I am in the process of resurrecting an old idea, the idea came from a conversation with friends as to how we could take our documentary and turn it into something else. We thought maybe a webseries would be a quicker faster way to start telling some of the stories that we collected. I can’t quite remember the weather or the date on that faithful day but a good friend of mine had an idea and from this idea grew a very interesting project. We would go into the homes of random New Yorkers and cook a meal (there’s a twist here but I won’t reveal…)then while preparing this meal we would talk about whatever is on their mind as a New Yorker. Maybe it’s a strange hobby they have, a particular opinion on politics, the way their neighborhood used to be or maybe just their favorite sport team. I’m hoping that the topics will be far more interesting then I can predict. I know the meals themselves will be just as interesting…

So now I’m searching for interesting New Yorkers to talk to. What do you like to eat? What do you like to talk about over dinner with friends or in this case strangers that take over your kitchen for a day?

As we being this process from time to time I plan to post updates. Hopefully in the New Year we will breath some new life into an old, but fresh idea.

I don’t regularly get the Sundance Channel but right now my digital cable provider has been hooking me up with a super dulex promo package so I’ve been getting a peak at some of the shows that I am or that I will be missing out on.  One series that clearly stands out is Brick City, a five-part documentary series that captures the daily drama of a community striving to become better, safe, stronger place to live.

Against great odds, Newark citizens and it’s Mayor, Cory A. Booker, fight to raise the city out of nearly a half century of violence, poverty and corruption. Created and directed by award-winning filmmakers Mark Benamin and Marc Levin. 

Oh Sundance Channel, I love you for your quality in programming, now if only I can get myself to your big giant festival in January…

For those of you following who aren’t following along at home I’m preidicting the winners and losers of this year’s Prime Time Network TV Lineup. As these NEW shows premier I will update my rating to Stud or Dud.

Tonight was the premier of Melrose Place 2.0, I thought I’d share some viewers thoughts:

 ”I glimpsed at the new Melrose Place and saw some guy cramming his tongue down some girl’s throat. Turned it off right then and there.”

“when i was younger i LOVED 90210 but wasnt a fan of Melrose Place, now i cant stand the new 90210 but im feelin the new Melrose Place!

“i got my period while watching Melrose Place”

I always thought I had a very good judge of which TV shows (and films) are going to be winners and which ones losers.I was watching and enjoying the first seasons of 24, Arrested Development, 30 Rock and Weeds when everyone else was ignoring. 

Every Fall/Spring season when the NEW prime time lineups are announced. I go through lists, and based on the show descriptions start to formulate my opinion. Of course commercials and smart billboards also played their fair share in convincing me to tune in.

So this year I decided to do an experiment. I’m going to try and predict the success of a show. First I rate the show based on it’s  decription or promo. Then, I’ll do a follow up post after the show has aired to see if I make the decision to set my DVR to SEASON PASS. 

In May  2010 I will see if any of my predictions were right. I call this STUDS AND DUDS of the Fall 2009 Network Primetime Schedule.  

I tend to have a high opinion when it comes  to QUALITY of CONTENT but just because I don’t like it, doesn’t mean it won’t be a hit with the general Gossip Girl, Grey’s and CSI audiences. 

Thursday, Sept. 8.

(CW) 9PM.  Melrose Place : You couldn’t pay me to watch this one. Prediction: It will make it to season 2 just like it’s cohort Beverly Hills 90210. SUPERFICIAL STUD. 

Wednesday, Sept. 9 

Glee, 9 p.m. (Fox) Although I CAN’T STAND  anything High School Musical, I was technically a Thespian in High School (the kind that hung the lights and painted the set) so I DID watch the preview of the pilot episode back in May. It will be a hit. I probably won’t DVR-it. STUD

Thursday, Sept. 10

The Vampire Diaries, 8 p.m. (CW). I love vampires. I’m just starting to get sick of them. Do we really need more Vampires? What about a Teen Wolf series?  DUD.

Monday, Sept. 14  10pm. Jay Leno Show. (NBC) STUD.

Wednesday, Sept. 16

The Beautiful Life, 9 p.m. (CW). Ugh Mischa Barton. I thought she was gone forever. I guess she now has a show that parallels elements of her own life…is this a life imitates art or art imitates life scenario?  Looks like a DUD of a show but Models & Mischa seem like a recipe for trash, really good TV trash. 

September 17^th 9:30pm (NBC)

Community, 9:30 p.m. (NBC) – I already set my DVR. The premise and the credits (Dan Harmon (”The Sarah Silverman Program”) and Joe and Anthony Russo (”Arrested Development”) make this a MUST SEE PREIMERE. Although it has the potential of fooling us all like a great cast in a BAD movie like Death to Smootchy or http://www.premiere.com/Feature/17-Bad-Movies-With-Great-Casts.

September 20th

Bored to Death, 9:30 pm (HBO) Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson and Zach Gallifiankis. This eclectic cast seems perfect for this series. STUD. (Oops this is HBO!)

September 21^st

Accidentally on Purpose, 8:30 p.m. (CBS). Cougar Town meets Friends meets the Office? I have only ever liked Jenna Elfman in Keeping the Faith. DUD.

Tuesday, Sept. 22

The Forgotten, 10 p.m. (ABC). What was the name of the show Christian Slater starred in last year? Seems that was also forgotten. DUD.

The Good Wife, 10 p.m. (CBS). Was never a Julianna Margulies fan but moms and 30+s females will probably enjoy this show. DUD.

Wednesday, Sept. 23

Mercy, 8 p.m. (NBC). Oh NBC, have you been watching Nurse Jackie? Cause I have and it’s pretty great. Can Mercy compete? Probably cause it’s on Network TV and a lot of people didn’t get a chance to see Nurse Jackie. P.S. two nurses named Chloe eh? My bet is that the Grey’s fans will flock to Mercy as Greys will mostly see it’s LAST season. Anyone still watch that crazy show?

Modern Family, 9 p.m (ABC) . Al Bundy returns to Network TV! Is Christopher Guess Directing? Interesting concept. A mockumentary about three families of different “shapes and sizes”. I’m on the limb with this one.

Cougar Town, 9:30 p.m. (ABC)
 The name sounds like a big giant joke. Can Courtney carry my interest as a main character of a show? DUD. 

Finally Oct 15th 30 Rock.  The pressure is on. Year three will it be as strong as the first two? I love you 30 Rock, please, please don’t turn into THE OFFICE.

 ** So there you have it. My initial review of the fall lineup prior to seeing the primere episdes. I will be sure to watch as much as I can and update my predictions. 

** Please note, that this is NOT the FULL lineup of ALL The FALL 2009 TV Shows** I can only watch so much TV.

** This list also doesn’t include any “reality” TV or “cable” TV. 

I just got word that passes are now available for this year’s New York Television Festival which goes on on September 21-26th 2009.  The event consists of a Independent Pilot Series, Panel Discussions and Events. If your pilot didn’t get into this year’s festival or if your just curious about what made the cut, be sure to check out this week long event. It’s surely a great way to promote your work, network and check out the best of independent TV making. 

The NYTVF was founded in 2005 as the industry’s first recognized independent television festival, providing a platform to elevate the work of artists creating for the small screen.  Held annually each fall in New York City, the birthplace of modern television, the Festival unites artists, executives, industry figures, and fans together in one forum to celebrate the medium and to help shape its future.  Along with the Independent Pilot Competition, the Festival features panel discussions, premiere screenings, and other special events designed to honor television as an institution and as an art for

You can find out more information about the festival and how to get passes here. Also for those of you who can’t afford the $125-$300  passes be sure to check out the FREE EVENTS happening that week as well.