Help a Struggling Series

Every TV season, new shows premiere on the major networks; some are watched in droves by the viewing audience while others languish and disappear all too quickly. I think all of us – whether you are an avid TV viewer like us here at NiceGirlsTV or the occasional viewer – have had certain shows over the years that touched a special place in your heart.

For me those shows include Prey, Firefly, Pushing Daisies and Moonlight (just to name a few). These and MANY other shows aired for a very short amount of time; many not even getting a full season order from their respective networks.

This year is no different. There are a number of struggling newcomers out there that are either getting overlooked by the TV audience because they are simply being forgotten (i.e. the ABC series The Forgotten); the competition is too steep in their timeslot (i.e. the CBS medical drama Three Rivers) or, unfortunately, the show just hasn’t garnered the desired response from the viewing public (i.e. the NBC medical drama Trauma).

There is one other new series that is having a hard time keeping eyeballs glued to the screen – for whatever reasons – and that series is: ABC’s Eastwick. This series had been languishing at the network for years with several failed attempts to bring the John Updike novel and box office hit Witches of Eastwick to the small screen. This year finally seemed to be the right time for the show to emerge from the pack of newcomers, but the ratings just have not been there.

Debuting on September 23, Eastwick garnered a fairly respectable 8.5 million viewers; however, one week later it dropped down to 6.6 million and the following week the series got only 5.28 million viewers. Its fourth and fifth episodes received a dismal 5.09 and 4.93 million viewers, respectively. This progressive decline is not good for any new show and admittedly the network will probably quietly cancel this show simply because the viewership is too low.

Therefore, I would like to make an open plea to all the women out there: Please watch Eastwick tomorrow night on ABC at 10 PM. Tell your friends, family members and co-workers about this show that has been called a cross between Desperate Housewives and Charmed. It really is a delightfully funny and wickedly smart series with plenty of eye candy for both men and women. As everyone knows from the advertising, Rebecca Romijn, Lindsay Price and Jaime Ray Newman star as the witches of Eastwick.  These lovely ladies are surrounded by Paul Gross (Due South), Matt Dallas (Kyle XY), Johann Urb (Dirt) and Jack Huston (TV’s Spartacus).  The storylines are witty and never cookie cutter.  There is much more to the show than just witches romping around in the town’s fountain.  Give it a try and you just might like it.

Spotlight On: Sara Rue

With a television career stemming back nearly 20 years, Sara Rue has been a television star since her early days on the comedy series Grand, playing Pamela Reed’s daughter. With one year of a television series under her belt at the age of 12, Sara Rue was well on her way towards a long comedic career; through her teens and early 20’s, she guest-starred in over 16 television series and movies. It was not until she landed on the WB series Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane that someone must have taken notice of the vivacious red-head and that same year, she landed a major role in the Ryan Murphy series Popular.

On  Popular Sara was cast as Carmen, the bubbly outsider who just wanted to be a part of the in-crowd. This was a break-out role for her, along with many of her co-stars, Leslie Bibb (Kings, Crossing Jordan), Carly Pope (Dirt, The Collector), and Christopher Gorham (Ugly Betty, Harper’s Island). Despite lasting only 2 seasons,  Popular remains a fan-favorite and is frequently cited as one of the most relatable television portrayals of high school life.

After  Popular Sara was next seen in a cameo role in the World War II drama Pearl Harbor playing one of the nurses stationed in Pearl Harbor. From that point on, Sara slid effortlessly between film and television for another 5 years until she landed the feature role in the sitcom series Less Than Perfect.

Less Than Perfect ran 4 seasons, a remarkable achievement credited to the winning personality of Sara Rue and the strong supporting cast of Eric Roberts, Zachary Levi (currently starring in Chuck), Andrea Parker (formerly of The Pretender), Andy Dick, Sherri Shepherd, and Patrick Warburton. After moving to the notorious Friday night “death slot,” the series wrapped up and Sara returned to guest-starring in a variety of film and television roles, including a 3 episode arc on the enormously popular comedy The Big Bang Theory as Leonard Hofstadter’s girlfriend.

