NBC has done an unprecedented move by taking Jay Leno into prime time. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that is going to come back to bite them. On the positive side, their ratings are so low that he probably can't do any worse than most of their other shows.
This year the struggling network has ordered 6 new series.
Mercy
Michelle Trachtenberg stars as a new nurse in this series that NBC is hoping might be a new alternative to ER. It looks like it might have its moments but its too wrapped up in its character's personal lives. Since Trachtenberg is hot though, I will give it 1-2 episodes. Don't expect to see this until midseason.
Community
Joel McHale and Chevy Chase are headlining this comedy about going community college. Are there any better words then Chevy Chase on TV? Oh, there are? Well, check out the promo to see if it's your cup of tea.
100 Questions
A new sitcom examining the mating and dating rituals of urban singles. Between cheesy pick up lines and failed relationships, there are so laughs. The only problem is that most of the stuff shown are things we've seen before: girl dumps guy instead of getting engaged and returns to being single -- check. Guy has secret crush on girl -- check. Goofy immature guys -- check. Still there appear to be laughs, so why not right?
Trauma
Yes, this is another one of NBC's signature dramas.
Parenthood
This has already been a movie and (a failed) television show before, but when does that stop anyone anymore. With one of the most impressively ensemble casts that includes Peter Krause, Maura Tierney, Erika Christensen, Dax Shephard, Craig T. Nelson and Monica Potter, this is probably one of the most expensive shows coming this fall. What that means is if it doesn't perform quickly it will probably be gone. Ron Howard and Brian Grazer are producing.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Fall TV Previews -- FOX
Fox has a couple of new shows coming this year. Glee has already aired it's first episode earlier this week and perhaps I was the only one not feeling it. Here's hoping the rest of their new slate is better:
Human Target
Based on a DC Comic book and starring the new Freddy Krueger. The promo below makes it look like Under Siege 2, minus Steven Seagal. Could be fun -- or painful.
The Cleveland Show
The Family Guy spin-off that was proposed for last season is finally hitting screens this fall. Granted, I am only a casual viewer of Family Guy but am I the only who didn't know about his son? It looks more on par with American Dad more so than it's source material.
Past Life
CSI for dead people, though not as redundant as it sounds. When a soul needs vengeance, the reincarnated are helped by these people. Yea, I for one will be skipping this one...
Sons of Tuscon
A comedy about siblings who decide to hire a guy (Tyler Labine of Reaper) to pose as their father after their biological dad is sent to prison. Considering the quality of this promo and the track record Fox has with comedies you can expect GREAT things from this (note, sarcasm).
Brothers
A retired NFL player gets summoned home to help his family in Houston after his brother is left in a wheelchair. Here's the clip:
Human Target
Based on a DC Comic book and starring the new Freddy Krueger. The promo below makes it look like Under Siege 2, minus Steven Seagal. Could be fun -- or painful.
The Cleveland Show
The Family Guy spin-off that was proposed for last season is finally hitting screens this fall. Granted, I am only a casual viewer of Family Guy but am I the only who didn't know about his son? It looks more on par with American Dad more so than it's source material.
Past Life
CSI for dead people, though not as redundant as it sounds. When a soul needs vengeance, the reincarnated are helped by these people. Yea, I for one will be skipping this one...
Sons of Tuscon
A comedy about siblings who decide to hire a guy (Tyler Labine of Reaper) to pose as their father after their biological dad is sent to prison. Considering the quality of this promo and the track record Fox has with comedies you can expect GREAT things from this (note, sarcasm).
Brothers
A retired NFL player gets summoned home to help his family in Houston after his brother is left in a wheelchair. Here's the clip:
Fall TV Previews -- ABC
Here are some promos that have come out for the upcoming ABC shows:
V: The Television Series
The alien ships look mad fake. But it stars Juliet (Elizabeth Mitchell) from Lost. In the end if they don't have the alien queen eat the canary like in the original miniseries, I'm out.
