Thursday, January 17, 2008

Some Quick Notes

I don't have a bunch of time today, so here are a few things of interest:

--"X-Files" creator Chris Carter told USA Today that the new movie, due out this summer, would be a standalone piece and have nothing to do with the series' unbelievably dense mythology. Good call by Carter, since I don't think there's a single person out there who could explain the mythology anyway. If you want to see some stills from "X-Files 2," you can visit www.mania.com.

--Paramount has set up an official Web site for newest "Star Trek" movie, due out this Christmas, at http://www.paramount.com/startrek. There's not much on the site right now, but rumors are there will be a short preview during "Cloverfield," the J.J. Abrams-helmed feature debuting Friday.

--It's a good news/bad news deal for "American Idol." The good news was that, with 33 million viewers, it was the most watch show on TV this season. The bad news? That's down 4 million from last year's debut.

THURSDAY'S BEST BETS: The TV schedule continues to be hit-and-miss as networks try to hold onto new episodes as long as they can.

On ABC, both "Ugly Betty" and "Big Shots" are new, sandwiching a rerun of "Grey's Anatomy.

"Without A Trace" (CBS, 10 p.m.) anchors a night of reruns, while NBC has a new "Celebrity Apprentice" at 9 p.m. and "ER" at 10 p.m.

The best bets of the night? Turner Classic Movies will show "Casablanca" at 8 p.m., followed by "From Here To Eternity" at 10 p.m.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so completely uninterested in the "X Files" now. It's past for me.

Yes - there are Sci Fi Franchises such as Trek, Star Wars, Quantum Leap, etc. (and in the future, maybe "Lost" and "Battlestar" when they both finally end) I will remain interested in but I have long retired from caring a lick about X Files.

Cris Carter, Duchovny and Gillian Anderson made a mistake waiting this long. The public doesn't really care anymore and my prediction will be middling Box office results at BEST, barring the greatest promotional campaign and film previews of all time.

Plus, Duchovny's odd acting choices have been losing me over the last few years. The cherry on the sundae was his inexplicably undeserving win for the Globes this past week in best comedy.

How anyone in their right mind would say Duchovny is FUNNIER than Alec Baldwin or Steve Carrell (or Larry David - where was his nomination?) is smoking crack.

Yes - Duchovny is better being more serious in a role like this. He's been doing a TON of comedy since the end of the "X Files" and frankly, I haven't enjoyed any of it. Here's an actor I will continue to only care about 1 part he ever played - Fox Mulder - and I don't care anymore.

Ok, sorry for the rant but the fact that Carter and everyone are so arrogant to think anyone still cares in 2007 is laugable.

Thank goodness for a new "Betty" tonight and next Thursday, the last 2 "Chuck" episodes that never aired. But again, new shows are running dry.

re: America Idol

If it was a tangible thing I could beat to death with a Baseball bat so that it would go away from the pop culture landscape alltogether, I would.

American Idol is the most uninteresting and stupid big frnachise I have ever seen. While people think a karaoek contest every week makes for good Television - continues to baffle me and make me question the sanity of the average americans.

Phillip Ramati said...

It's funny how X-Files has faded from the public consciousness. It's one of the rare pop culture phenomena that doesn't really have much post-series life. It will be interesting to see if the new movie can draw back the old viewers or if it has all fizzled out.

Jonathan said...

"Star Trek" was over a decade old before the first film came out and turned everyone into a fan. I'm not saying "X-Files" is up to that level of fandom, but I think with the time it's taken off, it could be a good refresher when the film comes out, and maybe a bunch of people will go see it. Who knows?

And, Zod, I don't think Carter is being arrogant. I think Carter is trying to get a job, and an "X-Files" film which everyone and their mother has been curious about over the last few years was the way to go. I think there are a lot more people interested in it than you would think.

Phillip Ramati said...

I think there will be a decent amount of interest as well. They've signed a pretty good guest cast, and the X-Files format leaves them a lot of options to explore. And why shouldn't Carter try to get it on the screen?

Anonymous said...

Jonathan,

Maybe not arrogant, but Carter should have tried to make another film about 6-7 years ago, when the X Files was still relevant in this culture.