News and Quick Comments

News and Quick Comments

CBS faces woes over stereotypes and sex comments

LOS ANGELES — Just as CBS is renewing “Love Island,” its other summer reality show faces fresh scrutiny.
“We have heard things about (‘Big Brother’) that we are not comfortable with,” Kelly Kahl, the network president, confirmed.
One of the show’s producers has already been chastised for prompting a contestant to give outspoken soundbites, he said, and will be talked to after the season. And all of the network producers get training in facing “unconscious bias.” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / August 1, 2019
News and Quick Comments

PBS: The one spot with no regime change

LOS ANGELES — In a TV world filled with regime change, PBS’ Paula Kerger is the exception.
Already the longest-lasting head of a major network, Kerger announced today (July 29) that she’s signed for five more years as the network’s president and CEO
.That’s not what she expected when she started the job 13 years ago, Kerger said. “I thought, ‘Five years, maybe.’” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 29, 2019
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Starz prepares for its “Power” outage

LOS ANGELES — With two heavyweight shows leaving, Starz is preparing for its next life.
That will include a “Power” spin-off with Mary J. Blige’s music, plus a “Dangerous Liaisons” prequel and more. That comes just as Starz loses its giants:
— “Power” (shown here) starting Aug. 25. It will have 10 episodes, take a break, then start the last five in January. “Everyone is going to have a big opinion after those last five episodes,” said co-creator Courtney Kemp. “A BIG opinion.” There will also be a talk show, “Power Confidential,” after each hour.
— “Outlander,” starting its last, 12-episode season in January. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 26, 2019
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After R. Kelly? Next is Jeffrey Epstein

LOS ANGELES — Jeffrey Epstein is heading toward TV’s R. Kelly turf.
The Lifetime cable channel has already drawn praise and an Emmy nomination for its “Surviving R. Kelly” documentary series. Now – as Kelly faces 18 more charges, including child sexual exploitation and child pornography — a sequel is being prepared.And now Lifetime has announced plans for:
— “Surviving Jeffrey Epstein.” A Lifetime executive said it will focus on the billionaire, charged with human traficking, and “all the famous friends who shielded him.” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 23, 2019
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Field and Ronstadt: Together at last

Am I the only person who can’t tell the difference between Sally Field and Linda Ronstadt?
That will be tested in December, when both receive Kennedy Center Honors. It’s a great honor – we’re talking Bernstein and Basie and Bacall, Sinatra and Aretha and all the others – and (via CBS) one of the best shows on TV.
And this year, Field (shown here, from a while back) and Ronstadt will both be honored, alongside conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, the entire “Sesame Street” show and the vibrant group Earth, Wind & Fire. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 18, 2019
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Should they “go back where they came from”?

OK, this time Donald Trump may have a point.
Earlier today (July 14), he targeted four Democratic congresswomen. Those four, he tweeted, “came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe – the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world …. Why don’t they go back and help fix” them?
Without giving their names, he was referring to Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib (shown here being sworn in), Ayanna Pressley and Alexandria Ocasia-Cortez. And he may have a point. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 15, 2019
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Tiffany Network now has “good hair, nice butt”

Before pondering “Love Island,” we should remember that CBS is semi-sacred ground.
This is the land of Lucy and Letterman, the home of Murrow and Cronkite and “60 Minutes.” It’s the “Tiffany Network,” where Ed Sullivan gave us Broadway and the Beatles and where Norman Lear and MTM transformed comedy. It’s still the home of the Tonys and Grammys and Kennedy Center Honors.
And now it’s where Caro Viehwig, 21, explained that “my hair is my best quality.”
And where Alana Morrison, also 21, announced: “I got a nice butt. I really do.” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 10, 2019