DoND: Syndicated Version Canceled

According to Broadcasting & Cable. Not surprised to hear this one at all. The ratings apparently weren’t great this year; and it’s REALLY not a surprise to hear that, especially after reading how in some places the show was moved to bad time slots, some including the overnight hours. I know here in the Atlanta metro, one of the two daily time slots was cut and the show was moved to 9 am with no promotion whatsoever.

I am a little disappointed though, as I liked this version much more than the nighttime version. The theme weeks could get somewhat excessive, but other than that, it focused on mostly the contestants and the game; the way the show should be. And as a result, I found it to be a much more sane and pleasurable experience. It looks like pretty soon all we’ll have left of the show is the ridiculous amount of airings of the nighttime version on GSN, and by then my interest in the American version of the show will have dwindled down to pretty much zero.

TPiR: Nielson Survey

I would have posted this entry last week, but after I wrote it I couldn't find a working link any longer on the CBS site. But there’s a survey around which comes from the people at Nielson and asks what you think about The Price is Right at its current state. The questions are very precise and cover how the survey taker would feel about Drew Carey, Rich Fields, the models, the importance of the pricing games, the prizes, etc. It also allows you to give your own statements on whether or not the show has improved over the past year.

Two things come to mind. First, I’m not sure if other CBS daytime shows are having these (and considering what The Young & The Restless has apparently turned to, It’d be nice seeing survey answers for that show), but I can’t help but wish As The World Turns and Guiding Light had similar surveys. Unlike with focus groups (which some soaps like Another World were known for using), the actual fans could have taken them and they could have tried to help save both shows.

Secondly, this is also how GSN’s survey released nearly at the same time should have gone. GSN right now seems too invested in reality -- reality and "branching out into a different direction" -- something that’s already failed for them before and is failing for them now. The programming heads just don’t seem to have learned any lessons.

Online Pick of the Week (2/5): Sabrina, The Teenage Witch

It had been a while since I watched the show (it's probably about a year and a half since I've seen it), so I thought I’d check the reruns out again on ABC Family of one of my favorite shows, Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

I know the show comes off as cheesy to some people, including myself; even I find myself saying “wow, this is so cheesy” at times; particularly when certain special effects happen. But the good thing is that this is a show for me that has truly stood the test of time. I still find it incredibly funny after all these years. The storylines are still fun; one of my absolute favorites being where she earns her witch‘s license. I was really enjoying it until the 5th season (I was so glad they brought Nate Richert back). I also still love Melissa Joan Hart, Caroline Rhea, Beth Broderick, and Nate Richert on the show. And by the second season, Martin Mull, as he played a great Kravitz-type role on the series.

Some shows I watched growing up I just can’t enjoy anymore as an adult (I’m talking to you, Full House!). Nice to see Sabrina isn’t one of these types of shows. And for the record, I’m really disappointed to read that a number of the musical portions and acts on the show have been changed or edited out entirely when it comes to the DVDs. They even went so far as to editing out Martin Mull singing the Hokey Pokey of all things on one of the season 4 episodes. How ridiculous is that? Seriously?

The episode chosen is the pilot, where the 16-year-old finds out that she’s a witch! Enjoy! My online pick of the week!

ATWT: The Truth Is Out There

Friday, February 5th:

How seriously wrong of Lily to not tell Luke the whole truth about Damian. I just could not believe that. He is an adult and deserves to know everything that the bastard‘s been up to. Thank you, Molly, for filling him in! Though I hate how we actually didn’t even see the actual conversation. That was a scene that was worth seeing and it should have been done on-camera.

I have no sympathy for Damian. None. Period. I actually wouldn’t have cared by this point if they decided to kill the character off. There’s not a single iota of redemption left with the guy.
And Holden is such a bad liar. Still. It’s not even funny. People wouldn’t suspect him of anything if he didn’t act suspiciously.

Also, there was something else that’s getting to me with this show today; and it’s how awful Alison is being written. I love Marnie Schulenburg, the actress, and I wish I could say the same thing for the character. Alison has no spine. No self-respect. No integrity. It’s like they simply recycled a number of the lines of the same scripts from her previous triangle with Chris and Aaron and changed the names to Casey and Mick. It’s absolutely pathetic. And it’s no wonder the 18-49 young female demo is usually in the toilet. There are hardly any women on this show with a backbone. And it’s another reason why plot-driven material doesn’t work well with this genre. Alison should have matured and grown much better than this by now.

Remembering Frances Reid

Sad to report that daytime legend Frances Reid, who is best known for her role as Alice Horton on Days of our Lives, has passed away on February 3rd at the age of 95. Reid was also on The Edge of Night, As The World Turns, and Portia Faces Life.

Days has always been another favorite soap for me. I’ve had a lot of fun watching classic episodes lately, and Frances was one of the reasons why. I remember the first two episodes were broadcast on SOAPnet 4 ½ years ago and along with those and other episodes I saw throughout the years, and boy I noticed what a good talent she was when she was younger. She may have been disgruntled with the long working days, but she always seemed to put in her best efforts.

ATWT: Plot-Driven Frustrations

Monday, February 1st:

It was so nice to see Noah stand up for Luke. I was hoping for a scene like this. I was also glad to see Luke point out that he has an important stand in this relationship too and that he’s not the only one hurting, and Noah realized it! About time this happened. Noah also was willing to go without the surgery selflessly, for the sake of the relationship.

In spite of that good, I cannot stress any further how ridiculous this obviously contrived plot-driven separation is. Luke and Noah are not going to see each other away from the hospital, or even at home? Writers, you cannot be serious. It’s stuff like this that doesn’t make me wonder why the plug has been pulled on this show. Plot points should not be a crutch for soap storytelling, and this is one of many examples in regards to this show alone as to why.

Oh, Damian. Give. Me. A. Freaking. Break. I love how he tries to say him being caught will be bad for everyone else. You’re only worried about your own ass. You had no problem helping everyone else believe Holden was dead. And it’s nice to see Luke not fall for his pathetic attempt at a spin at what's happened.

Online Pick of the Week (1/29): Jeopardy! (1978 Revival)

It’s not often talked about and has pretty much never been mentioned or aired again on television since its original showing, but between the era of the original version of Jeopardy! (1964-75) and the current one (1984-present), there was a short-lived attempt at a revival, often referred to as The All-New Jeopardy! which aired on NBC from 1978-79.

The original emcee Art Fleming was still there, but what stands out the most as different in this version besides the new set and theme song is the format change. This version had the two lowest scoring contestants eliminated over the course of the two rounds, and there was no Final Jeopardy! to be had. But instead, a round called Super Jeopardy! where the winning contestant had to face the big board alone and get five answers right in a row, 3 strikes, and they’re out. Not a bad twist, but I prefer the traditional game that we all know and have become accustomed to.

The premiere and finale of this show have made their way around video collectors, but this is a fresh episode not often seen, and includes both the opening and closing segments! The All-New Jeopardy!, my online pick of the week!