I love Heroes. I think it’s a good show, but one that really hasn’t been showing it’s potential in the later episodes. Despite what most internet bloggers say,  I had no problems with the season finale of the first season and I didn’t hate the second season as much as some have, but it was really flawed, and the series will really need some work if it’s going to survive another season.

First and foremost, they need to drop the meladrama. If there’s one thing that turns me off of hourlong primetime shows is the contant and pointless meladrama. And whats even worse than pointless meladrama? Teen-Angst meladrama! Seriously, Claire needs to grow up.  I can understand her issues from the first season. She has these powers and she doesn’t know how to confront people with them or who to tell or trust or evenwhat to do with them, but by now she would have learned to deal with them, right? Wrong. She might as well be screaming “Oh my life sucks! These super awesome superpowers are destroying my high school life!” I understand that she is still learning about what she can and can’t do, but she seriously needs to grow up and develop as a character. I spent the first season falling in love with her, and by the end of the second season, she had annoyed the living crap out of me.

Second, they need to cut the fluff. For example, in season 2, they dragged out Hiro’s time travel subplot to like 6 episodes, when it could have easily been 3 tops. They could have had him back by episode 4 to continue his story, which seemingly spent a lot of time going nowhere until the last few episodes where it starting building to something. The seasons need to start building from the first episode.  We don’t need three people travelling in a car for most of a season.

Third, they need to slow down on the new characters. We are only getting to the third season and we just barely know the original cast, and yet they keep cramming new people down our throat. Someone mentioned in our comments section on Heroes related post that they keep finding people who have powers, and it’s almost like too many people have powers. What I’m saying is that it’s too much too quick. And as far as most of these new characters go, I didn’t care for much of them.  I just wanted to see Hiro and Peter and the rest of the original gang, and maybe I didn’t give the new characters the chance they deserve, but I just didn’t care for them.

Fourth, everyone says this, but they really need to drop the love stories.  At our conversations at work, that is the one thing we all hated. It’s not that I’m a macho pig and “love is gay bring on the violence.” It’s just that ever since Dawson’s Creek and possibly even before that with the dawn of the soap opera, young love has been portrayed in television and in a lot of movies as: “I’m in love and it’s complicated and it hurts,” and it often comes off as meladramatic (there’s that word again), and stale and often even boring, and many times, unbelievable. I just don’t see a lot of the people falling in love actually even making it to the first kiss, and if it did it would be an awkward kiss, and thats how I feel about one or tow of the couples from the last season.

And lastly, there “Heroes!” Bring on the science fiction! Bring on the action and suspense! Hoefully, with the next season being called “Villians”, the heroes will be forced to team together to stop whatever obstace lies in there path. I knwo that maybe thats not what I should expect from this show, but it’s called “Heroes.” You have to admit that the title comes with an expectation? These characters shouldn’t have to be talked in to running into a burning building to save their own relative.

Anyways, thats my two cents. Let me know what you think. Are these points accurate? Do you even think Heroes needs “fixed?”

For years now, I have defended The Simpsons against it’s haters. It’s been getting harder these past few seasons. I have been defending against those who have preached to me that “Family Guy is way better than the Simpsons!”

I don’t think so. Not in my opinion.

While I have enjoyed Family Guy. I do think it’s funny, and while I have found the more recent seasons of the Simpsons to be sloppily unbalanced, I do find that The Simpsons with it’s many, many, MANY good seasons, is far superior. And here’s why:

-Family Guy crams too much jokes into one episode. I don’t mind a joke overload here and there,  but I find a lot of the jokes fall flat.

-The Simpsons has heart. Family Guy doesn’t. 

-While the latter seasons have slipped on this part, the Simpsons always had room for the story.

-I know this sounds silly, but characters on The Simpsons have depth. There’s more to these guys than just slapstick humor.

-Family Guy is the same joke over and over again. Brian will say something like “Like the time you joined the Super Friends.” And the scene will cut to Peter doing something stupid at the Super Friends hideout. 

These are my big reasons for preferring The Simpsons to Family Guy, but I want to know, in your honest opinion, which one is the champ of primetime cartoon comedy: The Simpsons or Family Guy?

This just snuck up on me! South Park Studios has the dish on the first new South Park episode which premieres tonight!

