TV Zone
News, scoops, reviews and more from TV land.
So what exactly is ABC's new 'S.H.I.E.L.D.?'
Photo credit: Getty Images
Well, as far as fall 2013, there is but one series that already commands most (at least of the media's) attention, interest, and word count: This one, "S.H.I.E.L. D," or thenceforth known by it's much longer name, "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'" The addition of "Marvel" to the title is an interesting one, and no doubt geared to the fan base that will begin focusing on this newcomer, and its ties to the historic Marvel franchise, that dates back all the way to the mid-60s when Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's Nick Fury, agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. was introduced via the comic book "Strange Tales." This version is created by a superstar the Comic Con world — Joss Whedon, who needs no introduction — and two other stars, his brother Jed and his wife, Maurissa Tancharoen; both were producers on "Dollhouse," a cult favorite.
Expectations for "S.H.I.E.L.D." are extremely high, and even though ABC is positioning this at what would normally be the unwatchable (for this crowd anyway) hour of 8 p.m. on Tuesday, that is probably not much of a factor because fans will find this newcomer wherever it airs.
Here's what was shown at ABC's upfront yesterday, and what is so notable about this is that it is a trailer . . . as if a major motion picture was being touted. Usually, networks air extended — and well-polished — clip rolls, but this promotion indicates that this will be no ordinary series, but something altogether different. We shall see, but this does look terrific. Here it is if you have not yet seen. Clark Gregg — probably best known to TV viewers from "The New Adventures of Old Christine" — stars.
ABC's fall lineup cuts 'Dancing with the Stars' to one night
Photo credit: AP
"Dancing With the Stars" will be cut back to one night next season, with the Tuesday results show condensed into a two-hour Monday edition, ABC's chief of entertainment, Paul Lee announced yesterday.
Lee said the contraction -- the first in the show's eight years -- was made from a position of strength because the network needed Tuesdays to launch four promising newcomers.
"Dancing" is also aging -- which he acknowledged -- and viewership is down this season, but a single edition would allow producers to better "focus" the show and "really drive viewership," he said.
Here's the new schedule:
MONDAY: "Dancing With the Stars" (8 p.m.); "Castle" (10 p.m.).
TUESDAY: "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D," the Joss Whedon ("The Avengers")- produced thriller based on the comic series; "The Goldbergs" (9 p.m.), about a family in the '80s, with Wendi McClendon-Covey ("Bridesmaids") and Jeff Garlin; "Trophy Wife" (9:30 p.m.), about Pete (Bradley Whitford), his two exes and and his latest wife; "Lucky 7" (10 p.m.), about seven gas station employees in Queens who chip into a lottery pool.
WEDNESDAY: "The Middle" (8 p.m.); "Back in the Game" (8:30 p.m.), with James Caan, as an ex-athlete, whose adult daughter moves back in with him; "Modern Family" (9 p.m.); "Super Fun Night" (9:30 p.m.), with Rebel Wilson, about three women who go out every Friday night; "Nashville"(10 p.m.).
THURSDAY: "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland" (8 p.m.), from the creative team of the Sunday night show "Once Upon a Time"; "Grey's Anatomy" (9 p.m.); "Scandal" (10 p.m.).
FRIDAY: "Last Man Standing" (8 p.m.); "The Neighbors" (8:30 p.m.); "Shark Tank" (9 p.m.); "20/20" (10 p.m.).
SATURDAY: College football
SUNDAY: "America's Funniest Home Videos" (7 p.m.); "Once Upon a Time" (8 p.m.); "Revenge" (9 p.m.); "Betrayal" (10 p.m.), about a couple having an affair, who with their spouses become embroiled in a high-profile murder investigation.
Bill Hader leaving 'Saturday Night Live'
Photo credit: Getty Images
Uh oh. This can't be good. Bill Hader, one of "SNL's" most distinctive players who brought a variety of caricatures, tics, personas, impersonations and generally assorted deranged comic types to the show over the past eight seasons, is leaving, according to a report in Tuesday's New York Times.
Hader's rep confirmed the news shortly after, telling The Associated Press the 34-year-old will end his run after this weekend's season finale.
“It got to a point where I said, ‘Maybe it’s just time to go,” Hader said in the Times' story.
MORE: Latest TV coverage | Reality TV | TV Zone blog | TV Listings
A shame and loss? Indisputably on both counts. Hader is one of those unique "SNL" stars who can command the screen, in his case, simply with the arching of his eyebrows. He's a very funny dude.
This isn't quite of the level of a Kristen Wiig departure, but it's right behind it; plus, Jason Sudeikis and Fred Armisen are continuing their Hamlet-like flirtation with their "SNL" future, wondering whether 'tis nobler to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune by remaining, or to call their agent and get a big screen offer...or maybe even a talk show.
Fox fall schedule: 'Sleepy Hollow' gets big push
Photo credit: Fox
Fox will air one more season -- presumably the last -- of "24" starting late next spring, the network said Monday in advance of its fall 2013 fall schedule announcement.
"The response to '24' is unlike anything I have ever experienced as an actor before," said former "24" lead Kiefer Sutherland, who will reprise Jack Bauer in the new 12-episode series, "24:...
Read more »Fox trailers: 'Sleepy Hollow,' 'Almost Human,' 'Rake'
Photo credit: AP
We have trailers for Fox's new shows right here right now....No reason for me to pass judgment instantly -- okay, the dramas look better than the comedies -- because you can make up your minds for yourselves! You are smart, discerning readers. What do you think...?
In case you missed: Barbara Walters' retirement ... and more
Barbara Walters will retire next summer (you may have heard), and a yearlong celebration (think Oprah's) is about to begin. Here's Monday's announcement on "The View" and Newsday's story in Tuesday's editions.
