L.A. or Bust
Posted by Candace Havens in Candace Havens, tags: Blaze, Dr. Who, Eastwick, Joss Whedon, The Office, Vampire Diaries
I’m heading out to Los Angeles for the TCA (TV Critics Press Tour). It’s a cool event where TV critics from all over the U.S. and Canada convene to do interviews with the stars, producers and writers of the shows for the new TV season. If someone was looking for trends this year, it would be a little difficult. The shows are all over the map. There are paranormal ones like Vampire Diaries (CW) and Eastwick (ABC), and action-adventure like Human Target (Fox, with the very hot Mark Valley. Yummers) and Spartacus: Blood and Sand with Lucy Lawless and Andy Whitfield. There are new dramas with everyone from Julianne Margulies and Dylan McDermott to Shiri Appleby (Life UneXpected, CW).
Some of the people I’m excited about talking to are David Tennant (Dr. Who), Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Alex O’Loughlin (Formerly of Moonlight, now on Three Rivers), Chris O’Donnell, Linda Hunt, Joss Whedon, Joseph Fiennes, Alan Alda, Jimmy Smits (Just talked to him, but can never get enough), the gang from The Office, the gang from Fringe, Lie to Me and GLEE and so many more you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. I come home from these things with hundreds of interviews.
We sit in through panels, attend parties thrown by the various cable and broadcast networks, and we work our butts off. I know it sounds glam, but there are long days and it gets to the point where you’re like, “Oh, look, there’s Tom Hanks.” And you turn back to your conversation.
If you’re interested in keeping up, I’ll bet on Twitter (twitter.com/candacehavens) and Facebook and I’ll be trying to blog daily on livejournal. You can get to all of those through my website on www.candacehavens.com. I even ask questions that my fellow tweeters and facebook friends ask.
While I’m doing this I will also being working on my revisions for TAKE ME IF YOU DARE, my new Blaze. I begged for these revisions, and while they are scaring the beejezus out of me, my editor Kathryn, is making it a much stronger book.
So life will be a little insane for the next few weeks, but when I stop and thing about it, my life pretty much stays that way. I’ve sort of learned to live with the chaos.
If you’re interested in any of the new shows let me know here, or keep up with me on one of my social media hangouts. I would like to know your favorite TV shows now, the returning ones, and if any of the ads for the new ones are interesting to you. Tell me. I really want to know.
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I might not be very original but I’m really interested in Lost (can’t live without my Sawyer even though didn’t like what he did last season) and Dollhouse and Fringe are getting second and third place quite easily. I love Joss Whedon too!
I’m also quite enjoying Leverage, Burn notice (love Fiona character!), Bones, Mentalist, Eureka, Medium… Lots and lots really.
I’d also love to know Heroes takes another direction and returns to the amazing first season.
I love all those shows. I’m chatting about all of those shows on my personal blog while I’m out here.
You can get a little insider info. Cracks me up that your list is almost exactly like my must-see. 
Those are a bunch of my favs too (haven’t seen leverage), as well as Dr. Who. Can’t wait to see the new Alex Laughlin show and anything with Xena…er, Lucy Lawless.
I’m really interested in the Spartacus series Lucy is doing. They didn’t have a full episode, but it looks cool.
I’ve always been a really big fan of shows like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Psych, House, the Mentalist, and NCIS. The shows i’ve been interested in lately is Mental and Nurse Jackie. I miss Moonlight, I really liked that show! I’m dying to see the new series of House because of the ads, and I can’t wait for the next season of NCIS! And btw, I can’t believe your seeing the Office cast that must be amazing!
Wow! Congratulations! My 15 year old Loves Dr, Who she did a counted cross stitch of David Tennant it turn out great, her Nan from England sent her the pattern for it. She did it a couple years ago, it’s on my blog under X stitch if you want to see it.
Have a safe time in LA I live there too.
Penney
http://s235.photobucket.com/albums/ee169/myreptiles56/X_stitch/?action=view¤t=tennantxtsttch.jpg (F)
I just met David Tennant for the first time about five days ago. He’s a really nice guy and my favorite Dr. I think that cross stitch is awesome. I showed it to my friends here at breakfast. (We are in PBS sessions today) and they all thought it was fun.
Oh, and tell her as I’m typing this, David is sitting right in front of me for a PBS session.
Hey Candace, you lucky duck. I am such a TV addict, you are living my fantasy, LOL.
I have become a real Big Bang Theory fan recently, and the new show I am most enthusiastic about coming back this year is Lie to Me — thought it was the clear winner of last season, though wish The Unusuals had gotten more of a chance.
I’m also rewatching the Dollhouse epis I didn’t see, since I quit halfway through, kind of disgusted with it, but as they have been renewed, and I like Joss, I’m rewatching to be able to pick up with the new season. I hear it gets better.
