The Dead, the Mostly Dead, and the Slightly Alive

For some reason I keep thinking it's June next week... Perhaps it's because Burn Notice returns on June 4th (booyah! my god, I love that show), but I just can't seem to acknowledge that May is still very much in existence and means I'll have to wait four more weeks for Michael Weston and company to start blowing things up once again.

Whatever the reason May has fallen of my head, fact is, it's here to stay, and television-wise, it's actually a very important month.

Aside from being a sweeps month and one of the best month's for season finales, it's also upfront season. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, the "upfronts" are the season schedules for each of the networks. It's during this time that viewers get to find out which shows got picked up for next season, which shows got the axe, and what new pilots are in the works.

For a professional television watcher such as myself, the upfronts are kind of like the draft (as I hesitantly dip my toe into a sports metaphor)... Shows get picked up, fired, and traded, the schedules get jumbled, and I have to completely reorient myself. As frightening as it can be at times (what with the vast majority of my shows currently teetering on the bubble), it's also one of the most fun (for someone as pathetic as I am, that is).

For some unknown reason, NBC's upfronts will be on November 5th, while the other networks won't be until the 18th through the 21st. Maybe they're hoping that announcing first will give them some sort of edge? Lord knows they could use the help, but I just don't think it'll do them a whole lot of good. Whatever. Most of my bubble shows are on NBC, so the less time I have to wait, the better.

Anyway, here are the latest details on pick-ups and cancellations (go here for shows that were picked up or axed earlier), and a few predictions about the bubble shows that currently on the endangered TV list.

OFFICIAL PICK-UPS:

• Grey's Anatomy (Every time I see anything about this show, I find myself ever so glad we broke up. Although I'm hearing Izzie is on her death bed these days, so I might just have to tune in for her untimely (in that it should have come three years ago) demise. Although imminent death would be about the only way she could possibly become whinier... Maybe I'll pass after all.)
  
• Private Practice (Oh lordy, I don't watch this show, but I came across this clip and about died. I tell ya what, wow/oy/ugh/seriously?)


• Ugly Betty (which I'm a little surprised at...)


• Lost


• Desperate Housewives
  
• Brothers & Sisters


• Dancing with the Stars (injuring "celebrities" for yet another season)


• The Big Bang Theory (picked up for 2 more seasons)


• How I Met Your Mother (also picked up for 2 more seasons--yay!)


• Heroes (Although the show has been sucking it up lately, it still does very well overseas and with Bryan Fuller back on the team, I've heard that creatively, it's in a much better place than when Heroes and I broke up earlier this year. It was picked up for next season, but only an 18 episode order, as opposed to this season's 24 or 25 (which felt more like 86 or 117)).


• Two and a Half Men (got picked up for the next 3 seasons--gag me)


• 24


• Friday Night Lights (I believe it's another weird, DirecTV something or other, but one way or another, it's alive and kicking (heh, no pun intended))


• Breaking Bad


• The Tudors


• Law & Order: SVU

OFFICIALLY DEAD AS A DEAD DEAD:

• Life on Mars


• Knight Rider


• Chopping Block (the title alone was just begging for cancellation)


• Lipstick Jungle (after about of dozen horror-movie style returns from the dead, I think this one is finally over with)
  
• Trust Me (wasn't a terrible show, but it was kind of painful to watch. You have to try pretty hard to make Erik MacCormack and Tom Cavanaugh unlikeable, but I'll be damned if they didn't succeed with flying colors)
  
• According to Jim

Those were the shows that I've heard official news about. Below are the shows that are still unofficially anything...

GOOD AS DEAD:

• Kings (Well made, ambitious, and had a lot of great elements to work with, but it never found an audience. Also, it was more than a bit of a downer... Seriously, a little levity would have gone a long way. It started on Sundays as NBC's grandiose new drama, then it was banished to the Saturday death slot, then, just when you thought it couldn't get worse, it's been pulled from the schedule entirely. I'm hearing the remaining episodes of its 13 episode order will air this summer. Ouch.)
  
• Better Off Ted (This is a real shame. It's a great show, but Americans have truly, truly, terrible taste (see Two and a Half Men's pick-up status above for reference). I'd like to think that this little gem had a chance of being picked up, but the ratings are pretty abysmal and the show is actually good, so between those two factors, it doesn't stand much of a chance. Bah!)


• Terminator: The Sarah Connors Chronicles (The official word hasn't come down from on high, but multiple sources confirm that the show is dead. I never watched this show, but I hear it was quite good and anything with a Whedon alum on board deserves better than Fox has to offer.)

