Lisa de Moraes :
Hi all. Welcome to our chat. Here is this week's reading material for those of you who haven't had the time to read the weeks' columns...or the stamina to find them. Let's get started...
– February 24, 2012 1:05 PM
Okay, I'm still all-in on "Smash," but I wish they'd restrict the musical numbers to those relating to "Marilyn: The Musical." Having the producer go down to "that Bruno Mars thing at the Apollo" to watch their future Joe DiMaggio sing, or having Karen conveniently go to a karaoke bar....meh. The fun of the show is in the original songs they're writing for the musical; I don't want to see "Glee"-type renditions of popular songs.
Lisa de Moraes :
I get what you're saying but, don't forget, they've got lots of episodes to fill with music. I'm happy with one hummable original tune per episode. And, speaking of me, I am pretty over pretending Katharine McPhee is some incredible diamond in the rough as an actress, and as a dancer. I'm having trouble not giggling whenever Jack Davenport's director/choreographer character, or Angelica Houston's producer character or anyone else's character talks about McPhee's Karen Cartwright like she's this revelation. I wish they'd written the character as someone who'd been a finalist on a TV singing competition series and have the producer and writers and director wonder whether it wouldn't be better for the boxoffice to cast her in the lead, and what it would take to get her up to speed, etc. That would seem to be a more realistic storyline, and one for which McPhess is better suited in that it acknowledges her weakness as an actress and as a dancer. Instead everyone is stuck pretending she's the next Big Thing on the Great White Way, which is just silly.
– February 24, 2012 1:05 PM
Is something different going on with scheduling this year or have I just not been paying attention before? What's up with a number of shows (ie. Parenthood, PanAm) ending their season in March? And even Glee had a "winter season finale" apparently to take March off and come back in April. And why introduce new shows in March only to have them (presumably) end in May?
Lisa de Moraes :
This just a new bit of packaging from the broadcast networks. NOTHING has changed. It has long been the case that broadcast TV series run originals through the February sweep, then go into reruns, then come back with original episodes in April to give people time to figure out its back so that theyr'e watching in large numbers again in time for the May sweep. But the broadcast networks finally noticed that while The Reporters Who Cover Television are always bad-mouthing them for this play pattern, they're perfectly happy with the "midseason finale" hooey of cable TV. Cable networks cut a series season in half and and viewers have to wait endlessly for it to come back... but it's okay, because it's had its "Winter Season Finale"...So, this season, broadcasters started calling "end of February sweep run/start of repeat episodes until April" their series "Winter Season Finales" and -- guess what!? The Reporters Who Cover Televisions are lapping it up. Really, there ought to be a test people have to take before they are allowed to cover this industry...
– February 24, 2012 1:06 PM
I get that the behemoth's ratings are slipping a bit, but I also notice how many young contestants are coming on saying that they've been watching the show since they were little and it's been a life-long dream to be an Idol. I'm not so sure "The Voice" or "X Factor" will easily replace "Idol" as an American institution.
Lisa de Moraes :
If the only thing "Idol" had going for it this season was that it's 11 or 12 seasons old, and the other shows are new, that would be sad... It's frankly the better show still, though this week, NBC's "The Voice" beat it among the 18-49 year olds both Fox and NBC sell to advertisers. "Idol" barely beat it in total viewers. Specifically, NBC's "The Voice" clocked 16 million viewers and a 6 rating in 18-49 year olds (which means 6 percent of the country's viewers in that age bracket watched it), while "Idol's" Wednesday show logged 16.1 million viewers and 5.1 rating in the demo. That's one tight race... Fox does okay because it has two nights of "Idol" ratings to NBC's one night with "The Voice." And, NBC's overall numbers for Monday night are then depressed by "Smash" that follows "Voice" at 10.
– February 24, 2012 1:11 PM
I loved the finale of Downton Abbey (the proposal!)
