Traveler Boys

Hey did you notice who Tyler Fog is? Ryan Atwood's brother Trey! And Mr. Traveler is Pyro from the X-Men movie (so ironic). The guy playing Jay has been in soaps and was on a show called "Tru Calling" which I never watched (I think Matthew did because wasn't that the show with that girl from the cheerleader movie in it?).

I'm looking forward to next week's episode. Something interesting for the summer. Yes, it is very much like "The Fugitive," "Prison Break" or any other running from the law shows. That's fine - they always seem to be at the very least interesting. I just hope I can stay up for it - fell asleep for the end last night. Ugh.

What would you watch if you only had network television?

If, in some insane world like my parents house, I was limited to only NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX and the CW (Yes, Matthew, it IS a network), I wondered what I would possibly find to watch over the summer. A few soul-searching minutes later, I had a basic list, one that might get me by, but is pretty sparse - reality and a few nighttime soapy shows. Add a comment with yours... maybe I am missing something brilliant amidst the paltry offerings like The Next Best Thing: Who is the Greatest Celebrity Impersonator and Wife Swap Season 4.

1. Traveler (ABC). I watched the sneak preview premiere of this a few weeks ago on ABC. I actually like it, despite it's obvious format stealing from Prison Break.
2. Hidden Palms (CW). This Kevin Williamson drama is said to be a mix of really dark and really Dawsonesque. Is there anything better than that?
3. So You Think You Can Dance (FOX). I hate to admit that last summer at M&P's house I got hooked on this show and I tuned in many times last summer. There is something addictive about the pageantry. It's like WWF but prettier.
4. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (NBC). You might think I mistyped here - but if you already erased your season pass for Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip you've made a mistake because NBC (in a rare good move imo) has decided to air the rest of the episodes. I was shocked to find one waiting in my now playing list for me this week as well as a preview for next week. Finally, NBC vindicates me.
5. House (FOX) - This show is so so so good and conflicts with so many other shows during the regular season that even I (with the ability to tape up to 4 channels at once) cannot watch it. So I pick it back up every summer and enjoy catching up.
6. National Bingo Night (ABC). It's BINGO for godsake and it's interactive - plus Patty already won something which makes it an obvious choice for me. On Friday nights you can pick from this L&O reruns or Friday Night Smackdown!. I guess we could shut the tv off. But what's the fun in that?
7. Ex-Wives Club (ABC). This looks like one of those so bad it is good reality shows. But it might just be too trashy for even me.

National Bingo Night!

Must see Friday night TV (if you don't have anything better to do). :) You can play right along with them which is really the fun part - download the cards from abc.com. The Commish is highly entertaining - where else are you going to see an overly enthusiastic Indian shouting "NOOOO Bingo!" I must mention that I did get a Bingo the last game, but I am waiting to find out if I won anything. There is a drawing from everyone who got a Bingo. We shall see!

dancing with the stars finale

In the end, I was glad that Laila wasn't in the top 2 (and so were the other stamping ladies). We all failed to understand what the judges meant when they said that she had such an "it" factor every time she danced. We thought she was 'ok'. Alana was above and beyond thrilled that Apollo took it and I agree in theory, he was by far the best ballroom dancer. However, Joey Fatone really took it better than I would have since he was such a good performer. and I cannot help but mention that Steve Sanders being blocked out of the finals was upsetting to me and most of the class who graduated from West Beverly in 1993.

jericho update

Fans of the cancelled CBS post-apocalyptic serial Jericho, who launched a series of campaigns to try and save the show, earned a personal letter from CBS Entertainment chief Nina Tassler on the show's message boards on cbs.com. She writes that she was touched by the response, which included a flood of emails, an online petition and a MySpace page, and says CBS hopes to let the fans know how the show would have ended. If ever there was an opportunity for a digital extension, this is it!

FOX

Not too bad... the cuts don't effect me at all. Anyone else's thoughts?

