Analysis: “Simpsons” finally headed to cable

What this means for fans of the long-running franchise, its syndicator and the show itself In news first reported by TV Guide’s Michael Schneider Monday, the longest-running series in primetime TV history is expected to be sold by Twentieth Television to a cable network this year for airing in the fall of 2014. Possible cable contenders include Turner Broadcasting (TBS, […]

Comic-Con, Day 4: Dan Harmon and “Breaking Bad” wrap it up

Comic-Con wrapped up on Sunday with the triumphant return of Dan Harmon and a farewell to Breaking Bad. – At the Community Comic-Con panel (see below), Harmon talked about being way from the show for the fourth season – and a la David Letterman when he’s made a mistake, continuing to apologize – to fans for his criticism of it. […]

Comic-Con: Animation Special

Of course, it’s not Comic-Con without some animation being presented, right? From adult favorites to kids’ fare (a.k.a. programming that also attracts the stoner crowd), many panels were held for fans over the four-day event. Here’s a quick synopsis on what went down: – Though this time without Seth MacFarlane or Mila Kunis, Family Guy made the trek to Comic-Con […]

Comic-Con, Day 3: Superstar Superhero Crossover Saturday

If you thought The Simpsons-Family Guy crossover event announced last Thursday wasn’t going to be trumped… well, two of the world’s prominent superheroes said “we’ll see about that.” In a stunning development, DC Comics and Warner Bros. announced on Saturday it is teaming up Batman and Superman in a yet-to-be-titled epic blockbluster slated for release in 2015. So far, Henry […]

The 101 Best Written TV Shows

If you are a regular reader to this site, then you should be familiar with The T Dog Media TV Hall Of Shame, which generally celebrates the medium’s worst shows ever, from Hello Larry to Animal Practice. For a change, let’s talk about the best TV has to offer – that’s right, the best. On Sunday, the Writers Guild of […]

“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 […]

Fox Chicago duopoly deals for “Anger”

With the pitiful ratings they get, Fox Chicago’s duopoly of WFLD and WPWR could use some Anger Management – not to mention a “winning” formula. Debmar-Mercury and Fox announced Wednesday it has secured a deal for all nine of its O&O duopoly markets to carry reruns of Anger Management beginning in 2014, including Fox’s duopoly of WFLD and WPWR here […]

Syndication shakeup: Queen Latifah in, Anderson Cooper out

Also: Wheel and Jeopardy! renewed by WLS-TV, other ABC O&Os until 2016 It’s not even the end of October, and already seeing some major shakeups in daytime syndication for next fall: – In news first reported by Deadline, CBS’ owned-and-operated station group has picked up Queen Latifah’s new talk show from Sony Pictures Television for September 2013, clearing sixteen markets, […]

T Dog’s Think Tank: Four-for-one special

It’s a four-for-one-special in this edition of T Dog’s Think Tank – thoughts on four subjects in one post. What a deal! – Is Fox’s incompetence at its local Chicago stations spreading to the network? Last week, the network scheduled X Factor to Wednesday, but game three of the NLCS between San Francisco and St. Louis (which started earlier in […]

Sunday ratings: NBC dominates, but cable’s presence is felt

The broadcast networks saw erosion from the previous week Sunday night as cable entries – notably the MLB playoffs on TBS and the premiere of Steel Magnolias on Lifetime – made an impact on the ratings. Meanwhile, Family Guy tied Once Upon A Time as the highest rated scripted show of the evening. Here’s a snapshot of the results (all […]

Chicago syndie schedules get dramatic makeover

Local stations, syndicators shuffle the deck As we enter year two in the post-Oprah era, things are finally changing in the syndication marketplace, as five new syndicated talk shows – the most in 17 years – make their debut. As for off-network sitcoms, the pickings are rather slim – just two new entries this year, compared to five in 2011. […]

T Dog’s Six Pack: Topsy turvy

The Six Pack is back, but this edition is straight out of bizarro world: perennial loser NBC in the winner’s circle while top-ranked WLS-TV is in loserland? As Vince Lombardi would say, “What’s going on here?” Well, WIQI is the loser’s circle again, so it’s all not that unusual… the week’s winners and losers: Winners – NBC. Belated congrats to […]

Comic-Con 2012: Day 2

Here’s what went down on the second day of Comic-Con from San Diego: – Diana Rigg, star of the 1960’s British TV series The Avengers (not related to the Marvel property), has joined the cast of HBO’s hit fantasy drama Game of Thrones as Olenna Redwyne, Queen of the Throns, as it was announced at a rather limp panel Friday […]