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June 01 June TV CalendarWell, we've said goodbye to just about all of our fall and winter mainstays. Here's a look at some of the shows premiering or returning in June, as well as the straggler series that will have finales this month. All times are EST.
June 1
As I type this, NBC has kicked off "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" with various non-celebrities at 8 p.m. It follows up with the season finale of "Medium" at 10 p.m.
And then at 11:35 p.m., you can watch the first "Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien."
June 2
"According to Jim" is finally going to be having its last-ever episode at 8:30 p.m. on ABC. Somehow I think it's like really believing Jason or Freddy are dead.
"Law & Order: SVU" has its season finale at 10 p.m. on NBC.
June 3
"Law & Order" the mothership has a finale at 10 p.m.
Bravo makes someone into a supermodel at 10 p.m.
June 4
USA brings back Mike Westen to do some more super-spying on "Burn Notice" at 9 p.m. Then it brings in new series "Royal Pains" about brothers who provide medical services for the uber-rich at 10 p.m.
NBC launches "The Listener," a show about a psychic paramedic, at 9 p.m.
June 7
At 8 p.m., CBS has the Tonys.
At 10 p.m. "Army Wives" come marching back to Lifetime.
June 8
"The Closer" returns to burn up summer ratings for TNT at 9 p.m. It'll be interesting to see how things change -- or if they change -- with Brenda being a married woman.
"Raising the Bar" bats cleanup for TNT at 10. And star Mark-Paul Gosslear has changed from long hair to a more conservative cut, if the ads I've seen on buses are to be believed. I hope there are more substantial improvements in store.
But wait, that's not all. Also at 10: HBO has Edie Falco as "Nurse Jackie" who apparently is the "House" of RNs; Bravo has a new season of "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List" and Showtime plants another season of "Weeds."
June 10
Bravo debuts "Top Chef Masters" at 10 p.m.
June 13
As part of the network practice of burning off critically acclaimed, but poorly rated shows, we're going to have the continuation of NBC's "Kings" at 9 p.m. and the final episode of ABC's "Pushing Daisies" air at 10.
June 14
I've been wanting to do bad things with "True Blood" for a while, so it's good to see it come back to HBO at 9 p.m.
He was too legit to quit, and we couldn't touch this. But then rapper Hammer went bankrupt. And now we get to follow him around in a reality show that's about two decades too late. It's on A&E at 10 p.m.
June 16
Jada Pinkett Smith comes to TNT in "Hawthorne," another nurse-related drama. It airs at 9 p.m., and is followed by the season premiere of "Saving Grace."
June 21
NBC premieres "Merlin" at 8 p.m. Because the world needs another adaptation of the Arthur legend.
June 22
:"The Secret Life of the American Teenager" kicks off another season on ABC Family at 8 p.m.
June 23
"The Superstars" have athletes and celebrities competing at 8 p.m. on ABC.
"America's Got Talent" returns to NBC at 9 p.m.
June 24
NBC has "The Philanthropist" at 10 p.m. A really rich guy goes around helping people.
June 25
"Penn & Teller: BS" returns to Showtime at 10 p.m.
June 28
HBO's "Hung" starts at 10 p.m.
- posted by Raoul May 21 Product Placement Will Be Bigger than EverAt least, that's my prediction. I'm as happy as anyone that "Chuck" was renewed, but that's tempered with some sadness. The show owes its new season in part to five...five dollar..five dollar footlongs! There were a couple of episodes where Subway sandwiches got blatantly plugged (an eating contest involving a sandwich and Morgan tempting Big Mike with a footlong come to mind). There was also the fan campaign to spike sales at Subway in an effort to show NBC that it should keep the show alive.
I figure not only will "Chuck" feel obligated to do more with and for Subway, but other shows that find themselves on the bubble might try to emulate "Chuck's" escape from cancellation.
Of course, we're going to have product placement with us forever at this point. Earlier this week, we had Cisco Systems touted on "24" and the characters on "My Boys" singing "Nationwide is on your side." Ick.
In a somewhat-related note, the New York Times says that Turner Broadcasting is going to start an initiative to pair commercials with the TV program's content. So in the example the story used, a scene filled with car crashes might be followed by an OnStar commercial.