Now for a question: Are you live chatting the Oscar-cast on Sunday? I'm unenthused about the return of Billy Crystal as host.
Lisa de Moraes :
Here at The Post, trophy-show live chats are out and trophy show live blogs are in, the company having determined live blogging generates more traffic... There will be an army of people from the Post contributing to its official Academy Awards live blog on Academy Awards night. There will be a link to it on the Entertainment page Sunday by 5 p.m. ET... Oh,and I too enjoyed the Downton season finale, though I confess I'm dreading the addition of Shirley McLaine next season, after that phoned in performance she delivered as Coco Chanel in that Lifetime biopic a few years ago. Hope she rises to the occasion this time...
– February 24, 2012 1:13 PM
My best friend and I typically agree on television shows, but we couldn't disagree more on two new-ish sitcoms. I love, love, love New Girl and Happy Endings, aside from Modern Family, I think these two are the most consistently funny shows on network TV right now. She hates both. Who is right or more importantly, how wrong is my misguided friend? A steak dinner with fancy foreign beer rides on your verdict, Pookster!
Lisa de Moraes :
I'm afraid I think "New Girl" and "Happy Endings" share that "Other Than Modern Family" space with "The Middle," "Suburgatory," "30 Rock," HBO's upcoming "Veep," and one or two others I'm sure I'm forgetting. Which of course means that I also do not subscribe to "hate" on either show. See what a diplomat I am? So, I sugggest you go out and split the bill on that steak and fancy foreign beer dinner, while discussing the golden age of comedy on TV...
– February 24, 2012 1:13 PM
Pookie:
Been awhile..Been up the alimentary canal with gun and camera. Gave up on Idol this year, but your priceless coverage is the wind beneath my wings..question: Why is Betty White the biggest star on TV? And why isn't that a problem for me? Discuss
Lisa de Moraes :
First, I'm trying expunge from my brain the picture of going up the alimentary canal with a gun and a camera, but so far it's not working. Thanks for that! (hope everything is okay)...Now, in re your other, Betty White point: Well, it's a problem for me....while others blah, blah, blah, about singing show fatigue, no one has written about Betty White fatigue and I've got it bad... Glad you're enjoying "Idol" recaps -- the show is great this season so far and you should reconsider your decision to give it up. Seriously.
– February 24, 2012 1:15 PM
I'm trying to like this show but they don't make it easy. I think Debra Messing is a good performer but pairing her up with another "best gay friend" always takes me out of this story and into Will & Grace. Hate the bitchy assistant; don't know if it's the actor, the writing, or both. Like both the Marilyns-in-waiting and the glimpses into what goes into mounting a Broadway show. Otherwise, way too soapy!
Lisa de Moraes :
I think soapy is what they were going for. You know what bothers me the most about Messing? The tent-like tops they keep putting her in. Is there something I don't know about going on here?
– February 24, 2012 1:15 PM
Yay, Community is coming back! Now, please convince someone at NBC that The Office needs to be put out of its misery.
Lisa de Moraes :
Your mouth to god's ears... It's tragic when good shows die slow, painful ends... Well, in the interest of full disclosure, my position on "The Office" is that it should have ended with the British version because it was so very much better than the U.S. version ever was...
– February 24, 2012 1:15 PM
I was surprised to see that next week is Parenthood's season finale. Is that a sign that the show is in trouble?
Lisa de Moraes :
This show has never been a big ratings play for the network. In its defense these days, it follows "Biggest Loser" which has fallen off a cliff, ratings-wise...
– February 24, 2012 1:16 PM
This Jules-and-Grayson-get-married storyline that will consume the series from now on out makes me want to stop watching it now. Bring back the edgy show that got us to start watching it in the first place!
