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Another Mark Burnett Show

Mark Burnett I hate to say I told you so… but, well… my prediction last week that Mark Burnett could sell the networks any reality concept has come true! I cannot see the future, but I do know that Burnett is a golden boy when it comes to developing new shows. Heck, with the viewers for Survivor, The Apprentice, Rock Star, and Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader, it looks like he can’t go wrong. So, here we go… the newest reality series from Burnett is called Jingles, which has contestants competing to create winning commerical jingles (hence the name) for real-life products. Oh the product placement opportunities! This is all about selling products, so no doubt we’ll be seeing some heavy hitters jump on board for a chance to be featured on Burnett’s show. According to Burnett, “It’s a very organic way to give advertisers what they’re looking for. It’s totally family-friendly, it’s noncontroversial, and (the product placement) is very organic. It’s not about pushing something that doesn’t belong.” Mmhmm. Right. But, home viewers do get to cast their votes and determine a winner each week, and the winning jingles will be used in a real commercial. Plus the grand prize winner will get a cash prize and a gig with an ad agency. Look for it as soon as next summer.

Read More | Reality TV World

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TV on DVD:  October 2, 2007

Here are some of the TV-on-DVD options you can find on the shelves this Tuesday:

Entourage

  • The War: A Ken Burns Film
  • I Love New York (Season 1)
  • Jericho (Season 1)
  • The Sarah Silverman Program (Season 1)
  • Shark (Season 1)
  • Criminal Minds (Season 2)
  • How I Met Your Mother (Season 2)
  • Entourage (Season 3)


Click here to see the Movies-On-DVD options for this week.
Click here to see the new titles released on HD DVD and Blu-Ray.


Survivor: China: ‘My Mom Is Going To Kill Me!’

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Prime Time, Reality, CBS, Survivor,

Survivor ChinaZhan Hu returned to their camp down a Chicken but up a (self-established) leader.  Dave denied wanting the leadership position, but claimed he only stepped up because no one else at Tribal Council would.  (Well, Peih-gee did enthusiastically volunteer…you were just ignoring her.)  Unfortunately, having someone finally in charge didn’t really improve the situation at their wet, miserable camp.  Dave insisted he didn’t want to ‘belabor’ their work, but spent too much time arguing with certain members over strategy or condescending others over implementation.

At Fei Long, things looked considerably drier and much quieter—that’s if you were able to ignore Jean-Robert’s incessant snoring.  Awake later a strategy session, Jean-Robert piped up and said his team should ‘rest more’.  When Aaron confronted him about his laziness, Jean-Robert assured his team he was valuable because the wheels were continuously ‘churning in his head’.  (Jean-Robert later revealed in private that this was his ‘You Can Only Go Up From Here’ poker strategy.  He wanted them to think he was lazy—that way he could impress them once he did choose to contribute.)  Huh??  Meanwhile, Todd and Amanda formed the first red team alliance.  To make themselves less vulnerable, they wooed Aaron into their group with those two enticing words: ‘Final 3’.  Todd and Amanda were hoping someone more vocal would take the fall should they come under attack later.

Click to continue reading Survivor: China: ‘My Mom Is Going To Kill Me!’


‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ Spoiler

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Drama, Prime Time, CBS, Spoilers,

CSIFans of CSI—we have some big casting scoop for you.  Assuming you even want to read the spoiler ahead, make sure you catch up on Thursday night’s premiere first!

Click to continue reading ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ Spoiler

Read More | TV Guide

FOX Leads Tuesday Night Ratings This Week

Hugh Laurie  FOX’s medical melodrama House led the ratings on Tuesday, winning viewers over ABC’s Dancing With the Stars and Law & Order: SUV on NBC. Approximately 18.1 million viewers tuned in to watch House, the highest-rated premiere for any network so far this season. ABC’s dance-off won fewer viewers from the Monday lead-in, while CBS scored 13.7 million viewers with NCIS. CBS won big ratings with Cane, a show that’s been highly advertised by the network. But at the end of the day, House (and Hugh Laurie) still led the ratings game. Is this the year that FOX wins big ratings – for a show that’s not American Idol?

