Tonight ABC pulls out their big comedy (and dramedy) guns with the premieres of MODERN FAMILY, COUGAR TOWN and EASTWICK.
MODERN FAMILY is my favorite comedy of the new fall season (well, aside from GLEE). It features an ensemble cast of seasoned TV actors and some of the sharpest, gut busting dialogue I’ve witnessed in a long time. I’ve watched the pilot 4x already and find new subtleties with each viewing. Not only is it laugh out loud funny, there’s one particular moment toward the end of the episode that is spit-take worthy.
FAMILY will hopefully catapult Ty Burrell to the greatness he’s been deserved of for years now. There are moments in tonight’s episode that make me love that man more than I already did. From being the best worst Dad to his knowledge of a certain “Go Wildcats” moment to his inability to understand Spanglish… Ty Burrell will have you in stitches. The other big breakout performance is that of Eric Stonestreet who plays the drama queen Cameron. FUCKING GENIUS!
Please trust me and tune in to tonight’s MODERN FAMILY premiere at 9pm… it’s cramazing!
At 9:30pm, ABC premieres the long awaited return of Courtney Cox to primetime television with COUGAR TOWN. While COUGAR TOWN is not on par with MODERN FAMILY, it has a lot of laughs and has plenty of promise.
Courtney Cox plays a 40-something divorcee with a failing real estate business and an even worse love life. Christa Miller (Scrubs) plays her married, bitter, next door neighbor married to Ian Gomez (Felicity). It’s stale, its predictable and their relationship is hilarious. On her other shoulder is the devil that be Busy Phillips (Freaks & Geeks), her younger co-worker that encourages the worst behavior imaginable. Then there’s her innocent and adorkable son Travis played by the amazing Andy Byrd (Aliens in America) and her hottie neighbor Josh Hopkins.
COUGAR TOWN is well worth checking out. It has a great cast with some okay writing that I hope quickly rises to the level of the actors, making this must see TV.
At 10pm is the premiere of EASTWICK, a retelling of John Updike’s novel THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK starring Rebecca Romijn as Roxanne, Jaime Ray Newman as Kat, Lindsay Price as Joanna and Paul Gross as Daryl Van Horne. The real treat are recurring actors Sara Rue (Popular, Less Than Perfect) and the smokin’ hot and shirtless in the pilot Matt Dallas (Kyle XY).
If you’re thinking that they already did this once before, you’d be correct. In 1992, I watched the short-lived TV remake starring Catherine Mary Stewart from the crazy great 80s horror film NIGHT OF THE COMET! It wasn’t so good.
This remake is better and shows some promise (sorry that’s not the most ringing endorsement). The pilot is a pilot… it’s a little clunky, has some exposition issues and some forced situations and some awkward chemistry. The good thing is that there’s humor, some sex, some charm and something endearing about this new EASTWICK that will at least have me watching for a couple weeks.
EASTWICK is a retelling so some of the character names have been changed, some jobs have been changed and obviously Paul Gross is no Jack Nicholson… That’s okay though. I like that ABC is taking the premise and running with it. I’ve been told by an EASTWICK insider that the show really finds its footing in the subsequent episodes and that people will really grow to love Paul Gross as van Horne. I’ve seen some of the new footage and I will testify that Gross was more charming and charismatic than I originally gave him credit for. Stick with EASTWICK for a couple weeks and together we’ll see if it makes the Fall lineup or not on a more permanent basis.
It’s time to sit down and chat about ABC’s Fall 2009 lineup which means GMMR and Ducky are about to talk lizards, time travel, cougars, witches, Frasier and our favorite new comedy of the year.
Take a load off and listen to us chat up THE FORGOTTEN, HANK, THE MIDDLE, MODERN FAMILY, COUGAR TOWN, EASTWICK, FLASHFORWARD, and V!
*Please be warned that we do talk some mild spoilers for each of the new shows.
The new Fall TV season is less than a week away and while I’ve been busy trying to watch all the new pilots I have to say that I’m not super excited about the new crop of shows. Bummer huh?
My podcasting partner in crime GMMR and I have been trying to schedule time to talk Fall TV and we hope to have all of the network podcasts up in the next week so hold tight. We’ve posted our thoughts on the new shows for The CW so please listen to that podcast to see what we love and/or hate.
