In the Chicago area, a lot of people wonder how the mayor, the governor, and the Cook County Board President keep their jobs. In television circles, people pretty much feel the same way about CW network chief Dawn Ostroff.
Ostroff recently held an executive Q&A with reporters during the network's portion of the TCA Press Tour. And in the true tradition of a Chicago politician, she dodged questions about the fledgling net - from the Media Rights Capital deal on Sunday Nights to CW's future - while being quite arrogant in the process, according to this post on TV Barn. From what I read, the session was about as tense as Fox News' presentation on Monday. Obviously, Ostroff must have gotten pointers from lout Karl Rove on how to handle the crowd.
She admitted the last two years have been "very challenging" for the sixth-rated network, saying that "we made a lot of progress." Um, what progress? Your ratings were down for the second straight year. Yeah, that's some progress. You guys lost to Univision, which by the way - last time I checked, is beating the prime-time competition in New York and Los Angeles, and that includes CW.
While the net is going forward with its newly found love for young women, the net is casting off shows they feel don't appeal to the demo, like ratings winner Friday Night Smackdown, which usually wins its time period among adults 18-49. But the net also canceled Girlfriends without a series finale, alienating fans of the show - the very same female demo CW is courting, although the audience for Girlfriends was African-American.
While I thought it was time to retire Girlfriends, sending it off without a series finale was just crass. Doing a disservice to a loyal fanbase is just wrong. And it's just another reason why audiences hold network television in such low regard. Too bad advertisers and network exces themselves don't see it that way.
Ostroff pretty much refused to answer questions on why the network is abandoning the African-American audience by canceling Girlfriends and shifting the remaining two sitcoms - Everybody Hates Chris and The Game to the Friday Night Death Slot. In fact, she's abandoned sitcoms all together for dramas - most of which don't have any diversity, period. Better off that Gossip Girl be based in Salt Lake City rather than New York City. Oh wait, the naughty things they do in Gossip Girl you can't get away with in Utah, unless you want to marry more than one person.
She talks about those wonderful buzzwords "branding" and "flow" in justifying dropping the male-skewing Smackdown. Translation: What they are essentially doing is blowing up the place and starting over. There's a major difference. If we are talking about "branding" and "flow", why she didn't do that when the network launched in 2006? What did they do instead? Merge "the best" of The WB and UPN from the CW's corporate parents, Time Warner and CBS Corp.
It comes to late for at least one station. Tribune-owned KSWB-TV in San Diego is dumping CW for Fox next month while CW moves to former Fox affiliate XETV. Tribune owner Sam Zell obviously isn't pleased with CW's ratings, and some Tribune stations aren't even branding themselves with CW anymore (they are still promoting the network's lineup heavily.) One even changed its call letters.
WGN-TV in Chicago never really incorporated CW branding into its station to begin with, keeping it out of its news and sports telecasts (The CW 9 News at Noon just doesn't cut it.) Whatever branding they do use, they stick "The CW" at the end of the station's byline. Most Chicagoans still resonate WGN with the Cubs, Bozo, and Garfield Goose - not Gossip Girl and America's Next Top Model, and that's a huge problem for CW.
And if Tribune - which holds CW affiliations in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago - the three largest markets in the U.S. - isn't happy, what about Sinclair Broadcasting? Next to Tribune, they own the largest amount of CW affiliates. Sinclair owns nine CW stations in markets like Minneapolis, Raleigh-Durham, and Baltimore, among others. Other station groups are starting to gripe as well - if they aren't already.
And the Tribsters aren't waiting around for a back-up plan when and if CW implodes. Tribune stations are already looking into some prime-time programming ventures.
But it appears to me Ostroff is refusing to admit defeat - she's standing around spinning the problems into something positive, like she is doing with Gossip Girl. Hello, it's still not a hit - though there is some potential for growth. But the program hasn't attained hit status yet - no matter what the media says, and if you wonder if CW is paying them under the table for media outlets to spin the story the way they want to (hey, it works well in Chicago politics...)
And now, she's talking about the future - looking ahead to the 2009-10 season and considering starting the season in mid-summer.
Whoa, now hold on there... First, The CW might not even be around by then... Second - while a few shows have had success with new episodes during the summer months (Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, Northern Exposure, and Seinfeld to name a few), HUT and PUT levels are too low to launch a new season of programming that early, unless you're talking about reality shows. Talk about putting the cart before the horse.
The bottom line is, this is a make or break year for The CW. If the ratings fall even further, and they have to start providing make goods, then I think it's time to pull the plug. Young women - like young men - are watching TV less and less and watching online video more and more. The CW should have had this plan when the network was created. It's now too little, too late.
And if the network closes, Dawn Ostroff and other CW executives would be out of jobs. A possible scenario is they leave the television business, go into politics, and they all move to Chicago. With decision-impaired people in government residing here in the Windy City, Ostroff and her clan would fit right in.
God help us all.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
TCA: The CW takes center stage
The CW took center stage at the TCA Press Tour on Saturday, with perhaps the biggest breaking news of the tour thus far:
Shannen Doherty returns to 90210.
Yes, bad girl Shannen Doherty will appear in "multiple episodes" of the new version of 90210. She'll reprise her Brenda Walsh character, joining Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling, who'll also reprise their roles as Kelly Taylor and Donna Martin, respectively. The new 90210 premieres on Sept. 2, with a two-hour movie.
Of course, this is not the first time there was a sequel to a successful TV show. There has been successes, notably from the Star Trek, Degrassi, Scooby Doo, and Saved by the Bell franchises. Then again, for every one of those, there's Sanford, The New Odd Couple (with black actors!), DaVinci's City Hall, and the 1995 version of Get Smart (with drug fiend Andy Dick.)
Welcome back, Shannen. Though yours truly was relieved when she left 90210 in 1994, the program clearly lost some steps without her, and her replacement (Tiffany Amber-Thiessen) - from the original Saved by the Bell - proved she best stayed on Saturday morning TV.
90210 had a panel at TCA, and you can read a summary of it here. Yours truly will certainly give this sequel a shot (I watched the original version for seven years), and it it's good, I may stick around to see it. If it saves the ratings-challenged CW is another matter, though.
90210 is the centerpiece of a more young female-friendly schedule. The CW is launching some of its schedule on Labor Day Week. For the premiere dates, click here.
Meanwhile, The CW and Media Rights Capital plans to launch its new Sunday schedule on Sept. 21, the same night the Emmy Awards are scheduled.
There was also an executive session with CW chief Dawn Ostroff, and I'll address that in a Think Tank due out tomorrow (watch out, Dawn!)
TCA: The eye is on CBS
Part one of CBS' TCA session:
- Katie Couric isn't leaving The CBS Evening News. And the viewers aren't going to be watching her, either.
- CBS news executives talked about the presidential campaign and Obama's first trip overseas and the fact conservative critics could be chirping because a similar trip by John McCain in March didn't nearly gather much attention.
- An executive session with CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler, and she dishes out about Swingtown, Chicago native William Petersen exiting CSI after the season's tenth episode, and Moonlight (still?) She assured fans that there is no overhaul of The Price Is Right, unfortuantely meaning that Bob Barker won't come back.
