New Programming (HOLY CRAP ON A STICK!): FOX – 24, Prison Break, Unan1mous, Buffy, Firefly, the NBA Playoffs and much, much more!

Oh snap! If you thought, like I did, that we were hitting a total lull in the television programming, well, Apple had an ace up their sleeve: FOX. That’s right, probably the most requested of the missing networks has reared up in iTunes today—and with a lot of content! And that’s not even all for today. This will be a long one today, so let’s get started.

Here it is! It’s finally here! At long last! Perhaps what is among the most requested shows to be added to iTunes ever, the phenomenally-popular 24 with Kiefer Sutherland.

Man. I’m not even sure what else I can add to that one. Well, I’ll try anyway.

24 is a lot like Mr. Magoo. Except, instead of being senile and blind like Mr. Magoo, Jack Bauer is the most extremely unlucky person in the world and instead of using the plot device of mistaking something for something else every episode, Jack Bauer has to save the world every season. Actually, 24 and Mr. Magoo have pretty much nothing in common: one’s a pretty lackluster animated comedy, the other’s a popular action drama; one was made into a really bad live-action movie with Leslie Nielsen and the other is about to be made into a movie that doesn’t really make sense with the show’s name; one is not in iTunes and the other one is.

So, there you are, the internet’s only comparison of 24 and Mr. Magoo. 24 season 5 (the current one) is available in iTunes right now.

Here’s another show that’s been requested a few times, the surprisingly-popular FOX show Prison Break. The show was popular enough that FOX had planned on showing the first half of the season in the Fall, replacing it for Spring and then running the rest of the season over the summer. However, ratings made them change their mind and the season finale is now (conveniently) airing next week. The penultimate episode, last night’s “Go”, is already in iTunes, as are the other previous episodes. Bonus? An eight-minute, behind-the-scenes freebie is also available for download. Go get it!

Next up in FOX’s arsenal is their “1337” reality series, Unan1mous. It involves putting a bunch of random people psychologically profiled to be not just incompatible with others, but morally-deficient and otherwise, just all-around jerks to maximize the drama quotient trapped on an island in an underground bunker forced each episode to vote for who will go home win all the money, with assorted things happening in between votes. Some people watch this series—I do not. Unan1mous, now available in iTunes.

Next up is the FOX comedy, Stacked starring Boobsy McJugs herself, Pamela Anderson. Okay, I really have nothing for this one. I don’t watch it and making light of the double entendres has been done. What do you want from me?!? I’m only one man!! Stacked season 1 (which is only eight episodes) is available now, but they’re already promoting season 2 which will apparently run this summer, so look for that this summer, or, you know, don’t.

But FOX isn’t just pulling some of their currently-running shows. Nosiree, bub. They’re also dipping into the archives to hope you’ll spend a few more bucks on some of their classics as well. Well, I’m using the term “classics” loosely—two of the three shows ended in this millennium. First up, the wildly popular Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Now, I can already hear you saying, “Buffy never aired on FOX! It was on the WB and then later UPN!” You are correct, of course, but FOX handles the distribution of the series, so they must have negotiated the rights with the merging companies (and Joss Whedon’s Mutant Enemy, of course) to get the series into iTunes. Be sure to send Rupert Murdoch a thank you card. Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 1, now available in iTunes.

Next up is the internet-driven, cult phenomenon, sci-fi series, Firefly which if you couldn’t tell by the graphic is also from JOSS WHEDON. What can I say about this one? I was a fan from episode one and I still feel this is the best sci-fi series since Star Trek: The Next Generation. (Yes, that includes Farscape. Yes, that includes Battlestar Galactica.) Short-lived, but widely-loved, Firefly, if you didn’t see in on TV or on DVD and weren’t nagged continuously by the entire internet to see it, can now be caught in iTunes as well. You should see this series.

