FOX's Fall Schedule: The Return of "24"

FOX announced its fall schedule today, but the big announcement was the official return of “24.”
FOX will present a two-hour movie Sunday, November 23rd at 8 p.m. The movie will take place just a few months before the start of day seven and will have Jack in the middle of an incident in Africa as the United States prepares to inaugurate its first female president. Parts of the movie will be shot on location in South Africa.

Here is the rest of FOX’s fall schedule, as reported on Variety.com, TVWeek.com and TVGuide.com…

Monday
8 PM--Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
9 PM--Prison Break

Tuesday
8 PM--House
9 PM--Fringe

Wednesday
8 PM--Bones
9 PM--’Til Death
9:30 PM--Do Not Disturb

“Disturb” is a comedy about a New York hotel starring Jerry O’Connell.

Thursday
8 PM--The Moment of Truth
9 PM--Kitchen Nightmares

Friday
8 PM--Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
9 PM--Don’t Forget the Lyrics!

Saturday
8 PM--Cops
9 PM--America’s Most Wanted

Sunday
7 PM--The OT
8 PM--The Simpsons
8:30 PM--King of the Hill
9 PM--Family Guy
9:30 PM--American Dad

Here’s FOX’s January schedule, but be sure not to write it in pen, because it will change…

Monday
8 PM--Dollhouse
9 PM--24

“Dollhouse” is a drama from Joss Whedon (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) about a team “imprinted with personalities to solve secret missions, only to have their memories wiped clean in a high-tech lab/dorm.” It stars Eliza Dushku.

Tuesday
8 PM--American Idol
9 PM--Fringe

“Fringe” is the new drama from J.J. Abrams (“Lost”) about a female FBI agent, a scientist and his “bad-boy genius son” who investigate unexplained phenomena.

Wednesday
8 PM--House
9 PM--American Idol Results
9:30 PM--TBA Comedy

Thursday
8 PM--Hell’s Kitchen
9 PM--Secret Millionaire

“Millionaire” is a new reality show about rich people who go undercover into poor neighborhoods pretending to be documentary filmmakers while actually being there to hand out money.

Friday
Same

Saturday
Same

Sunday
7 PM--Comedy encores
8 PM--The Simpsons
8:30 PM--(January) King of the Hill
9 PM--(January) Family Guy
(Spring) Sit Down, Shut Up
9:30 PM--(January) American Dad
(Spring) The Cleveland Show

“Sit” is an animated comedy about a dysfunctional family at a school that reunites “Arrested Development” creator Mitch Hurwitz with Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Henry Winkler. “Cleveland” is the “Family Guy” spinoff featuring the Griffins’ neighbor, Cleveland.

Not returning are “Back To You,” “Canterbury’s Law,” “K-Ville,” “Nashville,” “New Amsterdam,” “The Next Great American Band,” “The Return of Jezebel James,” and “Unhitched.”

FOX will start rolling out its schedule the week of August 25th so they can present an alternative to the Democratic National Convention.. But considering how into the election everyone is this year, I think that might be a mistake…

Did NBC Actually Consider Putting O.J. on "Celebrity Apprentice"?

The answer to the above question is, thankfully, no--but not because Donald Trump didn’t take it to them…

Trump told “Extra” (as reported on USAToday.com), “Let’s say that NBC, when I mentioned O.J. Simpson, had a heart attack. They weren’t too thrilled. I’m not saying I would have done it either, but it was certainly somebody that would be interesting.”

It’s nice to see that Ben Silverman has some scruples…

"Talent" Winner Just Keeps Getting Bigger

So, if you’re a fan of “America’s Got Talent,” you might be wondering how Terry Fator, last year’s winner is doing.

Quite well, actually.

According to USAToday.com, Fator just signed a five-year deal with The Mirage in Las Vegas with an option for an additional five years. He will continue to perform at the Hilton in Las Vegas through the end of the year. Then, in February 2009, he will perform five shows a week in the 1265-seat Terry Fator Theatre.

Yes, that’s right. He’s getting his own theatre. I’d say that’s doing quite well, wouldn’t you?

