I saw "Hot Fuzz" this weekend.

It's good. Really really good.

Shaun of the Dead is one of my new favorite films. In fact, it may be the only film not starring Will Ferrell produced in the last five years which is quoted by me often. I can watch the film any number of times and it never gets old.

I think Hot Fuzz will be the same way.

I'm for serious here, peeps. I don't "do" movie recommendations much, but when this one comes out (on April 20th)... Go. See. It.

For serious.

It's done

Well, it took almost a year. It went through 3 (official) and an untold number of unofficial rewrites. It's possible it will get one more, depending on the readers it is going to now. But my first pilot spec is done.

I'm working on the bible now, and very soon it will go out to a few readers outside of my usual suspects (congrats, you all are now free!!) Once I feel that it is getting a passing grade there, it goes to the top of the portfolio, with the two show specs.

I see the light, and it is neon, blinking...

NEXT PROJECT.

30 Rock gets another year

Futon Critic reports the news this morning. 30 Rock will live!

As a side note, I know many people have speculated that it would be an either/or situation with 30 Rock and Friday Night Lights -- both critically loved but low rated shows. Well, Friday Night Lights is getting a Peabody award. While this doesn't mean NBC MUST keep it, I do think it helps make their case that the show is worth saving. (Ugly Betty and Showtime's Brotherhood also received Peabody recognition this year).

More fallout from the schedule

This Variety article gives the details, but the basics are clear:

Six Degrees - gone.

Black Donnelly's - yanked from the schedule, probably never to return.

Notes from the Underbelly - so bad they keep moving the timeslot (now it's scheduled for Wednesdays at 8:30, behind According to Jim)

7th Heaven is dead...again.

Watch List needs a lot of updating today.

The Wedding Bells gets pulled

Looks like a couple of episodes will still air on 4/6 and 4/20, but then it's done.

In its last airing, it pulled a 1.5 rating. WWE Smackdown ranked higher. Ouch.

Back in the Saddle

Good to be back home. It was a long week, and I'm sure most of you know what it's like to deal with a family funeral. Lots of visits, lots of grieving, lots of emotional burnout.

I'm still sifting through all the news I missed. I have so much stacked up on the DVR to watch, I'm cross-eyed looking at the list (3 weeks of Lost??)

In writing news, I developed good ideas on a new pilot I'm working on. Hope to start outlining the sucker soon. Still rewriting my draft pilot. All other rewrites locked and loaded. Once the pilot is done, I'm going out...and yes, I realize my timing now sucks. Well, I was planning on going through the manager/agent gauntlet 2 weeks ago, but the fates conspired to ixnay that.

So, bad timing or no, I'm going.

Thanks to all who emailed or left well wishes here. It really helped.

Hiatus

Sorry for the hiatus. My grandfather died on Sunday so I'm home for the funeral.

I'll be back next Monday to regular updating and such. Sorry for the unusual quiet on the blog.

Fox schedule updates

Last year's minor comedy success 'The Loop' returns to the schedule on June 10th.

Hell's Kitchen, one of my favorite non-scripted shows, is back on June 25.

The new Mark Burnett produced show, 'On the Lot' will premiere on May 16 and then settle into a Monday-Tuesday pattern. This one may be of particular interest to writers/directors as it is the show produced by Spielberg to find a great unknown directing talent.

ABC to Introduce October Road to Thursday Lineup

Starting March 15 in place of 'Men in Trees' at 10 PM Thursday...

ABC to Introduce October Road to Thursday Lineup

Michael and son permanently off the island?

According to this story, Harold Perrineau will be co-starring in a new CBS pilot, 'Demons'. The article notes:

There has been talk about Perrineau possibly returning to the Emmy-winning adventure series, but sources said the sides could not reach an agreement.

If this show gets picked up, I guess we'll never know if Michael and Walt made it back to land.

Perrineau to face 'Demons' for CBS

Random Observations about last night's tv

No new BSG. BOOOO!!!

The Puppy Bowl is fascinating. I almost got sucked in so long I neglected the real game. Although, by the end of the third quarter, I wasn't missing much.

Rex Grossman sucks.

Robert Goulet rules! Although, I think it is fair to say that the ad companies are in danger. If an ad that cost 12 bucks is at least as entertaining as a few of them that cost 2 million, why the heck do we need ad companies?? (I mean, some of those ads last night were just LAME).

Criminal Minds sucks worse than I imagined. I've only watched two episodes, so I didn't think I was a fair judge, but the episode last night was dreadful. You'd have to have the IQ of a small woodland creature not to figure out what was going on with the 'unsub' (Criminal Minds speak *roll eyes*) by the end of the teaser, yet it took the whip-smart team 3 ACTS to figure it out. This wasn't dramatic tension, it was poor plotting. CBS really blew it with airing this after the Super Bowl. Fellow TV geeks are saying that CBS should have opted for a couple of sitcoms, notably 'How I Met Your Mother' and premiere 'Rules of Engagement' instead. I think they have a point. Who wants to watch dark, ugly serial killer drama after America's favorite televison event?? (Considering that the fast nationals show that CM drew 26 million viewers, 12 million less than 'Grey's Anatomy' did last year, I'd say not that many.)

MTR loses a member

I've had it.

Today was the day tickets for MTR members were to go on sale for the Paley Festival. So, I waited dutifully on the Ticketmaster site for a full 10 minutes before sales would open (at 9 AM). I struggled to order. The letter I got in the mail said to use my member ID, but every time I entered it, I got an error. So, at 9:15 I decided to try calling Ticketmaster. At 9:18 I got a human, and explained my problem.

She told me all the presale tickets were sold out. My jaw dropped.

"It's 18 minutes past 9. How is that possible?"

"I'm sorry," she said. "You can try calling back on the 4th."

No, no I won't. Goodbye Paley Festival. Goodbye MTR. I will no longer WASTE (and yes, it is a waste) 50 bucks a year to become a member for a benefit I DON'T GET TO USE!!

Oh and the festival hotline has been busy all morning. I'm guessing I'm not alone in this.

Human Sacrifice

In the life of every script, key decisions must be confronted and made. Is this the right beat for an act out? Should I use flashbacks? What do I do about this gaping plot hole?

Sometimes the hardest decisions involve homicide -- specifically, excising a character. I am currently struggling with this decision in regard to my pilot.

My pilot spec has no less than 20 (!) speaking characters. Keeping them straight is a chore for the reader, and I am sympathetic to this. In fact, I dislike having so many dang people cluttering up my world. The problem is, I NEED most of these characters.

First, there's the lead. He can't go away, no way, no how. Then there's his 'entourage' or 'team' -- those three are necessary too. The boss stays, as does the best friend. So does the heavy. As for the second tier characters, most of those serve a purpose too. I've already taken 3 characters and rolled them into one. Still, the world is too populated. Someone must go.

I've chosen Coulter for this honor.

Dan Coulter is a man's man. He's also an arrogant SOB. He was in the story to be a thorn in the side of my lead and provide some meaty conflict. Trouble is, he isn't really that necessary anymore. When I created him, he was unique, serving a singular purpose. Now I have two or three other characters who duplicate that role. So, Coulter is headed to the dustbin.

Here's the problem, it's not that simple. He is woven into some scenes that feed important information. He was a structure point too -- serving as a justification for our lead to make a critical decision. If he is gone, the decision doesn't make sense. So just cutting him out of the story leads to a number of rewrite issues. Now, I'm not afraid of rewriting, far from it. At first glance, however, the task is daunting. Once I figure out how to patch over the gaps left by this character, I'll be good to go. Right now I'm just trying to find enough dirt for filler.

In the end, I'll have 19 (!?!) speaking roles in the pilot. It may not seem like a significant reduction, but I think it will still help. After all, Lost in any given week seems to have 25, and Lord knows how many there are for 24 (actually, I counted last night -- I counted 21 name characters at least...got a little fuzzy in the detention center, but that's still a hefty number.)

On to the rewrite.

Spec episode or spec pilot?

There's been some debate this week about the viability of specs, thanks to a blog post from Jane Espenson unofficially declaring the spec episode of an existing show dead.

Fortunately for us, BooM started asking questions. Her answers are a bit of a relief.

Let's hope the spec episode isn't completely dead. Either way, start writing some pilots people.

