Filed under: Other Sci-Fi/Supernatural Shows, Industry, Reality-Free

Guillermo del Toro is a busy guy. Aside from helming the much anticipated The Hobbit prequel films to the blockbuster Lord of the Rings trilogy, he’s got so many films on his schedule that he’s practically booked through 2017. But what does that have to do with TV, you say? Well, Variety wrote this large old long article about the esteemed del Toro, and one of the last topics discussed was the possibility of a third Hellboy motion picture. The second didn’t achieve the success domestically as the first film but has performed well.

What’s kind of cool to consider is that buried in all that text is the gem that the studio is possibly considering a Television series for Hellboy to keep him in front of his fanbase until such a film could be made. Creator Mike Mignola has developed tons of stories for Hellboy in the world of comics, and possibly even more for B.P.R.D. (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Development).

Continue reading Hellboy asks: “Will the TV camera add ten pounds to my Right Hand of Doom?”

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Filed under: Industry, Programming, OpEd, America’s Next Top Model, Ratings

I feel as though I’ve done nothing the entire week except watch The CW. When I close my eyes, I just see images of highlights, dangerously low BMIs and massive, blinding teeth. Apparently, I’m not alone. When Gossip Girl’s second season premiered on Monday night, it grabbed record ratings for the show that, up until then, has never been quite popular enough to live up to its buzz. On Wednesday night, even more people tuned into the premiere of 90210, which garnered large ratings for The CW, with 4.9 million viewers. It seemed as though people were finally flocking to the fledgling network. However, Wednesday’s premiere of America’s Next Top Model didn’t exactly keep the streak alive.

Top Model, which began its 11th cycle, but not, as Tyra said, it’s “second decade,” didn’t have viewers glued to their TVs. The two-hour premiere only nabbed 3.5 million viewers, with 1.7 million of those in the coveted 18-49 demographic. This is down 11% from cycle 10, which premiered in February of this year, and down 32% from last September’s cycle 9.

Continue reading Good thing 90210 is saving The CW, because Top Model sure isn’t

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Filed under: Sports, Industry, Programming, OpEd, Video, Reality-Free

Are you like me and you really enjoy the two weeks of U.S. Open coverage that USA Network has every year at this time? Well, don’t get too used to it, because after tonight’s match (Roddick vs. Djokovic!), the USA Network will no longer carry the annual tournament.

This probably isn’t a shock to regular tennis fans, but USA’s contract for the U.S. Open is up this year, after 25 years of carrying the two week tournament. Of course, Television fans don’t have to worry, because ESPN and The Tennis Channel that will begin airing the tournament next summer. I just hope that most of the coverage is on ESPN and ESPN2 because, well, I don’t have The Tennis Channel.

Continue reading USA Network states goodbye to the U.S. Open - VIDEO

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Filed under: Industry, Programming, OpEd, America’s Next Top Model, Ratings

I feel as though I’ve done nothing the entire week except watch The CW. When I close my eyes, I just see images of highlights, dangerously low BMIs and large, blinding teeth. Apparently, I’m not alone. When Gossip Girl’s second season premiered on Monday night, it grabbed record ratings for the show that, up until then, has never been quite popular enough to live up to its buzz. On Wednesday night, even more people tuned into the premiere of 90210, which garnered big ratings for The CW, with 4.9 million viewers. It seemed as though people were finally flocking to the fledgling network. However, Wednesday’s premiere of America’s Next Top Model didn’t exactly keep the streak alive.

Top Model, which began its 11th cycle, but not, as Tyra stated, it’s “second decade,” didn’t have viewers glued to their TVs. The two-hour premiere only nabbed 3.5 million viewers, with 1.7 million of those in the coveted 18-49 demographic. This is down 11% from cycle 10, which premiered in February of this year, and down 32% from last September’s cycle 9.

Continue reading Good thing 90210 is saving The CW, because Top Model sure isn’t

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Filed under: Industry, Hardware, TiVo, Reality-Free

According to a study performed by NDS, the makers of DVR technology, DVRs within households actually save relationships. 79% of the users polled said the technology has improved their love lives. There are lots of reasons I find this interesting.

First, the study is done by the manufacturers of the product. While I have no doubt the study is genuine, it is somewhat suspicious that such a favorable report is produced by those who profit from it.

