Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Recap - Glee

Graduation!

I have been a "Gleek" from the very beginning, cheering on this melting pot of misfit underdogs as they triumphed over slushies, bullying and their own insecurities, rejoiced in song and dance and at long last emerged as National Show Choir champions just in time for many of the glee club members' graduation, the focus of tonight's season three finale.

The seniors:  Rachel (Lea Michele), Finn (Cory Monteith), Quinn (Dianna Agron), Puck (Mark Salling), Mike (Harry Shum, Jr.), Kurt (Chris Colfer), Santana (Naya Rivera) and Mercedes (Amber Riley).  Brittany (Heather Morris) was to graduate but with a 0.0 GPA ... um, no.  Of course how ANYONE in the glee club managed to graduate from McKinley High is a wonder seeing as how NONE of them ever went to ANY OTHER CLASS!!!  But hey, suspension of disbelief and all that.  Not like we saw the 90210-ers (old and new) in class either ...

Indeed, many a show based in high school has had the inevitable graduation episode, but few have actually led to students actually leaving, but Glee seems to be indeed saying goodbye to at least have the regular cast members we've come to love (and sometimes hate a little ... right, Santana?).

Mercedes is off to L.A. to be a back-up singer for an indie music label.
Puck - who pulled off an 11th-hour C- to graduate with his class - is off to L.A. to start a pool-cleaning business.
Mike will be attending the Joffrey School of Ballet in Chicago.
Quinn has a bright future as a member of the Class of 2016 at Yale.
Kurt - we don't really know ... he didn't get into the NY Academy of Dramatic Arts (NYADA) ... a surprise given his amazing audition.

Then there's love birds Finn and Rachel.  Finn believed he had nailed his audition - for James Lipton himself! - for the Actor's Studio, but failed to gain admission.  Rachel, who overcame her first NYADA audition - she choked, bad - by soaring at Nationals and impressing the stolid auditioner Carmen Tibideaux (played by Whoopi Goldberg), got in.  But feeling for her friend Kurt and fiancee Finn, she decided to defer for a year and stay to help them prepare for the next year's auditions.

But Finn would have none of that and instead put her on a train to the Big Apple, telling her that she's going to be a star without him.  He loves her that much.  So what lies in the future for Finn?  The army, to redeem his father's good name (dad was wrongfully dishonorably discharged).

Glee has always been an ensemble show, but you can't deny the focus has often been on Rachel Barry, a self-absorbed, take-no-prisoners, destined-for-Broadway diva who still managed to find a place in the glee club and make friends she never thought possible (Quinn, Santana).  So it was no surprise that the season finale ended with us bidding goodbye to Rachel at the train station with the whole club and Mr. Schuester (Matthew Morrison) and Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays) waving her off, following her as she exits the train station in Manhattan and watching her sing her way through the streets of NYC to start her new life.

There were rumors that the show was going to find a way to keep around some of these key players next year, so I wonder if they'll follow through on that.  Or perhaps we'll have our favorite glee underclassmen welcoming new members who will undoubtedly win our hearts with their own journeys.  We'll of course see at least two of them from this summer's Glee Project 2 (winners receive a seven-episode arc on the show), which of course was promoted during the hour.

Some favorite moments:

Kurt's dad Burt's (Mike O'Malley) graduation present to his son - a recreation of the dance to Beyonce's "Single Ladies" (from season 1) - considered a turning point in the troubled relationship between father and son.

Gloria Estefan as Santana's mom, who accepted her daughter's choice to go to NY instead of college, hence supporting her following her dream.

Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) showing the heart we know she has - glimpses break through - as she heralded protege Quinn on her bright future and hugging her with genuine affection ... and tears.

The graduation ceremony itself.  Sure, there were OTHER seniors in the graduating class, but we don't care about them.  We only watched our glee-sters be introduced like football players at the Super Bowl to a terrific rendition of Bruce Springsteen's "Glory Days."  Every graduation should rock out like that!

