TV with MeeVee

"Broadcast News" Comes To Cable

Word is William Hurt will join Glenn Close in the second season of FX's "Damages." The two co-starred in 1983's "Big Chill," but that's not the movie that's really in play here. When "Damages" returns, early in 2009, Hurt will be the last of the three stars of 1987's "Broadcast News" to take the big plunge into cable this season. Albert Brooks debuted on Showtime's "Weeds" last night for a multi-episode run, and Holly Hunter will shortly return in "Saving Grace" on TNT. Freaky, huh?

On "Damages," Hurt will play a client of Close's terrifying lawyer Patty Hewes, and he also has a personal history with her. We presume that means they used to knock boots, but it's not clear if he's a good guy or this season's big bad.

Turner Networks Unveil Program Plans, Icky Advertising Plan

I'll get to Turner's program plans in a minute, but the focus of their announcements this week was an almost web-like way of targeting ads.

"TVinContext promises to be the first large-scale system that combines the precise placement possible in digital advertising with the world of television," Turner's announcement said. "The initiative includes the examination and cataloging of thousands of scenes from Turner’s vast library of films and TV series, plus the custom matching of advertising content to place spots adjacent to relevant scenes. If a movie features a scene about marriage, Turner will be able to place an ad in the next commercial break for a related product, such as wedding rings. A movie scene in a café could be followed by an ad for coffee." The system will initially be available to a limited number of clients this fall.

Just a little creepy, isn't it?

Anyhoo, TNT in particular has big programming plans, building on the success of "The Closer" (right) and "Saving Grace," both of which return with new episodes in July. The network plans to have three full nights of original programming by 2010. Dramas in development include: "Delta Blues," about a Memphis cop who's an Elvis impersonator who lives with his mom, from producer George Clooney; "Morse Code," about a war hero turned Boston DEA agent, produced by and starring Donnie Wahlberg; and an untitled project about ATF agents from "24" producer Joel Surnow. These are in addition to previously announced shows with Steven Bochco and Ray Romano.

TBS, meanwhile, ordered 26 more episodes of "Tyler Perry's House of Payne," and committed to develop comedies with William H. Macy and Joey "Run" Simmons of Run DMC. Jamie Foxx and Robert Townsend are working on sketch comedy shows for TBS.

Morning Reads

• In the proud tradition of many boy band managers comes word that one of the Sprouse Brothers' handlers has been popped for hitting on a 16-year-old boy. And right now, on my iTunes, the Who is singing "I'm a boy, I'm a boy, but my ma won't admit it..." (Glitterati Gossip)
• NBC's new year-round schedule includes a teen-oriented horror anthology series for this summer, and they're getting some decent names. (BuzzSugar)
• ABC, meanwhile, is planning a summer reality show tied into "High School Musical." (Buddy TV)
• ABC has also renewed "Dancing With The Stars" into 2009. (Buddy TV)
• Encouraged by "The Closer" and perhaps "Saving Grace," TNT is making ambitious plans to move to mostly original programming in prime time. (TV Decoder)
• For once the FCC goes after programming for something other than sideboob or a stray expletive. (Reuters)

Debating The Religious Tone of "Saving Grace"

"Saving Grace," starring Holly Hunter, has an angel in it. That alone draws the interest of some of the more spiritual TV viewers out there, but it doesn't mean they'll be swallowing the show hook, line, and sinker. I don't doubt that an awful lot of people would rather see a family-friendly secular show like "Meerkat Manor" or "Fetch!" than an overtly religious show that features drinking, swearing, and fornicating.

Still, "Saving Grace" isn't just a glorification of hard living and last-minute repentance. Nor is it a cheap attempt by TNT to draw evangelicals to its network. And bloggers have begun to really engage the show's religious content on a thoughtful level. Kobayashi Maru, for example says the theology is pretty weak, but the show itself is still worth watching, and he's hoping that Grace Hanadarko will end up being genuinely saved. Critics Rant is more positive, saying that it's well-written and avoids easy stereotypes.

Not only is it fun to watch, but it's inspiring some interesting viewer response. I count that as a success for everyone involved.

It's Cable's Summer!

And mostly basic cable's, when you get right down to it. A big article in the Times this morning tells us what TV With MeeVee readers already knew - cable is kicking ass with original series this summer. TNT "The Closer" (pictured) and "Saving Grace," "Army Wives" and "State of Mind" on Lifetime, "Damages" on FX, "Mad Men" on AMC and "Burn Notice" on USA are already racking up solid and in some cases terrific reviews - and ratings - while miniseries "Bronx Is Burning" on ESPN and "Jekyll" on BBC America have been critically acclaimed. "Flash Gordon" on Scif Fi and the "High School Musical 2" movie on Disney Channel are coming right up. And Monday pay cabler Showtime gets in the game with the return of the hilarious "Weeds" and the debut of David Duchovny's "Californication." In the meantime, thanks to those ratings, "Burn Notice" has just been renewed for a second season, and "Saving Grace" has been picked up for an additional 15 episodes which (contrary to the Times) will air this season, for a total of 24. With the vast majority of Americans on cable and an increasing number on digital tiers and equipped with DVRs, it might be time for the networks to be very, very afraid.