Cancelled Shows: Clearing the Slate

The entertainment news got worse the more I read my feed yesterday. In an apparent effort to clean house, ABC and Fox cancelled a number of shows ahead of next week's upfronts (the time the networks reveal upcoming schedules, pilots, renewals, and other good stuff-hopefully). 

I linked to Deadline Hollywood's brief about yesterday's slew of cancellations, so you can read what's cut and a few reactions. 

The biggest, not biggest, surprise seems to be ABC's Castle. But since the original writers left, and maybe even a little before then, it's been circling the drain. While we will miss the fun-loving, and occasionally suspenseful detective show, it's probably time to move on. Besides, our time here would be better spent working. Yes, I said working. I may as well get back to night writing, since I've got a new book coming this year. Plus, it's just not a good time for me and TV right now, I've already canceled several shows from the DVR. Shows that let us down, or went in such strange directions we scratched our heads for a week or two, then dropped them altogether. If it works, maybe I can complete the next Harper and Mackenzie manuscript before the kids are out of school, and Suits comes back on USA this summer. All we ask is the writers don't mess with Mike, Harvey, and the gang too much, mmkay?

Summer TV Updates

TV is on a year-round cycle, but you already knew that, so here are show updates. This Yahoo! TV entry lists the shows that have been renewed or canceled since June. I admit to not recognizing half of these, some are, meh. Recent past favorites kept getting the axe, but it gave me more time to work on my book and read. See the Summer Reads posts. 

Glad USA renewed Suits, it's everything you could want in a modern legal drama, and more. Just hope they write some more fast-paced-witty scenes with Mike and Harvey in and out of the courtroom. 

Cheers!

Nod to the ABC Upfronts and Nashville Season Finale

There is plenty of TV news this week as the networks announce their upcoming fall schedules. Here are some of ABC's newest entries, and thankfully, they're bringing back some favorites, including Castle, S.H.I.E.L.D, Modern Family, and Nashville. If Callie Khouri and company can keep the country music and drama momentum going, they'll be golden, along with Shonda Rhimes (the undisputed queen of Thursday night).
Here's a sneak peek at tonight's Nashville Season Finale. I sure hope they don't kill off Deacon. Although, it looks grim from the clips I've seen. If they do, they better promise to bring him back in numerous clips and flashbacks, or I'm gonna get upset— #Dayna forever!

Anyway, enjoy scouting some new shows to watch or DVR!

Fall TV Clips

Even though it's spring, and the networks recently gutted their schedules, the fall lineup may bring hope. Ken Tucker over at Yahoo gave reviews, and shared clips, for some of Fox's new shows. 

I read the descriptions, but only watched The Grinder clip because I love a good lawyer show. Have since I could understand the word lawyer. Plus, who doesn't like the idea of a Rob Lowe and Fred Savage pairing?

Check them out. The rest of the networks are making announcements, so I'll post updates. Enjoy!

Eight Random Distractions for Tuesday

Because we could all use some fun, silly, thoughtful, humorous stuff sometimes. 

The Night Shift (NBC)—Crazy and good.

Dave Chapelle on Letterman (CBS) tonight—He jokes about quitting his show, claiming to be 7 years late to work.

J Lo and Jimmy Fallon Tight Pants Dance-Off—'Nuff said.

If you have a team in the NBA Finals (ABC), congrats! Otherwise, you can read the signs slamming LeBron's cramps. What is up with that, anyway?

Mustache Baby—This just looks silly. 

People.com: Celebrity News—What they wear, where they shop, etc.

22 Jump Street—Probably more raunchy humor, sure to make you laugh.

Butler business booming because of Downton Abbey—Oh, where to begin.

27 Actors Who Got Their Starts on Miami Vice (Mental Floss)

Couldn't resist posting this link I found while researching celebs. Here's a list (with photos) of 27 actors who started on Miami Vice (the 1980s version). The B&W photo of Crockett and Tubbs isn't bad either. 

Nashville Season 2 is Coming!

If you get a chance to see it from the beginning, do! You'll hear plenty of entertaining music, and see interesting characters with all sorts of evolving relationships. Gunnar + Scarlett. Rayna + Deacon. Juliette and the world (will she find the right guy?). Yeah, glad it's coming back. Here's a link to the season 2 premiere announcement, with video. 

http://abc.go.com/shows/nashville/blogs/the-latest-on-nashville/premiere-announcement-season-2

Will Fox convert to pay-TV?