A lot of you may not be excited about this but I am a huge fan of the show. Though lately I haven’t paid much attention to the new seasons as much, which is why this new season snuck up on me, but recently I re-entered into my excited as I have been going through all my South Park dvds and reliving them in my spare time. I forgot how much I loved the show, though I still think it’s best days where the earlier seasons, and a lot of the newer seasons being hit and miss episodes. “Hit” being Imaginationland and “Miss” being the Return of Chef episode. Here’s hoping that the new episodes are more like the former than the latter.

TV Squad! reports.

I’m not a big Richter fan, but to be real honest, I haven’t seen a lot of his stuff other than his parts in Big Trouble and a few other movies. I don’t remember too much about his previous show, Andy Richter Controls the Universe. Just that I didn’t find it funny at the time, and that it didn’t last too long. But that doesn’t mean the guy isn’t hilarious. Could this new show be comic gold?

Leonard Roberts, who portrayed D.L. Hawkins on Heroes, has a few things to say about show the show has gone so far. He believes the show needs to get cater to the fans more, according to Digital Spy:

I mean the fans put the show where it is and it’s only right that the creative element behind it respects that audience and gives them something that is worthy of their respect. I hope that they’ve had some time to do that – I think they have – and when everybody gets back to work I have no doubt that it’s going to be a stellar season.”

It’s good to see that he has faith in it, but as I’ve noted before I wonder if the fans having so much power is a good or a bad thing. While most people would agree that the romances were bringing the show down, I’ve met people who loved Mia, and who hated her. There are people that really enjoyed the Hiro-in-the-past storyline.

So maybe what the creators can do that would cater most to the fans is really get back to their roots, and to the enjoyment of the first season. They should concentrate on making a good show, and we’ll be pulled along for the ride.

Though not having any more romance would make me a much happier fan, I admit.

The acclaimed series, “Entourage” will be returning to HBO sometime in late August, early September according to TVGuide.com’s Micheal Ausiello. Ausiello also gives some tidbits on this upcoming season.

Well, the show isn’t backing down from its “Vince isn’t Eric’s only client” direction, which, frankly, sort of worries me. Nevertheless, this season, E will have a new assistant, who is as schlumpy and as charming as his low-rent office space. He has rebounded from the Anna Faris fiasco with a new client, an up-and-coming comedian who really wants to act. Plus, look for him to discover a hot script from an unlikely source: the managers of a topless bar. Speaking of gratuitous nudity (and when aren’t we, really?), I hear that Ari will receive a visit from a pair of Chippendale’s-style dancers. Oh, Lloyd, you shouldn’t have! You really shouldn’t have!

Look for more information about the 5th season to be coming in the next few months. Any thoughts on season 5? What do YOU expect?

We’ve gotten a lot of news about the upcoming “Star Wars: Clone Wars” animated series, but almost nothing about the live-action series. Collider Entertainment has exclusive (possibly only rumor) detail about the upcoming series.

I’m also told there is a difference between the animated show and the live-action one. What I’m hearing is they are really trying to make Star Wars cool again. To do this, both shows are going to appeal to two different audiences. The animated show is definitely geared for kids, with the hope that adults will tune in. But, the live-action show is the one that us grownups are going to care about.

Go over to see the full description. If this is true, it is very encouraging. I was a huge Star Wars fan for 22 years, before the dark times…before the prequels. At heart I still love the saga, and would love more than anything for Lucas to “make Star Wars cool again”.

AintItCool seems to think there is validity to the rumor. What do you think?

The first of 2 made for DVD movies based on the long running series, “Stargate: SG1″, has hit the stores today. Over at The Official Site, writer/director Robert Cooper answers 10 viewer questions about “Stargate: The Ark of Truth”. He answers 3 of the ten questions in this first of 4 videos.

Click here for the video

Also at the site are other behind the scenes videos as well as a sneak peek at the next movie, “Stargate Continuum”.

If you’ve seen the new DVD, stop by and give us your thoughts in the comments.

Looks like “The Rege” has earned himself a fancy new trophy.TV Squad reports.

A lifetime acheivement award? That’s pretty good for a man who seems to be absent every Friday from his own show. At least, from the 15 minutes I see in the break room every Friday. But I guess, the man has earned it. He’s only been morning talk show host for, what? Two decades?

