Top 20 Reality TV Competition Shows according to Yahoo! -- AND my goof-parody titles next to them:
“So You Think You Can Dance” (May 24 season premiere, FOX) So You Think You Can Iron Pants.
“Big Brother 8” (July 5, CBS) Pig Brother Ate My Lunch
“Hell’s Kitchen 3” (June 4, FOX) Hell's TV Channel
“Celebrity Fit Club” (April 22, VH1) Celebrities Have a Fit, Club Each Other
“Top Chef 3” (June 13, Bravo) Top Shemp 3 Stooges
“America’s Got Talent” (June 5, NBC) America's Got Shallots
“Age of Love” (June 18, NBC) Shoot Me Now
“The Biggest Loser” (Aug. 21, NBC) The Biggest Gainer
“Last Comic Standing 5” (June 13, NBC) Last Complainer Standing
“On the Lot” (May 22, FOX) On the Smack
“Flavor of Love: Charm School” (April 15, VH1) Flavor of Clove: Spice Rack
“American Inventor 2” (June 6, ABC) Make Me An Omellete, Sue
“Pirate Master” (May 31, CBS) Irate Bastids
“The Next Best Thing” (May 30, ABC) Sad, Sad Individuals
“Making the Band 4” (June 18, MTV) Making a Damp Floor
“Fast Cars and Superstars” (June 7, ABC) Golf Carts and B-List Talent
“The Next Food Network Star 3” (June 3, Food Network) The Next Person To Move Gets It
“Who Wants to Be a Superhero 2” (July 25, Sci Fi Channel) Who Wants To Be Stuck in Super Glue
“The Academy” (May 24, FOX Reality) Bee Ahead of Me
“Design Star 2” (July 22, HGTV) To Sign Like Star Marlee Matlin
SOURCE: Yahoo! Buzz http://buzz.yahoo.com/ and Java Joe
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
If you're getting a new HDTV set
I have a Samsung Electronics 40" 1080p LCD HDTV (LN-S4095D). You can pay up to $2,300 for this thing. Amazon's price now is $1,750 and this place onsale.com (which I can't vouch for) has it now for $1,399, with free shipping. That's a great deal. With HDTV service via antenna or cable or satellite, it's a fantastic picture. Get yourself two HDMI cables from ebay (about $20) instead of paying $100 at the electronics stores, and you're good to go. They connect to a DVR and CD player.
Response to comment: As far as I know, they can still charge for TV boxes. I pay per month for the box and HDTV service. The wrinkle comes when the law allows them to get rid of analog signals entirely. You'll need a converter box just to use non-digital TVs since all signals will be digital. So the federal government is going to subsidize folks to get those boxes. Then you'll be able to keep the old 27-inch 4:3ratio set or the 13-inch set in your bedroom without upgrading to digital sets everywhere.
I think the comment was actually a reference to the new law that just took effect, which is designed to create more of a market for retail cable boxes (with cards to activate them). See http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=12100DQDRA2Q
Response to comment: As far as I know, they can still charge for TV boxes. I pay per month for the box and HDTV service. The wrinkle comes when the law allows them to get rid of analog signals entirely. You'll need a converter box just to use non-digital TVs since all signals will be digital. So the federal government is going to subsidize folks to get those boxes. Then you'll be able to keep the old 27-inch 4:3ratio set or the 13-inch set in your bedroom without upgrading to digital sets everywhere.
I think the comment was actually a reference to the new law that just took effect, which is designed to create more of a market for retail cable boxes (with cards to activate them). See http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=12100DQDRA2Q
Friday, June 22, 2007
Should have been done long ago
The Senate passes a plan to increase gas mileage (CAFE) standards in cars by 2020, and the auto industry was (again) arguing against it, saying it would hurt business. Hey, if the regulators forced American companies to improve economy standards 10 years ago, there wouldn't be so many monster SUV's around sucking up gas today. And the companies would probably be in a better position financially (that is, if they could produce quality to rival Toyota or Honda).
Says the NY Times report:
The Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit group that has pushed for higher standards, estimated that the Senate requirements would eventually reduce American oil consumption by 1.2 million barrels a day and reduce emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases by an amount equivalent to removing 30 million of today’s cars from the road.
The plan also increases taxes on oil production (to fund alternative fuels), which brought out GOP protests even though the oil companies have enjoyed RECORD PROFITS in the past few years while ordinary Americans struggle to fill their tanks. Gas prices should not be subsidized; hell, we're in two wars right now and Americans should be encouraged to use less and sacrifice. And ethanol is no great answer either. But let's not shed a tear for the oil industry, OK?
