You know what I wish I could do this weekend? Head over the GWB to Joisey and spend a fun day at Palisades Amusement Park. Alas, ther park has been gone since the end of the summer of 1971, replaced by high-rise condos.
If you went to Palisades Park (or listened to the radio in the 1960s), then surely you know the words to their song.
Interesting interview with "Lost" co-boss, Damon Lindelof, who tells the Hollywood Reporter that when the show ends for good in a couple of seasons, he and his other half, Carlton Cuse - both known to fans as "Darlton" - will "go into hiding for many, many months" at an "undisclosed location."
Here's the outtake from this morning's story:
"David Chase set a great example when he went off to Paris after 'The Sopranos' ending, which is great because all these people are going to be asking, 'What does it mean? What is it?' " he said. "The fact that there's no one really around to answer that question, it forces people to come up with what they think it means. We can guarantee our show will not end with a cut to black, it will be more clear than that. But whenever anything you love ends ... there's a certain disappointment."
What means this? Just another little "Lost" mystery. Separately, Darlton confirmed that they'll get two extra hours padded onto the last two seasons, for a total of 34, to wrap up their grand mystery. (And speaking of DC, he just signed a one-picture deal with Paramount; no word on what the movie will be, but it will be a "drama,." the studio confirmed.)
This is an off-beat post about an off-beat show, so if you're in the mood for neither, please move along. But it does bring to light a curious social phenomenon - a kids show that may be promoting cannabis consumption.
The show is "Yo Gabba Gabba," which airs on Nick Jr. (and I believe Noggin.) Yesterday, ABCNews.com posted a very good piece on the program, though noted that it's become not exactly a huge hit among kiddies aged 2 to 5 but among kiddies aged 18 and older. The piece was perplexed by its popularity and wondered exactly why something like this should encourage college kids to get stoned while watching it.
Watch this clip and you'll see why - it's one of the most viewed "Yo Gabba Gabba's" on YouTube and is truly a peculiar experience. Meanwhile, check out the next clip, from "Lidsville."; "Yo" (bowed in '07, renewed for '08-9) was directly inspired by the '70s lunacy of Sid and Marty Krofft, the grandmasters of bizarro kids shows. "Lidsville" was just one Krofftian oddity, and by no means the oddest.
Here's "Yo" - fasten your seat belts and remove any and all illegal substances from the household...Do not allow teens or college-aged students to watch....
Now, "Lidsville." Yikes...
You woke up this morning and sobbed into your coffee. "Oh God - NO NO NOOOOO ... Not JASON."
Honestly, I can't imagine why you feel that way, but I'm trying to be "empathetic." (I think it's a good thing to be "empathetic," don't you?)
The fact is, seriously, there are people out there who liked the Guy Who Shot The Tambourine Man (his line, and a good one, too). I liked GWSTTM; liked him a lot. Nice personality, good teeth, and I suppose if I could "dred" my hair up that way, I'd give it a try too. Jason was laid-back; I loved the way a couple weeks ago the camera caught him unawares just before an elimination, and he yawned loudly -- as if all this "Idol" business were getting in his way of a good night's sleep. (There is such thing as being too laid back, I suppose - so laid back you forgot the lyrics.)
I think he has talent but -- forgive me -- I can't vouch for it. His rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" was really fine, and liked his do-over of Izzy's "Over the Rainbow." But he did say it best last night -- he was the guy who shot the tambourine man.
Anyway, here's the point of this post: Jason will be fine. I did a semi-exhaustive study of contestants who have been bounced fourth from the end; it would seem an ignominious end to an "Idol" dream, but it's not. According to my semi-exhaustive study, the fourth-from-the-enders have actually fared better than the third-from-the-enders; and, of course, one fourth-from-the-ender, Chris Daughtry, has fared better than most winners.
Why is this the case? I haven't a clue, but the facts bear me out. Tamyra Gray (Season 1) got a gig with "Rent"; Joshua Gracin had and has, I believe, a reasonably successful country music career; LaToya London's had a good run in "The Color Purple" (and done a ton of other stuff); and LaKisha Jones has done fine, too (though no huge breakthrough, to speak of, that I'm aware of). Only one fourth-from-the-ender, Anthony Federov, still seems to be in the career hunt.
Third-from-the-enders? I believe the only stand-out success is Elliott Yamin; even the Best Singer in "Idol" History (By Far), Melinda Doolittle, still seems to be struggling a bit. (Jasmine Trias? Yes, I hear she's a superstar in the Philippines.)
So take heart, Jason fans. The career's just beginning. GWSTTM will be back before you know it.
We have it here. Rather, we have borrowed it (like a coat from a nightclub) from the OK! Magazine website: The very first pictures of Lindsay Lohan on the set of "Ugly Betty" on Saturday. (I'm excited. You?) It's a big picture, but LL looks good and isn't wearing a coat, thank goodness. (She appears in the season finale, then five more episodes next season.) And thanks to TVtattle.com for locating this...
Check out tonight's terrific "Law & Order" episode, entitled "Strike." It's a little bit of tv history, and the very first time - I believe - that this classic has actually ripped from its OWN headline.
The backstory: Early this winter, "L&O" superscribe, Rene Balcer, was walking the picket lines outside a major LA studio when he got tapped by someone in an SUV; turns out the guy was a mid-level studio exec who was sick and tired of the noisy strikers getting in his way, and decided to teach one of them a lesson. Wrong guy! Balcer - "feisty" is his middle name - got into a scrap with the jerk; no damage to either.
