BuzzSugar

Critics: Pushing Daisies Is the Best Show, Cavemen the Worst

BuzzSugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:46:38 PST

I love checking out the results of the twice-yearly TV critics' polls, which help track which TV shows are on the rise and which, well, aren't in the eyes of critics around the country. The latest poll, which covers summer shows and the start of the current TV season, was just released, and ABC's Pushing Daisies made its first appearance on the list in the No. 1 spot.

Another new show, Mad Men, finished second, while Dexter ended up in third. Heroes showed signs of its rough fall, plunging from No. 6 in the last poll to No. 25 in this one. The Office and Friday Night Lights also stumbled a bit, but both stayed in the top 10 - and House made one of the biggest leaps forward, jumping from No. 15 to No. 7.

On the worst side, it probably isn't a surprise that Cavemen topped the list, with Viva Laughlin - which only aired two episodes - coming in at No. 2.

The most interesting to me: One show made appearances on both the best and worst lists. Want to know what it is, plus see the top 10 best and worst? Just

Critics seem to be utterly divided about Dirty Sexy Money. It was the only show to be considered among the best and the worst, ranking at No. 15 on the best list and tying for No. 7 among the worst.

You can check out the full list here, and here are the top 10 best and worst:

Best Series
1. Pushing Daisies
2. Mad Men
3. Dexter
4. 30 Rock
5. Friday Night Lights
6. Damages
7. House
8 (tie). The Office
8 (tie). Ugly Betty
10. Californication

Worst Shows
1. Cavemen
2. Viva Laughlin
3. Big Shots
4. Kid Nation
5. Carpoolers
6. K-Ville
7 (tie.) John from Cincinnati
7 (tie). Dirty Sexy Money
7 (tie). Phenomenon
7 (tie). Private Practice
7 (tie). The Bachelor
7 (tie). Anchorwoman

What Did You Think of "Cavemen"?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 06:00:00 PDT

The much-anticipated ABC comedy "Cavemen" premiered last night after months of speculation about how bad it would be. So, what did you think of the show?

TV Tonight: "Cavemen" and "Carpoolers"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 07:30:00 PDT

Tonight's the night we've all been waiting for: the official premiere of "Cavemen"! I'm sorry, was that too much excitement?

Truth be told, I am actually curious to see the first episode of "Cavemen" tonight, if only because it's been totally revamped from the episode ABC sent to critics this summer. The network didn't send out versions of this new episode, so we're all in the dark. And while holding back screeners is not typically a good sign (it even prompted Time's TV critic to launch an ironic High Quality Show Alert!), maybe ABC just wanted to keep it quiet so we'll be blown away by the subtle humor and realistic depiction of being an outsider in modern society. Who knows?

The show is paired with "Carpoolers," a series I surprised myself by kinda-sorta liking when I saw the pilot. I really think this is one that could go either way, either being goofily great or painfully stupid. I'll give it a few episodes, at least, if only to watch TJ Miller, whose very presence on screen makes me chuckle.

Interestingly, ABC - which has made its name recently with female-centric shows like "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives" and "Dancing with the Stars" - is way into promoting the manliness of these two shows. To watch their "man date" music video promo, just

Fall TV Preview: Five New Shows to Skip

BuzzSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 07:30:00 PDT

All summer long, I've been giving you my first impressions of the networks' new shows. Now, with fall TV upon us, it's time to tell you which shows are deserving of space on your TiVo and which ... well, aren't. Today, I'm starting off with five shows that - based on their pilots - you'd be best to steer clear of this fall.

5. "Life" - I was into the premise of this show about a detective who gets sentenced to life in prison and rejoins the police force after his wrongful conviction is overturned. But the show itself was such a bundle of cop-show cliches and random quirks that it was already grating on me by 10 minutes into the pilot. Lead actor Damian Lewis gives his best shot, but if the writers want to create a "House"-style misanthrope, they're going to have to do more than make him wax poetic about fruit all the time.

4. "Viva Laughlin" - I once declared this musical drama the pilot I most wanted to see ... but then I actually saw it. What a bummer. I thought it would be a fun, cheesy, over-the-top hit. In reality, the musical numbers that didn't involve Hugh Jackman fell flat, and the dialogue was cringe-worthy. I still hold out hope that it could get better, but I doubt it's going to be on the air long enough to improve.

