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

Sunday, December 3

Krapopolis - "Ty's Tail Tale" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Tyrannis is possessed by his deceased grandfather who rules with fear and a large scorpion tail, Shlub must fight to bring back the old Tyrannis; Hippocampus and Stupendous bring a pregnant pegasus home.

The Simpsons - "AE Bonny Romance" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Groundskeeper Willie is kidnapped to Scotland, Bart and the Simpsons follow, only to be faced with Homer's worst nightmare.

Bob's Burgers - "Fraud of the Dead: Zombie-docu-pocalypse" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
A documentary film profiling world-class archer Louise Belcher is interrupted by unexpected visitors.

Family Guy - "Baking Sad" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Meg discovers her tears produce delicious cookies; Peter and the guys launch a male talk show.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 27)

Friday, December 1

  • Henry Winkler (Barry/Arrested Development/Out of Practice/Monty/Happy Days) - Watch Henry on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Brie Larson (United States of Tara/Raising Dad) - Brie is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Eric Idle (Suddenly Susan/Nearly Departed) - Eric appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Maria Bamford (Lady Dynamite/Benched) - Maria is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Ms. Pat (The Ms. Pat Show) - Ms. Pat appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Angela Means (Cousin Skeeter) - Angela is a guest on repeats of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen on CBS between 12:37-1:37am.
  • Kelsey Grammer (Frasier/Partners/Hank/Back to You/Cheers) - NBC's Today catches up with Kelsey in the 9am hour.
  • Brandy Norwood (Zoe Ever After/The Game/Moesha/Thea) - Brandy chats and performs on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
  • Patrick Stewart (Blunt Talk) - Patrick sits down with to chat about his book Making It So on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
  • Marcus Scribner (grown-ish/black-ish) - Marcus tells Sherri about his coming-of-age film, How I Learned to Fly, on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Chris Redd (Bust Down/Kenan/Disjointed) - Chris discusses his upcoming film Candy Cane Lane on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
  • Tiffani Thiessen (Saved by the Bell/Alexa & Katie/Good Morning, Miami/Saved by the Bell: The College Years) - Tiffani discusses her latest cookbook, Here We Go Again: Recipes and Inspiration to Level Up Your Leftovers, and cooks on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.


New on DVD/Blu-ray (September-December)

Family Matters - The Complete Series Step by Step - The Complete Series ALF - The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition) Leave it to Beaver - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

09/05 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Sixth Season
09/12 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Second Season
09/12 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-6 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/26 - Family Matters - The Complete Series
09/26 - Step by Step - The Complete Series
10/10 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Thirteen / The Complete Season Fourteen
10/17 - ALF - The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition) (Shout! Factory Special Offers)
10/17 - Night Court (2023) - The Complete First Season
11/07 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Sixth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/14 - Leave it to Beaver - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/05 - Father Knows Best - The Complete Series
12/05 - The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/12 - The Dick Van Dyke Show - The Complete Series
12/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
12/12 - That Girl - The Complete Series
12/19 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series

That Girl - The Complete Series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

12/02 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Bob ♥ Abishola Coming to an End; Only Murders in the Building Gets Limited Run on ABC
12/01 - Abbott Elementary Post-Oscars Airing, Only Murders on ABC; Remembering Frances Sternhagen, Marty Krofft and Others We Recently Lost
11/30 - Bob ♥ Abishola Ending After This Season; NBC Renews Rookie Dramas
11/29 - Antenna TV January 2024 Schedule; Max December Comedy Specials
11/28 - Prime Video's Hazbin Hotel; Lacey Chabert Gets Hallmark Unscripted Series
11/27 - Sundance Now Gets Original Comedy; Hallmark Original Returns for Season 2 in January
11/26 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 27, 2023)
11/25 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Kelsey Grammer Ready to Do 100 Episodes of Frasier; TBS Cancels Miracle Workers
11/24 - Fox Winter 2024 Schedule; An Evening From the Heart John Ritter Foundation NYC 2023 Event
11/23 - 2023 Thanksgiving TV Marathons
11/22 - Kerry Washington's UnPrisoned Gets Season 2; Classic Comedy Shorts Celebrate 40th Anniversary
11/21 - NBC Winter 2024 Schedule; Netflix Renews Rob Lowe Comedy
11/20 - BUZZR Celebrates Bob Barker's 100th Birthday; Ted Prequel Series on Peacock Gets Premiere Date
11/19 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 20, 2023)
11/18 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Young Sheldon Coming to an End After Seven Seasons; The CW International Sitcom Approach Not Going So Well
11/17 - ABC Winter 2024 Schedule; CBS Celebrates 98th Birthday of Dick Van Dyke
11/16 - Whoa Mama! Urkel Is Back for the Holidays!; Hulu Gets Such Brave Girls Comedy
11/15 - COZI TV's A Very COZI Christmas Schedule; Young Sheldon to End This Season on CBS
11/14 - CBS Winter 2024 Schedule; The CW Pulls 2 Comedies
11/13 - Antenna TV 2023 Holiday Marathons Schedule; Rewind TV 2023 Holiday Marathons Schedule
11/12 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 13, 2023)
11/11 - SitcomsOnline Digest: SAG-AFTRA Strike Finally Ends; New Digital TV Broadcast Networks Coming
11/10 - AXS TV's The Partridge Family Thanksgiving Marathon; AspireTV Holiday Programming
11/09 - Bookie Premieres November 30 on Max; Ted Lasso Star Holiday Special on Apple TV+
11/08 - FX Renews The Bear for Season 3; Hulu's Australian Original Series Premieres November 29
11/07 - Disney+ Holiday Specials Extravaganza; Apple TV+ Peanuts Feature Film Coming Soon
11/06 - NBC Holiday Specials; Fox Holiday Specials
11/05 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 6, 2023)
11/04 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Broadcast Networks Preparing for Shorter Seasons of Scripted Series; CBS Announces Host of After Midnight
11/03 - Futurama Renewed for 2 More Seasons; ABC Holiday Specials
11/02 - Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas 2023 Schedule; Roku Gets in Holiday Spirit
11/01 - REELZ Remembers Matthew Perry; Leo Reich Comedy Special on HBO This December