Too Much TV

Poll Results: Anticipated New Show and Returning Shows

2008-09-06T06:22:00.006+08:00

The results of the polls are in...

It seems a lot of you are awaiting Fringe. I am, too.

And it looks like you can't wait for Heroes' return. I'm gonna have to round up a few things/spoilers about Heroes before the premiere then.

New poll up for Best TV Series at the Emmys. Check on the right sidebar --->

The poll will run for 15 days.

Hee.

2008-09-05T07:10:00.000+08:00

Today I turn 35.

TV Round Up: Casting Gossip among other things...

2008-09-05T04:17:00.002+08:00

I've been doing a marathon of Australian Idol the last two days. It's sooooo much what I've expected it to be. I wish the whole world could see the talent they have down under.

Anyway, let's round up this week's TV news, yeah?

Check out Dollhouse's blog.

Speaking of blogs, are you a fan of Reaper? I didn't know Brett Harrison was also into blogging. The show is still coming back as mid-season replacement. If you want to catch up, Star World will begin airing Season 1 by end of September if I'm not mistaken.

Rich and famous on TV: The good and the bad side.

Miss Piggy is coming back to TV!!! I'm so excited.

Don LaFontaine Dies at 68. You may not know him but his voice is very familiar to you. He's the one doing all those movie trailers and TV teasers.

Blake Lively and Leighton Meister will be on 30 Rock. Oprah will be on 30 Rock. And you probably know about Jennifer Aniston's guest appearance (video preview). Seems 30 Rock is the show to be in if you're moonlighting as a guest TV star.

Jodie Foster is the voice of big girl Maggie on The Simpson's.

Brothers and Sisters scoopage --- Ryan will seek Becca's advice. Justin will not be all brotherly towards him. The green eyed monster lurks.

The Top 10 best Pilot episodes ever. Watched most of it, except #6 and #8. No Battlestar Galactica pilot? It was the shittest (mean that in the most positive way!) from the soundtrack alone.

Sarah Palin is Karen Walker (Will and Grace). Haha!

And oh...did you know there's a new cable channel on Destiny? It's called C/S Origins, a spin off of Crime Suspense. It's exclusive to Destiny only and since I'm on Sky Cable, it sucks that we're not getting it. :P

I haven't seen The Sheild's first episode this week yet. Maybe this weekend.

Have a good one!

Wonder Years, the 80's version, is in development

2008-09-04T06:34:00.005+08:00

Not so sure how I'm taking this news. But NBC is planning to do a show similarly formatted to The Wonder Years. It will be set in the 80's (TWY was set in the 60's).

The show will be tentatively titled "Lost in the '80s."

Am an 80's kid...so right there, this one has ME for an audience. But to pattern after Wonder Years, a show near and dear to me....and to a lot of people? I'm taking a Let's-Wait-and-See stance.

NBC is getting "Lost in the '80s."

The network has handed a director-contingent pilot order to an hourlong project from "The Wonder Years" writer-producer Bob Brush.

The project, produced by Sony Pictures TV and studio-based Tantamount, is described as "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" meets "The Ice Storm."

It is considered an '80s version of "Wonder Years," the half-hour dramedy set 20 years prior that tackled the social issues and historic events of the late '60s through the eyes of teen Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage).

Brush won an Emmy and a Humanitas Prize for his writing duties on "Wonder Years," which aired on ABC for six seasons.

Brush is executive producing "Lost in the '80s" with Tantamount's Eric Tannenbaum, Kim Tannenbaum and Mitch Hurwitz.

His series credits include ABC's "Karen Sisco" and CBS' "Early Edition."

NBC already is riding the '80s wave with its sequel to "Knight Rider" and its revival of "American Gladiators." | THR

David Schwimmer, pre-Friends, was a part of The Wonder Years.And now, I wish there was a way I could watch this all over again. Is there? The DVDs aren't out but I haven't checked online...I probably should. But can some cable channel get this classic favorite on syndication please?

Do you know this guy?

2008-09-04T06:24:00.003+08:00

He says he isn't going to come back to 90210.

Not ever.

Maybe he's starring in the TV series Cavemen? Oh wait, that show's been axed.

I cannot explain the beard.

TV Ratings [09.02.08]

2008-09-04T05:59:00.005+08:00

To borrow Gossip Girl's promo tagline, this really is OMFG. The 2-hour premiere of 90210 is CW's highest rated debut. Ever. It has outperformed pilot debuts of past CW shows like The O.C., Dawson's Creek, Gilmore Girls and Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

My gosh, buzzing about it as early as February actually worked!

