TV critic Matthew Gilbert took questions

Matthew_Gilbert: Good afternoon.

Donknottz__Guest_: Do you think prison break will go back to it's creative ways of season one or continue down the road to Shark Jumpdom?

Matthew_Gilbert: It's a hard show to keep going, obviously... I forsee the jumping of a whale when it returns next season.

laf__Guest_: Hi Matt, I am already in withdrawal from In Treatment. Any word if it is coming back?

Matthew_Gilbert: Me too. I was NOT ready to terminate with the good doctor. No word yet on whether HBO is renewing In Treatment, but the Israeli version had a second season, which I think is a good sign....

KevinJohnson__Guest_: Hi Matt, did you like my backstory?

Matthew_Gilbert: Kevin, I liked that episode of Lost. I think this last season-ette was outrageously good, no? I can't wait for its return on April 24.

Matthew_Gilbert: Remember, it's coming back at 10 p.m., after Grey's Anatomy.

KevinJohnson__Guest_: Do you think the TV networks will replay shows like Heroes and Chuck to remind everyone what they're about before the new season starts? Seems like a good idea........

Matthew_Gilbert: Great question, KJ. I think they'd be fooling not to give viewers some episodes over the summer, and maybe feature "clips" episodes before the season premieres.

Donknottz__Guest_: Will there be another celeb apprentice maybe with some celbrities that aren't on the waiting list 4 the surreal life?

Matthew_Gilbert: Oh yes, my friend, there will be many more Celebrity Apprentices. Next season, ER will be back for its last season, and when that ends after Feb sweeps, NBC is going to put Celeb Apprentice in its Thurs 10 place.

Matthew_Gilbert: That says it all about the changes to the networks over the past 15 years. From ER to Celebrity Apprentice. Oy.

Matthew_Gilbert: BTW, don't expect A listers to start lining up to study under Donald.

KevinJohnson__Guest_: Lost has been fantastic. Emmy-worthy, no doubt.

Matthew_Gilbert: From your keyboard to Emmy voters ears. Right now, Lost is just outrageously good. Will it add up to something, ultimately? If it does, I think it will be one of the top 10 shows of all time. If it doesn't come together nicely at the end, well,

Matthew_Gilbert: [expletives deleted}

Matthew_Gilbert: [more expletives deleted]

LostandFound__Guest_: For most of the shows that are coming back will they produce as many episodes as there would have been if no strike occured?

Matthew_Gilbert: Nope, the strike cut into the number of episodes most of the returning shows will end up with this season.

Matthew_Gilbert: I'm just glad the strike is all over. Seriously, My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad? Amnesia?

Matthew_Gilbert: Writers are VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE.

Matthew_Gilbert: And I say that with complete objectivity.

fan_o__tv__Guest_: What ever happened with the rumor of ABC picking up Scrubs? Is May really going to be it for the show?

Matthew_Gilbert: The rumor is still very much alive. In fact, Scrubs is still filming, and its people are saying the episodes will be on ABC. Only ABC hasn't officially confirmed it yet.

Matthew_Gilbert: I blogged about this this morning -- I kinda sorta think Scrubs SHOULD end this year. It is one of my favorite sitcoms, and one of the great sitcoms, but it's losing creative juice. Now's the time to go out near the top.

Matthew_Gilbert: Remember how Will & Grace stayed on TV long after it had lost its magic? Those lame years have compromised the legacy of the show. It just doesn't seem like the classic it could have been, if it had lasted for 6 strong seasons.

fan_o__tv__Guest_: I agree on Scrubs although like you said, its a great sitcom. What are your thoughts on this supposed spinoff of The Office? All I think about is the failure of "Joey".

Matthew_Gilbert: I do believe you've answered the question for me. Although, in the back of my mind, I keep hearing, "Frasier, Frasier..."

KevinJohnson__Guest_: When does House start up again?

Matthew_Gilbert: Not soon enough.

Matthew_Gilbert: April 28.

