[Ed note: for some reason the web site is screwing me at the moment, so no embedding - just a link ]
Hey friends!
Just in time for the HUGE “Lost” finale tonight – a major discussion about the show’s last two episodes featuring John Barnett and myself. The convo was so long (almost three hours) that I had to split it into two parts. Therefore, this first hourlong episode is more or less our discussion on “The Variable.” Part two coming shortly.
Sorry for the absence. Hopefully we’re back for good.
Variety’s Brian Lowry pleads with pundits and critics to stop using “24″ in the discussion about torture. I completely agree – it’s a television show! Find another pop culture reference or something, you jerks. [Variety]
Oliver Stone and Michael Douglas are both on board for the “Wall Street” sequel. This is a sequel idea I can get behind, if only for its relevance to today’s economic climate. The original’s message of “greed is good” probably definitely didn’t help subdue the spending and decision-making by the financial elite, either. [EW's Hollywood Insider]
James Hibberd humorously looks at whether or not the fear surrounding swine flu could actually help the television industry. People might be looking to stay home, which could lead to better ratings for programs across the board. [Live Feed]
Ratings report: “Fringe” posted great numbers [10.6 million, 4.2 in the 18-49 dem] while “Idol” fell again [22.5 million, 7.9]. If you’re a fan of “Cupid” [5.6 million, 1.6] or “Reaper” [1.8 million, 0.7] I’m sorry – your shows are nearly guaranteed to be axed with those numbers. [TV By The Numbers]
President Obama will address the nation tonight for thoughts on his 100 days, which is great. However, the major networks will lose over $21.5 million in advertising revenue from his appearance, since they will obviously run it commercial free. FOX has opted out in hopes of attracting more viewers to the struggling “Lie to Me,” and I like that approach. Watch it on Fox News people. [Broadcasting & Cable]
Here’s one vote for no more exploration of the worlds created by “Star Trek” and “Battlestar Galactica”/”Caprica.” [io9]
After little nuggets were dribbled in front of our faces all season about Olivia, ZFT and the relationship between Walter and William Bishop, last night’s episode delivered spoonfuls of information. And thus, took “Fringe” to a whole new level. It is not that the show has been awful or even mediocre by any means, but damn, the premise, the creative staff – all of it led me to believe “Fringe” was going to be awesome from the beginning. Instead, just solid.
A rare music story here: MTV’s James Montgomery looks at 10 overlooked albums that should be “recycled” for Earth Day. I have to agree with a few of these, especially Panic At The Disco’s Pretty. Odd. and Brand New’s Deja Entendu, though I listen to both of those regularly anyway. Head Montgomery’s advice and check some of these out. [MTV News]
Ratings report from last night: ABC’s attempt to put “The Unusuals” on two nights this week got off to a horrible start, as the show obtained its worst ratings to date: 5.3 million, 1.3 in the 18-49. In other ratings news, “Idol” [23.2 million, 8.0], had its lowest Tuesday rating since 2002 and “Fringe” [10.5 million, 4.1] was solid. [Live Feed]
Though not really unexpected, TV By The Numbers says that “Harper’s Island” will be a one and done series. CBS had talked about bringing the format back with a brand new cast and locale, but with weak ratings – for CBS, anyway – there is little chance it returns. [TV By The Numbers]
Always a delight, check out the latest post from unofficial “Lost” expert Doc Jensen, who attempts to help fans deal with the show’s absence this week. Hint: it involves watching other shows. [EW Pop Watch]
A load of Hollywood heavyweights were on the Capitol today, preaching to lawmakers that the entertainment industry is crucial to the economy’s survival. It was all part of a summit sponsored by the industry’s major lobbying arm. Tell me there won’t be bailouts for Hollywood. [Variety]
In another celebration of Earth Day, check out the Hollywood Reporter’s all-encompassing look at what different facets of Hollywood are doing to go green and help out the environment. There are numerous stories here, and they are all worth your time if you have it. Hopefully most of these initiatives are for more than just PR. [Hollywood Reporter]
Have a lot of time on your hands and seen the film “Knowing?” Scope out this excellent piece that looks at the religious connections that are sown throughout that flick. Excellent work here. [/Film]
Ratings report from last night: “Chuck” sadly didn’t budge against lesser competition [6 million, 2.3 in 18-49]. In other NBC news, “Heroes” fell just a bit [6.4 million, 3.2]. Other things worth mentioning – “Castle” [8.4 million, 2.2] steadied a bit and “24″ [10.3 million, 3.2] struggled without “House.” [Live Feed]
JJ Abrams is on the press circuit for “Star Trek,” and the old stories about Matt Damon possibly starring as James T. Kirk in the film are back. JJ says that he spoke to Damon a few times during pre-production, but it didn’t work out. However, didn’t Matt Damon say a while back that he never had any interest in the film and never sat down with Abrams? Why would either of them lie? [/Film]
Check out a nice piece on “Southland” the show’s executive producer Ann Biderman. I really, really like this show and hopefully the good ratings keep it alive for next year, even with Leno involved. [Variety - On The Air]
Daniel Randcliffe and “Harry Potter” producer David Hayman recently spoke with Empire about the decision to split up the final book and where they plan on stopping the first half of that film. I’m on the fence about cutting the movie into two pieces, especially when so much of it takes place in a tent, but I can see the business value of doing so. If anything, it makes me wish they would have cut books 3, 5 and 6 into two films. If only. [Empire]
William Petersen says that a “CSI:” movie is basically a guarantee. Really? Petersen just wants more of those lovely back-end profits, and I guess I can’t blame him. [TV Guide]
Sorry for the lack of links this week – won’t happen again.
