Posted by Dustin on 05.16.2011 at 5:48 pm

FOX Announces Primetime Slate for 2011-2012 Season

FOUR NEW COMEDIES, THREE NEW DRAMAS AND ONE NEW UNSCRIPTED SERIES JOIN SCHEDULE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED “THE X FACTOR” LAUNCHES THIS FALL

EPIC FAMILY ADVENTURE DRAMA “TERRA NOVA” TO MAKE FALL DEBUT

ENSEMBLE COMEDY “NEW GIRL” STARRING ZOOEY DESCHANEL, FAMILY COMEDY “I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER” AND ANIMATED COMEDY “ALLEN GREGORY” TO PREMIERE THIS FALL

J.J. ABRAMS’ CHILLING THRILLER “ALCATRAZ,”ANIMATED COMEDY “NAPOLEON DYNAMITE” AND “BONES” SPIN-OFF “THE FINDER” TO DEBUT MIDSEASON

AMERICAN IDOL Season 11 Kicks Off Sunday, January 22 With Special Premiere Event Following NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

FOX 25TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL to Air Sunday, April 1

New York (Monday, May 16, 2011) – Peter Rice, Chairman, Entertainment, Fox Networks Group; and Kevin Reilly, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company, today unveiled the FOX primetime schedule for the 2011-2012 television season to the national advertising community during its annual Programming Presentation at The New Beacon Theatre.

“Nothing impacts culture the way a television show does,” said Rice. “And here at FOX, we have the most talked about, most followed, most creative shows that build connections between viewers and brands.”

“Going into next year, we’ve rejuvenated AMERICAN IDOL, built a core strength across the week and developed a really fresh, creative new lineup for next season,” said Reilly. “From razor-sharp comedies to epic dramas to a massive talent competition series, I think we have the goods to continue to be pop culture’s most vibrant platform, as well as the top network.”

Launching this fall is the highly anticipated singing competition series THE X FACTOR, which marks the return of Simon Cowell to FOX. Cowell, along with Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Cheryl Cole and Paula Abdul, will judge the U.S. version of the international television phenomenon that will award an unprecedented $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music to the next global superstar or breakout music group.

Epic family adventure series TERRA NOVA, executive-produced by Steven Spielberg (“Saving Private Ryan,” “Jurassic Park”), Peter Chernin, René Echevarria (“Castle,” “The 4400”) and Brannon Braga (“24”) and starring Jason O’Mara (“Life On Mars”) and Stephen Lang (“Avatar”), premieres in the fall. The ambitious series follows an ordinary family on an extraordinary journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a small part of a daring experiment to save the human race.

Also debuting this fall are the half-hour comedies NEW GIRL (working title) and I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER (working title). Created by Liz Meriwether (“No Strings Attached”), NEW GIRL (wt) is a new single-camera ensemble comedy starring Zooey Deschanel (“(500) Days of Summer”) as Jess, an offbeat girl who – after a bad breakup – moves in with three single guys and essentially sets a bomb off in their lives. New multi-camera family comedy I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER (wt) stars Emmy Award winner Jaime Pressly (“My Name Is Earl”) and Tony Award winner Katie Finneran (“Wonderfalls”) as single moms, life-long friends – and former nerds – who fear their privileged and overly indulged daughters are turning out to be just like the girls who picked on them in high school.

ALLEN GREGORY is the new animated comedy joining the Sunday ANIMATION DOMINATION lineup this fall. Created by and featuring the voice of Jonah Hill (“Get Him to the Greek,” “Superbad”), ALLEN GREGORY is the story of an extremely pretentious 7-year-old about to embark on his greatest challenge yet: leaving the safety of homeschooling and attending elementary school with children his own age.

Television’s No. 1 hit series, AMERICAN IDOL, will kick off midseason with a special premiere event Sunday, Jan. 22 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/7:00-8:00 PM PT), immediately following the NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. Entering its remarkable 11th season, the series will continue to empower contestants and viewers to share their voices in deciding who will be the next AMERICAN IDOL.

The two new dramas set to launch in midseason are ALCATRAZ and THE FINDER. From executive producer J.J. Abrams (“Lost,” “Star Trek”) and writer Elizabeth Sarnoff (“Lost”) and starring Sarah Jones (“Sons of Anarchy”), Jorge Garcia (“Lost”) and Sam Neill (“Jurassic Park”), ALCATRAZ is the chilling new thriller centered on America’s most infamous prison and the mysterious return of its most notorious criminals. Created by Hart Hanson, the executive producer and creator of BONES, THE FINDER is a new procedural drama starring Geoff Stults (“She’s Out of My League”) as an Iraq war vet with an extraordinary ability to help people find the unfindable.

