THE CRYING GAME

Apr 16th

Posted by Richard Drew in OPINION

9 comments

Why Everyone Has A Kate Gosselin In Their Lives

Wow, you really can’t move for Kate Gosselin coverage this week. Between competing on Dancing With The Stars, a whirlwind appearance on the Today show, the announcement of TLC’s new reality series Twist of Kate and of course the tabloid frenzy surrounding her increasingly bitter divorce from Jon – it was Kate coverage on overload.

Now Kate isn’t really the sort of ‘celebrity’ who’s normally on my radar. I don’t watch Dancing With The Stars (I have friends working on the series – but I’m afraid I’m more of an Idol type guy) and frankly I don’t really give a toss about the latest back and forth between Jon and Kate. But in today’s tabloid culture, with Kate’s tear stained face staring out from US and People magazine – you have to admit she’s pretty darn famous these days. And like a lot of people out there – Kate’s success bugs me. But not for the conventional reasons…

Now I know all the stories – some of which I’ve heard from very reliable first hand sources. Kate is demanding, rude, cold and prickly. But let’s face it she wasn’t exactly a bundle of laughs More >

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TRUE BLOOD – THE PORN PARODY

Apr 15th

Posted by Richard Drew in VIDEOS

3 comments

Putting The Ho In HBO…

Well I guess you haven’t made it until you’ve inspired your own porn parody…! Check out the True Blood porn parody launched today (don’t worry it’s pretty tame!)

Actually the porn Tara is pretty good – but whoever is playing Sam gives even porn acting a bad name. Porn Jason also needs to go to the gym… and I’m not even gonna mention that wig…!

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ALLEY SPAT

Apr 15th

Posted by Richard Drew in OPINION

1 comment

Why Some Critics Love To See Shows Fail

Yesterday I read a piece on Perez Hilton about Kirstie Alley’s new A&E docu-soap Big Life.          (See Perez Hilton article)

The basic thrust of the entry – that Kirstie’s new show is barely cracking the 1 million viewers mark and is therefore a big fat fail. It’s a topic Perez has touched on before and he seems to take a delicious glee in knocking down this particular show and glorying in its demise. And as a program maker myself that’s just annoying…

First up I should say that I haven’t seen Big Life yet. It’s been sat on my DVR for weeks now and it’s a show I keep meaning to check out but just haven’t got round to. To be honest I felt a little bludgeoned by Kirstie’s press tour for the show – where it felt like she was everywhere, all the time and endless clips for the show were shown again and again. Now of course networks want to promote new shows – and when you have a talent as fun as Kirstie – you want to get her everywhere. But sometimes it’s nice to discover a show for yourself.

But More >

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RATINGS – WEDNESDAY 14TH APRIL 2010

Apr 15th

Posted by Richard Drew in RATINGS

2 comments

It was the last ever episode of Ugly Betty last night and it was nice to see the series finish on a high – up to almost 6 million viewers, its highest rating all season (and the fact that the show grew across the hour is a clear sign people specifically tuned in). Betty hasn’t always been great – and like many former fans I tuned out this season – but at its best moments the show was super sharp, great fun and pushed some TV taboos. It will be missed.

Fox are really trying to turn Human Target into a hit but this 2010 MacGyver just seems so old fashioned in an era of Jack Bauer and Jason Bourne. It’s season finale likewise showed growth – but is 7.7 million enough to justify a second season? It’s gotta be 50-50 at best.

The rest of the nights’ ratings were business as usual. Modern Family was down a notch for what I thought was the weakest episode of the season. Good to see Idol firmly in the 20’s again – though this is undoubtedly a weak season for talent. And try as I might I just can’t love Cougar Town (though my partner adores it!). At under More >

RATINGS – TUESDAY 13TH APRIL 2010

Apr 14th

Posted by Richard Drew in RATINGS

No comments

As predicted Glee stormed back in the ratings last night, clocking up an average of 13.6 million viewers and an amazing 5.6 18-49 share. To put that in context – that’s Glee’s highest ever ratings by a long shot (it’s previous high was 9.6 for the series premiere) and higher than recent episodes of such hits as Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy. Glee is now a certifiable Top 10 show. And while I would have predicted a fall off in ratings in week 2 – given how much hype the Madonna themed episode is generating – including this week’s TV Guide cover – I wouldn’t be surprised if the show actually rises next week!

