The Weeksly Late Edition – 1/12/06

Good evening Ladies & Gentlemen, and welcome back to a freshly baked installment of “The Weeksly Late Edition”, which happens to include a lovely little giveaway this week to one lucky reader from the good old “U.S. and A” as Borat likes to say – lets get down to it, shall we?

My Television Is Trying To Kill Me

Before I get into the rest of the TV stuff, I want to put out a quote here from Melanie McFarland of the “Seattle Post-Intelligencer”: “Could it be that this fall’s combination of high critical expectation and low viewer response has conspired to bring about … patience?” – I say it’s about friggin’ time!

Alright, so it looks as though most of the new Fall season shows are beginning to wrap up for they year, with most returning in Feb/March of ’07 – firstly, I’ve gotta say that I have been really impressed with the success that a lot of the new shows have had. Nice little hour longs like “Shark” & “Heroes” have performed probably the best (in ratings at least) overall, but even some of he perceived lower rating shows like “Brothers & Sisters”, “Friday Night Lights” (which I fuckin’ love – once again) & “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” are finally beginning to garner themselves a reasonable audience. Unlike last year, I can’t say I’m terribly surprised at what has been cancelled or dropped from the schedule so far, probably the only exception to that would be the vastly underrated “Smith” – the pilot of which I consider to be one of the best hours of TV I’ve seen this year, but even to an extent the dropping of “The Nine” after 7 episodes.

“The Nine” is one of those shows that was going to probably struggle in keeping up the momentum – the plan (as anyone who watched it knows by now) was to show a few minutes of the actual robbery every episode, but when you’re talking about a 2-3 day hold-up, you might want to ensure that the storyline of what happens after is compelling enough to keep people coming back, and while “The Nine” wasn’t horrible as such, I think it was obvious that unless the creators had some brilliant twists coming up, it was gonna get pretty old, pretty fast.

“Survivor” has been another strange one for me this year – I have to admit, it has probably been my least favourite season to date (apart from the season that douchebag Brian won). There’s no-one I’ve really thrown myself behind this time, there aren’t any Stephanie LaGrossa’s no Terry’s, and most of all, no “Boston” Rob Mariano’s – who is still (along with Rob C), the best player to never win the game. Speaking of which, the big rumour is that Rob & Amber are back in “The Amazing Race: All Star Edition” – those of you who witnessed their narrow defeat in S7 of “Race” will recall that it was the most bullshit of bullshit circumstances that they lost – but hopefully they get it done this time.

Alright, one little tidbit before I get to NBC’s Mid-Season schedule – this may have already been discussed time and again on hundreds of message boards over the net, but if you still have the second episode of “Heroes” on your Tivo, VHS, Itunes or whatever, I want you to go back and have a look at what’s on the paintings in Isaac’s apartment when Hiro jumps forward in time to the day that New York goes boom. It might just give you a little insight into how detailed this show has already gotten. OK, here’s NBC’s release:

NBCS MID-SEASON 2006-07 SCHEDULE INCLUDES NEW SUNDAY LINEUP WITH DEBUT OF GREASE: YOURE THE ONE THAT I WANT AND SEASON PREMIERE OF THE APPRENTICE STARTING JANUARY 7, FOLLOWED BY RETURN OF ‘CROSSING JORDAN’ ON JANUARY 21 AFTER CONCLUSION OF SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

WEDNESDAY NIGHT ALSO CHANGES AS DEAL OR NO DEAL STARTS JANUARY 3 AND FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS BEGINS JANUARY 10

BURBANK, Calif. — November 29, 2006 — NBC will re-shape its mid-season program lineup following the planned departure of Sunday Night Football in January with the debut of the new reality series Grease: You’re the One That I Want (8-9 p.m. ET) on Sunday, January 7 (8-9 p.m. ET) and the season premiere of the Emmy Award-nominated The Apprentice (9-10 p.m. ET) – followed two weeks later by the return of the popular drama Crossing Jordan on Sunday, January 21 (10-11 p.m. ET).

In addition, starting on Wednesday, January 3, NBCs Wednesday-night lineup will have a new look with the popular game show Deal or No Deal shifting to the 9-10 p.m. (ET) slot. Likewise, on Wednesday, January 10, Friday Night Lights – the critically acclaimed freshman drama that recently received a full-season order — will now be broadcast from 8-9 p.m. (ET) starting that night. Both programs will precede Medium, which continues at 10-11 p.m. (ET).

