TylerLabine-related stories
Posted Jul 7th 2009 9:42PM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: Other Drama Shows, Other Comedy Shows, Programming, OpEd, Upfronts, Reality-Free
While it was a little odd that the "screener" of
Glee we got was the exact same episode that FOX aired after
American Idol in the spring, the rest of these shows were truly new. Dramatic offerings included FOX's loose adaptation of the DC Comics property
Human Target and
Past Life. On the comedy side they offered us screeners for
The Cleveland Show, Brothers, Sons of Tucson and the aforementioned
Glee.
After enduring the screener for
Do Not Disturb last season on FOX, I could only hope that these offerings were at least better than that offense to the senses. And they were. Well, most of them. Unfortunately, it seems that FOX has at least one
Do Not Disturb in them every season. Other than that, one of these shows was far better than I expected, another a bit worse, and a third one stands as one of the better pilots I've ever seen.
Continue reading TV Squad previews FOX's new shows
Posted May 27th 2009 12:22AM by Brad Trechak
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reality-Free
(S02E13) Reaper has been
axed by The CW and until I hear that another network has picked this show up, I will consider this the series finale and not simply the season finale. Admittedly, it ended on a mixed note.
I'm glad the Devil actually has a weakness with regards to his vanity. When a character is all-powerful, they get boring rather quickly. Thankfully, Ray Wise has the talent to keep the character interesting despite his handicap of near-omnipotence. When you consider that, you have to wonder how Sam could have possibly thought he had an advantage during the first game of quarters.
The character of Mary Pat (whom I found amusing, but only because she reminded me of some people I know) was gone pretty quickly. At first I thought Steve was back because they couldn't get Tony for the finale until the broken hand occurred. Obviously, the creators planned a bigger role for Sam as a pawn of the war between Heaven and Hell. It's a pity that unless the show miraculously gets picked up, it will never get resolved.
The entire situation with Nina was a cute homage to the
Exorcist movies. At least Ben is happy at the end of the series.
Continue reading Reaper: The Devil & Sam Oliver (series finale)
Posted May 14th 2009 11:04AM by Danny Gallagher
Filed under: Industry, Programming, Cancellations, Pickups and Renewals, Reaper
There are a lot of shows with their heads on the chopping block, but one that truly deserves a stay of execution is furiously wiggling its head out of the neck brace.
Show producers are negotiating with local CW affiliates to
bring Reaper back on Sunday nights next season in syndication. The deal could also bring the show to cable.
The Hollywood Reporter, however, notes that either scenario is a bigger long shot than Roseanne's chances of getting another crack at singing the National Anthem at a Padres' home game.
Continue reading Reaper refuses to abandon all hope
Posted Apr 29th 2009 1:50AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reaper, Reality-Free
(S02E09) There were those expected
Reaper funny moments, but overall, this was a pretty serious episode. We really only juggled two major storylines this week, and neither of them were about collecting escaped souls. We had Sam beginning his instruction in bringing about the end times as our main focus. On the opposite end of the spectrum, and providing the most laughs, surprisingly enough, was the ugly breakup saga of Nina and Ben.
Andi was right about Sam; he's getting darker for the world he's trapped in. His machinations tonight with the Devil's shut-in "girlfriend" Sandy were downright diabolical. Sure, his ultimate goal of taking down the Devil and freeing himself is noble, but is he willing to do too much to get out of it? Not that I really see a more pure approach working. In fact, I've always wondered just how much the Devil knows. I would think he knows everything that Sam does, even when Sam's trying to betray him or undercut him in some way. Hell, he's the Devil. He's probably proud of him when that happens.
Continue reading Reaper: No Reaper Left Behind
Posted Apr 1st 2009 12:25AM by Debra McDuffee
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reaper, Reality-Free
(S01E05) "Lookin' sharp, Buffy, lookin' sharp." - Devil to Sam while he was holding a wooden stakeSeason two of
Reaper continues to entertain: it's funny, smart and unexpected, while still delivering all the things we loved about
Reaper in season one. From using Sam's zombie dad to scare the poop out of Ben in the car, to the tongue-in-cheek shout-out to
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this episode delivered.
One thing this episode did suffer from, though, is something I feared. Because they've introduced so many characters, we only saw a brief bit of them this week (and we didn't see Nina at all), and I was left wanting more of some. I guess we got a good fill of the dad, and it was so great to have demon Tony back. But I missed Nina, and I craved more Morgan. I'm wondering, too, if Kristen will end up being more than a bizarre sex symbol for Sock.
Continue reading Reaper: I Want My Baby Back
Posted Mar 25th 2009 1:02AM by Debra McDuffee
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reaper, Reality-Free
(S02E04) Reaper pulled it out again with another winner of an episode. Something tells me they know exactly what they are doing this season, and I'm loving every second of it.
Although I enjoyed the addition of Morgan, the Devil's other son, very much, I was getting a bit irritated that they kept introducing new characters -- Kristen, Nina, Morgan -- and just left the whole storyline with Sam's dad floating out there. I was getting nervous that they didn't really know what to do with it, so they were just going to drop it and hope we didn't remember. Well, they got back to it tonight, and I can't wait to see it all come together.
But we'll get to that later. Let's talk about the rest of the episode first...
Continue reading Reaper: The Favorite
Posted Feb 16th 2009 11:09AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, OpEd, American Idol, How I Met Your Mother, Judges, TV Squad Lists, Chuck, Reaper, Reality-Free, The Big Bang Theory, TV Squad Ten
So what's a second banana? Well they're certainly not second best. No, in fact they're often the main reason to tune into a particular show. Not because the show's major plotlines revolve around them, in fact they generally don't, but because they liven up every scene they're in. Virtual show-stealers, a good second banana can turn a generic sitcom or drama into television gold. The ultimate wingman on television, there was no greater second banana than my man Barney Fife, brilliantly played by Don Knotts on
The Andy Griffith Show, and later
Mayberry R.F.D.
