FOX: New Girl, Raising Hope, and Glee RENEWED!!!

Woo, hoo! We got renewed!

Gotta give FOX credit for raising the bar on their comedies even if we still think Glee jumped the shark in season two.  FOX has proven that they are a player, now, that can stand up to any of the other networks, even CBS.   Both Raising Hope and New Girl are solid comedies and they deserved renewal.

Via Press Release:

“New Girl,” “Raising Hope” AND “Glee”

TO CONTINUE LAUGHS IN 2012-13 SEASON ON FOX

Spring Into Tuesdays Tomorrow with the Return of Glee,

Followed By All-New Episodes of New Girl and Raising Hope

FOX has ordered a second season of freshman breakout hit New Girl, a third installment of the irreverent family comedy Raising Hope and a fourth season of the genre-defying musical sensation Glee, it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, President of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company.

“Over the past season, New Girl has become the hottest new appointment series for young adults; Raising Hope has established itself as one of the smartest and most unique offbeat comedies on television; and Glee has continued its success as a genre-defying, global cultural phenomenon,” said Reilly. “All three of these comedies add a fresh and distinctive flavor to our Tuesday nights, and I’m really happy to bring them back to our air next season.”

All-new episodes of Glee return to Tuesdays (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), beginning tomorrow, April 10, with New Girl remaining at 9:00-9:31 PM ET/PT, and Raising Hope returning to its regular time slot at 9:31-10:00 PM ET/PT.

Currently in its first season, New Girl is the No. 1 new series among Adults 18-34 and the No. 2 new scripted series among Adults 18-49. The show stars Zooey Deschanel as a school teacher who moved in with three single guys, and their new friendships changed their lives in unexpected ways. The Golden Globe-nominated series also stars Jake Johnson, Max Greenfield, Lamorne Morris and Hannah Simone. In the all-new “Normal” episode airing tomorrow, Tuesday, April 10 (9:00-9:31 PM ET/PT), Jess (Deschanel) invites Russell (guest star Dermot Mulroney) to spend the weekend at the loft. Created by Liz Meriwether (“No Strings Attached”), New Girl is produced by Chernin Entertainment in association with 20th Century Fox Television. Meriwether, Jake Kasdan, Peter Chernin, Katherine Pope, Dave Finkel and Brett Baer are executive producers.

In the two-part season finale of Raising Hope beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, April 10 (9:31-10:00 PM ET/PT), and concluding on Tuesday, April 17 (9:31-10:00 PM ET/PT), Nancy Grace guest-stars as the host of the newsmagazine series “Inside Probe,” which turns its focus on the Chance’s history, culminating in the family going on trial to fight for custody of baby Hope. Created by Emmy Award winner Greg Garcia, the series follows the Chance family as the unplanned addition to their family becomes a toddler. The show stars Lucas Neff, Emmy Award nominee Martha Plimpton, Garret Dillahunt, Shannon Woodward and Cloris Leachman. Raising Hope is produced by Amigos de Garcia Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television.

Now in its third season, Glee continues to be a Top 10 comedy among Adults 18-49 and the No. 1 scripted series among Teens. The hit series returns this spring answering the dramatic cliffhangers of Quinn’s (Dianna Agron) car accident, Finn (Cory Monteith) and Rachel’s (Lea Michele) wedding and Sue’s (Jane Lynch) pregnancy, as graduation at McKinley High approaches. In the Spring Premiere “Big Brother” episode airing tomorrow, Tuesday, April 10 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), Blaine’s (Darren Criss) big-shot Hollywood actor brother Cooper (guest star Matt Bomer, “White Collar”) comes to visit. Glee is produced by Ryan Murphy Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television. Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan and Dante Di Loreto serve as executive producers.

Become a fan of the shows on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NewGirlonFOX, www.facebook.com/RaisingHope and www.facebook.com/glee. Follow the series at www.twitter.com/NewGirlonFOX (#NewGirl), www.twitter.com/RaisingHopeFOX (#RaisingHope) and www.twitter.com/gleeonfox (#Glee).

HBO Ends All Production on Luck Due To Horse Deaths

The new HBO series Luck starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte revolving around horse racing has been plagued with animal deaths and all production has ceased.  Since production began two horses broke their legs while race scenes were being filmed and a third horse unexpectedly bucked the other day and hit its head severely injuring itself and all three animals had to be euthanized.

As tragic as the situation is, the end of production for this series may be a blessing for HBO considering its struggling ratings.  HBO has a history of even giving low-rated series a chance at a second season, but these events have made that decision unnecessary, leaving HBO with an opportunity to invest in new programming.  The full statement from the producers is below.

