Pop-Up Exposition

I dunno, that doesn’t really bother me – at least when it works with the tone of the show. I’m pretty sure that is done in Burn Notice, which is helpful because we meet a new roster of wackos each episode and it fits with the tone of the show. I could be remembering terribly wrongly, though – it wouldn’t be the first time. . .
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Also, the show The Middleman had EXCELLENT and hysterical use of title cards for people and places.
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I do think that, as a technique, it is probably overused.

Sometimes its definitely like they’re trying to make a show look cooler by using them.

Yeah, like Shara I don’t mind the supertitles if they fit the tone– Burn notice is a good example. Nifty.
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And kinda OT here JP, but I’m curious to know, when these folks send you guys these screeners, what’s the expectation? That you’ll write a review and drive viewer traffic their way, that you’ll send them your thoughts on the show, what? They seem to go to an awful lot of trouble to keep TV critics in the know.

How long will it be until I stop confusing the titles of Trust Me and Lie to Me?

I showed up early for a movie and saw one of those First Look features about one of these shows, but I have absolutely no idea which one.

Actually it must have been the one with the guy from Ed because I remember thinking about that other show he was on that got canceled after like one episode.

Also, as far as exposition goes, I’ll take too-cute narration over lame supertitles every day of the week. But if anyone else was as excited as me to watch Pushing Daisies tonight, you can make other plans or cancel your TiVo settings because ABC pulled it from the schedule and probably won’t even air the rest of the season. The last episode a few weeks back ended on a heck of cliffhanger, which probably won’t be resolved until the DVD comes out.

And I can’t even pretend like I’m going to boycott ABC because Lost is coming back.

(Source: http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/01/ask-ausiello-sp.html)

@bzdesk: Generally they send critics (and editors, etc.) screeners in the hope that we’ll review or otherwise write about the show.

@beerbaron: NOOOOOOOOOO! How can they do that to us?! Maybe they’ll make the unaired episodes available online, like they did for The Nine?
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Stupid ABC jerks. Would three more hours of programming have killed them?? WOULD IT?!?

@beerbaron and Lulu Lulu — See, THIS is precisely what networks should save for the summer. ABC could OWN a single night (or maybe a couple nights, or maybe a whole week) during the summer by “marathoning” this season of Pushing Daisies (or some highlighted “best” episodes) leading up to the airing of the FINAL episodes…and, in the process, maybe give Bryan Fuller and the cast a little money to make a suitable “wrap-up” finale?
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When I run TV, if a show makes it more than 10 episodes (say), it’ll at the very least get a wrap-up finale guaranteed to air in the summer, if not sooner. That way, we’d always get a chance to say goodbye to our television shows. It would be a clause in every contract with each actor/writer/producer/director — if we cancel this show, you agree at our option to participate in a special series finale episode, to be no longer than 2/3 hours long, and will be paid X amount for this special episode above and beyond your existing contract.
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@James — seriously, we NEED some Lost discussion. I know I’ve been absent lately (blame work), but I’m ready to contribute. I recommend a retrospective look at each of the previous 4 seasons, particularly the lasting questions each still pose. I’m re-watching Season 1 right now, and let’s just say I’m picking up some VERY interesting things/theories/questions.

OK, I totally second Chaddogg on a revisit of previous LOST seasons. Over the holidays I rewatched the pilot episode/s (twice each!!) and part of seasons 2 and 3–IMO this show has the most brilliant character introductions, EVER!
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Also caught up on Heroes season 3, umm…it wasn’t that bad,really. I mean…

Heh, I’m the same way. I’m such a purist about that stuff, I don’t even like title cards for times or locations (unless you have to, like for a show like X-files). It’s tantamount to breaking the fourth wall.

I agree with everyone else that the title thing works really well for shows like Burn Notice, but can’t stand the location thing that Fringe does. Trust Me seems like it’s supposed to be one of those comedies where that works, but we’ll just have to see, I guess.

Well, you actually know more about that than we do :^)

I want to get screeners and write about them. I think that’s called whining. Did somebody say Lost?