News & Notes:
- The Chicago Cubs may start its own television network if the team is sold, according to an article in today's Chicago Tribune. The model would be the New York Yankees successful YES network, and the Cubs are looking to maximize revenues.
Current owner Tribune has a 25 percent in Comcast SportsNet, and the Cubs are contracted there until 2019. However, the team's ties to WGN could be a stumbling block.
This story was first reported a few weeks ago on ESPN's Baseball Today podcast.
- NBC Universal may sell its affiliate, WTVJ-TV to Post-Newsweek - which also owns ABC affiliate WPLG-TV. While a duopoly in a major market between a NBC and ABC affiliate is unusual, in Miami it could happen because WPLG is ranked first overall while WTVJ is ranked sixth. The FCC allows duopolies, but not among the top four station in a market. WTVJ is on a frequency (Channel 6) that's long been plaqued with signal problems for over-the-air viewers.
- Guess there's going to be less local perspective on Farve Watch: NBC affiliate WGBA-TV in Green Bay has canceled a huge number of newscasts and cut several positions. The Journal Broadcasting-owned station has dropped its morning and midday newscasts and instead, inserted Milwaukee newscasts and a local show from sister station WTMJ-TV. WGBA continues to produce news at 5, 6, and 10 p.m.
WGBA generally ranks fourth among Green Bay television stations. WGBA became an NBC station in 1995, when former affiliate WLUK was sold and its affiliation was switched to Fox. NBC was affiliated with WFRV-TV until 1983 until the station switched to ABC (WFRV is now a CBS affiliate.)
- Stop! Cable time: TNT's season premiere of The Closer drew 7.8 million viewers on Monday, outdrawing ESPN's Home Run Derby, which drew 6.1 million (how about that Josh Hamilton?) Closer drew 3.3 million in adults 25-54 and 2.5 million in adults 18-49.
The season premiere of Saving Grace drew 5.1 million afterward,up from the season average of 4.2 million a year ago.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
TCA: FX's turn
Finishing with News Corp. with FX:
- The cable network said it will end Nip/Tuck in 2011, ordering the series' final nineteen episode. The controversial series has been targeted by the Parents Television Council for its' content.
- FX also picked up a new series called Testees, while the status of Riches is unclear. Ratings are down 44 percent from the first season.
- The network also ordered 39 more episodes of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, which may mean a possible syndication run.
- The cable network said it will end Nip/Tuck in 2011, ordering the series' final nineteen episode. The controversial series has been targeted by the Parents Television Council for its' content.
- FX also picked up a new series called Testees, while the status of Riches is unclear. Ratings are down 44 percent from the first season.
- The network also ordered 39 more episodes of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, which may mean a possible syndication run.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
TCA: MacFarlane, Groening discuss their shows
Fox's presentation at the Television Critics Association tour continued with Fox's Animation Domination Sunday block with Simpsons creator Matt Groening, Family Guy's and American Dad's Seth MacFaralane, and King of the Hill's Mike Judge. Highlights from the panel:
- Best line of the day: "Is this where Karl Rove sat? Because I don’t want to get AIDS." - Seth MacFarlane.
- MacFarlane talks about why live-action comedies don't work as well as a lead-out of animated shows: "If you put an episode of Seinfeld on after The Simpsons it would come off slow and sluggish... The history of the animation shows it doesn’t work.". He's obviously referring to the 40 or so failed live-action sitcoms airing in the post-Simpsons slot over the years.
Thank goodness Fox didn't take my suggestion on airing Back to You after The Simpsons - the Kesley Grammer-Patricia Heaton vehicle failed on its own, and still would have even if it had a Simpsons lead-in. Yours truly can throw a wild pitch once in a while, can he?
- Simpsons creator Matt Groening doesn't like computer-generated animated movies. So much for him endorsing Clone Wars...
- MacFarlane remarks about on overlap between Fox's often-raunchy animation shows by explaining how the stories have been told before on The Cosby Show and Family Ties - the same formula the creators of another bawdy Fox show (Married... With Children) had been doing.
- Geek fest: Macfarlane says the Family Guy follow-up to Blue Harvest, based on The Empire Strikes Back, is nearly completed. The Simpsons is planning an episode where Homer Simpson becomes plays a superhero in a movie thanks to Comic Book Guy (can't wait for that one!) Seth Rogen, who is writing the episode, also voices Homer's personal trainer.
- On to new Family Guy spin-off The Cleveland Show - the series is slated for a mid-season debut and the show has signed veterans Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, and Kevin Michael Richardson to voice characters on the show. Richardson (who is African-American) is voicing a white redneck character on the show. Cleveland is voiced by Mike Henry, who is white. Henry also said you can forget a crossover between both shows - not going to happen.
- King of the Hill airs its 250th episode next spring. Hill creator Mike Judge said a series finale was written, but when Fox renewed the program at the last minute, he altered it. Judge is also working on an animated project for ABC titled The Goode Family, which debuts mid-season.
- Is there going to be a Simpsons movie sequel? Not anytime soon, says Groening.
- Groening on The Simpsons' voice actors' raise and the concerns the show's escalating price tag could put it out of business: "I want everybody in this room to get rich off the Simpsons. I’m happy for The Simpsons cast. I want them to be as rich and unhappy as anybody in Hollywood."
Sources: TV Week, The Hollywood Reporter
- Best line of the day: "Is this where Karl Rove sat? Because I don’t want to get AIDS." - Seth MacFarlane.
- MacFarlane talks about why live-action comedies don't work as well as a lead-out of animated shows: "If you put an episode of Seinfeld on after The Simpsons it would come off slow and sluggish... The history of the animation shows it doesn’t work.". He's obviously referring to the 40 or so failed live-action sitcoms airing in the post-Simpsons slot over the years.
Thank goodness Fox didn't take my suggestion on airing Back to You after The Simpsons - the Kesley Grammer-Patricia Heaton vehicle failed on its own, and still would have even if it had a Simpsons lead-in. Yours truly can throw a wild pitch once in a while, can he?
- Simpsons creator Matt Groening doesn't like computer-generated animated movies. So much for him endorsing Clone Wars...
- MacFarlane remarks about on overlap between Fox's often-raunchy animation shows by explaining how the stories have been told before on The Cosby Show and Family Ties - the same formula the creators of another bawdy Fox show (Married... With Children) had been doing.
