SYTYCD Finale Tonight, NBC Preview Special, Paula is Leaving 'Idol'

Before I begin tonight, just a little update on the new site. I'm still working out the kinks with Wordpress. It is far more complicated than I imagined, but then I think in the end it will be worth it.

'So You Think You Can Dance' is on tonight and the final four take the stage. Actually , I'm watching it now as I type! Very cool. Can't believe it's August already. I know I'm about to get really busy with this blog when the fall TV season starts this year! Can't believe how quickly the summer goes by.

Speaking of the end of summer and the beginning of the fall season, keep an eye out for NBC's special that previews the upcoming Fall Season that will, of course, highlight the new shows like 'Trauma' and 'Community' and will give us a peek at returning shows like 'Southland' , 'The Biggest Loser' and many more.

Speaking of 'Southland'.. please be sure to watch it. If you want to catch up NBC is airing the shows from its short first season in it's fall Friday night time slight. It's a great show that wasn't getting the ratings they had hoped for and it got pushed to Friday nights from Thursday (it originally took the ER slot left open after the series finale). As you remember from my blog about Friday nights.. it could spell death. To lose another great show like this would ..well suck!

Paula Abdul has decided to not continue on Idol. Apparently she turned down a 30% raise. WHAT!!! Is she smoking something? Paula..dear... before American Idol you had disappeared into obscurity. You are now once again on the radar and in American households BECAUSE of American Idol. You're offered a 30% raise in a ..well poopy economy.. one in which many would actually be happy to be employed.. never mind the raise.. and you turn it down!! Oh man.. it could be career suicide . Shame I did like Paula. I do like DioGuardi though. I felt she is much better judge than Paula. With Paula, though, the fun was wondering what weird thing she'd say next. She did always look like she was drunk. BTW DioGuardi is returning.

So, everyone .. brace yourselves for the new season. I'm curious as to what shows will last and which will not! I'll, of course, share my opinions right here on my blog as well as keep you informed with how each is being received by the public in ratings. We all know, no matter how good a show is, if it's not getting the ratings the network is looking for then the show is doomed.

Ah.. FYI.. despite reminding my readers to set their DVR on my last blog for the premier of 'Defying Gravity' I forgot to do it for myself. I'm now kicking myself. In my defense I've been very busy as of late with new projects (hey..I do do other things besides watch TV.. I swear!). When I realized today, after looking at my blog, that I completely spaced on it I went to look at the ratings. Folks, it's not good. It averaged only a 3.84M viewers! EEK!! Whether it is deserving of such low ratings in my eyes remains to be seen, as I have not watched the Pilot and first episode (both aired the opening night) however, I am going to watch it online at ABC's website. Once I do, I'll add my two cents!

Oh.. and one more thing. I've become an affiliate of WB of sorts and recieved my first free DVD to screen and blog about. I am late on doing that though, as they sent it to me while I was on vacation and have not had the chance to watch, but I will and will also let you and them know my thoughts. This stuff is pretty fun. I wonder how long it will take before I actually get to watch pilots before everyone else!! NOW THAT would be cool!

'Hung' on HBO opens Big, 'Castle' Novel Coming Soon, ABC Picks Up New Series Billed as a "Greys Anatomy " only in Space

Hello everyone. I'm back. I have been sick and so haven't really blogged about much of anything. On the good side, being sick gives me the excuse to just lay back and be lazy watching TV. When I could (because I do have my son to look after) I did. Two whole days of bed rest , however, has left my house a mess and my blog neglected. No worries, I'm back on track today.


So, what is going on in the world of TV? In case you missed it , HBO premiered a new series 'Hung' and it opened huge. It was seen by 2.8M viewers and if you include re-broadcasts it actually grew to 3.7M. 'True Blood' in the meantime is HUGE for HBO drawing, with DVR viewing , rebroadcasts etc. , to 10.8M viewers per episode. I have not watched 'Hung' yet and will watch it on my ON Demand. If you don't know what the series is about, it is a comedy about a man with a talent..well the name says it all. I mean just look at the star of the show and that is motivation enough to watch! I really so badly want to watch 'True Blood' but I refuse to watch season 2 without having watched season 1 so I must rent it on DVD. It's on my to do list!

