Posted Apr 17th 2010 2:01AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: OpEd, Smallville, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free
(S09E17) Five episodes left in this ninth season, so General Zod needs to start putting together whatever his endgame plan is going to be. Steps were definitely taken toward that this week, but first we got the return of one of Superman's deadliest foes: Metallo.
It's always nice to see
Brian Austin Green, and he's actually quite effective in this role. I was a little disappointed in how quickly they were able to re-establish his character in whatever way they needed him for this week, but I'll forgive it because it was so much fun seeing almost everyone else turned on their ears.
Checkmate and The Wall took a break from intimidating everyone and pushing Tess around, which freed Tess up to make an unexpected alliance. Also missing from the fun was Green Arrow, but there was plenty of action without them.
Continue reading 'Smallville' - 'Upgrade' Recap
Posted Apr 16th 2010 5:02PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, Programming, OpEd, Pickups and Renewals, Ratings, TV Squad Lists
Since landing the cushy debut time slot after the Super Bowl to launch its run, CBS's
'Undercover Boss' has been an unqualified success for the network. In fact, in nearly every Sunday since its premiere -- with or without the lead in of a sporting event -- 'Undercover Boss' has showed well in the ratings.
The
season finale on April 11 was the number one program in the 18-49 rating, the one that TV execs covet the most. Therefore, you can understand why 'Undercover Boss' easily earned a second season renewal. It won't be a mid-season drop in, either. You watch, it's going to be on the CBS upfront schedule for the fall.
Continue reading Three Key Factors in the Success of 'Undercover Boss'
Posted Apr 16th 2010 4:11PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: OpEd, Lost, Reality-Free
Never let it be said that ABC and Disney would miss the chance to make a buck -- or $50 -- off the fans of
'Lost.' Does that sound cynical, well, judge for yourself. ABC has released the final 'Lost' cast shot, entitled "Final Flight," and it's on display in the new issue of TV Guide. That's the April 19th cover date. It's on checkout stands now.
The two-page spread includes a story about the actors' future casting prospects, but the lure here is the picture. Shot by ABC chief photographer Bob D'Amico, the image is going on sale as a limited collectible by the network. There will be a run of just 300, numbered and signed by D'Amico. Each 16x20 print will include an ABC certificate of authenticity. The price, unframed, is just $49.99. If you're interested, click over now and order it while you can. Here's the
link.
Continue reading Final 'Lost' Cast Photo For Sale
Posted Apr 16th 2010 3:08PM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, OpEd, TV Squad Lists
I have no interest in watching MTV's
'Jersey Shore,' for approximately 75 reasons. But I think it can be boiled down into one sentence:
why in God's name would I want to watch 'Jersey Shore?'
But here's the deal:
they're making a Boston version. I live in the Boston area, born and raised, so of course I have to at least check out the first episode, right? It scares me a bit though. What are they going to get wrong? What are they going to get
too right? Will the show make me want to hide the fact that I'm a Bostonian from people and start talking about how much I like the Lakers, making sure I pronounce my "r" in Lakers with more emphasis?
Continue reading Oh, No: They're Making a Boston Version of 'Jersey Shore!'
Posted Apr 16th 2010 2:04PM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: Other Drama Shows, OpEd, Video, Reality-Free
Why should FOX renew
'Human Target' for a second season? It all comes down to a three letter word. And that three letter word is "sex."
OK, actually that's not the word. The word I'm thinking of is "fun." We could sit here and come up with logical, specific reasons why 'Human Target' should be renewed. The stories are good, the cast is good, the
season finale cliffhanger was well done, FOX is going to need an action show like this since
'24' is in its last season, etc. And all of those things are true, but the main reason I want this show renewed is the same reason I want NBC's
'Chuck' to be renewed: it's a fun show.
Continue reading Why 'Human Target' Should Be Renewed
Posted Apr 16th 2010 11:50AM by Rich Keller
Filed under: Late Night, Industry, Programming, OpEd, Talk Show, Reality-Free
A few days ago,
Joel gave four reasons why Conan O'Brien made the right move to TBS. He mentioned, among other things, the control Conan will have over the new program and not having to fight for affiliates to air the program instead of 'Seinfeld' or 'The Simpsons.'
