May 1, 2012 |
This is a post that not only do I not want to write, but it never entered my consciousness that I would ever have to. “Unexpected” doesn’t begin to describe it.
On the heels of 80 various awards nominations and riding high as a trailblazing television series both in Canada and the U.S., the producers of FLASHPOINT have decided to end the beloved series after the upcoming 13 episodes of Season Five.
What began as a summer replacement for U.S. viewers, in part due to a screenwriters’ strike, very quickly evolved into what has often been hailed as “the best cop show on television” by many critics and viewers alike.
While still going strong on CTV in Canada, in the U.S. FLASHPOINT was dropped last summer by CBS, only to be picked up by ION Television as its first “original” series. Previously, ION was known for airing only reruns and infomercials.
The producers posted the announcement on their Facebook page early Tuesday morning.
“To the Flashpoint Family:
Today we announced to our cast and crew that this will be our final season of FLASHPOINT. While still at our creative apex, we’ve decided to conclude the series on a high note. This will allow us to give our fans the satisfaction of a fitting series conclusion with our 75th, and final, episode. Producing FLASHPOINT over the past five seasons has been an exceptional adventure, and we are extremely grateful to all of you for being with us every step of the way. We hope that by announcing this now, you’ll be able to enjoy the fifth season to the utmost, and properly say goodbye to Team 1 along with all of us.”
The producers posted on Facebook and twitter, explaining their decision, and thanking the fans for their support over the past four seasons. In a press release from Bell Media for CTV, producers Anne Marie La Traverse and Bill Bustos said,
“Producing FLASHPOINT over the last five seasons has been an exceptional adventure. We’ve been incredibly lucky to work with committed and supportive broadcast partners who have enabled us to reach many millions of fans across North America. While the series is still at its creative apex, we’ve decided to end the series on a high note, and give those fans the satisfaction of a fitting series conclusion in our 75th episode.”
The news brought with it an abundance of tears, anger, and pleadings from around the globe. In addition to airing in North America, FLASHPOINT is also licensed in more than 100 territories worldwide.
Fans took to social media and posted their reactions on twitter, on Facebook, through fan-fiction and their own blogs. They argued with each other over the importance of such news, some liking it to the death of a family member. Googling “Flashpoint to end” brought up page after page of different articles and information.
This is a hotly argued discussion that will not quickly go away, but the producers’ minds are made up.
Rarely have television shows gone out in such a blaze of glory instead of filtering to a mediocre demise drawn by lost viewers and weaker storylines. Rather, FLASHPOINT producers opted instead to give viewers a final season just as worthy – and more so – of the adoration it still holds… and always will.
Well done, FPTO. Well done.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
May 1, 2012 |
I love the first of each month. I really do. It’s a fresh start, a clean slate.
A chance to set new goals, and look back on the ones I just completed. And we all know April was very good to me! A few job interviews, cookbook sales, Family Game Night… it was a great month.
This coming month, I’ve got a lot going on. I’m going to do a new Meal Memo Jar and this month, at least half of my dinners will include rice. Wanna know why? Because I finally got a rice cooker, and I couldn’t be happier! I’ve been wanting one for quite some time and finally found the right one at Target.
It’s small, easy to use, easy to clean, and easy to store. It also steams vegetables and meats in the steamer basket. I tested it tonight and the rice was exquisite and the broccoli fresh. From frozen. Talk about delicious! And leftovers. Lots of leftovers, depending on how much I make.
It came with a few recipes, and in a few days, I’ll be making the green chili chicken and rice. You can even make soups and chilis and oatmeal! Talk about a multi-purpose cooker!
I’m getting more and more on track with my writing projects. Not just the little blogs and such. Although that is a commitment I intend to keep daily (I know, deep sigh of relief, right?!). No, I’m talking about finishing up another assignment for the Institute of Children’s Literature.
I also hope to enter some writing contests. My blog-friend Ariel has re-inspired me to write scripts so a few days ago I dusted off a rough draft of a movie idea I had. I’m also going to try to find a way to get a certain TV show to take a look at some Spec scripts once I draft them. I have the ideas outlined, now I just have to write.
I’ve got a few giveaways planned too; but they’re still in the beginning idea stages so I’m not sure I can get all of them out in May. But I’m sure gonna try!
