TV Squad http://www.tvsquad.com TV Squad http://www.tvsquad.com/media/feedlogo.gif TV Squad http://www.tvsquad.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Uh oh: Standoff won't return until the summerhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2007/03/28/uh-oh-standoff-wont-return-until-the-summer/http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/03/28/uh-oh-standoff-wont-return-until-the-summer/http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/03/28/uh-oh-standoff-wont-return-until-the-summer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

StandoffFans of Standoff, the FOX hostage negotiator drama starring Ron Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt, were worried when it was announced that the show was moving to Fridays. Now here's more to be concerned about: the show isn't returning at all until the summer.

It was supposed to return in April, but FOX has decided the show won't be back until after the network announces its fall schedule in May. I wonder how this will affect their decision, since the show has been on hiatus for a while and they're not going to know what the summer numbers are until, well, the show airs in the summer. They insist the show isn't canceled, but this can't be seen as a "good" sign, that's for sure. It got pretty good numbers when it was on.

For the record, I thought the show was so-so.

 

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]]>fbigina torreshostage negotiatorhostageshousematt flanneryMattFlannerymichael cudlitzMichaelCudlitzromantic comedyron livingstonRonLivingstonrosemarie dewittRosemarieDewittstandoff ratingsStandoffRatingsBob SassoneWed, 28 Mar 2007 20:00:00 ESTA baby for Torres, an engagement for House starshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2007/01/07/a-baby-for-torres-an-engagement-for-house-stars/http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/01/07/a-baby-for-torres-an-engagement-for-house-stars/http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/01/07/a-baby-for-torres-an-engagement-for-house-stars/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

gina torrres; lawrence fishburne; jennifer morrison; jesse spencerGina Torres and her husband, Laurence Fishburne, are going to have a baby. Torres currently plays a supporting role in Fox's Standoff, but she's known to many television fans as the unbelievably tough and beautiful Zoe on Firefly. Torres and Fishburne have been married since 2002. People magazine reports she is due in the summer with the couple's first child. That's going to be one gorgeous baby.

In other celebrity gossip, two costars on House are engaged. Jennifer Morrison and Jesse Spencer got engaged over the holidays while in Paris. Morrison plays Dr. Allison Cameron and Spencer plays Dr. Robert Chase. Would Dr. House approve of this on-the-job romance?

 

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]]>gina torresjennifer morrisonJenniferMorrisonjesse spencerlaurence fishburneAnna JohnsSun, 07 Jan 2007 09:39:00 ESTFox orders up more episodes of 'Til Death, Standoffhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2006/11/16/fox-orders-up-more-episodes-of-til-death-standoff/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/11/16/fox-orders-up-more-episodes-of-til-death-standoff/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/11/16/fox-orders-up-more-episodes-of-til-death-standoff/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

standoffFox has picked up the back nine episodes of the new comedy, 'Til Death, starring Brad Garrett and Joely Fisher. Even though the show hasn't done much in its Thursday night timeslot, Fox thinks there is an audience out there for this sitcom. Fox thinks that 24 and American Idol will draw in more viewers to the network when they begin in January.

The network has also ordered six more episodes of Standoff, starring Ron Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt (and Gina Torres for all you Firefly fans). A rep for the network says it didn't order the full back nine (considered a full season) because there isn't going to be any room for a full season once 24 and American Idol begin.

 

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]]>brad garrettBradGarrettgina torresjoely fisherron livingstonrosemarie dewitttil deathAnna JohnsThu, 16 Nov 2006 19:05:00 ESTThe Five: Why I'm not reviewing Standoff anymorehttp://www.tvsquad.com/2006/11/08/the-five-why-im-not-reviewing-standoff-anymore/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/11/08/the-five-why-im-not-reviewing-standoff-anymore/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/11/08/the-five-why-im-not-reviewing-standoff-anymore/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

StandoffYou might have noticed that I didn't review last night's episode of Standoff. It's not because of election coverage. I'm just super bored with the show. Here's why.

1. It's like Mad Libs. Seriously, all you have to do is fill in the blanks with each episode's set up, confrontaion, and resolution. The two hostage negotiators are called in, Matt gets on the phone, Emily figures out what's going on in the hostage-taker's life that would make him do this, Frank wants to shoot them instead of talk to them, Matt and Emily banter about their relationship, their boss stands around and looks concerned, and then Matt or Emily talks the person out of doing anything else. Noun-adjective-adverb. Yawn.

