Unfortunately, I couldn’t even get through the entire preview (I had to bail at the 1:40 mark). The jokes were awful - so bad  I’m tempted to use a much more colorful word to describe the awfulness - and the acting was forced. I physically cringed.

There’s not much more to say, except avoid this show if at all possible. And if you do get brave and give it a look, please, have your remote handy for an emergency channel switch. It’s the best way to escape emotional scarring and a loss of faith in sitcoms as a whole.

In the Motherhood premieres tonight (March 26th, 2009) at 8/7c on ABC.

While I understand their move to include more genres of programming, and that the name “Sci-Fi” generally keeps away viewers who dislike science fiction (and thus, it needed to be changed to reflect their new, “broader range of programming”) I have to say: Syfy? Seriously? It’s a disaster of a name. It looks goofy and childish. They couldn’t pick something better? Perhaps a less obvious science-fiction name that non-sci-fi viewers wouldn’t peg as sci-fi, but longtime fans would understand? Maybe a constellation like Orion. So much for “the imagination” Mr. Howe talked about.

Besides the idiocy of the name however, many Sci-Fi fans are expressing concern over the jump away from traditional science fiction programming. “Pretty sad–really,” writes commenter Dingedarmor on the Sci-Fi Wire post about the change.  “They had a few good shows, killed most of their best ones, and created some really lame tv movies. And now this. RIP our favorite viewing marathons: BSG, Eureka, Tremors, Stargate, Farscape, X-Files, Twilight Zone, Outer Limits [...] I guess steroid abuse for wrestlers is more sci fi than we thought.”

In response to these concerns, Dave Howe, via an interview with Sci-Fi Wire, stated “There’s nothing wrong with sci-fi, and we’ve had 16 great years as the SCI FI Channel. We love sci-fi, which is why we’ve said we have no intention of abandoning our roots or our core audience. We intend to continue to develop and produce great sci-fi shows like the two upcoming series we recently greenlit, Stargate Universe in the fall and Caprica, the prequel to Battlestar Galactica, coming early next year. Plus we’re bringing back Eureka in July, Sanctuary in the fall and launching a brand-new sci-fi show, Warehouse 13, in July. We’re still the biggest producer of sci-fi shows in all of TV, and we intend to stay number one.”

I want to see sadness, happiness, confusion, or heartbreak. The “tell” doesn’t have to be obvious - perhaps a subtle frown or sharp inhale. At the very least, let the poor man smile more than once every thirty episodes. “I swore I saw 

him change facial expressions twice. At least that’s what I thought I saw, before I fainted,” comments CreativeThinker via TV.com. 

CSI: Miami has a chance to delve into and develop a great character. I just hope they take the opportunity. What makes him tick? I want to know, and viewers do, too. Step up CBS and take a risk. It’ll be worth it, if only to stun the hundreds of users posting Horatio spoofs to YouTube.

Q: Why can’t I buy Without a Trace (CBS) seasons 3+ on DVD in the United States? They’re available in the United Kingdom!

A: According to what I’ve been told, the Without a Trace season sets aren’t selling well enough in the United States to warrant their continued release. As a major ‘Trace fan, I share your pain. It’s frustrating. That said, if you’re really, really desperate you can take a trip to the UK and rent them. I’ve always wanted to vacation in London, and what better way to celebrate?

However, if a transatlantic flight isn’t an option for your fix, there are rumors that if enough people become interested, TPTB (The Powers That Be) will begin selling them again. At this time, this is just a rumor and has no basis in actual fact. When I know more, you will.

Q: I bought a season set of Las Vegas (NBC) that was advertised as being uncut and uncensored, but the only difference from the episodes that aired on NBC I notice is the opening song! What gives? Did I get scammed?

A: Technically, yes. Uncut and uncensored, as far as I’ve been able to tell, basically means that all those risque stripper club scenes are extended and  free of blur-outs on the boobs. That said, it’s a great show and worth having in your DVD library.

Q: What’s up with my season 8 box set of Stargate SG-1 (Sci-Fi)? When it aired on Sci-Fi, the episode Threads was much longer!

