Jon & Kate Plus Fatal Attraction

Seductive, powerful TV was the mistress that drove a wedge between Jon and Kate Gosselin, the Pennsylvania couple who have spent a goodly portion of their married lives on cable.

Having opened up their personal lives and their kids to a national audience, the unhappy couple profited materially. They enjoyed the fruits of such a deal with the devil over showing their family's "reality," but with success breeding another season and a cottage industry of products, there was no bowing out (even if they want to now probably).

So now the series is airing the train wreck of a marriage on the rocks, as the two are trapped in an embarrassing purgatory. The cable channel can't be displeased, with a huge tune-in on Memorial Day as Jon talked of remorse even as he denied having an affair. The overly coiffed Kate and the hair-plugs recipient Jon avoided each other coldly in scenes taped just weeks ago.

TLC will undoubtedly try to keep the golden goose producing, offering up marriage counselors and other "constructive" solutions to a family show gone sour. The kids, of course, will be victims in the long run. Here's a revelation for you: Fancy digs do not a happy family make. These children are in the unenviable position of possibly watching their parents' ugly breakup play out on prime-time TV. (One of the sextuplets pleads with her father at one point Monday, "Daddy, I don't want you to leave anymore." Here's hoping he doesn't.) How's that for a DVD keeper to show your psychiatrist some day?

You can blame the press (specifically the tabloids and paparazzi, who are like the legit news media's sleazy second-cousins) if you want, and neocons frequently use this misdirection, but it was the network and the merchandising/promotion arms of the big companies that led a willing Kate away on her business trips instead of watching all those kids. I mean, if you have sextuplets, you probably should stick pretty close to them while they're young instead of flying off without them for promotional purposes. Same goes for Jon.

"I have a lot of anger," Kate says in the episode. Maybe it's all a ruse, all I ratings-grabber that will end happily. But it looked a little too real to viewers.

Comcast, NFL Network strike deal

Release from Comcast

Comcast Corporation and the National Football League announced today that they have reached a new, long-term agreement regarding carriage of NFL Network and complete settlement of all outstanding legal disputes. The carriage agreement consists of a broad array of video content, including the live (24/7) Network, video on demand for Comcast’s Digital Classic cable customers, and the ability to offer the NFL’s RedZone Channel when it is created.

Under the terms of the agreement, Comcast will begin repositioning NFL Network from the Sports Entertainment Package to its Digital Classic level of service with a full launch by August 1, reaching nearly two-thirds of the company’s total digital customer base. In addition to NFL Network’s in-studio shows, commentary and live-game broadcasts, Comcast’s Digital Classic customers will now have access to a robust suite of NFL content On Demand, including game highlights, game replays, the “best” of NFL Films, players and coaches interviews, local team highlights, and other NFL programming whenever they want a piece of the action.

"Chuck" renewed, thanks to Subway???

NBC says that thanks to a new deal with Subway, "Chuck" has been renewed for the fall. There's a statement I never thought I'd hear. I think we can expect the show to get out of the Buy More store and into a Subway franchise, since product placement is a key to this deal. I like the show for its attractive stars and light comedy.

Farrah's Story popular

From NBC:

More than 8.9 million viewers tuned in to watch "Farrah's Story" last night from 9-11 p.m. last Friday on NBC. An unprecedented television event, "Farrah's Story" chronicled Farrah Fawcett's two and a half year battle with cancer. Shot with her own video camera, the intensely intimate and emotional footage served as Farrah's video diary in which she not only shared her thoughts and feelings but also her treatments in the U.S. and Germany.

New GM of WPKN 89.5 FM in Conn.

News release from WPKN:

Peter Bochan is Named General Manager of WPKN
A Former Executive at WBAI Radio in New York City

Peter Bochan was named GM by the members of WPKN Radio (WPKN 89.5 FM in Bridgeport, CT & WPKM 88.7 FM in Montauk, NY) after elections at that station’s annual meeting held on May 17, 2009 at their office in Bridgeport, CT. Bochan, formerly the Operations Director for New York City’s WBAI-FM is coming back to the station where he first got his start back in 1973. Bochan is nationally known as the creator of the Shortcuts radio series and as host of the critically acclaimed All Mixed Up, his weekly show on WBAI. The New York Times, Time Out New York, the Village Voice and The Daily News have named that show one of the Top Ten Music Radio Programs. It is known for incorporating current events, politics, and culture into custom-blended montages. Bochan’s “Barack Obama-The Remix” set record numbers of pledges for an original fundraising premium at WBAI and was one of the most popular programs ever distributed by the Public Radio Exchange, featured on many of public radio stations with incredible feedback from almost every market including WPKN.

