Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2009 > October
October 2009
Bulldogs and barbecue: Austinites on ‘Judge Joe Brown’ today
Wolfe, who adopted the rescue dog three months prior to the attack, maintains that everyone knew the dog was skittish around new people. He contends that the amount Cox is suing for is exorbitant and that she should share liability for the attack.
C’mon, Austin … does every barbecue have to end with someone getting bit in the face?
“Judge Joe Brown” airs at 2 p.m. on FOX.
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ABC’s ‘Supernanny’ sets Saturday casting call at Austin Zoo
Can we call it “Zoopernanny?”
ABC’s “Supernanny” is holding an open casting call from 10 a.m. til 6 p.m. on Oct. 31 at the Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary, 10807 Rawhide Trail in Austin. The parenting show is searching for families of all backgrounds for season five, especially: families with unique interests; parents with ordinary and extraordinary circumstances; teen moms; parents with mean girls or bullying boys; culturally diverse parents; and blended families where both sides are seeking help. Producers want families from every type of background who are ready for a visit from nanny Jo Frost.
“We are very excited to host ABC’s ‘Supernanny’ open casting call,” said Patti Clark, The Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary president. “Like ‘Supernanny,’ The Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary is centered around the needs of young children by offering over 300 animals across 100 different species to learn about and experience close-up throughout our beautiful Hill Country zoo and sanctuary.”
For front of line privileges and priority casting, the producers ask that you e-mail your family’s story with a recent photo to cast4shows@yahoo.com or call 614.668.5700 for more information. To learn more about The Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary or the “Supernanny” open cast call visit www.austinzoo.org
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‘Friday Night Lights’ back tonight on DirecTV
“Friday Night Lights” returns tonight with a ticker tape parade. Okay, the flying paper is from former Panthers’ star fullback Tim Riggins’ (Taylor Kitsch) un-cracked college notebooks, but still …
The Austin-filmed critical hit, which has managed to elude ratings and mainstream awards success like a running back zipping down the field, returns tonight, but only if you’re one of those hoity-toity, West Dillon-esque DirecTV subscribers. Us East Dillon-ish scrubs will have to wait until summer 2010, when the series returns to NBC.
Regardless of when you start to watch, you’ll find yourself in a “Twilight Zone-y,” skewed version of the Dillon you know and love. For starters, some of your favorites will be gone. And redistricting (this is Texas, y’all are familiar with that concept, right?) has left Dillon a town divided. Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler), having guided the Panthers to a loss at State, is relegated to the rust-covered bleachers and neglected turf of East Dillon High. He practically has to break into his own locker room and, once he gets inside, he’s greeted by some furry critter (a badger?), which has taken up residence in one of the lockers (maybe they should have named the East Dillon team the Badgers instead of the Lions).
It’s quite a fall from his old school, where smarmy, new coach Wade Aikman (Drew Waters) and his cronies summon Taylor’s wife, principal Tami (Connie Britton), and inform her that she’ll be calling the coin toss to open the Panthers’ football season. They also tell her which side of the coin to call, but then break out into jerky, frat-boy spasms of laughter. Just kidding, Tami! Sheesh. These guys can’t fail fast enough, but it’s not gonna’ happen any time soon.
Off the field, it looks like Riggins’ college dreams — oh, let’s face it … they’re really his brother’s college dreams for him — are on hold again as he bails from San Antonio State in favor of Dillon and a one-night stand with a bar maid (is this “Friday Night Lights” or “Cougar Town?”) He wakes up to find the woman’s daughter, Becky (newcomer Madison Burge, from Hutto) looking for a ride to school. Becky is sassy, smart, pretty and kinda’ trashy. I like her, but that might be because she asks lover boy how it feels to be “the guy who used to be Tim Riggins.” Hee.
Over at East, Coach Taylor is trying to build a team out of a rag-tag group of misfits and screw-ups, including Vince (Michael B. Jordan), a misfit and screw-up who is delivered to Taylor via squad car. There’s gonna’ be some drama there. But first there’s some locker room drama as the East Dillon Lions squabble on and off the field. Taylor challenges his players to commit or leave, and most of them leave. Oops.
Principal Tami’s got the opposite problem: several of her students have been redistricted to East Dillon High, but refuse to go. Her daughter Julie (Aimee Teegarden) becomes upset as her friends are pulled out of classes and removed from the school. So upset that she just gets up and walks out into the hallway to watch them as they’re escorted away. Can you just get up and walk out of a high school class? I guess being the Principal’s daughter has its privileges.
Julie spends her out-of-school time with boyfriend Matt (Zach Gilford), the former Panther’s quarterback who postponed his education at the Art Institute of Chicago to stay in Dillon, take car of his grandmother and deliver pizzas with Julie riding shotgun. Looks like Coach Taylor’s not the only former golden boy who’s been knocked down a few pegs.
Speaking of Coach Taylor, game night finally arrives and we get to see just how stark the East-West contrast really is: full bleachers, cheers, smoke, flags and pageantry at Aikman’s stadium give way to the stark, empty East Dillon stands. This part of the premiere doesn’t exactly ring true. In the show’s world, Taylor is a football god. Wouldn’t more people show up just to see what would happen? Even just to watch him fail? Besides, it’s football and it’s Texas: I’ve seen bigger crowds show up for that finger field goal kicking game you play at your kitchen table with a buddy and a piece of notebook paper folded into a triangle. Tailgaters, too. Oh, well. Over at West, look for Principal Tami to put Aikman in his place, leaving no doubt as to where her allegiance lies.
I won’t tell you how the Lions’ first game ends, but it’s not pretty. It’s a great set up, though, for what should be a fun year. Thanks to DirecTV, “Friday Night Lights” already has a commitment for another season; Coach Taylor’s position is more tenuous. But he’s never been better than when he’s had something to prove.
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Mike Judge’s ‘Goode Family’ heads to Comedy Central
“The Goode Family,” Mike Judge’s animated sitcom about a family of environmentalist zealots, is headed to Comedy Central. The cable network will re-air the 13 episodes that ran on broadcast network ABC this summer prior to the show’s August cancellation.
When ABC dropped the ax, co-creators John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky promised to shop the show around to other networks. “This show has been the most creatively satisfying thing we have ever done and we look forward to continuing it,” they wrote on the show’s Facebook page.
I don’t think I was the only skeptical viewer, but one of the duo’s most recent posts announced “The Goode Family’s” return:
“IT’S OFFICIAL! The Goode Family will air on Comedy Central in January of 2010! They will start by re-running the original 13,” the post reads. “If this goes well and we capitalize on our fan there will be an order for new episodes! This second chance is truly a factor of our show attracting passionate and vocal fans. Any help getting the word out is greatly appreciated!!”
I wouldn’t count on new episodes, but Altschuler and Krinsky seem determined, promising to embrace social media technology to increase the show’s fan base prior to the new airings.
Comedy Central previously revived “Futurama” and “Family Guy,” and it’s rumored that they will pick up “Arrtesed Development” scribe Mitchell Hurwitz’s failed FOX animated series, “Sit Down Shut Up.”
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A former staffer takes Letterman to task
Nell Scovell, a former writer for David Letterman, is the latest person to come forward and throw her 2 cents into the embattled late-night talker’s sexpoitation controversy. Scovell airs her complaints in a Vanity Fair essay, according to eonline.com. The site says the piece “paints her late ’80s tenure on his NBC Late Night show as one marred by uncomfortable tension, hostile environments and sexual favoritism.”
Scovell also decried the lack of female writers on the show and claims she does not want compensation, revenge nor Letterman’s downfall, eonline reports. “I just want Dave to hire some qualified female writers and then treat them with respect.”
I just attended a panel at the 2009 Austin Film Festival in which comedy writers Chuck Sklar and Dan French revealed that none of the late-night talk shows’ writers rooms has a strong female presence. They seem, in fact, to most resemble middle-school boys’ locker rooms.
Scovell’s other accusations aside, the lack of female writers hardly seems particular to Letterman.
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Ricky Gervais set to host Golden Globes
Ricky Gervais, star of the original British version of “The Office” and HBO’s “Extras,” who dissed the Golden Globes in his hilarious appearance on the 2009 Emmy Awards, will host the Golden Globes, the Associated Press reports.