Paley Festival Events Announced

(panel attendees TBA)

3/1 American Idol
3/2 The Office
3/3 An Evening with George Lucas
3/5 Brothers & Sisters
3/6 The Closer
3/7 Dexter
3/8 Nip/Tuck
3/9 Prison Break
3/10 Heroes
3/12 Ugly Betty
3/13 Jericho
3/15 The Simpsons

More information at Museum of Television and Radio

Updated Fox Spring Schedule

(From Fox press release, as found at Futon Critic:

FOX SPRING PREMIERES RECAP (All Times ET/PT)

Sunday, March 4:
THE WAR AT HOME Time Period Premiere (7:30-8:00 PM)
THE WINNER Series Premiere (8:30-9:00 PM)
THE WINNER Series Premiere (9:30-10:00 PM)

Wednesday, March 7:
THE WEDDING BELLS Preview (9:00-10:00 PM)

Friday, March 9:
THE WEDDING BELLS Series Premiere (9:00-10:00 PM)

Wednesday, March 14:
TIL DEATH Time Period Premiere (9:30-10:00 PM)

Friday, March 30:
STANDOFF Time Period Premiere (8:00-9:00 PM)

Sunday, April 15:
DRIVE Series Premiere (8:00-10:00 PM)

Monday, April 16:
DRIVE Time Period Premiere (8:00-9:00 PM)

FOX SPRING SCHEDULE
(Effective Sunday, March 4; All Times ET/PT)

MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM PRISON BREAK/DRIVE (Premieres 4/16)
9:00-10:00 PM 24

TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL
9:00-10:00 PM HOUSE

WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM BONES
9:00-9:30 PM AMERICAN IDOL
9:30-10:00 PM TIL DEATH

THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM TBA
9:00-10:00 PM TBA

FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM STANDOFF (Premieres 3/30)
9:00-10:00 PM THE WEDDING BELLS

SATURDAY
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICAS MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK
11:00 PM-Midnight MADtv
Midnight-12:30 AM TALKSHOW WITH SPIKE FERESTEN

SUNDAY
7:00-7:30 PM COMEDY REPEATS
7:30-8:00 PM THE WAR AT HOME
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM THE WINNER/KING OF THE HILL (Returns 3/25)
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM THE WINNER/AMERICAN DAD (Returns 3/25)

Bonds

No, not savings bonds or Barry Bonds, but the kind of bonds you make with people in the trenches, as a writer.

Bonds. Now the word looks funny. Ahem.

Some writers find it difficult to forge relationships with other writers. A lot of writers tend toward the reclusive side. If this is you, I recommend you use the tool in front of you to break out of that.

Bonds can be formed online now, you know.

The best relationships are obviously the ones where you see and talk to the person and they are within 2 feet of you, and no, not on your computer screen. However, if you've been on message boards or chat rooms or blogs and found a kindred spirit, take advantage. Writer colleagues are good for motivation, support and assistance.

This is a love letter of sorts to my best writer friends.

I can't thank you all enough for your insightful notes, your suggestions (yes, I love notes and suggestions, I know some writers don't want someone telling them how to fix their problems, but I like solutions, even if it isn't the right one. Sometimes it leads to the right one). Hopefully I am just as helpful as you are to me.

To my L.A. writer friends, I appreciate being able to meet with you, blow off steam, laugh and cry and share our work so that we may become stronger writers. To my non-L.A. writer friends, I appreicate you too. We may not be able to meet in person all the time, if ever, but you have diverse viewpoints which are appreciated. Sometimes it helps to hear from those of you outside of the Hollywood bubble to see if my idea 'plays' to a larger audience. That is invaluable insight.

Forging bonds is important in life. While you may feel writing is a solitary occupation, I can't stress enough the importance of fellow aspirants to keep you motivated.

Go make some friends.

The new hot specs list

While not all of this season's crop of shows has had their fates decided, it's getting easier to read the tea leaves. I'm also hearing buzz about certain show specs from friends and industry contacts:

New 'hot' one-hour specs: (in order of perceived hotness)

Ugly Betty
Heroes
Dexter
Grey's Anatomy
The Closer
Criminal Minds
House
Brothers & Sisters

*This does not mean other shows cannot be specced. I'll be posting the revised hot specs list within a few weeks.

New 'hot' half-hour specs: (in order of perceived hotness)

The New Adventures of Old Christine
The Office
My Name is Earl
How I Met Your Mother
Scrubs
Two and a Half Men
Everybody Hates Chris (this has really fallen off since last year)

NBC sets Raines premiere dates

Raines, starring Jeff Goldblum will premiere in ER's time slot on March 15 and 22, and then air on Fridays at 9 beginning March 30. Earlier NBC had reduced the order for the series from 13 to 7.

Unless it pulls incredible numbers, Raines isn't long for this world.

Link: the futon critic

NBC renews The Office, Earl, Heroes and L&O: SVU for next season

NBC has announced the renewal of 'My Name is Earl', 'The Office', 'Heroes', and 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' for the 2007-08 season. This makes 'Heroes' the first freshman show to get picked up for next season.

Watch List updated.

Link: Futon Critic

Fox Spring Schedule Announced

Fox has announced some premiere dates and schedule changes coming in March and April (editorials are all mine):

• Drive - 2 hour premiere on Sunday April 15. It will then begin airing on Monday nights (starting April 16) replacing Prison Break, which will have its season finale on April 2nd. A repeat of 'House' will air in the slot on April 9.
  
• Til Death will move to Wednesdays following the 90 minute AI on March 14. This will likely prolong the life of the show...at least short term.
  
• Hell's Kitchen will return in March on Thursdays once The O.C. wraps. Remember 'The Loop'? (it was never actually cancelled last season) Looks like it could return and air the same night alongside ailing 'The War at Home'.
  
• Standoff comes back in March and is sent to the gallows of Friday night. I weep. But at least it won't die alone. David Kelley's new show 'The Wedding Bells' will air along with it on Fridays.
  
• Seth MacFarlane/Rick Blitt produced show 'The Winner' will launch on Sunday March 4 with two episodes, one after The Simpsons and one after Family Guy. American Dad, which normally airs in those slots, will return in April.

I'll update the Watch List with this info today.



Link: Futon Critic

Quick hits

• Dancing with the Stars returns on March 19, airing Mondays and Tuesdays. Yes, that means it avoids the American Idol carnage.
  
• Stargate will live on with a couple of direct-to-DVD films, 'Stargate: The Ark of Truth', and 'Stargate: Continuum'.
  
• Lost may air with no repeats next season, but to do so, it may not premiere until January 2008.
  
• Golden Globes: YAWN. Hugh Laurie will always win because he's British. Same with Helen Mirren. And Jeremy Irons. And Bill Nighy. And Sacha Baron Cohen. AND Emily Blunt. Alec Baldwin is British by default, since he vowed to leave the country after Bush was reelected. Recounts are pending for how Peter O'Toole, Toni Collete (okay, she's from Australia, close enough), Cate Blanchett, and Stephen Frears lost. I'm sure heads will roll for letting some Americans win those categories.
  
• ABC has suffered a lot of serialized show fatigue, with only a couple of small successes in that realm this year and lots of failures (Six Degrees, The Nine, Daybreak). They are focusing on procedurals this year. Of course, ABCs recent track record with procedurals has been dismal (In Justice, The Evidence, Dragnet).
  
• So, uh, 24. Yeah. In their world I'd be dead several times over. I know the show is set in L.A. but do we always have to be hit with big horrible weapons? At least they spread it around the country a little bit this season...

Not a lot of TV news to report. I scoff at the Globes handing the best tv show award to Grey's, but you know my bias there anyway...

Link:the futon critic

TV Show return dates

Want to know when your favorite show starts showing new episodes again? Check below. Organized by date. (Reality, news programs, and specials excluded...unless noted). UPDATED on 1/16, fixed some premiere dates

1/16

American Idol Sixth season premiere
NCIS
The Unit

1/17

One Tree Hill

1/18

CSI
Shark

1/19

Monk Fifth season (winter) premiere
Psych First season (winter) premiere

1/21

The Dresden Files Series premiere
Battlestar Galactica Third season (winter) premiere

1/22

Everybody Hates Chris
Prison Break
Heroes (up against 24, program your DVRs accordingly)
What About Brian
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

1/23

FYI: STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
Gilmore Girls
Veronica Mars

1/24

The George Lopez Show Sixth season premiere

1/28

King of the Hill Tenth season premiere

1/31

Top Design Series premiere on BRAVO

2/5

Rules of Engagement Series premiere on CBS

2/7

LOST ** time period change! 10:00 PM Eastern/Pacific

2/14

Jericho

How to keep your favorite show from being cancelled

I suppose the short and sweet answer is to WATCH THEM.

*sigh*

I suppose you want more than that. Fine. Become a Nielsen family. THEN WATCH THEM IN REAL TIME.

Still no good? Have any friends who are Nielsen metered homes? Go over to their place, make them watch your show in real time. Repeat this about 1,000 times.

Networks care about their ratings. Ratings dictate how much they can charge for ads. If a show gets terrible ratings, in most cases it equals not getting enough people to pay ad rates for that show. The network then tries to salvage what they can by putting something else on the air which companies will buy ads during.

But wait, what about me? The viewer! Don't I get a say?

Not really.

If you pay for a channel, like HBO, you have a say. They cancel your show, you cancel your HBO. Pretty easy. Network and basic cable are a different ballgame.

It's all about the ad dollars.

Look, I've been where you are, I'm there now. You fall in love with a show. It's funny, dramatic, interesting, quirky, different...all the things you want in a TV show. But it only pulls a 3 share (a share point represents about 1.2 million households). Even with close to 7 million people watching, it just isn't enough. Advertisers can get more eyeballs on the competing show. Your favorite show loses advertisers. If it loses ad dollars, it loses the game.

So, the best solution is to know how to cope with a show you love not going the distance. Some people form cult like support groups (Firefly fans come to mind). Others just find something else to watch. Some form letter writing campaigns.

Campaigns targeted at a network are pointless. Target the advertisers. Tell them how much you love their commercials and products and are happy they support your favorite show on TV. Tell them you will happily buy more of their products if they keep supporting your show. I have no idea if this works, but believe me, it's more on target than bitching at ABC for cancelling Daybreak. If the advertisers left and it didn't get good reviews- the only saving grace for some shows is award cred. Win some awards, and a network will save a low rated show because awards are like free advertising that your show is good. More people may start watching it. More people equals higher ratings equals more $$ for advertising.