Says the NY Times report:
The Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit group that has pushed for higher standards, estimated that the Senate requirements would eventually reduce American oil consumption by 1.2 million barrels a day and reduce emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases by an amount equivalent to removing 30 million of today’s cars from the road.
The plan also increases taxes on oil production (to fund alternative fuels), which brought out GOP protests even though the oil companies have enjoyed RECORD PROFITS in the past few years while ordinary Americans struggle to fill their tanks. Gas prices should not be subsidized; hell, we're in two wars right now and Americans should be encouraged to use less and sacrifice. And ethanol is no great answer either. But let's not shed a tear for the oil industry, OK?
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
TNT's "Closer" does well
From Turner, about a show I'd watch more if I was willing to take on another series:
With more than 8.8 million viewers and 6.3 million households, TNT's THECLOSER once again broke its own record by scoring ad-supported cable'sbest delivery of all time for a series telecast.
Last night's third-season premiere averaged 8,812,000 persons 2+ and6,376,000 households, beating the same records THE CLOSER set with its season 2 premiere last year.
With more than 8.8 million viewers and 6.3 million households, TNT's THECLOSER once again broke its own record by scoring ad-supported cable'sbest delivery of all time for a series telecast.
Last night's third-season premiere averaged 8,812,000 persons 2+ and6,376,000 households, beating the same records THE CLOSER set with its season 2 premiere last year.
History Channel shoots, scores on "Ice"
from thc, on a show we previewed friday (see nhregister.com):
The series premiere of ICE ROAD TRUCKERS, which debuted Sunday night at 10pm ET/PT on The History Channel®, hauled in a record number of viewers, making it the number one original telecast in network history, based on Nielsen’s Fast Cable Ratings.
ICE ROAD TRUCKERS has driven in as the network’s #1 telecast of all time in Adults 25-54 and is also its #1 telecast ever in Adults 18-49. The series premiere achieved 3.4 million total viewers, the most ever for an original program on The History Channel
The series premiere of ICE ROAD TRUCKERS, which debuted Sunday night at 10pm ET/PT on The History Channel®, hauled in a record number of viewers, making it the number one original telecast in network history, based on Nielsen’s Fast Cable Ratings.
ICE ROAD TRUCKERS has driven in as the network’s #1 telecast of all time in Adults 25-54 and is also its #1 telecast ever in Adults 18-49. The series premiere achieved 3.4 million total viewers, the most ever for an original program on The History Channel
Monday, June 18, 2007
John Carroll out at WTIC-61
WTIC-61 weathercaster John Carroll has left the station, somewhat unexpectedly it seems. His last day was June 15, an official confirmed, and yet he was recently slated to participate in a Fox-61 event next Sunday:
"Join Fox 61 Meteorologist John Carroll on Sunday, June 24th for Jordan's Journey, a charity motorcycle ride to raise money for Oak Hill, dedicated to providing services and solutions for people with disabilities."
No word yet on why, although one official said, "There were conversations (between WTIC brass and Carroll). I know that we wish him well."
Meteorologist Michael Friedmann will fill in as a search is made for a replacement.
"Join Fox 61 Meteorologist John Carroll on Sunday, June 24th for Jordan's Journey, a charity motorcycle ride to raise money for Oak Hill, dedicated to providing services and solutions for people with disabilities."
No word yet on why, although one official said, "There were conversations (between WTIC brass and Carroll). I know that we wish him well."
Meteorologist Michael Friedmann will fill in as a search is made for a replacement.
Let's share, shall we?
Live from New Haven, home this week and last to the International Festival of Arts and Ideas (really great stuff; you should come down here):
OK, I'll share a tech thing with you and then you answer a tech question for me.
I installed an HDTV in my house with the requisite increase in cable service and pricing. A fellow HDTV viewer (we'll call him "Dave" because that's his name) showed me his external broadcast antenna that allows him to watch the over-the-air digital local signals in addition to cable. In some cases, they're better, and you get constant weather radar on one or two side channels. I didn't want to mount one on the roof so I picked up an internal rabbit ears antenna from ebay for about $20. It plugs right into the back and you just hit "source" on your TV remote to flip over to it. Only problem is it doesn't get as many channels as I'd like and it can be unsightly.