Cougar Town
Despite the name, the title does not refer to Courtney Cox's character. She does play a cougar, though, who is recently divorced. Created by Bill Lawrence, who also created the show that will not die -- Scrubs, this looks kind of hilarious.
Eastwick
Based on the John Updike book The Witches of Eastwick that was turned into a movie with an all-star cast, this show looks kind of like a disappointment in comparison. The girls seem suitable, but for that to be the dude they are all in love with doesn't seem right. He seems like a low rent version of Stephen Moyer from True Blood. But I do like me some Lindsay Price.
The Deep End
Billy Zane is coming to network TV and he is still as charming as in his heyday. The law firm set show looks quirky, but not over the top like Boston Legal. The voiceover in the trailer is kind of cheesy, so be warned.
Happy Town
Comparing yourself to Twin Peaks in the opening seconds of your trailer is probably not the best idea due to setting the bar to high (at least for the first season). The show is about that is home to a maniac named the Magic Man and stars a bunch of people who's faces you'll recognize but won't be able to remember their names without hitting up IMBD (Among them are Amy Acker, Lauren German, Sam Neill and Geoff Stults). I have a feeling that this may be gone by mid-season (Hello, Harper's Island anyone???), but looks interesting.
Modern Family
Has a decent named cast. But doesn't have anything to really entice you. Oh well...
The Middle
Patricia Heaton tries her hand at a comedy again, this time without a laugh track. This trailer makes it look like Malcolm in the Middle-esque.
Hank
Yea, I couldn't even bring myself to watch this one. So it's on you.
V: The Television Series
The alien ships look mad fake. But it stars Juliet (Elizabeth Mitchell) from Lost. In the end if they don't have the alien queen eat the canary like in the original miniseries, I'm out.
Cougar Town
Despite the name, the title does not refer to Courtney Cox's character. She does play a cougar, though, who is recently divorced. Created by Bill Lawrence, who also created the show that will not die -- Scrubs, this looks kind of hilarious.
Eastwick
Based on the John Updike book The Witches of Eastwick that was turned into a movie with an all-star cast, this show looks kind of like a disappointment in comparison. The girls seem suitable, but for that to be the dude they are all in love with doesn't seem right. He seems like a low rent version of Stephen Moyer from True Blood. But I do like me some Lindsay Price.
The Deep End
Billy Zane is coming to network TV and he is still as charming as in his heyday. The law firm set show looks quirky, but not over the top like Boston Legal. The voiceover in the trailer is kind of cheesy, so be warned.
Happy Town
Comparing yourself to Twin Peaks in the opening seconds of your trailer is probably not the best idea due to setting the bar to high (at least for the first season). The show is about that is home to a maniac named the Magic Man and stars a bunch of people who's faces you'll recognize but won't be able to remember their names without hitting up IMBD (Among them are Amy Acker, Lauren German, Sam Neill and Geoff Stults). I have a feeling that this may be gone by mid-season (Hello, Harper's Island anyone???), but looks interesting.
Modern Family
Has a decent named cast. But doesn't have anything to really entice you. Oh well...
The Middle
Patricia Heaton tries her hand at a comedy again, this time without a laugh track. This trailer makes it look like Malcolm in the Middle-esque.
Hank
Yea, I couldn't even bring myself to watch this one. So it's on you.
Fall TV previews -- CW
Here are some preview clips of the new shows coming to TV in the fall.
Melrose Place
Sydney is back and crazy as ever -- but it seems she might not be appearing very long from the one clip. Michael is the father of a 20something year old, let's see that get explained. Ashlee Simpson still can't act. Katie Cassidy and Jessica Lucas look hot though.
Based on the books that were Twilight before Twilight was even thought of and adapted by Kevin Williamson, who created Dawson's Creek and Scream. Should fit in well with the CW, but the promo is kind of a yawn. Oh and if you ever wondered what happened to Ian Somerhalder after leaving Lost, now you know.
