Here’s what else youneedtoknowtoday. If like me you’re a devotee of The Daily, the Michael Barbaro-fronted weekday podcast from The New York Times, you know why the last five words are without separation. That phrase is the semi-colon between the podcast’s signature main story, an extended interview or series of sound bites that delves into … Read more
So with Jeopardy-gate in a temporary (?) lull your author can tend to his own life again, and once again Leblang Across America is in airplane mode, this time the destination being his roots in New York. Once again we are meeting the confluence of exciting present and troubling past, simply letting the fact we … Read more
UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE! Within hours of this writing Sony Pictures TV announced that Mike Richards informed his team that he will step down from the hosting chores, citing the distractions continuing would cause. As of now he is scheduled to continue as executive producer of the show as well as Wheel of Fortune. The calls … Read more
After a one-year hiatus my favorite weekend of the summer is here. The New York Mets are finally back in Los Angeles, this time for a four-game series which I will be fortunate enough to be attending at least three of them in person. Some of the best days of my life have been spent … Read more
A report from The Week (https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/jeopardy-s-dual-hosting-plan-reportedly-came-about-because-mayim-bialik-was-too-busy-for-the-main-gig/ar-AANibW4?ocid=msedgntp )emerged this morning that Sony TV executives actually wanted Mayim Bialik as the new host if the daily version of Jeopardy!, citing focus group testing that confirmed that audiences thought her performance was best. This new tidbit emerged in light on the ongoing criticism of their choice of executive … Read more
Yet another sleepless night on the edge of Culver City. Thank goodness for Stephen Colbert, algorithms and the brilliant minds behind Paramount Plus’ (and, thankfully, You Tube’s) TOONING OUT THE NEWS. If you haven’t yet discovered this wonderful wormhole, imagine if your favorite cable news channel was taken over by animated cohorts and given some … Read more
So after an emotional and elongated search for who will succeed Alex Trebek as the host of Jeopardy! the decree has come down from top Sony TV execs that Mike Richards, the current executive producer of the series, will take over the daily syndicated series this fall and Amy Farrah Fowler herself, actress/neuroscientist Mayim Bialik … Read more
After a year’s delay and more snags than Totie Fields’ panty hose (Google it, anyone born after 1970), the 2020 Summer Olympics are history. Much has been written about the myraid problems and challenges these star-crossed Games have endured, from the staging without crowds to the mental anguish of numerous competitors to the complete or … Read more
There was breaking news yesterday morning in the Van Nuys East Courthouse, Department P. The plaintiff is yours truly. I used to enjoy The People’s Court, particularly the OG version with Judge Joseph Wapner. A clever way to turn small claims courts into a game show-like environment, cases like mine agreed to binding arbitration that … Read more
In the world of reality television, no sub-genre has proliferated and endured more than dating shows. The latest innovative twist was dropped on Netflix on July 21. Sexy Beasts is a spirited reboot of a British series from a few years ago that breezily mashes up the WTF (that’s watch-the-f**k in Leblanguage)-ability of the 90s … Read more