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Hi. Here is what's going on, as I understand it.  Jordana is in what is called a "first position" on "My Boys" -- she has a contract to do the show. Reasonably expecting that TBS was going to cancel "My Boys" -- they have treated the show fairly shabbily  and not like a program they consider an important player on their lineup -- she did the NBC pilot for "Love Bites" in what is called "second position" in the biz -- which only sounds like porn, but really isn't. The problem here is, as I hear it, TBS won't release her from her contract because then gossip columnists would start reporting that "My Boys" is cancelled which is something TBS has not be willing to admit. That's because, understandably, they want to attract as many viewers as possible to the nine episodes they've had lying around for ages and will finally debut next month. BUT, NBC has to start shooting episodes of  "Love Bites" and really can't do so with an actress in one of the lead roles who is in "second position" on the show, which, I have to day, if true,  is completely understandable. So, they may have to cut bait on Spiro and re-cast. I hear there are still some discussions going on --  but don't hold your breath.

I think it's pretty clear....

I wish it meant that for sure. All it really means at this point is that TBS continues to be unwilling to admit it's cancelled because they have nine episodes debuting next month....

It means TBS won't announce it's cancelled until well after the 9 episodes have been telecast...either that, or it means all that clapping of our little hands and clicking together of our little heels while saying "I do believe, I do believe!" has had some effect...take your pick.

Yeah, what are the odds of older guys both falling for younger chicks -- that never happens! Yes, because it's on ABC Family it has a good chance of staying on the air. So sit back, relax and enjoy...no need to worry about quick cancellation

It was less bad than the previous musical debut...is that a ringing endorsement?

Your comments take me by surprise only because I think the middle aged actressed on "Hot in Cleveland" look substantially less plastic than the actresses on, say "Desperate Housewives".....

Yes, that is exactly what CBS is trying to do -- and good for them! It's about time somebody stepped up on Thursday night with comedy. NBC's niche shows shouldn't be given free passes any longer -- there's a big comedy audience to be had on Thursday nights. Joining "Big Bang" on CBS will be William Shatner's new "@*$! My Dad Says" which sounded really good on paper but the clips at the upfront presentation looked very lame and usually a network uses the BEST material for those clips to show advertisers. I get it that William Shatner is adorable when he's being outrageous but it gets old really fast unless there's also a show in there somewhere. Will this be the fourth or fifth time we've seen demonstrated that lol tweets don't necessarily make good TV shows?

I wish ABC had the nerve...

What a terrific idea  --  and I'm guessing, is never gonna happen.

That name was the product of my brilliant producer Paul's vivid imagination. But I like "TBG" as well!

It got 3.4 million people to watch the second episode --- that's huge for TV Land. I too know people who are cutsey like Bertinelli which is why I want to administer weed killer to her character every time I see it. Can someone tell her she's not an adorable teen any more? Please?

ABC has not announced any plans for "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" and they should have by now if they are going to return it. So I think you need to let go...on the bright side, "Glee" is going to be around for a while...

One month -- July 25...I say we contact all our friends and get them to watch since it appears this actress has been done out of a good opportunity. Oh wait, she was cast on an NBC comedy -- never mind...

Boy are you ever preaching to the choir. Leeves and Malik are terrific actresses and deserve much better material. Bertinelli and -- I know this is heretical -- Betty White are getting the material they so richly deserve. Sean Hayes is one of the executive producers of this dreary show and I'm surprised he doesn't aspire to something better than this..

I hope she says "shit" because I'd pay good money to see Mary Hart say "shit" on national TV... Do you think she will blush prettily, or will she begin to giggle nervously? Insta-poll!

FX has yet to say whether "Damages" is coming back and I'm guessing they're not going to say while they wait to see if Glenn Close gets nominated again for an Emmy....

Here you go (scroll down):

'Cougar Town': A sitcom by any other name...