You getting the drift?

Welcome!

A quick hello to those of you who found me from the 'Boogie Board'. I have no idea what is posted over there that lead you here, but welcome. Please, feel free to poke around. In the Taylor universe I am TeelaJBrown.

Two Carry-ons per person

(NOTE TO PARENTS: I am fine. Yes, I am spewing forth in a public forum about my ups and downs this year. At this present time, I consider myself in good mental health. Now, don't call me all worried. Yes, I really do have to post these kinds of disclaimers or I'll be on the phone for an hour with my mother. I love you mom, but truly, I'm fine.)

So, I talked about my writing journey this year. In the grand scheme, it was a good year for that. Sometimes it feels like the wheels of progress just don't move fast enough. I want to have an agent NOW. I want to be on staff NOW. The wheels, however, only move as fast as you can turn them.

I have a day job. It isn't a glamorous job, and in fact, right now I find myself wondering what it is I do most days. Still, it keeps me fed, clothed and sheltered, and helped me buy my swank TV. It also allows me to even consider writing in my spare time.

One thing I relearned this year -- I need goals and deadlines. It may seem like a waste of time and money to some to keep taking UCLA Extension classes each semester, but let me tell you -- I'm not sure I could have reached my goals without them. Knowing I have pages to submit to classmates, knowing I have deadlines, it's a motivator. I've tried to impose my own deadlines, and it is nearly impossible. I slow down without this motivation. I will definitely be back in the classroom come spring.

A friend of mine showed me a video called The Secret. Basically, it posits that we attract good and bad occurences to ourselves by our thoughts. I tend to be skeptical of this kind of baseless stuff, but I do believe in the power of positive thinking.

Some of you may know about my pilgrimage to Birmingham this year. Most people I told about it looked at me like I had sprouted another set of arms out of the top of my head. Rewind.

May 2006. Taylor Hicks wins American Idol. I cannot explain to you what it was that posessed me to follow this guy on the show and after. It was like I fell under some mass hypnosis, but for three months, other than some writing because I had a class, I thought of NOTHING but Taylor Hicks. I met a lot of interesting, good people online suffering the same obsession. Word came that the American Idol tour was stopping in Birmingham, and that Taylor's band was performing a show the night before. Rumors flew that Taylor would appear onstage with his old band. A wave of giddy excitement overtook the mostly middle aged housewives who wanted nothing more than to converge on Birmingham and see him in concert with the rest of their new online friends. I got caught up in the tidal wave, and before I knew it, I had bought my tickets to the show and booked a flight to Birmingham.

The next three months were happy prosperous months. I lost ten pounds. I had a regular gym schedule. I was writing, and I had this new network of funny, strange friends. I had only one goal in mind for those three months. MEET TAYLOR HICKS.

I don't know why the desire, the need to meet him was so overwhelming. It wasn't like I thought the man would drop everything and, like in bad romance novels, sweep me into his arms and declare his undying love for me. In fact, that wasn't even what I wanted. It's hard to explain, but... Music. Music was this force in my life when I was young. My mother sang in a band when I was a wee tot, and through some osmosis I developed this need to sing. Over the years, music wasn't the glorious creative fountain it had been when I was young. And then Taylor comes along. And I'm suddenly listening, really listening to music once again. And not just him -- I'm buying CDs of blues, jazz, r&b, rock, soul music. I'm dipping back into my own collection. I'm discovering new artists, and seeking out new music. It was like being reborn. I think I needed to meet him to validate all that was good in my life, that it wasn't some dream. And I wanted to thank him for bringing music back to me.

But how do you thank somebody who doesn't know you? I'm sure pro-screenwriters get it all the time from us wannabes -- the 'thank you for being brilliant' kind of thank yous...what do you do with that? And Taylor had given me so much. Music is a gift that is beyond measure, like being given the sun or air to breathe. Still, I felt a need to give something to him.

As I said, those were happy months filled with happy thoughts. The happiness radiated around me. I was more positive about my future than I had ever been. It was like this giant snowball effect. The positive feeling in one area of my life, cascaded and reverberated all around me. It was scary. I had never felt so free or happy.

Of course, there were the naysayers. The friends who shook their heads and laughed at my folly. My sister griped that I was online chatting with my new friends too much and all I could think about was Taylor. She called it obsession. I called it focus.

So I wanted to give him something. I figured, he's on the road...if I were on the road, visiting new places, I'd want a good journal around to scribble thoughts, maybe a poem or two, story ideas...so I bought a masculine looking journal. Leather with a wrap around tie. But I wanted to inspire him the way he had inspired me.

I sought out a notebook of mine which contained quotations I keep for my own inspiration. If I am inspired by the wisdom (and humor) of others, perhaps he would be too? Every night for a month I copied by hand my favorite inspiration quotations onto post-it notes, which I stuck on random pages in the journal. When I ran out of my own quotations, I went online and looked for more. Quotes about music, the road, the soul, goals, passion, creativity...I had copied almost 100 quotations. And in a cheeky and bold moment, I stuck my phone number on the back page. Hey, a girl can dream right? We are both artists, I reasoned, if he liked his gift, perhaps he'd want to chat about artistic expression...or ask me on a date.

You're laughing. That's okay, I'm laughing too. I know how crazy it all was. But I went to Birmingham. I met Taylor Hicks. I gave him my gift. The next night I was singing karaoke in a bar with 30 of my new crazy friends. And I cried. I was overwhelmed with joy. I hadn't felt pure joy like this in...well, the last time I can recall this kind of joy was when I was in high school and we had finished performing the musical 'L'il Abner'. I was a senior, and performing on stage is a heady experience. I remember standing on the stage after the performance, trying to soak up those last few moments of utter bliss. This joy I felt in Birmingham was more powerful than that old half-forgotten memory.

I had another event to keep my going for the two months following that trip -- Austin Film Festival. I was going to meet some of my online writer friends in person for the first time and be in a total environment of writing creativity and appreciation.

After Austin, I started to drift. I was still writing, but I felt myself slipping. There was nothing big on the horizon for me now. What would I work toward?

Then, I got the call. ABC Fellowship. Semi-finalist. It was as if someone had flipped the light switch back on in my soul. This was PERFECT. It was exactly what I wanted and needed, and if I got it, the timing would be sublime. And then I didn't get to the Finalist round. I didn't get to make my case in an interview. Of course, I did my best to stay strong, think positive, look at the bright side. But inside, I crumbled. I fell into a spiral of self-doubt and negativity. I started gaining more weight. I had been at near ideal weight in August, but by the end of the year, I had put on 25 pounds. I became apathetic about everything, including my writing.

I'm just now coming out of it. Funny thing about depression. Most of the time you don't know you are depressed until you aren't. You have to look backward on it to see what it is. Now I know what I experienced for about six weeks was soul sucking.

And I went on vacation. I'm writing again. It's slow going, but I'm making progress every day.

Keeping this blog has been a struggle the last month or so, as I had no desire to write anything. Somehow, I got through it. I have some good friends. Most of them don't know how depressed I was, but the nature of good friends is that it doesn't matter. They were there, supporting me, encouraging me. You know who you are. I thank you with all my heart for keeping me going during my troubled times.

And now, I really am thinking positive, looking on the bright side. I'm setting new goals. And yes, I'm going back to Birmingham in a few months, to see my friends and share good music. I've got some weight to lose. Good incentive.

This is my year. I know this because I believe in the power of positive thinking. If I feel it in my bones, that this is the year I will get my wheels of progress turning faster, it will happen. No negative thoughts. No doubts. Make it happen.

Don't carry on too much baggage. Don't weigh your progress down with doubt. Let the wheels fly.

Fox cancels The O.C.

You've probably already heard that The O.C. has been cancelled. In case you have not seen the news, however, click above to the story on Mediaweek.

Link: Mediaweek.

Watch List will be updated shortly...

My year in review

2006. I had a plan. For the most part, it succeeded. For the most part.

The year started out pretty uneventfully. I was writing my Cold Case spec. My House spec first draft was finished. I had set a goal to complete at least one more TV spec by end of year and finish my pilot.

Check. Check.

Having set out a writing plan and having stuck to it, I can honestly say I will be doing this every year. I might not make it every year, but the plan at least gives you a roadmap. And let's say you get an opportunity -- a contest win, an agent or A JOB. Obviously the plan changes. But let's say these things don't happen, the plan keeps you on track. The goals keep you focused. They keep you writing.

This year my plan consists of rewrites and polishes, one new spec starting in April, and one new feature. That's right, this year I'm finally circling back to where I started.

And I want 2007 to be the year I finally get my foot wedged into the door. I doubt I'll end the year with a job, but I plan to end the year with an agent. This is it, I have decided, and it WILL happen.

You watch.

Missed 'The Wire' on HBO? Watch it on BET

Starting on January 10th, BET will start airing episodes of 'The Wire'. You probably hear everyone who loves TV lavishing praise on this show. Find out what all the fuss is about. The episodes will air in 90 minute blocks, so program your TiVOs appropriately.

