T Dog’s Think Tank: The Greatest Hits Collection

As promised, here is my take on Chicago media’s coverage of the city’s minority neighborhoods in the aftermath of a recent crime spree… Wait a minute… Haven’t I written about this before? In fact, I have. I was getting ready to write this Think Tank about media coverage of crime in minority communities, but I realized I would be only […]

T Dog’s Think Tank: Oh, stop your crying

XM and AOL have ended their partnership as advertised, effective today. AOL signed a deal with CBS Radio a few months ago, and is scheduled to go into effect tomorrow, but you likely won’t see any CBS Radio content on AOL Radio for another month or so. But in AOL Radio’s blog, they claim the reason they broke up with […]

CW launches racy "Gossip Girl" campaign

Originally posted on April 11, but now with update! It’s the giant douche and turd sandwich thing again… You guys just want to keep the Parents Television Council in the news, do you? Awaiting PTC press release, feigning outrage… And here it is…

Superstation WGN in for makeover

The national version of WGN seen on cable systems and satellite (except in Chicago, where Superstation WGN is seen only on satellite), is in for a major Extreme Makeover-type overhaul. Specifics weren’t mentioned, but Superstation WGN is scheduled to be re-launched in May, but the changes may only involve imaging, and not programming. WGN went national in 1978, linking national […]

T Dog’s Think Tank: Worst debate ever?

You want to know what I thought of the Clinton-Obama debate? Worst. Debate. Ever. If Comic Book Guy watched the debate Wednesday night on ABC, he would’ve said this: “Worst. Debate. Ever.” Of course, he more was likely to be watching NBC and the 26 suitcase models on the “Spring Break” episode of Deal or No Deal. I’m surprised more […]

PTC rips NBC "Family Hour" pledge

Regarding the peacock network’s Thursday night comedies. And this after the organization praised NBC for setting aside the 7-8 p.m. hour (Central) for family shows. And what about last night’s Deal or No Deal (another show they endlessly praise), which featured a rather raunchy Spring Break episode? If the PTC has to change their story, then this group clearly has […]

Top Chef: Chicago called out for profanity

The usually solid cooking reality show is being criticized for its excessive use of profanity in this current cycle (and ironically, not from the PTC or Rev. Pflager), which forced the lead chef and judge on the show (Tom Colicchio) to apologize on his blog for last week’s salty episode. Maybe we swear a lot in Chicago because, well, let’s […]

T Dog’s Think Tank: Can you smell what the mayor is cookin’ ?

Usually, the T Dog Media Blog doesn’t devolve into local politics since this is a media blog (it says that in the name!) and not a political one. But yours truly can’t pass up an opportunity to take this on since it involves the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Last Friday, Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago blasted the Tribune […]

PTC to Hip-Hop: You’re next

The boisterous group is now targeting MTV and BET, in a really pathetic attempt to act like they care about the African-American Community (but it might not help given the Parents Television Council is also targeting the equally grating Tyra Banks and her “reality” show.)

T Dog’s Think Tank: NBC encourging you to become a pirate

A deal was struck this week that may encourage people to join the Pirates. No, not the Pittsburgh Pirates, though they need all the help they can get. I’m talking about the world of download piracy. NBC last week renewed Friday Night Lights for a third season. The critically-acclaimed drama has struggled in the ratings for the past two seasons […]

And another thing…

And on a personal note: The comments section in the Tribune over the Channel 2 layoffs has turned into a free-for-all, with yours truly joining in the fray (scroll way down. Flame war, baby!) Don’t know how Family Guy and Adult Swim came up in all of this… but if yours truly is one of those responsible for sending the […]

WCIU fined for kids’ ad violations

This dates way back when WCIU-TV carried Kids’ WB programming, and this is the price they paid for it: The Weigel-owned independent station was fined $16,500 for kids’ ad violations by the FCC, regarding Pokemon product placement on Eggo waffles and Fruit By The Foot fruit roll-ups (perhaps this is one of reasons why WCIU dropped Kids’ WB from the […]

Pols not happy with DOJ approval of XM-Sirius merger

Some in Washington are not happy with XM-Sirius merger, with the FCC all but certain to approve the deal (Republican majority… hello?) Some politicians are angry with the Department of Justice’s decision, while others think it is good deal.Here is a Think Tank I wrote last year regarding the approval of the deal, and my support of it at the […]