Via Press Release:

Statement on Luck

It is with heartbreak that executive producers David Milch and Michael Mann together with HBO have decided to cease all future production on the series LUCK.

Safety is always of paramount concern.  We maintained the highest safety standards throughout production, higher in fact than any protocols existing in horseracing anywhere with many fewer incidents than occur in racing or than befall horses normally in barns at night or pastures.  While we maintained the highest safety standards possible, accidents unfortunately happen and it is impossible to guarantee they won’t in the future.  Accordingly, we have reached this difficult decision.

We are immensely proud of this series, the writing, the acting, the filmmaking, the celebration of the culture of horses, and everyone involved in its creation.

Quote from Michael Mann and David Milch:  “The two of us loved this series, loved the cast, crew and writers.  This has been a tremendous collaboration and one that we plan to continue in the future.”

Fall 2010 Prime Time Preview – Mondays

Welcome to the TV-Tastic First Annual Fall TV Preview.   This is the first of what we hope to be many television season previews.  In January we’ll be doing a Mid-Season Replacement Preview and in Summer 2011, we’ll be doing a preview of the cable offerings and random shows that FOX just throws out there June through August to fill up airtime that no one seems to care about (see: The Good Guys).   This is a seven part series and today we are covering Monday night television.

We will not be including a preview of every single show that’s in the Fall lineup.  We’re only previewing the stuff  we care about and of course the new offerings on network and cable.  Our rating scale for this will be based on whether we think you should waste your time with it or not and we’ll tell you why.  No numbers on this just, simple recommendations like “you have to see this” or “pass on this” or “I think I just puked in my mouth a little bit.”  Vic’s been very busy so I’m going solo on this for right now but he will be adding his two-cents later and I’ll update the blog and the subscribers accordingly.

So, without further ado, let the games begin, and by the way, this is one of the best Fall Lineups in years and it mostly is because of NBC (which is a phrase I never thought I would utter).

TV Guide Fall Schedule

TV Guide Fall Schedule Calendar

Monday:

8:00 p.m.

FOX:     House – September 20, 2010

Shawn: I love House, it’s a “can’t-miss.”  You know it and I know it.  How many shows can they change the night and timeslot every two weeks and it’s still be successful?  There is one reason and one reason only to watch House, and that’s House, himself.  I hate medical dramas as they’re all the same tripe.  House could be a show set on submarine or in a cannery (or a nunnery) and it would still be great.

NBC:     Chuck – September 20, 2010

Shawn: I unfortunately missed all of season 2 and 3 because of scheduling issues but I love this show and I’m glad it got a fourth season.  It’s just a fun show that’s got something for everyone.  Humor, action, romance and of course, Adam Baldwin.  I dare say, what more do you need?  I’ll be catching up with Seasons 2 & 3 and saving season 4 for later.

9:00 p.m.

FOX:     Lone Star – September 20, 2010 (NEW SERIES!)

Shawn: I’ve already seen the pilot and it is definitely worth watching.  See my full review with trailer here.  Upon further review my biggest concern for it is it is in the same time-slot as this:

NBC:     The Event – September 20, 2010 (NEW SERIES!)

The Event is an emotional, high-octane conspiracy thriller that follows Sean Walker (Jason Ritter, “The Class”), an everyman who investigates the mysterious disappearance of his would-be fiancée Leila (Sarah Roemer, “Disturbia”), and unwittingly begins to expose the biggest cover-up in U.S. history.

Sean’s quest will send ripples through the lives of an eclectic band of strangers, including newly elected U.S. President Elias Martinez (Golden Globe nominee Blair Underwood, “In Treatment”); Sophia Maguire (Emmy Award nominee Laura Innes, “ER”), who is the leader of a mysterious group of detainees; and Leila’s shadowy father (Scott Patterson, “Gilmore Girls”). Their futures are on a collision course in a global conspiracy that could ultimately change the fate of mankind. – NBC

Shawn: This is by far the most anticipated show of the new year and for good reason.  It’s a spy/action/political thriller à la 24 shown from multiple perspectives with a Lost-type/FlashForward-type mystery to it.   The cast is amazing and the effects look killer.  This is one of those moral imperative shows.  You must watch this.  I’d comment more on it but the trailer confused the crap out of me and I still haven’t processed all of it.

9:30 p.m.

CBS:     Mike & Molly – September 20, 2010 (NEW SERIES!)

A couple finds love at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting in this multicamera comedy from Chuck Lorre, the force behind Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory.