Here's the complete rundown:

8:00 Block
America’s Got Talent NBC 10.1 M
NCIS (Repeat) CBS 8.0 M
House (Repeat) Fox 6.4 M
Wipeout (Repeat) ABC 5.9 M
90210 The CW 4.7 M

9:00 Block
America’s Got Talent NBC 11.1 M
Big Brother CBS 6.5 M
House (Repeat) Fox 6.4 M
90210 The CW 5.1 M
Wanna Bet ABC 3.9 M

CW is on a roll, it really is trying to outlast itself. Gossip Girl had its record breaking ratings yesterday. Now this. Is this network finally saved? I'm curious about the following week's ratings.

Source: Nielsen

Fast tracking Australian Idol Season 6 is making me dizzy!

2008-09-03T23:35:00.007+08:00

The new season of Australian Idol (6) is making me very exhausted. They changed the format. It's both good and bad. Good for the show, bad for this viewer (who wasn't able to follow the episodes as soon as it aired).

Let's see if I got this right ---

The audition rounds were shown for one hour every night the other week. This equalled to 6 episodes on the first week.
The Sydney rounds (equivalent to the Hollywood round) aired immediately a day after the audition round, making this the 7th episode. They also revealed the Top 24 during this episode.
The heats (or the group rounds) are coming up this week, which technically is just the second week of AusIdol's sixth season run.

In fact, they've already chosen their first two finalists today. Or four...I've lost count because everything is happening so fast. And guess how many episodes I've seen so far? FOUR! Out of 9 (and counting) I have to follow! In two weeks of AusIdol!!!

It bothers me I have so many backlogs for this show!

On the other hand, speeding this up means we're getting down to the actual talent competition really fast. The Top 12 heats is going to start Sept. 14 already...AusIdol is wasting no time. And it's not making viewers sit through all those bad auditions that takes a month and a half for American Idol to do. And AusIdol will go back to the weekly format by this time. Whew. At least I can take a break.

The one other thing they've changed this year is the manner in which viewers get to vote off a contestant:

... once announced the bottom 3 of the week, the voting line will be opened again for voting for the people who are in the bottom 3, in order to save the best 2 out of the 3 and keep the best singer in the competition.

It is what New Zealand and Bulgarian Idol are supposedly doing, per Wiki. It does make sense, doesn't it? Something to think about, Pinoy Idol....

Anyway...

I don't know if it's because I've marathoned four episodes at once tonight...but it seems I don't have an early pick for favorite yet. I've heard good singers and seen bad ones yet I've forgotten who they are now!

So...am torn.

I don't like having to catch up and seeing the episodes pile up. This is the kind of show I wanna watch as soon as it happens.

But evidently, it's all going to mellow out in two weeks time and really, that's when the fun starts.

Is the change good or bad?

Does it matter? I'm gonna keep watching anyway.

I just answered my own stupid question.

9021-nu-uh!

2008-09-03T22:52:00.004+08:00

So I did say I was going to watch the pilot episode of 90210 just to see how Brenda and Kelly are doing. Saw it. Now over it.

There's so many things I feel sorry for about this show. But I'm just going to mention one --- Jessica Walters. Find this woman a better show! I'm checking out Privileged when it premieres next week and here I am thinking --- can she also play Grandma on that one instead? She would be so much fun playing Grandma to the lead character there.

Anyway, to be fair.... 90210 of the 90's wasn't exactly the best thing on television the year it came out. The pilot episode then was just as uneven, maybe even worse. And that one lasted 10 friggin years!

Maybe this new version has hope.

Maybe not.

The only thing I know for sure --- I'm not sticking around to find out if it will last even 10 months.

Jennifer Aniston plays a crazy woman on 30 Rock

2008-09-03T05:08:00.002+08:00

Last week, the buzz was Jennifer Aniston is returning to NBC via a guest stint on 30 Rock but it still wasn't clear what her role is.

Well, here's the scoop --- She's not playing herself, thankfully. She is playing a woman who will "rock Jack Donaghy's world".

My well-informed sources say Aniston plays Liz and Jenna's old roommate from Chicago, who pays them a visit in the Big Apple. She's a free spirit who loves to party and isn't opposed to sleeping around. In fact, a certain slick, Republican 30 Rocker will catch her eye.

Word is, their "relationship" won't be the healthiest, as Donaghy gets addicted to Aniston's character, and she becomes a total psycho... much to poor Liz Lemon's disapproving chagrin. | Korbi

Crazy Jen? That I want to see!