Are you a 'Castle' fan? The series , from ABC, is about a mystery author that follows a detective around to gather material for his novels. I'm a fan. Well ABC, in a move to promote their new second season episodes this fall, are going to publish a novel by the character Castle. Starting August 10th the first half of the book will be published at the website a chapter a week for 10 weeks. The full novel will be printed Sept 29th with Disney sister company Hyperion. Well, apparently the network teamed with Hyperion for the 2006 'Lost' tie in "Bad Twin" and "The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer" which tied into the ABC miniseries 'Rose Red' and they sold well. I'm at a loss because I never heard of either publication nor the mini series 'Rose Red'. I consider myself a very mainstream consumer, and I didn't hear of either in the mainstream. Am I not as mainstream as I think , or could they have done a better job of informing the public of these publications? If it sold well, imagine how much better it could have done had they gotten to people like myself. Maybe the only way I'd ever hear about the Castle novel publications is because I dig on the net for TV news. Come on networks, you have an AWESOME tie in here and you need to get it out to even more people. I love TV and I love to read. If you're not hitting the people like me you are missing out. And, given the new online way of tracking fans, this is truly a great tool. I'll be interested and will read the chapter a week starting Aug 10th. I'll be sure to post links on my blog.

Speaking of 'Lost', the final season will gain 1 hour. Filming is starting on the final season and there is one more hour added to the time already slotted for the series finale. Ooooh... this should be so good. Wrapping it up, getting some answers. But it will be sad at the same time. Lost will be no more but a memory of good TV that has passed.

ABC is dominating my blog today, but there is one more bit of news for sci-fi fans. A 13 episode series 'Gravity' was picked up by ABC. It has been pitched as a 'Grey's Anatomy' only in space. That has me intrigued already. If it is received well there will be more seasons of the show . Apparently the creators have three seasons blocked out already and an ending to the series. I kind of like this new trend in TV shows where the creators know where they are taking it and so it has a definite conclusion (ala Lost). Hopefully, if we get hooked on it, we'll actually get to see the ending.

Well, that is all for now. I am still scanning P2P's for any leaked pilot episodes of new shows this season. So far, nothing. But as soon as I find one, you'll all be the first to know.

BREAKING GREY'S NEWS: Katherine Heigl Remaining on 'Greys Anatomy'

According to information on THR.com, sources have said that Katherine Heigl's contract with the show has been picked up, meaning she will be returning to the series. Of course ABC has not officially confirmed or denied that information. I'm sure they are trying really really hard to keep all that under wraps considering they pulled off one of the biggest cliffhangers in quite some time.

I honestly thought for sure Izzy was a goner given her characters medical diagnosis. I was more shocked, however, by the story of George and his dimise. I did hear , throughout the year, that T.R Knight was leaving the show or at least wanted to. Honestly, his character had so faded and had no real story line going for it. I'm just surprised at how his character is exiting (although with a bang! Good for him). While I was watching the season finale I had completely fogotten that Knight was most rumored to be leaving because I had been so focused on Izzy's character and the possible Katherine Heighl exit, that when George announced on the finale episode that he joined the Army I wondered how the heck was George going to get out of it.

If Izzy's character does pull through (and I think that the rumor of her signing on is most likely true, as she has stated throughout the year that she did want to remain on the show) it will be a TV miracle that she would survive such a diagnosis. It's a shame if the character George is really exiting because there would be a lot of story to expore with his recovery considering how damaged his face (and his body) was by the bus.As I blogged a few weeks back, since I believe that a former 'Lost' cast member will be joining the 'Grey's' cast (that was my theory on that entire mystery) I really do believe that T.R Knight is leaving the show.

But here's another theory, maybe ABC and 'Greys' have duped us all with a publicity stunt and rumors of comings and going yet both characters are remaining. I highly doubt it, but THAT would be a doozy and the ultimate TV casting rumor coo!

