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Four Reasons

(01/21/10 1:04am)

____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Last week during the Television Critics Association press tour, NBC dominated the headlines for its questionable (read: ridiculous) tactics relating to its late night lineup. But lost amid the anti-NBC rhetoric was FOX’s announcement that Simon Cowell will leave “American Idol” after this season and bring his UK competition program “The X Factor” to the network this fall. Although NBC is getting filleted for its decision-making, here are four reasons why FOX won’t look so smart either come this time next year.1. Losing Simon is a bigger loss than FOX and “Idol” realize. Yes, the “American Idol” brand is one of the most powerful in entertainment, raking in cash from the nearly milked-to-death series, the tours, the iTunes compilations, etc. But I would wager a hefty sum of money that people still watch for Simon. Despite the hoopla surrounding his meanness, everyone with a brain knows that Simon is the only judge who provides honest, constructive criticism. Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi are time-wasters, and though she’s inherently lovable, Ellen Degeneres isn’t going to give contestants what they need. Without Simon, the panel of judges loses the last shred of credibility it’s clinging to, and even in his bored state from the past few seasons, Simon is still the best. Singing competitions come and go; Simon is one of a kind.2. Airing both “X-Factor” and “Idol” risks audience burn-out. So far, FOX has been shockingly smart in its ability to avoid airing seasons of “Idol” in both the fall and spring. The two-to-three times a week of “Idol” from January to May is overkill enough, and with the tour following all summer, it’s safe to say fans are happy to have that break in the fall. By putting “X-Factor” (a program that is similar, only the judges “coach” different contestants) on in the fall, people will be bored with singing competitions by the time “Idol” arrives in January. If you’re FOX, why take the risk of diluting your biggest program, especially when you’ve smartly strayed away from doing so for nearly a decade?   3. “X-Factor” won’t be as big a hit as “Idol.” “American Idol” is still the biggest program on television, but it was developed and gained its popularity in a different time and has been able to maintain popularity both because of its set-up and its brand name. These days, it’s much tougher to develop a hit program when there are a number of others that accomplish the same things, and fans are brand-loyal to the “first.” Thus, the financial investment being made in “X-Factor” — which is substantial because Simon wouldn’t walk away from his monster “Idol” payday unless he was getting more here — might not be worth it.4. Putting Simon in indirect competition with his former program is bad for “Idol.” I’ve already discussed Simon’s importance to the judges, but based on his hard edge, it seems like he’ll do all he can to make his new program better than his previous one. This is especially true because he’s the creator and executive producer of “X-Factor,” meaning he has even more incentive to make it a billion-dollar brand. What happens when Simon’s winners are better performers than those on “Idol?” In the UK, once Simon introduced “X-Factor,” they canceled “Idol” to avoid all these issues. Sadly, no one in America is that smart.

https://www.idsnews.com/article/2010/01/four-reasons-5b9c3f8c1c4a4

How low can NBC go?

(01/19/10 9:39pm)

____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>NBC's under attack from everyone right now, but that won't keep us from piling on. In the latest episode of the WEEKEND Watchers Official Podcast, host Cory Barker and Austin Morris discuss the fiasco that is NBC's late night situation and the ramifications it will have for everyone involved. Plus: "Chuck" season three chatter!Check out the newest ep of the pod on our Multimedia page.

https://www.idsnews.com/article/2010/01/how-low-can-nbc-go

Predictions: Television

(01/13/10 11:42pm)