Three more to be wary of, so

3. "The Big Bang Theory" - Look! It's smart guys who are too inept to date a hot chick! How revolutionary! I don't claim that every single TV show on the air has to be groundbreaking; sometimes I just want a quick, mindless laugh. But I would prefer that shows stop relying on the same old, tired, geek-vs-hottie, pretty-girls-are-dumb, smart-boys-are-hopeless brand of "jokes," and this show never really gets beyond that.

2. "Big Shots" - How do you screw up a show with three hot guys, one adorable smart guy, and a plum post-"Grey's Anatomy" time slot? You reach so hard for the "'Sex and the City' for men" premise that your characters must reinforce numerous times that they are not, in fact, women. There's just nothing here to hold onto besides trite story lines about adultery, unfulfilling sex and indulgent spending. This one has the star power to be a hit, but it needs some major retooling first.

1. "Cavemen" - I know. Shocking, right? The premise is just so flimsy here, and the joke so one-note, that I'm not sure there's any way this pilot could have overcome all the negative "you've got to be kidding me" press this show has gotten for months. I'll admit that there are funny things about this show (the costumes; the caveman who reads The Economist), but it still feels exactly like those Geico ads - and there's a reason they only lasted for 30 seconds.

"Big Shots" and "Cavemen" photos copyright 2007 ABC, Inc.
"Big Bang Theory" and "Viva Laughlin" photos courtesy of CBS
"Life" photo Source

Pilot Watch: "Cavemen"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 08:30:00 PDT

The networks have announced their fall schedules, but which of the series will actually be worth watching? Throughout the summer, as I watch the pilots, I'll be posting my first impressions. A lot can change before a show makes it to air, so these aren't comprehensive reviews, just quick thoughts on how the shows look now. Today's installment: ABC's much-mocked "Cavemen."

What's it about? Based on the Geico caveman commercials, the show centers on a trio of young cavemen combating stereotypes in modern-day San Diego.

Who's in it? Nick Kroll, Bill English, Sam Huntington, Kaitlin Doubleday

The good: "Cavemen" has been reviled, laughed at and critically savaged since the moment it was announced, so the best thing I can possibly say about this episode is that it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. A few of the jokes were even a little bit - wait for it - funny, and some of the little details were clever; I've had a picture of one of the cavemen reading the Economist set as the background on my computer for months.

The bad: Even though it was better than expected, "Cavemen" still wasn't worth watching for any reason other than laughing at its expense. At best, it was a 30-second joke poked and prodded until it was more than 20 minutes long; at worst, it was an awkward, clumsy racial allegory.

Will I watch? ABC has announced a lot of changes to the show since producing the pilot I saw. One of the cavemen has been recast, and the episode I saw won't air as the premiere on TV. Even so, I didn't see anything in the pilot (or hear anything at the TCA tour) that makes me think the show will be better even with the adjustments.

ABC has preview clips online, and to see a gallery of photos,

View 27 Photos ›

Odds and Ends from the TCA Press Tour

BuzzSugar — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 05:30:00 PDT

I'm back from my first stint at the TCA press tour, and frankly, I'm awed (and a little baffled) by all the access we reporters got to stars, producers, writers, and even the top brass at the networks. Is there any other industry that would open its doors so wide to journalists - and give them food and cocktails in the process?

I've been sharing a lot of the news from the tour, and there will be more interviews and stories to come as we get closer to the fall TV premieres. But I also wanted to let you in on some of the behind-the-scenes moments from my days in LA. So, without further ado ...

