The TV Addict 

Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment, today outlined ABC’s plans for next season and unveiled the network’s 2008-09 fall schedule before the advertising and media communities at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall.

Scheduled to debut this fall are new drama “Life on Mars,” and new alternative series “Opportunity Knocks” from executive producer Ashton Kutcher.

Returning series on the fall schedule are “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “Boston Legal,” “Brothers & Sisters,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Eli Stone,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Samantha Who?,” “Supernanny,” “Ugly Betty,” “Wife Swap” and “20/20.”

In addition, “Saturday Night College Football” will return for a fourth season.

New series for midseason include “The Goode Family,” “Scrubs” and “Untitled Ashton Kutcher/Tyra Banks Project.”

Other returning series include “According to Jim,” “The Bachelor,” “Lost” and ABC News’ “Primetime: What Would You Do?”

“We’re returning our dominant core group of shows from last fall,” said McPherson. “The few openings we had we’ve filled with the kind of quality programming viewers have come to expect from ABC, and we have a very strong bench. As always, our focus is on delivering the best stories and most memorable characters on TV every day of the week, every week of the year.”

Read the rest of this entry »

After two months off the air in support of the WGA strike, LENO, CONAN, LETTERMAN, FERGUSON and KIMMEL all returned to the airwaves with brand new episodes.

Which begs the obvious questions: Am I the only TV Addict who thought LENO was the most entertaining host of the night? Was anyone else incredibly disappointed my Letterman’s low-key return and thinks its time for Conan and Kimmel to shave their beards? Post away with your thoughts.

ABC’s much-hyped premiere week had a whole lot more highs than lows — perhaps due in part to the fact that someone wisely — and not-so-inconspicuously — opted to keep the premiere of CAVEMEN out of the much-hyped period. Sunday night capped the week of debuts with the return of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES as well as BROTHERS & SISTERS, both of which did pretty much what they do best. (Yes, I’m aware that EXTREME MAKEOVER was back as well, but even a reality-whore such as myself has limits, and that’s a show I’ve just never gotten the appeal of.) HOUSEWIVES avoided what might be called Alfre syndrome by immediately connecting the new kids on the block to our main characters. And how cute is Lyndsy Fonseca (ex-Colleen, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS) as the girl around whom the new mystery revolves? It seems a little soon to be having Susan be pregnant, and I was a little uncomfortable with how casually the gals reacted to Edie’s attempted suicide. Yes, we know it was fake, but they don’t. Then again, Edie’s always been something of an outsider for the ladies. As for B&S, by the time the Walkers were throwing back shots of tequila, it hit me that if there’s one thing this show isn’t, it’s subtle. Everything is played big… whether its the laughs or the drama. I wanted to feel the families pain as they worried about off-in-Iraq Justin, but Nora’s “I-can’t-leave-the-house-in-case-someone-calls” just felt a little forced to me. Then again, not having a loved one fighting overseas, I could be completely wrong on that one. I do kinda wish the show would be a little less schitzophrenic. By playing every emotion so big, the smaller moments filled with genuine emotion wind up having less impact. In the end, however, I still believe there’s no better way to end the week than by hanging with the Housewives before downing a few with the Walkers.

I’ll admit I was a little worried about my beloved UGLY BETTY. I can’t even say exactly why… perhaps because the freshman season was so brilliant that I feared there was nowhere to go but down. But the premiere put all my fears to rest. Yes, there were a few awkward leaps in logic (were we really to believe that Betty, whose modus operandi is to look out for everyone, wouldn’t warn Henry that he might not be Charlie’s babydaddy?), and it was hard to believe that Justin was so cavalierly bounding about while his mom was upstairs endlessly mourning his dad’s death. But by the time Wilhelmina pulled a switch on Claire and Alexis woke up thinking she was still a he, all was forgiven. My one request is that Tony Plana’s papa Suarez be brought home ASAP, as his balancing presence in the household over which he rules is much missed.

Finally caught the second episode of GOSSIP GIRL last night, and I’m happy to report that the pilot wasn’t a fluke. For those thinking this is simply THE OC transplanted to New York’s Upper East Side, think again. Penn Badgley’s Dan is no Ryan Atwood, and while Blake Lively’s Serena van der Woodsen (God, I love that name!) could probably be mistaken for poor-little-rich-girl Marissa Cooper, where THE OC occasionally tried pretending it was more than it was by infusing itself with a social conscience (albeit a really, really shallow one), GG doesn’t bother. This show is as superficial as it comes, and that’s exactly why it works. Who wouldn’t want to be these rich, pampered little snots? Yes, they’re obnoxious and self-absorbed, but heck, they can afford to be! DIRTY SEXY MONEY wants to be an adult version of this, and just misses the mark by playing every character and situation as larger than life. Where DIRTY asks us to look at the core characters with a sense of superiority as if to say, “there but for millions of dollars go I”, GG knows that the key to a true guilty pleasure is wanting to step into the lives unfolding on screen. We want to protect Jenny, beat up Chuck and push Serena right into the arms of Dan… all while getting invited to those fantastic parties. In other words, GG is the kind of TV that the word “escapism” was invented to describe. It won’t make you smarter, it won’t enrich your life… but man, are you gonna have fun.

