I don't know how many people will miss TNT's Raising The Bar. It was one of those shows that you never really heard people talking about - fans or critics - even though it had a pretty high-profile cast, including Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Jane Kaczmarek. The 2008 premiere actually grabbed over 7.7 million viewers, but that number dropped 50% for the second season premiere, so the writing was on the wall.
TNT has canceled the legal drama. There are still a few episodes that haven't aired yet and they will probably be shown sometime in early 2010.
This is the first step to cancellation and anyone who tells you otherwise is blowing smoke. Despite a big star in the center, Three Rivers is an earnest medical drama that's just not catching on with viewers. CBS will complete the 13-episode order and then kiss the show bye-bye.
The ratings are in from Friday night -- that was the Friday after Thanksgiving, a night when the major networks were showing movies and reruns -- and, not surprising, the numbers are pretty low.
Oh, wait, one network had new shows, ABC. But the ratings for a new Ugly Betty at 9 p.m. were dismal. Ugly Betty came in dead last with just a 0.9/3, only 3.39 million viewers for that timeslot.
A few weeks ago, I thought -- hoped -- things were looking up for Ugly Betty. It looked like the show was going to get a timeslot switch to Eastwick's Wednesday at 10 p.m. Alas, ABC has done nothing. Eastwick is not picked up for the season and it's still losing in that spot -- it had a 1.2/4 and just 3.89 million viewers this past week. That said, why isn't ABC giving Betty some love with a time change?
(S08E15) If you were thinking that the penultimate episode of Monk, the next to last show, would be a gag fest filled with sight gags and spit takes, you were wrong. I can't remember a more serious Monk episode in eight seasons. Also, for those of you who have wondered about Monk's mourning of Trudy, here was a show that would address the issue head on. For that and other matters of life or death, read on and remember, this is only part one of the two part finale so spoilers will be shared... after the jump.
What, no Thanksgiving episode? They could have had a plot where Caffrey has to find a diamond that was hidden in the carcass of a frozen Butterball turkey in the local supermarket. Or maybe some secret microfilm hidden inside a giant bowl of yams covered in marshmallows. They did mention that Christmas was coming up, so they seem to be in the right time of year. They should have had some of the characters watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving or the Macy's Parade or something.
You want to talk about holiday cheer and gifts that keep on giving, take a look at what we have to expect from TV starting in January. For instance,Big Love is coming back to HBO on January 10.
How great is all that TV – and I haven't even mentioned Lost or 24! Advice to all television fans; if you don't already have the best equipment in your TV room, if you're hankering for HD or have been worried about your DVR, upgrade your stuff now – ask Santa Claus for what you want – and get ready for the new year bounty.
This morning some good news leaked out sooner than expected, although I don't think it was that big a surprise to learn that TNT is bringing Leverage back on Wednesday, January 13 at 10 p.m. Surprise news or not, it's still great to know that we have fresh episodes coming in early 2010.
One of favorite aspects of Thanksgiving, besides the turkey and the stuffing and the pie, is that I get to watch the Thanksgiving episodes of The West Wing. Yeah, I guess I could watch the episodes any time of year since I own them on DVD, but that's not how I roll.
Here are two classic scenes from the show. The first is from the episode "Shibboleth" where President Bartlet pardons a turkey, and the second, after the jump, is from "The Indians in the Lobby," the scene where he calls the Butterball hotline.
This, my friends, is a no-brainer. Psych is one of USA's more reliable hours, a comedy-mystery series that has a loyal following. This past summer season -- which will soon be completed in the winter when the second half of the episodes air beginning in late January (the date hasn't been confirmed yet) -- the show performed especially well in younger demographics.
(S01E05) I don't think I've sighed as hard as I sighed during the opening scene of this episode of White Collar in a long time. Caffrey and Moz find a note hidden by Kate ... in Grand Central Station? And not even in the station, but in the corner of the building outside. Did I miss some massive clue that Caffrey was following to find the exact location of the note shoved into a crack? Or are we just supposed to assume he's so smart and perceptive that he can find an old note within three minutes of showing up in front of the building? If I missed something, it was silly. If that's exactly how it went down, then it was kinda stupid.
Oh my God! It's a zombie! Quick! Get a shovel or something heavy that will remove a human head or destroy its brain! Yes, TV shows can become zombies too.