I'm hoping that trend doesn't catch on.
- posted by Raoul May 18 A Few More Renewals and CancellationsTo continue the run down of series saved, series cancelled, series being floated,etc.:
-FOX's official schedule has "Dollhouse" coming back for a second season, while "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" has been terminated after two seasons. "Bones" got renewed for two seasons instead of the customary one. "Lie to Me" is being paired with "House."
I'm pleasantly surprised that "Dollhouse" was given a second chance, given its lukewarm ratings. But I'll take it. I'd expected "Terminator" to not get a third season, but it's unfortunate. I think creatively, the season finale left the show in an interesting place, and I would think interest in the movie (coming out this week) might provide a ratings boost. Still if we were only going to get one of the two renewed, I think "Dollhouse" was the right choice.
As for "Bones," it's one of the shows that I enjoy but I often don't get a chance to watch because it's in a time slot with such strong competition. It's soon going to be going up against, presumably, "CSI," NBC's comedies and "Grey's Anatomy." That's asking a lot out of a show, and I wish it good luck.
- "Samantha Who" became a casualty of the many new shows ABC is trying out. Among the shows being thought about is a "Desperate Housewives" spin-off featuring Karen and Roberta McCluskey as elderly crime-solving sisters.
Variety seems to think that this is a surprise, but the network seemed to to telegraph this earlier when they decided not to air every "Samantha Who" episode that had been filmed.
As for the "DH" spinoff, I sometimes think that Mrs. McCluskey is the best thing about Wisteria Lane. I realize there's not much on TV aimed at older viewers, so if this comes through, that would be something positive. But for my money, mystery writing is not the forte of "DH" scribes. So if they do go this route, I hope they bolster their crew.
- posted by Raoul April 21 Adios, 'In the Motherhood,' 'Samantha Who?' and 'Kings'ABC is shelving "In the Motherhood" and "Samantha Who?" early, while NBC is going to burn off the remaining episodes of "Kings" in the summer. On Saturdays still.
I'm not broken up about the ABC series going bye-bye, but I really wish "Kings" could somehow get enough momentum to be viable.
- posted by Raoul April 20 Bubble, Bubble, Toil and TroubleThe Hollywood Reporter takes a look at some of the shows that are on the proverbial renewal bubble and which are almost certainly not coming back. Some thoughts:
I'm amazed that "Dollhouse" has even a 50/50 shot. I was convinced it was a goner when FOX announced it wouldn't be airing the show's 13th episode. I'm enough of a realist to suspect that it's time to say "Hasta la vista, baby" to "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," but enough of an optimist to hope that its death sentence is premature.
I'm sad, but not surprised, that it's reporting "Reaper" is "gone." I'm a little apprehensive that it's saying that "Chuck" is looking marginal as well. It would suck to lose both the comedies about slackers who work at a big-box retailer forced to work crazy jobs.
It looks like we're going to likely see either "Cold Case" or "Without a Trace" get cancelled. I don't watch either, so I don't have strong feelings about those. Same with "Eleventh Hour." "The Unit" is one of those shows that I TiVo and only rarely watch, even though I've enjoyed it most every time I do. If it goes, maybe I'll catch up with some of the past episodes.
I didn't realize "Life" wasn't actually cancelled. Do we really need a 20th season of "Law & Order?"
I feel bad for Rob Thomas of "Veronica Mars" fame that "Cupid" is apparently a two-time loser, but then again, I didn't feel bad enough to watch it. I'm surprised "Better Off Ted," "The Unusuals" and "Castle" are contenders for sophomore seasons.
- posted by Raoul
January 29 Mo' Pilots, Mo' Pilots, Mo' Pilots!The announcements of shows that will be heading our way just keep on a-coming.
Lauren Graham will be returning to TV in a show called "Let It Go," in which she stars as a self-help expert who doesn't practice what she preaches. Sounds like it's a combination of "Men in Trees" and "Help Me Help You."
CBS lives up to the nickname Crime Broadcasting System by having a new show about the FBI, another about U.S. attorneys and a spin-off of "NCIS." It's also having a show called "Back," about a man who was missing after Sept. 11 but who has now returned.
