There’s no taking vacation from summer TV. Used to be everything went mostly dark between May and September. No longer. This off-season’s deluge of shows includes the usual glut of reality TV, much of it disposable — though some, like Bravo’s delicious Project Runway, are must-sees. Meanwhile cable networks deliver signature dramas and comedies nearly every night of the week. Even in normally sleepy late July, there are plenty of fresh and compelling choices. Here’s a sampler of the new series and specials, rated by whether they’re worth coming inside for.
Work Out Tuesdays, 9 pm/ET, BravoReason to stay in: To see how the rich and famous get in shape, as cameras follow the buff trainers at an exclusive Beverly Hills penthouse gym.Worth watching? I’ve met barbells with more personality. Too little sweat, too much attitude fr
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Question: I'm delighted to see that BBC America will be showing Life on Mars later this month, but I heard that ABC wanted a U.S. remake. I know most U.S. versions of scripted U.K. shows haven't been too successful recently (The Office is the only nonreality show I can think of that has), but given the differences in policing in the U.K. and the U.S. in the '70s, I think this one could stand a chance of being different but good in its own right, rather than a pale imitation. What do you think? Have you heard anything more about the U.S. version?
Answer: All I know is what the trades originally reported, that David E. Kelley was interested in developing this provocative premise for American TV. Backing up for those unfamiliar with the show, which premieres on BBC America July 24: Despite the title, Mars isn't a sci-fi show, though it does have a heavy fantasy element. It's about a detective who is hit by a car and wakes up back in 1973, where he's still a cop, but now operating in a
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Question: I'm dying for news on Season 3 of Veronica Mars. Please tell me you have something. There might be some Diet Snapple in it for you if you do.
Answer: I have something — but it's a bit of a downer. It doesn't look like Arrested Development's Michael Cera will be making a return trip to Mars. Per Rob Thomas, Cera booked a movie and is unavailable. "We're very bummed, but surviving," Rob tells me. "We're hoping to get him in the show after his movie wraps, but the boy has many projects, so we're not banking on it." On a brighter note, Rob says Tina Majorino (Mac) is close to inking a deal to become a series regular. "She wants to b
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Question: OMG, Veronica Mars was amazing. What was in the case Kendall gave to Keith?
Answer: That's the million-dollar question, and one of the few series creator Rob Thomas wouldn't answer. You see, I anticipated that you guys would have tons of questions about the finale, so I got Mr. Mars on the horn yesterday and grilled him for 30 minutes straight about the four-star climax. (There was also some mild gushing, but it was mostly grilling.) Warning: If you haven't seen last night's episode, do not read. Major spoilers throughout.
Ausiello: What's in the briefcase?
Rob Thomas: (Laughs) That one I'm not going to answer.
Ausiello: I knew it was a long shot. Care to shed any light on what Kendall asked Keith to do?
Rob: Um, not really. I really want to keep that a secret. The thing I'll say about it is, it's pressing enough for him to stand up his daughter at the
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With the much-anticipated season finale of UPN's Veronica Mars upon us (tonight at 9 pm/ET), many fans are still trying to recover from the shocking not-guilty verdict delivered at Aaron Echolls' trial in last week's episode. Meanwhile other readers are already looking ahead to a potential third season. In his latest exclusive Q&A, Mars creator Rob Thomas provides plenty of insight about recent happenings and answers TVGuide.com readers' burning questions about Veronica's future.
Question: First, I trust you. Second, please tell me the whole STD thing will make sense after seeing the finale. I'm torn between whether Duncan slept with Kendall or Aaron paid the doctor.... Do tell! — Holli
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