Lisa de Moraes :
Ah, but "us" was too small a club for ABC. Hence the change. Actually, during his open bar news conference at the last TV Press Tour, creator Bill Lawrence said he decided, after losing the battle to change the show's name from "Cougar Town" to whatever it was he wanted to change it to -- "Modern Family"? -- decided he would simply gut the premise and marry her off. That'll show 'em, he reasoned... seriously. On the other hand, there was liquor involved in that answer...
– February 24, 2012 1:19 PM
Pookie, thanks to your prompting (or pushing or prodding) I gave New Girl a second chance and gotta say, I'm loving it. And from the beginning I've been a fan of Raising Hope. The pantyhose on the head episode from last week was classic. I'm a betting man - what are the odds both will be back for another year?
Lisa de Moraes :
Very good...Fox has other problems to deal with for next season, like replacing its many aged or just never-clicked dramas, like "House," and "Fringe," and "Terra Cotta" as I like to call it...
– February 24, 2012 1:21 PM
I agree! I am so rooting for Ivy. McPhee just doesn't have the chops---or the curves---to be Marilyn. It's ironic that the director is always going on about McPhee having Marilyn's "vulnerability," but we viewers are experiencing Ivy as being the truly vulnerable one, with no well-employed boyfriend, no Dad handing her a check, etc. So far McPhee is the less sympathetic character overall.
Lisa de Moraes :
And, she dances with the grace of a rigor mortis case. THAT should be the beginning of a new tune for "Smash":
"She dances with the grace,
of a rigor mortis case...."
Someone help me with the rest of the lyrics
– February 24, 2012 1:24 PM
I get what you're saying, and as a non-Idol-viewer who is entirely agnostic as to McPhee, I did think she played the first callback brilliantly -- I found it entirely believable that the writers, producer, and director were blown away by it. Maybe that's why I cut them some slack if her obviousness isn't so off-the-charts in every single episode.
Lisa de Moraes :
which callback was that.. surely not the one in which she had to actually, you know, move. And she has a lovely voice but honestly I just did not see "Marilyn" in any performance she's given. Meanwhile, Megan Hilty exudes Marilyn in her performances...
– February 24, 2012 1:26 PM
Shirley MacLaine is a bit of "snob" in that she thinks she's above needing to actually act, but if Shirley MacLaine as she is come in to Downton acting like it's an interview by David Letterman, I think that would fit exactly with the kind of character she is suppose to be playing, right?
Lisa de Moraes :
I hope you're right, because I'm afraid that's all they're going to get....
– February 24, 2012 1:26 PM
Thanks for clearing this up, Pookie. Still, I don't understand how networks expect us to stick with shows that are constantly disappearing from view or offering reruns. I can't stand the fact that "Fringe" is taking *another* month off! How can it build viewership this way?
Lisa de Moraes :
In the same way cable TV dramas do when they take a "break" between their "winter" season and their "spring" season -- a months-long break in most cases....The only real problem the broadcast networks have is that they don't call themselves "cable" networks. All their problems would be solved if they did -- TV critics would become enamored of their shows and never criticize those series "hiatuses" which is the term used in the press for "no original episodes" when it's a cable show.....
– February 24, 2012 1:29 PM
Last night on The Finder (a show I really enjoy, and which reminds me a lot of A&E's The Glades) Walter wore an Air Force uniform, supposedly Chuck Yeager's, but he had stubble and wore white socks, both of which are taboo. Neal on White Collar wore a Navy Commander's uniform with stubble, although he was otherwise immaculate. Why can't they show a little more respect, or why can't someone tell the show-runners that this is not right?
Lisa de Moraes :
Hopefully they're on this chat... thanks for your observation...
– February 24, 2012 1:30 PM
The Christmas special was a thoroughly satisfying end to a raggedly uneven season. And cheer up, Pookie, we're going to get to watch Dame Maggie mop up the floor with MacLaine. Can't wait.
Lisa de Moraes :
– February 24, 2012 1:31 PM
If you were casting "Donwton Abbey," which American actress "of a certain age" would you cast for a snob-off with Dame Maggie Smith.
