Live Chats

Chat live with TV critic Gail Pennington

TV chat for Aug. 16, 2012

by gpenningtonon Aug 14, 2012 at 3:16 PM

Hi, everybody -- and here we go with today's live chat. If you're out there, please jump in and join us. Lots of questions about "Political Animals" today, so I'll start with that.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:01:51 PM
Hello Gail. How have the ratings for Political Animals been and has it been picked up for another season?

by MIASTL 8/16/2012 6:02:03 PM
TNT announced "Political Animals" as a six-episode special series event. Whatever that means -- short season, or long miniseries? But creator Greg Berlanti has said all along that if ratings were good enough, it could come back. I was just chatting with Greg on Twitter, and he said: "Tell everyone to watch" Sunday night's season finale. "It's critical!"

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:04:25 PM
Are there any good signs for the return of "Political Animals." I love it, and they're promoting the Sunday episode as a "season" finale, not "series" finale.

by Michelle 8/16/2012 6:06:49 PM
Greg Berlanti says ratings were up last week, even opposite the Olympics. If they rise again on Sunday, that will certainly be a point in favor of renewal.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:07:43 PM
Hi Gail, how did you like the winner for Glee Project - don't know if I can spoil it - but I thought it would be one of the other two. I liked the person they picked, don't get me wrong, but just think the other two contestants were more unique and could have brought a more interesting storyline. Also, hate to sound redundant, but how is "Bunheads" doing?

by SuzyQ 8/16/2012 6:07:56 PM
Ryan Murphy picked the person I thought he had to pick. The other two were interesting and different, but for the long term, he needed just what he got. As for "Bunheads," still no news on a second season.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:08:52 PM
I understand Ryan Murphy's choice on GP, but I was really hoping he'd take all three of them at least for an episode or two. He is a bit wispy washy, we might still see some of the others....

by Robin Gray 8/16/2012 6:08:54 PM
Yeah, when they all stood there after doing so well, and the cast and writers argued for each one passionately, I was hoping he'd give the other two parts as well. And we still may see that, I'm guessing.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:09:35 PM
Hey, Gail! Would love to know if BUNHEADS has been picked up for next season. The show is so charming and about the only show that makes me laugh out loud. It's like watching GILMORE GIRLS, Part II. Thanks!

by Bailey Angel 8/16/2012 6:10:01 PM
The problem for "Bunheads" isn't ratings; it's demographics. ABC Family targets younger, female viewers, and viewership for "Bunheads" tends to be pretty old, and very low with the under-35 set.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:10:55 PM
TV world seems kinda quiet with summer shows wrapping up and fall premieres a few weeks away. What's on your radar screen these days as the big news in TV?

by Wallace92620 8/16/2012 6:11:32 PM
This week was actually a very busy week. Coming up we have the return of "Boss" and "Strike Back" on Friday, the debut of "Copper" Sunday on BBC America (look for my review in Sunday's A&E), and the return of a lot of cable originals. The network TV season mostly begins the week of Sept. 23. (I'd been telling people a week earlier, by the way, but I was wrong.) My fall preview runs Sunday, Sept. 2.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:14:47 PM
I was surprised to see an after sex bed scene on Bunheads. I thought that might kill it off a network with family in its name

by Robin Gray 8/16/2012 6:14:51 PM
You don't watch much on ABC Family, do you?

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:15:03 PM
No

by Robin Gray 8/16/2012 6:16:38 PM
"Family" in the title is a carryover from the days of the Family Channel, but I do think some families -- mainly moms and teen and tween girls -- watch it together.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:17:16 PM
I loved the show Common Law. Is it going to be returning ? I hope people tune in and watch - it is a great show !!!

by Lisa 8/16/2012 6:17:19 PM
"Common Law" just debuted in May. Ratings are very good, and I'd expect it to continue.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:18:05 PM
Gail, any idea what station Martha Stewart show is going to be on this fall? Thanks

by Rich 8/16/2012 6:18:09 PM
"The Martha Stewart Show" stopped being syndicated and went to the Hallmark Channel a couple of years ago. Last winter, Hallmark canceled it. So -- nowhere.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:18:41 PM
Hi Gail,Just wondering if anyone else has noticed the "oh so Obvious" promos for sponser on Rizzoli & Isles. They talked about Dr.Schols inserts, The Moms car AND the Kia, pausing on steering wheel then fancy tail light and those are just the ones I noticed.Pretty tacky-sooo obvious.I won't be able to join you live but just curious if I am only 1 who noticed. Thanks P.S. We are sorry the tv guide is now $$$$.

