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It's all Buffy's fault!

BuffyRemember when rock 'n roll was to blame for teenagers being out of control? What about when John Lennon's quote about The Beatles being as big as Jesus drew the ire of the church and resulted in deejays advocating the destruction of LPs and singles?

Well, here's another missive from an "authority figure" about how pop culture is ruining today's youth. Sociologist Kristin Aune claims that Buffy, the Vampire Slayer is responsible for young women not attending church.

Dr. Aune, who's written Women and Religion in the West, and is a teacher at the University of Derby (that's in the U.K.), doesn't know if Buffy has also affected young men. Her research doesn't address if boys are abandoning the church, too, so I guess they're safe.

This is no joke, although it does sound like a good way to promote a book that would otherwise be ignored. Mentioning Buffy is a good way to let the world know that Dr. Aune wrote it.

Continue reading It's all Buffy's fault!

Wanted: Buffy/Angel episode(s) to watch

Buffy and AngelOkay, I'm a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, but not a normal one. I've read all the comic books for both properties and seen the original movie that launched the phenomenon about three times over the years. And yet, for some reason I've never seen a full episode of either show.

When Buffy first came out, I lived in a city that didn't have The WB. And by the time it was available to me I was already several years behind, and I hate coming into the middle of something. Then, for whatever reason, it has remained on my "to do" list over the years.

So where does that leave me for the Retro Squad Buffy/Angel week? I want to participate, but in a way I'm a newbie to the show. So how about you guys tell me a good episode to immerse myself into the world of the Buffy-verse? In fact, maybe one from each show? I'm hearing from the Squad that 'Hush' is a good candidate.

Continue reading Wanted: Buffy/Angel episode(s) to watch

WB snubs Hulu, announces web video distribution plans

The WB
Just days after launching a private beta of its new online video portal, The WB has announced plans to expand its online video distribution network. Honestly, the whole thing sounds a lot like Hulu, the online video portal backed by NBC and FOX.

Here's how it will work: You'll be able to visit TheWB.com or TheKidsWB.com and watch full-length episodes of classic WB shows like Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and Gilmore Girls, or you'll be able to find videos through a number of partners including DailyMotion, Sling Media, Veoh, TiVo, and Joost. The WB currently distributes some TV shows through Hulu, but not all of them.

Continue reading WB snubs Hulu, announces web video distribution plans

The WB is back ... almost - VIDEO

thewb.com Buffy The Vampire Slayer
I've long since given up hope for those flying cars we were all supposed to be piloting in the new millennium. Now, I'll settle for that other years ago future dream, all of TV at your fingertips whenever you want it. We're still a ways away from that one, but the new WB is another step in that direction.

The site is still in beta, so the amount of content leaves a little to be desired, but most of it seems to be working, and it gives a good idea of what will be waiting for everybody when the site goes live. They finally came through with my beta invite, and I've been poking around. Hit the gallery for the bigger screen shots of the various areas and interface, and join me after a jump for a quick tour in text. A word of warning, the embedded video after the jump will autostart. Beta.

Gallery: thewb.com: Screen Shots

The new WB.com SearchThe new wb.com VideoThe new wb.com ShowsThe new wb.com PlayerThe new wb.com home page

Continue reading The WB is back ... almost - VIDEO

Buffy the Vampire Slayer vs. Reaper

cast of ReaperI've confessed before -- or should I say shouted from the rooftops -- that I am a Joss Whedon fan. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of my all-time favorite shows and I still mourn its loss (the comic books just don't give me my Buffy fix).

This season, I was hopeful when Reaper arrived on the scene. It seemed to have some of the same elements that I liked about Buffy: demon lore, a Scooby gang, a story arc, and a lighthearted, humorous side to a subject that could be very dark.

So how does Reaper measure up to Buffy? When I actually did the breakdown, I was pleasantly surprised. A very interesting outcome, indeed....

Gallery: Buffy and Reaper moments

buffygang_051708reaper cast_051708Giles demon_051708devil_051708spike_051708

Continue reading Buffy the Vampire Slayer vs. Reaper

WB coming back on the web

Gilmore Girls - dinerThe coffee at Luke's Diner is perking again. Well, sort of. The WB television network is being resurrected it as a new web site. The WB, tentatively called wb.com, will offer free streaming episodes of Gilmore Girls, Everwood and What I Like About You, to start.

Those are all shows that were WB-produced during 1995-2006, before the WB merged with UPN to become the CW. It has yet to be determined if other series, including Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Felicity and Dawson's Creek are slated for the wb.com stream. Like other online streaming venues that allow people to watch for free, the shows will be paid for by ads. In addition to the shows, the site is also going to create new, short (approximately five minute) vignettes targeting the old WB audience, primarily women 12-34.

Gallery: Gilmore Girls

Alexis BledelGilmore Girls castGilmore Girls + parentsLauren Graham on Gilmore GirlsRory and Paris in Gilmore Girls

Continue reading WB coming back on the web

High School Reunion: Meet the Mustangs (season premiere)

I wish a comet had hit Maui during the filming of this show...(S04E01) Three years ago, I was asked to perform stand-up comedy at my high school reunion. I wasn't a full-time professional yet, but I was getting close; I figured I would go in there and kill. I imagined all the girls who didn't find me attractive in high school (which was, uh, all the girls) would instantly swoon for me and I'd get some measure of closure on what was a very disappointing chapter in my life. Of course, I tanked. Badly. The people at my reunion couldn't have been less interested in what I had to say if I was trying to sell them timeshares. I spent the rest of the night mixing cold medication and hard liquor, trying to find a combination that wouldn't shut down my liver but would help me forget how poorly I performed that night.