Now you answer my question:
If I want to add a wireless connection to a desktop computer away from my main computer, and I have DSL with a wireless modem already, can I just stick a USB adapter (Belkin, etc.) in the USB slot of the desktop computer and then tell it the (security) "key" code? Or do I have to match the make of the wireless modem with some specialized device?
OK, I'll share a tech thing with you and then you answer a tech question for me.
I installed an HDTV in my house with the requisite increase in cable service and pricing. A fellow HDTV viewer (we'll call him "Dave" because that's his name) showed me his external broadcast antenna that allows him to watch the over-the-air digital local signals in addition to cable. In some cases, they're better, and you get constant weather radar on one or two side channels. I didn't want to mount one on the roof so I picked up an internal rabbit ears antenna from ebay for about $20. It plugs right into the back and you just hit "source" on your TV remote to flip over to it. Only problem is it doesn't get as many channels as I'd like and it can be unsightly.
Now you answer my question:
If I want to add a wireless connection to a desktop computer away from my main computer, and I have DSL with a wireless modem already, can I just stick a USB adapter (Belkin, etc.) in the USB slot of the desktop computer and then tell it the (security) "key" code? Or do I have to match the make of the wireless modem with some specialized device?
Friday, June 15, 2007
West Hartford kid toasts Pop-Tarts on national TV
Jackson O’Sullivan, the first grader from West Hartford CT, had a great guest appearance last night on “Jimmy Kimmel Live," says ABC. After toasting Hot Fudge Sundae Pop-Tarts and sharing them with guest Kathy Griffin, O’Sullivan also shared the stories of his white plastic spoon collection.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Julie Bowen sent packing? Oh, no!
TV Guide says Julie Bowen, Mark Valley, Rene Auberjonois and Constance Zimmer have been axed from "Boston Legal." Enter John Larroquette and an actress from "Dirt."
Gerard's song
On the way into work, while listening to the slow version of "Hey Hey, My My" by Neil Young, I was taken with emotion about Gerry, my old buddy. The line in the song is "And once you're gone, you can't come back, when you're out of the blue and into the black."
Here's the column from 2005:
Gerry Gammons sang a touching tune, from the heart
It was a summer day around 1980 when a skinny fellow from Hamden stood at the microphone on a New Haven Green stage and, softly at first, began a hymn that made strollers pause:
"Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on Earth, the peace that was meant to be."
"With God as our Father, brothers all are we..."
The words weren't so clear at first; the soloist was Gerry Gammons, a handsome young man who had been left retarded at birth by an errant umbilical cord.
Could Gerry rise to the occasion of a public solo? He loved music and his records, for sure. He also enjoyed raking leaves, watching the snow fall and - as one of nine children of a Hamden clan - visiting family.
The two sisters closest in age, Sue and Mary, eventually became his guardians. But everyone loved this gentle guy, who never seemed to forget a face or name. (Once he innocently asked about a relative's ex-wife, after being introduced to the guy's new wife. Oops!)
In the late '80s, Gerry found himself amid a state news story as his father, John Gammons, started Families for Group Home Placements. In years past, even high-functioning retarded people would be institutionalized in stark state facilities.
John and wife, Celia Gammons, were among the advocates for state support of group homes. There was a long waiting list. Gerry and his parents were featured in a photo and story on the front page of this newspaper in 1988.
They and others like them had some success. Gerry soon began life as a semi-independent adult in a New Haven apartment. More recently, he lived in a condo in Branford run by SARAH, the Shoreline Association for the Retarded and Handicapped, and he turned up in a color photo in a newspaper holding a flat of flowers as an employee of Easter Seals' Greenbrier greenhouse in New Haven.
You could call Gerry playful names like Ace or Buddy and he would tilt his head, smile, and send a playful remark or question right back at you. Like anyone else, he had his blue and quiet moods, like when his mom died. But there was this quiet dignity and - I don't know - intelligence. Let's just say that "Rain Man" is one of our favorite films.
Sometimes his sisters would urge him to have better posture and not look down while greeting people (as he did when he met his hero, conductor Arthur Fiedler, at Woolsey Hall as a teen). He owned a conductor's wand, which he used while listening to his classical records. With his father, he would cut and split firewood. He loved chain saws and snowblowers for their sheer power. And yet he also liked sweeping a floor or just shaking a stick.
But health issues increasingly sent him to the hospital for short stints and in November - after a weekend visit to his sister's house to watch tree pros cut down a huge maple - he was hospitalized with pneumonia.
