(S04E01) Kathy Griffin is back, or as I choose to call her now Emmy Girl. Yes, the Emmy is on full display. In your face, everyone, Kathy's got an Emmy! Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List won the Emmy last year and if this first episode is a sample of what season four has in store, that Emmy is going to get a companion. This show is riotous. And irreverent and a perfect blend of comedy and celebrity reality which is really unreality because how many of us interact with Anderson Cooper and Michael Moore?
Kathy Griffin has found the perfect genre for her particular brand of comedy. A sitcom wouldn't capture her true character, strict stand-up is not her best venue (although she's gotten very good at it), and a talk show would force her to chat with others and appear interested. The My Life on the D-List format works for her and she's found a way to incorporate stand up, situation comedy and guests into a reality hour that highlights her being funny. She has supporting players -- Team Griffin, Jessica, Tiffany, Tom and Kathy's adorable mom, Maggie -- as her comic foils and partners in crime.
Aaron Brown is ready to return to television. After a two-year hiatus the 59-year-old journalist and ex-CNN anchor will be joining the PBS series Wide Angle as an anchor, producer and part-time field reporter.
Brown left CNN in November of 2005 after a network shake-up that gave his coveted 10:00 PM time slot to up-and-comer Anderson Cooper. He remained off of television due to contractual regulations and instead filled his time with teaching at Arizona State University as its first Walter Cronkite Professor of Journalism. According to an interview with the Associated Press, Brown said he decided to work at Wide Angleinstead of another cable news channel in order to "work in an environment where people just think about making good TV and good journalism." He added that cable news networks could be pushed into focusing on sensational, tabloid-like stories.
Wide Angle will begin its seventh season on PBS starting on July 1st. Topics that will be covered this season will be the crisis in the Sudan and the changing role of the military in Japan. Brown hopes to do some field work in Venezuela or the Middle East for future Angle stories.
When we opened TV Squad's mail bag today, we found this question from Robyn S.: "Am I losing it or am I seeing subliminal messages on ABC like "The Mole is watching you" and "The Mole is coming"? Quick, 2-3 second flashes after commercials. Is The Mole coming back this summer?"
Robyn, you'll be happy to know that you are not losing it, ABC's The Mole is indeed coming back to TV this summer.
With the rumors swirling around that Katie Couric may leave (or be removed from) the CBS Evening News soon after the 2008 election, speculation of what she might do and who might take her place has also been in the air. The latest speculation by insiders, though, is an interesting one, so interesting that it just might make complete sense.
According to the New York Daily News, "TV insiders," whoever they are, think that a trade of sorts might take place: Anderson Cooper comes to CBS to anchor the Evening News, while Couric goes to CNN to host a talk show in the 10 PM slot where Anderson Cooper 360 currently resides. The idea is to have Couric eventually take over for Larry King.
I was going to wait until this weekend to post this Larry King clip, but I have a feeling that it may be gone before the week is up. Most likely due to the fact that Larry himself will probably ask to have it taken down because he looks like such a whiner.
In this YouTube video, which can be seen after the jump, Larry has a little issue with CNN colleague Anderson Cooper. It seems that Anderson and his panel of presidential candidate debate experts are getting more time than Larry's panel is. Basically, he'd like to know why. Most likely because Cooper is a bit easier on the eyes than the very tired Larry. That, and the fact that Anderson doesn't normally ask his panelists what their favorite New York City deli is.
If you're a fan of Anderson Cooper 360, you can now download the free video podcast for the show. The podcast does not contain the complete episodes, just highlights, but it is free, so don't complain. Actually, you can complain all you want, what do I care?
If I may digress for a moment, doesn't Cooper look like he's posing in the JC Penney catalog in this picture? I don't know whether to download his podcast or put his shirt and a pair of khakis on layaway. At any rate, "Anderson Cooper 360º Daily" will offer about twenty minutes of highlights ever morning after the program airs on CNN. It's probably not a bad way to catch up if you happen to missed the program, or if you're like me and can't stand to sit still for a full hour.
Oh yeah, and you don't have to download or subscribe to anything if you don't want, you can just watch it right on CNN's Web site. There's all kinds of ways to get your Cooper fix, Cooper Troopers*.
*that's my new term for fans of Anderson Cooper. Spread it around.
American Idol's most outspoken judge, Simon Cowell, will get a taste of his own medicine this week when a group of judges critique him on this week's 60 Minutes. The critique is part of a profile on Simon Cowell that will air on Sunday, March 18 at 7 PM ET.
In the interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Simon reportedly discusses a variety of topics, including his enormous wealth, and the appeal of American Idol.
I like Keith Olbermann. I've interviewed him in the past and I watch his show regularly. I find myself agreeing with him more than disagreeing, especially when it comes to his "Special Comment" segments and Bill O'Reilly. But I'm wondering if he hasn't gone too far (needlessly) this time.
I didn't see this episode of Countdown last week, but Olbermann named CNN host Anderson Cooper a "Worst Person in the World" because of something Cooper said in a Men's Journal interview, about being approached to do a nightly newscast on another network:
"Doing 22 minutes of news from a desk in New York is not for me."
