TCA, Part 6: Fox with a full plate

While ABC skimped through its TCA Press Tour presentation Monday, Fox had a full plate of panels for three of its new shows on Tuesday, including one for its revamped version of American Idol, with new judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. Fox announced at the press tour its was renewing Raising Hope for a second season, announced a premiere […]

Fox shakes up schedule; moves second airing of "Idol" to Thursday

The new cast of “American Idol” for 2011, minus Simon Cowell.  Fox unveiled its new mid-season lineup late Friday and by doing so, caused a huge stir throughout the industry. The biggest move of course, is American Idol, which now will air Wednesday night and Thursday night. The move means Idol will no longer air on Tuesday – avoiding a […]

TCA: Fox leaves "American Idol" questions unanswered

Fox’s 2010 TCA Presentation won’t be remembered for its three new shows (in fact, they’re quite forgettable), but for the questions it didn’t answer… Fox execs Kevin Reilly and Peter Rice talked about a lot of things pertaining to their network, but disappointed many at the press tour by refusing to answer any questions related to American Idol, especially on […]

Bob Sirott returns to WFLD

He’s back! Veteran Chicago media personality Bob Sirott  is returning to Fox-owned WFLD as an anchor for the station’s signature 9 p.m. newscast on July 19, alongside Robin Robinson. He replaces Jeff Goldblatt, whose contract at the station was not renewed. The station initially denied it was pursuing Sirott, even though Vocalo’s Robert Feder and the Tribune’s Phil Rosenthal said […]

Chicagoan Lee DeWyze wins "American Idol"

American Idol winner Lee DeWyze with runner-up Crystal Bowersox. It was a Midwestern feel at the American Idol finale, with one finalist from northern Illinois and the other from north central Ohio and both auditioning in Chicago. But in the end, it was Mount Prospect native and former paint store salesman Lee DeWyze who took home the prize and the […]

Fox’s new 2010-11 lineup

In advance of its upfront presentation today, Fox announced seven new shows for next season, including a revamped Tuesday lineup in the fall, with its freshmen hit show Glee front and center. Shows not returning include Saturday night talker The Wanda Sykes Show and sitcom Brothers. It is not known at this time what will replace Wanda Sykes in the […]

One in a million, you

Trifecta Entertainment and Mark Burnett Productions are teaming up to launch a one-of-a-kind weekday strip: a singing competition. Tentatively titled One in a Million, the show will feature aspiring contestants competing to win one million dollars (of course.)  While the series is targeted for daytime, Million could also wind up in prime access and late fringe time periods. The series […]

T Dog’s Four Pack

The best and the worst in media for the week ending May 9: Winners: – Perfect. The City of Oakland and the word “perfect” often goes together as Playboy models and science-fiction conventions. But the city gets to celebrate for one day as Dallas Breaden pitched a perfect game Sunday for the hometown Athletics against the Tampa Bay Rays. Now […]

T Dog’s Four Pack: The "C" in CBS stands for crime

The winners and losers of the week: The stamp of approval: The Chicago Blackhawks (before Friday’s night’s loss): The Mighty Blackhawks are mighty once again thanks to record-breaking regular season ratings. The Hawks are in the playoffs against the Nashville Predators, which continue Sunday night. Go Hawks! Conan moving to TBS. Fox getting out-foxed by Conan. While Murdoch and the […]

Analysis: The real winners and losers in the CoCo lottery

The drawing in the Conan O’Brien lottery took place Monday, and it was Turner Broadcasting who turned up the lucky winner. So what does TBS actually win? Young demos. A proven name. An increased profile. And a new car – advertiser or two. But it seems a lot of players in this saga appear to winners – TBS, Conan O’Brien, […]

The Grab Bag: WGN Radio Changes, Local 18-49 numbers

– Put ’em up: It’s an afternoon at the fights! In this corner, its WLS-AM’s Roe Conn and new partner Richard Roeper… and in the other corner, its Conn’s former partner and friend – Garry Meier on WGN-AM. Beginning Monday, Conn & Roeper are on from 2-6 while Garry Meier is on from 3-7 (on days when the Cubs aren’t […]

WFLD wins a Peabody, but still loses in the ratings race

WFLD continues to struggle at 9 p.m. with its local newscasts, despite the fact of a strong prime-time lead-in. The March numbers show the Fox-owned station continuing to lag behind WGN and the other stations in the market in households and key demos. According to Nielsen and numbers supplied by the Sun-Times, WFLD averaged a 3.1 household rating for its […]

T Dog’s Three Pack – An Easter Celebration

Yes, since it’s the Easter holiday, there are only three items in this week’s pack: Easter Eggs 24 ends. For fans, it’s not the news they want to hear, but for Kiefer Sutherland and the crew of this well-written and exciting drama, the timing is right. Thanks for the wonderful ride! Dancing With The Stars vs. American Idol. Did you […]

T Dog’s Four Pack – A long time coming

Been awhile since a T Dog’s Four pack was published… so, let’s create one. Now! What’s Hot: The New Orleans Saints. …and in fact, the city of New Orleans and the entire state of Louisiana. Their recent Super Bowl win was their first in the team’s 42-year history, giving a huge lift to an area devastated by Hurricane Katrina only […]