- Panels were abound for many news CBS series, including The Ex List, and Worst Week - none of them particuarly interesting to mention here.
Other news:
Showtime
The preminum channel has a slew of projects on tap:
- The network ordered episodes a new drama titled Nurse Jackie starring The Sorpranos Edie Falco.
- Showtime renewed Lionsgate's Weeds for two 13 episode seasons, but The L Word ends next year - but there are plans for a spinoff series.
- Lock 'n' Load is a new reality show based at a gun shop in Colorado, featuring people who buy guns and the people who sell them.
- Penn and Teller's: Bullshit has been picked up for another season. Indeed.
CBS Television Distribution
One brief note: The new syndicated strip The Doctors will have their sponsorship and promotional considerations handled by Creative Television Marketing.
- Katie Couric isn't leaving The CBS Evening News. And the viewers aren't going to be watching her, either.
- CBS news executives talked about the presidential campaign and Obama's first trip overseas and the fact conservative critics could be chirping because a similar trip by John McCain in March didn't nearly gather much attention.
- An executive session with CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler, and she dishes out about Swingtown, Chicago native William Petersen exiting CSI after the season's tenth episode, and Moonlight (still?) She assured fans that there is no overhaul of The Price Is Right, unfortuantely meaning that Bob Barker won't come back.
- Panels were abound for many news CBS series, including The Ex List, and Worst Week - none of them particuarly interesting to mention here.
Other news:
Showtime
The preminum channel has a slew of projects on tap:
- The network ordered episodes a new drama titled Nurse Jackie starring The Sorpranos Edie Falco.
- Showtime renewed Lionsgate's Weeds for two 13 episode seasons, but The L Word ends next year - but there are plans for a spinoff series.
- Lock 'n' Load is a new reality show based at a gun shop in Colorado, featuring people who buy guns and the people who sell them.
- Penn and Teller's: Bullshit has been picked up for another season. Indeed.
CBS Television Distribution
One brief note: The new syndicated strip The Doctors will have their sponsorship and promotional considerations handled by Creative Television Marketing.
Friday, July 18, 2008
WISH-TV photographers shot in Indianapolis
I'm surprised it didn't happen here... or in Gary...
Two photographers for CBS affiliate WISH-TV in Indianapolis were shot by pellet guns while covering a house fire on the city's east side. The fire damaged a vacant home in the area, in which there are several.
A suspect is in custody for the shooting. (turned out the suspect was upset about the news media not covering a shooting that injured him.)
Yours truly read comments on the story on both the Chicago Tribune and Indianapolis Star's websites... Hello? Any sign of intelligent life here? Nice to know stupidity reigns on both sides of the state line.
Two photographers for CBS affiliate WISH-TV in Indianapolis were shot by pellet guns while covering a house fire on the city's east side. The fire damaged a vacant home in the area, in which there are several.
A suspect is in custody for the shooting. (turned out the suspect was upset about the news media not covering a shooting that injured him.)
Yours truly read comments on the story on both the Chicago Tribune and Indianapolis Star's websites... Hello? Any sign of intelligent life here? Nice to know stupidity reigns on both sides of the state line.
TCA: More ABC
Highlights from the second day of ABC's portion of the TCA tour:
ABC Showrunner fest
ABC had the showrunners from its popular dramas on a panel, incluidng those from Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, and Ugly Betty. University Park native Shonda Rimes assured everyone there is no feud between her and Katherine Heigi, who critized the writing staff of the show last year. Ugly Betty showrunner Silvo Horita suggested to Ms. Rimes that Helgi's character be put in a coma. Okay, then...
Meanwhile, Marc Cherry stated he wants to end Housewives after seven seasons - but ABC chief Stephen McPherson shouted from the back of the room "Not gonna happen!" Which basically means he wants the show to last as long as The Simpsons - meaning Teri Hatcher could be 75 and Eva Longoria might be on her fourth marriage before this show ends... In other news:
Disney-ABC Domestic Television Distribution
In a rather unusual move for a first-run syndicated show, Disney's new fantasy/sci-fi action hour titled Wizard's First Rule premieres on the weekend of Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. Produced by ABC Studios, the program is cleared in 95 percent of the country, including WGN-TV in Chicago.
In the past, first-run syndicated hours (or half-hours) usually premiered either in late September or early October. Even in 1988, when a writers' strike delayed production of many programs, new syndicated scripted fare (War of the Worlds, My Secret Identity, Superboy, etc.) debuted the weekend of Oct. 8.
By the way, yes, Jerry O'Connell was in My Secret Identity.
Disney Channel
The Disney Channel brought out the cast of the latest Cheetah Girls movie to the press. The movie is set in India (and filmed there on location) and deals with the Bollywood scene. The movie, titled The Cheetah Girls One World, debuts later this year.
ABC Family
The cable net formerly known as CBN, The Family Channel, and Fox Family Channel had a lot to toot: The Secret Life of an American Teenager has been green-lighted for thirteen more episodes and is launching a new-miniseries titled Samurai in September. Meanwhile, the second season of Greek on Aug. 26 and the third season of Lincoln Heights on September 16.
ABC Showrunner fest
ABC had the showrunners from its popular dramas on a panel, incluidng those from Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, and Ugly Betty. University Park native Shonda Rimes assured everyone there is no feud between her and Katherine Heigi, who critized the writing staff of the show last year. Ugly Betty showrunner Silvo Horita suggested to Ms. Rimes that Helgi's character be put in a coma. Okay, then...
Meanwhile, Marc Cherry stated he wants to end Housewives after seven seasons - but ABC chief Stephen McPherson shouted from the back of the room "Not gonna happen!" Which basically means he wants the show to last as long as The Simpsons - meaning Teri Hatcher could be 75 and Eva Longoria might be on her fourth marriage before this show ends... In other news:
Disney-ABC Domestic Television Distribution
In a rather unusual move for a first-run syndicated show, Disney's new fantasy/sci-fi action hour titled Wizard's First Rule premieres on the weekend of Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. Produced by ABC Studios, the program is cleared in 95 percent of the country, including WGN-TV in Chicago.
In the past, first-run syndicated hours (or half-hours) usually premiered either in late September or early October. Even in 1988, when a writers' strike delayed production of many programs, new syndicated scripted fare (War of the Worlds, My Secret Identity, Superboy, etc.) debuted the weekend of Oct. 8.
By the way, yes, Jerry O'Connell was in My Secret Identity.
Disney Channel
The Disney Channel brought out the cast of the latest Cheetah Girls movie to the press. The movie is set in India (and filmed there on location) and deals with the Bollywood scene. The movie, titled The Cheetah Girls One World, debuts later this year.
ABC Family
The cable net formerly known as CBN, The Family Channel, and Fox Family Channel had a lot to toot: The Secret Life of an American Teenager has been green-lighted for thirteen more episodes and is launching a new-miniseries titled Samurai in September. Meanwhile, the second season of Greek on Aug. 26 and the third season of Lincoln Heights on September 16.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
2008 Emmy Award nominations
Cable cleaned up in the 2008 Emmy nominations, with 85 nominations for HBO (but none for Best drama series) and nominations for Best Drama landing in Mad Men's and Damages' lap -- marking the first time two basic cable series competed in the category.