30 Rock premieres its third season on October 30th.

Grey's Anatomy: Who is the liar?

2008-09-03T04:15:00.001+08:00

Not Shonda Rhimes. Hopefully...

This video rocked the world of Grey's Anatomy and its fans the other day. It had Rose telling Derek she was pregnant with his baby.

Fans of the series have been breaking down and analyzing this video all the while taking note that Shonda Rhimes, Grey's Anatomy's showrunner, may have been lying about Meredith and Derek finally getting their happy ending when she mentioned this at interviews.

But according to E! It's actually Rose who is lying through her teeth.

My sources tell me that the promo posted above is just plain old pointless torture, because Rose is lying through her pretty white teeth when she tells Derek that she's having his baby.

Now, why is she lying, and could she get away with it? That remains to be seen, but I can tell you that "Thorn" is just about done causing trouble for Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek, because the two-hour season premiere (airing Sept. 25 on ABC at 9 p.m.) is apparently Lauren Stamile's final appearance with the show.| E!

Rose is going to have quite an exit, doesn't she? If this is the case, then her character will leave the show with lots of MerDer fans booing behind her. Poor Lauren Stamile.

What this whole thing doesn't answer though is ---- was that Derek on the stretcher? Was he in an accident? Is that why Meredith was screaming and crying? Was that really Mer?

TV Ratings [09.01.08]

2008-09-03T04:00:00.006+08:00

Did Gossip Girl finally manage to find an audience during its TV broadcast? In spite of its popularity among the younger demographic, the show is having ratings problems. No one is watching it during the actual broadcast. Instead, people are catching it online or via DVR.

Here's how the shows ranked during September 1st's airing:

8:00 Block
Deal Or No Deal NBC 10.9 M
Prison Break Fox 6.2 M
The Big Bang Theory (Repeat) CBS 4.7 M
How I Met Your Mother (Repeat) CBS 4.7 M
Gossip Girl The CW 3.4 M
High School Musical ABC 2.2 M

9:00 Block
Two And A Half Men (Repeat) CBS 7.9 M
America’s Toughest Jobs NBC 7.3 M
Prison Break Fox 6.6 M
New Adventures Of Old Christine (Repeat) CBS 6.0 M
One Tree Hill The CW 3.1 M
Samantha Who? (Repeat) ABC 2.2 M

Shows from CW did better than expected. Gossip Girl ends up having its best ratings since it premiered last year. But since it's still the first week, the numbers don't mean anything yet.

Source: Nielsen

Can you spot Waldo in this photo?

2008-09-02T07:32:00.006+08:00

This year's Emmy is going to be celebrated in a BIIG way. After all, the awards organization is now on its 60th year. We're supposed to expect TV stars of yesterday making their appearance.

Among the segments I shall be looking forward to this year is the compilation of TV's Best Lines for the last 60 years. I cannot think of one particular line I'd like to hear but I'd be really overjoyed if something from Friends makes it to the list. I'm thinking, "We were on a break!" is now a classic and easily identifiable to that show.

What favorite lines from Television are you expecting to hear/watch at the Emmy's culmination program?

I think I'll enjoy watching Privileged...

2008-09-01T09:35:00.005+08:00

I have forgotten to let you know about this new show Privileged. It was originally called Surviving The Filthy Rich and it bore no interest to me then.

But after watching the trailer, I think it's going to be my Samantha Who? this season, in that I expect little from the show but I could end up liking it very much.

Privileged also has a bit of that Cinderella-story element I love. If you watch the trailer, you'll know what I mean:

Youtube it up and you'll see tons of 5 minute previews. I'll wait to watch the whole episode when the series premieres next week, Sept.9th.

Watching for the first time: Dawson's Creek

2008-08-31T19:35:00.005+08:00

So, when I thought of watching one or two episodes of several TV shows yesterday, guess which one stood out the most? Dawson's Creek!

I can't believe how good this is!

Where was I when this show was on TV? Oh, wait...yes, I was taking care of a baby!

So, it had been that long!?

That was Katie Holmes? She was adorable in that program...what happened to her?

I've decided to watch its first season today. Not sure if I can finish all of it, but I'll take what I can.

Any fans of this show out there? What did you love about this series?

The last weekend till everything else gets crazy...

2008-08-30T17:16:00.004+08:00

You know what I'm doing today until Sunday evening? I'm watching as much as I can. It's my weekend of free-for-all.

