After going through sixteen different variations, The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are going back to their roots. Original creator Haim Saban has bought the series back from Disney and is bringing it to Nickelodeon. Season 18 of Power Rangers, set to premiere sometime in 2011, has been given a 20 episode run and will include a new cast. Nick also plans to re-air over 700 episodes spanning the series’ seventeen seasons. Also, according to the AP, Saban is planning on releasing a Power Rangers feature film, the first since 1997’s Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie. Go, go Power Rangers!
As one TV season ends, another begins. Every year the big networks hold their own press events to preview their new programming to advertisers and audiences. The Upfronts is a time when the networks release program information to the public like the creators, producers, and cast behind their new fall and mid-season shows. Be sure to look after the break for trailers, synopses, and creator/producer/cast information behind NBC’s upcoming TV lineup.
13 new series :: 7 new dramas (The Event, Chase, Undercovers, Law & Order: Lost Angeles, Outlaw, Harry’s Law, The Cape) – 5 new comedies (Outsourced, Love Bites, Friends with Benefits, The Paul Reiser Show, Perfect Couples) – 1 alternative (School Pride)
3 cancellations :: Heroes, Trauma, The Jay Leno Show
Returning series held for mid-season :: Parks & Recreation, The Apprentice, The Celebrity Apprentice, Minute to Win It
NBC head Angela Bromstad on the Heroes cancellation: “We felt we had satisfied the viewers desire in terms of the show and the length of its run.” Though Heroes was cancelled, creator Tim Kring and the cast are hoping that NBC gives them a slot to air either a two hour or four hour (stretched across two nights) TV movie to properly conclude the series. Bromstad says NBC is in talks with Kring about making a TV movie happen sometime next season.
NBC chairman Jeff Gaspin on why Parks & Rec is being held for mid-season: “It was our toughest decision to make. But to get new comedies on our schedule, Thursday is still the best place to launch. We expect Parks and Recreation to be back on the schedule Thursday and it’s not any way an indication that we don’t think it’s as good as any other comedy. We’ve learned from cable that you can wait as long as a year, create more anticipation and not lose any momentum.”
Jesse Alexander’s (Heroes) apocalyptic drama Day One is not being developed. Bummer.
Drama
The Event: What if there was a cover-up so big that even the President was on a need-to-know basis? And what if some average guy stumbled upon the truth – a secret so powerful it could literally change the course of humanity? You think that guy would stand a chance of survival? From Nick Wauters (The 4400, Eureka) and Steve Stark (Medium) comes a suspense-filled journey where the answers only lead to bigger questions.
Starring Jason Ritter, Sarah Roemer, Scott Patterson, Blair Underwood, Zeljko Ivanek, Taylor Cole, and Laura Innes. [Mondays @ 9PM]
As one TV season ends, another begins. Every year the big networks hold their own press events to preview their new programming to advertisers and audiences. The Upfronts is a time when the networks release program information to the public like the creators, producers, and cast behind their new fall and mid-season shows. Be sure to look after the break for trailers, synopses, and creator/producer/cast information behind CBS’s upcoming TV lineup.
6 new series :: 4 new dramas (Hawaii Five-O, The Defenders,Blue Bloods, Criminal Minds spinoff) – 2 new comedies (Mike & Molly, $#*! My Dad Says)
7 cancellations :: The New Adventures of Old Christine, Accidentally on Purpose, Gary Unmarried, Ghost Whisperer, Numb3rs, Cold Case, Miami Medical
Notable program shuffling :: Survivor to Wednesdays @ 8PM, The Big Bang Theory to Thursdays @ 8PM, CSI:NY to Fridays @ 9PM, CSI:Miami to Sundays @ 10PM
Drama
Hawaii Five-O: From the writers behind the blockbuster “Star Trek” (2009) (and FOX’s Fringe: Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci) comes a clever, adrenaline-fueled update of one of the most iconic shows in television history. When there’s trouble in paradise, Steve McGarrett returns to the islands and joins fish-out-of-water Danny Williams to launch an elite branch of the Hawaii State Police. In this ultimate adventure series, complete with big action and charming characters, the team hunts down ruthless criminal kingpins, who inevitably hear those three feared words: “Book ’em, Danno.”
