A Press Democrat Blog

TV Scoop

News and commentary on TV

This is the revolution?

When it comes to Revolution, the new much-hyped NBC end-of-the-world series that debuted this week, there’s only so much belief to be suspended. Like a few other such shows in recent years (think, “Falling Skies, ” but with a weaker cast and no aliens), something really, really bad has happened, followed by small bands of survivors trying to cope. Couple that with the usual good vs. evil dynamics of human nature, militias, peace-loving people, scavengers, bad apples, intellectuals, and plenty… Read More »

Who got snubbed by this year’s Emmy noms?

‘Mad Men,’ ‘American Horror Story’ lead Emmy nods; Hugh Laurie and ‘American Idol’ are omissions LOS ANGELES — “Mad Men,” a piercingly bleak portrait of a 1960s American anti-hero, earned a leading 17 Emmy nominations Thursday and the chance to set a new record as the most-honored drama in television history. “Mad Men,” which has won four best drama series trophies and is tied with “Hill Street Blues,” ”L.A. Law” and “The West Wing,” received a fifth bid in the… Read More »

Top 8 summer 2012 TV shows to watch

Not too long ago, summer used to be the place where TV reruns would live, along with lots of lame basic cable (and premium-channel) dreck that was barely watchable. Then that changed as shows like The Sopranos, Mad Men and others all gained big followings and ran whenever their networks wanted to run them. The operating theory wasn’t so much to avoid the network juggernauts (ha! almost sounds quaint nowadays), but the shows were that good and had such cult… Read More »

More Changes in Store

 After giving the bunnies the boot earlier in the week, NBC canceled “Free Agents”. Luckier series: Comedies “Up All Night,” “2 Broke Girls” and, unfortunately, “Whitney” have been renewed. Hopefully, “Simpsons” won’t suffer a similar fate. The voice actors and 20th Century Fox Television are haggling over money, and the popular (and expensive) cartoon, which has been running since 1989, is in danger of being canceled. Even if Homer and clan do bid adieu, the series will live on in… Read More »

X Factor Surprises

OMG! Must See The X Factor:  New Simon Cowell show continues tonight with hopefully even more great talent.  Last week, in amongst the worst singers and dancers to ever grace a stage, there were some absolutely amazing singers varying in age from 13 to 50.  This show is worth your time, but do yourself a favor and record it so you can zip through the painful singers and some of the annoying commercials. Modern Family:  It’s hard to watch this… Read More »

We Hope You Enjoy Your Flight

OMG! Must See Pan Am:  Season Premiere tonight on ABC.     Take a step back to 1963 and view the shiny veneer of American society.  It’s clean, it’s orderly, the men are men and the woman do as they’re told (mostly).  But keep in mind the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing, so not all of America was “singing in perfect harmony.”  This new seriers that chronicles the dramatic lives of the flight attendants and many of the people with whom… Read More »

Triple Scoop on NBC

OMG! Must See Tonight on NBC expect a triple scoop of fun with three excellent season premeires. Community:  What’s Jeff and the study group up to this fall?   What classes will they need to take?  Do Jeff and Britta still have chemistry?  This show definitely has had some up’s and down’s for me, but mostly it’s been excellent.  I’ve been a Chevy Chase fan for 30 years, so I’m always ready to see what he’s up to.  If you haven’t watched… Read More »

Do You Have the X Factor?

OMG! Must See Hopefully you have all of your chores finished because tonight is a great TV night. The X Factor:  Season Premiere tonight on FOX.  I missed Simon Cowell’s hard hitting wit during last season’s American Idol.  Without him, the AI judges were too soft, too complimentary, and far too dishonest.  In tonight’s X Factor, I want to see great (or not so great) talent paired with an abundance of insightful and honest feedback.  What exactly is The X… Read More »

New Girl, Lighthearted Fun

OMG! Must See New Girl:  Season Premiere tonight on FOX looks like a great show.  Jess Day, played by Zooey Deschanel, is a quirky, good-humored girl who finds herself in a broken relationship and needing new living arrangements.  Sadly, all she can find is a man cave replete with three men and all their gadgets.  From the previews, this show does go beyond the tired cliches and stereotypes that could so easily be tapped in a show like this.  Trash… Read More »

Solo Dance Tonight

OMG! Must See Dancing with the Stars:  Season Premier tonight on ABC.  Normally, DWS, doesn’t make my happy list, but when Hope Solo was announced as a dancer, all that changed.  As you probably already know Solo is the goalie extraordinaire who helped the US women’s soccer team advance to the World Cup finals. Other star dancers include Carson Kressley, Nancy Grace, and Chaz Bono among others. Hell’s Kitchen:  Season Finale tonight on Fox.  The future chef for BLT Steakhouse will be… Read More »

Survivors Ready?

OMG!  Must See Survivor: South Pacific:  Tonight is the 90-minute season premiere of season 23.  Both Ozzy and Coach are back for round three, and I am hoping that the third time isn’t the charm for either one of them.  Out with the old, in with the new.  I’m sure their personalities add to the show, but I think they had their chance, and now they should just get regular jobs like the rest of us.   The big question is… Read More »

Colbert Dishes with Diane

OMG! Must See Colbert Report:  Colbert has been on fire lately;  election time most definitely suits his personality.  Tonight, Colbert will undoubtedly have some highlights of Rick Parry (with an A), and he will interview Diane Sawyer.  She has done so much amazing work over the many years of her career.  Tonight she’ll be pitching her special Jacqueline Kennedy:  In Her Own Words which airs on September 13 on ABC. Hell’s Kitchen:  The remaining chefs continue to compete against each other and… Read More »