Link: The Futon Critic

My Favorites

I'm often asked what websites I visit to accumulate my vast knowledge of all things TV. Well, dear friends, I will share with you my list of daily visits so that you can abandon me and find your info in the same places I do.

Or maybe you just like getting your news second hand. Your call.

• The Futon Critic - The great grand daddy of all TV news. If you aren't reading this every day, you just aren't paying attention.
  
• Mediaweek - Sometimes Mediaweek gets press releases out before Futon Critic. Rare, but it happens. I also visit to read Berman's Programming Insider and his offshoot forum PI Feedback. That forum is where you can find the overnights by 9 AM every day. You want Nielsens, they got 'em. You'll also get some good discussion with other tv junkies in the forums.
  
• TV Week - Hey, get a free subscription and understand the dynamics of the industry! Visit the website daily to see who is hired, who is fired, and what is happening around the tv industry. The site is less focused on the programs, and more on the business, but I think a very strong argument can be made that understanding the business can be very helpful to a writer. (Did I mention you can get a free subscription to the weekly mag?)
  
• The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. The industry rags. Check the Reporter in the evening if you want to read tomorrow's headlines early.
  
• Google Alerts. Want to know when articles about certain topics are published? Sign up for google alerts. I have one for tv upfronts, which becomes invaluable when I want to know what is being announced, what is anticipated, etc from the wide world of print media and blogs. I also have a Google Alert for news on Nathan Fillion, but that's a topic for another day.

I also visit a variety of other sites less frequently (like TV.com for episode guides for every show on the air), but these are the daily visits. Now go forth and gobble up TV news

New Year, Old Year

Yippee, it's 2007! Start practicing for your check writing people!

Wow, this internet thing -- I've been away for like 20,000 years (2 weeks) and man, you can get anything on the internets.

What did I miss? People died (R.I.P. Peter Boyle, James Brown, Gerald Ford. Rot in Hell Sadaam). UFOs were spotted in Chicago! And I went on vacation.

That's right, I went on VACATION, those things were you go rest and get away from internets. My days -- lay on beach, eat, sleep. Repeat. Good times.

Yeah, the 'review of my writing journey' post is coming. Cram it, I was busy doing as little as humanly possible. And playing Guitar Hero.

Is it just me or does 'Dirt' look like the worst new show of the year? I know the year is young, but I'm willing to bet this thing is a DOG. We get enough celebutard gossip and grime in real life. I seriously doubt anything this show can do will shock us within an inch of our lives and will probably just be tacky and vile instead. Blech. Plus I don't like how good Courtney looks on the billboard. You suck, Mrs. Cox-Arquette.

Saw 'Apocalypto' (was majorly inspired after visiting Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza on Christmas Day). Wow, incredible movie. Get your life in order Mel so I can respect you fully once more.

There's a really long and interesting article you should all read in The New Yorker here. After you read it, come back and we'll discuss.

I'll update the Watch List by tomorrow at the latest. Until then, you'll just have to ponder the future of all things on your own.

The Year in Review Part One: That's Entertainment

Yes, it is the end of the year, or nearly so. It's time to look back on the last 11 months and ruminate about what was good, what was bad, and what was odd. Fortunately, I won't be commenting on world events or fashion dos and don'ts. In fact, I'm pretty self-absorbed with my yearly review.

It's got three parts, and each week I'll post one segment. Part one is about the TV and film landscape. Part two will go more personal as I look at the state of my writing life in 2006. Finally, I'll wrap up with probably the most personal post I've ever made on this blog. If that is at all intriguing to you, well, you'll have to wait for New Year's Day for that package.

So let's talk film first (It'll be short).

I got Netflix, and yet somehow I saw fewer 'new' films this year. I did finally see what all the fuss was about with 'Network' (stop booing at me, you have some film skeletons in your closet too I bet). I also branched out into watching a lot of silent films and Expressionist films...The Seventh Seal, M, The Cabinet of Dr. Calgari, Nosferatu.

As for films released this year -- there were a lot of films that just didn't scream out for me to see them in a theater for $11-14. When I did get a chance to take in a film, I was usually treated to a good one -- The Departed, Inside Man, Little Miss Sunshine, United 93, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.

Films which surprised me (in a good way): Cars, Casino Royale, Clerks II, Nacho Libre, World Trade Center, Slither, The Benchwarmers (I told you it surprised me -- I laughed more than I thought I would), The Guardian, even Tenacious D: In the Pick of Destiny.

Movies I hated: V for Vendetta, Failure to Launch, A Prairie Home Companion (sorry Altman).

Movies I still feel mostly indifferent about: Stranger than Fiction, MI:3, X-Men3, Hostel.

Movies I was disappointed by: Snakes on a Plane, The Descent, Saw III, Lucky Number Slevin, Firewall, and The DaVinci Code.

I usually see at least 35-40 movies in a theater every year. By my count I saw only 25 this year. You might attribute that to me watching more TV (which is very true), but I have to say, only two films on this list did I actually catch on DVD after their runs (Failure to Launch and The DaVinci Code, both sucked). That tells me I lacked interest in most of the offerings.

Now, there are some films I still want very much to see -- For Your Consideration, The Queen, Borat, Superman Returns, The Devil Wears Prada, Thank You for Smoking, The Good Shepherd, The Fountain, Blood Diamond, Apocalypto, and a few others -- most being released right at the end of the year (attention studios: you are releasing too many films at the end of the year!!)

So, let's talk about my obsession -- I mean, area of intense study: television.

I think we all know what's good. And I've mentioned (repeatedly) what was bad. But let's talk about those shows that make up the rest of the schedule...the shows which defy all reason and are still on the air. That's right, I'm talking about you, One Tree Hill. And you, NCIS. Where would we be without Crossing Jordan or America's Funniest Home Videos on the schedule? They are like old friends, the mere existence of whom give us comfort when we look at the TV Guide. "The world can't be all bad. 'According to Jim' is still on the air." And with that, we change the channel, secure in the knowledge that Jim Belushi must make *someone laugh* (right?)

Okay, I kid. But, seriously...I can't be all scripted, all the time (as much as I'd love to)...no, there are some alternative programming skeletons in my closet...

I love Dog. Not just any Dog, but Dog The Bounty Hunter. I have also been known to catch an episode of My Super Sweet Sixteen. Don't scoff until you've seen that trainwreck. Hell's Kitchen and American Idol are my idea of good quality reality show entertainment. Also a big fan of Ghost Hunters. And Cash in the Attic (on Beeb America). Proj Run? Appointment viewing, obviously, but so is Breaking Bonaduce. And you thought my eyeballs were bleeding just from all the 'scripted' TV I watched. Little did you know, I gobble up all this other stuff too!

And really, I can sleep at night knowing that at practically any time of day, I can find a COPS rerun. Sometimes you just need to see some K-Fed poseurs trying to outrun the fuzz to fulfill your humor quotient.

Okay, so next week I'll bring it 'round to discussing my own personal writing journey this year. It's been quite a year, as most of you know.

Daybreak, Show Me the Money Cancelled

Look at the bright side: Taye Diggs gets to stop living the same day over and over again AND Shatner is confined to one crazy hour a week on 'Boston Legal'.

Daybreak is pulled effective immediately, and Show Me the Money will be replaced with episodes of 'America's Funniest Home Videos', sure to pull in at least twice the number of viewers of the Shat-tastic SMTM.

Link: Variety

Help Me Help You cancelled

Another one bites the dust. Sorry Ted Danson. It just wasn't meant to be.

Watch List updated shortly...

Best. Christmas Present. EVER.

Minear. Fillion. DRIVE.

Discuss.

I think I'm in love all over again...

I have got to stop letting this stuff annoy me

From an article posted on The Hollywood Reporter:

I laugh less at Sorkin's witty banter than I do at the thought that viewers in Peoria are futilely looking up jargon in the dictionary such as "upfront" and "demo" in an attempt to understand the dialogue.

Sigh. My parents live in Peoria, and I can assure you they know what an 'upfront' and a 'demo' is. Sheesh, what arrogance.

AFI names top ten shows of the year

AFI TV PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR-OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA
DEXTER
ELIZABETH I
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
HEROES
THE OFFICE
SOUTH PARK
24
THE WEST WING
THE WIRE

You gotta love it -- they name 'Battlestar' the best show of the year. I'm also thrilled to see 'Friday Night Lights' and 'Heroes' AND 'Dexter' make the list! I'd swap out 'The West Wing' for 'Lost', but I understand that there were a lot of people who felt the last year of 'The West Wing' had significantly increased in quality. I am surprised that 'House' didn't make the list. Then again, if you really want to list the best shows on TV you could easily make it a 'top 20'...

Here would be the next 10 shows I'd put on the list:

LOST
HOUSE
ROME
THE CLOSER
MONK
DR WHO
DEADWOOD
VERONICA MARS
UGLY BETTY
SCRUBS

Agree/disagree?

