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
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
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
A good friend of mine pointed out that my recent Life Lesson that called Rupert Murdoch one of my “heroes” was, in her opinion, “unconscionable”. Even though she conveyed her thoughts by text her anger was clearly evident and, frankly, justified. She attacked Leblanguage at its core–say what you really mean, not what you think … Read more
Every now and then I am stopped dead in my insomniac tracks by something truly shocking that catches my eyes when scanning for media news. These days, it’s anything that breaks a 1.0 rating in adults 18-49. WHEN NATURE CALLS was far and away the most-watched television program on broadcast television last Thursday night, delivering … Read more
Disclaimer: I am fully vaccinated and own nearly 50 masks, none I wear prouder than my color-coordinated New York Mets triple-layer with deodorized filter resting on cap attachments that allow it to be worn without pulling on my ears. Reality: I currently live in Los Angeles, where masks have recently been reinstated for all adults … Read more
In the wake of the Allen and Company meetings in Sun Valley, Idaho last week reports began to surface this week that the media ownership landscape is about to change even more dramatically. Among the juicier ones was the revelation that two of the key mega-competitors, Comcast and ViacomCBS, are exploring ways to combine resources. … Read more