Fall 2007-2008 Primetime Schedule: Beginning Fall 2007
Monday: Prison Break, K-Ville
Tuesday: New Amsterdam, House
Wednesday: Back to You, 'Til Death, Bones
Thursday: Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, Kitchen Nightmares
Friday: The Search for the Next Great American Band (wt), Nashville (wt)
Saturday: Cops, Cops, America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back, MADtv (11p), Talk Show with Spike Feresten (12a)
Sunday: The OT (NFL post-game), The Simpsons, King of the Hill, Family Guy, American Dad
Beginning January 2008
Monday: K-Ville, 24
Tuesday: American Idol, House
Wednesday (January): Back to You, 'Til Death, American Idol
Wednesday (Spring): Back to You, The Return of Jezebel James (wt), American Idol Results Show, ‘Til Death
Thursday: Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, Canterbury's Law
Friday: Bones, New Amsterdam
Saturday: Cops, Cops, America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back, MADtv (11p), Talk Show with Spike Feresten (12a)
Sunday: The King of the Hill, American Dad, The Simpsons, Family Guy, The Sarah Connor Chronicles
What's not included on the schedule? Drive, The Loop, Nanny 911, Standoff, Trading Spouses, The War at Home
FOX New Series Descriptions: K-Ville - police drama set in post-Katrina New Orleans. The city is still in turmoil, many cops have left the force and the safety infrastructure of the city, including the jails, have not been properly rebuilt. The cops that are still on duty, however, are passionate about reclaiming their city. From 20th Century Fox Television. New Amsterdam - drama about John Amsterdam, a modern-day homicide detective who happens to be immortal. He lived in the colony of New Amsterdam in 1642 and was saved from death by a young native girl who transferred a spell on him so he would never age or realize mortality until he finds his one true love. Produced by Regency Television and Scarlet Fire Films. Back to You - new comedy starring Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton set in a local Pittsburgh TV station where they portray co-anchors of the evening news. From 20th Century Fox Television, Levitan/Lloyd Productions. Kitchen Nightmares - Chef Gordon Ramsay is the focal point in this unscripted show where he travels to rescue restaurants in crisis. From Granada America, Optomen Television and A. Smith & Co. The Search for the Next Great American Band (wt) - The producers of American Idol will search for the next big undiscovered band. Judges will narrow the playing field to 10 semi-finalists who will perform weekly in front of a live studio audience and viewers will have the chance to vote for their favorites. The final act will receive a major recording contract. Produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 TV LTD. Nashville (wt) - docu-soap set in where else - Nashville centering on people with talent trying to make it big in the music industry. From Go Go Luckey Productions. Canterbury's Law - courtroom drama starring Julianna Margulies as a defense attorney willing to go to whatever lengths it takes to protect the wrongfully accused. From Sony Pictures Television and Apostle The Sarah Connor Chronicles - drama based on the heroine from the Terminator movies which expand the storyline of Sarah Connor and her son John as they are fugitives from the law and facing more enemies coming from the future. Produced by Warner Bros. Television and C-2 Pictures. The Return of Jezebel James (wt) - two estranged sisters, who are opposite in every way, move in together when one agrees to carry the other's baby. From Regency Television. The Rules for Starting Over - single camera comedy set in Boston about a group of thirtysomething singles who are all starting over after painful relationship break-ups. Produced by 20th Century Fox Television, Conundrum Entertainment and Watson Pond Productions Anchorwoman - local TV station owner in Tyler, TX hires a beautiful model / ex-WWE performer as lead anchorwoman to boost his station's ratings. The hitch is that she has no news experience. From Fox 21 and The G Group.

