A Surprisingly Good TV Night After All

I sat down with some work to do in front of the tv expecting reruns... most shows have already put out their finale and now we are in reruns, gag. I have a DVR so I don't have to watch reruns. Since my favorite Thursday shows are over I was not looking forward to turning on the tv. I am so glad I did.

I mistakenly thought that I had another week until So You Think You Can Dance came back. I was thrilled to see my favorite contest back on the small screen. Why do I like So You Think You Can Dance while I despise American Idol? Talent and training. While there are a few American Idol contestants that truly have some God given talent that isn't enough. There needs to be training for the person to have any chance at success. Otherwise the singer is going to get caught up in lip-synching because they don't have the ability to keep their vocals going for an entire show. Kelly Clarkson may put out a good album, but have you heard her sing live. She doesn't have the breath support or control. I am not going to pay to listen to that, and I am not going to waste my tv time watching it. I would pay to see someone with serious dancing chops move their hips though. I have been awed by some of the dancing in the past two seasons. The dance choreographed on the bench last year was one I rewound to watch over and over again. Thanks Mia! It couldn't have been done as well or with as much emotion with untrained dancers. This is truly a competition of talent not just marketability.

I also watched the second episode of On the Lot. While it is just another competition based on formula, we are again seeing some truly talented people come out of this show. It is great to see people in a competition be amazed at what others they are up against are able to do. It shows that the uneducated audience is actually seeing some talent in the group of individuals that have been selected. The gasps during the special effects movie "Time Out" (I believe) showed just how special the crafts he has are.

I was also thrilled to have Studio 60 return. I know this is all just a tease since it will be gone for good soon, but it is always enjoyable to watch that cast work together with Sorkin's words. The tie-ins to Allison Janney and West Wing were particularly enjoyable for a West Wing fan. There was a very purposeful CJ/Danny moment at the end that gave me that warm tingly feeling of seeing two old friends again. I guess if they are on the way out, why not give us those tie-ins. There is no longer a reason to try to define Studio 60 differently from West Wing (not like Sorkin tried that hard).

One last spoiler added to my television fulfillment this evening. It isn't really a spoiler, so I will share here. From SpoilerFix "Amy [Sherman-Palladino] explained why she couldn't divulge her long-ago-planned Gilmore ending. In the next year or two, she hopes to make -- wait for it -- a two-hour Gilmore Girls TV-movie that ties up all those loose threads! (BTW, lest you think Amy was pulling my leg, her partner in life and in showbiz, Dan Palladino, confirmed that a GG reunion pic is something they're interested in pursuing.) Source: Ask Ausiello @ TV Guide". Definitely good news for GG fans. Hopefully it will pan out. While the new writers did a decent job keeping up with the patter created by Amy and Dan... it wasn't the same as having the ending always planned.

Now if only Friday turned out to be a good tv night too... ha ha ha ha ha ha.

What a Way to Go - R.I.P. Veronica Mars

Tonight was the season series finale of Veronica Mars. Had you not been following the upfronts coverage from the last two weeks and known that Veronica Mars had in fact been canceled and that Kristen Bell had a new series, albeit the role of voice over, Gossip Girl for the CW next year, you might have missed the finale part of the series finale. This comes down to the writers only in part. The CW kept Veronica Mars in limbo until the last moment. The finale had been shot, edited, and in the can for weeks by the time the news came.

Word just a few weeks ago was the creators wanted to come back next season with it being 5 years in the future with a very different cast showing what Veronica became. They weren't given that shot, nor were they given the opportunity to say a proper farewell. I might have even dismissed that if the CW had at least given the traditional farewell through a cheesy montage of moments throughout the years and a thanks for watching after the credits rolled. There was nothing, NOTHING indicating this was the end.