- Geek fest: Macfarlane says the Family Guy follow-up to Blue Harvest, based on The Empire Strikes Back, is nearly completed. The Simpsons is planning an episode where Homer Simpson becomes plays a superhero in a movie thanks to Comic Book Guy (can't wait for that one!) Seth Rogen, who is writing the episode, also voices Homer's personal trainer.
- On to new Family Guy spin-off The Cleveland Show - the series is slated for a mid-season debut and the show has signed veterans Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, and Kevin Michael Richardson to voice characters on the show. Richardson (who is African-American) is voicing a white redneck character on the show. Cleveland is voiced by Mike Henry, who is white. Henry also said you can forget a crossover between both shows - not going to happen.
- King of the Hill airs its 250th episode next spring. Hill creator Mike Judge said a series finale was written, but when Fox renewed the program at the last minute, he altered it. Judge is also working on an animated project for ABC titled The Goode Family, which debuts mid-season.
- Is there going to be a Simpsons movie sequel? Not anytime soon, says Groening.
- Groening on The Simpsons' voice actors' raise and the concerns the show's escalating price tag could put it out of business: "I want everybody in this room to get rich off the Simpsons. I’m happy for The Simpsons cast. I want them to be as rich and unhappy as anybody in Hollywood."
Sources: TV Week, The Hollywood Reporter
FCC rejects complaints from Chicago, Milwaukee groups. Again.
Stop me if you've seen this headline before...
But for a second time in thirteen months, the FCC has rejected complaints from Chicago Media Action regarding local and state election coverage from 2004. The complaint named every commercial station in Chicago.
The FCC also rejected complaints from a related Milwaukee activist group regarding their stations.
Chicago Media Action fired back in a press release.
Thought: The Chicago Media Action's execution is completely flawed. What were they to gain from this? They would've filed a complaint against the stations anyway, even if they met the requirements, or so they say. Even Rin Tin Tin knew this action didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of succeeding. Maybe they forgot there was a Chicago mayoral race last year, and I didn't see them rushing to the FCC regarding coverage (or lack thereof.) To them, "local" doesn't pertain to Chicago proper but to Wilmette and Arlington Heights and their mayoral races.
And so, the CMA will file another complaint with the FCC for this year's election regarding the same issues. And they will get rejected again. Whining to a government agency we know isn't going to do anything is a complete waste of time. People (especially under 40) get their news in so many ways now - particularly through the Internet, cell phones, and other means. This self-serving "petition" - like this group - and local broadcasting in general - is laughable.
And by the way, why the market's three Spanish-language and two public broadcasting and religious stations weren't on their "list"?
But for a second time in thirteen months, the FCC has rejected complaints from Chicago Media Action regarding local and state election coverage from 2004. The complaint named every commercial station in Chicago.
The FCC also rejected complaints from a related Milwaukee activist group regarding their stations.
Chicago Media Action fired back in a press release.
Thought: The Chicago Media Action's execution is completely flawed. What were they to gain from this? They would've filed a complaint against the stations anyway, even if they met the requirements, or so they say. Even Rin Tin Tin knew this action didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of succeeding. Maybe they forgot there was a Chicago mayoral race last year, and I didn't see them rushing to the FCC regarding coverage (or lack thereof.) To them, "local" doesn't pertain to Chicago proper but to Wilmette and Arlington Heights and their mayoral races.
And so, the CMA will file another complaint with the FCC for this year's election regarding the same issues. And they will get rejected again. Whining to a government agency we know isn't going to do anything is a complete waste of time. People (especially under 40) get their news in so many ways now - particularly through the Internet, cell phones, and other means. This self-serving "petition" - like this group - and local broadcasting in general - is laughable.
And by the way, why the market's three Spanish-language and two public broadcasting and religious stations weren't on their "list"?
"Simpsons" to become longest-running scripted program in TV history
It's official.
The Simpsons is poised to surpass Gunsmoke as the longest-running prime-time scripted TV show in history after Fox revealed to a Newsday reporter (albeit reluctantly) that the network has started production on the 21st year, slated to air in the 2009-10 season.
Gunsmoke ran on CBS from 1955 to 1975, running twenty seasons. Law & Order, which debuted nine months after after The Simpsons did, is entering its nineteenth season this fall on NBC.
Thought: If Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, The Price Is Right, Inside Edition, and Oprah can stay on the air seemingly forever and make money for their producers (and in Oprah's case, herself as well), why can't The Simpsons? Even though the program's best days are clearly behind it, it's still a powerhouse for Fox (particularly among young male demos), and its status as a heritage show means it'll continue to pull in significant revenue - no matter how well it does in the ratings.
Monday, July 14, 2008
TCA Notes: PBS and Fox
News Corp. (Fox, FX, Fox News, FSN)
Fox made its presentation on Monday, and covered a wide range of programs as well as Fox News. Among the highlights:
- Fox is considering a spinoff of Prison Break, and it's set in a women's prison. Hopefully, it's not like the dreadful comedy Women In Prison, which aired on Fox in 1987.
- Entertainment chief Kevin Reilly said there's a deal close for the writers of Sit Down, Shut Up a new mideason Fox animated comedy. The writing staff walked out several weeks ago after learning their were not being covered by the Writer's Guild, but by an animation guild (IATSE.)
- J.J. Abrams had a panel regarding Fringe, which debuts in September. He talks about the premise of the show. I read the articles about this, and I still don't know what it's about...
- Mike Darnell, head of Alternative programming at Fox, said the success of Wipeout won't hurt his show, Hole in the Wall. But what the critics should have done was storm the stage and beat the crap out of him for creating so many stupid reality shows for the network...
- Yeah, this get better... Fox News is now up, and the network defends its hiring of Bush stooge Karl Rove. As I said earlier with what should have happened with Mike Darnell... The session is quite testy, as Fox News execs wanted to turn the tables and grill the press. Yes, this is the network that gave us anchors who claim Obama is a terrorist because he does a fist bump. Guess Howie Mandel is one, too because he does the same thing - oh, that's right - he has a disease that prevents him from shaking people's hands. Mystery solved. Stay classy, Fox News. Because you lack a lot of it.
- To more intersting news, the producers of Sarah Connor Chrioncles say the action drama won't be as serialized as it was last season. Wait a minute, this is more intersting?
- Fox also plans to split up its' development cycle, in part because of the recent writers' strike. The net plans to hold May and December pilot screenings, and is offering comedy writers money to go out and put their ideas out on film or videotape.
Fox also had an animation panel featuring Matt Groening and Seth MacFarlane. I'll cover that in a separate post.
