My Tension Filled Relationship with 'Once Upon a Time'

Why I'm (Now) Watching 'Once Upon a Time:

Let me preface this by saying that I'm pretty much in love with Jennifer Morrison.

I recently went on a 'House MD' viewing marathon which led to me Googling Jennifer Morrison and lamenting her break-up with Jesse Spencer (because seriously, I learned that they dated/got engaged/broke-up in the span of five minutes). Then I remembered that her personal life was none of my business and decided that IDMB would be more useful and ethical.

Which is the first time I realized she was in 'Once Upon a Time'.

'House' is Over

FOX hasn't renewed 'House' for a ninth season. The current season, season eight, will be the last.

I loved 'House' from the very beginning, and even loved it as the cast lost Jennifer Morrison (Cameron), and gained Olivia Wilde (Thirteen).

This season, the loss of Wilde and of Lisa Edelstein (Cuddy) hurt the show a great deal. The cases have still been interesting, but the show has lost its tempo.

That being said, it's the end of an era, and I'll be sad that I won't have new episodes of 'House' to look forward to every week.

FOX shows on Hulu: Questionable Marketing

Hulu is many things: a way to watch free shows, an introduction to plot-points you may have missed during your busy week, and a marketing tool for TV networks and cable companies.

Hulu allows viewers to experience television's newest shows even if they missed them the first time. It's a way to suck in new viewers, or maintain current viewers, by allowing them to catch-up. It's also a way to reduce illegal downloads of shows, while still retaining some financial advantage (after all, we all know Hulu advertises).

Several of the networks are using Hulu in the best way possible: they are releasing shows within 24-hours of their air date. This allows those of us with work, with children, with busy lives, to catch-up when we miss an episode. Many of us would like to watch our favorite shows live but we can't, and Hulu is a legal alternative. Releasing a new episode within 24 (or even 48) hours gives viewers an opportunity to find time in their lives to watch the episode they missed before it is time for the next new episode to air. This increases the likelihood that they will watch the next episode live. Which is, presumably, the ultimate goal of the networks: to have the maximum number of viewers.

FOX is currently making a big mistake. While their new episodes do appear on Hulu almost immediately after airing, they are only available to Hulu Plus members (those people who pay a fee to access Hulu content). These episodes do eventually appear for free, but not until after the next new episode has aired. For many of FOX's shows this is doing more harm than good.

For instance, last week I missed an episode of 'House', a show that I often choose to watch live. I knew that 'House' aired on Mondays on FOX, so I went on Hulu Sunday night to catch-up. Because 'House' is largely plot-driven, missing an episode can be confusing. The previous week's episode of 'House' was still only available to Hulu Plus members--a full six days after airing. Guess when it did become free and available? This morning. After the newest episode of 'House' had aired. Guess who didn't watch 'House' live last night?

Sure I could continue to watch things a week behind, and as a viewer I wouldn't be too upset. But as a network FOX should be. I could easily become one less viewer who's watching their TV show live. And of course there's the separate issue: if content isn't available for free on Hulu there are plenty of other sites where a viewer can easily watch a show they missed. Everyone knows that. And using those sites is definitely not financially beneficial to the networks.

I just double-checked to make sure this wasn't a flux. It isn't. New Girl aired last Tuesday and it still isn't available for free on Hulu Plus. There's a new episode premiering tonight.

The People' Choice Awards--will one show dominate?

When the People's Choice Award nominations were released this morning many of you may have noticed the obvious--several shows have the chance to win multiple awards. Now, I cannot be the only one who was completely bored at the Emmy's when 'Modern Family' won the first four awards. However, when looking at the shows nominated for People's Choice Awards there are some that really deserve to win, and some that really, really don't. Because of that, a show having total domination at this awards show may not be a bad thing.