As a result, Dateline NBC will replace Friday Night Lights on Tuesdays (8-9 p.m. ET) beginning December 26 and will eventually add an additional night on Sundays (7-8 p.m. ET) beginning February 11.

In addition, new mid-season dramas “Raines” and “The Black Donnellys” will also join the NBC schedule in Spring 2007 on a date and time period to be announced later.

The announcements were made by Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment.

“It’s already been a terrific Fall for NBC, our re-build is in motion and were looking to maintain that momentum through the Spring, said Reilly. Although the second half of the season will get tougher, we think the quality of our mid-season series will continue to fuel NBCs year-to-year story of ratings growth.

The following includes NBC’s new mid-season schedule (all times ET):

Mondays
8-9 p.m. — “Deal or No Deal”
9-10 p.m. — “Heroes”
10-11 p.m. — “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”

Tuesdays
8-9 p.m.– “Dateline NBC” (beginning December 26)
9-10 p.m. — “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”
10-11 p.m. — “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”

Wednesdays
8-9 p.m. — “Friday Night Lights” (January 10)
9-10 p.m. — “Deal or No Deal” (January 3)
10-11 p.m. — “Medium”

Thursdays
8-9 p.m. — “My Name Is Earl”
8:30-9 p.m. — “The Office”
9-9:30 p.m. — “Scrubs”
9:30-10 p.m. — “30 Rock”
10-11 p.m. — “ER”

Fridays
8-9 p.m. — “1 VS 100”
9-10 p.m. — “Las Vegas”
10-11 p.m. — “Law & Order”

Saturdays
8-9 p.m. – Dateline NBC (repeats)
9-11 p.m. — Drama repeats

Sundays
7-8 p.m. — “Dateline NBC” (February 11)
8-9 p.m. — “Grease: You’re the One That I Want” (January 7; first two weeks will run from 8-9:30 p.m.)
9-10 p.m. — “The Apprentice” (January 7; first two weeks will run from 9:30-11 p.m.)
10-11 p.m. — “Crossing Jordan” (January 21)

The fifth cycle of “The Apprentice” last season averaged a 4.0 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49 and 9.8 million viewers overall, and ranked as one of the most upscale shows on television. The fifth cycle peaked with its June 5 finale (4.4/12 in 18-49, 11.2 million viewers overall), which scored primetime’s #2 non-sports rating of that week in adults 18-49.

“Friday Night Lights” is averaging a 2.5 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 6.1 million viewers overall on Tuesday nights this season. The “FNL” audience has been impressively young and upscale, with the third-lowest median age for a primetime NBC series and strong concentrations of key upscale households in its viewership.

For the 2005-06 season, “Crossing Jordan” averaged a 3.3 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49 and 10.9 million viewers overall. Last season, “Crossing Jordan” consistently built on its adult 18-49 lead-in from “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” despite airing opposite ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.”

The most powerful people in musical theater are on a mission in Grease: You’re the One That I Want (Sundays, 8-9 p.m. ET, starting January 7 with a special premiere from 8 -9:30 p.m. ET). They have the stage, the lights, the money, the music, the cast and the costumes. But they’re missing one thing — the leads. NBC will search for the next Sandy and Danny in the new talent competition series from BBC Worldwide Productions as America will ultimately get to choose the two leads for a new Broadway production of “Grease.” The new production of “Grease” will open on Broadway in June 2007 and will be directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall (“The Pajama Game”), who will also be a judge on the TV series along with Jim Jacobs, the co-creator of “Grease” and renowned theater producer David Ian. Billy Bush (Access Hollywood) and Denise Van Outen (Chicago) on Broadway serve as host and co-host.

“Grease: You’re the One That I Want” is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. Al Edgington (“Last Comic Standing,” “The Amazing Race”), Lou Stroller (“Tomb Raider,” “The Rock,” “Scarface”) and Paul Telegdy, Senior Vice President, Programming and Production, BBC Worldwide, are the executive producers. Suzy Lamb (BBC UK’s “How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?”) is the co-executive producer.

