Chris Messina is The Media Machine

So...

2011-12-23T09:35:00.000-08:00

I realize I've been quiet of late. Life has taken me away and I apologize for that. With that said last night saw the culmination of the first season of X-Factor and all I can say is, I saw it coming from a mile away. As I hinted on twitter and as I've told everyone I've spoken with over the last few months, this was a done deal since September. The whole show felt as if it was scripted, so orchestrated from the beginning and the end did nothing to dispel that fact.
With all that said, Melanie (despite her lack of a dynamic high end) was the most viable pop singer left in the competition, but she was far from the most talented and, quite frankly, has already reached her zenith. And while we've seen the truly talented folks like Astro and the precocious Rachel Crow drop by the wayside, they never really had a chance.
Recall when we were introduced to the somewhat plain, unassuming Melanie. She kept her head down, walked with little confidence, but then when she sang, there was a clear, very smooth pretty voice. That's all well and good, but was she really someone you could root for? No, not yet anyway. A story had to be built.
Up next the judges had to pick their top four and yet somehow, despite everyone knowing she belonged there, Melanie was surprisingly sent home. She was devastated and, apparently, so was Simon. In the 11th hour, he realized he made a mistake, traveled to Melanie's home and told her that he'd opened the competition to one additional person to make room for her. So now we've got a Lazurian legend beginning. She was dead in the water, but she's risen to get one more chance at pursuing her dream. Hurray.
Still pretty plain, every week, she sings a little bigger, her makeup and clothes become a bit more polished, but she still lacks a real connection with the audience. The voice is good enough, but her personality comes across as rather dull, is there a way to bring out another side, something the audience didn't even know existed? Sure. Dump her in the bottom three, scare everyone that felt like she was safe. You know that, oh my god, they couldn't possible send her home, could they? We'd better start actively voting for her. But that's not going to be enough, if only there was something cool and secret she was hiding...
Holy crap she's Jamaican! (and let me state for the record that I believe she's actually from Tortola, but since Americans know crap about What a twist? Apparently she was so ashamed at being cool and Jamaican that she had to hide her true self from America and in a crying fit she unleashed the accent and now she has a personality! Well, sorta. It's not like we really saw a huge change in her personality, just a lot of references to the fact that she has a true self and isn't that the same thing, at least on television?
So it comes down to the bottom three. Chris can't win, even though his story is so much more legitimate and compelling (because despite her tears it is harder to overcome an addiction to drugs than it is a bad accent) and the really talented, but bear-like Josh just doesn't look the part, even when they wash his hair. So that leaves our rags to riches, Cinderellaesque tale of Melanie Amaro.
Perhaps all this just happened. Maybe it wasn't engineered. Maybe all the sniping of the judges was also genuine. Maybe, but it sure as heck felt otherwise.

Steve Jones is rumored to be headed out the door. Stuff about him not connecting with the audience. I'd give him another year. It's not like Ryan Secrest was an instant star, it took time for everyone to get comfortable with the show. (And don't we miss Dunkelman?). Those same rumors suggest that Nicole (who was originally hired as his co-host, but moved to the judging table after Cheryl Cole was fired--- oy was that a mistake) could step into the role as host. Let me please say two quick things about that. One, Nicole definitely should not be at the judges table. She's just not very good. She mostly babbles a lot of crazy stuff and rarely said much of interest. Paula really already fills that role. As for moving her to the host role, I just don't see it. She seems like a talented singer and dancer, but frankly thinking on her feet doesn't seem to be a strong suit and the fact that she cries at the drop of a hat doesn't make for a good host. They can't stop the show every week while you get yourself together. If you choose not to bring back Steve, maybe look outside the show for help. Go get yourself a Nick Cannon or something. Someone who will bring some personality to the stage. Just my two cents.

Ahhh Mondays

2011-11-01T15:57:00.000-07:00

There's lots to watch on Mondays and after reading what I just wrote there, I realized that that's true of every single night thanks to our 1000 channel universe. Sorry for that then. Instead, let me say that there's some very cool stuff you should be watching on Mondays and here it is.

