Entertainment Shakedown: AKA: I'm Back Baby!

First of all I want to apologize for the lack of updates recently, between Upfronts, family commitments, weddings and playoff hockey, let's go Devils, the month of May has been completely kicking my ass. But enough excuses, there is much to discuss. May brings all sorts of excitement to the entertainment world filled with renewals, cancellations and the announcements of the new shows to come.

I'm starting the news off with cancellations. Time to see how the "promising" shows of last year turned out.

ABC

The River - Ok, so it was pretty much a given that the little show brought to you by the guy who "brought us Paranormal Activity" was probably not getting a pick up. Which is sad because I really enjoyed it, and will even go so far as to say it may have been my favorite show of last season. While having a short season, only eight episodes, the show was a creepy, crazy ride that I am sad to see end. Although the show had a decent ending which could work as a season or series finale, I still wish that ABC had stuck with it. There was a rumor circulating a few months back that NETFLIX was interested in possibly picking the show up and producing new episodes, and since the first season was released on DVD, and available on Amazon, I am still holding out hope.

Pan Am - The show was cute, and had some really awesome guests, but it was mostly forgettable. I wouldn't have been upset if it was renewed but I can understand why it wasn't.

CBS

 
A Gifted Man - Let's be honest CBS rarely cancels shows, especially after only a season, but in order to make room for new shows something's got to go. It wasn't a terrible show, but it definitely wasn't helped by having a Friday night time slot.

CW

The Ringer - It's sad that a show with such an awesome cast, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Nestor Carbonell would only last a season, but even I have to admit the show got a little too soapy/predictable for my taste.

The Secret Circle - Honestly, this show was pretty much presented on a silver platter, based on a book series by the same author and with the same creative team as its ridiculously successful lead in The Vampire Diaries, it looked like this show was almost a shoe in for success. But alas, it lacked whatever magic, no pun intended, that has kept The Vampire Diaries audience captivated.

FOX

The Finder - It was pretty much a given when FOX decided to move their Bones spinoff to Friday nights that it wasn't going to get a second season. The show itself was fine, awesome guest stars, but as seems to be the current trend in tv land lately of you're not a "hit" right off the bat, you get the axe.

Alcatraz - It seems with JJ Abrams, his shows either do ridiculously well, or the crash and burn. Alcatraz fell into the later category. The concept itself was pretty awesome, and having Hurley in it definitely added to the appeal, however the show itself sort of fell flat. While I watched the shoe, and enjoyed it, I didn't LOVE it. If I missed an episode I wasn't feening to watch it as soon as possible.

Terra Nova - I sometimes feel like Jason O'Mara on a show is like having a show written/directed by Joss Whedon. Both are quite talented and yet most of their shows barely last a season. Let's face it though, with the mega huge budget required to keep this show going, if it wasn't an automatic television phenomenon, it was destined to be canceled.

NBC 

Awake - I will state again for the umpteenth time, I am still devastated to know that I live in a world where Awake was canceled and Whitney was renewed. The show itself was great, my only complaint was that it required A LOT of brain capacity for 10pm on a Thursday.

The Playboy Club - I know, I know it was canceled FOREVER ago, it only had three episodes air, but I still feel it is worth mentioning. Here we have another classic example of an NBC screw up. Instead of taking the controversy caused by the fact that the were airing a show called The Playboy Club to their advantage, they decided to stop airing the show after only three episodes despite having several more already filmed. Um, that just seems like a waste of money to me. Why not air the remaining episodes, in the hopes of picking up some new viewership? If it doesn't pick up then don't renew, but the money has already been spent to not air the remaining episodes and replace it with reruns of another failing show is just a waste. News flash NBC you are already in last place, the only place to go is up, take some risks. 

Other cancellations include:
ABC
Charlie's Angels
Missing
GCB
Work It

CBS
How to be a Gentleman
NYC 22
Rob
Unforgettable

 CW
H8R

FOX
Allen Gregory
I Hate My Teenage Daughter
Napoleon Dynamite

NBC
Are You There, Chelsea?
Best Friends Forever
Free agents
The Firm
Prime Suspect  
  
Next up...What's new for the fall/midseason line up.

Ringer "A Whole New Kind of Bitch" :AKA: Seriously?!?!

Ok, so I admit to Ringer being on my low list...you know the list of show's that I'm watching because of the actors more so than the actual show? I'm still watching, just not as invested as I am in other shows this season.


WARNING: If you have not seen last night's episode, watch it NOW! Spoilers are ahead, you Have been warned...

