An Early Look at NBC’s Minute To Win It

In the press kit for their new game show, Minute To Win It, NBC wisely included relevant items from the show: Oreos, M&Ms, golf balls, playing cards, etc. All of these items are part of the various challenges the contestants undertake in hopes of winning that elusive million dollar prize. But after the Oreos have been eaten and the golf balls are in the water hazard, what’s left? A hot mess, that’s what.

Bless Guy Fieri’s heart, he is a likable host and does his best with the incredibly cheesy dialogue he’s given, but he’s also an example of what’s wrong with the show. It’s a mish-mash of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, Deal Or No Deal, Stupid Human Tricks, and James Bond. The tone lurches from serious to suspenseful to tongue-in-cheek to trying-too-hard-to-be-clever. There are three different voices – Guy as the host, the British woman who explains the challenges and counts down to the beginning of each game, and the male announcer. It’s all very distracting.

The challenges are fun, though, and although the actress contestant in the episode we were sent was a lot to take in the beginning (she’s certainly energetic), as she gets deeper into the game you begin to root for her. The challenges are surprisingly suspenseful and inspire the viewer to attempt them at home. Fortunately NBC anticipated this and posted instructions on their website for potential contestants to practice on their own.

With an engaging host and fun competitions, Minute To Win It has the potential to be a hit. However, the show needs to find a cohesive theme and a unique voice to truly stand out from the pack instead of feeling like it was made by someone with ADD.

Minute To Win It premieres Sunday, March 14 at 7/6c on NBC.

Meet the “Parenthood”

Parenthood premieres tonight on NBC and won’t it be fantastic to see Lauren Graham on television again? Lauren is joined by a wonderful lineup of talent, including former Nice Boy, Peter Krause (Dirty Sexy Money). In the following video clips you can get to know the main cast and here what they have to say about Parenthood.

Mae Whitman talks Amber Braverman

Bonnie Bedilia talks Camille

Dax Shepard talks Crosby

Erika Christensen talks Julia

Monica Potter talks Kristina

Lauren Graham talks Sarah

Craig T. Nelson talks Zeek

Peter Krause talks Adam

Ron Howard and Brian Grazer talk Parenthood

Parenthood premieres tonight at 10/9 central, on NBC.

Chuck & Echo: Building Superheroes in the 21st Century

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to preview the first five episodes of the new season of Chuck, the delightful spy-action-comedy-romance-drama hybrid on NBC that returns for a third season on Sunday. When we last saw Chuck, way back in April 2009, he’d downloaded the Intersect 2.0, a program that gives him the ability to “flash” on not just information (that’s what was in the Intersect 1.0), but also skills. Like kung fu, playing the guitar, speaking Thai, and hand-to-hand combat. As I watched those episodes, it struck me how similar Chuck is to Echo on Dollhouse, another character with multiple skills and intelligences downloaded into her brain. The similarities are striking, which made me wonder: is this the new 21st century superhero? The person whose extra abilities are imparted by, basically, computer programs? Let’s take a look at our heroes.

The Technology

They aren’t born with it. They aren’t zapped with radiation or bitten by a spider. They don’t have special suits. No, our new superheroes are enhanced thanks to databases and binary code.

The plot device that allows Chuck to be a hero of sorts is a computer program called The Intersect that was downloaded into his brain in the pilot episode. It’s a database of image-encoded information from various intelligence agencies. When he sees or hears something that triggers a “flash”, the Intersect shows him a series of images that impart information about a person, item or heinous plan. At this point, he was still reliant on his own physical aptitude – he’s something of a bumbler who doesn’t like guns – but with extra intelligence. At the end of season 2, however, he was briefly de-Intersected then decided he does want to be a hero and re-Intersected himself with the new Intersect 2.0 which added physical knowledge to the intelligence database. In other words, now he can “flash” on a skill, like hand-to-hand combat, when needed. Mostly. This show has a strong comedic throughline, so the flashing doesn’t always go as planned.

Echo also has skills and knowledge downloaded into her brain, but in her case she is being transformed into another person. Same body, different mental imprint. The imprints Topher gives her wipe out her previous persona, including her “real” self, and she becomes the new person through and through. Or at least she did, until the end of season 1 when Alpha nabbed her, dumped 40 imprints into her brain, and she retained them all. Now Echo can move between those imprints almost effortlessly, accessing knowledge or abilities as needed. So we have two characters with seemingly unlimited potential thanks to the not-all-that-unbelievable technology being used to manipulate their brains.

The Humans

Not only do Chuck and Echo both have additional data in their brains, those brains are “special”. It’s been established that Chuck is one of very few who can handle the Intersect. So far, he’s the only person who has successfully downloaded the Intersect. In an episode last spring, we saw bad guys die in a Raiders of the Lost Ark homage as they attempted to download the Intersect while Chuck shielded partner/love interest Sarah from seeing the images.

