What are you watching this summer?

[lurkey]

SAG/AFTRA Contract Talks With AMPTP May Start As Soon As Week Of March 31st

[lurkey]

New Big Bang Theory on Monday, March 17th. Also, most half-hour show should be airing new shows starting on the 17th.

[Miss Mary]

lurker - can't wait! Big Bang Theory is my favorite new show of the 2007/08 Season!

[lurkey]

NBC Turns the Lights Back On

Jeff Zucker, Marc Graboff and Ben Silverman had been searching for a way to renew the critically acclaimed but low-rated Friday Night Lights for a third season so that it would still make financial sense. The answer came in a deal with DirecTV, now owned by John Malone’s Liberty Media. Clearly, Malone is looking to distinguish DirecTV from its rivals on a content as well as price basis. “It’s an innovative deal where NBC found a partner who will share costs and exhibition windows,” an insider explained to me. So both NBC and DirecTV will be airing Friday Night Lights across multipurpose platforms.

This is orgasmic news to that small but passionate audience for the best TV series you’re not watching. I’m a big fan of the hourlong high-school football drama (which is really about horny teens and their hornswoggled parents), so I say hooray. Even though it usually ends up last in its time slot, the show does okay in the 18-to-49 demos and often wins the 18-to-34 demos. I can’t say whether the fans’ campaign to save the show by sending all those minifootballs to NBC bigwigs worked the magic. But I do know the execs got them. With NBC airing crap like that remake of Knight Rider (and shame on TV viewers for giving it good ratings), the network needed quality like FNL.

[Miss Mary]

Watched all 4 Monday nights sitcoms last night - welcome back to three of them - Big Bang Theory (loved it), How I Met Your Mother (ditto), and Two and a Half Men (still funny, especially Jake's comments at being forced to watch a classic movie such as Jaws....LOL). And of course Christine.....and later we watched the DVR'ed Kyle XY (season finale).

Here's what you missed, I'm still partial to HIMYM......my fave of all these shows, BBT second.

http://community.tvguide.com/blog/TV-Sh ... /800057633

[lurkey]

Sarah Connor, Knight Rider in, Jericho” Out for Fall‏
Posted by Sam on Tuesday, 18 Mar 2008 Written by: Michael Hickerson (SoSF Staff Journalist)

It’s a case of good news/bad news for genre fans today. The Hollywood Reporter’s James Hibberd says a couple of genre-shows will be back next year while a fan-favorite has gone the way of the dodo bird.

First the bad news. Hibberd reports that despite fan protests, “Jericho” fans should enjoy the final two episodes airing this week and next as it’s likely all the series will get from CBS.

“CBS notes that the show gains from DVR viewership and online viewing, but after its performance the past two weeks, most doubt the citizens of ‘Jericho’ will live to fight another season,” Hibberd said.

Onto the good news. Last week, we reported that actor Thomas Dekker said that it looked like “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” was getting a pick-up for a second season. Indications at FOX are looking better these days. The ratings for the season finale were up and could be the factor that throws it over the top to bring the show back. Add to that a fourth installment of the film franchise which is on the way for 2009, and FOX could be looking to create some synergy between the home-theater and the movie-theater screens similiar to last year’s “The Simpsons Movie.”

Also on the good news side for mustang fans is news that NBC is in negotitations for a full-season of “Knight Rider.” The two-hour backdoor pilot movie generated high ratings for the Peacock network and it looks like a full series is a sure thing.

Riding the bubble is CBS’s “Moonlight.” The series could be back next year or it could be headed for the cancelation pile.

[JonathanBelles]

Duel is coming back April 4th at 9 oClock!!!!

[Brent]

Duel is coming back April 4th at 9 oClock!!!!

Old news. I posted it on the previous page 10 days ago!

[Miss Mary]

All new CBS Monday night sitcoms...

Big Bang Theory - yeah, love this new show! IMHO, the character of Leonard steals this show but the rest of the ensemble cast is quite funny too.