My knee has been wanting attention of a physical nature lately. Meaning: I need to exercise more so the ligaments aren’t so stiff and sore all the time. So I’ll be on the Wii Fit and Just Dance more. Starting immediately. That, with some healthier eating habits, and my knee (and the rest of me) should be in better shape after these 31 days.
My daughter graduates at the end of the month. Well, June 1st actually. But still… this month will be filled with parties, events, plays, dinners, family gatherings… Talk about busy!
Well, that’s just a portion of what’s on my plate. What’s on yours?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Apr 30, 2012 |
Fresh starts.
A schedule to keep.
A chance to be productive for others.
A bit of solitude.
Morning coffee with Mutti.
The start of five days of potential.
Smaller lines at stores.
Meal planning.
Birdwatching.
Marking To-Do’s off the list.
Running errands.
Music to drive by.
Time to write.
Visiting my personal Barista and writing partner at her work.
The promise of something new.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Apr 29, 2012 |
I have no post for Sunday because Saturday was spent getting my daughter ready for Prom!
Actually, she got herself ready. She’s very good with a make-up brush and curling iron. So I just entertained my Mom as we waited for the end result. Then I drove her over to her friend’s house for photos, and then they left for the Prom.
They had to check in an hour before the buses left, for security checks. Then they rode down to L.A. to an Arts Center for dinner and dancing! It will be a two-hour ride back in the middle of the night. Once they reach the school, a group of them will be going to the local All-Night Denny’s for a (very) early breakfast.
I’m so excited for her. She attends a small school where there are no Proms. So when her best friend asked her to go to his, it was a no-brainer. What a great experience they’re having! She knows some of his classmates, too.
They’ve been best friends since junior high, when he accidentally knocked her head into a locker. The next day, he was overly apologetic and from that incident, they became instantly inseparable.
They both graduate this year… in just a few weeks! I’m glad they’re able to have tonight before life might start taking them in different directions.
They have far too much fun together, as you can see from the photos.
I can’t wait to hear all about it. That is, after she wakes up tomorrow afternoon.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Apr 28, 2012 |
It’s been about two months since I’ve posted any Lessons Learned. You would think in that amount of time I would have amassed a whole lotta learnin’. You would think.
I don’t think I learned a lot, so much as I kept re-learning the same things in different ways.
Although some things are new.
Ready? Here’s what’s been in my brain lately:
1. Black-headed grosbeaks look very similar to Baltimore Orioles.
2. Grosbeaks, among other birds, like to eat dry cereal like Cheerios and Rice Krispies.
3. Writing is something I do best when I do it for myself.
4. Having said that, it’s awful nice when other people appreciate my writing.
5. When I was away in college 20 years ago, my mom sent me a stickee pad with Old Maxine on them. They said, “You didn’t know how you’d get through yesterday, either, but here you are.” That’s been my unconscious motto for a while now.
6. Music is awesome. It’s one of the greatest languages ever written.
7. Family Game Night is the craziest, funnest night of the month!
8. Sweet Broom plants are gorgeous! And attract bees. Bonus!
9. Some people will always be friends. No matter the time, distance, and drama that happens in your individual lives. Some people can be in your life every day and never be a true friend.
10. Cats don’t like thunderstorms. Cats like people who keep them safe from thunderstorms.
11. Hardcover books are better than digital books.
12. But digital books have their perks.
13. Flashpoint is still the best show on TV, and best community on Facebook.
14. CBS was really stupid when they didn’t renew Flashpoint last summer. ION was really smart to pick it up as their first first-run series, meaning they no longer air only reruns.
15. It’s a rule of nature that as my daughter gets older, so do I. Yet while she’s ready to graduate high school, I’m not ready to let her go out into the world. It’s a very scary place out there. And I’m her mommy. I just want to keep her safe and happy. And in my arms.
16. I love cooking. And I’m not too bad at baking. Wilton has the greatest cake molds for such things!
17. If I wasn’t a writer, I’d be a party planner. But I’m a writer. And I like that better.
18. Starbucks is great. Friends who get how important Starbucks is, are priceless.
19. Sometimes the world isn’t fair. And it stinks.
20. Sometimes God isn’t fair. And I’m so very thankful.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
