Supernatural: Pre-Finale Preoccupation Part II
(Spoiler warnings? not needed… other than the episode title, photos and description provided by the network, we members of the SFA - Spoiler Freaks Anonymous — have been in serious withdrawal symptoms going into the finale. Speculation will run rampant, though! And keep in mind that points are generalities; your views will most likely differ. Part I covers the players, Part II covers the issues.)
We can count the hours now before we get some answers to questions that we’ve been struggling with all season long. Just a few endless hours to close out season four and set the groundwork for season five. The riffs of “Carry on My Wayward Son” have become a tradition for each finale and while budget cuts have severely affected the signature classic rock this season, this song’s presence has become tradition.
The players are all in place on the chessboard of the impending Apocalypse. In one corner we have Heaven and The Angels, with our beloved Castiel, his boss Zachariah, and the dearly-departed Anna who was much more interesting as a human who could hear angels talking in her head than she ever was as a fallen angel. In the other corner we have the minions of Hell led by Lucifer, and with demons Ruby and Lilith making a power play for Queen Bee. And smack in the middle of it all are the Winchester Brothers, brave, stubborn, determined, broken, and each drawn by diverging destinies to stop the rise of Lucifer. For the first time in four seasons, it appears that they will be fighting towards these end means separately. And it better be the last time… because there is something completely and intrinsically wrong in using the words ‘Winchester’ and ‘separate’ in the same sentence. (Credit: MICHAEL MULLER/THE CW ©2006 The CW Network LLC. All Rights Reserved)
One thing that will be utterly fascinating is that Executive Producer and Creator Eric Kripke wrote and directed this finale episode. For the first time we will be able to see ‘Supernatural’ entirely through the creator’s eyes: his characterizations, his motivations, his vision. This should be interesting!
THE MYTHOLOGY: We’ve known for a long time that Kripke and his writers will base their stories on existing myths and urban legends. The fact that one can google all their monsters has been a show signature. They will take ALL the multicultural representations of a particular legend and then pick and choose those aspects which best fit their story, thus creating their own unique Supernatural version. For this reason, it is nearly impossible to use the myths themselves to try to guess story direction since we do not know which parts of a legend they will choose. The only danger here for the creative team is to work hard to avoid pulling a ‘Heroes’ in making the mythology as a whole so convoluted, ridiculous, and unbelievable that will have us wondering what the heck happened. One of the great things about ‘Supernatural’ was its simplicity and believability despite the subject matter it was presenting, although suspension of disbelief is getting harder and harder to come by.
Finale Speculation has run rampant as to what may be presented and what questions have been left unanswered. Here is a brief rundown. If anyone has a different theory not listed, we’re anxious to add it!
* What is the end game plan of the Yellow-Eyed Demon?
* How much of what is happening is due to angel agenda vs. demon agenda?
* What happened to the “Leader of the Demon Army” and “Boy King” slant
2009年5月13日星期三
Supernatural” is So Gay (In My Dreams Anyway)
Wait. Why is AfterElton.com writing about Supernatural, the CW show about a pair of demon-killing brothers? Are we saying it’s a show of gay interest merely because it features four of the most attractive men on television?
Um, yeah!
In fact, these four Supernatural actors all made the Hot 100, our recent reader survey of who gay and bisexual men think are most attractive: Jensen Ackles (at #5), Jared Padalecki (at #12), Jeffrey Dean Morgan (at #70) and Misha Collins, a relatively new addition to the cast as the angel Castiel (at #93).
The show also has a funny reoccurring joke where the show’s central characters, Sam and Dean, are mistaken for a gay couple (but which almost never results in gay panic).
And last year, an episode with a gay character (played by 90210’s Dustin Milligan) was nominated for a GLAAD Award. In the episode, a gay intern named Alan dies a becomes a ghost. Later, the living guy who Alan had a crush on is encouraged to pretend to be gay in order to marshal Alan into the afterlife. “Ed,” he’s told, “you have to go be gay for that poor dead intern!”
One recent episode even had Sam and Dean discovering that their lives were being recounted in a series of pulp fiction novels, and that online fans of the two characters’ were arguing about which of the two were hotter (as people do in real life, including here at AfterElton.com, except about the actors). On the episode, some people were even, it seems, writing “slash-fiction” about the characters.
“Do they know we’re brothers?” an appalled Dean asked, in one of the cheekiest, most meta lines ever uttered on television.
But the truth is, there’s plenty for gay and bisexual viewers to like about Supernatural, which has its season finale Thursday night, even apart from the obvious.
Um, yeah!
In fact, these four Supernatural actors all made the Hot 100, our recent reader survey of who gay and bisexual men think are most attractive: Jensen Ackles (at #5), Jared Padalecki (at #12), Jeffrey Dean Morgan (at #70) and Misha Collins, a relatively new addition to the cast as the angel Castiel (at #93).
The show also has a funny reoccurring joke where the show’s central characters, Sam and Dean, are mistaken for a gay couple (but which almost never results in gay panic).
And last year, an episode with a gay character (played by 90210’s Dustin Milligan) was nominated for a GLAAD Award. In the episode, a gay intern named Alan dies a becomes a ghost. Later, the living guy who Alan had a crush on is encouraged to pretend to be gay in order to marshal Alan into the afterlife. “Ed,” he’s told, “you have to go be gay for that poor dead intern!”
One recent episode even had Sam and Dean discovering that their lives were being recounted in a series of pulp fiction novels, and that online fans of the two characters’ were arguing about which of the two were hotter (as people do in real life, including here at AfterElton.com, except about the actors). On the episode, some people were even, it seems, writing “slash-fiction” about the characters.
“Do they know we’re brothers?” an appalled Dean asked, in one of the cheekiest, most meta lines ever uttered on television.
But the truth is, there’s plenty for gay and bisexual viewers to like about Supernatural, which has its season finale Thursday night, even apart from the obvious.
Supernatural:Pre-Finale Preoccupation II
Supernatural: Pre-Finale Preoccupation Part II
(Spoiler warnings? not needed… other than the episode title, photos and description provided by the network, we members of the SFA - Spoiler Freaks Anonymous — have been in serious withdrawal symptoms going into the finale. Speculation will run rampant, though! And keep in mind that points are generalities; your views will most likely differ. Part I covers the players, Part II covers the issues.)
We can count the hours now before we get some answers to questions that we’ve been struggling with all season long. Just a few endless hours to close out season four and set the groundwork for season five. The riffs of “Carry on My Wayward Son” have become a tradition for each finale and while budget cuts have severely affected the signature classic rock this season, this song’s presence has become tradition.
The players are all in place on the chessboard of the impending Apocalypse. In one corner we have Heaven and The Angels, with our beloved Castiel, his boss Zachariah, and the dearly-departed Anna who was much more interesting as a human who could hear angels talking in her head than she ever was as a fallen angel. In the other corner we have the minions of Hell led by Lucifer, and with demons Ruby and Lilith making a power play for Queen Bee. And smack in the middle of it all are the Winchester Brothers, brave, stubborn, determined, broken, and each drawn by diverging destinies to stop the rise of Lucifer. For the first time in four seasons, it appears that they will be fighting towards these end means separately. And it better be the last time… because there is something completely and intrinsically wrong in using the words ‘Winchester’ and ‘separate’ in the same sentence. (Credit: MICHAEL MULLER/THE CW ©2006 The CW Network LLC. All Rights Reserved)
One thing that will be utterly fascinating is that Executive Producer and Creator Eric Kripke wrote and directed this finale episode. For the first time we will be able to see ‘Supernatural’ entirely through the creator’s eyes: his characterizations, his motivations, his vision. This should be interesting!
(Spoiler warnings? not needed… other than the episode title, photos and description provided by the network, we members of the SFA - Spoiler Freaks Anonymous — have been in serious withdrawal symptoms going into the finale. Speculation will run rampant, though! And keep in mind that points are generalities; your views will most likely differ. Part I covers the players, Part II covers the issues.)
We can count the hours now before we get some answers to questions that we’ve been struggling with all season long. Just a few endless hours to close out season four and set the groundwork for season five. The riffs of “Carry on My Wayward Son” have become a tradition for each finale and while budget cuts have severely affected the signature classic rock this season, this song’s presence has become tradition.
The players are all in place on the chessboard of the impending Apocalypse. In one corner we have Heaven and The Angels, with our beloved Castiel, his boss Zachariah, and the dearly-departed Anna who was much more interesting as a human who could hear angels talking in her head than she ever was as a fallen angel. In the other corner we have the minions of Hell led by Lucifer, and with demons Ruby and Lilith making a power play for Queen Bee. And smack in the middle of it all are the Winchester Brothers, brave, stubborn, determined, broken, and each drawn by diverging destinies to stop the rise of Lucifer. For the first time in four seasons, it appears that they will be fighting towards these end means separately. And it better be the last time… because there is something completely and intrinsically wrong in using the words ‘Winchester’ and ‘separate’ in the same sentence. (Credit: MICHAEL MULLER/THE CW ©2006 The CW Network LLC. All Rights Reserved)
One thing that will be utterly fascinating is that Executive Producer and Creator Eric Kripke wrote and directed this finale episode. For the first time we will be able to see ‘Supernatural’ entirely through the creator’s eyes: his characterizations, his motivations, his vision. This should be interesting!
J.J. Abrams Talks 'Fringe' -- Seasons One AND Two!
You can't get away from J.J. Abrams nowadays – not that you would want to. With Star Trek exploding at the box office, Lost going strong, and Fringe getting picked up for a second season, Abrams is on his way to becoming the next Jerry Bruckheimer. He manages to take a few moments to talk about the evolution of Fringe over this season, and gives us a few little teasers as to what's on tap for season two.
Tell us a little bit about the conversation that landed Leonard Nimoy in the season finale.
I called him and I just essentially started begging, and I told him that we were doing this show. He was familiar with it, but I don't think he'd seen it. But he knew of the show and I explained that there was a critical character who had been mentioned throughout the first season, including the pilot, and it was a big deal for the show, not just where he came from and what his back story was, but where it was going, and that it would be an obvious honor if he would consider playing the part.
He was open to the idea of it but he wanted, of course, to see the show and read some pages, and so we sent him everything that we could, and I was thrilled when he called back and said that he thought it was intriguing and interesting. And that was how we actually ended up getting him to return to the role of Spock in Star Trek.
When you originally conceived of the series, did you have anyone in mind for the part of William Bell, and were you planning to hold off for the entire season before he first was revealed?
We discussed having him show up earlier in the season, but as you work on a show and as the season progresses it tells you as much as you're telling it what it wants to be. It was clear as we were going that getting to William Bell could and should be pushed off, and we should pace ourselves. That's one of the biggest challenges, I think, of any first season of a show: to really find the pace of the series. Especially a show that has both a stand-alone episode-to-episode and a story arc to follow. So that was very important to us.
Fringe seems to be getting a lot funnier as the episodes go on, and Olivia seems to have loosened up a bit. How much of the arc of the season did you have planned from the beginning, and how much of it, as you say, is the show finding itself and "telling" you what it wants to be?
We actually had a surprising amount of plans in terms of broad strokes, but the crazy thing is, as you work on it, like I said, you start to get resistance, not from an actor and not from a director, or even other writers on the show, but the show just defines its shape in a strange way. One of the things that I love about the show is the kind of inherent humor in the insanity of it. If the show takes itself too seriously, then I'm afraid people will laugh at it. But if the show has humor inside of it, then the show itself is embracing and admitting to the preposterous nature of many of the episodes and stories.
I love preposterous stories. If you look at Jaws or Alien or Tootsie, or whatever, there are movies that if you describe the story, you go, "What? All right, well, okay." But done well, you're like, "Oh my God, this is the greatest story ever." So for me, the humor did increase as the season went on and things like bringing Olivia's sister in gave her a chance to be warmer. She's a character who admitted in the show that she doesn't really have friends, so I think that the story for Olivia is one of a guarded, protective woman who, over time, is, in a sense, forced to be more vulnerable.
You seem to like time travel. There's time travel in Lost and time travel in the Star Trek movie. Will there be time travel on Fringe?
Well, I definitely think that one of the fun aspects of doing Fringe is the kind of open-ended possibilities of the show, where we could go and what we could do. Obviously, it is not a brand new idea, especially science fiction, the idea of traveling through time and space. But I would say that while Lost concerns itself more with traveling through time, I would say that Fringe can serve itself more with traveling through space.
All of your projects feature very strong-willed, independent females like Olivia. Who or what is your inspiration for those characters?
I would like to think that I've been lucky enough to work on projects that have strong-willed characters who happen to be male or female, and certainly in the case of characters like Kate [from Lost] or Sydney Bristow [from Alias], and certainly Olivia Dunham, that those are females who are interesting because they are strong-willed. But I also could point to certain male characters that have the same thing. So I guess the answer is, I don't really try to write characters who are strong women, I just try to write strong characters, and if they happen to be women, they happen to be women.
In my life I've got the most spectacular wife in Katie McGrath. She is probably the strongest and best influence on me that I've ever had, and I would say that it's no coincidence that it was after I met her that I wrote Felicity, mostly because I think she reminded me to write about stuff that I actually care about again, because it had been a while. She has strength and this amazing ability to immediately understand right and wrong. She's very socially active and politically-minded and fights a good fight, and she's someone who is definitely an inspiration, who happens to be a woman.
Can you speak – generally - about what season two's story arc might be?
I would actually argue that, in a way, season two is getting to know the enemy. Season one is identifying that there is an enemy and really getting to know each other. But I think that as the show progresses what you'll see in the second season is that it's building to a very specific type of confrontation and I think you'll see that there will be a really interesting shift in the fundamental paradigm of the show at the beginning of next season, in a very cool way.
What lessons, if any, did you learn from Lost that you applied to the creation of the first season of Fringe?
The truth is, when I was on Lost, at the beginning, we were just trying to figure out how the show was going to work and how we could take our ideas, these big-picture ideas, and actually make a series out of it. But one of the lessons that I learned from Lost, and from Alias, was to try and create a show that would not confound people if they happened to miss the first two or three hours. And it was a very conscious decision at the very beginning of developing Fringe: let's come up with a show that could just be a series of really crazy week-to-week insane events, and knowing that we all love the ongoing nature of series television character development and stuff, we knew that we would never not have that as a part of it.
So secondarily, we knew we would be doing, of course, character stories which you would see evolve over the years. So we try to pace ourselves out in that regard. But I think that the biggest lesson was to try and avoid hurting people's brains by making the show too confusing too early which in turn would make it limiting too, and unwelcoming.
How much do you really, truly understand about everything that happens on Fringe, in terms of science?
I've always, and I'm sure to a fault, been of the mind that if you have a cool idea that's compelling and crazy, that's the idea you follow, and you do research to back it up. There are occasions when research actually yields a story, but I have often found that that's not the case for me. Instead I will think, "Can someone blow up spontaneously?" And then I end up working backwards and finding out that there are insane tests where people have applied microwaves to their bodies. Fringe was never intended as a course on any kind of physics or medicine or science. It was always meant to just be a kind of fun, cool, and insane representation of what it feels like to live in a world where science seems to be limitless in what it can do.
The crazy thing about a show like Fringe is, as you're working on it, as you're writing about things that are insane, like a cold virus the size of a football, or whatever the hell you happen to be playing with that week, invariably you will see a story online that is weirder than what you're writing, that actually happened. Whether it's a body part that was grown, whether it's about something that was replaced, whether it's about somebody that came back to life, whether it's about some really weird spontaneous event, like it just seems like the weirdest part about Fringe is, as we work on it, pushing the envelope, kind of having fun for ourselves, inevitably there is some real life story that feels almost beyond what we're playing with. I kind of feel like, yes, it's fantasy, it's fiction, and yes, we're inspired by gut instinct much more than we are factual data, but I think that we all live in a moment where nothing surprises us any more, where almost anything that we would see online or in a paper, we would believe. So I just want to feel that we are in that weird place where, as crazy as Fringe is, we no longer need to look to the supernatural ghosts or aliens to feel like there is an unpredictable and terrifying enemy among us. I think that we have made that enemy ourselves.
Many episodes of Fringe open with a monologue from Broyles, sort of catching viewers up. Do you foresee a day at some point – maybe even next season – where you won't need that exposition?
Yes. I can't say yes loud enough, fast enough, or with more passion. There is nothing more crazy than having that sort of massive chunk of exposition thrown at you at the beginning of the story. It is one of those things that I would love to avoid, and I think that sometimes the desire of either the producers, writers, and network execs is to try to provide clarity. The net result is almost always confusing. I feel like those kinds of monologues of exposition don't help anyone.
Now that we've seen Charlie and Broyles in this alternate reality, do you think we might run into, say, a still-breathing John Scott over there?
I would say that it'll be very difficult now that John's show [Human Target] got picked up [laughing]. Having said that, I'm very excited his show got picked up, and I do think that there will be some very interesting things happening, given this "alternate reality" that you were referring to.
The relationship between Walter and Peter is like a little sitcom in the middle of all the weirdness. What is the thought process behind developing that relationship?
I think that the father/son relationship was, at the very beginning, one of the things that got all of us [co-creators] excited, Alex [Kurtzman] and Bob [Orci] and myself. And one of the things that I think has happened over the course of this season is that there is a sort of sense of facility of their relationship has increased. There's no longer as much of a conflict between them as there was at the beginning. Now granted, they've gotten to know each other and they develop a rhythm, but one of the things that I think we're going to play with a little bit, which I think speaks to our sense of evolution of that relationship, is that there will be some issues between them and some sort of setback that I think will make their working together, frankly, a little bit more dynamic and a little bit more interesting, and not just so familiar and easygoing. But I could not adore the actors, both Josh and John, more and I think they're wonderful together and I just think that when you give them more, when there are more sparks between them, I think it's that much more interesting
Tell us a little bit about the conversation that landed Leonard Nimoy in the season finale.