Yahoo TV! reports.

What is it about celebrities? It’s like they think they won’t get caught even though they get noticed more then regular people. Of course, it’s not like she has a career to lose.

Seems like a lot of back-room drama for “How I Met Your Mother”. The producers are working hard to save the high quality/low ratings comedy. It appears that news of Britney’s cameo didn’t sit well with a recently announced guest star. Ausiello has the scoop:

Britney Spears’ havoc-wreaking cameo on How I Met Your Mother has already claimed its first victim. A Mother insider confirms that Alicia Silverstone — who was slated to appear in a multi-episode arc as Ted’s dermatologist/lover — has dropped out and will be replaced by Scrubs’ Sarah Chalke.
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Pink is the New Blog reports that Silverstone bowed out because she didn’t want to be overshadowed by Spears, who, per my sources, will play an assistant to the dermatologist now being portrayed by Chalke.

Ausiello goes on to confirm that they are attempting to create another role for Silverstone.

I don’t blame her. Her appearance would be competing with Spears for the wrong reasons. I know that producers are trying to get buzz about the show, but is Britney Spears the type of buzz you want?

That being said, Sarah Chalke is a great sitcom actress, so adding her to a show is never wrong. I’m eager to see if what other drama is ahead for this bubble-show.

Some Earl fans may not know that Jason Lee (Earl) and Ethan Slurpee (Randy) are good friends with writer/director Kevin Smith. Both Lee and Slurpee got their start in the ViewAskew universe. Over at the Official news site for Kevin Smith’s View Askew Universe, NewsAskew they have this:

Could this be the first hint of View Askew history happening on network television? A recent WWWBoard post from the great Jason Lee hints that we may see both Kevin AND Jay in an upcoming episode:

Kevin,

We’d like you and Jay to come and play with Ethan and I for a day on Earl.

J Lee

We’re sure Kev’s still knee-deep in “Porno” stuff at the moment, but this would be a fantastic opportunity for a cross-promotion with the movie if he appears in Earl’s new Fall season in 6 months or so. The timing could be perfect. We’re betting this will happen. We’ll keep you posted.

Being both a huge Lee and a huge Smith fan, I’m all for this. Now I doubt that they’d be playing Jay and Silent Bob, but who knows. Either way, it should make for a great episode. “My Name Is Earl” is no stranger to stunt casting (John Leguizamo, Craig T. Nelson and Alyssa Milano to name a few), so this isn’t out of character for the show.

What do you think? Should Jay and Silent Bob visit Camden?

In a confusing move, CBS has announced that Britney Spears will guest star on a future episode of “How I Met Your Mother”. TVGuide.com has:

A CBS rep officially confirms for TVGuide.com that which was reported an hour ago on Pink Is the New Blog: Britney Spears is guest-starring on an upcoming episode of How I Met Your Mother. TMZ says it’s by no means a long-term gig and that her dad/conservator signed off on it.

Um. Yeah.

Alicia Silverstone was a great casting move, but Britney? Hopefully it’ll just be a cameo in a single episode. Yeah, that’s it…a cameo…..

Britney?

Coming off a terrific season finale/cliffhanger, “Stargate: Atlantis” is looking to come back strong next season. According to GateWorld it may be coming back sooner than later:

“Atlantis will be back for Season Five this summer (probably July),” TV Guide said this week.

Executive producer Joseph Mallozzi has also hinted to his blog readers that the network may decide on a summer premiere for the show. “The decision on the Season Five premiere date rests with SCI FI,” he wrote. “However, I’m hopeful that fans won’t have to wait until the fall to see the resolution of our Season Four cliffhanger.”

An obvious reason for this is the shakeup caused by the writer strike. SGA is one of the few Canadian produced series not affected by the strike. Also, having it debut in the summer, with less network competition, could help boost ratings.

I was very please with this past weeks finale, “Last Man”. Although time-travel is sometimes overused in Sci-Fi, Stargate always uses it to create stories, not solve problems. This as a good episode to end the season on. David Hewlett (Rodney) did an excellent job in the episode, proving his acting talents once again.

Any thoughts on the early premiere? How about the finale?

