By its third season, “Norm” wound up in the Friday night death slot and was cancelled when ratings took a nose dive. ABC blew it. “Norm” was a durable workplace comedy that featured MacDonald at his likable best.
Scott Malchus
824 Articles
Scott Malchus is a writer, filmmaker and die hard Cleveland Indians fan. His memoir, “Basement Songs,†is available in paperback and Kindle. He wrote and directed the film “King's Highway." His family is heavily involved in fund raising to find a cure for cystic fibrosis. Scott Malchus is an employee of Cartoon Network and Turner Broadcasting. The opinions expressed on Popdose are his own and do not reflect those of his employer. Email: Malchus@popdose.com. Follow him @MrMalchus
Scott Malchus
1 Min Read
In watching “Men of a Certain Age,” I kept recalling Barry Levinson’s “Diner.” The tone and handling of the characters as real people and not just stock characters recalls the naturalistic story and direction of Levinson’s classic film.
Scott Malchus
1 Min Read
As I did a quick dance to get around a woman standing idle on the steps at the train station, my iPod shuffled on to “I’ll Stand by You” and I knew that I had to write a few words. I can’t think of a more appropriate message at this time of the year, especially in these hard times.
Scott Malchus
1 Min Read
“Temple Grandin” is the remarkable story of the title character, an autistic woman whose insight into the behavior of cattle revolutionized the way the animals are treated on ranches and slaughterhouses. This inspiring biopic stars Claire Danes as Temple, giving one of the best performances of her career.
Scott Malchus
1 Min Read
Buried somewhere in this mess is a good idea and a lot of heart. However, the writing and the execution drain any life from the movie, leaving the film’s five stars to improvise and try to come up with funny material.
Scott Malchus
1 Min Read
With his 50’s slicked back hair and a laid back, inviting charm, plus the ability to relate to any person who walks through the doors to The Shootist, the family run Colorado establishment that he runs, “Lock ‘n Load” creator/host Josh T. Ryan is a star.
Scott Malchus
3 Min Read
Dear Mr./Ms. music supervisor who was probably born two years after Glory Daze is set: in the year 1986, no heterosexual male danced in front of his dorm room mirror listening to Duran Duran. And if he did (but I swear he didn’t) he wouldn’t have listened to ”Girls on Film,” which was released in 1981
Scott Malchus
1 Min Read
Men of a Certain Age isn’t intense and draining; it’s light on its feet and skillfully mixes the comedy and the drama to make for a great alternative to most of the procedurals on the broadcast networks or the dark dramas that appear on FX and AMC.
Scott Malchus
1 Min Read
If you’re in a New York State of mind and looking for something other than a classic Woody Allen or Scorsese flick, let me recommend these two new, wonderful independent…
Scott Malchus
1 Min Read
In The Walking Dead, writer/director Frank Darabont (who is also an executive producer) crafted a gripping, horrific and intensely emotional episode of television. Moreover, he has taken an epic film approach to the the storytelling, setting in motion several storylines that will keep audiences glued to their televisions throughout the course of the first season.
Scott Malchus
1 Min Read
For the final two miles of my half marathon, I’ll have Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring play in its entirety to help push me through to the end. I figure that if I need something to distract me for the final half hour of the run there’s no better way than Copland’s 25 minute masterpiece.
Scott Malchus
3 Min Read
Tonight, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) begins a seven week documentary series about the history of Hollywood. Moguls & Movie Stars: A History of Hollywood is an engrossing, wonderfully made series…
Scott Malchus
2 Min Read
ABC’s Rich Man, Poor Man ushered in a new form of television, one that saw great triumphs (Roots, Shogun, Lonesome Dove) and abysmal wastes of time (pretty much anything with Stephen King’s name attached to it).
Scott Malchus
1 Min Read
A strong, effective piece of songwriting that blended hard rock with some new wave leanings, you hear an unexpected poignancy in “Little Guitars.” That’s right, a Van Halen song that actually has feeling.
Scott Malchus
1 Min Read
I believe that like any great character of fiction, we see a part of ourselves in Don Draper. We see a human being with faults, albeit ones that are amplified by being the central character of a hit TV series. The lucky few out there who’ve never questioned their purpose and meaning in the world probably aren’t the people making Mad Men one of the most watched series on cable television.
Scott Malchus
1 Min Read
30 Rock went back to its Saturday Night Live roots for a live broadcast. Scott Malchus takes a look at everything that went right for the Emmy Award winning series on Thursday night.
Scott Malchus
3 Min Read
“The Cleveland Show” has many of the same traits of its parent show, “Family Guy.” It’s funny, controversial, but it also has a lot of heart.
Scott Malchus
2 Min Read
How does a comic book come together? By chance and friendship. Read today’s Basement Songs to find out about the latest (co) creation by Scott Malchus. Don’t worry, there are still a couple songs, too.
Scott Malchus
1 Min Read
How does a lucky reader like yourself win this bitchin’ CD/DVD prize pack? Simple — answer a ridiculous question and e-mail me your answer.
Scott Malchus
3 Min Read
While it may not win many awards, ABC’s “Castle” has certainly has won the hearts of viewers.
Scott Malchus
1 Min Read
You don’t come across many throwback love songs like this one, with a driving beat that beckons the open road and your hands pounding on the dashboard.
Scott Malchus
3 Min Read
No Ordinary Family is a clever super hero show in that it hides its fanboy tendencies behind the guise of a sentimental family drama.
Scott Malchus
4 Min Read
You just can’t fight the living dead and monsters roaming around on earth without your life being changed forever.
Scott Malchus
3 Min Read
A death row convict is days away from being sent to the death chamber; he needs a miracle. His diligent lawyer files a Hail Mary petition to the U.S. Supreme…
Scott Malchus
2 Min Read
Schwartzman’s acting is sweet and intelligent. Like any struggling artist, his Ames seems to be restlessly searching for answers and private investigating is a diversion from having to face a blank page.
Scott Malchus
1 Min Read
“Would someone please tell J.J. Abrams that he owes me an hour of my life?” –Kelly Stitzel, reviewing Undercovers
Scott Malchus
1 Min Read
“An ongoing Facebook discussion with some high school classmates about how much the new football coach on Glee resembled one of our religion teachers was far more interesting to me than Running Wilde.“– Ann Logue
Scott Malchus
1 Min Read
In honor of the release of Community: Season 1 coming to DVD, Popdoes and the folks at Sony Pictures Home Entertainment are hosting an online giveaway.
Scott Malchus
3 Min Read
Skins feels more authentic than almost every teen driven show on television. The writing is consistently excellent and these young actors will break your heart.
Scott Malchus
1 Min Read
Popdose preps you for the upcoming TV season with quick looks at some of the most anticipated new shows from the four major networks.