I am a staunch supporter of the Hollywood writer’s right to strike. I have said so here in my posts as well as in the comments sections of others posts and all over the web. So it really pisses me off when I read something like this from the Hollywood Reporter:

Noise and other disruptions caused by a writers picket line has stopped filming at a location being used for the CBS show “Cane.” The shutdown came as about 20 writers chanted, screamed and used a bullhorn outside a cafe near the CBS lot in Studio City. Tom Hogan, a location manager for the show, says he hired two off-duty Los Angeles police officers in addition to five private security guards to maintain order during the shoot. He said the filming began hours before the picketers arrived and involved a script that was finished several weeks ago. After the shoot was stopped, writers cheered and rejoined picketers around the corner at the studio

I understand that their purpose is to be disruptive and get attention, but this is production on a show whose script was complete prior to the strike and I am certain that the writers of the show would like to go back to it after the strike is over. If this had been an episode scripted by a scab writer, I could understand a deliberate disruption of the production. There are just a few completed scripts left among the shows currently on TV before they will have to cease production. Many already have! It serves little purpose and certainly will engender little willingness to come to an agreement if the writers continue to use tactics like these. If the protesters had been identified, they and their shows would have gone directly to the top of my list of shows not to watch.
Production of television shows will indeed cease over the next couple of weeks and the writers point will have been made. Soon enough, we will all be living in a sea of reruns and a non-scripted television hell. Let’s let the few remaining episodes of series that have already been written film in peace.

This post was Authored by Rob Walley, Our Resident Authority on all things Cane

It pains me to read about some of the truly great shows on TV that may not be around past this season due to difficulty achieving the kind of ratings it takes to succeed in this day and age of broadcast television. However, this is not a problem I’m charged with the way NCIS has taken to blowing the doors off its competition this season.

From the Hollywood Reporter:

The fifth season must be the charm for “NCIS,” which racked up its second-largest-ever audience Tuesday night. The CBS crime drama starring Mark Harmon even surpassed Fox’s heavy hitter “House” in viewership though not in the adults 18-49 demographic, according to preliminary estimates released Wednesday by Nielsen Media Research.

Despite my worst fears early in the season, NCIS is firing on all cylinders as the writers and producers have nailed the very best part of the show and its characters and delivered consistent, emotional and action oriented TV. Folks, it really doesn’t get much better than this. NCIS airs Tuesdays at 8pm on CBS.

This post was Authored by Rob Walley, Our Resident Authority on all things NCIS

I read this opinion piece from Damon Lindelof (Lost writer) says that TV is Dying.

I seriously agree with this point of view. NYTimes quotes Damon:

Twenty percent of American homes now contain hard drives that store movies and television shows indefinitely and allows you to fast-forward through commercials. These devices will probably proliferate at a significant rate and soon, almost everyone will have them. They’ll also get smaller and smaller, rendering the box that holds them obsolete, and the rectangular screen in your living room won’t really be a television anymore, it’ll be a computer. And running into the back of that computer, the wire that delivers unto you everything you watch? It won’t be cable; it will be the Internet.

I completely agree with this point of view. The article degenerates into his stand on the writer’s strike but that isn’t what I want to talk about here.

I have to say that my PVR (we dont have TiVo in Canada) is my Godsend. And I hardly watch commercials anymore. If I am watching a live broadcast of a show I find myself instinctually reaching for the remote to conveniently bypass it.

So where do I see TV going? It won’t happen overnight but I think we already have signs of where it is. I will break down these “signs” into two categories. Technology and Availability.

Technology is the sign that I will refer to that makes the very concept of television a little foreign. We pay a monthly fee to the cable company (or satelite or whatever) to get a super heaping pile of channels. To quote Bruce Springsteen:

We switched ’round and ’round ’till half-past dawn
There was fifty-seven channels and nothin’ on

And that song was from 1992. Who has only 57 channels NOW???

