Veronica Moves On

Kristen Bell is now in Heroes! Yes, Heroes.

Better than LOST.

Better than a non-existent 4th Season of Veronica Mars.

Love to see her again on TV. Can't wait to see her until Fanboys come rolling in.

Thanks to Mike Ausiello for the K-Bell interview.

Previewing Fall

You don't have to be a genius to know that some of the shows that are going to debut this fall had been leaked on the internet. Heck, Entertainment Weekly had written a list of the shows leaked last week! All you had to do was read.

So, to save me some time and headache, I found myself scouring youtube and other outlets for shows I might be viewing this fall. Two shows I previewed are Kevin Smith's Reaper and ABC's Chuck.

Reaper is a story of Sam, a slacker who found out on his 21st birthday that his parents promised him to the devil once he turned legal. Feeling doomed, he asks the Big Dog what he had to do now that he has to some indebted servitude to fulfill. Satan says that all he had to do was to collect the souls of Hell escapees. Apparently, a few of them broke free from the portals of hell so now Sam is tasked to "collect" these prison breakers. Overwhelmed, he seeks counsel from his friends, Soc and Ben when he gets 'gifted' with a Dirt Devil (hehehe) to capture his first escapee.

Well, Sam had to deal with that, and the fact that cute co-worker with ambition is apparently crushing on him. What's a loser like him supposed to do?

Truly, it's a "Dead Like Me" only without Mandy Patinkin as the task giver.

I like it. It's humorous and I can see how this can be a series. I don't think it would last no more than 2-3 seasons if it gets much viewers since you could just have so many episodes of slacker collecting souls for the demon and not find anything wrong with it. Sam finds on the first episode that he has a purpose other than working in a box store like Home Depot, and that he likes it. Is it worth a season worth of episodes? You be the judge.

Grade: B+

Chuck, like Reaper, is a story of a computer nerd (not geek) who does tech support for customers in a box company like Circuit City. On his birthday, his old Stanford roommate (who also happened to be the guy that took off with his ex-girlfriend) sends him an encoded email.

Opening the email had unleashed a governmental Pandora's Box. Before he knew it, he could "read" signs, news reports, subliminal messages, etc, that apparently affect the world as we know it. CIS and FBI and the CIA are after him, or as the premiere episode shows, his computer, since they thought they could keep top secret information from being intercepted by retrieving the email Chuck's old roomie sent.

Other than the fact that like Reaper, both characters learn something on their birthdays, have connections to people in Stanford or trying to get into Stanford, and are slackers that suddenly find a sudden purpose in life, these shows could've been swapped and no one would know any better. Sure, Chuck is trying to serve a higher purpose by involving espionage but man, since Jake 2.0, it's rather hard to really root for a nerd knowing that their shelf life is rather short... Or that it's available on better written shows like Ugly Betty.

Also, if you know anything about computer hardware, the first episode is a little tough to watch. A ninja tries to steal Chuck's tower, saying that the computer was destroyed when actually, the CASE was ruined but the hard drive wasn't. The fact that Chuck laments the same sentiment when he's supposedly a computer nerd is annoying and disturbing.

High points? Captain Awesome. Everyone has a Captain Awesome in their life... And you just can never achieve that level of "awesomeness" no matter what you do. (Puke, puke)

But then again, you have to view it to judge.

Grade: B

Like Reaper, there's just so much you can write about a reluctant hero/anti-hero. How much you can stomach the shows is what's going to keep them from being axed and having a season replacement debut before the month's over.

The one thing I can guarantee is that these shows are definitely more interesting than Cavemen, which is also downloadable... But aren't getting much bite even for a leaked show.

Best Week Ever Clip

Because I have nothing better to do than stalk this guy:

John Mayer Sings Chocolate Rain

Posted Yesterday

John Mayer drops by the Best Week Ever studio to give a heartfelt rendition of his new favorite song: "Chocolate Rain."

Heroes, Anyone?

Apparently, Kevin Smith does!

A John Mayer PSA: Calling Out All Idiots

Last Sunday, one of the numerous John Mayer blogs (this specifically was on livejournal) brought up the fact that there were 63 teenagers corralled and booked for underage drinking, possession of marijuana and possession and use of illegal substances.

The thought was really sad that kids find it necessary to enhance an experience that was pretty cool enough watching stone cold sober. Not that this practice is new, by any standard, but it's still disheartening.

Fast forward to Tuesday. Apparently, Uncle John himself addressed the issue. I busted up laughing.

Kudos to a man who takes the time to give a PSA to morons like the 55 Kyles. I surely would like to see photos of anyone he sharpies or teabags. Truly awesome.

