Home Featured TV Shows All TV Shows Movie Reviews Book Reviews Articles Frequently Asked Questions About Us

Doux News: November 4, 2012

This week: The suits are idiots -- When you wish upon a Death Star -- This week in casts -- New on Doux -- And finally, the election

The suits are idiots

Community's fourth season finally has a premiere date: Thursday, February 7, replacing 30 Rock. If Community has another brilliant Halloween episode in store for us, it will probably air in March. Somehow, this all feels so very wrong.

Speaking of suits and idiocy, the powers that be have decided the new show Revolution should have a four month hiatus. After November, Revolution will disappear from our TV schedule (and almost certainly from our conscious minds) until the end of March. Clearly, the suits at NBC have a short-term memory; they don't recall what happens when you do this to a new show with an initially strong but tenuous audience. I'll be surprised if Revolution survives.

Speaking of dates and idiocy, one of our faves here at Billiedoux.com, Fringe, will come to an end with a two hour series finale on January 18, 2013. *sigh*

When you wish upon a Death Star

And speaking of suits, as you've undoubtedly already heard, Disney bought the Star Wars franchise from George Lucas, and has promised us a new Star Wars movie in 2015. Fan reaction has been mixed, to put it politely, and that was just in our virtual writers' room:

Mark Greig: Right now, I'm more curious to know what Disney plans to do with Indy. My instincts tell me that, with Harrison Ford now 70 and Spielberg no longer interested in action movies, a reboot with a new actor might not be that far off.

Juliette: I still can't summon up any strong feelings about it either way - but I'll almost certainly go see, and enjoy, the movie when it eventually comes out!

Paul Kelly: Let's hope Disney don't follow Lucas' lead and reissue the first six films with famous Disney characters CGI-ed in. I don't think I could stand Han shooting Pluto in the Mos Eisley Cantina, or Mickey Mouse being Luke's father.

Gus Brunetti: I personally like the news. Now it's more probable that we get the original versions restored but not altered. Maybe we'll see Han shoot first in quality image. And frankly, I'm not worried that Disney will ruin the franchise. Lucas has been doing this for decades.

Sunbunny: My biggest worry is that they're going to redo Star Tours (again) or Indiana Jones at Disneyland. Leave well enough alone. The lines are long enough as they are! This IS the Disney that stuck a freakishly realistic animatronic Johnny Depp in PotC to sell a few extra tickets. That said, although I have NO opinion on Star Wars (never having seen any of the movies), an Indiana Jones reboot wouldn't necessarily be the worst thing in the world, provided they cast it appropriately and DO NOT let Shia LeBoeuf anywhere close to it.

Samantha M. Quinn: So the Mouse has purchased LucasFilm. I'd be worried, except they bought Marvel a couple of years ago and look what has come out of that collaboration. The downside, they didn't get the distribution rights to the original six movies, Fox still owns those. So we won't get our DVD/Blu-ray of the original trilogy theatrical versions, and we're still going to see those 3D conversions over the next couple of years... ah well. I guess we'll all find out how well this turns out in 2015, when Episode VII is released.

Billie: The Mouse must be stopped! Yes, George Lucas has long since lost it, but I'm not a fan of the Disney Corporation. Even though they did send me free Lost books and DVDs.

This week in casts

Cast announcement for S.H.I.E.L.D.: Ming-Na, most recently a veteran of Stargate Universe, will be playing agent Melinda May.

Felicia Day is returning to guest on Supernatural. Which is terrific news, because the episode she did last season rocked.

Barry Sloane (Aiden) has been promoted to cast member on Revenge. Good move on their part; I like the character.

New on Doux

Sunbunny has decided to take on The Tudors, and has posted an introduction telling us all what we need to know.

Samantha M. Quinn has begun working on season one of Lost Girl, which is finally available on DVD, so you might want to check it out. How can you go wrong with a show about a succubus and her human best friend as supernatural private investigators?

Samantha also put together a lovely group post for us on Halloween; added a bit late was a post from our Jess Lynde with photos of her family's amazing pumpkin-carving efforts. Check it out.

