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Weekly TV Wrap Up – May 28th, 2009

Bruce Simmons — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:38:32 +0000

Welcome to my corner of Thursdays where we get to chat about some of the other goings on from the world of (soon to be totally digital) TV.

This week, we take a look at some noise about Chuck, news about some Dexter casting, the premiere date for Eureka on Sci-Fi (SyFy) and why Eleventh Hour got dumped.

While we’re at it, I also chat about TNT ordering it’s own version of V, Doctor Who guest starring in The Sarah Jane Adventures, and if there are any Gigantor fans out there, I’ve got a bit of news for you.

And of course, at the end of the article, I entice you with a ratings chart showing how our favored shows did last week.

Curious Tidbit About Chuck

Despite the lengthy wait from NBC to actually commit to Chuck, NBC entertainment president Ben Silverman is being noted in saying that if the ratings for Chuck do well enough, they may deliver more than the 13 episodes that the network originally committed to.

He then mentioned that extending the episode count would pair it up with Friday Night Lights in the summer. Hmm, historically, FNL has aired on Friday nights. Are they looking to air Chuck on Friday nights or move FNL to another night? Curious.

He then notes how they want to keep Chuck on the air for years to come.

This, about a show they couldn’t commit to until the near last minute before the upfronts, and then after some cost concessions. Why weren’t they saying that before the upfronts? I don’t know about you, but I’m putting my knee high boots on because I can’t stand lip-service.

Source: TV Guide

Dexter’s New Bad Guy

Sources are reporting that John Lithgow is joining the season 4 cast of Dexter as Walter Simmons. Hmm. Mr. Simmons is an unassuming suburbanite who lives a dual life as one of America’s most prolific and deadliest serial killers.

When Simmons moves to Miami, Dexter becomes obsessed with his efficient killing methods and the fact that he’s escaped capture for close to 30 years.

Season 4 of Dexter starts on Sept. 27.

Source: Entertainment Weekly

Eureka Premiere Date

The Sci-Fi Channel will be premiering Eureka on July 10th.

A small death knell in the background can be heard because it’s only going to have 10 episodes aired.

What’s up with that Sci-Fi?

Why Was Eleventh Hour dumped?

Despite decent ratings, Eleventh Hour was dumped by CBS, as we discovered at the CBS upfronts.

Yet decent ratings isn’t good enough when they have other shows in their lineup doing much better. At least that’s the spin that the CBS Sr. VP of prime time, Kelly Kahl, is saying. And to some extent, that’s true since they’ve nailed down 5th through 12th place in the ratings chart from last week.

Eleventh Hour was a casualty to make room for new shows… they say.

Me, I say that since I reported back in August of 2008 that Eleventh Hour was one of the most expensive shows to hit any network, coming in at a rumored $2 million per episode price tag is what killed it.

Source: TV Guide

TNT Keeping Up With V

It looks like the TNT network is playing catch up now that ABC has V coming down the pipe.

TNT has ordered a pilot for a yet to be named alien-invasion TV series. They’re looking to DreamWorks TV and executive producers Steven Spielberg, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank and Robert Rodat to bring it in a big way.

The story is reported to be set six months after Earth is invaded by aliens.

I hate carbon copy catch up shows, no matter who helms them. At least the premise of idea. Now they may hit it out of the park, but I remember Spielberg’s last sci-fi on TV effort, Taken, and I wasn’t thrilled by it.

Source: Sci-Fi Wire

(Continued…)

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Weekly TV Wrap Up – January 22, 2009

Bruce Simmons — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:25:20 +0000

Here’s the second post of our new regular feature: The Weekly TV Wrap Up.

The 2nd half of the 08-09 season is officially underway and I am pretty busy trying to watch so many of the new shows that have come out that my recorder is starting to smoke. This morning it said “EAS” and I had to reboot it. (I have no clue what EAS means.) I don’t think my recorder likes me anymore.

