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Jorja Fox’s Return To ‘CSI’ Extended ‘Indefinitly’

Anthony Ocasio — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:29:17 +0000

Fans of the ever precarious Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox) should get up and dance around the room as CSI executive producer Carol Mendelsohn just announced that Fox’s current five-episode comeback has been extended…. Wait for it (NPH)… Indefinitely.

Now, don’t go too crazy with all that dancing because in this case “indefinitely” doesn’t mean permanently. Well, not now at least. Although, Mendelsohn does give a definitive answer as to what she’s shooting for.

“From our point of view, the more the better. As many episodes as we can have Jorja for we want her for.”

I’m not trying to talk out of turn, but ever since Fox left the series in 2008, she hasn’t exactly been burning up the screen (big or little). While that doesn’t mean she’ll be on every episode of the season, all I’m saying is that she’s not really doing anything else. Sidle’s return is not going to be just for the ratings (although, I’m sure it helps), Mendelsohn tells us the importance of her being in the lab.

“The season is about bringing the [CSI] family back together again, so [this] was just a natural. Jorja has been the glue that has really helped to reform the bond of our team.”

I know what you’re thinking, “How is Sara going to be on all of these episodes without us seeing even a glimpse of Grissom (William Peterson)?” Well, first I’d ask you if you always use parenthetical notation in your questions before I seamlessly deffer back to my now-favorite CSI executive producer, Carol Mendelsohn.

“We will address the fact that Grissom is somewhere else and Sara is living in Vegas. Everyone on the team is a little interested. They’re like, ‘What’s the deal? Grissom’s there, you’re here, how does that work?’”

“They are a very modern couple and they have a very healthy relationship. They have found a balance in their life that allows them to still feel fulfilled in their marriage and their careers. If it works for them, it works for us.”

Oh yeah… they really are going to play the whole “Grissom is teaching someplace far away” angle all that time. I don’t know if I can really buy that. You know what? I don’t know if I can even buy Sara Sidle returning for this long. When she left the show, she was a complete mess. That is, after all, her whole reason for leaving our favorite lab technicians in the first place. Now, she’s not only back (which is great), but now she’s, more or less, completely fine.

Hmmm… I’m going to have to think about this.

How do you feel about Jorja Fox’s now “indefinite” return?

Catch Sidle’s return to CSI Thursdays at 9PM on NBC

Source: The Ausiello Files

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What TV Shows Do You Want More Coverage Of?

Anthony Ocasio — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:19:33 +0000

We here at Screen Rant are here to cater to you, the reader. Now, that doesn’t mean that I’m going to be bringing over any freshly baked ice cream cone cupcakes (remember those? Awesome.), but that does mean that we like to hear from you about what you like, what you don’t, what you watch and what you’d like to see more coverage about.

Over the past few weeks of the fall season premiere, we have played around with reviews and discussions on a variety of television shows – and while some received the expected responses (Stargate, Flashforward, Smallville), others did not (CSI, CSI:NY, Criminal Minds, MythBusters). And then there were some shows that nobody expected to receive the amount of response it did (Ghost Whisperer).

If we went with writing about the top rated shows, we’d be left with this…

NCIS
Dancing with the Stars
NCIS: Los Angeles
The Mentalist
CSI
Grey’s Anatomy
Desperate Houeswives
CSI: Miami
The Good Wife

While I know a couple Screen Rant writers that just love Dancing with the Stars, we’re not sure that you’d want to read about it. I’m not going to lie, we watch our fair share of television and that means we have the ability to cover many of your favorite shows. The only thing is, we don’t know what you favorite shows are or if you’d want to read more reviews/recaps/discussions of those shows. So, instead of staying the course and writing about shows that are our favorites, we’d like to know what yours are.

If you could list the top 5 shows you’d like to see recaps and discussions on, what would that be? Now we’re not talking about regular news. If James Earl Jones decides to join Cougar Town, you’ll probably hear about it.

For all you manly men out there, don’t’ be afraid to say The Hills or The City. Sure, we’ll mock you for it, but this is all about being open and honest and from my experience there’s usually fair amount of mocking in being open and honest. Especially when it’s about your favorite MTV scripted “realty” TV shows.

So, what have you? What 5 shows would you like to see recaps and discussions on?

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CSI Recap, Review & Discussion

Anthony Ocasio — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:53:07 +0000

Tonight was the premiere episode of CSI’s 10th season. At the end of last season, we saw two things: Langston volunteering at a hospital in his spare time – and him having to use, for the first time, deadly force to kill someone. Let’s see where this new season picks up and what, if any, ramifications it has had on him and what the entire team has been up to.

My interest is more than a little piqued for this premiere episode as we see the return of Sarah. The episode descriptions promise that they welcome her return as they become tighter to investigate the death of a famous young actress killed in a dubious traffic collision.

As with my previous CSI recap, review and discussion, I’m warning you now that I’m going to spoil everything. I’ll even spoil the commercials for you (Target, Pepsi). See, already did it. If you have yet to watch the episode, tread carefully as everything below will be spoilers!

A New Light

As the episode opens we’re in the morgue with everything frozen in place. Dead bodies are all over the place, water is spraying everywhere and Doc is chasing after a man with a gun. As more of the lab is revealed we see bullets being fired, glass everywhere and that people have been shot. The opening concludes outside the lab with a delivery van carrying two men firing back at two unknown figures with guns. As the camera pulls back it’s revealed to be Nick and Sara.

With a bright flash we’re back in the lab staring at a tarantula with a subtitle reading “48 Hours Earlier.” We catch Catherine making a remark about Riley leaving the lab and sticking them with 100 open cases (In real life, the actress who played Riley, Lauren Lee Smith, was let go as the producers said, it was “an issue of how we were feeling the ensemble was working.”).

We find Langston in the lab doing stabbing ballistics gel with a knife. After some poking by Eickle, he congratulates Langston on making CSI – Level 2. With that happy moment out of the way Langston is paged to a crime scene where we find the main victim for this episode, actress Olivia Hamilton has been killed in a suspicious car accident.

After another wonderful Who concert, we return to the crime scene, but now it’s early morning. Catherine theorizes that markings on Hamilton’s car showed that she was stopped at the time of the accident. As per the usual CSI episode, a second, but smaller case arises and Catherine gives it to Greg who doesn’t seem too happy about that and a throws a little tantrum.

Finally, we catch up with Brass, for the first time this season, and he’s in his office with two men, a security consultant named Tom O’Neil (Garret Dillahunt) and his client, Hamilton’s boyfriend, Denny Ocampo. After Ocampo reveals no helpful information, we then return to Greg and find him in a hotel room taking pictures of a man who appears to have been killed in the midst of a robbery.

We return to Catherine and Doc in the morgue around the young where they find out she was 8 weeks pregnant. As Catherine walks off we catch up with Langston at the hospital, standing near Richard Wilkes, who is believed to be the person who killed Olivia Hamilton in the accident. As the lab reports come back we find out that Wilkes had a mixture of alcohol and GHB in his system. As Langston and Stokes search through Wilkes’ car they find a vial of drugs and a creepy book with cut up pictures of the actress. Clearly, he’s a stalker.

Shortly after, Langston receives a letter from the review board regarding his shooting from last season. Langston was cleared of all charges. He talks with Nick about how it hasn’t been bothering him and he doesn’t like that feeling.

Everything Changes

As Langston and Stokes turn their attention to traffic tapes of that night, they find out that someone pre-empted the traffic light to force Olivia into that specific intersection. With Nick interested as why they hadn’t found a traffic emitter in Wilkes car, Langston hurries back to Wilke’s hospital room where, after taking a closer look, finds hidden bruises caused by a seatbelt. The problem with the marks is that Wilkes wasn’t wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. Someone else was driving the car.