Here's Terry's performance of "What a Wonderful World," which has had almost 6.9 million views since July...

The CW Sets Its Sundays...Without "Moonlight"

The CW has revealed the four new shows that Media Rights Capital will produce for them as reported on TVGuide.com…

“F.A.T. City,” a procedural crime drama set in Las Vegas
“Valentine’s Day,” a “Cupid”-like romantic drama
Comedies “Murphy’s Law” and “Surviving Suburbia”

No other details were released.

“Moonlight” fans had hoped that MRC would pick their show up, but that turned out to be Nikki Finke getting people’s hopes up again for no reason…

On her “Deadline Hollywood” blog, Finke reported that there was a chance the show could get picked up by MRC, but later reported that the company passed because it was looking for fresh material.

Finke concluded her “Moonlight” post by telling fans, “Hollywood is a business, and these are business decisions. Don’t take it personally. Just move on.”

Well, Nikki, maybe if you hadn’t given them hope, they could have moved on a lot sooner…

Sorry, I’m still really bitter from when she told us the Writers’ Strike would be over before Christmas…

Did Nina Get a New Gig?

You may recall that I told you Nina Garcia was the former Fashion Director at “Elle” magazine.
So what happened? No one is really sure, but she may have found herself a new job that could end up changing “Project Runway”…

“Fashion Week Daily” is reporting that Garcia will join “Marie Claire” as its fashion director in September.

So, does this mean that “Runway” will now be sponsored by “Marie Claire”? A Weinstein Company rep said that Garcia’s job change is “completely separate” and that negotiations for season six are just starting with “Elle.”

Garcia is on board for season five, but season six is still up in the air…

Jonas Brothers Overkill?

Disney Channel believes they have found its new “High School Musical” and they are going to shove it down our throats to make sure of it…

“Camp Rock,” a TV-movie starring the Jonas Brothers, will debut the weekend of June 20th on three different channels: Disney, ABC and ABC Family.
The soundtrack will drop June 17th and in a quick turnaround, the DVD will be released August 19th. Also, Demi Lovato, one of the movie’s stars, will tour with the Jonas Brothers this summer.

Can you say overkill?

In case you‘re wondering, “Rock” takes place at a summer rock camp where camp instructor Shane (Joe Jonas) sets out to find the girl who belongs to the amazing voice he heard in the kitchen one night (Lovato). Nick and Kevin Jonas co-star as Shane’s bandmates.
I’ll probably watch “Rock” just to see what the big deal is but I think Disney might want to lighten up before they burn the Jonas Brothers fad out…

The Latest on Isaiah vs. "Grey's"

Remember when I asked if “Grey’s Anatomy” had awoken the beast that is Isaiah Washington?
It appears the answer to that question could be yes…

Washington has filed a complaint with the Screen Actors Guild claiming “Grey’s” used his image without his permission.

In an episode earlier this month, Washington’s Dr. Burke was featured in a newspaper article with a photo announcing he had won an award. Washington’s publicist told “The Hollywood Reporter” that the show has the rights of the character to “advance the story, but not the image.” The rep said he expects a “financial settlement”…

The CBS Fall Schedule: A Few New Wrinkles

CBS announced its schedule today. Here it is, as reported by Variety.com and EW.com…

Monday
8 PM--Big Bang Theory
8:30 PM--How I Met Your Mother
9 PM--Two and a Half Men
9:30 PM--Worst Week
10 PM--CSI: Miami

“Week” is a comedy about a guy who’s a “magnet for trouble.”

Tuesday
8 PM--NCIS
9 PM--The Mentalist
10 PM--Without a Trace

“Mentalist” is a drama starring Simon Baker (“The Guardian”) as a detective with “a keen eye for details.”

Wednesday
8 PM--New Adventures of Old Christine
8:30 PM--Project Gary
9 PM--Criminal Minds
10 PM--CSI: NY

“Gary” is a comedy starring Jay Mohr as a divorced dad “navigating his new life as a bachelor--with kids.”

