TV News and Reviews

(SPOILER WARNING) As per usual, the networks have me confused. I’d heard some murmurs on the Net that Eli Stone showrunners had known about the cancellation and had penned a satisfying final episode for loyal viewers. The Boston Globe noted that tonight’s “finale” should give fans some closure. Well, if you all watched tonight’s cliffhanger episode with Eli fighting with his brother and then passing out with blood pouring out of his nose–then I’m expecting you don’t feel like you’ve received “closure”. I’m wondering if The Boston Globe watched a preview before writing their article? Or the show’s writers have a wicked sense of humor?

The Internet Movie Database (IMDB) lists three more episodes for season 2 that have yet to air. It doesn’t list any air dates, however. Zap2it’s TV guide also does not have any airings for Eli Stone in the next couple of weeks. Instead we’re treated to hidden camera reality shows. It’s kind of like replacing Touched by an Angel with Taxicab Confessions. Way to know your audience, ABC. Oh, but wait, the hidden camera captures people making moral choices! Ah, there’s the linky there. Okay. Uh-huh.

So, Eli Stone fans, we are left hanging. It’s still a possibility that Eli Stone may run at a later date, if in fact the IMDB is correct in listing those final three episodes. I’m not sure why they wouldn’t just burn off the last three measly episodes, if they do in fact exist. Heck, run them in a marathon on Friday night or something. At least let the viewers have that closure we were promised. Eli Stone was a quality show with a unique voice and great heart. It deserves to end on the right note.

The LA Times has an interesting editorial, written by actor and longtime Screen Actors Guild (SAG) member, and former president, Ed Asner. Asner has seen his share of SAG ups and downs, strikes, and negotiations with studios. He’s holding firm on the Guild’s stance to threaten an actors’ strike if they don’t get the deal they want.

Concerns about a strike at this time are valid. It’s a dangerous line to walk, between losing a large part of future income to the studios, and losing an entire career when the industry falls apart. Network TV still hasn’t recovered from last year’s writers’ strike (and movies haven’t fared that well, either)–an actor strike at this time would be devastating to the upcoming program schedule and future seasons.

Asner makes some good points on behalf of keeping a strike on the table, however. While the studios didn’t seem to mind losing all that time to the writers’ strike, they’re smarting from it now, and might be disinclined to repeat the experience so soon. Asner also is sure to stress that this contract is about setting a precedent for all future contracts:

“What all of those with weak knees fail to acknowledge is that the business plan for new media is being written right now, and that what we agree to now will become the “template” that the industry will cling to going forward, with no obligation to make charitable revisions. Why does that matter so much? Because right now, you can go to your local Best Buy, purchase a big-screen TV with a direct Internet connection and download television online programming with the touch of a remote. It’s happening now.

Actors simply can’t afford to be cut out of the emerging revenue stream. The offer in new media is a lot of zeros, unfortunately not lined up in a row. It includes zero minimum compensation, zero overtime, zero residuals structure, zero forced call consideration — pretty much zero everything. This deal will take billions of dollars out of actors’ pockets in the same way our bad deal in home video and DVDs has cost actors $4.5 billion in lost compensation over the last 27 years, according to estimates compiled by the Writers Guild of America.”

Ed Asner also admits honestly that big name actors are in less danger of money problems than your average working actor, but every actor still deserves to get their cut of the revenue for the work they’ve put in. These big name stars will certainly have a larger bank account to settle on even if the industry tanks from a strike, but I’m sure even these well-off actors would prefer to still have careers next year. While Asner feels that SAG members should approve the possibility of striking, he’s obviously hoping a strike can be avoided. He just wants it as a potent negotiating point to use against the studios. The problem (that many members of SAG are concerned over) is if the studios call SAG’s bluff.

Read the full article at the LA Times website .

The TV guide in my local newspaper has been wrong for about a month now. With series randomly ending their ‘08 runs and the networks running various reruns, specials, and marathons, it’s been tough to keep track of what’s even on. The new year promises some returning favorites, however. After a dismal fall season, viewers need something to look forward to. Here are a few dates to mark on your 2009 TV calendar:

JANUARY 6:

Scrubs makes the switch from NBC to ABC, reportedly for just one more season.

JANUARY 9:

Flashpoint returns to CBS. While it’s a quality show, I was left a little numb by the cold-as-ice charcters. This Canadian drama was a big summer success, however, so I expect a lot of fans will be excited to see its return.

JANUARY 13 & 14:

FOX’s American Idol returns with fourth judge Kara DioGuardi (songwriter and producer), one less week of auditions, and “wild card” finalists. American Idol popularity has tapered off over the years, and the showrunners are looking to shake things up and entice more viewers.

JANUARY 16:

Battlestar Galactica returns for a final season on Sci Fi. This dark, exciting series has had its ups and downs, but it’s always compelling and it will be interesting to see how the story concludes (or doesn’t).

JANUARY 21:

ABC finally brings Lost back to primetime. I’m hoping we viewers get another one of those recap shows beforehand to help us remember all the various plot twists and turns that happened last season.

JANUARY 22:

I, for one, was glad that USA gave Jeffrey Donovan another shot after Touching Evil unfortunately didn’t pan out. Burn Notice is a spy/adventure show that’s one part James Bond, one part  A-Team and one part pure slick, sexy madness. With Gabrielle Anwar and Bruce Campbell, Burn Notice is a treat to watch, with exciting storylines, unexpected twists, and plenty of wit. Tune in for a short teaser season before it returns for its regular run in the summer.

JANUARY 26:

Kyra Sedgwick’s The Closer makes a five week appearance on TNT, and then returns in the summer for a full run. It will be paired with Trust Me, a dramedy about two ad men who are coworkers in a harmonious yin-yang friendship–until one of them gets made boss. Eric McCormack of Will & Grace and Tom Cavanagh of Ed and Scrubs star. I’m not sold on this one, as Cavanagh seems to be playing the same type of immature, scattered character he always plays, while McCormack is stuck in the straight (no pun intended) role again. It also doesn’t help that series regular Monica Potter stands out in my mind as the worst thing about movie thriller Along Came a Spider–and that’s saying a lot, considering how bad that film was.

Catch up on more of your favorite returning series and check the list of canceled TV shows at Arizona Daily Star .