That's the quote that earns him a "worst person" nod?
On the heels of news that Rene Syler will be leaving CBS' The Early Show on December 22 (it has since been reported that Syler will also undergo surgery in January) comes news that Russ Mitchell will be joining the show as the newsanchor. The show hasn't had a real newsanchor for a while now. The news duties are usually split between the hosts (Harry Smith, Syler, Hannah Storm, and Julie Chen). Mitchell will continue as anchor of The CBS Evening News on Sundays.
Looks like they're really starting to change things up at the show. It's my guess that in January or February we'll see a major overhaul to the show, meaning new hosts and a tweaked format. Rumors continue to swirl that everyone from Anderson Cooper to Campbell Brown might be the new hosts.
That's the question the industry is asking today, after the veteran 60 Minutes reporter died of leukemia a couple of weeks ago.
CBS News and Sports President Sean McManus says that he is going to start looking for additional reporters for the Sunday night show after the New Year rolls around, though he doesn't say that they will be "replacements" for Bradley. But people are starting to talk about it anyway, wondering if CBS will get another big name to fill the vacancy. Some are saying it might be CNN's Anderson Cooper, though those rumors about Cooper joing the network (probably as host of The Early Show) have surfaced before. Others are saying Lara Logan or Byron Pitts, though many think it will be somebody who already contributes to 60 Minutes, like Bob Simon or Scott Pelley.
Who do you think should replace Bradley, if anyone? Just a couple of reporters to add to the rotation, or a star to actually say the words at the start, "I'm ______ _______."
A few years ago, when Survivor-mania was at its peak and eating rats still made shocking television, I felt somewhat alienated... because, well, I just didn't see the appeal of reality television. However, that all changed when a program called The Mole arrived on ABC. It was smart, challenging, and featured a silver-haired host by the name of Anderson Cooper. Finally, a reality show worth watching.
Jon Stewart began by joking that the night's guest, Anderson Cooper, came from a very famous family... His father is Gary Cooper. Not many of the audience members laughed. I think that might have been due to the fact that most people are unaware that Anderson is actually a Vanderbilt (his mother is the famed heiress Gloria Vanderbilt). It's another thing I love about Anderson: He doesn't flaunt his family name.
Here's proof that the New York Post gets things right every so often (at least away from Page Six, that is). A couple of weeks ago, we wrote about the rumor, reported by the Post, that Anderson Cooper was going to contribute a few stories to 60 Minutes next year, while keeping his job on CNN. Well, yesterday that was made official, by both CNN president Jon Klein and 60 executive producer Jeff Fager. Cooper will contribute "four or five" stories next year, doing them on his time off from Anderson Cooper 360. So, now Anderson will be able to "feel the news at" us -- using Stephen Colbert's term -- on a much larger scale than he was able to do before.
So, I'm wondering... how many 60 Minutes stories is it going to take before Anderson sheds a tear or two while reporting from a war-torn or flooded or otherwise devestated area? Let me set the over/under for you:
# of 60 Minutes stories before Anderson cries: 2.5
Do you think it'll take less or more time than this? Let me know in the comments.
(S04E01) Kathy Griffin is back, or as I choose to call her now Emmy Girl. Yes, the Emmy is on full display. In your face, everyone, Kathy's got an Emmy! Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List won the Emmy last year and if this first episode is a sample of what season four has in store, that Emmy is going to get a companion. This show is riotous. And irreverent and a perfect blend of comedy and celebrity reality which is really unreality because how many of us interact with Anderson Cooper and Michael Moore? 
Aaron Brown is ready to return to television. After a two-year hiatus the 59-year-old journalist and ex-CNN anchor will be joining the PBS series Wide Angle as an anchor, producer and part-time field reporter.
With the rumors swirling around that Katie Couric 
I was going to wait until this weekend to post this Larry King clip, but I have a feeling that it may be gone before the week is up. Most likely due to the fact that Larry himself will probably ask to have it taken down because he looks like such a whiner.
A little bit of new info
If you're a fan of Anderson Cooper 360, you can now 
American Idol's most outspoken judge, Simon Cowell, will get a taste of his own medicine this week when a group of judges critique him on 
I like Keith Olbermann. I've interviewed him in the past and I watch his show regularly. I find myself agreeing with him more than disagreeing, especially when it comes to his "Special Comment" segments and Bill O'Reilly. But I'm wondering if he hasn't gone too far (needlessly) this time.
On the heels of news that Rene Syler will be leaving CBS' The Early Show on December 22 (it has since been reported that Syler will also 
That's the question the industry is 
A few years ago, when Survivor-mania was at its peak and eating rats still made shocking television, I felt somewhat alienated... because, well, I just didn't see the appeal of reality television. However, that all changed when a program called 
Jon Stewart began by joking that the night's guest, Anderson Cooper, came from a very famous family... His father is Gary Cooper. Not many of the audience members laughed. I think that might have been due to the fact that most people are unaware that Anderson is actually a 
Here's proof that the New York Post gets things right every so often (at least away from Page Six, that is). A couple of weeks ago, 
Celebrate the 4th by watching television!
Stargate Atlantis season five - An early look
Saving Grace season two: An early look