In a non-surprising turn of events, Michael Vick is shopping a reality television show based on his post-prison life, which begins this July. The sad thing is, there is an absolute guarantee that someone picks up this show – I’m putting money on Spike TV. [Live Feed]
Ratings report from last night: Fox dominated yet again, powered by solid nights by “Idol” [24.1 million, 8.4/23 in 18-49] and “Fringe” [10.9 million, 4.1/10]. “Reaper” [2.0 million, 0.9/2] and “90210″ [2.1 million, 1.2/3] had a solid night for the CW. Bad news for ABC and “Cupid,” as the show pulled in horrible numbers at 10 pm [5.9 million, 1.7/4], which means it is more or less gone. [Variety]
Are you a “Chuck” fan hoping that the show will end up on the CW because of a sweetheart deal with Josh Schwartz and Warner Bros. or on USA as a NBCU downstream? Don’t count on it says TV By The Numbers. Advertisers, production costs, etc. – either show stays on NBC or it dies. [TV By The Numbers]
Peep the best report from the “Dr. Horrible” Paley Festival panel that I’ve read. Isn’t it about time that Whedon just takes all his new stuff online? Has “Dollhouse” taught him enough? [Hollywood Reporter]
So Steven Spielberg has seen “Transformers 2″ and told Michael Bay that it is Bay’s best film yet. This is from Bay, but do we believe it? I’m sure it will be his “biggest” in terms of explosions, pure craziness and loud noises – but best? Has Spielberg watched “Bad Boys 2″ lately? One of the best action films ever, in my dumb opinion. [/Film]
McG tells MTV News that the ending of “Terminator Salvation” is going to divide the audience. That makes sense, but it’s about time for him to admit that the backlash behind the original ending – John Connor the human is replaced by a cyborg with his memory, looks, etc. – existed. C’mon Mc, just admit that you changed it, who cares? [MTV Movies ]
“Dollhouse” may be getting the shaft from FOX – it looks as though right now that the network has decided not to air the 13th and final episode of the series, and instead promoting the 12th as the season finale. This is probably a marketing strategy to get more Whedon fans to buy the DVD sets [like they were not going to anyway], but also a signal that the show is not coming back for a second season. [TV By The Numbers]
*SPOILER* Ausiello is reporting that the rumor that George will A.) go off to war and B.) probably die is coming to pass on “Grey’s Anatomy.” Even more of a shocker, all of that is going to happen this season. Remember when that show was actually good? [Ausiello Files]
Ratings report from last night: “The Unusuals” debuted very soft, like worst premiere for ABC this season soft, pulling in only 6.8 million viewers and a 2.2 in the 18-49 demo. That’s not good news, but one could say that a series low for “Lost” [8.3 million, 3.7] didn’t help. “Lie to me” [8.4 million, 2.5] and “Idol” [22.4 million, 7.8] helped FOX win the night. Duh. [Live Feed]
The journalism ethics folks are going to be up in arms about this one – The L.A. Times did a major front page, below the fold feature on police officer Ben Sherman today. The only problem? Ben Sherman is Ben McKenzie’s fictional character on the debuting “Southland.” The piece is signaled as an ad, but renting out the front page is a little much, no? [Variety]
Bravo has picked up “NYC Prep,” the “real-life ‘Gossip Girl.” As popular as the “Real Housewives” series is, I can’t imagine this show being any less than a substantial success for Bravo. Is this the new “Hills?” Probably. Yay. [Broadcasting & Cable ]
It’s more or less confirmed that Arnie will be appearing in the new “Terminator” film. Not a big surprise there, but the bigger question is what exactly the Governator will be doing – an actual cameo? His face matted onto the body of some endos? Or just a little voice spot? It will be interesting to see if WB and the flick’s producers promote this to get more people to watch it, or keep it a major secret. [MTV News]
Ratings report from last night: “Fringe” returned strong from an prolonged absence, hauling 12 million viewers and 4.7 in the 18-49 demographic. However, “American Idol” may have affected those ratings since it ran about 10 minutes into the hour, pumping those number sup. “Idol,” by the way, had another strong night, with 22 million and 7.8 in the 18-49. On the negative side of things, “Cupid” [6.2 million, 1.7] dipped 26 percent from the premiere and “Reaper” [2.3 mil, 0.9] slipped just a bit. [Live Feed]
In other “Fringe” news, the super secretive role of William Bell has finally been cast…and the news is good. Leonard Nimoy aka Spock has been given the role. I guess after appearing in the new “Star Trek” film, JJ Abrams, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman were charmed by Nimoy. His Bell will appear in the season finale and then have a recurring role next year. [Ausiello Files]
