tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post9028249871171690644..comments2024-03-28T18:01:28.997-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: ABC upfront, take oneAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-63342629142666444662008-05-14T20:03:00.000-04:002008-05-14T20:03:00.000-04:00Colm Meany fans should really see the film Kings, ...Colm Meany fans should really see the film <I>Kings</I>, which is mostly in the Irish language with subtitles. Meany is superb in it.Mapeelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12149683683413237283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-49475301058263795752008-05-14T11:39:00.000-04:002008-05-14T11:39:00.000-04:00Do you think the strike actually helped these show...<I>Do you think the strike actually helped these shows?</I><BR/><BR/>Absolutely. Life probably would have been canceled by November if not for the strike, but NBC couldn't afford to pull the plug on any completed scripted programming, and the show got good enough towards the end that they decided to give it another shot next year.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-63613765551981714882008-05-14T11:28:00.000-04:002008-05-14T11:28:00.000-04:00Thanks Alan, I realized after I posted it was pro...Thanks Alan, I realized after I posted it was probably NBC. Every time I tried to watch it I would switch to ABC because it FELT like an ABC show. <BR/><BR/>Sort of an unrelated question:<BR/>I notice that a lot of bubble shows I wouldn't have thought would get picked up during a regular non-strike season (Eli Stone, Life, Pushing Daisies, How I Met Your Mother, I know there are more than that) are getting pick-ups. Do you think the strike actually helped these shows?Grunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03308246886810700890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-36879311779744639392008-05-14T11:12:00.000-04:002008-05-14T11:12:00.000-04:00I thought I heard somewhere that "Life" was gettin...<I>I thought I heard somewhere that "Life" was getting a renewal but I didn't see it on the schedule nor did I hear it mentioned. Did it get cancelled months ago and I just missed the memo? </I><BR/><BR/>No, but you missed the network. Life's an NBC show, and they picked it up for next season a few months ago.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-69889840895062509642008-05-14T11:08:00.000-04:002008-05-14T11:08:00.000-04:00Alan,I thought I heard somewhere that "Life" was g...Alan,<BR/><BR/>I thought I heard somewhere that "Life" was getting a renewal but I didn't see it on the schedule nor did I hear it mentioned. Did it get cancelled months ago and I just missed the memo?Grunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03308246886810700890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-87774959149615619862008-05-14T06:03:00.000-04:002008-05-14T06:03:00.000-04:00Opportunity Knocks - is this a remake of the Briti...<I>Opportunity Knocks</I> - is this a remake of the British programme from the 60s? Ha! You know a network's desperate if they're willing to go that far back for what is basically just the same as all the other talent shows out there...<BR/><BR/>As for the US <I>Life on Mars</I> - I'll probably watch the pilot but I do hope they don't let it outstay its welcome. I've a lot of respect for programme makers who are willing to finish something leaving us wanting more, rather than running it into the ground. So many brilliant shows have had their memories squandered by the later episodes. Think <I>Friends</I> for one...Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10576490910177808746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-23506579643358802692008-05-13T21:35:00.000-04:002008-05-13T21:35:00.000-04:00So, regarding that photo:I assume the second from ...So, regarding that photo:<BR/><BR/>I assume the second from the left is the new Sam, the woman is the new Annie, and I know Colm Meany (I like that casting, although the photo doesn't really make me feel confident - think of how Philip Glenister always looked threatening and dangerous in every photo, while Colm just looks like he's standing there.)<BR/><BR/>My question is - who is the guy on the left? <BR/><BR/>I'm not at all confident about Life On Mars as a US series, but there is an element of curiosity attached to it. If only because I want to see how they could have worked around the show's short-term premise.Matthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08196372589248892579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-15964190867672517032008-05-13T19:21:00.000-04:002008-05-13T19:21:00.000-04:00Why aren't critics making a bigger deal about the ...<I>Why aren't critics making a bigger deal about the October Road crew taking over Life on Mars? </I><BR/><BR/>1)Because the thought of David E. Kelley running the show was even worse. <BR/><BR/>2)Because everyone assumes the show is going to stink, anyway, as the premise isn't designed for the long-term (though McPherson claims the October Road guys have figured out a way around that). <BR/><BR/>3)Because Life on Mars never reached the TV critic-approval saturation of some other BBC shows like The Office. <BR/><BR/>4)Because, for this critic anyway, while October Road was lousy, the same guys were responsible for Showtime's underrated Going to California, so they're not completely without talent.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-62650463526206010542008-05-13T19:17:00.000-04:002008-05-13T19:17:00.000-04:00Why aren't critics making a bigger deal about the ...Why aren't critics making a bigger deal about the October Road crew taking over Life on Mars? Every critic I've read HATED October Road, but so far not so much as a hick-up about them getting their hands on a translation of a well-respected Brit show. And how did it happen, anyway? Are they still under contract with ABC beyond the one (failed) show? Have they done something else that merits this confidence?Sara Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01178920384446523847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-31355330014478938102008-05-13T17:54:00.000-04:002008-05-13T17:54:00.000-04:00Ditto on the Lost question. It is looking like th...Ditto on the Lost question. It is looking like the only show on ABC I'll be watching.Taleenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13465468178554091355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-60707679732799128802008-05-13T17:52:00.000-04:002008-05-13T17:52:00.000-04:00Toby:Blast! You're right. I was just assuming it...Toby:<BR/><BR/>Blast! You're right. I was just assuming it was available already. So no, no euphemism.