Despite ABC nabbing 76 nominations - the most of any of the broadcast nets - its trio of Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, and Ugly Betty were all snubbed (and with good reason.)
HBO's John Adams had 23 nominations; NBC's 30 Rock had 17 (17 too many.)
In the Outstanding Animated Program category (one hour or more), hated rivals Family Guy and South Park have one program each nominated: Blue Harvest and Imaginationland, respectively, joined by Warner Bros.' Justice League: The New Frontier.
Here's one that's eye-popping: Deal or No Deal's Howie Mandel was nominated for best reality/competition host.
To see the complete list of Emmy nominations, click here.
Despite ABC nabbing 76 nominations - the most of any of the broadcast nets - its trio of Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, and Ugly Betty were all snubbed (and with good reason.)
HBO's John Adams had 23 nominations; NBC's 30 Rock had 17 (17 too many.)
In the Outstanding Animated Program category (one hour or more), hated rivals Family Guy and South Park have one program each nominated: Blue Harvest and Imaginationland, respectively, joined by Warner Bros.' Justice League: The New Frontier.
Here's one that's eye-popping: Deal or No Deal's Howie Mandel was nominated for best reality/competition host.
To see the complete list of Emmy nominations, click here.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
NBC to televise Outdoor NHL Classic - featuring Hawks and Wings at Wrigley
It's official: The third NHL Winter Outdoor Classic is being held at Wrigley Field here in Chicago featuring the Chicago Blackhawaks and the Detroit Red Wings. The two Original Six rivals will met for the 701st time on January 1, 2009 at Wrigley in a game to be televised by NBC in the United States and possibly by the CBC in Canada.
This year's outdoor game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. drew a sellout crowd and a 2.6 Nielsen household rating and a 5 household share for NBC.
TCA: ABC, You and Me
The first of the Big Three started its' presentation today at the TCA Press Tour. First up, ABC and its two-parter:
- Odd sight: A reporter for the "Sarasota N.Y. newspaper" asks if ABC is courting Jay Leno. Turns out the reporter is... Jimmy Kimmel! He dashes about before real journalists asked him about... well, you know...
- ABC chief Stephen McPherson touched on a lot of issues in his one-hour executive session, and defended Katherine Helgi, despite a developing feud between her and Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rimes. McPherson is also putting promotion muscle behind its Sunday Night lineup, which is competing hard with NBC and Fox.
- At the Eli Stone panel, producer Greg Berlanti revealed the bigger spectacle the show is (musicial numbers, huge computer-generated scenes, and special guest stars) the more fun the show becomes. For them, at least.
- ABC next had a panel on its new Life on Mars drama (and for the last time, it's NOT a sci-fi show!), tand the participants discuss about setting and the filming the program in New York City. The show is based on the BBC drama of the same name, about a cop who travels back to the 1970s.
- Now, about Private Practice - the hour-long Grey's Anatomy spinoff has been critized for too-much soap-operaness. ABC exces hope this upcoming season Practice hits its stride, with more medicial-related drama and action around the hospital.
- On ABC's reality/competition beat: The network has ordered more episodes of surprise hit Wipeout, but hadn't said anything about The Mole, which hasn't done as well in the ratings.
- On to Scrubs - It looks like the program may not be headed to the sunset after all. The program is moving to ABC in mid-season from NBC. McPherson is considering brining the show back beyond 2009 with a new cast - similar to what has been done with ER (really, really dumb idea... How do these guys keep their jobs?) The network also plans webisodes and to shoot the medicial comedy in HD for the first time.
- ABC had a panel on new traveling game show Opportunity Knocks from executive producer Ashton Kutcher, and it was a rather interesting one. Kutcher took the stage and defended the reality TV genre, which critics often frown down on. They played the game with critics by digging up information on each and every one of them. Remember what I said earlier about critics storming the stage?
Finally, ABC has released the premiere dates for its fall schedule. Click here to see.
- Odd sight: A reporter for the "Sarasota N.Y. newspaper" asks if ABC is courting Jay Leno. Turns out the reporter is... Jimmy Kimmel! He dashes about before real journalists asked him about... well, you know...
- ABC chief Stephen McPherson touched on a lot of issues in his one-hour executive session, and defended Katherine Helgi, despite a developing feud between her and Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rimes. McPherson is also putting promotion muscle behind its Sunday Night lineup, which is competing hard with NBC and Fox.
- At the Eli Stone panel, producer Greg Berlanti revealed the bigger spectacle the show is (musicial numbers, huge computer-generated scenes, and special guest stars) the more fun the show becomes. For them, at least.
- ABC next had a panel on its new Life on Mars drama (and for the last time, it's NOT a sci-fi show!), tand the participants discuss about setting and the filming the program in New York City. The show is based on the BBC drama of the same name, about a cop who travels back to the 1970s.
- Now, about Private Practice - the hour-long Grey's Anatomy spinoff has been critized for too-much soap-operaness. ABC exces hope this upcoming season Practice hits its stride, with more medicial-related drama and action around the hospital.
- On ABC's reality/competition beat: The network has ordered more episodes of surprise hit Wipeout, but hadn't said anything about The Mole, which hasn't done as well in the ratings.
- On to Scrubs - It looks like the program may not be headed to the sunset after all. The program is moving to ABC in mid-season from NBC. McPherson is considering brining the show back beyond 2009 with a new cast - similar to what has been done with ER (really, really dumb idea... How do these guys keep their jobs?) The network also plans webisodes and to shoot the medicial comedy in HD for the first time.
- ABC had a panel on new traveling game show Opportunity Knocks from executive producer Ashton Kutcher, and it was a rather interesting one. Kutcher took the stage and defended the reality TV genre, which critics often frown down on. They played the game with critics by digging up information on each and every one of them. Remember what I said earlier about critics storming the stage?
Finally, ABC has released the premiere dates for its fall schedule. Click here to see.
A bunch of stuff
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.
- 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.
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.
New hire at Tribune
Remember when I said last week about Cara Carriveau returning to radio and one of her former bosses was out of the business? Well, that individual has landed a new job as well.
Tim Dukes, who was fired by WLUP-FM in February 2007, has landed at Tribune Co. as Vice-President of promotions for its broadcasting and interactive. Dukes previously held a position at Wachovia Securities. How was he hired? According to Radio & Records (jokingly, of course):
"I ignored Marc [Chase] and Sean [Compton] at first," Dukes says of the duo's overtures. "I was finally in a respectable career and hoped they'd stop calling. Then they showed up in my office lobby, and, like Jake and Elwood in The Blues Brothers restaurant scene, set out to embarrass me at work: tossing food into each others mouths, locking arms while eating shrimp cocktail and talking in lousy French accents. I resigned on the spot just so they'd knock it off."
Talk about bypassing human resources...