CW Vampire Diaries - Preview Video, Cast Information and Some Early Reviews

With all the hub bub about the Twilight Movies and the success of 'True Blood' on HBO, it's no wonder that there will be a TV series coming this Fall to a major network that has to do with Vampires. And CW is the perfect home for such a show. The same station that is home to Melrose, 90210, One Tree Hill and other heavy teen demo'd shows. From the early preview posted above, Vampires should do well and make a perfect fit.

If you are unfamiliar with 'The Vampire Diaries' as I was until now, the show is based on a series of young adult fiction books by L.J Smith. The first three books in the series were released in 1991. Below is the networks description of the show

Four months after the tragic car accident that killed their parents, 17-year-old Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev, "DeGrassi: The Next Generation") and her 15-year-old brother, Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen, "Everwood") are still trying to cope with their grief and move on with their lives. Elena has always been the star student; beautiful, popular and involved with school and friends, but now she finds herself struggling to hide her sadness from the world. As the school year begins, Elena and her friends are fascinated by a handsome and mysterious new student, Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley, "Army Wives"). Stefan and Elena are immediately drawn to one another, and Elena has no way of knowing that Stefan is a centuries-old vampire, struggling to live peacefully among humans, while his brother Damon (Ian Somerhalder, "Lost") is the embodiment of vampire violence and brutality. Now these two vampire brothers - one good, one evil - are at war for Elena's soul and for the souls of her friends, family and all the residents of the small town of Mystic Falls, Virginia. Based on the series of books by L. J. Smith, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES is from Alloy Entertainment and Bonanza Productions Inc in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios with executive producers Kevin Williamson ("Dawson's Creek," "I Know What You Did Last Summer"), Julie Plec ("Kyle XY," "Wasteland"), Leslie Morgenstein ("Gossip Girl," "Privileged") and Bob Levy ("Gossip Girl," "Privileged"). Marcos Siega ("Dexter") directed the pilot.

Obviously this show isn't geared toward my age group. That's okay. I think I will still watch it. I do watch 90210 and I will be tuning into Melrose Place. Perhaps these shows appeal to me because it seems to take what happens in any one's adult life but applies them to H.S. What appeals to me in the preview is the entire back story of where Stefan came from, how he became a vamp and why does Elena look so much like a girl from Stefan's past. I think those are elements that we can all find interest in, regardless of the age of the characters. By the way, guys were NOT that hot in High School. Ah.. only on TV.

Early reviews of the pilot are mixed. The Futon Critic (thefutoncritic.com) feels that he would not watch it but that it will find it's audience. One review I read said that it was like a Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Dawson's Creek, if I am remembering what I read correctly. I believe that this is a cleaner version of a vampire show perfect for the teen demographic they are going for. If you've seen 'True Blood' you know that that is not a show for kids, so this allows them to have their version of the adult hit and an extension of what they love in the 'Twilight' movies.

Yeah Cougar Town!! ABC Preview - Courtney Cox is Back!!

Today I decided to throw in yet another review of the short preview of the upcoming 'Cougar Town' coming to ABC this fall (Wednesdays at 9:30).

I LOVE IT!! I've always been a fan of Courtney Cox who is playing a 40 year old divorcee pushed out into the dating world by her friends and meets a man 14 years her junior. It looks fun, feisty and gives us the Courtney Cox we've all loved from her 'Friends' days. Oh, and the Cougar is the local H.S Mascot.

It's got a lot of material to work with, her neighbor, her friends, dating younger men and the hot fellow divorcee across the street from her with his string of young college co-eds always leaving his residence (at least that's the impression I get from the preview).

I really do hope that this show does well. It looks like a lot of fun. I only wonder why this show is 1/2 hour long because I think I will want a lot more. This one looks like a winner and I hope it's as good as its preview.

Some 'Grey's' news, Wipeout , SYTYCD and More!

Well, a few weeks ago I blogged about news of Brian Austin Green in talks to join the cast of 'One Tree Hill'. Turns out that the talks fell through. A deal couldn't be reached and so Green will not be joining the cast. Robert Buckley (Lipstick Jungle) will be playing that character. Maybe I should start watching that show. They have yummy eye candy on it.

