I've been a big fan of yours ever since you were stuck in the pit with Precious -- the uninitiated should also check out your smashing turn as a pregnant "game-show" contestant fighting for her life in Series 7 -- but your work last week on Grey's Anatomy was perhaps the finest of your career. Your portrayal of Dr. Erica Hahn's sexual awakening was funny and romantic and heartbreakingly real, and left me totally choked up. So imagine my surprise last night when my colleague Michael Ausiello broke the news that ABC execs didn't like your character, and wanted her off the show, stat! (Was it the lesbianism they objected to, or the fact that Dr. Hahn didn't bake muffins or decorate lockers or act generally flighty-flaky-cutesy or hook up with hot male colleagues to help her sort out her sexual orientation? Yeah, you could say I'm outraged.)
Anyhow, I'm hoping your abrupt dismissal won't dissuade you from submitting the "You are glasses" scene (embedded below) for Emmy consideration next year. You've got to admit, it's going to be poetic justice when you go up to the podium to collect your statuette and finish your acceptance speech by telling the suits at ABC to go suck an egg.
Here's hoping it won't take long for a rival network to get smart and sign you to a holding deal right away. I hear the folks at Fox actually have a thing for fiercely intelligent, highly capable, decidedly un-cuddly doctors. Give 'em a call!
Not since Winona Ryder almost ended up in the slammer has a cause affected me so profoundly and deeply. It’s time to free Kate Walsh. The talented actress, so witty and intelligent in her talk show appearances, has done her time in the prison known as Private Practice and she deserves to be emancipated. Send her back to Grey’s Anatomy, move her on to Wisteria Lane, make her the mother on How I Met Your Mother. I don’t really care. Private Practice has become unwatchable. Apparently, many of you agree: The show captured only 8 million viewers or so last week, according to initial ratings. Are you frustrated with the series, too? Is it time to put the show out of its misery? And most importantly, will anyone volunteer to print the “Free Kate Walsh” t-shirts?
Last week, Media Life Magazine reported on a new study from Marketing Evaluations, The Q Scores Company, which measured and ranked viewers' emotional attachment to broadcast TV shows during the '07-'08 season. ("Emotional attachment" was defined as how committed you are to continuing to watch a show.) This list of the 20 series that garnered the greatest devotion (I've included it after the jump) definitely got EW's TV department talking.
And that conversation got me thinking: Let's do our own informal poll for the '08-'09 season: Name the five broadcast TV shows you are most committed to watching this fall. (I know we all love our cable, so this may hurt a little.)
My list:
1. Fox's Bones (for those of you wondering where the PopWatch love has been, Abby West will be bringing it back starting this week)
2. ABC's Brothers & Sisters (I would happily marry into the Walker clan, if only for the wine; pictured, David Annable and Emily VanCamp) (Also: Slezak is recapping later today in PopWatch, fear not)
3. ABC's Desperate Housewives (for as long as Gale Harold is on, anyway; bonus pic of him with Teri Hatcher, after the jump!)
4. The CW's Privileged (it's like an ABC Family Channel original movie, only well-written!)
5. I was gonna say CBS' Ghost Whisperer — I've got to see where they're headed with David Conrad's character — but really, it's ABC's Boston Legal. They know it's their last season, which should give them plenty of time to plot an appropriately insane, verbose, and (above all) affectionate exit for Denny Crane (William Shatner) and Alan Shore (James Spader). In the season premiere, Alan took on Big Tobacco and Denny thought his penis had Alzheimer's — very promising.
So yesterday, as I'm seeing all those Made of Honor DVD ads on our site and procrastinating by pondering who should be the next Patrick Dempsey (AKA a former heartthrob returned to his in-demand glory), I get the press release announcing that TNT's Raising the Bar has been renewed for a second season. Why not Mark-Paul Gosselaar?, I think. On the condition that he trims his hair back to Commander in Chief/NYPD Blue-length, of course. He's paid his dues, as he's described for us, and he was a good enough sport toboth feed Annie Barrett a cupcake in EW's officesand record a voice for Robot Chicken's recent Saved by the Bell spoof (watch it below). After hearing that Gosselaar told us what a great success story RC cocreator Seth Green is, Green said, "What an incredibly sweet thing to say. I've always liked him too — great sense of humor and a really skilled actor." I'll count that as a second vote for Gosselaar. Is he your pick, or is there someone else you'd like to nominate?
Today, EW.com launched its 2008 Emmys Prediction Game (pictured, with a shout-out to Monk's Tony Shalhoub, who celebrates his 100th episode tonight). Submit your picks in 13 major categories, and see how they stack up against those of EW TV expert Michael Ausiello. Come back after the Emmys (Sept. 21, ABC), and find out what position they earned you on the leaderboard. There are prizes — Amazon gift certificates — but we all know the real reward is bragging rights.
Tip: If, in a feeble attempt to speed up the game, you repeatedly click on a nominee and it somehow registers your selection for the next category as well, know you will have an opportunity to switch picks. (No one should have to bet on Dancing With the Stars, other than Annie.)
Brace yourselves, TV addicts: The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences have announced the top 10 finalists for Emmy nominations in the Best Comedy Series and Best Drama Series categories. And before we get into snubs territory, it should be noted that fans of PopWatch favorites such as The Wire (left), Friday Night Lights, Mad Men, Flight of the Conchords, and Pushing Daisies have reason to celebrate. No, none of the shows have landed nominations (yet), but they're still in the running for their initial Best Series nods.
The shorlists are as follows. Under consideration for Best Drama are: Boston Legal, Damages, Dexter, Friday Night Lights, Grey’s Anatomy, House, Lost, Mad Men, The Tudors, and The Wire. Still in the running for Best Comedy are: Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, Family Guy, Flight of the Conchords, The Office, Pushing Daisies, 30 Rock, Two and a Half Men, Ugly Betty, and Weeds. (Click here to get the specific episodes for which each series is being considered.)
Good news aside, my first response to the lists was this: Where the frak is the nail-bitingly awesome Battlestar Galactica (right)? I call SciFiPhobia! And coming off a particularly strong season, shouldn't Desperate Housewives have won a spot over Two and a Half Men and Family Guy? (Maybe the Emmy overlords feel the residents of Wisteria Lane aren't done paying the price for the Applewhite Incident?)
Who else would make your list of snubs? And which finalists have you doing the happy dance? Holla!
