TV Network Hoax Brings Boston to a Halt
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Several suspicious looking devices brought Boston to a halt today. More than 10 blinking electronic devices were found at several locations and forced bomb units to to scramble throughout the city. Turns out the packages were just magnetic lights that posed no threat to anyone. The incidents were part of a Time Warner marketing campaign that involved a character from the cartoon show "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" shown giving the finger. The packages were placed in nine other cities including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago to advertise the cartoon Network show.Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick was not amused with the stunt. "This stunt has caused considerable disruption and anxiety in our community. I understand that Turner Broadcasting has purported to apologize for this. I intend nonetheless to consult with the attorney general and other advisors about what recourse we may have," Patrick said.
Boston's Mayor Tom Menino is also threatening to sue. "I am prepared to take any and all legal action against Turner Broadcasting and its affiliates for any and all expenses incurred during the response to today's incidents," Menino said in a statement.
Turner has responded in a statement saying in part, "We regret that they were mistakenly thought to pose any danger."
posted by jc @ 7:55 PM,
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George Lopez vs. Jay Leno
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
A new celebrity feud is brewing. Comedian George Lopez is going after Tonight Show host Jay Leno. The comedian appeared on an Orlando radio show yesterday to talk about the return of his sitcom. One of the shows hosts jokingly asked him if there was anyone he wanted to start a feud with. Turns out there was someone: Jay Leno. Lopez went off on the late night host, calling him the "the biggest two-faced dude in TV." Lopez also called him a backstabber, saying he doesn't interview his guests very well. "When I had my transplant, he called me and was the nice guy on the phone. And then he just puts the knife in your back. It tells you something about Jay Leno if Conan O'Brien is coming into The Tonight Show when Jay Leno is still young enough to be the host," Lopez said.
Labels: fights and feuds
posted by jc @ 7:40 PM,
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WeekEnder: January 21-27
Friday, January 26, 2007
Quick Hits
Quoteworthy
"And tonight, I have a high privilege and distinct honor of my own -- as the first President to begin the State of the Union message with these words: Madam Speaker." - President Bush to Nancy Pelosi during his State of the Union address
Labels: weekender
posted by jc @ 2:37 PM,
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Reality Show For the Disfigured
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Think television in the United States has gone too far? The Netherlands is planning a dating show for the visibly disfigured. The broadcaster SBS 6 is seeking candidates for its "Love at Second Sight" show due to be launched on February 20. "The main aim of the program is to remove prejudice about these people, to create more acceptance and respect and, of course, to find the love of their lives," according to the network. The original title of the show was "Monster Love."
Labels: good grief, television
posted by jc @ 5:29 PM,
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TV Station Catches Hit and Run on Camera
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
MUST SEE VIDEO
FOX 61 in Connecticut caught some amazing video on camera the other day. A tax collector was after a woman who owed back taxes. When he confronted her, she jumped in her car and ran his foot over, pinning him under the car. The driver has since turned herself in and is now facing several charges.
Labels: must see video
posted by jc @ 11:16 PM,
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Singer Brandy Involved in Fatal Crash
R&B singer Brandy was involved in a deadly car accident back in December, reports TMZ.com. She was driving in Los Angeles when she allegedly did not notice the cars in front of her had slowed down and rammed into a Toyota. The Toyota hit the center divider and was hit by an Acura. After being rushed to the hospital, the driver of the Toyota died the next day. Brandy was not hurt or arrested. The driver of another car tells TMZ that Brandy repeatedly blamed herself for the accident at the scene.Brandy's publicist confirms the accident, telling TMZ: Brandy was involved in a car accident December 30, 2006 in Los Angeles where there was a fatality. She wishes to publicly express her condolences to the family of the deceased. Brandy asks that you respect the privacy of everyone involved at this time.
Labels: star scandals
posted by jc @ 8:40 PM,
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New FOX Morning Show Premieres
Monday, January 22, 2007
Regis and Kelly have some new competition. The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet launched on all FOX O&O's this morning. The show is broadcast live from New York City and features a mix of celebrity guests and people in the news. Today's show was one big promotion for FOX. The hosts sat down with the stars of Prison Break, spoke with Judge Alex about parents who spank their kids and hosted an outdoor concert with former American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry. All and all, this isn't a bad show. It's fast-paced, the guests and interesting and the hosts have good chemistry. And, gotta love a LIVE show! For more, check out their official website: www.mandjshow.com.Labels: daytime tv
posted by jc @ 8:45 PM,
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WeekEnder: January 14-20
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Quick Hits
Quoteworthy
"I never suffered from this problem (anorexia) because I had a very strong family base. Parents are responsible, not the fashion industry." - model Gisele Bundchen on anorexia
Labels: weekender
posted by jc @ 8:58 AM,
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Psychic Sylvia Browne Said Shawn Hornbeck Was Dead
Friday, January 19, 2007
It seems Montel Williams' favorite psychic better check her abilities. According to this New York Daily News article, she goofed on missing Missouri boy, Shawn Hornbeck:Montel Williams' psychic pal Sylvia Browne told the family of missing Shawn Hornbeck he was dead shortly after the Missouri boy vanished - and later allegedly offered to help locate his body for $700 per half hour.
