Friday, August 31, 2012
Watch Afghanistan
Michael Curtin says Afghanistan is a place to watch as far as the growth of television.
New Normal in Utah
The New Normal has found a new home in Utah after being tossed by NBC's local affiliate there.
Questioning CNN
Eric Wemple wants to know why CNN didn't more doggedly pursue the story of one of its camerapeople being racially harassed at the Republican National Convention.
Fox Sports Social
Fox Sports is working with Facebook to integrate social engagement with broadcasts.
Sunday Ticket on PS3
DirecTV is once again making the Sunday Ticket slate of NFL games available to PS3 users, and NBC will also stream its Sunday night games for free, no authentication needed.
Fox News & Palin
Fox News is reportedly squabbling with Sarah Palin and may not renew her contract in January.
People Meter Birthday
The People Meter is 25 years old. Nielsen celebrates with a timeline. Meg James highlights the People Meter's impact.
Breaking Bad & Drug War
Douglas Haddow chides Breaking Bad for misrepresenting drug trafficking as about personal choice rather than policy and economics.
Basic Cable Encryption
Cable companies may soon be allowed by the FCC to encrypt basic cable signals.
Russian Censorship
A new Russian law intended to protect children from harmful material could affect a long-running cartoon featuring a wolf who smokes, and it will eliminate Itchy and Scratchy and the many deaths of South Park's Kenny.
Comedian Offends
Paralympics broadcaster Channel 4 may ban comedian Frankie Boyle due to controversial jokes about the Games.
Paralympics Online
The Paralympic Games have started, but they'll be scarce on US TV. So three cheers to YouTube for carrying livestreams. (Well, maybe two cheers, because the stream keeps busting up for me) Paralympics organizers are not happy with NBC.
Romney Buying Cable Time
Sasha Rosenberg says you're about to see a lot of Mitt Romney ads on cable TV.
The Chair
Verne Gay discusses the big TV star of last night. Chuck Tryon addresses Eastwooding, as does Christine Erickson. Apparently no one in the Romney camp wants to take credit for it.
Good TVeets
Politifact confirms: Barack Obama wasn't really in that chair#RNC2012@heminator
— Bill McMorris (@BillMcMorris) August 31, 2012
I'm behind Mitt! No seriously. I'm right behind him.
— Invisible Obama (@InvisibleObama) August 31, 2012
Only possible Democratic response to Eastwood's performance is to have William Shatner sing "Rocket Man" as their keynote.#RNC
— Christopher Orr (@OrrChris) August 31, 2012
"If Clint Eastwood ever talks to a chair on national TV, people will need a way to reassure each other" -- inventor of Twitter, March 2006
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Watching Women
Anna North reports on a new study finding that representations of strong women can have a significant impact on attitudes toward women. Amanda Hess has a response.
Williams & Kelley Comedy
Robin Williams reportedly has a single-cam sitcom in development with David E. Kelley.
HBO Go Nordic
HBO is making its shows available online without a subscription in the Nordic countries (minus Iceland). Netflix, also planning a northern Europe expansion, isn't worried. More from Andrew Wallenstein.
Viewer Responsibility
Cory Barker wants to consider the role of the viewer in disruptive industry battles like Dish v. AMC, but as catalyst rather than victim,
Jersey Shore Ending
MTV is ending Jersey Shore after its final season and a retrospective air this fall.
ESPN Profits
Karl Taro Greenfield delves deeply into how ESPN has turned into such a big revenue generating operation.
Reviving Terriers
Television Business International is reporting that Shawn Ryan is trying to work out a deal to revive Terriers for a movie and fund it via Kickstarter.
From Print to TV
Barb Palser highlights how laid-off newspaper reporters are moving over to local TV news, which is expanding thanks to digital outlets.
DirecTV Blackouts
17 stations could go dark on DirecTV this weekend due to a retrans dispute. Update: The issue has been resolved.
GLAAD's Grades
GLAAD has handed out its annual grades for the "quantity, quality and diversity of images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals on TV." The CW topped networks, Showtime topped cable. On the opposite end, CBS and History will have to get their report cards signed by their parents. Alyssa Rosenberg explores the assessments.