His other PSA that I love (and I wish he posts it on his MySpace) is his encouragement to have wannabe performers to get off MySpace and actually make a solid song; a solid hit. THEN spend time at MySpace.

Thanks to my brother, Chicken Scratch for the heads up. Anyone looking for a gifted guitarist in the Seattle area should drop him a note. You won't be disappointed.

John Mayer's The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Here's what happens in the day of the life of a Shopkeep when she's liberated from the Monster.

Here's What May Come of Fall (Regular TV, Of Course)

Seriously, NOTHING has really replaced my usual Tuesday combo TV habit of Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars. With the exception of Heroes and my Thursday line-up, here's what I am going to keep an eye on. As usual, elimination comes after third viewing... or until my interests hold up. You know how that can get... Or until the Kid actually allows me to watch.

MONDAYS
8;30 Aliens in America- Just because I need something stimulatingly stupid to convince me there is something else to watch
9:00 Heroes

TUESDAYS
9:00 Reaper- It's a Kevin Smith show. I will give it at least a shot.

WEDNESDAYS
8:00 Pushing Daisies- This has an interesting premise.
9:00 Private Practice- Slow when I first watched it as a Grey's Anatomy suppliment. However, it can devolve from here.
10:00 DirtySexyMoney- I never thought that I would watch a Donald Sutherland show. But then I like Peter Krause. Premise is rather interesting.

THURSDAYS
8:00 Ugly Betty
9:00 Grey's Anatomy
10:00Big Shots- Because it's interesting to see 4 ment act like women... And Michael Vartan and Chris Titus are in it.

FRIDAYS
9:00 Moonlight- I know it's almost an Angel ripoff but Logan, I mean, Jason Dohring is in it.
10:00 Numb3rs

Midseason replacements were not easy to spot. However, one show I am looking forward to watching Rob Thomas' new project, Miss Guided.

The other shows I will continue taping and watching on off times are Thursdays' Supernatural at 9 pm and Men In Trees at 10pm.

Two shows I may consider watching if time permits (or my dissatisfaction with all things CW or Amy Sherman-Palladino) are
Wednesdays' The Return of Jezebel James which is on the Fox network at 8:30 pm and Gossip Girl at 9:00 pm.

What will you be watching?

Chick Music and My Possible Fall Viewing

Since the arrival of the Midget, I haven't dedicated much time to my hobby of critiquing music. It's not like I have stopped listening to music (heaven forbid) but I've not really found ANYONE that's worth listening to in full rotation. Is it because music had all of a sudden sucked? Hmm, no. Maybe my particular tastes have just changed. just maybe.

Let's take for example chick rock. Okay, I really don't mean to slam my gender but I've got to start somewhere.

I haven't really found any American act that I like. I was hoping that the latest Kelly Clarkson album "My December" would kind of waken the chick rocker in me. Unfortunately, it didn't. I cannot say that the album sucked. It actually is good comparing it to today's contemporary sound but I cannot get into it like I did "Breakaway". I know, you all are raising eyebrows at me, lapping up the pop sound she produced, but hey, I am guilty to admit that I find inspiration running to her tune, "Walk Away". Some of the songs on "My December" were good, despite being repetitive. It suffers what I call "Evanescence disease". It's still on rotation on my iPod but it's not often played.

Same goes for Canuck Avril Lavigne. Her "Best Damn Thing" album is not anywhere as angry as her previous albums. It is very noticeable that the grrrrl in her had been awaken by her hubby, Deryck Whibley, and that's okay, I guess if you want to really listen to her being happy and sappy. The songs produced/co-written by Butch Walker are evident, a lot angrier, more rock-infused, but not enough to resurrect the angry in me.

My last hope was Pink's "I'm Not Dead". Released in 2006, the slow simmering album had not become noticeable until the masturbation-friendly song "U+UR Hand" had become a staple in radio Top 40. I've had this album awhile, since I've bought it for the song, "Stupid Girls". I am embarrassed to admit that the only reason I have gone back to listening to the album again is because of the song "Who Knew" which was used as the promotional track to the sappy ABC TV Show "October Road".

If I was smart, I would've listened to "I'm Not Dead" through my moment of musical drought.

******************oooo0---0oooo*********************

TV SHOWS:

With Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars cleared from my TV listings, I am looking for my current drug. Thursdays so far is going to remain in tact with Ugly Betty (yay for Freddy Rodriguez as a probable love interest to the Betty/Henry hook-up) and Grey's Anatomy following it. Men In Trees are going to follow suit especially if it still would be following these 2 shows.

