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What HBO Can Learn from Starbucks

Maybe this coffee stuff does have something to do with TV after all. I was talking to my colleague Barbara Kiviat—who actually does know something about Starbucks and business—and I asked her a question that I sort of roundabout implied in my coffee review last week. Isn’t part of the problem with Starbucks that maybe [...]

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TV Tonight: Fishing, Forty or Fightin' in Philly?

Battling for control of your immortal soul tonight: the season debut of Deadliest Catch;* yet another Democratic debate, this time on ABC; and the premiere of TV Land’s The Big 4-0, in which subjects come to terms with the emotional baggage of turning 40. Chief among which is realizing that the only channel that wants [...]

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MSNBC Holds Fire on Gun Ad

Ben Smith at Politico reports that MSNBC has decided not to run an ad from Mayors Against Illegal Guns, an organization advocating the closing of a “gun-show loophole” for the purchase of firearms. The reason, says an MSNBC spokesman: “We don’t accept controversial issue advertising.” Even if we leave aside the politics of guns, and [...]

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Corporate Press Release Theater: Top Design Gets a Renovation

Out with the Oldham; Hicks bumps Top Design’s former host down to mentor. / Bravo From Bravo’s upfront presentation yesterday comes news that, as foreshadowed earlier, Project Runway and Top Chef’s home-decor sibling Top Design will return with a new host. Details after the jump:

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The Morning After: Glitter

Frank Micelotta / FOX My American Idol reviews of Mariah Carey Night are up bright and early at time.com. Predictions for tonight? The safest one is that it will be an all-female bottom three. While no configuration of the women would surprise me, I’m going to say it’s Brooke, Carly and Syesha, with—this is a [...]