NBC Reality Show Cancellations

While NBC’s summer schedule may include I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, America’s Got Talent, and Great American Road Trip, and the network’s Tuesday night The Biggest Loser is stronger than ever, Futon Critic confirms that much of NBC’s reality lineup has gotten the axe.

Last Comic Standing, Nashville Star, Celebrity Circus, Celebrity Family Feud, The Baby Borrowers, American Gladiators, America’s Toughest Jobs, and Momma’s Boys have all been cancelled.

The massive cancellations come as NBC is preparing to move Jay Leno to 10PM, which will mean the need for 1/3 less programming.

Heroes Season 3 Episode 20 Preview

Heroes Season 3 Episode 20 Cold Snap airs Monday March 23 at 9/8c on NBC.

Monday March 23, 2009
9:00 PM 1.0 HEROES
COLD SNAP

THE IDENTITY OF “REBEL” IS REVEALED WITH CHILLING CONSEQUENCES EMMY AWARD-WINNER ZELJKO IVANEK, BREA GRANT AND SWOOSIE KURTZ GUEST STAR HRG (Jack Coleman) convinces Emile Danko (guest star Zeljko Ivanek), a.k.a. “The Hunter”, to release Tracy (Ali Larter) from “Building 26,” in hopes that she will lead them to “Rebel.” As Angela (Cristine Rose) evades capture, she turns to an old friend (guest star Swoosie Kurtz) for help. In Los Angeles, Hiro (Masi Oka) and Ando (James Kyson Lee) continue on their latest mission from “Rebel” to protect the newest hero. Greg Grunberg, Sendhil Ramamurthy and Milo Ventimiglia also star. Brea Grant and David H. Lawrence XVII also guest star.

Sneak Peek

Lost Season 5 Finale Nickname

Following in the tradition of the previous seasons, ABC is asking viewers to nickname the final cliffhanger moment of the season 5 finale. Prior nicknames include “Bagel” (Walt being abducted), “Challah” (Penny’s team finding the island), “The Rattlesnake in the Mailbox” (Jack’s flash forward), and “Frozen Donkey Wheel” (Ben moving the island).

Suggestions can be submitted to the producers on ABC’s website, and a choice will be made next week which name to use.

American Idol Season 8 Episode 22

The top 11 performed in American Idol 8 Episode 21, and tonight one more person will be going home, bringing us down to the summer touring top 10.

Because there’s only one person going home tonight, the filler tonight is even more… filler full. How long we gotta wait to even find out… something? Didn’t they say last year that the results show this year would drag less?

Danny Gokey is safe.

Lil Rounds is safe.

Anoop Desai, who surprised everybody last night, is safe.

Allison Iraheta and Michael Sarver stand up next. Paula doesn’t believe anybody’s in the bottom three. Somebody has to be, though, unless it’s like an 11 way tie. She reluctantly answers that Allison is in the bottom, and she’s correct. Michael needs to stand back up, since he’s also in the bottom three.

So now we’ve got another 35 minutes to kill.

Scott MacIntyre is safe.

Megan Joy Corkrey is safe and still contagious.

Matt Giraud is safe.

Kris Allen is safe.

Alexis Grace and Adam Lambert are the two still remaining. It’s safe to assume that Adam is safe, with Alexis in the bottom three. Randy loved Adam’s wacky song choice and thinks Alexis is in the bottom. That is correct. Adam won’t be able to pull that kind of stuff as the weeks go on, but there’s still plenty to weed out at this point.

Of the bottom three, Allison is safe. That means it’s between Alexis and Michael.

Before we get to that, Carrie Underwood, one of American Idol’s brightest stars, premieres her duet I Told You So with Randy Travis. They call it a duet anyway, but Carrie steals the thunder. Either way, it’s bound to be a huge success as usual.

The judges claim they would consider saving one of the bottom two, but I’m okay with either of them going.

