A few freshman series got a slight vote of confidence from their respective networks.NBC has ordered three additional scripts for each of its new dramas, including Chuck, Journeyman, Bionic Woman, and Life. While it's not quite the back nine order that I've been hoping for (especially in the case of Chuck), it's definitely a step in the right direction.
CBS, meanwhile, extended the order for four additional scripts from its primetime soap Cane.
So far the CW's Gossip Girl has been the only freshman drama to receive a full season pickup, despite a staggering 30 percent drop in viewership between the series opener and second episode.
Given the immediacy of the strike situation (nearly everyone--myself included--now believes that the strike is definitely happening), I am surprised that the networks aren't handing out additional script orders--even as many as nine--left and right. There's no guarantee that these scripts will ever be shot but, given the looming threat and that October 31st deadline, it sure would be nice to have some protection, no?
What's On Tonight
8 pm: Survivor: China (CBS); My Name is Earl/30 Rock (NBC); Smallville (CW); Ugly Betty (ABC); Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (FOX)
9 pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS); The Office (NBC); Supernatural (CW); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); Don't Forget the Lyrics (FOX)
10 pm: Without a Trace (CBS); ER (NBC); Big Shots (ABC)
What I'll Be Watching
8 pm: Ugly Betty.
On tonight's episode ("Betty's Wait Problem"): Betty is distracted by Gio (Freddy Rodriguez), a new sandwich vendor at the office, and is still clearly not over Henry; Wilhelmina tries to get her wedding back on track at the annual Black and White Ball but Claire shows up; Amanda makes her first social appearance as Fey's illegitimate daughter.
8:30 pm: 30 Rock.
What's on my mind grapes? It's the second season of the Emmy Award winning comedy. On tonight's episode ("Jack Gets in the Game"), Will Arnett returns! Jack contends with his archenemy Devin (Arnett) when both compete to replace the retiring Don Geiss (Rip Torn), whose daughter just happens to be engaged to Devin.
9 pm: The Office.
Season Four of The Office continues tonight with a one-hour episode ("Launch Party"), in which Michael can't wait to attend a swanky launch party for Dunder-Mifflin's new website in New York, while Angela arranges a party in Scranton; Dwight tries to sell more paper in a day than the website.
10-11 pm: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia on FX.
FX's hilariously subversive comedy It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia continues tonight with two back-to-back episodes. On the first ("Sweet Dee's Dating a Retarded Person"), Dee dates a local rapper but finds out that he may be mentally challenged. On the second ("Hundred Dollar Baby"), Frank tutors Dee in boxing after she's mugged but runs into a former nemesis at the gym.
Comments
I wish NBC would stop the damn flashy "bottom third" adverts they have seemingly non-stop. It's really disturbing to see a random character from another series pop up while watching Heroes etc...
What's going to happen to all our favorite shows once they run out of scripts.
I really don't want to suffer through all the reality TV they will inevitably throw our way.