Re: Jezebel James Deathwatch: As Expected, RIP

Rob Jensen wrote:
> BTW, FTR, I *still* haven't watched the three episodes (the one-hour
> premiere and last week's ep) in my DVR queue yet.
> 
>   -- Rob
> 
> From MIchael Ausiello:
> 
>
http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Re****t/Ausiello-Scoop-Fox/800036118
> 
> Exclusive: Fox Cuts Short Sherman-Palladino's Return
> 
> That was quick.
> 
> Fox has closed the book on Amy Sherman-Palladino's post-Gilmore Girls
> comeback vehicle, The Return of Jezebel James, after three
> abysmally-rated outings. A Fox spokesperson confirms that the comedy
> starring Parker Posey and Lauren Ambrose as unlikely sisters has aired
> its last episode.
> 
> OK, time for some Monday afternoon quarterbacking. Who deserves the
> blame here? AS-P? Fox for burying it on Friday night? The person in
> charge of integrating that horrible laugh track? Posey for failing to
> be, well, Lauren Graham? Post your theories below.

  Fox put it on Friday nights because they knew they had a train wreck.
They stopped production at 6 episodes after all. With 2 fairly well
known lead actresses and ASP, they probably had an obligation to
broadcast several episodes just to see if it get any ratings and might
be even a modest surprise hit.

  I watched the 3 episodes because in large part, it is an somewhat
interesting train wreck. You have 2 talented actresses, but they did
not click with each other or the material, especially Parker Posey.
Although they did seem a bit more like they could actually be sisters in
the 3rd episode. But this show was a mis-fire on multiple levels. The
premise and the dialog really didn't work for a 1/2 hour sitcom. The
heavy handed laugh track may have been the worst part and was probably
forced on the show by the studio.

  So there will be 3 unaired episodes. Unless Fox burns them off over
the summer, they will probably never see the light of day except on a
DVD set dumped on the market to try to make a few bucks to recoup some
of the cost of the show.

  Alan F