I called him and I just essentially started begging, and I told him that we were doing this show. He was familiar with it, but I don't think he'd seen it. But he knew of the show and I explained that there was a critical character who had been mentioned throughout the first season, including the pilot, and it was a big deal for the show, not just where he came from and what his back story was, but where it was going, and that it would be an obvious honor if he would consider playing the part.
He was open to the idea of it but he wanted, of course, to see the show and read some pages, and so we sent him everything that we could, and I was thrilled when he called back and said that he thought it was intriguing and interesting. And that was how we actually ended up getting him to return to the role of Spock in Star Trek.
When you originally conceived of the series, did you have anyone in mind for the part of William Bell, and were you planning to hold off for the entire season before he first was revealed?
We discussed having him show up earlier in the season, but as you work on a show and as the season progresses it tells you as much as you're telling it what it wants to be. It was clear as we were going that getting to William Bell could and should be pushed off, and we should pace ourselves. That's one of the biggest challenges, I think, of any first season of a show: to really find the pace of the series. Especially a show that has both a stand-alone episode-to-episode and a story arc to follow. So that was very important to us.
Fringe seems to be getting a lot funnier as the episodes go on, and Olivia seems to have loosened up a bit. How much of the arc of the season did you have planned from the beginning, and how much of it, as you say, is the show finding itself and "telling" you what it wants to be?
We actually had a surprising amount of plans in terms of broad strokes, but the crazy thing is, as you work on it, like I said, you start to get resistance, not from an actor and not from a director, or even other writers on the show, but the show just defines its shape in a strange way. One of the things that I love about the show is the kind of inherent humor in the insanity of it. If the show takes itself too seriously, then I'm afraid people will laugh at it. But if the show has humor inside of it, then the show itself is embracing and admitting to the preposterous nature of many of the episodes and stories.
I love preposterous stories. If you look at Jaws or Alien or Tootsie, or whatever, there are movies that if you describe the story, you go, "What? All right, well, okay." But done well, you're like, "Oh my God, this is the greatest story ever." So for me, the humor did increase as the season went on and things like bringing Olivia's sister in gave her a chance to be warmer. She's a character who admitted in the show that she doesn't really have friends, so I think that the story for Olivia is one of a guarded, protective woman who, over time, is, in a sense, forced to be more vulnerable.
You seem to like time travel. There's time travel in Lost and time travel in the Star Trek movie. Will there be time travel on Fringe?
Well, I definitely think that one of the fun aspects of doing Fringe is the kind of open-ended possibilities of the show, where we could go and what we could do. Obviously, it is not a brand new idea, especially science fiction, the idea of traveling through time and space. But I would say that while Lost concerns itself more with traveling through time, I would say that Fringe can serve itself more with traveling through space.
All of your projects feature very strong-willed, independent females like Olivia. Who or what is your inspiration for those characters?
I would like to think that I've been lucky enough to work on projects that have strong-willed characters who happen to be male or female, and certainly in the case of characters like Kate [from Lost] or Sydney Bristow [from Alias], and certainly Olivia Dunham, that those are females who are interesting because they are strong-willed. But I also could point to certain male characters that have the same thing. So I guess the answer is, I don't really try to write characters who are strong women, I just try to write strong characters, and if they happen to be women, they happen to be women.
In my life I've got the most spectacular wife in Katie McGrath. She is probably the strongest and best influence on me that I've ever had, and I would say that it's no coincidence that it was after I met her that I wrote Felicity, mostly because I think she reminded me to write about stuff that I actually care about again, because it had been a while. She has strength and this amazing ability to immediately understand right and wrong. She's very socially active and politically-minded and fights a good fight, and she's someone who is definitely an inspiration, who happens to be a woman.
Can you speak – generally - about what season two's story arc might be?
I would actually argue that, in a way, season two is getting to know the enemy. Season one is identifying that there is an enemy and really getting to know each other. But I think that as the show progresses what you'll see in the second season is that it's building to a very specific type of confrontation and I think you'll see that there will be a really interesting shift in the fundamental paradigm of the show at the beginning of next season, in a very cool way.
What lessons, if any, did you learn from Lost that you applied to the creation of the first season of Fringe?
The truth is, when I was on Lost, at the beginning, we were just trying to figure out how the show was going to work and how we could take our ideas, these big-picture ideas, and actually make a series out of it. But one of the lessons that I learned from Lost, and from Alias, was to try and create a show that would not confound people if they happened to miss the first two or three hours. And it was a very conscious decision at the very beginning of developing Fringe: let's come up with a show that could just be a series of really crazy week-to-week insane events, and knowing that we all love the ongoing nature of series television character development and stuff, we knew that we would never not have that as a part of it.
So secondarily, we knew we would be doing, of course, character stories which you would see evolve over the years. So we try to pace ourselves out in that regard. But I think that the biggest lesson was to try and avoid hurting people's brains by making the show too confusing too early which in turn would make it limiting too, and unwelcoming.
How much do you really, truly understand about everything that happens on Fringe, in terms of science?
I've always, and I'm sure to a fault, been of the mind that if you have a cool idea that's compelling and crazy, that's the idea you follow, and you do research to back it up. There are occasions when research actually yields a story, but I have often found that that's not the case for me. Instead I will think, "Can someone blow up spontaneously?" And then I end up working backwards and finding out that there are insane tests where people have applied microwaves to their bodies. Fringe was never intended as a course on any kind of physics or medicine or science. It was always meant to just be a kind of fun, cool, and insane representation of what it feels like to live in a world where science seems to be limitless in what it can do.
The crazy thing about a show like Fringe is, as you're working on it, as you're writing about things that are insane, like a cold virus the size of a football, or whatever the hell you happen to be playing with that week, invariably you will see a story online that is weirder than what you're writing, that actually happened. Whether it's a body part that was grown, whether it's about something that was replaced, whether it's about somebody that came back to life, whether it's about some really weird spontaneous event, like it just seems like the weirdest part about Fringe is, as we work on it, pushing the envelope, kind of having fun for ourselves, inevitably there is some real life story that feels almost beyond what we're playing with. I kind of feel like, yes, it's fantasy, it's fiction, and yes, we're inspired by gut instinct much more than we are factual data, but I think that we all live in a moment where nothing surprises us any more, where almost anything that we would see online or in a paper, we would believe. So I just want to feel that we are in that weird place where, as crazy as Fringe is, we no longer need to look to the supernatural ghosts or aliens to feel like there is an unpredictable and terrifying enemy among us. I think that we have made that enemy ourselves.
Many episodes of Fringe open with a monologue from Broyles, sort of catching viewers up. Do you foresee a day at some point – maybe even next season – where you won't need that exposition?
Yes. I can't say yes loud enough, fast enough, or with more passion. There is nothing more crazy than having that sort of massive chunk of exposition thrown at you at the beginning of the story. It is one of those things that I would love to avoid, and I think that sometimes the desire of either the producers, writers, and network execs is to try to provide clarity. The net result is almost always confusing. I feel like those kinds of monologues of exposition don't help anyone.
Now that we've seen Charlie and Broyles in this alternate reality, do you think we might run into, say, a still-breathing John Scott over there?
I would say that it'll be very difficult now that John's show [Human Target] got picked up [laughing]. Having said that, I'm very excited his show got picked up, and I do think that there will be some very interesting things happening, given this "alternate reality" that you were referring to.
The relationship between Walter and Peter is like a little sitcom in the middle of all the weirdness. What is the thought process behind developing that relationship?
I think that the father/son relationship was, at the very beginning, one of the things that got all of us [co-creators] excited, Alex [Kurtzman] and Bob [Orci] and myself. And one of the things that I think has happened over the course of this season is that there is a sort of sense of facility of their relationship has increased. There's no longer as much of a conflict between them as there was at the beginning. Now granted, they've gotten to know each other and they develop a rhythm, but one of the things that I think we're going to play with a little bit, which I think speaks to our sense of evolution of that relationship, is that there will be some issues between them and some sort of setback that I think will make their working together, frankly, a little bit more dynamic and a little bit more interesting, and not just so familiar and easygoing. But I could not adore the actors, both Josh and John, more and I think they're wonderful together and I just think that when you give them more, when there are more sparks between them, I think it's that much more interesting
Supernatural: Pre-Finale Preoccupation
A few days ago, I put up three clips from the season finale of Supernatural and the comments came in by the bucket load. It wasn’t the number that surprised us, it was the length and intensity of the comments. So, in an effort to find a middle ground between the sides (and there are more than two at this point), we went to our favorite Supernatural guest poster Liana for a few final words.
Supernatural — Pre-Finale Preoccupation Part I
by Liana B. (mousitsa@sbcglobal.net)
(Spoiler warning? nah, not really… other than the description provided by the network, we members of the SFA — SpoilerFreaks Anonymous — have been in serious withdrawal going into the finale. Speculation will run rampant, though! And keep in mind that points are generalities; your views will most likely differ. Part I covers the players, Part II covers the issues.)
my own pale in comparison. I used to make fun of the Trekkies for their obsession, but now I understand it. Speaking of which, I wish ‘Supernatural’ lent itself to a cool nickname, like Trekkies, X-Philes, Losties… the ‘Supernaturalies’ just doesn’t have quite the same ring to it. Of all the possible nicknames I’ve heard for the fandom, SuperFreaks seems to be a catchy one, although it makes us sound like something Sam and Dean would
Supernatural — Pre-Finale Preoccupation Part I
by Liana B. (mousitsa@sbcglobal.net)
(Spoiler warning? nah, not really… other than the description provided by the network, we members of the SFA — SpoilerFreaks Anonymous — have been in serious withdrawal going into the finale. Speculation will run rampant, though! And keep in mind that points are generalities; your views will most likely differ. Part I covers the players, Part II covers the issues.)
my own pale in comparison. I used to make fun of the Trekkies for their obsession, but now I understand it. Speaking of which, I wish ‘Supernatural’ lent itself to a cool nickname, like Trekkies, X-Philes, Losties… the ‘Supernaturalies’ just doesn’t have quite the same ring to it. Of all the possible nicknames I’ve heard for the fandom, SuperFreaks seems to be a catchy one, although it makes us sound like something Sam and Dean would
2009年5月10日星期日
'Star Trek' ... or 'Hunks in Space'?
Get ready for some intergalactic man candy.
The new "Star Trek" from director J.J. Abrams has been hyped as a movie that can pull even non-Trekkies into its orbit. Maybe that's because the sci-fi adventure could just as easily have been titled "Hunks in Space."
Ever since the trailer hit the Web late last year, anticipation has been building around newcomer Chris Pine's rugged, motorcycle-
riding Captain James T. Kirk, who finds time between action scenes to steam up the windows of the starship.
Pine, 28, crews on a ship of hotties like Zachary Quinto, John Cho and Anton Yelchin. They battle a time-traveling Romulan named Nero, played by Eric Bana, whose sweet mug is temporarily hidden under a thick layer of makeup. That said, he looks pretty good in green.
Here's an inside look at the cast that makes us want to boldly go to the front row.
Chris Pine (James T. Kirk)
Born in Los Angeles to actor parents Robert Pine and Gwynne Gilford, Pine played roles on "ER" and "CSI: Miami" in his early 20s before popping up opposite Lindsay Lohan in the pretty-much-ignored romantic comedy "Just My Luck."
His luck improved with the seamy Las Vegas tale "Smokin' Aces," but "Star Trek" is his biggest break so far. To channel the famous Captain Kirk, he bought a box set of DVDs in an attempt to become a true Trekkie. After a few solid hours, he gave up.
"It really went against the mandate that J.J. put forth in the beginning of the process," he says, "which was really to reimagine these characters."
The new "Star Trek" audience will get to see Kirk as a kid, and later as a thrill-seeking Starfleet Academy student. "I think that this version of Kirk is a bit more brash and
arrogant," Pine has said, "and young, essentially."
After shooting the action-packed film, Pine says he "took a long break and slept a lot." "Star Trek" is already slated for a sequel in 2011, but until then the single Californian can look forward to resting his biceps and flexing his acting muscles. On June 24, he steps onstage opposite Chris Noth in the Los Angeles production of the Off-Broadway hit "Farragut North."
The new "Star Trek" from director J.J. Abrams has been hyped as a movie that can pull even non-Trekkies into its orbit. Maybe that's because the sci-fi adventure could just as easily have been titled "Hunks in Space."
Ever since the trailer hit the Web late last year, anticipation has been building around newcomer Chris Pine's rugged, motorcycle-
riding Captain James T. Kirk, who finds time between action scenes to steam up the windows of the starship.
Pine, 28, crews on a ship of hotties like Zachary Quinto, John Cho and Anton Yelchin. They battle a time-traveling Romulan named Nero, played by Eric Bana, whose sweet mug is temporarily hidden under a thick layer of makeup. That said, he looks pretty good in green.
Here's an inside look at the cast that makes us want to boldly go to the front row.
Chris Pine (James T. Kirk)
Born in Los Angeles to actor parents Robert Pine and Gwynne Gilford, Pine played roles on "ER" and "CSI: Miami" in his early 20s before popping up opposite Lindsay Lohan in the pretty-much-ignored romantic comedy "Just My Luck."
His luck improved with the seamy Las Vegas tale "Smokin' Aces," but "Star Trek" is his biggest break so far. To channel the famous Captain Kirk, he bought a box set of DVDs in an attempt to become a true Trekkie. After a few solid hours, he gave up.
"It really went against the mandate that J.J. put forth in the beginning of the process," he says, "which was really to reimagine these characters."
The new "Star Trek" audience will get to see Kirk as a kid, and later as a thrill-seeking Starfleet Academy student. "I think that this version of Kirk is a bit more brash and
arrogant," Pine has said, "and young, essentially."
After shooting the action-packed film, Pine says he "took a long break and slept a lot." "Star Trek" is already slated for a sequel in 2011, but until then the single Californian can look forward to resting his biceps and flexing his acting muscles. On June 24, he steps onstage opposite Chris Noth in the Los Angeles production of the Off-Broadway hit "Farragut North."
Three Clips From 'Supernatural' 4th Season Finale
A big portion of the season finale of "Supernatural" has been given through a three-minute clip. Consisting of three different scenes, the sneak peek lacks of the anticipated action but provides the dilemma experienced by each of the Winchester brothers.
In the first clip, Sam talks to Ruby on his decision to go against Dean. In the second clip meanwhile, Dean complains about Sam's attitude to Bobby and got yelled at for being soft. The third and last clip shows Castiel and Zachary approaching Dean for a strategy to kill Lilith.
The fourth season finale airs Thursday, May 14. The official synopsis is read: "The apocalypse is coming, and Sam and Dean prepare for the fight in very different ways. Sam joins Ruby on a final run to kill Lilith (guest star Katherine Boecher), while Castiel and Zachariah (guest star Kurt Fuller) tell Dean it's time to play his part in stopping Lucifer."
In the first clip, Sam talks to Ruby on his decision to go against Dean. In the second clip meanwhile, Dean complains about Sam's attitude to Bobby and got yelled at for being soft. The third and last clip shows Castiel and Zachary approaching Dean for a strategy to kill Lilith.
The fourth season finale airs Thursday, May 14. The official synopsis is read: "The apocalypse is coming, and Sam and Dean prepare for the fight in very different ways. Sam joins Ruby on a final run to kill Lilith (guest star Katherine Boecher), while Castiel and Zachariah (guest star Kurt Fuller) tell Dean it's time to play his part in stopping Lucifer."
Supernatural: When the Levee Breaks
The demons are the bad guy, that’s for certain. What’s not so certain is who the good guys are. The expected answer would of course be the angels but the angels in Supernatural exist in a gray area at best. They lie, they murder, and they basically do whatever they want to get the job done. The problem is that they for the most part don’t care about the humans that are caught in the middle of the war between heaven and Hell. God does appear to care about the humans but many of his angels are either jealous of humans or they don’t even consider humans to be more than annoying bugs that can be crushed. This isn’t the first time angels have been portrayed in a villainous way on TV or in film but it’s extremely well executed here. I always think about the Christopher Walken film The Prophecy as a benchmark for this sort of characterization. Misha Collins is no Walken, but he is very strong in the role of a conflicted angel here. Sam and Dean are supposed to be good guys, or at least they have good intentions, but Sam has become so addicted to demon blood that his judgment is clouded.
Last week, Dean and Bobby tricked Sam into the demon proof vault in Bobby’s house to dry out. Last week that decision seemed like the right one but like the villains and bad guys the answers on this subject aren’t exactly clear. I know I’ve quoted this in other reviews but it just works so well: Spock says at the end of Star Trek II that “the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one.” Wouldn’t it make sense to sacrifice Sam to the demon blood if he does get powerful enough to destroy Lilith? It would be hard for Dean to sacrifice his brother, the last of his family, to such an existence but at one point in the episode, even Bobby begins to believe that this might be the right decision.
There’s not much surprising in Sam’s withdrawal and in a smart move these scenes don’t monopolize the episode. You get just enough of his guilt from people in his past and then he mysteriously escapes from the vault. The vault is demon proof, so how did Sam get free? The answer is obvious even before the slow pan to reveal the person that set him free. Of course, once he’s free, Sam goes out after some demon blood from Ruby. I have not been a fan of this actress since she first appeared on the episode. She has done a good enough job, but she never seemed to approach the role with the zeal that the original actress did. It’s only now toward the end of the season that I find myself settling into her in the role. She’s good in this episode considering what little she gets to do.
