought this crappy phenomenon was over, the writers cannibalize themselves. They really did.
SOME OTHER THOUGHTS FROM THIS WEEK:
-Check out the new Law and Order -- the stories are better and the new cast members are excellent.
-Watching Gene Simmons on Celebrity Apprentice has been a treat, I will definitely tune into his other show 'Family Jewels' when it comes back. He is a total trip. I also looked him up and found out his real name is Chaim Witz and he was born in Haifa. I never knew that. Too funny.
-I will now be tuning out Celebrity Apprentice now that Gene Simmons got himself fired. Never seen anyone ask for it like he did. I assume he was bored.
-Did I mention Lost comes back next week?
-I think I am going to try Eli Stone, the new lawyer/fantasy show.
-Avid reader M.R. from 'Smokedale' reminds me to mention that it's getting harder and harder to read and enjoy Bill Simmons on ESPN.com. I mention this here only because Simmons has been my favorite on-line read for years. In reality, he is the writer I always wanted to be, and made it happen on his own, his way. It's a great story. His knowledge of sports mixed with pop culture is rivaled by no one and he can weave it perfectly into a 10,000 word essay. The problem is, with all the recent success by him home teams - Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots - and his continued use of the same 10 movie analogies, we are subjected to Boston articles littered with re-hashed pop culture almost endlessly. It is now to the point of saturation where I think I just need a short break from Simmons and his endless references to the Karate Kid and Shawshank. I hear the cries of reader M.K. -- but it will be hard to quit him. And yes, that was my shout out to the legacy of Heath Ledger.
-One benefit of the strike is that all major networks, during what is normally a sweeps month, will be devoting prime-time coverage to Super Tuesday. Wow, what a novel idea...
Happy Weekend to all.
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