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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

"House of Payne" needs to go! It's the most popular sitcom on comedy, but to me it lacks redeeming qualities.  Stupid plots and terrible acting--Tyler Perry can do better!

Kim, Falls Church, VA (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:03 PM)

I agree with most of the comments - there are hardly any new shows that I make the effort to watch.  Years ago I used to know exactly what night and time my favorite shows were on - not anymore.  They get moved around and it's frustrating.  I say, bring back Magnum PI, Matlock, Little House on the Prairie, Bonanza and Gunsmoke.  For those of us who live in the country and can't get cable and can't afford a dish, 4 channels of crappy shows keeps me from being a couch potato.

Diane - Michigan (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:04 PM)

HOUSE neeeds a giant foreclosure sign!  One more season of this ludacris show will force me to find Hugh Laurie and beat him with his cane!  Is there another show anywhere near as predictable?  Where's the brain stimulation we are all so hungry for?

VeganGroomer San Pedro, CA (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:07 PM)

The folks at CBS are dumb. Jericho and Moonlight were way better than the shows that replaced them.
Kinght Rider should have been cancelled after the second episode. Eli Stone is very stupid, and Sanctuary is an abomination. 'nuf said.

Kristy Napier (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:15 PM)

Bring back Moonlight!

Marce, Hampton, VA (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:17 PM)

CBS PLEASE BRING BACK MOONLIGHT, LOVE Ghost Whisper, House wife's should of been gone 2 years ago. Wish more comedies, and family shows, shows like 2 and half men is NOT a family show.  

bob z chicago, il (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:26 PM)

It's funny...Most of the shows I have set up to record on my DVR are on cable...The only new show I've picked up on network TV this season is The Mentalist...I really like it!  That was the only new show that sounded interesting enough for me to even give it a try...The others didn't even make it onto my DVR.

I know it's been on for about a million years, but I will miss ER...It stumbled for a couple of seasons, but I am really enjoying it again.  I DO tend to watch more reality TV than I would care to admit, but it tends more towards the shows on Bravo, TLC, and anything on the Discovery Channel.

Katie Spring, TX (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:27 PM)

I think valentine is really lame.  go to HBO on Sunday if you want to watch a quality show.  TRUEBLOOD is awesome!  

bonnie (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:29 PM)

Two shows I'm totally over and need to go...
Eli Stone - I can't watch since I found out he was Angelina Jolie's first husband.  How'd that happen?!?  Yuk!  And I mean what was HE thinking?!?
Desperate Housewives - My guess is that their 5-year jump will be such a flop that they will do a "Dallas".

tb, Illinois (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:32 PM)

I agree House needs to go, Jail Break is good but its gotten really stupid and they have boxed themselves into a corner with the plot, I mean really how many times can you escape from jail

Bonnie, Hemet CA (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:36 PM)

Amen to all that wrote regarding Moonlight.   He was the only Man worth watching on televison.  CBS must want to jump off the roof.  Vampires are HOT HOT HOT this year and MICK was the HOTTEST,  CBS do you notice all the replies are about canceling EXCEPT how Moonlight should have been kept.

Teri Kay (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:37 PM)

Watched the first episode of DND. Don't know how Fox execs could even consider airing this disaster. An embarassment to all involved. Good riddance. Although Lee Pace is a good actor with a possibly big future (elsewhere), Pushing Daisies is another "What were they thinking?" show that will likely go on indefinite hiatus sometime soon. Knight Rider was a bad idea the first time around (even though a hit). Now that almost everyone in the US has a talking car with satellite navigation what's the novelty? Why bring it back? Duh? Agree with the commenter who'd like to see the demise of reality TV. It's embarrassing awful, especially when they trot out the used-to-be stars. How sad for them.

Lani Caprio, Seattle, WA (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:43 PM)

Knight Rider is just awful. Awful. Hole in the Wall hoever is fabulous, but Brook Burke looks like she may starve to death right there on stage. She looked so much better when she hosted Dog Eat Dog

Stacey, Connecticut (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:44 PM)

Bring back Moonlighting and Swingtown!