So we are faced with the reality that we watch the shows we want WHEN we want with Technology advancements like TiVo(PVR) and the very popular OnDemand services that feed select programs and movies like a pay-per-view service, but free. (by free, I mean part of your service fee) all of which bypass the need to watch commercials.

Availability is another avenue that is restricting the popularity of Television. Many people I know will have the internet but not even basic cable! Why? Because through the wonders of the internet, you can stream day old episodes from the network sites, buy them on iTunes, or (gasp) illegally download them. I justify (and limit) my tv downloading by picking up series that are not shown in my area (BBC has some wonderful programming we can’t get here) or stuff I just was neglectful to set the PVR to record!

My vision of the TV of the future is not like Lindelof’s abstruction that TV will be consumed by the internet, but pretty close. I see Programming Providers like Cable/Satelite offering a streaming data service with packages that limit your downloading or by category each month. I would gladly pay what I am paying now to be able to on demand order shows to watch when I want to watch them. Commerical free.

Shows will become available in the library AS we are already scheduled to watch them. Seasons will exist and release dates will still be widely active. New shows will be offered as “free view” programs to see if you are interested. These downloads will not affect your monthly package limitations. Offer more packages to include sporting events, movies, etc.

I predict that these OnDemand services will be the wave of the future. Watch anything you want. Why am I paying for 210 channels when in reality I might watch 6-10 of them on any regular basis and another 5 or so randomly depending on what is on. You pay more for more channels just so you can get that one channel in the package that you actually watch. I would gladly pay what I am paying right now for all of my shows to be available in an OnDemand format.

Gladly.

So I don’t see the TV dying out in favour of the internet, but I do see a need for the format to change. Find a better way or else it WILL be consumed by the internet and with no one paying for watching shows, no one is making shows.

Then the TV will die.

This post was Authored by Rodney Brazeau, Senior Editor for the TVShow Blog

When I first saw this news I thought American Gladiators is still on the air??

But then I saw the rest of the article and realized it is coming BACK. I think this is AWESOME!

MSNBC says:

She’s known for her athleticism and now World Super Middlewieght Boxing Champion Laila Ali is getting ready to show off her hosting skills as she joins NBC’s “American Gladiators,” Access Hollywood has confirmed.

Ali will join the previously announced Hulk Hogan to present the show, which will return to TV screens on NBC next year.

This is incredible news. A lot of people give the credit to reality TV to Suvivor, but honestly it was the Game Shows that put the everyday man on TV competing for fame and fortune. American Gladiators was the first “game show” to really cross that line and inspire such organized competions on screen like Survivor.

We saw a plethora of concocted trivia and survey driven challenges, why not have them do something MORE.

And American Gladiators took that extra step to take people out of their comfortable attire and buzzers to REALLY make them compete. Physically! Police Officers, Amateur Athletes, Kamakaze Areobics instructors. They all had one thing in common. They wanted to prove something. Go toe to toe with these selected Gladiators with names like Lazer, and Sky! (my two favourites) and the playing field was (not) level as they were to face off in matches like Powerball, and fighting on raised platforms with giant nerf QTips!

So I wonder who we can expect in the flashy American Flag tights?

I am so pumped about this show!!!!

Several big names in Hollywood have officially put their foot down that no writing work whatsoever will be done on their shows during the strike, according to The Writer’s Guild of America:

“So, just to be absolutely clear: In the event of a strike, we, the following showrunners, will do no writing and no story breaking — nor will any be asked of our writing staffs — until we get a deal.”

Among the list are the showrunners from comedies, dramas, sci-fi shows, late night talk shows, and even a large number of Disney staples like Hannah Montana.

The late night talk shows are already in repeats, sketch shows are likely to go next. While some shows have enough in the can to possibly last out the strike on the air, it would still cause a gap in production. Last year, Heroes specifically suffered from weeks of repeats. The repeats had such an effect on ratings that the show was creating a new set of episodes to air during the hiatus. After all that work, we still might end up with weeks without new shows on almost any network.