Last night's episode was the usual fare, Bridget is struggling with her addiction and her decision to tell Gemma her real identity. Juliet is causing trouble for Brobhan (Bridget as Siobhan) and her father. Henry's being dropped by his publisher, and looks to be hitting the bottle quite a bit. Let us also not forget Malcolm, being drugged up by Bodaway Macawi out in Wyoming. The show is shaping up to have all the sudsy elements of a night-time soap, not a bad thing by any means, but not my favorite genre.

Then in the last five minutes of the episode, BAM! Henry refused to let Andrew into the house, where there's broken glass, bloody walls and no sign of Gemma. All of a sudden I'm left staring at my tv, mouth agape, mission accomplished Eric Charmelo and Nicole Snyder.

So this leads to several questions, is Gemma dead? We've yet to see a body, and if Ringer has taught us anything so far it's they're not officially dead til there's a body. Was Henry the one who harmed her? Is that ever her blood?

Here's my theory, I guessing Gemma's not dead, I'm also guessing it wasn't Henry, remember Brobhan pissed the men who are after Soibhan when she didn't leave them the phone. What better way to get at her than abducting her best friend? As far as they know she's Soibhan and Gemma is her best friend, so begins their torture of her loved ones.

Why is Henry cleaning up the blood? Clearly, he thinks Brobhan killed Gemma to cover up the affair and he is covering up the evidence to either protect, or blackmail her, depending on how dark they want Henry to be.

Looks like soapy or not, I'll be tuning in to Ringer, for awhile longer to figure all this out.

Week Four: AKA: Making Decisions

So we're into week four of the fall tv season, and decisions are being made. I've gone through several weeks of new shows and am starting to make my decisions onto which shows I am going to make the commitment to. So far here are my updated verdicts:

Sundays

Homeland (10pm Showtime)
Ok, so I've only gotten my hands on the pilot, but as I've said before I ADORE Mandy Patinkin and as I think the concept an amazing new take on a familiar fear. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more.

Pan Am (10pm ABC)
I wasn't sure I was going to continue watching this show after the pilot, but three episodes later and I find myself looking forward to each new episode. I adore Captain Dean (AKA: Mike Vogal, who will always be Dean from Grounded For Life to me), and Kate Jennings Grant has a recurring as role as Judith Cameron, Laura and Kate's mother. She just flat out rocks, and she is way prettier then they make her up to be.

Mondays

Terra Nova (8pm Fox)
I am well aware I need to be watching this show, and fully admit to it being my fault that I have yet to catch up. However due to my due to my commute anything airing before 10pm is a gamble on whether or not I make it home to watch.

Hart of Dixie (9pm CW)
It's a cute show, and three weeks in and I am still entertained. Is it a thought provoking master piece? Hardly, but it's sweet and a good way to the hour before Castle.

Playboy Club (10pm NBC)
Well the decision was made FOR me here. It wasn't the best show I had ever seen, but it was interesting enough. I was really looking forward to seeing where the storyline between Sean and Bunny Alice was headed. Homosexuality in the 1960's is not something we, the viewers, have been readily exposed to, I was really interested to see how they handled it. Unfortunately we may never know.

Tuesdays

Ringer (9pm CW)
This is one of the saddest hings I've typed. I was psyched for the premiere and raced home for the second episode, I was beyond excited to have Buffy Summers and Richard Alpert once again gracing my screen. Yet now after three episodes, I've realized I don't really care about the story. It's not a bad show, it just seems to be moving fairly slowly, and I don't really care about the characters themselves.I'm going to stick with it or awhile but sad to say when the mid season replacements start up, I'll probably end up watching something else instead.

Wednesday

Revenge (10pm ABC)
This show was honestly a pleasant surprise. I wasn't sure how they were going to sustain this as a tv show, as opposed to a movie, but, at least for now, it seems to be working quite nicely. More importantly, I actually "care" about the characters. I want to befriend Nolan, console Jack about his father, and while I'm not 100% sure how I feel about Victoria, I know that I want to know more about her.

American Horror Story (10pm FX)
We're only one episode in and honestly I am still in WTF mode. I'm not giving up on it just yet, but honestly the jury is still out on whether or not it's being added to my regular schedule. 

Thursday

Person of Interest (9pm CBS)
I still need to catch up but I'm gonna stick with it, because let's face it Ben Linus always has a plan.

