The TV Addict 

I heard a rumor that PUSHING DAISIES is done as a series and seeing as you are the most in the know person I know. Is this true? Or have I been bamboozled? — Dan B.

The TV Addict: The facts are these. People stopped using the term Bamboozled in 1931. But seriously, as dreadful as PUSHING DAISIES’ ratings have been — and they have been dreadful. ABC has yet to bury the show six feet under. Which is why if you really, and I mean really care about the fate of Ned, Chuck, Olive and Emerson you will be sure to not only tune into a brand new episode of PUSHING DAISIES at 8PM tonight on ABC, but knock on every house on your block and convince your neighbors to do the same.*

*Please Note: theTVaddict.com does not condone door-to-door begging and pleading in an effort to raise the ratings of your favorite shows. Unless those shows were among my dearly departed brilliant-but-cancelled favorites such as EVERWOOD, JACK & BOBBY, GROSSE POINTE, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT and KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL.

Can you please explain to me how KNIGHT RIDER got a full season pick up before EVERY OTHER SHOW ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH? — Jenn

The TV Addict: What’s that? You’re not buying my theory that NBC President Ben Silverman is secretly the fifth and final Cylon who has given a starring role to a talking car with the hopes of secretly pushing his pro-machine agenda on an unsuspecting public. Well then, how does this slightly more plausible theory from frequent friend-of-the-site John Kubiceck sound, “Even with modest ratings, NBC is making so much money from Ford by having KNIGHT RIDER on the air that Ben Silverman would be an idiot in these tough economic times to give up such a lucrative deal just because the show is bad. Making money with crap like that is what allows NBC to keep airing low-rated stuff like CHUCK and 30 ROCK.” 

Of course this TV Addict would be remiss if I didn’t point out to Mr. Kubiceck that (a) I’m not sure we know exactly how much NBC is getting to keep the super-sized Ford commercial that is KNIGHT RIDER on the air. And (b) CHUCK is no stranger when it comes to insanely intrusive SMALLVILLE levels of product placement [See: Recent sales pitch story-line featuring Michael Strahan and MADDEN ‘09.]

I’m still confused over your assertion that IN TREATMENT has been cancelled. Please clarify. — Marisa

The TV Addict: Now this may come as a shock to some, but it turns out that this TV Addict isn’t perfect. I mean who knew that sitting in front of a buteiful high defanition flatt screen for houres on end wuld be detrimental to my smarts? [TV Addict Note: Unlike my usual poor uses of spelling and grammar, the previous sentence of typos was purely for comedic effect.]

Which is why I’m here to apologize to fans of IN TREATMENT everywhere. All ten of you. Embarrassingly enough, I’ve been confusing IN TREATMENT’s cancellation, or lack there of, with TELL ME YOU LOVE ME. So to clarify, a second season of IN TREATMENT is officially moving forward with Hope Davis on board to play Mira, a high-powered malpractice lawyer and FRASIER’s John Mahoney signing on the dotted line to play Bill, a CEO who finds that life is passing him by.

Read the rest of this entry »

I can’t believe you were in New York this weekend and didn’t let me know. I would have loved the opportunity to talk TV in person. — TVStalker32

The TV Addict: As much as I appreciate the email TVStalker32, I’ve seen enough episodes of ONE TREE HILL this season to know how this story ends. With me tied up in your basement forced to watch the complete series of 7th HEAVEN on repeat!

But in all seriousness, this TV Addict would really like to take a moment to thank everyone who emailed me this weekend with an invitation out. Had I known readers were actually interested in meeting face-to-face, I would have definitely taken time away from my endless cultural and educational museum excursions JACK & BOBBY marathon to have a meet-up in New York City.

