“When Katherine Heigl opens her mouth, people listen. They don’t always like what they hear…. ….in a world of bland, media-trained celebs, is it such a bad thing to speak your mind?

After all, celebrities have spouted off for years, bashing everything and everyone from presidents to fellow actors to directors. But Hollywood is like high school — only meaner — and hammering the popular kids might have consequences that take years to undo.

“There’s a long tradition of actors who have disdained the Hollywood establishment and then had some retribution for it within the Hollywood establishment,” said Neal Gabler, an author and cultural critic whose books include “Life the Movie: How Entertainment Conquered Reality.”

Gabler named screen legend Paul Newman as an example. Newman, now 83, shunned the movie-industry hoopla and never showed up in 1986 to accept his best-actor Academy Award for “The Color of Money,” after having been nominated seven times before.

“He didn’t live the way a star was supposed to live. There was an expectation … placed on him, and he didn’t satisfy that expectation and Hollywood took retribution,” Gabler said, citing Newman’s awards snubs. And yet, that tough-guy persona enhanced his public image as a man of integrity who lived on his own terms, Gabler said.

Heigl’s announcement spread swiftly online, where it was variously heralded, ridiculed and hashed out by a vocal mob eager to weigh in.

“First of all, she did something crazy — and that is she told the truth,” said veteran publicist Howard Bragman. “At the very least, she told her truth. … And in this town, it’s not always a great idea, because what you have to understand is television is a very collaborative industry, and what she’s essentially done is trash her writers. These are people you have to go to work with every day.”" –Associated Press article on Yahoo

I would recommend the following:

• 24 (US) 2001-present (I recommend the first three seasons mostly)
• Absolutely Fabulous (UK) 1992-2005
• Alias (US) 2001-2006
• Aristocrats (UK) 1999
• Bleak House (UK) 2005
• Cocaine Cowboys (US) 2006
• Coupling (UK) 2000-2004
• Cranford (UK) 2007
• CSI NY (US) 2004-present
• Dallas (US) 1978-1990
• Deadwood (US) 2004-2006
• Entourage (US) 2004-present
• Felicity (US) 1998-2001
• Firefly (US) 2002
• Hustle (UK) 2004-2006
• If These Walls Could Talk (US) 1996
• Jekyll (UK) 2007
• Journey of Man (US) 2002 (documentary)
• Las Vegas (US) 2003-2008
• Little Britain (UK) 2003-2005
• Midsomer Murders (UK) 1997-present
• New York (US) 1999 (documentary)
• Oz (US) 1197-2003
• Planet Earth (UK) 2006
• Poirot (UK) 1989-2006
• Pride and Prejudice (UK) 1995
• Prime Suspect (UK) 1992-2006
• Queer As Folk (UK) 1999-2000
• Queer As Folk (US) 2000-2005
• Rome (US/UK) 1995-1997
• Rosemary and Thyme (UK) 2003-2006
• Roswell (US) 1999-2002
• Sex and the City (US) 1998-2004
• Sleeper Cell (US) 2005-2006
• The 4400 (US) 2004-2007
• The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard (UK) 2006
• The Black Adder (UK) 1983-1989
• The Duchess of Duke Street (UK) 1976-1977
• The House of Eliott (UK) 1991-1994
• The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (UK) 2001-present
• The Mrs. Bradley Mysteries (UK) 1999
• The Office (UK) 2001-2003
• The Politician’s Wife (UK) 1996
• The Way We Live Now (UK) 2001
• The West Wing (US) 1999-2006
• The Wire (US) 2002-2008
• Vanity Fair (UK) 1998
• Veronica Mars (US) 2004-2006
• Wives & Daughters (UK) 1999

“Actress Katherine Heigl, a surprise Emmy winner last year for her role on hit TV drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” has bowed out of this year’s race in an apparent swipe at producers for diminishing her presence on the series.

Heigl, 29, quietly chose not to submit her name for consideration as an Emmy contender this year but explained her rather conspicuous absence from the ballot when asked by Tom O’Neil, columnist for the Los Angeles Times’ showbiz awards website TheEnvelope.com.

