On Strike, Shut It Down, Pajiba Is a Union Town!
The Daily Trade Round-Up / The TV Whore
Nov. 14, 2007
In week two of The Strike, it comes as little surprise that most of the TV news is strike related. For example, even though “24” isn’t on the air yet, Fox got some big headlines when it announced late last week that the strike was putting the show’s start date into the foggy realm of the unknown. This is because Fox wants to be able to air the full season uninterrupted, as originally planned (and as it’s done the last few seasons), and a prolonged strike would make that rather difficult. So the network has indefinitely postponed the seventh season premiere until things get resolved. Which means we may not see a new season of “24” for some time. And I’m rather OK with that.
But you know, this has me thinking — the writers could totally use Jack Bauer right about now, you know? He could shoot some studio execs in the knees to get them to bend their positions a little, get these negotiations moving forward again. Although the SF Chronicle’s Tim Goodman has an absolutely brilliant idea, which I simply must share. In talking about the fact that the cast members of “Grey’s Anatomy” had joined the picket lines in support of the writers, in full scrubs, garb Goodman said:
We’d like to see Ian McShane walking the line in support — dressed as his “Deadwood” character and using the “-sucker” line as much as he did on the now-defunct series. Now that’s the kind of righteous bile we like. Can you imagine McShane on the picket line shouting, “Tell your God to ready for blood!” That might cut the strike by a month at least.
Now I would pay good money to see that shit!
While Fox quickly decided to put “24” on hold, ABC is showing an unwillingness to do the same with “Lost.” The show was slated for an uninterrupted 16 episode run starting in February, but there are currently only eight hours in the can, with the eighth episode ending on a minor cliffhanger. The show’s producers, who are walking the picket line, have said they’d like ABC to hold off airing the batch of episodes, fearing that a short run followed by a long hiatus could garner the type of backlash the early part of last season did. But ABC seems set on airing the episodes regardless, likely because of February sweeps and its desperate need for any help it can get. In fact, the guy in charge of Fox scheduling said, regarding “24,” that “it would be a disservice to the show and to the audience to run eight episodes and just go, ‘Okay, let’s stop the clock.’” Which is, of course, exactly what ABC is now talking about doing with “Lost.” (Speaking of “Lost,” ABC has decided to start posting the previously cellular-only mobisodes on its website — you can find the first unexciting installment here.)
Meanwhile, “Pushing Daisies” and “Men in Trees” are both joining “Heroes” in getting potential early season finales ready. For “Daisies,” the ninth episode (which was the last pre-strike episode to be written) was reworked a little to act as a finale in the event of a long strike. The same is true for “Trees” although, because the network has been sitting on a bunch of unaired episodes, the “early” finale wouldn’t come until the 19th episode, which is almost a full season anyways. Meanwhile, “Scrubs” has no such finale (series, not season) in the works — while NBC pushed writer/creator Bill Lawrence to quickly cobble together a potential series finale, he told the network to fuck off. If the strike kills the chances of a finale ever airing, Lawrence is already contemplating a DVD release, so us fans may get to eventually see the series finale Lawrence has in mind, which is a nice comfort.
Now I’ve given TV Guide’s Michael Ausiello a lot of shit around these parts because he’s an egotistical douchenozzle. And he is. But he does this shit full time, so he’s got better resources and more time on his hands than I do, so credit where credit is due — he’s put together a very handy list of most current shows, outlining how many episodes they have left to burn. Most fall within the three-to-eight episode range, so unless there are a lot of reruns in the works, it looks like many of the shows won’t even make it to late January, as folks had previously been speculating, and new episodes will start vanishing just after you’ve finished digesting your turkey and stuffing.
Turning back to Fox, in addition to putting the brakes on “24,” the network has also firmed up the start dates for its midseason shows: “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” will get a two night premiere on January 13 and 14, “New Amsterdam” drops on February 22, and “Canterbury’s Law” joins us on April 11. I’m intrigued by the first two, and couldn’t care less about the third because it is yet. another. law show. Fox also has a new comedy from the Farrelly Brothers, “Unhitched,” which I’ve honest-to-goodness never heard of before. It will premiere in March and while I don’t know anything about, the attachment of the Farrelly Brothers is enough for me to tune out — the Farrellys lost what little goodwill they had from me long, long ago. Lastly, the potentially troubled “The Return of Jezebel James” will be premiering on March 7, so all you Amy Sherman-Palladino and Parker Posey fans can get your excitement on.