Gervais claimed to prefer the Emmys — which recognize only television work — because of the lack of beautiful movie stars making him feel inadequate (the Globes honor achievement in television, film and music).
“In this room I’m probably above average,” he joked. “Steve Carrell is considered handsome … it’s amazing.”
The Golden Globes have not had a host since 1995, when Janine Turner and John Larroquette handled those duties.
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AMC’s ‘The Prisoner’: Is ‘The Village’ in Texas?
I just opened the press kit for AMC’s next miniseries, a “reinterpretation” of the 1960s British cult series, “The Prisoner” (it airs in 6 hours over 3 nights beginning at 7 p.m., Nov. 15).
In the show, a man known only by his number (Six) finds himself trapped in “The Village” with no memory of how he arrived. He discovers that his fellow inhabitants are also identified by number, have no memory of any prior existence and are under constant surveillance.
Does that sound like Texas? because the map of The Village has an oddly familiar shape. Check it out:
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This week’s TV picks
Nathan Fillion stars in “Castle.”
Monday:
‘So You Think You Can Dance’ 7 p.m., FOX: The top 20 dancers are introduced. That’s 40 feet, if my math is correct.
‘Castle’ 9 p.m., ABC: This show hops onto the vampire bandwagon when a victim wearing fake fangs is discovered in a cemetery with a stake through his heart.
Tuesday:
‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ 7 p.m., CBS: Charlie goes to a Halloween party, Snoopy battles the Red Baron and poor Linus waits in the pumpkin patch for the titular spirit in this holiday classic.
‘The Forgotten’ 9 p.m., ABC: It’s a dog. Yes, the show, but also a key canine character who keeps watch over an unidentified dead man’s grave.
Wednesday:
‘Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space’ 7 p.m., NBC: This animated feature film spin-off finds the movie’s characters battling space aliens disguised as pumpkins.
‘Modern Family’ 8 p.m., ABC: I don’t know how it can be the first day of school when last week’s episode had a school-centric plot, but I don’t care as long this show keeps being laugh out loud funny.
Thursday:
‘The Office’ 8 p.m., NBC: Dundler Mifflin Scranton organizes a haunted house for community kids. As if that place isn’t normally scary enough (and like you’d let your kids anywhere near it).
‘The Austin Daytripper’ 9:30 p.m., PBS: Host Chet Garner and crew hit Shiner by way of Luling and Gonzales. Shiner’s his last stop? I think what we really want to see here is the ride back home.
Friday:
‘Ghost Whisperer’ 7 p.m., CBS: The headless horseman from Washington Irving’s ‘Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ comes to life. I’m starting to think I’d better go get our Halloween candy soon.
‘Ghost Adventures Live’ 7 p.m., TRAVEL: The gang spends 7 hours locked inside a West Virgina lunatic asylum. Yeah, Halloween candy.
Saturday:
‘Austin City Limits’ 7 p.m., PBS: Don’t blink or you’ll miss me in the audience for M. Ward’s awesome set. Also appearing: Okkervil River.
‘The Addams Family’ 2 p.m., WGN: Enjoy an 8-hour marathon of the creepy, mysterious, ooky, spooky family perfect for Halloween night.
Sunday:
‘Food Network Challenge’ 7 p.m., FOOD: Four designers create cakes based on ‘The Simpsons.’ Mmmmmm … cake. Voice of Lisa Simpson Yeardley Smith judges, and you know she’s a stickler.
‘Mad Men’ 9 p.m., AMC: Peggy’s taste in men proves questionable. Yeah, no kidding: first she hooks up with Pete Campbell and then, a few weeks ago, Duck Phillips. Who could she possibly be with now that would provoke this episode description —Achilles the maintenance man?
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TV Profile: Dan French
You might know them or you might not, but chances are you have no idea what they watch. This week we hop onto the couch with an Emmy-nominated late night comedy writer who lives in Austin and has produced material for David Letterman, Dennis Miller, “The Late, Late Show” on CBS and “The Best Damn Sports Show Period.” We met up with him after his appearance on a comedy writing panel at the 2009 Austin Film Festival. Next week it could be a television personality, a politician or an ordinary couch potato like you — check back to find out.
Dan French
DrDanFrench.com
Comedy Writer/Comedian/Word Goof
I love my job because: My end product is laughs from other people. Which are good for the environment.
Here’s what’s on my DVR: Cartoons and irkingly silly tween Disney shows. I own children.
My all-time favorite TV show is: “The Wire.” Intricately textured drama is funny to me.
You’ll never catch me watching: “Crock of Love.” Or any variety of semi-attractive people with no self-consciousness.
If I have insomnia, the show that lulls me back to sleep is: “Dane Cook Live!”
A current show I never miss is: “Mad Men.” Because its pretty boring. By which I mean pretty and boring.
If my TV is on, it’s probably tuned to this channel: Comedy Central. Because my goofy thoughts sometimes come out of people’s mouths there.
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Review: ‘Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful’
He’s come a long way from shaggy curls and acid washed jeans, but Jon Bon Jovi is stuck. Stuck between giving the audience what it wants in concert (“You Give Love A Bad Name”) and what is important to him (any introspective ballad on the Lost Highway album). He’s conflicted, he’s tired, but he understands that stadium anthems are his bread and butter, and he’s resigned to performing high-energy numbers that reflexively evoke the hair-metal hand gesture.
This is what comes from being Bon Jovi Incorporated, as you see in “Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful,” airing tonight at 8 p.m. on Showtime. The stark contrasts go beyond the black and white cinematography.
Jon Bon Jovi alone in his hotel room — making football deals, sorting through lawyer issues and the “agita” of their July 12, 2008 Central Park free concert, being a well-muscled stress ball — is a solitary figure, together with the band only for performances. He’s the Atlas of the group’s world, carrying it all even in the car ride to the airport. These scenes of stress appear alongside relaxing footage of drummer Tico Torres tooling around in a golf cart and hitting drives off the tee and guitarist Richie Sambora gliding on a boat through a marina, clearly not driving the boat himself.
That analogy illustrates the impression that Bon Jovi Inc. wants you to come away with: they’re all brothers, struggling together and holding on to what they’ve got and to each other in order to achieve success and then survive it. (Glaringly missing in the brotherhood theme is the fate or whereabouts of bassist Alec Jon Such, who mysteriously left the band in 1994). What comes through with more resonance is that Jon is unequivocally driving the boat, and his band mates are happy to go along. Keyboardist David Bryan puts it succinctly: “You can’t fight City Hall.”
Fans won’t be disappointed by the insider glimpse into personal demons the band has battled, from parental abandonment to divorce and alcoholism. Concluding with a rousing version of “Livin’ On A Prayer” that you can’t help but sing along to, we’re reminded that although the members of Bon Jovi the band have grown as people, the need to connect with an audience is what keeps Bon Jovi, the band and the man, going.
“Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful,”
8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24
Showtime
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‘Lost’ creator Damon Lindelof speaks. A little.
I grabbed a few minutes on the phone Thursday with “Lost” co-creator Damon Lindelof in advance of his two panel appearances at the 2009 Austin Film Festival. The catch? The upcoming final season of “Lost” was off-limits.
Sigh.
Well, we could always talk about the weather, as in “hey — how’s the weather on that island y’all shoot on and for GOD’s sake how are you possibly going to wrap this all up in one more season and is Locke really dead and did Jack’s plan work? Will the whole season be a reboot to before the crash like he’d hoped?”
No, probably not. My friend and co-worker, tech reporter Omar Gallaga, suggested I ask him for “Mad Men” spoilers. So I did.
“I suspect massive emotional pyrotechnics and let’s see, I guess Don will probably cheat on Betty and someone from Sterling Cooper will be fired. Those are my big guesses,” he said.
Lindelof is happy with the way the final season is shaping up. “It feels a lot like we’ve spent the last 5 years planning for a wedding and now we’re actually getting to have the wedding,” he said. “With all the sort of emotional feelings that go into that, that’s the closest to what it feels like.” That’s about as introspective as he’s willing to get.
“I’m trying not to project emotionally too far past (the series’ end) for fear of not enjoying the process itself,” he explained.
I mentioned to Lindelof how I have a friend who has just recently started to watch the “Lost” on DVD, starting at the beginning, and how it is just such a completely different show now.
