TV Column: Good Ideas vs. Bad Ideas: This Month on Television

(andPOP) - Anyone remember the Good Idea/Bad Idea segment featured on the WB?s Animaniacs? No? Just me? Fine then. Here?s the deal: a lot has happened in the wild world of television in the last few weeks. I?ve broken down my cheers and jeers regarding some of these recent developments into what I believe are good ideas and bad ideas. How will the industry?s decisions affect the biz, the programming and the fans? Permit me to be the judge.

GOOD IDEA: Emmy nods for both Kiefer Sutherland and 24
I defy anyone who has never seen an episode of this show to watch even five minutes and not desperately need to know how the season concludes. There has been very little like 24 before it came along in 2001, and there are plenty of upcoming shows playing copycat ? marks of a truly great program. Kiefer Sutherland is practically flawless in his portrayal of renegade federal agent Jack Bauer, who must spend an entire day each season thwarting terrorists in Los Angeles. Though some have argued the role is hardly a stretch for Sutherland ? once noted for his temper, substance abuse and reckless behavior ? the fact is both the actor and the show continue to provide high-caliber, original entertainment and for that they are both in dire need of an Emmy.

BAD IDEA: Showtime?s Ice Cream for a Year Promotion
Beginning in October, new subscribers to the Showtime network will be invited to submit three months worth of past cable or satellite bills in exchange for twelve coupons good for one pint of Haagen-Daz ice cream each. In a press release announcing the deal, Showtime?s Vice President of Promotions and Partnership Marketing Rick King proclaimed that both the cable channel and Haagen-Daz were a natural pairing as ?these two brands represent quality, indulgence and escape.? In other words, Showtime and Haagen-Daz want to encourage viewers to park their gradually expanding asses in front of the TV with pints of ice cream while hiding from their real-life problems amidst hours upon hours of expensive cable programming. Thanks, guys.

GOOD IDEA: Frankie Muniz contemplates the end of Malcolm in the Middle
As andPOP reported earlier this week, Frankie Muniz has suggested that the upcoming sixth season of his Sunday-night sitcom may be the last. According to Muniz, the cast and crew want to go out in a blaze of Seinfeldian glory; exiting the ring while they?re still entertaining their fans. Having never really enjoyed it myself, I?ve felt for some time that the show ? which worked when Muniz was younger and the premise centered on the ?child genius in a family of morons? gimmick ? was past its prime. No one wants to watch Malcolm in the Middle Age. Besides, he has a burgeoning film career to attend to, creating important films of the Agent Cody Banks persuasion.

BAD IDEA: Seven of Nine joins The O.C.
OK, I have very little against Trekkies, but I harbor a fiery, burning passion for The O.C., and I do not want to see Jeri Ryan (Star Trek: Voyager) grace the sands of Newport Beach to play Kirstin?s drinking buddy in rehab. Unfortunately, the deal is done, and Ryan isn?t the only new addition, either ? Eric Mabius (Eyes, The L-Word) has signed to portray the new dean of Harbor School. My disdain for these newcomers has nothing to do with their past work (although I would rather perform self-dentistry than watch Star Trek) and I?m sure they?re terrific actors; however, as many fans of The OC will tell you, this show does not do ?new characters? well. The best plots centre on the original cast, and outsiders, who are never well received, don?t tend to stick around for long as a result. Just like Newport Beach, fans of The OC don?t take kindly to those who don?t belong, so unless your last name is Cohen, you hail from Chino or you?re a closet alcoholic, then trust me, you?re on the wrong show.

GOOD IDEA: Reading this column next Thursday for more good and bad ideas.

BAD IDEA: Missing it.