The TV Zone

Give us your stories.... (Pix: Bill Davis, Newsday)

Are you out there?

Good! WLIW/21 wants you, needs you, will make you a star. The channel's putting together a doc on the town of Huntington - not unlike "New York War Stories" - and wants YOUR story.

Begs the question: Does this mean Ch. 21 is beginning a whole new series on LI, dedicated to individual communities, because it can't very well do something on Huntington and not eventually do Islip, or Hempstead, Brookhaven, Riverhead, Smithtown...?

Per a WLIW spokeswoman, via email, "As for our plans, I think it’s too early to tell right now. I know the goal and hope is to have this Huntington show be the first in a series of shows on different LI towns. But we have to see what the response is to this show first. Our hope is that by getting the community involved from the start, it will encourage viewership when the doc finally airs."

The full release, with details - on the jump...

Continue reading "Calling All Readers Who Live in Huntington...." »

Bubble show "Cold Case" features Pearl Jam this Sunday - I've seen and heard, and it's good, though I wonder whether CBS's demo knows what a "Pearl Jam" is? (Probably - the band has been around since the beginning of time...)

Features sixteen songs in the the two-part finale, including some cuts from "Ten," which was just re-issued. And no - repeat no - Eddie Vedder does not - repeat not - make a cameo. That would be just too weird. With that wind-up, here is the clip...and song list on the jump...

Continue reading ""Cold Case" and Pearl Jam" »

I am the messenger and here is the message: "Family Guy" rips "The Hills" this Sunday. We must watch...we must watch...

(Confused question of the day: Will Kristen Cavallari make a cameo with Stewie to promote her starring role on next season's "Hills?")

The clip:

Lauren Conrad talks about her stint on "Family Guy"

TVGuide.com just posted this first look at Conan's new logo...

And...here's the old one...

So...what think you? Me? I like it just fine but wish I had Tim Gunn here to tell me whether I like yellow on gray? Is yellow on gray the new black? I don't know. My only other mild criticism: It seems kind of austere, and slightly dry. It seems so - grown-up, too.

Has Conan gone and grown up on us during hiatus?

At least he's not calling the show "Tonight Show Starring Conan O'Brien."

That would cause days and days of agita in the blogosphere...

Conan's explanation, posted on the jump...

Continue reading "TV Guide: Conan's Logo" »

(Michael Becker, Fox)

What more can be said about Adam Lambert's performance last night that hasn't already been said by 24 million viewers or by four exultant judges.

It was one of the great "Idol" performances of the season. He and Kris pretty much held the field, with Danny just a quarter step behind...and Allison just about dead even with him...

So here's what I can add: Once again, Lambert established that he knows more about music and music history than anyone else on that stage, and perhaps more than the judges themselves. I guuess - as Idolator has it - this was based on Muse's version of "Feeling Good" (I think there have been a million and fourteen different versions over the years, so Muse sounds good to me...)

But what about that entrance. That glam, ham, wham-bam, slam of an entrance.... Unless I'm mistaken, maybe borrowed from Georges Guétary's famous dance number in "An American in Paris." You know the number - singing that old 1922 Gershwin show tune, "I'll Build a Staircase to Paradise," Guétary ascends and then descends (or maybe I've got the order reversed) a lit staircase. Yeah, sure, of course: Many shows, even "Dancing with the Stars," have used the ol' lit staircase routine over the years, but Lambert's entrance felt more directly in homage to one of the more famous scenes in MGM musical history...

Next, that song. My God, everyone else sings standards from greats like Cole Porter et al, while Adam pulls down a song by Anthony Newley, one of the most important songwriters of the '60s, who died ten years ago. "Feeling Good," in fact, was co-written with his long-time musical partner Leslie Bricusse; these guys wrote some of the biggest shows of the decade, though I don't think they're played much anymore. (A title does live on in popular cultural - "Stop the World - I Want to Get Off.")

So here's my question about Adam Lambert: This kid is so smart, so good, so talented - one of the best "Idols" ever - why did it take this show to make him famous? He shoulda been famous already...

A very good night for all contestants - though I suspect Matt's hours are numbered...

Check out this old trailer from "Paris;" scroll to the 1:50 mark and you'll see the staircase scene; all Adam was missing were the showgirls...

'Twas announced this morning, and no, no, no - he's not leaving "The Today Show." That would be nuts...

He has - per the release - "been named host of 'Wake Up With Al,' a new weekday morning program on The Weather Channel. Roker will join The Weather Channel's Stephanie Abrams, who will serve as his co-host...." (NBCUni, as you know, owns TWC).

And more...

"Wake Up with Al will explore all aspects of the day's weather, combining Roker's
warm style with the accuracy, dependability and expertise of The Weather Channel. He will appear both in the studio, interacting with guests and viewers, and in the field, reporting on the most compelling weather stories of the day."

And more...

It bows sometime this summer.

Good for Al: bit by bit, new gig by new gig, new show by new show, he's built a real power base at 30 Rock. (And don't forget that series he's done via his production company, with titles like "Heroin Inc.," and "Marijuana Inc., for MSNBC.)

(Pix: MSNBC)

If Mel doesn't get better (fast), your winners... (Getty)

Sure, yeah, why not. Chuck: I thought he had a chance of holding on another week, but...

This leaves the field to...Gilles and Shawn and Melissa. Lil' Kim can't win - doesn't have the popular vote; Ty can't win - doesn't have the judges' vote.

And...if Mel's rib is bad as she seemed to indicate Tuesday, then this probably gets down to Shawn and Gilles.

In "DWTS," tie between guy and gal always goes to the guy; that's the way voters roll on this show. Plus, Gilles is the best, too (loved his - what WAS that? - Lindy hop the other night too.)

So that should make this call an easy one, right? Unless Gilles gets hurt, he is almost certainly our winner. Again: Mel's gotta get better fast, or he and Cheryl are the ones...

Yes, it's blind because I haven't really got a clue what's happening at WABC/7 - Ch. 7, one of our mightiest local news outlets which has been beset by the collapsing economy, just like everyone else...

I'm hearing: There were a number of lay-offs there over the last few days. Significant lay-offs, affecting established veterans, across the board. On-air? That's not clear. I'm not sure how deep this goes, or whether there's any connect-the-dot with the network, where there have been departures in recent weeks too (including, Roger Goodman - though, by his account, the parting here was amicable...) As more details emerge, I'll post 'em here.

This business just gets tougher and tougher and ...

Grade: F (AP)

Interesting new gimmick on CNN tomorrow night and you might wanna check it out. You can vote for O and all his decisions - good, bad or indifferent - over the last hundred days. The festivities start at 7, end at 11, and over that four hour period, CNN.com will post a total of twelve questions. The real-time results will pop up immediately on air - CNN - after the question is asked.

Grades will be issued - A, B, C, D...though the network's fuzzy on whether it will offer a failing grade alternative, though of course it should lest it further goad the critics who insist it's in O's bag.

[Yes, I have just been told - YOU CAN GIVE F'S to whomever or whatever you want...failing grades will be a possibility; here's what I'll give an F too - photo op attempts over Manhattan...]

Then...just before 11...this question - How did O himself do? (CNN in fact is not saying what the questions will be, but you can guess 'em - ranging from policy to personnel.)

(Really interesting if Fox News did this as well, then, someone could average the results and come up with an accurate grade....)

And speaking of media...ummm....preferences, check out this study just now released by the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism.

It states: "In his first two months in the White House, 42% of the news stories, editorials and opinion columns about Obama have been positive in tone compared with 27% for Bill Clinton and 22% for George W. Bush in the same mix of seven national media outlets. Positive stories about Obama outweighed negative ones by a two-to-one margin (42% vs. 20%) while 38% were neutral in tone." Journalism.org has the full report.

More on "First 100 Days" on the jump...

Continue reading "CNN: Grade the Prez, A to F" »

(Jason Mclane / AP)

Those morons who buzzed lower Manhattan yesterday in the jet? "Someone should pay!" thundered Brian Williams on his blog last night.

Actually, someone should be fired. I guess that's saying the same thing...

One of the stupidest, most moronic, most idiotic, most utterly worthless, most absolutely preposterously irredeemably insensitive things the Federal government did yesterday? If in lower Manhattan, all you had to do was look up for answers!

God, what IDIOTS. (Your tax dollars at work...)

But enough of my thundering. Here's BriWilli's good post from yesterday:

"This was dangerously mishandled. As I said the other evening at a gathering of New York City firefighters: even after all these years, among many New Yorkers, 9/11 still feels like it was about 10 minutes ago. The pit is still there, though it's now a construction zone. The losses don't go away. No one is bringing my neighbor back to me. I will drive by his house on my way home from work tonight, and he won't be there. We still look up at the sky (in ways we never did before) when we hear low-flying aircraft, and we still worry. Lower Manhattan is no place for an unnanounced low-altitude jumbo jet-and-fighter-jet flyover.

Someone should pay for this."

He just needed a mother's love; too bad he killed his own mom... (Sky E)

I've got an important question this morning:

What did you think of last night's "Heroes" finale?

This is an important question insofar as a.) critics have drubbed the poor beast for months, or some of them have; b.) This remains an important franchise for NBC and if you don't like it then who the heck does; c.) By bringing the enormously talented creative dude, Bryan Fuller, aboard, NBC signaled a different, more-character driven tone was forthcoming... d.) If Sylar really is dead and gone, then "Heroes: Redemption" will be a really different show...(and of course he isn't...)

Anyway, I noticed some critics hated the finale - I was stunned, because I liked it, a lot, and think some of the last few episodes (like "I am Sylar") have been terrific. (My review on the jump.)

But what do I know! It's what YOU know...so let's poll it out:

Last night's finale of "Heroes" was...

• unbelievably great.
• the old lame-o same-o.
• solid, surprising and entertaining
• Not terrible but...
• reasonably good.

Created on Apr 28, 2009

View Results

poll by twiigs.com

Continue reading ""Heroes:" The Poll " »

Okay, we have Jay's first comments from tonight...(and thanks to the intrepid Tracy St. Pierre for supplying...)

(Kelsey McNeal / ABC)

Melissa hurt? Not to worry...not to WORRY.

Unless you want to worry, in which case, worry.

But Mel has cracked a rib, and got hurt - I do believe that up until tonight she was the only one who hadn't actually broken something this season - but she'll go on.

Please go to the jump for the full story from "ET:"

Continue reading "Melissa: The Dance Will Go On" »

Major departure at ABC News: Roger Goodman is going.

This follows a week or so after the exit of "20/20's" Bob Brown...

Goodman is easily one of the best known directors in television news, and probably the best known - someone who has piloted so many broadcasts over so many years that it's difficult to think of ABC News without him. He most recently directed the Oscars - which got pretty good reviews, overall - but that almost seemed like a hobby to someone like this. His many accomplishments over the years included his work at "World News Tonight" - back when it was known as "World News Tonight" while Peter Jennings ran the show. What does a "director" on a news program do, you reasonably ask? He or she sets the pace, tone, look, and a thousand other little details - beyond basic editorial content - that make a program fundamentally what it is. Goodman was (and is - he's just moving on) one of the best. Big loss for ABC News, and someone whose link to the past there is increasingly rare.

Also of note: Bob Brown has left too. Bob Brown - who helped make "20/20" one of the enduring franchises in television news.

I imagine these departures are unrelated, but still...

Please head to the jump for Goodman's memo; it was posted on TV Newser earlier today.

Continue reading "Roger Goodman Leaves ABC News" »

"Oh God, not SATURDAY...Just KILL ME NOW...."

One of the nuttiest - but "nutty" in a fun, good way - shows of mid-season has been dispatched to the Saturday dead zone: "Harper's Island."

CBS just announced, and put a very happy face on the decision, sayings "HI" does really really really well in play-back, etc. But...

It's to be replaced by a repeat of "Criminal Minds" this Thursday. Probably goes without saying that this is an ominous move for the show - and it hasn't even killed off half of its characters yet. But no reason why CBS can't let it spool out, and allow the few fans who are following to find out whodunit. And if CBS does let it play out through (I think) July, then no reason why Saturday would be any worse a night than Thursday or Tuesday or Sunday at 7...

Here's what CBS says, and it doesn't sound like total balderdash...really...

"The preliminary DVR and online streaming data suggest a passionate audience for HARPER'S outside its current Thursday time period borders," said Kelly Kahl, Senior Executive Vice President Prime Time, CBS Television. "This move gives us an opportunity to improve the time period on Thursday while experimenting with more original programming on Saturday, and continuing to serve an audience that is clearly engaged in the ongoing HARPER'S ISLAND story."

According to Nielsen live plus 7-day playback results versus live, the HARPER'S ISLAND premiere audience increased by +29% in adults 18-49 (3.1 from 2.4), +33% in adults 18-34 (2.0 from 1.5), +25% in adults 25-54 (4.0 from 3.2) and gained +1.64 million viewers (11.29m from 9.65m).

More changes...on the jump...

Continue reading ""Harper's Island" Becomes A Victim" »

(Touchstone/Buena Vista E)

Yes, We's first in line to do a Bea Arthur marathon...

(When will TV Land unveil its own tribute?)