“I think when people first saw the pilot, they would rightly say, ‘How is this show going to sustain itself? Why would we want to watch people fumfering around on a deserted island for more than, say, 8 or 9 episodes?’ he said. “It’s amazing that we are writing the 113th hour of ‘Lost’ right now. If you’d have told me that when we were writing the pilot I would have laughed in your face.”
Lindelof’s other irons in the fire include co-writing a “western with science fiction elements” called “Cowboys and Aliens” (Jon Favreau will likely direct) and working on “Star Trek 2,” the sequel to this summer’s reboot clandestinely premiered at the Alamo Drafthouse. Lindelof lured in rabid “Trek” fans by telling them they were going to see 1982’s “Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan.”
“We thought, we’ll show it to the biggest fans of ‘Trek’ and if we can make them happy, maybe we have a chance,” re recalled. The film went on to gross nearly $385 million worldwide.
Lindelof’s first AFF Panel, at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, is “Write What You Know: Fantasy/Sci-Fi.” He’ll appear with David Hayter and Roberto Orci (“Fringe” producers and Lindelof’s “Star Trek 2” co-writers) and discuss writing for those genres. At 3:45 p.m. Saturday he’ll appear on a “TV Development” Panel with “Freaks and Geeks” creator Paul Feig and writer/producer Chuck Sklar in which he’ll discuss the ‘Lost’ pilot.
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Hulu to begin charging for content in 2010
Do you catch up on your favorite shows online?
Broadcasting and Cable quotes News Corp. Deputy Chairman Chase Carey as saying Hulu, an Internet service which currently allows viewers to watch television content online — its slogan is “Watch your favorites. Anytime. For Free.” — will begin charging for some content as early as 2010.
“It’s time to start getting paid for broadcast content online,” Carey said. “I think a free model is a very difficult way to capture the value of our content. I think what we need to do is deliver that content to consumers in a way where they will appreciate the value. Hulu concurs with that, it needs to evolve to have a meaningful subscription model as part of its business.”
While Carey did not suggest that users would have to pay for all content, he suggested there could be fees for exclusive content and television previews.
Would you pay for Hulu? Is this a smart move? Sound off.
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‘Brothers,’ ‘Til Death’ and ‘Dollhouse’ go on hiatus for sweeps
The Fox Network’s Friday night prime time shows “Brothers,” “‘Til Death” and “Dollhouse” are going on hiatus after their October 23 airings, according to The Futon Critic. The programs will be replaced with reruns of “House” and “Bones.”
There’s good news and bad news here: the numbers for “Dollhouse” have been ticking slightly upward, but it’s never a good sign when you’re pulled from sweeps periods — when important ratings are measured — especially for reruns of other programs. “Dollhouse” will return in December with back-to-back airings. In January, the show will be back in its regular single-run Friday night slot.
“Brothers” will shift permanently to a 6 p.m. CT Sunday slot, the site reports, noting that no return date for “Til Death” was given.
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Remainder of Cronkite papers heading to UT
The remainder of Walter Cronkite’s personal papers and photographs are headed to the Dolph Briscoe Center at the University of Texas at Austin, which already has possession of most of the items (Cronkite was a UT student in the 1930s). The transfer was contingent upon the finalization of Cronkite’s will.
Don Carleton, Director of the University’s Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, says there’s nothing startlingly new in the remainder of materials from the legendary broadcaster’s CBS office, New York apartment and home in Martha’s Vineyard. “It’s important stuff and it should be here,” Carleton said, “but it’s not beyond anything we already have in terms of significance and importance.” Carleton and Cronkite’s survivors are in the process of deciding which artifacts should go to the University and which should remain with his family.
The items include research books of notes that Cronkite kept on his desk for reference while interviewing newsmakers or moderating debates.
“Walter had a mania for research and did most of his own,” explained Carleton, who became friends with Cronkite more than 20 years ago when the Briscoe Center sought to create a news media archive. He said Cronkite often didn’t need to refer to his notes, since the process of writing them out embedded them in his mind.
The Briscoe Center is planning a May, 2010 exhibition of the effects.
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KXAN launches ‘MyAustinTV’, sports programming
MyNetwork TV is back. The programming had shared a signal with The CW and has not had a local home since LIN-TV’s Austin NBC affiliate KXAN dropped it in favor of a 9 p.m. local newscast in mid-September (MyNetwork TV has recently dropped its network model, becoming a syndicated programming provider).
KXAN today launched “MyAustinTV,” which station President and General Manager Eric Lassberg is calling a MyNetwork TV partner station. The content will broadcast in high definition on KBVO-TV (digital channel 14), a full-power television station that formerly simulcast KXAN.
Sports fans should be happy — much of MyAustinTV’s content will cater to them.
The channel will air San Antonio Spurs NBA basketball games, Houston Texans NFL pre-season games and Big 12 college basketball games, including University of Texas Longhorn basketball games. The station will also air other UT sports programming, including “Longhorn Sports Center Weekly.” In addition, MyAustinTV has the capability to air live UT sports such as baseball, women’s basketball and softball.
MyNetwork TV’s primetime programming kicks in at 7 p.m. and includes such shows as “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” “The Unit” and “WWE Smackdown.”
“MyAustinTV is dedicated to providing local and regional sports and entertainment programming to Central Texas,” Lassberg said. “We especially want to thank the University of Texas, the San Antonio Spurs and our other partners in the community for helping us provide viewers with their favorite local content.”
Beginning today, MyAustinTV can be seen on Time Warner Cable channel 1525 on the HD tier and on DirecTV on channel 51. Launches on Grande Communications (channel 18 and 318), Suddenlink and AT&T Uverse will happen “soon,” Lassberg says. Digital over-the-air consumers can pick up KBVO on channel 14.
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New Adam Lambert video: ‘Time for Miracles’
Remember Adam Lambert? The Goth-inspired, gender-bending, vocally-gymnastic “American Idol” runner-up? MTV.com reports that his new video appeared on MySpace this morning.
The song, a power ballad called “Time for Miracles,” is from the John Cusack disaster film, “2012.” In the video, Lambert wails as the apocalypse unfolds around him. He’s not giving up because, well, it’s time for miracles. Buildings are toppling. Meteors pound the earth. Windows are bursting — but that might be due to Adam’s ridiculously high vocal register. I’m just saying.
Hey, watch out, Adam! The Eiffel Tower is falling and if it hits you it might smudge your eyeliner!
Lambert told MTV that the song, which is now available for purchase on Amazon and iTunes, is not representative of the tunes on his upcoming album.
MySpace has disabled comments for the video … hmm … so take a look below and let us know what you think:
Time For Miracles
Adam Lambert | MySpace Music Videos
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Sarah Palin: Oprah’s next big guest
The Orlando Sentinel reports that Sarah Palin will appear on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show Monday, Nov. 16.
Palin will be there to pump up sales of her book, “Going Rogue: An American Life,” and Oprah will have her there to further pump up her ratings, which the Sentinel says are already up 15 percent from the same period last year.
How will these two — a former Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and a staunch Barack Obama supporter — be able to share a stage? Will Palin be able to hold her own with the expert talker? Or will Winfrey be taken off guard by Palin’s plain spoken, folksy chatter?
Post your predictions below.
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First Lady Michelle Obama to appear with Jay leno
The Associated Press reports that Michelle Obama is set to appear on NBC’s “The Jay Leno Show” Friday, Oct. 23. She will participate in Leno’s rapid-fire 10 Questions bit (I was going to call it a comedy bit, but then I remembered we’re talking about Leno).
The First Lady will appear via satellite and it will be interesting to see if her appearance pumps Jay’s numbers the way President Obama helped David Letterman’s ratings before Dave’s sextortion scandal put him on a roll.
Other politicos including Barney Frank and John McCain have participated in the routine.
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TV theme Composer Vic Mizzy dies at 93
You might not have reacted the same way I did when you heard that Vic Mizzy died Saturday at age 93 in his Bel Air home. You probably didn’t even recognize the name, although you might have had a notion that it sounded vaguely showbizzy. Maybe you’d seen it somewhere before …
Vic Mizzy was a composer and he wrote the classic themes for ’60s sitcoms “The Addams Family” and “Green Acres” (admit it — at least one of these songs is going through your head right now and might be stuck there a good part of the morning. You’re welcome.)
