CBS can stay clothed July 21, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Cut to the Chase, Journalism.Tags: CBS, FCC, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Super Bowl
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The “wardrobe malfunction” has finally been resolved.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (yes, the one right here in Philadelphia) overruled the FCC’s fine of $550,000 on CBS for the exposing of Janet Jackson’s breast for “nine-sixteenths” of a second during the Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show.
Good riddance.
The court said the FCC could not prove that CBS “willfully and knowingly” allowed the act to take place, as Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake acted as independent agents.
Take that, FCC.
I must give myself a pat on the back — in my term paper last fall, I argued, based on many legal precedents, that there was no way the FCC could win this battle. If you want proof, you can read my paper.
The truest Idol May 31, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Cut to the Chase.Tags: ABC, American Idol, Back to You, CBS, FOX, Kelsey Grammer, NBC
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Without American Idol, television really suffers.
The finale last week, which I’m still reeling over, was the highest-rated show for the week according to Nielsen ratings. Its nearest competitor (outside of the performance show the night before) was Dancing with the Stars, which garnered just more than 20 million viewers.
AI probably had the most viewers TV will see until the fall.
All the success this year actually made Fox the most-watched television network, beating out the ‘big three.’ It’s the first time the network has received that honor. It only took 21 years. But doesn’t it always?
Yet it still doesn’t seem right to me they had to cut Back to You. And now, Kelsey Grammer is making what I regrettably see as a stupid move in a new to-be-shortlived ABC comedy, Roman’s Empire. You read it here first on chris-stover.com.
The summer season never attracts big viewers. And rightly so. Have you heard of the slated shows? There are some I’m excited about - The Mole, I Survived a Japanese Game Show , Million Dollar Password - and there are some that just deserve to burn in hell, including Moment of Truth.
For a good recap of the 2007-2008 television season, check out this article.
I look forward to the flops that await in the fall.
Teaming up against cancer May 28, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism, Random Rubbish.Tags: ABC, Brian Williams, Cancer, CBS, Charles Gibson, Katie Couric, NBC
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The last time an event like this happened was after Sept. 11, 2001.
The three major networks - CBS, NBC and ABC - will all team up on Sept. 5, 2008, to raise money for cancer research and patient advocacy. All three nets will simultaneously broadcast an hour of commercial-free programming featuring stars and recording artists.
All three network anchors will formally announce this collaboration on their respective morning shows: Katie Couric on the CBS Early Show, Brian Williams on Today and Charles Gibson on Good Morning America.
The event is sponsoring Stand Up To Cancer, a cancer fundraising drive.
Personally, I cannot wait for this event. It will be monumental - three major competitors are collaborating to fight a disease affecting millions. And there’s no doubt it can make a difference.
So watch. You have no excuse not to - you have more than three months to schedule.
