Sunday, March 11, 2007

'October Road' Pilot Review; Details on 'Three's Company' Janet DVD Set

Today is when we would usually give you the weekly ratings report, but it will not be seen today because we don't have final numbers for Wednesday and Thursday yet. No big deal really since we were primarily in repeats this week. I hope we can bring you a report for next Sunday. So, instead of the ratings, I thought I will share my thoughts on a new show I received to view called October Road.


October Road premieres this Thursday (March 15) at 10/9 central on ABC, after an all-new Grey's Anatomy.

Info/Plot/Cast:
October Road is a new drama that centers on the young, popular author, Nick Garrett, who is at a crossroads in his life. To get over his writer's block, he goes back to his hometown and must now face the family and friends he has avoided for the past ten years. Once back home on October Road, he quickly discovers that the circle of friends whose teenaged lives he wrote about have trouble forgiving him for leaving them behind, and that his ex-girlfriend, Hannah Daniels, may have had his child.
The show stars Bryan Greenberg as Nick Garrett, Laura Prepon as Hannah Daniels, Tom Berenger as The Commander, Warren Christie as Ray "Big Cat" Cataldo, Brad William Henke as Owen Rowan, Evan Jones as Ikey, Jay Paulson as Physical Phil, Slade Pearce as Sam Daniels, Geoff Stults as Eddie Latekka and Odette Yustman as Aubrey. Recurring characters include Jonathan Murphy as Ronny, Rebecca Field as Janet "The Planet" Meadows, Elizabeth Bogush as Alison Rowan, and Bo Mitchell as Doodie.

My Thoughts/Description:
I had the pleasure in watching the first four episodes. And I was very pleased. ABC has brought us so many good dramas over the last few seasons, and once again they bring another good one. The show starts off with a flashback from 1997 where Nick and Hannah are in bed for the last time, as Nick prepares to go to Europe for six weeks. Hannah and Nick's friends say goodbye to him, and then the show brings us 10 years later in New York City where Nick has a hard time coming with something for a new book. So, eventually Nick decides to go back home in Knights Ridge, Massachusetts (to teach a one day seminar at a local school) to not really come up with new things for a new book, but to make peace with his past. His best friend Eddie, who he was supposed to go into business with, is the one that is most upset, besides Hannah of course. Nick finds out that Hannah has a son, that is 10 years old. Hmm...could he be his? The question is not really answered, but Hannah has denied it. There are many things that make us think that he is Nick's son. I won't give it away, but in the first two episodes alone, we see a lot.
All the characters are very good. Nick's old friends are very interesting. One of his friends named Physical Phil has never been outside since 9/11. Another friend named Ikey who is sort of crazy. Another friend named Owen Rowan, who is now married to a woman named Allison, who seems to be having an affair with...Ikey! As for Hannah, she is now seeing the school bully Ray "Big Cat" Cataldo and has a son named Sam, who is very charming. His best friend Eddie seems like a ladies man and tough guy. Back at home Nick's brother (Ronny) and father (The Commander) basically just watch sports all day. The other characters include the co-ed Nick meets named Aubrey, is very interested in Nick...but Eddie wants a little payback on Nick, so he decides to pursue her. I love Aubrey! Then there is the bar owner, a heavy-set but likable woman named Janet "The Planet" Meadows.

Analysis/Final Thoughts:
This show should do very well after Grey's Anatomy. The fans of Men in Trees will like this show even because it seems very similar to it. The show is much younger than that show, so maybe this show can hold more of the Grey's Anatomy audience. Laura Prepon of That '70s Show is in this and that show had a huge young audience, and I'm sure most of them will join in on this show. If the show passes its six-episode test, I think the show should air at 8pm next season. 10pm seems a bit too late for this show, but with Grey's Anatomy as its lead-in, the sky is the limit. Personally, I would like to see this show Wednesdays at 8 next fall, followed by the Grey's Anatomy spin-off, then maybe a returning show that skews young adult like What About Brian, or a new drama. Lost would return to that 10pm slot in January. ABC is likely to go a different route on Thursdays at 10 next season unless, October Road is a massive hit, and even then they would still move it to help another night.
Anyway, this show has it all. Great characters, a great plot, some mysteries, and even a scandal (Ikey and Allison??). You will need some time getting used to all the characters. It took me about the end of the pilot or beginning of the second episode to know everyone. They all look different in the opening flashback, so that might have confused me. Still, great characters and stories. It is as charming as Men in Trees and as young and hip as Grey's Anatomy, which makes it a perfect fit on ABC. Dying to see the final two episodes...and I'm sure you all are dying to see all six! So, this Thursday watch at 10/9 central only on ABC!
(4/5 stars)