When it comes to party planning, none of the other networks can hold a candle to Fox. NBC and ABC kept their parties on-site at the Beverly Hilton this year, and the CW went to the Pacific Design Center just down the street. But Fox went all-out, first busing the TV critics to Les Deux for a New Orleans-themed bash with the cast of "K-Ville," then renting out a portion of the Santa Monica Pier so everyone could mingle among the skee ball games, crazy rides and bumper cars.
Fox also had the crowd beat when it came to clever themes. In addition to the "Family Guy" lunches named for characters, we also had a cafeteria-style meal for "Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?" The network's pages, who pass the microphone to reporters during the sessions, also changed outfits between sessions, donning lab coats for the "House" panel and fatigues for "The Sarah Connor Chronicles."
An ABC publicist told us on Wednesday night that the guys of "Cavemen" would be walking the red carpet in their full caveman makeup on Thursday - but no dice. At least the guys were nice enough to wear their nametags around the party so we could recognize them.
The kids of The CW's new shows - especially "Gossip Girl" and "Aliens in America" - are so darn nice and funny, it's hard not to love them. The whole crowd spent the CW's all-star party joking around with each other, begging their publicists to let them go into the weird floating bubbles in the fountain at the Pacific Design Center, and taking pictures of each other making ridiculous faces. At one point, lead "Gossip Girl" Blake Lively took my recorder out of my hand so she could interview the "Aliens" boys and one of her costars. Precious!

More details, so

During the session for the CW's "Life is Wild," which was broadcast via satellite from where the show is filming in South Africa, a baby lion slept peacefully in star D.W. Moffett's lap, and at one point a cheetah was sent in to make an appearance. The show itself was kind of bland, but the baby animals perked us right up.
One of the perks of presenting a show that focuses on a pie-maker is that you have an excuse to feed pie to the critics. Star Lee Pace, however, was none too thrilled to learn that we'd been noshing on real lemon meringue while the pies he deals with all day on set are mostly plastic.
Questions asked in nearly every session: "What's with all the British actors coming to America?" "Why do you think there are so many strong female characters on TV today?" (Later, the frequently asked questions came to include references to Mandy Patinkin fleeing "Criminal Minds" and a silly inside joke about "Highlander," but that's just because the critics were getting punchy.)
ABC was the last network to present on the tour, when many reporters had been working from LA for more than two weeks. Maybe that explains why their swag - a beer coozie from the ABC Family show "Greek" and a shot glass from "Big Shots" - was drinking-themed.

Photo courtesy of Fox

ABC Comedies: Cavemen, Carpoolers and Christina

PopSugar — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:46:55 PDT

Including Cashmere Mafia, ABC clearly has a theme for things beginning with C this season. Christina Applegate returns to the small screen in Samantha Who? as an alcoholic bitch who gets into an accident and awakens from a coma with retrograde amnesia which means she can function normally but can't remember her past. The cast also includes the cute Barry Watson (What About Brian) and the spicy Jennifer Esposito. The funniest part of the panel was when someone asked if in real life any of the characters wished they could forget and redo something they'd done in real life. Jennifer Esposito seemed to think that question was hilarious. Perhaps she was thinking of this.

Carpoolers is about a bunch of boys who - you guessed it - spend a lot of time in the car together. Jerry O'Connell and Faith Ford are the two biggest names and I am happy to say this show was surprisingly funny. Maybe it's because I had low expectations but watching this group interact on the panel was pretty hilarious. Jerry plays the womanizing bachelor that comes across as slightly cheesy. He admitted to practicing his lines at home with his brand new wife. He said she gets a real kick out of it. Also hilarious - T.J. Miller, the guy in his red track suit. As for Cavemen, the show based on a Geico ad - well, I'll let you decide that one for yourselves.

Lots more pics of all the ABC stars from upcoming comedies so just

View 29 Photos ›

Images include Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Marsh McCall, Bruce McCulloch, Fred Goss, Faith Ford, Jerry O'Connell, Jerry Minor, Tim Peper, Allison Munn, T.J. Miller, Melissa McCarthy, Kevin Dunn, Jean Smart, Donald Todd, Christina Applegate, Peter Traugott, Jennifer Esposito, Barry Watson, Tim Russ, Mike Schiff, Josh Gordon, Joe Lawson, Will Speck, and Bill Martin.

