Straight Up Now Tell Me Will You Pajiba Me Forever?
The Daily Trade Round-Up / The TV Whore
Jan. 16, 2008
Trade News | January 16, 2008 | Comments (82)
With the Super Bowl and its monster TV ratings right around the corner, there are a few things I know. I know there’s no way in hell the Patriots will lose to the Chargers next week. Which means that in a few weeks, I know I’ll be joining much of America in rooting against the Pats with all the vim and vigor I can muster. And if they’re facing the Giants, rather than the Packers, it’ll pain my Eagles green blood to no end to be rooting for the Gints, but such is life. In any event, I also know that during halftime, I will likely be taking shots and talking about how next year will totally be the Eagles’ year. I also thought I knew that I wouldn’t be watching the half time show while drinking and jawing it up — sure, I used to like headliner Tom Petty, but after his involvement with The Postman, I’m not sure that I can ever affirmatively support him again. But man, I didn’t know I wouldn’t be watching the halftime show, not totally for sure, until I heard this rumor. Word on the grapevine is that Paula Abdul is in talks to perform her new single in what can’t be anything but a miserable moment in time, no matter how alcohol-induced numb I am. Sure, it’s only a rumor at this point. But given that the Super Bowl is on Fox, and Fox loves it some shameless self-promotion, we know it’s going to happen. Fuck man — it’s not bad enough to have Ryan Seacrest doing a red carpet for a fucking football game? They gotta taint the halftime show too? … Maybe MC Scat Cat will take her out between now and then in a fit of hairball-induced jealousy.
Anyway, I also know that every time I try to put a little faith in the American public, give them the benefit of the doubt, try to think “well, maybe they’re not all that bad,” some shit like this happens. Granted it doesn’t mean much, but still — last week, the People’s Choice Award for Best New TV Drama was award to “Moonlight.” Fucking Blood Sucker, P.I. And I gotta say, as shocking as this news was when I saw the press release, I was kinda more shocked that the show is still on the air, even despite the fact that the strike is causing lots of shit to stick around longer than usual. I mean, I sat through the first episode of a lot of bad shows last fall, and this was the only one that I simply could not make it through. I got through the first episodes of “Cavemen” and even “Big Shots,” but despite my love for vampire stuff, this show was the biggest turd of all turds. So, naturally, the People love it. I can’t wait to see who the People foist on us for our next President. All I know is, thank the frakking gods that Larry the Cable Guy isn’t running for office.
Good news, bad news on the new show front. On the good side of things, possibly, FX has given the go-ahead for a new pilot to start filming next month. “Sons of Anarchy” (which was previously called “Forever Sam Crow”) is a drama focusing on the world of motorcycle clubs, staring Charlie Hunnam, Katey Sagal and Scott Glenn, among others. The pilot will be directed by a dude who directed a bunch of “The Sopranos” episodes and it comes from Kurt Sutter, who doesn’t have much on his IMDb resume other than some episodes of “The Shield” and the upcoming Punisher flick (I can’t believe they’re making a sequel to that piece of shit). Well, that, and a healthy mane of hair. In any event, sounds like an idea with some potential, and FX has a pretty good success rate, so it’ll be interesting to see if the pilot turns into something worthwhile.
On the bad news front, CBS has dug a bit further into the trenches, ordering up three new reality shows to air at an undisclosed time “later this year.” The first comes from Ashton Kutcher and his production company — “Game Show in My Head” takes Kutcher back to his “Punk’d” hidden camera roots, this time with folks living their lives while taking instruction to do embarrassing things from a secret earpiece. I actually respect Kutcher the reality producer a little bit — “Punk’d,” for a while, was good for what it was, and “Beauty and the Geek” has been a surprising little treat. But I think he’s going to miss the hat-trick with this one. Although it’ll be better, surely, than “Secret Talents of the Stars” which is, as you might guess, a celebrity talent show. And that, in turn, has to be better than “America’s Top Dog,” a show with dog owners. All living together in a house. Going through challenges. That put their relationship with their dogs to the ultimate test. And cause mass suicides across the nation.
That reminds me however — here’s a piece of inside trivia for y’all. When we were in law school together, Dustin decided he needed a nickname, and the name he dubbed himself with was Dawg. It stuck for a surprisingly good amount of time amongst our group, as we were often drunk and loved stupid shit. But if you’ve ever met Mr. Pajiba in person, you’d agree that he’s the least likely “Dawg” ever. Point being, please feel free to start referring to him as such around these parts.
Let’s end with this. This time last year, I would’ve been shocked — shocked, I say — to know that I’d actually be a bit excited with anticipation for the upcoming “Lost” premiere. But that’s what a strong season finale and a decimated-by-strike landscape does for ya. Here’s hoping the shortened season will be worth my continued investment in the show. For those, like me, waiting for the premiere, here’s a little clip to tide you over:
Seth Freilich is Pajiba’s television editor. One night in, he’s already sick of mother fucking “American Idol,” but he just doesn’t know how to quit it. He needs help.
Comments
Posted by: PissBoy at January 16, 2008 9:17 AM
Is there anything in this roundup that's worth getting excited over? I mean yeah, there's LOST, but I've seen the preview already. And i can't wait for that. But what do we have? Paula Abdul drooling on a microphone while Ryan Seacrest teabags some dude on the red carpet. People's choice awards. Reality shows about dogs. Christ. The WGA strike gonna make it suck so bad that the round-up is going to revolve around what movies Seth has rented and what flavor Kool-Aid he bought at the Safeway. I mean that'd be exciting and all...but only if he's watching 3 Ninjas Kick Back and it was grape.
OOOOO!!! Lookit!!! My preview button is back!!!!