Ringer "She's Ruining Everything": AKA: My Reflections on Buffy's New Life

So this week, I returned to give Ringer another shot and I was more or less pleased with the result. The show seems to be keeping momentum, which is a good.

WARNING THERE ARE SPOILERS AHEAD

I'm happy that we are getting a deeper look into Bridget, the parallel between herself and Juliet was a nice touch. The flashbacks seem less forced since she is watching Juliet make the same mistakes she did, making the decision to stay with Juliet, despite having more pressing concerns, you know, like a dead body in a trunk, a purse full of cash and a sexy hunk waiting to run away with her, shows a great growth in her character. Even though we have only caught a few glimpses of pre-recovery Bridget, the flashbacks and what she has told us, proves that she has grown as a person. The shot of Andrew watching Bridget comforting Juliet was almost heartwarming.

He really did care about Siobhan at some point, and whatever has happened to change their relationship doesn't seem to be his doing.

You have to wonder what kind of person Siobhan was. Clearly, cold and calculating, but why? What lead her down a path where she would want to kill her own sister? Because let's face it, at this point we're all thinking, Siobhan set Bridget up to be killed so she could run away to Paris for something. Does it have anything to do with Sean and whatever Bridget caused to happen to him?

The cell phone trick by the other hit man was pretty genius, and I have to admit I didn't really see the no body in the trunk coming, however once it had happened I had an, of course moment. Clearly Bridget isn't going to get caught this soon in the series.

Can we just take a moment, to discuss Bridget/Siobhan fashion this week? While last week I was coveting everything in Siobhan's closet, this week not so much. I was not feeling the black and gold number Bridget was wearing to the charity event. And although cute, who wears white to clean up a dead body? Especially when considering chopping it up with a circular saw....oh Bridget, you have so much to learn about getting away with things.. 

To be honest, I don't really care about the Gemma/Henry/Bridget triangle. I kinda wish Gemma would just find out so we can all move on, granted it isn't going to pretty, but she finds out, as we know she will from last week's preview, and so the sooner the better as far as I'm concerned.

I think we can all agree that Malcolm lucked out. I realize that the Native American Crime Boss out to kill him, is a connection to Bridget's past, but honestly I could do without that storyline. I do think he was right to tell Bridget to go to the police as Siobhan. I know, I know the gun was connected to her, but still, somewhere in my head I feel like it would have been a whole lot less stressful.

Speaking of stress, Bridget has GOT to learn to cover better. If I were Agent Machado I would definitely think she was up to something. Words can not express how adorable I found his rambling about the history of the loft by the way. It was a little thing, but it was the first clue we've gotten to anything about who he is.

And so Ringer has earned another week of viewing, I don't generally like soapy type shows, which Ringer definitely has the potential to become, but until then it looks as though I'm gonna keep tuning in.

Ringer: AKA: Buffy is BACK!

Photo Credit: Art Streiber CW ©2011 The CW Network, LLC.

So as I sat on my bed, the couch having been commandeered by the boy and his brother who had gotten home before me (curses!!!) I couldn't help but notice all the small details that really seem to make this a more sophisticated show. Well, more sophisticated then other CW shows, which is not surprising as it was originally made for CBS.

They are really playing up the "mirror image" aspect of the show. From the very beginning when Bridget is asking Siobhan for forgiveness, the two are standing in front of what appears to be a hall of mirrors, which creates a really cool effect of further multiplying them. From there on, it's like every other scene seems to feature a shot showing a mirror, eventually ending with Siobhan in Paris touching a mirror next to her and creating the duel image of herself, which we've seen in all the promo ads. It definitely makes for some interesting/beautiful shots. It's finally happened, I've gone all film geek...le sigh.

So, I knew the pilot going in, one of the perks/curses of working in my industry...auditioning people, often creates giant spoilers. I have to say though, visually the show was beautiful. The costumes, sets and even the framing of the show is just breath taking. On a completely unrelated note, if anyone can tell me who the artist who did the cover of Chicago's "25 or 6 to 4" that played while Bridget was telling Malcolm how she took over her sister's life, will get my undying love and appreciation.

Props to Sarah Michelle Gellar for being able to create two clearly different character with the twins, not an easy task, but she makes it appear almost effortless. Also, I found it oddly fascinating watching her, a woman who I grew up with playing such a bad ass, playing roles where she ran from people. Siobhan, for reasons still unknown, picked up and ran away to Paris. Bridget ran away from Wyoming, then from her attacker in the loft. She definitely did a good job in picking an entirely new vehicle to return to the small screen in. These two women, while strong in their own rights, are no Buffy Summers.