The popular TV clairvoyant appeared on the "Montel Williams Show" in February 2003, four months after Shawn disappeared, and told Pam and Craig Akers she believed their son was "no longer with us." She also advised that his body could be found in a wooded area 20 miles from their Richwoods, Mo., home, near two large jagged boulders. Shawn, now 15, was found alive and well last Friday, living just miles away with a man now charged with snatching the boy when he was 11.
Browne's "vision" of his death caused search teams to redirect their efforts and drew dozens of calls from the public who believed they lived near the woods matching Browne's descriptions. The family also claims the psychic then tried to cash in, which Browne vigorously denies.
"She called Pam and Craig about one month after the show and pretty much offered her services to continue their discussion for a fee," said Wayne Evans, a spokesman for the Shawn Hornbeck Foundation.
"Pam was that desperate that if she had had $700 in her bank account she would have put it on the table. We are talking about a mother who would have sold her soul to have her boy back." "Everybody was angry," he added. "Sylvia Browne's name was never brought up again until Shawn was found. He's home now, and that's all that matters."
Browne, a regular guest on the "Montel" show, apologized for her misfire, exposed first by StopSylviaBrowne.com, a blog dedicated to tracking the psychic's every blunder.
"I'm terribly sorry that this happened," she told the Daily News. "But I think my body of work stands by itself. I've broken case after case."
"I think it's just cruel to jump on this one case in which I was wrong," she added defensively. "I've said thousands of times I'm not God."
She also denied ever offering her services to Shawn's family for cash.
"There's never been a case that I've ever charged for a missing child," Browne said. "I would never do that. Never, never."
A spokeswoman for Williams said the talk show host was taping more shows and unavailable for comment. Browne was his only guest on yesterday's show.
Michael Devlin, a 300-pound pizza parlor manager, is charged with kidnapping Shawn four years ago and a second boy just last week.
Article from: New York Daily News
Written by: Christina Boyle
Labels: good grief
posted by jc @ 9:46 PM,
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Rosie Slams American Idol
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Rosie O'Donnell hasn't learned to keep her mouth shut after criticizing Donald Trump. Now, The View co-host is taking aim at American Idol and its judges. This morning, they played a clip of last night's show on The View and Rosie was outraged. "Isn't that what America thinks is entertainment, to make fun of someone's physical appearance? And then, when they leave the room, laugh hysterically at them — three millionaires, one probably intoxicated." Someone may what to tell Rosie that all of the wannabe singers appear on the show on their own free will. They know how the judges are.
Labels: daytime tv
posted by jc @ 7:06 PM,
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Rachael Ray Renewed; Wilkos Talker A Go
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
NATPE 2007
Syndie newcomer Rachael Ray has been renewed for two years, taking it through 2009-10. Rachael Ray is the highest rated of the freshman daytime shows, averaging a 2.1 rating. CBS stations in Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas have all signed on for at least two more years of the show.
Day two of the NATPE convention also confirmed that Steve Wilkos, the head of security on the Jerry Springer show, will be getting his own talk show starting in the fall. The show will likely air alongside Jerry Springer and Maury. That's bad news for the low-rated Greg Behrendt show, which will likely be canned by Sony in the coming days. The show will air on WPIX in New York, WGN in Chicago and WPHL in Philadelphia. Teh show will be taped at WMAQ studios in Chicago, where Springer is taped. Springer EP Richard Dominick will also oversee the new Wilkos talker.
posted by jc @ 12:34 AM,
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TMZ Comes to TV; Court Shows Renewed
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
The National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) convention is being held all week long. It's where we find out what syndicated shows will be renewed or cancelled. There's nothing but good news after day one of the convention. Buena Vista has announced that Live with Regis & Kelly and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire have been renewed through the 2010-11 season.
Twentieth Century FOX has renewed all of its court shows for another season. This fall, Divorce Court will be back for season nine, Judge Alex returns for a third year and freshman strip Cristina's Court comes back for a second season. TMZ is coming to televison in a magazine-style show. The popular website's new show has already been gobbled up by FOX O&O's. And, there's also good news for Family Guy fans. The FOX cartoons will air in daily syndication starting next fall. Sony Pictures television is also giving the green light to all of its court shows. Judge Maria Lopez will be back for season two in fall 2007, while Judge Hatchett heads into season eight. Sony is also launching a new court show, Judge David Young, which has been cleared in 87 percent of the country so far.