____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Trying to determine what will happen in the television industry is hindered by the fact that at least one network does something outrageously stupid every six months. Common sense might say one thing, but try telling that to NBC. Either way, here’s what to expect in 2010. Conan O’Brien will leave NBC; the man can only be disrespected for so long. With NBC planning to move Jay Leno back to 11:35 p.m. and telling Conan he can either have “The Tonight Show” from midnight to 1 a.m. or leave, the writing seems to be on the wall. He deserves better. 3-D TV will dominate headlines, but it won’t impress. By this summer we’ll be bombarded with stories about 3-D coming to television and how it’s going “change everything.” It won’t, just like 3-D hasn’t revolutionized the movie-going experience. It might be cool, but it’s not innovative. The “Lost” finale will blow up the Internet. No television event is as anticipated in 2010, and the “Lost” series finale in May and fan reaction will range from “religious experience” to “they were still making it up as they went along.” In fact, expect the final scenes to be even more controversial than the fade to black move from “The Sopranos” a few years back.“Fringe,” “Community” and “Castle” will be canceled. These three fan favorites are all great series in their own right, but the numbers just don’t add up. “Fringe” and “Community” don’t help themselves by being produced by a studio that’s not related to their specific network and ABC doesn’t seem to care either way about “Castle.”Hulu and other online viewing portals will change new episode availability. Discussions surrounding Hulu have been all about a pay model, but that won’t happen just yet. Instead, look for a tiered availability system where the network gets first rights to stream the episode right after it airs and then it makes its way to Hulu two to three weeks after first airing. These predictions are great, but surely NBC or FOX will do something so dumb that we can’t even imagine. That’s the beauty of the industry.

https://www.idsnews.com/article/2010/01/predictions-television

Four Reasons

(01/13/10 5:15pm)

____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>After a year-long run, it is time to retire the TV Surveillance column and moniker, as I am certain that I have suggested what television programs to watch in every single creative way possible. Like all the greats, I know how to go out on top.But just because Surveillance is gone doesn’t mean I am. I’ll still be talking television, but instead in a format that will give you four points on why I believe something. Featured this week: NBC’s decision to move Jay Leno back to 11:35 p.m. and why it’s an overwhelming train wreck of an idea. Reason 1: It’s yet another slap in the face to Conan O’Brien. NBC has mishandled Conan’s move to “The Tonight Show” from the beginning. First, they signed him up without really considering Leno’s feelings and then to pacify the great-chinned one, cleared out the 10 p.m. slot. That meant Conan had to not only compete with Leno for guests (since they are both located in L.A.), but also promotional time. Conan’s new show debuted in June to solid promotion, but quickly NBC turned its promotional might behind the unfunny Leno. Now, reports claim that NBC told Conan to either accept his new post at 12:05 a.m. or get lost, and even if NBC PR say there is no tension, there has to be. Conan’s always been an underdog, but he doesn’t deserve this – no matter how much he’s getting paid.Reason 2: The 10 p.m. hour is now on an island. With the “The Jay Leno Show” filling five hours of primetime weekly, NBC was light on pilot development for the 2009-10 season. The network even canceled critically acclaimed “Southland” because it was “too dark” for 9 p.m. After the Winter Olympics NBC will be looking to fill those five hours and doesn’t have many options to choose from. “Heroes” will be over for the season very soon, “Trauma” has already been canceled and aside from “The Marriage Ref” and “Parenthood,” there isn’t much ready for spring. What does that mean? More “The Biggest Loser,” “Dateline” specials with Chris Hansen running creepy sting operations and re-runs. And NBC is still waffling on airing “Friday Night Lights” despite these problems? Yikes.Reason 3: It’s a financial and affiliate disaster. The Los Angeles Times reported over the weekend that the cost of the whole shuffle is near $200 million when considering the loss of revenue local affiliate news casts saw. Even NBC staple series like “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” took a major financial hit because its ratings dropped so mightily from being switched to 9 p.m.And the financial cost isn’t the whole problem. Local affiliates have been steaming over the Leno-at-10 p.m. from the beginning, and some even threatened not to air “The Jay Leno Show” earlier in the fall. Now NBC is asking local affiliates to accept this new late night strategy and deal with reruns or reality programming at 10 p.m. that could actually obtain lower ratings than Leno’s terrible hour. Reason 4: NBC is still failing to admit its failures. NBC’s self-inflicted problems have been discussed ad nauseum over the past few years, but this situation reveals one of their major problems – they fail to acknowledge any wrongdoing. After this announcement, NBC brass have thrown around platitudes like “right idea, wrong time” and “people just had more choice at 10 p.m.” C’mon. It was an utter failure on basically every level and until NBC starts being more honest with their statements, critics won’t give them any benefit of the doubt when they screw up big again – and we all know they will.