The Apprentice (Sundays, 9-10 p.m. ET beginning January 7 with a special premiere from 9:30-11 p.m. ET) moves to Southern California for season six of the unscripted series — leaving Manhattan for the first time in the history of the show. Series star Donald Trump will once again do the firing — and the hiring — as 18 enterprising candidates vie for the coveted title of The Apprentice and the career opportunity of a lifetime working for the legendary business tycoon. Along with the new Southern California backdrop comes a whole new series of surprising twists and turns that will make this the liveliest and most challenging competition yet among candidates eager to become the next Apprentice.

“The Apprentice” is produced by Mark Burnett Productions in association with Trump Productions LLC. Mark Burnett, Donald Trump and Jay Bienstock are executive producers. Conrad Riggs, James Canniffe and Page Feldman are co-executive producers.

Expanding on the hit feature film Friday Night Lights, this poignant series (Wednesdays, 8-9 p.m. ET beginning January 10) centers on the small rural town of Dillon, Texas, where the coveted state football championship rings are held in the highest regard. Dillons promising high school team and newly appointed head coach, Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler, King Kong, Greys Anatomy) feel the mounting pressure of the towns pride and honor riding on their shoulders as the season progresses.

The cast also includes: Scott Porter (The Bedford Diaries) as rehabilitating team captain and first-string quarterback, Jason Street; Gaius Charles (Book of Daniel) as feared running back Brian Smash Williams; Taylor Kitsch (Kyle XY) as running back Tim Riggins; Connie Britton (The Brothers McMullen, 24) as Taylors supportive wife, Tami; Zach Gilford (The Last Winter) as third-string quarterback, Matt Saracen, and Minka Kelly (What I Like About You) as Lyla Garrity, Panther cheerleader and Streets girlfriend.

Also starring are: Aimee Teegarden (Neds Declassified School Survival Guide) as Coach Taylors daughter, Julie; Adrianne Palicki (South Beach) as Tyra Collette, and Jesse Plemons (Greys Anatomy) as Landry Clarke.

The series is executive-produced by Peter Berg (the film Friday Night Lights, The Rundown), who also wrote and directed the pilot, as well as Brian Grazer (The Da Vinci Code, A Beautiful Mind), Jason Katims (Roswell), David Nevins (Arrested Development, 24) and Sarah Aubrey (Bad Santa, The Kingdom). Friday Night Lights is a production of Imagine Television, NBC Universal Television Studio and Film 44.

The powerful drama Crossing Jordan (Sundays, 10-11 p.m. ET, beginning January 21) from NBCs Heroes executive producer Tim Kring heads into its sixth season and continues to explore disturbing topical crimes, while following a cadre of coroners who use their forensic skills to help the Boston police department bring murderers to justice and closure to victims families.

Jill Hennessy (NBCs Law & Order) stars as Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh, a sexy, smart and fearless medical examiner with a checkered past. She works under the guidance of Dr. Garrett Macy (Miguel Ferrer, Traffic), the no-nonsense head of the morgue, and alongside Detective Woodrow Woody Hoyt (Jerry OConnell, Jerry Maguire), who puts in the legwork to hunt down the perpetrators of crimes. Yet, Jordans unorthodox methods constantly test her professional and personal relationships.

Additional support for the investigative team is provided by grief counselor Lily Lebowski (Kathryn Hahn, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days), forensic entomologist Bug (Ravi Kapoor, Gideons Crossing) and criminalist Nigel Townsend (Steve Valentine, The Muse). This season, trouble is in store for Jordan and her colleagues when Special Prosecutor William Ivers (Jeffrey Donovan, Touching Evil) is appointed to investigate the morgue; and Kate Switzer (Brooke Smith, Silence of the Lambs), a prickly medical examiner, joins the coroners office.

Crossing Jordan is from Tailwind Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio. Kring (Heroes) is creator and executive producer; Dennis Hammer (Heroes), Allan Arkush (“Heroes), Jon Cowan (“American Dreams”), Robert Rovner (“American Dreams”) and Kathy McCormick (NBC’s “Law & Order”) are executive producers.