How I Met Your Mother - we've been fans from day one, love this show. However, I'm still not excited about having Britney Spears guest star on tonight's show but I'm glad we have another new "How I Met Yo (as we like to call it)".....tonight. Let's just say this, Britney Spear's character better NOT be the mother!!!! LOL

Two and a Half Men - if you were a Rose fan, she's back tonight......I miss Rose so this should be an excellent episode.

The New Adventures of Old Christine - this episode centers around Matthew and Barb (my two most favorite characters on this very funny show, old Christine being my least favorite of all of them! LOL).

[Brent]

All new CBS Monday night sitcoms...

Big Bang Theory - yeah, love this new show! IMHO, the character of Leonard steals this show but the rest of the ensemble cast is quite funny too.

How I Met Your Mother - we've been fans from day one, love this show. However, I'm still not excited about having Britney Spears guest star on tonight's show but I'm glad we have another new "How I Met Yo (as we like to call it)".....tonight. Let's just say this, Britney Spear's character better NOT be the mother!!!! LOL

I think Britney Spears is just what the show needs to survive. The buzz for her appearance is HUGE and I've seen HILARIOUS clips(she looks great too). I'm going to watch. As of now it's a one-time thing(hence why her father allowed it), but I wouldn't be surprised to see her back.

[Miss Mary]

Well if her appearance brings in more viewers, then it's a good thing. We just like the show so much already and did from the pilot on, that we feel they don't even need a big name like Britney Spears. But it's a done deal now......

The thing I keep telling people contemplating watching the show, is this - forget who the mother is for right now. Just enjoy the show. The 5 cast members and characters have a chemistry that you don't often find on sitcoms. It just feels as if these 5 could hang out, this much and have fun together, in real life- similar to how I always felt watching Friends. I just felt like I was the 7th Friend. With Mother, you feel as though you are the 6th friend hanging out with them......at least this is my take.

[Brent]

Anyone want to bet on how long it is before The CW shuts down? Before 2010 if something drastic doesn't happen.

Warner Worried Over CW Miscues

Unhappy over the volume of red ink associated with the network, Warner Bros., sources said, is looking for ways to offset its losses by capitalizing on previous programming successes and the still-popular WB network brand.

John Consoli

MARCH 24, 2008

Warner Bros. Television Group’s plan to launch a Web site targeting young consumers with both original streamed programming and vintage shows from the defunct WB is partly the result of the company’s dissatisfaction over how the ratings-challenged CW network is being programmed and marketed under the supervision of partner CBS, said industry insiders familiar with the situation.

Unhappy over the volume of red ink associated with the network (even though it is just in its second year), Warner Bros., sources said, is looking for ways to offset its losses by capitalizing on previous programming successes and the still-popular WB network brand.

Warner officials are said to be perturbed that few Warner Bros. studio shows have been put on The CW schedule. The lone new Warner Bros. drama on the net this season is Gossip Girl, which Warner insiders described as the classic WB show, in the vein of shows that helped put the WB network on the map. “Warner Bros. isn’t making anything off these shows, and they have no second life in syndication,” said one insider.

Various sources both inside Warner Bros. and CBS, and within assorted media agencies, told Mediaweek there is a growing frustration among Warner execs who are unhappy that a good portion of the traditional WB viewership was lost when WB and UPN were merged to form The CW two years ago.

Moreover, some Warner Bros. execs privately believe UPN should have been incorporated into WB, with the latter network keeping its name and stations instead of rebuilding a new network. While WBTG has not publicly confirmed plans to start a younger-skewing Web site, tentatively to be called wb.com (Mediaweek, March 10), it has said it is in the process of developing “several Warner Bros. Web destinations.”

Insiders believe that, if the new wb.com is successful, it could lead to the WB starting a new, young-skewing cable net, should The CW fold. “I think they are covering their bases here,” said one source familiar with the new site, “and are launching it as a trial balloon.”

