NBC Announces Midseason Schedule, The Office Gets Post-Super Bowl Spot December 3, 2008 9:53 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 2008/2009 Television, Celebrity Apprentice, Chuck, E.R., Heroes, Kings, Life, NBC, News, Television, The Office, XIII.add a comment
NBC has announced their programming lineup for Super Bowl night, as well as what the network has in store later in the season. Super Bowl XLIII on February 1st will be followed by an hour-long original episode of The Office. The following evening, February 2nd, will see the returns of both Chuck (via a special 3-D episode) and Heroes (with the new volume titled “Fugitives”), as well as the 5th season premiere of Medium. Other returns include Life (February 4th) and Celebrity Apprentice (March 1). The network also announced that the original movie event XIII will air on February 8th and 15th, new drama Kings will premiere with a two-hour event on March 19th and the two-hour ER series finale will air on March 12th.
The full press release, which includes a look at the new schedule, follows after the jump.
The CW Announces Midseason Schedule December 3, 2008 9:42 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 13 Fear Is Real, 2008/2009 Television, News, Reaper, Television, The CW.1 comment so far
The CW has unveiled its midseason schedule. The lineup features the series premiere of the new reality series 13 Fear Is Real (January 7) and the return of Reaper (March 17).
Check out the new schedule, and full press release follows after the jump.
New Video of NBC’s Kings December 3, 2008 8:33 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 2008/2009 Television, Kings, NBC, News, Television.add a comment
NBC has released a new sneak peek video of their upcoming series Kings. Watch it below.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
The CW Sets March Return for Reaper December 3, 2008 1:49 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 2008/2009 Television, News, Reaper, Television, The CW.add a comment
The CW has scheduled the return of the supernatural drama Reaper. The 13-episode second season will air after 90210 on Tuesday nights starting March 17th. Privileged is currently running in that time period, but it will have finished its 18-episode run by the time Reaper returns.
If I may say so, 90210 is a very, very odd choice for a lead-in. Then again, it may end up not mattering one way or the other. We’ll see soon enough I suppose.
Reaper premiered September 25, 2007 with the following ratings: 2.1/3 HH rating/share, 3.28 million viewers and a 1.5/4 rating among adults 18-49, all of which were series highs.
Overall, 18 episodes aired during season one, averaging a 1.7/3 HH rating/share, 2.62 million viewers and a 1.2/3 rating/share among adults 18-49.
Source: THR Feed
ABC Sets Premiere Dates for Castle, Cupid and The Unusuals December 2, 2008 6:16 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 2008/2009 Television, ABC, Television.add a comment
ABC has announced the premiere dates for three new dramas: Castle (March 9th), Cupid (March 24th) and The Unusuals (April 8th). ABC also set a return date for Primetime: What Would You Do? (January 6th).
The full press release follows after the jump.
CBS Announces Midseason Schedule December 2, 2008 3:16 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 2008/2009 Television, CBS, News, Television.add a comment
CBS has unveiled its midseason schedule. The lineup features the series premieres of Game Show in My Head (January 3) and Harper’s Island (April 9), and the returns of Flashpoint (January 9), Survivor (February 12) and The Amazing Race (February 15).
The full press release follows after the jump.
The Cleveland Show Pushed to 2009 November 12, 2008 3:00 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 2008/2009 Television, Fox, News, Television, The Cleveland Show.add a comment
The Family Guy spin-off The Cleveland Show is being pushed back by Fox and is now unlikely to debut this season. The series is now expected to premiere the fall of next year. At the same time as the delay, however, Fox has ordered the back-nine episodes of Cleveland, giving the 20th Century Fox series a full 22 episode order for the 2009/10 season. Also, Arianna Huffington has joined the show’s voice cast in a recurring role.
