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TV Worries, Quotes of the Week and More
Let’s be honest . . . we were all worried.
About the murder. About the kiss. About the new direction.
Let’s check in on where shows that took big risks this season ended up in 2007.
Friday Night Lights: Well Landry finally confessed and the storyline that had us all concerned came to a close. Or did it? I like that the show addressed what we had all been thinking – that Landry didn’t exactly act in self defense. And clearly this is a fact that he will continue to struggle with and his confession didn't give him the peace he was seeking. I still don’t quite understand how all the charges against Landry were dropped – especially since Landry and Tyra disposed of the body and Landry and his father destroyed evidence after the fact. Anyone who has watched Law & Order knows that’s a big no-no. I still don’t think this story line was the right direction for the show to go in but I’m hopeful that it will lead to some great scenes for the very talented Jesse Plemons. Friday Night Lights continues to thrive by the nuanced small moments (I love the scenes between Julie and Tami) and by making even the smallest characters pitch-perfect (how creepy is Tim’s roommate?). This many seem like a strange comparison, but the residents of Dillon, Texas are as vibrant as the characters of Stars Hollow. Like Gilmore Girls, Friday Night Lights thrives on making even the smallest character distinctively shine. There’s just so much good stuff here – Santiago joining the team, Tim’s struggle to get back on the team, Jason’s struggle for independence (and hilarious blind date), Eric’s jealously, Matt’s burgeoning romance, Tami’s sibling rivalry, and Smash’s college dreams. I’ve been thinking for awhile now that they really need to figure out what they’re doing with Lyla’s character and the good news is that Matt Czuchry (Logan on Gilmore Girls) will soon begin his guest stint as Lyla’s potential love interest. All in all, Friday Night Lights remains one of my favorite shows. How about you?
Bones: I’ve gotta tell you – I liked the kiss Bone and Booth shared under the mistletoe. It was simultaneously awkward and hot. And I think it was the perfect way to address the potential romance between these two characters without actually moving them in the direction of a romance. It gave viewers a peak at possibility but it was also a moment that they could let sit for the rest of the season. So I liked the kiss. How about you?
Heroes: After what I thought hinted at a potential turnaround, I have to say I thought the end of volume 2 was a convoluted mess. Yes I was glad to see evil Sylar’s return at the end of the episode but too many of the characters were behaving inconsistently and erratically. I also don’t think it was necessarily a great idea to have Nikki and Micah off in their totally separate story line. And worst than that, I was kind of bored during the episode and struggled to pay attention. I still think volume 3 is salvageable and have hope. But I don’t like how volume 2 ended, did you?
What did you think of Friday Night Lights, Bones and Heroes? Post your comments below.
The Remaining Episodes Countdown
So many of you have asked me how many episodes are left of remaining shows. TV Gal reader Cass found this very helpful link on wikipedia that appears to be fairly accurate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect_of_the_2007_Writers_Guild_of_America_strike_on_television
To me the big unknown is when networks will decide to air the one remaining episode of Grey’s Anatomy, 30 Rock and the rest of the shows with only a handful of episodes left. For instance, NBC had planned on airing the last remaining episode of My Name is Earl , which takes place Christmas morning, on December 13 and now that episode is scheduled for January 10, 2008. Just this week, ABC pulled Big Shots from the schedule including the episode that guest starred Charisma Carpenter that was supposed to air on December 13. Right now it appears that FOX is planning on airing the remaining three episodes of Bones and House in January and February (including the House episode that will air after the Super Bowl), but this is the same network that scheduled the unaired episodes of Drive twice and then never aired them. So I think all bets are off right now.
Quotes of the Week
"I seem to have lost my date. I wonder where Holly Harper is?" Nora on Brothers & Sisters. Thanks to J for the quote.
"It’s an Anna Sui. I know I should feel something but I feel nothing. War has changed me." Amanda to Daniel on Ugly Betty during the paint ball war.
"Oh honey don’t be silly. You wouldn’t be nothing. You would just be less." Regina to Sam on Samantha Who? when Sam says she would be nothing without her.
"I like when a woman has ambition. It’s like seeing a dog wearing clothes." Jack to CC on 30 Rock.
