Why ‘Idol’ Is in Trouble
Now that "American Idol" is down to its final 24 contestants it seems more clear than ever that the show could be headed into big trouble after this season. Sarah Silverman recently said, as a viewer and fan of "Idol," what…
Open Mic
Humor the Highlight of the Writers Guild Awards Ceremonies
You probably had to be there, but Larry David said the Writers Guild issued him a death sentence in handing him the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television. It was the culmination of a hilarious acceptance speech at the WGA…
NAACP Image Awards: A Tough Race for TV Nominees
Could it be? Having a little bit of momentary awards show withdrawal in the midst of the season, after the boom-boom-boom of the Golden Globes, the SAG Awards and the Grammys. The next televised extravaganza (after the non-broadcast yet very…
What Will Tiger Say? If He’s Smart, It’ll Have This TV Element
Coming Friday: From the Gospel of the Former Saint Woods, his Sermon on the Mount. OK, perhaps a bit of an exaggeration, but our anticipation of what Tiger Woods will say on Friday could not be any higher. Woods’ plan…
Howard Stern’s an A-Hole—and Why He’s the Right Choice To Replace Simon Cowell on ‘Idol’
Howard Stern can be a mean-spirited a-hole. No doubt about it. He is also one of the most brilliant, talented broadcasters I’ve ever heard. No doubt about it. I don’t subscribe to Sirius Radio, so I have not heard Stern…
Grammy Awards: Highs or Lows, a Tough Year to Top
Where was Kanye West when you needed him? Perhaps he could have mitigated some of the Taylor-phoria at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards, which many people are complaining was more like the Country Music Awards, what with the Zac Brown…
The Case Against—and For—Jeff Zucker
NBC Universal President and CEO Jeff Zucker was a guest on PBS’ “Charlie Rose” show a few weeks ago (Jan. 18th). Charlie Rose, who has known Zucker for years and has had him on his show periodically since at least 2001,…
Jeff Gaspin’s Hollywood Blind Spot and Why the Leno/Conan Plan Was Destined to Fail
Jeff Gaspin is a likable man. Furthermore, Gaspin comes across as a particularly forthcoming high-ranking TV executive, not as ego-protective as many in similar positions. As we’ve noted here before , at a recent gathering earlier this month of those…
With Conan Soon to Go Off-Air, and Thus the End to Latenightgate, the Most Fun We’ve Had Watching TV in A Long Time Will Also End. But Don’t Fret–Here’s How to Continue Laffing
The new golden age of latenight, which started a few weeks ago when we heard that Leno’s primetime show was going to be cancelled and that he was going back to a latenight slot, will likely end this week, and…
Reflections on the Golden Globes
Move over “30 Rock.” Here comes “Glee.” Fox’s freshman comedy series about a high school glee club took critics and viewers by storm this season, and now it can add a Golden Globe award to its songbook. Two of its…