Robin Rowe asks TV executives from the Discovery Channel, Fox Reality Channel, and Zodiak Entertainment what we can expect to learn about the market for reality television at the NATPE LATV Fest conference and market on July 8th and 9th
Kelly Clarkson replays in American Idol Rewind, reality TV keeps going
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 7/4/2009 - “Reality shows have a higher rate of success than scripted,” says Fox Reality Channel president David Lyle. “Scripted comedy is an area that has had a more difficult time of launching new successes. In the meantime, audiences are getting consistent laughs from unscripted television.”
Is reality stealing the family audience that would traditionally watch series comedy? “It’s not the only audience thief, but it’s prominent in the mix,” says Discovery Channel president John Ford. “The 10pm Jay Leno strip on NBC will have a large impact. Non-fiction provides an opportunity for family-friendly viewing and our ratings reflect the same”
“In general, scripted TV still outperforms unscripted TV,” says Zodiak Entertainment U.S. president Ludo Poppe. “But the price to audience ratio is in favor of unscripted. It’s the economic rationale that’s driving more unscripted in the schedules.”
Kevin Jonas, the oldest member of Disney pop trio The Jonas Brothers, announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend Danielle Deleasa on Wednesday
21-year-old Kevin Jonas announces engagement
By Matthew B. Zeidman
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 7/2/09 – One of the Jonas Brothers will soon be trading in his purity ring for family life. Kevin Jonas told People magazine on Wednesday that he had proposed to longtime girlfriend Danielle Deleasa earlier in the day and that she eagerly accepted.
“She said yes, yes, yes like 500 times super fast in a row,” Jonas, 21, told People of his 22-year-old fiancé. The bride-to-be told the publication the pair met while on family vacations in the Bahamas in 2007 and that Jonas pursued her tirelessly.
Jonas and his brothers, Joe (19) and Nick (16), rose to fame as a pop trio after signing with Columbia Records in 2005 and later Hollywood Records in 2007. They currently star on “JONAS,” a sitcom on the Disney Channel that premiered in May, and are in the midst of an international tour.
Billy Mays, the gregarious TV spokesman for products, such as OxiClean, passed away Sunday morning at the age of 50
Autopsy scheduled to determine cause of death
By Matthew B. Zeidman
TAMPA, Fla. (Hollywood Today) 6/28/09 – In a week already rife with untimely celebrity deaths, home-product hawkman and reality TV star Billy Mays, who had been a national advertising fixture for the past decade, passed away in his Florida home Sunday morning at the age of 50.
“Although Billy lived a public life, we don’t anticipate making any public statements over the next couple of days. Our family asks that you respect our privacy during these difficult times,” Mays’ wife, Deborah, told the Associated Press.
Tampa police told the AP that Mays’ spouse found him unresponsive in bed and that first responders pronounced the Pennsylvania-born salesman dead at 7:45 a.m. Police did not suspect foul play.
It was unclear if Mays suffered from any preexisting medical conditions, but an autopsy is scheduled to be conducted within the next 24 hours to determine the cause of death.
Mays was best known for his gregarious and enthusiastic style of promoting cleaning supplies and other home-based products during TV commercials and infomercials, including “miracle” detergent OxiClean.
On April 15, the Discovery Channel reality show “Pitchmen” premiered, which featured Mays and fellow infomercial spokesperson Anthony Sullivan. The most recent episode, “Crunch Time,” aired Wednesday. The network has not yet announced its plans for the series in light of Mays’ death.
A sex tape was made available for sale online Friday, allegedly featuring "Gossip Girl" fan favorite Leighton Meester
‘Gossip Girl’ star has not confirmed authenticity of video
By Matthew B. Zeidman
NEW YORK (Hollywood Today) 6/19/09 – Leighton Meester, the brunette co-star of “Gossip Girl” and arguably the heart of the popular CW franchise, has been blindsided by the online dissemination of a sex tape allegedly featuring the transplanted New Yorker and her ex-boyfriend.
The video in question was released Friday by Celeb-hotline.com, a Web site specializing in the sale of nude and other controversial clips featuring high-profile celebrities, such as Paris Hilton, Angelina Jolie and Lindsay Lohan.
While the site merely suggests that a sex tape featuring a woman resembling singer Britney Spears may be real, telling subscribers to “decide for yourself,” it insists the material purportedly featuring the 23-year-old “Gossip Girl” actress is “100% the REAL Leighton Meester.”