Here are the details, just announced:

"WE tv, home of television’s beloved series THE GOLDEN GIRLS announced today two special nights of programming to honor Bea Arthur who died this past weekend at the age of 86. WE Remember Bea will feature a marathon of favorite THE GOLDEN GIRLS episodes both Monday, April 27 beginning 5pm/e, 4p/c and Thursday, April 30 beginning 9:30pm/e, 8:30pm/c. The acclaimed actress, known for her quick wit and willingness to embrace controversial issues was the centerpiece of the comedic series, which won more than 38 awards during its run. WE Remember Bea will be comprised of episodes which center on Bea Arthur’s colorful character Dorothy Zbornak and key related storylines from the series.

THE GOLDEN GIRLS was an immediate hit with viewers when it first debuted, and remains one of television’s most acclaimed sitcoms. Starring Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty, THE GOLDEN GIRLS profiles the unexpected lives and loves of a group of retirees living together in Miami. The women form the perfect circle of friends, and bring laughter, tears and fun for an audience of all ages. All of the show’s cast members, won Emmys during the series’ seven season initial run. WE tv is currently television’s h

Gooood afteroon, "Chuck" fans.

We've got a first look at tonight's finale...and that's followed by a "behind the scenes..."

Is this a series finale? I'm gonna venture a wild guess here and say...no. I can't imagine NBC dumping out at this point...

Preview:

Behind the scenes:

(Maersk Line /AP)

Yes, NBC released a few more soundbites this afternoon, and they're interesting - interesting in the sense that Richard Phillips does seem so calm and collected, and that his memories of the first high seas pirate takeover of an American ship in (oh) 200 years was like a carjacking in New Jersey...

Interview airs Tuesday. (Why Tuesday? ...)

To the jump!

Continue reading ""Today:" More Matt/Richard Phillips Quotes" »

Let's take a Youtube journey through this career - one of the biggest in TV history. There's plenty of Bea Arthur on the web, and you can - and should - go on your own journey, should you so so desire.

But here are some of the obvious backward glances...the TV Land "Sex and the City" parody, that was (I believe) last year...a clip from "Mame" - she starred as Vera opposite Lucille Ball in the '74 screen version...the abortion clip from "Maude," which pretty much defined her career on TV...

There's so much that it's hard to know where to begin...but for viewers, that really has to be with "Maude," the '72-'78 CBS sitcom/ "All in the Family" spin-off (she was, as you probably know, Edith's cousin.) I barely remember the show, now thirty-plus years later, but do remember Esther Rolle's Florida Evans, and Bill Macy's Walter Findlay who seemed - again, as I recharge my memory banks - a sad and put upon figure.

"Golden Girls," an NBC stalwart from '85 to '92, was simply remarkable - from out the Brandon Tartikoff kingdom this came, and was a show so durable and so popular for so many years that it now seems hard to believe that some of it's biggest fans...were kids! That always puzzled NBC, too. "Thank You for Being a Friend" remains one of the great TV jingles of all time...

Please go to the jump for my Bea Arthur trip, but I begin with the famous "abortion" moment - or to some, infamous abortion moment - which is part of TV history. (Pix: Sony)

Continue reading "Bea Arthur: Through the Years" »

The Golden Ones.... (Getty) Estelle Getty, left, passed away last summer.

Yes, she's gone, at 86.

Here's the Reuter's obit:

By Dan Whitcomb

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Emmy Award-winning actress Bea Arthur, best known as star of the hit TV comedies "Maude" and "Golden Girls," has died at age 86, entertainment news websites reported on Saturday.

Arthur, a longtime stage actress whose comic timing and deadpan delivery were a perfect fit for her sharp-tongued roles on the two series, died of cancer at her Los Angeles home, celebrity website TMZ reported.

Representatives for the actress, who won best-actress Emmys -- America's top television award -- for "Maude" and "Golden Girls," could not immediately be reached for comment.

"Thirty-seven years ago she showed me how to be very brave in playing comedy," one of Arthur's co-stars, Rue McClanahan, told TMZ in a statement. "I'll miss that courage and I'll miss that voice."

Born Beatrice Frankel in New York on May 13, 1922, Arthur began performing in college and appeared in Broadway and off-Broadway roles, winning a Tony Award opposite Angela Lansbury in "Mame."

In the early 1970s, Arthur appeared on the groundbreaking television comedy "All in the Family" as Edith Bunker's fiercely liberal cousin Maude. Producers who saw gold in the role quickly devised a spinoff for the character.

"Maude" debuted on CBS in 1972 and became one of the top-rated sitcoms on U.S. television during its six-year run.

In a two-part episode that aired in November 1972, the show stirred protest and controversy when Maude decided to have an abortion because of her age. The procedure was legal in New York state, where the show was set, but not nationwide.

Two months later, the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in its landmark Roe v. Wade decision.

Arthur followed with "Golden Girls," an unlikely hit from 1985 to 1992 that featured four female retirees living together.

Central to the popularity of "Golden Girls" was the comic interplay between Arthur's character and her mother, played by Estelle Getty -- who in real life was a year younger and who also won an Emmy for the show.

Getty died last July at the age of 84.

According to CNN, no funeral services had been planned for Arthur. She is survived by two sons and two grandchildren, and family members have asked that in lieu of flowers donations be sent to two of her favorite causes, the ArtAttack foundation and the animal rights group PETA.

"People have lost one of the greatest comic actresses of all time and animals have lost one of their all-time greatest defenders," Dan Matthews, PETA senior vice president, said in a statement.

OK friends, for the very very few of you who are tuning into TV Zone at 9:46 on a Friday night (and WHY are you tuning in? You ask, why is this guy posting something anyway. Oy. But I thank you for your watching ...) I've got some nice clips from the nice people at TV Land. From this Sunday's awards broadcast - which, of course, we'll all watch.

First up: Kimmel's tribute to Rickles...




Now, check out THIS...a strange glance at one of Fox's greatest sitcoms..."MWC:"

Yes, Matt got Capt. Richard Phillips.

NBC just sent quotes and he told Matt, "I didn't think I'd ever get out of that boat" - referring to the craft he was on that was towed by the U.S.S. Bainbridge. And he also praised those who saved him.

"They're unbelievable," he told Lauer, in an interview taped yesterday in Vermont, where Phillips lives. "We really owe it to the military for what they do day in, and day out, that we never even hear about. What they did was impossible."

[Quick background: On April 12, three Navy SEALs fired shots at three pirates on the boat, killing them. A fourth pilot was captured earlier and is now in Federal custody in New York.]

Lauer asked Phillips about an escape attempt, and he said: "I did have radio contact with the Maersk Alabama and I told them if you see a splash in the water, it's going to be 'cause I'm coming. I had always expected to escape." Lauer asked if he said this in front of his captors. "I was still able to communicate...unbelievably so. They were a little lax in t heir control on some things."

Matt was on "assignment" - mysteriously - this morning, and Lester Holt filled in. We now know what the assignment was...The interview will air Tuesday morning. (Why Tuesday and not Monday...? Not sure)

Per NBC:

" In an exclusive interview, hero Captain Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama broke his silence and sat down with NBC News' Matt Lauer in his first interview since he was held hostage at sea by Somali pirates. The interview took place in Vermont and will air on "Today," Monday, April 27. "

There are more quotes on the jump...

Continue reading "Lauer Gets Pirate Captain Phillips" »

Company men: Chuck and Mike (NBC)

Yes, "Parks and Rec" still needs work.

But I have to say - last night's episode about the reporter who interviews Leslie Knope over "canyon park" revealed much, much promise. In fact, the first half of the show was very good; parts of the second half looked, smelled and tasted like meat-loaf that had been left in the oven overnight.

I believe the phrase I'm searching for: "P&R;" is a "work in progress." The promise is there.

Meanwhile, "The Office" was brilliant, as the Michael Scott Paper Company was officially shuttered. If you missed, you must watch - go to the jump for the repeat. These will be 22 well-spent moments. So far, the problem in slotting "Office" next to "P&R;:" The former, at least last night, so dramatically outshines the latter.

But I have high hopes for "P&R.;" Give it time... Two-minute replay on the jump, too...

Continue reading "Shout-Out to "The Office;" "Parks And Rec" Still..." »

They're celebrities but get 'em the hell outta here. (MTV)

Why, why, WHHHYYYY didn't I see this coming?

It was so obvious. So terribly obvious.

Speidi get married tomorrow, then (I suppose for their honeymoon) will do "I'm A Celebrity I want to Get out Of Here."

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (stars of MTV's "The Hills"), NBA great and TV personality John Salley ("Best Damned Sports Show Period"), supermodel and TV star Janice Dickinson ("The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency"), 2007 "American Idol" contestant Sanjaya Malakar, actor Stephen Baldwin ("The Usual Suspects") and professional wrestler and beauty queen Torrie Wilson. Additional celebrity contestants will be named soon along with the hosts of the show.

Well, we have all sorts of exciting vids for you this morning!

As you know, Bill O'Reilly attack machine Jesse Waters got into that GE shareholder meeting earlier this week and managed to score some direct hits on GE bossman Jeff Immelt, who even got some boos. An enterprising soul has posted an audio snatch of that encounter.

Well, you can't expect O'Reilly/Waters to escape unscathed on "Countdown," can you? No! Last night, Keith O - also a Bill O'Reilly attack machine - named Jesse one of the worst people in the world. Go to the clip for that one as well. Scroll forward to about the 1:25 mark; Jesse's preceded by some other "worst" candidates, believe it or not.

Thanks to Jesse and Keith for giving us some much-needed levity this Friday morning...

Yes, he finally got his closeup yesterday, and the story was on "Today" a little while ago.

As soon as I get a clip will of course post, but they show Blago jumping with a parachute in a studio, with a green screen - or chroma key - behind him; there's a wind machine buffeting him as well, and the anchors note: His hair is not moving.

There are some things you cannot make up.

You simply cannot make them up because they would not occur to you in even a wild, opium-induced dream-nightmare.

This is one of those things...

Go to the jump for yesterday's Meredith interview, where he says he'll still shoot something for "I'm a Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here." We now know what he shot...

Above: This eerily prescient piece of parachute art appeared recently in Wonkette and the Chicagoist.

Continue reading "Blago Tapes Bit for "Celebrity" " »

Couple big music nights, for Dave, and a big one last night for Jimmy, too.

If you haven't seen. Last night, The Dead ('Grateful," as you know, has been retired) was on Dave; and "JK Live" shut down Hollywood Blvd. for a Depeche Mode concert. Scott MacIntyre was on too. (And Wednesday, Beyonce singing "Halo" on Dave; on the jump.) And take 'er away...

Continue reading "Letterman: The Dead; Kimmel: Depeche Mode" »

(Paul Hawthorne/Getty)

Which is why he was in repeat last night.

Details? You'll have to go to this AP dispatch, but the implications are - that he's fine, nothing to worry about, and so on.

Still, cause for concern. NBC's future is very nearly hanging on him, and when Jay gets a cold - which he never does - the network gets a fever.

NBC is pooh-poohing the whole thing, as is Jay, but you can be certain they're not behind closed doors. Jay's one of the great workers of the western world - as durable as saddle leather and just about as well worn. Even workhorses get sick, you say, and yet this particular one does not. For Jay to go to the hospital likely means something must have been seriously wrong. We'll see...

Here's what KTLA is reporting:

"NBC publicist Tracy St. Pierre said Leno drove himself to the hospital early Thursday afternoon and was admitted after he complained of feeling ill.

Leno will be 59 on Tuesday.

He is believed to be at St. Joseph's Medical Center, which is near the NBC studios.

There had been speculation that Leno may be suffering from food poisoning, however St. Pierre said she did not believe that was the case."

I now know why "Blago" Blagojevich allegedly shook down people to allegedly make money off of Barack Obama's senate seat - to become a TV star, and ultimately get his own TV show, challenge Oprah for daytime supremacy, or at least Dr. Phil, make millions, maybe even win a daytime Emmy, and then - as a mega-producer, like Ryan Seacrest - seed reality productions.

Then, finally, retire with a hilltop manse to rival Merv Griffin's.

Brilliant. He's gotta beat the charges first. That's the hard part.

But he just told Meredith Vieira that the plan for TV supremacy won't be sidelined by some fussy stickler of a judge...He plans to fly to LA later today to field other TV offers.

In addition...he also said that he may still play a role on "I'm A Celeb Get Me Out of Here!" That judge ruled he couldn't fly to Costa Rica to tape the show, but that's not gonna stop Blago:

"He [the judge] made it clear I shouldn't go, but I'm not ruling out a possibility to play a role in some capacity. Fact is, I'm going to LA and maybe there's some kind of role along the lines of this program. It's an exciting program and unfortunately, I didn't get a chance."

Fascinating: It's like being on "Survivor" without actually being on "Survivor," but maybe competing remotely, via Twitter.

But here's the take-away quote:

Why run around the jungle, Meredith asked? "I have two little girls. Obviously I'm looking for a new line of work...It seemed like an exciting opportunity when the idea [was] presented to me. Being in the jungle, toughing it out, and creating a little civil society and seeing how you can govern that society is not unlike when I was governor of the fifth largest state in America."

I'll leave that thought with you: Being on "I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!" is like being governor of Illinois.

[Question: Who voted for this guy?]

What can I say?

(What, umm, did I say earlier?)

But why go backwards? If America wants to make a mistake, America's entitled.