'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here' is averaging about 4.17M viewers. I have been watching it and find it somewhat interesting, but it's just okay. That Dickenson chick is wacko! I like Lou Diamond Phillips and I kind of feel sorry for Patty and what she is going through with her husband and the politics of it all. She does seem like a nice person. I don't think it is going to come back next summer. What would be really really interesting is if they got huge stars to do that show. Like, let's get Courtney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Mathew McConaughey.. stars like THAT on the show. It won't ever happen. Those stars have way too much respect and credibility in the business to tarnish themselves or their careers in such a manner. But we can dream.

'So You Think You Can Dance' continues to be a ratings gem this summer at 8.7M viewers. It actually took the #1 spot ahead of Wipeout at #2. SYTYCD makes me cry, especially when there is such a beautiful routinelike the very first hip hop number and that beautiful contemporary number to an old Richard Marx song. I believe Tony Bellissimo and his partner are in trouble of elimination. They were the only couple that I truly wasn't feeling last night. I also have to add, why must Mary Murphy scream so much? It's so grating. If the dancing weren't so good and so moving, I wouldn't watch simply because here screaming is getting extremely irritating. It bothered me last season and every year she seems to step it up a notch (unfortunately!). No worries though, I'm looking forward to next weeks routines. This year has a good crop of dancers that it's almost hard to tell who is going to go and who is going to stay!

'Wipeout' came in #2 last night. What a treat it was having 2 hours back to back. I have not yet watched the entire second hour , as it got really late and I needed to sleep (it was 2am when I finally pulled myself away ). I initially was going to save it to watch tonight but thought .. eh I'll watch just a little. Well, I just couldn't pull myself away. Once again I was laughing so hard I cried. I think it's a safe bet that 'Wipeout' will be back for a third season next year.

In case you haven't heard yet ABC announced the dates for premieres of it's new season. 'Grey's Anatomy' will start on 9/24,' Desperate Housewives' 9/27 followed by 'Brothers & Sisters' on 9/27. Mark you calendars!

From the Big Screen to the Small Screen - Chris O'Donnell Coming to CBS This Fall

It used to be that small screen actors would move from TV to movies like Jennifer Aniston, Will Smith and many others, and while that trend is continuing today (think Katherine Heigl. We don't know for sure if she truly is leaving Grey's Anatomy. There are so many rumors floating around, but, she has had success at the box office) I've really noticed over the last few years that the trend is actually working in reverse. I'm not talking just guest spots or appearances, but some big screen actors are moving into their own series or recurring role in an ensemble class. Some have been successful , some have not .

This fall Chris O'Donnell (who had guest spots on Grey's and NCIS, and The Company) had unsuccessfully tried to foray into the small screen with Head Cases in 2005 that was canceled after 1 season. This season he is trying again and will be a member of the ensemble cast of an NCIS Spin off on CBS slated this fall.

I thought it would be kind of fun to run down some of the successful and not so successful big screen actors who have attempted the small screen. We all know one of the most successful is Keifer Sutherland on '24' that is slated for it's 8th season this year. Then there is Kyra Sedgewick (The Closer), Holly Hunter (Saving Grace) , Martin Sheen (The West Wing), Charlie Sheen (Spin City and Two and a Half Men), Brooke Shields (Suddenly Susan), Candace Bergen (Murphy Brown and Boston Legal), Whoopi Goldberg (The View), Patricia Arquette (Medium) , Gary Sinise (CSI:NY) and Sally Field (Brother's and Sister's).

Sally Field has come full circle, it seems, as she actually started her career on TV with a role in the 1960's sitcom Gidget and then went on to the Flying Nun. She then became a big screen star in the 80's. She made her first attempt at TV in 2002 with the series The Court that was quickly canceled. She is now part of an ensemble cast with another big screen actor turned successful TV Star, Rob Lowe on Brother's & Sisters that will enter it's fourth season this coming fall.

Then there are those that have made attempts that didn't quite pan out. Last year Christian Slater starred in My Own Worst Enemy. In 2006 Gina Davis starred in Commander In Chief that started out strong but faded and was cancelled. Other actors that have made the attempt at TV have been

• Chevy Chase - The Chevy Chase show 1993
  
• Faye Dunaway - It Had to Be You - 1993)
• Bette Midler -Bette 2002)
• Richard Dreyfuss - The Education of Bickford 2002
  
• Shirley McClaine - Shirley's World 71/72

It seems, however, that Chris O'Donnell has a shot given that NCIS has been so successful and currently CBS is the most watched network on TV. Oh yeah.. and it also stars LL Cool J! Yummy! Watch the preview below. It's looking good!

