Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2006 > July > 19
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Charlie Gibson overseas, ‘World News’ changes names
As of today, there’s no “night” in “World News Tonight.” The network has dropped the time reference because, execs feel, it limits the perception of the news, which actually is available 24-7 online.
It was a big enough deal that ABC News handed out coffee mugs with the new title to more than 100 of the nation’s TV critics.
Anchor Charles Gibson answered questions from the assembled crowd via satellite from a dock in Cyprus. He’s been overseas covering the new crisis in the Middle East, proving right off the bat that he’s going to be one of those anchors who like to be on site for the big story.
“I always carry my passport in my briefcase, but I forgot it this morning when we left Israel and had to send someone back for it,” Gibson said. “I’m sure Peter Jennings never forgot his passport.”
There’s been a lot of debate about the wisdom anchors traveling to hot spots, especially at ABC in the wake of former anchor Bob Woodruff’s near-fatal injuries in Iraq. Besides security, there have been questioned about just how much an anchor’s presence lends to the story.
“Having an anchor there calls more attention to the story, and it’s a tremendous learning experience for me as a reporter,” Gibson said. “It gives you a better sense of how people are thinking. But I’m mindful that we have people in the region who know the beat and cover it best.”
As for the security issue, Gibson said Woodruff and other journalists who’ve been injured or killed overseas are always on his mind.
“We take as much precaution as we can, but this is what I do and love to do,” he said. “I want to see what’s going on, but I’m going to do it in as prudent manner as I can.”
From serious to silly
ABC’s new sitcom, which used to be titled “Let’s Rob …” but now is tentatively titled “The Knights of Prosperity,” has the singular distinction of having Mick Jagger in the pilot. The premise is that a bunch of low-life losers decide to break into Jagger’s Manhattan apartment and rob him. The show’s creator/producer Rob Burnett said they never expected Jagger to say yes when they sent him the script, but he turned out to be an eager participant.
“We shot his scene when he was on tour in New Zealand,” Burnett said. “He couldn’t have been nicer or more professional. He ad libbed, and he had a lot of energy. It was a breeze.”
Jagger appears only in the show’s first episode and only for the first few minutes. But it’s a tour de force nonetheless. Mick in a sitcom … what a concept.
Today’s word of the day is “Kidnapped.” Click here to enter the TV Blog contest.
Permalink | | Categories: News coverage
‘Ugly Betty’ could be big
If buzz and goodwill turn into ratings, the surprise hit of the new season just might be “Ugly Betty,” ABC’s new hourlong comedy-drama based on the beloved Colombian telenovela “Betty la Fea.”
The new adaptation has the Hollywood muscle of Salma Hayek behind it (she’s one of the executive producers) and one of the freshest new stars to come along in years, America Ferrera.
Betty, for you telenovela virgins out there, is a fish-out-of-water girl from a close-knit Mexican American family. She has bushy eyebrows, braces and is a bit heavier than the super-slim women society loves.
In the series opener, Betty, a smart young woman with dreams of working in publishing, gets dumped by her boyfriend but lands an unexpected job — at a glamorous fashion magazine, where her smarts will take her far but her looks will be ridiculed. Yes, there are echoes of “The Devil Wears Prada,” but “Betty” has a lot more heart and resonance.
“Every day of my life I have Betty moments,” said Ferrera, whose credits include “Real Women Have Curves” and “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.” “I’m Latina, not a typical girl and I’m in this business where there are lots of opportunties for rejection. I didn’t even know I was fat until I started acting.”
In real life, Ferrera isn’t really fat; she’s just not super-slim. Nor is she even remotely ugly. To achieve her Betty look, she wears fake eyebrows, baggy clothes and fake braces.
“When I’m in costume, I never feel more confident and pretty on the inside,” Ferrera said. “There’s a little light that shines in Betty, and it’s wonderful being her.”
As to suggestions that some people may think the show’s title is cruel, Hayek insists it is not.
“The title has a lot to do with the tone of the show,” she said. “It’s sarcastic. We’re making fun of the people who would think she’s ugly. I don’t think she’s ugly.”
Ferrera says her fake braces are like a retainer she can “pop out whenever I want to go to the craft cart,” where food is served on the set. She unapologetically likes to eat.
“And we encourage her,” Hayek said. “Go to the craft cart, go to the craft cart!”
“And I’m very obedient,” Ferrera said grinning.
Hayek started her movie career working in telenovelas and appears in “Ugly Betty” as a telenovela character in a show Betty’s family watches. Very over-the-top and hilarious. I could be wrong, but I think this one could be a hit.
Testy Taye
Taye Diggs, who stars in ABC’s serial drama “Day Break,” got a bit testy with questions about how the show would keep viewers coming back if there’s lots of repetition. The premise of the show is that Diggs’ character, a cop, is blamed for a murder he didn’t commit and is forced to live the day over and over until he figures out how to get out of the mess he’s in.
“It’s a TV show, and we know what we’re doing,” he snapped. “We’re not dumb. I’m Taye Diggs. I wouldn’t sign on for something like that.”
Well, excuuuuuuuuse me!!
Today’s word of the day is “Kidnapped.” Click here to enter the TV Blog contest.
Permalink | | Categories: Entertainment
