People of Earth:

In the last few days, I've been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I've been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I've been absurdly lucky. That said, I've been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision.

Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over The Tonight Show in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.

But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.

Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the Tonight Show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn't the Tonight Show. Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the Late Night show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy.

So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn't matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more.

There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work.

Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it's always been that way.

Yours,

Conan

Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

Zachary Levi Talks Chuck Season 3

Zachary Levi, the star of one of our favorite shows Chuck, talks about the new episodes in which we see an upgraded Chuck. Now that he's downloaded lots of new skills into his mind, Chuck can be an expert in everything from martial arts to mariachi. Season three debuts this Sunday night with a two hour episode on NBC. Take a look:



Posted on January 7, 2010
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

Kevin Alejandro Joining Cast of True Blood

True Blood's Layfayette may be getting a new love interest. Southland's Kevin Alejandro, who also starred in the ill-fated series Drive, has landed a gig on the HBO vampire drama. According to The Hollywood Reporter Alejandro will be a series regular.

Alejandro, expected to appear in almost every episode of the HBO series' upcoming third season, will play Jesus, a Latino orderly who is taking care of Ruby Jean Reynolds (Alfre Woodard) at her care facility and becomes involved with her son, Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis).

*****

On "Blood," he joins such other new additions as Denis O'Hare, Marshall Allman, Theo Alexander, Grant Bowler, Joe Manganiello and Lindsay Pulsipher.

Alejandro will stay on Southland, which has moved to TNT. He's going to be a very busy guy, shooting two series at the same time.

Posted on January 4, 2010
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

Golden Globe Nominations Announced

The Golden Globe nominations were announced yesterday. The nominees for Best Picture (Drama) are Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Precious: Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire, and Up In The Air. Meryl Streep was nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for both Julia and Julia and for It's Complicated. Sandra Bullock was nominated for Best Actress in a Drama for Blind Side and for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for The Proposal.

Nine did very well with five nominations, including Best Actress for Marion Cotillard and Best Picture (Musical or Comedy). You can see the full list of nominees here.

Posted on December 16, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

Beyonce and Taylor Swift Lead Grammy Nominations

Beyonce has garnered ten Grammy nominations. Taylor Swith has eight nominations.

Pop/hip-hop unit The Black Eyed Peas, R&B vocalist Maxwell and rapper Kanye West all hauled in six nominations, announced by the Recording Academy on Tuesday night. A handful of nominees were revealed during a special show broadcast live in the east from L.A.'s Club Nokia. Winners in 109 Grammy categories, voted on by members of the Recording Academy, will be announced Jan. 31 at the annual ceremony at L.A.'s Staples Center.

Facing off for album of the year honors are Beyonce's "I Am.Sasha Fierce," Swift's "Fearless," Gaga's "The Fame," the Black Eyed Peas' "E.N.D." and the Dave Matthews Band's "Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King." Competing for record of the year are Beyonce's "Halo," the Peas' "I Gotta Feeling," Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody," Gaga's "Poker Face" and Swift's "You Belong to Me."

Nominees for song of the year -- a writer's award -- are Beyonce's "Single Ladies" (written by Thaddis Harrell, Terius Nash, Beyonce Knowles and Christopher Stewart), Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" (by Lady Gaga and RedOne), Maxwell's "Pretty Wings" (by Musze and Hod David), Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody" (by band members Caleb, Nathan, Jared and Matthew Followill) and Taylor Swift's "You Belong to Me" (by Swift and Liz Rose).

This should be an interesting Grammy Awards in January. Kanye, Beyonce and Taylor Swift will all be there once again. Will Kanye even show? Will he behave himself? We'll have to tune in to see.

Posted on December 2, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

Ugly Betty Moving to Wednesdays

After being marooned on Friday nights in a terrible timeslot this season, Ugly Betty has a glimmer of hope: ABC is moving the show to Wednesday nights, just after Cougar Town. Variety reports:

"Ugly Betty" fills the void left by "Eastwick," which was not picked up for a full season. Scheduling move shifts "Betty" from what had been a lonely Friday night slot, sandwiched between the reality series "Supernanny" and the newsmag "20/20."

