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How Nerds Can Save Network TV
How Nerds
Can Save Network TV
Dec 12, 2008 11:44 AM CST

How Nerds Can Save Network TV

Big Bang Theory succeeds where less brainy sitcoms fail

(Newser) - Why is a physics-quoting comedy one of network TV's only successful sitcoms? And with so many Americans turning to cable, the Internet, and reality programming, what does that mean for the future of prime time? The Wall Street Journal looks at The Big Bang Theory, an unlikely hit that actually...

Debt-Laden Redstone May Sell Theaters

Media mogul may have to sell CBS stake, too, to placate bankers

(Newser) - With debts threatening to consume his media empire, Sumner Redstone is considering selling his family’s 1,500-screen movie theater chain, the New York Times reports. But even that may not be enough to satisfy his bankers, say people briefed on the negotiations. If things get bad enough, Redstone may...

CBS Sought to 'Mollify Right' in Rather Investigation

Ex-anchor's lawsuit reveals GOP influence

(Newser) - Former anchor Dan Rather appears to be making headway in his $70 million lawsuit against CBS for his firing, the New York Times reports. With the power of subpoena, Rather has unearthed documents showing that the network used Republican operatives to vet members of the supposedly independent panel set up...

Obama Gives First Interview to 60 Minutes

President-elect and future first lady will be on the show Sunday

(Newser) - Barack Obama will give his first post-election interview to 60 Minutes, reports Variety. The show's Steve Kroft will interview the president-elect and the future first lady in Chicago this week, and the show will air Sunday night. Obama seems to have a soft spot for the CBS institution—he also...

Couric: Palin Needs to 'Learn About Governing'

(Newser) - Katie Couric didn't want to diss Sarah Palin when grilled by a New York Post reporter, but she did let slip that the Alaska governor "should keep her head down and learn about governing." Couric, whose interview with Palin during the presidential campaign opened up the candidate to...

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,...

Oprah Set to Bolt ABC
 Oprah Set to Bolt ABC 
Nov 8, 2008 10:02 AM CST

Oprah Set to Bolt ABC

(Newser) - Oprah is getting ready to say goodbye to ABC and take her legendary talk show to her OWN cable network, the New York Post reports. The CEO of Discovery Communications, which is teaming up with Winfrey to create OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network) says he expects Winfrey’s eponymous show...

Critic John Leonard Dead at 69
 Critic John Leonard Dead at 69 
Nov 6, 2008 4:15 PM CST

Critic John Leonard Dead at 69

Lung cancer claims Vonnegut's 'smartest man who ever lived'

(Newser) - Critic and author John Leonard died last night after a long battle with cancer. Leonard, whom Kurt Vonnegut once called "the smartest man who ever lived," was 69. A brilliant but not flashy stylist, an unapologetic liberal, and a mentor to countless younger writers, Leonard worked at various...

Web, Cable Topple Networks' Election Ratings

Big three see ratings fall 16% from 2004 election

(Newser) - After proving itself indispensable in this year’s campaign, the internet won again on election night, Liz Gannes writes on NewTeeVee. Web users marked record traffic on several sites, while TV’s big three networks lost 16% off 2004 ratings, with cable and internet picking up the slack. During Barack...

CBS 'Comfort Food' Wins Over Younger Viewers

Though all networks see viewership dip, Eye boasts much smaller slide

(Newser) - CBS isn’t supposed to jockey for the much-coveted 18-to-49-year-old demographic—it’s supposed to be the network of cop shows starring 50-year-olds. But it’s creaming its rivals during the fall TV season, the New York Times reports, and exec Les Moonves has a theory: “comfort food.”...