‘I did not feel that I was given the material this season to warrant an Emmy nomination, and in an effort to maintain the integrity of the academy organization, I withdrew my name from contention,’ she said in a statement posted by O’Neil.

‘In addition, I did not want to potentially take away an opportunity from an actress who was given such materials.’ ” –Read full article at Yahoo

NBC

My Own Worst Enemy stars Christian Slater: “Henry Spivey is a middle-class efficiency expert living a humdrum life in the burbs with a wife, two kids, a dog, and a minivan. Edward Albright is an operative who speaks thirteen languages, runs a four-minute mile, and is trained to kill with his teeth. Henry and Edward are polar opposites who share only one thing in common: the same body. When the carefully constructed wall between them breaks down, Henry and Edward are thrust into unfamiliar territory where each man is dangerously out of his element.”

I really like the idea of this and I was recently watching Slater in an episode in the second season of Alias and think Slater could be very convincing as a hitman/suburban hubby. I’ll give the pilot a shot.

Kath and Kim starring Molly Shannon and Selma Blair: “Kath Day is the mom. She’s a foxy, 40-something divorcée who finally has time for herself and her valiant search for love. Kim Day is the daughter. She’s a self-absorbed princess, recently separated from her husband, who finds consolation in stuffing her face. When Kim decides to move back home, Kath reluctantly agrees. But to Kim’s chagrin, Kath is not about to cater to her daughter’s every whim like she has in the past. Based on the most successful comedy in Australia of the same name, Kath and Kim are two brassy women who prefer the finer things in life like acrylic nails, big hair and faux diamond chips.”

This could potentially be interesting though, outside of Reno 911! and Samantha Who?, I don’t watch 30 minute comedies anymore. I like both actresses so I’ll give the pilot a chance come Fall.

The following are upcoming midseason alternatives in the 2008-2009 lineup on NBC that look good:

The Chopping Block (Reality): “It’s not just about the meal, it’s about the business of food. From the producers of Hell’s Kitchen, original rock-star chef Marco Pierre White comes to America to host the ultimate food fight on NBC – a new competition set in the high-drama, high-stakes world of New York City restaurants. The cooks are given a grilling over the course of the series. The teams, which are made up of couples, will be tested in challenges that vary from having less than a week to design and revamp a restaurant space to planning a menu and creating a signature dish. The winning couple will get a chance to have their dreams come true – opening their very own restaurant.”

I love food reality TV shows like Top Chef, Kitchen Nightmares, and to a lesser degree, Hell’s Kitchen. I’ll be interested in seeing how primetime TV does it.

Kings starring Ian McShane (Deadwood): “Kings is an inspiring exploration of the timeless David vs. Goliath struggle. The show is set in a modern metropolis under siege, where the fighting has gone on for too long and cost far too many lives. When David Shepherd, a brave young soldier, rescues the king’s son from enemy territory, he sets events in motion that will finally bring peace. Suddenly, David is thrust into the limelight, earning the affections of women - including the king’s daughter. When he’s promoted to Captain, he becomes the reluctant poster boy for hope. But for David, the line between his allies and enemies will blur as the power players in the kingdom go to great lengths to see him fall.”

I really liked Ian McShane in Deadwood and love the premise of this drama. Definitely look forward to watching it.

ABC

There isn’t one new show on ABC that I’m looking forward to. But, maybe ABC will replace the writers of Dirty Sexy Money with good ones and that would be a show I’d consider giving another chance. Anyway, all the usual good shows on ABC are returning like Desperate Housewives, Brothers and Sisters, Dancing with the Stars, Ugly Betty and Samantha Who so I’, content with the Fall 08 lineup.

The CW

90210: Yes, it’s that 90210. And where else but The CW, right? It looks over-sexed and under talented, but what CW show isn’t? I’ll give it a shot, but won’t hold my breath.

The Game starring Tia Mowry (Sister, Sister): With the cancellation of Girlfriends, there is a slot open for the token (mostly) black show on the very white CW. Enter, The Game, an African American twist on Footballer’s Wives. Instead of Soccer, it’s football. Hmmm, not quite sure about this one. Not a fan of football and nothing can top BBC’s Footballer’s Wives in my book. Especially nothing The CW can produce.

