Glee Preview: The New Rachel

12 09 2012

Thanks to FOX VIP, I had the privilege of viewing episode 1 of Season 4 of Glee, “The New Rachel.” Not only does the title reflect what is going on with Rachel (Lea Michele) in her new surroundings in New York City, but also back in Lima, people are wondering, “Who is the next Rachel Berry?” Artie (Kevin McHale), Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz), Blaine (Darren Criss) or Brittany (Heather Morris)?

When we last saw Glee, Rachel Berry was off to New York City ready to conquer the world. Like many freshman at universities all over the world, she has to find her way, to reinvent herself, dealing with life on her own, with a roommate, and in the big city. She will have her successes, failures, and temptations, but she is an adult now, making her own decisions.

Some of the new faces we see in this episode are: Kate Hudson (Cassandra July), the Sue Sylvester of NYADA; Becca Robin (Kitty), the new old-Quinn of Lima; Alex Newell (Wade “Unique” Adams); Melissa Benoist (Marley Rose); Jacob Artist (Jake Puckerman), Whoopi Goldberg (Carmen Tibideaux); and Dean Geyer (Brody Weston).

The NYADA scenes have a feel of the original Fame movie. The comedy as always is spot-on. Was that Melanie Moore from SYTYCD on there in the background? It is! It is! And oh Lord, Dean Geyer in a towel. And about halfway through I swear I saw Kent Boyd from So You Think You Can Dance, too.

I was curious how they were going to be able to meld the two locations into a show without losing from either one. Would they focus on one location and alternate it all season or mix the two up? I should have never doubted. Both are highlighted without detracting from each other, in fact, enhancing one another.

It would not be a good Glee episode if it didn’t have its moments of tear-shed, and indeed I did, briefly. There is a break-up, updated information on some of our graduates, and a happy reunion at the end. You could not ask for a better way to start a new season, a new sound, and a new chapter. It works.  Make sure to watch Glee on Thursday, September 13, 2012, on Fox starting at 8:00 Eastern/7:00 Central.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories : Fox Shows, Glee, So You Think You Can Dance, Terra Nova, TV shows

Terra Nova Genesis

25 09 2011

By Hilda Clark Bowen

Forewarning: This preview may contain spoilers, but such spoilers are already readily available on the internet from interviews, previews and the like.

“Welcome to paradise.” And welcome to the one of the most awaited shows in television, a show so ambitiously graphic, the original premiere date was cancelled for this later date, a show so heavily publicized on so many different channels and venues to every possible demographic imaginable, it cannot possibly fail. But as one Twitter friend pointed out, it is going up against Monday Night Football; he felt it was only a matter of time before it was moved to another day. I doubt there is any show that wins over Monday Night Football, but Fox must have great confidence that this show can compete.

After viewing the first 60 minutes, courtesy of Fox VIP, I can say this show has something for everyone. It is not primarily about dinosaurs. There is drama, humor, love, action, angst, heartthrob-status rebellious teenagers, adorable children, betrayal, mystery, idyllic tropical backdrops, and out-of-this-world visual effects.

The show centers on the Shannon family: Jim (Jason O’Mara) and Elisabeth (Shelley Conn), and their 3 children, Josh (Landon Liboiron), Maddy (Naomi Scott), and Zoe (Alana Mansour). That is a problem in 2149 because the air is toxic and population is controlled to a maximum of 2 children. It is an even greater problem since Jim is a law enforcement officer. Their secret is discovered and the family is put through an ordeal that would tear other families apart. Love wins and without giving the details of how it happens, they manage to arrive to Terra Nova for a fresh start, but not without heartache for one of the members of the family. Jim has to prove himself to Commander Nathaniel Taylor (Stephen Lang) before he entrusts him with a secret. Not everyone is in harmony in Terra Nova. Expedition 6 left the compound for unknown reasons, and there is violence between them. The leader of expedition 6, Mira, will be quite familiar to every “Stargate SG-1” fan, Christine Adams. There will be trials ahead for the Shannon family as well as they adjust to their new lives.