Starring Alex O’Loughlin, Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim, and Grace Park. [Mondays @ 10PM]
As one TV season ends, another begins. Every year the big networks hold their own press events to preview their new programming to advertisers and audiences. The Upfronts is a time when the networks release program information to the public like the creators, producers, and cast behind their new fall and mid-season shows. Be sure to look after the break for trailers, synopses, and creator/producer/cast information behind FOX’s upcoming TV lineup.
7 new series :: 3 new dramas (Lonestar, Ride-Along, Terra Nova) – 4 new comedies (Raising Hope, Running Wilde, Mixed Signals, Bob’s Burgers)
6 cancellations :: 24 (well, not cancelled but…), Brothers, Dollhouse, Past Life, Sons of Tucson, ‘Til Death
Notable program shuffling :: American Idol performance show is now 90 minutes in length, AmericanIdol result show is now 30 minutes on Wednesdays @ 8:30PM
Drama
Lonestar: From Chris Keyser and Amy Lippman, the creators of “Party of Five”; Marc Webb, the director of “(500) Days of Summer”; and creator Kyle Killen, comes LONESTAR, a provocative soap set against the backdrop of big Texas oil. ROBERT/BOB ALLEN (newcomer James Wolk) is a charismatic and brilliant schemer who has meticulously constructed two lives in two different parts of Texas. He’s juggling two identities and two women in two very different worlds – all under one mountain of lies. As “Bob,” he lives in Houston and is married to CAT (Adrianne Palicki, “Friday Night Lights”), the beautiful daughter of CLINT (Jon Voight, 24, “Midnight Cowboy”), the patriarch of an ultra-wealthy Texas oil family. More than 400 miles away in the suburban west Texas town of Midland, he’s “Robert,” living a second life with his sweet, naive girlfriend, LINDSAY (Eloise Mumford, “Mercy,” “Law & Order: SVU”). In Midland, he plays the perfect boyfriend while secretly bilking local investors of their savings. In Houston, he’s a devoted husband, charming Cat and her family to cement his position in the rich family business he aims to clean out. Bob has lived both lives successfully for years without arousing any suspicions…so far. While one brother-in-law, DREW (Bryce Johnson, “Popular,” “The Mentalist”), admires Bob, his other brother-in-law, TRAMMELL (Mark Deklin, “Nip/Tuck,” “Desperate Housewives”), is suspicious of his motives. Bob begins to fear his secret lives may unravel. With the cons closing in on him, Bob is divided by his love for two women; his loyalty to his father and mentor, JOHN (David Keith, “An Officer and a Gentleman,” “The Class”); and his respect for his father-in-law, Clint. Now as he tries to hold his two lives together, while fending off angry investors and the suspicions of those around him, Bob puts it all on the line hoping he can beat the odds, leave the schemes behind and keep two separate relationships afloat.
Starring James Wolk, Eloise Mumford, David Keith, Adrianne Palicki, Mark Deklin, Bryce Johnson, and Jon Voight. [Mondays @ 9PM]
As one TV season ends, another begins. Every year the big networks hold their own press events to preview their new programming to advertisers and audiences. The Upfronts is a time when the networks release program information to the public like the creators, producers, and cast behind their new fall and mid-season shows. Be sure to look after the break for trailers, synopses, and creator/producer/cast information behind ABC’s upcoming TV lineup.
10 new series :: 6 new dramas (Body of Proof, Detroit 1-8-7, My Generation, No Ordinary Family, The Whole Truth, Off the Map) – 3 new comedies (Better Together, Happy Endings, Mr. Sunshine) – 1 alternative (Secret Millionaire)
11 cancellations :: Better off Ted, The Deep End, Eastwick, FlashForward, The Forgotten, Hank, Happy Town, Lost (well, not cancelled but…), Romantically Challenged, Scrubs, Ugly Betty
Returning series held for mid-season :: V, Supernanny
ABC head Steven McPherson on keeping V & dropping FlashForward :: “It was a Sophie’s Choice. In the end, FlashForward didn’t engage audiences like we hoped. For V, I get more anecdotal calls and emails than any other show on the schedule. A huge part of rebuilding the network is about taking chances. Some shows just don’t work out.”