Freddie Prinze Jr. joins '24' and the Action Takes Place in NY!

Two clock in at '24' Freddie Prinze Jr. joins '24'

I'm a big 24 fan. The first time the series came on, I skipped it. Then, when I had been working and found myself out of a job, I went to the video store and the entire first season of 24 was for rent. So, I rented the first DVD, sat on the couch and watched it. I believe it was 3 or 4 hours and I was completely hooked. Once that DVD was finished I immediately went back to Blockbuster to get the next one. I literally spent the next day watching the entire series. It was commercial free, of course, so it wasn't quite 24 hours but it was a long time. I remember thinking, while watching it, how can anyone watch this on TV and patiently wait to see what happens next week?!! It was so intense that I actually developed a headache from the intensity of the drama . Yeah... I know a little nuts. I realized that 24 is probably best dealt in doses of an hour a week, rather than straight watching because I'm positive the headache was from all the tension I had while watching it. Of course, the next season and all the seasons after I DVR'd it and watched it as the season unfolded. Of course we did have 1 year where we had to do without Jack Bauer thanks to the writers strike.

This past season delivered just as 24 always does. I never tire of it and it never gets old. Although you wonder just how the heck does Jack Bauer keep on ticking! The season ender didn't actually end really, as we were left wondering if , or rather how, Jack Bauer recovers. Come on, we all know Jack Bauer isn't going to die! There would be no 24 without him. The questions I'm left wondering are what happens to the President's daughter and the President herself in the aftermath of her daughter's actions? Will she be the President in this next season? And how they heck is Bauer going to get dragged into yet another debacle?!

Over the last few days it's been released that Freddy Prinze Jr. will be joining the cast as a Jack Bauer want to be (I don't mean that in a negative way). I wonder, if Jr is received well, could he possibly replace Bauer? Would the show be as good without Jack Bauer? I don't know. I don't think it would be the same and I may lose interest if Keifer Sutherland leaves the role but Freddie Prinze Jr is going to be fun to watch and he's easy on the eyes. Also joining the cast next fall is Jennifer Westfeld (Kissing Jessica Stein) and John Boyd ( I honestly don't know who he is.. LOL). Jennifer will be playing an ambitious journalist with ties to Arman Hashemi (played by Kapoor) and John Boyd a CTU Analyst (hmm.. does this mean that after having decommissioned CTU, they bring it back officially?).

But.. the coolest part of Season 8, and the one that had been rumored for quite some time, is that all the action will take place in NY City!! Now THAT is going to be fun to watch, especially for this girl who was born and raised in NY (although now living in PA). If you live in NY keep your eyes out for production teams shooting scenes for next seasons 24.... which is already in production. And, if you are reading this blog, share with me what you see or hear! I'd love to know what they have in store for Season 8 and blog about it of course!

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RECYCLED TV : Next up this FALL V from ABC

I was extrememly excited when I happened upon information about an upcoming series this fall. Anyone remember "V" from the 80's. I do. Man did I absolutely LOVE that series. Well, ABC is resurecting it this fall. The above is the trailer preview. It really looks good. I wish I could remember the other series and exactly what happened. I wonder if they'll just come up with completely different scenarios or similar situations. With today's high tech effects, the show should be amazing. Silly to be so excited about a TV show, but I can't help it... after all I'm a TV

DVR addict, remember..

I do hope that this one does much better than some of the other ill fated remakes like Knight Rider, Bionic Woman. So far Beverly Hills 90210 seems to be holding it's own. I must say , I do like it. It's my guilty little pleasure. Even though I'm no longer a teeny bopper (heck, I'm 34 years old!) it's strangely relatable. Smart of them to bring back some of the o

ld 90210'rs.. otherwise I may have just skipped it. I am also looking forward to Melrose Place due out this fall as well.

Let's hope that Melrose Place and V do well. Can't wait!