News & Notes

Well, I wasn't the only person who flat out hated NBC's "Quarterlife."

In addition to most of the major TV critics in the country also giving it a negative review, the viewers apparently listened to us. "Quarterlife" had the lowest ratings in that timeslot for NBC in nearly two decades, capturing about a third of "Law & Order's" audience.

"Quarterlife finished with a 1.3 rating - about 3.1 million viewers - in the 18-49 demographic.

NBC is sticking with the show at least one more week, and possibly more when it moves to its regular Sunday timeslot. If anybody cares.

AROUND THE DIAL: In a good news/bad news type of deal, "Dexter" showrunner Daniel Cerone is leaving the Showtime hit. But at least he is joining ABC's "Dirty Sexy Money." ... Gary Cole will join the cast of "Desperate Housewives" as Dana Delany's ex-husband. ...

THURSDAY'S BEST BETS: So, what did happen to the helicopter that carried Sayid and Desmond to the boat on "Lost?" (ABC, 9 p.m.) Tonight, we find out in this very Desmond-centric episode. For years, "Lost" fans have speculated about time travel being a part of the island's mystery, and there may be an element of that with the helicopter. It's followed by a new episode of the charming "Eli Stone" at 10 p.m.

"American Idol" (Fox, 8 p.m.) votes off another contestant, while on "Celebrity Apprentice" (NBC, 9 p.m.), Donald Trump merely fires them. That show is followed by a new "Lipstick Jungle" at 10 p.m.

Quarterlife? Not Even A Quarter Good

There are some people out there who think a series like "Quarterlife" (NBC, 10 p.m.) is the wave of the future. Created by TV icons Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick ("Thirtysomething," "My So-Called Life," "Once & Again") exclusively for the internet, NBC bought the series as filler for the strike.

I was curious to see how this new fad my translate to the small screen.

Boy, did I hate this series. I mean, I hated it quite a lot. Because it was Herskovitz/Zwick, I watched both episodes I was sent to give the show a chance. That's an extra hour of my non-quarter life I won't be getting back.

The show centers on the lives of six extremely good-looking 20-somethings, but this is no "Friends" to be sure, even if it is the same network.

No, these are the six whiniest, self-involved people on TV. Through in trite dialogue that's supposed to be introspective with a little pop psychology and hip music, and you have a show that presents itself as full of substance when in fact it has none.

In tonight's pilot, we follow Dylan (Bitsie Tulloch), a wanna-be writer who starts a video blog called Quarterlife. Within two postings, she manages to absolutely mortify two of her friends, Lisa (Maite Schwartz) and Jed (Scott Michael Foster), yet the writers treat her as if she's done them a favor. But when it comes time to open up about her own inner-most secret, she chickens out.

Other plotlines: Jed is trying to make a commercial for a car dealership with his friends Eric (Mike Faiola) and Danny (David Walton). Eric can't make a commitment to his girlfriend Debra (Michelle Lombardo), whom Jed secretly pines for all while Dylan pines for him. Follow all that? Neither did I, really.

The writers have filled these characters with so much angst to the point where it's very off-putting. You want to scream at the TV, "For God's sake, stop whining already!!!"

Whether you loved or hated "Friends," you got why these people stayed close with each other all those years. They had light moments, serious moments and so on, but the writing and the cast meshed well together. You generally rooted for at least some of the characters.

No such luck with "Quarterlife," which admittedly isn't trying to be "Friends," but is cut from a similar cloth. It takes itself way too seriously when it isn't being downright mean to some of the characters.

By all means, give "Quarterlife" a try if you like, but it may be the most depressing hour on TV right now.

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS: If you are upset about the announcement that NBC is cancelling "Las Vegas" after its cliffhanger ending, you may be interested in TVGuide's interview with the show's producer here: http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Ausiello-Scoop-Las/800034137

TUESDAY'S BEST BETS: Unfortunately, there's precious little else new on from a dramatic sense. "Jericho" (CBS, 10 p.m.) is new, though it hasn't come back with a bang ratings-wise, considering the effort to keep it on the air.

"American Idol" (Fox, 8 p.m.) delivers another round of performances by the guys, followed by a new episode of the mediocre comedy "Back To You" at 9:30 p.m.

Finally, a new "One Tree Hill" (CW, 9 p.m.) rounds out the new stuff, pretty much guaranteeing I won't be watching TV tonight.