Are The TV Networks Actually Getting It?

Fresh off the news that my beloved Chuck has been renewed, albeit for a 13 episode pick up with possible cast cuts, I wonder if TV execs are finally taking things like DVRs and online viewing into account.  So many TV shows that were thought to be dead in the water are coming back and I’m thrilled.  I don’t know if it comes down to lack of anything better to air, actually recognizing quality, or considering the new media or a combination of all three, but I’m thankful.

Some of the shows that are returning, much to the surprise of TV media are Chuck, Dollhouse, my Friday Night Lights (for 2 years!), Better Off Ted, Scrubs…there are even reports that they’re thinking of bringing back Reaper.  In that case I’m sure it’s just the network having nothing better to air, it’s the CW after all.  But still, that’s the station that canceled my beloved Veronica Mars (no, I will never forgive them) that had more viewers than their current much hyped but not much watched Gossip Girl.

Friday Night Lights, recognized as a quality show with a small audience, gets to stay around thanks to a partnership with Direct TV.  They get to air new episodes first while us cable watchers wait impatiently til January to see the show, but you know what?  I don’t care as long as it keeps those beloved characters in my life.  When Zach appeared in the Grey’s finale, I kept watching him and saying, “My Matt” even though he was playing an army guy who wanted his leg cut off to return to Iraq.  So happy!

I think Dollhouse got another 13 episode order, which should give them time to either build a fan base or give us more of a wrap on the story.  I enjoyed this show and it got stronger toward the end.  I’m interested to see where they’ll take it and I’m glad Joss got a renewal.

Castle is another show being brought back, which thrills me.  Ratings had gone down but it’s a quality program with great cast and chemistry.  The show left on a pretty good “What’s he going to say?” moment and I’m glad we’ll get answers there as well.  That’s the problem, so many shows get cut dead without a proper ending, it just stinks.

I’m usually ready and willing to bash on TV execs for cutting off quality program before it’s time and there are some shows that got the axe this year undeservedly (farewell my Dirty Sexy Money) but more are coming back this year than expected.  For that I am grateful.  Now if they can only manage to start measuring things like DVR recordings and online viewing, maybe they’ll actually have a feel for what people are watching.  I just wanted to celebrate a couple wins this year, cause usually I don’t get em.  Thanks TV peeps, I won’t eviscerate you for a month or two at least!  🙂

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TV Roundup

I’m not really in the mood to do a whole FNL post today, so I thought I’d chat about it and a few other shows all together.  Combination post!  Before I tackle FNL, I have to address the show that I should be writing about now but I won’t and I must let it be known why.

American Idol

Yep, the only reality show I watch on a consistent basis is American Idol.  It’s one of my little shameful secrets that’s not so secret I guess, since I started writing about it last year.  But this year I refuse to write anymore than I am writing here until Tatiana, also known as the most annoying contestant ever, is off the show.  I have no earthly idea why they are keeping her around, her vocal talent is minimal and her annoyance factor is off the charts.  Which, of course, is actually why they are keeping her around.  Look at the drama queen lose her shit week in and week out!  Whoo hoo.  This bitch is worse  than Sanjaya and that chick that sounded like Fran Drescher combined.  I didn’t think it was possible, but it is.  And she’s gotten more air time than any of the actual talented contestants on the show this year, of which there are appear to be many.  Not that I know.  I have officially stopped watching the show until I hear that Drama Queen is gone.  I made this vow a couple of places but I make it here on my own blog so I can be sure that everyone knows just how done I am.  Guess I’m back to watching that insipid 90210 on Tuesday nights.   Even that is better than Tatiana.

Dollhouse

I watched Joss Whedon’s new show, Dollhouse, this morning and I really liked it.  Eliza Dushku was great as Echo, I felt drawn to her right away and sympathetic to her loss of an actual life.  I’m very curious as to what she did to get in trouble and have to serve her time.  I’m intrigued by the little flashes of memory she’s having and the FBI agent who knows too much.  I thought the assignment of saving the kidnapped girl was effective but disturbing at the same time; them implanting a memory or her having been abused worked but was awful.  I like her conflicted handler and imagine he will be instrumental to her possibly regaining more memories down the road.  I’ll be coming back for more.