Did you really stay in the hotel and watch JACK & BOBBY on theWB.com all weekend long? — Amy

The TV Addict: If by all weekend long, you mean Sunday morning, then yes. But can you blame me? JACK & BOBBY is even better than I remember. And if a mash-up of EVERWOOD and THE WEST WING isn’t enough to intice you to give this brilliant-but-cancelled series a chance, how does this list of guest stars sound: Bradley Coooper, Evan Handler, David Paymer, Ron Canada, Keri Lynn Pratt, Kate Mara, John Heard, Kyle Gallner, Shailene Woodley and Mike Erwin. Not to mention series regulars Christine Lahti, John Slattery, Logan Lerman, Jessica Paré and Matt Long. All of whom can be seen on theWB.com. Seriously, JACK & BOBBY is the very definition of brilliant-but-cancelled.

This probably doesn’t fall under the prevue of theTVAddict.com, but what exactly did you do in New York all weekend? — Jenn

The TV Addict: Two words: Broadway and Brunch [well really food, but B&B sounds so much better]. But rest assured, I can tie it all back to television. Not only was BILLY ELLIOT the most magical theater experience I’ve had since Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel defied gravity [WICKED], Broadway’s BILLY will very soon play a pivotal role in an upcoming episode of UGLY BETTY when Justin befriends the school jock only to discover that they’re both auditioning for a role in the soon-to-be Tony Award winning musical.

Read the rest of this entry »

Now that you’ve heartlessly dropped HEROES from your weekly schedule, what’s next on the TV Addict’s chopping block? — Misty

The TV Addict: Would you think any less of me if I said PUSHING DAISIES? Because truth be told, stunning visuals and Kristen Chenoweth are quickly starting to lose their appeal amidst the overly cutesy and continuously confounding series. That said, I’m not prepared to bury DAISIES just yet. In other-words, Bryan Fuller, you’re on notice.

I just saw this message about THE RICHES being canceled and I have to say, this really sucks. Is there any hope for some kind of closure, a two-hour movie perhaps to wrap up the series. I’d think FX would want to thank their loyal viewers for all of their support. — Patrycjusz

The TV Addict: In a perfect world, I couldn’t agree with you more. In fact, nothing bothers this TV Addict more than when loyal viewers are cheated out of a proper ending to a series they’ve invested hours of their life in. Unfortunately our world is far from perfect. Just ask the fans of DEADWOOD, AMERICAN DREAMS, LAS VEGAS and OCTOBER ROAD how their happy was.

Any news on the fate of TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES following Monday’s episode. — FightingForTheFuture

The TV Addict: Well the good news is that TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES actually showed a small bump in viewership on Monday, up approximately 300,000 viewers. The bad news, 5.6 million total viewers doesn’t exactly guarantee the continued adventures of Sarah Connor. Which means I’d get your….. umm….. what exactly are we sending FOX in support of TERMINATOR?

Read the rest of this entry »

What’s the TV Addict’s take on the rumored VERONICA MARS movie? — Nick C.

The TV Addict: Nick, I can sum up ‘my take’ in three simple words: Not Gonna’ Happen. Which is the reason I didn’t bother linking to Michael Ausiello’s over-hyped story on a possible MARS movie. I mean seriously, what studio head in their right mind is going to invest a minimum of thirty to fifty million dollars on a television series that ranked 148 out of 156 in the ratings?

That’s not to say I wouldn’t love to see Kristen Bell, Jason Dohring and the entire Neptune gang in a full length feature film. I just think that Rob Thomas would be wise to consider the Joss Whedon DR. HORRIBLE approach as NYMag so cleverly suggested, “Set aside a week and $100,000, and shot a couple of mini-Mars stories for download?”

In anticipation of the Fall TV season I counted how many hours of shows I currently watch (16.5) and how many hours of new shows I will start (5.5). OMG! There’s only 21 hours of prime-time in one week to watch these! I don’t know how I’m going to do it? — Linda B.

The TV Addict: Admittedly 22 hours of television per week sounds daunting. But I think if last week’s record-breaking performance by Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps taught us anything, it’s that anything can be accomplished with hard work, determination and one really big DVR. So to those of you who are asking, “Holy Crap, How am I going to fit all this TV viewing in!” This TV Addict has this to say: Stop whining and start watching! Put aside that social life, family and overrated ‘great’ outdoors for a few weeks and enjoy the madness that is September Season Premieres

Read the rest of this entry »

Seriously TV Addict, What the Frak! Two weeks and no column. To paraphrase the immortal Ricky Ricardo, “You got some ’splainin’ to do” — Jen

The TV Addict: Jen, I do have some ’splainin’ to do, so I’ll get right to it. This TV Addict braved a freezing cold San Francisco [isn’t California supposed to be hotter than Canada?], rafted down the Kern River and braved 120,000 plus Comic Con attendees to bring you the latest scoop on some of your favorite TV shows. So let’s get to it shall we.