Finally, in stroke of good luck, Sara scored the delightful role as Penny Higgins, sidekick to Lindsay Price’s Joanna, in the new ABC series Eastwick. While not a lead role, Sara is radiant as Penny and frequently outshines her bigger name co-stars. Her comedic timing is pitch-perfect and she can garner a laugh with just a well-timed look. She also infuses Penny with such warmth and confidence that quickly it draws the viewers’ attention. She is an apt scene-stealer and her engaging personality makes us want to see more of her on screen.

If you have not yet had a chance to see this dazzling performer, be sure to check out Eastwick Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC.

Sneak Peek: “Eastwick”, What Do You Wish For?

This week is the premiere of the ABC series Eastwick, starring Rebecca Romijn, Lindsay Price, Jamie Ray Newman and Paul Gross. Here is the official synopsis:

Have you ever discovered a wealth of inner power that you never knew you had, and it could change the world as you knew it if unleashed? Yeah, neither have we. Eastwick, based on John Updike’s best-selling novel and the popular movie, offers that ultimate wish-fulfillment fantasy.

Joanna (Lindsay Price)—the overly shy local reporter, Kat (Jamie Ray Newman)—the swamped wife and mom, and Roxie (Rebecca Romijn)—the eccentric artist are three very different women living in the New England hamlet of Eastwick. Because of catty gossip and preconceived judgments, they didn’t really like each other that much. But after a bizarre encounter at the local park and one too many martinis, this trio not only become BFFs but begin discovering some bewitching talents they never knew they had.

But these three fast friends aren’t just drawing each other closer…

Something wicked is coming their way, and his name is Daryl Van Horne (Paul Gross)—an irresistible combination of wealth, charisma and bad boy sex appeal that turns the town upside-down. The closer these ladies are drawn into Daryl’s wicked web, the more of their unique powers he unleashes—which we can only imagine will spell trouble with a capital T.

As these enchanting women grow into their newfound talents, Eastwick will never be the same. And while that might be ill-fated for a few locals, it’s still the best thing to happen to this small seaside community in centuries.

As I mentioned back in August, this show was well received by the audience at Comic Con, and I feel sure that it will be a hit with you as well. Tune in this Wednesday night, Sept. 23rd, at 10/9 central, for the premiere of this delightful new ABC series. What do I wish for? Paul Gross on a silver platter, thank you very much.

Comic Con: “Eastwick”

“Eastwick is not Charmed.” Words spoken by Producer/Director, David Nutter. After viewing the pilot episode at this year’s San Diego Comic Con, I have to agree. The only things the two shows have in common are there are three girls and they are witches. After that, it’s something entirely different, fresh, exciting, funny, dramatic, and really sexy.

I have not seen the original movie, The Witches of Eastwick, nor had I read the book, So I didn’t know what to expect at all. I was drawn to it when I heard that Rebecca Romijn, Lindsay Price and Jamie Ray Newman were set to star, and that Nutter was going to produce and direct. David Nutter has helmed many of the television shows I have been a fan of over the years; most recently, The Sarah Connor Chronicles, The Mentalist and The X Files: Revelations. So when it was announced that Eastwick was going to Comic Con, I knew I had to be in on that panel.

The Eastwick panel included Aimee Friedman (Exec. Prod.), David Nutter, Jaime Ray Newman, Rebecca Romijn, Paul Gross and Lindsay Price. Michael Logan, of TV Guide Magazine, moderated. Before the question and answer session, David Nutter came out to introduce the pilot episode of Eastwick, and for the next 40 minutes, or so, we were delightfully entertained. The crowd reaction to the screening was over the moon. Since I had no idea what to expect, I was completely surprised, and thoroughly sucked in to this new series.

The pilot, basically, introduces us to the three women, Kat, Roxie and Joanna, who live in a small town in which everyone knows everyone, and your business is not your own. The three women know of each other, but they don’t really like each other. However, as fate would have it, the three share a common link which they soon begin to discover, with the help of a tall, dark and handsome stranger who arrives in Eastwick, seemingly out of nowhere. The ladies meet by chance while making wishes at a fountain in the center of town. Suddenly, their wishes start to come true.

