ABC scored big with “Charlie Brown” this year. While CBS, still feeling the hit from having lost it’s license for “Charlie Brown”, gave as good as it got with “Rudolph”.Daytime Drama may see it’s end this year. Ratings are down overall and the costs are ever rising to keep those who are watching from tuning out. The highest paid stars are being asked to take significant salary cuts in order to maintain the high cost of production of their respective dramas.
Paul Benedict (‘Mr. Bentley’ of “The Jeffersons”) was found dead in his home 01 December, he was 70 years old.
SCI-FI has ordered 20 episodes of “Caprica” [a prequel to “Battlestar Galactica”], starring Eric Stoltz and Esai Morales. The series is scheduled to premiere in 2010.
You know the song... “Come and play. Everything’s a-ok. On my way to where the air is sweet. Can you tell me how to get.. how to get to Sesame Street.” For the popular PBS program’s 40th anniversary the book “Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street” [written by Michael Davis] was published last year (29 December). And, 27 January, “Sesame Street” will be featured in a fantasy sequence on [ABC’s] “Scrubs”!
This season of [HBO’s] “Big Love” will feature stories developed from real-life events which occurred in Texas last year. Jeanne Tripplehorn (‘Barb’ of “Big Love”) will play [along with Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange] Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis for HBO’s upcoming “Grey Gardens”. And, (her “Big Love” husband) Bill Paxton will produce [along with Tom Hanks] a mini-series honoring the life and death of John F. Kennedy, to air in 2013 - the 50th anniversary of the President Kennedy’s assassination.
George Takei {of “Star Trek” fame - duh!} will be featured as ‘Lord Durd’ on [Cartoon Network’s] “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”, airing 16 January and 23 January 2009!
Wil Wheaton {again - duh!} will portray “the original Blue Beetle” on [Cartoon Network’s] “Batman: The Brave And The Bold”, airing 23 January 2009.
The 100th episode of [SCI-FI’s] “Stargate Atlantis” marked it’s final television adventure. Production of a straight-to-DVD film will begin this spring.
The last nine episodes of this season’s [FOX’s] “Sarah Connor Chronicles” will begin 13 February 2009. [Series creator] Josh Friedman is promising revelation regarding the mechanical defects of ‘Cameron’; the romance between ‘John’ and ‘Riley’; and, “the death of a major character”.
Ratings are diminishing for [FOX’s] “[Terminator:] The Sarah Connor Chronicles” and people are at a loss to explain it. The acclaimed series should have an easy ride ... {maybe it would if it hadn’t become so dang convoluted with it’s time tripping back and forth – plus we still don’t know if we should trust two of the lead characters AND what the heck is up with that liquid metal terminator babe?!}
Celebrating the spring release of “[X-Men: Origins -] Wolverine” at movie theaters nationwide, Marvel has produced it’s third animated X-Men series. The series (“Wolverine [and the X-Men]”) will air on Nicktoons Network.
If you ask me, ABC’s cancellation of “Eli Stone” was inevitable as soon as the cause of the visions seen by ‘Eli’ was determined to be a “brain aneurism”... and then ‘the deity’ appeared to say she put it there for a reason – never explain the unexplainable!
Rena Sofer does seem to have found a niche as the ‘wife-in distress’. Her latest gig [following “24" and “Heroes”] is for [CBS’] “Ghost Whisperer”.
Sarah Brown will be with “General Hospital” for another year. {Yea!}
It’s official, Jay Leno will leave [NBC’s] “The Tonight Show” in May. However, his 17 years with the prominent late night talk show has prompted NBC to sign him to a new show – a prime time gig which will begin September 2009! Still, some industry folks aren’t pleased with this turn of events. A 10 PM talk show will create a vacuum for dramatic programming. With one less spot for script based television, producers, directors, crew and performers will likely have no jobs next fall. Responding to criticism, NBC executives have cited their consistent ratings losses in the 10PM slot. And, they believe Leno will be a ratings powerhouse to combat the strong 10PM dramas of CBS and ABC.
