Upfront with The Upfronts

So the Upfronts are coming next week and while I've been excited before, this year I had no talk of pilots because I didn't want to get my hopes on shows that the networks won't pick up, or pick up, then don't air (The Singles Table) or burn off later in the year (Traveler), or cancel after a brief showing (Love Monkey, Kitchen Confidential).

So I'm just waiting for the official announcements next week (starting with NBC on Monday, then ABC Tues, CBS Wed, FOX and CW on Thur) and then I'll emotionally attach myself to shows that have been announced (which of course, still means nothing until the fall when we really see how shows fare on a regular schedule, as Studio 60 as proven, or not, shall I say) or at least start contemplating dating them (I seriously need a life don't I?).

Anyways, NBC at least just announced Friday Night Lights being renewed for Season 2 (WAHOO!!!) while Scrubs and Studio 60 most likely won't. I have differing opinions about Scrubs since I love the show but felt that it's in slow decline this year, so maybe put it out of its misery now before we get to Gilmore Girls levels.

UPDATE: SCRUBS has been renewed for 18 episodes next season.

So next week is a busy week. There's the Upfronts of course, many more season finales, and the Tony nominations come out Tuesday the 15th as well.

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Cleaning the TV Slate

Okay, between attending weddings (2 down, 11 more to go. Who am I? Bobby bubbi Robert darling Bobby?), vacations (or a partial of it before I got called back for my next listing:), and re-starting a new season of a job, I've been slacking on my TV watching and have been playing catch-up for the past month, but in a way, thank goodness for American Idol which has scared away most new episodes in programming for me to not fall TOO far behind.

The New Adventures of Old Christine - Sleepless in Mar Vista, Undercover Brother
Okay. Loved that Burton was back, though too bad it was new delirious Burton and not the one we loved before (that Christine apparently didn't and thus broke his heart, leading him to therapy and prescription drugs). Also loved how they dealt with Richard's gay brother and yet made it all on Christine losing her mojo. New Christine is also getting funnier and funnier with her little quips, and love that the son isn't the brightest thing in the room.

Hereos - Parasite
Yes, I'm THAT behind. I can't believe I didn't hear any of the spoilers yet. Not that there was THAT much to spoil. I guess thinking it was the "spring finale", I didn't think there was THAT much of a cliffhanger, though I did gasp at Peter being cut up by Sylar. Still, I thought there was more. I realised I actually LIKE Ali Larter and I buy that she plays two versions of herself, but I' still bored with Jessica's/Niki's storyline. Ando RAWKS!

Lost - Enter 77, Par Avion
It's probably the first time I've left episodes of Lost waiting to be seen. Is that a bad sign? I still enjoy it immensely when I do, but I'm so confused as to this point that I almost dread watching it (though again, I'm glad when I do because I still love the Losties). Still, Locke is mystifying me right now.

Ugly Betty - Icing on the Cake
I CAN have my cake and EAT it too, if the cake was called Ugly Betty! (Though speaking of which, I need to get back to the gym since I'm no longer offically on vacation anymore. dangit). Last weeks ep was another perfect example of how this show has perfected the campy, emotional, hilarious mix, throwing each characters just enough meat to chew on, with zingers from every which way, and even guest stars who don't overtake the show and actually kinda fit in (Lucy Liu, Judith Light, Jesse Tyler Ferguson). I must say though, seeing Amanda in "The Amanda" was probably one of the funniest moments on television this season.

Grey's Anatomy - Scars and Souvenirs
Meanwhile, while Grey's Anatomy returned to regular programming (sans doing fake threats of killing the main character, yawn), I just couldn't get back into it. I LOVE this show and the characters but the spinoff gossip seems more interesting at this point. I also DO NOT BUY that Izzie and George would sleep together. Ew. They are like brothers and sisters. They had BETTER NOT GO THERE.