In the meantime here are the shows I plan on watching this Fall. Shows in BLUE are what I plan on watching LIVE or DVR’d. Shows in PINK are ones that I will have to catch online or via iTunes.
MONDAY (click to enlarge) Monday’s have traditionally been a pretty busy night of TV viewing for me. However, this year it’s looking pretty open.
I’m annoyed that the power hour that started my night of television last year has been split up because BIG BANG THEORY and HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER was a partnership made in heaven. I’ll be interested to see what happens to BBT at such a late hour (and I hope to remember its on that late) and if I feel like the vibe is the same without it’s partner.
Another year, another chance to officially drop HEROES. Last year I decided to watch then within 5 episodes I dropped that lame duck for the 2nd time in 3 seasons. Going into Season 4, I’ve vowed to not even give it a single frame of consideration. Will. Not. Watch!
After a brief vacation from the kids on the Upper East Side, a summer marathon has renewed my love for all things GOSSIP GIRL. That doesn’t mean I won’t get annoyed with the repetitive storylines and the lame quick-wrap secondary storylines - it just means I’m excited for the show to return and kick some ass! Let’s not fuck it up Savage & Schwartz.
If you’re interested in ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE starring Jenna Elfman, Ashley Jensen and Grant Show you should watch. It’s a very traditional sitcom and paired with TWO AND A HALF MEN, I think it’s going to be a huge hit. I just don’t see myself watching it week to week. The pilot is cute, Elfman is adorable and the premise is fun. Mark my words, this is one of the biggest new shows in 09.
TUESDAY (click to enlarge)
Believe it or not, I’m only watching two shows on Tuesday’s but hell if that isn’t four frakkin’ hours of television.
I’m a total sucker for the weight loss and emotional meltdowns of THE BIGGEST LOSER so there’s no chance I’m not watching Bob and Jillian bust some fatties once again. Love that damn show.
Obviously you know I’m a huge SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE junkie so that’s a no brainer - or is it? I’ve been very vocal about how I don’t love the idea of bringing SYTYCD to the Fall. I love having it as my summer obsession because I have less shows to watch in the summertime which means more time for a Paso Doble or two. Pushing it on us in the middle of the onslaught of new and returning shows seems cruel and I hate that it’s going to take up two hours of my Fall TV schedule. There… I’ve said it.
I’m not gonna lie - from time to time I will probably watch The CW’s reboot of MELROSE PLACE. I actually enjoyed the pilot episode. It’s 100% better than I expected it to be and surely my partner Jon will want to pop in and out of that salacious complex.
*If you’re wondering about BETTER OFF TED, don’t worry its coming back after DwtS ends (which isn’t soon enough)!
**ABC’s reboot of V starts November 3rd at 8pm (shitty time slot for a show that is not suited for 8pm) and I’m super excited. I loved the original as a kid and I really enjoyed the pilot for the remake. Plus, it’s got Elizabeth Mitchell, Alan Tudyk and Scott Wolf!
WEDNESDAY (click to enlarge)
Wednesday night is really the only night I’m giving new shows a chance at making it into my live/dvr rotation.
SYTYCD has it’s results show at 8pm and that’s followed by GLEE (which we all know I flippin’ heart). It’s a great one-two punch and I’m really looking forward to Wednesday’s - thanks FOX!
Over on ABC, my favorite new comedy, MODERN FAMILY gets paired up with the pretty good COUGAR TOWN. Trust me when I tell you to tune in to MODERN FAMILY. The pilot has laugh out loud funny jokes throughout and one of the best, THE BEST, things I’ve ever seen in the final few minutes. COUGAR TOWN is fun, a little dirty and honestly who doesn’t love having Courtney Cox, Busy Phillips and Josh Hopkins back on their screens?
EASTWICK is not as bad as you think it might be. The hour grew on me as it progressed and I’m willing to give it a couple weeks which is more than I can say for many of the new shows this Fall.
I don’t know if I should be afraid to say it or not but I’m kinda excited to watch ABC’s new sitcom COUGAR TOWN starring Courtney Cox and Busy Phillips (yes, Kim Kelley is back on television) not to mention the adorable Josh Hopkins and FELICITY’s Ian Gomez.
COUGAR TOWN Preview:
“And you are hot as balls!” You gotta love that Cox can pull off a balls line… see what I did there?!
COUGAR TOWN Synopsis:
Can a woman of a certain age be a mom, a successful career woman and still be on the prowl? Jules Cobb (Courteney Cox) is about to give it a try.