Read More | AOL News

‘How I Met Your Mother’ Slap Bet Countdown

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Prime Time, CBS, Internet,

DescriptionFans of could probably belt out the Robin Sparkes’ tune ‘Let’s Go To the Mall’ if asked.  But the classic episode that introduced us to Robin’s Canadian pop star alter-ego was memorable for one other thing:  the Slap Bet.  Barney and Marshall (with Lily as commissioner) instituted the game when they were busy trying to discover Robin’s dirty secret.  The loser (a.k.a Barney) would be slapped five times by the winner.  The question was:  Would he rather be slapped 5 times at once?  Or would he rather have them spread out for an indefinite period of time?  (Stupidly—Barney chose the latter).

Well those who enjoyed the first two smacks should be thrilled to know the remaining three are still on the table.  To pique our interest, the producers of HIMYM have created a ‘Slap Countdown’ on the show’s website.  So get yourself prepped for the slap heard round the world.  (BTW, if you have difficulty doing the math—the timer is counting down to the Nov. 19th episode.)

Read More | How I Met Your Mother

Is Network TV Avoiding Gay Issues?

ABC LogoA new report shows that seven stories on the five broadcast networks currently feature lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender characters this fall season. Last season, there were nine. According to a study by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the number has been steadily dropping for the past three years. Caitlin Down (played by Bonnie Somerville) on ABC’s Cashmere Mafia, which won’t even premiere until December, is the only non-heterosexual regular character to appear on a new show this year. According to the study, ABC features more non-heterosexual characters than any other broadcast network. Shows like Brothers & Sisters, Ugly Betty,  Desperate Housewives, and the new Cashmere Mafia all feature non-heterosexual characters. NBC’s The Office features one character to fit the gay and lesbian mold. The report shows that, currently, CBS and the CW have no non-heterosexual characters on any of their shows, but CBS does include gay and lesbian contestants on their reality shows. In sharp contrast, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender representation on cable is going through the roof, with 57 characters this year alone.

Read More | MSNBC

TV on DVD:  September 25, 2007

Here are some of the TV-on-DVD options you can find on the shelves this Tuesday:

King of Queens

  • What About Brian (Complete series)
  • The Streets of San Francisco (Season 1, Vol. 2)
  • My Name is Earl (Season 2)
  • The Unit (Season 2)
  • Drawn Together (Season 2)
  • Grounded for Life (Season 5)
  • The King of Queens (Season 9)

Click here to see the Movies-On-DVD options for this week.
Click here to see the new titles released on HD DVD and Blu-Ray.


This Week on TV (9/24-9/30)

Heroes Masi Oka

 

MONDAY (9/24)
  • Chuck (NBC, 8pm):  Series premiere
  • Dancing With the Stars (ABC, 8pm):  Special 1.5 hour season premiere.  Let’s start placing bets now!
  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS, 8pm):  Mandy Moore guest-stars in the season premiere.  Also,  what will happen to Ted and Robin?
  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 8:30pm):  Welcome the reunion of Roseanne’s Darlene and David.
  • Two and a Half Men (CBS, 9pm):  Season premiere
  • Heroes (NBC, 9pm):  Season premiere.  Rumor has it someone could be leaving the show very soon.
  • Rules of Engagement (CBS, 9:30pm):  Season premiere
  • The Bachelor (ABC, 9:30pm):  Special 1.5 hour premiere.  Apparently Brad Womack has a twin brother.  Am I the only one wondering if they traded places during the show?
  • Journeyman (NBC, 10pm):  Series premiere
  • CSI: Miami (CBS, 10pm):  Season premiere

Click to continue reading This Week on TV (9/24-9/30)


Survivor: China:  ‘A Chicken’s A Little Bit Smarter’

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Prime Time, Reality, CBS, Survivor,

Survivor ChinaAlready in its 15th season, the producers of continue to prove they will never lack locations to exploit.  This time around they stepped back in time and journeyed to one of the oldest countries of the world:  China.

The 16 contestants traveled by train from Shanghai to a 16th century Buddhist monastery where the ever-youthful was waiting for them.  (I don’t know why they call today’s version of Dick Clark; I really think Probst could give him a run for his money).  Upon arriving, the competitors were informed they’d be participating in a Buddhist ceremony.  Although Jeff assured them this was not a religious ceremony (just a way for the the natives to ‘welcome’ the new guests), Leslie (the Christian radio talk show host) felt extremely uncomfortable and walked out before it was even over.

Click to continue reading Survivor: China:  ‘A Chicken’s A Little Bit Smarter’

Read More | Survivor: China

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