WweSmackdown-related stories
Posted Aug 31st 2009 3:02PM by John Scott Lewinski
Filed under: Sports, Industry, Programming, Music and Variety, Reality-Free
Before it became all cooking, gossip, fashion and interior decorating, Bravo used to be a fine arts network that aired classic drama, music, opera, etc.
TV viewers everywhere are hoping such sophistication returns to television with the news that World Wrestling Entertainment chairman
Vince McMahon wants to create his own cable network.
McMahon wants to launch the WWE-dedicated channel for basic tier rates within the next two years. While a return to fine arts TV is unlikely, McMahon's wrestling product has been greatly softened in tone over recent months -- looking to attract a more family-based audience.
Continue reading Vince McMahon wants to muscle in his own cable network
Posted Aug 28th 2009 11:03AM by John Scott Lewinski
Filed under: Sports, Celebrities, Reality-Free
Back in the halcyon days of NBC's Bob Hope TV specials, the comedy legend would march out a list of the most bizarrely unrelated pseudo celebrities you could imagine.
You'd hear something like, "Join me this Sunday on NBC for 'Bob Hope's All-Star Salute to Existence' with great stars like Loni Anderson, Pink Lady and Jeff, the UPI All-American Football Team, Billy Carter, Steve Reeves and Brooke Shields!"
It looks like World Wrestling Entertainment is shooting for something equally bizarre with its list of upcoming
Monday Night Raw guest hosts. Vince McMahon and company plan to continue the guest general manager routine through the end of 2009 and possibly all the way to
Wrestlemania 26 next March.
Continue reading WWE unveils unlikely list of guest hosts for RAW
Posted Aug 15th 2009 1:01PM by John Scott Lewinski
Filed under: Sports, Celebrities
The problem with reporting real news originating in the professional wrestling world is that you never know if you're being played as part of a story angle designed to drive up ratings or pay-per-view buys.
However, since the following hasn't been mentioned on any of World Wrestling Entertainment's television shows, it might be legit.
According to the WWE: "Linda McMahon, CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, is considering a run for the United States Senate representing the state of Connecticut. Should she decide to run, Linda would step down as CEO, and Vince McMahon would assume the duties of CEO in addition to his current position as WWE Chairman."
Continue reading WWE says Linda McMahon considering Senate run
Posted Aug 10th 2009 12:04PM by John Scott Lewinski
Filed under: Sports, Music and Variety, Reality-Free
To drive ratings up -- and to drive devoted pro wrestling fans up a wall -- Vince McMahon and World Wrestling Entertainment recently began welcoming guest hosts to take over Monday Night Raw -- the WWE's flagship show -- every week.
So far, everyone from the
NBA's Shaq to Entourage's Jeremy Piven to ZZ Top has taken over the live two-hour wrestling show.
It seems that when the show producers can't find a celeb to fit the bill, they bring in a wrestling star from the past -- like The Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase or Sergeant Slaughter.
Continue reading TV celebs bouncing off the ropes to host WWE Raw
Posted May 12th 2009 6:02PM by Mike Moody
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, Industry, TV on the Bigscreen, Reality-Free
OK, I actually loved watching the latest version of
American Gladiators on NBC, but even I think this is a weird idea. But it's actually happening.
American Gladiators: The Movie is in the works, according to show creator Johnny Ferraro.
Ferraro says
American Gladiators was originally conceived as a film more than 20 years ago, but instead became a "TV phenomenon." I'm not sure how a game show that's basically
WWE Smackdown meets
Double Dare was originally conceived as a film, but what do I know. I like to watch
American Gladiators.
Continue reading American Gladiators: The Movie in the works
Gone Too Soon: Invasion
Scrubs season nine -- An early look
The TV Squad Podcast: Vik Sahay of Chuck, Oprah talk, brutal timeslots, and more!