Thursday
8 PM--Survivor
9 PM--CSI
10 PM--Eleventh Hour

“Hour” is the newest creation from Jerry Bruckheimer about “two brainiacs who investigate scientific mysteries.”

Friday
8 PM--Ghost Whisperer
9 PM--The Ex-List
10 PM--Numb3rs

“List” is a dramedy about a woman (Elizabeth Reaser of “Grey’s Anatomy”) who goes back and dates all of her exes after she finds out she’s already met her future husband.

Saturday
8 PM--Drama Repeats
10 PM--48 Hours Mystery

Sunday
7 PM--60 Minutes
8 PM--The Amazing Race
9 PM--Cold Case
10 PM--The Unit

“The Rules of Engagement” will return midseason. “Harper’s Island,” a drama the network describes as a cross between “10 Little Indians” and “Scream,” will also premiere in midseason.

Not returning are “Cane,” “Jericho,” “Kid Nation,” “Moonlight,” “Shark,” “Viva Laughlin,” and “Welcome to the Captain.”

There are two interesting scheduling moves that jump right out at me. First, “Without a Trace” moves into CBS’s dead spot--Tuesdays at 10. You would think “Trace” could handle it, but since that will put it up against the similarly themed “Law & Order: SVU,” this move could backfire.

The second interesting move is putting “The Ex-List” Fridays at 9. Personally, I don’t see the flow between “Whisperer,” “List” and “Numb3rs,” but maybe they know something I don’t.

It’s also nice to see CBS trying to re-start its Wednesday comedy block. I’m not saying it will be successful, I just think it’s nice to see them trying…

And for the record, I believe that “Moonlight” deserved a second chance. I wasn’t a fan, but I still think it deserved it…

ABC's Fall Schedule: "Stable"

ABC announced its schedule today, and the trades are calling it “stable.” The network is only adding two new shows to the fall schedule with two more in line for mid-season.

However, there are 17 pilots still in contention for midseason spots.

Stupid writer’s strike…

Here is ABC’s fall schedule (as reported in “Variety“ and on TVGuide.com)…

Monday
8 PM--Dancing With the Stars
9:30 PM--Samantha Who?
10 PM--Boston Legal

Tuesday
8 PM--Opportunity Knocks
9 PM--Dancing With the Stars Results
10 PM--Eli Stone

“Knocks” is a mobile game show that will travel to homes and test how well people know their families. The show will travel to towns across America in semis carrying prizes.

Wednesday
8 PM--Pushing Daisies
9 PM--Private Practice
10 PM--Dirty Sexy Money

Thursday
8 PM--Ugly Betty
9 PM--Grey’s Anatomy
10 PM--Life on Mars

“Mars” is based on a BBC series about a modern-day police detective who mysteriously finds himself transported back to 1973, but still a cop. The show was originally developed by David E. Kelley, but Kelley will now concentrate on writing the last batch of “Boston Legal” episodes.

Friday
8 PM--Wife Swap
9 PM--Supernanny
10 PM--20/20

Saturday
8 PM--Saturday Night College Football

Sunday
8 PM--Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
9 PM--Desperate Housewives
10 PM--Brothers & Sisters

An untitled Tyra Banks/Ashton Kutcher beauty pageant reality show, “The Goode Family,” and “Scrubs” will premiere in midseason. “Family” is an animated series from the creator of “King of the Hill” about a family obsessed with doing the right thing.

“Lost,” “According to Jim” and “The Bachelor” will also return midseason.

Not returning are “Big Shots,” “Carpoolers,” “Cashmere Mafia,” “Cavemen,” “Men In Trees,” “Miss/Guided,” “Notes from the Underbelly,” “October Road,” and “Women’s Murder Club.” “Oprah’s Big Give” will also not return, but that was Oprah’s call, not the network’s.

I think the schedule overall is pretty strong, but having just watched its finale, I’m a little bummed that “Murder Club” is not coming back. I think it deserved another chance considering it was the network that killed it by jerking it around the schedule and firing its show runners.