It’s good to see solidarity on the part of several big name actors and producers, but the question seems to be looming: how is this going to affect the networks before it’s all over? Will the weeks of repeats make you lose interest in new shows? Could this be the final nail in the coffin for shows that were struggling already?

This post was Guest Authored by Elizabeth

A classic enemy returns to the Doctor Who fold, along with Martha Jones!

The Sontarans first squared off against Doctor No. 3, Jon Pertwee in The Time Warrior, and now they return to face off against No. 10! The episode will also feature the return of Martha Jones to the Doctor’s side, after her three episode stint on Torchwood.

“Martha Jones returns in a fantastic storyline and the fans will get to see her in a whole new light!” Freema Agyeman says.
The article and a few promotional pictures can be found on the BBC site and the official Doctor Who site.

The next series is shaping up nicely, we have Agatha Christie, as well as the return of the Ood and the Sontarans, not to mention any other surprises that may be up the writers’ sleeves.

Not that far off now…

What other classic enemies or allies would you like to see come back?

This post was Authored by TD, Our Resident Authority on all things BBC

As the Christmas episode (not to mention the Children In Need mini-ep) grow closer, it’s getting harder to sidestep spoilers, though I am doing my best (I like to remain spoiler free). But this must be one of the oddest hints of spoilers that I’ve come across.

There are some geeks, I’m counting myself very prominently in this category, who not only love their shows or movies or what-have-you, but love the music that goes with it, I have a huge soundtrack collection, of which John Williams is the star. Well, here’s one more area for me to avoid spoilers for the coming Christmas Special.

The next soundtrack for the Doctor Who series (love the first one, especially the Love Don’t Roam track), featuring music from Series 3, will also contain a song performed by Yamit Mamo that will be featured in the Christmas Episode, Voyage Of The Damned.

The song itself is called The Stowaway, and can be found on the Silva Screen Record’s MySpace page

I haven’t listened to myself, but there is a warning of potential spoilers, so listen at your own risk.

This post was Authored by TD, Our Resident Authority on all things BBC

Hmmm.

What to think of this episode. It kinda feels like a standard X-files episode with a bit of a Scooby-Doo ending. Kinda.
The Torchwood team is investigating the roadside murder of a UFO crank, who also had a bit of a thing for Gwen, who in turn feels driven to figure out what actually happened to the dead man, Eugene by name, and all she has are the pieces of his life left behind, and some snaps of, as the episode title suggests, random shoes.

Helping her, or at least watching her help him, is Eugene’s spirit, who is trying, along with Gwen to figure out why he was murdered… It all seems to have something to do with an alien artifact, which Jack identifies as a Dogon Sixth Eye.

Overall, this is a bit of a lighter episode than has been seen of late, though still carries through with the themes seen in the entire series. I do like how the mystery unwinds, and the revelation of the baddie at the climax of the episode.

The series continues to entertain and I’m looking forward to seeing what they do with the second series (don’t be afraid to be dark, that’s my recommendation!).

Torchwood airs Saturday nights on BBCAmerica, and Fridays (though a bit behind) on CBC

This post was Authored by TD, Our Resident Authority on all things BBC

Chuck’s ratings are continuing to decline. According to Your Entertainment Now:

New NBC shows Chuck and Journeyman continue to fade slowly, while season two of Heroes has yet to rebound in overall audience, but is still rating strongly among adults 18-49.

The ratings are again a record low this week, though the show maintains it’s hold on third place. Again, I thought this was a great episode. The scenes involving Morgan and Captain Awesome were brilliant, and the telling costumes at Buy More were a great touch. Also, Chuck was wrong this week. While he’s made mistakes and been wrong before, usually if he says someone is a bad or good guy, he’s right. They didn’t keep us waiting to find out about the assistant manager position either, though I didn’t expect the outcome.

