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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.



TV dead pool: Is 'Knight Rider' out of gas?

Posted: Monday, October 13, 2008 6:00 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
Filed Under:

The new TV season has barely begun, and yet at least one show has already been canceled. "Do Not Disturb," a Fox comedy starring Jerry O'Connell and Niecy Nash as hotel employees, got the hook after just three episodes.

The news came as no real surprise to readers of our Fall TV Preview. Writer Stuart Levine gave "DND" the harshest review of any new show, calling the jokes not just lame, but offensive, and saying the show was "so terrible that one would be better off buying the season one DVD package of last year’s 'Cavemen' and watching that on a permanent loop."


NBC
Has new "Knight Rider" already run out of gas?

Now that the first show has fallen, it's only a matter of time before other shows also get the axe.

Miami Herald critic Glenn Garvin picks "Worst Week," yet another American adaptation of a British sitcom, to die an early death. But other critics have said the comedy is one of the better new offerings out there.

Speaking of international remakes, "Kath & Kim," a remade version of an Aussie show, was receiving some negative buzz from the critics even before regular viewers got to see the first episode, which aired last Thursday.

And you can't talk about cancellation possibilities without discussing the "Knight Rider" remake. Alan Sepinwall of New Jersey's Star-Ledger was blunt in his review, saying: "How many things are wrong with NBC's 'Knight Rider' remake? Well, how much time have you got? Or is all you need to know that NBC is doing a 'Knight Rider' remake?"

You be Nostradamus, here. Predict the future. And yes, you can choose either new shows or old standards that really need to pack up their sets and go home. Is it time for "Til Death"  to die? Has "Cops" already arrested every drunken lout in the nation -- at least twice? Make your own TV dead pool list in the comments.

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Comments

I was so disappointed in Kath and Kim.  It's gotta go.  Give me more of The Office and 30 Rock

Faith Nicole, Nashville, TN (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 9:58 AM)

I am going with Life on Mars.  

Me, Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 10:04 AM)

Two shows that would reduce air pollution if left the air-ways are CSI Miami and Law & Order SVU. The acting is sooo bad (especially from Caruso), the scripts challenge the imagination of the viewers, and the writers try to fly on the reputation of the Miami night-life. (Note: The parent of the CSI family may suffer the same cheezy acting and sophomoric writing when Grissom leaves.) The L&A SVU has not improved with age like a good wine.  The story lines are more like a twist-off bottle of muscatel.  Both shows are a waste of time.  Leave cops where it is.  It's a show that brings whole families together to watch Uncle Joe get arrested, once again.

Deb Cogill, Wellesley, MA (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 10:22 AM)

Eli Stone is terrible and needs to go.

Ed (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 10:22 AM)

1.  Knight Rider
2. Eleventh Hour--The BBC version was mediocre
3. Sanctuary--Horrible show
4. Life on Mars--Bad version of an unwatchable BBC series
5. Gary Unmarried--Jay should've stayed on Ghost Whisperer
6. Worst Week--Again, BBC did it better
7. The Ex List--Why are we stealing BBC shows?
8. My Own Worst Enemy
9. Opportunity Knocks
10. Eli Stone
11. Pushing Daisies
12. Kath and Kim
13. Hole in the Wall

Matt M., Boston, MA (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 10:27 AM)

I Tivoed Kath & Kim, and tried to watch it multiple times over the weekend.  I had some really good naps.  It's not that the show was bad, it just didn't hold my interest.

Toni, So Cal. (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 10:46 AM)

I'm stunned no one has put "Valentine" on their list yet.  The gods are transported from Mount Olympus to the modern day to help people with their love lives?  Seriously?

ALA, Knoxville, TN (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 11:05 AM)

I really enjoy Worst Week. I'd be sorry to see it go - it's hilarious. I think it has a lot of potential and hope CBS gives it some more time.

Amanda K., Oklahoma City, OK (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 11:07 AM)

I know it's not new, but am I the only one who thinks the world would be a better place if all things Tyra disappeared? America's Next Top Model is atrocious. It's the reason the terrorists hate us.

Brad, Tulsa, OK (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 11:14 AM)

Network TV has been so bad that I rarely watch any of it anymore. Besides having small children, which means I can't watch anything before 9, there just hasn't been anything better than cable lately. Even (gasp!) PBS seems to have better offerings than network TV. That said, I don't know what NBC was thinking about when they decided to bring back Knight Rider. Haven't watched it, don't plan to.