Lil Rounds deserved one more go-round. Anoop, one of my favorites from the minute I learned he got his masters or PhD in barbecuing, is gone too.

Here's tomorrow's wrap tonight...

"Bummer.

'Noop and Lil.

Somehow this end didn't seem right. But it was what is was, and at th is point in the game - two down, five to go - disappointment's inevitable.

But still...

Two gutsy, interesting, enjoyable underdogs, Anoop Desai and Lil Rounds, ended up in an "Idol" double elimination last night. If you listened to Simon - and we all do, don't we? - this was no surprise. Also, if you listened to the rest of the finalists Tuesday - particularly Adam Lambert and Kris Allen - then process of elimination probably made these the two most likely names to go.

But still...

Some other thoughts on the night...

Paula's night. In a first for "Idol," Paula does what Paula used to do best - choreograph. The group dance - the Jackson's "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" - was a Paula creation, and as group dances went, this one was success. Nice moves (but, umm, were all those lips moving with the sounds coming out what's called "lip-syncing?" Just asking.)

Disco night at the Bellagio. Or the Luxor. Or... "Idol." Who could tell...I mean, Harry Wayne Casey, of KC and the Sunshine Band? Thelma Houston, or Freda Payne singing the song that only Freda Payne can sing (by law), "Band of Gold." Another bunch of good "Idol" moments.

And David Archuletta. Memory fails, but was his voice that husky last year? Or was it just a little bit of tour rust? He sang "Touch My Hand," from last
fall, promoted some forthcoming tour with Demi Lovato, and gave the bottom two a pep talk. They needed one."

Reeg...

ABC...

Yup, the gang's all here.

ABC said it's all coming back - but don't get too excited. Only for an eleven-episode tournament.

"Regis is back in ABC primetime! Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the smash hit “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire� comes back to ABC this summer for a special two-week event. 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' premieres SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) and will air for 11 nights, Sunday-Thursday at 8:00 p.m., with the finale on SUNDAY, AUGUST 23 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET)."

What's smart about this? Many things, if not a million...

1.) Reeg is great, and with all due respect to Meredith, still the one...

2.) August is a dead zone anyway...

3.) ABC launched "Mill" back at the turn of the century in August...

4.) Reeg is great...sorry, already mentioned that.

5.) The idea of a "tournament" should generate a lot of attention - blogs if not the press.

6.) A whole new "generation" of viewers might even come to the show - although hard to believe nine-year-olds will get too excited...

7.) "Slumdog" still resonates.

8.) The show - "Mill" - still had some life before a brazenly desperate ABC (and yes, Michael Eisner) banged out six weekly editions and pretty much destroyed the franchise outright.

(Pix: AP)

This you have to see, and I suggest that you see it right now: Pbs.org. And click on video.

Or, if you prefer, go here...

Pretty much the entire visible universe of the Public Broadcasting Service has just been posted on-line. A few hours ago - or at least the beta version became officially available today...

But too much information! Just watch. It really is quite a beautiful thing.

Below is the top of the PBS press release, which was embargoed until this morning.

By the way, did I tell you to check this out? Now...it's amazing, gorgeous Seriously...

Okay, Okay, I do have a quibble: While the volume and presentation are breathtaking, my breath was not taken away by full-screen resolution. Now, this may have to do with the (possible) fact that the shows I sampled were not in hi-def originally. But full-screen is vital, and the commercial networks and their attendant sites have done a great job getting this in order. (Of course, watching "Lost" on ABC.com doesn't compare to a 90-inch widescreen, but in a pinch, it'll do.)

The press release:

"On Wednesday, April 22, PBS.org will launch its new video portal, rivaling the best in the business, with thousands of hours of PBS programming consolidated online for the first time, including full episodes of iconic PBS shows such as "American Experience," "American Masters," "Antiques Road Show," "Frontline," "Masterpiece Theater," "Nova," and more.

Unlike the commercial networks which, in most cases, simply put up certain episodes or certain programs, PBS will be putting up complete seasons of almost all programs. Ultimately, thousands of hours of PBS video will be included - extensive archives & back-catalogue, content from PBS broadcast TV spanning all its genres, as well as from local PBS
stations, feature-length films and documentaries, live events and performances, exclusive web-only content, and more. More content will be added literally every week. And, PBS producers are planning to deliver regular web-original content - one of the network's biggest
opportunities."

(Fox/Getty)

Let's assume the judges were right. Let's assume Lil tanked. Let's assume her Chaka Khan was shocka bomb. But let's also assume millions and millions of viewers decided they didn't agree.

Let's further assume they voted for her and will push her through to another week.

I'm going with that assumption. Moreover, I'm going with this too - that what the judges saw viewers did not. Upon reflection, I understand exactly where they're coming from on this call: That her interpretation of "I'm Every Woman" was much too much someone else's. Kara actually pinned this one down well: "You've been every woman on that stage - every woman but yourself."

But Simon? Her vocals were a "mess?" A grand and blithering denunciation that was also wrong. (Her biggest problem was that others were in fact better - Kris Allen, Gokey, Lambert...)

So who goes home tonight? I'm going to go to a smart reader on this one - Britt, of Floral Park, who writes in: "I think 'Noop Dog and Matt are going home and Kris might go next week. 'Noop Dog is not a favorite because he had too many weeks in the bottom 3. Disco should be over for Matt because he was not very good tonight. Even though the judges saved him, he should go home. Lil is my favorite. I think she will be in the finals with Adam and Danny and I want Allison to go that far. Adam and Allison were the best singers tonight and they will always be that way. Either Adam or Danny will win, but I want the winner to be Allison or Lil."

OK! There you have it. An "Idol" expert, from the heart.

Meanwhile, check out this old clip of Chaka Khan on "Oprah." Though grainy, ancient and fogged by the years, you can see why her version was so spectacular, and why anyone else who tries this on for size risks chastisement of the particularly acidic Simon Cowell variety...

So that's that - an improbable and pretty good run ends tonight. LT will not be the next winner of "Dancing with the Stars."

He was bounced tonight, took it all in stride, and seemed to actually be pretty darned happy about it. Said he - in thanking ABC and the show - "I've been very blessed.[Partner Edyta Sliwinska] taught me everything I know about dancing; don't know where the hell I'm going to use it." Then, a promise to his pals in Miami: "I'll be on the practice range at 9, tee off at 9:30."

(Kelsey McNeal/ABC)

...this August.

...August 20 to be exact.

...which is especially interesting because...

...that's a Thursday.

Bravo's "PR" aired on a Wednesday.

So get ready to change your viewing habits.

Could be. Yes, could be the night. Some - okay, some being ME - wondered whether the string was about to run out on Ty Murray, but he was good last night.

LT, though...that's sadly not the case. He's not a waltzer. (Proof? Go to the jump.)

Here are Pierre Dulaine's weekly picks:

Shawn & Mark: (ChaCha) Very Michael Jackson like routine...VERY GOOD (PD score: 10; other judges: 9 - 9 - 10)

Lil' Kim & Derek (Rumba) Not good Rumba music - too many tricks and not enough Rumba dancing. (PD: 8 9 - 8 - 9)

Gilles & Cheryl (Viennese Waltz). Very good movement but too busy and not calm enough (PD: 81/2 9 - 9 - 9)

Ty & Chelsie (Waltz) Very caring & elegant - could have been better technically. (PD: 8 8 - 8 - 8).

Melissa & Tony (Argentina Tango) Stiff looking for this dance - too many tricks at times (PD: 8 10 - 9 - 10.)

Lawrence & Edyta (Waltz) Good partnering - very gentlemanly and caring - not there technically (PD: 7 7 - 7 - 7)

Chuck & Julianne (Samba) Best dance for him so far - very rhythmic & good choreography (PD: 9 9 - 9 - 9)

(Pix: ABC)

Continue reading ""DWTS:" Farewell, LT? " »

Jeez, I don't think I want to get into the middle of this, or on the side, or within a thousand miles of it either, but it was hard to miss on this morning's "Today" - a pretty good wrap on the Miss California controversy, by Amy Robach and Matt...Perez Hilton was interviewed via Skype and that, as we say in the media consulting trade, was a mistake. A big one...he came off looking like...a blogger! And no one, not even Mr. Blogger himself, wants to come off looking like that. Plus, his answers were terribly silly:

"I expected Miss California to be prepared for that question...especially because she IS [from] California...I wish she could have left politics and religion out of it...she could have answered so many different ways...'well, I want to leave my politics out of it...' That would have been a better answer."

Uhhh, WHAT? You wanted her to sound like some disingenuous politico scrounging for votes, namely YOUR'S?

Interview with our beloved Paula on this Thursday's "Nightline," and ABC just sent out some of the transcript. Please head south to the jump for that...

Any bulletins here? Honestly, none, but - and though this may have been asked - I am struck by the fact that Cynthia McFadden didn't bring up SiCo's ruminations about departure. Maybe she did, but the response is not included here.

Here's the newsiest bit:

On her Idol Contract:

MCFADDEN: So is your contract up?

ABDUL: Cynthia, this is my last season under contract.

MCFADDEN: Do you think she [Kara] will replace you?

ABDUL: I don’t think anyone [can]. First of all Kara says I could never replace you. And I said I whenever there is change it’s not about replacing anybody it’s about possibly moving on.

MCFADDEN: So do you want to stay on the show or not?

ABDUL: I love the show, I do. I love what I do on the show and I’m loving it more this season than ever. It’s taken me a while to get comfortable in my own skin with the show.

Check it all out...here...

(Pix: Getty)

Continue reading "Paula to "Nightline:" Wants to Stay on "Idol"" »

"Dad, you'll be happy to know that..." (Pix: 24headquarters.com)

As we get down to the final hours of this great and wondrous season, I think it's time I start paying just a little closer attention, and thus empowered with a humble blog and desire not to give any plot points away (too much) to those who have yet to see, I will take a "just asking" approach that will tease out questions which may well have no answers...

- Why is ol' Jonas still alive when the Little Red Beddy-Bye Pill he took had enough cyanide (or whatever) to level an army?

- Why don't I trust President Taylor's daughter?

- Why did the Baddies kill Jonas's lawyer, when she was probably a baddy too, and it would have been easier for the Blond and Babelicious Hit Lady to just say, "ummm, mind if I borrow your finger print?"

- Why wasn't Jonas particularly surprised to see the B&BHL; anyway?

- Why didn't anyone else notice that the transponder was outside the bombed building, but it took old eagle-eyed and seriously ill Jack to figure it out?

- Did Prez Taylor REALLY believe a little bit of FBI "pressure" would get Jonas to crack?

- Why didn't anyone notice that poor dearly departed Larry Moss had blood around his mouth which suspiciously looked to be in the shape of a hand-print?

- Why didn't Kim tell dad that he was grandpa Jack and that "hey pop, if you live, you might be able to see the little cutey one of these days?"

Man, I love "24," questions and all...

Jay's gonna spread some more cheer: This time in Wilmington, Ohio. Last free show in Detroit was apparently a success so...

Said he last night: "This will be on Mothers' Day. And the folks at Pepsi have been great. They're sponsoring this whole thing. Have a Pepsi, and a snack, we'll give you a show. It's absolutely free; parking is free. It's at the Roberts Centre in Wilmington, Ohio. It's on May 10th. If you don't like it, we'll give you your money back. " Kevin Eubanks is on board this time too.

Now you see him...tonight, you won't (Getty)

Let's clear this up right now - Justin Timberlake does not, repeat not, star in "The Phone," premiering tonight on MTV, at 10. Doesn't sing or perform either - nothing to do with the sountrack. If you blink, you'll miss his name on the credits at the end...And that's it. He's the front man, the big name, the hook. Beyond JT - who isn't even here - what's the reason to watch another reality show?

Because this one's good - surprisingly so.

Quick premise: Cell phones ring, and four strangers at separate locations in Seattle pick them up, where a voice - a melodramatic one with an Irish lilt, supplied by Emmet Scanlan - tells them about the game they have signed up to play .

Oh yes, I forgot - a car blows up too.

The four must pair off in teams, then go after the mad bomber, before the bastard strikes again! (The bomber? He kinda reminds me of Billy "Bomb" Thornton, in maybe, "The Apostle," but definitely not in "Bad Santa...") So...the kids are told to perform tasks - stuff like find the "suspect," or climb the Space Needle (or crawl around its halo); or...whatever. And with each task performed successfully, or semi-successfully, our mysterious caller puts more money in each teams' joint account. Game wraps by episode's end.

You'll wrack your brain for various antecedents - as I did, but couldn't really come up with any one thing that was a precise match to "The Phone." Maybe there's a bit of "Murder in a Small Town X;" maybe a bit of "The Benefactor;" maybe a bit of "The Mole," and seasoning from a dozen shows I couldn't think of.

But here's the point: "The Phone" knows it's hokey and knows it's a bit of a lark. But it is so well produced - credit to vet reality man, Craig Armstrong - and the various tasks are so well staged that you'll forgive the occasional lapses of clarity or logic. (And the fact that clearly, the show seems to be aiding our contestants in their mad and merry chase because, of course, Justin wouldn't have a show if they belly-flopped.)

This one, I do believe, is a keeper - or at least through it's six episode run.