Labels: daytime tv
posted by jc @ 12:38 AM,
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WeekEnder: January 7-13
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Pat O'Brien Forced From The Insider?
The New York Daily News reports that Pat O'Brien may be off The Insider at the end of this season. He gets paid $4 million a season and producers noticed ratings have stayed the same when he hasn't been there. So, why pay him so much? They likely won't fire him, but off him a lot less money which would make him walk. POB is already said to be very upset and not talking to anyone on the job.
Quick Hits
Quoteworthy
"My nature is to look at the glass half-full. I don't have a son or daughter in Iraq. I haven't lost a loved one. We will rebuild, and I truly believe we will learn something great from this experience." - Actress Suzanne Somers in a statement after losing her multi-million dollar house in Malibu to a wildfire
"That poor, pathetic man." - Barbara Walters on Donald Trump, coming to the defense of Roise O'Donnell on The View
"Where mistakes have been made, the responsibility rests with me." - President Bush on the war in Iraq
Labels: weekender
posted by jc @ 12:50 PM,
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The Jerry Springer Show: Real or Fake?
Friday, January 12, 2007
For years, rumors have went on about just how real the Jerry Springer Show is. Do the producers encourage the guests to fight? Are the stories made up? Are the guests actors? Today, an audience member confronted a show producer about whether the story she had just witnessed was for real.
Jerry's security guard, Steve, hosted the show today. He spoke with a 20-year-old girl who was living on the streets with her drug addict boyfriend. Steve offered to help her get off the streets to go back to live with her father. She said she didn't want any help and the show went to break, coming back with another story. After another break, the girl was brought back out and Steve was telling her that her father was there to talk with her. The girl went back stage to meet up with her dad, who had suddenly appeared at the NBC Studios in Chicago.
All of this seemed a little too convenient and an audience member called the show out on it during the break. She asked Steve how the father just happened to show up and was let in during the middle of the show. The woman said she thought the story was made up. Steve brought out the producer of the show who said she was trying to contact the father for days, telling him to show up at 2 o'clock. The producer said she cried over the girl's story and everything was for real. Steve insisted the show was legit, but the audience member still did not seem to buy it. Gotta say, it was very interesting that all of this made air.
Labels: daytime tv
posted by jc @ 11:48 AM,
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Jerry Springer's Security Guard May Get Own Talk Show
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
After all these years on The Jerry Springer Show, it seems head of security Steve Wilkos may be getting his own talk show. Broadcasting and Cable reports that Wilkos is in talks with NBC Universal to host a show. Insiders say a Steve Wilkos project has long been in the works, especially since Wilkos has been hosting some episodes Springer's show in recent years. Although nothing is official yet, Wilkos could replace the low-rated Greg Behrendt show in many markets.Labels: daytime tv
posted by jc @ 4:41 PM,
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People's Choice Awards 2007
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
The People's Choice Awards were held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles tonight. Queen Latifah hosted as awards were handed out for television, movies and music. Here's a look at the winners:
Funny Male Star: Robin Williams
Funny Female Star: Ellen Degeneres
Leading Lady: Cameron Diaz
Leading Man: Vince Vaughn
Talk Show Host: Ellen Degeneres (beat out Oprah)
Female Movie Star: Jennifer Aniston
Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
On-screen Matchup: Johnny Depp and Keira Knightly in Pirates of the Caribbean
Female Action Star: Halle Berry
Music Group: Nickelback
R&B Song: "Sexyback" by Justin Timberlake
Song Remake: "Life is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts
TV Comedy: Two and a Half Men
Animated TV Comedy: The Simpsons
New TV Drama: Heroes
Competition/Reality Show: American Idol
Female TV Star: Eva Longoria
New TV Comedy: The Class
Labels: award shows
posted by jc @ 11:02 PM,
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Mr. Blackwell's Worst Dressed
Mr. Blackwell has released his 47th annual "Worst Dressed List" and this year, there's a tie for the number one spot. Paris Hilton and Britney Spears share the worst dressed title. Mr. Blackwell calls them "two peas in an over-exposed pod."Royal family member Camilla Parker-Bowles comes in at number two. "The Duchess of Dowdy strikes again," writes Blackwell. "In feathered hats that were once the rage, she resembles a petrified parakeet from the Jurassic age. A royal wreck."
Lindsay Lohan, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Paula Abdul, Sharon Stone, Tori Spelling, Sandra Oh and Meryl Streep complete the top 10 list of less-than-fashionable stars.
Mr. Blackwell also made a list of so-called "fabulous fashion independents," which includes actresses Kate Winslet, Angelina Jolie and Helen Mirren, singers Barbra Streisand and Beyonce, California Democrat Nancy Pelosi, Princess Charlotte of Monaco, model Heidi Klum and actresses Katie Holmes and Marcia Cross.
