Tag Archives: NBC

The Cape’s (likely) series finale will air online exclusively

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The adventures of Vince Faraday, his nemesis Peter Flemming, and Max Malini’s carnival of crime are coming to a close… online. Early last month NBC cut The Cape‘s episode count from 13 to 10 and decided more recently not to air the 10th and final episode of the season. The terribly rated superhero drama ran its ninth episode this past Monday “Razer” which was originally intended as a two-parter to close out the season; at the last minute NBC yanked the second hour from the schedule and placed a rerun of Chuck in that slot. Nothing against Chuck, but yeah, that’s how badly the Peacock wants this show off the air–they wouldn’t even let it whimper before killing it. So Cape fans (all five of you), the plan to release episode ten goes like this according to the official site:

Flash: The creators of The Cape are prepping an exclusive episode just for online fans! Keep watching this site in the days ahead to see a full-length special episode.

And that’s all we know. NBC has yet to officially cancel the show, but if they are so against airing one more episode to close things out for the season, I have much doubt we’ll be seeing Faraday and friends in the fall. When NBC announces the online-only air date for the finale you’ll know about it as soon as it makes itself known.

The Event will take over the Monday night 9PM slot starting next week (3/7). Curious to see how this one will perform after its lengthy and much needed hiatus.

[Via Deadline; TVSeriesFinale]

‘Community’ is planning a “Modern Warfare” sequel, Lost’s Josh Holloway to cameo?

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Fans of Greendale Community College, listen here! TVLine has learned that NBC’s Community is planning a much-desired sequel to last year’s spectacular “Modern Warfare” paintball episode. According to the site the second inaugural paintball epic will be included in the show’s two-part season finale. But unlike last year’s action flick-esque episode, the game will not dominate the entire hour. An entirely new premise will take hold and “a bigger conspiracy” will reveal itself. It is noted that Alison Brie’s Annie will be central to the story, though the rest of the gang will play their part too. There’s a surprise twist that comes at the end of the finale that’s “just too, too good to spoil.”

In an interview with Vulture, Community directors Joe and Anthony Russo commented on what to expect from the upcoming ep (that has yet to be titled). “The question is, do we go right back at that and try do outdo the original? Or do we do something in the same voice as that, but something different?” asks Joe. “We’ve got a few cards hiding up our sleeves. I think there will be something as interesting and ambitious as “Modern Warfare” hitting the air soon.” Adds Anthony, “The one thing you know we won’t do is literally “Modern Warfare 2.” It will be that plus something else.” I guess the Russo brothers will replace Justin Lin (Fast & Furious) as directors of the MW followup.

Oh, and there’s this. According to EW, Lost‘s Josh Holloway (Sawyer) is interested in making a cameo in the finale. They say his “character will emerge as a mysterious figure who shows up on campus during another game of paintball.” Community‘s second season will surely end on a high note.

Community airs Thursdays at 8PM on NBC.

[Via TVLine; Vulture; EW]

‘The Event’ returns this March to NBC, award-winning cinematographer tapped to direct “pivotal” episode

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With The Cape on its way out, NBC is prepared to bring back its fall sci-fi serial The Event a bit early.  The Event returns from its lengthy hiatus Monday, March 7 with a two-hour presentation and the show will air eight more episodes leading up to its epic finale this May.  In related Event news, it’s being reported that Oscar-winning cinematographer Janusz Kaminski (Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List, War of the Worlds) is going to direct episode 15, which EW describes as being a “pivotal” one.  Producers have hinted in the past that the actual “event” will be revealed to viewers sometime during the latter half of the season, so episode 15 just might be the one we’ve been waiting oh-so-patiently for.  Producers have also stated that when the show ends this May it will wrap up all current storylines to satisfy fans just in case NBC decides to drop it going into the fall 2011 TV season.