This hit my radar and it is pretty interesting...Will Fox make good on its threat to stop broadcasting if Aereo continues to swipe Fox's feeds? 

Yikes! What about NFL on Fox? :) Maybe another network will scoop up the games and we won't have to pay to see football on Sunday. Although, we'd really like it if we could get the games we really want to see, like in the markets we cheer for, but beggars can't be choosers!

P.S. I remember when Fox was just a pup in the TV biz...my, you've come a long way!

TV ramblings: Nashville, Psych, TNT orders a new crime drama

We're about to watch Nashville and Psych, thank goodness for the DVR! I had a few minutes and was curious about the fate of Happy Endings (funny, but not getting the ratings and they keep changing days), and found out Smash looks done (I occasionally watch, but Debra Messing has signed up with CBS for a comedy pilot and Katharine McPhee has chopped her locks) and the "NCIS" and "NCIS: LA" executive producer has a new Rebecca Romijn and Jon Tenney drama coming in the summer. Looks interesting, find out more at the Hollywood Reporter.

By the way, does anyone else think Deacon's new girlfriend looks a lot like Rayna? 

Music you should hear

I admit it. I'm a fan of Nashville on ABC. If I started out unsure before the first episode, I was convinced when I heard the music. By the end of the pilot, a smoldering number sung by Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen, "If I Didn't Know Better" hooked me. It got even better when they sang "Fade Into You" this week. The young characters have an attraction that jumps off the screen every time they sing. I've downloaded the songs and can't wait to hear what comes next. Not sure how the numbers will play out, so tune in if you can, check out episodes on ABC here and listen to the tunes. There's real depth to some of the songs — sample a bit of old country angst with lyrics like "Til there's no way to know where you end and where I begin." 

The series was created by Callie Khouri, who won an Academy Award for Thelma & Louise. The music comes from some amazing singers and songwriters. On October 2, 2012, it was announced that Big Machine Records will release all covers and original songs from the series. Some of the original songs will be written by John Paul White of The Civil Wars, Hillary Lindsey, and Elvis Costello. (Wiki and The Hollywood Reporter) The HW story has more details here. 

Is your show canceled?

Eager to see how some of our favorite TV shows fared, I found this list of canceled shows on Yahoo! TV. There are nearly twenty on this list alone. 


Not even the big celebs could keep some of these shows on air. Shows starring Kathy Bates, Christian Slater and Ashley Judd are all reported gone. Find out if your faves got the axe. 


Interesting note, while scanning the comments, I noticed a lot of folks wanting more cuts in Reality TV. Until the masses want it bad enough they tune into docus, dramas and comedies, it's not going to happen.   


Other entertainment news this week: 

Castle is reportedly renewed. Yay!

30 Rock is planning a shortened final season soon.

Fan of Cougar Town? I hear it's moving to TBS.

Canceled TV Shows: Networks Clean House

To make room for new fall shows, here are all the TV shows that got the axe this week.

Days of our Lives…without TV

I’d like to say we decided to switch off the television in an effort to expand our minds or spend more quality time together, but we didn’t. It wasn’t even our choice. Our kid broke the thing and we were left with none. See, we only have one operational television in our house and she was having a moment. The kind that ends with a casual toss of a stuffed bear or toy bag. And the accidental destruction of a costly piece of equipment.

Sure, it’s tough to pay to replace something we already have, well, had. The upside? We spent more quality time together.

An advantage of having it broken, there was no way we could turn on the TV. Temptation removed. We occasionally, out of habit, went to watch or thought about shows we were missing. But, it diminished the more we had it off.

I got so much done the past few days. Here’s a quick list:

·      Fit in an extra workout

·      Finished two books

·      Organized our office, as much as possible

·      Paid bills

·      Played

·      Researched

·      Worked on a few writing projects

You can bet we’ll be catching up on our shows soon, but it’s nice to take a break. Why not see what you can accomplish when you turn off the TV for just one day? Happy TV-free week!

What's New on the Tube?

