TV News & Program Updates

* Only Paris Hilton could find a way to appear on E! while serving time behind bars — and then complain about her media exposure. Last night, L.A. County Jail inmate #9818783 spoke via phone to Ryan Seacrest, who himself should be arrested for talent fraud, in the first installment of a two-part interview. Part 2 airs tonight at 7pm and 11pm ET/PT. “I’m so much more grateful for everything that I have,” said the wayward heiress, “even just to have a pillow at night or food. … My gratitude has gone up so much, and I just realize that […]

Now, I have come to realize and accept that fact that I will never get the amount or type of women that, say, a shirtless Matthew McConaughey will. And that’s fine. But why, then, are some of these rich, good-looking guys intruding into the realm of those of us who need to actually work for a date by seeking help from reality TV to find hook-ups? In what seems to be the latest trend in such programs, men who possess the elements other guys would desire, like looks, fame and money, exhibit the most extreme laziness by having the networks […]

* Now, I’ve long agreed with the sentiment found in this blog’s headline, but I was unaware that a popular telenovela was also on board with it! The hit Colombian soap from which this provocative translation comes — Sin Tetas No Hay Paraiso — is now becoming part of a landmark, multi-platform creative initiative for NBC Universal. An English-language version will be produced for NBC, along with a Spanish edition using a different cast, script and production team, for Telemundo. The story is based on a bestselling, true-life story of a young woman seduced by a world of easy money, […]

* CBS announced yesterday that its post-apocalyptic drama Jericho will be returning in July. The series received a seven-episode midseason order after impassioned fans rallied around the show (good job, all of you!). July 6 will see a rerun of the series pilot, and on July 13 CBS will present back-to-back broadcasts beginning with “Return to Jericho,” which recapped the first 11 episodes, followed by episode 12, “The Day Before,” which launched Jericho’s spring return. The remaining broadcasts are episodes 13-22, in which tensions continue to escalate between Jericho and the neighboring town of New Bern. The citizens of Jericho […]

The 1982 movie Poltergeist seems to have been ahead of the times in predicting “ghosts in the machine” (i.e., the television viewing machine), since that appears to be the trend these days. Back in the pre-cable, antenna era, I suppose it was possible in a way to see “ghosts” of the staticky, disrupted signal sort on your screen, but nothing truly scary (unless you were trying to focus in on Charlie’s Angels and couldn’t quite make it out). Today, while ghosts are not literally reaching their hands out to pull us into the TV screen like poor Carol Anne, those […]

Hey, gang, it’s bathing suit season, and according to E! network, swimsuits have been turning people’s heads “since the dawn of time.” While I doubt that one of Homo sapiens‘ first achievements was the creation of the thong bikini, there is no doubt that swimwear has been a prominent (and sexy) part of pop culture starting in the 20th century. So E! has taken on the rough task of choosing the 25 most memorable swimsuit moments from film, television and magazine history. While the list is primarily populated by women, there is a little something for the ladies with a […]

Hey, gang, with the 30th anniversary of Star Wars upon us, several networks are getting into the act of exploring its cultural significance, but all next week, CNBC is taking a new approach: It’s discussing the profound business impact the film has had on the way that big budget films are produced and marketed. CNBC’s media reporter Julia Boorstin, senior correspondent Scott Cohn, Silicon Valley bureau chief Jim Goldman and business news reporter Jane Wells dissect the Star Wars financial phenomenon in a series of special reports that air throughout CNBC Business Day’s programming, beginning each morning on Squawk Box […]

Hey, gang, the next few weeks see the traditional season finales of your favorite shows. Check ’em out: May 16 America’s Next Top Model (The CW, 8pm ET/PT) Details TBA Bones (FOX, 8pm ET/PT) “Stargazer in a Puddle” While Brennan investigates a case that strikes an especially emotional chord with her, her father (guest star Ryan O’Neal) tries to reconnect with her. Hodgins and Angela walk down the aisle with Brennan and Booth as maid of honor and best man, but all does not go as planned. According to Jim (ABC, 8:30pm ET/PT) “Jim’s Birthday” Jim is turning 50 and […]