Great lines:

"I am proud of what you and I did ... together."  - Burt to son Kurt

"You never saw me for the things that made us different.  You only saw me for the ways that we're the same."  - Kurt to the other guys in the glee club

"If we hadn't changed, we would never have been friends."  - Quinn to Rachel

"I am that sure you're something special.  You're gonna be a star without me.  I love you that much." - Finn to Rachel

Songs:

"Forever Young" (Rod Stewart)
"I'll Remember" (Madonna)
"Glory Days" (Bruce Springsteen)
"In My Life" (The Beatles)

(there were others but couldn't identify the titles ... have to find on iTunes later ...)

Get your gleek back on this fall when Glee returns Thursdays at 9 p.m. on FOX.

Hoping to hit 100 Twitter followers by September (1 year anniversary) so join the tour here:  www.twitter.com/TV_Tour_Guide


Thursday, May 17, 2012

The CW's Fall Schedule

 Last but not least, tourists, we have the fall schedule for the CW.

Supernatural is making an interesting move to Wednesdays at 9 from its Friday slot, pairing it with the new series Arrow, based on DC Comic's hero Green Arrow.  Still think it sucks they decided not to go with Justin Hartley, who played the character on Smallville.  Not sure of the story behind that, but seems like a good match for the Winchesters, who will be going head-to-head with ABC's powerhouse Modern Family.

The net will also be presenting the reboot of the fantasy series Beauty and The Beast with Kristin Kruek - another Smallville alum - taking on the role originated by Linda Hamilton.  And we welcome back Carrie Bradshaw ... the younger version, anyway, from what we saw in Sex and the City.  I can't help but wonder ... how will it do?

So here's what's in store for the CW's fall ...

Mondays
8 p.m. - 90210
9 p.m. - Gossip Girl (In January, switches to The Carrie Diaries)

Tuesdays
8 p.m. - Hart of Dixie
9 p.m. - Emily Owens, M.D.

Wednesdays
8 p.m. - Arrow
9 p.m. - Supernatural

Thursdays
8 p.m. - Vampire Diaries
9 p.m. - Beauty and the Beast

Fridays
8 p.m. - America's Next Top Model
9 p.m. - Nikita

So, now that the fall show grid is complete, I'm personally happy as I have only one major conflict -- won't be able to watch NBC's new J.J. Abrams/Erik Kripke show Revolution on Mondays at 10 p.m., but all my other shows are in the clear with a little room for a couple of new ones.  But don't worry, I'll be here to breakdown the new shows in some form or another for you come fall.

Be sure to come back here throughout the summer, cause there's still plenty of television on in the coming months!

I'm on a mission to reach 100 Twitter followers by my one year anniversary in September, so follow me here!:  www.twitter.com/TV_Tour_Guide

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

CBS Fall Schedule

Ready to "eye" what CBS has in store for you this fall?

The biggest change has to be the move of Two and a Half Men to Thursdays, promoting 2 Broke Girls to the anchor position on Monday nights.  Well deserved IMO!  Have NEVER understood why Men is considered funny.  I like John Cryer, but the show is painful to watch.

Being an original Jersey girl, I'm curious about the new show Made in Jersey on Fridays, though I won't be able to watch til after the Fringe series finale, since that occupies my Friday at 9 p.m. slot along with Supernatural.

So here's what's coming your way this fall on the net:

Mondays
8 p.m. - How I Met Your Mother
8:30 p.m. - Partners (NEW)
9 p.m.  - 2 Broke Girls
9:30 p.m. - Mike & Molly
10 p.m. - Hawaii Five-0

Tuesdays
8 p.m. - NCIS
9 p.m. - NCIS: Los Angeles
10 p.m. - Vegas (NEW)

Wednesdays
8 p.m. - Survivor:  The Philippines
9 p.m. - Criminal Minds
10 p.m. - CSI


Thursdays
8 p.m. - The Big Bang Theory
8:30 p.m. - Two and a Half Men
9 p.m. - Person of Interest
10 p.m. - Elementary (NEW)

Fridays
8 p.m. - CSI: NY
9 p.m. - Made in Jersey
10 p.m. - Blue Bloods

Sundays
7 p.m. - 60 Minutes
8 p.m. - The Amazing Race
9 p.m. - The Good Wife
10 p.m. - The Mentalist

Last but not least ... The CW!  Check back and for lots of goodies to come, follow me here:www.twitter.com/TV_Tour_Guide

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

ABC Fall Schedule


ABC is the next network to announce its Fall Lineup. 

