Good News: NBC has already gone ahead and picked up CHUCK for its entire second season Bad News: Which as much as we love CHUCK, probably says a lot more about the sorry state of the Peacock Network’s fall slate. We’re just sayin’, NBC President Ben Silverman, it’s probably about time you updated your resume. [Source]
Good News: The TV Addict correctly predicted prior to yesterday’s announcement that NBC would snag Michael Phelps to host the 34th season opener of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. Bad News: When was the last time a sports personality didn’t stink up Studio 8H? [Source]
Good News: AMERICAN IDOL winner Ruben Studdard managed to extend his fifteen minutes of fame by making headlines once again. Bad News: For reportedly squandering his earnings and not being able to pay nearly 200,000 in state and federal taxes. I mean seriously, has Richard Hatch not taught reality TV stars anything? [Source]
Good News: The CW threw a spectacular launch party for 90210 on Saturday. Bad News: Obviously this TV Addict’s invite got lost in the mail. [see pics]
Since we at theTVaddict.com are never ones to shy away from pointing out NBC’s boneheaded moves [see February’s train-wreck of a KNIGHT RIDER movie], this TV Addict thinks it’s only fair to take a moment to praise the proverbial powers that be for doing something right for once.
Unlike ABC, CBS, the CW and FOX, NBC made the savvy decision to bring Comic Con to the millions of fans who couldn’t make it out to San Diego this weekend [Not to mention the thousands who weren’t prepared to sleep outside or line up for hours to get into Saturday’s highly anticipated HEROES Panel].
Not only did they post the HEROES panel in its entirety online. Well, except for that little bit where the SCREENED THE ENTIRE FRAKTASTIC THIRD SEASON PREMIERE [really, not at all bitter that I missed it!], they’ve also posted videos from the CHUCK, KINGS, KNIGHT RIDER and THE OFFICE panels which you can check out by clicking the link below.
For once synergy produces something amusing. Just in time for his sequel to hit theatres this Friday, Hellboy has been making appearances all over the place, whether he is doing public service announcements or lending his darling red face to various TV shows. My personal favorite is this one where Hellboy and Chuck (from one of my favorite shows of the past season … CHUCK) sit, play video games, and complain about how all this governmental subterfuge doesn’t mean they get the celebrity they so rightfully deserve. Great idea, even if you know it’s a superficial attempt at cross promotion.
Good News: Oscar Winner Jon Voight has signed onto the upcoming seventh season of 24 to play Jack Bauer’s latest nemesis. Bad News: One might argue that Jon Voight’s track record as the ultimate baddie was somewhat tarnished when he failed to defeat a bunch of toddlers in SuperBabies: Baby Geniuses 2. [Source]
Good News:CHUCK isn’t taking any chances when it returns this fall, snagging high profile guest stars Melinda Clarke [THE OC], John Larroquette [BOSTON LEGAL] and Michael Clarke Duncan [THE GREEN MILE] for its first two episodes. Bad News: Its first two episode are still three months away! [Source]
Good News: The brains behind the 90210 re-boot have written a role for everybody’s favorite fictional father figure/burger flipper Nat. Bad News: Actor Joe E. Tata has gone M.I.A. No really. If you’ve seen him please contact Kroeger/Rapaport Casting at 310.836.1523. [Source]
Good News:THE OFFICE spin-off has officially announced its first office worker, HUMAN GIANT’S Aziz Ansari. Bad News: It’s not Lauren Graham. [Source]
Anticipating a rather lengthy spate of reruns thanks to the writers strike, I’m checking out a few shows that are either new to me or which I’ve only seen an episode or two of. The latest one? Geek-turned-spy comedy CHUCK, which I saw the pilot of and liked, but not enough to become a regular viewer. So Monday night, I tuned back in and found that little has changed since the pilot… and I mean that in the best way possible. There’s nothing that can kill a struggling-to-survive show quicker than if newbies wander in and the show has a mind-boggling mythology or complicated backstory making it nearly impenetrable to the uninitiated or casual viewer. While I may not know exactly how Bryce came back from the dead or the circumstances which led to a much-discussed kiss between our hero and fellow operative Sarah, it didn’t much matter. The hour was fast-paced, enjoyable and easy to digest. The laughs weren’t of the belly variety and the plot didn’t require all that much attention be paid, but that’s part of the show’s charm, as is an incredibly appealing cast. The gimmick here — Chuck’s brain dowloaded a whole lot of top-secret intel which comes to him in flashes — is probably the weakest link, but it’s really little more than a way of bringing together people who wouldn’t otherwise have a reason to talk let alone bond and bumping the plot from point a to z without us having to think too hard. All in all, I’d have to say this show is a gee-whiz-that-was-fun winner. If you suddenly find yourself with some empty hours to fill thanks to the strike, you could do a whole lot worse than this charmer.