8pm brings some stuff that sit on that land between "have to watch" and "sorry, didn't realize I missed it (all season)". At the forefront of this is Dancing with the Stars. Let's be honest, the best thing said about this show came from Jon Stewart who begged the question, "You know what they should do, a celebrity edition." Seriously. Does anyone care? I know lots of people watch, but still, why? If Rob Kardashian wins, will my life really be better or will I simply just question the state of America? Certainly the latter. Otherwise you're talking Gossip Girl (oy hello overstayed welcome), Terra Nova (really expensive, but missing something) and The Sing Off (a fine summer series when there's nothing else on) so really, nothing you can't miss.

The one exception is How I Met Your Mother. I do love this show. Aside from the genius of Neil Patrick Harris and his lecherous Barney, all the characters bring something cool to the table. Alyson Hannigan and Jason Segel's married couple is what every couple really would like to be. Cobie Smulders is Canadian, which is cool, but props to her for dropping Mason Raymond's name before he really jumped to the NHL (now he's a regular for Vancouver). Now Ted is whiny, but endearing and we're rooting for Josh Radnor's character to find his wife. Now you might find yourself a little lost should you just pick the show up now and there are lots of in jokes you might miss, but give it a couple of weeks, you'll learn to love it all the same.

Don't worry about Two Broke Girls at 8:30, you won't miss it. Three or four years ago I would have said you needed to watch House. Sure, we know it's terribly formulaic, wrong answer, wrong answer, wrong answer almost kills patient, right answer, victory! But despite Hugh Laurie (who was still better in Black Adder, really) the show has become tired, so go rent some early DVDs if you want a good look at what the show was at it's best. Two and a Half Men is, despite the cast changes, the same show as always and I guess if you loved it before, you will still. It just doesn't do it for me anymore. Sorry Chuck Lorre. Mike and Molly at 9:30 on CBS is really cute, but not really funny (at least to me) and cute ain't enough reason to watch a show (aside from Puppies vs Babies on Animal Planet). CW has Heart of Dixie which, if you don't know what it is, you won't miss it. So, really, nothing. There's nothing to watch. I guess you could switch over to the Sing-Off. It won't hurt.

10 brings Rock Center on NBC. Nothing wrong with another news magazine and Brian Williams is such a nice, funny guy and they've got great news guys doing work for them like Harry Smith (formerly of CBS-- spoke to him, really cool, honest interview), but that name is atrocious. You already have a show on the air in 30 Rock that is making fun of Rockefeller Center (home of NBC) and while this name isn't, it sure as hell sounds like a Wrestling pre-game show. If you love news-magazines, then by all means watch it. If you don't you have two choices, actually one real choice and then another show that's on. CBS offers up the Hawaii Five-O remake. It's ummm, a show. There's some action, some characters and some stories, but should you miss it, you're never sitting there Tuesday morning with your face in your hands, with good reason.

The show you should be watching is Castle, over on ABC. Sure, like Hawaii, it is a show, it has action, some characters and stories, but the difference is that it's a fun show, that has decent action, characters you like (especially Nathon Fillion's Castle) and stories that, sure, don't often stretch your imagination, definitely keep you engaged. Watch it. You'll love it.

So, there you go. That's Monday for you. Tuesdays at up next.

Let's Start with Sunday

2011-10-19T10:35:00.000-07:00

And keep in mind that we're just dealing with the networks here. Adding in the cable shows would make this a convoluted process, but we will get to those shows as well.

Sunday is a fun day because we get four whole hours of primetime and not just three. You would think that would provide the networks with the opportunity to give us quality programming. Yeah, sadly it doesn't quite work that way. Football is a big reason for this.

NBC has their Sunday Night football package. This regularly wins the Sunday Night ratings battle and more importantly suctions huge amounts of men away from the other channels. As a result, the offerings are weaker than they might be (why throw a lamb up against football) and leaning more towards female viewers.