Boston Legal - Fat Burner, The Good Lawyer
For all the shenanigans this show is throwing around, and the fact that none of the main cast seems to be having any sort of real storyline (with the exception of the new baby for Denise which I'm not sure I like yet), they sure do give good scripts to the newbies like Clarence (Gary Anthony Williams who did just get upgraded to main cast member, though in this show, that still doesn't guarantee anything unless you are older than 50) and Bethany. At least they employed Debra Mooney (Everwood) as a judge though I wish they gave her more to do. I also liked the new Jerry but was sad to see him revert back to the old (and getting annoying fast) Jerry (for goodness sake, give Christian Clemenson some room for growth please, cause he can totally do it).

ER
Um, it was on in the background but I got all facebook addicted again, so I think I'm dropping this AGAIN for the 18th time.

House
Um, it was on in the background but I got all facebook addicted again, so I think I'm dropping this because there are only so many strange cases that House miraculously figures out around the 52 minute on the hour that I can take. Still, Hugh Laurie rocks the roll! I'm just needing more and the Chase/Cameron thing isn't enough (since it's just playing out real life stuff), and Cuddy and Wilson's tug-of-war relationships with House is getting a little slow.

Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip
Um, it was on in the background but I got all facebook addicted again, so I think I'm dropping this though it may never be on again anyways. Which is too bad since it seemed to enjoy employing Canadians (Kari Matchett, Mark McKinney) who deserve shows but aren't on one this year.

Corner Gas - Happy Campers, Seeing Things
OMG, the "Good Hair Day" thing made my laugh out loud everytime. This might be too Canadian in humour but I still enjoy it immensely. Loved that Karen secretly admitted that her and Davis really do nothing on the job.

Gilmore Girls - Will You Be My Lorelai Gilmore?, Gilmore Girls Only
Now that it's ending, the Lane baby shower finally felt like an old episode that we all loved. Though why are they making us hate the boyfriends (Logan, Christopher) so much? If it's not one, it's the other.

Desperate Housewives - The Little Things You Do Together, My Husband, The Pig
hmm. I know I watched it but what happened again? I know they resolved the whole Orson thing and the pizza joint finally opened, but what happened to the DH resurgence that was happening in the fall? It's gotten awfully boring again awfully fast. I would probably drop it if it weren't between The Amazing Race and Brothers & Sisters.

The Winner
Didn't this show just start? Now it's over already? When is Fox going to bring back The Loop? (June actually)

Brothers & Sisters - The Other Walker
Emily Vancamp + Brothers & Sisters = AWESOME!

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Best New People

So I'm delaying my music list (cause I think I will have to re-arrange things to fit in the Cast Recording of Spring Awakening which is technically out today) but I wanted to do this list for a while (nothing majorly surprising since we've all been loving these people for the past 3 months), but here is who I think are the Best New People from New Shows of this Season. I also say People because it combines both the actor and the character as well.

As much as I love Jack McBrayer from 30 Rock, or Marc and Justin from Ugly Betty, I had to narrow it down to one person per show, the actor and character that most defines whats so great about that show. Here are my 10 new BFF in no particular order:

America Ferrera as Betty Suarez in Ugly Betty

I mean, the show is CALLED Ugly Betty but still, many shows with a title character often end up with a title character who is the most boring of them all (I'm talking to you Dawson), but America Ferrera totally lights up this show as Betty Suarez and while the show could still exist in a campy hilarious world without her, it wouldn't be as heartbreaking or sweet at the same time and we (and Daniel Meade) know that Mode is better with her there.

Derek Richardson as Patrick Bachelor in Men in Trees

His character name says it all, but when Marin Frist swooped into the town of Elmo, bringing with her a tag-along Annie (Emily Bergl), we get to watch Patrick fall into the sweetness of first love. Anne Heche is fantastic (don't look shocked.) as Marin, but as Marin discovers singledom, we are reminded through Derek Richardson's wonderfully naive and woeful Patrick Bachelor's take on fresh love, why we put our hearts on the line time after time.

Masi Oka as Hiro Nakamura on Heroes

Comic book geek redefined. Masi Oka as Hiro brings hilarity and excitement to the dark world Tim Kring has created as we go along for the ride to Save the Cheerleader, Save the World. More than any other character on the show (though Hayden Panettiere's Claire Benett comes a close second) do we see ourselves reflected, which is pretty amazing considering Hiro is from Japan and barely speaks English. But when he's excited, we are too, when he's scared, we are frightened by what's happening on screen, and when he's ready to find the sword and do battle against evil, we too want to rise up against Sylar.

