Chuck Ross

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Chuck Ross is the managing director of TVWeek.com. He's been involved in the TV business ever since he sold cable TV subscriptions in Santa Monica, Calif., door-to-door in the mid-to-late 1970s. He's had regular gigs reporting and/or editing about TV and advertising for Cablevision magazine,The Hollywood Reporter, the San Francisco Chronicle, Inside Media and Advertising Age. He first joined the predecessor to TVWeek, Electronic Media, in 2000.

Will U.S. Version of ‘The X Factor’ Include Fake Singing Like U.K. Version?

After it was revealed that the British version of "The X Factor" uses auto-tuning — an audio processor that disguises off-pitch singing — Nikki Finke at Deadline.com asks whether the U.S. version of the show will employ similar tactics. Fans…

It Was a Pleasure to Know You, Dave McElhatton

He was the Fred Astaire of broadcasting. He was the Bing Crosby of news anchors. He was the Perry Como of local news. All of these reference points are of bygone years and now, alas, our Mac has passed away….

Comcast’s G4 Orders Real-Life TV Version of Oscar-Winning Film ‘The Hurt Locker’

Comcast’s G4 has ordered 10 one-hour episodes of a reality show that’s a real-life version of the Oscar-winning movie "The Hurt Locker," reports James Hibberd at the Hollywood Reporter. The show tracks a U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit…

Despite Allowing Same-Sex Couples, None Advance in Wedding Contest on ‘Today’

Even though NBC’s "Today" decided to allow same-sex couples to apply for its "Modern Love" wedding contest, none have made the cut among the show’s four finalists, TVNewser.com reports. As previously reported, "Today" decided in July to allow same-sex couples…

It’s ‘Howdy Doody’ Time No Longer–Show’s Primary Writer–He Also Wrote the Theme Song–Dies at 85

Edward Kean, the primary writer of the 1940s and 1950s children’s program the "Howdy Doody Show," has died at the age of 85, the Associated Press reports. Kean is credited with creating the word "kowabunga" and also wrote the theme…

Lionsgate TV Adds to Broadcast Projects with Project From Steve Buscemi and Stanley Tucci

Lionsgate TV is adding to its broadcast work with a project from Steve Buscemi and Stanley Tucci’s Lionsgate TV-based Olive Prods., reports Deadline.com. The project is attached to NBC, and is a script order, the article says. The show is a character-based polioce drama and the…

DirecTV Files With FCC a Bunch of Concerns About a Comcast Takeover of NBCU

DirecTV is now on-the-record opposing Comcast’s takeover of NBC Universal, Wayne Friedman over at MediaDailyNews reports. According to the article, in comments filed with the Federal Communications Commission, DirecTV says, " ‘the transaction would permit Comcast to raise prices for…

Fantasia: Overdose Was No Accident, It Was Suicide Attempt

Fantasia Barrino, who was hospitalized last week after overdosing on pills, admits on VH1’s new "Behind the Music" episode–set to air Tuesday, Aug. 24, at 9 p.m. ET–that she wanted to die and knew what she was doing, according to…

Here’s the Backstage Gossip at High-Profile HBO Show About….Backstage Gossip

The production of the pilot for a high-profile HBO show about backsage gossip now has its own high-profile backstage gossip, reports Entertainment Weekly. The show is HBO’s "Tilda," starring Diane Keaton and Ellen Page, which either is or isn’t somewhat based on…

‘Cougar Town’ Premiere to Reunite ‘Friends’ Stars

A former star of the NBC sitcom “Friends” will return to prime-time TV for a guest appearance on the season premiere of Courteney Cox’s ABC sitcom "Cougar Town,” reports Deadline.com. The episode, set to air Wednesday, Sept. 22, will feature…