Who wants to help me run down all the "meta" moments so far this season on Supernatural? Seriously, anyone? Because there are a lot.
Last Thursday's episode, "The Real Ghostbusters," reached almost unforeseen levels of meta-dom. To appreciate the intricate levels of meta in this episode, and the back and forth that's happening between the fans and the actors, creators and even prop people from the show, you need to have lived and breathed this sucker from episode one to right now.
But, as much as I love Kripke's ability to break down that fourth wall and, in the process, send a huge, heart-felt hug to fandom, it's time to take the story back to Sam and Dean.
I remember whenSupernatural had smaller stories. Sam and Dean battling something in a lake or a demon or a monster. I was watching this promo and now it looks like they're battling a the "last war," something really major on Earth (I guess I have a lot of catching up to do on this show).
Here's a clip from tonight's episode "Good God, Y'All." I don't think Paula Deen makes an appearance.
(S05E01)It's you chuckle head! You're the Michael Sword! -Zachariah
When we last saw Sam & Dean Winchester, they were staring down a face-to-face meeting with the Big Bad himself, Lucifer. And that's where we pick right back up for the epic and awesome season five opener. So, you'll forgive my fan girl gushing for a bit, but there are very few series that start their fifth season stronger than they did their first, and this episode surpassed a lot of the high expectations I had.
Not only do we get a kick ass fight scene, a possessed Bobby, and a tearful and heartfelt apology for starting Armageddon from Sam, but we finally meet Satan, and surprise, he's a pretty sympathetic fellow.
Basically, it boils down to this: the angles are back, the demons are creating havoc on Earth, everyone's raging for a Apocalyptic war and Dean is The Vessel. Oh and lastly, Sam & Dean are so broken up.
Last giveaway this week ... I swear! This time we've got three copies ofSupernatural - Season 3 on DVD for three lucky, random commenters. The DVD is available in stores now.
To enter, leave a comment below before 5:00PM Eastern, Friday, September 5 simply telling why you'd like to own this set. As always, we'll randomly choose three winners amongst the eligible entries. Some other details:
To enter, leave a confirmed comment below stating why you'd like to own this DVD set.
The comment must be left before September 5, 2008 at 5:00PM Eastern Time.
You may enter only once.
Three winners will be selected in a random drawing.
Three winners will receive a Supernatural - Season 3 DVD (valued at $59.98).
Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.
I don't know if I can think of a tougher gig on television than being a girl on Supernatural. Things just never seem to go well for any of them. The good news is that the show seems to be acting as a springboard and many of the actresses have been able to land on their feet with good roles.
Adrianne Palicki moved from playing Sam's sweetheart, Jessica, to Friday Night Lights. Alona Tal, who played the controversial Jo, moved right into a regular spot on Cane. It was short lived, but still a nice credit. And now they're joined by Katie Cassidy, the season three demon, Ruby. She's been added to the ever changing cast of Harper's Island. She takes over the role, originally played by Samantha Noble, of the bride whose wedding is the setting for a whole mess of murders. Now, if we can just get someone to hire Nicki Aycox, the sinister Meg.
It's coming. The table is set, the players are on the field, the sails are raised, and the pretty maids are all in a row. Of course, I speak of the 2008-09 television schedule. In just a few short weeks viewers will be able to dine on a number of favorite and new dishes that are being served by the networks as well as the increasing number of cable channels who are delving into original programming.
While other fall seasons have come and gone with nary a whimper, this season may be different. Due to the prolonged Writers Strike many shows ended their seasons quite early. Programs like Life, Private Practice, Pushing Daisies, and Heroes haven't aired original episodes since the end of 2007. Heck, there hasn't been a new episode of The Shield since June of last year! So, the beginning of the 2008-09 season will be a second chance for some of these shows, particularly the ones that premiered last season, to show their worth to fans and the networks.
