Busy Matt wrap

So I'm a little behind on my work here -- it's been a busy few weeks. Here're a few notes on shows that need to be noted...

Drive: The show is already getting better and I promise you you'll like it if you're into mindless action flicks or shows. But, sheesh, the over the top writing stinks, doesn't it? Incidentally, it would make a great video game (preferably developed on the same engine as Grand Theft Auto).

Entourage: Without Ari, this show would be useless. Don't take that criticism the wrong way, I'm a big fan of the show. But it needs that punch to it that Drama and Turtle's goofiness and Eric and Vince's annoying indecisiveness don't provide. Much more actual plot and character development would be necessary if Ari hadn't gone bonkers and chased his shrink onto a golf course this week.

Sopranos: As Entertainment Weekly pointed out a few weeks ago, David Chase doesn't consider his creation a morality tale, and he's not concerned with what fans say about the show or about wrapping things up cleanly. Well, he certainly stepped up the violence in the first three episodes (something fans have been screaming about); he's given more characters some closure this week with Junior finally giving in to his failing health and Paulie earning a pass for his indiscretions thanks to a sentimental and arguably weak Tony. Unlike the first two episodes though, the bad guys didn't "get what they deserved." It's becoming more and more foggy as to what may or may not happen at the end of this whole thing.

30 Rock: Alec Baldwin is funny. Okay, scratch that... Alec Baldwin is EXTREMELY funny. Who cares if he yelled at his brat daughter? (More seriously, it's sad that this show doesn't get viewers... and that it's done for the season this Thursday.)

I'm still catching up on some other shows so I'll probably drop another wrap on you this evening (read: 3 a.m. tomorrow).

Six more Fridays and Andy's last gasp

From Hollywood Reporter:

A day before the freshman series' season finale, the network on Tuesday ordered six additional scripts of the critically praised but low rated series. While this is short of the early second-season order NBC recently bestowed on another struggling rookie, the comedy 30 Rock, the order does strengthen Friday's chances for a return next season.

Friday is the second NBC series on the bubble to receive a six-script order this week, following a similar pickup for veteran Medium Monday.

Way to commit to your good shows there NBC. Yes, they're not huge ratings winners, but they're good shows. Something networks are caring about less and less. I'll be saying the same thing five years from now, too, I'm sure.

Meanwhile, NBC completely gave up on another well done show -- probably the best of those mentioned in this blog. From Zap2it:

NBC has bumped Andy Barker P.I. from its Thursday schedule this week and moved the show's final two episodes to the barren wasteland that is Saturday night network primetime. The remaining two episodes of the show will air back-to-back at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Scrubs will take over Andy's 9:30 p.m. time period a week earlier than originally planned. The veteran hospital comedy is switching spots with 30 Rock for a few weeks and will move back to 9 p.m. in early May.

If there's any positive news in the Andy Barker move, it's that all six produced episodes will now air on the network. NBC had initially scheduled only five for air, with the sixth, "The Lady Varnishes," slated to appear only on the network's Web site.

The first three episodes of Andy Barker, which stars Andy Richter as a CPA-turned-private eye, averaged about 5.2 million viewers. Those numbers give the show, which earned a fair share of critical praise, the unwelcome distinction of being NBC's lowest-rated series this season.

There's not much to say as it seems no bit of defense can help Andy anymore, stuck without even a Friday slot (to protect Raines perhaps?). It's really too bad.

I'm looking for a way to put the power back in the hands of the intelligent TV watchers. It's too late to save Andy, but there has to be a way to start showing NBC and all the other networks (though NBC is probably the biggest offender recently as far as trashing its good shows -- Studio 60, Twenty Good Years, Black Donnellys, now Andy) what a bunch of dummies they are.