March 20, 2008—Matthew_Gilbert: Greetings friends.
bee__Guest_: what happened to moonlighting, are they going to bring it back, thanks
Matthew_Gilbert: Bruce Willis is busy.
Matthew_Gilbert: Oh wait, bee. You mean MOONLIGHT, the vampire one? That'll be back for four episodes this season, I believe.
BG_Man__Guest_: Are new episodes of Battlestar Galactica on the SciFi channel going to be coming out soon?
Matthew_Gilbert: It's due back early next month, for the first half of its 20-episode final season.
Scrubsfan__Guest_: Now that the Wire is gone, the only show I care about is Scrubs and I have no idea when it is returning. The web site says nothing! Do you know what the status is?
Matthew_Gilbert: Scrubs will be back on April 10, for five episodes. After that... the future is still unclear....
motherboy__Guest_: what do you think of the best show on TV - "Moment of Truth"?
Matthew_Gilbert: It's the best show, for sure. The best AWFUL show. Motherboy, pull it together.
klee__Guest_: Did Lost start to film more episodes than the 8 that were in the can before the strike?
Matthew_Gilbert: Yes, "Lost" is up and running, filming 5 new episodes. After tonight's hour, the show will disappear until April 24, and then run those new episodes on Thursdays at 10.
Matthew_Gilbert: Running a network is not fun at all, unless you play around with the start times of great TV shows in order to confuse fans.
klee__Guest_: Who is your best guess as to who is in the coffin on Lost?
Matthew_Gilbert: I just keep thinking Michael. Michael. Michael.
motherboy__Guest_: why is lost swithcing to 10pm - didn't they realize they lost viewership and the show floundered when it was previouslty on at 10?
Matthew_Gilbert: The strike got in the way, kinda sorta. The show was moved to Thursdays because there were no new episodes of Grey's Anatomy, and then the strike ended, and and and....
Matthew_Gilbert: I think ABC cares about Lost, especially this week, since it is in the Nielsen top 10. But the network is also aware that the show can't get too much bigger, since it's so bound up in backstory and mythology.
Matt__Guest_: Jericho has got to be one of the best shows on TV, do you think it will be back next season?
Matthew_Gilbert: I really don't, Matt. It hasn't been doing well in the ratings. CBS already brought it back for a second chance, and third chances are rare in Hollywood.
WestCountry__Guest_: What about "Rescue....... Me"?
Matthew_Gilbert: It's a really black comedy. Or a really funny drama. And it will be back, although I'm hearing not until next year because of strike backup issues.
Matthew_Gilbert: Did you see Andrea Roth (Leary's wife on the show) on "Lost," as the "therapist." She was oh so creepy.
vixenvixen__Guest_: I am addicted to In Treatment .... you think enough viewers caught on to the show and it'll be back?
Matthew_Gilbert: I am addicted, too, vixen. (I cut out the spoiler from your comment....)
Matthew_Gilbert: It's an amazing show, the best I've ever seen about therapy.
Matthew_Gilbert: I've been meaning to call HBO to find out whether the show might return. The HBO folks renewed Tell Me You Love Me, so I'm thinking In Treatment will be back. But then, there was a leadership change at HBO last week, soo....
Matthew_Gilbert: Finger crossed. Gabriel Byrne is so rich. I don't usually like him much, but he's created a very faceted character.
c__Guest_: Why is Rock of Love so painfully addictive to watch?
Matthew_Gilbert: Because you have no scruples, c.
Matthew_Gilbert: And no brain.
Matthew_Gilbert: And no heart.
Matthew_Gilbert: Kidding.
Matthew_Gilbert: It's one of those spectacle shows, and New York is a star.
Maureen78__Guest_: Hi Matthew What do you think of FX's The Riches new season? Have they dragged the plot out as much as they can? I feel the line is getting old, and only watch it for my love of Eddie Izaard
Matthew_Gilbert: I am sitting down with the first two episodes this afternoon, Maureen. But I think it's quite possible the show will feel thin, since it was straining for credibility by the end of season one. Still, Izzard does make it worth watching for sure.
Sue__Guest_: Mattthew, have you heard any news about my favorite show of 2007 - Damages? Is it coming back later this year?
Matthew_Gilbert: Yup, it's coming back.
Matthew_Gilbert: Viewers sent boiled rabbits to FX to ensure the show's return.
Matthew_Gilbert: Yeah, kidding.
Matthew_Gilbert: Yeah, kidding.
KitKat__Guest_: What happened to Cashmere Mafia and Dirty Sexy Money. They both started out pretty good and have left viewers hanging. I'm afraid I will forget where they left off.