Tim Dukes, who was fired by WLUP-FM in February 2007, has landed at Tribune Co. as Vice-President of promotions for its broadcasting and interactive. Dukes previously held a position at Wachovia Securities. How was he hired? According to Radio & Records (jokingly, of course):
"I ignored Marc [Chase] and Sean [Compton] at first," Dukes says of the duo's overtures. "I was finally in a respectable career and hoped they'd stop calling. Then they showed up in my office lobby, and, like Jake and Elwood in The Blues Brothers restaurant scene, set out to embarrass me at work: tossing food into each others mouths, locking arms while eating shrimp cocktail and talking in lousy French accents. I resigned on the spot just so they'd knock it off."
Talk about bypassing human resources...
Monday, July 07, 2008
Amy Jacobson sues Channel 2
Former WMAQ-TV reporter Amy Jacobson has sued CBS Corp. and its owned-and-operated station here in Chicago (WBBM-TV) for airing a video of her last year in the backyard of Craig Stebic's house, wearing nothing but a bikini top and a towel around her waist.
Craig Stebic is the husband of missing woman Lisa Stebic, who vanished over a year ago, and some have supsepcted that he had something to do with her disapearence.
The tape, shot from a neighbor's backyard, led WMAQ to fire Jacobson after eleven years and has claimed the incident has kept her from finding work. She also claims she and her husband were forced to move from her North Side home and move to a cramped apartment across the street.
Jacobson claims the tape was edited in a way "to create the appearance of an ‘illicit’ relationship,” according to the lawsuit.
Named in the suit are station boss Joe Ahern, news director Carol Fowler, anchor Rob Johnson, as well as a Channel 2 reporter, a Northwestern University Assistant Professor, and the next door neighbor who let Channel 2 shoot the video.
T Dog's Think Tank: Local media blows it again (language advisory at bottom of post - hey, I didn't put it there...)
Craig Stebic is the husband of missing woman Lisa Stebic, who vanished over a year ago, and some have supsepcted that he had something to do with her disapearence.
The tape, shot from a neighbor's backyard, led WMAQ to fire Jacobson after eleven years and has claimed the incident has kept her from finding work. She also claims she and her husband were forced to move from her North Side home and move to a cramped apartment across the street.
Jacobson claims the tape was edited in a way "to create the appearance of an ‘illicit’ relationship,” according to the lawsuit.
Named in the suit are station boss Joe Ahern, news director Carol Fowler, anchor Rob Johnson, as well as a Channel 2 reporter, a Northwestern University Assistant Professor, and the next door neighbor who let Channel 2 shoot the video.
T Dog's Think Tank: Local media blows it again (language advisory at bottom of post - hey, I didn't put it there...)
Tennis fans cry fault to KSDK
You'd think KSDK-TV in St. Louis was doing the right thing when it decided to drop its Wimbledon coverage to air something they thought was more important, like a Cubs-Cardinals game.
Nah.
The Gannett-owned NBC affiliate shunted the Men's Final featuring Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer to a split-screen while the Cubs-Cardinals game was on and with audio, meaning tennis fans didn't hear what was going on.
The move generated angry responses from both baseball and tennis fans, with acqusations being lobbed at both KSDK and the Cardinals, since the KSDK contract prevents them from moving the games to another channel because of sports overruns. Advertisers would be upset if this was the case (especially the largest advertiser of Cardinal games - St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch - St. Louis-based for now.)
One solution was to move the tennis game to a digital sub-channel they had, like Weather Plus on 5.2. It was a nice day in St. Louis on Sunday, wasn't it? My Network TV affiliate WRBU-TV was also available since it has carried sporting events pre-empted by Cardinals games in the past, but the station wasn't notified.
And the Cubs-Cards game was also carried nationally on TBS, but was blacked out because of Major League Baseball rules probhiting out-of-town broadcasts if a local outlet holds the rights (except for ESPN's Monday Night Baseball.)
But whatever the situation, viewers watched. According to a poster on TV Barn, the Wimbledon match earned a 9.8 household rating and 21 household share from 1:45 to 2 p.m. When the Cardinals game started (and the tennis match went to a split-screen), the ratings surged to a 13.8/23.
Of course, this isn't the first time St. Louis TV viewers were upset about a bone-headed move.
After Super Bowl XL aired, ABC affiliate KDNL-TV - a station with no newscast or news presence - decided to delay a heavily promoted episode of Grey's Anatomy for a Super Bowl post-game show, despite the fact the St. Louis Rams did not play in the game. The move angered viewers, and complaints poured in to KDNL, parent Sinclair Broadcasting, and TV Critic Gail Pennington's blog at the Post-Dispatch.
But of course, when money's involved - you never learn from your mistakes.
But the biggest justification in all this - the Cardinals lost 7-1 to the Cubs, and the Cards fell into a tie for second place with the Milwaukee Brewers - who picked up ace C.C. Sabathia yesterday from Cleveland. Wait 'til next year...
Nah.
The Gannett-owned NBC affiliate shunted the Men's Final featuring Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer to a split-screen while the Cubs-Cardinals game was on and with audio, meaning tennis fans didn't hear what was going on.
The move generated angry responses from both baseball and tennis fans, with acqusations being lobbed at both KSDK and the Cardinals, since the KSDK contract prevents them from moving the games to another channel because of sports overruns. Advertisers would be upset if this was the case (especially the largest advertiser of Cardinal games - St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch - St. Louis-based for now.)
One solution was to move the tennis game to a digital sub-channel they had, like Weather Plus on 5.2. It was a nice day in St. Louis on Sunday, wasn't it? My Network TV affiliate WRBU-TV was also available since it has carried sporting events pre-empted by Cardinals games in the past, but the station wasn't notified.
And the Cubs-Cards game was also carried nationally on TBS, but was blacked out because of Major League Baseball rules probhiting out-of-town broadcasts if a local outlet holds the rights (except for ESPN's Monday Night Baseball.)
But whatever the situation, viewers watched. According to a poster on TV Barn, the Wimbledon match earned a 9.8 household rating and 21 household share from 1:45 to 2 p.m. When the Cardinals game started (and the tennis match went to a split-screen), the ratings surged to a 13.8/23.
Of course, this isn't the first time St. Louis TV viewers were upset about a bone-headed move.
After Super Bowl XL aired, ABC affiliate KDNL-TV - a station with no newscast or news presence - decided to delay a heavily promoted episode of Grey's Anatomy for a Super Bowl post-game show, despite the fact the St. Louis Rams did not play in the game. The move angered viewers, and complaints poured in to KDNL, parent Sinclair Broadcasting, and TV Critic Gail Pennington's blog at the Post-Dispatch.
But of course, when money's involved - you never learn from your mistakes.
But the biggest justification in all this - the Cardinals lost 7-1 to the Cubs, and the Cards fell into a tie for second place with the Milwaukee Brewers - who picked up ace C.C. Sabathia yesterday from Cleveland. Wait 'til next year...
WGN signs Mark Suppelsa to take on Katie, Brian, and Charlie
For the first time ever in Chicago, viewers will have a real option to the network evening newscasts.
As expected, Tribune-owned WGN-TV has signed former WMAQ-TV and WFLD-TV Mark Suppelsa, renewed the contract of longtime veteran Steve Sanders and is expanding the station's newscasts.