For my money there are two and a half shows worth your money on Sundays. Yes, 60 Minutes is still a quality newsmagazine, but I just don'e want to give it the time. America's Funniest Home Videos continues with the exact same format it began with more than 20 years ago (ball--groin--repeat), but it's really only good if there's just nothing else to be found. Desperate Housewives? Oy. If they were headed any faster down the slope there would be an avalanche warning. Chris, you might say, what about The Good Wife? Yes, it's well acted and written, but it just doesn't grab me for some reason. I have tried and tried, but I feel like I'd rather just watch a show about Alan Cumming's character and instead I get too much of everyone else. CSI: Miami..... hahahahahahahahahaha ha. Heh. No.

For my money, I'm still loving The Amazing Race. Yes, it's formulaic, but it's fun and they go places I'd like to go and more importantly, I look at the show and convince myself that I could totally do better than the teams on the show. It's like when I can answer the questions on Jeopardy and I start to believe that I'd really not crumble under the pressure and instead that I'd ring in first and answer each question correctly. I'm taking you down Alex! So, ummm, yeah. Sorry about that. I like Amazing Race. I always find a team or two to root for and it keeps me hanging on through entirety of the season.

The other show...sadly not Pan Am. I think it's also better than many critics have given it credit for, but watching how they take care of the passengers on the plane and feed them hot food and don't keep asking for extra money just makes me too sad to watch. It hurts. So that leaves a show that hasn't yet premiered, but it's coming this Sunday. Once Upon A Time is one of two fairy tale themed shows coming soon (Grimm being the other on NBC). Once, on ABC, gives us your typical fairy tale story with good guys and an evil witch, but in this story the witch wins. She sets a spell that throws all the characters into our world with seemingly no recollection of their previous lives and it's going to be up to a young boy and his mother (played by House's Jennifer Morrison) to figure out what's going on and how to get everyone back to where they belong. Morrison's private eye is skeptical of the whole affair and really wants nothing to do with the boy who she had given up for adoption at his birth, but if she doesn't stick around and solve the curse, all will be lost. The tone is very similar to Twin Peaks (although, at least we know why these folks are messed up). If the pilot is any indication, you should definitely make the time.

The half-- I'm throwing it over to Fox's Simpsons and Family Guy. They're no longer at the peak of their powers, but they're still better than any of the new sitcoms CBS was throwing at us this year and while I find The Simpsons more consistent than Family Guy, you'll get at least one laugh out of each when you take the time to watch. Now that I think about it, you could also say that about watching David Caruso on CSI.... hmmm... I might have to rethink this whole standard.

Alright, a little convoluted, but the answers are all there, watch Amazing Race, DVR Once Upon A Time and the Simpsons and you'll be good.

Up next (here's a shocker): Monday! And we'll do Monday on Thursday. Ok? Confused? Such is life. Suck it up.

Tim Allen, He's Not the Devil

2011-10-15T14:45:00.000-07:00

So Tim Allen is back with a brand new sitcom on ABC, Last Man Standing. Tell me first if this sounds familiar. Man's man, father of three with a tolerant, but likely more-wise-than-he wife. Right, so they've got the formula right. Sure, the kids are girls instead of boys and the wife is played by a different actress (hello Nancy Travis-- So I Married an Axe Murderer shout out!) and his job is different, but the tone is the same. So you may be wondering if you should check out the show. Ummm, it's not bad, in fact. It's kinda funny depending on your expectations.

I look at this sitcom a bit like McDonalds. No one goes there looking for a fine dining experience and if they did, they would be devastated. But, if you're looking for something that's going to fill you up and a reasonable price, then McDonalds is the place for you. This show isn't pre-gone right wing crazy Mamet. It's not going to break ground like All in the Family and it will never be overly clever like Arrested Development. It will, however, fill you up.

Critics will never love it and it may not win awards, but it's worth a watch. Tuesdays at 8 on ABC.

Well, that took a while...

2011-10-11T15:39:00.000-07:00

So there you go. You're whole schedule for the week, as far as the networks go anyway.... wait, you didn't see it. How odd? Fine, I didn't post it all yet. It took me longer than I thought to watch everything (cause I wanna be fair) and also the family demanded my time. As if they can just take it without going through my secretary (they can-- they did). The schedule is coming, plus a review of Tim Allen's new sitcom. Seriously.

