I Am A TV Junkie, A Blog For The Clicker Jockey

Video -- Colbert Tonight on Letterman, Will He Refuse to Come Out Before Midnight?

Because if he does, he's competing against himself. Here's a clip from the show, gleaned from the web as if I could travel through time to the very near future.

And who says I can't?

LINK

Video -- New Office Webisode, Oscar Explodes? Probably Angela's Fault (she sucks)

And of course, The Office is on tonight at 9 on NBC. And I am loving the show these days, particularly the business trip episode, it was all the things I want a comedy to be.

It's followed by 30 Rock. If you watch only two NBC shows regularly, it should be these.

Around the Horn -- Our Newest Web Friends Edition

Only the newest and freshest links from the left hand column today, okay?

First off, we travel to B-Piper.com, a great Billie Piper fansite run by the lovely Mandy. She has a deleted scene from the series four Doctor Who DVD set from the scene in Norway (you know, at the end).

It is a great place to keep up with news about Billie, who also stars in Secret Diary of A Call Girl, which returns to US TV screens on Showtime in January.

Showtime site at this link.

Next, I met British journo and all around writer guy Keith Topping last year at the Gallifrey One convention in Los Angeles. Most recently, Topping links to Keith Olbermann's Special Comment on the CA Prop 8 sitch and says:

Keith Olbermann of MSNBC, you da man. WELL spoken.

I imagine that you will doubtless be crassly and ignorantly attacked for the views you've voiced in this editorial by various homophobic wretches not a million miles for your own backyard. (Indeed, I note from some of the - particularly poorly spelled - comments left on You Tube that you already have been.) Prophets are seldom appreciated and often spat upon in their own land. Nevertheless, I salute you, sir. Bravo.

Thanks for the support, Keith. I don't see you on the list for this years' confab, but I'm still hoping to see you.

Oops, I was wrong, he is on the list.

And to the right here is the cover of Keith's West Wing book, which you can buy at Amazon should you be sitting with the DVD set and need further research material.

Finally, we click over to SkinsOnline.net, a fan blog/site for the E4/BBC America teen drama Skins that's way better than Gossip Girl and 90210.

I would be remiss if I didn't link you to the lovely screengrabs of young Mitch Hewer who played Maxxie on the first two series of the show. But that's not my primary motive.

This is:

E4 has announced the new characters that will be introduced in the upcoming third season of its popular teen drama Skins, says Last Broadcast.

Tony Stonem's younger sister Effy (Kaya Scodelario) and her best friend Pandora (Lisa Backwell) will be the only existing cast members to appear in the third series next year.

The new additions to the girls' lineup are Katie and Emily, twins with contrasting personalities, and the idealistic Naomi.

The boys are comprised of the charismatic Cook (Jack O'Connell), skateboarding stoner Freddie, magician J.J., and Thomas, who struggles to settle in the UK after arriving from Congo.

Harry Enfield, Morwenna Banks and Geoffrey Hughes will return for guest appearances, along with new guest stars Scott Mills, Mackenzie Crook, Sally Phillips and James Fleet.

Kaya (pictured) is also upcoming in the new Kevin Spacey - Sam Rockwell film Moon. She's really quite remarkable on screen; on Skins she's played a character that doesn't speak much but you can't take your eyes off her when she's on.

She has a ferociously strong presence for someone so small and quiet. And, she's stunning. Another star in the making.

And we'll go around the horn again tomorrow (if I don't forget). You could do a guy a solid and remind him, you know

Roger Ailes: "I Look Forward to Carrying Out Mr. Murdoch’s Legendary Vision in the Future"

Well, that's one of us. 'Cause I look forward to nothing that you do, Jabba.

Variety:

Fox News chief Roger Ailes as signed a five-year pact with News Corp. that keeps him at the helm of Fox's news operation, TV stations and Twentieth Television syndication wing.

News Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch praised Ailes' track record since he joined the conglom in 1996 to launch Fox News Channel, which has dominated the cable news market for more than five years. Murdoch also gave an endorsement to Ailes' latest startup, the one-year-old Fox Business Network.

“Roger has done a remarkable job building FOX News into a force in journalism and built a great asset for News Corporation. I have complete confidence in his talent and his editorial judgment. Under his leadership, I believe that Fox Business Network will become the strongest competitor in financial television news," Murdoch said.

Yeah, but it's not all hunky dory for Newscorp's US TV properties now, is it? 

