NBC is considering giving up an entire primetime hour and CNN lurches to the right as the TV landscape continues to change

by Therese Odell, posted in Uncategorized

There are two types in the world:

Here’s A BUNCH OF TV News

Hello! I am back! And one kid off at college lighter (~sigh~). First things first: The TV Foolishness Tournament continues, but I’m going to devote a separate daily post to voting as these daily posts are LONG ENOUGH AS IT IS. Go vote here today.

While I was gone last week, NBC made waves by announcing they are considering doing away with the 9/10 p.m. primetime hour of original programming and handing it over to the affiliates to do with as they please. If it happens, it won’t happen for at least a year, so don’t worry about updating your DVR anytime soon.

The CW and Fox both only have two hours of primetime programming each, so it’s not unheard of, but it’s interesting that one of the big three would be moving to downsize rather than one of those would move to add an hour. Sadly, it is probably the direction TV is headed. More and more people — particularly young people — are abandoning the broadcast and cable model for streaming, leaving a behind much older TV audience. The networks are ultimately going to choose to invest in the model that the demographic the advertisers want to chase actually watches, and that demographic ain’t the 55-and-up crowd.

Speaking of a changing TV market, as mentioned here before, CNN hired Chris Licht to replace Jeff Zucker, and he warned that CNN would be moving towards a more “neutral” tone. What this has meant in practice is more on-air criticism of President Biden and left issues and the firing of journalists and hosts openly critical of Former President Reichstag Fire.

After firing Brian Stelter, CNN’s White House Correspondent John Harwood was the most recent journalist to announce he was leaving the network, only hours after he called Former President Confidential Files in My Desk a “dangerous demagogue” and said that Biden’s assertion that MAGA is a threat to democracy is true.

This came two days after Brianna Keilar criticized the “optics” of President Biden’s speech on Thursday, and then CNN reported on people being critical of the optics of President Biden’s speech as if they weren’t the ones to help create the “controversy” in the first place.

Anyway, this move to “the middle” is turning into a move to the right, and people aren’t happy.

And maybe Jon Cooper is right … or maybe not. In this thread, YS clearly explains from the inside what is really going on at CNN, if you want to get to the root of the matter. Basically, it’s the same impulse that is making NBC consider creating less programming: a shrinking TV audience.

The Creative Emmys were held this weekend. Here are all of the winners.

Some stand-out winners:

It looks like Netflix will price its ad-supported tier at around $7-$9 a month.

Speaking of, Netflix turned 25 last week.

And yesterday was the 20th anniversary of American Idol anointing Kelly Clarkson their first winner.

Season 18’s winner, Samantha Diaz (Just Sam), revealed that she’s out of the hospital and thankful for everyone’s prayers.

Jennifer Hudson, who somehow did not win American Idol (I know — right??), will have former American Idol judge Simon Cowell as her first guest on her new talk show.

And no, Marjorie Taylor Greene did not audition for American Idol. (Probably. Maybe.)

A weird story from Baltimore: apparently, production on the Apple TV+ series, Lady in the Lake, had to be paused when some local thugs tried to extort the production, demanding that the producers pay them thousands, or someone would get shot. Could we stop harassing TV productions, everyone?

The Russo Brothers’ show on Prime Video has quickly become the second most expensive show ever made — after Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power.

The first Taylor Hawkins tribute concert took place in London this weekend, and it looks like it was an emotional affair. Here, Hawkins’ son joins the Foo Fighters on drums for “My Hero”:

And 12-year-old drummer Nandi Bushell joined them on “Learn to Fly”:

You can watch the entire concert on Paramount+.

It’s always refreshing to see someone be honest about their limitations: Eric Kripke, he of Supernatural and The Boys fame, piped in on a Twitter conversation about his take on The Sandman some years back. Apparently, The WB offered Kripke a chance to make the show, but it didn’t work out. This exchange between Neil Gaiman and Kripke is great:

A bunch of people on The Rehearsal are now on Cameo, which just adds layers of insanity to an already insane series.