Lisa de Moraes :
Right off the top of my head I'd go with Julianna Moore first. Did you ever see her in "An Ideal Husband"? She's be perfect -- yes, a little too young but an accomplished actress who can easily play older... Or, how about Angelica Houston, speaking of "Smash" ? Really, there are so many choices...
– February 24, 2012 1:33 PM
When is she going to get a new co-host?
Lisa de Moraes :
When the producers decide enough time has gone by and the new person won't automatically be dismissed as "He's no Regis." Really, it's very smart of them to do this period of temps...
– February 24, 2012 1:34 PM
I used to feel sorry for him. Then I decided he is obnoxious. Guess I am not an 18 year old boy, er, man.....
Lisa de Moraes :
I never feel too bad for someone that rich, unless he has suffered some personal tragedy...And TBS handed him carte blanche -- wish he'd done something more clever with that... It's like he's hellbent on doing "The Tonight Show" -- even if he has to do it on TBS... why not reinvent the late night genre, like Comedy Central has done with Stewart and Colbert?... That's far more interesting...
– February 24, 2012 1:36 PM
I know, I know, it may turn out that his schtick doesn't feel "fresh" or "relevant," but I am still profoundly grateful that I don't have to watch Eddie Murphy. I can't forget how he left the auditorium after he didn't win Best Supporting (the first award given out!) for "Dreamgirls."
Lisa de Moraes :
Crystal has something to prove Sunday night, so this might turn out to be more interesting than you think...
– February 24, 2012 1:37 PM
She dances with the grace
of a rigor-mortis case;
Trodding stiffly 'cross the boards,
Desp'rate smile upon her face.
A Marilyn she's not---
Though we'd be without a plot,
If the dastardly director
Didn't think that she was hot.
Lisa de Moraes :
This is genius...please send the recording when it's made. Seriously....
– February 24, 2012 1:39 PM
She dances with the grace
Of a Rigor Mortis case
She needs to move much looser
But she slept with the producer.
Lisa de Moraes :
love it too -- except she didn't sleep with the producer -- Hilty did. Unless you've seen episode 12 or something. Have you? Tell us more....
– February 24, 2012 1:40 PM
I meant the one where she just sang (I think the second callback was the dancing one). She showed some spark and personality in that one. But I'll grant you the dancing issue.
Lisa de Moraes :
I absolutely agree she's got a gorgeous voice -- just not a Marilyn Monroe voice. At all. Remember, they're casting a very specific role...
– February 24, 2012 1:41 PM
This is very, very little I disagree with you on, but I do like Betty White! I love that she has played such different characters in all her shows and I love that a 90-year-old woman still has a sense of comedic timing! She will, of course, always be SueAnn Nivens to me, but I am tired of the cookie cutter actors out there now.
And totally and completely off the topic of Betty, why oh WHY can't we listen to actors with their "real" accents? I know the PTB think we are idiots, but Simon Baker's accent is very understandable and Rigsby has the worst American accent ever!
Lisa de Moraes :
Simon Baker is 25 percent hotter when he speaks in his native tongue. Miss opportunity, CBS... and, in re Rigsby -- did you hear Baker when he first started doing CBS series. The only fun about "The Guardian" was watching Baker as he slid in and out of American English. It was fun -- like watching for the telltale palm trees in a series supposedly set in Montana....
– February 24, 2012 1:43 PM
I didn't understand the last post about her being above acting. Explain please?
Lisa de Moraes :
She appears to have reached the point in her thought process at which she thinks just her Shirley MacLaine-ness is enough. If you'd seen the Lifetime biopic of Chanel, in which she played the older Coco, you'd understand immediately...take a look at some older MacLaine performance, when she was actually working... "Some Came Running," "The Apartment" (which is my fave).. She was a tremendously talented actress...
– February 24, 2012 1:47 PM
Karen Carpenter? see the similarites in her physical looks anyway.