A fifth reason can also be added. A broader reason encompassing not just Conan's show, but the current talk shows that populate the cable horizon. You see, cable is the future of late night talk shows. I see you rolling your eyes and chuckling! However, I would hold off in calling me various versions of 'idiot' until you hear me out.
Continue reading Don't Laugh at Conan's Move to TBS... It's the Future
Posted Apr 16th 2010 11:00AM by Brad Trechak
Filed under: Industry, Programming, OpEd, Pickups and Renewals
In a move that is reminiscent of
Werner Herzog's documentary and its tragic ending, Animal Planet has
ordered a new series called 'The Bear Whisperer.' The series follows a bear-wrangler named Steve Searles as he attempts to control the bear population of Mammoth Lakes, California.
While the title is reminiscent of 'The Horse Whisperer,' this isn't horses. A horse is not likely to attack and eat you if you piss them off. Perhaps that's what the Discovery Channel is hoping for in order to boost its ratings.
At this point the show is more of a mini-series as Animal Planet has only ordered four episodes in total. If it works out ratings-wise, more will likely be on the way.
On the other hand, they'll be getting some advertising dollars from
'Cash Cab,' which has been renewed
for a sixth season. Perhaps they could merge the two concepts and have Ben Bailey kill and eat anybody who doesn't win the video challenge.
Posted Apr 16th 2010 10:02AM by Brad Trechak
Filed under: Programming, OpEd, Celebrities, Pickups and Renewals, Casting, Reality-Free
For those of you seeking to vacation in New York City, in the event that you hail a cab while in town you may get a chance to win a couple of thousand dollars and have Ben Bailey at your driver. 'Cash Cab' has been renewed for a sixth season.
Admittedly I'm a bit biased about this news as I was once a contestant on the show before coming to TV Squad. In the event that you do get on the show next season, please leave Ben Bailey a nice tip when the ride is done as I forgot to.
Hopefully the producers will give a little variety to the show, such as when they did 'Cash Cab at Night.' One recommendation would be to use other cities as locations for the show rather than New York City, and I say this as someone who loves New York. Other cities have clubs and restaurants that would love to sponsor the concept.
Posted Apr 16th 2010 9:00AM by Brad Trechak
Filed under: Industry, OpEd, Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free
That was fast. Apparently
Patton Oswalt has already been dismissed from the 'Beach Lane' pilot he was just scheduled for
a few days ago. Talk about a sudden change of heart.
No reason was given for the dismissal. Perhaps the producers decided they didn't need his role? Perhaps they were afraid he would overshadow co-star Matthew Broderick? He was offered another role in the same show, but no word on whether he accepted (it seems unlikely).
I'm reminded of when I saw 'The Producers' on Broadway. Broderick was okay in his role as Leo Bloom but Nathan Lane easily stole the show as Max Bialystock. Oswalt strikes me as a "Lane" type that could easily become the center of the program (if not for the strong character of Kevin James, he could easily have done the same in 'The King of Queens').
Of course, if this means he's now available to perform again as Baxter Sarno on
'Caprica,' then 'Beach Lane's' loss is SyFy's gain.
Posted Apr 16th 2010 12:28AM by Michael Pascua
Filed under: OpEd, Project Runway, Episode Reviews
(
S07E13) It's crunch time for
'Project Runway' as the contestants make their ten piece final collection at home. While Seth Aaron and Emilio are sailing pretty, Jay and Mila had to face-off. Tim's visits are probably the best episode for Tim fanatics. He gets to interact with the contestants, but also becomes human watching him eat meals and ride bikes. I need to have a looped gif of Tim on the trampoline from this episode.
On the whole, I'm impressed by the unfinished collections of all the contestants; they all look like they were closer to finished product than previous seasons. The contestants have very distinct points of view so it will be very interesting to see how the finale pans out.
Continue reading 'Project Runway' - 'Finale Part 1' Recap
Posted Apr 16th 2010 12:02AM by Jackie Schnoop
Filed under: OpEd, Survivor, Episode Reviews
(S20E09) Oh my. JT looks a bit disturbed in this image from tonight's
'Survivor,' doesn't he? Did he crack another tooth? Not to be posting spoilers in the first paragraph, but I don't think we'll see JT cracking teeth and being a one-man war machine this season. We've seen his whacked-out game strategy for the season already. He went from the nice guy, loved and admired by all, and winner of his original season to ... I don't know.