Check out some analysis from io9 on the “Wolverine” leak. This is really a major blow for Hollywood and I’m sure Fox will track down the SOB who leaked it in the first place. The question is whether or not this is the beginning of a horrible trend or not. Let’s hope not. [io9]
“Eastbound & Down” will return for a second season, contrary to numerous rumors since the show ended its first run not too long ago. On the bad news side, the new episodes probably won’t debut until 2010 instead of late this fall like I’m sure some fans were hoping for. [Hollywood Reporter]
Man, people have a lot of time on their hands don’t they? Someone has finally figured out what the symbols/pictures in between commercials are on “Fringe.” It turns out they actually make up the English alphabet and they’re are or will eventually be, spelling out important messages that we need. Awesome work. [Sci Fi Wire]
Finally today, if you’d like to see the biggest collection of actors and “celebrities” in one Funny or Die video, this must be it. Zac Efron throws a pool party and things get out of control when his uncle Hank shows up. Almost funny. Almost.
NBC has yanked “Kings” from its Sunday night lineup and moved it to Saturdays to die. The most recent episode was seen by only 3.6 million viewers and pulled in a horrendous 1.1 rating. I really wanted to get into this show, but it began while I was in Korea, and by the time I returned, its cancellation was basically set in stone. Sad really. [Live Feed]
Ratings from last night: The much buzzed-about “House” pulled in its best rating since the middle of February [13 million, 5.0 in 18-49], which also helped “24″ [11 million, 3.8] improve in a similar way. For ABC, “Surviving Suburbia” debuted pretty well [12.2 million, 3.2] and “Castle” [9.2 million, 2.4] had a nice showing. [TV By The Numbers]
Thomas Calabro aka Michael from the original “Melrose Place,” has agreed to return in the CW’s 2009 reboot. Like he had anything else on his plate. [TV Guide]
ABC Family announced that they’re bringing back “Greek,” “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” and “Lincoln Heights,” as well as picking up the “10 Things I Hate About You” television show based on the film. Also coming from the network is “Make It or Break It,” a show set in the world of competitive gymnastics that seems like a “Stick It” riff. Exciting stuff. [EW News Briefs]
Embarased that “Paul Blart” will end up making way more money than “Observe and Report?” You’re not alone. Here are six reasons why that can’t happen, for the good of the movie business, the audiences and mankind in general [not quite]. [Screen Crave]
So there was a surprise “Star Trek” screening last night and some of the people who saw it are sending their reviews into the best film web sites. I’m sure there are more, but I enjoyed this one, which was from a longtime CHUD message boarder Greg Clark. [CHUD]
In a weird announcement, Warner Bros. has already commissioned Todd Phillips to pen a sequel to “The Hangover,” a comedy that’s being released this summer. The buzz has been great and the trailer is even better, but to announce a sequel already is odd, even if it is just the script. [Variety]
The CW is going to cancel “The Game,” no question. However, the show’s executive producer is looking to pitch an hourlong drama-filled version of the show to the network in hopes of keeping it around. There is basically no chance that the C-dub picks it up with all the interesting pilots they have in the development stage, but an inspired idea for sure. [Hollywood Reporter]
I wrote a column much like this about 6 weeks ago, but this is surely better. Check out an opinion piece from EW’s Mark Harris about the entertainment industry trying to feed us simplified comfort food entertainment during this time of panic and stress. Harris agrees with me in that we don’t need to be comforted in the name of screwing up good entertainment. [Entertainment Weekly]
Enjoy this nice piece analyzing “30 Rock” and how fans of supposedly similarly ratings-challenged should not be looking to that show as a good example of how to stay on the air. This is why TV By The Number is one of the best sites around. [TVBTN]
Twitter is blowin’ up exponentially on a weekly basis so this is surely to change by May, but here is a very solid list of the people in Hollywood who use the slightly creepy, completely addictive social networking service. [/Film ]
Completely agree with this. io9, one of the places for great “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” love, has an excellent piece on why this is such an excellent time to be a fan of the entire series – TV, film, whatever – even if the show probably won’t be along much longer. [io9]
May 13th, 2009 by 
Cory Barker
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