The angels are master manipulators so it’s hard to say how it’ll all end. Cass continues to pump Dean up as the true person responsible for saving the world from Satan but is he really? An obvious use of Dean would be for him to sacrifice himself in some way to save everyone. That’s the typical movie ending for a story like this and a character like Dean. If it’s one thing the creators of Supernatural have proven, it’s their ability to break formula when its least expected. Hopefully, that’s what will happen on next week’s season finale. Dean has already been to Hell so it would be annoying to see him die again and go to Heaven this time. He may well be the man responsible for saving the day but only because he’s the catalyst for making Sam do the real dirty work. Either way, it’s a really interesting story that I hope gets some kind of finish in next week’s episode. I’m sure the slash fiction writers are going to have a good time with the little Sam and Dean throw down. Overall, this was a solid installment of the series. The main story is center stage and filler free. Right now, Cass is the most interesting character of them all. He’s definitely sympathetic to Dean but he has a view of the bigger picture and he has his orders that are a priority. It’ll be extremely interesting to see where his character goes at the end of this season
Last week, Dean and Bobby tricked Sam into the demon proof vault in Bobby’s house to dry out. Last week that decision seemed like the right one but like the villains and bad guys the answers on this subject aren’t exactly clear. I know I’ve quoted this in other reviews but it just works so well: Spock says at the end of Star Trek II that “the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one.” Wouldn’t it make sense to sacrifice Sam to the demon blood if he does get powerful enough to destroy Lilith? It would be hard for Dean to sacrifice his brother, the last of his family, to such an existence but at one point in the episode, even Bobby begins to believe that this might be the right decision.
There’s not much surprising in Sam’s withdrawal and in a smart move these scenes don’t monopolize the episode. You get just enough of his guilt from people in his past and then he mysteriously escapes from the vault. The vault is demon proof, so how did Sam get free? The answer is obvious even before the slow pan to reveal the person that set him free. Of course, once he’s free, Sam goes out after some demon blood from Ruby. I have not been a fan of this actress since she first appeared on the episode. She has done a good enough job, but she never seemed to approach the role with the zeal that the original actress did. It’s only now toward the end of the season that I find myself settling into her in the role. She’s good in this episode considering what little she gets to do.
The angels are master manipulators so it’s hard to say how it’ll all end. Cass continues to pump Dean up as the true person responsible for saving the world from Satan but is he really? An obvious use of Dean would be for him to sacrifice himself in some way to save everyone. That’s the typical movie ending for a story like this and a character like Dean. If it’s one thing the creators of Supernatural have proven, it’s their ability to break formula when its least expected. Hopefully, that’s what will happen on next week’s season finale. Dean has already been to Hell so it would be annoying to see him die again and go to Heaven this time. He may well be the man responsible for saving the day but only because he’s the catalyst for making Sam do the real dirty work. Either way, it’s a really interesting story that I hope gets some kind of finish in next week’s episode. I’m sure the slash fiction writers are going to have a good time with the little Sam and Dean throw down. Overall, this was a solid installment of the series. The main story is center stage and filler free. Right now, Cass is the most interesting character of them all. He’s definitely sympathetic to Dean but he has a view of the bigger picture and he has his orders that are a priority. It’ll be extremely interesting to see where his character goes at the end of this season
Supernatural Preview: For Sam, "There's No Turning Back"
For the few of you who have recovered from "When the Levee Breaks," it's time now to start prepping for Supernatural's Season 4 finale. And here is a sneak peek.
Airing May 14, "Lucifer Rising" finds the brothers nearing the end of their long-dreaded (by fans) collision course. Here is the official logline for the season-ender:
"Dealing with the aftermath of a newly created, crushing rift in their relationship, Sam and Dean each race down a different path to try to stop the impending apocalypse from happening. Guest stars include Jim Beaver as Bobby, Genevieve Cortese as Ruby, Misha Collins as Castiel, Katherine Boecher as Lilith, Kurt Fuller as Zachariah and Rob Benedict as Chuck.
As reminded in this week's Mega Buzz, "Lucifer Rising" was written and directed by series creator Eric Kripke.
In this preview clip, a tormented Sam confabs with Ruby about what he "must do" (FYI, the audio is a bit soft, so pump up the volume):
Airing May 14, "Lucifer Rising" finds the brothers nearing the end of their long-dreaded (by fans) collision course. Here is the official logline for the season-ender:
"Dealing with the aftermath of a newly created, crushing rift in their relationship, Sam and Dean each race down a different path to try to stop the impending apocalypse from happening. Guest stars include Jim Beaver as Bobby, Genevieve Cortese as Ruby, Misha Collins as Castiel, Katherine Boecher as Lilith, Kurt Fuller as Zachariah and Rob Benedict as Chuck.
As reminded in this week's Mega Buzz, "Lucifer Rising" was written and directed by series creator Eric Kripke.
In this preview clip, a tormented Sam confabs with Ruby about what he "must do" (FYI, the audio is a bit soft, so pump up the volume):
'Lost' owes a debt to King
It’s a riveting character study set against a supernatural backdrop.
“It” in this case is ABC’s often surreal, sometimes frustrating but always intriguing drama “Lost,” which airs its two-hour, fifth-season finale at 9 p.m. Wednesday.
But “it” could just as well be many of the works by Bangor’s own Stephen King.
That’s not coincidence, according to “Lost” executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, who, along with series creator J.J. Abrams, admit to being huge King fans.
In a 2005 “Lost” podcast, Cuse explained, “Stephen King is so artful at blending science fiction or horror concepts with really compelling character stories, and that is so much a model for what we are doing on the show. I mean, those books of his sustain for 800 to 1,000 pages. Not because of the mythology, but because the characters are so damn cool.”
In a recent phone interview, Lindelof and Cuse credited King’s influence for helping them to become the writers they are today.
“I read the first book in the Gunslinger series at age 9 or 10,” said Lindelof, 36, “When I read ‘The Stand,’ it was a real game-changer for me. It had supernatural leanings, but it was a character study as well. It shaped what I became as a writer.”
Cuse, 40, praised the addictive quality to King’s writing.
“Once I picked one up, I couldn’t put it down,” he said. “That was a lesson I strove to emulate in my own writing.”
A King masterpiece served as the model for “Lost” as it was being developed for its 2004 debut.
“There wasn’t a template for this type of show,” Cuse said. “The best thing for us was ‘The Stand,’ for its beautiful character writing more than the mythology. That’s why we owe a huge debut to Stephen King, for showing us the way.”
The “Lost” creators have repaid that debt with King references throughout its five seasons, such The Others discussing “Carrie” in their book group in the episode “A Tale of Two Cities” in Season 3. The Web site Lostpedia is packed with hundreds of “Lost”-King connections, but Lindelof downplays the actual number of in-tentional shout-outs.
“Clearly there are things we do consciously,” Lindelof said. “Others are less overt but purposeful. Then there’s a vast number on the subconscious level. If you look hard enough, you’ll find hundreds. But only 10 percent of those are purposeful on our part.”
King has been a “Lost” fan since the beginning, touting the show in his monthly Entertainment Weekly column “The Pop of King.”
Therefore, he enjoys the connections to his writings.
“It’s amusing and sometimes touching,” he said in a recent e-mail interview. “It makes me feel a little old — more like a founding father than an angry old man — but I guess that’s part of life. The important thing is that I’m still here to appreciate it.”
Lindelof, Cuse and Abrams got to meet the idol in 2006 during an Entertainment Weekly-sponsored visit to Bangor for a round-table discussion on writing. It’s a visit that Cuse and Lindelof remember fondly.
“We had the ultimate Stephen King tour,” Cuse said. “He took us to his house, showed us around Bangor, took us out for a lobster meal and then finally to the horror movie ‘The Descent.’ It was fantastic to be there with him, to witness his enthusiasm for that movie and that genre. That was unbelievably special.”
“For someone who doesn’t get starstruck, I have never been so starstruck as I was hanging out with Mr. King,” Lindelof added. “It kept getting more surrealistic as it went on. He’d seen the movie before, so he provided us with a DVD commentary as it unfolded.”
King was the first to suggest, in a 2005 EW column, that the “Lost” producers firm up an end date for the series, which will conclude next season,
“Having an end date is the difference from being out of control and in control,” Lindelof said. “Until you establish that there’s going to be an end date, all you have is middle. [Having an end date] allows us to save the show, to hammer out the plan we’ve been executing ever since.”
King isn’t the only Bangor connection to “Lost,” as Bangor native Melinda Hsu Taylor joined the show’s writing staff this season.
“Melinda has been great,” Cuse said. “She’s a real genre fan and a Stephen King fan, and shared the same interests that we have. Once we heard her story, we figured that she’s the perfect fit for our group. We felt an immediate kinship with her.”
“Lost” has more science-fiction elements this season, and fans have responded well to it, Cuse said.
“The audience seems to embrace the time-travel elements of the show, and that’s been enormously satisfying,” he said. “The biggest question we get now is, ‘Will you change the future by changing the past?’ and the show will be asking that question through to the end.”
King remains a big fan of the show, which recently passed its 100th episode.
“It’s still terrific fun,” he said. “It’s not quite as mysterious, because we’re in the ‘answers’ phase rather than the ‘questions’ phase, but the lure of the island is, for me, still very strong. I never miss an episode, which is probably the best answer.”
“It” in this case is ABC’s often surreal, sometimes frustrating but always intriguing drama “Lost,” which airs its two-hour, fifth-season finale at 9 p.m. Wednesday.
But “it” could just as well be many of the works by Bangor’s own Stephen King.
That’s not coincidence, according to “Lost” executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, who, along with series creator J.J. Abrams, admit to being huge King fans.
In a 2005 “Lost” podcast, Cuse explained, “Stephen King is so artful at blending science fiction or horror concepts with really compelling character stories, and that is so much a model for what we are doing on the show. I mean, those books of his sustain for 800 to 1,000 pages. Not because of the mythology, but because the characters are so damn cool.”
In a recent phone interview, Lindelof and Cuse credited King’s influence for helping them to become the writers they are today.
“I read the first book in the Gunslinger series at age 9 or 10,” said Lindelof, 36, “When I read ‘The Stand,’ it was a real game-changer for me. It had supernatural leanings, but it was a character study as well. It shaped what I became as a writer.”
Cuse, 40, praised the addictive quality to King’s writing.
“Once I picked one up, I couldn’t put it down,” he said. “That was a lesson I strove to emulate in my own writing.”
A King masterpiece served as the model for “Lost” as it was being developed for its 2004 debut.
“There wasn’t a template for this type of show,” Cuse said. “The best thing for us was ‘The Stand,’ for its beautiful character writing more than the mythology. That’s why we owe a huge debut to Stephen King, for showing us the way.”
The “Lost” creators have repaid that debt with King references throughout its five seasons, such The Others discussing “Carrie” in their book group in the episode “A Tale of Two Cities” in Season 3. The Web site Lostpedia is packed with hundreds of “Lost”-King connections, but Lindelof downplays the actual number of in-tentional shout-outs.
“Clearly there are things we do consciously,” Lindelof said. “Others are less overt but purposeful. Then there’s a vast number on the subconscious level. If you look hard enough, you’ll find hundreds. But only 10 percent of those are purposeful on our part.”
King has been a “Lost” fan since the beginning, touting the show in his monthly Entertainment Weekly column “The Pop of King.”
Therefore, he enjoys the connections to his writings.
“It’s amusing and sometimes touching,” he said in a recent e-mail interview. “It makes me feel a little old — more like a founding father than an angry old man — but I guess that’s part of life. The important thing is that I’m still here to appreciate it.”
Lindelof, Cuse and Abrams got to meet the idol in 2006 during an Entertainment Weekly-sponsored visit to Bangor for a round-table discussion on writing. It’s a visit that Cuse and Lindelof remember fondly.
“We had the ultimate Stephen King tour,” Cuse said. “He took us to his house, showed us around Bangor, took us out for a lobster meal and then finally to the horror movie ‘The Descent.’ It was fantastic to be there with him, to witness his enthusiasm for that movie and that genre. That was unbelievably special.”
“For someone who doesn’t get starstruck, I have never been so starstruck as I was hanging out with Mr. King,” Lindelof added. “It kept getting more surrealistic as it went on. He’d seen the movie before, so he provided us with a DVD commentary as it unfolded.”
King was the first to suggest, in a 2005 EW column, that the “Lost” producers firm up an end date for the series, which will conclude next season,
“Having an end date is the difference from being out of control and in control,” Lindelof said. “Until you establish that there’s going to be an end date, all you have is middle. [Having an end date] allows us to save the show, to hammer out the plan we’ve been executing ever since.”
King isn’t the only Bangor connection to “Lost,” as Bangor native Melinda Hsu Taylor joined the show’s writing staff this season.
“Melinda has been great,” Cuse said. “She’s a real genre fan and a Stephen King fan, and shared the same interests that we have. Once we heard her story, we figured that she’s the perfect fit for our group. We felt an immediate kinship with her.”
“Lost” has more science-fiction elements this season, and fans have responded well to it, Cuse said.
“The audience seems to embrace the time-travel elements of the show, and that’s been enormously satisfying,” he said. “The biggest question we get now is, ‘Will you change the future by changing the past?’ and the show will be asking that question through to the end.”
King remains a big fan of the show, which recently passed its 100th episode.
“It’s still terrific fun,” he said. “It’s not quite as mysterious, because we’re in the ‘answers’ phase rather than the ‘questions’ phase, but the lure of the island is, for me, still very strong. I never miss an episode, which is probably the best answer.”
2009年5月7日星期四
Supernatural' Interview: Misha Collins Talks Heavenly Torture and Summer Plans
We love Misha Collins. Last September we talked with the then-new Supernatural star about developing the role of Castiel and what it was like to work with Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki. Then in March
we talked with him again, this time about his future on Supernatural, the possibility of a sixth season for the series and his grandmother's reaction to his appearence on Nip/Tuck.
On the heels of last Thursday's Misha-centric episode "The Rapture", the Supernatural actor was great enough to check in with us again. In our latest conversation he tells us why he thinks Castiel is now taking Heaven's company line with Sam and Dean, shares his personal plans for the summer, and answers the questions you sent us on our Supernatural Twitter site.
we talked with him again, this time about his future on Supernatural, the possibility of a sixth season for the series and his grandmother's reaction to his appearence on Nip/Tuck.
On the heels of last Thursday's Misha-centric episode "The Rapture", the Supernatural actor was great enough to check in with us again. In our latest conversation he tells us why he thinks Castiel is now taking Heaven's company line with Sam and Dean, shares his personal plans for the summer, and answers the questions you sent us on our Supernatural Twitter site.
DEMON CLEANERS
THE fearless Winchester brothers are back with a vengeance. Their battle against paranormal evils escalates as doomsday approaches in Season 4 of Supernatural, out on DVD recently, courtesy of Warner Home Video.
Twenty-five years ago, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) lost their mother to a mysterious and demonic supernatural force – hell hath no fury like a Winchester scorned!
They were raised as soldiers by their father, who laterŠdied in battle, to fight paranormal evils that infest the dark corners and back roads of America.
In Season 3 they cruised America's highways in their trademark 1967 Chevy Impala searching for a loop-hole in Dean's deal with the Crossroads Demon. An agreement was made with the Demon to sell his soul in return for his brother’s life, but the catch was that he was only given a year to live.
Despite an all-out ambush against the demon that held Dean's contract, the last series called time on the rugged bad boy and he was dragged away by hell hounds. Season 4 opens four months later as Dean wakes-up in a pine box. He has escaped hell's clutches with no recollection of his time there or how he was freed.
The brothers are reunited but all is not the same, it becomes apparent that Sam is hiding secrets from Dean. Could Sam still possess supernatural powers as the Demon with yellow eyes prophesized?
In search of answers and demonic blood, the brothers hit the road to battle a legion of new supernatural forces including; malevolent spirits, Dracula himself and a drunk, heavily armed 7-foot-tall teddy bear. As their battle continues it becomes clear that these isolated paranormal cases are a small-part of a terrifying war heading their way.
In an explosive twist rumours begin to emerge that the fearful Lucifer will soon be released from the fires of hell. If he should walk free the Winchesters will not just be soldiers they will become martyrs against the Apocalypse.
We have two copies of Supernatural Season 4 to be won, to enter tell us: Which actor plays the role of Dean Winchester?Send your answer to: Supernatural Comp, c/o Daniel Bissett, 14 Eastgate Street, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 1AG by May 14.
Twenty-five years ago, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) lost their mother to a mysterious and demonic supernatural force – hell hath no fury like a Winchester scorned!
They were raised as soldiers by their father, who laterŠdied in battle, to fight paranormal evils that infest the dark corners and back roads of America.
In Season 3 they cruised America's highways in their trademark 1967 Chevy Impala searching for a loop-hole in Dean's deal with the Crossroads Demon. An agreement was made with the Demon to sell his soul in return for his brother’s life, but the catch was that he was only given a year to live.
Despite an all-out ambush against the demon that held Dean's contract, the last series called time on the rugged bad boy and he was dragged away by hell hounds. Season 4 opens four months later as Dean wakes-up in a pine box. He has escaped hell's clutches with no recollection of his time there or how he was freed.
The brothers are reunited but all is not the same, it becomes apparent that Sam is hiding secrets from Dean. Could Sam still possess supernatural powers as the Demon with yellow eyes prophesized?
In search of answers and demonic blood, the brothers hit the road to battle a legion of new supernatural forces including; malevolent spirits, Dracula himself and a drunk, heavily armed 7-foot-tall teddy bear. As their battle continues it becomes clear that these isolated paranormal cases are a small-part of a terrifying war heading their way.
In an explosive twist rumours begin to emerge that the fearful Lucifer will soon be released from the fires of hell. If he should walk free the Winchesters will not just be soldiers they will become martyrs against the Apocalypse.
We have two copies of Supernatural Season 4 to be won, to enter tell us: Which actor plays the role of Dean Winchester?Send your answer to: Supernatural Comp, c/o Daniel Bissett, 14 Eastgate Street, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 1AG by May 14.
Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on 'Lost,' 'House,' 'Bones,' '24,' 'NCIS,' 'Grey's,' 'Greek,' and more!
Question: Got any scoop on the Lost finale? --Carolyn
Ausiello: Funny, we posed that exact question to Damon Lindelof at the Hollywood premiere of Star Trek earlier this week. "All I will say is that it is time for the time travel craziness to end," he said. "And once it does end, something very, very surprising will happen in its wake. It is a little bit of a game-changer."
