It’s May, which in case you didn’t know in TV land is kind of a big deal. Not only does it signify the end of the official television season, with the big five networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and the CW) beginning to roll out their big finales (check back Monday for our May 2009 downloadable calendar.) It also just so happens to be the start of something new. With Monday marking the first of the 2009 UpFronts as NBC unveils their fall schedule to advertisers at their annual UpFront Presentation (or as the Peacock network likes to call it, their InFront Presentation. Yeah, they’re just wacky that way!)
But before they do, theTVAddict.com editorial team, led by our very own Ken-Tucker-in-training Aleks Chan will be posting our wish list for what we’d like to see announced. And, since we’re used to disappointment (RIP: KINGS), what we’ll probably see happen (Who’s excited for five nights of LENO?)
It was the rant heard ’round the world. So it came as no surprise that the first thing this TV Addict heard as he stepped onto the set of NBC’s upcoming drama KINGS was the reassuring voice of a crew-member saying, “Don’t worry, there are no Christian Bale’s on our set.”
Phew.
Because we’re not gonna lie: KINGS star Ian McShane kinda scares us. And we’re not alone in feeling that way; It’s safe to say that every one of the bloggers invited to the set that day were tongue-tied as McShane — perhaps best known as foul-mouthed DEADWOOD politico Al Swearengen — took a break from filming his new series to answer a few questions from his captive audience.
There he was, a few feet away, dressed in black and looking slightly disheveld for reasons that I can’t reveal thanks to a 20-page non-disclosure agreement — one which makes any future progeny I might have a slave to NBC/Universal for life if I let slip a single spoiler — I had to sign before being allowed anywhere near the hush-hush set.
McShane looked up. Awkward pause. Dead silence. Crickets chirping.
At first glance, getting drunk on a couch with two guys named Alex and Kevin may not be the most traditional avenue in which to promote the impending launch of your late night talk show.
But Jimmy Fallon isn’t exactly your traditional late night talk show host.
Especially when one takes a closer look at the path he has chosen to promote the March 2nd launch of LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON.
For those two drunks who once a week carve out an hour of their busy schedule to sit on a couch, drink beer and shoot the, well you know… just so happen to be Alex Albrecht and Kevin Rose, the hosts of the insanely popular online weekly video show Diggnation.
Diggnation chronicles the most buzzed about stories on the social news web site digg.com. And more importantly, with an average audience of 200,000 tech savvy 18-34 year olds, is comprised of a demographic that network executives and media buyers only dream about.
Now, here’s where Fallon proves that he’s a heck of a lot than the actor who once thought co-starring in a movie called FEVER PITCH with Drew Barrymore was a good idea.
Good News: NY Times reporter Mike Hale claims that NBC Universal is the number one purveyor of webisodes among the major networks. Bad News: So in conclusion, NBC does a really fine job of creating five minute shows for the web. But full-length comedies and dramas, umm… not so much. [Source]
Good News: Alan Sepinwall calls BATTLESTAR GALACTICA’s final season opener both “Brilliant and Devastating” Bad News: Not only is it BSG’s final FINAL SEASON OPENER, we’re still waiting for our advanced copy *cough*couch*hint*cough! [Source]
Good News: Viacom and Time Warner Cable have reached an eleventh hour deal ensuring viewers won’t lose access to the likes of Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon. Bad News: Brody Jenner’s BROMANCE lives! [Source]
Good News: Rosie quits her blog. Bad News: Now where will we look to feel good about our spelling and grammar? [Source]
In our continued effort to fulfill our fantasy of becoming the next Patrick Roy, Michael Ausiello, Tim GoodmanScott Adams, this TV Addict is thrilled to introduce Andrew Mok, an incredibly talented artist who has been kind enough to come on board and raise the bar of what we hope will become weekly editions of “The Backlot”.
This week’s installment was inspired by Deadline Hollywood Daily’s recent post outlining some of the measures NBC/Universal Overlord Jeff Zucker has implemented to curb spending in these dour economic times.
Good News:CBS is attempting to snag the rights to the 2014 and 2016 Olympics from NBC. Bad News: We’re not so sure how we feel about their rebranding strategy, “CSI: Olympics” [Source]
Good News:MOMMA’S BOYS, NBC’s latest stab at reality show success tanked in the ratings. Bad News: Yet still managed to do better than ELI STONE among the highly coveted 18-34 demographic. [Source]
Good News: As a result of the sagging economy, CTV is giving CANADIAN IDOL a rest this season. Bad News: The economy has yet to sag low enough to give host Ben Mulroney a rest. Who will still remain gainfully employed at E!Talk Daily. [Source]
With the paper of record breaking the news that NBC has thrown in the towel awarded Jay Leno with a new contract that will keep him with the Peacock Network five times weekly next fall, theTVaddict.com thought we should take the fair and balanced approach by posting both the winners and losers with regards to this landmark deal.
Winner: Jay Leno
Even though this move will mark the beginning of the end for NBC (more on that later), we don’t begrudge Jay Leno one bit. Not only is he one of the hardest working men in Hollywood, by all accounts he is one of the nicest and most genuine as well. We congratulate Jay on this historic move and truly wish him the best of luck.
Loser: The Audience
10 PM on NBC used to mean something special. Yet now, rather than continue to redefine genres in the ways in which HILL STREET BLUES did for the police procedural and ER did for the hospital drama. 10PM will now be the home of Jay’s trademark segments such as “Headlines”, “Jay-walking” and Kevin Eubanks. Must See TV, not so much.
If there’s a silver lining to be taken away from the disappointing cancellation of LIPSTICK JUNGLE, it’s that NBC will be filling the void left by the dearly departed Brooke Shields, Kim Raver and Lindsay Price vehicle with the critically acclaimed (not to mention TV Addict) favorite FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.
So get ready my fellow fictional football fans. Because the Dillon Panthers are coming off the bench on January 16 at 9PM. And from what we’ve gleaned from those lucky enough to have access to DirecTV, season three of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS is in every sense of the word, a touchdown.
Good News: The NBC Universal family which includes NBC, SciFi, USA and Bravo have come to their senses and put their content back on the Apple’s iTunes Store. Bad News: For my wallet. [Source]
Good News: TERMINATOR THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES launched their second season last night with a phenomenal action-packed episode. Bad News: Which most of America missed because they were too busy watching DEAL OR NO DEAL. I mean seriously America. Are you trying to kill the medium that this TV Addict loves so dearly. What’s the deal? [Source]
Good News: According to Newsweek, the TV Addict is not the only guy who watches GOSSIP GIRL. Bad News: Still no confirmation as to whether I’m the only guy excited for PRIVILEGED. [Source]
Since we at theTVaddict.com are never ones to shy away from pointing out NBC’s boneheaded moves [see February's train-wreck of a KNIGHT RIDER movie], this TV Addict thinks it’s only fair to take a moment to praise the proverbial powers that be for doing something right for once.
Unlike ABC, CBS, the CW and FOX, NBC made the savvy decision to bring Comic Con to the millions of fans who couldn’t make it out to San Diego this weekend [Not to mention the thousands who weren't prepared to sleep outside or line up for hours to get into Saturday's highly anticipated HEROES Panel].
Not only did they post the HEROES panel in its entirety online. Well, except for that little bit where the SCREENED THE ENTIRE FRAKTASTIC THIRD SEASON PREMIERE [really, not at all bitter that I missed it!], they’ve also posted videos from the CHUCK, KINGS, KNIGHT RIDER and THE OFFICE panels which you can check out by clicking the link below.
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