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Monday, August 3, 2009
FOX Austin eliminates ‘7 On Your Side’ unit
Who’s watching out for the watchdogs?
Fox Austin, KTBC, has laid off its “7 on Your Side” unit.
Casualties of hard economic times, six full time positions were cut last week according to a source who asked to be referred to only as a station spokesperson due to FOX policy: two graphic artist technicians, three camera operators and one investigative producer were let go.
“In addition to that, investigative reporter Chris Coffey’s contract was not renewed,” the spokesperson confirmed.
Coffey anchored the consumer watchdog “7 on Your Side” reports for KTBC. The series reported on unethical business practices and scams, including door-to-door alarm system sales; comp time versus overtime pay; credit report scams; and false charity donation solicitors.
“Investigative reporting will continue to be handled by the rest of the news team,” according to the spokesperson.
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TV critics honor ‘Battlestar,’ ‘Big Bang Theory,’ ‘Mad Men’
“Battlestar Galactica” wowed the Television Critics Association this year.
SyFy’s “Battlestar Galactica” was named Program of the Year at the annual Television Critics Awards ceremony Saturday in Pasadena. The award is notable because the popular series concluded its run this year and was completely snubbed by the Emmy folks. It’s also an odd category, neither best drama nor best comedy.
Those honors went to “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS) and “Mad Men*” (AMC). “Bang,” as a whole, was not nominated by the Emmy voters (although cast member Jim Parsons, who won the best actor in comedy trophy from the TCA, also nabbed a nomination in that Emmy category) while “Mad Men” took home an armload of Emmy trophies last year.
HBO took home the most TCA awards, with three. That doesn’t sound like many, but the critics, being stingy with praise, only dole out ten awards. The pay cable network’s “True Blood” took home best new program, “Grey Gardens” won for best miniseries, and “The Alzheimer’s Project” took top honors in the documentary category.
Bryan Cranston of “Breaking Bad” (AMC) was recognized as best performer (the TCA gives out only one award, as opposed to separate honors for men and women); Nickelodeon’s “Yo Gabba Gabba” was named best children’s program and, finally, NBC’s “ER” won the critics’ Heritage Award.
More than 200 television writers from the United States and Canada vote on the awards.
*Reminder: I’ll be hosting a premiere party for “Mad Men’s” new season at 7 p.m. Sunday, August 16. The party will be at the “Mad Men”-ish Belmont, 305 W 6th St. downtown. We’ll have trivia questions and raffle prizes, and the Belmont is creating a signature drink for the event! Dress up in your best ’60s inspired outfits and join us as we watch the first episode of season 3.
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