Said another source: “The young adult marketplace is still robust, and advertisers have said they miss what the WB brand represented.”

The CW was formed two years ago when Warner’s WB and CBS-owned UPN were merged, with a mingling of executives from both networks. A board was formed to run the new network made up of Bruce Rosenblum, WBTG president; Barry Meyer, chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. Entertainment; Les Moonves, president, CEO of CBS Corp.; and Nancy Tellem, president, CBS Paramount TV Entertainment Group. But Warner basically ceded the programming of the network to the CBS executives.

Dawn Ostroff, UPN’s programming president, was put in charge of programming The CW, and the WB promotional team was let go.

“Even though they are part of the joint board, Warner execs gave CBS the authority to run The CW day-to-day,” said one source familiar with the situation. “And they haven’t been able to break a hit. CBS brass seems to be focusing most of their attention on the big network [CBS], and Dawn won’t make a move or spend any money on programming pilots unless it is approved by Les [Moonves].”

CBS and CW representatives declined to comment for this story.

Rosenblum, WBTG president, last week issued a statement to Mediaweek, to dispel the intra-network friction. “Warner Bros. continues to have an excellent relationship with The CW television network and our partners at CBS,” he said. “Our current digital initiatives, as well as those in development, will have absolutely no impact upon or diminish our commitment to The CW, or any of our current broadcast and cable partners.”

He also maintained that a new Web site should not be viewed as a reaction to any unhappiness with CW or for that matter CBS. “At our core, we are a content company with a strategy of providing original programming to broadcast and cable networks, to TV stations via first-run syndication and to broadcasters around the world,” Rosenblum stated. “We see the emerging digital marketplace as an exciting new distribution opportunity for our content, complementing our traditional businesses.”

Rosenblum added, “Warner Bros. has no plans to launch a young adult cable network.”
But another executive with knowledge of the situation said Warner Bros. officials can’t be negative publicly toward CBS because the Warner Bros. studio remains a programming provider to CBS and The CW. “You’ll never get Bruce to speak freely about his feelings toward CBS,” the executive said. “[Moonves] is a buyer of TV shows, and Bruce needs him to buy Warner Bros. shows.”

Others argue that The CW’s problems may be more distribution-oriented than about programming. One source said both sides miscalculated in thinking they could build a new distribution network that could rival that of WB. “They thought they would have the pick of both the WB and UPN stations, but they never anticipated Fox coming in and swiping away many of those stations for MyNetworkTV,” the source said. “The CW distribution system is weaker today than WB’s was, and that’s part of the reason why they are having ratings problems.”

Whatever The CW’s problems, media agency execs believe the survival of the network is important for their advertisers. The CW draws a targeted audience of young women that advertisers in many categories want to reach. “Now that The CW is in the situation it’s in,” said one media buyer, “it is important that it find a way turn things around.”

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent ... 1003729000

[Brent]

Ugh.

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/s ... -contract/

Just ugh.

There won't be public support for ANOTHER strike.

[lurkey]

Ugh.

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/s ... -contract/

Just ugh.

There won't be public support for ANOTHER strike.

The militant portion of the SAG, not only wants blood, they want the metaphoric "head" of AMPTP on a silver platter. They were a bit too bloodthirsty during the WGA strike. It sounds AFTRAS doesn't want any part of this. Well, that way SAG is treating them lately.

This isn't only war going on: there are those in SAG who want an earnings floor on voting eligibility.

Personally, I dont give a crap if they go on strike .. . the earnings floor fiasco is what is sealing the deal here . . . The people that are starting out in the biz are the folks who need the union the most. ..

[lurkey]

Statments from SAG and AFTRA

[Brent]

"WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB" RETURNS TO ABC WITH ALL-NEW ORIGINAL EPISODES THIS APRIL
"Boston Legal" Moves to Wednesday Night at 10:00 p.m., as of April 30, And "MEN IN TREES" Returns on Wednesday, May 28
"Women's Murder Club" will return with original episodes on TUESDAY, APRIL 29 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. The one-hour series from James Patterson will air for three weeks in that time period.

