Hollywood Deep

I am doing some work on ABC’s new show “Pushing Daisies”, and although it has been a challenging job, there are high hopes amongst the production crew. The feeling is that we are working on something a little different, a show that has a tone and a look that could set it apart. The early reviews of the show created by filmmaker Barry Sonnenfeld, are very good. Its seems like they are going for a quirkiness of maybe a “Twin Peaks”, and a unique style and look of the show. The period in which the show takes place is also skewed, it is a created world that is contemporary, but there is a 1950’s feel for the costumes and hairstyles of the characters. Also a mixture of old classic cars are used for set dressing to throw the period of the show off a bit more. The basis of the production challenges are that the producers are trying to cram a lot of high quality content into each episode of the show. In episodic TV, shows are normally shot over 8 production days, for each episode. For what this show is trying to achieve an 8 day schedule per episode is not enough. If the show is a hit the schedule should change from 8 to 10 days. Expanding the schedule would make this complicated show more feasible.
The concept of the show is also unique, about a guy who can touch dead people and bring them back to life. Because of a suspension of belief factor for the audience, as far as the story goes, the show is not a shoe in to b a hit. Ultimately the audience will have to buy what’s going on, and then enjoy the interesting look of the show. So we’ll have to wait and see how it’s received, starting on Wednesday night. ABC has done major promotions for the show and has real high hope for it.

Here’s some season premiers worth watching this week:

Tuesday, October 2nd

8:00 PM- “Cavemen” (ABC) – This show has been brutally panned leading up to its premier this week. A show based on some funny commercials, does not sound like a good idea to start with. The idea of how Cavemen could get along in current day, seems like it could be funny, like a “Third Rock”. I’ll watch the premier, but this show better prove itself quick. It won’t get a 2nd chance if it doesn’t deliver early.

8:30 PM- “Carpoolers” (ABC) – Looks like a much better show, and has a solid concept. This show might have a better shot to make it then “Cavemen”.

Wednesday, October 3rd

8:00 PM- “Pushing Daisies” (ABC) – I hope people get the show, because if it does get people to watch, it could be a groundbreaking television. I have high hopes, check it out.

10 PM & 10:30 PM (Comedy Central) – Comedy Central starts a new season of the hilarious animated show “South Park”. Always fun to watch, not a must see for me because I can only take so much of watching cartoons. The network does have high hopes for its new show, “Sarah Silverman Program”, Sarah is a very good stand up comedian, and has a good screen presence. She has killed as host of a couple awards show recently, I think she will do well.

Thursday, October 4th

8:30 PM- “30 Rock” (NBC) – The Emmy Award winning show for Best Comedy is back, and I’m sure will pick up right where it left off. With Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, and a very talented writing team, this funny show has quickly turned into a can’t miss on the dial.

10 PM- “Law and Order: Criminal Intent” – Always a solid show in past years. With its season premier on Thursday night, there is no reason to think that the show has slipped in quality at all. Always a good watch, but I watched “ER” in the same time slot over the past years. You can’t miss with either show.

Friday October 5th

9 PM- “Friday Night Lights” – A well done show, produced by Peter Berg, about high school football in Texas. This show was on the bubble last year with poor ratings towards the end of the season. It won’t have a long leash this year and it will be tough for it to make it through the season, if the ratings aren’t there. I do like the show and feel like it has an audience, now it needs to grow that audience. A tough nut to crack on Friday nights at 9 PM when most people are out on the town.
…tv DEEP!

My favorite actor on “Pushing Daisies, Kristin Chenoweth

Check out Kristin’s hot FHM photo spread

Full Fall Primetime Scedule

Technorati Tags: ABC’s new show “Pushing Daisies”, Barry Sonnenfeld, “Twin Peaks”, ABC, “Cavemen”, “Carpoolers”, “Pushing Daisies”, Comedy Central, “South Park”, “Sarah Silverman Program”, “30 Rock”, NBC, Emmy Award, Best Comedy, “Law and Order: Criminal Intent”, “ER”, “Friday Night Lights”, Peter Berg, Texas, Kristin Chenoweth