TVSquad

Lately, the only Katie Couric most people have been seeing is the one that's depicted in the picture to the right: serious, sober, possessing whatever gravitas she can muster in her role as anchor of the CBS Evening News. But where can you see the goofy Katie, the one that people came to know -- and some got sick of -- for fifteen years on the Today show?

Why, on YouTube, of course! In fact, Katie has her very own page on the leading video sharing site, where she posts extended Evening News interviews and behind-the-scene footage. The behind-the-scenes stuff is where you see Katie at her most impish, doing things like snapping Larry King's suspenders as he leads her to the set of his show, singing with Bette Midler, and meeting with mommy bloggers in her office (check out the huge Warhol-esque portrait of herself she has hanging near her desk!).

Say it ain't so, Ho. Homey, that's is. According to Variety, even though Fox has given The Simpsons a renewal for season number 20, the voice talent that make the show have not been re-signed. Julie Kavner, Dan Castellaneta, Hank Azaria, Yeardley Smith, Nancy Cartwright and Harry Shearer -- the actors who are as integral to the success of The Simpsons as the writers and animators -- are looking for a new deal. The group make approximately $360,000 per episode. They want a raise to $500,000 per. While that sounds like a lot of money -- and it is! -- when you consider how much Fox and company are making off The Simpsons franchise, like the new ride at Universal Orlando, the talent have every right to expect their piece of the pie.

I like these "Found Objects" videos that Harry Shearer has at My Damn Channel, even if I'm not surprised by what news people do behind the scenes and during commercial breaks. They fuss with their hair and clothes, they argue with staff, they rehearse segments. All the stuff you'd expect to find on videos like this. Of course, that's not to say that there's something mesmerizing about watching Ann Coulter chew Nicorette Gum.

That's one of the many things you'll see in this variety video after the jump. Coulter is waiting to be interviewed on one of the cable networks. You also see Bill O'Reilly looking into a mirror and sighing heavily because "Dave"couldn't get something right in the studio, Chris Matthews talking about a guest that's coming up, and more shots of Katie Couric and her clothes. There's also some footage from a woman I recognize but who's name escapes me at the moment (maybe from The Early Show?), but she urges us to remember that " 'synonymous' is not a good morning show word."

I've always liked Harry Shearer and the behind the scenes video and audio he has collected over the years. But I have to be honest and say I'm not quite sure what we're supposed to get from these videos of Katie Couric before and after her newscasts. I think we're supposed to giggle at how she acts or be surprised at the "real" Katie or maybe think less of her or something?

I actually think more of her after viewing these, because she seems real, she's funny, and she seems to get along well with her coworkers, something that people said she didn't do. So, I think they work more for Katie than against her, though she probably wouldn't want her mom watching her say "Oh shit oh shit oh shit oh shit oh shit."

After the jump, the latest video, from CBS News coverage of the NH Primary (and here's part one if you missed it.)

Simpsons star Harry Shearer has been exposing the behind the scenes faux pas and foibles of the national media for years. His video and audio of such things as Tom Brokaw's off-camera remarks are classic. Earlier this year he posted a video on his My Damn Channel channel of Dan Rather going on and on about whether or not to wear a trenchcoat. Now it's Katie's turn.

In the video after the jump, we see Katie prepping to go live during The CBS Evening News' recent trip to Nashville. We see her talking about her hair and whether or not to button the top button of her coat. Personally, I don't see what's so shocking or even "embarassing" about this video. All network reporters do this before the cameras roll - all of them, male and female. In fact, it makes me like Couric more, because she's self-deprecating (combing her hair: "This tart's ready to go!") and seems to be getting along with everyone on the crew.

Did you know that online video is popular? It's true! Everybody's doing it. Well, I doubt Bea Arthur is doing online video, but still...

Today, MyDamnChannel.com launched. It's a new online video channel put together by some big celebs, including Harry Shearer (The Simpsons), David Wain (Stella, the new movie The Ten), and music producer Don Was. It was created by former CBS Radio and MTV exec Rob Barnett.

