The TV Addict 

In Day 2 of theTVaddict.com’s Summer Survival Guide, we take a look at affordable, brilliant-but-cancelled TV on DVD that are a must own for TV Addicts everywhere.

KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL
Before THE HANGOVER propels small screen star Bradley Cooper into the big screen leading man that he so richly deserves to be, why not be the quasi-obnoxious guy/gal who can say, “I remember him when!” by checking out his 13 episode stint as brilliant bad boy chef Jack Bourdain, in the short-lived FOX series that took us behind-the-scenes of the zany and unpredictable world of New York Eateries. A behind the scenes that we should also mention features an unforgettable supporting cast including Nicholas Brendon, John Francis Daley, Jaimie King, Bonnie Somerville, Owain Yeoman, John Cho, Frank Langella, Sam Pancake and guest appearances by John Larroquette and Michael Vartan. (Only $13.99 on Amazon)

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While Jason Smilovic may not be a household name, to this TV Addict, he just so happens to be the man responsible for last season’s most exciting [and short-lived] drama KIDNAPPED. So when Amrie [of My Take on TV fame] spotted him walking down the aisle following Saturday’s BIONIC WOMAN panel, this TV Addict couldn’t pass up the opportunity to thank him for his work on the show and joke with him about the show’s brilliant yet maddening ending (One that I’m not about to spoil here!) Needless to say, Jason was very appreciative and thanked me for being the only loyal viewer outside of his immediate family.

Missed KIDNAPPED entirely? You can buy the complete series — fantastic ending included — at Amazon by clicking here.

Let’s face it folks, it’s a slow news day in the world of television. While I could spend my day doing my ‘real work’, it’s a lot more fun talking television with you. So here it goes, the first ever ‘Got a Question for theTVaddict?’ (yes, a better title’s needed).

Need to know when NBC’s short-lived but excellent series KIDNAPPED is being released on DVD? When you favourite show’s season finale airs? Post away with your questions and I’ll break all speed records to answer them as quickliy as possible. Don’t feel like posting, feel free to email theTVaddict at info@thetvaddict.com

HappyFan Asks: Since you mentioned it, when is KIDNAPPED coming to DVD? I [apparently was the only one] who loved that series!
theTVaddict: KIDNAPPED, one of my personal favourite series of the fall makes its way to DVD this Tuesday April 24. The complete series (all thirteen episodes) are currently available at amazon for $37.46. More importantly, the producer’s had fair warning and were able to craft a proper ending for the short-lived series.

Frank asks: I need to start my season finale schedule. When are these shows wrapping up their seasons? How I Met Your Mother, Heroes, Veronica Mars, Lost, Scrubs and The Office
theTVaddict: Great Question Frank! Since you’re obviously too lazy to look this up yourself here are the season finale dates for your favourite shows
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER – May 14
HEROES – May 21
VERONICA MARS – May 22 (Two-Hour Special)
SCRUBS – May 17
THE OFFICE – May 17

Jason in the OC asks: Is Friday Night Lights worth getting into? I’ve avoided the football-themed show but it seems to be a critical darling. Isn’t it just pandering to Red Staters?
theTVaddict: Jason, FNL is so much more than just football and regardless of what state you’re in — I guarantee you’ll love it. In fact I’m so confident you’ll jump on the bandwagon that I’m going to ‘gift’ you the season premiere on iTunes (assuming you have iTunes). Just email me your iTunes ID to info@thetvaddict.com. Yes folks, I’m that dedicated to FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS getting a second season!

One of theTVaddict.com’s favourite, and fastest cancelled series of the fall is coming to DVD. Sony has officially announced that the complete series of KIDNAPPED (all 13 episodes) will be released on April 24 2007.

When NBC cancelled the show they promised to put the remaining episodes on their web site. Yet they only made a handful available online, and only to those lucky viewers in the US. Thanks to Sony for actually giving fans of the show an opportunity to find out who kidnapped Leopold Cain (and more importantly why). Here’s hoping that thirteen episodes was enough time to provide for a satisfying ending to a series that deserved a far better fate.

Thanks to TVSquad for the Tip!

According to a press release sent out by NBC, the peacock network has given a full-season order for 2006-07 to its critically hailed freshman drama FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m. ET), it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment.

“We’re proud to reward an authentic, poignant series like ‘Friday Night Lights’ with a full-season order, demonstrating our confidence in it’s appeal and quality,” said Reilly. “Television critics and devoted fans have supported the show with well-deserved praise for the executive producers, writers and exceptionally talented cast.”

While I could be bitter that KIDNAPPED wasn’t given the same opportunity to find an audience, overall this TV Addict would like to take a moment to praise NBC. Instead of canceling shows well before their time, the network is giving their struggling shows time to find an audience. STUDIO 60, 30 ROCK, and FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS are all great shows that, in time (or when America gets its proverbial head of the sand), will hopefully evolve into the massive hits they deserve to be.

