Category Archives: The CW

May 17, 2007 · 5:22 am

Network Upfronts Extravaganza: Thursday Preview

Well, it’s officially the last manic day of the Network Upfronts, and yesterday pretty much brought all the news you’d expect from The CW, who presents at 10:30 EST. The upfront presentation will answer a few key questions, such as what the fate of Veronica Mars is. At this point, rumours place the network in a “wait and see” approach in regards to the FBI spinoff idea being floated, with them waiting until the June 15th deadline to pick up the show for creator Rob Thomas to finish a script for the concept.

Recent The CW Headlines:

The CW News Update (One Tree Hill to Midseason?)

Veronica Mars: Canceled?
Bubble Shows Update

Supernatural, One Tree Hill Renewed

The CW: Network Upfronts 2007/2007 Preview

Meanwhile, there is a bit of news at FOX, as The Hollywood Reporter brings word that law series Canterbury’s Law has a showrunner, so it will be finding the fall schedule, and K-Ville (Post-Katrina New Orleans cop show) might be finding its way into 24’s timeslot for the fall season. Final word from FOX will come at 4pm, or earlier, when their full schedule is revealed.

Recent FOX Headlines:

Network Upfronts 2007/2008 FOX Preview

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Filed under FOX, Television, The CW, Upfronts, Veronica Mars

May 16, 2007 · 3:14 pm

Network Upfronts Extravaganza – ‘The CW’ Update (OTH at Midseason)

Well, it looks like there’s some more news on The CW front…and it’s a different schedule altogether. Head to Variety for all the details, but for now here’s the RUMOURED schedule.

– Mondays will remain Comedy Night (Which is a mistake against CBS’ similar lineup, and when you consider that they’re owned by the same people it makes even less sense, but whatever) with Everybody Loves Chris, Aliens in America, Girlfriends and The Game.

– Tuesdays will open with Beauty and the Geek and segue into new dramedy Reaper in the spot currently occupied by Veronica Mars

– Wednesday will feature the expected lineup: American’s Next Top Model and Gossip Girl

– Thursday stays the same, with Supernatural sticking onto its tough slot now facing CSI, Grey’s Anatomy AND The Office, with its Smallville lead-in.

– Friday is Smackdown! and Sunday features Wild at Heart as well as ANTM reruns.

– Where’s One Tree Hill, you ask? Well, it’s apparently being held for midseason so it can air 22 uninterrupted episodes like Lost and 24.

EDIT: Final details are out, via Variety:

“Meanwhile, with “One Tree Hill” on the bench, net said show will be dramatically retooled and set four years into the future — after the characters have already graduated from college — when it returns in midseason. Net will post online diaries on its website in the fall to fill viewers in on what happened to the show’s characters during those missing years.”

The fate of Veronica Mars remains uncertain, but with Beauty & the Geek in on Tuesdays there’s certainly a slot open for the show should it return alongside One Tree Hill in the new year.

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Filed under Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, Reaper, Supernatural, Television, The CW, Upfronts, Veronica Mars

May 15, 2007 · 8:57 pm

Reviewing the Series Finale: ‘Gilmore Girls’ bids Bon Voyage with Style and Grace

I think we all had our doubts: Gilmore Girls was a show that was left in tatters just a season ago, and it has spent the last 21 episodes picking up the pieces. And then, at the last moment, the series apparently had the rug pulled out from under it when an attempt to gain an 8th season fell apart. Expectations couldn’t help but be low: a show past its prime, on its last legs, throwing together what was supposed to be a season finale that was suddenly the end of the road for the entire series. The verdict is in: while it might not be the finale we wish we’d gotten in a perfect world, David S. Rosenthal has delivered an absolute best case scenario. “Bon Voyage” was a finale with style, grace, and an understanding of how these characters tick. It wasn’t perfect, but it was the best we were going to get, and a proper sendoff for the girls Gilmore.

