NBC's New Philosophy

So this morning NBC announced their new philosophy which is... ALL NEW ALL THE TIME... i'm paraphrasing of course.

NBC promised re-runs would be rare, and that they would be producing 64 weeks of NEW television. This will include some of the classic favorites: The Office, ER, Heroes, Chuck and Friday Night Lights etc...

However being added to their line up are a variety of high quality programs... such as:

Knight Rider- a remake of the classic Hoff and Mr. Finney Voiced crime fighting duo

My Own Worst Enemy- Christian Slater as a family man with a secret super spy identity

Untitled Office Spinoff- ...and untitled spinoff of the Office....(ps, if you had to read the description to get that... seek help)

Kath & Kim- American Remake of most successful Austrailian comedy ever about a mother and daughter with big personalities played by Selma Blair and Molly Shannon

honestly, i just can't keep listing things... none of these really shine as a beacon of hope that NBC seems to think they are. The Office Spinoff could be great, but I unfortunately doubt it will be. (Please NBC... prove me wrong!)

Not to mention they will not be showing the final episodes of Scrubs... this combined with the low quality of season 2 of Heroes...leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy they will be adopting this full year long seasons of new tv... but i'd rather have more short seasons of awesome shows, than filling us up on crap...

think of it as Thanksgiving: why fill up on mashed potatoes when there's turkey? (unless you're a vegetarian, in which case... why fill up on cranberry sauce when there's mashed potatoes?)

mm

Get Stoned!

Now, before I get an email from my parents/brothers... no... not that kind of Stoned... I was thinking more like this kind of Stoned. If you haven't yet checked out Eli Stone on ABC's Thursday Night Line Up... you are missing out!

The show has a wit and humor that seems to fit perfectly in with the cast. Johnny Lee Miller (or as some may call him Zero Cool/ Crash Override) delivers a stellar performance both balancing the quirkiness of a man receiving visions thanks to an inoperable brain aneurism and the sincerity of a lawyer... yes.... sincerity of a lawyer.

What really makes the show great is the ensemble cast. From Victor Garber as one of the Partners at the law firm/ Eli's ex-fiance's father to Sam Jaegar at the anti-Eli lawyer.

Honestly, there've been a few bumps in the road, but honestly this show has consistently been solid humor, and even some real drama. Something I think other shows fall short on (balancing the laughs and the drama).

tune in

mm

mm1 chimes in

Ok, so i wanted to share a very funny phone conversation i had with the eldest marshall brother (matt/mm1):

mm1: so i was reading the blog today, didn't realize they were making another jack ryan film!  You know, while harrison ford is better known, alec "f u that's my name" baldwin fits the role better according to the book"

mm3: yeah, but everyone will remember harrison ford.

mm1: oh, i wanted to ask you... cuz i clicked the linked video in the blog, and i wanted to ask... i didn't see spider-man 3, that wasn't really part of the movie right?

mm3: no matt... it REALLY was that bad.

mm1: right... but i mean, they somehow edited in the whole him strutting down the street.

mm3: no matt.... it REALLY was that bad.

mm1: God help us all

mm(3) out

Phonathon!

Good Morning! Super fast post this morning. I have to take off in about ten minutes to go and volunteer at the mix 98.5 annual phonathon for the Children's Hospital in Boston. I'll be answering phones for like... 4 hours this afternoon.

But, nothing says end of March in New England like a random snow storm!

Can't WAIT to drive : /

What We're Listening To

Finally! In the opinion of this humble blogger, the much anticipated sophmore album from Panic! at the Disco finally has hit stores.

Featuring the first single "Nine in the Afternoon" which you may recognize from an episode of Heroes last season.

I must admit, I've kind of had a strained relationship with Panic! their last album was strong I thought, coming out of the gate with a lot of awesome songs. Similar to Guster however they chose their singles poorly, definately not putting their strongest foot forward, but regardless... a strong album.

Their follow up definately carries the same intensity and upbeat fun that we've grown to love from Panic! but also picks up a little bit more of a mature sound. Don't get me wrong, Brendon's voice still has a hint of prepubescent boy, but their overall sound is more put together and sounds great. If you pick it up at the itunes music store, you can get the new fad of digital album book, but you also pick up two videos, one for "mad as rabbits" which is basically them filming them recording the song... but it's fun. Then the very VERY Sgt. Pepper influenced "Nine in the Afternoon" video, complete with the band running down the street being chased by swarms of females.

To be honest, I think the best thing these guys could do is just embrace their sound more, and focus less on their "look" which I'd classify as "Hot Top-Clockwork-Carnie". The best thing about this album? At least from my point of view: It seems they are enjoying the music (definately seen in the video for Mad as Rabbits).

I look forward to more from these guys.

mm