[Via EW]

NBC decreases ‘The Cape’ episode count by three

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Things are not looking good for NBC’s new superhero drama The Cape.  On the heels of a series ratings low this week, today the Peacock decided to cut the season one episode count from 13 to 10.  All signs are pointing to cancellation, so I hope you’re not too invested in these characters already.  After the five episodes that aired thus far, I’ve stuck with it but news of the cut does not come as a surprise.  As easy as it might be to criticize the show’s cheesy dialogue, lack of top notch action sequences, and poor character development, what it all comes down to is ratings for the network.  Last night’s episode drew a meager 5.3 million viewers; that’s down 6% from the previous week.  The TV watching public doesn’t seem interested in it, and soon the network won’t be either.  According to Deadline, now that The Cape will bow out earlier than expected, fans of the serial sci-fi The Event can prepare for that show to make a return on March 7 in a two-hour block.

[Via Deadline]

Will Ferrell is headed to ‘The Office’ for a multi-episode arc

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With Steve Carell exiting The Office before season’s end, the producers promised that viewers could expect the introduction of new characters in the wake of Michael Scott’s departure.  Following Ricky Gervais’ quick cameo this week, funnyman Will Ferrell will reunite with his Anchorman co-star later this season for a lengthier four-episode arc.  According to Deadline, Ferrell “will play a branch manager who comes from the home office and is just as inappropriate as Steve Carell’s Michael Scott character.”  He will work alongside Scott for three episodes and his character will remain with the Office gang for one additional episode post-Scott’s departure “to help create a bridge” between the old and new (still undisclosed) boss.

The Office’s executive producer Paul Lieberstein (who also plays HR rep Toby Flenderson) had this to say about the Ferrell addition: “We found Steve Carell when he was nothing but a movie star and we turned him into a television star. We are proud to continue The Office’s tradition of discovering famous talent, and we hope that once America gets a good look at Will, they’ll see what we see, tremendous raw sexuality.”

Oh, and I just thought of this.  If the producers decide to bring David Koechner’s Todd Packer into the mix, we’ll have ourselves an even mightier Anchorman reunion.

Update: Rainn Wilson (aka Dwight Schrute) commented on Ferrell’s Office visit and what’s in store for the show post-Michael Scott; hop after the break for some quotes!

[Via Deadline; EW] Continue reading Will Ferrell is headed to ‘The Office’ for a multi-episode arc →

TV Reminder: ‘Parks & Recreation’ returns tonight at 9:30PM on NBC

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Finally, finally!  The Pawnee gang led by the one and only Leslie Knope returns tonight!  In the season 3 premiere “Go Big or Go Home” Leslie is trying to convince newcomers Chris and Ben (Rob Lowe and Adam Scott) to give the Parks Department more money.  Prepare for the premiere by watching this informative and hilarious preview, and look in the gallery below for character profiles.

BONUS! Hop after the break to watch Rob Lowe flip out at the cast of Parks and Rec, presented by Funny or Die. NSFW warning is in full effect (language).

Update: Parks and Rec hit a series-high rating–6.2 million people tuned into the season 3 premiere.  That’s up 52% from its fall season premiere in 2009.  The Office lead-in helped; Parks retained 71% of its viewers.

[Images via IGN; Deadline; TVLine]

Continue reading TV Reminder: ‘Parks & Recreation’ returns tonight at 9:30PM on NBC →

Ricky Gervais will reprise David Brent in U.S. version of ‘The Office’ next week

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This being Steve Carell’s final season on The Office means big changes and exciting storylines leading up to May.  This was supposed to be a surprise for longtime fans of the series but word got out and here we are: Ricky Gervais will reprise David Brent, the UK version of Carell’s Michael Scott, in the January 27 episode.  More specifically, Brent will make a brief cameo during the cold open.  “It’s a little more than if you blink, you’ll miss it, but if you don’t set your TiVo right, you’ll miss it,” says producer Paul Lieberstein.  So how will Gervais, who created the UK Office and serves as an executive producer on the US version, end up crossing paths with his US alter-ego?  Lieberstein spills, “We had some issues to work out, like how does David Brent live in the world of Michael Scott. It’s outside of the office, and it’s just the two of them interacting. It’s just a llittle nod to Steve and his final year.”