The first thing I find interesting inside Ailes' Fox portfolio is the report of ratings numbers on MyNetworkTV's broadcasts of WWE Smackdown, which are down considerably compared to the numbers reached on The CW before the switch.

(Of course, MyNet doesn't have the market clearance that The CW has.)

And with the news today of The CW ending its relationship with Media Rights Capital (the company that programmed their ill-fated 2008 Sunday nights) they must be kicking themselves for kicking McMahon and wrestling down the street to the other netlet.

Then there's Fox Business Channel, which is certainly not having the launch that was expected, even considering all the financial news that is out there.

USA Today:

Whether propelled primarily by personal or professional investors — or merely the curious who are watching the market like a wild sporting event — CNBC is on pace to have its best month ever in daytime ratings. The Fox Business Channel, which has struggled to make its presence felt since being launched a year ago, hit the 100,000 mark in viewers a few times for the first time ever.

First time ever. And they have female anchors in tight pastel-colored sweaters. And Stuart Varney. Ugh.

And considering all the play it gets, when you think about us being a country of 300 million poeple, the 3.5 million or so who watch Bill-O every night is really a drop in the bucket. Half of those people, I think, are just sleeping through it.

His demo? Skews ANCIENT!

Video -- More Colbert Christmas: Festival of Lights, Jon Stewart Asks?

Yes, Jon Stewart sings! We know Stephen is a musical theatre pro, but Jon? I have to tell you that I'm impressed, and that comes from a member of the 1978 All New York State High School Choir.

LINK

And, if you click over to this link at the NY Mag Vulture blog, you can hear what will no doubt be the musical highlight of the special. It swings, baby, it swings!

Airing for the first time this Sunday at 10 on Comedy Central. Some proceeds from DVD and iTunes sales from the show go to FeedingAmerica.org (formerly America's Second Harvest).

Video -- Sarah Silverman Finds Her Dad, and He's Not Dead at All!

Before you get all verklempt, we're talking about TV character Sarah, not real Sarah. I believe actual father Silverman, Donald, is also still alive, but I'm pretty sure Sarah knows.

Her dad's played by stand up comic Mark Cohen, and you might remember him as Oh. My. God. Janice's husband the mattress king on Friends.

All week I've been seeing the promo and thinking, "I know that guy from somewhere." That's where.

Clip after the jump. Tonight at 10:30 on Comedy Central. Tune in at 10 for a repeat of last night's outstanding South Park episode with vampires, just in time for opening weekend of Twilight (right after last week's Elementary School Musical ep which was also a movie spoof).

Video -- Letters From Abroad With Hearty Congrats!

My friend Stu in England:

Hey, I don't know if I've sent my congrats about Obama!  As I mentioned my wife's cousin in New York and aunt in California were literally doing the door-to-door thing so there was lots of love in our family for Barack.

However, lets get Guantanamo shut down, get the troops home, reverse Proposition 8, prosecute Bush, Cheney, Rove and all their Satanic cronies, throw those banker-crooks in jail and good times will follow.

For the record:  The penultimate ep of The Shield was some powerful television.  I'm mourning Mad Men.  I'm dreading Boston Legal ending next week.  Boy does Knight Rider soooo suck. Loving The Mentalist, Enjoying Sons of Anarchy.  30 Rock still on form.  South Park's Elementary School Musical rocked.  House is still on form, despite still having the same plot each week.  Sarah Connor continues to surprise and please.  Chuck's faltering.  Samantha Who is utterly adorable.  FX canceling the superlative The Riches was a stupid mistake.  I've just discovered the hilarious Little Mosque on the Prairie on CBC.  And Big Bang Theory rocks my world so much I literally almost died laughing last week when I couldn't catch my breath.

Stu watches almost as much as I do, but of course as an industry pro he has a better route to justifying it in his mind than I do. And, he's not even mentioning all the UK television that he follows. You can read Stu's blog at this link.

And after the jump, Stu's beautiful little CJ in her baby bouncer from last week. She's very cute and you should click over. I'm in the middle of a round of "oh my God I forgot to have children" again.

Not that anyone would be making that easy for me.

Henry Waxman Gets Chair of House Energy & Commerce Committee Which Oversees FCC

Washington Post:

On a 137-122 vote, Waxman dethroned Dingell from a post he has held as either chairman or ranking Democrat since 1981. He is the most prominent supporter of his home state's auto industry and has feuded with junior committee members, including Waxman, over efforts to impose fuel efficiency standards on cars.

