Tag: CBS

Fall check-in: CBS

Hey all. It’s been too long. I’ve been really busy this fall and writing elsewhere (hopefully you’re following me over at This Was Television and TV.com). But frequent contributor Wesley Ambrecht decided to exchange some emails about the state of the broadcast networks with sweeps upon us (well now over, but still). We have tackled Fox and … Continue reading Fall check-in: CBS →

Test Pilot: File #57, The Unit

Test Pilot #57: The Unit  Debut date: March 7, 2006 Series legacy: Professionally made CBS procedural Hey party people. Welcome back to Test Pilot. Hopefully you've enjoy this theme thus far (if you haven't yet, please check out the files on Sleeper Cell and Over There). There are only four entries (as opposed to the now-fairly standard five) so we are … Continue reading Test Pilot: File #57, The Unit →

Test Pilot: File #50, The Bob Newhart Show

Test Pilot #50: The Bob Newhart Show Debut date: September 17, 1972 (series premiere); November 18, 1972 (this episode) Series legacy: A very popular and generally well-respected member of the MTM stable Number 50! Wow. Thanks to everyone who has co-wrote, read, RT’ed or commented on these pieces thus far. We have no intentions of … Continue reading Test Pilot: File #50, The Bob Newhart Show →

TV Surveillance Podcast Episode 26 — Upfronts 2012

Happy Monday, y'all! Although Upfronts came to a close last week, we're not done talking about it. Hopefully you saw my posts on NBC, FOX, ABC and CBS (sorry, I just couldn't get to the C-Dub), but today we offer you an extended look at all five networks' big scheduling-related decisions. My buddies Les Chappell … Continue reading TV Surveillance Podcast Episode 26 — Upfronts 2012 →

Upfront Week 2012: CBS’ Schedule and Analysis

This week is basically like Christmas for television nerds like myself. Frankly, it is better. Of course, I am talking about Upfronts, the time of the year where the networks bring new fall schedules (and sometimes winter/spring schedules that do not end up sticking) to advertisers. Thanks to the glorious nature of the internet and … Continue reading Upfront Week 2012: CBS’ Schedule and Analysis →

Test Pilot: File #38, The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.

Test Pilot #38: The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. Debut date: August 27, 1993 Series legacy: One of the more beloved one-season wonders, mostly for its curious mix of genres, styles and imagery Welcome back to Test Pilot guys and gals! With that extra-special Joss Whedon Theme Week behind us, it’s time to fall back … Continue reading Test Pilot: File #38, The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. →

Chitchat: Bays, Thomas and How I Met Your Mother are just trolling us, right?

I talk television with a lot of people. Friends, family, other critics on Twitter, vagrants on the street. I just love talking about TV. Because I don’t have the time and resources to do a podcast like I used to in college, I’m going to sort of replicate that experience in textual form in a … Continue reading Chitchat: Bays, Thomas and How I Met Your Mother are just trolling us, right? →

“We’ve had a really bad fall” (and decade): On the fatal flaw of NBC’s development strategy and defeatist thinking

Note: This post is a longer (but barely) and hopefully more coherent version of my tweet explosion from Friday night. With the annual winter Television Critics Association Press Tour coming to an end and many of the season’s mid-season premieres here or right around the corner, I wanted to take a little time and talk … Continue reading “We’ve had a really bad fall” (and decade): On the fatal flaw of NBC’s development strategy and defeatist thinking →

TV Surveillance’s Worst of 2011: Worst New Series

It is that time again folks! The end of the year is upon us and that means it is time to look back on the highs, lows and WTFs in television from the past 12 months. There is a lot to reflect on in regard to television 2011. Charlie Sheen went crazy. Well, crazier. Comedy … Continue reading TV Surveillance’s Worst of 2011: Worst New Series →

TV Surveillance’s Best of 2011: Favorite Reality Competition Programs

It is that time again folks! The end of the year is upon us and that means it is time to look back on the highs, lows and WTFs in television from the past 12 months. There is a lot to reflect on in regard to television 2011. Charlie Sheen went crazy. Well, crazier. Comedy … Continue reading TV Surveillance’s Best of 2011: Favorite Reality Competition Programs →