tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post6985956656987019294..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Which current shows will get picked up? My speculation.By Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-8417965236681500092014-12-28T03:46:59.972-08:002014-12-28T03:46:59.972-08:00Got a lot to choose and you have presented the sho...Got a lot to choose and you have presented the shows thoroughly. Good luck to all shows. sammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00520512837398419410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66573419711174652392012-05-03T12:34:51.314-07:002012-05-03T12:34:51.314-07:00Is it too hard for NBC to bring Bill Cosby back to...Is it too hard for NBC to bring Bill Cosby back to make a show for them. Maybe even a drama centered around a police shooting and some pound cake, invested by Det Shaniqua Mohammed.Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-49402724474708492552012-05-03T06:57:24.529-07:002012-05-03T06:57:24.529-07:00You may have answered this before -when do writers...You may have answered this before -when do writers/producers know when to end a show? For example, Two and a 1/2 men? What were they thinking when they made the Alan character such a buffoon? And the son so one dimensional? <br /><br />SaraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66476413746584708242012-05-03T00:11:33.009-07:002012-05-03T00:11:33.009-07:00I'm bummed about "Last Man Standing"...I'm bummed about "Last Man Standing" and "The Finder."<br /><br /><br />"Last Man Standing" is one of the only traditional sitcoms on the air that is actually funny. The writing is always sharp and clever and the cast is terrific. It could be ABC's "Everybody Loves Raymond" if they only give it some time. <br /><br />Surprised you called "The Finder" a procedural. It's anything but. In fact, it's the "anti-procedural." It's a genuinely original and quirky show with great writing and a wonderful cast. AND it's really, really FUNNY and I mean laugh out loud funny. Fox needs to move it away from Idol because it's not the same audience. It would be very foolish of Fox to cancel such an original show without letting it find its audience.Michael Zandnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-31550306278548195612012-05-02T20:40:53.505-07:002012-05-02T20:40:53.505-07:00Joe Bash made someone's list!- amazing Boyle a...Joe Bash made someone's list!- amazing Boyle and sexy Mathews. SONS OF TUCSON, ALIENS IN AMERICA, TERRIERS and most of all THE GOOD GUYSSpokebreakernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-36419478097165558502012-05-02T15:30:04.931-07:002012-05-02T15:30:04.931-07:00I'm sure some people agree with you, Cadav, ab...I'm sure some people agree with you, Cadav, about <i>Studio 60</i>, but not "Lots" of people. I can think of three, no, two, well, one, but as he's my publisher, his vote counts thrice. But I saw every episode, and I never saw one I didn't basically hate. It was the <i>Smash</i> of five years ago.<br /><br />Contrary-wise, I know few who like <i>Harry's Law</i>, but I do.D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-32422519780020169732012-05-02T14:58:43.663-07:002012-05-02T14:58:43.663-07:00Years ago there was a great show called Open All ...Years ago there was a great show called Open All Night. I went to the John during a commercial and it was gone by the time I got back. ever here of that show Ken?petrillihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17889489779105405703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-24238104584710274142012-05-02T11:02:26.321-07:002012-05-02T11:02:26.321-07:00McEwan: Everybody's entitled to their opinion,...McEwan: Everybody's entitled to their opinion, of course, and I can't deny that the second half of STUDIO 60's season--when it was clear NBC had given up on it--suffered a bit. But the three-part opener, the two-parter with John Goodman (which won him an Emmy), and the Eli Wallach episode were, IMHO, as good as TV gets. In fact, at a movie night at a friend's house last year, I brought along the Wallach episode and insisted everyone watch it. Despite having no prior knowledge of the show, they were all caught up in it immediately, and afterwards several said that they'd go out and buy the DVD the next day. You think it's terrible; so do other people. But a lot of folks agree with me that it was remarkable.cadavranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-44304174869768534692012-05-02T10:58:36.837-07:002012-05-02T10:58:36.837-07:00I partially agree with David Baruffi. I don't...I partially agree with David Baruffi. I don't think "Whitney" is a modern folk classic, but it seems to have started as a "Whitney's friends will find this funny" show to a funnier show. Also, Chris D'Elia is quite funny. Take a look at this scene for evidence: http://bit.ly/IUmPdN<br /><br />The issue I have with Whitney Cummings acting is this: If you notice the expression on her face at the end of the clip, that is roughly the same face that she uses throughout the show. Lessons would help and as much as she is lambasted on this blog, Roseanne's behavior on-set may or may not have improved over time, but her acting did. I don't know if it merits having her cast next to Meryl Streep, but I am not writing any checks.<br /><br />I don't think "Fringe" is terrible, but it does have a rather large buy-in at the beginning of the show. If you don't watch it in some kind of order, it is an expensive parade of horror, bald guys and glyphs. One either likes it or doesn't.