PBS
- PBS had its TCA sessions on Saturday, and is unveiling a new version of The Electric Company (one of yours truly's favorites growing up) from Sesame Workshop (formerly Children's Television Workshop) and will air as a weekly series.
On the more adult side of things, PBS plans to produce King Lear, and may show him naked (ewwww...) Other projects include a new mini-series from Ken Burns (PBS needs to make a statue for this guy in front of their headquarters), and a four-hour series on the history of Latin music.
Fox made its presentation on Monday, and covered a wide range of programs as well as Fox News. Among the highlights:
- Fox is considering a spinoff of Prison Break, and it's set in a women's prison. Hopefully, it's not like the dreadful comedy Women In Prison, which aired on Fox in 1987.
- Entertainment chief Kevin Reilly said there's a deal close for the writers of Sit Down, Shut Up a new mideason Fox animated comedy. The writing staff walked out several weeks ago after learning their were not being covered by the Writer's Guild, but by an animation guild (IATSE.)
- J.J. Abrams had a panel regarding Fringe, which debuts in September. He talks about the premise of the show. I read the articles about this, and I still don't know what it's about...
- Mike Darnell, head of Alternative programming at Fox, said the success of Wipeout won't hurt his show, Hole in the Wall. But what the critics should have done was storm the stage and beat the crap out of him for creating so many stupid reality shows for the network...
- Yeah, this get better... Fox News is now up, and the network defends its hiring of Bush stooge Karl Rove. As I said earlier with what should have happened with Mike Darnell... The session is quite testy, as Fox News execs wanted to turn the tables and grill the press. Yes, this is the network that gave us anchors who claim Obama is a terrorist because he does a fist bump. Guess Howie Mandel is one, too because he does the same thing - oh, that's right - he has a disease that prevents him from shaking people's hands. Mystery solved. Stay classy, Fox News. Because you lack a lot of it.
- To more intersting news, the producers of Sarah Connor Chrioncles say the action drama won't be as serialized as it was last season. Wait a minute, this is more intersting?
- Fox also plans to split up its' development cycle, in part because of the recent writers' strike. The net plans to hold May and December pilot screenings, and is offering comedy writers money to go out and put their ideas out on film or videotape.
Fox also had an animation panel featuring Matt Groening and Seth MacFarlane. I'll cover that in a separate post.
PBS
- PBS had its TCA sessions on Saturday, and is unveiling a new version of The Electric Company (one of yours truly's favorites growing up) from Sesame Workshop (formerly Children's Television Workshop) and will air as a weekly series.
On the more adult side of things, PBS plans to produce King Lear, and may show him naked (ewwww...) Other projects include a new mini-series from Ken Burns (PBS needs to make a statue for this guy in front of their headquarters), and a four-hour series on the history of Latin music.
This Bud's for You - In Belgium
Say goodbye to the American-owned beer maker.
St. Louis - based Anheuser-Busch was sold to Belgium-based brewer InBev for $52 billion, making it one of the largest acquisitions in history. It will be the world's largest brewer, ahead of SABMiller, owners of the Miller brand.
What this likely means is the company's ad agency accounts could be up for review. Anheuser-Busch works with large agencies in New York, as well as smaller shops in the St. Louis area. The company is one of television's largest advertisers and buys time on just about any sporting event you can think of.
Locally, Budweiser recently renewed an ad deal with the Chicago Cubs, a longtime sponsor with the team and advertises on WGN-TV broadcasts (but ironically, not those on Comcast SportsNet.)
St. Louis - based Anheuser-Busch was sold to Belgium-based brewer InBev for $52 billion, making it one of the largest acquisitions in history. It will be the world's largest brewer, ahead of SABMiller, owners of the Miller brand.
What this likely means is the company's ad agency accounts could be up for review. Anheuser-Busch works with large agencies in New York, as well as smaller shops in the St. Louis area. The company is one of television's largest advertisers and buys time on just about any sporting event you can think of.
Locally, Budweiser recently renewed an ad deal with the Chicago Cubs, a longtime sponsor with the team and advertises on WGN-TV broadcasts (but ironically, not those on Comcast SportsNet.)
All about the Windy City
Broadcasting & Cable has a profile of Chicago in its issue this week, and it talks about how Chicago's TV stations are handling the economy - as well as possible major events the city may be celebrating in the not-too-distant future (Obama's presidential bid, a Cubs-White Sox World Series, an Olympic bid...) The article also talks about news expansion and looking ahead to the 2008-09 television season.
The article also reveals how much Chicago stations have been ranking in. To no one's surprise, ABC-owned WLS-TV ranked in the most with 181.1 million, far ahead of Fox-owned WFLD-TV, which bad $149 million. Tribune's WGN outbilled NBC-owned WMAQ-TV and CBS O&O WBBM-TV - outstanding for a CW affiliate. You wonder if WGN took in more than The CW network itself...
The article also reveals how much Chicago stations have been ranking in. To no one's surprise, ABC-owned WLS-TV ranked in the most with 181.1 million, far ahead of Fox-owned WFLD-TV, which bad $149 million. Tribune's WGN outbilled NBC-owned WMAQ-TV and CBS O&O WBBM-TV - outstanding for a CW affiliate. You wonder if WGN took in more than The CW network itself...
Sunday, July 13, 2008
R.I.P. Tony Snow and Bobby Mercer
Two men had different paths in life, and both die of the same disease - cancer. Former Fox News commentator and White House press secretary Tony Snow and former Yankee great Bobby Mercer both died yesterday from cancer.
Snow died at the all too-young age of 53 from colon cancer. He was one of the original Fox News personalities when the cable net launched in 1996, and became President Bush's press secretary in 2006 when his cancer went into remission. But the cancer returned and he was sidelined for the most part, aside from a handful appearances on CNN.
Meanwhile, Mercer passed away on the same day of brain cancer at the age of 62. Mercer was a five-time All-Star for the New York Yankees and also later played for the Chicago Cubs. Mercer became the analyst for Yankees games on the YES Network, which netted him three Emmy Awards.
Snow died at the all too-young age of 53 from colon cancer. He was one of the original Fox News personalities when the cable net launched in 1996, and became President Bush's press secretary in 2006 when his cancer went into remission. But the cancer returned and he was sidelined for the most part, aside from a handful appearances on CNN.