Even though the net gave a last-minute reprieve to Body of Proof, it is not on the schedule.  It may be a mid-season offering, though that would mean a shortened season.  That's a shame ... it's a good show.

Looks like a great deal of shows are returning.  Dancing With the Stars is doing an all-star edition - that was only a matter of time.  And, like NBC, in late fall they'll be putting comedies in the 8 o'clock hour on Fridays. Not sure why the shift in November, but I've given up trying to figure out how network powers-that-be minds work.  Revenge moves to Sunday to fill the void left by Desperate Housewives, which had a nice series send-off this week, in my opinion.

So, here is what ABC will be bringing you this fall:

Mondays
8 p.m. - Dancing With the Stars (January will switch to the Bachelor)
10 p.m. - Castle

Tuesdays
8 p.m. - Dancing With the Stars Results Show
                 in January, 8 p.m. - How to Live With Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life) (NEW)
                                  8:30 - The Family Tools (NEW)
9 p.m. - Happy Endings
9:30 p.m. - Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23
10 p.m. - Private Practice

Wednesdays
8 p.m.- The Middle
8:30 - Suburgatory
9 p.m. - Modern Family
9:30 p.m. - The Neighbors (NEW)
10 p.m. - Nashville (NEW)

Thursdays
8 p.m. - Last Resort (NEW)
9 p.m. - Grey's Anatomy
10 p.m. - Scandal

Fridays
8 p.m. - Shark Tank (moves to 9 p.m. in November)
             November, 8 p.m. - Last Man Standing
                               8:30 - Malibu Country (NEW)
9 p.m. - Primetime: What Would You Do? (moves to 10 p.m. in November)
10 p.m. - 20/20

Sundays
7 p.m. - America's Funniest Home Videos (how many years IS this???)
8 p.m. - Once Upon a Time
9 p.m. - Revenge
10 p.m. - 666 Park Avenue

Still to come ... CBS and The CW.

Check back and, so as not to miss a thing from Your TV Tour Guide, follow me here:  www.twitter.com/TV_Tour_Guide

Monday, May 14, 2012

FOX Fall Schedule

Welcome back!
 
FOX has announced its Fall Schedule and except for one big change - Glee is moving to Thursdays, airing an hour later - the lineup hasn't altered much:

Mondays
8 p.m. - Bones
9 p.m. - The Mob Doctor (NEW)

Tuesdays
8 p.m. - Raising Hope
8:30 p.m. - Ben and Kate (NEW)
9 p.m. - New Girl
9:30 p.m. - The Mindy Project (NEW)

Wednesdays
8 p.m. - The X Factor (Fall) / American Idol (Spring)

Thursdays
8 p.m. - The X-Factor Results Show (Fall) / American Idol Results Show (Spring)
9 p.m. - Glee

Fridays
8 p.m. - Touch
9 p.m. - Fringe

Sundays
8 p.m. - Animation Domination Replay
8:30 p.m. - The Cleveland Show
9 p.m. - The Simpsons
9:30 p.m . - Bob's Burgers
10 p.m. - Family Guy
10:30 - American Dad


For continued updates, TV news and more, follow me on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/#!/TV_Tour_Guide

Sunday, May 13, 2012

More Renewals, Cancellations; NBC Fall Schedule

Welcome back, TV Tourists.

Now have some news about shows on CBS that will not be returning.  The network has chosen between its CSI spin-offs, giving continued life to CSI: NY and putting an end to CSI: Miami after 10 seasons.  Also bidding goodbye are freshman offerings Unforgettable, A Gifted Man, NYC 22 and Rob.

