St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Here’s the transcript from my Oct. 29 live discussion about TV. Next week’s chat is already scheduled, so if you’re reading this and think of questions and comments, click here to post them now.
Gail: Hi, guys. Running a tad late today because of the rain and because the City of St. Louis has chosen to set its traffic lights on “alternate” — that is, when I sit through a long red, the one a block ahead is green, until I move, then it’s red. But you didn’t show up for the “Ride Guys” chat, did you? You want to talk TV, so let’s do it.
Mike: When is Burn Notice set to return?
Also, any new developments on Saving Grace? Is there another studio showing interest in continuing it?
Thanks!
Gail: The first two seasons of “Burn Notice” started in June, and that’s what I’d expect for Season 3, too. Try “White Collar” in the meantime; it has a similar vibe. I like it a lot.
Nobody has ever expressed any interest in continuing “Saving Grace,” and by now it would be much too late. I’m sure everybody involved has moved on.
wgmartin: Re your comment last week that Fox is replacing its entire Friday-night lineup with repeats: What chance do we have for getting the whole new season of “House”, from the 2-hour season premiere episode up thru the latest new show, aired there? I haven’t been able to watch *any* “House” so far this season, due to the massive Monday conflict of over-the-air shows.
Can you give us a specific address to e-mail that would reach somebody who actually has the authority to determine what will be aired that evening?
Either a couple Friday’s of “House” marathons or one episode a week
would do.
Will
Gail: You’re not going to be able to count on seeing all those episodes, although the two-hour season premiere is set for this Friday. The rerun plan only continues through November. Nobody at Fox is going to listen to your scheduling request; if they even read your email, they’d tell you to watch online. But if you ever want to email a network, go to the bottom of the website and look for a “Contact Us” link.
JimboM1391: How do you feel about the fake pregnancy storyline on Glee? I love the show except for that part - it does nothing for me. Plus, are we supposed to believe the HE really hasn’t figured out that SHE isn’t preggers? Maybe that part of the show will just disappear.
Gail: I don’t nitpick “Glee”; I just sit back and enjoy it. Is this really a show you want to dissect for logic?
April Lindsey: Hey Gail!
Mad Men-so good! How could anyone not love Roger Sterling? Yes he’s a bit of a prick, but he knows it and he compensates for it. He’s just so, well, jazzy. Love learning more about him. He inherited the business and that explains why he’s so spoiled. I just don’t see the pull with Jane and why he loves her so. I was literally on the edge of my seat while Betty grilled Don-glad it’s finally out. Also, where have I seen Don’s mistress before? Was she on sliders?
Gail: What did you write in that made little rectangles instead of all your punctuation? I had to copy edit.
Appreciate your tribute to Roger; you always manage to put a unique spin on things. Last week’s “Mad Men” episode was indeed riveting. Didn’t you expect to see Miss Farrell knocking at the door during the Don-Betty confrontation?
As for Abigail Spencer — she played Angela on something called “Angela’s Eyes” (Lifetime maybe?) and before that was Becca on “All My Children,” if that helps.
maryliz: Hi Gail,
No “Glee” this week, no “House” this week, and “The Good Wife” is repeating after only 3 or 4 episodes? As much as I love baseball, it really mucks things up when then Cardinals aren’t in the race to make TV more exciting in October. (Guess we’re pretty spoiled here in St. Louis.) “Top Chef” was interesting this week though. Natalie Portman and friends were shockingly naughty during dinner. And can you believe Robin is still there?
And all of a sudden I’m rooting for Big Easy and Flight Time on “The Amazing Race”. Common sense getting the calculator, and I kinda wanted to smack Mika. Although I wouldn’t cry if Gary and Matt or Sam and Dan won either.
It’s good TV weather, but I’m hoping your basement stays dry the next few days!
Gail: I watched the game last night and enjoyed seeing the Phillies dominate. It’s relaxing not to have to keep all fingers crossed for the Cardinals. Then “Top Chef,” where I was pretty much unimpressed with everyone last night — the young-vegetarian-actress challenges are getting old. All three of your “Amazing Race” picks are also mine, although I’d most like Missouri boys Sam and Dan to win.
Anne: Have you heard the “rumors” that HULU is going to become a subscription site next year? Is there any truth in this? I understand it to a point…but it seems a shame to be charged to watch tv shows that you could technically watch for “free” on network tv. I have a work schedule that keeps me from watching broadcasts at their scheduled times, no DVR, and I don’t really like the quality of taping from the digital broadcasts–so I rely on HULU a lot. I guess I can watch most of the shows on their network’s websites, but it was nice to have a one-stop shop for most of what I was watching.
