US TV

An archive of articles about US television programmes and production.

News

Monday morning news

18 December 2006 Rob Buckley 13 Comments

Doctor Who action figures

Begin the countdown to Christmas week with some uplifting news:



Doctor Who

  • The Guardian interviews Billie Piper. Apparently, she calls David Tennant ‘David Ten-inch’. That’s presumably a reference to the size of his action figure.
  • The Sun is sticking to its story about The Rani appearing next series, despite official BBC denials.
  • There’s a blow by blow account of the series three trailer, complete with pictures, over at FreemaAgyeman.com.07-Wink

British TV

US TV

News

Mission: Impossible – FYI

15 December 2006 Rob Buckley Post a comment

MI - Steven Hill

Just in case you hadn’t noticed, Five US is now airing the infrequently seen first season of Mission: Impossible, every day at 4pm. I didn’t notice at first because they started airing it last Thursday. Brilliant, huh? Who starts a new daily show on a Thursday? Five, of course…

Incidentally, the first season didn’t feature Jim Phelps, but had Dan Briggs (Steven Hill) leading up the Impossible Missions Force. Given the characterisation in the scripts, you’ll probably not notice much of a difference. But then it was the plots and the stupid “East European” accents and locations we all watched it for, wasn’t it?

News

The Singles Table: am I looking forward to it any more?

15 December 2006 Rob Buckley 1 Comment

Alicia Silverstone



Remember a while ago I previewed The Singles Table, one of NBC’s mid-season replacement comedies? I watched the pilot episode, it was rather funny and I was looking forward to it.

Now I’m not so sure I am. This news is a bit old, but I’ve only just found out that Alicia Silverstone is replacing one of the original The Singles Table cast members.

Dear God, why? There wasn’t anything wrong with the show, and the small indie feel to it has just been swamped by the Silverstone’s presence. Now, instead of an even-handed four-way comedy, we have an Alicia Silverstone vehicle with three other cast members.

Still, let’s not prejudge. We should try to remain optimistic. Recasting isn’t always bad. Jane Krakowski wasn’t in the original 30 Rock pilot but is working out just fine. Rules of Engagement was so bad, even the addition of David Spade to the cast list can only improve it when it finally emerges onto our screens.

So, it might still be good. I liked Silverstone in Clueless and the woman she’s replacing wasn’t the most charismatic of actresses (Pascale Hutton). I’m just not sure I’m looking forward to it any more. Anyone psyched by the news?

US TV

Review: The Lost Room

15 December 2006 Rob Buckley 7 Comments

The Lost Room

In the US: Monday 11th December-Wednesday 13th December, Sci Fi. Repeated Sunday 17th December, starting at 5pm.

In the UK: Begins 9pm, 9th January 2007, Sky One

While Big Finish have been jessieing around, trying to recapture the essence of Sapphire and Steel for their audio plays and generally failing hopelessly, someone else has been quietly doing likewise. Surprisingly enough, it’s the US’s Sci Fi Channel who have done their level best to create something with the same qualities as that British fantasy classic, yet is wholly different, original and American.

Yes, a Sci Fi Channel mini-series that’s actually rather good – will miracles never cease?

Back in 1961, something happened. No one’s sure what. Some think God died. Others think the rules of the universe simply broke down. Whatever it was, a motel room off Route 66 was taken out of normal existence, leaving behind 100 or so ‘Objects’.

The Objects are indestructible and can sense each other. They want to be united. Each has strange powers, some useful, some not. The Comb can freeze time. The Spectacles can stop combustion within 20 feet. The Cufflink? The Cufflink can reduce blood pressure, while the supposed Prime Object, the Clock, can sublimate brass. As I said, the powers aren’t always useful.

Then there’s the Key. The Key can open any lock of any door and take you to that missing motel room and then back again to any other door in the world. But what happens if someone’s already in the room and the Key gets used?

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