It's Over for Three

And the first three fatalities of the new TV season are:

ONLINE NATION - The CW - a review of the hottest stuff you can find online - which you can find online - without having to sit through annoying hosts and commercials....

NASHVILLE - FOX - A bad attempt at a reality documentary that wasn't very real. MTV would have canceled this one - and they'll air anything.

VIVA LAUGHLIN! - CBS - COP ROCK goes to Vegas - with worse results.

Someone cue the logo lady - "It's Over" for them.

Who's next?

PVR Ratings - My List

This year TV pundits are very excited about a new set of ratings Nielsen is publishing. These numbers take into account delayed viewing on PVRs.

If a Nielsen family watches HEROES live, that's always been counted. Now, if they watch HEROES on their TiVo on a slow Friday night, it gets counted in the show's total ratings for the week.

Seems folks were expecting more than they should have. The top 10 shows didn't get much of a bounce, or change their order much. The big boys' audiences grew about 10% versus the overnight ratings.

Which really isn't that spectacular given that PVR penetration is at 20% now.

Other folks are looking at TiVo's top 20 with some surprise. Why is TiVo's Top 20 so different from Nielsen's - easy. TiVo's Top 20 is made up of a lot of second choices.

If you're stuck between watching HEROES or K-VILLE, odds are K-VILLE's the one getting recorded.

Which leads me to ask - what is your TV watching schedule?

Here's mine:

MONDAY
PRISON BREAK
HEROES
JOURNEYMAN (haven't canceled the season pass yet, but we may be close)
K-VILLE (season pass canceled)

TUESDAY
BONES
HOUSE

WEDNESDAY
BACK TO YOU
'TIL DEATH
KITCHEN NIGHTMARES
PUSHING DAISIES
BIONIC WOMAN (season pass canceled)

THURSDAY
SUPERNATURAL
SMALLVILLE
ER
MAD MEN (can't wait for season 2 in June!)

FRIDAY
TiVo catch up night

SATURDAY
TiVo catch up night

SUNDAY
THE SIMPSONS
FAMILY GUY
AMERICAN DAD

As much as is on this list, there's less on it than last year, and there will probably be less on it next year. Awaiting the returns of 24 and LOST, and looking forward to checking out TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES in January.

What's on your list?

K-VILLE KO'd

It looks like FOX is setting K-VILLE up for the big K.O.

There's a pattern of behavior with the network when it comes to marginal shows the suits think need a boost.

Invariably, they air the episodes out of order. It can be jarring sometimes - like when they started THE WEDDING BELLS with episode #2, then aired episode #1 the following week. Yes, episode #2 may have been more compelling, but TV audiences are easily confused when characters they see grow in one week regress inexplicably the next.

The same thing happened to SLIDERS and JOHN DOE. John walked into a bar one week and new everyone on the staff. The next week, he walked into the bar for the very first time.

It's so extremely frustrating. Why can't they just let the show grow in real time?

Which brings us to K-VILLE. The episodes numbers to date: 101, 103 and 105. Next week, episode 104.

If the suits can't bother to run the show as produced, why should I bother watching it?

First Katrina, now FOX. New Orleans and yet another Tim Minear production get soaked.

Cancel my season pass.

Back to You - Ouch!

No, the pain is not from having sat through another craptacular sitcom. No, this pain is from seeing a sitcom set at a TV station - featuring folks who had a former relationship as the central characters.

BACK TO YOU makes JOINED IN PROGRESS seem rather derivative.

But hey - this is TV - where suits have no original ideas - so maybe I've got a chance now!

BACK TO YOU (Wednesdays at 8/7 c on FOX) stars Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton - and the pilot was damn fine.

JOINED IN PROGRESS hasn't been cast, seen or read by anyone who can help bring it to life.

But I recommend you check them both out.

Belated Props to Flushed Away

The folks at Aardman (responsible for the wonderful WALLACE & GROMIT series of claymation films) teamed up with the CGI folks from Dreamworks for FLUSHED AWAY.

Not having young children in the house, I thought I had no reason to see this kiddie flick when it was first released.

I humbly admit the error.

This brilliant bit of diversion is such a treat. The plot may be simple, but the detail upon detail thrown in by the animators makes for a wonderful 90 minute ride.

It made me long for a CGI version of DANGERMOUSE - a project I had no idea I wanted to see until tonight.

Click on over to Netflix and get this one in your queue

Emmys '07

I didn't get to see as much of the Emmy telecast as I wanted - and maybe that's a good thing. The list of winners is stupefying.