“WPKN is one of the wonder of the non-commercial radio world, with a dedicated staff of volunteer programmers, musicologists and eclectic producers, whose knowledge of the history of music and pop culture is beyond compare,” says Bochan. One of his first tasks will be to grow the listener base. Adds Bochan, “What we need to do is find a way to let more people know about WPKN, to expand the listener base and strengthen the greater world’s knowledge of WPKN and what treasures lie in our collective consciousness and in our unique library.” Jeep Ward, former interim general manager will remain on the board of directors as co-chair.

WPKN/WPKM is already readying for a busy summer. Its Summers of Love: Music That Moved us in the 1960’s a two-day Radio Marathon on June 6-7 kicks off it 8-Days a Week fundraising through June 13. In Long Island, on June 27th, the 2nd Annual Hamptons Roots Music Festival in Southampton, NY will be a benefit for WPKN featuring The Kennedys, Caroline Doctorow and others. WPKN will also again be broadcasting live via “Radio Vibes” the multi-day, outdoor music festival, Gathering of the Vibes in Bridgeport’s Seaside Park. On August 6, the California’66 Review Tour, featuring The Electric Prunes, the band LOVE, and Sky Saxon from The Seeds will perform at The Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University for a WPKN Benefit Concert.

Documentary on CPTV Sunday

From Quinnipiac's John Morgan:

“No Unwounded Soldiers,”
to air on Connecticut Public Television May 17 and May 20
Hamden, Conn. - May 12, 2009 – “No Unwounded Soldiers,” a documentary produced and directed by Quinnipiac University Professor Rebecca Abbott of Hamden, is scheduled to air on Connecticut Public Television at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, and 11 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20.
“No Unwounded Soldiers” follows a group of Vietnam War veterans and the twin sister of a deceased veteran as they explore, through their work in drama therapy, the ways that war changes those who fight. It shows the devastating ripple effects those changes have on them, on their families, and on their communities. And it shows that healing is possible, especially through the arts.
“No Unwounded Soldiers” was taped at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System Hospital in West Haven during a weekly drama therapy group led by drama therapist Mary Lou Lauricella. As it explores the process of creating an original play to help others heal, “No Unwounded Soldiers” also interweaves the personal stories of the five group members – Frank Attruia, George LaBounty, Lewis Mungo, Jan Rilance and Mike Steele, and the stories of Ed Borucki and Grace Bell, two veterans of World War II, and Robert Timmins, a veteran of the Iraq War.

Helen wins "Biggest Loser"

Somehow Mikey's transformation seemed a whole lot more impressive, but Helen won "Biggest Loser" last night in the bloated finale.
From NBC:
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – May 13, 2009 – Helen Phillips, a 48-year-old retired retail manager and mother of two, won NBC’s “The Biggest Loser: Couples” and $250,000 at last night’s live season finale of the hit series. Helen lost 140 lbs. and 54.47% of her body weight to claim the prize. She started the show at 257 lbs. and ended weighing just 117 lbs.
Helen came on “The Biggest Loser: Couples” with her daughter, Shanon Thomas, who started the show at 283 lbs. and weighed 191 lbs. at finale, losing 92 lbs. and 32.51% of her body weight.
The runner up among the three finalists was Mike, the youngest contestant in the history of the show, who began at 388 lbs. and weighed 181 lbs. at finale. He lost 207 lbs. and 53.35% of his body weight. Coming in third place was Tara, a 24-year-old model/finance manager from New York, NY, who lost 155 lbs. and 52.72% of her body weight. She began the show at 294 lbs. and weighed only 139 lbs. at finale.
The winner of this season’s $100,000 “at home” prize among eliminated contestants went to Jerry Hayes, a 64-year-old retired engineer and grandfather from Wheaton, Illinois.

Paul Kangas leaving PBS's "Nightly Business Report"

from pbs:
For 30 years, Paul Kangas has concluded each Nightly Business Report broadcast by wishing viewers “the best of good buys.” This play on words will take on new meaning with the announcement that the legendary NBR anchor will be leaving his anchor position at the end of 2009. Kangas plans to stay active in the financial world.
“I’m not retiring,” explained Mr. Kangas. “Business news is what I know and it’s what I am. So I plan to stay involved through speaking engagements, guest commentaries, television appearances and consultation. NBR has a fine nucleus of young talent that works hard to secure the tough interviews and tell the important stories. These people ‘get it’ and I have no doubt they will carry on with aplomb.”