Suppelsa left Fox-owned WFLD in a contract dispute a few months ago and was slated to sign with WGN after his contract with WFLD and the period for the station to match any offer a competitor brought on expired .
Supplesa will now co-anchor alongside Allison Payne at 9 p.m. as well as a new half-hour 5:30 p.m. newscast, while Steve Sanders will join Micah Materre in an expanded midday newscast, running from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The added hour now brings the total number of hours a day WGN programs with news to seven.
The move come as more and more stations are expanding to take on the national newscasts. WGN-TV's sister station in Denver (KWGN-TV) launches a new 5:30 p.m. newscast today, while Raycom's Fox affiliate in Cincinnati (WXIX-TV) launches a new 6:30 p.m. newscast next month to take on Katie, Brian, and Charlie in that market. Several Fox O&O's in New York, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, Detroit, Washington, D.C., and other places already have early evening newscasts.
Analysis: WGN's move comes as just another example of how rapidly the broadcast environment for local stations is changing.
Traditionally, non-traditional affiliates (Fox, UPN, WB, and independent stations) targeted younger viewers from 5 to 7 p.m. with off-network sitcoms, leading out of kids' animation fare.
But since the beginning of the decade, stations began bailing out of kids' animation altogether and the off-network sitcom market has nearly dried up, with the networks preferring to air reality shows over sitcoms in the last few years, making fewer product available. Today's younger viewers have either migrated to cable in the late afternoon (early fringe) and early evening (prime access) hours, or aren't watching TV at all.
Meanwhile, the demand for news has never been greater, with several stories (Obama's presidential bid, Chicago's run for the Olympics, the economy, etc.) generating plenty interest. Expanding local news to meet the demand makes financial sense, as targeting the older demos (18-49's and 25-54s) have become more attractive than paying for and airing C-level off-network sitcoms that won't draw viewers and earns little revenue. Ratings for local newscasts in Chicago have remained constant, despite the growing number of choices available in the marketplace (on the other hand, some markets like St. Louis have seen local news ratings decrease for years, with ABC affiliate KDNL-TV bailing out several years ago.)
Snapping up Mark Suppelsa was a smart move for WGN, and starting a 5:30 p.m. newscast was an even smarter one. As for its' crosstown competitor, WFLD-TV considered starting a dinner-hour newscast but never did, preferring to stick with syndicated repeats of The Simpsons and Malcolm in the Middle. Instead, it expanded Good Day Chicago an hour to 10 a.m. and added a 10 p.m newscast.
Despite popular Fox prime-time lead-ins, the WFLD newscast Suppelsa was on has never capitalized, as the station's 9 p.m. newscast has floundered for years. WGN is one of the very few CW affiliates in the country to beat a Fox station at 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., given the weak lead-ins from its network. Does the ratings reversal say more about WFLD's lackluster news operation, or The CW's weak prime-time lineup? Both.
I think WGN will do well enough to finish second behind ABC's Charlie Gibson and beat Brian Williams and Katie Couric, particularly with the latter having trouble finding an audience in Chicago and elsewhere. WGN's 5:30 p.m. newscast is likely to be sandwiched between sitcoms (According to Jim and Two and a Half Men), but you've got to start somewhere. My prediction is WGN's 5:30 p.m. newscast will become a 5 p.m. newscast for a full hour within two years.
As expected, Tribune-owned WGN-TV has signed former WMAQ-TV and WFLD-TV Mark Suppelsa, renewed the contract of longtime veteran Steve Sanders and is expanding the station's newscasts.
Suppelsa left Fox-owned WFLD in a contract dispute a few months ago and was slated to sign with WGN after his contract with WFLD and the period for the station to match any offer a competitor brought on expired .
Supplesa will now co-anchor alongside Allison Payne at 9 p.m. as well as a new half-hour 5:30 p.m. newscast, while Steve Sanders will join Micah Materre in an expanded midday newscast, running from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The added hour now brings the total number of hours a day WGN programs with news to seven.
The move come as more and more stations are expanding to take on the national newscasts. WGN-TV's sister station in Denver (KWGN-TV) launches a new 5:30 p.m. newscast today, while Raycom's Fox affiliate in Cincinnati (WXIX-TV) launches a new 6:30 p.m. newscast next month to take on Katie, Brian, and Charlie in that market. Several Fox O&O's in New York, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, Detroit, Washington, D.C., and other places already have early evening newscasts.
Analysis: WGN's move comes as just another example of how rapidly the broadcast environment for local stations is changing.
Traditionally, non-traditional affiliates (Fox, UPN, WB, and independent stations) targeted younger viewers from 5 to 7 p.m. with off-network sitcoms, leading out of kids' animation fare.
But since the beginning of the decade, stations began bailing out of kids' animation altogether and the off-network sitcom market has nearly dried up, with the networks preferring to air reality shows over sitcoms in the last few years, making fewer product available. Today's younger viewers have either migrated to cable in the late afternoon (early fringe) and early evening (prime access) hours, or aren't watching TV at all.
Meanwhile, the demand for news has never been greater, with several stories (Obama's presidential bid, Chicago's run for the Olympics, the economy, etc.) generating plenty interest. Expanding local news to meet the demand makes financial sense, as targeting the older demos (18-49's and 25-54s) have become more attractive than paying for and airing C-level off-network sitcoms that won't draw viewers and earns little revenue. Ratings for local newscasts in Chicago have remained constant, despite the growing number of choices available in the marketplace (on the other hand, some markets like St. Louis have seen local news ratings decrease for years, with ABC affiliate KDNL-TV bailing out several years ago.)
Snapping up Mark Suppelsa was a smart move for WGN, and starting a 5:30 p.m. newscast was an even smarter one. As for its' crosstown competitor, WFLD-TV considered starting a dinner-hour newscast but never did, preferring to stick with syndicated repeats of The Simpsons and Malcolm in the Middle. Instead, it expanded Good Day Chicago an hour to 10 a.m. and added a 10 p.m newscast.
Despite popular Fox prime-time lead-ins, the WFLD newscast Suppelsa was on has never capitalized, as the station's 9 p.m. newscast has floundered for years. WGN is one of the very few CW affiliates in the country to beat a Fox station at 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., given the weak lead-ins from its network. Does the ratings reversal say more about WFLD's lackluster news operation, or The CW's weak prime-time lineup? Both.
I think WGN will do well enough to finish second behind ABC's Charlie Gibson and beat Brian Williams and Katie Couric, particularly with the latter having trouble finding an audience in Chicago and elsewhere. WGN's 5:30 p.m. newscast is likely to be sandwiched between sitcoms (According to Jim and Two and a Half Men), but you've got to start somewhere. My prediction is WGN's 5:30 p.m. newscast will become a 5 p.m. newscast for a full hour within two years.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
T Dog's Think Tank - WGN's America: A concept you can't ignore
Every move you make, I'll be watching you... Creepy!
Hold the flag above your heads kids, because there is a network that will make you proud to waive the red, white, and blue this 4th of July. But it doesn't have an American flag as part of its logo. And the programming (crummy as it is) hasn't really changed. Yet.