Finally from FOX—I told you it was a lot of stuff; it’s taken me an hour to write just to this point—is the classic science fiction series Lost in Space. Now, again, I can hear the peanut gallery saying, “OK, now I know you’re crazy. FOX didn’t even exist when this series aired. How come they get to put that series in iTunes?” To which I pinch the bridge of my nose to release the growing pressure and slowly explain that even though CBS aired Lost in Space, FOX was among the production companies and is among the distribution companies for the series. FOX as a network is a relatively new phenomenon, but as a production house, they’ve been around for years and years. Season one (which was a remarkable 30 episodes—makes todays television producers, writers and actors look downright lazy) of Lost in Space is available in iTunes right now.

Whew. And that just covers the new stuff from FOX. There’s still a gang of other new programming added today as well. Summaries only from here on out, because this is taking FOREVER to write!

FOX also owns FX, so it only makes sense that they’d add their original programming as well. First up for that is that gritty cop drama The Shield, starring Michael “The Thing” Chiklis. I actually don’t get FX (which tends to be the bane of my existence whenever FOX Corporation, in their infinite wisdom, broadcasts NASCAR races over there instead of on FOX proper), but I know that the show has a pretty rabid following, so I’m sure it will sell well. Season 5 is available now.

Also added is the controversial FX series Black. White., also known (apparently) as “Race Swap.” The six episodes from season one are available plus a free music video and a free eight-minute casting session video are available for download as well.

Next is FX’s comedy series, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. I know nothing about this, so I’m not hazarding commentary here. Seven episodes from season 1 are available now. Season 2 apparently begins this summer.

Finally from FX is 30 Days a reality “fish-out-of-water” series where someone does something completely out of their nature for thirty days. Sounds kind of like Wife Swap to me, but what do I know? I don’t get FX. 30 Days season 1 (six episodes) is available in iTunes right now.

Also up from the FOX family of networks is the SPEED channel, which is another network I don’t receive but would really like to. They’ve added their battery of programming into iTunes as well. First up is Pinks where two people drag race in a best three out of five quarter mile race where the winner gets the other person’s car. Seasons one and two are available now.

Unique Whips is another one of those car customization shows that shows all the cool things you’ll never be available to afford to do to your car. Seasons 1 and 2 (the current one, apparently) are available now.

Texas Hardtails is a reality show about a custom motorcycle builder who also runs a biker bar. Bonus for me, it’s located in Dallas (although, admittedly, I hadn’t heard of the place—I’ll admit that it’s hardly my scene). Ten episodes from season 1 are available for purchase.

Finally from SPEED Channel is American Muscle Car, a series devoted to, well, the titular American muscle cars. This actually looks pretty interesting, with episodes devoted to the Impala SS 427, the GTO, the Mercury Marauder and to car legends Carroll Shelby and Smokey Yunick. Thirteen episodes from season one are available now.

Finally from the FOX family of networks is FUEL TV. Which I’d never heard of until just this second. However, Wikipedia informs me that FUEL TV is an extreme sports network that hasn’t even reached three years of age yet. Anyway, they have one show available for purchase and download, Firsthand which apparently takes you into the daily lives of some popular extreme athletes (or “action athletes” as they call it—the networks have finally gotten weary of the word “extreme,” mere years after the rest of us did). So, if you want to see the behind-the-scenes stuff from people I’ve never heard of, be sure to check that out.

And THAT just takes care of the FOX additions. There are still more things.

Hot on the announcement yesterday that the NBA would be adding highlights from the NBA Playoffs, is that very addition from the NBA. This is an interesting way of doing it. You can get a season pass for your favorite still-standing NBA team and they’ll push you a highlight package from every game they have from here on out and then they’ll end with a team season highlights package whenever your team is bounced from the playoffs. For $10, you’re pretty much guaranteed to save money unless your team gets swept (sorry Cleveland), so you can watch all the Dallas Mavericks highlights you want (or one of those other teams, I guess).

But that’s not all from the NBA department, TNT is also making available its Inside the NBA episodes from the NBA Playoffs. Featuring Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles “Gamblin’ Man” Barkley, they’ll have more than 15 episodes of that during the playoffs here.

