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Monday, July 16, 2007
7/17: Is this “talent”?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two words: Boy Shakira.
Yes, this chubby guy made it through for simply dressing up kind of like Shakira and wiggling his money maker in a way that inexplicably mesmerized judges Piers Morgan and Sharon Osborne but rightfully repulsed David Hasselhoff (and me.) He didn’t even sing badly (like Shakira herself.)
Yet he is one of the 20 acts competing tonight to win $1 million on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.”
Seriously, there are some talented folks in this bunch, mostly singers and dancers who wouldn’t qualify on those other reality shows for various reasons. But there is an impressive [singing ventriloquist Terry Fator]http://www.lizgregorytalent.com/Terry%20Fator.htm), some cool martial arts dancers called Sideswipe, a rope slinger named Johnny Lonestar, plus-sized burlesque group the Glamazones, an incredible magician named Kevin James (and wasn’t on “King of Queens”) and a beatboxing gal named Butterscotch who isn’t quite as good as Blake Lewis of “American Idol” but got more airtime than virtually anybody. Here’s Butterscotch’s round two audition.
Some of my favorite musicians include Cas Haley, the Texas acoustic guitarist and singer; Manuel Romero, a sexy 18-year-old singer guitarist who could actually do well on “Idol”; a unique teen Rockabilly group Jonny Come Lately; and sweet and talented 14-year-old Julienne Irwin, the youngest in the top 20.
Then there’s another headscratcher: Mohammad Kashif, the Indian dancer who is oddly interesting but certainliy not worth being in the top 20. I would have preferred the Redneck Tenors, who made the final 35 but not the top 20.
Clearly, the judges wanted a couple of ridiculous entries just to get people talking.
Good news: not a Bianca Ryan in sight. Phew! That was last year’s irritatingly precocious winner who made me doubt America’s taste— at least those who watch this show.
You can check out most of the acts on YouTube. I’ve linked to a few of them.
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7/16: Trump, Isaiah are baaack; Patinkin gone
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Like “7th Heaven” a year ago, “The Apprentice” has made a miraculous recovery from near oblivion. When NBC announced its 2007-08 schedule to advertisers in May, “The Apprentice” was nowhere to be found after six seasons of progressively weaker ratings. (see below). Donald Trump even released a statement saying he was moving on. But when NBC’s new entertainment co-chairman Ben Silverman came in, NBC’s tune changed. Today, the network announced a (gasp!) twist of stupendously groundbreaking proportions: a celebrity edition for midseason.
Yes, Trump will have teams of celebrities vie for… something. The press release wasn’t very clear what the stakes are for these famous folk, who have not been selected. I don’t quite see Danny Bonaduce or Donny Osmond overseeing Trump’ Towers Atlanta. “[C]elebrity contestants will vie for Donald Trump’s attention in what will be the highest-profile competition,” the publicists wrote vaguely. NBC did tell reporters and critics today that it will be for charity and run 13 episodes, fewer than normal to accommodate the celebrities.
Andy Dick and Pauly Shore: call your agents! Oh, and isn’t Rosie O’Donnell available? (Her rep told AP: “It will never happen in this lifetime or beyond.”)
And for a point of reference, watch Trump’s ratings fall!
Season one: 20.7 million
Season two: 16.14 mil
Season three: 13.96 mil
Season four: 11.01 mil
Season five: 9.73 mil
Season six: 7.5 mil
NBC justified bringing it back because it brings in “upscale” viewers, at least a higher percentage of them than most shows. That’s what we in the business now call the “West Wing” defense.
The show, even with “Survivor”-like twists last season in Los Angeles, just couldn’t perk up buzz or ratings. I didn’t think it was awful but the tasks all start looking the same after awhile, especially the ones shilling corporate products. I did get an amusing trinket from Renuzit(r) Super Odor Neutralizer(r), a fake bottle which has a button in which Trump utters “That stinks!” “You’re neutralized” and “You’re fired!”
Do you all think this is even remotely a good idea or should NBC just move on?
Meanwhile, over at CBS, here’s an even bigger shocker: CBS’s “Criminal Minds” lead actor Mandy Patinkin has quit. Here are the statements released by ABC studios and CBS:
ON BEHALF OF ABC STUDIOS AND CBS PARAMOUNT NETWORK TELEVISION:
Last week, Mandy Patinkin asked to be released from his role on Criminal Minds. We have honored this request, which was not in any way connected to contract renegotiations or salary issues. His departure from the series will be explained to audiences in an episode to be filmed in the near future and broadcast early next season. We thank Mandy for helping to make Criminal Minds a strong and successful series, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors. A new character will be added to the series for next season.
ON BEHALF OF MANDY PATINKIN:
Due to creative differences, Mandy has asked not to return to Criminal Minds this season. Mandy would like to thank the studios and network for releasing him from the series and he wishes the cast and crew continued success in all of their endeavors and looks forward to continuing to work with the Disney and CBS companies in other capacities in the future.
Here’s some sketchy info from Hollywood Reporter.
This is a massive blow for this show, which build audience its second season and became a reliable hit among CBS’s huge stable of crime dramas. I didn’t watch the show but it had a strong following. Do you think this is a fatal blow for the show?
And Isaiah Washington quickly found new employment after being dumped by “Grey’s Anatomy.” He will be joining NBC’s “Bionic Woman” this fall.
“He’s a wonderful actor and a great performer, and he became available,” said Silverman to reporters at the Beverly Hilton today during the Television Critics Association press tour. That elicited laughter from the scribes.
A press release sent by NBC called Washington’s character “a mysterious person who is brought into the enigmatic scientific organization that is responsible for creating the bionics that turn Jaime Sommers into the ‘Bionic Woman.’ “