A&E is going to have a show called "Obsessed" focusing on real people who are mentally ill.
NBC is going to try a second show "Parenthood," albeit one that has no connection with the Steve Martin movie's characters.
HBO is going to have Ellen Barkin do a show about a divorced woman who strikes up a friendship with her ex's adult son.
ABC is going to have a show called "Threesome" about a man torn between his new girlfriend and his best friend.
Shonda Rhimes of "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice" renown is going to have a new show called "Inside the Box" about a D.C. network news bureau. ABC has also picked up "I, Claudia," which is about a lawyer who has a future as a presidential contender and an unnamed show about a cop and his genius kid brother. Move over, Encyclopedia Brown.
- posted by Raoul January 27 Pilots-a-Go-GoA lot of new pilots have been announced in the last week or so. Some have potential. Some...not so much.
In no particular order, it looks like ABC is remaking "V," the cheesy miniseries and series about reptilian aliens who come to Earth posing as friends of humanity but in reality are enemies. It's also turning "The Witches of Eastwick" into a series.
FOX is going to have "Masterwork," a "Da Vinci Code"-like quest for artifacts and "Human Target," based on the Vertigo comic in which a professional bad-ass assumes the manners, skills and appearance of people who are facing death. I was a fan of the comic book, so I'm guessing I'll like the show alright. Can't say the same for "Da Vinci Code."
NBC is going to have "Day One," a show about a massive catastrophe and the few that survive it. It's from a veteran of "Alias," "Lost" and "Heroes," which gives me hope. Or maybe it should make me think it will be wildly erratic.
The Peacock is also going to have a show "Lost in the 80s," described as "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" meets "The Ice Storm." While I'm a fan of all things 80s, that hybrid sounds cringeworthy.
NBC's also going to have a show this spring called "Who Do You Think You Are" that traces celebrity genealogy. Ugh.
Any of these tickle your fancy?
- posted by Raoul January 16 Oh, the Weather Outside Is Frightful, But TV Is So DelightfulIt's beginning to look a lot like a regular TV season, isn't it? We welcomed back "24" earlier this week. "Battlestar Galactica" premieres tonight.
Over the weekend, HBO's adding not just "Big Love" to the mix but also the Hip-Hoppotamus and the Rhyme-nocerous themselves, "Fllight of the Conchords."
Not to be outdone, Showtime's bringing back "The L Word" for its final season. It's advertising that the big mystery this season is "Who killed Jenny?" Which I have two problems with. A) Whoever it is probaby did us all a favor and deserves a medal since that character has been incredibly frickin' annoying for at least a full season if not more like two. and B) The powers that be at "The L Word" have already announced the show will be spun off with Alice being in a women's prison. Now maybe I'm adding 2+2 and coming up with 6, but I think I know one obvious way Alice would end up there.
Also on Showtime is a new season of "Secret Diary of A Call Girl." Although to be frank, I wasn't thrilled about originally because it wasn't half as sexy as the title promises. Hopefully, the show will build on that this time around. And last, but not least, we have "The United States of Tara," which I think is going to be awesome.
If you're a sports fan, you've got two really good football games this Sunday. (Go Eagles!)
And then the countdown begins to the new season of "Lost."
Seems like we've finally bounced back from the strike.
- posted by Raoul January 14 Guess What's On Tonight...'Lost'!
ABC is reairing last season's finale -- all three hours of it -- starting tonight at 8:00. Unfortunately, it's one of those "enhanced" episodes where you get to read idiotic pop-ups like "Sawyer likes to give people nicknames," "Sun is the daughter of a successful Korean businessman," or "Jack is the most boring character on the planet." On the other hand? "Lost!" Not a reality show! Nobody dances with a celebrity! - Posted by Kate January 12 Is TV Guide Dissing the CW and MTV?It's been reported that TV Guide has stopped including the CW and MTV in its primetime listings grid.
TV Guide's explanation -- that it's just coincidence and sometimes stations get left off in this 500-channel world -- doesn't seem to hold water since it's including listings for such teeny-tiny stations as MyNetwork TV.
So what's the real reason? Your guess is as good as mine. But I'm thinking someone's having ego issues.
