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Saw the first episode of 'Californication' today. Naked David Duchovny. Yummy ::drools::
Posted: 16:16 Aug 08 2007
New Season, New Shows...
Yes its that time of year again, when we can see a crowd of new genre shows forming on the horizon, and have no idea which will turn out to be the next Heroes, and which will be the next Birds of Prey.
Flash Gordon
First up, and first to air is the adaption of the famous comic strip adventure, better known to most from its camp 80s film. The series, from the Charmed creators lacks the budget youd expect for such a galaxy spanning romp, and it remains to be seen whether this time it will be good cheesy or naff-cheesy but is at least guaranteed a full season to find its feet. Flash is played by Smallville's Eric Close. Sing it together Flash! AAh-ahhhhh!
Bionic Woman
Showing up not long after is the much publicised reworking of the spin off of The Six Million Dollar Man. Marking something of a trend this year, the title role is plated by an English actress, Michelle Ryan. genre fans are likely to tune in to see Battlestar Galactica's Katee Sacoff as a somewhat insane recurring villain. Looking to fall into the 'mission of the week' format, it certainly a darker take than its bright family entertainment origins.
The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Perhaps the highest profile goes to this mid season replacement, essentially 'Terminator Tales', the picks up events some time after the second movie, and teams Sarah (now played by 300's Leana Heady), and son with a teenage Terminator played by Firefly's Summer Glau. Its pedigree should guarantee it some attention, however this is a Fox series, which has amounted to an almost instantaneous death sentence for Sci-Fi in recent years. Will viewers invest in a series that is bound to come up short in scale compared to its Film instalments?
Reaper
This comedy adventure concerns a spoilt young man who at the age of 21 finds out his soul was sold to the Devil, and obligates him to act as Satans Bounty Hunter, chasing down souls who have escaped from hell. Doesnt sound like much of a comedy! However the pilot episode is distinguished by being directed by cult favourite Kevin Smith. Reaper also debuts on September, replacing the recently cancelled Veronica Mars on the CW channel.
Pushing Daisies
A somewhat morbid show with promise, Pushing Daisies comes from the uber-funny creator of Dead Like Me, Bryan Fuller, so we should be in for some quality black humour. This romantic drama concerns a detective who can bring people back to life, but just for a minute. Brits might also be interested that the love interest is ex-Brooksider Anna Friel, who the lead cannot touch for fear it will kill her for ever.
Chuck
Produced by McG and the creator of The O.C., this comedy drama chronicles the misadventures of a computer geek who accidentally has a database of government secrets downloaded into his brain, and finds himself recruited as an espionage agent for the NSA. Jake 2.0 meets Alias? This is probably the lowest profile of all the series and has a struggle ahead to survive.
Journeyman
Taking the award for the least original show this year (that wasnt an adaption), Journeyman is about a man who travels into different situations in the past, and helps people out. Yes its Quantum Leap with maybe a little Early Edition thrown in for good measure. An ongoing arc concerns his dead girlfriend who he meets in the past and attempts to change her future, predictably with terrible consequences...
Moonlight
Yes its another Vampire show, havent had many of those before. This time we follow the adventures of a vampire private investigator, much more emotional drama than Angel's action adventure, Moonlight looks to eschew any humour and be a very 'ernest' take. Having been through some change in creative staff early on, buzz is not strong for Moonlight, and may prove to be an early casualty.
New Amsterdam
Not had enough with one immortal detective? Then Fox is covering the odds with a second. Cursed with immortality after saving an Indian girl, a curse which will be broken when he finds true love (sounds kind of familiar...). This show has recently been bumped back to mid season replacement, and one has to wonder if Fox is pre-emptively sharpening the axe as we speak.
Anyone want to get their crystal ball out?
(Edited by Wobag 07/08/2007 22:56)
Flash Gordon
First up, and first to air is the adaption of the famous comic strip adventure, better known to most from its camp 80s film. The series, from the Charmed creators lacks the budget youd expect for such a galaxy spanning romp, and it remains to be seen whether this time it will be good cheesy or naff-cheesy but is at least guaranteed a full season to find its feet. Flash is played by Smallville's Eric Close. Sing it together Flash! AAh-ahhhhh!