Doctors talked about a respirator as his breathing became labored. He spent Turkey Day in a hospital bed, returning his sister's kidding that morning through an oxygen mask. It looked grim, but somehow he slowly rallied and went home in December.
We're tempted to say that Gerry kept death away with a stiff arm, so he could enjoy one more Christmastime and New Year's Eve with family and friends. But in fact, he needed help for that. Divine help, maybe.
A little weak but in good spirits, he visited scores of friends and relatives at an annual North Haven house party on Christmas Eve, sang hymns at Mass (sometimes changing an octave mid-phrase). He saw much of his family on the long Christmas weekend at his sister's house, sang carols and roared with laughter at the silliness of the movie "Elf."
After his share of tough times and a grueling hospitalization, Gerry was laughing with sheer joy to be alive.
And then last week, two days after going to a movie with his roommate Jimmy and SARAH staff (and enjoying the heavy snowfall), one day after a diagnosis of strep throat, he collapsed. Death arrived, payment due, in the middle of the night.
Why write about Gerry when the obits are full of area loved ones, great and small? I don't know; maybe his success says something about a society that cared enough to support his dignity. Maybe all of that is in danger in these days of "tight budgets."
It was 1980, I think. My wife, Sue, and I were riveted to the stage on that day in the sun of the Green as Gerry's voice grew louder; the words and message becoming clear and sharp. Like his final weeks, he had rallied this day and his voice boomed, bouncing off the walls of Yale nearby:
"To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me!"
My brother-in-law Gerry made me smile many times, but he made my jaw drop that day. Last week, a top SARAH official called Gerry an "ambassador" for the mentally retarded. Good job, Ace.
After that column ran, I slowly had the feeling that maybe my memory had played tricks on me. I had heard Gerry sing "Let There Be Peace on Earth" several times for sure, in church. But the song in 1980 on the Green may just have been "Climb Every Mountain." So, to give you an alternate ending to that scene, I think now that Gerry's big booming finish echoing off the walls of Yale was probably this one: "Follow every rainbow... til you find... your dream!"
Either way, there's a big connection today somehow; I don't know why.
Here's the column from 2005:
Gerry Gammons sang a touching tune, from the heart
It was a summer day around 1980 when a skinny fellow from Hamden stood at the microphone on a New Haven Green stage and, softly at first, began a hymn that made strollers pause:
"Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on Earth, the peace that was meant to be."
"With God as our Father, brothers all are we..."
The words weren't so clear at first; the soloist was Gerry Gammons, a handsome young man who had been left retarded at birth by an errant umbilical cord.
Could Gerry rise to the occasion of a public solo? He loved music and his records, for sure. He also enjoyed raking leaves, watching the snow fall and - as one of nine children of a Hamden clan - visiting family.
The two sisters closest in age, Sue and Mary, eventually became his guardians. But everyone loved this gentle guy, who never seemed to forget a face or name. (Once he innocently asked about a relative's ex-wife, after being introduced to the guy's new wife. Oops!)
In the late '80s, Gerry found himself amid a state news story as his father, John Gammons, started Families for Group Home Placements. In years past, even high-functioning retarded people would be institutionalized in stark state facilities.
John and wife, Celia Gammons, were among the advocates for state support of group homes. There was a long waiting list. Gerry and his parents were featured in a photo and story on the front page of this newspaper in 1988.
They and others like them had some success. Gerry soon began life as a semi-independent adult in a New Haven apartment. More recently, he lived in a condo in Branford run by SARAH, the Shoreline Association for the Retarded and Handicapped, and he turned up in a color photo in a newspaper holding a flat of flowers as an employee of Easter Seals' Greenbrier greenhouse in New Haven.
You could call Gerry playful names like Ace or Buddy and he would tilt his head, smile, and send a playful remark or question right back at you. Like anyone else, he had his blue and quiet moods, like when his mom died. But there was this quiet dignity and - I don't know - intelligence. Let's just say that "Rain Man" is one of our favorite films.
Sometimes his sisters would urge him to have better posture and not look down while greeting people (as he did when he met his hero, conductor Arthur Fiedler, at Woolsey Hall as a teen). He owned a conductor's wand, which he used while listening to his classical records. With his father, he would cut and split firewood. He loved chain saws and snowblowers for their sheer power. And yet he also liked sweeping a floor or just shaking a stick.