Now don't get me wrong here. The episode was actually pretty good. It was good for a mid-season let's come back next week to resolve this, or possibly even a season finale... but not a SERIES FINALE! As a fan, I am disappointed, no not just disappointed, I'm angry and let down. I kept looking at the clock thinking are there really only 12 minutes left and nothing is tied up, certain, FINAL. The credits rolled and my b.p. kept rising. Then a commercial. Really, a commercial. Seriously, a commercial. At least with Gilmore Girls which was a so/so finale, but at least a finale, there was the heartwarming montage and thanks at the end. With Veronica Mars there was nothing. Have I said yet that there was nothing finale about the Veronica Mars finale?

Honestly, I am not a big fan of the cheesy montage, but the CW is and that is why I am so surprised it wasn't there. I didn't watch the season finale of 7th Heaven, but I would just about stake my television on there being a thanks for watching tagged onto the ending.

I asked before what we would like to see from the writers in a finale. Should they give us the ending we want, etc... Tonight the question goes to the network. What is their responsibility to the fans? If they can't give the show a heads up enough to write a proper series finale, what should be do to appease the masses? Should the cast and crew been given a shot to put together a proper finale aired at a later time?

True Entertainment- What a finale is all about

If I haven't been clear in my previous posts, I am disappointed in this seasons finale showing. At least I was, until last night. I finally saw a finale that lived up to my expectations- it entertained, brought about enough conclusion for me to be content for the summer months, brought enough new storylines to have me interested in what is going to happen when September comes, and truly created a bookend for the season. Brothers and Sisters started off this season doomed despite its fantastic cast and interesting premise. They revamped and turned themselves into a must be watched enjoyable family drama. The finale shows exactly why this is true:

1) Just enough silliness- The silliness that comes from the Walker family may not be paralleled by any previous television dramatic family. The food fight at the vineyard last week was only a amuse busche to the full seven-course meal of hilarity that ensued when the Walkers met the McCallisters to celebrate the engagement of Kitty and "The Senator". Grey's Anatomy definitely could have used a touch of silliness to lift our spirits from the depressing finale served-up last Thursday.

2) Just enough emotion- The emotions were strong but checked themselves before going too far- take for instance Justin learning of his early departure for Iraq. They could have thrown in last minute appeals from "The Senator", gone through lengthy speeches about what it meant for him to serve, had every family member at the gate as his plane departed, and the list goes on- instead he snuck away after telling his half-sister and only Nora and Kitty ran to the airport to say their goodbyes. There was a nice moment for "The Senator" to remind us that the goodbyes are not just for those being left, but for those that are leaving since life is unpredictable and you could just as easily die from say having a tent fall on you at an engagement party as being blown up in Iraq. I am going to throw in a big thank you to the writers here for not having the entire airport applaud Justin as he went through security... it was a bit beyond cheesy for the security guard to have her little moment there, but thank you for keeping everyone else in check. This is a lesson that Desperate Housewives could have used before stringing up Edie with a silk scarf last night. Seriously, is Carlos that good in bed?

3) Just enough passion- and yeah I mean the good kind. There were lovey-dovey moments between "The Senator" and Kitty, but the good stuff came between Kevin and Jason. Yeah, totally predictable, but enjoyable, especially in its moderation, all the same.

4) Just enough intrigue- Jason pulling out the Methodist stole, Uncle Saul having an illusive sexual history, Julia possible diving into post-partum depression, Rebecca's history of relationships with older men, it was all just enough to keep us interested in what will be coming in September without leaving us on the hook.

5) Just enough dysfunction- The writers found a balance here that definitely was lacking towards the beginning of the season and while it has gotten better was perfected in this episode. Bringing in the McCallisters as a wild and crazy version of dysfunction was exactly what was needed to show that the Walkers might just be somewhat normal. They only brought out a few storylines of dysfunction this week hitting on the relationship between Nora and Kitty, and sidelining (for the most part) Sarah's unraveling marriage was a sigh of relief. Again Grey's could have and should have taken a cue using the less is more theory since every single relationship unraveled in the season finale. Maybe they could leave one couple standing next season. (I feel the spiral effect coming on).

