WINTER TV SEASON UPDATE - WEEK 4

WINTER TV SEASON PREMIERES CONTINUE

What up TV-verse! January is winding down but the premieres are as hot as ever so don't stop watching!!! The SAG awards passed and what a glorious ceremony it twas. No host was needed for this Star affair where 30 Rock got it's due justice for Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin and Jennifer Lawrence's dress mishap entertained the viewers. My favorite moment was when Tina Fey remembered nostalgically Amy Poehler birthing Lena Dunham (so funny). Annnnywaaaays, THE FOLLOWING wasn't just good, it was HOT. Keep this new show on your radar! It's the first mid-season replacement to really make a dent in the ratings taking Monday by storm and leaving this TV viewer pleasantly (and creepily) intrigued. It is a must watch so GO FOR IT! And don't forget to continue watching those Oscar nominees even though the rest of the big awards aren't telecasted you can keep up with them all here: http://www.imdb.com/oscars/nominations/?ref_=rto_nb_acd
But alas, here we go AGAIN!

*THE WAY TV WORKS
-Why do shows I don't care about do better than shows I do?

There's two big things fans need to remember when it comes to ratings. First and foremost, ratings are NOT an indication of a show's overall reach, the devotion of its fanbase or any other anecdotal measurement. Ratings are designed to see how many people are watching the commercials on a TV show, you know, the things that pay for the TV shows in the first place. With that in mind, people who skip ads on their DVRs, watch shows online, download them illegally, view them on DVD, etc. aren't as relevant when it comes to advertising money.

In 2008, the broadcast and cable networks made a collective $67.92 billion of traditional advertising. The rest - online advertising ($1.63 billion), DVD ($450 million), iTunes ($180 million) - is just peanuts by comparison. Until that paradigm changes, ratings are the most critical factor for a show's survival.

Secondly, if you are reading this, you probably are not the average TV viewer. We get the e-mails all the time: "everybody I know watches show X, there's thousands of web sites devoted to X and X is always a bestseller on iTunes and/or Amazon, so Nielsen must not be counting viewership correctly." Or the converse: "I don't know anybody that watches show Y, there's very few web sites devoted to Y and Y is never a bestseller on iTunes and/or Amazon, so Nielsen must not be counting viewership correctly."

There's a big problem with these types of assumptions. First and foremost, the overwhelming majority of TV viewers do not own a DVR, do not watch shows online and do not purchase TV shows on DVD and/or download TV shows. I'm guessing if you are reading this, at least one of those habits applies to you and the aforementioned "everybody you know." Furthermore, a quick glance at the 2000 Census data will tell you that only about 1% of America is "like you" in that they have the same age, race, relationship and housing occupancy.

*The Returners denotes that your fav show is back with new episodes

Monday - January 28th

*HIGHLY RECOMMENDED- TNT's reboot of DALLAS returns for it's second season! For those of you who don't know. DALLAS (the original) is one of the biggest TV hits of all time. Nearly everyone a few generations back watched DALLAS and it still holds many TV records and TNT's reboot is just as juicy. If you need to catch up, no worries because the first season is only 10 episodes. Throw in the unexpected and muchly sad death of the star Larry Hagman mid season and you are guaranteed one of the best seasons on TV. Most definitely worth your time and will be much talked about. John Ross is juicy, sexy and tantalizingly evil.

The Returners: RuPAUL's DRAG RACE!

Tuesday - January 29th

*BRAND NEW SERIES - These two scored a gig on MTV from YouTube success. Watch their talk show about interviewing celebrities in funny ways if you like that MTV sort of things.......

The Returners: 

Wednesday - January 30th

*BRAND NEW SERIES - With AMERICAN HORROR STORY: ASYLUM all done away with (AND OMG HOW AWESOME WAS THAT?!?!?!) the show replacing it is this Homeland look-a-like THE AMERICANS on FX same timeslot. They are Russian spies living (0r trying to live) the American dream. I love Kerri Russel and it seems pretty solid. It's not my style but should be great TV.

TV SPECIAL: CBS will be airing a special called SUPER BOWL's GREATEST COMMERCIALS 2013. So make sure and check it out for funny laughs.

