» TV News

MTV obtains TV rights to “This Is It”

Leilani Laureano — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:19:40 +0000

MTV Networks has purchased the exclusive TV rights to the Michael Jackson documentary “This Is It” from Sony Pictures.

The deal will make the movie available to MTV and its sister networks starting in 2011 for a six-year window. The pact allows for the title to run the gamut of MTV Networks’ music channels, including MTV, VH1, VH1 Classic.

“This Is It,” a documentary chronicling Jackson’s rehearsal for a series of London concerts that was to have begun just weeks before his death in June, has raked in $222.6 million in a two-week span worldwide since Oct. 28.

‘Three Rivers,’ ‘Cold Case’ swap spots

Leilani Laureano — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:40:27 +0000

CBS is hoping to boost the ratings of its two Sunday night shows by flip-flopping their time slots.

For one week, “Cold Case” will be placed in the 9 p.m. (Eastern) slot, which will move “Three Rivers” to the 10 p.m. spot.Last season, the crime drama did much better in the 9 p.m. slot, behind “Without a Trace.” The freshman medical drama is being blamed for the drop in viewers.

The change up comes at the tail end of the November sweeps and toward the end of “Three Rivers’” initial order. Seven episodes have aired, and a couple more have finished filming, which means if the network does want more episodes, it has to make a decision soon to avoid a shutdown of the production.

“Three Rivers” is averaging 8.34 million viewers per week this season (“Cold Case’ averaged 12.15 million last season). But this year, “Cold Case” dropped to 9.45 million viewers weekly.

Both shows are more than likely to start a little later than their announced times. CBS has the NFL doubleheader on Sunday, which bumps the regular schedule back.

Ken Ober, MTV legend and host of ‘Remote Control,’ dead at 52.

Jaspers — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:28:10 +0000

Ken Ober, the humorous and abrasive host of the MTV game show “Remote Control,” has passed on. He was 52.

Airing at the apex of the MTV Network’s history, 1987 through 1990, Remote Control pitted three teenage or young adult contestants in a trivia competition, answering questions about music, television, and pop culture. The show also featured skits and character sketches from new improv comedians, helping launch the careers of Colin Quinn, Denis Leary and Adam Sandler. Several episodes are available online.

Remote Control, aside from being thoroughly enjoyable even two decades later, was notable for being one of MTV’s first forays into non-music video programming. The game show paved a path for all the subversively weird programming MTV would soon become famous for: Liquid Television, Beavis and Butt-Head, The State, Jackass, and Wonder Showzen all owe a debt of gratitude to Ken Ober and his comedic dissidence.

Sadly, following Remote Control’s cancellation, Ober all but disappeared from the mainstream entertainment world. After Remote Control’s fifth season, his resume included hosting Game Show Network’s “Make Me Laugh”, USA’s “Smush” and ESPN’s short-lived “Perfect Match.”

Aside from ill-received game shows, Ober’s post-MTV career included co-hosting “Ober and Olsen,” an LA-based talk radio show with Brady Bunch alum Susan Olsen from 1995-1996. In 2002, he served as producer for the cult favorite TV show “Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn.” Most recently, he served as a consulting producer for CBS sitcom “The New Adventures of Old Christine.” Most ignobly, he served as writer and producer for the terrible Comedy Central program “Mind of Mencia.”

Regardless of his disappearance from American eyes and television screens, a great comedian and an underrated icon has passed on. On behalf of the MTV generation, pop culture junkies and game show enthusiasts everywhere, we proclaim that Ken Ober will be missed.

What CBS show will follow the Super Bowl?

Leilani Laureano — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:37:23 +0000

Every CBS show is fighting for the desirable post-Super Bowl slot, which has proven to score big in recent history.

Last year’s episode of “The Office” doubled its highest rankings ever. “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Survivor: Australia” and “Friends” have topped 37.9, 45.4 and 54.9 million viewers, respectively, in previous years when they snagged the spot.

There are four shows in the running for the spot after the Super Bowl XLIV:

1) “NCIS: Los Angeles”
2) “The Mentalist”
3) “The Big Bang Theory”
4) “Survivor”

In other Super Bowl news:

According to a report, The Who will perform the halftime show at Super Bowl XLIV, marking the band’s first performance in North America since 2008.

The Super Bowl is scheduled for February 7, 2010 in Miami, FL.

Hello Again, Angels

Leilani Laureano — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:35:47 +0000

ABC is looking to get “Charlie’s Angels” back into kicking butt on television.

ABC is close to ordering a pilot for the remake of the classic 1970s series.”Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” showrunner Josh Friedman is rumored to be writing scripts and will also produce the show.

Drew Barrymore, Nancy Juvonen and Leonard Goldberg, who produced the two Charlie’s Angels movies, will share executive producer duties with Friedman. Goldberg also helped head up the original series in the 70s.

The upcoming “Charlie’s Angels” is aimed to appeal to a new generation as well as to pay homage to the original.

Alyssa Milano to spice up “Castle”

Leilani Laureano — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:34:37 +0000

ABC has booked Alyssa Milano to guest star on “Castle” in early 2010.

Milano is set to play mystery novelist Richard Castle’s ex-lover, which is sure to bring out the ugly green monster of jealousy in Castle’s writing inspiration, Detective Beckett. Milano is to make her appearance in an episode titled ‘A Rose for Everafter’.

No premiere date for Milano’s “Romantically Challenged” has been announced by ABC yet.

The network recently picked up “Castle” for a full second season.

“Outer Space” to launch on Syfy, and other news.

Leilani Laureano — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:22:09 +0000

Syfy will air its new comedy series “Outer Space Astronauts” on Tuesday, Dec. 8 before the “Scare Tactics” season finale.

The five-episode series employs live-action, 2-D and 3-D animation techniques. “Outer Space,” from creator/executive producer Russell Barrett and executive producers David O. Russell and Scott Puckett, centers on the galactic adventures of eight misfit astronauts on board the O.S.S. Oklahoma.

In other television news:

- Creator Kari Lizer (”The New Adventures of Old Christine”) has signed a huge three-year development deal with Warner Bros. TV to create new shows. She’ll continue to be the show runner on “Christine.”

- “Farenheit 451″ author Ray Bradbury will be shopping around his six-hour miniseries to the different networks. The six-parter will feature six of his classic short stories interpreted by six different directors, yet to be determined.

- FOX has tapped newcomer Lucas Neff, Martha Plimpton and “High School Musical” actress Olesya Rulin for its latest comedy pilot “Keep Hope Alive.”

“Life Unexpected” bumps two CW shows off their original time slots

Leilani Laureano — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:26:30 +0000

CW shows “One Tree Hill” and “Gossip Girl” will interchange time slots to make room for “Life Unexpected.”

The two Monday night shows will each take extended breaks from January through May. “Gossip Girl” breaks for much of January and February, while “One Tree Hill” pauses in March and April. “Life Unexpected,” meanwhile, will jump between two time slots. The new show does intend to run its full 13-episode order.

The flip-flopping begins on Jan. 18. “OTH” will run in its normal 8 p.m. spot, followed by the series premiere of “Life Unexpected.” “Unexpected” will stay at the 9 p.m. time slot until March 8, then moves back to 8 p.m., which allows “Gossip Girl” to come back.

After “Life Unexpected” finishes its run, “OTH” will then return to conclude its season starting April 19.

Gossip Girl Season 2 promo’s