Burn Off: Blog on Vacation Edition
December 20, 2007 4:06 PM
’Tis the season for reporters churning out retrospectives before they leave on vacation. So in this proud tradition of wanton end-of-year recycling, here’s a look back at the first six months of “Rated.”
- Cult TV luminaries: Ron Moore on the battle over “Battlestar Galactica” … A Q&A with Joss Whedon about Fox’s upcoming “Dollhouse” … Carol Barbee on the upcoming second season of CBS’ “Jericho.”
- Why January’s press tour will be sorely missed: The critics grill Fox’s Kevin Reilly … and NBC’s Ben Silverman … and ABC’s Steve McPherson … and “Bionic Woman” producers … the hotel lobby throwdown … and let’s toss in that unconscious “Life Is Wild” lion.
- Writers strike musings: “Heroes” and the strike … WGA vs. AMPTP: giving peace a chance … The blog strikes the strike.
- About town: Dining in Fox’s “Hell’s Kitchen” … An awkward lunch: HRTS presents the network chiefs … A report from Fox’s eco party.
Also:
- Most oft-linked post: “Babylon Fields,” CBS’ buried zombie necrophilia pilot unearthed. Few journalists are so fortunate in their careers as to have a valid excuse to write a zombie sex story, let alone to also have video clips.
- Most reader comments: Sally Field speaks out. Emmy Awards + celebrity Iraq War protest + DrudgeReport = a flash mob of opinions.
- Most pestering comments: Any “Kid Nation” post. I’m sincerely sorry, Caylee, Ashley, Hannah, et al., I cannot get you cast on the next season of “Kid Nation.” Please stop asking.
- Most enthusiastic comments: ABC’s New “Lost” Trailer. A dispiriting reminder that TV industry reportage never excites readers as much as the shows themselves.
- Most coincidental ultimatum: HD DVD: Fight or Quit—which urged Toshiba to make a major headline soon or it’s going to lose the high-def DVD war. A few weeks later, Toshiba pulled Paramount into its camp.
- Worst prediction: That lack of positive buzz for ABC’s “Private Practice” would hurt its ratings (salvaged only slightly by correctly suggesting that “Bionic” would premiere to stronger numbers).
- Harshest post: Court TV changes its name to truTV. Was a bit mean (especially to Dean Koontz).
- Most echoed observation: The similarities between The CW’s “Reaper” and NBC’s “Chuck”
- Least echoed observation: In defense of ABC’s ‘Cavemen’
Reality shows staged a comeback Tuesday night, as NBC’s combination of “Clash of the Choirs” and “The Biggest Loser” finale won the night.
Jimmy Kimmel will join his NBC talk show brethren and return to the air without writers on Jan. 2.
In a ratings report sure to please striking writers, ABC's and NBC's latest unscripted series premieres were overshadowed by repeats Monday night.
Continuing to cross-pollinate its cable and network content, NBC Universal soon will give USA Network hits “Psych” and “Monk” a second airing on NBC.
Aside from Fox’s half-hour of NFL overrun, CBS’ “Survivor: China” finale topped Sunday night in preliminary Nielsen ratings. The veteran reality series closed its 15th season by posting strong returns in the 18 to 49 demographic (5.1 rating) and among total viewers (15.1 million).
CBS won as about much as it could win Thursday night, leading every half-hour among adults 18 to 49 and total viewers. With its all-original lineup up against mostly repeats, CBS won the keystone night by more than two full ratings points.
Hallmark Channel’s “A Grandpa for Christmas” received more Golden Globe nominations than ABC’s “Lost.”