Los Angeles broadcaster KTLA has estimated the video, if authentic, was filmed 5 years ago. Neither Meester nor her reps have spoken publicly regarding the film, though the site’s owners’ would be leaving themselves open to a costly libel lawsuit if it were proven Meester was not the subject of the tape, making it less likely to be a phony.
It was not immediately clear who owned the site, which was registered through an online proxy service, or who solicited the video. Celebrity tabloid Web site TMZ quoted company spokesman Kevin Blatt early Friday as saying Celeb-hotline.com was eager to complete the then-pending sale.
Blatt, who has billed himself online as a publicist and “celebrity sex tape broker,” has previously brokered the sale of sex tapes featuring Hilton and “Austin Powers” co-star Verne Troyer. He and TMZ were among those sued by Troyer last year, who alleged his tape was stolen (TMZ posted clips of the video online). After Troyer’s ex-girlfriend admitted she had been the one who leaked the sex tape online, both sides reached a settlement limiting further promotion without Troyer’s permission.
Meester is best known for her “Gossip Girl” portrayal of cunning queen bee Blair Waldorf, a high school senior at a posh prep school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Earlier in the decade, she also appeared on a number of other television dramas, including “24,” “House” and “Veronica Mars.”
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announced Tuesday that David Letterman's apology was a victory for free speech and exploited young women, but this writer believes it is in fact an affront to the U.S. Constitution
Comedian’s apology to former VP candidate sets terrible precedent
By Matthew B. Zeidman
NEW YORK (Hollywood Today) 6/17/09 – When the much-hyped feud between late-night host David Letterman and former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin began last week, it appeared to simply highlight how the Alaskan governor couldn’t grasp the concept of satire or understand that political celebrities needed to take comedians’ barbs and move on. It struck a great blow to free speech this week, however, when Letterman caved to public pressure and Palin’s unrelenting accusations that he was making light of pedophilia and retracted his quip on the air.
Letterman’s controversial Top Ten list, which jokingly suggested that Palin’s daughter was “knocked up” by checkered Yankees luminary Alex Rodriguez during a trip to Yankee Stadium, was obviously aimed at 18-year-old Bristol Palin, who gave birth to her boyfriend’s child earlier this year, and not 14-year-old Willow Palin.
Letterman did the right thing by quickly acknowledging that he did not realize the younger Willow was actually with Palin at the ballpark and not Bristol, and things should have ended there. However, they did not.
Palin, who had often complained about being bullied and misrepresented by the media, saw an opportunity to turn the screws on a public critic and went for the jugular. Instead of taking one on the chin and moving on, she decided to wage an all-out war on Letterman, continuing to insist that his comments were aimed at her now-humiliated underage daughter and that it was a tasteless joke about statutory rape and sexual exploitation.
Whether Letterman felt pressure from network big wigs who may have feared a loss of advertising revenue or was simply worn down by Palin’s PR war, the popular funnyman issued a serious apology during his broadcast Monday night, saying that he regretted the joke and was the one at fault for not realizing viewers would interpret it to be about Willow Palin.
Palin publicly accepted Letterman’s mea culpa the following day and, proving what damage the apology had done to the public’s long-established right to poke fun at public figures and their families with impunity, called it a victory for free speech, thanking members of the armed forces for fighting to protect free speech overseas and expressing her hope that “that right [would] be used to promote equality and respect.” In other words, the thin-skinned Palin believed free speech was only sensitive, politically correct speech and that forcing a public critic into retracting a satirical comment worked to preserve that free speech.
Yes, Palin and her supporters had the right to express their discontent with Letterman’s joke, just as he had the right to make the joke in the first place. However, a politician applying intense public pressure to a satirist until he retracts a negative statement is in no way a hard-won blow against the enemies of free speech. On the contrary, it is the antithesis of free speech.
Indeed, Palin is at fault for trying to advance her personal and political agendas on the back of the U.S. Constitution, but Letterman is not a blameless victim. After his initial clarification, he should have dropped the subject and let the issue blow over in the coming weeks. Instead, he took the easy way out and set the stage for subsequent tests of the First Amendment.
The next time there is a public disagreement between a critic and a public figure, be it a politician, actor, athlete or other celebrity, all that public figure need do is accuse the critic of a terrible insensitivity to pedophilia, racism, sexism or some other hot-button societal woe. One can only hope that when that happens, the critic will have enough fortitude to draw a line in the sand and say “no further.”