the CW

I know Matthew doesn't consider this a real network. But I still do. And they've cancelled all the shows I liked except for ANTM. I am going to have to completely retool my television watching for next year because 7 hours of programming I liked are not returning. Damn. That's probably 1/10 of the amount of tv I watch a week. Scary.
Monday: Everybody Hates Chris, Aliens in America, Girlfriends, The Game
Tuesday: Beauty and the Geek, Reaper
Wednesday: America's Next Top Model, Gossip Girl
Thursday: Smallville, Supernatural
Friday: Friday Night Smackdown!
Sunday: CW Now, Online Nation, Life is Wild
One Tree Hill - is on the bench for now but will return midseason. According to the network, the show will be retooled from top to bottom, and the storyline will advance four years into the future after the characters have graduated from college. To satisfy eager fans, The CW will provide online diaries on its website this fall to keep viewers updated on what happened during those missing years.
Other midseason shows - include season two of Pussycat Dolls Present and two new reality series Farmer Wants a Wife and Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants.
Anything missing from the primetime schedule? - Yep, Veronica Mars has been removed due to its low ratings and, of course, no more Gilmore Girls and 7th Heaven.
CW New Series Descriptions:
Aliens in America - new comedy inserted into the Monday line-up centers on a 16-year old high school teen who forms an unlikely friendship with his family's Pakistani Muslim exchange student. Produced by CBS Paramount Network Television Inc. and Warner Bros. Television
Reaper - drama about Sam, a 21-year old slacker who finds out that his parents sold his soul to the devil before he was born. At first rejecting his fate, Sam quickly realizes that he can't and shouldn't cross his new boss and becomes Satan's bounty hunter tracking down evil people. From ABC Studios.
Gossip Girl - drama focusing on privileged prep school teens in Manhattan whose lives revolve around their blog written by a secretive Gossip Girl who knows all the juicy news and scandals. Based on the young-adult novels by Cicily von Ziegesar. Produced by Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Paramount Television Inc.
CW Now - half-hour series that spotlights everything hip and new for the 18-34 crowd from music, fashion, to movies and gadgets. This series is a co-production of Telepictures Productions and Warner Horizon Television.
Online Nation - half-hour series that showcases content taken from websites, blogs and user-generated content. The series will also feature an interactive component allowing viewers to communicate with other viewers live on the air. From Room 403 Productions.
Life is Wild - drama about a New York family, with a dad who is a veterinarian, who move to a game reserve in South Africa for a year. Produced by CBS Paramount Television Inc., Warner Bros. Television and Company Pictures.
Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants - midseason competition reality series that has mother/daughter beauty pageant contestant teams battling against other mother/daughter teams. The winning mother and daughter will receive $100,000 and two tiaras. From Fox Television Studios.
Farmer Wants a Wife - midseason reality series about a farmer boy looking for a city girl to become the perfect farmer's wife. Each of the ten citified girls will vie for the country guy's attention and try to convince him they can live happily in the country. Produced by FremantleMedia North America and Super Delicious LLC.

CBS adds to the damage

Another of my favs - Jericho - is off the air. I don't know why, but Skeet Ulrich seems to attract good shows with bad ratings the way other celebs attract commercial endorsements. Sad; this show was really good and both Joe and I were quite invested in finding out whether Jericho or Newburg would win the war they were waging against each other or whether the new partial US Army would get there in time..... CBS did put to rest the rumors though that How I Met Your Mother (despite it's flagrant overuse of NPH) would not be back next season. I was wondering how they were planning to get to the part where he mets their mother if the last show we ever saw was his breakup with Robin. In addition, the young Ritter got the boot. Too bad as he is TV royalty and he does have great timing.
Here is the CBS lineup:
CBS Final 2007-2008 Primetime Schedule
Monday: How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Rules of Engagement, CSI: Miami
Tuesday: NCIS, The Unit, Cane
Wednesday: Kid Nation, Criminal Minds, CSI: NY
Thursday: Survivor, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Without a Trace
Friday: Ghost Whisperer, Moonlight, Numb3rsS
aturday: Crimetime Saturday, Crimetime Saturday, 48 Hours: Mystery
Sunday: 60 Minutes, Viva Laughlin, Cold Case, Shark
Other CBS Upfront News:
Mid-season shows- include The Amazing Race, The New Adventures of Old Christine, and the new drama Swingtown.
Additional reality series - CBS has also ordered Power of 10 for this summer, hosted by Drew Carey.
What's not on the schedule? - The Class, Close to Home and Jericho
CBS New Series Descriptions:
The Big Bang Theory - a comedy about two geeky, physics-loving guys who are befuddled when it comes to love and girls and are put to the test when a friendly, attractive new female neighbor moves in next door. She then makes quite an impression on the two guys and their other nerdy friends. From Warner Bros. Television.
Viva Laughlin - a mystery drama exec produced by Hugh Jackman with upbeat music and singing interspersed throughout to advance the story of Ripley, a risk-taking gambler who wants to open a casino in Laughlin, Nevada. But when his financing falls short, Ripley must go to his nemesis, competing casino owner Nicky Fontana (Hugh Jackman) for help but then is drawn into a murder investigation when his ex-business partner is found dead. Based on the BBC show Viva Blackpool and produced by BBC Worldwide Productions, Seed Productions, CBS Paramount Network Television in association with Sony Pictures Television.
Cane - Jimmy Smits and Hector Elizondo head the cast of this drama about a large Cuban-American family operating a successful rum and sugar enterprise in South Florida. From ABC Studios in association with CBS Paramount Network Television.
Moonlight - romantic drama about an undead private detective, Mick St. John. For 60 years, Mick has resisted the urge to feed on humans and has tried to protect the living instead. During these decades he has also forsaken love until he meets Beth Turner, a beautiful reporter. Produced by Warner Bros. Television.
Kid Nation - reality series centering on 40 kids, age 8-15, who are given 40 days to build Bonanza City, New Mexico out of a 19th century ghost town. Living away from their parents for more than a month, these kids will have to do everything together including cook meals, clean, and set up a town government. Kids won't be eliminated, but can go home whenever they want. At the end of 40 days, will the kids succeed where adults failed? Produced by Tom Forman Prods. and Good TV, Inc.
Power of 10 - new summer reality series hosted by Drew Carey that will challenge contestants to guess the outcome of polls taken by thousands of Americans across the nation. The first of ten questions is worth $1,000 and each one thereafter goes up in value by 10 times, for a total jackpot potential of $10 million. Produced by Embassy Row in association with Sony Pictures Television.
Swingtown - mid-season series that takes viewers back to the sexual and social revolution of the 1970s. The Millers move into a new suburb outside of Chicago and are surprised to meet their swinging new neighbors. From CBS Paramount Network Television.

