Posted May 9th 2008 5:04PM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: Late Night, TV Royalty, Programming, Celebrities, Talk Show, Reality-Free
Here's who's on the late night shows tonight.
- Charlie Rose: Susan C. Schwab, Bernard-Henri Levy, and Umberto Eco
- The Late Show with David Letterman: Barbara Walters, Colbie Smulders, and Penn & Teller
- Jay Leno: Harrison Ford, Carly Simon, and William Moseley
- Jimmy Kimmel Live: Kelsey Grammer, Alex Trebek, and Ludo
- Tavis Smiley: Henry Winkler and Richard Zoglin
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien: Seth Meyers, Becki Newton, and Tokio Hotel
- The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson: Reba McEntire and Vinnie Jones
- Last Call with Carson Daly: Leelee Sobieski and Ben Harper (repeat)
Posted May 9th 2008 4:19PM by Kristin Sample
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, Programming, OpEd, Celebrities, Casting

Earlier this week I reported that
VH1 was adding to its already awesomely skanky line-up. (I told you that was Megan Hausermann with the question mark on her face!) Throughout the week, the network has been announcing the cast of
I Love Money, a competition show that will take all-stars from your favorite VH1 shows and let them compete for cold hard cash. The show premieres in July so that means this summer ... just. got. better.
After the jump, I've got the cast and some predictions. You can check out
VH1.com for full galleries of the cast members.
Continue reading VH1 announces cast of summer show
Posted May 9th 2008 4:07PM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: Programming, What To Watch Tonight, Reality-Free
- At 8, ABC has the special TV's All-Time Funniest, then a new 20/20.
- CBS has a new Ghost Whisperer at 8, followed by new episodes of Moonlight and Numb3rs.
- The CW has a new Smackdown! at 8.
- PBS has a new Washington Week at 8, then new episodes of NOW and Bill Moyers Journal.
- A trio of end-of-the-world flicks on TCM starting at 8: Five, The World, The Flesh and the Devil, and On The Beach.
- Also at 8: Sci-Fi has two new episodes of The Sarah Jane Adventures, followed by new episodes of Doctor Who and Battlestar Galactica.
- At 9, NBC has a new, two hour Dateline.
- There's a new Man vs. Wild on Discovery at 9.
- VH-1 has a new Best Week Ever at 9.
Check your local TV listings for more.
Posted May 9th 2008 9:04AM by Brett Love
Filed under: Industry, Programming, Reality-Free
That is how it would appear. Variety is reporting that the network is close to a deal that will have an unnamed media buyer take over the night. Essentially, they will take on the role of producing all of the content, and selling the ad time, for the entire night. The spin is that the deal will allow the network to focus its attention on Monday through Friday.
You know, because it's that sixth day that has really been holding them back. Just the other day someone told me, "I'd really like to watch Gossip Girl, but damn, I hate that CW Sunday." The idea isn't a new one for TV in general. A lot of Saturday morning programming is handled in this fashion. And when Smackdown first came to the network, it was done as a time buy with the WWE.
Continue reading Is CW giving up on Sundays?
Posted May 8th 2008 4:02PM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: Programming, What To Watch Tonight, Reality-Free
ESPN has NBA Playoffs all night.
- At 8, ABC has a new Ugly Betty, then new episodes of Grey's Anatomy and Lost.
- CBS has a new Survivor at 8, followed by new episodes of CSI and Without A Trace.
- NBC has a new My Name Is Earl at 8, then the season (series?) finale of Scrubs, a new episode of The Office, the season finale of 30 Rock, and a new ER.
- FOX has a new Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader? at 8, followed by a new Don't Forget The Lyrics.
- The CW has a new Smallville at 8, then a new Supernatural.
- There's a new Overhaulin' on TLC at 8, then new episodes of American Chopper and Miami Ink.
- Also at 8: AMC has the original Planet of the Apes.
- At 8:30, Cartoon Network has a new Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, followed by a new George of the Jungle.
- At 9, HGTV has a new Divine Design.