Source: Variety
New Dollhouse Video November 11, 2008 2:14 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 2008/2009 Television, Dollhouse, Fox, News, Television.add a comment
Fox has released a new video for the upcoming Joss Whedon drama Dollhouse. Check it out below. Dollhouse is expected to air on Fox sometime in early 2009.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
The Ex List Canceled October 28, 2008 11:38 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 2008/2009 Television, Cancellations, CBS, News, Television, The Ex-List.13 comments
After a run of just four episodes, CBS has decided to cancel its low-rated new drama The Ex List. This Friday’s episode, which will be its fifth, will be the end of the line. Nine episodes are in the pipe, and while the remaining four may be run off some time in the future, CBS has not announced when that might be. In the mean time, repeats of NCIS will fill in the Friday 9pm time slot.
The Ex List is actually the first new drama this season to be canceled and continues CBS’s unfortunate slump of failed TV dramas that don’t involve crime.
Source: Variety
‘Knight’ Riding Out A Full Season October 26, 2008 11:35 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 2008/2009 Television, Knight Rider, NBC, News, Renewals, Television.4 comments
It’s the season of surprising pickups. Following up on Fox’s somewhat surprising full-season order of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, NBC has gone ahead and ordered the back-nine of Knight Rider, clearing the series to air a full season of 22 episodes.
It’s the first freshman fall NBC series to be ordered to a full season, joining CBS’s The Mentalist, Fox’s Fringe and the CW’s 90210.
Source: THR
Amy Acker Downplays “Dollhouse” Production Issues October 26, 2008 11:25 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 2008/2009 Television, Dollhouse, Fox, News, Television.add a comment
Amy Acker, co-star of Joss Whedon’s upcoming Fox series Dollhouse, told SCI FI Wire that all the publicity surrounding the recent production shut down was blown out of proportion:
“You know, we did take a little break,” Acker said in an interview earlier this month. “And I feel like it’s coming back, and everyone is just excited to be there. The first show that came back was a Steve DeKnight show; he was directing it, and it’s just really, really great. I think we just kind of had that time, because it doesn’t air until January.”
“Instead of rushing to make episodes, they thought, ‘Well, we’ve already made four, and they’re all going to be done before the first one airs,’” Acker said. “So we have the luxury to take the time and make them the way they want them.”
Source: SCI FI Wire
Fox Gives ‘Terminator’ Full Season Order October 26, 2008 10:59 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 2008/2009 Television, Fox, News, Television, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.add a comment
Despite only average ratings, Fox has decided to give a full season order to its freshman sci-fi drama series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. The back-nine order brings the show to a full 22 episodes this season, eight more than aired in last year’s strike-shortened season.
The show’s most-recent episode drew 5.7 million viewers and had a 2.3/6 rating/share among the coveted A18-49 demo. The network had recently ordered two additional scripts from producers.
Source: THR
ABC Picks Up Five Series for 2008/2009 Season September 2, 2008 12:47 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 2008/2009 Television, ABC, Better Off Ted, Castle, Cupid, News, Single with Parents, Television, The Unusuals.1 comment so far
ABC is adding five new series to its slate of programming for the 2008/2009. The three new dramas and two new comedies are Castle, Cupid, The Unusuals, Better Off Ted and Single with Parents.
DRAMAS
“Castle” is a comedic crime procedural about a famous mystery novelist, Nick Castle, who is bored with his own success. When a real-world copycat murderer starts staging scenes from Nick’s novels, Nick is teamed up with NYPD Detective Kate Beckett and the challenge gets his blood pumping as he steps in to help solve the crime. Nick and Beckett’s styles instantly clash and sparks begin to fly, leading both to danger and a hint of romance. Nick is kept grounded by his Broadway diva mother, quick-witted teenage daughter and his long-suffering ex-wife… who happens to be his editor. “Castle” stars Nathan Fillion as Castle, Stana Katic as Beckett, Molly Quinn as Alexis, Susan Sullivan as Martha, Monet Mazur as Gina and Ruben Santiago-Hudson as Capt. Montgomery. Produced by ABC Studios. Andrew Marlowe serves as executive producer/writer, along with executive producers Laurie Zaks, Armyan Bernstein and Rob Bowman.
