'Community' back in February; 'Star Wars' back in 2015

The important news story today is Hurricane Sandy.   But there was some entertainment news today as well.  News that may concern a couple of extremely passionate fanbases. 

'Community' and 'Louie' Delays

Two cult comedies are delayed for two totally different reasons

It was disappointing news initially when NBC decided to postpone Community's Oct. 19th premiere.  I know I haven't done a recap or reaction to a new series in a couple of weeks* but Community was a show that I was really looking forward to writing about.  The good news about the postponement is that Community might not be returning to a Friday night death slot.  The bad news is that we don't know that for sure.  In fact, know one knows for sure what date or what time Community will return.  Can only hope that it happens before Thanksgiving.  If not, it's likely Community won't come back until mid-season.  That would suck.

'Last Resort': Initial Reaction

'Last Resort,' ABC's most recent entry into the action-adventure serial, launches with an intelligent and thrilling first hour.  It does what the best of pilot episodes are supposed to do: has the audience counting the days (or hours) until the next episode.

Until then, we will just have to watch the pilot episode, titled "Captain," a couple more times.  Now, I've never been a fan of pilot episodes. By this I mean, for the shows that I watch, I rarely (if ever) consider a pilot to be among the top episodes of any given series.   This is why I always find it odd when first year programs submit their pilot episodes to be considered at the Emmys (I don't know if this it what Homeland did).  If the pilot were considered the best episode, then the entire show would be a down hill experience after its opening act.  No, as mentioned above, a pilot's job is to serve as a hook to reel in viewers for the next installment.  And Last Resort's pilot definitely succeeded in that regard.

NOTE: This is not a review of the show.  This is an "Initial Reaction."  The following are the elements of the first hour of Last Resort that caught my attention and have stuck with me.  I do speculate on the future of this show more than I have done in past Initial Reactions.  This is because I don't want to give out too many spoilers since some will be reading this before they watch the episode.  "Captain" is available on Hulu prior to its Thursday, September 27th premiers (8pm EST) premiere.


With that said SPOILERS still appear in this post.

FREE Showtime!! 'Homeland' Recaps Are A Go

Spoke to the nicest Comcast Customer Service Representative ever this morning. Reduced the bill by $20/month over the next year and gave us Showtime free for the next six months. Now I can watch and write about Homeland on the night it actually airs. That's a good thing too since I really don't see myself regularly recapping any other show this fall. Plus, my brother Jimmy can get to watch Dexter. I will probably write on that show's season premiere and/or I will let Jimmy guest recap it himself if he wants. Unfortunately, Showtime doesn't offer up too many good movies so the benefits may end with their original programming. Still, not a bad deal.

'Revolution': Initial Reaction

This new 'Lost' imitator is a little more promising than past 'Lost' imitators.  However, 'Revolution's first hour makes it abundantly clear that network executives still don't truly understand why the island-set mystery ever worked in the first place.

I write this knowing perfectly well that J.J. Abrams has a producer credit for Revolution--a producer credit that really serves more as an endorsement for the show.  Abrams neither wrote nor directed the pilot of Revolution.  Compare that with Lost, where he both co-wrote and directed the pilot and then played a key role in setting up the first hints at a larger mythology.   Now, Revolution was written by Eric Kripke (Supernatural) and directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man).  Two men who are definitely capable of creating an intriguing television show about a world that exists without electricity.  It just seems doubtful that the suits at NBC will allow Kripke and his writers make such a version of the show.

'Bates Motel' Casting and 'Community' minus Donald Glover?

'Bates Motel"

Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) has been cast as a young Norman Bates in A&E's upcoming Bates Motel.  Max Theriot (Kit Kitterage: An American Girl) has also been cast as Norman's older brother, Dylan.  For those failing to remember an older brother from Hitchcock's Psycho, Dylan is a new character developed for this series.  Vera Farmiga was cast as Norman's mother, Norma, a few weeks ago.  A&E also released this new poster to The Hollywood Reporter.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

'Community'

Donal Glover (Troy from NBC's Community) is developing a new comedy at NBC. The potential pilot could be made for the 2013-2014 season and would see Glover in the lead role if it got picked up to series.  Community, which has already lost creator Dan Harmon, wouldn't be the same if it continued into a fifth season minus Troy.  Almost seems like NBC and Glover aren't even taking Community into consideration with the development of a new show.  Have they already accepted that the fourth season will be its last?  I hope not.

Source: TV Line

Ratings for Tuesday Night: Go On and The New Normal

'Go On ' and 'The New Normal' Off to Decent Starts

The second episode of Go On did pretty well for its regular timeslot debut.  The Matthew Perry show was seen by 9.6 million total viewers and had a 3.4 rating in the 18-49 demo.  It appears that the post-Olympics preview was a wise strategy for this show.  For now, anyway. 

The New Normal didn't fare as in its second episode.  It had 7.0 million total viewers and a 2.5 rating among viewers aged 18-49.  Pretty much the same as ratings as the Monday night premiere.

For more details on Nielsen Ratings on these and other network programs from Tuesday nights see TVbytheNumbers.