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According to Jim on DVD. Yippee.

According to JimHey, let's all mark our calendars, because it's a big day in the TV world. Now all the people who aren't watching According to Jim on TV can not watch it on DVD.

Season one of the ABC comedy (it's a comedy, right?) will be released on Oct. 21, 2008. It's part of a deal ABC Studios inked with Lionsgate Home Entertainment to distribute select titles on DVD. Season one of Reaper is next on Nov. 4, followed by Boy Meets World (which was discontinued in 2006), Hope and Faith, and 8 Simple Rules.

That's interesting, because I've got Season one of 8 Simple Rules here (no, I didn't buy it, a publicist sent it to me), and it's from Buena Vista Home Entertainment. So Lionsgate must be taking over distribution.

Continue reading According to Jim on DVD. Yippee.

CW announces an early Fall premiere schedule

When you're a ratings-challenged fledgling network like the CW, you're going to do anything you can to get a leg up on the competition. Releasing sex-filled advertisements for your most high-profile show is a good start, but that alone won't get the job done. To that end, the CW has just announced that it's moving its fall premiere dates up to September 1st, well ahead of the beginning of the traditional broadcast season.

The idea behind the move is that you're already going to be hooked on Gossip Girl and Top Model by the time the other networks get around to premiering their fall shows, sometime around mid-to-late September. The season isn't the only thing the CW is starting early, however. Starting in November, they're also extending prime time, with original programming beginning at 6:30 on Sunday nights.

Check out CW's full premiere schedule after the jump.

Continue reading CW announces an early Fall premiere schedule

Reaper: Cancun (season finale)

Ther cast of Reaper(S01E18) "Surprisingly perceptive for a bunch of clowns with pitchforks." - The Devil

I think my favorite part of the opening scene was the look on Tony's face when he saw Sam avoid the washing machine. It was the disappointed look most people get when a politician they voted for gets caught taking payoffs. The look that says, "I pretty much knew it but I never had the proof."

When Ken Marino and Michael Ian Black were added to the cast I had mixed feelings. While I really enjoy Marino, I was never a big fan of Black. Luckily for me, that problem was solved by the devil himself. Not only is Marino hilarious in his role, his character has allowed Reaper to explore elements of the show that would have seemed forced otherwise.

Gallery: Reaper Finale

Continue reading Reaper: Cancun (season finale)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer vs. Reaper

cast of ReaperI've confessed before -- or should I say shouted from the rooftops -- that I am a Joss Whedon fan. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of my all-time favorite shows and I still mourn its loss (the comic books just don't give me my Buffy fix).

This season, I was hopeful when Reaper arrived on the scene. It seemed to have some of the same elements that I liked about Buffy: demon lore, a Scooby gang, a story arc, and a lighthearted, humorous side to a subject that could be very dark.

So how does Reaper measure up to Buffy? When I actually did the breakdown, I was pleasantly surprised. A very interesting outcome, indeed....

Gallery: Buffy and Reaper moments

buffygang_051708reaper cast_051708Giles demon_051708devil_051708spike_051708

Continue reading Buffy the Vampire Slayer vs. Reaper

Reaper: The Leak

Ken Marino and Conrad Coates - Reaper
(S01E17) All things considered, this has been a pretty good week for Reaper. In light of the very real possibility that next week's season finale could have been a series finale, news that the show has been picked up for next season is cause for celebration. Sure, the thirteen episodes for mid-season part isn't ideal, but hey, gift horses and whatnot. I am already looking forward to a Reaper/Supernatural block on Thursday nights. And hey, there was a new episode too. There was a lot going on, but the big news was that after months of patience, there is finally some news on the contract. That, and the rest of the episode, after the jump.

Gallery: Reaper

Reaper - Ray Wise & Bret HarrisonReaper - Bret HarrisonReaper - Bret HarrisonReaper - Valarie Rae MillerReaper - Rick Gonzalez

Continue reading Reaper: The Leak

The Upfronts: The CW

the cwThe CW released its 2008-09 prime-time schedule tonight, and here's the rundown:

Returning: Reaper, Smallville, Supernatural, Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, America's Next Top Model, Everybody Hates Chris, The Game

Out: Aliens in America, Life is Wild, Girlfriends

New: 90210, Surviving the Filthy Rich, Stylista

More after the jump...

Continue reading The Upfronts: The CW

Reaper renewed!

ReaperReaper fans rejoice! The Hollywood Reporter (with its new, ugly design) states that the CW has renewed the show for a second season.

The show has been on the bubble for a little while, and I can postulate the CW's motives for renewal. First, it gives the opportunity to build a name for the show (which is a nice Buffy the Vampire Slayer combination of fantasy and humor). Second, it cuts some slack for the show with regard to any possible developmental interference the writer's strike may have had on it.

The show will return for 13 episodes in the mid-season and will likely run alongside the CW's other fantasy suspense series Supernatural after Smallville finishes its run.

The show has made great strides since its Kevin Smith-directed premiere and really shows promise. The still-struggling CW could use as many hits as possible. It's a good thing that the network is pursuing shows with some degree of sophistication and not abandoning them for mindless drivel (coughcoughrealityTVcoughcough) in the pursuit of cheap ratings.

Reaper: Greg Schmeg

Not your typical backseat driver(S01E16) "Trust, honesty, integrity...I don't like those words, not one little bit. - Jerry

I found it funny that Sam and Andi were comparing scary demons when they got attacked, because for my money, very few things are scarier than an chainsaw wielding dude in a mask. It's like Leatherface, Michael Myers and Casey Jones all rolled up together.