NBC has revived its once doomed drama Trauma giving it a full 13 episode order plus a few more after they canceled it last month.
What made the network breathe life back into the expensive action drama? Apparently the show saw a brief boost in the ratings and NBC had a change of heart, assuming of course that they have one in the first place.
I love hearing stories about how certain stars auditioned for certain roles and didn't get them. What would the show/movie have been like if they were cast in it instead of the person who eventually got the role? For example, did you know that Danny DeVito was almost cast as Serena on Gossip Girl?
Here's another tidbit: Ugly Betty star Eric Mabius auditioned for the role of Peter Petrelli on Heroes. It's not really clear whether he didn't get the role because Milo Ventimiglia got it or if producers of Ugly Betty grabbed him for the role of Daniel Meade before Heroes producers could sign him up. Whatever happened, he's now playing the head of Mode magazine while Ventimiglia is absorbing people's superpowers.
The interview above is rather interesting. Mabius has moved back to Massachusetts with his family (he met his wife here while in college and wants to raise his kids here). He says he doesn't have a plan for his future, though he might have to get one. I have a feeling this might be the last season for Ugly Betty.
When I first heard the plot of the new TNT drama pilot that George Clooney is producing, Delta Blues, I thought it might be funny at first but way too odd to watch for several episodes. It's about George Hendricks, a Memphis police officer who lives with his mom and is also a part-time Elvis Presley impersonator (I'm going to assume that he doesn't dress up as Elvis while he's on duty or this show will go be way into the red zone of the QUIRKY meter).
Well, at least they grabbed someone good for the role. My Name Is Earl's Jason Lee is going to play the lead character, and I can definitely picture that. Now I just wonder if he's going to dress up as younger, thinner Elvis (circa 1959) or older, wider Elvis (circa 1975).
The pilot will be directed by Clark Johnson, who worked on The Shield.
Well, last night was the BIG night on the new Melrose Place, the return of Amanda Woodward (Heather Locklear). Judging from Locklear's entrance, she really did shake up things on the show.
A question for fans of the original: did this make you watch this episode even though you weren't watching the new show? And for fans of the new show who really aren't familiar with the original: are you excited by Locklear being on the show?
(E06) Well, that's that. All wrapped up nice and neat with a bow. Glad it's all cleared up and everything makes perfect sense... Did you read the sarcasm in that statement?
At this point, I can't tell if fans of the original The Prisoner will embrace this new iteration of the concept, or feel betrayed by it. Don't get me wrong, once all the secrets lie revealed, they've developed a pretty neat concept, and on that could quite possibly have sustained more than six episodes even. But was it The Prisoner?
I will give credit to all of the actors for their conviction in these roles. Ruth Wilson and Jamie Campbell Bower were particularly impressive as 313 and 1112. The layers of emotion that 313 displayed in her closing scenes with Two, and later with Six were just tragically beautiful. And 1112... well, tragedy appears to be the name of the game in the new Prisoner.
You knew it was a bad sign in November when 
The ratings are in from Friday night -- that was the Friday after Thanksgiving, a night when the major networks were showing movies and reruns -- and, not surprising, the numbers are pretty low. 
You want to talk about holiday cheer and gifts that keep on giving, take a look at what we have to expect from TV starting in January. For instance,
This morning some good news leaked out sooner than expected, although I don't think it was that big a surprise to learn that 
USA Network is losing Monk this year, but it's not about to let Psych go. The adventures of Shawn and Gus will continue. 
Oh my God! It's a zombie! Quick! Get a shovel or something heavy that will remove a human head or destroy its brain! Yes, TV shows can become zombies too. 
I love hearing stories about how certain stars auditioned for certain roles and didn't get them. What would the show/movie have been like if they were cast in it instead of the person who eventually got the role? For example, did you know that Danny DeVito was almost cast as Serena on Gossip Girl?
When I first heard the plot of the new TNT drama pilot that George Clooney is producing, 
Well, last night was the BIG night on the new Melrose Place, the return of Amanda Woodward (Heather Locklear). Judging from 
Gone Too Soon: Invasion
Scrubs season nine -- An early look
The TV Squad Podcast: Vik Sahay of Chuck, Oprah talk, brutal timeslots, and more!