One more thing. We got a record number of visits on the site last month. October 2012 was our biggest month ever. Thank you so much to everyone who stopped by, and who continue to stop by. (Why aren't we famous yet?)

And finally, the election

As you probably already know, there is going to be a presidential election here in the states this coming Tuesday, and most of us can't wait for it to be over. We at Billiedoux.com don't usually endorse political candidates, but Joss Whedon is my master now. I'm sure most of you have already seen this, but hey, it's worth watching twice. Or maybe ten times. (Our Republican readers might want to skip this one.)


That's it for this week. Opinions, raves, rants, questions? Post a comment!

28 comments:

  1. The hubby and I don't agree on much politically, but one thing we definitely agree on this year is that we can't wait for it all to just be over. We're terrified that Wednesday morning we won't have an answer, just the start of protracted litigation. Aaargh! End, election cycle! End!

    I caught this fun news tidbit about Mythbusters taking on some Breaking Bad action this morning:

    http://www.avclub.com/articles/yeah-science-mythbusters-will-put-breaking-bad-to,88268/

    Should be a really fun watch! I wonder what other "myth" they'll tackle. Homemade ricin? Explosive crystals? Doesn't sound like "magnets, bitch" is on the table. More's the pity. :)

    Thanks again for the pumpkins shout out and for letting me share on the blog!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, yes, please let it just end...the whole thing (and the amount of $$ spent) has been just sickening.

    ReplyDelete
  3. LOL

    Just gave my "hate the suits" speech to my Mom earlier on. And yes, banging my head on the wall !!! February ??!!! Are you serious !!??! The next sentence is a powerful understatement : "I hate you NBC".

    Sigh for Fringe too, but since we're having a shorter season....

    Sunbunny : If EVER you are interested in the S Wars movies, JUST watch the ORIGINAL 3. Yes, the good ones.

    Dear George : SOB, George, let it go and take your *bleep*ing retirement. Now. Go home and enjoy Life. You've done both good and bad enough as it is.

    Jess and her husband rock ! I'm still flabbergasted by what I saw.

    You ARE famous, well OK, I guess in my heart is not enough, huh ?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've got mixed feelings myself about the Star Wars news... I guess I'll wait and see what they do with it. As a fan of the Expanded Universe novels (there are so many wonderful ones!) I know there are some great stories they can tell in the Star Wars universe. :o)

    I saw that video of Joss Whedon last week... That guy is WONDERFUL! :o)

    Revolution on a 4 month hiatus?!?!?!?! AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. The best thing about Lucas selling Star Wars to Disney is that he's planning on donating the 4 Billion to education. After I heard that I couldn't really be mad about it even though I'm not a fan of the mouse either, Billie.

    I'd especially love it if I could get just a tiny tiny fraction of that money to update the technology in my classroom:)

    ReplyDelete
  6. So, just when Revolution is getting going, building up a strong audience, they're going to come to a screeching halt for several months. I had almost forgotten it was NBC - things were going so well - and this decision reminds us all that yes, there is a reason that this network has been struggling mightily for some time now. What are they thinking? Seriously, who OK's decisions like these? Well, I enjoyed Revolution while it lasted. Way to (probably) kill it off. As for the Disney and Lucas thing, I guess the only thing I can really come up with is "Meh."

    ReplyDelete
  7. The Disney buys Lucas news, I would say that I have no opinion on it right now until I see what they come up with when Episode 7 comes out and what they plan with the Indy franchise. So essentially wait and see.

    To me, currently the Indy universe consists of only 3 films (Raiders, Temple, and Crusade) as does the Star Wars universe (Star Wars, Empire, and Return).

    The prequels were mostly...crap, especially giving us atrocities such as Jar Jar Binks and that stupid midi-chlorians explanation of the Force.

    The "Special Edition" versions of the original trilogy weren't really that special especially the whole WTF moment when Lucas altered it so that Greedo shot first. Does he even understand his own characters? Han Solo is a rogue, a scoundrel, etc. Of course he's going to shoot first, and besides Greedo was pointing a gun at him. Changing it so that Han could look more "heroic" was just...AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!