Zach Gilford as Matt Saracen in Friday Night Lights

When Matt Saracen is called up to play as QB, and become a team captain, for a team he has barely been on the field for, we get to watch as this stuttering teenager tries to become the man that he wants to be. Only, the boy that he is is still quite a man, as he singly takes care of his dementiad grandmother while taking on part time jobs to pay the bills. Zach Gilford imbues this nervous boy with heart and grace as Matt Saracen as he tries to figure out his place in life, high school, love and football.

Matthew Rhys as Kevin Walker in Brothers & Sisters

Much like Zach Gilford's Matt Saracen on Friday Night Lights, Matthew Rhy's Kevin Walker is the central heart and soul within the drama of the Walker family. Always trying to be reasonable and morally good while still making mistakes and coming to grips of his role within his family, and without, Kevin Walker subtly makes this show fun to watch. Sure, Sally Fields is having a field day as Nora, Dave Annable gets to plunge into dramatic darkness as drug addicted Justin, Calista Flockhart finally drops the annoying Ally McBeal ticks as Kitty, and Rachel Griffiths gets to play the sane one as Sarah, but every character seems most linked to Kevin Walker now, in part I think to Matthew Rhy's solid portrayal of a flawed but trusted brother.

Suzy Nakamura as Inger on Help Me Help You

Inger, or any of the characters on Help Me Help You, could have easily become live cartoon characters. The cast transforms this neurosis comedy into fully fleshed people, but it is Suzy Nakamura as Inger who totally enwraps her socially awkward/inept character with a soft realism, making her the most relatable character that needs help. All done hilariously of course.

Lizzy Caplan as Kat Warbler on The Class

This one is really more for Lizzy Caplan alone for playing the caricature of Kat Warbler (not her fault, every character on The Class is a caricature) with a fierce bemusement of sartorial remarks, much like how we watch the show.

Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock

Alec Baldwin runs with it. As Jack Donaghy, Alec is totally whacked out, spitting lines out with barely a blink of the eye. Kooky is an understatement but Alec Baldwin plays the GE Microwave Oven Chief/TV Exec as if this were his last role on earth, and it works.

Sarah Paulson as Harriet Hayes on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

I've always been a fan of Sarah Paulson's so I'm finally glad she's been given the role of Harriet Hayes, the conservative comedian/actor (based on Kristin Chenowith). Sarah Paulson fully gives Harriet a soul and depth in yet another role that could have been played as one-dimensional. She can bounce off the quick Sorkin quips along with the best and her on-off affair with Matt (Matthew Perry, coming a close second from this show, and obliterating any signs of Chandler) are make this show bounce at its best.

Victor Garber as Ron Trott on Justice

Victor Garber licks his chops and chomps on everyone else like a shark at a surfing competition as Ron Trott, the unstoppable defence lawyer out for Justice. His mouth says yes, but the eyes glimmer with a sense of rightful duty no matter what yes answers to. Garber's Trott tosses off comments as if everyone were an idiot, which of course, is highly entertaining to us.

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My Version of Celebrity Gossip - Brit Edition

I don't really do celebrity gossip as you may have noticed (partially because it's kinda low (ahem, perez) and partially cause some other sites already do it so much better (ha)) but I found this interesting since it concerns less famous actors that can actually act and aren't just famous for being famous.

I didn't even know Lucy Davis and Owain Yeoman were together. They got married on Saturday at St. Pauls Cathedral in London. Lucy Davis of course was Dawn in the original British version of The Office (the template for US The Office Pam if you didn't know by now). She's now appearing as one of the three writers that wasn't fired, in the show within the show on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (and also showed up as a gossip journalist on Ugly Betty).

Owain Yeoman was on last season's critically acclaimed and quickly cancelled Kitchen Confidential. This year he was on the critically acclaimed and quickly dismissed The Nine. Let's hope he has better luck in the future.

