Eastwick a Failure

It has just been announced that ABC has effectively cancelled the low-rated series, Eastwick.  Although, ABC will air all the remaining 6 episodes of the original 13 ordered.

Alright, gentle readers.  Here’s the thing.  This was another show that I really WANTED to watch, but never got around to it because there was always something else on.  I’m not entirely sure what that something else is, but it was always there.  I did catch an episode on my DVR because I did try to watch and I went as far as recording it to watch.  But when I went to watch it, I found myself a little bored.

The show claims to be the Sex and the City of Salem.  Um.  Ok.  I could see that.  Maybe throw in a little Desperate Housewives, perhaps?

Single-handedly, housewives accomplish astonishing things… and together, watch out. In the seaside village of Eastwick, this might just be evidence of their inner-witch rising to the surface. Based on the 1987 film (The Witches of Eastwick), three women are drawn towards a mysterious man who bestows unique powers in them.

Ok, so reading that description, I’m interested.  For about 30 seconds.  But the simple fact is this:  networks need to stop trying to remake or rehash old ideas.  I LOVED the movie, but I don’t really want to see a tv series about it.

TV and movies both have a difficult time in the crossover.  It may be a good tv show, or a good movie, but the second it tries to do the other thing, it tends to not go well.  TV was written for TV and movies were written to be movies.

Now, that’s not to say that there hasn’t been SOME success.  The X-files for one was a great TV show, and then a great movie – the first one, not  the second – but after the movie, the show started going downhill.  Something similar could be said for the Buffy series.  The movie started the whole story, and it was a mess.  A cult classic now, perhaps, but it is still an awful movie.  Then comes the TV series, and it couldn’t be more different because it ended up being THAT good.

Again, there is always a chance that success could be had with an old idea.  But sometimes it’s just not a good idea.

So, with that said, I am sad that Eastwick didn’t get a chance to develop a little more.  And perhaps it would have gained more viewers, but sadly, that wasn’t the case.

What do you think of networks rehashing old ideas and trying to turn them into something shiny and new?

So, networks, please hear my plea.  Stop trying to remake things.

Nathan Petrelli’s Swan Song

I know I haven’t been watching Heroes.  I pretty much broke up with the series after the atrocity they call season 2.  And then again one third of the way through season 3.  So I haven’t really been keeping up with my Heroes news.

But it has been confirmed by a source, but not by NBC, that Adrian Pasdar who plays Nathan Petrelli, will no longer be on the show.  Apparently, he’s been killed of before: the end of season 3 when Sylar had slit his throat.  But he had come back to do guest spots and take on the guise of other characters.  However, this is rumored to be the FINAL farewell for the elder Petrelli brother.

Am I surprised?  Not sure.  The real question is: do I care?  And there is no simple answer to that one.

Heroes has been teetering on the edge of being a mediocre show for quite some time.  And again, I have to mention that I gave up on it long ago.  Believe it or not, I actually tuned in for a few scenes when I got home from work tonite.  And I’m not gonna lie, but it was more background noise than anything else.

Also, it’s not really the kind of show that you can put down and pick up randomly at any episode.  You really have to follow it, because the stories are so intermingled and twisted together, and so very elaborate.  And it’s not for the casual viewer, unfortunately.  It’s for the dedicated fan who has been watching since the beginning.  But how many of those are left anyway?

ANYway, Adrian Pasdar will be leaving the show.  His final episode has yet to air, although NBC will not confirm or deny the rumors.

What do you think about Heroes this season?

 

Community on the Back 9

Well, it looks like NBC has ordered the remaining 9 episodes for it’s new Thursday night sitcom, Community.

While it is a good show, and has quite a few moments of being hysterically funny, it’s certainly not my favorite new sitcom this season.  But the news of Community getting a full season is definitely a relief.  At least it’s getting the chance it deserves.

Too often, networks kill shows that have potential, but that aren’t producing the ratings they should early on.  And really good shows end way too early.  But NBC appears to have put a bit of faith in Community.

And I guess I can see why.