Currently, there is an email chain clogging the inboxes of EW's TV department, and it began with a link to Tom O'Neil's Gold Derby awards blog and the question, "She's trying to get out of the show, isn't she?"
The she is Grey's Anatomy Emmy winner Katherine Heigl, who was asked by Gold Derby to explain why her name wasn't on the TV Academy's list of Emmy contenders. Her response: "I did not feel that I was given the material this season to warrant an
Emmy nomination and in an effort to maintain the integrity of the
academy organization, I withdrew my name from contention. In addition, I did not want to potentially take away an
opportunity from an actress who was given such materials."
Was this selfless act noble, presumptuous, or a clear attempt to piss off the Grey's producers so they'll send her far, far away (to a place where she can pursue that film career year round)?
My wish list starts with Damages' Zeljko Ivanek (left), whose heartbreaking portrayal of a morally dubious, sexually conflicted attorney might get overlooked by Emmy voters, considering his FX series last aired in October and featured standout performances by a couple of bigger names — Glenn Close and Ted Danson -- who seem more likely to get kudos. But seriously, I'm calling 911 and reporting a felony crime if Ivanek's name doesn't get included for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama. Similarly, much deserved recognition for the aforementioned (and absolutely sublime) Ms. Williams and headliner America Ferrera on Ugly Betty might lead to a snub for Ana Ortiz (right), despite the fact that her season 2 work as Hilda Suarez went from heartbreaking to hilarious and back — often in the course of a single scene — and even though her reaction shots are among the best in primetime.
Also on my dream nominations list: the consistently gripping Battlestar Galactica for Best Drama (it's time to do the right thing, Emmy voters!); Chandra Wilson, whose mix of brass and brains makes Grey's Anatomy bearable even in its most indulgent moments; Jake Weber, the quiet balance to Patricia Arquette's more ballyhooed genius on Medium; Lost's Yunjin Kim (for that helicopter scene alone); and Mia Wasikowska for HBO's In Treatment (I'm only a few episodes in, but my word, she's tremendous, as you can see in the clip I've embedded after the jump).
Okay, your turn: Which actors, writers, and shows deserve Emmy
nominations? Speak now, or forfeit the right to gripe when the Academy
of Television Arts and Sciences inevitably gets it wrong next month.
New York City's Bowery Hotel was the place to be last night, especially for TV stars who needed a break after a rigorous few days spent promoting their new and renewed series at their respective networks' upfront presentations. And who better to host a TV soirée than Entertainment Weekly? I snagged the only designer item in my closet and camped out for nearly two hours on the packed red carpet, which featured a parade of stars both random (Jaslene and Saleisha from Americas Next Top Model) and hotly anticipated (hello, casts of 30 Rock and Gossip Girl!). After the jump, my rundown of the night's festivities...
So this week's Billboard has a positive review of Josh Kelley's new single, "Unfair," and I figured it was high time I gave a listen the work of the man who's married to Katherine Heigl. Oddly enough, when I got to YouTube, I found two videos for the track: A fan-made clip featuring a plaintive, mirror-image golden retriever, and the official version, starring a scarf-wrapped Kelley on his acoustic guitar. The dueling videos prompted the following discussion with my colleague Gary Susman:
Slezak: Okay, is it me, or is the video with the golden retriever better? Gary: Yeah, Josh's scarf is bothering me. Slezak: Absolutely! And why is he wearing headphones? Gary: Could he be trying any harder to land an iPod ad? Slezak: Ugh. And the dancing! Gary: Oh, it's awful. We should ask readers to rate the two videos: Golden retrievers vs. Josh. Slezak: YES! Because, actually, it's actually not a bad song. But the official video makes me like it less. Gary: And besides, all these Josh Kelley/Jack Johnson types make me think of golden retrievers, thick sweaters, driftwood, and lattes. Slezak: Totally lattes.
So here's your challenge, PopWatchers. Check out the YouTube user-made video below, and then the Josh Kelley-approved clip after the jump, and weigh in on which one is better. You know this decision is gonna go to the dogs, don't you?
I don't really watch Grey's Anatomy all that much, and I've never seen a single minute of Private Practice. But after spending a night watching their respective casts belt out some Stephen Sondheim, Billie Holiday, Paul Simon and Woody Guthrie on stage at UCLA's Royce Hall, I'm kinda shocked creator and showrunner Shonda Rhimes hasn't cranked out at least one musical episode for each of her shows. I know I'd be the first to tune in, at least.
The crooning was for a benefit aiding the Grey's and Private Practice crew members who've felt the financial pinch during the writers' strike. (The night's title, naturally, was "Good Medicine.") And it was clearly a passion project; I was told the casts and their backing musicians had rehearsed over two days before the Feb. 29 show, and goodness did the hard work pay off in a fizzy and fun evening.
After the jump, I'll walk through the highlights from the show, including which actor showed off some surprising chops on the harmonica and which two stars didn't make it onto the stage.
Here's a potentially relationship-saving tip for any PopWatchers out there who've been caught by surprise on this 14th of February. If your paramour is passionate about certain ABC primetime shows, send an instant e-valentine,via abc.com, featuring your favorite Lost, Ugly Betty, or Grey's Anatomy character. There are 12 options for each show, and while these obviously double as mini-ads reminding fans to tune in, they're a way to confirm for a loved one that you totally get how much they adore John Locke or Justin Suarez or Dr. Izzy Stevens.
I've been with the same wonderful valentine for many years, and maybe we're over it, but tonight we're eschewing the old five-course candlelight dinner on the town for Lost (pictured). Intellectual seduction, it's powerful stuff! (Let it be known, however, that an e-card featuring Ben Linus surrounded by hearts is no substitute for buying me chocolate. I have cash if you need some.) Take a moment and tell us, PopWatchers: What are you doing on the allegedly-most-romantic night of the year? Extra "rebel" points if your plans are not at all romantic.
There must be a little-known proviso in the Writers Guild rules that permits striking TV writers to pen scenarios for shows other than their own in snarky magazine articles. So it is with New York magazine, which cross-assigned teams of writers from various strike-afflicted shows to dream up season-ending arcs for other strike-afflicted shows. (Hat tip to TV Barn and TV Tattle for the link.) The results aren't as funny as I'd have hoped, though I did enjoy the Simpsons crew's apocalyptic take on The Office. I'd still like to see what, say, Tina Fey's 30 Rock-ers could do with House or Heroes. How about you, PopWatchers? What TV writer swaps would you like to see?
