I’ve already waxed poetic (or very much not so) on NBC’s cancellation of Trauma. Spoiler Alert: I think it was a ill-advised move. Since I’ve been covering the show since it premiered (heck, before it premiered), the illustrious editorial team here at CliqueClack asked me if I wanted to continue covering it (as I seem to be the standard barer for covering shows after their cancellation). I want to continue because I’m such a fan of the show (I think it’s much better than the recently saved Southland), but only if I can abstain from continued whining about its cancellation.

This post is obviously the exception that will hopefully prove the rule.

Read the rest of this entry »

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?

Read the rest of this entry »

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!

Read the rest of this entry »

Friday is an interesting night. Despite being a night of dramatically lower ratings for so many shows, it’s still one of the most fascinating nights where the numbers are concerned. Last season, that had much to do with the performance, or lack thereof, we saw from Dollhouse, Terminator:TSCC, and Prison Break on FOX. Dollhouse will still figure in heavily this year, but the other networks have also made some interesting moves. The big questions: Has anything changed for Dollhouse? Does the move to Friday spell the end for Betty and Clark? And has CBS finally found a solution for 9:00 with Medium?

Read the rest of this entry »

(Season 2, Episodes 1-3)

So they are really not rushing with this whole Carla storyline, are they? Talk about a slow burn. In the first three episodes of season 2, Michael gets out of the panel truck, but we find out basically nothing about who may or may not have burned him, except that Tricia Helfer may have had something to do with it. Burn Notice tries to make up for the lack of information with some sweet guest stars and an aspect of the Michael/Fiona relationship storyline that doesn’t completely annoy me, so despite the unanswered questions, I consider the first three episodes a win.

(Season 2, Episode 1 “Breaking and Entering”)

Season 2 starts off strong, not only with the dissolution of Fiona and Michael’s “relationship,” but with some pretty awesome guest stars. I know that most people were probably pretty excited to see Battlestar Gallactica’s Tricia Helfer as Carla, the mystery woman who may or may not have burned Michael. I however, was more psyched to see Patrick Fischler, the ultimate “Hey! It’s that guy!” who has most recently been seen on Southland and Lost.

Read the rest of this entry »

Just like that, the 2008-2009 season is done. We are now firmly in the grips of the summer television season. That means there will be a months long wait (10 if you’re a Chuck fan!) for new episodes. On the bright side, you’ll have plenty of time to watch the Women’s College World Series (Danielle Lawrie is awesome!) or the French Open (I’ve got Nadal and Safina). Or maybe you’ll join me in reading World War Z (Zombies!). Before you get started on that fancy new summer schedule, we have one last week of numbers to take a look at. Read the rest of this entry »

The 2008-2009 television season is quickly coming to a close. Last week saw some 30 season/series finales hitting our screens. The resulting numbers were all over the place. Some shows took advantage of the situation, pulling out all the stops and hitting numbers they hadn’t seen in some time. Others held steady. And a few signed in with troubling drops.

I’ve mentioned before that these final numbers could hold sway as the networks prepare to release the fall schedules this week. That does still apply, although, after all the shenanigans over the weekend, with Dollhouse and Better Off Ted being renewed, just how much sway becomes a little more cloudy. Read the rest of this entry »