Author: John Paulsen (Page 48 of 79)

Bubble Watch: Veronica Mars, FNL, Studio 60 and more

May 11, 2007 /

With May sweeps wrapping up, it’s a good time to take a look at the status of a few shows and try to determine whether or not they’ll be renewed. I focused on shows that we don’t blog here at Premium Hollywood, because any news about those shows belongs in their respective blogs.

Granted, these are personal favorites, but you’re welcome to post your own news about shows I fail to mention. I’m not sure how some of these shows ended up on the bubble. How can these shows struggle while “American Idol” continues to rollover the competition? Seriously, sometimes I want to go all “Celtic Pride” on Simon Cowell and kidnap him, just to put a chink in the AI juggernaut.

“Veronica Mars” (CW)
Word has it that the network is intrigued by a Season 4 trailer that takes place two years in the future and features Veronica at the FBI academy. Maybe I just have a crush on Kristin Bell (or is it Veronica?), but that idea sounds very promising.

“The Unit” (CBS)
Any regular viewers that missed the season finale of “The Unit” should stop reading immediately and go watch it. Seriously. If you’re still here, you know that the unit has disintegrated, Jonas is in the wind and Bob has joined the CIA. His first task? To track down Jonas! “The Unit” is set to return for another season despite somewhat mediocre ratings.

“Friday Night Lights” (NBC)
Clear eyes…full hearts…can’t lose! After a lot of consideration, NBC has decided to renew the high school football drama for a second season. For those that are interested in diving into the second-best new show of the season (next to “Heroes”), NBC is streaming all episodes online. Choosing my words wisely, I wish the final game hadn’t turned out the way it turned out, but hey, I’m just happy there’s a Season 2 to look forward to.

“Studio 60” (NBC)
It was a very bad sign that the show disappeared during May sweeps, but it will return on May 24th to finish it’s first season. A second season is a serious long shot. In my research, I stumbled across an interesting article by Rick Kushman where he discusses the different ways the networks try to manipulate viewers. There’s one bit about NBC’s Thursday night schedule that is pretty funny.

“Smallville” (CW)
Michael Rosenbaum (who plays Lex Luthor) said in an interview that next season (Season 7) will be his last, and probably the last for the show. Ratings have been pretty strong and there are still a lot of storylines to mine in the world of Superman, but there’s no doubt that, after seven seasons, the actors and creators want to move on to other projects. There’s also no doubt that in a year or two, when the steady paychecks dry up, some of them will wish they had kept the series going. Anyway, we’ve got one more season. Let’s hope it ends with Clark finally becoming Superman.

“Supernatural” (CW)
I couldn’t find much info on a potential Season 3 of “Supernatural,” but Kimiit, a lounge member on the CW message boards, says that we’ll find out about the show’s fate on May 17th, when the network unveils its fall lineup. Kimiit goes on to say, “…you should be able to put your minds at ease. With the contests, all the merchandise coming out and the fact that CW will be repeating the show on Thursdays and Sundays this summer – renewal is pretty much in the bag.” Hey, if it’s good enough for Kimiit, it’s good enough for me.

“Medium” (NBC)
Despite a cast that includes one of the worst actors on TV, NBC has renewed “Medium” for its fourth season. The show has been mostly good, if a bit spotty, but a late push (that included Joe’s workplace scare and a three-part serial killer finale) has put the series on safe ground.

“ER” (NBC)
After a brief flirtation with “Grey’s Anatomy,” (truthfully, the flirtation was with Katherine Heigl) I learned that I can only handle one medical drama in my life, so until “ER” goes off the air, shows like “House” and “Heartland” (and whatever the “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff is going to be called) just don’t have a chance. After starring in his own failed medical drama (“3 lbs”), Stanley Tucci joins the cast as the ER’s new Chief for Season 14. (That’s right, “ER” has been on for 14 years!)

So there you have it, a roundup of some of the shows on the bubble. Feel free to post your own updates.