As for the plot, I'm curious to see where they are going to go with this. Now that they've revealed that Siobhan wasn't as sweet and innocent as Bridget perceived her to be. There are several different paths they could go down. After all, we were introduced to a whole slew of characters tonight, not just Bridget and Siobhan but also her best friend Gemma, step-daughter Juliet and more importantly, the all the yummy men gracing the screen with them. Seriously if you ladies like eye candy, this show's a good one. Oh, Nestor your eyes are still divine, and I have missed them. Each and every person has there own stories and secrets waiting to be told.While the story is truly about Bridget and Siobhan, it would be foolish not to delve a bit deeper into the lives of the other characters.

While I'm still not entirely sure of whether or not this will be added to my permanent tv line up, I'll  definitely be tuning in next week for more. One things for sure, Ringer is starting out as a thrill ride, that promises twists and turns every step of the way.

Fall Television: AKA: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

CW Ringer Promo Photo

While I love that summer brings cute outfits unburdened by coats, and winter brings the holidays, my favorite season by far is Fall. Fall bring a lot of my favorite things, Halloween (probably my favorite holiday), yummy pumpkin flavored treats (lattes, muffins, beer and more), Hoodie weather, and the opportunity to start wearing knee high socks and skirts (one of my fave combos...I own far more knee socks than anyone my age probably should) and boots (my foot wear of choice).

Most importantly though, the fall signals the beginning of NEW tv shows, and new episodes of returning favorites. Huzzah! My view schedule kicks off tonight with CW's  Ringer, starting Sarah Michelle Gellar and Nester Carbonell at 9pm....Wait..Tuesdays at 9pm? Anyone else having Buffy flashbacks here?

TV Guide describes the show as:

Ringer (CW) 

Premieres: Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 9/8c
Sarah Michelle Gellar's back! And this time, there's two of her! Gellar plays twins Bridget and Siobhan — both decidedly un-Buffy-like — in this mystery thriller that was originally developed for CBS. Bridget, a recovering alcoholic, is on the run from some baddies and decides to hide out by taking the identity of her wealthy twin sis, who is thought to be dead. Turns out taking on Siobhan's persona puts Bridget in a very different kind of danger. Lost alum Nestor Carbonell co-stars, but don't expect any sci-fi stuff, à la Lost and Buffy, on Ringer. "No hatch! No island!" Gellar says. 

 

I have to admit I am excited to have SMG back on my television screen each week. I'm even more excited to see her taking on a more grown up/non campy role. Don't get me wrong I LOVED Buffy the Vampire Slayer, still do and always will, but let's be honest here, she can't play high school forever. Since the show ended, and I get that she took time "off" to travel and be with family, which isn't a bad thing at all, but there hasn't been much that she has done that made me really excited, TMNT being the exception, because I am a huge dork.  So I am excited to see her take on new more complex character. Also, seeing Nestor Carbonell's gorgeous lashes grace my tv screen again, is a welcome addition to my fall line up.

There are plenty of other shows I'm eagerly anticipating. I'm sure after a few episodes some of the newer shows may fall to the wayside, but as of now, here's how my nights are looking:

Sunday
8pm
Once Upon a Time (10/23)

10pm
Pan Am (9/25)
Homeland (10/2)

Monday8pm
Terra Nova (9/26)

9pm
Heart of Dixie (9/26)

10pm
Castle (9/20)
Playboy Club (9/19)

Tuesday8pm
NCIS (9/20)

9pm 

Ringer (9/13)
The New Girl (9/20)

Wednesday8:30pm
Suburgatory (9/28)

10pm
Revenge (9/21)
American Horror Story (10/5)
Psych (10/2)

Thursday8pm
Community (9/22)

9pm
Person of Interest (9/22)
Bones (11/3)

Friday
9pm
Grimm (10/21)


Winter Premieres I'm eagerly awaiting:
Alcatraz
Apt 23
Awake
The Finder
Good Christian Belles
The River
Scandal
Smash

 

Like I said I'm sure I'll fizzle out on  some of these, as every year I start off with and overly ambitious schedule, which inevitably gets trimmed down, but I am so glad that this year is offering a ton of new shows that I'm actually excited to see.

For a full calendar of fall premiers, you can download you're copy of the "Official JOpinionated 2009 Fall TV Calendar" here, created by the amazing Jo Garfein.

 

Tonight you will find me curled up on the couch with a bowl of popcorn kicking off the new fall season.