Shawn: Did Kevin James get taller, fatter and less articulate?  As a rule, I’m skeptical of sitcoms to begin with because for the most part they are unoriginal and they all recycle the same stupid jokes decade after decade.  Even the more original and funny comedies like The Office eventually wind up being copied (see: Parks & Recreation) and eventually run out of steam… waitaminute… The Office was a copy as well.  Anyway, the point being is that Mike & Molly is the reason that I hate sitcoms.  This is just embarrassing.  Seriously who does this simple-minded crap appeal to?  What I find humorous is that they brag how this show is from the producers of Two and a Half Men.  Hey… newsflash:  despite how many people watch it, Two and a Half Men is complete crap as well. I would definitely pass on this.

10:00 p.m.

CBS:     Hawaii Five-O – September 20, 2010 (NEW SERIES!)

When Steve McGarrett’s father is murdered, he decided to return home to Oahu in order to catch the killer. The governor offers him the opportunity to run a new task force where he is able to call the shots. Detective Steve McGarrett brings together his own team, beginning with Chin Ho Kelly; an ex-Honolulu Police Detective and former protégé of McGarrett’s father. Kelly has been assigned to a federal security patrol after being suspected of corruption. Detective Danny “Danno” Williams is a New Jersey cop who recently moved to the island and is raising his 8-year-old daughter. Kono Kalakaua is Kelly’s cousin and a rookie officer, fresh from the academy. McGarrett’s team is giving full backing from the governor and plays only by their own rules. – CBS

Shawn: Way to go CBS for making this show sound like every other dry, formulaic cop show.  Thank God for trailers, eh?  I have to say,  I was just going to recommend the pilot and only the pilot simply for the sake of novelty (and the great cast). Watch it, know it’s probably going to be crap-tastic and forget about it. Then I saw the trailer below.  This isn’t Hawaii Five-O, this is friggin’ Alias in Hawaii with cops and it looks great!  Back to that great cast, you’ve got Alex O’Loughlin (The Shield) as McGarrett, Scott Caan (Boiler Room and the Ocean’s Eleven films) as “Danno,” Daniel Dae Kim (Lost, 24) and the smoking hot Grace Park (Battlestar Galactica) as Kono Kalakaua.  This one of the best casts of any show this season and I’m really glad to see Kim in a more prominent lead-role where he actually speaks his native language for a change… which of course is Eastern Pennsylvania English.  Heck, he didn’t even have to move for this show considering his last gig was on Lost for six seasons which is was of course, also filmed in Hawaii.  And, by the way, I am well aware that for a cop show the amount of action looks ridiculous.  That’s part of the reason why it appeals to me so much.  I mean, crap, if you’re going to go camp, go all the way… and we’d better see Wo Fat, too or I’m writing a letter.  This is another definite must-watch show.

NBC:     Chase – September 20, 2010 (NEW SERIES!)

From Emmy Award-winning executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer (“CSI” franchise, “The Amazing Race,” “Pirates of the Caribbean”) and executive producer Jennifer Johnson (“Cold Case,” “Reunion,” “Lost”), “Chase” is a lightning-fast drama that drops viewers smack into the middle of a game of cat-and-mouse as a team of U.S. Marshals hunts down America’s most dangerous fugitives.

Kelli Giddish (“Past Life”) stars as U.S. Marshal Annie Frost, a cowboy boot-wearing deputy whose sharp mind and unique Texas upbringing help her track down violent criminals on the run. Starring as the members of Frost’s elite team are Cole Hauser (“K-Ville”) as Jimmy Godfrey, an East Texas kid who never grew up and is a true American cowboy; Amaury Nolasco (“Prison Break”) who plays Marco Martinez, a good intelligence guy who loves to talk; and Rose Rollins (“The L Word”), who portrays Daisy Ogbaa, a weapons/tactical specialist and a woman of few words. Rounding out the cast is Jesse Metcalfe (“Desperate Housewives”), who stars as Luke Watson, the fresh-faced newcomer whose Washington, D.C. upbringing did little to prepare him for the Lone Star State. – NBC

Shawn: Although, seemingly formulaic and reeking suspiciously of U.S. Marshals (I was waiting for Tommy Lee Jones to pop out and start barking orders about finding Richard Kimball in the trailer), the high-energy and the strong cast of Chase makes it certainly worthy of consideration.  I’m not jumping out of my pants about it yet but it is a Jerry Bruckheimer production and that definitely makes it worth watching for at least the first three or four episodes.  “Cautiously optimistic” is the best way to describe my enthusiasm for Chase.

NEXT: Tuesdays