Meet the New Speechless Reviewer

Howdy, folks! Gena here.

I first stumbled across the TVRG blog in the 2015-16 season while looking up The Last Man on Earth recaps and reviews, but it was HV's reviews for Speechless that brought me back during the 2016-17 season, and then later that summer I started commenting (especially in the Off Topic posts).

For my first blog post, I must say I'm thrilled that I've been given an opportunity to take over for Hunter as Speechless reviewer, and I hope I will able to fulfill this duty through Season 3 (2018-19). It is currently my favorite show -- I've seen each episode at least twice (and in some cases, thanks to reruns, three or four times).

Some of my other favorite comedy shows (and dramedies) over the years:

1) Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons -- I've been watching both since at least the early '90s.

2) Past -- include The Wonder Years, Perfect Strangers, Get a Life!, Brooklyn Bridge, Doogie Howser MD, Seinfeld, Frasier, Friends, The Critic, Newsradio, Everybody Loves Raymond, King of the Hill, Will & Grace (original run), The King of Queens, Futurama (original FOX run), Freaks & Geeks, Malcolm in the Middle, Ed, Undeclared, Scrubs, Arrested Development (original FOX run), How I Met Your Mother, My Name is Earl, 30 Rock, The Middle, Raising Hope, Suburgatory, New Girl, The Mindy Project (original FOX run), Community, Portlandia, LMOE, Galavant, Great News and Trial & Error. (Also Clone High -- I missed its MTV run, but I have it on DVD.)

3). Current -- Fresh Off the Boat, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Drunk History, The Good Place, Documentary Now!, Brockmire and Young Sheldon (also Another Period and Detroiters, if they haven't been cancelled yet); ones I haven't seen from the beginning but have been watching regularly for the past couple seasons or so include South Park, The Big Bang Theory and The Goldbergs. (As for dramas, I've been a loyal viewer of Grey's Anatomy from its start, I got into Doctor Who several years ago, and I love This Is Us; plus, I watched E.R. for its entire run, adored Once & Again and own My So-Called Life on DVD.)

I should probably add that I'm kind of a music nerd. I grew up in the '80s and '90s with oldies and classic-rock alongside Top 40 pop and country, but exposure to college-rock and free-form radio in my late teens-early '20s would turn me on to punk, New Wave, power-pop, alternative country / folk / Americana and more; and I've continued to seek out good stuff both past and present.

Thanks for the invite, and I look forward to contributing to TVRG! :)

Let's Talk Smoo About: ABC Fallen Shows

Thank you for joining my first article on this happy haven. For those of you who knew my handiwork on other sites, you know I tend to infuse my view of TV with humor. With that said, let's take a look at the 5 networks, starting with ABC and why we lost certain shows. 2014-15 seems to be a slight game changer as the networks yet again rose, fall and changed the direction of TV. ABC enjoyed a creative resurgence and cemented 3rd place, in spite of the handicap of not having sports to infuse its ratings like a juicing athlete. As the other major four networks experienced massive erosion in the scripted department, ABC capitalized on the other networks’ losses and polished three solid nights. As NBC turned Thursdays into “Must Flee TV”, ABC wisely took over and assembled TGIT.

ABC only had minor bloodshed and has thus far lost three series, and hasn't announced its final renewals and cancellations, which I foresee on Tuesday, May 12. SELFIE and MANHATTAN LOVE STORY, which I lovingly retitled "Shelfie" and "Manhattan Cancellation Story", were doomed from when it was announced they would anchor ABC's blighted Tuesday night schedule. I watched the pilots, and decided I’d rather spend my time elsewhere. I have to wonder how CRISTELA would have fared in these timeslots, and Shelfie or Manhattan Cancellation story would have followed LAST MAN STANDING. Perhaps it would not have had a massive affect on these three floundering sitcoms, but I still see Cristela performing higher. ABC wisely cut its looses in the fall and made way for FRESH OFF THE BOAT and REPEAT AFTER ME, which are performing alright.