The Plan

2011-09-30T15:42:00.000-07:00

So, over the weekend I'm going to sit down, do some soul searching and give you guys a complete, day by day look at what you should be watching.
One thing you should be watching, that wraps up this weekend, is Doctor Who. Check it out on BBC America.

Suburgatory is Anything But

2011-09-28T14:55:00.000-07:00

I always love watching Jeremy Sisto. He just seems to handle his characters with such ease and honestly, he and Anthony Anderson joining Law and Order brought me back to the show. Cyrus Lupo was a smart, laid back officer and we see much of that same kind of charm with George, the character Sisto plays in the new ABC comedy Suburgatory. His father is caring, intelligent, loves being a friend to his daughter, but also isn't afraid to be the parent.

In the pilot we see George and his daughter Tessa move from the big city to the suburbs after he finds condoms in her drawer and decides that they should flee to the perceived safety of the hinterlands. There, he discovers that safety is relative and the dangers might be a bit more... hard to pinpoint.

The housewives are like sharks, swimming in circles around the chum that is George, the fresh meat of single dad in the neighborhood. Led by queen bee Cheryl Hines, they're scarier than any gang you'd run into on the streets (ok, no, not a chance but it sounded good to write-- seriously, stay away from real gangs, they're dangerous) and frankly having grown up in that suburban environment it still sends chills down my spine when I see them (housewives, not gang members) headed to the mall. Sorry, I digressed again there. Cheryl is really good, she takes a character that could have easily fell into caricature (and there is still some of that) and adding a lot more depth than you'd expect from a sitcom.

The young Jane Levy handles the Tessa role well. She really does seem disgruntled, like all the teens I know. You'll also get a kick out of former SNLer Ana Gastayer and Entourage's Rex Lee in supporting roles. The writing is solid, the acting is there and the show is nestled into that spot between The Middle and Modern Family. It fits well and, I think, has a good chance for success.

Terra (Kinda) Firma

2011-09-28T14:30:00.000-07:00

So, nearly two years and 15 million dollars later, finally we got to see Fox's Terra Nova and it was, in a word....ok... or is that o.k.? And in that case I meant in two initials... regardless... it certainly holds some promise, but I'm not sure it's going to be engaging enough to keep people or have enough fascinating stuff going on to get people talking to bring in new viewers.

They drew about 9 million for the premiere and if they can keep grabbing that number maybe plus another million on DVR viewing we'll see the show for a season two. As it stands, I foresee a drop by about a third and a tough debate for Fox. Basically they've already got the 13 episodes of season one guaranteed (they amortized the cost of the pilot over the season to justify it), but a second season of an expensive show, shot in Australia, that isn't a huge hit? I doubt it.

Bottom line, keep the nine million and the show probably stays, drop at all and it's likely one and done.

An Unforgettable Gifted Man

2011-09-26T10:39:00.000-07:00

So CBS has a couple of new dramas on the docket this season. One, featuring Poppy Montgomery, is in their semi-dark procedural vein, the other, A Gifted Man...well, it's about a snotty doctor who is haunted by his dead wife. The latter, I believe, filling their ghost quota, necessary following the demise of Medium and that Jennifer Love Hewitt show. There is also the J.J. Abrams show, Person of Interest, which I'll get to in another post.

Unforgettable is about a former cop (Montgomery) who is blessed/cursed with the perfect memory. We see her in the pilot volunteering in a home where she entertains with her ability to perfectly recall details about particular days. Later her neighbor is murdered (of course) bringing the cops and her ex-boyfriend/partner from her police days. She's (no shockingly) sucked into the case and helps solve it with her remarkable recall and I'm certain soon to rejoin the force either as a cop or consultant (hello Mentalist). She's a solid, interesting character, but the show seems really familiar and formulaic.... on the other hand, that seems to work really well for CBS and I wouldn't be surprised to see that continue with this show.