20 TV Shows to Break Up With

Honestly, I love EW for a lot of things.  But most of all, I love them for their lists.  They provide me with much needed blog fodder from time to time.  And who doesn’t love lists?  I mean, really.

But I love this particular list because it takes an honest look at what’s wrong with TV these days, and some shows that we just shouldn’t be watching anymore.  I will say upfront that I don’t completely agree with every show on this list, but I can certainly respect why they are on it.

1. Heroes – Not gonna lie, I broke up with this one after season 2.  And then again after season 3.
2. Dollhouse – One of those shows I love, that I don’t think should be on this list… but the ratings just aren’t up far enough yet to keep it from failing in its Friday night timeslot.
3. America’s Next Top Model – I’ve never watched this show, and I don’t plan to start now.
4. Project Runway – Um… same deal.  But hasn’t it been on long enough?
5. The Office – I love this show, and really don’t see an end in sight.
6. Gossip Girl – Ha!  I really tried watching this one, but it’s a daytime soap opera that airs at night on a crappy network.  The End.
7. Hell’s Kitchen - This used to be a must-see… sadly, not so much anymore.
8. Bones – I love this show.  I’ve always loved this show.  BUT it is one of those shows that you can put down for awhile, and pick up later and not miss much.  That could be deadly for a show.
9. House – Yet another show that I love, but can drop for awhile and pick up whenever.  Sure, there’s new things going on this season…
10. One Tree Hill – This is one that I tried watching, and it felt a little like a soap opera, and a little bit forced.  6 seasons might be long enough.
11. Dancing with the Stars – They try to keep it new and fresh, but like American Idol, it’s just getting old.
12. 90210 – I’m fairly certain I remember mentioning last season that this was a mistake to begin with.  Again, I will say, why mess with a good thing?  The original was good.  Leave it there.
13. Glee – Ok.  I love love LOVE this show.  No, it’s not for everyone.  But I am definitely surprised that it’s even on this list.
14. Private Practice – I actually finally got caught up with this one like I did with Grey’s Anatomy.  I never really like it all that much, but it was always something to watch when there was nothing else on.
15. Fringe – Even though Joshua Jackson is my TV-boyfriend, I’ve always felt that this one needed to go.  Come on.  It’s the X-files.  It’s already been done.
16. Mad Men – I often hear mixed feelings about Mad Men.  It’s good, it’s not good.  Truthfully, I’ve been wanting to check it out, but there’s always something else to be watched.
17. CSI: Miami – Procedural shows are always great because they really know what they’re talking about.  But CSI has been on for a LONG time.
18. Ghost Whisperer – Another soapy show that just doesn’t need to be on anymore.
19. Smallville – Apparently this one has run its course.  Smallville is yet another show that I want to get into, but the more seasons there are, the harder it is, and the longer it’s going to take.  And do I really want to invest all that time?
20. American Idol - Old and tired.  And I hate reality TV.  And without Paula’s crazy antics and sexual tension with Simon, I just think it’s a waste.  And besides, it’s been on way too long.  It’s just old.

There are definitely a few shows on this that list that I vehemently do not agree with.  But everyone is entitled to their own opinion.  As long as they can accept that Bones, House, Glee and Dollhouse are actually good shows.  And I will not be breaking up with any of these shows this season.

There are, however, a few shows that don’t show up on this particular list. Two and a Half Men is a great show, but with recent changes this season like Charlie being in a committed relationship are just things that are going to hurt the original premise of the show.  Plus, Jake is getting a little old to still be the “half” man on that show.

How I Met Your Mother is another show that I’m less than impressed with this season.  Not gonna lie, after that Britney Spears episode two seasons ago, I’ve been really turned off.  And I will say that there are a few good scenes in a few episodes this season, but Barney being committed and dating Robin just really takes away from his character mold.

I don’t see either of those shows ending anytime soon, but it’s something to think about.

What shows are you thinking about breaking up with this season?

What I did this Halloween

Dear Internet,

I keep reading FB status updates and tweets and blog posts about how everyone had a lame Halloween.  Ok, not everyone, but a lot of people are claiming that this year, Halloween left something to be desired.