MJ, PA (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 11:16 AM)

I'm surprised Hole in the Wall wasn't cancelled first.  What a waste! At least Wipeout was funny.

These attempts to remake shows from other countries have got to stop.....The Ex-List and Kath and Kim are awful.  Eleventh Hour and Worst Week are marginal without comparing them to the originals.  Now they're talking about doing Absolutely Fabulous and I can imagine it will be only a matter of time before they try to adapt Primeval.  Ugh.

Michelle (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 11:16 AM)

love worst week, eli and till death. with the exception of eli, i can relate in my marriage with the mistakes they make. while i was excited to see knight come back, i admit i read the paper while watching and didn't see to notice i missed the show!

Kimber, Cincinnati, OH (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 11:20 AM)

Please, someone give The Ex-List the boot.  It's just awful!  We don't need any more programs about vapid women acting as though they don't have a life without a man and that they can't be happy unless they have the 'perfect' man.  Get real people.  Perfection is highly overrated and so is this show!

Vicki, Central Indiana (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 11:23 AM)

well, at least is good to know that we are not missing any thing good over here.

calem, AL Taqaddum, iraq (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 11:25 AM)

Life on Mars has to go.  Even the original Brittish version was awful.

I like The EX-List (an Israeli import, Matt from Boston)

Aileen, Chicago (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 11:36 AM)

Brad, you must watch The Soup with Joel McHale. (Greatest show on television - fyi.) He is an anti-Tyra-ist as well.  I am right there with you.  That woman takes self-centeredness to a whole new level.  I think she has good intentions but it gets lost in her constant yammering about herself and her fierceness!  

Scout Albion, Nebraska (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 11:49 AM)

I think the Ex List is funny & entertaining but I don't see it lasting, especially with all the borderline X-rated content. Also, I may be the only one, but I can't stand My Name is Earl, and does anyone really want to watch Knight Rider?

Sara Richmond, VA (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 11:51 AM)

Umm since My Own Worst Enemy hasn't been on yet, why is it on the list??

Wayne Walls (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 11:54 AM)

KnightRider was one of the worst acted shows I have seen since we got a TV back in the 40s! Life on Mars was baaaaad. Eli Stone is stupid. I miss the vampire show with that cute English or Aussie guy. That was so much better than this new junk. So was New Amsterdam. And why is Friday Night Lights relegated to DirectTV? It was a good show. I contuinue to watch Mad Men for some reason. Their incessant smoking makes me choke. The show is mediocre yet wins all these awards. Wish someone would explain it. I really like Burn Notice but why does Sharon Gless have to smoke constantly - it's not a 1970s show! She can be a dip without the cigs.  Closer is good. My hubby likes Sons of Anarchy - again - too much smoke. Monk makes me nervous just watching him and his jerky movements - so I won't watch it. I like SVU and  Criminal Intent. I will miss Chris Noth and am not a big fan of Jeff Goldblum. When ER goes, it will be a loss. Same with Boston Legal though that is getting so didactic and ultra-liberal. But still, it is makes me smile.  

Fran (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 11:57 AM)

Knight Rider needs to go. The only exciting thing about that show was when KITT turned into a truck.

Even though I LOVE Smallville, it has run its course. They are bringing in characters that Clark doesn't meet until after he becomes Superman. And Chloe and Jimmy annoy the heck outta me!

Andrea, Bonaire, GA (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 12:01 PM)

what is with remaking British shows and remaking old tv shows?  way too much of that going on lately - is it just because we no longer have writers with any vision or talent, or is it because they have gotten lazy and no longer care to create their own material?  This is America, people - we are the can-do-it people of the world, so let's get going and start showing the world the true definition of "original"!!

and whoever said to get rid of Tyra, I heartily agree!!

twin (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 12:01 PM)

Calling 'Worst Week'  one of the better of the new offerings is a back-handed compliment.  I mean it's cute and everything, and Curtwood Smith is always good in that type of role, but the show is just Everybody Loves Raymond, Tool Time, and every other "what new way can I get into trouble with my wife" kinda show.

Alan, Kansas City MO (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 12:01 PM)

I'm sure that many will disagree, but I'd like to see all of network TV reality television disappear. Honestly, it should simply be called Voyeur TV. Sad to see so many has-been stars, dull people and animals dragged onto the airwaves. Please, network executives, please, please pay for a few scripts and decent actors.

