THE SURF REPORT: Lots of TV news–12/15/09 | The Surf Report – The Must-Read Column About All Things TV

I’ll be talking about the DEXTER season finale today; that graph will be JUST BEFORE the listings in today’s email for those of you who haven’t seen it yet and are still trying to avoid spoilers.

THE SINGOFF: This is NBC’s attempt to capitalize on GLEE’s fan base while the show is on hiatus as it has acapella groups competing against each other. The most interesting thing about this show is that Ben Folds is one of the judges. I didn’t see last night’s episode but I will try to see at least one hour of it since it only runs for this week. I’m even violating my rule about watching a show that has Nick Lachey in it. Yeah, my standards have been systematically lowered.

PALEYFEST 2010: The 2010 PaleyFest will run from February 26 – March 14, 2010 and it has a new location: The Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. It’s a much bigger house (1800 seats vs the Cinerama Dome’s 800 seats) and the first two programs announced yesterday were GLEE and VAMPIRE DIARIES. I gotta think they’ll try to get MODERN FAMILY too since it’s the best new comedy. The entire PaleyFest schedule will be announced January 21st.

In a related note: THE VAMPIRE DIARIES marathon continues tonight with 2 episodes of the show every night this week if you want to catch up on this truly guilty pleasure of a show.

GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATIONS: The GG noms were announced at 530am this morning and while I firmly believe the awards don’t really matter, I still like to see shows I like get some recognition. Happily, that came to pass as MODERN FAMILY and 30 ROCK were recognized. Also nice to see: BIG LOVE got some nods. The glaring omissions made me realize just how much terrific TV there is on the air right now and plenty of it is on broadcast TV.

As I got frustrated at overlooked talent, I remembered that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association is notorious for being easily bought off with a nice lunch where celebs are paraded before them. That’s been the case for years and that’s why I don’t put a whole lot of stock in them. All that said, the actual show is a lot of fun because it’s loose and all the TV and movie stars are in one place and they’re allowed to drink. Which I know host Ricky Gervais will make the most of; the crowd is sure to be well-oiled and happy. The Golden Globe Awards air January 17, 2010 on NBC.

WGA NOMINATIONS: The list of TV nominees in the major categories is at the end of today’s emails. More about that in the next SURF REPORT.

WHO’S WATCHING WHAT: DEXTER’s season four finale on Sunday night at 9p became the most-watched original series episode ever on Showtime with 2.57 million total viewers. This particular episode had the largest audience for a single telecast for the network in more than 10 years and was the most-watched DEXTER episode ever at a +71% increase over the season three finale. Additionally, the third season conclusion of Californication at 10p drew in 1.055 million total viewers and was the most-watched episode in this series’ to date. Californication’s total viewership was +72% higher than the third season ender. [Cynopsis]

And proving (again) that talentless girls who get knocked up are still a big draw: E!’s KEEPING UP WITH THE KARDASHIANS season four premiere Sunday night at 10p posted a 2.82 rating among A18-49 and a 3.90 rating with A18-34. These ratings results are more than double those of the third season’s debut episode. [Cynopsis]

BIG BANG THEORY: Christine Baranski returned as Leonard’s mother Beverly in this week’s episode and she and Kaley Cuoco were crazy funny together as they bonded over tequila shots. I also love that Beverly and Sheldon are now fast friends but she barely speaks to Leonard. To watch Baranski do a hilarious turn in BBT and then watch her delivery a coolly elegant performance in THE GOOD WIFE reminds me of what a grand talent she is.

MORE TOUGH LOVE: This time for couples, VH1 just greenlit a new TOUGH LOVE show that will have Steve Ward and his wonderful mom Joanne focusing on couples who need help with their relationships. Are any of you watching the current cycle of TOUGH LOVE? This week’s episode was the blind beauty pageant and had a jaw-dropping moment when Alicia said she’d go out with a very nice guy named Jeremy again “if he wasn’t jewish.” She wasn’t quite a jew hater, she just “doesn’t wanna give up Christmas.” And then there’s Liz, the blond from Kentucky, who chose to shotgun a beer for the talent portion of the pageant. Rocker chick Rocky sang a little ditty whose lyrics I can’t type here because I don’t work blue. Yes, there’s charm aplenty in this current crop of gals. The show’s casting directors are clearly trying to challenge Steve more and I loved when he finally said to the perpetually negative, donkey-stubborn Jenna, “I’m a matchmaker, not a god-xxxx psychiatrist.” I’ll have my interview with Steve in a SURF REPORT later this week; he’s candid, funny and not at all shy about sharing what this boot camp experience is like for him.

