Chat transcript - Jan. 31, 2008
Matthew_Gilbert: Hey y'all.
Jacks_or_better__Guest_: Have you seen a preview of the show with the guy basing his life on a George Michael song. Is it going to be intereting in away like Pushing Daisies or is it going to be a "let's all hold hands and sing Kumbaya?"
Matthew_Gilbert: You mean "Eli Stone," which premieres tonight after Lost.
Matthew_Gilbert: It's VERY MUCH -- too much -- like a male take on Ali McBeal. Ali McMale?
Matthew_Gilbert: And then it has a strong Cumbaya thing going on, since the lawyer is a "prophet" who decides to help out the good guys.
dubbs__Guest_: Have you heard anything about Journeyman? There is a big campaign on-line tring to save the show.
Matthew_Gilbert: I've heard nothing, but that's probably because of the writers' strike. Don't hold your breath, Dubbs. Journeyman is probably a goner.
sean__Guest_: i think it really diminished the point of apprentice, even though it is for charity
Matthew_Gilbert: The Celebrity angle? I DO SO agree with you. Now it's like a farce. It's very VH1.
Matthew_Gilbert: But, you know. It has just been renewed for another season, so what do we know?
dubbs__Guest_: Any chance HBO does the two 2 hour movies that we were promised to wrap up Deadwood? That show was great!
Matthew_Gilbert: I would be really surprised if those movies ever happened. David Milch, I believe, is developing yet another series for HBO.
Deb__Guest_: Hello
Matthew_Gilbert: Hello Deb.
black_sheep__Guest_: These celebrity rehab can be the new reality series.
Matthew_Gilbert: Celebrity Rehab. TRAIN WRECK.
Matthew_Gilbert: Addictive train wreck.
Matthew_Gilbert: Maybe we need Viewer Rehab to break our addiction to realty TV farce?
wire_fan__Guest_: On the wire, how much more time does prop joe have
Matthew_Gilbert: I'm not saying, if you don't know.
Dave__Guest_: Jericho is supposed to come back with a limited run of episodes, with a chance to continue based on its raitings. If it does do well against reality trash shows, will CBS pick it up? Or do you think the fact that the competition is reality-based will cause CBS to discount the ratings?
Matthew_Gilbert: It's coming back, I believe, in early April. I suppose if it does really well, CBS will commit to more episodes -- once the strike is over.
Matthew_Gilbert: And the strike might help a show like Jericho get some extra viewers when it returns. We're DESPERATE for new scripted TV.
sofa_spud__Guest_: What do you think of The Big Bang Theory? I find myself thinking it's pretty funny sometimes...
Matthew_Gilbert: It doesn't tickle me. But I still respect you, spud.
Matthew_Gilbert: I'm the guy who actually found something to like in Jenny McCarthy's eponymous sitcom a few years back.
Matthew_Gilbert: I slum on occasion.
Matthew_Gilbert: When I'm not watching PBS and reading Victorian novels and playing brain teasers to keep my mind in shape.
Dave__Guest_: Will Chuck get renewed for next season, or are all freshmen series "iffy" because of the strike?
Matthew_Gilbert: There's a strong iffy vibe going on in Hollywood right now. But I wouldn't be surprised to see Chuck return once the strike is past tense.
miss_belmont__Guest_: Hi Matthew: What's your opinion of Chuck? Do you think the emergence of an actual story arc is promising? Or am I just trying to fill in the hole Alias left in my life?
Matthew_Gilbert: Well I wouldn't mention Alias in the same sentence, Miss Belmont. I mean, Alias, during its prime, was one of TV's best spy shows. I loved the way JJ Abrams and his writers were willing to pull game-changing twists (shades of what was to come on Lost).
Matthew_Gilbert: But I do like Chuck, and see lots of promise in it. It needs some work.
ChrisNH__Guest_: Hello from New Hampshire. How is it that Friday Night Lights can continue with new episodes while other network shows have shut down?
Matthew_Gilbert: Because Friday Night Lights had filmed a whole bunch of episodes before the strike started in early Novement. They were ahead of most of the other shows.
meb123__Guest_: Big fan of Extra's - any talk about "Americanizing" it like they did for The Office?
Matthew_Gilbert: That would be very interesting, meb. Although I think I read that Ricky Gervais said he wouldn't do that.... But I also read that there's talk of creating a spin-off featuring Stephen Merchant's agent character. So that story is still evolving.
