File it Under "Brilliant But Canceled": Party Down

Starz gave it a good try with Party Down, but it pulled the plug. It's a shame that no one really knew where to get Starz in the first place. RIP Party Down. Maybe Facebook's "Save Party Down" group will revive you. It helped Betty White.

Michael and Michael Have Issues: Season Finale

After a six episode run, it kills me to say I was a bit disappointed in Michael and Michael Have Issues. My expectations may have been high since Black and Showalter are always funny. Sadly, there was more silence than laughs for me. The show had a disjointed feel edging between behind-the-scene situations, Michael and Michael's feuds and live studio audience sketches. Nevertheless, it showcased the talents of comedians Leo Allen, Jessie Klein and Kumail Nanjiani who protrayed various production staff. That was a treat.

A second season is not confirmed; however, last night's finale went out on a high note. Michael and Michael have a run in with their comedy rivals (and studio neighbors) Jeff and Larry. Hilarity and nudity ensued. Why didn't we have more of this in previous episodes?

Michael & Michael Have Issues	Wed 10:30pm / 9:30c
Jeff and Larry
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Life On Mars Takes Flight

Life on Mars may have been canceled, but in last night's episode "Annie, Tea or Me", one of the remaining episodes to air until the conclusion of the storyline, we witnessed a prime example of why the inevitable end is such a disappointment. It was a fabulous 70's romp, filled with strange swingers, flush with all the glamor of air hostesses flirting with handsome moustacheoed pilots. It mixed in the strength of Annie's character, and her burgeoning, realistic love for Sam. We also get more of an idea that Sam is quite smitten with the cute Annie himself.

Being an ambitious female cop in a precinct filled with Archie Bunkers of all ages, shapes and sizes is not easy - especially for "No Nuts - Donuts" Annie. She's been breaking leads in many a case now - one being the recent caper with the Weather Underground. Now, she's filling in for a dead flight attendant, found in garbage pile, who has a very striking resemblence to Annie. So striking - she's a dead ringer for our favorite female cop. Using this coincidence to her benefit, she leads the undercover investigation by donning a wig, rocking a stewardess uniform and boarding a plane to crack the case. Shadowing her is a very dashing Sam, also incognito, dressed as a pilot with stripes and a porn mustache only Jason O'Mara could pull off. The low key Gene and Ray are pretend passagers, hanging back to protect their partner, setting their sights to nab a known pervert who may lead them in the direction of the murderer. They ultimately arrest the pervy guy in-flight, and the case does indeed begin to unravel, leading them to a key swapping party with swingers, eventually nailing the case thanks to Annie's bravery and tenacity. Sam's protective yet liberated views of her ambitions were touching. Quotations of David Cassidy songs aside, you can see she's getting a little soft for the handsome spaceman detective from the land of 2008. It was also nice to see cameos by Gina Gershon and Mark Lin Baker.

I loved seeing a depiction of what female police officers must have gone through during that era. Although a show such as Police Woman was hitting the airwaves at the time, and woman's liberation was undergoing a cultural explosion, some male dominated areas of expertise were still in the dark ages. Unless you filled the role of parking meter maid, women in law enforcement had a very steep uphill climb. Annie was a pioneer, and last night's show championed this element to perfection.

Thanks to the magic of YouTube, I am finally catching up on the original UK series. Better late than never.

Fallon Debuts/Life on Mars Cancelled

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon debuted last night with guests Robert DeNiro, Justin Timberlake and Van Morrison. Heavy hitters for a maiden episode made it feel as if Jimmy may have reached far above his head. The monologue was rather stiff, with cue card reading more obvious than on any random SNL sketch, but given that he was rightfully nervous, I'd give him some time to ease into this aspect of the talk show. Personally, I wouldn't be upset if the opening jokes were dropped. The only person who could give good monologue was Johnny Carson. Second best is David Letterman - when he's dishing out three jokes for one monologue per show. I get bored easily.

DeNiro was definitely a good sport in joining Jimmy for the first show, being this low key self, and playing along with a sketch called "Space Train", which was more amusing than hilarious.

The Slow Jam News showcased Fallon's new house band The Roots, singing the headlines of the day, Flight of the Conchords style, with jazzy, sexy smoothness. This band is tight, funky and nasty - a nice departure from Max Weinberg's Seven - and those guys were good.

Here's some Slow Jam News:


Justin Timberlake was a perfect guest for Jimmy's first show. They already have a solid comedy history together, having done SNL's famous Barry Gibb Show, singing in the Bee Gee Falsetto with remarkable accuracy. Timberlake is always a great talent to see. He could do a muffler commercial, and I'd be happy.

I know there are naysayers, but I think that Fallon should be given a chance. Last night's debut was decent, if a bit shaky; yet, the guy is only human and wants to succeed in bringing the funny to late night television. Yes, he has large shoes to fill, but so did Conan. Time will tell if Jimmy can live up to the expectations of those who had faith in giving him this gig. I'm happy to give him that chance.

Life on Mars - Canceled by ABC

It's not like this is unexpected, but it's disappointing nonetheless. Life on Mars was officially canceled by the ABC network. It joins Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone and Dirty Sexy Money into the dustbin of broken ABC network dreams. Could it be that ABC is ditching drama, possibly for the low cost hack of reality shows?

The good news is production will continue to play out the storyline in order to reveal the mystery of Sam Tyler. The bad news is we will not continue to view this fabulous 70's police style drama beyond the conclusion, which could have resulted in episodes that touch upon the original UK sequel Ashes to Ashes, currently airing on BBC America. No more Jason O'Mara's wonderful Paul Newman/Steve McQueen vibe, that retro, yellowish feel of the past, the TV cop funkadelic music, the intensity of Michael Imperioli, the sparkle of Harvey Keitel. Goodbye to all that.

Unfortunately, another great British television show has been ruined at the hands of American programming development, an entity that has a need to pound out more episodes than necessary. Oh, and there was that two month hiatus, after a very solid Fall season, which interrupted the story flow and viewer interest.

It's also sad to see yet another New York production fall to the ratings. Mars joins NBC's Lipstick Jungle as the second NYC production to be officially axed within the past week.

"Arrested Development" Movie Has Been Unleashed From the Chains of Cera

Hey, Michael Cera! I'm looking at you. Yes you. Put that fugly camera down.

The Arrested Development Movie has now been officially green lit. The last piece of of the casting puzzle has finally agreed to be in the flick. Michael Cera, the young'n who played the lovable and sweet George Michael Bluth, now big star of Juno and Superbad, was the one hold out. The entire cast of well seasoned, hilarious, talented actors, such as Jessica Walter, Jeffrey Tambor, Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, and...be still my laughing heart...Will Arnett, were all willing and ready to reprise their now classic roles, only to be held up by Cera's hesitation to join. However, Co-Executive Producer and narrator Ron Howard did spill the beans during the Oscar red carpet chats just by saying that yes, the film was a definite go as his eyes glowed with happiness. It seems that Cera finally came to his senses, realized what a fantastic opportunity it would be to work with this awesome group of funny actors, and decided to become George Michael once again - this time on the big screen.

Well, it's about time, Cera. All this too-cool-for-the-room snarkiness was growing old. The "you can always watch all three seasons on DVD" was getting way past lame. Know the hand that fed you. Don't bite it. But having said that - thank you for finally seeing the light. Putting the dysfunctionally funny Bluth family in cinemas will be awesome with cheese on a bun. More GOB magic tricks!

Gratuitous photo of the cast I love...


"It's Arrested Development..."