I’ve been in Texas 3 out of the last 4 weeks, so Michael and I have done our weekly podcast in email form, which I’ve been calling a blogcast. Part II to come tomorrow. If you’ve got anything to chime in on, feel free!

Jennifer Smith: Most scripted shows only have 2-4 eps in the can. Thoughts?
Michael Hickerson: Heard the news yesterday from he-who-shall-not-be-named that this could affect Lost in a hugely negative way. As in–no new eps until 2009. It does make me wonder something–we know there are to be three more seasons of Lost. So, does ABC gamble and push back the next season or do they combine the last two. After all, you split three 16 ep seasons into two 24 ep seasons and it might work and Lost would still end in 2010. Or would that mess up the storytelling plans the producers allegedly have? It’s also affected Heroes. Seems that Heroes will season finale in December if this isn’t resolved by that point. Which could be the death of this show. Why? Well, this season has been so terrible if it ends on this arc without the second and third to redeem itself, the already eroding audience won’t give a damn when it comes back. Come to think of it, I don’t give a damn anymore about it myself…That said, I think we’re in for a long chunk of time with no new eps of anything. And I bet 24’s seventh season is toast (Ed note: announcement came after he wrote this). All the shows starting in January will be delayed at least six months to a year.
JS: I just got word that Lost will supposedly air the 8 eps they have in the winter with ep 8 having a “mini cliffhanger”. I think at this point the networks will air ANYTHING they have in the can outside of 24. By February, they will be so desperate to air something opposite American Idol, they’ll do anything. Aside from going to the negotiating table that is.

JS: How are Heroes, Bionic Woman, Chuck, and all the other mediocre “sci fi” treating you these days?
MH: I believe this week’s episode of Bionic Woman is the one where the changeover behind the scenes is supposed to occur (Ed note: Friday Night Lights writers were hired for the Bionic writing staff). The show keeps teasing me–look at how good we could be, but aren’t. It has a lot of potential and not just for scenes of Michelle Ryan walking around scantily clad. I like the show, it has a Buffy-vibe at times..and that may be the issue. See, it’s covering ground that Buffy did in almost the same way, but without the genius that is Joss Whedon polishing scripts. I’m convinced that if Joss were working on Jericho he could make it good…oh, OK, I won’t go that far. Heroes is terrible. Worst show on TV and that’s saying a lot as there’s a lot of crap on these days. I’ve not watched this week’s yet, but I’ve heard rumblings it improves things. It can’t make them worse than last week. Characters acting like idiots, repeating bad plots from last year…this was an episode that not only insult my intelligence, it took it out behind the woodshed and smacked it around like one of Tony Soprano’s hired men. And I’m as caught up on Smallville as I will be. It’s mindless fun and that’s it. It’s also nice to see it giving the actors in other Superman-franchises work.
JS: I watched Kristin Bell’s Heroes debut, because I’m an obvious glutton for punishment, and it was awful. Jericho kinds of awful. So bad that I Jerichoed through all of it except a few moments to gawk at Milo and to watch Kristin. The strike is going to do America a favor….killing Heroes once and for all.

MH: I watched the Simpsons Halloween special and Family Guy 100th ep…both were terrible. The Simpsons only had one segment that was Halloween in nature and it wasn’t funny. They had a parody of Mr and Mrs Smith as well, which if you can tell me how that ties into Halloween, I’ll give you a candy bar of your choice. And Family Guy…sigh. The show was once funny but is now so in love with itself that it’s ceased to be amusing or entertaining.
JS: I watched the Family Guy special that aired before the 100th ep and that was actually entertaining. The best part of course were the people telling Seth McFarlane too his face about how much the show sucks. He took it all in stride and actually lead them on. Also in the special were some of the funnier clips from the show, such as the amazing vomit scene and Stewie asking Brian if he’s ever going to finish his book. A favorite in my office.

JS: If the writers strike lasts until June, which most people think it will until the SAG contract is up and the studios will finally cave, what do you plan to do entertainment wise through the spring?
MH: Luckily, there are still these wonderful things called books that I could read. Also, I plan to catch up on some shows on DVD, which would be fun. Plus Dr Who is British and won’t be affected by the strike…so my special attena will catch it when it starts airing in March or April.
JS: I might even get around to watching Dr. Who. Who knows. Holy crap, that was a horrible pun. I also plan on watching every Oscar winner since the 20s, and maybe I’ll have time to get around to Time’s 100 Greatest TV Shows Of All Time. So I don’t embarrass myself around your infinite wisdom anymore.

Part II to come tomorrow!