From NBC:
Golden Globe Award-winning actor Scott Bakula ("Quantum Leap") will guest star as Chuck and Ellie's (Zachary Levi and Sarah Lancaster) estranged dad on NBC's action-comedy series "Chuck" (Mondays, 8-9 p.m. ET) in a multi-episode arc scheduled for broadcast later this spring.
From THC:
STEALING LINCOLN’S BODY
On HISTORY™ on Monday, February 16, at 9-11 pm ET
Featured in special are new digital visualizations of Lincoln
that show him moving and walking for the first time
As millions celebrate the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln this year, HISTORY™ presents perhaps the last unknown story of our 16th president – the shocking plot to steal his body.
From PBS:
Looking for Lincoln, the latest production from Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr (African American Lives 1 and 2 and Oprah's Roots) will air Wednesday, Feb 11 from 9-11 p.m. ET on PBS.
In Looking for Lincoln, Professor Gates applies his unique approach to exploring roots unearthing little known history of our 16th president and along the way addresses many of the controversies surrounding Lincoln – race, equality, religion, politics and depression – by carefully interpreting evidence from those who knew him and those who study him today.
From Discovery:
Discovery Channel’s new “caught-on-camera” series, ADRENALINE RUSH HOUR, premieress Friday, January 30 at 9 p.m.; It is a reality thrill ride featuring the hottest collection of shocking explosions, incredible rescues, outrageous antics, and stunts gone bad. It’s high-octane video done the Discovery way, giving you one-of-a-kind insights into every pulse-pounding clip.
ADRENALINE RUSH HOUR, from Bruce Nash’s “Nash Entertainment”, is an action-packed, edge-of-your-seat adventure that viewers won’t be able to stop watching. The show combines the visceral reality of the most harrowing moments ever caught on tape, with the incredible revelations about what went wrong and why. “In true Discovery style, we take viewers behind the scenes, so they feel like they are there and experiencing it first hand,” says John Ford, President and General Manager of Discovery Channel.
You'll forgive the hype on that last one. Sounds like several other "shocking video" shows, with a little bit of extrapolation thrown in.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Problems in the switch to digital
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/20/AR2009012004015.html?wpisrc=newsletter
These concerns echo what Dave from Branford told me: That getting digital channels to come in on your rabbit ears or even outdoor antenna will be difficult in many cases. And Branford is relatively flat, with Long Island Sound on one side. If you're in hilly Prospect, Cheshire or the Valley, you will have to precisely position your outdoor antenna for the digital signals (on your roof in the frozen, snowy winter).
The cost and quality of the converter boxes also varies a lot, which complicates the issue.
These concerns echo what Dave from Branford told me: That getting digital channels to come in on your rabbit ears or even outdoor antenna will be difficult in many cases. And Branford is relatively flat, with Long Island Sound on one side. If you're in hilly Prospect, Cheshire or the Valley, you will have to precisely position your outdoor antenna for the digital signals (on your roof in the frozen, snowy winter).
The cost and quality of the converter boxes also varies a lot, which complicates the issue.
Monday, January 19, 2009
NBC's spring announcements
New Drama "Kings" Re-set for Two-hour Premiere on Sundays Beginning March 15
NBC Also Orders Three Additional Episodes for Final Season of "ER" - Moving Two-hour Series Finale to April 2
UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIF. -- January 15, 2009 -- NBC unveiled new spring programming announcements today that include the new John Wells drama "Southland" that will debut on Thursday, April 9 (10-11 p.m. ET) as well as premiere dates for "The Untitled Daniels/Schur/Poehler Series" (working title; Thursday, April 9, 8:30-9 p.m. ET) -- starring Amy Poehler -- and the new cooking competition series "The Chopping Block" (Wednesday, March 11, 8-9 p.m. ET).
In addition, the new drama "Kings" is re-set for Sundays with a two-hour premiere on March 15 (8-10 p.m. ET).
Likewise, NBC has added three more episodes of "ER" moving the long-running acclaimed series' two-hour finale to Thursday, April 2 (9-11 p.m. ET) after a one-hour retrospective (8-9 p.m. ET).