As the story begins to unfold, we find out that the mysterious stranger is Darryl Van Horne (Gross), a

very wealthy, and quite sexy, guy who is buying up Eastwick, business by business. Van Horne begins to shadow the women, encouraging them to explore their unique gifts. Meanwhile, the towns matriarch, Bun, played by Veronica Cartwright, who was also in the original movie, has been attacked by red ants while reading a story to the town’s children. When one of the girls goes to visit her, she frantically tries to warn them that “he” is dangerous and must be avoided.

Other supporting cast include Sara Rue (Less Than Perfect), who plays Joanna’s friend, Penny, and Matt Dallas (Kyle XY), who plays Roxie’s lover, Chad.

After the screening, the panel was introduced by Michael Logan. Already pumped up from watching the pilot, the crowd was very excited to let the cast know just how much we enjoyed it. When asked to describe Eastwick, Aimee Friedman replies, “It’s a show about women’s lives and friendships, and also sex and magic and, we’ve got it all.”

Some highlights:
Special guest stars will include Sybil Sheperd and Martin Mull.
Series begins with Darryl Van Horne seducing all three women.
As series develops, the women begin to turn on Van Horne.

Eastwick premiere’s Sept. 23 at 10/9 central, on ABC. Bookmark us as the show airs throughout the season, and we’ll keep you recapped! Have I mentioned that Paul Gross is absolutely my new TV BF?

Upfronts 2009: ABC – Castle, Ugly Betty Return; Cupid Canceled

ABC unveiled their 2009-2010 schedule today, although the bulk of it had already been revealed. Here’s the scoop as it pertains to the Nice Girls:

Staying

Castle – Thanks to burgeoning ratings for the last couple of episodes of season 1, we get at least another 13 episodes of Nathan Fillion next season.

Ugly Betty – Will we finally get to see Betty lose those braces in season 4?

Coming

Cougar Town – This sitcom starring Courtney Cox (wasn’t she in a sitcom a while back?) as a newly divorced mom who is launched back into the dating scene looks both funny and sweet.

Eastwick – An adaptation of the movie and the book, The Witches of Eastwick, this series stars Nice Girls’ faves Lindsay Price (Lipstick Jungle) and Rebecca Romjin (Ugly Betty), plus newcomer Jamie Ray Newman as three witches in a small New England town. Bonus casting: Sara Rue (Less Than Perfect)!

Going

Cupid – Well, at least ABC aired all of the episodes this time around.

Samantha Who? – We were surprised to hear that this show was on the chopping block, but figured ABC would find a way to save it. Apparently not. ABC still has four episodes from this season in the can; watch for them to be burned off over the summer.

ABC’s 2009-2010 Schedule

Perhaps Thursdays won’t be the logjam we thought after Fox announced their schedule yesterday. Ugly Betty moves to Fridays at 9/8c, giving us a little breathing room. On the other hand, Flash Forward is supposed to be really good…

ABC’s fall primetime schedule is as follows (all times listed are Eastern):

MONDAYS
8-10 pm: Dancing with the Stars (two-hours)
10-11 pm: Castle

TUESDAYS
8-9 pm: Shark Tank
9-10 pm: Dancing with the Stars Results Show
10-11 pm: The Forgotten

WEDNESDAYS
8-8:30 pm: Hank
8:30-9 pm: The Middle
9-9:30 pm: Modern Family
9:30-10 pm: Cougar Town
10-11 pm: Eastwick

THURSDAYS
8-9 pm: Flash Forward
9-10 pm: Grey’s Anatomy
10-11 pm: Private Practice

FRIDAYS
8-9 pm: Supernanny
9-10 pm: Ugly Betty
10-11 pm: 20/20

SATURDAYS
8-11 pm: Saturday Night College Football

SUNDAYS
7-8 pm: America’s Funniest Home Videos
8-9 pm: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
9=10 pm: Desperate Housewives
10-11 pm: Brothers & Sisters

N.B.: The Bachelor will air Monday nights from 8-10 pm following the run of Dancing with the Stars, and Scrubs and Better Off Ted will air at 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., respectively, following the run of Dancing with the Stars Results Show.

Lindsay Price: Fashion to “Eastwick” Reporter

What?! This just shot across my computer screen in blazing letters:

“Lipstick Jungle” star Lindsay Price has been cast in the pilot of ABC’s “Eastwick,” a drama based on the 1987 movie “The Witches of Eastwick” that starred Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer. ~Source.

