Tag / The Simpsons

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FOX Upfronts

FOX is cutting back on scripted programming and adding more game shows to their fall schedule released during their upfront presentation earlier this week.  The week starts with game shows on Monday, with the returning Name That Tune followed by Celebrity Weakest Link, brought over from NBC.  Tuesday has a second installment of Murder in a Small Town followed by season two of Doc.

Competitions are the order of the day on Wednesday, with the latest installment of The Floor followed by 99 to Beat, based on a Belgium show where 100 contestants compete for a $100,000 prize.  Thursdays focus on reality competitions, with new editions of Hell’s Kitchen and Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.  Sports remains the focus on Friday, with college football and basketball filling the night.  Sunday, as always, is Animation Domination, with The Simpsons, Universal Basic Guys, Krapopolis, and Bob’s Burgers wrapping things up following football.

New shows on tap for midseason include Fear Factor: The Next Chapter, a “bigger, bolder and more daring” reality show based on the NBC hit from the early 2000s.  On the comedy front the Josh Charles project Best Medicine, which is planned to team with Doc.  Drama-wise, Memory of a Killer is a dramatic thriller inspired by an award-winning 2003 Belgian film.  Returning shows include American Dad!, Animal Control, Beat Shazam, Don’t Forget the Lyrics!, Extracted, The Faithful, Family Guy, Going Dutch, Grimsburg, Kitchen Nightmares, The Masked Singer, Next Level Baker, and Next Level Chef.  Decisions have yet to be made about Alert: Missing Persons Unit, The Cleaning Lady, or Accused.

Gone and mostly forgotten are 9-1-1: Lone Star and Rescue: HI-Surf.

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FOX Upfronts

For the first time in three years, FOX has released a fall schedule during their upfront presentation.  The week starts with procedural dramas on Monday, with the returning 9-1-1: Lone Star followed by Rescue: HI-Surf, a lifeguard drama from ER and The West Wing producer John Wells.  Tuesday is mystery night, with anthology series Accused followed by Murder in a Small Town, a foreign production starring Kristin Kreuk and based on the Karl Alberg series of books by L.R. Wright.

Family-friendly competitions are the order of the day on Wednesday, with the latest installment of The Masked Singer followed by The Floor.  Thursdays focus on reality competitions, with new editions of Hell’s Kitchen and Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.  Sports is taking over Friday, with college football and basketball filling the night.  Sunday, as always, is Animation Domination, with The Simpsons, Universal Basic Guys, Bob’s Burgers, and Krapopolis wrapping things up following football.

On tap for midseason in the drama realm is a third season of Alert: Missing Persons Unit, a fourth season of The Cleaning Lady, Doc, a new medical drama based of an Italian series and starring Molly Parker.  Comedies waiting for a spot include Animal Control, Family Guy, Going Dutch, a new military series starring Denis Leary, The Great North, and Grimsburg.  Reality planned for the winter/spring includes Crime Scene Kitchen, Extracted, Lego Masters, MasterChef, Name That Tune, and Next Level Chef.

Gone and mostly forgotten is Housebroken.

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FOX Upfronts

It has been a few years now since I’ve watched anything on FOX.  This year’s schedule does not look like it will alter that any come this fall.  Monday starts off with the returning 9-1-1 followed by The Big Leap, revolving around a group of diverse, down-on-their-luck characters attempting to change their lives by participating in a potentially life-ruining reality dance show that builds to a live production of Swan Lake.  Tuesday kicks off with the returning The Resident acting as the lead in for Our Kind Of People, inspired by Lawrence Otis Graham’s provocative, critically acclaimed book of the same name.

The Masked Singer leads off Wednesday nights, followed by yet another singing competition called Alter Ego.  Thursdays get turned over to the NFL starting in October, while Friday is the domain of the WWE.  Sunday’s animated block remains the same, with The Simpsons, The Great North, Bob’s Burgers, and Family Guy wrapping things up following football.

On tap for midseason is The Cleaning Lady, about a whip-smart Cambodian doctor who comes to the US for a medical treatment to save her ailing son, Monarch, about the first family of country music, Welcome To Flatch, a comedy Inspired by BBC Studios’ BAFTA-winning This Country, Pivoting, starring Eliza Coupe, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Maggie Q as three close-knit childhood friends as they cope with the death of the fourth member of their group.  Returning shows planned for mideason include  9-1-1: Lone Star, Call Me Kat, Duncanville, Housebroken, Beat Shazam, Crime Scene Kitchen, Domino Masters, Don’t Forget the Lyrics, Hell’s Kitchen, I Can See Your Voice, Lego Masters, Master Chef, Mental Samurai, and Next Level Chef.