Good news over at ABC, though, which has renewed Private Practice and Body of Proof, the latter being extremely on the fence.  I'm glad though.  I like the Dana Delaney series (and looking forward to her return to Wisteria Lane for tonight's series finale of Desperate Housewives.

NBC's fall schedule is now in play and I have to say, it's puzzling.  This network keeps trying to find its way back from last place (okay, technically the CW is last but unfortunately, that's never likely to change) but not sure their latest plan of attack, which looks to be combining comedy and drama on nearly every night with very few returning shows, is going to work.  It's a choice, I suppose.  But they seem to cancel more shows than anyone ... a show doesn't do well after two or three eps, it's out.  And this was the network that once gave life to Cheers - not at all successful its first season but when given a second went on to be one of the net's most successful series, going 11 seasons.  Times, they have changed.

In another surprising move, their most recent hit, Smash, will be held til mid-season.  Community and Whitney have also been cast off to Friday as the new lead-in to Grimm (??).  To me, Friday has always been "genre program"  night (X-Files, Supernatural, Fringe, Grimm), so this seems a very odd addition. 

So here is what you'll be watching this fall on the Peacock network:

Mondays
8 p.m. - The Voice
10 p.m. - Revolution - this is the new J.J. Abrams/Erik Kripke vehicle.  I was looking forward to this one, being that I'm a fan of both creators (Kripke's Supernatural is my fave show), but did they HAVE to put it against Hawaii Five-0 and Castle??  Guess I'll be catching up online later...

Tuesdays
8 p.m.  - The Voice results show
9 p.m. - Go On (NEW)
9:30 p.m. - The New Normal (NEW)
10 p.m. - Parenthood

Wednesdays
8 p.m. - Animal Practice (NEW)
8:30 p.m. - Guys With Kids (NEW)
9 p.m. - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
10 p.m. - Chicago Fire (NEW)

Thursdays
8 p.m. - 30 Rock
8:30 p.m. - Up All Night
9 p.m. - The Office
9:30 p.m.  - Parks and Recreation
10 p.m. - Rock Center with Brian Williams


Fridays
8 p.m. - Whitney
8:30 - Community
9 p.m.  Grimm
10 p.m . - Dateline NBC

Sundays
Fall - Football

Post-Season:
7 p.m. - Dateline NBC
8 p.m. - Fashion Star
9 p.m. - Celebrity Apprentice (guess Trump in only going to do celebs from now on;  shame ... liked when it was everyday people fighting for the opportunity of a lifetime: an actual job in the Trump empire)
10 p.m. - Do Not Harm (NEW)

Check back all this week for more fall schedules.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Update - More Renewals & Cancellations

This week the major networks are announcing their Upfronts - the shows that have made the Fall 2012 schedules.

Many shows have been renewed but there is certainly no lack of cancellations, some no-brainers, a few surprises, at least in my book.

ABC put the axe to GCB, Pan Am, Missing and The River, while FOX has dumped Breaking In, I Hate My Teenage Daughter (did it even air?), Alcatraz (leaving fans - however many - to wonder if lead heroine  Det. Rebecca Madsen survives her gunshot wound) and The Finder.

NBC, ever in transition, has canned Harry's Law, Are You There, Chelsea?, Awake, Bent and Best Friends Forever.

The biggest surprise for me was the CW's cancellation of The Secret Circle.  This is the one network that cancels the fewest shows, being that they rarely have enough replacement shows.  I also thought the show was a good match for the net's strongest performer, The Vampire Diaries.  I am, however, thrilled that Supernatural will see a season eight and Nikita has gotten a third season.  Gossip Girl will return for a shortened (11 episode) final season, and the net has renewed Hart of Dixie, which fills the hole left by One Tree Hill.

Also returning for a shortened final season is FOX's Fringe (YAY!).  Touch has also been renewed along with New Girl, Raising Hope and Bones.

NBC will bring back Grimm for a second season, ditto for Smash.  Also returning are The Office, Parks and Recreation, Up All Night and Whitney, the latter two very much "bubble" shows.  Parenthood will also return - another renewal I'm thrilled with ... it's terrific.