Grey's Anatomy's George and Izzie? ''A ratings ploy.'' And Judd Apatow's blockbuster Knocked Up? "A little sexist." Rhetoric from a Katherine Heigl hater? Not so much. More like direct quotes from the star herself. And good for her.
Yeah, I said it.
Maybe the reason Heigl is catching so much flack for making the above comments in a candid interview with Vanity Fair is because the girl speaks the truth. I'm a Grey's follower, but executive producer Shonda Rhimes often favors shock value over continuity and common sense. I know it; even the most diehard Grey's fans know it. So why the big issue with Heigl pointing out the obvious? Say what you want about the girl spewing negativity, but as long as it's honest, I'll encourage her to spew away. It's her unfiltered voice that makes her dynamic and edgy, so what if she occasionally comes off as a raging she-beast? Embrace it! And just because Heigl scored her big-screen breakthrough in Knocked Up doesn't mean she has to worship her character, or agree wholeheartedly with the film's portrayal of women. What's more, who would really want to read an interview where she did?
Of course, I don't always agree with Heigl, and I wouldn't get into a debate with someone who said they found her tiresome. But the bottom line is this: Actors endlessly plugging their movies and shows and product lines are boring. Even if you think Katherine Heigl runs her mouth like an ungrateful brat, she certainly isn't afraid to say what she thinks, and that's infinitely more fun than reciting some publicist-scripted hooey every time she sits down with a reporter.
I feel like I should close this with ''you go girl'' and then run off to high-five someone. What do you think about Heigl's behavior? Commendable or condemnable?
I've managed to sneak the name Imani Coppola into PopWatch once or twice before, but if you've ever heard her brilliant (and underappreciated) 1997 disc Chupacabra, then you know why she's one of my musical obsessions.
Now, much to my delight, Coppola's back with a new disc, The Black and White Album, and despite no longer having major-label support, her track "Raindrops From the Sun (Hey Hey Hey)" landed on the opening scene of a recent Grey's Anatomy episode. And why not? "Raindrops" is an exceedingly catchy little ditty, one that builds and builds and builds till you want to stand up at your desk and join in that final chorus of "Wel-come an-gels! Wel-come an-gels!"
Okay, maybe that's just me. But you've got to admit, Coppola's got a lovely way with a lyric. I'd argue the opening lines of "Raindrops" -- "Yesterday was kind of like the Fourth of July/ The way your face lit up the entire sky/ I had to look away because it hurt my eyes" -- is more poetic than all the songs in this week's Billboard Top 10 combined. And that final convergence of layered vocals, sweeping strings, and hip-hop beats sticks to my brain like a Post-It to a filing cabinet. Gorgeous!
So who else out here in PopWatchLand agrees that "Raindrops from the Sun" deserves to be a huge hit, even if it's unlikely that a single corporate-radio drone in America will ever listen to it, let alone consider letting it pinch hit for the hourly Rihanna number he or she has scheduled for the next 472 days? (Whew!) Come on now! Show some love (or other feeling) for “Raindrops” in the comments section below!
Patrick Dempsey has undergone what one could call—if one is prone to understatement—a bit of a career rejuvenation. The dude once best known for silly teen romantic comedies like Loverboy and Can't Buy Me Love has matured into a legitimate TV actor and full-blown star.
And with this newly discovered currency, what kind of movie does McDreamy choose as his big star vehicle?
The same type of silly romantic comedy he made as a teen.
Yes, it's My Best Friend's Wedding, with the sexes swapped. And it's called Made of Honor. Which, by all indicators, this movie is not. Why not spread your wings and make a drama, or a straight-ahead romance, or something—anything—that doesn't involve serial pratfalls? Are you with me on this one?
Bad TV drama makes me want to gouge out my eyes. You know, metaphorically. But last night on Grey's Anatomy, I was treated to an extended closeup of a calm young man with a bloody No. 2 pencil protruding from his eye socket. Maybe he wasn’t calm, I couldn’t really tell. I was too busy screaming unintelligibly and trying to look away. Even now, the thought of it makes me want to gag, and also maybe break the points off all my pencils.
Thanks to Shonda Rhimes and Team Grey's, I'll be forever traumatized by the vision of Doctor Shepherd extracting a five inch long apparatus covered in brain matter from his patient's skull. (Those of you with strong stomachs can check out the photographic evidence, after the jump.)
I'm curious, though, does this sort of carnage enhance your overall viewing experience, or do blood and guts make your eyes burn? And what was harder to watch: the pencil extraction or Izzie and George together in bed? Also, could Danny's pointed predicament possibly be a metaphor for the writers strike? Nah, Grey's metaphors are never that clever.
Yesterday was my idea of the perfect Sunday, which means I spent my time glued to the couch, snacking on crackers and cheese, and catching up on a couple weeks' worth of backlogged TV shows. What stuck out for me — aside from the fact that Desperate Housewives has finally returned to its freshman-year level of hilarity, and that I can't seem to force myself to catch up on Heroes — was the number small, guest-starring roles that caught my attention. Three, in particular, stood out:
• Jordan Bridges (left) on Bionic Woman: The unsteady writing and acting on NBC's freshman series has been most vexing — and steady ratings declines since the show's debut indicate I'm not alone in my opinion — but Bridges' work as a teaching assistant with a hidden agenda seemed to shake series star Michelle Ryan out of her usual stupor, so much so that I barely noticed the absence of Katee Sackhoff (the true Bionic headliner). Granted, I'm probably swayed by Bridges' superfine looks (check out a behind the scenes video here), but the fact that he'll return in his role this Wednesday stopped me from removing Bionic from my series-recording list — despite the fact that last episode's climactic scene involved a Ryan using a cantaloupe to subdue a baddie. Seriously.
• Caroline Aaron (center) on Grey's Anatomy: Aaron's one of those super-familiar character actors who's appeared on everything from Ally McBeal to Curb Your Enthusiasm, but her brief, touching turn as a chatterbox with a tumor on her tongue got me wondering why producers from all the major networks aren't lighting up her agent's phone line with offers to make her a series regular on something — anything — that requires both comedic and dramatic chops.