Gail: The trouble with giving something away, then trying to charge for it, is that people feel ripped off. (Newspapers/websites are struggling with that, too.) It must cost money to run Hulu, and as you point out, you can get all the stuff elsewhere, but I’m not sure making it subscription (if that ever happened) would succeed. YOU NEED A DVR. It’s time. If you have cable or satellite, get one from the company; not that expensive and will change your life. OR get a TiVo — they have pretty inexpensive ones for sale on their website.
pythagoras1: Hi Gail,
Any idea if “Greek” will be renewed on ABC Family?
Do you see a day soon when all Network Programming will be available on-demand?
Thanks.
Gail: “Greek” has already been renewed for another season. And the break next week is only because the current season is split in two.
Quite a bit of basic cable programming, and also a lot of NBC, is already available On Demand on Charter. You have to think that’s the world we’re moving toward. It will only work, though, if they can make us watch commercials, because that’s what pays for the programming.
Ron: Why are television shows like CSI Miami, CSI Las Vegas, NCIS, NCIS Los Angeles and others on CBS showing re-runs this time of year? Since the new fall season began in September, it is very frustrating that some of our favorite shows are showing these re-runs already when it is ONLY October. Do they want us to watch other shows to find other favorites and stop watching CBS because they show the re-runs? NCIS is supposed to be the number one show, but it will make the fans very angry if they run old shows from last year. We are not happy about this and we are big fans. We would very much like an answer to our question.
Gail: There are always reruns this time of year; we just forget. During postseason baseball and before November sweeps (which start tonight), networks whose shows do well in repeats — mainly, CBS — plug some in to help stretch the season out longer, since there are only 22 episodes to last until May.
CBS probably ran shows from last season because this season’s had aired too recently. Bad idea, I’d say.
Bert: Unfortunately, I’m prepared for only a few more episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm before the season ends. What will be the next Drama series up on HBO after that(besides the Pacific mini-series)?
Gail: HBO will launch “Treme,” from David Simon (”The Wire”), early next year. It’s about musicians in New Orleans; Treme is a neighborhood where lots of musicians live. By the way, it’s pronounced with an accent: tre-May.
Vikki: Hi Gail……I normally love your critiques but I must say that I am really tired of the way you put down DWTS. I take enough grief from my husband for watching it and then when he sees your snotty comments about it being “boring”, etc. I have to take even more grief. The show is far from boring to me and I just can’t see why you would think it is. It takes a tremendous amount of work to do these dances and entertain at the same time so I believe the show deserves a little more respect. Thanks for listening.
Gail: Only putting down “Dancing With the Stars” for this season, so boring it’s forced them to dance without me. Nobody seems very good; nobody much to root for; and three hours a week is just TOO MUCH. Didn’t it used to be one hour plus a half-hour results show? This stretching of reality shows is getting out of hand (see: “Biggest Loser,” “Celebrity Apprentice”).
Lisa: Hi- I asked you a couple of weeks about Southland and I thought you said it would premier Friday the 23rd of October. Law and Order was on again. Did NBC cancel the premier or postpone it? As I said before-I really liked it.
Gail: You haven’t been keeping up with my blog, Tube Talk (www.stltoday.com/tubetalk). NBC has decided not to air “Southland” after all. TNT is interested, but apparently only in picking up the episodes from last season and the six already made for Season 2 and seeing how it goes.
Newshound: So I’m assuming that “Better Off Ted,” having burned off all of its new episodes over the summer, will not be returning to ABC. But I’d be happy if you could tell me I’m wrong!
Gail: I can tell you you’re wrong! (You’re welcome.) “Better Off Ted” was renewed, and I just heard that it returns Dec. 8, paired with “Scrubs,” which returns Dec. 1. Yay, Ted.
Gail: Anybody lurking out there? Because I can probably get to a few more topics than I have. Or, just say hi so I’m not lonely on this ridiculously dreary day.
david: Gail - Jay Leno’s ratings aren’t that strong and appear to be trending down. Meanwhile, his presence in the 9 o’clock hour five days a week seems to have had some unintended, negative consequences to some of NBC’s more adult, darker programming like “Law & Order: SVU” and “Southland.” It’s possible that Jay’s lower ratings are also dragging down Conan’s numbers in late night. Is there any thought being given to moving Jay earlier in the evening — perhaps having him open the evening at 7? This would allow NBC to move shows like SVU back to it’s previous 9 o’clock time. Or would having Jay start the night off just drag down everything that followed?
