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Buzz In: What Are You Still Watching?

BuzzSugar — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 07:00:00 -0800

It happens every fall: All the new series premiere, and I get overly ambitious, loading up my TiVo with any new show that sounds remotely interesting. But six weeks into the TV season, the truth is settling in: I'm never going to get around to watching some of these series.

So I'm wondering, Buzz readers: What shows have earned a permanent spot on your "must watch" list — and which have you dropped like hot potatoes since the start of the season? Do you love any shows you thought you'd hate? Do you hate any shows you thought you'd love? And did you have to let go of any old favorites to make a space for up-and-comers on your viewing schedule?

Source

What Was Your Favorite New Show This Week?

BuzzSugar — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 11:00:00 -0700

Most of the new shows premiered last week, but the networks still gave us a few more newbies this time around. Which of this week's new shows was your favorite?

What Was Your Favorite New Show This Week?

BuzzSugar — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 11:00:39 -0700

Most of the major networks' new series premiered this week, to varying degrees of success. Which of the week's new shows was your favorite?

Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 08:00:38 -0700

Hooray for "Ugly Betty"'s Becki Newton! Check out my interview with the thoughtful and funny lady. Also, did you notice how funny Tyler Labine was in "Reaper" this week? I interviewed him, too!
Welcome back, fall TV! Want to weigh in on what you thought of this week's wave of season premieres? Check out my rundowns of this week's "Heroes," "House," "Private Practice," "Reaper," "The Office," "Grey's Anatomy," "Chuck" and "Ugly Betty." If you watched closely this week and think you know your stuff, take my TV quiz!
Speaking of fall, get in the mood for the chilly season with Matt Pond PA's distinctly autumnal album Last Light. I think it's pretty darn great.
Tell me: in this hypothetical situation, who would you cast in a modern remake of Fast Times at Ridgemont High?
Natalie Portman and Jason Schwartzman star in Hotel Chevalier, Wes Anderson's short film that is now available for free on iTunes.
What's your favorite one-liner from TV or movies? I had a hard time choosing between "I'll have what she's having" (When Harry Met Sally) and "May the Force be with you" (Star Wars).

BuzzSugar's Fall 2007 TV Schedule

BuzzSugar — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:32:27 -0700

With all the fall TV shows starting these days, it's hard to keep track of what's on when. So we at the Sugar Network have decided to make your life a little easier by putting together a handy guide to the networks' primetime shows. You can download and print a pretty PDF file, or you can check out the clickable HTML version that takes you straight to everything we've written about the shows. Pop and I have even marked a few of our favorites to help you choose. Check out the schedules below, and get watching!


Click here for the PDF		Click here for the HTML

Fall TV Preview: The TV Bloggers' Cheat Sheet

BuzzSugar — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 10:29:49 -0700

As we move into the heart of the fall TV season, my friends at The TV Addict and TapeWorthy asked a group of great TV bloggers to rank which of the fall shows were must-sees and which looked like must-skips. The result: This cheat sheet with a baker's dozen opinions on each of the pilots.

BuzzSugar, DaemonsTV, Ducky Does TV, Give Me My Remote, Glowy Box, Mikey Likes TV, Scooter McGavin, Silly Pipe Dreams, Seat42f, TapeWorthy, The TV Addict, TiFaux and Tube Talk rated each of the shows. We were unanimous in our love for "Pushing Daisies," while "Bionic Woman" and "The Big Bang Theory" were a bit more divisive. To check out the full chart, just

Which New Comedy is Most Likely to Succeed?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 07:15:00 -0700

Last week, I asked you which new comedy will be canceled the fastest, and the consensus was pretty firmly in favor of "Cavemen." Let's see if the results are as unanimous this time: Which of these comedies is most likely to be a breakout hit?

Watch the "Friday Night Lights" Premiere Online Now!

BuzzSugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 09:30:00 -0700

I was totally bummed when I saw that "Friday Night Lights" wasn't returning till October, so imagine my joy when I learned that I don't have to wait after all: The full episode is streaming right now on Yahoo! TV. The episode is only online till Sunday, so I'll have to decide pretty quickly if I need to watch now or if I can hold out for the official premiere.

Meanwhile, for those of you still on the fence about the show, check out this column from Bill Simmons, a writer for ESPN. Sure, his normal domain is sports and not television, but when someone says "If you like to watch TV, you wouldn't knowingly turn your back on a great show" and then calls the series "the best date show ever," I certainly take notice.

Meanwhile, if you're still looking for pilots online, "Chuck" can be seen on Yahoo! TV, "The Big Bang Theory" is on Yahoo! and on iTunes, and "Life" is on AOL TV. Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of NBC

Run Your Own TV Network with TV Bigshot

BuzzSugar — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:20:50 -0700

Ever look at a network's TV schedule and think you could do so, so much better? TV Bigshot is giving you a chance to prove it.