Thursday - January 31st

*BRAND NEW SERIES - NBC is unleashing it's night time drama along the likes of THE FOLLOWING AND DEXTER with a little HOUSE M.D. The show is DO NO HARM and if you are familiar with DEXTER you can grasp the concept of a doctor who has a split personality who takes over at certain times every single night wreaking havoc. This guy will be tuning in but I can't make any promises because no one is talking about this vehicle. Maybe the viewers of 30 Rock will stay tuned?

*BELOVED SERIES*HOT FINALE - The much-loved and award winning 30 ROCK is on it's way out tonight. Make sure to tune in to see the departure of this land-mark beauty.

The Returners: 

Friday - February 1st

*Well... why not? Check out the latest winners... it's not apart of the OSCAR race but still important!

The Returners: SHARK TANK on ABC

*NETFLIX's big series HOUSE OF CARDS will be available starting today if you want to see what kind of content they are producing!

Saturday - February 2nd

*SNL is airing a repeat of Jeremy Renner tonight

Sunday - February 3rd

*SPECIAL EVENT t's time for the most watched TV event of the year! I'll be watching for the commercials and in the meantime, i'll do what most non-sports fans do when this event occurs: Eating way too much great food while flipping to the PUPPY BOWL on Animal Planet!

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK AS WE DELVE INTO THE BRAND NEW WINTER TV SEASON

WINTER TV SEASON UPDATE - Week 3

WINTER TV SEASON PREMIERES CONTINUE

We are knee deep in the Winter TV season now and all of the shows are throwing their wildest plot lines at us. Lance Armstrong admitted on Oprah that he DID take steroids, THE CARRIE DIARIES surprised my co-premiere partner Jenna Stroh and I with some deep adult emotions yet keepin' it CW fun, Face Off returned hot as ever, 2 BROKE GIRLS launched with one of it's best episodes (and shake-ups), and the drama continues behind the scenes with the great axe looming over certain shows. If you didn't hear yet, fans of HAPPY ENDINGS and APT. 23 be wary that ABC yanked both programs off the air yesterday without word. All their scheduled episodes are now in a shake-up which is STUPID considering there are 10 episodes of each waiting to be aired while reruns take over. In any case, there is no point discussing cancellations this early in the game but where is stands APT. 23 is axed with HAPPY ENDINGS holding on by a shriveling string (CRIES ALL NIGHT). But on with the premieres!

*THE WAY TV WORKS
-Did you know that 3 is the magic number when it comes to TV? A basic TV show needs more than 3 seasons to be purchased for syndication (ex. TBS buys Friends and Family Guy, etc. so you can watch it all the time). What might save most of your fav shows is that if something is in it's third season (like Happy Endings), the network will choose to give it a final fourth season just so it can be sold to other cable channels to be broadcast perpetually every week. So if something gets saved it may not be because it's so popular, it may just be because syndication makes so much money for  a network, it's too good of a deal to pass up.

*The Returners denotes that your fav show is back with new episodes

Sunday - January 20th

*IN HONOR OF - There is nothing new on tonight so I find it important to pay tribute to HAPPY ENDINGS for getting yanked off the air tonight. It's a sad day when something like this happens: the show you love the most gets put into a limbo where you want to cry because you think it's getting canceled but then you want to punch ABC executives because they won't say anything... Here's to hoping this show can pull off the Season 4 syndication pull that Cougar Town got. I love you!

Also don't miss:

Reruns of Honey Boo Boo special on TLC!

The Returners: Special Note: Shark Tank is now pulling reruns after REVENGE.

Monday - January 21st

*HIGHLY RECOMMENDED- January's hottest show premieres this week with FOX's THE FOLLOWING. If you haven't heard, this show promises to bring the violence of cable to a broadcast network. It's twisted, violent, gory, and scary so be forewarned. If you are a fan of American Horror Story and Hannibal, this is their baby. It follows Kevin Bacon chasing after an Edgar Allen Poe serial killer and promises to be at the center of any controversy this season.

Also don't miss:

BIGGEST LOSER of course! (and the inauguration of our president!)

The Returners: 

Tuesday - January 22nd

*BRAND NEW SERIES - The reality genre continues as Food network style programming enters primetime. This latest competition will have hopeful chefs creating an entire dish but only allowing the judges to taste one spoonful - the perfect bite.