Continue reading The Five: Why I'm not reviewing Standoff anymore

 

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]]>cnuhostage negotiationhostageslos angelesron livingstonRonLivingstonrosemarie dewittstandoff reviewsStandoffReviewsBob SassoneWed, 08 Nov 2006 13:02:00 ESTStandoff: Life Supporthttp://www.tvsquad.com/2006/10/31/standoff-life-support/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/10/31/standoff-life-support/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/10/31/standoff-life-support/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Standoff cast(S01E05) This show is just too formulaic. It's not that the plots aren't a tad innovative - not just hostages at a bank but hostages in a airport control tower, a diner, and in this episode, a hospital operating room - it's just that the structure is just so formulaic and tedious. Guy with a gun takes over a place, the only two hostage negotiators in L.A. are called in, one of them calls the guy with the gun, things seem to be about to go well, then someone screws it up and this pisses off the guy with the gun and it makes everything harder for the FBI team. So they have to work harder to figure out what is motivating the guy, by going into his past (with the help of the cute girl with the Apple laptop back at HQ). That's pretty much what happens.

Continue reading Standoff: Life Support

 

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]]>cnufbihospitalhostagesnegotiationron livingstonRonLivingstonrosemarie dewittsurgeonssurgeryBob SassoneTue, 31 Oct 2006 21:21:00 ESTFox shuffles its post-baseball schedulehttp://www.tvsquad.com/2006/10/06/fox-shuffles-its-post-baseball-schedule/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/10/06/fox-shuffles-its-post-baseball-schedule/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/10/06/fox-shuffles-its-post-baseball-schedule/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

vanishedFox is changing up its schedule once the World Series is over. It is sending Vanished to 8 pm on Fridays, the place where television shows go to die. And, Justice is moving from Wednesdays to Mondays at 9 pm. Fox obviously hopes the large Prison Break audience will stick around for the new Jerry Bruckheimer procedural drama which has consistently placed 4th among the networks on Wednesdays. Tuesdays will switch up just a bit, with Standoff moving to the 8 pm hour and House moving up to 9 pm. On Wednesdays, Bones will remain at 8 pm with new game show, The Rich List, following 9 pm. The changes begin on October 23rd.

 

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]]>baseballjerry bruckheimerron livingstonschedulevanishedworld seriesAnna JohnsFri, 06 Oct 2006 11:05:00 ESTFox gives Tim Minear another show?http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/27/fox-gives-tim-minear-another-show/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/27/fox-gives-tim-minear-another-show/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/27/fox-gives-tim-minear-another-show/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Tim MinearDon't get me wrong. I'm a big Tim Minear fan. Actually, I never missed an airing of Angel, Firefly, Wonderfalls, or The Inside. He served as a producer on all of those, along with writing his fair share of episodes. Heck, I even remember watching some episodes of High Tide back in the day when Minear was just getting started as a writer. Still, news that Minear is being brought on as Consulting Producer for Standoff just boggles me.

Now, I think that Firefly and Wonderfalls were brilliant, and The Inside was solid. But that just means that 'I' think someone should give Tim another show. The part I don't get is that from the Fox perspective, these shows were all failures. They managed to last 11, 4, and 7 episodes. Three series, 22 episodes. What does a guy have to do to be shown the door?

Continue reading Fox gives Tim Minear another show?

 

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]]>buffyfireflygrrr argggghGrrrArgggghproducerthe insideTheInsidetim minearTimMinearwonderfallsBrett LoveWed, 27 Sep 2006 18:27:00 ESTStandoff: Partners in Crimehttp://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/26/standoff-partners-in-crime/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/26/standoff-partners-in-crime/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/26/standoff-partners-in-crime/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Standoff(S01E04) I hate it when TV shows or movies are really "predictable" in how "unpredictable" they are. Case in point, tonight's Standoff. Have I just been watching too much television the past 40 years or were the two "twists" at the start of this episode pretty easy to guess? Yeah, it was kinda obvious that the first team assault on the house was just a training exercise, and it was equally obvious that the girl was in on the bank thefts with the serial bank robber, just wearing different wigs.

That's not to say that there are worse ways to kill an hour than watching Standoff. This was actually the best episode so far.

Continue reading Standoff: Partners in Crime

 

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]]>bank robberycnuemilyhostagesmattnegotiationron livingstonrosemarie dewittRosemarieDewittBob SassoneTue, 26 Sep 2006 22:15:00 ESTStandoff stops production (but not for the reason you might think)http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/26/standoff-stops-production-but-not-for-the-reason-you-might-thin/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/26/standoff-stops-production-but-not-for-the-reason-you-might-thin/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/26/standoff-stops-production-but-not-for-the-reason-you-might-thin/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

StandoffThe new FOX hostage negotiation drama Standoff has stopped production for a week, but not because the show is being shelved. It's actually a "writer's break," so they can get caught up (since they start the new season before the other networks) and new consulting producer Tim Minear comes on board to help out.

So, those of you who had Standoff in our contest can stop jumping up and down now and go back to watching television.

