Official TV Thread v. It Finally Happened

[GuineaPig]

Because it's a machine that churns out copy/paste shows, CBS renewed 18 programs today.

In other news, Community will be going into syndication on Comedy Central... in fall 2013.

[GuineaPig]

HBO has cancelled Luck, in the midst of production of its second season, because of the third death of a horse while filming.

https://insidetv.ew.com/2012/03/14/hbo-cancels-luck/

[Sigz]

Community[/i] will be going into syndication on Comedy Central... in fall 2013.

  So what does that mean for the show exactly? There will be a 4th season, but not till 2013? Or will NBC still order a 4th season before CC gets it?

[GuineaPig]

Community[/i] will be going into syndication on Comedy Central... in fall 2013.

  So what does that mean for the show exactly? There will be a 4th season, but not till 2013? Or will NBC still order a 4th season before CC gets it?

It heavily implies there will be a fourth season.  After all, series typically don't go into syndication until they have ~88 episodes.  Also, the timing, in fall 2013 rather than fall 2012, suggests that NBC isn't done with Community just yet.

[GuineaPig]

Bryan Cranston is on Archer tonight.  Should be awesome.

[Zantera]

Only have one episode left of Arrested Development, always sad when I finish a great TV-show, but can always watch it again at some point. Such great characters in the show, GOB especially. 

I've also decided that I'm gonna watch Lost. I feel like it's a show I would really like, so I'm excited about it.

[GuineaPig]

I feel that of all the well-regarded dramas of the last decade, Lost is the one whose stature has diminished the most.  There's been a significant backlash to it since the finale.

Of course, I never loved it to begin with.

[King Postwhore]

GP.  What's your take on Justified this year.  I loved this weeks episode.

[GuineaPig]

I stopped watching this season after the fifth episode.  Not because I wasn't loving it; rather, I was watching seasons 1 and 2 with my roommates, and I wanted to watch the rest of this season with them.  We're starting season 3 tonight, so we'll have to wait for those last two episodes.

Season 3 has been interesting from what I've seen of it.  Season 2 was a lot more serialized (or rather, the back-half of it was), and I thought that gave it a lot of its weight.  Season three wasn't quite as good, but I felt that there were some great self-contained episodes, much better than their counterparts in seasons 1 and 2.  In fact, outside of The Sopranos, X-Files, and maybe one or two more, I think Justified has been doing these stand-alones better than any other drama I can remember. 

[GuineaPig]

Community pulled a 2.2 in the key demographic and 4.8 million viewers.  Best numbers in a looooooong time.  Looks very good for renewal.

[Sigz]

[MykeHavoc]

Have been busy watching all 10 seasons of Smallville. I had initially tuned out after the 2nd season back in the day, so its nice to just blow through the whole run for a month straight. It certainly has its ups and downs, but its entertaining throughout. I'm wrapping up season 8 now. Impressed at how many classic villains and heroes they've been able to include.

[TioJorge]

Have been busy watching all 10 seasons of Smallville. I had initially tuned out after the 2nd season back in the day, so its nice to just blow through the whole run for a month straight. It certainly has its ups and downs, but its entertaining throughout. I'm wrapping up season 8 now. Impressed at how many classic villains and heroes they've been able to include.

I really, really enjoyed Smallville when it was airing. I stopped watching once Rosenbaum left as I have a complete heterosexual hard on for that man and his portrayal of Lex. There are definitely some major flaws now that I've gone back and rewatched a few seasons but for the most part its a very charming reiteration of the Superman story. Some very good memories with that show.

I'm about to watch the new episode of Community!! Woo woo!

[gmillerdrake]

You know what television is sorely lacking? A very good space set sci-fi show. Every sci-fi show now adays takes place on earth it seems, which is cool but I miss space set shows.


Stargate SGU was superb quality, but of course got canceled after 2 years because it decided to focus more on characters, atmosphere and a long arching plot rather than lots of action and humor.

I imagine we'll see another one once people stop trying to profit off the corpse of Battlestar Galactica, and someone comes up with an original idea.