“Cupid” is a romantic dramedy about Trevor, a larger than life character who may or may not be the Roman god of love, Cupid, sent to earth to bring couples together. As fate would have it, Trevor is under the care of famous psychologist and self-help author Dr. Claire Allen, who is also dedicated to helping lonely hearts find their soul mates. While she agrees with his cause, she questions whether he’s crazy or really is Cupid. “Cupid” stars Bobby Cannavale as Trevor, Sarah Paulson as Claire, Rick Gomez as Felix and Camille Guaty as Lita. Produced by ABC Studios. Rob Thomas serves as executive producer/writer along with executive producers Jennifer Gwartz, Danielle Stokdyk, Dan Etheridge and Bharat Nalluri.
“The Unusuals” is a unique comedic procedural set in a New York police precinct. As a cop, it helps to have a twisted sense of humor, because every moment could be your last. Just ask Casey Schraeger, who started her day as an NYPD vice detective before unexpectedly being transferred to the homicide division. She quickly realizes that, not only does everyone in her new department have a distinct sense of humor, but also their own dirty little secrets. “The Unusuals” stars Amber Tamblyn as Det. Casey Schraeger, Jeremy Renner as Det. Joe Walsh, Terry Kinney as Sgt. Harvey Brown, Kai Lennox as Det. Ed Alvarez, Harold Perrineau as Det. Leo Banks, Adam Goldberg as Det. Eric Delahoy, Monique Gabriela Curnen as Det. Allison Beaumont and Joshua Close as Henry Cole. Produced by Sony Pictures Television. Noah Hawley is executive producer/writer.
COMEDIES
“Better Off Ted” is a satirical office comedy featuring a successful but morally conscious man, Ted, who runs a research and development department at a morally questionable corporation, Veridian Technologies. No achievement is too far fetched and no invention too unorthodox for Veridian. Need a suicidal turkey? Done. Need a metal that is hard as steel but bounces and is edible? Done and done. Ted loves his seemingly perfect job; he loves his superhuman boss, Veronica, and colleagues Lem, Phil and Linda, but he’s starting to take a closer look at the company’s extremely questionable practices… especially when they try to cryogenically freeze one of Ted’s scientists for testing purposes. Starring Jay Harrington as Ted, Andrea Anders as Linda, Portia de Rossi as Veronica, Jonathan Slavin as Phil and Malcolm Barrett as Lem, “Better Off Ted” is produced by 20th Century Fox Television. Victor Fresco is executive producer/writer.
“Single with Parents” is a comedy about Lou, a woman in her mid-30s who is determined to have her own life despite her crazy blended family getting in the way. She’s thrilled that her divorced parents are leading exciting lives really she is except both of them rely on her way too much. Dad needs her as a surrogate parent and Mom counts on her 24/7 as a shrink and confidante. Lou has resolved to finally find a fulfilling life for herself. The series stars Alyssa Milano as Lou, Annie Potts as Elizabeth, Beau Bridges as Joe, Amanda Detmer as Sasha, Meagen Fay as Nancy and Eric Winter as Charlie. Based on her own experiences, “Single with Parents” is executive-produced and written by Kristin Newman. Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank and Matthew Carlson are also executive producers. The show is produced by FTP Productions in association with ABC Studios.
The full press release from ABC follows after the jump.
“Swingtown” Moving to Friday Night July 23, 2008 2:34 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 2008/2009 Television, CBS, Flashpoint, News, Swingtown, Television.14 comments
This can’t be good news. CBS has announced that Swingtown is moving to Friday nights at 10pm. The timeslot that TV shows go to die. The reason is simple: ratings. The show hasn’t done all that well in recent weeks, usually dropping a little with each new episode. In the meantime, the networks other summer series, Flashpoint, debuted with a very solid 8.13 million viewers, and didn’t shed too many of those viewers in its second week. That show will be moving to Swingtown’s original timeslot, Thursday’s at 10pm.
Source: Orlando Sentinel
Edited to add ratings information and analysis [7/24/2008]
Through seven episodes (June 5-July 17), Swingtown has averaged a 4.3/8 HH rating/share, 6.05M viewers and a 2.0/6 A18-49 rating/share.
Flashpoint has aired just two episodes thus far and averaged a 5.0/10 HH rating/share, 7.63M viewers and a 1.7/6 A18-49 rating/share.