Back in the day the special effects that we take for granted in movies and TV took MONTHS for what worked out to be about a minute of footage.

In 1982 HBO created an introductory segment for its special movie events and they spared no expense. Check out this mini behind the scenes feature:

Granted, the techniques were “state of the art” and required back then, but it blows my mind how simple it is to do a lot of these effects that they had to labour for ages to do what your average Highschool student can now do on his dog’s website.

Imagine how people will mock what we do now in 25 years?

Computers? Seriously? They used computers for that? I had my virtual reality hologram handle that job for me!!

TV Squad reports.

Alicia Silverstone, star of Clueless on the big screen, Miss Match on the small, has been signed for a series of episodes, a mini-arc. She is going to play a doctor, a new girl who gets involved with Ted. They’re involved — romantically it seems — for a few shows, so that could mean a relationship.
 

As funny as it sounds, How I Met Your Mother is actually one of my favorite shows. Especially as far as sitcoms go. It think it’s a fun and entertaining show with entertaining stories, and it makes me laugh. Some of you may disagree and thats perfectly OK.

Alicia Silverstone has seemed to have fallen off the map in more recent years. Batman & Robin must have really put a dent in her career. I think the last time I saw her in anything was the second Scooby Doo movie. Such a shame. She really is an attractive looking woman, in my opinion. So I’m quite pleased to see her joining the cast.

Now whether or not “she’s the one,” I personally doubt it. She’s not a permanment cast member. She’s just a mere celebrity-throw-away character like we’ve seen many times before in sitcoms. At least, thats my two cents. I’ll gladly eat my own words if I’m wrong.

Despite recent rumors, Jerry Seinfeld is NOT making a comeback to primetime television. Yahoo TV reports.

Jerry Seinfeld and NBC have denied a report in the New York Post claiming the comic is in talks to star as himself in a sitcom similar in style to HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, which features Seinfeld cocreator Larry David.

I’m a big fan of the sitcom, but oddly Seinfeld was one of those shows I didn’t get into until after it went off the air. While I would be interested in Jerry doing a new show, I just don’t think it would live up to his great show about nothing. Therefore, this news doesn’t quite make me as sad as I might have thought.

It’s been a long time since regular season BSG was on the air. With the premiere in April upon us, you may want to catch up on the series before the final season starts. The Sci Fi Channel has an 8 minute video that lets us know “What the Frak is Going on“.

Click here to check it out.

It seems strange that the “Doctor Who” franchise doesn’t already have some sort of video game. Where games adapted from movies and TV rarely hit, Sci-Fi franchises are usually as hit (i.e. Star Wars). VideoGaming247 has the following:

Eidos has just confirmed that the previously known Doctor Who game on its books will be revealed soon and is in development for PC, PS2 and DS. Firm details are under wraps at the moment, but it doesn’t sound as though you’re going to be waiting too long.

Hopefully, waiting this long to develop a game means it’ll be a quality game. With no mention of Xbox360 or PS3 (or even Wii), I’m leery about what we’ll get. But I admit, having a “Star Wars: Battlefront” type game for The Doctor would be interesting.

What do you think?

FNL producers have been struggling to save the show, and NBC has even shopped around the idea of having it shown on other networks (such as The CW) in addition to NBC. It appears that DirecTv has become that second “network” as an exclusive from Deadline Hollywood reports:

The answer came in a deal with DirecTV, now owned by John Malone’s Liberty Media. Clearly Malone is looking to distinguish DirecTV from its rivals on a content as well as price basis. “It’s an innovative deal where NBC found a partner who will share costs and exhibition windows,” an insider explained to me. So both NBC and DirecTV will be airing Friday Night Lights across multipurpose platforms.
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Even though it usually ends up last in its time slot, the show does OK in the 18-to-49 demos and often wins the 18-to-34 demos. But FNL’s Season One only averaged 6.1 million viewers a week, making it something like the 95th-highest rated show on network primetime TV, fnl-3.jpgand Season Two averaged 6.2 million viewers a week but still came in at 101th.

It’s good to see a critically acclaimed, but low rated, show get a second chance. Here is an instance where quality did win out. Hopefully this works out so that other shows (ex. Journeyman) can get a similar second chance.