I knew the name instantly because, as a young man, I couldn’t get enough of the absurd, surreal “Green Acres.” Oh, I watched my share of Gomez and Morticia Addams, Cousin It and Uncle Fester, but I dissected “Green Acres” — even the credits — the way littler kids tore up cartoons, other kids my own age studied comic books and girls, and adults examined the Zapruder Film. I reacted the same way when I heard that “Beverly Hillbillies,” “Petticoat Junction” and “Green Acres” producer Paul Henning had died in 2005.
The Associated Press says that Mizzy sang the theme to “The Addams Family” himself and directed the title sequence. I didn’t know that. Cool. He also demanded rights to the song, which would bring him royalty checks for the rest of his life as the song became a popular rallying theme at sporting events. Shrewd.
He wrote songs that were recorded by Dean Martin, Doris Day, Perry Como and Billie Holiday in the ’40s and ’50s, the Associated Press says. His hits included “Pretty Kitty Blue Eyes,” “My Dreams are Getting Better All the Time,” and “With a Hey and a Hi and a Ho-Ho-Ho.”
I don’t know … that’s pretty impressive, but keep Manhattan and give me that countryside. “Green Acres,” after all, is the place to be.
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‘Python’ party continues on IFC
Are you one of those annoying people who spout Monty Python quips and quotes or reenact entire routines? Then shut up while the rest of enjoy IFC’s “Python-a-thon,” continuing through Friday on the cable network.
The event kicked off Sunday night with an episode titled, “The Not-So-Exciting Beginnings,” so don’t feel bad if you missed it. Here are the descriptions of the week’s remaining installments:
THE MUCH FUNNIER SECOND EPISODE
Monday, October 19 at 8:00 p.m. CT
Catch up with The Pythons as they remember Monty Python’s Flying Circus’ early struggles turned extreme successes with sketches influencing generations to come. Interviews with John Cleese, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, Russell Brand, and Seth Green.
AND NOW THE SORDID PERSONAL BITS
Tuesday, October 20 at 8:00 p.m. CT
Join Monty Python members as they discuss BBC censorship, unwanted celebrity status, member Graham Chapman, Python controversy and Cleese’s departure. Interviews with Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, and Eric Idle.
THE ULTIMATE HOLY GRAIL EPISODE
Wednesday, October 21 at 8:00 p.m. CT
Comedic team Monty Python document arriving in the U.S. and leaving TV to dive headfirst into film and the ups and downs with their project “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Interviews with Jimmy Fallon, Seth Green, Russell Brand, and Bruce Dickinson
LUST FOR GLORY
Thursday, October 22 at 8:00 p.m. CT
On the heels of ‘Holy Grail’ and its success, the Python Gang reflects on their next misinterpreted and controversially banned film, “The Life of Brian.” Interviews with Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, and Eric Idle.
THE LAST EPISODE EVER … FOR NOW
Friday, October 23 at 8:00 p.m. CT
The Gang recalls their last movie, The Meaning of Life and its relevance to Graham Chapman’s memorial service. Comedians and celebrities discuss Python’s influence. Interviews with Eddie Izzard, Dan Aykroyd, Jimmy Fallon, Steve Merchant.
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Wes Hayden named favorite reality villain
Austin’s Wes Hayden, from ABC’s “The Bachelorette,” was named favorite villain at the 2009 Fox Reality Channel Awards, reports seattlepi.com.
The site quotes Hayden as saying “it’s hard to swallow,” and says his distaste for the “villain” label may explain why he’s in talks with NBC for a new show.
Hayden will hold the honor in perpetuity, since Fox Reality Channel is going off the air in March, 2010.
What do you think? Was Hayden the bad boy the show made him out to be or was he — like Jessica Rabbit — just drawn that way?
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This week’s TV picks
Monday:
‘Heroes’ 7 p.m., NBC: Who ya’ gonna’ call? Ernie Hudson, apparently. The once and future ‘Ghostbuster’ guest stars.
‘The Big Bang Theory’ 8:30 p.m., CBS: Hmm, it must be sci-fi guest star week. ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’s’ Wil Wheaton cameos in a showdown with Sheldon.
Tuesday:
‘Melrose Place’ 8 p.m., The CW: Okay, this is just getting creepy. Daphne Zuniga (‘Spaceballs’) returns as Jo Reynolds. Secrets, sex, blah blah blah.
‘The Good Wife’ 9 p.m., CBS: Martha Plimpton (‘Surface’, of course) guest stars as Alicia races against the clock to save three widows’ pensions. ‘Surface’ was a science fiction show, too.
Wednesday:
‘Extreme Competitions’ 7 p.m., TRAVEL: A mustache-growing competition is highlighted. No kidding. Mustache growing. I hope it’s ‘extreme’ mustache-growing. Is this a mini-series? Because I’m not sure how much ‘stache growing can happen in one night.
‘Glee’ 8 p.m., FOX: Sue displays her softer side? Which side is that, exactly? I thought even her deepest interior was gruff exterior.
Thursday:
’30 Rock’ 8:30 p.m., NBC: Will Arnett hanging with the Obama girls? I’m so in.
‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ 9 p.m., BRAVO: Season 2 finale. Aw, already?
Friday:
‘Brothers’ 7 p.m., FOX: Here we go again. E Street Band member Clarence Clemons (‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’) appears as Coach sacks Chill and enlists Mike’s help with his football squad.
‘Lobstermen’ 9 p.m., DISCOVERY: Lobstermen! Half-men, half-lobster! Now there’s a scary — what? On a boat? With nets? Nevermind.
Saturday:
‘Austin City Limits’ 7 p.m., PBS: Singer-songwriter showcase! Andrew Bird and St. Vincent perform.
‘Surprise Inspection’ 9 p.m., TruTV: There’s no description for this show but, just in case, I’m gonna’ make sure everything here is in tip-top shape.
Sunday:
‘Werewolves: The Dark Survivors’ 8 p.m., ANIMAL: A faux documentary explores the lives and behaviors of werewolves. I don’t know about you, but I kinda’ prefer my faux documentaries to explore the practical joke Jim and Pam just played on Dwight.
‘Mad Men’ 9 p.m., AMC: Joan and Greg make plans for the future. Yay! More Joan! Boo! Joan and Greg have a future.
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‘Big Love’ back in January with new faces
Got big love for ‘Big Love’? Season 4 of the popular HBO polygamy drama will premiere Jan. 10, 2010. Season three also debuted in January, Variety reminds us.
The site reports that Academy Award-nominated actress Sissy Spacek joins the cast as a Washington, D.C., lobbyist beginning in the episode three.
Other new faces in Season 4 include Bella Thorne, who replaces Jolean Wejbe as Barb and Bill’s youngest daughter Teenie, and Ben Koldyke as Dale, a state-appointed trustee and love interest for Alby (Matt Ross), The Los Angeles Times reported in September.
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Caption this: New ‘Friday Night Lights’ Season 4 photos
Here are a few still photos from the Oct. 28 season premiere of “Friday Night Lights” on DirecTV. No captions were included, so make up your own and post ‘em below!
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‘Friday Night Lights’ news keeps on coming
With the Season 4 premiere of “Friday Night Lights” less than two weeks away, lots of Dillon dish is crossing my desk.
First up is news that Executive Producer Peter Berg will direct the premiere — almost a series premiere of sorts because of the huge cast turnover. Berg has not helmed an episode since he directed the show’s 2006 pilot.
EW’s Michael Ausiello reports that former “Practice” star Steve Harris is slated to appear in about seven episodes of the upcoming season, portraying Vernon Merriweather, an ex-football star and the father of East Dillon newbie Jess. At the end of Season 3, Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) took the head coach job at East Dillon while his wife Tami (Connie Britton) remained Principal of West Dillon High.
“Friday Night Lights” premieres October 28 at 8 p.m. CT on DIRECTV’s The 101 Network and will show up on NBC in 2010.
Here’s a look at how that moody Season 4 trailer was filmed, with a few hints from the actors about what we can expect this year:
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ABC lands new Matthew Perry sitcom
Could this be any more surprising?