"Boston Legal" will move to Wednesday night at 10:00 p.m., as of WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), where it will air for three weeks, on April 30, May 14 and May 21, with a preemption for an ABC News special on May 7. "MEN IN TREES" will return on WEDNESDAY,
MAY 28 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), following "Boston Legal's" run.

Based on author James Patterson's bestselling novels, "Women's Murder Club" is a one-hour drama series about four successful working women in San Francisco - Homicide Inspector Lindsay Boxer (Angie Harmon), Medical Examiner Claire Washburn (Paula Newsome), Assistant D.A. Jill Bernhardt (Laura Harris) and crime reporter Cindy Thomas (Aubrey Dollar) - who use their expertise, their close friendship and their instincts to solve murder cases. Each a success in her own field, they work together to uncover clues to the city's most grisly homicides. The series also stars Rob Estes as Tom Hogan, Linda Park as Denise Kwon and Tyrees Allen as Warren Jacobi.

"Women's Murder Club" is executive-produced by James Patterson, Robert Nathan, Brett Ratner and Joe Simpson. The series is produced by 20th Century Fox Television.

[Brent]

ABC ANNOUNCES ITS SUMMER SCHEDULE WITH THE PREMIERE OF EIGHT ORIGINAL SERIES

ABC announces its summer schedule with the premiere of eight original series, including the return of "The Bachelorette" Monday, May 19 (9:00-11:00 p.m.), following the performance show finale of "Dancing with the Stars;" "The Mole" Monday, May 26 (10:00-11:00 p.m.); "Wipeout" Tuesday, June 24 (8:00-9:00 p.m.); "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" Tuesday, June 24 (9:00-10:00 p.m.); ABC News' "Hopkins" Thursday, June 26 (10:00-11:00 p.m.); "Dance Machine" on Friday, June 27 (8:00-9:00 p.m.); "High School Musical: Summer Session" Sunday, July 20 (8:00-9:00 p.m.); and "Wanna Bet" Monday, July 21 (9:00-10:00 p.m.).

THE BACHELORETTE SPECIAL TWO-HOUR PREMIERE MONDAY, MAY 19 (9:00-11:00 p.m.) - Millions of viewers watched DeAnna Pappas, 26, suffer through a painful, last-minute rejection by Brad Womack on the last season of "The Bachelor" -- earning her the sympathy of women everywhere. Now DeAnna will have the last laugh as the tables are turned and she gets to choose from among 25 bachelors in her own bid for true love, when "The Bachelorette" returns to the ABC lineup. This is the fourth edition of the female version of ABC's popular romance reality series. The brunette, brown-eyed real estate agent from Neunan, Georgia, became an immediate fan favorite and she was the final woman remaining on the finale of "The Bachelor" in November. The ending proved to be a huge shocker though, when Womack didn't select any woman a first in "Bachelor" history. "The Bachelorette" will regularly air Monday nights from 8:00-10:00 p.m. Hosted by Chris Harrison, "The Bachelorette" is produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss, Martin Hilton and David Bohnert are the executive producers.

THE MOLE PREMIERES MONDAY, MAY 26 (10:00-11:00 p.m.) "The Mole" returns with all-new missions, locations and music, plus online and mobile interactivity enabling more viewer participation during the 10 episodes. Jon Kelley ("Extra," "The National Sports Report," "Baseball Today") is the host. "The Mole" follows a group of 12 players as they try to figure out who among them is The Mole, a saboteur trying to keep them from winning money. Players must decide who they think The Mole is and then learn as much about him or her as they can, because, at the end of each one-hour episode, the player who knows the least about The Mole is immediately eliminated from the game. In the final dramatic episode, The Mole is revealed and one of two final players wins a substantial cash prize. The highly-rated unscripted series aired in various time periods during its four-season run, and was a consistent draw with key young adult viewers opposite established network competition, including NBC's "Law & Order" and the inaugural season of Fox's "American Idol." Scott A. Stone and Clay Newbill are executive producers for Stone & Company Entertainment.