Several weeks ago, Superstation WGN quietly went under a makeover becoming WGN America in the process. The national version of WGN-TV in Chicago also unveiled a new logo (to some, just as creepy as the Screen Gems "S from Hell" and Viacom's "V of Doom" animated logos from the 1970's) and a new slogan: "TV you can't ignore".
But will viewers ignore WGN?
For the last couple of years, viewers have. On any given moment, you could land on fare such as The Beverly Hillbillies, Moesha, and/or The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - shows that run on at least eleven other channels. Most people who now watch the channel only tune in for WGN's news and Chicago's sports teams, instead of programming wonders like America's Funniest Home Videos - you know, the versions without Bob Saget (a.k.a, the ones viewers don't care for.)
But of course, it wasn't always this way.
In 1978, two years after Ted Turner beamed WTBS to a satellite and a superstation was born, United Video followed and put WGN's signal on satellite, giving America the Cubs, Ray Rayner, Bozo, and Phil Donahue.
WGN was a successful independent station in the 1980's, and drew viewers nationally. But two words brought the growth of Superstation WGN to a screeching halt:
Syndicated exclusively, or for short, syndex.
The FCC rule returned after a decade-long hiatus in 1990, and wrecked havoc with superstations' schedules. While WTBS kept its' schedule blackout-free because it bought national rights to all of its programs, Superstations WGN and WWOR-TV in New York had to fill in holes by airing replacement programming on cable systems if the syndicated program had syndex restrictions (it's real interesting the FCC wants to remove cross-ownership rules, but not the syndex one.)
For example, when WGN aired Cheers or Hunter locally in the Chicago market, WGN Superstation would air second-tier older fare, such as Ghost Story/Circle of Fear, two mostly forgotten anthology programs from the early 1970's sewn up together to air in syndication.
In other words, WGN was forced to trade the adventures of Fred Dryer and Stephanie Kramer for Sebastian Cabot presiding over a lame collection of ghost stories. Cabot - late of Family Affair - was probably thinking, "Why am I hosting this crap?" Mr. French was swept out in the great cancellation purge at CBS in 1971 and this is where he ended up. Sad.
As years went on, WGN's local and national identity would separate, as more and more programs on WGN became blacked out and the superstation wound up airing more and more second and third-tier fare. Today, both are barely identical to one another, as the only time both simulcast is during sports telecasts and the noon and 9 p.m. news.
Even some programs that air on WGN America (24, Reno 911!) do not air locally over WGN-TV, but on other stations in Chicago.
Others (Corner Gas) aren't seen in the Chicago market at all, unless you're a satellite subscriber (WGN America is only carried on satellite in the Chicago area.)
With slumping ratings, the new regime at Tribune under new owner Sam Zell are committing themselves to turning around the channel, by first changing the name from the awkward-sounding Superstation WGN to WGN America, and a new slogan - "TV you can't ignore" - a play on a old Jacor slogan used for its radio stations - "Radio you can't ignore". You can tell this is the marketing magic of current Tribune COO Randy Michaels, an individual who worked under Zell at Jacor.
And now comes the programming revamp: On June 8, WGN America launched Out of Sight Retro Night, which features retro sitcoms every Sunday night. Doing the voice-overs is none other than American Top 40's Casey Kasem, who did similar duties in the 1970's at NBC.
While that's nice, a long-term plan is what's needed. Here's what I would do (and no, not a schedule with all the Cubs games, or airing reruns of Bozo or Ray Rayner. Let's be realistic here...)
- Bring WGN's morning news back to the superstation. Get rid of the syndex segments, or whatever is holding it back.
- Introduce new original programming (which they are planning to do), and no, I don't mean Funniest Pets & People. The programming could also air locally over WGN here, as cable and over-the-air viewers don't have access to WGN America. There's talk Tribune may lure Jay Leno to do a show for its broadcast stations and WGN America exactly for that purpose. Leno's contract to host The Tonight Show expires next year.
- How about more classic movies, preferably in prime-time? Not a bad idea.
- Increase penetration. WGN America still isn't carried in some areas of the Northeast.
- Stop airing programs you can find on other cable channels, such as Scrubs. Doesn't Scrubs air on Comedy Central and in syndication? WGN isn't exactly carving out a niche by airing programming other cable nets are running.
WGN America has the potential to compete with the two hundred or so cable channels in the universe. This channel has so much potential to become just more than an outlet for infomercials and Funniest Pets & People. If Tribune puts money and more visionaries behind this channel, viewers will be proud to wave the WGN flag.
And if not, well... there's always ESPN 4 to consider...
A bunch of stuff
Headlines from the world of radio & TV:
- The Raleigh News & Observer has a story on WNCN-TV, the NBC affiliate in Raleigh, N.C. whose news ratings have gone up since ownership transferred from NBC to Media General in 2006 - but not enough to eclipse top rivals WRAL-TV (a CBS affiliate owned by Capitol Broadcasting) and ABC-owned WTVD.
- Program Partners has renewed three Canadian dramas it currently has in weekly syndication for the 2008-09 season: DaVinci's Inquest, Cold Squad, and ReGenesis.
- Tribune's KWGN-TV in Denver announced it was launching a new 5:30 p.m. newscast, beginning on Monday. The program is a half-hour in length, and is sandwiched between sitcom reruns.
Locally, sister station WGN-TV is expected to launch a dinner-hour newscast sometime later this summer.
- The Raleigh News & Observer has a story on WNCN-TV, the NBC affiliate in Raleigh, N.C. whose news ratings have gone up since ownership transferred from NBC to Media General in 2006 - but not enough to eclipse top rivals WRAL-TV (a CBS affiliate owned by Capitol Broadcasting) and ABC-owned WTVD.
- Program Partners has renewed three Canadian dramas it currently has in weekly syndication for the 2008-09 season: DaVinci's Inquest, Cold Squad, and ReGenesis.
- Tribune's KWGN-TV in Denver announced it was launching a new 5:30 p.m. newscast, beginning on Monday. The program is a half-hour in length, and is sandwiched between sitcom reruns.
Locally, sister station WGN-TV is expected to launch a dinner-hour newscast sometime later this summer.
Darrin Jackson out?
Darrin Jackson, the color commentator on White Sox TV broadcasts for WGN-TV and Comcast SportsNet, may not be back next season in the role. The team has yet to renew his contract (which expires this year), and there are rumors he may replaced by Steve Stone, who held the same capacity during Cubs telecasts on WGN-TV for more than 20 years, and is currently in that role on WSCR-AM (The Score) paired with Ed Farmer.
Jackson has been paired with Hawk Harrelson on the TV broadcasts for the last eight years, replacing Tom Pachoriek, who left after the 1999 season.
Jackson has been paired with Hawk Harrelson on the TV broadcasts for the last eight years, replacing Tom Pachoriek, who left after the 1999 season.
XETV hops on The CW train
Fox affiliate XETV is becoming a former Fox affiliate on August 1, when it joins The CW. The station plans to re-brand itself as San Diego 6 effective on that date as well .