In a small Florida town, the center of high society is the Cougars high school football team… which is wildly appropriate since this town is the natural habitat for over-tanned, under-dressed divorcées prowling for younger men. Jules desperately doesn’t want to be one of them, but with an ugly divorce behind her and 40 staring right back at her, she’s longing for a little more action in her life. The available men her own age, like her silver fox of a neighbor, Grayson Ellis, only seem interested in dating barely legal hotties — which is awkward considering he’s also her teenage son Tad’s therapist. Egged on by her very married and very irreverent best friend Elle and her determined assistant Laurie, Jules reluctantly dips her toe back into the dating pool. To her surprise, she hits it off with a nice young guy named Bobby — emphasis on the young — and discovers this gal still has the goods.
Co-executive produced by Courteney Cox and Bill Lawrence (Scrubs), Cougar Town is the single-camera comedy that dares to tell the truth about dating after divorce. Juggling a teenage son with her thriving career and budding love life isn’t easy, but before you know it, Jules will have you cheering, “Go Cougars!”
The series is from ABC Studios. Bill Lawrence is executive producer/writer/director, Kevin Biegel is writer/co-executive producer, and Courteney Cox and David Arquette are executive producers.
ABC announced their Fall 2009 TV Lineup this morning and they’ve got a pretty strong slate for this coming season. While I’m still floored people watch Dancing with the Stars and The Bachelor, I’m even more amazed that Nathan Fillion’s CASTLE made it another season. I’m super excited to see BETTER OFF TED get some more love and can’t wait for newbies like COUGAR TOWN, EASTWICK and FLASH FORWARD! My question is: Where’s the remake of V? Is that pushed to midseason?
ABC Fall 2009 Lineup: MONDAY
8:00 p.m. DANCING WITH THE STARS (two-hours)
*Midseason: THE BACHELOR 8 p.m.
10:00 p.m. CASTLE
TUESDAY
8:00 p.m. SHARK TANK
9:00 p.m. DANCING WITH THE STARS RESULTS SHOW
*Midseason: SCRUBS 9 p.m.
*Midseason: BETTER OFF TED 9:30 p.m.
10:00 p.m. THE FORGOTTEN
WEDNESDAY
8:00 p.m. HANK
8:30 p.m. THE MIDDLE
9:00 p.m. MODERN FAMILY
9:30 p.m. COUGAR TOWN
10:00 p.m. EASTWICK
Don’t forget that come midseason we’ve got Better Off Ted and Scrubs (yes, Scrubs) returning along with the final season of the always mid-frakkin’ LOST! I’m assuming HAPPY TOWN and V will debut in the winter 2010 but who knows… I cannot wait for the lizard goodness!
It’s a good day for TV Geeks everywhere! ABC announced today that they have picked up pilots for two new shows that nerds are bound to go gaga for.
First up is Captain Hammer’s pilot CASTLE in which Nathan Fillion plays a mystery writer who helps the NYPD to help solve crimes. I don’t care what it is as long as Nathan Fillion and his penishammer genius self is in it. This better not interfere with a Dr. Horrible sequel because if it does in any way shape or form, I hope the show gets canceled. Yes kids, I’m evil selfish like that.
The long talked about redux of CUPID was also given the go-ahead today. Rob Thomas’ remake of his 90’s show will hopefully see the light of day. Bobby Cannavale fills in for Jeremy Piven and Sarah Paulson takes over for Paula Marshall. Fingers crossed there’s a role in there somewhere for Tina Majorino because I want her back on my television right this second.
We said we’d be back with another TV Talk Podcast in a week but it took almost a week and a half, I think you survived just fine. GMMR was at the Upfront presentations so there’s plenty to talk about including her celebrity sightings, stalkings, and dancing partners. We’ll even talk about Joss Whedon’s DOLLHOUSE and J.J. Abrams FRINGE starring GMMR’s mega crush Josh Jackson. So You Think You Can Dance might get a couple minutes or five along with her time with The Office and Tina Fey!
Back to your regularly scheduled podcast, we head right into GOSSIP GIRL, AMERICAN IDOL, THE OFFICE, GREY’S, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA and more. Plus, it’s the return of TWO IDIOTS TALK LOST (*we talk about the finale being this week but listener Michael pointed out that it’s not until May 29th - phew!) where we rehash the first hour of the three hour Season 4 finale, once again proving that even idiots can enjoy Lost. And as a bonus feature, we have a special guest to help us talk about the Season 3 finale of The CW’s SUPERNATURAL.