 

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]]>baseballfox schedulejusticeloststandoff producersstandoff productionstandoff writerstil deathtim minearTimMinearBob SassoneTue, 26 Sep 2006 16:00:00 ESTA fast Q&A with Ron Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt of Standoffhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/20/a-fast-qanda-with-ron-livingston-and-rosemarie-dewitt-of-standoff/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/20/a-fast-qanda-with-ron-livingston-and-rosemarie-dewitt-of-standoff/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/20/a-fast-qanda-with-ron-livingston-and-rosemarie-dewitt-of-standoff/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Ron Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt of StandoffOn the new FOX drama Standoff, Ron Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt play Matt Flannery and Emily Lehman, who are partners on one of the FBI's finest crisis negotiaton teams. They also happen to be sleeping together. The show examines how the personal aspect of their relationship mixes in with the high-stakes nature of their jobs. I was able to get a few minutes with the pair before the screening of the show's pilot at the New York Television Festival. Of course, no Ron Livingston interview could go by without my sneaking in an Office Space question or two, which I did at the end:

Continue reading A fast Q&A with Ron Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt of Standoff

 

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]]>mike judgenew york television festivaloffice spaceRon livingstonRonLivingstonRosemarie dewittscreeningJoel KellerWed, 20 Sep 2006 19:01:00 ESTStandoff: Shanghai'dhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/19/standoff-shanghaid/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/19/standoff-shanghaid/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/19/standoff-shanghaid/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Standoff(S01E03) There were two great things about this third episode of Standoff. One was a joke at the start of the show, when Matt says to Emily that he "feels like Lindsay Lohan," and Emily replies "oh come on, you're not that drunk." Matt was actually talking about everyone looking at him.

The second great thing about the episode was the commercial for a new Victoria's Secret bra. Something called the "Infinity Edge" bra. Awesome commercial. The rest of this episode? Meh.

Continue reading Standoff: Shanghai'd

 

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]]>cnuemilyfbihostage negotiationhostageskidnappingmattron livingstonRonLivingstonrosemarie dewittBob SassoneTue, 19 Sep 2006 22:30:00 ESTNYTVF: Awards ceremony and Standoff screeninghttp://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/18/nytvf-awards-ceremony-and-standoff-screening/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/18/nytvf-awards-ceremony-and-standoff-screening/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/18/nytvf-awards-ceremony-and-standoff-screening/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

MSN award to Squid Dragon Legend
After a rainy Friday night spent holed up in my apartment recapping the NYTVF events on Thursday, and a Saturday of rest, I was back at the Directors Guild Theater on Sunday for the festival's final two events: the awards ceremony and a screening of the FOX show Standoff.

I have to say, after all the craziness of the last week, the NYTVF folks did a good job of getting people in and out quickly. The award ceremony was only about a half-hour, and they decided to forego the red carpet for Standoff, thus keeping the rabid ranks of media and fans under control. It was probably just too exhausting to deal with for them, and I think they had the right idea. More info -- and pictures -- after the jump.

Continue reading NYTVF: Awards ceremony and Standoff screening

 

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]]>awardsnew york television festivalnytvfpremiereron livingstonrosemarie dewittscreeningspike ferestenstandoffJoel KellerMon, 18 Sep 2006 19:10:00 ESTStandoff: Circlinghttp://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/12/standoff-circling/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/12/standoff-circling/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/12/standoff-circling/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

StandoffLast week I mentioned that Standoff was a lot like Bones. But after this episode, I'm wondering if it's not that Standoff is like Bones, it's more like FOX has a specific formula for the way they do dramas now.

That's not necessarily a bad thing. It's not a good thing either, but this episode is a vast improvement over the pilot, if only because the premise was meatier, a little less predictable, and it had some genuine tension.

Continue reading Standoff: Circling

 

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]]>air traffic controllerairplanesairportemilymattnegotiationsron livingstonrosemarie dewittBob SassoneTue, 12 Sep 2006 22:21:00 ESTThe attack of the one word titleshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/06/the-attack-of-the-one-word-titles/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/06/the-attack-of-the-one-word-titles/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/06/the-attack-of-the-one-word-titles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The one word titled LostOkay, maybe it's just me. Perhaps I wouldn't have noticed it if I weren't reporting on the television industry. However, I have, and I'm a bit disturbed about it because it could mean the beginning of the downfall of Western civilization as we know it. Yes, it's been said that everything from microwave ovens to Britney Spears would be the downfall, but I really think this is.

What am I talking about? The amount of television shows this season with one word titles, of course. What the heck do you think I was talking about? The Middle East? North Korea? Britney having another baby? Hell, no! I write about television; I don't care about any of those issues!