Here are some possible domination scenarios:

'Bones' could win TV Drama Actor (David Boreanaz), TV Drama Actress (Emily Deschanel), and Best TV Crime Drama.
(To make it a family affair Zooey Deschanel's show 'New Girl' could also win for Best New Comedy)

'Grey's Anatomy' could win TV Drama Actor (Patrick Dempsey), TV Drama Actress (Ellen Pompeo), and Best TV Drama.

'Supernatural' could win Best TV Drama and Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show. 'True Blood' and 'The Vampire Diaries' could have similar sweeps.

'House' could win Best TV Drama and TV Drama Actor (Hugh Laurie).

'Glee' could win Best TV Comedy, TV Comedy Actor (Chris Colfer or Cory Monteith) and TV Comedy Actress (Lea Michele or Jane Lynch)
'Castle' could win Best TV Crime Drama and TV Drama Actor (Nathan Fillion).

'30 Rock' could win TV Comedy Actor (Alec Baldwin) and TV Comedy Actress (Tina Fey).

'How I Met Your Mother' could win Best TV Comedy and TV Comedy Actor (Neil Patrick Harris).

And, oh, look what can't possibly dominate: 'Modern Family' (nominated only in Best TV Comedy).

The most impressive sweep would clearly be 'Bones', since they could take away a total of 3 awards. Too bad they weren't cross listed in both Best TV Crime Drama and Best TV Drama ...then they could have gone for four! Guess they might have to settle for Emily Deschanel's little sister winning Best New Comedy. That counts, right?

The show with the best shot at sweeping categories is 'Glee'. Having multiple nominees in the same category decreases competition and should work to their advantage. The only way this might not be a good thing is if fans feel divided about which cast member they should vote for, and split the vote.

Say "goodbye" to Olivia Wilde (she's leaving 'House')

October has been a month full of changes for Olivia Wilde.

First, her divorce from Tao Ruspoli was finalized on October 3rd. They were actually married for eight years, pretty incredible when you think about the divorce rate in this country and the fact that she got married when she was eighteen.

Her time on 'House' was nowhere near as long. Wilde, who played Thirteen, is leaving the medical drama after spending a little over three seasons on the show. Wilde first appeared in October of 2007 in the episode "The Right Stuff" and will be making her final official performance in "Charity Case" airing this coming Monday (October 17th).

Can 'House' withstand Wilde's departure? After loosing Lisa Edelstein at the end of last season it remains to be seen which of its stars will be leaving next. It's highly likely that this will be the FOX drama's last season, if only because to remain on the air the show would need a complete overhaul in the style of 'ER'.

Maybe we'll get to see Wilde in a guest appearance before 'House' leaves our televisions for good?

What time? What channel? The Emmys.

It's finally that time of year again...time for the Emmys! Whether you like red carpet action or the actual award show, here's where you can watch it all:

Live red carpet action starts at 6 pm on E!

Countdown begins at 7 pm on FOX

The actual awards show begins (live!) at 8 pm, also on FOX

I'm crossing my fingers for:
Amy Poehler ('Parks and Recreation')*
Alec Baldwin ('30 Rock')*
Jane Krakowski ('30 Rock')
Ed O'Neill ('Modern Family')*
'Parks and Recreation'*
Mariska Hargitay ('Law and Order: SVU')
Hugh Laurie ('House')
Archie Panjabi ('The Good Wife')
John Slattery ('Mad Men')
'The Good Wife'

I've starred the ones that I actually think will win. As you can see, I'll be pretty shocked if more than four of my choices walk away with that gold statuette.