Grade: B +

This is interesting: Oprah yanked today's pre-taped show on Columbine. It was to have been about the tenth anniversary BUT Ms. O said this, on Oprah.com:

"I decided to pull the Columbine show today. After reviewing it, I thought it focused too much on the killers. Today, hold a thought for the Columbine community. This is a hard day for them."

I can't recall the last time O pulled a show and certainly can't recall over a reason like this, and begs the really truly OBVIOUS question: Why not just re-edit it, or pull-back on certain elements? My guess - the guests on hand (per AP, they were Columbine Task Force lead investigator Kate Battan, FBI special agent Dwayne Fuselier, author Dave Cullen and Columbine High School principal Frank DeAngelis) wanted to talk about the killers. Hard to edit THAT out.

You can imagine how Cullen - and his publisher - feel about this last-minute cancellation. His book on Columbine - well-reviewed in yesterday's Times - is out today...

An edition about a woman out of prison will air instead...

(Pix: O by Getty)

At least he's not joining "I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Outta Here."

But it's still early. There's still time left in this day for another interesting press release from NBC.

For now, this one'll do: Pat O'Brien, who's had some problems that were kind of sad and very public, will "re-emerge" - NBC's word, not mine - on a new episode of Oxygen's "Pretty Wicked," which seems like an odd place for anyone to emerge. But everyone's gotta emerge sometime, so...

Per O, "Celebrity journalist Pat O'Brien makes a guest appearance on this week's episode of Oxygen's 'Pretty Wicked,' premiering Tuesday, April 21 at 10pm ET/PT, when he tries to determine just how genuine the ladies are through a series of intense interviews. "

Pat, as you know, left "The Insider" last fall - for reasons unknown; but it had NOTHING to do I imagine with this email he sent to staffers when he was in Iowa covering something-or-other:

" Hi, folks, I just spent a couple of days in Iowa—I'm a little bit of a favorite son there and I spoke with maybe a thousand people and was very hands-on. Even Joe Biden said, 'You should be running [for president]!' But what I came away with was, these people can't afford gas, books, food or schools or movies!

"I was approached a hundred times by people asking, 'Can you help us?' I tried to tell them we care, but they didn't buy it. They wanted to, but watching...Lara [Spencer] pick out accessories makes the viewers want to vomit. I'll get killed for this, but I'm actually the one not afraid for my job. I want people to be happy."

'Nuf said.

(Pix: Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)

No, not the latest reality show on NBC, though a catchy title, no?

Just a heart-felt comment on the following:

"Los Angeles, April 20, 2009 - E! Entertainment Television presents a new series that follows the crazy, sexy and often hilarious lives of sisters Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian as they head to Miami. Following recent public break-ups, Kourtney and Khloe have decided to seek out a fresh start and go to sunny Florida where they will open a new Dash boutique. Despite being away from their outrageous family for the first time, the sisters quickly find new drama, new relationships and a new social scene that they're determined to take by storm. From the producers of E!'s hit series "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" (Ryan Seacrest Productions, Bunim-Murray Productions), the new half-hour reality series "Kourtney and Khloe in Miami" (working title) debuts August 2009 on E!"

"E! viewers have fallen in love with Kourtney and Khloe's outspoken, unpredictable and highly entertaining personalities," said Lisa Berger, Executive Vice President, Original Programming and Series Development for E! "It is exciting..."

ZAAAPPP!

Out a few days, and lots happening, so...let's go to "Catching up with the News!"

Sanjaya will be on "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me outta Here." Yes, apparently show is also going to be renamed, "I'm a Celebrity.Get me a Stylist!" Blago joins, and OK! reports - though Fox denies - that Geraldo's on-board too.

Kara stays...For now. No shock that it's been a tough freshman year for the freshman, but "Idol" boss/ FremantleMedia North America chief Cecile Frot-Coutaz took the opportunity in an AP Kara Dioguardi profile, circulated over the weekend, to say this: "We're certainly not talking about going back to three at this point. ... We're pleased with the fourth judge," she said.( Now, I guess I don't need to parse this statement too carefully, but Cecile did say "fourth judge" and not "Kara." May be a mere oversight.)

SAG's finally got a contract. After an extended - a word that by no means does the just-concluded process justice - SAG members voted 53 percent in favor of a new two year deal. You'll note that that is hardly overwhelmingly in favor of the new deal, and seems underwhelming in favor. The union, in other words, is split, and remains split though the thumbs ups outnumber the 'downs. It was always unlikely the actors would walk away, but given the general displeasure in the writers' ranks over their deal, could this everyone will strike in a couple years, when the economy (hopefully) has improved and everyone is watching TV online?

"Southland" holds.Week two and "Southland" may well be a keeper. The show was seen by 9.58 million last week, or about a million viewers over "Harper's Island." It's a solid number for the NBC newcomer, and just about what "ER" was doing in the time period, and maybe even a bit o' improvement.

Helio innocent. Remember that shocker last year - a cuffed 'Neves lead away after the Feds decided he had evaded taxs on $5 million in earnings from his Penske racing team victories at Indie? He's innocent. A jury acquitted him a six charges on Friday...and that's that. But Reuters reports that the jury deadlocked on "a conspiracy charge against the siblings, leaving open the possibility the 33-year-old racer and his manager sister, Katiucia Castroneves, could face a retrial on that count." 'Neves, as you know, won "DWTS" a couple seasons ago.

Vick: No Reality Show...But... Somewhere I read last week that Michael Vick may do a reality show when released from prison this summer. But apparently...not, or "maybe." NFL.com has his agent, Joel Segal, saying “Any speculation of Mike doing a reality show is false. He has no interest in that. Absolutely false.� But, then there's this statement in the the NFL.com: "Vick’s lawyers did tell a judge in Vick’s recent bankruptcy hearing in Virginia that the former Falcons star could partake in a documentary that could help him earn $600,000 and help him pay off some of his debts. There have been no specifics about that potential project." Okay...

Jay Boyle: And this...yes, this...

Now, this is interesting: Meghan McCain, daughter of Sen. John (R-Az.) and Cindy McCain, who got into some big (wrong word) loud tussle with various people over weight issues in recent weeks, will be the guest co-host April 23 & 24 on "The View."

Why Megs? Because the girl knows how to cause a ruckus, that's why! And the Viewsters love their ruckuses, and resulting headlines (mostly, though, those headlines are on AOL, which I'm convinced is on the take for "The View.")

Here's the press release for proof: "McCain, author of 'My Dad, John McCain' who also blogs for TheDailyBeast.com, made headlines following her March 16, 2009 appearance on 'The View' after telling co-hosts Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd that the then plus-sized comments made about her were 'terrible,' and added: 'When Tyra Banks went on her show in a bathing suit and said ‘kiss my fat a**,’ that’s what I feel like. Kiss my fat a**!'�

Oh boy, don't ask me what any of this means. I'm just an innocent bystander. But I wonder: When Elisabeth Hasselbeck joins Fox News, does this mean Megs McCain will be her replacement?

(Pix: Getty)

(Getty)

John Madden is retiring. Huge news, and please go to Neil Best's extraordinary blog, TV Watchdog, for full details.

But I figured I'd be remiss not to make note of this on a blog about TV. Madden, after all, wasn't just one of the great NFL coaches, but turned out to be an even greater broadcaster. He's been part of our lives for decades, and a very good one. What a loss for NBC, but especially for viewers.

Here's his quote; a conference call is forthcoming...Again, go to Neil for the details...

"It's time. I'm 73 years old. My 50th wedding anniversary is this fall. I have two great sons and their families and my five grandchildren are at an age now when they know when I'm home and, more importantly, when I'm not...

It's been such a great ride... the NFL has been my life for more than 40 years, it has been my passion – it still is. I appreciate all of the people who are and were such an important part of the most enjoyable, most fun anyone could have... that great life with the teams, the players, the coaches, the owners, the League... my broadcasting partners Pat and Al... the production people and the fans...is still great... it's still fun and that's what it makes it hard and
that's why it took me a few months to make a decision.

I still love every part of it – the travel, the practices, the game film, the games, seeing old friends and meeting new people... but I know this is the right time. "

A clarification is in order, o faithful and perhaps forever-more o dubious reader...

Lil Rounds stays.

In my wrap in today's Newsday I reported that she got the boot so that Matt could stay.

I was wrong. She stays. Matt stays. She's happy. He's happy. Even Simon's happy.

But I'm not. In fact, there will be a double-ejection next week, as I reported, which should have provided the instant clue that no one technically got whacked last night. It'd be easy to blame Fox or Simon or even Ryan for the confusion, and in fact, the show didn't clarify as well as it might have.

But that's no excuse. I was wrong. Sorry...

Wow - whatta story, and I don't mean the tea parties: I do mean coverage of the tea parties.

Fox News has now officially moved away from flogging the tea party story to flogging its competitors who flogged THEM. Yes, it's confusing, but this is war - over ratings, money, stature, mindshare.

Yesterday, representatives for CNN and Fox were furiously dialing around to various members of the TV press to point out just how irresponsible the other's coverage was. Fox used that Susan Roesgen interview in Chicago for exhibit A; she actually blamed Fox on the air for something, unclear what that was (See below.) Fox supporter Drudge later got in the act, posting that Anderson Cooper "teabagging" post.

Here's Shep Smith, upon hearing of the now famous (or infamous, depending on your choice off networks) Roesgen outburst, as reported on TVNewser: "I've just learned it's Anti-CNN day. I know, right? I had no freakin' clue....Just a minute ago, that Susan Roesgen, from that CNN, that people used to watch a long time ago...Anti-CNN? Who's anti-CNN, settle down Susan! Come on girl...Poor Susan Roesgen, nobody hates you, everybody ... we love the CNN. Relax everybody. Don't get your hate on."

And MSNBC? It was left last night to its resident Fox basher/hater/reviler, Keith Olbermann, to lay out a separate case, where he effectively accuses Bill O'Reilly of doing something that I'd rather not get into here; that's a network first anywhere, I believe.

Now, this! Megyn Kelly just got off the air with Brent Bozell, Media Research Center guy, who was created in the alternate universe to Keith Olbermann. "All the sex jokes about teabagging" on MSNBC and CNN, he sputtered, promising viewers he wouldn't explain what the term meant. "But they had them by the dozens. That's how insulting they [MSNBC and CNN] were to people who believed they were being taxed too much...How DARE they criticize Fox when they were so clearly promoting their own agenda."

Ummm, what agenda was that?

Boy, this is just wacky.

Ah, Tara - the makeover continues, and dramatically on this week's edition. She gets the full Tabatha from Tabatha (of "Tabatha's Salon Makeover") and same with Tim Gunn. But Laura Denoux - Tara partner, pal, former colleague, and staunch ally - is also gone.

Per Tara, "Laura had partial stress factor in her hip and the doctor said didn’t think she could stay on the ranch. I didn’t know how severe it was, because I wasn't in the room when the doctor told her; she told me she could swim, and as soon as she said that, then [I said] you know I'm going to fight for you to stay here. Basically, Laura is the kind of person where she will push through [but] little did I know if she did go [forward] then she'd get a severe stress factor...so she went home, but [I'm] a new person basically and have her to thank...Would I have gotten this far without her? No. Having her there to have that shoulder to lean on...we became that much more united as team..

The makeover: "Once you work so hard for something and then see the change mentally and physically and emotionally, and then see the image portrayed [on TV] is special. I’d love to be able to help people to get to that point because seeing the transformation IS so special.�

Laura? She told TV Guide this week: "My hip is still fractured, but is doing much better. I actually have some lesions of a pre-stress fracture in my knee. I'm still having some restrictions with my workouts and what I can do.

This is interesting AND kinda unexpected: Fantasia has singed, errr, signed a deal with VH1 to star in a 2010 reality series, as reported this morning by Hollywood Reporter's James Hibberd. The details:

"Fantasia has one of the most fascinating stories in show business, from her tough upbringing to her meteoric rise on the national scene thanks to 'American Idol,' " Jeff Olde, top programming guy at VH1 told HR. "Her challenges from fame and her unwillingness to fail have combined to create a larger-than-life talent who appeals to music lovers around the world. So many people wanted to work with her on this, but Fantasia is now part of the VH1 family, and we're so happy to have her." It'll track her life as siingle mom and recording artist...

(Pix: Getty)

Sure, you're wondering about the "Spongebob" episode with Johnny Depp, and sure, the one person maybe in the entire United States of America who hasn't yet seen the clip, which has played almost 18 million times on Nick, is you.

That's why you came to 'Zone tonight - to see the clip. And here it is...Airs Friday, BTW.

See if you can guess who Johnny Depp is...(and thanks, as always to the splendid Corris Little of Newsday.com for making this possible...) Airs Friday at 8 - but you already knew that.

Seriously, I don't what any of this means, but it must mean something. I'm reasonably certain it doesn't have much to do with Darjeeling or Orange Pekoe, however.

This interesting and curious clip is making the ol' Internet rounds and your dutiful servant - anxiously awaiting tonight's "American Idol," though don't ask me why - feels duty-bound to share said clip.

Now, I think I'll get a cup of Lapsang souchong...

Well, it wasn't like they were going to name the whole THING the "Colbert," but just one room, or two. Something called a "node." A nationwide poll of voters did in fact say they should name it the Colbert - they were, naturally, goaded by the Colbert himself - and it appeared last week that NASA would acquiescence, when a representative agreed to appear on last night's show to formally anoint the node...