Matthew_Gilbert: They both had premature ends, due to the strike. Dirty Sexy Money will indeed be back next season, and I fully expect ABC to do what it does with it's other serials -- offer a recap episode before airing new ones.
Matthew_Gilbert: Cashmere's fate is, I believe, still up in the air.
fern__Guest_: hello, my name is fern...how are you?
Matthew_Gilbert: I am fine, fern. It's a "Lost" day.
fern__Guest_: several years ago, you admitted in a column to being a slow reader...do books over 400 pages long still intimidate you?
Matthew_Gilbert: Wow. Thanks for remembering that one. I wasn't intimidated though, that was the point. I like being a slow reader -- I savor books. Long ones, too.
Matthew_Gilbert: And yes, I do still read, even though I am a TV critic.
shack__Guest_: When will PBS show the remaining Jane Austen stories?
Matthew_Gilbert: There's one new production left, of "Sense and Sensibility." It airs a week from Sunday. It's a two-parter, and I watched it yesterday. It's pretty good.
joolesverne__Guest_: Why isn't Andre Braugher in anything - I miss his intensity from the late great "Homicide"
Matthew_Gilbert: He's tried a few series with no luck. He was in Gideon's Crossing, Hack, and Thief, none of which thrived. He'll be back later this year in a miniseries version of "The Andromeda Strain," so hold on, jools
fern__Guest_: "it's pretty good"? they pay you big money for reviews like that?
Matthew_Gilbert: If you want more, you'll have to read the full review, Fern. It's a lot of words, but I think you can handle it.
shack__Guest_: They haven't shown Emma yet, have they? Did I miss it?
Matthew_Gilbert: Emma airs this Sunday. It's from 1996 with Kate Beckinsale. Shack, do you work for PBS?
rachjak__Guest_: Adams was hyped (did you read THAT book?) - but honestly, bellowing visionaries in white wigs and knickers in candlelit halls with no marks to hit have never done it for me. Informational, for sure. But dramatic tension? C-span, selectively chosen, is a better bet. Or Paula Abdul on Doctor Phil.
Matthew_Gilbert: Wrongo, rachjak. It's good. The wigs come off.
Matthew_Gilbert: I mean, history is history, and we kind of know where the plot is heading.... But still. The sense that you are watching these profound events actually occur is kind of thrilling.
shack__Guest_: No. I am a teacher of English, and an Austen fanatic. I just wondered why they had stopped showing the shows. I guess they wanted to get us hooked so we would watch the fundraisers, too.
Matthew_Gilbert: You are such a cynic, Shack. Do you really think PBS or any network would think that way?
rachjak__Guest_: What about the knickers?
Matthew_Gilbert: Yes, they come off, too. Rachjak. But not for sex.
Matthew_Gilbert: For LOVEMAKING.
Matthew_Gilbert: John and Abigail, oh yeah.
KitKat__Guest_: Why is Men in Trees so popular, and why is it on constantly? Aren't there better shows they can fill the time slot with?
Matthew_Gilbert: It's not so popular, Kitkat. In fact, it is "on the bubble." ABC was trying to get Lifetime involved in producing it, but no luck. Men in Trees and October Road may not return next season....
Ted_s_Mother__Guest_: Matt, am I going to be on this show before it's over? Also, do you have an umbrella I can borrow? Forgot mine at a club this weekend...
Matthew_Gilbert: You speak of How I Met Your Mother. But my friend, didn't we already meet Ted's Mother?
Matthew_Gilbert: Perhaps you are thinking of whether or not we will meet his wife?
Matthew_Gilbert: Freud much?
c__Guest_: Not to flood you with FX questions, but whatever happened to that show 30 Days? I remember seeing a promo about it back in January and then episodes never showed up
Matthew_Gilbert: It's due back soon, c. Hold on.
Ted_s_Mother__Guest_: How do you know our son isn't named Ted too? Jerk.
Matthew_Gilbert: True. I am so silly.
rachjak__Guest_: Luara Linney, it has to be said, is a fine, fine actress.
Matthew_Gilbert: I'd say she's a fine, fine, FINE actress, rach. Don't undersell her. She is always good -- remember Tales of the City? She was great in the Savages.
Lost__Guest_: Matt, what do you think of the whole time-traveling angle that's happening on Lost? And the flash-forward/flash-back last week?
Matthew_Gilbert: I think it's brilliant, Lost. Putting a flash forward and a flash back in the same episode was just more exciting innovation.