Also, we have the cover art and episodes now for the Three's Company DVD Set titled Capturing the Laughter: Janet's Favorites. As we mentioned before, the set will street on May 1 and has six episodes hand-picked by Joyce DeWitt herself. The six episodes are: "The Case of the Missing Blonde," "Two Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "Chrissy's Hospitality," "Janet's Secret," "Jack's Tattoo," and "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do." It would have been cool if Anchor Bay had her do intros for each episode stating why she liked the episode. Oh well. For more details on this set and Three's Company head on over to Jack's Bistro.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Sunday, March 30

The Simpsons - "The Flandshees of Innersimpson" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Bart dips his toe into the world of celebrity DJ-ing; Homer finally pushes Flanders too far.

Family Guy - "Pitch Imperfect" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Peter must gain his family's respect back after he makes a humiliating throw; Brian and Stewie become chiropractors.

The Great North - "It's Compli-skated Adventure" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Judy tells a story to help Alanis Morissette fall asleep; Beef's romantically obsessed stalker, Zelda Blop, returns to Lone Moose with a surprise.

Krapopolis - "Number Two" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Ty and Stupe are both looking to hire assistants; Hippo tries to have a romantic getaway with Daphne -- and his parents.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 24)

Sunday, March 30

  • Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest/Bless the Harts/Enlisted) - Catch Michelle on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10pm on Bravo.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series Frasier (2023) - Season Two

11/05 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/12 - The King of Queens - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (2024 Release)
11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
11/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 4 (Blu-ray)
12/03 - Angel (1960-1961) - The Complete Series, Volume 1
12/17 - Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (4K UHD)
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

03/30 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 31, 2025)
03/29 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Netflix Gives Pilot Order to A Different World Sequel; Malcolm in the Middle Reboot Recasts Role of Dewey
03/28 - Pat Sajak's Final Spin on Wheel and Return of Jeopardy! Masters; Remembering George Foreman and Wings Hauser
03/27 - IFC Renews SisterS for Season 2; Netflix Orders Live-Action Scooby-Doo Series
03/26 - Hulu Spring 2025 Slate; The Making of The Americas Special Narrated by Tom Hanks on NBC
03/25 - Deli Boys Now Streaming All Episodes on Hulu; Heartland Season 18 on UP Faith & Family
03/24 - Peacock April Highlights Include Three's Company; Antenna TV's 50 Years on the Beat Barney Miller Anniversary Marathon
03/23 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 24, 2025)
03/22 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* Coming to DVD; American Dad! Moving Back to Fox
03/21 - Big Mouth Final Season; The Four Seasons Premieres in May on Netflix
03/20 - HBO's Brett Goldstein Comedy Special; Disney+ Adds The Simpsons 24/7 Stream
03/19 - Solar Opposites Final Season This Fall; NBC to Move Grosse Pointe Garden Society to Fridays
03/18 - Game Show Network New Shows Launch April 14; NBC Picks Up 3rd Comedy Pilot, While Bobby Moynihan Joins Tracy Morgan Pilot
03/17 - It's True! Ted Lasso Renewed for Season 4; Jane Goodall Returns for Jane Season 3
03/16 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 17, 2025)
03/15 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Neighborhood Renewed for Eighth and Final Season; NBC Picks Up New Cheerleading Comedy
03/14 - NBC Comedy Pilots Wheeling & Dealing; Hulu's Got to Get Out
03/13 - Prime Video Comedy Series Overcompensating Premiere Date; Eric Stonestreet Joins Dexter: Resurrection
03/12 - Hacks Season 4 Premieres April 10; Nickelodeon Orders Wylde Pak
03/11 - The Neighborhood Renewed for Final Season; Max's The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast
03/10 - Netflix Renews Running Point for Season 2; Apple TV+ Trailer for The Studio
03/09 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 10, 2025)
03/08 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Tracy Morgan to Star in NBC Pilot from Tina Fey and Robert Carlock; Nobody Wants This Returning for Second Season
03/07 - Trailer for Apple TV+ Comedy Government Cheese; Remembering Saved by the Bell and TV Producer Peter Engel
03/06 - The CW Spring Premiere Dates; Henry Winkler Heads to HISTORY Channel
03/05 - Hacks Brings Out the Stars in Season 4; NBC Orders Pilot with Tracy Morgan
03/04 - Apple TV+ Side Quest Launches March 26; Krysten Ritter Joins Dexter: Resurrection
03/03 - HBO's The Rehearsal Returns April 20; Sharon Horgan Signs Deal for HBO Comedy Series
03/02 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 3, 2025)
03/01 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Premiere Date for Mid-Century Modern Set; Roseanne Remastered in High Definition