There were certain things which felt a little forced, such as Christiane Amanpour’s cameo in the cold open, however the rest of the episode was subtle and meaningful. Rory is sent into a tailspin when she’s offered an unbelievable opportunity working on the campaign trail of one Barack Obama, and Lorelai steps into ultimate “Mom” mode with lists, shampoo bottles (Mini, not big) and fanny packs. The entire episode, up until the very end, is spent with these two riffing off one another, neither discussing the fact that their last months together (A Rollercoaster excursion was planned) had turned into just two days. The irony of the situation, as it parallels our own disappointment at losing a future season and ending up with only two episodes, is not lost on the creators, nor its audience.

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May 15, 2007 · 2:32 pm

Network Upfronts Extravaganza: Tuesday ‘Bubble Shows’ Update

Well, it looks like there’s some new word from The Hollywood Reporter about some bubble shows.

– Confirming earlier reports, The CW is renewing Smallville, Supernatural and One Tree Hill for next year to go along with their pilot pickups (Gossip Girl, Reaper, and Wild at Heart are now joined by comedy Aliens in America).

However, most interesting is that this basically fills the CW schedule…and yet there is still the fate of Veronica Mars to be decided. At this point, I don’t think the show has a chance. Chances are that the network will fill its programming gaps with reality television as opposed to ordering up Veronica’s FBI spinoff. The fate of the show looks bleaker than ever, although there’s always still a chance it could make it by the skin of its teeth.

– On the CBS side of things, the network has its pilots in place [See: Monday Night Update]. However, the big question now is the fate of its bubble shows and there’s been some movement.

A renewal looks good for Rules of Engagement, the David Spade-led sitcom which performed well after Two & a Half Men earlier this year. Things look somewhat worse for The New Adventures of Old Christine, but it’s expected to get at least a shortened midseason order. Nowhere to be found in Variety’s article, however, is How I Met Your Mother. HR goes all out to list the network’s returning dramas (The Unit, Shark, Ghost Whisperer, Criminal Minds), and the above comedies, but says nothing about the bubble comedy…or the beloved Jericho. This is not a good sign for either show, and they remain the big question marks heading into tomorrow.

EDIT: Well, there’s some final word from Variety…and it’s good news for How I Met Your Mother, and bad news for Jericho fans.

CBS has apparently nuked “Jericho,” dismissed “Class” and closed the book on “Close to Home.”

Net wasn’t commenting Tuesday, but several people familiar with the situation said none of the skeins has been given a series order for next season. “Close to Home” had been considered near dead for several months now, with “Class” on the longshot list, but there had been speculation that CBS would exercise some patience with “Jericho.”

Eye skeins getting better news this week include “How I Met Your Mother,” which has been picked up for a third season. Eye’s most buzzworthy laffer might seem to be a no-brainer for renewal, but CBS execs make producers sweat it out until the last minute.

So Jericho is canceled, while How I Met Your Mother lives to see another day.

– For those looking to see how each night of their broadcast is shaping up, Cornballer over at NeoGAF has been kind enough to point us in the direction of Metacritic.com (An Awesome Site for Reviews) and their extensive schedule which very plainly lays out what each night of primetime is going to look like. Head over there to take a look, and keep an eye on it as CBS, FOX and The CW get filled in over the next few days.

The Fall 2007 Schedule – Metacritic.com

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Filed under How I Met Your Mother, Jericho, One Tree Hill, Reaper, Supernatural, Television, The CW, Upfronts, Veronica Mars

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May 15, 2007 · 7:53 am

In Memorium: Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)

It is with a sad heart that Cultural Learnings must say good-bye to Gilmore Girls today, May 15th. While its health has been ailing in past years and the writing was on the wall, it was still with some level of shock that its finale was announced a week and a half ago. Tonight, at 8pm EST, The CW will air its final episode, appropriately entitled “Bon Voyage”, and the era of the two Lorelais will come to an end.

