ABOUT TEST PATTERN

Don't touch that dial: Test Pattern tunes into television, movie, music and pop culture links, as well as gossip and idle chat from around the Web.

Every week, msnbc.com entertainment producers Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, Denise Hazlick, Paige Newman, Kurt Schlosser and Anna Chan weigh in on topics ranging from TV commercials to movie hype to the latest celebrity blunder. We're not ashamed to admit our love for bad TV or reveal what's on our iPods, and invite you to join the conversation via your comments.



'Sopranos,' 'Shield' to return

Posted: Tuesday, March 20, 2007 5:15 PM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
Filed Under:

Didn't Charlie Brown once say the secret of happiness is having three things to look forward to and nothing to dread? As a TV editor, I like to put his philosophy into television terms. Even though the average American has more than 100 channels, it can be hard to find those three upcoming shows to look foward to. Here's where I'll be putting my TiVo to work in upcoming weeks.

April 3: "The Shield" returns, with Vic Mackey on the hunt for Lem's killer -- and with no idea just how close to him that killer is.

April 5: After weeks of reruns, a new episode of "The Office" airs. Here's NBC's summary: "Darryl decides to meet with Michael to negotiate a pay increase. Meanwhile, Jim deals with the consequences of Pam's confession to Roy." You know I'm most interested in that second bit, after Roy shrieking in the last new episode "I'M GONNA KILL JIM HALPERT!"

April 8: "The Sopranos" returns for its final episodes. ("Entourage" returns the same day.)Remember where we left off? Tony had managed to distract Carmela from her hunt to find out what happened to Adriana, Christopher was married and a family man all of a sudden, and AJ was dating a single mom and seemed to have found himself at long last. All this family peace cannot last.

May 22-23: "American Idol" finale, with performances on May 22, and the winner crowned on May 23.

May 22: "On the Lot" premieres. Yes, there are a million and then some reality shows, but this one, in which filmmakers compete for a million-dollar development deal, should be more interesting than most. Viewers will see some of the short films the competitors make each week. I'm betting this will pull in giant ratings, thanks to FOX scheduling it right after the "Idol" final performance show.

May 24: "So You Think You Can Dance" returns. This is the one with actual dancers, not country singers and Miss USAs learning to dance.

June 10: "Sopranos" airs its series finale. Will Tony or one of his family members be whacked? Or, will Tony survive, but head off to spend the rest of his life in jail? For ordering Adriana's murder alone, he has blood all over his hands.

MAIN PAGE

Email this EMAIL THIS

Comments

roy did not shriek that he was going to kill jim halpert.

John Doe, Seattle Wash. (Sent Tuesday, March 20, 2007 11:01 PM)

Do you know when Big Love will come back?

Tricia, Texas (Sent Tuesday, March 20, 2007 11:10 PM)

The Shield, The Sopranos and The Office - probably the 3 best shows on television, (include The Wire as the 4th). So very good news that new ones are on the way.

Mike Mentos (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 11:02 AM)

I am glad to see The Sopranos coming back even though it is for the last time. HBO should keep them around if any way possible. Hated to see Sex and the City end and now will have to deal with The Sopranos ending as well. What will we do without Carrie and the girls and "the family" to watch on Sunday night?

Lisa, Missouri (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 1:08 PM)

John Doe: Not sure what you're talking about. He sure said it in the episode I saw.

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 2:18 PM)

Tricia: "Big Love" returns June 17. Should have included that in my list too.

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 2:20 PM)

Is there going to be a season two of HBO Latino's Epitafios? If so, When?

Manny, Queens, New York (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 2:24 PM)

Thanks so much. I wish it was coming on with The Sopranos, but I guess I'll just get my fix in small doses. Looking forward to The Closer as well. It should be sometime this summer, too.

Tricia, Texas (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 2:46 PM)

Great! Now let's get "Rome" back for a third season. The sets are built, the costumes are on the rack and the actors are great. Let's have one more season, maybe two.

Robert L. La Gow (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 3:02 PM)

Where is the conclusion to Deadwood?

