TV Zone
News, scoops, reviews and more from TV land.
The all-British 'Daily Show': 'Veep's' Armando Iannucci
Photo credit: AP
John Oliver took over from Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show" Monday while the latter moonlights in the Middle East (he's directing a movie), and the question of the moment is simply this: How's John doing?
Let's put it this way: Jon shouldn't be worried. It's been, from my sampling, a flawless transition, but especially important for this show, he's particularly solid on the interviews.
Curious....
Read more »'Mad Men': Say, what about this Bob Benson...?
Photo credit: AMC
I, like you, am still recovering from Sunday's towering inferno of "Mad Men" reveals -- Bob Benson, maybe gay!; Don Draper and Sylvia Rosen caught in flagrante delicto by Sally! -- but finally have had a little time to sort matters outs.
What does it all mean?
Anything? Nothing? Everything?
The episode "Favors" was masterful -- a classic within a classic that...
Read more »'Princesses Long Island' ratings fall in week two
Photo credit: Bravo
"Princesses: Long Island" took a tumble in its second week on the air: 887,000 total viewers, which looks like a small number because it is a small number.
That's a drop of about 350,000 viewers from week one — not exactly what Bravo is or was looking for. (Though according to a spokeswoman, ratings are "always expected to go down 2nd week then build after that, hopefully. That is common in new series on cable.")
Nevertheless, a climb over the premiere week's performance (1.24 million viewers) in the second week would have indicated definite traction, and offered the network some support in a decision to order a second season. A decline complicates matters, though it can certainly wait until next week to see if there's a bounce. (Obviously, if Bravo were to order a second season, it would want to do so shortly, to take advantage of the summer for shooting and production purposes.)
New/old showrunner for NBC's 'Community'
Photo credit: AP
Dan Harmon, who was fired from "Community" before last season, has been rehired for the new season ... which leads to a few questions:
1. Why was he fired in the first place? 2. What did David Guarascio and Moses Port (former showrunners) do that was so bad, anyway? 3. Does this have something to do with the Darkest Timeline?
NBC would offer only this sheepish statement:...
Read more »Calling all 'The Newsroom' fans ... a trailer
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Trailer time! HBO released a tease for "The Newsroom" on Monday, and here it is.
But first, the through line: "In the new season, the "News Night" staff are going to be dealing with a wrongful termination lawsuit that will leave viewers wondering one thing, who got fired? The lawsuit will also serve as a long-running backdrop to the 2012 Presidential Election, The...
Read more »New 'American Idol' boss from Sweden
Photo credit: Getty Images
Fox has made an interesting choice to run its beleagured "American Idol" as it struggles to reverse a remorseless ratings decline in the wake of a mostly buzz-less 12th season: the man who ran Swedish "Idol."
Per Blankens has just been named to what may be the most important production gig in television at the moment, and certainly not the least stress-free. Here are the comments via Fox:
As you may be aware, Nigel Lythgoe, now former EP, is gone, and offered a long statement about his exit early Monday afternoon.
“Per is a creative and experienced executive who has been the show runner on the blockbuster Swedish Idol for more than 5 seasons,” said Trish Kinane, "AI" executive producer for FremantleMedia North America. “He is extremely passionate about Idol and I'm very excited about his ideas and vision for keeping Idol creatively vibrant. He brings the talent and energy needed to keep American Idol strong.”
And per Blankens: "The Idol franchise is a worldwide phenomenon and I'm honored to be a part of the most popular of the franchises, American Idol. I can't wait to get started as auditions for the new season are just a few weeks away.”
Ratings: The 67th annual Tonys reverse long slide
Pretty good news for last night's Tonys' telecast on CBS: After a long drought, the show ticked up once again in total viewers. In fact, CBS points out that last night's audience for the 67th annual awards ceremony was the largest since 2009.
In the scheme of things, no, this was not a huge number - 7.2 million - but at least the number is heading in a different direction for...
Read more »HBO teases 'Clear History' and apparently Larry David's hair, too
Photo credit: Getty Images
Larry David with hair? Larry David with lots and lots of hair? You are about to see something that will shock and mystify you. (Or as one commentator at Youtube noted, it's as if LD is channeling the Great Lebowski.) Here's the tease for HBO's "Clear History" - the movie arriving this August - and it's not the only thing teased here...
For 'Game of Thrones,' a long hiatus (or two) may be the only solution
Photo credit: Getty Images
Poor HBO -- "poor" being a relative term, naturally: With “Game of Thrones,” the pay network finally has the smash to rival anything in its history. With “GoT” it finally has the answer, a resounding one, to that tired question about the Next Big Thing after "The Sopranos."
Ratings, buzz, passion, devotion, even love -- "Game of Thrones" has engendered all, but...
Read more »'American Idol' loses top producer Nigel Lythgoe
Photo credit: Getty Images, 2011
Nigel Lythgoe -- who came (back) to "American Idol" after Simon Cowell left to produce what then seemed an impregnable franchise -- on Saturday confirmed that he had been fired. Via Twitter:
just had 10 days in the Bahamas, rain everyday. I get back to the States and get fired. Sad! Monday we choose our top 20. I'll smile again.
By "top 20," he is referring to "So You Think You Can Dance," which he continues to produce.
Lythgoe leaves a show that is no longer impregnable, but very much the opposite. Three judges have left -- also fired, doubtless, or taking their leave before the sheriff -- while Fox and Fremantle have also hired a new overseer of the show, David Hill. It's now one of those all-bets-are-off moments for the show, when anything can happen, and anything likely will. [See: Per Blankens named Idol" producer.]
Meanwhile, Nigel sent out a longer statement early Monday afternoon. Here it is, in part:
"It has been inspiring to find and launch the careers of artists ranging from Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Phillip Phillips and many more, spanning all musical styles and genres. I am truly saddened to be leaving a great team of friends and colleagues. However, at the end of the day, the most important thing is to maintain this incredible platform for America's young talent. This will only happen with the success of the program. If the executives that are now in charge of "American Idol" believe that the ratings will improve with my departure, I have no complaints. It has been a great ride and I've loved every moment of it. After dedicating over 12 years to “Idol,” I look forward to continuing work on my beloved “So You Think You Can Dance,” which is going strong in its 10th season. In addition, this will allow me more time to devote to Nigel Lythgoe Productions and our exciting new partnership with Shine America.”