Any scoop on the new season of HEROES? — SylarsArmyMember32

The TV Addict: This just in, the TV Addict is an idiot! Why? Because I chose to sleep in and skip the HEROES panel thinking last year’s lackluster WGA-strike shortened season wasn’t worth waking up for. Boy was I wrong.

Hoping to spread the word that HEROES: VILLAINS Edition is back and better [or is it badder?] than ever. Producer Tim Kring and Co. screened the complete third season premiere. Revealing to the 6,000-plus crowd that [spoiler alert!] Sylar will rip open Claire’s head to steal her healing abilities, “Future” Peter will shoot Nathan before he reveals everybody’s secret powers to the world. While Mohinder will finally get a super-power of his own and Hiro will disobey his dead father’s orders by opening up the safe that holds a formula that could destroy the world.

Any chance Rachel Bilson will be returning to CHUCK this season — NerdLover23

The TV Addict: While scheduling conflicts are currently keeping television’s most adorable sandwich maker away from television’s most adorable nerd. CHUCK co-creator Josh Schwartz wouldn’t rule out another appearance by Bilson’s Lou, revealing to the audience during Saturday’s CHUCK Comic Con panel that, “I’m pretty sure the sandwich shop is still there.”

And while we’re on the subject of guest stars, fans can expect hilarious and heartwarming appearances by Tony Hale, Jordana Brewster, Nicole Richie, Michael Clarke Duncan, Jhn Larrouette, Ben Savage, NY Giants Michael Strahan and OC alum Melinda Clark.

Is there any truth to the rumour that DEXTER’s Julie Benz will be turning up in Joss Whedon’s new series DOLLHOUSE? — Brad

The TV Addict: Yes. And not just because Julie Benz asked us to start an internet rumor that she’s been offered an upcoming guest spot on Joss Whedon’s DOLLHOUSE.

Read the rest of this entry »

Question: Well here it is Mr. So-Called TV Addict. Your very own Moment of Truth. On Monday you promised us genuine TV related scoop about one of our favorite BATTLESTAR GALACTICA cast members. Did you bring it?. — YesIamthefinalcylon

TV Addict: Did I ever! Are you ready for the scoop you’ve been anxiously waiting two whole days for? Because here it goes. The cast member who has just signed on to a high profile series for a multi-episode arc in order to, as this TV Addict’s source put it, “sex-up the second season” is…..

[Pause for Dramatic Effect]

[Drum Roll Please]

[Initiate Countdown]

[Okay I’ll Stop]

Grace Park. Who will be joining the cast of the CBC’s [Canada’s Broadcasting Corporation] hit show THE BORDER for a multi-episode arc to kick off the start the second season. And because I know you’re probably thinking, “What’s THE BORDER?” It’s Canada’s version of A&E’s MI5, or as our friends in the UK call it, SPOOKS.

Question: Quick, I’m suffering from serious GREY’S ANATOMY withdrawal and need three CC’s of scoop STAT! — McNerdly

TV Addict: Unfortunately this TV Addict has been banned thanks to a silly court order from prescribing anything to you. But rest assured McNerdly, I sympathize. As I too am jonsin’ for some more more McRomance following the phenomenal string of post-WGA strike episodes that Shonda Rhimes and her creative team delivered.

If only I had the first season of GREY’S ANATOMY on DVD. Too bad one of my so-called ‘friends’ decided to ‘borrow’ the first season without returning it. But rather than remain bitter that everyone I know enjoys using my ridiculously large, not to mention incredibly expensive TV on DVD collection as their personal lending library — I should probably go about answering your question. According to my sources* ex-ROME and JOURNEYMAN star Kevin McKidd is about to sign on for the season as a love interest for Cristina.