Some people are pleased with the news of Jay Leno’s upcoming prime time show. Jimmy Kimmel’s spot after “Nightline” was endangered by speculation that Leno would get a late night show at ABC. CBS is hopeful of a ratings boost for David Letterman. “Nightline” producers have a promising new year ahead as they seem no longer in danger of “extinction”. And, of course, Conan O’Brien [who will take the reins of “The Tonight Show” 01 June 2009] is happy to not be competing with his predecessor.
Appearing together publicly in recent months, David Duchovny and [his estranged wife] Tea Leoni appear to be in a state of reconciliation.
Jamie-Lynn Sigler (of [HBO’s] “Soprano’s”) will return [playing herself] to “Entourage” this year.
December (2008) was a good month for Kiefer {who’s not incarcerated following a DWI conviction earlier in the year} Sutherland. Two days after receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the “astonishingly good actor” (as declared by his father, Donald Sutherland), received a Golden Globe nomination for his work in [FOX’s] “24: Redemption”. {Ironic: The “mini-series” was the result of the strike fouled production! This day of “24" was supposed to take place in Africa but the strike and in-country difficulties made production impossible to continue. But, rather than dump what was in the can [especially considering the show had been off-air for more than a year] when the strike ended, the two hour ‘prologue’ to this season’s day was created.}
Being inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame, Sherwood Schwartz declared a deal to bring “Gilligan’s Island” to the silver screen “just happened in the past 48 hours”.
Though they appeared amicable at the ATAS event honoring Sherwood Shwartz, word is, Christopher Knight is still furious with Florence Henderson over a comment she made July 2008 regarding his marriage to Adrianne Curry.
Fecal matter is still flying at NBC for it’s decision to keep “Knight Rider” while tossing “My Own Worst Enemy”! {Pile it on!}
Recent British imports pale for networks. Though [ABC’s] “Life On Mars” has apparently grown an audience, [NBC’s] “Kath & Kim” and “Phenomenon”; [CBS’] “The Ex-List”, “Worst Week” and “Eleventh Hour” are flailing and failing. On the other hand, Showtime’s acquisition of “The Secret Diary of a Call Girl” is a ratings hit! Likewise, HBO’s “Summer Heights High” has sweet numbers. The lesson here would seem to be, don’t remake it – replay it!
Who’s bonehead idea was it?! Miley Cyrus’ Sweet-16 at Disneyland was promoted as a bit bash with fans being invited to come to the party – for $250 per person... for four songs and fireworks!?! Disney is infamous for control of it’s licensees; so, I doubt Miley was entirely to blame – but she does have clout and should have objected!
Turner Classic Movies honored Ron Howard’s career December 2008 (“Ron Howard: 50 Years In Film”)... without mentioning his role in “The Music Man”!
Among the honored at Kennedy Center last year were Barbra Streisand, Morgan Freeman, George Jones, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend.
Maria Arena Bell (daughter-in-law of show creator, Bill Bell) is heralded as the savior of [CBS’s] “The Young and the Restless”. Eric Braeden and Melody Thomas (‘Victor’ and ‘Nikki’ of “Y&R”) would likely agree, heralded as “a daytime super couple” with nearly 30 years experience. Accolades are still being paid to the ring of Bruce Weitz (‘Anthony Zacchara’ of [ABC’s] “General Hospital”) for his exuberant performance in a role that didn’t seem to be needed – but now we can’t seem to do without! And, [ABC’s] “All My Children” is still being praised for reuniting ‘Jesse’ and ‘Angie’!
Following her stage work (with Oliver Platt) in “Guys and Dolls”, Lauren Graham (of “Gilmore Girls”) will produce and star in a new comedy for ABC.
Nathan Fillion (of “Firefly” and [most recently] “Desperate Housewives”) will star as “a famous mystery writer-turned-sleuth ‘Richard Castle’” for ABC’s new series, “Castle”, premiering March 2009. Meanwhile, Joss Whedon (creator of “Firefly”)’s latest series “Dollhouse” (starring Eliza Dushku) is set to premiere 13 February on FOX.
Eartha Kitt died [from colon cancer] 25 December 2008. Her last work, a PBS special, will air February 2009.
John Schneider (of “The Dukes of Hazzard” and “Smallville”) will be featured as ‘Ram Peters’ this month on “Nip/Tuck”.