Bill McCullough, Tampa, Florida (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 12:03 PM)

About now CBS wishes it hadn't cancelled "Moonlight"....

Jean, Pasadena TX (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 12:04 PM)

I loved the bbc producton of Life on Mars.Great acting all around.I will not watch the ABC version because of this,plus if the show succedes over here,how will they deal with season 3......There is none.

Darrell S,San Francsco CA. (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 12:12 PM)

Please, please, please get rid of Heroes.  Talk about a show that just needs its audience put out of its misery.  What was once somewhat intelligent show has been reduced to total cliches.  Knight Rider needs to go as well.  

The two shows that I'm afraid are going to die but I enjoy are Chuck and Pushing Daisies.  Smart and quirky programming there that like Arrested Development before them, just really haven't found their audiences.  Thank God for The Office and 30 Rock.

Ryan (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 12:14 PM)

Ghost Whisperer! Jennifer Love-Hewitt's head is shaped like a light bulb. And seriously, the BF acting has got to go. That's boobs first, btw.

KG, Twin Cities, MN (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 12:16 PM)

I tried Knight Rider couldnt get through the pilot, havent seen any of the other new shows, alhtough as far as I am concerned Boston Legal needs to go, I am not a David Caruso fan so have never watched CSI, I loved ER in the beginning but its time it goes also. As for SVU I still watch every episode...

bored with "original programs" (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 12:22 PM)

AMEN~!  I SO miss Moonlight.  If they had it in a quality "spot" and gave it another year...it would be SO big!

Caroline M Cedar Park, TX (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 12:24 PM)

The original Life on Mars with John Simm was FANTASTIC. This one is a lame, pale copy that should never have been allowed to see the light of day.  Get the Brit version from NetFlix.

me, denver, co (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 12:32 PM)

Wow Fran - do you know you can't get cancer from secondhand TV smoke.  If it bothers you that much to see smoke that you neither breathe in or smell, you must really lose your **** when three dimensional people smoke three dimensional cigarettes.  You should maybe stick to Discovery Health.  All the smoking in Mad Men is absurd by today's standards, but it sure is historically accurate!  I worked in an office that didn't ban smoking at one's desk until the early 80s.

What shows do I think will get cancelled?  Worst Week, Kath & Kim, Eleventh Hour and The Mentalist.  I tried the first episodes of both Worst Week and The Mentalist.  WW was just plain awful and The Mentalist just didn't grab my attention and make me want to see what happens next.

Why all the hate for poor Eli Stone?  That show is different and fun.  I, for one, am looking forward to it, but I am a bit afraid that Katie Holmes is going to ruin it for me, even if she's only a guest star.

Quit Picking on Eli, Here and There (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 12:35 PM)

The numbers that these stupid networks only look at who's watching at the time they seriously need to take the DVR watchers. I mean everyone has way to many things to do anymore it seems like and we watch our shows when we can. I agree with the posts regarding 'Moonlight' that was a great show as was 'Jericho' and let me say CBS sux and i sure sent them some emails letting them know (lol) and just because shows don't have 40 million viewers it don't mean people aren't watching espicially when 'Moonlight was on a Friday when people are out on the town or what not. As for Knight Rider i'm a die hard Mustang person and was happy for the use of a Mustang but people that complained about the TV movie version of attack KITT from a couple months back well I hope your happy with the poop the have now for an attack KITT which looks like every BAD aftermarket thing you can do to a car oh and especially love the huge 50series 15" looking centerline wheels versus the sweet 20" black Shelby wheels originally. And come on with the 'CG' (computer generated) stuff we've come alot further than that um hello (Transformers) even the 80's show had a real car all the time.

Jeremy, Ft. Worth TX (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 12:38 PM)

These 2 are a little old, but Despreate House Wifes and Brothers and Sisters need to go.  I just don't like the chemistry of any of the actors on each show.

Sandy, Pewaukee WI (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 12:39 PM)

I wish someone would pick up Jericho. It was a great continuing series. When you see all of the remakes of foreign TV series and old American TV shows becoming movies, I am convinced that an original thought in Hollywood is as rare as a succesful spinoff.

Joe Rockland, MA (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 12:39 PM)

Hey, if its not the Discovery Channel or the History Channel don't waste my time!