HOWEVER, if you thought even that was all for the additions today, you would be mistaken (and I would be tired), but Disney has also decided to throw in one more of their kids’ series today as well. Disney’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is apparently oriented to the really young to create brand recognition among Disney’s most popular properties in their developing, limited-cognitive minds. In other words, to get young kids to beg their parents to take them to Disneyworld from a young age. It’s a new show, so only three episodes from season one are available now, with the promise of more brainwashing to come.

And finally, the seventh and apparently current season of MTV’s Punk’d is also available for purchase and download now as well. As are a number of things that I missed from last week like the Best of Robert Smigel’s TV Funhouse from SNL and a lot of new stand-up comedy from Comedy Central. But, I’m tired and need to rest my typing fingers for a while. So enjoy all the new content!

 

New Programming: Law & Order: Trial By Jury, ESPN NFL Draft Preview, Stella, Crank Yankers

Well, we were wondering what we were going to get from iTunes when there are fewer new television shows being broadcast over the summer? We get a dip in the archive, that’s what we get.

First up is the failed fourth installment of the Law & Order franchise, Law & Order: Trial By Jury. Cut down in the prime of its life after only two months of episodes in 2005, Trial By Jury is reborn in iTunes form. It’s so sad when a source television series outlives its spinoff. Anyways, NBC must have decided that it had nothing further left to lose by tossing the 13 produced episodes into iTunes. It is claimed that there is an exclusive episode among the bunch, but alert Law & Order fans will know this is incorrect as the thirteenth episode was never aired on NBC, but the entire series (including the missing episode) were reaired on Court TV.

Next up is a quickie from ESPN, their preview of this weekend’s NFL Draft. Although they don’t actually say “NFL Draft” (as the NFL would likely be displeased at this development), we know what they really mean by “Pro Football” and it’s not the USFL. Anyways, if you’re a sports fan and you’re not completely sick to death of all the NFL Draft previews yet, you can purchase another 12-minute preview from ESPN for the usual $1.99.

But it’s not just NBC dipping into the archive for new material, Comedy Central is doing the same. Up first is the short-lived sketch comedy series Stella which ran briefly in the “Summer of Love,” by which I mean 2005. The series was a cult favorite, but unfortunately, TV execs translate “cult favorite” to “ratings death” and it was not renewed for a second season. However, it continues to live on in iTunes.

Finally, we have a series that I thought was cancelled but perhaps not (although new episodes haven’t been seen since last year). That’s right, season one of Crank Yankers, that absurdist series of crank calls from popular comedians set to puppets, has been added to iTunes. The series has always had a good lineup of comedians to lend their voices to the effort, Jimmy Kimmel, Adam Carolla, Denis Leary, Sarah Silverman, Wanda Sykes, Dane Cook, David Alan Grier, Tracy Morgan and, of course, Super Dave Osborne.

So there you are, more ways to evade the spirit of TV Turnoff Week. Me? I plan on watching twice as much television to pull the extra wait of those slackers not watching TV. Have an interesting week!

 

New Programming: Just for Kicks

Bwuh? I’m updating on a Friday again? What’s going on? Well, Apple and Nickelodeon decided to sneak one more update for the week in on a Friday, a new sports-oriented kids show called Just For Kicks. Two episodes available from this, the current season. And that’s all I can really say about that. Have a good Friday!

 

New Programming: O’Grady – Five Episodes FREE!

Since the height of the iTunes adding season, we haven’t had too many additions of television shows outside of New Content Tuesdays™. Fortunately, I happened to take a look in iTunes this morning and found another new show available. This time it’s The N’s animated series, O’Grady. I can’t tell you much about the show other than the art style reminds me of Home Movies and the series apparently has a veritable cavalcade of guest stars, including Conan O’Brien, Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, David Cross and Will Arnett.

