your personal road map to what's going on in Hollywood
I know what you’re thinking… “‘Survivor News’?!? Is the band who wrote the incredible song Eye of the Tiger getting back together and going on tour?” As far as I know, they’re not… but they could be. This news, however, is related to the television program, Survivor, not the band.
Two types of television programs are canceled after only one or two seasons: the brilliant and the utterly stupid. Certainly among the former is the great work of the incomparable Aaron Sorkin. Of his three forays into the small screen, only one made it past its second season, the critically acclaimed The West Wing. It is his other two series, though, that you probably missed: Sports Night and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. (Aside: Aaron Sorkin is also the writer of several films including one of my all-time favorites A Few Good Men.)
Ok, what do you get when you put knock-off versions of Christian Bale and Bridget Moynahan in a deserted town with invisible electric fences? The new Lost? Maybe. But really it’s just NBC’s summer mini-series Persons Unknown.
SPOILER ALERT: *So many spoilers your mom will wonder who left the refrigerator open*
Background: I’ve watched this show live since season 4. I bought the first season on DVD site unseen years ago and fell in love. With that first season, I actually started the last disc around 11:30pm and kept convincing myself “just one more episode” ’til I had finished the whole thing, knowing that I had to be at work at 6 the next morning. I’m a fan.
…now it’s time… to say goodbye… to all our company…
Background: I caught up on Lost around the start of season 4. I borrowed and rented the first three seasons and watched them in about a month. And I was hooked. I’ve watched the last three seasons pretty much live. Needless to say, I’m a fan.
The TV Throwdown has been on an extended hiatus, simply because television has been on an extended hiatus. There have been little pockets of life – 24, Hoarders, Gray’s – but, in general, it’s been pretty weak. But tonight, EVERYTHING… CHANGES.
buh-BAM! Can you deal with that?
Lost is back. Set your twitter apps to follow #LOST. It’s going to rock your face off. I don’t care if I have to wait and start it at midnight after everyone has gone to bed, this is going to be an event. I should go order some BBQ wings, Pringles, and a Snuggie… be right back. SWEET, I totally scored a free portable book light with my Snuggie order.
Seriously, though, this show is poised to prove itself as either the greatest sci-fi/drama/mystery in the history of television or the biggest disappointment since Scott Hall’s latest return to TNA.
Occupying the #2 slot on my DVR is this little gem.
Sorry baby, the doctors of Seattle Grace Hospital are going to have to wait… Rupert and Russell are back. But at the end of the day, I’m pulling for Colby. It’s his time.
So, tell me, am I alone in this or will the entire spring television season rest on the back of these two programs. Feel free to disagree with me, but know that I’ll taunt you mercilessly if you do.
Returning in all it’s glory… The TV Throwdown! on TOC!!
So, with the wealth of 80s revisitations, revamps, and reboots I thought it would be fun to take a classic 80s sitcom and dream up what it would look like if they made it a movie today. Today’s series of choice: Family Ties. If casting started today, here’s what I’m thinking…
THEN: 
Michael Gross as Steven Keaton NOW: 
Alan Ruck – because we all love Cameron and he was great in Ghost Town.
THEN: 
Meredith Baxter Burney as Elyse Keaton NOW: 
Rita Wilson – because I think that Mrs. Tom Hanks would play well against Ruck.
THEN: 
Justine Bateman as Mallory Keaton NOW: 
Olivia Wilde – House’s “13″ I think that she could play younger if she tried.
THEN: 
Tina Yothers as Jennifer Keaton NOW: 
Miley Cyrus – Yeah, I went there. Don’t hate. It’s a good fit.
And, the one you’ve been waiting for…
THEN: 
Michael J. Fox as Alex P. Keaton NOW: 
Shia LaBoeuf – ignoring the fact that his last name reminds me of the girl from Teen Wolf (Boof), the fact that he’s my favorite actor (click the link) and the fact that he’s been called “this generation’s Michael J. Fox” (by some guy at Starbucks) I think that he would bring the name recognition that the film needs to at least break even. Honorable Mention to Justin Long and Adam Brody.
Thoughts, Complaints, Hate Mail??
Welcome back to the fall preview, or as my friends south of the border are calling it: “El TV Throwdown presentado: El Grande Preview de Fall TV Americano, part dos.” (That week of Spanish lessons in Guatemala has really paid off, can’t you tell?
This week we’re looking at new shows premiering this fall. Again, I won’t cover them all, so if your hyped up about some new show – leave it in the comments. Sorry for skimping on pics this week, there’s just too much ground to cover.
Jay Leno (NBC, Mon-Fri. 9pm Central) I covered this at length before, so I’m not going to waste my breath again… FIVE NIGHTS A WEEK??? REALLY?!?! Ok, I couldn’t help myself.
NCIS: LA (CBS, Tuesdays 8pm Central) I didn’t even realize that the original NCIS was still in first run. Who knew it was popular enough to spur a spin-off featuring tw0-time-Robin Chris O’Donnell and L.L. Cool J. Mama said, knock this show out.
