Although not yet confirmed by the network, several sources are reporting that tomorrow, NBC will announce the cancellation of it’s long-struggling soap PASSIONS. Rumors of this possibility began circulating last week, when NBC officials confirmed that soon they would be offering up a fourth hour of TODAY. The show debuted on July 5 of 1999, immediately registering on the pop-culture radar with it’s odd mix of classic soap elements and more unusual touches, such as a 300-year-old witch who turned her doll into a living boy. In the years since, PASSIONS has featured other bizzare storylines including a man-lovin’ mermaid, a teenage zombie and a power-mad faux monk. (Don’t ask… you had to be there.) Over the past few years, many fans felt frustrated by the show’s seeming refusal to give any of their couples a shot at happiness while critics consistently took the show to task for hiring thesbians who seemed better suited for half-naked modeling than acting… which seemed almost appropriate, given the amount of time — high even by soap standards — that most male cast members spent shirtless. Despite these flaws and a pace that veers wildly between glacial and breakneck, PASSIONS has often proven both bold and refreshing, willing to take chances that other daytime dramas wouldn’t dare. More importantly, it’s disheartening for fans of the genre to see yet another daytime drama bite the dust… especially given how unlikely it is that NBC will opt to launch a new soap any time soon. After all, why take the chance on original programming when you can air yet another hour of your already-stretched-thin morning-show franchise… right? As they say in soaps, stay tuned for news on whether or not the show will be given time to write a happy ending for Theresa, Ethan and the rest of the Harmony residents. 
In an effort to keep up-to-date on the comings and going of SAVED BY THE BELL and BEVERLY HILLS 90210 alumni, theTVaddict.com is proud to report that Tiffani Theissen (formerly Tiffani Amber Theissen — I miss the ‘Amber’) has joined the cast of ABC’s drama WHAT ABOUT BRIAN. Theissen will play Natasha Dylan who — like every other Theissen character — is a sexy, manipulative and shrewd. Dylan becomes Dave’s (Rick Gomez) new boss at KC Gaming and enjoys playing mind games with Brian and the gang. Having never watched the show, I really have no idea what any of that means — but where Tiffani Theissen goes, this TV Addict follows.
Those sitting on the edge of their seats to find out how ABC’s DAYBREAK would resolve itself can sit back and relax now that the network has yanked the show from its schedule effective immediately. Is there really any need to point out that this is yet another example of the networks attempting to hook viewers on a continuing storyline and then refusing to provide answers for those who went along for the ride? (Although, in what is becoming a trend fans no doubt appreciate, the seven remaining unaired episodes will be streamed on ABC.com.)
Meanwhile, although ABC announced only last week that they were ordering six additional episodes of SHOW ME THE MONEY, the network is now pulling the plug on the William Shatner-hosted gamer. For the moment, episodes of warhorse AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS will take over the Tuesday at 8 p.m. slot, with various sitcoms (including ACCORDING TO JIM and THE GEORGE LOPEZ SHOW) stepping to the plate Wednesdays at 8 p.m.
Given weak ratings for BIG DAY (which, ironically, will now air back-to-back episodes from 9-10 p.m. ET on Tuesdays) and the practically non-existent buzz surrounding THE KNIGHTS OF PROSPERITY and IN CASE OF EMERGENCY (debuting Wednesday, January 3, at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET, respectively), expect to see more major changes in the struggling network’s schedule in the coming weeks.
The biggest battle of the new season wasn’t the impending duel between McDreamy and McVet for Meredith’s love — It’s which show would win the the ratings war between GREY’S ANATOMY & CSI. And the winner of round one is…..
GREY’S ANATOMY. ABC’s hit medical sudser garnered 25.14 million eyeballs versus 22.04 million viewers for CSI. CBS still managed to be the most-watched network (770,000 viewers ahead of ABC), while ABC finished first in the overnights and adults 18-49. A night of season premieres on NBC settled for the distant No. 3 spot, while Fox’s perennial Thursday audience woes continued. The CW hid under the desk with repeats.
This is the first time a non-season finale of any series has beat an episode of CSI since April 1, 2004 (and that show was the season-finale of then must see The Apprentice).
Thanks to Seriously? OMG! WTF? for the tip.
With the fall season almost upon us, television’s publicity machine has kicked into high gear. Promos and billboards are blitzing the major media markets, ensuring that every man, woman and child knows that GREY’S ANATOMY has moved to Thursday night at 9pm and that it’s ‘cool to be girlie’ on the CW (Seriously, that’s the best the CW could come up with?)
Yet with the continuous and never-ending media hype surrounding the prime-time schedule, it’s the syndicated market that’s often pushed to the background. This fall, some fantastic television will begin their run in syndication. Ensuring a place in our hearts, and our TIVO’s for an entire season. So grab a pencil [or bookmark this page], as theTVaddict.com proudly presents its helpful guide to what’s new in syndication this fall.