Of course, There was one and only ONE Karen Carpenter. Geez I wish we'd had her much longer. Meanwhile Pookie -- Love your insights & your beyond brilliant humor -- it gets me thru the day/week/month/year/decade -- XOxo!
Lisa de Moraes :
Thank you! And McPhee would be good casting for a B'way musical about the life of Karen Carpenter -- just not believable as a great find to play Monroe...
– February 24, 2012 1:48 PM
Alas, I was one of the 3.4 million who liked "Pan Am', and I admit the eye-candy was a big part of it....especially a clean Terminal 2 at JFK.
Will cable be the only place for retro-dramas?
Lisa de Moraes :
There's a slew of period dramas on the development lists of the broadcast networks for next season, so they haven't given up. And I too loved the nostalgic look at a clean Terminal 2 at JFK... sigh...
– February 24, 2012 1:49 PM
I've given up on "Alcatraz". That blonde girl was just too grating.
Are any one of the Mid-Season shows a real "Hit", or do they all have the same chance at seeing a Second season as "Terra Nova"?
Lisa de Moraes :
Nope -- unless you count "The Voice" which is doing very well this run -- better than its first edition, which is always a good sign... "The River" has fizzled, ditto "Alcatraz", etc...
– February 24, 2012 1:51 PM
I find it easier to accept two distinct seasons that are months apart. When the show is on, it runs consecutive weeks for the entire "season." The way the networks do it, you just never know when a show is on or not.
Lisa de Moraes :
That's why you're seeing more nad more shows just go off and share their timeslot, a la cable. Only when it happens on a broadcast network, fans become hysterical and think the show's been cancelled -- remember when NBC took off "Community" and its fans got the vapors? Geesh...
– February 24, 2012 1:52 PM
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pookie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "Community" is coming back on March 15th! Best news ever ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa de Moraes :
– February 24, 2012 1:52 PM
I don't mean to minimize the bullying of gay students or the whole "It Gets Better" campaign which are think are important issues that should be addressed, but that was a truly awful episode of "Glee." And seriously, who thought having the kids sing Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger" ("whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger") would be a good idea when 30 minutes ago in the episode, a student attempted suicide?!?
Lisa de Moraes :
Poor Glee -- one attempted suicide and one unintentional suicide (death by texting while driving).. and yet, it only increased its audience to 7.4 million viewers, while "NCIS" clocked around 20 million in the same timeslot... Yes, "NSIC" even beat "Glee" among 18-49 year olds... So, what do they throw at "Glee" next to try to get people to watch?
– February 24, 2012 1:54 PM
Last night, I accidentally left my TV on in my bedroom when I went downstairs to watch "The Big Bang Theory" with my kids. Please tell me that my cable box being turned to CBS at 8:30 eastern doesn't count as ratings for Rob! The sooner Rob Schneider is returned to direct-to-video movies, the better.
Lisa de Moraes :
Sadly, if you're a Nielsen home it does. Nielsen homes have a big responsibility not to leave their TV sets on when shows like "Rob" are on...We count on you, Nielsen homes!
– February 24, 2012 1:56 PM
Put on people who've actually seen the show!! I swear I want to vote off every person who comes in not knowing how to make fire, swim, or thinks that they will win "By being Honest".
PS - Love the Little Guy Leaf
Lisa de Moraes :
But Delusional Casting Inc. is the biggest supplier of guys and chicks for reality TV series...It'd be like making NBC to cast "Biggest Loser" using only Jenny Craig graduates...
– February 24, 2012 2:05 PM
Who will have the best Speech that does not include thanking agents. Lawyers, and their gay High School Drama Teacher.
Lisa de Moraes :
George Clooney gave a good Golden Globe speech, which is reason enough to root for him to win the Oscar. Because otherwise it's going to be one dreary night, speech-wise...
