Join Post-Dispatch TV critic Gail Pennington for a live discussion about all things TV -- what's great, what's new, what's dead.
Thursday, May 15, 2008 01:00 PM CDT
Gail: Hi, everybody. Wow, what a busy week in TV land! The networks have been very efficient about getting their fall schedules out, except for a few glitches, such as CBS inviting us all to watch the upfront on a live stream, only to have the whole thing take place without audio. I'd have liked to hear Craig Ferguson's routine, too. But now that Fox has made its announcement, I can sit back, relax and chat with you. I'm home on my couch, by the way, and outside, Ameren contractors are digging a 7-foot trench in my front lawn. It's noisy!
St. Louis Mom: When will "Chuck" come back? It was a great show and it's sorely missed in our household.
Gail: "Chuck" is one of the first-year shows that was cut short by the writers strike but got early renewal for fall. It will be relaunched then. It's cute, but I didn't find that it wore well with me. I wanted ... more.
garricks: So Gail, whatever happened to Boston Rob's show "Tontine?" The Web site doesn't look like it's been updated since September, and I haven't heard any more about it. Reality writers weren't part of the writers' strike, so filming wouldn't have been affected, right? And the production was to have lasted 100 days, so they've had plenty of time for post. I thought it was going to air in April?
Gail: I hadn't thought about this since August, but when you asked, I poked around but couldn't find out anything. I did see one reference to fall, but it isn't on any "major network" (as Rob promised) for fall. I did find the video of Rob punching/being punched by a would-be contestant during the audition process, when the guy found out the winner's $10 million prize would be financed by the losers' life savings.
Karin Meyerotto: I found out earlier today on a fan website that Moonlight has been cancelled
This show has not faired badly in ratings. It won The People's Choice and
Alex O'loughlin was TV Guide's Sexiest Star;big fan base so on. I even
heard it was not expensive to produce. So Gail, WHY? We fans would like some
answers. Maybe you can shed some light. Talk about "nuts"!
Gail: I can't shed light except to say that ratings were marginal, and that the most recent new episodes didn't do well. I've also heard about turmoil behind the scenes. CBS had a lot to choose from for fall and must have decided "Moonlight" wasn't going to build a bigger audience than it already had.
Rams747: Hi Gail-
A few weeks ago in TV Guide and your listing of show highlights for the evening, there was supposed to be a new episode of The Office that said something about Pam makes a discovery about Jim's home life. The episode has never aired and I looked at nbc.com and there is no mention of it. Do you have any idea why it never aired? Thanks!
Gail: All highlights (except rarely when I get to see an episode in advance) are based on what the networks put out. In this case, I guess they were talking about her not having her contact lens solution and having to wear her glasses. Not a major plot point, I'd say.