Bionic Woman
Showing up not long after is the much publicised reworking of the spin off of The Six Million Dollar Man. Marking something of a trend this year, the title role is plated by an English actress, Michelle Ryan. genre fans are likely to tune in to see Battlestar Galactica's Katee Sacoff as a somewhat insane recurring villain. Looking to fall into the 'mission of the week' format, it certainly a darker take than its bright family entertainment origins.
The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Perhaps the highest profile goes to this mid season replacement, essentially 'Terminator Tales', the picks up events some time after the second movie, and teams Sarah (now played by 300's Leana Heady), and son with a teenage Terminator played by Firefly's Summer Glau. Its pedigree should guarantee it some attention, however this is a Fox series, which has amounted to an almost instantaneous death sentence for Sci-Fi in recent years. Will viewers invest in a series that is bound to come up short in scale compared to its Film instalments?
Reaper
This comedy adventure concerns a spoilt young man who at the age of 21 finds out his soul was sold to the Devil, and obligates him to act as Satans Bounty Hunter, chasing down souls who have escaped from hell. Doesnt sound like much of a comedy! However the pilot episode is distinguished by being directed by cult favourite Kevin Smith. Reaper also debuts on September, replacing the recently cancelled Veronica Mars on the CW channel.
Pushing Daisies
A somewhat morbid show with promise, Pushing Daisies comes from the uber-funny creator of Dead Like Me, Bryan Fuller, so we should be in for some quality black humour. This romantic drama concerns a detective who can bring people back to life, but just for a minute. Brits might also be interested that the love interest is ex-Brooksider Anna Friel, who the lead cannot touch for fear it will kill her for ever.
Chuck
Produced by McG and the creator of The O.C., this comedy drama chronicles the misadventures of a computer geek who accidentally has a database of government secrets downloaded into his brain, and finds himself recruited as an espionage agent for the NSA. Jake 2.0 meets Alias? This is probably the lowest profile of all the series and has a struggle ahead to survive.
Journeyman
Taking the award for the least original show this year (that wasnt an adaption), Journeyman is about a man who travels into different situations in the past, and helps people out. Yes its Quantum Leap with maybe a little Early Edition thrown in for good measure. An ongoing arc concerns his dead girlfriend who he meets in the past and attempts to change her future, predictably with terrible consequences...
Moonlight
Yes its another Vampire show, havent had many of those before. This time we follow the adventures of a vampire private investigator, much more emotional drama than Angel's action adventure, Moonlight looks to eschew any humour and be a very 'ernest' take. Having been through some change in creative staff early on, buzz is not strong for Moonlight, and may prove to be an early casualty.
New Amsterdam
Not had enough with one immortal detective? Then Fox is covering the odds with a second. Cursed with immortality after saving an Indian girl, a curse which will be broken when he finds true love (sounds kind of familiar...). This show has recently been bumped back to mid season replacement, and one has to wonder if Fox is pre-emptively sharpening the axe as we speak.
Anyone want to get their crystal ball out?
(Edited by Wobag 07/08/2007 22:56)
Posted: 16:16 Aug 08 2007 
I'm gonna try pretty much all these shows this year (can't see me bothering with Moonlight somehow). Bionic Woman and Sarah Connor Chronicles definitely have potential, but I think i'm more looking forward to Pushing Daisies and Reaper. Flash Gordon appears to be too cheesy for it's own good, but we'll see.
There are also plenty of good shows returning, so it should be a good schedule again.
There are also plenty of good shows returning, so it should be a good schedule again.
Posted: 20:13 Aug 08 2007 
im not sure how its going to end, but im currently cracking up at pushing daisies...
Posted: 09:06 Aug 10 2007 
Can anyone work out whats different about Anna Friel on Pushing Daisies, she just looks so 'different'. I THINK its the very large, very white set of american teeth that changed the shape of her face, or maybe not.
Major props though for being the first British actor Ive seen in many years that does a flawless American accent, at least to my ears.
Major props though for being the first British actor Ive seen in many years that does a flawless American accent, at least to my ears.
Posted: 23:24 Aug 11 2007 
Not seen House in a while then?
by Wobag
Major props though for being the first British actor Ive seen in many years that does a flawless American accent, at least to my ears.