The moves after Tribune made a deal to switch the affiliation of its KSWB-TV from CW to Fox last March. Fox was looking for a new home in San Diego, apparently tired of having to deal with an affiliate based across the border in Tijuana, Mexico and the technical problems it usually brought. KSWB also plans to re-brand on August 1, renaming itself Fox 5 San Diego (the station is on Channel 5 on most cable systems.)
Televisa-owned XETV was looking to have the affiliation switch blocked on August 1, but by signing with CW, those plans are not likely to go forward. However, the station still plans to pursue legal action.
XETV's schedule of news and syndicated programming will remain the same except for prime-time, when CW programming replaces Fox's.
Meanwhile, KSWB is launching a major news expansion on August 1 with the debut of Fox 5 Morning News, a new morning show anchored by former Extra co-host Arthel Neville.
The last affiliation switch in San Diego took place in 1977, when Storer Broadcasting (then owner of KCST-TV Channel 39, now NBC-owned KNSD-TV) lost its ABC affiliation after the network signed with McGraw-Hill's then-NBC affiliate KGTV. In retaliation, Storer dropped its ABC affiliation with WITI in Milwaukee and switched to CBS, while ABC simply moved across the street to Hearst's WISN-TV.
Was a good move for WITI and Storer? Judge for yourself - in 1977, ABC was the most-watched broadcast network. The most-watched TV show in 1977? Happy Days - which was set in Milwaukee, along with the No. 2 show, Laverne & Shirley. In the 1980's and early '90's, WITI regularly finished in third place behind the market's two other network affiliates. After 17 lackluster years as a CBS affiliate, WITI hooked up with Fox in the Fox-New World affiliation swap of 1994. The station is now owned by Fox, with a sale pending to Local TV, LLC.
Updated 8:27 p.m. (added link from XETV and made correction regarding WITI's current ownership status)
The moves after Tribune made a deal to switch the affiliation of its KSWB-TV from CW to Fox last March. Fox was looking for a new home in San Diego, apparently tired of having to deal with an affiliate based across the border in Tijuana, Mexico and the technical problems it usually brought. KSWB also plans to re-brand on August 1, renaming itself Fox 5 San Diego (the station is on Channel 5 on most cable systems.)
Televisa-owned XETV was looking to have the affiliation switch blocked on August 1, but by signing with CW, those plans are not likely to go forward. However, the station still plans to pursue legal action.
XETV's schedule of news and syndicated programming will remain the same except for prime-time, when CW programming replaces Fox's.
Meanwhile, KSWB is launching a major news expansion on August 1 with the debut of Fox 5 Morning News, a new morning show anchored by former Extra co-host Arthel Neville.
The last affiliation switch in San Diego took place in 1977, when Storer Broadcasting (then owner of KCST-TV Channel 39, now NBC-owned KNSD-TV) lost its ABC affiliation after the network signed with McGraw-Hill's then-NBC affiliate KGTV. In retaliation, Storer dropped its ABC affiliation with WITI in Milwaukee and switched to CBS, while ABC simply moved across the street to Hearst's WISN-TV.
Was a good move for WITI and Storer? Judge for yourself - in 1977, ABC was the most-watched broadcast network. The most-watched TV show in 1977? Happy Days - which was set in Milwaukee, along with the No. 2 show, Laverne & Shirley. In the 1980's and early '90's, WITI regularly finished in third place behind the market's two other network affiliates. After 17 lackluster years as a CBS affiliate, WITI hooked up with Fox in the Fox-New World affiliation swap of 1994. The station is now owned by Fox, with a sale pending to Local TV, LLC.
Updated 8:27 p.m. (added link from XETV and made correction regarding WITI's current ownership status)
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Announcing a trade: No.14 for No. 45
Trading the fourteenth-largest television market for the forty-fifth is like trading Kevin Garnett for Adam Morrison. But that's what the owner of the Seattle SuperSonics (No. 14 and 1,782,040 households) and the NBA exactly did with the announcement of the team's move to Oklahoma City (No. 45 and 676,850 households.) SuperSonics owner Clay Bennett will pay the city $75 million to get out of town, leaving the team's colors, name, and logo behind.
The SuperSonics and the NBA had been pushing for a new arena in Seattle, replacing KeyArena, which has served as home of the basketball team since 1986 when they moved from the cavernous Kingdome.
Oklahoma City served as host of the New Orleans Hornets from 2005 to 2007 after the team's home was damaged by Hurricane Katrina (the Hornets used to play in Charlotte until 2002.)
Seattle now joins other abandoned NBA markets like St. Louis (No. 21), San Diego (No. 27), Kansas City (No. 31), and Cincinnati (No. 33). Other markets without NBA teams include Tampa-St. Petesburg (No. 12) and Pittsburgh (No. 22), where a new arena is coming for the NHL's Penguins.
The Sonics now play in the NBA's smallest TV and radio market.
Moving to an area where less revenue is available from radio and television deals - yeah, that makes a whole lot of sense. So where's the next NBA moving van headed to? Is the St. Joesph, Mo. Kings (Market No. 201) not too far off the horizon?
The SuperSonics and the NBA had been pushing for a new arena in Seattle, replacing KeyArena, which has served as home of the basketball team since 1986 when they moved from the cavernous Kingdome.
Oklahoma City served as host of the New Orleans Hornets from 2005 to 2007 after the team's home was damaged by Hurricane Katrina (the Hornets used to play in Charlotte until 2002.)
Seattle now joins other abandoned NBA markets like St. Louis (No. 21), San Diego (No. 27), Kansas City (No. 31), and Cincinnati (No. 33). Other markets without NBA teams include Tampa-St. Petesburg (No. 12) and Pittsburgh (No. 22), where a new arena is coming for the NHL's Penguins.
The Sonics now play in the NBA's smallest TV and radio market.
Moving to an area where less revenue is available from radio and television deals - yeah, that makes a whole lot of sense. So where's the next NBA moving van headed to? Is the St. Joesph, Mo. Kings (Market No. 201) not too far off the horizon?
Cara Carriveau goes in The Mix
It looks like there is a happy ending after all for a radio personality who was unceremoniously dumped from a local radio station two years ago - because she basically spoke her mind about the business.
Cara Carriveau, who was fired as midday personality at WLUP-FM (The Loop) back in 2006, has found a new gig. She has landed at Bonneville's WTMX-FM (The Mix; sixth item) in the same capacity at the successful Hot Adult Contemporary outlet.
For those of you new here, I wrote one of my first critical posts on this blog on October 6, 2006 titled "Deplorable", regarding Ms. Carriveau's firing at The Loop because of a letter that was printed in Robert Feder's column where she talked about the sad state of the radio industry, and why so many personalities couldn't find work. As a result, she found herself out of work.
To read the post, click here (the links in the post are outdated and don't work.) Credit "Deplorable" as the launching pad for The T Dog Media Blog Think Tank, which is a in-depth piece on media industry issues I write every other week.
Carriveau was fired by Marv Nyren and Tim Dukes, who were running WLUP at the time. Nyren talked about how Carriveau "didn't believe in radio's future" and how Turd was more talented than her (turned out the real reason for Carriveau's forced departure from WLUP was the station was looking to dump salary and found their excuse.)
