The following comes from my TV buddy at Warner Brothers, Winson. Like Audrey, he helps keep me hip, or a reasonable facsimile thereof. Otherwise, you’d get reviews of Studio 60 all the time in this space.

On Monday, July 2^nd, fan of ABC’s “Travelerâ€? will get another online clue to the conspiracy thriller. Fans that logon to character Kim Doherty’s MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/kimdoherty) will find she is now using it to ask for help in proving her boyfriend, Jay’s innocence. In her research on Will Traveler, she has found a recruitment program for an organization dealing with National Security.

Fans can link to the website, weneedsecuritynow.com, and complete a questionnaire with such odd questions as “Is your emotional state influenced by the weather?� and “Have you ever dressed up in costume for a party and forgotten to take off your costume when the party was over?� Kim will be updating fans again the day after the July 11th (10pm ET/PT on ABC) episode.

Above: Aaron Stanford, the Will Traveler of Travler.  Aaron Stanford , Movieline’s Hollywood Life 8th Annual Young Hollywood Awards - Backstage and Audience, April 30, 2006.

[tags] Traveler, ABC, Kim Doherty, MySpace, Aaron Stanford, Will Traveler [/tags]

NBC’s Studio 60 ended with last night’s episode. A show that had great promise, its rise and fall mirrored the talent and foibles of its creator, Aaron Sorkin. One minute it is all talky and preachy and disconnected; the next moment it is soaring and emotional and meaningful.

While Studio 60 is not in the same Zip Code creatively as David Chase’s The Sopranos, at some level, Sorkin understands the importance of storytelling over art. While Studio 60’s final episode, What Kind of Day Has It Been, was far from perfect, it also helped to tell–and give at least some closure–to the stories it was telling. Cast member Tom’s kidnapped brother is rescued from the Afghan terrorists, Matt and Harriet finally admit they love each other, Danny and Jordan adopt her baby girl.

And, in a final nice touch, Executive Producer Matt Albie tells the crew after the Studio 60 performance, “We can do better.” He then goes off to start writing next week’s show, telling fellow Co-E.P. Danny Tripp, “Next week’s show is going to be better. I’m just getting a head start on it.”

Call me old fashioned but there is an arc to storytelling. Stories have a beginning, middle and ending. That’s good enough forWilliam Shakespeare, John Steinbeck, and Stephen King. Even when going off the air in a disappointing manner, Sorkin remembered this–he wrapped up his story of the merry band of sketch artists and executives and even gave a bit of confession to NBC–my next series will be better.

This not only honors the audience and its committment but the art of storytelling. What David Chase did in his awful final episode to his brilliant series was to engage in what might be art but was certainly poor storytelling.

From the time we as humans sat around the campfire telling stories of legends and past exploits to reading a nursery rhyme to our toddlers to even trying to explicate a T.S. Eliot poem, stories follow a certain path. Call it “closure” or call it “tradition.” I just call it knowing how to tell a good story. And good stories don’t simply cut to black.

Sorkin understood that last night, Chase did not earlier this month. Hence the headline: Sorkin 1, Chase 0.

Above: Aaron Sorkin, executive producer of Studio 60, at The Apple Tree’s Broadway Opening Night, December 14, 2006.

[tags] Aaron Sorkin, David Chase, The Sopranos, Studio 60, HBO, NBC [/tags]

This is just another attempt to get a better handle on my metrics.

I hope this tool will give me some insights as to where people come from. While I have access to some statistics, they aren’t as detailed as I might like.

As much as I like Steven Van Zandt as a rock ‘n roller (he’s in Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, for God’s sake!) and as Silvio in HBO’s The Sopranos–I hate to say it–but this show looks like it is really going to stink like 4th of July potato salad left out in 100 degree heat from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The word “ripe” comes to mind.

I think I would rather spend my Independence Day putting my face too close to exploding Blackcat firecrackers instead.

Above: Encore Action and the Vongo movie download service introduce a July 4 B-Movie Theater with Rocky Rialto (a.k.a. Little Steven Van Zandt), a foppish, British bon vivant “cousin” of Little Steven. It’s a 13-hour marathon called Godzilla Invasion!. (PRNewsFoto/Starz Entertainment, LLC)

My gal Audrey wants you to to be caught in The Real World casting net.

Do what she says or she might have to take another vacation to a tropical paradise!