But with all the new shows coming up, there’s still news and events to report on. So let’s get this show on the road and get you caught up on some of the things going on behind the veil of our television glass.

Reminders:
1. The resident private eye / vampire, Mick St. John is back in repeats of Moonlight. Moonlight stars Alex O’Loughlin, Sophia Myles & Jason Dohring and will air on The Sci-Fi Channel, starting this Friday night, January 23rd.

2. Do you remember when aliens were taking people over and the infiltration was an insidious process that drove you nuts? If you’re thinking about the 2005 series, Invasion, yes, that’s what I mean. It too is going to get some air time in repeats on The Sci-Fi Channel starting this Friday, January 23rd. I liked the show when it was on. It starred William Fichtner, Eddie Cibrian, Mari Matchett and Lisa Sheridan (Whom I really enjoy watching!).

3. It never goes well when you ask your rag-tag fleet of surviving humans to accept an alliance with Cylons. And that is exactly what Admiral Adama is going to be finding out tomorrow night on Battlestar Galactica, in the episode titled “A Disquiet Follows My Soul”. Source: SciFi.com

News Tidbits:
4. Speaking of Battlestar Galactica, last Friday nights premiere episode did very well for NBC’s Sci-Fi Channel. At least as well as a sci fi show on Friday night is concerned. It brought in a total of 2.1 million total viewers. It ranked first in men 18-49 and men 25-54. Source: Media Week

5. CBS president Nina Tassler tossed out a few bones last week while talking to reporters that a pilot for the NCIS spinoff is happening. It will air as an episode of NCIS. That seems cost effective! Source: Variety.com

6. In that same chat, from item No. 5, Nina Tassler pointed out that though Eleventh Hour isn’t doing so good in the ratings department, they’re not ready to drop it yet. Rightfully so!

If you remember back in August we reported that Eleventh Hour was one of the most expensive shows ever made. $4 mil for the pilot and $2 mil per episode and they were committed up to at least 13 episodes. That’s why they aren’t throwing the towel in! It was a pricey gamble on an adaptation of a British mini-series. Source: Variety.com

7. If you’re a fan of NBC’s Chuck and Chevy Chase, you’ll be in heaven. Chevy Chase is guest starring in 3 episodes as a mega-billionaire tech mogul who is accused of stealing Chuck’s fathers ideas. Source: Hollywood Reporter

8. Speaking of Chuck, Scott Bakula has found himself a spot back on TV. He’ll be playing Zachary Levi’s dad in Chuck. His stint is scheduled to kick off for a few episodes in April. Source: EW.com,

9. The cast of Stargate: Universe continues to grow! They’ve added Justin Louis (Hidden Hills) to play Colonel Everett Young, the experienced Stargate team leader. Jamil Walker Smith (Hey Arnold) will play Sr. Sgt. Ronald Greer, a Marine with a temper. David Blue (Ugly Bette, Moonlight) will play Eli Wallace, a slacker genius. And finally, Brian J. Smith () will play Lt. Matthew Scott, the junior member of the Stargate team. Filming will start in the Spring with a targeted Fall 2009 launch. Source: SciFi Wire

10. NBC announced this last week the renewals for The Office, 30 Rock and The Biggest Loser for the 2009-2010 season. (How on this green Earth did Joelle actually end up staying. Egads!!!) Source: NBC

11. You keep asking about My Name Is Earl and at the moment, I’m thinking that no news good news? There has yet (At the time of my writing this article) to be any news as to NBC’s plans to renew My name Is Earl. As soon as I hear anything, you will know it. I can’t imagine they wouldn’t. Would they?