WHEN I’M NOT WATCHING TV: I saw NINE last week at the L.A. premiere in Westwood. Nicole Kidman is gorgeously tall and statuesque. Penelope Cruz is just as gorgeous in person as she is onscreen. I only glimpsed Fergie. As for the film, there’s some beautiful filmmaking and I loved most of it. Fergie is absolutely incredible and when you see her “Be Italian” number, you’ll see what I mean. I’m also a huge fan of Kate Hudson’s “Cinema Italiano” number because she’s a dead ringer for her mom Goldie Hawn when Hawn was still a go-go dancer on LAUGH IN. I didn’t expect to like Daniel Day-Lewis but I loved him; the way he slouched, the way his clothes hung on him, the way he plays an artist looking for inspiration. Marion Cotillard is also lovely and though I don’t think she’s the best singer, I loved her acting enough to look past that. Also wonderful: seeing Sophia Loren onscreen as Guido’s mother. Loren is photographed lovingly and just seeing her on the big screen made my jaw drop. Judi Dench is acerbic and funny but then, she never gives a bad performance. Penelope Cruz is sexy and funny and I’m sure her number will make the straight men who see the film very happy. For me, Nicole Kidman was the weak link; she has the perfect look for the role but it ends there.

Last night, I went to Aimee Mann’s Christmas Show at Largo and like the holidays, there was good and bad to the evening. It was a chilly night in LA and Largo has no heat so it was chilly in the theatre. I never quite warmed up but happily, the music distracted me from my shivering as a parade of superb talent graced the stage including Michael Penn (aka Aimee’s husband), Nellie McKay, newlyweds Ben Gibberg & Zooey Deschanel, Paul F. Tompkins, Rich Sommer, and Weird Al Yankovic. There was plenty of Christmas songs and some of Aimee Mann’s hits too. I’m still humming from it.

DEXTER SEASON FINALE: DON’T READ THIS IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN IT.

The death of a major character shocked most viewers but some of us were actually expecting it. Said character was not a major fan favorite which is why some of us were expecting it. John Lithgow completed his role as Arthur Mitchell aka The Trinity Killer with another chilling performance where Trinity confronted Dexter about living with his own “dark passenger” and telling Dexter that he couldn’t have it all – a family, the kills, his work – and not get caught. The ghost of Harry continues to chastise Dexter as well but Dexter refuses to give up his dream of being normal. The other big reveal had Dexter’s sister Debra finding out who Dexter’s birth mother was and she couldn’t look at him the same way after finding out this vital piece of information. Jennifer Carpenter has done a lot more with the role of Debra Morgan than I ever thought possible; after Lundy was killed and she was shot, her performance went to another level, resonating with anger and sadness. The final scene of this season finale was riveting and shocking and Michael C. Hall played it perfectly, not even a touch over the top. The hour flew by in a flash and I’m sure I’ll watch it again, if only to see the last two scenes play out knowing what I know now. In behind the scenes news, DEXTER showrunner Clyde Phillips is leaving the show to spend more time with his family in Connecticut. Chip Johannessen (MOONLIGHT, DARK ANGEL, MILLENIUM) has signed on as the new showrunner. He’s got his work cut out for him.

TODAY’S SURF WRITTEN WHILE LISTENING TO: “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” as covered by Diana Krall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU_BBNeumLI&feature=related

Tonight’s rundown:

ABC: Charlie Brown Christmas, Scrubs, Better Off Ted, The Forgotten

On BETTER OFF TED: Rose has inside info about company layoffs and Linda sells her first children’s book. Lem dates a company lawyer.

CBS: NCIS , NCIS: LA, The Good Wife

NEW episode of THE GOOD WIFE, a show that has really grown on me very quietly.

NBC: The Sing-Off, Jay Leno Show

FOX: So You Think You Can Dance, Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live

I love the gimmick of cooking along live with Gordon Ramsay; I hope he yells at the camera like he does to his cheftestants on HELL’S KITCHEN!

