TVSquad

It's not really possible that every summer premiere on the great American broadcast TV schedule crashed and burned, is it?

But, out of all the original programs that premiered on the major networks after the completion of the fall 2008 season, not a single one got traction.

According to analysis reports, you can take your pick from any of the following shows: Defying Gravity, The Superstars, The Listener, Mental, The Philanthropist, Hitched or Ditched, Merlin and Great American Road Trip. All of them bombed -- each hovering just above a one market share.

In fact, you don't need numbers to prove that the fall crop crapped out. Ask your friend what his/her favorite summer replacement show was. You'll be waiting awhile.

So I'm sitting there all cozy yesterday watching the season (I won't say series!) finale of Reaper. It's at a pivotal moment in the action. Sam is batting the devil for his soul. All he has to do is sink these quarters into this shot glass. My eyes are glued to his hands and then ... then ... well look at the picture! You can't see shit! Behind that cloud of whatever the hell that's supposed to be is Sam's hand holding the quarter. You can almost see the shot glass coming out of the blob.

Come on, I know we've had to learn to get used to on-screen promos for shows but where does it say you have to cover up fully a quarter of the screen with white glowing crap? Did you think I might not notice the words "Hitched or Ditched" down there? I'm sorry, but this is completely inexcusable. Why not just have a voice over interrupt screaming: "HEY! YOU NEED TO WATCH HITCHED OR DITCHED! IT'S ON NEXT. IF YOU DON'T THIS WHITE BLOB IS GONNA COVER THE WHOLE SCREEN! MWAHAHAHAHA!"