So, does this mean that Lipstick Jungle is definitely NOT coming back? Or, if it does come back, no Victory? What?! I mean, don’t get me wrong, Lindsay Price in anything is a treat, but seriously? The whole Lipstick Jungle thing has been off again/on again so many times, it’s becoming really hard to keep track. Although we were not promised anything, we were given a crumb of hope for our gals’ return, in some form, come next fall. At this point, I’d settle for a made-for-tv movie to tie up all the loose ends that were left at the end of season two.

Lipstick Jungle NOT Canceled?!?

OK, what is going on here? Industry rags reported last week that Lipstick Jungle had been canceled, along with My Own Worst Enemy, but now Brooke Shields and Kim Raver are on the record with US Magazine saying that it’s NOT canceled and they’re “still working”.

Despite reports, Brooke Shields says her NBC drama Lipstick Jungle hasn’t been scrapped.

“They thought that because My Own Worst Enemy has been shut down that the same thing had happened to us, and it’s not true,” she told reporters at Sunday’s Kidsfest in NYC.

“They’re not breaking down the sets,” she added. “We’re still working. We still have more to do, so it’s erroneously presented that we’ve been canceled, thank God.

“Our bosses are saying, ‘You’re not canceled, don’t worry. We’re just trying to figure out how to make this make sense.’”

Shields said fans have already sent in tubes of lipstick to Jeff Zucker, president & CEO of NBC Universal, to show their support.

“It’s been insane,” she went on. “I think that the public outcry has been crazy, and it’s kind of wonderful.”

Is she optimistic for the show?

“I actually am,” Shields said. “I mean, we’re basically No. 1 if you look at DVR. And you look at all that. So the public is watching it.

“The problem that they have is it’s not the same day live,” she continued. “They just need to figure out how to reconcile advertisers’ money because the advertisers don’t want you fast forwarding commercials.”

If the show gets canned, she said she’ll be heartbroken.

“The family atmosphere and the excitement of being all together and working — that’s the perk,” she said. “I think they would be remiss if they decided not to continue next season.”

Co-star Kim Raver (who also denied that the show’s been canceled) said she would take the cancellation “really hard.

“The main thing is that me and Brooke and Lindsay [Price] have such a great time, not to sound corny,” she said.

She added, “I think on Monday there are emergency meetings as to what’s going to go on. But I know the executives are really pushing it and believe in it.”

I hope those emergency meetings bring us some clarity – in the form of more episodes!

When Shows Collide! Photos from Here & There

We’ve added photos from a few special events featuring stars from some of our favorite shows. First up, the gorgeous Simon Baker looking all squinty and adorable at a press conference for The Mentalist on Monday:

Next, a couple of our favorite shows collided when The Starter Wife’s Debra Messing and Chris Diamantopolous showed up at the Wonder Woman Collection event along with Ugly Betty’s Becki Newton (aren’t she and Chris about the cutest married couple you’ve ever seen?) and Lipstick Jungle’s Lindsay Price:

More photos from both events are in our Gallery.

Lindsay Price and Andrew McCarthy On Set

We have some nice set photos of Lindsay Price and Andrew McCarthy on the set of Lipstick Jungle here in our gallery. Enjoy!

Lipstick Jungle Gallery Update

We’ve added a backlog of Lipstick Jungle photos to our gallery, including:

• Promos for episodes 1.05, 1.06 and 1.07
• Photos of Brooke Shields, Kim Raver and Lindsay Price at a press conference in Los Angeles in May
• Brooke Shields promoting her children’s book, Welcome to Your World, Baby, in Los Angeles and New York, and at the Tonys.
• Kim Raver at HBO’s Recount premiere, the launch of UNICEF’s “Drink 1, Give 10″ campaign (more information), the Joyful Heart Gala (more information), the FiFi Awards (perfume), the CFDA Fashion Awards, and Shakespeare in the Park.
• Lindsay Price at the Casio Anniversary Party.
• Hottie Robert Buckley at the Maxim Hot 100 Party, the MTV Lounge (prior to the MTV Movie Awards), and the amFAR Honoring With Pride event.

Whew! That’ll teach us to get behind!

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