But health issues increasingly sent him to the hospital for short stints and in November - after a weekend visit to his sister's house to watch tree pros cut down a huge maple - he was hospitalized with pneumonia.
Doctors talked about a respirator as his breathing became labored. He spent Turkey Day in a hospital bed, returning his sister's kidding that morning through an oxygen mask. It looked grim, but somehow he slowly rallied and went home in December.
We're tempted to say that Gerry kept death away with a stiff arm, so he could enjoy one more Christmastime and New Year's Eve with family and friends. But in fact, he needed help for that. Divine help, maybe.
A little weak but in good spirits, he visited scores of friends and relatives at an annual North Haven house party on Christmas Eve, sang hymns at Mass (sometimes changing an octave mid-phrase). He saw much of his family on the long Christmas weekend at his sister's house, sang carols and roared with laughter at the silliness of the movie "Elf."
After his share of tough times and a grueling hospitalization, Gerry was laughing with sheer joy to be alive.
And then last week, two days after going to a movie with his roommate Jimmy and SARAH staff (and enjoying the heavy snowfall), one day after a diagnosis of strep throat, he collapsed. Death arrived, payment due, in the middle of the night.
Why write about Gerry when the obits are full of area loved ones, great and small? I don't know; maybe his success says something about a society that cared enough to support his dignity. Maybe all of that is in danger in these days of "tight budgets."
It was 1980, I think. My wife, Sue, and I were riveted to the stage on that day in the sun of the Green as Gerry's voice grew louder; the words and message becoming clear and sharp. Like his final weeks, he had rallied this day and his voice boomed, bouncing off the walls of Yale nearby:
"To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me!"
My brother-in-law Gerry made me smile many times, but he made my jaw drop that day. Last week, a top SARAH official called Gerry an "ambassador" for the mentally retarded. Good job, Ace.
After that column ran, I slowly had the feeling that maybe my memory had played tricks on me. I had heard Gerry sing "Let There Be Peace on Earth" several times for sure, in church. But the song in 1980 on the Green may just have been "Climb Every Mountain." So, to give you an alternate ending to that scene, I think now that Gerry's big booming finish echoing off the walls of Yale was probably this one: "Follow every rainbow... til you find... your dream!"
Either way, there's a big connection today somehow; I don't know why.
From CBS, the show that defied the network ax
CBS publicity: JERICHO" RETURNS TO CBS ON JULY 6
Rebroadcasts From the First Season to Air Fridays at 9:00 PM For the Remainder of the Summer
JERICHO, CBS's drama about how residents of a small, peaceful, Kansas town band together to survive in the wake of a nuclear explosion, will return to the Network beginning Friday, July 6 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT). Rebroadcasts of episodes from the first season will air in the Friday, 9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT time period for the remainder of the summer.
Rebroadcasts From the First Season to Air Fridays at 9:00 PM For the Remainder of the Summer
JERICHO, CBS's drama about how residents of a small, peaceful, Kansas town band together to survive in the wake of a nuclear explosion, will return to the Network beginning Friday, July 6 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT). Rebroadcasts of episodes from the first season will air in the Friday, 9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT time period for the remainder of the summer.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Sopranos too weak? Vince will do it right!
Release from the WWE:
BLOWN AWAY
Who Blew Up WWE® Chairman Mr. McMahon?
STAMFORD, Conn., June 12, 2007 – While some might say “The Sopranos” went out with a whimper, last night on USA Network, WWE’s “Monday Night RAW®” went out with a bang. At the end of his self-anointed “Mr. McMahon Appreciation Night,” WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon entered his limousine when it suddenly exploded. The shocking ending raised a myriad of questions: How could Mr. McMahon have survived the fiery explosion? And who could’ve committed such a heinous act?
Who Blew Up WWE® Chairman Mr. McMahon?
STAMFORD, Conn., June 12, 2007 – While some might say “The Sopranos” went out with a whimper, last night on USA Network, WWE’s “Monday Night RAW®” went out with a bang. At the end of his self-anointed “Mr. McMahon Appreciation Night,” WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon entered his limousine when it suddenly exploded. The shocking ending raised a myriad of questions: How could Mr. McMahon have survived the fiery explosion? And who could’ve committed such a heinous act?
Reaction: I don't know; do you think that fake domestic terrorism is really the way to go to promote wrestling? Or is this REAL? Here's the probable reaction to this event by WWE viewers: "Whoa! He blowed up good. He blowed up REAL good!"