“Friends” star Matthew Perry, who hasn’t had much cache since that series ended — his track record in films has been spotty, at best — was the subject of a heated bidding war between ABC and “Friends” network NBC for a new sitcom, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Thomas Schlamme is attached to direct the comedy, the site says, in which Perry stars as the manager of a second-rate sports arena approaching his 40th birthday and reevaluating his life.
Maybe it’s the “Cougar Town” effect. Courteney Cox’s terrible sitcom has been pulling in big numbers for ABC.
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Local teen’s toon plays on national TV
12-year-old Bailey middle school student Jesse Lee Farquhar is one in 4,714, but she can be forgiven for feeling like one in a million. Her short animated film, “Living Room Goes On,” was one of 14 entires out of 66,000 selected to be broadcast nationally.
Farquhar’s film will make its world television premiere on Wednesday, October 14 at approximately 2:10 PM (CT) on the “qubo on ION TV” programming block on ION Television network. The animated film will also air on qubo Channel on October 14 at 3 PM (CT) and will air several times a day on qubo Channel for one week until the next quboPic film debuts the following Wednesday. Additional, it can be seen on the “qubo on NBC” and “qubo on Telemundo” (in Spanish) programming blocks on October 17 and on qubo.com.)
Farquhar created her short animated film using an innovative storytelling web application on qubo.com called “Zimmer Twins.” The Zimmer Twins, Edgar and Eva, are animated characters featured in interactive cartoons that kids can create from scratch, modify and share with their friends in a rich, safe web environment.
qubo producers have re-mastered Farquhar’s animated film, converting it to high-resolution video with broadcast quality color, music and sound effects. They have also enlisted character actors to record the dialogue and narration written by Farquhar in her text bubble script.
Here’s a complete listing of when Farquhar’s work can be seen locally:
On Wednesday, Oct 14:
2:10 PM (CT) on ION network (channel # varies by cable operator - it’s channel 38 on Time Warner)
3 PM (CT) on qubo Channel- AT&T Uverse subscribers get qubo Channel on Channel 328 (will have multiple airings on qubo Channel for one week)
3 PM (CT) online at: http://qubo.com/videos.asp
On Saturday, Oct 17
7:10 AM (CT) on Telemundo (check local listings for Channel #)
9:10 AM (CT) on local NBC station KXAN- TV (Channel 4)
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Dr. Oz helps Harker Heights woman today
Dr. Oz is featuring a Harker Heights woman on his show today.
From the show:
After two children, once svelte Army-wife Natalie, a service vet herself, had become obese. Her mission: to lose the baby weight (plus some) before her husband returns from Iraq. Formerly and unhealthy 180 lbs, she is now in fit and fighting form. The episode will air Tuesday, October 13th at 1pm on FOX.
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New meteorologist joins KVUE weather team
Chief Meteorologist Mark Murray announced via Facebook that Albert Ramon has joined the KVUE Storm Team. Here’s Mark’s post:
My thanks to Ilona and Micah McCauley for doing a little fill-in work for us over the past few weeks! Now, help me welcome the newest member of the KVUE Storm Team, Albert Ramon! Albert is from Corpus Christi, where he worked as the Chief Meteorologist at KZTV. Albert will normally be working our weekend newscasts, but will be filling in for Meghan on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. He’s on Facebook, too!
Here’s a link to Albert’s bio on the KZTV Web site. Some highlights:
— Grew up in Beeville, Texas
— Studied Atmospheric Science at Texas A&M University
— Received his Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications in Media Studies from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
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‘Flash Forward’ gets full-season pick up
“Flash Forward,” ABC’s “other” time-traveling-consciousness drama, has received an order for additional episodes to fill out the rest of the season, according to The Live Feed.
Although “Flash Forward’s” ratings are down from its premiere (when it was the first regular scripted series since “Friends” to beat CBS’ “Survivor” in its time slot), the site reports that the show increased viewership by 32 percent over “Ugly Betty’s” performance in the same 7 p.m. Thursday slot last year.
ABC shows are on a roll. Last week, the network gave full-season pickups to three comedies — “The Middle,” “Modern Family” and “Cougar Town.”
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Oprah visits Texas State Fair
Associated Press photo
Big Tex, meet Mediasaurus Rex … talk show titan Oprah Winfrey visited the Texas State Fair on Sunday and taped her show there today, according to The Houston Chronicle. The article says, among other things, “security was tight as she ate a corn dog.”
The Associated Press reported that about 4,000 drizzled fans attended the taping and quoted a spokesman as saying the episode would air “sometime this fall.”
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This week’s TV picks
Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin star on “30 Rock.”
Monday:
‘Dancing with the Stars’ 7 p.m., ABC: Tune in to see who’ll take over the reality competition’s dramatic narrative now that Tom DeLay is gone.
Tuesday:
‘The Good Wife’ 9 p.m., CBS: Alicia takes on her firm when she suspects jury tampering in a pharmaceutical company trial. Watch quickly before health care reform makes this storyline obsolete.
Wednesday:
‘Hank’ 7 p.m., ABC: Fraisier — I mean, um, Hank, takes a job working alongside his daughter at the mall. Sigh.
‘Modern Family’ 8 p.m., ABC: Shelley Long (“Cheers”) guest stars on the best new comedy of the season.
‘Glee’ 8 p.m., FOX: The club members are pitted against each other again? Didn’t that just happen last week? Is this a “Glee”-peat? Nope, this time Sue (Jane Lynch) is trying to spread dissent.
Thursday:
‘Flash Forward’ 7 p.m., ABC: Yikes! Somebody saw a murder in their vision of the future. Tune in to find out whom.
‘Vampire Diaries’ 7 p.m., The CW: Stefan and Damon continue to duke it out while the sheriff and mayor try to protect the citizens of Mystic Falls. Seriously, people, if you don’t like vampires, stay away from places called “Mystic Falls.”
‘30 Rock’ 8:30 p.m., NBC: Season 4 of NBC’s Tina Fey comedy begins with a show entitled “Season 4.”
Friday:
‘Ugly Betty’ 7 p.m., ABC: Betty, now an associate editor, clashes with her ex-boyfriend boss. Lynn Redgrave and Kristen Johnston guest star on this season 4 premiere.
Saturday:
‘Austin City Limits’ 7 p.m., PBS: Are you a Kenny Chesney fan? He’s crooning his greatest hits tonight.
‘Tailgate Warriors with Guy Fieri’ 8 p.m., FOOD: Y’all like to tailgate, right? The Food Network personality puts tailgaters from across the country through a game-day grub competition.
Sunday:
‘The Simpsons’ 7 p.m., FOX: The 20th edition of Halloween-themed “Treehouse of Horror” finds take-offs on zombies, Hitchcock and “Sweeney Todd.”
‘Sunday Night Football’ 7:15 p.m., NBC: Chicago at Atlanta. Go, Bears!
‘The Cleveland Show’ 7:30 p.m., FOX: Arianna Huffington guest stars.
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TV Profile: Chet Garner
You might know them or you might not, but chances are you have no idea what they watch. This week we hop onto the couch with the host of a new KLRU show. Next week it could be a different television personality, a politician or an ordinary couch potato like you — check back to find out.
Chet Garner
Host of KLRU’s “The Austin Daytripper”
Number of years in this position: 1 week officially. But I’ve been daytripping my whole life.
I love my job because: My job consists of traveling Texas, jumping out of trees, eating Bar-B-Q, wearing mullet wigs and, hopefully, inspiring other people to do the same (maybe not the mullet part). It may just be the greatest job in America.
Here’s what’s on my DVR: A bunch of HBO movies that I’ll probably never get around to watching, but are so great that I can’t bring myself to delete them. Example: “Airplane!” And there are a bunch of old “Man v. Food” episodes. Adam Richman and his iron gut are two of my personal heroes.
My all-time favorite TV show is: “30 Rock,” which has just bumped “The Office” out of first place. These two shows are the best that have ever been on TV, hands down.
You’ll never catch me watching: Law dramas. And I’m even a lawyer. I just can’t seem to get into them. I guess I’ve filed too many suits and worn to many suits to enjoy watching people filing and wearing suits.
If I have insomnia, the show that lulls me back to sleep is: Old stuff from the Game Show Network. The mustaches, perms, and polyester suits provide for some pretty incredible dreams.