I really wish we could see more of Gladys. I find her to be really funny. I think it would be great if she had one small scene in every episode ala Carlton Your Doorman. Just the idea that the DMV is where demons do the work of the devil still makes me laugh.

Continue reading Reaper: Greg Schmeg

Reaper fans: make sure you send your socks to the right address

ReaperWe told you recently about Reaper star Bret Harrison's blog posting about sending your socks to The CW, to get them to renew the devil comedy, which is "on the bubble." Now it looks like those socks might be going to the wrong place.

On her TV Guide blog, Valarie Rae Miller discloses that a lot of socks that viewers have sent in have actually gone to the old WB offices! As she puts it, "no one will see them but some security guard and an unhappy mail carrier." She also gives the correct address to send your socks to:

Continue reading Reaper fans: make sure you send your socks to the right address

It's finale time again! No, really.

The end is near for our favoirite showsHoly frik! We've only just started to embrace the return of our shows after a shortened strike season. Now, they are almost over. In the next few weeks all of our network favorites will say good-bye for the summer to be replaced with reality shows, reality game shows, reality soap operas, and Regis on primetime (again).

Needless to say, I'm a bit depressed. As I am sure you are as well. But, we will do our duty and press on. Thusly, we here at the sprawling lakefront offices of TV Squad (you choose the lakefront) have compiled list of when your favorite, and not so favorite, shows will be saying good-bye for their summer vacation. As usual, taking the fickleness of the networks, these times and days can change at a moment's notices. We will try to update you of those changes as quickly as our little fingers can type it out.

So, with a leaden heart, here are your season and series finales.

Continue reading It's finale time again! No, really.

Expect the networks to renew more shows than usual

Old ChristineThe reverberations caused by the writers' strike continue to affect how the networks are doing business. Case in point: according to The Hollywood Reporter's James Hibberd, the networks may be more generous with renewals than they have in the past, due to the fact that even hit shows have been returning to diminished ratings. My guess is that, after a three-month break, most people realized they didn't give two craps about things like Meredith and McDreamy's latest breakup. But it may just be that the weather's nice outside.

Anyway, Hibberd goes on to mention the current status of some of the most prominent "bubble" shows. The good news: Reaper, Old Christine, and HIMYM and Moonlight have shifted over towards the "likely to certain" end of the spectrum, and Boston Legal will likely survive for another year. The bad news: Shark, Men In Trees (which is already gone, according to reports), Cashmere Mafia, and October Road are likely gone. And there's still no real feel for what's going to happen with Eli Stone or Women's Murder Club.

Bret Harrison wants your socks

Bret Harrison - ReaperOK, technically, I suppose David Baldy - Bret's writing partner - is asking for them, but he's doing it on bretharrison.com, so it counts just the same. After noting that the LA Times has declared Reaper to be "on the bubble," the pair are suggesting fans flood CW HQ with socks. They even provide this handy Amazon link to help you make your sock purchase.

Even if you don't want to join in by sending socks to support the show, you might at least consider digging out the old fountain pen and scribbling out a letter to send along to the network. I think writing it in your own blood captures the spirit of the show nicely, but that is totally optional; regular ink will work just fine. With a little luck we might be able to save the show from being relegated to the dreaded "Complete Series" DVD shelves.

The CW
ATTN: Executive in charge of Reaper
411 North Hollywood Way
Burbank, California 91505

Reaper: Coming To Grips

Missy Peregrym and Ian Gomez - Reaper
(S01E15) "I'm going to rebuild the army... Pass the paprika." - Tony

Finally, the season-long game of Sam trying to hide his demon hunting gig from Andi comes to a head. It was a welcome event in my little corner of TV land. I had taken issue with their relationship early in the season as it started to feel like we were in a rut and watching the same scene play out over and over. These last two weeks with the two of them together have done a lot to repair that chink in the Reaper armor. But wait, would finding out about Sam's special gift send us right back into that old familiar loop? Ours is not to spoil above the fold, so read on for thoughts on that, and a boatload of other goings on down by the 'Bench.

Gallery: Reaper

Reaper - Ray Wise & Bret HarrisonReaper - Bret HarrisonReaper - Bret HarrisonReaper - Valarie Rae MillerReaper - Rick Gonzalez

Continue reading Reaper: Coming To Grips

Reaper might be canceled (but Gossip Girl is safe)

Reaper

That's the rumor about Reaper that is swirling around the industry. And it might be true, because even though it does better in the ratings overall than Gossip Girl, the latter show has already been renewed.

That's because Gossip Girl has several things going for it that Reaper doesn't: buzz, sex, controversy, and higher ratings in the younger 18 to 34 demographic that networks and advertisers love.

Continue reading Reaper might be canceled (but Gossip Girl is safe)

Reaper: Rebellion

Donavon Stinson as Ted(S01E14) "You don't like banana splits? What are you some kind of a commie?" - Jerry

You know if any other show had written themselves into a corner the way Reaper did, they'd have a problem. Last episode they escalated Sam & Andi's relationship but, of course, by doing so, they revealed too much of Sam's secret to Andi. When that kind of thing happens on a show, it's usually the beginning of the end. We all know that if Andi ever joins Sam's band of demon hunters, the show will suffer. So what's the answer? Does he confess everything? Does she sneak around and try to catch Sam in the act? Does Andi come down with that disease we only see on TV, Convenient Amnesia? Luckily, this kind of thing isn't a problem for Reaper. All they have to do is slip a guy some cash, tell her a lie and the problem is solved. I love watching a show whose main characters have lower moral standards than my own.

Continue reading Reaper: Rebellion

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