12. How bad is it when you get replaced by a cooking competition show? Ouch.

When Knight Rider closes out its ordered number of episodes, the reality cooking show Chopping Block will be taking its place. It will debut on Wednesday, March 11th at 8 p.m.. Talk about adding insult to injury. Source: Media Week

14. Bob May, the man who wore the “Robot” suit in the 1960’s sci fi show, Lost In Space, passed away last weekend. Our condolences to his family and friends. Incidentally, he was not the voice of Robot. May was just the power behind the flailing arms while Dick Tufeld voiced the Robot. In particular, one infamous phrase we all know and love, “Danger, Will Robinson! Danger, Will Robinson!” while May did all the flailing of his arms around! Source: Sci Fi Wire

15. As it stands, almost 7% of U.S. households will see “snow” when the “Digital Transition” kicks in on February 17th. Right now, there might be a delay in the transition, but as of right now, they seem to be moving along on schedule. Source: Media Week

Double-Talk Of The Week:
16. When asked about the dropped shows Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone and Dirty Sexy Money, ABC’s President Steve McPherson says that they would have liked to air the end of those shows but “… because of the way the timing worked out, we weren’t able to“.

He said he wished they could have given the producers enough notice to write up finales. McPherson added that “For us, it was a frustration that we couldn’t find a larger audience – or that Nielsen couldn’t find a larger audience. I really love those shows. They delivered what they promised.”

Interestingly, it is being pointed out that the network did have sufficient time to give the show runners a heads up on making show ending episodes. If I were a guessing man, I’d say these shows probably aren’t coming back, even if they do have unaired episodes still sitting in the can. Source: EW.com

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SR’s Inaugural Weekly TV Wrap Up

Bruce Simmons — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:21:15 +0000

Welcome! This is the first rendition of Screen Rants Weekly TV Wrap Up. This is where we pass on some of the TV news we come across, keeping you on the edge of news and updates. Our regularly scheduled day will be Thursday mornings, so be sure to check in every week with us.

When there’s TV news, it will be here!

1. Sci-Fi’s Eureka has a new character coming on board in the form of Tess Fontana (Jamie Ray Newman), who’s joining Global Dynamics. The 2nd half season will debut later this year. Source: SCI FI Wire

2. Sci-Fi Channel has ordered a second season of Ghost Hunters International and a sixth season for Ghost Hunters. Additionally, their new college based series, Ghost Hunters: Next Generation is headed at us with a 2010 premiere. Source: Sci-Fi Wire

3. In case you didn’t notice, Pushing Daisies has been dropped before it got to finish its run. (Is it that bad?) And at this time, there is no set air date for the remaining episodes of the brightly colored show. Sorry gang. Source: EW.com

4. The green-screen based Sci-Fi show Sanctuary has done well enough to be picked up for season number 2 with 13 episodes. Source: ENEWSI.com

5. Here’s a list of People’s Choice Awards winners from TV

TV Drama: House M.D.
TV Comedy: Two and a Half Men
TV Animated Comedy: The Simpsons
Sci-fi/Fantasy Show: Heroes
Reality Show: Dancing With the Stars (Bruce admits… great eye candy if you have to sit through it)
Game Show: Deal or No Deal (Why does everyone blow it on this show?)
Male TV Star: Hugh Laurie (He’s the man! A sarcastically honest man.)
Female TV Star: Christina Applegate
Scene-Stealing Guest Star: Robin Williams, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
TV Drama Diva: Kyra Sedgwick as Brenda Johnson, The Closer
New TV Comedy: Gary Unmarried
New TV Drama: The Mentalist
Online Sensation: Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (OK, it’s not TV, but I could get this on my TV… does that count?)

Source: pcavote.com

6. REMINDER: Friday Night Lights is back on NBC on January 16th!

7. Eleventh Hour will have a new agent for a few episodes. FBI trainee Felix will be joining Agent Young, played by Omar Benson Miller. Source: EW.com

8. The Unit (One of Bruce’s favs) is getting a new team member in the form of Wes Chatham playing a recurring role of Sam. He’ll show up sometime in March in a real whopper of an action packed episode. Hmm… when aren’t they? Source: EW.com

9. Don’t forget, in case you’ve missed any of the 1,000 ads that The Sci-Fi Channel has been running, tonight is the series finale of Stargate: Atlantis, and the season finale of Sanctuary.