Academy Award winners Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco (“Crash”) are the creators of “The Black Donnellys,” a gritty new crime drama series loosely based on Moresco’s background. The series follows the exploits of four young, working-class Irish brothers and their involvement in organized crime in New York City. Despite their rough surroundings, the Donnelly brothers basically remain “good kids” — who will do anything to protect each other against all odds. The ensemble cast includes Jonathan Tucker (“Texas Chainsaw Massacre”), Billy Lush (“Huff”), Thomas Guiry (“Mystic River”), Michael Stahl-David (“Uncle Nino”), Keith Nobbs (“25th Hour”), Olivia Wilde (“The O.C.”) and Kirk Acevedo (“Oz”).

Haggis, who directed the pilot, and Moresco are the creators, executive producers and co-writers. The series is from NBC Universal Television Studio in association with Blackfriars Bridge Productions.

In “Raines,” Emmy-Award winning writer-producer Graham Yost (“Band of Brothers,” Boomtown”) and star Jeff Goldblum (“The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” “Independence Day,” “The Fly”) combine creative forces in this inventive police drama, which blends traditional noir storytelling with humor and intrigue. Eccentric LAPD Detective Michael Raines (Goldblum) has a unique ability — his imagination is so keen that when he’s on a murder case, the murder victims actually take shape in front of him. Matt Craven (“From the Earth to the Moon”), Dov Davidoff (“Third Watch”), Linda Park (“Star Trek: Enterprise”), Nicole Sullivan (“MADTV”), Malik Yoba (Thief) and Madeleine Stowe (The Last of the Mohicans) also star.

“Raines” is from NBC Universal Television Studio.

Dateline NBC (Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m. ET beginning December 26, and later Sundays, February 11, 7-8 p.m. ET), the signature broadcast for NBC News in primetime, premiered in 1992. Since then, it has been pioneering a new approach to primetime news programming. The multi-night franchise, supplemented by frequent specials, allows NBC to present the highest-quality reporting, investigative features and newsmaker profiles, consistently and comprehensively.

Stone Phillips and Ann Curry anchor. The broadcast also features leading NBC News talents Tom Brokaw, Brian Williams and Matt Lauer, as well as correspondents that include Victoria Corderi, Chris Hansen, Sara James, Hoda Kotb, John Larson, Edie Magnus, Josh Mankiewicz, Keith Morrison, Dennis Murphy, Rob Stafford, Mike Taibbi and Lea Thompson.

Dateline NBC is a production of NBC News. David Corvo is the executive producer. Liz Cole is the executive editor.

The Most Salacious Piece Of Tabloid Gossip This Week

What a shame I wasn’t around last week to report on Michael Richard’s little meltdown huh? Still, it’s good to see that some celebs are still up for getting wasted and going on tangents about anything that crosses their minds – here’s the stuff with thanks as always to the boys at IMDB:

DeVito Drunk During Interview?
Danny DeVito appeared on TV show The View yesterday morning still tipsy after a night of heavy partying with pal George Clooney. The star was promoting his new movie Deck The Halls on the show, and admitted he hadn’t been to bed the night before. DeVito then cursed his seventh limoncello (a lemon liqueur) from the previous evening and launched into a boozy rant against President George W. Bush, much of which was bleeped out by network censors. The former Taxi star also revealed he and his wife Rhea Perlman made sure to “utilize every surface available” in the famous Lincoln Bedroom when they stayed at The White House as overnight guests of former President Bill Clinton. The show’s co-hosts Rosie O’Donnell and Joy Behar seemed to be amused by DeVito’s antics, while Elisabeth Hasselbeck, a staunch Republican, tried gamely to switch the conversation to non-political topics, but failed as DeVito continued on his political tirade. The show’s creator, veteran newswoman Barbara Walters, appeared visibly uncomfortable as the interview progressed. DeVito’s representative, Stan Rosenfield, tells entertainment website Tmz.com his client has requested Walters’ phone number and that he would say “what needed to be said privately” to her.

I loves me some drunken “Taxi” stars……

The Weeksly Giveaway

That’s right baby – I’m gonna give away one lucky winner a brand spankin’ new copy of “Miami Vice” on DVD – there’s just one teensy tiny little catch – you have to live in the U.S. to enter – sorry boys & girls in other parts of the world, that’s just the way this particular cookie crumbles – I’ll definitely try and make it up to you shortly – but in the meantime for all those who are eligible, you can win the movie that sounds a little something like this:

The cocaine cowboys of the ‘80s are gone, but Miami’s Casablanca allure, the undercover cops and the attitudes of Michael Mann’s culturally influential television series have been enhanced by time in the feature film version of Miami Vice.