And though I think it’s great that “Boston Legal” will get a chance to go out in style (This will be the last season.), I hate that it’s not getting to do it in its regular timeslot and instead will have to go against juggernaut, “CSI: Miami.”

I guess those are just more reasons to continue my fight with my sworn TV enemy, ABC Entertainment President Steve McPherson.

Those and the fact that Lucy Liu will be joining “Dirty Sexy Money." That show doesn't need her...

"Moonlight" Fans Will Be Out For Blood

CBS will announce its schedule tomorrow, but we already know what shows won’t be on it.
And one of those will have a rabid group of fans out for blood…

CBS has cancelled “Moonlight.” They’ve also pulled the plug on “Shark,” but renewed “How I Met Your Mother,” “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and “The Unit.”

So why did the network cancel “Moonlight,” which had started to gain a major cult following? TVGuide.com reports CBS was not happy with the show’s retention of the “Ghost Whisperer” lead-in.

Does anyone else think that’s a lame excuse? Especially since they renewed “The Unit” which loses a large percentage of the “NCIS” lead-in?

I think we could possibly have another “Jericho” campaign on our hands here. But seeing how that turned out, I don’t think the effort would succeed…

The CW's Fall Schedule: Same Old Same Old

The CW announced its schedule today and here it is according to “Variety” and TVGuide.com…

Monday
8 PM--Gossip Girl
9 PM--One Tree Hill

Tuesday
8 PM--90210
9 PM--Surviving the Filthy Rich

“90210” is an update of “Beverly Hills 90210” starring Jessica Walter, Lori Loughlin and Jennie Garth (as Kelly from the original). “Rich” is based on a book series, a la “Gossip Girl” called “How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls.”

Wednesday
8 PM--America’s Next Top Model
9 PM--Stylista

“Stylista” is a reality show from Tyra Banks centered around “Elle” magazine.

Thursday
8 PM--Smallville
9 PM--Supernatural

Friday
8 PM--Everybody Hates Chris
8:30 PM--The Game
9 PM--America’s Next Top Model

Saturday & Sunday TBA
“Reaper” will return as a midseason replacement.
“Variety” reports the CW will launch its fall season September 1st.

If I had one phrase to describe this schedule, I would say same old same old. An update of “90210”? Another show about the rich based on a book series? Another reality show from Tyra Banks about high fashion? Not one original idea in the bunch…

Tell me again why they decided to create this network?

Is Your Show In or Out?

ABC will officially kickoff the upfront presentations tomorrow. But in the meantime, here are some of the renewals we already know, as reported on TVGuide.com, BroadcastingandCable.com and TVWeek.com…

ABC has renewed “Boston Legal“ and “Eli Stone,” but “October Road” and “Women’s Murder Club” have both been cancelled. Also, Zach Braff announced on his MySpace page what everyone already knew--that “Scrubs” will move to ABC next season…

CBS has renewed “How I Met Your Mother” and “The Unit,” but “Moonlight” and “The New Adventures of Old Christine” are still on the bubble. If CBS cancels “Christine,” reports have ABC “almost certain” to pick it up…

The CW has renewed “Reaper” for 13 episodes that are expected to debut mid-season. The network has also renewed “The Game”…

FOX has cancelled “New Amsterdam”…

NBC has already made its upfront presentation, so it instead used today to officially announce Jimmy Fallon as Conan O’Brien’s successor on “Late Night.” Ben Silverman, the co-chairman of NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, once again said NBC was trying to keep Jay Leno, but admitted that it would be “a reach” to keep him.

NBC has also posted a casting call on its website for a new fall reality show, “Momma’s Boy,” in which mothers of eligible bachelors “help their sons pick the right woman.” The show is executive produced by Ryan Seacrest and the producers of “Average Joe.” You can watch a video or Ryan talking about the show here.

Was Britney Better This Time Around?

So Britney returned to “How I Met Your Mother” tonight for another guest appearance.
And was it even better than her first one, as some critics suggested?

Her performance, yes. Her story no…

It was a cute concept. Spears’ Abby and Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) teamed up to get back at Ted. But Ted wasn’t having any of it and we didn’t get any kind of advancement in the Ted-Barney story. Plus, the ending, which was designed to leave the door open for Spears’ return, was kind of stupid.

