The TV Addict 

I think it was my generations Plato, Homer Simpson who said it best. When he summed up his feelings in one succinctly brilliant word. “D’OH!”

Can someone tell me why exactly your very own TV Addict didn’t throw caution/responsibility/financial security to the wind and shell out the bucks to head to Los Angeles for last night’s FOX SUMMER TCA PARTY? I mean talk about your hindsight is 20/20. A mortgage payment would have been a small price to pay to spend the night hobnobbing with the likes of J.J. Abrams, Joss Whedon, Lena Heady, Thomas Dekker, Summer Glau, Hugh Laurie, Emily Deschanel, David Boreanaz, Wentworth Miller, Brian Austin Green, Olivia Wilde… well you get the idea.

So a quick heads up friends. If you notice anything ‘wonky’ on theTVaddict.com throughout the day. And by ‘wonky’ I mean spelling and grammar mistakes above the usual levels. Please keep in mind that they’re simply a bi-product of the incredibly large amount of tears that are pouring down on my keyboard at this very moment.

Seriously, how did I NOT attend this party. I mean click the link below for more of what I missed.

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By: Kevin Kelly, Special TCA Correspondent

The full cast and crew were brought onto FOX’s stage, which was ominously bathed in red light for the occasion. Brian Austin Green, Garret Dillahunt, Leven Rambin, Thomas Dekker, Lena Headey, and of course, the Terminatrix Summer Glau herself. I only wish they would have had gleaming Terminator exoskeletons with piercing laser stares lining the stage to really complete the illusion.

Lena was asked about the nasty things fans had been saying (are still saying?) about her portrayal of Sarah Connor. According to producer James Middleton, fans responded to the “fire she brought to the role.” Personally, I’m interested to see what she does in season two, because I don’t think she had enough time to really get into the role that still feels like it belongs to Linda Hamilton. I don’t love her, don’t hate her, but I’m willing to wait on it. A bit.

James Middleton was asked about the challenges about working on the Terminator TV show, and the new Christian Bale Terminator movie coming out next May, and said that they both take “cues” from the original films, but that they take the orignal idea and go in two different directions. Each franchise is meant to live alone, and they’re buffeted by the idea that “fate is what you make it” - i.e. these could be different alternate realities for the different characters from Terminator.

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Even though there may not be that much to talk about on screen — behind-the-scenes — network execs, actors and agents have never been busier. And keeping track of it all is your very own TV Addict, with the latest news on which actors and actresses will soon be popping up on your favorite shows come the Fall 2008.

The News: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA’S Paul Campbell [Billy] will be joining the cast of KNIGHT RIDER as the head research tech at Knight Industries.
The Lowdown: Finally giving us a reason to tune in after February’s uber-disappointing two-hour car commercial.
[Source]

The News: Ex-FRIEND Matthew Perry has signed on to headline Peter Tolan’s [RESCUE ME] Showtime pilot THE END OF STEVE. A dark comedy revolving around Perry, who will play a local TV anchor who’s real-life personality is somewhat different than his cheery on-camera one.
The Lowdown: Could we BE anymore excited for the return of Matthew Perry to television? Umm… no.
[Source]

The News: Madchen Amick is returning to Central Park West, or more accurately, the Upper East Side to play a possible MILF for Nate [Chace Crawford].
The Lowdown: Already spoiling May’s finale tease that ‘S’ and ‘N’ might have lived happily ever after, at least for a little while. Way to go EW.
[Source]

The News: ALL MY CHILDREN’s Leven Rambin will join TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES this season as Riley, a new school friend of John Connor.
The Lowdown: And by friend, we naturally assume love interest. So place your bets now, Riley is (a) an undercover Terminator sent from the future, or (b) Terminated by a Terminator, thus kick-starting John’s transformation from brooding teenager to leader of the revolution!
[Source]

The News: Television icon Mary Tyler Moore will be joining NBC’s LIPSTICK JUNGLE for a multi-episode arc next season, playing Brooke Shields’ mother.
The Lowdown: Casting coup yes. But in all seriousness, how many fans in the younger demographic NBC so dearly covets really has an attachment to 70’s TV icon Mary Tyler Moore?
[Source]

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Remember the good old days. Or as Rachel Green used to call them, “the times of yore.” That magical time when you had to record your favorite shows on a crazy contraption called a VCR? Simpler times, before DVDs, illegal downloads, youtube, BitTorrent and iTunes. When the only way you could catch up on the shows you missed was to watch them during the summer rerun season.

Well FOX is bringing reruns back. Or to be more specific, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES. With a mini-marathon of the fantastic first season running this August 10-24. So don’t forget to set your new-fangled PVR to record on the following days:

Sunday, Aug. 10: “Pilot”
Monday, Aug. 11: “Gnothi Seauton”
Tuesday, Aug. 12: “The Turk”
Wednesday, Aug. 13: “Heavy Metal”
Sunday, Aug. 17: “Queen’s Gambit”
Monday, Aug. 18: “Dungeons and Dragons”
Tuesday, Aug. 19: “The Demon Hand”
Wednesday, Aug. 20: “Vick’s Chip”
Sunday, Aug. 24: “What He Beheld”

Thanks to TVGuide for the Tip and Matt (What happened to the Webb?) Mitovitch for the handy schedule!