The Office returns with new episodes this Thursday at 9PM on NBC.

[Via NYMag]

Michael Scott to check out of ‘The Office’ early

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After seven seasons of laughs, Steve Carell is ready to leave his position as Dunder Mifflin/Sabre’s Office boss.  But you knew that already.  What you didn’t know is that the producers have planned an exit strategy that involves Carell leaving the show earlier than you might have expected.  “Steve is leaving earlier than the [season finale],” reveals executive producer Greg Daniels.  “The big ‘Goodbye, Steve’ thing will be before [May] sweeps.”  He continues, “Our basic plan is to see the jockeying and interviewing [for Michael’s job], and not have that happen off-camera and suddenly present America with the choice. We’d rather play out the stories of the various characters who want that seat, and show them fight for it.”

Although Carell won’t hang on until the season finale, Daniels is excited about the episodes leading up to it.  “It’s kind of a fun situation, and the chaos is creatively exciting. Whenever something with big stakes happens, it leads to good episodes — and we will have a lot of significant things happening.”

Kathy Bates, who plays Sabre CEO Jo Bennett with mighty fine ‘tude, is coming back. “We’re going to play out the whole [replacement] process in a realistic way,” says Daniels. “And it’s always great to have Kathy here.”

The season finale, which will run an hour long and is expected to be written by Carell himself, will reveal Michael Scott’s successor and the immediate reaction from the employees.  “They’re all different people with strong personalities,” Daniels says, “so they each have a lot invested in who’s their new boss.”

It’s so sad to know these are the final episodes of The Office with Carell; it’s still hard for me to fathom how the show will go on without him.  It’s true, the ensemble cast is terrific, but he’s the backbone of it all.  At least we can expect some grade-A stories to come out of the build up leading to the big reveal at season’s end.  I’m really rooting for Amy Ryan’s Holly Flax to scoop Michael up and they live happily ever after.

Update: With Michael Scott leaving The Office, this opens up more story opportunities for the other main characters and you can expect the import of new characters.  “We’re trying to take Steve’s departure as an opportunity to shake things up and add some new characters,” says Daniels.  One of these new characters?  They are currently casting Stanley’s never-before-seen adult daughter to fill “a recurring (and potentially series regular)” role, according to TVLine.  She will be “one of several new characters” joining the show later this season.  Daniels continues, “They’ve been playing with this dynamic for so long… you kind of know how the stories are going to go. For Michael not to take up the A story in every episode means that a lot of them are getting the A stories now.”

[Via TVLine, here & here]

2011 Midseason TV Preview

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Doesn’t it feel like you were just reading my 2010 Fall TV Preview back in mid-September?  You know what they say–time flies…when you’re watching so much TV.  I’m going to run through the new network shows that I’m most anticipating and I’ll let you know which returning shows you should be watching.  In addition, I will comment on the new shows that debuted this fall and let you know when they return from holiday hiatus, as well as say goodbye to the ones that prematurely got axed.  Cable TV gets some love down there, too.  Feel like skipping past my opinions and want to see the midseason schedules for the big four networks?  They’re right here: CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC.

CBS: The most watched network is introducing two new dramas with Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior and Chaos, a comedy in Mad Love, and marking the the return of Paula Abdul with her reality series Live to Dance.  If you’re a fan of Criminal Minds, you’ll likely want to tune into the new spinoff series starring Forest Whitaker.  Chaos is being described as a “comedic drama about a group of rogue CIA spies” and it stars Eric Close (NCIS), James Murray (UK’s Primeval), and Kurtwood Smith (That 70s Show).  Sounds like a typical CBS procedural to me.  Mad Love is hoping to break out in CBS’ Monday night comedy lineup; it stars American Pie‘s Jason Biggs, Judy Greer (Arrested Development), and Sarah Chalke (Scrubs).  Do you find yourself obsessing over reality shows like So You Think You Can Dance? Abdul’s Live to Dance will be right up your alley.

