CBS is moving their new murder-mystery series Harper's Island to Saturday nights. Guess the ratings just weren't what the network wanted, so starting next week the show will air on the night of reruns and movies. But don't worry that this is a sign that the show will vanish from the schedule altogether. This was created as a limited-run series and CBS says they'll show all of the episodes, just on another night (though I wouldn't bet on a second season).
I know what these networks are doing. It's all part of their master plan to make Saturday nights a "must-see" night of television again, an attempt to recapture of the glory years of shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Carol Burnett Show, and The Bob Newhart Show. Someday all of the best show will be on Saturday nights and we'll be home in our Slankets watching them.
Sure, sometimes recaps can be unnecessary, but sometimes they're actually welcome, especially if you missed just an episode or two and you want to get caught up. Below is a summary of what has happened so far on CBS' Harper's Island, which airs tonight at 10. It's actually a good little recap for those of us who missed the first two episodes (of course, the full episodes are available too). Catch up before there are so many episodes you say to yourself, "eh, I don't have time to watch this!."
Back in January, I mentioned that I am going to give Harper's Island a shot. I've been a little antsy about getting involved in yet another continuing drama (and one that could be canceled at anytime), but this was filmed and is being marketed as a limited-run series. Somewhere between a mini-series and a regular season, and that makes me feel a little better about taking the time to watch it.
Of course, one could argue that shows like Kidnapped and Daybreak were also shows that were designed for a limited run, but NBC and ABC didn't market those shows the way that CBS is marketing this one. The ads for Harper's Island make it very clear that it's only going to be on for a short time. In the TV ads, they're very specific about the dates the show will run (April 9 to July 2), and the people behind the show are calling it "an event." It's a smart way to do it, and the TV ads have actually been clever and well-done.
(S05E21) "It's not easy knowing that your whole life is gonna go on without you." - Christian
It's hard to imagine what this show would be like if Christian were to die now. I'd like to think that Ryan Murphy and Co. will actually follow through on what's been an emotional rollercoaster for fans, watching Christian's cancer's ups and downs. If he somehow survives, I'll honestly be disappointed. Dr. Troy needs to die for this story to pay off. So the question is, when's he gonna kick it?
I'm a big fan of mysteries, but it's hard to watch them on television. I'm talking about the onslaught of serial TV shows that we've seen the past couple of years. For every Lost or Heroes we've had, we've had an infinite number of shows that didn't make it, such as Daybreak and Kidnapped. It's easy to get frustrated and disillusioned when you start to watch a continuing drama and the show doesn't even get past its first 13 episodes. ABC pulled Daybreak after a handful of episodes and then put the rest online. NBC did the same with Kidnapped (it was also on Saturday nights, which didn't work out either).
(S01E17) All things considered, this has been a pretty good week for Reaper. In light of the very real possibility that next week's season finale could have been a series finale, news that the show has been picked up for next season is cause for celebration. Sure, the thirteen episodes for mid-season part isn't ideal, but hey, gift horses and whatnot. I am already looking forward to a Reaper/Supernatural block on Thursday nights. And hey, there was a new episode too. There was a lot going on, but the big news was that after months of patience, there is finally some news on the contract. That, and the rest of the episode, after the jump.
On the cover: the new football season upon us, and that means lots of TV coverage.
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The magazine celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Star Trek, with a piece on William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, and info about the restoration coming to the episodes.
In the print edition: a preview of the new season of Nip/Tuck; a look at the controversial new season of Survivor: Cook Islands; Bo Derek and Morgan Fairchild are back in a new soap; and a Q and A with Desperate Housewives star Richard Burgi, who reveals what could be a spoiler about the new season.
That's the revelation from The Boston Herald'sInside Track today. Richard Burgi was in Rhode Island for a film festival, and he says that when people ask him what it's like to kiss Teri Hatcher and Nicolette Sheridan, he says it's like "sheetrocking." He's kidding of course. He really likes it. (Side note: the pic with the Herald article is really bizarre. It looks like he's giving a self-help speech, or maybe singing like Tom Jones.)
But I think this could be a new euphamism for sex. "Sheetrocking." It sounds slightly British, in a way. I don't know why.
No, not the new Michael Douglas/Keifer
Sutherland/Eva Longoria flick (though there is, oddly, a Desperate Housewives connection). I'm talking
about the 1990s action series The Sentinel, starring Richard Burgi, who is now on Housewives.
Show creators/producers Danny Bilson and Paul DeMeo have recorded a special podcast commentary for the pilot
episode of the series, much like they recorded a podcast for the series finale of The Flash when that DVD set
was released. You can find all the podcasts here.
Oh, fans of this show are going to be ticked.
Back in January, I mentioned that 
I'm a big fan of mysteries, but it's hard to watch them on television. I'm talking about the onslaught of serial TV shows that we've seen the past couple of years. For every 
On the cover: the new football season upon us, and that means 
That's the revelation from The Boston Herald's 
No, not the new Michael Douglas/Keifer
Sutherland/Eva Longoria flick (though there is, oddly, a Desperate Housewives connection). I'm talking
about the 1990s action series The Sentinel, starring Richard Burgi, who is now on Housewives.
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The TV Squad Podcast: Vik Sahay of Chuck, Oprah talk, brutal timeslots, and more!