My mom, Carol, IM'd me to say she had "dozed off" during the series premiere of Private Practice. Now, to be fair, my mom gets up at an obscenely early hour, so it's not unheard of for her to drift off in the 9 o'clock hour. That said, the glimpse she got of Oceanside Wellness before the Grey's Anatomy spinoff lulled her to la-la land did not impress her. As she told me via IM: "What I saw of PP didn't seem mature enough for the ages of the characters — but maybe it will get better." (Pictured are PP stars Taye Diggs, Audra McDonald, and Kate Walsh.)
She also had this to say about original-flavor Grey's: "I don't know if I'll watch Grey's this season either. I'll try it for a couple of episodes at least but it annoys me so much of the time. Can't stand Meredith or many of the other characters!"
Uh-oh, Shonda Rhimes. The moms of America may be turning on you. What do you think, PopWatchers? Can the mom barometer correctly predict a show's fate?
8:00 p.m. Slow clap: L-Yeah! L-Yeah! Oh wait, sorry, gonna try to be neutral here for at least five minutes. Em-my! Em-my! Em-my!
8:01 p.m. Seeing that this Family Guy medley isn't actually live, you think they could've come up with funnier stuff than a Charlie Sheen pedophilia joke and a bit about the age of the Desperate Housewives ladies. That said, rhyming Zach Braff with "doesn't have to make you laugh" made me chuckle. A little.
8:02 p.m. Oh Fox, so classy with that closeup of T.R. Knight during the Isaiah Washington Joke.
8:05 p.m. Uh-oh. Ryan's trying to be funny. And the audience is trying to be nice and pretending to laugh. But seriously, my dream of a shtick-free Emmys -- where every acting nominee gets a 30-second pre-awards highlight clip is about six minutes away from flatlining.
8:07 p.m. Tell me I did not just hear a Hayden Panettiere age-of-consent joke in the first 10 minutes of the telecast.
8:10 p.m. Maybe Ray Romano said something funny during that technical glitch where they cut to the ceiling? 'Cause I'm not really laughing at any of this mess.
8:11 p.m. Okay, that bit about Romano's sexual encounters ending the
same way as The Sopranos' final episode…that was kinda priceless.
8:13 p.m. I liked Jeremy Piven better when he was on Cupid. And I'm not just saying that because he beat Rainn Wilson.
For 21 years, Watchmen fans have probably been casting the film version of the classic Alan Moore/Dave Gibbons graphic novel in their minds, but now, just in time for Comic-Con, we have the official announcement about who will star as Moore's costumed crimefighters in the forthcoming version that Zack Snyder (300) is directing. According to the Hollywood Reporter, our heroes are Jackie Earle Haley as the foul-tempered Rorschach, Matthew Goode (the handsome, tennis-playing aristocrat of Match Point) as hero-turned-pitchman Ozymandias, Billy Crudup as nuclear-powered superhero Dr. Manhattan, Patrick Wilson (Evening) as nerdy tech-wizard Nite Owl, Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Grey's Anatomy's Denny) as cynical mercenary The Comedian, and Malin Akerman (pictured) as second-generation heroine and Nite Owl love-interest Silk Spectre.
Now, I probably wouldn't have cast any of these actors, if only because most of them seem too young to be playing middle-aged (more or less) pariahs who've long since been forced into retirement. Maybe Snyder is casting younger for the sake of flashback scenes, and he'll age them digitally or with makeup for the latter-day sequences. Or, maybe he just wanted good-looking, marketable, sexy faces. (And inexpensive ones, too, to save money that will be needed for special effects.) That would explain the casting of Akerman, probably best known for sly sexpot roles like Harold and Kumar's almost-fling (thwarted by disgusting hubby Christopher Meloni), or E's threesome crush on Entourage, but not yet for anything like the dramatic, emotional arc she'll have in Watchmen (Silk Spectre has a lot of baggage). Nite Owl is supposed to have gone soft and flabby; that hardly describes the buff Wilson, as anyone who saw his athletic, often shirtless Little Children performance can attest. Goode still seems too wet behind the ears to play Ozymandias, who becomes a powerful tycoon after hanging up his cape. Morgan also seems too green to play his role, a battle-hardened, cigar-chomping, middle-aged man of action. (If Robert Rodriguez were directing this movie, this would have been the place for one of his trademark Bruce Willis cameos. Me, I'd have picked someone like Ray Winstone.)
Only 10 days left till this year's Emmy nominations are announced — which means two things: My left kidney will soon be deposited on a shrine dedicated to Vanessa L. Williams' very necessary nod, and the good folks at Gold Derby are getting their leak on. Last week, while I was on vacation, the site reported the rumored list of 10 finalists still in the running in the Best Drama and Best Comedy Series categories, and on Friday, a pair of judges who'd attended screenings of various nominated episodes spilled the beans about which series are most likely to hear their names called when nominations are announced July 19. (Click here to read the full scoop.) According to that duo, Best Drama Series nominees are likely to include The Sopranos, House, Grey's Anatomy (pictured), 24, and Heroes, while the Best Comedy Series race could come down to Two and a Half Men, Entourage, 30 Rock, Ugly Betty, and The Office. If Gold Derby's sources predicted correctly, that would mean snubs for the remaining five drama (Boston Legal, Dexter, Friday Night Lights, Lost, and Rome) and comedy finalists (Desperate Housewives, Extras, My Name Is Earl, Scrubs, and Weeds).
Considering how many Grey's Anatomy and 24 fans feel those respective series are coming off weak seasons, their inclusion among TV's five best drama series seems a little surprising. And if a sci-fi show is destined for Emmy recognition, shouldn't Lost (or Battlestar Galactica, which apparently didn't even crack the top 10) get Heroes' slot? On the flip side, if 30 Rock, The Office, and Ugly Betty score Best Comedy nominations (as predicted), I'll be hard-pressed to feel my usual brand of post-nominations outrage. Unless, of course, L. Yeah doesn't get her due. Then I'll be hellaciously upset.
What do you think of Gold Derby's list of predicted nominees? Should the Emmy judges have read the PopWatch Fantasy Emmy Nominees Gallery before going to work? Holla back!