A Gifted Man stars Patrick Wilson and also (recent Emmy winner) Margo Martindale. Wilson plays a very wealthy, self-absorbed high end doctor who has recently lost his wife. He seems pretty much ok with it, going about his business until, his dead wife shows up and starts talking to him. He freaks out (as I suspect we all would), gets himself an MRI, goes to see someone who is an expert in dealing with spirits and even does what she asks him to do. This is the crux of the show. While he's helping out the wealthy and famous, his wife working working a free clinic. She asked him to go and throw her password on her computer so the clinic would be able to do their work. He does, it works and he even helps a poor kid get an MRI and then surgery, saving his life. We see some of the set up there and from Martindale who is the woman trying to keep his high end business high end and keeping the riff raft out. She gives him an earful about helping the poor. Then he goes and tries to have his wife's spirit extracted... except she refuses to go. So... not really a procedural.... not really sure how to classify it yet, but at least it's different and somewhat interesting. I like the concept a lot, just wonder how they work it on a day to day basis without it slipping into that procedural where he helps a rich person and a poor person at the behest of his wife. I'd say give it a try if you haven't.

Whitney....HAHAHAHAHAHA (in a can)!

2011-09-23T13:56:00.000-07:00

So I wanted to give Whitney a chance. Really. I watched some of the promos, they looked funny. And then I tried to watch the show last night and it might have been funny, but I couldn't tell through the canned laughter. On a night where every other show forgoes the laugh track, for some reason it was included on this one and it was so jarring to the point where I just had to stop watching.

This isn't an indictment of shooting a show in front of a live studio audience or even using a laugh track to supplement the audience, but when the laughter comes so hard, so strong at a joke you know isn't that funny that it just kinda ruins everything. The laugh track works great on other shows. It doesn't bother me on The Big Bang Theory and other CBS shows. Even on 2 Broke Girls, a show Whitney Cummings Executive Produces, but it did not work here. Please. Make it go away.

I'll go back and give it another chance, but I'd much rather have it without the laugh track.

Thoughts on the Office...

2011-09-23T13:46:00.000-07:00

No Michael Scott. No problem? Actually I kinda feel like there had been a problem for the last couple years and really think the show could have ended last year and I would have been happy. It didn't and the crew is back with new CEO Robert California and new boss....wait for it.... Andy. Yes, Andy.

When they were doing the interviews at the end of last year Robert California really stood out as an interesting character, but so far, not so much. That first episode left me wanting less. And that's probably not a good thing. Andy, on the other hand, shows some promise as the boss. He's very unsure of himself, but by the end he really showed that maybe he could be an interesting promotion choice.

Now, my big problem with the show. Something felt off. I don't know if it was the script (which I felt went a little far with some in some of the language for no good reason) and the way the episode was acted or directed, but something just felt not quite kosher to me.

I think there's still hope for the Office, it's a fresh start, but if things continue down the road of the first episode I might not be here by the end.

X-Factor

2011-09-21T15:33:00.000-07:00

After many months of teases here comes X-Factor. Frankly I'm not that excited. I'm kinda music competitioned out. That said it's got Simon Cowell and we finally get to see a judge say something honest (perhaps a little harsh) and really actually tell the singers what we're all thinking. So yes, I'll watch. But I'm not going to be happy about it.

Also, in the UK, the X-Factor quickly replaced Pop Idol there, eventually sending it to it's demise. While they are on the same channel here in the states, that might buy Idol more time, but the Simon factor looms large and I suspect ratings will be solid for X-Factor in year one, down for Idol and that's a trend that will continue for the next couple of years until Idol slides away like Ophelia into the depths below.*

*Yes, it's a Shakespeare reference. Just because I watch an obscene amount of television doesn't mean I can't act like I read too. I mean, I don't really, but I heard about her drowning one time and this seemed to be the perfect moment to bust out that knowledge. So yeah, that just happened.