Also don't miss:

The season finale of PARENTHOOD is tonight!

The Returners: 

Wednesday - January 23rd

*HOT FINALE - The FANTASTIC AMERICAN HORROR STORY: ASYLUM on FX reaches it's conclusion tonight with it's finale episode of the season. As a miniseries, that means this is the last time we will see the amazing characters that inhabit Briarcliff and the World surrounding it. But how will it all end?!?!?! Fans rest assured, season 3 has already been greenlit.

The Returners: 

Thursday - January 24th

*BELOVED SERIES - Lifetime premieres it's new season of Project Runway tonight!

Also don't miss:

The series finale (last episode ever) of LAST RESORT on ABC.

The Returners: 

GLEE finally returns tonight on FOX from holiday hiatus!

Friday - January 25th

*HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - The final season of STARZ popular SPARTACUS franchise premieres tonight on premium cable. It's the final of 4 seasons and promises to pull out all the stops.

Saturday - January 26th

*Adam Levine is set to host SNL tonight!

Sunday - January 27th

*HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - Awards season continues! We've seen the Critics Choice, the Golden Globes, and now it's time for the even funnier (so funny it's on TBS) Screen Actor's Guild Awards! The SAG is always a good time because it's all about the actors which is honestly that only thing audiences care about so tune in and enjoy another night of glamour, red carpets, and surprising speeches.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK AS WE DELVE INTO THE BRAND NEW WINTER TV SEASON

WINTER TV SEASON UPDATE - WEEK 2

WINTER TV SEASON PREMIERES CONTINUE

We made it through the FIRST week but the month of new premieres and returners CONTINUES!! This past week, we welcomes Downton Abbey and Pretty Little Liars fans were reeling but at the same time, we cringed at how awful 1600 Penn was (saw that coming). In case you haven't checked it out yet. DON'T! I even had my fellow TV lover and critic Jenna Stroh watch it with me to gain another opinion and we both scoffed at how stupid the show expects the viewer to be. It's trash and it'll be canceled soon. ANYWAAAAYS, the Golden Globes were last night and if you didn't get the memo, the two shows to most definitely add to your rosters are HBO's GIRLS and SHOWTIME's HOMELAND. They swept every TV category and have become this year's Modern Family and Mad Men so give in already and check em' out.

*THE WAY TV WORKS
-Did you know that the commercials you watch between your TV shows paid for your whole program? The means if you are one of those fans who watches their favorite shows on online piracy websites or waits more than three days to watch it on your DVR, than networks have virtually no idea that you are a fan at all and thus you are accidentally taking part in the demise of broadcast television. It's a sad reality, but without commercials, there is no money to make your favorite show in the first place. So if you really love a show and it got canceled, think about whether you had a part in it.

*The Returners denotes that your fav show is back with new episodes

Sunday - January 13th

*HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - HBO's HIGHLY HIGHLY appraised and talked about show GIRLS returns for it's second season. Each season is only 10 episodes so it is not a big commitment at all. If you love comedy, seeing a version of yourself on screen and HBO's nudity than you should tune in!

Also don't miss:

The other HBO and Showtime offerings of SHAMELESS, ENLIGHTENED, and HOUSE OF LIES also coming back this night.

The Returners: Special Note: Fans of 666 Park Avenue can watch the final four episodes, but will have to wait till this Summer when ABC plans to air them. Happy Endings and B in Apt 23 are permanently replacing it on Sunday nights.

Monday - January 14th

*BRAND NEW SERIES - The time has finally come THE CARRIE DIARIES, the much anticipated prequel to HBO's massively popular Sex and the City franchise is coming to the CW. The baby Sarah Jessica Parker is played by a teenage Anna Sophia Robb and even though this project graces the CW network it still promises to be very good. With such a popular fan following, it has to be, so check this out and enjoy the simple fun of it.

Also don't miss:

SyFy's new CONTINUUM, about a futuristic cop trapped in present day.