Question: Any spoilers about Lost's season finale? Please! --Sarah
Ausiello: Funny, we posed that exact question to Damon Lindelof Jorge Garcia at the Hollywood premiere of Star Trek earlier this week. "People will find out why [Hurley] got on the plane and how he came to get that guitar case in his hands," he said. "I've been wondering about that, too. I remember at one point asking a question about it and getting a, 'We don't know yet.' I had to ask once, 'How heavy is it? Is it just a guitar? Is it something else? How heavy is it supposed to be?' Sometimes I get an empty case to lug around in a scene and sometimes it has a guitar in it, but we don't actually know what's in it because that has not been [revealed] yet. It could be a case full of food or money or guns or papers or anything. So you see me get the case by the finale, but I don't know that we will find out what's in it. It was hard for me to play because at first I did not understand why Hurley would have ever changed his mind about going back to the island, and I'm sure fans are thinking the same thing. So it will be nice to be able to give them that information."
Question: Any new scoop on Gossip Girl? --Kathleen
Ausiello: One relationship won't survive prom night.
Question: I am so obsessed with Fringe right now. Any mind-blowing scoop? --Mindy
Ausiello: Aside from it getting renewed for a second season? Let's see ... "Look for a very special gravestone and [take note of] whose name is on it," teases co-exec producer Roberto Orci of the May 12 finale. "My God [I just gave you] a big puzzle piece." No kidding. When we pressed Anna Torv about said gravestone she pleaded the Fifth. “I can't say anything about the grave. But that's a big plot [twist]. The grave is the key." Torv was more forthcoming about the drama coming up for Olivia and Walter. "A whole lot of information starts to come to light about the trials and Olivia's part in the larger puzzle," she reveals. "Olivia decides to push Walter to his breaking point in order to get answers. She wants to know what happened to her and what is going on. She pushes a couple of buttons and Walter gets a little out of sorts and reverts to some of his old ways. I'm glad because it would be no fun if Walter fully recovered from his mental illness. People love him because he is eccentric and brilliant."
Question: Thanks for the Emily Deschanel Q&A. Now tell us what she said about the triangle with Booth's bro! --Deb
Ausiello: The events of the season finale will further complicate the triangle, she told me. "Booth's suspicion of his brother and his inability to fully trust his brother [is heightened]. It will give us some different dynamics to play next season."
Question: Emily said the sex between Booth and Brennan isn't going to be a dream. What about a hallucination? --Maggie
Ausiello: She also confirmed that it is not a hallucination. I suspect it'll be something in between the two. A dreamination, if you will.
Question: Can you ask Emily Deschanel if, before joining Bones, she had read the books by Kathy Reichs? --Kim
Ausiello: Sorry, got your question too late. Can I interest you in this answer she gave me about the show traveling overseas again next season? "We're not traveling at the beginning of the season, but we may go away at the end of the season or the beginning of the next. The intention is to travel again. But the way the next season is going to begin it wouldn't make sense." Hmm ... the way next season is going to begin? There's a clue in there somewhere.
Question: Please, give me something about next week's season finale of House! --Angelina
Ausiello: There's so much I want to tell you I don't know where to begin. That's a lie, yes I do: There's a wedding!
Question: House-Cuddy scoop, please! Will I need tissues? --Eve
Ausiello: Probably. And just to be safe, pick up some mood stabilizers, because Monday's finale will have Huddy fans experiencing a wide range of emotions, including (but not limited to) happiness, sadness, and "I'll cut a bitch"-level anger.
Question: Please tell me House will see one last awesome Amber hallucination in next week's season finale! --Luke
Ausiello: Not only will Amber be back, but another memorable Princeton Plainsboro alum will descend from heaven to haunt House next week. Guesses? Head to the comments!
Question: Is there any news on who is gonna take the ol' dirt nap in the Smallville season finale? Just a little hint? --Brad
Ausiello: Hey, we had a deal!
Question: Have you heard anything about Friday Night Lights' plans for the next year, and which castmembers are coming back? Hoping I haven't seen the last of Tim Riggins. --Diana
Ausiello: You haven't seen the last of Tim. I'm told Taylor Kitsch is definitely returning for season 4.
Question: Is Stella really the mother on HIMYM? Not that I don't love Sarah Chalke, but I was hoping the show was heading somewhere else with the mystery. --Michael
Ausiello: Exec producer Carter Bays isn't saying either way, but A Mother insider tells me that she is not the mom. Still, it looks like Chalke will be sticking around next season -- in some capacity. "We haven't talked to her or her people about it yet, but there's something very exciting about next season [involving Stella] that will sort of be alluded to in next week's episode," teases Bays. "We're excited to see how it'll play out next season." Speaking of Monday's ep, Bays says it ranks among the show's best. "It's a real good, classic How I Met Your Mother," he declares. "There are a few episodes of this show that, when we were shooting it, felt like an old movie. You just want to put it in black and white. Next week's episode felt like one of those."
Question: Tell me something about the 24 finale. I'm dying to hear anything! --Ferlay
Ausiello: Can't help you with the finale. Can help you with Monday's penultimate ep, which finds Jack Bauer going all Jack Bauer on Tony. It's a brutal scene, so if extreme violence isn't your thing, run for cover right around the halfway point. Just make sure you come back in time to catch Chloe and Janis' hilarious sneer-off.
Ausiello: Funny, we posed that exact question to Damon Lindelof at the Hollywood premiere of Star Trek earlier this week. "All I will say is that it is time for the time travel craziness to end," he said. "And once it does end, something very, very surprising will happen in its wake. It is a little bit of a game-changer."
Question: Any spoilers about Lost's season finale? Please! --Sarah
Ausiello: Funny, we posed that exact question to Damon Lindelof Jorge Garcia at the Hollywood premiere of Star Trek earlier this week. "People will find out why [Hurley] got on the plane and how he came to get that guitar case in his hands," he said. "I've been wondering about that, too. I remember at one point asking a question about it and getting a, 'We don't know yet.' I had to ask once, 'How heavy is it? Is it just a guitar? Is it something else? How heavy is it supposed to be?' Sometimes I get an empty case to lug around in a scene and sometimes it has a guitar in it, but we don't actually know what's in it because that has not been [revealed] yet. It could be a case full of food or money or guns or papers or anything. So you see me get the case by the finale, but I don't know that we will find out what's in it. It was hard for me to play because at first I did not understand why Hurley would have ever changed his mind about going back to the island, and I'm sure fans are thinking the same thing. So it will be nice to be able to give them that information."
Question: Any new scoop on Gossip Girl? --Kathleen
Ausiello: One relationship won't survive prom night.
Question: I am so obsessed with Fringe right now. Any mind-blowing scoop? --Mindy
Ausiello: Aside from it getting renewed for a second season? Let's see ... "Look for a very special gravestone and [take note of] whose name is on it," teases co-exec producer Roberto Orci of the May 12 finale. "My God [I just gave you] a big puzzle piece." No kidding. When we pressed Anna Torv about said gravestone she pleaded the Fifth. “I can't say anything about the grave. But that's a big plot [twist]. The grave is the key." Torv was more forthcoming about the drama coming up for Olivia and Walter. "A whole lot of information starts to come to light about the trials and Olivia's part in the larger puzzle," she reveals. "Olivia decides to push Walter to his breaking point in order to get answers. She wants to know what happened to her and what is going on. She pushes a couple of buttons and Walter gets a little out of sorts and reverts to some of his old ways. I'm glad because it would be no fun if Walter fully recovered from his mental illness. People love him because he is eccentric and brilliant."
Question: Thanks for the Emily Deschanel Q&A. Now tell us what she said about the triangle with Booth's bro! --Deb
Ausiello: The events of the season finale will further complicate the triangle, she told me. "Booth's suspicion of his brother and his inability to fully trust his brother [is heightened]. It will give us some different dynamics to play next season."
Question: Emily said the sex between Booth and Brennan isn't going to be a dream. What about a hallucination? --Maggie
Ausiello: She also confirmed that it is not a hallucination. I suspect it'll be something in between the two. A dreamination, if you will.
Question: Can you ask Emily Deschanel if, before joining Bones, she had read the books by Kathy Reichs? --Kim
Ausiello: Sorry, got your question too late. Can I interest you in this answer she gave me about the show traveling overseas again next season? "We're not traveling at the beginning of the season, but we may go away at the end of the season or the beginning of the next. The intention is to travel again. But the way the next season is going to begin it wouldn't make sense." Hmm ... the way next season is going to begin? There's a clue in there somewhere.
Question: Please, give me something about next week's season finale of House! --Angelina
Ausiello: There's so much I want to tell you I don't know where to begin. That's a lie, yes I do: There's a wedding!
Question: House-Cuddy scoop, please! Will I need tissues? --Eve
Ausiello: Probably. And just to be safe, pick up some mood stabilizers, because Monday's finale will have Huddy fans experiencing a wide range of emotions, including (but not limited to) happiness, sadness, and "I'll cut a bitch"-level anger.
Question: Please tell me House will see one last awesome Amber hallucination in next week's season finale! --Luke
Ausiello: Not only will Amber be back, but another memorable Princeton Plainsboro alum will descend from heaven to haunt House next week. Guesses? Head to the comments!
Question: Is there any news on who is gonna take the ol' dirt nap in the Smallville season finale? Just a little hint? --Brad
Ausiello: Hey, we had a deal!
Question: Have you heard anything about Friday Night Lights' plans for the next year, and which castmembers are coming back? Hoping I haven't seen the last of Tim Riggins. --Diana
Ausiello: You haven't seen the last of Tim. I'm told Taylor Kitsch is definitely returning for season 4.
Question: Is Stella really the mother on HIMYM? Not that I don't love Sarah Chalke, but I was hoping the show was heading somewhere else with the mystery. --Michael
Ausiello: Exec producer Carter Bays isn't saying either way, but A Mother insider tells me that she is not the mom. Still, it looks like Chalke will be sticking around next season -- in some capacity. "We haven't talked to her or her people about it yet, but there's something very exciting about next season [involving Stella] that will sort of be alluded to in next week's episode," teases Bays. "We're excited to see how it'll play out next season." Speaking of Monday's ep, Bays says it ranks among the show's best. "It's a real good, classic How I Met Your Mother," he declares. "There are a few episodes of this show that, when we were shooting it, felt like an old movie. You just want to put it in black and white. Next week's episode felt like one of those."
Question: Tell me something about the 24 finale. I'm dying to hear anything! --Ferlay
Ausiello: Can't help you with the finale. Can help you with Monday's penultimate ep, which finds Jack Bauer going all Jack Bauer on Tony. It's a brutal scene, so if extreme violence isn't your thing, run for cover right around the halfway point. Just make sure you come back in time to catch Chloe and Janis' hilarious sneer-off.
SMALLVILLE "Injustice" Season 8 Episode 21
Episode Synopsis: SMALLVILLE "Injustice" Season 8 Episode 21 - Chloe (Allison Mack) returns and begs Clark (Tom Welling) to kill Davis (Sam Witwer), claiming he can no longer keep the beast under control. Tess (Cassidy Freeman) has assembled a team of meteor freaks, including Plastique (guest star Jessica Parker Kennedy), to track down Davis so Clark can kill him. However, things get out of hand once Tess’ team discovers she is double-crossing them. Erica Durance, Aaron Ashmore and Justin Hartley also star. Mairzee Almas directed the episode written by Al Septian & Turi Meyer.
Also watch the latest episodes of Smallville episode here (Smallville Season 8 Episodes).
Also watch the latest episodes of Smallville episode here (Smallville Season 8 Episodes).
Will Smallville beat SG-1’s longevity record?
Stargate SG-1 fans have been holding their heads high since the show entered the Guiness Book of World Records a few years back (story), boasting the title of the longest-running science fiction show in North America. (Only the original Doctor Who ran longer.)
The series produced 214 hours over ten seasons (1997-2006).
Meanwhile, however, another Vancouver-made genre show has been quietly creeping up on Jack O’Neill and his team. The CW’s young Superman supershow Smallville is currently finishing up its eighth season, and has already been renewed for a ninth (EW.com). That will bring it up to a tie with The X-Files (in the season count), and hot on the heels of SG-1 for the record.
So is Smallville going to tie or beat SG-1’s record?
Stargate SG-1 produced 22 episodes per year for seven seasons, then 20 per year for its last three. Smallville has stayed at 22 episodes per year, with Season Seven shortened to 20 only because of the writer’s strike.
After Smallville’s 2009-2010 season, then, the show will have produced 196 episodes. If it continues on to a tenth season, it will tie SG-1 in the season count and surpass it in episodes — 218 if the network orders a full, 22-episode season.
Future prospects for the CW show rely heavily on signing lead actor Tom Welling. The eighth and ninth years have proven that the show can lose major cast members (Michael Rosenbaum and Kristin Kreuk, a.k.a. Lex Luthor and Lana Lang) and even its executive producers and keep going strong.
Smallville airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. (7 Central) on The CW in the United States. Season Nine begins this fall, and future contract negotiations and a tenth season renewal decision should come next spring.
The series produced 214 hours over ten seasons (1997-2006).
Meanwhile, however, another Vancouver-made genre show has been quietly creeping up on Jack O’Neill and his team. The CW’s young Superman supershow Smallville is currently finishing up its eighth season, and has already been renewed for a ninth (EW.com). That will bring it up to a tie with The X-Files (in the season count), and hot on the heels of SG-1 for the record.
So is Smallville going to tie or beat SG-1’s record?
Stargate SG-1 produced 22 episodes per year for seven seasons, then 20 per year for its last three. Smallville has stayed at 22 episodes per year, with Season Seven shortened to 20 only because of the writer’s strike.
After Smallville’s 2009-2010 season, then, the show will have produced 196 episodes. If it continues on to a tenth season, it will tie SG-1 in the season count and surpass it in episodes — 218 if the network orders a full, 22-episode season.
Future prospects for the CW show rely heavily on signing lead actor Tom Welling. The eighth and ninth years have proven that the show can lose major cast members (Michael Rosenbaum and Kristin Kreuk, a.k.a. Lex Luthor and Lana Lang) and even its executive producers and keep going strong.
Smallville airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. (7 Central) on The CW in the United States. Season Nine begins this fall, and future contract negotiations and a tenth season renewal decision should come next spring.
2009年5月5日星期二
ATV spoiler alert: 'Smallville' finale sneak! 'Bones' sex twist! 'Grey's' wedding scoop!
The Grim Reaper is about to make an unwelcome pit stop in Smallville, and, if I'm not mistaken, the blockbuster trailer The CW cut together for the May 14 season finale comes very close to identifying at least one of the victims. I could be wrong. Don't think I am, though. Watch the latest episode of Ausiello TV and judge for yourself (hint: it features an exclusive first look at said trailer. You can thank me later, Smallville fans.)
Also in the new ATV: Fresh details about Booth and Brennan's season-ending hookup on Bones, and a Grey's-themed wedding present for Mer-Der fans.
Press play below!
Also in the new ATV: Fresh details about Booth and Brennan's season-ending hookup on Bones, and a Grey's-themed wedding present for Mer-Der fans.
Press play below!
Local viewing habits don’t bode well for networks
This isn’t only because three of the top 11 shows in March in Western New York have “CSI” in the title and four other CBS crime-related series—“ NCIS,” “The Mentalist,” “Criminal Minds” and “Cold Case” —were in the Top 11, too.
It isn’t because three versions of the crime series “Law& Order”—“SVU,” the Wednesday originals and the Saturday repeats—were among NBC’s top five series here. (“ER” was still NBC’s highest-rated series here, which may help explain why there are two medical shows on its fall lineup.)
New hits are vital to the continued success of network TV, and they will be more difficult to come by when old shows die and the lead-ins they provide to new ones disappear. Lead-ins still are a key determining factor in what becomes a hit. Even “The Mentalist,” the No. 3 series here and the only new one with a double-digit rating, has the benefit of the “NCIS” lead-in. In a way, the Jay Mohr comedy, “Gary Unmarried,” is a bigger success story here at No. 28 because it builds on its lead-in and it’s so hard for any comedies to get any traction now.
It isn’t because three versions of the crime series “Law& Order”—“SVU,” the Wednesday originals and the Saturday repeats—were among NBC’s top five series here. (“ER” was still NBC’s highest-rated series here, which may help explain why there are two medical shows on its fall lineup.)
New hits are vital to the continued success of network TV, and they will be more difficult to come by when old shows die and the lead-ins they provide to new ones disappear. Lead-ins still are a key determining factor in what becomes a hit. Even “The Mentalist,” the No. 3 series here and the only new one with a double-digit rating, has the benefit of the “NCIS” lead-in. In a way, the Jay Mohr comedy, “Gary Unmarried,” is a bigger success story here at No. 28 because it builds on its lead-in and it’s so hard for any comedies to get any traction now.
TV shows set to finish season in dramatic style
?"NCIS" (May 19, CBS): Can our hearts take it? Last year they stunned us by killing off Jenny Shepard (Lauren Holly). Now, producers are promising to drop another bombshell. Details are scarce, but the network's logline says Gibbs (Mark Harmon) will be forced to make "a decision that sends shockwaves through NCIS."
NCIS "Legend" Season 6 Episode 23 (Part 2)
Browse > Home / NCIS / NCIS “Legend” Season 6 Episode 23 (Part 2) NCIS "Legend" Season 6 Episode 23 (Part 2)
Watch a sneak peek of NCIS Season 6 Episode 23 "Legend" Part 2 airing this Tuesday May 5 at 9 pm on CBS.
Also watch any NCIS Episodes you may have missed here.
Episode Synopsis: NCIS "Legend" Part 2 Season 6 Episode 23 - With the appearance of Mossad agent Michael Rivkin, Tony is forced to question Ziva’s loyalty to NCIS. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Special Agent Callen goes undercover to try to catch a terrorist cell while OSP psychologist Nate Getz discovers the startling truth about Gibbs and Special Agent Lara Macy’s relationship, on NCIS, Tuesday, May 5th (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
You can also watch a preview from NCIS "Legend" below and read all our NCIS coverage
Watch a sneak peek of NCIS Season 6 Episode 23 "Legend" Part 2 airing this Tuesday May 5 at 9 pm on CBS.