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Best New Shows (So Far, While There's Still Some Time to Save Them)

Since I've missed the past few nights of television (gasp), I was going to post my picks for the best new shows, until I got home late last night to find that EW had just done their annual Best 5 New Shows, so DAMNIT, they beat me to it, but since I have nothing to write about since everything since Sunday and Monday is still waiting to be watched at home, I'm going to do it anyways. Plus since numbers for some of my faves are abysmal, NOW IS THE TIME TO START TELLING YOU TO WATCH. Why are you NOT WATCHING?

1. Friday Night Lights - I have to say it is my favorite, with each episode feeling like a mini-indie movie, and emotionally the most powerful and realistic despite the fact that I don't live in a small town or ever cared about football. Of course, since I love it, it's bound to fail (and so far it is, with some of the worst numbers by far... WHATS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE? WHY ARE YOU WATCHING THIS SEASON'S HORRID Dancing with the Stars? At least in Canada, the ratings are horrid and CTV shoved it aside to the oblivion of Saturday nights, not put it at number 4 in the ratings? Of course, Canadians still aren't tuning into FNL but maybe it's the American Football thing?). (Tuesdays at 8pm on NBC/Global, though moving to Monday Oct 30th at 10pm for a trial run).

2. Ugly Betty - You all know my new love for Betty by now. It's funny, it's campy, it competes with Barney for the best one liners on television, it's heartwarming and despite the somewhat predictable storylines, I cannot wait to see the next episode everyweek (but not to find out what Senior Meade did with Fey). (Thursdays at 8pm on ABC/CITY)


3. Heroes - Clunky dialogue aside, the premise alone saves this show and with the added Masi Oka as the lovable Hiro, it makes for intriguing television. Good popcorn fun! (Mondays at 9pm on NBC/Global)


4. The Nine - The subsequent episodes following the pilot haven't felt as fresh as the pilot, but the first 10 minutes of each episode, that show 10 minutes more of the 52 hour hostage is gripping and emotional. The connections made between the Nine people from the bank hostage are interesting enough, though I can't help feel that they missed an opportunity by skipping so fast towards regular life following the horrific incident. Still, as more details leak out about the hostage, the more I'm invested. Again, which means this show will probably die since the numbers are not looking good for The Nine. (Wednesdays at 10pm on ABC, Tuesdays at 8pm on CTV)

5. Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip - Not the slam dunk we thought it would be since Aaron Sorkin seems to be living out his idealic life through his show. Still, the banter between Matthew Perry, a surprisingly likable Amanda Peet and Sarah Paulson are enough to keep me coming back. This could have been higher on the list, if they had some better sketches in the show within the show, and stopped being so smug (that's why I turned The West Wing off, don't make that mistake again). (Mondays at 10pm on NBC (for now), Sundays at 10pm on CTV)

6. Smith - Well, this one is gone already, but I was hooked despite the morally questionable characters. Anything to hear Shohreh Aghdashloo speak, anything to watch Virginia Madsen, and anything to watch Johnny Lee Miller and Simon Baker be bad boys.

7. Brothers and Sisters - Yes, I said it. Brothers and Sisters, and apparently I'm not the only one, since it seems to be doing quite well for ABC (in Canada it loses to Studio 60 which actually is a hit with similar ratings to Hereos). The show where we all came to see if Calista Flockhart still had any width to her, and left wanting to see more of the druggie brother (Dave Annable), the gay brother (Matthew Rhys), and Rachel Griffiths. Sally Field also seems to be having the time of her life with this role, and now add to it the Everwood crew (Greg Berlanti as showrunner, Treat Williams in guest spot), and I'm sticking by this show. (Sundays at 10pm on ABC/Global)


8. Men in Trees - Yes, I know. It probably moves feminism back 20 years. Who cares. It's cute. It's fluffy. It's the television version of cotton candy northern style. The flirting between Emily Bergl and Derek Richardson as Annie and Patrick is enough to warrant attention, and I like that they are exploring a new relationship slowly just as much as they are exploring Marin's (Anne Heche) new found singledom (and obvious spark with Jack (James Tupper)). (Fridays at 9pm on ABC/CITY)


9. Help Me Help You - I didn't want to watch it, I did by mistake, and I laughed out loud a LOT. It's up against Veronica Mars and House so I'm not sure how long this will last but this was a complete surprise to me at how much I quickly got into this show. Ted Danson got back his cred. (Tuesdays at 9:30pm on ABC)


10. Justice - Two words: Victor Garber. (Mondays at 9pm on FOX/CTV)

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Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - The West Coast Delay

Matthew Perry is great in this serious role. It's interesting watching Steven Weber pull the asshole route. Yet I know why I have not fully loved this show despite the great production values of the whole thing. It's just not that much fun. Especially coming from a show about producing a comedy show.

