[Televisionary]

One of the year's most eagerly anticipated series begins tonight on Syfy with the two-hour series premiere of Caprica , the prequel to Battlestar Galactica . While the pilot episode of Ronald D. Moore, David Eick, and Jane Espenson's Caprica has been available via DVD or digital download for some time, tonight will mark the official linear television start of the series as the two-hour pilot gets its broadcast debut. (You can read my original thoughts on Caprica 's pilot episode here .) For those expecting a space-set battle royale or a ragtag band of human survivors, Caprica will be a very different kettle of fish. For one, it's set way before the events of Battlestar Galactica and is set on the planet of Caprica not only decades before its fall but also during a time of peace. But that peace is one that's short-lived. The comfortable existence enjoyed by the well-heeled denizens of Caprica is ripped apart by a shocking terrorist act in the pilot's opening

The ratings are in and ABC's new legal drama The Deep End tanked in the ratings. But, given the lackluster results, I am curious to know which of you out there watched the first episode of The Deep End . Just what did you thought of the series? (You can read my review of the original pilot episode, written last summer, here .) Did you find it engaging? Self-indulgent? Ridiculous? Did the presence of Matt Long, Mehcad Brooks, or Tina Majorino make up for one-dimensional characters and an effort to capitalize on the soapiness of Grey's ? And is there any way you would ever tune in again? Talk back here.

Some of you have asked what I thought about Starz's blood- and sex-laden drama series Spartacus . After watching the first four episodes that were sent out for review, my thoughts on the series are just as muddled as they were when I first heard about the project. Created by Steven DeKnight, Spartacus recounts the exploits of a Thracian warrior (Andy Whitfield) betrayed by the Romans, torn away from his wife, and forced to compete as a gladiator in a series of vicious battles for the amusement of the public. His only desire: to train as hard as possible in the ludus (gladiator school) in order to win, so that that he can finally be reunited with his wife, who has been sold into slavery. (He'll eventually launch a slave rebellion against the Romans.) And when I say vicious battles, I mean vicious . The bloody and gruesome action is set against a series of a computer-rendered backdrops that recall 300 , without that production's gargantuan budget. Which basically means a nev

"Better to be without sense than misapply it as you do." - Mr. Knightley Jane Austen's novel "Emma" remains an enduring masterpiece of biting wit, scathing satire, and Regency society-trapped-in-amber since its publication in 1815. Even nearly 200 years later, there's still quite a bit of relevance and humor to be found in its pages and the novel's matchmaking heroine Emma Woodhouse--young, spoiled, and naive--remains a favorite for readers of all ages. Douglas McGrath's 1996 Emma , which starred Gwyneth Paltrow, Toni Collette, Alan Cumming, and Ewan McGregor, remains a favorite of mine when thinking of Austen adaptations. Daringly breaking away from the stylistic constraints of 19th century English novels, McGrath infused this story with modern flourishes, creating something timeless in and of itself. Likewise, the 1995 feature film Clueless transplanted Emma Woodhouse to mid-90s Beverly Hills, transforming the Austen heroine into the vapid Cher Ho

Welcome to your Friday morning television briefing. TNT yesterday gave series orders to all three of its drama pilots: Rizzoli & Isles , the George Clooney-executive produced Delta Blues , and an untitled Steven Spielberg-executive produced alien invasion drama. Ten episodes are on tap for all three, with Delta Blues --starring Jason Lee ( My Name is Earl )--and Rizzoli & Isles --starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander and based on Tess Gettitsen's novels--set to launch later this year. Meanwhile, the untitled Spielberg project, which stars Noah Wyle ( ER, The Librarian ) and is written by Robert Rodat, will launch in 2011. ( Hollywood Reporter ) Confirmed: Rob Lowe has asked ABC to release him from his contract on drama series Brothers & Sisters , reportedly because he felt he was being underused by the producers. ABC has complied with his request and Lowe will depart the series at the end of the season. "We would like to keep Rob at ABC," said ABC in a sta

There's a certain subgenre of comedy that doesn't really have a label; it's the sort of humor that mines painful or uncomfortable situations for humor. Call it Comedy of the Awkward. The Brits are quite successful at utilizing this type of comedy for major laughs; the original version of The Office did this quite successfully, as did Peep Show , Nighty Night , and any of the characters created by Sasha Baron Cohen on Da Ali G Show (particularly Borat). A few years back, British comedian Marc Wootton created and starred in an eight-episode BBC Three comedy series High Spirits with Shirley Ghostman , which found Wootton donning a number of hairstyles, costumes, and accents to play a variety of outre characters who then interacted with the public at large. (It aired Stateside on BBC America in 2006.) The result was a sidesplitting and often painful series of double-takes and belly laughs, especially when Wootton donned a white suit and French-tipped nails to play the titular

Consider this the official "official" confirmation. NBC this morning released a brief statement confirming that it had reached a deal with Conan O'Brien. Without any pomp or circumstance, the Peacock made it clear that O'Brien would be free to "pursue other opportunities after September 1, 2010" and that his final telecast as host of The Tonight Show is slated to air tomorrow. The full statement from NBC: NBC and Conan O'Brien have reached a resolution of the issues surrounding O'Brien's contract to host The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien . Under terms of an agreement that was signed earlier today, NBC and O'Brien will settle their contractual obligations and the network will release O'Brien from his contract, freeing him to pursue other opportunities after September 1, 2010. O'Brien will make his final appearance as host of The Tonight Show on January 22. Minutes later, NBC released another statement, this time announcing that