It's definitely been proved that there's an audience for a good show like that.

I am a huge Stargate fan...watched all the incarnations of it and have to say that for as much as I love the 'original' series, I was/am kind of still bummed that they took 'Atlantis' off the air in lieu of Universe. At the time there were rumors that Atlantis already had (2) greenlit right to DVD movies planned but I haven't seen nor heard of it since.
  I wouldn't mind them firing that franchise back up but signing the actor who plays Ronin may be tough given his recent success.

[gmillerdrake]

Anyone watching 'Awake' on NBC? I haven't watched last nights episode yet but it's interesting. I have a feeling though that it's all being set up for him to just still be in a comma at the end of the day and neither his wife or son are dead. I forgot the actors name, but I really dig his work....he's good.

[BlobVanDam]

You know what television is sorely lacking? A very good space set sci-fi show. Every sci-fi show now adays takes place on earth it seems, which is cool but I miss space set shows.


Stargate SGU was superb quality, but of course got canceled after 2 years because it decided to focus more on characters, atmosphere and a long arching plot rather than lots of action and humor.

I imagine we'll see another one once people stop trying to profit off the corpse of Battlestar Galactica, and someone comes up with an original idea.

It's definitely been proved that there's an audience for a good show like that.

I am a huge Stargate fan...watched all the incarnations of it and have to say that for as much as I love the 'original' series, I was/am kind of still bummed that they took 'Atlantis' off the air in lieu of Universe. At the time there were rumors that Atlantis already had (2) greenlit right to DVD movies planned but I haven't seen nor heard of it since.
  I wouldn't mind them firing that franchise back up but signing the actor who plays Ronin may be tough given his recent success.

The Atlantis movies were greenlit at the time, but were put on hold because MGM went bankrupt. Since recovering and being restructured, it has been made pretty much official that the SG franchise is dead (at least in any current form).
When SGU was canceled, they tried to strike a deal for a movie to wrap up that arc, which was shot down. In a last ditch effort, they even tried pitching a combined SG-1/SGA/SGU movie as a final send off, but that was also rejected.
From reading the basic outline of the SGA movie that was revealed, I don't think it would have been great, as the basic plot seemed pretty contrived, but I would have loved for them to make the SG-1 movie they had planned.

[gmillerdrake]

You know what television is sorely lacking? A very good space set sci-fi show. Every sci-fi show now adays takes place on earth it seems, which is cool but I miss space set shows.


Stargate SGU was superb quality, but of course got canceled after 2 years because it decided to focus more on characters, atmosphere and a long arching plot rather than lots of action and humor.

I imagine we'll see another one once people stop trying to profit off the corpse of Battlestar Galactica, and someone comes up with an original idea.

It's definitely been proved that there's an audience for a good show like that.

I am a huge Stargate fan...watched all the incarnations of it and have to say that for as much as I love the 'original' series, I was/am kind of still bummed that they took 'Atlantis' off the air in lieu of Universe. At the time there were rumors that Atlantis already had (2) greenlit right to DVD movies planned but I haven't seen nor heard of it since.
  I wouldn't mind them firing that franchise back up but signing the actor who plays Ronin may be tough given his recent success.

The Atlantis movies were greenlit at the time, but were put on hold because MGM went bankrupt. Since recovering and being restructured, it has been made pretty much official that the SG franchise is dead (at least in any current form).
When SGU was canceled, they tried to strike a deal for a movie to wrap up that arc, which was shot down. In a last ditch effort, they even tried pitching a combined SG-1/SGA/SGU movie as a final send off, but that was also rejected.
From reading the basic outline of the SGA movie that was revealed, I don't think it would have been great, as the basic plot seemed pretty contrived, but I would have loved for them to make the SG-1 movie they had planned.

That's a bummer to hear....You'd think that they could have scrounged up enough dough to do the combined movie send off as a 'Thank You' of sorts. Well I guess the only hope is that maybe another entity can purchase the rights to the Franchise? I have no knowledge of how that works or if it's even possible....or do I just have to get over the fact there may never be another Stargate encarnation?

