I hope to get back on track in the next week or so, catching up on the summer shows I review and prepping us for the fall schedule. I’ll even try backfilling the reviews I’ve skipped but I make no promises about that.

And if you don’t hear from me before Monday with a preview of Greek…suffice it to say TheWife and I have become huge fans, always should have been fans, and have inhaled the first two seasons. The premiere is this coming Monday on ABC Family: don’t miss it.

Another episode of the Charlie Jade podcast has been posted at Charlie Jade Verse.

This one covers the weakest of the four “acts” of the show, though it includes the marvelous “Betrayal”, seen above. Take some time and take a listen, because the next act is a fun one.

The setup has potential, but execution is key. I can’t make any guesses about the animation style because we’re looking at two EPs with very different backgrounds, but I’m going to guess this will be structured more like South Park or The Simpsons with a clear narrative throughline in each episode. I’m a bit concerned that too many production companies have a hand in this and we’ll end up with a watered down soup at the end. Click through for the full press release.

Adding a devilish touch to its line-up, TBS has greenlit the half-hour animated series NEIGHBORS FROM HELL, which comes to the network from Fox TV Animation (Family Guy), DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) and Jeffrey Katzenberg (Shrek). Pam Brady (South Park), who wrote the pilot episode, and Mireille Soria (Madagascar) will serve as executive producers. TBS has ordered 10 episodes of the series, marking the network’s first foray into original primetime animation.

NEIGHBORS FROM HELL centers on the Hellmans, a typical, all-American suburban family, with Balthazor; his wife, Tina; their two children, Mandy and Josh; and their dog, Pazuzu. The only thing that distinguishes them from the rest of the folks in the neighborhood is that the Hellmans happen to be from Hell. They have been sent to Earth to pose as normal suburbanites with a mission to keep humans from finding their way to Hell. Their task is made all the more complicated by Balthazor’s growing affection for humans and their odd but endearing qualities.

“Jeffrey Katzenberg, Pam Brady and Mireille Soria are three of the premier talents working in the animation business today, and Fox TV Animation is a giant in the realm of primetime animation,” said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming, for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). “We believe hit television always begins with bringing the right talent to a project. With Pam Brady’s funny and sharp comedic voice, Jeffrey’s one-of-a-kind experience and skill and Fox TV Animation’s production smarts, we’re starting with an ideal foundation. We know they’ll make NEIGHBORS FROM HELL a perfect complement to TBS’s comedy lineup.”

“By depicting everyday American life as seen through the eyes of Balthazor and his family, NEIGHBORS FROM HELL puts a fish-out-of-water twist on the suburban comedy genre,” said Katzenberg. “We’re proud that this unique series will serve as TBS’s first venture into original primetime animation.”

TBS, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is television’s top-rated comedy network. It serves as home to such original comedy series as My Boys, The Bill Engvall Show, 10 Items or Less, Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and Meet the Browns; an eagerly anticipated late-night series starring George Lopez; hot contemporary comedies like The Office, My Name is Earl, Sex and the City, Everybody Loves Raymond, Family Guy, King of Queens, Seinfeld and Friends; specials like Funniest Commercials of the Year; special events, such as TBS Presents a “Very Funny” Festival: Just For Laughs event in Chicago in June; blockbuster movies; and hosted movie showcases.

Unfortunately the ratings were…poor. Which is a shame, because unlike other high-profile, heavily hyped shows that have premiered lately (*cough* Dollhouse *cough*) this one deserves a chance to fly on its butterfly wings. Sad that someone who played Vamp #3 in some episode of BtVS or another didn’t make an appearance. Maybe the Whedonverse faithful would have tuned it to this with some of the passion they’ve been wasting on that Friday night abortion.

If you didn’t watch the pilot, go online and give it a chance. It’s available on the NBC website and Hulu. If you did watch, pipe in below with your opinion/thoughts on the episode. Did you like it? Will you be giving it a chance? Should we be reviewing it?

Those of you who’ve followed on over from Pop Critics likely already know of my great affection for Charlie Jade and disgust with The SciFi Channel for their mistreatment of this fine noir science fiction. Minimally promoted, and yanked unceremoniously from its Friday timeslot to burnoff theater – Tuesday mornings at 2am – the network had no faith in its audience. Then again, this is the network that shows Ghost Hunters and wrestling instead of science fiction, so no one should be surprised.

But SciFi paid good money for the rights and they intend to get something in return, so on Tuesday March 10, SciFi is running an eight-episode mini-marathon.

You can also head over to Charlie Jade Verse to keep up with all the latest news, listen to episode commentaries from the creators, read reviews, and listen to our Podcast on the show. So if you’ve ever wondered what your humble host sounds like, go listen to me wax poetic about one of my favorite shows.

A very quick note to pass along the good news from Javi Grillo-Marxauch’s blog: Shout! Factory, producers of some of the finest DVD sets on the market, are working on the box set of season one of The Middleman and should have it in time for Comic-Con!