Airing in that rough slot, "Ugly Betty" had been a Nielsen also-ran -- most recently, during the holiday weekend, posting just a 0.9 rating/3 share among adults 18-49. With "Ugly Betty" moving off Friday, ABC plans to return to a completely non-scripted lineup on the night, replacing the 9 p.m. hour with the reality series "Shark Tank."

Betty will make the move in January. This season's writing has been outstanding, but unfortunately no one has seen it since ABC dumped the show into the Friday Night Graveyard. Is it too late to save Betty? We certainly hope not.

Posted on December 1, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

GE Pushing Forward With Deal to Sell NBC to Comcast

Variety reports that General Electric is going to buy 20% of NBC Universal. The 20% stake is currently owned by French media company Vivendi SA. After that purchase is completed, GE will then turn around and sell 51% of NBC Universal to Comcast, the U.S.' biggest cable company.

An agreement was supposed to have been announced weeks ago, but GE's talks with Vivendi have been taking longer than expected. Vivendi knew it had a strong hand -- GE wants to sell part of NBC Universal to raise money after suffering losses in its GE Capital unit. Meanwhile, Comcast wants to beef up its programming assets with a marquee name at a price it could handle -- around $5 to $7 billion cash plus contribution of its cable networks to a joint venture that would house the new NBC Universal.

Vivendi also could use the money. Two weeks ago, it invested $4.2 billion to take control of Brazilian telecom operator GVT. However, a Vivendi executive had said the company might decide not to exercise its annual window -- which ends Dec. 10 -- to sell its stake in NBC Universal. Vivendi hoped to get more than $6 billion for its NBC Universal holdings but $6 billion was GE's ceiling, the person said. The Wall Street Journal has reported that GE would pay $5.8 billion for the stake.

Comcast's agreement with GE is set and won't be affected by whatever price GE ends up paying Vivendi. Comcast wants NBC Universal largely for its lucrative cable channels. NBC Universal spans the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks; cable channels such as Bravo and CNBC; the Universal Pictures movie studio and Universal theme parks.

Comcast has said it will make lots of changes at NBC, including charging people to watch shows on Hulu.com. That is going to make a lot of tv viewers very angry.

Posted on November 30, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

USA Renews Psych and Burn Notice

USA Network has renewed two of our favorite shows: Burn Notice, which will have a fourth season, and Psych, which will now have a fifth season. Variety reports:

"Burn Notice," which stars Jeffrey Donovan as a Miami-based spy, was a key driver of USA's strong perf this summer. Cabler ran nine episodes and will air the remaining seven in January. USA's fourth-season order for Fox Television Studios series comes on the heels of Monday's fifth-season pickup for "Psych."

The split seasons are really weird, but we're going with it. By far the worst split season idea has to be what ABC is doing with V. After four episodes, the show is on hiatus until March.

Posted on November 27, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

Video: Conan Apologizes to Levi Johnston, Shatner Rides Again

Conan O'Brien was forced to apologize to Levi Johnston for having William Shatner read Levi's tweets as freeform poetry. Levi didn't post those items on Twitter, an imposter did. So Conan made his mea culpas to Levi, then promptly brought out William Shatner again to read some of Levi's writings. Only this time, Shatner used only verified quotes that Levi made to the media in various interviews. It's still hilarious. Take a look:



Posted on November 6, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

Vampire Diaries Gets Full Season



The CW's freshman drama The Vampire Diaries has earned a full season pickup.

While "Melrose" has been a letdown, "Vampire" has turned into a bona fide hit for the netlet. Both shows, which launched before the season started, also manage to do quite well with DVR playback.

Six episodes have already aired of both. "Vampire" to date averages a 1.8 rating and 5 share with adults 18-49, and 3.9 million viewers overall. Among women 12-34, the show usually wins or is a contender for the timeslot win, averaging a 2.8/10.

Vampire Diaries, which is based on the bestselling book series of the same name by L.J. Smith, stars Nina Dobrev, Steven R. McQueen, Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley, Sara Canning, Katerina Graham, Candice Accola, Zach Roerig, Kayla Ewell and Michael Trevino.

Posted on October 21, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

Joss Whedon to Direct Episode of Glee

Joss Whedon will be directing an upcoming episode of Glee. We just couldn't be more excited. We loved the Buffy musical episode, "Once More With Feeling" and "Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog." So how did this happen? Michael Ausiello explains:

Turns out, the genius who gave us not only the "Once More, With Feeling" musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer but also Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog is a big fan of Ryan Murphy’s new phenom. So when Twentieth (the studio behind Glee) approached him about the gig, pretty much his only reservation was scheduling.

