Hey, CBS and FCC: don’t come for Stephen Colbert. He’s a man with nothing left to lose.

by Therese Odell, posted in watch this

Your eagle owl baby would like to know why you’re sleeping during prime hunting time:

@josh_cole9

Throwback to when I was imprinting my Eagle Owl and I took her EVERYWHERE with me. All fun and games until this is what you wake up to in the night… 🤣🤪🦉 #owl #falconry #birdsofprey #nightmare #funnyy

♬ original sound – JC Falconry

Here’s A BUNCH OF TV News

I am back from Mardi Gras, and happy to report that my holiday was considerably less exciting than Shia LaBeouf’s. 

While I was out catching plastic trinkets, shit was going down over at CBS/Paramount.

First off: Anderson Cooper is leaving 60 Minutes as a correspondent after nearly 20 years. HUH, WHY?

But the BIG story was CBS and the FCC coming for Stephen Colbert and the big middle finger he gave everyone. On Monday, Colbert was scheduled to have Texas Senate candidate, James Talarico, on as a guest. However, CBS’s lawyers informed him that he was not allowed to broadcast the interview — or even mention it — because it would violate the FCC’s newly installed “equal time” rule. Under this rule, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert would be required to give Talarico’s political opponent, Jasmine Crockett, equal time on the show. (It should be noted that Crocket has been on the show, but before this administration’s FCC reinstalled this equal time rule for talk shows.) So, instead of broadcasting the interview, Colbert explained the situation, saying: Talarico “was supposed to be here, but we were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers, who called us directly, that we could not have him on the broadcast. Then, I was told, in some uncertain terms, that not only could I not have him on, I could not mention me not having him on. And because my network clearly does not want us to talk about this…Let’s talk about this.”

So, instead, they posted the interview on YouTube, and you’ll never guess what happened: as of this writing, the interview had received 5.9 million views, and his campaign had an infusion of $2.5 million in donations. 

BUT THEN! Yesterday, CBS got sassy, and put out a statement contradicting Colbert’s version of events:

“‘The Late Show’ was not prohibited by CBS from broadcasting the interview with Rep. James Talarico. The show was provided legal guidance that the broadcast could trigger the FCC equal-time rule for two other candidates, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett, and presented options for how the equal time for other candidates could be fulfilled. ‘The Late Show’ decided to present the interview through its YouTube channel with on-air promotion on the broadcast rather than potentially providing the equal-time options.”

HOWEVER, on last night’s show, Colbert had this to say about THAT statement:

“This statement, it’s a surprisingly small piece of paper considering how many butts it’s trying to cover,” Colbert said, adding: “Here’s where I do want to tell the lawyers how to do their jobs: they know damn well that every word of my script last night was approved by CBS lawyers, who, for the record, approve every script that goes on the air, whether it’s about equal time or an image of frogs having sex … they told us the language they wanted me to use to describe that equal-time exception, and I used that language, so I don’t even know what this [statement] is about.”

“For the record, I’m not even mad,” he continued. “I really don’t want an adversarial relationship with the network … I’m just so surprised that this giant global corporation would not stand up to these bullies. For the lawyers to release this without talking to me is really surprising. I don’t even know what to do with this crap.”

Look: the man’s show has already been canceled, he’s got nothing left to lose and some 3 months of shows ahead of him. Keep pushing him, CBS. I dare you.

And I will need you to sit down when I tell you that when it was clear Colbert (and Talarico) won this round, Brendan Carr of the FCC dismissed the whole kerfuffle as a “hoax” — even though he is definitely investigating The View for the exact same thing.

Anna Gomez, the sole Democrat at the FCC, released this statement about the mess:

“This is yet another troubling example of corporate capitulation in the face of this Administration’s broader campaign to censor and control speech. The FCC has no lawful authority to pressure broadcasters for political purposes or to create a climate that chills free expression. CBS is fully protected under the First Amendment to determine what interviews it airs, which makes its decision to yield to political pressure all the more disappointing.