I'm not even saying funny. It doesn't necessarily have to be haha funny all the time. Ugly Betty isn't a laugh-a-minute show, yet it's endearing and lovable and a joy to watch. Heck, even My Name is Earl and The Office aren't laugh-a-minute shows. The problem with Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is that we are into the fourth episode and the whole damn thing is still way too serious when it is a show about making comedy. Have we seen Matt laugh yet? He's barely cracked a smile.

The comparisons to Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme's earlier and much better Sports Night is fair since both are about the producing of a TV show. Except the people in Sports Night seem to really love their job, and not just NEED to do the job for ego reasons, and thus, we loved watching them do their jobs. Right now, I'm only watching Studio 60 based on pedigree and watching the cast spew Sorkin's mile-a-minute dialogue, but lighten up folks and show us some actually funny in the moments of the show and not just the comedy sketches written for the show within the show (which haven't been all that funny).

Anyways, Ron and Ricky (Carlos Jacott and Evan Handler, both who are really annoying right now actually even though usually they are enjoyable to watch) are given 90 seconds to fill on the show and it ends up being plagarised material (again, bonus points for employing Lucy Davis, of the original The Office (and now also on Ugly Betty) and John Cabrera (Brian on Gilmore Girls) as writers in the room), so Matt and the show must fix it before the West Coast feed begins, all while Christine Lahti (4 episodes. That's how long it took before Thomas Schlamme could last before employing his wife, granted, I do love her after Jack & Bobby so actually, what took him so long?) is watching as a Vanity Fair reporter.

Oh yeah, and there still seems to be way too much deal over Harriet and Matt as well as the Christian concerns (I know it's a slam dunk but maybe it's a little TOO easy).

Anyways, maybe this show should have more fun, and not take itself so seriously. See Boston Legal (which I'll be posting about soon since I finally caught up. Can I say HILARIOUS?)

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Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - The Cold Open

So Matt (Matthew Perry) and Danny (Bradley Whitford) have now taken over Studio 60, it's announced formally on the Monday morning, with Danny blowing the press conference by telling everybody the truth. They took the job cause he was blowing crack. Nicely done!

So 5 days left before they are to create a re-invigorated Studio 60 and Matt discovers the writers are a bunch of 30 year olds living the teenagers dream. Harry/Harriett (Sarah Paulson) discovers that Matt has something going on the side with another actress. Jordan (do all the girls have to have boys names?) stands by Matt and Danny against Jack (Steven Weber) and the suits as they lose affiliates due to a Christian magazines denouncement of the show for standing by the sketch "Crazy Christians" (which Matt supposedly wrote 4 years ago and Wes only chose to do it then?).

Again, I love television and I'm in the biz, but will anybody else really care about the creating of a show? Still, I think Matthew Perry is perfect in his role and doing a great job of obliterating Chandler (which is no small feat). Now that someone else (can't remember who) noted that Bradley Whitford is still really just Josh Lyman, all I can see is Josh Lyman. Amanda Peet as Jordan is actually quite good in this and I'm forgetting that it's Amanda Peet. Meanwhile, I continue my love for Sarah Paulson although I don't really buy her jealousy of Matt (though maybe it's because shes not so much into him as she realises hes still into her).

In the end, Matt and company are able to figure out a great opening to their first return episode of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and they close on the opening musical spoof sequence that was actually pretty great and funny and would have actually probably made a big impact if Studio 60 were for real.

