The TV Zone

Welcome to the department of "D'Oh": Fox has finally officially said "The Simpsons" will go through seasons 21 and 22.

The network/studio had already signed the cast for four years, which would take the classic through 23 and into 24; Here's what Al Jean said last September:

"We signed the cast for four years, including this one, and the Emmy [that the show just got] was wonderful, and I really feel like creatively we're still doing terrific work,and I don't see an end..."

He added: "I'm optimistic we'll go through that four-year contract..." If this happens, "that'd take me through season 23 and technically spillover into the 24th."

More "Simpsons" factoids, gratis Jean: "'Gunsmoke' had over 600 episodes and 'Lassie' over 500; we just recorded 445. We still have a little ways to go."

Meanwhile, "Survivor" just got picked up for two more seasons, through # 20.

Here's a thought: Why not take the show back to Borneo (Palau Tiga) for the 20th?

Fox presser on the jump...

Continue reading ""Simpsons": 21, 22; "Survivor," 19, 20" »

Good for Bob last night. Bob Crowley, winner of the 17th season. I liked him. He reminded me of my high school physics teacher.

In fact, he WAS my high school physics teacher.

I'm not serious, but really: For the first time, a "Survivor" winner actually matched the median age of the CBS viewer (58, or around there.) Amazing. But I'm happy for him. He pretty much deserved to win, although I figured Kenny would go into the top three. Susie? A surprise. Sugar? Not. Randy? Will someone please explain who gave this very angry man a mohawk in the middle of Africa?

Finally, how could Bob have made TWO fake immunity idols without anyone catching on? Don't you think someone would have wandered by and observed, "oh Bob, there you go again - making those fake idols. Which sucker you going to give it to now?" Maybe someone did say that - I just don't remember.

In any event, congrats Bob. As mentioned, this one you deserved - just remember to pay the taxes.

Here's some big "Survivor" news - the Original King of Reality/elimination is getting pushed back a week, so (I'm assuming) it can catch the new season wave with the rest of CBS's new line-up. Plus, the show will be in HD for the first time ever, so CBS wants to get the biggest bang it can for that as well. The hard-and-fast details: "Survivor: Gabon - Earth's Last Eden" will now air Sept. 25 in a full two-hour edition, "marking the first-ever two-hour premiere for any edition of the long-running hit series," per CBS. (A repeat of last year's "CSI" finale will follow at 10.)

Remember Sayville's Tom Westman?

How could you forget?! He won "Survivor" back in May of 2005 and was (arguably) the most popular winner in the show's history. Everyone liked him - even those he clocked on the show, which he won with a combination of smarts, class and unusual stamina.

He was a genuine "favorite," but - bizarrely - you won't be seeing him in tonight's favorites/fans" season launch. You can determine for yourself whether this line-up is a "favorite" one. In any event...this all gave me an opportunity to catch up with Tom, and there's a lot of catching up to do. Here's how AP reported the winner nearly three years ago: "On Sunday night, Tom Westman was a reality TV star and the winner of a $1 million-dollar prize.On Thursday morning, he was just another New York City fire lieutenant.

"Westman returned to work at Ladder Company 108 in Brooklyn today, after winning the top prize in CBS's 'Survivor: Palau.' And, despite his instant fame after spending 30 days on an uninhabited island, he says he's just one of the guys...'They don't suffer prima donnas too well in a New York City firehouse.'"

Tom - as you're likely aware - is no longer with 108; instead, he's a group benefits executive with the Hartford in New York. Yeah, he was contacted about the "favorite" edition, but declined; as he told me (quoted in today's paper), "I've got a year invested in a career," then added with
a laugh: "The bottom line is, no one's going to give you the money the second time around."

"I've got my friends from that little moment I had there [on Palau.] Jen [Lyon] was out and stayed at the house. Ian [Rosenberger] was out. We see each other...Gregg [Carey] and Stephanie [LaGrossa]. Talked to two days ago. The people who were close to me, I kept just as close [afterwards.]"

Why did he go back to work and what happened to the million?

"Basically you walk away with half of that [after taxes] and then I invested the rest in [college savings plans for three kids, ages 8,10, and 12.] After [buying a new] car and a couple of home improvements, it's time to work again."

Nevertheless, he says the money and experience were "huge" and "life-changing...In fact, it let let me try and start a new career. I get the 5:44 out of Sayville [to Penn] so it's kind of changed my life, from a guy who watched Letterman [to someone] tucked in by 10..."

Does he miss the firehouse? Sure! But..."if I went back and rolled back the clock, most of those guys are gone anyway, so that old 'you can't go home again' line still exists. I still see them, and people can't believe I'm happy doing anything but that, but I feel kind of like the way you feel when you left college. You knew those were the best days of your life, but you also don't wish you were still there, still hanging around the dorm at this stage. So I'm trying to figure out where this new life leads me."

By the way - and he's glad you asked - yes, his wife, Bernadette, is doing great.

This comes as little surprise, but we'll report it, anyway:

CBS has renewed “Survivor” for next season. That means we can look forward to a 17th and 18th installment of the reality series, which premiered way back in May of 2000.

And Jeff Probst has signed a new deal to continue as On the other hand, what else could he do? (Besides occasionally filling in for Reege, which he has done admirably.)

The 16th edition, “Survivor: Micronesia,” with a fans vs. favorites format, premieres Feb.
7.