Could this be off the shelf? Even though TV Guide had heard the J.J. Abrams/Cheri Oteri half-hour comedy was shelved a few weeks ago, Oteri tells TV Guide she’s back working with Abrams on the project. SNL alum Oteri spoke to TV Guide on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at the premiere of her indie film Park (which also stars Dirty Sexy Money’s William Baldwin, and Ricki Lake). Abrams, currently at work on the latest Star Trek feature film, is best known for Lost, What About Brian, Alias and Felicity, all of which displayed some comedic elements, but he has yet to produce a half-hour comedy. Abrams did, however, direct an episode of NBC’s The Office this year."I met him years ago," Oteri says of Abrams. "He said, 'I’ve always wanted to do a comedy and I only want to do it with you.'"According to Oteri, the project is slated for 2008. "Working with him is just a dream come true," she says. As for dream cast mates, Oteri’s leaving that to Abrams. "He’s got such great in...
read more
Giggling at the antics of the slap-happy contestants who “come on down” at what he calls “the happiest place on Earth,” Drew Carey looks like he’s having a blast, and looks right at home, on the spiffed-up set of The Price Is Right as he takes over as host today. There’s no fuss and no ceremony, and outside of the introduction telling us we’re at the Bob Barker Studio in Television City, and that one of the games is still called “Barker’s Bargain Bar,” and that Carey chooses to sign off with the traditional plea to have your pets spayed, there’s no actual homage to the former host as the new Price era begins.And yet, probably the greatest tribute to Bob Barker is that the show goes on, and goes on effortlessly with its funny-looking new ringleader, who appears to be genuinely tickled at the breathless excitement of the frantic folks who come to play the game. When one of the contestants does a cartwheel after taking the stage, C...
read more
In all of the hubbub being made over anticipating Sunday’s final episode ever of The Sopranos, it seems unfair to let The Shield end its penultimate season without some fanfare.As I noted when both shows returned within a week of each other in April, these dark dramas are among TV’s best. As their seasons unfolded, they lived up to my expectations. Quoting myself at the time: “The Shield is first-rate pulp fiction, blisteringly intense as it grabs you by the throat. The Sopranos is more like classic literature, achieving a level of artistry with its aching yet witty realism while delivering violent jolts that sneak up on you like a sucker punch.”Both of these series ask us to empathize with pretty despicable characters, no doubt. But it’s hard to imagine any Shield fan not cheering Tuesday night for Vic when he realized he’s now sitting on a trunk full of leverage, the key to save his job. Likewise, who didn’t cringe as Shane fell further into the ...
read more
Wow. What a finale. I truly hope this isn't the end of this show, but if that is its fate, I applaud ABC for a touching end that combined this drama's finest elements: humor, jealousy, confusion, sincerity and truth. The last group scene was all we could ask for, and with Brian at Laura's door, we can only assume those renewed vows made him think enough to get it right for once. If we never see Brian and his friends again, I'd like to think the thirtysomething love failure learned enough lessons along the way to settle into the perfect nook.And I think we owe it all to Dave and Deena. Their journey this week was pretty hectic, but classic in terms of a Brian situation. But when Dave gave that little speech about going back in time and finding those people they used to be, the cows seemed to agree. And apparently a roll in the grass confirmed their craziness when they were yelling out their love for no one to hear.Back in the real world, "whoever wakes up Uncle Brian is grounded fore...
read more
This Monday's ratings recap:• Dancing with the Stars partnered up with an audience of 21.65 million across its two-hour bow, an increase of 1.65 mil over the Season 3 opener and the contest's best premiere ever. And Heather is still intact.• Opposite DWTS and trailing Deal or No Deal at 8, Prison Break (8.26 million) was down 1.4 mil from its last fresh outing, while CBS' Mother (7.59 mil, down 1.9 mil) and Old Christine (6.86 mil, down 1.18 mil) hit season lows, with the latter also falling nearly two mil shy of The Class' last outing.• At 9 pm, 24 (11.88 mil, -480K) topped Men (11.62 mil, slipping almost a mil) and Rules of Engagement (9.32 mil, down two mil), both of which hit season lows.• Come 10, What About Brian (7.38 million) benefited big time from its DWTS lead-in, surging 2.6 mil to what appears to be its best outing in five months, and besting the Donnellys (5.84 mil, down 900K). CSI: Miami, of course, dominated with an audience of 17.44 million and a...
read more