A current show I never miss is: “30 Rock”
If my TV is on, it’s probably tuned to this channel: The Travel Channel in HD.
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Trailer: ‘Friday Night Lights’ via ‘Carnivale’
The teaser trailer for season 4 of “Friday Night Lights” has hit YouTube, and it makes the show look more like the spooky HBO series “Carnivale” than the football drama we know and love (a big, magic tree was central to the imagery of that late, lamented series, too).
The L.A. Times pulls a lot of clues out of the 30-second clip. Frankly, I think they might be reaching but there’s not a whole lot to grasp onto here.
“Friday Night Lights” returns to DirecTV on Oct. 28 and NBC in summer, 2010. Here’s the teaser and, just for fun, I’ll slap a “Carnivale” trailer down below it:
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‘Dallas’ fans:TNT might reboot nighttime soaper
The New York Times reports that Warner Bros. will attempt to continue the ‘Dallas’ saga with the next generation of the Ewing family (headline of the year: “Who reshot J.R.?”). The prime time soap opera straddled three decades, running on CBS from 1978-1991, and captivated the nation with its 1980 “Who shot J.R.?” cliffhanger.
Original cast members including Larry Hagman, Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy have been contacted for participation, according to the paper.
Maybe with “Southland’s” cancellation, there’s room on TV for Southfork. Would you watch a “Dallas” reboot? What other shows would you like to see revived?
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America blows up the Moon. Again.
In honor of the disappointing, real-life blowing-up of the Moon, here’s the classic “Mr. Show” comedy sketch that must have inspired the folks at NASA. It’s ironic that people actually had viewing parties to watch the disappointing event today, just like in this bit:
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Marge Simpson hits cover of ‘Playboy’
She’s fought to keep violent cartoons off the air on “The Simpsons” but, apparently, nudity is okay. Well, implied nudity.
Homer’s blue-haired wife and the mother of Bart, Lisa and Maggie is set to appear on the cover of November’s Playboy Magazine, according to the Associated Press. The issue will hit newsstands Oct. 16 and include a 3-page pictorial.
New Playboy CEO Scott Flanders (no relation to pious Simpson neighbor Ned Flanders, I’m sure) says the idea is to attract readers in their 20s to a magazine where the average reader’s age is 35, according to the article.
Hmmm. Do people in their 20s watch “The Simpsons?” They might have been better off featuring Lois Griffin or that hot mom from “American Dad.”
What do you think of Marge gracing the pages of a men’s magazine? I guess she did once work in an erotic bakery.
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Is ‘Southland’ cancellation Jay Leno’s fault?
“Southland,” the NBC cop drama starring Austinite Benjamin McKenzie, has been canceled before its second season had a chance to roll out of the station and fingers are pointing at Jay Leno, whose awful one-hour comedy show eats up every NBC 9 p.m. weeknight slot. (Those prime slots are traditionally filled with just the kind of drama the fine “Southland” was growing into).
“I’m disappointed that NBC no longer has the time periods available to support the kind of critically-acclaimed series that was for so many years, a hallmark of their success,” EW.com quotes executive producer John Wells as saying. “We remain extremely proud of Southland and are actively looking for another home for the series.”
The decision seems to have been sudden. The network’s official Twitter page for the show sent this tweet out Wednesday: “Remember - this Friday NBC.com will start streaming all of Southland Season 1. Tell your friends and get ‘em hooked now!”
Michael Cudlitz, who played patrol officer John Cooper, also implores viewers to tell their friends … to contact NBC and let them know they’re unhappy about the cancellation. His profanity-laden Twitter page instructs fans “Don’t go quietly” and he writes, “Honestly, not bitter. Kinda pissed. I still believe the show would have done well on Fri.”
Dateline NBC will now air in that Friday slot.
Will you miss “Southland?” What should Ben McKenzie do next?
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‘The Austin Daytripper’ premieres tonight on KLRU
Chet Garner hits the road at 9:30 tonight on PBS station KLRU. As the energetic, affable host of “The Austin Daytripper,” Garner’s show visits areas within driving distance of Austin, perfect for a mini-vacation lasting just one day.
On the premiere episode, Garner and crew travel to Waco, visiting Health Camp — an ironically-named greasy burger joint, Baylor University, the Dr. Pepper Museum, Cameron Park, George’s Restaurant and Bar and Poppa Rollo’s Pizza.
Whew. That’s a lot to pack into one day.
Garner is a charming and humorous host, whether doing burger-inspired calisthenics (let’s just call them calorie-isthenics) outside of Health Camp, mispronouncing the names of animals at the Cameron Park Zoo (I’m pretty sure he called a Komodo Dragon a Kimono Dragon) or playing up Poppa Rollo’s as a Godfather-inspired mob hangout (it’s not).
The segments have the quick-cut look and feel of shows you might see on either the Travel Channel or the Food Network, and incorporate elements of both. Some of them carry on just a bit long (Cameron Park mountain biking, I’m looking at you), but how much else is there to do in Waco?
The hijinks are aided by Jeff Schuessler’s clever animation.
In addition to KLRU Thursday night airings, “The Austin Daytripper” is available to Time Warner Cable customers through Central Texas on Demand (Austin-channel 1400, Waco/Kileen channel 200) and the program can be seen online at www.klru.tv.
I can’t wait to see where Garner goes next. Here’s a promo for the series:
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Michael Vick to star in new BET series
The Los Angeles Times reports that NFL star Michael Vick is starring in a new television series for BET.
The program, with the working title “The Michael Vick Project,” chronicles Vick’s comeback and also his troubled past (Vick was arrested in 2007 for running a dog-fighting ring and spent 18 months in prison. He now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles).
The article says the Humane Society is on board, but PETA (People for the Ethical treatment of Animals) has concerns. The paper quotes PETA spokesman Dan Shannon as saying, “People who abuse animals don’t deserve to be rewarded. They shouldn’t be given multimillion-dollar contracts … or given the privilege of being a role model.”
The show’s producers coined a new term, “docu-series,” to describe the program. They claim it will be a sober look at Vick’s life and not a typical reality series. BET claims the show is consistent with the network’s philosophy of family values, cultural uplift and community pride.
What do you think? Can you forgive Michael Vick? Does he deserve a second chance?
Would you watch this show?
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Live Chat: Fall TV season
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Live chat today on fall TV season
Come back at 11 a.m. CT and participate in a live chat about the Fall TV season. What’s working for you? What shows do you dislike? DId the networks get the nights/time slots right for your favorite shows? What’s missing? We’ll chat about which shows might get picked up (some have already!) and which shows are likely to get the axe.
See you then!
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The Hammer’s down: DeLay drops out of ‘Dancing with the Stars’
As leaked Tuesday afternoon, former Congressman Tom DeLay withdrew from ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” competition Tuesday night, citing stress fractures in both feet. DeLay’s departure means partner Cheryl Burke is history, too.
“You can’t practice, and if you can’t practice you make a fool of yourself out here,” DeLay said. “I don’t want to do that to Cheryl.”
“The Hammer,” as he was nicknamed on Capitol Hill, dropped out of the competition even though he was pronounced safe from elimination after the judges’ votes were combined from telephone votes from across the country. Debi Mazar and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy were eliminated after receiving the lowest total number of votes.
The big question now is which remaining dancing duo will drive the show’s narrative from this point on — DeLay’s goofy performances and his injuries have been played up by the show’s producers throughout the beginning weeks of the competition and now he’s gone (although host Tom Bergeron extended an invitation to DeLay and Burke to return for the show’s season finale to dance the Texas Two-step).
Who should “DwtS” focus on now that DeLay is gone? Sound off!
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EW: DeLay to depart ‘Dancing’ due to injuries
It looks like former Congressman Tom DeLay won’t have to face the voters after all: EW.COM reports that injuries will force the Hammer to drop out of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” tonight.
Although the network would not comment, stress fractures in the former House Majority Leader’s feet had led to speculation that he might not even perform Monday night (he did — a Samba). We’ll never know, but DeLay’s injuries might have been a moot point; he and partner Cheryl Burke had stalled in the vote talley, regular placing second lowest and in constant danger of elimination.
The show airs at 8 p.m.