“It is no secret that Paramount, CBS’s parent company, has regulatory matters before the government, but corporate interests cannot justify retreating from airing newsworthy content. The FCC is powerless to impose restrictions on protected speech, and any attempt to intimidate broadcasters into self-censorship undermines both press freedom and public trust. I once again urge broadcasters and their parent companies to stand firm against these unlawful pressures and continue exercising their constitutional right to speak freely and without government interference.”

Speaking of those regulatory matters: Paramount’s bid for Warner Bros. continues. Basically, Paramount tried to say their offer of $30 a share for both Warner Bros. and Discovery was a better deal than Netflix’s offer of $27 a share for just Warner Bros. because Paramount will have a smoother process of regulatory approval with this corrupt ass administration (and considering they just hired a former White House attorney, they may not be entirely wrong). But this argument didn’t move the needle with most of the Warner Bros. board, so Paramount has announced they want to make another offer because this saga will never fucking end.

Netflix is like, “fine,  go ahead and make your best-and-final offer,” this week, and there is some noise that Paramount might raise their initial bid for all of Warner Bros. from $30 a share to $31. In their press materials, Paramount has not described this as a “best-and-final offer” or said anything about raising their offer. This window closes on Friday, and the WBD board is expected to put all of this to a final vote on March 20. As of now, the WBD board is still recommending the Netflix deal. But if he doesn’t win, expect David Ellison to continue whine-cry about it for the next decade.

Wait, is The Bear ending with season five? Nothing has been made official yet, but Jamie Lee Curtis seems to be suggesting just that:

The 41st Independent Spirit Awards were this weekend. You can find the winners here. (Adolescence was the big TV winner.)

So we’re getting a Muppet Show, right? RIGHT?

Daniel Radcliffe is begging the press to not ask the new Harry Potter cast about the original cast, but he is DEFINITELY going to be ignored (even though he’s not wrong).

The America’s Next Top Model models who spoke out on the Netflix documentary, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, have plenty to say.

Game of Thrones: The Mad King, a play that tells the story of the Tourney at Harrenhal that led to Robert’s Rebellion, will premiere at London’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Friends of James Van Der Beek and his family helped them purchase the Texas ranch they were living on before his death, and this has made some people big mad about the GoFundMe that was set up for his wife and six children. Personally, I am not going to be upset at helping a widow and her six children following the untimely death of her husband to cancer and a pile of financially debilitating bills, but people are always going to find something to be outraged by.

Van Der Beek and his wife also renewed their wedding vows a few days before his death, and I’m sure people will find a way to be mad about that, too.

A thing I learned today: Tina Fey’s first pitch for 30 Rock was for a behind-the-scenes comedy about a cable news station with Alec Baldwin playing a blowhard Bill O’Reilly type. (There’s still time to make this show, Tina!)

Another thing I learned today: Armando Iannucci made an American pilot episode of The Thick of It, based on the BBC political series, The Thick of It, which was supposed to be a pilot for an ABC comedy, but it didn’t work out. The movie starred Oliver Platt, Rhea Seehorn, and fellow Better Call Saul star, Michael McKean, was directed by Christopher Guest, and was co-written by Arrested Development producers. And now I must get my hands on this TV movie.

President Obama said aliens exist and then had to walk it back because his alien overlords told him to, obviously.

Hey, Bill Maher: was it worth it? Having dinner with our fascist piece of shit President? Yeah, didn’t think so.

Stephanie Pratt doesn’t think you should elect her brother mayor of Los Angeles, and you know what? Hell yeah, Stephanie.

NO ONE IS ASKING YOU TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT, STEPHEN A. SMITH. Go guest star on General Hospital and stay out of politics, Stephen.

Nancy Guthrie update: Unfortunately, there’s not much to update. Family members, including spouses, have been cleared based on DNA found on a glove at the scene, but otherwise …?