I've chosen to catch up on Alias and then I'm finally checking out Dawson's Creek (which I have not seen before. I know, so late!).

I've just finished three episodes of How Not to Live Your Life (odd British series, I can't say if I liked or disliked it, the lead character is a turd!)

I'm also catching up on Spooks (MI 5), checking out Everwood and Jack and Bobby, while taking a night cap with Friends.

I'm not watching every episode on these shows. That will take me the rest of the year to finish. I'm picking only one or two episodes each. And since that is the case, can you suggest a show I should check out? It's a free-for-all weekend after all.

I don't know why I've chosen to do this the weekend before Fall season kicks in (which by the way, already started when I saw Greek's latest episode for season 2 the other day --- It wasn't monumental but I'm happy it's back.) Perhaps it's my way of preparing for hopefully a good season ahead.

Got everything set up and ready to go after dinner. Whee!

What are you doing this weekend?

Jennifer Aniston to Guest Star on 30Rock

2008-08-30T07:40:00.003+08:00

Wheee! She's coming back to NBC's Thursday block...even for one night only!

Jennifer Aniston is guest starring on Tina Fey's 30 Rock. Last year, David Schwimmer was also a guest on this show, playing the eco-mascot Greenzo (Watch the Video).

The actress is said to be already filming her scenes.

30 Rock is the last show to premiere this fall, coming back to TV on October 30th.

David Duchovny admits he is a sex addict

2008-08-29T09:25:00.004+08:00

Is this some sort of publicity for Californication? Or is this really happening?

David Duchovny, who stars as an oversexed womanizer in this TV series (where he plays his part so effectively in my opinion), is now in rehab. Just minutes ago, his lawyer has released this statement to the press...

"I have voluntarily entered a facility for the treatment of sex addiction. I ask for respect and privacy for my wife and children as we deal with this situation as a family." | Reuters

Duchovny is married to actress Tea Leoni and they have two children together.

Californication is returning on the TV calendar Sept 28th.

So what do you think this is?

TV Round Up: Chuck Season 2, Addison on Grey, Melrose Place, 90210, Veronica Mars and more...

2008-08-29T08:00:00.002+08:00

It's time for another round-up!

Kristin Bell (Veronica Mars) is lending her voice to the Astro Boy movie.

Does David Blaine have a death wish? Is he trying to kill himself?

A Melrose Place reunion, if only for one night.

Kelly Taylor's baby daddy is Dylan McKay? But baby daddy is still firm in his decision he isn't going to appear in the new series.

More TV appearances for Michael Phelps: VMA awards and Entourage (video).

Meet the cast of Survivor Gabon.

Chuck gets a full 22-episode Season 2 order. And the show hasn't even started yet! He's also going to get some. Good one, Chuck!

Addison's back, yet again, on Grey's Anatomy?

Here's a complete summary to those upcoming shows this fall, if you wanna know.

Michael Phelps: First interview on Leno; hosting SNL

2008-08-28T10:22:00.005+08:00

The man of the hour...the man who can swim faster than a dolphin or any of these top 10 fastest fishy-fishies is hosting the season premiere of Saturday Night Live.

Michael Phelps demonstrated his brilliance to the world and became an instant Olympic celebrity at the swimming meets. You cannot have a conversation about the Olympics last week without mentioning Michael Phelps.

And because he's such a hot property right now, everyone's seeing $$$. People swarming around the swimming star are rumored to be trying to get him a book deal, a TV series, or maybe even a movie deal.

And I thought these things only happen in my country!

Now that Michael is back stateside, people are waiting to hear which talk show is going to nab him first. Even Oprah wants a piece of him.

But, it seems NBC is getting all of him before anyone else. Phelps is going to Leno first (airing Sept 8th). And then on Sept 13th he's hosting Saturday Night Live, which technically tests whether he can wow us with skills other than his swimming prowess.

Speaking of Saturday Night Live, have you met their newest member, Bobby Moynihan? Also, watch for Amy Poehler's replacement this season (still unnamed). She is leaving the show since she's going to have her own series soon.

Did you get all that?

My TV is officially back!

2008-08-27T09:06:00.004+08:00

And what this means is... it would be harder for anyone to pry me away from the screen! It also means more eyesore. It also means less sleep. It also means --- I'm really, really, really happy!!!

Australian Idol's sixth season just premiered. Although I can't watch the first three episodes until my husband returns from an OT trip next week. Bleh.

I will, instead, watch new episodes of Greek later.

