The producers of The Listener, a new NBC semi-supernatural drama created in Canada, seemingly spent too much time "listening" to moody, do-gooder predecessors such as Medium or Ghost Whisperer. The end result is just a little too familiar to generate much excitement.
The Listener is a rare animal -- a Canadian production from Shaftesbury Films and CTV picked up by an American network for prime time TV. You're left wondering if NBC might have bought a show directly inspired by programs already on the air in the U.S.
It's not uncommon for networks to remake shows popular in other countries. The Office is an obvious direct example in the U.S., and reality shows just change titles as they jump back and forth over the Atlantic.
The Listener looks like CTV wanted to clone the success of the American mini-genre of the average human struggling with a supernatural gift that calls him or her to an extraordinary life. We've seen that plenty in the U.S., but NBC thought we might like to see it again.
Of course, this was the series finale on NBC only. The show moves to CBS next season where it will become CSI: Medium Los Angeles. Or something.
Last night Allison had visions of her entire family being murdered. That didn't happen, of course, but she did end the season in a coma after having a stroke during surgery. My guess? She gets out of it next season, but not before some trippy thing happening while she's in the coma for an episode or two.
We told you about CBS picking up Medium after a deal couldn't be made with NBC, and it's interesting to note that NBC's web site acknowledges that this isn't the series finale, it's only the series finale on NBC. The episode airs this Monday at 10.
It's called "Bring Me The Head Of Oswaldo Castillo," and the clip below shows what goes on behind the scenes of the making of a Medium episode. Obviously, there might be some spoilers here, so proceed with caution.
Suddenly, it seems that network TV programming is becoming like Major League Baseball. I'll trade you Scrubs for money and a TV show to be named later. Or how about taking According To Jim off our our hands and you give us Old Christine? Shows are going to other networks already, so why not just starting trading them?
Coming off a strong 2008 season, CBS is taking some bold moves with their new season program schedule. As we wrote earlier, there are four new dramas, a sitcom and a reality show in the mix.
The big news is how it's shifting around some hit shows on Monday and Thursday, while standing pat on Wednesday. Here's what we know right now...after the jump.
You don't often see that happening, but it's been happening more and more lately (and this upfront week is crazy in general, with lots of renewals for shows we all thought were pretty much dead). CBS didn't just pick up the show, they got in a few digs at NBC too. CBS Television Studios produces Medium, and they say that "NBC's cancellation of Medium is inexplicable to us," and went on to point out that "the ratings don't lie. Medium outperforms many of NBC's renewed shows." They also talk about how NBC scheduled the show inconsistently.
No word yet on what exactly CBS will do with the show. Perhaps pairing it with Ghost Whisperer on Friday nights? (Note: CBS will not, however, pick up Knight Rider. Sorry, fans!)
You know what I love about Medium? The theme song/opening. We all know that theme songs and openings are pretty much lame nowadays. Some shows hardly have them at all, so it's good to see a show with a real theme song and an interesting opening sequence. Medium's is very old-fashioned and reminds me of shows like Night Gallery or The Sixth Sense.
Last night's episode was part one of a three parter starring Tracy Pollan as a "corporate intuitionist." I never thought I'd put those two words together in the same sentence, but there you go.
So now word is coming out that NBC has renewed Medium; it's one of those consistent performers, neither stellar in the ratings or buzz, but solid enough and with a loyal base. What's weird is that all this news is coming out before NBC's "infront" presentation scheduled for tomorrow. And we've already heard that Chuck's fate will likely not be determined tomorrow, nor will Law & Order's chances at tying Gunsmoke's twenty season. Parks & Recreation is already negotiating its renewal, and Southland was picked up a couple of days ago.
Plus, they've already said they wouldn't be announcing their schedule, so what's left for the "infront"? And why did so much news come out already? Are they just announcing which new shows they pick up or will that news come right before the presentation? Perhaps they'll surprise everyone and renew Chuck tomorrow. And they leaked all this other information so it wouldn't get overshadowed by the Nerd Herd of the nation rejoicing. Well, one can hope.
The producers of The Listener, a new NBC semi-supernatural drama created in Canada, seemingly spent too much time "listening" to moody, do-gooder predecessors such as Medium or Ghost Whisperer. The end result is just a little too familiar to generate much excitement.
Of course, this was the series finale on NBC only. The show moves to CBS next season where it will become CSI: Medium Los Angeles. Or something. 
G4 has E3 '09 Live all day and night.
Sci-Fi has a Land of the Lost marathon all night.
Suddenly, it seems that network TV programming is becoming like Major League Baseball. I'll trade you Scrubs for money and a TV show to be named later. Or how about taking According To Jim off our our hands and you give us Old Christine? Shows are going to other networks already, so why not just starting trading them?
Coming off a strong 2008 season, CBS is taking some bold moves with their new season program schedule. As we wrote earlier, there are four new dramas, a sitcom and a reality show in the mix. 
WE has a Golden Girls marathon all night.
TNT has Basketball Playoffs all night.
You know what I love about 
TNT has 
There weren't a lot of surprises at 
So now word is coming out that 
At 8, ABC has a new Dancing with the Stars, followed by new episodes of Surviving Suburbia and Castle.
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