Stylista (Reality): Stylista sounds a bit promising. 11 aspiring fashionistas vie for an fashion editorial job at Elle magazine. Well, I like fashion and reality TV shows with people competing for worth while jobs (Apprentice, Top Chef, etc.), so I think I’ll give this one a shot.

CBS

Eleventh Hour starring Rufus Sewell: “Rufus Sewell stars as Dr. Jacob Hood, a brilliant biophysicist recruited by the FBI as an on-call scientist/detective to investigate the rapidly growing number of crimes and crises of a scientific nature”

I love scientific high-brow dramas. And I do hope CBS has finally produced a one-hour drama that sticks and doesn’t suck. We’ll see.

FOX

Fox’s got nothing new this Fall that I’m interested in. But, fortunately some favorites are returning like Kitchen Nightmares and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.

In addition, Paul Schulze, Merritt Wever, Eve Best and Haaz Sleiman have come aboard as series regulars, and Anna Deavere Smith has signed on as a recurring. The dark comedy project, co-produced by Showtime and Lionsgate TV, centers on a strong-willed New York nurse (Falco).

Facinelli will play Dr. Cooper, a likable “golden boy” who appears to be in control but is actually a bundle of nerves. Schulze will play Falco’s boyfriend, Eddie, a pharmacy tech. He is repped by Innovative Artists and manager Kyle Fritz. Wever is playing Zoey, a first-year nurse. She is repped by Innovative and Lisa Loosemore at Viking Entertainment.

Sleiman is set as Maurice, aka Momo, a gay Muslim nurse. Best is playing Dr. O’Hara, a loner whose only friend at the hospital is Falco. Smith will recur as Mrs. Akalitus, the reluctant hospital administrator.” –Hollywood Reporter

Yay! Summer TV season is here. HBO paved the way for a Summer season where only a few years ago we were left to watch reruns and bad TV specials and pseudo-reality TV shows. Now, we’ve got options…options.

Here are some links to the Summer 2008 Schedule by network:

ComingSoon.net announces ABC’s Summer 2008 TV schedule

DaemonsTV announces FOX Summer 2008 TV schedule

NBC’s Summer 2008 TV Schedule

Preview CBS’s Summer 2008 TV Schedule

AOL’s Summer 08 Preview List

RETURNING SHOWS PREMIERING SOON:

So You Think You Can Dance premieres today on FOX at 8/7c.

Last Coming Standing also starts today May 22 on NBC

Law & Order: Criminal Intent premieres at its new home on USA Sunday June 8th

Weeds returns June 16 on Showtime

Burn Notice returns for a 2nd season on July 10 on USA

The Closer is back (yay!!!) for a 3rd season at TNT on July 14 along with Saving Grace

Monk and Psych are back July 18 on USA

Damages, Rescue Me and Nip/Tuck returns on FX, no dates announced yet

NEW SHOWS PREMIERING SOON:

Celebrity Circus premieres June 11 on NBC (I’ll watch the first episode and see if I like…probably not!)

In Plain Sight premieres June 1 on USA (looks interesting, high concept)

Flash Point premieres on CBS on July 11 (I can’t help liking these types of cop shows, just wish CBS would get it right for once)

Men in Trees (ABC)

I just love this show! It’s smartly written, a little cooky and totally fun to watch. It was my romantic comedy fix after Sex and the City ended.

Big Shots (ABC)

Big Shots was never a poor imitation of a male version of Sex and the City. I think it succeeded as a fun, well-written dramedy about four men and their women and careers. It was never annoyingly sexist and always, to me anyway, entertaining. Big Shots was also much better cast than those other two Sex and the City type wannabes like Cashmere Mafia and Lipstick Jungle.

Moonlight (CBS)

Ah, Mick St. John….Dark, hot, handsome and vampiric. I have to admit there were a couple of bad episodes in its all-too-short run of 12 episodes total. But, overall Moonlight is a great show with a smart concept and a strong cast which is not common, it seems, for a CBS drama. I’ll miss it dearly!

