TVSquad

All unaired episodes of Smith are now up on CBS' broadband channel, Innertube. The heist drama was canceled in early October, after only three episodes made air. The remaining four episodes are available on Innertube, but there is also a synopsis of how the story arc would have played out and what would have become of the characters had the show remained on the air. After episode 13, it would've been a hell of a cliffhanger.

I've read the synopses and I'll spoil it for you... after the jump:

There are seven episodes of Smith up on CBS' broadband channel, Innertube. The series was canceled after only three episodes made air. Presumably, seven episodes are all that were ever made of Smith, an action-drama about a band of robbers, starring Ray Liotta and Virginia Madsen. TV Guide said the series was canceled because of meager ratings and an abhorrent price tag of $3 million per episode. I'm not sure whether Smith actually wraps up in the seventh episode- I have the feeling that it'll leave you fans hanging.

I haven't watched all the episodes and don't plan to since I wasn't a fan, but feel free to let us know in comments if it got any better!

[Thanks for the tip, Matt!]

If the comments section here is any indication, even though Smith was canceled rather quickly by CBS, it actually had a lot of fans. Of course, we didn't get 10 million comments, so "a lot" wasn't really enough.

TV Guide has a breakdown on why the show was canceled. It seemed like it could be a hit: West Wing/ER producer John Wells, big stars like Ray Liotta and Virginia Madsen, and lots of hype by CBS, but what happened? People have speculated that it was because the gang of crooks on the show weren't likable, but the magazine says that it was more the price of the show. Each episode cost about $3 million dollars!

I wonder how much that awful motorcycle chase with Simon Baker cost to film?

Are you enjoying Smith? Too bad! CBS has decided to shelve it. The Ray Liotta drama has been doing so-so in the ratings, and it looks like CBS doesn't want to take any more chances with it.

There's no official word on the move yet, but expect something official later today. In fact, check out the web site. There are still some links to get to the show's page, but it's gone from both drop down menus!

As I mentioned in my reviews, the show has started to go downhill from an intriguing pilot. Maybe CBS saw something in the upcoming episodes that said, "hey, let's dump this for now and put something else on"?

Update: Yup, it's gone.

(S01E03) Three episodes into Smith, and this show has started to come off the rails. It's sort of a mess now. And it's getting tedious and boring, with just too many elements (side plots, characters, etc) the writers have thrown into the mix that ruin the tone set by the stylish, clever, moody pilot.

Anyone else having this reaction to this show?

(S01E02) Dear Makers of Smith,

I just watched the second episode of your show, and while I think it's still good, I'm starting to fall out of love with it. Have you ever had that feeling?

Maybe it's not you, it's me. But I'm pretty sure it's you.

(S01E01) As I sat watching the premiere episode of Smith, I kept thinking the same thing: after Heist and Hustle and Thief, are people really going to want to watch yet another show about a gang of clever thieves who pull off elaborate robberies?

If it's based on quality, it shouldn't really be a problem. This is a good show. But we all know it's not just based on quality, there are about 9 other things that come into play when people decide to watch or not watch a TV show, and I wonder how viewers will calculate those other things in their head when deciding whether or not to watch it.

The new Ray Liotta, shoot 'em up series pilot is available for a preview on Google Video. Smith is about a guy who runs a gang of thieves, but is trying to get out of the business for the sake of his wife and kids. It's one of the few pilots that I haven't had a chance to see, but fellow TV Squadder Bob really enjoyed it (I did get a TiVo season pass though). Smith premieres on CBS on Tuesday, September 19th so you're getting it online almost one week before it airs.

Other CBS series currently available for viewing on Google Video are The Class, The New Adventures of Old Christine, NCIS and all sorts of CSI.

[Via TV Guide.com]

There are a handful of shows that I gave up this year, including The O.C., The New Adventures of Old Christine, Saturday Night Live, and CSI. It's not because of time constraints, it's because those shows are stupid. Looking at my television schedule, I see that my Mondays are super light and my Wednesdays are incredibly packed. I only have two TiVos, so we'll have to catch Mythbusters and South Park when they replay later in the week.

Sundays

7 pm America's Funniest Home Videos (ABC)
8 pm The Simpsons (FOX)
8:30 pm The Amazing Race (CBS)
9 pm Family Guy (FOX)
10 pm Without a Trace (CBS)

Okay, maybe it's just me. Perhaps I wouldn't have noticed it if I weren't reporting on the television industry. However, I have, and I'm a bit disturbed about it because it could mean the beginning of the downfall of Western civilization as we know it. Yes, it's been said that everything from microwave ovens to Britney Spears would be the downfall, but I really think this is.

What am I talking about? The amount of television shows this season with one word titles, of course. What the heck do you think I was talking about? The Middle East? North Korea? Britney having another baby? Hell, no! I write about television; I don't care about any of those issues!

Seriously, maybe it began with shows like Lost, but it seems like a majority of shows this season are saving a lot on graphics with a one-word title. You doubt me? Well, you always doubt me, but I have proof to back up my theory. Jump ahead and you'll see what I mean.

Regardless of how good Smith is - and I'll say right from the get go that it is good - the big question is, are viewers going to give yet another show about a bunch of clever crooks a chance, after shows like Heist, Thief and Hustle? I'm not convinced they will, but if they base it on quality and entertainment value, Smith should be given a chance.

Ray Liotta is a fine actor, but most people still know him for his role as Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese's classic GoodFellas. So, the news that the premiere of his new CBS series, Smith will be completely sponsored by the new Scorsese movie The Departed, with little commercial interruption, makes for a bit of fun entertainment serendipity.

But this is more of a case of corporate synergy and a jam-packed show than the desire to semi-reunite Scorsese and Liotta. Both the movie and the series are owned by Warner Brothers, and the premiere clocks in at close to an hour, leaving little room for commercials. So either the episode had to be severely cut or air in an awkward 90-minute slot; this limited-interruption method helps everyone out. Too bad networks can't do this more often.

The other day, Keith, Bob and I gave you a preview of NBC's new pilots, based on the screeners that have been coming into the TV Squad home office (which, in pure Lettermanian fashion, is located in Wahoo, Nebraska). Today, we tell you what CBS has in store for the 2006-07 season. They don't have too many new shows -- they're in first place, after all -- so this will be short and sweet. Remember, these are only "previews"; even though we'll give our impressions, many things about the show may change by the time the pilots air.

Here's what we'll be previewing: The Class, Smith, Jericho, and Shark (even the titles are short and sweet!).