Gone and mostly forgotten are Bless The Harts, Filthy Rich, Last Man Standing, neXt, and Prodigal Son.

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Another Mix Tape Monday Roundup

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would become a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD. We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Last week, we finished up the last of the 20 volumes.  The 287 songs from 144 different bands or performers have been played an average of nearly 16 times each, according to my iTunes stats, up from just over 8.5 times 3 years ago. Let’s take one final look back at the bands and songs that made up my youth.

Most Played Song

48 – Boyz II Men – It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye

43 – Tag Team – Whoomp! (There It Is)

42 – Veruca Salt – Seether

39 – Snoop Dogg – What’s My Name?

38 – Sir Mix-A-Lot – Baby Got Back

Least Played Song

4 – TLC – Get It Up

4 – Warren G – Do You See

4 – Liz Phair – Whip-Smart

5 – Edwyn Collins – A Girl Like You

5 – Bon Jovi – Lay Your Hands On Me

5 – Shanice – Saving Forever For You

5 – Ace of Base – The Sign

Most Played Song – Largest Total Increase

30 – Tag Team – Whoomp! (There It Is)

24 – Snoop Dogg – What’s My Name?

24 – Sir Mix-A-Lot – Baby Got Back

23 – Color Me Badd – All 4 Love

20 – Stone Temple Pilots – Creep

20 – Boyz II Men – It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye

Least Played Song – Smallest Total Increase

0 – Liz Phair – Whip-Smart

1 – Warren G – Do You See

1 – Gin Blossoms – Mrs. Rita

1 – Bon Jovi – In These Arms

1 – Frente! – Labour of Love

Most Played Song – Largest Percentage Increase

2000% – Stone Temple Pilots – Creep

1200% – Ugly Kid Joe – Busy Bee

700% – Paula Abdul – The Way That You Love Me

700% – The Simpsons – Do The Bartman

500% – Bell Biv Devoe – Something In Your Eyes

500% – Jodeci – Cry For You

500% – The Cranberries – Twenty One

Least Played Song – Smallest Percentage Increase

0% – Liz Phair – Whip-Smart

6.25% – Frente! – Labour of Love

9.09% – Bon Jovi – In These Arms

13.33% – Alanis Morissette – All I Really Want

16% – Mazzy Star – Fade Into You

Most Represented Band

11 – Poison

10 – Aerosmith

10 – Pearl Jam

7 – Def Leppard

7 – Guns N’ Roses

Most Played Tape

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Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 4

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would become a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD. We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Volume 4 places us smack dab in the middle of my junior year of high school, from late 1990 and into 1991, and, s quite possibly, the worst entry in this series.  Judging solely from this tape, you would have no idea that Nirvana’s Nevermind would be released later this year.

Side A

Damn Yankees – High Enough

Peaking at #3 on the Billboard charts, the one big hit from the supergroup featuring right-wing douchenozzle Ted Nugent added only 4 new plays and hasn’t shown up in rotation in over a year.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 6 plays 10 plays, most recently on 11/21/2017 

Sweet Sensation – If Wishes Came True

The #25 hit of 1990 added 8 additional listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 5 plays 13 plays, most recently on 8/17/2018 

Poison – Fallen Angel

Poison’s hit from 1988, the only single from Open Up and Say… Ahh! to not crack the top 10, got 9 additional listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
11 plays 13 plays 22 plays, most recently on 12/3/2018 

Simpsons – Do The Bartman

The first single from the animated TV family, which went to #1 in 5 countries but wasn’t officially released as a single in the US, added 7 new listens over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
0 plays 1 play 8 plays, most recently on 11/19/2018 

Roxette – The Look

Ranked as the #17 single of 1989, the hit for the Swedish duo gained a mere 3 new spins over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
1 play 8 plays 11 plays, most recently on 7/10/2018 

Poison – I Won’t Forget You

The fourth single from Poison’s debut album, originally taped off a mixtape I “borrowed” from my friend Mike’s sister, tripled its output over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
1 play 3 plays 9 plays, most recently on 9/6/2018

Side B

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Book 4 (of 52) – Just The Funny Parts

Just The Funny Parts: …And A Few Hard Truths About Sneaking Into The Hollywood Boys’ Club – Nell Scovell

Television writer and producer Nell Scovell looks back at her career in this funny and biting memoir.  She tells the story of her career, starting in magazines, moving to television and movies, and teaming with Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg on her book Lean In.  Usually one of the only women in the writing room, Scovell was only the second female writer hired by Late Night with David Letterman and, following Letterman’s 2009 admission of improper “relationships” with female staffers, she wrote an essay in Vanity Fair calling his show a “hostile work environment” for women.  Besides Late Night, Scovell has written for The Simpsons, The Wilton North Report, Coach, Monk, Murphy Brown, Charmed, Newhart, The Critic, NCIS, and Space Ghost Coast to Coast, amongst others.  She also created Sabrina The Teenage Witch, adapting the Archie Comics character for ABC.