Well, how about this? Carriveau went into business for herself. Thanks to her connections in the music industry, she interviewed artists for her "Cara's Basement" podcast and website. She also was hired by WMAQ-TV to write a blog for their website.
Well, nearly two years later, Carriveau is back in Chicago radio and Tim Dukes was canned at the Loop a few months later and is out of radio all together. The Mix is one of the most successful stations in Chicago; Emmis' two FM properties are still trying to find an audience. Isn't karma a bitch?
Cara Carriveau, who was fired as midday personality at WLUP-FM (The Loop) back in 2006, has found a new gig. She has landed at Bonneville's WTMX-FM (The Mix; sixth item) in the same capacity at the successful Hot Adult Contemporary outlet.
For those of you new here, I wrote one of my first critical posts on this blog on October 6, 2006 titled "Deplorable", regarding Ms. Carriveau's firing at The Loop because of a letter that was printed in Robert Feder's column where she talked about the sad state of the radio industry, and why so many personalities couldn't find work. As a result, she found herself out of work.
To read the post, click here (the links in the post are outdated and don't work.) Credit "Deplorable" as the launching pad for The T Dog Media Blog Think Tank, which is a in-depth piece on media industry issues I write every other week.
Carriveau was fired by Marv Nyren and Tim Dukes, who were running WLUP at the time. Nyren talked about how Carriveau "didn't believe in radio's future" and how Turd was more talented than her (turned out the real reason for Carriveau's forced departure from WLUP was the station was looking to dump salary and found their excuse.)
Well, how about this? Carriveau went into business for herself. Thanks to her connections in the music industry, she interviewed artists for her "Cara's Basement" podcast and website. She also was hired by WMAQ-TV to write a blog for their website.
Well, nearly two years later, Carriveau is back in Chicago radio and Tim Dukes was canned at the Loop a few months later and is out of radio all together. The Mix is one of the most successful stations in Chicago; Emmis' two FM properties are still trying to find an audience. Isn't karma a bitch?
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Dumb post of the day
A poster on Radio-Info.com wrote the following:
Since most TV & cable networks have declined in morale & the liberal biases & the big corporations & the reality programming that are ruining quality television today, here's how congress should act in the way we watch television or listen to the radio. Because 25 years ago, there was nothing but quality television. You either had good or bad choices & the choices were good. My idea for congress is to tell them you want quality television, just like what happened back in the day before big media & those Republican counterparts have ruined it. Just go tell your congressman or senators to tell them we want quality television back, & that's what the Quality Television Act comes in. It won't likely be passed in the house this year because we've got a Republican in the White House, but do the best you can to pass this bill. But it doesn't mean that will get rid of the smut & the reality that we're seeing today. Call your 435 members of congress & demand them we want better television for the people, since we live in a democracy! That's all. Thank you for your time.
Oh yeah, never mind there's a energy crisis in this country (unless you love paying $5 a gallon for gas), escalating royalties that threaten to put both Internet and terrestrial radio owners (small ones) out of business, the sagging economy, and innocent children getting gunned down in the street every day.
And this is what this idiot is worried about? Have you ever heard of the First Amendment? This guy obviously flunked his history classes.
If there is one thing both the far left and the far right agree on, is their complete hatred for TV and their moronic beliefs that the medium is solely responsible for the country's social ills.
You don't need a Master's Degree to figure out there's an off switch if you don't like what's on TV or on the radio (and you don't even need them in the house!) Judging by this inane post, it's apparent this guy doesn't even have a sixth grade education. If you what a government that controls content, move to China, that wonderful bastion of democracy. Pack your bags, sir?
Since most TV & cable networks have declined in morale & the liberal biases & the big corporations & the reality programming that are ruining quality television today, here's how congress should act in the way we watch television or listen to the radio. Because 25 years ago, there was nothing but quality television. You either had good or bad choices & the choices were good. My idea for congress is to tell them you want quality television, just like what happened back in the day before big media & those Republican counterparts have ruined it. Just go tell your congressman or senators to tell them we want quality television back, & that's what the Quality Television Act comes in. It won't likely be passed in the house this year because we've got a Republican in the White House, but do the best you can to pass this bill. But it doesn't mean that will get rid of the smut & the reality that we're seeing today. Call your 435 members of congress & demand them we want better television for the people, since we live in a democracy! That's all. Thank you for your time.
Oh yeah, never mind there's a energy crisis in this country (unless you love paying $5 a gallon for gas), escalating royalties that threaten to put both Internet and terrestrial radio owners (small ones) out of business, the sagging economy, and innocent children getting gunned down in the street every day.
And this is what this idiot is worried about? Have you ever heard of the First Amendment? This guy obviously flunked his history classes.
If there is one thing both the far left and the far right agree on, is their complete hatred for TV and their moronic beliefs that the medium is solely responsible for the country's social ills.
You don't need a Master's Degree to figure out there's an off switch if you don't like what's on TV or on the radio (and you don't even need them in the house!) Judging by this inane post, it's apparent this guy doesn't even have a sixth grade education. If you what a government that controls content, move to China, that wonderful bastion of democracy. Pack your bags, sir?
One day only - Six morning stars to join forces
It's a CBS Radio celebration: Six of the markets' morning personalities are getting together for a one time only forum titled Chicago Radio Free-For-All, which is being broadcast live from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 11 on the Score (WSCR-AM) from Smith & Wollinsky downtown.
(And before you ask, no, Mike North is not going to be there.)
The panel is being moderated by The Score's Dan Bernstein, and features almost all of the morning personalities from CBS' Chicago radio stations, including Steve Dahl (JACK-FM), Ray Stevens (US 99 - and no, it's not the novelty singer who gave us The Streak) and Eddie Volkman and Joe Bohannon of WBBM-FM (B96).
(And before you ask, no, Mike North is not going to be there.)
The panel is being moderated by The Score's Dan Bernstein, and features almost all of the morning personalities from CBS' Chicago radio stations, including Steve Dahl (JACK-FM), Ray Stevens (US 99 - and no, it's not the novelty singer who gave us The Streak) and Eddie Volkman and Joe Bohannon of WBBM-FM (B96).
Things are tough all over: KTLA, Raycom layoffs
This time, it's at beleaguered WOIO/WUAB in Cleveland, run by former WBBM-TV boss Bill Applegate. Six were laid off, including four in master control. Tribune's KTLA in Los Angeles also let a few go, laying off seven people in the news division.
ABC affiliate KTVX in Salt Lake Lake City recently cut staff as well.
The moves come as stations are being hit with a double-whammy - the tanking economy and the expensive transition to digital.
ABC affiliate KTVX in Salt Lake Lake City recently cut staff as well.
The moves come as stations are being hit with a double-whammy - the tanking economy and the expensive transition to digital.
Hope for Local TV (yes, it's true!)
It's old news I know, but it's worth repeating - Cara Jespen writes about the recent hires at two WTTW vets at Weigel Broadcasting (Harvey Moshman and Randy King) and their push for creating local content in new formats. Among the duties Moshamn will handle: overseeing the syndicated First Business, which originates at the Chicago Board of Trade (WCIU's old home.)
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