Television Random, Random Scripted/NonScripted

[Moose]

Good for you. I'm on the British schedule but missed the Christmas special and accidentally saw the spoiler on a British newspaper site

Third season was better than Season 2, imho

I've always gone back and forth with spoilers. Especially with a show that you enjoy, you want to know what's happening, while at the same time want to be surprised. With "Lost", I'd often see them, and read a fair amount of them - not that it helped in the long run. With Downton, I read a fair number of them for Season 2, and regretted it a bit, so I worked hard to avoid them over the past few months.

Nice to hear that about Season 3. Very much looking forward to Sunday night.

[MJ2004]

Speaking of spoilers and Portlandia, this is cute:
http://www.ifc.com/portlandia/videos...-spoiler-alert

[mmmm8]

Speaking of spoilers and Portlandia, this is cute:
http://www.ifc.com/portlandia/videos...-spoiler-alert

LOL @ "Michael C. Hall in the van" for everything with Michael C Hall

[Martini4me]

I made it. I finished seasons two about three minutes after the start of the special on the castle where they film the series. I think that was six episodes in the last week (including two in the middle of the night when I couldn't fall back asleep one night). I'm not usually a binge watcher, so that's a lot for me.

[skatingfan]

I made it. I finished seasons two about three minutes after the start of the special on the castle where they film the series. I think that was six episodes in the last week (including two in the middle of the night when I couldn't fall back asleep one night). I'm not usually a binge watcher, so that's a lot for me.

Sorry, what were you watching? I feel like I missed something.

[Ti-Amie]

Sorry, what were you watching? I feel like I missed something.

I think he was watching Downton Abbey.

[mmmm8]

I made it. I finished seasons two about three minutes after the start of the special on the castle where they film the series. I think that was six episodes in the last week (including two in the middle of the night when I couldn't fall back asleep one night). I'm not usually a binge watcher, so that's a lot for me.

Was that the same special I accidentally saw on HGTV the other night? It was followed by the Spencers' estate (as in, Princess Diana's family)

[Ti-Amie]

I haven't seen S2 yet so I'm in for a marathon myself.

[winston]

I missed Seasons 1 and 2 and trying to catch up before season 3 was too much. So I just went to PBS and ordered all 3 seasons on DVD. It's pre-ordered for January 29.

[Martini4me]

I think he was watching Downton Abbey.

Yes, sorry, I forgot to quote a previous post to indicate what I was referring to.

Was that the same special I accidentally saw on HGTV the other night? It was followed by the Spencers' estate (as in, Princess Diana's family)

Yes, they had promos for several more episodes at the end of the Highclere Castle (where Downton is filmed) episode. Among them was the Spencers' estate and and King Henry VIII's Hampton Court Palace.

My opinion may change, but I think I've had enough of Shirley MacLaine (and her character) already.

[Moose]

The "Downton" Season 3 premeire was mostly wonderful. I smiled from the start since they opened with a shot of Daisy. They've set up some solid stoylines that I look forward to seeing unfold, and there are only two things I found a little less than stellar. One is the ongoing conversion of Edith into "spinster cat woman".

My opinion may change, but I think I've had enough of Shirley MacLaine (and her character) already.

And there's #2. I was hoping for a much more solid performance.

[Martini4me]

I've read a couple of recaps this morning, and if I interpret the comments (from those who've already seen this season) correctly, that's it for Mrs. Levinson/Shirley MacLaine. But people are insisting it will be a cracking good seaosn.

[JTContinental]

The Shirley MacLaine character definitely seemed like a bit of stunt casting, but overall, it was an enjoyable first episode. I can't imagine that she'll be in any more of the episodes, unless Mrs. Levinson really enjoys boat travel on the Atlantic.

[Ti-Amie]

When a network fires two showrunners in less than 18 months from its biggest hit -- and one of the most successful franchises on television -- that is sure to make waves in Hollywood and with fans. So no matter how AMC tried to spin the Dec. 21 departure of Glen Mazzara from The Walking Dead as just one of those amicable things, insiders rolled their eyes -- especially because the network let go co-creator Frank Darabont in July 2011 and has had high-profile spats with writer-producers on its hits Mad Men and Breaking Bad.

AMC and Walking Dead comic book writer and producer Robert Kirkman were blamed for Mazzara's ouster and called out by name by showrunners Shawn Ryan (Last Resort) and Kurt Sutter (Sons of Anarchy), neither of whom is involved with Walking Dead but both of whom worked with Mazzara on Ryan's FX series The Shield. Ryan tweeted, "It's a real question now why good showrunners should sell to AMC," and Sutter followed with a tweet declaring that AMC had sent him "a gift basket filled with … broken promises and the marinated tongue used to lick Kirkman's ass."

In a follow-up video posted on his website, Sutter denounced AMC for departing from a cable culture that generally allows showrunners more creative freedom than do the broadcast networks. Kirkman, he added, "is an amazing visual artist and a graphic artist [but] knows very little about TV, and the reins keep going back to him in this process, and he doesn't know how to run a show."

Several insiders confirm that Kirkman, whose detailed graphic novels form the basis of the series, is "very proprietary," as one puts it. One adds, "I believe Robert wants to maintain a certain amount of his control, and AMC needs Robert for the fan base." But despite the vitriol, some sources involved with Walking Dead say Kirkman was one of several producers on the show who had issues with Mazzara and his vision.

One source says Mazzara's shortcomings in running the series during the most recent third season became "abundantly clear … especially for the second half of the season." This source says production was shut down "several times" because of a lack of material.

Mazzara declined comment but will participate in a Jan. 11 AFI awards luncheon that will honor Walking Dead as one of 2012's top shows. The midseason finale Dec. 2 lured 10.5 million total viewers and 6.9 million in the key adults 18-to-49 demo, crushing nearly all broadcast network shows.

To date, Kirkman has responded to the criticism only with a restrained tweet: "@sutterink is brilliant and Sons is my favorite show on TV. Still, it's upsetting to see him ranting about things he knows nothing about." AMC declined comment.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...mazzara-410017

[Miles]

In this business nothing will get you fired faster than missing network deadlines. Having to shut down production mid-season is a death knell for the guy calling the shots.