The good:

Theatre in the round. A cool concept that heightened the Hi-Def picture. The producers of AMERICAN IDOL were in charge and it showed.

Yay for THE SOPRANOS, Terry O'Quinn from LOST, and the Stewart/Colbert/Carroll acceptance bit.

Boo to just about everything else. Spader wins Best Actor in a drama over Hugh Laurie? I don't think so.

Meanwhile, FOX had to deal with a few loose lips. Seems Ray Romano and Sally Field forgot the show wasn't being aired on HBO. (And no, Sally was NOT censored for her political diatribe, it was her choice of vocabulary FOX didn't like. They really, really didn't like it.)

Kudos to FOX for having the forethought to actually putting the program on a delay so they could cut away from any profanity. Like it or not, this is broadcast TV. It has a responsibility to the free over the air viewers.

'Bout time.

Burning Off the Summer, Part 1

My schedule's been a bit cramped of late, but Mrs. Kimosabe & I worked hard this weekend cleaning out the TiVo of some of the summer stuff we couldn't quite get to over the last few weeks. The fall premieres are a comin' and that means there's lots of TV watching to squeeze into two weeks' time.

I'm three episodes into MAD MEN and have every intention of finishing the run. Kudos to AMC for enhancing the environment for this advertising based drama with trivia bumpers that run in between all of their commercials.

Orkin started advertising on TV in 1954... followed by an Orkin spot.

The number one night for movie advertising is Thursday... followed by a spot for a movie.

The Paramount logo is the oldest movie studio logo still in use... followed by a spot for Paramount film.

Smart stuff - and a very clever way to fight back against TiVo hopping.

Also - a big shout out to SUPERNATURAL. Got all caught up on the Winchester brothers' adventures tonight. The show has an X-FILES feel - and it should, Kim Manners was deeply involved in both. It's a tight show, too. The main story always seems to be wrapped up in 45 minutes, followed by a little bit more of the ongoing mythology. Nice.

SUPERNATURAL started the season head to head against THE O.C. - and choices had to be made. Come October 4th, Sam & Dean will get their season pass back.

Time for Some TV

Summer's over and another fall TV season is about to begin.

I've been away for too long, prepping for a premiere of my own.

Now that the show is open, it's time to clean out the TiVo of some good cable programming - MAD MEN, SAVING GRACE, DAMAGES and umpteen reruns of SUPERNATURAL (that we couldn't squeeze into the schedule during their first runs).

Coming soon - my recommendations for the fall.

Stay tuned.

HSM2 Gets an A+

Disney Channel premiered HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 Friday night to record numbers.

Seriously. Almost 18 million viewers.

The largest Friday night audience on television in the last five years.

An audience on par with the season average of CSI - on The Disney Freakin' Channel.

HSM1 debuted to 7.8 million viewers.

Could this be a phenomenon on par with Harry Potter?

Wonder if HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE EDITION is in the cards?

Count on Disney milking this one 'til it's dry.

9-11 Showdown

On September 11th, 2007 you can all do your part to help enrich the culture of the United States of America, and perhaps the world.

On that day, rap artists 50 Cent and Kanye West are both releasing new CDs.

50 Cent says he'll retire if Kanye outsells him.

For the love of God - I implore everyone within the sound of my voice - BUY KANYE'S ALBUM!

Random Thoughts 080707

Good lord, it's almost been a month since my last post!

It's been a bit busy, you see.

Gretel's home from college, there's the new job, a new car and a new play. Not enough spare time to mow the yard, let alone post to a blog no one reads.

Know this: I'm lovin' another season of HELL'S KITCHEN. Gretel & I are eating up SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE - the level of the competition is miles above the previous seasons, And there's too much good stuff on cable to keep up.

The TiVo's filling up with MAD MEN, CLOSER, DAMAGES and SAVING GRACE - and reruns of SUPERNATURAL, which got lost last fall when it was head to head with THE O.C., but is worthy of consideration for a Season Pass this fall.

Speaking of this fall, BONES is on the move to Tuesdays, where it will now team up with HOUSE for a fun night of FOX style yumminess. NEW AMSTERDAM has been pushed back to January - all on the strength of this summer's DON'T FORGET THE LYRICS which will be getting a fall timeslot on Thursday nights (allowing me to watch SUPERNATURAL - see how it all comes together?)

CBS' ANGEL knockoff IMMORTAL is now on its third show runner, after major recasting by the second showrunner. Not a good sign. No Season Pass for you!