"Joss directed one of the great musical episodes in the history of television on Buffy," gushes Murphy, "so this is a great, if unexpected, fit. I'm thrilled he’ll be loaning us his fantastic groundbreaking talent."

We just cannot wait for this. Now, let's talk guest stars. We're thinking Sarah Michelle Gellar needs to get a babysitter and get to the Glee set. Or James Marsters -- he has his own rock band. Or Neil Patrick Harris? Better yet, how about all three of them?

Posted on October 19, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

Putting a Stop to Loud TV Commercials

Super loud commercials may soon be a thing of the past. So why are they so loud? So that you will still hear them if you leave the room. How will they be stopped? Two ways, The FCC already mandates that commercials can't be louder than the loudest part of the program they interrupt. If you're watching an action movie, that's no help at all.

But this approach has serious limitations. An action show that climaxes in a burst of gunfire is one thing; a commercial that's as loud as a gun going off from start to finish is another -- especially if the lead-in to the commercial is relatively quiet. And in addition to making their commercials as loud as the FCC lets them, marketers also use various technological tricks to make them sound even louder than they are, like packing more sound energy into midrange frequencies, the ones that the human ear is most sensitive to.

To close this loophole, Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) introduced a bill in the House of Representatives last year, the Commercial Advertising Loudness Mitigation Act. CALM would charge the FCC to enact regulations prohibiting commercials from being "excessively noisy or strident." The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing to consider amendments on the bill Thursday.

And a parallel effort within the TV and consumer-electronics industries may also bear fruit soon. The Advanced Television Systems Committee, a nonprofit whose membership includes broadcast networks, cable operators, and electronics manufacturers, has been working to develop voluntary standards that will let broadcasters measure and effectively modulate the volume of commercials.

We say: we don't care how you stop them, just stop them. We hate loud commercials and always mute them. We wouldn't mute them if they weren't so loud and annoying, so really it's in the advertisers' best interested to tone it down.

Posted on October 16, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

Fox Reality Channel to be Shuttered

News Corp has decided to shut down the Fox Reality Channel. The channel will go dark in March, 2010. There is no word yet what will replace the channel, but News Corp denied that it was being replaced by a comedy channel. Variety reports:

News Corp. is mum on what will replace the channel, now available in almost 50 million households, after that. According to the Wrap, which first wrote about the shutdown, a complete channel rebranding is in the works and may include a new partner outside of the Fox Cable Networks group.

*****

Fox Cable Networks released a brief statement on the shutdown: "With the changing cable landscape we've made a strategic decision to shift some resources and refocus on emerging channels. However, Fox Reality Channel will remain on our lineup for at least the next several months."

Fox Reality Channel aired such original shows as American Idol Extra, Gimmie My Reality Show! and Reality Remix, along with repeats of popular reality shows.

Posted on October 14, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

FlashForward Gets Picked Up



The ABC drama FlashForward has received a back nine pickup, which is great news. The order has been extended from 22 to 25 episodes.

Move is not unexpected as drama from ABC Studios has been a solid ratings earner at 8 p.m. Thursday, challenging CBS reality stalwart "Survivor" in the timeslot. "FlashForward" is one of the top new dramas of the season in adults 18-34.

Over the show's three weeks' live plus same-day average, skein is drawing 10.7 million viewers, with a 3.6 rating/11 share in the 18-49 demo. New DVR numbers reveal the Joseph Fiennes starrer picked up 2 million viewers for a total of 14.5 million in its Sept. 24 premiere. Rating increased from a 4.1 to 4.9. Numbers have settled down since the launch, but that is to be expected in a serialized show such as "FlashForward."

Joseph Fiennes and John Cho are both doing fabulous jobs with their characters on the show, and we can't wait until Dominic Monaghan (Charlie from Lost) joins the cast.

Posted on October 12, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

NBC's Chuck May Make Early Return



Michael Ausiello reports that Chuck may make an early return to NBC. The hit show may return as early as late October.

“How much sooner” you ask?

