Thursday, August 28, 2008

Write What You Know....

One is supposed to have a clear purpose when starting a blog. I think I finally found mine. The new television season is about to start and I couldn’t be more excited (be sure to read “be” like Chandler Bing says it). I have copies of USA Today, The NY Times, print-outs from LA Times & other random newspapers piling up on my desk – all filled with stories about the new shows, returning shows, writers and producers behind the shows, the networks, the scheduling, etc. Last year was the first year in a long time everything felt off. I’ve already commented on the strike probably being the cause. Mix that with some of the weak shows that were created and scheduled, plus the loss of hit shows that ended the year before and there wasn’t much to get excited about. And let’s not forget, a lot of shows had crappy seasons (Grey’s) or weren’t on par with the previous year (Friday Night Lights). This year? I think it’s going to be good. We’re going to be okay. I'm telling ya, the season is once again exciting.

Back to the purpose or focus of my blog. I’m going to link to stories I find interesting, comment on them and just write about what I love – good TV shows and the creative people behind them. I’m going to add my thoughts about the episodes and maybe even write some recaps, like I did a while back when The OC was around. At the same time I’ll be working on my spec scripts and original script or two. The fall is a great time to focus energy on things put aside during the lazy days of summer.

That focus has to wait until tonight. I’m not even trying to procrastinate (this time!), but I’m at work and the lunch hour is ending. I seriously don’t want to be one of those people fired because I blogged at work. That would suck. So for now, enjoy a random picture from TV past…..

Monday, August 25, 2008

Miss Me?

Crap. I'm excited for the new 90210. They had me at, "Brenda's back..."
Soapnet is airing a 24-hour marathon of the original (and the best) 90210 starting at midnight on Monday, September 1st. If you check out the 90210 page there's a poll asking if you're watching the new 90210 for the new cast, returning stars or if they're pretty & troubled it doesn't matter?
85% of the votes are for "returning stars." That's just Kelly and Brenda. I'm sure it would be 92% if they could've convinced Andrea to return.

No previews were sent to critics which is usually a bad sign. CW says they want to keep the buzz going which is why they won't send out early copies. Whatever. It doesn't matter 'cause ya know the numbers will be good for the premiere. It's episode 2 and 3, and so on that they need to worry about.

For your enjoyment...the promo below has me pumped for the show. I don't even care if the show is bad (for now).



Friday, August 22, 2008

The New York Television Festival

The Festival released the lineup for their Premiere Week screenings.

Friday, Sept. 12, 8:00 PM - ABC’s “Life on Mars”
Saturday, Sept. 13, 8:00 PM - FOX’s “Fringe”
Sunday, Sept. 14, 4:30 PM - CBS’s “Worst Week”
Sunday, Sept. 14, 7:30 PM - MRC & The CW’s “Easy Money”
Monday, Sept. 15, 8:00 PM - NBC’s “Life”
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 7:00 PM - HBO’s “The Life and Times of Tim”

I’m not sure I’d go out of my way on a weekend to view any of those shows. The only thing that might make me show up is JJ Abrams (Fringe). The producers and cast are scheduled to stick around after the screening for a Q&A session. The reason I’m not psyched and “so there” is due to the Q&A session. Are real people going to be asking questions or will there be a moderator tossing the questions out there and moving the night along? I am not a fan of “real people” questions. The many times I’ve been to the Paley Center to attend a panel discussion there have been questions at the end that are ridiculous. They are usually asked by super fans. Example, the panel could be “Writing the TV Drama.” There’s a 45-60 minute awesome discussion with Shonda Rhimes about creating characters, process of telling the story, getting it on paper, blah blah. Usually some cast members, if not all, are on stage as well. The conversation is witty, engaging and flows. Then they open the floor for what I call real people questions and it all goes down hill, fast. “Shonda, hi. I LUV your show but this question is for Meredith. I mean Ellen. tee-hee. Soo who do you like kissing more?? McSteamy or McDreamy.”

Seriously? You came to a panel called “Writing The TV Drama” and that’s your question? Then someone else will ask something equally stupid and not on topic (“In season 3, episode 6 at the 23:34 mark, Izzie sneezed but George didn’t say ‘bless you.’ Why did you do that? Was that because George secretly wants Izzie to die?”). Those people should be smacked upside the head. I will need to check out the NY TV Festival’s site some more before buying tickets. I can’t handle dumb waste of time questions. I get embarrassed for the person asking the question!

Speaking of The Museum of TV & Radio (Paley Center), they have announced their 2008-2009 pilot screenings, too. I went to some last year. They don’t have panel discussions following the screenings, but it’s fun if you want to see a show before the broadcast premiere. Bonus, their screenings are free. Extra bonus, last year they served wine and cheese.

You should check out the TV Festival’s site if you are from NY or the NY area. It’s rare that we get television events in NY. I’m contemplating attending “The Future of Drama Development.” The panel time is still “TBA,” but it takes place on Monday, September 15th – Industry Day. The day opens with a panel of industry leaders discussing the “Current State of TV Development.” It takes place in the afternoon of a work day which means I’ll need to take the day off. That seems like it could be a waste since I sit in an office where we discuss the current state of TV development rather frequently! You know what that means? It all comes down to cost and who else will take part in the panel discussions.


Dates: NY TV Festival: 9/12/08 - 9/17/08
Paley Screenings/Parties: 9/4/08 - 9/12/08
Links:
NY Television Festival
Paley Center for Media

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

My Blue Period

The pink was getting to be too pink. I need to play around some more with the blue. It's a good enough change for now. Perhaps I should be more concerned with my lack of posts? Apologies to those wondering where I've been or what I've been up to. Anyone? Bueller?Mom? Bueller? Anywho. I've been enjoying summer - writing, reading, hanging with friends, watching TV, training for the 2012 Olympics ...same as everyone else. 

There are 34 days left until the start of the new TV season. Give or take a day. Or 20ish if you're The CW. Seriously, they are airing their premieres the first week in September. That's right around the corner! They are down to 10 hours this season. Will they still be around the following season? What about the other networks, is there a hit out there? More than one? Only time will tell. I for one can't wait! Last year didn't feel too much like a new season. Everyone at the network was nervous about a strike. (Just not worried enough to prevent it from happening. Sigh.) This season the networks need to prove themselves. Bring it on! Us viewers are more than ready for good TV. And we're ready for Kelly Taylor and Brenda Walsh to be sharing the screen together again (even if we think there is no reason to remake 90210 and it's probably going to suck). I've missed Chuck. Dirty, Sexy, Money. I'm even psyched for Private Practice which is odd since I didn't really like a lot of what aired last year. I'm nervous about the return of the Walkers. But I know I'm ready for some laughs with Liz Lemon, Jack Donaghy, Michael Scott, Jim and Pam, Charlie and Alan and Barney Stinson. That's still not all - Desperate Housewives, Gossip Girl, Friday Night Lights, and yes even Grey's. Not to mention all of the new shows. Well, not to mention now. I'll get to them as the days roll on by. 

All I ask for this new season is for my dvr to be filled with humor, drama and heart. 

PS- How awesome are the season two ads for Gossip Girl?


If you've been living in a bubble you can pop over to TV Guide to view all of the ads. I happen to love that they use a quote on one of them from The Parents Television Council. Genius.