- At 10:30, Comedy Central has a new 'Lil Bush.
Check your local TV listings for more.
Posted May 8th 2008 10:07AM by Kristin Sample
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, Programming, Video

He's the most colorful, neurotic, and unpredictable real estate speculator / house flipper on television and he's back on Bravo this June. Once again, fans of
Flipping Out will get to watch Jeff Lewis buy properties, renovate them and sell them for six-figure profits, all while torturing his assistants and other employees.
But this season will be different. Firstly, the soft market should create even more drama and tension in Jeff's world. Secondly, Jeff is trying to turn over a new leaf and not treat his employees like, well, you know. I'm skeptical. I seem to remember Jeff nearly "flipping out" about not getting the right combination of lemonade, fruit punch, iced tea and sprite for his beverage. He also fires someone at least once an episode. In fact, this season Jeff installs a nanny cam to spy on his workers.
Continue reading Flipping Out is back - VIDEO
Posted May 7th 2008 4:04PM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: Programming, What To Watch Tonight, Reality-Free
TNT has NBA Playoffs all night.
- At 8, ABC has a new Wife Swap, followed by a new Supernanny and a new special about Barbara Walters new memoir, Audition.
- CBS has a new Price Is Right Million Dollar Spectacular at 8, then new episodes of Criminal Minds and CSI: NY.
- NBC has a new, two hour Deal Or No Deal at 8, then a new Law and Order.
- FOX has new episodes of 'Til Death, Back to You, and American Idol.
- There's a new America's Next Top Model at 8 on The CW, followed by a new Farmer Wants A Wife.
- PBS has a new Secrets of the Dead at 8, then a new American Experience.
- Also at 8: TCM has From Here To Eternity.
- At 10, Bravo has a new Top Chef.
- MTV has a new episode of The Real World at 10.
- Spike has a new Ultimate Fighter at 10.
Check your local TV listings for more.
Posted May 7th 2008 8:02AM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: Industry, Programming, Ratings, Reality-Free
Here are the weekly cable ratings, by number of viewers.
Looks like everybody was chasing Zoey this week, and not just the paparazzi. The Nickelodeon show got the top two spots in viewers (a movie and a regular episode of the show), knocking Monday Night RAW down a bit. TNT did really well with the NBA Playoffs.
1. Chasing Zoey (Nickelodeon)
2. Zoey 101 (Nickelodeon)
3. Monday Night RAW (USA)
4. NBA Playoffs - Suns/Spurs (TNT)
5. Monday Night RAW (USA)
6. The Hills (MTV)
7. NBA Playoffs - Lakers/Nuggets (TNT)
8. NBA Playoffs - Spurs/Hornets (TNT)
9. SpongeBob SquarePants (Nickelodeon)
10. NBA Playoffs - Hawks/Celtics (TNT)
Posted May 6th 2008 6:01PM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: Industry, Programming, Ratings, Reality-Free
Here are the weekly TV ratings, by number of viewers.
Last week I mentioned that Lost had dropped a lot in the ratings. This week they're not even in the top 20.
Looking over this list, it becomes apparent what it takes to get on it. If you're FOX, keep pumping out reality shows and reality competitions shows. If you're ABC, it's dancing and doctors. And if you're CBS, the answer is clear: create another police procedural show. It doesn't matter who's in it or where it's set, just make sure it's about a team of investigators who investigate something that needs investigation.
1. American Idol - Tues (FOX)
2. American Idol - Weds (FOX)
Continue reading Nielsen ratings for the week ending May 4
Posted May 6th 2008 5:02PM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: Late Night, TV Royalty, Programming, Celebrities, Talk Show, Reality-Free
Here's who's on the late night shows tonight.