6) I am not going to follow my patter of "just enough" for this one. It is too important. A season finale should not depart from the rest of the season. Having a character act completely different from the last 4 episodes and asking the viewer to go along with it doesn't work- take McDreamy's speech to Meredith in the Grey's finale... she had every right to turn on her heal after how he had treated her the last 4-5 episodes. The part of the Brothers and Sisters finale that I enjoyed most was the fact that it bookended the season. The first episode "Patriarchy"had the "Patriarch" of the family falling into the pool during a heart attack. The final episode "Matriarchy" had the whole family jumping in the pool as a way of showing their unity through the season that they got through the hardest year of their lives together. It was a brilliant bookend well done without having to be spoken.

Now I have shared mine, what was your favorite finale and why?

Four Months?!?!?!

Here is my problem with cliffhangers. I would watch the next episode without the cliffhanger. I do not need to be left hanging in May for 4 months to return to the show in the Fall. Then, because there are shows that build in cliffhangers the shows that do not build in cliffhangers almost give the impression to viewers that they were sewing things up in case they weren't renewed. I don't want to wonder for four months if... ok I won't spoil anything for anyone who hasn't watched Grey's or CSI because they have it DVRed. I read spoilers, I don't spoil.

Now I get that there are some shows that are built solely on cliffhangers... the mystery is the show and I can go for that. I was very into Reunion and am frustrated they didn't get the chance to sew it all up for us. I think that if a network takes a chance on a show that revolves around a mystery it owes it to the viewers, however few there may be, to explain it through. I am fine with going online to watch the episodes through their completion. Those of us who do get swept into a plot line and invested in the characters want to know. I don't want to have to dig for some article that might have the creator give it away because the network won't give us the closure we need. Ok, I know right now you are thinking this girl is too obsessed... but then you need to look up at the header and remember that I already confessed to that.

My other gripe with cliffhangers is that if you are going to build them in there is no reason to write at the end of the episode "To Be Continued". It darn well better be continued if you want me to keep watching. CSI tonight, again giving nothing away, ended the episode with "To Be Continued". At least if you are going to close with that statement let the continuation happen within a reasonable amount of time. Four months to wait for it "to be continued" is too long in my book. I actually saw that and went through the online guide to make sure that I was correct in thinking tonight was the finale. Yes, I know tonight is the finale, and I know every season CSI makes some huge storyline finale where someone from the CSI is in trouble which is always resolved when the Fall Season returns, so why put "To Be Continued".

Tonight's questions- do you enjoy cliffhangers? Would you continue to watch a show if there were not cliffhangers built in, especially applying to would you pick up watching again in the Fall without the storyline needing to be resolved? How should a network resolve an ending for a mystery based show, or should they?

Private Practice (Please Please Please Change the Name)

Yes, the title today is my appeal to ABC to show some class, restraint, wisdom, fill in your own appropriate descriptor here, to Please change the title for the Grey's 2.0 from Private Practice to just about anything that isn't going to make me squirm each time I hear it. So, let's hear 'em, your ideas for the Grey's spin-off title. Maybe something based off the name of the clinic "Oceanside Wellness Group".

Why the appeal after I already slammed the first glimpse of the show? Because ABC gave the show the greenlight, as you might remember I did predict in that post. Next question, do I think it will make it? If Brothers and Sisters is any sort of example for what ABC can get their writers to do when the first few shows don't flow as well as they should, then absolutely. I watched Brothers and Sisters from the first show it aired. I was sooooooo disappointed with that cast and an interesting premise that the show wasn't better. They went on a short hiatus, came back revamped, and my husband said isn't that the show you said wasn't very good. Yup, but it got better. ABC did its job, gave the writers and cast a chance to pull together what should have been great from the beginning, and it has completely paid off for them. Can they do it again with (cringe) Private Practice? I for one hope so.