Now last week, many of the comments to my round-up bitched about the relative suckfest that “Heroes” has been this season. Well the show’s creator, Tim Kring, is sorry. He’s very, very sorry. Last Wednesday, Entertainment Weekly published what amounts to an official apology from Kring for much of this season’s crap (it also appeared in last weekend’s edition of the magazine). He apologized for the slow pacing, the early lack of important stakes, the introduction of new characters in ways that feel unattached to show’s main threads (but what about the new characters sucking balls, Kring?), for the terrible love stories between Claire and the flying lad and between Hiro and his Japanese princess gal, and for keeping Hiro in Japan too long (and I’m actually OK with that one, since the modern times payoff makes that story slightly more interesting, retroactively). Now I’m not inclined to think the show will get much better anyway, but it’s still nice to see someone behind a show readily fess up to mistakes made. Of course, it may not matter much anyway, as the December 3 episodes of “Heroes” has, as I alluded to above and has been much publicized, been cut to act as a potential season finale in light of the strike. So next month may be the end of this miserable season, meaning we’ll have to wait all the way until at least September and Season Three to get our “Heroes” bitch back on.
Lastly, while Fox is yanking “24” for now, it’s sibling FX has announced that there will be more “Damages,” two more 13-episode seasons, in fact. Glenn Close, Tate Donovan and Rose Byrne are all signed for season two, though there’s no word on whether Teddy Danson will be showing up. Despite appearances to the contrary, folks in charge said they could bring him back if everyone wants to go that direction and I, for one, hope they do bring him back, as his performance was by far the best thing about the show’s first season.
And while there may be no new “24” airings on the horizon, the folks over at College Humor have unearthed Fox’s original pilot for the show, set in 1994, so here’s a little Jack Bauer for you on this Wednesday a.m.:
Seth Freilich is Pajiba’s television editor. He wonders why ‘94 CTU didn’t have a private BBS. That way, they could’ve played Trade Wars during their downtime. Man alive was that the best game ever or what? Where my fellow nerds at?
Pajiba Love 11/13/07 | | Grey's Anatomy Physical Attraction
Comments
Finally all these shows that critics gush over that I can't stand will run out of episodes and disappear!! No more Office, Heroes, etc. And 24 won't even start!!
And the dreck my wife makes me watch will run out too, like Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. To think that someone is actually paid to write this crap boggles the mind.
Bring on Big Brother in the winter. They should base it up here in the north and do all the challenges in 3 feet of snow.
Posted by: grumpyoldman at November 14, 2007 8:27 AM
Its amazing how low the networks will stoop to keep milking their cash cows. I just read an article from AP that says that Fox has produced three new episodes of Family Guy without any involvement by its creator, Seth Macfarlane. As most fans will know, in addition to directing, animating, and helping to write scripts, Macfarlane also voices half of the characters in the show (Including Peter, Stewie, and Brian). How the hell does Fox think it can make a show without any of its main characters?? It's like trying to make a sequel Schindler's List with Uwe Boll directing, and a Speak-N-Spell as Schindler. Dumbassery abounds. Let's hope the execs bend soon, and give these writers the residuals they deserve, so we can get the damn talent back.
Posted by: Aratweth at November 14, 2007 9:04 AM
I just finished watching Season 1 of Heros (thank you Netflix) and I'm so dissapointed to hear all this crap about Season 2. I haven't been this excited about a show in a long time...well, since Lost Season 1 anyway.
Posted by: Agent Scully at November 14, 2007 9:21 AM
I hope that, while walking the picket line, the writers of Cavemen take this opportunity to think long and hard about what they've done.
Posted by: sansho1 at November 14, 2007 9:38 AM
Please don't get me started on Deadwood, perhaps one of HBO's best shows of all time. But what does HBO do for an encore? it's John from who gives a fuck and Flight of the Conchords. Thank god the Wire begins in January, but sadly it's last season.
Posted by: Pookie at November 14, 2007 9:58 AM
Ya know, I'm just waiting for one of the networks to develop the new reality show called "The Strike." They just film the picket line and follow the strikers around, and interview all the studio heads, etc. etc.