This fall saw the premiere of a handful of new CBS series, but the one I was most looking forward to was Hawaii Five-O.  The explosive and highly entertaining pilot led into many other exciting episodes.  It did not take very long for me to realize that a CBS procedural had become my favorite new network series.  Alex O’Loughlin does a fine job at playing Steve McGarrett, but it’s Scott Caan’s Danno (who recently received the Best Supporting Actor nomination) who steals the show with quick wit and perfect compatibility with his partner O’Loughlin.  With Victor Hesse pulling strings behind bars and the introduction of the infamous TV villain Wo Fat at the end of the latest episode, there’s much to look forward to when Hawaii Five-O returns with all new episodes Monday, January 3 at 10PM.

NBC: This network is still trying to find its feet after last year’s Jay Leno Show fiasco.  Midseason premieres include David E. Kelly’s Harry’s Law (starring Kathy Bates), America’s Next Great Restaurant, Perfect Couples, and The Cape.  I am most looking forward to the latter two programs.  NBC actually ran a preview episode of the comedy Perfect Couples last week and unfortunately it didn’t fare so well with me.  The jokes it tried to make were rather bland and the interesting assortment of characters did not share much in common.  If you can think back to the fantastic Modern Family pilot, that is what I was sort of expecting here; three distinctly unique couples with a common thread tying them together in a way that makes you care about their relationship to one another.  This was, however, a preview and I’m hoping that the actual pilot contains a spark to keep in interested in these characters and their lives; also, let’s hope the jokes get funnier.  Perfect Couples premieres January 20 at 8:30PM.

Next up is The Cape.  If you watch TV you’ve likely seen many commercials promoting the superhero drama.  David Lyons (ER) stars as Vince Faraday, a cop who is framed for a series of murders and sets out to become “The Cape”, a comic book superhero, and he “takes the law into his own hands.”  The most recent preview I saw on TV revealed a wide range of villains Faraday will be fighting against; James Frain is Peter Fleming, The Cape’s nemesis.  And don’t forget about Summer Glau (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) who stars as Orwell, an investigative blogger and The Cape’s ally.  It looks like a spooky action-packed drama that should take the place of the ill-fated Heroes and the sub-par new series The Event while it’s on hiatus.  The Cape‘s two-hour premiere airs Sunday, January 9 at 9PM; it’s regular time slot is Mondays at 9PM.

Parks and Recreation finally returns January 20 at 9PM.  After an admittedly lackluster first season, Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) and the entire Pawnee Gang picked up the slack and contributed toward a stellar second season.  No sophomore slump here!  Every single character is flawed in one way or another, but they also each have rewarding qualities that make you want to cheer them on.  Knope, for example, may come off as a dimwitted, idiotic political figure, but at her core she cares about her friends at the Parks Department and she’s willing to fight against all injustices within the town of Pawnee.  With the departure of fan favorite Mark Brendanawicz (Paul Schneider), season three will more prominently feature Rob Lowe and Adam Scott, two characters with much potential who were introduced late last season.  The fourth episode is titled “Ron and Tammy II”, and if it plays out anything like its season 2 counterpart (stellar performances by Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally) I have full faith Park and Rec will continue to shine for years to come.