Is it me? Does the auctioning of “Battlestar Galactica” props, clothes, gear and sets seem like an estate sale... creditors repossessing? Really, what’s the deal?
Donation to charity or not – who’s this fudge-head who paid $5300 [at on-line auction] for a facial tissue used by Scarlett Johansson to evacuate her blocked nasal passages!?! Maybe it wasn’t a fudge-head, could’a been an egg-head with a cloning machine – and a freak for the young lady.
Dates to watch:
09 January – “Monk” premiere
12 January – “Kyle XY” premiere
16 January – “Battlestar Galactica” premiere
18 January – “Big Love” and “The L-Word” premiere
18 January – “Secret Diary of a Call Girl” premiere
18 January - "The United States of Tara" debut
22 January – “Burn Notice” premiere
26 January – “The Closer” premiere and the debut of “Trust Me”
02 February – “Heroes” returning
08 February – “Sonny With A Chance” debut
15 February – “Aaron Stone” debut
xx March – “Saving Grace” premiere
xx March – “The Penguins of Madagascar” debut
Ashley Jones (of “The Bold And The Beautiful”) will be featured in upcoming episodes of “Trust Me”. Plus, the actress is starring in the short-film “His Good Will”, amid much Oscar buzz! And, later this year you’ll see her [“but not ‘all’ of (her)”] in [HBO’s] “True Blood”. All the while, she’s still ‘Bridget’ for the daytime series!!
A popular phrase on “Sex And The City” became a best selling novel; and now, a theatrical film opening 06 February. “He’s Just Not That Into You” will feature Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson and Justin Long!
“The Power Puff Girls” enter the Boomerang roster 15 January 2009. Then, 19 January 2009, Cartoon Network will debut an all-new episode of “The Power Puff Girls” – the first since 2004!!
SAG will honor James Earl Jones with a Lifetime Achievement Award 25 January 2009.
‘Donna Martin’ is returning to “90210"! That’s right, Tori Spelling has officially been signed for episodes airing this spring. Also, Ms. Spelling is returning to “Smallville” 05 March!
And, look for the return of Stephanie March (‘ADA Cabot’) to [NBC’s] “Law & Order: Special Victim’s Unit” 17 February. Meanwhile, Mariska Hargitay is unavailable for shooting on ‘SVU’ after suffering “a partially collapsed lung while on break”.
Kelly Ripa will appear as ‘Detective Wednesday Jones’ 19 January on [the new] “Electric Company” for PBS! Meanwhile, B.B. King will be featured in [PBS’s] “Soundstage” the week of 28 January 2009.
Were you watching the Giants v. Eagles game, 11 January on FOX? Did you see ‘The Observer’? “Fringe” fans would recognize him. Word is, FOX has plans to place this guy in many real world places during the show’s season... freaky product placement!
John Wells has confirmed he’s received a call from ABC regarding a new future for “ER” – !!
Word is, Showtime is considering a spin-off from “The L-Word” following the series finale this spring. Apparently, the new series would follow an “L-Word” character to prison... will it be ‘Alice’?
Ricardo Montalban died 14 January....
Balthazar Getty’s extra-marital affair is rumored to be the cause of his exit from [ABC’s] “Brothers & Sisters”. Recurring appearances next season have been offered to the actor but he’ll exit this season early in March 2009. Also leaving the show will be Getty’s on-screen wife, Sarah Jane Morris. She’ll finish this season but is not likely to return next year.
P&G kowtowed to “conservative viewers”, treating Noah & Luke’s intimacy as something less proper, something to be hidden, something wrong. Unlike the first time intimacy of their heterosexual couples, even those of a young age, P&G delegated Noah & Luke’s first time to an off-camera event without a word of introduction! {Slime!}
This year’s “General Hospital” disaster will stem from a bio-toxin released during surgery. The epic will begin 28 January.
SOAPNet is dispelling rumors regarding the epitaph of “General Hospital: Night Shift”, declaring it hasn’t be killed at all. And, welcoming other daytime dramas to pitch night-time spin-offs to join the GH series.
Screen Things
From TV Guide 15 December 2008 to 08 February 2009
By Frank Jaymes