It really is a good show. It’s not the best thing on television, it’s not groundbreaking or amazing. But it is a good show. I’ll be sad to see it go if the ratings don’t improve.

This post was Authored by Elizabeth, Our Resident Authority on all things Chuck

One of the shows that stays just outside my radar each week is Criminal Minds, yet another of CBS’s vast assortment of crime procedurals. I predicted in season one that Mandy Patinkin would bail out first chance he got if the show was showed any sign of success…and I was proven right once again. He has done this before on Chicago Hope and on many stage productions. I love everything I have ever seen Patinkin do (Dead Like Me was brilliant), but I just will not set myself up for disappointment any longer. DVDs of the first 2 years of Criminal Minds will have to suffice.

Tonight, however, Criminal Minds picks up a replacement for Patinkin who is every bit as good and much more dependable for the long haul. TVWeek.com reports:

Joe Mantegna makes his first appearance on the now Mandy Patinkin-less “Criminal Minds” this Wednesday (Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. on CBS). Mantegna plays David Rossi, a long-retired agent who once helped found the Behavioral Analysis Unit and now returns to action, sez CBS’ press, with “some unfinished business of his own.” (Why are we not surprised?)

Actually, Criminal Minds was doing very well during this transition without either actor, but Mantegna will up the ante with his presence, and his character sounds like the perfect answer to the loss of Patinkin’s Jason Gideon, a character I always thought was just a little too close to the edge for my comfort. Mantegna is one of our finest actors who has had little luck with the television projects he has been involved in. Criminal Minds may finally be his ticket to weekly TV success and Mantegna may be the shot in the arm Criminal Minds needs to get me watching weekly.

This post was Guest Authored by Rob Walley

Although “Moonlight” isn’t leading in the ratings, CBS has decided that it’s doing strong enough. According to Kristin at E! Online, more episodes of the vampire-PI drama have been ordered:

“CBS just ordered four more scripts of the freshman vamped-up drama that’s been airing.”

Even though this isn’t as good as CBS ordering the back nine episodes of the freshman drama, giving it a full season, it still gives me hope to think that they ordered more episodes.

Does this give you other “Moonlight” viewers hope that the show will get a full first season?

This post was Authored by Emily Hanson, Our Resident Authority on all things Moonlight

Cinematical just blew my mind!

Well, now, because of the success of that show, Seth McFarlane and his gang are stepping up to target The Empire Strikes Back next. Speaking to IESB at the 100th episode party, the very hot Mila Kunis (who voices Meg on the show) said that the cast had already done a table read of the Empire script. Friggin’ sweet!

Family Guy’s rendition of A New Hope is probably now my favorite episode of the series. Now that they are doing ESB, you just know that they are going to Return of the Jedi. Assuming that this table reading was very recent, I would say that we should expect this episode next season, that is to say if Seth McFarline runs his shows like The Simpsons guys do.

So who do you guys think will play the Emporer?

This post was Authored by Josh Kelhoffer, Our Resident Authority on all things Adult Swim

Let’s just jump right into this one. News For Gamers.com is reporting:

Hell’s Kitchen, the Fox summer reality show starring celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey, is being made into a videogame that will premiere next summer around the same time as the show comes on the air on Fox. The game will be produced by interactive entertainment company Ludia Inc. as part of a deal with the show’s producer Granada America. The Hell’s Kitchen game will be available across all major platforms, including PC, console and mobile.

My first reaction was…why? Why in the hell would anyone want to play a video game version of this show? Then, last night I walked into my den and found my 10 year old playing “Cooking Mama” on the Nintendo Wii. Every time she completed a task successfully, the animated “Mama” would compliment her, and if she failed “Mama” would sound disappointed. I sat back and imagined this same game but with Gordon Ramsay instead of “Mama” reacting to the players performance.

Folks, I think we have a winner here!

