Grid Effect

I haven’t watched a TV show since The Office ended at 9:22pm et. last Thursday (I record it and watch Survivor at its scheduled time), so there isn’t much too discuss, analyze or mock. So just as in every situation similar to this one, here are some links:

A New York Times article contemplates the seriousness of American Idol being the most successful TV show in the history of the medium. Quite possibly, and if so, it means I almost have to regard the three nitwit judges as legitimate figureheads in the music and television industry. Do you think if FOX had realized the ratings potential for this show before its first broadcast they would have hired Paula Abdul? I’d like to think otherwise but who the hell knows?

Newsweek argues that television is better than film as a choice of entertainment. I absolutely disagree, but over the course of 2006 television has gone up in quality while the quality of film has gone in the exact oppostie direction (I would say 2005 as well, but ‘05 was a standout year in film).

This might not boost the ratings of the once tyrannical sketch show, but Rainn Wilson is expected to go topless when he hosts SNL. Ladies…

I guess Studio 60 is officially getting the axe. Now we can all listen to their pretentious fan base pontificate about how the rest of us didn’t “get it”.

ABC’s ratings are in the tank, except on Thursday’s, when it seems like everyone in the country is watching some network or another, so it really isn’t a silver lining.

Donald Trump is contemplating barring a pregnant Nancy O’Dell from hosting the Miss USA competition (wasn’t this like a few months ago or something?). Classy. Who the hell watches this crap anyways? It’s 2007, our methods of exploiting women are much more elaborate than a beauty pageant.

The pilot to Paul Haggis’ new television series The Black Donnelly’s has been posted online. I Have yet too watch it, but considering it’s on Monday nights, I will definitely give it a chance.

And finally, much like George Bluth, Michael Richards was found guilty at a mock trial conducted by Loyola’s law school (There’s some prestige). No word yet if William Hung was singing the intro music or if Judge Reinhold held the proceedings in his court.

Let me go on record as saying I am a little skeptical about the prospect of tonights Friday Night Lights. The show deserves some leeway and I am not going to bash it like I might be prone to do, but any episode for any series entitled, “I Think We Should Have Sex” is going to raise some eyebrows in terms of respectability.