https://www.idsnews.com/article/2010/01/four-reasons

Chuckin’ awesome

(01/12/10 11:38pm)

____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Amid the hopeless and terrible procedurals and serialized programs that take themselves too seriously, one program stands alone for being pure fun – “Chuck.” Season two sees Chuck (Zachary Levi) begin to embrace his role as the Intersect, but that all blows up when he discovers that there might be a way to get the secret-keeping computer out of his head. A perfect combination of comedy, drama, action and pop culture references, season two of “Chuck” features 22 fantastic episodes that never drag or bore. Executive producers Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak and their team expand the spy world and the mythology of the series even further without sacrificing the character beats along the way. Though there is a clear separation between the goofiness of Chuck’s cover job at the Best Buy-riffing Buy More and the seriousness of his spy assignments, characters from both worlds are intermixed at will – and it always works. From energetic performances to sharp writing to great action sequences, “Chuck” really has it all. If there’s one ratings-starved series that deserves to survive for years, it’s this one, so watch it already.

https://www.idsnews.com/article/2010/01/chuckin-awesome

2010 burning questions

(01/06/10 10:32pm)

____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>With 2010 upon us, it’s time to look forward to what’s to come. Thus, I’m going to spend the next 10 days or so discussing important questions I have for some of my faves. The questions will cover anything from plot points to industry chatter. Whatever topic, these are the questions everyone will be asking.Check out the "Burning Questions" post on the WEEKEND Watchers blog.

https://www.idsnews.com/article/2010/01/2010-burning-questions

TV in 2009

(12/23/09 2:04am)

____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>2009 was a pretty fun year for television viewers. From epic highs (Lost season five) to sad lows (Heroes season four) to programs that are a confusing mix of the two (Jersey Shore), things have at least been interesting all year. To celebrate, I’ll be spending the next week and change looking back at those highs and lows with various categories and fake awards that cover as many programs as I can. One final note: I don’t watch everything, so if your favorite or a program that we all know as “great” isn’t noted, it’s because I haven’t caught up yet.Please check out the just-beginning look back at 2009 in television on the WEEKEND Watchers blog.

https://www.idsnews.com/article/2009/12/tv-in-2009

Last-minute shopping ideas

(12/23/09 1:53am)

____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>There are barely two shopping days left before Christmas. Here are some last-second gift ideas for the pop culture lover in your family. Thankfully, most pop culture fiends are easy to buy for, but just in case you're having trouble, the following should be solid gifts that anyone would be ecstatic to open.TV-on-DVD: Nothing tells someone you care as much as giving them a box set of their favorite television program. Picking up a season of your receiver's favorite is quick, easy and lets them know that you actually know something about them. If it's for an older family member, watch them be still-surprised that this sort of thing exists and if it's for a prospective love interest, make sure to tell them that you'd be happy to watch a disc or two with them next weekend. TV-on-DVD might be a little pricey, but just about any major retail outlet is having a sale that should knock the price down. Chuck Klosterman books: Klosterman is the wannbe pop culture writer's hero, so why not give them a chance to revel in his words some more? The true pop culture consumer probably has all of Klosterman's older books, but his first novel, Downtown Owl or 2009's book of essays, Eating the Dinosaur. Other books: Just in case the person you're buying for has all of Klosterman's books, there are a number of other alternatives to chose from: Bill Simmons' Book of Basketball, The A.V. Club's Inventory, anything from Malcolm Gladwell, Douglas Copeland's Generation A or Nathan Rabin's The Big Rewind: A Memoir Brought To You By Pop Culture. If your receiver has read all of these too, then maybe get them a gift card to an outdoor adventure place because they might not have a life.iTunes gift card: Yeah, gift cards are kind of lame and prove that you didn't put much effort into the purchase, but iTunes gift cards are a little different. Sure, you could buy someone a whole album that they enjoy one song off of, or you can just let them pick and choose from a number of different songs that they might enjoy. Of all gift cards, this is the one that says "I actually care" the most. Netflix subscription: This is another pricey one, but perhaps you could sign up for your receiver and then pay for the first six months or something like that. Either way, if you really love someone who happens to really love movies, this is the best way to help support their passion. Or enable. Depends on how you look at it.There you have it. If you're having trouble picking out a gift, take note of the above ideas, because any culture vulture on your list will love 'em all. Consider this WEEKEND's Holiday gift to you.