Meanwhile, thought it was interesting she mentioned (though not by name in the clip) Harry Reasoner so prominently in Monday's announcement. Harry, as you are aware, was one of the founding correspondents of "60 Minutes." (Actually, he and Mike Wallace started the show on the same day, Sept. 24, 1968.) Harry didn't stay there long; he went to ABC News, and then returned in 1978. He was a gifted writer and a huge presence at "60," but he and Barbara were fraught from the beginning. As TV lore has it, he was jealous of her huge salary -- $1 million, then the most for a TV news figure in history, and that was quite a story at the time, too -- hated to have been paired with anyone; and made life miserable for her. It was star-crossed from the beginning and, of course, did not end up working. (That's another blog post for another day, but -- hey! -- we've got a year to catch up.) He went to CBS; she stayed at ABC.
Still, it was particularly interesting watching the old Reasoner clip. Maybe she wasn't bitter after all.... I wonder.
Saying the decision was hers alone and not related to any health-related concerns, Barbara Walters, 83, told the audience of "The View" Monday that she will permanently retire from appearing on television next summer.
That time will mark more than 50 years continuously on the air, beginning with a minor role that eventually grew into a co-hosting one on "The Today Show." "I'm perfectly healthy. This is my decision. I've been thinking about it for a long time. And this is what I want to do,” said Walters matter-of-factly Monday, although she also appeared to leave the door ajar for future appearances on the daytime show she co-created and launched with her production partner, Bill Geddie, in 1997.
"I will continue as co-executive producer as long as the program is aired," while there will be "special occasions when I come back. But I don't want to appear on another program."
And so Monday marked more of a beginning than an end -- a yearlong retrospective and celebration of a remarkable career that began at NBC before former ABC News president Roone Arledge made her the highest-paid person in TV journalism, as co-anchor with Harry Reasoner of ABC's evening news program in 1976. The pairing was not successful, but her career at ABC has been been historic: a founding host of "20/20;" a globetrotting newswoman who scored some of the most famous interviews in TV history, and an independent producer who launched her own company that would supply ABC's entertainment division with some of its most popular interview programs for decades. "We've been together a long time," she said, addressing the TV audience. "My cup runneth over. I thank you thank you thank you..."
NBC: New show trailers
Photo credit: AP
Here's a brief tour of NBC's new fall lineup, clip-style.
You be the judge: Would you watch any of these newcomers?
Meanwhile, James Spader's "The Blacklist" was first posted last night and has already racked up nearly 2 million views. That has to be good, right?
...
Read more »Jack Bauer to return: Fox announces '24: Live Another Day'
Photo credit: Getty Images
Yes, Jack Bauer had unfinished business and now he'll have 12 episodes to finish it. Fox has officially announced the return of "24," with Kiefer Sutherland onboard, of course. His series "Touch" was ended Friday, and the long-aborning "24" movie now appears to be permanently on ice. For fans of course, a final TV run is much preferred anyway.
Fox Entertainment chief, Kevin Reilly, told the press a little while ago the return of "24" will begin May 2014 — which means this will be a summer series — saying it will be "compressed" over 12 weeks.
The title: "24: Live another Day"
“The response to ‘24’ is unlike anything I have ever experienced as an actor before,” said Sutherland in a statement. “To have the chance to reunite with the character, Jack Bauer, is like finding a lost friend. The story ideas from Howard Gordon are exciting and fresh, and will not disappoint. Great thanks to 20th Century Fox Television, Imagine Television and the FOX network for this opportunity. Make no mistake, my goal is to knock your socks off. See you soon.”
Howard Gordon is the man behind this rebirth: He's also "Homeland's" showrunner.
“Jack Bauer has always been an exciting, thrilling character, and I confess that I’ve missed him. I think the audience has too,” he said in a statement. “The character has evolved through the years, and this new and exciting event series format is perfect to tell the next chapter of his story and continue to reflect how the world is changing. Fans can rest assured that the Jack they know and love will be back.”
Where will this project land? Obviously Monday would be the most likely day, perhaps at 8 p.m., even though 9 would be optimum. "Sleepy Hollow" has that real estate for the fall, and "The Following" has it next spring. "Bones" will be holding down 8 only for a little while, which is why a May-into-summer run makes sense. Plus, at 12 hours, Jack effectively has one last half of a day to finish the run.
The series ended three years ago — May 24, 2010, to be exact.
Now the questions of who will return? Obviously, Mary Lynn Rajskub would need to be on board too, right?
The Bluths are back: 'Arrested Development' trailer
Photo credit: Fox
"Arrested Development," which has been gone a decade, will soon will be back: May 26 to be exact.
In the meantime, let's all check out the brand new trailer . . . the first, in fact:
Barbara Walters makes it official: Leaving next summer
Photo credit: Getty Images
Barbara Walters -- who is clearly in no hurry to find the exit -- finally announced a little while ago that she will leave "The View" and her multiple other gigs "next summer."
Yes, a year away (and always time to change one's mind, too).
“I am very happy with my decision and look forward to a wonderful and special year ahead both on ‘The View’ and with ABC News. I created ‘The View’ and am delighted it will last beyond my leaving it.”
She'll stay on even after next summer as showrunner.
And as you know, executive producers of major shows like "The View" have a habit of turning up on the air now and then.
So is this really a retirement?
Per her announcement, “I do not want to appear on another program or climb another mountain,” she says. “I want instead to sit on a sunny field and admire the very gifted women—and okay, some men, too—who will be taking my place.”
Walters -- whom we have all known a very long time -- is not someone to "sit on a sunny field."
Therefore, let's just enjoy her "last" year along with her.
(Meanwhile, this all broke weeks ago, and Babs was highly reluctant to confirm any of it, even though everyone else did. Ergo, is there a certain ambivalence one may read in these words of hers?)