Read the rest of this entry »

With the new fall TV season creeping closer and closer [does anyone else think that ‘with the new fall TV season…’ should to be my de-facto opening sentence for every post from now until September?] this TV Addict thought he’d take the opportunity to talk about the level of online buzz surrounding each network’s new fall lineup.

Now I know what you’re thinking — why measure buzz? Well quite frankly, the better job networks do at generating buzz online with regards to their new slate of shows, the better chance they have of staying on the air. Remember last season’s short-lived Ray Liotta series SMITH? Didn’t think so.

This year, the networks seem to putting their online marketing muscle behind one or two shows, leaving the rest of their lineup to chance. NBC’s betting big on BIONIC, CBS is hoping KID NATION is the next SURVIVOR, ABC is all about DAISIES, the CW can only GOSSIP about one thing and FOX, well, outside of K-Ville, I think it’s safe to say that they’d like to fast forward to January and let IDOL speak for itself.

NBC
The Good: Let’s face it, to have not heard about NBC’s re-imagined take on THE BIONIC WOMAN, you’d pretty much have to have been in a coma. From their jam-packed panel at the recent San Diego Comic Con to the seemingly endless online ads and tie-ins (see bat-test.com) — THE BIONIC WOMAN is going to really have to stink to fail.
The Bad: HEROES. Memo to NBC — we get it, HEROES is your pride and joy, the saviour of the Peacock network, your beloved first born. One problem — the rest of your fall line-up is starting to develop middle child syndrome. When are you going to start promoting CHUCK (a hilarious new action/comedy hyrbrid from Josh Schwartz), JOURNEYMAN and LIFE? Do you not realize the new fall TV season is creeping closer and closer (okay, I’ll stop!)

CBS
The Good: If you subscribe to the theory that there’s no such thing as bad buzz, then CBS has had a remarkable summer. From abuse claims surrounding the new reality show KID NATION, to the whole CRIMINAL MINDS/Mandy Patinkin fiasco, CBS hasn’t had to work too hard to generate headlines.
The Bad: None of these headlines have anything to do with CBS’ new fall lineup. Is anyone talking about THE BIG BANG THEORY or VIVA LAUGHLIN? Sorry, let me rephrase — Is anyone saying anything positive about THE BIG BANG THEORY or VIVA LAUGHLIN?

ABC
The Good: While PUSHING DAISIES may have started off the summer as the little-show-that-could, it’s quickly evolved into the fall’s must see show. Thanks to tireless marketing and one timely internet leak, PUSHING DAISIES is officially the most buzzed about show of the summer. One that’s well positioned to — in this TV Addict’s opinion — become the biggest hit of the fall.
The Bad: SAMANTHA WHO doesn’t simply describe ABC’s new Christina Applegate vehicle. It summarizes ABC’s entire comedy lineup. Quick — name me another ABC comedy premiering this fall?

FOX
The Good: Kelsey Grammer is returning to television with BACK TO YOU. We’re also incredibly excited for THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, THE RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES and NEW AMSTERDAM. Which brings us to… the bad.
The Bad: Most of FOX’s hot new shows don’t premiere until January 2008! Premiering this fall, a slew of reality television shows this TV Addict couldn’t care less about. KITCHEN NIGHTMARES, ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5th GRADER, DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS, THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND, NASHVILLE, COPS, more COPS and AMERICA’S MOST WANTED. Call me when it’s 2008.

THE CW
The Good: Thanks to GOSSIP GIRL, we’re confident that regardless of what happens with CHUCK, Josh Schwartz won’t be looking for employment anytime soon
The Bad: The rest of the CW’s lineup. Where’s the much deserved hype for REAPER and ALIENS IN AMERICA? Is anyone else sensing two more JACK & BOBBY’S in the new future? (ie. brilliant but cancelled).

If ABC’s brilliant new show PUSHING DAISIES doesn’t catch on, it most definitely won’t be due to lack of effort on behalf of the alphabet marketing department.

In the hopes of ensuring everyone gets an early taste of the pie maker (believe me, it will make sense when you see the premiere), ABC is inviting you (yes, you!) to a sneak peek of what will no doubt be your favorite new show of the fall. Here are the details:

WHEN: On Thursday, August 16, at 8:00 p.m. PT, the public will get an opportunity to screen the premiere episode of the highly anticipated new drama PUSHING DAISIES. Available cast and executive producers will be on hand to introduce the screening, and there will be a limited number of special treats at the conclusion of the event for attendees.

WHERE: Hollywood Forever Cemetery 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90038

If you attend the screening, be sure to return to theTVaddict.com and let everyone know how much you loved the show. Because believe me, you will love it. Unless of course you hate pie, puppy dogs and/or adorable co-stars like Kristin Chenoweth, Chi McBride and the Pie Maker himself Lee Pace. And let’s face it — if that’s the case, we don’t want you hanging around theTVaddict.com anyways! Enjoy the show.

