I have been extremely lazy today, like uncharacteristically lazy. It's Wednesday, so I'm done class by 11am and have nothing to do until American Horror Story at 10, maybe Modern Family at 9 depending on my mood. I figured- let's blog again! But, I had no idea what to talk about... until I scrolled through Hollywood Reporter (I am such a good TV kid) and saw that ABC ORDERED A SHARK TANK SPIN OFF. I obviously tweeted about it immediately after and now I'm blogging. I am so not 2000 and late, Fergi.
I watched what felt like 50000 episodes of Shark Tank this weekend during fall break, so this news is especially exciting and timely. My parents like it, I like it, and it's not going to make anyone feel weird afterwards like Law and Order SVU does to my parents. Plus, the concept is brilliant. Let's have all these rich people who made their own money through their own hard work listen to these creative people tirelessly pitch their company or product and then not only give them advice that's actually applicable but (here's the kicker) they can choose to invest THEIR OWN HARD EARNED CASH in these Joe and Suzys from Middle America. It's basically America and patriotism and the American dream wrapped into one wonderful show.
The show has been a pretty big success story for ABC too. It got shuffled around to different timeslots, but it has since found it's home on Friday nights. And it's been kicking it since, bringing in over 7 million viewers each episode last season. The Live+7 ratings almost hit 8 million. I watch it mostly when it reruns on CNBC, but still.
Each episode, they include a snap-in that features a product or company from a previous episode. I forget what they call it, but it's basically a "where are they now" type of thing. Most of the time, it's my favorite part of the show because it proves just how influential these deals are and HOW WONDERFULLY POTENT JUST BEING FEATURED ON A TELEVISION SHOW IS FOR YOUR COMPANY. These people are so grateful for their time on Shark Tank and the deals they've made, it's incredible. Plus, it reassures you that the investor is actually involved and it's not a ploy for television. Granted, they're probably not involved in day-to-day stuff, but they're the sort of silent hand pushing these people to greater success.
Now, the world will become a better place because this snap-in is becoming it's own show!!!!!! ABC ordered ten- yes ten- hour-long episodes of what they're calling "Beyond the Tank". The program will be produced by the same team behind Shark Tank, including Sony and Mark Burnett, so the cohesion with Shark Tank and it's brand will be on point. Unfortunately, we can't plan a viewing party yet, as there has been no word on when the show will premiere.
Either way, I'm eating an extra KitKat tonight in celebration.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
How to Get Away with COMPLETELY DOMINATING MY LIFE
I'll be the first to admit that I'm not usually one for watching live television while I'm at school. Between extracurriculars and homework, I can't always get everything finished to sit down and watch a show when episodes air. Prior to this fall, there was one exception: American Horror Story. You can't watch that show alone in your room on your own time, you have to watch it in a group in the dark and scream your face off. But now, AHS has some pretty great company.
Bow your head in respect, because How to Get Away with Murder is Shonda Rhymes's latest gift to humankind. If you don't know who Shonda Rhymes is, you can leave promptly.
For those of you familiar with Shonda's work, you know that she loves wild plot twists, cliffhangers, strong female leads, and sex lots and lots of sex. Shonda's shows get away with all the sex on network television because they air after 9:00pm. HTGAWM airs at 10, so you know there's gonna be lots of steamy scenes. Also, high five to ABC for putting this directly after Scandal's timeslot. Scandal's audience couldn't say no to this program so hello more viewers!
The series premiere drew about 14 million viewers and rated 3.8 among the 18-49 demographic. The Live+7 rating landed at 6.1, showing DVRs across America have Murder queued up to be watched before the next episode. Over 7 million more people watched it after seven days of playback, which is HUGE. The second episode saw a small drop, bringing in a 3.2 in the demographic and moving up to a 5.5 after a week. Episode three brought in 10.8 million viewers with a 3.1 rating. The latest episode garnered 9.79 million viewers, pulling in a 2.8 in the demographic. The Live+7 ratings haven't been released for the last two episodes, but I expect them to be quite large. Let's remember what I said earlier- most people in the 18-49 demographic lead busy lives (or like to go to bed early), so DVR is where it's at. Also not included, as far as I know, is the amount of views online. Insert argument here about how stupid and outdated ratings are these days.
I tried to find some information about whether the show has been trending on Twitter during airtime and the internet lead me to this TIME article, which expresses the show's internet presence. Interestingly enough, there hasn't been any promoted hashtag, so fans have been split on the social networking sites. Some (around 100,000) used #HowToGetAwayWithMurder while others (50,000) shortened it to #HTGAWM.
Enough logistics and numbers, let's talk about the actual show and why I love it.
First reason: the characters. We've got diversity people! White dudes, white chicks, black dudes, black chicks, gay dudes, straight dudes, biracial couples. Thus far- no lesbians, but Shonda's probably planning something wild for us.
Second reason: it's bold. The storytelling technique is unlike anything I've ever watched (although I do believe other shows have tried to do it). It is completely nonlinear. We go back to go forward and have flashes of the present. It's jumbled and confusing, but one of my favorite things is being able to connect the dots. The "ah-ha" moments where you point at the screen and your jaw drops in shock are the best. It's also a pat on the back in that I'm like "oh yeah, I caught that connection, high five!". Also this nonlinear stuff encourages cliffhangers and there are few things I love more than being abandoned at the end of an episode yearning for more to bite into.
