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I do not want to get back together with 'The Ex List'
I think we all know by now that sometimes I irrationally dislike a show.
That my anger towards it does not fit the crime the show has committed.
That's the case with The Ex List (premiering Friday at 9 p.m. on CBS). I know this is a slightly unreasonable reaction but I have not been this annoyed by a pilot since I watched the opening hour of Men in Trees (which admittedly did improve as time went on).
Elizabeth Reaser stars as Bella Bloom (see? Even the character name is annoying and here's a surprise, Bella Bloom is a florist, get it?) is a single woman who visits as psychic during her sister's bachelorette party. The psychic tells Bella she's already met the man she's going to marry. And if she does not find out who the man is within the next year, she will be alone forever. If the pilot is any indication, each week Bella will revisit a past relationship. First up Eric Balfour (Milo on 24) as rocker Johnny Diamont. How their relationship ends for a second time is supposed to be a surprise but I could see it coming from the moment Balfour hit the screen.
I liked Reaser as Jane Doe/Ava on Grey's Anatomy but I really didn't like her here. There's a fine line between cute and smug and she's definitely veering towards the smug/whiny side.(As a side note, I think I need to create some kind of whiny rehab center for TV characters -- between Serena on Gossip Girl and Jerry on Raising the Bar, whining is reaching an all time high.)
And because this is a TV show, Bella is surrounded by a bevy of adorable and funny friends. Adam Rothenberg is Augie, Bella's roommate and best friend from college. Alexandra Breckenridge is Augie's girlfriend Vivian. In the pilot, Vivian spends a lot of time talking about her Brazilian bikini wax. I can't quite figure out who the writers thought would find this particular sub-plot entertaining. Bella's other friend Cyrus (Amir Talai) is there to doll out quip one liners. They are all the kind of characters that exist only on TV. They could have a dinner party with the gang from Lipstick Jungle.
I'm not against a show that is entirely about a 30-something woman's search for a love. But I do not know any woman remotely like Bella and if I did, I definitely wouldn't be friends with her. Two stars.
Am I being too harsh on the show? Probably but I can't help myself. After you watch The Ex List, let me know what you think.
ABC Wednesday Night Shows Return
All of ABC's sophomore dramas return from their long, writers-strike induced nap beginning tonight at 8 p.m.
If you were a fan of Pushing Daisies (8 p.m.) last season, I think you will love the premiere. It is true to the fairy tale, whimsical nature of a pie maker whose touch can bring a dead person back to life and whose second touch can send the person back to their grave. Autumn Reeser (Taylor on The O.C.) guest stars as this week's victim. I've come to accept that the show isn't for me but if it is for you, enjoy.
To read what I thought of the second season premiere of Private Practice (9 p.m.) check out my post from July when I got a sneak peek at the premiere. The show has made improvements but I don't think they are enough to save the show. I kind of wish OA (Original Addison) would wake up in Seattle, realize she had a bad dream about last year and head off to California to start all over again. I love the cast of Private Practice but all the characters really need to be rewritten from scratch. And the show needs to drop the potential romance between Addison and Pete (Tim Daly) or at least stop the ridiculous dialogue they have about their potential romance. We need a total reboot of the show. Come on everyone is doing it. If Desperate Housewives can, why not Private Practice too?
Oh how I would love to tell you about the season premiere of Dirty Sexy Money (10 p.m.) but, alas, I had some technical trouble with what ABC made available and I wasn't able to watch the premiere. But I can tell you that Blair Underwood is back as the dastardly Simon Elder and Lucy Liu joins the cast as Nola Lyons and that by the end of the premiere, one person is dead and another is arrested for murder. I thought this was one of the best new shows last season. Let's hope that remains true for this season as well.
After you watch the ABC premieres, talk about it below.
Where Have I Seen Them Before?
Jonathan LaPaglia (yes he's Anthony LaPaglia's younger brother) was Brent Langer the special agent who we thought was the spy but turned out not to be the spy on NCIS. He was Dave on Windfall and Kevin Debreno on The District.
Joe recognized David Giuntoli as the headmaster of the twin's school on Privileged. He was Maggie's fiance last season on Eli Stone and was the boyfriend of the soldier undergoing experimental brain surgery on Grey's Anatomy last season.
Peter Hermann was the man whose partner died on Fringe. We saw him last season on Cashmere Mafia as cheating husband Davis. He is also Trevor Langan on Law & Order: SVU (that's where he met his wife Mariska Hargitay).
Christopher and Joe were the first to recognize Mike Erwin, Colin on Everwood, as the drug dealer on Dexter.
I almost didnâ't recognize this one and Stewart was the first TV Gal reader to catch Rich Sommer as Pamâs art school friend on The Office. He is Harry Crane on Mad Men.
Michelle recognized Heather McComb as Gretchen's sister on Prison Break. She was Maggie on Party of Five and Frances Malone on Profiler. And, fun fact, in real life she's married to James Van Der Beek.