But here's the lesson: Never pick a fight with someone who runs a show that borrows heavily, if not exclusively, from real life. Revenge served up tonight. It's about a bunch of striking legal aid workers in NYC; one of them Frank, is particularly obnoxious. "You think we're gonna get a contract singing Kumbaya," he tells one of the strikers (pragmatically.) Cut to the next scene: Frank is quite dead. First clue: Some guy in a black beamer who was sick and tired of the noisy strikers getting in his way...
Added bonus: There's also a Suffolk County storyline.
(Right, Anthony Anderson - Det. Kevin Bernard - on "L&O.)
As I said this morning, the Oprah/Barbara Walters' encounter on "Oprah" yesterday was a gift that keeps on giving, and as additional evidence, we now go to US Magazine, which is quoting Star Jones' response to the discussion that revolved around her....ummmm....fat yesterday.
Honestly, when Babs said Star was so "obese she could hardly" walk onto the set, I pretty much did a double-take, and said to myself, "did Barbara Walters just call Star Jones Jabba the Hut?"
It was an amazing moment - not quite Cruise Punctures Oprah's Expensive Sofa, but a notch or two below.
Here's what Star told US as she left what the mag described as a "tennis workout" (though it does read like a pre-cooked statement:)
“It is a sad day when an icon like Barbara Walters, in the sunset of her life, is reduced to publicly branding herself as an adulterer, humiliating an innocent family with accounts of her illicit affair and speaking negatively against me all for the sake of selling a book. It speaks to her true character.”
(Right, the old Star, who waddled onto "The View" set each morning, per Babs.)
The LA Times has today's big scooperoo: The entire production of "Ugly Betty" is moving to New York next season.
This is a big deal for New York and for its production industry - minuscule by Hollywood standards, of course, and which was rocked in the wake of Nine Eleven. A show like this could employ some two hundred techs, stage hands, and various other production personnel, though more importantly for viewers, the visuals of this already visually striking show could change. Expect a lot more outdoor shots, like "Law & Order," and a more visceral New York look.
Why to NYC? The Times reports the show and Disney want to take advantage of recently enacted tax credits.
(Right, America's about to love New York.)
WNBC/4 and NBCU made this dramatic announcement just a short while ago: The station plans to launch a 24-hour news channel a la News 12 (or NY 1). They'll break ground on the new "content center" this summer, and the channel will launch in the fall.
Meanwhile, here's an interesting quote from the press release:
"Additionally, the company announced plans for the creation of a new, state-of-the-art Manhattan facility that will consolidate rooftops across the city. While details are still being finalized, NBC will remain 30 Rock’s largest tenant and the home of NBC News, NBC Sports, NBC Entertainment ('Saturday Night Live' and 'Late Night with Conan O’Brien'), and WNBC. All other business operations will move to the new facility as will employees currently at three additional Manhattan sites. The move is expected to take place in 2009."
No word on where this "new facility" will be located, but one assumes Ch. 4 employees were happy to see the word "Secaucus" no where in this press release.
I have one major question: Will Chuck and Sue play a role?
Here's some very, very (very) intriguing gossip, that may well be of the "where there's smoke there's fire" variety:
MSNBC is reporting as we speak that Ryan Seacrest is "in negotiations" to take over Larry King's role at CNN by year's end. Courtney Hazlett of "The Scoop" has this, without the usual round of denials, but suggests that he'd be "adding" to his hosting duties. That's absurd -- there's no way Seacrest would or could do both CNN at 9 and "Idol" -- unless, of course, he's like some sort of Cylon from "Battlestar Gallactica" and has a body double out there (hmmmmm).
No, he'd leave "Idol." There has been bounteous speculation on this very subject -- Ry to LK's slot -- in the past, but always pooh-poohed. Hazlett pulled up an old quote from the Times, which cites LK's tacit approval of such a move: “He’s the classic generalist. The only thing I don’t know, and I’ve gotten to know him pretty well, is how versed he is in politics, world affairs. Does he read the paper? Is he interested in Iraq? Because if he is, he’s going to be very good.”
(Not to be a snotty twit -- because of course, I'm not -- but how well do YOU know those things, LK?)
Seacrest, I imagine, would be fine, assuming he knows how to ask questions and how to listen; he's certainly no dummy and is quick on his feet, and he's done the show before. Can't imagine how he couldn't handle this -- but let me think a little while and I am sure I'll come up with several ways he couldn't. Would viewers of this show with an ancient demographic embrace this relative child? That's another matter altogether.
Could LK be moved aside if Ry is available? Of course. We reported right here at TV Zone not too long ago that CNN neglected to give LK a lock on his 9 p.m. time slot when he got his new contract. Katie Couric is interested, too, and if CNN wants to keep this vital hour open to someone with bona fide news credentials, who do you think might be a better pick?
This would also be an elegant out for "American Idol" and Ry; the show's going to do some overhauling next season, and you know what happens with "overhauls;" first, the set is changed, then the host, then ...
But -- as always -- I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm sure I'll get the e-mail denial any minute from CNN, telling me how "bogus" the MSNBC story is, and that "we love Larry, and that he'll be the host at 9 p.m. FOREVER!"