Here's hoping!

emmy nominations for 2011 are announced! drama

2011 Emmy Nominations "Drama"
...who's nominated, who I want to win, and who probably will
looking for "comedy"?

Lead Actress--Drama:
*Elisabeth Moss I stopped watching 'Mad Men', so I can't really comment. Except to say I stopped watching 'Mad Men'.
*Connie Britton Maybe the 3rd nominated year will be the charm? She's a fine actress, but there are bigger names here.
*Mariska Hargitay Even after all these years this show is still great, and Hargitay is a big part of that. Plus it probably won't be around much longer. She's been nominated every year since '04, but hasn't won since '08.
*Mireille Enos This is her first time being nominated, and the Emmys do occasionally like surprise wins. But do enough people watch 'The Killing'?
*Julianna Marqulies She won 6 in a row for 'ER', and this is her second year nominated here.
*Kathy Bates She is a favorite, but I just couldn't stick with 'Harry's Law'

Lead Actor--Drama:
*Steve Buscemi Apparently this means I need to watch 'Boardwalk Empire'
*Michael C. Hall I love 'Dexter', and I think Hall's brilliantly acting plays a part in this. Plus, I'm not sure many people could be so successful acting next to their ex-wives who play their sisters.
*Kyle Chandler Damn, I need to watch more 'Friday Night Lights'.
*Jon Hamm I don't think this will happen, but maybe the Emmy folks will surprise me.
*Hugh Laurie This is one of my favorite shows, and Laurie makes it what it is. Plus, he can drop his accent like woah.
*Timothy Olyphant This category often likes the first time nominees to win, and that's what Olyphant is.

Supporting Actress--Drama:
Kelly Macdonald Never seen it.
Christina Hendricks She's good, but is she good enough to beat Panjabi?
Michelle Forbes Put a photo on your page, how will the voters know who you are?
Archie Panjabi She won last year, and I bet she'll win this year.
Margo Martindale Again, lets hope the voters aren't relying on the Emmy website!
Christina Baranski She keeps getting nominated and keeps losing, her last win was in 1999.

Supporting Actor--Drama:
*John Slattery There's a chance voters will want to give 'Mad Men' a bone.
*Andre Braugher I think he might actually win.
*Walton Goggins There's no photo on the website!
*Peter Dinklage Hmm...a little too much fantasy for the voters?
*Josh Charles No photo? Go yell at your agent.
*Alan Cumming Go ahead, yell.


Check back later for my opinions on the other Emmy categories (Comedy). Also, think I'm wrong? Think someone should have been nominated who wasn't? Leave a comment! Who will win? Who should win?

lisa edelstein quits house, takes job on good wife

Lisa Edelstein Leaves 'House' for 'The Good Wife'

Lisa Edelstein will appear on 'The Good Wife' during this upcoming season for an episode arc.

If I were David Shore I'd be even more annoyed than I was previously.

While I still love 'House' I do understand her reluctance to stay on a show that will (probably) have to come to an end sometime soon. Still, couldn't she have given the fans a little thought and at least committed to a few guest appearances? That also would have made David Shore and co's lives a lot easier.

Also, really...'The Good Wife'? I think it's a fine show, but nowhere near as good as 'House'.

I guess Lisa Edelstein and Juliana Margulies both decided to leave their hospitals for the greener side of the fence...and I suppose for both of them that ended up being 'The Good Wife'.

Are They Leaving?

Which actors are choosing to leave their hit television shows?

Cuddy is leaving 'House'! Lisa Edelstein is officially leaving 'House' and will not return for next season. I am actually incredibly annoyed by this, because one of the only reasons I am still watching 'House' is because of the potential for a House/Cuddy relationship renewal (yes, I'm a "Huddy fan"). Olivia Wilde still has time on her contract, and that gives me a reason to keep watching. She and House are the only really interesting main characters, and now that I think about it, if they became involved romantically that would be a really interesting storyline.

Patrick Dempsey said in an interview with Italian Vanity Fair that he would be leaving 'Grey's Anatomy' at the end of next season. But he has recently stated that he was "taken out of context". I'm not sure how that's possible, but I do know that ABC was probably not pleased by his announcement. If people know that Patrick Dempsey is leaving they know that Ellen Pompeo will probably follow suit...and that will give people little motivation to watch next season. I'm wondering if that means that Patrick Dempsey has been ordered by ABC to muddy the waters about his choice to leave.