I've been blogging about Isaiah-gate since last October, and I've got to admit it: last night's announcement that Isaiah Washington won't be returning to Grey's Anatomy next season has me feeling, well, not much of anything. Mostly, I'm exhausted from reading, thinking, and talking about the whole behind-the-scenes mess. Sure, on some level, this kerfuffle and its fallout raise important and interesting questions: What kind of language and behavior in the workplace crosses the line from unacceptable to fire-able? (I've tried to imagine how uncomfortable I'd feel working along someone who dropped an enraged 'f*****' bomb in my direction during a physical altercation with a third party.) For us consumers of pop culture, at what point does a celebrity's off-camera behavior get in the way of our ability to enjoy and appreciate his or her work? (Being completely honest, I've not only remained a faithful Grey's viewer for the past season, but one who's been fully invested in Washington's Burke-Cristina storyline.) Where does Washington's alleged bad act fall on the scale of Mel Gibson's sexist, anti-Semitic rant and Paris Hilton's DUI arrest — and in that context, does his subsequent punishment seem fitting?
Washington certainly hasn't helped his own case, given the sluggishness of his public apology, his second use of 'f*****' at the Golden Globe awards, his lackluster PSA, and especially the statement his publicist issued last night (a quote from the 1976 film Network): "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore." Seriously? I mean, why didn't someone on Washington's team dissuade him from releasing such a loopy parting shot? And does he really think that now is the time to choose defiance over contrition? Anyhow, I've blogged my last about this brouhaha, so I pass the podium to you, PopWatchers, to have the final word.
In today's edition of Celebrity Redemption, Grey's Anatomy doc Isaiah Washington is making the rounds with a public service announcement promoting, yep, tolerance.
No, really. (Check it out below, then see what PopWatch thought of it, after the jump.)
PopWatch'z Adventurz in Cultural Anthropop-logy kicked off two weeks ago when I invited all of you to take a brief survey regarding the relationship between artists, marketing, and television programs. Our test bunny, Norwegian chantoosey Kate Havnevik, came in as a perfect scientific case: She was largely unknown here in the U.S., in heavy rotation on Grey's Anatomy, and just offbeat enough to prevent the data from being tampered with by record shoppers who buy albums based on their proximity to the Pussycat Dolls or whatever.
The survey results, such as they were, turned out to be interesting. While most of you had never heard of Ms. Havnevik before, a majority said her music sounded familiar, a bigger majority said they "liked" her music, and a large minority said they'd purchase her album simple on the strength of the Grey's seal of approval. (It was also unanimously declared that I was not getting a pony.) Let's see how that data compares to Kate's first-week sales...
Okay, she moved a whopping 1,370 copies. Not exactly Fray numbers there, but considering the reunited Stooges sold like 6,000 copies in their first week, that ain't bad. And to be fair, she sold about 7,000 digital albums off iTunes before the official release date, and about 60,000 singles. That seems pretty respectable, and certainly at least to some degree TV-show fueled.
But we're not done yet! Since she's currently stateside prepping for a tour with Air, I decided the next step in this scientific method should be getting Kate herself on the phone to talk about all this stuff. After the jump, our lovely chat.
A dishy Los Angeles Times story that reeled me in with the enticing opening line "Wanna hear a secret?" (Okay!) reports that, in Kate Walsh's Grey's Anatomy spin-off, Addison (pictured) will join a Santa Monica health cooperative that includes such colorful characters as a successful TV health guru (Taye Diggs), "a widowed alternative medicine doctor, a self-doubting therapist, and a male gynecologist who knows little about women." Ooh! Will there be a kooky neighbor named Sunflower? A retired jeweler who weaves hemp "healing necklaces" laced with magical Topanga Canyon dust? And who will play their cult leader? Speculate away...
Plus, this bit of goss suggests the new show's title may be Private Practice. Ewww, privates. But that's pretty cute. If they decide against that moniker, David E. Kelley can use always jump on it for one of his sexy law shows.
With last week's news that Alexandra Patsavas — the music supervisor for The O.C. and Grey's Anatomy — was launching her own label, I got to wondering if there was any way to quantifiably quantify the effect of her shows' soundtracks on an band's success. But up to this point, the groups that have seen the greatest benefit — arguably Death Cab for Cutie, Snow Patrol, and the Fray — have been challenging test subjects, as their popularity had been at least somewhat confirmed prior to the TV appearance in question: Snow Patrol had already toured with U2, the Fray have been a band since approximately 1976, and Death Cab were no great secret to anyone who'd even marginally been paying attention.
So how happy is my inner scientist about yesterday's release of Norwegian singer and Grey's mainstay Kate Havnevik's second album, Melankton? Very, very happy. And I hope you'll join me after the jump to begin a new segment I'm calling "PopWatch'z Adventurz in Cultural Anthropop-logy."
Reading about Katherine Heigl's (pictured) salary dispute at Grey's Anatomy, and the possibility of Goran Visnjic leaving ER, and the rumor that Kate Walsh's planned Grey's spinoff has her costars in a snit, I was struck by the following idea: Wouldn't it be great if, as they're casting any new series, TV producers wrote in iron-clad clauses that prevented actors from publicly discussing their contracts? I know it's kind of counterintuitive for an entertainment journalist to advocate a gag order on the acting community, but I also long for a simpler, spoiler-free time when I could actually be surprised when a character got killed off (or written off) a show — and when I didn't have to digest quite so much backstage drama that it eventually threatened to overshadow what unfolds in front of the cameras. Am I just burnt out by the fact that I haven't had a single conversation for two weeks that didn't include the names LaKisha or Melinda, or do I have a legitimate beef here, PopWatchers? Holla back!
It could just be the washed-up carcass of Meredith, but something about Grey's Anatomy smells fishy here at PopWatch HQ. ABC announced today that Taye Diggs has joined the Grey's spinoff about mighty neonatal surgeon Dr. Addison Montgomery. So think about it: creator Shonda Rhimes wants Isaiah Washington outta there, but needs a sneaky way to do it besides a straight-up firing. So she can introduce Diggs' character in a Grey's epiosde that will serve as a back-door pilot to the Addison spinoff, and she can quietly write Washington out at the end of the season by breaking up Burke and Cristina (Sandra Oh, pictured). Then, if the Addison show isn't a great big hit (or if it never gets off the ground in the first place), she and Taye can merge back into the Seattle Grace lovefest, and there'll be a new attractive black man who is not a known homophobe on Grey's. The switch can be blamed on story lines and development decisions. With all the glam publicity sure to accompany all of this, it's a win-win for ABC.
What do you think? Are we being overly conspiratorial, or is this a plausible scenario?
