'Saving Grace' will Wrap Up Next Summer, 'St. Elmo's Fire' Coming to TV, Cowell Will Remain on 'Idol' and

To all 'Saving Grace' fans; the show, starring Holly Hunter , will air it's final episodes next summer. It normally runs a 15 episode split season, with 9 to run this winter and 6 the following summer. TNT has added three episodes to the season and will air 9 in the winter and the final 9 in the summer, when TNT gets its best series ratings. The reason for the cancellation does not have anything to do with poor ratings, as it has been averaging 3.5M viewers this summer and more to do with the cost associated with the series. It was offered for a fourth season pick up , but for financial reasons a fourth season offer was not accepted . TNT has promised to wrap up the story lines with a conclusion, which is why three episodes were added to the third and now final season. I'm going to miss it. Holly Hunter is amazing and the show really goes where network tv wouldn't dare go.

Continuing on the trend of 80's movies becoming TV Series, ABC has landed the hour long dramedy series inspired by 'St Elmo's Fire'. It will take off from the movie and introduce six new friends, 3 boys and 3 girls. It will take place in Georgetown and St. Elmo's Bar & Restaurant will become St. Elmo's Bar & Grill. Schumaker, one of the original films co-writers and director, is said to be on board. I'm curious as to who they will cast in these rolse. I'm also curious how well received 80's movie revival 'Parenthood' and 'Witches of Eastwick' will be received this coming season. It will be a good predictor to determine how well the TV revival of classic 'St Elmo's Fire' may be received.

Simon Cowell is wrapping up his deal with 'American Idol' to remain as a judge for 3 more seasons. Honestly, if you lost Cowell it just wouldn't be 'American Idol' and I feel it would have taken a slip down the other side of the ratings mountain, if you know what I mean. I'm curious to see how the exit of Paula Abdul will play out with audiences this coming year. We shall see.

Despite my Enthusiastic Optimism 'Defying Gravity' ratings Decline. 'Shark Tank' & 'Neighborhood' Open to Dissapointing Numbers

URGGGh.. I was so hoping against hope that 'Defying Gravity' would have picked up some steam and some viewers this past weekend. Unfortunately it has dropped to an average 2.9M viewers. I'm wondering if ABC will even let this show air all the episodes it had filmed. Bummer.. really.. I enjoy it.

I watched 'There Goes the Neighborhood' last night. I have to say.. not really a fan. It's almost like a want to be 'Big Brother' without the real coolness factor. But, more importantly, I found it to be somewhat of a cruel social experiment. I mean these people have to live next door to each other when all is said and done. It's one thing to put total strangers together in situations like that, but completely different when they know each other AND have to live next to each other for a long time to come. It opened at 4.4M. Heck, that is stronger than 'Gravity' was and 'Gravity' is far more entertaining, in my opinion.

'Shark Tank' however was very interesting. I , and my hubby, were very intrigued. It reminded me a little of the other show , I believe it was called 'America's Greatest Inventor' that was on for two summer seasons (notice it is missing this year, along with 'Last Comic Standing') with a little of a Celebrity Apprentice feel. It was really cool to see Barbara Corcoran on there. She is a legend in Manhattan Real Estate, one I heard lots about in my days of NYC Real Estate. The show opened at 4.17M viewers. To put that in perspective for Summer TV.. it is approx 1/2 the viewership of bonafide summer hit 'Big Brother'.

Speaking of 'Big Brother' this week should prove to be the most exciting week so far in the house now that Jeff has the "secret power"! Ithink I know how it's going to go down and watching the fireworks will prove to be fun! I'm hoping that Jeff wins this show. He's my favorite. I predict he will take down Lydia and Russel.. or at least Russel. I think Jessie is definitely going up.. AND going home. Apparently, according to the feeds news, he's been putting out feelers on who would you vote off if Natalie and Jessie were up. Here's hoping that Jessie goes home this week. Natalie is weak without him and the Jeff and Russell alliance will be solidified. Those two will most likely go to the end (unless of course he has to chose between Jordan and Russell).

Defying Gravity - Another Great Show That Will Be Lost to Poor Ratings

So I got around to watching the Pilot episode of 'Defying Gravity' today on my laptop. Yeah, I forgot to set my own DVR after reminding everyone else on this blog about it. No worries, it's programed to record from now on. I'll be watching the second episode after I finish this blog.

But, I had to write right away because I really seriously enjoyed this show. It has beautiful cinematography (can you call it that when it's on TV? Ah.. you get the idea), there is romantic tension, a back story.. heck there is even a mystery that was alluded to, but not yet revealed ( it occurred at least 3 times throughout the episode. The first when one of those in flight control asked " How many would have gone if we would have told them", the second reference was when the current commander in charge was saying goodbye with his wife when he said "please forgive me" and then "know that I was going to be there with you for everything" but didn't give specifics, and the third when the commander that was going to replace him said " When were you going to tell the others". ) I'm really curious as to what that secret is that is being kept from the crew.

That being said given all the sets involved I would imagine that this is a pretty pricey show to film. I wonder how many episodes are already pre-taped because, unless the viewership picks up, this is a show that will disappear into oblivion. My question for network execs is why air such a show in the summer season? It's obvious to.. well even a regular viewer like me watching the "numbers" that not many people are watching anything in this or any summer season. Surely this show deserved to be presented in the FALL season when it would be more likely to attract more viewers? And so what if there are similarities between this and Grey's Anatomy (the new commander having slept with one of the crew members prior to their ever being a crew, among some of them)? There are many different places to explore in the back drop of space vs. the backdrop of a hospital that it is enough to keep me watching. It's not like this show is going to go exactly as 'Grey's' did because, well they are in two very different back drops and even time!

Where are all you Star Trek and Star Wars fans (and fans from some others that were on cable channels that managed to do well)? Okay, its a little more weighted down with drama and romantic entanglements between the crew than that of aliens from other planets, but come on. This is a show about astronauts in the future traveling through the galaxy on a tour of all our planets. First up is Venus! This should excite you guys. It does me.

If you're not watching 'Defying Gravity' please, catch up on line and then set your DVR to record it tonight. It's an excellent show. If you are watching and enjoying it, please give it some hits on the net. As I mentioned in this blog, networks are now utilizing technology to measure hits on the Internet in overall decisions on whether a show is viable or not. So please, blog about it, pass this blog on, visit the website or share it's fan page via any one of the social networking sites to show you ARE interested.

Here's hoping that 'Defying Gravity' has a better showing tonight.