– February 24, 2012 2:07 PM
What was more to the reason that they abbreviated the name? The "Bitches"? The "Good"? or The "Christian"?
Lisa de Moraes :
"Bitches" .. you can't say it in a broadcast network TV title, even if it's the name of the extremely popular book, which, yes, is ironic because the book and its popularity is the whole reason this series got made and picked up. And yet, using the popular name of the popular book on the ABC series would have caused the network's sales people swoon and faint -- not to mention the Decency Police at ABC corporate parent Disney. Disney has an image to uphold. So "GCB" is okay, but using the actual book title is not...it's silly, really, all this nodding and winking that the network is doing over this series' name...
– February 24, 2012 2:12 PM
Do any shows ever go into re-runs (ask your grandparents about this), or are all shows now replaced with new shows when their current season run ends?
Lisa de Moraes :
Oh yes. CBS, for instance, does a very good business with its reruns. They often outperform original episodes on other networks...
– February 24, 2012 2:12 PM
Pookie - what did you mean by "one unintentional suicide (death by texting while driving)..." Do you know something about Quinn that the rest of us don't??
Lisa de Moraes :
What I mean is that anybody who texts while driving holds their life very cheap...
– February 24, 2012 2:17 PM
Pookielah, what's your key word for Sunday's Oscar Drinking Games?
Lisa de Moraes :
"my manager" is usually my phrase of choice...but not if you're watching at a friend's house and have to drive home becuase you'll be hammered by 10 with at least and hour to go....
– February 24, 2012 2:19 PM
Would "The Academy" really do anything major if rating truly sucked this Sunday?
Lisa de Moraes :
Well, they already did something major to try to goose the show's ratings, and it was hiring Brett Ratner to produce the Academy Awards -- and you see where that got them...
– February 24, 2012 2:21 PM
Dear Lisa, we at Delusional Casting Inc. appreciate your support of our efforts! Sincerely, Ted Harbert
Lisa de Moraes :
Hi Ted -- you're welcome! As you know, I'm a big believer in delusional casting....For those of you who have not been formally introduced to Mr. Harbert, he is a former programming guru at ABC who became head of Comcast's cable network which means, yes, he is the man we have to thank for, among many, many other things, Chelsea Handler's late night show, and The Kardashian Primetime Lineup -- hooray! When Comcast bought NBC Universal, Ted got the promotion he so richly deserved, and is now chairman of NBC Broadcasting, and I am his biggest fan.
– February 24, 2012 2:27 PM
Equally irritating are players who join "The Amazing Race" who can't drive a stick shift. They are beyond my pity.
Lisa de Moraes :
I think they're adorable...like watching a baby giraffe learn how to use its legs in a Nat Geo Wild special...
– February 24, 2012 2:29 PM
Pookie, thanks for covering this show with us. Are there any plans for an American version set in the 'cottages' in Newport?
Lisa de Moraes :
If anybody can pull it off, it's Paul Lee at ABC...
– February 24, 2012 2:30 PM
Everyone should be required to give a silent thank you, a la "The Artist." They could emote as campily as they like, as long as they keep their mouths shut.
Lisa de Moraes :
I wish the show was done on a 15 second delay and the network had voiceover artists say other, more entertaining things while the actors' mouths moved, if they started thanking their managers, agents, hair stylists and personal assistants...Maybe the voiceover artists could just sing our new song while the actors' mouths were moving:
She moves with the grace
of a rigor mortis case...
I wouldn't even charge a royalty...
– February 24, 2012 2:32 PM
Jane Fonda, hands down.
Lisa de Moraes :
– February 24, 2012 2:32 PM
This season has me rethinking my beliefs about how great it would be if women ran the world. At the very least, it's clear we'd need to keep the men around to start fires and build things.
Lisa de Moraes :
god bless men and their fire-starting skills...
– February 24, 2012 2:33 PM
Does "Grimm" have a future, or are the outlooks, well, grim?