The show came into being in the year 2000, ushering in a new century with a speed of dialogue befitting such a milestone. Amy Sherman-Palladino had worked on the writing staffs of Roseanne and Veronica’s Closet before creating Gilmore Girls, and it was clear that her own creation would have a decidedly different tone. It was youthful, it was vibrant, and yet most importantly it was FAST. The speed at which Lorelai, a single mother, and her teenage daughter, Rory, talk has been one of the series’ most divisive qualities, and yet it’s what gave it its charm. And, just as fast as the show’s dialogue, it is disappearing from the airwaves.

It is survived by fond memories of the people and places around Stars Hollow, even those we found hideously annoying half the time like Taylor. The eccentric townspeople gave the show much of its unique qualities; after the show leaves, there is no small town like Stars Hollow left on television.

However, the show is also survived by memories of a family who struggled through hard times. Lorelai’s strained relationship with her parents, specifically her mother, has been one of the show’s strongest qualities, a constant reminder of their past. It is regrettable that this rushed conclusion will not allow for their relationship to be reconciled, but perhaps it is best this way.

And yet, we would be remiss in discussing the passing of this drama to ignore its romantic overtones. As young Rory bounced from her puppy love Dean, to her badboy rebel Jess, back to her adulterous ex Dean (Part Two), and then into the arms of her mature (But not THAT mature) reformed badboy Logan, she was emotionally drained, struggling with a great deal of inner turmoil. It is perhaps fitting, then, that she finds herself not with a romantic conclusion but with an empowering one. Tonight, she does not need to have a boyfriend to succeed, but rather a future of any form.

However, perhaps most beloved of all, the relationship between Luke and Lorelai has been going on for seven seasons and reaches its conclusion this evening. Romantic tension finally turned into real romance two seasons ago, and after Amy Sherman-Palladino left their relationship in scrambles it has taken 22 episodes to get it back. Tonight, for better or for worse, their saga comes to an end but their romance is unlikely to die in the hearts of the world’s shippers.

As we say goodbye to this drama, I would suggest that in lieu of cards and flowers that people begin sending letters to members of the Academy of Television in support of Lauren Graham and Kelly Bishop. In what is technically a very weak year for female-led dramas, Lauren Graham might well have a chance at achieving what she has yet to achieve: a lead actress in a comedy Emmy nomination. With three SAG noms and a Golden Globe nomination earlier in the series’ run, Graham has still gone unrecognized amongst the Academy, and I think she deserves it. Even as the show has fallen in terms of ratings and quality, she has nonetheless remained the show’s heart and soul. Similarly, Emily Bishop’s performance as Emily is biting and powerful, and as a veteran actress she should have been recognized by now. I can imagine a no better send off than to have these two actresses finally get their due.

Saying goodbye is never easy, but we lost Gilmore Girls too soon. With a show with so many characters, so many memories, it’s hard to just let go without proper time to cope. Although this season was somewhat of a swan song thanks to the depature of Sherman-Palladino over contract terms, it’s still not easy to say goodbye to these characters she created. Tonight, as Lorelai and Luke head towards a reconciliation and Rory plans her future, fans could cry, or weep, or become angry at it all. However, for the sake of moving on, I shall simply say:

“Bon Voyage.”

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May 15, 2007 · 5:24 am

Network Upfronts Extravaganza: One Tree Hill, Supernatural Renewed

As a special treat for the One Tree Hill fans flocking to the website in the wake of the recent upfronts. This is from Variety:

That would mean a new time slot is in store for “One Tree Hill, which skated to a renewal.

However, that’s not all the news that Variety offers this morning. They’ve also got the scoop on The CW’s possible scheduling plans and their likely pickup of another bubble drama:

“Reaper” may well get the post-“Smallville” 9 p.m. Thursday slot now held by “Supernatural,” which is expected to graduate to a third season. “Gossip Girl” sounds tailor-made for the post “America’s Next Top Model” berth on Wednesdays.

