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The jarring, shell-shocking end to ABC’s “Nashville” Wednesday, 05/25/2016, left some viewers at a loss. A hint at Patsy Cline’s cause of death for Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere), along with the feel of The Everly Brothers’ “Ebony Eyes” song for Avery Barkely (Jonathan Jackson), was a rough way to watch the series end, with every other storyline neatly completed, at least somewhat satisfactorily, including bringing Rayna James’ family back together. Rayna was portrayed by Connie Britton, who also appeared in the critically-acclaimed “Friday Night Lights” & ABC’s “Spin City” before that.
Seems Lionsgate TV, co-producer of “Nashville”, didn’t want ABC to air the alternate ending that would’ve given Barnes & Barkely a happy ending because a cliffhanger might better sell the show to another network. OK, fair enough. BUT, it made me reflect on the ending to ABC’s “Castle”; while the ‘7 years later’ scene was obviously tacked on & a bit rough around the edges, it was a far better way to end the series than with Castle & Beckett lying on the floor dying.
Lionsgate is shopping “Nashville” [from which I’ve featured music HERE] to other networks & platforms, but perhaps FOX would be smart to buy. With the departure of “American Idol”, “Nashville” would provide a balance with FOX’s established musical drama hit, “Empire”. The 2 shows were technically back-to-back on Wednesdays this past season (“Empire” at 8p US central; “Nashville” at 9p US central). I could easily see “Nashville” either leading into “Empire” on Wednesdays at 7p US central, or airing at 8p US central another evening. With a move to FOX, the potential for many different cross-over episodes & story arcs between the 2 hit dramas is great. Such interaction could boost both series even more. Food for thought, FOX!?
(scenes: “Empire” on the left, “Nashville” on the right)
“We sometimes don’t realize the importance of a moment until it becomes a memory.” (&) “Don’t cry because it is over, smile because it happened.”
Ron Magers quoted those 2 phrases during his last newscast on ABC 7 Chicago, 05/25/2016. The anchor’s career spanned 50 years & several markets (Portland OR, San Francisco CA, Minneapolis MN & Chicago IL). He arrived in Chicago in the early 1980s, quickly working his way up the chain on a local affiliate, where he co-anchored the 10p news with Carol Marin. Together, they were an unbeatable team, until the station decided to hire Jerry Springer in 1997. They both left & found jobs elsewhere, with Magers landing at ABC 7 Chicago in 1998, just before the retirement of John Drury in 2002. Then, Magers was paired with Kathy Brock at 10p; Brock had originally co-anchored the 6p news with Floyd Kalber.
You might say I “grew up” watching Ron (I loved his “dumb crook” awards), so his retirement now provides some reflection for me, too. I’ve spent some hours this week watching videos of vintage Chicago newscasts, marveling at the faces, voices & names I remember from my childhood & young adult years. Time & perspective are an interesting pair, aren’t they!?
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