Old-fashioned live commercials are making a comeback on late-night television, with ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel emerging as one of the leading practitioners. At a time when advertisers are concerned that viewers are fast-forwarding through their increasingly expensive 30-second spots, people watching…
Warner Bros.’ Bugs Bunny and Scooby-Doo are among the older cartoon characters and children’s brands that are getting visual updates and redesigns, the New York Times reports. American Greetings Properties gave its Strawberry Shortcake characters a makeover that will be…
HBO bought a small stake in Will Ferrell’s Internet-video venture Funnyordie.com, Daily Variety reports. The venture, which also includes Judd Apatow, will produce 10 half-hour segments of programming for the premium cable channel, the newspaper says. —Danny King
ABC signed Sarah Paulson to play the female lead opposite Bobby Cannavale in the updated pilot version of the 1990s comedy “Cupid,” the Hollywood Reporter says. Additionally, Sharon Lawrence joined the cast of ABC drama pilot “The Prince of Motor…
Animal Planet is getting into horses in a big way. The network is adding three equestrian competitions and a documentary series about jockeys to its lineup as the sport prepares for the Olympics. “With the addition of these thrilling world-class…
The producers of the CW’s “Gossip Girl” are working on a spinoff that might feature co-star Taylor Momsen’s character, the Hollywood Reporter says. It is not clear that the CW would pick up the new show because “Gossip Girl” has…
Increased digital-video recorder penetration in the U.S., which almost doubled to 23% from the 2006-07 season, has helped boost overall viewership of broadcast program, USA Today reports. Ratings for many shows jump when factoring in the DVR audience. DVR viewers…
American Federation of Television & Radio Artists leaders are accusing fellow union the Screen Actors Guild of stalling in its negotiations with the studios in order to block AFTRA’s ratification of a labor contract, Daily Variety reports. SAG has said…
The USA Rock Paper Scissors League tournament will appear on Fox Sports Network later this year, the Hollywood Reporter says. Poker player Phil Gordon will referee the matches, which appeared on ESPN2 last year and A&E the year before.
Legendary TV newsman Mike Wallace may have done his last story for CBS’s “60 Minutes,” says the New York Post, citing an interview his son Fox New Sunday anchor Chris Wallace gave to US News and World Report. The senior…