Meanwhile, Mercer passed away on the same day of brain cancer at the age of 62. Mercer was a five-time All-Star for the New York Yankees and also later played for the Chicago Cubs. Mercer became the analyst for Yankees games on the YES Network, which netted him three Emmy Awards.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
TCA Notes: Spending a day with Turner
Turner's networks took center stage on Friday at the TCA Tour with a added bonus - a preview of Cartoon Network's Clone Wars:
-CNN: The all-news network unveiled its latest gizmo: A high tech touch screen used during this election system to break down election returns from counties. Yours truly saw this first-hand when it was used during the Indiana primary, when it broke down the statistics for Lake County (which contains the municilpalities of Hammond, Gary, Merrillville, Crown Point, and Dyer among others.) It does everything except discover dead voting patterns in Cook County.
CNN plans extensive coverage of this year's political conventions, in addition to documentaries such as Black In America.
-TBS: The biggest waste of time during TCA was the TBS presentation featuring the unfunny and overrated Frank Caliendo and his Frank TV abonimation, this decade's answer to Louie Anderson. He did his impressions during the show. No one laughed. Really, Caliendo should stick to annoying his Fox NFL Sunday co-hosts.
-TNT: The home to must-see dramas The Closer and Saving Grace unveils two new projects: Leverage, which is a new Robin Hood-type drama starring Timothy Hutton, and Raising The Bar, a new legal drama from Steven Bochco. Bar features former sitcom stars Mark Paul-Gosselar as a public defender and Jane Kaczmarek as a tough judge (she voiced the Judge Harm character on The Simpsons). Also featured is former ER star Gloria Reuben, who runs the public defender's office. Bar premieres Sept. 1.
-Cartoon Network/Adult Swim: All right, finally the main course... Cartoon Network's new Star Wars: Clone Wars was shown to the critics. Not just a clip... a whole episode! (lucky them.) The setting of the series takes place in between Episode 2 and Episode 3 of the movie franchise. The program used CGI animation, shot in HD and was available in Dolby Surround Sound 5.1.
In an unusual move, Clone Wars will premiere on August 10 on Cartoon Network and later on TNT- with a theatrical slated for release on August 15. The cable net ordered 22 episodes - the same number of episodes the major networks usually order for their prime-time scripted series.
Thought: If this pre-screened episode of Clone Wars is as strong as everyone say it is, then the Cartoon Network is on its way to shredding its reputation as "The Scooby-Doo Network", which it has been known as for way too long. Outside of Adult Swim, there hasn't been anything "must-see" about the so-called "must-see home for animation" for quite some time - until now.
(Editor's Note - There seems to be some confusion regarding the premiere date of the series on Cartoon Network. One publication says it's August 10 before the movie; others have stated a premiere date has not been set; a few others have said "Clone Wars" premieres in the fall. In other words, take the August premiere date with a grain of salt. I'll find out more info as it becomes available. - T.H.)
Updated 1:35 a.m. on 2008-07-16
-CNN: The all-news network unveiled its latest gizmo: A high tech touch screen used during this election system to break down election returns from counties. Yours truly saw this first-hand when it was used during the Indiana primary, when it broke down the statistics for Lake County (which contains the municilpalities of Hammond, Gary, Merrillville, Crown Point, and Dyer among others.) It does everything except discover dead voting patterns in Cook County.
CNN plans extensive coverage of this year's political conventions, in addition to documentaries such as Black In America.
-TBS: The biggest waste of time during TCA was the TBS presentation featuring the unfunny and overrated Frank Caliendo and his Frank TV abonimation, this decade's answer to Louie Anderson. He did his impressions during the show. No one laughed. Really, Caliendo should stick to annoying his Fox NFL Sunday co-hosts.
-TNT: The home to must-see dramas The Closer and Saving Grace unveils two new projects: Leverage, which is a new Robin Hood-type drama starring Timothy Hutton, and Raising The Bar, a new legal drama from Steven Bochco. Bar features former sitcom stars Mark Paul-Gosselar as a public defender and Jane Kaczmarek as a tough judge (she voiced the Judge Harm character on The Simpsons). Also featured is former ER star Gloria Reuben, who runs the public defender's office. Bar premieres Sept. 1.
-Cartoon Network/Adult Swim: All right, finally the main course... Cartoon Network's new Star Wars: Clone Wars was shown to the critics. Not just a clip... a whole episode! (lucky them.) The setting of the series takes place in between Episode 2 and Episode 3 of the movie franchise. The program used CGI animation, shot in HD and was available in Dolby Surround Sound 5.1.
In an unusual move, Clone Wars will premiere on August 10 on Cartoon Network and later on TNT- with a theatrical slated for release on August 15. The cable net ordered 22 episodes - the same number of episodes the major networks usually order for their prime-time scripted series.
Thought: If this pre-screened episode of Clone Wars is as strong as everyone say it is, then the Cartoon Network is on its way to shredding its reputation as "The Scooby-Doo Network", which it has been known as for way too long. Outside of Adult Swim, there hasn't been anything "must-see" about the so-called "must-see home for animation" for quite some time - until now.
(Editor's Note - There seems to be some confusion regarding the premiere date of the series on Cartoon Network. One publication says it's August 10 before the movie; others have stated a premiere date has not been set; a few others have said "Clone Wars" premieres in the fall. In other words, take the August premiere date with a grain of salt. I'll find out more info as it becomes available. - T.H.)
Updated 1:35 a.m. on 2008-07-16
How to fix The CW
Michael Schneider of Variety is the doctor and he has a spot-on prescription for what ails The CW. (as well as a commenter below - well, aside from the Moonlight plug.)
Friday, July 11, 2008
TCA Notes
Cable continues its ride through the press tour, with an emphasis on going green:
Discovery Networks (Discovery, Animal Planet, TLC.)
-Discovery: The Discovery Channel had a panel at the tour discussing a film titled Secrets of the Dinosaur Mummy, which chronicles the find of Leonardo, a extinct dinosaur found in Montana - which still stands with 90 percent of its skin still intact! The flick premieres Sept. 14.
Also, Discovery is launching Into the Unknown with Josh Bernstein, which takes the host through training from a Roman Gladiator to exploring whether or not a flood happened in the Bible.
-Planet Green: The new environmental-themed cable network has Greenburg on tap, a series produced by Leonardo DiCapio entering its second season. Also, former ABC journalist Bob Woodruff is anchoring a weekly news show titled Focus Earth, which focuses on the week that was in the environment. While at ABC News, Woodruff was nearly killed in Iraq in 2006 when a device exploded right near him.