Posted by: BWeaves at November 14, 2007 9:58 AM
I am constantly confused with HBO. Their shows are in a "season" format, but honestly there is only a hand-full of episodes every year, which is very upsetting at times. They should just be called mini-movies or something. Goodness, HBO gets me flustered in the morning, but not as flustered as I was when Cyril didn't die the first time. BAM! SPOILER!
Early-morning Love,
Emily
ps. Everything has gone to suck this season, the only thing I am excited about is season 3 of Venture Brothers, but Cartoon Network is not one of the 4 channels I get. Sadness just overwhelmed me with this revelation. Oh, man....here it comes again, an emoticon : (
Posted by: Emily at November 14, 2007 10:16 AM
BWeaves, my money is on Fox.
Posted by: Melody at November 14, 2007 10:27 AM
Could someone give grumpy his teeth back? I think he misplaced 'em trying to BITE ME.
Posted by: Alex B at November 14, 2007 10:36 AM
I'm anticipating the moment NBC runs out of shows. That way they might start to look for shows from their cable channels like *cough*BATTLESTAR*cough* to fill in the holes.
Posted by: Viv at November 14, 2007 11:12 AM
Is it truly pathetic that I've taken to buying up all the RPGs I've intended to play but never gotten around to over the last few years for when my supply of TV dries up? No force in the 'Verse is going to make me watch British terrestrial TV. No way. No how. Although this does give me a fine opportunity to catch up on some anime series also...
Alas, now I have to break the news of the shortened Heroes run to my friend S. Her love for it goes beyond obsessive. Although that may be in large part to the hotness that is Peter Petrelli... maybe I can calm her by lending her Gilmore Girls DVDs.
Posted by: Alex the Odd at November 14, 2007 11:22 AM
Pookie: I have never felt closer to you. Ah, Deadwood! Misty morning colored memories of the way we were....
By the way, if I may clarify for the Aussies, Brits, Micks and other assorted non-US Pajibans, he means end of November/Thanksgiving when he refers to "digesting turkey". Just in case any of you thought you had until Christmas.
Posted by: PaddyDog at November 14, 2007 11:25 AM
Viv, I've been hoping for the same thing, as I haven't seen any Battlestar yet. I also wouldn't mind some of their Bravo programming, either (if I'm not mistaken,they own Bravo, right?).
Posted by: Kt at November 14, 2007 11:32 AM
Yep, they own Bravo too and yes I'm frightfully addicted to Project Runway and Top Chef (which I like a lot more than either of Food Network's chef competitions).
Posted by: Viv at November 14, 2007 11:42 AM
Project Runway returns tonight for anyone interested. This year's cast looks entertaining from the preview I saw.
Posted by: Melody at November 14, 2007 12:00 PM
I would love to see NBC air the last season of Top Chef. I only got to opportunistically watch a few of the episodes, and then unfortunately saw who won on their website. I would still rewatch the whole thing though. What a great series.
Glad to have you back TV Whore! Was it really just last week that you previously posted? It feels like longer than that. I like movie news and all, but the TV junkie in me was jonesing.
Posted by: katy at November 14, 2007 12:16 PM
Damages was a damn good show. Ted Danson did do a fine job, as did Zeljko Ivanek and of course Glenn. I'm glad they are bringing it back. It's another great FX show, in line with The Shield.
Posted by: SR at November 14, 2007 12:39 PM
"Egotistical Douchenozzle"
I can honestly say I've never heard that one before. It's definitely a keeper. By the way, can I use that one for myself? I'll give you credit, of course.
Posted by: RAT at November 14, 2007 12:42 PM
It seems that after ABC garnered some goodwill from Lost fans for setting an end date for the series, they've decided to screw us over yet again by implementing the same schedule that was so vilified last year.
What's next, Nikki and Paulo make their return?
Posted by: Faye at November 14, 2007 12:43 PM
Oh ho, but we can guarantee that American Idol wil be back for 8 months! And thank God Project Runway is reality because that will keep me going for a while. And America's Next Top Model...what can I say I am Tyra's bitch. (guilty/embarrassing pleasure).