Monday, June 11, 2007
Shactman going to CNBC
Brian Shactman, the TV reporter/anchor at WVIT-30, has made good use of the station’s connection as an NBC-owned station. He is going to CNBC as a general assignment reporter, it was announced Monday.
Li'l Bush on Comedy Central
The new cartoon Li'l Bush premieres Wednesday night with freewheeling slams on the Bush administration of hapless incompetents -- all in quick, simply drawn toon form. That said, it's a bit like watching that dreadful "news parody" on Fox News that tries to make anti-liberal humor and fails miserably. The Fox News show looks like a skit of a parody of a parody, with malice to enemies of Republicans. In this show, Li'l Cheney bites the heads off birds and sucks their blood, while mumbling like the Penguin on "Batman" out of the side of his mouth. Hardly Pixar-quality. Li'l Bush chews and spits out the Bill of Rights in the opening sequence. Li'l Condi suggests bringing back a "lame Iraqi kid" from a visit to Iraq to please Papa Bush. Jeb Bush is portrayed as the doltish sibling who accidentally kills the little Iraqi kid... Oy. In act two there's a couple of jabs at Bill and Hillary, so it's not all GOP-disrespectful. Although it includes a scene of Li'l Cheney having an affair with Barbara Bush (now we're feeling ill). Hard to imagine "Li'l Bush" catching on as a hip new toon.
Sopranos finale
Ambiguity is fine but ending it that way leaves open the possibility of a movie or something. Which feels commerical. It is a story, no? Shouldn't it have an ending, despite the shadings and moral ambiguities? That's not an ending when you consider this guy's level of violence leading to... a diner meal and a message that life goes on? Don't think so.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Odd thing that QU does for hockey, eh? The QU release:
Ex-NHL players to interview pro baseball players
at Fenway Park on June 13
during Quinnipiac University’s sports broadcasting workshop
Boston, Mass. – June 8, 2007 - Nine former National Hockey League players, who are aspiring sportscasters, are heading to Fenway Park on Wednesday, June 13 to hone their broadcasting skills.
The ex-professional hockey players are taking part in the third annual Sports Broadcasting Workshop offered by Life After Hockey, a joint program offered by the National Hockey League, the NHL Players’ Association and the Professional Athlete Transition Institute at Quinnipiac University. The Life After Hockey program has been developed to assist both current and former NHL players in the transition to nonathletic careers.
The former NHL players taking part in the Sports Broadcasting Workshop will spend the week attending classes in the Ed McMahon Mass Communications Center at Quinnipiac in Hamden, Conn., where faculty members, including Bill Schweizer, a former CBS Radio sportscaster, Kenn Venit, a nationally known television news consultant, Rich Hanley, director of graduate programs in the School of Communications, and Lisa Burns, a former sports radio reporter, will teach them about sports broadcasting.
During the week, the players are also scheduled to meet ESPN sportscaster John Buccigross and John Shannon, vice president of broadcasting for the National Hockey League.
On June 13, the players will travel to Fenway Park, where they will interview players before the Red Sox play the Colorado Rockies. After the interviews, the players will visit NESN studios to watch the behind the scenes aspects of producing a major league baseball broadcast.
The players taking part in the Sports Broadcasting Workshop are:
· Todd Hlushko, a former member of the Philadelphia Flyers and Calgary Flames.
· Chris Kotsopoulos, a former member of the New York Rangers, Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings.
· Bill Lindsay, a former left wing for the Quebec Nordiques and Florida Panthers.
· Craig Norwich, a former member of the NHL teams in Winnipeg, St. Louis and Colorado.
· Kevin Primeau, a former member of the Vancouver Canucks.
· Ric Seiling, a former member of the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings.
· Todd Simpson, a former defenseman for the Calgary Flames.
· Warren Skorodenski, a former member of the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers.
· Dave Tomlinson, a former member of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets.
at Fenway Park on June 13
during Quinnipiac University’s sports broadcasting workshop
Boston, Mass. – June 8, 2007 - Nine former National Hockey League players, who are aspiring sportscasters, are heading to Fenway Park on Wednesday, June 13 to hone their broadcasting skills.
The ex-professional hockey players are taking part in the third annual Sports Broadcasting Workshop offered by Life After Hockey, a joint program offered by the National Hockey League, the NHL Players’ Association and the Professional Athlete Transition Institute at Quinnipiac University. The Life After Hockey program has been developed to assist both current and former NHL players in the transition to nonathletic careers.
