November 12th, 2008

The 100-day writer’s strike may be long over, but the networks are still reeling from it as evidenced by the recent announcement of shows being cancelled.

Many shows that premiered last fall, such as ABC’s Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money and Private Practice, had low ratings last season but were given second chances this fall because of the lack of new scripted shows.

Yet, Private Practice is the only one of those shows that has been picked up for the rest of the season. ABC’s Samantha Who?, the CW’s 90210, Fox’s Fringe and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, NBC’s Knight Rider and CBS’ The Mentalist are also safe for the rest of the season.

Shows not so lucky include ABC’s Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, Life on Mars and Pushing Daisies, NBC’s Kath & Kim, Lipstick Jungle, Life and My Own Worst Enemy, the CW’s Privileged and CBS’ Worst Week. These shows haven’t been picked up for the whole season, but they haven’t been cancelled yet.

Kath & Kim, as well as fellow low-performing NBC shows My Own Worst Enemy and Crusoe, may have taught networks to make pilot episodes first instead of just going ahead and ordering a series of episodes as they did with these shows, according to TV Guide magazine.

Speaking of cancelled, CBS’ The Ex-List was axed after only four episodes, Fox’s Do Not Disturb after three episodes, ABC’s Opportunity Knocks after three episodes and the CW’s Valentine after eight episodes.

Other long-term shows ending their runs include ABC’s Boston Legal after five seasons, Fox’s King of the Hill after 13 seasons, NBC’s ER after fifteen seasons and FX’s The Shield after seven seasons.

Four Reasons Not to Cancel Dirty Sexy Money

It’s soapy and sensational fun: It’s a modern day Dallas with its custody battles, murder trials, blackmailing, affairs and deceitful alliances.

They’re rich and bratty but aren’t so hard to hate: Former couple Nick and Karen Darling have such an irresistible chemistry that it makes me secretly wish they would get back together even though he’s married to Lisa. And despite Brian Darling calling his recently discovered illegitimate child “smurf” and “dwarf,” Brian Jr. has made us see that the ever-moody former reverend does indeed have a heart.

The great performances: Donald Sutherland gives the show drama and potency as the Darling family patriarch and Peter Krause gives the superficial, materialistic show some heart and roots it in reality.

They’re rich and loving it: While the economy is suffering, it’s fun to escape into the world of the Darlings and watch the beautiful cast zip around in sports cars, throw their money around, strut around their mansion in gorgeous clothes, and watch them so terribly misbehave.

Britney Spears got a head start on the holiday season by vacationing in Louisiana with her family.

She and her sons, 3-year-old Sean Preston and 2-year-old Jayden James, boarded a private flight destined to Kentwood, LA Friday morning according to OK Magazine.

The trip is certainly extra special for the Spears family because it is the first time Britney was allowed out of the state of California with the boys after her ex-husband Kevin Federline was awarded physical custody of them.

The getaway will give the boys a chance to spend more time with their cousin Maddie, the baby daughter of Jamie Lynn Spears and Casey Aldridge. It will be younger son Jayden’s first time the family’s Kentwood home ‘Serenity’.

Britney get some family-orientated down time following a performance at Madonna’s concert in L.A.’s Dodgers Stadium Thursday night, and before the release of her new album, Circus, on December 2.

The leaves have fallen, the snow’s on its way and so are the season’s Oscar-worthy movies and holiday fare to take you through that long, delicious Thanksgiving dinner and those countless Christmas songs on the radio.

Slumdog Millionaire (Nov. 12) The newest film from genre-shifting Danny Boyle is about a man (Dev Patel) participates on the Indian version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” Pieces of his life – including the story of his love with a childhood soulmate- are depicted throughout the film as the super smart contestant is questioned on how he knows all the answers. Critics are already calling it a possibility for Best Picture.

Quantum of Solace (Nov. 14) The latest in the 007 franchise picks up right after last year’s “Casino Royale” left off when Bond and Mr. White came face to face. On his mission to find out who blackmailed his deceased love, Vesper, into betraying him, Bond will travel to Austria, Italy and South America while, of course, meeting some new Bond girls.

Twilight (Nov. 21) Step aside, “Harry Potter,” the first installment in the almost-equally popular “Twilight” book series is on its way. Instead of “Harry’s” witches, warlocks and muggles, “Twilight” brings us the story of a typical teenage girls who happens to fall in love with a devastatingly handsome vampire.

Four Christmases (Nov. 26) Unless you have to attend four Christmases as well, you’ll have time to see this romantic comedy in which Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn have to split up Christmas between each of their divorced parents after their tropical getaway flight gets cancelled. An all-star cast includes Mary Steenburgen, Sissy Spacek, Robert Duvall and Jon Voight.

