George Michael will be guest starring as himself in the March 13th episode of “Eli Stone” entitled “Heal the Pain.”

The following articles aren’t good news for “Eli Stone.”

New shows get lukewarm welcome

And none of the first-year shows on the current sked — “Welcome to the Captain” on CBS, “Carpoolers,” “Cashmere Mafia” and “Eli Stone” on ABC, and Lipstick Jungle” on NBC — are really clicking. While “Eli” and “Lipstick” have done decently, there’s nothing in their early numbers to suggest that they’ll be long-term players.

ABC Moves Lost

 ABC has tried several new shows in the 10 p.m. Thursday period that have been unable to capitalize on “Grey’s” success. Case in point: Current occupant “Eli Stone” is notably absent from the newly announced spring lineup. Since “Stone” debuted this year, it has averaged a 3.3 rating in the time period. An ABC spokesman said the network hasn’t decided when the remaining “Stone” episodes will air.

According to ABC Sets Spring Schedule, we won’t be seeing “Eli Stone” on Thursdays at 10 p.m. during the spring.

ABC outlined its spring schedule Wednesday, highlighted by Lost moving back one hour to 10 p.m. Thursdays and pushing rookie Eli Stone out of the time slot.

Lost, currently anchoring Thursdays at 9 p.m., will come back with five more original episodes April 24.

ABC is still considering where on the schedule to plug in the rest of Eli Stone’s 13-episode order when Lost moves.

I’m sure you all heard the George Michael song during last week’s episode of “Father Figure.” (The song was “This Is Not Real Love” and was played when Taylor and Eli entered their engagement party.)  It appears that some are actually missing the George Michael parts of “Eli Stone.”

‘Eli Stone’ Recap: Saving Private Swaine

So much for singing and dancing on “Eli Stone.” Eli’s (Jonny Lee Miller) visions take a grisly turn this week as this time he gets thrust into the middle of a war zone (seems like WW II). Apparently, the not-so-cryptic message he receives is that he is supposed to rescue a Private Swain and take some ridge. That’s all well and good; but no George Michael song? What a gyp.

Eli Stone: Father Figure

With much humility, I am forced to seat myself in the ugly seat this week. I was convinced that George Michael’s star power would dominate the show. Not only has his presence and music complemented the main plots nicely, but that same presence was almost non-existent in this episode. All I can say is, I’m sorry and I stand corrected.

ABC now has a new video for “Faith,” which includes parts of the original “Faith” video by George Michael, along with clips from “Eli Stone.”  Check it out.

I’m seriously irritated that again someone is wondering what “Eli Stone” will do when they run out of George Michael songs.  I just looked at the official site, and it lists more than 40 singles!  I also just quickly added up George Michael songs on albums, and that includes more than 70 songs!  What’s most irritating is that the current article comes from the ABC blog! Come on people, do a little research before you say something like this:

Incidentally, this episode was titled “Freedom,” after the George Michael song that features prominently throughout the show. All the episodes are named after George Michael or Wham songs, as near as I can tell.Coming up, “Father Figure” and “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” For reals.

Sooner or later Eli Stone is going to run out of George Michael songs and they’re going to have to go with some other artist. I think they should base the second season of Eli Stone on the hard-rockin’ music of Ted Nugent, the Motor City Madman.  ABC could pull in a whole new demographic to the show.

OK, bad idea.  Who would be a better choice than The Nuge once Eli Stone runs out of George Michael songs?  You make the call.

ABC.com has an interview with the “Eli Stone” co-creators and executive producers Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim.  George Michael is discussed throughout the article, including the following:  

What lead to the idea for ELI STONE, a lawyer having all going so well for him, and then seemingly in “crisis” ? And, which came first — the idea for a lawyer in crisis, or George Michael?

The idea for a lawyer who might be a modern day prophet came first, but George followed quickly thereafter. We wanted Eli’s first “vision” to be a song from his formative years by someone who’s been out of the spotlight for a while yet instantly recognizable. George not only fit this criteria, but was perfect because the themes of his music perfectly fit all the themes of the series.

And — why George Michael? Will he be a continuing element in the show?

George and his music will most definitely be continuing elements in the show. As we said, the themes of his music really capture the message of the show and his songs are featured prominently in future episodes. George himself will appear in three more episodes over the course of our first season.

The ABC site has a video interview with George Michael.

Here are some of the recent articles on “Eli Stone.”

The kooky, mystical Eli Stone asks, “What Would George Michael Do?”

There is one Cop Rock–style sort of production number in every episode of Eli Stone, but only one. Not all feature George Michael in person—taking one energetic turn will be Garber himself, a Broadway song-and-dance man before he enlisted as Jennifer Garner’s spooky father on Alias—but many of Michael’s songs are referenced. This baffles me as much as it does Eli. But when Eli sees Michael’s name spelled out in blocks by an autistic little boy, he is all of a sudden moved to represent that boy’s mother in a suit against a pharmaceutical company whose flu vaccine may have contributed to the autism.

A look at “Lipstick Jungle,” “Eli Stone,” and “Welcome to the Captain” and some other stuff

The fantasy elements, so far, have been lame. The George Michael bits are not interesting at all. The dance routine in the second episode was terrible (it was funny seeing Garber dance, though). And because we still don’t have a full understanding of who Eli Stone is the bigger fantasy elements (like the attack plane) just don’t work. We don’t understand his personality, we don’t fully understand what exactly he could feel guilty or concerned about, and so when something odd happens it’s just stupid. Again, yes, the show is only two episodes old at this point and hasn’t found its voice yet, but it’s going to have to find it fast and I don’t think it can. I get the feeling that this show could go thirteen episodes or more and not find its voice and balance. That’s a serious problem.

‘Lost’ leads ABC to win

As for “Eli Stone,” it averaged a second place 3.3/9 in 18-49 and 8.83 million viewers overall — finishing behind a repeat of CBS crime drama “Without a Trace” (2.7/7, 10.20m) in total viewers but winning its slot in the 18-49, 25-54 and 12-34 categories.

“Eli” was down 18% in 18-49 from its premiere, while lead-in “Lost” (6.5/16, 15.29m) posted a smaller 3% falloff. The drama about a lawyer who just may be a prophet is outperforming another rookie drama to air in the timeslot this season, “Big Shots.”

George Michael came out on top for a poll of most intriguing character on “Eli Stone” with  a stellar 66.2%.  You can read more about it in Review: “Eli Stone” Freedom.

I thought, perhaps, some of you would like to respond to the following article, Primetime Prophet, which says:

Thus far, Stone has “seen” a few dance numbers and performances by George Michael – who is a little scary, by the way – but none of these visions have been particularly outstanding.

Here’s a nice recap of last night’s episode of “Eli Stone” if you missed it: ‘Eli Stone’ Recap: Biplanes, And Choirs, And Bad Lawyers! Oh, My!

There’s a nice comment about George Michael in “Eli Stone” keeps the “Faith”:

ABC’s new series “Eli Stone,” from “Brothers and Sisters” creators Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim, had audiences keeping the “Faith” during its premiere episode last night. It has a charming story line played by a stellar and diverse cast, not to mention the highly produced musical number performed by Wham! front man George Michael, which makes this show much more compelling and entertaining than anticipated.