The Extratextuals

Come on already, network TV: I want some cancellations! I submit for your consideration Eastwick, Cougar Town, Grey’s Anatomy, Jay Leno, and Melrose Place … though somehow I think only the former is realistically going anywhere soon, and the latter a bit later.

Indeed, if we look at what has not been picked up, the writing may be on the wall for Trauma, Law and Order, Eastwick, the forgotten, Hank, Three Rivers, Til Death, and Brothers (with the latter two tellingly cut from November sweeps … which may delay their inevitable deaths). Almost everything else has scored a pickup, or at least a few more episodes in the case of MP (and Trauma, Hank, and Eastwick dropped further in the ratings this week, hitting new lows). More after the fold …
Read more…

new shows, ratings Jay Leno, Melrose Place, ratings

As I wait for more new shows this week to review, and as I find myself with little to say about the Emmy winners, largely because I agree with or can accept almost all victories (especially Michael Emerson. yay! About bloody time), let’s take a time out to look at some of the extratextuals surrounding the new shows:

I’ve been intrigued by the degree to which, in the wake of Gossip Girl’s past success, The CW has pounced upon the guilty pleasure label as being a great one with which to sell (and, of course, design) a show. Consider the following posters, for GG, Melrose Place, and The Beautiful Life, starting with GG. Analysis after the fold…
Read more…

ads, new shows, poster art CW, Gossip Girl, guilty pleasure, Melrose Place, poster art, posters, The Beautiful Life

While living in New York City, I enjoyed attending the Paley Center’s new show sneak peaks each September. That’s not so possible now, in Madison, but instead I’ll be reviewing the new shows as I get around to watching them off my DVR.

Let’s start with The CW’s Melrose Place and The Vampire Diaries, and FOX’s Glee, after the fold…

Read more…

new shows, reviews CW, FOX, Glee, Melrose Place, pilots, Vampire Diaries