Yep, Supernatural definitely seems like a sure thing, although it is likely to move timeslots (I think Monday is its best bet, but they seem insistent on keeping their comedies there for pretty much no reason). And yes, as I predicted, Gossip Girl is likely to air after ANTM on Wednesdays. Reaper, meanwhile, needs to get itself away from that Grey’s/CSI spot, especially with The Office officially there full-time. Reaper needs a chance to succeed, so the better idea would be to move another show into the slot and hope for the best instead of wasting a pilot.

All of The CW’s final details will be unveiled on Thursday when they present their full upfront presentation: we’ll have all the news as it breaks over the coming days.

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Filed under Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, Reaper, Supernatural, Television, The CW, Upfronts

May 14, 2007 · 7:52 am

Network Upfronts Extravaganza: Monday Update

The 2007 Network Upfronts are officially upon us, and it’s NBC that’s first out of the gate.

Cultural Learnings’ Network Upfronts Extravaganza 2007 – ‘NBC’ Preview

However, while NBC presents at 3pm EST today, that doesn’t mean that other networks aren’t making moves and locking down pilot commitments. I spent some time last night updating various of the preview posts, but I figure that I should document some of that news here as a way of keeping everyone informed.

NBC

Exit Laughing: NBC Retreats from Comedy – The Hollywood Reporter

NBC, meanwhile, has made it official: there will be no new comedies on their fall schedule for the first time, well, ever. However, in a move which is sure to make things very interesting for The Office and My Name is Earl, the two shows will be pulling some overtime: a lot of it. The Office will have its normal 24 30-minute episodes during the season…plus six hour-long specials. That’s a total of 30 episodes, while My Name is Earl is getting 28 1/2 hour episodes. This means that NBC is erring on the side of ensuring new episodes of its hit shows. Also, the lineup for Comedy Night Done Right will shift: Earl and 30 Rock will hold down the 8pm fort, while The Office and Scrubs form a solid block at 9pm.

Also, Law & Order WILL be on the schedule, but Criminal Intent is moving to USA Network. Meanwhile, Friday Night Lights might find a home on Friday, and Lipstick Jungle will be held along with The IT Crowd until midseason. This changes my projected schedule, which has been updated. I literally have run out of shows, so they have to either pick up another pilot or…air something? I don’t even know.

The CW

[Cultural Learnings’ Preview]

The CW has nailed down its third drama pilot, an untitled project which features Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner, Batman Begins) as the owner of a wildlife refuge in South Africa and his son-in-law who moves there. Considering how tight my existing CW schedule is, chances are that this show would bump the Veronica Mars revamp (Yes, I’m sad too). However, I have to wonder whether The CW audience is really in tune with the South African wildlife refuge drama. The concept doesn’t sound terrible, but I fail to see where it fits into its image amongst young females especially, at least compared to a female-led FBI program.

ABC

[Cultural Learnings’Preview]

ABC’s lineup remains pretty locked up, although there’s word that According to Jim is still in contention. Dear ABC: do you really hate me that much? They could also be picking up another pilot, Miss/Guided, which the press release describes as:

“Miss/Guided” is a single-camera half-hour about a former ugly duckling (Judy Greer) who becomes a guidance counselor at her old high school.

Sounds decent enough, although only time will tell.

CBS

[Cultural Learnings’ Preview]

Meanwhile, CBS is making the bold move of picking up Swingtown and the Jimmy Smits drama, although no other pilot information is being made available. As a result, the fate of Jericho is still unknown and the status of other pilots (They need other pilots) is not yet known. I’ve added Swingtown to the schedule, and bumped Cold Case in the process…but chances are that it will bump the two extra comedies I placed on the schedule. But I think they need more comedies, so I’m keeping them there.