Long-cancelled sitcom 'Futurama' will be unfrozen in 2010 for a new season in 31st-century New New York
Popular cartoon sitcom to return next year
By Matthew B. Zeidman
NEW YORK (Hollywood Today) 6/10/09 – After six years of strong rerun viewership and four successful straight-to-DVD films, cable network Comedy Central has decided to pick up cartoon sitcom “Futurama” for at least 26 new episodes. According to the show’s production company, fresh material is expected to begin airing in mid-2010.
Referring to another animated hit resurrected by viewer demand, Fox’s “Family Guy,” 20th Century Fox Television said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly that they were happy “Futurama” was also being brought back to the airwaves and that developers Matt Groening and David X. Cohen were on board for the project.
“Futurama” was the brainchild of Groening (who also created long-running hit “The Simpsons”) and originally aired on Fox from March 1999 to August 2003. The series, which garnered a fiercely loyal fan following, followed the life of 20th-century pizza delivery boy Philip J. Fry who was frozen in a cryogenic chamber and revived in the year 3000.
The show, which mixed modern humor with a surreal futuristic setting, also followed the lives of Fry’s largely lackadaisical and incompetent co-workers at his senile great-nephew’s intergalactic delivery company. The regular cast included kleptomaniacal robot Bender, Cyclopic mutant Leela, Jewish crustacean Dr. Zoidberg, trust-fund intern Amy and fastidious Jamaican bureaucrat Hermes.
Celebrities often lent their voices to future versions of themselves, usually portrayed as living heads preserved in jars. Famous guests included Pamela Anderson, the majority of the original cast of “Star Trek” and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, whose daughter was a writer on the show.
In addition to reruns of “Futurama,” Comedy Central currently airs new episodes of another animated fan favorite, “South Park,” which is known for its explicitness and bald-faced social commentary.
Miss California USA Carrie Prejean, 22, has been recalled by her pageant's organizers for failing to attend promotional appearances, despite having been given a second chance in the wake of a topless photo scandal earlier this spring
Donald Trump pulls the plug on Carrie Prejean
By Matthew B. Zeidman
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Today) 6/10/09 – After months of scandal involving alleged homophobia, topless photos and controversial breast implants, the organizers of the Miss California USA pageant and Miss USA pageant owner Donald Trump have ordered Miss California USA Carrie Prejean to relinquish her title.
In a statement to Access Hollywood, the Miss California USA Organization claimed a “continued breach of contract issues” was behind the decision, which was a break from the pageant company’s earlier support of the 22-year-old, and said that Trump approved the action.
In a separate statement, Miss California USA Executive Director Keith Lewis said missed promotional appearances were partly behind the change in policy and that it had “become abundantly clear” that Prejean was “unwilling to fulfill her [contractual] obligations.”
Prejean faced widespread media scrutiny, following her loss at the Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas on April 19. During the ceremony, where she finished as first runner up, she was prompted by openly gay judge Perez Hilton to express her opinion regarding the legalization of same-sex marriage. She responded that she personally did not believe in the legalization of such unions—an answer which Hilton later claimed cost her the title of Miss USA.
Prejean also faced criticism regarding two topless photos leaked on the Internet, as well as her breast implants, which were paid for by the Miss California USA organization before the Miss USA pageant. In May, Trump announced that Prejean failing to disclose the racy images to pageant officials was not a serious enough offense to warrant recalling her as Miss California USA.
Adam Lambert, the runner up from this season's 'American Idol,' discussed his sexuality and wrangled with some wildlife in the latest issue of 'Rolling Stone'
Idol runner up tells ‘Rolling Stone’ he’s gay, making them the last people in America to know
By Matthew B. Zeidman
NEW YORK (Hollywood Today) 6/9/09 – Adam Lambert came to fame on the most recent season of Fox reality show “American Idol” with his sexuality a hot topic of discussion in the media, so it was no surprise when he decided to come out in this week’s edition of Rolling Stone.
“I’m proud of my sexuality. I embrace it. It’s just another part of me,” the 27-year-old alterna-rocker and most famous runner up in America told the music magazine, stating that he didn’t think “it should be a surprise for anyone to hear that I’m gay.”
Lambert said he was tempted to talk to reporters right after the “American Idol” finale, but was afraid of a tabloid firestorm, like the one that faced former runner up Clay Aiken, and wanted to explain himself “in context.” The California resident is featured on the cover clad in all black, complete with a live snake crawling up his leg.
During “American Idol,” Lambert gained a reputation for unconventional performances of classic songs in a variety of genres and was favored to win by judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson. Pop superstar Katy Perry even wore a cape during a promotional on-air performance embroidered with Lambert’s name, but underdog Kris Allen garnered the most viewer votes following the final night of competition.