If you think politics is crazy where you live, you can't imagine the insanity of living in or near Iowa as the straw poll awaits. Political commercials out the ying yang. which makes advertising rates for non-profits who really need air time rather pricey.

Haven't made it to see that French rat movie, or the Simpsons flick, or pretty much anything since PIRATES came out. Seems that's about when the new job, the returning daughter and the new play all collided.

Check out the moderately redesigned SCCT website - (meaning slightly larger fonts, since I finally had to get reading glasses).

Later.

Random Thoughts 070907

It's been a while since I've posted anything - been a bit busy with the new real-life gig and a loooong drive south for the 4th.

My last post blasted the marketing department for giving away the ending of EVAN ALMIGHTY. It turns out, maybe they did us all a favor.

Ken Levine, writer of M*A*SH, CHEERS and lotsa other TV, reports that EVAN was assembled from two completely separate scripts - each written by a two person team. Those scripts were mashed together by a fifth writer, selected by the film's director. This movie never had a chance.

When one of the teams challenged their lack of a screenplay credit, they also lost their story credit.

I sincerely apologize to the marketing team that chased me away from the steaming pile of celluloid.

Thank you.

Meanwhile two interesting happenings struck me this weekend.

One is a bit political, so it's here.

The other may ultimately be much more important in the scheme of broadcasting. Peter Liguori has been bumped up at FOX. His replacement is Kevin Reilly, formerly of NBC. More formerly of FX.

The two guys who built FX into an attention getting cable channel are now picking the shows at FOX.

NBC fired Reilly one week after the fall schedule was announced. They've really got their stuff together over there, huh?

Meanwhile, THE PRICE IS RIGHT is searching for a new host. There was a brief flirtation with the idea of Rosie O'Donnell getting the gig, but I must point out that Bob Barker was quoted as saying he didn't have a problem with a lady getting the job.

That automatically ruled out Rosie. She may be many things, but a lady, she's not.

Now there's buzz that ESPN's Dan Patrick may be getting the job. He announced his August resignation today on his radio show.

Before it goes any further, I have a suggestion. I know a fellow who's making his career as the host of a popular music show and L.A. DJ. He's modeling his career on that of his own idol, Dick Clark (who hosted THE $20,000 PYRAMID for decades), the little old ladies love him.

Ryan Seacrest.

Those big girls from Fiji would crush him.

What say you?

Don't forget to head over the Jelly Beanz for more on LIVE EARTH.

Evan Almighty Spolied For All

I don't get it.

I just don't get it.

Have you seen the latest spots for EVAN ALMIGHTY? The latest can be seen at the film's official site.

The early marketing for what may be a cute, clever followup to BRUCE ALMIGHTY featured STEVE CARRELL (voice of Hammy in OVER THE HEDGE and star of THE FORTY YEAR OLD VIRGIN) as a reluctant modern day Noah. In these spots, his character was obviously struggling with the validity of his mission, changes in his appearance, and the arrival of lots and lots of pairs of animals who were eager to help build his ark.

These spots highlighted Evan's reluctance to accept his mission, his wife's embarrassment at the situation and the animals. Cute, funny stuff punctuated with Evan's line: "Is it too much to ask for a LITTLE PRECIPITATION?"

We're left to wonder whether or not the rain will ever come, whether Evan's faith will be rewarded.

Well, worry no more.

New spots for the film have started to air that features shots of the ark white water rafting through city streets, sloshing in between skyscrapers while the generic cityscape is drowned in untold depths of water.

I no longer need to see this film. I know how it ends.

It floods.

I swear to all things promotional - I would wager my house that some airhead in a focus group expressed dimwitted concern about Evan's quandary. And I would wager YOUR house that some dimwitted suit at - wait for it - NBC/UNIVERSAL figured they'd better allay those fears by giving away the ending while highlighting those expensive special effects they paid for and were hiding from the public.

When I started writing this I had no idea what studio was distributing this film. And now that I do... I get it.

Why do SO many things that suck come from the desk of Mr. Zucker?

Would it be too much to ask for a LITTLE INTELLIGENCE????

Fire Zucker, save the studio.

Tony v. Tonys - Tony Wins

The results are in in the Tony vs. Tonys showdown.

Broadway's best averaged a tepid 6.2 million viewers from the 110 million households that receive CBS.

THE SOPRANOS drew 11.9 million viewers from among the 30 million households in the HBO universe.

If one were to extrapolate the HBO universe out to national levels, THE SOPRANOS audience would have been equivalent to about 43.6 million viewers.

It wasn't even close.

Even at 11.9 million, THE SOPRANOS scored higher ratings than every other show on American TV this week except for AMERICA'S GOT TALENT.