I hope that you were able to check out Real World Online Casting when I told you about it last week. Well, Round 2 is coming to a close on Thursday, so make sure you get your vote in or hurry up and join so you have a chance to be on Real World 20!

http://realworldcasting.com/

Not really sure what MTV is looking for, well…no problem. One of your favorite Real Worlders Tyler from the Key West season has helpful enough to shoot a video that gives you a few tips on what you can do to impress the judges and of course its in typical Tylerstyle.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/691878/

Thousands of people have already signed up for RW Casting so I thought I would show you a couple of the most entertaining/bizarre/what are people thinking.

Maybe one of the worst dancers I have EVER seen:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/690557/

And ever wonder what happens to kids that are contestants on “Where in the World is Carmen San Deigo�…wonder no more!

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/691915/

I hope that you can let your readers know about Real World Online Casting, and also share the videos if you like.

Thanks,

Audrey

Above: When worlds collide, real or otherwise. Syrus, MTV Real World, and William Hung, Former American Idol, Dreams N2 Reality Press Conference, June 20, 2007.

[tags] Audrey, Real World, MTV [/tags]

Lifetime is bragging that it’s new “hit,” Army Wives, is a ratings juggernaut for the girly-network.

An excerpt from a recent release:

NEW YORK, June 26 /PRNewswire/ — Powered by unprecedented weekly growth across all key demographics and viewing categories, “Army Wives,” Lifetime Television’s most-watched series in its 23-year history, has now become the year’s #1 new cable drama! The critically acclaimed series has captured the top ratings spot in households (3.0), W18-34 (1.9), W18-49 (2.3) and W25-54 (2.5), and is tied for first among P2+ (1.5).

This past Sunday (June 24) for the second consecutive week, the smash hit was the #1 program in basic cable during primetime (8-11PM) among W18-49 (2.8/1.6 million) and W25-54 (3.1/1.6 million), while additionally winning its 10PM time period in households, W18-34 and P2+. . . .

On the other hand, these aren’t blockbuster numbers. It’s kind of like Meet the Parent’s 7th place awards to Greg Focker to make him feel good. Everyone’s a winner!

[tags] Army Wives, Lifetime, ratings [/tags]

Above: Catherine Bell, one of the stars of Lifetime’s Army Wives.  Here, she is the Grand Marshall of the Autism 400 prior to the start of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, Autism Speaks 400, June 03, 2007, Dover International Speedway, Dover Delaware .

The Wall Street Journal (paid subscription required) reports that Congress wants to muck around with violence regulation on TV since it hasn’t gotten as far as it wants with obscenity regulation.

Television Violence Gains Focus in Congress

Congressis set to tackle the issue of TV violence, starting with a Senatecommittee hearing. The hearing will mark the beginning of a battle over possible broader limits on broadcast and cable TV programs.

With spectrum and bandwidth no almost a non-issue, it is time for Congress and the rest of the federal government to treat broadcasters, cablecasters, and satellitecasters like the print media–with full First Amendment rights and freedom from content based regulation.

And for the rest of us, if you don’t like something on the tube, don’t watch it. Your set has a channel changer and an on/off button. Use them with abandon and alacrity. You’ll be glad you did.

[tags] First Amendment, Congress, TV violence, obscenity, regulation, censorship [/tags]

Thank God Almighty! Paris is free! She was released from jail today in Los Angeles.

I’ve sprinkled in photos from Wire Image.

From People:

Beaming for the cameras, Paris Hilton walked out of jail Tuesday morning after serving what she has called a
life-changing sentence for violating probation in an alcohol-relateddriving case.

Now, our long national nightmare is finally over!

Top: Paris Hilton upon release from jail.

Immediately Above: A supporter falls to his knees in thanks. (Go figure?!)

Right: Media crush surrounding Paris Hilton’s release. (Go figure?!)

Bottom: Kathy and Paris Hilton reunite.

[tags] Paris Hilton, People, jail [/tags]

Access Hollywood reports that heiress/scofflaw Paris Hilton will be released in less than a day from the klink.

Paris’ Release From Jail Imminent In just hours, Paris will be let out of jail after serving her 23 day sentence. Find out what’s next for the heiress.Read More

Perhaps she’ll now have time to watch Animal Planet’s Eaten Alive (see below).

[tags] Access Hollywood, Paris Hilton, jail [/tags]

While clicking through the channels on a warm Sunday afternoon, I stumbled upon Animal Planet’s Eaten Alive.

This is a program about various strange but true parasites v. humans stories. It has an extremely high cringe factor–particularly the one where the fish swam up the guy’s penis while he was taking a leak in the Amazon River. That had to hurt, coach.