Aaron Hill who plays The Beaver on Greek was the murdered football player on Cold Case. Alice Hirson, who was Grandma Jenny on 7th Heaven and who we just saw as the grandmother on The Secret Life of the American Teenager, was his mother. David recognized M.C. Gainey, the always creepy Tom on Lost, as the football coach.
Cheryl recognized Vicki Lewis as Melissa on 'Til Death. She was Beth on NewsRadio and Nora on the short-lived Three Sisters.
Tammy reminded me that Dawnn Lewis, Jaleesa on A Different World, was Quentin's mom on One Tree Hill.
That's all for today. And if you have DirectTV, don't forget to watch Friday Night Lights. I'm back on Friday with an early look at My Own Worst Enemy and quotes of the week. Have a question? See a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Talk to you on Friday.
I think there's a problem with the webpage- the apostrophes are not displaying properly.
| Oct 1, 2008 6:56:03 AM | #Get over yourself. How you can enjoy the pure garbage that is the new 90210 and then trash The Ex List is beyond me.
bob | Oct 1, 2008 9:25:22 AM | #has amy ever been in love? how cn she not like ned and chuck (and olive) on Pushing Daisies?
ben sandler | Oct 1, 2008 9:32:40 AM | #Amy is right about "The Ex List." It was really dumb.
Wendy | Oct 1, 2008 9:37:22 AM | #Also, what on God's Earth does "Pushing Daisies" have to do with real love?
Wendy | Oct 1, 2008 9:38:39 AM | #I second what Bob said. Also,I really don't understand the hate you have for Lipstick Jungle. Seems you take every opportunity to trash a pretty decent show.
Nicole | Oct 1, 2008 9:39:22 AM | #has anybody watched Bryan Fuller's WONDERFALLS?
Pushing Daisies is not for everyone. If u dont like QuiRKy + wEiRD + AwesomE. PD is not for you.
Jonathan LaPaglia also starred in the UPN series 7 Days for 3 seasons.
Tim | Oct 1, 2008 9:44:05 AM | #Wow! Did everyone get up on the wrong side of the bed today?
Amy has every right to like or dislike any show she wants. The same right you and I have to like or dislike any show we want. I think most of you are just jealous she gets paid to tell us how she feels.
If you don't like her opinion, why do you read her blog?
'Wonderfalls' is awesome. i bought the DVD (super worth it)Bryan Fuller is a genius
cant wait for PD tonight.
http://www.tv.com/story/11677.html?tag=headlines;title;11677&om_act=convert&om_clk=news
i guess this sums it up. but its like 10 reasons to love the show, bec the other 5 are reasons y i love this show too (dont kno if it makes sense) lol
I'm curious to see The Ex List simply because you hate it so much. A lot of other critics seem to like it and I would have thought it was right up your alley.
I have to disagree about Dirty Sexy Money. I wanted to like it, but it somehow managed to be simultaneously over-the-top and boring. I tuned out after the first month.
Mike | Oct 1, 2008 10:06:38 AM | #Kudos to tlcinvt. Well said. Amy is far from the only critic to pan The Ex List, so why all the harsh responses.
And she didn't even say anything negative about Pushing Daisies... simply that it wasn't for her. And with a show that quirky it's never going to be everyone's cup of tea.
I also miss Original Addison and agree with Amy's thoughts on PP.
And yes, Wonderfalls is a fantastic show.
smilty | Oct 1, 2008 10:18:10 AM | #I have the right to voice my opinion the same as any one else...And I don't care that Amy doesn't enjoy The Ex List...but for the reasons she doesn't like the show...I would just ask, How the hell does she enjoy any of the similar shows she seems to love?
But hey I don't do this for a living so my opinion doesn't matter...I can't wait to read more about 90210... *rolls eyes*
bob | Oct 1, 2008 10:36:51 AM | #Again... Then why are you reading the blog?
I never understood why people go to blogs to be negative. If I don't like what I read, I move on. I go somewhere else. I don't stick around to put down the author. I like a lot of similar shows too, but I have no interest in "The Ex List". The plot sounds interesting, but Reaser bugs me in the commercials, so I certainly won't tune in for an entire episode.
I am not a big fan of the new 90210 either. I am still watching it, though I am not sure why. I actually despised the original, and never understood what all the fuss was about. I know Amy loved it, but I don't think there is any reason to put her down for it.
So that's my opinion. Go ahead, make your negative comment about me. You know you want to.
I agree with tlcinvt and smilty - everyone seems especially harsh today, what's up with that? Amy is passionate and supportive of the shows she likes, so what? And she's also not going to like everything on TV b/c no one ever does (hence cancellations). It's called an OPINION. I enjoy a could opinionated debate anytime, but no need to be jerks to Amy who works hard to write a column THREE times a week for those of us who are TV-obsessed enough to visit a blog about it.
