TVSquad

Every time I say that I think Jon Stewart might one day go to late night TV again (network talk show-wise, I mean), people comment that there's no way he'd leave The Daily Show because it's so popular, it gets buzz, it's the perfect job for him, etc, etc. And all that happens to be true. But I also think that people change jobs on TV all the time. They want a different challenge, and often plan their moves for when a show has lost it's buzz or isn't quite as challenging anymore.

I bring this up because Broadcasting & Cable is reporting that NBC execs Jeff Zucker and Marc Graboff "wined and dined" Stewart and his agent, James Dixon. A source says no firm offer was made, but NBC made it clear they want to work with Stewart.

There is an interesting tidbit over at Broadcasting and Cable today. It seems CBS has announced that next fall they will make most or all shows available online ahead of their broadcast premieres. Added to that, the network is looking for ways to more aggressively promote the online shows, as well as additional content to support them.

I think it's a great idea. One could argue that if everyone is able to watch the show online, they won't come back when it debuts on the network. I think the positives outweigh that negative though. As the fall season gets into gear that prime time window gets awfully crowded. And since most viewers don't have dual tuner Tivo, 2 VCRs, and a PC at the ready to catch everything they could possibly want to see, giving them the ability to watch your shows at their convenience can only increase exposure. If the show is good, they'll be back for more.

A few months ago, I bemoaned the fact that not one Squadder was included in Broadcasting & Cable magazine's fall critics poll. I mean, we're critics, sort of; I just thought that the survey was incomplete without at least some opinions from everyone's favorite TV blog.

Well, anyway, now we're on B&C's radar, because they sent us a ballot for their year-end poll. In all, 67 critics were polled on what they thought was the best and worst on television in 2006. The Wire was voted Best Show and Best Drama, while The Office was voted Best Comedy. You can see the results here. They even published a few choice quotes in their "BC Beat" blog, including not one, but two quotes from Squadders (Anna and yours truly). Now, that's more like it!

According to Broadcasting & Cable, CBS launched a web-only reality show on its video broadband channel, Innertube, today. The only problem is: I can't find it. The show is called Hook Me Up and it actually sounds kind-of fun. It's about four singles who "brave the world of internet dating". Basically, we get to watch these people go on dates with people they meet on the internet and we get to vote on which date we think is right for each person. New episodes "air" Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

If you can find it, put the link in comments and tell me what you think.

Broadcasting & Cable magazine polled 66 critics and asked them what new fall shows were their favorites. The responses were at once predictable and odd: Studio 60 was deemed the best new overall show, but for some reason, it only came in second amongst dramas, behind The Nine. Ugly Betty, the third most-favored show overall, was deemed the best new comedy of the fall, followed by 30 Rock.

But, as far as I'm concerned, the survey is incomplete. Why? Because they didn't ask us for our picks, that's why! I mean, come on, B&C! We certainly have an opinion to give, and we certainly have as many readers as what I'm sure was some of the websites and publications you surveyed, so how 'bout giving us a call? Man, I feel like we've been stood up for the prom.

Seriously, though, if you want to see our opinions of the new fall shows, we've got them, all over the site. Just search by show name or network, and you'll find them. Maybe we'll get the call from B&C next year.

[Aric McKeown sent the link after I started writing this post, but thanks to him anyway!]