As early as late October, my moles tell me. And while it remains unclear whether the little show that could (and has and shall again) would return to its Monday timeslot or find itself a new perch, NBC insiders who’ve seen the first four episodes are calling this season the best yet.

Michael Ausiello says an early return makes it more likely that Chuck will get additional episodes beyond the 13 NBC initially commissioned. We love Chuck so the show returning early with a good chance of more episodes sounds good to us. We just hope they don't put it up against one of our other favorite shows as the networks so often like to do.

Posted on October 10, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

Cougar Town Gets Early Pick Up, Southland Gets Surprise Cancellation

ABC has given an early pickup to Courtney Cox's Cougar Town, Modern Family and The Middle. The series all got picked up for nine more episodes.

Courteney Cox's "Cougar Town," which like "Modern Family" has aired three times, came out strong too. More than 11.2 million viewers tuned in to the Sept. 23 premiere, which earned a 4.4 rating/11 share in 18-49. Through three airings, ABC Studios' "Cougar" is averaging a 3.8/10 in the demo and solid 9.5 million viewers overall.

ABC is showing faith in Warner Bros.' "The Middle." Sitcom, which garnered mostly favorable reviews, is averaging a 2.4/7 in 18-49 and 7.8 million viewers overall in the 8:30 p.m. slot, building in its two airings by half a ratings point over "Hank," the new Kelsey Grammer starrer.

In other tv news, Ben McKenzie's supposedly renewed cop show Southland just got axed by NBC. The cast and crew has already filmed six episodes of the second season, so the news is coming a quite a shock.

Rumors say that NBC execs were shocked at how dark the six episodes are, but we're not buying it. Southland executive producer John Wells issued a statement saying: "I am disappointed that NBC no longer has the time periods available to support the kind of critically acclaimed series that was for so many years the hallmark of their success." He said he is going to shop the show to another network. It's a good show and hopefully another network will pick it up.

Posted on October 8, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

24 Director John Cassar to Direct Feature Film

John Cassar, co-executive producer and director for 24, is inking a deal for his first feature film. The film is called Motorcade and is being produced by DreamWorks. Ryan Reynolds is rumored to star in the secret service thriller.

The studio hopes to get the picture into production by late summer or early fall 2010, and DreamWorks is eyeing Ryan Reynolds to play the disgraced Secret Service agent who happens to be in the wrong place at the right time when the U.S. president is kidnapped in New York.

*****

The drama has been a priority for DreamWorks and was one of the projects Tom Cruise seriously considered when "Live Free or Die Hard" helmer Len Wiseman was attached. Reynolds, who will next star in the Martin Campbell-directed "Green Lantern" for Warner Bros. next spring, has not signed on at this point.

The script is being revised by Billy Ray. Ryan Reynolds' career is super hot right now; we think an action thriller would be perfect for him. Although we loved him in The Proposal. He is so great at comedy.

Posted on October 6, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

Bones Set Shut Down Due to Swine Flu

Michael Ausiello reports that the swine flu has shut down the production of the tv show Bones starring David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel.

Bones has abruptly shut down production due to a possible outbreak of swine flu, the show"s creator, Hart Hanson, announced via Twitter. "First time in Bones history we are shut down from production," Hanson tweeted. "Damn swine flu! That's gonna cut into Christmas hiatus."

A show spokesperson confirms that among those sidelined is leading man David Boreanaz, although it's unclear if he actually has the H1N1 bug. "David is out with the flu and the show shut down today since he was in every scene," says the rep. "We hope to resume production tomorrow."

Hanson later clarified via Twitter that "there is no indication that Boreanaz has swine flu. We expect him back tomorrow. I'm now going out to get swine flu myself in atonement."

We wish everyone good health on the set -- whatever is going on there.

Posted on October 5, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

Vampires Diaries is a Hit for the CW



The CW has a hit on its hands. Last night's debut of The Vampire Diaries was the highest rated debut in the channel's history. Based on a series of books by author L. J. Smith (the first title was published in 1991, long before Twilight) the show revolves around a high school girl who is being courted by two ancient and very different vampire brothers.

"The Vampire Diaries" -- the CW's last best hope for a new fall show to deliver a breakout number -- delivered. "Diaries" (4.8 million viewers, 2.1 preliminary adults 18-49 rating, 3.0 women 18-34) is the CW's most-watched series premiere ever.