Good TVeets
Blitzer: Ryan had some issues "the fact checkers" may take on "if they want to." Yeah, like IF THEY HAD A NEWS SHOW ON CABLE TV
— James Poniewozik (@poniewozik) August 30, 2012
Taylor Hicks: a cautionary tale about the dangers of winning the popular vote.#rnc
— Chris Regan (@ChrisRRegan) August 30, 2012
I think I figured out the Breaking Bad writers' room. Every 20 minutes an intern says, "But THEN what's the worst thing that could happen?"
— Phillip Hester (@philhester) August 29, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Nickelodeon Moves
Nickelodeon Group has given its COO a promotion and fired Nickelodeon's animation chief.
Fox News Dominates
Fox News outdrew all other outlets, both network and cable, in RNC coverage ratings last night.
Cord Cutting Relies on Broadband
Susana Polo and Alyssa Rosenberg point out that cord cutting is dependent on the proliferation of good broadband.
NOLA Coverage
Michael Malone says New Orleans stations report that they are ready to cover Hurricane Issac.
Fringe Promo
Fringe fans seem concerned by what they're seeing in a new promo. (I don't watch so I don't know)
90 More Anger Managements
FX has renewed Charlie Sheen's Anger Management for 90 more episodes, which also makes the show available for syndication sales already. Alyssa Rosenberg requests five possible options from FX in exchange.Aisha Harris sees this as an industry win.
Second Screen Use
David Goetzl points out that the prevalence of second screen engagement is still in question.
Political Preferences
Joe Flint reports one of those "Liberals like this show, conservatives like that show" surveys.
TiVo Streamer
A new TiVo device will let you stream your recorded content to mobile devices in your house.
GOP Wants More Obscenity Restrictions
Eriq Gardner reports that the Republican Party platform calls for a crackdown on obscene content on TV, such as with pay-per-view porn channels.
PLL Web Series
ABC Family is trying to keep Pretty Little Liars fans engaged with the show over a hiatus by running a web series.
Scheduler Change
ABC is the fourth network to make a change at the scheduler position for this fall.
The Doctor Battles Piracy
Robert Andrews points out that Australia's ABC will put Doctor Who episodes online just after they air on UK TV, which will be a week before they air in Australia, in hopes of limiting piracy.
Tina Belcher's Sexuality
Alyxandra Vesey discusses how Tina's sexuality is represented on Bob's Burgers.
Good TVeets
The next season of Arrested Development is just 50 seconds, and ends with a lesson about getting what you ask for from J. Walter Weatherman.
— inessentials (@inessentials) August 28, 2012
No show has the power that#BreakingBad does to make me feel worse about my writing, and better about my marriage.
— Rob Kutner (@ApocalypseHow) August 28, 2012
Swear to God, if Mitt Romney could undo what#PLL just did to me, I'd vote for him.
— damianholbrook (@TVGMDamian) August 29, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Couric's Guests
Richard Lawson finds the list of planned guests on Katie Couric's new talk show to be an odd collection.
Newsroom on SATC
Alyssa Rosenberg admonishes The Newsroom for unfair misrepresentation of Sex and the City.
CBS & TWC Make Sports Deal
Joe Flint reports on a deal between CBS and Time Warner Cable involving their cable sports networks, games and channel distribution.
Breaking Bad Hits Series High
Sunday's Breaking Bad episode was its most-watched ever, though Josef Adalian points out that the audience was also heavily male.
Help Netflix Expand
Janko Roettgers says Hollywood should quit trying to restrict access to content and help services like Netflix expand both domestically and overseas.
New Flow Issue
Check out new Flow post from Carrie Anderson with Comedy and the Social Contract: The Surprisingly Conservative Vision of Louis C.K., Camille DeBose with The Hunger Games and Obama's "Post-Racial" America, Keara Goin with Faux Gender and the New Popularity of Drag Culture, Mary Vanderlinden with Prostitution or Oprah: The Impact of Dichotomous Images of Black Women,
Median Ages
John Consoli has an interesting post on the median ages of various cable shows, with MTV's programs skewing the youngest, USA the oldest. The oldest median age show: The Closer.
