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RSSToday is the first day of the rest of your writer's strike . . .
Today is the first day of the rest of your writer's strike.
Let's be honest, up until now we could kind of pretend like the writer's strike wasn't really happening. And you know, when it comes to TV, I have the art of denial down to perfection. (Want to come over tonight and watch Sports Night and Arrested Development?)
You could have easily convinced yourself that shows had gone into their regular holiday repeats and would return sometime in January.
Alas, that's not true. We are now eight weeks and two days into the writer's strike with apparently no foreseeable end. A few weeks ago I was feeling much more positive. Now not so much. The January Television Critics Association Press Tour was cancelled. The pilot season for Fall of 2008 is in peril. 24 is postponed indefinitely. We're about to watch the last new episodes of Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy. And even if you, say, wanted to catch up on new shows that you missed -- like Life, Dirty Sexy Money or Private Practice -- you can't. They've been pulled from the schedule.
Sure there are things to look forward to -- like the return of American Idol on January 15, Lost on January 31, The New Adventures of Old Christine on February 4 and Jericho on February 12. But even the return of Lost comes with caveats. They've only completed eight episodes -- half of the planned 16 for the season.
Suffice to say all of this has made us a little cranky. I know this because ever since I began my Best of lists in December, there has been a demand, an outcry, a movement for a Worst of lists. Recapping the worst of television is a little tricky for me because, in general, I don't pay too much attention to things I don't like. (This is how I avoided the whole skinny jeans resurgence.) I have no use for David Caruso and his sunglass wearing, grimacing style on CSI: Miami so I tend not to watch the show that often. (I still check in from time to time so I can keep my Caruso impersonation fresh).
Therefore, I'll get the "worst of" ball rolling and then you can add your picks.
Worst Hairstyle: Why oh why are they doing that to Taraji P. Henson on Boston Legal? Does she have the same hairstylist poor Callie used to have on Grey's Anatomy.
Worst Downfall of a Character: See I used to like Ava on Grey's Anatomy. But she is bugging me this season. I was glad when Alex yelled at her.
Worst Character on a Great Show: They really need to find a good story line for Lyla on Friday Night Lights. Ever since she extracted herself from the Tim/Jason/Lyla love triangle, there really hasn't been much for her to do. On an unrelated note, will anyone take my business that Minka Kelly and Leighton Meester (Gossip Girl) were separated at birth?
Worst Character on a Bad Show: I think I'm going to have to go with Physical Phil on October Road.
Worst Guest Star, Female: I loved Kari Matchett on Invasion, but she just didn't work for me on 24 or Studio 60 or ER.
Worst casualty of the Writer's Strike, comedy: If it continues, Scrubs won't get to end properly. It will just end. That's just not right.
Worst casualty of the Writer's Strike, drama: 24. We needed the show back and we needed it to come back strong. Plus they are keeping me away from my Tony.
Worst reason to stay home on Friday night: Men in Trees. Sorry.
Worst show for me not to like because everyone else likes it, drama: Pushing Daisies. I fear it has caused a chasm between us.
Worst show for me not to like because everyone else likes it, comedy: Tie -- Californication and Flight of the Conchords.
Worst addition to House: Olivia Wilde's Thirteen. She's a fine actress but she was so not who I wanted to make it on House's team. I say bring back the Cutthroat Bitch.
Worst addition to Heroes: It's seems mean to keep picking on them but we know it's the twins.
Worst addition to 24: Oh Milo.
Worst reality show idea, celebrity: Hey Paula
Worst reality show idea, non-celebrity: I Love New York. Make it stop. Please.
Okay that's all the negativity I have in me right now but hopefully that's enough to get you started. Add you suggestions for a "worst of" round up by posting your comments below.
Ask TV Gal
As I continue to try new things in my blog format, I thought I would start answering some of the common questions I get to my email. If you have a question, write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com and let me know.
Here are three popular questions I received in the past couple weeks:
Last night's Criminal Minds was supposed to be new--with Gina Mantegna. It was heavily promoted. I settled in to watch it, and lo, it was a repeat. Any scoop?
Thx, Patty
I think we'll be seeing more of these bait-and-switch shenanigans. Networks seem to be tinkering with their prime time schedule right up until the final moments. (Celebrity Apprentice will premiere January 3, no January 10, no seriously we mean January 3). This episode of Criminal Minds, which guest starred Joe Mantegna's daughter was scheduled to air on December 19. On December 18, CBS announced it would air a repeat of Criminal Minds instead on December 19. On December 26, CBS announced it would air Gina Mantegna's episode on January 9. One of my mother's favorite expressions is "I'll believe it when I see the whites of their eyes" and that's kind of how I'm feeling about TV these days, I'll believe the episode will air when I'm actually watching the episode airing.