So what might I be watching?

I will be waiting in anticipation for the shows Pushing Daisies (ABC) and Reaper (CW, the network I am not really fond of since April). Aliens in America looks promising but I don't think I will at least try to catch it on rerun before adding it to my "taped" list.

I may watch Dirty Sexy Money (ABC) just because Chris Titus is in it. Will it be good? I don't know. I am not the most informed viewer... I might also catch Return of Jezebel James (FOX) because I am a sucker for pain. Written by Amy Sherman-Palladino, I will watch it just because I am fond of her writing style, plus Lauren Ambrose, an actor I like, is in it. It should be a win-win in this case.

Other than that, I guess I will be waiting for Veronica Mars Season 3 to come out on DVD to relive my LoVe moments. I know, I am pitiful for not falling for the Pizonica love affair but as much as I like Piz, I think he's too good for my Marshmallow. Only the Logan can keep the mallow melting. Yes, I know I have declared my love for the Troy-meister too but he decided to play in another alter-universe (Smallville) that I don't watch. *Sigh* The times I am upset with myself for choosing TV shows that have a relatively short shelf life.

Mika, You're My Hero

BAF Song List, Part 2

If you need more musical musings, here's the list by Fickle Me:

A Summer Listing

For the Build-A-Fic challenge, here's some musical inspiration.

Moving On-- TV edition

Another reason to tune in. Here's a little news from Ausiello:

Rumor: Men in Trees has hired former Gilmore Girls exec producer David Rosenthal.
Fact. He'll be a consulting producer, serving as MIT creator Jenny Bicks' "number two."

It's nice to know that Rosenthal is actually doing something that has legs of its own and a romance beat that he probably would be comfortable helming. He may only be serving as a consulting producer but I think he'll thrive in this environment.

A lot of people were upset when DR tried to resuscitate life into the last season of GG but he was shoved against a corner, in a spot that any talented writer/producer would have a hard time tigging themselves out of especvially if they're not the original producers/writers. Case in point X-Men 3. DISASTER.

At least the writers/producers of my former favorite shows have found solace in other places. Rob Thomas has Miss/Guided, Mark Piznarski (who Piz was named after in VM) has moved on to Friday Night Lights and Gossip Girl and of course, AS-P has her baby The Return of Jezebel James this fall.

Here's to interesting TV this fall!

Veronica Mars Still Lives On

Finally, CW has dropped the hammer and nailed in the last spike in the coffin. Veronica Mars as a TV show is dead.

Not that we had a chance, I guess. After 3 years of low viewership thanks to local channels airing baseball games, covering news and changing time slots without warning, the loyal fans had to rely on DVD, iTunes and piracy to get their hands on the latest chapter of the Neptune High gang.

It is sad to see the show go but Rob Thomas promised that Veronica Mars as we know it is not DEAD. Right now, he's trying to work out a deal with DC comics to keep our detective thriving. And he's still pumped up with making a feature film featuring our girl, Ronnie.

So we get to see her live on.

Now if we could just get more information on Miss/Guided, I will be really happy.

Kristin Bell Missing Veronica

It's nice to hear that Kristen Bell has fond memories of her character, Veronica.

I wish certain actors (someone I won't mention but was on the TV show Gilmore Girls) would be a little more appreciative of the shows that made them who they are on the TV screen and help them transition into movies.

Since we're on GG topics, here's a new interview with Lauren Graham courtesy of Capitol File Magazine.

Uhm, as a side note, did you know that Milo Ventimiglia isn't the only Hero that appeared in Gilmore Girls? Hiro nakamura (yes, Masi Oka) was in Gilmore Girls too!

I happen to stumble on the episode where Lorelai drags Rory into the road trip to Harvard. Guess wh Rory was discussing with in the lecture hall? Yep, you guessed it, mister "Yata!" himself.

Heehee... Made me all gooey.

Movies to Look Forward to:

Fanboy
Evan Almighty
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Yay! Amber Tamblyn and America Ferrera)

A Frakkin' Heart Attack Support

Veronica Mars may come to a big screen near you!!!

Could This Really Happen?

