Tonight, tens of millions of Americans will sit in front of their televisions in suspense for two very different reasons. For fans of American Idol, they will sit waiting for two hours while the show parades out its past contestants and waits until its final moment to reveal its winner. For fans of Lost, meanwhile, they will spend two hours waiting to see whether the much touted finale can live up to its hype. Will fans be satisfied with either conclusion? Only time will tell. But, who needs time when we’ve got meaningful speculation?
Category Archives: Television
Wednesday Night War: The Season Finales of ‘Lost’ and ‘American Idol’
Filed under ABC, American Idol, FOX, Lost, Television
Reviewing the Series Finale: ‘Veronica Mars’ Walks Away Under Stormy Skies
When Gilmore Girls ended its run last week, it was supposed to be an unsatisfying end to a series that had been stagnating for the previous year. It was supposed to be an unplanned, thrown together finale that failed to address the show’s main issues. And, somehow, it managed to be just about as good as it could have been considering the circumstances. It is therefore unfortunate that I can’t say the same for Veronica Mars’ solution to a similar circumstance. While these two episodes combined represent perhaps the best the show has managed all season, the conflict and issues presented were not that of resolution but of upheaval. We left our heroine walking through the rain to the melancholy tones of “It Never Rains in Southern California.” In her there is sadness, frustration, guilt…but there is no happiness. There is no finale. I said earlier today that I was all set to say goodbye to Veronica Mars…but I take it all back. I’m not ready at all.
Filed under Television, The CW, Veronica Mars
‘Save Jericho’: Addressing the Hiatus Hernia, The Idol Factor and Promoting the Unpromotable
In an ongoing attempt to provide some analysis of the fall of Jericho and the subsequent rise of its fans, I’ve been fielding a wide range of questions, comments, criticisms, and attempting to provide a perspective for them. I’ve dealt with CBS’ logic for the cancellation, along with documenting the rise of the ‘Save Jericho’ campaign; however, as many have rightly pointed out, I have yet to properly address the claim very succinctly stated in a comment on this very blog by James Denison:
“Jericho was an excellent drama that suffered from the 3 month hiatus, going up against [American Idol], and poor promotion by CBS.”
In doing so, I might have to defend certain decisions CBS made, and I think that this is just: the network is not entirely at fault here. But, by investigating these issues further, I believe that was can increase CBS’s accountability for their own role in this problem. What I want to investigate are the following series of questions:
– Why do shows go on hiatus, and what other options are available?
– If CBS had shifted the show’s timeslot to avoid Idol, what would the effect have been?
– Is Jericho an easily promotable show?
In answering these questions, I believe that we can further understand the series of events that took place, and delve yet further into the questions of New Media, New Advertising, and just about everything in between.
Filed under American Idol, Jericho, Ratings, Television
The End of Veronica Mars: Looking Back Before the Series Finale
I started watching Veronica Mars after hearing good things about it, and after about five episodes had already aired. I watched those episodes out of order, and yet I couldn’t help but be sucked in. The show stands as perhaps the most compelling young drama to emerge since Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and stands as a testament to strong dramatic television. And yet, as is becoming more and more common these days, the show will not be remembered for its pedigree or quality in the annals of television history. Instead of awards and accolades for its stars and creators, Veronica Mars will be remembered as a show that never found an audience even through changes to its cast, its structure, its timeslot and even its network. And that is the real tragedy, because the end of Veronica Mars should be a celebration of its quality, not a lament for its failure.
Filed under Television, The CW, Veronica Mars
Reviewing the Finales: Heroes – “How to Stop an Exploding Man”
Heroes’ first season has been a rollercoaster ride for fans as it reaches its season finale. For me personally, it has been at its best when it deals with either awesome comic book action (The overrated but exhilarating ‘Five Years Gone’), or investigations of the personal sacrifice of these individuals (the stunning ‘Company Man’). However, there are other episodes which fail to be either of these things. These episodes are instead complicated hours of television which follow traditional drama plotting, losing sight of the show’s comic book ties in favour of clichéd resolutions right out of, well, a lesser TV show. “How to Stop an Exploding Man”, unfortunately, falls into this latter category. The episode was supposed to be an epic conclusion with ramifications for future seasons, but instead felt like a feel good story of redemption with nothing but teases at what the future holds. And, for this unsatisfying season finale, I place the blame on series creator Tim Kring.