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DeLay on ‘Dancing’: Going for the bi-partisan vote
Newsweek has a great, fairly savage recap of Tom DeLay’s Monday performance on “Dancing with the Stars.” The piece’s writer, Holly Bailey, is right: the show really played the Hammer’s injuries for drama … it seems to be this season’s dominant story line.
Lance Bass and Paula Abdul were in the crowd cheering on DeLay and his partner, Cheryl Burke, who danced a Samba to “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” The former House Majority Leader wore bright red pants and a red and white striped shirt with an elephant on the back (he looked like he should have been serving pizzas at Shakey’s) while Burke wore a backless, blue, starred outfit with the Democrat party’s logo. When they were close to each other, I guess they were supposed to look like a flag.
The judges were kind with the commentary, but the pairs’ score of 15 (out of a possible 30 points) once again landed them in second to last place and in danger of elimination tonight. Will DeLay and Burke be sent packing in a dwindling field of contestants? Should they be?
Here’s video of the couple’s performance. Take a look and let us know what you think. Commenters, let’s take note of the duo’s “can’t we all just get along?” theme and keep our observations respectful and tolerant:
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‘Idol gives back’ returns next season
“Idol Gives Back,” the charity event featured on FOX’s “American Idol” in 2007 and 2008 (but absent last season) will return in 2010. The event will be broadcast on April 21 during the results show for the Top 7 finalists according to Zap2it.com. “Idol Gives Back” will benefit Children’s Health Fund, Feeding America, Malaria No More and Save the Children as well as the United Nations Foundation, the site reports.
With times so tough, FOX’s head of alternative programming Mike Darnell says the event will emphasize how even very small contributions can make an impact. The previous, star-studded “Idol Gives Back” events have raised more than $140 million for charity.
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Craig Ferguson addresses Letterman scandal (video)
“Late Late Show” host Craig Ferguson has a unique perspective on the David Letterman sextortion scandal, as noted in this article by the Associated Press.
Letterman’s production company, Worldwide Pants (insert your own joke here) produces Ferguson’s show, which directly follows Letterman’s “Late Show” on CBS. Because of pre-taping, Ferguson couldn’t address the situation on his Friday night show, but he spent a good chunk of time Monday night talking (and joking) about his boss’ recent difficulties, asking the audience members to put themselves in his shoes.
“The person you work for, the person you admire and respect, is caught in an embarrassing situation. And your job is to be funny about that, whilst trying to keep your own job,” he joked. “So this is my last show.”
Here’s video of Ferguson’s Monday night monologue:
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Letterman apologizes to wife on tonight’s ‘Late Show’
David Letterman took advantage of his monologue during the taping for tonight’s “The Late Show” on CBS to apologize to his wife, People.com reports.
The site quotes an unnamed audience member from Austin saying:
“He made a joke about loving the fall weather in New York, and about how it was getting mighty chilly. He was making fun of the situation. If it’s chilly here, you can only imagine how chilly things were at home.”
Letterman went on to say that his wife, Regina Lasko, “has been horribly hurt by my behavior, and when something happens like that, if you hurt a person and it’s your responsibility, you try to fix it. At that point, there’s only two things that can happen: Either you’re going to make some progress and get it fixed, or you’re going to fall short and perhaps not get it fixed, so let me tell you folks, I got my work cut out for me.”
He also apologized to his staff but, much like last Thursday’s revelation of the blackmail scheme that targeted him, Letterman also found chances to wring humor out of the situation.
“Wow, that weekend went fast,” Letterman said as he took the stage.
“The Late Show” airs tonight at 10:30 on CBS.
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‘Arrested Development’ film in the works
The Hollywood Reporter says the “Arrested Development” movie is back on,
The Web site says that “Arrested” creator Mitchell Hurwitz and co-executive producer James Vallely are working on a screenplay; in the past Hurwitz has said he wouldn’t work on a script until all of the main cast members were committed to the project.
The low-rated but critically acclaimed story of the Bluth family ran on FOX from 2003-2006.
Read the full story here.
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JB and Sandy make KEYE TV debut
Radio personalities JB and Sandy of Mix 94.7 made their daily television debut this morning on KEYE. The CBS television affiliate recently axed its morning news program, moving anchor Fred Cantu to Spanish-language Telemundo and co-anchor Michelle Valles to the station’s new 4 p.m. lifestyle show.
Airing from 6-7 a.m., the show — a simulcast of the duo’s morning radio program — is pretty much what you’d expect. It features the pair shooting the breeze, along with sidekick Alex Franco. Sara Osburn joins in the discussion and handles the newsier aspects of the telecast.
Four people sitting around a table, wearing headphones and talking into microphones … it’s not much of a television show (visuals amounted to still photos and file footage) but who really sits in front of the TV for a solid hour on a weekday morning? You’re getting ready for work or getting the kids ready for school and you really just want some chatter in the background with occasional weather and traffic breaks (this morning’s show had three, deftly handled by KEYE’s Kelly Slifka).
The four personalities have an easy rapport, but the chatter — this morning centering on David Letterman, the Austin City Limits festival and the worst Austin intersections for traffic — didn’t seem particularly amusing or insightful. Let’s cut the quartet some slack, though, it must be odd for radio guys to suddenly have cameras thrust upon them. Sandy seemed a little nervous and Sara kept glancing up at the overhead camera. Franco was too comfortable, twisting back and forth in his chair. Only JB seemed perfectly at ease, and I’m sure the others will come along.
Interestingly, toward the end of the broadcast, Sandy betrayed a radio reflex: to call Alex over, he waved his hand and silently motioned for him, then whispered to him off mic while a caller complained about a particularly snarled intersection. This is the kind of thing that’s best kept from radio listeners but sticks out like a sore thumb to television viewers. JB and Sandy are going to have to figure out how to reconcile their approach to two separate and distinct audiences.
Toward the end of the show, Sandy teased a segment that would be coming up at 7:15, after the televised portion would have concluded. It was a smart move … clearly they hope people will hop into their cars for their commutes and tune to the Mix. They never even said goodbye to their television audience; that duty was left to Slifka.
As a whole, the broadcast reminded me of the water cooler chit-chat you hear (or participate in) when you arrive at the office. It’s fun to listen to, but I’m not sure why I wouldn’t just turn on the radio.
Note: Sandy McIlree was kind enough to contact me and thanks me for my comments. He also pointed out that I had confused him with JB Hager. Oops. I think I’ve swapped all the references above; they should be correct now. And I’ve got the visual, so I won’t make that mistake again. See? The simulcast is already paying off!
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This week’s TV picks
Pam and Jim get hitched on NBC’s ‘The Office’.
Monday:
‘Dancing With the Stars’ 7 p.m., ABC: What dance will Tom DeLay do tonight? And what will he wear? Who cares … all y’all want to do on the TV Blog is argue politics.
‘Gossip Girl’ 8 p.m., The CW: Film star Hilary Duff appears as a film star. Way to stretch those acting chops, Hilary.
Tuesday:
‘Dancing With the Stars: Results Show’ 8 p.m. ABC: Did Tom DeLay make it through? Will he be back next week? Does it matter? Isn’t the important question whether he’s God or the Devil?
‘The Forgotten’ 9 p.m., ABC: The name of this show is going to become its epitaph in about 3 weeks. Mark my words.
Wednesday:
‘The Middle’ 7:30 p.m., ABC: Sue tries out for the swim team. Trust me, any time Sue tries out for something, it’s a riot.
‘Modern Family’ 8 p.m., ABC: Okay, this show is a big 2-for-2, so there’s no reason to suspect that tonight’s episode won’t be hilarious.
Thursday:
‘Flash Forward’ 7 p.m., ABC: What? The mass blackout somehow involves Nazis now? This show hurts my brain in a good way.
‘Community’ 7 p.m., NBC: This show moves to its 7 p.m. time slot with an episode involving Mr. Chang. Yay! Plus, since the ‘Saturday Night Live’ on Thursday thing is over, there’s a chance ‘Saturday Night Live’ on Saturdays will actually be funny. Win-win!
‘The Office’ 8 p.m., NBC: Jim and Pam get married (yawn) in this hour-long episode. Hey — at least they get their wedding taped for free.