NBC Also Orders Three Additional Episodes for Final Season of "ER" - Moving Two-hour Series Finale to April 2
UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIF. -- January 15, 2009 -- NBC unveiled new spring programming announcements today that include the new John Wells drama "Southland" that will debut on Thursday, April 9 (10-11 p.m. ET) as well as premiere dates for "The Untitled Daniels/Schur/Poehler Series" (working title; Thursday, April 9, 8:30-9 p.m. ET) -- starring Amy Poehler -- and the new cooking competition series "The Chopping Block" (Wednesday, March 11, 8-9 p.m. ET).
In addition, the new drama "Kings" is re-set for Sundays with a two-hour premiere on March 15 (8-10 p.m. ET).
Likewise, NBC has added three more episodes of "ER" moving the long-running acclaimed series' two-hour finale to Thursday, April 2 (9-11 p.m. ET) after a one-hour retrospective (8-9 p.m. ET).
Thursday, January 15, 2009
NBC renews 3 good ones
From NBC:
NBC has renewed the popular series "The Office," "30 Rock" and "The Biggest Loser" each for an additional year through the 2009-2010 season, it was announced today by Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios, and Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios."These renewals represent our faith in 'The Office' and '30 Rock' as they continue to represent the gold standard in acclaimed and award-winning series," said Bromstad. "We want the devoted fans of these series to know that we are thrilled that these quality programs will be back with the same high-caliber episodes that viewers have come to expect.""'The Biggest Loser' is a positive, life-enhancing show that has resonated with our audience and has created a solid and loyal fan base," said Telegdy. "This inspirational franchise series will continue with fresh ideas and heartwarming stories."
NBC has renewed the popular series "The Office," "30 Rock" and "The Biggest Loser" each for an additional year through the 2009-2010 season, it was announced today by Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios, and Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios."These renewals represent our faith in 'The Office' and '30 Rock' as they continue to represent the gold standard in acclaimed and award-winning series," said Bromstad. "We want the devoted fans of these series to know that we are thrilled that these quality programs will be back with the same high-caliber episodes that viewers have come to expect.""'The Biggest Loser' is a positive, life-enhancing show that has resonated with our audience and has created a solid and loyal fan base," said Telegdy. "This inspirational franchise series will continue with fresh ideas and heartwarming stories."
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Sept. 30, 2007, column reprinted by request of Bill
When my friend's father died recently, his sons gave a touching eulogy about him that reminded us of his service to the country in World War II, his flair for holiday decorating and his love of family and sports teams.
It made me think of our fathers' and mothers' generation, the so-called "Greatest Generation."
One of the things the octogenarian generation didn't do a lot when we were growing up is spend a lot of money — at least not by today's standards.
As kids, we didn't travel out of state, we only once had a new car (a station wagon) and we rarely replaced furniture or appliances.
For their generation, it's a very long psychological jump from growing up in the Depression to spending money like today's young and restless and entitled. I don't appreciate kids who think life owes them the latest i-Pod, North Face jacket and cool car at age 16.
Affluence (two-earner families, primarily) has given birth to a huge number of companies happy to take your premium-item dollars.
Today, you can spend $4.75 on a glorified cup of coffee at Starbucks. Premium bottled water can run up to $12 a gallon. Cable TV costs up to $150 a month. The same applies for wireless phone service, one of the largest legal fleecings of the American public ever conceived.
One kid, say, has unlimited text messaging. So she sends five text messages to a friend during class, but the friend's phone plan only includes 100 such messages a month.
Guess who gets hosed in this scenario: the second kid's parents. Then there are the fashion items designed to make us feel luxurious and project a certain image of money and status.
Clothing markups are huge. Name-brand jeans run about $28 at Sears while Abercrombie & Fitch jeans go for $80 there. Seeking the scent of success? A bottle of Dior's Cologne Blanche sells for $255 in Neiman Marcus, where you can also pick up a pair of Christian Louboutin Metallic Napa Slingback open-toed pumps for $770.
