Holy smokes, there are a ton of DVDs being released today. If you can’t find something you like in this group … well, you have oddly specific tastes. The biggies this week include Californication, Life, House, Lie To Me, NCIS, Smallville, One Tree Hill, Samantha Who?, and Scrubs. That’s just to get started, though. You’ll also find thirtysomething, Wiseguy, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, The Untouchables, and a trio of History Channel favorites. My pick of the week? The complete series of Wanted: Dead Or Alive. McQueen, man. The full list is after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

(Season 1, Episodes 8-10)

Burn Notice is similar to Life in that it stars a guy with weird eating habits (Charlie Crews is obsessed with fruit, Michael Westen with yogurt), who is trying to do a daily job while searching for the person or persons who set them up. So far, as I’m nearing the end of Season 1 of Burn Notice, I am coming to the conclusion that it is no Life.

The problem is, Burn Notice’s episodes are just a little bit too interchangeable. There’s not enough action nor consequences for the main characters. I understand that BN is supposed to be a lighter show than Life, but I would still like it to have a little substance. Either that, or just go over to the comedy side. Right now it’s in the middle and it’s not working for me.

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When I look at this year’s slate of the networks’ new offerings, it’s pretty disappointing. When I compare it to the 2007 slate, it’s downright depressing. What makes the whole thing suck more (and suck is the right word here), is that so many of the shows I instantly fell in love with that year were canceled quickly (Journeyman, K-Ville), or were given just enough rope to hang themselves in the second season (Life, Sarah Connor Chronicles).

There are also those other shows that I’m now giving a second chance (Moonlight) and those that as much as I might have liked them in the beginning, I won’t miss (Pushing Daisies). For the record, I’m not recognizing Private Practice, as I just don’t think it deserves it.  Oh, Chuck and Gossip Girl rule.

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It’s that sad, sad time of year again. The TV season is winding down, our favorite shows are preparing to say goodbye for the summer (or longer…  or forever) and news of official cancellations are beginning to trickle down. Life just got the axe from NBC, and I’m sure guillotines will drop in the coming days.

It’s not all bad news though, as some shows will get renewed for next season, if they haven’t heard already. One of those shows is Fringe, which FOX just picked up for next year. I’ve never been a fan of Fringe; I had high hopes for it at the beginning of the season, but the characters and creep-out-of-the-week never held my attention. I didn’t really mind the show until today when I found myself angry and depressed at its renewal. It’s a little something I like to call renewal resentment.

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Folks, it’s time to put on your sackcloth and get out the Shiva stools. Official word has come down that NBC has decided not to renew Life. This is obviously a disappointment for all of the show’s fans, including myself and many members of the CliqueClack team, who enjoyed the adventures of Charlie Crews and Dani Reese. Not only was it a neat piece of criminal procedural but it was also a great drama that featured well-rounded characters that, while inherently good, had their flaws.

While sad, it’s not a surprise that this happened considering the quality of programming talent that runs NBC. Jeff Zucker and his gang of idiots aren’t really interested in those types of shows for the network anymore. Simply put, they’re looking at one thing and one thing only… money. Screw the fact that Life was a quirky little drama that put another spin on the tired criminal procedural. Obviously, they decided that Biggest Loser: Former M-List Stars would be a bigger revenue generator than, you know, a well-scripted, well-acted series.

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I hate NBC right now. Sure, they’re the home of some of my favorite shows: The Office, 30 Rock, Chuck, Medium, and of course, the Law & Order franchise, but I am about fed up with this network. My problem started, as my problems often do, with Jay Leno. Forcing him off of The Tonight Show was a boneheaded move, and it took about four years for NBC to actually realize this. It was right around the time Conan O’Brien was pissing his name on the Tonight Show set to mark his territory (that giant leprechaun knew he won the lottery, is what I’m sayin’).

Anyway, in order to atone for their colossal screw up, NBC ceded their last hour of primetime to Leno. That means that we are losing five hours a week of shows. That’s all well and good if Crusoe is what we’re going to have to live without, but now it looks like Life may be getting the ax. What the hell, NBC?

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Man … last week was just a bloodbath in the ratings. With the exception of Thursday night, it was bad news for all of the shows at the top of my list for every night. Kings on Sunday, Chuck and Heroes on Monday, Reaper on Tuesday, Better Off Ted and Lost on Wednesday, and Dollhouse on Friday. Not a lot of good to report for any of them. On a brighter note, there was good news for the returning Fringe, and the debuts of Parks & Recreation, Southland, and Harper’s Island. Read the rest of this entry »