Sit back and relax because this Podcast almost hits 90 minutes. You read that right, 90 minutes of babbling, giggling, bitching, and TV Talk!
Have a question for Ducky and GMMR? There are a couple ways to contact us:
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This is Dan and Kathie’s favorite method of contact because it allows us to hear from you and we use these messages live on our podcast to answer your burning television questions. It’s FREE and you don’t have to do anything but click RECORD BY PHONE on the box below and it will walk you through how to contact us!
It’s super easy and free to leave us a message:
Step 1: Click on “Record by Phone”
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We are almost 24 hours away from the LOST Season 4 Premiere and ABC is not joking around about promoting the return of Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Locke, Ben, Juliet and Co. Here is a new video promo released this morning by ABC. Enjoy!
If you just can’t wait for Season 4 premiere spoilers head on over to my girl GMMR because she’s already seen it.
It’s New Year’s Eve which means I’ll be in bed by 12:01 a.m. — whoo-hoo! Yeah, I’m increasingly more smug and old manish on New Year’s Eve. When I was a kid my parents would always have a huge party so it was great fun. When I was old enough to celebrate it with friends, it was a bunch of hardcore kids, a cactus accident, and no booze as all of us were straight-edge. Well, a decade or so later and I’m still not going to toast the new year with a drink so it’s kind of lost it’s luster.
I’ll probably head downtown for the parade and the “family” fireworks (over by 7:10 p.m.) and then head back home where I pray noone in my building is having a party so I can settle in to watch Cat Deeley, Strokey Clark, and some others until it’s time for me to say goodnight to 2007.
Remember back in the day when MTV had the best New Year’s Eve show ever? It was a huge countdown of the best videos of the year, then a huge party with a bunch of amazing artists performing. The best always being the alternative bands performing covers of 80s tunes just after the stroke of midnight. MTV’s gotten increasingly shitty so at most in recent years I’ve popped over for a second or two, enough to know I hate every one of their on air “talents” and enough to know that I hate almost every “artist” out there today.
This year we have even less to look forward to on MTV as that whore Tila Tequila basically has the night to her skanky self. Then add Perez, Kid Rock and Good Charlotte… hold on while I jump up and down looking for rope to hang myself with. How Mary J. got hooked into this telecast is beyond me. Girl, get out while you can. Tila Tequila’s New Year’s Eve Masquerade 2008 (11 pm/MTV)
Ex-MTV goldenboy Carson Daly is back on NBC with Alicia Keys and Lenny Kravitz. Project Runway’s recent dress form Tiki Barber is a correspondent. I don’t care for the newish waifish Carson Daly nor Alicia Keys… and is it New Years 1995 because I know Lenny Kravitz hasn’t had a hit in at least 10 years. New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly (11:35 pm/NBC) (more…)
I know I’m a day or so behind on this one but cut me some slack… sicky over here. While I wish ABC would hold LOST Season 4 until all 16 episodes could air together, I’m pretty psyched to be getting 8 episodes this February.
E!’s Kristin Dos Santos (click here to watch) had some possible spoilers about where PUSHING DAISIES could be going in the future. If you recall, in the last Pushing Daisies episode, my our beloved Ned The Pie Maker confessed to his beloved Chuck that he may possibly sorta kinda killed her Father.
Does that even matter if Papa Charles could possibly be not dead? What about Chuck’s Mother? Can our untouchable duo survive this fallout?
It’s official, KYLE XY will return for the second half of Season 2 (10 episodes remain) on January 14th. ABC Family has already renewed Kyle for a third season which should begin summer 2008 so don’t worry this is not the last we’ll see of Kyle, Matt Dallas’ naked body, Jessi, or the Tragers.
The delovely, delish, de-scoopable Michael Ausiello has put together a list of our favorite TV Shows and where they stand in terms of production, shows left to air, etc. in the wake of the WGA Strike. I will update this post as he does. Everyone give a huge shout-out to Mike for this incredibly comprehensive list.
24: Postponed indefinitely.
30 Rock: Ten episodes will be produced. Five episodes have aired, so there are five left.
Back to You: Nine episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are three left.