Lastly, REVENGE was cancelled after four marvelous/lackluster seasons. No smoo! Several speculated if ABC would contemplate a 5th season, and ABC wisely chose to cut the show short before it became more unwatchable than Karine Vanasse's hairdos. Commenters raved and griped about the R-word, as we had to call it on another site as it was overexposed in the comments section. Like it or not, Revenge helped hold ABC together during three troubled seasons in 4th place. During its freshman season, it was tantalizing and one of the few hits the network had to brag about as it lost its powerhouse DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES. Seeing their dominant hold slipping on Sundays, ABC believed it had a ratings juggernaut paired with successful ONCE UPON A TIME. But its ratings only topped mediocre and managed to avoid the grim reaper as ABC experienced massive bloodshed in pilots and failed series.

Being an in-ho use production, Revenge was a great solution during ABC’s 2010-14 doldrums. However, ABC’s retooling and success left Revenge exposed like an aging and withered vine in a once dead garden, surrounded by new greenery. Revenge won most of its nights in its timeslot this season, but dipping below a 1.1 was not the performance the show needed to survive. Winning against BATTLE CREEK and CSI is like bragging you are the strongest actor in a reality TV series. Coupled with dissatisfied actors, hackneyed and plot driven stories, and losing core characters, it was time to put this show to rest. It reached the 88-episode mark and has remained a successful platform on Netflix, with 89 hours of entertainment for future viewers.

With that said, was it really that much of a los s losing these three series? Two never stood a chance, and the third felt like a thrill ride turned sour and melancholy. I’d rather remember Revenge as a stylish drama with humor infused, like my comments. ABC will announce the remainder of the cancellations next week (or perhaps sooner if we play nice), and I foresee ABC cancelling four more series, or 3 hours of programming space. I will comment on these series when the chips are down, as I’d rather you the commenters keep the fun rolling for the next week. We should count our blessings this season, as ABC remained the scripted series winner with three brag-worthy evenings with an embarrassment of riches with sitcoms and Shonda Rhimes entertainment. Next week shall discuss the fallout of the final announcements. Till Next Time….

Let's Talk Smoo About: CBS's Poor Scheduling and Four Pre-Season Losses

As you read in my analysis of ABC, 2014-15 changed the powerplay among the four networks. Like ABC, CBS attempted to shake things up, but with less success. CBS Has regularly placed 2nd since NBC took 1st place with its Voice renaissance. Since 2000, CBS has rested on its laurels as the 1st or 2nd place network in the demo. However, their time in the sun may be eclipsed if ABC rises and CBS continues to erode. The last season saw two deserved cancellations, the end to a diminished Two and a Half Men as well as the end of the Mentalist, which received a mercy swan song in a 7th season.

Commenters scoffed at CBS-owned The Millers receiving a 2nd season, as well as receiving a plum post-Big Bang Theory timeslot. I called bull-smoo when Millers rode on TBBT's coattails to a failed Monday temporary move, only retaining a paltry 45-percent of TBBT's massive demo. The Millers sported a strong cast, featuring screen veteran Beau Bridges, character actress Margo Martindale and Will Arnett. We'll save to mention the Sean Hayes curse, as even he cannot be blamed for this clunker's snuffing. From what I read in the comments section, few praised this boiler plate sitcom, which even some spectators stated made 2 Broke Girls seem sophisticated and original. When CBS su rprised us and pulled the plug mid-fall, we hailed good riddance like when Kate Gosselin ditched that asymmetric wedgie hairdo years ago.

Next, The McCarthys could only brag it was not as horrible as Millers. But then again, that is like claiming you're the second highest rated drama on NBC. The show had some promise, but was deserted behind a faded sitcom to start. I praise Laurie Metcalf, as she can turn a pile of smoo into emeralds. But even she couldn't carry this tenuous show with mostly cardboard caricatures. Tyler Ritter delivered like an angel, channeling all of his late father John Ritter's endearing wit. And the Good Wife references were an excellent touch of synergy. Beyond that though, how can CBS justify keeping a show which loses a rerun's lead-in at b est? In spite of having a 30-minute sitcom hole for the remainder of the season, CBS made a wise choice.