I may still love AS-P as I read this in Ask Ausiello:

Question: So, what gives? There is no way you could still be at Fox's upfront party. Did you track down AS-P, and, if so, what were the final four words she had in mind for Gilmore Girls?— Katrina
Ausiello: OK, here's the deal: Yes, I tracked her down, but, no, she did not cough up those elusive four words. But wait — there's more. And it's good. No, amazing. No, un-frakkin'-believable. Amazing, even. Wait, did I say that already? Well, it's true. Because just as I was about to brand her a big ol' promise-breaker right there in front of all those industry types, Amy explained why she couldn't divulge her long-ago-planned Gilmore ending. (Gilmore fanatics: This is the time in Sprockets when you either lean on a heavy object or just sit down.) In the next year or two, she hopes to make — wait for it — a two-hour Gilmore Girls TV-movie that ties up all those loose threads! I nearly fell over when she said it — especially given what she told me back in December. (BTW, lest you think Amy was pulling my leg, her partner in life and in showbiz, Dan Palladino, confirmed that a GG reunion pic is something they're interested in pursuing.) And I wasn't the only one floored by this development. "She said what?" gasped Scott Patterson after I relayed the information to him over the phone. "I didn't think she would be interested in doing something like that. But if she says she is, I would seriously consider it." Alexis Bledel was equally stunned. "A Gilmore Girls reunion?" she said with a laugh. "That's certainly not something I had thought of doing. That's really funny, I have no idea how I would feel in a few years. I don't know, I'm sure the script Amy would write would be great, but I guess I'd have to read it and see how I felt at the time." Last but not least, Lauren Graham e-mailed me late last night to say, "Could be a fun idea if everyone wanted to do it. I would do it just to get the four final words out of Amy. They torture me." Stand by for a comment from Warner Bros. big cheese Peter Roth. In the meantime, head over to the Ask Ausiello Discussion Thread and start brainstorming campaign slogans!


NOW: If we could also hear a commitment from Rob Thomas to do a mini movie of VM!

Kirk's Fading Memory

There isn't a better way to say goodbye to Gilmore Girls like Kirk does. So let's hear what his favorite moments are!

Me and My Computer Weep

My computer connection died this morning. I should've known that Moses didn't want me to find out the hard way that Veronica Mars is dead.

It goes to show that CW is not going for class. It is going for the lowest common denominator. The network is not keen to keeping its cerebral viewers. Apparently, CW should be renamed as ADD network: the channel that only appeals to 12 year old boys and girls. It is sad. Sad that I have to subject myself to watching the big 3 this fall. I cannot even say that I am going to really stick around for my Supernatural boys. That I just watch when it's downloaded on the computer.

However, I am rather impressed by Rob Thomas for saying NO THANKS to CW's big brother, CBS, in producing the mystery Broadway show Viva Laughlin which also happens to be produced by my hunky love Hugh Jackman. Way to go!!!

Please join me in saying goodbye to the town of Neptune, murders, mysteries, quirky comebacks and all things marshmellowy. We will miss you.

Here's a little tribute to the show and how a ton of us found ourselves rooting for Logan and Veronica in the first season of the show. This is Troubled Times by Fountains of Wayne.

Enjoy!

The Rest of the TV Line-Up and Saving VM

ABC's Fall Line-Up had been revealed and I am so glad to see what happens to Betty and her family next season. Ugly Betty was never on the chopping block but it's nice to see that American viewers like this quirky show that doesn't fall for the usual slapstick routine comedies like this are known for. Men on Trees also had been picked up, which is another show I follow. Pushing Daisies and Cavemen are the only 2 shows from this network that I might visit this coming fall. Private Practice is still on the "eh" part for me.

As for CBS' Line-Up, they were playing it safe. Canceling Jericho, it had kept most of its older shows like How I Met Your Mother, Ghost Whisperer and Numb3rs. The new Rob Thomas show Viva Laughlin will debut, which I might watch.

Fox on the other hand will obviously keep the American Idol alive. They also ordered another batch of Jack Bauer's series 24. But for the most part, they have a handful of shows they plan to bring to light. One of them is The Return of Jezebel James, the AS-P show that I would love to hate. However, it's got one of my favorite actress, Lauren Ambrose. Will I watch? We'll see.

Lastly, CW's Line-Up left me pissed. Pray I don't have to throw a rock at my TV screen. As I am glad that Supernatural was renewed (my Jensen heart is jumping), Dawn Ostroff and the CW company is getting some serious calls from Veronica Mars fans who didn't see the show in its line-up. According to Ask Ausiello the company has until June 15 to make a decision in regard to the show. So, if you want to keep Veronica Mars on the TV waves, please call the CW Viewer Comment Line at (818) 977-6878.

So, that's the TV line up for you. Comments? Suggestions?

Saving CW

Only a TV Network can screw things up badly. But as EW commemorates GG walking off to the sunset, and maybe the untimely demise of VM, here's a little something they came up with to keep the Logan love going.