Likewise Echo is special in that within a year of becoming a Doll, she began to show signs of growing beyond the childlike state their brains are wiped to between assignments. Since then she’s not only regained some of her real memories but successfully integrated multiple personalities into one functioning brain. The only other Doll to carry so many imprints at once is Alpha, certified insane sociopath.

The Teams

Neither of our heroes exists in a vacuum, because where would the fun be without sidekicks? Both have handlers, supporters, people they need to protect and tech support, to different degrees. Chuck as Sarah as a handler/love interest; Casey as a handler/reluctant friend & supporter; Ellie as a sister/person to protect; and Morgan as tech support (sort of)/BFF/person to protect. This season Chuck also has a brother-in-law who knows his secret and wants to help although the spy thing is more of a challenge than he anticipates.

Echo has Paul as a handler/love interest/former adversary; Boyd as a former handler/reluctant friend & supporter; Sierra as a psuedo-sister/person to protect; and Topher as tech support (but not BFF). This season Echo also has Adele DeWitt, boss at the LA Dollhouse, who knows her secret and wants her to help bring down the corporation that owns the Dollhouses.

Others are involved in their lives to various degrees, but it’s interesting that both have such similar people surrounding them.

The Battles

Chuck demonstrates a new super skill: playing guitar. / NBC

Chuck is a more external show in that it deals with bad guys who are terrorists or thieves or assassins. The Big Bad this season is The Ring, a mysterious group who wants the Intersect for their own presumably nefarious purposes. Chuck has just come through 2 years of trying to get the Intersect out of his head so he could lead a “normal” life, only to decide that he does in fact want to be the hero. In the first episode of season 3, he makes a very difficult decision between “normal” and “hero” that has some serious repercussions, but by the third episode, he’s made peace with his decision and when a new mentor appears in episode 4, he’s excited about becoming a real spy and gaining control over the somewhat erratic new Intersect.

Dollhouse, on the other hand, focuses on internal battles. Initially Echo was fighting to remember who she was before becoming a Doll and breaking out of the Dollhouse to return to her former life. After accomplishing both of those goals, however, she realized that she could not let her fellow Dolls stay imprisoned, so she returned to the Dollhouse to help bring down Rossum, the corporation that owns the Dollhouse organization.

Superheroes on the Rise

Echo has embraced the multiple imprints and learned to navigate them quickly, becoming a serious threat to the many baddies out there trying to keep her from taking down Rossum. Chuck still struggles to master the Intersect, however, in addition to learning how to be an effective spy.

Perhaps it’s good that Dollhouse is ending in a couple of weeks; it would seem that Echo is near the end of her hero’s journey already. After she presumably defeats Rossum (let’s not declare victory too soon; this is a Joss Whedon show, so happy endings aren’t guaranteed), where would she have to go from there? She’s a superhero with a wealth of knowledge and abilities, seemingly invincible. All she needs is flexible body armor to stop any stray bullets.

Chuck, on the other hand, has simply reached a new stage in his quest to be a hero, navigating his upgraded abilities thanks to the Intersect 2.0 and saving the world while keeping those he loves safe. I’m looking forward to watching him as he continues the journey, although I hope he doesn’t lose is adorable Chuckness in the process. From what I’ve seen so far, I don’t think he’s in danger of that.

Dollhouse returns tonight at 9/8c on FOX; Chuck’s third season premieres Sunday at 9/8c on NBC with two episodes, followed by another new episode at its regular time Monday at 8/7c.

Nice Boy of the Week: Peter Krause

This week’s Nice Boy has been around for quite a while making a name for himself in front of the camera as well as behind it. Peter Krause is best known for his role on Six Feet Under and more recently, Dirty Sexy Money, which he also produced. He’s appeared in numerous television shows and films such as Lovelife, Melting Pot and The Truman Show. Peter is still acting on stage in Los Angeles, where he currently resides, honing his craft and directing in several Los Angeles theater companies.

You can catch Peter in the mid-season series Parenthood, due to premiere March 1, 2010, on NBC.

JJ Abrams Married Spy Show Begins Casting

A few months ago NBC picked up a new series from mastermind JJ Abrams (Alias, Fringe, Lost), currently titled Undercovers. The show centers on a husband and wife who also happen to be spies. Abrams appears to be expanding his oeuvre with this show, though, because it will be more of an action comedy than the drama for which he’s become known.

Fansite Abramsology dug up the casting call for the series regulars and posted them today, giving us an advance look at Samantha, Stephen, and the rest of their merry band of spies.