The former NHL players taking part in the Sports Broadcasting Workshop will spend the week attending classes in the Ed McMahon Mass Communications Center at Quinnipiac in Hamden, Conn., where faculty members, including Bill Schweizer, a former CBS Radio sportscaster, Kenn Venit, a nationally known television news consultant, Rich Hanley, director of graduate programs in the School of Communications, and Lisa Burns, a former sports radio reporter, will teach them about sports broadcasting.
During the week, the players are also scheduled to meet ESPN sportscaster John Buccigross and John Shannon, vice president of broadcasting for the National Hockey League.
On June 13, the players will travel to Fenway Park, where they will interview players before the Red Sox play the Colorado Rockies. After the interviews, the players will visit NESN studios to watch the behind the scenes aspects of producing a major league baseball broadcast.
The players taking part in the Sports Broadcasting Workshop are:
· Todd Hlushko, a former member of the Philadelphia Flyers and Calgary Flames.
· Chris Kotsopoulos, a former member of the New York Rangers, Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings.
· Bill Lindsay, a former left wing for the Quebec Nordiques and Florida Panthers.
· Craig Norwich, a former member of the NHL teams in Winnipeg, St. Louis and Colorado.
· Kevin Primeau, a former member of the Vancouver Canucks.
· Ric Seiling, a former member of the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings.
· Todd Simpson, a former defenseman for the Calgary Flames.
· Warren Skorodenski, a former member of the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers.
· Dave Tomlinson, a former member of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
New "Bachelor"-type show; I'd rather watch fishing
Says NBC, with a little trimming of adjectives:
NBC's upcoming reality dating series "Age of Love," premiering on Monday, June 18 features a twist on the reality dating show format. Iit's a social experiment based on the question: When it comes to falling in love, does age really matter? 30-year-old Australian tennis superstar Mark Philippoussis will attempt to find true love among women ranging in age from 21-48 in this series based on the current phenomenon of younger men dating older women. Philippoussis will date 13 women from two very different groups -- the "Kittens," six fun, enthusiastic women in their 20's, and the "Cougars," seven beautiful, sophisticated women in their 40's.
And I don't like fishing shows.
NBC's upcoming reality dating series "Age of Love," premiering on Monday, June 18 features a twist on the reality dating show format. Iit's a social experiment based on the question: When it comes to falling in love, does age really matter? 30-year-old Australian tennis superstar Mark Philippoussis will attempt to find true love among women ranging in age from 21-48 in this series based on the current phenomenon of younger men dating older women. Philippoussis will date 13 women from two very different groups -- the "Kittens," six fun, enthusiastic women in their 20's, and the "Cougars," seven beautiful, sophisticated women in their 40's.
And I don't like fishing shows.
Army Wives picks good time to debut (after sweeps)
“ARMY WIVES” averaged 3.5 million viewers for its Sunday premiere.
Lifetime channel says new show was the most-watched series premiere in the channel's history.
Lifetime channel says new show was the most-watched series premiere in the channel's history.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Friday, June 01, 2007
NASA chief says global warming no biggie; response
From NPR, which has been covering this stuff well:
NASA’s top climate change scientist James Hansen tells NPR News that he “almost fell off my chair” upon hearing his boss’ comments on global warming earlier today on NPR News’ Morning Edition.
In an interview with Madeleine Brand airing this afternoon on NPR News’ Day to Day, Dr. Hansen says he found the comments made by NASA Administrator Michael Griffin (that global warming is not big deal) to be “remarkably uninformed” and offered additional insight on the significance of climate change saying, “Civilization developed with – it’s the current climate. And we have got an infrastructure along coastlines that assumes that our climate is going to stay roughly what it is now. But if we are going to simply allow human emissions to greatly change climate, I think that is extremely arrogant of our species. It will be devastating to many other species on the planet, not to mention many of our own species.”
NASA’s top climate change scientist James Hansen tells NPR News that he “almost fell off my chair” upon hearing his boss’ comments on global warming earlier today on NPR News’ Morning Edition.
In an interview with Madeleine Brand airing this afternoon on NPR News’ Day to Day, Dr. Hansen says he found the comments made by NASA Administrator Michael Griffin (that global warming is not big deal) to be “remarkably uninformed” and offered additional insight on the significance of climate change saying, “Civilization developed with – it’s the current climate. And we have got an infrastructure along coastlines that assumes that our climate is going to stay roughly what it is now. But if we are going to simply allow human emissions to greatly change climate, I think that is extremely arrogant of our species. It will be devastating to many other species on the planet, not to mention many of our own species.”
