Category Archives: Television

RIP Dollhouse

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FOX, those sons of bitches.  First they cancelled Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles after (true, an overall lousy) first season and a spectacular second season.  Now they’ve gone ahead and cancelled Joss Whedon’s cult hit Dollhouse which stars the beautifully talented Eliza Dushku.

I am surprised FOX cancelled this series?  Honestly no, I am not.  The show did have low viewership; that’s what’s often expected when you place a show on a Friday night.  FOX gave Dollhouse a chance when it granted it (and not Terminator) another season last year.  During its first season the show garnered an averaged 14.5 million viewers.  This year it managed to capture an audience of a low 3 million (again, thanks to the move to Friday).

So here’s the plan for the remainder of season 2: The rest of the 13 episode order will air on FOX in December.  Dollhouse will skip over the November sweeps period and will air back-to-back episodes on Fridays nights for three weeks (yes, that means two-hours of Dollhouse each week!) and will complete its run in January in a series finale that the writers say will bring closure to the fans.

Creator (and overall mastermind and known genius) Joss Whedon had this to say after FOX broke the unfortunate news:

“Hmm. Apparently my news is not news.

I don’t have a lot to say. I’m extremely proud of the people I’ve worked with: my star, my staff, my cast, my crew. I feel the show is getting better pretty much every week, and I think you’ll agree in the coming months. I’m grateful that we got to put it on, and then come back and put it on again.

I’m off to pursue internet ventures/binge drinking. Possibly that relaxation thing I’ve read so much about. By the time the last episode airs, you’ll know what my next project is. But for now there’s a lot of work still to be done, and disappointment to bear.

Thank you all for your support, your patience, your excellent adverts. See you again. -j.”

And here’s a note to you, Joss.  It seems like TV series don’t bode so well for you (minus Buffy).  As great and amazing and spectacular as they all are, I think it’s safe to say that your talents lie in the realm of the Internet.  Just take a look at the insane amount of success Dr. Horrible brought  to you and your team.  So…here’s hoping that your “next project” is indeed the sequel to Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.  I need my NHP, Nathon Fillion, Felicia Day, and Groupie fix ASAP.  Oh, and I’m totally looking forward to your directorial debut on Glee.

[Via IGN; EW; here & here]

New Droid commercials finally bring Android into play

Technology, Television, Video, , , , , , , , ,

We’ve already seen the viral iDont and pods falling from space promos.  Now Verizon has decided to take a turn in marketing strategy moving towards more traditional “this is what the product can actually do” commercials.  I mean, what does DroidDoes do does did?  Peek after the break for two more spots that will take over the airwaves “soon.”

[Via Engadget]

Continue reading New Droid commercials finally bring Android into play →

Jemaine Clement talks future of Flight of the Conchords (forecast: gloomy)

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Jemaine Clement of Flight of the Conchords fame has stated that his comedic duo (which also includes Bret McKenzie) “very likely might not” return to HBO for a third season of critically acclaimed and hilarious Flight of the Conchords.  The reason?  Family commitments.  Clement on the matter: “Bret and I are both fathers.  We know if we take on another season, that means we’re not gonna see our family for a year.”  Clement now stars in the movie Gentleman Broncos  and states that starring in a movie is a much different experience than making and starring in a TV series: “Films actually don’t take a lot of time, but TV shows are so fast-paced. Even though they’re both acting, they’re almost totally different jobs.  People think actors wanna move to film because it’s high profile, and I don’t think that’s the reason. I think it’s simply that they have more free time.”  He also adds: “We’ve got to write the series, but we’ve also got to write the songs, and just dividing your time into those two writing tasks is really tricky.”

Though Flight of the Conchords the series might be over, Clement added that “It could come back in a shorter season or like a special.”  It’s also good to know that HBO has left the door open for them to return; HBO spokeswoman Nancy Lesser: “We’ve left their future entirely in their hands. “We would love to have more…”

I’ll take FOTC in any form, whether it be a shorted season, a holiday special, or whatever.  For now, enjoy seasons one & two on DVD and their two studio albums, and let’s look forward to playing some FOTC tracks on Rock Band soon!

[Via NY Mag, here & here; Yahoo]

V premieres with flying colors (and UFOs)

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The series premiere of V captured the attention of 14 million viewers on Tuesday night.  Though CBS’s NCIS: LA debut drew in the largest audience with 18.7 million viewers, V wears the crown having the night’s highest adult 18-49 performance.  In fact, V had the highest rated 8:00pm drama debut on ABC since–you guessed it–Lost.

If you missed the spectacular premiere of V, watch it on Hulu (this Saturday) or download it in HD on iTunes.  In my opinion, the debut of V was one of the most exciting and well written narritives packed in a one-hour package I have in some time.

[Via EW; IGN]

Fall TV season pickups galore

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Oh how much I love it when networks decide to give great TV shows a deserved chance at prolonged success.  And oh do I hate it when they stab us in the back (read: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Pushing Daisies).  Here’s a roundup of some of the great shows that were given “the back nine” and will complete their first seasons with 20+ episodes. (Note: Full season pickups are usually granted to new series; it is assumed that third+ year series will be given full seasons prior to the shows premieres.)

ABC:  FlashForward, Modern Family, Castle

FOX: Glee, The Cleveland Show (it’s also been picked up for a second season)

NBC: Community, Parks & Recreation

All shows were granted a full 22 episode season.  FlashForward, interestingly, was granted an above-average 25 episodes.  Music to my ears if you ask me.

Others I don’t care much for: ABC’s Cougar Town, The Middle; CBS’s Accidentally on Purpose, NCIS: Los Angeles, The Good Wife.

What got cancelled? NBC’s Trauma.  I don’t think the man in the helicoptor loves his job anymore.

I will update this space as the remainder of fall TV series are renewed and/or cancelled.

For now, celebrate by krumping along with Community’s Abed and Troy after the break!

[Via EW, here, here, here, & here]

Continue reading Fall TV season pickups galore →

Gleeks: Madonna, Adam Lambert, Van Halen, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, and more

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Ready for the lastest Glee news?  Well here we go…

Madonna has given Glee the rights to her entire catelog of songs and a Madonna-centric episode is slated to air later this year.  Ryan Murphy (co-creator) plans on approaching American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert to guest star in a future episode.  (Come January Glee will be paired with American Idol on Wednesday nights, so this makes perfect sense.)

Upcoming episodes will include performances set to Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary, ” Van Halen’s “Jump,” John Lennon’s “Imagine” (which the glee club performs with a rival deaf choir (Ryan Murphy: “Everyone who sees it sheds a tear.”)), Paul Anka’s “You’re Having My Baby,” and Barbara Streisand’s “Don’t Rain on My Parade.”

On integrating Springsteen songs into the show Ryan Murphy has said: “I think Bruce is our next holy grail.”  “My musical tastes begin and end with him basically” said Brad Falchuk (co-creator).

Glee returns with all new episodes November 11 at 9PM on FOX.

[Via EW, here, here, and here]