But like not being able to look away at a car accident. I watched. I was reminded of my days as a kid where my friend’s dad–a large animal veterinarian–would cut open dead pigs and we watched. We are always hoping for intestinal worms of some type and were seldom disappointed. So, compared to the stench of dead pig guts and actual, wiggling tapeworms, Eaten Alive was relative child’s play.

Some of the other incidents included a British barrister who nearly died from mosquito-borne malaria. I’m sure I heard people cheering for the demise of my English lawyer colleague. Another guy had worms crawling past his eyeballs. That one did bother me a little bit.

Another guy got mosquito-borne worms who burrowed through his body–and he could watch them move. They also nearly drove him insane with the itching. Another guy got elephantiasis, which made his gonad swell to the size of an orange. There is also no known cure. That would sure suck.

I did notice all the victims were men. Apparently women practice better hygiene and have the good sense to stay out of places that have microbes that can kill or deface you.

As a grown adult, I’m ashamed I wasted an hour watching the show. But my inner twelve year old loved Eaten Alive–it was like watching old Doc Buckman slice open pigs in the back of his vet mobile.

Plus, the show is no less gross than a typical interview with Paris Hilton.

Above: Some parasites are delivered by animals like this mosquito. Others are delivered via television where they are delivered onto interview shows.

[tags] parasites, Paris Hilton, Eaten Alive, Animal Planet, tapeworms [/tags]

Though my friends at South Dakota Dark, who I think are great reviewers, don’t like the death arc of Studio 60’s “K & R” episodes (too slow), I think the episodes are proof of how great the show sometimes was.

In flashback fashion, it takes on the timidity of the press and the TV networks in the aftermath of 911 and the patriotic pandering they engaged in. That NBC would allow such self-criticism to air, even by a dead TV series, is remarkable.

But Aaron Sorkin is a truth teller, though sometimes his smarty-pants approach gets in the way. But he is dead on in going back in history to how the mythical Studio 60 was neutered after the attacks because of skittish advertisers, chickensh*t network executives, and bullying Rightwing radio talk show hosts.

It was not a good time in America for freedom of speech or questioning our President.

Sure, it is no big deal to oppose the Iraq War now. Seventy percent of the people are against it–and Bush. But back in 2001-3, it was a far different situation. Those of us who opposed it were branded traitors to our country. Criticism of Bush was considered treasonous. The press failed to ask Bush the hard questions because it too was kowtowed.

Sorkin reminds us in the last gasps of Studio 60 just what cowards the networks, the press–and many of us were. It’s a part of our history worth remembering.

Above: From the May 2006 Upfronts, when every show is a winner. Cast of Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip, NBC Primetime Preview 2006-2007 - Red Carpet Arrivals, May 15, 2006.

[tags] South Daktoa Dark, Studio 60, Aaron Sorkin, 911, President Bush, NBC, free speech, terrorism [/tags]

The New York Times today reports that some TV show producers are setting up virtual sites where fans can interact in “Second Life” type settings.

In other words, you don’t just watch TV, you are in the TV, er, computer.

As a kid, I dreamed about this, wondering if I could get inside my TV and hang out with Bugs Bunny.

As the Times points out, that isn’t such a crazy idea any more.

An excerpt:

IN Second Life (secondlife.com), visitors to the Sundance Channel area can watch full-length feature films in a three-dimensional screening room or take part in an environmental forum; fans of Showtime’s drama “The L Word� can meet the avatars of the show’s stars and design their own floats for a virtual gay pride parade. In MTV’s Virtual Laguna Beach (at vmtv.com) inhabitants can shop at digital versions of Emporio Optic and Laguna Surf and Sport or, at the click of a mouse, arrive in a virtual version of “The Hills,� where they can then join the party at an electronic replica of the Los Angeles nightclub Area.

Right now, I spend too much time on the computer and watching TV. I don’t need more ways to waste time, but, alas, there’s no stopping technology.

Above: Henrick Bennetson, programmer of Second Life and Lynn Hershman Leeson, 2007 Sundance Film Festival - Lynn Hershman Lesson in Second Life. January 22, 2007.

[tags] Second Life, Virtual Laguna Beach, MTV, The hills, Emporio Optic, Sundance Channel, New York Times [/tags]

Looks like NBC isn’t going to pay Paris Hilton $1 Million for nothing after all.

So reports the New York Times. Seems like a pretty good source to me.