WIPEOUT PREMIERES TUESDAY, JUNE 24 (8:00-9:00 p.m.) Twenty-four contenders compete in an extreme obstacle course designed to provide the most crashes, face plants, impacts and wipe outs ever seen on television. During each one-hour episode, one competitor will win the title of Wipeout champion and $50,000. "Wipe Out" is hosted by John Anderson (ESPN's "SportsCenter"). Jill Wagner is co-host. "Wipeout" is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA. The series is executive produced by Matt Kunitz. Scott Larsen is co-executive producer.

I SURVIVED A JAPANESE GAME SHOW PREMIERES TUESDAY, JUNE 24 (9:00-10:00 p.m.) This unscripted reality/game show takes an eye-opening, behind-the-scenes look at 10 Americans who are whisked away to Japan and compete in the ultimate Japanese game show. The results and prizing will be based on who best adapts to the Japanese culture and challenges in each episode. The executive producers are Arthur Smith and Kent Weed of A. Smith & Co. ("The Swan," "Kitchen Nightmares"), David Sidebotham, Karsten Bartholin and Tim Crescenti, from a concept by Babyfoot APS Denmark/Small World IFT.

ABC NEWS' HOPKINS PREMIERES THURSDAY, JUNE 26 (10:00-11:00 p.m.) -- Nearly eight years after the critically acclaimed series, "Hopkins 24/7," ABC News returns to Baltimore's John Hopkins Hospital for a new documentary series entitled "Hopkins." This six-part program will take viewers inside the legendary hospital to meet patients in the throes of medical crisis and young doctors forced to make life and death decisions on the fly while struggling to keep their personal relationships from unraveling. Shot in high definition with unparalleled access for over four months, ABC News takes an intimate look at the men and women who call this hospital home.

DANCE MACHINE PREMIERES FRIDAY, JUNE 27 (8:00-9:00 p.m.) - Each episode features six real people from all walks of life who will face off against each other in a series of one-on-one dance offs to the most popular songs of all time. Imagine a 70-year-old grandmother in a dance off with a 25 year-old gravedigger, to the tune of Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Throughout the course of the night contestants will be eliminated by voters in the studio audience. By the end of the evening, just two finalists will be left to challenge each other for the honor of being crowned that night's "Dance Machine" and to take home the $100,000 cash prize. Popular E! News correspondent Jason Kennedy is the host. The show is from RDF USA. Greg Goldman, Executive Vice President of Development and Current for RDF USA is creator and executive producer of the show. Chris Coelen of RDF, as well as Brian A. Veskosky of Metro Entertainment are executive producers.

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: SUMMER SESSION PREMIERES SUNDAY, JULY 20 (8:00-9:00 p.m.) - The multi-episode competition reality series will hold unique nationwide casting sessions that will appear in the show, with plenty of surprises from global sensation "Disney's High School Musical." This much-anticipated series brings the phenomenally successful "High School Musical" experience to life. The casting scouts welcome anyone and everyone ages 16-22 who has dreamed of being center stage--the high school quarterback who's never tried out for a play but has a song in his heart; the drama club extrovert looking to break into the big time; someone looking to trade the chess club routine for a dance routineall are invited to "Get'cha head in the game," as the hit song says! The finalists will ultimately participate in a summer music program to hone their skills. After eliminations, the winner will be given the opportunity of a lifetime, but details of the grand prize are still under wraps. The series premieres on Sunday, July 20, and will air Sunday and Monday nights at 8:00 p.m. for three weeks, and then continue on Mondays at 8:00 p.m. through the end of the summer. "High School Musical: Summer Session" is executive produced by Jay Blumenfeld and Tony Marsh (both of "Here Come the Newlyweds") of The Jay and Tony Show. Hosts and judges will be announced at a later date. Disney Channel's "High School Musical" has been seen by over 250 million viewers and the sequel, "High School Musical 2," has been seen by over 195 million viewers in 24 languages around the world. The movies spawned stage productions at schools and in professional theatres around the world, multi-platinum CDs, DVDs and books, a successful consumer products franchise at mass retailers, a themed show at Disneyland Parks in Anaheim, Orlando and Paris, a sold-out 42 date arena concert tour in North America and Latin America and a popular touring ice show around the world.