Starz' Future
Cynthia Littleton says the future of the Liberty spin-off Starz is one to watch as a bellwether for the premium cable business. (Behind Variety paywall)
Stern Claims NBC Rebuke
Howard Stern says NBC admonished him for mocking Jay Leno. Also, Jimmy Kimmel: not a Leno fan.
Colbert's Satire
Fern Siegel discusses a new book that explores The Colbert Report's satire of politics.
Studio Pleas for Shows
Myles McNutt looks at how studios have adopted the role of fans with "Save Our Show" campaigns by fighting to resurrect shows like The Killing. He also has a companion piece at his blog about how DirecTV and Netflix probably don't really want to save The Killing.
ESPN & MLB Deal
John Ourand reports that ESPN and Major League Baseball have settled on an eight-year rights deal that doubles what ESPN previously paid while giving ESPN more content rights.
ABC Research
Andrew Wallenstein explains how a few ABC shows, such as Revenge, benefited from a Disney researcher's look at past entertainment success, going all the way back to Depression-era themes. (Note: Behind Variety paywall)
NuvoTV Raising Money
NuvoTV, an English-language cable channel targeting Hispanic audiences, is raising funds to develop new programming.
Dish Fighting
Tim Molloy explores why Dish Network is so willing to fight the media conglomerates. And with the Big Ten Network.
Good TVeets
America's Got Other Options MT@maskedscheduler: NBC has America's Got Talent on Mon-Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun nights this week. 45% of schedule.
— Mike McComb (@Rube_Goldberg) August 27, 2012
"From Executive Producer Vince Vaughn" is TBS' way of telling me, "Yeah, you don't ever have to watch this."
— Nathan Rabin (@nathanrabin) August 28, 2012
[TV Listings: Stars Earn Stripes] Nick Lachey dies by friendly fire after Picabo Street mistakes him for the enemy. onion.com/OnPKtn
— The Onion (@TheOnion) August 27, 2012
WGN as Bargaining Chip
Sam Thielman describes how the battle between Tribune and Cablevision is heating up, with WGN becoming a key piece.
Ivi Ruling
Station retransmitter Ivi continues to be held at bay by a court ruling. Update: Wired says ivi is basically dead.
MTV's Political Game
David Goetzl describes an online "fantasy election" game MTV has developed around 2012 political races.
Final Season Success
Meghan Lewit proposes that Breaking Bad has a better chance at final season success than some other shows.
NBC Sports Network Moving
Ben Koo considers the consequences of NBC Sports Network moving up the dial on DirecTV.
AMC Gets Snarky
Stuart Elliott sees that AMC is bringing the snark to its marketing campaign against Dish.
Monday, August 27, 2012
NFL Dilemma
Ira Boudway describes a dilemma for the NFL: keep boosting NFL network with live games or keep selling games to other partners.
Social Premieres
Fox will premiere Ben and Kate and The Mindy Project online followed by social media Q&As. Alison Wilmore assesses the strategy. Eric Deggans says this is a gamble with social media.
Convention Coverage
Joe Flint says broadcasters can't really win with convention coverage, while Brian Stelter covers how reporters are dealing with Hurricane Issac intervening.
BitTorrent Site Shut Down
The BitTorrent site UKNova, which professed to be more ethical than most in only allowing uploading of material not otherwise available for purchase, has been handed a cease-and-desist order.
Viacom Boosting Ads
The WSJ reports that Viacom is trying to boost revenue by shoehorning more commercials into programming due to falling cable channel ratings.
Ad Campaigns Failing
A new research report claims that major TV ad campaigns aren't reaching target audiences: "Unilever’s $6.3m TV ad campaign for its Axe body spray was not seen by 60 per cent of the 18 to 24-year-olds it was intended to reach in March this year. Similarly, Progressive Insurance spent $31.9m on television ads in June, but a fifth of all adults older than 20 did not watch any of its TV ads that month."