Drop Worst Week

Sam Indiana (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:46 PM)

My wife and I hated Kath & Kim. The characters were just too tacky / spoiled. I can see why it is a 30-minute show. There's nothing intelligent about it. I got a couple of laughs, but they were "that's so stupid" laughs.

Paul - Dallas, TX (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:46 PM)

With the exception of amazing race...all reality shows need to go...Heros is so boring this season...if we are going to steal BBC shows then lets make BBC a regular channel....

akinyi (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:47 PM)

I watch tv to ESCAPE the everyday blahs, but even then I don't watch that much.  I like a good fantasy - Ghost Whisperer, Eli Stone.  I like for my programs to be neatly wrapped up and closed at the end of the hour.  Stop leaving me hanging! Serials, realities, my-life-is-worse-than-yours sorry excuses for sitcoms can all take a long hike. I have more fun watching Big Bang for the geeky dialog, and CSI for the fantasy crime solving. What can I say? I'm a closet nerd.  PBS rules!  

Donna, Texas (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:49 PM)

How about ALL of the stupid reality shows, and American Idol, and the Dancing with the stars, that stuff is totally lame! I still don't get what people see in crap like survivor

cyndi, watauga tx (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:53 PM)

Life on mars should stay are we done with all reality tv yet?

sean raleigh nc (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:55 PM)

I personally really like Knight Rider, Its not really supposed to be a remake as it states... The main character is the son of David Hasselhoff's Character from the original, so its more of a continuation. I will agree that yes the acting and script need improvement if its going to stick around. Its really the only show I watch on network tv.

I absolutely think shows like American Idol and America's got talent need to go. I just think that people should work hard to get their record deal not just be handed it on tv. Its awful.

M E, WI (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 2:58 PM)

We are in the final Hours of the final Days and our precious Little time left would be better spent preparing for the Rapture.  I say leave the Sinful Kath and Kim for the Godless Europeans.  When Jesus Returns, I will be watching The 700 Club.

Bob, Meridian, Mississippi (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:02 PM)

Sci-Fi's Sanctuary is turning out to be the "monster of the week" series. Amanda Tapping should have stayed with Stargate: Atlantis. At least her accent there didn't distract the viewer from the plot of the program. Her British accent is painful to listen to.

DeeTee - Pataskala, OH (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:09 PM)

Eleventh Hour and CSI: Miami.  

October (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:13 PM)

can we just cancel CBS? Is that possible? The only CSI that was ever good was the original. New York might have been good but after watching Miami and the "glasses removal" I couldnt even bring myself to turn it on. Now the original has run its course, so cancel that too.

I really liked cold case in the beginning but the personal storylines are getting to be to mushy for me, LETS STICK TO THE CRIMES, THATS WHY WE WATCH CRIME SHOWS, NOT FOR LOVE STORIES DUH.

I mostly watch Survivor, discovery, history, vh1 and any channel that is showing reruns of Law and order.

Donna, Tacoma, WA (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:14 PM)

Eleventh Hour
CSI: Miami

October (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:15 PM)

Despite being a remake Knight Rider could have been good, however it isn't.  They made too many updates to the show to make it reasonable.  KITT transforms for crying out loud.  They tried that with Viper back in the day and it failed then what made them think that it would work now?  What was so wrong with a Car that had a kickass AI?  Why did that need to be updated at all?  Idiots.

Jeff, Bridgeport WV (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:17 PM)

Please for all that is holy, make Dances with the stars, Big Brother, Survivor, and ANY bachelor/ette show burn in the eternal pits of TV hell.  

Joe Public (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:17 PM)

I haven't seen "Life on Mars" but the entire premise bores me. I don't see it making it. I would like to think "Japanese Game show" and the one about the woman looking up her ex's go too, there are a lot of really stupid shows this year. The good ones usually get canceled [Like the wonderful "Moonlight", "Shark", "Jericho" and "Women's Murder Club". "Moonlight could have been a classic. Hate CBS for their lack of patience and vision. The bad ones stay and stay so who knows?

