TV gods, please save these shows.

Update as of today, May 12:

• Pan Am and GCB have officially been cancelled.  
• Gossip Girl has been picked up for one last season (I’m starting to feel nostalgic, haha).
•  Hart of Dixie was given 22 full episodes for season 2 (yay!).
  
• Whitney has been renewed.
• Happy Endings was given a full season 3 (finally).
  
• Unfortunately, they cancelled Ringer (bummer).

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It’s that time of the year again when network execs get to decide on the fate of our favorite TV shows.  While it’s unfortunate that shows like Pan Am are most likely to get axed, I’m glad that many of the shows I follow (How I Met Your Mother, 2 Broke Girls, Modern Family, Smash, Revenge, Community, Once Upon A Time, 90210, Pretty Little Liars, The Lying Game) have already been renewed.

There are many other shows, though, that haven’t been renewed nor cancelled just yet.  Among these shows, I think these five  should be given another chance:

1. Gossip Girl – Yes, I know, many of us watch this merely out of habit these days, but I think Gossip Girl should be renewed for a final season just to give closure to the loose ends in its storyline.  And please, enough of the Chuck-Blair circus.  Make the characters grow up already.  I’d be happy if Blair ends up with Dan, Nate, or no one.  Just not with Chuck.

2. Hart of Dixie – New York-based surgeon screws up and is given another chance by being assigned to a small town down south where she unexpectedly finds love and touches lives.  If I were to rank the shows I watch according to my top favorite to the least, this would surely be on the top 5.  It’s very light, refreshing, touching and real all at the same time.  I don’t think there’s a single episode that didn’t drive me to tears.  And I so love Rachel Bilson!

3. Ringer – Ratings haven’t been good and I understand why since the first season’s pace was way too slow, but hey, the finale didn’t disappoint.  This should be renewed even for half a season just for closure.

4. Whitney - Critics have been too hard on this show and I can see why, but it actually got better halfway through the first season when Neil, one of the characters, came out of the closet after breaking up with his fiance Lily.   The dynamic of Whitney and Alex’s live-in situation has also evolved and they’re such a great couple!  Give this show a chance, guys.  It’s hilarious!

5. Happy Endings – WHY isn’t this even renewed yet?!  I’m confident that the network will give it a third season but considering its performance, it should have been renewed months ago so fans won’t be kept waiting.

Fingers crossed

And they’re back.

Mad Men is back after 17 long months and the 2-hour season premiere did not disappoint!  Just a thought: Much reference was given to windows (or lack thereof) in Pete Campbell’s office, plus he was seen staring out the window several times in the episode — could he actually be the guy who jumps out the window in the opening credits??  Considering what he’s been going through, it’s not very unlikely!

The episode picks up in 1966, 8 months since season 4 when Don Draper proposed to Megan.  Though it has only been 8 months, the vibe is already very different from when the show first started, most especially because of the fashion.  The show’s gorgeous leading ladies seem to have gotten rid of their 1950s to early 60s dresses and showcased outfits from a more daring era — mini-skirts, LBDs, psychedelic prints, and retro headbands.  Betty Draper wasn’t featured in the episode but I’m excited to see how she’ll be dressed.  (Side note: Pete Campbell, you magnificent bastard rocking that suit jacket, you!  Another side note: I just realized that Alex Mack, the girl in orange, is Kenny Cosgrove’s wife.  Haha.)

The new season also takes us back to a turning point in history when African-Americans make their entry into corporate America.  At the end of the episode, we see the SCDP partners (after much deliberation) accepting resumes from African-American women.  Another milestone for their agency.  I’m guessing that whoever they hire as secretary will surely want to tread the same path as Peggy’s.  It’s interesting to see how that will pan out.

On our side of the globe, Mad Men is available for download every Monday.  I just love this show!

Let the ‘Good Times’ continue!

I’ve been an avid listener of Magic  89.9‘s top-rating morning show Good Times for almost 4 years now.  The “awesome threesome” Mo Twister, Mojo Jojo, and Grace Lee (at times with Little Man Guile and later on, DJ Angelicopter) never failed to spice up my mornings.  Yes, never failed — I’m speaking in the past tense because as most of us already know by now, this awesome threesome no longer exists.  As a follower of the show, I couldn’t help but feel sad about the changes that have been happening lately, especially with the hosts’ (controversial) personal lives.  When the show’s main man Mo Twister announced late last year that he was moving to New York, I knew that my mornings will never be the same again.  True enough, Mojo Jojo and Angelicopter left the show weeks after Mo’s departure.

But hey, the good times don’t have to end!  Mo is back on-air and has been broadcasting live from New York since January, and DJ Suzy (fondly called Suzy “Backdoor” by Mo) is officially on-board!  I know we all miss the “Good Old Times”, but let’s all give this new format a chance by tuning in to Magic 89.9, Mondays-Thursday at 6-9 in the morning!  Besides, as Mo has been saying, the callers are the life of the program.  The format may have changed, but the very crazy yet loyal listeners/callers (Anton the witty and alaskador lawyer, Melissa who opens her call with an extremely high-pitched “Good morning Professor Mo!!!”, Ian the 40-year old virgin, etc) are more entertaining than ever!  Plus, DJ Suzy is sooo hilarious and has been doing a great job so far

It’s so nice to hear Mo Twister on the radio again.  Let’s continue to support him and Suzy and wish Mojo and Angelicopter all the best!

Good Times!

Photos courtesy of the Good Times with Mo Twister, Mojo Jojo and Grace Lee Facebook page and the Magic 89.9 Facebook page.

New Show: SMASH

I recently added a new show to my download list!!  Everyone, please download and watch Smash, a new TV series from executive producer Steven Spielberg.  Smash has been dubbed as “the best new show this midseason.”  The story revolves around characters who come together to produce Marilyn: The Musical, a fictional Broadway show based on the life of the legendary Marilyn Monroe.  Comparisons to Glee are inevitable, but I personally like this better for several reasons I’d rather not mention so as not to offend Glee fans :p  As it is, Smash has the right amount of soap elements and beautiful Broadway-quality songs that will keep viewers hooked.

The production team of Marilyn: The Musical is composed of lyricist and stage play writer Julia (Debra Messing) who struggles to balance work and family life.  With Julia are her co-writer Tom (Christian Borle) and the musical’s “brilliant and womanizing” director Derek (Jack Davenport) who both have to do their bit in resolving their differences for the sake of the production.  Anjelica Huston stars as Eileen, the musical’s producer who is in the middle of a messy divorce case that could affect the entire show.   The next couple of episodes will be about this team choosing the right girl to play Marilyn Monroe, the STAR of the show.

Should they choose Broadway-actress-still-waiting-for-her-big-break Ivy (Megan Hilty), who possesses Marilyn Monroe’s physical features and very well demonstrates her playful and sultry side?  Or should they choose Karen (Katharine McPhee), a newcomer to the world of theater who can bring a refreshing spin on the character?  How far will these two girls go to land the role of their dreams, or to at least land a role?

Smash is available for download in Manila every Tuesday.  Trailer here:

Isn’t that last song (Let Me Be Your Star) just lovely?  Please watch Smash, you’ll love it!!!