- Charlie Rose: coverage of the North Carolina and Indiana primaries
- The Daily Show: Fareed Zakaria
- The Colbert Report: Nathan Gunn
- The Late Show with David Letterman: Ashton Kutcher, Mac King, and Steve Winwood
- Jay Leno: Christina Ricci, KT Tunstall, and Julie Scardina
- Jimmy Kimmel Live: Robert Downey Jr. and Lyfe Jennings
- Tavis Smiley: John Dean, Barry Goldwater Jr., and Famke Janssen
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien: Jason Lee and Galactic
- The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson: John Goodman and Jason Aldean
- Last Call with Carson Daly: John Cho and Your Vegas
Posted May 6th 2008 4:00PM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: Programming, What To Watch Tonight, Reality-Free
TNT has NBA Playoffs all night.
- CNN, MSNBC, and FOX News have North Carolina/Indiana Primary coverage all night.
- At 8, ABC has two new episodes of Dancing with the Stars (a "best of" episode and the regular episode), then a new Women's Murder Club.
- CBS has a new NCIS at 8, followed by a new Shark.
- NBC has a new Most Outrageous Moments at 8.
- FOX has new episodes of American Idol and Hell's Kitchen.
- The CW has a new Beauty and the Geek, followed by a new Reaper.
- AMC has The Great Escape at 8.
- At 9, PBS has a new American Experience.
- Discovery has a new Deadliest Catch at 9.
- Also at 9: BBC America has a new Last Restaurant Standing.
- At 10, NBC has a new Law and Order: SVU.
- There's a new Work Out on Bravo at 10.
- MTV has a new A Shot At Love with Tila Tequila at 10.
Check your local TV listings for more.
Posted May 6th 2008 2:03PM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: Programming, Web, Celebrities, Reality-Free
Polls/contests like this always make me a little nervous. I just know that they are going to leave out one of my favorite characters, and it just ticks me off.
The folks over at RedEye in Chicago are holding their 2nd annual Best Character on TV poll. They give you a list of characters to go up against one another (in different "regions") and you vote for the one you like the best. It's tournament-style, so characters will be eliminated as the weeks go by until we're left with a winner. This is the first round of the voting, and it ends this Friday, May 9, so get those votes in now.
Continue reading RedEye tries to find the best character on television
Posted May 6th 2008 10:04AM by Kristin Sample
Filed under: Programming, OpEd, Music and Variety, Casting, Reality-Free
Comedy Central is reviving The Gong Show. The original '70s variety show featured amateur acts who tried to impress the celebrity judges panel and avoid ... the gong.
The new show, which is currently casting for tapings on both coasts in Los Angeles and New York, will be hosted by Dave Attell. Yeah, remember him? The former stand-up comic from New York had his own show on Comedy Central called
Insomniac with Dave Attell. I used to love that show. Attell would walk around the streets of different cities (mostly here in the States, but he went aboard too) and talk to people who were completely inebriated. He also occasionally talked to people who worked night shifts. I think he'll be a great host for this new project.
I think that because this show is on Comedy Central, it's going to be way more interesting and entertaining than the train wreck that is
America's Got Talent. What do you think? Will you watch the new
Gong Show?
[via
BuzzerBlog]
Posted May 6th 2008 8:03AM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: Industry, Programming, Monk, Psych, Reality-Free

Sometimes reruns from a cable series can do rather well on network television as a bigger audience pool checks them out. That wasn't the case with Monk and Psych.
The two USA network hits (often in the top 10 in the Nielsen cable ratings) didn't fare too well when NBC ran them on Sunday nights the past couple of months, so the Peacock Network is pulling the shows immediately. Fans of The Office will be happy to hear that NBC will air a two hour marathon of Office repeats in the 9 to 11 time slot. That is, until they decide to put another reality show at that time.
Continue reading Goodbye Monk and Psych (on NBC I mean)
Posted May 5th 2008 8:04PM by Kristin Sample
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, Programming, Casting

Okay, you can commence the happy dance! Contestants from your favorite skanky shows on VH1 coming together for an all-star competition called
I Love Money. What will they be competing for? I think you can figure that one out. The show will feature your favorite personalities from
Rock of Love,
Flavor Of Love, and
I Love New York. It's produced by Mark Cronin and Cris Abrego (my personal heroes) who have produced, well, just about every successful show on VH1.
Continue reading VH1's got a new celebreality show
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