This post was Authored by Rob Walley, Our Resident Authority on all things Kitchen Nightmares

I’m going to step out of the world of the broadcast television show to pose for your consideration …broadcast television. Specifically, how do you receive your television broadcasts in this day and age?

After Hurricane Katrina roared through my house two years ago, my wife and I decided that we would replace all of our televisions with High Definition sets. Might as well, since we were going to have to replace them in the next few years anyway. Since we were already with DirecTV, we were up and running quickly while others were using their rabbit ears for the first time in decades. Cable service was a memory and took months to re-establish, so over the air or satellite were the only options.

Eventually, I decided to check out the capabilities of our new HD sets and tried out DirecTVs HD service. The selection was slim but the picture was impressive. When I heard that our local stations in New Orleans were activating the HD transmitters, I pulled out a small antennae and hooked it up.

Wow.

I have read many stories about DirecTV’s HD being more of a HD-“lite”, but I did not fully understand just how good HD could be until I saw HD…by rabbit ears! Since then, I have installed a huge gaudy old style “big ass” antennae, the like of which have not been seen since the 1970s, and my HD television viewing experience is nothing short of spectacular. Granted, I am fortunate enough to live in an area that is blessed with a lot of HD transmissions filling the air. I know that most are not as lucky. But even if you have only one local station broadcasting in HD, you owe it to yourself to invest 10 bucks at your local Wal-Mart or Radio Shack and see what is truly possible on that shiny new HD set in your Living Room.

Browsing this subject on the web, I see that my experience is not unique. So, I’m asking readers here, are you getting your television fix in HD and what has your experience been?

This post was Guest Authored by Rob Walley

Big Love’s wife number 1, Jean Tripplehorn has landed a new high profile job in an Upcoming HBO movie. The Hollywood Reporter gives us:

Jeanne Tripplehorn has been cast as Jackie Kennedy Onassis in “Grey Gardens,” HBO Films’ true story about a couple of eccentric members of the Kennedy clan. It is being directed by Michael Sucsy.

This is not a remake in the traditional remake. The orignial 1976 Grey Gardens was a documentary on the actual cousins of Onassis. HBO films, though not always great, are always quality films. It is good too see Jean getting roles such as the iconic Jackie O’.

Does Jean Tripplehorn’s involvement in Grey Gardens increase your interest?

This post was Authored by Larry Latouf, Our Resident Authority on all things Big Love

I can’t believe I am actually going to quote myself, but this has to be said. Also, this post will contain SPOILERS!!!

Three weeks ago I had a theory. Hiro is the Dragon where I speculated on one of the stories of Kensei’s legend.

With war threatening to fracture Japan, he went to the Dragon of Kiso Mountain and asked him to teach him the secrets of the sword. The Dragon agreed to help in exchange for all of his love. Takezo loved a princess with all his heart but knew Japan would fall if he did not triumph, so he agreed. The Dragon taught him and he became Kensei (a sword saint).

With his newfound knowledge, Kensei fought and won a great battle thus saving his people. After the battle, the Dragon came to Kensei’s palace to collect on their deal. The Dragon demanded the life of the princess. Kensei refused and cut out his own heart, handed it to the dragon and said, My love is in here. Take it. And then he died. When the Dragon saw what Kensei was willing to sacrifice for his people (and his love) he was so moved that he replaced Kensei�s heart and breathed fire-life back into the swordsman.

I speculated that Hiro was the Dragon. Guess what. He is.

I also speculated that Kensei is the mysterious killer taking out the members of the 12.

I have a feeling that Kensei’s Godsend power of regeneration (very similar to Claire’s) may actually allow him to “live forever” so it is plausible that he could have survived to current time.

Sold.

I am going to quote Ace Ventura. “God I just HATE being right all the time”

But not because I am always right. But it feels good to gloat… er… share. Yeah. Share.

This post was Authored by Rodney Brazeau, Senior Editor for the TVShow Blog and Our Resident Authority on all things Heroes