Seriously HBO?

SERIOUSLY?

Scott informed me earlier of HBO's decision to axe three shows that I've grown quite fond of, "Bored to Death" "Hung" and "How to Make it in America". Needless to say as a big fan of all three I am a bit upset. I will say that I understand as a network executive for HBO if the ratings aren't there the ratings aren't there and you need to make a decision. But isn't there value in letting a show get it's legs before cancelling it and piling on a bunch of new shows? It's hard for me to be unbiased about HBO's decision here but ultimately they did give the shows a chance, not a single one of them was in its first season. Even so I am displeased.

Here's an excerpt from a Deadline Hollywood article,

"They will be joined by four new half-hour series: Armando Iannucci/Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Veep,Lena Dunham/Judd Apatow’s Girls, Ricky Gervais/Stephen Merchant’s Life’s Too Short, and Chris Lilley’s Angry Boys. HBO has two other comedies in the pipeline from auspices with strong track records at HBO — half-hour pilots 40, written byEntourage creator Doug Ellin and starring Ed Burns, and Viagra Diaries, penned by Sex And The City creator Darren Star and starring Goldie Hawn."

Personally I am a bit tired of anything Apatow but am willing to hold my tongue for his work with a television show. As evidenced by "Freaks and Geeks" "The Critic" and "The Larry Sanders Show" Apatow has chops.

As for another Doug Ellin vehicle I am totally on board. Met him in LA with my Dad and Brother he was about as cool as it gets. He actually told me when I chatted with him (he took the time to talk to me, very down to Earth) that he had a couple irons in the fire for when Entourage ended, this is clearly one of them. I know a lot of people have bad things to say about this season and the last few seasons of Entourage but I don't, I think it was awesome and the show was what it was. I must admit the series finale let me down big time but how the hell else were they supposed to tie that up? Fingers crossed Doug's new show isn't awful.

"Eastbound and Down" is coming back for whatever reason, pretty sure that show's entire cast and crew has been mailing it in since season one ended. I really look forward to the Kenny Power's fad ending. Something tells me that it wont based on the fact that there are way too many overweight, bud-lite swilling, fantasy football playing, nacho inhaling, retards that boost the ratings through the roof while wearing a guacamole stained Danny McBride t-shirt. Did any of you actually see "Your Highness"? If you enjoyed that movie please don't ever read this blog again. My dislike for the show obviously doesn't mean I wont watch the shit out of it, but let's be honest casting Deep Roy might be the silliest stunt I have ever seen. Don't get me wrong the man's a true gentleman, I even met him at the Beverly Hills Film Festival this year and he was more than happy to snap this photo with me.

rockin' loafers

I must say I am very disappointed about the cancellation of three solid shows. I will admit "Hung" was losing steam and that Thomas Jane wasn't really enough to carry the show. I'm mainly upset and confused about "How to Make it" and "Bored to Death" both show's casts were starting to develop chemistry and get more comfortable with each other. Ted Danson is a consummate pro and will be sorely missed. I love Ted but will surely not be tuning in to fucking CSI to see him. Honestly, that show has been dead in the water for years but people love formulaic, procedural, crime-based, garbage television so it will probably be broadcast until I'm dead.

The good news is that Enlightened was picked up for a second season and Laura Dern was nominated for The Golden Globe for "Best Actress in a Comedy" and the show was nominated as well. Perhaps now more people will watch it and discuss it and cause me to like it less.

All in all a mixed bag of TV feelings today, couple interesting sounding shows coming, couple new favorites going. Bottom line "Southland", "Californication", and "Shameless" all start up in the next two weeks. Merry Christmas.

ANK