But her family is giving her flack for doing her job instead of hanging out with the family or putting together gift bags for her sister’s salon opening. (We never saw Hilda thank Betty for those gift bags – or at least not in the profuse way Betty deserved). They hound Betty and lay guilt trips on her for showing up to work, for networking, for basically having any dream that isn’t tied to the family.

I could possibly buy this as family crap. Families aren’t perfect. They guilt trip us into feeling bad when we don’t cave-in to requests. They yell when they should be grateful. They argue during Christmas dinner. I get that. But, when Betty’s father had a heart attack? While she was at a party for work? A party that Betty was lucky to even attend? I felt like the writers were showcasing the fact Betty actually was being a little selfish (for Betty, this is good!) and compounding to the thought that a young woman should not be allowed to have a life outside of her family. I wish they’d lighten up on Betty a bit with the whole work vs. family bit. She’s a young, single twenty-something. It’s her time to put herself and career first.

On another note, I loved seeing Nikki Blonsky play a guest role as an assistant at Mode’s rival, Elle magazine. She has great talent and is a pleasure to watch. I enjoyed seeing her play a pink haired, bad ass, manipulative bitch. Loads of fun!

Ah 2008, you sorry, piece of shit excuse of a year. So happy to see you skittering across the floor toward the door. You will NOT be missed. What, after all, did you give us? Tina Fey playing the dumbest woman in America and…nothing. Or damn close to it.

But it’s not just what you failed to give us, but how you failed us. Here’s what the bench at DreamLoom think.

Kari G.

The Office.

What can I say? The Office has broken my heart. And mine is not just any heart, mind you: mine is a heart that attended The Office Convention in Scranton in 2007. Alone. Do you know what I’m saying? I was A FAN. And maybe a loon, but that is neither here nor there because the show I used to love the best is now the one I like the least. I have no idea where any of these storylines are going and have stopped caring about what will happen when they get there. I won’t blame it on the pairing of Jim and Pam, because I loved them apart and I love them together, but in general the writers seem to have hit a wall. Two years ago Jim left for Stamford and came back. Last season Ryan left for New York and came back. Then Pam left for New York and came back. Then Toby left for Costa Rica and came back … so can we try something else now? Also, I am fully in favor of maintaining these characters as occasionally (or even primarily) unlikable as long as they are recognizable as people, but that’s no longer the case, either. They’ve all become cartoons.

The death before birth of Good Behavior.

Shame on you, ABC. For the first time since Charlie’s Angels (okay, and Pushing Daisies), you had me in your corner. You actually went ahead and shot the pilot for a new series from Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas, starring the great Catherine O’Hara—my favorite comedic actress of all time—along with Gary Cole, Jeffrey Tambor, and Mae Whitman. And then you killed it before I even had the chance to see it. This is just the sort of grave mistake I have a hard time forgiving, because now I think you’re idiots.

The cancellation of Pushing Daisies.

It’s all about Olive Snook and those two batty, swan-like aunts for me. It wasn’t perfect, but they always aimed for the skies, you know? There’s something inherently noble in the trying, and in the originality and commitment to the vision, and it was a sweet, lovely ride.

Tawnya J.

The cancellation of Dirty Sexy Money.

With a few plothole exceptions I enjoyed the show for the guilty pleasure it was. I mean Donald Sutherland? Come on – it was an awesome show with great talent.

The cancellation of Lipstick Jungle.

When do we ever get to see the women as the successful, have-it-all, corporate giants? Yes, I liked Cashmere Mafia better, but when it was canceled I pinned my hopes on having something fun to watch with Brooke Shields leading the way.

The cancellation of Pushing Daisies.

A delight to the eyes and senses. I enjoyed every show. PD was so much different from most of the crap on TV. The execs could have AT LEAST given it one more season.

Reality TV

I might love American Idol (hey, it requires talent) but other than that reality TV truly sucks. But what really pissed me off was Bachelor Family. The sick, disgusting person who thought it would be clever to involve a child in a stupid “who gets to fuck me” type of show ought be beat and hung up on a light post for a few days.

The only great highlight for me that still is around? Worst Week. Or did that get canceled too? Oh – and the presidential elections. That was interesting. It’s about time Americans appeared to care more about what is going on around them than fluff on TV.

R.A. P.

Disney/ABC/ABC Family.

If you own a third of the network landscape, how is it you can’t find room for Pushing Daisies? Stick it on ABCF, or make a new network if need be. Just find it a damn home. And don’t toy with our emotions: release the DVD set for The Middleman and let Javi go make something else brilliant. I know you’re not going to bring back this quirky, wonderful little show because, well, see Pushing Daisies above. You’re more interested in, I don’t know, stroking Shonda Rhimes insane and fragile ego than putting on quality shows.

Yes, I have personal pain around the PD cancellation, since my rock-goddamn-solid spec script can now be tossed on the ash heap, but I’d throw it away willingly if it meant Olive and Emerson, Ned and Chuck, Pigsby, Digsby, and the wacky, wonderful Aunts were going to be staying around.

Lionsgate.