Redstone to Divorce (Again)
 Redstone to Divorce (Again) 
Oct 22, 2008 2:41 PM CDT

Redstone to Divorce (Again)

Couple of 5 years splits 'amicably' as Viacom, CBS chief tackles $1.6B debt

(Newser) - Media magnate Sumner Redstone is calling it quits with his wife of 5 years, the Los Angeles Times reports, even as the Viacom and CBS chairman tries to maneuver his family company through a debt crisis. Though the 85-year-old cited irreconcilable differences in ending his marriage to Paula Fortunato, the...

Tube 2, Boobs 0 in Weekend Sports Viewing Snafus

Technical issues keep baseball playoff, NFL game off air long enough to drive fans nuts

(Newser) - Power problems had fans hoping to catch the baseball playoffs and the NFL on TV this weekend howling, the AP reports, with a malfunction at TBS headquarters keeping the first 20 minutes of Tampa Bay’s Game 6 loss to visiting Boston off the airwaves Saturday. Yesterday, balloons snagged a...

Madden Takes First Weekend Off in 28 Years

NFL commentator ends 476-game streak to see the grandkids

(Newser) - For the first time in 28 years, sportscaster John Madden will not call a regular-season NFL game this weekend, ending an impressive run of 476 without absence, the Washington Post reports. The hiatus is expected to be short for Madden—now 72 and working NBC’s Sunday-night broadcast—who crisscrosses...

In Tough Times, TV Goes Blue-Collar

(Newser) - As the financial crisis deepens, expect TV to trade upper-crust environs for jokes about crustiness, reports the New York Post. Entertainment execs are pushing the development of blue-collar comedies that allow for a little old-fashioned escapism. "I don't think audiences want to see a show about the fall of...

Obama Buys Half-Hour of Network Primetime

30 minutes on October 29th may be accompanied by other TV buys

(Newser) - Barack Obama’s campaign is planning an 11th-hour advertising blitz and has purchased a half-hour of primetime TV on CBS for October 29th, Politico reports. A special will air that night, just days before the election, at 8pm. Rumor has it that Obama also is nearing deals with NBC and...

Obama Takes Round 2: Polls
 Obama Takes 
Round 2: Polls 

Oct 8, 2008 2:08 AM CDT

Obama Takes Round 2: Polls

Dem grabs clear debate victory in CBS, CNN polls

(Newser) - Barack Obama was the clear winner of last night's debate against John McCain, two separate polls conducted for television networks found. Minutes after the debate ended, 40% of uncommitted voters identified Obama as the winner to 26% who said McCain came out on top, CBS News reports. Viewers found Obama...

CBS Reporter Under Scrutiny for Iraq Booty

US Customs looks into Logan's swiped Hussein portraits

(Newser) - CBS chief correspondent and tabloid catnip Lara Logan has two portraits of Saddam Hussein in her office, and US Customs wants to know why. The art was recovered from the wreckage of a Baghdad palace, and it's illegal to take such items out of Iraq. Customs prosecuted a Fox News...

Couric Gets Second Big Palin Interview

CBS anchor will talk to her for shows in late September

(Newser) - Second in the broadcast network competition to talk to Sarah Palin: Katie Couric. The CBS anchor will spend two days on the road with her and John McCain, the network said. Couric's interview material will be aired Sept. 29 and 30 on the CBS Evening News and The Early Show....

Is Brady's Injury a Financial Disaster?

CBS execs expect to lose millions, but hope Favre will draw viewers

(Newser) - Tom Brady’s season-ending knee injury may have crippled the New England Patriots, but what will it cost in dollars and cents? As the NFL’s marquee player, Tom Brady is a money-making machine—yet executives at CBS, which pays $622 million for the AFC package, won't say how many...

Palin's Posture Reveals Her Self-Doubt: Expert

Posture, clenched hands reveal lack of confidence

(Newser) - Sarah Palin’s performance in her first television interview pales when compared to her commanding convention speech, an expert told CBS News. The Alaska governor’s poor posture and hand-wringing in the ABC interview reveal insecurity, according to body language pro Jo-Ellan Dimitrius, who gave the Republican veep pick an...

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