Gleeful Issues

2011-09-21T15:23:00.000-07:00

So the show returned last night, ratings were down and I think I can finally put a finger on where my issues lie with the show.
I think it's awesome that Ryan Murphy found a way to take something really as uncool as glee clubs into a network hit, but the show has two problems. One is the David Kelley Rule, where shows that are so idiosyncratic eventually succumb to those idiosyncrasies. For example, Ally McBeal...by the third season (which is typically where these shows fall off) we knew every episode what we were going to get, Ally's seeing a baby dancing, Peter McNichols nose would whistle... Picket Fences fell the same way... and Glee too could be headed in that direction.
The other problem is I find that the characters I'm really drawn to are Jane Lynch's Sue and the head coach of the football team. They're the character with the most depth, they are the most interesting and they actually seem to grow. This year Sue is running for congress. Dude. That's awesome. She's crazy and I'd vote for her just for that reason. Her platform has banning the arts in school. Who can't support something like that?
The rest of glee.... well, it's the same. Will Shuester is angry because Sue is trying to shut them down and the kids are trying to recruit new members so they can compete for sectionals. If I recall correctly that's what happened in season one.... oh, and season two.... they need to switch it up big time, but I just don't know where they go. The freshness is out and now aside from Sue we're watching a simple CW High School drama. Am I wrong? That's possible I suppose. But please, tell me why.

Monday Missive

2011-09-20T12:20:00.000-07:00

It was a big night last night with the premiere of a Charlie Sheen-less Two and a Half Men, a new CBS sitcom, Dancing with the Stars (with Chaz Bono... very cool), an answer or two on Castle and even Fox's Hell's Kitchen finale.

Some thoughts:
Dancing with the Stars: It is what it is. They promised us A-Listers and, in no way delivered. There are some interesting personalities (Hello Metta World Peace -- nee Ron Artest), but the show just doesn't hold my interest. That said, I suspect Chaz Bono is going to help drive some decent ratings and the producers know that, which is why he danced last. David Arquette brought his ex Courtney and their daughter Coco... cute, but he swears they aren't together. Otherwise... J.R. Martinez? Chynna Phillips-- sure, maybe 15 years ago... Hope Solo? Awesome soccer player, but shouldn't be be focusing on playing her sport? Ricki Lake...eh... Kristin Cavallari- being famous for being famous doesn't really make you A-list, but she did dance well. Oh and the same goes for Rob Kardashian... do all of them have to be on TV? Carson Kressley... nice guy and Nancy Grace....sorry, no. Dancing isn't really what makes you an interesting person. Elisabetta Canalis... hey, you almost married that guy who was on Facts of Life...you are totally a star.
I'm not really watching. I know many are... what do you think?

Castle: Returned with just what you'd expect. It's a solid, but not spectacular show driven by Nathon Fillion's personality more than anything else. By the way, if you didn't see it, I won't ruin the cliffhanger ending, but if you can't guess it... well, that's just really sad. Really really sad for you. I'm happy it's back, but I fear a real Moonlighting moment coming soon.

How I Met Your Mother: So happy to be back they went for two new shows. I do love this show and it always delivers. More than anything, the Barney and Robin dynamic might still be the most interesting thing about the show. I'm not sure I care when Ted meets his wife, but I'll watch what all the people around him do until he does.

Hell's Kitchen: It's the finale.... two hours.... three eliminations... one winner and that winner is.... someone you won't remember 15 minutes from now so don't worry about it. No one watches this show to see the winner. We just want yelling and failure and, as always, that comes in spades.

Two and a Half Men: We all know about the Charlie Sheen flameout. We all know about shows replacing the lead and some succeeding (Bewitched-- did anyone even notice to Valerie- became the Hogan Family and kept going... for no reason what-so-ever) and others failing miserably... but where will Two and a Half Men go.... apparently up...nearly 30 million watched the season premiere and that's bigger than American Idol numbers.... that's even bigger than NFL numbers... that's big. Creatively, the show remains what it's always been. It's a crass comedy and it delivers on that. Ashton's character is kinda like if you took his character from That 70's Show and merged it with the real Ashton (smarter) so don't go looking for anything clever or dynamic but returning to the Dancing with the Stars theme, it is what it is. If you loved it before, you'll still love it.

