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Ask Ian:
Comment from Matt:
Ian... great site!
I was wondering if you could tell me the name of a show/pilot that aired on the sci-fi channel in the mid-2000s. It was
about a group of astronauts
that had seen an event that ended the world, and had simultaneously sent them back in time (either three months, or three
years). The group then
has to decide to tell the populous, or find a way to stop it from happening. I'm pretty sure the title starts with an
'A', but I haven't been able to figure it out.
Ian:
Matt,
Comment from Marc:
Pretty sure he's talking about "My big fat obnoxious boss" It was an Apprentice Spoof that had contestants competing for a
fake job. They were monitored and voted on by a mystery person. At the end it was revealed the mystery person was actually
a monkey spinning a wheel.
Ian:
Marc,
Comment from Rob:
You wanted to know what we are watching. Well, most of mine are the sci-fi / fantasy shows that are available. Finishing
Lost this year, watching Supernatural and Smallville. For action I watch Burn Notice and 24. I like a lot of the cable
shows like Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy, and Rescue me.
I do wish the networks would give more time to their new programming. I think cutting things off after three episodes is a
bit extreme. That's not even enough time to identify with the charachters.
Finally, in your article about the cable networks, you mentioned that Sy-Fy doesn't have a flagship program. That's not
entirely true. They do have Ghosthunters, which has become a franchise for them. But I get your point about having a
strong fictional program to lead the network. They are certainly lacking I think.
Just a few thoughts,
Ian:
Rob,
You're right about Ghost Hunters being a franchise but I still wouldn't call it the flagship show. It's been around quite
awhile but it hasn't really been embraced by the executives at SYFY as their lead program. Its ratings are solid but SYFY
needs a Stargate SG-1 or Battlestar Galactica to lead the scripted side. Stargate Universe and Caprica are not those shows.
Warehouse 13 could be big for them but it could use some more exposure.
Comment from mctony75:
Heres a few that were cancelled not sure if they are obscure enough.
Comedy
Science Fiction:
Drama:
Hope thats good. I really enjoy your column
Ian:
mctony75,
There's a couple torrents for Strange World online but those can be dangerous (and illegal). tvshowsondvd.com is a website
that is dedicated to bringing all shows to dvd. You can vote for it to be released there. They've ghad great success.
Comment from Bill:
Ian, there was a short lived reality show with men and women competing against eachother; I think for a job or maybe it was
just money. somebody or some thing was watching the contestants on a tv and would determine who was kept and who was kicked
off the show. You never saw who or what was watching the tv. the show's contestants would sometimes be on the streets in
dangerous conditions trying to prove themselves as worthy to stay on the show. I think they were trying to sell things.
they'd periodically meet around a big wooden table whilst being watched by this mystery person or thing. I say thing
because i always jokingly wondered if it was a monkey that was making mindless decisions as to who would stay or be
kicked off. Any clue?
Ian:
Dave,
Comment from Dave G in NJ:
Wondering if you can shed some light on the status of a few shows for me. What's up with The Janice Dissension Modeling
Agency, Wife Swap, and especially the Boondocks.
Ian:
Dave,
Comment from Fashion Court:
Hi, I'm wondering if you can help me figure out the name of a tv
show..its literally been haunting me for a few years now lol. It was a
summer series that aired after july 15 (how I can remember this and
not the title I have no clue). I'm fairly certain it was on from
anywhere from 2000-2004. It lasted one season. It was like this teen
boy who told you about his life..he had a teen sister who just found
out she was pregnant and his mother found out that she was pregnant as
well. The sister didn't want to keep her baby but she does after the
mother loses her baby in a car accident (I believe she hit into a
tree). It is literally driving me nuts lol.. I remember soo many
scenes but I can't remember a title or even find an imdb page. I hope
you can help me out :) thanks!
Ian:
Fashion Court,
Angela:
Hi Ian,
Comment from q.m.f.:
Do you remember TGIF's back in the mid-90s on ABC? (of course you do!) I remember there was this show that came after
Family Matters and possibly Step-by-Step, it was about a bunch of kids with no parents of African-descent living in a
house as a family. It was essentially the sitcom version of Party of Five. The opening credits had a bulldog
"skateboarding". This show was very very short-lived, I don't think anybody even saw it. Do you know what show I am
referring to?
Thanks a bunch! :)
Teenager at heart,
Ian:
q. m. f.,
Comment from Michelle:
Hi, This is all I have been thinking about, and have spent hours trying to find out what the heck the name of the show is! I came across your website,
and how much fun I have had reminiscing about some of the good ole’ shows!!!
Anyway, there was a guy (Mr. someone) who would help people, and then they would either owe them a million dollars or a favor! Of course he would revisit
them for the favor!!!!
What is the name of the movie???? I would think it was canceled somewhere between 1998 and 2000???
Thanks a million!!!!
Ian:
Michelle,
Comment from Anna:
I want to thank you so much for finding out the name of the program I couldn’t find. It has bugged me for years, and no one seemed to ever have heard of
it except me. I was really beginning to think I was the only viewer, again thanks a lot.
Ian:
Anna,
Comment from Michelle:
Ian...there is a tv show that has been canceled for quite some time and i am erking to remember the name of it. What I can remember about it is that there
were three main guys as the leads and it was a comedy show. I think it was on mtv, but i am not sure. I remember one episode where one of the guys went
thru a corn maze, and another episode where one of the main characters walked in on his girlfriend or wife...i cant remember...anyways, he walked in on
her having sex with the killer whale from sea world. And I also remember that one of the guys was white and another was arabian or something. And I think
there was another white guy but i am not 100% sure on that one.
Ian:
Michelle,
Comment from Cydlone:
Answer to this: "I would like to know if you could tell me the name of a series that I remember but no one I have asked has heard of. The beginning was a man, wife and
child were in a restaurant, the man went to the bathroom, when he came out his wife was gone and no one remembered them or him. Strange people lived in
his house, and no one knew him where he worked. This went on for several weeks as he tried to get his life back. I remember it was getting to a point in
the plot that he was discovering part of the cover up, then it went off the air. I don’t remember what network it was on but it was somewhere in the era
of Milennium, Brimstone, and American Gothic. Thanks a lot if you can help."
I'm fairly sure this show is Nowhere Man:
Ian:
tlkpubink,
Comment from Dan:
The sci-fi show Anna was asking about was called "Nowhere Man." It was about a man whose life disappeared while he was in the bathroom. It was on UPN in 1995.
Ian:
Cydlone,
Comment from Craig:
I am looking for the name of a show that aired for maybe one season and was then cancelled. Here is all of the information that I have on the show... can
you please tell me the name of the show? Setting: NYC ? in the 1960's? Style: Retro - flash back, like The Wonder Years. Type: Comedy, Station: Fox
Time: After The Simpsons?
Premise: A boy looks back on his life as a kid (12 years old?).
Father, Mother, Siblings, etc.
There was one episode where the mom and dad went to a jazz bar and
they got a contact high. I think the mom said something like "its like
they're playing it and I'm hearing it"
Any help would be appreciated.
Ian:
Craig,
Comment from Cydlone:
Thank you for answering my last question. I found your answer to be well put. Sticking with the theme of NBC, how do
you feel about the future of Heroes? Do you think the show still has gas in the tank or will it soon be another number
in TV Hell? Keep up the good work!
Ian:
Cydlone,
Comment from Brooke:
Me and my Mom have been trying to figure out the name of this TV show that was canceled a long time ago. It was about the
Devil's daughter who I don't really know what happened but some how she was living with a regular family and she didn't
really know who she was. Seriously, I need to know what show this was. It's driving me CRAZY!!
Ian:
Brooke,
Comment from Greg:
Love the site, and visit often. I was reading through the Ask Ian archive and found a question from Ed dated
12/18/2009: "I'm trying to remember the name of a show which I believe lasted just one season somewhere between 1995 and
1998. It was about a man who got revenge and restitution on criminals on behalf of their victims. He did it in legal and
clever ways. It starred a large, gloomy kind of man. Any ideas? Thanks."
I think the show Ed is referring to was called "Vengeance Unlimited", and starred Michael Madsen. It made it through 9
episodes in 1998.
Keep up the good work!
Ian:
Greg,
Comment from Marty:
I have been trying to find the show "Amazing Grace" or "Saving Grace" or something like that. Fortyish single mom with
10 yr old redhead daughter. She's attempting to get back into dating but seems like the neighbor is the only one
interested and they are friends.
She was apparently cancelled for being an alcoholic or something related. I just fell in love with her and the show
was great I thought. I can't place the year. Searched many times. Seems back 10 years approx. Any Ideas?
Ian:
Marty,
Comment from Anna:
I would like to know if you could tell me the name of a series that I remember but no one I have asked has heard of. The
beginning was a man, wife and child were in a restaurant, the man went to the bathroom, when he came out his wife was gone
and no one remembered them or him. Strange people lived in his house, and no one knew him where he worked. This went on
for several weeks as he tried to get his life back.
I remember it was getting to a point in the plot that he was discovering part of the cover up, then it went off the air.
I don’t remember what network it was on but it was somewhere in the era of Milennium, Brimstone, and American Gothic.
Thanks a lot if you can help.
Ian:
Anna,
Comment from Nny:
Do you think if DollHouse was on Syfy it wouldd of lasted longer?
Ian:
Nny,
Comment from Mike:
I love your site, so many good (and bad!) shows I totally had forgotten about. My wife and I were watching Courtney Cox's
new show 'Cougartown' and my wife swears that one of her boyfriends is from a cancelled show. Problem is we can't remember
the name. The premise was two friends were framed for bombing a museum during a prank, and were chased all around the
country in a huge coverup. It was on for one season, and I know I was able to read the script for the second season
online, but it was never picked up. Can you please help!
Ian:
Mike,
Comment from jklanke:
A show I believe was on TNT (maybe USA) that I thought was called Nitro (not wrestling) based on virtual reality games
played to keep characters in the game or something. Almost a decade looking now and no one knows the name or how to find
it. You seem to know a lot, how about this one?
Ian:
jklanke,
Comment from knwo24:
I'm looking for an early 90's FOX show that I want to say was on Sunday night, either before or after Herman's Head. The
show was called either Oops! or Whoops! and was about the last six or so people on Earth. I can't remember anybody that was
in it, however I do remember that each of the shows characters were in the middle of every day activities when all of a
sudden there was some sort of flash and everything around them was gone. They came into the house one at a time on the
first episode. Please tell me that this show WAS real (my friends are starting to think I'm insane). Thanking you in
advance!
Ian:
knwo24,
Comment from Cydlone:
I've noticed in your past headlines, you have had strong criticisms against NBC. If, being hypothetical, you were put in charge of programming, what major
changes would you make? Which shows would you keep, cancel, or pick up? And how would you handle the current Leno-O'Brien debacle? By the way, keep up the
good work on the site; I go to it almost everyday.
Ian:
Cydlone,
As for fixing NBC, I would cancel every drama except Mercy and the Law & Orders. That seems like a lot but it isn't. I would keep the Biggest Loser until
a new hit develops and then I would move it there. I would keep Thursdays intact for the most part. I can't really tell you shows I would put on the
line-up since NBC wouldn't really shuffle programming around. New material would be the focus of my efforts. I'd place emphasis on Mondays as I feel
that night is up for grabs. Wednesday would be next followed by Tuesday and Sunday. I'm not happy with their Thursday night line-ups ratings but that
would be the hardest night to fix.
Part of the problem with their programming is the fact that they try to hard to establish new shows in March when it's almost irrelevant. Kings,
Conviction, Raines, The Black Donnellys, and I'm sure many more should've started in the Fall. Midseason relievers don't have great success and I
bet at least one of the shows I mentioned would've seen a second season. Hope that gives you a good idea.
Comment from Linda:
Do you know if they are ever going to put seasons 2-8 of the Practice on dvd? They only put out season 1. Love that show. Still watch it on re-runs on FX.
Ian:
Linda,
Comment from Micah:
Thought I heard something about this being the last season for Lost. If that is true shouldn't it be a new entry into TV
Hell?
Ian:
Micah,
Comment from Evy:
There was a old tv show, sit-com, starring a black guy, Charles somebody, he played a character called rock. He just did
a cameo on House, played Foremans father. Do you remember the show................Evy
Ian:
Evy,
Comment from Louise:
Ian, I'm trying to remember a sitcom from several years ago. It was about a family (Mom, Dad, their kids, all adults - two
men, one woman). Mom and Dad were divorced but lived in the same apartment building. Mom, Dad and at least one of the
boys was a doctor. The girl was an ER nurse. I'm pretty sure the Mom was Stockard Channing. I thank you in advance for
your help. This is driving me crazy!
Ian:
Louise,
Comment from Sylvia:
I'm trying to remeber the name of a show from a few years ago I think. It was based in a small town I think near the ocean, there was a blond girl who I
believe showed up at the town and was taken in by a family but weird things would happen around her, she may have been evil or was apart of some type of
prophecy maybe...I think the title might of had peaks, falls, or pier in it, not entirely sure. This has been nagging at me for weeks.
Ian:
Sylvia,
Comment from Lynn:
I saw part of a comedy show, years ago, about two guys at a funeral/wake. One took a communion wafer and he wasn't
Catholic. He didn't know how to get rid of it. Do you know what this show was?
Bill K (Dec. 13, 2009) asked about "Grandma got a boo boo on her na na and is sitting with Jesus". That show was "The
Book of Daniel", NBC, 2006.
Can you help?? I want to get it on DVD and wonder if it exists anywhere, BUT, I need a title!
Ian:
Lynn,
As for your question, sorry but I don't have a clue. Can anyone else help?
Comment from Eileen:
So glad to find your site on google and hope you can help.
There was a prime time show on either abc, nbc or cbs that was about anthrax and/or some other lethal gases being released
on the subways. That is one story line I remember but the gist of the show was about a subversive group trying to
compromise major cities. I'm pretty sure it was on around or before 9-11, and didn't last long. Too close to what could
happen perhaps!
Can you help?? I want to get it on DVD and wonder if it exists anywhere, BUT, I need a title!
Ian:
Eileen,
Comment from WriteDiva1@aol.com:
There was a show named home plate with a Chef from Georgia Named Mark who was a great cook.
Ian:
writediva1,
Comment from Fred:
Hello Ian. I am trying to find out what happened to an actress who stared in a sitcom/drama show in the late 80's I
believe. She was a cute redhead lead, and for some reason I think the show was somewhat of a copycat to alley mcbeal,
but I may be wrong. I remember few deets, except that the show was really cute and so was she, and after like 5-10
episodes it totally dissapeared. Any help would be gladly appreciated.
Ian:
Fred,
Comment from Ed:
I'm trying to remember the name of a show which I believe lasted just one season somewhere between 1995 and 1998.
It was about a man who got revenge and restitution on criminals on behalf of their victims. He did it in legal and clever
ways. It starred a large, gloomy kind of man. Any ideas? Thanks.
Ian:
Ed,
Comment from StateCollege5@aol.com:
I believe the tv show on comedy central that Matt was asking about was a show called "Strip Mall." I believe it aired for
about 2 seasons. It was like a soap opera featuring a few storylines going on at once. I believe there was a story about a
goldigger as well as the guy who went to film school and was then hired to direct porn.
Ian:
StateCollege5,
Comment from Bill K.:
Hello. I am so happy I found this site. I hope you can help me. A few years back there was a show on ABC (?) that I am
trying to figure out the name. It was a family type sitcom. One quote that I remember is "Nana got a boo-boo on her noo-noo
& she may be sitting with Jesus soon". I know, crazy thing to remember. I have no idea who was in it, when it was on,
nothing. I THINK it may have been one of those partial improv type shows. Modern Family reminds me of it. Any help would be
greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Ian:
Bill,
Comment from Kevin:
I was wondering if you had heard anything about the show Testees?
Ian:
Kevin,
Comment from Matt:
What was that show on Comedy Central that was usually on before Strangers with Candy? It was about a director that got
conned into directing porn? The actress married a hockey player in real life? Canceled around 2002 maybe?
Ian:
Matt,
Comment from Marc:
I'm sure you saw this but just in case...
Ian:
Marc,
Comment from Richard S.:
Just read that NBC has uncancelled Trauma, WHY?
Ian:
Richard,
Rich:
Trauma hasn't been un-cancelled, but on November 19th NBC announced it had
ordered three additional episodes of the series, bringing the order to 16 episodes. The new episodes will run following
NBC's coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics. If it does very well, NBC would probably bring it back. As of now it's still
over after the 16th episode.
Comment from Micah:
I know that Six Feet Under has been mentioned on the site before but I don't see it on the list. Awesome site keep up the
good work.
Ian:
Micah,
Comment from Brian:
I was wondering about a show I used to love to watch two or three years ago, but was cancelled and I can't remember the
name of it. It was on FX and i think it only lasted about one season. It was about two ambulance drivers, whose names I
forget (one was black the other was white if that's of any help) and ended when the black EMT overdosed on narcotics and
ended up crashing the ambulance, resulting in his partner having to rescue him. I have been looking for the name of this
show for years and nothings helped, so if you could give it a try I would greatly appreciate that. Sorry for my lack of
information, and thanks a ton.
Ian:
Brian,
Comment from Diggem the Frog:
Your list is about as comprehensive as any, but I remember at least one TV series you (or Rich) forgot: Canterbury's Law, a
legal drama that starred Julianna Margulies as a divorced and apparently alcoholic lawyer who nevertheless drives a fancy,
powerful-looking car (I forget what make and model) and is at the top of her game. Only six episodes ran, over the course
of a month, from March through April 2008. So you can't be blamed for forgetting it.
Ian:
Dig,
Comment from Sam A.:
Just for your info "Friday the 13th: the series" is played on the SYFY (awful spelling change) network , they do a 8
episode marathon run about every 3-4 months or so, they just had one in October.
You guys both do a great job in keeping all us TV addicts informed!!!!
Ian:
Sam,
Comment from Marla:
Hello – I use to watch a show about haunted objects. I believe it was set around an antique store and there where 3 people
that chased down the objects. I think the womans name was Mickey on the show???? I also think it was on FOX. Can you let me
know if you recall this one, and if so what was the name of the series? Thanks for any help you can give me. Thanks
Marla
Ian:
Marla,
Rich:
I think that this may be "Friday The 13th: The Series" which was a syndicated show that ran for three seasons, from
September 28, 1987 to May 26, 1990. The series has no story connections to the movies of the same name, but was about
two young antique store owners (and an assistant who left the show after the second season) that recovered cursed antiques.
The main characters name was "Micki Foster". Re-runs ran for a few years after the show ended.
Comment from Micah:
I was just wondering if you had heard anything more about the status of ABC's Defying Gravity?
Ian:
Micah,
Comment from Swnamco@aol.com:
Ian, Will "Friday Nights Lights" return on NBC?
Ian:
Swnamco@aol.com,
Comment from Dorene B.:
Sometime between May 2006 and May 2009 I watched a TV show (SF, I think) in which something jaw-dropping happened. I went
online to see what was going on with the show (maybe a character died and we wondered if the actor died?) and found a
website for some kind of Internet magazine. The magazine was going to interview the actor or the producers of the show,
I forget which, immediately after the show went off the air in Hawaii. I had to stay up until 2am to see the interview.
I can't remember what it was, who may have died or anything else, and it's driving me crazy. What was the show and what
was the jaw-dropping development that had us all up in the middle of the night?
Ian:
Dorene,
Comment from Elie:
Dear Ian, My brother Eroll and I are trying to get Fox to renew talk show with Spike Feresten before it gets too late.
However, even after we Emailed them at askfox@fox.com, they never did answer us, or renew talk show with Spike Feresten
either for that matter. I just have a few questions for you. How many Emails do Eroll and I have to send to Fox until
they give up and renew talk show with Spike Feresten? Will fox ever answer our Emails and renew talk show with Spike
Feresten? Will everyone please help us out? Will talk show with Spike Feresten be renewed because of our Emails? Thank
you for listening.
Ian:
Elie,
Comment from Rab:
I noticed in your news section you covered the line up of the networks. But I failed to see any mention of any
cable networks. For example:
USA has Burn Notice, In Plain sight.
TNT has leverage and Dark Blue.
BBC America has DR. Who and Torchwood
Syfy has warehouse 13.
I find the regular networks a tad boring, they are afraid to take risks, or can't due to the current FCC rules.
But the cable networks can take risks as they are a paid subscription.
Anyhow, just asking as to why the cable shows were left off the line up list.
Ian:
Rab,
Comment from Keila:
Love the website! Do you know if Showtime’s Brotherhood is cancelled? I have read rumors, but nothing accurate. Please let
me know. Thanks and continued success with your website.
Ian:
Keila,
Ask Ian:
Comment from Jerrie D.:
While browsing in order to find a complete list of cancelled shows, I stumbled onto your site. I really enjoyed your refreshing commentary coupled with
the subject matter related to television, It has been nice to see stations like TBS (or is it TNT), USA, the Sci-Fi channel, and Lifetime put on good
summer and fall shows to provide a refreshing change from summer reruns. I also like how those stations will split their series into three spans with only
2 or 3 months in between them. Some of MY favorites are the Bill Engavall show, Psyche and the comedy/drama about the witness protection program, Rita
Rocks, Army Wives, Eureka, Tyler Perry's The House of Payne, and The Cleaner on A&E. Me and my 19 year old son really enjoyed the A&E drama with Patrick
Swayze (my mind is drawing a blank on the title), as well. The main two shows I am going to miss are CBS's Eleventh Hour, which also originated in Canada
and Reaper, which me and my son saw as more of a comedy than a drama and a unique and refreshing change from the soap opera like dramas CW has turned
to.
It is hard to find shows that appeal to me, my 19 year old son and my 20 year old daughter as a group. I enjoy the opp. to watch tv with them. Law and
Order has run out of fresh ideas, Dancing With the Stars has become tedious, so don't understand why they have been not been pulled. I'll miss Samantha
Who, as well.
Sometimes I do not think ABC, CBS, or NBC get it. They are stuck on crime shows, spin off's (the three CSI's) are an example, medical dramas, reality shows
and legal dramas. A few or OK but they overdo it. They cancel their shows that are different or unique, leaving their viewers high and dry, no matter the
age. And the only comedies that are written or renewed are the more cheesy and raunchy shows, while shows like Earl and Samantha Who are cancelled. We do
enjoy 30 Rock and the Adventures of Old Christine though. Even the new dramas slated for the fall 2009 lineup are medical, legal, or crime themed and more
of the raunchy comedies.
As my 19 and 20 year old say, not everyone their age, or mine, are impressed by what is on network TV anymore nor are we mindless. And ABC, NBC, and CBS
wonder why more and more viewers are turning away and they continue to lose market share.
Ian:
Jerrie,
Comment from Matt C.:
It has been listed on your site for months. It will be on Fri nites this fall.
Ian:
Matt,
Comment from Scott Cook:
Ian,
Scrubs renewed:
Ian:
Scott,
Question from Larry D. Escher:
Hey Ian,
I'm watching this week's Heroes on my DVR and there's a promo for a
Heroes side story online on NBC.com. However, at the end, the
announcer actually says "on ABC.com"!
I re-played it several times and got confirmation from a friend who
hadn't seen it and only listened. This is a national promo with their
national voice-over guy and he says "ABC.com" and no one noticed?
The producer, editor, and person who aired it should all be fired and
the announcer who should know that he works for NBC, not ABC, should
be doing promos for free for awhile while his contract is in "review"!
Ian:
Larry,
Question from Josie:
Hey Ian,
It's like walking down memory lane looking at all the cancelled shows
over the years........ I noticed you don't have more recent shows like for the
past couple of years. will you be adding them to the list?
Ian:
Josie,
Question from Angela:
Hi Ian,
Love this site! Just wondering if you know what happened to Moment of Truth? It came back with 1 new episode and then disappeared?Also any news on Game
Show in My Head? And lastly I noticed Nip/Tuck was deleted from the cancellation page? Does that mean it is not cancelled?
Ian:
Angela,
Question from Andy:
Ian,
I just wanted to quickly comment that I think the rating system sucks. I wonder if they take into account the amount of times shows are watched on Hulu,
Netflix, or on the respective channel's site... I am seeing a growing trend of people moving to Internet viewing, and its too bad that Nielsen rating is
"god" when it comes to testing ratings...As I read thru my Twitter list, I always see "Watching Chuck on NBC" or "catching up on Heroes on Hulu"
etc etc...
So do you think or have you heard of Studios taking internet views into account at all?? Some shows I would hate to see go, but some studios have to
admit, some time slots suck, so off to the internet to play catch up...
Ian:
Andy,
Question from Jodi:
Ian,
Hi Ian. I am wondering if you know what happened to Rita Rocks? It was on Monday nights on Lifetime. It just seems to have
disappeared. Thank you!!!
Ian:
Jodi,
Question from Joe:
Ian,
A gal who lost her husband joins the FBI to give back. An agent was undercover and trying to bust up organized crime. Cannot remember the show. I think
it was on ABC.
Any ideas??
Ian:
Joe,
Question from Renee:
Ian,
Ian:
Renee,
Question from PJSMOMI:
Hi, I was wondering if you knew if Spike TV canceled the new Unsolved Mysteries.
Ian:
The fate of Unnsolved Mysteries seems to remain unsolved. SpikeTV hasn't aired it with any consistency but I haven't heard anything to make me beleive it
was cancelled. With a lot of these low key shows no news is good news and I haven't heard much about it so unless we hear otherwise, expect Unsolved
Mysteries to return whenever Spike chooses to bring it back.
Question from Jamal B.:
I need help finding the name of a cancelled show on FOX I believe. but I don't have much for you to go on... What I do
remember is it was show about people with special powers, and I think they were created just for the show and not from a
comic book or what not. Sort of like X-Men, but it wasnt mutant X... It had to be between like 1997-2001 I think. I can't
remember anything else but if you could give me a list of shows that might be the one I'm talking about I'm sure I'd
remember then! I THINK ONE OF THE CHARACTERS WAS NAMED "MONDO".
Ian:
Jamal,
I'm guessing the show was called Witchblade which aired on TNT for two years from 2001-2002. There were a bunch of shows
that fit the rather vague description you gave so I'll list them here.
"Roswell": If it wasn't Witchblade I'm guessing it was Roswell, fits your description. I just have a hard time believing
anyone could forget the name Roswell.
"Mercy Point": Worth a shot, but I doubt this is the one that you are looking for.
"Ryan Caulfield Year One": Most descriptions of this show are pretty vague, a shot in the dark.
"Dead Last": A show on The WB, worth a try.
Send me another E-mail if none of these were it.
Question from Larry D. Escher: I have recently become a big fan of USA Network. I resisted watching Psych... until I watched it. Now, it's one of my favorite shows. It's a rapid-fire, nickname-throwing, 80's-pop-culture-reference-filled, pineapple-seeking roller-coaster of hilarity. Thanks for the mention. Our tastes are pretty much identical.
As for USA's other shows: Burn Notice, In Plain Site, The Starter Wife... all good. Monk... bugs me... tired of it. Then again, I'm
not a critic... that must be why.
Good column as always. Or is it a blog? I'll go with column.
Keep up the good work! I check almost every day.
Ian:
Larry, As always, good to here from you. I watched Psych since the beginning and while its premise may seem a bit out there its certainly a good show. As for Monk
I agree with you that its past its prime. I will miss it when it ends this summer, I'm always sad to see old shows take their final bow. Thanks for the
feedback, I appreciate it.
Question from Steven H.:
I hear that Ugly Betty is history .. True?
Ian:
It's true that Samantha Who? and new comedy In the Motherhood will occupy Ugly Betty's 8 p.m. Thursday spot in March. As for the future of Ugly Betty, it's
future is not looking that great but I won't say it's going to be cancelled just yet. Even though Ugly Betty was beaten by an NCIS rerun last week but it
still does decent in the 18-49 demographic. Ugly Betty's future is intertwined with the success of ABC's new shows this spring and unless they all are
surefire hits I doubt Ugly Betty will enter TvHell this season. The cancellations of Dirty Sexy Money, Pushing Daisies, and Eli Stone only help Betty's
chances of returning.
Question from From: Cydlone26:
Shows for the "What If" section:
Pushing Daisies
Ian:
Thanks for the shows, I don't typically do what-ifs on shows that have been cancelled this season but look for John Doe in the next edition of the
What-If page.
Question from Harry: Ian,
Thanks for the info & commentary! Great website!
1) On the Fox Analysis section, you said : "nothing Fox never gets to air anything anyway because of football so they
finally stopped trying to". This is unclear to me. What are you saying?
2) You have: "8:00-8:30 PM – King of the Hill 9:00-9:30 PM – Family Guy". Fox has The Simpsons on 8-8:30, and King of the
Hill 8:30-9:00. King is getting dethroned, as far as I know. Cancellation is soon arriving. I think an animated series is
taking its place, but not sure. I never personally liked King of the Hill, but it did last a while.
On your CBS section, "Project Gary"- the final name used now is "Gary Unmarried". I think it's pretty good. I hope
Christine is doing well. I liie the show, more than "Worst Week". 'Worse' seems like another 'sitcom' that ends up being
amusing, but not funny to me, personally.
Ian: Harry, The network analysis for Fox was written back in May and intended for the past fall season. On Sunday's during football
season, the four o'clock showing of a game almost always runs into the 7 o'clock primetime slot so Fox isn't trying to air
something new in it. They tried that with Futurama and it became a big mess. As for Gary Unmarried, it was still Project
Gary when I wrote the article and it's not customary for me to go back and edit articles that have been published already.
Thanks for reading, it means a lot to me to hear from a long time reader.
Question from Larry E.: Ian,
My fiancee' has just fallen in love with NCIS. Why? Because of all
the reruns on USA Network. They're playing up to 3 a day and
occasionally have marathons.
Now that she's hooked, she watches the new ones religiously.
This syndication strategy is what helped make a lot of older shows
popular or keep them popular. Can you say "Three and a Half Men"? It
was Adult Swim's repeats of "Family Guy" that helped DVD sales and,
thus, the new seasons. "Futurama" got help there, post-cancellation
too.
Maybe the syndication secret is why "CSI: Miami" won't die despite the
fact that everyone finds David Caruso's acting grating and annoying.
Ian: Larry, you bring up an interesting and valid point. Between the two tivos, generic DVR (not as good) and
over a hundred TV DVD's in my house, I tend to not watch a ton of reruns on cable networks. NCIS, in my opinion at least,
for its cast that seem t get along great, its original story, and the fact that while the show doesn't have the two
dimensional character that Law & Order does, it's not impossible to start watching midseason. Syndication does spark
interest in people who may have missed the show because of another show in the same time-slot or for whatever reason.
Ratings sparks are not completely uncommon when it comes to shows that are just entering syndication but one of NCIS's
magnitude is something you don't see every day.
Question from Larry E.: Ian,
You wanted a response and opinions on your article, so here's mine.
I agree with your original theory on why they remain so popular. I
think you're right on the money. They've always have been popular. To
prove this theory historically, how far do you want to go back?
Quincy? Dragnet? Perry Mason? They've been popular, are popular,
and will continue to be so.
In my opinion, it's all about the payoff. They set up the mystery,
work the case, solve the crime and put the bad guys away... in almost
every episode. In that way, it's just like sex... and we love sex.
These shows that go on and on with no payoff (i.e., "Lost") just don't
give us the release we need. And any show that doesn't put out
quickly enough gets dumped. Nobody likes television blue balls.
This idea of a payoff isn't restricted to dramas. You can even see
this scenario in sitcoms, as well. Every episode presents a funny
situation. The comedy usually comes in trying to resolve the
situation. Then, the situation gets resolved, hopefully hilariously,
by the :30 minute mark.
Heck, it even seems to work on "reality" shows. Each episode is
usually edited to tell a story. Plus, someone is voted or kicked off
at the end which gives us the episodic payoff.
It's predictable. It's formulaic. It works. The genius lies in
creating compelling stories within that framework.
Keep up the good work.
Ian: Larry, thanks for your response. You bring up an excellent point with the reality and comedy bit, they both usually have
payoffs at the end and while neither are huge presences on TV today, that formula has been proven to work. I know a lot of
people who can't watch Lost anymore because questions never get answered without a million new questions popping up in the
process. They need to give a little to keep the viewer's interest.
Question from Brooke: Do you know if they will complete the remaining seasons of the
2?
Ian: ABC has publicly stated that the remaining episodes of Dirty Sexy Money and Eli Stone will air, however it's
not uncommon for networks to move shows that have been cancelled to bizarre times, or air them later on the year. ABC may
also decide to air them online. I think Eli Stone was on last week but I know DSM wasn't on because of some ABC special. As
of now, they are supposed to air in their normal timeslots, but make sure every week because there's a chance ABC might
move them and not really advertise the move.
Question: Was it picked-up yet? shame on the networks if not!!!!!!!!!!!
Ian: Jericho was cancelled for the second time after it's comeback was less than desirable for CBS. I enjoyed Jericho a lot
and I'm sorry to see it go but you can't really expect CBS to do anything more than it did. Very few shows even get a
second chance.
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