On today’s episode of THE VIEW, Barbara Walters made the expected announcement that Whoopi Goldberg will be filling the vacant seat left by Rosie O’Donnell (who filled the vacant seat left by Meredith Viera) on the upcoming eleventh season of THE VIEW.

That sound you just heard — this TV Addict removing THE VIEW from his Must Watch List. Nothing against Goldberg, whom I’ve always enjoyed on both the big screen and small. But simply put, THE VIEW is about controversy, and with Rosie at the helm, controversy was never in short supply. Whoopie was the safe choice, not the best one.

Agree, disagree, post away with your choice for the host.

Its not often that we at theTVaddict.com ask a favor of our loyal readers. In fact, short of pleading with you to help SAVE EVERWOOD, we’re pretty sure that throughout our year and a half history, we’ve never asked you for anything. Today all that changes.

Tonight at 10PM, ABC will start to burn off the final episodes of its short-lived series THE NINE. No doubt many of you, like our friend Jennifer (of TubeTalk fame) are excited about the show’s long-awaited return. Unfortunately, we’ve got some bad news for you. As a result of the show’s swift cancellation, there will be no closure and no happy ending for fans of THE NINE. The mystery of THE NINE will remain just that — a mystery. With no chance of discovering what really happened during the show’s fifty-two hour stand-off.

With that in mind, we would like to take this opportunity to ask you to not watch the show tonight. It’s time we sent a message to the networks that they can’t simply yank away our favorite shows and expect us to tune back in whenever they feel like airing them. At the very least, ABC should have followed NBC’s footsteps and given THE NINE enough notice to wrap up its story properly (see: KIDNAPPED on DVD). It’s what the fans deserved.

Acting today will help ensure that fantastic new shows like PUSHING DAISIES don’t fall victim to ABC’s far-to-quick cancellation finger. After-all, star DAISIES Lee Pace only has the power to bring ‘people’ back from the dead — not quirky romantic dramedies.

In an exclusive interview with EW.com, actor Isaiah Washington sounded off on what the future holds now that he won’t be returning to GREY’S ANATOMY.

EW: What type of offers have you received?

ISAIAH: I’ve gotten a ton of offers in both film and TV, and now my agent Ben Press and I are just sorting through all the options. There is one network in particular that’s very interested. But I don’t want to say anything specific until it’s a done deal.

Now I’m no network executive (clearly my TV tastes are far too smart to slum it), but how about this for the most brilliant move ever — Dr. Burke, looking for a change of scenery following his anti-gay slur wedding being called off should hop on the next flight and take a job at County General. Yes, you heard me. Signing Isaiah Washington would not only be the shot in the arm ER so desperately needs, it would completely re-ignite interest in NBC’s aging medical drama. Ben Silverman, you can thank me anytime.

BIG SHOTS
BIG SHOTS is the story of four friends at the top of their game.. until the women in their lives enter the room. Sound familiar? Think Desperate HouseMEN. But hey, when these men include Michael Vartan (ALIAS) and Dylan McDermott (THE PRACTICE), who’s complaining?

CASHMERE MAFIA
Four ambitious and sexy women try to balance their glamorous and demanding careers with their complex personal lives in the city that never sleeps. WOW, ABC really is going out on a limb with this one! Do viewers need another DESPERATE SEX AND THE CITY mash-up? Our guess is no.

DIRTY SEXY MONEY
The good — Peter Krause has returned to TV. The bad — if the footage screened at the ABC UpFront is any indication, his return may be short-lived. DIRTY SEXY MONEY did not impress and with a cast featuring the likes of Krause, Donald Sutherland, a Baldwin brother and Samaire Armstrong (THE OC), this TV addict expected a lot more.

ELI STONE
Greg Berlanti, the genius behind some of theTVaddict’s favourite shows (namely EVERWOOD and JACK & BOBBY) returns to television (after taking a ‘break’ to help right the BROTHERS & SISTER ship) with ELI STONE. The story of a successful San Francisco lawyer who tries to find a deeper meaning to his life when he realizes money isn’t everything. Okay, the concept’s a little hokey but what Greg Berlanti writes, this TVaddict will TiVo.

PRIVATE PRACTICE
What hasn’t been said about the GREY’S ANATOMY spin-off PRIVATE PRACTICE? Only this: Could Shonda Rhimes and ABC not have taken the time to think of a better title? Was PRIVATE PRACTICE the best we could do? Really?

PUSHING DAISIES
Every once in awhile, a television show comes along that changes the game. ER revitalized the medical drama, FRIENDS ushered in a new era of comedies and PUSHING DAISIES will, well we’re not actually sure what DAISIES will do. The one thing we can promise you is that it’s unlike anything on television (which is a good thing) and you’ll fall in love with DAISIES the moment they spring to life. Yup, you heard it here first folks. PUSHING DAISIES is the fall’s next big hit.

WOMEN’S MURDER CLUB
CSI + LAW & ORDER - MEN = BORING

Tune in tomorrow for theTVaddict’s take on ABC’s new drama offerings. And yes, CAVEMEN is just as bad of an idea on screen as it is on paper. Really, truly dreadful.