Drama
Body of Proof: Dr. Megan Hunt (Dana Delany) was in a class of her own, a brilliant neurosurgeon at the top of her game. But her world is turned upside down when a devastating car accident puts an end to her time in the operating room. Megan resumes her career as a medical examiner, determined to solve the puzzle of who or what killed the victims. Her instincts are sharp, but she’s developed a reputation for graying the lines of where her job ends and where the police department’s begins. It turns out her career isn’t the only thing that will need to be rebuilt; Megan’s family has taken a backseat to her ambition, and now she’s discovering there’s a lot of work to do when it comes to dissecting her relationships with the living.
Starring Dana Delany, Jeri Ryan, Geoffrey Arend, John Carroll Lynch, Windell Middlebrooks, Nic Bishop, and Sonja Sohn. [Fridays @ 9PM]
Here’s some good news for Lost fans. First let’s talk Emmy eligibility. This week The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Board of Governors made an exception to a long-standing rule involving the length of an episode and Emmy consideration. So we all know that the Lost finale episode will run for two-and-a-half hours. Normally for an extended episode to be considered for Emmy eligibility it cannot run for longer than two hours. Thanks to the Board’s decision “The End” can be a potential contender for a number of Emmy awards such as Best Actor/Actress and Best Drama. John Leverence, senior VP of awards: “We have a soft spot in our hearts for the final episodes of long-running series.” The same exception made for Lost was also granted to The Wire and The Sopranos.
Next up there’s news about what will be included with the Lost Season 6 DVD package. Exec producers Darlton plan on including about twenty minutes of “new content that addresses some of the unanswered questions in an entertaining way.” According to an inside source “Damon and Carlton wanted to offer fans answers to additional questions they couldn’t get to in the body of the final show.” These bonus features will be included in the stand-alone DVD package and in the DVD/Blu-Ray Seasons 1-6 mega box sets.
Now go watch some cast interviews in the video above, provided by IGN. The Lost series finale airs this Sunday at 9PM on ABC.
I just got back from the LOST Live: The Final Celebration event. It took place at UCLA’s Royce Hall and featured live performances by composer Michael Guichinno, surprise guest appearances, and a private screening of the penultimate episode,”What They Died For.” Note that cell phones and cameras were not allowed inside the Hall, so letters and words are all I got to offer. So let’s dive right into the details, shall we?
Introductions: Things started off with an ABC executive reading a letter to a packed audience. The letter was addressed to Lostexecutive producers Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof (together known as “Darlton”) and spoke very highly of the groundbreaking series and how it related to the Star Wars franchise and how the creatives behind those films also did not know exactly where they were going during the making of the first film (big laughs!). The letter was penned by George Lucas. Then Darlton came out to share kind words about thankful they are for the rabid fanbase, for without them Lost simply wouldn’t be, well, Lost. They described all those in attendance at Royce Hall special members of the Lostfamily. They were excited to have the opportunity to end the series by sharing an event with the show’s most loyal fans.