AndreaC | Oct 1, 2008 11:08:15 AM | #tlcinvt - I agree with you on 90210, I've been watching out of loyalty to the original of which I watched all 10 years, but this one is just not doing it for me. I give it one more ep, and then I'm done if it doesn't hook me.
AndreaC | Oct 1, 2008 11:11:24 AM | #I am not sure why everyone is sooo angry today. There are certainly shows that Amy loves that I don't, at the same time there are shows that I love that I can't really explain why to anyone else. They happen to do it for me. I think Amy has been doing a good job of trying to cover a wide variety of shows this season, I often disagree with her, but still love the blog. I refuse to watch the ex-list simply because I vowed not to watch whatever CBS put in that spot after pulling Moonlight. But I have to say I don't think I will be missing out on much.
Hettie | Oct 1, 2008 11:51:35 AM | #Don't kill me but Pushing Daisies isn't for me. I tried, I really did and there were some things I enjoyed but overall it is just TOO quirky for me. I actually thought the Ex List looks like something I will try it out when I get a chance but I can get what Amy is saying. Lots of the things (like "Bella Bloom is a florist") just seem like lazy writing. Maybe I'm getting spoiled by being able to watch great new and old shows that try just a little harder not to go for the cheap laugh (or cry) with some seriously talented writers. Its not to say I won't enjoy it, just might not become must-see TV for me. All that said, I could confess a couple of guilty pleasure shows that must make other people's hair stand on end!
Another Andrea | Oct 1, 2008 12:11:31 PM | #
I think today is just a grumpy day. It certainly is at my workplace!
I'm holding out more hope for next year's crop of new shows. The writer's strike and the changes to the pilot season seem to have negatively affected the few new shows premiering this year.
Jen | Oct 1, 2008 12:28:43 PM | #Pushing Daisies isn't for me either. I actually watched all of last season except for missing one episode, and usually I was bored. Now, Emerson Cod and Ned were often hilarious, and I actually feel bad that I don't like the show more because those two could make me laugh like no other. But the two girls both annoyed me, and the mysteries were not especially interesting. It was not a bad show, I just couldn't get in to it.
Count me out on The Ex List too. I don't really have the patience for Elizabeth Reaser. I saw her on Craig Ferguson the other night, and the clip they showed of The Ex List was exactly like Amy said - she's whiny, and I didn't really get the impression that there was any reason for me to care about her. I'm sure that story will be enjoyable for other people, but I personally don't feel compelled to watch.
Sarah | Oct 1, 2008 12:45:51 PM | #Bob, "get over yourself" is NOT an opinion. It's an attack. Fine to state your opinion, not fine to attack the blog writer.
Michael | Oct 1, 2008 12:51:50 PM | #I like Daisies, but don't love it. I sometimes miss an episode or two and get a bit confused by carry-over plot elements, but it's worth it for the occasional scene with (the divine!) Kristen Chenowith. If she were featured more prominently, I'd make more of an effort to watch regularly.
Tom | Oct 1, 2008 12:57:48 PM | #The Ex List is based on a show from another country where it was apparently successful (like Kath & Kim). When networks need ideas they sometimes look to what is successful in other cultures. Unfortunately, these shows don't always translate well to our culture (loss of context, perhaps?).
I have not desire to watch the Ex List of Kath & Kim.
Valerie | Oct 1, 2008 1:08:52 PM | #Count me as one of the ones who tried too, but just CANNOT get into Pushing Daisies. However, I absolutely LOVE Wonderfalls - I still watch episodes of it from time to time.
(The one awesome thing Fox did by that show by the way, was putting it out on dvd so you could see the entire 13 episode arc even though they canceled it after, I think, 3 or 4 episodes.)
Anyway, I tried with Pushing Daisies - I mean, Lee Pace is the star of it and he was in Wonderfalls - but I just don't really enjoy it.
I think Bryan Fuller is very hit and miss for me because I also didn't love Dead Like Me and I really thought I would... But that is the nature of the beast: he's so interesting, talented and yes, quirky, that he's definitely not for everyone.
I couldn't get into Dirty Sexy Money either, but I kept missing episodes, so I plan to try again...
In regards to the Ex-List, I'll do what I normally do and give it 2 or 3 episodes. Pilots are weird; they don't necessarily indicate what the show's going be like. I really like Elizabeth Reaser, but the commercials for the show haven't turned me on.
And as of this week, I'm positive now that the only reason I watch 90210 is to make fun of the plots with the young kids (except Silver) and to see what Kelly and Brenda are doing - the original characters (and I include Silver in this because she technically existed on the original show) and if the show continues, I hope the producers begin to understand that this is the reason many of us are watching this incarnation of the show, and do what it takes to get more of the originals back on!
And I disagree with Amy all the time, and even get tired sometimes of hearing about some of the shows she loves - including shows I love as well, but I do enjoy her blog and don't see the need bash her about it.
Varris | Oct 1, 2008 1:18:42 PM | #
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