ON LIFE SUPPORT:

• Dollhouse (She ain't dead yet, but things are looking pretty grim. Joss mentioned in an interview recently that a second season pick-up is entirely possible, but after looking at last Friday's numbers, I'm not holding my breath. Let's just say it was a tough call between putting this show in the category above or this one. I would be thrilled if it got picked-up, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up (read: get any hope at all). It has turned into a pretty kick-ass series and I'll be sad to see it go. Here's hoping for a miracle.)


• Chuck (Although Chuck has always struggled a bit in the ratings department, deep down I think it'll get picked up. The brass at NBC like the show and have shown quite a bit of support in the past. I like to think that the powers that be realize that Chuck is in quite possibly the worst timeslot ever conceived, and that that has a lot to do with its ratings woes. Seriously, it's up against House, Dancing with the Stars, How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, and Gossip Girl. Monday at 7 is a very busy time for me... Plus, the grassroots efforts by fans and the show's cast have garnered quite a bit of media attention of late, so I think NBC will keep it, even if just to save face. They don't have a whole lot of successful shows these days, and certainly none with as devoted a following. In short, go to Subway this weekend and help the cause!)
  
• Life (another one of my darlings that has struggled in the ratings department. Honestly, the ratings aren't terrible and given the number of times it's been moved around on the schedule, it's performing better than I would have thought. The overhead on this kind of show usually isn't too insane, and we all know people love their procedurals, so I have a little hope that Life will survive. More than for Dollhouse, but not as much as for Chuck. It's prognosis is somewhere in between, I'd say. Even though season two kind of lost its way here and there, it ended strong and I'm keeping the faith.)
  
• The Unusuals (its ratings aren't terrible, but they've been slipping week-to-week. It's a solid show with a premise that should have mass appeal, but it just isn't finding a huge audience. I'd really like to see this show come back for a second season, but unless the ratings pick up, or at very least, stabilize, it doesn't look too likely).

LOOKING GOOD:

• Castle (I'm very pleased that a pick-up for Castle is looking fairly likely. The ratings aren't insanely spectacular or anything, but they're good and hold steady week-to-week. Also, ABC doesn't really have much else in terms of a procedural, so I think they'll keep Castle around for next year. I sure as hell hope so. What at first struck me as a piece of harmless fluff that could flesh out my second tier shows has quickly become one of my favorite shows on TV, first tier all the way. Finally! A show with Nathan Fillion that might survive! Yay!)


• Eleventh Hour (The ratings are actually quite good (in spite of CBS's ostensible lack of support for the show). I'm hearing Marley Shelton might not be back next year, which for a show with only two series regulars, she's half the show... I think this show could really benefit from an overhaul, so if it gets picked up, here's hoping that make a lot of changes. The show needs a home base and more than two regular characters.)


• Lie to Me (It's really not that good of a show, but I have to admit it's gotten a lot better since its first couple of episodes. It's a third tier show through and through, but it's toned down its "we're these incredible specialists who have the unique ability to spot obvious lying" overtones and that has made it a lot easier to watch. I still fast-forward through parts of every episode though... Anyway, the ratings are pretty good, but could certainly be better. I think Fox will keep this one around, especially with Prison Break ending and 24 getting on in years, it could use another consistent player.)


• Samantha Who? (I was honestly a little surprised that Ugly Betty got an early pick-up and Sam Who? didn't... I think it still has a good chance of being picked up, but the early pick up announcement made it a little uncertain. It's a decent show, but I only caught the first few episodes. The concept doesn't leave room for much longevity, so I can see where ABC might be on the fence with this one...)


• Scrubs (strange as it may sound, it's looking more and more like Scrubs might get picked-up for another season... The real contingency is which actors would be willing to come back to the show. If enough regulars agree to come back, it'll most likely get picked up, if not, it's much less likely.)
  
• Southland (It has only aired a couple of episodes so far (which is the only reason I didn't put it in the "Definite Pick-Ups" category), but the numbers are solid and NBC has been pushing hard for it. With ER over and buried (finally), they've been looking for a new drama to fill that slot and it appears they may have found it. The show doesn't really do it for me, but it's well made and I can see where it could find a sizable audience. Another good sign, now that Kings has been yanked and sent to the Summer Cemetery, reruns of Southland are airing in its place. Bad for Kings, good for Southland. It's nice to see Ryan Atwood getting work...)
  
