MONK FINALE: Show creator Andy Breckman wrote a very sweet finale that provided very nice closure for all of the characters, and especially for Adrian Monk. It was satisfying to see Monk relax a bit as he finally solved the case about his beloved wife Trudy’s death. Though I haven’t been watching MONK every single week, it was still very easy to return to the show and follow along.
WHITE COLLAR FALL FINALE: WHITE COLLAR show creator Jeff Eastin threw a little curve ball at the end of the show’s “fall finale” that made it seem as if good guy agent Peter may not be such a good guy after all. I don’t believe it and I’m wondering why Eastin felt he had to include a twist – it seemed like a network note. There was considerable speculation on Twitter among the show’s fans and critics about this twist. I firmly believe Eastin and his writing staff need to concentrate on sharpening the show’s stories (more innovative capers) and punching up the banter between Peter and Neal because that’s where the show’s strengths lie. Also, if at all possible, get rid of the Kate story and let Neal actually date some women. WHITE COLLAR returns January 28th and will be paired with BURN NOTICE.
TOUGH LOVE 2: This week’s “Daddy Issues” episode is heart-wrenching as Steve Ward asks the gals to write letters to their fathers. Rampant issues of abandonment and resentment are revealed and it made me so sad to watch as the women realized just how much these issues get in the way of them finding healthy relationships in their adult lives. Though Ward seemed to know how emotional this was for them, I was surprised he didn’t make a move to comfort any of the girls when they were so upset. His mother Joanne stepped in and hugged many of the women and told them they deserved better. What Ward does do very well is reassure the women that they can move forward and that if they listen to him, they will find better men to love and make part of their lives. It’s powerful TV. New episodes of TOUGH LOVE 2 air Sunday nights at 9pm on VH1 and the episodes repeat during the week.
DOLLHOUSE: Last Friday’s two episodes of DOLLHOUSE were riveting! Of course this happens after the show gets axed. Enver Gjokaj stole the second episode by playing Topher while Topher traveled to Washington. Guest stars Summer Glau (as a mad scientist) and Alexis Denisof as a senator who turned out to be more than just a senator were both amazing. The episodes titled “The Left Hand” and “The Public Eye” are online at: http://www.fox.com/fod/play.php?sh=dollhouse
JERSEY SHORE: MTV is feeling a lot of agita because of this show. Sponsors have pulled out. Italian-American organizations strongly resent the constant use of the word “guido” and there was a report that MTV was receiving death threats. That said, a new episode of JERSEY SHORE is still scheduled to air Thursday night at 10pm. Get your tanning spray, your hair gel and your muscle tee ready and tune in.
TV I MEANT TO WATCH BUT DIDN’T: Syfy’s two-part special of ALICE; Syfy is airing it again this coming Sunday 12/13 so I may be catching it then. I hear the production of it is terrific and that the acting was solid too.
IN HONOR OF BETTER OFF TED’s RETURN TONIGHT: Be sure to scroll down and read my quick Q&A with BETTER OFF TED showrunner/creator Victor Fresco; he’s worked on countless TV comedies and I have long admired his smart sense of humor. And for the love of Mike, if you’re not already watching BETTER OFF TED, tune in tonight at 9:30pm on ABC and find out why I’m always raving about the show. If MODERN FAMILY is the best new family comedy, BETTER OFF TED is one of the best new workplace comedies (along with PARKS & REC). Just watch it and see.
EARLY HEADS UP FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT: It’s all about the TOP CHEF finale! Will it be Michael or Brian Voltaggio or Kevin Gillespie? My gamblin’ money is on Kevin.
TODAY’S SURF WRITTEN WHILE LISTENING TO – LOOK OUT! IT’S A TWINSPIN: “Wait A Million Years” by the Grass Roots:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMsnsUbG2Rc&feature=related
And in honor of the annual airing of A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS tonight, “Christmas Time Is Here”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPG3zSgm_Qo
Tonight’s rundown:
ABC: Charlie Brown Christmas (special, repeat), Disney Prep & Landing (special), Scrubs, Better Off Ted (season premiere), The Forgotten (repeat)
CBS: NCIS (repeat), NCIS: Los Angeles (repeat), The Good Wife (repeat)
NBC: The Biggest Loser (2-hour season finale), The Jay Leno Show
FOX: So You Think You Can Dance (2-hours)
THE CW: 90210, Melrose Place
Bravo: Tabitha’s Salon Takeover
Discovery: Dirty Jobs, Ghost Lab
History: How the Earth Was Made
MTV: Teen Mom (series debut), Styl’d
Oxygen: The Bad Girls Club
Science: Physics of the Impossible
Spike: Super Dave’s Spike-tacular (season finale)
Sundance: e2 Design
Syfy: Scare Tactics (season finale), Outerspace Astronauts (series debut), ECW
TLC: Table for 12, 18 Kids and Counting, The Little Couple
And now, for the BETTER OFF TED fans, some quick questions with the show’s creator and showrunner Victor Fresco:
1) BETTER OFF TED has one of the best ensemble casts on the air. Did you have any of the actors in mind when you wrote the pilot? Did the cast come together in the casting process or were certain actors pre-picked?
FRESCO: I wrote the Veronica role with Paget Brewster’s voice in my mind, because she’s brilliantly funny, although I knew she wouldn’t be available since she’s now on Criminal Minds. I worked with Jonathan Slavin on “Andy Richter Controls the Universe” and when we got to casting I wanted to see how he’d be in the Phil role– which of course he’s wonderful in– but I didn’t write it for him specifically. The most challenging role was “Ted”, a good-looking confident guy who can do comedy. George Clooney came to mind, but I believe he’s no longer in television. Jay was the first person to audition for the role and he was fantastic, but it seemed crazy to give the role to the first and only person I saw. So I looked at many, many others then went back to Jay, who is the perfect Ted. Andrea I had seen on “The Class” and loved her work. When she read for “Linda” I knew she was the one. When I met Portia she told me she knew with 100% certainty she could play Veronica. She was right. She is soooo good in that role. Pitch perfect. Malcolm was the only one whose work I wasn’t familiar with. But he nailed Lem and I loved him as soon as he walked in the door. And by the way, in additional to being great in their roles, all five of them are the nicest, most professional people with whom a writer could ever hope to work.
2) Did you have an office job before you became a TV writer? (I’m only familiar with your TV credits.) Was there one job in particular that inspired you to write this show?
FRESCO: I have an office job now! Writing television is an office job. I’m on set a lot, but I’m also in an office working with other writers. I have bosses– lots and lots of bosses– and I have employees. Also, I work for a giant corporation, NewsCorp, which along with a few others, basically runs the world. Bureaucracies indifferent to humanity are something one finds in any large workplace, no matter what the product.
3) Since you’ve already said the Ted/Linda relationship probably won’t move forward, what will upcoming plotlines focus on?
FRESCO: Both of them will date and both will continue to like and be attracted to one other. We’re also doing episodes specific to the Veridan Dynamic world, like: A memo goes out that’s supposed to read: “Employees must NOT use insulting and abusive language in the workplace.” But due to a typo actually reads: “Employees must NOW use insulting and abusive language…”
4) Do you have a wish list of guest stars for the show?
FRESCO: Not really. We write the episodes and then see who’s willing and available to play the roles.
5) One of the things the show does best is pinpoint the everyday absurdity of office life. Do you find a lot of absurdity in your life as a TV writer?
FRESCO: Yes. But I can’t talk about it without losing my job.
Many thanks to Victor Fresco for taking the time to answer some questions and to the nice folks at FOX for all their help.