Tortoney Bolilla (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 3:10 PM)

yes, more ROME please!!

bill, new jersey (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 3:20 PM)

Why are you so sure about Adriana's death? Did you actually see blood on Silvio's or Tony's hands. There was a scene of Adriana crawling / exiting stage left; followed by a few shots, but there was never a body. TV Actors have been resurected from the dead after more convincing demises than hers. And after spending time in Purgatory (acting on Joey) she desreves to come back for the Sopranos finale.

Mike, Round Rock, TX (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 3:24 PM)

I *think* John Doe was saying he didn't shriek it, not that he didn't say it. But c'mon man - that's gonna be a funny story line! Who cares if he shrieked it, screamed it, sag it or rapped it! Can you imagine one of Jim's priceless faces if he'd heard Roy yell that? HA!

Lindsay, Central MA (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 3:27 PM)

Any idea on when Curb Your Enthusiasm returns as well? Thanks

Jim, Billings, Montana (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 3:34 PM)

Rome is not coming back for a 3rd season. HBO decided it was too expensive.

Sandy P, Wilmington, DE (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 3:49 PM)

John Doe... Roy did yell he was going to kill Jim Halpert. It was at the very end while he was sitting out by the dumpster behind the bar.

the hen (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 3:51 PM)

Dirt and Riches on the FX channel are terrific. I dropped HBO from my cable because of the numerous delays on the SOPRANOS. I did not like being toyed with and I said to myself, who needs this?

John Doe, Seattle, WA (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 4:00 PM)

What about Rescue Me? One of THE best shows on TV...should be back in May sometime?

Linda, New York, NY (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 4:15 PM)

I totally agree with Mike Mentos, those 3 shows are by far the best things of tv. Can't wait to watch them all.

Oscar Chavez, Chicago, IL (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 4:47 PM)

WRONG! Replace the shield with Entourage. They should be ranked: (1) Sopranos, (2) Entourage, and (3) the Office.

Mike Slama, Miami FL (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 6:45 PM)

Hey !, Have you all forgot "DEADWOOD" ?, I love Sapranos'too!, but give me some word on them...the silence is terrible about "DEADWOOD" and is Sapranos really coming back with new Episodes on HBO? My future year will be set if I hear "DEADWOOD" is on it's way back to our part of the country,Partners'.

Pappyblues, Portland, Oregon . (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 9:58 PM)

If HBO has decided their reason for not continuing Rome was cost..where does all the money they collect go..after Sopranos I am deep-sixing HBO...Deadwood is over (or so I hear)...Big Love and Entourage are good but not good enough to pay the big cable bills..

Ron Mac, Denver, Colorado (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 12:38 AM)

What channel for THE Shield? Can't find it on Directv.

Sunrise, FL (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 6:46 AM)

Is it really true that they are not bringing back Rome for a third season? I really enjoyed the series.

Patricia Gibson, Clifton, NJ (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 7:29 AM)

The Sopranos are a definite number 1, but The Wire is not far behind. HBO can we please have three or four more seasons of The Wire. Oh yeah, what happened to Deadwood?

Harold, Washington D.C. (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 8:26 AM)

Is CARNIVALE ever coming back to H.B.O ?

michael morgan (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 9:16 AM)

Is Rome coming back for another season? HBO read this...it needs to be back. You already burned us with Deadwood. Keep quality programming going. Reality shows keep returning. Keep some good stuff.

Elizabeth (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 9:21 AM)

does anybody remember the show "crime story" from the late 80's? very similar to the sopranos WITHOUT the foul language. it was a superb wonderfully written show too bad its gone.

b gore (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 9:21 AM)

Replace The Shield! Are you crazy! This is the absolute best cop series ever shown on T.V.. I can't wait to see the new episodes. I haven't missed a one.

Bryan May St. Louis MO. (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 9:37 AM)

I heard that ABC is bring back its show 6th Degrees again sometime this spring, to give it another try. I liked it, but not as much as The Nine [still sad they cancelled that one, it was really good].