I never thought I'd regret a decision more than my accepting that high school reunion gig. Now, three years later, I've finally found a decision I regret more: accepting the assignment to review TV Land's new reality show, High School Reunion.

Continue reading High School Reunion: Meet the Mustangs (season premiere)

Warner Brothers set to join Hulu

Hulu
Online video site Hulu is already one of the best places to find full length episodes of network TV shows. And it looks like Hulu could be adding to its content library soon. Warner Brothers president Bruce Rosenblum says a deal with Hulu is "imminent." Right now, all of the content available on Hulu comes from NBC and FOX News Corp.

At first glance, that means that you might be able to find WB-produced shows that air on the CW network on Hulu. But Warner Brothers also produces TV programs that air on other networks, such as NBC's ER. The studio also produces movies, and while the movie section of Hulu isn't as fleshed out as the TV section, we might soon see a few more feature length films on the site.

Continue reading Warner Brothers set to join Hulu

Penn Badgley: In the Limelight - VIDEO

Penn BadgleyIf you were asked "Who is Penn Badgley?," you would probably say something like "Isn't he the guy from Gossip Girl?" Yes, he is. Others would probably answer with "The curly haired cutie from The Mountain?" Again, correct. But what did he do before that? Silence would probably be the most popular answer since it seemed as if he first made his mark during the canceled-rather-fast WB's The Mountain. But what may surprise most is that Penn Badgley has been in the business for almost 10 years!

Continue reading Penn Badgley: In the Limelight - VIDEO

Microsoft partners with Nickelodeon

XBox 360According to a CNN article, Microsoft is going to partner with Nickelodeon and Warner Brothers to produce a library of family games and entertainment for XBox LIVE. This will include kid-friendly games as well as video entertainment

I have to admit that I don't own a gaming console of any kind, mostly because I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to tear myself away from it. This sort of merger of video-on-demand and games-on-demand with a gaming console would no doubt make it harder.

Continue reading Microsoft partners with Nickelodeon

Changes for Nielsen ratings

Drawn TogetherNielsen Media Research is making a change to their television ratings. In the past, children of a Nielsen family that were away at college were not factored into the numbers. After doing some research, sponsored by Turner, WB, CBS, MTV, Fox, and ESPN, those college kids will now count in the regular Nielsen ratings.

The NY Times article (possible login) points to America's Next Top Model, Family Guy, Ugly Betty, and [adult swim] as programming that should see a boost in their ratings. Disturbingly, it also mentions that in a test done last November the most popular show among college men was Drawn Together. The audience for the Comedy Central cartoon jumped from 272,000 to 435,000. What are they teaching our youth on these campuses?

This certainly isn't the final answer in the ratings question. There are still plenty of problems and issues with the system, but it is a positive change. Especially so if it gives a much needed boost to the struggling Veronica Mars numbers.

More scripts ordered for Veronica Mars and One Tree Hill

Veronica MarsWhether you think the whole shorter mystery arc is working for Veronica Mars or not, the CW has ordered three more scripts of the cult fav. Also eluding the chopping block this week is soapy One Tree Hill, which also received a three script order.

I'd love to see Veronica Mars stick around so long as it doesn't head down that strange, slow death path that took the life out of Alias when the creators were pressured to make its twisty plotlines more accessible to newcomers. It's hard for me to care about the continuation of One Tree Hill only because I'm old and do not understand the ways of these so-called teenagers -- at least teenagers who aren't also noirish super sleuths. It's great news for the fans, however, who couldn't even be sure they'd see their favorite shows back post-WB and UPN merger.

Now we'll just have to keep our eye on the Gilmore Girls to see whether The CW will issue a mercy killing on behalf of Team Palladino.

Ask TV Squad: What of North Shore, Summerland and Clubhouse?

north shoreReader Diane really enjoyed the series North Shore, and she wrote to us wondering, where oh where did that show go? And what about Summerland? And Clubhouse?

I'll tell you, Diane. they're all dead, and nothing will ever bring them back. They're deader than the love child of the Grim Reaper and a zombie being born backwards into the womb of a vampire with a stake through the heart. They're even deader than my ability to come up with a coherent metaphor to describe how dead they are.

Continue reading Ask TV Squad: What of North Shore, Summerland and Clubhouse?

Network passes on sitcom pilot, now it's on YouTube

nobody's watchingI really, really hope this becomes a trend. A sitcom that didn't get picked up by WB last year is now available for viewing (in full!!) on YouTube. It's called Nobody's Watching and it was created by Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence and two writers for The Family Guy. The show is hilarious. It's about two guys who love television and get their own sitcom on WB. Think of it this way: Joel and Adam get their own show (which one is the jock and which is the nerd?). They live on various television sets-- I think the living room is from Roseanne, but the office scene escapes me. They also interact with the studio audience and talk to the camera. There's also some pretty blatant product placement that gave me quite a chuckle.

Continue reading Network passes on sitcom pilot, now it's on YouTube

Here are the Nielsen ratings for the season

There were 156 TV shows on this season. It's no surprise that American Idol was #1 (and, actually, #2), but I was kinda surprised Veronica Mars was waaaaaaaay down at 145. Sure, I knew all the worst rated shows would be on the WB and UPN, but I thought Veronica Mars would be up higher than that. But it's coming back, whereas Everwood (#130) and Heist (#96) have both been canceled.

The top 10 are fairly predictable (Idol, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, CSI, etc), but it's cool to see exactly where your favorite show stands in the grand scheme of things.

Surface was #53, ahead of Prison Break, The Simpsons, America's Funniest Home Videos, Bones, and The Office, all of which are returning.

[via TV Tattle]

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