Melrose Place (CW, Tuesdays 8pm Central) Scheduled to follow right behind 90210. TV Guide is calling this a remake of the soapy ’90s melodrama featur[ing] many familiar archetypes.” So, you’ve either got a remake of 90s show with Melrose, or real-life 90s icons with NCIS. Such decisions!!
Trauma (NBC, Mondays 8pm Central) I saw this billed somewhere as “ER outside the ER”. I guess we’ll never run out of police procedurals and medical dramas.
The Forgotten (NBC, Tuesdays 9pm Central) Ok, if 5 nights of Jay Leno didn’t seal the deal, NBC wins the What the Crap Award for putting Christian Slater back in a starring role on a television series. Did they not learn anything last time? What’s it about? Who cares? (I’m secretly a closet Christian Slater fan. Go rent The Wizard, Hard Rain and Broken Arrow for you long weekend.)
Cougar Town (ABC, Wednesdays 8:30pm Central) Can Courtney Cox-Arquette break the Friends curse? Sources say, “doubtful.” I’m still waiting for a Ross spin-off.
Eastwick (ABC, Wednesdays 9:00pm Central) Not to be outdone by the CW rehashing series from the 90s, ABC offers this series based on a movie from 1987. This obviously an attempt to capitalize on the vampire craze, but with witches. Interesting.
Glee (FOX, Wednesdays 8:00pm Central) Baptist church youth ministers be warned. You can expect a drastic drop in attendance as soon as this one starts. This is easily the most anticipated series of the season and from what I’ve seen it’s worth every ounce of hype.
Vampire Diaries (CW, Thursdays 7:00pm Central) Seriously, did I even need to tell you it was on CW. You knew. The only thing I can say about this that’s interesting is that it features the grandson of film legend Steve McQueen. No, genius, I’m not talking about the main character from Cars.
Welcome back! This week it’s a quick look at those longer running shows that are returning this fall. For the sophomore sensations, check out last week’s update.
House (FOX, Mondays 7pm Central) Ok, personally, I think that House jumped the shark last year. They tried to make him a sympathetic character and it was a horrendous failure. My wife and I were huge fans, but probably missed half the season and didn’t really care.
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC, Thursdays 8pm Central) My opinion: Grey’s went overboard last year also. Everything about it was just so “on again, off again). The writers failed to realize that sad situations don’t make us connect with deplorable characters. We’ll see what happens this time around, but I would dare to say that it’s the beginning of the end.
Survivor (CBS, Thursdays 7pm Central)Yes, I still watch this show. Is it still culturally relevant? Probably not. But it is still captivating. They pick great characters 80% of the time and while it may seem a bit more staged (like The Hills) it’s still entertaining for (what is this?) the 18th season.
Ugly Betty (ABC, Fridays 7pm Central) Ugly Betty? Why do we care? The move to Friday night – long heralded as the nail in the coffin! This show has seemed to have a solid following, so this one comes as a surprise, at least to me. I’ll be interested to see what comes of it.
Next week we’ll take a look at the new shows premiering this fall. Be on the lookout.
If only the Title line were bigger, I would have aptly titled this “TV Throwdown presents: The Great American Fall TV Preview, part 1″.
Hey, the new TV season is upon us and those of you who have been blessed with DVR need to get your thumbs a’workin to get all your precious shows programmed. I’m gonna give you a heads up on some shows you might want to check out, but there are really far too many to mention.
Today we’ll look at shows that are returning for their second season. Part 2 will be long-running shows that are returning. After that, I’ll take a crack at new shows. I certainly won’t get to all of them, so if you have some thoughts, leave them in the comments.
With that, I present, your sophomore sensations.
Castle (ABC, Mondays 9pm Central) Ok, I totally called this one wrong. From the previews last season, I predicted mid-season cancellation. Guess I was wrong. People must like Nathan Fillion because I don’t know what they get out of show where a writer follows a cop around to get ideas for his next book. I just don’t get it.
Lie to Me (Fox, Mondays 8pm Central) - This show came out of nowhere to captivate my wife and I. Tim Roth is pure gold, but the rest of the cast carries their own. I appreciate the little digs they take at famous people and politicians. It’s a different take on the police procedural-type program.
SNL: Thursday Update (NBC, Thursdays 7pm Central) - NBC brought this concept out last year and it was timely because of the election. With Amy Poehler being gone, I’m not sure that Seth Meyers can carry the whole half hour. At least, they won’t be without content.
Fringe (Fox, Thursday 8pm Central) - I wanted to watch this, but I just didn’t have time. I heard good things about it, but I only made it through about 10 minutes of the first episode on Hulu. I’m still not 100% sold on J.J. Abrams. I think that the conclusion of LOST (not until next year) will determine the future of his career.
Southland (NBC, Fridays 8pm Central) - I haven’t seen this one either, but the previews looked solid. I’m quite interested, though, because this was so highly billed and how has been moved to the dreaded Friday night slot. To be honest, I didn’t think that the guy from the O.C. could carry such a highly touted series.
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