Instead, THIS: NASA astronaut Sunita Williams shows up, as sacrificial lamb, to designate the node in question "The Tranquility." Instead, Colbert will have the combined load bearing operational external resistant treadmill named after him.

Here's the full clip. I think I'll check in with the site a little later to see how fans are taking this...

(Was there even a competition to name the treadmill?)

Honestly, NASA does look a little silly in all this, don't you think? They hold a contest to name the thing, and don't even bother to use the TWO names that were voted in. So much for ridiculous contests like this...

He's a celebrity so please get him outta here... (PIx: Getty)

Rod Blagojevich wants to do what all penny-ante new-found-celebrity celebrities want to do: cash in. But on "I'm a Celebrity - Get Me Out Of Here!" Yes, "IACGMOOH."

Sigh.

Blago Blagojevich may have finally found the show worthy of his talents: He's signed on to appear in "I'm a Celeb..." from Costa Rica.

Chicago's Ch. 2 first (I believe) reported this last night, and herewith the details:

"Blagojevich was arraigned Tuesday on an array of federal corruption charges, including a scheme to sell President Obama's old Senate seat. The former governor pleaded not guilty during a brief hearing at the Dirksen Federal Building.

"The former governor needs permission from U.S. District Judge James Zagel to travel outside the country. He's expected to ask for that next week."

He'll get paid $60,000 if he gets to join up with the rest of the sterling-plated cast.

Steve - O. Yeah, yeah - I' ve been hard on Steve-O, but not nearly as hard as the judges. (I do believe Steve-O may have a lawsuit when this is all over.) But let's give the guy some credit: He's had some problems, and some serious ones too, from the Jackass days. Tried to get himself in order. Did that. Worked hard on the show, had a sense of humor, but also tried to make the best of it, as well. Plus, he had some injuries.

So, here's to Steve-O.

I'm just wondering: What will Steve-O say in tomorrow's exit interview with "Access Hollywood?" You remember, I'm sure, what David Alan Grier had to say last week - I haven't heard so many bleeps since "Southland." And what will happen on "Kimmel" tonight? Will Steve-O burn his shoes, or sell them...

The suspense...

(Right, Steve-O, Charley Gallay/Getty Images)

Boy, what else can you say about last night's "24?"

Except perhaps: Game's on. Really on. Here's poor Jack. Dying. Crying. Telling Kim to get lost. And there's Tony, bluffing, then snuffing... I think Jack will find his strength - and a tissue box - to finish this season off along with Tony, once and for all.

Until Tony comes back next season.

Really, what's "24" without Tony Almeida (well, since season 5, per my recollection.)

But I came across this amusing Carlos Bernard appearance on "Kimmel" from January, just after Tony returned from the land of the dead. Bernard is talking about a bunch of stuff, including a practical joke he joke he played on Kiefer Sutherland's driver, late one night after "shooting a scene in a container yard..." which, I suspect, is exactly the same container yard from last night.

So, just when you think Tony is THE most evil dude in the "24" universe, it's good to break down the fourth wall - and remember a.) what a great character he has truly been this season; and b.) that the guy who plays him has a pretty good sense of humor, too.

Continue reading "Tony Almeida: Practical Jokester" »

If you didn't know (and I didn't until TVtattle posted), Letterman has Kelly Ripa on tonight, and she's giving Dave "lady talk" about marriage, and school, and all that stuff. Dave - who's not good at lady talk - barely bites; he just doesn't WANT to talk about the stuff that "The View" gets into...So, it's kinda awkward, but here it is anyway...Dave and fatherhood and marriage...

Moving to the front o' the pack? Pierre thinks so... (Pix:ABC)

Okay, "Dancing" fiends. As we sail into tonight, the question becomes - as it usually does - who? As in, who must go, who must stay.

And for the evaluation from our resident expert, we go to Pierre Dulaine, New York master teacher, former world champ and someone who knows a thing or two about the business of hoofing.

Here are Pierre's picks from last night..

Lil' Kim & Derek (Jive) "GREAT routine and choreography." 10 from Pierre 10 - 8 - 10

Gilles & Cheryl (Jive) "Very energetic & good footwork, Excellent. partnering." 10 from Pierre 9 - 8 - 9

Ty & Chelsie (Jive) "Not enough from him...this dance did not suit him." 6 from Pierre 6 - 6 - 6

Steve-O & Lacey (Rumba) "He just should NOT bother, so wooden & unrhythmic." 5 from Pierre 7 - 4 - 5

Melissa & Tony (Rumba) "Too many tricks - not enough hip action." 8 from Pierre 9 - 9 - 9

Lawrence & Edyta (Jive) "Good rhythm but looked awkward and not at all light on his feet." 7 from Pierre 7 - 7 - 8

Chuck & Julianne (Rumba) "Lacking technique - too busy and too rough." 7 from Pierre 8 - 7 - 8

Shawn Johnson & Mark (Rumba) "Good lines but not much personality...felt uncomfortable." 8 from Pierre 9 - 9 - 9

Look who's in biz with Bravo! (Pix: AP)

...scripted series, AND a new competition series from Sarah Jessica Parker's production company that will pit aspiring artists against one another...

Enough to make everyone forget about that little show that has now officially joined the Lifetime lineup? We'll find out.

At Bravo's upfront for advertisers - just concluded - the network offered a glimpse at the post-"Project Runway" Bravo and it is a different one, and a varied one, and a packed one.

Here's what the press release says about the scripted shows - a first for Bravo which steered clear of this usually-risky program form for reasons of $$$$...

"... From Laurence Andries ("Six Feet Under," "Alias") and executive producers Leslie Morgenstein and Bob Levy for Alloy Entertainment ("Gossip Girl"), comes "Blueprint," a serialized dramedy following the lives of two best friends – one straight, one gay – who own New York's hottest architecture and interior design firm.

"From Jonathan Prince ("The Cleaner," "Cane" and the Emmy winning NBC series "American Dreams") and Alana Sanko ("Murphy Brown," and award-winning children's television including "Just for Kicks" and "DragonTales") comes "30 Under 30." The series centers around young, influential up-and-comers who have earned a coveted spot on an annual "30 Under 30" list. The series follows these characters – among them a sexy young chef, a gossip blogger, an avant garde artist and a high end real estate agent – after being honored at a big event in New York. These hot and talented young professionals are all over the New York social scene living dynamic, glamorous, and sometimes scandalous lives, which cleverly intersect and collide. "

OK, please head south to the jump for the new program line-up, including development deals...And only for readers who have plenty of time to kill. There's a LOT here...It's gonna be a busy year at Bravo...

Continue reading "Bravo: Apres "Project Runway?" This..." »

Remember that little bit of insanity that broke over NBC a week or so ago - a troublesome Boston affiliate told the network that it had no plans to air the "Jay Leno Show" at 10 when it bows this fall, but instead put news on instead?

And remember NBC's reaction? A cross between "nuclear" and "thermonuclear" - network threatened to demolish the station and salt the earth where it had once stood.

Well, said station has relented. It will now air Jay at 10: Here's the statement from the station boss, who clearly got the message:

“Upon further consideration, we have decided to telecast Jay Leno at 10 p.m. starting in September,� the station owner Ed Ansin said in a statement. “Jay is from Andover where I went to school. I enjoy his humor. We hope the new show is a big success.�

[Ha! What a statement! Because Jay is from Andover, that means they're bros! So he'll go ahead and air it after all.

Oh man. Amazing, just amazing.]

NBC, I am quite sure, is pleased. For one little moment last week, the network's blood froze - "what if OTHER affiliates dumped Jay for local news too?! "

The threat, for now, has been averted. Defcon 2 as well.

(Pix: Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

Another amazing fact about the amazing contestant, Scott MacIntyre, out last week: He had a kidney transplant. Told viewers this morning on "Live with Reeg and Kelly:"

"I didn’t want to bring that up during the competition,� he said. “The blindness is obvious but I didn’t want all my challenges to weigh in the voting and now that I’m off the show, people are finding out about it.�

“I can remember a time when I actually didn’t have enough strength to sit and play and vocalize at the piano, so every day on Idol is just a blessing for me and I am healthy now.�

As you probably know - because it has been reported, on EW.com last week - Gale Harold's returning to "DH" on May 3. ABC just officially confirmed and here's the episode - entitled "Bargaining" - storyline:

"Bree sinks to a new low to retain the best lawyer; Gaby's vanity is put to the test when she makes a deal with daughter Juanita; Lynette and Tom negotiate sex; Katherine deceives Mike to win his heart; Jackson [Harold] walks back into Susan's life with a proposal; and an unexpected visit sends Dave to do some bargaining of his own.

As you're also aware, Harold was badly injured in a motorcycle accident last October. "DH" had to juggle the storyline - Jackson apparently went away to teach - and Susan's boy toy had to disappear. Where does it go from here? We're about to find out - and so, apparently, is Susan.

(Pix: ABC)

Nielsen has sent out its monthly chart that tracks on-line from various sources, and this one is worth checking. What's most notable here, besides the pretty stunning growth - Nielsen said there were 9.6 billion streams in March "viewed by an estimated 130 million web users," which is a 38.8 percent increase over March 2008.

Where does much of this growth come from? Hulu, which is now ranked behind Youtube as the number-streaming site. Quite a one-year birthday gift for Hulu, AND for NBC and Fox, too. Naturally, this raises the question: How much viewing is going to Hulu that is NOT going to the mother networks?

(Pix: Getty)

"Smoking?"

"Wearing t-shirts?"

"Bugging Paula?..."

"Using the word 'horrible...'"

Oh, the anticipation of this blog post...

WHAT COULD SIMON POSSIBLY QUIT????

Howabout "American Idol?"

Yes, friends...and, oh, by the way, Happy Easter...that is the big news on the other side of the pond. Sico gave an interview to the London Mirror where he says the following...

"...He admits that even he cannot keep up his hectic workload for too much longer. 'I don’t want to come over as whiney because I am very grateful that I have got these jobs,' he says.

'But there is a point where I am not sure we can keep this schedule up. It takes longer and longer to make these shows because you have to put more into them, and I am not sure we can sustain me doing three shows a year, with the record label and the TV production company.

'Most people do one show a year and I do three and they involve a lot of traveling. One may have to go. I don’t know which one. That is the problem, I like all of them. I can’t imagine not doing Britain’s Got Talent and I can’t imagine not doing X Factor. But I guess America is more likely to go because I have got one year under contract. Maybe that will be the end.'�

Now, I ask you: What is "America?" Is that a show, or a country, or...what?

The Mirror insists it's "American Idol."

(But I suspect it's his green card.)

In fact, SiCo has threatened to "quit" before...(And wouldn't YOU like to quit a job that pays about $8-10 million per?)...So I'm assuming there's a disagreement with Fox/Simon Fuller/Sony BMG over something. God knows what. A few years ago, he threatened to quit because Sony/BMG didn't get rights to sign the future winner of the 5th season of "American Idol," and you know how that turned out. It got the rights...

But it's late and my memory is fading away...point is, Simon, like all smart TV guys, makes off-handed threats in certain corners of the press (though typically the NYT) to scare the parties involved. They bend to whatever his demands are, and life goes on...

And so it will.

Yes, it's official: The space station is about to be named...

"The Stephen Colbert Report..."

Or, let me rephrase, one little component - or "node," in NASA-speak - will be named after him. I guess they'll just call it "The Colbert Room."

Whatever. VICTORY!

This is exciting. Colbert was going to be a congressman from South Carolina, and couldn't get past the silly regulations. Then, he asked viewers to vote his name into the NASA-Let's-Name-the-Space-Station! Contest. He won easily, then NASA started to "hem," and then they started to "haw."

Maybe, they said to themselves, we should overturn the Democratic process and name it what we REALLY want to name it: "The Spock Module."

But apparently the president intervened and told 'em to go with "Colbert." (I'm kidding...the president didn't intervene. But he could have....)

Here's the top of the recent press release:

NASA TO ANNOUNCE NEW SPACE STATION MODULE NAME APRIL 14th on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report." The program will air at 11:30 p.m. EDT.

Full and surprising funky NASA press release on jump...

Continue reading "Colbert: Finally Wins An Election" »

The CW shot out a bunch of clips last night JUST TO REMIND THE WORLD that Tori Spelling will be back - or I should say, will join - "90210" next week, and dutiful servant of the CW's publicity machine that I am, here they are, or some of them... The first, then please head south to the jump for more.

Oh Donna, Donna...How has life been for you? Where's David? Have you lost your virginity yet?

Continue reading "'90210': Tori's back" »

OK, let's get a really quick review up here:

"Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire"

Thumb up or thumb down?

I'm going to be really courageous and go with a...thumb sideways.

There's definitely some funny stuff here, but not nearly enough; also, some first-rate comic actors, too, like Matt Lucas ("Little Britain USA") and Sean Maguire - he's Krod - is good here too. It's a nearly-all-Brit cast, and as you know, the Brits do genre satire better 'n anyone else in the solar system...the holy grail being "Monty Python and the Holy Grail."

As mentioned, Matt Lucas as the evil Chancellor Dongalor is the standout; also good, Philly comic Kevin Hart as hapless magician Zezelryck.