I’m all for Britney getting her life back together. And I’m all for “How I Met Your Mother” trying to score ratings. But I’m with Neil Patrick Harris. I’d hate to see the show start “Will and Grace-ing” itself for the sake of higher ratings…

We all know how that worked out for “Will and Grace”…

"Desperate Housewives": What?!

So just when we thought we had the big “Desperate Housewives” mystery figured out, they throw us a MAJOR curveball…

Warning: If you haven’t seen Sunday’s “Desperate Housewives,” stop reading now.

Is Dylan not the same girl? And if she isn’t, what happened to the girl who grew up on Wisteria Lane? Is she the one who died?

It’s a twist I never saw coming and makes me really wish that the show would concentrate more on Catherine and a lot less on that demon spawn Kayla.

I mean, come on. First they threatened Lynette’s marriage with another man. Then, they gave her cancer. Then, they nearly killed her family in a tornado. Then, they brought the man who threatened her marriage back. Then, her kids committed a felony. And now this? Hasn’t she been through enough? I mean, how many tragedies does Lynette need in order for Felicity Huffman to win another Emmy?…

Don’t forget that the season finale of “DH” airs this Sunday at 9 p.m. and it’s a two-hour episode…

Pick of the Week: A "Desperate" Twist

Please Note: This pick is for next week (Monday, May 12th-Sunday, May 18th).

As you can see from my last post, a lot of shows are wrapping up their seasons next week. And one of those season finales is an obvious Pick…

My Pick of the Week is the two-hour season finale of “Desperate Housewives”…

During these two hours, we will reportedly finally learn Catherine’s big secret. But the biggest buzz circles around the big twist we will reportedly see in the finale’s closing moments.

How big? I don’t actually know, but I have heard some rumors and if they’re true it will change the show forever…

Which means you won’t want to miss it…

The two-hour season finale of “Desperate Housewives” airs Sunday, May 18th at 9 p.m…

This Week's HUGE Sweeps Schedule

There are a TON of big events happening this week, so get out your calendars and start circling…

Monday, May 12th, “American Gladiators” returns to NBC for its second season with a two-hour premiere (8 PM)…Former “American Idol” finalists Ace Young and Brandon Rogers guest star on “Bones” (8 PM, FOX)…Britney Spears returns to “How I Met Your Mother” (8:30 PM, CBS)…“Samantha Who?” wraps up its season (9:32 PM, ABC), as does “Medium” (10 PM, NBC) and “The Hills“ (10 PM, MTV)…“House” serves up part one of its finale (9 PM, FOX), while Tom Sizemore guests on “CSI: Miami” (10 PM, CBS)…

Tuesday, May 13th, James Lipton (“Inside the Actors Studio”) guests on “According to Jim” (8:30 PM, ABC)…Hugh Hefner guests on “Shark” (9 PM, CBS), while Richard Burgi (Susan’s ex-husband Karl on “Desperate Housewives”) guests as an escaped soul on “Reaper” (9 PM, CW)… “Law and Order: SVU” wraps up its first season (10 PM, NBC) while “Women’s Murder Club” goes after the Kiss-Me-Not Killer in its season (or possibly series) finale (10 PM, ABC)…

Wednesday, May 14th, it’s the season finales of “America’s Next Top Model” (8 PM, CW) and “’Til Death” (8 PM, FOX) and the series finale of “Back To You” (8:30 PM, FOX)…“Deal or No Deal” goes to South Africa in search of next year’s new model (8 PM, NBC)…George Segal guests on “Boston Legal” to convince Denny to run for president (10 PM, ABC)