DH, Charlotte, NC (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 12:42 PM)

I have a write-in vote...Jimmy Kimmel Live!!  That piece of poo should have been canceled 4 years ago!!!  Is there anyone less relevant or interesting in late night?? (OK, maybe Carson Daly.  MAYBE!)

gil (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 12:45 PM)

Get rid of the vapid crap and bring back The 4400!  Now there was a great show... with excellent characterization, storyline (except the fuss made over Isabelle) and actors.  Is America's attention span so short, that a good show with a long-running storyline gets axed in favour of some new short-attention-span junk?

Pepper, Maryland (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 12:48 PM)

I haven't even been watching much network tv this season, to be honest...I was too ticked that CBS canceled Moonlight, and I've been sorely disappointed with Heroes- they seriously need to get back to that show's roots, or it's gonna go.

Sarah, Lex. KY (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 12:48 PM)

OK maybe I'm about to get flamed here, but I actually like Knight Rider.  It's totally campy, and maybe it's just because I love the car, but I think it's fun and I get that bit of nostalgia from watching every episode of the original as a kid.  You just can't take it too seriously, and understand that KITT is the best actor on the show.  Great guilty pleasure!

Sarah, Charlotte NC (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 1:15 PM)

I am stupider after sitting through just the first hour of the Sanctuary pilot.  I don't expect much from SciFi channel, but this was bad for even them.

Eli, Wellington, FL (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 1:29 PM)

Knight Rider has got to be far and above the worst. Writing, directing, filming, editing and acting are absolutely terrible. It goes way beyond bad. It's a good concept, but I am dumbfounded as to how NBC could have ever agreed to put the result on the air. The original, while a bit far-fetched, was, at least somewhat, believable.

Jason, Riverside, CA (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 1:31 PM)

Ok so Knight Rider is a bit "campy", however, cute guy and Val Kilmer as the voice of Kitt, makes it fun.  Other than that, I hope that Pushing Daises stays around and that they consider bringing back Moonlight.

Hyatt, Mpls, MN (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 1:43 PM)

I totally agree that "Moonlight" should be back on the air. ARE YOU LISTENING CBS??  At least it had a plot line you could follow and a back story that went along with it.  Eli Stone, where are you? Be healed and rise up from your bed and save us from mediocrity.

Dawn, AL (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 1:44 PM)

OK, I watch a lot of TV and usually support things that others don't. But I just don't get Pushing Daisies. I've watched two episodes, and they just left me flat. Kath & Kim left me with blank stares, too.

On the up side, Life is back with a great season so far. I hope it sticks around. And How I Met Your Mother continues to be the best comedy you're not watching.

Man Size Safe, Portland, Texas (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 1:49 PM)

Amen to that, Bill McCullough!  Enough with the wife-swapping, bug-eating, tone-deaf narcissists.  Really, should America be allowed to pick the next Broadway star?  We're the morons that allowed William Hung to get a recording contract.

Annoyed with Reality, CT (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 1:50 PM)

I haven't seen any of these new shows listed, so I don't have an opinion on any of them.  I do, however, think that these shows are overstaying their welcome:

Grey's Anatomy
Desperate Housewives
ANY REALITY SHOW
CSI (I used to love it, but it makes me so sad that so much of the original cast is gone - especially Warrick and soon-to-be Grissom)

LiLa (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 1:52 PM)

I tried to watch "Kath & Kim," and made it all of 3 minutes before it got on my nerves. Buh-bye!  It also amazes me that "Private Practice" made it back for another season.

When is my all-time favorite current show "Reaper" returning??

Fan-o-Sock, CT (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 1:56 PM)

I only watch the CSI shows, Criminal Intent, Cold Case & Without A Trace. That is it. I decided to give Eleventh Hour a try since it was after CSI. Glad I decided to tape it instead of watching it live. Bad Acting, No Chemistry, BORING. Learned the hard way. If you find a show that you love, just stick with them until they leave. Trying something new made me realize that the writers have nothing left. God I miss Cheers, NightCourt, MASH, Married With Children..I think writers should lock themselves in a room, watch these shows and learn what great TV is SUPPOSED to look like.

Gary S. Burr (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 1:58 PM)

I've only watched one new show this season, because after Moonlight was cancelled after one season, I just didn't want to bother with new shows. Kath and Kim was that show and it was boring. I don't understand why Eleventh Hour was remade - the original was pretty good. Can't beat Patrick Stewart!

Kara, Dallas (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:00 PM)

I hate to say it because I have loved the show for very first cycle, but America's Next Top Model does need to go.  It has had it day and now it is time to move on.  

ICS, RI (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:01 PM)



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