We’re returning to Day 7 of the TCA Press Tour…and the second part of Fox’s first day of panels…with a moment or two of unabashed bitching.
The recipient of this bitchfest…? “24.”
See this picture of Kiefer Sutherland?
See all those microphones and tape recorders surrounding him? This was the only access any of us had to him or the other members of the “24” cast and production team who were in attendance at the press tour…and let me assure you that not pictured here are probably at least 47 other microphones and tape recorders that were just outside of the range of the camera. (As it is, I’m forced to wonder if the photographer was either standing on a chair or hanging from a chandelier to get this shot, since he couldn’t possibly have gotten close otherwise.) Instead of doing a proper panel for what’s ostensibly the most talked-about show returning to Fox’s line-up, the network opted to provide a casual affair, where we all mingled about the lobby of the ballroom during lunch together and struggled to get anywhere near Sutherland. They used the same methodology for “Prison Break” during the breakfast period (“Prison Break”-fast, get it?), and though it was a slightly less frantic affair, possibly due to the early hour, it was still less effective than a proper panel would have been, to be certain. I realize that Fox had a bit of a scheduling crunch due to the TCA swiping half of one of their two days for a luncheon with “The Bonnie Hunt Show” and a set visit to “Mad Men,” but I’d much rather have had a “So You Think You Can Lunch” function with Cat Deeley and company and gotten a proper “24” panel instead. Not getting proper time with the “24” folks after such a long time between seasons made for easily the biggest disappointment of the TCA tour to date.
Okay, moving on…
Secret Millionaire: I’m going to fall back on the press release again, lest I fall into snark mode while discussing this well-intentioned series, then I’ll speak more of it afterwards.
Here goes:
“‘Secret Millionaire’ is a dramatic unscripted series that takes America’s wealthiest individuals away from their lavish lifestyles, sprawling mansions and private planes and places them undercover into some of the most impoverished neighborhoods in America. The inspirational series reveals the dramatic personal return that the participating millionaires receive when they leave their fortunes to invest in those less fortunate. Challenged with living on minimum wage, the millionaires will immerse themselves in situations beyond their comprehension. They will work side-by-side with community members and befriend those in need to decide who should ultimately receive their extraordinary gifts of a lifetime. The millionaires will be touched by the people they meet. Some will inspire with their dedication to helping others, while others will relay stories of overcoming tremendous odds. On the final day, the Secret Millionaires meet with the chosen recipients and reveal their true identity and intention: to give them at least $100,000 of their own money and to change their lives forever.”
Okay, so the rich folks learn how the other side lives, right? Fair enough. The millionaires sounded like nice enough guys, aided in no small part by the fact that a couple of them were self-made millionaires, so they know at least a little bit about struggling through an ordinary life (as opposed to be handed everything on a silver platter). The cynic in me, though, can’t help but view this as Fox finally getting around to doing a well-intentioned reality show long after just about everyone else has gone this route. I’m probably wrong. But I also probably won’t watch even if I am.