RIP Phyllis Diller
Comedian Phyllis Diller has died. Check out a Television Academy interview with her. Kelly Kessler offers a tribute.
TV Rules College Sports
Mark Dent discusses how TV is the dominant force in how college football is run.
Good TVeets
The Newsroom is super fun to watch/listen to if you don't pay any attention to what they're saying.
— Libby Hill (@midwestspitfire) August 27, 2012
The most stressful thing to me about Breaking Bad is the number of bald heads getting prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.#spf#besafe
— Danforth France (@danforthfrance) August 27, 2012
Which#BreakingBad character are you? I am "overwhelming feeling of depression and hopelessness"
— pilot (@pilotbacon) August 27, 2012
Warning: Stop reading once Breaking Bad tweets start if you don't want spoilers
Sunday, August 26, 2012
New In Media Res
Theme: Media Nostaglia
- Monday, August 27, 2012 - Paul Benzon (Temple University) presents: Hipster Archaeology
- Tuesday, August 28, 2012 - Victoria Kearley (University of Southampton) presents: Nostalgic Images of Mexican Masculinity in the Films of Robert Rodriguez: From El Mariachi to Machete
- Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - Ryan Lizardi (Penn State University) presents: The Increasing Instant Nostalgia in Mediated Sports
- Thursday, August 30, 2012 - Michael D. Dwyer (Arcadia University) presents: Raphael Saadiq’s Soul Memories
- Friday, August 31, 2012 - Matthew Stoddard (University of Minnesota) presents: Film as Matter (or, Against Indexicality)
ESPN Criticism
Kent Youngblood delineates how ESPN has sacrificed journalistic standards in recent years.
Televising Bullfighting
After a six-year hiatus, you can now watch bullfighting again on Spanish TV.
CNN's Quandry
Scott Collins says CNN is in a quandry on the eve of the conventions about its identity.
Convention Coverage
15,000 (!) journalists are descending on Tampa to cover the RNC, and Jeff Jarvis asks: why? Scott Collins gives an overview of network coverage, which Ken Tucker is critical of. CNN plans to utilize social media.
Good TVeets
hey utah! if you ban a TV show for being gay you should also submit to a reverse boycott denying you all other pop culture created by gays.
— javi grillo-marxuach (@OKBJGM) August 25, 2012
I bet Snooki's uterus blows higher than 0.08.
— Vanessa Ramos (@thatRamosgirl) August 26, 2012
People seem to be overlooking Armstrong's role in popularizing MTV through his famous planting of theMTV flag.#commercial
— jasonwright (@jasonwright) August 25, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
BBC4 Cuts
The BBC's channel devoted to highbrow arts and culture programming is getting hit with major budget cuts, though BBC4's controller is optimistic about keeping the channel strong.
New Normal Dropped in Utah
NBC's Salt Lake City affiliate will not air The New Normal this fall due to crude language and explicit scenes. The station owner CEO suggests people can find it online if they really want to see it.
Election Coverage
Cable news outlets hope to draw audiences away from the networks with convention coverage, due to the networks' more limited coverage, while YouTube wants to draw people away from their TVs with all manner of election-related streaming and online video. Local news is said to best mirror voter composition, and voters still rely on traditional media most during election season. David Frum sees big challenges for cable news. Ann Romney's speech has been moved to Tuesday to accommodate the networks.
Tribune v. Cablevision
Some Tribune stations have gone dark on Cablevision systems thanks to a retrans dispute. Lots of sniping here. Update: Into the second week, more stations are blacked out.
Good TVeets
Watching Survivor inspires me to get in shape. Watching Big Brother inspires me to bitch about my friends while lying under a duvet.#BB14
— Max Dawson (@fymaxwell) August 25, 2012
Every time I read a description of a sitcom some network has picked up, I close Final Draft and begin researching business schools.
— pilot (@pilotbacon) August 24, 2012
The new definition of breaking news is just wondering aloud until you know something.