Gail: All that is true, even the part about how starting the evening with Leno would be a drag. NBC has said all along that they didn’t expect big ratings, that they think they’ll do better with him over time, and that it’s a marathon, not a yadaaaaaa-yada. By the way, I don’t think the negative consequences were entirely unexpected.
Janice G: Gail,
I like “Sheri” on Lifetime. How is it doing?
J
Gail: I haven’t really heard anything about “Sherri” ratings. Don’t expect Lifetime’s expectations were all that high.
Troy in Florissant: Hey Gail,
Any chance that Chuck returns before March 09? As President Bush once said; “There are rumors on the Internets.”
Gail: OK, so NBC has apparently ordered six more episodes, for a total of 19. Sticking with the March return plan would keep it running way past the end of the season. So people are speculating that it could come back in January. That would mean breaking for the Winter Olympics, though.
brr055: Hi Gail,
I was able to squeeze in 30 minutes during my latest crisis and gave “Modern Family” a try last week, and really liked it. How’s it doing so far?
And for all of your 24 fans out there…try and watch the intervention episode of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” for a completely different vision of my trusted sidekick, Chloe O’Brian. All I can say is pass the salt.
Jack “wwhatt??” Baur
Gail: I love “Modern Family” — it’s sweet and smart and funny, too. Pretty much perfect. It’s a hit, and ABC has already picked it up for the full season. How’s that for special — a smart, funny sitcom is also a hit.
Stevie B: ***Top Chef spoiler***
Hi Gail,
Last night just confirmed my prediction that Kevin will win. I’m kind of surprised that Mike went home. Seemed like it was more about his smuggness than his cooking and Jen better get her act together quick or she’ll be next. Seems like every season someone gets to the finals that shouldn’t so I guess this season it may be Robin. I am really getting tired of the V Bros. pouting. They both act like a couple of babies.
Have a lovely weekend!
Gail: You say “lovely weekend” as if you have some expectation that it won’t rain for the rest of our natural lives. I am really over the wet.
I’m rooting for Kevin, and as you say, last night certainly made him look even better. I like the Voltaggio brothers, though — and Laurine, sent home last week, had nice things to say about them, saying they’re portrayed as more cold and pouty than they are.
Jen needs a Xanax. When she was pouring the sauce on everybody last night, I thought she was on the verge of a complete meltdown.
brr055: Are you hearing anything in your pipeline about NBC in general? They’re so lousy (in my opinion) overall, that it seems like they need a massive shakeup from the top.
They could even make a reality show about it “Network Makeover: NBC: New York”. Then next season, “Network Makeover: NBC: Los Angeles”.
Gail: Well, they had a massive shakeup at the top last summer, with Ben “Product Placement” Silverman out. I really think NBC’s troubles date to the Jeff Zucker administration, though, and Zucker is still a big cheese at NBC. For the time being, it’s up to Angela Bromstad and Marc Graboff, now running NBC Entertainment, to try to fix the disastrous mistakes of their predecessors. Good luck with that.
Jake: Gail,
What are your thoughts on this season of Biggest Loser? Are you as sick of Shay as I am?
Gail: Shay — really? I’m not sick of Shay at all. I’m sick of crazy Tracey, though. And I wonder what’s the matter with Daniel that he can’t lose weight.
maryliz: This is the type of thing I hate to admit, but I’m still watching America’s Next Top Model; are you?. Any ideas on who’s going all the way? I’m picking Nicole but I’ve never gotten one right yet. They all seem extra ditzy this season.
Gail: Oh, of course I am, and it’s tough, because 8 p.m. Wednesday is a really crowded time slot with “Modern Family” on ABC and my beloved “Glee” on Fox. At this point, I’ve never picked correctly either and I don’t even much have a favorite this season. Haven’t seen last night yet, so shhh.
Gail: That’s it for today, guys. Thanks to all the people who kept me company for the last 10 minutes. I followed a chat earlier today by two of my TV critic friends in a city that still has two newspapers, and ours is much better — more participation, lots better questions and comments. So, thanks again. I’ll have the transcript up shortly.