I'll admit it: I'm kind of excited by the news that ABC is planning a Grey's Anatomy spinoff focusing on Kate Walsh's appealing Addison Shepherd. Yet while I've got faith in Shonda Rhimes' vision, I'd hate to see network suits water the project down into a sitcom called Addison!, about a neurotic pediatric surgeon living out of a high-end Manhattan hotel populated with wacky characters. To avoid such a heinous possibility, I thought we could all participate in a little brainstorming session to ensure the spinoff's success. Shonda, PopWatch will gladly take an associate producer credit (and a cut of the profits, natch) if any of these ideas inspire you. I'll start with my pitch — which might be a little too Grey's-meets-Brothers & Sisters to qualify as truly original. Then again, it also features babies. And everybody loves babies!
Deciding she's never given up on finding true love, Addison decides to go the single-mother route, visits a fertility clinic for artificial insemination, and winds up pregnant with — egads! — triplets. Overwhelmed by the news, she accepts a job as chief of surgery at an Arizona hospital, where she can live closer to her retired parents (Ellen Burstyn and Paul Sorvino — remember their delicious pairing on That's Life?), viciously competitive dentist sister (Téa Leoni), wannabe-actor gay brother (Dermot Mulroney) and his hubby (Blair Underwood), who just so happens to be one of Addison's best friends from med school/new coworker. The series could then focus on Addison's quest to juggle her career, her triplets, her overbearing family — and, of course, a couple of potential McMatches.
Okay, PopWatchers, your turn: How would you spin off Addison from Grey's? Ready, set, pitch!
(WARNING: This item contains possible spoilers from recent episodes of Heroes and Desperate Housewives.)
What is with the cliffhangers — literally — on ABC shows this past week?
First onGrey's Anatomy, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo, pictured) got pushed over the edge of a dock by the convulsing man she was trying to treat at the scene of the ferry boat accident. And of course, we're all left wondering if she's going to drown to death or be saved by McDreamy and his hair.
Then, on Desperate Housewives, Mike and Orson threw fists at each other in a hospital parking garage, and their rumble eventually ended in Orson free falling out of what looked like the fifth level of the building. Cut to the end of the episode.
Finally on a random note, on Heroes (okay, so not an ABC show, but still), Matt was thrust through a window by Jessica — but luckily, we know he survived.
Which show do you think will be next to follow in this pattern? And are there any characters on TV (or even a reality show cast member) you wish would be sent for a flying lesson of their own? I know I'd like to see Cecille on Beauty and The Geek be thrown off the balcony by Jennylee!
The other night, I was lucky enough to catch a super-early screening of Knocked Up, comedy wiz Judd Apatow's followup to The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Yay (for me). Now, I don't want to steal the thunder of EW's critics, and I don't want to spoil the fun, and I certainly don't want to go on the record about a June 1st release that, from what I was told, isn't necessarily finished yet. So I'll keep my opinion and important details of the film to myself.
What I will say, however, is that there's plenty to look forward to in this comedy about a beefy stoner (Freaks and Geeks' Seth Rogen) who has a one night stand gone slightly awry with a smart and beautiful entertainment reporter (Grey's Anatomy's Katherine Heigl). Like T40YOV, this flick is filled with bawdy laughs, more naughty words than Jack Valenti would ever want to count, plenty of back-slappin' bro humor, and a surprising dose of sweetness. It also stands to be a breakout project for Apatow regular Rogen and, particuarly, Heigl, who replaced the movie's original leading lady, Anne Hathaway. Until now, the buxom blonde has been a regular in televised dramas like Roswell and in written literature like Maxim. But having seen Knocked Up, I'm starting to think that she might just have what it takes to make it as a leading lady on the big screen. Your thoughts on the matter, PopWatchers?
Somebody grab the defribillator for this heart-stopping piece of gossip: A compelling rumor has surfaced that Grey's Anatomy is considering whether to bring back Jeffrey Dean Morgan — a.k.a. Denny Duquette — to the show! Touchstone TV, ABC's sister studio that produces the popular drama, wouldn't confirm or deny, but the story floating around Hollywood is that creator Shonda Rhimes is trying to keep Morgan in the family now that her new drama about war correspondents — which Morgan was set to star in — was put on the back burner by ABC. Word is that Morgan — along with some other unusual characters from episodes past — will pop up sometime this month in a dream sequence imagined by one of the sexy interns. The rumor seems suspect; I mean, my GOD, the dude's character died of a heart attack last season! But it wouldn't be the first time that a TV show resuscitated a popular character (remember Patrick Duffy in Dallas?) And as a rabid fan of Grey's, I'm all for Morgan's return — to a point. His presence has gotta make sense, which means if the above scenario isn't real, he'd have to return as a long lost identical twin (I know, lame) or as an ever-present ghost in Izzie's life, a la Melina Kanakeredes' mom in Providence. Come on, readers — pretend you were Shonda. If you made the call, would you bring back Morgan? And if so, how?
This just in: EW's Jennifer Armstrong, while doing duty at the Television Critics Association tour in Pasadena, ran into How I Met Your Mother's Neil Patrick Harris -- and, like almost everybody else out there, he had something to say about Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington and his homophobic slur in reference to T.R. Knight. "I talk with [T.R.] on a not-so-regular basis... T.R.'s proven himself to be an incredibly classy, dignified guy," said Harris, who, like Knight, revealed to People magazine last year that he is gay. "I'm impressed that Katherine Heigl said what she said, and I was shocked that it all reared its ugly head again. It's impossible for me to make any kind of comment on that, to judge it based on things you read and heard. It's just disappointing that it's cyclical."
Isaiah Washington (pictured) may have committed career suicide when he allegedly called Grey's Anatomy costar T.R. Knight the inexcusable f-word that rhymes with maggot on the set in October. And yet, despite an initial outrage, the bad press surrounding Washington had seemed to die down in the past few months. So his real suicide attempt came during the cast's group interview at Monday night's Golden Globes, when Washington interrupted Shonda Rhimes to lean in and crassly proclaim, "No, I did not call T.R. a f-----." Um, you actually just did. Again. Into a microphone. At a press conference. D'oh!
At this point, it's Washington's move. Knight appeared on Ellen yesterday to confirm that Washington did use the slur, Katherine Heigl spoke out against him in her own interview, and GLAAD condemned him, then requested he meet with them so he can be "part of the solution" to anti-gay discrimination. I personally can't see that happening, as Washington continues to deny he did anything wrong. But what should he do, at this point, besides apologize? (We're waiting, dude. Still waiting.) Should his cast vote him off the show? If they did, could he even get another job? And would you have a problem watching him on TV?