Carole (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:18 PM)

Tyra needs to hand up ANTM
Survior needs to film in Compton (try surviving that!)
Til Death has a half tank left
I don't see the hype with Eli Stone and with hearing Katie Holmes on there really put a nail in the coffin(and I thought she was suppose to be called KATE not Katie..sheesh)
Been done with ER L&O,
I was mad that the O.C. was able to wrap up and not just get canned right away like Arrested Development was, I mean why would FOX get rid of a show that garnerd them a Emmy?
Oh and get rid of Terminator! Prison Break should be gone, keep Kitchen Nightmares one more season, get rid of Lipstick Jungle.

D Williams Atlanta,Ga (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:25 PM)

I have to resort to watching Elmo now since there isn't much on worth watching anymore

DWilliams (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:29 PM)

I agree with Bob that the End of Days is here because if the return of "Knight Rider" doesn't signal end times, I don't know what does.

As for sin, the only thing "sinful" about television is that "Fringe" is so damn good, but nobody's watching. It's going to be one of those shows fans will be fighting to save by the mid-season.

(By the way, Bob, "Kath & Kim" isn't "European." It's based on an Australian show, and the last time I checked a map, Australia isn't actually in Europe.)

"Heroes" is a guilty pleasure, whenever an L&O rerun comes on, I'll watch it. They're junky, but reasonably well-acted and engrossing. And isn't that "entertainment value"?

Oh, and I can't believe nobody's mentioned "90210." That show was dead on arrival.

Andy, Birmingham, AL (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:35 PM)

Cancel the following:
Reality TV.
Prime Time Game Shows.
Grays Anotomy.
ER (done),
Desperate House wives. Some women think this is reality.
My Name is Earl.
The Office. There someone had to say it.
King of the Hill.
Anything on MTV. Especially The Hills.
Knight Rider.
Numbers.
CSI Miami. Well, just get rid of Caruso.
Kath and Kim. Why?
House. Get rid of that fake American Accent.

Bring Back:
Moonlight.
Scrubs. Rumor has it its jumped channels.
New Amsterdam.

And Heroes I love you but your getting too plot twisty and are starting to confuse people. If you miss and episode you will lose interest.







Mike, Cranston, RI. (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:37 PM)

Life on Mars and TNT's Raising the Bar have got to go. I was so excited for each of these premiers, for totally different reasons... And I was monumentally disappointed in both for the same one - the writing! Trite, forced, and over-dramatic. Ugh. Give 'em the boot!

Jess, Peoria, IL (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:37 PM)

Well Night Rider is kind of fun and one of the few I can actually watch with my son - too bad it's on at the same time as Sarah Cronicles.  But our favorite that completed our friday night line up was Moonlight.
Please, please bring back MOONLIGHT!!!  Oh and The Cleaner is great too!

Deb, Mesa, AZ (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:38 PM)

Knight Rider should ride off into the sunset..

DWilliams Atlanta,Ga (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:40 PM)

Get rid of Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, ER, CSI Miami and any other unrealistic show on TV.  Keep worst week--it's stupid but funny.  I love seeing that guy get into all kinds of jams because it's just his luck.  But those hospital shows--come on, that stuff does not happen.  I live near 3 hospitals and not one of them ever had an explosion (in 52) years.  Give me a break.

Tina Clayton (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:40 PM)

Surprised nobody has mentioned Fringe.  This is such a bad X-Files ripoff wihtout the good plotlines.  I TIVOed the first 2 episodes then cancelled the Pass.  The Sherlock Holmesian type miraculous endings just were too much

Paul K, Flower Mound, TC (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:41 PM)

Knight Rider is now part Transformers, part Fast and the Furious, part Power Rangers, part Beverly Hills 90210, part BayWatch, part Thunder in Paradise (the crime fighting boat!), and part Ford commerical...and its only on the third episode. Until they kill everyone off and blow up the Foundation, I am going to curl into a ball and weep every Wednesday night.