- posted by Raoul December 31 January Key DatesWhen I said earlier that there was a lot in January to look forward to, I wasn't joking. Here's a list of some of the series that we'll have to look forward to in 2009, all times E/P.
Jan. 5
ABC has "True Beauty," a reality series from Tyra Banks and Ashton Kutcher in which the winner's inner beauty will shine through, starting at 10 p.m. It follows the return of "The Bachelor" at 8 p.m.
Jan. 6
ABC has "Homeland Security USA" at 8 p.m. Then at 9 p.m., it has "Scrubs" make the jump from NBC.
"The Biggest Loser: Couples" airs at 8 p.m. on NBC.
"Nip/Tuck" is going to start its last set of plastic surgeries at 10 p.m. on FX.
"10 Items or Less" returns to TBS at 11 p.m.
Jan. 7
At 8 p.m., the CW launches "13: Fear Is Real," a reality series from Sam Raimi of "Evil Dead" fame.
Meanwhile, TBS has another Tyler Perry series, "Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns," bow at 10 p.m.
And Patty Hughes is going to have to contend with a really angry Ellen Parsons in a new season of FX's "Damages" at 10 p.m. I've seen the first couple hours of this one, and it's looking like it'll be even better than last season.
Jan. 9
At 8 p.m., NBC has"Howie Do It," featuring Howie Mandell as the ringmaster of a "Candid Camera" clone.
Sci Fi has the series finale of "Stargate Atlantis" at 9 p.m. and the season finale of "Sanctuary" at 10 p.m.
Jan. 11
The 2009 Golden Globes will be broadcast on NBC, starting with the red carpet arrivals at 7 p.m. and the main show at 8.
Jack is back as "24" returns to FOX at 8 p.m. as part of a two-night premiere.
Jan. 12
"Kyle XY" returns to ABC Family at 9 p.m..
Jan. 13
"American Idol" comes back with a new fourth judge at 8 p.m.
Jan. 15
A&E offers up "The Beast," with Patrick Swayze as a veteran FBI agent who might be dirty (if not dancing), at 10 p.m.
Jan. 16
Sci Fi has a plan, and it involves "Battlestar Galactica" beginning its final arc of episodes at 10 p.m.
Jan. 18
HBO kicks off a third season of "Big Love" at 9 p.m. and a second of "Flight of the Conchords" at 10 p.m.
Showtime's "The L Word" begins its final season at 9 p.m.. Then comes the premiere of "The United States of Tara," with Toni Collette as a woman with multiple personalities, at 10 p.m. and the second season of "Secret Diary of a Call Girl" at 10:30 p.m.
Jan. 21
FOX kicks off "Lie to Me," with Tim Roth as a master in the science of deception, at 9 p.m..
ABC has "Lost" begin season five at 8 p.m..
Jan. 22
USA has "Burn Notice" return at 10 p.m.
Jan. 23
Sci Fi begins airing repeats of two series that were cancelled after one season on their original networks. "Invasion" tells the story of a Florida town under siege by body snatching aliens after a hurricane and starts at 8 p.m. "Moonlight" features a L.A. vampire private eye and is on at 9 p.m. Although "Invasion" started off slow on ABC, by the end of its run, I was pretty captivated. As for "Moonlight," I didn't last beyond the pilot. But it has a lot of dedicated fans, so maybe it should get a second chance.
Jan. 26
Brenda Leigh Johnson's out to get some more criminals to fess up on TNT's "The Closer" at 9 p.m.
Jan. 29
Gordon Ramsay is back to curse out aspiring chefs on a new edition of "Hell's Kitchen" at 9 p.m.
- posted by Raoul December 16 Is America Ready For...Glee Club?
"'I've had one of the best experiences of my career with Ryan Murphy doing 'Nip/Tuck' and we're excited to re-create that experience here,' said Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly, who formerly led programming at FX. 'The second he pitched us 'Glee,' it was like he had it in his sights yet again. It's got his trademark wicked sense of humor and its heart in the right place and feels like a show for the times.'" In a rare show of confidence (or possibly thrift) Fox has already picked up "Glee" for thirteen episodes. - Posted by Kate December 11 Want All the Dirty Details On the 'Gossip Girl' Spin-Off?
