The hottest sitcom on TV in 2006: "Mama’s Family"

It looks like Kansas City viewers aren’t the only ones who prefer repeats of the Vicki Lawrence sitcom over whatever is on that new network created by Fox — My something, or whatever it is. Mediaweek’s Marc Berman is watching them too, and why not? He prefers it and Growing Pains to most of the swill that passes off as […]

Who Cares?

MyNetworkTV and the NHL make announcements. Why am I posting this, you ask? So you can click the two links, look 3 seconds, roll your eyes, and go back to what you were doing. That’s exactly what I did.

So… how that’s working out for ya?

Aaron Barnhart of TV Barn interviews the GMs of the local Kansas City MyNetworkTV (KSMO-TV) and CW (KCWE-TV) affiliates, and finds that the rough is going for both of the affiliates of the new networks. Several interesting finds: 1.) The CW’s ratings are down in Kansas City from both WB and UPN. (In Chicago however, CW’s ratings have been somewhat […]

WDJT dumps Victoria, Upscale gets upped

Weigel Broadcasting’s WDJT-TV in Milwaukee (also owner of sister station WCIU-TV here in Chicago) announced it was moving next Tuesday’s The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show to 12:40am (last item in article), pre-empted for all things, A Billy Graham Special. GM Jim Hall says that the station has received some complaints about Victoria’s Secret in the past. Some people are upset […]

The 2006 T Dog Blog Turkey Awards

Welcome to the first annual T Dog Blog Turkey Awards. We’re here to reward stupidity and simpletonism in the fields of broadcasting and in media in 2006 (so far.) Judging by the long list of winners (or shall we say “losers”? ), 2006 was a busy year for being stupid, ignorant, lame, boring, moronic, etc… You get the point. So, […]

Fox affiliates can O.J. special

Fox stations owned by LIN, Pappas, and Prime Cities broadcasting decided not to show the controversial two-part interview featuring O.J. Simpson next Monday and Wednesday nights. The announcement of the special last week caught practically everyone off-guard, as it is being headed up by Mike Darnell, head of “alternative programming” at Fox. This, of course is a major November sweeps […]

Emmitt Smith wins "Danicng"

Mario Lopez clearly was the better dancer, but it was the popular vote that rode Emmitt Smith to victory on last night’s Dancing With The Stars. Meanwhile, the results show drew a season-high 27.2 million viewers while new serial drama Daybreak (haven’t we had enough of those?) tanked. (Updated 7:18pm 11-16-06)

Tribune Watch

Here is the latest: The Chicago Sun-Times has reported in today’s editions that Gannett Co. may be interested in buying Tribune’s newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune. In today’s editions of Crain’s Chicago Business, the business paper asks if Tyra Banks can boost Tribune Co.? According to the article, Tribune’s CW stations in the top three markets (WPIX– New York, KTLA […]

What About Brian?

No, not that Brian. But the ABC Monday Night Show What About Brian is picked up for a full season, while Fox’s Justice has been crushed by the pooper-scooper.

NBC vs. Fox

Photo credit: Chicago Tribune Interesting article in the Trib today from Ed Sherman about the new flexible scheduling policy that came into place this year with the league new television contracts. This involves the Chicago Bears, and their successful undefeated season thus far. Fox isn’t pleased that the game between the Bears (media market #3) and the 5-2 New York […]

More Changes

Change No. 1: NBC resurrects Thursday Must see lineup From 7 to 9 (Central) Thursdays beginning next month, all the network’s comedies will be on one night. Except “Twenty Good Years”. This shitcom, which hasn’t had one good episode, is on indefinite hiatus:http://nbcumv.com/release_detail.nbc/entertainment-20061025000000-nbcre45makestwo.htmlChange No. 2: New Syndicated talk shows shift slots The Greg Behrendt Show and Dr. Keith Albow have […]

Finally! A network that the NHL can beat in the ratings

Remember MyNetworkTV? That groovy new network that all the square cats are watching? No? Neither does anybody else! With Maureen Ryan of the Trib is busy slamming the CW for their moves, and Marc Berman of Mediaweek ignoring it all together, Advertising Age apparently remembers there’s a MNT: http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=112543 [subscription required] I have also found that here in Chicago (and […]