by Anita L. edited by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:19:46 PM
Making TV is expensive, and cable networks help pay for their originals by product placement. It doesn't bother me. We brought it on ourselves by fast-forwarding through traditional commercials.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:20:34 PM
Well, count me in the "old crowd" as I am over 35 - I really find it annoying that those show execs don't realize that we buy just as much of the products they advertise as the "younger" people! Gail, do you think their feelings on this will ever change? I hope so.

by SuzyQ 8/16/2012 6:20:38 PM
I'm working on a story on that very topic, and I asked a lot of TV insiders about it. They all agree it should change; the problem is getting the huge ad-buying industry to change its standards. As it is now, advertisers actually don't pay for viewers over 50, with a few exceptions.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:21:36 PM
I'm not surprised by anything Bunheads does.. it's after a show about Teen Pregnancy and trainwrecks, afterall. I am getting tired of Secret Life. I do like Bunheads better then I did in the beginning. And I don't watch the commercials, I DVR so I have no idea about advertising.

by Meghan Guilford 8/16/2012 6:21:49 PM
Right -- that's why the advertising is embedded, so you'll subliminally think, I need to buy that whatever. Or so they hope.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:22:13 PM
What's the most exciting new show coming up for fall?

by Robin Gray 8/16/2012 6:22:25 PM
I'm interested in where NBC's "Revolution," the J.J. Abrams sci-fi thriller about all power in the world turning off, goes from the pilot, which isn't great. "Nashville" on ABC is good. And I like CBS' new Sherlock Holmes, "Elementary." But exciting? I can't give you one that's exciting.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:23:44 PM
Hi Gail! When is your Fall TV preview coming out? I can't wait to get my DVR set up and ready to go!

by Meghan Guilford 8/16/2012 6:23:53 PM
I'll have mini-reviews of all the new network shows in my Sept. 2 fall preview, and a grid you can clip 'n' save.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:24:23 PM
Gail, Have you seen the new BBC show Copper? Any thoughts? The previews look really good.

by Gold Diggger 8/16/2012 6:24:30 PM
It's from Tom Fontana and Barry Levinson, who did "Homicide" and "Oz," so I hope it would be a little more engaging. But I'm interested to see what happens after the two episodes I previewed. More Sunday.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:25:22 PM
There's advertising embedded? I guess I need to pay more attention.

by Meghan Guilford 8/16/2012 6:25:24 PM
Don't start looking. It will drive you crazy.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:25:39 PM
Okay, the "Breaking Bad" episode "Dead Freigt" had one of the most surprising or shocking endings in a long time. Is there any doubt this is the best show on tv? There are just 3 episodes remaining in this split season. I'm already anticipating starting up and finishing this great show in 2013.

by Russ Weiss 8/16/2012 6:25:52 PM
If you want to be shocked, "Breaking Bad" is for you (and I do). I expect it to win the Emmy this year, and probably Bryan Cranston too.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:26:27 PM
For the Walking Dead fans out there, I had a nice chat with Jon Bernthal this weekend at Wizard World in Chicago. He knew going in before the show started that "Shane" would be killed off during the first season. Also gave lots of praise to his fellow cast and called them his family. He said Jeffery DeMunn came back to watch his final scene with Andrew Lincoln. Jon also said that scene was improvised between he and Andrew. Jon was leaving after the event to begin filming the Wolf of Wall Street, a new Scorsese movie.

Gail...do you have a date for the season premiere?

by Biggasplash 8/16/2012 6:26:40 PM
I think in the comics, Shane dies a lot earlier. I'm glad Jon Bernthal is finding work since his on-screen demise. Season 3 of "The Walking Dead" premieres Oct. 14.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:27:43 PM
Hi Gail, enjoy your work. Do you have any idea what the powers to be of "Saving Hope", and more recently "Political Animals" are trying to express by showing those annoying horizontal blue lines across the screen at various times during those programs. I find them to be particularly irrelevant and distracting.

by Steve_R edited by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:28:26 PM
Sorry, I don't know what you mean. Anybody else? It's not just your TV?

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:29:23 PM
Is this the worst season of Big Brother ever, or is it the worst season of Big Brother ever?

by Rexx 8/16/2012 6:29:37 PM
I always think the ongoing season of "Big Brother" is the worst season ever. But I like some people this year (I've always been a Dan fan) and still watch, usually while doing something else. "Big Brother" is what it is; I have no high expectations.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:30:32 PM
Who do you think will win this season of Top Chef: Masters?

by C.McKee 8/16/2012 6:30:40 PM
I'm a big fan of Art Smith. Chris Cosentino is certainly intense. But I'm beginning to really like Lorena Garcia. Her showmance with Art Smith is adorable.

by gpennington 8/16/2012 6:31:20 PM