Labels: pop culture
posted by jc @ 9:27 PM,
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Stern Show Wraps Early Because of Gas Smell
Monday, January 08, 2007
A natural gas-like smell spread over Manhattan and parts of New Jersey this morning, causing quite a scare. Howard Stern was live on the air as the odor spread. It got so overwhelming, that Howard decided to end his show early just in case. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the smell may have been caused by a leak of a substance called mercaptan that is added to natural gas for safety reasons to give it a recognizable odor. Twelve people were taken to hospitals with minor complaints. The city was bombarded with 911 calls all morning, but the smell seemed to clear up by the afternoon.
Labels: howard stern
posted by jc @ 8:18 PM,
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WeekEnder: December 31-January 6
Saturday, January 06, 2007
THE BIG STORY
Subway Superman
The big story of the week: the New York City man who jumped in front of an oncoming subway to save the life of a complete stranger. Wesley Autrey was waiting for the subway with his two girls when he saw a man have a seizure and fall onto the tracks. Autrey immediately reacted by jumping on top of the 19-year-old film student and held him down as the train rushed over them. Incredibly, neither were hurt. Autrey spent the rest of week being honored by Mayor Bloomberg and even Donald Trump. He also made the rounds, appearing on GMA, The Early Show and The Late Show With David Letterman.
QUICK HITS
WEEKLY WEB
ProposalGoneWrong.com
Life is cruel especially when you get turned down on what's supposed to be one of the most special days of your life. Watch as wedding proposals go wrong, often in public places.
QUOTEWORTHY
"What I have done here is what any American should do for each other," - New Yorker Wesley Autrey on saving the life of a stranger
Labels: weekender
posted by jc @ 11:46 AM,
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Doctor Laura's Bubble BURSTS
Friday, January 05, 2007
MUST SEE VIDEO
Witness a softer side of Dr. Laura Schlessinger on FOX News this morning. At the end of the interview, host Steve Doocy catches her completely off guard by revealing that her son is getting shipped off to Iraq. Awkward moments as she almost breaks down on national television...
Labels: must see video
posted by jc @ 6:09 PM,
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Geraldo At Large CANCELLED
The syndication axe continues to swing this week as FOX has announced it's canceling Geraldo Rivera's magazine, Geraldo: At Large. The show was averaging a 1.6 rating season-to-date, not enough to justify its hefty production budget, which was estimated to be $500,000-$1 million per week. Geraldo will now return to the FOX New Channel to host a show on the weekends. The cancellation increases the odds that Warner Bros. will get clearance for a new magazine show based on the popular website, TMZ.com.
In other syndication news, Comedy Central's Chappelle's Show and Reno 911 will be available for syndication next fall. Chappelle's Show will be available on weekends, while Reno 911 will run Monday through Friday.
Labels: television
posted by jc @ 5:06 AM,
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The O.C. CANCELLED!
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
After four years, FOX has decided to pull the plug on The O.C. reports Broadcasting and Cable. After a successful start, ratings started falling last season and have been way down this season. The sun will set on The O.C. on February 22. All new episodes will air until then to burn them out. Show creator Josh Schwartz says it feels like a good time for the show to come to an end. “Thanks to the hard work of our cast, crew and writers, we have enjoyed our best season yet, and what better time to go out than creatively on top. It has been an amazing experience and a great run," Schwartz said.
There's other cancellation news today. NBC Universal has pulled the plug on the low-rated Megan Mullally show effective immediately. The show will air through the end of the month with a mix of repeats and new episodes. This unwatchable daytime talker averaged a tiny 0.8 rating.
Labels: television
posted by jc @ 5:36 PM,
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WATCH THIS
CATFISHMTV, Mondays 10pm/ET
Based on a popular documentary film, this weekly series follows people who are in online relationships. They meet their longtime loves with the help of the show, but things aren't always what they seem.
FAST FOOD MANIA
DESTINATION AMERICA, Sundays 10pm/ET
If you listen to the Howard Stern show, the you already know that Jon Hein is the biggest fan of fast food around. Join Jon as he checks out the best places to chow down for cheap on this new show on the new network, Destination America. If you're not craving something greasing after watch this show, then something is wrong with you.
TRISHA
Syndicated, Weekdays/ET
Trisha Goddard hosted talk shows overseas for years. Now, she's the star of her own show, a spin-off of Maury, here in the states. Topics have included a man with 5 wives and women who eat strange objects like drywall and dirt.
About THE DAILY EDITION
The Daily Edition blog brings you the stories you'll be talking about at the water cooler. Follow The Daily Edition on Twitter: @JCers.
