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12/26: TV stories of the year
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… to fill space by doing a year in review. First off, we’ll do TV. Tomorrow, it’s radio.
Here are a few of the biggest local TV stories.
Tyler Perry, king of Atlanta media: Besides his films and plays, he is building a TV franchise as well. He broke all TV rules by financing 10 episodes of “House of Payne” in 2006 out of his own pocket, tested it in 10 markets and convinced TBS to shell out tens of millions for 100 episodes. This business model is one of a kind. Typically, TV shows have to air 100 episodes first on a broadcast network, then get pitched to syndication. But that pool is running dry. So far, “House of Payne” has become a big hit for TBS, averaging 3 to 4 million viewers a week. (That would ensure cancellation on ABC, for sure, but the metrix for cable are different.)
Alton Brown, king of the Food Network: Meanwhile, Atlanta’s food science guru Alton Brown has become the go-to guy at the Food Network, helming four shows this year, including his signature “Good Eats,” which is about to hit 200 episodes. He also hosts “Iron Chef America,” the “Next Iron Chef” and his own motorcycle road trip food show. Some weeks, Food Network aired 20 or more hours a week of Brown, more than Paula Deen, Emeril or Rachael Ray.
Welcome, Peachtree TV: Turner Broadcasting in October decided to dump its simulcast feed of national TBS on WTBS-TV and do its own programming for Atlanta. While this still means daily heapings of “King of Queens” and “Seinfeld,” as usual, it also means primetime movies and the launch of fresh local programming. Its first effort, “Dallas Austin’s Drumroll,” a look at a local high school marching band, was a big success this past month.
Is this better? WGCL-TV, whose news programs typically lag its rivals in most time periods, was doing so poorly a few years ago with its morning news, it simply gave up. Current general manager Andy Alford earlier this year decided to bring something different back, a program it dubbed “Better Mornings” from 5 to 7 a.m. While traffic and weather are regular features like any other morning news show, the hosts don’t gab about the most recent murder or apartment fire. Rather, it’s all about the hottest places to get a pedicure or the latest Britney Spears shenanigans. So far, it hasn’t had any impact on ratings, which remain dismal, but morning habits die hard and WSB-TV continues to dominate.
Mothersucka! Cari Champion, a weekend anchor on WGCL-TV, last month got into trouble for uttering a possible curse word that could be heard by listeners leading into a promo. She apologized to the station and said she actually said “mothersucka.” But the station let her go. She protested publicly, saying the punishment didn’t the crime. A month later, her bosses agreed: she got her job back and will be back on air January 7.
Is Foxworthy smarter than everybody else? Alpharetta’s Jeff Foxworthy has already been a standup star, a sitcom actor, a sketch comedian. Now he’s a game-show host, an amiable presence on Fox’s surprise hit game show “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” His success shows that Atlanta has a knack for hosts, following Ty Pennington’s work on “Extreme Makeover” and, of course, Ryan Seacrest on “American Idol.”
And here are some of the bigger national TV stories:
Write or wrong Hollywood writers struck on November 5, mostly over payment for shows airing on the Internet and other digital media. Talks between writers and producers broke down just before Christmas and the strike may be protracted. The short-term effect was plunging late-night talk shows into repeats. It appears all will be back by early January, though most without their writers. Among scripted shows, many have already run out of fresh episodes, including “Heroes” and “The Office.” But some mid-season shows will be back, including “Lost” — or at least eight episodes. “24,” however, has been placed on hold because Fox wants to air it in its completion and production stopped after eight episodes.
Cable’s hot summer: While broadcast TV failed to generate a single watercooler hit this fall, cable had a field day over the summer, churning out quality show after quality show while ABC gave us “National Bingo Night.” Among the notable newbies this past summer included Lifetime’s drama “Army Wives” (which featured several Atlanta actors in secondary roles), AMC’s “Mad Men,” USA’s delightful “Burn Notice” and even ESPN’s guilty pleasure miniseries “Bronx is Burning.” Then there was HBO’s goofy “Flight of the Conchords,” FX’s late-summer drama “Damages,” TNT’s Holly Hunter vehicle “Saving Grace “and TBS’s turn-back-the-clock sitcom “Bill Engvall Show.” Okay, VH1 introduced “Scott Baio is 45 and in Love” and “Rock of Love” (both coming back in 2008!) so cable is hardly guilt free of junk food, but is that any worse than Boy Shakira on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”?
Don’t stop believ…: The show that truly defined HBO, “The Sopranos,” which was a critical and mainstream hit, ended on such a jarring, cut-to-black note, millions thought their cable had gone dead at the most inopportune moment. Rather, it was a twisted farewell by mastermind David Chase, who refuses to explain the move, leaving it to the viewers to interpret as they may.
Disney domination: Disney has found the sweet spot for tweens with squeaky clean yet fun acts such as Hannah Montana and the entire cast of “High School Musical.” The sequel to that film generated more than 17.5 million viewers in August, the most at that time for a basic cable telecast. And Hannah Montana became the hottest concert ticket of the year, selling out the Gwinnett Arena in four minutes flat and causing parents to throw hundreds of dollars to scalpers to keep their kids happy.
Can’t stand the View? Blame — or credit — Rosie O’Donnell for turning this female talkfest into potential daily grist for the pop culture blogs and late-night talk hosts. One second she was badmouthing Donald Trump, the next, she was pouting anti-war views in the face of a slackjawed Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Then she was gone, replaced by Whoopi Goldberg and Sherri Shepherd, who doesn’t care if the world is flat or not.
Lost and found One of nuttiest shows on TV “Lost” found its footing in the final few episodes this past spring, highlighted by its season three finale, “Through the Looking Glass” and threw viewers for a loop near the end as Charlie died and scenes featuring Jack were revealed to be “flashforwards,” not typical flashbacks.”
Britney gave us more and more and more The pop singer/train wreck kept “TMZ,” “Extra,” “Entertainment Tonight,” “Best Week Ever,” “Access Hollywood,” “The Soup” and hundreds of paparazzi in business. From her inexplicable hair shaving to her potty mouth to her custody battle to shoplifting to that infamous MTV Video Music Awards appearance, she somehow outshone Paris Hilton’s jail release and Lindsay Lohan’s rehab.
Comments
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By Jim H.
December 26, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this
Now why did you have to gross me out so early in the morning by posting a picture of Rosie? I about lost my breakfast.
By Al
December 26, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
Why no mention of Two Guys Garage starring Atlanta’s own Sam Memmolo on The Speed Channel? Sam is the busiest media person these days with the nationally syndicated Sam’s Garage radio program, followed by the local show on WGKA. No drama, just great automotive advice. Who else out there has 2 radio shows and a popular TV program?
By Stuart
December 26, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
Among the radio stories of 2007 may be the stupidity of Clear Channel Atlanta. I went back to Lite 96.7 this morning when I heard country music and something called 96.7 The Legend.
By ron
December 26, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
In February,2009,the one tv channel that I get on my rabbit ears antenna will disappear.Quiet will reign here.I look forward to the day when The only tv I have will be what I read about on the internet,and,no,I won’t be watching tv on the web.No way.
By John in Tampa, FLA
December 27, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
Thank God for satellite TV. If I had to rely on network TV for entertainment I would have to find some new hobbies. I would rather sit through a Springer Pay-Per-View than most of the tripe on network TV.
Even when the networks do come through with a decent show, they ruin it pretty quick…for example “Lost”. Even “24” has been using the same basic plot for years. And now they think reality TV is the answer. Yikes and gadzooks, get a clue!!!
By beaz
December 28, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
“Metrix?” Learn how to spell, Rodney. You write for a living.