Friday Night Lights

This was the first Friday Night Lights episode this season that really didn’t touch me.  It was a good episode, don’t get me wrong, but I wasn’t feeling it the way I have the rest of them so far.  It could be because I missed my Smash!  Matt officially lost the starting QB job, which was not a surprise at all.  He was angry about it but Coach wouldn’t let him quit the team.  It gave him a little bonding moment with his mom, who of course wanted to come see him play for the first time.  Maybe a bridge will be gapped there and Matt will find a little happiness.  He deserves it!

The Taylors were busy having fits over Julie getting a tiny tattoo on her ankle.  It was quite over the top, I thought.  Tammy was going to force her to get it removed but instead she told her about how she nearly dropped out of school and Coach was the guy who kept her from being stupid.  Um…okay.  I guess she thinks Tyra is leading Julie down a bad path but she’s clearly not, and getting a tattoo is not quite on par with dropping out of school either.  I thought it was a bit overdone really.

This week saw the return of Jason Street.  We got to see his adorable little baby and that he’s splitting time with the mother when it comes to raising the baby.  He’s desperate to make enough money so that he and the mom can maybe get a place and raise the kid together, but she doesn’t seem too enthused about the idea.  Jason was desperate enough to go into business with his wheelchair buddy and the Riggins boys, which is a very big sign of desperation.  They decided to buy Buddy’s house and flip it, which isn’t very bright in this economy.  Hijinks with the Riggins ensue but eventually they have the cash and Buddy won’t sell.  Jason talked him into it, because Buddy actually liked him, but Baby Momma informs him that she’s taking the kid and moving in with her parents in New York or something.

Tyra is falling harder for Cowboy Cash and skipping school and getting subpar grades on tests, which is part of what freaked Tammy out I imagine.  They had a nice talk but Tyra more or less told her that Cash is good for her.  Tyra is quite wrong but of course she’ll find that out down the road, possibly as soon as next week because some woman shows up demanding her child support.

Grey’s Anatomy

The Grey’s Anatomy/Private Practice crossover episode finally kicked into gear this week, with Sam, Naomi and Addison all descending upon Sacred Heart to get her brother, Archer fixed.  McDreamy managed to get the worms out of his brain (SO GROSS) and Archer will be just fine.  Of course, McDreamy’s other patient, a pregnant woman, was getting sick and it turned out to be her baby making her sick.  Thankfully Addy was on hand to work her magic on the baby.  Mother and child were fine but it looks like she’s having another aneurysm and next week more drama ensues.  I enjoyed the interaction between Sam & Bailey and loved Christina/Military Docs side story.  I don’t care that much about the PP stuff, some mom went psycho and tried to kill her baby.  It was not fun.  That’s about where I was with that.  I more or less stopped watching that show and am only watching now for the Grey’s part.

Psych

I have yet to write about this show but I love it to an amazing degree.  Shawn’s wisecracking humor speaks directly to my own and I adore watching him and Gus have their bromance weekly.  Best friendship on TV I think!  This weeks episode featured cameos by 80’s stars Mackenzie Astin and Justine Bateman, so of course bonus points for that.  Mac, playing Jason, invites Shawn and Gus to his camp to find a missing counselor.  Turns out that he’s playing a joke on Shawn and Gus is in on it, but a janitor turns up dead and they have to investigate that.  While I’m not so much on the potential Shawn/Juliet romance I did love that she got to save him by shooting the killer in the hand.  Shawn’s “that was hot” reaction was pretty cute.

On the sad side, Lassiter met with his estranged wife, Justine Bateman, and he thought they were getting back together.  She served him with divorce papers.  I’m not sure why that got put in this episode, it was totally separate, but I felt for dear Lassie and hope Shawn doesn’t get on his nerves too badly next episode.  Sadly, it’s the season finale, but hopefully the show will come back in summer.  USA has weird scheduling for their shows.

Supernatural

I don’t have a lot to say here but I’m very disturbed that SN is repeats for the next 4 weeks or so.  I get that March is sweeps now but you couldn’t throw us at least one new episode?  4 weeks without new Dean?  Very traumatic.  I just had to whine about it cause I already miss my boy!

That’s the big stuff on my mind TV wise this week, I’ll be back to post on Heroes Tuesday.  Til then, enjoy your Valentine’s Day, those with or without significant others.  I saw He’s Just Not That Into You, I felt that it suited the day nicely!

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