    Anyway, Lucas has already screwed up his own properties enough, hopefully this buy-out will signal better times just like someone else pointed out, Disney's purchase of Marvel has worked out up to this point.

    But we shall see...:D

    ReplyDelete
  8. I would also add that I would like Episodes VII-IX to be an adaptation of Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Revolution just in hiatus?
    Not yet cancelled?
    Shame..... :)

    I'm starting to mourn the end of Fringe. :`)
    I'm trying to think positive on the outcome of that thingie Peter did in the last ep.
    Positive vibe, positive vibe...

    Darth and Indy with Disney, hmmmm...
    Star Wars might become cartoonistic to be popular with the kids.
    Like Toy Story, brrrr {shudderrrrr}
    Now, with Indy, (I agree with you, Billie that) with the right actor, (pleeease not that guy in Transformers, that an actor? - amen to his, sunbunny :)), wouldn't hurt to see Indy and his hat and whip again. Might enjoy it, too.

    Jessica De Gouw has joined the cast of Arrow as Helena Bertinelli aka The Huntress. Her father is in Ollie’s list.
    Another kick-a** DC character who will have a modified Huntress uniform. ;)

    And Billie, who says you are not popular?
    With the hits your site is getting, not to mention “influential names” in the TV industry visiting, and some others commenting, who the heck told you that lie?
    I love you, and all your excellent, funny and (I think) working for free writers.
    I haven’t enjoyed posting my blahs in any other site until I found BillieDoux.com.

    Proud to be a Douxer!

    Hear! Hear!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Mathew, much as I would LOVE to see Thrawn and Mara Jade on screen... I'd rather they made a movie a bit later in the Expanded Universe, preferably without Luke, Leia and Han as I really don't want to see other actors inhabiting those characters! :p (or at least make them a lot older so the recasting isn't as annoying)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Well, since I'm a bilingual French Canadian, I'm calling myself a "Doucereux" from now on (and yes, you have to pronounce it in FRENCH) (sorry).

    And since I like this site so much, I am also a "Doux Heureux" when I read it. And if some alcohol is involved, then I'm a "Doux (Très) Joyeux".

    And I'll put on my tombstone that I'll be a "Doux Bien Heureux" in Heaven.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Woah! Ça fait beaucoup de Doux différents! Good thing you have a way to distinguish between them! :p

    But the French pronunciation of Doucereux makes me think too much of sweets... I'd go with Doux Heureux en faisant la liason, so pronounced Douzeureux. ;o)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Très chère Cris (vraiment folle ?? sans doute pas)


    Tu viens de faire ma journée.

    You should re nickname yourself "CrisHeureuse" or "DouceCris"

    If you're too nervous : "Cris Qui Se fait de la Bile"

    ReplyDelete
  14. Not only is NBC making us wait for Community, they're keeping it in its terrible timeslot! Couldn't they at least TRY it at 8:30 or 9:30?

    Well, the one major benefit Revolution gets from the hiatus - it keeps The Voice as a lead-in, so that should help keep the ratings steady.

    Am I the only person who didn't hate the Star Wars prequels? I do agree that the dialogue was terrible, definitely needed some Joss help.

    And yup, not watching the video. It's bad enough seeing actors' political views all over Twitter!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Katie, I didn't hate the second Star Wars trilogy, either. Episode one was bad, yes, but two was okay, and three was very good. I'm a fan of Ewan MacGregor.

    "Douceroux" or "Douzeroux" pronunciation. Definitely.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Cher Marc,

    Dans mon cas folle est un euphémisme!!! I'm crazy and proud of it. I've always said that sane people are completely uninteresting and I'd rather not have anything to do with them. Ça explique tous mes amis bizarroïdes! :p

    ReplyDelete
  17. Katie I only really hated the Phantom Menace... the others I didn't mind so much! Ewan McGregor was a big reason for that. And I'll admit to enjoying quite a few parts of the Phantom Menace while watching it the first time. TO this day the Qui Gon's death with the Choir of the Fates playing in the background still gives me goosebumps!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Chère folle "espagnole" (parce que tu vis là présentement),

    Cris, a) you'd love my office, plenty of nut cases there (yes, including your truly)

    a2) 2 dimensional people annoy me

    b) you've just gained a new Brother this side of the Atlantic !