Sadly, the team doesn’t get much time to revel in their new found knowledge as Eickle busts in with a newspaper showing Wilkes confessing to the murder. He then starts yelling at Catherine about how she’s not doing her job properly and cites Riley’s exit interview as something she should read.

With that, Sara finally pops up in the episode, but at the worst time. She’s alone (surprise, surprise) as Grissom is “guest lecturing.” While everyone is catching up with Sara, Catherine returns to her office to read Riley’s exit interview. Inside she finds that Riley believes there is no leadership or unity within the team.

Click to continue ‘CSI Recap, Review & Discussion’

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Fall 2009 TV: Premiering Tonight – Sept. 24

Anthony Ocasio — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:14:50 +0000

The premiere of FlashForward, CSI, Grey’s Anatomy and The Mentalist head this Thursday night’s primetime lineup. Let’s run down what’s on to tonight in hopes of easing the pain that Thursday night DVR’ing can bring.

What’s New?

8:00 PM

ABC – FlashForward: “No More Good Days”
Everyone on earth blacks out for two minutes and seventeen seconds and sees a glimpse of their future, but they must decide if they will accept their destiny or do anything they can to change it.

I was able to watch the entire pilot and I wasn’t exactly impressed with what I saw. Will I watch it? Yeah, but that doesn’t always mean I’ll like it. It does have a Lost vibe to it in that you’re intrigued about what’s going on, but you also know it’s going to take many seasons before the pay off comes.

Another odd thing about this show is that you’ll notice many familiar faces popping up during the pilot. Some of them good, some of them bad, some of them really interesting. Family Guy’s Seth Macfarlane belongs in the interesting category. (I enjoyed him in this show; Even if it is brief.)

I don’t trust ABC with time-related shows. After they canceled Daybreak and screwed up Life on Mars (see the British version), I refuse to become attached until I know there’s going to be a payoff. That’s the problem with shows like this. If nobody watches it, they’ll cancel it and we’ll never find out what’s going on. If everyone watches it, they’ll extend it and ruin whatever the original plans were for it and we’ll have to wait years and years for a conclusion (see Prison Break). So, despite promises by the show’s creators that FlashForward has a carefully plotted beginning to end, it seems that we, the viewers, could end up left at the crossroads.

Check out our sneak peak on FlashForward where you’ll also be able to watch the first 18 minutes from the pilot. (If you’re interested in what the producers are looking to do with this series, check out our coverage of the FlashForward panel from Comic-Con.)

What’s Returning?

9:00 PM

CBS – CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: “Family Affair”
The CSI team, with the unexpected but welcome return of Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox), comes together to investigate the death of a famous young actress killed in a dubious traffic collision.

I’ve had quite the disconnect with the original CSI. After Grissom (Peterson) left and was replaced by Langston (Fishburne), the entire show changed. It was less interesting to me and things started to feel long and drawn out. It doesn’t help that Fishburne’s delivery as Langston is monotonous. Still, there are diehard fans out there and I’m sure you’ll be turning in to it. Especially with the return of Jorja Fox as Sara Sidle. I don’t even know how they’re going to play that, considering the whole reason of Grissom leaving was to be with her. If she shows up, where’s Grissom? They better not play the angle of, “Oh, he’s stuck in Memphis” or something equally as unimaginative. I’ll tune in tonight because I’m interested in seeing Sara again, but the rest of the season might be stay on my DVR until I’m in the mood to watch it.

ABC – Grey’s Anatomy: “Good Mourning” & “Goodbye” (two-hour episode)
In the first hour, entitled “Good Mourning” (9:00-10:00 p.m.), the hospital staff is left to deal with the aftermath of George’s passing. Hitting the staff hard, they all find unique ways to get through the various stages of grief. George’s mom returns, faced with the difficult task of deciding what to do with his organs. In the second episode, entitled “Goodbye” (10:00-11:00 p.m.), time has passed… Everyone is struggling after losing one of their own and are turning to any distraction they can find. Meredith and Derek seem to be consummating their marriage anywhere and everywhere, while Cristina and Owen have been instructed to abstain from sex by Dr. Wyatt.

This is another show that I never really got into. I understand that it’s really popular and something really crazy happened last season and everyone can’t wait to see what’s going to happen. I wish I could add more, but I’m out of the loop on this one.

10:00 PM

CBS – The Mentalist: “Redemption”
Jane and Lisbon learn that the Red John case has been reassigned to a new CBI team led by the straight-shooting officer Sam Bosco (Terry Kinney).

For me, this show has sort of fallen in with Everybody Loves Raymond and Two and a Half Men in the fact that it’s one of the most popular shows on television, but I don’t know anyone that watches it. I originally started watching it when it premiered last year, but never got into it. I always felt that this show was kind of a rip-off/mash up of USA’s Psych and British mentalist, Derren Brown (Google him. Seriously. You won’t regret it). I know a lot of people love this show and many more love Simon Baker and his hair, so I’m sure to get some flak for this.

What Else Is On?

With Thursday night being one of the most episodic filled evenings, not everyone is clamoring for Grey’s Anatomy or The Mentalist. So, here’s a rundown of everything else that’s on tonight.

8:00 PM
FOX – Bones: “The Bond in the Boot”
NBC – Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update Thursday
The CW – The Vampire Diaries: Friday Night Bites

8:30 PM
NBC – Parks & Recreation: “The Stakeout”

9:00 PM
FOX – Fringe: Night of Desirable Objects
NBC – The Office: “The Meeting”
The CW – Supernatural: “Free To Be You and Me”

9:30 PM
NBC – Community: “Spanish 101″

What will you be watching? Are you interested in FlashForward? Excited for Grey’s Anatomy? Going to watch Supernatural twice? (Yes, I am.)

Let’s hear it!

Source: The Futon Critic

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CSI: NY Premiere Recap, Review & Discussion

Anthony Ocasio — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:14:42 +0000

At the end of last season Angell was shot and killed as kidnappers grabbed Robert Dunbrook’s son from police custody on the way to the court house where he was to testify against his father. Flack kills an unarmed, but very bad, man. Dunbrook tells Mac to “be safe” and we’re left with the entire team being shot at with a machine gun by some unknown gunman inside a car while they’re in the bar toasting their fallen comrade.

We’ve been waiting almost five months, but now we finally get to see exactly what happened. Who made it? Who did it? Who was the gunman? Will anything happen to Flack?

I should warn anyone who has not been able to watch this episode yet that there will be major spoilers and if you don’t want this episode ruined for you, turn away now. I mean it. I’m going to spoil everything. I will make things up and pretend that they’re spoilers just to trick you. Still here? Alright, let’s continue.

Assessing the Damage

The episode opens exactly where the last one left off previously; with bullets flying in the bar, people ducking for cover and glass breaking everything. We see Mac pull his gun and glance to the side to notice a pool of blood slowly growing larger.

After The Who plays mini a concert and some companies try to sell me laundry detergent, we’re greeted with Mac staring at a board, in the present, at list of suspects. We see a montage of what all the other team members are doing. We find out later that it’s been 3 weeks since the bar shooting.

Mac glances at Danny’s ID & Badge lying on the table. Moments later we see a wheelchair and as the camera pans up, it’s Danny. Oh, Danny… Why do so many bad things happen to you? They’re on a floor in the police building that’s being remodeled meeting with a female who wants to provide them information, but wants protection for her brother, Jake. How is he connected? She backs away without providing them information. She’s scared. As she turns to leave, a gunman appears in the elevator and proceeds to shoot and kill her. Mac runs after the gunman while Danny lounges out of his wheelchair in an attempt to find her. A sad ending. On the other hand, if they can ID her (CSI talk) then they can always ask her brother questions.