I enjoy it, but as it is an NBC show, am not hopeful for its continued showing.
Lisa de Moraes :
Now I looked into this the other day, and it does really well in some demographic group or another -- 18-34 year old guy, maybe? Anyway, NBC plays a niche game these days so I'm optimistic about this one...
– February 24, 2012 2:34 PM
A twenty-something colleague confessed that she'd rear-ended a car doing just that. Here's hoping that young "Glee" viewers get the message that this is not a smart thing to do---nor is either dying or winding up in a wheelchair (I've seen both as guesses about what happens to Quinn) particularly romantic.
Lisa de Moraes :
Yes, but knowing the whiplash school of story arching that is "Glee," she'd be back cheerleading two epsiodes later...
– February 24, 2012 2:35 PM
I was so annoyed last Wednesday night when local channel 4 kept interrupting Law & Order SVU with coverage of the UVA Lacrosse trial and verdict. A simple scroll across the bottom would have sufficed. I waited all week to see Benson and Harry Connick get together! Thanks, feel better now that my rant is off my chest.
Lisa de Moraes :
It's your cross to bear when it's a sweep month. The local station cares about one thing: local news...especially during a sweep month... they were obviously trying to drive as many viewers from "L&O:SVU" as possible to their 11 p.m. newscast...
– February 24, 2012 2:36 PM
Your opinion of how Stephen Colbert handled his recent hiatus? Even without sacrificing his family's privacy, I think if he'd been even a tiny bit more forthcoming, he could've nipped some ugly rumors in the bud.
Lisa de Moraes :
I agree, and yet, that probably would have led to paparazzi staking out his mother's house. I sympathize with his situation and nobody actually got hurt in all the "ugly rumoring" so it worked out just fine...
– February 24, 2012 2:38 PM
So who's gonna drop the F bomb, accidentally or othewise, in their speech? It seems to happen every year. I'm going to guess Octavia Spencer. How about you?
Lisa de Moraes :
It does not shock or offend me in the context of an exuberant trophy acceptance speech (see Bono's 2003 Golden Globe acceptance speech) so I frankly don't care. ... Now, if you want to discuss who's going to have on the least attractive dress, count me in...
– February 24, 2012 2:42 PM
You just KNOW that the shows producers cannot watch this show and think that McPhee is a better choice for Marilyn than Ivy who just seems perfect to me. There isn't a person who thinks otherwise. So is their dasterdly plan to show a bad Katherine McPhee, who cannot dance and cannot sing like Marilyn (although she does sing beautifully) TURN INTO someone who can? Are these first shows just a show they're putting on? That would be good. But if they make Ivy break her leg or something, I am OUT. Also, I kept wondering if they were hiding Grace's pregnancy with those shirts. I know her name isn't Grace, I just cannot for the life of me remember what it is.
Lisa de Moraes :
Pookie, you just know McPhee is going to get the role in the long run, after that spectacularly unsubtle hint dropped an episode ago in which director/choreographer told her "a lot can happen in five months" or whatever the heck it was he said. Anyway, it was chilling...
– February 24, 2012 2:44 PM
Also, do not wear your Google glasses while driving.
(This is sent by a cyborg from the future.)
Lisa de Moraes :
– February 24, 2012 2:44 PM
People, the math is fairly simple: there are 36 weeks from September to May, and only 22 epsiodes per show. If you want them all to run consecutively, they will either end in March or start in January. Other than that, there are plenty of resources on the interwebs to track episode schedules -- TV.com and the Futon Critic are the ones I follow.
Lisa de Moraes :
Thank you for this simple reminder!
– February 24, 2012 2:45 PM
I love seeing locale shots like that. There is one famous spot in a California State Park that has a truly striking geological setting, and it has been used as a locale in "Star Trek" representing so many different alien planets in different episodes that it is now known semi-officially as "Kirk's Rock".