Also watch any NCIS Episodes you may have missed here.
Episode Synopsis: NCIS "Legend" Part 2 Season 6 Episode 23 - With the appearance of Mossad agent Michael Rivkin, Tony is forced to question Ziva’s loyalty to NCIS. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Special Agent Callen goes undercover to try to catch a terrorist cell while OSP psychologist Nate Getz discovers the startling truth about Gibbs and Special Agent Lara Macy’s relationship, on NCIS, Tuesday, May 5th (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
You can also watch a preview from NCIS "Legend" below and read all our NCIS coverage
Mega Buzz on SVU, NCIS, Housewives, Private Practice & More
I heard a very nasty rumor that Michael Weatherly is leaving NCIS. When? Why? It would take an amazing actor to fill the hole left in Gibbs' family/team if Tony left. — Laura
MATT: It is entirely likely that Tony will be a victim of ... semantics. When I asked NCIS boss Shane Brennan about the rumor that Gibbs will lose a team member by season's end, he said, "That's not correct ... but that's not wrong, either." He then let rip a rather sneaky laugh, before adding, "It's one of those things that people are going to have to watch to figure out." (Get more NCIS finale scoop here.)
MATT: It is entirely likely that Tony will be a victim of ... semantics. When I asked NCIS boss Shane Brennan about the rumor that Gibbs will lose a team member by season's end, he said, "That's not correct ... but that's not wrong, either." He then let rip a rather sneaky laugh, before adding, "It's one of those things that people are going to have to watch to figure out." (Get more NCIS finale scoop here.)
2009年4月29日星期三
Ratings: 9021-Oh, No! Renewed Show Hits All-Time Low
Tuesday's tallies:
8 pm/ET
American Idol Rat-Packed in an audience of 22.54 million total viewers, dipping 700K week-to-week. Part 1 of NCIS' spin-off set-up scored second with 16.32 mil, a drop of 7 percent.
The Biggest Loser averaged 9.43 mil over its two-hour run, its largest audience since Feb. 3. Lagging far behind ABC's According to Jims, Reaper plunged 26 percent, to 1.82 mil.
9 pm
The Mentalist topped the hour with 16.9 million viewers, up 155 thou from its last fresh outing. Dancing with the Stars' results show followed with14.27 mil. At 10.6 mil, Fringe was up a hair from last week.
90210, meanwhile, sank 19 percent to hit an all-time low of 1.8 mil. That's right, 90210 got a Season 2 pick-up in February, yet Privileged is on the bubble. Join me in some head-scratching.
10 pm
Without a Trace was No. 1 with an audience of 12.35 million (down 800K), but SVU (10.5 mil, surging 16 percent) dominated in the demos. In fact, Stabler and Benson copped their best 18-49 numbers since Jan. 6, and their second-best such demos of the season.
ABC's Cupid targeted 6.16 mil, down 440K and suffering significant tune-out over the hour.
Crave scoop on your favorite TV shows? E-mail senior editors Matt, Mickey and Tim at mega_scoop@tvguide.com.
Comment on this article at TVGuide.com >
Related Articles on TVGuide.com
8 pm/ET
American Idol Rat-Packed in an audience of 22.54 million total viewers, dipping 700K week-to-week. Part 1 of NCIS' spin-off set-up scored second with 16.32 mil, a drop of 7 percent.
The Biggest Loser averaged 9.43 mil over its two-hour run, its largest audience since Feb. 3. Lagging far behind ABC's According to Jims, Reaper plunged 26 percent, to 1.82 mil.
9 pm
The Mentalist topped the hour with 16.9 million viewers, up 155 thou from its last fresh outing. Dancing with the Stars' results show followed with14.27 mil. At 10.6 mil, Fringe was up a hair from last week.
90210, meanwhile, sank 19 percent to hit an all-time low of 1.8 mil. That's right, 90210 got a Season 2 pick-up in February, yet Privileged is on the bubble. Join me in some head-scratching.
10 pm
Without a Trace was No. 1 with an audience of 12.35 million (down 800K), but SVU (10.5 mil, surging 16 percent) dominated in the demos. In fact, Stabler and Benson copped their best 18-49 numbers since Jan. 6, and their second-best such demos of the season.
ABC's Cupid targeted 6.16 mil, down 440K and suffering significant tune-out over the hour.
Crave scoop on your favorite TV shows? E-mail senior editors Matt, Mickey and Tim at mega_scoop@tvguide.com.
Comment on this article at TVGuide.com >
Related Articles on TVGuide.com
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: New Boston Legal: Season 5 Special Feature ClipThe StoryEmail This Submit Scoops Discuss It Lists
We have an exclusive special feature clip from the upcoming DVD set Boston Legal: Season 5, which brings the final season of the series to DVD in a four-disc set on May 5. Click below for an exclusive look at one of the special features on the set which takes a look at the intriguing relationship between James Spader's Alan and William Shatner's Denny.
Everyone deserves his or her day in court. In fact, some people deserve more than one. Take the attorneys of Crane Poole & Schmidt, whose unquestionable legal brilliance is matched only by the outrageous instability of their personal lives. It's a chaotic world where sexual harassment, extortion, kidnapping and attempted murder all comes with the territory... and those are just the attorneys!
Special Features:
- Denny and Alan: "Friends to the End"
- "Denny's Daughter: The Untold Story with Introduction by Executive Producer/Director Bill D'Elia"
- Closing Statement: The "Boston Legal" Series Finale
- Stricken From The Record! - Deleted Scenes with Introductions by Executive Producer/Director Bill D'Elia
Everyone deserves his or her day in court. In fact, some people deserve more than one. Take the attorneys of Crane Poole & Schmidt, whose unquestionable legal brilliance is matched only by the outrageous instability of their personal lives. It's a chaotic world where sexual harassment, extortion, kidnapping and attempted murder all comes with the territory... and those are just the attorneys!
Special Features:
- Denny and Alan: "Friends to the End"
- "Denny's Daughter: The Untold Story with Introduction by Executive Producer/Director Bill D'Elia"
- Closing Statement: The "Boston Legal" Series Finale
- Stricken From The Record! - Deleted Scenes with Introductions by Executive Producer/Director Bill D'Elia
Young Merlin works magic in Camelot
A reworking of the ancient legend of the wizard and the king borrows from the Smallville style, writes Michael Idato.
SUPERMAN soared from the destruction of Krypton, Wonder Woman from the ancient Amazon city-state of Paradise Island and Batman from the crime-soaked alleys of Gotham City. Such "origin stories", as they are called in the comic-book vernacular, are compelling because they mark ordinary mortals for future greatness, says Merlin co-producer Julian Murphy.
"Something about these people marks them out from the rest of their world, there is something unique and special about them, and somehow that is tied to their origin," he says. The big-budget adventure TV series Merlin, which Murphy has co-produced with Johnny Capps, is the origin story of the future King Arthur and the wizard Merlin, a sort of Malory-meets-Smallville pitched at a family audience.
"But I think Johnny is right when he says we're probably more influenced by something like Smallville than we are by something like Malory, because I think the struggle is to make this contemporary, and this is a story before all of that happened, we're trying to see them grow up and that dramatic truth is just as important as what follows."
SUPERMAN soared from the destruction of Krypton, Wonder Woman from the ancient Amazon city-state of Paradise Island and Batman from the crime-soaked alleys of Gotham City. Such "origin stories", as they are called in the comic-book vernacular, are compelling because they mark ordinary mortals for future greatness, says Merlin co-producer Julian Murphy.
"Something about these people marks them out from the rest of their world, there is something unique and special about them, and somehow that is tied to their origin," he says. The big-budget adventure TV series Merlin, which Murphy has co-produced with Johnny Capps, is the origin story of the future King Arthur and the wizard Merlin, a sort of Malory-meets-Smallville pitched at a family audience.
"But I think Johnny is right when he says we're probably more influenced by something like Smallville than we are by something like Malory, because I think the struggle is to make this contemporary, and this is a story before all of that happened, we're trying to see them grow up and that dramatic truth is just as important as what follows."
Thrilling Star Trek Promo Spots! Plus Your First Look At Leonard Nimoy In Fringe!
New Star Trek TV spots include fresh moments of Kirk badassery. Also, Common talks Terminator Salvation, and Fringe pics include your first Nimoy sighting.Supernatural pics show Dean in paradise. Plus Caprica, Lost and Chuck spoilers.
Star Trek:
Here are three new TV spots. To be honest, only the third one (#11) seemed to have any new footage, but that's some bracing stuff. Including Kirk saying we've seen what Nero's weapon did to Vulcan, and Earth is next. Also, Pike says Kirk can go to Starfleet Academy and become an officer within four years, and Kirk says he'll do it in three. [TrekMovie]
Star Trek:
Here are three new TV spots. To be honest, only the third one (#11) seemed to have any new footage, but that's some bracing stuff. Including Kirk saying we've seen what Nero's weapon did to Vulcan, and Earth is next. Also, Pike says Kirk can go to Starfleet Academy and become an officer within four years, and Kirk says he'll do it in three. [TrekMovie]
INUYASHA SEVENTH SEASON BOX SET
The animation still boasts the same production quality it has since the very first season. The rich color palate, supernatural elements, and stunning action has made it an outstanding series visually throughout. The final battles in particular and their emotional aftermaths were beautifully animated, displaying new nuances in the final moments of the series as the characters. The anime also has a new opening theme song “Angelus” sung by Hitomi Shimatani. There is a special ending song to the final two-part episode called “My Will” by dream.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXTRAS:
Bonus features includes textless opening and ending animation, special Inuyasha footage feature from the original Japanese broadcast and a feature original to the English release. The first is Down the Well: Inside the Feudal Fairy tale which looks at the foundation of the mythological and supernatural aspects of the show. The second Inuyasha special feature is a series of video interviews with the English voice cast at the Inuyasha Wrap Party. Voice actors include Richard Ian Cox (Inuyasha), Moneca Stori (Kagome), Kelly Sheridan (Sango), and more.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXTRAS:
Bonus features includes textless opening and ending animation, special Inuyasha footage feature from the original Japanese broadcast and a feature original to the English release. The first is Down the Well: Inside the Feudal Fairy tale which looks at the foundation of the mythological and supernatural aspects of the show. The second Inuyasha special feature is a series of video interviews with the English voice cast at the Inuyasha Wrap Party. Voice actors include Richard Ian Cox (Inuyasha), Moneca Stori (Kagome), Kelly Sheridan (Sango), and more.
2009年4月27日星期一
Spoiler Chat: What Happens in the Lost Finale?
What will the Lost finale reveal about the godforsaken Jack-Kate-Sawyer-Juliet love quadrangle?
Does Izzie's mother save her baby girl's life with just one quick visit to Grey's Anatomy?
Does Chuck ditch Blair in the Gossip Girl finale again?! And who dies on 90210?
Read on for the answers to these Q's and many more in this week's fabulous Spoiler Chat!
Stella in Calif.: What can you tell us about Audrina Partridge's new reality show? She's my favorite on The Hills.
Does Izzie's mother save her baby girl's life with just one quick visit to Grey's Anatomy?
Does Chuck ditch Blair in the Gossip Girl finale again?! And who dies on 90210?
Read on for the answers to these Q's and many more in this week's fabulous Spoiler Chat!
Stella in Calif.: What can you tell us about Audrina Partridge's new reality show? She's my favorite on The Hills.
Some Season Finale Dates For (Mostly) High Rated Shows
1. Heroes (April 27, NBC)
2. Private Practice (April 30, ABC)
3. Scrubs (May 6, ABC)
4. Lost (May 13, ABC)
5. CSI (May 14, CBS)
6. Grey’s Anatomy (May 14, ABC)
7. The Office (May 14, NBC)
8. Saturday Night Live (May 16, NBC)
9. Desperate Housewives (May 17, ABC)
10. 24 (May 18, Fox)
11. Dancing with the Stars (May 19, ABC)
12. NCIS (May 19, CBS)
13. 90210 (May 19, CW)
14. American Idol (May 20, Fox)
15. CSI: NY (May 20, CBS)
16. Breaking Bad (May 31, AMC)
2. Private Practice (April 30, ABC)
3. Scrubs (May 6, ABC)
4. Lost (May 13, ABC)
5. CSI (May 14, CBS)
6. Grey’s Anatomy (May 14, ABC)
7. The Office (May 14, NBC)
8. Saturday Night Live (May 16, NBC)
9. Desperate Housewives (May 17, ABC)
10. 24 (May 18, Fox)
11. Dancing with the Stars (May 19, ABC)
12. NCIS (May 19, CBS)
13. 90210 (May 19, CW)
14. American Idol (May 20, Fox)
15. CSI: NY (May 20, CBS)
16. Breaking Bad (May 31, AMC)
This Week
Chuck "Chuck Versus the Ring" (2x22). In the Season 2 finale, Ellie and Awesome's wedding day arrives, but Chuck must spring into action to save his sister from evil Fulcrum forces and one Ted Roark (Chevy Chase). Guest stars include Scott Bakula, Morgan Fairchild, Bruce Boxleitner and Tony Hale.
Heroes "An Invisible Thread" (3x25). Nathan takes on Sylar in order to shield the president in the third-season finale. Elsewhere, Hiro discovers unexpected side effects from recovering his ability, and Matt takes extreme measures to protect his family.
Medium "The Devil Inside: Part 2" (5x12). Conclusion. Allison continues to be mercilessly persecuted by her demonic stalker, who even penetrates her visions, making her an unreliable source during an investigation into serial killings. Meanwhile, Joe tries to save his company by exploiting Marie's newfound gift of predicting stock movement.
Reaper "No Reaper Left Behind" (2x09). The Devil sends Sam an attractive tutor (Simone Kessell) to train him for the end times, but Sam plans to seduce her to gain information about how to defeat Satan. Meanwhile, Nina decides to take revenge against Ben and Sock.
Fringe "Midnight" (1x18). When a serial killer is draining victims of spinal fluid, the investigation by Olivia, Peter and Walter leads to a scientist who may be linked to a ZFT cell of bioterrorists.
Smallville "Beast" (8x20). Clark discovers Davis is alive and confronts Chloe about her role in hiding him. Meanwhile, Oliver and Jimmy are attacked by Davis at Chloe's apartment.
Supernatural "The Rapture" (4x20). Castiel visits Dean in a dream and tells him he has important news. Dean and Sam set out on a search for Castiel, only to find his human vessel, Jimmy, who yearns for a normal life and to return to his family.
Ghost Whisperer "Cursed" (4x21). A girl's dollhouse is haunted by ghosts.
Dollhouse "Briar Rose" (1x11). Alan Tudyk guest stars as the Dollhouse designer, who finds himself the focus of Ballard's investigation. Meanwhile, Echo helps a young girl cope with her painful past; Adelle searches the attic for answers; and Alpha reveals himself.
Legend of the Seeker "Cursed" (1x19). King Gregor persuades Shota the sorcerer to transform him into a vicious beast at sundown each day so he can protect his realm from the D'Harans. But that viciousness takes an unintended---and tragic---turn, leading to a dilemma for Richard.
Heroes "An Invisible Thread" (3x25). Nathan takes on Sylar in order to shield the president in the third-season finale. Elsewhere, Hiro discovers unexpected side effects from recovering his ability, and Matt takes extreme measures to protect his family.
Medium "The Devil Inside: Part 2" (5x12). Conclusion. Allison continues to be mercilessly persecuted by her demonic stalker, who even penetrates her visions, making her an unreliable source during an investigation into serial killings. Meanwhile, Joe tries to save his company by exploiting Marie's newfound gift of predicting stock movement.
Reaper "No Reaper Left Behind" (2x09). The Devil sends Sam an attractive tutor (Simone Kessell) to train him for the end times, but Sam plans to seduce her to gain information about how to defeat Satan. Meanwhile, Nina decides to take revenge against Ben and Sock.
Fringe "Midnight" (1x18). When a serial killer is draining victims of spinal fluid, the investigation by Olivia, Peter and Walter leads to a scientist who may be linked to a ZFT cell of bioterrorists.
Smallville "Beast" (8x20). Clark discovers Davis is alive and confronts Chloe about her role in hiding him. Meanwhile, Oliver and Jimmy are attacked by Davis at Chloe's apartment.
Supernatural "The Rapture" (4x20). Castiel visits Dean in a dream and tells him he has important news. Dean and Sam set out on a search for Castiel, only to find his human vessel, Jimmy, who yearns for a normal life and to return to his family.
Ghost Whisperer "Cursed" (4x21). A girl's dollhouse is haunted by ghosts.
Dollhouse "Briar Rose" (1x11). Alan Tudyk guest stars as the Dollhouse designer, who finds himself the focus of Ballard's investigation. Meanwhile, Echo helps a young girl cope with her painful past; Adelle searches the attic for answers; and Alpha reveals himself.
Legend of the Seeker "Cursed" (1x19). King Gregor persuades Shota the sorcerer to transform him into a vicious beast at sundown each day so he can protect his realm from the D'Harans. But that viciousness takes an unintended---and tragic---turn, leading to a dilemma for Richard.
Lions Gate turns to Relativity Media to fill movie pipeline
With backing from the New York-based hedge fund Elliott Associates, Relativity has been stepping up its plans to produce eight to 10 movies a year. The company recently acquired the horror-thriller label Rogue Pictures from Universal Pictures for a reported $150 million.
The first Relativity title to be released under the new deal is "Brothers," about the rivalry and redemption of two brothers in love with the same woman, starring Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman and directed by Jim Sheridan. The film will come out this fall, followed by the supernatural thriller "Season of the Witch," starring Nicolas Cage and Ron Perlman, and the action-comedy "The Spy Next Door," with Jackie Chan. Both of those pictures are currently in post-production and are expected to be released before the end of Lions Gate's fiscal year in March 2010.
After two down quarters of under-performing movies, Lions Gate came back with three hits in its latest earning period, "Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail," "The Haunting in Connecticut" and "My Bloody Valentine 3D." However, the studio's current release "Crank 2: High Voltage" is lacking box office fire power.