Flack’s on a leave of absence, but with a new lead, he’s brought back in on the case. He seems to be ahead of Mac and already review video tape of “the perp” entering the building which ended in the possible informant’s death the previous night.

The shooting seems to have really affected Danny. Obviously, it would anyone, but we all know how things to get Danny. There does seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel though, because it doesn’t appear that he’ll be in the wheelchair forever. They have left it open so that he could logically make a full recovery. While Danny first announced it was 60% chance of walking again, it turns out it’s only 10%, but 10% in TV is all the percentage he needs.

Mac seems affected by what happened as much as anyone else, if not more so. He’s taking it as a personal slight towards him and I pity the fool (Mr. T voice) that has put Mac in such a mood.

A New Lead

After an announcement of a similar shooting with the same MO as the bar shooting, they find bullet casings at the scene that match the ones collected at the informant shooting. While on the scene, the shooters hack into the Time Square billboard and replace it with text that says, “Pay us and we’ll stop!” Hmm… with a note like that, it makes me think of the kidnappers from last season, but it can’t be.

We have a new clean up tech, Hayden Becall (Sarah Carter), sticking her head in and helping out with some missed evidence. I’m happy with this addition, even if it is limited, as I really enjoyed her in the canceled legal drama, Shark. She finds a bloody print in the elevator because of some really nerdy things that are too nerdy for me to remember.

Click to continue reading ‘CSI: NY Premiere Recap, Review & Discussion’

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Fall 2009 TV: What’s Premiering Tonight?

Anthony Ocasio — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:13:50 +0000

With the Fall season starting, we, once again, get a slew of new and returning shows – So many that it’s impossible to watch everything. I have a DVR and even with my nerdy television calculations (Yes, I do have them), I can’t figure out how to watch everything.

Let’s break this down to see what’s on tonight and whether or not it’s worth watching.

What’s New?

NBC: 8pm – Mercy

Mercy is about a whip-smart nurse (that’s not me, that’s straight out of the press release), Veronica Callahan, who has just returned to work at Mercy Hospital after a tour of service in Iraq. She’s not afraid to bend the rules to save her patients, but her outspoken attitude might wind up costing her job. (that’s my favorite part. “she’s not afraid to bend the rules”)

Well, I don’t have much to say about that. I’m just sick of all the nurse shows all of a sudden. Yes, nurses are great. My mother is a nurse, but c’mon… does everyone have to jump on the band-wagon at once? It’s like nurses are the new cops. The only reason why I’d watch this is because Michelle Trachtenberg is in it, but I’ll probably be skipping this one tonight and maybe catch it online later.

ABC: 9pm – Modern Family

Modern Family has a more general description than the rule-bending Mercy. Modern Family is a new half-hour comedy that takes an honest and often hilarious look at the complexities of modern day families,

I know that doesn’t really say much about this show, but I think it may have promise. We’ve got Ed O’Neill starring and Christopher Lloyd as co-creator (he also co-wrote the pilot). Modern Family also has Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who was pretty good in the CBS show, The Class. I think there’s enough comedy credibility behind this show to give it a watch and it has quickly become one of ABC’s major pushes after testing so well with focus groups.

ABC: 9:30pm – Cougar Town

This is my favorite/worst titled show of the upcoming series’. Cougar Town stars Courtney Cox as Jules, a recently divorced single mother exploring the honest truths about dating and aging in our beauty and youth obsessed culture. While most women in their twenties go through life experiencing the challenges and often humorous pitfalls of meeting men, Jules took on the responsibilities of marriage and raising a son. Now in her forties, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery whilst surrounded by fellow divorcees and singletons eager to live or re-live a time gone by.

Oh, wow. This show just doesn’t look good to me. The title alone makes me want to hate this show. I can’t believe that ABC let them go with it. I guess this is how the mouse (Disney owns ABC) gets racy. Still, Team Cox (including David Arquette) has done alright for themselves. I really enjoyed the first season of Dirt, but then the writers strike happened and blah blah blah, it got shut down. Although, it was going in a bad direction before that. I guess this is for more of the Lipstick Jungle/Sex and the City type crowed. I’ll pass, but might catch it online or in repeats.

ABC: 10pm – Eastwick

Eastwick comes from the popular book and movie of the same name. In the seaside village of Eastwick, three very different women (Charmed?) are about to discover some bewitching talents they never knew they had. And once they get together — watch out — (UH-OH! You hear that? Watch out!)

I’m completely indifferent about this. I remember watching the movie and enjoying it. I was terrified of cherry pits for six months after. Still, something about this just doesn’t sit right with me. My problem is that there are endings to this story. I know how the movie ends and because I’ve seen the movie, I pretend to know how the book ends. It’s always hard for me to get into things where I know what the ending is or where it’s going. The Jack Nicholson character is still in this show. We know what he does and where it takes the women. If it takes a full season for the same thing to happen than there’s no point in watching. I’ve already seen it with better talent. Maybe it’s just me being grumpy.

What’s Returning?

CBS: 8pm – New Adventures of Old Christine

Well, this show is back again and I can’t say too much about it because I’ve never seen it – Not even a little bit of it. It’s supposed to be hilarious and I have no reason to doubt it. Although, I do have to mention that I’m a HUGE fan of Clark Gregg. Ever since his stint in the last two episodes of Sports Night as “Guy,” I’ve been a fan. Then I find out he’s married to Jennifer Grey (Baby in Dirty Dancing) and I like him even more.

CBS: 8:30pm – Gary Unmarried

I’m a big fan of Jay Mohr. I think he’s a decent comedian, but a great actor and a really great comedic actor. I think he’s going to win an Oscar or at least an Emmy some day. Mark my words. (If he happens to do neither, erase my words). This marks the sophomore year (love saying that) of Mohr’s comedy endeavor after leaving Ghost Whisperer (He was great in Ghost Whisperer. Really great.) and I will be watching this show. I love this show. I think this show has some of the best writing since Roseanne. The jokes and delivery are perfect. This season will mark Gary’s (Mohr) attempt to become a radio host. I’m not sure how that’s going to work out, but I have a feeling it’s going to play more of a part than his painting job did previously.

CBS: 9pm – Criminal Minds

This show’s about criminals and their minds. Seriously, though… this is a pretty decent show. Sure, it’s take a step down since Mandy (my name is Inigo Montoya) Patinkin stepped down, but Joe Mantegna has done a good job taking over the reigns. This will mark his sophomore year (I told you I love saying it) on the show. I can’t remember where we left off last season, but I’ll be watching it. If anything, just so I can memorize the quotes from the beginning and ending of the show and then spout them off tomorrow and sound really smart. Unless the person saw the show as well. Than I sound really stupid. Either way, it should be interesting.

CBS: 10:00pm – CSI: NY

This week CBS has been pulling out their big guns. Oh, what’s that NBC? Leno? Pshh…. we have CSI. How many nights is Leno on? 5? Yeah… we’ve got 3 CSI’s and we’re going to create 2 more just to make you cry. Tonight is the return of the New York version of the world’s favorite Crime Scene Investigators in their 6th season. The interesting thing about the CSI shows are that I watch them, but for different reasons. There are different things that I like about each one. I like the over-the-top nature of Miami, but I enjoy the character interactions of NY. I think the original one might be my least favorite. Especially now that Grissom is gone.

Phew… There we go. That’s what’s on tonight. I know that I missed many things. Dancing with the Stars, Glee, Ghost Hunters and of course Man Vs Food (I’ll be watching that as well). I just wanted to focus on the premiere episodes of new and returning shows.

What will you be watching tonight? Are any of these new shows going to be winners or can you smell their cancellation a mile away? What show tonight are you most looking forward to returning? Any cliffhangers we should know about? Speak now. I command. (I used my deep, manly voice to say all that. It’s very intimidating. If you could hear it. But you can’t. So it’s not.)

