Sudeikis to return to ‘Last Man on Earth’
Q: Are you still watching the “Last Man on Earth”? The season finale ended on quite the downer, and I was wondering if you knew or could ask if Phil’s brother-in-space scene was a throwaway or if we’ll ever see him again. I’ve been brainstorming ways they could get him down, poor guy!
— SHANNON, PORTLAND, ORE. Rob: It sounds as if the producers did not expect to be renewed for a second season so they did not initially have a plan for that character. But at ComicCon last month executive producer Will Forte said actor Jason Sudekis, who plays Phil’s brother, will have a part in the new season, although it might be in flashbacks.
Q: In reading about NBC’s upcoming fall schedule, can you please tell me what is happening with the “Biggest Loser”? It used to be on twice a year, now cut back to once. — LYNNIE, SOUTH
FAYETTE Rob: When ratings decline, reality shows get cut back (see: “American Idol” going from two airings per week to one). When it had better ratings, “The Biggest Loser” was on more. Now its ratings are lower — and NBC is working on an alternative weight loss series, “Losing It With Jillian Michaels”) — so “The Biggest Loser” will be on less. NBC has ordered “Biggest Loser” again for 201516, but the show has no time slot so far. My guess is it will be back at midseason.
Q: I read that the only show I so enjoy is being canceled. Is there any chance another station would pick up “Forever”?
I know it would not matter to ABC, but I would like to write them just the same.
Can you provide me with an address so I can pen a letter? — LORETTA, PITTSBURGH Rob: Network addresses are always available on our website at www.post-gazette.com/tv-radio/2003/01/ 01/TV-network-addressesweb
Although “Forever” was shopped to other networks, a The executive producer of “A to Z” says much more was planned for the series’ main couple, portrayed by Cristin Milioti and Ben Feldman. lot of time has passed since the cancellation in May, so I suspect no other outlets were interested enough to make a deal to bring the show back.
Q: Reading over the list of shows not returning on NBC this fall got me wondering about what the plan had been for “A to Z” in future seasons. They were halfway through the alphabet and the voice-over at the beginning specified exactly how long they were going to date. Did producers ever share more with critics? Would future seasons have continued their relationship (being married A to Z, raising a baby A to Z, and so on) or was there another plan? — KAREN, PITTSBURGH
Rob: Yes, that was the plan based on what executive producer Ben Queen said at the TV critics press tour last summer.
“Well, when you hear that something is going to be told to you from ‘A to Z,’ you think you’re going to get the ups and downs and the highs and lows, and it’s a good little organizational structure for a season,” Mr. Queen said. “And there’s no reason why every season can’t do that and show you one aspect of a couple’s relationship, for instance.”
Mr. Queen denied the series intended to do an “American Horror Story”style take on new characters each season.
“And we really tried to be rigorous about that with the pilot and make you fall in love with this couple and these two amazing actors that have this chemistry,” Mr. Queen said. “And my hope is that people will want to just keep seeing more and more chapters of Andrew and Zelda.”