Category Archives: Veronica Mars

May 22, 2007 · 10:41 pm

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.

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Filed under Television, The CW, Veronica Mars

Tagged as Reviewing the Finales

May 22, 2007 · 8:57 am

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.

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Tagged as Series Finale

May 20, 2007 · 7:05 pm

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 @ BlogSpot

JerichoLives.com

‘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 2^nd season of the drama (As unlikely as it is), we have no idea what might emerge from that engagement.

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Tagged as CBS, Save Jericho

May 19, 2007 · 6:50 pm

The Three Most Disturbing Trends of the 2007/2008 Upfronts

Each year, the Upfronts create a series of trends which show what the networks are really thinking for the following year. They take what was successful the year before, and they decide that they should just copy all of that into their own schedules. For example, Lost’s success led to three different sci-fi copycat shows the following season: Invasion (ABC), Surface (NBC), and Threshold (CBS). Similarly, after the success of Prison Break, networks switched to serial conspiracy/action dramas like Vanished (FOX), Kidnapped (NBC), and Smith (CBS). This season has seen a variety of different trends, and some of them actually seem quite good on the surface. However, I think that there is actually a number of bad precedents being set which we should all remain aware of as next season begins.

The Three Most Disturbing Trends of the 2007/2008 Upfronts

3. The Procedural Nature of Television Drama

I’ve expected it from CBS for many years, now: all of their dramas are unlikely to have any sort of serial aspect, choosing instead to stick to procedural structure. Law & Order really started it off, CSI picked up the ball and kept running, and there is surely to be a new franchise waiting in the wings with time. It’s a quality which the networks love, since it means people can just sit back and watch a single episode without getting too caught up in the previous week’s action. And, I like some of these dramas: they can be compelling and fun to watch, and they repeat well for the purpose of syndication. However, I don’t want to see all procedural and nothing but procedural dramas.

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Filed under ABC, American Idol, FOX, Grey's Anatomy, Heroes, House, My Name is Earl, NBC, New Amsterdam, Private Practice, Reality TV, Sarah Connor Chronicles, Survivor, Television, The Amazing Race, The Apprentice, The CW, The Office, Upfronts, Veronica Mars

Tagged as CBS

May 18, 2007 · 11:11 am

The Five Biggest Mistakes of the 2007 Network Upfronts

There is no question that the Upfronts bring on a lot of good things, which I will get to in time. However, it’s tough directly after the release of all of the fall schedules to not dwell on the negatives. The show which we canceled, the shows that were mistreated, and the show that you cringe just thinking about. As a result, we start our weekend coverage of the Upfronts with a piece which covers the mistakes made, and which ones will have the most negative effect on the state of television.

The Five Biggest Mistakes of the 2007 Network Upfronts

5. CBS cancels ‘Jericho’

I’ve talked about why canceling Jericho was the right move in the end, but I think it still needs to be recognized that CBS might need to reconsider such moves in the future. Wonky scheduling killed the show’s audience, not necessarily its quality, and I think this is where CBS might have hit their final straw. I think that CBS is worried about the bottom line, and the ratings performance, and I kind of wonder whether they really watched the show to see. Jericho’s fanbase was rabid and of a different sort than most of their shows. The network was able to cancel shows in the past without fanfare (Where’s the outrage for Close to Home?) because they are casual viewers: Jericho didn’t have any of those, and canceling it is likely to end up being more than they bargained for.

It had to be done, but it’s certainly put them in a lesser eye with some of the people that they hope might turn up this season for Moonlight and Viva Laughlin, two shows which might need a touch of their fandom. If they ever want to branch into serial television for real, they will need to realize that quality does matter. We’ll see if their tone changes as time moves forward.

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Filed under 'Til Death, ABC, Cavemen, FOX, Friday Night Lights, House, Jericho, NBC, New Amsterdam, Ratings, Television, The CW, Upfronts, Veronica Mars

Tagged as CBS

May 17, 2007 · 2:25 pm

Network Upfronts Extravaganza – ‘Veronica Mars’ Canceled [For Real]

Well folks, we all knew this day would come. Final word out of New York, from The CW’s own Dawn Ostroff has basically confirmed it: Veronica Mars has (finally) been canceled.

From Michael Ausiello at TV Guide.com:

12;29 OK, here it is in a nutshell, per dawn ostroff. Veronica Mars is dead. But, and there is a but, she says she’s “talking to Rob and Kristen” about doing something else. She’s not calling it a spin-off, and wouldn’t say whether it would feature the character of Veronica. Translation; I’m as confused as ever!

12:33 I will try and get more clarification on this. Please stand by…

12:36 OK, a reporter just asked a VM follow-up — and Dawn continues to dodge. She says they’re discussing “an idea,” but adds, “I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

12;47 The press conference is over. I tackle dawn just as she tries to escape and I ask her to level with me. Is Veronica dead? “Veronica Mars is over, but we’re talking about something else. I don’t know if it’s going to be anything. I’m being honest with you. It could come back in some form, but I don’t know what form that would be.” She confirmed that the deadline to make a decision is “somewhere around” the June 15 date i referred to previously. Long story short: mystery still not solved!

And then, the heartbreaking conclusion, from creator Rob Thomas himself…

“No one has talked to me about a new, non-Veronica project. All my writer’s have been offered jobs elsewhere, and I believe they will now all accept these jobs. Very, very, very sad day around the VM offices.

I assume that anything Dawn would be talking about in the realm of a Rob-Kristen project would involve a new from-scratch pilot as they don’t have me in a deal, and they’ll lose Kristen in a couple of weeks.”

Bottom line: It’s over.

I think we all saw this coming, perhaps, but it will take a while for it to sink in. I’ll have my final thoughts on the series’ three-season run ahead of its Series Finale on Tuesday. Until then, let’s have a moment of silence.

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Filed under Television, The CW, Upfronts, Veronica Mars

May 17, 2007 · 11:03 am

Network Upfronts Extravaganza – ‘The CW’ Announces 2007/2008 Fall Schedule

It’s official: via Variety, The CW announces its full 2007/2008 Fall Schedule. It’s not overly risky, really, but it’s got some potential. What is the fate of your favourite shows like Supernatural, Veronica Mars, One Tree Hill or newcomers like Gossip Girl and Reaper? Read on to find out.

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

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

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 · 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