— Lizz Winstead (@lizzwinstead) August 24, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
Comcast-Tennis Channel Stayed
On the eve of the US Open, Comcast won a stay that will allow it to keep Tennis Channel on a specialty tier for now.
Smash Oscars
A pair of executive producers on Smash will produce the next Academy Awards ceremony. The Academy president explains why.
Hulu & International TV
June Thomas discusses the BBC's Line of Duty in terms of Hulu as an importer of international TV.
Apple & TV Doused
Roger Cheng reports that Apple may not be so keen on jumping into TV after all: "While Apple could make an attractive user interface, it still can't address the problems that stem from the pay-TV system, which is controlled by the cable and telecom providers."
Most Anticipated Returning Shows
TV critics finish off their video feature week with most anticipated returning shows.
Liquor Pouring
Liquor ads are gaining more network airtime, though only after 11pm, and in turn offering broadcasters new revenue streams.
Univision Forums
Though it's not a debate, like Univision wanted, the presidential candidates have agreed to attend separate Univision forums on Latino/a issues.
Kraft & Social TV
Andy Sernovitz checks out how Kraft is taking advantage of social TV for advertising.
Tributes to Doty
Media scholar Alexander Doty was tragically killed this weekend. Flow has posted a remembrance from Corey Creekmur and reprinted essays from Doty on queerness, feminism & TV; Modern Family, Glee, and the limits of TV liberalism; and Hot in Cleveland.
The Society for Cinema and Media Studies also offers a tribute post. And one from Taylor Cole Miller. Kyra Hunting offers a thank you.
Louisa Stein has made a Glee vid in honor of Doty.
The Society for Cinema and Media Studies also offers a tribute post. And one from Taylor Cole Miller. Kyra Hunting offers a thank you.
Louisa Stein has made a Glee vid in honor of Doty.
Current Showcasing Tweets
Current TV's coverage of the conventions will include a screen half-filled with tweets.
Friday Fun
Haven't done one of these in awhile, but it seems worth resurrecting the feature for this: a collection of animated gifs taken from infomercials.
Good TVeets
Officially adding the daughters from "Louie" to my proposed "Arya Stark/Sally Draper solving crimes at a boarding school" ABC Family pitch.
— Chris Wilson (@realchriswilson) August 24, 2012
There should be a word for the pleasure in watching others get aggravated about a TV show you gave up years ago. "Smugenfreude," maybe.
— Jill Weinberger (@jillybobww) August 24, 2012
Why can't any of ladies on the Cialis commercials look like the first wife?
— Paula Pell (@perlapell) August 24, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
AMC Marketing
AMC is fighting Dish by running a zombie for president. Joe Flint has more on AMC's marketing campaign.
Connected TV Figures
George Winslow reports on the penetration of connected TVs in US households. More from Wayne Friedman. Don Reisinger has figures from a global survey on connected TV.
BBC Budget Challenge
Outgoing BBC director general Mark Thompson says even more tightening of the licence fee will raise significant problems for the corporation.
Social TV Usage
Mike Bloxham reports on figures showing only a small number of people are using social media while watching TV, but a significant percentage of social media users concurrently watch TV.
Aereo Interview
Will Richmond talks with Aereo founder and CEO Chet Kanojia: Part 1, Part 2. And there's another podcast with analysis.
Sex & Violence on TV
According to an Ofcom survey, British audiences are growing less concerned about sex, violence, and foul language on TV.
Honey Boo Boo Criticism
Tim Goodman explains why Here Comes Honey Boo Boo is awful, not entertaining. Willa Paskin wants people to stop judging the mother.
Negative Presidential Coverage
PEJ analysis shows that news coverage of both Obama and Romney has been largely negative.
Twitter Olympics
The partnership between NBC and Twitter during the Olympics has been deemed a success.
Killing Eyed
TV Line claims Netflix and DirecTV might want to revive The Killing. Willa Paskin says this is a terrible idea.
News Staffing
RTDNA has released a survey detailing demographic percentages in radio and news staffing; overall, minority employment was up, while women stayed even.
