Matthew Broderick Up to No Good on ‘The Conners’? Plus: a Tribute to TV Fandom in ‘United We Fan’
A critical checklist of notable Tuesday TV:
The Conners (8/7c, ABC): First seen in the Roseanne spinoff’s Halloween episode, Matthew Broderick is back as Jackie’s (Laurie Metcalf) questionable new beau, who comes under increased scrutiny by a protective Dan (John Goodman) when he learns how much his sister-in-law paid for Peter’s Christmas gift. With Jackie, things (and people) who seem too good to be true often are.
United We Fan (Video on Demand): This endearing feature-length documentary, which arrives On Demand after a tour of the doc-film circuit, gets up close and personal with those who share an undying love for great but endangered TV shows. Michael Sparaga’s loving look at campaigns that rallied behind such shows as Star Trek (which started the fan-campaign trend), Chuck, Cagney & Lacey, Longmire, Person of Interest, Designing Women, Jericho, Roswell, Veronica Mars and others is a valentine to the communities that form, online and otherwise, around their passion for beloved characters and compelling storytelling. A special focus is given to Dorothy Swanson, who helped found the influential-in-its-day Viewers for Quality Television (and you can spot me in the corner of a group photo from VQT’s first convention in a Virginia hotel). A fun, if bittersweet, look at the perks and perils of fan activism.
Legends of the Lost with Megan Fox (Travel Channel, 8/7c): The title may sound like an action movie, but the star of such franchises as Transformers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is in reality a history buff with a passion for ancient civilizations. She puts this obsession to good use by traveling to far-flung lands in a four-part series that excavates age-old mysteries. First up: a trip to Scandinavia and England to investigate the theory that female warriors (as seen in History’s Vikings) fought alongside male Vikings, enhancing the invaders’ fearsome reputation.
Inside Tuesday TV: Series star Tom Cavanagh directs the 100th episode of The CW’s The Flash (8/7c), with Barry (Grant Gustin) fretting about taking daughter Nora (Jessica Parker Kennedy) into the past in their latest effort to stop Cicada (Chris Klein)… Night Court’s Markie Post guests on ABC’s The Kids Are Alright (8:30/7:30c) in an episode where the kids think Mom (Mary McCormack) may be pregnant again — with a sister! — but it’s actually a cyst… Fox’s Lethal Weapon (9/8c) has a knack for holiday episodes, stretching back to the original film. This year’s homage, also the fall finale, includes a case involving diamond-thieving Santas, with personal stories for Cole (Seann William Scott) bonding with daughter Maya (Shay Rudolph), and Murtaugh (Damon Wayans) anxiously awaiting the return of son RJ (Dante Brown) on a flight from Costa Rica… A case gets personal for Maggie (Missy Peregrym) and OA (Zeeko Zaki) on CBS’s FBI (9/8c) when a U.S. marshal and a witness are killed in an ambush, and they’re tasked to find the leak.
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For me it's NCIS and Leah Remini's show.
(There was a fan campaign for Person of Interest? I don't remember that. I thought the ratings were always pretty good.)
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Yes, ratings for POI were acceptable for most of the run, but like most shows rating declined toward the end. Shows also become more expensive as they age (mostly because of salary hikes).
FBI should be riveting as usual. Very pleased to see the ratings holding up quite well for it. Dick Wolf is so prolific and consistent, incredible! I bet if POI was a Dick Wolf show it would still be on!
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I think POI was probably always meant to end at a certain point. If it had stayed simply a "case of the week" type of show, it might have continued on for quite a bit longer--and I would have enjoyed every episode! But once they got into the whole mythology of The Machine, and we all knew that there would eventually be a showdown with Samaritan, it was clear that there HAD to be a definite ending, one way or another.
According to some sources, the end (finale) of the show was foreshadowed in the premier episode. I don't know if that's true, but it's certainly possible that the creators knew what they were going to do (how the show was going to end) from the very beginning.
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That's why straight up procedural shows like FBI will likely last for a long time But I don't think any show will beat L&O SVU! I think that' is the longest running drama currently airing. NCIS close behind, correct?
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Also I know you like classic movies like me. I found lots of them free on You Tube. Not so easy to navigate because there are multiple versions and some are just previews or trailers . But there are full length movies there. Not all super clear but good enough for free.
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Did you watch Legends last night? One hell of a cliffhanger ending!
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I did watch it. Interesting to see how changing the timeline shakes out. Especially with a cat in the pilot seat of an airship. 😉 Previews for next week look interesting!
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Watch CBS, DVR ABC
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The Flash, The Conners, The Kids, and The Gifted...all of them between 8:00 and 9:00! Then, just The Guest Book later. That's about it for me.
Comcast wants $5.99 for a 2-day rental of United We Fan! No thanks!
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Comcast charges enough, no way I would rent or buy it.
Being that so many classic movies cost extra on Comcast, my friend told me search You Tube. Not easy because its crowed with so many different version (some are previews or trailers) but found full length classic movies there way more than the overrated Netflix. Not all of the movies are super clear but they are good enough for Free.
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That reminds me...about a year ago, I was going to watch Gilda (Rita Hayworth film) on YouTube and never got around to it. I don't remember why I wanted to see it. I'd probably read something about it. Maybe I'll find time for it this year. Ever see it?
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No I haven't. But I do think that Rita Hayworth is among the most beautiful actresses EVER! Gene Tierney, Lana Turner and Liz Taylor are all contenders.
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I was always a big fan of Merle Oberon.
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Yes, she was very pretty.
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The X-1 digital box that Comcast provided my home allows me to watch You Tube and Netflix on my TV. Very convenient.
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I don't have the digital package, so I don't get them.
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Verizon wants $4.99 to rent the SD version...$5.99 to rent the HD version...
(Not really sure I could find the time for it even if it were FREE!!??!!)
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Yeah, but Matt saying it's available On Demand made it sound like those of us with cable could watch it there for free. I used to pay less to rent films from the video store than Comcast wants to watch them On Demand. Even $4.99 sounds like a lot for a documentary!
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My friend bought a Chromecast by Google. It basically turns a standard TV into a Smart TV. He doesn't have a digital package either and watches lots of content on Netflix and You Tube.
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I just expect better deals from the company I'm already paying $100.00 a month to.
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