Thursday, May 15th is a huge finale night so get those DVRs/VCRs ready. Tonight’s season finales are “Smallville” (8 PM, CW), “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?” (8 PM, FOX), “My Name Is Earl” (8 PM, NBC), “CSI” (9 PM, CBS), “Don’t Forget the Lyrics!” (9 PM, FOX), “Supernatural” (9 PM, CW), “The Office (9 PM, NBC), “Without a Trace” (10:01 PM, CBS) and “ER” with guest star Steve Buscemi (10 PM, NBC)…Gene Simmons guest stars on “Ugly Betty” (8 PM, ABC) and “Lost” gives us part one of its two part-finale (10:02 PM, ABC)…

Friday, May 16th, we get a reunion I don’t think any of us expected as the New Kids on the Block perform live on “Today” (7-9 AM, NBC)…Tonight’s season finales are “Ghost Whisperer” (8 PM, CBS), “America’s Funniest Home Videos” (8 PM, ABC), “Moonlight” (9 PM, CBS) and “Numb3rs,” with someone leaving the FBI (10 PM, CBS)…

Saturday, May 17th, SciFi gets us ready for the new Indiana Jones movie with a marathon of the first three (4 PM)…It’s a big night in the world of NASCAR with the Sprint All-Star Race XXIV (7 PM, SPEED)…“America’s Most Wanted” celebrates its 1000th capture (9 PM, FOX)…Elizabeth Berkley stars as a suspected black widow in Lifetime‘s “Dark Beauty,” co-starring Alicia Coppola. I can smell the cheese already, can’t you? (9 PM)…“Mad TV” wraps up its season (11 PM, FOX) as do “Talkshow with Spike Feresten” (Midnight, FOX) and “Saturday Night Live” with Steve Carell and Usher (11:30 PM, NBC)…

Sunday, May 18th, CBS presents the Academy of Country Music Awards (8 PM)…Tonight’s season finales are “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 PM, ABC), “Everybody Hates Chris” (8 PM, CW), “The Simpsons” (8 PM, FOX), “King of the Hill” (8:30 PM, FOX), “The Game” (9 PM, CW), “Desperate Housewives” (9 PM, ABC) and “American Dad“ (9:30 PM, FOX)…“Aliens In America” appears to be airing its series finale (8:30 PM, CW)…SciFi continues to get us ready for “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” with Lester Holt hosting a look at the actual legend of the 13 Mayan/Aztec quartz skulls (9 PM)…

Grammer and Heaton Won't Be "Back"

So let me go back and expand on something I mentioned in my last post.

FOX has cancelled “Back to You,” the comedy starring Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton.

Why is it that these mega-hyped shows with the mega-wattage casts fail? Is it because the networks concentrate so much on the stars that they don’t concentrate hard enough on the scripts?

Personally, I think that “Back” deserved another season since it was finally starting to get past the whole “we have a daughter” thing and because Grammer and Heaton deserved it--especially since FOX renewed “’Til Death”…

Is Your Favorite Show in Trouble?

Next week is upfront week.

Normally, that means splashy presentations with big stars and exciting videos. But thanks to the Writers’ Strike, it will be a much more scaled-down affair with very little video since most of the new shows haven’t even shot pilots yet.

Of course, NBC has already announced their schedule, but we’ll be hearing the plans of CBS, FOX, ABC and the CW. And that means hearing what shows that are on the bubble will have that bubble burst and be cancelled.

For CBS, that includes “How I Met Your Mother,” which most experts agree will be back; “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” which might be picked up by ABC if it’s cancelled; “The Rules of Engagement;” and “The Unit.” “Moonlight” is also a bubble show that could cause a “Jericho”-type reaction if it’s cancelled. Fans have already organized blood drives to promote the show (It’s about a vampire, get it? Blood drive?)…

ABC’s bubble shows are “Women’s Murder Club,” “October Road,” and “Boston Legal.” “Legal” was voted the number one show most fans wanted to save in the annual “USA Today Save Our Shows” poll, but its production costs are fairly high and it is the most underappreciated show on the network. ABC has already cancelled “Men In Trees”…

FOX has already revealed some of its bubble decisions renewing “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” and “’Til Death,” while cancelling “Back to You”…

And Michael Ausiello is reporting on TVGuide.com that the CW is cancelling “Aliens In America,” while “Reaper” is still up in the air…

I’ll have reports on each network throughout the next week…

My TV Enemy Will Stick Around

Those of you who are regular readers of “Stay Tuned,” know that my TV enemy is Steve McPherson, the president of ABC Entertainment.