Good TVeets
I got a great idea for a TV show. It's about three squirrels who- that's as far as I got. But I think we can all agree it's an awesome start
— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) August 22, 2012
I want to start a Super PAC that buys up a ton of primetime advertising and uses it all to air footage of dogs playing in sprinklers.
— Danger Guerrero (@DangerGuerrero) August 23, 2012
Celebrate 9/11! RT@nbcthenewnormal: The#NewNormal is coming on September 11. That IS definitely cause for a celebration!
— pilot (@pilotbacon) August 22, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Kimmel Moved to 11:35
ABC will move the Jimmy Kimmel Show up against Letterman in January and push Nightline to 12:35. Joe Flint tackles the Nightline perspective, says this is about ad money, and wonders how NBC will respond. Kimmel reportedly threatened to leave if he didn't get 11:35.
Google TV to Germany
Google TV will soon be available in Germany, though there might not be much to watch on it yet.
TV Wins
A Deloitte survey shows that consumers still think TV is the best advertising medium, with everything else far behind.
NBC Comedies
Chris Harnick is concerned about the future of Parks & Rec and Community, while Alyssa Rosenberg proposes new directions for NBC's Thursday comedy stars. Meanwhile, Parks & Rec co-creator Mike Schur has sold a show to Fox.
Stretching Story
Alyssa Rosenberg highlights shows that have difficulty in sustaining story for as many episodes as the TV schedule demands.
Gay-Friendly Viewership
Alyssa Rosenberg analyzes Nielsen data about regional and class viewership of gay-friendly programming.
Fox Renewal Petition
An ethics group has filed a petition to have FCC license renewals denied for three Fox owned-and-operated stations due to the News Corp hacking scandal, though it isn't expected to be accept.
Nets Sue Aereo Copycat
Fox is trying to shut down a service that is parroting Aereo's efforts. The other major nets have joined in. Update: Katy Bachman says the copycat could help the nets win their case against Aereo in the end. Update: Now Barry Diller is suing too.
BBCA Record
The premiere of the original series Copper on BBC America set a ratings record for the channel.
Media Donations Lean Obama
Media companies are much more likely to have donated to President Obama than challenger Mitt Romney.
NBC Late Night & Reality
Lacey Rose interviews NBC's reality chief about what's going on at the network.
The Doctor Returns
Doctor Who is coming back to TV on September 1, and there will be an additional mini-series online.
Viewership or Buzz
Simon Houpt wonders which is more important today, viewership or buzz, as television fragments.
TV Techniques Obsolete
British documentary filmmaker Adam Curtis argues that television needs new storytelling techniques because traditional good vs. bad tropes no longer apply today. He also wants journalism to make news seem more like Game of Thrones.
Akin Impact
David Goetzl reports that the backlash against Todd Akin could also negatively impact local station revenue.
Cartoon & Nick Complaints
Children's advocacy groups have complained to the FTC about what they see as violations of privacy regulations on the Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon websites.
Kaling & Social Media
Ari Karpel spies on a day in Mindy Kaling's social media life, as she hopes to groom support for her new show.
Good TVeets
This is going to be the last season of The Office because no one donated to the documentary crew's Kickstarter.
— pilot (@pilotbacon) August 21, 2012
Hey, that guy just did something on TV.
— Every Tweet Ever (@EveryTweet_Ever) August 22, 2012
Avril Lavigne and Chad Kroeger have requested that in lieu of wedding gifts, everyone stop laughing uncontrollably at them.
— Morgan Murphy (@morgan_murphy) August 22, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Olympics Boost Interactivity
The Olmypics helped many BBC viewers discover the interactive Red Button service and second screen experiences.
Viacom Pay Suit
A Viacom shareholder has sued the company claiming the company paid its top executives too much.
Strahan on Live
Michael Strahan is reportedly replacing Regis on Live! with Kelly Ripa and Someone Else.
Office Ending
Greg Daniels has announced this will be the last season of The Office. Alan Sepinwall reports. More details from Josef Adalian and Dave Itzkoff.
Liberal Pop Culture
Jonathan Chait explores the notion that American film and television is primarily left-wing leaning. Alyssa Rosenberg responds.