I'm lucky there was a picture of these because I wouldn't even know what Louboutin Slingback pumps do, unless it's rid your basement of water maybe.
Neiman Marcus also has a cashmere cardigan sweater for $525, an Indy handbag for $3,990 and a Valentino Embellished Evening Gown for $7,900 (which is what I paid for my last used car).
Only the upper crust in this country can shrug at those price tags.
Spending hard-earned money on ridiculous things reminds me of the Steve Martin "nouveau-riche" routine about making a lot of money: "I bought some pretty good stuff. Got me a $300 pair of socks ... got a fur sink ... let's see ... an electric dog-polisher ... a gasoline-powered turtleneck sweater ... and, of course, I bought some dumb stuff, too."
A new Cadillac Escalade will run you about $60,000 with tax and registration, which is almost as much as my house cost in 1979.
A big vehicle is like a high-definition TV for a lot of guys: It brings satisfaction. You'll give your wife or girlfriend grief for buying a $750 Ferragamo handbag, but you won't think twice about paying $2,750 for a big-screen LCD or plasma TV.
Madison Avenue, meanwhile, is marketing the hell out of us. Sneakers are "athletic shoes." Stainless steel frying pan: $35. All-Clad stainless cookware pan: $135.
But are luxury items necessarily better? Dana Thomas' book "Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster" points out that many fine luxury goods once handcrafted in Italy are now often thrown together in a Chinese factory where wages are low.
Truth is, the luxury brands are selling the IDEA of luxury more than a quality product. And integrity is often sacrificed for the sake of higher profits and corporate greed, according to a published report on the topic.
We all want a piece of the luxury pie. Says columnist MP Dunleavy on msn.com, "The trappings of affluence are no longer limited to those who can afford them. Increasingly, middle-class Americans will pay top dollar just to have the veneer of luxury — and retailers, wizards that they are, continue to provide the fantasy of wealth, even when all you're buying is a garden trowel."
Not-so-frugal folks from Woodbridge to Cheshire to Madison are paying a premium for status and self-esteem.
It may be shallow and wasteful, but that's the game.
Consumers seem to understand that five times the price doesn't bring five times the quality, however. Which is why they buy black-market knockoffs.
I know one woman who went to a knockoff party where she purchased a fake-designer handbag. (Party: real. Products: fake.)
I know a guy who also made such a purchase while on business in New York. He had to follow a frontman around a corner to a doorway to get his expensive-looking knockoff. I like my gadgets, and a certain standard of living, but lately I'm forced (by car repairs, college tuition, etc.) to take on more of my father's anti-consumerist mentality. You spend money when you need to, with creativity in mind, not to complete you.
Send e-mail to Joe Amarante at mailto:%20jamarante@ctcentral.com. See his "J4" blog at nhregister.com.
It made me think of our fathers' and mothers' generation, the so-called "Greatest Generation."
One of the things the octogenarian generation didn't do a lot when we were growing up is spend a lot of money — at least not by today's standards.
As kids, we didn't travel out of state, we only once had a new car (a station wagon) and we rarely replaced furniture or appliances.
For their generation, it's a very long psychological jump from growing up in the Depression to spending money like today's young and restless and entitled. I don't appreciate kids who think life owes them the latest i-Pod, North Face jacket and cool car at age 16.
Affluence (two-earner families, primarily) has given birth to a huge number of companies happy to take your premium-item dollars.
Today, you can spend $4.75 on a glorified cup of coffee at Starbucks. Premium bottled water can run up to $12 a gallon. Cable TV costs up to $150 a month. The same applies for wireless phone service, one of the largest legal fleecings of the American public ever conceived.
One kid, say, has unlimited text messaging. So she sends five text messages to a friend during class, but the friend's phone plan only includes 100 such messages a month.
Guess who gets hosed in this scenario: the second kid's parents. Then there are the fashion items designed to make us feel luxurious and project a certain image of money and status.