Third reason: SO MANY OITNB FRIENDS. And by so many, I mean two. This reason is stupid, but it makes me grin. Matt McGorry, who plays the ever-so-wonderful Officer Bennett on Orange is the New Black is one of the supporting characters. I love him and seeing him play the stereotypical douche makes my heart flutter. Also making an appearance is Alysia Reiner who was (is?) Natalie Figueroa on OITNB, but showed up as a District Attorney in Murder's fourth episode. IMDB says she was in the premiere as well, but I don't remember that. My guess is she doesn't return, mainly because those are the only two episodes listed on her IMDB page, whereas Viola Davis has 15 episodes listed.
And finally,
Number four: my friends watch it and last week it became a co-viewing extravaganza. Spending time watching tv with friends is my happy place.
So now, my life is consumed by television Wednesday & Thursdays from 10-11pm. Please do not bother me and please ignore all screaming/gasps/weird faces&raised eyebrows.
Bow your head in respect, because How to Get Away with Murder is Shonda Rhymes's latest gift to humankind. If you don't know who Shonda Rhymes is, you can leave promptly.
For those of you familiar with Shonda's work, you know that she loves wild plot twists, cliffhangers, strong female leads, and sex lots and lots of sex. Shonda's shows get away with all the sex on network television because they air after 9:00pm. HTGAWM airs at 10, so you know there's gonna be lots of steamy scenes. Also, high five to ABC for putting this directly after Scandal's timeslot. Scandal's audience couldn't say no to this program so hello more viewers!
The series premiere drew about 14 million viewers and rated 3.8 among the 18-49 demographic. The Live+7 rating landed at 6.1, showing DVRs across America have Murder queued up to be watched before the next episode. Over 7 million more people watched it after seven days of playback, which is HUGE. The second episode saw a small drop, bringing in a 3.2 in the demographic and moving up to a 5.5 after a week. Episode three brought in 10.8 million viewers with a 3.1 rating. The latest episode garnered 9.79 million viewers, pulling in a 2.8 in the demographic. The Live+7 ratings haven't been released for the last two episodes, but I expect them to be quite large. Let's remember what I said earlier- most people in the 18-49 demographic lead busy lives (or like to go to bed early), so DVR is where it's at. Also not included, as far as I know, is the amount of views online. Insert argument here about how stupid and outdated ratings are these days.
I tried to find some information about whether the show has been trending on Twitter during airtime and the internet lead me to this TIME article, which expresses the show's internet presence. Interestingly enough, there hasn't been any promoted hashtag, so fans have been split on the social networking sites. Some (around 100,000) used #HowToGetAwayWithMurder while others (50,000) shortened it to #HTGAWM.
Enough logistics and numbers, let's talk about the actual show and why I love it.
First reason: the characters. We've got diversity people! White dudes, white chicks, black dudes, black chicks, gay dudes, straight dudes, biracial couples. Thus far- no lesbians, but Shonda's probably planning something wild for us.
Second reason: it's bold. The storytelling technique is unlike anything I've ever watched (although I do believe other shows have tried to do it). It is completely nonlinear. We go back to go forward and have flashes of the present. It's jumbled and confusing, but one of my favorite things is being able to connect the dots. The "ah-ha" moments where you point at the screen and your jaw drops in shock are the best. It's also a pat on the back in that I'm like "oh yeah, I caught that connection, high five!". Also this nonlinear stuff encourages cliffhangers and there are few things I love more than being abandoned at the end of an episode yearning for more to bite into.
Third reason: SO MANY OITNB FRIENDS. And by so many, I mean two. This reason is stupid, but it makes me grin. Matt McGorry, who plays the ever-so-wonderful Officer Bennett on Orange is the New Black is one of the supporting characters. I love him and seeing him play the stereotypical douche makes my heart flutter. Also making an appearance is Alysia Reiner who was (is?) Natalie Figueroa on OITNB, but showed up as a District Attorney in Murder's fourth episode. IMDB says she was in the premiere as well, but I don't remember that. My guess is she doesn't return, mainly because those are the only two episodes listed on her IMDB page, whereas Viola Davis has 15 episodes listed.
And finally,
Number four: my friends watch it and last week it became a co-viewing extravaganza. Spending time watching tv with friends is my happy place.
So now, my life is consumed by television Wednesday & Thursdays from 10-11pm. Please do not bother me and please ignore all screaming/gasps/weird faces&raised eyebrows.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Commitment and I Clash Again
I apologize... mainly to my professor who told us we should be writing blog posts for class twice a week. Things have gotten overwhelming. I had pink eye, then I had a lot of personal strife, then it was my birthday, and soon comes Fall Break. BUT I promise you one amazing post in the near future about the new show that clogs my brain with so much excitement and wonder. How to Get Away with Murder is getting away with sucking the life out of me and completely dominating 65% of the thoughts that pass through my mind. I will put those thoughts into eloquent and witty sentences for your viewing pleasure when my life takes a chill for a half of a second.
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