Deadly Cabot Cove
Murder, She Wrote's Cabot Cove has been declared the deadliest place in TV crime fiction.
Web TV Captions
Janko Roettgers reports on the FCC requirement for all TV content available online to have a captioning option.
Comcast Still Arguing
Comcast is still fighting to keep from having to move Tennis Channel to a more widely viewed tier.
NBC Ratings
Looks like the Olympics didn't lend a long-term bump to Today, which has fallen behind GMA, and NBC now has challenges in all dayparts. There are hopes for two upcoming syndicated daytime shows.
ABC News Questioned Again
ABC News may have misreported again in regard to Tony Scott's death. ABC News seems to have a credibility problem now.
Good TVeets
Kennedy's rocker. Archie Bunker's chair. The Gutless Twerp Chair™. Smithsonian, make room, will you?
— Mark Joyella (@standupkid) August 21, 2012
I explained the importance of the 2012 Presidential election to my kids by saying it's basically the most dramatic rose ceremony yet!
— Joshua Malina (@JoshMalina) August 21, 2012
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo is the thinking man's Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
— Morgan Murphy (@morgan_murphy) August 21, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Second Screen Activities
Robert Andrews reports on research showing that young viewers are using second screens more for social interactions than looking up information.
Convention TV
Mark Z. Barabak says political conventions still matter for the TV coverage that results. Yet the major networks are planning just a few hours of Republican convention coverage.
Fox to NBC
Josef Adalian delivers the details on how Michael J. Fox's sitcom is going to NBC with a full season order. Alyssa Rosenberg wonders what kind of show we'll be seeing. Brian Stelter also reports.
Dish Amends Suit
Dish Network has changed the description of Auto Hop in legal papers. Wayne Friedman reports.
Reilly Promoted
Kevin Reilly has been bumped up to Chairman of Entertainment at Fox. (Now there's a cool title)
Harassment Suit
A Mentalist background actress is suing Warner Bros. TV over sexual harassment claims that she was allegedly penalized for.
US Period Drama Challenge
Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes doesn't think American actors can pull off period drama effectively.
Best Upcoming Comedies
TV critics offer their picks for best new comedy of 2012-13 (on video -- you can see what they all look like!).
Breaking Bad
Emily Nussbaum has a must-read (for caught-up viewers) assessment of Breaking Bad's moral landscape, and creator Vince Gilligan chimes in about how we're supposed to feel about Walter White at this point.
Renewal Prediction App
Natan Edelsburg describes a check-in app that tries to predict if shows you're watching will get renewed, and he interviews the app's creator.
Academy Interview
Deadline talks with Bruce Rosenblum, chairman of the TV Academy, about his plans for the group.
Media in Education
Brooks Barnes and Amy Chozik note the encroachment of media companies into education and educational technology.
TV's Prostitute Fixation
Jace Lacob highlights the proliferation of prostitute characters across TV. Alyssa Rosenberg also covers this territory in period drama.
Hulu Plans
Andrew Wallenstein reports on a Hulu internal memo that "covers a range of sensitive issues pertaining to how two of Hulu's parent companies, News Corp. and Disney, plan to transform the streaming service." More on Hulu's overhaul from Peter Kafka and Janko Roettgers. Will Richmond says YouTube and Apple could end up big winners. Sam Thielman says Hulu probably won't change.
RIP Tony Scott
Movie director and Good Wife producer Tony Scott has reportedly died. A remembrance from Scott Tobias.
Good TVeets
Ugh, Skyler White's Christmas newsletter is just going to be the worst this year.
— Daniel MacEachern (@DanMacEachern) August 8, 2012
Picking up a crime doesn't pay vibe from#BreakingBad. You probably haven't noticed it. I should blog about it.