Looking at those two data sets, some may find it hard to understand why CBS is moving the show, but that average doesn’t tell the entire picture. The show started off much stronger (5.9/10 HH rating/share, 8.57M viewers and a 2.8/8 A18-49 rating/share) and its most recent airing was one of its lowest (3.9/7 HH rating/share, 5.32M viewers and a 1.6/5 A18-49 rating/share).
It’s also a favorite of mine, but it’s important to note that CBS isn’t entirely in the wrong here. They see an opportunity with Flashpoint, which yes, hasn’t done amazing, but still has the possibility to grow in a timeslot with much more exposure.
Tonight (Thursday, July 24th) was the first night that Flashpoint aired in its new timeslot, and tomorrow Swingtown airs in its new timeslot. Who knows, maybe both shows will do well. Check back tomorrow for a look at how Flashpoint does and on Saturday to see if Swingtown survives the move.
“Dollhouse” Pilot to get Re-Worked July 23, 2008 2:13 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 2008/2009 Television, Dollhouse, Fox, News, Television.add a comment
Dollhouse, the upcoming Fox drama from Joss Whedon is getting a new pilot. Whedon explains the situation in a post over at Whedonesque.com, saying that the original pilot “…didn’t bring the visceral pop the network had expected from the script. The network was cool about it, but not sure how to come out of the gate with the ep.”
I really hope things don’t turn out bad for Dollhouse. After all, Firefly had a different premiere episode than what was originally intended to be shown, and that didn’t turn out so well. However, Joss explains that in this case, the decision to do a new pilot was all his:
Joss: Well, the idea to do a new first episode wasn’t the network’s. It was mine. I understood their consternation, and saw the gap between my style and their expectations, and I suggested I shoot a new ep and make the one I’d shot the second. It isn’t going to be buried, like the pilot of Firefly. It’s simply coming after another, slightly cleaner ep. And because unlike Firefly, it isn’t a two hour epic which introduces everyone to each other, the onus isn’t on the new ep to explain a million things.
The original pilot will now air in week two.
Dollhouse has been given a mid-season launch and will premiere in January 2009 and air Mondays on Fox.
The CW Fall 2008 Schedule Announced July 20, 2008 6:27 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 2008/2009 Television, News, Programming Guide, Television, The CW.add a comment
The CW has unveiled their schedule for the upcoming fall 2008 season. MRC, which will be programming The CW’s Sunday nights, has also made some changes to their premiere dates. Check out both press releases after the jump. Also, my Fall 2008 Programming Guide has been updated to reflect the additions. With the reveal of The CW schedule, premiere dates have been set for all five major networks. Click here to download it the guide (which as always, can be found on my 2008/2009 Television Page).
CBS’s 2008-2009 Premiere Dates Announced June 26, 2008 11:35 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 2008/2009 Television, CBS, Movies, Television.2 comments
CBS has announced the premiere dates for its 2008-2009 schedule. The season kicks off with a pre-season launch for Survivor: Gabon on Thursday, September 18th and the rest of the networks fall programming will roll out through October. Check out the press release after the jump.
Food Network to Launch Six New Series this Summer June 25, 2008 10:00 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 2008/2009 Television, Food Network, Television.add a comment
Beginning shortly after the July 4th holiday, the Food Network will be introducing the first of six new series this summer; four total in July, and two in August:
- Grill It! with Bobby Flay – Thirteen viewers auditioned for the chance to grill beside Chef Bobby Flay. Premieres July 6 at 9a.
- How’d That Get On My Plate? – Host Sunny Anderson follows a single ingredient from its origins to the plate. Premieres July 7 at 930p.
- Road Tasted with the Neelys – Pat and Gina Neely visit several cities where they put the spotlight on family-owned specialty food product businesses. Premieres July 22 at 930p.
- Food Detectives – Ted Allen hosts this show that uses science to test various food myths. Premieres July 29 at 9p.
- Ask Aida – Aida Mollenkamp cooks while solving viewer’s cooking problems in this interactive series. Premieres August 2 at 1230p.
- The Cooking Loft – Chef Alexandra Guarnaschelli invites four cooking students to her cooking loft for lessons and tips. Premieres August 31 at 12p.
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