There is one other interesting thing to note about this series in iTunes, though. The first five episodes of the series’ current season (season 2) are being offered completely free of charge right now.

 

New Programming: Alias, The Apprentice, more Disney shorts

New week, new programming.

Well, here’s a pleasant surprise. ABC has added J.J. Abrams’ other series, the one that skyrocketed him to popularity enough to allow ABC to take a risk on the ridiculously-popular Lost, Alias. Now, I say its addition is a surprise because Alias is ending its five-season run this year. New episodes are supposed to begin tomorrow (4/19), taking advantage of Lost‘s final hiatus before the end of the season, but I thought it would be too late in the game for ABC to add this show. Turns out I was wrong and am happy that I was. Seasons 4 and 5 (the current one) are now available for purchase and download.

Also added to iTunes this morning, another popular request, NBC’s wildly popular The Apprentice. With the moderate success of some of the other reality television offerings in iTunes, I imagined that The Apprentice‘s addition would really be only a matter of time. An additional bonus for this one though, NBC is offering a free, 42-minute clips show that reviews the first eight episodes of season five. So happy, happy, joy, joy for the iTunes freebie lovers out there.

Finally, one more addition, Disney has added more of their old animated shorts into iTunes. Among the additions here, the some of the earliest animated shorts with Chip ‘n’ Dale, the classic “Pluto’s Blue Note” and the really early Mickey Mouse short, “Building a Building.”

The additions are still coming regularly even as the end of this year’s television season draws to a close. It will be interesting to see what kinds of additions we see (if any) during the long summer break in iTunes.

 

New Programming: The Emperor’s New School, more Jackass and Dora the Explorer and much more!

Well, the new programming is tapering off as we approach the summer months, and this is reflected in the new offerings. Or “offering,” singular, in this case. Disney Channel’s The Emperor’s New School, an offshoot of the mostly-ignored but still pretty funny Disney movie, The Emperor’s New Groove, is now available for purchase and download in iTunes. I have yet to see this offering, but I have it on good word that it’s actually pretty funny, so there you have it.

The bulk of the other additions to the iTunes Music Store television wing include rounding out some of their existing offerings. MTV Networks has added the second season of Dora the Explorer and 11 new episodes (from seasons 2 and 3) of Jackass. Also added are the first two episodes of the current season (season 2) of Wonder Showzen.

The remaining things worthy of note include the addition of season passes for Scrubs and Law & Order and a huge pricebreak when you buy the full season of The N’s South of Nowhere, which is now reduced to $7.99 from what was previously $19.90.

As you can probably imagine, the decreasing content is not doing wonders for us here at Tunevision, but it also hasn’t helped that I’ve stopped tracking the latest additions. Unfortunately, that was generated a lot of work, and was creating a lot of traffic, but mostly from people searching online for free episodes of the same shows, so removing it has cut traffic in half, but not from anyone who cares about this site. So, there you have it. I’ll continue to publish as many updates as needed when stuff happens. Of course, if you know something I don’t about TV updates in iTunes, feel free to leave a comment and point me in the right direction. I thank you for your patronage!

 

New Programming: Disney’s Jetix with Power Rangers; Little Einsteins; The Andy Milonakis Show

Didja miss me? Well, it’s Tuesday, so let the new content commence!

First up is the addition of Disney’s Jetix programming, which is assorted action-adventure stuff that appears on ABC Family and Toon Disney. Available for purchase and download (well, not yet, the shows are listed, but no episodes are available yet) are Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Power Rangers: Mystic Force and Super Robot Monkey Team Hyper Force Go! So, there you go, if your child is interested in pseudo anime or kinda-cornball, imported sentai programming, today is your child’s lucky day!

