Southland is officially moving to TNT, but will we get new episodes?
As often as NBC fails, there are certain things that they do well more often than other networks. I’m in love with their current Thursday night comedy block, and they have a tendency to put out really great police procedurals. Unfortunately, this is where the fail comes in. Life is an amazing show, but we’ll never see a season 3. Southland was also much better than I expected it to be: the 7 episodes that NBC aired pulled from the best aspects of Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order. Yet NBC still canceled it, after initially picking it up for a second season.
So as soon as NBC pulled that boneheaded move, the speculation began as to who was going to swoop in and save this show. Early on, TNT was named as a top contender, and now it’s official: TNT has announced that it will be airing Southland. Honestly, when I first heard the news, I didn’t really care. After all, the current deal that’s in place is to air the seven episode first season that already aired on TNT, and follow it up with the six episodes that have already been shot for season 2. But what about new episodes? Is 13 all we’re going to get?
Heroes – Things are starting to align
I don’t want to say that this episode of Heroes was boring, because it wasn’t. For the most part I was entertained through the whole hour. With that being said, however, it seemed like the events of this episode were more of a “mean” than an “end.” I think that this installment was setting up and positioning characters for the rest of the season. Frankly, I’m more curious about where everything is headed than I was about anything that actually happened this week.
Three reasons why Trauma is my favorite new show
Trauma started off strong in the Pilot, and has been picking up steam since then. The ratings haven’t been so strong, but it does face some tough competition in Dancing with the Stars, Lie to Me, and the CBS comedies (Big Bang Theory, and that other one). And, well, its on NBC, and people hate NBC these days (It is because they are stupid). If you’re not watching this show, you need to start, stat. Its quickly become my favorite new show of the season.
Here’s another clue that NBC doesn’t care anymore
So, we’re about a month into a new television season and, frankly, things are looking okay. Save for the cancellation of CW’s The Beautiful Life: TBL (which was produced by Ashton Kutcher, so you knew it was going to be canned), most of the new and returning shows are doing okay (except for Dollhouse, which is really an entity unto itself). We’ve even had some full season pickups come out. In fact, I’ve heard Glee has been renewed for the next five decades!
However, this only pertains to CBS, ABC, FOX, CW, the Spice Network, and most of the other global television networks. NBC, on the other hand, is going in reverse. Instead of giving full season orders to their new programs, they’re actually pulling a FOX and canceling shows before they premiere. Case in point: Southland. After drawing solid numbers in the former ER slot last season, and being renewed for this season, the network has decided to cancel the John Wells-produced program even before it aired its first cold open. Instead, they’ve decided to air episodes of Dateline in its place.
Idiots!
Mercy’s Callahan needs to make up her damn mind
Mercy is far from a perfect show, but I am enjoying it so far. Michelle Trachtenberg plays naivete probably better than anyone on the planet. Jaime Lee Kirchner’s character still needs a bit more rounding out, but I like Sonia’s style. And frankly, I’m way into Taylor Schilling’s Veronica Callahan. Well, all except for one little thing.
In general, Callahan is a pretty darn good character. Sure, the its not the first time we’ve seen the affected war vet come home and find the little things in their lives different, but here there’s a difference. How often is that story told about a female soldier? I think it makes for an interesting character dynamic, and I believe these types of stories should be told more often. Again, though, there’s just one problem with her….
Seven reasons why Josh Lyman is my favorite TV character ever
“It’s the characters, stupid!” I know you’ve heard me say it before: the most important piece of any good drama — be it television, film, literature, or theater — is having good characters. On my favorite show, it’s easy to identify my favorite: Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman … sure he has a different title by show’s end, but this one kind of defines him.
Josh is my favorite because I identify with him the most. I think, from a personality perspective, we are pretty similar (my father always says I’m more like Sam, but lets be honest: is there anyone out there that could compare Sam’s optimism with my … well … me-ism)? So, I’ve put together a list of reasons why Josh would totally be, like, my BFF. Forever.
Wherefore art thou, Liz Lemon?
It should come as a surprise to approximately no one that I, above all else, positively worship Tina Fey. That woman is a comedy genius, and 30 Rock brings a light to my life that is only rivaled by puppies and newborn babies.
So why does NBC insist on holding out this show on me every year?
Look, I understand that 30 Rock has pretty low numbers, ratings-wise, but I absolutely fail to understand how starting the season later helps matters. Wouldn’t it stand to reason that people want things to start all around the same time? I can’t help but think that the late starts are actually hurting 30 Rock in the long run — people look at a late-starting show and go “oh, I don’t need another thing to start watching” once their schedule is made. Meanwhile, long-time fans like me often miss the premiere by accident or go crazy waiting.
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