TV News

Chinese Government Bans Time Travel

The Chinese government’s State Administration of Radio Film and Television has issued a new protocol that essentially bans fantasy based plots; more specifically time travel; in their media. Their explanation for the decision according to The New York Times is said to be that time travel stories can “casually make up myths, have monstrous and weird plots, use absurd tactics, and even promote feudalism, superstition, fatalism and reincarnation.”

There is speculation across the internet and other outlets however that suggest the the real reason behind the new guidelines is to stop a misrepresentation of historical figures and events in a way that the Chinese authorities disapprove of. Whilst not being quite as provocative as the censorship of the internet by the Chinese government in 1996, the decision has to be a blow to the SyFy channel’s hopes of reaching a wider audience as well as HBO in the event that they had intended to market their new outing Game of Thrones on a wider international scale. 

Fox Wants More of Bob’s Burgers

Fox has just given an early second season pickup to animated comedy Bob’s Burgers. This is the second scripted series to be renewed for next season, following the January pickup of another freshman comedy, Raising Hope. After a big premiere boosted by an NFL overrun, Bob’s Burgers settled into a so-so ratings territory, posting a 2.2 in adults 18-49 for its most recent original. Fox’s decision to renew Bob’s Burgers is also interesting as the network has 2 new animated series on tap for next season, Allen Gregory and Napoleon Dynamite. But, with a 13-episode order, Bob’s Burgers can split the season with the newcomers, whose combined order is for 13 half-hours.

Adult Swim Scores Black Dynamite Cartoon Series

Adult Swim  has picked up animated series Black Dynamite for a spring 2012 debut. Based on the 2009  feature, Black Dynamite
further chronicles the exploits of the central character, ex-CIA agent
and full-time ladies man Black Dynamite, and his crew as they avenge the
death of Black Dynamite’s brother against kung-fu masters, drug-dealing
pimps and The Man and his crew. Spearheaded by Carl Jones (The Boondocks),
the series features the voices of Michael Jai White, Tommy Davidson,
Kym Whitley and Byron Minns, all of whom starred in the feature. Black Dynamite,
animated by Titmouse, is produced by Ars Nova Entertainment.  Jones,
Jon Steingart and Jillian Apfelbaum executive produce. Brian Ash is
co-executive producer. Scott Sanders, Michael Jai White and Byron Minns
are producers.

New Thundercats Trailer!

Premiering at Wonder Con was the new trailer for Thundercats! Frankly I saw twenty seconds and was sold on it. By the end I completely loved the new direction they’re going with the story and the variety of ages they’ve chosen for the cats. I do hope that they figure out something to do with the twins since they were mishandled at best in the original series. The art style they’ve gone with is definitely the right choice with a bit of Dragon Ball Z influence meshed with the Cartoon Network color pallet. In general this actually looks like a good relaunch and not simply a cash in on an old franchise. What are your thoughts on the trailer?

Nickelodeon Relaunches and Revamps TMNT

Hello 80’s child. No doubt you’ve arrived at this news article to see yet another charished memory destroyed by yet another relaunch/revamp. This time it’s by Nickelodeon and it’s the Ninja Turtles. In an attempt to win over the ‘hardcore’ fans of the franchise Nick is apparently tossing out preview images (as seen below) of the new series and even holding event days to display the good as well. What it really boils down to is that they need possitive hype behind this baby or it will fail to the waste side like so many other TMNT relaunches. I guess the big difference between those relaunches and this one, is that the new series will be CG and they’re touting their nicknames like some grand prize. Of course this is all coming from someone how’s Call of Duty clan tag is ‘FOOT’, so maybe I’m to close to this one. So what do you other 80’s kids/ TMNT fans think?

You’re Getting 26 More Episodes of Futurama

Comedy Central is finalizing a deal for a 26-episode seventh season pickup of Futurama.
Comedy Central resurrected Matt Groening and David X. Cohen’s animated
sci-fi comedy in 2009, six years after it was cancelled by Fox, with a
26-episode sixth season order. The first batch of 13 episodes averaged
2.5 million viewers, with the remaining 13 airing this summer. The 26
newly ordered episodes will follow the same pattern, airing in two
installments of 13 episodes in 2012 and 2013. Futurama has been a big hit online, growing from 1 million Facebook fans at its launch on Comedy Central to 11 million.

The Cape – Canned?

It looks like NBC has cut the amount of episodes ordered for The Cape from 13 to 10 which is a pretty bad sign if you’re actually a Cape fan. The show has had less than stellar reviews and the viewer ship has dropped consistently since the first episode. Really it’s no surprise as even Heroes trailed off into nothingness. The final episode is released already so check out the review for Endgame if you’re jonesing to see how it “ends.” There’s also been rumors that show was going to be cut in favor of Wonder Woman and with the costume reveal last week its no surprise that the studio wants Wonder Woman over The Cape. Personally, I think there’s two types of shows that are instant fails on TV. The first being Superheros and the second being Spy shows… watch your back Chuck.

First Look at Wonder Woman’s New Costume

Although not revealed at c2e2, DC Comics blog The Source revealed the first image of Wonder Woman’s costume for the new TV show. Actress Adrianne Palicki is in full costume which looks to be a mesh of new and old. Frankly I think it looks awesome and hope that the show will be a good mesh of the old and new as well. Here’s what DC’s blog The Source had to say. First image of Adrianne Palicki starring as the title character in the new NBC pilot “Wonder Woman,” from executive producer David E. Kelley (“Boston Legal,” “Ally McBeal,” NBC’s “Harry’s Law”). The pilot was written by Kelley, who also serves as executive producer with Bill D’Elia (“Boston Legal,” “The Practice,” NBC’s “Harry’s Law”). Jeffrey Reiner (“The Event”) is directing. Based upon DC Comics characters, “Wonder Woman” is from David E. Kelley Productions and Warner Bros. Television. 

Bob’s Burgers – Sacred Cow

It’s a very special day at Bob’s Burgers as Bob is on track to cook his 100,000 burger. He has the kids join him in the freezer to make the special announcement and display the meat that will be used. After Bob’s announcement the kids each take turns going around the room making announcements of their own. Tina starts them off by announcing that her bra is chaffing her followed by Gene’s declaration of his love of house music. Louise announces that she’s finally getting her gun license; this is followed by a genuine congrats from Tina and Gene’s disgust by the fact that she had to wait three days to get it. Linda ends the banter when she busts out the banner that they had printed from their “old computer”. The gag is that it’s from a dot-matrix printer and has the dotted edges that still need to be torn off. She finishes by saying that they should have hit 100,000 a long time ago, but were way off.

The New Wonder Woman has been Cast

Seemingly out of nowhere,
the new face of Wonder Woman has been found, and it is none other than Adrianne
Palicki.  Palicki will be taking on
the iconic role in the recently picked up Wonder Woman pilot for NBC. Palicki
is best known for her role as Tyra Collette in Friday Night Lights, but she has
also appeared on Supernatural, Smallville and Lone Star. Standing at a towering
5’ 11’,  the actress reportedly
auditioned for the same role in the cancelled Justice League movie back in
2007.

Jefferey Reiner is directing
the NBC pilot with David E. Kelley writing and producing. Reiner has worked
with Palicki in the past, as he was the main director of Friday Night Lights
for the first three seasons.