For most of my time at Comic-Con the TV show panels had a fairly diverse audience, with an equal amount of men and women. However, during the Sunday morning panels for Smallville and Supernatural I noticed a significant female shift in the audience. This was definitely prominent with Supernatural. Of course, being that the main characters of Sam and Dean (played by Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki) are hot it's understandable. Well, at least that what I observed...I just think they're cute.
Regardless of your opinion of their looks these two stars, along with creator Eric Kripke, talked about season four of Supernatural and what's coming up for the demon hunting brothers.
When you're a ratings-challenged fledgling network like the CW, you're going to do anything you can to get a leg up on the competition. Releasing sex-filled advertisements for your most high-profile show is a good start, but that alone won't get the job done. To that end, the CW has just announced that it's moving its fall premiere dates up to September 1st, well ahead of the beginning of the traditional broadcast season.
The idea behind the move is that you're already going to be hooked on Gossip Girl and Top Model by the time the other networks get around to premiering their fall shows, sometime around mid-to-late September. The season isn't the only thing the CW is starting early, however. Starting in November, they're also extending prime time, with original programming beginning at 6:30 on Sunday nights.
Check out CW's full premiere schedule after the jump.
Whew! After several days of sore feet (and sore booties from sitting on the hard floor waiting for the next panel), dwindling funds, and tons of TV-related panels, San Diego Comic-Con comes to an end. That doesn't mean that all of the television folks have packed up an left in order to catch the Silver Bullet train to Los Angeles (does a train even run between San Diego and Los Angeles?) or an aeroplane to Vancouver. There are still some panels waiting for your utmost attention.
It's Kids' Day at the convention, so there are panels on a Mr. SquarePants, Phineas and Ferb, The Backyardigans, and those wacky Muppets from Fraggle Rock. For the more adult crowd there are Q&As for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Supernatural, Smallville, and another panel on cartoon voices. The final TV-related event is a rousing sing-a-long with the Buffy the Vampire Slayerepisode "Once More With Feeling." After that, you can climb into your hotel bed, train berth, car seat, or nearby street corner resplendent with the fact that you had taken in everything television at the Comic-Con.
So, if you are staying just one more day, here are the television-related events for Sunday, July 27th. For a full schedule of events you can check out the official schedule on the Comic-Con website. And, for old times sake, remember that times, panelists and events can change at a moment's notice. That, and the panels are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
I've long since given up hope for those flying cars we were all supposed to be piloting in the new millennium. Now, I'll settle for that other years ago future dream, all of TV at your fingertips whenever you want it. We're still a ways away from that one, but the new WB is another step in that direction.
The site is still in beta, so the amount of content leaves a little to be desired, but most of it seems to be working, and it gives a good idea of what will be waiting for everybody when the site goes live. They finally came through with my beta invite, and I've been poking around. Hit the gallery for the bigger screen shots of the various areas and interface, and join me after a jump for a quick tour in text. A word of warning, the embedded video after the jump will autostart. Beta.
This was a very close race, both in the Readers' Choice poll and among the TV Squad team. In fact, the RC poll has been ping-ponging back and forth for the past few days, and I had to wait until the last moment to declare that winner by a slim margin of only two points! But before we get to who you, the readers chose, let's get on with the TV Squad choice: Heroes.
Heroes is one of those shows that evolved over time with respect to the special effects presented to us. The pilot episode, for example, had much to be desired. When I first commented about the pilot back two years ago, I wasn't at all impressed with what we saw. I thought the effects of showing Nathan fly looked amateurish and with crappily edited wire tricks.
Move ahead through last season of Heroes, and it's been a whole different story. We've got the impressive effects of Hiro's time time-stopping ability, Claire's regenerating wounds, the numerous powers of Peter and even the other times we've seen Nathan fly.