*And by ‘Sources’ I naturally mean TVGuide, who ironically enough has been using Entertainment Weekly as their primary ’source’ of late. Awkward.

Read the rest of this entry »

Question: You call yourself a TV Addict, yet not a word on the fact that Hollywood has been virtually shut down [once again] courtesy of a labour dispute between the AMPTP, SAG and AFTRA! What’s the deal? — Karen.

The TV Addict: Following the incredibly depressing WGA Strike, this TV Addict has chosen to live in a town I like to call Denial. Population myself and eight million or so MOONLIGHT fans who are still holding out hope that the show isn’t dead.

Question: Did the hot guy from LIPSTICK JUNGLE appear in a soap opera last year? I swear I saw him in one!
— OTHer

The TV Addict: Since the last thing this TV Addict needs to do is get himself hooked on Soap Operas that air new episodes on a daily basis! I’m going to toss this question to frequent TV Addict contributor and Soap Opera Expert Couch Tater. “Well, I’m going to assume that when you say “the hot guy” you mean Robert Buckley, who plays photographer-by-day, studmuffin-by-night Kirby Atwood on NBC’s LIPSTICK JUNGLE. If that’s the case, then the answer to your question is yes. Kind of. Although he’s never done a daytime soap, he starred in not one but two of MyNetwork’s telenovelas. First, he played a photographer — are we sensing a pattern here? — in the 2006 series FASHION HOUSE, which featured Morgan Fairchild and Bo Derek as dueling divas. Then in 2007, he played rich boy Matthew Wakefield in the damn-near-unwatchable AMERICAN HEIRESS, which was about… oh, who really cares? Next up for Buckley? The sci-fi flick ROBOT BATTLE, which supposedly will go the direct-to-video route and stars a bunch of people you’ve never heard of, and Killer Movie, starring Kaley Cuoco (8 SIMPLE RULES), Nestor Carbonell (LOST), Leighton Meester (GOSSIP GIRL) and Al Santos(GROSSE POINT). In other words, we’ll totally be catching this flick.

Question: Any news on the recently green-lit BATTLESTAR GALACTICA movie that will shoot this summer? — CylonLover33

The TV Addict: Not surprisingly, plot details are being guarded as tightly as Tricia Helfer’s outfits. But SyFy Portal’s Michael Hinman was quick to point out to theTVaddict.com in a recent interview that Galactica Sitrep’s assertion that Jane Espenson will be scripting the movie is incorrect. Adding that GALACTICA Executive Producers and writing partners David Weddle and Bradley Thompson already confirmed to him [Hinman] in a recent interview that they’re set to pen the script.

Question: Any scoop on Discovery Channel’s show THE DEADLIEST CATCH? — Fishercutbait

The TV Addict: Crabs will be caught, deckhands will nearly fall overboard and I’ll get majorly seasick thanks to the constant waves. In other words… um, no.

Read the rest of this entry »

Question: I was up bright and early, all ready for today’s Ask The Addict, and nothing! What the hell is going on? Are you already skipping out on us? Sign me… Disappointed

The TV Addict: Okay, okay, so I didn’t have it ready at the crack of dawn! I forgot that you people need something to do when you get to work. From now on, I’ll work to have it up earlier on Wednesday mornings so that you can not only whistle while you work, but be wildly — or at least mildly — entertained.

Question: I thought you were a little rough on Mick last week, telling him to “get over” his bitterness about BUFFY being repeatedly snubbed by Emmy voters. Um, hello, haven’t you been griping for years about the way VERONICA MARS was treated? — TrendyWendy22

The TV Addict: True dat. And let’s not forget EVERWOOD. Fine, so I was a little hypocritical there. But to paraphrase Jeff Goldblum’s character in THE BIG CHILL, “I don’t know anyone who could get through the day without two or three hypocritical moments. They’re more important than sex.” Meanwhile, geez, is this week’s whole column going to be filled with people taking me to task for one thing or another?