Based on the hit cult classic and featuring the voices of the film’s original cast, NAPOLEON DYNAMITE is the new animated comedy premiering in midseason. The series follows the continuing adventures of Napoleon Dynamite, America’s most awesomely awkward teenager, and his quirky family and friends as they navigate life in rural Idaho.

In March, while GLEE takes a break before its spring semester return, FOX will continue the laughs on Tuesdays with a block of four half-hour comedies. The night will feature the critically acclaimed RAISING HOPE, new comedies I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER (wt) and NEW GIRL (wt), as well as one of the additional comedies in development, including FAMILY ALBUM (working title) and LITTLE IN COMMON (working title). Starring Mike O’Malley (GLEE) and Rachael Harris (“The Hangover”), FAMILY ALBUM (wt) is the single-camera comedy that takes a snapshot of the Bronsky clan as they reveal the hilarious stories behind the photo-worthy moments of life. The new family comedy LITTLE IN COMMON (wt), starring Rob Corddry (“Hot Tub Time Machine”) and Kevin Hart (“Death at a Funeral”), follows three diverse middle-class families who become intertwined when their children play on youth sports teams together.

In addition, Kiefer Sutherland, star of the landmark Emmy Award-winning series “24,” returns to FOX in TOUCH, scheduled to go into pilot production this June. Written and created by Tim Kring (“Heroes”), TOUCH centers on the relationship between a single father and his 11-year-old son with special needs. Their relationship and their lives take an extraordinary turn when the gifted son begins to make connections in his life and around the world.

This spring, FOX will celebrate its 25th birthday with a star-studded look back at the last quarter-century on the FOX 25th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL (working title) airing Sunday, April 1. FOX’s biggest stars from both past and present will make appearances to honor the network that began 25 years ago.

Other FOX series returning in 2011-2012 include: AMERICAN DAD (Season 7), AMERICAN IDOL (Season 11), AMERICA’S MOST WANTED (quarterly specials), BOB’S BURGERS (Season 2), BONES (Season 7), THE CLEVELAND SHOW (Season 3), COPS (Season 24), FAMILY GUY (Season 9), FRINGE (Season 4), GLEE (Season 3), HELL’S KITCHEN (Season 9), HOUSE (Season 8), KITCHEN NIGHTMARES (Season 4), MASTERCHEF (Season 2), MOBBED (specials), RAISING HOPE (Season 2), THE SIMPSONS (Season 23) and SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (Season 8). AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS, NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE and TEEN CHOICE 2011 will also return to the FOX schedule.

Following are the FOX 2011-2012 primetime schedule

FOX FALL 2011 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE
(All Times ET/PT)

MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM TERRA NOVA (new)
9:00-10:00 PM HOUSE

TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM GLEE
9:00-9:30 PM NEW GIRL (wt) (new)
9:30-10:00 PM RAISING HOPE

WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:30 PM THE X FACTOR Performance Show (new)
9:30-10:00 PM I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER (wt) (new)

THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM THE X FACTOR Results Show (new)
9:00-10:00 PM BONES

FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM KITCHEN NIGHTMARES
9:00-10:00 PM FRINGE

SATURDAY
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM ENCORES / AMERICA’S MOST WANTED (specials)

SUNDAY
7:00-7:30 PM THE OT (NFL post-game)
7:30-8:00 PM THE CLEVELAND SHOW
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM ALLEN GREGORY (new)
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD

FOX MIDSEASON 2012 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE
(All Times ET/PT)

MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM HOUSE
9:00-10:00 PM ALCATRAZ (new)

TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM GLEE
9:00-9:30 PM NEW GIRL (wt) (new)
9:30-10:00 PM RAISING HOPE

WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:30 PM AMERICAN IDOL Performance Show
9:30-10:00 PM I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER (wt) (new)

THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL Results Show
9:00-10:00 PM THE FINDER (new) / BONES (spring)

FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM KITCHEN NIGHTMARES
9:00-10:00 PM FRINGE

SATURDAY
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM ENCORES / AMERICA’S MOST WANTED (specials)

