television
09/14/2007
"Quarterlife," New MySpace Series from the Creators of "Thirtysomething"
Thirtysomething creators Marshall Hershkovitz and Edward Zwick are no strangers to naval-gazing angst. They practically revived the genre singlehandedly. So it's no surprise that their new series, Quarterlife, takes a long, earnest look at today's twentysomethings as they search for their identity.
What is surprising is that this network-quality show isn't on any network -- it's on MySpace.
Based on a Hershkovitz-Zwick pilot rejected by ABC, Quarterlife will "air" every Sunday and Thursday beginning Nov. 11. A day after hitting MySpace, segments will appear on www.quarterlife.com, and a week after that, they'll be available webwide.
But what's it about? Well, in the broader scheme, it's about a group of friends struggling to find their way out of college. Specifically it's about one woman, Dylan (Bitsie Tulloch), and how her relentlessly honest blogging RUINS PEOPLE'S LIVES.
And, going by the trailer, it also seems there will be a lot of hugging.
The key thing about Quarterlife is not its subject matter -- or even if it's good or not -- but the fact that it is the latest in a number of professional projects that are legitimizing the Web as a place for creative content. What do big money and big names hitting the scene mean for indie creators? That remains to be seen.
But when one of the stars of "Lonelygirl 15" has a lead in a show by the guys behind Blood Diamond and The Last Samurai, the times, they are a changin'.
06/15/2007
Hurricane Katrina on FOX Prime-Time
Being a New Orleans native, I knew there must be at least one project in the works about Hurricane Katrina; after all, it has been two years, long enough for the development and production process to take place. And what network exec wants to pass up a real life drama?
I can’t say that I’m surprised about the set up. I mean, they’ve got most things right. Many people are still not moving back (myself included), yes, it really does still look like that, and since it’s a crime drama that seems pretty fitting too. I’ll even give it to Anthony Anderson (The Departed) and Cole Hauser (The Break Up) for not even attempting a New Orleans accent.
But despite the fact that the director, Deran Sarafian, has House, MD under his belt, there’s something in my gut that tells me that this might be another Black Donnellys. I’m not saying it won’t sustain any type of viewership, I’m just saying that when I’m intrigued with a show, it’s destined to get cancelled.