Second, the article does not state exactly how the DVRs help relationships. There could be several reasons, of course. DVRs in the home could lead to a lack of squabbling over the recording of favorite TV shows. Since you could watch the shows whenever you want, it could make for couple-bonding time in front of a Television with a DVR.

Most importantly, it could lead to a lack of actual conversation between the couple which means it’s less likely that something will be stated incorrectly by one party or skeletons will come flying out of the closet to ruin the relationship.

Ain’t technology grand?

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Filed under: Other Reality Shows, Industry, Programming, OpEd, The Extraordinary Race, Huge Brother (US), Dancing With The Stars

No, it’s not going away. The reality TV genre is growing even stronger as it becomes the umbrella for shows ranging from the traditional reality “game” shows like Survivor or The Apprentice, to actual game shows, to real life drama such as The First 48 or Intervention to talent contests and beyond.

What I’ll be doing here’s taking a look at some of the current newsworthy bits from recently-aired shows, checking out upcoming shows, and sharing the latest reality TV gossip. Is it real or is it just reality Television? As long as I’m entertained, that’s all I ask of any show, scripted or not. Are you game? Join me beyond the jump.

Continue reading Reality Television Newsy Bits

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Filed under: Industry, Pickups and Renewals, Reality-Free

This Friday CBS will air the last episode of Swingtown, but the question of the future for the show still remains unanswered. Is this the series finale or just the season finale? Fans are concerned and I’ve been contacted by one who has started a petition on the internet to present to CBS, beseeching the network to give Swingtown a second season. If you want to sign up, click here.

I’ve been reviewing Swingtown since it premiered earlier this summer and I’ve liked the show. In fact, it’s grown on me and if I were in a position to make the call, I’d give Swingtown an order for 13 more episodes. Yes, the series has not been a ratings hit, I’ll give you that. However, it has created a lot of buzz and media coverage.

Continue reading Fans unite to save Swingtown

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Filed under: Industry, Programming, Web, Reality-Free

We really do live in a very different television landscape.

NBC has decided to put five of its shows on the internet a week before they even premiere on TV, to build buzz. The network has decided to use Hulu to show the first episodes of new show Knight Rider and returning shows 30 Rock, Lipstick Jungle, Life, and Chuck.

Of course, putting episodes online is nothing new. All of the networks do it (sometimes they even “leak” the shows themselves to create buzz), but this seems to be a true attempt by NBC (which needs the help) to change the way they schedule, promote, and debut shows, a change in the way they program.

Continue reading Five NBC shows to premiere on your personal before your Television set

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Filed under: Industry, Pickups and Renewals, Reality-Free

This Friday CBS will air the last episode of Swingtown, but the question of the future for the show still remains unanswered. Is this the series finale or just the season finale? Fans are concerned and I’ve been contacted by one who has started a petition on the web to present to CBS, beseeching the network to give Swingtown a second season. If you want to sign up, click here.

I’ve been reviewing Swingtown since it premiered earlier this summer and I’ve liked the show. In fact, it’s grown on me and if I were in a position to make the call, I’d give Swingtown an order for 13 more episodes. Yes, the series has not been a ratings hit, I’ll give you that. However, it has created a lot of buzz and media coverage.

Continue reading Fans unite to save Swingtown

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Filed under: Other Drama Shows, Other Comedy Shows, Industry, OpEd, CSI, NCIS, Reality-Free

A CBS press release landed in my inbox today with this earth-shattering news: CBS’s fall programming ads (20 total) will be featured exclusively in People’s Sept. 22 issue.

From the release: “In a special arrangement with the magazine, CBS will be the exclusive broadcast advertiser in the issue, on stands Sept. 12.” Of course, that’s right before the launch of CBS’s new fall lineup.

And it sounds like this might be a first. George Schweitzer, president of CBS Marketing Group says, “CBS has long valued its relationship with People, and we’re elated that they worked with us to pull off this first-time strategy to be the sole broadcast advertiser in this well-timed issue.” You know, whatever. Blah, blah, blah.

So why should we care? Honestly, I really don’t. I just keep thinking, People? What, they couldn’t come up with anything snappier? Like, I dunno … maybe Entertainment Weekly? Vanity Fair? I guess with 43 million readers, they’ll reach a lot of people in People.

Continue reading CBS to rule People magazine

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