After watching the success of True Blood, Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead (all of which have less than 14 episodes a season), the networks are now re-evaluation what they have to offer to their audiences. The success of these shows, shows that shortened season are not an issue. This type of formatting allows networks to have drama-based content throughout the year and allows it to not rely so much on reruns and reality-based programming as filler. It also allows networks to ”maintain series options on the actors while at the same time maintain the project’s international value. And if you market them well, they bring in audience,” as Deadline noted.

Some of the pilots that we have been watching over the last year are strong contenders for this format.

The CW is seeing if it will use this cable-like formatting for The Reign and The Selection.

ABC is looking at it’s spin-off, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, as a contender, as well as Gothica.

Fox may use this methodology for its Sleepy Hollow series.

CBS is using Under the Dome as it’s gateway into this type of programming.

There is an added plus to this, many of you will be quite thrilled at the prospect of not having to deal with four-week gaps in-between new episodes of some of your favorite shows (and I’m talking about CW) because if the networks see that this works than shortened seasons allow for a straight run of back-to-back new episodes. A win-win for everyone.

Let’s hope that this happens.

Sometimes, change is good. But we will have to wait and see if The Selection will win out with the CW’s changes to the book series that enable it to reach a broader marker.

Kiera Cass, author of The Selection, confirmed that the network had decided to take a different direction with the show in order to target a mature audience. As a result, the cast is significantly older than their characters in the books and the characters are very different, harder and darker than their book versions.

The CW has revamped last year’s The Selection, with the following changes:

• Toughening up its lead
• Adding more focus on the palace politics and rebel uprising
• A lot more sex

The additional focus on the palace includes adding new characters such as Prince Rafe, the much more responsible younger brother of prince Maxon who is having an affair with Fiona, a girl competing in The Selection, Prince Maxon himself is even more of a bad boy in this incarnation, hosting strip pool games and almost raping the main character in a scene, America is a much tougher character this time around more ‘Katness’ like, she is completely against the state and the ideology the palace represents and attempts to flee The Selection but is forced to “play along” with it in order to save the man she loves; Aspen, a man from her village who is recruited into the army and stationed at the Palace. Aspen is very outspoken and often speaks out against authority causing him to be ‘disciplined’. Different political forces control many of the 25 girls competing in The Selection, meanwhile the rebel army plan on kidnapping America and using her to rally the people in their uprising.

Knowing of the changes, will you be watching the more adult version of the book series?

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Maria and Kelly are back and this time they are not only discussing the latest news and spoilers of your favorite books, movies and TV shows, but they recap their top 5 shows of the month: Grimm, Being Human, Supernatural, Once Upon a Time and the Walking Dead and discuss their dud of the month: Lost Girl.

For SBLC, they talk about the Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead and in Movie Time, Maria reviews Beautiful Creatures… which she liked… a lot.

You can download the podcast here, via iTunes or the Zune Marketplace.

Enjoy!

This episode was recorded on 03.12.2013.

Yael Grobglas will portray America Singer, a working class young woman chosen by lottery to participate in a competition with 25 other women for the Royal Prince’s hand to become the nation’s next queen.

Peta Sergeant has been recast as Gaia, a rebel leader who is working to overthrow the monarchy. If you recall from last year, Peta was cast for the same role in the original pilot.

Sean Patrick Thomas has been cast in the CW’s The Selection. Out of all the cast from the original pilot for this show, he was the only cast member from last year to return.

Last Bite is back with news on the new shows that will be popping up on your TV in the 2013-2014 TV season (i.e. Dracula, Gothica, The Originals, The Selection, The Witches of East End and more…) and the latest news on upcoming movies (Star Wars, Blood Sisters and Divergent).

For SBLC, Maria reviews Warm Bodies the book and Kelly gives us a major hint on who Sookie may pick at the end of the Sookie Stackhouse series.

Plus, you’ll hear the latest news and spoilers on your favorite shows!

You can download the podcast here, via iTunes or via the Zune Marketplace.

Enjoy!

This podcast was recorded on 02.15.2013.

Cost-wise, this makes sense. Yet, this is an unusual move for a network that has classically stayed within Canada and the United States for all of it’s shows productions.

From Variety: The CW drama “Selection,” from Warner Bros. TV, is based on the same-titled book by Kiera Cass. Drama centers on a futuristic world where a working-class woman is selected by lottery to compete against other women to win the prince’s hand and become the nation’s next queen.

Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain, both alums of “The Vampire Diaries” and “666 Park Avenue,” wrote the pilot and exec produce “Selection.”

The ladies of Last Bite are back. Listen to Maria and Kelly highlight some of your favorite shows, books and movies with the latest news, recaps and spoilers. This month they say goodbye to Haven, highlight Supernatural and wonder what gives with The Vampire Diaries. As well as give you the latest news & on True Blood, The Walking Dead, Grimm, The Vampire Academy movie and which author will or will not be coming to your town in 2013. For SBLC, Prodigy by Marie Luis reviewed.

You can download the podcast here, via iTunes or the Zune marketplace.

Enjoy!

This podcast was recorded on 01.18.2013.