Well, it looks like Steve and I will be able to fight it out for several more years to come as McPherson has just signed a new multiyear deal to stay on as president.

So why the confidence in him? Since taking over in 2004, ABC has gone from having one show in the top 20 of the 18-49 demo to having seven--four in the top 10. And ABC has won November sweeps in the 18-49 demo for the past three years.

Now, since McPherson is my enemy, allow me to rain on his parade a little by saying that neither “Lost” nor “Desperate Housewives,” the two shows that helped ABC get out of the cellar, were developed during his tenure. He just inherited them…

The CW Outsources Sundays

It looks like the CW is throwing in the towel on Sunday nights…

According to TVGuide.com, the network has signed a deal with the production finance company Media Rights Capital to take over its Sunday night programming block (7-10 p.m.). MRC will develop two dramas and two comedies and sell the ad time for the night.

And yes, you are correct that this move is a little radical, but the CW obviously feels they have no other choice since all of their other Sunday attempts have failed…

Did "Grey's" Wake the Beast?

On Thursday’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” Christina discovered that her ex-fiance, Dr. Burke, had won a major award. She found out from an article that featured his picture. The scene was part of the promo ABC was running for the episode.

Unfortunately, “Grey’s” fans weren’t the only ones to see the promo. Isaiah Washington also saw it and wasn’t happy. Washington’s rep tells TMZ that his lawyer has contacted SAG and ABC “as to the appropriateness of that action.”

I think they may have woken the beast…

By the way, since I don’t watch “Grey’s,” feel free to post a comment about the season thus far on this post.

Could Someone Please Give Me Directions?

So could someone give me directions please? I am terribly “Lost”…

My “Lost” adviser, EW.com’s Doc Jensen said that last night’s episode was for the major “Lost” fans who dissect every minute detail to fit all of the clues together. I guess that’s why I’m still not sure what’s going on.

Warning: If you have not yet seen Thursday’s episode of “Lost,” stop reading now.
Doc Jensen theorized that Ben is now leading the life that Locke was supposed to live. The Island/The Others had to go to their fallback plan because Locke failed the test; but that Charles Widmore has still been trying to get Locke to accept that life to defeat Ben.

And then he said a whole bunch of other stuff that totally lost me…

So could somebody help me out here? Just what is going on? Why and how were Christian and Claire in the cabin? Who was the person who ordered “the purge”? And what is the deal with that ageless other, Richard?

Doc Jensen said the prevailing theory about Richard is that he is a survivor from the Black Rock (which some say explains the pirate-like eyeliner). How that’s possible is more of the stuff that made my head hurt.

The only thing I completely understood about last night’s show is that “Lost” has a great knack for making some of my favorite actors completely creepy. I’ve always thought John Terry (Christian) was a great romantic leading man, but on “Lost” he completely makes my skin crawl. And what about Nestor Carbonell (Richard)? I’ve been a fan of his since the “Suddenly Susan” days (and especially during “The Tick” days). But when he looked in the window at baby Locke--YIKES!

Next week we get part one of the season finale as we get closer to seeing the Oceanic Six get off the island and then…

I honestly have no idea…

I Put the Jinx On Again

It’s official. I am not saying anything else about the SAG talks until a deal is reached…

You’ll remember that I told you that reports had a deal being reached this week. Well apparently those reports were not true.

According to EW.com, yesterday, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers announced that it is breaking off talks with the Screen Actors Guild and instead is concentrating its effort on reaching a deal with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

SAG had issued a statement that said it was willing to negotiate around the clock, but the AMPTP said there were “significant differences” that prevented talks from continuing.
Experts believe that if the AMPTP reaches a deal with AFTRA, which represents actors for “Rules of Engagement,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “’Til Death” and other shows, it will put pressure on SAG to make a deal to avoid another strike, when TV shows have yet to recover from the last one.

I’m not sure I could recover either…