THE CW: Vampire Diaries (r), Vampire Diaries (r)

A&E: 9pm: Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal

Bravo: Tabitha’s Salon Takeover

TLC: Table for 12, 18 Kids and Counting

USA: Elf is on! I know they run it constantly but if you’re having trouble getting into the holiday spirit, nothing works better than Buddy the Elf.

Latenight notes: The Daily Show and Colbert have new episodes this week.

Letterman: Sarah Jessica Parker visits with Dave tonight and Regis Philbin calls in to do the Top 10.

Jimmy Fallon: Director of the moment Jason Reitman is on the show tonight.

That’s a wrap for now.

2010 WGA AWARD – TELEVISION NOMINEES

DRAMA SERIES
Breaking Bad
Written by Sam Catlin, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, George Mastras, J. Roberts, John Shiban, Moira Walley-Beckett; AMC

Dexter
Written by Scott Buck, Charles H. Eglee, Lauren Gussis, Clyde Phillips, Melissa Rosenberg, Wendy West; Showtime

Friday Night Lights
Written by Bridget Carpenter, Kerry Ehrin, Ron Fitzgerald, Brent Fletcher, Etan Frankel, Jason Gavin, Elizabeth Heldens, David Hudgins, Rolin Jones, Jason Katims, Patrick Massett, Derek Santos Olson, John Zinman; NBC

Lost
Written by Carlton Cuse, Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis, Melinda Hsu Taylor, Damon Lindelof, Greggory Nations, Kyle Pennington, Elizabeth Sarnoff, Brian K. Vaughan, Paul Zbyszewski; ABC

Mad Men
Written by Lisa Albert, Andrew Colville, Cathryn Humphris, Andre Jacquemetton, Maria Jacquemetton, Brett Johnson, Erin Levy, Marti Noxon, Robin Veith, Dahvi Waller, Matthew Weiner; AMC

COMEDY SERIES
30 Rock, Written by Jack Burditt, Kay Cannon, Robert Carlock, Tom Ceraulo, Vali Chandrasekaran, Tina Fey, Donald Glover, Steve Hely, Matt Hubbard, Dylan Morgan, Paula Pell, Jon Pollack, John Riggi, Tami Sagher, Josh Siegal, Ron Weiner, Tracey Wigfield; NBC

Curb Your Enthusiasm
Written by Larry David; HBO

Glee
Written by Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk, Ryan Murphy; Fox

Modern Family
Written by Paul Corrigan, Sameer Gardezi, Joe Lawson, Steven Levitan, Christopher Lloyd, Dan O’Shannon, Brad Walsh, Caroline Williams, Bill Wrubel, Danny Zuker; ABC

The Office
Written by Jennifer Celotta, Danny Chun, Greg Daniels, Lee Eisenberg, Anthony Q. Farrell, Brent Forrester, Daniel J. Goor, Charlie Grandy, Mindy Kaling, Ryan Koh, Lester Lewis, Paul Lieberstein, Warren Lieberstein, BJ Novak, Michael Schur, Aaron Shure, Justin Spitzer, Gene Stupnitsky, Halsted Sullivan; NBC

NEW SERIES
Glee
Written by Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk, Ryan Murphy; Fox

The Good Wife
Written by Angela Amato Velez, Corinne Brinkerhoff, Ted Humphrey, Dee Johnson, Todd E. Kessler, Michelle King, Robert King; CBS

Hung
Written by Colette Burson, Ellie Herman, Emily Kapnek, Brett C. Leonard, Dmitry Lipkin, Angela Robinson; HBO

Modern Family
Written by Paul Corrigan, Sameer Gardezi, Joe Lawson, Steven Levitan, Christopher Lloyd, Dan O’Shannon, Brad Walsh, Caroline Williams, Bill Wrubel, Danny Zuker; ABC

Nurse Jackie
Written by Taii K. Austin, Liz Brixius, Rick Cleveland, Evan Dunsky, Nancy Fichman, Liz Flahive, Jennifer Hoppe, Mark Hudis, John Hilary Shepherd, Linda Wallem, Christine Zander; Showtime

EPISODIC DRAMA – any length – one airing time
“Broken, Part 1 and Part 2” (House)
Written by Russel Friend & Garrett Lerner & David Foster & David Shore; Fox