Matthew_Gilbert: The writers really have succeeded in making the viewers feel lost in time...
Matthew_Gilbert: which is probably what the characters are feeling...
fern__Guest_: an anagram for matthew gilbert is "The big warm telt"...my question for you is...what is a "telt"?
Matthew_Gilbert: It's a contraction of "tell it to the hand."
Matthew_Gilbert: Or a belt for toes...
Matthew_Gilbert: You are so clever, Nerf.
SEG__Guest_: So Matthew to swing back to Lost, I have to say this season has been terrific stories , writing and acting.. It seems you are correct , there might be an ending soon. Has there been any official word on that? or word on contracts not being re-signed
Matthew_Gilbert: And ending soon? As in a death? There's supposed to be one tonight, I believe....
Matthew_Gilbert: Maybe it's Michael. Maybe he's in the casket?
fern__Guest_: have any of the women from the deadwood series gone on to do anything since?
Matthew_Gilbert: Yeah, Robin Weigert (Calamity Jane)is on the NBC show "Life," which returns next season and which is pretty good. She's also been on Lost, as Juliet's sister.
Matthew_Gilbert: And Anna Gunn (Martha) is on "Breaking Bad," on AMC. That's the one about the guy with cancer who's selling crystal meth.
Matthew_Gilbert: Kim Dickens (Joanie) is in 12 Miles of Bad Road, the Lily Tomlin comedy that HBO just rejected after commisioning six episodes.
ariel_2__Guest_: Hi Matt - wondering if you know whether Heroes will be back this season, and if so when?
Matthew_Gilbert: No, It will not be back this season. But it will be back next season for sure.
Matthew_Gilbert: Talk about a show that lost its way quickly.
Matthew_Gilbert: Hereoes went from being a huge TV phenomenon to a has-been in a matter of months. Too bad. I hope it returns renewed.
Lost__Guest_: Are you talking about the casket Jack visits in the finale? How could it be anyone but Ben? Who else is so unpopular as to have NO friends?
Matthew_Gilbert: Michael didn't make any friends during his last days on the island. And Ben was alive with Sayid, so....
c__Guest_: So Lost says someones going to die tonight. What are your thoughts on that? Could they bring Michael back just to kill him? Claire seems to have the least going for her, could it be her? Or could it be Jin (who we still don't really know is dead)?
Matthew_Gilbert: I still think it's Michael, not sure why. I think he's just back for a quick visit.
Matthew_Gilbert: Jin not really dead? Cool. They can kill someone in the future, and still have that person be a regular character. I love LOST.
Dave__Guest_: remember seeing the newspaper clipping, listed a name starting with "J" from New York
Matthew_Gilbert: Good point, Dave. Maybe Locke. John Locke?
Matthew_Gilbert: That would be ironic.
fern__Guest_: are there any reality tv shows that you actually like? i sense you dont care much for reality tv shows
Matthew_Gilbert: I've liked some (Project Runway, Survivor) and not liked others. Don't take it personally, Nerf. I think a lot of those shows are too fake and too "directed" to be much fun.
sammy__Guest_: What genre do you consider lost a pat of? Would you compare it to TwinPeaks? What other shows have had this ongoing mystery style?
Matthew_Gilbert: That's a great questions, Sammy. I don't think I'll be able to categorize Lost fully until it's over and we know what has been going on. You know?
Matthew_Gilbert: It is the Manchurian Candidate? Is it Time Bandits? Is it The Matrix?
rachjak__Guest_: You type slow, man. How do you make deadline?
Matthew_Gilbert: b
Matthew_Gilbert: y
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Matthew_Gilbert: h
Matthew_Gilbert: e
Matthew_Gilbert: s
Matthew_Gilbert: k
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Matthew_Gilbert: n
Matthew_Gilbert: o
Matthew_Gilbert: f
Matthew_Gilbert: m
Matthew_Gilbert: y
Matthew_Gilbert: t
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Matthew_Gilbert: t
Matthew_Gilbert: h
Lost__Guest_: Jin is dead. There's a date on the tombstone. And his wife was crying. Come on now. He's gone (although he didn't really die 9-22-2004 like the stone said...)
Matthew_Gilbert: I tend to agree, Lost, although we will continue to see Jin on the Island and ache with the awareness that he will die.
Jim__Guest_: Any word on Pushing Daisies - if and when it is coming back?
Matthew_Gilbert: Pushing daisies will definitely be back, Jim, but not until next season.
Matthew_Gilbert: Thanks everyone for showing up today. See you in a couple of weeks, I hope.
Matthew_Gilbert: MG