 

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Congratulations, Maya Hawke and Christian Lee Hutson!

Get well soon, Christy Carlson Romano!

Renewals

Cancellations

In Development

Casting News

Mark Your Calendars

Fox has released their spring premiere dates:

  • The Faithful: Women of the Bible: March 22
  • The Floor: April 8
  • The 1% Club: April 13
  • The Quiz with Balls: April 13
  • MasterChef: April 15
  • Farmer Wants a Wife: April 21
  • Running Wild with Bear Grylls: April 21

 

  • Bridgerton returns on Netflix on February 27.
  • Deadloch returns on Prime Video on March 20.
  • RJ Decker will debut on ABC on March 3.
  • Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen premieres on Netflix on March 26.
  • The Audacity debuts on AMC on April 12.
  • Good Omens returns on Prime Video on May 13.
  • Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery will debut on Hallmark Channel on March 7, and on Hallmark+ on March 8.
  • Girl on the Run: The Hunt for America’s Most Wanted Woman will debut on Hulu on February 19.
  • TMZ Presents: Michael Jackson: 30 Fatal Seconds airs on Fox on March 19.
  • Predator Hunters premieres on A&E on March 5.
  • Fatal Seduction returns on Netflix on March 13.
  • Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu premieres in theaters on May 22.
  • Heartbreak High returns on Netflix on March 25.
  • Gangs of Galicia returns on Netflix on April 3.
  • Je m’appelle Agneta debuts on Netflix on April 29.

R.I.P.

Robert Duvall, Oscar-winning actor and one of the greatest American performers of all time. He appeared in The Godfather movies, Apocalypse Now, Tender Mercies, Lonesome Dove, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Conversation, Network, The Apostle, The Great Santini, A Civil Action, The Natural, Sling Blade, and many others

“It was an honor to have worked with Robert Duvall. He was a born actor as they say, his connection with it, his understanding and his phenomenal gift will always be remembered. I will miss him.” — Al Pacino

“God bless Bobby. I hope I can live till I’m 95. May he rest in peace.” — Robert DeNiro

 

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Jesse Jackson, Civil rights leader and presidential candidate

 

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Shelly Desai, Character actor who appeared on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and several others

Cass Lacelle, Star of Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise

Dana Eden, Producer of Tehran

Jane Baer, Pioneering animator at Disney who started her own animation production company who worked on everything from Sleeping Beauty to Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Vicki Abt, Sociologist who argued that talk shows were coarsening society

Frederick Wiseman, Honorary Oscar-winning documentarian

Billy Steinberg, Hall of Fame songwriter who wrote “Like a Virgin,” “So Emotional,” and “Eternal Flame”

Timothy Very, Drummer for Manchester Orchestra

Tre Johnson, Former NFL player

WATCH THIS

Winter Olympics: Women’s slalom event in Alpine skiing; the men’s snowboard slopestyle final; women’s aerials final. 7 p.m., NBC

56 Days: This psychological thriller follows a passionate love affair that turned to murder some 5 days later. Series premiere. Prime Video

Being Gordon Ramsay: 6 months in the life of Gordon Ramsay as he tries to balance opening five new restaurants and his personal life. where he has the time to host 45 TV shows, I’ll never know. Series premiere. Netflix

Late Night:

  • The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: Sen. Jon Ossoff, Kyle MacLachlan, Thundercat

WEDS. 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30
ABC Abbott Elementary
(repeat)		 Abbott Elementary
(repeat)		 Abbott Elementary
(repeat)		 Abbott Elementary
(repeat)		 Shark Tank
(repeat)
CBS Survivor
(repeat)		 Hollywood Squares
(repeat)		 Matlock
(repeat)
CW Police 24/7
(repeat)		 Police 24/7
(repeat)		 Local
FOX The Real Full Monty
(repeat)		 Fear Factor: House of Fear
(repeat)		 News/Local
NBC Winter Olympics
(new)

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