Well, THIS has been a sucky week for cancellation news

As two of our favorite series, “Eli Stone” and “Pushing Daisies” are vanishing as well. (We never warmed to “Dirty, Sexy Money,” although it has inspired me to do an issue of X-Factor called “Dirty, Sexy Monet” at some point in the near future.)

What’s really killer is that both ES and PD have entered their sophomore seasons more focused, more intriguing, more character rich and plot layered than in their launch years. The types of shows that appeal to hipper, younger audiences–the type that sponsors despise because of the greater likelihood that such viewers will record such programs and whiz past the commercials. It’s starting to seem that the valued 18-40 audience that networks supposedly covet is becoming a liability because they’re least likely to watch ads for products.

Personally I’d love to see a second life for both progams on HBO or Showtime or AMC, where ratings aren’t such an issue (“Mad Men” continues despite ratings that would have gotten “Eli Stone” canceled before its third episode.)

PAD

We’re on tonight’s “Colbert Report”

Well, “on” might be questionable; I doubt we’re actually visible on camera. But Kath and I were in the audience for tonight’s edition of “The Colbert Report.”

And boy, did we hit the jackpot. Not only was Colbert’s “The Word” in rare form (Colbert forgot to say “And that’s the Word,” at the end, so he said it at the beginning of the next segment; you might be able to hear my laugh), but the guest tonight is Paul Simon. Simon did two songs, including a duet of “Sounds of Silence” with Colbert. Beautiful stuff. I’ll tell you, this has been some year, with my musical experience ranging from Billy Joel and Paul McCartney seen from upper mezzanine seats with 50,000 people to Paul Simon singing with Colbert seen from about twenty feet away with just over a hundred people.

Be sure to tune in.

PAD

Yeah, She-Hulk’s canceled

I’ve known about it for a couple months but didn’t say anything because I’m not big on making with the bad news.

I have to admit, I’m shocked. Shocked. The market has always been so supportive of books with female leads, and She-Hulk has never had a title canceled out from under her before, so I could never have seen this coming.

PAD

Cowboy Pete gets Frost-y with Nixon (Spoiler free)

Just came back from a WGA screening of Ron Howard’s film, “Frost/Nixon.” It’s a hëll of an experience for me because I remember watching the interviews when they were first broadcast, so it’s another case of history that I’ve lived through becoming the stuff of drama.

Playwright Peter Morgan has done a superb job of translating his play into film, which is not always an easy undertaking. Dramatizing the historic interviews between David Frost and Richard Nixon–which were not without drama to begin with–Howard keeps the story moving along, building tension as Frost/Nixon comes across, not as a chess match, but four rounds of boxing. Each of them has their corner men, urging them to stay steady, to jab, to keep dodging, to stay in control. Particularly standout among the supporting players is the chameleonic Sam Rockwell as James Reston, pursuing a goal of taking down Nixon as if he’s the voice of the entire country.

Then there’s Michael Sheen as Frost, looking increasingly terrified as he realizes that what began as a nifty and high-profile idea has morphed into a potentially career ending endeavor that could leave him financially busted to boot, and eventually developing the spine of steel needed to go toe to toe with Nixon.

But it’s Frank Langella’s Nixon that’s the standout. If he isn’t up for an Oscar for best actor, there is simply no justice. With a minimal amount of make-up, and making no attempt to do a Richard Nixon impression, he nevertheless embodies the late president as if he were channeling his spirit. When it got down to their final confrontation over Watergate, I was literally on the edge of my seat.

“Frost/Nixon” is an absolute must-see.

PAD

Cowboy Pete is mildly shaken and not particularly stirred by “Quantum of Solace”

I’m not predisposed to like a Bond film. I’m predisposed to love a Bond film. And I loved “Casino Royale,” the reboot that was objected to by a bevy of Bond fans who dismissed Daniel Craig as “James Blond” or even “James Bland”…until they saw it. Craig remains the main selling point of the sequel, and does the best he can with what he’s handed. And Dame Dench’s M remains stellar.

Other than that, however…I had some major problems both with what was there, and even more, with what wasn’t.

MAJOR spoilers below the cut line, but it really can’t be helped.