The Returners: How I Met Your Mother, 2 Broke Girls, Hawaii Five-O, Mike and Molly

Tuesday - January 15th

*HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - For just one moment, ignore the SyFy logo in the poster and relish in the awesomeness that is FACEOFF.  SyFy's most popular series in years is a competition between some crazy talented make-up artist and their ability to bring our dreams to life. Whether it's grisly zombies or alien creatures, these contestants have to do it all. You will marvel at this show and fall in in love before you can ever feel weird about watching the SyFy channel (which in my opinion needs to spend a little more money on it's projects).

Also don't miss:

TAKEN 2 being released on DVD today.

The Returners: 

Wednesday - January 16th

*BRAND NEW JUDGES - It's BACK! The biggest juggernaut on TV and the singing show that spawned them all: AMERICAN IDOL. Whether you love it or hate, American Idol has proven it's cultural impact with stars ALL OVER the place. The season shake-up promises to be entertaining though this TV lover missed JLO who obviously was one of the best TV judges of all time. Don't forget that this show is on the following night as well with double auditions. I love this show and will mos def be watching.

The Returners: 

Thursday - January 17th

*BELOVED SERIES - I don't really understand it's popularity but FX's brash ARCHER returns this Thursday!

Also don't miss:

USA's premiere of SUITS new season

The Returners: 

Friday - January 18th

*HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - If you haven't caught on to the SHARK TANK band wagon yet, you don't know how good Friday TV can be. This is the first show I watch on my TiVo whenever it's on. ABC's tasty investor show is made all the better in that you can actually go out to the story and buy past products like my fabulous KissStix and flavored peanut butters.

*SAY GOODBYE :.....(

FOX's FRINGE is saying goodbye tonight. The only real Sci-Fi show in Broadcast TV, the series lasted a good long 4 and 1/2 seasons and kept the minds of The X-Files age alive. 

Saturday - January 19th
*Dead as usual, so instead, get out there and watch all of those Oscar nominated Best Picture hopefuls!!

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK AS WE DELVE INTO THE BRAND NEW WINTER TV SEASON!

Critics Choice Awards Results

It has happened!!! The first Awards show of Awards season was last night - THE CRITICS CHOICE MOVIE AWARDS. The members of the Broadcast Film Association vote on these and for many categories, the winner at this ceremony has gone on to win the Oscar sometimes 9 years in a row (Best Actor). In case you missed them, the results are outlined below. Gotta give this ceremony credit for having a Sci/Fi Action category. 

And of course, the big news belonged to Ben Affleck for received Best Actor and Argo for Best Film. In response, Affleck thanked the Academy (bitterly) pointing out the irony that everyone else in his category but himself was nominated for the Oscar. 

Shout out to Jennifer Lawrence and Silver Linings Playbook as the frontrunners of the night and to Fat Amy for some HILARIOUS comedy moments.

BEST PICTURE

Argo

ACTOR

Daniel Day-Lewis – Lincoln

ACTRESS

Jessica Chastain – Zero Dark Thirty

SUPPORTING ACTOR

Philip Seymour Hoffman – The Master

SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Anne Hathaway – Les Misérables

YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS

Quvenzhané Wallis – Beasts of the Southern Wild

ACTING ENSEMBLE

Silver Linings Playbook

DIRECTOR

Ben Affleck – Argo

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Quentin Tarantino – Django Unchained

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Tony Kushner – Lincoln

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Life of Pi – Claudio Miranda

ART DIRECTION

Anna Karenina – Sarah Greenwood/Production Designer; Katie Spencer/Set Decorator

EDITING

Zero Dark Thirty – William Goldenberg and Dylan Tichenor

COSTUME Design

Anna Karenina – Jacqueline Durran

MAKEUP

Cloud Atlas

VISUAL EFFECTS

Life of Pi

ANIMATED FEATURE

Wreck-It Ralph

ACTION MOVIE

Skyfall

ACTOR IN AN ACTION MOVIE

Daniel Craig – Skyfall

ACTRESS IN AN ACTION MOVIE

Jennifer Lawrence – The Hunger Games

COMEDY

Silver Linings Playbook

ACTOR IN A COMEDY

Bradley Cooper – Silver Linings Playbook

ACTRESS IN A COMEDY

Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook

SCI-FI/HORROR MOVIE

Looper

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

Amour

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Searching for Sugar Man

SONG

Skyfall – performed by Adele/written by Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth – Skyfall

SCORE

Lincoln – John Williams