I had high hopes for The Event, but it’s quickly becoming the next FlashForward.  (In fact, I enjoyed ABC’s sci-fi drama a whole lot more.)  The network hyped The Event to be the next big hit, but in doing so it attached it to two other high profile series and the comparison made was ill-advised.  A commercial boasted, “If 24 and Lost had a baby, it would be The Event.”  The Event certainly tried to become the next Lost, with intermittent flashbacks for storytelling purposes but it failed to do it right.  After the first few episodes it started to feel like the show was trying to mimic Lost instead of branch off in a new direction.  With that said, I am happy to report that the show has learned from its early mistakes and is attempting to make good on them with intriguing character stories and mythos-packed action sequences.  The seemingly random flashbacks have been scrapped and replaced by detailed and emotional stories that shed light on the prominent characters; the Simon Lee and Blake Sterling stories proved to be the series best episodes thus far.  And speaking of mythos–as much as I am interested in Sophia’s plan for her people, one can only watch a show called The Event for so long without having an inkling as to what the event is.  Also, Sean and Leila have been on the run for way too long; here’s to hoping that the producers give them something more to do when The Event returns from an extended hiatus on March 7 at 9PM.  I admit I am hooked to the series, but only by a few weak threads. Continue reading 2011 Midseason TV Preview →

NBC to preview ‘Perfect Couples’ after ‘Sing-Off’ finale

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NBC’s The Sing-Off is doing so well in the ratings that the network’s decided to expand the December 20 season finale by a half-hour.  But here’s the really exciting news: The Peacock plans to use the Sing-Off finale as a platform to promote the new midseason sitcom Perfect Couples.  Following the finale a “preview episode” of Perfect Couples will air from 10:30PM to 11PM; the network makes it clear that this special preview is not the pilot. That will be saved for the show’s true premiere date set for Thursday, January 20 at 8:30PM.  It will follow Community in the Thursday night comedy block, which was recently extended to include six shows in total.

Perfect Couples follows three couples at various stages of their relationships.  Here’s a quick synopsis: Dave (Kyle Howard, My Boys) and Julia (Christine Woods, FlashForward) are the relatable, normal couple, but Julia’s hope of remaining the cool, low-maintenance chick is tested by Dave’s attempts to keep both his wife and his needy best friend Vance (Dave Walton, NBC’s 100 Questions) equally happy. Vance, along with the neurotic Amy (Mary Elizabeth Ellis, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), are the high-passion, high-drama couple who bring out the best and worst in each other.  The third duo features Rex (Hayes MacArthur, She’s Out of My League), a reformed party guy, and his wife, Leigh (Olivia Munn, Attack of the Show), who considers herself as the group’s mother hen. Believing that they are relationship experts, Rex and Leigh have attended every class and seminar on relationships — and regard themselves as the ‘perfect couple.’”

Update: Well there’s been a change in scheduling here, so take note: The Sing-Off finale will remain two hours in length, and the Perfect Couples preview episode will air at 10PM followed by a repeat of The Office.

[Via Deadline, here & here; EW]

Preview Community’s upcoming stop motion animated Christmas episode

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Community series creator Dan Harmon spilled the beans that this season’s Christmas episode is going to be “wall-to-wall stop motion animat[ed]” back in late September.  And here’s proof that the man was not lying!  In the episode preview above you can clearly see that the entire Greendale gang has received the Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer treatment just in time for the Christmas special.  According to Harmon the episode will deal with “Abed’s search for the meaning of Christmas.”  The episode “looks into what makes him different from other people.”  He says, “Everything that happens on this episode is part of the actual show and will change the characters, and yet there are wonderful, fantastic holiday things happening in it.”  Can’t wait!  Thus far Community‘s holiday episodes have been the most memorable; there’s no denying that “Epidemiology” (the Halloween zombie episode) kicked major ass.  The stop motion Christmas ep will surely impress.  Speaking of which… be sure to look in the gallery below to get a closer look at Shirley, Jeff, Britta, Abed, and the rest of the gang in animated form.  Senior student Chang is an Asian snowman!

Community airs Thursday nights at 8PM on NBC.  “Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas” is penned in for a 12/9 air date.

Update: Head over to EW if you want to see some more Community stop motion goodness.  In addition to some sneak peeks you’ll also find a couple behind-the-scenes videos that show how much effort goes into making a claymation special.  It’s intensive work!

[Via EW; Facebook]