Lisa de Moraes :
Can you send a photo? We must see this rock...
– February 24, 2012 2:45 PM
Any thoughts on NBC signing her up for more?
Lisa de Moraes :
um, I love a good TV train wreck?
– February 24, 2012 2:46 PM
Am I the only one who thinks that trophy show hosts generally do a pretty darn good job? Franco/Hathaway trainwreck aside, I usually enjoy all the shows. Sure I laugh at some more than others, but I always like them. Then, without fail, the press and public completely pans them. It's gotten to the point where I don't bother reading the reviews since I know they're going to say the jokes fell flat/were too racy/weren't racy enough/were inappropriate/were not inappropriate enough. Seriously--am I the only one doesn't get the hate?
Lisa de Moraes :
– February 24, 2012 2:46 PM
Thank you, Pookie! Kudos from you is as good as a Tony. Seriously.
Lisa de Moraes :
I keep trying to figure out what show tune melody we could knock off to go with these great lyrics... taking all suggestions...
– February 24, 2012 2:47 PM
I'd stopped recording CSI a year or two ago, but it's back on my TiVo, due to Ted Danson. Which is a surprise, because I've never been a fan of his. How is the show doing this year? And I'm not at all sure about Elisabeth Shue, her character is too smug and kind of irritating.
Lisa de Moraes :
It's improved CBS in the timeslot, though it's not , last I checked, doint the same numbers it used to do on Thursdays... anyway, CBS is happy with the results...
– February 24, 2012 2:48 PM
Was Bill Lawrence paying for drinks back at the TCAs KNOWING that he had planned to kill the series with Courtney Cox getting engaged under a TP'ed Tree?
Lisa de Moraes :
– February 24, 2012 2:49 PM
Pookie, you are a goddess. Shameless flattery aside, please tell me Suburgatory is coming back. That show kills me.
Lisa de Moraes :
ABC is very happy with the numbers on "Suburgatory." It will be back...
– February 24, 2012 2:50 PM
Loved your reference in the chat to 'Terra Cotta'...but does this mean Terra Nova has in fact been cancelled? I watched every episode and enjoyed it just for the 'cheese' factor.
Lisa de Moraes :
It's an expensive show and did middling ratings..On the other hand, it sold well overseas, which matters a lot these days... I think they're trying to find a way to slash its costs so they can keep it going. Which means the dinosaurs may lose their jobs... this is very sad...
– February 24, 2012 2:51 PM
For Lord Grantham's mother-in-law, how about Blythe Danner? She was pretty good in her "Will & Grace" guest spots or at least I thought so.
Lisa de Moraes :
She's a terrific actress. I'd vote for her any day.
– February 24, 2012 2:51 PM
If broadcast wants to act like cable, they should expect to get ratings like cable. If, like cable, they take every other month off and skitter their shows around the schedule, I'm not going to put in the effort to sniff them out, and they should take their 3 million viewers and like it.
Lisa de Moraes :
Thank you for noting that all these "hits" on cable are only that -- hits on cable, with their cable-sized audiences....
– February 24, 2012 2:52 PM
I try hard, I really do, to find out what kind of president the debaters would be, but these debates seem so artificial. Reminds us sometimes of the "wah-wah-wah" adult-speak in the Peanuts cartoons. Just sayin'.
Lisa de Moraes :
Wouldn't that be a fun remix....
– February 24, 2012 2:54 PM
Surely we'll be treated to some scenes of comical hostility between the two grandmamas on next season of Downton Abbey. Frankly, I'd love to eavesdrop on that set. Those two ladies have had interesting personal and professional lives.
Lisa de Moraes :
I believe that's what they've got in mind. My hope is we get to see Maggie Smith stomp all over her. Nobody stomps like Smith. I'm out of time. Thanks for joining me. Have a lovely weekend....Watch the Oscars and we'll discuss next week.
– February 24, 2012 2:56 PM