On the other end of the ratings scale, Melrose Place finally signed off last night with a frankly pathetic 1 million viewers. That’s cable TV numbers and there’s no chance the show will return in the fall. As a huge fan of the 90′s original Melrose has been a wasted opportunity from the very start – bizarre casting decisions (bringing back fan favorite Sydney and instantly killing her off), horrible editing (why did every scene have to start with a crashing music soundtrack) and dull plot-lines (no apartment explosions or killer cults this time around!) A More >

Damages

DAMAGED GOODS

Apr 14th

Posted by Richard Drew in DRAMA

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Is Glenn’s Case Closed?

Uh oh Damages fans, it looks like our favorite legal drama is coming to an end, according to a report in Daily Variety. (See Daily Variety for full article)

To be honest it’s not altogether surprising news. Damages attracts one of the most upscale audiences on TV, receives a lot of DVR playback and has strong international sales. But at the end of the day the ratings for premiere episodes just aren’t strong enough to justify a costly drama (I know the show is shot super cheap but we’re still not talking makeover show budgets). This season Damages is barely clearing a million viewers an episode and a pitiful 0.2 in the 18-49 demo. That’s less than most VH1 reality shows.

I for one will miss the show a lot. You all know my general feelings on legal dramas (see my Career Crisis piece) but Damages was an entirely different beast. Over three seasons we’ve barely seen the inside of a courtroom and we haven’t had to sit through any interminable closing arguments or weepy cross-examinations. Damages was smart enough to avoid all the traditional conventions.

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QUICK TAKE: THE RETURN OF GLEE

Apr 13th

Posted by Richard Drew in COMEDY

2 comments

Well you all already know my thoughts on Glee – see my Going Gaga For Glee posting a few days ago – but despite my critiques I’m still a big fan of the show, and let’s face it tonight’s return episode had must see TV written all over it.

So after 3 months away has Glee come back bigger and better?

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QUICK TAKE: AMERICAN IDOL ‘ELVIS NIGHT’

Apr 13th

Posted by Richard Drew in OPINION

2 comments

American Idol once again ran out of theme nights, so returned to the old staple of Elvis classics (a memorable theme from Season 4 when Lisa Marie Presley guest-ed and Chris Daughtry received a shock elimination). But given that last week was Beatles week and we’re only three weeks on from Rolling Stones night, I wonder if we’re ever gonna get the chance to hear the contestants be current and relevant as Simon keeps imploring.

Thankfully last season’s real winner; Adam Lambert was on hand to mentor the contestants. Adam didn’t hold back on his critiques – ‘that was just boring’, ‘his facial expressions are just dead’ – and came across like Boy George’s butch-er brother. The problem is that when Adam takes the stage tomorrow night he’ll so outshine all of this year’s contestants it’ll cruelly highlight what a season of suck Season 9 is turning out to be.

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RATINGS – MONDAY 12TH APRIL 2010

Apr 13th

Posted by Richard Drew in RATINGS

2 comments

Dancing With The Stars continued it’s stellar run last night, above 20 million once again, and though it skews old in the crucial 18-49 demos, when your figures are that high it’s almost a moot point.

The CBS comedy block was consistently down across the board, while Castle is a bona fide hit now (confession time – I’ve never watched a single moment of the show!)

Meanwhile 24 is still not getting much ratings love – but wow – what an episode last night! The show is definitely going out with a bang with yet another trademark 24 shocker…

The big question tonight is – how will Glee do after a 3 month break, but with mountains of hype? I’m estimating 12 million. Oh and those of you setting your DVR’s – watch out – I have a feeling Idol will over-run tonight following last week’s non-elimination.

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FAST FORWARD

Apr 13th

Posted by Richard Drew in OPINION

2 comments

Why Networks Need To Stop Pointless Padding

Yesterday I settled down to watch this week’s edition of Celebrity Apprentice, DVR’ed from the weekend. Yes, I know it’s basically a commercial for whatever product placement deal Mark Burnett has negotiated that week – but I’m a sucker for a bit of Cyndi and Sharon (who sod’s law, were both largely absent from this week’s show!).

But as I sat down to watch the show and one of the dullest challenges of the season was unveiled, my finger got itchy on the remote. Do I really want to spend the next 2 hours of my precious time watching minor celebrities preparing yet another product presentation?

So I fast-forwarded through the show – and voila – I was done in less than half an hour. And the thing is – I don’t think I really missed a moment of good stuff. Because when it comes to padding Celebrity Apprentice is one of the most over-stuffed shows in TV. The ‘firings’ go on forever – it’s almost like bad improvisation at a comedy club – as Trump and his kids belabor the same key points over and over again. You can feel the Trumps desperately trying to provoke More >

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