I Am A TV Junkie, A Blog For The Clicker Jockey

Unscripted NBC Fare Gets Launch Dates

Forced into action because the scripts are runnin' dry. And it's just sad.

Here they are (Hollywood Reporter):

• American Gladiators will premiere with a two-hour special on Sunday January 6 before moving into the Chuck timeslot the next day.
• 1 vs. 100, the stupidest game show in history, saved only by the kitsch factor of having Bob Saget host, returns with new episodes on Friday night January 4, replacing Deal which will continue to air new eps on Wednesdays.
• The Biggest Loser returns practically immediately after the current one ends. They start up with a new series on New Year's Day, which is actually a very cool idea (what with resolutions and all that).

And yes, I will check out the Gladiators premiere (hosted by Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali) despite the fact that Mike O'Hearn is involved. I'm not a big fan of his, and his face is just getting stretched further and further. Does he not realize that we would know that he's not supposed to look as wrinkle-free as he did 15 years ago?

Does he think we think it's clean living that keeps him young?

Please.

Now, I could post this clip which is supposed to get you excited about seeing a taping of the show, or, you could just watch this and get a kick out of it.

LINK

NBC: So Much for No Expensive Shows at 8 pm, and ... Norman Lear and Isaiah Washington Return to TV!

Remember way back when when NBC said they would always be running reality or game shows at 8 because the audience just wasn't there for expensive scripted shows? Well, forget about all that.

Hollywood Reporter:

New NBC co-chairman Ben Silverman is putting his stamp on the network's fall schedule with a number of moves.

Monday will become a fantasy-themed night with new one-hours "Chuck" and "Journeyman" flanking the hit drama "Heroes."

Promising summer reality series "The Singing Bee" will open Tuesday night, leading into a 90-minute "The Biggest Loser" and "Law & Order: SVU."

"Deal or No Deal" is moving to 8 p.m. Fridays, followed by "Friday Night Lights" and "Las Vegas." The game show "1 vs. 100" will be held for midseason.

Here's a clip from Chuck, starring Zach Levi:

The big news for me, however, is that Norman Lear is returning to producing for television with a show described as a one-hour comedy about the battle of the sexes.

The other less exciting news is that Isaiah "I Just Can't Shut Up About ME ME ME" Washington is being added to David Eick's reimagining of Bionic Woman.

I guess Ben Silverman wanted to put his own imprint on the schedule.

The way he's cutting costs is that he's packing Tuesday with The Singing Bee, which apparently is sticking around past Summer and starting the night, followed by The Biggest Loser in a 90-min. edition.

And there's more big news from Ben's trip to the TCA Critics' Tour, just look at the post above this one.

Did You Notice?

Did you notice that NBC ran the pilot of 1 vs. 100 last Friday at 8.

Running a repeat of a game show in prime time is just so ... cheap.

That money better buy some great special effects for the next season of Heroes, that's all I'm saying.

I Had To Come Back For A Moment To Share This About "1 vs. 100"

I was watching the Colbert rerun and during commercial break, I popped over to 1 vs. 100, where the contestant was trying to pick the one that wasn't the female Shakespearean character between these three:

• Ophelia
• Desdemona
• Rubella

He asked for help.

If I were The Saget, that guy would have died by throttling right there.

How stupid are some people?

I'm sorry, but I really want "some sharks with friggin' laser beams attached to their heads."