Tuned InUncategorized
Test Pilot is a semiregular feature sharing my first impressions of the pilots for next fall’s shows. These aren’t reviews, since these pilots can be rewritten, recast and retooled before airing, and the shows that eventually get on the air can prove much better or worse. But, premature opinions are why God invented the Internet, so …
Tuned InTV Ratings
After Conan O’Brien’s ratings decline continued in the beginning of this week, I wondered whether the Tonight Show was being affected by Stephen Colbert’s highly publicized week of USO shows from Iraq. While it’s impossible to establish a direct cause and effect, Bill Carter of the New York Times reports that Colbert’s ratings were way …
Tuned InUncategorized
In response to last night’s not-exactly-apology by David Letterman, a spokesperson for Sarah Palin says the Governor will not be making an appearance on Late Show:
“The Palins have no intention of providing a rating’s boost for David Letterman by appearing on his show,” the Alaska governor’s rep said in a statement to FOXNews.com. “Plus,
…
Tuned InTV Ratings
Tuesday, CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman beat The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, and an NBC executive reminded us that late-night “is a marathon,” not a sprint.
Last night, Conan edged out Dave in the ratings, posting his first rating increase since he took over. And demographic ratings for last week came in, showing Conan …
Earlier this week I posted about Frank Gehry’s departure as architect of the NBA arena planned as the centerpiece of the giant Atlantic Yards development in Brooklyn. At the time I noted that he was still identified as “master planner” for the overall project — 17 buildings on a 22-acre site, including office towers and apartments. …
Tuned InUncategorized
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X6FUwBmclo&feature=channel_page]
Controversial comedians often follow the “never complain, never explain” rule. But earlier this week, Sarah Palin complained about some jokes David Letterman made at the expense of her and her daughter, and last night, Dave explained, at some length.
Tuned InNews Media
Suppose two men committed separate acts of extremist murder in the United States within a month. Suppose the gunmen attacked a church and a national landmark, motivated by politics and religious prejudice, targeting a nationally controversial figure and innocent civilians. Suppose there was a history of attacks by similarly motivated men …
Tuned InUncategorized
The business of food is the business of brand extension. If you have a successful restaurant, next comes the cookbook. The cooking show. The Vegas branch. The casual-bistro spinoff. The line of frozen dinners.
In that spirit comes Top Chef spinoff Top Chef Masters, debuting tonight on Bravo. If you are hoping for Top Chef Masters …
Tuned InTV Ratings
Let’s do this by the numbers:
Rating of Conan O’Brien’s debut Tonight Show: 7.1
Rating of last night’s Tonight Show: 2.9
Rating of last night’s Late Show with David Letterman: 3.4
Episodes it took for Dave to pass Conan: 7
Time it took after ratings news for an NBC executive to use the line that late night “is a marathon,” not …
The American painter Robert Colescott has died. Make that great American painter. Colescott was an African-American who was best known for high-comic riffs on racial stereotypes. One of his best known canvases was a spoof of Emmanuel Leutze’s painting ofWashington Crossing the Delaware in which George Washington Carver has been …
Tuned In
The history of Lost is the history of its characters being scattered, brought together, re-scattered, re-brought together, re-scattered, etc. Season 5, of course, had the various Lostaways scattered more than ever, separated not just by space but by 30 years of time—and that’s not even counting Desmond, out in a separate orbit of his …
Tuned InUncategorized
I feel like that date was out there already, but it’s possible that it was on the down-low, or that I simply dreamt it. In any case, there you have it.
For those who need to catch up, AMC is offering season one on-demand as of today, season 2 beginning July 20. Season 2 will also marathon on-air—according to AMC, “Sunday, August …
Tuned InUncategorized
Among other preferences. Can we move on now?
I know there were people out there who would rather Adam had come out while appearing on Idol itself. Whatever—I have a hard time judging how someone handles coming out while at the same time competing on the number-one TV show in America; if he doesn’t want to add “become national …