External TV, Gossip, News, TV, TV Action, TV Comedies, TV Dramas

The Office: “Beach Games”

May 11, 2007 /

With just two episodes remaining this season, I was fully expecting the plot to thicken in the Pam-Jim-Karen romantic triangle, but most of the episode was typical, hilarious “The Office.” Here are some highlights of the group’s visit to the beach (and Michael’s Survivor-esque quest for his replacement):

Marilyn forgot to put on her swimsuit top!

Michael: (to Oscar) “I’m just yanking your chain…not literally.”

Kevin leading the party bus in a rendition of Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler.”

Michael tells poor Toby that he has to stay at the office. As salt in the wound, Pam later tells him that she’ll be wearing a two-piece at the beach. Michael is such a jerk. (I sure hope someday we find out why Michael hates Toby so much.)

Michael: “If you don’t like it, Stanley, you can go to the back of the bus…or to the front of the bus…or drive the bus.”

Michael: “Dwight is an obvious candidate for my job. He has the best sales record in the office. He loves the work. He is, however, an idiot.”

Dwight and Jim’s whole argument about Voldemort (“he whose name should not be spoken”) was classic.

Kelly, when blindfolded, has a fear running into big rocks.

Creed, with his bare hand, can pluck a fish out of the water.

Dwight: (to Angela, after she agrees to sabotage her own team) “If Michael institutes some sort of group hug, stand next to me.”

Oscar: “If either of [Dwight or Andy] are put in charge of the office, I will transfer to Albany; Gil can come if he wants. I’m kind of looking for a way out of that relationship anyway. I think I might try girls for a while. Angela thinks I can cross over. We’ll see.”

Dwight pins Andy in sumo wrestling and screams, “Gryffindore!”

Andy falls into the lake with his sumo outfit on and asks an unwilling Angela to help him.

Michael: “Who’s ahead in points?”
Pam: “I think they’re even. At various times you gave Jim ten points, Dwight a gold star and Stanley a thumbs up. And I don’t really know how to compare those.”
Michael: “Check to see if there’s a conversion chart in my notebook.”
Pam: “I really doubt it, Michael.”
Michael: “Please, just check.”

Michael: (preparing for a fire walk) “The mind has to wrap around the foot.”

Dwight’s f’ed up fire walk was simply beautiful.

That’s all well and good, but at the very end, the show took a GIANT step forward after Pam’s fire walk prompted the following (amazing) monologue:

“Hey, I want to say something. I’ve been trying to be more honest lately and I just need to say a few things. I did the coal walk! I just did it. Michael, you couldn’t even do that. Maybe I should be your boss. Wow, I feel really good right now. Why didn’t any of you come to my art show? I invited all of you. That really sucked. It’s like sometimes some of you act like I don’t even exist. Jim, I called off my wedding because of you and now we’re not even friends. And things are just weird between us and that sucks. And I miss you. You were my best friend before you went to Stamford and I really miss you. I shouldn’t have been with Roy. And there were a lot of reasons to call off my wedding, but the truth is I didn’t care about any of those reasons until I met you. And now you’re with someone else and that’s fine, it’s whatever, that’s not what I’m…OK, my feet really hurt. The thing that – I’m just trying to say to you, Jim, and to everyone else in the circle I guess, is that I miss having fun with you. Just you, not everyone in the circle. OK, I am going to go walk in the water now. Yep. Good day.”

How great was that? It was wonderful to see Pam finally cut loose and make a move on Jim. With just one episode left, and a corporate job in New York hanging in the balance, will Jim once again leave the office? Or will Michael get the job?

I’ll tell you what – I think Karen is the dark horse.

External TV, The Office, TV, TV Comedies

The Office: “Product Recall”

April 26, 2007 /

There was nothing really going on plot-wise this week, but the episode was jam packed with some great moments:

Jim’s impersonation of Dwight

Jim: Question. What kind of bear is best?
Dwight: That’s a ridiculous question.
Jim: False. Black bear.
Dwight: Well, that’s debatable. There are basically two schools of thought…
Jim: Fact. Bears eat beets. Bears beat “Battlestar Galactica.”
Dwight: Bears do not – what’s going on? What are you doing?

Angela vs. Kelly

Angela: (popping aspirin) I don’t have a headache. I’m just preparing.