WANNA BET PREMERES MONDAY, JULY 21 (9:00-10:00 p.m.) -- British comedy sensations Ant and Dec host this one-hour weekly primetime event. Four celebrity contestants/judges have the chance to earn big money for the charity of their choice by betting on the success or failure of some of the wildest stunts, tricks and mental challenges that average Americans dream up and perform in front of a studio audience. Celebrity contestants include Drew Lachey, Sherri Shepherd, Bill Engvall and Scott Hamilton. "Wanna Bet" is executive produced by Philip Gurin ("The Singing Bee," "Weakest Link") and Mark Jansen ("The Weakest Link").

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx ... 80331abc03

[lurkey]

ABC ANNOUNCES ITS SUMMER SCHEDULE WITH THE PREMIERE OF EIGHT ORIGINAL SERIES

Same old same old **** during the summer, heh?

. . . starts work on summer book list . . . let's see. . start re-reading Dresden Files series, finish Harry Potter 7, still haven't started Founding Fathers or the John Adams book yet, re-read The Stand and Salem's Lot, really haven't finished Everything's Eventual yet either.

[Brent]

Heh, I actually have a lot to watch this summer.

'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT' PREMIERE PUSHED UP ONE WEEK TO TUESDAY, JUNE 17

BURBANK March 31, 2008 NBC's hit summer series "America's Got Talent," from "American Idol" producers FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell's SYCO Television, will now premiere Tuesday, June 17 (9-11p.m. ET) moving up one week from its previously announced premiere date.

Following the June 17 premiere, another two-hour episode will air Tuesday, June 24 as well as Tuesday, July 1 (9-11 p.m. ET) and then subsequently follow with hour-long episodes beginning July 8 (9-10 p.m. ET). The series will take a brief hiatus during the Summer Olympics and return August 26 (performance episodes) and "results shows" will begin starting August 27 (8-9 p.m. ET).

"America's Got Talent" is currently crisscrossing America hitting Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles and New York as part of a nationwide search for the hottest performers in the country to compete in the blockbuster reality show's third season.

A colorful array of hopeful stars, including singers, dancers, comedians, contortionists, impressionists jugglers, magicians and ventriloquists of all ages strut and perform on stage in front of celebrity judges David Hasselhoff, Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne. New this season, thousands of people have been invited to attend the audition tapings at some of the largest theaters in the country, where they will judge the acts along with the show's judges, giving America a voice right from the beginning of the competition.

Terry Fator, a ventriloquist from Dallas, Texas achieved the dream of a lifetime last August when he was crowned the second season champion. Not only did he win the $1,000,000 grand prize, but his dream to headline on the Las Vegas strip came true when he signed a 2008 contract with the Las Vegas Hilton in a deal worth more than $1.5 million.

"America's Got Talent," hosted by Jerry Springer, was last year's #1 summer series in total viewers, averaging 11.4 million persons. The finale on August 21 garnered 4.2 rating/12 share in adults 18-49 and 13.9 million viewers overall a new series record in total viewers, with a 16 percent increase over its finale the year before.

"America's Got Talent" is produced by FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell's SYCO Televison. Cowell, Cecile Frot-Coutaz ("American Idol"), Jason Raff, James Sunderland and Georgie Hurford-Jones are executive producers.

[Cyclenall]

I can't wait for the premier of Hell's Kitchen Season 4 tomorrow night, should be a good one. My prediction is, yet again another pathetic person who will end up leaving to go to the hospital will appear just like the last 3 seasons.

I also am looking forward to The Office on April 10th.