Planet Green is also pitting hip-hop star Ludacris (aka Chris Bridges) against Motley Crue rocker Tommy Lee in an environmental battle titled Battle Ground Earth: Ludacris v. Tommy Lee. In the show, both men travel city to city in a bio-diesel bus to encourage people to do what they can do to conserve energy.
-Animal Planet: The network talked about a new show titled Whale Wars, which follows a whale-protecting ship named Sea Shepard. Think of it as Shipmates only in addition to couple-bating nonsense, Whale Wars at least has a purpose and mission. Save the whales! (seriously.)
-TLC: The Learning Channel's presentation consisted of programs regarding housing issues, such as "Flip That House", which it actually more interesting given the housing market crisis going on, and a new series titled Hope For Your Home.
ESPN
The Worldwide Leader in B.S. had Spike Lee on its panel discussing projects he's doing for the network, including Game Day With Kobe, which has 30 cameras on Kobe Bryant of the L.A. Lakers. (Guess his own New York Knicks isn't really interesting to cover...)
I'm surprised they didn't have a panel for The Brett Farve Show, which has practically taken over ESPN for the last day or so, or Titletown, a ridiculous search on what town in America deserves the moniker...
Sundance
The Sundance Channel had a panel touting Architecture School, which features an architecture class at Tulane University learning how to build an affordable home for a owner in New Orleans while keeping heating and cooling costs down at the same time. Elvis Costello is tapped to host a new music-themed talk show on Sundance featuring guests such as Elton John and Tony Bennett.
HBO
HBO execs and stars talked about a wide variety of subjects, ranging from Big Love (coming back in the fall) to Curb Your Enthusiasm (coming back by the end of the year), to Deadwood (not coming back at all and forget the movie.)
One movie that may see the light of day is a sequel to the Sex and the City movie.
A panel for the new mini-series Generation Kill appeared, and answered questions about the show, which premieres Sunday. The series is about the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Other topics included the movie Thank You: Helen Thomas, a new horror series titled True Blood, and the multi-camera comedy series Little Britain USA (remember the last time HBO tried something like that? Louie wasn't exactly lucky.)
Discovery Networks (Discovery, Animal Planet, TLC.)
-Discovery: The Discovery Channel had a panel at the tour discussing a film titled Secrets of the Dinosaur Mummy, which chronicles the find of Leonardo, a extinct dinosaur found in Montana - which still stands with 90 percent of its skin still intact! The flick premieres Sept. 14.
Also, Discovery is launching Into the Unknown with Josh Bernstein, which takes the host through training from a Roman Gladiator to exploring whether or not a flood happened in the Bible.
-Planet Green: The new environmental-themed cable network has Greenburg on tap, a series produced by Leonardo DiCapio entering its second season. Also, former ABC journalist Bob Woodruff is anchoring a weekly news show titled Focus Earth, which focuses on the week that was in the environment. While at ABC News, Woodruff was nearly killed in Iraq in 2006 when a device exploded right near him.
Planet Green is also pitting hip-hop star Ludacris (aka Chris Bridges) against Motley Crue rocker Tommy Lee in an environmental battle titled Battle Ground Earth: Ludacris v. Tommy Lee. In the show, both men travel city to city in a bio-diesel bus to encourage people to do what they can do to conserve energy.
-Animal Planet: The network talked about a new show titled Whale Wars, which follows a whale-protecting ship named Sea Shepard. Think of it as Shipmates only in addition to couple-bating nonsense, Whale Wars at least has a purpose and mission. Save the whales! (seriously.)
-TLC: The Learning Channel's presentation consisted of programs regarding housing issues, such as "Flip That House", which it actually more interesting given the housing market crisis going on, and a new series titled Hope For Your Home.
ESPN
The Worldwide Leader in B.S. had Spike Lee on its panel discussing projects he's doing for the network, including Game Day With Kobe, which has 30 cameras on Kobe Bryant of the L.A. Lakers. (Guess his own New York Knicks isn't really interesting to cover...)
I'm surprised they didn't have a panel for The Brett Farve Show, which has practically taken over ESPN for the last day or so, or Titletown, a ridiculous search on what town in America deserves the moniker...
Sundance
The Sundance Channel had a panel touting Architecture School, which features an architecture class at Tulane University learning how to build an affordable home for a owner in New Orleans while keeping heating and cooling costs down at the same time. Elvis Costello is tapped to host a new music-themed talk show on Sundance featuring guests such as Elton John and Tony Bennett.
HBO
HBO execs and stars talked about a wide variety of subjects, ranging from Big Love (coming back in the fall) to Curb Your Enthusiasm (coming back by the end of the year), to Deadwood (not coming back at all and forget the movie.)
One movie that may see the light of day is a sequel to the Sex and the City movie.
A panel for the new mini-series Generation Kill appeared, and answered questions about the show, which premieres Sunday. The series is about the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Other topics included the movie Thank You: Helen Thomas, a new horror series titled True Blood, and the multi-camera comedy series Little Britain USA (remember the last time HBO tried something like that? Louie wasn't exactly lucky.)
WMYD to launch new newscast
Detroit-area residents finally now have another news operation.
Granite-owned WMYD-TV, a My Network TV affiliate, is launching a new 10 p.m. newscast beginning on Monday titled TV 20 News at 10. The half-hour newscast is going head-to-head with Fox-owned WJBK-TV's long established 10 p.m. show.
This marks the first time there has been a competing newscast at 10 since 2005, when CBS-owned UPN affiliate (now CW) WKBD-TV canceled a newscast produced by a rival station. WKBD and sister station WWJ-TV once had a news operation, but it was shut in December 2002, leaving the Motor City with only three TV news operations - the smallest number in a top 20 market.
WMYD was once known as WXON-TV and WDWB-TV.
More news expansion: Fox-owned KTTV in Los Angeles is adding another newscast, this time at 10 a.m., after Good Day L.A. The half-hour newscast debuts this Monday.
Recently, sister station WFLD-TV here in Chicago expanded Good Day Chicago another hour, from 9 to 10 a.m.
Granite-owned WMYD-TV, a My Network TV affiliate, is launching a new 10 p.m. newscast beginning on Monday titled TV 20 News at 10. The half-hour newscast is going head-to-head with Fox-owned WJBK-TV's long established 10 p.m. show.
This marks the first time there has been a competing newscast at 10 since 2005, when CBS-owned UPN affiliate (now CW) WKBD-TV canceled a newscast produced by a rival station. WKBD and sister station WWJ-TV once had a news operation, but it was shut in December 2002, leaving the Motor City with only three TV news operations - the smallest number in a top 20 market.