    Una cervenza per favor ! Si, si !

    ReplyDelete
  19. People,

    The 3 "second" S Wars movies were technologically perfect, the special effects and the CGI were top notch, the potential to increase an already existing and strong Mythology was there and was indeed used, but character wise, there were a huge meh. A visual "wow" but no warmth from the Heart.

    Give me Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher in a desert, on a cold planet, in deep space (and in deep *bleep*), in a forest with weird looking, walking, breathing Teddy bears anytime. I long for these characters.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Un frère de l'autre côté de l'Atlantique?! Trop cool!!! Je n'ai que des soeurs moi! :o)

    And I'm Spanish because a) I live here and b) I've got the passport! I also have another one which makes me a Gringa... so I can pick and choose depending on where I travel to! :p

    If you come to Spain (or Mexico) Mark you might want to ask for una cerveza, sans N! ;o)

    ReplyDelete
  21. I would have LOVED to see Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford all back together on screen again... but 20 years ago! Now... owwww! Indy was hard enough, I just can't imagine Han Solo that old! Let alone the others...

    Unless of course they picked up the story from the latest series of novels which I believe take place about 30-40 years after Return of the Jedi (I'm waiting to read them when they're all out in paperback, they bloody released them in expensive hardback! In a SW fanatic, but not that much!) Unfortunaley that means no Mara Jade or Chewie.... *sob*

    ReplyDelete
  22. This may be controversial, but I sort of like Episode three better than Return of the Jedi, and in some respects more than the first Star Wars.

    I've already heard that they have no intention of doing the Heir to the Empire trilogy, which kind of sucks. I think they don't want to be tethered to tightly to the book cannon, which would be impossible to fully realize since the original actors are up there in age. That or they would have to do a reboot of the franchise with new actors, not that I'm advocating that.

    I guess we'll see in three years.

    ReplyDelete
  23. CChris,

    Et hop ! Une sœur de plus. Une de sang et une vingtaine au bureau !

    The N was a typo : my Spanish is limited. Lunes, Martes, Miercoles.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm sorry to hear about Revolution. It's becoming one of my favorite new shows of this season, but I'm afraid that, by March, I will not remember a lot of the details. I, too, will be surprised if it survives this decision. Which is an odd one, considering that it is NBC's highest rated show after The Voice.

    I heard today that Lucas is donating every penny of the $4 billion to education charities. If this is, indeed, the truth, I can forgive him almost anything.

    Joss is a genius. That clip is simply hilarious. And, I'm with most of you in that I am very, very pleased that this is almost all behind us.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Marc, here's your first Spanish lesson then: Cris is without an H! ;)
    Also helps to distinguish me from your very own CHrisB (which are also my initials)
    J'ai passé toute mon enfance et adolescence en train de me battre avec Francophones et Anglophones sur l'ortographe de mon prénom! :p

    ChrisB, I'd be willing to forgive almost anyone just about anything if they donated that sum to education charities!!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. J.D. the Heir to the Empire trilogy is definitely the best of the books... at least it will probably always be my favourite since it was my gateway into the EU novels when it came out oh so long ago (I feel old now!). Some of the books were ok, some were lousy so it stood above all other quality-wise until the New Jedi Order series began.
    So yeah, I'm pretty bummed about not seeing that on screen as well! Except for the fact that I can't wrap my head around recasting our three leads. :p

    I don't think Revenge of the Sith was better than the original 3, but I do remember liking it a lot when it came out (haven't seen it since).

    ReplyDelete
  27. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

We love comments! We moderate because of spam and trolls, but don't let that stop you! It’s never too late to comment on an old show, but please don’t spoil future episodes for newbies.