Sixstring_Girl__Guest_: i really like the tv show the chronicals of sara conner.. how is the feedback on that show
Matthew_Gilbert: That show did really well on its first night, and then lost a mess of viewers. It was really striking.
lostfan__Guest_: Matthew - What do you know (not think!) about Big Brother? It is ***if I must confess*** a guilty pleasure for me and my husband. Now that it's coming on in February does that mean it won't be on this summer?
Matthew_Gilbert: I know nothing. Willful ignorance on that show.
Matthew_Gilbert: I also know you're in trouble, lostfan. You and your husband.
Matthew_Gilbert: You need reality TV therapy.
Matthew_Gilbert: Or maybe just a kick in the pants from your local TV critic.
Matthew_Gilbert: Big Brother is the hard stuff, friend.
Oceanic6__Guest_: Loved your article on Lost this morning. It was right on and 8 weeks is gonna fly by! Any word on what'll happen with the rest of season 4. Let's hope for a fall debut so we don't have to wait another year.
Matthew_Gilbert: Why thank you Oceanic 6. I think it's all up in the air right now. If the strike had been resolved a week or two ago, I think production of the show would have had time to kick on again and film without interrupting the flow after episode 8. Now, it's getting to be too late.
TXPATRIOT__Guest_: What do you think of the utter lack of recognition for "The Wire" by the Emmys and other award shows?
Matthew_Gilbert: I think it's a crying shame, TX.
Matthew_Gilbert: But so totally not surprising.
Matthew_Gilbert: You really have to work to watch The Wire, and voters just don't have the...
Matthew_Gilbert: the...
Matthew_Gilbert: the...
Matthew_Gilbert: time?
Matthew_Gilbert: desire?
Matthew_Gilbert: Some of the performances on that show -- almost all the significant performances on that show -- have deserved recognition.
Matthew_Gilbert: But as my mother says, What are you gonna do?
Matthew_Gilbert: HBO has given the series five seasons. That's a nice gift.
black_sheep__Guest_: Is it necessary to watch the mini-episodes or whatever on the web of Lost before the new season begins? What are they those anyways?
Matthew_Gilbert: Not essential, by any means.
dogg__Guest_: Hi Matthew, do you know if Entourage will be filming its new season soon or it is affected by the writers strike? When you anticipate the next season airing?
Matthew_Gilbert: The next season was scheduled for this summer. But as far as I know, none of the episodes were filmed before the strike started. The scripts were still being written.
Matthew_Gilbert: So, as our beloved traffic officials like to tell us...
Matthew_Gilbert: EXPECT DELAYS.
Hack__Guest_: have you seen any previews of the HBO John Adams mini?
Matthew_Gilbert: No, but I am really looking forward to it. The miniseries begins mid march.
Matthew_Gilbert: Paul Giamatti is great. He's going to be Adams, And Laura Linney is Abigail.
Matthew_Gilbert: Love her.
D_Caruso__Guest_: Hey Matt... Please pass this along to the cast of High School Musical and Hannah Montana... You are not gonna be movie stars and will never get this cash cow again, Milk it for every penny,. Sign every contract extension, don't be a pain in the ass, and make them throw you off the Disney lot before you leave.
Matthew_Gilbert: Guess what, red? They already got the message. Although you are probably wrong to think that their careers -- particularly Zac's -- aren't zooming forward regardless of HSM.
Matthew_Gilbert: They're going to be stars< I expect.
Matthew_Gilbert: Like maybe even
Matthew_Gilbert: the next
Matthew_Gilbert: Lindsay
Matthew_Gilbert: Lohan
Asher_misses_Toby__Guest_: I am SOOO excited for Lost to return
Matthew_Gilbert: It will be like hearing from an old friend, right Asher?
Oceanic6__Guest_: How many episodes of the new season of Lost have you seen?
Matthew_Gilbert: I have two. I am going to watch the second one tonight.
Matthew_Gilbert: I didn't want to watch the second one before I wrote my review, because I was afraid of giving away too much.
cacrv__Guest_: matthew, love your commentary on shows in the sidekick, they get my morning going. so what do you make of the writers strike, seems like they're getting softer on the awards shows. does this mean an end is near?
Matthew_Gilbert: Thanks cacrv. I hate the strike, but feel supportive of the writers. I keep hearing this thing is going to end in a few weeks -- but I've been hearing that for a few months.
Matthew_Gilbert: There are a few breaks here and there, with the Grammys and SAGs. And a few production companies have made independent contracts with writers (which is why Weeds is back on track). But something BIG needs to happen SOON.
rich__Guest_: what do you think of friday night lights?