** interesting it included mini-series. Otherwise how to explain 'Elizabeth I' on there? And not 'Rome'??

Link AFI AWARDS 2006

(by the way, I'm having blog issues as it is converting over to the 'new' blogger. It is taking a looooong time to convert, so I hope this even shows up)

ABC Moves Lost to 10 p.m. on Wednesday

Well isn't this interesting. ABC has resolved their Wednesday at 10 problem -- sort of. Lost will move to 10 when it returns on February 7th to avoid the AI results show, and ABC will air a block of comedies from 8-10, including the returning George Lopez and According to Jim. Knights of Prosperity and In Case of Emergency will fill the 9 PM hour on January 3rd. Here's the new lineup:

Tuesday
8 p.m. Show Me the Money (new day) (as of 1/2)
9 p.m. Big Day
9:30 p.m. Help Me Help You
10 p.m. Boston Legal

Wednesday
8 p.m. George Lopez (return)
8:30 p.m. According to Jim (return)
9 p.m. The Knights of Prosperity (new) (premiere 1/3)
9:30 p.m. In Case of Emergency (new) (premiere 1/3)
10 p.m. Lost (new time)

Mediaweek notes (and I agree) that more changes are in store for Tuesday since the two sitcoms seem to be in trouble. No word yet on if or when Daybreak will burn unaired episodes. I'd consider it close to cancelled at this point.

Link: ABC Moves Lost to 10 p.m.; Avoids Idol Battle

30 Rock gets picked up

Late breaking news.

Link: NBC picks up '30 Rock' for full season

3 LBS Cancelled

Well that was quick. This show made 'Smith' look like a winner. 3 LBS is now added to the trash heap of quick cancellations. CBS will air repeats of one of its other successful shows in the timeslot going forward.

Link: 3 lbs Flatlines on CBS

Stupid.

NBC announced their 'revised' schedule yesterday, and let me tell you -- it sucks.

Take a look:

Mondays
8-9 p.m. -- "Deal or No Deal"
9-10 p.m. -- "Heroes"
10-11 p.m. -- "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip"

Tuesdays
8-9 p.m.-- "Dateline NBC" (beginning December 26)
9-10 p.m. -- "Law & Order: Criminal Intent"
10-11 p.m. -- "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"

Wednesdays
8-9 p.m. -- "Friday Night Lights" (January 10)
9-10 p.m. -- "Deal or No Deal" (January 3)
10-11 p.m. -- "Medium"

Thursdays
8-9 p.m. -- "My Name Is Earl"
8:30-9 p.m. -- "The Office"
9-9:30 p.m. -- "Scrubs"
9:30-10 p.m. -- "30 Rock"
10-11 p.m. -- "ER"

Fridays
8-9 p.m. -- "1 VS 100"
9-10 p.m. -- "Las Vegas"
10-11 p.m. -- "Law & Order"

Saturdays
8-9 p.m. - Dateline NBC (repeats)
9-11 p.m. -- Drama repeats

Sundays
7-8 p.m. -- "Dateline NBC" (February 11)
8-9 p.m. -- "Grease: You're the One That I Want" (January 7; first two weeks will run from 8-9:30 p.m.)
9-10 p.m. -- "The Apprentice" (January 7; first two weeks will run from 9:30-11 p.m.)
10-11 p.m. -- "Crossing Jordan" (January 21)

Okay, I agree with the Tuesday and Thursday night lineups, but Studio 60 isn't moving?? And why oh why would you move 'Friday Night Lights' to WEDNESDAY against the behemoth, American Idol? This a dumb, dumb, dumb idea that will kill the show. Kill it dead. Word is that NBC will put 'The Black Donnellys' on in Studio 60's slot at some point. Again, huh?? That show cannot possibly be a good fit with Heroes. And I'm sorry, 'Deal or No Deal' is an 8 PM show, not a 9 PM show. Putting FNL on at 8 (which at least saves it from 'Lost') and Deal or No Deal at 9 is just idiotic. So, how would I schedule NBC?

Mondays
8-9 p.m. -- "Deal or No Deal"
9-10 p.m. -- "Heroes"
10-11 p.m. -- "Medium" (Shawna's change)

Tuesdays
8-9 p.m.-- "Dateline NBC" (beginning December 26)
9-10 p.m. -- "Law & Order: Criminal Intent"
10-11 p.m. -- "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"

Wednesdays
8-9 p.m. -- "Deal or No Deal" (Shawna's choice)
9-10 p.m. -- "The Apprentice" (Shawna's choice)
10-11 p.m. -- "Studio 60" (Shawna's choice)

Thursdays
8-9 p.m. -- "My Name Is Earl"
8:30-9 p.m. -- "The Office"
9-9:30 p.m. -- "Scrubs"
9:30-10 p.m. -- "30 Rock"
10-11 p.m. -- "ER"

Fridays
8-9 p.m. -- "1 VS 100"
9-10 p.m. -- "Las Vegas"
10-11 p.m. -- "Law & Order"

Saturdays
8-9 p.m. - Dateline NBC (repeats)
9-11 p.m. -- Drama repeats

Sundays
7-8 p.m. -- "Dateline NBC" (February 11)
8-9 p.m. -- "Grease: You're the One That I Want" (January 7; first two weeks will run from 8-9:30 p.m.)
9-10 p.m. -- "Friday Night Lights" (Shawna's choice)
10-11 p.m. -- "Crossing Jordan" (January 21)

Black Donnellys can still replace Studio 60 and Raines could still sub in for Las Vegas. I don't think my schedule is perfect, but at least putting Deal or No Deal at The Apprentice on Wednesday will keep them afloat -- The Apprentice audience doesn't completely cross over with the AI audience (skews older).

Memo to Jeff Zucker: Thump Kevin Reilly on the head for me.

Need your input

I'm adding a section to the left column called 'Podcasts'. Some of these will be links to useful writing podcasts, but I also hope to link to my own.

What I need to know is, what would make for an interesting podcast? What topics could I cover that would be of interest to you? What would entice you to download my podcast?

Please let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Back to work

Hope everyone had a great holiday! (And you Canadians -- hope you had a good week).

Now that I'm back in the City of Angels, it's time to get crackin'. I've got a lot of writing to do -- rewrites mostly right now -- and little time to waste.

Oh, and for those who are interested, I've learned from multiple sources that the calls/emails for the Fellowship went out last Wednesday. I did not receive one. So, I guess I try again next year!

Yes, I'm disappointed, but I allowed myself a day or two to mope, and now it is time to focus on the writing. Clearly I have some work to do to make the grade next time.

The Nine goes on hiatus

ABC has pulled 'The Nine' from the schedule effective immediately. Zap2it reported the news on Saturday...ABC claims the show will come back, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Clean up

CW gives more episode orders to 'Veronica Mars' and 'One Tree Hill' bringing their orders up to 20 and 21 episodes respectively.

'Gilmore Girls' numbers have been pretty good so far. Big question facing CW: Will they really be able to justify renewing this and 7th Heaven for one more year, even if the numbers are decent?

Reba's back on, but the numbers aren't that great. Big surprise.

Reminder: NBC cut 'Las Vegas' episode order to 17 in August.

ABC gave 'What About Brian?' a full season order. Despite the advertising 'Show Me the Money' is not Shat-tastic, but is, instead, really Shat-ty.

I really like 'Men in Trees'. You people better watch on Thursday night so I can spec this show with a clear conscience. Dangit.

No word yet from the ABC Fellowship. When I know, you'll know.

Vanished cancelled, Justice sent to Friday death watch

And so it goes. Fox giveth life (to 'Til Death and Standoff) and Fox taketh life (cancelling Vanished and putting Justice on death watch Friday).


Link: the futon critic

Til Death gets picked up, Standoff gets 6 more

Til Death gets a full season pick up, but Standoff only gets 6. Fox claims they don't need the last 3 to make a full season pick up. So, the show is sorta kinda picked up for a season. Good enough for my Watch List, anyway...

Link: Variety.com - Fox orders more 'Standoff,' ''Til Death'

3 LBS a snooze...and a bomb

I don't know about any of you guys, but I caught the pilot of this and it is a snore. I read a review somewhere which called it 'House-lite'. I couldn't agree more.

The numbers also show it probably isn't long for this world...

Contemplating 'Lost'

Alert: If you have not seen last week's episode of 'Lost' please skip this post. Thank you.

So, most of the time when I watch my myriad of TV shows, I shut off my inner story critic and just enjoy the episode. Obviously if the story trips any of my "alarms", story critic comes out of hiding and doesn't go away until the story is over.

So it is with 'Lost'. Most of the time, I get so caught up in the enjoyment of watching it, that my story critic seems to take long naps while it is on. Thus, any alarms that go blaring (and there are some, believe me) do not awaken said critic and I continue to be happy as a clam. Until later. Then story critic gets cranky.

I was at the gym (wonders never cease) tonight and just letting my mind wander as I listened to the music blaring into my ears and ignoring the pain signals to my brain. I thought about running. I thought about last week's 'Lost', when Jack told Kate to run. (see the connection?) I then thought about her saying she couldn't. Why couldn't she run? Well, how would she get across to the real island for one thing...but also she didn't run because she loves Sawyer. And yet she loved Nathan Fillion (*sigh* so do I)...but she ran. Why did she run? She couldn't help herself...even the U.S. Marshal chasing her told her she couldn't stay put.

Ah. Enlightenment. Character arc. Kate can't stop running. Until that moment when Jack tells her to run, to abandon him and Sawyer. AND SHE CAN'T RUN. She won't run. Just realizing what they did within the story made me giddy. I probably would have picked up on it sooner had my story critic not been taking a powder.

And I know that two years ago, I wouldn't have even seen that. Especially not two days after I watched it. I'm getting the hang of this storytelling thing.

