TV with MeeVee

TV Critics Love "Pushing Daisies," Hate "Cavemen"

(Begin pointless personal digression.) I have a soft spot for the semi-annual TV Week Critics Poll. (Read the story here and results here.) Back when the magazine was called Electronic Media, I used to be in the poll all the time, and I started talking to the people over there - we were all in Chicago at the time - and I ended up getting hired as assistant managing editor. While I worked there I ran the poll a couple of times, too, which gave me lots of time to talk to my critic friends who I only got to see on press tour otherwise. So this poll is like an old pal. (End pointless personal digression.)

But seriously, "Pushing Daisies" is better than "Mad Men"??? I don't think so. Better than "House" or "The Office"?? Really? Uh, no.

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

Worst after the jump...

"Lost" Dates McDreamy's Timeslot

ABC unveiled its winter schedule on Friday, the last of the big four to do so, and the main news involved "Lost." The castaway hour, already a bit of a drama queen when it comes to scheduling, will indeed air the eight episodes complete before the writer's strike. And here's a kick in the pants - they will air in "Grey's Anatomy's" timeslot, Thursdays at 9 ET beginning Jan. 31. You can argue that this will further confuse the already addled "Lost" audience, or that it will give the show a new chance for audience sampling as it kicks off its final three seasons. No word, though, on what airing eight episodes this year does to that plan for three final 16-ep seasons, which was supposed to tie a bow on the whole island saga.

Also in ABC announcement was word that Dylan McDermott's "Big Shots" will return to Thursdays at 10 until it's replaced by the midseason lawyer series "Eli Stone" on the same day "Lost" returns. Also, Lucy Liu's "Cashmere Mafia" bows Jan. 3 in the "Grey's" slot before movie to its regular Wednesday at 10 slot the following week.

Ya Had To Pull Off "Big Shots," Didn't Ya

In a scheduling move that has a lot of people scratching their heads, ABC has yanked "Big Shots" off Thursday nights with three episodes still to air. Instead the network will air a "Private Practice" rerun after "Grey's Anatomy," ensuring that no straight man will watch the network from 9-11 on those nights. Were "Big Shots" ratings that bad? Well, kinda - the Dylan McDermott series was losing half of the "Grey's" audience. But with the writers strike going strong, expect to see "Big Shots" again after the first of the year.

"Big Shots" And "Grey's Anatomy" And Mary Kate Linkfest

The Boston Globe says Thursday nights on ABC are filled with wimpy, emasculated men and the not-very-interesting women who rule their lives. Zero-sum game, they say. Boring, they say. "Grey's" is OK, they say, but "Big Shots" is just terrible. Pardon me for saying this, but I told you so.

Best Week Ever has a hilarious spin on "Kitchen Nightmares" - a template for a generic episode full of swearing and insults and incompetence. I love the bit about how the maitre'd has to learn not to punch customers in the genitals. You won't believe how many times that's happened to me at fine-dining establishments.

The same folks point us to a great promo from Showtime featuring clips of Mary-Kate Olsen as Tara on "Weeds." Hilarious. My favorite line is still the bit where she's calling bingo numbers at the old folks' home and says "B-9, like your tumor is benign." Awesome.

Finally, here's a preview for a movie called "Wanted" starring Morgan Freeman and a bunch of good-looking young people. The (safe for work, I promise) SG Newsblog has a review, too, but you can get away with just knowing that there are explosions, car chases, and Morgan Freeman's voice of wisdom.

Review: The Shooters Are The Best Part Of "Big Shots"

Tall, skinny shotglasses were the swag at the "Big Shots" press conference this summer. I snagged two. Still using them. But the show...eh.

Debuting tonight on ABC, "Big Shots" is a weird demographic pretzel. It's cast with hunks - Dylan McDermott, Michael Vartan, Christopher Titus and lovable nebbish Joshua Malina - in what seems an obvious attempt to retain the women who watch "Grey's Anatomy." But it's also a show for guys, as these four sit around talking about their problems with women. Dang women. But wait a minute! What they're really doing is sitting around talking about their feelings. So isn't that a chick show?

It's possible that the hunks will attract women viewers and the guy talk will attract, well, guys. But it seems more likely that the women will be turned off by the things these guys say, and the men will be turned off by the fact that they're talking about their emotions at all.