A: This was an error on several season 8 box sets. The cut version of the episode was added to the DVD instead of the extended one. The mistake was corrected on subsequent releases of the set. At the time, anyone who purchased the cut version could send in for a copy (no extra charge) of the extended version. This was a couple of years ago, and I do not believe they are currently offering the exchange, so be careful if you’re buying the set used! Make sure you’re getting the right version.

Q: How come there aren’t any extras on the Gilmore Girls (CW) season 6 DVD set? They had extras on all the others! I was disappointed!

A: All I’ve got for you is an internet rumor, which cannot be confirmed. According to several online forums, this may be due to the fact that creator Amy Sherman-Palladino was not seeing “eye to eye” with the CW when the set was released (evidenced by her step back in season 7).  I don’t know how that translates to no extras, but that’s what I was able to uncover.

Q: I’ve been waiting ages for Crossing Jordan (NBC) to come out on DVD, they have season one out now, what about the others?

A: There’s no date yet, nor any reason I could find on why it took so long for season 1. If you search for the season 2 set on Amazon.com, you can sign up to get an e-mail when the product is scheduled for release. Better yet though, keep checking this site or TV Shows on DVD for updates. I’ll make sure to post when I know more (we’re faster than Amazon on this sort of thing, since it’s a priority).

So, all you Lost devotees, is season five different? It takes a whole lot to put me off a show, (I sat through Heroes‘ utterly abysmal season two after all, and I’m still clining to the hope Without a Trace can get it together) but I feel like I’ve given Lost too many chances, and they’ve disappointed me every time. Despite all that though, I still love the characters and a part of me wants to know what happens to them. Maybe. Possibly. Or maybe I’ll just read the episode recaps online. What do you think? If you love Lost, tell us why! And if you don’t, care to explain?

According to reports, the girls stood for hours and were denied food and bathroom breaks. They were told if they left the line, they would not be allowed to return and audition.

Disaster ensued, reportedly, after someone from the crowd yelled an overheated car nearby was going to explode. “Everyone got thrown everywhere,” Annina Manttari, 23, told the New York Times . “People were getting run over.” Following the incident, producers departed and the girls were told to leave.

Does his departure mark the end of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation? I doubt it. I’m sure there’ll be the diehard fans that boycott the show based on principle; however, the contingency plan is a good one – and not because they tapped Laurence Fishburne. Although honestly, that didn’t hurt. If the producers do what they claim they’re going to do, the show will survive.

According to executive producer Carol Mendelsohn, Fishburne’s character will have a very bumpy transition onto the team. “He’ll make a mess of his first crime scene while investigating an arson, and will have trouble adjusting to the brutal, late-night hours.” That’s a good move. Instead of diving in and taking Grissom’s “father-figure” mantel - teaching the CSIs all the things he knows - Raymond will be the one in need of mentoring. Why is that good? Because it’s less grating. I like Grissom, and I don’t want anyone to show him up.That’s the problem I had with A.J. Cooper, NBC’s replacement for James Caan’s Ed Deline on Las Vegas. He was cocky, and too much like Ed. They totally alienated me with that move.

Best of all, Ray’s going to be his own man, not a Grissom clone. When shows try to capitalize on an architype, it always, always backfires. I don’t like flimsy copies of my favorites. I want a new, interesting character to fall in love with, not someone who’s trying to hard to be someone else.

Top Three Cloning Offenders:

• Gilmore Girls’ April - No amount of “is that a book?” jokes made April worth it. She was annoying, too much like Rory and fairly useless.
• Stargate SG-1’s Jonas - He had so much potential, but they focused too much on his similarities to Daniel; instead, they should have focused on the differences between the two men.
• Las Vegas’ Cooper - Like I said before, too much like Ed.

I say give the nightshift newbie a chance. He sounds like an interesting character, and while the ensamble will never be the same, different doesn’t automatically have to be bad. The best way to approach this is to treat it like a whole new show. It could be great.

But, what do you think? Sound off below!