In the adult demo, it's the CW's best series debut rating since last fall's "90210." Since "90210" scored a very close 4.7 million viewers, the "most-watched ever" claim could change when the nationals come in later today. As posted last night, "Vampire Diaries" scored high on broadcasters' latest internal tracking "intent to view" polling among the new fall shows.

We watched the premiere and were pleasantly surprised. The "evil" brother is played by Ian Somerhalder from Lost and easily steals every scene he's in. We'll tune in for episode two, for sure.

Posted on September 11, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

Maura Tierney Withdraws From Parenthood Role for Cancer Treatment

Maura Tierney has had to pull out permanently from the much buzzed new series dramedy, Parenthood. Maura is battling breast cancer and is not able to return to the series, as was the original plan.

NBC had already pushed back the series from a planned fall debut to midseason to give the star time to undergo treatments. On Thursday, the Peacock said that while Tierney is expected to recover, her treatment plan was conflicting with the production sked for the Universal Media Studios dramedy.

"While we are saddened that Maura Tierney won't be able to continue in her current role in 'Parenthood,' our main concern is for her quick and full recovery. Our thoughts and best wishes are with her," the Peacock said in a statement.

NBC plans to recast Tierney's role, which was the cornerstone of the ensemble show revolving around a large family in Northern California.

What terrible news for her: she had originally planned to continue filming, but clearly the treatment regimen is more strenuous than was originally thought. We wish Maura a full and speedy recovery.

Posted on September 10, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

Janet Jackson to Open VMAs With Tribute to Michael

TMZ reports that Janet Jackson is working hard on a special tribute to her brother Michael to be performed at the MTV Video Music Awards this Sunday.

Ms. Jackson is set to put on a huge MJ-honoring performance featuring 20 backup dancers -- which is being put together by some of the best choreographers in the world, including Frank Gatson and Travis Payne.

According to Kryiss Grant, one of the dancers involved (who was also an usher at MJ's burial), some rehearsals have lasted 15 hours a day. Once Janet is finished honoring her brother, Grant tells us "there won't be a dry eye in the house."

The Video Music Awards will be held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City and Janet is expected to open the show with her tribute.

Posted on September 8, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

TNT Wants More Leverage



Variety reports that TNT is renewing Leverage for a third season, which will have 15 episodes. The series has gained viewers in its second season.

The drama from Dean Devlin's Electric Entertainment averaged 3.9 million viewers in its first season and 4.1 million in season two (both figures include live-plus-seven DVR usage).

Cabler has ordered 15 episodes for the upcoming season, up from the 13 ordered for seasons one and two.

Leverage is a great series that manages to deliver both humor and thrills. It also has great cast led by the brilliant Timothy Hutton. TNT offers full episodes online.

Posted on August 27, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

Paula Abdul to Host VH1's Divas



Paula Abdul tweeted that she will be hosting this year's VH1 Divas on September 17th.

Hi guys! im really excited 2 announce ill b hosting this year's "Vh1 Divas"! The show will be live on Sept 17th @ 9 pm EST

This year's VH1 Divas show will honor Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks, Leona Lewis and Miley Cyrus -- I am so excited!!

It sounds like a great lineup.

Posted on August 25, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |

Project Runway Premiere Breaks Records at Lifetime

The premiere of season six of Project Runway premiered on Lifetime last Thursday and it was a ratings hit. The show was the highest-rated series premiere in the history of the Lifetime channel. Variety reports:

Runway drew 4.2 million viewers -- the largest crowd for any reality competition series preem on cable this year -- and a 3.2 rating among women 18-49, the demo the network covets. That number was 32% higher than the show's fifth-season premiere on Bravo.

The rating for the couture competish was also the highest for a series premiere in Lifetime's history in women and adults 18-34. "I've never heard more excitement and laughter in the halls here at Lifetime," network topper Andrea Wong told Daily Variety in reaction to the debut. "We'll keep the pedal to the metal in terms of promotion."

We watched the premiere and it was fabulous. We think Lifetime is doing a much better job of promoting the show than Bravo ever did. The graphics are better and you can actually watch episodes online at Lifetime's website: Bravo never has anything for viewing later on. If you miss it, you miss it.

Posted on August 24, 2009
Permalink | Subscribe | | | Comments (View) |