[BlobVanDam]

That's a bummer to hear....You'd think that they could have scrounged up enough dough to do the combined movie send off as a 'Thank You' of sorts. Well I guess the only hope is that maybe another entity can purchase the rights to the Franchise? I have no knowledge of how that works or if it's even possible....or do I just have to get over the fact there may never be another Stargate encarnation?

I don't think anyone else could purchase the rights to the franchise. It would still make MGM a bit of money in syndication and sales, plus the movie too. I don't think we'll see another SG series in a while. I'm actually expecting they'll go the movie route if anything, which I'm against, because the movie isn't very good at all compared to the series, and they'd pretty much disregard the series entirely.
So it's probably about time to let go.

[MykeHavoc]

Have been busy watching all 10 seasons of Smallville. I had initially tuned out after the 2nd season back in the day, so its nice to just blow through the whole run for a month straight. It certainly has its ups and downs, but its entertaining throughout. I'm wrapping up season 8 now. Impressed at how many classic villains and heroes they've been able to include.

I really, really enjoyed Smallville when it was airing. I stopped watching once Rosenbaum left as I have a complete heterosexual hard on for that man and his portrayal of Lex. There are definitely some major flaws now that I've gone back and rewatched a few seasons but for the most part its a very charming reiteration of the Superman story. Some very good memories with that show.

I would certainly recommend giving the last 3 seasons a go, as they tease Lex's return throughout until the finale when he comes back. There's also the Injustice League, Doomsday, Return of Zod and Darkseid story-lines.

[TioJorge]

Have been busy watching all 10 seasons of Smallville. I had initially tuned out after the 2nd season back in the day, so its nice to just blow through the whole run for a month straight. It certainly has its ups and downs, but its entertaining throughout. I'm wrapping up season 8 now. Impressed at how many classic villains and heroes they've been able to include.

I really, really enjoyed Smallville when it was airing. I stopped watching once Rosenbaum left as I have a complete heterosexual hard on for that man and his portrayal of Lex. There are definitely some major flaws now that I've gone back and rewatched a few seasons but for the most part its a very charming reiteration of the Superman story. Some very good memories with that show.

I would certainly recommend giving the last 3 seasons a go, as they tease Lex's return throughout until the finale when he comes back. There's also the Injustice League, Doomsday, Return of Zod and Darkseid story-lines.

Well shit, that's just the tits right there. I had no idea about any of that, all of it sounds awesome! I just might do that this weekend with a bottle of scotch and a stumbling skip down memory lane.

[GuineaPig]

The Walking Dead finale brought in over 9 million viewers.


That is a lot.  A huge amount for cable.

[gmillerdrake]

The Walking Dead finale brought in over 9 million viewers.


That is a lot.  A huge amount for cable.

Wow! With #'s like that I think we should get used to Rick and the gang for a while.......Holy Cow that's quite a draw. I guess the 'slow' beginning of the season at the farm didn't scare too many folk away? Maybe with that type of # AMC will reach into thier pockets and give back the 250k per episode they stole from the show to placate the ego's over at Mad Men.

[GuineaPig]

Given that AMC controls production, I don't know what they'll do.  I think there's an obvious reason for the show's success, and it has nothing to do with its quality.

[GuineaPig]

The Office continues to disintegrate before our very eyes.

[King Postwhore]

This weeks Justified was dynomite!!  The actor playing Robert Quarles is just so damn creepy.  So many lines blurred makes for great TV.

[GuineaPig]

This review more or less sums up my feelings on season 3 of Archer:

"This season of TV wasn’t a perfect season, but it was about as close to one as I can think of in recent years, with very little fat to trim. Indeed, if you remove the only episode I didn’t like—that spy-car half-hour that many of you found incredibly amusing nonetheless—you’ve got a season I never gave less than a B+, something I’m relatively certain wouldn’t hold true for any other season of comedy I’ve graded. Does that set a high bar for the show going forward? Of course it does. But after seeing the way the series tackled the problem of topping season two, I’m not so worried about it figuring out a way to top season three. And even if it never does, we’ll still have episodes like “The Limited” or “Lo Scandalo” or “Space Race” to talk about and laugh over for years to come. It sort of snuck up on me, but this is the season Archer took the title it’s been building to for a while now: the best comedy on TV."