So did you hear about the Atlanta-area church doing a five-part Sunday series on morality as it relates to Grey's Anatomy? (If my hometown congregation were that hip, I might stop inciting my nieces and nephews to misbehave during holiday masses and pay attention for once!) "Even though I don't like the show and don't agree with the morals of some of the characters, it is the No. 1 show in that age group [18 to 35]," says Dr. Richard Hunter, pastor of Snellville United Methodist Church. "And if that many young people are watching it, I should be talking about the issues raised on the show." (Perhaps he means issues like personal hygiene, as addressed by McDreamy and Meredith in the photo at left.)
Now, heaven help Dr. Hunter if he's looking to PopWatch for assistance with his sermons, but reading about his efforts to reach the highly coveted 18-35 demographic -- by the way, does no one care about the 65-and-up set anymore? No? -- gave me a flash of inspiration... to whip up an additional batch of 10 commandments, Grey's style.
11. Thou shall not allow thy children (literal or figurative) to get out of hand. (Miranda Bailey) 12. Thou shall not committ adultery -- short-term or long-term -- with anyone who could be described as a McSteamy. (Addison Montgomery-Shepherd and Callie Torres) 13. Thou shall try not to be so consistently grating when providing thy voiceover commentaries. (Meredith Grey) 14. Thou shall not (temporarily) kill thy significant other -- even if the end goal is to score him or her an organ transplant. (Izzie Stevens) 15. Though shall not bear false withness about thy palsied hand. (Preston Burke) 16. Thou shall stop being a workaholic. (Richard Webber) 17. Thou shall not covet thy recently bereaved ex. (Alex Karev) 18. Thou shall not use fried chicken to woo a woman. (George O'Malley) 19. Thou shall continue to amuse with thy patented brand of bitchery. (Cristina Yang) 20. Thou shall stop lurking in the elevators. (Derek Shepherd)
So there you have it, PopWatchers. Can any of you think of additional Grey's commandments? And what other shows could pastors use to inspired their flocks? (See you in hell!)
Way back when I got my first paid journalism gig at The Leader-Herald in Gloversville, NY, a wise editor told me that nothing makes readers angrier than finding an error on the obituaries page. Well, I'd like to amend his statement to include omitting someone's obituary altogether. It's a lesson I learned the hard way after writing a gallery for EW.com a couple weeks back called "Obit Players," focusing on 10 major TV characters who died in 2006. I chose to write about Denny Duquette (Grey's Anatomy), Louanne 'Kat' Katraine (Battlestar Galactica), Mr. Eko (Lost), Eden McCain (Heroes), William Walker (Brothers & Sisters), Alexandra Borgia (Law & Order), Marissa Cooper (The O.C.), Veronica Donovan (Prison Break), Andrea Moreno (The Ghost Whisperer), and Edgar Stiles (24). In the process, I left out a number of dearly departed series regulars, including Leo of The West Wing, Jack and Irina from Alias, Lemonhead of The Shield, and Bodie from The Wire (pictured).
So, PopWatchers, here's your chance to make things right. Which late, great characters got overlooked in my gallery? Start your eulogizing in the comments section below.
Under the heading of, "It's About Damn Time!": Isaiah "McAngry" Washington (pictured) has issued a statement of apology to People magazine regarding an Oct. 9 onset altercation with Patrick Dempsey in which he reportedly referred to a third Grey's Anatomy cast member as a "faggot." (On Oct. 19, Grey's star T.R. Knight announced he was gay.)
"I sincerely regret my actions and the unfortunate use of words during the recent incident on-set," Washington said in his statement to People. "Both are beneath my own personal standards.... I have nothing but respect for my coworkers... and have apologized personally to everyone involved."
If Washington's apology is sufficient for the Grey's cast and crew, fair enough, although it would've been nice if he'd come around sooner, and perhaps been a little more direct with the language in his public statement. Just a thought, but how about leading with "I'm sorry"?
Whatever the reason Grey's Anatomy star T.R. Knight decided to confirm to People magazine yesterday that he's gay, I'm hoping that at the very least, his announcement will help annihilate the tired old argument that actors can't come out of the closet because then audiences wouldn't be able to buy them in heterosexual roles. After all, is there a person alive who can say this revelation negates Knight's wildly convincing work on Grey's last season, particularly the way he turned sad-sack George's unrequited love for Meredith into something painfully palpable? Similarly, does this niblet of information about Knight's off-screen love life lessen the maddening/adorable dynamic that George has developed this year with orthopedic surgeon Callie? And if you've answered "yes" to either of the above questions, doesn't it say more about your own personal hang-ups then about Knight's abilities as an actor?
Yeah, I know as your friendly, neighborhood, gay blogger, I carry my own heavy bias into this discussion, but seriously, once the dust settles on the Grey's set -- with regard to Knight's news, as well as the current kerfuffle with McAngry -- wouldn't it be grand if audiences treated Knight just like any other actor, judging him on his performances, not on who he loves? As Knight said himself, "I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me." Well said, brother. Now go make things right with hot tamale Callie or I'll wring your indecisive neck!
By this point in your afternoon, PopWatchers, you have most certainly heard plenty about Isaiah Washington (pictured) and Patrick Dempsey's little Grey's Anatomy kerfuffle, following the cycle of crisis from the Enquirer's screaming to Rush & Molloy's calm, reasoned reporting to People's compilation of really maudlin quotes from those involved. (''Washington even learned a little something about his costar. 'I've never been that close to [Patrick] before,' he says. 'He has really pretty blue eyes.''') Shh, America: Don't worry! The soft cotton of your celebrity blankie will live to see another day! (Also, we hear Barbaro is doing great!)
So how come no one has called me to be on TV and talk about this yet? Let's be honest, PopWatchers -- if this was Teri Hatcher vs. Eva Longoria, or Calista Flockhart vs. Sally Field, or Rosie O'Donnell vs. [insert View cast member here], yours truly would be shellacking her face for a spot on Inside Edition right now. But I'm not. And I think we all know why: Because this is the menfolk fighting. And no one, really, cares. If we did, the ratings for C-SPAN would be a hell of a lot higher.
Anyway. Use the comments space below to write your own version of the plotline that will lead to Isaiah Washington's inevitable death/dismissal from Seattle Grace.