Beautiful Life
Produced by Ashton Kutcher, this is the only idea that isn't based on pre-existing material that the network is offering for the fall. In the pro column it stars Sara Paxton and girls will probably love the fashion. In the con column, Mischa Barton is back on TV regularly and it's only a matter of time before the eating disorder storyline gets whipped out. Wildcard: Corbin Bleu is breaking out from High School Musical. Will he be the next breakout of the cast or remain that other guy from the HSM series.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Spotted:
Matsuflex and shawn from vh1's Tool Academy partying at McFaddens in Philadelphia. YIKES!!!
The amount of gel and other product in their hair is ridiculous.
The amount of gel and other product in their hair is ridiculous.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Upfronts Comings and Goings
With the end of the television season each year comes the annual Upfront presentations where the networks announce their Fall television schedules and try to begin the building the hype for each of the new shows. Over the weekend check back for a full rundown of what's been picked up and where you can catch your favorite shows come September.
More than any development season in recent memory a number of big name pilots weren't picked up by the nets. Below is a list of those shows that were canceled and new shows that won't ever see the light of day.
Cancelled: Eleventh Hour, Without A Trace, The Unit, Life, Privileged, Lipstick Jungle, Prison Break, My Name Is Earl, Crusoe, Kath and Kim, Knight Rider, Kings, My Own Worst Enemy, The Unusuals, In The Motherhood, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, According to Jim, Pushing Daisies, Life on Mars, Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, Samantha Who?, The Game, and Everyone Hates Chris
Not Picked Up:
More than any development season in recent memory a number of big name pilots weren't picked up by the nets. Below is a list of those shows that were canceled and new shows that won't ever see the light of day.
Cancelled: Eleventh Hour, Without A Trace, The Unit, Life, Privileged, Lipstick Jungle, Prison Break, My Name Is Earl, Crusoe, Kath and Kim, Knight Rider, Kings, My Own Worst Enemy, The Unusuals, In The Motherhood, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, According to Jim, Pushing Daisies, Life on Mars, Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, Samantha Who?, The Game, and Everyone Hates Chris
Not Picked Up:
- The American remake of Absolutely Fabulous starring Kristin Johnston was passed on by Fox.
- ABC decided against expanding the Supernanny franchise with Supermanny.
- David E. Kelley's dry streak is continuing now that Legally Mad isn't coming to NBC
- Brett Ratner's Cop House revolving around a halfway house for cops was passed on Fox.
- Without his untitled pilot being picked up by NBC, perhaps Michael Rosenbaum will pop up on Smallville more next season
- Gossip Girl's untitled spin-off following Lily's teenage groupie years is not on the fall schedule. But there are conflicting reports as to whether it could show up midseason. Did anyone actually like that episode a few weeks ago?
- One of the potentially controversial pilots, Back, was passed on by CBS. The show starred Skeet Ulrich and followed a guy who disappeared on 9/11 only to re-appear 8 years later.
- The Eastmans had an all-star cast that included Donald Sutherland, Jacqueline Bissett and Jesse Bradford
- Another big name cast that didn't make it to CBS is Happiness Isn't Everything starring Richard Dreyfuss, Jason Biggs and Mary Steenburgen
First Look of the new Melrose Place
E! Online got the first look at The CW's upcoming reboot of the 90s soap Melrose Place.
The cast includes Katie Cassidy (the remake of Black Christmas, Harper's Island), Jessica Lucas (Cloverfield), Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Shaun Sipos (The Grudge 2, Lost Boys: The Tribe). Also returning are Thomas Calabro and (somewhat inexplicably) Laura Leighton, who will be returning from being presumed dead as Sydney Andrews -- who is seen in the second photo in what looks like a face off with Cassidy.
Look for the first commercials to be coming soon and the hype to begin shortly. Word on the street is that this one has come together much better than the disjointed 90210 reboot. Though the network has yet to officially announce its line-up rumors have it being placed behind the teen soap on Tuesday nights at 9 p.m.
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