Seriously, maybe it began with shows like Lost, but it seems like a majority of shows this season are saving a lot on graphics with a one-word title. You doubt me? Well, you always doubt me, but I have proof to back up my theory. Jump ahead and you'll see what I mean.

Continue reading The attack of the one word titles

 

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]]>GirlfirendsOne Word TitlesOneWordTitlesRunawaySharkSmallvilleSurvivorRichard KellerWed, 06 Sep 2006 08:33:00 ESTStandoff: Pilot (series premiere)http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/05/standoff-pilot/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/05/standoff-pilot/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/05/standoff-pilot/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Standoff(S01E01) I'm one of those people that truly believes that any TV show or movie premise could be great. Because it's not the premise of a show that's most important. Really, what does the premise of a show have to do with anything? A "great" premise could have horrible writing, acting, direction, while a show that seems to have a "typical" or "boring" premise can be great if it has good writing, acting, and direction. Seinfeld was a show about "nothing" but it was the writing and the cast that made that show great. Heck, what was the movie My Dinner With Andre but two guys eating dinner and talking for two hours?

So it's not the premise of Standoff (hostage negotiators are also lovers!) that is disappointing, it's that there's nothing really special about it. Not yet anyway. But it's a show that has promise, and here's why.

Continue reading Standoff: Pilot (series premiere)

 

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]]>emilygina torreshostage negotiatorhostagesmattron livingstonRonLivingstonrosemarie dewittBob SassoneTue, 05 Sep 2006 22:03:00 ESTPress Kits Unwrapped: FOX's Standoffhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2006/08/23/press-kits-unwrapped-foxs-standoff/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/08/23/press-kits-unwrapped-foxs-standoff/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/08/23/press-kits-unwrapped-foxs-standoff/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

standoff press kitPress kits usually come in one of two ways: they're either a very basic press kit, just a folder with the show's logo on it, and some print press materials inside, maybe a few photos. And then there are the other ones, the press kits with really cool collectibles inside and/or an innovative packaging. The one for FOX's Standoff seems to be in the middle. It comes with the basic paperwork stapled together (no folder??), but also includes two neat collectibles.

Continue reading Press Kits Unwrapped: FOX's Standoff

 

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]]>cnucrisis negotiatino unitgina torrespress kitsPressKitsron livingstonRonLivingstonrosemarie dewittBob SassoneWed, 23 Aug 2006 08:40:00 ESTTV Squad previews FOX's new showshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2006/07/27/tv-squad-previews-foxs-new-shows/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/07/27/tv-squad-previews-foxs-new-shows/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/07/27/tv-squad-previews-foxs-new-shows/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

fox logoLast, but certainly not least, we are giving you a preview of the shows that FOX has planned for the fall season. We've already discussed ABC, CBS, and NBC's new shows. Let's just say that our TiVos are going to be working overtime this fall.

For FOX, we're covering comedies Happy Hour, 'Til Death, and The Winner. And the dramas are Justice, Standoff, Vanished, and The Wedding Album. The network was kind enough to send us the DVD screeners but, since we can't technically "review" them, we're just going to give you a short preview and our initial thoughts.

Continue reading TV Squad previews FOX's new shows

 

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]]>gina torreshappy hourjoely fisherjusticekerr smithming napreviewrob corddryrob garrettron livingstonscreenerstandoffthe wedding albumthe winnertil deathvanishedvictor garboAnna JohnsThu, 27 Jul 2006 11:49:00 ESTThe Upfronts: FOXhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2006/05/18/the-upfronts-fox/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/05/18/the-upfronts-fox/http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/05/18/the-upfronts-fox/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

fox logoFOX announced its 2006-07 primetime schedule this morning. It is adding three new dramas and two new comedies to the fall schedule, with another drama and a comedy coming on at mid-season. FOX has paired new programming with returning shows every night of the week. It's even going to dabble in Saturday night programming.

Returning: 24, American Dad, American Idol, America's Most Wanted: America Strikes Back, Bones, Cops, Family Guy, House, King of the Hill, The Loop, MADtv, Nanny 911, The O.C., Prison Break, The Simpsons, Trading Spouses: Meet your new Mommy, The War at Home.

Out: Arrested Development, The Bernie Mac Show, Free Ride, Killer Instinct, Kitchen Confidential, Malcolm in the Middle, Reunion, Skating with Celebrities, Stacked, That '70s Show, Unan1mous

New: Vanished, Standoff, Justice, 'Til Death, Happy Hour, Talk Show with Spike Feresten, Duets, The Wedding Album, The Winner, On the Lot.

Descriptions of new shows below.

Continue reading The Upfronts: FOX

 

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]]>fallprimetimesaturdayscheduleupfrontsAnna JohnsThu, 18 May 2006 11:24:00 EST