The cast: Next, Darlton announced, one by one, many cast members to join them on stage. According to the press statement, we knew Lost characters Richard, Ben, and Hurley would make an appearance, but everyone was surprised to see a ton more jump on stage. Darlton welcome the following Lostcast members on stage: Young Ben (Sterling Beaumon), Cassidy (Kim Dickens), Arzt (Daniel Roebuck), Ethan (William Mapother), Abaddon (Lance Reddick), Boone (Ian Somerhalder), Rose (L. Scott Caldwell), Dr. Pierre Chang (François Chau), Walt (Malcom David Kelley), Michael (Harold Perrineau), Charlotte (Rebecca Mader), Faraday (Jeremy Davies), The Man in Black (Titus Welliver), Penny (Sonya Walger), Desmond (Henry Ian Cusick), Richard (Nestor Carbonell), Ben (Michael Emerson), Hurley (Jorge Garcia), and Sawyer (Josh Holloway). The takeaways? Abaddon, Chang, Faraday, Desmond, Richard, Hurley, and Ben got the loudest applause, no surprise there. And Walt got taller. Seeing all these amazing actors standing together on stage (with Darlton nearby) was quite a sight. A whole lot of talent was right there in front of all of us, and you couldn’t help but smile and cheer for your favorite characters you’ve come to know and love over the past six years. (I gave a loud shout-out to Faraday, which I’m sure he heard.) Yeah, it was a bummer main cast members Jack, Kate, Sayid, Locke, Claire, and Charlie were no-shows, but it was still a great moment to see all of these guys come together in one space for the final hurrah. Before each cast member walked onto the stage, Darlton would describe key attributes of their characters so as to keep the audience guessing who’ll come out next. Lotta cheering and name calling resulted. And after the cast took a long bow, they left the stage to take seats in the crowd. (In fact, a bunch of Lostpeople were in attendence, including producers and writers, but I’ll get to that later.)
For some time now there’s been much discussion surrounding the fate of ABC’s two freshman sci-fi series, FlashForward & V. Overall both have been performing rather poorly in the ratings. But when it came to decision time, ABC decided to cancel one and keep the other. As much as I have enjoyed following FlashForward, there were many hints to its eventual demise. Two of them are the following: The ratings (FFpremiered to 12.47 million viewers and plummeted to 4.77 million viewers for last week’s ep) and a change in leadership (co-creator/showrunner David S. Goyer left the show in early February). And here’s another one: ABC heavily promoted the new series the wrong way; in a number of ad spots the network was hailing it as “the next Lost.” Although the show contains a myriad of characters, a complex mythos, and flashbacks to boot, it is most definitely not another Lost. The direction and plot of the show are quite different from Lost. ABC obviously felt some pressure to promote the show in this way since Lost is nearly finished, but I have a feeling FF might have fared differently if it was marketed in a more appropriate way. In my opinion, I thought FlashForward started out great, then it started to lose its focus (right around when Goyer made his announcement), and now it finds itself back on track with a bunch of potential. But now none of that matters anymore since it won’t be coming back after the May 27 finale. I wonder if the producers will try to wrap things up for us..
And then there’s V, the mini-series reboot that could. ABC aired this series in a very strange manner due to a number of early production issues. They aired an initial “pod” of four episodes starting in November which garnered a huge following, then the show did not come back until the end of March. Thanks to this long hiatus, viewership dropped during the latter half of the season. As of late, however, the show has seen a surge in the ratings, especially in the coveted 18-49 demo, and in my opinion, it’s become more creative and engaging with the addition of some new characters and exciting and fast-moving plot twists. According to the latest sources, V has been issued a 13-epsiode second season set to start this fall.
So what do I think about all this? As a fan of both shows, I have to say I’m not so surprised that ABC decided to cancel FlashForward and keep V. Although the potential for FlashForward is just starting to come to fruition, the delivery feels a bit “too little too late”. V, on the other hand, always packed an explosive punch, from the initial pod of episodes to where to series sits now. All I have to say is this: At least ABC decided to keep one of these shows; a sudden cancellation of both would have been devastating.
FlashForward airs Thursday nights at 8PM on ABC; the two-hour finale airs May 27. V ends its first season run next Tuesday at 8PM on ABC.
With just two episodes left until the series finale of Lost, executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse find themselves getting bombarded with lingering questions from Rizzo the Rat and a bear of Muppets fame.
Last Sunday’s episode of The Cleveland Show featured a guest voice from rapper Kanye West. He played Stoolbend’s greatest rapper “Kenny West” and the character made a number of nods to the real life West. If there’s anything to gain from watching this episode it’s the culmination of animosity between Kenny and Cleveland Jr. Things play out in a rap battle that cannot be missed. If you have some extra time, “Brotherly Love” was one of the season’s finest episodes; watch it here. Also, peek after the break to watch a short gag from the episode that had me in knots. Continue reading Kanye West guest spot on ‘The Cleveland Show’ results in ultimate rap battle→
