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 […]

“MacGyver” tops Friday ratings

CBS remake scores decent sampling; Church of Tisch dominates the evening Note: These results are based on adults 18-49 preliminary ratings. On The Simpsons, Patty and Selma said they’re favorite TV show was MacGvyer, the 1985-92 ABC series featuring Richard Dean Anderson (it was even part of a plot of one 1992 episode where Selma marries Sideshow Bob.) So you […]

“Check, Please’s” new host finally checks in

The last time I’ve seen this much hype for a Friday night television show was during the days J.R. Ewing strutting around Dallas in his cowboy hat and Crockett and Tubbs fighting crime in their flashy clothes on South Beach. But give WTTW – yes, that WTTW – credit for making this work to their advantage. After a months-long search […]

“Dallas”, “Jeannie” star Larry Hagman dies at 81

Larry Hagman, known for his roles as Tony Nelson on I Dream Of Jeannie and J.R. Ewing on Dallas died Friday night in a Dallas hospital of complications from cancer, which he had been battling for the past year. He was 81. Born in Fort Worth, Texas and raised in nearby Weatherford, Hagman’s acting career started after he left the […]

The axe swings on FM News in Chicago, New York

It’s safe to say this now: FM News 101.1 is the biggest bomb in the history of Chicago radio. But you knew that already, right? Merlin Media pulled the plug on its all-news stations Tuesday at WIQI-FM (101.1) here in Chicago and WEMP-FM (101.9) in New York City, nearly a year after their underwhelming debuts, which saw them still stalled […]

“Dallas” looking to ride high in the saddle again

Look who’s riding back into town after 21 years… and look who’s he brought back from the gutter with him… J.R. Ewing – whose seedy antics made even superhero villains look good by comparison, is coming back to television this Wednesday night in a revival of the popular 1978-91 CBS primetime serial Dallas for TNT, which features the dealings of […]

Reboot Fever… Catch It!

Marvel is hoping Hulk can smash the competition in 2011 like he did in the late ’70’s. (Image: SciFiplanet.com) Get ready for another reboot… this time of The Incredible Hulk. The revival of the classic 1978-82 CBS series with Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno – also notable for its wonderful closing theme song –  is one of the projects Marvel […]

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 […]

The Grab Bag: Bill Gamble out at CBS Radio

…and other local media items of note – Chicago radio veteran Bill Gamble is out of  another radio job. He was canned as program director of CBS’ WCFS-FM (Fresh FM) and country WUSN-FM (US 99) on Tuesday, lasting a little over eight months. While US 99 continued to chug along nicely at the station, it was the troubles of Adult […]

Can you tell them apart?

Cartman and J.R. Ewing. Separated at birth? Television has a rich history of evil TV characters fans love to hate. From J.R. Ewing to Montgomery Burns, their scheming ways have made memorable storylines. So what happens when you combine J.R. and Burns and toss in a little Archie Bunker, and what do you get? The perfect heel character in Eric […]