[Zoom E]

Anyone watching 'Awake' on NBC? I haven't watched last nights episode yet but it's interesting. I have a feeling though that it's all being set up for him to just still be in a comma at the end of the day and neither his wife or son are dead. I forgot the actors name, but I really dig his work....he's good.

Yup, I've been watching and enjoying it. The premise is intriguing and it wil be interesting to see how they explain the two realities he is experiencing.

I've also watched the first two episodes of  the new Kiefer Sutherland show Touch. It looks promising too.

[axeman90210]

This review more or less sums up my feelings on season 3 of Archer:

"This season of TV wasn’t a perfect season, but it was about as close to one as I can think of in recent years, with very little fat to trim. Indeed, if you remove the only episode I didn’t like—that spy-car half-hour that many of you found incredibly amusing nonetheless—you’ve got a season I never gave less than a B+, something I’m relatively certain wouldn’t hold true for any other season of comedy I’ve graded. Does that set a high bar for the show going forward? Of course it does. But after seeing the way the series tackled the problem of topping season two, I’m not so worried about it figuring out a way to top season three. And even if it never does, we’ll still have episodes like “The Limited” or “Lo Scandalo” or “Space Race” to talk about and laugh over for years to come. It sort of snuck up on me, but this is the season Archer took the title it’s been building to for a while now: the best comedy on TV."

I wouldn't say it was quite as greatas that quote states, but it was pretty damn good. I'd say off the bat that season 2 of Arrested Development is a better season of comedy, and Community is a better show that's on TV right now, but the show's still in the top echelon.

[Implode]

The Office continues to disintegrate before our very eyes.

It's sad, but unfortunately that's what happens to shows with no definite ending.

[Zantera]

Yesterday I finished the first season of Lost, really good stuff.

[GuineaPig]

One of the enduring legacies of Lost is now that every network drama must have some kind of supernatural twist.  In the last year there's been at least six of seven of them.

[The King in Crimson]

I think you can really blame/thank Lost for bringing serialized television to the forefront.  There were shows beforehand that were more than just a collection of vaguely connected episodes, but LOST was the first to reach critical mass.  Afterwards, it seems every show was about a MYSTERY and the slow, slow, gradual reveal of said mystery.  At first, I thought it was great, but now, I just wonder if it's going to be a passing fad and in a few years we'll be back to a predominant number of 'fat guys married to hot wives' or 'Police Procedural: Winnipeg' type shows.

[GuineaPig]

I don't think Lost brought in serialization.  There are only a handful of network dramas that are serialized to some extent, but they're not at all like Lost (Parenthood and The Good Wife, for example).  Rather, Lost popularized the notion of "mythology"; that is, this supernatural backstory that individual episodes connect back into.  I wouldn't call that real serialization.  It's just an evolution of the way The X-Files and Buffy had loosely serialized plots.

Truly serialized dramas are still very much the province of cable.

[senecadawg2]

Shows that I have watched and enjoyed recently.

The Wire (best of all time, needs to be required viewing for all humans... everywhere)
Six Feet Under
Deadwood (although I was certainly a bit put off by the Western setting)
Arrested Development
Lost
How I Met Your Mother
Game of Thrones
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Dexter (yes, I know it moves downhill pretty quick. I still find it to be quite entertaining)


Shows I'm interested in getting into
The Sopranos
Oz
The Shield
Big Love
Justified
Mad Men

Any suggestions?

[GuineaPig]

My list of dramas, in order you should watch them:

1. Breaking Bad
2. Mad Men
3. The Sopranos
4. Justified
5. Homeland

The other ones you mentioned are good, more or less, but aren't in the top tier.