TV Mad Man

Sorry for the lack of posts lately but life gets ahead of you sometimes. Tonight, ABC is airing an all new episode of V and as the series is quite the sleeper at ABC, it is showing signs of growth both creatively and ratings wise. Last week’s episode saw Anna taking it to the new level by killing Tyler’s dad and Erica’s ex. There are only a few episodes left so if you want this alien invasion series back, you better tune in.

SPOILER: A little tidbit to what’s happening – TVGuide.com has reported they will kill off some 1/3 of the main cast this year, now if that’s not a call to renewal I don’t know what is.

The big return week of more TV continues….

White Collar – 10/9c on USA

Tim DeKay. Matt Bomer. Back on television tonight, after a too-long hiatus in their USA crime drama/comedy White Collar. If you are not familiar with this fantastic duo, they play a team of FBI agent-criminal mastermind that together take town criminals in NYC. I have seen the first two episodes of the new batch of episodes which take a deep look at Neal’s (Bomer) past with more exposition on the music box not to mention Mozzie’s apparent kill shot in the finale. Look for Hilarie Burton to return as Sara Ellis in the premiere in a fantastic guest spot as well as a all flashback episode, next week. The show is on top form, blending humor, with the drama in the city, leading to a perfect mix of good-looking, emotional characters. A must-see.

Life Unexpected – 8/7c on CW

As we say hello again to another series, we say hello and good-bye to another. Life Unexpected, the too-original, too-wholesome, too-emotional, too-real drama on The CW airs its two-hour finale tonight after being canned by the network for not being on-brand (sexpots galore). It is a shame, as LUX taught us so many great things and made us weep along the way. Let’s hope we get satisfactory ending to Lux, Cate, Baze, and Ryan.

V – 9/8c on ABC

In this episode of the dying sci-fi drama, the action starts the very first second where Erica Evans (Elizabeth Mitchell) throws some punches when she learns that her her partner is a Visitor, and things just get interesting from there.

No Ordinary Family – 8/7c on ABC

Lost FTW, and Rebecca Mader (Charlotte) was wonderful in her introduction as VP of Human Resources Maddox on the growing ABC family drama. She continues her role as Katie and Steph feel something is up and pursue.

Are you ready for the return of the Vistors?

What ABC Says about the new season:

“V,” the thrilling drama series about the world’s first alien encounter that captivated viewers last season, will make its highly-anticipatedseason premiere on TUESDAY, JANUARY 4 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on ABC. Simultaneously appearing over every major city in the world, the Visitors (or V’s) arrived offering us the wonders of their technology and promoting peace. While the world quickly embraced the V’s as saviors, an FBI Counter Terrorist Agent, and others making up the resistance group called The Fifth Column, quickly discovered that the Visitors are not who they said they were. Will humanity stop being fooled and realize the Visitors true intentions before it becomes too late and they take over Earth?

The Good: V is a show that in any sort of world, should hot have been picked up for a second year. The ratings were not good, the buzz wasn’t there, but thanks to support at ABC, and a loyal fan base, we are rewarded with 10 new episodes. After seeing the first three, I am glad it was, V presents alien invasion in an unusual way, taking more time with the aliens than with the humans that are affected. This is even more amplified with the addition of the original series big bad Diana (Jane Badler, left) who returns as a slightly changed Diana in all 10 episodes. The highlight of the episodes has been the struggle between the always fabulous Elizabeth Mitchell’s Erica and Anna (Morena Baccarin) who know has a deeper understanding of what transpired in the season finale last May: her babies were killed by the resistance after an army was to be created, and Anna made the sky turn a mysterious red.

Most of the mysteries that were left last year as solved rather quickly which allows new problems to grow, and new characters to be introduced. Bret Harrison (Reaper) joins as help to the resistance, and mercenary Hobbes (Charles Mesure) is back full time.

The Bad: When watching the first three episodes, I found myself laughing at some of the stories and dialogue the show was presenting but that maybe just do to the nature of the beast. The acting is surprisingly strong considering the majority of the show is shot with just green screen walls, and when you think about that, it makes it all the more impressive.