Friday Night Lights picked up for full season

Just as I was mourning the loss of 'Justice', comes this news! Note to NBC: When football is over, please move FNL to Sunday at 9 PM opposite Desperate Housewives and Cold Case. Excellent counterprogramming, IMO.

Link: the futon critic

'Brian' picked up; 'Justice' pulled from schedule

The 'Justice' news came in late Friday, but I was too depressed about it to post it. Fox claims it will come back, but I believe that like I believe Standoff is going to make it through the season.

Link: 'Brian' picked up; 'Justice' mistrial

Get a mentor

This guy got Margaret Atwood as his, and now he's been awarded the Giller Prize for his book of short stories. Inspiring story, especially the part where he syas he won't give up being a physician to be a writer, but will continue to do both.

Sometimes you CAN have your cake and eat it too.

Link: Doctor wins prize for short stories - Yahoo! News

NaNoWriMo - you should be in the 20k range

I'm so doing this next year. In the meantime, read this article about people who are just throwing caution to the wind and writing a book in a month. While I don't think this is necessarily a way to tackle a screenplay, there is some really great advice (like, make time for you writing every day).

EDIT: I just want to address Brett's comment. Whether you agree with the idea of this or not as aspiring screenwriters, there are some good tips which apply to all kinds of writing. That is what I wanted to highlight from the article.

Link: Writer's Clock - washingtonpost.com

Studio 60 gets full season

Okay Sorkin lovers, NBC has decided to stick with the show. You've got a full season.

Now can it do well enough to get a second? (BTW, NBC may change the schedule around. Prepare to see Studio 60 pop up on another night).

Link: NBC's 'Studio 60' gets full season

Smith episodes available online

I know many (very many) of you were upset that 'Smith' got cancelled. Well, CBS has decided to at least show what they have online at their innertube site.

This news, taken with the other efforts they've made giving access to unaired shows, means that CBS is quickly learning how to take advantage of all the content they have.

CBS to Stream Remaining Smith Episodes on innertube

ABC finally heeds my advice

Men in Trees is moving to Thursday after Grey's Anatomy beginning 11/30 and is given a full season order. Six Degrees IS NOT cancelled, and apparently will return to the schedule in January.

This comes on the heels of news from CBS that Jericho is being split into 'two' seasons, with new episodes coming in February (and 'King of Queens' filling its time slot during the hiatus). Lost is already doing this and ends it's 'fall' half-season tonight, returning in January (edit: as noted in comments, 'Lost' will return on Feb. 7).

Networks know these types of shows don't repeat well, and audiences are more likely to stick with it if the shows aren't getting interrupted with repeats during their runs.

the futon critic

CBS learning how to crawl

It took a surprise hit movie to do it, but CBS is streaming a rejected pilot, The Papdits, written by Ant Hines (of Da Ali G Show and 'Borat') on their innertube site.

Let's hope they do more of this...who knows, they may find some diamonds in the pilots they initially rejected if there is an audience for the online shows...

(Special P.S. to WB -- could you please do the same for Global Frequency??)

Variety tackles the question of breaking in

Great article in Variety today about how difficult it is to break into the biz. Read it.

The Singles Table - NBC cuts order

Let's play a little game, shall we? Read this quote from the linked article:

Observers noted that an episode order cutback would be pricey for NBC given the international sales already in place for the show and the episode fee guarantees associated with high-level talent like Silverstone.

What are we to deduce?

If it is more expensive for a network to cut episodes than to order them, the show must suck. A LOT. I dunno, you read that any other way??

Link:NBC scales back 'Singles' order

The current state of things

I don't know how interested any of you are in my 'journey' -- I know this blog has mostly become news on the tv season, but for anyone still curious, here's how things stand...

Got my second sample in to ABC on Friday. When they called on Wednesday he asked me what I had and I mentioned my other two show specs and the pilot. So of course, what did he want to see? The pilot, which I have been rewriting, but was not ready to drop in the mail on Friday. So, I spent about 36 hours working the pilot into something readable. Somehow I managed it -- I think I missed a couple of meals and I know I missed some sleep, but I did it. Now I hope it is remotely interesting to them. I'm also hoping that by giving them a pilot rather than another show spec I get some extra consideration for 'degree of difficulty'.

So what now? Finish rewriting my Medium spec. Start contemplating my next show spec which I won't write until next year. Come up with new tv show ideas to pitch, in the event I make it to the interview round.

Good luck to everyone else who made it this far. Now we wait. Again.

Dexter renewed

Dexter pulled good numbers for Showtime, so it gets a second season. This is now a viable spec.

Watch List updated.

Link: 'Dexter' back to kill again on Showtime

Panic! In the Living Room

So last night, I'm sitting around contemplating my brand new 1000 piece Lost puzzle when I hear my cellphone ringing in another room. I curse myself for being in a different room from my phone and race out of my seat to try to catch it before voice mail. I lose the race. Looking down at the display, I see UNKNOWN NUMBER. At this particular time of night, I deduce it was my sister calling from her office, which my phone never recognizes. I wait the traditional 30 seconds for the house phone to start ringing.

Sure enough, the house phone rings, and I immediately pick it up and without saying hello, I say "I'm sorry, I tried to get my phone in the other room, but I just missed it."

The voice on the other end of the line is NOT my sister.

Then I'm feeling all flustered. Woops, sorry, thought you were someone else...you aren't a solicitor are you?

No, he was not.

Are you sitting down? I wasn't.

He called to tell me I was a SEMIFINALIST for the ABC Fellowship. Yes, really.

Wow, that's awesome! What do I need to do? They need another sample. Postmarked Friday.

Oh #&$@.

So, I've been kinda busy today, polishing my draft until it shines like silver. We'll save the congrats until I find out if I make it to the finalist round.

Kidnapped being yanked after 5 episodes

No word on if production has halted. I'd say we can consider Kidnapped cancelled.

Link: the futon critic

Happy Halloween!

Last year, I was a a script in development hell. Yes, I know. What do I do to top that? Well, I almost choked, until I found what most would consider to be a run-of-the-mill costume, but you add one prop and whammo -- you've got a theme.



So this year, I was a SCRIPT DOCTOR. (My sister there is 'Grapes of Wrath'. Yes, she's a genius.)

And here's a picture of me from the L.A. Zombiewalk earlier this month.



I'm running out of screenwriter-themed costumes. I may go as writer's block next year.

Start your Engines Minear fans!

Tim Minear's latest and greatest has gotten the greenlight from Fox for 12 episodes. Production starts very soon, with episodes possibly able to air in the spring. Details here: Variety.

Housekeeping

I finally went through the blogroll -- if you haven't posted in 4 months (yes, I was kind this time), you were removed from the blogroll. Added some new faces who link here. I guess you can consider this one of my semi-annual call for links. If you are a blog owner who is linking to 'Shouting' or you have some other fabulous reason I should link to you, comment below. You may get included in the next batch of updates.

Script orders vs. pickups

Interesting article on how the networks seem to be taking a 'wait and see' attitude on most of their shows this year. More scripts were ordered for 'Help Me Help You', 'The Nine', 'Men in Trees' and 'Studio 60'.

The upside: writers are still working and the shows aren't just wholesale cancelled. Downside: full season pickup isn't a sure thing, even with script orders these days.

Link: Four more score script orders

An exercise in insanity

Not that I need any other writing projects, but there is something very alluring about this. Could you allow yourself the creativity to write a novel in 30 days?


Link: National Novel Writing Month - Content

The return of a screenwriter

There is no feeling in the world like that of a renewed sense of purpose in life. I have had these moments on a few times in my life, but each time led me to that proverbial fork in the road, whereupon the direction I selected seemed justified. It is also the feeling one gets when you drink a rootbeer float too quickly -- the delicious ice cream gives you brain freeze while the fizzy rootbeer tickles your nose and throat.

Yeah, kinda like that.

I have attended the Screenwriting Expo 3 times in the last 5 years. I was there the first two years, skipped a year, went last year. When I saw the dates of the Expo overlapped those for the Austin Film Festival, I knew I faced a quandary.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

I made the decision to go to Austin a year ago. The day after some of my online friends returned from their sojourn to Texas, I found myself a tad jealous. They had such stories of camaraderie, intellectual stimulation, good contacts and lots of free booze. I knew this was something I wanted to to experience myself.

But what about the Expo? I'm good friends with many of the people who make that event happen. I'd miss Tim Minear! Ronald D. Moore! The Pixar guys!! Chris Soth and Fun Joel! And thus the aforementioned quandary.

The economics of course screamed 'go to the Expo'. I live in L.A., the 4 day pass was $125 plus whatever I'd spend on the panels or any parties (and the parking). I'd have to fly to Austin, get a hotel room, buy the (very expensive) Producer's Pass if I wanted to get the full benefit of the event.

But the decision could not be made on cost alone. And while some would value William Goldman over Shane Black or Oliver Stone over David Milch, I had to decide what I wanted, what I needed out of one of these events. While the Expo would provide me with a pool of 4,000 people to potentially meet, the AFF Screenwriting Conference would give me 10% of that number, but I'd meet directly with agents, managers, producers, accomplished writers, and spend time in the evenings with a wealth of aspiring filmmakers and writers, not to mention all of the people invited panalists I had heard during the day. The decision was easy. I had to go to Texas.