''Oh Andrea I have the perfect dress for you, it looks as good at night as it does stumbling home in the morning.'' Regina to Andrea on Samantha Who? Thanks to Bruno for the quote.
"Dr. Hahn....shut up." Meredith to Dr. Hahn when she is discussing a patient’s mortality in front of him on Grey’s Anatomy. Thanks to Jeff for the quote.
"You fudging touch me again. I'll fudging kill you." Dean after the pagan god scorns him for swearing while she was torturing him on Supernatural. Thanks for Sandy for the quote.
Highlights for the Weekend
CBS offers up all new episodes this Friday. One of my favorites Gordon Clapp (Detective Medavoy on NYPD Blue) guests stars as Santa Claus on Ghost Whisperer (Friday at 8 p.m. on CBS). Mick learns why Josef thinks he and Beth will never work (besides the whole undead thing) on Moonlight (Friday at 9 p.m. on CBS). Those of us who miss Papa Mars will be happy to know that Enrico Colantoni guest stars on Numb3rs (Friday at 10 p.m. on CBS). That’s the good news. The bad news – Colantoni plays a former FBI contractor who takes an FBI agent hostage.
HBO’s series Extras comes to a close this Sunday. George Michael, Clive Owen and Gordon Ramsay all stop by Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale Sunday at 9 p.m. And by the way all you Wire fans, get ready for the final season of The Wire which begins on January 6.
The second season of Dexter comes to a close this Sunday at 9 p.m. on Showtime.
Blog Format
I want to thank all of you for your feedback on the blog format. I read all you emails and all your comments to my blog.
After nearly ten years of writing the column once a week, it has been an adjustment for me to move my once a week column to a three times a week blog. I’m still getting used to the new format and figuring out what works and what doesn’t.
Soooo . . . what I’m hearing from many of you is that you would prefer that I go back to my traditional column on Mondays that includes highlights for the entire week. So beginning this Monday I’ll return to having my regular TV Gal column on Mondays. I’ll still post familiar faces on Wednesday and quotes of the week on Friday. On both Wednesday and Friday, I’ll also include any additional TV comments that may have happened since I wrote on Monday. I hope you continue to let me know what you think.
As a reminder, here is the schedule for my year-end Best of columns:
Monday, December 17 – 10 Best Shows of 2007
Wednesday, December 19 – 10 Best Characters of 2007
Friday, December 21 – Best Quotes of 2007
Monday, December 24 – Best Moments of 2007
Friday, December 28 – Best of Everything Television 2007
I’ve also heard your comments that the inconsistent nature of when I post is frustrating. I totally get that. What I will do going forward is always post new content by 3 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. So if you check after 3 p.m. ET new content will be up.
And as for this Wednesday, I was felled by a terrible case of food poisoning. My head didn’t spin around but it was a little reminiscent of The Exorcist. I apologize for the lack of post on Wednesday.
Please keep your comments – both positive and negative – coming.
That’s all for today. I’m back on Monday with my picks for my picks for the top 10 shows of 2007. I’ll also preview Clash of the Choirs, which strangely I’m very excited about. Remember I still want to hear your suggestions for the best quotes and best moments of 2007. Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com and let me know your suggestions. Seen a familiar face? Or want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Have a great weekend.
Here's another link for 'leftover' episodes. It lists the show, how many episodes have been shot, when the latest episode airs, and how many are left after that date
http://www.thefutoncritic.com/guide.aspx?id=strike_scripted
CCB | Dec 14, 2007 6:20:19 AM | #I have too say I love Volume 2 of Heores (except all the twins story-line), so I believe next volume won't dissapoint me.Could be Petelli's mom the new evil character? She is incredible, I hope we'll see more of her past.
I'm a bit tired of the no-romance thing in Bones. You're right, the kiss was good but I want more, pleeeeaseee :D Sometimes I think Booth and Bones are like Grissom and Sara, they already have a romantic relationship and none of us know it. I bet one the they will surprise us.
Thank you Amy for your blog. This is the first time I leave a comment but I love how you writte it. Sorry for the gramatical mistakes, I'm spanish.
Lorena | Dec 14, 2007 6:27:22 AM | #Glad to see Sylar's return on Heroes?! I think that was the biggest "ugh" moment of the TV season so far for me.