Some of those series do sound interesting -- Flash Gordon looks like it could be entertaining in a Buck Rogers in the 25th Century/Ed Wood kinda way, the Bionic Woman trailer on YouTube was very slick, and Journeyman might have potential (it could do a lot worse than copy the enjoyable Quantum Leap) -- but, going by the blubs, none sounds particularly original.
Perhaps we're at the end of a cycle. I think genre TV has "golden ages". After the Seventies and Eighties droughts, the Nineties was packed with hum-dingers -- Quantum Leap, Space Above and Beyond, Babylon 5, Deep Space Nine, Twin Peaks, The X-Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- but it seems to be trailing off now. Repetition becomes inevitable.
That said, the burbs for The X-Files and Buffy the Vampire Slayer wouldn't have sounded amazing. You never know when the next classic is going to come along. One of those series could be the next Big Thing and launch a new "golden age". Here's hoping!
Posted: 01:45 Aug 12 2007 I almost mentioned House in my post, Ive always thought that despite a strong performance from Laurie, his American accent sounds horribly fake to my ears. Not bad in a 'Dick Van Dyke' cockney sort of way, but in a 'this is me doing a performance' kind of way.
by Byron
(quotes)
Not seen House in a while then?
I know what you mean. However I dont think its a 'generational' cycle across the decades, rather a cycle I see happening every 3 or 4 years.
by Byron
Perhaps we're at the end of a cycle
Or perhaps this is just what happens the year after a major hit like Heroes comes out, and there isn't a large breakthrough hit coming.
The most we can every realistically expect from a years crop is a breaktrough hit, a niche classic, and maybe a mass market low brow slogger.
I think at least the niche is covered by the slightly too daffy for its own good Pushing Daisies.
Posted: 11:07 Aug 12 2007
by Wobag... Ive always thought that despite a strong performance from Laurie, his American accent sounds horribly fake to my ears.
Interesting, 'cos Sandia said recently that Americans tend to think the accent sounds kosher while Brits argue the opposite. Apparently there was a row over at a TV website along those lines!
Since he's from New Jersey (ala Dr. House), I guess he'd know.
As our transatlantic friends say, go figure!
Cult TV seems to be getting more "niche" across the board.
The most we can every realistically expect from a years crop is a breaktrough hit, a niche classic, and maybe a mass market low brow slogger.
Don't know how big Heroes is over in the USA, but, while I can see it doing well on BBC2 here, I don't see it being a mainstream hit like The X-Files.
I reckon cult TV's been heading for trouble since the Star Trek franchise finally imploded. Star Trek: The Next Generation kick-started the Nineties golden age. While the franchise might have been bland much of the time, it was a proving-ground for cult TV writing talent (ie, Battlestar Galactica head-honcho Ron Moore) and a yardstick for competition. Without it cult TV seems to become so mainstream it barely counts as cult (Lost) or hyper-niche (Battlestar Galactica).
Coincidentally, the Sunday Telegraph's running a piece on these shows here.
Posted: 18:24 Aug 12 2007 I thought Sandia was a she lol.
by Byron
(quotes)
Since he's from New Jersey (ala Dr. House), I guess he'd know.
X-Files wasn't a mainstream hit here for a while though. It was stuck on BBC2 for 2 or 3 years before the BBC deigned to put it on BBC1. Heroes is huge in the States, whether it will gain that popularity here I can't say, but i'd be interested in seeing what the viewing figures are like so far. I'd guess they're decent.
Don't know how big Heroes is over in the USA, but, while I can see it doing well on BBC2 here, I don't see it being a mainstream hit like The X-Files.
Generally I think cult tv is doing just fine. This year may be a slow year, but it only takes a good pilot next season and we'll have another big one on our hands.
Posted: 19:33 Aug 12 2007
by Maffrew
I thought Sandia was a she lol.
And so net-anonymity notches up yet another embarrassing gaffe.
Sorry Sandia!
I hope I got the New Jersey part right at least.
X-Files wasn't a mainstream hit here for a while though. It was stuck on BBC2 for 2 or 3 years before the BBC deigned to put it on BBC1. Heroes is huge in the States, whether it will gain that popularity here I can't say, but i'd be interested in seeing what the viewing figures are like so far. I'd guess they're decent.
