Still No Word On Final Episodes of "Pushing Daisies", "Dirty Sexy Money" and "Eli Stone"

Big thumbs down to ABC for not being respectful to supposedly small (hey, we're talking millions here) but loyal audiences of three of its recently canceled dramas: "Pushing Daisies," "Dirty Sexy Money" and "Eli Stone," who still don't know when the remaining 3-4 episodes of these shows will air (or if they'll ever air).

Once they give up on a show, it's common practice for broadcast networks to disregard pleas of fan bases and pretend the show never existed. In fact, the fans are lucky if they get to see the last filmed episodes of a show burned off on a Saturday or during the summer.

One alternative these days is obviously putting the show online, as FOX did with final episodes of its failed mystery drama "Vanished" back in 2006. But, as we have seen, with a recently dumped Thanksgiving clip episode of "Dirty Sexy Money" (preempted by a Barbara Walters Obamas special), that doesn't always happen.

Will the fans have to wait till the shows' sophomore seasons are released on DVD? According to some unconfirmed reports, ABC is "contractually obliged" to air the final 3 episodes of "Pushing Daisies" and may do so on a single night. Whether "Dirty Sexy Money" and "Eli Stone" get the same treatment is anyone's guess at this time.

"Eli Stone" Music Video (George Michael: "Faith")

Check out the music video for ABC's quirky legal drama "Eli Stone" (airs Thursdays at 10/9c, after 'Lost') along with the official promo shoot of the entire cast.

Over the past couple of years, the network has used successful recording artists like Mika, The Last Goodnight and Paolo Nutini to promote shows like "Ugly Betty," "Brothers & Sisters" and "Men in Trees."

Given his prominent place in the storylines, George Michael and his 1987 classic "Faith" was the obvious choice for "Eli Stone."

Every episode of the series is titled after one of the songs from the singer's vast catalogue and he himself will make several additional appearances on the show (in episodes 7, 9 and 13).

Furthermore, in episode 9, Eli Stone gets to actually meet the singer (normally he only sees visions of him). Michael asks Stone to represent him in a legal case.

Co-creator Marc Guggenheim recently revealed the show was written with George Michael in mind and the producers were very happy when the singer, who is allegedly a TV junkie, accepted to appear on the show.

This is
TELEVISIONISTA.Net
Entertainment Exposed

VIDEO: George Michael on "Eli Stone"

Pop legend George Michael made another appearance as himself on ABC's whimsical legal drama "Eli Stone" last night, testifying on behalf of a local high school girl who was punished for playing his hit "I Want Your Sex" over the loudspeaker during an abstinence-education rally. Take a look.

In a recent EW interview, Michael addressed his speaking part on "Eli Stone": "I could feel there was genuine panic going on among [the crew] because people were thinking, "Oh no! He's not going to be able to do it!" And then the second day, the minute they gave me a monologue, I was comfortable.

The singer, whose song titles have been lent to the series' trademark production numbers, will make yet another appearance in the final episode (#113) in which Eli asks him if he is God. An 80s icon in the US, Michael remains a popular recording artist across the world and has no plans to pursue a TV career.



This is
TELEVISIONISTA.Net
Entertainment Exposed

"Eli Stone" #102 "Freedom" (Spoilers)

As you may have heard or seen, British pop legend George Michael made a special appearance in the pilot episode of Greg Berlanti's new legal drama "Eli Stone" performing his classic hit "Faith." The pop star will return later in the series and each episode will be titled after one of his hits. Check out the stills and spoilers from the "Freedom" episode (airs Thursday, February 7, at 10/9c, on ABC).



After a pilgrimage to the Himalayas to scatter his dad's ashes and two weeks without visions, Eli has returned to work reinvigorated.

Maggie, a first-year associate at W.P.K., suggests he take the case of a married couple from Mexico -- farmhands seeking compensation against a large produce manufacturer whose pesticide made the wife and her co-workers infertile.



Eli resists taking the case until a singing boys' choir and a biplane his visions, returned persuade him otherwise.

Unfortunately, his clients are keeping two secrets from him, challenging both their marriage and their American citizenship.

This is
TELEVISIONISTA.Net
Entertainment Exposed

LOST's "Oceanic Airlines" Promotes "Eli Stone"?