Question: I remember a TV-movie from years ago that starred Cathryn Damon and Stella Stevens as women who’d been sorority sisters in the past. Somehow, they all wound up suspected of killing a baby. Any clue what I’m talking about? — Jason B.

The TV Addict: Frankly, I had no idea what the hell you were talking about, but since you weren’t yelling at me or calling me a hypocrite, I did a little research. Unless I’m mistaken, you’re talking about the 1979 TV-Movie FRIENDSHIPS, SECRETS & LIES, which also starred Shelley Fabares and Loretta Swit (of M*A*S*H) fame. In the flick — which apparently isn’t available on DVD or VHS for some reason — a baby’s skeleton is found when an old sorority house is torn down. The women who lived in the house years earlier are all suspected of having killed the baby, and get together to try and figure out which one of them secretly gave birth. Several people I talked to remember this flick fondly, so maybe it’s time someone look into releasing it on DVD and/or doing a remake!

Read the rest of this entry »

Nice touch ending last week’s inaugural ‘Ask The Addict’ by posing a question to the readers. But you failed to answer it yourself. How are you getting through, as you so accurately put it, “the dark days of summer rerun/reality TV hell?” — Dylan

Rather than turn to overrated and frivolous pursuits like ‘reading’ or ‘the outdoors,’ this TV Addict has thus far survived these dark days of summer with the assistance of two phenomenal shows: GREEK and BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER.

And while I’ll get to BUFFY later in the column, I do want to take a moment to give a huge shout-out to GREEK creators Shawn Piller and Lloyd Segan. Who, much to my surprise, may have delivered the most entertaining and heartfelt teen-centric drama of the year. So good in fact that I’m willing to overlook the incredibly unrealistic hookup I just witnessed between Rusty and Jen K. I mean seriously, in what dimension does a girl like that fall for a guy like Rusty. And no, I’m not bitter. Really.

Thanks for the genuine TV scoop last week. But just out of curiosity, do you ever have any scoop that doesn’t involve a DEGRASSI star? — Jenn

I would — if Josh Schwartz, Greg Berlanti, Josh Freidman, Marc Guggenheim, J.J. Abrams, and/or Roberto Orci would ever return my emails.

When will the new season of WEEDS air in Canada? — Lucy [and tons of others!]

Direct from my good friends at Showcase [the Canadian network that airs WEEDS], this TV Addict is thrilled to break the news that the fourth season of WEEDS will premiere on Showcase this fall [Week of September 1] and will air Sundays at 10pm.

Hey Jenn, how’s that for TV Scoop that doesn’t involve a DEGRASSI star?

Read the rest of this entry »

Needless to say, when this TV Addict first introduced ASK THE ADDICT last Wednesday, I quite honestly had no idea so many readers were too lazy to type a question into google had so many great questions. So without further ado, I present the inaugural edition of ASK THE ADDICT.

Question: Holy rip off Batman? Paging Michael Ausiello’s lawyer! — Jenn

The TV Addict: This may come as a shock to the numerous Ausholes [Fans of Ausiello] who emailed. But Michael Ausiello did not invent the ‘Ask [insert name here]’ format. In fact, after hours of tedious research*, this TV Addict discovered that advice columns have a long history in journalism, reaching back to the “letters to the lovelorn” that appeared in eighteenth-century magazine and newspapers.

* Hours of tedious research is actually code for the first thing that came up in a Google search query.

Question: Do you happen to know when SUPERNATURAL is going to start filming again? — Shannon

The TV Addict: According to my mole at the CW, SUPERNATURAL will be returning sometime in July. And although a specific date has not been announced, I can reveal that SUPERNATURAL and SMALLVILLE will both be returning to this July’s San Diego Comic Convention. Yet unlike previous years, both shows are tentatively scheduled to have their panels on the Sunday rather than the traditional Saturday. So plan your trip accordingly, as it undoubtedly be a shame to travel all the way to San Diego only to discover you won’t be seeing your favorite Winchester Brothers up close and personal. But not too personal. Like a trip to the zoo, a good rule of thumb when it comes to encountering real-life celebrities in the wild is look but don’t touch.

Read the rest of this entry »