"Seniority is important, but it should not be a grant of property rights to be chairman for three decades or more," Waxman told reporters after the vote.

Why is this important to you, TV fan? Because media consolidation is killing the business creatively, in my humble opinion, and Waxman is a fighter against said consolidation.

He's a fighter, period. Good guy to have in the role. Beware corporate media, he means business.

Nikki Finke on her blog today:

Dingell was seen as ridiculously friendly to the handful of moguls who maintain a stranglehold on the infotainment industry. Now there's hope LA's outspoken and fearless broadcasting critic uses the panel to crack down on Big Media's run amok power and manipulations. The public has never needed Waxman more than now. 

Here here! Go Henry!

Video -- The L Word -- New Poster for Final Season Premiere January 18

Hot.

Website at this link.

After the jump, the trailer for the final season. And at this link, all the info you might need on the upcoming L Word spinoff starring Leisha Hailey.

Okay, you might need this link, too. It's from AfterEllen.com.

2 Clips & Red Carpet Pics From 24: Redemption Premiere in NYC

Because I love you guys (and because I have the pics).

And remember, 24: Redemption premieres at your home on your own TV if you so choose this Monday night at 8 eastern.

The cast (I won't list them all, but I do find it surprising that Jon Voight, who was all McCainian during the election doesn't seem to mind hugging Cherry Jones, even though McCain doesn't seem interested in Cherry Jones' civil rights.


Your star, Kiefer Sutherland, who apparently wore a hat sometime before this photo was taken.


Cherry Jones, who plays President Allison Taylor.

More pics and two clips after the jump.

Video -- Cupid Vs. Cupid, Cannavale vs. Piven, You Decide

 

I got both of them for you, but first ... (ABC via TheFutonCritic.com):

Production has begun in New York on "Cupid," a new romantic dramedy coming to ABC this season.

In "Cupid," Trevor is a larger than life character who may or may not be the Roman god of love, Cupid. Trevor insists that he was sent to earth to bring couples together. As fate would have it, he is under the care of famous psychologist and self-help author Dr. Claire Allen, who is also dedicated to helping lonely hearts find their soul mates. While she agrees with his cause, she questions whether he's crazy or really is Cupid.

The series stars Bobby Cannavale ("Will & Grace") as Trevor, Sarah Paulson ("Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip") as Claire, Rick Gomez ("What About Brian") as Felix and Camille Guaty ("Las Vegas") as Lita.

Rob Thomas ("Veronica Mars") serves as executive producer/writer, along with executive producers Jennifer Gwartz ("Good Behavior," "Veronica Mars"), Danielle Stokdyk, ("Good Behavior," "Veronica Mars"), Dan Etheridge ("The Nines") and Diane Ruggiero ("Dirty Sexy Money," "Veronica Mars"). "Cupid" is produced by ABC Studios.

After the jump, watch Piven and Cannavale in essentially the same role in YouTube clippage. Forget that Jeremy Piven is thought to be by many one of the most bothersome and loathesome individuals in all of entertainmentdom.

If you can put that out of your head, you might be able to make a decent comparison.

As you know, I love the Paula Marshall, it's one of the things that keeps me returning to Gary Unmarried. And I'll certainly give the Sarah Paulson a second chance, I just didn't like Studio 60.

CA High Ct. Will Hear Prop 8 Arguments -- Revision or Amendment, Separation of Powers, Status of Current Same-Sex Marriages

Sacramento Bee:

The California Supreme Court agreed Wednesday to consider complaints by opponents of Proposition 8 that it improperly revised the constitution to ban gay marriage. The court declined to stay its enforcement in the meantime.

Court spokeswoman Lynn Holton said the court asked the parties involved to write briefs arguing three issues:

(1) Is Proposition 8 invalid because it constitutes a revision of, rather than an amendment to, the California Constitution?

(2) Does Proposition 8 violate the separation-of-powers doctrine under the California Constitution?

(3) If Proposition 8 is not unconstitutional, what is its effect, if any, on the marriages of same-sex couples performed before the adoption of Proposition 8?

Holton said the court established an expedited briefing schedule. She said oral argument could be held as early as March 2009.

I'm not a lawyer. But I'm finding some right now who have posted on this ... HOLD ON!

If you click over to the article, gird yourself for the hateful rhetoric from the God people. But they'll say anything to impose their religion on you. Betcha soon they'll be snatching people from in front of their TVs during football season and dragging them to church against their will. This is no different than that.