CUT TO:

I'm home. 5 days later, I feel reborn, renewed in spirit and focus. All I want to do right at this moment is write. All I can think about doing for the next several weeks involves writing and working my long term plan. While I expet the Expo would have energized me, I'm not sure it would have given me this feeling of rebirth. I feel the NEED to be a screenwriter, not just the WANT.

And to quote Robert Frost:

Two roads diverged in a wood and I --
I took the one last traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Shark, The Game get full seasons

7th Heaven gets picked up too.

Link: the futon critic

Kidnapped and Vanished get 13, not yet cancelled

Apparently the network spin on these two shows, is that they will only run 13 episodes, but they COULD be renewed, depending on performance. Uh, ok...

Link: the futon critic

Runaway Cancelled

And is pulled of the schedule immediately. Also looks like Las Vegas won't return this Friday, but rather next Friday, so 1 vs. 100 has a chance at capturing an audience.

Link: CW's Runaway Out; NBC's Las Vegas Delayed

You know the drill...

Headed to Austin

I'll be at the AFF Screenwriting Conference for the next 5 days. Hopefully I'll see some of you there. I am going to try to make it to the Scribosphere gathering on Sunday which Fun Joel is coordinating.

I'll post a few blog entries about the goings on in Austin. See ya soon!

They stole my watchlist!

Have you looked at the Futon Critic home page lately? They have their own 'Show Watch' list. Hey, guys, you could've hired me for that gig, ya know.

Copycats.

Brothers & Sisters picked up

ABC has given the show a full order. Updating the Watch List...


Link: the futon critic

What to Watch

Joe writes:

I'd like your help, Shawna. I'm tired of answering "NO" when people ask if I watch this show or that one, and my patented answer of "I don't really watch TV shows" is not helping me make friends or influence people.

If I had to watch two or maybe three shows on TV right now, which would you recommend?

They may not be enough to pry my attention away from movies, but at least I can reference your diligent blog each week and bamboozle people into thinking I know what I'm talking about.

Joe, I'm glad you came to me. If there is one thing I want to do, it is help people watch good quality television. Of course, I wish I could put you on a diet of about 12-15 shows, but I think for you, adding 3-4 shows to your diet should suffice. Your question leads me to believe that you have other motives than just watching good TV. No, you want to watch what other people are watching, to hold conversations. I suspect you've already been asked if you are watching 'Show X' or 'Show Y', so you will probably already see my answers coming. But stay tuned to the Bonus Round.

So, what should you be watching *right now*?

The 'right now' is important -- it eliminates 2 shows from contention right off the bat because they do not have new episodes airing *right now* (24 and Rescue Me). So, since we are going to work with what is airing right now, today, new episodes, we'll narrow the list. I also don't want to put you on a strict diet of one-hour dramas. That might be too much for your delicate system. I also feel it is important to give you options. If one type of show isn't your thing, there's a substitute available (consider it the vegan/vegetarian option!)

So, let's start with sitcoms. It's a shorter list.

Two shows. Two sitcoms which will sate your diet. One is animated, one is not. You get a choice on animated, but there are different reasons to choose either.

The Simpsons or South Park The Simpsons has been around for 85 years (ok, it only seems like that long), and it is still potent. You can watch any episode of the show, anytime, anywhere and laugh at least once, probably at least five times OUT LOUD. It is also a smart show (and we want to watch smart shows, don't we?) Perhaps you feel The Simpsons is just too 'been there, done that' though. And, admittedly, there are a lot of people out there who will say they watch The Simpsons, but probably haven't in about five years. Especially in Hollywood. So, what will they watch? South Park. Yes, it is long in the tooth too (Only 50 years!) but it is still edgy and hip, especially this year, after regaining notoriety for the 'Tom Cruise Comes Out of the Closet' episode. Certainly the South Park humor is a bit more crude that The Simpsons, so pick your poison.

As for live action, only one choice: The Office. If Extras were on, I'd be recommending that, but it isn't, so watch Steve Carrell and join the watercooler discussion about Jim and Pam. You'll be one of the cool kids.

Okay, so one hour filled. Let's fill the other 3 with dramas. The best dramas. Airing right now. One of these is required. The other two you can pick from a list of 5 shows.

Required: Battlestar Galactica Hands down, the best TV around. Gripping drama, great characters, relatable stories, and yet, it's on the SciFi channel. What, you missed the first 2 seasons? One word: Netflix. Get caught up. You'll be glad you did.

Okay, here are your electives. Choose two. I'll give you the pros/cons of each choice.

• Veronica Mars - No, it is not a chick show. It is one of the best written shows on TV, great dialogue and fun characters. Downside, not a lot of other people are watching it. This though can make you hipper than your friends, however! While watching the first 2 seasons is recommended, it is not required.
  
• House - Third season going strong. Again, I recommend watching the first 2 seasons, but it is not required. Some of the most clever plots on TV. And House is a larger than life character. Downside: Isn't back for 2 weeks due to baseball.
  
• Grey's Anatomy - I personally HATE this show, but it is what all the cool kids watch. It's soapy, so it trends more female. So, if you watch, it could get you in with the babes, but guys might think you are strange.
  
• Lost - Still the coolest show and always fun to form theories about what's actually going on. Downside: if you can't watch the summary episode of what happened the last two years (or the last 2 season box sets) you could be...well, lost.

Bonus Round!
Okay, so you've decided to round out your weeknight diet of TV, by taking extra credit. This is where you can be better than your peers, on the cutting edge of great TV. Are you ready? These shows are just starting to show greatness, and you can be in on the ground floor. You can be an early adopter! Three choices here:

• Dexter - It's about a serial killer who stalks serial killers, and it is getting great buzz. Downside, it's on Showtime, so unless you subscribe to it, can be tough to catch. Upside: the pilot is online...or was as of this posting. (Go to Showtime's site)
  
• Heroes - Not as grand and sweeping as Lost, but still has moments of greatness. It's also new this season, so you can catch up quickly.
  
• Top Chef - What? A reality show?? Have I lost my mind? No! Engaging in its own right, once Project Runway bids farewell on Bravo, Top Chef takes over. It hasn't even started airing yet!! You can get in very early. Downside: if the cast sucks, it won't be as great as I predict. Upside: if the cast sucks, no one will be watching and you can stop watching it too.

So, there's the list. Anyone want to argue for substitutions?

Ugly Betty gets a full season order

Told ya so. Late afternoon press release from ABC.

Link: the futon critic

Travesty in the making

I agree wholeheartedly with Alex Epstein -- Friday Night Lights is a fantastic show, and yet no one is watching it! I can't imagine the population is *that* dumb that they can't find the show -- I know the title says 'Friday' but it is on Tuesday. I hear the whining all the time that Hollywood doesn't put shows on that reflect real family values. This show does. I'm putting out the call to my Red State friends to start publicizing the show, get people watching. Because if you don't, it will go away, and Hollywood might not try to listen to your demands again.

Jericho gets a full season order

Score 1 of 4 so far for CBS new shows. The Watch List will be updated shortly.

Oh, in case you didn't hear, '3 LBS' will premiere in 'Smith's' old timeslot on Tuesday night at 10 starting November 14. Medium returns to NBC on Wednesdays at 10 on November 15 (once The Biggest Loser wraps up) (Times are Eastern/Pacific).

Link: the futon critic

Dinked again.

Got my Warner Bros Writers Workshop reject letter today. I tell myself it will just make my victory that much sweeter when I am a full blown TV writer without their program...

...right?

*sigh* and this is why writers drink...

Hot Specs

I plan a much longer, much more comprehensive discussion of this topic after the first of the year, when the new season of shows has taken a more decisive direction on what will stay and what will go. Until then, here are the "hot" specs, as I have culled from multiple sources:

Drama specs:

• Grey's Anatomy (probably the #1 spec right now)
  
• House (probably the #2 spec)
  
• Desperate Housewives
  
• The Closer (keeps moving up the list)
  
• Rescue Me
  
• Medium
  
• Monk
  
• Boston Legal
  

* Now that The Unit has been picked up, it is a good spec.

Sitcom specs:

• How I Met Your Mother
  
• My Name is Earl
  
• Weeds
  
• The Office
  
• Everybody Hates Chris
  
• Two and a Half Men (popular show, but I don't know anyone who loves reading these)
  

* Now that the New Adventures of Old Christine has been picked up, I expect this to be a valid spec very very soon.

Shows which can be specced but require a lot of extra effort:

• Lost
  
• Deadwood
  

Valid specs, just not in the top list:

• Supernatural
  
• Without a Trace
  
• CSI
  
• Law & Order: SVU or CI
  
• Cold Case
  
• Nip/Tuck
  
• Veronica Mars
  

Shows which may become good specs should the shows survive:

• Ugly Betty
  
• Shark
  
• Jericho (tricky, but doable, unlike Heroes, which I still haven't figured out a way in to a spec for)
  
• Justice
  
• 30 Rock
  
• Friday Night Lights
  
• Standoff
  
• Brothers and Sisters (ugh)
  
• Dexter -- getting lots of industry attention
  

DO NOT SPEC THESE SHOWS IF YOU WANT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY:

• Las Vegas
  
• The Ghost Whisperer
  
• Bones
  
• Prison Break (it's good, but I seriously doubt a spec will get you noticed)
  
• Invasion (it's gone, get over it)
  
• 7th Heaven
  
• Gilmore Girls (yeah, it's off the list now)
  
• CSI: Miami
  
• CSI: New York
  
• According to Jim
  
• What About Brian?
  