As with any new launch, the content is hit or miss, but there's a surprising number of videos here, including several from Shearer and Wain and a couple from web video icon Andy Milonakis. You need Flash 9 to view the videos.

[via TV Tattle]

As most people know, there is very little about being an alcoholic or a drug addict that is funny. For most people who suffer from addiction the best they can hope for is to live "one day at a time" and do their best not to screw up their life and those around them. However, in the world of TV comedy, the addict is often the funniest person on the show. Many characters throughout TV history have given us all a belly laugh while they were under the influence. Here is my list of the funniest of those with this particular problem.

1. Jim Ignatowski (Christopher Lloyd) - Taxi
What could make a young Ivy League undergrad from a rich, influential family become a burned out reverend/cabbie with questionable judgment and a terrible memory? I doubt that even Jim could compile a complete list? At least his driving isn't any less safe than most New York cabbies.

A while back, I showcased some blogs that celebrities were (at the time) keeping. David Duchovny had one for a while, but it was just to promote one of his movies and he stopped it. Zach Braff had one for Garden State, but doesn't update it as much as he used to at his new site (though it's still pretty entertaining). And of course we know that Rosie O'Donnell updates hers, a little too much probably.

But there are other TV celebs who blog too, so it's time for an update. After the jump, a list of some of the better blogs out there.

The new trailer for The Simpsons Movie is now online-- it also aired on Fox last Sunday night during The Simpsons. It doesn't show much, except a fluffy bunny and Homer getting stuck between a rock and a hard place. The Wikipedia page for the movie says Erin Brockovich, Minnie Driver, and Albert Brooks all have roles. Plus, we'll see old, familiar characters such as SideShow Bob and Fat tony. The plot of the movie is being kept under wraps.

The Simpsons Movie trailer is on the Apple Trailers website. The movie comes out July 27, 2007.

[Via Pop Candy]

Comedian Harry Shearer, a frequent collaborator with Christopher Guest and the voice of such Simpsons characters as Mr. Burns, Smithers, and Ned Flanders, is bringing his voice to BBC Radio 4. Well, his voice and his body, which is where he keeps his voice. Although, I guess I don't know that for sure, he might actually keep his voice in a jar, allowing himself to do voiceover work while his body tends to daily household chores. Anyway, he'll be providing the voice of a character named "Nostrils" for a show called Not Today Thank You that will air starting August 22. The show centers on a once great radio host now trying to broadcast a show from his grandma's basement.

The Boston Phoenix has another list (they've been doing this a lot lately), and this one lists what they think are the best and worst movie performances from Saturday Night Live cast members. While it's great to have Bill Murray number one, it's for Ghostbusters?! What about Lost In Translation? Or Stripes? Or Rushmore? How about Groundhog Day? (Same thing with Janeane Garofalo - they pick Wet Hot American Summer?)

Among the best: Eddie Murphy in Bevery Hills Cop, Adam Sandler in The Wedding Singer, and Harry Shearer in This Is Spinal Tap. Among the worst: Eddie Murphy in The Adventures Of Pluto Nash, Adam Sandler in The Waterboy, and Jimmy Fallon in Fever Pitch.

OK, SNL fans, who's missing from this list?

I am going to ease you into this because the news may make you feel... old. FOX just renewed The Simpsons for two more seasons. What seasons, you ask? Seasons 18 and 19. Do you need a second to get your heart medication?

Seriously. It's been that long, folks. The Simpsons debuted way back in 1989. Remember all the media coverage and freaking out about how it was a cartoon but it wasn't meant for little kids? Adults just couldn't get their minds around that. And, remember when Barbara Bush told Time magazine that The Simpsons was the dumbest thing she'd ever seen? Of course, the writers got their revenge a few years later.

I'd like to think that The Simpsons is still edgy and socially relevant after all these years, it's just the viewing public that has changed. That's pretty remarkable. You know what's also remarkable? The fact that Maggie doesn't seem to be getting any bigger.

Oh yeah, FOX also renewed King of the Hill for an 11th season.