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Bruckheimer Pilot Coming To NBC

Bruce Simmons — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:49:34 +0000

NBC has picked up an unnamed pilot from Jerry Bruckheimer that is toted as an action procedural series. (Hmm, sounding like a cop show.)

A generic outline to the pilot says it’s a about a team that is charged with the responsibilities of making sure fugitive criminals don’t evade justice.

That sounds like Dog the Bounty Hunter on A&E!

The latest TV project that I know of from Bruckheimer is the wonderfully gritty undercover cop drama, Dark Blue, with Dylan McDermott, and he’s also brought out the soon-to-be-airing pilot of The Forgotten with Christian Slater.

Sadly, for me, Bruckheimer has been the driving force behind other shows that have hooked me, such as CSI: NY, CSI: Miami, CSI, Cold Case, Without a Trace, Eleventh Hour and oddly, The Amazing Race.

Even though the outline of this new mystery show seems familiar, Bruckheimer may just bring it to life for NBC and help them try and keep up with CBS in the ratings game. God knows NBC need the help.

I have to wonder if Bruckheimer fans are looking forward to this.

Source: TV Guide

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Weekly TV Wrap Up – July 23rd, 2009

Bruce Simmons — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:18:37 +0000

Hello from San Diego at Comic-Con. Today’s bit of weekly TV news is a bit short today but I have managed to include some not so good news about Burn Notice’s Jeffrey Donovan, some good news for 24 star Keifer Sutherland, returning news for Jorja Fox on CSI, and TV ratings from last week.

Jorja Fox Returns to CSI

Jorja Fox’s relationship with CBS and CSI is an off-again, on-again event over the last few years. It looks like things are “on” again as Fox will be appearing in the upcoming 10th season premiere and an additional few episodes throughout the season.

When inquired if Petersen would return and CBS has no comment. Grr.

Source: TV Guide

Michael Westen Really Burned

Burn Notice star Jeffrey Donovan has been busted on July 12th for operating his motor vehicle while under the influence, down in Florida.

He was released on bail.

Source: TV Guide

24’s Keifer Sutherland Off The Hook

While one star got into trouble, another got out of it. The Manhattan district attorney has decided not to pursue charges against Keifer Sutherland in that head butting case where Keifer stepped in and reportedly head-butted fashion designer Jack McCullough.

Then again, Sutherland and McCullough did meet and reconcile their issues after the fact.

With the charges dropped, Sutherland is no longer threatening his five-year probation issue from his 2007 DUI.

Source: TV Guide

Torchwood To Continue

Without giving away too much, Russell T. Davies has said that he’s fairly confident that Torchwood will go on. There are many different options on the table, so don’t fret.

Just thought you’d like to know.

Source: EW.com

TV Ratings

This week, sports led the way in ratings while a few reality shows kept sticking their nose in the ratings mix.

I try to stick to the ‘all viewers’ mode to capture a better, more rounded set of ratings, though at times, reality programming just doesn’t go away.

Rank, Show, (R)= Repeat, (S)=Special, Network, Viewers (Millions)

1. MLB All-Star Game (S) – FOX – 14.6
2. America’s Got Talent – Tue – NBC – 13.5
3. America Got Talent – Wed 9PM – NBC – 11.6
4. MLB All-Star Pre-Game – (S) – FOX – 11.2
5. NCIS (R) – CBS – 10.5
6. Two and a Half Men – (R) – CBS – 9.1
7. The Mentalist – (R) – CBS – 8.4
8. The Big Bang Theory – (R) – CBS – 8.2
9. The Bachelorette – ABC – 8.0
10. CSI: Miami – (R) – CBS – 8.0
11. CSI: NY – (R) – CBS – 8.0
12. Wipeout – ABC – 7.7
13. CSI – (R) – CBS – 7.7
14. CBS News: Remember Cronkite – (S) – CBS – 7.6
15. Criminal Minds – (R) – CBS – 7.5
16. America Got Talent – Tue 8PM – (R) – NBC – 7.5
17. So You Think You Can Dance – Thur – FOX – 7.2
18. Law And Order: SVU – (R) – NBC – 7.1
19. So You Think You Can Dance – Wed – FOX – 6.9
20. America Got Talent- Wed 8PM – (R) – NBC – 6.5

Noted Shows On Cable

Rank, Program, Net, Viewers (millions)
3rd – Burn Notice on USA – 6.7
4th – The Closer on TNT – 6.6
5th – Royal Pains on USA – 6.2
19th – NCIS on USA – 4.3

Source: TV By The Numbers

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2009 CBS Fall TV Line Up: No ‘Eleventh Hour’

Bruce Simmons — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:20:47 +0000

With the CBS 2009 season, we have a few favorites coming back, a show that changed networks and night and a huge gamble that paid out less than the California lottery.

The shows that got the digital advertisers ax were Eleventh Hour, Harper’s Island, The Unit, Without a Trace and Worst Week.

I’m bummed The Unit was cut and surprised by Harper’s Island lack of viewers. Harper’s was well written compared to some but I guess viewers just don’t have the patience for murder-mystery dramas. I have to admit, my first reaction was flat to the idea but I gave it a chance, got hooked and now, got disappointed. Grr.

One of the most expensive television shows ever produced, Eleventh Hour, apparently was just as flat as I felt it was when I watched the first few episodes. It never snagged me and seemed what I call OTTO (over the top obvious) in how they initially delivered their character introductions. Shows that go OTTO on me usually lose me. I’d rather see compelling story up front and slowly let the characters demonstrate who they are over time. When I see OTTO, I always fear the show runners are scared about their stories and try to pump us full of concern for the 2-D characters right up front.

The NCIS spin-off called NCIS: Los Angeles is right behind NCIS on Tuesdays. CBS also moved their huge hit, The Mentalist to Thursday nights which is bad news for the other networks.

The much anticipated Alex O’Loughlin drama 3 Rivers will be airing on Sundays between Amazing Race and Cold Case.

Medium was sent packing at NBC, but CBS snatched it up and is now going to air it on Fridays following Ghost Whisperer. That should be a great combination of shows. At least they’re not going to have two 30-minute, unrelated genre shows like comedies be their lead-in.

If you look closely, Flashpoint, which hooked me in one episode, is not mentioned as being canceled or renewed. It’s in limbo, or more accurately, it will air during the summer time. Along with Friday nights, the summer season is almost the worst for TV shows. Most networks don’t air new shows they want to succeed during the summer… it’s like a really long drawn out Friday to them.

Mid season shows that are coming at us that aren’t on the list below are:

The Bridge: Is about a tough and dedicated police officer who is voted to become the police union’s dynamic leader. It stars Aaron Douglas, of Battlestar Galactica fame.

Miami Trauma: Is about a team of expert surgeons who work at one of the premiere trauma facilities in the country, where only patients with life threatening injuries are treated. It will star Jeremy Northam.