Just as wise as retiring the long-lasting, embattled and unfunny Two and a Half Men. Blaming Charlie Sheen for why this once mighty powerhouse turned into a mess left behind like a fart at a party is so 2012, so let's skip that excuse. By season 10, 2.5M clearly played itself out like Paris Hilton did in the 2000's. CBS should have ended this series after S11, but clearly needed to fill its six sitcom places. CBS is no longer the leader in sitcoms, as I hand that gold to ABC. But it is still a venerable player, and CBS sought to give this once solid show a farewell. I'll hand it to CBS for giving its exiting shows proper treatment, but 2.5M disappointed, and the ratings showed. Was it really a loss not having Alan and Walden on our screens? My verdict is no.

Finally, CBS treated Mentalist viewers to a shortened season, albeit with little fanfare. As I stated above, I applaud CBS for its swan song treatment, but did they have to relegate it to afterthought scheduling over two timeslots? It would have served CBS better to keep Mentalist on Sundays and move potentially cancelled CSI back to Wednesdays, but that is spilled milk from the syndication cow. Risky scheduling failed for CBS, and several shows suffered. CBS lost four shows mid season, and it will be a nail biter finding out which shows will be joining the deceased.

What are your thoughts on CBS's failed scheduling moves? Share your thoughts, or hit me back with your best sandpaper!

Let's Talk Smoo About: NBC's High Body Count and Many More to Come

Bloodletting seems to be the theme behind a falsely-inflated 1st Place NBC, which had a higher body count than the other broadcast networks resembling a 1980's slasher flick. NBC bid adieu to six series, two of which received half-season swan songs to end these critically acclaimed shows on a high note during their sixth seasons. The other four deserved their grisly fates, which resembled a killing in a run of the mill Friday the 13th sequel as irritated spectators cheered a nuisance being dispatched.

First, Bad Judge and A to Z were a true embarrassment to a network which ruled the sitcom arena in the 80's and 90's. Kate Walsh's talents were squandered on this forgettable sitcom, which I only watched the first 20 minutes of before quitting. Only Fox's Dads topped that honor, as I quit inside of 8 minutes. My poor opinion of Bad Burnoff, as I dubbed it, left me erasing A to Z before it could give it a chance. And the ratings showed I wasn't missing much. NBC recognized it misfired, with its only bragging right being these shows were not nearly as deplorable as the Michael J. Fox show and Sean Saves the World from the previous season. Does anyone really miss these shows? It's been crickets for months in the comments.

Next on NBC's tragic misfires was Constantine. Some are crying for this show's resurrection, but performing poorly even for Friday standards left Constantine vulnerable to becoming a kabob on a cancellation spear. And then there was Allegiance. A show so forgettable even TVBTN failed to generate comments about its cancellation as it was Slap-ped by NBC's other clunker, and even ABC's criminally pathetic American Crime. These four shows suffered their grisly fates, which sadly leads to two losses in NBC's legacy.

There wasn't a dry eye in the house as Parenthood was announced as a shortened final season . Unlike Parks and Rec and CBS's Mentalist, NBC wisely scheduled Parenthood in its familiar territory on Thursdays at 10pm. Perhaps it was a lack of options, or CBS's Elementary performing to pisspoor. But Parenthood received a natural ending, and reached 102 episodes as another sophisticated legacy piece in NBC's rich legacy crown.

The same cannot be said for Parks and Recreation, which was burned off like a bad wart on NBC's knuckles. Why double up on a shortened season when so many series met their fates on the ratings dagger? Had NBC been wise, they would have prolonged Parks' final season with reruns following original showings. Could you imagine if Parks would have made it to May? Their showings ranged between 1.1-1.5, and a Parks rerun would have generated a 0.8 at the least. Here's to NBC's smooie scheduling, and a lack of successful scripted series to show for it.

While I refrained from speculating which shows will joined ABC and CBS' already cancelled shows, I'll indulge myself as NBC generated a high body count, which WILL rise by next week. Will State of Affairs take an axe to the face, satisfying irritated commenters who couldn't get past Katherine Heigl's behavior and called this show State of $h!t? I predict One Big Happy will get a hole poked through it with a firepoker. Marry Me will likely be pushed backwards onto a pitchfork, and will take About a Boy with it as the pitchfork runs through both. Will American Odyssey be drowned in the lake? Or better yet, will Mysteries of Laura outrun the slasher that has bec ome NBC's programming department? You be the judge how the 2014-15 bad horror sequel to NBC's legacy plays out....

