An archive of articles about US television programmes and production.
Third-episode verdict on 20 Good Years as well. After a pretty poor first episode and an absolutely awful second episode, the third episode of this tale of two pensioners picked up a little. There were a couple of good moments, but it was mostly drek from start to finish. Best described as “Gentle Comedy” at best. Avoid.
Third-episode verdict time for 30 Rock. A big thumbs up from me now, after having had a few reservations about its first episode. Tina Fey and co have looked at the pilot, asked themselves what their weaknesses were (drama) and what their strengths are (comedy, Alec Baldwin) and rejigged everything accordingly.
So there’s a far higher density of cracking comedy per minute than drama and Alec Baldwin is getting the well deserved spotlight. His character is an inadvertently evil executive who has developed demographics to such a fine art that he can sum up anyone by their demographic group with just a glance, a talent that reaches a climax in a dead-on Hannibal Lecter-esque analysis of one character in the third episode.
Despite its low-ratings, I’m hoping this will continue (and get picked up by a network in the UK). It doesn’t quite have that must-see quality that will keep you coming back, but if you do, you’ll be glad you did.
In August, NBC decided they’d really like a new version of Quantum Leap and commissioned a pilot: “The story revolves around a man who travels back in time to correct wrongs, with a romantic storyline as well.”
Well, Quantum Leap seems to have taken a grip on US networks. Now The CW has put into development Jumper, a show in “a young male FBI agent… jumps into the body of someone who’s about to be murdered. He must then solve the crime (along with his young female partner) and prevent it before it happens.”
Dear oh dear.
A while back, I mentioned that William Petersen was off to do some theatre for a while and so would be departing the CSI cast temporarily. I won’t spoil you with the story reasons for Grissom’s departure, but I will tell you who his replacement his going to be: Liev Schreiber. More details over at Auriello.
What do you think? I think he’s a good choice. He has the right degree of introversion and intellect for the mothership CSI. If it were CSI: Miami, that would be a different matter…
Apparently, loads of NBC staff would like to work for Studio 60‘s Jordan McDeere.
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