my two cents
We all know the quirky sitcom’s ratings have never been very good and it’s the loyal and vocal fan base that kept the show alive for three seasons. So I want to know why NBC went ahead with the renewal if they knew they were going to part with Harmon. I have to wonder if NBC even wants the show to succeed. Maybe they just want to strangle it to death. If that’s the case, well done. *cue slow clap*
Have you ever wondered which Amazing Race team was the best ever? Maybe you’ve had a feeling that luck plays a pretty big role in the final?
Well, let’s see what the numbers say! (Spoiler: The best team is not a married couple whose husband is a Boston Red Sox fan!)
I collected the results from all 19 seasons (except for the family edition because we’ve all agreed never to speak of that again). Then, I found each team’s average place of finish for their season. I also looked for each team’s worst placement. As a comparison, I averaged the placements of all first-place teams across all of the seasons, then all second-place teams, and so forth.
photo:warnerbros
Event Date: March 17, 2012
Lauren A – Senior Reviewer
lauren@thetwocentscorp.com
When TheTwoCents visited LA last month, we were in search of the true television fan experience. We definitely found it at the Warner Bros. Studio. With so many film classics under the Warner Bros. umbrella and hit shows like Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Pretty Little Liars and many more currently filming on the lot, there was plenty to see and learn! We toured the lot on a rainy Saturday – not ideal for star spotting (most shows don’t film on weekends), but perfect for the crowd who doesn’t want to miss out on visiting sets just because they’re closed for filming. We had an amazing tour guide who appreciated our pop culture proficiency, and got to see much more than we paid for. Our tour guide’s phrase of the day was, “We’re going rogue because I know you’ll love this!”
The most impressive parts of the studio are the extensive backlot sets. These permanent exterior sets are used for shows and films by Warner Bros. and many other studios – if you’ve ever watched television or seen a movie, you’ll definitely recognize some of these places!
The Lot
With 30 sound stages on the Warner Bros. lot, Stage 18 was just the beginning. Although we didn’t get a peek inside each stage, what we did see was lots of fun! Some of the shows we haven’t mentioned that are currently filming on the lot include: Mike and Molly, Harry’s Law, Two and a Half Men, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Conan, The Voice, and oh so many more! We had no idea that shows from so many networks all came together to film in one place. The sheer star power is overwhelming, and celeb trailers line the drive between the stages.
photo:warnerbros
Event Date: March 17, 2012
Lauren A – Senior Reviewer
lauren@thetwocentscorp.com
When TheTwoCents visited LA last month, we were in search of the true television fan experience. We definitely found it at the Warner Bros. Studio. With so many film classics under the Warner Bros. umbrella and hit shows like Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Pretty Little Liars and many more currently filming on the lot, there was plenty to see and learn! We toured the lot on a rainy Saturday – not ideal for star spotting (most shows don’t film on weekends), but perfect for the crowd who doesn’t want to miss out on visiting sets just because they’re closed for filming. We had an amazing tour guide who appreciated our pop culture proficiency, and got to see much more than we paid for. Our tour guide’s phrase of the day was, “We’re going rogue because I know you’ll love this!”
The most impressive parts of the studio are the extensive backlot sets. These permanent exterior sets are used for shows and films by Warner Bros. and many other studios – if you’ve ever watched television or seen a movie, you’ll definitely recognize some of these places!
Hennesy Street and Stage 18
Several of the Warner Bros. backlot sets are city-themed; there’s definitely a New York feel while still looking generic enough to easily transport us to any major hub. This is especially true of Hennesy Street, which we recognized from many of the Batman films, as well as shows like Big Bang Theory and 2 Broke Girls.
photo:warnerbros
Event Date: March 17, 2012
Lauren A – Senior Reviewer
lauren@thetwocentscorp.com
When TheTwoCents visited LA last month, we were in search of the true television fan experience. We definitely found it at the Warner Bros. Studio. With so many film classics under the Warner Bros. umbrella and hit shows like Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Pretty Little Liars and many more currently filming on the lot, there was plenty to see and learn! We toured the lot on a rainy Saturday – not ideal for star spotting (most shows don’t film on weekends), but perfect for the crowd who doesn’t want to miss out on visiting sets just because they’re closed for filming. We had an amazing tour guide who appreciated our pop culture proficiency, and got to see much more than we paid for. Our tour guide’s phrase of the day was, “We’re going rogue because I know you’ll love this!”
The most impressive parts of the studio are the extensive backlot sets. These permanent exterior sets are used for shows and films by Warner Bros. and many other studios – if you’ve ever watched television or seen a movie, you’ll definitely recognize some of these places!
