Jay Leno is officially America's BFF.
The late night (soon to be 10pm) talk show host has come in first place in the annual Harris Poll to determine who is America's favorite TV personality. Here is the rest of the top 10 to give you an idea of who he's up against:
2. Hugh Laurie
3. Ellen DeGeneres
4. Oprah Winfrey
5. David Letterman
6. Jon Stewart
7. Charlie Sheen
8. Steve Carell
9. Stephen Colbert
10. Mark Harmon
Top TV Headlines
Sarandon Joins 'ER'
Actress Susan Sarandon is reportedly checking in to County General. The Oscar winner was spotted on the set of 'ER' last week, spies E!, where she filmed scenes with none other than Dr. Ross himself -- aka George Clooney. Further details on the guest spot have yet to be revealed. (Jan. 28)
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Shonda Rhimes Goes to Washington
ABC has greenlit another Shonda Rhimes pilot -- seriously. The new show is called 'Inside the Box,' reveals TV Guide, and will be set around a female news reporter and her co-workers in Washington, D.C. No word yet on who will play the McPresident. (Jan. 28)
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Fox to Air Scheuring's 'Masterwork'
Fans still mourning the cancellation of 'Prison Break' finally have something to celebrate. According to the Hollywood Reporter, creator Paul Scheuring is returning to Fox with a new pilot entitled 'Masterwork,' said to feature a global search for rare artifacts. This time, we hope Scheuring doesn't solve everything in one season. (Jan. 28)
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Parker, Sarandon Join Reality Series
Sarah Jessica Parker is returning to television. The Emmy-winning star of 'Sex and the City' will appear on the reality series 'Who Do You Think You Are?' executive-produced by Lisa Kudrow. The show, which will explore celebrities' ancestral history, also features Susan Sarandon, according to the Hollywood Reporter. 'Think' premieres Apr. 20 on NBC.
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Johnston Eyes New Role
Kristen Johnston may star in the Fox remake of 'Absolutely Fabulous,' scoops Variety. Johnston reportedly appeared at a table-reading for the series, where she's up for the role originated by Jennifer Saunders. Sounds pretty 'Fabulous' to us. (Jan. 28)
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Somerville on 'Duty' for New Comedy
Bonnie Somerville is joining the cast of 'Off Duty,' reports the Hollywood Reporter. Somerville joins Bradley Whitford in the comedy about a police detective who makes life difficult for his new partner, played by Romany Malco. The show will air on NBC with a premiere date yet to be determined. (Jan. 28)
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TBS Renews 'Meet the Browns'
Get ready to meet a lot more of the 'Browns.' The hit TBS comedy has been renewed for a whopping 80 episodes, says Variety, and could return as early as this summer, where it would air opposite Tyler Perry's (pictured) 'House of Payne.' A new episode of 'Meet the Browns' airs tonight at 10PM. (Jan. 28)
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ABC Shuffles Thursday Lineup
Here's some ugly news for 'Ugly Betty' fans: According to the Ausiello Files, the Emmy-winning series is about to be put on hold to make room for ABC's new Thursday-night lineup. Starting Mar. 26, the network will air 'In the Motherhood' and 'Samantha Who?' instead, bumping 'Betty' off the airwaves temporarily. And we thought 'Betty' would never go out of style. (Jan. 27)
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Poehler's Comedy Goes 'Public'
'The Untitled Amy Poehler Show' finally has a title ... for now. The show will likely be called 'Public Service,' reports the New York Times, with a premiere date scheduled for Apr. 9. The report also mentions that 'Service' was slated for a post-Super Bowl debut, but was pushed back due to the 'Baby Mama' star's pregnancy. Either way, we're happy it finally has a due date. (Jan. 27)
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Senate Delays DTV Switch
TV fanatics worried about next month's digital TV switch can relax a little. Yesterday, the Senate voted to delay the switch from Feb. 17 to June 12, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Look for consumers everywhere to remember this report on June 11. (Jan. 27)
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What has always amused me about this list is that the people who answered the poll question seem to look at celebrities who host a talk show as themselves (Leno, Letterman, Oprah, etc) the same as they do celebrities who portray a fictional character (Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men, Hugh Laurie on House, Mark Harmon on NCIS). I don't really think that the viewers are saying that they like Sheen, Laurie, or Harmon as themselves only, the character is getting mixed in their a little bit too. I could be wrong about that but that's my gut feeling.
I guess that's better than previous years, when fictional animated characters like Homer Simpson were on the list.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
1-28-2009 @ 2:34PM
No1Dad said...
Howard Stern will be crushed to hear this.
Reply
1-28-2009 @ 2:36PM
VP said...
Did you take an antacid to write this piece Bob?
I am surprised to see Colbert so low and it looks like Mark Harmon is finally getting some love from the public.
Reply
1-28-2009 @ 3:03PM
Jim Roberts said...
In related news, American obesity is an all-time high, and Wal-mart is the largest retailer in the world.
Reply
1-28-2009 @ 3:32PM
Franklin said...
When I read your comment Jim, I laughed so hard I nearly fell out of my electric scooter and almost spilled my 16-piece box of fried chicken on the WalMart greeter...and I had only eaten 13 pieces by then!