Thanks for the info from the USA. You're right, X-Files did start out on BBC2. (I started watching at the end of the second season, but only really got into it in the third, when it moved to BBC1.)
Maybe The X-Files is an exception. Buffy never made it to BBC1, but I don't think it was ever as big as The X-Files even in the States. (Far as I know WB and UPN aren't major networks.)
Then again, Lost (for which my love is well known
) is a major show State-side, but it's shoved off to a satellite ghetto over here. Maybe there's no pattern beside the whims of execs. Hope so too, a decline is just something I've been feeling for a while now. (Of course, it's hard to judge given that I'm not living in these series' country of origin.)
Generally I think cult tv is doing just fine. This year may be a slow year, but it only takes a good pilot next season and we'll have another big one on our hands.
Quality is still there, but it feels like there's less quantity than there was. Old stalwarts like Stargate SG-1 are gone now, and beside Heroes, are there any major cult series on US TV? (Still not sure if Lost is strictly a cult series, or just a mainstream show with fantasy overtones.) You probably watch far more than me these days. (Only series of any kind I followed this year was the now-cancelled Rome.) It just seemed like there were loads of mainstream (ish) cult shows back in the Nineties/early Noughties.
If there is no decline, hooray. If there is a decline, I can see it ending as soon as the Star Trek cash-cow gets the inevitable re-boot.
Posted: 21:14 Aug 12 2007 
Just a note about 'House'.
I have a good friend who lives on the East Coast of the US and she's a big 'House' fan. And she didn't know and initially wouldn't accept Hugh Laurie was British until she saw him on 'Letterman'. She couldn't believe that he was British.
And first for the cancel gun? My vote goes for 'Flash Gordon'. Eric Johnson will forever be Whitney Fordman for me (from Smallville) I don't think he has 'leading man' potential.
I have a good friend who lives on the East Coast of the US and she's a big 'House' fan. And she didn't know and initially wouldn't accept Hugh Laurie was British until she saw him on 'Letterman'. She couldn't believe that he was British.
And first for the cancel gun? My vote goes for 'Flash Gordon'. Eric Johnson will forever be Whitney Fordman for me (from Smallville) I don't think he has 'leading man' potential.
Posted: 22:57 Aug 12 2007 Definitely agree there. With comments like "Flash is the kind of fantasy toss-off that gives sci-fi, and Sci Fi, a bad name", in major publications, it really can't be expected to last long.
by Keenangel
And first for the cancel gun? My vote goes for 'Flash Gordon'.
Posted: 09:08 Aug 13 2007
by Maffrew
(quotes)
I thought Sandia was a she lol.
ahh good - so im not the only one!
its around this point im glad there was nothing, erm, "interesting" going on...
Posted: 09:28 Aug 13 2007 i was expecting either bionic woman or sarah connor chronicles to be first for the boot - but after seeing the pilot for flash gordon, ive got to agree - interesting idea, but not very well done.
by KeenangelAnd first for the cancel gun? My vote goes for 'Flash Gordon'. Eric Johnson will forever be Whitney Fordman for me (from Smallville) I don't think he has 'leading man' potential.
this will also get the boot before either of the others on account of starting way before them, but still - its the thought that counts - i give it 6 episodes.
(considering i gave drive 8 eps before it was binned, that means this could well be put in a sack with several bricks and thrown in the canal within 3!!)
Posted: 09:32 Aug 13 2007
Sandia isn't female??? I assumed he was a girl too. LOL
Sorry Sandia.
(Edited by Teresa 13/08/2007 09:35)
Sorry Sandia.
(Edited by Teresa 13/08/2007 09:35)
Posted: 09:34 Aug 13 2007 
Group mea culpa, anyone?
by Byron
And so net-anonymity notches up yet another embarrassing gaffe.
Sorry Sandia!
Posted: 09:49 Aug 13 2007 Its certainly the one that deserves cancellation the fastest, however when you look at quality shows like Firefly that get the chop almost immediately and bilge like Mutant X that goes on for years, that it has much more to do with the channel its on than the show itself.
by Keenangel
And first for the cancel gun? My vote goes for 'Flash Gordon'.
