Tina Fey Brings Spark to Saturday Night Live’s Ratings
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Late Night, NBC, Saturday Night Live, Ratings,
Although Saturday Night Live‘s episodes have been creatively uneven (What was up with that Michael Phelps swimming sketch?), the 2008 political season has been good to the show. Prior to last night’s broadcast, NBC saw a 50% ratings bump over 2007’s first two weeks.
A large part of the program’s recent success is, of course, due to Tina Fey‘s hilarious portrayal of Sarah Palin. Last night, the Emmy winner’s second attempt helped SNL improve 46% over this point last year. (You can see the clip of yesterday’s opener below.) Given that the Vice-Presidential debate is scheduled for this Thursday, I expect we will see Fey one more before we hit a rerun. (For some reason, the producers can only manage four episodes in a row before needing to recharge.)
Anne Hathaway and The Killers are the featured guests next Saturday.
Hollywood Reporter
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This Week on TV (9/1-9/7)
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Award Shows, Comedy, Daytime, Food & Home, Games, Kids, Music, Prime Time, Reality, Specials, Talk Shows, ABC, Bravo, Cable, CBS, FX, FOX, HBO, MTV, NBC, The CW, TNT-HD, America’s Next Top Model, Entourage, Prison Break,
(You can view TV Envy’s Fall Television Programming Schedule here.)
MONDAY (9/1)
Labor Day Marathons: The Closer (TNT), Beverly Hills, 90210 (SOAPnet), Scrubs (TV Land), Dirty Jobs (Discovery), My Wife and Kids (ABC Family), Star Trek: The Next Generation (Sci Fi), House of Payne (TBS), CSI (Spike TV), Anthony Bourdain (Travel), That ‘70s Show (FX)
- Gossip Girl (CW, 8pm): Season 2 premiere. “Summer in the Hamptons winds down as Serena and Nate carry on a cover-up scheme to make others think they’re dating.” A few choice pics sent to Gossip Girl should do the trick.
- Prison Break (FOX, 8pm): Season 4 premiere. “Michael is in LA looking to even the score with Gretchen for Sara’s death.” I think Gretchen should really apologize for all of last season.
- One Tree Hill (CW, 9pm): Season 6 premiere. “Lucas’ chosen lady meets him at the airport, while Dan’s accident proves life-threatening.” Sorry. So not caring who Chad Michael Murray picks these days.
- Raising the Bar (TNT, 10pm): Series premiere. “Idealistic public defender Jerry Kellerman (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) fights for a man he’s sure is innocent, but holding a court is a judge who loathes Kellerman.” Gosselaar’s new hair has been generating some passionate opinions.
Click to continue reading This Week on TV (9/1-9/7)
Networks Team Up for Cancer
Although the nightly competition between Charles Gibson and Brian Williams is quite tight, the two journalists - along with Katie Couric - combined forces today to promote a joint project. In a rare event, the trio hit all three morning shows to deliver the special news. This meant a return to old stomping grounds for both Couric (Today) and Gibson (Good Morning America).
Together they announced that ABC, NBC and CBS will be simultaneously devoting one hour to the same cause: the fight against cancer. Stand Up 2 Cancer, a commercial-free telethon airing September 5th, will aim to raise funds for research.
Click to continue reading Networks Team Up for Cancer
Hollywood Reporter
Ann Curry Gives The Soup More to Talk About
Regular watchers of The Soup are aware of the comedic material Ann Curry has provided Joel McHale. Ever since she repeated the phrase ‘Good Morning’ a gazillion times in one breath, the Today show co-host has become a fixture of the E! show. (If you haven’t seen that classic clip, you can watch it after the jump.)
Unfortunately, Curry made another a slip-up this morning that probably won’t get her off McHale’s mind anytime soon. Maybe she’s been secretly hoping for Katie Couric’s return to NBC?
Click to continue reading Ann Curry Gives The Soup More to Talk About
Will Katie Couric Be Leaving CBS?
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: CBS, Gossip, News, Ratings,
According to the Wall Street Journal, Katie Couric‘s highly-scrutinized run at CBS may be ending much sooner than expected. (Or much later than some had hoped.) Sources says the anchor may leave her contract over two years shy of its 2011 expiration date.
Despite great first-week ratings, the former Today show host has faced a large uphill battle since her 2006 start. The 51-year-old has also faced endless criticism for her journalistic style. Through it all, Couric has tried to plow through her job with that trademark perky smile.
If the speculation is true, CBS Evening News may be looking for its next anchor around January 2009, right after the presidential inauguration. Although it’s doubtful a new seat filler could pull the network out of its ratings hole anytime soon, an early departure could help the broadcasting company’s pocketbook. Couric is currently receiving approximately $15 million annually.
Wall Street Journal
viaPeople
CBS Facing Huge Lawsuit from Dan Rather
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: CBS, News,
Well-known anchorman Dan Rather is suing CBS to the tune of $70 million, saying the network made him a “scapegoat.” Rather, now retired, had his last few months of TV history marred by a discredited story about President George W. Bush’s National Guard service. Now, Dan’s looking for a little payback, claiming CBS mishandled the story. Rather’s lawsuit names two CBS execs in the suit. Dan Rather was a leading anchor on CBS Evening News, which is now suffering with Katie Couric at the helm. A CBS spokesperson has responded to Rather by saying the suit is “without merit.” Dan Rather narrated a Sept. 2004 report that said Bush skirted some of his National Guard duties, and the former newsman still says the story is true. CBS, however, fired three news executives for airing the story, saying it was neither fair nor accurate.
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