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!
Dec 4, 2011
The dual purpose word: COLD. It’s a feeling. It’s a virus. And right now, it’s both. At least, it’s trying to be.
All that to say, with the onslaught of winter winds, I’ve come under the weather so to speak, and am not feeling up to writing a conquering post.
Instead, here’s a few photos of my Christmas decorating.
How do you decorate for the Holidays?
This Year's Favorite Ornament
More Treats Under the Tree
Christmas Wagon
My Mantle at Night
Treats Under the Tree
Chocolate Martini made with Scharffen Berger Chocolate
Lights in the Dark
Easy Start
Nov 9, 2011 |
I’ve got a bunch of great emails lately.
First was when I won this:
My Scharffen Berger Prize Package
Then I got this great piece of news:
Best. Email. Evvver.
Last week, my reader, Beth, sent me this:
Accessories
I’m currently waiting for the delivery of this:
Le Creuset Orange Tools and Crock Prize
And today, I learned that one of my blog posts is going to be featured on BlogHer.Com on November 18th. They even sent me this awesome Blog Badge to promote it:
My head is kinda spinning.
I’m told I should buy lottery tickets. Often.
I guess I’m just lucky that way.
I’m not writing this to brag.
I’m writing this to keep it real. Because I still can’t believe it.
Playing June Cleaver
In the last six months, I’ve lost my job, been late on the mortgage and car payments (not, like, detrimental-to-my-credit late, but late nonetheless). And even though I don’t know from one day to the next if I can buy milk for the family, I’m doing what I know I need to do: Write. Cook. And sometimes, combine the two.
And my little prizes and recognitions are amazing. The only thing better would be the Backstreet Boys personally singing “As Long As You Love Me” as I drank a bottomless Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Latte that magically had no calories.
I think it’s God’s way of saying, “Keep at it.”
Because let’s face it: When life throws you lemons, dontcha need those little bits of encouragement? Dontcha really just want to throw those lemons back?! I could really care less about making lemonade, and I love being in the kitchen!
So. Here’s the plan: Keep blogging. Get recognition. Keep writing. Keep cooking. Finish my cookbook. Sell my cookbook. Get more recognition. Earn money. Buy a lottery ticket. Win mucho money.
And hire someone else to make the lemonade. I’ll be too busy enjoying life.
Stinkin’ Big Lemon
Nov 6, 2011 |
You’re either screaming out loud, “Ohmagosh, YES!!” or scratching your head in wonder.
FPTO (say it with me: “Fip-Toe”) is the Emerald City for those of us who know good great television.
My date with Bocelli.
Flashpoint is to TV what The Godfather is to movies. What Frank Sinatra and Andrea Bocelli are to music. What tiramisu is to dessert…
In other words, it’s not “just” a show.
Flashpoint is, of course, the greatest cop drama around. And I’m not just saying that. Yes, I’m addicted to the show. But that’s not the point. The point is, why?
Why?
Well, I’m so glad you asked…
There are some good, I mean really good cop shows on TV right now. I still never miss an episode of CBS’s NCIS or Blue Bloods. But Flashpoint takes the cake. It’s not just good writing. It’s astounding writing. It’s not just sets and designs. It’s sights and real streets and locations. The script is always dynamic, yet always plausible. And the actors are amazing performers.
And when I say “performers”, I don’t mean celebrity. These guys aren’t in it for the glory. That’s just a wonderful by-product. They don’t just read a script. They don’t just act. You can see what I mean by catching Amy Jo Johnson (“Jules”) and Michael Cram (“Wordy”) in performance tonight in Toronto.
And that’s not the only public sighting. If you’re lucky enough to live in or around Toronto, you may also be lucky enough to cross paths with the Team when they’re out and about filming an episode.
Time after time, interview articles and fan-spotting have relegated us with words and phrases like “super friendly!”, “nice”, “attentive”, “feels like family”.
Sure, you’re thinking. The press is going to spin everything with rose-colored glasses just to get viewers. It can’t all be that great.
Oh, no? Enter FPTO. FPTO is the little acronym more commonly known as Flashpoint Team One: the official producer’s page on Facebook. And not just official. Authentic. Friendly. Nice. Attentive. And yes, it feels like family. With almost 7,000 “likes” (read: official facebook fans), it’s a community like no other. Fans come and post any and everything. But the best part? FPTO responds. FPTO knows that without their fans, the show is nothing. And they acknowledge us with interactions, shout-outs, and even the occasional gift. (Check out this awesome swag they sent me: an autographed poster!)
FPTO is the place to discuss who held their breath the longest during the most recent heart-pounding episode. How long until each episode premieres? (Here’s something: Canada doesn’t have it’s own timezone. Just in case you were a little flakey at times, and thought they did, like me).
Of course, I’m a broken record with some of this. You’ve heard me say it before. But the FPTO community is also family for the fans. It’s where we relate, and not just about the page.
The page, like the show, is just the catalyst: uniting people with a common base. The producers know not only how to put together a great script and great actors. They know not only how to create a great show.
They know how to create a great community. It’s where we see whose kids dressed up for Halloween. How Kate fared after a week of no electricity following the Nor’Easter. How every day life is among us who have this love for the show.
Wanna join in? C’mon, then! Show them some “like”. Join them over at Facebook. Flashpoint Team One.
They Have the Solution.
*I am by no means an official spokesperson for Flashpoint or FPTO. I just happen to really love the show and the facebook community. I have not been paid or rewarded in any way for my blogging efforts. The poster above was presented as part of their “Random Acts of Kindness Week” in early August, 2011 and was in no way construed as payment or exchange other than I am an active fan on their facebook page. Any fan has the same chance of being rewarded for their support. All opinions on this blog are my own.*
Oct 4, 2011 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
1. It’s okay if the Yankees don’t win now and then.
2. The Yankees are, by far, the greatest team in Baseball.
3. Breakfast at Tiffany’s is still a great movie.
4. There are “friends” who use you and manipulate you, friends who need you more than you need them, friends who know what you need, and Friends who take care of you.
5. I try to be a Friend to my friends; but I know I sometimes fail.
6. Income is not the same as a job; and work is not the same as a career.
7. God is bigger than the Boogie Man (Veggie Tales!), and He’s bigger than anything I can think of.
8. The world is incredibly old; there is no original idea left. What was once science fiction is history. What is the future was once someone’s dream. What is now is now. All I have that’s unique is perspective.
9. God will give me the desires of my heart… as long as I delight in Him (Psalm 37:4).
10. I like double-speak for creative writing. I hate it in politicians.
11. Life is not hopeless.
12. Everything is temporary.
13. The colder the weather, the snugglier the cat.
14. October changes people.
15. It’s easier to heal with good foods than bad medicine.
16. Dental work doesn’t always hurt.
17. Complacency is brain-atrophy ~ never a good thing.
18. Biographies can be fun.
19. Forgiveness is important. Guidance is important. Understanding and compassion are important. Love is most important.
20. Flashpoint is still the best show on TV, no matter what network it’s on.
21. Flashpoint peeps are still the best no matter how we connect.
22. Facebook and twitter secretly hate each other.
23. Hockey is not boring, but is sure is hard to follow!
24. Bunco is worth it. No matter what.
25. Christmas is one day. The Christmas spirit should be eternal. Commercialism should be killed.
26. My mom and dad did know more than me when I was a teen. I should have listened more.
27. Someday I’m going to be a famous writer… preferably while I’m young enough to enjoy spoiling my family and securing their futures.
28. God loves me. No matter what. No. Matter. What.