Creed covering his ass

Creed: The only difference between me and a homeless man is this job.

Dwight welcoming the reporter

Dwight: You’ve been granted level three security. Don’t get too excited, that’s out of 20.

Andy’s high school girlfriend

Andy: I had no idea (she was so young).
Jim: That’s not going to help you in court.

Andy: Who was that guy talking to her at her locker?
Jim: Not important. Because you’re not dating her. Because it’s a felony.

Dwight’s thoughts on the watermark

Dwight: May I point out that the sex appeared to be consensual. Both animals were smiling.

Dwight: I grew up on a farm. I have seen animals having sex in every position imaginable. Goat on chicken. Chicken on goat. A couple of chickens doing a goat with a couple of pigs watching. Whoever drew this got it exactly right.

Michael’s apology tape

Michael: They’re trying to make me an escape goat.

Dwight’s impression of Jim

Pam: You look really nice today.
Dwight: I look like an idiot.

Dwight: Lalala…little comment.

Man, I love this show.

External TV, The Office, TV, TV Comedies

Can we save “Friday Night Lights”?

April 16, 2007 /

Any FNL fans out there? Last fall, I put “Friday Night Lights” on my list of five new shows that must survive the season, and it hasn’t disappointed. Simply stated, it’s one of the best-written and best-acted shows on television. Other than “Heroes,” I can’t think of a new show that’s any better than “Friday Night Lights.” It has struggled at times with its ratings, but it’s up against the “American Idol” juggernaut, so it’s tough to say how the show would do against normal competition.

The ratings have increased as the year has worn on, and CNN has reported that NBC has ordered six new scripts for a second season. This doesn’t mean that the show has been picked up for another year, but it’s a reason to be hopeful.

If you’re interested in watching the show, NBC has decided to stream the entire season on their website and if you’re already a fan, be sure to sign the petition to save the show. (Don’t worry, you don’t have to contribute any money to show your support.) I’m sure the network is keeping track of how many people are watching episodes online (as well as the petition) to get a feel for its potential audience next season, so here’s a case where you can actually help save a wonderful show.

External TV, TV, TV Action, TV Dramas

“Back in a flash, baby!”

April 16, 2007 /

Mr. Zingale is away this week, so I’ll be stepping in to handle all of your “Entourage” needs. With none of the major storylines moving forward, this week’s episode could be considered filler, but for the most part, it was good filler.

E and Vince attempt to plan a couples weekend in Napa, only Vince isn’t in a relationship and Sloan would rather have E to himself. While things stayed pretty light, Sloan could eventually threaten the Vince/E friendship. She seems a little manipulative (consider the secret smile at the end of the episode) and has acted a bit insecure about where she stands in E’s life. (On a side note, Carla Gugino was completely wasted this week as Vince stalled on the Sam Mendes project. Amanda has spunk and she is a great foil for Ari – let’s hope that her character sticks around for a while. For those interested in seeing a little more of Gugino, check out these racy stills [copy link and paste into your browser] from her appearance in “Sin City.” She just might be the hottest 36 year-old on the planet.)

In by far the least interesting thread of the week, Turtle and Drama are up their old tricks, doing anything and everything to……um……get laid. The lame storyline reminded me of the schticky Turtle/Drama that we had to endure during the show’s first season. The characters developed a lot more depth during season two, and it really helped the show as a whole, but this episode represented a giant step backward for the duo.

Meanwhile, it’s clear that the Vince/Ari split has been good for the show. It has allowed the writers to develop the Ari/Lloyd relationship, and this week Ari showed that he does indeed have a soul when he saved Lloyd from a rough night with a potential client. We here at Premium Hollywood have always been big fans of these two, whether it’s Ari and his quips (“Sacrifice, Lloyd. Like the kamikaze pilots used to do” or “Know that today your love of cock is a huge asset to the company.”) or Lloyd’s undying (and sometimes mystifying) loyalty. If they’re able to thrive in a non-Vince universe (and they certainly did this week), it should provide a lot of juicy storylines in the weeks to come.

Entourage, External TV, TV, TV Comedies

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