Early next week, The Shield premieres its last season. But again, can't watch it till the hubs is back. So, in place of that, I will check out the first episode of 90210 and see if it's worth keeping on my list.

I'll also check out Samurai Girl because I love women who can handle swords; and Sons of Anarchy because I love how crazy the word "anarchy" sounds. I can sense this show is going to be butch. (Haven't read any synopsis or what).

For the rest of the schedule this fall season, look up my blog since I've provided a link to the calendar. Or click this.

Fall Season is ON!

Nathan Fillion's Castle

2008-08-27T06:49:00.003+08:00

Whoo! Nathan Fillion is back on TV. Last year, his series, Drive, didn't even survive six airings when it was yanked off the air. He was also on Desperate Housewives last season, but I don't watch that show and didn't even watch it for him. But I'm glad he's back and so much in a better position since --- he's back with his own really interesting show.

Nathan Fillion will star in Castle on ABC. It should be airing next year.

“Castle” is described in the press notes as a comedic crime procedural about a famous mystery novelist, Nick Castle, who has gotten bored with his success. When a real-world copycat murderer starts staging scenes from Nick’s novels, he’s teamed with a female detective, and soon the sparks are flying. Castle is kept grounded by his Broadway diva mother, quick-witted teenage daughter, and his long-suffering ex-wife, who happens to be his editor. It stars Nathan Fillion as Castle, Stana Katic as Det. Kate Beckett, Molly Quinn as Alexis, Susan Sullivan as Martha, Monet Mazur as Gina and Ruben Santiago-Hudson. | LA TIMES

Along with Castle, ABC also has four other new series in line:

the remake of Rob Thomas' Cupid, a love story/comedy
The Unusuals, which is a comedy set in a police district
Better Off Ted, described as a satirical comedy (The Office?)
Single With Parents, starring Alyssa Milano

Let's hope these survive the cut and last longer than one season!

Catch up on Brothers and Sisters!

2008-08-27T06:28:00.009+08:00

This Brothers and Sisters family portrait isn't your regular portrait when it has the second family in there. But I love it and I love this show.

When season 2 ended, we didn't know how the family was going to take the news between Justin and Becca, who turned from brother and sister to boyfriend and girlfriend (coz Becca is not a Walker apparently). Awkward moments?

This preview below is from the upcoming third season. Looks like Becca's still with the family... and that is great news:

And the following is Brothers and Sisters' starter kit. Get caught up with this show in less than five minutes, with Becca telling the story from the beginning:

Looove Pushing Daisies!

2008-08-26T09:25:00.007+08:00

I seldom post any Pushing Daisies TV item here because everything about it is covered on my other blog. But I couldn't help posting this entry now... the new promo photos for season 2 are gorgeous!

I.Love.It!

The show also has a "starter kit" from ABC. It's those 5 minute season recaps I posted earlier today for Eli Stone , Samantha Who and Private Practice. This is for Pushing Daisies:

American Idol gets a new Judge

2008-08-26T06:15:00.005+08:00

So, does this mean American Idol is slowly phasing out Paula?

The big news on TV today is the addition of Kara DioGuardi on American Idol's judging panel. She is EVERYWHERE, rather, the news is EVERYWHERE. Is this a big deal?

"We are turning the heat up on 'Idol' this year and are thrilled to welcome Kara to the judges' table," creator/executive producer Simon Fuller said. "She is a smart, sassy lady, and one of America's most successful songwriters. We know she will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the show."

Added Fox president of alternative Mike Darnell: "For the past seven seasons, Paula has had to endure the experience of being the only woman at the judges' table. She's been as an island of consideration and gentle criticism between Randy and Simon, offering her invaluable expertise as a performer and No. 1 artist to the thousands who have competed on 'Idol.' With Kara by her side, Paula finally has some backup, and now there is going to be a lot more girl power on the show." | THR

Kara DioGuardi is a Grammy nominated composer who has worked with the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Santana, and Pink. She has also worked with the likes of Paris Hilton.

From last season's crop of talents, she was partial to Brooke White but her idol favorite has always been Kelly Clarkson.

The addition of Kara is part of Idol's retooling of the show, which has been on the drawing board since the middle of last season.

Catch up on Samantha Who!

2008-08-26T06:00:00.004+08:00

I have been missing the girls. Really! Samantha, Andrea and Deanna. And even Samantha's mom. I have been missing them. So very glad it's just a matter of weeks before they're back. And Sam's going to have lotsa men in her life this season... how exciting is that?

Get caught up with Samantha Who?'s first season in this video: