Author Archive
 

 

THE SKED: ABC SUMMER PREMIERES

> ABC has announced the premiere dates for its original summer programming, all of it unscripted with the exception of returning moderate success ROOKIE BLUE. Thursday May 248PM: DUETS (singing reality show featuring Kelly Clar...
by Mitch Salem
 

 
 

THE SKED’S WEDNESDAY NETWORK SCORECARD – 4/4/12

> NBC Wednesday = failure. NBC: Another new comedy, another flop. BEST FRIENDS FOREVER, despite some good reviews, could only manage a 1.2 premiere. Which was better than the final 2 episodes of the network’s last try, BE...
by Mitch Salem
 

 

 

THE SKED’S 2012/13 FIRST CUT: CBS Needs & Possibilities

> This marks the conclusion of SHOWBUZZDAILY‘s pre-Upfronts survey of the broadcast networks, as they reach the conclusion of the current season and decision-making time for the next.  Previously this week, Mitch Met...
by Mitch Salem
 

 
 

THE SKED SEASON FINALE REVIEW: “Happy Endings”

> It’s not all that unusual for a situation comedy to change directions in the midst of its initial season and emerge a different, and better, show:  The Office and Parks & Recreation both took that journey (the ...
by Mitch Salem
 

 

 

THE SKED’S 2012/13 FIRST CUT: NBC Needs & Possibilities

> Today Mitch Metcalf, veteran programming executive Ted Frank and I continue our week-long pre-Upfronts look at the challenges facing each of the broadcast networks and their potential strategies for next season.  We̵...
by Mitch Salem
 

 
 

THE SKED’S TUESDAY NETWORK SCORECARD – 4/3/12

> NEW GIRL is losing that new-show gleam. FOX:  Whether it’s been caused by the accumulated agony of FOX’s 4-sitcom schedule (with I Hate My Teenage Daughter and Raising Hope reruns as lead-ins), the reality re...
by Mitch Salem
 

 

 

THE SKED’S PILOT + 2 REVIEW: “Magic City”

> A lot can happen between the creation of a TV pilot in the spring and production of episodes for the regular season:  a writing/producing team is hired, audience focus groups weigh in, networks and studios (which may hav...
by Mitch Salem
 

 
 

THE SKED’S 2012/13 FIRST CUT: ABC Needs & Possibilities

> With the television season at Upfronts minus about 6 weeks, Mitch Metcalf, veteran programming executive Ted Frank and I are continuing our survey of the issues each network may and should be thinking about while strategizing...
by Mitch Salem
 

 

 

THE SKED’S SUNDAY SCRIPTED CABLE SCORECARD – 4/1/12

> There’s almost an embarrassment of riches on Sunday night cable, enough good shows to overload a DVR.  Since many of these series are among the most talked-about (and honored) on all of television, we’re goin...
by Mitch Salem
 

 
 

THE SKED MONDAY NETWORK SCORECARD – 4/2/12

> Not even championship basketball can dent SMASHWatch. NBC:   Perhaps the moment last night that most typified the lows SMASH has reached was the bit where Ivy popped pain pills while staring into a mirror affixed wi...
by Mitch Salem
 

 

 

THE SKED SEASON FINALE REVIEW: “House Of Lies”

> After a full season, it’s still not clear just what HOUSE OF LIES is. The season finale, written and directed by series creator Matthew Carnahan, centered on what became the show’s main storyline in the latter par...
by Mitch Salem
 

 
 

THE SKED SEASON FINALE REVIEW: “Shameless”

> The second-season finale of Showtime’s SHAMELESS was unusually low-key for the rambunctious series, the result of having to deal with the aftermath of last week’s Thanksgiving dinner, where bipolar mom Monica (Chl...
by Mitch Salem
 

 

 

THE SKED SEASON FINALE REVIEW: “Californication”

> CALIFORNICATION lost a step this season, which is what often happens when a series of limited scope reaches Year 5.  Unlike other Showtime series like Weeds and Dexter, Californication has never had the appetite for seas...
by Mitch Salem
 

 
 

THE SKED’S 2012/13 FIRST CUT: FOX Needs & Possibilities

> Welcome to April:  pilots are being produced and prepared for executive screenings, all but a very few of the 2011/12 series have aired, and we’re only 6 weeks away from the hoopla of the network Upfronts and their...
by Mitch Salem
 

 

 

THE SKED’S SUNDAY NETWORK SCORECARD

> Not so happily ever after? ABC:  ONCE UPON A TIME has been on a series-low track since Daylight Savings Time began, and last night it hit a new low 2.7, despite a highly-promoted episode that answered the question of jus...
by Mitch Salem