SUNDAY
7:00-7:30 PM ANIMATION DOMINATION (encores)
7:30-8:00 PM THE CLEVELAND SHOW
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM NAPOLEON DYNAMITE (new)
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM BOB’S BURGERS

Posted by Dustin on 05.16.2011 at 2:55 pm

So I really enjoyed the two hour finale of “Desperate Housewives” last night. The creepy lawn stalker in fact ended up being Gabby’s supposedly dead step-dad (played by “Ugly Betty’s dad”). He supposedly skipped town and started rumors he died. Why years later did he come back for Gabby? Because of her trip home and her stirring up the past and finally making accusations about him.

He broke into her house at the very end, claimed he had taken her gun, and was about to rape her. She froze, but Carlos came home and clobbered him with a candle stick . . . killing him dead. Now I think given the circumstances Carlos would not have been prosecuted, he was defending his wife from a man who broke in . . . but it turned out he didn’t have Gabby’s gun, so he killed an unarmed man. Still . . . come on! The lady’s of the lane all helped them hide the body, as a big block party was going on and everyone was on their way from Bree’s house to Gabby’s. This of course is how Carlos and Bree also mended fences.

I really like Bree’s cop boyfriend. I hope he’s back next season, though covering up a murder could be problematic for their relationship. Poor Bree, she has a bad track record.

Susan and Mike moved back into their house. Susan was cleared of trying to poison Paul, and in the end Paul confessed to the cops for killing Martha Huebar. He wanted to be the good person Susan saw him as.

Tom and Lynette took their trip, but realized their marriage was broken beyond repair. They agreed that it was over. Lynette made a comment that she has been afraid of Tom leaving her for so long, but now that she’s accepted this, all she feels is relief. WOW! Tom also didn’t even seem to want to try to work on things during their trip. He was more concerned with the ball game on TV, or dropping how much money he makes to anyone who would listen. Tom really annoyed me. I used to think he was such a wuss because Lynette was always emasculating him, but I think he just is a wuss.

Do I think they’ll actually break up? No. But it would make for an interesting story, as I could see Renee making a play for Tom.

Posted by Dustin on 05.15.2011 at 7:57 pm

So I was stunned that James got voted off “American Idol” this week. I really had hoped he’d win it.

How Haley remained, after her temper tantrum, I don’t know. But I will admit I do like her. She is very versatile and can sing a lot of genres. But as the judges have said over and over, she has not shown as an artist who she actually is. I really have no idea what kind of album she’d make.

Scotty McCreery, yes he has a voice, but I honestly feel he’s only made it this far because 13 year old girls have burning hot pants for him. I for one wouldn’t buy his album, and honestly . . . . the girls voting for him . . . would they? Everything that comes out of his mouth sounds the same to me.

Even though I am not a country fan, I guess I’m going to root for Lauren at this point. She has a voice and I think would make a good album . . . though I also won’t buy it 🙂

Posted by Dustin on 05.15.2011 at 1:14 pm

WITH A COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION, STRATEGIC POSITIONING AND SEASON-LONG STRENGTH, NBC REVEALS ITS 2011-12 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

Fall and Mid-Season Lineups Feature New Dramas “Smash,” “Prime Suspect,” “The Playboy Club,” “Awake,” “Grimm” and “The Firm”

New Comedies Are “Up All Night,” “Whitney,” “Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea,” “Free Agents,” “Best Friends Forever” and “Bent”

NEW YORK CITY — May 15, 2011 — NBC has introduced its 2011-12 primetime schedule, showcasing six new dramas and six new comedies from a roster of renowned hit-makers that includes Steven Spielberg, Lorne Michaels, Brian Grazer, Tom Werner, John Grisham and Peter Berg, among many others.

The season’s new dramas are “Smash,” “Prime Suspect,” “The Playboy Club,” “Awake,” “Grimm” and “The Firm”; and the new comedies are “Up All Night,” “Whitney,” “Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea,” “Free Agents,” “Best Friends Forever” and “Bent.”

Returning shows include “Parenthood,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Harry’s Law,” “Chuck” (for its fifth and final season of 13 episodes), “Community,” “Parks and Recreation,” “The Office,” “30 Rock” and “Dateline NBC.” Among next season’s returning alternative series are “The Voice,” “The Sing-Off,” “The Celebrity Apprentice” and “The Biggest Loser,” each in two-hour formats.