The game, from the minds behind Television Without Pity, is basically Fantasy TV Executive: You get a budget of $300 million to "buy" shows for your network, and you earn points based on how well each show does in the ratings. As the season goes on, you can dump shows that aren't doing well and pick up others that you think are about to take off. There are a bunch of monthly challenges with prizes attached, and at the end of the TV season, the person with the most points will win $100,000.

I've already set up the BuzzSugar network and spent most of my $300 million budget on shows — some of which I think will do well long-term, others of which I'm just using to earn some quick cash. Molly and Pop are playing, too. To see what's on my roster,

Fall TV Preview: Five Cliffhangers I Can't Wait to See Resolved

BuzzSugar — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 08:30:00 -0700

I've given you the lowdown on the new shows heading to TV this fall, but, of course, a bunch of old favorites are also returning. Some of them left us in the lurch last spring, so today I'm listing off the top five cliffhangers that have me waiting eagerly for the shows to premiere.

5. "House"
One of my few problems with "House" has been that every episode is basically the same, but boy, is that about to change after the season finale that left House without a team. I already got a glimpse of what's coming at the TCA press tour, but I still can't wait to see where the old crew ends up and watch Hugh Laurie act the hell out of his character's search for new help.

4. "Desperate Housewives"
Usually when we talk about "cliffhangers," we're not being literal. But in the case of "Desperate Housewives," the term is a little too close for comfort, as we wrapped up last season with Edie's attempted suicide, among other dark matters (Lynette's cancer diagnosis, etc.) Is Edie really gone? Will she live on as Wisteria Lane's new ghost-narrator? And will the show's new neighbors bring some whimsy along with them?

Three more great cliffhangers, so

Which New Drama is Most Likely to Succeed?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 05:30:00 -0700

Last week, I asked you to predict which of this fall's new dramas would be canceled fastest. That's pretty bleak, so let's focus on the positive for a minute instead: Which of the dramas do you think has the best chance to make it big?

Fall TV Preview: Pilot Watch Roundup

BuzzSugar — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 08:15:00 -0700

I've told you about the five new shows I'll be watching this fall, as well as five I'll probably skip and five more that I'm not sure about. But that doesn't cover all the new shows heading to TV this fall. All summer, I've been tracking the pilots in my pilot watch feature, and now, if you're curious about a particular show, you can just click on its name below to see my take:

The Comedies

"The Big Bang Theory"

"The Return of Jezebel James" (midseason)

For the dramas,

TV Tonight: "Prison Break" and "K-Ville"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:03:01 -0700

Fox is using Sunday's Emmy awards to dive headfirst into the Fall TV season. Technically, I suppose things kicked off with Friday's premiere of "Nashville," but tonight the heat is really on with the start of the season's first new scripted drama and the return of a fan favorite.

"Prison Break" kicks things off at 8 p.m., and I know a lot of Buzz readers are ready for it. I always thought of "Prison Break" as a show with a premise that could last only one season — two at most — so I'm amazed to see it headed into its third installment, seemingly stronger than ever. This season finds the guys needing to break out again, this time because they're trapped in a notorious Panamanian prison, and I'm curious to find out how they squirm out of their predicament this time.

Tonight also brings the premiere of "K-Ville," a show I'm finding myself rooting for despite being somewhat disappointed by the pilot. The show is filmed in New Orleans, and its cast and crew have been exploring the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina both on screen and in their daily lives. The physical and psychological effects of disaster lie at the heart of "K-Ville," and no doubt there's a lot of emotional territory to be mined there. But the pilot wrapped up stories too quickly for my taste and fell victim to a hearty dose of cop-show cliches. A bright spot, though, was Anthony Anderson's performance as disillusioned cop Martin Boulet, which earned the show at least a few more weeks on my viewing schedule.

To watch a clip from tonight's episode of "Prison Break" and a trailer for "K-Ville," just

Fall TV Preview: Five New Shows to Watch

BuzzSugar — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 08:30:00 -0700

All summer long, I've been giving you my first impressions of the networks' new shows. Now, with fall TV upon us, it's time to tell you which shows are deserving of space on your TiVo and which ... well, aren't. Last week I told you about five shows I'll be skipping this fall and five that I think are total tossups. Today brings my favorite of the lists: the five shows that I think are most likely to earn a season pass on my TiVo.