I have been very impressed with what Shonda Rhimes has done with Grey's. There are race and weight barriers that she is breaking down with this show and while it may not seem to be enlightening in anyway she is sneaking those ideas in just through the casting. To give this idea some merit compare ER which was a "groundbreaking medical drama" when it first came out. Dr. Benton (a resident at the time) was the only doctor of color and there were only two female doctors. There are now more female and African American doctors, but the only Hispanic doctor to ever be on the show was a completely out-of-control drug-addict adulterer. Grey's has a diverse cast that has minorities in many of the key power areas: Chief of Staff, Cardiotheracic Surgery, as residents leading the interns. In the running for chief resident - three women, one Caucasian, one African American, and one Hispanic, two are what defined by tv standards would be considered overweight. It almost sounds like a set-up for a bad joke, but instead it is the making of a great show. Shonda Rhimes said she wanted to cast to portray America, well one can argue that the actual cast make-up looks nothing like the proportions actually living in America or who have degrees in medicine, but it does look like the America I see when I walk through the mall and I give her props for that.

So, Shonda as you revamp, keep the talking elevator if you want, definitely keep some of the eye-candy, but PLEASE, PLEASE bring up some substance (you can sneak it in if you feel you have to) and almost as importantly please find a new name... yes, this is begging, I am on my knees.

Ok everyone, let's give her some ideas on that new name, my first is Oceanside Wellness.

May Bittersweeps

I am redubbing "May Sweeps" "May Bittersweeps". I know I should enjoy May Sweeps since some of the absolute best writing on television comes during these two (give or take) weeks, but it is all bittersweet for me. Watching a series finale of a beloved show is like parting with an old friend knowing you will never talk again. I will never know if Rory Gilmore found someone she would be willing to factor into her future plans. I will never know if Lorelai and Luke ended up with a family of their own. The saga didn't continue... it came to a dead end tonight.

The sweet side, along with the finales which remind you exactly why you kept watching through some of the slow or inconsistent story lines, is as all of these shows are coming to an end either for the season or (sniffle) for good, the networks release The Fall Line-Up. Hope...

So, as I wipe away my tears (I've never been good at goodbyes) the next few days weeks, I will be bringing you some of my own insights into what I think will make it based solely on the pitch of the show for next year's premieres. I will also need some shows to fill up my time this summer during REPEAT HELL. I am compiling a list for you to vote on what I should watch that I didn't take the time to or didn't give a chance when it was first on tv.

P.S. While I stocked up on tissues prior to the Bittersweeps, if you live in the near vicinity I may need more supplies.

Breaking News on Entertainment Tonight - '7th Heaven' Comes to an End- FINALLY!

Not so much breaking news as about *!#&(* time news in my opinion. It is finally coming to an end after 11 seasons about 5 of which were good. Jessica Biel bared all and got kicked off, Lucy got married and decided to become a pastor since her whiny nature and indecisiveness would be so well passed on to others, Ruthie grew up, and the birth of the twins... there were so many times and ways that this show jumped the shark, the ultimate though was when they decided to come back after filming their series finale last year. Brilliant move there CW, really. (Yes, my eyes have rolled so many times here that I have spiral vision.) People tuned in not because they thought it was a great show and wanted it on another year (point proven by this year's ratings), but because they were anxious to see it end and see if Jessica would return for the farewell.

Reading that first paragraph you may think that I hated the show... which is not the case. The first few years were fantastic, BUT then it went from a well meaning Christian family show to one that HAD to deal with issues and take a moral high ground and those issues usually took the main characters to places that the initial set-up did not lend them to. The show changed to adapt to society and lost what made it great in the first place. I mean seriously, Ruthie got a tattoo of the guy she was pre-engaged to, what is that?

So, how long is too long? When did you think 7th Heaven jumped the shark and if you didn't watch choose another show that long outlived even its fan's loyalty and tell when you thought that show jumped the shark?