Michael is safe. Alexis Grace has been eliminated. Pretty quick fall for someone who not long ago was quite the overrated fan favorite. Alexis was the one the judges were thinking about saving. The judges have unanimously decided to let Alexis go, though. She’s better than some of the people who are still there, but I agree that, with just one save, it’s not the time to use it just yet.

Memo to Michael Sarver: don’t sass the judges next time. People didn’t like it in season 1, and they still don’t like it 7 years later. Take the constructive criticism and use it to improve.

Special programming note: the President is preempting the show next Tuesday. Again. How much TV time does this guy need anyway? It will air on Wednesday and Thursday instead.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another recap of American Idol Season 8 episode 23, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.

Lost Season 5 Episode 9

Lost Season 5 Episode 8 was all about James Lafleur, the identity Sawyer assumed while waiting for the others to return. During that time, he managed to fall in love with the only available female, Juliet, and after waiting a few years, Jack, Hurley, and the woman Sawyer was completely over (Kate) arrived back on the island.

The co-pilot recognizes Hurley. He tells his pilot, Frank, as if it’s news to him. Might wanna fasten your seatbelt. Despite the less than ideal conditions, they’ve managed to land the plane, but not without some bloodshed. The co-pilot has a branch through himself and looks on the not living side. Frank, however, wakes up. The passengers appear to be okay as well, although Jack, Hurley, and Kate are missing. They’re gone. How would Ben know where?

30 years earlier, Sawyer and Jin are meeting up with the group of old friends. They’re in the Dharma Initiative, and, oh, it’s 1977. As for Jin, his English is awesome. In addition to them, Juliet’s still there, ready to make up some sort of love rhombus.

Jin needs to know if a plane landed on the island. The guy at the station insists it didn’t, but maybe he should check with the other stations.

For some reason, Sun is with the group of survivors rather than her former fellow castaways, as is Ben. He goes wandering off on his own, so she follows him. He’s going back to their island. Does she want to come?

Horace and Amy have settled on a name. They’re going to name him Ethan.

Sawyer wants the others to pretend they were on the incoming sub and act like new recruits.

Jin has not managed to find any planes. However, they do see that a motion sensor was tripped by what they believe to be a hostile. It’s Sayid.

What if they start asking questions Hugo can’t answer like… who was President in 1977?

Sun’s got two choices. Either get in the outrigger and help Ben row, or stay behind. She will be going back to the main island with him because she has to trust him, whether she should or not. Or so she says until he turns his back and she knocks him upside the head with an oar.

Jack is greeted by Peter Chang, the guy from all the films. His file isn’t there. Could they be any more disorganized on the other side? He has been assigned to the shed as a workman. Based on his aptitude test, he’ll be doing janitorial work.

Kate’s name isn’t on the list or the sub manifest. Good thing Juliet is there with a forged new list.

The guy watching Sayid wants to shoot first and ask questions never, but Sawyer would like to talk to him first. He’s going to be taking him back to the barracks.

Sun and Frank have gone to the island as Ben suggested before she whacked him in the head. When they arrive, they find Christian, who wants them to follow him. They have a bit of a journey ahead of them.

Sayid can hang out in the prison cell until they can figure out what to do with him.

Jack goes looking for Sawyer, and he sees Juliet. He’s at the right house. Now Sawyer’s the boss, and he will do things his way, while Jack listens like a good soldier.

Sayid’s been brought a sandwich by little Ben.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of Lost Season 5 Episode 10 He’s Our You, which airs Wednesday at 9/8c on ABC.

American Idol Season 8 Episode 21

Last week on American Idol 8 Episode 20, the first two contestants were voted out by America: Jasmine Murray and Jorge Nunez.

This week is country week, celebrating the Grand Ole Opry with Randy Travis. Whoever makes it through this week will be part of the top 10, meaning they’ll have a cushy summer job.