Let's Talk Smoo About...FOX Takes a 4th Place Seat in the Fireplace

Had it not been for Empire or NBC's bloodbath of failed scripted series, Fox would have been viewed as the toilet of the major four networks this year. If I ever accused Fox of needing to take the sandpaper off of their toilet seat, I actually understand why Fox is such a sourpuss this season. ABC rose from the grave and stole 3rd place like the trampy other woman in the bar, and did so with such little effort. NBC has flaunted stealing its reality singing niche the Voice from American Idol for the last three seasons. CW outrated it tortoise and hare style several nights this season. And even senior skewing CBS dethroned Fox's formerly heralded Sundays when Football didn't falsely inflate its lineup.

Fox lost five series before the close of the season, only bested by NBC by the number of series. It matched NBC on losing 4.5 hours of weekly program, but is at a higher loss than NBC. What many forget is Fox produces 13 hours of weekly program, while NBC produces 19. That means NBC lost 25%, and Fox lost 32%. That's a lot of firewood to waste for mediocre results, as ABC cancelled 11-percent of its weekly programming hours and CBS lost 16%. With gaping holes in the Sunday schedule, Fox broke its Animation Domination legacy and relocated live-action Brooklyn 99 an d freshman sitcom Mulaney on its power night. The results? B99 matched its performance last season, and Mulaney dropped to paltry levels. If anyone has anything positive to say about this dud, humor me. Fox should have shoved Mulaney into the fireplace and burned it like a bad joke. Instead, Fox threw this turkey into the oven at 350 and gave the show (and moreso the viewers) a slow-boiling death.

I have mentioned what a joke NBC's Must Flee TV has become. However, the lord didn't show much Grace on viewers and gave them a lump of coal called Gracepoint. There seems to only be one fanatical commenter who is stuck on this show like Resi-due, so to her, I'll give her a one-way ticket to have a seat on the logs. I tried to give Red Band Society a chance as I love Octa via Spencer, but clearly viewers couldn't find joy in a show about sick children. Before it was announced DOA, and Fox believed they were being coy by ordering "two more scripts". I would have felt Fox ordering two more rolls of toilet paper in their corporate office to be more newsworthy. Thankfully, the morgue suggested cremation, and the memory of this misfire became a pile of ash.

Next up, Glee's final season was seen as a chance to send the show out with fireworks. Too bad Forrest Gump predicted the rain would come in from every direction, as even the dead woke up and complained about the noise Glee became and sent rain out of the ground to put out the fireworks. I have always loved Jane Lynch, and am elated she was released from this once iconic show. All of th ese cancellations made sense, and it seemed the bloodletting ceased with only a few low rated shows left to pare off of Fox's lineup.

Which leaves me to the most senseless and saddening cancellation of The Mindy Project. Yes, Mindy's ratings are poor. Yes, Fox needs to wake up its eroding Tuesday lineup. But does Fox really have two legs to stand on!? Mindy, like New Girl and Brooklyn 99, is a sophisticated comedy, which is considered legions higher than CBS's usual brand of toilet humor in recent years. Were its rating really that poor that Fox needed to cut its losses? I can only hope Hulu comes through and rescues this show as it will become this year's Suburgatory, cut short of one deserved season and not the lowest of network TV's sitcoms.

As I have spit nails and crass observations, I'm going to take a moment and remind fans that several shows were cut short too soon, and others revived after cancellation. Mr. Belvedere, a Friday ABC sitcom, was also axed after 2.5 seasons in 1987. Due to a lack of options, ABC revived the series for another 2.5 season, cancelling it midway through the 6th and final season. Fox Television Studios completed the season order and released the remaining 12 episodes in syndication. In recent times, Fox cancelled Family Guy, then revived it nearly 2 years later. Arrested Development also saw a revival after a 3-season axing. And of course, Community.... We hear too many fans clamoring for their beloved shows to be revived, even that dreadful Gracepoint. Just sit tight, and perhaps Mindy will r evive her magic somewhere. After all, it is an NBC produced show, and the Mindy Project never rated as poorly as any NBC freshman sitcom this season!