NOTES OF INTEREST
A “Big Bang” Ticking Clock
From Campaign US: Ten years ago, I had a conversation with Johnny Galecki and predicted that his upcoming new CBS sitcom, “The Big Bang Theory,” would not only be a hit, but still be in the top 10 in the ratings in its 10th season. No, I didn’t have a crystal ball. I was the one, after all, who thought that a show about people inhabiting a bar, “Cheers,” would never work. So, I am far from perfect.
But how difficult was it to predict that this tale of likeable — and relatable — nerds, headlined by Jim Parsons as breakout Sheldon Cooper, and Kaley Cuoco as their cool neighbor Penny, would succeed big time? CBS wisely positioned the sitcom on Monday in that first season in the fall of 2007 out of “How I Met Your Mother” (which housed an ample base of young adult viewers), and there was just something about that gang of five that made “The Big Bang Theory” an immediate destination. There was no one else like them on television at the time.
One decade after my first prediction, let me make my next one: I think this is the beginning of the end for “The Big Bang Theory.” For more, click here
Lifestyle Matters, According to Scripps
From PromaxBDA: Scripps Networks, the home of HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, DIY Network, Cooking Channel, and Great American Country, began its upfront briefing to members of the press in New York City with a message that applies to every broadcasting outlet. “We are living in the danger of distraction,” began Jon Steinlauf, President, National Ad Sales and Marketing, Scripps Networks Interactive. “Consumers have more media at their fingertips than ever before. With mobile and over-the-top and streaming, their entertainment options are endless.”
“But what we built is a premiere environment for upscale and passionate consumers to engage with our advertising brands,” he said, hawking record ratings, on average, for the Scripps networks in 2016 in the midst of the heated presidential campaign. “How people feel when they are watching the advertiser’s ads on the Scripps Networks is the key to our success. Where an ad lives is just as valuable as who it reaches, maybe even more so. If media buyers limit themselves just to an audience buy they risk airing their message in a place where people don’t engage and respond.”
Citing The Environment and Advertiser Impact Study, commissioned by Scripps Interactive Networks and conducted by Nielsen, the amount of times participants were highly engaged to ads on the Scripps lifestyle networks was 94 percent greater than the genres of general entertainment, reality, news and sports. For more, click here
“The Young and the Restless” Leads the Daytime Emmy Award Nominations
The National Academy of Television has announced the nominations for the 2017 Daytime Emmy Awards. “The Young and the Restless” leads the pack with 25 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, two spots for Outstanding Lead Actress for Gina Tognoni and Jess Walton, and two for Outstanding Lead Actor for Peter Bergman and Kristoff St. John. CBS is the most nominated network, with 70 nods.
Competing for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show are “The View,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “Maury,” “Live With Kelly,” and “The Talk.” And competing for Outstanding Game Show are canceled “Celebrity Name Game,” “Family Feud,” “Jeopardy,” “Let’s Make a Deal” and “The Price Is Right”
The 44th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will take place April 30, in Pasadena, California. For the full list of nominees, click here
Another Notable Emmy Award Nomination – Sitcom “This Just In”
Recently introduced tweens-themed sitcom “This Just In” on Pop, from Associated Television International and the subject of a feature recently written by yours truly, is now an official Daytime Emmy Award nominee. The category is Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Series and it faces “Annedroids” on Amazon, “Give” on NBC, “Odd Square” on PBS, “Xploration DIY” on Pop TV. For a link to the feature, click here
Half Yard Productions Signs Development Deal with David Emmanuel Creative
Fashion designer, Royal Couturier, and executive producer, David Emanuel, designer of, with his ex-wife, the world-famous Wedding Dress for Diana Princess of Wales, among countless other creations, has entered into a multi-title development deal with US-based production company, Half Yard Productions and Atlantic Crossing Productions. The agreement is for the creation of lifestyle shows for US and Canadian audiences. Half Yard and Emanuel are working together on the UK version of TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress,” which Half Yard created and on which Emanuel is series host and creative director.
“The Gong Show” Creator Chuck Barris Dies at 87
Chuck Barris, who was best known for hosting “The Gong Show” and creating “The Dating Game” and “The Newlywed Game,” died on Tuesday of natural causes at his home in Palisades, New York. He was 87.
Born on June 3, 1929 in Philadelphia, Barris got his start in television as a page and later staffer at NBC in New York City, and eventually worked backstage at music show “American Bandstand.” Barris soon became a music industry figure, producing pop music on records and television. His most successful music venture was writing “Palisades Park,” recorded by Freddy Cannon, in 1962. Barris also wrote or co-wrote some of the music that appeared on his game shows.
Barris formed his production company Chuck Barris Productions on June 14, 1965, the home of a number of other game shows including “The Parent Game,” “The Family Game,” “The Game Game,” “The New Treasure Hunt,” “The $1.98 Beauty Show” and “Three’s a Crowd.” In 1976 he began his four season stint hosting “The Gong Show,” and in the spring of 1978 he moved into primetime as host of the short-lived “The Chuck Barris Rah-Rah Show” on NBC.
After selling his company for a reported $100 million in 1980, he wrote his autobiography, “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,” claiming to have been a CIA assassin. The book (and the 2002 film based on it, directed by George Clooney) were widely dismissed by disbelievers.
Barris’ other books include the novels “You and Me, Babe” (1974) and “The Big Question” (2007). In 2010 he published “Della: A Memoir of My Daughter,” recalling his only child, who died of a drug overdose at age 36. He is survived by his wife, Mary.
Casting News
David Boreanaz (“Bones”) has replaced Jim Caviezel in an untitled Navy SEAL drama pilot on CBS. The project follows the lives of the elite unit as they train and plan the most dangerous, high-stakes missions our country can ask. Boreanaz will play Jason, the respected, committed leader of his assault team who’s been through over a dozen deployments. The cast also includes Jessica Pare (“Mad Men”), Max Thieriot (“Bates Motel”), Neil Brown Jr., A.J. Buckley and Toni Trucks. |