CT | Dec 14, 2007 6:32:53 AM | #I agree, Amy, I think they will let the kiss on Bones stew for awhile with it making Booth too uncomfortable to bring it up and Bones not really seeing the point in needing to discuss it. I know getting the characters together romantically after a great build-up often spells the end of the show, but I would also hate to see it dragged (drug?) out too long, as I believe they did with Angel and Cordelia on Angel (so very frustrating when they brought Connor into it to make a love triangle). But, so far the writers for Bones have been great, so I must have faith they can handle it well and not disappoint us!
I vote for Bones for one of the best shows of 2007 and Seely Booth as one of the best characters - besides being yummy, David Boreanaz is an amazing actor, which I think if viewers had watched him in Angel and followed him to Bones, they'd see it. My actual favorite moment on Bones this year is when Bones and Booth were standing in the doorway of Russ's stepdaughter's hospital room and Bones leaned over and pecked Booth on the cheek as a thank you - David Boreanaz's reaction was wonderfully portrayed through his facial and body expressions without saying a word! Loved it!
Thanks, Amy, for now including Bones!
Andrea | Dec 14, 2007 6:59:15 AM | #Sorry to hear you were sick Wednesday. I guess people who read your blogs never have to call in sick to work. I enjoyed the 3 a week and with the strike going on I look forward to reading them. I will still be a faithful reader and check in every mon/wed/fri. Hope you have a GREAT Holiday!!!!
Ray | Dec 14, 2007 7:32:02 AM | #I think this is a pretty classy response to some of the more flaming comments posted the other day. Way to go!
MerrieB | Dec 14, 2007 8:00:33 AM | #Well, I still enjoy watching Friday Night Lights, despite the whole Landry-Tyra Incident. All the TV critics kept telling us that the storyline would improve over time...blah, blah, blah. Sorry, but the whole self-defense/ homicide thing really made me hate the FNL writers for resorting to some sensationalistic drama that didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the show.
I have been saying all along that the "Incident" seemed like something that the FNL writers tried to come up with to appease the NBC executives, in an attempt to boost the show's dismal ratings. I love FNL, but I do not need to see Landry (who has always been laid-back and level-headed) turn into a stupid character from a teen slasher movie -- it looked a lot like what happened in "I Know What You Did Last Summer".
Sorry for the rant, but I'm much happier now that Landry has confessed, and the DA did not press charges against him. I would rather focus on the Taylor family, Matt and his Grandma, Jason and Tim, etc.
The Landry-Tyra storyline essentially cut them off from their friends and the rest of the characters. We hardly ever saw Matt and Landry together. Tyra did not have much interaction with Tami, Julie, Tim, etc. Let's get back to the friendships and football! ;-)
Paige | Dec 14, 2007 9:25:40 AM | #I understand why the FNL writers chose to have Landry get away with it (they can't have a primary character go to prison), but I can't seem to get past the fact that it WOULD NEVER HAPPEN! The guys destroyed evidence and covered the murder up... are the police really going to say "sure kid, we believe it was self defense. And on your way out, can you let that serial killer out of his cell, he's just misunderstood." It's so out of touch with the rest of the show and reality. I am so disappointed.
K | Dec 14, 2007 9:41:00 AM | #I found Heros S2 to be very disorganized, confusing and most of all rushed. The conclusion didn't flow at all. The strike clearly adversely affected the shows continuity. Character development suffered. I will still watch S3 and hope for the best.
The Landry/Tyra murder storyline was far from my favorite although I still love Friday Night Lights. The only high point was watching Landry and his dad interact. Glenn and Jesse had awesome chemistry. You could feel the love. The ending was a bit incredulous but I'll accept it just so it can be finally put to rest. Then again, there is no statute of limitations on murder. Another prosecutor, at any point in time, could revive the case and decide to prosecute. Let's hope not.
Elizabeth | Dec 14, 2007 10:57:59 AM | #Amy, I like that you are in touch with your readers' feelings and that you'll be going back to your previous format to please them...I mean us! That gives your column such a warm and real feeling! Thanks and hope you're over the food poisoning thing - that's never fun!