Watching the Walker Family hide secrets from eachother has quickly become my favourite Sunday night tradition. Let’s hope there are enough skeletons in each family member’s closet to keep this show interesting for seasons to come. Judging from next week’s preview of BROTHERS & SISTERS, we’re in for a treat. And not just because EVERWOOD’S Treat Williams will be once again guest starring as a love interest for Nora.

Just when you thought BATTLESTAR GALACTICA couldn’t get any darker, ‘The Circle’ appears on Galactica. Watching The Circle play judge, jury and executioner for the Cylon Collaborators was incredibly difficult to watch. RIP Jammer. Thank God Felix Gaeta didn’t find himself jettisoned out of an air lock. Like Anders said, “the war is over, and there is only so much killing we can take.”

One of the best dramas on television is one that has already been cancelled. I’m completely loving every minute of NBC’s KIDNAPPED. I have no idea who’s behind Leo’s kidnapping and what their motive is. All I do know is that the show is incredibly well written, beautifully acted and will have at least one loyal fan until the final thirteenth episode. Kudos to NBC for giving the show enough time to write what will hopefully be a fantastic conclusion.

Last night’s preview for Sunday’s DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES give us the impression that someone’s about be killed in a supermarket shoot-out. Who do we think is going to bite the bullet? This TV Addict hopes it’s crazy Nora.

SMITH is officially the first show to be cancelled. The Ray Liotta heist drama will be replaced temporarily by reruns of CRIMINAL MINDS and CSI. I love Ray Liotta and was hoping to get into the show, I just didn’t have time to fit it into my schedule yet. I guess I can delete the three episodes of SMITH that I have saved on my PVR.

The more I think about it, the more I loved LOST’S third season premiere. Henry Gale (aka Ben) is the best television villain since Arvin Sloane in his heyday (ALIAS season 1 & 2).

Kudos to NBC for giving the writers of KIDNAPPED enough time to write a proper ending to what is now a 13 episode series. Thanks for actually respecting the fans and not pulling a ‘REUNION’ on us.

30 ROCK premieres this Wednesday on NBC. Having seen the pilot, I don’t think I’ve ever been more disappointed by a series premiere. I’ve loved Tina Fey’s work on SNL and MEAN GIRLS. Note to Fey: This isn’t Saturday Night Live, it’s a comedy series: You’re expected to be funny.

How is it that the sixth season of DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION premieres in the United Stated before it does in Canada? DEGRASSI is Canada’s most popular export. How on earth do our friends to the south get to see if first? Once again CTV, wake up and respect your audience.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, both JUSTICE and VANISHED will be moving to new timeslots when they return after Baseball. JUSTICE will move to Monday’s after PRISON BREAK, and VANISHED is sent to the graveyard that is Friday night. In other TV news, sadly, KIDNAPPED has been cancelled. But if there’s a silver lining to this cloud, NBC is committed to airing all thirteen episodes, and the writers were given enough notice to craft an actual ending (FOX take notes, for when you next decide to cancel REUNION 2!)

The most surprising thing about last night’s television watching was that between LOST, THE NINE, JERICHO, and KIDNAPPED I think I enjoyed JERICHO the most. There is just something so fascinating about the town of Jericho, its secrets and the mystery that’s unfolding before are eyes. A few quick notes about last nights TV.

JERICHO: Robert Hawkins clearly knows what’s going on. Why did he come ‘prepared’ with a Radiation Suit and what on earth is he sealing up in his basement. Also, how much did I love Gerald McCraney’s (the mayor) unexpected punch to the gut of his mayoral opponent (this is definitely a time for sticking together, not political maneuvering). Finally, the airplanes. How unsettling was that? There are clearly survivors outside of Jericho – and if next week’s preview is any indication, welcome and unwelcome visitors will soon be floating into the small town of Jericho.

KIDNAPPED: I have to be honest, I fell asleep with 15 minutes to go, so I don’t know how the episode ended, but if it’s any consolation, I LOVED the first 45 minutes. It’s disappointing that viewers haven’t given KIDNAPPED a chance. If the show is cancelled, it’s nice to know that the writers have a contingency plan to end the series properly after 13 episodes (yup, still bitter about how REUNION ended).

THE NINE: Fantastic premiere right? What on earth happened during those 52 hours in the bank? (Yes I realize I sound like a commercial for ABC – but in my defense, they did air quite a lot of them!). Needless to say, I’ll be tuning into to episode 2, 3, and 4 with the hopes of some answers.

LOST: And speaking of answers, LOST finally returned, and yet again raised more questions then answers. How do The Others know so much about Jack, Kate, and Sawyer? Why exactly will Kate’s next two weeks be ‘hell’? and most importantly, how long until Jack hooks up with Juliette? Okay, that last point, not so important, but once again, LOST confounds, confuses and frustrates (that would have been way cooler if I had another word that starts with a ‘c’). That said, I can’t wait for next week.