The first Relativity title to be released under the new deal is "Brothers," about the rivalry and redemption of two brothers in love with the same woman, starring Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman and directed by Jim Sheridan. The film will come out this fall, followed by the supernatural thriller "Season of the Witch," starring Nicolas Cage and Ron Perlman, and the action-comedy "The Spy Next Door," with Jackie Chan. Both of those pictures are currently in post-production and are expected to be released before the end of Lions Gate's fiscal year in March 2010.
After two down quarters of under-performing movies, Lions Gate came back with three hits in its latest earning period, "Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail," "The Haunting in Connecticut" and "My Bloody Valentine 3D." However, the studio's current release "Crank 2: High Voltage" is lacking box office fire power.
CBS moving 'Harper's Island' to Saturday death slot
The series was only intended to last one season, but I'm guessing CBS was hoping for one solid, ratings-healthy season. Sadly for them, no such luck.
"Harper's Island" debuted just two and a half weeks ago, however it hasn't been performing quite up to par -- averaging roughly seven million viewers on Thursday nights -- and, word is, its 10 remaining episodes will play out on Saturdays because of it.
Cast member Jim Beaver -- whom you may know better from The CW's "Supernatural" -- posted this news on his Facebook page today: "just found out that CBS is moving 'Harper's Island' to Saturdays at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) starting this week."
Though CBS hasn't yet confirmed the time slot change, Beaver -- who was also first to let us know, via Facebook, when "Supernatural" and "X-Files" director Kim Manners passed away -- seems to be a pretty good source of info.
So, thoughts on the move? Are you enjoying "Harper's" now? Will you follow it to Saturday, even though no one really watches TV that night of the week anymore?
UPDATE: CBS has since confirmed that "Harper's Island" will move to Saturdays at 9 on May 2nd. A rerun "Criminal Minds" will fill its former Thursday slot.
"Harper's Island" debuted just two and a half weeks ago, however it hasn't been performing quite up to par -- averaging roughly seven million viewers on Thursday nights -- and, word is, its 10 remaining episodes will play out on Saturdays because of it.
Cast member Jim Beaver -- whom you may know better from The CW's "Supernatural" -- posted this news on his Facebook page today: "just found out that CBS is moving 'Harper's Island' to Saturdays at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) starting this week."
Though CBS hasn't yet confirmed the time slot change, Beaver -- who was also first to let us know, via Facebook, when "Supernatural" and "X-Files" director Kim Manners passed away -- seems to be a pretty good source of info.
So, thoughts on the move? Are you enjoying "Harper's" now? Will you follow it to Saturday, even though no one really watches TV that night of the week anymore?
UPDATE: CBS has since confirmed that "Harper's Island" will move to Saturdays at 9 on May 2nd. A rerun "Criminal Minds" will fill its former Thursday slot.
2009年4月24日星期五
'Smallville' 8.20 Preview: Chloe Escapes With Davis
Chloe makes a decision that will change her friendship with Clark forever. Clark discovers that Davis is still alive and confronts Chloe about protecting him. The Thursday, April 30 episode of "Smallville" is called "Beast". Louis Febre who composes for the series twitted, "Beast is d-a-r-k."
Clark discovers that Davis did not die from the kryptonite exposure, and that he is taking Chloe out of town to escape from the people. Meanwhile, Oliver finds Jimmy breaking into Chloe's apartment. But things get rapidly worse after Davis jumps from the shadows and attacks both of them.
On the fate of Chloe in the upcoming episodes and the next season, executive producers Brian Peterson and Kelly Souders answer questions from E! Online. "It's a scary future for Chloe Sullivan because you never know what's going to happen because of that exact fact," Souders said, before adding "All we can say is her tragic arc has a very tragic ending this year".
Clark discovers that Davis did not die from the kryptonite exposure, and that he is taking Chloe out of town to escape from the people. Meanwhile, Oliver finds Jimmy breaking into Chloe's apartment. But things get rapidly worse after Davis jumps from the shadows and attacks both of them.
On the fate of Chloe in the upcoming episodes and the next season, executive producers Brian Peterson and Kelly Souders answer questions from E! Online. "It's a scary future for Chloe Sullivan because you never know what's going to happen because of that exact fact," Souders said, before adding "All we can say is her tragic arc has a very tragic ending this year".
Smallville: Will Chloe Survive?
Smallville has taken a dark turn this season, especially with the introduction of Doomsday (Sam Witwer), who is the only DC villain able to kill Superman. That would seem like a rough break for Tom Welling, except that Clark Kent is not one of the two characters kicking the bucket in the season finale.
Fellow fan favorite Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack), on the other hand, has been considered very much in the line of fire, especially since producers tell us next season's stories line up closely with the DC mythology—the same Superman mythology that does not include Chloe Sullivan.
However, there's hope on the horizon! Executive producers Brian Peterson and Kelly Souders tease some upcoming storylines for Chloe that could land her in the Watchtower next season, instead of a grave.
That's not the case for two other characters on Smallville who will be saying goodbye for good, and Brian teases there may actually be a third death. Plus, find out why Lois (Erica Durance) and Clark fans can expect to squee in the finale...
Are Clark and Doomsday throwing down in the finale?
Brian Peterson: It's what everybody has probably been watching for the whole season. There will be a big throwdown between Doomsday and Clark.
Kelly Souders: Clark meets his match.
How does Chloe come between Clark and Davis?
K.S.: I think Chloe takes a very integral part in trying to keep the two fated nemeses apart from each other. It's hard; trouble just seems to find Clark Kent.
B.P.: We want the audience to ask the question, Is Chloe doing this because she's starting to fall for Davis, or is Chloe doing this because she's really protecting Clark? I think we walk that line pretty carefully, I hope.
Let's talk about the major death. Is it two people dying, or maybe one is just leaving the show?
K.S.: I will say it's Smallville, anything can happen, but I don't expect a dry eye in the house. It's not one of those things where someone just goes down and walks out of it the next minute, unfortunately. There's a lot of doom in Doomsday.
Fellow fan favorite Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack), on the other hand, has been considered very much in the line of fire, especially since producers tell us next season's stories line up closely with the DC mythology—the same Superman mythology that does not include Chloe Sullivan.
However, there's hope on the horizon! Executive producers Brian Peterson and Kelly Souders tease some upcoming storylines for Chloe that could land her in the Watchtower next season, instead of a grave.
That's not the case for two other characters on Smallville who will be saying goodbye for good, and Brian teases there may actually be a third death. Plus, find out why Lois (Erica Durance) and Clark fans can expect to squee in the finale...
Are Clark and Doomsday throwing down in the finale?
Brian Peterson: It's what everybody has probably been watching for the whole season. There will be a big throwdown between Doomsday and Clark.
Kelly Souders: Clark meets his match.
How does Chloe come between Clark and Davis?
K.S.: I think Chloe takes a very integral part in trying to keep the two fated nemeses apart from each other. It's hard; trouble just seems to find Clark Kent.
B.P.: We want the audience to ask the question, Is Chloe doing this because she's starting to fall for Davis, or is Chloe doing this because she's really protecting Clark? I think we walk that line pretty carefully, I hope.
Let's talk about the major death. Is it two people dying, or maybe one is just leaving the show?
K.S.: I will say it's Smallville, anything can happen, but I don't expect a dry eye in the house. It's not one of those things where someone just goes down and walks out of it the next minute, unfortunately. There's a lot of doom in Doomsday.
Breaking: Cuoco pulls out of 'Grey's Anatomy'
The mystery surrounding Kaley Cuoco's top-secret role in Grey's Anatomy's May 14 season finale has been solved! She's playing... no one!
A spokesperson for the Big Bang Theory star just released the following statement: "Due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts on behalf of The Big Bang Theory, Kaley Cuoco regrettably will be unable to guest star on the season finale of Grey’s Anatomy. Kaley is a big fan of Grey’s Anatomy and hopes to work with them in the future."
Is there more to this story than meets the eye? You tell me: BBT wrapped production for the season last Tuesday and Cuoco clearly told us that she wasn't needed on the Grey's set until this week. Sounds a little fishy, right? Let me put my detective hat on and see what I can suss out.
THIS JUST IN: Cuoco's rep just e-mailed to say, "To clarify, it was a publicity related commitment, not a production conflict."
UPDATE NO. 2: The plot thickens! Click here for the latest!
A spokesperson for the Big Bang Theory star just released the following statement: "Due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts on behalf of The Big Bang Theory, Kaley Cuoco regrettably will be unable to guest star on the season finale of Grey’s Anatomy. Kaley is a big fan of Grey’s Anatomy and hopes to work with them in the future."
Is there more to this story than meets the eye? You tell me: BBT wrapped production for the season last Tuesday and Cuoco clearly told us that she wasn't needed on the Grey's set until this week. Sounds a little fishy, right? Let me put my detective hat on and see what I can suss out.
THIS JUST IN: Cuoco's rep just e-mailed to say, "To clarify, it was a publicity related commitment, not a production conflict."
UPDATE NO. 2: The plot thickens! Click here for the latest!
'Smallville,' 'Supernatural' Return Tonight
The CW's Thursday night has had more starts and stops this season than a teenager learning to drive with a stick shift, but tonight both Smallville and Supernatural air the first of four consecutive brand-new episodes leading up to their respective season finales on May 14.
Smallville:
On tonight's episode of Smallville, "Stiletto," Lois Lane takes center stage as she adopts her own secret crime fighting identity.
Official CW Description: "Lois believes that she needs a big story to secure her reputation as a star reporter but the red/blue blur continues to elude her. However, after Chloe is mugged, Lois steps in to fend off one of the attackers and uses the opportunity to pretend a new superhero, Stiletto, has come to town and is giving exclusives to Lois. Clark is concerned Lois will hurt herself pretending to be a superhero but after he is captured by thugs with kryptonite, Lois steps in to save the day."
Smallville:
On tonight's episode of Smallville, "Stiletto," Lois Lane takes center stage as she adopts her own secret crime fighting identity.
Official CW Description: "Lois believes that she needs a big story to secure her reputation as a star reporter but the red/blue blur continues to elude her. However, after Chloe is mugged, Lois steps in to fend off one of the attackers and uses the opportunity to pretend a new superhero, Stiletto, has come to town and is giving exclusives to Lois. Clark is concerned Lois will hurt herself pretending to be a superhero but after he is captured by thugs with kryptonite, Lois steps in to save the day."
Grey's Anatomy prepares for a wedding
Before the Poehler and Fey bring the funny and Ellen Pompeo tries on wedding gowns -- usually, I'm excited to see singers from the past make an appearance on American Idol. But last night's disco tribute was an exception to that rule. All three artists: Freda Payne, Thelma Houston, and K.C. (of the Sunshine Band), all made poor showings. I love my disco but these three made me cringe. Seriously, American Idol, a disco tribute without Donna Summer -- can't be done.
As for the American Idol eliminations, Lil Rounds was unceremoniously chopped right at the start and I think that left her reeling. Anoop was given his ticket out at the end of the show.
I like Anoop's voice but I'm amazed he lasted this long. I'm very curious to see where he ends up in this world.
David Archuleta performed on American Idol last night and gave the bottom two a nice speech about how losing on Idol didn't mark the end of a person's career.
It was a nice pep talk and very true as many of the Idol hopefuls have gone on to better careers than the winners did (Ruben Studdard).
The America's Next Top Model girls were off to Brazil last night in a lackluster episode that saw the girls posing as Carmen Miranda wannabes. There was much complaining and backstabbing and $500 flip flops with crystals in the straps. Nasty Natalie was sent packing and she won't be missed. Buh-bye.
Now here's something you don't see every day -- a schedule with only one rerun. Check this out
As for the American Idol eliminations, Lil Rounds was unceremoniously chopped right at the start and I think that left her reeling. Anoop was given his ticket out at the end of the show.
I like Anoop's voice but I'm amazed he lasted this long. I'm very curious to see where he ends up in this world.
David Archuleta performed on American Idol last night and gave the bottom two a nice speech about how losing on Idol didn't mark the end of a person's career.
It was a nice pep talk and very true as many of the Idol hopefuls have gone on to better careers than the winners did (Ruben Studdard).
The America's Next Top Model girls were off to Brazil last night in a lackluster episode that saw the girls posing as Carmen Miranda wannabes. There was much complaining and backstabbing and $500 flip flops with crystals in the straps. Nasty Natalie was sent packing and she won't be missed. Buh-bye.
Now here's something you don't see every day -- a schedule with only one rerun. Check this out
2009年4月23日星期四
These are great times for the USA cable network
NEW YORK - These may not be the best of times for the United States, but they're great for USA.
The cable channel that is home to the fussy detective story "Monk," the mismatched marshals of "In Plain Sight" and professional wrestling is booming, and it couldn't be more opportune for parent company NBC Universal, considering how its namesake broadcaster is suffering.
USA averaged more than 3.2 million prime-time viewers during the first three months of 2009, more than any other cable network in history and even more than the fifth broadcast network, the CW, according to Nielsen Media Research.
The more important number is $1 billion. Those are the profits USA and its cable sister, SciFi, contributed to NBC Universal's bottom line last year. (The company won't break out those two networks individually.)
"USA is the single biggest asset that we currently have at this company," said Jeff Gaspin, president and chief operating officer of NBC Universal's cable entertainment group.
A new season of "In Plain Sight," starring Mary McCormack, debuted last Sunday on USA. So did the drama picked up from NBC, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent."
Along with being a success that has its eighth and final season this summer, "Monk" set a template for USA that will continue.
"Monk" was already in place, and doing well, when Bonnie Hammer took over as the executive in charge of USA five years ago. Hammer did some consumer testing, though, and some of the results were tough to take.
USA might seem like a coveted name for television, with the American flag a potent symbol. Yet USA didn't really stand for anything as a network; some people likened it to an old shoe, and the American flag USA was using as an on-air calling card was polarizing (so the network dropped it).
Most cable channels, such as SciFi, appeal to a niche audience and the constant goal of operators is to expand it by making their image less specific. USA wanted to do the opposite.
"We wanted to take a hugely successful network and make it feel more like a club," Hammer explained.
They settled on the slogan "Characters welcome" to use as both an image that viewers would have when they turn to USA, and as a guide for the kind of programs USA would seek for the future. Tony Shalhoub's obsessive-compulsive detective Monk, for example, is clearly a unique character. So is the non-psychic police consultant in "Psych." The lead in the upcoming "Royal Pains," which debuts June 4, is a doctor on call to wealthy people.
The idea is to find a quirky character to build mostly lighthearted dramas around.
The cable channel that is home to the fussy detective story "Monk," the mismatched marshals of "In Plain Sight" and professional wrestling is booming, and it couldn't be more opportune for parent company NBC Universal, considering how its namesake broadcaster is suffering.
USA averaged more than 3.2 million prime-time viewers during the first three months of 2009, more than any other cable network in history and even more than the fifth broadcast network, the CW, according to Nielsen Media Research.
The more important number is $1 billion. Those are the profits USA and its cable sister, SciFi, contributed to NBC Universal's bottom line last year. (The company won't break out those two networks individually.)
"USA is the single biggest asset that we currently have at this company," said Jeff Gaspin, president and chief operating officer of NBC Universal's cable entertainment group.
A new season of "In Plain Sight," starring Mary McCormack, debuted last Sunday on USA. So did the drama picked up from NBC, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent."
Along with being a success that has its eighth and final season this summer, "Monk" set a template for USA that will continue.
"Monk" was already in place, and doing well, when Bonnie Hammer took over as the executive in charge of USA five years ago. Hammer did some consumer testing, though, and some of the results were tough to take.
USA might seem like a coveted name for television, with the American flag a potent symbol. Yet USA didn't really stand for anything as a network; some people likened it to an old shoe, and the American flag USA was using as an on-air calling card was polarizing (so the network dropped it).
Most cable channels, such as SciFi, appeal to a niche audience and the constant goal of operators is to expand it by making their image less specific. USA wanted to do the opposite.
"We wanted to take a hugely successful network and make it feel more like a club," Hammer explained.
They settled on the slogan "Characters welcome" to use as both an image that viewers would have when they turn to USA, and as a guide for the kind of programs USA would seek for the future. Tony Shalhoub's obsessive-compulsive detective Monk, for example, is clearly a unique character. So is the non-psychic police consultant in "Psych." The lead in the upcoming "Royal Pains," which debuts June 4, is a doctor on call to wealthy people.
The idea is to find a quirky character to build mostly lighthearted dramas around.
In "Sight" of greatness
Procedural shows are a staple of network television. There are the doctor shows like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “House,” and there are the crime shows like “NCIS” or “CSI.” On the surface, USA’s “In Plain Sight” may appear to be just this.
But with many skeletons in the closets of these characters, David Maples’s show offers much more.
“In Plain Sight” follows Mary Shannon, played by Mary McCormack, a U.S. Marshall of the Witness Protection Program. Mary narrates the show as we tag along with her through her hectic life illustrated by her ever-growing to-do list. One minute she is helping a new witness get acquainted with his/her new life, the next she is dealing with a mother who can’t take care of herself and then she ends the day off with solving a murder.
Mary’s to-do list rather reflects the show’s list of plot lines to follow. Season one spent a lot of time trying to intertwine family problems with murders and witnesses and while many of these stories were entertaining, at times I felt just as overwhelmed as Mary must have.
The strongest story lines “In Plain Sight” has offered are the ones that find Mary working alongside her partner Marshall (Fred Weller) with their new witnesses.
These are the episodes that show an aspect of crime procedurals that no other show has. They are original and creative and watching strong-willed Mary banter with her sarcastic partner makes for great dialogue.
However, after Mary found herself in a life-threatening situation at the end of season one, the show provided a few of the finest episodes it has seen.These stories give the show a really interesting and strong place to start its second season.
The people who know the characters of the show best are the ones who create them — the people who write the words that transform into an episode. I had the privilege of speaking with Lynne Litt, writer and supervising producer of “In Plain Sight.”