Below is the schedule CBS released:

MONDAY
8:00-8:30 PM	How I Met Your Mother (NT)
8:30-9:00 PM	Accidentally On Purpose (N)
9:00-9:30 PM	Two And A Half Men
9:30-10:00 PM	The Big Bang Theory (NT)
10:00-11:00 PM	CSI: Miami

TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM	NCIS
9:00-10:00 PM	NCIS: Los Angeles (N)
10:00-11:00 PM	The Good Wife (N)

WEDNESDAY
8:00-8:30 PM	The New Adventures Of Old Christine
8:30-9:00 PM	Gary Unmarried
9:00-10:00 PM	Criminal Minds
10:00-11:00 PM	CSI: NY

THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM	Survivor
9:00-10:00 PM	CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
10:00-11:00 PM	The Mentalist (NT)

FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM	Ghost Whisperer
9:00-10:00 PM	Medium
10:00-11:00 PM	Numbers

SATURDAY
8:00-9:00 PM	Crimetime Saturday
9:00-10:00 PM	Crimetime Saturday
10:00-11:00 PM	48 Hours Mystery

SUNDAY
7:00-8:00 PM	60 Minutes
8:00-9:00 PM	The Amazing Race
9:00-10:00 PM	Three Rivers (N)
10:00-11:00 PM	Cold Case (NT)

N= New Show. NT= New Time

Source: CBS Press

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William Peterson Talks CSI: The Movie

Niall Browne — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:29:43 +0000

William Peterson who played Gil Grissom in the first nine seasons of the hit procedural police show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation has confirmed that a film version of the show is in production.

Speaking to The Radio Times, the star (who also produces the show) said that the film would probably happen sooner rather than later and that the film would need a solid story – so that it wasn’t just a case of “making it for the money.”

The star also indicated that he would also return to his signature role for the film even though in the series his character was recently replaced by Laurence Fishburne in the smash hit show.

Speaking to the BBC publication, Peterson said that he understood that fans of the series would be worried that a film version might ruin their enjoyment of the show:

“I can understand people are a little trepidatious because of the franchise around the world and how well it’s doing. Usually people leave it till a series has finished – they did that with The X-Files and Sex And The City. But it’s about finding the right story.”

He went on to say that a story for the film was key:

“There has got to be a real reason to do it. You don’t just do it because you want to make money; you do it because there’s a story that can’t be told on TV and needs to be told from CSI’s perspective and the audience wants it.”

Peterson went on to say that a film version of CSI would hit screens before the series came to an end – or before he got too old:

“And we can’t wait for CSI to end or Grissom will be about 90.”

The Jerry Bruckheimer-produced CSI series has been a huge success around the world leading to two spin-off series’ – CSI: Miami (with David Caruso) and CSI: New York (with Gary Sinise).

What a film version of the show would entail would be anybodies guess – would it involve the stars of all three shows teaming up to solve a crime in an international location? An exotic locale would appear to have the kind of budget limitations that keep the show US-based (a London spin-off was even in planning at one point).

With Peterson indicating that he would appear in the film, it would imply that the current crop of TV stars would be featured in the film rather than recasting. Having said that, the brand is interchangeable enough that anybody could star in a film version.

Before Fishburne was given the role of Dr Raymond Langston (Peterson’s replacement), Michael Keaton and Kurt Russell were considered for the role – could a movie version lead to one of these actors snapping on the latex?

Whatever happens you can be sure to find the news about CSI: The Movie on Screen Rant.

Source: BBC

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Weekly TV Update – March 27th, 2009

Bruce Simmons — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:20:38 +0000

Due to technical difficulties beyond my control, the digital dog ate my homework. Or, I had to write this article twice! The digital dog just sounds more light-hearted than what the second line implies. Enough about my woes with technological gremlins.

There wasn’t a ton of news to report or snark on this week, so I had to dig up enough to make this yet another interesting read. Well, at least I think it is! I do have a few snippets that might be spoilers for The Office (Guest appearance) and Lost (Possible finale shoot notes).

Shall we get on with it?

Big Reminder:

The DVD movie, Stargate Ark of Truth will be on Friday night on The Sci-Fi Channel! Don’t forget!

Viewer Numbers From Last Week

As of Wednesday, these are some of the viewer estimates from some shows we like, and some we think you may follow.

The top performing show of the week was Wednesday’s American Idol which brought in just over 23 million viewers. After that, are some of the shows we’d be more interested in how they’re doing.

Show (Network): Number of viewers in the millions

60 Minutes (CBS): 17.04 (Would you look at that! People like the news!)
NCIS (CBS): 15.84
The Mentalist (CBS): 15.49
Desperate Housewives (ABC): 14.75
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC): 14.61
Two and a Half Men (CBS): 14.12
Criminal Minds (CBS): 13.74
CSI: Miami (CBS): 13.61
House (Fox): 13.13
CSI: NY (CBS): 12.79
Without a Trace (CBS): 11.87
Rules of Engagement (CBS): 11.42
Cold Case (CBS): 11.41
24 (Fox): 11.36
Castle (ABC): 10.97
Law & Order: SVU (NBC): 10.74
Bones (Fox): 10.52
Lie to Me (Fox): 10.26
Brothers & Sisters (ABC): 10.15
The Big Bang Theory (CBS): 9.69
ER (NBC): 9.47
Lost (ABC): 8.82
The Office (NBC): 7.95
Burn Notice (USA): 7.31
30 Rock (NBC): 7.02
Ugly Betty (CBS): 7
Heroes (NBC): 6.48
My Name Is Earl (NBC): 6.42
Better Off Ted (ABC): 5.50
Kings (NBC): 4.60
Dollhouse (Fox): 4.14
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Fox): 3.65
Smallville (CW): 3.29
Supernatural (CW): 3.15
Battlestar Galactica (SciFi): 2.4

Better Off Ted

As you can see the premiere of Better Off Ted wasn’t as big as ABC might have hoped for. Maybe things will pick up after basketball.

Some Of Our Faves

Though the Fox network had its usual low set of numbers for a Friday with Dollhouse and The Sarah Connor Chronicles, both shows had a small improvement from the week before. Supernatural also had some increase in viewers but Smallville had a slight drop.

Word on the street is that despite the numbers, Dollhouse may return next season. No promises Though.

Battlestar Galactice Finale

The highly debated two-hour series-finale of Battlestar Galactica brought in 2.4 million viewers last Friday. No, not big on the numbers compared to network, but good enough for cable networks. That number made it the most-watched episode since Jan. 6, 2006 and it outperformed the season three-finale by 56%.

Burn Notice

The second season-finale of the USA drama Burn Notice hit a record 7.31 million viewers in its Friday 10 p.m. time slot. Go Michael Westin!!

Sources: Media Week, TV By The Numbers, TV Guide

Nothing Says Canceled Like…

This is pure conjecture on my part, but from what I’m seeing, I feel that The Sarah Connor Chronicles is not coming back next season. I say that because Stephanie Jacobsen, (Jesse from The Sarah Connor Chronicles), has joined the cast of the Melrose Place pilot in the role of Lauren. Lauren is a med student who is a high-end call girl by night. (Now let’s see if you can get her accent out of your head now!)

On top of that, Brian Austin Green, is being reported as lining up a role in another CW pilot called Body Politic.

Granted, these two are not main characters and these shows are only pilots, but I’m guessing some contracts either allow for this, or have ended on TSCC. My feel is that the execs at FOX aren’t holding their breath for an additional season and specific characters are not going to be needed. I actually got that feel from the panel at WonderCon in ‘Frisco anyway.

TSCC did get their 2nd season from the advertisers, and again – my conjecture – because of the upcoming Terminator Salvation movie. With that movie fast approaching release date, the curiosity seekers have dwindled and the tie-ins that could be, are no longer.

Last weeks episode carried quite a bit of drama with it and I am enjoying it. Yet there’s only so far they can go with it.

In case you have the hots for additional news on the desperate reboot attempt of Melrose Place, other cast members reporting in are Colin Egglesfield, (All My Children), Michael Rady (Greek), Katie Cassidy (Supernatural), Ashlee Simpson (7th Heaven) and Jessica Lucas (90210).

Source: TV Guide

Speaking of Brian Austin Green

Brian Austin Green’s role as Derek Reese on TSCC may not be the only thing he’s possibly leaving behind! This is just shameless gossip, and a great excuse to add a nice picture to my post, but it’s been reported that Megan Fox moved out of the house she was sharing with Brian.