<br /><br />It was my wife's idea to buy the "Studio 60..." DVD and I have a higher opinion of it than I did when I first saw it. Heck, John Goodman FINALLY got an Emmy for some of his work, long overdue, because of it, even though I didn't like his role! S60OTSS made a big mistake (says the guy who has written nothing that has been broadcast) in showing the show-within-a-show for any length of time. The pilot showed it, to show how bad things had gotten, but then it showed the opening to the "improved" version that, to me, wasn't funny.<br /><br />For shows that were gone too soon:<br />Frank's Place, Better Off Ted (watch it on Netflix) and any show called Mr. Sunshine. I liked the version with Jeffrey Tambor about a blind professor and I liked the Matthew Perry vehicle, which didn't start out as well as, say, Modern Family, but it was on surer footing than "Whitney".Brian Phillipshttp://ultrasonicremote.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-59774780065793012642012-05-02T07:13:26.084-07:002012-05-02T07:13:26.084-07:00Community is unique in that it jumps the shark eve...Community is unique in that it jumps the shark every goddamned episode! After it's cancelled, Harmon should hire himself out as a jump-the-shark consultant for other drowning shows. <br />He's like "Dexter." He's good at something that's bad!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-55615526766008723072012-05-02T05:56:49.381-07:002012-05-02T05:56:49.381-07:00Friday question: While looking at the first seaso...Friday question: While looking at the first season of "Wings" on Netflix, I noticed that one of the producers was Roz Doyle, which, of course, is the same name of Peri Gilpin's character on "Frasier". I know you have mentioned how other characters in other shows have gotten named. Are there any other stories as to how the characters on "Frasier" were named? I seem to recall from Kelsey Grammer's autobiography that he balked at whatever the original name of his character.Brian Phillipshttp://ultrasonicremote.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19660600644074458552012-05-02T05:27:29.521-07:002012-05-02T05:27:29.521-07:00Your line about AWAKE made me laugh. You're fu...Your line about AWAKE made me laugh. You're funny! You should write comedy for a living.Bill Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00231144346597143968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-89766533881851487222012-05-02T05:00:37.732-07:002012-05-02T05:00:37.732-07:00They better renew JUSTIFIED or I may go all Raylan...They better renew JUSTIFIED or I may go all Raylan Givens on them...emilynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-30913002428307528412012-05-02T00:43:30.821-07:002012-05-02T00:43:30.821-07:00I have had to spend time in Europe over the pasty ...I have had to spend time in Europe over the pasty years, I've noticed on German TV what used to be a process of waiting to get an American sitcom (usually years later) is now more or less half a season difference, even though it isn't clear the sitcom is a serious hit. So in the old example it would be Becker still runs as does Frasier etc... But I'm talking that sitcom with Zoe Deschanel for example, already in German?? So I wonder if already early on licensing these "hits" off to Europe helps to keep them alive in the U.S. market.A_Homernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-17288242362367728052012-05-02T00:23:27.444-07:002012-05-02T00:23:27.444-07:00If you're NBC and *nothing* is getting ratings...If you're NBC and *nothing* is getting ratings, you might as well make a few bucks by holding onto Parks & Recreation and Community until they hit the syndication jackpot. P&R is wrapping up S4 and Community is wrapping up S3, so they're both pretty close already.<br /><br />Also, perhaps more to the point, if you're NBC and *nothing* is getting ratings, why try to start again from scratch with yet another brand new show? At least Community/P&R have a small but passionate audience who will watch no matter what, whereas a new show won't even have that audience.Question Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00267485396018087075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82348906598688192642012-05-01T23:45:48.679-07:002012-05-01T23:45:48.679-07:00Again, the winds could change and BENT anchors a n...<i> Again, the winds could change and BENT anchors a night while BIG BANG THEORY gets canceled.</i><br /><br /><i>The Big Bang Theory</i> is locked in through season 7.Rory L. Aronskyhttp://scrapsofliteracy.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-20594526846004756172012-05-01T23:41:18.035-07:002012-05-01T23:41:18.035-07:00You know, I understand the "Whitney" jok...You know, I understand the "Whitney" jokes, but it did get better as it went along. It's kinda got a second-tier "Mad About You" thing going for it. Don't get me wrong, it's not really worth watching, except when it was compared to what else was on, but still, me having to say that shows just how bad network TV has become. I mean, who the hell are these people saving shows like "Chuck" or "Fringe" or crap like that. Those shows sucked! Why are we saving these shows that nobody's gonna remember two years from now, much less five or ten. It's frustrating; it's shouldn't be this hard to find go TV, and nobody's watching it when it's on. You know what, good for NBC for sticking with shows like "30 Rock," "The Office," "Parks and Recreation," etc. despite bad ratings. At least they're making an effort to keep good shows. Yeah, they have to keep on "The Biggest Loser," crap too, but you know, I get the trade-off. Hell, I like "Smash". I wish Aaron Sorkin would write some of the dialogue once in a while, but other than that it's good, dramatic, and frankly different from everything else, including from "Glee". It's actually got characters I can believe actually exist. I'm tired of procedurals for procedurals sake, I'm tired of fantasy for fantasy sake, I'm tired of combining the two just to combine them, and I'm tired of trying to force myself to laugh at "New Girl", without also feeling queezy. I swear, TV used to not suck so bad. Even when we they used to label the crap shows, "TGIF", it was better than some of this junk. Thank God for "Dont Trust the B----...", you're right, that show is funny as hell. Practically everything else on ABC makes me start thinking things like, "Maybe 'Family Matters' wasn't as bad as I thought." Agh! I want good TV! Yeah, I wish I had cable, but still, I used to be able to find it without having to pay for the channels.David Baruffihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09554779573559438331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-44479391403067239292012-05-01T23:03:24.090-07:002012-05-01T23:03:24.090-07:00Two shows that bit the dust early and made me hate...Two shows that bit the dust early and made me hate anyone who lives within 100 miles of Hollywood were...<br /><br />The Texas Wheelers - back in the prehistoric seventies. Jack Elam and his sons Gary Busey and Mark Hamill.<br /><br />John From Cincinnati - all my favorite things, surfing, God, David Milch, surfing, Dayton Callie, Keala Kennelly, surfing. Great, great, great cast and love it or hate it, a story somebody actually thought about.The Milner Coupehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04615531012474374223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-46637497566953000792012-05-01T21:49:03.312-07:002012-05-01T21:49:03.312-07:00I would never call the cancellation of Studio 60 &...I would never call the cancellation of <i>Studio 60</i> "unjust" or "early." It was terrible.<br /><br />I hope you're right about <i>Harry's Law</i>, as I enjoy it, but then, I'm over 50, in fact, over 60, so to the networks, I don't count.D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68305824455303159532012-05-01T21:31:45.710-07:002012-05-01T21:31:45.710-07:00Rooting for Happy Endings - it's hysterical!
...Rooting for Happy Endings - it's hysterical!<br /><br />Smash and Scandal are so ridiculous (the latter moreso than the other) - and they're my guilty pleasures!<br /><br />Don't care for much else out there.<br /><br />Thanks for the really funny rundown, Ken!R's Womannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-36082866344068417592012-05-01T19:47:10.277-07:002012-05-01T19:47:10.277-07:00I wouldn't write off HARRY'S LAW just yet....I wouldn't write off HARRY'S LAW just yet. It's NBC's highest-rated scripted show in total viewers (granted, they're mostly over 50, but still), has already won one Emmy, and like all Kelley shows, does extremely well with folks with the highest per-capita income (granted, they're mostly over 50, but still). NBC's bench is still extremely weak, so I don't think they'll toss it without really giving it some thought. To a lesser extent, this is also true of UNFORGETTABLE, but if CBS does cancel it, I can see NBC snapping it up--though with my luck, they'd probably cancel HARRY'S LAW to make room for it.<br /><br />I also think ROB could survive. Its ratings were quite good, and as the first network sitcom with a largely Latino cast since Lopez' show went off years ago, I don't think CBS wants the backlash.<br /><br />Most unjust early cancellations (modern era): STUDIO 60, BRISCO COUNTY JR. and OUT OF PRACTICE.cadavranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-83327471263496606602012-05-01T19:22:24.681-07:002012-05-01T19:22:24.681-07:00You ruined my day, Ken. I had no idea my beloved ...You ruined my day, Ken. I had no idea my beloved PARKS & REC was in peril. Now I'm anxious. It better be coming back, NBC!cshelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-18084398014823364322012-05-01T18:12:55.066-07:002012-05-01T18:12:55.066-07:00I have nightmares of NBC cancelling "Awake&qu...I have nightmares of NBC cancelling "Awake" and renewing "Whitney". <br /><br />I'm surprised at how much "Last Man Standing" has improved after that awful pilot. Nancy Travis was really funny tonight. I think it will be renewed. <br /><br />"Rob" had a decent cast but wretched writing. <br /><br />Too-quick cancellations: George & Leo, Almost Perfect, Mr. Sunshine (with Jeffrey Tambor), Joe Bash (with Peter Boyle), Brooklyn South.71dudenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-14533180712549119612012-05-01T18:01:33.831-07:002012-05-01T18:01:33.831-07:00Sadly and inexplicably, Kevin, Hawaii Five-0 const...Sadly and inexplicably, Kevin, <i>Hawaii Five-0</i> constitutes a solid hit and has already been renewed. I gave up on it after about 4 identical episodes.<br /><br />Phillipo B, I have to agree with you about <i>Buffalo Bill</i>. I loved that poor, doomed show.<br /><br />Jack Davanport is so annoying on <i>Smash</i> (When will he hit on Agelica Houston?) that last week I had to rewatch <i>The Talented Mr. Ripley</i> to remind myself why I like him. Of course, rewatching <i>The talented Mr. Ripley</i> is hardly a tiresome chore. More like a great couple of hours.D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-11365804774298107182012-05-01T16:46:28.741-07:002012-05-01T16:46:28.741-07:00I can't believe there's a chance Parks &am...I can't believe there's a chance Parks & Rec could get canceled and Whitney survives, I loathe seeing her again in those obnoxious promos trying to be seductive. F*ck her!<br /><br />What about Hawaii Five-O? Are people still watching that? Tonight's episode is an extra special double dose of shitty acting.Kevin Jqnoreply@blogger.com