But the series (Comedy Central, 10) needs to be funnier, much funnier. Maybe in time...

Grade: B

Had a chat with my bud Tara Costa earlier today - Tara, who is wasting away to nothing, survived another challenge this week, ate 4,000 calories, had the worst sugar high of her life, and still...still...still is battling away on "The Biggest Loser." She had some reasonably interesting news. She's on the cover of this week's OK magazine, on stands today. Go to the jump for a look, and it is pretty much not to be believed.

Yup, this is makeover time for Ms. Tara, and on next week's episode of "TBL," we have Tim Gunn: "It was like a dream come true, pampered for a full day. I'm not saying it was not easy - it was still hard work [but] I got his expert advise which [included] 'don't be afraid of color.' I was [long ago and far away] so heavy that I never chose bright vibrant colors, but always wore black." The color she chooses next week: "It's green, of course."

How much longer will Tara Costa last on "TBL?" I don't ask and don't want to know; this morning when we spoke, she was working out, as usual..."It's like you just want to do everything you possibly can to put your best foot forward and to not give up...Hopefully, I can have no regrets..."

And if you didn't yet know about Tara's Facebook...here it is...worth checking out...

(Pix: You are correct - I do need a new picture of Tara Costa...so head to the jump for one...)

Continue reading "Tara of 'Biggest Loser' poses in pictures for OK mag" »

Here's an unusual TV cameo: Leonard Nimoy, who needs absolutely no introduction, will guest on "Fringe." Fox just announced.

The details: "...Nimoy will appear as pivotal person of interest, William Bell...In next week’s all-new “Unleashed� episode, airing Tuesday, April 14 (9:01-10:00 PM ET/PT), animal rights activists ransack a laboratory and get more than they bargained for when one of the caged “animals� unleashes a ferocious appetite. With Charlie’s life on the line, Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson) and Dr. Walter Bishop (John Noble) come face-to-face with the gnarly piece of fringe science..."

Nimoy will be in "Trek," and J.J. is also directing so...is this a favor or a very clever bit of stunt promotional casting in anticipation of one of the big, maybe THE, big summer releases? I'm going with "favor;" "Trek" needs almost no promotion at this point...

(Pix: by Michael Becker, Fox)

And....my wrap in tomorrow's paper...should you care..

"Amazing guy, but sometimes...amazing isn't good enough. Scott MacIntyre was sent home last night.And then, there were seven.

Why send Scott home? Well...who else are you gonna boot? Anoop?

"Scott, someone's got to make a decision here," said Simon, self-appointed decision-maker. "And it's the end of the competition."

In a credit to his genuine talent, MacIntyre actually made it tough for the judges last night - 30 million votes and only 30,000 (per Ryan Seacrest) separating him and Anoop Desai. But there was to be no recount. The judges, or at least Simon, made the right decision.

In a hard-to-define kind of way, this has been a expedient season. Someone's gotta go. Last night, Scott went. But it could have been Lil (though shouldn't have been) or the cat of dozen lives, Anoop. All of the contestants to this point are certainly solid, talented, proficient, well-voiced (is there such a term? Whatever..) and telegenic. But all of them, with the exception of the clear front runner - Adam Lambert - lack something. "Something," in this case, is most easily defined as "exciting" or "defiantly different." Kris Allen? Wonderful. But (umm) just a little dull. Lil? Matt Giraud? Still not sure who she or he is. Allison? Great big voice, but... Anoop? A couple of lives to go perhaps.

That leaves us with the two who will end up winning this thing a month and a week from now: Danny Gokey or Lambert.

Scott - who sang Survivor's old chestnut, "The Search is Over," has one of the richest backgrounds of any contestant in "Idol" history - scholarships, awards, degrees the length of your arm. Plus, he's been one of the most likable contestants on that stage over eight seasons.

But again, this isn't about "likable." It's about ratings and selling records."

We've got the first pictures of Donna Martin - Tori Spelling - back on "90210." ....With Diablo Cody.

(For some reason, I never expected to use the names "Tori Spelling" and "Diablo Cody" in the same sentence, but I guess you wouldn't call the above a "sentence" either...)

Tori looks good, and by "good," I mean well-nourished here.

The logline from the CW, and yes, the episode airs next Tuesday, as if you didn't know...

"Kelly (Jennie Garth) and Silver (Jessica Stroup) are surprised when Donna (guest star Tori Spelling) shows up at their door, straight off a plane from Japan. Annie (Shenae Grimes) and Dixon (Tristan Wilds) decide to spend their spring break on a road trip to visit someone from Dixon’s past, while Ethan (Dustin Milligan) decides to step out of his bubble and volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord) joins the Habitat build after learning that Liam (Matt Lanter) is also attending, but is clearly out of her comfort zone. While Kelly and Donna are dining on sushi, Diablo Cody (guest starring as herself) convinces Donna to design a dress for her for a red carpet event. "

I know it's Passover, and I suppose we shouldn't get into this, being a Holy day and all...But FBN, Cavuto, and Limbaugh got into this "To Hell with New York" business again tonight.

It's the sort of stuff that gets the blood pressure going - only insofar as this guy, Rush, doesn't EVEN LIVE IN NEW YORK.

Everyone has a God given right to blast the Greatest State and City in the Union. That comes with the territory. Call New York names. Give it hell. Tell it that its government is lousy and corrupt and how the taxes are obscene (and of course they are) and how it's just about impossible to live here anymore. And the weather? Don't get me started. Snowflakes today.

But don't - don't - tell us how terrible it is from a big comfy seat in Florida. And then say, well, the next time you'll come up here is to play golf.

That's just pathetic. And whiny. And...

Here's Neil's interview with Limbaugh. Neil didn't stick up for NY. So I will...(and what about those taxes, and the weather, and the traffic, and green fees...)

(Pix: Ben Van Hook, Golf Digest)

Here's the release we've all been waiting for - official word on the return of "The Bachelorette!"

It's here...the release that is...and soooo much more. Here are da basics...

That Mike Judge animated we've heard so much about..."The Goodes?" Mark your calenders: May 27.

And (almost forgot...how quickly we DO forget!): "The Bachelorbabe?" May 18, with a whopping two hour starter, in which Jillian will scope out a bunch of desperate dudes...

Please head south to the jump for the full release...YES!

(And that pix, courtesy ABC, is - in fact - of The Goodes...)

Continue reading "ABC Summer Fun " »

OK, lotsa promos on Kat McPhee's big cameo role on tonight's "CSI:NY." Here's what I believe is a pretty full look at the budding star...

Been running around and just now catching with up with this ginned-up "controversy" over "millions who missed" Adam's performance and - per a hyperventilating Yahoo - which has now become a "major production FIASCO!" Or hyperventilated words to that effect.

Bad news, lovers of controversy as it relates to "Idol." Big nothing happened. The performance went as planned. It ended as planned. It was seen by millions, as planned. His numbers were posted, as planned, and re-posted during the re-cap as planned.

What was missing? A few judges comments: BIG DEAL. Simon spoke for everyone when he gave Adam's Tears for Fears performance a standing O. What more could Adamoids have wanted? Yes, something happened with the DVR clock, which meant those recording may have indeed lost the performance or parts thereof. But would these fans have voted anyway? Sure, a few, but certainly a lot fewer than the many millions who watch in real time.

And don't worry. He'll be fine tonight. He'll be fine May 19 when he (maybe) wins, too.

-Click here for photos of all of Adam Lambert's different looks on "American Idol" this season

1) Click here for photos of all of the finalists singing on stage

2) Vote in our poll for your favorite finalist

3) See photos from inside the after-party for the 13 "American Idol" finalists

4) Check out the other entries, conversations and latest news on our "American Idol" blog

Fox Photo

Hug it out. The prez loves us...

President Obama's list of favorite TV shows has hit the Web.

This kinda story was inevitable - what DOES the president watch? If he's REALLY ONE OF US, then he has to have a TV favorite, a guilty pleasure, a moment, or moments, where he basks in the cool, blue, pristine light of the LCD screen - where his mind wanders, then blanks, then turns into some nonsentient blob, where the last things that occur are thoughts about TARPs, or GM, or looming depressions.

Politico has turned out such a story this morning, and it's getting a ton of pickup - and by "ton," I mean AOL, which has accorded it front-row position.

His favorites: "Entourage," "Spongebob," "Hannah Montana."

That's it!

I'm not kidding. Three shows, two of 'em for kids, or 'tweens.

The first - "Entourage," just to establish his "coolness," and Hollywood smarts, and the fact that he knows that Ari's based on the brother of his most important adviser, Rahm-bo.

Message to President Obama: This is not good enough. You sound suspiciously like an intellectual, who doesn't REALLY watch TV, but just pretends to, so that people don't think you're just a brilliant fellow who went to Harvard Law. It sounds to me like you don't really watch TV at all, because otherwise you'd know that "Entourage" isn't on the air now, hasn't been on the air for weeks (months, or since last November, to be exact.) "Entourage" is great - we all know that - but we also know that there are other shows worth watching, and know that when "Entourage" isn't on, you need to find another guilty pleasure.

So Mr. President: Here's 'Zone's list. Here are the shows that you can watch right now to justify the White House HBO (or Showtime, or overall cable) bill. Let's go!

- "In Treatment." A stunning second season. And when times get tough in the ol' WH, you may need to see a "counselor;" Byrne may even be an O supporter. Do you need his number?

- "The Tudors:" Hey, this is perfect. Just started the last season; watch and learn about court politics. This could be informative TV.

- "Fairly Odd Parents:" "Spongebob" is so completely EVERYWHERE; I bet even the girls have seen every episode 83 times; time to flip to a new 'toon. "FOP" will, alas, drive you insane.


- "Harper's Island:" New CBS slice 'em / dice 'em series. People go missing...a way to fulfill your fantasies about dispatching troublesome GOP hairshirts in the House...

- "American Idol:" If you were really, truly one of us, you'd know an opinion on this question - Danny or Adam?

-Which shows that you love do you think President Obama should watch? Tell us in the comments, below. (Note: As always anything profane or over-the-line will be deleted.)

HBO Photo

Well, that's not good.

David Alan Grier, off "Dancing with the Stars." In fact, that stinks. Come on - the obvious call was to boot off Steve-O. He is, by far, the lowest vote-getter from the judges of the entire remaining group. He is as good a dancer as I am - which, frankly, is enough said. And yet, he remains. To torture the judges again another week. DAG was actually pretty good. The guy seemed to put his heart into it - and was pretty solid as well.
Steve-O's success? Clearly Howard Stern has organized a get-out-the-vote. "Jackass" fans of the world have united. "Totally Busted" fans too - take that back. Oh, wait. There ARE no "Totally Busted" fans. Nor should there be. Maybe he's getting the pity vote...Maybe "Votefortheworst.com" is finally getting some traction here...Maybe... And here's where it gets really strange - LT was in the bottom two. Recount!

( AFP / Getty Images Photo)

Here's a little more from Kal Penn on his departure last night, via a conference call:

"I loved playing Kutner, so [it was] more than a little bit of a shock and loss when I found out....I was probably as shocked as the audience was...

But..."I liked the way it happened.; the thing I enjoy about being an actor and the arts in general is the ability to make the audience feel an emotion they weren't intending to feel when they went in. They did feel the type of loss and anger and confusion they did about this fictional character, and I do think part of the loss the team on 'House' feels from what he did is transitioned over to what the audience feels because there is no explanation. I'm kind of glad we didn't have a big dramatic Kutner scene" in the final episode for his character last night...

(Pix: Getty)

Here's the official word on Kal Penn and his new gig...AP just moved this:

"The White House has hired actor Kal Penn as a liaison between President Barack Obama's administration and arts groups.

White House spokesman Shin Inouye said Tuesday that the actor who had a recurring role on Fox's TV show "House" and has starred in several movies would join the staff as an associate director in the Office of Public Liaison. His role will be to connect Obama with the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities, as well as arts and entertainment groups.

Penn starred as Kumar in the movie, "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay." His "House" character committed suicide in Monday's episode.

Penn backed Obama during the campaign. The White House says a start date for Penn hasn't been set."

(Pix: Matt Sayles, AP)

Big news! Sit down before you read this...though preferably not on a couch.

Jay Leno...will...not use a couch on the new "Jay Leno Show" when it premieres this fall.

No couch? What, Jay? Are guests gonna sit on a yoga mat instead?

The big news broke yesterday in Beantown, where Jay was on hand to raise $$ for a scholarship at Salem State. He was asked about that flap with the Boston station that says it might not air his show at ten (he said it'll all work out) and then, about the new show.

At that point, he stated his innate bias against couches. And desks, too.

"We will probably lose the couch and the desk and just do more things. We'll still have celebrities. There will still be a monologue, the stuff that works, headlines, and Jaywalking," he said, as reported in the Boston Globe.

I'm stunned. Couches on talk shows are as important as the hosts - but don't get paid as much. They get no respect, either, while occasionally, guests jump on them, and by so doing, put holes in them, thus making the host-owner stare in utter disbelief, while ruminating about repair costs and the sanity of guests. (Oprah...oh, Oprah...)

The couch was been part of "The Tonight Show" even before there was a "Tonight Show" host. (Of course, the new show won't be "Tonight.")