I'm sad about Heroes because this week's ep was great! It should have been the season premiere. I guess that this will be a good time to sign up for Netflix...
Posted by: lyricalcatt at November 14, 2007 1:13 PM
Emily I'm totally waiting on Venture Brothers too! God that show is fantastic. I guess you'd just have to watch it on The Fix if you don't get cable.
In real news... I have Netflix and a stack of "Rusty Should Read" books a mile high, the strikers can take as long as they damn well please in my opinion. I support them.
Posted by: Rusty at November 14, 2007 1:37 PM
Suffering from...Daily Show withdrawal...cannot concentrate...need witty remarks about Pakistan to repeat at work next day...Arrrgh!
On a more sane note, I too am counting the days until the new Venture Brothers season.
You had me for a minute there, Rusty. Until I saw your name on the post, I thought there were Dr. (Rusty) Venture books available.
"Dean, don't you learn anything in bed?"
- Hank Venture
Posted by: numchuck skillz at November 14, 2007 2:11 PM
Rusty, I must agree with numchuck, I was thinking "Wow, Dr. Rusty books, that must be like the entire 76-79' series of Penthouse." I am glad to hear of other great minds enjoying the wonderfulness of Venture Bros. I am all a flutter with the new season and I understand watching it on The Fix, but nothing beats watching it on the boobtube and eating space-man ice cream.
"I am the bat""and how,"
Emily
Posted by: Emily at November 14, 2007 2:57 PM
I still like "Heroes." I don't think it sucks.
I love Danson on "Damages," he and Glenn are the best parts of it. I didn't think it got good enough ratings to score two more seasons, but I guess I was wrong.
I've been watching "Life," which I said I wouldn't, but it's kinda growing on me. Plus, there's nothing else I want to watch in its time slot.
When they finally do run out of new shit, guess I'll be reading a lot more. Maybe cleaning.
Posted by: LL at November 14, 2007 3:55 PM
I'm finding I really don't give a shit about the strike, that's how much TV sucks right now.
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at November 14, 2007 5:09 PM
I haven't given up on Heroes. And after reading that interview with Kring, he seems to have gotten his head in the right place. Even if Season 2 ends early and is considered a dud, I'll still be looking forward to Season 3.
Posted by: Amanda at November 14, 2007 5:44 PM
Was opening every other paragraph with a statement about 24 intentional?
I find it rather ironic that this writer's strike will probably lead to far more DVD tv show sales/rentals. It's gonna give me a chance to watch seasons of all those shows I never got around to over the years.
Posted by: Leaf at November 14, 2007 8:26 PM
"I dare you to make less sense"
Hee, sorry for the confusion, numchuck and Emily. Although I do admit, Dr.Thaddeus Venture has a lot to do with my online handle. Hell, who wouldn't want to have Brock Sampson follow them around all day?
I do have to say, Adult Swim's scheduling (or non-scheduling) of VB means that I'll probably be able to take the writers strike longer than most. It definitely helps with the repeated shoving back of BSG. When you're regularly waiting more than a year for your favorite show to come back, and then it's only aired once a week at midnight (if you're lucky) for 3 months you get used to the TV people shitting on you.
Posted by: Rusty at November 14, 2007 8:50 PM
Douchenozzle! Oh, I do love learning new words! Learning is a lifetime pursuit, no doubt.
Posted by: Daphne at November 14, 2007 9:05 PM
Hey. I'm not sure how many of you care, but watching the scab shows really doesn't help the writers' cause. When the network sees that new reality television (and I'm not talking about the previously schedules crap, but the stuff they are moving or starting new) and "encores" are still making money, they feel less inclined to listen to the writers.
Sorry, not trying to be preachy, I just know some people want to help and are unaware of the situation.
Posted by: Em at November 14, 2007 9:26 PM
Once the mumbled words of "Give me head" were uttered, I knew I would forever be under the clutches of the Venture Brothers spell. While, yes it is a season two episode (I got into the Venture Bros. through the internet, watched all the episodes in one weekend then went out and bought season 1), this line defines the entire series.
Love to all the Astro-Base Go fans.
Posted by: Emily at November 14, 2007 11:48 PM
How long is this strike for, by the way?
Posted by: Toothed Varmint at November 15, 2007 6:05 AM