Keith, Los Angeles (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:41 PM)

Get rid of Kath and Kim, Knight Rider and Ex List.  They are all too painful to watch.

Christi, Colorado Springs (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:49 PM)

Doesn't anyone want to see that foul-mouthed Janice Dickenson gone?  Imagine if your boss cursed like that in front of you - bring them up on charges right?  Save us all from the likes of Housewifes of Atlanta, New York or LA.  Maybe their bubbles burst with the financial markets - one can hope.

Mary Ann, NJ (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:52 PM)

Eleventh Hour has to be the WORST acting I've ever seen

Laurie, Burlington, VT (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 3:56 PM)

People, I agree with Knight Rider going, as well as Kath & Kim.  Worst Week has potential and has some good interaction between the cast with good writing.  Just my opinion.

The reason for all the remakes of BBC shows is simple.  They worked over there.  After the writer's strike of last fall/winter, the networks were way behind on the process and schedule to do pilots and research into new possibilities.  Hence, they went to successful formats from our BBC to increase their odds of success since they were unable to produce pilots in time for evaluative process.

In short, due to the strike, their systme broke and they needed a band-aid until this coming year.  Although, once they curtailed the budget needed to put a show on the air, we will see if they ever go back to their old, expensive format.

MJA, Cincinnati, Ohio (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 4:00 PM)

In my perfect world, TV would be continuous airings of The New Adventures of Old Christine, Two and a Half Men, How I Met Your Mother, House, The Office, and Seinfeld.  And then HoHo's would fall from the sky and global warming would end and peace and love would overcome the world....  (Not necessarily in that order, but close!) Instead, we will have acid rain, war torn nations, global hatred, and crap like Kath and Kim.  So much for a fairy tale..

Day Dream Believer, Augusta, GA (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 4:04 PM)

Did we really need another 90210?  Really?

Katie, TX (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 4:04 PM)

The best shows are on during the summer - Monk, Closer, Psych, Burn Notice, Army Wives, The Cleaner, & Amazing Grace - this is awesome comedy and drama. Very entertaining. However, since they canceled October Road, Men In Trees, and Friday Night Lights - I've kind of given up on the 3 major channels. I did like "Worst Week" - it's laugh till you cry comedy. Life is great and Eli Stone. I like quirky shows. Had it with CSI's & Law & Orders. It is time for ER and possibly Boston Legal to go - Grey's Anatomy is kind of moving slow too. My husband likes Cold Case and The Unit.

Cindy Patterson, Casper, WY (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 4:05 PM)

Bob of Meridian, MI, say hi to Sarah Palin on your way up!  (But I hear she likes old reruns of Fear Factor.)

Sheeple Herder (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 4:05 PM)

I like Pushing Daisys. It's alternate fantasy, I'm glad it is finally back. Search the net for back stories. It is quirky like Monk.

Jerry, Denver, CO (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 4:06 PM)

I can't believe no one mentioned 90210.  I would not be hurt if it went away!

As if the first Knight Rider weren't bad enough, you can't change the car!  As soon as I saw they changed KITT to a mustang I was done.  

LaD, Indianapolis (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 4:07 PM)

Worst week = worst show ever!!!!  I watch the usual Monday night sitcoms and I loved Kurtwood Smith in "That 70's Show"  But this poor excuse for comedy has to go!

Coleen, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 4:12 PM)

If it is what passes for Comedy -- Cancel it -- Ok If it is a HIT COMEDY give it 2 seasons... Ain't nothing funny on TV after 2 seasons.
Starting a new season with TIVO is tough (only record 2 shows and view a recorded one)-- but this year it has gotten easier - quicker. I need a little help on Tuesday nights...
Oh and I ALMOST agree on Sanctuary (as awful) but the first episode was measurably better than the pilot (Ya think you'd show your best!?!??!)

ArJohn, Chicago, IL (Sent Monday, October 13, 2008 4:13 PM)



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