TCA: NBC looking for a comeback

NBC spoke to the critics at the Television Critics Association Press Tour on Friday and held numerous panels. The peacock network unveiled seven new shows for the 2010-11 season, in hopes of getting the network out of fourth place, where it’s been for five years. Here is the what they said at the press tour: Executive session with Jeff Gaspin […]

TCA: CW trying to shred image as "can’t win" network

The CW was next up as part of CBS Corporation’s two days at the Television Critics Association Press Tour on Thursday (CW is part-owned by CBS.) CW chief Dawn Ostroff spoke at an executive session with the critics on Thursday. Among what was discussed: – Overnight ratings weren’t relative anymore. Maybe not, since their ratings aren’t that good to begin […]

TCA: CBS looking to stay on top

The  semi-annual Television Critics Association Press Tour got underway this week at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in this upscale section of Los Angeles. Many critics complained about the air conditioning in the ballroom and lackluster wi-fi connection, which rivals the poor signal one usually gets at the Harold Washington Library in the Loop. The only difference is the security […]

T Dog’s Grab Bag… News and Notes

As of this writing, the “Groovy” is being dropped from “Grab Bag” title – but it is still newsworthy nonetheless:  …The Winter Television Critics Association press tour is currently taking place in Pasadena, Calif. Among the non-Jay Leno/Conan O’Brien items going on: – Simon Cowell made an appearance at TCA today to officially announce his departure from American Idol  to […]

It’s official: "Leno" out of prime-time

In news predicted by me (and just about anyone else) since Thursday, NBC announced it is moving Jay Leno’s prime-time show back to late night (at 10:35 p.m. Central) and cutting it to a half-hour. The move also means Conan O’Brien goes to 11:05 p.m. and Jimmy Fallon heads to 12:05 a.m. The moves begin after the Winter Olympics. The […]

T Dog’s Think Tank: Limo-for-a-Lame-O Jr. finally drives away

How does it feel to become the second Silverman in history to screw up a network – in fact, the SAME network ? Goodbye, Mr. “Party All The Time”. Don’t hit your head when you get in that limo… Yours truly doesn’t know if the departure of Ben Silverman will immediately improve NBC’s fortunes. But it is a start. Yes, […]

TCA: ABC

The final day of the press tour came Saturday, and it was ABC’s turn to face the press. ABC – During the ABC executive session, Stephen McPherson talked about ABC’s aggressive new series push this fall – eight in all – airing Tuesday through Friday (more on this a little later.) – But the big news is McPherson wants Paula […]

TCA: Fox

There is a lot to talk about regarding Fox in their press tour presentations, which took place Thursday and Friday: Fox – Of course, the big story is Paula Abdul leaving American Idol after eight years. At the Fox executive panel, executives Kevin Reilly and Peter Rice said they were talking to her for the last few months regarding a […]

TCA: CBS and The CW

CBS Corp. held panels for its CBS and The CW (which it partly owns with Time Warner) and its syndicated series The Doctors on Monday and Tuesday. Among the highlights: CBS – An executive session with Nina Tassler kicked off the CBS portion of the tour on Monday. She talked about improved ratings for Letterman (thanks to Leno’s departure from […]

T Dog’s Groovy Grab Bag – The TCA edition

More from the bi-annual gathering in Pasadena, with cable on display: – BET had its presentation and is introducing two new programs: a new reality docu-drama featuring R&B singer Monica, and one featuring comedian Monique Ines-Jackson (better known as Mo’Nique.) Broadcasting & Cable also had an interview with BET Chairman Debra Lee. Click here to read. – National Geographic is […]

TCA Notes

The major broadcast networks made their presentations at the Television Critics Association’s Winter Press Tour this week. Among the highlights: NBC – NBC announced Conan O’ Brien’s final night on Late Night will be on Feb. 20, just three months before he is scheduled to take over The Tonight Show from Jay Leno in Los Angeles. Replacing him is Jimmy […]

TCA News

From the Winter Press Tour: – BET isn’t going to pass up a history-making event as this one. The network is going to be there front and center for President-elect Barack Obama’s Inauguration. BET will air special programming beginning this Saturday, including extended coverage of Obama’s Inauguration on Jan. 20. Click here to read more. – HBO is launching a […]

T Dog’s Groovy Grab Bag

The first four-post day in a long time! Here’s some more news… – From Chicagoland Radio and Media: WGN-TV news anchor Allison Payne is expected to return to the desk Monday evening. She has been sitting out off and on for the last year or so recovering from a set of mini-strokes. – The contestants for the new season of […]

CW, MRC part ways

It was a idea that was bad as the shows themselves… Independent studio Media Rights capital and The CW have agreed to part ways after the Sunday night lineup the company programmed tanked in the ratings. The CW has took back the night and plans to program it with reruns of Everybody Hates Chris and The Game, off-network repeats of […]

The Comic-Con post game show

Putting the wraps on another year of Comic-Con:Geek Nation thanks you for your support Never underestimate the marketing power of Comic-Con. Producers, writers, and the studios know this all too well, and to reach their loyal fans, they came to San Diego in droves to show off their wares. Lost and Heroes panels played to crowds larger than you find […]