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Listen: Firewall & Iceberg Podcast No. 71

Dan and Alan talk 'Justified' and 'Fringe' on the eve of their finales

By Daniel Fienberg Monday, May 2, 2011 4:42 PM

The

 
Happy Monday and time for another Firewall & Iceberg Podcast.
 
It's a light week this week, so we came in at barely under an hour, even after discussing the state of "Justified" and "Fringe" pre-finale and answering a pile of Listener Mail.
 
Next week? Much busier, as we preview where the networks stand on the eve of upfronts. Then the week after that, with the upfronts themselves, we'll probably have multiple podcasts. Very busy.
 
"Justified" pre-finale -- 01:00 - 20:30
"Fringe" pre-finale -- 20:40 - 33:00
Listener mail: Can a comedy be "the best show on TV" -- 33:22 - 39:15
Listener mail: Low-rated networks getting audiences -- 39:15 - 43:10
Listener mail: The decline of the lead-in -- 43:20 - 47:20
Listener mail: Shows that were successful after cast departures -- 47:30 - 58:50

As always, you can subscribe to The Firewall & Iceberg Podcast over at the iTunes Store, where you can also rate us and comment on us. [Or you can always follow our RSS Feed.]

 
And here's the podcast...

 

Firewall & Iceberg - Podcast 71

Dan-feinberg-sm
Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor
A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.
Related Searches: Firewall & Iceberg, Podcast, daniel fienberg, Alan Sepinwall, Justified, Fringe

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  • Default-avatar

    Matt

    Okay, I'm about to do something that I hate when other people do: post an irrelevant comment.

    I appreciate that HitFix now has drop-down menus for each section at the top of the page (especially the Blogs link), but it's pretty difficult to navigate a cursor across the long, thin, horizontal drop-down without going a bit too high or low (and, consequently, losing the menu). If possible, I would really recommend making the menu vertical. A vertical drop-down would be both wider and shorter--thus, much easier to navigate.

    May 3, 2011 at 12:24AM EST Reply to Comment
  • Default-avatar

    Matt

    Now for some relevancy:

    I think Dan's "O.C." example is surprisingly appropriate for the Michael Scott situation. Michael Scott, like Marissa Cooper, was surrounded by a cast of compelling, enjoyable characters that could very easily click with the right replacement (just as Ryan et al. clicked marvelously with Taylor). I am happy to continue watching the lives of Jim, Pam, Phyllis, Kelly, Creed, etc. without Michael. Michael has even had a Marissa-esque reception from the "Office" audience--though the Michael-hating group is probably a much smaller percentage of viewers than the Marissa-hating group was. Fortunately for "The Office," its continued success is contingent upon its creative quality whereas "The O.C." never had a fighting chance (with or without Marissa).

    So, basically, I'm saying that Autumn Reeser should be the new boss of Dunder Mifflin.

    Oh, and that HitFix should remedy its drop-down menu situation.

    May 3, 2011 at 12:25AM EST Reply to Comment

    • Anything that puts Autumn Reeser on TV more is a great idea.

      May 3, 2011 at 1:25AM EST
    • Default-avatar

      Matt Indeed, I'm getting more and more sold on the idea as the night goes on. I'd take either Reeser or Michael Emerson and love every second of it.

      May 3, 2011 at 1:44AM EST
    • Default-avatar

      Matt Argh, now Taylor Townsend/Ben Linus similarities are popping into my head. Both started as creepy, manipulative guest stars and turned into creepy, awesome, show-saving regulars.

      May 3, 2011 at 1:57AM EST
    • Default-avatar

      Matt "So what if I did rent a homosexual for an evening and pay him in rare collectibles from Asian cinema."

      ^That and stalking Ryan in a groundhog costume are on par with most of Ben's actions.

      Well, then again, maybe not.

      May 3, 2011 at 2:05AM EST
  • Madmen_icon_talkback_profile

    LJA

    M*A*S*H replaced McLean Stevenson, Wayne Rogers, and Larry Linville with continued creative strength for the most part. I think the final problems with M*A*S*H at the bitter end were all about writing and nothing to do with characterization or acting.

    May 3, 2011 at 12:05PM EST Reply to Comment
  • Default-avatar

    Stan

    Oddly enough, Charlie Sheen replaced Michael J. Fox on Spin City and the show did a little better (ratings wise) for a few seasons.

    May 3, 2011 at 4:50PM EST Reply to Comment
  • Default-avatar

    Shumpel

    Can't wait for your upfronts podcasts! Great news.

    May 3, 2011 at 9:57PM EST Reply to Comment

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