‘Vampire Diaries’ 7 p.m., The CW: Bite, furtive glance, kiss, bite, bite, angst, fainting, angry outburst, kiss, bite.
Friday:
‘Most Terrifying Places in America 2’ 9 p.m., TRAVEL: Paranormal hot spots across the country are explored. Hmm … I didn’t know ghosts used wireless Internet.
Saturday:
‘Austin City Limits’ 7 p.m., PBS: Ben Harper and the Relentless 7 perform.
Sunday:
‘The Simpsons’ 7 p.m., FOX: Bart becomes interested in something potentially dangerous, Marge attempts to get it banned, TV critic finds it more and more difficult to keep defending this show.
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TV Profile: Leslie Rhode
You might know them or you might not, but chances are you have no idea what they watch. This week we hop onto the couch with a local anchor. Next week it could be a different television personality, a politician or an ordinary couch potato — check back to find out.
Leslie Rhode
Co-anchor/Reporter KXAN Austin News
Number of years in this position: 10 months this time around (I held the same position previously for 3 years.)
I love my job because: It allows me to never stop learning, and it’s here in Austin!
Here’s what’s on my DVR: a couple of old college football games, KXAN Austin News and Jack’s Big Music Show (Noggin)
My all-time favorite TV show is: The Carol Burnett Show (I have great memories of watching it as a child with my parents.)
You’ll never catch me watching: really scary movies or boxing
If I have insomnia, the show that lulls me back to sleep is: any program on a home shopping network
A current show I never miss is: KXAN Austin News
If my TV is on, it’s probably tuned to this channel: I’d like to say KXAN, but since I have two preschool children, the TV is usually on Noggin, Playhouse Disney or PBS.
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Sex and extortion scandal boosts Letterman’s ratings
The Los Angeles Times reports that ratings for Thursday’s “The Late Show” surged 22 percent from the season average.
Host David Letterman disclosed on that program that he had been the target of a blackmail scheme involving sexual relationships that had occurred between him and women who worked on his NBC show.
The article notes that while “The Late Show” is on a ratings upswing, Letterman scored bigger numbers when President Obama was recently his sole guest and his all-time ratings high came on Dec. 1, 2005 when Oprah Winfrey appeared.
Those looking for Letterman’s reaction to the reaction will have to wait … tonight’s “Late Show” was also taped on Thursday.
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Letterman reveals blackmail attempt on ‘Late Show’
CBS talk show host David Letterman revealed Monday night that he was the victim of a blackmail plot. Following his “Late Show” monologue and a commercial break, Letterman thanked musical director Paul Shaffer and the band, then addressed the audience:
“I’m glad you folks are here tonight,” Letterman said, clearing his throat, “and I’m glad you’re in such a pleasant mood. Because,” he paused and drew in a breath, “I have a little story I would like to tell you and the home viewers as well. Do you feel like a story?” he asked to cheers and applause.
He went on to relate how just over three weeks ago he had gotten up early to head to work and, upon entering his car, noticed a package in the back seat. “I don’t usually receive packages at 6 in the morning in the back of my car. I guess you can; I guess some people do,” he deadpanned.
The package contained a letter that the host claimed read, “I know you do some terrible, terrible things. And I can prove that you do these terrible things.” He claimed the package contained samples of that proof. “Maybe this looks better to you at noon,” Letterman said, “but 6 in the morning all you can think about is every terrible thing you have ever done in your entire life.”
Letterman said the person who left the package was a man who had threatened to put all of his knowledge about the claimed indiscretions into a screenplay unless the host gave him $2 million.
Describing himself as a towering mass of Midwestern, Lutheran guilt, Letterman claimed that the threat terrified him. He contacted his attorney, met with the letter writer and then contacted the Special Prosecution Bureau of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, which designated the case as blackmail.
Another meeting with the suspect was arranged in which Letterman says the man again threatened him by claiming to be writing a book about the TV personality. “It’s all coming up roses for me now,” Letterman said, “because, remember — this guy knows creepy stuff about me.”
A third meeting was arranged for Letterman to hand over a phony check to the blackmail suspect. “If there’s a lighthearted moment in any of this, and I’m not sure there really is,” Letterman said, “because I’m such a bonehead — have you ever seen, like, a golf tournament where they have the giant check? I couldn’t talk him into that.”
Reiterating how scary the whole event had been, Letterman recounted testifying before the Grand Jury Monday morning. “I had to tell them all of the creepy things that I had done that were gonna be —” he said, as the studio audience cut him off with their laughter.
“Well now why is that funny? That’s, I mean …” his voice trailed off and he shook as head as the audience began to applaud.
He said the suspect was arrested shortly after noon Monday.
“The creepy stuff was that I have had sex with women who worked for me on this show,” Letterman admitted. “Now, my response to that is, ‘yes, I have’.”
Letterman revealed that the information might have been embarrassing had it been made public, “especially for the women.”
He thanked the authorities and called it “a very bizarre experience.” He said he needed to protect these people, his family (Letterman married Regina Lasko in March; the couple have been together for more than 20 years and have one son, born in 2003), himself, supportive friends, “and I hope to protect my job.”
“I don’t plan to say much more about this on this particular topic, so thanks for letting me bend your ears,” he concluded.
CBS News reports that the suspect is an employee of that network’s “48 Hours” and confirms his arrest Monday on charges of attempted grand larceny in the first degree. Further, the employee has been suspended by the network, which is cooperating with the investigation.
Do you think it was a good move for Dave to reveal this information on network television? Did he have a choice? What do you think the fallout will be? It seems odd that the audience responded so positively, but Letterman’s had some experience making apologies lately and he’s good at his job. It’s definitely creepy to have the types of relationships he admits having had with subordinates but, apparently, there have been no claims of sexual harassment. Can sex with an employee ever be considered consensual?
You’ve got to admit … creepy or not, the man knows how to tell a story. Here’s a short clip:
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Cantu debuts on Telemundo; Retro TV disappears
Veteran newscaster Fred Cantu kicks off his new gig as anchor of “Conteo Noticias,” a Spanish language newscast, on Austin CBS affiliate KEYE’s Telemundo 42.2 today. The program airs at 5 and 10 p.m.
U.S. Spanish-language television network Telemundo produces content for Hispanics including primetime novelas, news, and weekend primetime movie showcases.
“We are very excited that our new partnership with Telemundo allows us to serve Central Texas’ growing Hispanic viewer base,” KEYE President and General Manager Amy Villarreal said in a press release.
Cantu, known as “Uncle Fred” to his fans, began his career at KTBC-TV in 1990 and has been an Austin anchor for almost 20 years (and at KEYE since 2002). The morning newscast he recently co-anchored with Michelle Valles was cancelled and Valles was moved to KEYE’s new 4 p.m. lifestyle program, “We Are Austin Live” with Jason Wheeler (the morning news slot will be filled by a simulcast of local radio duo JB and Sandy beginning Monday, Oct. 5). News of Cantu’s departure generated many comments on his Facebook page, with some fans expressing outrage and others simply wishing him well.
“Conteo Noticias” is co-anchored by Emmy-nominated Karla Leal, who brings Telemundo experience with her to Austin, having anchored and reported on Bakersfield, California’s KKEY-TV, Telemundo 11. Reporter Erika Gonzalez comes to Austin from the Rio Grande Valley where she was an anchor on XRIO-TV, Fox 2 News and reported on Univision 48. Villarreal heaped praise on the trio, noting their strong ties to the Hispanic community.
Also beginning today, Telemundo 42.2 viewers can watch Telemundo Sports, including Futbol Liga Mexicana on Futbol Estelar and Futbol Telemundo, as well as the most Mexican League Soccer broadcasts.
An unfortunate byproduct of the switch is the loss of Retro TV, which had been broadcast on the channel previously. KEYE spokesman Jerry Wagley lamented the loss, which had a small but loyal viewership (the station received calls whenever they ran a notice that Retro TV was going away, Wagley said).
“We would have loved to have kept it because of that following,” Wagley noted, but he pointed out that although some Retro TV shows got traction, the programming as a whole hadn’t moved in the ratings. “It wasn’t working for us,” he explained.
Since Retro TV is provided by a syndicator, the programming could be picked up by another local broadcaster, but none has announced plans to do so.
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