Read more about Lisa Edelstein's decision to leave 'House' here.

House and Cuddy: "Is this break-up for real?"

Did House and Cuddy Break-Up?
forever? how? why? really...why?

I shouldn't be giving anything away at this point when I write that House and Cuddy have ended their relationship.

In a recent episode of "House" ('Bombshells') we found out two things 1) House is taking Vicodin again and 2) Cuddy is breaking up with him.

I have to say, I was incredibly frustrated with both of these things for numerous reasons, and even more frustrated because they happened in the same episode. I do understand that addicts relapse. This is a fact of life, and it is also the reason that Friedman and Hess (the authors of this particular episode) gave for House's use of pills. However, I think it would have been better if House's relapse had been triggered by a stressful moment (for instance, Cuddy's health issues). However, it is clear that he has been using again for a long time because Cuddy's daughter (Rachel) calls prescription meds "candy"...House's code word for Vicodin. I find this frustrating because it undermines the happiness that surrounded his relationship with Cuddy. Can't the viewers at least experience a brief moment of true happiness in House's life? Does he truly have to be miserable all the time?











Not This Rachel!

This Rachel

I also find it incredibly irresponsible and unlikely that Cuddy would break-up with House the moment she finds out that he is using again. He is an addict, she is a doctor, she should be able to get him help. He clearly does love her, and she does love him, so I think it is more probable that this love combined with her Hippocratic oath would (in the very least) inspire her to get him into rehab. Breaking up with him does not help him in any way, in fact it only hurts him more, and as a doctor and someone who is (supposedly) in love with him it just seems more likely that she wouldn't do so.

It is not that the writing in the episode is bad, but more that the direction that the episode takes is so completely improbable that it makes the episode bad. I realize that by having House be addicted to Vicodin again and by breaking-up the show's central relationship "House" is returning to its roots. However, I think there are far more probable ways that this could have been done. At the very least these two events could have been split between two episodes...

Finally, all I can say is that viewers were far too enamored with Huddy (the fans name for House and Cuddy) to let the writers break them up forever. Maybe they'll break-up for a couple of episodes, maybe they'll break-up for a year, but ultimately they're bound to get back together. It's what the fans want.

edit: I may be very wrong about that last thing...see this link to an LA Times interview with some of the writer's of "House"

update: Lisa Edelstein who plays Cuddy has officially left the cast of 'House'. I guess they really have broken up forever! Read more here.

They have accents?

Wait, What Accents?

There are a shocking number of foreign actors and actresses who appear on American television using American accents.


Often we know who these people are, but occasionally it's shocking.


For instance, did you know that Kevin McKidd (who plays Owen on "Grey's Anatomy") is Scottish? Well, I had no idea...until I saw him being interviewed for the "Greys" musical episode.



Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who played Vivian Johnson on "Without a Trace" for 8 seasons, is also British. I discovered that (with a great deal of shock) when I watched the special features on the series DVD.







Oh, and lets not forget "House". Hugh Laurie is also a Brit. But they're not the only ones invading.

"Without a Trace" barely qualifies as an American television show. Poppy Montgomery and Anthony LaPaglia, the shows other two leads, are both Australian. But you wouldn't know it.






"Fringe", currently airing on Fox, has an Australian lead (Anna Torv), and so does "The Mentalist" (Simon Baker).





And, Portia de Rossi, who I've previously mentioned for her roles on "Ally McBeal", "Arrested Development", and "Nip/Tuck", is yet another Australian.







Here are the following shows that have foreign actors playing American leads different television stations:
1) "Fringe" and "House" on Fox
2) "The Mentalist" on CBS
3) "Grey's Anatomy" on ABC
So, that's the two out of the Big Three plus the 'newcomer' network!

I guess I really can't complain about an Australian/British invasion on "our" television. After all, I have British citizenship too, and I'm not planning on moving out of the U.S. anytime soon.

Check out this fun story about foreigners playing Americans that was first heard on NPR in 2008.