Among the TV Squad team, it was a race between Heroes and Battlestar Galactica. When it came down to voting, these were the only two in contention to win. The readers has roughly the same idea, putting Heroes and BSG neck-in-neck throughout the voting process. By only two points, Battlestar Galactica takes the Readers' Choice award this year. Supernatural had a very tough showing, coming in a rather close third.
This award isn't just about great special effects. There are lots of different ways a show or movie can display effects that dazzle and wow us. This is about a show that uses special effects in ways that, as closely as possible, make us believe what we're seeing could be "real" -- if what we're watching on TV were ever a reality, this is what it would look and sound like, what it would be like. For example, this is what it would look like if someone were to stop time. To pass through walls. To fly.
Congratulations to you, Heroes, for taking the first annual Most Real Unreal award. And a congrats to Battlestar Galactica for taking the Readers' Choice award this time around. As for the other shows that didn't win this time around: make us believe in your reality next year.
At first I was surprised at the low turnout for the call for considerations last week, but it's understandable. Most folks are going to right-out (and, likely, correctly) assume we're talking about purely science fiction shows, and when there are just so many of them, why mention what's already been mentioned a few times already?
The list of nominees follows, along with your chance again to vote for the Reader's Choice award amongst them.
(S03E16) Well, it's that time of the year again. Damned season finales everywhere you look. On the one hand, it's good, because a season finale usually means that you are going to get the good. On the other hand, it also means that we are now going to have to tuck our favorite characters away for the summer and occupy our time with something else, like books, or old beat up trucks. The goods were definitely in play for the Supernatural finale. For the last year we've all been wondering what would happen when time ran out on Dean's deal, and we finally found out.
Ok, it is after midnight here in the Jet City, and as I sit down to bang this post out on my beloved Model M it would appear that my tasty glass of juice is half empty. Maybe I'm just not in the right frame of mind to spin this news in a positive direction that will lead to a 2009 full of Dollhouse win.
Tucked away in a report on various network goings on over at Hollywood Reporter is a little line that says "Dollhouse is expected to launch mid-season." This is me shaking my fist in the general direction of Fox and screaming "Khaaaaan!" Just, because. Doesn't this seem like a road that has been traveled before? It's one that usually leads to a pretty disappointing destination. We haven't seen the finished fall schedule yet, but I would wager that most of us could easily find three or four hours where the network would be better served by inserting Dollhouse. Highlights of what the networks have planned are available after the jump.
Who wants to help me run down all the "meta" moments so far this season on Supernatural? Seriously, anyone? Because there are a lot. 
Last giveaway this week ... I swear! This time we've got three copies of Supernatural - Season 3 on DVD for three lucky, random commenters. The DVD is available in stores now.
I don't know if I can think of a tougher gig on television than being a girl on 
It's coming. The table is set, the players are on the field, the sails are raised, and the pretty maids are all in a row. Of course, I speak of the 2008-09 television schedule. In just a few short weeks viewers will be able to dine on a number of favorite and new dishes that are being served by the networks as well as the increasing number of cable channels who are delving into original programming.
When you're a ratings-challenged fledgling network like the 
Whew! After several days of sore feet (and sore booties from sitting on the hard floor waiting for the next panel), dwindling funds, and tons of TV-related panels, San Diego Comic-Con comes to an end. That doesn't mean that all of the television folks have packed up an left in order to catch the Silver Bullet train to Los Angeles (does a train even run between San Diego and Los Angeles?) or an aeroplane to Vancouver. There are still some panels waiting for your utmost attention. 
At first I was surprised at the low turnout for the 
The CW released its 2008-09 prime-time schedule tonight, and here's the rundown:
Ok, it is after midnight here in the Jet City, and as I sit down to bang this post out on my beloved Model M it would appear that my tasty glass of juice is half empty. Maybe I'm just not in the right frame of mind to spin this news in a positive direction that will lead to a 2009 full of Dollhouse win. 
TV Squad Ten: Top Ten ESPN shows from worst to first
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Have any questions for Vik Sahay of Chuck? Ask them here!