CBS has renewed a great many of its shows, most recently Two and a Half Men.  Still up in the air are CSI: Miami, CSI: NY and Unforgettable.  We'll know this week if they all make the cut.

Check back here throughout the week for full Upfront updates.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Bitter Sweet TV

Man, do I love television.  It's weeks like these that remind me of that.  True, it's dreaded season finale time which means we are just episodes away from a painfully long summer waiting for our favorite shows to return and take us back to these exciting moments we're being left with.  But in the meantime, there's so much good stuff happening, I'm just plain giddy.

Highlights:
Supernatural lives to see Season Eight!  And its creator, Erik Kripke, just got his new pilot picked up by NBC ... the one he's doing with J.J. Abrams.  Can you say dynamic duo?  Of course, we are talking about NBC here, soooo...
Fringe - don't worry, I won't say who but we were treated to THE MOST AMAZING SURPRISE RETURN by someone.  I am DYING to say who but I have friends that read this blog that I don't want to spoil it for but I actually stood up and cheered!  Oh, and we are getting a final season, the chance for the show to end right, on their terms.  Thank you, FOX, for that.  Chuck got that and I was so happy.  If a great show must end, as they all must eventually, this is the way.

Hawaii Five-0 saw the return tonight of Alex O'Loughlin, who has been sorely missed.  I am glad he has gotten help for his painkiller addiction and that we only had to go two episodes without him.  Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park carried on well but this show works best when the whole Ohana (Hawaiian for family) is together.  We were gifted with several classic Steve-Danny arguments (normally in the car, this time by phone) and they were as funny as ever.  And it was clearly conveyed throught the writing how much Alex was missed and how great is is to have him back.  The preview for next week's finale looks heartbreaking ...
 2 Broke Girls finished their freshman season on a high, with Caroline and Max scoring a rave for their cupcakes by none other than Martha Stewart.  It was quite a fight to get to her - last minute transport by horse, smuggled dresses, confrontation with an old boyfriend, overcoming family shame - but it was a hilarious journey with a satisfying end.  Our own modern day Laverne and Shirley.

 Grey's Anatomy had most of our docs passing their boards (sorry, April) and now we must wait to see who stays and who goes.  Gotta give them credit:  they're keeping the secret very well ... and it's killing me!  This show has come through cast changes before but this is a solid group and I hate to lose anyone.  From what I've read of the finale, it's going to be another hard one to get through.  Two season ago, when the distraught widower shot up the hospital, I had very few episodes of television that was that jaw-dropping and it's two hours I want to watch again but admittedly can't.  I have a feeling this season ender may do that again.  This show has been on a while and a few years ago it was showing its age but I think it's stronger and better than ever.
Just finished watching Castle's season finale right now and I knew what was coming:  the big Castle-Beckett confrontation about how they feel about each other.  We knew he loves her.  We knew she knew he loves her and, after last week, we were pretty sure he knew she knew he loves her.  Tonight he actually told her to her face.  And they got it on.  At last?  Where it goes from there I'm waiting and watching to see.  I'm on the fence about them getting together.  It hasn't always bode well (Moonlighting, anyone?) but sometimes it has (go Chuck and Sarah on Chuck!).  I like "Caskett" and think they make a great team.  But I don't want their relationship to change.  But I'll keep watching and hey, Nathan Fillion FINALLY has a hit, long-running series, so yay!

And all these shows will be back in the fall so SUPER YAY!!

Still lots of great TV to come this week and next.  Then my TiVo gets a slight break before all the great summer shows come back.  Always helps summer go by faster.  Looking forward to some new shows as well.  Please keep checking back in here for my reviews, recaps, opinions, recommendations, etc!

Oh, one thing I ain't happy about AT ALL:  ABC Family cancelled Make It or Break It.  Loved that show!  And now we won't get to see who gets to the Olympics.  *sniff*  Bad move, net...

Happy viewing!