I think one contestant actually came away dead...it was last year or maybe the year before...  A guy who I think had run marathons before, collapsed -- though not on the show as I recall, it was some time later though I may be remembering incorrectly. Anyway, he died and  they determined it was some previously undetected condition he had. Still, you'd think that story getting out would have scared people away from auditioning for the show.  I get bruises just watching it.

I have one dog, Vanderbilt. My other darling dog, Violet, died of cancer, sadly, at age 12. Vanderbilt gets frequent flier miles on JetBlue. Seriously. They give miles to pets.

Yes,  though maybe this does not qualify as the same show, having veered so far away from what it was originally about. When does a show become it's own spinoff? Interesting question.

You put the quote marks in the wrong place:

"Just Shoot Me if My Wife Makes Me Watch It Again" -- that's your official entry...and I love it.

ABC Family is proof positive that irony is alive and well in TV, for which I am grateful. ABC is the stiffest competition MTV has these days. For real...

Not yet. And if it ever comes to pass hey occupy the same timeslot, there's always your DVR. Or Hulu viewing. Really there is no excuse for missing a good show these days...

USANBCUniversalKabletown has not yet announced anything about "In Plaint Sight." And I'm glad that you too smelled the whiff of desperation.

ABC is being very coy in re their plans for the NBA bounced Ted episodes. As soon as I hear anything official I'll let you know.

I feel compelled, because I'm about to go on vacation and want to spread some sweetness and light on my way out the door, to note that "Cougar Town" is doing well in the ratings in that it held up against "American Idol" which is still a ratings behemoth, and is a particularly upscale show. That's right, people with money watch it. Advertisers love people with money. I confess, I like this show. A lot.  And I did not like Lawrence's  "Scrubs." A lot.

So this was a Christmas travel re-enactment?

There should be a TV rating at the start of every vampire show to warn people, like they do with language and violence. THe "V" is already taken, for "Violence" so we need another letter than can be the Vampire Warning....

I don't know -- decided I needed some Salahi down time after watching that first episode.....on the other hand, I hope you all watch it because we will have SO much to talk about....

If she's under contract on "My Boys" she has to return to the show if they order more episodes. ...this whole "first position/second position" thing happens all the time on new TV series. Usually it's resolved more smoothly than this situation...

I'm gone next week.

And sharks. I always want to know when it's a show about sharks. I can't stand shows about sharks...

Also good, and winnows out the shark shows...

good point. thanks for reminding...

You have to first get young guys to stop watching, except for "30 Rock" of course, and then it will go away naturally. Oh, and tell Emily to stop watching too. Please.  Sorry, Emily, but it's for your own good.

lol

Except that "Friends of Mine" and "The Seinfeld Chronicles" were lame/pretentious/forgettable names."Cougar Town" is zippy. You remember "Cougar Town."  And that's a very big deal in this era of TV -- unlike long, long ago when both those other shows were on the air and you could afford to debut shows with names like "The Friends of Mine" and still expect to snag an audience....

"Soundrels" logged about 5 million viewers and "The Gates" just under 5 million. I'm not sure what to make of those numbers. ABC has been doing so badly in the summer with reruns of serialized shows like "Desperate Housewives" but, on the other hand, reruns of "DH" have to be cheaper than originals of these shows and these numbers may not cover the cost...

Me, for one...we're out there. You can't see us, because we look all normal like.

So you've traveled through LAX too! I fly out of Long Beach airport when I'm coming back to Washington from LA. Where, I hasten to add, I'm told they shot scenes for "Casablanca"  --  reason enough to fly out of  Long Beach.

Vanderbilt is a gimongous Yorkie. At least that's what all the vets keep insisting, though I'm dubious. He weighs 13 pounds. He used to hate to fly. The first time I flew with him he barked all the way from Washington to Chicago and then Chicago to Denver. I felt so bad for the gentleman sitting in front of me because Vandy was under his seat in his little travel bag. Now he jumps right into his bag because he knows he's going to visit LA, or Denver where he gets to run around and yell at birds, which is his favorite sport. I'm digressing, and also out of time. Thanks for joining me.