“We came into the show this season to decide, what would the arcs of characters be? Where would they start and where would they end?” Litt explained. “The writers throw out different stories at the beginning of each season starting with really broad ideas.”
The “what if” question is the key when the writers get together to decide on A-stories. This season’s premiere opened with this question: What if one of Mary’s longest-standing witnesses in the program suddenly died?
“Mary is in a different place after the end of last season,” Litt said. “She is damaged and great. She loves her family and hates her family.”
The way that this opening episode looked at Mary’s reaction to her near-death encounter was handled extremely well.
The writers took into account the way her character usually acts, brash and aggressive, and gave her a new way to present herself in front of others, considerate and thoughtful. All the while she is really torn up on the inside.
McCormack does a good job showing the inner conflict Mary has in dealing with the many harsh circumstances of her life while trying to get back on track.
“Mary is one of the more real women on television,” Litt observed.
She is a woman people can look up to and relate to. Mary has a strong will and a job where she gets to kick ass. She has an annoying family and boyfriend problems. Who can’t relate to that?
“[Show creator] David Maples is so talented. He’s given these characters amazing voices,” Litt said as she talked about where the show is going in its second year.
“This season I think there are some really good stories.”A new show often takes a season to really build its voice and learn how to best explore the lives of the characters.
I’m hoping that this season will focus more on the strongest aspects seen thus far.
Catch “In Plain Sight” on Sundays at 8 p.m. on USA.
Rosenberg is a member of
the class of 2012.
But with many skeletons in the closets of these characters, David Maples’s show offers much more.
“In Plain Sight” follows Mary Shannon, played by Mary McCormack, a U.S. Marshall of the Witness Protection Program. Mary narrates the show as we tag along with her through her hectic life illustrated by her ever-growing to-do list. One minute she is helping a new witness get acquainted with his/her new life, the next she is dealing with a mother who can’t take care of herself and then she ends the day off with solving a murder.
Mary’s to-do list rather reflects the show’s list of plot lines to follow. Season one spent a lot of time trying to intertwine family problems with murders and witnesses and while many of these stories were entertaining, at times I felt just as overwhelmed as Mary must have.
The strongest story lines “In Plain Sight” has offered are the ones that find Mary working alongside her partner Marshall (Fred Weller) with their new witnesses.
These are the episodes that show an aspect of crime procedurals that no other show has. They are original and creative and watching strong-willed Mary banter with her sarcastic partner makes for great dialogue.
However, after Mary found herself in a life-threatening situation at the end of season one, the show provided a few of the finest episodes it has seen.These stories give the show a really interesting and strong place to start its second season.
The people who know the characters of the show best are the ones who create them — the people who write the words that transform into an episode. I had the privilege of speaking with Lynne Litt, writer and supervising producer of “In Plain Sight.”
“We came into the show this season to decide, what would the arcs of characters be? Where would they start and where would they end?” Litt explained. “The writers throw out different stories at the beginning of each season starting with really broad ideas.”
The “what if” question is the key when the writers get together to decide on A-stories. This season’s premiere opened with this question: What if one of Mary’s longest-standing witnesses in the program suddenly died?
“Mary is in a different place after the end of last season,” Litt said. “She is damaged and great. She loves her family and hates her family.”
The way that this opening episode looked at Mary’s reaction to her near-death encounter was handled extremely well.
The writers took into account the way her character usually acts, brash and aggressive, and gave her a new way to present herself in front of others, considerate and thoughtful. All the while she is really torn up on the inside.
McCormack does a good job showing the inner conflict Mary has in dealing with the many harsh circumstances of her life while trying to get back on track.
“Mary is one of the more real women on television,” Litt observed.
She is a woman people can look up to and relate to. Mary has a strong will and a job where she gets to kick ass. She has an annoying family and boyfriend problems. Who can’t relate to that?
“[Show creator] David Maples is so talented. He’s given these characters amazing voices,” Litt said as she talked about where the show is going in its second year.
“This season I think there are some really good stories.”A new show often takes a season to really build its voice and learn how to best explore the lives of the characters.
I’m hoping that this season will focus more on the strongest aspects seen thus far.
Catch “In Plain Sight” on Sundays at 8 p.m. on USA.
Rosenberg is a member of
the class of 2012.
North grad keeps it real for 'NCIS'
PRINGFIELD — Chris Waild could be a very dangerous man.
He’s done thorough research on how to bring down bank security and the destructive power of bombs.
He’s looked into, as he explained, “how choke holds affect breathing and the carotid artery.”
And he knows what happens to a body after it’s been submerged in water for a few weeks.
Fortunately, Waild is using all this knowledge for the good of humanity — he’s a television writer.
“I’m probably on some government watch list,” he confessed. “I fully expect to buy an airline ticket, go to the airport and be detained.”
In just his second full season working on the CBS drama “NCIS,” the 2000 North High grad has packed all sorts of macabre factoids in his head — and there’s lots more to learn.
Once just an awkwardly titled rip-off of the network’s own “CSI” — only set in the Navy — “NCIS” is more popular than ever.
Never mind that the Navy apparently has a Goth forensic specialist and that Mark Harmon’s character’s name is Jethro.
If it weren’t for “American Idol” and “Dancing With the Stars,” “NCIS” would be the most popular show on the flat-screen.
In its sixth season, the show is getting its best audiences yet, Waild said.
“It’s our characters,” said Waild, 27, who went from the guy who takes lunch orders to staff writer in roughly 12 months. “That’s what separates us from many of the procedurals, and especially the crime procedurals. It’s not so much about, ‘Oh, here’s another odd, gross case.’ ”
Keeping things believable
Oh, there’s still plenty of grossness.
While still technically a writers’ assistant — but with the duties of a staff writer — it was Waild’s job as an assistant to conduct research, distill it and give it to the writers “short of writing the scene.”
Typically, a writer would ask if something was possible, and he’d find out.
“I’ve looked into what possible things a dog has swallowed,” Waild said. “One of the writers wanted a dog to swallow a knife.”
He’s done thorough research on how to bring down bank security and the destructive power of bombs.
He’s looked into, as he explained, “how choke holds affect breathing and the carotid artery.”
And he knows what happens to a body after it’s been submerged in water for a few weeks.
Fortunately, Waild is using all this knowledge for the good of humanity — he’s a television writer.
“I’m probably on some government watch list,” he confessed. “I fully expect to buy an airline ticket, go to the airport and be detained.”
In just his second full season working on the CBS drama “NCIS,” the 2000 North High grad has packed all sorts of macabre factoids in his head — and there’s lots more to learn.
Once just an awkwardly titled rip-off of the network’s own “CSI” — only set in the Navy — “NCIS” is more popular than ever.
Never mind that the Navy apparently has a Goth forensic specialist and that Mark Harmon’s character’s name is Jethro.
If it weren’t for “American Idol” and “Dancing With the Stars,” “NCIS” would be the most popular show on the flat-screen.
In its sixth season, the show is getting its best audiences yet, Waild said.
“It’s our characters,” said Waild, 27, who went from the guy who takes lunch orders to staff writer in roughly 12 months. “That’s what separates us from many of the procedurals, and especially the crime procedurals. It’s not so much about, ‘Oh, here’s another odd, gross case.’ ”
Keeping things believable
Oh, there’s still plenty of grossness.
While still technically a writers’ assistant — but with the duties of a staff writer — it was Waild’s job as an assistant to conduct research, distill it and give it to the writers “short of writing the scene.”
Typically, a writer would ask if something was possible, and he’d find out.
“I’ve looked into what possible things a dog has swallowed,” Waild said. “One of the writers wanted a dog to swallow a knife.”
Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on ‘Grey’s,’ ‘NCIS’
Every Thursday, Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Ausiello answers reader questions on all the hottest TV shows.
Question: This two-week “Lost” hiatus is killing me! More scoopage before the final episodes, please! —Brad
Ausiello: The major-ish “Lost” death is coming up soooooon. Also, it's less ish and more major than I first thought.
Ausiello: It's a major character, and the death definitely sticks. But there is a twist. (Hint: It's possible no one will be leaving the show.) BTW, the finale is fantastic. It's compelling, suspense-filled and, most importantly, events occur consecutively and in the present day. “Heroes” is back, people!
Question: Any more “Big Bang Theory” scoop for the finale? —Hannah
Ausiello: It's going to be full of crap! Kaley Cuoco explains: "The (guys) build a toilet and things go horribly wrong. They all find poop hilarious. It's a space toilet, so I don't have to use it or anything. Of course, it's a space toilet on this show!" On the hotly debated subject of a Penny-Sheldon hookup, Cuoco confesses that she's not a fan of the idea. "I don't think it makes any sense," she says. "Sheldon has no use for women. If it happened, I bet it would be a nightmare sequence. Sheldon is nowhere near boyfriend material and Penny loves him that way. (Besides), Sheldon barely lets her into his apartment — how would he get to the point of hooking up with her?"
Question: Your single-topic AA on “Grey's” gave us nothing on the best couple, Meredith and Derek! Please, can you give us something juicy? —Hayley
Ausiello: Okay, here's something: A longtime “Grey's” duo are about to break up — presumably for good — and it's not Derek and Meredith. Nope. It's Bailey and Tucker! In the May 14 season finale, Bailey takes the bold step of leaving her husband after he once again fails to support her career.
Question: Can you tell us how much time has lapsed between the elevator proposal episode of “Grey's” and the episode that airs this week? —Jasmin
Ausiello: A few days, I believe. It's not long at all.
Question: I've decided that I want your job. May I ask, how good is the pay? —Saramarie
Ausiello: Where I come from, it's tacky to discuss such things in public. It's not, however, tacky to show you a picture of the second home I just purchased in the Hamptons and let you draw your own conclusions.
Question: This two-week “Lost” hiatus is killing me! More scoopage before the final episodes, please! —Brad
Ausiello: The major-ish “Lost” death is coming up soooooon. Also, it's less ish and more major than I first thought.
Ausiello: It's a major character, and the death definitely sticks. But there is a twist. (Hint: It's possible no one will be leaving the show.) BTW, the finale is fantastic. It's compelling, suspense-filled and, most importantly, events occur consecutively and in the present day. “Heroes” is back, people!
Question: Any more “Big Bang Theory” scoop for the finale? —Hannah
Ausiello: It's going to be full of crap! Kaley Cuoco explains: "The (guys) build a toilet and things go horribly wrong. They all find poop hilarious. It's a space toilet, so I don't have to use it or anything. Of course, it's a space toilet on this show!" On the hotly debated subject of a Penny-Sheldon hookup, Cuoco confesses that she's not a fan of the idea. "I don't think it makes any sense," she says. "Sheldon has no use for women. If it happened, I bet it would be a nightmare sequence. Sheldon is nowhere near boyfriend material and Penny loves him that way. (Besides), Sheldon barely lets her into his apartment — how would he get to the point of hooking up with her?"
Question: Your single-topic AA on “Grey's” gave us nothing on the best couple, Meredith and Derek! Please, can you give us something juicy? —Hayley
Ausiello: Okay, here's something: A longtime “Grey's” duo are about to break up — presumably for good — and it's not Derek and Meredith. Nope. It's Bailey and Tucker! In the May 14 season finale, Bailey takes the bold step of leaving her husband after he once again fails to support her career.
Question: Can you tell us how much time has lapsed between the elevator proposal episode of “Grey's” and the episode that airs this week? —Jasmin
Ausiello: A few days, I believe. It's not long at all.
Question: I've decided that I want your job. May I ask, how good is the pay? —Saramarie
Ausiello: Where I come from, it's tacky to discuss such things in public. It's not, however, tacky to show you a picture of the second home I just purchased in the Hamptons and let you draw your own conclusions.
Smallville: Will Chloe Survive?
Smallville has taken a dark turn this season, especially with the introduction of Doomsday (Sam Witwer), who is the only DC villain able to kill Superman. That would seem like a rough break for Tom Welling, except that Clark Kent is not one of the two characters kicking the bucket in the season finale.
Fellow fan favorite Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack), on the other hand, has been considered very much in the line of fire, especially since producers tell us next season's stories line up closely with the DC mythology—the same Superman mythology that does not include Chloe Sullivan.
However, there's hope on the horizon! Executive producers Brian Peterson and Kelly Souders tease some upcoming storylines for Chloe that could land her in the Watchtower next season, instead of a grave.
That's not the case for two other characters on Smallville who will be saying goodbye for good, and Brian teases there may actually be a third death. Plus, find out why Lois (Erica Durance) and Clark fans can expect to squee in the finale...
Are Clark and Doomsday throwing down in the finale?
Brian Peterson: It's what everybody has probably been watching for the whole season. There will be a big throwdown between Doomsday and Clark.
Kelly Souders: Clark meets his match.
How does Chloe come between Clark and Davis?
K.S.: I think Chloe takes a very integral part in trying to keep the two fated nemeses apart from each other. It's hard; trouble just seems to find Clark Kent.
B.P.: We want the audience to ask the question, Is Chloe doing this because she's starting to fall for Davis, or is Chloe doing this because she's really protecting Clark? I think we walk that line pretty carefully, I hope.
Let's talk about the major death. Is it two people dying, or maybe one is just leaving the show?
K.S.: I will say it's Smallville, anything can happen, but I don't expect a dry eye in the house. It's not one of those things where someone just goes down and walks out of it the next minute, unfortunately. There's a lot of doom in Doomsday.
Fellow fan favorite Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack), on the other hand, has been considered very much in the line of fire, especially since producers tell us next season's stories line up closely with the DC mythology—the same Superman mythology that does not include Chloe Sullivan.
However, there's hope on the horizon! Executive producers Brian Peterson and Kelly Souders tease some upcoming storylines for Chloe that could land her in the Watchtower next season, instead of a grave.
That's not the case for two other characters on Smallville who will be saying goodbye for good, and Brian teases there may actually be a third death. Plus, find out why Lois (Erica Durance) and Clark fans can expect to squee in the finale...
Are Clark and Doomsday throwing down in the finale?
Brian Peterson: It's what everybody has probably been watching for the whole season. There will be a big throwdown between Doomsday and Clark.
Kelly Souders: Clark meets his match.
How does Chloe come between Clark and Davis?
K.S.: I think Chloe takes a very integral part in trying to keep the two fated nemeses apart from each other. It's hard; trouble just seems to find Clark Kent.
B.P.: We want the audience to ask the question, Is Chloe doing this because she's starting to fall for Davis, or is Chloe doing this because she's really protecting Clark? I think we walk that line pretty carefully, I hope.
Let's talk about the major death. Is it two people dying, or maybe one is just leaving the show?
K.S.: I will say it's Smallville, anything can happen, but I don't expect a dry eye in the house. It's not one of those things where someone just goes down and walks out of it the next minute, unfortunately. There's a lot of doom in Doomsday.
2009年4月21日星期二
Mega Minute: NCIS Finale Preview, Private Practice & More!
• In but the very first excerpt from my new in-depth interview with Shane Brennan, the NCIS executive producer teases a season finale with utterly unpredictable ramifications. Plus: Who's back to make big waves?
• Josh Hopkins previews a Private Practice season-ender that has to be seen to be believed.
• Which two Army Wives' lives are poised for serious upheaval? Get the Season 3 scoop!
• Josh Hopkins previews a Private Practice season-ender that has to be seen to be believed.
• Which two Army Wives' lives are poised for serious upheaval? Get the Season 3 scoop!
The Best Reason to Save “Privileged"
Since its very early season finale aired on February 24, (note: early finales are never a good sign in TV-land), the fate of the CW 11 freshman series Privileged—which stars Cuban actress JoAnna Garcia—has been as up-in-the-air as Elvis Crespo on that fateful flight from Houston to Miami (Translation: Privileged is holding on for dear life)! Low ratings have plagued this charming dramedy since its September premier, which is perhaps why Privileged is one of the only shows that CW President Dawn Ostroff hasn’t renewed for another season (Smallville, Supernatural, Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, and 90210 were all renewed as far back as February)! That same month, Entertainment Weekly came up with 5 reasons to save Privileged. I only have one reason, but I think it's a pretty darn good one: her name is JoAnna Garcia.
I've been a fan of JoAnna's since she starred as Reba Mcyntyre's daughter on the family comedy Reba, so when I saw she joined Privileged as the lead—becoming one of the only Latina leads on television!— I immediately checked out her new show. The best thing about it, you ask? Her! As Megan Smith, a live-in-tutor to two spoiled rich girls by day- and a 23-year-old woman with a very busy romantic life by night (will she pick Charlie or stay with Will?), JoAnna plays one of TV's most versatile, most well drawn out female characters, and she makes it look effortless. In her scenes as tutor to the young girls, Joanna is convincing as a strict and responsible moral authority figure who genuinely cares about the girls' futures, and when she's making out with Palm Beach hotties and rolling out of bed after a night of hanky-panky, she's equally believable as a mature woman who's slowly figuring out what kind of relationship she wants to have. On both levels, JoAnna manages to make Megan likeable. For that reason, she deserves to continue having her own show!
But if the CW doesn’t feel that’s enough reason to renew the series, perhaps they should consider renewing Privileged so that young Latinas (and girls in general) can grow up with more realistic goals for their self-image. This show—unlike 90210 and Gossip Girl—is the only CW show that doesn't favor scary thin actresses. And when I interviewed Garcia for Vivo Por TiVo in November, JoAnna—who admitted she once struggled with an eating disorder—told me she liked the fact that she has a Latina “booty,” and added: “I’m a curvy girl; I’m a real girl.” She's also a funny girl both on camera and off. Hopefully, we’ll get to see JoAnna curve our enthusiasm for a few more seasons!
What do you think? Should the CW stick with Privileged, or are you happy with just one season?