<BR/><BR/>There goes that idea for the summer. I might be forced to read instead!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-51322769411913155652008-05-13T16:52:00.000-04:002008-05-13T16:52:00.000-04:00Steve McPherson just said during the more formal u...Steve McPherson just said during the more formal upfront presentation that "Scrubs" will air Tuesdays at 9 at some point in mid-season, paired with the Mike Judge cartoon "The Goode Family."Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-58077999088872345382008-05-13T16:14:00.000-04:002008-05-13T16:14:00.000-04:00I really haven't had time today to more than peek ...I really haven't had time today to more than peek at the upfront list at thefutoncritic. I saw Boston Legal, and Scrubs at midseason and then I went back to whatever it was I was doing at the time (trying to feed a recalcitrant duck, trying to figure out how to install a compiler on linux, trying to figure out why one instance my backup software is permanently paused, and, oh yeah, getting to work.<BR/><BR/>I'm hoping there will *be* TV in the fall. Perhaps if SAG goes on strike, Scrubs will air sooner...<BR/><BR/>and I thought NBC did their upfronts a month ago??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-39405703605494668132008-05-13T15:50:00.000-04:002008-05-13T15:50:00.000-04:00I don't think the original "Life On Mars" is avail...I don't think the original "Life On Mars" is available yet from Netflix, Rachel.<BR/><BR/>Unless "Netflix" is a euphemism for acquiring it in some other manner....Toby O'Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06999037844031101965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-29805857405715028652008-05-13T15:25:00.000-04:002008-05-13T15:25:00.000-04:00Any idea what time/day Lost will be next year? Thu...Any idea what time/day Lost will be next year? Thurs @ 10pm again? I liked it earlier, personally...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-39638117290805177712008-05-13T14:52:00.000-04:002008-05-13T14:52:00.000-04:00Cranford - just shows how excellent Philip Glenist...Cranford - just shows how excellent Philip Glenister is as an actor... how many guys could go from Gene Hunt to a 19th century overseer and be credible in both?<BR/><BR/>Also, please don't let Shonda near Life on Mars. It has enough going against it as it is.Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317568565085893849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-24677802757132355292008-05-13T14:39:00.000-04:002008-05-13T14:39:00.000-04:00Beyond that...The "October Road" crew running "Lif...<I>Beyond that...The "October Road" crew running "Life on Mars"? WTF?!?! Why not just give it to Shonda Rhimes and be done with it?</I><BR/><BR/>Hey Tom, warn a person when you're going to cause them to do a massive spit-take, OK? <BR/><BR/>Heheh. Yeah, that's about how I feel. If anything, the October Road crew is worse for the Yank Life on Mars. Love me some Colm Meaney, but not feeling so hot about this show any more.<BR/><BR/>Cool, Rachel!Mo Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01685367085407381479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-20998472857614458662008-05-13T14:28:00.000-04:002008-05-13T14:28:00.000-04:00tom, don't you think that's a little harsh, after ...tom, don't you think that's a little harsh, after all Shonda did give us 1.5 quality seasons on Grey's and October Road didn't produce a single quality episodejcpbmghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18052159608994666038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-7088578437952909332008-05-13T14:20:00.000-04:002008-05-13T14:20:00.000-04:00Boo to no Miss Guided.Boo to no Miss Guided.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-36082945202298740982008-05-13T14:05:00.000-04:002008-05-13T14:05:00.000-04:00If you want to see Colin Meaney as an asshole cop,...If you want to see Colin Meaney as an asshole cop, check out the Irish film "Intermission." His scenes with Colin Farrell (as a skinhead hooligan) are priceless.<BR/><BR/>Beyond that...The "October Road" crew running "Life on Mars"? WTF?!?! Why not just give it to Shonda Rhimes and be done with it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-52510079367324121772008-05-13T14:03:00.001-04:002008-05-13T14:03:00.001-04:00Guys, that's enough Bones talk here. Save it for i...Guys, that's enough Bones talk here. Save it for if/when I have actually seen the episode and do a separate post on it.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-75262568990585327282008-05-13T14:02:00.000-04:002008-05-13T14:02:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-22244051522143279952008-05-13T13:54:00.000-04:002008-05-13T13:54:00.000-04:00Mo Ryan: "one day someone will do a story on why ...Mo Ryan: <I>"one day someone will do a story on why According to Jim is the Show That Cannot Be Killed. Why oh why is it so damn unkillable?"</I><BR/><BR/>I think that Jim Belushi is a Highlander; norhing short of beheading is going to finish this thing off.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-16622326204574170532008-05-13T13:03:00.000-04:002008-05-13T13:03:00.000-04:00Just curious to see your reaction -- Bones has rea...Just curious to see your reaction -- Bones has really hit it's stride, I think. I don't watch Idol, but I guess a couple former contestants were guest stars last night.<BR/><BR/>Matt-I'm also worried that they'll be heading down the same path. And I worry that they'll be able to keep the Robert & Kitty storyline interesting now that he's out of the race and they are looking to adopt. Mostly I'm just a sucker for the big group scenes and all the gossip-spreading that goes on. Also, Sally Field is great.<BR/><BR/>I was thinking of Netflixing Life on Mars this summer. I assume you all would recommend it?<BR/><BR/>p.s. Mo -- if you see this, I am LOVING Cranford.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-2257584688282067302008-05-13T12:57:00.000-04:002008-05-13T12:57:00.000-04:00I wasn't present for the ABC press conference. The...I wasn't present for the ABC press conference. They had a conference call set up for people who wanted to listen in, but my friend Joe Adalian was there, <A HREF="http://www.tvweek.com/upfront-08/2008/05/boston_legal_case_dismissed.php" REL="nofollow">and he says</A> that after the official presser ended, MacPherson told several reporters that he thought "Scrubs" might actually have a life beyond this next season.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.com