This just in from the Department of Recycled Plotlines: Yeah, I know the two most recent episodes of Desperate Housewives have been a vast improvement over lackluster season 2, but I've gotta ask: How many different ways can Gaby lose a baby? First, she gets knocked down a flight of stairs and miscarries. Next, she's forced to give up custody of her adopted infant to its birth parents. And then last night (SPOILER ALERT for those who haven't yet watched), she discovers her fertility clinic erroneously implanted another woman's embryo into her own surrogate's womb. What's next, an alien abduction? While I'd follow the hilarious Eva Longoria all the way to an According to Jim crossover episode (something I hope ABC never dreams up), a word of warning to the Housewives writing team: Insanity is giving your viewers the same story arc over and over again, and expecting them not to change the channel.
Meanwhile, from the beloved Grey's Anatomy comes word that Eric Dane (a.k.a. McSteamy) is joining the cast full time, and while another set of rock-hard abs never hurt a prime-time soap opera, I'd like to review the Grey's central-story-arc playbook from the show's premiere to the present: Addison cheats on McDreamy with McSteamy. McDreamy leaves Addison. McDreamy has affair with Meredith. Addison and McDreamy reunite. McDreamy cheats on Addison with Meredith. Addison leaves McDreamy. Addison has affair with McSteamy. Okay, seriously? Anyone else see a pattern here? All I'm saying is this: If Shonda Rhimes & Co. try to pull an ''Addison and Derek reunite'' anytime between now and November sweeps, I'm going to be hella irritable. It's not just me, right? And does anyone else out there want to see an Anti-Recycling Referendum in Hollywood come Election Day?
Not since Winona Ryder almost ended up in the slammer has a cause affected me so profoundly and deeply. It’s time to free Kate Walsh. The talented actress, so witty and intelligent in her talk show appearances, has done her time in the prison known as Private Practice and she deserves to be emancipated. Send her back to Grey’s Anatomy, move her on to Wisteria Lane, make her the mother on How I Met Your Mother. I don’t really care. Private Practice has become unwatchable. Apparently, many of you agree: 
Last week, 
Today, EW.com launched its 
Brace yourselves, TV addicts: 
Currently, there is an email chain clogging the inboxes of EW's TV department, and it began with a link to 
The regular 2007-2008 season has come to its end, I'm about 90 percent caught up with my DVR backlog, and 
New York City's Bowery Hotel was the place to be last night, especially for TV stars who needed a break after a rigorous few days spent promoting their new and renewed series at their respective networks' upfront presentations. And who better to host a TV soirée than Entertainment Weekly? I snagged the only designer item in my closet and camped out for nearly two hours on the packed red carpet, which featured a parade of stars both random (Jaslene and Saleisha from Americas Next Top Model) and hotly anticipated (hello, casts of 30 Rock and Gossip Girl!). After the jump, my rundown of the night's festivities...
I don't really watch 
Here's a potentially relationship-saving tip for any PopWatchers out there who've been caught by surprise on this 14th of February. If your paramour is passionate about certain ABC primetime shows, send an instant 
There must be a little-known proviso in the Writers Guild rules that permits striking TV writers to pen scenarios for shows other than their own in snarky magazine articles. So it is with 
Grey's Anatomy's George and Izzie? ''A ratings ploy.'' And Judd Apatow's blockbuster Knocked Up? "
I've managed to sneak the name 
Yesterday was my idea of the perfect Sunday, which means I spent my time glued to the couch, snacking on crackers and cheese, and catching up on a couple weeks' worth of backlogged TV shows. What stuck out for me — aside from the fact that Desperate Housewives has finally returned to its freshman-year level of hilarity, and that I can't seem to force myself to catch up on Heroes — was the number small, guest-starring roles that caught my attention. Three, in particular, stood out:
My mom, Carol, IM'd me to say she had "dozed off" during 
8:00 p.m. Slow clap: L-Yeah! L-Yeah! Oh wait, sorry, gonna try to be neutral here for at least five minutes. Em-my! Em-my! Em-my!
For 21 years, Watchmen fans have probably been casting the film version of the classic Alan Moore/Dave Gibbons graphic novel in their minds, but now, just in time for Comic-Con, we have the official announcement about who will star as Moore's costumed crimefighters in the forthcoming version that Zack Snyder (300) is directing. According to the 
A dishy 
With last week's news that Alexandra Patsavas — the music supervisor for The O.C. and Grey's Anatomy — was 
It could just be the washed-up carcass of Meredith, but something about Grey's Anatomy smells fishy here at PopWatch HQ. ABC announced today that 
I'll admit it: I'm kind of excited by 
(WARNING: This item contains possible spoilers from recent episodes of Heroes and Desperate Housewives.)
Isaiah Washington (pictured) may have committed career suicide when he allegedly called Grey's Anatomy costar T.R. Knight the inexcusable f-word that rhymes with maggot on the set in October. And yet, despite an initial outrage, the bad press surrounding Washington had seemed to die down in the past few months. So his real suicide attempt came during the cast's group interview at Monday night's Golden Globes, when Washington interrupted Shonda Rhimes to lean in and crassly proclaim, 
So did you hear about the Atlanta-area church doing a five-part Sunday series on 
Way back when I got my first paid journalism gig at 
Under the heading of, "It's About Damn Time!": Isaiah "McAngry" Washington (pictured) has 
Whatever the reason Grey's Anatomy star T.R. Knight decided to 
By this point in your afternoon, PopWatchers, you have most certainly heard plenty about Isaiah Washington (pictured) and Patrick Dempsey's little Grey's Anatomy kerfuffle, following the cycle of crisis from the 
This just in from the Department of Recycled Plotlines: Yeah, I know the two most recent episodes of Desperate Housewives have been a vast improvement over lackluster season 2, but I've gotta ask: How many different ways can Gaby lose a baby? First, she gets knocked down a flight of stairs and miscarries. Next, she's forced to give up custody of her adopted infant to its birth parents. And then last night (SPOILER ALERT for those who haven't yet watched), she discovers her fertility clinic erroneously implanted another woman's embryo into her own surrogate's womb. What's next, an alien abduction? While I'd follow the hilarious Eva Longoria all the way to an According to Jim crossover episode (something I hope ABC never dreams up), a word of warning to the Housewives writing team: Insanity is giving your viewers the same story arc over and over again, and expecting them not to change the channel.