Funny thing is, we know that sooner or later, one of the people involved in this Yes on Prop 8 thing will do something stupid like ask a gay male prostie to buy some meth for him, but after the laughing dies down we'll once again remember that these people are just so twisted up about themselves and their sexualities, which we've seen in example after example is usually so much more outside the mainstream than what the gay community is looking for here, which is just to have that globally recognized bond with that one special person that everyone else enjoys.

And if you don't understand that, there is something seriously lacking in your upbringing or your spiritual education or you're scared or just mean-spirited.

I'll return to the article for this last piece:

"This is a great day for the rule of law and the voters of California," said ProtectMarriage.com General Counsel Andy Pugno in a statement. "This order means that voters will get their day in court and ensures that voters will have a vigorous defense of Proposition 8 before the California Supreme Court. We are profoundly gratified with the Court's order and are confident that Proposition 8 will be upheld."

Links?

Lambda Legal

I must be pretty far out in front of this. Americablog and Glenn Greenwald haven't even posted yet and so check back and I'll might have more.

Full Interview Video -- Ben Silverman Tells Charlie Rose NBC Is a Safe Environment for Advertisers

Really? Knight Rider? Kath & Kim? That Christian Slater mess?

Hmmm, cat peeing on YouTube or bad TV remake on NBC? At least you know that the peeing cat isn't costing millions of dollars to produce. I'd rather to business with a company that was getting the most bang for their buck. (You'll understand that remark after you watch.)

Ben talks convergence in the interview below with Charlie.

Unfortunately, he doesn't talk about making any of the shows better. There are only two shows that are actually working for me on the network right now (The Office, 30 Rock).

Fact check on one item ... at 15:13, Ben says that Heroes has the largest time-shifted audience of all NBC shows. It's actually The Office, per TV By the Numbers.

It's after the jump.

You might choke when you hear what he says about being proud of managing 30 Rock, but watch it anyway.

And just before the 18 minute mark, a surprise flashback clip from the past with Brandon Tartikoff, one of Silverman's purported mentors.

I just don't see any of Brandon in him. Nothing at all.

BBC Archives Earliest Doctor Who Documents, Digitizes Them For Web

This is some remarkable stuff. Especially for fans of the original series, but it seems as if these archived items have had their effect on the current incarnation of Doctor Who as well.

BBC News:

Newly released documents, which reveal the 1960s conception of Doctor Who, show how nervous the BBC was about producing a sci-fi show, writes Tom Geoghegan.

The Doctor without his time-travelling police box is difficult to imagine, but its creators initially proposed he journey through space in an invisible machine covered in light-resistant paint.

When BBC producers were devising the show in the early 1960s, they thought viewers should see no machine at all, only "a shape of nothingness".

The BBC's head of drama Sydney Newman, who commissioned the first series, insisted an invisible machine would not work and the doctor's vehicle should be a strong visual symbol.

Wisely, writers also said a transparent, plastic bubble would be "lowgrade". But a seed of the Tardis idea is sown when they suggest using "some common object in the street" like a night-watchman's shelter.

These discussions are revealed in six previously unpublished documents, now digitised on the BBC Archive website. These include handwritten notes by Mr Newman, regarded by fans as the genius behind the original concept.

That archive is at this link. Have at it. Documents, images, other stuff ... GO!

My favorite line I've read so far from these docs is an audience research report with this quote from a viewer: "a police box with a flashing beacon traveling through interstellar space -- what claptrap."

Yeah, that'll never work, huh.

John Barrowman on Marcia Cross -- "I Love Women Who Are Botoxed To the Nines"

John, John, John. These are things that people who work in American television don't say to the press. Why? Why would you say this?

Then again, it's The Sun, so I guess it's always possible that you didn't say it:

(E)yebrow movement or not, he reckons Botox babes look great.

He told Closer magazine: “This is going to sound really camp, But I love women who are Botoxed to the nines. Bree on Desperate Housewives is incredible!”

Bit of a backhanded compliment for Marcia Cross, who plays Bree, but we're sure she'll take it in the right spirit!

Lovely, John. Now you can just forget about that guest spot on the show. You could have been written in as a rough trick Bob Hunter brings home from a bar after a fight with Lee where Lee stomps out with an overnight bag.

And that's something I would have enjoyed watching.