• Privileged (shockingly enough, the little show that could might actually make it. The CW doesn't really have a whole of shows to hang on to, and with most of their returning shows getting older and more ridiculous, Privileged may very well be picked up. I've been hearing good things about its possible return lately, so although I don't really care one way or the other and have never seen a full episode, good for them...)

DEFINITE PICK-UPS:

• The Mentalist (although official word hasn't come down yet, this mediocre show was this year's breakaway hit for some unknown reason. Oh wait, Americans really love bad television. This show isn't a total disaster, but that's about the best I have to say. It's watchable, but it'll never break out of its third tier distinction unless it really starts bringing its A-game (assuming such a thing exists). Have no fear Mentalist fans, Simon Baker will be back next year, smarmily pompous as ever, along with Robin Tunney's dead eyes and hollow head. Yay...)
  
• Fringe (again, nothing official, but Fringe is pretty much a lock for next year. I didn't survive past the first 6 or 7 episodes, but I hear the show has really hit its stride these days. The ratings are solid, and Fox has shown considerable faith in the show. I'm confident of a pick-up and will be pretty surprised if it gets the axe (even though this is Fox we're talking about and nothing should shock me at this point)).

These lists are of course not comprehensive. Shows like House, the CSI trifecta, and the glut of reality crap like American Idol and The Bachelor will surely be back, so I didn't focus on them. Once the upfronts are officially announced, I'll post a comprehensive list for each network (including new pilots for next fall), but until then, it's the shows that have uncertain fates that get the attention.

Anyway, I'll keep you posted. Till then, I'll just be sitting here, on pins and needles, hoping to hell my shows come back next year... Sigh.

TV Roundup--The "Can't WAIT!" Edition

While many aspects of the fall TV season have been a bit disappointing, there's still a hell of a lot to look forward to. While some shows have sunk down to my second tier, others have risen to the top.

RETURNING SHOWS THAT I'M COMPLETELY GIDDY OVER:

• PUSHING DAISIES: So I just re-watched the first season of Pushing Daisies and it was a delightful reminder of why I fell in love with the show in the first place. It's thoroughly unlike anything else on TV and if you haven't been watching, you seriously need to start. The first season only had 9 episodes (thanks to the strike) and I'm hearing that season 2 will be a re-launch of the show, so it's not too late to start. I'd suggest catching up with season 1 first, but if that's not an option, tune in for the premiere (Wed, October 1, on ABC) and at least give it a shot.
  
  Pushing Daisies is a spectacular blend of whimsy, noir, procedural elements, a romance, a mystery series, a technicolor fairy tale, and a comedy. It's an odd show, but a delicious treat with each and every outing. The look and tone of the show make for a unique, phantasmagorial, and magical backdrop that's just gorgeous to watch. It's kind of like a Tim Burton film that's been dipped in honey. The visual concept for the show is a delight to watch, but it's really the characters that make the show so special. There really isn't a single character that I'd like to see die in a ditch, and for me, that must mean the cast is pretty damn spectacular. Lee Pace is adorable and soft-spoken as the lead character Ned. He's a pensive romantic without being sacchrine or overly sentimental. He's the basis of the show, but his fellow castmates are just as special in their own way. Olive is hilarious and spritely without being annoying, Emerson is kind of curmudgeonly, but also animated and snarky, and Chuck is charming and sweet without being weak or sappy. The fact that Chuck is my least favorite character on the show and yet I still like her quite a lot speaks volumes to the casting and story. Her aunts Lily and Vivian, while not the major players on the show, are completely brilliant and add glimpses of quirky genius to an already perfect cast.
  
  Bottom Line: This show is kind of the perfect mixture of all things that I love. It even has some musical elements (Kristen Chenoweth is amazing, and we all know it). I mean, what more could you ask for? It's surprisingly funny and has a hell of a lot of heart. The mystery each week is fanciful and invariably fascinating. In short, this show is really special. I don't think we're likely to see anything like it for a very like time, if ever. Bryan Fuller will always hold a special place in my heart for bringing Dead Like Me into the world and Pushing Daisies carries on in that legacy. It's just a delight from beginning to end. Oh, and that guy who narrates the Harry Potter books narrates the show, so it's gotta be good, right? Top drawer.
  
  
• LIFE: When Life premiered last year, I didn't think for even a second that I would like it and never dreamed it would make it onto my permanent rotation (let alone grace the top tier). It's shows like that that make me hold fast to my philosophy of trying shows out even if they don't look like my usual fare.
  