The Verdict: V at times can be campy but in its heart it has a well-made mythology, strong characters, with strong wants and desires, at that is worth seeing over the course of ten more weeks.

V premieres tonight at 9/8c on ABC after No Ordinary Family.

It is election day and are you ready for an invasion?

The V‘s are invading on DVD today, the ABC alien-drama starring Elizabeth Mitchell, aired last year a total of 12 episodes that are all out on this DVD set. V returns on Tuesday, January 4th at 9/8c with 10 new episodes that promise to build on last year’s solid year one. The show also stars Morris Chestnut, Joel Gretsch, Logan Huffman, Laura Vandervoort, and Scott Wolf.

The 3 disc set includes specials on the special effects that drive the series, an explanation from cast and creators about the mythology, and stories from the set as well as the usual commentary and unaired scenes.

I highly recommend checking this one out, it is a well made and produced sci-fi series and believe it or not had the biggest demo premiere of any new series last year. It is out on DVD today!

Thursday was a pretty quiet day in terms of upfront news as it is fast approaching. That statement worked until tonight when the craziness started!

Matthew Perry in Mr. Sunshine

It all started with the report by Deadline.com that the staple Law & Order was cancelled by NBC because of a dispute with creator Dick Wolf. That was quickly called out too soon as reports of troubles are true, but negotiations are still ongoing but unlikely to change by Monday. NBC reversely picked up the David E. Kelly/Kathy Bates starring vehicle Kindreds for midseason and according to THR, the intelligent Garza legal pilot which is a chance for Jimmy Smits to shine. But the best news from NBC, CHUCK IS RENEWED. Enough said. (The other bubble show Heroes, may get a limited pickup to finish the series.)

ABC took to the waves by announcing six new pickups of series following the announcement of the first drama No Ordinary Family.

First up the new comedies, the fantastically written by star Matthew Perry and pals pilot Mr. Sunshine and starring Allison Janney was one of the three laffers. Mr. Sunshine focuses on a sports center manager (Perry) and his friends, think of it as the male-led Cougar Town). Second is Happy Endings, starring Elisha Cuthbert and Eliza Coupe, and centers around an almost married couple and their eclectic friends. I have read the script by David Caspe flows nicely and is a good adult sitcom. The last official pickup is the only multi-cam by the network, Better Together, which features Joanna Garcia and Jennifer Finnigan as sisters who are both in a relationship as well as their parents. Debra Messing’s ABC pilot Wright vs. Wrong is very close to a pickup as well.

The Cast of ABC's Detroit 1-8-7

The new dramas on ABC (more pickups to come tomorrow) include the Michael Imperioli fronted cop drama, Detroit 1-8-7, which had a solid script and a very nice cast including the underrated Aisha Hinds, and The Whole Truth which brings back Joely Richardson to the Jerry Bruckheimer drama, that focus on both sides of the law, with the other side shown by Rob Marrow. Joely is one of my favorite actresses and the script was a refreshing legal concept. The third drama pickup is My Generation (also called Generation Y), written tremendously by Noah Hawley (The Unusuals), focuses on a class of kids that were in a documentary in high school, and now are being looked at once again 10 years later. The class includes actors such as Mechad Brooks, Jamie King, and Kelli Garner.

In terms of current shows at ABC, a personal favorite V has been renewed for a second season, and now multiple sources including EW, are reporting that Better off Ted, Romantically Challenged, Scrubs, and FlashForward, are all cancelled.

CBS picked up their first freshman entry today, Mike and Molly. The pilot about a couple that meets at a meeting for “larger” people is from their favorite creator Chuck Lorre (The Big Bang Theory) and stars the wonderful women Melissa McCarthy and Swoosie Kurtz.

Lastly on the cable side, partner networks TBS and TNT, who are both doing presentations next week, picked up new series. TBS greenlit Glory Daze, which stars a crew of unknowns that play 80′s college students in Wisconsin. Finally in a pilot started at TBS, Franklin and Bash moved to TNT and Lynette Rice at EW is reporting has been okay-ed for series. The pilot about street smart lawyers stars Breckin Meyer and Mark-Paul Gosselaar.

Stay tuned throughout the night, tomorrow, and the weekend for the latest in advance of the Upfronts next week.