I'm so sad and broken hearted over the cancellation of The 4400 and The Dead Zone. Can we get a dedication to both of those shows in your column? Your thoughts on the cancellation?
Thanks, Devon
Alas Devon speaks the truth. On December 19 it was announced that USA had cancelled both The 4400 and The Dead Zone to apparently make room for two of the network's new series In Plain Sight and To Love & Die. I think the central complaint is that both shows are ending without what we all need -- a little closure. To end these two long running shows now leaves viewers hanging -- especially since both shows are steeped in a complicated mythology. This isn't like Reunion being cancelled midway through its first season (which admittedly wasn't great). This is us like us never finding out why Jack told Kate they have to go back on Lost. It's just not right. And I really do think USA is perfectly poised to film a two-hour movie for each series to wrap up all the loose ends, don't you?
I also found this website www.savethe4400.com and a lot of signatures over at The Dead Zone forum on http://www.usanetwork.com
The abc.com website confirms that the episode of Desperate Housewives is new, not a repeat as per your column.
Maureen
I caused quite a bit of confusion with this one because ABC is actually airing Desperate Housewives twice this week. On Thursday night at 10 p.m. (which is the current Big Shots time slot and soon to be the Eli Stone time slot), ABC is repeating the tornado comes to Wisteria Lane episode. Then on Sunday at 9 p.m., ABC is airing the last original episode of Desperate Housewives. At least that's what ABC says now (see answer to question number one). This also appears to be the last time ABC will air Desperate Housewives this January as, after this week, the show is temporarily replaced by Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
Okay that's all for today. I'll be back on Friday to discuss Friday Night Lights and quotes of the week. Have a question, seen a familiar face or want to nominate a quote of the week, write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. And remember if you want to read my TV highlights for the week, check out my post on December 31.
I know this sounds lame, but I worry what I will do all day at work with out good tv news to read about now that the strike looks long term. I think you are right Amy, we were all sort of living in denial.
I'm with you on the I really should like Pushing Daisies but I don't bandwagon. It just doesn't do anything for me!
I LOVE the new Ask TV Gal section. I always ***ume if I have a question, someone else does too. Now you can just do one reply--in your column--and not have to answer the same question over and over and over and over...
Okay, so we still don't see eye to eye on Pushing Daisies, but I'm willing to forgive you for that.
And you know what, I did feel bad for the writers in the beginning, but now... not so much. I know they should be getting their fair share, but it seems like neither side really wants to work on resolving this. First it affected those that worked on the shows. (Which was bad enough. Those people have bills to pay.) Now, it's affecting us, and that just ****ES ME OFF. Will this cause a whole generation of people to turn off their tv's and pick up a book, or, heaven forbid, talk to their families? Whatever happens, I'm thankful I have all 3 seasons of Arrested Development on DVD, so I can slip into a delusional state and pretend none of this is happening.
Don't feel bad Amy -- I stopped watching Pushing Daisies a few weeks ago when I realized I was reading email in front of the television while it was on. I think it's treacly (if that's really a word -- adjective form of treacle).
I agree with you 100% about the addition of 13 on House. She does nothing for me, she's pretty but dull. And I know I'm going to be stuck with story lines revolving around her. At least Cut Throat ***** had some spunk to her. She popped when she was on camera.
This is called "How The Strike affects me and my Rents":
Well for one Heroes is over and NCIS and Numb3rs soon will be so my whole family is bummed. However my dad and I are re-watching the first 3 years of LOST and won't be seeing the new episodes until about two months after they air! We're only in Season Two-Disc Two. We also have Season Two of Dead Like Me! DLM rocks. Pushing Daisies is fun but nothing like the frank honesty of DLM. My family just burned through the Jericho Season One DVD (first time viewing) and are all set for Season Two in February. We watch Stargate Atlantis which will not run out of episodes; God Bless Canada. We plan to watch Sarah Connor Chronicles and New Amsterdam and are new viewers to Criminal Minds and Magnum PI thanks to DVDs. I'll miss some favorites but I will survive. the strike lasting another 2 weeks will probably help secure fall returns of Jericho, Sarah Connor, and New Amsterdam, shows that otherwise would get axed. Also Brothers & Sisters has 3 left and Friday Night Lights and Las Vegas were able to make it to like 13 and 15 respectively from what I hear
I wouldn't worry about the writer's strike going on much longer. With Letterman's writers back and Fox's American Idol returning, it won't be too long before many people in both the writer and studio camps start realizing that the pain caused by this strike is falling on some people harder than others. That leads to resentment and jealousy and then good old Darwinism takes over.
I can give up a lot of shows (I so need to watch less T.V), but I am really going to miss "House" and "LOST." Those are my two "must sees."
Oh, and I too cannot stand David Caruso or his acting.
I don't care for Pushing Daisies, either. You are not alone, Amy.