You know those moments that we look back on and reference about the “One that got away”? I think Green just took the cake on this one!

Guys, the line forms to the right!

Source: E Online

The Sopranos Creator Returns To HBO

David Chase, the creator behind The Sopranos, is coming back to HBO with a new idea in mind.

A Ribbon of Dreams is a mini-series that is set in 1913 and follows two very different men — one a college-educated mechanical engineer and the other, a cowboy with a violent past.

They form a partnership and become motion picture pioneers. Their journey is followed as the Hollywood film industry evolves from silent westerns to talking pictures and into the studio system of present day.

The premise initially seems kind of ‘meh’, but if you dwell on this, it may have a ton of potential with the various eras and lots of different people that may come and go through the series.

Source: TV Guide

No Heather Locklear Here

Even though the CW landed many of the veteran stars back on set for the 90210 reboot, they are having no luck getting Heather Locklear for their new version of Melrose Place. I think it might have been a matter of who is employed and who is not. Locklear has a few projects in the making.

The CW has tried to cover their tracks with this thinly disguised cop out press release:

“There wasn’t a way to bring her back that made sense.”

Riiight. I love PR. But some days it seems like it really is their job to get blood out of a turnip. (Have you figured out this was just another excuse to post a pretty face?)

Source: EW

Back Gets More Cast

CBS has two more stars for their new pilot titled Back. The CBS pilot will star Skeet Ulrich (Jericho) and the two new cast members are Sherry Stringfield (ER) and D.B. Woodside (24).

Back is about a man (Skeet Ulrich) who returns home after eight years. The catch? Everyone thought he died in the 9/11 tragedies, so he was reported as missing.

Sherry Stringfield is Ulrich’s wife. Upon his return, he discovers she’s moved on with a new hubby, which is classic Cast Away. (Man I hurt for him when Hanks returned home to find his wife off with a new hubby and kids.) With Ulrich’s return to this depressing scenario, he’s going to need a shrink. That’s where Woodside comes in. He will be playing that shrink.

Dang, I’m depressed for him already!

PS: Before you ask, no, I don’t know why he went away.

Source: TV Guide

The Office Guest Star

(Mild actor / story line Spoiler)

If I’m not mistaken, Idris Elba (The Wire, Rocknrolla), has started his 6 week guest stint on The Office.

Amy Ryan (The Wire, Gone Baby Gone), is also scheduled to show up as the H.R. goddess Holly Flax for the final episode of the season.

Source: E Online

Lost Season Finale Conjecture

(May be a mild finale spoiler)

It seems that ABC was advertising or seeking extras in Hawaii to play the parts of guests at a wedding on Lost. The timing of such an inquiry is not lost on a few. If schedules are on track, this is the time frame that they would be shooting the season-finale.

Now what would a wedding pertain to? Who knows. It could be a past wedding, or a future wedding. Or a future wedding from their past that is really the present yesterday? I think I just hurt my brain.

Eh, just thought I’d toss this snippet out.

Source: E Online

SOME FUN STUFF:

Next Top Model Gone Bad

Last week 4 people were injured and 2 hospitalized after a stampede of high heel cuties erupted in New York during a casting call for America’s Next Top Model.

At first I thought there was an impromptu makeup sale on the street corner.

It turned out that while hundreds of fashion model wannabe’s were lingering around in line to audition for the show, an argument had ensued. During or after the spat, a BMW either drove by or broke down near the mascara smeared mob and when it spewed some smoke, someone in the automotive-challenged hoard had yelled bomb, and the surge for pseudo safety was on!

The three that were arguing were arrested.

I really enjoyed the reference to this whole thing from the source article over on E Online:

“Fashion Week meets Thunderdome.”

I can’t imagine what a herd of spiked heels running might sound like.

Universal Pictures Has Some !!!!’s

The Advertising Standards Authority, (ASA) a London-based watchdog group, is asking British broadcasters to not air a commercial regarding the DVD release of the 2008 Angelina Jolie flick, Wanted. They’re saying that the movie glorifies and glamorizes gun violence.

Being that the ASA doesn’t get that people are not that stupid, Clearcast, the approving agencies for TV advertisements feels confident that viewers just might be able to distinguish the difference between the fantasy shooting action in Wanted vs. real life. What? You can’t curve bullets? Crap.

Per BBC News, Universal Pictures has replied with the most humorous statement:

“Maybe the ASA, which also banned the ‘Wanted’ posters last year, objects to a female lead handling the big guns, rather than the guns themselves.”

Though I have a hard time believing that was their official company line on the issue, I think Universal Pictures just made a fan out of me anyway.

Source: E Online

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Weekly TV Wrap Up – March 19th, 2009

Bruce Simmons — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 03:27:50 +0000

It’s another week and another Wrap Up article. I have a lot going on this week, so scroll slowly and keep your eye out for your favorite show! There is a cast note on Burn Notice, that I don’t believe is a spoiler, but now that I’m shell shocked, well, there you have it! Let’s get the ball rolling, shall we?

Battlestar Galactica

This week is the finale for Battlestar Galactica. The series finale that is. It’s been quite the journey and I believe, if all the hype is correct, a fruitful ending. We shall see.

The finale is a 2-hour episode. Prior to that, last weeks episode airs and The Sci-Fi Channel advertised a Battlestar Galactica Marathon for Friday.

Two And A Half Men & Big Bang

Both Two and Half Men and The Big Bang Theory were renewed. The big thing about that is that they were both renewed for multiple seasons. Two and Half Men is renewed through to 2012, and Big Bang, until 2011. That, is a lot of faith!

Source: TV Guide

Friday Night Lights

NBC is in what they call active negotiations with DirectTV.

In case you didn’t know, the deal with DirectTV is that Friday Night Lights season airs on DirectTV first, then it airs on NBC. Both have a shot at showing the series and they share in costs of the show. Almost a win/win, especially with a show that has a decent following.

The uber-cool news is that the negotiations may be for a multiple season contract renewal! Sweet! Yes, I like Friday Night Lights.

Source: EW.com

Fringe

In case you’re worried, Fringe is not gone. It is on a break until April 7th, giving the much touted American Idol room to breath. Because we all know how much you all love American Idol. Actually it was pretty funny when they let a 13th contestant into the semi’s, then the phone number they put for that person turned out to be some phone sex line. American Idol, indeed!

Leverage

if you were watching Leverage, and wondering how well it did, wonder no more. It did well enough to at least be coming back for a 2nd season. I saw the ads. They looked cool! I hope to catch reruns and have a thought about the show.

Source: TV Guide

Alex O’Loughlin

Wait! That’s not a show! That’s a vampire! Or was.

In the comment section of last weeks weekly, I noted that O’Loughlin is contracted to CBS. I have proof!

Just in case we have a few fans of Alex O’Loughlin, I’d like to let you know that he has signed up for a new CBS show called Three Rivers. Well, at least for a pilot. Three Rivers is an interesting sounding concept, dealing with organ transplants and the scenarios therein, as seen through the eyes of the doctors, the donors and the recipients.

Yet as interesting as it sounds, it also sounds like it may be a little too cerebral for Bruce… I hope not. That way the Moonlight fans can get their dose of O’Loughlin for a little more screen time.

Source: THR

Burn Notice (POSSIBLE DVR / DVD / CAST SPOILER – Avert thine eyes!)

I’m going to try to say this with letting as little out of the bag as possible… I’m in enough trouble with everyone as it is: The role that Jennifer Esposito introduced at the end of season two of Burn Notice is being taken over by Journeyman’s Moon Bloodgood.

Esposito had to step down due to health issues, which, at the time of my writing this, I did not have any further details on.

