ABC axes “Time After Time” after five episodes

Here’s an observation: A running loop of Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time music video would’ve drawn more viewers than the science fiction drama of the same name did. ABC announced Wednesday the cancellation of Time After Time after five episodes. The Sunday night sci-fi drama averaged just 2.2 million viewers and a 0.5 rating in the key adults 18-49 demo, […]

Bubble Bustin’ Thursday – nets cancel shows

Networks pull plug on underperforming shows. Ten shows axed; Supergirl changes networks For the last several years, the major networks have made decisions on “bubble shows” on the Thursday and Friday before the upfronts – thus, “Bubble Bustin’ Thursday” and “Bubble Bustin’ Friday”. These two days are brutal for the prime-time TV business; decisions are made on what pilots are picked up […]

Major shakeup at ABC sends Paul Lee out the door

Channing Dungey becomes ABC Entertainment president; First African-American woman to run a major network When it comes to CBS, you always hear the tagline “We’re America’s Most Watched Network”. When it comes to ABC, it’s always “We’re always in third or fourth place”. And it’s the sinking fortunes that led to ABC Entertainment President Paul Lee’s departure. The alphabet network and the phrase […]

The “Pyramid of Fun” returns

ABC’s acquisition of $100,000 Pyramid for primetime  brings game show back to network and New York for the first time in 36 years  Plus, other TCA news of note ABC has added another classic game show to its summer lineup. Ten episodes of The $100,000 Pyramid from Sony Pictures Television has been ordered by the network for a prime-time slot. The […]

TV’s best in 2015

2015 in television was clearly unforgettable: a debut of a new series generating numbers not seen in years; a debate over whether we had “Too Much TV”; we said goodbye to David Letterman and Jon Stewart in late-night; and Donald Trump hijacked the news media (and will continue to do so in 2016.) As for scripted television, we went into […]

The 2015 T Dog Media Turkey Awards

It’s that time of year again! Welcome to the 10th annual T Dog Media Turkey Awards – awarding the worst in media, sports, and life in general. We have 22 turkeys to hand out, so let’s get going! Chicago Media. Here’s an idea! Let’s run the video of the police shooting of Laquan McDonald over and over again so we […]

T Dog’s Think Tank: It’s canceled! Or is it?

Networks now playing games with viewers Remember a few years ago when radio was tagged as a dying medium? Now you can give the title to broadcast networks’ prime-time TV programming. As more and more viewers are shifting to streaming services to watch their shows, the Big Five certainly aren’t giving a reason for viewers to stick around – renewing […]

TCA: ABC’s full line-up: Muppets, mayhem, and more

It was ABC’s turn at TCA Tuesday and Wednesday: – Some big breaking news took place at the TCA tour: Kermit and Miss Piggy are no longe an item. That’s right – the long-running couple, who have been dating each other since 1976 – or so – called it quits recently, shocking the entire world. So my brothers and sisters, […]

Comic-Con Notepad: It’s A Marvel (or a DC)

  Attendees were still jackin’ it in San Diego as the 2015 Comic-Con extravaganza continued with more costumes, more cosplay (whatever that is), and more panels of your favorite TV shows, movies, and comics. More highlights: – Even though Marvel Studios’ film studios sat out Comic-Con, its television division held plenty of panels – including Marvel Television Presents on Friday, with […]

ABC releases its 2015-16 schedule

Muppetmania reigns supreme as the revival is already being talked about to death ABC unveiled its 2015-16 season schedule on Tuesday, and much of it looked like last season’s: much of the lineup is unchanged, with four new comedies and six new dramas joining the lineup. Five of those shows debut this fall. Of note is Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s lineups remains […]