Reporters, including your very own TV Addict [purple tshirt, sunglasses] on the set of TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES. Josh Friedman front row, left [wearing a lovely all blue ensemble]

You just found out your show’s been officially picked up for a second season. TERMINATOR THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES showrunner Josh Friedman, what are you going to do next?

Okay, so spending forty-five minutes trying to fend off spoiler hungry reporters isn’t quite a trip to Disney Land. But nonetheless, executive producer Josh Friedman was in good spirits earlier this afternoon and was more than happy to take some time out of his busy schedule to talk to a group of reporters about the continuing adventures of Sarah Connor and Co.

Did the show’s budget give FOX pause when thinking about green-lighting a second season?
No, I don’t think the budget gave FOX pause at all. I think people think we’re spending a lot more money than we are [TV Addict note, I think he’s talking to you Mr. Ausiello]. The production team is incredibly responsible and have remained within the parameters Warner and Fox have given us. If the show looks big, it’s just because we’re all doing our job so well!

So what you’re saying is no underwater Terminator this season?
[Laughs] While I do believe heavily in underwater Terminators, someone’s going to have to write me a big cheque to make that happen! Thinking about the buoyancy of Terminators, how they propel themselves, do they sink? Swim? It’s a weird hobby/infatuation of mine.

Looking back on the first season, can you name one aspect of the show that really worked, and one aspect that you’d like to see improved heading into season two.
This is kind of generic, but I love our cast. When casting a series you never know what you’re going to get. But they really did what they needed to do. In terms of things that could be improved, I want to write a show that is complicated and sophisticated and subtle — everyone does, I guess — but I tried to write something that was very serialized and there were some points where the storytelling was a little muddy where I think we could do a better job.

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Special thanks to FOX for not only giving this TV Addict the opportunity to use the not-at-all obvious headline I’ve been thinking about for months, but for renewing — at least according to Michael Ausiello — TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES for a second season. Good to know our last memory of Summer Glau won’t be of her blowing up!

In an incredibly astute move, FOX has signed BATTLESTAR GALACTICA star Tricia Helfer to a one year holding deal.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, “Under the one-year pact, the actress will star in a series project for the network, probably a drama.”

Now far be it from this TV Addict to do the job of a FOX executive, although Lord knows I’d be really good at it! But why not put Helfer to good use while the powers that be search for the ideal starring vehicle for her? And by ‘good use’ we of course mean a guest starring match made in heaven.

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Following last night’s incredibly enjoyable, yet not at all proper send off for TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, this TV Addict thought he’d take a moment to put the fandom’s mind at ease and reveal the five reasons why Connor and Co. will continue the fight for the future this September 2008 [Or, in non-nerd speak, get renewed by FOX for a second season]

1. Hasta La Visa Ratings
In the modern era of the internet, PVRs, DVRs and iTunes, ratings simply don’t mean nearly as much as they used to. As long at THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES continues to attract 7-10 million viewers a week, the show will remain on the air. As it essentially serves as a glorified commercial for where the serious money is now being made: Foreign sales and DVD Box sets.

2. It’s not just a show, it’s a brand
With the fourth film TERMINATOR SALVATION: THE FUTURE BEGINS already staking out a May 22, 2009 release date, FOX and Warner Bros aren’t about to cancel CONNOR and tarnish the luster of one of their most valuable and storied franchises. And don’t even get me started on the t-shirt sales!

3. Prepare for TERMINATOR 24/7
Come May 2009, get ready for an invasion of an entirely different nature as the combined marketing muscle of Warner Bros. and FOX hype up the season finale of the TV series alongside the launch of the fourth movie. Forget manipulative and brilliant robots. Watch in amazement as the real evil geniuses [Hollywood executives] use the television series to build audience awareness for a successful movie which in turn helps bring more viewers back to the small screen come Fall 2009. [Cue Evil Villain Laugh…]

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In celebration of tonight’s two hour season finale of TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES our good friends at FOX were kind enough to send over a giant box of Mystery Swag. [Cue ominous music…]

Now you’re probably wondering, “Hey TV Addict, What exactly is in the Mystery Box?” Well if we told you, it wouldn’t be a mystery would it?

That said, all you have to do to find out is let us knowhow you think tonight’s season finale of TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES is going to end. Simply post away in the comments below to be automatically entered into a draw to win one of five TERMINATOR Mystery Boxes. And just so you know, contrary to online speculation, Summer Glau will not be hand delivering your Mystery Boxes to your door.

All the same, they’re still pretty sweet. So post away with your prediction, tune into tonight’s season finale at 8PM on FOX [CTV in Canada] and check your email tomorrow to find out if you’re a winner.

By Jenny Rarden [This Week on TV]

I recently had the chance (along with reporters from various other SciFi web sites) to speak with Josh Friedman (Creator & Executive Producer) and Brian Austin Green (Derek Reese) about TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES. The freshman action drama has its 2-hour first season finale tonight on FOX starting at 8/7c.

Josh and Brian had some very interesting things to share with everyone, including a hint about present and future storylines and what effect the writers’ strike had on both as well as the future of the series. The first thing most fans want to know is whether or not there will there be a second season. I had assumed previously that this was an expensive show to make and that the cost would have a lot to do with the possible renewal of the series, but according to Josh, that assumption is not correct.

It’s not actually an expensive show to produce. I think we’re below the budget of many action shows that are on TV right now. In fact, our budget is much more in line with your basic drama that you would find on any network. So I don’t think that cost at this point plays much of a factor.

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