New Video -- A Colbert Christmas Starts Early, Nov. 25 at 10 on Comedy Central and Keeps Giving Afterward

Maybe we could just consider this the opening salvo in the War on Christmas, the shock -n-awe portion.

What would Christmas be without Stephen telling us what we should be feeling and how much?

This is an event so big that I got a press release, and among all the pretty words on the page are:

In the special, Colbert is on his way to perform with Elvis Costello in New York City but is trapped by snow in his cabin in upstate New York (bear country).  Luckily, his friends Feist, Toby Keith, John Legend, Willie Nelson and Jon Stewart stop by to help him celebrate the season. 

"A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!" features original songs written by David Javerbaum (executive producer, "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart") and composer Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne), who recently collaborated on the Tony®-nominated Broadway musical "Cry Baby," with the exception of "(What's So Funny 'bout) Peace, Love And Understanding" which was written by Nick Lowe.  The songs were produced by Schlesinger and Steven M. Gold.  Theme music and score also by Schlesinger and Gold.

Toby Keith and Feist. On the same stage. Singing together. It's a Chistmas Miracle!

And, for a good cause. A portion of the DVD sales of the show (it's available for sale on Nov. 25 as well per Amazon) and the iTunes album of songs from the show will go to Feeding America.org, which you used to know as America's Second Harvest.

Your first look in a clip after the jump.

People's Sexiest Man Alive for 2008 is Hugh Jackman

Jess Cagle from People Magazine enthusiastically calls it for the star of Australia, the man who puts the "men" in X-Men and shook it so convincingly as Peter Allen in The Boy from Oz on Broadway.

Also included is Michael Phelps, Chace Crawford (is the award Prettiest Man Alive?), Clooney (of course), John Krasinski,the guy who carries Angelina Jolie's bags is on the list, Zac Efron (Prettiest Boy Alive?) ... and get this, the Jonas brother who wears the entirely inappropriate and too tight stretchy pants? He's in this issue of the magazine.

Our list inhabitors from TV also include Jon Hamm, Robert Buckley, Blair Underwood, Ed Westwick, Raising the Bar's Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Joshua Jackson (Pacey would love that).

Honestly, even I belong on this list before Kevin Jonas. At least my clothing is weight appropriate.

(Plus, I love ranking on the Jonas brothers.)

An excerpt from their interview with Jackman:

“Are you self-conscious about any body part?”
When I was younger, I had chicken legs. My nickname was Sticks.

“What part do people like best?”
My smile. Lately my pecs. I'm being honest!

“What do you wear to bed?”
I didn't wear anything until my daughter was born and we had a night nanny because I was working. I walked out stark naked, and she was reading a book. Now I like boxer briefs.

More from People at this link, including People Magazine video at this link.

Watch the Today Show announcement after the jump. No reaction shots of a crestfallen Matt Lauer, unfortunately.

30 Rock Webisode -- Kenneth the Page Plays Hide-N-Seek With Tiki Barber's Niece

I guess time does fly when you sit quietly in the same position for hours.

Tiki's niece punks Kenneth.

LINK

Video -- Goodnight, Griffins

Goodnight, everyone.

LINK

Heroes Video -- Obviously a Spark, But Was There Elle/Gabriel Chemistry?

You know, spark, because it's Elle and she has that electricity thing and she teaches him and ---

(Okay, fine. But I have to write every one of these headlines myself. Occasionally I bomb.)

Well, how symbolic that Tim Kring should write this episode which attempts to reboot the whole entire series, at least in theme.

Another eclipse coming (hence the episode title It's Coming), Claire once again deemed special, now even more special than the rest, Hiro recapturing his innocence again and even reading comic books again (even if he hasn't run into our TV pal Seth Green yet), only this time there's a definite villian, which kind of harshes the banding together to do good zazz that came with the initial story because that definite villian has it out for his entire family, and it's that family that we've grown to know and love since the last eclipse.

This week the Elle/Gabriel (Gabri-Elle?) relationship advances which leads me to believe that they are setting us up to care about them in advance of some horrible thing happening to them in the coming weeks.

Intrigued by their scenes together, but I have trouble buying Gabriel Gray in any relationship with a woman. I just always assumed otherwise. Projection on my part? I dunno.

(After the jump, watch their big scene together. Then afterward if you like you can click a link provided and watch the whole episode over again, if you are so disposed.)

Anyhow, we're being set up for a couple big episodes coming up, but remember that this chapter is quickly coming to a close and something has to happen.

And then we can all meet back here and decide if we care. How's that sound?