• The War at Home
  
• ER
  

Wild Cards (I have never seen anyone spec this or I've never heard of anyone read a spec of this. Spec at your own risk.)

• Big Love
  
• Close to Home
  
• Battlestar Galactica (as much as we all love it, no one seems to read these)
  
• Psych
  
• Saved
  
• Eureka (probably not a good idea)
  
• Smallville (I know it gets specced. I don't know if anyone is reading it)
  

Stay Tuned...

Smith cancellation quadruples my web traffic

Apparently a lot of Comcast customers are very concerned about the cancellation of 'Smith'. I haven't seen this kind of web traffic since 'Invasion' was cancelled, yet I am seeing 4-5 times my normal web traffic today. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news to all the 'Smith' fans. They probably didn't even make enough episodes for a DVD release.

It is weird to see most of the hits coming from the Comcast search page. Any of you who are coming here by way of that method care to comment on what you were hoping to find? I'm always curious about what my visitors are looking for...

EDIT: Actually, I'm seeing a tenfold increase of my traffic today. Amazing.

Buy coverage or a pitch for charity

Found this through Film Diva:

Two auctions benefiting Love Without Boundaries. I have no way to validate if these auctions could benefit you, but they are there and they do not have high bids on them as yet.

Phone pitch to film producer/manager - Trevor Engelson

Script Analysis by Film Producer Tariq Jalil

Good luck!

Smith cancelled

Effective immediately. Watch List updated. Repeats of CSI and Criminal Minds will air in its timeslot the next 3 weeks.


Link: the futon critic

NBC picks up 'Heroes' for a full season

Our first potential spec, ladies and gents! The question is, a) how will you spec this and b) should you spec it? Only time will tell...

Link: NBC picks up 'Heroes' for a full season

'Kidnapped' Headed for Early End

According to Zap2it (and other sources), Kidnapped will exit early.

Link: 'Kidnapped' Headed for Early End - Producers told to wrap up story in 13 episodes - Zap2it

CW switches Sunday, Monday lineups

So now we have CW swapping nights. The Sunday comedies are moving to Monday night (Everybody Hates Chris, All of Us, Girlfriends and The Game). 7th Heaven, and Runaway will move to Sunday starting 10/16.

Link: CW switches Sunday, Monday lineups

Fox Schedule change

After baseball, Vanished will move to Fridays starting 10/27 and Justice moves to post-Prison Break slot on 10/23.

Keep an eye out for NBC schedule changes. Kidnapped is going down and is being added to the 'likely to be axed' list.

Link: the futon critic

Random Thoughts

Vanished -- there's some audience. still getting google hits on the dang show.

Invasion -- you people are insane. It's cancelled. Over. Finito. Move On, or start holding conventions a la 'Firefly'.

Studio 60 - Do I like this show? Can someone tell me if I like it? I'm so confused.

Heroes -- More Greg Grunberg, less of the 'Wonder Twins', thanks.

Men in Trees -- kill me now; I actually LOOK FORWARD to this show. It must be a sign of the apocalypse.

Knights of Prosperity - if it's bad enough to postpone the premiere AGAIN, can we just pretend it doesn't exist and move on to midseason?

Friday Night Lights - why didn't anyone watch it? You'll watch the umpteenth retread of CSI but you won't watch this? I hate you all.

Standoff - Memo to Tim Minear: I'm available to help on this or 'Drive'. Whatever you need, really.

Eureka seson finale - wait, the show was still on? it got renewed? Curse you lingering summer shows!!

Things no longer on my DVR Season Pass: Brothers & Sisters, 6 Degrees, Vanished, Kidnapped, Smith (done after last night -- just whatevery about it), Runaway.

Shows I stupidly forget to set season pass for: The Nine. Anyone got a screener??

Just found...

... this. It's a blog written by one of the junior writers on 'Standoff'. Keep an eye on it -- some interesting (and some pointless) stuff so far...

adding to the TV show blog list as I type...well, after I type this, actually.

If you watch Vanished backwards, it says 'Gale is dead'

Or at least that must be what people think -- I got a bunch of google hits from the following search terms 'gale harold vanished dead [or] fired'.

I didn't watch 'Vanished' tonight (or really any night since the pilot) but I gotta ask -- what's the deal? I don't think the guy's been fired (that would be news I'd ponder since I believe he was poorly cast to begin with).

Anyway, just another weird night in cyberspace...

In other fox news, Justice got three more scripts ordered. The limbs are still twitching.

EDIT: Highlight the invisible text below. I'm doing it this way to protect the few on the planet who are a) Vanished fans and b) still haven't seen tonight's episode.

Okay, so they did kill off Gale Harold. I may have to reconsider a show willing to kill off one of the leads. I wonder if it was a contract dispute, a creative decision or he quit/was fired? Either way, very interesting. BTW, Prison Break has gotten odd the last two weeks, hasn't it?

Justice holds steady

Good news! The Nielsens for Justice looked good this week. Taking it out of the 'likely to be axed' category. I for one am relieved.

Standoff is still not looking good, however...

The first casualties?

Reports that 'Happy Hour' may hit the dirt nap very soon (it's being put on early hiatus until November). Also, 'Justice' will air this week but the 10/4 episode is being yanked, replaced with a repeat of 'House'. No word on if/when 'Justice' will return.

Watch List coming...

The story so far...

We haven't even had a full week of the fall season, but already some trends are emerging:

1. People can find the CW. Last night 'Top Model's' premiere was up 10% over the previous year. Encouraging news for the CW that people will find them.

2. Fox isn't doing so hot. 'Vanished' numbers are blah, 'Justice' looks destined for cancellation, and 'Standoff' is losing too much of House's lead-in. Their two new sitcoms are underperforming.

3. CBS can do no wrong. 'Smith' premiered to great numbers, 'Jericho' looks encouraging, and 'The Class' premiered decently (but not spectacular). I'm kinda worried about 'Shark.' I hope people prove me wrong.

NBC and ABC future still looks murky. Too many shows left to premiere. It's gonna get interesting.

The new (and improved) TV Watch List!

Yes! It's coming!! Are you excited?? I know I am...

...this is the post I update constantly with premiere dates, cancellations, and what appears to be headed for full season pickups/renewals or are on the fence.

I learned a lot as I worked on the one last year, so I hope to improve on it this year. Suggestions in the comments.

I'll start updating the list actively on Monday next week.

Avast!

Arrrr, it be Talk Like A Pirate Day today!

I'm gonna watch Pirates of the Caribbean to commemorate.

When setbacks become leaps forward

Thanks to everyone who left a note or a link. I pledge to visit all the blogs which were suggested. Who knows, someday I may even update my blogroll. I know, don't go crazy all in one week, Shawna. I'll pace myself.

So, I had what seemed to be a setback this weekend. I had a draft of my pilot script, which I had given out to trusted advisor to read. The trusted advisor (okay, okay, it was my sister -- but she's brutal with notes!) felt there was something missing from this draft. I pitched her my potential changes for the next draft, which solved most of the problems but, we both came to the same realization.

I was telling the wrong story.

It's frustrating to get through a couple of drafts of something and know you aren't quite hitting the mark. It's even more frustrating when you realize you aren't hitting the mark because you aren't telling the right story. Basically I need to re-outline, re-tool and re-write. And this is no 'bump and adjust' rewrite. This is PAGE ONE REWRITE. The horror!

I know in my heart that this is what I have to do. And I know the script will be better for it. The pain comes when I think about the task ahead.

It's the good pain, the pain the helps us grow. I just wish I had a few painkillers around...

Did I mention...?

...That I missed you all? I did. I've taken such a break from blogs, I haven't read anybody, I mean, ANYBODY.

I'm looking forward to catching up. Feel free to post any exciting news or blatant advertisements for your blog in my comments. Compel me to visit you (of course you know I will anyway, but hey, I'm giving you free airtime here).

*sigh* It's good to be home.

Madness

Been writing a lot lately. Finished my Medium spec (amazingly), rewriting my pilot (again) to submit for Slamdance deadline TOMORROW, trying to catch up on all the new shows on TV and write columns for them.

My blog has been squeezed out of the mix.

Made the decision to go to Austin Film Festival Screenwriter's Conference this year rather than the Screenwriting Expo. I've been to the Expo three times, and my decision was made easier by being a '2nd Rounder' at Austin with my House spec. No, I wasn't a Semi-Finalist, much to my disappointment, but the 2nd Rounder status gets me a nice discount on the festival pass. I'll also get a chance to meet up with some people I've only known through this here Internet thing. It'll be nice to embarrass myself in front of them in person for a change.

So, that's the latest and greatest with me. Slowly but surely getting my head back in the game, and getting all my ducks in a row to start going out to agents. Getting closer every day.

So every day I'm not updating you here, is a day I'm working on the goal. Obviously today I'm a slacker.

Blog Crazy

NBC is not only going to stream its premieres online (with ads) but will also host blogs for ALL of its new Fall shows after their premieres. NBC is apparently very big on blogs.

Get the full list with dates from the link above or below.

Link: the futon critic