Human Target sounds interesting, just the title — hadn’t heard of that, but will go check it out. I’m not sure if I follow you on Twitter, I know I do on FB (do you know Jace from Televisionary? I usually follow him, too), but will go find you now. Look forward to the updates.
Enjoy the revisions (?). LOL
Sam
Samantha, one of my favorite moments of this whole tour happened last night. We had our big TCA awards. Big Bang won best Comedy. Jim Parsons (Sheldon) won best comedy indiv. But the best part was at the after party Jim Parsons remembered me. Awesomeness.
I’m so jealous! I LOVE him. LOL He’s my absolute favorite — and was so important for me while watching that show and writing my May ’10 Blaze which has a science genius hero.
So, since I met you at RWA, that means I am just one handshake away from Jim Parsons… you made my day.
Sam
Oh, just checked out Human Target – I’m in. LOL I love anything based on comics/superheroes (I guess you can see why BBT is so appealing, LOL). Definitely want to hear more about HT.
Sam
Human Target is fun action. And that Mark Valley is not hard to look at.
Alex O’Loughlin? I’m so following you on Twitter.
What’s that symbol doing messing up Alex’s name?
Alex is a very sweet guy. You would love him even more after meeting him.
Love Dr. Who. Have for just about forever and was thrilled when they finally brought the series back.
Let’s see, I’m not over the moon about any of the new shows so far, but I haven’t seen ads for that many. Existing favorites would be Burn Notice, Leverage, The Closer, and Chopped (FoodNetwork). I’d have listed General Hospital a year ago but, man, that show has tanked the last year. Sigh.
Julie
Love Burn Notice.
There are some fun new shows on the way. Give them a chance. 
Just watched Being Human this weekend. Didn’t think I’d like it (you know I’m so critical of anything sf/f) but loved it! And Eureka is fun. Saving Grace is one of my absolute fave shows, probably cuz I love Holly Hunter, so talented. I’m curious about the new Stargate and other SyFy shows. I’m enjoying Mental, the lead guy is kyute! (K) Have fun and I look forward to reading allllll your inside info!
I am hesitant to start watching the new shows- they always seem to cancel the good ones.Like The Unusuals, Moonlight, and a whole bunch of shows that I loved. I am sticking with my tried and true and will maybe add some of the new ones but I may just dvr them and wait to see what happens.
Have fun. I look forward to your reports. I was happy to see Jim Parsons win! Love Big Bang. They are like a younger version of my husband. LOL
Hi really have a huge not so secret crush on Jim Parsons, who remembered me last night. Best moment ever.
I enjoyed the show CASTLE when it aired and hope it makes it back this season. I really enjoyed the previews of GLEE. Oh, and DROP DEAD DIVA is really a fun show! I love the premise of it. I haven’t seen any of the other shows you mentioned above. I am more into reality shows. I love AMERICA’S GOT TALENT. Also, love AMERICAN IDOL and can’t wait for the new season to start.
Oh my gosh, I am so jealous that you get to meet all those tv stars! Even though your days are long, do you still get star struck when you meet certain ones? I would be a blubbering mess if I was introduced to my fave stars.
I have met some stars like Donny and Marie Osmond at a concert. Also, where I work at Dennis Ferino comes in to buy ink for his pens. He is such a nice guy and is he ever handsome! Better looking in person than on TV I think. I got to meet his wife one time when she came into the store for him. We had such a long conversation about food. Also, my hubby and I met George Bush Sr. when he was campaigning. My husband shook his hand and told him that he hoped he made it into office. President Bush replied, “Son, I sure hope to make it in too! Thanks for the vote of confidence!” That was so awesome!
I love hearing about all the stars you get to meet. Out of all the ones you have met, who did you like meeting the most? (*)
I don’t really get star struck. There are times when I might drool more than others. Matt Damon was here, and there were a few happy sighs on my part for that one.
As for who I like the most… Through the years that would probably be Hugh Laurie and Tom Hanks.
I love Burn Notice, Jeffrey Donovan is so hot! Leverage, I love watching low-life’s get their comeuppance. Pysch, Love James Roday, he’s hilarious! House, it’s always neat to watch him come to a diagnosis (and Omar Epps, doesn’t hurt either
) Gossip Girl, Chace Crawford. Need i say more? My mom got me into all those shows with the exception of Gossip Girl. My mom loved Moonlight and she would be pea green if she knew you got to meet him Candance! I’m looking forward to new seasons and new shows!
As I’ve mentioned Burn Notice was one of my inspirations for Take Me If You Dare. It’s a must-see show for my whole family. I like Leverage too. I just talked to the Psych guys. They always make me smile. They have one of the best bromances on TV.