Matthew_Gilbert: It will be on Mondays for the rest of the season.

Matthew_Gilbert: I think there will only be four episodes....

Matthew_Gilbert: Which is better than none.

Matthew_Gilbert: But not enough.

Matthew_Gilbert: But better that none.

Matthew_Gilbert: etc. etc. etc.

FNLFan__Guest_: What do you think true FNL fans can expect, now that the show will be back for a 3rd season?

Matthew_Gilbert: Friday Night Lights will be back, and I'm hoping it will stay good. I haven't heard any talk about plots, but I do hope this baby thing keeps Jason Street prominent in the plotline. He's just a great character played by a great actor.

KevinJohnson__Guest_: Do you see any show on TV now that could have an impact like Lost has?

Matthew_Gilbert: That's a great question. A Lost doesn't come around very often. I think there are many really good series on these days, from House to 30 Rock, but none that I can think of has the potential that Lost has to change the way we watch TV.

Matthew_Gilbert: Lost has revitalized serial viewing.

Matthew_Gilbert: It has connected Web chat to TV in a great new way.

Matthew_Gilbert: It has redefined how a TV narrative can move -- forward, backward, forward some more. Next, they'll be doing sideways.

Matthew_Gilbert: Also, by choosing an end date, Lost has opened up a new door for TV producers. Extending shows on ad infinitum as long as there are ratings -- those days may be winding down.

Matthew_Gilbert: OK, I'll stop the Lost mania.

rachjak__Guest_: Why do you make us read your name so many times in the middle of one scatalogical answer?

Matthew_Gilbert: Remember

Matthew_Gilbert: My

Matthew_Gilbert: Name.

KevinJohnson__Guest_: Caught some of John Adams on HBO. Looked like a great miniseries....

Matthew_Gilbert: Yeah, I think it's real good. This Sunday's episode is a little slow. But that's kind of cool, in that so many movies and shows about history move too too fast. Overall, though, John Adams has been just one more piece of evidence (along with In Treatment) that HBO still has worth and promise for the future.

WWRigginsDo__Guest_: So happy about FNL, I have resorted to watching High School Reuinion on TV Land, hilarious, but when can we expect FNL back on NBC?

Matthew_Gilbert: Friday Night Lights will be back for DirecTV customers in the fall, but not until after the new year (2009) for those who watch the show on NBC. If you're into illegal viewing, you'll probably be able to find episodes somewhere online after they air on DirecTV.

nyc__Guest_: All three presidential candidates are appearing on Idol Gives Back - can we just vote afterwards and get this over with?

Matthew_Gilbert: The campaign will never end. You are living out an episode of the Twilight Zone.

Diane__Guest_: I loved In Treatment...did you notice the 'thirtysomething' tie-in? Melanie Mayron directed a few episodes and then Peter Horton was in the last episode with Sophie.

Matthew_Gilbert: That's an interesting connection. I thought Peter Horton was pretty good -- maybe a little too old for the part, but good.

rachjak__Guest_: Some of us remeber when the movies moved as far away from theatre as possible - the "Nashville" days. TV is in that phase now - but it will come back. Non-linear storytelling will wear out its gimmicky welcome.

Matthew_Gilbert: I'm loving the non-linear experimentation these days. Keeps the art of series TV fresh.

KevinJohnson__Guest_: What's more likely: People watching TV on DVDs or on the web?

Matthew_Gilbert: On the web, no? KJ, are you still buying vinyl?

IrishFan__Guest_: Do you watch all the reality shows on Bravo? Millionaire Matchmaker was a guilty pleasure of mine, and Top Chef still does it for me as well.

Matthew_Gilbert: Bravo has certainly developed a strong little niche for itself. I pop into those shows here and there, when I'm just surfing. At one time I was a Project Runway loyalist, but after a few seasons I got a little tired of the formula. That tends to happen to me with even the good reality shows -- a season or two and I'm done.

Big_Brother_sucks__Guest_: When Am I going to be mercifully cancelled????