Well, my darling Internet, I can’t say that my Halloween sucked.  But it certainly wasn’t the best.  So, here’s what I did this Halloween:

• Marathoned the Halloween episodes of Buffy: Halloween, Fear Itself, All the Way.
• Watched It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
• Baked Halloween cookies with black cats and ghosts on them, courtesy of Pillsbury.
• Gave candy to TWO trick-or-treaters.
• Napped.

You see, I had fantastical plans to watch scary movies and… well, that was pretty much it.  But Chriso and I went to a haunted house the other night, and that was enough screaming and being scared of things jumping out at me to make me rethink the scary-movie-watching-thing by myself.  I would have nightmares.  No thank you.

So, Internet, I had a rather unproductive Halloween, which may be a good thing.  It was nice and quiet.

I didn’t dress up.  I didn’t celebrate.  I handed out a handful of candy, and I watched TV.

Life is good, dear Internet.  Life is good.

Getting Back on Track with Grey

I haven’t watched Grey’s Anatomy in 2 seasons.  Maybe a season and a half.  I own the first 4 seasons on dvd.  And I love the first 3.  But I haven’t watched it in a really long time.

I’ll admit that I haven’t even DVR’d it this season.  Mostly because it seemed like the show that you have to watch beginning to end, and can’t really pick up periodically along the way.

Only you can.  Apparently.

So, late at night, when I can’t sleep, and I’ve watched everything on my DVR – twice – I’ve been putting on Grey’s Anatomy from the On Demand menu.  And I must say, I’m getting hooked again.  And it wasn’t all that difficult to just jump right in and pick up where I left off.

And it’s great.

Except…

Izzie has cancer.  And is married to Alex.  George is dead.  Derek and Meredith got married via a post-it note, allegedly.  Dr. Hunt and Christina are dating.  But Christina misses Burke.  Bailey is an Attending, and getting a divorce.  Callie is dating another woman, who is overly emotional and would probably cry at a pin drop.  Mark is dating Lexie, who Derek often refers to as “Little Grey.”  And Derek and the Chief are butting heads.  Hard.  Oh, and Mercy West and Seattle Grace merged hospitals, leaving half the doctors in the area out of jobs.

Breathe.

So much for a recap.

But to be perfectly honest, even though all those things annoy me, I still like the show.  I don’t actually like the show, but it’s addicting.  And I think I’ll be watching it more and more.  Late at night, when I can’t sleep and have watched everything on the DVR.  Twice.

Lisa Kudrow and Courtney Cox Reunite

Unlike the Courtney Cox and Jennifer Anniston reunion, Lisa Kudrow will not be sharing a kiss with Courtney Cox.

But there will be a Friends reunion on yet another of Courtney Cox’s shows.  And even though Dirt failed after the second season – and I was very upset about that because I LOVED Dirt – Cox seems to still be thriving.  And honestly, I think she does well in both comedy and drama.

So, next month, Lisa Kudrow will grace the set of Cougar Town to do a guest spot, and the episode isn’t scheduled to air until early 2010, although with November sweeps right around the corner, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the episode air sooner rather than later.

Kudrow will play a dermatologist that Cox’s character can’t stop going to see.  Will it be botox?  We’ll see.

Cox had also told TV Guide Magazine that she would love to see Jennifer Anniston on the show for a guest spot, but it probably won’t be for awhile, as they don’t want  the two guest stars to air so close together.  But wouldn’t it be great to have the powerhouse trio on air together?  It would be interesting to see the chemistry on a different show and a different network.

So, I’m really enjoying Cougar Town, so I’m definitely looking forward to ALL the upcoming episodes, and I think this one will definitely be a treat.

Hulu Subscriptions?

Ahem.  Is this thing on?

They can’t be serious.  Or maybe they can.  EW is claiming that talks have been in the works about a possible subscription system coming in 2010, although there will probably still be some free content.

Ugh.  I thought the whole purpose of websites like Hulu was to add in commercial breaks, like you were watching in on TV, and thus the programming would remain free.  It’s a small price to pay to watch TV on my computer like I would on TV.