FOX

[Cultural Learnings’ Preview]

FOX has officially added the Juliana Marguiles-star vehicle Canterbury’s Law to their schedule. Because we needed another lawyer show. Really. Thanks FOX.

I’ll be checking in with the final NBC information later this afternoon with the final news of the schedule, and will probably offer some analysis later.

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Filed under 30 Rock, ABC, FOX, Friday Night Lights, Law & Order, NBC, Scrubs, Television, The CW, The Office, Upfronts

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May 11, 2007 · 7:58 pm

Network Upfronts Extravaganza: ‘The CW’ Preview

 

UPDATE: Hey everyone! Final word is in: One Tree Hill was Renewed! Get up and celebrate!

That’s right:

One Tree Hill is Renewed

…so congratulations to everyone.

In their first year as a network, The CW has been forced to weather failure after failure. Between the failure of Veronica Mars to find an audience, the failure for 7th Heaven to turn its “Series” finale success into a final season of high-rated television, and the absolute decimation of its Comedy Lineup after being moved to Monday Nights, the network has struggled to define a new identity for itself . However, perhaps more than anything else, The CW’s largest failure is the fact that of its new pilots at the beginning of the season, none of them became anything even close to a success. So, they face a unique challenge this time around: they need to find pilots which give them an identity that will make them a successful network next season. Do they have what it takes?

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Filed under Gilmore Girls, Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, Ratings, Reaper, Television, The CW, The O.C., Upfronts, Veronica Mars

May 11, 2007 · 9:25 am

Cultural Learnings’ Network Upfronts Extravaganza: Preview

So, I realized something last night after posting my 5th Blog Post in 24 hours: I need to blog less. Although each post was informative in its own special way, it just wasn’t necessary. I need to learn to control my urge to blog when it comes time to, you know, write a Thesis next year, so I figure that I should be conditioning over the summer.

Of course, this realization came as we come to one of the most important television weeks of the entire year, so I think it will be put on hold for a little while at least. Starting on Monday, the five major networks (And other smaller networks) will present their Fall lineups to the media and advertisers, and it’s always a fascinating experience. This is called the Network Upfront Presentations. It’s a combination of all sorts of things:

There’s suspense, waiting to see whether your favourite “On the Bubble” show has been renewed (This year I’m holding my breath for ‘Veronica Mars’).

There’s conflict, as when you realize that you’ll have to choose between ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘CSI’, or that you’ll have to TiVo the new Grey’s Spinoff if they choose to stick it against ‘Heroes’/’24’ (Which would be a nightmare for people who watch pretty well everything, like me).

There’s comedy, in seeing what idiotic pilots are picked up despite not having a hope in hell of being decent (See: ‘Geico Caveman’, the Sitcom! Seriously, ABC? Seriously?)

There’s drama, as certain shows that seemed to be sure things are left cut due to unforeseen circumstances (See: ABC’s high-profile adaptation of the British ‘Footballer’s Wives’).

And, perhaps most of all, there’s speculation. It’s perhaps one of my favourite things, because it allows us to make assumptions about these series and their potential both creatively and financially for the networks involved.

And thus begins the madness that is the Network Upfronts. So, what will Cultural Learnings be doing in order to inform its readers about this chaotic process?

Well, as much as it pains me, I don’t really want to leave little news bytes about everything. Yes, sure, I would have loved to have blogged about ‘Friday Night Lights’ being renewed (Which pretty well made my day yesterday), but I figure that’s best saved for discussing NBC in detail. I want this to be a resource for people wading through hundreds of announcements and news briefings and just about everything else, so I figure there’s a better way of going about it (But Yay Friday Night Lights!).

Over the weekend, I’ll be posting my pre-game thoughts if you will for each network: a brief summary of what they did right and wrong last pilot season, and what they should, theoretically, be looking for. I’ve even made a convenient little schedule, it’s quite exciting.