New ABC Shows mentioned

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/15/arts/television/15abc.html?th&emc=th

Dramas mentioned:

Following in the footsteps of “Desperate Housewives,” ABC has another new drama with a catchy title in “Dirty Sexy Money,” in which Peter Krause (“Six Feet Under”) plays a lawyer for a venal corrupt family.

Money is also a factor in “Big Shots” (the title may change), about four rich corporate executives and their tribulations with business and women. Dylan McDermott (“The Practice”) and Joshua Malina (“The West Wing”) are among the stars.

“Cashmere Mafia” is yet another series attempting to replicate the successful formula of “Sex and the City,” with a group of New York women in and out of romance. But this one was at least created by Darren Star, who also produced “Sex.” Lucy Liu (“Ally McBeal”) is among the stars.

“Women’s Murder Club” is a self-explanatory crime procedural, with Angie Harmon (“Law & Order”) playing the main investigator.

The final drama is “Eli Stone,” about a lawyer who may be crazy or may be a prophet. Jonny Lee Miller is the star, supported by Victor Garber (“Alias.”)

there are also a number of comedies listed, though not as many as the new dramas...

the upfronts

I have to admit this week in May is ALWAYS my favorite and least favorite time of year for tv. Shows that I absolutely love get killed and that hurts me (Already Studio 60, the Black Donnellys and Raines got killed yesterday). Seriously. But there is also the promise of the new season. New shows to complain about. New shows to absolutely love (not that there will be many of those on the hated NBC). So, without further ado, the NBC upfronts in short review. I'll add comments with each networks schedule as it becomes available (for those of you not in the know, they do one network a day).
NBC Final 2007-2008 Primetime Schedule
Monday: Deal or No Deal, Heroes, Journeyman
Tuesday: The Biggest Loser, Chuck, Law & Order: SVU
Wednesday: Deal or No Deal, Bionic Woman, Life
Thursday: My Name is Earl, 30 Rock, The Office, Scrubs, ER
Friday: Rotating Reality Block*, Las Vegas, Friday Night Lights
Saturday: Dateline NBC, Drama Series Encores
Sunday: Football Night in America, NBC Sunday Night Football
Sundays in January: Dateline NBC, Law & Order, Medium, Lipstick Jungle
*Reality Block: 1 vs. 100, followed by The Singing Bee
Other NBC Upfront News:
Heroes: Origins - spin-off of Heroes which will begin airing in its Monday night time slot when that series goes on hiatus. This new series will focus on fresh, never-before-seen characters. NBC will also include an interactive element via NBC.com where viewers will select one Heroes: Origins character to appear on Heroes the following season. The network has ordered 30 combined episodes of both series.
The Apprentice - on the bench for now but without a time slot. NBC will reassess where to place the series after all schedules are announced.
Law & Order - NBC has opted to launch the 18th season of this series in January after Sunday Night Football completes its run. Also, as a potential US Presidential Candidate, expect Fred Thompson to leave the show.
Jerry Seinfeld will return to the Peacock as he is working with DreamWorks to produce 20 live-action comedy "minisodes" that will air as interstitials on NBC recounting his experience voicing the animated film Bee Movie. The minisodes will also air on NBC.com on specific days before and after the film launches in theaters on November 2.
Law & Order: CI is not on the fall primetime schedule because it will move to USA Network for its seventh season with first-run episodes airing on USA and encores airing on NBC.
Other comedy updates - NBC has ordered 30 half-hours of The Office and five one-hour episodes, and has increased the order of My Name Is Earl to 25 episodes. So far, the network has ordered only 18 episodes of Scrubs.
What's not on the fall schedule? The Black Donnellys, Studio 60, Crossing Jordan, Raines; Thank God You're Here, The Real Wedding Crashers, and Identity.
NBC New Series Descriptions:
Journeyman - San Francisco newspaper reporter and husband/father suddenly travels through time, changing people's lives and reuniting with his former fiance. From Twentieth Century Fox Television.
Chuck - a computer geek opens a government email and downloads a server-full of confidential data into his brain, which makes him an unlikely secret agent fighting international terrorists. Produced by College Hill Pictures and Wonderland Sound and Vision in association with Warner Bros. Television.
Bionic Woman - Jamie Sommers is back in this updated version of the woman who is given extraordinary powers and tries to use them for good. From NBC Universal Television Studio.
Life a detective is given a second chance, returning to the police force after spending years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Produced by NBC Universal Television Studio.
Lipstick Jungle - dramedy based on the novel by Candance Bushnell about three high-powered friends who are successful and stand by each other during life struggles. From NBC Universal Television Studio.
The IT Crowd - comedy based on a British comedy about the overlooked techies who work for a large, impersonal corporation. From NBC Universal Television Studio.
The Singing Bee - variety-competition show where contestants must sing the lyrics correctly to popular songs. Produced by the Gurin Company and Juma Entertainment, LLC.
World Moves - a talent competition series from executive producer and American Idol judge Randy Jackson featuring dance teams from around the world hoping to win an international touring contract.