The desk, too. For God's sakes, Jay. What kind of show are you mounting? No desk? You need something to put the coffee mug on.

And now Jay's firing the poor dears.

I wonder what he'll get for them on Craig's List?

Tom demonstrates his talent for couch abuse on "TNS." (AP Photo)

Love him or hate him, you gotta watch Keith O's farewell to his mother, Marie, from last night's "Countdown." It's maybe Keith's finest moment - the guy actually DOES like somebody! This tribute is funny, touching and full of love. His mother died over the weekend.

Plus, the special added bonus: Years ago, his mom, Marie - a huge baseball fan - was beaned square on the bridge of her nose by an overthrow from second by none other than Chuck Knoblauch; the headline in Newsday: "Not Even Olbermann's Mom is Safe from Knoblauch."

Well worth watching this...

Let's get one thing straight right upfront: Kal Penn is fine. Nothing to worry about. He's OK - just leaving a show for politics, or so he says.

Meanwhile, what was that all about?

Out of the blue - a death on one of TV's biggest shows. A shot to the head. Never saw it coming. Neither did House. Nor did anyone else.

Now the valid question: Did Fox, or "House," set up this departure responsibly, or was it so shocking, so unexpected, that even viewers need help to deal with it right now? Hard do say, but Fox has actually set up a "mourning" site that viewers can access this morning. I've never seen anything quite like this - it lets viewers mourn the dearly departed while perpetuating the curious myth that Kal Penn's character is "real," and MUST be mourned.

Again, this question: In a world where suicide is so horrifyingly real, did Fox set this up responsibly, or was this a simple trick to resolve an actor's departure, or pop the numbers? And to this point: How can viewers "mourn" anyone, even a popular character like Kutner, if they have no idea why this happened, or if it was used to (as mentioned) let Penn get off the show quickly so he could get to his new job?

To rephrase: You're supposed to mourn because Penn's going to work for Obama?

I'm getting all tangled up in blue here, so for clarity, head out to the Web, where Kutner/Penn fans can mourn a little more. I'd direct you to a couple places. First off, Maureen Ryan at the Chicago Tribune has posted a thoughtful outtake on this; and second, Michael Ausiello of "EW," has an extended interview with Kutner - who tells the mag about his desire to work for the Obama administration - and offers this:

"One of the things I love about our show is you never know what's going to happen. So that news struck me in the same way we hope it strikes the audience: there was a little bit of anger and some depression. You really go through those emotions, especially when somebody dies in that fashion. Ultimately, it was a really interesting choice for them to make. We don't really know why he did it..."

No we don't.

And now, friends, let's poll this out...

Did Fox and "House" handle this....

• as a way to goose ratings?
• as a dignfied way to say goodbye?
• Sensitively?
• as a horrifying way to say goodbye?
• poorly?

Created on Apr 7, 2009

View Results

poll by twiigs.com

(Getty Images Photo)

>> Photos: "House: For the Greater Good" episode.

Photos: "House: Unfaithful" episode.

Photos: "House: The Softer Side"

This wire story crossed a few hours ago, but just in case you haven't yet seen...The producer who's working on Farrah Fawcett's documentary says she is "not on death's door," per indications earlier today, while she was hospitalized for a "blood clot..."

And...her doctor told Extra: "It turned out that the procedure caused a small amount of bleeding in one of the muscles of her abdomen, making a hematoma, which was quite painful."

Full AP story on the jump...

(Pix: AP)

Continue reading "Fawcett "Fine:" Producer " »

Bet you didn't know this but "The Today Show" had one of the gets of the week and the week had barely even started: an interview with Eliot Spitzer.

This could have been - indeed, I'm pretty certain was - the first national TV interview with the ex-gov. [In fact, this was NOT the first and so, not quite the exclusive "Today" claimed it was: I'm told that he also appeared on CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS" recently.]

Still...An amazing get.

A display of "Today Show" power...

But what the HECK happened?

After a few milquetoast perfunctory questions from Matt Lauer on the one of the greatest political scandals in New York state history, Matt let it drop. He moved on. And allowed Spitzer to continue molding his New Public Image - as the Democratic party renegade who just doesn't quite agree with Prez Obama's monetary policy.

Honestly, it was very, very disappointing. Matt had him...right there...and he slipped clean away. What say you about what happened, Gov? Matt wanted to know. "I've tried to balance...the pain to my family..."

"I've had faults...no excuses...tried to address those gremlins...what I did was an egregious violation to the state and my family..."

Ummm, how often did you go to hookers, El? (Matt's question was phrased far more felicitously..)

"Not frequently. Not in the grand context of my life."

What does this mean? What does "in the grand context of my life mean?"

Sorry, but no followup from Matt. Instead, our man let Spitzer slip and slide right away, and then allowed him to tell viewers about how he'd fix the economy. This, friends, is the guy who let New York state down. This is the guy we want any opinion from?

What a wasted opportunity.

But you be the judge...

(Pix: Getty)

The media - particularly the tabloid corner - is about to mobilize into full Farrah Fawcett mode, in the wake of that Radar report that she's in a Los Angeles-area hospital "in critical condition."

But NBC probably has the inside track on this story: Just last week the network said it had exclusive rights to the documentary tracking her treatment in Germany, entitled "A Wing and a Prayer." Here's what producer Craig Nevius told (NBCUni-owned) "Access Hollywood:" "Her health and her message have remained [NBC execs] priority, instead of rushing the project to the air or grabbing at headlines. They have respected both her privacy and her creative voice. From the beginning, the network has insisted that ‘A Wing and A Prayer’ will air when both it and Farrah are ready.�

Question here: Have they also purchased rights to outtakes - some of which even appeared on "Today" his morning? Answer: Evidently yes. Of the project, Nevius said this last week: "The film will do what Farrah has always done so well: get people’s attention and get them talking. Those are always the first steps toward effecting social change of any kind."

(Pix: Getty)

And now this, announced over the weekend and currently visible in my in-box - with a mantle of weekend-accumulated dust still over it: Zac Efron will host this Saturday's "Saturday Night Live" this weekend...Yes, a first for both. Yes, his movie, "17 Again" is out mid-month too.

Also: the Yeah Yeah Yeahs will perform... A first-time appearance for the band too.

(AP Photo / Fox Searchlight, Ishika Mohan)

This is exciting news indeed - beyond the fact that it effectively confirms that there will be an eighth season of "24:"

Anil Kapoor is joining the cast.

I'm am assuming he's going to be one of the bad guys...

You remember Anil, of course: He was the overly-excited "Millionaire" host, who - in fact - was a cad of the first order, called the police, claimed Jamal (Dev Patel) was cheating, which pretty much set up the whole movie - Jamal explaining to the brutal cops that he didn't cheat, and here's how he got the answers, etc.

Here's what Fox says: "In his first American television role, Kapoor will play a Middle Eastern leader who comes to the U.S. on a peacemaking mission.

"With more than 100 credits to his name, Kapoor is a Bollywood icon and one of India’s most prominent actors. He has earned acclaim for his many award-winning performances over the last three decades, and recently appeared as game show host 'Prem Kumar' in the Oscar-winning film 'Slumdog Millionaire.'�

Of course, he was great in the movie - but then, so was everyone else.

Got the final numbers in for the finale, and - as you can see - they're good. Beyond that huge 16.2 million, the show also got a 6 rating for adults 18-49. That's huge too. Here's the bottom line from NBC:

"Last night from 9-11 p.m. ET, the series finale of "ER" (6.0 rating, 16 share in adults 18-49, 16.2 million viewers overall) scored the highest 18-49 rating for a drama series finale since "The X-Files" wrapped with a 6.3 on May 19, 2002. In total viewers, "ER," with an average 16.2 million viewers, assembled the biggest overall audience for a drama series finale since "Murder, She Wrote" concluded with 16.5 million on May 19, 1996.

Had a pleasant chat last with Chuck Scarborough - the dean of New York anchors and a master in the art of survival, TV-style - and he told me the following: He's staying.

Let me rephrase that: He's not going. Let me be even more clear: Chuck. Stays. At. Ch.4.

As you know, the NBC-owned station system has been in an uproar this week, even more so than usual. LA KNBC vet, Paul Moyer, was shown the door yesterday, while Len Berman - an institution in this town going back a quarter century - opted to leave within a couple months. According to the reports filed by our own Neil Best, the parting is amicable. Moyer, too, insisted to the LA Times that he was "retiring" which is a word that certainly implies he's going of his own volition.

But here's the simple fact: NBC is in a state of great anxiety - panic seems too strong a word, but maybe it isn't. They're now throwing the furniture out the window over at the Plaza and if a body happens to be sitting in that over-stuffed comfy chair, he or she goes too. In mid-winter, at least fifty people - many of their first-raters, including top newsroom editors like Peter Facini (long ago the station's Long Island producer) and Phil O'Brien - were fired or found the door on their own. Any one deemed "expensive" is thus deemed "expendable."

Thus the fear. A report in Gawker earlier this week had both Chuck and Moyer out the door, per "rumors," because they're exclusive members of the $3 Million club. So far, half right.

Here's what Chuck told me:

"No, I think I got lumped in with others somehow, but there's nothing to that. Nary a word has been said and quite the opposite - they've [management] assured me there is not a discussion going on. I've got three years and change as of July left on my contract, and so far as I know, I'll be working [to the end of it] if not beyond. There's nothing in the wind that I'm aware of."

"Do I feel confident? I'd tell you I'd feel a hundred percent confident [but] because the business changes all the time, this is a snapshot of this day. Those reports are completely erroneous and I've been assured by management that they are. They have shed some high-priced talent around the system, and whether they've finished doing that, I don't know. We've cut an awful lot here [as] the business model keeps changing. We're all caught up in this sort of perfect storm of ...a collapsing economy that [affects] your newspaper and my television station."

Yeah, we talked about Sue too.

"I hear nothing about Sue either," and he said they're gonna continue to be a team. "I think it'd be very difficult for them" to drop both.

Then, he got wistful: "If it ended tomorrow, I would be blessed to have been here that long [35 years!] and I have zero regrets, and I certainly wouldn't walk out of here angry. But I have hopes that I'll be at the helm here through the end of my contract."

Do I believe Chuck? Sure. Of course. The real question is this: Should he believe management?

Notwithstanding the obvious reason why he shouldn't - if they could hire a Latvian monk with purple hair and a Cyclops eye to anchor and who would cost nothing but still draw viewers, then...so long, Chuck! But I doubt if they can.

Three reasons why Chuck/Sue stay, and I could be wrong...I can be that way sometimes:

1.) It'd cost 'em around $10 million to cut bait. That's a golden exit ramp, and maybe a prohibitively expensive one.

2.) There really isn't anyone to replace this team; they ARE Ch. 4, and lose them and you become a bowl of oatmeal, indistinguishable from the other bowls of oatmeal out there. Also, Scarborough's a very good anchor - not some blow-dried twinkie - with a vast store of institutional knowledge and "marketplace equity."

3.) Chuck's also anchoring the new 7 p.m. telecast on the digital channel; this is a critical venture and so far, the 7 p.m. hour is pretty much the only reason to tune in; more on this in Monday's Newsday.

Again, I could be very wrong. The ineradicable truth: If Ch. 4 can find a cheaper way to do this, Chuck'll be spending a lot more time out in the Hamptons this summer. A source tells me, "this has gotta be his last contract. And then what..."

"Boston did whaaaa?"

In a sign of...oh, who the hell knows what it's a sign of...NBC's Boston affiliate has dumped Jay Leno's 10 p.m. show.

Quite a feat considering it hasn't even launched yet.

This is big news and will no doubt shoot a bolt of cold hard fear through 30 Rock. I can hear Zucker now, "How DARE those provincials dump us! This means WAR."

Here's the deal: As reported on the Boston Globe's website last night, WHDH/7 will air some local news program instead of Leno's show. Ch. 7 is apparently aping the Fox affiliate up there which has done well with local news filler at 10 (surprise! that's what Fox affiliates DO at ten.)

And...NBC has already gone nuts over this: Per the Globe, "WHDH's move is a flagrant violation of the terms of their contract with NBC," said John Eck, president of NBC TV Network, in a statement. "If they persist, we will strip WHDH of its NBC affiliation. We have a number of other strong options in the Boston market, including using our existing broadcast license to launch an NBC owned and operated station."

Charrrge! Another Boston tea party - this time over Jay.

Consider: If Boston, which is kind of an independent TV market to begin with, gets away with this, then what's to stop Worcester...then Albany...then Syracuse...then...

You get the idea. TV stations across the country are panicking because they're losing so much dough, so why not dump Jay at 10 and just go with local news - or infomercials - instead?

Yes, this is a big deal, and here's another point: Jay's from Boston. (Or Andover.)

Good Lord. This could be a mess.

(Pix: Paul Drinkwater, NBC)

(Getty pix)

Remember that Jonas Bros. sitcom? And no wise cracks please. It is the Next Big Thing on the Disney Channel, and it's gonna be GREAT.

Honestly, I'll reserve judgment. And I do have my doubts...

It launches Saturday, May 2 at 8.