5. "Gossip Girl" — Many of you have already gotten a chance to weigh in on "Gossip Girl," which certainly ranks among the fall's most highly anticipated shows. Like "The OC," which made "Gossip Girl" co-creator Josh Schwartz famous, "Gossip Girl" is all about the plight of super-rich kids who drink too much and make bad choices, and if you're not generally a fan of teen shows, "Gossip Girl" probably won't change your mind. But beyond the soapy exterior lurks an appealing (and generally age-appropriate) cast and an immensely popular book series from which any number of tantalizing stories can be drawn. I'm not sure it's the next "OC" quite yet, but the potential is there.

4. "Reaper" — "Reaper," a dude comedy from two women who earned their chops as writers on "Law & Order: SVU," could become one of the CW's first big breakout hits. Kevin Smith's influence can be felt all over the pilot, which showcases leading man Bret Harrison and hilarious sidekick Tyler Labine as a couple of unlikely heroes who work as bounty hunters for the devil. It's an unlikely premise, but it's got smart execution and humor to spare. But maybe the greatest thing about "Reaper" is the casting of Ray Wise as Satan himself; one look at that creepy smile, and I was sold.

For the top three I'll be watching,

Buzz In: Which TV Shows Had Great First Episodes?

BuzzSugar — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 12:00:00 -0700

The fall TV season is officially upon us, with the first new drama of the season — Fox's "K-Ville" — premiering Monday night. Finally, everyone will get to see the pilot episodes I've been watching all summer! One thing about pilots is that they can be misleading: Some series with bad pilots have gone on to be great shows, while some shows with great pilots never really worked as series.

So, in honor of all the first episodes we'll be watching over the next couple of weeks, I wanted to ask about your favorite first episodes — the ones that really sucked you in and made you know the show would be one for you to watch. Last fall's premiere of "Friday Night Lights" was like that for me, as was the first episode of "Grey's Anatomy," which is still one of my top five sob-inducing TV moments. What are yours?

Source

Which New Comedy will be Canceled the Fastest?

BuzzSugar — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 08:00:00 -0700

After all the anticipation of the fall TV pilots comes the inevitable bloodbath, when network executives realize that certain series just aren't going to make it. So I'm asking you guys to help me out with a little fall TV deathwatch, predicting which series will get to air the fewest number of episodes before being canceled. Today: the comedies.

Which New Drama will be Canceled the Fastest?

BuzzSugar — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 11:00:37 -0700

See "Gossip Girl" Free Right Now! No, Really. Right Now!

BuzzSugar — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 10:30:45 -0700

If you've been waiting all summer to see how Josh Schwartz does with the steamy, soapy "Gossip Girl," wait no more! The first episode of the show is being offered free right now on the iTunes Music Store. The show premieres Wednesday at 9 p.m., but why wait? If you download it, be sure to come back here and tell me what you think.

A number of other networks have also made selected pilots available for free, so for good measure, here's a list of what's out and how to find it:

All four of NBC's pilots are available On Demand through many cable providers and can be downloaded through Amazon's Unbox service. All but "Bionic Woman" also can be rented at Blockbuster. "Chuck" is now online at Yahoo! TV.
If you fly on American Airlines this month, you'll get a chance to watch the pilots for CBS' "Cane" and "The Big Bang Theory."
Fox is streaming "Nashville" online ahead of its premiere tonight.

In the next week or two, I'm sure more shows will become available early for free. If you find one, let me know and I'll add it to this list!

Photo courtesy of The CW

Fall TV Preview: Five Total Toss-ups

BuzzSugar — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 06:30:00 -0700

All summer long, I've been giving you my first impressions of the networks' new shows. Now, with fall TV upon us, it's time to tell you which shows are deserving of space on your TiVo and which ... well, aren't. Yesterday, I told you about five shows I'll be skipping this fall, and on Monday, I'll be revealing my top five picks for the season. But today, I'm focusing on the shows that could go either way, just as likely to become megahits as they are to sink like stones.

5. "Bionic Woman" — "Bionic" has seen quite a bit of upheaval since the pilot I saw was filmed. One supporting part (the bionic woman's younger sister) has been recast and reconceived, and — just within the past couple of weeks — one of the executive producers left the show. In the version of the pilot I saw, lead actress Michelle Ryan didn't seem to have the sort of fearless toughness you'd want in an action star, and the whole thing seemed surprisingly low-energy. But now, "Friday Night Lights" producer Jason Katims will be consulting on the show, and NBC has ensured a steady stream of publicity by hiring Isaiah Washington for a guest spot. I'm still not confident about this remake, but I think it has an equal chance of being a breakout hit and a flop.