No – I wasn’t traumatized by my other slips over the last few weeks.

Source: EW.com

Lily Cast News

The Gossip Girl spin-off, Lily, has cast Andrew McCarthy as Rick, a music business executive who is the father of our teenage Lily Rhodes.

Lily will be played by Brittany Snow. (American Dreams)

Matt Barr will be playing Keith van der Woodsen. A love interest of Lily’s.

Source: TV Guide

ABC Season Finales

ABC has taken it upon themselves to announce the air dates for their season finales.

Better Off Ted: Wednesday, April 29, 8:30 p.m. ET
In the Motherhood: Thursday, April 30, 8 p.m. ET
Samantha Who?: Thursday, April 30, 8:30 p.m. ET
Private Practice: Thursday, April 30, 10 p.m. ET
Wife Swap: Friday, May 1, 8 p.m. ET
Supernanny: Friday, May 1, 9 p.m. ET
Scrubs: Wednesday, May 6, 8 p.m. ET
Brothers and Sisters: Sunday, May 10, 10 p.m. ET
Castle: Monday, May 11, 10 p.m. ET
Cupid: Tuesday, May 12, 10 p.m. ET
Lost: Wednesday, May 13, 9 p.m. ET
Grey’s Anatomy: Thursday, May 14, 9 p.m. ET
Desperate Housewives: Sunday, May 17, 9 p.m. ET (two hours)
Dancing With the Stars: Tuesday, May 19, 9 p.m. ET (two hours)
Ugly Betty: Thursday, May 21, 8 p.m. ET (two hours)

Top 30 TV Shows Last Week

If you were curious as to what shows are dominating the tube, here’s a list. Not surprisingly, reality shows dominated in the top 3 spots. The numbers are in total viewers across all age brackets:

American Idol – Tuesday (Fox): 25.77 million,
American Idol – Wednesday (Fox): 25.55,
Dancing With the Stars (ABC, season premiere): 22.83,
CSI (CBS): 17.13,
Desperate Housewives (ABC): 14.60,
Criminal Minds (CBS): 14.34,
The Mentalist R (CBS): 14.32,
CSI: Miami (CBS): 14.21,
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC): 13.64,
CSI: NY (CBS): 13.63,

Outside the top-10 were:

NCIS R (CBS): 13.52, Two and a Half Men (CBS): 13.44, Cold Case (CBS): 13.02, 60 Minutes (CBS); 12.87, Survivor: Tocantins (CBS): 12.82, House (Fox): 12.38, Eleventh Hour (CBS): 11.61, 24 (Fox): 11.37, Lie to Me (Fox): 11.25, Law & Order: SVU (NBC): 11.07, The Unit (CBS): 10.87, ER (NBC): 10.86, Castle (ABC, series premiere): 10.76, Ghost Whisperer (CBS): 10.57, Brothers & Sisters (ABC): 10.43, The Amazing Race (CBS): 10.33, Without a Trace R (CBS): 10.22, Rules of Engagement (CBS): 9.95, Bones (Fox): 9.67, Numb3rs (CBS): 9.51

Speaking Of Numbers

If you were wondering how some of the new midseason shows might be doing with regards to the number of viewers they’re getting, (This excludes repeats)

Lie to Me (Fox) – Wednesday 8 p.m. (new time period) 11.25 million
Castle (ABC) – Monday 10 p.m. (series premiere) 10.76 million
Kings (NBC) – Sunday 8 p.m. (series premiere, two hours) 6.08 million
Homeland Security USA (ABC) – Tuesday 8 p.m.; 5.14 million
Dollhouse (Fox) – Friday 9 p.m.; 4.26 million
Howie Do It (NBC) – Friday 8 p.m.; 4.08 million
The Chopping Block (NBC) – Wednesday 8 p.m. (series premiere); 3.77 million

I guess it’s no lie when the ads say Lie to Me is the season’s hot new show. At least for the new midseason shows. Though folks told me Castle wasn’t that great, more than I expected tuned in to check it out! If they’re not careful, NBC is going to have to put the cooking reality show, The Chopping Block, well, on the chopping block if it doesn’t pick up. So much for pitching a show hosted by a man who made Gordon Ramsey cry.

Whacky Note: Television Show Trading Cards

Came across an odd entity of an article the other day: Television shows that have had trading cards made after the show! There’s some real classics in this list… as in old shows, not wow, I have to watch again shows! Though, there are some of those too!

American Idol,
The Addams Family,
Alias,
American Bandstand,
The Andy Griffith Show,
Angel,
The Avengers,
Babylon 5,
Batman,
Battlestar Galactica,
The Bionic Woman,
The Brady Bunch,
Buffy, the Vampire Slayer,
Charlie’s Angels,
Charmed,
Chips,
Combat,
CSI,
Dallas,
Flipper,
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.,
The Gong Show,
Growing Pains,
Gunsmoke,
Happy Days,
I Love Lucy,
The Incredible Hulk,
JAG,
Lost,
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,
Mork & Mindy,
The Prisoner,
Roswell,
The Six Million Dollar Man,
Saturday Night Live,
Space 1999,
Star Trek,
Three’s Company,
24,
Twin Peaks and
Welcome Back, Kotter.

That’s it for this week!

Source: Media Week

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Weekly TV Wrap Up – March 12th, 2009

Bruce Simmons — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:39:34 +0000

So what’s happening this week with some of our favorite television shows? I’ll fill you in on the vaporizing ratings for Dollhouse, The Sarah Connor Chronicles and others. I touch on some Supernatural & NCIS casting news and a season ending story development. I then sprinkle some CSI:NY bits and round it out with some Lily cast updates.

Let’s check it out.

Ratings Notes

A sad ratings note: The completely non-advertising supported set of repeats of Jericho on The CW scored a 0 in ratings. A zero. Of course they are Nielsen families, so that means none of them made any sense of it the first time around and they don’t want to deal with it a 2nd time.

Though it hasn’t been officially announced, inside sources are saying Heroes will be renewed for another 18-20 episodes next season.

Knight Rider, on the other hand, has been parked and done. The season finale had a 21% drop off in ratings from its premiere. Sorry to say for the KR fans out there. I guess it’s time to snatch up the DVD when or if that ever comes out.

Dollhouse fell below 4 million viewers last week, snagging only 3.5 million viewers during the airtime. This is Echo, looking for viewers in the audience!

The Sarah Connor Chronicles viewers dwindled to below 3 million viewers. Friday may be bad, but this is really bad. Maybe as they quit focusing on Sarah’s “3 dot pursuit” and more on Cameron, we might wake up on Fridays once again.

Sources: E Online, TV Guide, TV Guide

V Snags A Firefly Alum

ABC’s reboot of V has landed Morena Baccarin (aka Firefly’s Inara and Stargate SG-1’s Adria) has been cast as Anna, whose referred to as the “frontwoman” for the alien visitors who come to Earth.

Source: TV Guide

Supernatural

Now that Supernatural has found itself renewed for a 5th season, we will be seeing more of Misha Collins, who plays the angel Castiel. Collins will become a series regular next season. Misha says that with his extended stay, he’ll be doing some butt whooping.

Source: SciFi Wire

NCIS

The news on the street is that NCIS is going to focus heavily on Tony (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva (Cote de Pablo) in the last 4 episodes of the season. But with their complicated love triangle involving Michael Rifkin (Merik Tadros), they have planned a pretty explosive ending lined up for the viewers.

Source: Entertainment Weekly

CSI: NY

Winding up to the season finale of CSI: NY, big things are going to happen. The team loses one of their own, Ed Asner will be making an appearance and Craig T. Nelson winds up his story arc. I dare not say anymore!

Source: Entertainment Weekly

Lily

The Gossip Girl spin off tentatively titled Lily is starting to line up some cast.