WMYD was once known as WXON-TV and WDWB-TV.
More news expansion: Fox-owned KTTV in Los Angeles is adding another newscast, this time at 10 a.m., after Good Day L.A. The half-hour newscast debuts this Monday.
Recently, sister station WFLD-TV here in Chicago expanded Good Day Chicago another hour, from 9 to 10 a.m.
David Carradine drops F-bomb on WGN-TV
Oh boy, here we go... Kung Fu star David Carradine dropped the F-bomb on WGN Morning News today, who was immediately scolded by WGN anchor Larry Potash and apologizing on his behalf to viewers. Carradine was on the show to promote a new movie.
Nothing to see here folks, move along. After all, this is Chicago...
Nothing to see here folks, move along. After all, this is Chicago...
Thursday, July 10, 2008
TCA Notes
More from The TCA tour in La-La Land:
Viacom/MTV Networks: (CMT, MTV, VH-1, Comedy Central, TVLand)
- Comedy Central introduced a slew of projects, including a new version of camp classic The Gong Show with new host and alleged comedian Dave Attell. He's about as funny as Olivia Munn (hey, I used up my Jim Belushi jokes...) The last time The Gong Show aired was the failed 1988-89 syndicated revival, with Don Bleu as host (which WBBM-Channel 2, for some reason, stuck at 11 a.m. from September 1988 to January 1989.)
Comedy Central also introduced a new sketch comedy series from former In Living Color alum David Alan Grier called Chocolate News, a satirical take on contemporary stories.
- CMT is launching a second season of B-celebrity singing contest Gone Country, a success story for the cable net, as well as a new series called Outsiders Inn, featuring the unlikely pairings of Maureen McCormick, Bobby Brown, and Carnie Wilson as they open a country-themed bed and breakfast, premiering next month (all three appeared as contestants on the first season of Gone Country.) Good luck with that...
- TV Land introduces a new reality series featuring George Foreman. If it's just as good as his sitcom George (LOL)... TV Land is also renewing She's Got the Look, a modeling competition for women over the age of 35, and High School Reunion.
- VH-1 launches a new reality-competition series called Glam God with Vivica Fox and another reality show featuring comedienne Maraget Cho.
- MTV has one called From Gs to Gents, from executive producer Jamie Foxx. It's basically a charm school competition, with the winner receiving $100,000 and reverting back to a G.
Rainbow (AMC, We)
- That '60's show: The AMC drama Mad Men would end in 2010, and the final episode will be set in 1969, according to the show's producers. However, AMC has said there is no set timetable for the show to conclude. Mad Men is about the trials and tribulations about the ad industry in that period. Executive Producer Matthew Weiner says his program is a success, despite the small audiences for the drama.
- We TV, an entertainment network targeted toward women, launches a new reality series called The Locator, which helps individuals locate long-lost loved ones. The show premieres Sept. 6.
A&E
- A&E has its first new drama in years called The Cleaner, based on the life of Warren Boyd, who is also co-executive producer. It's about an ex-addict who pushes others to get clean. It debuts on Tuesday. Meanwhile, sister network The History Channel has new series Sandhogs on tap, but some critics questioned about the programming on the network, some of it having nothing to do with history at all.
National Geographic Channel
- NGeo unveiled a slate of new programs at the tour, including Dogtown, which narrates Michael vick's pitbulls stint through rehab; Exploration Week, which features explorations around the world; and World's Toughest Fixes, which deals with mechanical dilemmas and how they are fixed. I wonder if they plan a segment on the Miami Dolphins...
Viacom/MTV Networks: (CMT, MTV, VH-1, Comedy Central, TVLand)
- Comedy Central introduced a slew of projects, including a new version of camp classic The Gong Show with new host and alleged comedian Dave Attell. He's about as funny as Olivia Munn (hey, I used up my Jim Belushi jokes...) The last time The Gong Show aired was the failed 1988-89 syndicated revival, with Don Bleu as host (which WBBM-Channel 2, for some reason, stuck at 11 a.m. from September 1988 to January 1989.)
Comedy Central also introduced a new sketch comedy series from former In Living Color alum David Alan Grier called Chocolate News, a satirical take on contemporary stories.
- CMT is launching a second season of B-celebrity singing contest Gone Country, a success story for the cable net, as well as a new series called Outsiders Inn, featuring the unlikely pairings of Maureen McCormick, Bobby Brown, and Carnie Wilson as they open a country-themed bed and breakfast, premiering next month (all three appeared as contestants on the first season of Gone Country.) Good luck with that...
- TV Land introduces a new reality series featuring George Foreman. If it's just as good as his sitcom George (LOL)... TV Land is also renewing She's Got the Look, a modeling competition for women over the age of 35, and High School Reunion.
- VH-1 launches a new reality-competition series called Glam God with Vivica Fox and another reality show featuring comedienne Maraget Cho.
- MTV has one called From Gs to Gents, from executive producer Jamie Foxx. It's basically a charm school competition, with the winner receiving $100,000 and reverting back to a G.
Rainbow (AMC, We)
- That '60's show: The AMC drama Mad Men would end in 2010, and the final episode will be set in 1969, according to the show's producers. However, AMC has said there is no set timetable for the show to conclude. Mad Men is about the trials and tribulations about the ad industry in that period. Executive Producer Matthew Weiner says his program is a success, despite the small audiences for the drama.
- We TV, an entertainment network targeted toward women, launches a new reality series called The Locator, which helps individuals locate long-lost loved ones. The show premieres Sept. 6.
A&E
- A&E has its first new drama in years called The Cleaner, based on the life of Warren Boyd, who is also co-executive producer. It's about an ex-addict who pushes others to get clean. It debuts on Tuesday. Meanwhile, sister network The History Channel has new series Sandhogs on tap, but some critics questioned about the programming on the network, some of it having nothing to do with history at all.
National Geographic Channel
- NGeo unveiled a slate of new programs at the tour, including Dogtown, which narrates Michael vick's pitbulls stint through rehab; Exploration Week, which features explorations around the world; and World's Toughest Fixes, which deals with mechanical dilemmas and how they are fixed. I wonder if they plan a segment on the Miami Dolphins...
"Springer" going back to basics
NBC Universal's The Jerry Springer Show is dispensing with the circus freak-like sideshow and now just featuring the freak-like show.