The new lineup combines schedule stability with strategic changes that position the network for future growth. Key facets of the schedule include a new hour of comedy with the Wednesday debuts of “Up All Night” (8-8:30 p.m. ET) and “Free Agents” (8:30-9 p.m. ET) and an update to NBC’s critically acclaimed Thursday lineup with the premieres this fall of the new comedy “Whitney” (9:30-10 p.m. ET) and the first-year drama “Prime Suspect” (10-11 p.m. ET). In addition, NBC has made a strong commitment to original scripted programming on Friday nights with the pairing of “Chuck” (8-9 p.m. ET) in its climactic season with the new drama “Grimm” (9-10 p.m. ET).

The #1 new series of the current season, “The Voice,” returns at mid-season on Monday nights (8-10 p.m. ET) and will serve as the lead-in to the new musical drama “Smash” (10-11 p.m. ET). In the fall on Mondays from 8-10 p.m. ET will be another growing NBC reality success, “The Sing-Off,” now in a weekly format following its strong December showings of the past two years.

Additional details unveiled in today’s announcement include a run of uninterrupted originals for “30 Rock” starting at mid-season and a post-football Sunday lineup of “Dateline NBC” (7-8 p.m. ET), “The Celebrity Apprentice” (8-10 p.m. ET) and the new drama “The Firm” (10-11 p.m. ET). Additional new series ready for mid-season include the drama “Awake” and the comedies “Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea,” “Best Friends Forever” and “Bent.”

The announcements were made by Bob Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment.

“Next season begins the rebuilding of the NBC primetime schedule, and our goal is to reinvigorate our audience with a line-up of appointment television that includes our best returning shows and a variety of innovative and attention-getting new series. We’ll be placing a great deal of emphasis on how we launch each one of our programs and on maximizing the network’s strengths throughout the fall and well into mid-season,” said Greenblatt. “Considering it’s only been three months since new management took over, I’m very pleased with what has resulted from a very strong pilot season. And with a powerful new asset like ‘The Voice’ already in hand, we go into the 2011-12 season with cautious but incredible optimism.”

NBC FALL 2011-12 SCHEDULE
*New programs in UPPER CASE; all times ET)

MONDAY
8-10 p.m. – “The Sing-Off”
10-11 p.m. – “THE PLAYBOY CLUB”

TUESDAY
8-10 p.m. – “The Biggest Loser”
10-11 p.m. – “Parenthood”

WEDNESDAY
8-8:30 p.m. – “UP ALL NIGHT”
8:30-9 p.m. – “FREE AGENTS”
9-10 p.m. — “Harry’s Law”
10-11 p.m. — “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”

THURSDAY
8-8:30 p.m. – “Community”
8:30-9 p.m. — “Parks and Recreation”
9-9:30 p.m. – “The Office”
9:30-10 p.m. – “WHITNEY”
10-11 p.m. – “PRIME SUSPECT”

FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. – “Chuck”
9-10 p.m. – “GRIMM”
10-11 p.m. – “Dateline NBC”

SATURDAY
Encore programming

SUNDAY
7- 8:15 p.m. — “Football Night in America”
8:15-11:30 p.m. — “NBC Sunday Night Football”

NBC 2012 MID-SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
*New programs in UPPER CASE; all times ET)

SUNDAY
7-8 p.m. – “Dateline NBC”
8-10 p.m. – “The Celebrity Apprentice”
10-11 p.m. – “THE FIRM”

MONDAY
8-10 p.m. – “The Voice”
10-11 p.m. – “SMASH”

2011-12 NEW SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Read More »

Posted by Dustin on 05.13.2011 at 2:55 pm

According to Ausiello over at TVLine.com ABC has cancelled a ton of shows. Of the ones I watched include . . .

“Brothers and Sisters”
“V”
“No Ordinary Family”
“Off The Map”

Also on the list . . .
“Detroit 187”
“Mr Sunshine”

Posted by Dustin on 05.12.2011 at 8:33 pm

So I really enjoyed the storylines in this episode, just not so much the music. Of course “Dancing Queen” was a perfect end for the episode . . . but everything up to there? Not so much. I mean some of the songs they were singing at the prom were kinda depressing, like “Jar of Hearts.”

Then there was “Friday.” Shoot me now! Just when everyone had begun to forget about that song, “Glee” has to bring it back! At least their performance was a tad more enjoyable than the original . . . .