FNL gets early renewal for next season

Matthew Patty and Allison Marvin - get your freak on!!!!
As the lead-in to next week's Broadcast upfront Week, here's some early news from NBC - the network has given the high school football drama Friday Night Lights a green light for a second season. Despite its low ratings (season-to-date average 2.3 among A18-49) the show received critical acclaim and was championed by NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly. It is expected NBC will order a full 22 episodes of the show which is produced by NBC Universal Television Studio and Imagine Television. NBC also picked up five pilots for full series development: Bionic Woman from NBC Universal Television Studio; Chuck about a guy with a supercomputer brain recruited by the government, produced by Warner Bros.; Journeyman about a time traveling journalist from Twentieth Century Fox; and Life about a cop who returns to work after finally proving he was wrongfully convicted of murder, from NBC Universal Television Studio; and last but certainly not least - Lipstick Jungle from NBC Universal TV Studio about three highly successful women living and working in NYC.

Lost

What do you all think of this new Lost storyline with "Jacob?" And the whole thing with Jack and Juliet?

renewals

ABC has picked up drama series LOST for 48 more episodes, or three seasons of 16 eps each. At the end of those 48 episodes, the show will come to a planned and scheduled end during the 2009-2010 season, per Variety.

Oxygen has renewed the original reality series Tori & Dean: Inn Love for a second season. The 10-episode series will debut in third quarter this year and will focus on the pair juggling a new baby, two careers and a successful B&B business.

Youtube

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4wGR4-SeuJ0

Two words:

Chad Vader

programming updates

After seven seasons on the WB and then the CW, Gilmore Girls will air its series finale on May 15 at 8p. There had been discussions about a new limited run next season, but the decision has been made by Warner Bros. and the network for the series to end this year.
~ MORE GOOD STUFF ~
FX will debut the fourth season of Rescue Me on June 12 at 10p. The 13-episode series will air each Tuesday night at 10p through September 11, with the exception of July 3 due to the 4th of July holiday. Rescue Me is produced by Apostle, The Cloudland Company and DreamWorks Television in association with Sony Pictures Television.

Anyone else having problems seeing the blog?

I just get a blank screen when I go to "View Blog."

tv on the net.

has anyone gone there yet?
Vuguru's teen-targeted online serial Prom Queen is averaging about 200,000 views a day less than half way through its 80-day run, according to company figures shared with MediaWeek. The show has accumulating 5.2 million views since its April 2 debut. More than half of the views have been on MySpace, which enjoys a12-hour exclusive window for each webisodes, followed by views on Veoh (854,653), YouTube (232,382) and PromQueen.tv.