David Carradine was best known for his role in 1970s TV series 'Kung Fu,' in which he played a Shaolin monk
72-year-old celebrity allegedly found hanged
By Matthew B. Zeidman
BANGKOK, Thailand (Hollywood Today) 6/4/09 – Acting veteran David Carradine was found dead in a Bangkok hotel Thursday, allegedly by his own hand. Investigating police officer Teerapop Luanseng told the Associated Press that the 72-year-old former star of “Kung Fu” apparently hanged himself late Wednesday or early Thursday and that foul play was not suspected.
The “Kill Bill” actor was in the country filming an undisclosed project. According to the Associated Press, an autopsy would be conducted Friday.
Carradine most recently appeared in action sequel “Crank: High Voltage” earlier this year and did voiceover work in 2008 for “Death Race,” the remake of the 1975 film in which he co-starred, “Death Race 2000.” He was part of an acting legacy, which included father John Carradine, half-brother Robert Carradine and niece Martha Plimpton.
Angelina Jolie and husband Brad Pitt took two spots in Forbes' annual Celebrity 100, this year, including first
Controversial movie star tops Celebrity 100
By Matthew B. Zeidman
NEW YORK (Hollywood Today) 6/3/09 – A high-profile pregnancy, a string of blockbuster films and an equally famous husband gave Angelina Jolie the edge over media mogul Oprah Winfrey at Forbes magazine this year. The business publication named the 33-year-old actress the pinnacle of celebrity influence in its annual Celebrity 100.
Winfrey, who came in first last year, earned an estimated $275 million over the past 12 months, compared to $27 million earned by Jolie. Entertainer Madonna, who ranked third, reportedly took in $110 million, while Brad Pitt, Jolie’s 45-year-old spouse, ranked ninth, earning $28 million.
Forbes combined two factors, namely earnings and public awareness, to formulate this year’s Celebrity 100. Other big names that made the 2009 list included President Barack Obama, country-music darling Taylor Swift and Los Angeles Lakers luminary Kobe Bryant.
In this Lifetime Network four-hour mini-series premiering Saturday, May 30th, bossy socialite Sarah Chalke finds getting married more difficult than she thought *** 3 Stars
By Gabrielle Pantera
Maneater star Sarah Chalke
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 5/29/2009 - “I’m up there in these fishnets and these ridiculously tiny tap shorts in front of 300 people,” says Lifetime Network’s Maneater star Sarah Chalke. “And, I’m supposed to be nine months pregnant. So, I’m feeling a little bit vulnerable singing and tapping anyway. Then I lift my arms up and the way that the pregnancy belly was holding onto the shorts, my pants fell down. So, now I’m standing there with my pants around my ankles, just tapping and singing with no pants on. It was one of those moments where you go, wow, is this really happening, or am I in a dream?”
Clarissa Alpertp, is a shallow Hollywood socialite who’s says she’s 28 but is actually turning 32. When she realizes she might end up old and alone because she’s played around too much, she makes a snap decision. She’s getting married! And, Clarissa always gets what she wants. The groom is Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
Ashton Kutcher, Twitter's most popular blogger, is unhappy with the idea of a Twitter reality series
TV star thinks program would compromise celebrity safety
By Matthew B. Zeidman
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Today) 5/27/09 – The surging popularity of social networking juggernaut Twitter has led the Web site’s owners to begin development of a TV reality series highlighting the lives of popular bloggers. The celebrity jewel of Twitter, Ashton Kutcher, is not thrilled with the idea, however.
“I don’t want to be stalked!!!” Kutcher, 31, said earlier this week via his Twitter blog in response to the Memorial Day announcement of the company’s intention to produce the unscripted show. He also said he felt “sold out” by the upcoming program and would consider suspending his Twitter account if the announcement were true.
Unlike traditional social networking services, where users usually consolidate their day’s experiences into a single blog entry, active Twitter users update visitors on the minutiae of their lives several times per day, including their moods, their experiences at work and the status of daily errands.
Kutcher, who currently has nearly 2 million Twitter subscribers, beat news service CNN in April to become the first user of the Web site to exceed 1 million followers. The actor, who married fellow thespian Demi Moore in 2005, is best known for his role as clueless jock Michael Kelso on Fox’s “That ‘70s Show” and for his own MTV reality show, “Punk’d,” where he would play pranks on other Hollywood bigwigs.