The Networks in Review

Friday: The CW

Saturday: CBS, FOX

Sunday: ABC, NBC

Then, starting on Monday, I’ll be detailing the upfront presentation of each network with analysis of whether or not they made the right decisions, and how each night of television might fare.

The Upfronts in Review:

Fall Schedule Details

Monday: NBC

Tuesday: CBS

Wednesday: ABC

Thursday: FOX, The CW

At the end of the week, after all the madness is over, I’ll be running down each night of television for the fall season so you’ll get an idea of what your TiVo will be recording in four months’ time, and what shows you might have to cut.

This is one of the most hectic weeks in television history (Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but seriously). You’ve got the ‘Survivor’ finale on Sunday, the penultimate episodes of ‘Heroes’/’24’ on Monday, the Series Finale of ‘Gilmore Girls’ on Tuesday, the penultimate ‘Lost’ on Wednesday, the finales of: ‘The Office’, ‘Scrubs’, ‘Ugly Betty’, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ AND ‘CSI’ on Thursday, and then even Saturday has the season finale of ‘Saturday Night Live’. And, on top of all of this, there’s the network upfronts?

It is going to be a busy week: stay tuned to Cultural Learnings if you want to see how it all ends up. If you want to get your news as it breaks, though, here’s some links to major resources for all your upfront and Pilot news.

The Hollywood Reporter: Pilot Chart

An extensive collection of every single pilot ordered by all networks, this offers you with the chance to peruse to see which series you might want to see pop up next week.

Variety: Pilot Watch

Variety’s got a newsfeed which is dedicated to news related to pilot season, so check this out for up-to-the-minute updates over the weekend regarding which shows are being staffed and which ones are being put to pasture.

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Filed under ABC, FOX, NBC, Ratings, The CW, Upfronts

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May 9, 2007 · 7:54 am

A Change Will Do Her Good: The ‘Veronica Mars’ FBI Spinoff

It began as a rumour from Michael Ausiello at TV Guide yesterday, and by last night it was picked up by the Hollywood Reporter. The story is really quite a simple one: in the wake of the cancellation of Gilmore Girls and a successful story pitch for an FBI Spinoff, Veronica Mars might just be finding its way onto The CW’s fall schedule in some form. And I, for one, am quite pleased to hear this.

I wrote about the spinoff when it was first proposed, and at the time I felt it would be a good step forward, but I’m more convinced now than ever. Veronica is a complex character with qualities which make for strong character relationships and a penchant for witty dialogue that doesn’t seem forced. The show, as it stands now, is entirely contingent on the strength of her character, and as a result any spinning off of the original show that includes her can be successful.

I think this is especially true about last night’s episode, which was at the very least a return to basic form from last week’s abysmal episode. It got a few things back on track, such as the entire focus on relationships. While last week seemed like too much, too fast, this week things actually progressed at a reasonable speed. Veronica and Piz slowed things down, and the result was an episode where they actually did seem to connect a little. Their handholding at the end felt like it actually meant something, unlike their kissfest at the end of last week.

Similarly, although I would argue she made a terrible error in judgment, Mac’s relationship issues were much more psychological as opposed to overbearing. Last week was basically the boozefest, and this week was the sobering period; she came to the realization that she and Bronson were too dissimilar for her (Which I think is bull, but Mac’s old enough to make her own choices) and that she was connecting with the morally questionable geek instead. Instead of seeming like the show smashing “ROMANCE ROMANCE ROMANCE” into our brains, it felt like the characters were actually feeling things…and this is an improvement, and a return to better things for the series.

The problem is that this romance drama, as well as Keith’s Sheriff subplot, can only go so far. Sure, it was nice to have Deputy Leo (Max Greenfield, also recently seen on Ugly Betty) back, but there isn’t much potential there from a storyline perspective. The Sheriff stories have remained downright boring, even with Vinnie Van Lowe cutting in to the race for Sheriff, but they’re not the only problem. To be honest, I don’t think the college setting is working for the show either.

 

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