2 Broke Girls: If you are waiting for Whitney Cummings new show here it is... or one of them. Yes, Whitney, star of her own new show on NBC, is executive producing 2 Broke Girls for CBS. She's a busy woman. This show is about two waitresses, one hardened and experienced Kat Dennings and one working in the diner out of desperation, played by Beth Behrs. It was a little silly, little predictable to start, but it seems to have potential. Kat Dennings is really going to be the driving force behind the show, as her character develops so will the show. It's worth another watch or two to see what happens.

The Sing Off: Yes a singing competition. Finally. Alright, it's no the one everyone is waiting for on Wednesday, but at least it's different from the shows out there and light years better than that Karaoke show that was on this summer.

Big day tuesday with the return of Fox's Glee and Raising Hope, plus Zooey Deschanel's New Girl. I've seen the show, you should too. I'll write more about it all tomorrow. Feel free to share your thoughts as well.

Not the worst Emmys ever...

2011-09-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

But not the best either. I have to say, Jane Lynch did a fine job as host, but the show on the whole kinda ran out of steam by the time it hit the hour and a half mark. The winners offered few surprises. I think once Julie Bowen opened the show with her win, it was clear it was going to be all about Modern Family. I was still surprised that Mad Men took home the win for drama, it's a great show, but I would have liked to have seen some variety. Then again, that's never been Emmys' strong suit.

Otherwise, very little to stand out. Nice that Margo Martindale won and that Kyle Chandler got some much deserved recognition, but probably nothing real memorable.

All that said, maybe the one thing that did stand out was something we didn't see. At the opening of the show there was a bit where Leonard Nemoy played The President of All of Television or something like that. The part, though, had originally been played by Alec Baldwin who made a joke at News Corp's (Fox's parent company) expense regarding the English phone tapping scandal. Fox didn't take well to that and dumped him. They claim they cut it because they're taking the scandal seriously, but let's be honest, they cut it because they didn't want News Corp to be shown in a bad light.

There's a couple of things going on here for me: I totally understand them being sensitive to the issue right now. They're still under attack, both legally and in the public eye for what they did and no need to add fuel to the fire. That said, Americans, for the most part, have no idea what News Corp is and don't associate Fox with that. They also don't know squat about some phone hacking scandal involving some English newspaper. It would have been a joke that probably would have passed with little to no meaning for most people watching and bumping Baldwin (which resulted in him not showing up for the show) ended up giving the story more legs than if they had just left it alone in the first place. Plus, I would have rather seen Baldwin than Nemoy... no offense to Spock, but he's not as funny.

Really, the best thing about the show was that it finally signaled the beginning of the fall TV season. Next up we'll take a look at some of the new and returning show. What was your take on the Emmys?

Here Come The Emmy Picks...

2011-09-17T10:49:00.000-07:00

Jane Lynch is hosting this year's Emmys and while that doesn't have me so excited, the nice thing about low expectations is all she can do is rise above and impress. For some reason, honestly, very little about this year's Emmys have me excited. There were few surprise nominees and I suspect there will be few surprise winners. Here are my picks for the big categories:

Outstanding ComedyNominees: The Big Bang Theory, Glee, Modern Family, The Office, Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock
While I feel like The Big Bang Theory had a strong year, along with Parks and Rec, Modern Family continues to impress with their great characters, strong writing and consistency.

Outstanding DramaNominees: Boardwalk Empire, Dexter, Friday Night Lights, Game of Thrones, The Good Wife, Mad Men
It's an HBO drama so if it wins it will be no surprise. Game of Thrones, the other HBO drama, was solid too, but Boardwalk seem to have more buzz. I'd love to watch Friday Night Lights take it in their final season, but beyond the critics, no one else ever watched it so I just don't think it has the support. I feel like Mad Men's time has passed and The Good Wife, while a really solid drama, is more likely to get actor awards. Dexter had a good year, but maybe a slight step down after the Lithgow year.

Supporting Actor, DramaNominees: John Slattery, Mad Men; Andre Braugher, Men of a Certain Age; Walton Goggins, Justified; Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones; Josh Charles, The Good Wife; Alan Cumming, The Good Wife
He played an amazing character on The Shield and he's doing an even better job on FX's Justified. He steals every scene he's in and deserves the award. I do have to say, Alan Cumming too does a great job, but Goggins is better.