  The show revolves around detective Charlie Crews (played brilliantly by Damian Lewis) who was framed and served 12 years in prison for murders he didn't commit. It sounds like it would be your usual crime procedural with a tough, cynical, maverick breaking all the rules, kicking ass and taking names... but it isn't. It has elements of all those things, but has such a unique spin on them that it's more of a character piece that your every day procedural. Charlie is angry and wants to know who framed him and all that, but he's quirky and zen about the whole situation. Rather than being the gritty tale of an embittered man, Life is the story of guy who appreciates the simple things and who looks at the world in an elightened way.
  
  Aside from Charlie's charm and unconventional (though undeniable) appeal, even the procedural elements of the show are singular and special. It's an odd blend of the fanciful, the devastating, and the twisted. It's kind of like a blend of Pushing Daisies and Law & Order, which sounds like about the worst combination in history, but completely works. The mystery of the week is never dull, never expected, and always fascinating. I had the pleasure of watching the season two premiere early (it's on hulu, if you're interested) and wasn't disappointed. The mystery was odd and fanciful and completely out there, but isn't over the top. The show manages to get away with the craziest things without jumping the shark and that's a fine like to walk. It's kind of like taking a trip down the rabbit hole, but this time Alice ends up in Los Angeles and the Chesire Cat is played by a crack dealer.
  
  Bottom Line: It isn't your usual procedural and that's what makes it special. I never expected to like this show, so when I got completely sucked in after only a couple of episodes, it made for quite a surprise. You can absolutely jump into this show without seeing season 1 first, but season 1 was pretty damn great, so I wouldn't recommend missing it... Come for the crazy crime procedural, stay for the Damian Lewis. It's kind of like how House isn't your average medical procedural. Where Hugh Laruie brings a wholly unique character to House, so too Damian Lewis brings an original center for Life. (Interesting tidbit: Damian Lewis actually moved into Hugh Laurie's house in the UK. When Lewis was considering taking the lead in Life, he called Laurie from Laurie's old bedroom to ask for advice. That probably isn't interesting at all, but you've already read it, so there's nothing you can do...)
  
  
• CHUCK: I love Chuck, plain and simple. It's another show that I approached with apprehension, but completely fell in love with. Yet again, if you missed the first season, you can absolutely start watching with the second season premiere (on Monday) and you won't be lost or confused. I just watched the season 2 premiere early online (it's on hulu, once again), and it gives a good recap of all the things you need to know to enjoy the show. And believe me, there are a lot of reasons to enjoy this show.
  
  Chuck takes the kick-ass CIA spy game craziness of Alias, but makes it hilarious and effortless to follow. Not that I didn't enjoy the fact that missing 10 minutes of an episode of Alias meant that you were lost for the next 6 weeks, but it could be taxing at times to have to keep track of so many Derevkos and whatnot. Chuck is as delightfully high-energy, but really funny and easy to watch. It's the kind of show that you can just plop down on the couch and zone out for a while. It makes for an escape, but doesn't lack substance the way most escapes do.
  
  Zachary Levi plays the title character and he's a total geek, but adorable and goofily charming. He reminds me of my dearly departed Seth Cohen from The O.C. Speaking of whom, Josh Schwartz, who was the mastermind behind The O.C. and is the genius behind Gossip Girl, is also the driving force behind Chuck. Who could ask for a better pedigree?
  
  The basic premise for the show is funny and far-fetched (the entire CIA/NSA database was downloaded into Chuck's head--just go with it), but that's a big part of it's appeal. If you just tell yourself to just by the premise and not be too critical (it's a comedy afterall, not a hard-hitting documentary), you'll really love the show. The supporting cast play off one another wonderfully and everyone has the requisite comedic timing to make the show work. Adam Baldwin (aka Jane from Firefly) plays the no nonsense NSA badass and is the perfect straight man. His interactions with the nerdy goofball that is Chuck are some of the best moments of the show.
  
  Bottom Line: If you're looking for a show that isn't taxing to watch, this is it. It's funny yet heartfelt and action-packed yet character-driven. It's a hell of a lot of fun and since it's already gotten the green light for a full second season, you don't have to worry about becoming dedicated to a show that might be cancelled. It might take a couple of episodes, but this really is an effortless joy of a show that I think most people will enjoy. I sure do. :)

Anyway, if you're looking to supplement your current slate of shows, I would highly recommend any of these shows... or, if you're anywhere near as pathetic as I am, all three. Well, actually four. I was going to put Dirty Sexy Money on the list, because, well, it's awesome, but I'm sick of typing. You'll just have to take my word for it--that word being "awesome," of course...