Ricardo Tubbs (Jamie Foxx) is urbane and dead smart. He lives with Bronx-born intel analyst, Trudy (Naomie Harris), as they work undercover transporting drug loads into South Florida to identify a group responsible for three murders.

Sonny Crockett (Colin Farrell) is charismatic and flirtatious until –while working undercover with the supplier of the South Florida group – he gets romantically entangled with Isabella (Gong Li), the Chinese-Cuban wife of an arms and drugs trafficker.

The best undercover identity is oneself with the volume turned up and restraint unplugged. The intensity of this case pushes Crockett and Tubbs out onto the edge where identity and fabrication become blurred, where cop and player become one – especially for Crockett in his romance with Isabella and for Tubbs in the provocation of an assault on those he loves.

Miami Vice liberates what is adult, dangerous and alluring about working deeply undercover… especially when Crockett and Tubbs go to where their badges don’t count.

Tasty. Tasty indeed. Anyhow, here’s the deal on this one, first of all, I need you to answer me one little question, and then you could have this in your hot little hands – “In what year was Michael Mann nominated for an Emmy for “Best Drama” for his involvement in the TV version of ‘Miami Vice’?” send your answers to ”Hollywood Movie Star” Clint Morris, remember to include your full address & Zip code by Thursday December 7th, and if you’ve won, you’ll find out soon enough dammit.

Muchos Gracias to Universal for supplying this nice piece of merchandise, and for the final plug – “Miami Vice” is available from all good retailers December 5th on DVD & HD-DVD.

The Official Weeks Seal Of Approval DVD Release Of The Week

OK, back down under for the DVD stuff this week, I had the distinct pleasure of being at the Sydney Opera House when this event took place, having been taken along by a buddy of mine. Now, I was never a big fan of “Crowded House”, or so I thought until the concert got underway – not only did I know every single song on the bill, I knew all the words as well – I’ve been an admitted huge fan ever since, it’s hard to believe that I was only 19 back then, but it’s even harder to believe that it’s been 10 years since Crowded House said “Farewell To The World”:

10th Anniversary Edition – Their final show from the Opera House, on DVD (Double) for the first time! 5 tracks / performances included on the DVD, not on the previous VHS release. Special packaging format available for a limited time.

Includes the brand new documentary “The Day They Brought The House Down” including new interviews with Neil Finn and Nick Seymour. Two other documentaries also included; Jana Wendt’s “Witness” piece and “Planning The Event”. Photo gallery and Credit roll sections includes three previously unreleased original demos. Band commentary for the entire concert, with Neil Finn & Nick Seymour. Recut shot-by-shot to 16:9 widescreen. Re-graded and re-edited concert. Digitally re-mastered. New stereo mix and new 5.1 DTS mix. Also contains original stereo mix from the VHS.

Tracklisting:
1. Mean To Me
2. World Where You Live
3. When You Come
4. Private Universe
5. Four Seasons In One Day
6. Fall At Your Feet
7. Whispers & Moans
8. Hole In The River
9. Better Be Home Soon
10. Pineapple Head
11. Distant Sun
12. Into Temptation
13. Everything Is Good For You
14. Locked Out
15. Something So Strong
16. Sister Madly
17. Italian Plastic
18. Weather With You
19. It’s Only Natural
20. There Goes God
21. Fingers Of Love
22. In My Command
23. Throw Your Arms Around Me
24. Don’t Dream It’s Over

The special features are:

– Limited Edition Slipcase Packaging
– Brand new documentary “The Day They Brought The House Down” including new interviews with Neil Finn and Nick Seymour
– Two other documentaries – Jana Wendt’s “Witness” piece and “Planning The Event”
– Photo gallery and Credit roll sections includes three previously unreleased original demos
– Band commentary for the entire concert, with Neil Finn & Nick Seymour
– Recut shot-by-shot to 16:9 widescreen, re-graded and re-edited concert, digitally re-mastered, new stereo mix and new 5.1 DTS mix, also contains original stereo mix from the VHS