Cannes Film Festival 2013

'Awake' - 'Say Hello to My Little Friend': Is this the real life?

Mike is forced to confront his grief, and a mysterious stranger, in a dynamite episode

<p>The Britten family right before their tragic accident on "Awake."</p>

The Britten family right before their tragic accident on "Awake."

Credit: NBC

A review of tonight's "Awake" coming up just as soon as I destroy a sacred song from your childhood...

Season finale review: 'Parks and Recreation' - 'Win, Lose or Draw'

Leslie finds out the election results, Ben gets an offer and Andy helps April through a crisis

<p>Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope on "Parks and Recreation."</p>

Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope on "Parks and Recreation."

Credit: NBC

"Parks and Recreation" just wrapped up its fourth season. I interviewed Mike Schur about the election results and various decisions from the year, and I have a season finale review coming up just as soon as Blue Ivy Carter high-fives me...

Interview: 'Parks and Recreation' co-creator Mike Schur post-mortems season 4

On the campaign results, Tom and Ann's relationship, Chris' depression and more

<p>Adam Scott, Amy Poehler and Rashida Jones in the "Parks and Recreation" season finale.</p>

Adam Scott, Amy Poehler and Rashida Jones in the "Parks and Recreation" season finale.

Credit: NBC
"Parks and Recreation" just wrapped up its fourth season. I reviewed the season finale here, and I also did an email interview with the show's co-creator Mike Schur about the campaign results and season 4 as a whole (plus some "Friday Night Lights" plot points, for those of you behind on your DVDs), coming up just as soon as I get my milk delivered by horse...

'Community' - 'Curriculum Unavailable': Crazy town banana pants

John Hodgman tries to shrink Abed in a clip show sequel

<p>The study group goes crazy on "Community."</p>

The study group goes crazy on "Community."

Credit: NBC

A review of tonight's "Community" — which, in case you hadn't heard, will be coming back next season — coming up just as soon as I extol the virtues of Brett Ratner (aka the new Spielberg)...

NBC renews 'Community' for season 4

13 episode order won't necessarily be the end of the Greendale Human Beings

<p>The "Community" study group will be back for a fourth season.</p>

The "Community" study group will be back for a fourth season.

Credit: NBC

Pop. Pop. "Communityis coming back for a fourth season.

A source close to production has confirmed that NBC has ordered 13 episodes of the low-rated critical darling. Unlike the "30 Rock" final season renewal, as far as I know this is not officially the final order for the show. It's entirely possible "Community" could get a back 9 order next season or even, miracle of miracles, a fifth season. Unlike the aging, expensive "30 Rock," it makes no sense for NBC to cut off its options with "Community" before it has to. While I'd say it's probable that these 13 will be it for Jeff, Britta, Troy, Abed, Annie, Shirley, Pierce and company — and would allow the show to roughly mirror the four-year college experience — stranger things have happened at NBC in recent years (like five seasons of "Chuck"). Six seasons and a movie is still vaguely in play.

And while you celebrate this news, you can not only watch tonight's episode, but once again enjoy some furry fun with Joel McHale, Yvette Nicole Brown and Jim Rash:

NBC renews '30 Rock' for seventh and final season

Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin and company will get a 13-episode victory lap

<p>Tina Fey and company will be back for one final season of "30 Rock."</p>

Tina Fey and company will be back for one final season of "30 Rock."

Credit: NBC

Still more news from the NBC bubble: "30 Rock" has been renewed for a seventh and final season of 13 episodes, to premiere sometime next season.

There's been speculation that several of NBC's Thursday comedies would get this treatment, but it made the most sense for "30 Rock," which is an older, more expensive show and has never done all that well in the ratings. Tina Fey has said publicly that she understands NBC can't keep financing her cult comedy in perpetuity, but that she'd like some kind of warning when the end is coming so she can write to it.

Now she knows, and now Alec Baldwin can stop predicting the end of the show every three months, because we know when it's actually coming.

My reaction to this news can be summed up in one word: BANJO!

NBC renews 'Parenthood' for season 4

Family drama gets to come off the bubble

<p>Peter Krause and the rest of the "Parenthood" cast has good reason to smile after the renewal came in from NBC.</p>

Peter Krause and the rest of the "Parenthood" cast has good reason to smile after the renewal came in from NBC.

Credit: NBC

It sounds like most, if not all, of NBC's bubble shows may have their fates decided today. Amid the flurry of rumor and speculation, there's one fact I can comfortably report: "Parenthoodhas been renewed for a fourth season.

The story was first reported by TVLine, and confirmed to me by "Parenthood" executive producer Jason Katims. Katims said he had no details on how many episodes had been ordered, or anything else, but we know that the Braverman family will be back sometime next season.

RELATED: NBC renews "30 Rock" for seventh and final season

Interview: 'Cougar Town' co-creator Kevin Biegel on TBS move

'TBS wants to keep making the show we've been making' on ABC

<p>The whole "Cougar Town" gang — including Courteney Cox, Big Carl and, yes, Josh Hopkins — will be moving from ABC to TBS next year.</p>

The whole "Cougar Town" gang — including Courteney Cox, Big Carl and, yes, Josh Hopkins — will be moving from ABC to TBS next year.

Credit: ABC

How would "Cougar Town" co-creator Kevin Biegel sum up the news that TBS has picked up a fourth season of the sitcom after ABC decided not to renew it?

"It feels a little like a prisoner on his way to executioner being told, 'Okay, the governor says you're not going to be executed, and you get to go free, and you get a Corvette and a steak dinner, too."

I spoke briefly with Biegel about how quickly the deal came together, what, if any, changes "Cougar Town" fans can expect to see to the show when it makes its TBS debut, and more.

The Morning Round-Up: 'Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23' & 'Suburgatory'

The Alicia Silverstone arc is dragging down 'Suburgatory,' while June and Chloe make jam

<p>Krysten Ritter and Dreama Walker in "Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23."</p>

Krysten Ritter and Dreama Walker in "Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23."

Credit: ABC

It's morning round-up time, with quick thoughts on last night's "Suburgatory" and "Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23" coming up just as soon as I box weave you a noose...

Review: USA's 'Common Law' clings too tightly to formula

Police partners go to couples counseling in a tedious new drama

  • Critic's Rating C-
  • Readers' Rating A-
<p>Micheal Ealy and Warren Kole in "Common Law."</p>

Micheal Ealy and Warren Kole in "Common Law."

Credit: USA
With USA's original dramas, it's all about formula: sticking to USA's own formula while tweaking everyone else's. There are certain elements you know to expect from show to show — attractive duos or trios who banter well with each other, mysteries to be solved (even if they're of the medical variety), pretty locations (their much-discussed "blue skies" approach) — while at the same time expecting them to mess with a format that's familiar from other networks. So "Burn Notice" is a private eye show where the detectives is a former spy, "Royal Pains" is a hospital drama where the doctor makes house calls to the extremely wealthy and "White Collar" is a cop drama where one of the cops is actually a crook. It's not about giving you something new, but about giving you something familiar in slightly fancier packaging than you're used to. And it's worked very, very well for USA over the years.
 
But the USA formula has become so familiar at this point that when you combine it with one of the more formulaic ideas in filmed history — buddy cops who bicker constantly even as they close every case — you get something as flat and tedious as "Common Law" (which debuts tomorrow night at 10).
 

Get Instant Alerts on What's Alan Watching

Recent Activity on Facebook
Most Popular on Facebook
Top Stories From Around the Web