Ok.  So I’m not as outraged as I was when I first read that blurb on EW’s website.  Maybe it’s because it’s not as shocking as I thought it would be.  It seems that everything is going in the direction of “you must pay to use this service” crap.

But whatever, I guess.

There is no solid date as to when this will happen, but I expect maybe one of two things to happen.  1) it could take off immediately after the first of the year, OR 2) the system would have so many bugs that needed to be worked out that we wouldn’t see it until May or June.

What are your thoughts on free TV vs subscription services?  Do you think you have to pay for something you’ve been getting free all along, or for something that you are ALREADY paying for through a cable service provider?

Jim and Pam Get Married, an Office Wedding

Thursday night on the Office marked a HUGE milestone in Office history: Jim and Pam finally got married!

I went back and forth on whether or not I wanted to do a live post or a semi-live post, and I took notes all during the episode.  But re-reading over the notes I took, I don’t think that such an event would warrant a live or semi-live post.

ANYway.  Jim and Pam are married!

 

And what could be more awesome?  Not much.

The entire episode wasn’t the strongest I’ve seen, but watching the culmination 5 or more years of Jim and Pam just goofing around the Office was enough to make it a really great episode.

A few things that happened:

• Andy did a split and injured his scrotum.  And THEN asked Pam – the BRIDE – to drive him to the Emergency room.  Wow.
• Dwight is a ladies man.  He slept with the Maid of Honor, and literally did a very un-Dwight thing by blowing her off after.  It was hysterical.
• Jim and Pam had a backup plan.  Jim says “I bought the tickets as soon as I saw the video on youtube.”  Meaning, the video of the entire bridal party dancing down the aisle to a song.  And Jim and Pam ACTUALLY got married on a boat in the middle of Niagara Falls.  Good plan, Jim.  But the dancing down the aisle was hilarious anyway.
• Michael and Pam’s mom.  Ew… And Pam’s mom is different in this episode than in her original appearance back in the Sexual Harrassment episode of season 2.  But still, Michael and Pam’s mom?  Gross.
• Kevin had tissue boxes for shoes.  And fake hair.  I couldn’t figure out why he looked so different in the commercials for the episode.  And then he mentioned that he wanted to have an edge, so he bought fake hair.  Way to go, Kevin!

Honestly, there was so much going on in the episode, but all those things are what made it great.  And also, Jim and Pam are married.

I wanted to cry.

Seriously.

Because who doesn’t love a good wedding? 

Jim had a great speech/toast during the rehearsal dinner.

Four years ago, I was just a guy who had a crush on a girl who had a boyfriend. And I had to do the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, which was to wait. And don’t get me wrong, I flirted with her…I just had little moments with a girl who saw me as a friend. And a lot of people told me I was crazy to wait this long for a date with a girl who I worked with, but I think that even then I knew that I was waiting for my wife.

 

Awww, Jim.  But seriously, gentle readers.  I think that was a great way to tell their story.  So many screw ups and mishaps, and debauchery all around.  I think that was the Office way to have a wedding.

And I can’t wait to see the deleted scenes! 

What did you think about Jim and Pam’s wedding?

Hawaii 5-0 Remake

Is CBS seriously taking on a remake?  Apparently so.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, CBS has the rights to the original show which aired from 1968 to 1980, and CSI: NY writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci will be taking a stab at developing the show and writing the pilot.

This actually comes as a surprise to me, from a network who tried developing an updated version of Hawaii 5-0 last year with Criminal Minds, which, in my opinion, is a strong show.  But then again, why not jump on the remake wagon.

Some current name for name, concept for concept remakes out there now are shows the generally make me cringe and I do not watch because I’m a purist.  Which is to say, if the original worked, don’t mess with a good thing.  But there they go, messing with it.

Currently, the CW is home to not one but two remakes: 90210 and Melrose Place.  And last year saw the coming and immediate going of the Bionic Woman.

What am I hoping comes next?  Happy Days.  Ooooh!  OR Mork and Mindy.  Or maybe Laverne and Shirley.  But seriously, I’ve said it before when I complained about having to watch the premiere of the new 90210, remakes are a waste of time.

If they were a success to start with, that doesn’t mean they will be a success now, 30 years later.