Odds are good that you have seen a program written by Scovell at some point over the last 3 decades.  She tales a serious subject, the roadblocks to a writing/directing/producing career in Hollywood for women, and wrapped it in funny anecdotes of her time bringing beloved characters to life.  Hopefully this work opens more opportunities for her, and others like her.

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Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 2

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would become a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD. We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Volume 2 picks up in early 1990 and takes us through early summer, book-ended by Roxette hits and featuring another steady stream of hair metal and pop, with a little rap and R&B thrown in for flavor.

Side A

Roxette – Dangerous

Originally recorded from American Top 40, the fifth and final single from Roxette’s second album added 5 listens to its play total over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
7 plays 12 plays 17 plays, most recently on 12/18/2018 

Skid Row – Youth Gone Wild

The first release from Skid Row, which peaked at #99 on the Billboard charts, picked up 5 new plays over the past 4+ years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 8 plays 13 plays, most recently on 10/3/2018 

Biz Markie – Just A Friend

Ranked #81 on VH1s list of Greatest One Hit Wonders, Biz Markie’s smash more than doubled its listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
6 plays 12 plays 25 plays, most recently on 11/8/2018 

Mötley Crüe – Without You

Peaking at #8 on the Billboard charts, the ballad, said to be about drummer Tommy Lee’s relationship with Heather Locklear, picked up 6 additional spins since 2015.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
10 plays 11 plays 17 plays, most recently on 11/26/2018 

Aerosmith – What It Takes

Aerosmtih returns to my charts with this smash hit, which peaked at #9 on the charts and picked up a mere 3 plays over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
8 plays 12 plays 15 plays, most recently on 8/14/2018 

MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This

The first rap song to be nominated for the Record of the Year Grammy, MC Hammer’s signature tune more than doubled its play total over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 6 plays 13 plays, most recently on 12/15/2018 

Aerosmith – Rag Doll

A 1988 hit from Aerosmith, which makes an appearance on this tape thanks to my absconding my friend Scott’s cassette of their previous album, also more than doubled its play total in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 6 plays 13 plays, most recently on 10/2/2018 

Side B

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FOX Upfronts

A year after banking their season on the return of old favorites, FOX has gone a different route this year.  Gotham loses its longtime home on Monday nights, replaced by The Gifted, based on Marvel’s X-Men characters, which will follow Lucifer.  Tuesdays will lead off with the second season of Lethal Weapon, followed by The Mick and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.  Wednesday takes a musical cue, with Empire followed by Star.

Gotham lands on Thursdays, followed by Seth MacFarlane’s first live-action show, The Orville.  Friday remains the same, with Hell’s Kitchen followed by The Exorcist.  A new comedy, Ghosted, moves in between The Simpsons and Family Guy on Sundays.

The final season of New Girl will appear at some point.  Also on tap for mid-season are The Resident, a groundbreaking medical drama starring, amongst others, Matt Czuchry and Emily VanCamp, and LA to Vegas, a comedy about a flight crew going back and forth between LA and Vegas.

Gone and mostly forgotten are APB, Making History, Pitch, Prison Break (which may return again in the future), Son of Zorn, 24: Legacy (again, may return in the future), Bones, Rosewood, Scream Queens, and Sleepy Hollow.

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Book 8 (of 52) – TV (The Book)

TV (The Book): Two Experts Pick The Greatest American Shows Of All Time – Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz

Lamenting the lack of serious television criticism in book form, like there has been for years for film, former newspapermen Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz team up to rank the 100 greatest American television shows of all time, giving their explanation on why each one deserves its spot in the American cultural landscape.  Aside from The Simpsons, which has been on the air for 50 years or so and took home the top spot after much deliberation, currently airing shows were not eligible for consideration.

Separated into 4 categories, The Inner Circle, No-Doubt-About-It Classics, Groundbreakers and Workhorses, and Outlier Classics, the list runs the gamut from television’s earliest days, with classics like I Love Lucy and The Honeymooners, to today’s (well, yesterday’s) biggest hits.  As we are living in the golden age of Peak TV, the majority of the list is certainly from the past 20 years or so.

My television watching has had me watch all or a good portion of 24 of these classic series, either in first run or syndication.  Those shows are:

The Simpsons
Cheers
Seinfeld
MASH
Louie
The X-Files
Lost
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
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