The rabid talk show enters its eighteenth season this fall with a return to a format which features only a single story and more emphasis on the conflicts of the guests, which defined the program in the height of its popularity in the late 1990's. Gone are the midgets, the puppets, and the drunk reverend (I'm not making this up...)
Taping of the program resumes on August 11 at the NBC Tower.
Thought: (or should I say final thought...) It seems Jerry Springer has become a parody of itself over the last few years, becoming more and more sitcom-like with these weird characters. With a slight ratings decline this past season, it's no surprise the producers are returning to what worked best (or worst). But one could wonder if this soon can be the final call for Springer, as ratings are stagnant and the program's controversial content isn't bringing in any real revenue from advertising. A report a few months ago also stated that Tribune (which carries this show and Maury in most of its markets) may be stepping away from such fare as a result.
Much like other programs with controversial material in the past, like The Morton Downey Jr. Show (which was syndicated by MCA TV - the predecessor to Springer's current syndicator NBC Universal), the shows are stacked with direct response ads - 1-900-date commercials, "Women Gone Wild" videos, motor chairs, "K-tel" like-special offers, etc. Not exactly prime-time, blue-chip type of advertising. A Don Ohlmeyer- syndicated show hosted by Mike Conners dealing with notorious crimes was canceled in 1989 after a few months because of a lack of relevant advertising.
CBS' Swingtown is also suffering from this kind of fate. Recently, a direct-response ad ran during the show featuring a song-collection set.
Ironically, Springer escaped the wrath of the Parents Television Council and American Family Association after the Janet Jackson Super Bowl debacle in 2004, though both organizations have targeted Springer before then.
Interestingly enough, Springer's dysfunctional show has been eclipsed by the real-life political dysfunction you can see every day and night on the cable news networks... And quite honestly, that's more offensive.
The rabid talk show enters its eighteenth season this fall with a return to a format which features only a single story and more emphasis on the conflicts of the guests, which defined the program in the height of its popularity in the late 1990's. Gone are the midgets, the puppets, and the drunk reverend (I'm not making this up...)
Taping of the program resumes on August 11 at the NBC Tower.
Thought: (or should I say final thought...) It seems Jerry Springer has become a parody of itself over the last few years, becoming more and more sitcom-like with these weird characters. With a slight ratings decline this past season, it's no surprise the producers are returning to what worked best (or worst). But one could wonder if this soon can be the final call for Springer, as ratings are stagnant and the program's controversial content isn't bringing in any real revenue from advertising. A report a few months ago also stated that Tribune (which carries this show and Maury in most of its markets) may be stepping away from such fare as a result.
Much like other programs with controversial material in the past, like The Morton Downey Jr. Show (which was syndicated by MCA TV - the predecessor to Springer's current syndicator NBC Universal), the shows are stacked with direct response ads - 1-900-date commercials, "Women Gone Wild" videos, motor chairs, "K-tel" like-special offers, etc. Not exactly prime-time, blue-chip type of advertising. A Don Ohlmeyer- syndicated show hosted by Mike Conners dealing with notorious crimes was canceled in 1989 after a few months because of a lack of relevant advertising.
CBS' Swingtown is also suffering from this kind of fate. Recently, a direct-response ad ran during the show featuring a song-collection set.
Ironically, Springer escaped the wrath of the Parents Television Council and American Family Association after the Janet Jackson Super Bowl debacle in 2004, though both organizations have targeted Springer before then.
Interestingly enough, Springer's dysfunctional show has been eclipsed by the real-life political dysfunction you can see every day and night on the cable news networks... And quite honestly, that's more offensive.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
TCA Notes
As you know (or may not know), the Television Critics Association (or TCA) Press Tour is underway in Los Angeles, with cable nets rolling out its programs over the next couple of days:
-Hallmark: The network's original programming on tap this fall includes stars Jane Seymour, Ed Asner, Cheech Marin, Florence Henderson, and Donna Mills (If it features Donna Mills, you know I'll be watching...)
-HD Net: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban bores the audience about his HD Net channel and the upcoming movie he's premiering on VOD (video on demand) called Humboldt County - before it is released in theatres.
- Comcast (G4, Style, E!) The Attack of the Show crew decided to have a little fun with the press.... By the way, isn't Olivia Munn the biggest waste of talent to ever land on a TV screen? (I've seen Attack of the Show... she's couldn't host her way out of a paper bag.)
Style featured a woman who is trying to lose weight - she weighs over 500 pounds - and so far has lost 63 pounds. Her struggles will be documented in Ruby, set to debut this fall.
E! had a panel featuring Joel McHale of The Soup (formerly Talk Soup), talked about his show skewers celebrities and how reality-TV stars often contact him to be on the show (I guess your fifteen minutes of fame will never run out there...)
-TV One: There's already controversy at the tour, and no surprise - it involves Barack Obama. African-American targeted cable net TV One rankled a few critics announcing it was only covering the Democratic Convention (where Obama will be nominated) and not the Republican Convention. Sitting on the panel was comedian Sheryl Underwood, who is about as funny as Olivia Munn.
As for programming, TV One will feature unsolved '50's civil rights crimes as part of its fall line-up, as well as a new program featuring Judge Greg Mathis, who examines life in high-crime areas of Oakland and Newark.
- BBC America: Meanwhile, BBC America announced it has hired Ted Koppel and one of the net's honchos warned about Obama-Mania, i.e., over-coverage of Obama. The network will be at the Democratic and Republican Convention.
Yours truly will post more news from the tour from his house tomorrow... In the meantime, I've added a link to The Sidebar for websites you can go to for the latest up-to-the-date info on the press tour and more links will be added throughout the week. I've also added the latest TV Week Critics Poll to the sidebar as well, under Must Click Archive Posts. Yours truly will dissect the poll later in the week.
-Hallmark: The network's original programming on tap this fall includes stars Jane Seymour, Ed Asner, Cheech Marin, Florence Henderson, and Donna Mills (If it features Donna Mills, you know I'll be watching...)
-HD Net: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban bores the audience about his HD Net channel and the upcoming movie he's premiering on VOD (video on demand) called Humboldt County - before it is released in theatres.
- Comcast (G4, Style, E!) The Attack of the Show crew decided to have a little fun with the press.... By the way, isn't Olivia Munn the biggest waste of talent to ever land on a TV screen? (I've seen Attack of the Show... she's couldn't host her way out of a paper bag.)