Oh, and do you hear anyone talking about the way the Tonys ended? David Hyde-Pierce could have paraded on stage naked and no one would be talking about anything other than "Cut to black, roll credits."

America Doesn't Get It

SPOILER WARNING: IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE FINALE FOR THE SOPRANOS - STOP READING NOW.

COME BACK AFTERWARDS, AND WE'LL TALK.






I MEAN IT.



The headline I wanted to use:

America Doesn't Get It - Tony Does.

Americans get the TV they deserve. It's the beauty of the system. TV shows that draw big audiences stick around. Shows that don't, go away. Unfortunately, that allows the lowest common denominator to have a pretty big say in what we have beamed into our homes.

It's the reason CBS programs the way they do. Throughout the TV era simple shows like MURDER, SHE WROTE, THE BRADY BUNCH, JAG, THE GHOST WHISPERER and CSI have drawn large audiences who want simple distraction.

That's not necessarily a bad thing - but it's aggravating when quality shows that do challenge the audience, like PROFIT, FIREFLY, or (insert the name of your favorite short-lived show here) get scrapped only to be replaced by yet another clone of THE BACHELOR.

Tonight, we may be seeing a huge steaming pile of why American TV is as bland as it is.

The finale of THE SOPRANOS has generated an enormous amount of web traffic this evening. HBO's servers are melting due to the number of complaint postings and emails about how tonight's episode simply cut off and went to black.

You see, Tony and his family (the biological family, not the other one) were meeting at a diner for a meal. It looked like Tony had come out on top in a war with a rival family, and things might be getting back to normal.

Tony was first to arrive - and every time the front door of the diner rang, we looked up from the menu with Tony to see who was coming in.

Carmella walked in, followed by a seedy looking character in a truckers cap who might be trouble. Tony chatted with his wife - and the bell sounded again.

A.J. followed by another seedy fellow into the diner. The other fellow sat at the bar, and A.J. joined the family.

Meadow had trouble parallel parking. While we nervously watched every person in the diner for signs of suspicion. The tension built. And built. And built.

The fellow at the bar, got up and went to the men's room. Meadow finally got the car parked, and crossed the street to join her family. The bell rang. Tony looked up - and dead silence over black.

And fanboys all across America screamed "WHAT?!!!!"

They're complaining about an ending they don't understand, about details left unfinished, storylines that didn't end.

What they're not getting - including this guy from the AP - or these guys either - is that Tony got whacked.

Tony said it himself in the first episode of the season. You never see the one that gets you.

Series creator (and this episode's write/director) had confidence in his audience's ability to fill in the blanks.

They didn't get it. And they're screaming bloody murder about it.

And that's why network TV sucks.

When Ferrets Attack

Sheer brilliance.

Tony v. Tonys

Way back in the day, when the world was still broadcast in living black and white, Broadway supplied television with some of the most popular programming available.

Huge numbers were racked up by live televised versions of things like Rogers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, or specials featuring the best of the Great White Way.

Tonight, CBS airs the 61st Annual Tony Awards. Last year, all of 7.8 million people tuned in. The big winner was "Jersey Boys."

Also tonight, the curtain falls on one TV's most impactful made-for-premium cable shows - THE SOPRANOS. 7.7 million tuned in for the season premiere last month.

It's Tony Soprano vs. the Tony Awards.

Which telecast will feature the most drama? Which will draw the larger audience? Which will we remember this time next year?

I think I know the answers. Jersey Boys all the way. As for that awards show?

Fuhgetaboutit.

9-0-2 Much Time on Their Hands 1-0

Some day I am going to come up with something incredibly creative that I will videotape and share with the world via the Internet.

Until then, you'll just have to make do with this:

90210 theme played on one guitar - by two guys at once

M*A*S*H Ad Infinitum

Someone with way too much time on their hands has documented the many variations of the opening credits for M*A*S*H.

Some seasons have as many as four different versions.

Check it out.

http://tushball.com/MASH.html

Charles Nelson Reilly, Rest in BLANK

Charles Nelson Reilly has passed away at the age of 76.

I trust he, Nipsey Russell and Gene Rayburn are having a grand old time upstairs, filling in the blanks, waiting for the arrival of a few more panelists, so they can get back to playing MATCH GAME.

You can find reruns on GSN at 9am/8am Central. Hopefully, we'll get a marathon tribute soon.

This clip features Charles, Nipsey &, of course, Gene in an episode of MATCH GAME PM - not necessarily at their best, but it's the best I could find.