Filed under: Industry, Retro Squad, Reality-Free, Cheers

We swear we had nothing to do with this, though the timing is perfect for our Cheers Week.

CBS Studios is suing a bar in Rockford, Illinois for using the Cheers name. TMZ has the documents. The court papers say that the bar isn’t only using the same name as the famous Boston bar from the TV show (which has spawned several other bars and many collectibles), they’re also using a similar logo. They’re accusing the bar of trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and unfair competition. The name of the bar in question is Cheers of Rockford (here’s their web site).

The court documents are really interesting (if long). They really get into the history of the show, what has happened to the show since it ended in 1993, and what trademarks CBS owns. You can also see a comparison of the original Cheers logo and the one used by the Rockford bar.

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Filed under: Industry, Retro Squad, Reality-Free, Cheers

We swear we’d nothing to do with this, though the timing is perfect for our Cheers Week.

CBS Studios is suing a bar in Rockford, Illinois for using the Cheers name. TMZ has the documents. The court papers state that the bar isn’t only using the same name as the famous Boston bar from the TV show (which has spawned several other bars and many collectibles), they’re also using a similar logo. They’re accusing the bar of trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and unfair competition. The name of the bar in question is Cheers of Rockford (here’s their web site).

The court documents are really interesting (if long). They really get into the history of the show, what has happened to the show since it ended in 1993, and what trademarks CBS owns. You can also see a comparison of the original Cheers logo and the one used by the Rockford bar.

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Filed under: Industry, Programming, OpEd, Celebrities, Reality-Free

It looks like The Sundance Channel is turning to BBC America to anchor its Sunday night comedy block. The show is The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle and stars Jennifer Saunders of Absolutely Fabulous fame.

The show revolves around a fictional TV personality named Vivienne Vyle (who hosts a Jerry Springer-like program) and her on-screen and off-screen life. The series is a black comedy (much like AbFab) and a study in pop psychology. It was co-created by Saunders with psychologist Tanya Byron.

Continue reading Sundance Sundays star Saunders

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Filed under: Industry, Programming, OpEd, Celebrities, Reality-Free

It looks like The Sundance Channel is turning to BBC America to anchor its Sunday night comedy block. The show is The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle and stars Jennifer Saunders of Totally Fabulous fame.

The show revolves around a fictional TV personality named Vivienne Vyle (who hosts a Jerry Springer-like program) and her on-screen and off-screen life. The series is a black comedy (much like AbFab) and a study in pop psychology. It was co-created by Saunders with psychologist Tanya Byron.

Continue reading Sundance Sundays star Saunders

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Filed under: Other Reality Shows, Industry, Programming, Ratings

At least CBS is having a little fun with their new summer reality competition.

The network sent out a press release saying that the premiere of Greatest American Dog got the highest prime-time audience among dogs since an episode of Lassie in 1974. They also say that the show won its time slot against Ugly Betty “in dog-patrolled households, canine viewers, upscale purebreds, Heinz 57 (mutt) adults, and the advertiser-coveted 1.79-7 year-olds.”

The press release goes on to say that the show did better than the network thought, especially since the test audience of dogs in Las Vegas didn’t show numbers this high. The number should go higher later today when “factoring in dogs who know how to use their paws to program their DVRs.”

Continue reading Greatest American Dog gets great numbers (in dog ratings)

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Filed under: Other Reality Shows, Industry, Programming, Ratings

At least CBS is having a little fun with their new summer reality competition.

The network sent out a press release saying that the premiere of Greatest American Dog got the highest prime-time audience among dogs since an episode of Lassie in 1974. They also say that the show won its time slot against Unsightly Betty “in dog-patrolled households, canine viewers, upscale purebreds, Heinz 57 (mutt) adults, and the advertiser-coveted 1.79-7 year-olds.”

The press release goes on to state that the show did better than the network thought, especially since the test audience of dogs in Las Vegas didn’t show numbers this high. The number should go higher later today when “factoring in dogs who know how to use their paws to program their DVRs.”

Continue reading Greatest American Dog gets great numbers (in dog ratings)

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Filed under: Industry, Programming, Celebrities, TCA Press Tour, Reality-Free

At TCA yesterday, two very massive stars were on hand to discuss their new shows. Spike Lee attended the ESPN Films panel to promote his documentary Game Day with Kobe Bryant. And Elvis Costello was on hand at the Sundance Channel panel to talk about Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..., his new speak show.

ESPN announced several film projects, both documentary and theatrical. The network will be presenting four documentaries this fall, one of which is by acclaimed director Spike Lee. On the surface the film seems pretty bland; it’s just cameras following Kobe Bryant around on game day. But I’m sure you want to hear what Lee stated about his film.

Continue reading Spike Lee and Elvis Costello speak new projects - TCA Report

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Filed under: Industry, Programming, Celebrities, TCA Press Tour, Reality-Free

At TCA yesterday, two very large stars were on hand to discuss their new shows. Spike Lee attended the ESPN Films panel to promote his documentary Game Day with Kobe Bryant. And Elvis Costello was on hand at the Sundance Channel panel to speak about Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..., his new speak show.

ESPN announced several film projects, both documentary and theatrical. The network will be presenting four documentaries this fall, one of which is by acclaimed director Spike Lee. On the surface the film seems pretty bland; it’s just cameras following Kobe Bryant around on game day. But I’m sure you want to hear what Lee stated about his film.

Continue reading Spike Lee and Elvis Costello speak new projects - TCA Report

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Filed under: Industry, Programming, OpEd, Celebrities, Reality-Free

We constantly hear of the British invasion of American Television (The Office, Life on Mars and many others), but there is one executive producer swimming against the current. Former Friends executive producer Adam Chase is working on a sci-fi comedy series called Clone starring Jonathan Pryce for BBC3.

The show is about a scientist who invents the first successful human clone to be used as a prototype super-soldier, but the clone ends up acting like a pacifist. The series is also being directed by The King of Queens alum, Rob Schiller.

Will the show work? I’m honestly not sure. The British are a different audience than the American one and they’ve a different style for their comedies. Their seasons are traditionally six episodes and all written by the same person. This format grants for more risk-taking in their programming and no question of ownership. Many American shows have enjoyed success over there, but I can’t think of a single example of an American being the creative force behind an original and successful British show.

I just hope Mr. Chase can adjust to the much smaller budgets of British productions.

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Filed under: Industry, Programming, OpEd, Celebrities, Reality-Free

We constantly hear of the British invasion of American TV (The Office, Life on Mars and many others), but there’s one executive producer swimming against the current. Former Friends executive producer Adam Chase is working on a sci-fi comedy series called Clone starring Jonathan Pryce for BBC3.

The show is about a scientist who invents the first successful human clone to be used as a prototype super-soldier, but the clone ends up acting like a pacifist. The series is also being directed by The King of Queens alum, Rob Schiller.

Will the show work? I’m honestly not sure. The British are a different audience than the American one and they have a different style for their comedies. Their seasons are traditionally six episodes and all written by the same person. This format grants for more risk-taking in their programming and no question of ownership. Many American shows have enjoyed success over there, but I can’t think of a single example of an American being the creative force behind an original and successful British show.

I just hope Mr. Chase can adjust to the much smaller budgets of British productions.

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