Style featured a woman who is trying to lose weight - she weighs over 500 pounds - and so far has lost 63 pounds. Her struggles will be documented in Ruby, set to debut this fall.
E! had a panel featuring Joel McHale of The Soup (formerly Talk Soup), talked about his show skewers celebrities and how reality-TV stars often contact him to be on the show (I guess your fifteen minutes of fame will never run out there...)
-TV One: There's already controversy at the tour, and no surprise - it involves Barack Obama. African-American targeted cable net TV One rankled a few critics announcing it was only covering the Democratic Convention (where Obama will be nominated) and not the Republican Convention. Sitting on the panel was comedian Sheryl Underwood, who is about as funny as Olivia Munn.
As for programming, TV One will feature unsolved '50's civil rights crimes as part of its fall line-up, as well as a new program featuring Judge Greg Mathis, who examines life in high-crime areas of Oakland and Newark.
- BBC America: Meanwhile, BBC America announced it has hired Ted Koppel and one of the net's honchos warned about Obama-Mania, i.e., over-coverage of Obama. The network will be at the Democratic and Republican Convention.
Yours truly will post more news from the tour from his house tomorrow... In the meantime, I've added a link to The Sidebar for websites you can go to for the latest up-to-the-date info on the press tour and more links will be added throughout the week. I've also added the latest TV Week Critics Poll to the sidebar as well, under Must Click Archive Posts. Yours truly will dissect the poll later in the week.
Spike O'Dell in the home stretch
It looks like longtime WGN-AM morning host Spike O'Dell is heading into the home stretch. The Sun-Times is reporting the longtime morning personality is expected to either retire at the end of the year.
With a large salary and Tribune's cash crunch, it is unlikely O'Dell will return, unless he wants a cut with pay (and the way he sounds about his current gig, that's pretty remote.)
Names surfacing to replace O'Dell would be Steve Cochran (a good choice, IMO) and Bob Sirott.
The possible moves come as WGN-AM and the rest of Chicago radio is heading into the Portable People Meter era, set to begin in January. It could negatively impact stations with older audiences like WGN who are used to filling out diaries and is not familiar with techinical devices.
O'Dell ranked first among all morning shows according to Arbitron. WGN has had a hammerlock on the top spot for decades, dating back to the days of Wally Phillips.
With a large salary and Tribune's cash crunch, it is unlikely O'Dell will return, unless he wants a cut with pay (and the way he sounds about his current gig, that's pretty remote.)
Names surfacing to replace O'Dell would be Steve Cochran (a good choice, IMO) and Bob Sirott.
The possible moves come as WGN-AM and the rest of Chicago radio is heading into the Portable People Meter era, set to begin in January. It could negatively impact stations with older audiences like WGN who are used to filling out diaries and is not familiar with techinical devices.
O'Dell ranked first among all morning shows according to Arbitron. WGN has had a hammerlock on the top spot for decades, dating back to the days of Wally Phillips.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
The Osbournes to head variety show
The Osbournes hosting a variety show? Yes, it's true... Fox has ordered six episodes of a variety show hosted by Ozzy, Sharon, Kelly, and Jack from producer FremantleMedia, set to air next year. The Osbournes of course, headlined their own reality show on MTV from 2002 to 2005.
Thought: Remember the last segment that aired on The Simpsons' 138th Episode Spectacular where the Simpsons got their own variety show? Is this where FremantleMedia and the Osbournes got this idea?
Sorry, I'm not feeling it. The Osbournes are a wrong choice to headline a variety show in prime time, given nobody looks at them beyond their reality show and the variety format sadly doesn't work in today's television environment for English-language networks. The last time a major network aired a variety project was during the 1987-88 season, when Dolly Parton headlined a Sunday night show on ABC which flopped with both critics and viewers. In younger demos, Dolly was often beaten by Fox's Married... With Children.
A project like this - particularly with the Osbournes as hosts - would be more suited for a weekend late-fringe time slot. Prime-time variety shows are traditionally family-friendly, and the Osbournes are far from it, especially Ozzy with his potty mouth. A variety show works for Univision with Sabado Gigante on Saturdays, but not here with The Osbournes (and I would rather watch Sabado Gigante. Don Francisco rules!) With this new show, let's hope Ozzy doesn't sing - remember his rendention of Take Me Out To The Ballgame at Wrigley five years ago? (I know he was a rocker, but that was then...)
Interestingly enough, one of the Osbournes' daughters (Amy) decided not to participate in the show - similar to Lisa snubbing the idea in the Simpsons episode. Life imitates art?
Thought: Remember the last segment that aired on The Simpsons' 138th Episode Spectacular where the Simpsons got their own variety show? Is this where FremantleMedia and the Osbournes got this idea?
Sorry, I'm not feeling it. The Osbournes are a wrong choice to headline a variety show in prime time, given nobody looks at them beyond their reality show and the variety format sadly doesn't work in today's television environment for English-language networks. The last time a major network aired a variety project was during the 1987-88 season, when Dolly Parton headlined a Sunday night show on ABC which flopped with both critics and viewers. In younger demos, Dolly was often beaten by Fox's Married... With Children.
A project like this - particularly with the Osbournes as hosts - would be more suited for a weekend late-fringe time slot. Prime-time variety shows are traditionally family-friendly, and the Osbournes are far from it, especially Ozzy with his potty mouth. A variety show works for Univision with Sabado Gigante on Saturdays, but not here with The Osbournes (and I would rather watch Sabado Gigante. Don Francisco rules!) With this new show, let's hope Ozzy doesn't sing - remember his rendention of Take Me Out To The Ballgame at Wrigley five years ago? (I know he was a rocker, but that was then...)
Interestingly enough, one of the Osbournes' daughters (Amy) decided not to participate in the show - similar to Lisa snubbing the idea in the Simpsons episode. Life imitates art?
Chicago Tribune to cut 80 newsroom jobs
Mirroring the struggles the newspaper industry is experiencing nationwide, The Chicago Tribune announced Tuesday it is laying off 80 people in its newsroom and is reducing the number of pages in the publication.
The number laid off is actually 55, since 25 of those jobs were unfilled positions, left over from the last round of layoffs.
The Tribune's sister paper in Los Angeles (The Times) is also going through a restructuring, with 150 layoffs and reduction in pages.
The number laid off is actually 55, since 25 of those jobs were unfilled positions, left over from the last round of layoffs.
The Tribune's sister paper in Los Angeles (The Times) is also going through a restructuring, with 150 layoffs and reduction in pages.
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