Jeremy Strong is REAL MAD about that New Yorker profile everyone was talking about last year.

Betty Gilpin was once zipped into a body bag while filming on Law & Order, and forgotten there and I’m pretty sure this happened to Jenna Maroney on 30 Rock once.

Erika Jayne is denying buying bots to racially harass a 14-year-old child, and Diana Jenkins is threatening to sue people who claim she’s a madam? What the hell is going on over at RHOBH?

LOL, Lisa Kudrow told Heidi Montag that Spencer Pratt had “serial killer” eyes and that she should get away from him, and he’s still salty about it. But I ask you, where’s the lie?

Pauley Perrette just revealed she suffered a stroke a year ago. Stay healthy!

Get better soon, Jane Fonda!

Cancellations

In Development

Casting News

Mark Your Calendar

  • The Winchesters premieres on The CW on October 11.
  • Manifest will return on Netflix on November 4.
  • The White Lotus will return on HBO in October.
  • Yellowstone returns on Paramount on November 13.
  •  On the Come Up will debut on Paramount+ on September 23.
  • The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City will return on Bravo on September 28.
  • The Good Doctor returns on ABC on October 3.
  • Copenhagen Cowboy will debut on Netflix soon.
  • The Mysterious Benedict Society returns on Disney+ on October 26.
  • Zatima will premiere on BET+ on September 29.
  • Everything Calls for Salvation will premiere on Netflix on October 14.
  • Human Playground will premiere on Netflix on September 30.
  • The CW has released a sizzle reel for its fall season.
  • Starting September 14, Peacock will host “DocFest.”

R.I.P.

Bob LuPone, Daytime Emmy-nominated actor who appeared in The Sopranos, Sex & the City, Guiding Light, and All My Children

Amy Stechler, Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker

Ashvin Luximon, British actor known for EastEnders

Barbara Ehrenreich, Author and activist

Mable John, First solo female artist signed to Motown

Pat Stay, Rapper

Angus “Drummie Zeb” Gaye, Singer for UK Raggae band Aswad

WATCH THIS

The Bachelorette: I have no description for this episode. I’m guessing it’s Fantasy Suite time? 7 p.m., ABC

Roswell, New Mexico: Liz calls for reinforcements in the series finale. 7 p.m., The CW

In the Dark: Murphy copes by getting even. Series finale. 8 p.m., The CW

Out of Office: In this new comedy film starring a ton of comedians, including Ken Jeong, Leslie Jones, Paul F. Tompkins, Jim Rash, Cheri Oteri, among others, a young woman navigates her new, remote office job, and stirs up trouble in her boss’ home life. Premiere.  7 p.m., Comedy Central

American Ninja Warrior: Ten ninja families compete. 7 p.m., NBC

Beat Shazam: Season finale. 8 p.m., Fox

The Bad Seed Returns: Emma tries to be a normal teen. It doesn’t work. Premiere. 7 p.m., Lifetime

Real Girlfriends in Paris: Six young ex-pats live their best lives in Paris (until the inevitable catfights) in this new reality series. Series premiere. 8:15 p.m., Bravo

MON. 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30
ABC The Bachelorette
(new)		 Claim to Fame
(new)
CBS The Neighborhood
(repeat)		 Bob ♥ Abishola
(repeat)		 NCIS
(repeat)		 NCIS: Hawai’i
(repeat)
CW Roswell, New Mexico
(new)		 In the Dark
(new)		 Local
FOX Don’t Forget the Lyrics!
(new)		 Beat Shazam
(new)		 News/Local
NBC American Ninja Warrior
(new)		 Weakest Link
(new)

3 thoughts on “NBC is considering giving up an entire primetime hour and CNN lurches to the right as the TV landscape continues to change”

  1. I can remember when CNN changed to all about the views/clicks. It was a sad day. When push comes to shove they are a business who needs to make money. And they will do whatever is necessary to stay in business. Inherent problem with corporations they lose their soul.

    Reply

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