Matthew_Gilbert: Big Brother is bad? No. It's top-drawer TV.

Matthew_Gilbert: Only "Cops" is as good.

WWRigginsDo__Guest_: How about HIMYM, what is up with all the guest stars? Last weeks episode was priceless with the Doogie ending.

Matthew_Gilbert: How I Met Your Mother was great this week, LOVED the Doogie bit at the end. I'm so glad Neil Patrick Harris is over himself enough to do something like that.

Matthew_Gilbert: I imagine a lot of actors don't want people to remember their old TV roles -- Bob Newhart (at the end of "Newhart") being a great exception.

furs__Guest_: Thank you for stopping the Lost Love...

Matthew_Gilbert: It wasn't easy.

rachjak__Guest_: Maybe Bob Lobel will end up on Celebrity Apprentice.

Matthew_Gilbert: OK, that is kind of funny. Can you imagine his agent approaching NBC?

D_Wayne_Johnson__Guest_: Matt, I love the John Adams series and you are right, the best series these days are on HBO and Showtime. I also think you can give the Emmy's to Paul Giamatti and Lara Linney right now, they are that good in it.

Matthew_Gilbert: I've been surprised to learn that a lot of people don't like Giamatti. I think he's perfectly cast, and magnetic. And his chemistry with Linney seems just right.

rachjak__Guest_: Art - another expletive you should have deleted.

Matthew_Gilbert: You mean when I said "the art of series TV"? Oh Rachjak, making donuts is an art.

Matthew_Gilbert: Now get back to your reading. I assume you're almost finished with Remembrance of Things Past?

se__Guest_: How long will it be until a 1/2 hour show is 25% show and 75% commercials? It's almost 50/50 now.

Matthew_Gilbert: You need a DVR. It does the trick. Especially with American Idol. Everytime someone on that show mentions that the contestants have only a minute and a half to sing -- that 90 seconds -- I cringe. That show is stuffed with a whole lot of nothing, mostly ads.

KevinJohnson__Guest_: What TV show would you like to be remade and to have it, you know, actually be done right?

Matthew_Gilbert: I don't generally see the need for remakes, like "The Bionic Woman."

Matthew_Gilbert: That said, I bet you could do something cool with "Man from UNCLE" or "Lost in Space."

Chris__Guest_: When is Big Love coming back on?

Matthew_Gilbert: HBO hasn't announced yet. I heard a rumor that it might not be back until the fall, writers strike and all. Just in time for Mitt's run as VP...???!!!

Matthew_Gilbert: !!!!

se__Guest_: What's you're opinon of AOL's In2TV.com and Hulu.com and SouthParkStudios.com and the others? I love them. Far, far, far, far fewer commercials and things are fairly up-to-date.

Matthew_Gilbert: True, they all have their advantages. But watching TV on computers as they are now is not idea, dontcha think?

KevinJohnson__Guest_: Um, I bought a TV to watch TV on it. Why does anyone like watching it on their computers?

Matthew_Gilbert: Someone with a lot of money and power and innovation potential must be asking that same question right now.

rachjak__Guest_: The best reality tv -f or the six weeks it ran - was This American Life. Did they [eplexiive deleted] can it? That is, wasit too good?

Matthew_Gilbert: It will be back, and soon I believe.

D_Wayne_Johnson__Guest_: What's the over/under on how long Gandolfini realizes he's not a leading man in Movies and we a Soprano's return to either TV or big screen? I give it another 8 months until the rumors start..

Matthew_Gilbert: That's a great question, D. I feel for Gandolfini. He's not as versatile -- or not perceived to be as versatile -- as some of his costars, namely Edie Falco. She's already doing other things, including a forthcoming Showtime series.

Big_Brother_sucks__Guest_: Seriously? I am show for people who dont have the capacity to think.

Matthew_Gilbert: You are show for people who have capacity to watch. They like to watch.

Matthew_Gilbert: Thanks for showing up, friends. See you in a couple of weeks.

Matthew_Gilbert: MG