CBS Cages "Monkey"
February 9, 2006
Looks like "Love Monkey's" ready to be put down.
CBS has shelved its critically praised hourlong dramedy series, following the adventures of four single thirtysomethings in New York, after just three episodes. And the prospects for its future seem glum.
While CBS will only say the show is on indefinite hiatus, sources close to the show tell E! Online's TV columnist Kristen Veitch that "Love Monkey" won't be coming back.
Taking over the Tuesday time slot will be the latest edition of "The Amazing Race," which premieres Feb. 28.
CBS Cages "Love Monkey" (E! Online)
February 9, 2006
E! Online - CBS has shelved the critically praised hourlong dramedy series,
following the adventures of four single thirtysomethings in New York,
after just three episodes. And the prospects for its future seem glum.
FCC: Cable 'a la Carte' Would Save Money (AP)
February 9, 2006
AP - Most cable TV subscribers would save money if allowed to pay for only the channels they want, a Federal Communications Commission study said Thursday, reversing the agency's earlier finding that consumers wouldn't benefit.
Michaels Traded from ESPN to NBC (E! Online)
February 9, 2006
E! Online - It took a little work, but NBC managed to acquire superstar
sportscaster Al Michaels in a blockbuster trade from ESPN that will
shake up the Monday Night Football broadcast booth and see
Michaels reteamed with John Madden on Sunday nights.
Viewers Get Hooked When TV Romance Blooms (AP)
February 9, 2006
AP - Television is a haven for matchmakers.
Grammys Bow Down to "Idol" (E! Online)
February 9, 2006
E! Online - Kelly Clarkson might have forgotten about American Idol on
Wednesday night, but few others did.
Grammys Bow to "Idol"
February 9, 2006
Kelly Clarkson might have forgotten about "American Idol" on Wednesday night, but few others did.
The Fox phenomenon, which launched Clarkson's award-winning career, rolled on, and rolled over, the 48th Annual Grammy Awards on CBS, helping drop the latter to its worst ratings since 1995.
In the battle of the belters from 8-9 p.m., "Idol" boasted an estimated 28.3 million viewers, compared to the Grammys' 15.1 million.
Overall, the Grammys averaged 17.6 million from 8-11 p.m.
Al Michaels Traded
February 9, 2006
It took a little work, but NBC managed to acquire superstar sportscaster Al Michaels in a blockbuster trade from ESPN that will shake up the "Monday Night Football" broadcast booth and see Michaels reteamed with John Madden on Sunday nights.
Michaels didn't come cheaply. The Peacock had to come up with a package deal that included making expanded highlight clips available to ESPN of such events as the Olympics and Notre Dame football, selling ESPN Friday coverage of the next four Ryder Cup golf tournaments and, the coup de grace, giving ESPN parent Disney complete rights to the "Oswald the Lucky Rabbit" series. The short 'toons were created by Walt Disney in 1927, and Oswald is considered a precursor to Mickey Mouse.
'Idol' trumps Grammys in Wednesday ratings (Reuters)
February 9, 2006Reuters - The pros on display during Wednesday's Grammy Awards telecast were no match for the amateurs competing on Fox's "American Idol."
Report: Cable a La Carte Would Save Money (AP)
February 9, 2006AP - Most cable TV subscribers would save money if allowed to pay for only the channels they want, a Federal Communications Commission study said Thursday, reversing the agency's earlier finding that consumers wouldn't benefit.
'American Idol' Crushes Grammys in Ratings (AP)
February 9, 2006
AP - Some humbling news for the pros: By a wide margin, TV viewers prefer the amateurs.
FCC now sees a la carte pay TV cutting prices (Reuters)
February 9, 2006Reuters - American consumers could see their cable or satellite television bill fall by as much as 13 percent if they could pay for only the channels they want, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission said on Thursday, contradicting its earlier study.