Showtime/HBO commission shorter seasons and as good as never cancel mid season, they just dont renew.
Sci-Fi, which produce Flash almost never pull the plug mid season, this might have to do with a lot of co-productions, wouldn't be surprised if there was foreign money in FG. They have committed to 22 eps, and while it might move to a graveyard spot Id put money on them showing all 22.
Fox on the other hand cancel shows quicker than any other network, frequently 4-6 episodes in. Often the shows have a couple of episodes, when they aren't immediately the next X-Files, they stick it in a new timeslot, which loses half the audience, and its game over. I think its officially called TMS now (Tim Minear Syndrome, poor Tim).
I therefor predict that the series that shows the fewest eps is Fox's New Amsterdam, but that doesnt start until January, so first to fall will be Moonlight.
Posted: 18:19 Aug 13 2007 Sandia is a girl.
by Teresa
Sandia isn't female??? I assumed he was a girl too. LOL
Sorry Sandia.
Posted: 19:48 Aug 13 2007
Jeez, are my ears burning. My upstairs neighbor must think I'm totally crazy, because I'm laughing so loudly down here all by myself. Of course, you'd think she'd be used to it by now. I'm pretty easily amused and the walls here are very thin.
Just to set the record straight though, I am female. I always thought my screen name sounded kind of girly, although it's just the name of some mountains in New Mexico.
And as for Hugh Laurie's accent. Take it from me--although I am from New Jersey, which means anything I say is a bit suspect--Hugh Laurie's American accent on House is just about flawles. Ok, it IS flawless. I have never met an American who doesn't think so. British people tend to be much harder on him, thinking he doesn't quite have it right. I guess that's because you're so much more used to hearing him talk with his natural accent, it just seems "off" to hear him speak differently. Does that make any sense?
Laurie also appears to have different American accents. He guest hosted a comedy sketch show here (Saturday Night Live) a few months ago. He did most of the sketches with a British accent (or several of them actually), and one with an American accent--but it wasn't the same American accent he uses on House. The man is just all kinds of talented.
My upstairs neighbor must think I'm totally crazy, because I'm laughing so loudly down here all by myself. Of course, you'd think she'd be used to it by now. I'm pretty easily amused and the walls here are very thin.Just to set the record straight though, I am female. I always thought my screen name sounded kind of girly, although it's just the name of some mountains in New Mexico.
And as for Hugh Laurie's accent. Take it from me--although I am from New Jersey, which means anything I say is a bit suspect--Hugh Laurie's American accent on House is just about flawles. Ok, it IS flawless. I have never met an American who doesn't think so. British people tend to be much harder on him, thinking he doesn't quite have it right. I guess that's because you're so much more used to hearing him talk with his natural accent, it just seems "off" to hear him speak differently. Does that make any sense?
Laurie also appears to have different American accents. He guest hosted a comedy sketch show here (Saturday Night Live) a few months ago. He did most of the sketches with a British accent (or several of them actually), and one with an American accent--but it wasn't the same American accent he uses on House. The man is just all kinds of talented.
Posted: 20:14 Aug 14 2007 I think its also the thesp factor. I can think of some of the best British actors, like Patrick Stewart, who have done the full on Hamlet thing, and can probably 'do' more accents than you can shake a stick at, but even on their very best day, when I watch them I think 'thats a great performance', rather than forgetting its a performance at all.
by Sandia
British people tend to be much harder on him, thinking he doesn't quite have it right. I guess that's because you're so much more used to hearing him talk with his natural accent, it just seems "off" to hear him speak differently. Does that make any sense?
Stephen Fry said something really interesting after his run on Bones opposite David Boreanaz, something to the effect of 'we may have been doing this longer, but Americans are blessed with an ability we lack, which is to be effortlessly relaxed on screen'. Fry kept his own accent on that show, and it STILL felt like he was an actor doing a job, while I never thought to question the others outside the characters they play.
So maybe I was a bit critical to say his accent was poor, just that to me, hes still 'doing an accent' rather than allowing me to forget hes an actor in the first place.
Posted: 21:52 Aug 14 2007