The 2007 Network Upfronts took place this week with ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and the CW unveiling their new Fall line-ups. Gone are some old favorites like The O.C., Gilmore Girls, 7th Heaven, and The King of Queens, and some not so favorites like In Case of Emergency, Smith, and Identity. There were a few of surprises in the list of cancelled shows, chiefest among them being Close To Home which I thought performed solidly on Friday nights for CBS (and I would know since it aired opposite Atlantis). Nevertheless, the show’s lead, my buddy and former Student Bodies alumni Jennifer Finnigan, is a supremely talented actress and I’m sure she’ll be moving on to even bigger and better things. Brad Wright will no doubt be disappointed to learn that, after offering up what he considered one of the best season-ending cliffhangers in recent memory, Jericho won’t be coming back to offer any sort of resolution. Veronica Mars is apparently done as well and, while I didn’t watch the show, I heard enough good things about it to make me pick up the first couple of seasons on DVD. Conversely, there were a couple of surprises in the list of returning shows, chiefest among these being my favorite new show of 2006 – Friday Night Lights – which makes the seemingly obvious move to a Friday night time slot. And even though it wasn’t that much of a surprise, it was nice to see 30 Rock and The Office make the 2007 cut.
Like last season, Fondy and I will probably park ourselves in front of the t.v and watch all of the new offerings, dropping them from our must-see list as we lose interest. In the end, only two stood out for me in 2006 and they were Friday Night Lights and 30 Rock. For her part, Fondy stuck with Brothers and Sisters, that soporific saga of milquetoast upper middle-class angst – but has seemingly lost interest as there are about two and half months’ worth of recorded episodes backed up on our DVR. Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to the new season, and a few potential promising rookie shows in particular. Given my predilection for the paranormal, the vampire-private investigator series Moonlight does intrigue – but since it’ll be airing on Friday nights, possibly opposite us, I’m officially going to have to go with “A vampire detective?! You’ve got to be kidding!”. Kid Nation, a reality series in which a group of kids take up residence in a 19th century ghost town sounds interesting only in that it reminds me of a similar Japanese game show in which youngsters had to brave a haunted house with delightfully terrifying/weepy/pant-wetting results. Alas, actually seeing these little tykes reduced to quivering mommy-moaning-masses would probably be too much to ask for, so I’m not going to get my hopes up. Fondy and I loved Peter Krause in Six Feet Under, so we’re a little curious about his new series, Dirty Sexy Money, in which he plays an overworked lawyer working over a privileged, trouble-prone family. Marty G. has heard good things about the comedy/spy thriller Chuck so, based on buzz, this is another one I have above-average hopes for. And, although it sounds a lot like the ill-fated Brimestone, Reaper – about a guy charged with the task of hunting down some of Hell’s recently-escaped Most Wanted – sounds like a lot of fun.
I assume some of you watch a little t.v. yourselves. Any thoughts on the new line-ups?
By the way, belated congratulations to our buddy Todd Masters. His Masters FX took home the award for Best MakeUP FX at the 33rd Annual Saturn Awards, winning for SLiTHER. Pictured: Todd Masters surprisingly sans award, ace editor Brad Rines working on Reunion, some of the gang at Post Production commiserate over the out-of-control producers, shots of the jumper someone requested, and Carl’s rapidly degrading cupcake he has sworn to eat when the Anaheim Ducks win the Stanley Cup. Let’s hope that, for Carl’s sake, they do it this year.
Let’s check the mail –
Wraithkeeper writes: “If you had an Italian restaurant, would your mother eat there or would it go against her ‘No Italian Restaurants’ rule?”
Answer: If I had an Italian restaurant, my mom would probably be working the kitchen so she wouldn’t have time to eat.
Anonymous #1 writes: “I read that there was an episode for season one called “Human Error,” but wasn’t materialized. Will it show up in season 4?”
Answer: Nope. It was a script we just couldn’t make work.
Toomi writes: “If you had to recomend tourist sites in Vancouver, what would be your top five?”
Answer: I’m the worst person to ask because I avoid tourist sites even when I’m on vacation. From what I hear, Stanley Park is nice. Steveston for fish and chips. Maybe a walk along the seawall in Yaletown. Um. There’s the Van Dusen Botanical Garden. Is that 5 yet? No? Okay, let’s see. Well… There’s that steam clock in Gas Town. That’s good for an afternoon.
ChevronSeven writes: “What Monopoly piece do you usually go for?”
Answer: I’m usually the guy riding the horse.
Anonymous #2 writes: “Who do you like to be in Clue?”
Answer: Colonel Mustard.
Majorsal writes: “It’s my birthday today; do you have a gift for me?”
Answer: By the time I’ve gotten around to responding your post, I’m already too late. Oh, well. Belated Happy Birthday.
Spamco writes: “1) Out of all the cast & crew members of both SG-1 & Atlantis, who would have the most interesting biopic? 2) Would it do well?”
Answers: 1) Probably Brad. 2) Probably not.
Zeus writes: “I’ve read your blog with intrest expecially the food reviews. Have you ever visited Doolin’s on Granville.”
Answer: Never been. Do they serve pig’s knuckles?
Anonymous #3 writes: “Would you be able to tell us if Adria (Morena Baccarin) will be in the Ark of Truth?”
Answers: Sure and, yes.
Anonymous #4 writes: “I really like to know if we´ll see a Season 4 episode that revolve around the “relationship” between Teyla and McKay? Also like to know, do you watch TV shows like “Monk” Or “The Dead Zone”?”
Answers: Not yet on all three.
Phil writes: “So Joe, have you seen Sanctuary yet?”
Answer: Nope.
Leave a Reply