Send questions and comments to askmatt@tvguidemagazine.com and follow me on Twitter!
Question: I'm shocked and delighted by Fox's announcement about bringing back 24, but honestly, I think this points to the future of television. It's the same thing with The Following: Give us shorter seasons, TV Gods! Seriously, 22-episode seasons just don't work for so many shows, especially the serialized ones. How much filler was there in any given 24-episode season of real-time 24? A ton, inevitably. And every other heavily serialized show you can point to is eventually going to fall back on filler episodes, or extended (and frustrating) wheel-spinning, etc. It's just inevitable, and the best serialized shows are the ones that best manage this reality: for instance, The Vampire Diaries splits its season into three or four tightly focused mini-arcs that pack as much into each mini-arc as most shows cover in a whole season.
read more
ABC has renewed 11 series, including vet Grey's Anatomy, which will enter its 10th season, and freshman series Nashville. However, the network also canceled Happy Endings, Body of Proof, Red Widow, Malibu Country and How to Live With Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life).
read more
Jane Levy has filed for divorce after seven months of marriage, E! News reports.
read more
Send questions and comments to askmatt@tvguidemagazine.com and follow me on Twitter!
Question: I started watching Dallas at the tender age of 7. It was what my grandmother and I did on Friday nights and I have always been fond of the show. I was ecstatic when I heard about the new series. I have enjoyed it very much — although seeing some of the older cast members making an appearance has been somewhat painful — and I felt the way they handled the passing of Larry Hagman was respectful and keeping true to form with J.R. I read recently that Dallas has yet to be renewed. One of my frustrations with the mainstream networks (NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox) is that I'll get attached to a show and they cancel it. Please tell me TNT is going to renew this gem. Yes, the loss of J.R. as a character and Larry Hagman as an actor is a blow, but the story lines this season have been amazing and if they can keep it up, I know this show can have a good run. — Bonnie
Matt Roush: First off, while I'd be surprised if TNT...
read more
Our best moments of the week:
12. What's in a Name? Award: Is the world big enough for two famous Adam Scotts? After Adam Scott the golfer won the Masters, Adam Scott the actor was predictably inundated with jokes. And he's sick of it. "The jokes were really lame," the Parks and Recreation star vents on Conan. "'I can't believe anyone could mix up the two Adam Scotts. They're "Poehler" opposites.' 'Hey Adam, you know what's way below par? Your acting.' ... I mean this with nothing but love in my heart, but, please, can everybody shut the hell up?" Impressed with how Scott handled the situation, Conan presents Scott with....
read more