Finally, a well-written, interesting, debate-filled episode of LAW & ORDER: SVU! I know, I know, after last week’s mess of an offering I vowed to stop watching, but… well, I lied. Sue me. This week, the plot involved polygamy, involuntary female circumcision (ouch), a movement encouraging the snuffing-out of snitches and more… including a fantastic final-act twist. In a throwback to classic L&O, the personal details were scant and yet intriguing; the look on Benson’s face as she realized that Stabler had dated an attractive bit player helping them gather info was subtle and perfect. This is the show I fell in love with. Let’s have more episodes like this and fewer of the sucktacular crap like last week.
Speaking of craptacular, anybody else notice the size of those promos for The Bourne Ultimatum which popped up every 15 minutes or so during SVU? It’s bad enough that the networks allow more and more time to be taken up by ads, or that the insist on pimping whatever show is coming up next, tomorrow or somewhere down the line. But these were ads for a DVD being released on December 11. You want to hawk DVD’s? Do it on your own time. These types of promos are taking over the screen and serve to immediatley take us out of the show we’re trying to watch. Producers need to stand up and demand that the networks put an immediate stop to this kind of nonsense.
What does NBC’s surprise full season pick-up for CHUCK and LIFE mean? Does network president Ben Silverman knows something we don’t? Could Deadline Hollywood Daily’s assertion that “it’s possible that the strike could be settled before Christmas” become a reality? And what does this mean for the season’s most under-appreciated new gem JOURNEYMAN? Or the season’s biggest bust BIONIC WOMAN? Post away with your thoughts below, and stay tuned to theTVaddict.com. Things are just starting to get interesting.
The one and only drawback to attending last night’s incredible FOX Fall TV Launch Party in Hollywood? This TV Addict missed everything on TV. HEROES, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, PRISON BREAK, all the new shows, everything. Okay, so it’s a small price to pay considering I pretty much had the coolest night ever. And yes, presumably all of my shows are safely stored away on my PVR anxiously awaiting for my return. But still, I’m a genuine TV Addict. Seriously, addicted to television! Can I help it if a little part of me — even while borderline stalking Kelsey Grammer! Keifer Sutherland! Emily Deschanel! Omar Epps! Stephen Root! Rashida Jones! and Janeane Garofalo! for photos still wanted to be curled up in front of my TV, cheering on Hiro as Hiro found himself stuck in Feudal Japan?
So I gotta know [in a spoiler free fashion please!] Did HEROES live up to the hype? How hard is it to watch Ted and Robin broken up? Was PRISON BREAK’S second episode as good as last week’s first? Was the BIG BANG THEORY a big Bust? And is ‘Chuck’ this season’s Jim Halpert? What should this TV Addict be watching first upon his return to boring and celebrity free Toronto?
Now I know what you’re thinking, posting NBC’s PRIMETIME PREVIEW on theTVaddict.com? Clearly someone’s being paid off. To that I say, “I WISH!” In fact, this posting of NBC’s PRIMETIME PREVIEW is a completely altruistic act. The simple fact of the matter is that I’m excited for each and every new show NBC has to offer. JOURNEYMAN, BIONIC WOMAN, CHUCK and LIFE all are great, and definitely worth checking out. Click the link below for the rest of NBC’S PRIMETIME PREVIEW.
SEINFELD RETURNS TO NBC
Since NBC can’t possibly build a time machine to travel back to the heyday of FRIENDS, SEINFELD and Must See TV — they’ve decided to do the next best thing — sign Jerry Seinfeld. Seinfeld has signed on to play himself in 30 ROCK’S season premiere. “I was thrilled to be asked to guest star on NBC’s hit comedy 30 ROCK,” Seinfeld says in a statement. “I think it’s going to be so refreshing for me to be playing myself in a show that has nothing to do with neurotic, dysfunctional New York characters.”
THE APPRENTICE
According to an NBC press release, “NBC has renewed THE APPRENTICE for mid-season with a creative twist.” Creative! More like desperate. Is it not clear to anyone but this TV Addict that the ultimate kiss of death for any reality show is the use of the words ‘celebrity version?’ Mark the date on your calendar folks, THE APPRENTICE has officially jumped the shark. Unless of course the celebrities include The Donald, Rosie, Isaiah and T.R. Knight. Then and only then will this TV Addict be tuning in.
MONDAY NIGHT: THE NEW MUST SEE TV
In a surprise announcement, NBC President Ben Silverman announced that Josh Schwartz’s action-dramedy-hybrid CHUCK would lead off Monday night followed by HEROES and JOURNEYMAN. Having seen the pilot, this TV Addict will attest to the fact that NBC’s confidence in CHUCK is not misplaced. Josh Schwartz’s follow up to THE OC looks to be a definite hit come fall 2007.
That said, Holy TIVO Batman! CHUCK, HEROES, JOURNEYMAN, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, NEW CHRISTINE, 24, PRISON BREAK, ALIENS IN AMERICA, EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS, WEEDS, DEXTER, CALIFORNICATION. When did Monday night become the new Thursday?
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