— pourmecoffee (@pourmecoffee) August 20, 2012
"This is, in fact, a Legitimate Rape."-- Worst "Antiques Roadshow" Ever#akin
— Chris Regan (@ChrisRRegan) August 19, 2012
New In Media Res
Theme: Politics as Entertainment
- Monday, August 20, 2012 - Rossend Sanchez Baro (Universitat Pompeu Fabra) presents: From Bartlet to Knope: Politics and Instructional Television
- Tuesday, August 21, 2012 - Michael Barthel (University of Washington) presents: "Game Change" and "Showgirls": Politics as Camp
- Wednesday, August 22, 2012 - Sudeep Sharma (UCLA) presents: Politics Is Funny, But Nothing To Laugh At: The Daily Show and its Limits
- Thursday, August 23, 2012 - Emanuelle Wessels (Augsburg College) presents: HBO’s ‘Veep,’ Postfeminism, and Political Humor
- Friday, August 24, 2012 - Carrie Griffin (Independent Scholar) and Brett Boessen (Austin College) present: "Get Out the Way, Malcolm Tucker”: ‘Veep’ Fans and Cynical Citizens
Nascar Woos Latinos
Tanzina Vega says Nascar is looking to attract Latino fans via a Fox Deportes deal.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Two Louies
In discussing the latest episode, Jonah Weiner proposes that there are two types of Louie episodes.
Properties of Pixelization
T.L. Stanley says the use of pixelization to jokingly imply nudity "pokes at the standards of what is considered decent and underscores a larger debate about what should be allowed on television."
Training for Paralympics
Channel 4 is training reporters with disabilities to work the upcoming Paralympics Games.
Tonight Show Cuts
Layoffs and budget cuts have hit Jay Leno's Tonight Show. Brian Stelter also reports. Jay Leno is not happy.
Netflix Post-Play
Netflix has implemented a feature that moves more fluidly from one episode of TV to the next. Chuck Tryon has analysis.
Good TVeets
Watching the Little League World Series. Why aren't these kids in bed?
— Matt Quirion (@mquirion) August 19, 2012
I'm pretty sure that this heat wave is punishment for doing nothing to stop Sarah Michelle Gellar taking part in#Ringer. We deserve this!
— Richard West (@RichieOnTV) August 19, 2012
If you played the entire season of#TeenWolf without slow motion it would be 35 minutes long.
— Carrie Raisler (@TVandDinners) August 18, 2012
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Rev & Religion
Todd VanDerWerff talks with the creators of the BBC's Rev. about the show's uniqueness and depiction of religion.
Syrian Soaps
Omar Adam Sayfo discusses how the war in Syria has virtually shut down soap opera production, meaning "the Syrian government has lost one of its most powerful means of spreading ideas and political messages, both within and beyond the country’s borders."
Moderator Criticism
Some observers have concerns about the lack of diversity among this year's presidential debate moderators.
Good TVeets
The fact that every major news anchor will be forced to say the word "Pussy" tonight is ITSELF a tremendous victory for free speech.
— God (@TheTweetOfGod) August 17, 2012
Lengthy report on Pussy Riot sentencing on CNN done almost entirely without saying the band's name#Pussy Riot.
— Roger Catlin (@rcatlin) August 18, 2012
Only in America do we freak out about saying "Pussy Riot" on the news but have no problem shooting people in the f-ing eye in our dramas.
— Tim Goodman (@BastardMachine) August 18, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
CBS Drops Suit
CBS has dropped its lawsuit against ABC's Glass House, working in some gloating about the show's poor ratings.
Shipper Fury
Teen Wolf fans got angry with Entertainment Weekly for not including a same-sex couple featured on the show in a favorite pairing poll.
ABC Family Renewals
ABC Family has ordered more of Switched at Birth, Melissa & Joey, Baby Daddy, and Bunheads.
UK Viewing
Ratings figures show that 10% of UK TV viewing in the first half of 2012 was time-shifted, 90% was live as scheduled. Also: "In households that own digital television recorders (51% of households, up from 47% in 2011), average timeshifting represented 15.9% of total viewing."
TV Studies Bibliography
You can consult and add resources to a TV Studies bibliography wiki. As with any wiki, the more people pitching in and adding info, the more useful it will be.
Running House
House showrunner Greg Yaitanes describes the moment by moment action of running a show.