Kurt being nominated Prom Queen was heartbreaking. I felt so bad for him! I had read the spoilers, I just assumed the joke was on Dave for being such a mean closeted bully, but it wasn’t.

Kurt taking his crown and challenging Dave to finally take a real stand and come out was very powerful, but I wasn’t expecting Dave to come out. I do hope Santana will by the end of the season though.

Only two more episodes left, and that slime Jesse is back. I can’t help but think he’s still out to help Vocal Adrenaline and not New Directions.

Posted by Dustin on 05.12.2011 at 7:42 pm

So here are my thoughts on Sunday’s “Army Wives” episode . . . .

Roxy, and the rest of the base, got the news that the men and women were coming home. Roxy realized real fast she was screwed and quickly made up with Pamela after their fight last week. She did her best to get rid of Whit, but her partner wouldn’t have it. Before she could tell Trevor, he of course found out. He exploded on her, and decked Whit . . . who finally left. While Trevor had a right to be pissed, I think he went WAY over the line. He was calling her a slut in her place of business, and frankly I thought he was about to hit her honestly. Something else is clearly wrong with him, as even before this he was unable to perform his duties in the bedroom.

Michael learned the truth and the whole truth from Claudia Joy, about the cancer scare and what Grant did. He too was pissed, but with Grant for taking advantage of his wife at a delicate time for her. He warned Grant that he’d be watching him! I hope Grant doesn’t end up dead in the near future!

Finally Joan and Roland decided to try and foster an older child, with Roland having a boy in mind. However as his mother was a patient, sent away for rehab, there was a conflict of interest. The show ended with Roland and Joan surveying the local foster home playground and seeing all the boys and girls who needed good homes. My fear here is they will get one, fall in love, but the parents will come back before they can adopt him or her.

Posted by Dustin on 05.12.2011 at 6:34 pm

Posted by Dustin on 05.10.2011 at 6:48 pm

So I did enjoy the latest episode of “Desperate Housewives.” Next week is the big 2 hour (i.e. 2 back to back episodes) finale. They did set up what looks to be the big mystery for the end of the season . . . and perhaps next?

As the previous issue built up, Susan went down for poisoning Paul in this episode. I was afraid she’d serve the food to her family . . . nope she served it to the entire school carnival . . . the and the parent’s board she was trying to charm to get her old job back. I guess she can kiss that goodbye. I would think that last fumble would prove she was framed though.

Tom and Lynette’s marital problems continued to rise, and the two ended up fighting over a family vacation, and getting very nasty with one another right infront of a crying Penny. Lynette and Tom agreed they needed time away just the two of them to reconnect . . . but it seems Tom just doesn’t want to leave that snazzy new job of his even for the weekend . . . Uh oh!

Bree started dating again, the cop who almost arrested her last week. This was basically the feel good and laugh story of the episode. Next week they set it up so Bree wonders if he might be gay.

Finally Gabby let Juanita watch a scary movie, and she became convinced some scary killer was on the front lawn every night watching the house. Gabby, with Lee’s help, made her realize she was just imagining things based on a make believe movie. The problem is . . . she wasn’t! There really is some creepy guy stalking the house. Based on the previews it looks like it might be someone Gabby knows. I’m wondering if it’s the man who molested her years ago that we learned about earlier in the season?

Posted by Dustin on 05.09.2011 at 7:20 pm

So last night was the season finale of “Brothers and Sisters” . . . possibly the series finale. The show has been on the bubble in TV lingo because of low ratings. There is chatter that the show will get one final, albiet shorter, season.

If this was the finale, I feel good about how everything ended. Sarah and Luc married, and Sarah reconciled with Brody. The whole ending was a big fun celebration.

However there were enough other things dropped that could make for an interesting final season. Kitty revealed she’s miraculously pregnant, but faces a problem. Should her cancer return, she has to choose between treatment and the baby.

Saul’s BF proposed to him, while we learned Brody had other kids . . . one who crashed the wedding to get a peak at Sarah. There was a little look between her and Justin as well, but Justin was dealing with his married/separated ex. She supposedly hasn’t told anyone she works with she’s separated . . . . but at the end of the show claimed she was ready to take that step and be seen having fun with Justin. I got the feeling she might not be so honest about her issues with her husband.

I would also love to see some closure with Holly, David and Rebecca.