Cane (CBS)

I could predict Cane wouldn’t last long. It was a bit heavy handed at times with its cultural family melodrama, but it was one of those rare shows on CBS that had real potential. Too bad it’s potential will never be realized. Being on CBS, it really never stood a chance.

Canterbury’s Law (FOX)

I didn’t know if I liked Canterbury’s Law until maybe the second episode. A few episodes later, it really grew on me. I think this show was perhaps took too long to draw in viewers in that you never really new until much later what kind of court drama it was. It’s more sophisticated than Law and Order on some levels. Either way, Juliana Marguiles and the cast were fab! Kudos and so long!

Las Vegas (NBC)

I rented I think the first three seasons of Las Vegas ’cause I had never seen it on TV. I fell in love with the show. In this type of somewhat fluffy Friday night prime time show, you don’t think to find much substance, but there is. The show is simply funny, fun and doesn’t take itseld too seriously and actually has a great cast with strong acting. 5 seasons is enough, but it ended abruptly and without any resolution. That sucks!

The following are some shows I did watch and I am not necessarily unhappy or surprised to see get the ax.

Women’s Murder Club (ABC), Bionic Woman (NBC) and Cashmere Mafia (ABC) were axed and I am so not surprised. I’d only watched one or two episodes for each and was completely unimpressed and disappointed. All three suffered from contrived writing and simply bad casting.

K-Ville (FOX) and The Return of Jezebel James (FOX) were two shows I sort of liked but knew would not last too long. K-Ville was just too contrived and very badly cast and with lopsided acting. Cole Hauser should have been the main character and the rest of the cast, including the star Anthony Anderson should never have been cast. As for Jezebel, the whole thing was too, way too sitcom-like. You can almost hear and see the Posey and Ambrose pausing for the canned laughter that followed the bad, unfunny jokes.

As for Carpoolers (ABC), it was a funny, kooky show but it got old real quick. Girlfrieds (The CW) has had 8 seasons and one of the main “girlfriends” left the show, so it probably is time to call it quits.

I saw only a part of the pilot episode of Journeyman (NBC) and didn’t much care for it. And really, the only reason I watched even that much of the show is because Kevin McKidd from HBO’s Rome played the main character.

This is an exciting time for TV watching and TV technology I think. With HDTV, blue ray disc and so forth, why shouldn’t we do away with analog all together. Plus, who doesn’t want to buy a new television set. I have a big clunky TV set that I’m itching to replace with a new shiny HD flat screen. I plan to scour the internet and especially Cnet’s HDTV World web pages for the best and cost efficient solution for purchasing my HDTV by the end of the year. Besides, I spend most of my “screen” time in front an iMac (the new one; at work) and a flat Dell LCD (at home).

I don’t have cable, my reception sucks, and I hate commercials and sitcoms so I opt to download TV shows (mostly hour long dramas and some good reality shows) that I like. I use my TV for watching my Netflix films. Occasionally, I do get cable just for the summer so I can watch the NHL playoffs. I’ll be doing that this summer for sure. Getting a new shiny HDTV for hockey games and movies is a good investment for me considering I’m a film hound and hockey fan. Plus, I think soon I’ll transition into watching web stuff on my TV.

This transition is part of my new desire to be more aware of my elasticity in an ever evolving world of global warming, genome sequencing, speedy advances in science and technology and an overall greater awareness of our interconnectedness with nature, technology, the past, the present, the future, each other and all things in between and which we take for granted.

I’m sure there are many people who are raging against the machine of the progress of everyday technology especially. But I say to those folks that elasticity is the bi-product of adaptability and acceleration and your capacity to integrate innovation and change into your natural rhythms and goals [see SEED article] rather than simply ignoring progress like a child or staunch conservative, or just as bad, not factoring who you are in your choices and just purchasing nice shiny new objects because it’s the next “best” thing.

Speaking of MTV, I’m loving “America’s Best Dance Crew” and surprised I would since I’m not one for hip-hop or pop music at all. Well, I’m not one for cool crap. But, I have to say it’s fun and the dance groups are very talented especially the all Asian hip-hop group Jabbawockeez. Quite impressive.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles 3/3
Las Vegas 2/15

Series Finales

The Wire 3/9