“Come, Ye Saints” (Big Love)
Written by Melanie Marnich; HBO

“The Grown Ups” (Mad Men)
Written by Brett Johnson and Matthew Weiner; AMC

“Guy Walks into an Advertising Agency” (Mad Men)
Written by Robin Veith and Matthew Weiner; AMC

“I Will Rise Up” (True Blood)
Written by Nancy Oliver; HBO

“Phoenix” (Breaking Bad)
Written by John Shiban; AMC

EPISODIC COMEDY – any length – one airing time
“Apollo, Apollo” (30 Rock)
Written by Robert Carlock; NBC

“Broke” (The Office)
Written by Charles Grandy; NBC

“Chapter 1” (Eastbound & Down)
Written by Ben T. Best & Jody L. Hill & Danny McBride; HBO

“Gossip” (The Office)
Written by Paul Lieberstein; NBC

“Pilot” (Modern Family)
Written by Steven Levitan & Christopher Lloyd; ABC

“Reunion” (30 Rock)
Written by Matt Hubbard; NBC

LONG FORM – ORIGINAL – over one hour – one or two parts, one or two airing times
Georgia O’Keefe
Written by Michael Cristofer; Lifetime

Grey Gardens
Teleplay by Michael Sucsy and Patricia Rozema, Story by Michael Sucsy; HBO

Pedro
Screenplay by Dustin Lance Black, Story by Paris Barclay & Dustin Lance Black; MTV

LONG FORM – ADAPTATION – over one hour – one or two parts, one or two airing times
America
Teleplay by Joyce Eliason and Rosie O’Donnell, Based upon the novel by E.R. Frank; Lifetime

Taking Chance
Teleplay by Lieutenant Colonel Michael R. Strobl, USMC (Ret.) and Ross Katz, Based on the short story by Lieutenant Colonel Michael R. Strobl, USMC (Ret.); HBO

ANIMATION – any length – one airing time
“The Burns and the Bees” (The Simpsons)
Written by Stephanie Gillis; Fox

“Eeny Teeny Maya, Moe” (The Simpsons)
Written by John Frink; Fox

“Gone Maggie Gone” (The Simpsons)
Written by Billy Kimball & Ian Maxtone-Graham; Fox

“Take My Life, Please” (The Simpsons)
Written by Don Payne; Fox

“Wedding for Disaster” (The Simpsons)
Written by Joel H. Cohen; Fox

COMEDY / VARIETY – (INCLUDING TALK) SERIES
Real Time with Bill Maher
Head Writer: Billy Martin, Writers Scott Carter, Adam Felber, Matt Gunn, Brian Jacobsmeyer, Jay Jaroch, Chris Kelly, Bill Maher, Jonathan Schmock, Danny Vermont; HBO

Saturday Night Live
Head Writer: Seth Meyers, Writers Doug Abeles, James Anderson, Alex Baze, Jessica Conrad, James Downey, Steve Higgins, Colin Jost, Erik Kenward, Rob Klein, John Lutz, Lorne Michaels, John Mulaney, Paula Pell, Simon Rich, Marika Sawyer, Akiva Schaffer, John Solomon, Emily Spivey, Kent Sublette, Jorma Taccone, Bryan Tucker, Additional Sketch by Adam McKay, Andrew Steele; NBC

The Colbert Report
Head Writers: Barry Julien, Thomas Purcell, Writers Michael Brumm, Stephen Colbert, Richard Dahm, Robert Dubbin, Glenn Eichler, Peter Grosz, Peter Gwinn, Alon Jay Katsir, Frank Lesser, Opus Moreschi, Meredith Scardino, Allison Silverman, Max Werner; Comedy Central

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Head Writer: Steve Bodow, Writers Rory Albanese, Kevin Bleyer, Rich Blomquist, Tim Carvell, Wyatt Cenac, JR Havlan, David Javerbaum, Elliott Kalan, Josh Lieb, Sam Means, John Oliver, Jason Ross, Jon Stewart; Comedy Central

The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien
Head Writer: Mike Sweeney, Writers Chris Albers, Jose Arroyo, Josh Comers, Dan Cronin, Kevin Dorff, Andres du Bouchet, Michael Gordon, Berkley Johnson, Brian Kiley, Rob Kutner, Todd Levin, Brian McCann, Guy Nicolucci, Conan O’Brien, Matt O’Brien, Andy Richter, Brian Stack; NBC