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Eleventh Hour: Please, Let’s Get Right To the Twelfth Hour

Bruce Simmons — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:22:19 +0000

I’m not going to recap the premiere episode of X…, I mean Eleventh Hour. (I almost said X-Files… Doh! Never mind.) But I do want to touch on a few things about the show, and I will spout out a couple of things to get my train of thought going… again. Sadly. (Did I just say that?)

Eleventh Hour starts out with a car chase through the woods and the driver tossing something out of the truck window – which turns out to be a failed attempt at cloning. Personally, I was ready for something to erupt out of the canister when a cop later picks it up, but he just opens it and starts coughing. Not to spoil my own article, but this teaser opener was the most exciting scene in the entire episode.

The truck chase comes to an end with the truck crashing into the forest and the driver flying through the front window. Despite the driver surviving that horrific accident somehow, remember: Folks, always wear your seat belts. A public service announcement from Bruce at Screen Rant.

At this point, we’re introduced to Dr. Jacob Hood, (Rufus Sewell), the special science adviser of the FBI. Tonight’s story focuses on illegal cloning of human beings (even if that is a redundant statement). We then meet his bodyguard/watchdog, Special Agent Rachel Young (Marley Shelton) who actually tackles a cop and flips him to the ground for JUST APPROACHING Dr. Hood from behind! In the middle of a crime scene where there are nothing but cops all around.

I’m thinking, this is my first warning sign as far as the writing on this show.

She’s his watchdog, and he carries a panic button on him to bring her running when he needs help. But it does not have any GPS functionality built into it from what I can tell, so I’m not sure how she will ever find him in time of need, when it really matters.

Second warning sign?

Then this cloning crime has occurred 19 times previously, and they’re just now calling Hood to the scene? Is 19 a magic number? Maybe somewhere. And during the investigation, law enforcement’s code name for the one behind the whole cloning thing is Geppetto. Are you groaning with me yet?

Warning sign # 3:

As they pursue the bad guys, they go to the library to research clues from old newspapers instead of using the internet.

Warning sign # 4: Maybe I’m nitpicking, but not using the internet, and giving no reason why not really stood out for me.

During further investigations, they find an old lab where the original crimes were taking place. One of the evil-doers shows up, sees the cops and makes a break for it. The foot pursuit by Young leads to his car and he gets in and drives away, but Hood steps out in front of the car… waving his arms to make him stop. How did he get in front of the car? Waving his arms???

Warning sign… Oh, ok – you get it: This entire review is a warning sign!

Young keeps belting out commentary one-liners that have been considered funny somewhere in a dark closet full of drunk gnomes but she finally hits that 1 in 10 odds of funny. For some reason, guys are all trying to hit on Rachel Young, and while she’s filling out paperwork at a bar… yeah, a bar, a guy steps up to ask her if she wants a drink. She says she’s filling out paperwork because she shot a man earlier because he bothered her. That was probably the best line of the show… and maybe the whole reason for this episode, that one line.

They employ Hood’s panic button once during this episode: It’s late at night and we get to watch a nice gratuitous scene where Hood accidentally sits on the thing, setting it off and Young goes charging about the hotel in her underwear and robes. Black. The color of her panties and bra. In case you were wondering. She finds him in the bar.

Fringe did that too… where the lead female cop had to get into an immersion tank, stripped down to her underwear. I’m not complaining one bit. Just making an observation. Really.

The show is an adaptation of an overseas show that was popular, but it looks like they missed some things altogether. Special Agent Rachel Young never threw her weight into kicking doors down. She just flings her foot out and the door busts in. In another scene, they have someone doing CPR, but it’s like she’s kneading dough, not employing life saving force. Sigh. It ain’t ER, but maybe the writers can watch ER to get some ideas to help the show.

I’m not impressed with the bodyguard. I’ve got hopes for Hood. He’s got a low toned, gravelly, mellow, patient voice. I like his screen presence… but the cop, she NEEDS to grow on me. That, or be abducted by aliens.

