« December 24 - December 30 January 7 - January 13 »

"The O.C" -- Can It Be Saved?

January 05, 2007

Who knew that killing off Mischa Barton's character Marissa would kill a one-time powerful FOX drama? I'm reeling from the shock of the swift cancellation of “The O.C.” after its decline the past few seasons.

How could “The O.C.” be over so soon? Adam Brody's Seth Cohen was the TV icon for the Emo rock set. Rachel Bilson had just begun her movie career in Last Kiss. Benjamin McKenzie showed brooding promise in last year's indie "Junebug." Couldn't they figure out how to reinvigorate the show before giving up? Couldn't CW pick it up as rumored?

What went wrong? Why did I stop screening this show?

When the show premiered in 2003, it filled the void after the cancellation of “Dawson’s Creek.” “The O.C.” was a better written “90210,” updated with a cooler indie-band soundtrack, and more ADD Generation irony. Hell, there was something for everybody since unlike the often ignored adults on “Dawson” or “90210,” we got invested in Seth and Marissa's parents played convincingly by Kelly Rowan, Peter Gallagher, and most memorably Mindy Clarke.

READ MORE > >

Next Big Shows for 2007

January 04, 2007

2007 promises to be a heavy-hitting year for television. Some big names will grace the small screen, and some new shows will push the boundaries of television as far as it can reach. There is, in fact, almost too many exciting things to list here, so I've broken down what I think will be the real hit-makers of the year.

First, the new shows:

1. "I Love New York" is the much-anticipated female spin-off of "Flavor of Love" starring Flav’s twice-rejected love interest New York.

2. Shonda Rhimes’ ("Grey's Anatomy" creator) next series for ABC is about female journalists and war correspondents. The show has already case Jeffrey Dean Morgan (deceased Denny from "Grey's Anatomy.")

3. Amy Sherman-Palladino’s ("Gilmore Girls" creator) next project is a half hour pilot for FOX entitled "The Return of Jezebel" about two estranged sisters who reunite after one of them agrees to carry the other’s baby.

4. Steven Spielberg and reality hit-maker Mark Burnett are bringing "On The Lot," a new filmmaking competition show, to Fox in Summer 2007.

5. "Bronx Is Burning." Oliver Platt and John Turturro star as George Steinbrenner and Billy Martin in ESPN’s 8-part miniseries about the unforgettable summer of 1977 and the New York Yankees. It is scheduled to debut on ESPN in July 2007, marking the 30th anniversary of the Yankees' first World Series Championship under Steinbrenner's ownership.

6. David E. Kelley’s next FOX series, an hour-long dramedy called "The Wedding Planners," is a midseason replacement that will likely air in Early 2007. Already cast are Teri Polo, Sarah Jones and KaDee Strickland as three sisters who own and operate the family wedding planning company, and Michael Landes as the company photographer.

7. A&E's "The Coreys" -- a reality show with Corey Feldman and Corey Haim.

8. "Gay, Straight Or Taken" is a new Lifetime series. This game show has 3 contestants who each go on 3 dates and then guess which date is gay, which is straight, and which is taken.

READ MORE > >