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
Tag: 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
Test Pilot: File #47, The Flash
Test Pilot #47: The Flash Debut date: September 20, 1990 Series legacy: Mostly forgotten and failed entry of superhero TV Welcome friends, to the second Test Pilot Special Theme Week. We had such great success with the week devoted to Joss Whedon-produced series back at the first of the year that I thought it would be fun … Continue reading Test Pilot: File #47, The Flash
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 #42, CSI:
Test Pilot #42: CSI: Debut date: October 6, 2000 Series legacy: One of the most popular, but not necessarily well-regarded series of the last decade-plus Hey there, party people. Welcome back to the internet’s most popular discussion of television pilots, Test Pilot. We’re still early into our contemporary police drama theme. Before you groan or … Continue reading Test Pilot: File #42, CSI:
Chitchat: Checking in with The Good Wife
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: Checking in with The Good Wife
Test Pilot: File #39, Kings
Test Pilot #39: Kings Debut date: March 15, 2009 Series legacy: Yet another one of NBC’s failed late-aughts drama series Welcome back to Test Pilot guys and gals! With that extra-special Joss Whedon Theme Week behind us, it’s time to fall back into the typical, but still lovely rhythms of the feature. Today, we continue … Continue reading Test Pilot: File #39, Kings
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: Top Networks of the Year
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: Top Networks of the Year
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