4. "Carpoolers" — I'm really of two minds about "Carpoolers." On the one hand, the whole idea of inane car banter is why I try not to catch rides with casual acquaintances. On the other hand, this pilot made me laugh surprisingly hard, and I'm finding myself rooting for it. The writing may not be completely there yet, but the comic timing from funny guys like Jerry O'Connell, Jerry Minor, Fred Goss, and potential breakout star TJ Miller gives me hope — as does that Phil Collins video. I'm not sure if I see it getting more than a "Knights of Prosperity"-sized following, but if enough people give it a chance, maybe it will be a small hit.

Three more tossups — plus a brand-new clip of the first few minutes of one of them — so

Fall TV Preview: Five New Shows to Skip

BuzzSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 07:30:00 -0700

5. "Life" — I was into the premise of this show about a detective who gets sentenced to life in prison and rejoins the police force after his wrongful conviction is overturned. But the show itself was such a bundle of cop-show cliches and random quirks that it was already grating on me by 10 minutes into the pilot. Lead actor Damian Lewis gives his best shot, but if the writers want to create a "House"-style misanthrope, they're going to have to do more than make him wax poetic about fruit all the time.

4. "Viva Laughlin" — I once declared this musical drama the pilot I most wanted to see ... but then I actually saw it. What a bummer. I thought it would be a fun, cheesy, over-the-top hit. In reality, the musical numbers that didn't involve Hugh Jackman fell flat, and the dialogue was cringe-worthy. I still hold out hope that it could get better, but I doubt it's going to be on the air long enough to improve.

Three more to be wary of, so

Fall TV's Five Toughest Tradeoffs

BuzzSugar — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 07:30:00 -0700

"What am I going to watch tonight?" Come the start of fall TV this month, that question gets infinitely more complicated. New shows will duke it out with returning favorites for TiVo space, and some of my favorites will go head-to-head. A gal can only watch one thing at once, so here are the toughest tradeoffs of my fall TV schedule so far — and how I plan to solve them.

No. 5: "Chuck" vs. "How I Met Your Mother" & "Aliens in America" (Mondays, 8-9 p.m.) — "Chuck," one of my favorite new shows, is battling against the underappreciated comedy "How I Met Your Mother," which I've pledged to watch this season, and "Aliens in America," one of the most intriguing new shows. Which has more pull: My goofy TV crush on Zachary Levi, or my curiosity about where "Aliens" will go? Solution: Zach wins, at least so far. I'll watch "Chuck" live and TiVo the other two.

No. 4: "Reaper" vs. "House" (Tuesdays, 9-10 p.m.) — Cranky doctors, or the cranky devil? This one's a tough call. "House" had one of the better cliffhangers of the season last year, ending with House's entire team gone; "Reaper" was one of the most fun pilots I watched. I'll watch them both, but which comes first? Solution: At the start of the season, "House" comes first, but once things get back to normal at PPH, I might switch over to "Reaper."

For the rest of my tradeoffs, just

When Does It Start? BuzzSugar's Guide to Fall TV

BuzzSugar — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 11:00:00 -0700

Get out your markers, your calendars, and your TiVo remotes: It's time for BuzzSugar's big ol' list of fall TV premieres. A couple of caveats: 1) premiere dates are subject to change, but I'll keep this calendar as updated as possible, and 2) in the avalanche of premieres, I might have missed one, so leave a comment if you want me to track down a specific show.

Sept. 8
"Cops"
"America’s Most Wanted"

Sept. 11
"The Biggest Loser"

Sept. 13
"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"

Sept. 14
"Nashville"

Sept. 15
"MadTV"
"Talkshow"

Sept. 17
"Prison Break"
"K-Ville"
"Deal or No Deal" (special day and time)

Tons more, so

Networks Plan Previews of their Fall Shows

BuzzSugar — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 08:00:00 -0700

Labor Day Weekend traditionally marks the end of summer, but I can't be too bummed, because it means fall TV isn't too far off. I've been trying to keep you in the loop about which shows are worth watching, but you don't have to take my word for it. Four of the five major networks have put together previews of their shows that are running on TV, online, or both. All of the programs except Fox's will be aired at the discretion of affiliate stations, so keep an eye on your local listings or just check out the clips online.

Fox: Fox has put together a half-hour special previewing its new and returning fall shows, hosted by Wayne Brady. The half-hour show is scheduled to air Sunday at 7 p.m. and will feature clips from "House," "Prison Break," "K-Ville" and "Back to You," among others.
ABC: ABC has not one, not two, but three half-hour specials previewing its new shows. "The New Wednesday" features editors from Entertainment Weekly talking about "Private Practice," "Pushing Daisies" and "Dirty Sexy Money." People's editors step in front of the camera to preview the network's "Bigger, Bolder Thursday," and TV Guide's editors promote the network's new comedies in "The New Funny." Clips are online right now on ABC's YouTube channel.

To hear about NBC and The CW,