Bionic Woman: Roughly nine episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are three left.
Bones: Twelve episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are six left.
Boston Legal: Fifteen episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are nine left.
Brothers & Sisters: Twelve episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are six left.
Chuck: Thirteen episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are six left.
CSI: NY: Fourteen episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are seven left.
Desperate Housewives: Ten episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are four left.
Dirty Sexy Money: Eleven episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are five left.
Friday Night Lights: Fifteen episodes will be produced. The sixth episode airs tonight, Nov. 9, so there are nine left.
Gossip Girl: Thirteen episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are six left.
Grey’s Anatomy: Eleven episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are four left.
It looks as if my boy Bryan Fuller and his brilliant writing staff have retooled episode 9 of PUSHING DAISIES to be the season finale. Will Ned touch Chuck one last time? Will Olive runaway with Digby and start a flea circus? Will Emerson become the host of a knitting show on DIY? Are the Darling Mermaid Darlings destined to remain shut-in’s forever?
Head on over to ThePieMaker.com to read all about it and to discuss with other Daisies fans. No spoilers.
I’m proud to announce that I’m almost 100% caught up with shows! I believe that our DVR is down to 12% and the remaining shows are shows I’ve already watched and saved.
I had some time to kill last night while waiting for UPS to call and tell me that the frakkin’ package my brother sent me was back at their Customer Center so I could go pick it up. Guitar Hero III for the Wii in case you were wondering (I have a very cool older brother)…
So in the downtime I watched this week’s episode of DIRTY SEXY MONEY. Before I quickly go into my thoughts on it, can someone please send Samaire Armstrong to rehab AND overacting school please? She’s the weakest link on the show and that’s sad because honestly, who didn’t love her on THE O.C.? The airport scene? Forget about it!
It was the quintessential homage to teen movies of my youth, it’s funny, it’s sad, it’s self referential and it’s honestly the perfect O.C. moment. Nada Surf’s rendition of “If You Leave” doesn’t suck either. I need a moment…
Okay, so yeah she’s sucking the acting life out of DSM and I need someone to take care of that. I think she can stay because I like the twin dynamic and I still like her, but she just needs to go the path of Seth Gabel who’s taken Jeremy to a whole new level of greatness and substance.
I heart Dirty Sexy Money and I don’t care who knows it. I find it to be my new Brothers & Sisters fix. I still adore B&S but DSM gives me that same boost mid-week. I’m a junkie for the Berlanti, what can I say?
I’m still 100% intrigued by Nick trying to find out who killed his Father and cannot wait to finally meet the man that was Dutch in the upcoming flashbacks. Who thinks Peter Krause is rocking his character? I love how he handles the Darlings, the humor, the naivity, the sadness and everything that goes into being the man to clean up their lives. He’s a great blend of a new character and the original Nate from Six Feet Under, the do-gooder.
Donald Sutherland and Jill Clayburgh bring so much baggage and saddness to their roles and are 100% likable, they’re my favorites on the show.
Billy Baldwin is the new IT Baldwin if only for having the balls to make a comeback that requires him to go at it with a Tranny everyweek. Does his wife sit home wanting to tell the Tranny that “Someday somebody’s gonna make you wanna turn around and say good-bye-ye, until then baby are they gonna hold you down and make you cry?” Cause really, “Don’t ya know, things can change? Things can go your way if you hoooooold on for one more day, baby hooooooold on for one more day… things are gonna change…”
Sorry, I had to do the Wilson Phillips reference, I had to!
What the hell is Simon Elder holding over everyone and is he really as evil as I think he probably is? I hate how he’s got everyone wrapped around his little hot finger. Sure Nick and Tripp think they’re one step ahead but I highly doubt they really are.
Um, Brian and The Non-Orphan Orphan are so great. I love having him back in the Darling house as it’s finally given some humanity and humility to Brian’s other-wise wicked ways.
Then there’s Karen. She’s a crack-pot huh? Just moments away from Husband #4 and she’s already cheated on her fiancee with his Caddy and her wicked sexy ex-Sebastian (guest star Eddie Cibrian) while still swooning over Nick. Trainwreck much?
I so want to see a Lisa/Karen smackdown but sadly Lisa’s way above that and she’ll just walk away until Nick can find a way to get Karen out of their lives. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to see that catfight though. Someone needs to knock the shit out of Karen…
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