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Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip – Pilot Review

Okay, I’ve lost count of how many mini backlashes have occurred about this show, but the general critical consensus seems to be that this highly anticipated show is still a good show but doesn’t live up to it’s high pedigree and that there are better shows this fall season. I’m then even more excited about this great fall TV season than before, since the pilot for Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is a beautifully filmed breezy and whirlwind look into the behind-the-scenes of a network weekend comedy variety show (not so thinly veiled Saturday Night Live-ish show called “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” on a not so thinly veiled network NBS).

The excitement over the new show from The West Wing and Sports Nights creative duo Thomas Schlamme and Aaron Sorkin came from their teaming up with Bradley Whitford (again, The West Wing) and the return of Matthew Perry, one of our very best Friends. Then added to that, they kept adding to the cast, with names like Steven Webber (Wings), Sarah Paulson (Down with Love, Leap of Faith), Amanda Peet (Perry’s castmate on The Whole Nine Yards), D.L. Hughley (The Hughleys), Nate Corddry (The Daily Show), and Timothy Busfield (thirtysomething, Ed), with possible re-occurring characters played by Judd Hirsch (Dear John), Donna Murphy (The Joan Cussack Show and Broadway veteran), Evan Handler (Sex and the City). Guest stars already announced include Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives, TransAmerica) in the pilot and an upcoming appearance by Lauren Graham (The Gilmore Girls). Enough cast members yet? Not all might be household names yet but they are an interesting mix of actors that make it even more exciting and all have had previous success on television before. I mean, D.L. Hughley? Sarah Paulson? Nate Corddry? Steven Webber? I’m glad that these actors finally are given the chance to prove themselves as the interesting actors they are, and not end up in some drivel. I wanted to hate Amanda Peet as I have never been a fan but found her fine as the role of the incoming president of the network who may end up being the show (Studio 60)’s best ally.

The basic premise follows as Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (the show within the show) showrunner Wes (Judd Hirsch) stops his live show to rant about the loss of artistic license on TV (the irony that in current times, we finally seem to have more quality on TV than ever). Steven Weber as Jack Rudolph, a head honcho at the network NBS, fires Wes, while new president Jordan (Amanda Peet) decides their best course of action is to rehire Matt and Danny, two now successful writer/director team that Jack had fired 4 years ago. Danny and Matt take the deal despite being on the verge of a movie career, a movie career that was about to be derailed by Danny’s cocaine use and thus, failure on an insurance medical exam thus entrapping themselves into this deal. Meanwhile, actress Harriet Hayes Sarah Paulson) from the show, is Matt’s ex, but now will be under his command.

The pilot for the show about the making of a comedy show, is not as funny as we had anticipated, perhaps a bit too much expectation from the team that brought us the great Sports Night, but the drama moves along swiftly and the fast paced witty dialogue that we expecting from the creative team of Sorkin and Schlamme was still top notch. Half the fun is watching some of the actors we probably had written off due to past projects, work on a show with great dialogue and turn out great performances. Steven Webber is fantastic as the asshole network honcho and I’ve always been a fan of Sarah Paulson’s since I saw her in Leap of Faith, but finally here she’s been given a chance to shine.

Meanwhile, teaming Bradley Whitford and Matthew Perry may be a match made in television heaven since their natural banter makes them feel like they’ve been doing this longer than Friends had run on TV. I hope this show doesn’t get as idealistically perfect as The West Wing did (which I found as it’s downfall since everything seemed to happen so perfectly and smartly, and it made it ring a bit false), but Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip certainly makes for fun and engaging drama that I’m looking forward to watching.

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Premieres This Weekend

Well, officially (although, who makes this official anyways?) the Fall season starts Monday, but since Fox has already gotten a jump start, why not everyone else?

Men In Trees OFFICIALLY premieres tonight (!?!) on ABC/City at 8pm with the pilot followed by episode 2 at 9pm. Again, I liked it far more than I thought I would despite the predictability.

The Amazing Race begins Sunday the 17th on CBS and CTV at 8:30pm for a 90 minute season premiere, and apparently this time, for the first time, they are headed west to the far east first which means more teams lost in Asia where languages will really be a problem. WOOHOO!!!


Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip premieres on CTV at 10pm on Sunday following TAR (NBC officially premieres it the next day on Monday).

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