The whole episode felt like it was already an established series that is only treading water. No real energy, no real WOW moments. It just happened. No one tried to impress me. (My God, I hope they weren’t trying to impress me!)

Here’s my final warning sign:

Hood gets a phone call. He says they have a situation.
Young asks “what kind of situation?”
Hood answers: “A delicate one.”

Need I say more? I have to apologize to the fans of Rufus Sewell and Marley Shelton. I am not picking on them, but I don’t think this was the best choice for their hopes for a break out role. It’s not their fault. It’s like asking someone to drive a nail with a bar of butter. It seems hopeless up front.

Do I dare even watch another episode? I know the actor’s fans probably will, just to be in support of them, but I’m not sure I would. If I find I have scheduled watching grass grow in the dark at the same time, I may opt for that. If I have insomnia maybe I’ll log in and watch it online.

I’m disappointed in Jerry Bruckheimer.

I have to wonder though, next time, if Hood doesn’t answer the phone, would that mean there won’t be another episode? Oh, wait, we have a few to go. Sigh.

In my previous write up, I ask if they spent too much on the show? After

A $4 million pilot budget.
Just under $2 million per episode budget.
CBS has already bought 13 episodes.

With this series having been rumored to be one of the biggest TV deals in history, I’m thinking CBS needs to set up an account on Ebay and cut their losses because if they really spent that kind of money on the pilot, their costs are way out of line with anything phenomenal that I might have missed.

Right now, Fringe is winning this paranormal show battle, hands down.

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Eleventh Hour From CBS: An Expensive Gamble?

Bruce Simmons — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:51:52 +0000

Eleventh Hour is an adaptation of a British mini-series that starred Star Trek The Next Generation’s Patrick Stewart and comes to us from producer Jerry Bruckheimer. It follows Dr. Jacob Hood (played by Rufus Sewell), a biophysicist and special science adviser to the government. His job is to investigate scientific crises and oddities. (Sniff, sniff… do I smell an X-Files fragrance in the air?)

He’s like a dog on a bone when he pursues those who abuse scientific breakthroughs for their own gain and usually, when he’s called in, it’s at the last minute (The Eleventh Hour) when things go wrong and there’s no other option. (Like Mulder, but with some umph?)

Special Agent Rachel Young (played by Marley Shelton) is the FBI officer who watches Hood’s back (hello… Scully??).

I find it very refreshing that now we’ve skipped over remakes, and are just doing re-do’s of popular British series’. [end sarcasm]

The details I find most interesting are the rumors of financial costs being committed:

A $4 million pilot budget
Just under $2 million per episode budget
CBS has already bought 13 episodes.

On top of those costs, there was a bidding war between ABC and CBS.

CBS won the bidding war. That win though, is thought to be one of the biggest television deals in history. For the rights to the series, CBS is rumored to have paid between $25 to $30 million.

I’m not always that smart about some things, but from what I read over on Variety, regardless of the CBS production commitment, if the show doesn’t perform as they expect/hope, the studio could be on the hook for this huge production deficit.

Zoinks! That’s an immense amount of faith. It sounds like they wanted to jump in the ring and compete with Fox’s Fringe from J.J. Abrams. Regardless, Eleventh Hour brings the original CSI team of Bruckheimer and director Danny Cannon back together, and if they tap that same magic they hit with the CSI franchise, it might be a show to watch out for (and make ends meet for the network)!

The show will be executive produced by Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman, Danny Cannon, Cyrus Voris, Ethan Reiff and Mick Davis for Jerry Bruckheimer Television in association with Warner Bros. Television.

I will give this a once or twice over and see how it pans out. We could use a good replacement for X-Files, whether it be Eleventh Hour or Fringe, we’ll see who wins out in the long run, if either one!

Eleventh Hour, will air on CBS Thursdays at 10pm starting October 9th

Sources: Eleventh Hour, MovieWeb,

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