Alright, I hope this pre-emptive diss at Lionsgate isn’t necessary, but if they don’t resolve Matt Weiner’s goddamn contract soon, they’re going to be tops of every 2009 worst-of list. And because I’m feeling peevish today, I’m putting them here now in anticipation of their stupidity.

Dexter, where are your balls?

Ponied up for Showtime specifically to watch Dexter this year and…was…let down. How down? While I didn’t feel as negatively toward the third-season slip as a lot of critics, I haven’t finished the season. That’s right. There are four episodes sitting on the Tivo, waiting for me to work up the motivation to watch.

NBC.

Ben Silverman’s contract is being extended. Nuff said.

The WGA.

Bunch of fucking pussies. I wanna be a member of this guild someday; hopefully by then the members’ testicles will all have dropped. Because he says it so much better than I, and his FOUR WGA Awards should fucking mean something, lemme reprint Harlan Ellison’s response to the “deal”:

HARLAN ELLISON ON THE WRITERS STRIKE SETTLEMENT

YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION TO RE-POST THIS ANYWHERE:

Creds: got here in 1962, written for just about everybody, won the Writers Guild Award four times for solo work, sat on the WGAw Board twice, worked on negotiating committees, and was out on the picket lines with my NICK COUNTER SLEEPS WITH THE FISHE$$$ sign. You may have heard my name. I am a Union guy, I am a Guild guy, I am loyal. I fuckin’ LOVE the Guild.

And I voted NO on accepting this deal.

My reasons are good, and they are plentiful; Patric Verrone will be saddened by what I am about to say; long-time friends will shake their heads; but this I say without equivocation…

THEY BEAT US LIKE A YELLOW DOG. IT IS A SHIT DEAL. We finally got a timorous generation that has never had to strike, to get their asses out there, and we had to put up with the usual cowardly spineless babbling horse’s asses who kept mumbling “lessgo bac’ta work” over and over, as if it would make them one iota a better writer. But after months on the line, and them finally bouncing that pus-sucking dipthong Nick Counter, we rushed headlong into a shabby, scabrous, underfed shovelfulla shit clutched to the affections of toss-in-the-towel summer soldiers trembling before the Awe of the Alliance.

My Guild did what it did in 1988. It trembled and sold us out. It gave away the EXACT co-terminus expiration date with SAG for some bullshit short-line substitute; it got us no more control of our words; it sneak-abandoned the animator and reality beanfield hands before anyone even forced it on them; it made nice so no one would think we were meanies; it let the Alliance play us like the village idiot. The WGAw folded like a Texaco Road Map from back in the day.

And I am ashamed of this Guild, as I was when Shavelson was the prexy, and we wasted our efforts and lost out on technology that we had to strike for THIS time. 17 days of streaming tv!!!????? Geezus, you bleating wimps, why not just turn over your old granny for gang-rape?

You deserve all the opprobrium you get. While this nutty festschrift of demented pleasure at being allowed to go back to work in the rice paddy is filling your cowardly hearts with joy and relief that the grips and the staff at the Ivy and street sweepers won’t be saying nasty shit behind your back, remember this:

You are their bitches. They outslugged you, outthought you, outmaneuvered you; and in the end you ripped off your pants, painted yer asses blue, and said yes sir, may I have another.

Please excuse my temerity. I’m just a sad old man who has fallen among Quislings, Turncoats, Hacks and Cowards.

I must go now to whoops. My gorge has become buoyant.

Respectfully, Yr. Pal, Harlan Ellison

Last night, “Me and My Town” brought the end of blindness even closer in sight. We find out Carlos can have surgery within a week, rather than a month’s time. In my opinion, the timing feels right. After all, this is more ‘dramedy’ than drama. It’s time for fun. We’ve been with them as they struggled. It’s time to get Glam Gabby back. And, we can play around with the supposed loss of her looks and how it impacts her marriage. I say ’supposed’ because really? Eva Longoria Parker not looking beautiful? Yes, she is a little frump, but the woman could roll around in mud & leaves while stuffing corn up her nose and still look gorgeous. And her weight gain? Ok – most housewives gain more weight than she has for the show, especially after children. Her figure is what a woman looks like when she starts looking good again. After lots of fad dieting and tae bo. So, though I appreciate the storyline, the reality of how it plays on TV isn’t as ‘frumpy housewife’ as it could be. Try packing 60 lbs on her. Then, we can talk frump.

Of course, it’s worth mentioning – when Carlos told Gabby his decision to marry her had nothing to do with her looks, most women in America decided then and there they wanted to be with him for the rest of their lives. Because, yes, that’s what we want to hear from our men. Do we believe them? Hell, no, but we’d like to think it so. 

What do you think? Is it time?  Should Carlos get his vision restored? And how quick will Gabby’s glam return? My vote is on the ‘not so realistic’ time frame. But, who knows? Perhaps they’ll have Gabby doing the Master Cleanse diet.

For context, if you like James Gunn’s PG Porn, you’ll think this is a hoot ‘n’ a half.

Log in, download, and come on back and tell us what you thought.

1. Don’t ask…I don’t know why. Don’t tell…me if you know.