Supporting Actress, DramaNominees: Kelly Macdonald, Boardwalk Empire; Christina Hendricks, Mad Men; Michelle Forbes, The Killing; Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife; Margo Martindale, Justified; Christine Baranski, The Good Wife
Going back to the Justified well once again, Margo Martindale a career character actress found the character of her career on that show and should win the award. Kelly Macdonald could also slip in with the HBO rule.

Lead Actor, DramaNominees: Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire; Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights; Michael C. Hall, Dexter; Jon Hamm, Mad Men; Hugh Laurie, House; Timothy Olyphant, Justified
This show was so well acted over the last couple of years, Chandler really deserves the nod, but this could be a tough category. Buscemi was great, as was Michael C. Hall, Olyphant and Hamm, but I feel like Hugh Laurie (who I always loved on Wooster and Jeeves-- look it up) might have been nominated on past works rather than a weak season of House.

Lead Actress, DramaNominees: Kathy Bates, Harry's Law; Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights; Mireille Enos, The Killing; Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU; Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife; Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
Connie deserves it, but could easily lose to award favs Margulies and Bates.

Best Reality Competition ProgramNominees: So You Think You Can Dance, The Amazing Race, Project Runway, American Idol, Dancing With the Stars, Top Chef
It's really a two horse race between The Amazing Race, which is always solid and Top Chef which finally broke through and won last year. I think Chef takes it again this year on the heels of another solid year.

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy SeriesNominees: The Colbert Report; Late Night With Jimmy Fallon; Saturday Night Live; Conan; Real Time With Bill Maher; The Daily Show
While I feel like the show really misses Bush (as a comedian, who wouldn't?), with the giant rally, the ability to bully congress to pass a bill taking care of first responders and some first rate interviews and satire, The Daily Show remains at the top.

Lead Actress, ComedyNominees: Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie; Tina Fey, 30 Rock; Laura Linney, The Big C; Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly; Martha Plimpton, Raising Hope; Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Amy Poehler really had a great season and this is more a pick of hope than reason. Laura Linney will probably win. She's an amazing actress and her show is good, but not great in my opinion. Plimpton could be a dark horse.

Lead Actor, ComedyNominees: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock; Louis C.K., Louie; Steve Carell, The Office; Johnny Galecki; The Big Bang Theory; Matt LeBlanc, Episodes; Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
This might be the one big surprise or, at the very least, it should be. Louis C.K.'s show is hysterical and he's tremendous, even if he is only playing himself. He deserves the win. I wouldn't be shocked to see Parsons or Carell win, but I would be disappointed.

Supporting Actor, ComedyNominees: Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men; Chris Colfer, Glee; Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family; Ed O'Neill, Modern Family; Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family; Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Jon Cryer probably deserves it personally for everything he had to put up with but Burrell stood out on a cast full of nominees and he really should get the statue.

Supporting Actress, ComedyNominees: Jane Lynch, Glee; Betty White, Hot in Cleveland; Julie Bowen, Modern Family; Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live; Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock; Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Could the host also win an award? She is always the best thing about Glee, but a lot of the buzz seems to be leaning towards Sofia Vergara. The real hope is that Betty White wins, if only for her speech.

That's what I've got, what are your picks?

Here It Goes...

2011-09-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

Well the Emmys arrive this weekend and with that comes the official kickoff of the new fall season. Coming up we'll have interviews, previews and reviews of the brand new shows, plus thoughts on just about whatever else is on my mind. Hope you enjoy it all. Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions. Coming up this week, a preview of The New Girl, plus an interview with Max Greenfield (one of the stars), an interview with Shannon Woodward from Raising Hope, we'll review our Emmy picks and talk winners and heck, Monday is Talk Like A Pirate Day so we'll chat with Captain Hook and Smee from Disney's Jake and the Never Land Pirates (yeah, that's right, I'm talking to a pirate cause we're here to serve everyone we can, even pirates).

Hold Your Breath...

2011-09-16T09:53:00.001-07:00

Something is coming...