TCA: CBS tries to stay on top

It was CBS’ turn at the mic at the Television Critics Association press tour last Tuesday, and it featured a surprise cameo appearance from CEO Les Moonves, who filled in for Entertainment president Nina Tassler at the last minute. – Moonves didn’t really get into details regarding the retrans dispute between CBS and Time Warner Cable, hoping it would be […]

TCA: Cable shows off the goods

January is yours truly favorite time of year. Why? (No, its NOT the weather.) This month is home to TCA Winter Press Tour and the National Association of Television Program Executives gatherings take place, with the latter being held later this month. Let the fun begin! This edition – the Winter portion of the tour – is taking place over […]

HBO at TCA: Wednesday Afternoon Smackdown with Aaron Sorkin

Wednesday was cable’s turn at The Television Critics Association Press Tour as HBO took center stage for its presentation with the main event – Aaron Sorkin vs. The Critics over controversial new drama The Newsroom. Things were so tense, you wonder if Larry Merchant (HBO’s boxing analyst) should’ve moderated the panel. But first, a few undercards: – HBO executive session: […]

Showtime, CW at TCA: Dexter and the Beast

The CW and Showtime – both owned by CBS Corporation – held their presentations at the Television Critics Association Press Tour on Monday, featuring shows about a serial killer, a superhero, and a beast (don’t get these guys in the same room.) – CW executive session: CW network chief Mark Pedowitz has to make the best of many bad situations: […]

CBS at TCA: Lackluster fall entries at a lackluster presentation

It was The Church Of Tisch’s turn at the Death March With Cocktails (translation: CBS’ day at the Television Critics Association Press Tour) on Sunday, introducing five new shows – and most of them were unimpressive. Here’s what went down: – CBS exec session: CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler began the session walking out with a stuffed monkey, obviously mocking […]

FX at TCA: Winning with “Anger Management”

FX held its panel at the Television Critics Association Press Tour on Saturday, and this is what went down: – Charlie Sheen appeared in front of the press during the Anger Management panel – in front of many of the same critics who’ve ripped his new show (Anger has only a 44 Metacritic score.) Even though the program’s ratings have […]

ABC at TCA: Trying to get out of the basement

The Television Critics Association Press Tour rolled on Thursday and Friday with ABC up. We’ll start with Friday and work our way backward to Thursday as the juicier stuff is up front: – ABC executive session: Entertainment Chief Paul Lee addressed the press at TCA on friday, and was unapologetic about ripping off CBS’ Big Brother with The Glass House, […]

NBCUniversal at TCA: We’re Number 3! We’re Number 3!

NBCUniversal held its TCA presentations for its broadcast and cable platforms on Tuesday and Wednesday. Here are the highlights: – NBC executive session: On Tuesday, NBC chief Robert Greenblatt addressed the media and touted the upcoming Summer Olympics, which opened in London on Friday – not to mention the brand new series he gets to peddle during the Games. The […]

Fox at TCA: Mariah Carey joins “American Idol” as a judge

Fox became the first broadcast network to hold their presentation at the Television Critics Association Press Tour on Monday, with panels on Fox’s three new shows, a X Factor press conference, and an introduction of a new judge on American Idol. – Fox executive session: Entertainment chief Kevin Reilly met the press on Monday and revealed that Mariah Carey will […]

PBS at TCA: Free Bates!

Welcome to T Dog Media’s (snarky) coverage of the Television Critics Association Press Tour. While yours truly isn’t in Cali for the tour (though he wishes he were… well, I have a living to earn, you know), there will be recaps and comments on the day’s activities. And believe me, there is no shortage of items to make fun – […]

TCA: Cable Time

The Winter TCA Press Tour concluded last weekend with many panels dedicated to cable. Here is a brief roundup of what went on, grouped in alphabetical order: AMC To the delight of critics (and fans), AMC announced it was extending the third season order of hit series The Walking Dead from thirteen to sixteen as the second season with thirteen […]

T Dog’s Six Pack: You can’t “Work It”

Last week saw the premiere of several underachieving sitcoms (and proud of it) while one of them (Work It, which premiered Jan. 3) was canceled. Meanwhile, It wasn’t all love and kisses at the TCA Winter Press Tour as the critics wanted to drop the gloves with a few people on stage – literally. The best and the worst of […]

TCA: CBS Corporation shows off its wares

CBS took its turn at the stage Wednesday and Thursday at the TCA Winter Press Tour. This writeup not only includes CBS, but its sister properties Showtime and CW. – Did she throw new sitcom Rob! under the bus? In a rather brief meeting with critics, CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler said on Wednesday it would take time finding the […]

TCA: Disney/ABC: “The Revolution” will be televised

Tuesday and Wednesday saw Disney’s ABC and ABC Family take over the TCA Press with ABC Entertainment President Paul Lee addressing the media on Tuesday regarding numerous issues: – Lee said that despite low ratings AND the show being pulled off the schedule AND the episode order being cut, Pan Am actually has a shot of returning next season. In […]