Wendy and Lucy (Dec. 10) No, Wendy and Lucy aren’t two best girlfriends – at least in the human sense. Michelle Williams of “Brokeback Mountain” and “Dawson’s Creek” fame is Wendy and Lucy is her dog and traveling companion on her trip to a new job in Alaska. She already only has about $600 to her name but it gets worse when her car breaks down and she loses Lucy. Williams could possibly get an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

Nothing Like the Holidays (Dec. 12) John Leguizamo, Freddy Rodriguez and Debra Messing star in this holiday-themed family drama movie. The Rodriguez family gathers in Chicago to celebrate Christmas and the return of their son from Iraq. Expect secrets to be revealed and family drama to ensue. If you liked Jodi Foster’s “Home for the Holidays,” this one may be for you.

Yes Man (Dec. 19) Jim Carrey used to say “no, no ,no,” but now he’s saying “yes, yes, yes.” Throughout the course of a year, Carrey pledges to say “yes” to everything as part of a self-help program he signs up for. Of course its Jim Carrey, so expect silly hilarity to ensue and look for costar Zooey Deschanel whose shone brightly in small roles in “Elf” and “Failure to Launch.”

Bedtime Stories (Dec. 25) Another not so little-known funnyman by the name of Adam Sandler stars in this family holiday comedy. Sandler is an uncle who tells crazy bedtime stories; but instead of reading a normal book with ordinary pictures, his stories come to life with crazy CGI effects to keep the little ones both in the movie and in the theater entertained this Christmas.

As an ode to the recent election and passing campaign season, lets spotlight some Presidents featured on film.

President-elect Tom Dobbs in Man of the Year played by Robin Williams. Tom Dobbs was the host of a show similar to “The Daily Show” when one day, he was elected President. Even Dobbs couldn’t believe it. He campaigned for issues such as politicians being backed by special interest groups and speaking against banning gay marriage. Eventually Dobbs finds out that the voting machines had a bug in them and that he isn’t the President. He goes on SNL and announces he will not accept the Presidency.

President James Marshall in Air Force One played by Harrison Ford. Who knew a President would have to engage in hand to hand combat during his reign? Marshall is sort of a super hero President – strong in both his leadership capabilities and assailant capturing abilities. When “One” was released in 1997, Marshall was dealing with issues that our current President has faced – terrorists hijacking planes, capturing tyrannical leaders, etc. Guess it’s just all in a days work for the leader of the US – real or fictional.

President Andrew Shepherd in The American President played by Michael Douglas. A President up for re-election has a lot on his plate. Not only is he continuing his regular work schedule and planning a full blown campaign, but he’s also looking for love. Falling approval ratings don’t make Shepherd run and hide – instead during a vivid speech he poses a bill for the environment and promises to perfect a bill on crime (and without mispronouncing anything).

President Thomas J. Whitmore in Independence Day played by Bill Pullman. Nothing shakes up a Presidency like a war especially one with aliens. Whitmore faced slipping approval ratings when the beings from outer space landed. Whitmore takes Commander in Chief seriously when he boards a fighter plane and leads a team to an attack on the alien’s ship. Sadly the country’s leader looses his First Lady, but his plan helps save Earth and will probably make a re-election campaign much easier.

President Mays Gilliam in Head of State played by Chris Rock. In a much less serious Presidency see Mays Gilliam. Although chosen to eventually help someone else win in a later election, Gilliam is a likable man running against the sitting Vice President. Once negative ads start from his opponent, Gilliam starts to step up to the plate and brings his campaign into high gear even firing disloyal campaign aids. Gilliam is elected and becomes the first African American President.

Two of the three ‘Girls Next Door’ have moved on after moving out of the Playboy Mansion. On Saturday, Kendra Wilkinson, is now engaged to Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Hank Baskett. The relationship that started as a mere rumor has turned into an engagement for the San Diego native Wilkinson.

On another note, former number one bunny Holly Madison has now confirmed her is coupling with illusionist Criss Angel. The two had been photographed in Las Vegas partying together before the break-up between Holly and Hef had become public.

In response to Kendra’s engagement, the Playboy Godfather issued a statement via US Weekly,

“Kendra Wilkinson has met someone who she would like to spend the rest of her life with. He popped the question last Saturday. I have given her my blessing and will be giving her away at a very special wedding ceremony at the Playboy Mansion this coming June.”

Giving her away at the Playboy Mansion? Will he be doing the same when Holly gets married?