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New York
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Aug 22, 08 2:12 PM CDT
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Do The Rocker 's poor reviews and sagging ticket sales prove there's an Office curse? Office stars can't replicate that show's success on the big screen, Dan Kois writes in New York , and the evidence backs him up: After The 40-Year-Old Virgin , Steve Carell starred in a series of mostly forgettable flops, and his co-stars haven't fared any better.
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New York Times
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Aug 22, 08 9:01 AM CDT
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This year's Olympic opening ceremonies, perhaps the most watched television event in history, were a huge programming coup for CCTV, one of the main propaganda conduits for the Chinese government. CCTV has a larger audience than every major TV station in the US and Europe combined, writes the New York Times . And global companies seeking Chinese customers are beginning to take notice.
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New York Times
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Aug 22, 08 8:06 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Rachel Maddow's promotion to prime-time at MSNBC more clearly draws the partisan lines among the cable networks, writes Brian Stelter of the New York Times : MSNBC on the left, Fox on the right, and CNN claiming middle ground. Now the big question: Will the Maddow move translate into more ads? It seems likely. Viewers seems drawn to outspoken views, and, in fact, Fox now brings in more ad revenue than CNN. MSNBC is in a distant third.
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Variety
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Aug 20, 08 2:02 PM CDT
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NBC’s Olympic coverage smashed the competition last week, in what Variety suggests could be the most decisive rout in television history. Viewership was buoyed by Michael Phelps’ record-breaking gold-medal performance Saturday; in addition, NBC’s various networks reached a staggering 83% of the US. The margins were the biggest in Nielsen ratings history.
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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Aug 19, 08 5:45 PM CDT
(Newser) -
More than 500 people showed up today to celebrate the addition of Milwaukee’s newest landmark, a 5-foot-6 bronze statue of Happy Days character the Fonz, the Journal Sentinel reports. Most of the cast of the 1970s TV hit showed up for the event, presided over by comedian John McGivern. "It's a perfect symbol of optimism," he said of the statue’s pose. "The most famous thumbs-up in the world."
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TV Guide
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Aug 18, 08 5:17 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Laurence Fishburne, who starred in Boyz in the Hood and The Matrix , will return to TV this fall, joining the cast of CSI. Fishburne will replace William Petersen and will play an ex-pathologist now teaching a college course in criminalistics, reports TV Guide . He'll first appear in the hit CBS show's ninth episode, currently set to air December 11.
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New York Post
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Aug 18, 08 2:51 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Some of today's brightest stars nearly landed iconic TV roles, but didn't for better or worse. Author Eila Mell reveals a few near-misses to the New York Post : Harrison Ford turned down the part of "Meathead" in All in the Family . Mickey Rooney also passed on bigot Archie Bunker. Rosie O'Donnell was almost cast on Seinfeld as neighbor Elaine.
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Boston Globe
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Aug 17, 08 4:59 PM CDT
(Newser) -
What if the family dog ate alphabet soup by mistake? Susan Meddaugh answered her 7-year-old son’s question by writing a book, Martha Speaks , which has now become a PBS show about the talking dog. PBS hopes it will teach challenging vocab—"diminish," "concoct," and "courageous" are on the list—by integrating them seamlessly into stories.
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New York Times
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Aug 16, 08 2:08 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Oh, what a difference eight years makes. The Daily Show struggled with limited access and no respect during the 2000 presidential race, but in this election the show has emerged as “a genuine cultural and political force,” writes Michiko Kakutani in the New York Times . Not only are presidential candidates clambering to make guest appearances, but The Daily Show may be the newsiest news hour around.
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People
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Aug 15, 08 8:42 PM CDT
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The Office actor Craig Robinson has been hit with drug possession and misdemeanor DUI charges, according to a complaint released today. Los Angeles police say they pulled Robinson over for a traffic violation this summer, discovered drugs in his car, and found him high on amphetamines, cocaine, and cannabis. The Pineapple Express co-star is slated to be in court later this month, People reports.
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Associated Press
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Aug 14, 08 12:51 PM CDT
(AP) -
JR, Bobby, Sue Ellen, and other members of the Ewing clan are getting back together at Southfork Ranch for a Dallas reunion party to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the hit primetime soap opera, the Dallas Morning News reports. Tickets to the November reunion will cost $100 to $1,000. "I may not be able to do the 40th," said Larry Hagman, 76.
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Us Magazine
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Aug 14, 08 12:30 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The new season of America's Next Top Model will include a transgender contestant, US Weekly reports. "My cards were dealt differently," says Isis, 22. The former receptionist from Maryland identifies herself as "a woman born physically male." The president of a gay advocacy group says the show would provide "historic visibility of transgender people."
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People
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Aug 10, 08 8:10 AM CDT
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Suffering from a rare lung disease, Bernie Mac was on medication to suppress his immune system—and that that made him vulnerable to the pneumonia that ended his life, his sister-in-law told People . He was hospitalized 8 days earlier than reported with a fever and trouble breathing, and “was in intensive care the whole time,” she said. At the hospital, Mac became infected with a second strain of pneumonia.
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Chicago Tribune
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Aug 9, 08 9:27 AM CDT
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Comedian and actor Bernie Mac has died at 50 of pneumonia after a week’s hospitalization in Chicago, the Chicago Tribune reports. Mac suffered from sarcoidosis, an unusual autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the lungs. Born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough, the comedian was a late bloomer, achieving fame in his 30s for his fast-talking, brash brand of humor on HBO specials, in films, and eventually in his own TV show.
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College on the Record
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Aug 6, 08 2:50 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Heading off to university is typically viewed as an accomplishment, but one blog contends that most TV shows tank when their characters take this major life step. College on the Record lists the top 10 series muddled by matriculation: Boy Meets World Saved by the Bell: The College Years Dawson’s Creek
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Advertising Age
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Aug 5, 08 4:27 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Mad Men isn’t just one of the best shows on TV—it’s also a fashion trendsetter, Advertising Age reports. Bloomingdale’s features Mad Men -themed displays and clothing, GQ recently published a 6-page spread with a cast member, and the show’s network has started a Target-sponsored fashion blog. "It's been an amazing thing to be inspiring so many fashion designers," Mad Men ’s costume maven says.
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