J. (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 10:23 AM)

O.K. There is never going to be a true agreement on the best shows on t.v. So, here is one humble man's opinion of a top five: 1.The Sopranos 2.Rescue Me 3.The Wire 4.Entourage 5.The Shield. And an honorable mention to The Closer. You all have to agree that these are the best written shows on television. I don't believe there is any debate there. I think the opinion of what is best is purely objectible. Let the debate continue.

Scottie B., Atlanta, GA (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 11:15 AM)

In this order, the best tv shows...The Shield, The Wire, Sopranos (minus last season), Entourage, The Office, Nip/Tuck

James, Washington DC (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 11:33 AM)

My top 3: The Sopranos, The Wire, and Entourage. I cant believe more people arent into the Wire. The best new show out there is The Black Donnellys. With The Wire between seasons, they take the 3rd spot of current shows.

CS (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 11:51 AM)

Anyone know the return dates for either Entourage or Weeds? Thanks!

P. (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 12:34 PM)

Sheild is on FX....

Ed Albany, NY (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 12:48 PM)

A good show to replace the Sopranos once it ends would be The Black Donnellys , On regular TV not bad but on HBO it would be better ,The Sopranos , The Shield , Entourage the 3 best , When is The Wire coming back

kiko (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 1:27 PM)

P: I mention "Entourage" above, it returns the same day as "The Sopranos," April 8. The rest of you: I'll try to find out some of the return dates you ask for and include them in an update.

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 1:39 PM)

Best shows....The Wire, 24, The Black Donnellys

MsB (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 1:53 PM)

I'm not watching The Black Donnellys or any other testosterone driven drama. At least The Sopranos manages to have strong female characters - Carm, Adrianna, Dr. Melfi. (Anyone remember Carmela baking that ricotta pie to get Meadow a recommendation for Georgetown? "Out of respect for my husband's position ..." She can be as ruthless as Tony. Edie Falco is brilliant.) As far as most of the other shows go, I'm sick of women on TV being tarted up accessories. It's the same reaon I won't watch The Departed -- yawn, more tough guys.

Lisa (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 1:54 PM)

You're missing some great shows if you don't have The Closer, 24 and House on your list.

S.Edwards, Pensacola, FL (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 1:58 PM)

Deadwood is over, sad but true.

Jane Doe, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 1:59 PM)

Rome 11 million dollars and episode is a lot...

Kev Richmond VA (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 2:42 PM)

loved that new show Shark starring James Woods only to find that it is no longer on TV. Can you tell me if they are planning on bringing it back or just letting it drop.

Ricki Blank (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 3:07 PM)

With The Sopranos ending, I don't see me watching much HBO. I'm looking forward to The Tudors and my new favorite, Dexter.

Jodi, Nashville, TN (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 3:29 PM)

The Sopranos lost that special feeling at least two seasons ago...Entourage is like watching college kids on spring break, change it to Ari as the lead and I'll tune back in...Rome is the only real show worth watching, and Deadwood.

Ed Wood, Sacramento Calif. (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 3:44 PM)

Lisa, there are some great female lead character driven shows out there. The best one would have to be The Closer. But there is also Dirt, Weeds, and llok out for The Riches on FX. That show turened out to be better than I expected. And Minnnie Driver's character, even though no earmarked as the lead, is actually the one that seems to be in control. So there you are...great shows...no tough guys.

Scottie B., Atlanta, GA (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 4:41 PM)

Yes he did! He said it at the very end to his brother outside the bar..."I'm gonna kill Jim Halpert!!!"

Erin (Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007 5:33 PM)

The greatest loss was the non-return of Deadwood.  Talk about a well written program!  Problem with American TV is that the more you have to think during a program, the more likely it won't last. The concentration factor required to follow the goings on in Deadwood was refreshing.  I loved the language and the syntax.  Can you remember a single sentence that ended with a preposition?  The characters in Deadwood and their development rivaled or surpassed anything I ever saw in my other HBO favorite program, The Sopranos.

Bob (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 7:40 PM)



SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.): 

 Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private)

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://testpattern.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=95680