Midwest Street
We’re serious Gilmore Girls groupies, which is why we easily recognized so many Stars Hollow haunts in post-Gilmore shows like Pretty Little Liars. Even though Luke’s and Doose’s are no more (*tear*), the idea of getting to walk around the real Stars Hollow was what drew us to the Warner Bros. tour to begin with. And, even though we thought we knew all the tricks behind turning Stars Hollow into Rosewood (with a little bit of Bluebell thrown in), we were still in for a few surprises when we visited Midwest Street.
photo:warnerbros
Event Date: March 17, 2012
Lauren A – Senior Reviewer
lauren@thetwocentscorp.com
When TheTwoCents visited LA last month, we were in search of the true television fan experience. We definitely found it at the Warner Bros. Studio. With so many film classics under the Warner Bros. umbrella and hit shows like Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Pretty Little Liars and many more currently filming on the lot, there was plenty to see and learn! We toured the lot on a rainy Saturday – not ideal for star spotting (most shows don’t film on weekends), but perfect for the crowd who doesn’t want to miss out on visiting sets just because they’re closed for filming. We had an amazing tour guide who appreciated our pop culture proficiency, and got to see much more than we paid for. Our tour guide’s phrase of the day was, “We’re going rogue because I know you’ll love this!”
The most impressive parts of the studio are the extensive backlot sets. These permanent exterior sets are used for shows and films by Warner Bros. and many other studios – if you’ve ever watched television or seen a movie, you’ll definitely recognize some of these places!
The Jungle
Currently home to Hart of Dixie and True Blood (the “outdoors in Louisiana” scenes, at least), The Jungle has basically served as the setting for almost any WB show or movie requiring foliage and/or water.
I don’t know if you’ve heard, but the 2012 Academy Awards have been making a lot of news this week. First, Brett Ratner departed as producer and then Eddie Murphy opted out as host. Brian Grazer has already stepped up as the new producer, so the question begs of who should be the new host?
There’s been a lot of speculation… Will it be veteran-host Billy Crystal? How about everywhere-man Neil Patrick Harris? If you’ve hosted any awards show before, and your name isn’t Hathaway or Franco, you’re being considered for the job. But now a new Facebook campaign (http://www.facebook.com/MuppetOscars) asks us to consider a new option: THE MUPPETS! And as crazy as it sounds, I’m completely on-board with it. Are you?
After several soap operas already got the ax, as well of the future departure of SOAPNet, and after months of rumors, today the official announcement came out that ABC has canceled All My Children and One Life to Live. That leaves ABC with only one soap opera – General Hospital – which is steadily at the bottom of the ratings.
Here at The Two Cents, we generally cover prime time TV, but a few of us do watch daytime. Join us in our discussion of what soaps mean to us and why they shouldn’t be canceled.
My Two Cents: One of my friends once made me watch as she cried. She was crying because General Hospital‘s Blackie Parrish (played by a young John Stamos) was going to jail* for two years for accidentally killing Lou Swenson. That was 1984 and for the past 25 years, I have watched daytime soaps… on and off. Today, I was greatly saddened to learn that One Life to Live and All My Children have been canceled.
Mar 1, 2011
I’m not a prude, you can’t watch prime time TV and be a prude these days. “Mature” language and excessive violence isn’t shocking in our culture. But am I out of line to be dismayed that there are two new shows on the ABC docket with the word “bitch” in the title?
I think the FCC rules regarding language are obscure and ridiculous, but that doesn’t mean I want to hear the accepted words any more than the unaccepted words. And I’m particularly annoyed that these two shows are about women who don’t have hearts of gold. Of course it’s too early to tell how it will all play out, but both Good Christian Bitches and Don’t Trust the Bitch in Apt. 23 have unnecessarily crude titles in my opinion.
I’ll be avoiding these shows on this basis alone, and what does that do for your ratings ABC?
-Rachel M, TwoCents Staff Writer
rachelm@thetwocentscorp.com
I’m a reality TV addict. With scripted television this season being at an all-time low as far as quality goes, I’ve turned to cheesy 90s show reruns and as much reality TV as possible.
But recently, MTV has crossed a line with me and I’m so beyond disturbed about it that I had to share my feelings. They started with The Real World, then went to Road Rules, then combined the two with their infinite amount of Challenges. Then they went to their half hour dating shows and oh yah, those few shows about music.
Then a few years ago, we were introduced to the girls of 16 and Pregnant. That turned into a spin-off show called Teen Mom, which will be heading into season three. 16 and Pregnant just finished up its third season, and Teen Mom 2 will premiere soon, following “fan favorites” (not sure who decided they were fan favorites, but, okay…) from the second season. Now? A third show, No Easy Decision, is being added to the lineup. It’s a one-time show following a season three 16 and Pregnant mom who got pregnant again – and her decision to have an abortion.
