NBC

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As NBC Falters, Real Drama Is Behind the Scenes

Network moves to consolidate amid executive shakeup, poor ratings

(Newser) - When NBC announced a sweeping shakeup last week, it confirmed just how bad things are at the network, the Los Angeles Times reports. Ratings are down 14% this season, just as companies are dramatically slashing advertising budgets in the face of recession. “This is not a good time to...

Poehler's SNL Return Only a Cameo

Reprised role just a cameo for new mom

(Newser) - Amy Poehler made a surprise return to Saturday Night Live as Hillary Clinton, reports TV Guide, but the appearance was only a cameo. With Darrell Hammond at her side as husband Bill, Poehler lampooned Clinton's appointment as secretary of state in an opening sketch. The comedienne gave birth 6 weeks...

Gregory Named to MTP Gig

White House correspondent had been frontrunner to succeed Russert

(Newser) - As long rumored, NBC News named David Gregory the new moderator of Meet the Press on the show today. Gregory, 38, NBC’s chief White House correspondent, has been hosting a political show on MSNBC and handled election night duties for the cable channel. The move had been widely reported,...

NBC Flatlines ER
 NBC Flatlines ER 
Dec 5, 2008 4:52 AM CST

NBC Flatlines ER

The last patient will be rushed into County General on March 12

(Newser) - NBC will pull the plug on ER’s 15-season run with a March 12 series finale, reports Access Hollywood. The long-running medical drama, created by the late Michael Crichton, will be replaced by Kings—a series chronicling the life of King David in modern times and starring Deadwood's Ian McShane....

NBC Delays Meet the Press Announcement

Leaks about Gregory irk higher-ups; other contenders fuming

(Newser) - NBC, peeved about leaks that David Gregory is the next host of Meet the Press, may delay the announcement, the New York Post reports. Ongoing arguments over Tim Russert’s replacement are “at a new peak,” with other NBC talent fuming about being passed over. Chuck Todd, another...

Post-Russert, NBC Should Remake Meet the Press
Post-Russert, NBC Should Remake Meet the Press
OPINION
Dec 1, 2008 6:20 PM CST

Post-Russert, NBC Should Remake Meet the Press

NBC seems set on finding a Russert clone, but that's a mistake: Brown

(Newser) - Paralyzed by the perceived necessity of finding a Tim Russert doppelganger, NBC has already taken too long to choose a new host for Meet the Press, writes Tina Brown for the Daily Beast. “Russert defined an era,” Brown writes, "but that era is over.” Tom Brokaw...

Meet the Press May Get New Anchor(s) Soon

PBS' Gwen Ifill, NBC's own Andrea Mitchell, David Gregory among candidates

(Newser) - NBC could name a new anchor, or anchors, for Meet the Press by Dec. 7, the Los Angeles Times reports. Sources at the network say that could be interim moderator Tom Brokaw’s last day on the show. Up for consideration are NBC’s David Gregory, Chuck Todd, and Andrea...

Sarah Palin, Come Back! SNL Needs You

Show loses its edge without the moose-hunting governor

(Newser) - Without Sarah Palin and with a dull Barack Obama impression on its hands, Saturday Night Live is in election withdrawal, Alex Carnevale writes for Gawker. The show’s opening skit about congressional hearings on automaker bailouts was “less than hilarious,” and it “tried to squeeze jokes out...

With Election Gone, SNL Enters 'Rebuilding' Phase

Three new members join comedy show's cast

(Newser) - The election may be over, but SNL still has 14 episodes to fill. Lorne Michaels says the show will be in one of its periodic "rebuilding" periods, but he has much praise for three new faces. Here's the lowdown, from USA Today:
  • Abby Elliott: The daughter of former cast
...

'Bruno' Borat Disrupts NBC Set

Baon-Cohen infiltrates set of psychic drama Medium in latest character role

(Newser) - No one saw it coming. Production was temporarily halted and an extra forcibly removed during the filming of the popular NBC detective series the Medium when the actor suddenly disrupted a tense courtroom scene involving Patricia Arquette, reports Entertainment Weekly. The extra turned out to be Borat star Sacha Baron...