Ginni | Dec 14, 2007 11:13:08 AM | #Hi Amy,
I have been a big big fan of your column/blog for a couple of years now! Thanks to you I have found out that there a more TV-addicts out there, thank god, so I am not alone. A negative side might be, that your enthousiasm makes me watch more and more shows all the time! :-)
Looking forward to your next blog on monday!
Seasonal Greetings from the Netherlands!
Thanks for including a Supernatural quote. That was great moment in last night's eppy.
Jen | Dec 14, 2007 12:34:40 PM | #i love how heroes ended... with the exception of the boring and pointless nikki/micah storylines. the first few shows of the season where a bit slow but it in no way made me want to quit the show like a lot of people.
the finale was pretty cool, love the peter/hiro moments.
looking forward to the next chapter... sylar's back! sweet...
joits | Dec 14, 2007 1:05:22 PM | #RE: BONES, I agree with Andrea that Temperance kissing Booth on the cheek was adorable.
As for the mistletoe kiss, it was perfect for the moment and circumstance.
Great show and I look forward to it lasting a long time.
alia | Dec 14, 2007 1:08:15 PM | #TBH I thought that some of the comments were harsh. Anyways hope you stay away from the dodgy foods and keep well.
Baz | Dec 14, 2007 1:16:35 PM | #I'm almost done with Bones. Especially if they do a romance. Why can't people who work together be friends without the schmoopy romance being forced on the characters by the silly 'shippers?
Kate | Dec 14, 2007 1:46:19 PM | #As a NFL fan, I too hope the "incident" is never mentioned again (kind of like Highlander 2). But it isn't the only example of suspension of disbelief on FNL. Jason Street's injury and road to recovery last year was pure fantasy. He went from hopsital, to rehab, to home, to driving and playing muder ball in the course of a 3 month football season. Anyone who has known someone with a spinal cord injury would know that his hospital stay alone would be 4-6 months.
Hondo | Dec 14, 2007 2:17:46 PM | #Sylar’s return was a big disappointment. I am tired of him. It is time to move to a new villian.
billybobp | Dec 14, 2007 2:19:24 PM | #In the days of RSS feeds, there is no need to constantly check for new content here. Just subscribe to the feed and you'll be alerted when Amy posts a column/blog. That way she can do it when she feels like it, and everyone wins!
Mac | Dec 14, 2007 3:20:04 PM | #Thanks Amy for your professionalism. I've been a dedicated reader whether it's once a week or three times a week. I'm greedy, I think the more the merrier. I do appreciate the better knowing when to look for you. I hope you're feeling better.
keithmo | Dec 14, 2007 5:43:51 PM | #Amy, I've been checking your column out for years. Keep up the good fight!!!
Thank you for your effort!
Josh S. | Dec 14, 2007 7:33:52 PM | #Amy, I've been reading your column for years but have never posted a comment before. The negative comments that you received this week prompted me to finally post something!
I too hope that there is a post when I log in on Mon., Wed. or Fri. mornings, but understand that if it's not there my day isn't over. I go about my business and check back later.
Your loyal readers understand that life & work don't always work the way you want them to, but you will post your column and it will be great. I love TV and am happy to know there are others out there like me.
I think your column is awesome (go Barney) so please keep up the great work!!! I appreciate you & hope you are feeling better.
Pam | Dec 14, 2007 9:08:32 PM | #And your look-in on 30 Rock was where? Pretty sure that was promised BEFORE your vacation...
In other news, I appreciate your professionalism in regards to some of the crap that has been dealt your way. Hope you're feeling better.
Red | Dec 14, 2007 9:47:46 PM | #I'm glad you dealt with all the flammers with some class Amy.
"Shipping" is unecessary on "Bones." I liked the show in the beginning, but after their was so many hints with Temperence and Seely, I decided to give up. I thougt it was a procedural drama not a soap opera.
| Dec 14, 2007 10:19:47 PM | #I have been reading tv gals column since she first appeared on zap2it, enjoying it ever since.
However, the new blog format was a bit of a let down.
But I think the revised plan for the blog is a splendid idea and "fix the problems".
Keep up the good work Amy!!!
Holiday Greetings from Germany!
redlock | Dec 15, 2007 12:53:05 AM | #
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