• Samantha: the wife, she’s very smart, hot, strong and sharp. Contenders for the role must be in great shape, and they’re looking for actresses aged 27-37.
• Stephen: the husband, he’s very attractive, smart, sharp, and has great sense of humor. Contenders for this role must also be in great shape, and they’re looking for actors aged 27-37.
• Carlton Shaw: he’s a smart, older (45-65) guy with a sarcastic wit.
• Lizzy: described as cute and a bit of a scatter brain, she’s fairly young (18-27).
• Bill Hoyt: another younger member of the team, he’s 18-29, enthusiastic and a bit of a brownnoser.

The age range for the leads is intriguing. If they cast on the younger side, then our lead couple may have only been married for a short time; if they cast on the older side, then they may have been together for a decade or more. It seems to me that the tone of the show could be very different, depending on who is cast. Who would you put in the lead roles? How about the supporting characters?

Nice Boy of the Week: Zachary Levi

With this week’s breaking news that NBC has ordered 6 more episodes of Chuck followed by the season 2 DVD release date (finally!), we couldn’t resist making Zachary Levi our Nice Boy of the Week. How could we not recognize such a wonderfully talented (and quite cute!) Nice Boy like Zac?

Zac began his journey to Chuck at the tender age of six when he appeared on stage in the lead role in regional productions of Grease, The Outsiders, Oliver, The Wizard of Oz and Big River. From there he landed a supporting role in the FX television movie Big Shot: Confessions of a Campus Bookie. Zac is best remembered by some of us Nice Girls for his role as Kipp Steadman on Less Than Perfect, which ran for four seasons.

Zac’s television and film credits include See Jane Date, with Charisma Carpenter, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Big Momma’s House, Spiral, CTRL Z, and coming soon, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel. He’s also directing his first Chuck episode today for the third season.

In the summer of 2008, Zac was named one of Entertainment Weekly’s Top Thirty People Under Thirty. Nice Girls are big fans of Chuck and very big fans of Zachary Levi. His charming smile, laughing eyes and energetic sense of humor endear him to us and earn him a spot on our Nice Boys Wall of Fame.

New Web Series: In Gayle We Trust

If you aren’t enjoying this wonderful little jewel, you should be. In fact, I invite you to jump in now! You don’t need to have seen the show from the pilot episode to get into it. You will be as delighted as I have been.

The show’s synopsis is, nestled somewhere in the middle of America, Maple Grove is populated with a host of colorful characters, and they all turn to one person for insurance needs, counseling and much much more. Though an insurance agent by trade, Gayle Evans has become the default cure-all for the small town, as her pleasant disposition and sound advice has made her a go-to resource in the lives of her clients. From a newlywed couple seeking weekly marital advice, to a over-confident plumber trying to protect his coveted identity, to a traveling hypnotist needing liability coverage, Gayle’s clientele range from sympathetic to pathetic to outright bizarre. In Gayle We Trust, a 10-part comedy series from NBCU Digital Studio is written and directed by multiple Emmy-winner Brent Forrester (The Office, The Simpsons, King of the Hill).

This web series premiered on Sept. 15, and is enjoying a surge in popularity. In addition to the episodes, NBC Universal will be creating deep interactive experiences at www.InGayleWeTrust.com that will allow viewers to immerse themselves in online gaming and interactive maps tied directly to the series content.

Care to sample?

Come on and join the fun as In Gayle We Trust!

Let’s All Join the Community!

Last night, one of my friends invited me to attend a screening of Community with her at Los Angeles City College. After the pilot episode, NBC put on a nice question and answer session with a good portion of the cast and creator Don Harmon. Cast members present included: Gillian Jabobs, Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, Yvette Nicole Brown, Ken Jeong and Alison Brie.

As you might imagine, the comedic chokes of Chevy Chase dominated the session after, but it was very apparent that the cast does have a great relationship (despite how they all act as characters in the show.)

One portion that hit me personally comes in a series of homages to a certain director and writer that were briefly discussed when a fan question wondered about Harmon’s creative influences.

I only look forward to another panel like this in a few weeks during the Paley Center for Media’s Fall Preview Parties.

Catch Up with NBC

These next few weeks are going to fly by faster than you think. Before you know it, the new fall television season will be upon us. NBC wants to help pass the time by giving you the chance to catch up on all the shows returning in September, as well as shows that are currently running. Here is a list of shows available for a limited time only, leading into the fall season:

“30 Rock”
“America’s Got Talent”
“Chuck”
“Days of Our Lives”
“Friday Night Lights”
“Great American Road Trip”
“Heroes”
“Kings”
“Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
“The Listener”
“Merlin”
“The Office”
“Parks and Recreation”
“The Philanthropist”
“Southland”
“The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
“The Wanted”

Watch all these shows online at NBC.com.

Are You Still in CTRL?

Have you been following this hilarious new online comedy series? If not, you should be! Everyone needs a little CTRL.

Episode 7 CTRL X

Episode 8 CTRL ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

So, who’s already watching this with me? Tell us what you think!

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