Michael Sarver
Song: Ain’t Goin’ Down ‘Til the Sun Comes Up by Garth Brooks
Randy: Cool song choice. Fun. Not sure it showed anything different in your vocal capabilities.
Kara: More personality but no big notes.
Paula: Fun. This is the genre that suits you so well.
Simon: Should have been good. Couldn’t understand a single word you were singing. Clumsy. Could have been karaoke night.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-01

Michael’s got one too many smart alec remarks here. He apparently hasn’t learned from the bad publicity prior contestants received by talking back to the judges instead of listening to them.

Allison Iraheta
Song: Blame It on Your Heart by Patty Loveless
Kara: I am starting to think you could sing the alphabet well. Made the song your own. Getting better each week.
Paula: Another rock solid performance. And then some mumbling.
Simon: Good. A little tuneless in parts. Like you were struggling remembering the words.
Randy: Dope.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-02

Kris Allen
Song: To Make You Feel My Love by Garth Brooks
Paula: Pleasantly surprised. Honest, pure, vulnerable performance. Some pitchy moments but a smart choice.
Simon: Terrific. Great choice of song. Completely in control. Probably the first time you have a shot of doing really well in the competition.
Randy: Tender moments. Who knew?
Kara: Beautiful and very Kris Allen.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-03

Lil Rounds
Song: Independence Day by Martina McBride
Randy: Interesting, ambitious song choice. Struggling at the beginning. A little better in the power zone. Didn’t feel comfortable.
Kara: Kinda of missed the old Lil at the beginning, but at least you stood your ground. Not your best performance.
Paula: Everything’s going right for you tonight.
Simon: Look, Little, you kind of came over like a girl forced to sing a song at a wedding. Not a suitable song.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-04

Adam Lambert
Song: Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash, with a Middle Eastern twist… I am confused
Kara: All a little strange. I don’t know what to make of that. Kind of liked it.
Paula: Confused and sort of happy.
Simon: What the hell was that? Never go to Nashville. A lot of people throwing their television sets out the window. Indulgent rubbish.
Randy: Like Nine Inch Nails doing a country song.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-05

Scott MacIntyre
Song: Wild Angels by Martina McBride (playing piano)
Paula: Another impressive lovely performance, but the piano is becoming a bit of a crutch.
Simon: Elton John used to sit behind the piano. Nothing wrong with that. Both performances last week and this week were very similar. Not good enough songs.
Randy: Just a nice kind of good performance.
Kara: Up your game a little. Brought class and poise to the song.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-06

Alexis Grace
Song: Jolene by Dolly Parton
Randy: Just not sure you hit the notes quite right. Enjoyable but not a great performance.
Kara: Lost your edge a bit. A little flat.
Paula: More effective song because it showed different sides of your vocals.
Simon: Okay. Sound alike. Forgettable.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-07

Danny Gokey
Song: Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood
Kara: When you hit your stride, it’s like none other. Half way through, it was like here comes Danny.
Paula: Brilliant. Carrie Underwood would go out and buy that record.
Simon: Agree with Paula. But don’t like what you’re wearing.
Randy: The rest of the song was crazy, but you didn’t support the verses enough.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-08

Anoop Desai
Song: Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson
Paula: Anoop is back. Fit you like a glove. Tender, honest, amazing, sweet vocals.
Simon: From zero to hero. Good choice of song. One of my favorite performances of the night. Definitely deserve to be in the show.
Randy: Really showed your vocal skills. The arrangement was dope.
Kara: Amazing. Probably the best performance of the night. The biggest surprise.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-09

Megan Joy Corkrey
Song: Walking After Midnight by Patsy Cline
Randy: Quite impressed. Really good.
Kara: Perfect song. Perfect look. A winner being able to do this with the flu.
Paula: Fighter. Consummate professional.
Simon: Should have the flu every week. Better than last week.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-10

Matt Giraud
Song: So Small by Carrie Underwood (playing piano)
Kara: Amazing.
Paula: Authentic performer. Piercing through so many people’s hearts.
Simon: Don’t think you’ve had enough credit for your vocals. Outsang Danny tonight. Terrific performance.
Randy: Favorite performance of the night.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-11

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another recap of American Idol Season 8 episode 22, which airs Wednesday at 9/8c on Fox.