West Week Ever – 9/19/14

The first set pic has come from the Powers set, and I’m not impressed. I’ve been following the casting in prior editions of West Week Ever, but I just don’t have a lot of hope for this show. The main thing going against it is that it’s not even on a real network. Hell, straight to Netflix would’ve even worked, but instead it’ll only be on the Playstation Network. Looking at this pic, though, it looks like a fan film. The casting feels off, and it just doesn’t feel like the comic. I could be proven wrong, though…

Things aren’t looking good for Hasbro’s The Hub Network, as there are reports that Discovery Communications is trying to gain control of the network and rebrand it as Discovery Family. I never really understood why Hasbro felt they needed a network, especially when they didn’t use it to sell more toys. Sure, there are Transformers and My Little Pony shows, but there are also Blossom and Step By Step reruns. The network has a serious identity crisis, and a takeover by Discovery may be just what it needs.

First, there was The View. Then, there was The Talk. Apparently, some executive felt there needed to be an urban counterpart, as now we have The Real. Hosted by Tamar Braxton, Jeannie Mai, Loni Love, Tamara Mowry, and Adrienne Bailon, the show premiered this week on local Fox affiliates. It was given a try-out last summer in a few markets, and I guess it was successful enough for a national launch. I haven’t had the pleasure of watching it yet, but it looks like someone threw Bethenny, The Wendy Williams Show, and The View into a blender. I hope it’s the trainwreck that I’m imagining. That pic isn’t doing them any favors, as Tamar looks like a gremlin, while Loni looks tired already.

Speaking of daytime television, there’s a new court show on the scene: Hot Bench. Have you ever felt like one judge wasn’t enough? No? Never? Well, too bad ’cause this show features 3 judges. Yes, 3 diverse judges listen to a case, and then they go back to their chambers to deliberate. If it’s 2 against 1, the majority verdict wins. It was created by Judge Judy, and I feel like the only reason she would give herself a competitor would be if it involved something crazy like this. On the plus side, they hired Judge Joe Brown‘s bailiff, Sonia Montejano, so she’s no longer out of work.

It was announced yesterday that former cast member Darrell Hammond will assume announcing duties on Saturday Night Live, following the passing of former announcer, Don Pardo. Hammond was always my first choice as the replacement, as it was reported in Live From New York that he even filled in for Pardo a few times when he was too ill to announce. The audience never knew the difference. The question now, however, is will he do a Pardo impression or will he do his own thing?

Rounding out all this TV news, the 7th Heaven cast (minus Ruthie) recently got together for dinner. It’s not talked about much anymore, but I always loved the Camdens, and the show ran for 11 seasons! It’s good to see that Jessica Biel still gets along with everyone, considering how badly she wanted to get out of her contract back in the day. As punishment, the writers really ran that character through the mud! Anyway, they all look good, except for David Gallagher. That hair’s not working out so well for him.

It appears the honeymoon is over for Avril Lavigne and Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger, as they appear to be breaking up after one year of marriage. Seeing as how everyone hates both of them, I’m not quite sure who I’m supposed to feel sorry for. I’m sure they’ll both eke out some breakup songs, so I guess I should feel sorry for all of us, as we’ll be forced to hear them.

Over the weekend, I was messing around on Tumblr, sharing old pics I’d posted on Instagram. Well, this pic of Batman in the Dairy Queen now has over 100 likes/reblogs, so let’s just say I’m back to using Tumblr again. Follow me at wbwest.tumblr.com!

In Case You Missed It This Week

Wizard World Richmond 2014 – A $25 Show at Twice The Price

Well, since this was a TV-centric West Week Ever, it only makes sense that the winner of the week also come from television. After a 13 year absence (I really can’t believe it’s been 13 years!), this fixture returned to nightly television. That’s right, Alex Trebek’s mustache is BACK, and Jeopardy will never be the same!!!! Actually, I’m pretty sure it’ll be the same, but it’s like a bushy old friend has returned. What do you want from me, folks? Nothing really happened this week, so this is what you get! After a long absence, Alex Trebek’s mustache had the West Week Ever.