I've been a fan of JoAnna's since she starred as Reba Mcyntyre's daughter on the family comedy Reba, so when I saw she joined Privileged as the lead—becoming one of the only Latina leads on television!— I immediately checked out her new show. The best thing about it, you ask? Her! As Megan Smith, a live-in-tutor to two spoiled rich girls by day- and a 23-year-old woman with a very busy romantic life by night (will she pick Charlie or stay with Will?), JoAnna plays one of TV's most versatile, most well drawn out female characters, and she makes it look effortless. In her scenes as tutor to the young girls, Joanna is convincing as a strict and responsible moral authority figure who genuinely cares about the girls' futures, and when she's making out with Palm Beach hotties and rolling out of bed after a night of hanky-panky, she's equally believable as a mature woman who's slowly figuring out what kind of relationship she wants to have. On both levels, JoAnna manages to make Megan likeable. For that reason, she deserves to continue having her own show!
But if the CW doesn’t feel that’s enough reason to renew the series, perhaps they should consider renewing Privileged so that young Latinas (and girls in general) can grow up with more realistic goals for their self-image. This show—unlike 90210 and Gossip Girl—is the only CW show that doesn't favor scary thin actresses. And when I interviewed Garcia for Vivo Por TiVo in November, JoAnna—who admitted she once struggled with an eating disorder—told me she liked the fact that she has a Latina “booty,” and added: “I’m a curvy girl; I’m a real girl.” She's also a funny girl both on camera and off. Hopefully, we’ll get to see JoAnna curve our enthusiasm for a few more seasons!
What do you think? Should the CW stick with Privileged, or are you happy with just one season?
You're Grounded Young Man!!!!
A Smallville spoiler none of us wanted to hear.
If your flying Kent Airways, Your flight has been CANCELED!
So I know many of us have been hoping that this will be the season when Clark finally takes to the skies but it’s just not so. E! Online’s “Watch with Kristin” reports that our favorite Red/Blue Blur will be ground bound for the rest of this season. When a viewer asked the question…. Is it true that Clark is finally gonna fly this season on Smallville?
This was her answer….
There's no proper flying or supersuit this season, but there will be a Smallville "leap" that goes above and beyond a tall building—but it isn't actually flying. Sorry Superfans.
Well at least we can hold out for season 9 and maybe 10, but I am not gonna hold my breath because I’ve heard this all before. Sorry if I rained on anyone’s parade but I guess I would rather not have false hope and be let down. Personally I think the no flights rule sucks how about you?
If your flying Kent Airways, Your flight has been CANCELED!
So I know many of us have been hoping that this will be the season when Clark finally takes to the skies but it’s just not so. E! Online’s “Watch with Kristin” reports that our favorite Red/Blue Blur will be ground bound for the rest of this season. When a viewer asked the question…. Is it true that Clark is finally gonna fly this season on Smallville?
This was her answer….
There's no proper flying or supersuit this season, but there will be a Smallville "leap" that goes above and beyond a tall building—but it isn't actually flying. Sorry Superfans.
Well at least we can hold out for season 9 and maybe 10, but I am not gonna hold my breath because I’ve heard this all before. Sorry if I rained on anyone’s parade but I guess I would rather not have false hope and be let down. Personally I think the no flights rule sucks how about you?
Laura Vandervoot Teases a Return to Smallville
Laura Vandervoot recently sat down for an interview with our parent site, MovieWeb, to discuss the release of her film Into the Blue 2: The Reef as a direct-to-DVD release, and in the interview, Vandervoot discussed her possible return to the cast of Smallville.
Asked if she would be making a return visit to the show as Kara Zor-El, Vandervoot said "I can just tell you what I know. I did one at the beginning of the season and then I got a phone call later on, towards the end of the season, asking for my availability. I guess Tom (Welling) had decided that they were going to do another season, because his contract is up, but yeah, he wanted to do another season. It was my understanding that they were going to bring me back for the series finale, but it turns out there was going to be another season, so maybe I'll be back next year. I'm not sure. Nobody fills me in here."
In other words, Vandervoot isn't certain if they're going to bring her in for the season finale, of if plans now call for her to return some time during the shows' Ninth (and presumably final) season. But it certainly sounds like she is interested in appearing in the famous blue and red colors one more time.
While fans of Vandervoot may have to wait for next season to see more of the blonde actress in her role as a superhero, there is more of Smallville to be seen this season, starting with Stiletto, which airs Thursday, April 23. And to read the full interview with Ms. Vandervoot
Smallville airs Thursday nights on the CW. The drama about the early days of Clark Kent stars Tom Welling, Erica Durance, Allison Mack, Aaron Ashmore, Justin Hartley, Cassidy Freeman and Sam Witwer.
Asked if she would be making a return visit to the show as Kara Zor-El, Vandervoot said "I can just tell you what I know. I did one at the beginning of the season and then I got a phone call later on, towards the end of the season, asking for my availability. I guess Tom (Welling) had decided that they were going to do another season, because his contract is up, but yeah, he wanted to do another season. It was my understanding that they were going to bring me back for the series finale, but it turns out there was going to be another season, so maybe I'll be back next year. I'm not sure. Nobody fills me in here."
In other words, Vandervoot isn't certain if they're going to bring her in for the season finale, of if plans now call for her to return some time during the shows' Ninth (and presumably final) season. But it certainly sounds like she is interested in appearing in the famous blue and red colors one more time.
While fans of Vandervoot may have to wait for next season to see more of the blonde actress in her role as a superhero, there is more of Smallville to be seen this season, starting with Stiletto, which airs Thursday, April 23. And to read the full interview with Ms. Vandervoot
Smallville airs Thursday nights on the CW. The drama about the early days of Clark Kent stars Tom Welling, Erica Durance, Allison Mack, Aaron Ashmore, Justin Hartley, Cassidy Freeman and Sam Witwer.
Mega Buzz on NCIS, Heroes, Betty, 24, Smallville and More!
We've been teased big happenings with NCIS' Tony and Ziva, and I'm all for that, but need I be worrying so much? — Kate
MATT: I finally got NCIS boss Shane Brennan to dish on "Tiva," and it looks like you might be left to fret all summer long. He told me, "What happens over these next episodes is an evolution of their relationship — though perhaps more extreme than you would get in your normal [workplace]. These people do carry guns!" Then, in the wake of specific events of the May 19 season-ender, he said, "It's up to the audience to decide, and they will over the summer, what might happen [next]. But everything has a life, and eventually things end." Listen very carefully to Brennan's coda here: "Now, if you think I just said that Tiva's going to end, I didn't."
I've heard that Heroes' Volume 4 ends with a major death. Any tease? — Eric
TIM: You're half-right. Of course, not everyone who dies stays dead. Except those who do. Also, look for one character to make a splashy return in Volume 5.
Will we see any more Ugly Betty this season? — Laura
MICKEY: Yep, Betty will be back with five more hours beginning April 30. At that time, look for a Marc-Betty showdown, an impromptu wedding, and, on the two-hour May 21 finale, guest spots by The View's Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
Please tell me that 24's Larry is not really dead, and that he will come back. Don't kill my favorite character! — Hilla
MATT: Hey, your beef is with Tony, not the Mega Buzz team, because, yes, your Larry is truly and sincerely dead. Now on a happier note, I want to remind 24 fans that Chloe is back next week. Actually, this isn't really on a "happier" note: After being gobsmacked by the news of Bill's death and getting updated on the terrorist's next plans, our fave tech wonk will have some hard and fast personal (read: familial) decisions to make.
Any inside scoop on how this season of The Unit will end? — Joseph
TIM: If you like your celebrations mixed with suitcase bombs and goodbyes, you're in for a treat. On May 10, you'll get an episode that combines nuclear intrigue at the highest levels with human drama between the Unit wives, as the ladies look forward to the wedding of Charles Grey and Joss Morgan. Meanwhile, a key Unit wife prepares to leave the life — for good.
Is Fringe really moving its production from New York City to Canada? — Hap
MICKEY: Assuming that there will be a second season of Fringe (which I'm hearing we can assume), yes. Sadly, I'm hearing that my fair city has become a little less fair on the subject of tax breaks for television productions, which necessitated a move to Vancouver. The real question: Does Vancouver look more like Boston than New York City does? Eh.
The fans of Smallville's Lois and Clark are dying for a "Clois" scoop. Please tell us something wonderful cough-kiss-cough happens in the finale? — Heinzy
MATT: Yet again you twist my arm and make me Q&A Erica Durance. Now while she was thoroughly handcuffed as to what she could say about the finale, she had plenty to share about this week's episode, "Stiletto." As Lois lands her first one-on-one with the mysterious Red-Blue Blur, Erica says, "What's lovely is you get to see Clark see Lois in a totally different light —totally smitten and sweet, with all of her barriers down — and that is really romantic." As a result, "Clark becomes closer to Lois, because he gets to see this honest and generous side of her. I was pretty thrilled about it."
How about some True Blood scoop? — Kelli
MICKEY: Have you seen the new poster? It's bloody cool! We know that Sookie and Bill have some traveling to do when Season 2 returns, but where does that leave poor, heartsick, shape-shifting Sam? Anna Paquin tells the Buzz: "They have a bit of a rough time of it. It seems like they should be more understanding of each other, and yet they aren't — in some truly ironic way." Translation: Sam will be otherwise occupied this season with Maryann the vibrating mystery lady.
I heard there is going to be a death on Supernatural, which would be very, very sad! Can you shed some light on that? — Fern
MATT: Well, one of the big rumors is that our boy Bobby will be the one to buy it. I broached that prickly topic with cast member Jim Beaver himself, and while he would/could not refute it, he noted, "Nobody takes Bobby down easy!" He then teased the "intense and astonishing" May 14 season finale thusly: "People are going to have some of their expectations toppled." (Much more from the Beav on Thursday.)
I miss Psych. Got anything to tide me over until the new season? — Audrey
TIM: Hmm. Without getting too specific, we'll say that Gus and Shawn's next cases (in episodes premiering sometime this summer) will involve Bollywood, the Wild West, and an exorcism. They'll also have a skiing-centered episode set in British Columbia, where the show films. Oh, and there's an episode about a time-traveling clone. (Siiiiike! Did they say that at your elementary school?)
Now that Donna has appeared on 90210, is it possible that there will be a reunion with Brenda as well? — Jeff
MICKEY: Funny you should ask, Jeff. So far the answer is no. But when I asked Tori Spelling the same question this week, she said, "I know the fans would love it," and not much more. As it stands, Tuesday was Spelling's last episode this season. Shannen Doherty appears in the May 19 finale. A paranoid person might think their near-miss was intentional. I am a paranoid person.
Any info on how the new season of The Closer will play out? And is that really Kyra Sedgwick doing the splits on that OJ commercial? — Jim
MATT: I'm lizzing at your second question and must thus address it first: Kyra's peeps aren't saying. (My take: Only her Kevin Bacon knows for sure.) Turning to Sedgwick's primary gig, Season 5 kicks off sometime in June, and its first episodes include one revolving around a self-accredited detective named Dick Tracy. Needless to say, this wannabe gumshoe's affinity for helping out his pals in "the black-and-whites" both assists and annoys Brenda.
Tim's Mega Rave: I could not be more excited about Mr. Show's Bob Odenkirk turning up on the April 26 Breaking Bad, playing a sleazy defense attorney. One of the most gifted and influential comedians of the 1990s and 2000s, Odenkirk's biggest problem seems to be finding projects worthy of his deft characterizations and quick mind. Breaking Bad is one of the shows most deserving of his skills.
Mickey's Mini Rant: Never mind that Edie Britt's send-off was a near-copy of Desperate Housewives' tribute to Eli-the-handyman, it was also kind of boring! Edie definitely deserved something with more pizzazz — say, an orgy in her honor.
Matt's Micro Riff: Brothers & Sisters' Kitty is being kind of a bitch.
Reader Quote of the Week: "Why is everyone so surprised? Look at an oyster. I'd be hard put to find an uglier creature, yet it produces a pearl from the pain inflicted by a grain of sand or other irritant. Susan has certainly had her own pain and her own irritants in life. I believe [her performance] was real." (aingeal, questioning the backlash against Susan Boyle)
MATT: I finally got NCIS boss Shane Brennan to dish on "Tiva," and it looks like you might be left to fret all summer long. He told me, "What happens over these next episodes is an evolution of their relationship — though perhaps more extreme than you would get in your normal [workplace]. These people do carry guns!" Then, in the wake of specific events of the May 19 season-ender, he said, "It's up to the audience to decide, and they will over the summer, what might happen [next]. But everything has a life, and eventually things end." Listen very carefully to Brennan's coda here: "Now, if you think I just said that Tiva's going to end, I didn't."
I've heard that Heroes' Volume 4 ends with a major death. Any tease? — Eric
TIM: You're half-right. Of course, not everyone who dies stays dead. Except those who do. Also, look for one character to make a splashy return in Volume 5.
Will we see any more Ugly Betty this season? — Laura
MICKEY: Yep, Betty will be back with five more hours beginning April 30. At that time, look for a Marc-Betty showdown, an impromptu wedding, and, on the two-hour May 21 finale, guest spots by The View's Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
Please tell me that 24's Larry is not really dead, and that he will come back. Don't kill my favorite character! — Hilla
MATT: Hey, your beef is with Tony, not the Mega Buzz team, because, yes, your Larry is truly and sincerely dead. Now on a happier note, I want to remind 24 fans that Chloe is back next week. Actually, this isn't really on a "happier" note: After being gobsmacked by the news of Bill's death and getting updated on the terrorist's next plans, our fave tech wonk will have some hard and fast personal (read: familial) decisions to make.
Any inside scoop on how this season of The Unit will end? — Joseph
TIM: If you like your celebrations mixed with suitcase bombs and goodbyes, you're in for a treat. On May 10, you'll get an episode that combines nuclear intrigue at the highest levels with human drama between the Unit wives, as the ladies look forward to the wedding of Charles Grey and Joss Morgan. Meanwhile, a key Unit wife prepares to leave the life — for good.
Is Fringe really moving its production from New York City to Canada? — Hap
MICKEY: Assuming that there will be a second season of Fringe (which I'm hearing we can assume), yes. Sadly, I'm hearing that my fair city has become a little less fair on the subject of tax breaks for television productions, which necessitated a move to Vancouver. The real question: Does Vancouver look more like Boston than New York City does? Eh.
The fans of Smallville's Lois and Clark are dying for a "Clois" scoop. Please tell us something wonderful cough-kiss-cough happens in the finale? — Heinzy
MATT: Yet again you twist my arm and make me Q&A Erica Durance. Now while she was thoroughly handcuffed as to what she could say about the finale, she had plenty to share about this week's episode, "Stiletto." As Lois lands her first one-on-one with the mysterious Red-Blue Blur, Erica says, "What's lovely is you get to see Clark see Lois in a totally different light —totally smitten and sweet, with all of her barriers down — and that is really romantic." As a result, "Clark becomes closer to Lois, because he gets to see this honest and generous side of her. I was pretty thrilled about it."
How about some True Blood scoop? — Kelli
MICKEY: Have you seen the new poster? It's bloody cool! We know that Sookie and Bill have some traveling to do when Season 2 returns, but where does that leave poor, heartsick, shape-shifting Sam? Anna Paquin tells the Buzz: "They have a bit of a rough time of it. It seems like they should be more understanding of each other, and yet they aren't — in some truly ironic way." Translation: Sam will be otherwise occupied this season with Maryann the vibrating mystery lady.
I heard there is going to be a death on Supernatural, which would be very, very sad! Can you shed some light on that? — Fern
MATT: Well, one of the big rumors is that our boy Bobby will be the one to buy it. I broached that prickly topic with cast member Jim Beaver himself, and while he would/could not refute it, he noted, "Nobody takes Bobby down easy!" He then teased the "intense and astonishing" May 14 season finale thusly: "People are going to have some of their expectations toppled." (Much more from the Beav on Thursday.)
I miss Psych. Got anything to tide me over until the new season? — Audrey
TIM: Hmm. Without getting too specific, we'll say that Gus and Shawn's next cases (in episodes premiering sometime this summer) will involve Bollywood, the Wild West, and an exorcism. They'll also have a skiing-centered episode set in British Columbia, where the show films. Oh, and there's an episode about a time-traveling clone. (Siiiiike! Did they say that at your elementary school?)
Now that Donna has appeared on 90210, is it possible that there will be a reunion with Brenda as well? — Jeff
MICKEY: Funny you should ask, Jeff. So far the answer is no. But when I asked Tori Spelling the same question this week, she said, "I know the fans would love it," and not much more. As it stands, Tuesday was Spelling's last episode this season. Shannen Doherty appears in the May 19 finale. A paranoid person might think their near-miss was intentional. I am a paranoid person.
Any info on how the new season of The Closer will play out? And is that really Kyra Sedgwick doing the splits on that OJ commercial? — Jim
MATT: I'm lizzing at your second question and must thus address it first: Kyra's peeps aren't saying. (My take: Only her Kevin Bacon knows for sure.) Turning to Sedgwick's primary gig, Season 5 kicks off sometime in June, and its first episodes include one revolving around a self-accredited detective named Dick Tracy. Needless to say, this wannabe gumshoe's affinity for helping out his pals in "the black-and-whites" both assists and annoys Brenda.
Tim's Mega Rave: I could not be more excited about Mr. Show's Bob Odenkirk turning up on the April 26 Breaking Bad, playing a sleazy defense attorney. One of the most gifted and influential comedians of the 1990s and 2000s, Odenkirk's biggest problem seems to be finding projects worthy of his deft characterizations and quick mind. Breaking Bad is one of the shows most deserving of his skills.
Mickey's Mini Rant: Never mind that Edie Britt's send-off was a near-copy of Desperate Housewives' tribute to Eli-the-handyman, it was also kind of boring! Edie definitely deserved something with more pizzazz — say, an orgy in her honor.
Matt's Micro Riff: Brothers & Sisters' Kitty is being kind of a bitch.
Reader Quote of the Week: "Why is everyone so surprised? Look at an oyster. I'd be hard put to find an uglier creature, yet it produces a pearl from the pain inflicted by a grain of sand or other irritant. Susan has certainly had her own pain and her own irritants in life. I believe [her performance] was real." (aingeal, questioning the backlash against Susan Boyle)
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