Winfrey Signs Deal With XM Satellite Radio (AP)
February 9, 2006AP - Oprah Winfrey has signed a three-year, $55 million deal with XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. to launch a new radio channel beginning in September, Winfrey and XM announced Thursday.
Oprah Signs 3-Year Deal With XM Satellite (AP)
February 9, 2006AP - Oprah Winfrey has signed a three-year, $55 million deal with XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. to launch a new radio channel beginning in September, Winfrey and XM announced Thursday.
Hatcher Wows Grammy Crowd With Sheer Gown (AP)
February 9, 2006
AP - Forget the Grammys, Alicia Keys and Teri Hatcher vied for the sexiest dress award Wednesday night.
Grammy telecast plays a fine but familiar tune (Reuters)
February 9, 2006
Reuters - The Grammys are not your
typical awards show because, well, awards are almost incidental
to the broadcast.
Quotes From the 48th Annual Grammy Awards (AP)
February 9, 2006
AP - Quotes from the 48th Annual Grammy Awards:
Sunday's Super Lineup of Stones, Stevie--and Liza (E! Online)
February 9, 2006
E! Online - There'll be cheerleaders, fans and a postgame concert by Bow
Wow.
Corddry of "Daily Show" lands Fox comedy pilot (Reuters)
February 9, 2006Reuters - "The Daily Show" correspondent Rob Corddry has landed the title role in Fox's comedy pilot "Becoming Glen," while "Law & Order" alum Angie Harmon has been tapped to star in ABC's drama pilot "Secrets of a Small Town."
Michaels exits ABC in wake of "MNF" announcement (Reuters)
February 9, 2006
Reuters - Longtime ABC Sports
announcer Al Michaels has left the network in a dispute over
the course of ESPN's "Monday Night Football," apparently
clearing the way for him to join NBC's new Sunday night
gridiron franchise.
CBS tops Daytime Emmy nominations (Reuters)
February 9, 2006
Reuters - CBS and its soap opera "The
Young & the Restless" led the nominations on Wednesday for the
Daytime Emmy Awards, which will be bestowed April 28 in
Hollywood.
Marc M, Lampoon in "Secret" project (Reuters)
February 9, 2006Reuters - Writer-animator Marc M is teaming up with National Lampoon to develop an animated project for Comedy Central based on his Internet cartoon series "Secret League of Legionnaires."
School Rescinds Invite to Jerry Springer (AP)
February 9, 2006AP - Sarasota High School sent a Valentine to Jerry Springer — and then took it back.
U2 Wins Grammy Award for Album of the Year (AP)
February 9, 2006
AP - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members U2 captured the Grammy Award for album of the year for the disc "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb."
Hardblogger: A tribute to Coretta Scott King
February 9, 2006Chris Matthews blogs, "The public life of Coretta King has two parts: the first being the years she supported her husband in his historic leadership of the civil rights movement; the second being the nearly four decades during which she carried on his legacy ... Because Martin had a dream, Coretta had a cause. "
Connect: The truth about an unlikely war hero
February 9, 2006Regular Joe: Media misses mark on cartoon riots
February 9, 2006Joe Scarborough blogs, "Is it just me or are you getting fed up with the news coverage of these cartoon riots in the Middle East? Being politically correct is one thing, but giving a free pass to these radicals is just irresponsible. Isn’t it time news commentators and other reasoned souls across the world started calling these people the freaks that they are?" ."
Bloggermann: Wacky video Wednesday
February 9, 2006Keith Olbermann blogs: "Wednesday is a big night for all of us here at MSNBC, but for the cast and crew of Countdown it's going to be Extra Special. Why? Because I get to put my feet up for the last eight minutes of the show and watch along with you as we take our nightly "Oddball" feature and pump it full of steroids. "
Sidebar: Jackson logs, guard don't agree
February 9, 2006Dan Abrams blogs, "Nobody else is willing to do it, so I‘m going to take a crack at defending those absent-minded, altered-minded, and sometimes just boneheaded celebrities who suffer greatly for relatively minor transgressions. "