Clothing markups are huge. Name-brand jeans run about $28 at Sears while Abercrombie & Fitch jeans go for $80 there. Seeking the scent of success? A bottle of Dior's Cologne Blanche sells for $255 in Neiman Marcus, where you can also pick up a pair of Christian Louboutin Metallic Napa Slingback open-toed pumps for $770.
I'm lucky there was a picture of these because I wouldn't even know what Louboutin Slingback pumps do, unless it's rid your basement of water maybe.
Neiman Marcus also has a cashmere cardigan sweater for $525, an Indy handbag for $3,990 and a Valentino Embellished Evening Gown for $7,900 (which is what I paid for my last used car).
Only the upper crust in this country can shrug at those price tags.
Spending hard-earned money on ridiculous things reminds me of the Steve Martin "nouveau-riche" routine about making a lot of money: "I bought some pretty good stuff. Got me a $300 pair of socks ... got a fur sink ... let's see ... an electric dog-polisher ... a gasoline-powered turtleneck sweater ... and, of course, I bought some dumb stuff, too."
A new Cadillac Escalade will run you about $60,000 with tax and registration, which is almost as much as my house cost in 1979.
A big vehicle is like a high-definition TV for a lot of guys: It brings satisfaction. You'll give your wife or girlfriend grief for buying a $750 Ferragamo handbag, but you won't think twice about paying $2,750 for a big-screen LCD or plasma TV.
Madison Avenue, meanwhile, is marketing the hell out of us. Sneakers are "athletic shoes." Stainless steel frying pan: $35. All-Clad stainless cookware pan: $135.
But are luxury items necessarily better? Dana Thomas' book "Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster" points out that many fine luxury goods once handcrafted in Italy are now often thrown together in a Chinese factory where wages are low.
Truth is, the luxury brands are selling the IDEA of luxury more than a quality product. And integrity is often sacrificed for the sake of higher profits and corporate greed, according to a published report on the topic.
We all want a piece of the luxury pie. Says columnist MP Dunleavy on msn.com, "The trappings of affluence are no longer limited to those who can afford them. Increasingly, middle-class Americans will pay top dollar just to have the veneer of luxury — and retailers, wizards that they are, continue to provide the fantasy of wealth, even when all you're buying is a garden trowel."
Not-so-frugal folks from Woodbridge to Cheshire to Madison are paying a premium for status and self-esteem.
It may be shallow and wasteful, but that's the game.
Consumers seem to understand that five times the price doesn't bring five times the quality, however. Which is why they buy black-market knockoffs.
I know one woman who went to a knockoff party where she purchased a fake-designer handbag. (Party: real. Products: fake.)
I know a guy who also made such a purchase while on business in New York. He had to follow a frontman around a corner to a doorway to get his expensive-looking knockoff. I like my gadgets, and a certain standard of living, but lately I'm forced (by car repairs, college tuition, etc.) to take on more of my father's anti-consumerist mentality. You spend money when you need to, with creativity in mind, not to complete you.
Send e-mail to Joe Amarante at mailto:%20jamarante@ctcentral.com. See his "J4" blog at nhregister.com.
Coming up in the Register
On Monday we'll have a look at inauguration coverage on TV (and some radio). I think the U.S. can feel a tremendous sense of pride and achievement that a once-tormented minority has produced a U.S. president we elected. The world is watching, and it can be the start of improving the U.S. reputation around the world after the disastrous Bush-Cheney years.
Starbucks will be tuned to MSNBC Tuesday
What NBC released:
MSNBC is expanding its reach on Inauguration Day, bringing the network's coverage of the presidential Inauguration to big screens and Starbucks locations around the country.
What we say:
Great, in this recession and given Starbucks' $4 lattes, MSNBC just increased its audience by 84 people nationwide.
MSNBC is expanding its reach on Inauguration Day, bringing the network's coverage of the presidential Inauguration to big screens and Starbucks locations around the country.
What we say:
Great, in this recession and given Starbucks' $4 lattes, MSNBC just increased its audience by 84 people nationwide.
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