Up next is some more Disney programming in the form of their preschool-oriented show, Little Einsteins. Now you just thought either, “That would be perfect for my kids!” or, if you’re like me, “What the heck is that show?” If the latter is the case, Disney’s “For Parents” page about the show says that the show is interactive and designed to get very young kids (3-6) into music and art. So now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

Also, up today, we have some decidedly non-kids fare in the form of MTV2’s very bizarre The Andy Milonakis Show. The first eight episodes from season one are available now but Apple promises that the premiere episode of season two will be made available for free (nothing is currently available except for a bunch of very whiny comments). So, if you’re interested in that, it’s there for you, I guess.

Finally, Apple has also added season passes for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Criminal Intent, so some good news there for people interested in those shows.

 

New Programming: Scrubs, South Park seasons 3 & 10

Of all the adjectives I might use to describe my computer today, “cooperative” wouldn’t be amongst them. So, let’s try writing this post again…

Good news on the “frequently requested” front. As previously reported by Tunevision, Disney’s Touchstone Television and NBC Universal have come together to get NBC’s Scrubs into iTunes. Currently, only the current season, season 5, is available and new episodes will be added as they are aired. No word on when or how older seasons might be added, but as you’ll recall from the previous blog post, Touchstone would receive all of the profits from previous season sales, so that may be a factor in the lack of expedience concerning previous seasons.

Also as previously reported on Tunevision, South Park seasons 3 and 10 (the current one, currently only one episode) have been added into iTunes. Also more good news here, South Park also has the season pass option. I’m happy to see more networks buying into the season pass option.

 

New Programming: Best of Ghost Hunters (Free!), 2006 Fashion Week Highlights

Another day, another addition or two. Let’s do this.

First up is for the Sci Fi channel fans. NBC Universal has added Ghost Hunters to iTunes. Well, not Ghost Hunters specifically, but “The Best of Ghost Hunters” which features a lot of the highlights from season 1. OK, if you’re a fan of the show, that may not be exactly what you’re looking for, but guess what? It’s offset by the fact that it’s free. So you can’t complain…too loudly at least. There is a season pass option, so new season 2 episodes will likely be added as they become available. The season resumes after its winter break tomorrow (3/29).

Also added to iTunes, one for the fashionistas: highlights from 2006 Fashion Week—the Olympus Fashion Week in New York City and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Los Angeles. These are put together by IMG. I really have nothing to add to this one, seeing as how my fashion sense tends to incorporate various T-shirts and jeans and little else, but hey, if you’re interested, the highlights (which check in at over 20 minutes and are given the “Explicit” tag) are available for you to purchase.

Finally, one last change worth nothing. ABC has added season pass options for their two most popular shows, Lost and Desperate Housewives. Good to see more series taking advantage of this option.

 

New Programming: The Showbiz Show with David Spade, Disney’s Hannah Montana

First off, my apologies for a continued dearth of posts. I will be addressing that in a follow-up post. But for now, on to the new content.

Remember the other day when I said that the bulk of Comedy Central programming was now available in iTunes? Turns out that there was one last show I had in mind that was still missing: The Showbiz Show with David Spade. Well, you can forget about that final Comedy Central oversight because the weekly entertainment series is now available for purchase in iTunes. That pretty much does it for Comedy Central’s original programming as now pretty much everything that is still an ongoing show. Well, there’s still Distraction, but whatever.

But if that was the only show added to iTunes today, well, I wouldn’t have tacked on “Disney’s Hannah Montana” to the end of this blog post title, now would I? Of course not, that would’ve been an unethical attempt to improve my standing with Google (*cough*Friends Family Guy The Simpsons ER House 24 Survivor CSI The Amazing Race American Idol*cough*).

Moving on, Disney’s new (apparently) series, Hannah Montana, about a girl who leads a double life…as a pop star, is now available for purchase in iTunes for your tweens who are growing up too fast or your teens who aren’t growing up fast enough. It stars Miley Cyrus who is the daughter of country one-hit wonder Billy Ray Cyrus. So, go figure that. Apparently it does seem to have generated a significant level of buzz online from the intended audience (this is why us adults are just now hearing about this for this show for the first time), so it’s a good addition for Apple and Disney.