Surface lovers

I'd like to give a shout out to the 'Surface' fans. There seem to be a lot of you.

I have no idea if this show is going to be renewed, but I promise you I will watch the news like a hawk and give you what I've found.

One thing's for sure -- you'll know by May 18 the future of the show. That's the day of NBC's presentation of their fall schedule.

NBC renews three

'Medium', 'Crossing Jordan', and 'Las Vegas' all get pickups for next season. Adding those three to the three Law & Orders and 'ER' that makes 7 drama renewals from NBC. No word on 'Surface' or 'E-Ring'. I'd say it's a close call for the former and a farewall to the latter.

Link: the futon critic

Fox early pilot pickups

Fox has already picked up two shows for next year "Vanished", a one hour show, and "Til Death", a half hour sitcom which stars Brad Garrett.

I read "Vanished" and had pegged it as a show I expected to be picked up. We'll find out its time slot when Fox presents its schedule on May 18.

Link: the futon critic

Sci-Fi Channel Goodness

Clearly the Sci-Fi Channel loves its fans. They have greenlit a spin-off series of 'Battlestar Galactica' focused 50 years earlier called 'Caprica.' Details in the link above, but I just have to say, I so heart this idea of seeing the gensis of the Cylons and the first war, I'm giddy.

Attention future "Caprica" showrunner: Hire me. Please.

Law and Order lives on

Sorry I've been out of pocket -- been on travel to Dallas this week. I'm sitting in the airport, catching up on news and noticed this little tidbit about season renewals. All three Law & Order shows will be around next season. Because there's a dearth of procedurals on the air *rolls eyes*.

Oh, and people watch them. There's that too.

Blogroll test

I'm ordering links by most recent post. This may play havoc with those of you with blogs which don't get pinged by Blogrolling but have updated blogs.

So, don't whine at me if you are updating and yet you still sit at the bottom of my blogroll. I'll still check in with your site. But if you aren't posting, I'll know it better now...

Big Love renewed

Big Love gets a second season from HBO. I have to admit I don't really care about this news much. Got bored watching the first episode, and except for Harry Dean Stanton, just didn't find much which intrigued me about it.

But to each his own. If you are a fan, this is good news. Production on the 2nd season starts in August.

What About Brian?

So I watched the first two episodes, out of some weird loyalty to all that is J.J. Abrahms. Unfortunately, this show lacks his true genius and I was left feeling the answer to the question posed by the show "What About Brian?" is "Who cares?"

These thirtysomethings are not like anyone I know. All of them are varying degrees of successful and pretty well off. Maybe your friends are like that, but mine are still struggling to reach their goals and don't own successful game companies, are not pediatricians or lawyers or think about having open marriages. Maybe I live in a cave. I just couldn't relate to this show. At all.

Dead in 4 weeks, is my prediction. The ratings aren't great and they are only going to get worse.

Hollywood Reporter: 2006-07 pilots

Good article over at Hollywood Reporter on pilot season today.

My favorite quote:

But as broadcast execs begin scrutinizing tapes of each project, here's something to keep in mind: Pilots don't get series orders on creative merit alone. A complex web of factors dictate their desirability, and none of them is more important than the scheduling needs of each network for the fall and beyond.

Link: 2006-07 pilots

Blogthings - What Type of Writer Should You Be?

Hey, Blogthings has spoken. I must obey.

You Should Be a Film Writer

You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind. You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life. Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling. And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

Into the new age at warp speed

Sure, ABC will offer streaming of shows with ads, but the other interesting news this week is about the rise of the podcast from interesting diversion to full blown marketing tool. Bill Cunningham is the king of all things DVD and I'm sure he could tell you what a boon it is that these 'extras' (which, and I agree with him on this are fast becoming 'essentials') mean to an industry trying to make their content stand out from the crowd. Mediaweek's article on the podcast's new importance is a must read. The key quote from the article, however was this:

Still, most agree quality podcasting can only tighten TV’s hold on viewers. “The more immersive the experience, the more people will bond with your content,” said [Dave] Howe [executive vp/gm Sci-Fi Channel].

Link: Networks Tout Podcasting for Promos

TBS and TNT Upfront

TNT and TBS have started to really expand their original programming in the last couple of years, and they will continue to do so this fall. Besides 'The Closer' returning to TNT, new series 'Saved' will air as will an anthology series called 'Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King'.

TNT will also be premiering a 6 hour series from Ridley Scott next summer called 'The Company'.

TBS is adding a couple of comedies to its schedule, 'My Boys' and '10 Items or Less'.

the futon critic has the press release at the link in the title.

Heist is history

According to Hollywood Reporter.

USA Today Save Our Shows

Want to vote on which shows should stay and which should go of the "on the bubble" shows? Vote at USA Today. They will have results of the poll next week.

BTW, I voted to keep Veronica Mars...and a couple of others. Most of them I said 'Don't care' or 'dump'.

Love Monkey on VH1

You can catch the 8 episodes, 5 of which were unaired on CBS, starting on Tuesday April 11 at 7 PM. The first three will air that night and subsequent weeks at 9 PM you can see the other 5.

Enjoy. (Link above to Futon Critic story)

Toying with Blogger

Trying out some different Blogger features -- let me know if you like them or if they are a pain.

Jake in Progress looks cancelled

News this morning that John Stamos is joining ER next season means 'Jake in Progress' is most likely at an end.

Scribosphere good news roundup

So, the last two weeks have seen a lot of activity for some of my fellow scribe-bloggers. Let's recount:

3/21 - Julie O. gets repped and then optioned.

3/24 - Captain Oats gets repped.

3/31 - Julie (who went to Hollywood) is under contract.

4/1 - Patrick Rodio gets optioned.

This doesn't even account for the several others who have recently gotten agents, sold scripts, done well in contests, etc. That's some good mojo. Anyone I miss? Don't be afraid to crow about your success here! I need to rub some Buddha belly or sommat.

Getting real

I finished my Cold Case spec a couple of weeks ago and have been getting notes back from friends. The first round of notes was very positive, with only minor dialogue issues. The second round of readers again noted some dialogue issues and a few action lines which needed amping up, but still no major story issues. Now I'm on round three and the now the notes are flowing. This is tough love time.

It's good to get notes. Notes make us stronger. And I knew I needed to do more work on this spec...so take a deep breath, dive into the notes and get to work.