Kristin Chenowith in Pushing Daisies by Scott Garfield/ABC
The early ratings are in, and it looks like the combination of aggressive promotion and laudatory media buzz paid off for the first round of ABC’s delightful Pushing Daisies, which handily won its time period Wednesday and is off to a solid start. Honestly, though, if any of the reality alternatives had prevailed (especially CBS’s snooze-inducing Kid Nation and the is-that-still-on stupid briefcase show over on NBC), I think I’d be wearing a black armband in to work for the rest of the season. I’m dying to see a second episode of Daisies, and am trying to pretend I’m not worried that ABC hasn’t supplied one yet. (A year ago, I was dazzled by the pilot of The Nine, an episode the series never again lived up to.) Still, after watching an opening hour as filled with wonder and whimsy as Daisies’ pilot (or “Pielette,” as the episode was titled), how can anyone express anything but hope?My other top Wednesday night priority was seeing how Priv...
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Question: I've been watching episodes of Crossing Jordan on A&E for a few weeks now and find it pretty entertaining, so I looked up the date of the new season premiere and read that NBC had canceled it. Just like that, on a cliff-hanger? I know it's been on for six seasons, but what bothers me most is how it ended. The finale didn't feel like a series finale. The producers clearly didn't know they weren't getting another season. Are the rumors of its cancellation true? If so, how disappointing. By the way, how did the Emmys not nominate Walton Goggins for his fantastic performance on The Shield this season?!
Answer: The snub of Walton Goggins was deplorable, but it probably has more to do with The Shield being relatively and unfortunately under the radar compared to the higher-profile shows that filled that category (Lost, Heroes, Grey's Anatomy, The Sopranos and, yes, Boston Legal). As for Crossing Jordan: It's hardly a rumor. It's finished. At least two of its stars are on new fal ...
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Upfronts week — the near-euphoric annual event where television enthusiasts such as you and I anticipate the new and returning fare heading our way — is upon us. Though some scheduling news has started to leak out — NBC has renewed Medium and fan-fave bubble show Friday Night Lights but is possibly crossing Jordan off its list — the official presentation of each network's fall schedule begins Monday with the Peacock showcasing its feathers, and concludes Thursday when the CW answers such questions as, "What will fill Gilmore Girls' void?"This here blog, my friends, is one to bookmark, as it will serve as a veritable clearinghouse for any and all news coming out of the upfronts. Each morning we will hurry to the fore the latest unveiling of network lineups, then throughout the day supplement it with expert insight from the likes of Matt Roush, Stephen Battaglio and Michael Ausiello.With the fun about to start, I leave you with these burning questions, which will, ...
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As scooped by the Ausiello Report Thursday afternoon, NBC has redeemed itself for The Real Wedding Crashers by scheduling a second season of Friday Night Lights — this coming on the heels of an early pickup for Medium. Now, as next week's upfronts draw even closer, the bad news is trickling in. Despite recent chatter that Crossing Jordan might cheat the grim reaper, the New York Times is reporting that the six-year-old drama has booked a date with the coroner. The same article has Scrubs checking out, though the sitcom could possibly find a reprieve at the hands of ABC.
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Jill Hennessy by Paul Drinkwater/NBC
Here are seven words I never thought I'd type: Crossing Jordan may be back next season.Multiple sources connected to the drama tell me that prospects for a seventh season are looking up. That's quite a turnaround from what I heard just a few weeks ago, which was that Jordan was showing signs of rigor mortis. "Everyone was expecting to get shut down," acknowledges a Jordan insider. "But just last week, NBC started to give indications that the show might return. There's even been some money allocated for next season."Reaction to this shocking development? Is another season of Crossing Jordan cause for celebration? And, more importantly, what might this mean for NBC's other bubble shows — most notably Friday Night Lights? Post your comments/theories below!
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Question: I don't understand why everyone seems so certain that Crossing Jordan will be canceled. Granted the show does not draw the same numbers it once did, but of the 21 prime-time shows that aired the week before last on NBC, only three had higher overall viewership numbers (7.6 million viewers). The ratings have been much higher than some of NBC's already-renewed shows, including 30 Rock, and Jordan has performed solidly up against American Idol, which surely says something of its ability to draw an audience. Viewers have followed the show through short seasons, delayed starts and schedule changes, and there is a strong indication that many fans would tune in next season. Why would NBC cancel such a solid performer when much of the rest of their schedule has been so rocky?
Answer: All valid points, I'm sure, but the bottom line here is probably the bottom line. A show ending its sixth season tends to get more expensive to produce, and the situation is likely the same as the one CBS
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Question: There are so many rumors out there that Crossing Jordan will be canceled. What can you tell us?
Answer: I can tell you that the cast is looking for new jobs.
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Law & Order
The networks have started working on new fall series, which means pink slips are coming for some of your old favorites. Here's what could be on the chopping block.
NBC Did you ever imagine the day when Law & Order would be canceled? We're not saying it's going to happen — it probably won't. But costs on the show have risen while its ratings have dropped, which means its renewal is no longer automatic every year. NBC's other middling crime dramas — Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Crossing Jordan and Medium — are more vulnerable. The network has also yet to decide on another season for The Apprentice
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Question: Do you have information on whether Jordan and Woody might get together on Crossing Jordan?
Answer: I can confirm that they will definitely be (physically) linked when the plane they're in crashes in the season (or series) finale.
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Lest one of my readers think I am being less than productive with my day off:Effective March 4, NBC is moving the Wednesday edition of Deal or No Deal to Sundays at 9 pm/ET, pushing The Apprentice back an hour to 10 pm and giving the Peacock a night of all-unscripted content, Variety reports. The schedule shuffle finds Crossing Jordan airing Wednesdays at 9 — opposite American Idol and castaways-killer Criminal Minds — starting March 7, cementing the drama as a "longshot," insiders tell the trade, to return next season.
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