Hmm. I don't know what to think about this. Going back in time is always a risk, right? The spin-off could end up crazy cool like "Mad Men," but I'm guessing it'll be Cheese City like "Swingtown" or "Life on Mars." Also...Lily and Rufus=Even More Annoying Versions of Serena and Dan. If we're doing time travel, why can't the spin-off be about an older, no wiser Chuck Bass living in the future with, like, flying limos and robotic sex twins? - Posted by Kate December 09 'Millionaire Matchmaker' Will Be Back...Just In Time For Valentine's Day
Somehow I have a soft spot for "The Millionaire Matchmaker," Bravo's crass, exploitative look at how the other half aren't getting any. How can you not like Patti? Or Sex Toy Dave, for that matter? (Pictured! Edit: Or not!) The show will return on February 12. And there's a twist this season! It turns out it's not just rich dudes who're lonely: "This season, Stanger will work with several female millionairesses, including a 40-year-old drop-dead gorgeous CEO of a high-end fashion label. Stanger relates to her by sharing her experiences with "ageism" in the competitive Los Angeles dating scene. In addition, Stanger signs on a gay millionaire, who owns his own successful branding business. A firm supporter of everyone's right to have committed love, Stanger believes "everyone has the right to marry, no matter what." It's not just rich white dudes who have a right to have a crazy lady find them gold diggers to date! Isn't equality grand? - Posted by Kate December 08 NBC Decides Leno Is A Ready-For-Prime-Time PlayaYou might remember that there was all sorts of drama that might have unfolded over Conan O'Brien taking over "The Tonight Show" from Jay Leno. Where would Jay land next? Could it mean the end of "Nightline?" Might it lead to a new round of late-night wars, this time with three fronts?
Well, all that has apparently been avoided. NBC is going to have Jay do his show during prime time five nights a week.
This could be a win-win for everyone. NBC saves some cash. Jay Leno probably doesn't have to change a thing. And we the viewers are spared a new set of bad reality shows and clunker scripted series.
Personally, I've not really been as huge a Leno fan since he stopped doing standup. But I hope this provides NBC with a decent shot in the arm.
- posted by Raoul
Bravo Renews Four Shows I'm Not Watching (And You Probably Aren't Either)
Which ones? "Flipping Out," "The Rachel Zoe Project," "Million Dollar Listing" and "Tabatha's Salon Takeover." Okay, I admit I liked the first season of "Flipping Out" but then it got too weird. The other three? No thanks. I'll stick with "Top Chef" and let my real estate/hair salon/scary eating disorder schadenfreude play out elsewhere. - Posted by Kate You, Uh, Can't Keep These Elves Down
"'Having done 'Runway,' we have a lot of headspace in the fashion world,' Lipsitz said. 'Runway' is 'just a small microcosm of that. There's this incredible world to be explored that hasn't been done yet.' "Cutrone is familiar to reality viewers via her appearances on 'The Hills. Lipsitz and Cutforth said they believed her personality -- and her role as a single mother -- would make for a compelling series." I don't know about you guys, but I'm getting a little tired of "insidery" fashion shows. Well, except for "Stylista." This new project seems to be more along the lines of the unwatchable "Rachel Zoe Project," though. - Posted by Kate December 04 Ohhhh Yeah, More 'Californication'
The ratings for "Californication" aren't generally fantastic: the show averages about 2 million viewers per episode. The cynic in me thinks the third season has a lot more to do with David Duchovny's recent revelation that he's seeking treatment for sex addiction than the show itself. All press is good press, right? - Posted by Kate December 03 Somehow I Expect More From Drew
What does Drew have to say about this? "'We're all trying to figure out how to make love function while continuing to better ourselves,' Barrymore said. 'This show is a fun way to do that.'" Huh? Does that even make sense? Make love function?!? Well, she did almost marry Tom Green. - Posted by Kate November 21 'Lipstick Jungle:' I Think It's Really Over
I'm sorry to say it, but I think it's over. I live near one of the show's sets, and when I walked by at about eight this morning I saw some guys gutting it. I can't see why NBC would do that unless they've firmly decided not to order more episodes this season. I'll keep my eyes peeled for any official announcement from the network. - Posted by Kate |
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