Ad Vets Sit Out Super Bowl in Tough Year

Amid layoffs, some worry pricey publicity could backfire

(Newser) - The recession has loyal Super Bowl advertisers hesitating to buy spots, worried the $6 million-a-minute publicity could backfire. FedEx is concerned it looks “wrong” to drop the dollars while “asking employees to do more with less,” the Wall Street Journal reports. NBC sold most ad spots by...

Fickle Election Audience Threatens Network Shows

Election blamed for disrupting viewing, hurting programs like 'Lipstick Jungle'

(Newser) - Election coverage disrupted America's viewing habits, playing havoc with the ratings of some network shows that could soon be cut if they don't recover their audiences, reports the Los Angeles Times. ABC's Dirty Sexy Money and Pushing Daisies, NBC's Lipstick Jungle and the new critically acclaimed CBS comedy Worst Week,...

YouTube to Offer MGM Movies, TV Episodes

Internet site to announce new partnership with studio

(Newser) - YouTube and MGM are about to announce a partnership in which movies and TV shows will be offered on the video-sharing website, reports the New York Times. The deal is part of a strategy by YouTube owner Google to cozy up to Hollywood in a bid to compete with rival...

'Kenneth the Page' Talks Weak Chins, 30 Rock

Jack McBrayer dishes on his character and connection with Tina Fey

(Newser) - Yes, Jack McBrayer is like Kenneth the Page, his 30 Rock character. Sort of. In an interview with Salon, the actor admits he’s “somewhat of a people-pleaser”—though the former Applebee's employee of the month has serious comedy chops. The Southerner met creator Tina Fey at Chicago’...

Leno Gets First McCain Interview on Veterans Day

GOP candidate has kept off of TV since Election Day loss

(Newser) - John McCain will help Jay Leno celebrate Veterans Day by appearing on NBC’s “Tonight Show,” Monsters & Critics reports today. The Tuesday appearance will mark the Republican’s first TV interview since his loss to Barack Obama in the Nov. 4 election.

NBC Axes 'Heroes' Writers
 NBC Axes
'Heroes' Writers
Nov 5, 2008 4:46 AM CST

NBC Axes 'Heroes' Writers

Ratings falling on budget-busting drama

(Newser) - The top writer-producers of the struggling NBC drama series "Heroes" have been axed. Jesse Alexander and Jeph Loeb were fired because NBC executives were frustrated by falling ratings and increasing budget overruns, reports Variety. The program, costing some $4 million an episode, has struggled to hold viewers' attention in...

TV's Gimmickry Diminishes Election
 TV's Gimmickry 
 Diminishes Election 
OPINION
Nov 3, 2008 1:27 PM CST

TV's Gimmickry Diminishes Election

News operations aim for ratings, shoot viewers instead

(Newser) - Tomorrow night will be a high-water mark for TV news gadget gimmickry as the networks try to hook some of the millions of viewers who will tune in for election coverage, Rick Kushman writes in the Sacramento Bee. Some, like the technology that will allow TV networks to have instant...

With Conan on Deck, NBC Thinks Young

Subversive, cerebral humor will attract younger audience, say execs

(Newser) - With the Tonight Show's June transition from Jay Leno to Conan O’Brien on the front burner, NBC is already anticipating a jump in younger viewers. The June handover "is as important an event as is going to happen to this company in 2009," an NBC VP tells...

Economic Woes Mean Reprieve for Weak Series

Alternatives to underperforming TV shows may be worse

(Newser) - The financial crisis and the lingering effects of last year’s writers’ strike are breathing life into TV shows that would already have worn out their welcome in years past, reports the Hollywood Reporter. In previous seasons, ratings dogs like NBC's Knight Rider and ABC's Private Practice likely would have...

How Jim Popped the Question
How Jim Popped the Question
Oct 26, 2008 7:12 PM CDT

How Jim Popped the Question

Long-awaited Office proposal cost big bucks and required huge rain machines

(Newser) - Jim’s proposal to Pam at a gas station rest stop may have looked spur-of-the-moment, but a top creative on The Office says it took weeks of planning and high-tech special effects. To create the 52-second scene, the production team built a replica of a rest stop on Merritt Parkway...

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