“Inhumans”: Inhumane?

Marvel Television’s Comic-Con and TCA presentations for anticipated series fall way short of expectations In the words of Kramer from Seinfeld… “You blew it, boy!” That’s the message Jeph Loeb received recently during the Television Critics Association press tour, as Marvel’s The Inhumans – ABC’s eight-part series – was critically panned with a ridiculously unprepared presentation and unfinished footage, actually rivaling […]

Fox at TCA: “We won’t miss American Idol.” (Sure.)

Plus: Seth MacFarlane chats up The Orville; Fox execs try to explain their screw-ups; and more With TCA finally winding down, the last two networks presented this week was Fox and its cable siblings, FX and FXX. In the Fox executive session, Fox entertainment co-president Dana Walden defended the decision to drop American Idol, only to see it cross the […]

NBC at TCA: Will & Grace renewed for a second season already

And other peacock network notes It was NBC day at the Television Critics Association press tour and the show everyone was talking about of course was the return of Will & Grace after 11 years off the air, while another big draw as This Is Us. Ahead of the Will & Grace presentation, NBC renewed the series for a second […]

Writer’s Strike, redux?

Here we go again? The story in Tuesday’s New York Post suggests another Writer’s Strike may be on tap, ten years after the last one crippled Hollywood for one hundred days. The Writer’s Guild of America is slated to start negotiations on March 13. The current three-year contract ends on May 1 – timed to coincide with the Upfront presentations […]

T Dog’s Media Notepad: President Obama grants interviews with Chicago TV stations

President Obama invites Chicago stations to interview him; Robin Rock returns; ABC 7 launches new anti-fake news campaign; Dish Nation returns for two more seasons.; NBC launches new station in Boston; TCA’s Winter Tour begins  Thursday was a big day for local Chicago TV news operations as in an unprecedented move, outgoing President Obama gave interviews with all five local […]

The “Pyramid of Fun” returns

ABC’s acquisition of $100,000 Pyramid for primetime  brings game show back to network and New York for the first time in 36 years  Plus, other TCA news of note ABC has added another classic game show to its summer lineup. Ten episodes of The $100,000 Pyramid from Sony Pictures Television has been ordered by the network for a prime-time slot. The […]

TCA: NBC wraps up tour; places big bet on “Heroes: Reborn”

NBCUniversal wrapped up the last day of the 2015 TCA Press Tour, with panels for NBC and NBCU’s cable networks. Here are some selected panels that took place: NBCUniversal cable nets (USA/SyFy/CNBC) -USA Networks’ new Colony sounds like a ripoff of AMC’s new Fear Of The Walking Dead and CBS’ Under The Dome – apocalypse takes over Los Angeles with […]

TCA: FX chief: “There is too much television”

Hulu Presentation: Mindy Project arrives in style  FX president John Landgraf made waves at TCA last week during his network’s day at the Press Tour, stating there’s just “too much television”. Too much TV? You don’t say. He was referring to the 300+ scripted shows that dot the landscape, saying “it’s impossible to maintain quality control” – part of the […]

TCA: Fox pushes “Empire” and “Scream Queens”

It was Fox’s turn at TCA last week, with Empire as the main attraction. Creator Lee Daniels told the crowd he was blessed to be employed, as some of his fellow colleagues aren’t so lucky. Taraji P. Henson, who plays the outspoken Cookie, said she was having the time of her life on the show, pointing out she’s more politically correct […]

TCA: ABC’s full line-up: Muppets, mayhem, and more

It was ABC’s turn at TCA Tuesday and Wednesday: – Some big breaking news took place at the TCA tour: Kermit and Miss Piggy are no longe an item. That’s right – the long-running couple, who have been dating each other since 1976 – or so – called it quits recently, shocking the entire world. So my brothers and sisters, […]

TCA: Amazon delivers the goods – with free shipping!

To show you how things have changed in television, streaming services now have their own sessions at the Television Critics Association Press Tour. A few days after Netflix appeared at the gathering, itwas Amazon’s turn to present to the crowd. But According to some on Twitter, Amazon was just as excited about selling television shows as they were selling microwave ovens… […]

T Dog’s Media Notepad: WLS-TV back on top at 10 p.m. in July

Plus: WBBM-TV’s news ratings stink; Downtown Abbey heads into the final stretch; MundoFox to become MundoMax…eventually  – ABC-owned WLS-TV reclaimed the top spot at 10 p.m. according to Nielsen, reclaiming the late news throne from NBC-owned WMAQ-TV. Despite the loss, WMAQ still gained viewers year-to-year at 10 in the all-important 25-54 demo. The biggest loser no doubt is CBS-owned WBBM, who […]

TCA: It’s not a TCA Press Session. It’s an HBO TCA Press Session.

For all the success HBO has had with its programming, it doesn’t get as much love on Wall Street as it does in the arts community – pundits were criticizing HBO’s decision to offer its programming over-the-top (OTT) for $14.99 per month. Well, if the over 100 Emmy nominations are any indication, it might be worth it. And that’s the […]

T Dog’s Media Notepad: Landecker exits WLS-FM

– Mr. Records has called it a career: John Landecker, whose middle name is really “Records”, is exiting Cumulus-owned WLS-FM today. The move coincides with the arrival of new program director Brian Thomas from New York City’s Cumulus station, WNSH-FM (Nash 94.7, a Country station). Landecker said the departure of former PD Jan Jeffries had nothing to do with his decision to […]