The Curse of the Small Network

Let me ask you this. Would Lost, The West Wing, or even Desperate Housewives get the same attention and critical acclaim if they weren’t on one of the big networks? I mean, if each of these shows were picked up exactly as they exist today…same timeslot, same cast, same scripts – everything, would they succeed on The UPN or The WB? I would hope so but I just don’t know.

The reason I ask is because I continue to be amazed at the lack of respect for Everwood. This is a great show. The stories, writing, and especially the acting are superb. I haven’t seen a drama in years that captures the dynamic of a dysfunctional family and community in such a real and true way. Yet this show and its actors are constantly overlooked in terms of awards. Is it because Everwood is on the WB? Perhaps. Unfortunately, Everwood has good company in the category of shows that are critically lauded and overlooked at awards time.

Gilmore Girls, and its star Lauren Graham, are perennially overlooked when awards season comes around. Always a favorite of critics who believe she “should” be nominated for (and win) an Emmy, Graham has yet to take home the little golden statue. And I’m afraid that there is another Lauren Graham on the horizon, and her name is Kristen Bell. The breakout star of Veronica Mars has the gravitas to go up against anyone in the best actress category, but will her home on The UPN hurt her chances at Emmy time? Until the recent success of Desperate Housewives and its stars, I blamed the lack of an Emmy consideration for these actresses on the genre. Like Housewives, and countless other new shows, Gilmore Girls & Veronica Mars, are a mixed breed – comedy and drama. However, it seems that the genre wasn’t the problem…so what is it?

The well deserved Emmy win of Arrested Development, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has shown that low viewer ship doesn’t mean low quality. Just because people don’t watch a show doesn’t mean it’s not worth watching. So why are some high quality shows consistently overlooked? I have to believe that critics don’t take shows on networks like The WB and UPN seriously. So I think it’s time for The WB and UPN to figure out how to move pass this injustice and start getting their shows and their actors the awards they deserve. And start with Everwood because it doesn’t get much better than that.

P.S.
Academy – find out how to deal with the “dramedy”. Nothing in life is all comedy or all drama, and more and more our TV shows are starting to reflect that. Hell, no one would put Grey’s Anatomy in the comedy category, but I laugh more during that show than I did in a full season of watching Joey. You need to recognize and honor this shift and find a home for these new hybrid shows.

BREAKING NEWS: Wallace Fennel Finally Gets a Set

After a year of being nothing more than Veronica’s doormat, Wallace finally put Nancy Drew in her place. Congrats Wallace – you are now a man. As much as I adore our favorite blond SuperSleuth, Veronica does have a tendency to take the people in her life for granted – and no one more so than her BFF Wallace. It was nice to see him stand up for himself and ask Veronica for her help for once. I have actually been waiting for this scene since about midway through last season, and man, did Percy Diggs III deliver. He has joined Enrico & Jason as the only cast members that can hold their own in a scene with Kristen Bell.

Ok, Wallace, now that you have said your peace, pick up your phone and call ‘Roni back…b/c at the end of the day, she had your back. And how. No one will ever accuse Veronica Mars of being passive aggressive. That girl is feisty. The way she went flying across the dance floor and into Jackie’s face was classic. But was that really about Veronica defending Wallace’s honor?…or perhaps, just maybe, it had something to do with the fact that Jackie was draped all over one Logan Echolls. Hmmmm…. And was there some truth to Jackie’s accusation that Veronica needed attention from all the boys? Including Wallace? I never saw any sexual tension between Wallace and Veronica before, but that last shot of the two of them did make me think.

It was nice to see Ducan & Logan have a little male-bonding, but c’mon these two should spend less time playing video games and more time in therapy. Let’s take a look back at just some of the highlights of the last year of Duncan & Logan’s life, shall we?
* Duncan’s sister, who happens to be Logan’s girlfriend, is murdered
* Duncan’s parents think he killed his sister and frame an innocent man for the crime
* Duncan sleeps with Veronica, a girl who, at the time, he believes to be his sister
* Logan’s mother commits suicide
* Duncan’s ex-girlfriend starts dating his best friend, Logan
* Logan’s girlfriend accuses him of murder and then dumps his ass
* Logan’s finds out that his father was sleeping with his ex-girlfriend before he murdered her in cold blood
* Logan’s father also tries to kill his current girlfriend and her father
* Logan is accused of murder himself
* Duncan’s other ex-girlfriend is the sole survivor of a bus crash which kills a bunch of Logan & Duncan’s classmates
* Logan & Duncan both become emancipated minors…living on their own, at 18, with money to burn!!

So with all of this and more happening over the course of 12 months, these two kids aren’t even subjected to their High School Guidance Counselor, none the less Dr. Phil.

Finally, with all her “street smarts”, you would think that Veronica would know that it’s probably not in her best interest to place a bug (in the shape of a bug) in the Sheriff’s office. Come on V…Clarence Wiedman so called you on that shit last year. Learn your lesson…find a new approach…you’re going to get you ass thrown in jail. And unless you bunk with Michael Schoffield at the Fox Run State Penitentiary, I hear prison is no fun…especially for cute little blond like yourself.

What we’ve learned from tonight’s “Veronica Mars”
> Wallace & his mama have some issues to work through
> Veronica isn’t comfortable with her breasts
> Jackie is an evil bitch who has a lazy eye
> Lily is pissed at Veronica for smackin’ it with Logan
> It’s impossible for Kristen Bell to look anything but fantastic
> Veronica isn’t over Logan, and is willing to throw down for him
> Percey Daggs III has some mad acting skillz…and a smooth voice

Overall, a damn good episode. Check out the recaplet at Television Without Pity.

Lost Withdrawal

So after a long and especially painful day at work yesterday, I came home, cooked a wonderful meal, poured myself a stiff drink, and settled in for a good night of TV. You can imagine my disappointment when I realized that Lost was a repeat. Damn you ABC!!!! Seems that we won’t actually have a new ep until November 16th….ugh!!! Fret not Losties, you can still get your fix of the castaways. Check out some of the cast’s more memorable roles.

Jack (Matthew Fox): Party of Five – When his parents are tragically killed in a car accident, Charlie Salinger (Fox) takes on responsibility of his 4 younger siblings – oh the drama.

Locke (Terry O’Quinn): The Cutting Edge – At least once a month I come across this movie while flipping through the channels. And no matter how hard I try I am physically incapable of turning it off. Check out Locke as Kate’s overbearing father. Toe pick.
Charlie (Dominic Monaghan): Lord of the Rings Trilogy – Once a hobbit, always a hobbit. If this boy can survive the evil Saruman, you think he could handle the island “monster”. Guys. Where are we?

Michael (Harold Perrineau Jr.): Romeo & Juliet – “A plague on both your houses!”. Well Lost is in Season 2 and I still have to be reminded of this character’s name. To me, he is and always will be, Mercutio. Young hearts…run free…never be hung up…hung up like my man and me.

Hurley (Jorge Garcia): I Love the 80’s 3D – I Love the 80’s is back bitches, and this time Hurley has something to say. He’s schedule to appear on November 4th, 8th, 15th, 16th….uh oh.

The rest ot the cast have been in a bunch of shows/movies too, but since I haven’t seen them, I can’t recommend with good faith. Check them out for yourself: Sayid, Kate, Sawyer, Rose, Walt, Vincent, Claire, Shannon, Boone (RIP), Jin, Sun, Ana Lucia, Rosseau.

I know there are probably other good roles that I missed. That’s what the “comments” are for people.

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