Thanks for the headlines!
1-28-2009 @ 3:43PM
Melissa said...
Doesn't surprise me since Mark Harmon is the only other semi-normal candidate on the list and unless you watch NCIS, you wouldn't know why the heck he was on the list to begin with.
The media is yet again clueless as to what the words "America's favorite tv personality" really means in the minds of most Americans. It means apple pie, goodness, and hope. C'mon...you have to see that as reality...esp with "dancing with the stars" being a hit. Deep, down...or maybe just a little east of NYC or west of LA...we are still the homely, conservative, mom & pop breadbasket of the world. Wow, typing that will help me sleep at night:+)
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1-28-2009 @ 3:43PM
Paul said...
Funny how people talk about the Nielsen ratings being so indicative of a show's popularity and reach, and yet you have Steve Carell on the list despite the relative low ratings of "The Office", as well as Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, despite both being on relatively low-rated cable shows (compared to their network contemporaries).
Also, I find it satisfying that all 3 of those guys come from the world of TDS. If you'd have told the 3 of them in 2000 that they'd be 3 of the 10 most popular TV personalities someday, they'd have called you mad.
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1-28-2009 @ 5:20PM
MERVE-THE-PERVE said...
What, no sports and weather with that newscast Bob?
Reply
1-28-2009 @ 6:00PM
Scott H said...
This would be the same group of Americans with such excellent taste that have made "Paul Blart, Mall Cop" the number 1 movie in the country for 2 weeks now. Uck.
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1-29-2009 @ 2:46AM
Wolfster said...
1. NCIS is the first thing Mark Harmon's been in where I liked him. And I like him a lot in it.
2. Of course it's the character. 'House' is worlds different from the light, comic characters Laurie is known for outside the States, up to now.
3. Why not Homer? One character or another, animated or not - the placement of the ones that aren't talk or comedy show hosts are ALL about the fictional characters they portray. And I'm not sure about the talk show hosts.
4. If Craig Ferguson were on earlier in the evening, he'd be on the list.
5. This article serve as a textbook example of why you cannot rely on a spellcheck.
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 6:42AM
Dave said...
I have to hand it to Jay. He had some pretty big shoes to fill after Jonny left, but he jumped in and made "The Tonight Show" his own.
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1-29-2009 @ 6:48AM
JOANN EVANS said...
Colbert A ONE TRICK PONY !
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 6:52AM
J.E. said...
Colbert-A ONE TRICK PONY!
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1-29-2009 @ 8:03AM
J.E. said...
O.K. A TWO TRICK PONY !
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1-29-2009 @ 10:21AM
Doug said...
Jay is the funny man when he is not funny he is entertainment for me. To go out on the cuff is a trait seldom not practiced. Letterboob needed to take notes, last time I gave him a look he must of broke his pencil. And as for Jay filling big shoes, thats funny more like shoes of an over sized midgit. LOL You all might not give this guy a chance but Steve Wilko has the heart to do good, not like the freak show that he came from. you want to see respect give him a shot, just like millions gave Jay....
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1-29-2009 @ 8:44AM
Diane said...
Jay Leno rocks! After that I like the Bill O'Reilly, and then I do like Colbert. I would place Jon Stewart lower cuz he's cranky. Especially when no one agrees with him. However, he would be higher than Oprah. Oprah for me has gotten to be redundent and boring. David Letterman would not be on my list...Used to like him..but that was only used...hmmm..maybe about the time my mom started liking him I quit...lol. Also, I love Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck. And th list goes on....
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1-29-2009 @ 8:44AM
jceasars911 said...
Come on.....where is craig ferguson??? He is a hell of a lot funnier than letterman, leno and obrien! Man that yodelling monkey bit from the other night was hilarious!
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 9:26AM
walkingman said...
I vote for Craig Ferguson, too. Letterman, Oprah, Colbert are WAY-over rated.
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 10:50AM
Renee W. said...
Melissa, Just to let you and the rest of Hometown Conservative America know, your're WEST of NYC and EAST of LA. I guess education and logical thought aren't high on the list of priorities in your neck of the woods. And you get to vote. God Help Us!
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 3:17PM
BumbleBee said...
Renee W.
Amazing when you can only criticize the way someone thinks different than you.
The nice thing as, as you live you will learn....hopefully!
1-29-2009 @ 10:52AM
Missy said...
00PS, OPRAH That goes to show her, she should keep her mouth shut at Electon Time. She really was no help to Obama, she only caused herself NEGATIVE feed back and less viewers.
I don't watch her anymore, I use to love watching the show, but have lost all respect for her now, everyone I know flicks the channel when she comes on to something else. Her ego had gotten as big as Obama's. I am waiting for her to hit # 10, where she should be now.
WE have a lot of people in for a rude awakening. I wonder what size dress she's in today, I thng she goes from a size 16 to a size 20 in a weeks time.
WAITING FOR HER TO BE 310, HOPE THEY TAKE ANOTHER POOL SOON. CAN'T WAIT , SHE IS GOING TO DOWN,FASTER THAT HER DROPS WEIGHT.
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