Filed under Heroes, NBC, Television
The Three Timeslots to Watch on the 2007/2008 Fall Schedule
In a final word on the 2007/2008 Upfronts, I figure it’s time we returned to the schedule as a whole. Because, let’s face it, some of us watch a lot of TV. And, sometimes, that TV all falls within the exact same timeslot. As more and more shows emerge as fan favourites, more and more conflicts take place. This year’s Fall Schedule has created many of these conflicts, and some of them are sure to be key ratings battlegrounds in the year to come. Which five, however, will prove the most interesting? And, as a result, which ones will be a nightmare for non-TiVo owners across North America? Well, there’s only one way to find out.
Filed under 30 Rock, ABC, Bones, Chuck, Dancing with the Stars, FOX, Gossip Girl, Grey's Anatomy, House, NBC, Private Practice, Ratings, Reality TV, Reaper, Scrubs, Television, The Bionic Woman, The CW, The Office, Upfronts
Reviewing the Finales: Brothers & Sisters – “Matriarchy”
Two ABC finales went by over the past few days without me reviewing them, and there’s a reason for it. Grey’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives each lost my interest this year, the latter towards the beginning and the prior towards the end. I have gotten to the point where the dramas seem like a never-ending cycle of happy and unhappy, usually remarkably quick to turn the delightful into the depressing. And, it was therefore somewhat disheartening to see that the finales of both shows tended to reflect this: Grey’s ended on one of the most depressing sequence of events in television history, and Desperate Housewives ended with someone swinging from the rafters. As a result, I can’t help but feel disillusioned with these series for taking the easy way out. They ended with cliffhangers of a shocking nature, designed to beat our senses into submission. It is therefore that I highlight the only ABC finale of the past week which handled itself with subtlety and grace, and the only one that had the balls to end happily. That finale is “The Matriarchy”, the season-concluding episode of Freshman success Brothers & Sisters.
Filed under ABC, Brothers & Sisters, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Television
A Word of Warning to the ‘Save Jericho’ Campaign
I have written in the past about how I believe CBS had justification to cancel Jericho. However, I must admit that I am incredibly impressed by the outpouring of support found on the internet for the series. The ‘Save Jericho’ campaign has swept the internet to a level that I honestly didn’t expect. I myself felt some of this, but it is clear that these fans aren’t letting up, and that the momentum is only building.
‘Save Jericho’ Links
Online Petition to Save the Series
YourEntertainmentNow Post Featuring Series Supporters
‘Save Jericho’ @ Cultural Learnings
Much Ado About Peanuts (What Should CBS Do With Them?)
From the campaign to send nuts (A line from the finale) to CBS to the outpouring of anger and frustration, it is clear that the show has a rabid fanbase. And, to be honest, I would be sweating right now if I was CBS. However, I’d also be sweating if I was a fan of Jericho as we know it. Because, if CBS gives in to the fans and orders a 2nd season of the drama (As unlikely as it is), we have no idea what might emerge from that engagement.
Filed under Jericho, Television, Veronica Mars
The Five Most Promising Pilots of the 2007/2008 Upfront Presentations
Yes, this is it: the top five pilots which I believe have the most potential in the coming year. This is not a potential for success in ratings, or ad dollars, or anything like this: no, this is very much more about how well I think these shows can advance themselves creatively. It’s a list full of wishful thinking, if you will. While these shows might not light up the Nielsen ratings come next season, I think that part of me will feel better that they exist…and will cross my fingers that they succeed. They’re the next Veronica Mars, if you will, and I can only hope that networks have as much patience for these shows as they did for that one. Which pilots make the cut? There’s only one way to find out.
Filed under ABC, Back to You, Chuck, FOX, Gossip Girl, House, NBC, Pushing Daisies, Reaper, Television, The Bionic Woman, Upfronts
Reviewing the Finales: Saturday Night Live (May 19th) – Zach Braff & Maroon 5
Due to unforeseen circumstances, I wasn’t actually able to watch Saturday Night Live, well, live. However, while my overall thoughts will have to wait, here’s some YouTube videos which are providing a bit of a preview. I’ll try to keep the videos alive over time, but I offer no promises.
[Special Thanks go out to YouTube user Wings1914 for another week of fantastic YouTube SNL work]
Zach Braff’s Monologue – A New Jersey State of Mind
I like it. It involves singing, actual comedy, thumbs up.
SNL Sigital Short – Rufus: Dog Love
Good use of dialogue, strong use of adorable dog, a bit gross in the end, but quality overall.
Filed under NBC, Saturday Night Live, Television
Cultural Learnings 