The show has the potential to be the next “Lost” with mysteries already being unlocked in the pilot episode. The writers, knowing how intelligent their audience will be, give a great explanation of why the butterfly effect will not occur–this is an alternate timeline. What is fantastic about that is that the writers will not be bound to what our knowledge base is for prehistoric history, being free to create new and interesting theories and–of course–fascinating new dinosaurs (and I’m sure other creatures).

The executive producers on Terra Nova are:  Steven Spielberg, Peter Chernin, Brannon Braga, Rene Echevarria, Alex Graves, Jon Cassar, Aaron Kaplan, Katherine Pope, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank, Craig Silverstein, and Kelly Marcel. The director for “Genesis”, the pilot episode, is Alex Graves. The episode was written by Kelly Marcel, Allan Loeb, and Craig Silverstein. It premieres Monday night on Fox at 8 p.m. /7 p.m. central.

While it is airing in the United States, the finale episode is being shot in Australia. Several of the people associated with production have expressed a desire to try to live-tweet while the episode is occurring if time permits. So follow these Twitter feeds Monday night:

@JonCassar
@Jason_Omara
@TerraNovaonFOX
@joeh90
@NaomiScott
@JoseMolinaTV
@traviswf
@earnestracket
@Simone_Kessell
@TerryMatalas
@allisonemiller
@teamcephalopod


Comments : 5 Comments »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories : Terra Nova

“New Girl” on Fox Tonight

20 09 2011
Cast of New Girl

The Cast of "New Girl" on Fox

This is a quirky little show that reminded me of a more modern version of “Three’s Company” only the mix here are 3 guys living with a girl, something that is very common nowadays.  Airing as the first new show of the 2011 fall season is “New Girl‘ starring Zooey Deschamel on Tuesday, September 20, 2010 at 9 p.m./8 p.m. central after  “Glee” as the strong anchor show.  According to Fox, “New Girl” is produced by Chernin Entertainment in association with 20th Century Fox Television. The series is created and written by Liz Meriwether.  Liz Meriwether, Jake Kasdan (“The TV Set,” “Freaks & Geeks”), Peter Chernin (TERRA NOVA), Katherine Pope (TERRA NOVA), Dave Finkel (“United States of Tara,” “30 Rock”) and Brett Baer (“United States of Tara,” “30 Rock”) are the executive producers. Jake Kasdan directed the pilot.

A nerdy, goofy, Jess Day, after having her heart broken by her boyfriend, needs a new place to live.  She quickly bonds with her new roommates by the end of the show.  She believes in people a great deal even after heartbreak only to be disappointed by them again.

Her three roommates include Nick (Jake Johnson, Lie To Me, Flash Forward).  He is still carrying a torch for a woman so he has something in common with Jess.  He seems to be the sensitive guy and is definitely the most intelligent one among the three.  Schmidt (Max Greenfield, Ugly Betty, Lie To Me, No Ordinary Family, Castle) is an up-and-coming young professional who is on the prowl for anything that moves.  He has to pay into the vulgar jar every time he gets out of line.  Schmidt was the most annoying character for me to watch.  However, he is the one who knows exactly what Jess needed this time–to get out and find a rebound date.  Coach (Damon Wayans, Jr., My Wife and Kids, Happy Endings) is a personal trainer who does not know how to speak to women.  Coach exudes a stalwart exterior, but he is a softy, sweet and shy, and needs some tips from Jess on how to have a conversation with a woman.

Joining this group is Jess’ childhood friend, Cece (Hannah Simone, Beautiful People, WCG Ultimate Gamer) a model who has great relationship advice for Jess and warns the boys that if they hurt her, she will kill them.

Collectively they make the perfect dysfunctional family unit, each having strengths the others do not possess that will help them grow.   Give it a chance; you’ll have the time of your life.


Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories : New Girl, Terra Nova