The CW is in advanced talks with Cynthia Watros (Lost) and Andrew McCarthy (Lipstick Jungle) to come onboard. Watros and McCarthy would play play CeCe and Rick Rhodes, Lily’s parents and Serena’s grandparents. (Caroline Lagerfelt plays CeCe on the current series.)

The “backdoor pilot” episode is slated to air May 11.

Source: E Online

A Quick Rant

As anyone seen the latest COMCAST commercial where they have this sing-song monotone chant / rap throughout the ad while real people exist in some cartoonish world? Is it just me, or do you want to throw your TV out the window when that ad comes on? Ack!

A Question To Our Readers:

Do we have any Gossip Girl fans hanging out around here? Let me know.

Additionally, if there’s anything you have a hankering for, ask away in the comments section and I’ll scour the news for these requests. All you have to do is ask. I’ll be watching for your comments.

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CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Premiere

Bruce Simmons — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:15:58 +0000

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, or referred to as CSI, or unofficially CSI: Las Vegas gave us what I expected with their season opener – a tragic, emotional death, and a funeral of a beloved fellow officer and a few roles rekindled for an episode or two.

We saw last season Warrick Brown (Gary Dourdan) get set up for the murder of the mafia boss Lou Gedda but the team saved him from that predicament. But Gedda had a mole in the LVPD force and it was Undersheriff Jeff McKeen.

At the end of the 8th season finale, we know Warrick is gunning for the mole and that mole, McKeen, shoots Warrick in his car.

Season 9 Premiere: DVR SPOILER ALERTS following the break.

After McKeen shoots Warrick, he calls the shooting in, giving a bogus description of a shooter.

It was with eerie calmness that McKeen returns to the scene after Gil Grissom (William Petersen) finds Warrick in his car, dying. McKeen arrives afterwards and when Warrick sees him, he tries to say something but all we get is a death gurgle. Wow. An emotionally compelling scene. Afterwards, the amount of blood on Grissom’s shirt was on the level of almost disturbing, gut wrenching to say the least.

This was an excellent opportunity for the cast to spread their emotional wings as their characters grieved for Warrick. Coincidentally, this was a different way to present a crime for a CSI episode. We know who, now we watch and hoped the team figures it out.

Through the course of the episode, we find out that Warrick was fighting for custody for a child we didn’t know about, and that he looks to Grissom as a father figure. A role model. We see this in a video tape he made for the custody issues he was facing.

Though I was a little worried about it, they discovered McKeen was the culprit and they capture him. As it should be.

This is not a complaint but what would have made it better for me:

I would have liked to have seen this be a multi-episode story arc, just to keep it going. Angles like this are superior for creating anxiety and tension in the viewers over a period of time and gives us something to talk about. The conjecture of everyone trying to figure something out is just plain fun. Yet no one does that much any more except on season finales to make sure you come back next season.

Cast News:

There were a few non-surprises for me on this episode.

I knew Gary Dourdan was leaving. Depending who you read, he was either fired or it was a mutual parting. The fact that they finished him off the way they did, well, you do the math! Dourdan had a few legal issues over the last few years. It ranged from a serious assault on a paparazzi to being found asleep in his car outside of Palm Springs and being busted for possession.

Jorja Fox will be back for a few episodes this season.

William Petersen will be stepping out of his role as Gil Grissom mid-season. Grissom will be replaced by a character played by Laurence Fishburne. Fishburne’s character is an ex-pathologist who consults on an investigation and ends up joining the “CSI” team.

Fishburne’s role will be more in the direction of Dexter because he has an interesting genetic profile that lends itself to that of a serial killer and he knows this about himself. It’s his journey of discovery.

Though William Petersen will be leaving the role, he will remain with the show as an executive producer.

With their attempt to bridge the Dexter gap and possibly make the show “more interesting”, are we seeing a shark fin in the water? I hope not. I like this original CSI franchise series that spawned the other two shows in Miami and New York. What do you think?

Sources: TV Guide, TMZ, MSNBC, TV Guide, TV Week, THRFeed

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CSI: Miami – Season 7 Story and Cast Notes

Bruce Simmons — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:22:38 +0000

Last season, CSI: Miami ended on a surprising cliffhanger that raised my eyebrows.

The season 6 finale of CSI: Miami was jam packed with death threats on Horatio Caine and some surprise character developments, or so it seemed. The episode had a different pace than most because it had a lot more to tell. (If you were planning on watching last season to catch up, the rest is a bit of a DVR spoiler.)

In the last episode, the new Medical Examiner who replaced Dr. Alexx Woods (Khandi Alexander) was shot almost within minutes of showing up! Bummer, she was hot.

Horatio was inordinately busy tracking down illegal ammunition; dealing with his recurring nemesis, Ron Saris (Played by actor Kim Coates) and dealing with death threats to himself and his family.

After Horatio arrests Juan Ortega, the man behind the illegal ammo, he makes a phone call, giving Horatio’s name over the line and asks to be told when it’s done.

Julia, his ex-wife, who should be scrambling to meet Horatio, disappears for a bit – leaving their son in the hotel room.

While Horatio is awaiting the arrival of his family on the airport tarmac, a shot rings out and Horatio falls to the ground; his infamous sunglasses break. An intense symbolic representation. He seems dead.

The surprise ending that really took me for a spin was Ryan Wolfe getting a text message that read “It’s done” right after Horatio is shot. Are you kidding me!?

Is Wolfe involved? Is Horatio’s ex involved? Could it be the continuation of the ongoing feud with Saris? Or the obvious choice, Ortega? I can’t wait for the new season to GET HERE ALREADY! It’s a good thing I am a calm and PATIENT person.

I like some of the developments that have been occurring in the show. We saw just how brave Callie can be under extreme duress when she was kidnapped earlier. The direction that Horatio has been going in the last few seasons has been interesting, where he’s been dispensing his own form of wild west justice. It’s a nice change of pace from his usual set of stoic one liners and last minute arrests.

CSI: Miami Cast Notes
As you may or may not know, Khandi Alexander (Dr. Alexx Woods) left the show. I really enjoyed Khandi Alexander’s portrayal of the even keeled medical examiner who always had a bit of wisdom to dispense in any situation. I am bummed she’s leaving. When Khandi left the show, rumors were that she was butting heads with David Caruso. But she’s recovered fine with a new gig on HBO called Treme. (BuddyTV)

My gripe when characters leave / actors fired is that we get this quick one episode explanation. No build up, no warning, just a sudden development that was made to look like things were always going on in the background. I think if they spent just a little more time on Khandi’s character, it might have been harder to dispense with her. I hate the quick explanations.

Rumors have it that Alexx may show up every now and then, but I’m not holding my breath.

The new medical examiner, who’s likely to not be shot within the first few minutes of showing up will be played by Megalyn Echikunwoke, who joins the cast as Dr. Tara Price. Her last gig was on USA’s 4400. (NY Daily News)

An interesting side affect with Horatio getting shot was people panicking that he was leaving the show. CBS was going through some cast changes across all CSI shows and everyone started freaking. (TV Pop Crunch)

SPOILER (of sorts)
But let it be known that he will be back this year, don’t fret. As Caruso pointed out with some glib humor, it’s easier to count the characters who haven’t been shot on the show than the characters who have! (ET Online)

Now if they can just get past those infamous one liners of Horatio’s in the teaser openings, things could just start looking even better. Otherwise, look for some character development of his ex, Julia Winston this season.

Based on different tidbits around the internet, the CSI staff gets serious about finding who shot Horatio and some other interesting things are coming, but I’m not about spilling all the beans.

CSI: Miami on CBS will be starting it’s 7th season on Monday, September 22nd

Images from CBS.

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