Bush orders action on global warming! Not really
From the International Herald Tribune:
Thursday, Bush stepped before the microphones in Washington to announce that he would help convene a series of meetings beginning this fall of the worlds' 15 biggest emitters of greenhouse gases (the United States is No. 1) to develop a long-term "global strategy" for dealing with climate change. He offered no details beyond the general hope that the nations involved would voluntarily establish "midterm national targets" and would increase their investments in new and cleaner technologies.
Given Bush's history of denial and obstructionism when it comes to climate change, there are good reasons to be cynical about this sudden enthusiasm, coming as it does on the eve of the meeting of the Group of 8 industrialized nations.
Most of these nations - and in particular the meeting's host, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany - were deeply offended by the administration's rude rejection of Merkel's proposal for deep, mandatory cuts in emissions by mid-century. Cuts of up to 80 percent by 2050 have been recommended by many of the world's top scientists as necessary to avert the worst consequences of climate change.
And announced Friday from NBC networks:
Three-hour NBC Primetime Special Hosted by Ann Curry with Carson Daly
Bravo to Present 18-hours of Live Concert Coverage and "Best Of" Moments
Sundance Channel and Universal HD to Air Concerts Live All Day
Telemundo and Mun2 to Broadcast Specials Featuring the Hottest Latin Performers
CNBC to Broadcast Seven-hours in Primetime
MSNBC to Broadcast Exclusive Coverage Throughout the Day
Scheduled Performances Include Madonna, The Police, Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Kelly Clarkson, Melissa Etheridge, Faith Hill, Fall Out Boy, Shakira, Kanye West, Enrique Iglesias and The Red Hot Chili Peppers Among Many Others
BURBANK - May 31, 2007 - The networks of NBC Universal will come together to air "Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis" an unprecedented global event on July 7. From the producers of "Live 8," this monumental music event will bring together more than 100 of today's hottest artists and two billion people to focus the world's attention on the global climate crisis and what can be done to reduce global warming. The networks of NBC Universal will broadcast nine legendary concerts from the seven continents, all raising awareness of the solutions to the global climate crisis.
Thursday, Bush stepped before the microphones in Washington to announce that he would help convene a series of meetings beginning this fall of the worlds' 15 biggest emitters of greenhouse gases (the United States is No. 1) to develop a long-term "global strategy" for dealing with climate change. He offered no details beyond the general hope that the nations involved would voluntarily establish "midterm national targets" and would increase their investments in new and cleaner technologies.
Given Bush's history of denial and obstructionism when it comes to climate change, there are good reasons to be cynical about this sudden enthusiasm, coming as it does on the eve of the meeting of the Group of 8 industrialized nations.
Most of these nations - and in particular the meeting's host, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany - were deeply offended by the administration's rude rejection of Merkel's proposal for deep, mandatory cuts in emissions by mid-century. Cuts of up to 80 percent by 2050 have been recommended by many of the world's top scientists as necessary to avert the worst consequences of climate change.
And announced Friday from NBC networks:
Three-hour NBC Primetime Special Hosted by Ann Curry with Carson Daly
Bravo to Present 18-hours of Live Concert Coverage and "Best Of" Moments
Sundance Channel and Universal HD to Air Concerts Live All Day
Telemundo and Mun2 to Broadcast Specials Featuring the Hottest Latin Performers
CNBC to Broadcast Seven-hours in Primetime
MSNBC to Broadcast Exclusive Coverage Throughout the Day
Scheduled Performances Include Madonna, The Police, Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Kelly Clarkson, Melissa Etheridge, Faith Hill, Fall Out Boy, Shakira, Kanye West, Enrique Iglesias and The Red Hot Chili Peppers Among Many Others
BURBANK - May 31, 2007 - The networks of NBC Universal will come together to air "Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis" an unprecedented global event on July 7. From the producers of "Live 8," this monumental music event will bring together more than 100 of today's hottest artists and two billion people to focus the world's attention on the global climate crisis and what can be done to reduce global warming. The networks of NBC Universal will broadcast nine legendary concerts from the seven continents, all raising awareness of the solutions to the global climate crisis.
Best History shows ever, says Comic Book Guy
The History Channel did its best-ever rating with its recent "Star Wars" anniversary special (3.1 million viewers), and its best series debut ever with "The Universe" this week.
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