Finally, the final finalés

At the moment all the TV networks in 'Merica are bringing there seasons to a close. Nothing to unusual I suppose, particularly if you're from here and used to it, but to me it's pretty bizarre that so many TV shows come to an end at the same time. In the UK, this isn't the case so much, mainly because a TV shows series typically lasts 6 to maybe 12 episodes, and so a new series will just fill the ending ones place, with no connection to what may be going on another channel. Also, there are only 5 TV channels in the UK... unless you have cable/satellite TV, which is the norm in the US - no houses have TV aerials on the roof like in the UK. If you want broadcast TV here you have to use the 'rabbit ears'... a set top Ariel. However, in the UK, you can expect new shows to start in the New Year, after all the Christmas specials are over, and in the Autumn ('Fall', 'Mericans). Some new shows will appear over the Summer, but that's not regarded, or it didn't used to be, as the big a season as the colder, darker months, when people stay in more. I think Big Brother is one of the biggest Summer shows in the UK... it's totally different to the very poor US version, which somehow keeps surviving for another season. Doctor Who is one of the biggest, at least in hype, shows for the BBC at the moment. That started in April, lasting 13 episodes. That lasts 45 minutes, I'm thinking because when it's sold abroad and is repeated on cable/satellite, it will last an hour with the adverts put in there. Aren't I smart.

All these new shows are ending... there's going to be so many repeats over Summer...
CBS - Everybody Loves Raymond, Numbers, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Amazing Race, Without a Trace, Cold Case, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, JAG, Joan of Arcadia, King of Queens, Joan of Arcadia, Judging Amy, NCIS, Two and a Half Men, Survivor: Palau
ABC - Extreme Home Makeover, Desperate Housewives, Greys Anatomy (this had a strangely short run at only 9 episodes (24 is normal), but it was a hit anyway), Lost, Alias
NBC - Scrubs, Law & Order: Trial By Jury (axed), Joey, Fear Factor, Las Vegas, Medium, The Contender, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, ER
UPN - Enterprise (axed!), Veronica Mars, America's Next Top Model
Fox - The Simpsons, Pop Idol, House, 24, The OC
The WB - 7th Heaven, Everwood, One Tree Hill, Charmed, Smallville
USA - Kojac

So there are many new shows in the pipeline, some looking pretty familiar to me. Hells Kitchen is starting on Fox, replacing 24 I believe. Gordan Ramsey is being unleashed on the 'Mericans... I assume they'll have all those councilors back out that had to comfort the America Idol rejects from the first couple of seasons when they were shocked by Simon Cowels delicate manor. They're so soft here. Anyway, Hell's Kitchen isn't with celebrities like it was in the UK, but just regular contestants, and I'm not sure if it's set in a real restaurant either. I doubt it will be as extensive as the UK version either, with the ITV2 show and live stuff of the celebrities in their apartment outside of 'show' time. The advert still looks pretty good though. Simply because Gordan shouts at people a lot. Fun.

Another couple of shows shipped from the UK are; a Strictly Come Dancing clone, called Dancing with the Stars and Hit Me Baby One More Time, where bands from the past compete for stardom once again. I can't remember what this was called in the UK, but wasn't Tifanny on that? Cos she's on the US version, along with Vanilla Ice! Other UK to US shows that have already ended I think are Wife Swap/Trading Spouses and Super Nanny/Nanny 911. Seems that when one network gets an idea, another copies it... really not what paying subscribers want. Another network as a new food related show I think to compete against Hells Kitchen. The original is always the definite article.