ABC and NBC End Race to Interview Paris Hilton
After a flurry of accounts this week about financial offers to land the first postprison interview with Paris Hilton, both ABC and NBC said yesterday that they no longer had any interest in securing the interview.

Above: Looks like Paris Hilton’s fans like this might have to wait for pay-per view to see their hero Paris. Spiderman voices his opinion of the Paris Hilton situation at the Nancy Drew premiere, “Nancy Drew” World Premiere - Arrivals, June 9, 2007.

[tags] Paris Hilton, NBC, ABC, checkbook journalism [/tags]

G2 commented yesterday that The Sopranos (Cut to black.) finale is not the first TV series to end rather, well, oddly or with controversy.

They also note:

• Benson (Who won the governor’s race?)

• Roseanne (Shat really happened during the season?)
  
• Dallas (Did J.R. shoot J.R.?)
  
• Seinfeld (The bad Good Samaritans.)
  

To this list I’d add St. Elsewhere (It was all just the dreams of an autistic boy who peered into a snow globe), Newhart (I had a weird dream about guys in flannel shirts!), Six Feet Under (How all the main characters die.)
Crime Story (Nuclear explosion in the Nevada desert.) and China Beach (Forward to the year when the series actually began to run).

So, maybe David Chase knew what he wanted–a debate that might just last for decades about his masterpiece.

Above: The gang from both “Newharts.” Bob and Emily contributed to one of TV’s most controversial finales, waking up in bed together in the second “Newhart.” Marcia Wallace, Suzanne Pleshette, Bob Newhart and Tom Poston, 3rd Annual TV Land Awards - Press Room. March 13, 2005.

[tags] The Sopranos, Benson, David Chase, Roseanne, Dallas, Seinfeld, China Beach, Crime Story, Newhart, Six Feet Under [/tags]

Audrey comes through yet again!

I don’t even think she needed a vacation, she is always so prompt and cheery!

Anway, her latest missive is about Nick Cannon and his goings on at MTV.

All you young people, enjoy!

It’s Thursday so it’s time to get ready for the Nick Cannon power hour tonight starting at 10pm with Wild ‘NOut followed by Short Circuitz at 10:30pm on MTV.

Tonight on Wild ‘N Out they have the musical guest Lloyd who will be joining in on the fun as well as performing his song “Get It Shawty.” So make sure you turn in to see if Lloyd is able to handle the WNO crew!

One person that is able to hold his own with Nick and the team is Steve-O. Watch as Steve-O disses Nick on his own show!

http://www.livevideo.com/video/wildnoutmtv/E03E00BCCF55471C8FA386B9CEA8C60D/mtv-wild-n-out-steve-o-diss.aspx

Then right after Wild ‘N Out, Short Circuitz will be coming your way with their hilarious skits. The usergenerated clips being sent to Short Circuitz are really pushing the envelope! For example, one fan sent in a commercial for a DVD called “Vagina Etiquette.� Watch it here:

http://vsocial.com/video/?d=92606

Another fan wants to see the news covering more exciting stories, such as how to frame crimes on poor people. Check out “Action 6 News at 6� here:

http://www.vsocial.com/video/?d=92472

These fans logged on to ShortCircuitz.MTV.com and sent in their own videos and each got $1,000. Make sure you join as well! Also feel free to check out the Short Circuitz MySpace page to view more videos – myspace.com/shortcircuitz.

Tune into MTV at 10pm tonight to catch all the action. And please share the clips and news with your readers.

Above: If it is Thursday, it must mean there’s another photo of Nick Cannon on TVBloggin.com and Audrey has done her job. Nick, I don’t even know who you are yet I show you all this love, man! NeYo and Nick Cannon, Nick Cannon’s “Wild ‘n Out” Season 4 with Special Guest NeYo, June 14, 2007.

[tags] Nick Cannon, MTV, Short Circuitz, Wild ‘N Out [/tags]

My BTVFF Audrey from wiredset.com is one of my best sources for original programming information. Since she is a publicist for shows that old farts like me don’t watch, her tips and releases are a great help to me to keep this blog diversified–otherwise, I might just write about the same five shows that I like all the time.

Anyway, last week, Audrey took a well-earned vacation to the Dominican Republic. Besides being a very good publicist, she’s also a terrific photographer. Here are some of her vacation photos from a villa in the DR.

I know it has nothing to do with TV but I thought you might enjoy the beautiful tropic scenes.

Thanks, Audrey!

[tags] Dominican Republic, wiredset.com, tropics, tropical paradise, tourism, beaches, palm trees, sunsets [/tags]