TCA News Roundup: "Cavemen," 'Cashmere," and More

BuzzSugar — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 07:30:07 PDT

One of the most hotly contested sessions of the TCA press tour came Wednesday afternoon, when the cast and producers of the much joked-about "Cavemen" took the stage. Reporters demanded to know if the show was preying on particular racial stereotypes, whether the show had any female or non-white writers, and whether Geico was involved in creating the show. (The answers: no, yes, and not really, in that order.)
Regardless of how "Cashmere Mafia" works as a show, the leading ladies (Lucy Liu, Miranda Otto, Bonnie Somerville and Frances O'Connor) are going to look darn good. Patricia Field, the costume designer from "Sex and the City," will be creating the outfits. Said Liu: "She has an incredible talent for putting together pieces and making them look like art."
ABC Entertainment President Steve McPherson said he wasn't concerned about the creative turn "Grey's Anatomy" took last season, but he did expect the show would look different in the fall. "There was a lot of really difficult, you know, emotional stuff going on for kind of a multitude of characters," McPherson said. "And I think we're going to get away from some of that just because of the nature of the storytelling that [Shonda Rhimes]'s going to do."
"Dancing with the Stars" will be getting a spinoff of sorts, tentatively titled "Dance X," in which the judges will pit teams of dancers against each other.

Buzz News Roundup, 7/9

BuzzSugar — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 13:27:51 PDT

Forbes confirms that Jane magazine is shutting down.
Rupert Friend has been cast as Prince Albert alongside Emily Blunt in The Young Victoria, says Hollywood Reporter.
Recently ousted NBC entertainment president Kevin Reilly could be hired by Fox, which would reunite the team that developed "Nip/Tuck" and "The Shield," TV Week reports.
MTV News warns that there may not be a new Outkast album for two years, while Andre 3000 and Big Boi pursue solo projects.
Bestselling novel Water for Elephants will be adapted for the big screen, Variety reports.
It sounds like we're in for at least one, if not two, more editions of "The Apprentice," Reuters says.
Billboard says The Cure is working on a double album due in October.
Lance Bass will join the cast of the Broadway musical "Hairspray" on August 14, reports the AP.
The Hollywood Reporter says ABC is retooling "Cavemen," adding a new character, ditching the caveman played by Dash Mihok, and shooting a new first episode to go deeper into the characters' back stories.
This year's ComiCon schedule of events has just been released.
In TV casting news, two Kevins - Alejandro and Pollak - are joining the cast of "Shark" on CBS, while TV Guide says Michael Cassidy of "Hidden Palms" will be the new editor of The Daily Planet on "Smallville."

Get a Sneak Peek of ABC's New Shows

BuzzSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 23:30:03 PDT

ABC isn't giving us quite as extensive a sneak peek of its fall lineup as NBC did for its new shows, but we can still get a taste: In addition to a ton of photos of the new shows and their casts, ABC's put up brief video clips of its pilots. You can see the whole batch of them together, or you can just click on the name of the show in this list to go directly to that show's clip: "Sam I Am," "Cavemen," "Carpoolers," "Pushing Daisies," "Private Practice," "Dirty Sexy Money," "Big Shots," "Women's Murder Club," "Cashmere Mafia," "Eli Stone," and "Miss/Guided."

It's not easy to judge a show from a minute of video, but I'm going to try anyway. "Dirty Sexy Money" and "Pushing Daisies" grabbed me the most, "Miss/Guided" could either be wonderful or awful, "Eli Stone" is worth watching for the George Michael cameo, "Big Shots" is "Sex and the City" for dudes (but does star geek-wonderful Joshua Malina, so points for that), and "Cavemen" ... well, at least it made me chuckle, which is more than I can say for "Carpoolers."

I have tons of pictures of the new shows - and really, you've got to see the crazy "Cavemen" makeup and the fanciful world of "Pushing Daisies" - so to take a spin through,

"Cavemen"

View 27 Photos ›

"Dirty Sexy Money"

View 20 Photos ›

"Private Practice" (more photos here)

View 10 Photos ›

"Big Shots"

View 25 Photos ›

"Pushing Daisies"

View 22 Photos ›

"Sam I Am"

View 16 Photos ›

"Carpoolers"

View 22 Photos ›

"Women's Murder Club"

View 19 Photos ›

"Eli Stone"

View 15 Photos ›

"Cashmere Mafia"

View 24 Photos ›

"Miss/Guided"

View 16 Photos ›

All photos copyright 2007 ABC, Inc.