Matthew_Gilbert: Oh surely you jest?
Matthew_Gilbert: I've been plugging the hell out of that show since it premiered in 2006.
Matthew_Gilbert: It's a great series. I hope it survives.
Matthew_Gilbert: And thrives creatively, too.
Matthew_Gilbert: The writers and producers need to fight the pressure to make the show more "popular" and event-filled.
cacrv__Guest_: i am sick of the reality shows, they have gotten so bad they are really digging to get "celebrities"
Matthew_Gilbert: They don't like you, either cacrv.
Matthew_Gilbert: They told me.
Matthew_Gilbert: Celebrity Rehab and Celebrity Apprentice, in particular, hate your guts.
tracy1101__Guest_: With the second season of Torchwood starting up a week from Saturday on BBC America, what sort of imact do you think that the writers strike will have on the ratings for shows on cable channels?
Matthew_Gilbert: Are you a BBCA publicist?!
Matthew_Gilbert: But I'm not sure the strike will push people to BBCA and the like. Mainstream viewers are mainstream viewers are mainstream viewers.
D_Wayne_Johnson__Guest_: Any chance of a 3rd season of Sleeper Cell? Really underrated Showtime series and better than the last few season of 24 if you ask me.
Matthew_Gilbert: I TOTALLY agree with you. I believe Sleeper Cell is pretty much gone for good. Although they left the door open for more at the end of season two.
Matthew_Gilbert: Sleeper Cell is a great DVD to rent if you're missing 24 this season.
defjab__Guest_: With Keifer in jail, what's the situation with 24?
Matthew_Gilbert: The producers decided to hold back from starting the season until the strike is over. They didn't want to have to stop midrun. A wise decision, I think, given that the show would totally lose momentum if it had to take a long break in the middle of the season.
Matthew_Gilbert: By the way, Kiefer is out of jail.
Asher_misses_Toby__Guest_: what about that new show on AMC about the high school science teacher that gets involved with producing meth? what are your thoughts on that show?
Matthew_Gilbert: I really wanted to like that show. It's called "Breaking Bad." But it's kind of cold and the characters aren't very engaging and the storyline is overdone and preposterous.
Matthew_Gilbert: But, you know, some of my best friends are "Breaking Bad" fans.
Ms__Fit__Guest_: I'm going to start off with an embarrassing admission. I can't stop watching that mother-daughter beauty queen show. OK, I don't sit there glued to the TV but think I need help. But it's just so bad on so many levels! What reality shows do you watch?
Matthew_Gilbert: Oh you...
Matthew_Gilbert: you...
Matthew_Gilbert: you SICKO.
Matthew_Gilbert: But a fun sicko, right Ms. Fit?
Matthew_Gilbert: I will pop into Celebrity Rehab every now and then.
Matthew_Gilbert: It makes me work up a good hateration.
Matthew_Gilbert: And that can be satisfying.
Matthew_Gilbert: But the reality show that I really truly like is American Idol, especially once they get to Hollywood.
Matthew_Gilbert: The auditions are so repetitive and stunty, I get tired of them fast.
smosh__Guest_: i actually felt a sense of loss as the scripted stuff was running out in November and December
Matthew_Gilbert: Yeah, me too. The five stages and all.
smosh__Guest_: like, Oh No! No more TV! Like the feeling in May ath the end of the season, but much much worse because it's, well, winter, and the season's arcs weren't yet done
Matthew_Gilbert: Yeah, it has been seasonus interruptus.
Toeknee__Guest_: Re: Jericho - it starts up again Feb 12 at 10 pm, and there are 7 new episodes that will air.
Matthew_Gilbert: Woops, thanks ToeKnee. I believe I said April earlier in the chat.
smosh__Guest_: It sounds like reality tv rating are pretty high - I hope this doesn't embolden the networks to just say 'screw you, writers, we're All Reality, All the Time!
Matthew_Gilbert: The success of reality TV does give the producers some leverage. They aren't totally desperate without the writers for a little while. But I do believe that viewers do get tired of reality stuff more quickly than scripted, and that eventually the urgency for scripted material will grow.
smosh__Guest_: I gave Chuck a one-episode chanec, but I liked Reaper more. I will watch Reaper when there are more. If there are more.
Matthew_Gilbert: I believe there are three more Reapers, smosh. Due in the next month or two. Enjoy.
Matthew_Gilbert: Thanks for showing up, friends. See you in a couple of weeks.
Matthew_Gilbert: G'day.
Matthew_Gilbert: MG