ABC is using its fictional carrier "Oceanic Airlines" from mystery series "LOST" (which returns for a 4th season tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m.) to promote its new legal series "Eli Stone" which airs Thursdays at 10:00 p.m., after "LOST." Check out this new press release from the network.


ABC PRESS RELEASE:

Oceanic Airlines is excited to announce your chance to get the Golden Pass.

The Golden Pass truly is an adventure of a lifetime, allowing you to fly anywhere in the world, anytime you want, and as many times as you want.

For more information on how to get your Golden Pass, tune in to the premiere of "Eli Stone" on ABC Television Thursday, January 31 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET)

Oceanic Airlines is a major airline carrier and offers the highest caliber of service for international and domestic flights.

Destinations include Los Angeles, London, Sydney and South Korea.


ABC are obviously doing their best to give the quirky Greg Berlanti drama all the promotion they can. Incidentally (or not) a controversy has erupted over the pilot episode's storyline that draws a link between vaccination and autism.

Lawyer Eli Stone (played by Jonny Lee Miller) argues that a mercury-based preservative in a pharmaceutical company's vaccine caused a child's autism.

Dr. Renee R. Jenkins, the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, tells the New York Times she worries that the implication "could lead to a tragic decline in immunization rates."

Will all this positive and negative publicity help the freshman drama build the buzz it needs to initially succeed?

This is
TELEVISIONISTA.Net
Entertainment Exposed

Greg Berlanti's "Eli Stone" Premieres January 31, After "LOST"; George Michael Guest Stars

Greg Berlanti's ("Brothers & Sisters," "Dirty Sexy Money") new ABC drama "Eli Stone" premieres in 15 days, on Thursday, January 31 at 10/9c, after the 4th season premiere of "LOST." Pop legend George Michael guest stars performing his 1987 chart-topper "Faith." Check out the stills, spoilers and video clips from the new series.



Eli Stone (Jonny Lee Miller) is an ambitious San Francisco lawyer who represents the richest corporations working for a firm where "screwing over the little guy" is common practice.



After experiencing a series of odd hallucinations, including a crooning vision of George Michael, Eli turns to his neurologist brother, Nathan only to be told there's nothing wrong with him. The visions however persist.



Dr. Chen, a Chinese acupuncturist who specializes in holistic medicine, helps him recall important memories from his past. Eli's visions continue to intensify and begin to affect his practice, his relationships and how he's perceived by others.



But it's not until Eli puts his own life in peril that Nathan recognizes similar episodes their father shared and reconsiders his brother's case. Upon another review of the symptoms and an MRI, he discovers Eli is suffering from an inoperable brain aneurysm that's causing his illusions.



Eli struggles to cope with his diagnosis and looks to Dr. Chen for help. Dr. Chen suggests there could be a divine answer for why he's having delusions of grandeur - Eli may be a prophet.



While Eli is skeptical, his visions have helped him recall what his father once impressed upon him -- "You're meant to do great things and speak inspired words... you're going to help people."

Victor Garber ("Alias"), Natasha Henstridge ("Commander in Chief") and Loretta Devine ("Waiting to Exhale," "Grey's Anatomy") also star. Tom Cavanaugh guest stars in the pilot as Mr. Stone.

The drama will air on Thursday nights on ABC after "LOST" beginning January 31. ABC has had a lot of trouble programming shows leading out of "LOST," most were deemed too heavy to follow after such an exhausting series. Will Berlanti's light drama "Eli Stone" finally break the post-LOST curse?

This is
TELEVISIONISTA.Net
Entertainment Exposed

George Michael Returns to "Eli Stone"

George Michael has signed a new deal to guest star on two more episodes of ABC's upcoming midseason drama "Eli Stone" from "Brothers & Sisters" and "Dirty Sexy Money" uber-producer Greg Berlanti. Check out the singer's original appearance in the show pilot after the jump.



The legal drama revolves around an attorney (played by Jonny Lee Miller) who, after a string of bizarre hallucinations, thinks he might be a prophet.

In the pilot, Eli keeps hearing the sound of "Faith" in his head, and at one point has a vision of George Michael performing the song in his office.

According to TV Guide, Michael who returns in the show's 8th and 9th episode will get to both sing and act.

"Faith" was a an enormously popular 1987 debut solo album for the British singer which produced 4 #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

This is
TELEVISIONISTA.Net
Entertainment Exposed