Test Pilot #48: Aquaman Debut date: July 24, 2006 (iTunes) Series legacy: As a series? None to speak of; Yet, one of the more high-profile “non-orders” in recent memory 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 … Continue reading Test Pilot: File #48, Aquaman
Tag: Smallville
Test Pilot: File #45, Batman (1966)
Test Pilot #45: Batman (1966) Debut date: January 12, 1966 Series legacy: One of the more famous superhero adaptations on television; a bit of a joke 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 … Continue reading Test Pilot: File #45, Batman (1966)
#TVFail Entry 19: Smallville, “Reckoning”
The accused: Smallville, “Reckoning” (Season 5, Episode 12) The crime: Sending its lead character on an aimless, never-ending path of self-loathing How much impact, both positive and negative, can one bad episode have on an entire series? How do long-running series continue onward in the aftermath of an episodic failure? Is it possible that individual, … Continue reading #TVFail Entry 19: Smallville, “Reckoning”
TV Surveillance’s Best of 2011: Nice Words about Series That Didn’t Make My Top 30 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: Nice Words about Series That Didn’t Make My Top 30 of the Year
TV Surveillance’s Best of 2011: The Top Episodes of 2011, 50-1
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: The Top Episodes of 2011, 50-1
TV Surveillance’s Worst of 2011: Most Disappointing Veteran 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: Most Disappointing Veteran Series
#TVFail: Announcing the #TVFail schedule for the first quarter of 2012
This time of the year is a super-busy one for many of us, but if you're a graduate student like me, it's particularly awful. I know, I deserve it. Graduate students are, indeed, the worst. In any event, because much of the next six weeks is going to be filled with dozens of responsibilities and … Continue reading #TVFail: Announcing the #TVFail schedule for the first quarter of 2012
Fall Television Network Preview: The CW
If you’re one of my 11 regular readers, you know that I am very interested in exploring the position and meaning of network strategy and branding. I understand that a lot of people are turned off by any sort of in-depth discussion of a television network’s “brand” and how they cultivate it, but it is … Continue reading Fall Television Network Preview: The CW
Test Pilot: File #22, Northern Exposure
Test Pilot #22: Northern Exposure Debut date: July 12, 1990 Series legacy: One of the most critically acclaimed and beloved dramedies of all-time It’s time for a new theme in the site’s most popular ongoing feature, Test Pilot. The primary reason I started this feature almost a year ago was so that I could have … Continue reading Test Pilot: File #22, Northern Exposure
Post-hiatus musings: I don’t want your stupid movies, cult television
After nearly a month, my fairly substantial hiatus here at TVS is over. I am happy to be back providing content for you folks on a regular basis. In my time off, I’ve missed all sorts of television, both viewing- and writing-wise. To combat that, I’ll be whipping up a number of random posts with … Continue reading Post-hiatus musings: I don’t want your stupid movies, cult television
2010-2011 season wrap: Smallville
With the 2010-2011 television season officially over, I’ll be taking some time over the next week or so to look back on how some of television’s best and worst fared this season. General thoughts: Endings are, of course, difficult to manage. This has to be especially true for a series that has been on the … Continue reading 2010-2011 season wrap: Smallville
Series Finale — Smallville, “Finale”
Here we are at the end of a long, winding and oftentimes bumpy, 10-year road. Smallville is over. As someone who tries to review television objectively, I'll be the first to acknowledge this series' weaknesses, both those within its control and those not. I want to point out all of those things first as to say … Continue reading Series Finale — Smallville, “Finale”
Waiting for Superman: Week five part two: Ranking the episodes of Smallville (again)
With only five more weeks of Smallville, there are mixed emotions in the TVS headquarters. To work out those conflicting feelings, I’ll be writing a pre-episode piece every week from here on out until the final episode on May 13. You can the first five pieces here, here, here, here and here if you missed them. And now we come … Continue reading Waiting for Superman: Week five part two: Ranking the episodes of Smallville (again)
Waiting for Superman, week five part one: Ranking the seasons of Smallville
With only five more weeks of Smallville, there are mixed emotions in the TVS headquarters. To work out those conflicting feelings, I’ll be writing a pre-episode piece every week from here on out until the final episode on May 13. You can the first four pieces here, here, here and here if you missed them. This week, I decided … Continue reading Waiting for Superman, week five part one: Ranking the seasons of Smallville
Smallville, “Prophecy”
This review is going to be really short, as I am short on time, catching up AND have very little to say about this episode. I hate to say this, but it's pretty obvious that Smallville had no business coming back for a full 22-episode final season. I enjoy these characters and like spending time … Continue reading Smallville, “Prophecy”
CORY BARKER 