When it came time to put together this list, I wondered if I'd be able to find ten viable and qualified bananas on the airwaves today. But I guess I needn't have worried. It looks like Barney was an inspiration (in more ways than one) to the current crop of second bananas. They litter their peels all over the television landscape, leaving us to trip over in laughter time and time again at their antics. But how do they stack up? Who's the biggest fruit in the tree? There's only one way to find out!
Continue reading TV Squad Ten: TV's top second bananas
Posted Jun 10th 2008 2:14PM by Jane Boursaw
Filed under: Other Sci-Fi/Supernatural Shows, OpEd, Video, Short-Lived Shows, Cancellations, Reality-Free
Invasion aired for one season from 2005-2006. Check out Jonathan Toomey's great reviewcaps
here.
Along with
Surface,
Invasion was one of my favorite new shows that season, with each episode getting better and better. By the series finale, I was hooked. I'm still miffed that ABC didn't give it more time to flesh out the story and characters.
Incorporating a sci-fi-alien mystery, a government conspiracy, and plenty of family drama,
Invasion had a built-in audience because it aired directly after another sci-fi mystery,
Lost. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to keep the series on the air.
Continue reading Short-Lived Shows: Invasion - VIDEO
Posted May 14th 2008 7:28AM by Brett Love
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reaper
(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.
Continue reading Reaper: The Leak
Posted May 7th 2008 7:41AM by Paul Goebel
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reaper, Reality-Free
(S01E16) "Trust, honesty, integrity...I don't like those words, not one little bit. - Jerry
I found it funny that Sam and Andi were comparing scary demons when they got attacked, because for my money, very few things are scarier than an chainsaw wielding dude in a mask. It's like Leatherface, Michael Myers and Casey Jones all rolled up together.
I really wish we could see more of Gladys. I find her to be really funny. I think it would be great if she had one small scene in every episode ala Carlton Your Doorman. Just the idea that the DMV is where demons do the work of the devil still makes me laugh.
Continue reading Reaper: Greg Schmeg
Posted Apr 30th 2008 1:10AM by Brett Love
Filed under: OpEd, Episode Reviews, Reaper, Reality-Free
(S01E15) "I'm going to rebuild the army... Pass the paprika." - Tony
Finally, the season-long game of Sam trying to hide his demon hunting gig from Andi comes to a head. It was a welcome event in my little corner of TV land. I had taken issue with their relationship early in the season as it started to feel like we were in a rut and watching the same scene play out over and over. These last two weeks with the two of them together have done a lot to repair that chink in the Reaper armor. But wait, would finding out about Sam's special gift send us right back into that old familiar loop? Ours is not to spoil above the fold, so read on for thoughts on that, and a boatload of other goings on down by the 'Bench.
Continue reading Reaper: Coming To Grips
Posted Mar 28th 2008 9:06AM by Paul Goebel
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reaper
(S01E13) "Racist." - Tony
So, Andi decided to bite the bullet and tell Sam how she feels. Now I know this could easily be seen as a disastrous turn of events for Reaper but it could very well be awesome. The way I see it, Cady & Sam were destined to break up anyway and now Sam has one more very big reason to show Cady "the gate." The best part will be Cady making Sam's life a literal hell on earth after he dumps her. The whole situation could lead to a very cool cliffhanger for next season. I know what you're thinking but I'm being optimistic.
I'm curious about Sam's discovery that Steve and Tony are demons. I mean, if anyone else had walked in and saw them sanding their horns they would have completely freaked out but Sam, having had experience with that sort of thing, was able to handle it and react accordingly. Does Sam's relationship with the devil make him more susceptible to supernatural events? I think so.
Continue reading Reaper: Acid Queen
Posted Mar 21st 2008 8:01AM by Brett Love
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reaper
(S01E12) These are very interesting times for our pals down at the 'Bench. Reaper was noticeably absent from the list of renewals their CW overlords sent around a couple weeks ago. The Hollywood Reporter article that Anna posted about last week, talking about bubble shows, didn't do a lot to instill confidence either. It looks like it's going to take some solid ratings in the Winchester slot to bring the show back for round two. We'll get to that, and what was another very good episode, after the jump.
Continue reading Reaper: Unseen
Posted Nov 14th 2007 9:41AM by Brett Love
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reaper
(
S01E08) There are a few cheap and easy ways to buy me off as a viewer, and one of them is fun stunt casting. Bringing in Mitch Pileggi to play a washed up super cop that presents an obstacle for Sam is just such a thing. Really, that part of the episode alone was enough to sell me on this one. The fact that we also got a little something different from the devil, and a nice b-story with Sock and Ben and their quest to uncover Gladys was just a nice bonus. Of course, like my grandma always said, "Beware of writers bearing gifts." We paid for all of those fun things by once again being hit over the head with the Sam/Andi replay of the week.
Continue reading Reaper: The Cop
Posted Oct 31st 2007 12:30AM by Brett Love
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reaper
(S01E06) Since Reaper made its debut, there has been a nagging question. It's great and all, but how is it going to hold up over time? The random soul to catch each week is fun, and they have done a good job with that so far, but it's not enough to sustain the show over the long term. The writers made some good strides last week introducing the subplot with Pa Oliver and the contract. And then they took a step backwards this week by resetting the Sam and Andi relationship.
That's not to say that this was a bad episode by any stretch. There was a lot to like this week. As we move through the season though, the bigger picture story is going to become more and more important. We're better than a quarter of the way through the season now, so it's worth bringing up some of those questions. The characters are introduced and we have a good feel for all the major players. It's time to make with some revelations.
Continue reading Reaper: Leon
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