Here's the DC longline:

"Music and comedy – the two primary drivers of the kid and tween entertainment landscape – merge together in “JONAS,� a new series starring multi-platinum Hollywood Records recording artists Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas (“Camp Rock�), Chelsea Staub ( “Minutemen�), Nicole Anderson (“Hannah Montana�), John Ducey (“Will and Grace�) and Rebecca Creskoff (“Mad Men�). “JONAS� follows the fictional Lucas Brothers through the unexpected, unpredictable and often absurd situations that confront these rock and roll superstar brothers as they try to live ordinary lives. The series features original Jonas Brothers songs created especially for the show.

Well, I've watched the finale of "ER" - all 120 minutes - and unless I blinked for a couple beats too long, no George Clooney.

Of course, they could always add him to the "sweetened" version with some sort of CGI trickery, or may clip in his appearance for one last surprise. But don't wait around tonight to see the lad. No big deal - his last episode was just fine.

Yes, I posted something yesterday saying this might happen - it was all based on a hunch - which is a lesson, dear reader - don't believe everything your read in blogs.

At least this one.

Meanwhile, you should still watch tonight; it's a quiet, gentle farewell. No fireworks...unlike next week's season premiere of "Rescue Me." Now THAT has fireworks, lemme tell ya.

And without further ado, here it be...the "Today Show" summer concert schedule, just announced. By the way, "Today" notes that the No Doubt appearance marks the band's first reunion in five years...

MAY

1 No Doubt
8 New Kids On The Block & Special Guest
15 Jennifer Hudson
22 Fall Out Boy
29 Taylor Swift

JUNE

5 The Dave Matthews Band
12 Black Eyed Peas
19 Jonas Brothers
26 The Fray

JULY

3 Rob Thomas
10 Rascal Flatts
17 The All American Rejects
24 Katy Perry
31 Kings of Leon

AUGUST

7 Jason Mraz
14 Flo Rida
21 Natasha Bedingfield
28 TBA

(Pix: GS of ND, by AP)

Noticed how much smoother relations between "Breaking Bad" and "AMC" are than relations between said network and "Mad Men?" AMC just announced a third season for the terrific sophomore (my prediction: An easy Best drama nod for the season). Simple as pie. To get a third season of "Mad Men" in the works, AMC had to request a summit with Prez Obama, the leaders of the Free World, and the guys who are giving all the dough to the banks. And even THEN, it took a half a year...

Bizarre...

The spin: “Breaking Bad is one of the most unique and layered dramas on television today,� said Joel Stillerman, Senior Vice President of Original Programming, Production and Digital Content in a statement. “The Peabody win, the critical acclaim and strong audience growth for the second season reinforce that this is the kind of exceptional original storytelling AMC intends to deliver to audiences. Vince Gilligan and his team deliver bold storylines that truly push the psychic envelope and create a mesmerizing television experience. We look forward to an incredible third season.�

Couldn't agree more...

(Pix: Doug Hyun/AMC)

Megan, Megan, Megan!

It was about time, time, time!

Go to Newsday's terrific "American Idol" blog for more, more, more.

Meanwhile, here's my wrap in tomorrow's Newsday. Thanks as always for reading...

Our "Idol" April Fool?
Sorry, Megan, it was you.
But not to worry. You got this far, sang some sad songs, some glad ones, and some bad ones, but at least Simon said some nice things about you in the process. In any event, the show must go on, and you must go out.
But don't feel bad. Tuesday was a rough night for a few others (as Randy Jackson pointed out.) Even Wednesday was rough. Lady Gaga sang a very rousing rendition of "Poker Face" which managed to put even David Cook (last year's winner; Platinum record seller) in his place. Oh well. It was April Fool's Day. What did he expect?
Megan Joy Corkrey's departure was deserved. She had heart, looks and guts. But her gifts didn't match the gifts of the others; she landed in the bottom three with Anoop Desai, and Allison Iraheta. Megan Joy seems like a nice kid (23, from Sandy, Utah) and gave a classy farewell. But show biz isn't about "nice" and almost never about classy.
Speaking of which, Simon Cowell - a man with an arctic temperament - was asked if he was going to save her. He looked up, his eyes narrowed to a slit, and then the frosted dagger: "When you said YOU don't care, nor do we." He was referring to a comment she had made earlier - a sort of "I don't care WHAT the judges thing..."
OK , sports fans, where do we stand? With two major front-runners, Adam Lambert and Danny Gokey, a possible surprise - Kris Allen, who's been terrific the last couple of weeks - and the rest of the crowd bringing up the rear. We've got weeks to go, but already the eighth season feels so over, no?
But surprises await...

And in the end... (Pix: NBC)

So, tomorrow night is the end of "ER," as you're well aware, and there will be a few cameos, as you're also aware. But howabout this one? George Clooney makes one more pass - his final final FINAL farewell, on the finale.

I do believe it will happen, but I can't promise. When asked, an NBC spokesman said he "couldn't confirm" Doug Ross's last goodbye, which is the same as saying he "couldn't deny..."

I'll just go with "maybe." But I think it may well happen. Doug...err, Clooney was - as you know - on the show a couple weeks ago. But even that nice cameo didn't quite feel complete. He has to say goodbye to Carter, after all. That'll happen tomorrow.

The logline from NBC, on the jump...

Continue reading ""ER:" Will Clooney Make One Last Bow? " »

It's all over and....Lifetime gets all the marbles.

Here's Lifetime boss Andrea Wong's statement: "I couldn’t be more excited that Lifetime will bring its viewers an amazing, all-new season of Project Runway this summer. As the highest-rated cable network for women, Lifetime is the perfect home for this outstanding program as well as its companion series Models of the Runway. All of us at Lifetime are thrilled to move forward with Heidi, Tim, Nina, Michael, The Weinstein Company and the entire Project Runway team. We are proud to add these shows to our growing slate of original programming, including the hit series Army Wives, the all-new upcoming series Drop Dead Diva and our top-rated original movies."

Oh...umm...yes. Bravo. What have they got to say? When I get their statement, you will...

Okay, Update! I just got my statement from NBC Uni, and am reminded that this lawsuit had nothing to do with Bravo, but was litigated by the parent. So noted. Now, the statement:

"NBC Universal, The Weinstein Company and Lifetime have resolved their disputes. The Weinstein Company will pay NBCU for the right to move Project Runway to Lifetime. All of the parties are pleased with the outcome. Harvey Weinstein added, 'I want to personally congratulate Jeff Zucker and NBCU on their success in the litigation and thank Jeff for resolving this in a professional manner. We look forward to working together on our ongoing projects.'�

Don't you just love statements like this! If I was Harvey and I saw Jeff coming down a dark alley on a violent and windswept night in Manhattan, with a posse of henchmen behind him - all packing enough heat to melt a tank - then I would calmly turn around, and...run as I've never run before.

As you know, "PR" got held up by the suits and countersuits (and by the guys in suits), and even during Fashion Week - when "PR" crowns the victor kings - the whole thing became horribly muddled.

No specific date yet, on the summer launch.

(CBS Photo)

Here's news, friends, that breaks but once a generation - but once a lifetime...

"Guiding Light" is ending.

CBS just posted the release. Below, in full, on the jump...

But as this is a blog, allow me first to just add this comment: "GL" has not merely been blessed with extraordinary longevity but has been a bulwark of the New York soap production community from the time Frank Sinatra avoided bobby-soxers on the way to the Paramount. It has been through EVERYTHING - wars, recessions, cut-backs, swings in taste, hundreds, thousands of actors and actresses and producers, a fickle - yet remarkably patient - sponsor in Procter & Gamble. Indeed, P&G;'s loyalty kept it going all these years more than CBS's.

A deep and destructive recession it could NOT survive, even though it was born during the Great Depression.

Here is another possible issue. The NYC TV production community is in an uproar over Gov. Paterson's threat to abandon the state's 30 percent tax credit for TV and movie production. Believe me - "GL" won't be the only New York show to go down, or go west, if this stands. My hunch, though, is that the tax credit may be only part of the issue with "Light," if that. Ratings have been low for years now (about 2.2 million viewers in late March, down about 500,000 from a year ago) while both P&G; and CBS are under intense shareholder pressure. Killing a near-century old franchise was probably one of the easiest moves they thought they could make.

This is a very sad day for New York TV - but you should also know, it's been rumored for years.

And now, it's gone. I always feel lousy (who doesn't) when another of New York's venerable cultural institutions goes...but there's something especially bleak about this departure... TV Week, by the way, is reporting that P&G; will shop this elsewhere. But the prospects are beyond bleak at this point.

Vote: What is your favorite soap opera?

>> Photos: See "Guiding Light" through the years.

Continue reading ""Guiding Light" Ends in September" »

(Getty)

Yup, it's definite - Fox has just confirmed yesterday's' "Broadcasting & Cable" scoop.

Wanda Sykes is gonna do a late night Saturday show for Fox. The unknown here - what happens to "Talk Show with Spike Feresten," which went to an hour last fall, and appeared to be growing. Is it now...going? Or...is there room for both shows? That's always a possibility too...

Details from the Fox release... But let's go ahead and call this one a "first:" First black female comic who is gay to host late night TV show.. Go to the jump for a bit more on this...

- It'll premiere this fall and bring "topical" commentary, etc. etc. and "heated panel discussion," which makes it sound like some sort of Maher show, as opposed to a strictly comic one.Yes, a studio but apparently Wanda will wander outside too...

- Kevin O'Reilly, Fox E bossman, said: "She has the perfect personality for FOX, and we look forward to reinvigorating Saturday night TV with her.�

- And Wanda said: “I’m married, so this was a great excuse to get out of the house on a Saturday night. Yes, my relationship with Fox hasn’t been the best, but if Rihanna can go back to Chris Brown, I can go back to Fox. Oprah tried to talk me out of it, but I think Fox has changed.�

[Message to Wanda: No Fox hasn't...]

- Wanda's TV b'ground? Hoo boy. It's a long and detailed one, though of course Barb on "Old Christine," and "Curb," and "Wanda at Large."

- Yes, let's talk about "Wanda at Large," shall we? That's the riff of which Wanda speaks. The network launched the sitcom a few years back - in fact, six years to the day, just about - and then killed the thing almost instantly. Lasted about a month. If I know Wanda, she wasn't shy about the way the network treated her, though - of course - she had to get in a very long line of angry ex-Fox employees...

Continue reading "Official: Wanda Sykes to Fox" »

Okay gang, it's Tara Time.

Tara - our heroine from "The Biggest Loser"...Long Island's own...the next winner of "TBL"....the woman whose middle name happens to be "Unstoppable."

Yes, Tara Unstoppable Costa.

Big night last night. Had a tearful head-to-head with Jillian, and went on to drop another six pounds, to end at 189. Her thoughts on last night? In a brief phone chat a little while ago, she said this: "The emotional break? I was basically having a mental block - it's extremely difficult when you've never been something before to actually see yourself become something new, and I realized I can be something new and I CAN change as long as I believe in myself and let go of the game. Then the weight will start coming off."

Come on, TC! What's the deal here? You've been mentally/physically strong this entire season. So why now? "Think about it. For weeks I had been fighting with this hundred pound barrier, and was having a hard time getting past 200 [but] I'm not stressing anymore but doing the best I can and that's got to be good enough, and you know what? It will just happen. I'm putting in the hours [but] it was me not being mentally strong enough...

"Sometimes you [have] to allow yourself to be weak because you'll become stronger in those moments of weakness. Those are where you'll gain the strength you need. So I let myself break down and I learned about myself in the process...I realized it was OK that I didn't have to be the strong one because no matter what, when I do falter, it's going to make me a stronger person, and you need to be strong to lead the life I want to lead" after the show ends...

This is old news - twelve hours old - but as you know, Bill O'Reilly squared off against Letterman last night, and that usually yields some sort of blog post.So, here goes...

What to say about these two? Honestly, I think they actually like each other on some level...Yeah, Dave calls him a "goon," but Bill hardly even seemed to care...

(Why is O doing the show? To boast about his 100 straight days or months or years or whatever as the top-rated cable news program...)

Here's my general question: Is recently-married Dave (fanning himself yesterday on the street with his pre-nup agreement) becoming more like O'Reilly? And is Bill becoming more like Dave?

Perish the thought...

Another nice award for "BB"...

The Peabody Awards are out, and among the TV winners: "Lost," "Breaking Bad," "SNL's" political satire, NBC's Richard Engel, "60 Minutes," ABC's "Hopkins," and....

Are you ready for this...?

..."Entourage."

(And no, this is not an April's Fools whatever-ya-call-it.)

The always quirky Peabodys - administered by the University of Georgia - are prestigious indeed, and so winning one is nothing to yawn about. Head on south to the jump for the full list, but of "Lost," the presenters noted:

"Breezily mixing metaphysics, quantum physics, romance and cliffhanger action, the genre-bending series about a group of air-crash survivors on a mysterious island has rewritten the rules of television fiction. "

"Breaking Bad:"

"Bleak, harrowing, sometimes improbably funny, the series chronicled the consequences of a mild-mannered, dying science teacher’s decision to secure his family’s future by cooking methamphetamine. "

and..."Entourage:"

"Hollywood gets an affectionately merciless tweaking in this picaresque about an ambitious male starlet, his posse of pals, and his multi-faced agent."

(Pix: AMC)

Continue reading ""Lost," "Breaking Bad" Win Peabodys" »