https://www.idsnews.com/article/2009/12/last-minute-shopping-ideas

Too smiley

(12/13/09 7:03pm)

____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>We The Kings are part of the latest swell of power pop bands (Boys Like Girls, The Maine) that have made it kind-of big recently, but they’re certainly the worst of the lot. Every single one of their songs sounds and leaves you feeling exactly the same.     And that all continues on their second album, the horribly-titled “Smile Kid.” Nearly every track on “Kid” blends into the next thanks to the generic soaring hooks and pretty bland lyrics. While a few of the efforts might be pretty charming when listening to them individually (single “Heaven Can Wait” and “Summer Love”), after 12 of them in a row, it’s not that effective. Throw in some really cheesy lyrics from vocalist Travis Clark (“Heaven can wait up high / In the sky / It's you and I / Heaven can wait deep down in your eyes”) and a guest appearance from Disney’s Demi Lovato and “Smile Kid” leaves a bad, too-sugary taste in your mouth.

https://www.idsnews.com/article/2009/12/too-smiley

This is lame

(12/13/09 6:48pm)

____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>30 Seconds to Mars, actor Jared Leto’s band, haven’t released an album in four years, and during that time they were seemingly being “reborn” both spiritually and musically – as a mediocre band.     2005’s “A Beautiful Lie” was far from revolutionary, but it had its post-grunge, sweeping arena rock charm. The band’s newest effort, “This Is War” is bloated, pretentious and laughable at certain points because Jared Leto is taking himself and his lyrics way, way too seriously.     Nine of the 12 tracks on “This is War” clock in at over five minutes, and nearly all of them feature misplaced gang vocals, choirs, self-congratulating cheers or a number of other unnecessary sounds that don’t add anything to the song except that show listeners we should take this album really seriously because it has a message.     The lyrics are just the same, with Leto screeching about a fictitious brave new world on the title track, asking if killing to save a life is okay on “Hurricane” and worrying about running from angels on “Stranger In A Strange Land.”    “War” is way too impressed with itself and its deeper meaning that doesn’t really exist. Leto and his bandmates fail to recognize the that adding a bunch of nonsense to songs doesn’t make them sound more “epic,” especially when the lyrics are pitiful.

https://www.idsnews.com/article/2009/12/this-is-lame

Depp powers 'Enemies'

(12/13/09 6:27pm)

____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Producing period piece films are always tricky. Producing period piece films with good, realistic action sequences is even trickier. But with his examination of infamous Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger, director/writer Michael Mann has gotten nearly everything right. Sure, some specific details might not be absolutely correct and liberties might have been taken, but thanks to the beautiful way the film is shot and powerhouse performances from all three of its leads, “Public Enemies” is slow-burning, tension-filled two-plus hours.“Enemies” tracks Dillinger (Johnny Depp) and his crew as they move through the country, robbing banks and just living in the present while the FBI has assigned agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) to take them down. What transpires is an intelligent game of cat-and-mouse that isn’t unlike Mann’s “Heat” in the sense that both men plan and scheme in hopes of meeting their ultimate goals. Depp is, as usual, fantastic in this film. His portrayal of Dillinger is the correct combination of romance, charisma and evil and makes “Enemies” a much better film whenever Dillinger is on the screen.And of course, since this is a Michael Mann movie, the technical aspects cannot go unnoticed. Mann shoots the whole affair on digital, which gives it very cool documentary-like style that really works for the cold-blooded affair that’s happening on the screen.The most glaring problem with the film is the lack of character development on either side of the coin, but as Dillinger says early in the film to Cotillard’s character: “I like baseball, movies, good clothes, fast cars, whiskey, and you” and really that is all we need to know to enjoy this film.

https://www.idsnews.com/article/2009/12/depp-powers-enemies
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