His own tribe doesn't trust him to the point of Amanda declaring him the "slimiest" person on the tribe last week. He's flipped, he's flopped. But tonight he has an epiphany and a brilliant idea. We'll see just how brilliant it is soon enough.
Continue reading 'Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains' - ' Survivor History' Recap
Posted Apr 15th 2010 11:28PM by Rich Keller
Filed under: OpEd, Bones, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Episode Recaps
(S05E17) Okay, boys and girls, here's the deal...
For some reason unbeknownst to me, my Stupid DVR (name brand) did not record this week's installment of 'Bones.' This, despite the fact that I set it up as a series recording. Of course, I can blame it on the kids, but that wouldn't be fair to them (I need to save that blame for when I do something stupid).
Until I can catch the episode on the Interwebs, I'm going to leave this post open for you, the wonderful and caring readers of TV Squad, to comment on the show. Let us know how you felt about this post-'I love you, but we're just friends' episode of the series, and if you think their new relationship will actually work until they eventually fall passionately into each others' arms sometime around season 33.
You can also let me know if the same mystery DVR loss has ever happened to you. That'll make me feel a little bit better.
Posted Apr 15th 2010 11:07PM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: OpEd, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, FlashForward
(S01E16) Well, I'm going to have to take serious issue with at least one of the plot threads that went down in this episode, but we'll get to that in a bit. For the first time since
'FlashForward' came back, we knew what day it was: three days before March 15, when Demetri is supposed to die.
Some nice plot threads were woven together, which should make for some interesting drama as we continue hurtling toward our April 29 deadline. It was nice to see Aaron Stark pulled back into the saga, along with a continued focus on Jericho. I still haven't figured out how they're connected to everything just yet, but it should be fun watching Stark try and find out.
The enigmatic Dyson Frost surprised me by taking a far more active and present role in the events of the episode than I would have ever expected. I was anticipating this mysterious shadowy figure making cryptic statements in the background to confound and frustrate Mark, and us. I couldn't have been more wrong.
Continue reading 'FlashForward' - 'Let No Man Put Asunder' Recap
Posted Apr 15th 2010 5:01PM by Joel Keller
Filed under: OpEd, How I Met Your Mother, Reality-Free
For a show that's been on the air for a number of years and has received a modest amount of attention from those who are obsessed with the minutiae of pop culture,
'How I Met Your Mother' hasn't suffered from a lot of backlash.
But budding signs of one are starting to appear. All season, John Swansburg of Slate has been recapping the show under a column called
"The 'How I Met Your Mother' Shame Index," chronicling what was good about an episode and what has made him ashamed to admit he was a fan. Lately, he's been giving more examples under the heading of "Shameful" than "Awesome."
And now there's an article by Tom Jicha, critic from the South Florida Sun Senitnel, bemoaning how the episodes this season
have been moving away from Ted's search for the Mother and focusing more and more on Barney's tomcatting antics.
But are they right? Is the show sliding towards a creative abyss? In some respects, yes. But there seems to be a method behind this shift.
Continue reading Is 'HIMYM' In a Creative Slump? Yes and No
Posted Apr 15th 2010 4:03PM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: OpEd, Celebrities, Emmys, Celebreality
Lately, television has been getting more and more open and even invasive when it comes to keeping some things private. On
VH1's E!'s
'Pretty Wild,' for instance, you can see the breasts of the ladies completely exposed with only the nipples blurred (as if that's the part that's not allowed on television!). On all the forensic dramas, the
'CSI's' and
'House,' getting inside the body is a regular, CGI-created event.
But for the really, really inside stuff, we've seen CBS's Katie Couric and Harry Smith having colonscopies on camera to illustrate the importance of the test in diagnosing colon cancer. And now
Kathy Griffin will be the latest celebrity to lift the veil of privacy when it comes to the pap smear. On Wednesday, Kathy tweeted the news -- and invited the world: "Um, I'm getting a public pap smear, on camera, poolside @ The Palomar Hotel in LA Friday."
Continue reading Kathy Griffin Goes Public With On-Camera Pap Smear
Next Page »
New 'Doctor Who' Matt Smith Looks Forward to a New Era
TV 101: My Strange Hate For The Word-Of-Mouthers
Four Reasons Why Conan Will Thrive On TBS
