« February 25 - March 3 April 1 - April 7 »

Sopranos Spoiler Alert!

March 29, 2007

TV Lover has seen the Sopranos final season premiere and episode 2 and here's the scoop from the big event.

SPOILER ALERTS: THINGS YOU MAY (NOT) WANT TO KNOW!

HBO had a screening party at Radio City Music Hall Tuesday night, wherein HBO's Chris Albrecht introduced creator David Chase, followed by, (wow) a jaw-dropping parade of past and present Sopranos "familia." There was the resurrected Big Pussy, Richie Aprile, and sorely missed Adriana. Then there was special guest stars like Annabella Sciorra and Steve Buscemi. And of course Tony's shrink Lorraine Bracco, his favorite chef John Ventimiglia and Tony's mafiosos-Tony Sirico, and Little Steven Van Zandt.

The final intros were core family members James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Robert Iler, Michael Imperioli and Aida Turturro. Then, Gandolfini took the mic to say that he felt the David Chase Vanity Fair piece was "dour." He saluted Chase. Falco then took the mic and said she stood by what her husband said.

There was an extended video montage tribute to the huge production team in which each member of the crew posed for a mugshot.

READ MORE > >

Shows "On the Bubble"

March 28, 2007

It’s that time of year again, and many producers are feeling like the gimpy kid in gym class as their shows get further and further away from making it back onto the team. In TV talk, this is referred to being "on the bubble." Will you return? Or will you not?

NBC is hoping some of their underachievers will catch on next season a-la The Office. But while we’ve all but buried Studio 60 and have a lot of faith in 30 Rock, a lot shows are still up in the air. The brilliant (and brilliantly underappreciated), Friday Night Lights has struggled to find its audience. A little too teen-drama for sports fans and a little too sports for teen-drama fans, this little gem may sadly join the ranks of Brilliant But Cancelled. Our favorite psychic mom also has an uncertain future. With sharp writing and inventive stories, we blame Medium’s predicament more on the Scheduling Department than the show. Still dead is dead in Network TV.

ABC isn’t fairing much better. Six Degrees found that a story of strangers who kind of know each other is kind of… boring. After such a long rest period, it had better get some traction or risk getting bumped off. What About Brian won’t bring any tears if it passes on, but that’s hardly ABC’s biggest worry. With so many of their comedies unable to really make a dent, and their returning shows just sliding by, this network is starting to learn that laughter is serious business.

Good news is bad news for those underperforming at CBS. With some big success stories and a hot development slate, struggling show have a harder time coming back. Jericho got stomped by Idol, and Old Christine lost the coveted (ratings-wise only) spot after Two and a Half Men. But Christine could bump The Class out instead. Close to Home has had decent ratings, but without a big splash, CBS may not see it as worth the investment.

Fox, well Fox could show nothing but reruns of Love Boat, and Idol would still save them. It might be why the studio seems so reluctant to drop Ron Livingston and Standoff. It’s too early to call shows like The Weddings Bells and The Winner. Although everybody doesn’t love Til Death, Fox’s forgiving mood may save the show for a second season.

The CW is seeing an unusual shift. Cult favorite Veronica Mars has had the vultures circling. Even though 7th Heaven came back from the dead (though whether you see this as a miracle or zombie-fied mistake is your choice), but it probably won’t stay that way. And the Gilmore Girls? Well, they’re still talking over their contracts, and the way those girls talk, this could take a while.