EVERWOOD may have been unjustly cancelled by the now defunct WB network, but you can catch it from the beginning Mondays at 8pm & 12pm and Saturdays at 8pm on VISION TV (Rogers channel 860 in Canada). U.S. viewers can watch the show on ABC FAMILY starting October 2
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Are you ready to become the Next American Id… I mean PUSSYCAT DOLL? The CW’s latest attempt to mimic the success of AMERICAN IDOL is entitled THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT PUSSYCAT DOLL. And if you live in the Los Angeles area — and can sing — YOU could be a star. According to my friends at the CW, here’s what you need to know:
“THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT PUSSYCAT DOLL” CONTINUES IN LOS ANGELES ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 The CW Network continues its nationwide casting call for its upcoming reality series “The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll” (working title) in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 9 at CBS Studio Center (4024 Radford Avenue in Studio City) from 12:00-6:00 p.m. Slated to air during the 2006-07 broadcast season, one lucky woman will become the newest member added to the chart-topping pop group, the Pussycat Dolls. Under the guidance of The Pussycat Dolls creator and founder Robin Antin, selected young hopefuls will live together and have their singing ability, dance moves and sheer self-confidence put to the test in an eight-episode reality series.
For additional information, including audition requirements, applications and how to submit audition videos, please visit www.cwtv.com.
In all honesty, I stopped watching SURVIVOR after SURVIVOR: AFRICA (with the exception of the ALL-STARS edition). That said, I know a lot of readers LOVE the original reality mega-hit, so here’s some news. Direct from the PR department of CBS:
CBS today announced the 20 new castaways who will compete in SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS when the 13th installment of the Emmy Award-winning series premieres Thursday, Sept. 14 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS will feature the series’ most ethnically diverse cast to date. The castaways will initially be organized into four tribes divided along ethnic lines (African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic and White) before merging in a later episode.
In addition, throughout the series, at least one castaway each episode will be banished to a separate island (Exile Island) miles away from camp. While being separated from the tribe is not desirable, the castaways will learn that there is a hidden Immunity Idol somewhere on Exile Island. If found, this Immunity Idol could save an individual from being voted out at a future Tribal Council.
Looks like creator Mark Burnett is scraping the bottom of the barrel in a desperate attempt to generate buzz for the thirteenth season of SURVIVOR. While some may see this ‘division via ethnic lines’ as an interesting twist on a tired series, this TV addict sees it as more of a ratings ploy to gain some attention and media coverage. Honestly, after 12 seasons of SURVIVOR, mabye it’s time to take a rest for a season (or at least half a season). Is there really a need for two cycles of SURVIVOR every season? What’s next? SURVIVOR 14, with the cast divided by height? Wait, that won’t generate nearly enough media interest. How about SURVIVOR 14, the religious challenge. We’ll have the tribe divided into Christians, Jews, Muslims etc… Now there’s a reality show that will generate some serious controversy!
If you are still excited for SURVIVOR 14: ETHNIC DIVERSITY CHALLENGE, click over to the official CBS SURVIVOR site for the complete list of castaways.
Looking for your PRISON BREAK fix before tommorrow’s big season 2 premiere. THE NEW YORK TIMES has a great article previewing season 2. Only Bellick could get away with comparing PRISON BREAK to ‘Finding Nemo’. Here’s a comparison I never thought I’d hear:
“I think it’s like ‘Finding Nemo, You know, when they all escape from the aquarium and they really are fish out of water.”
To read the article in its entirety, click here.
Today’s NYTIMES has a great article that reveals how hit TV shows are predicted, by measuring media and internet buzz. The Consumer Experience Practice, part of the Interpublic Group of Companies has been putting out a report for the past three years that previews more than two dozen new series being aired this fall, helping media buyers and companies choose where to spend their advertising dollars wisely. Some highlights of the report include:
Of the five new shows that consumers were discussing most often online in May and June, according to the report, four will be on NBC: “Heroes,” ranked first; “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” second; “30 Rock,” fourth; and “Friday Night Lights,” fifth.
Of the five new shows the report says were being discussed least often online in May and June, two will be on Fox — “Happy Hour,” 25th, and “Standoff,” 26th — and three will be on ABC: “Notes from the Underbelly,” No. 22; “Big Day,” No. 23; and “Help Me Help You,” No. 24.
Though the report seems to have picked some pretty obvious winners this fall (Studio 60, Heroes, really going out on a limb there!), it should be noted that last year, the report did identify COMMANDER IN CHIEF and THRESHOLD as winners. Fans of both shows know all to well that the only way they’ll see those shows again is if they go out and buy the DVD sets of the ‘complete’ series.
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