My DVR Hates Tuesday Nights

Who knew, the Tuesday night two weeks before the start of the season would cause scheduling conflicts for my DVR? FOX, CW and ABC Family are all new tonight. It’s only going to get worse when CBS, NBC and ABC shows return with new seasons. Although NBC and ABC might not present (more) conflicts on Tuesday night (Dancing, yawn). I’ll have to wipe the dust off of my DVR and show it some love. Yes, I know it’s an inanimate object.

I’m not sure “Fringe” is a show I’m going to like given that it’s part of a genre I don’t gravitate towards (sci-fi), but it’s JJ Abrams so I’ll give it a shot. And hey, I might not have been a fan of Dawson’s Creek, but I can totally get down with Joshua Jackson as the lead in this show. He’s looking good in the promos. A little eye candy never hurt a show!

I am sure “90210” is a show I’ll be watching live. Okay, not live live, but I’ll start it at 8:15 and be done by 9. I liked last week’s episode and I’m hoping for more Brenda this week. I don’t think it’s great TV, not by a long shot. It is however a very good nighttime soap. Funny thing, I get the feeling that they don’t realize they are a soap? They need to accept it and roll with it. Maybe not go all Melrose-blowing-up-apartment-complexes- crazy, but embrace your genre. They were #7 in Adults 18-34 last week and the #1 scripted program in that same genre. Let’s see if they can maintain that position going up against “Fringe” tonight.

“Greek” is on the DVR list, too. How awesome is that show? Dale should’ve been allowed to be a cheerleader! The jokes are so fresh and rich in pop culture. It reminds me of “The OC” in that way.

I can’t believe I’m going to admit this, but here goes….I will DVR and probably watch “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” tonight. That’s the worst part. I don’t want to read anything about it tomorrow and be spoiled. And really, what’s to spoil? Amy is already pregnant. I’m ashamed to say I spent last weekend watching every episode. It’s a terrible show. And yet. I can’t stop. It’s like crack.

And now, I saved the best for last – “Privileged.” From the previews it might look like the same rich spoiled CW brats we’ve become accustomed to (and love), but it’s really different. I Promise. The original pilot was a show with heart, humor and a likable protagonist. I know changes have been made to that pilot, but I still have high hopes for this one. The grandma was recast with Ann Archer and I think it was a very good move. Ann Archer is going to own the role. The lead, Megan, is portrayed by Joanna Garcia (Cheyenne from “Reba”). She’s really great in the role of a recent Yale graduate with loads of student loans who just wants to be a journalist, but is finding it difficult to land that job/career. She gets fired from a tabloid and thru a series of very-fortunate-this-can-only-happen-on-TV-events; she ends up as the very well paid tutor of Palm Beach twins. Their grandma wants them both to get into Duke. If Megan can make that happen Grandma will pay her student loans. These twins happen to be socialites who couldn’t care less about school work. Drama ensues! Really though, it’s a good show. You might not think that if you read Robert Bianco’s review in the USA Today, and we’re all free to have our own opinions, but he needs to realize he’s not even remotely close to the demo the show is intended for. He can pass that info over to his buddy Tom Shales at the Washington Post.

Rina Mimoun, creator of the show, said this about “Privileged” – “What if the Gilmore Girls were teaching the Gossip Girls?” She went on to say, “What I loved about the 'Gilmore Girls' was the (upbeat) tone. And there was this tremendous sense of heart and this fantastic mother-daughter relationship that I think made it very accessible, not just for the teenagers, but for families to watch it together. I think that's really what we're sort of hoping to do on this show is kind of tap into that vein again."**

So there you have it. Too much TV and so little time to watch all of it. God Bless the DVR.
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**Deseret News – Scott D. Pierce
Promising "Privileged" recalls "Gilmore Girls"

Stand Up To Cancer

Tonight at 8pm the 3 major networks will air Stand Up To Cancer. It’s a live telethon event to raise money to fight cancer. All of the cool people are donating….so go, be cool.

Donate and get more info here!

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…..

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).

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

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. 

Secret Teenager...a hit?

Stop it. How is that possible? I admit, I still have the last two episodes to watch, but another friend has been watching and claims it hasn't gotten any better. I'll further admit, I plan on watching both episodes. It's just I got caught up in Burn Notice. People have been telling me how awesome it is and I've been spending my time catching up because they were right. Seriously, great show. I watched most of season one online during lunch for a few days. Then I made sure to dvr the USA marathon as well as the newest episodes and now I'm all caught up on that show. Love it.

Back to The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Per Variety, "'Secret' a teen dream" and a very big ratings success this summer.

In its fourth outing, the teen drama from Brenda Hampton surged to its best scores yet Tuesday while setting some network series records in key female demos. Boosted by a huge tune-in among female teens, it also drew, for example, a larger overall audience than CW did two months earlier for the season finale of "Gossip Girl."

I suppose I'll watch the two episodes and then try to figure it out.
I wonder if the female teens are fans of Zoey 101, Hannah Montana and the like? Very new teens who were tweens during those Nick/Disney shows first few seasons. I can see them getting into this show. I once tried to watch Zoey and Hannah and just couldn't get thru them. Hannah was worse. Tweens eat that kind of tv up. It's so different from what I loved as a kid. Saved by the Bell was good tv. Would they think so? The new tween shows are very loud, bright and in your face. Not that "Secret" is the same, but if the tweens are growing up, "Secret" is the next step in tv viewing. Just my rough draft of thoughts spilled out into a blog.

Variety's story also mentions Tori & Dean hit a series high the other night. Ok, confession time. That's a guilty pleasure show for me. BUT don't try to watch it with other people...say your mom and grandma. The episode with Tori in NYC during her book tour was on and I was all, "It's an ok show, really. Just accept it for the fun it is. Nothing serious." They disagreed. Even I had to agree that Tori was very whiny. My defense "yeah, she's always like that, it's her" didn't make them change their opinion on the show. I think their opinion of me was changing so off went the show.

'Secret' a teen dream -- Variety
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