It’s winter and what is an expectant couple to do after the sun goes down – besides sleep? How about enjoying as many uninterrupted, DVR’d shows as they can before it all gets turned upside down? Oh, yeah!

So, here are some recent debuts and a few up and comers. The ‘What Is It’ blurbs come from Television without Pity’s Winter Preview (link below). I follow up with my take on the shows. Check it out and decide for yourself.

Harry's Law (debuts Jan. 17, 10 PM, NBC)
What Is It: Kathy Bates basically plays the House of the legal world. She's a curmudgeonly lawyer who was fired from her job and opens a new firm in a shoe store.
Should You Watch?: Yes. It's Kathy Bates. If you don't tune in, she'll come find you and tie you to a bed and do all manner of unkind things to you.

My take: I checked out the pilot on replay because there was not much else on that night. It’s cool that this is based in Cincy and it helps that it’s not about another slick, big city law firm. Toting at windmills? Maybe, but the law impacts people and it was good to see someone working for justice, not just playing for politics and self-gain. Needs polishing and a following to make it. Need to find someone with multi-DVR capabilities since our house tunes into Castle Mondays at 10pm.

Fairly Legal (debuts Jan. 20, USA)
What Is It: A lawyer gets tired of the system and decides to become a mediator.
Should You Watch?: No. Sounds like every other USA show, but even more cookie cutter.

My take: Were we lacking neurosis in San Fran already? I liked parts of it, but thought the pace was purposely rushed at times and some character traits forced. Kate’s a San Francisco mediator with an attitude instead of a highly intelligent, OCD-plagued, wipe-toting detective. She tries to help keep the family biz going after her father’s death. By the end of the show she has cleverly solved some cases, but calls her dead dad’s phone and shares wine with him after confiscating his ashes from the widow/wicked stepmother’s office. This show needs time and work.

The Chicago Code (debuts Feb. 7, 9 PM, Fox)
What Is It: It's the newest cop drama from Shawn Ryan, who created The Shield and Terriers. It stars Flashdancer Jennifer Beals as Chicago's police superintendent and Brotherhood's Jason Clarke as a retired cop trying to clean up the city. 
Should You Watch?: Yes. It may not be as gritty as The Shield, or as quirky as Terriers, but it has potential.

My take: Still mad that NBC dropped Life, so we’ll check out this cop drama and hope for the best.

Body of Proof (debuts Mar. 29, 10 PM, ABC)
What Is It: Dana Delany is a badass brain surgeon who got in a car accident, injured her hand so she can't operate and must now settle for being a really awesome medical examiner who likes to figure out how her "patients" died. 
Should You Watch?: Yes. It's a little bit Crossing Jordan, a little bit Quincy and it has Dana Delany.

My take: We’ll see, since I still think of her strength in China Beach, but it conflicts with another show. Maybe by then the other show will be in rerun phase, I can hardly tell anymore since the networks went rogue with their year-round schedules. 

Get more show info at: http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/winter_preview/winter_preview_2011_what_looks.php

Fall Nights Look Hot

The fall competition is heating up. At our house, we are going to need plenty of DVR space so we don't miss a moment of Alex O'Loughlin, er, Hawaii Five-O or Castle.

If you haven't seen the trailer for Five-O, check it out. And you can watch full episodes, get all the cast info and latest news on Castle too, indeed.

p.s. Thank you networks. Keep going in this direction and I might start watching your commercials again. :)

Fox's Fall Schedule and 2011 Preview

TV news junkie today? Actually, I just wanted to share as much as I could about the upcoming television schedule. Perhaps it's the inner screenwriter willing my script to show up there someday.

Fox Broadcasting has posted the 2010 Fall Programming Schedule and a January 2011 Preview online.

NBC's Fall Lineup

Here is a peek at NBC's fall lineup. They also have a convenient click to print a schedule button. Curious, maybe I need to try it out...

ABC's Fall Season Schedule

Here is a look at ABC's fall shows. There is even a button you can use to download a schedule if you want.

CBS Axes 7 Shows to Make Room for Fall Newcomers

Sounds like CBS canceled several shows to make room for a new fall lineup. Lots of shifting as schedule shake-ups continue. Check to see what's out and what's new this fall.