December 09, 2004 |
BACK IN BLACK
Buoyed by breakout hits Desperate Housewives and Lost (I can't believe they almost killed Charlie!), long-struggling ABC is expected to return to profitability in 2005. At a press conference Wednesday, Walt Disney president Bob Iger called the network's recent turnaround "a watermark," adding that he believes the "success is real, not flash-in-the-pan." In the meantime, I can't believe we almost Lost Charlie! Damn you, J.J. Abrams! |
NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT
The cast and crew of My Wife and Kids seem to be benefiting from ABC's newfound wealth. According to sources, Damon Wayans and Co. will head to the Bahamas next month to shoot a two-episode, vacation-themed story arc. The episodes will air during February sweeps and feature the return of David Alan Grier's Jimmy character. |
TRAGEDY
A gunman opened fire on heavy metal band Damageplan during a performance at a crowded bar in Columbus, Ohio Wednesday, killing guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott and three other people before a police officer shot him to death. The motive for the shooting was not known. Damageplan's debut album, New Found Power, reached No. 38 on Billboard earlier this year. |
HE NEEDED THE BOOST
Another award show. Another Usher rout. The R&B phenom picked up a field-best 11 trophies at last night's Billboard Music Awards, including artist of the year, hip-hop album of the year for Confessions and Hot 100 single of the year for "Yeah!" Alicia Keys followed with seven wins while Grammy darling Kanye West nabbed four. In related news, I can't believe they almost killed Charlie on Lost! |
AILING
Age may finally be catching up with the World's Oldest Teenager. Dick Clark was hospitalized in Los Angeles earlier this week after suffering a minor stroke. The 75-year-old American Bandstand icon is on the mend and looking forward to his annual New Year's Rockin' Eve duties on ABC. "The doctors tell me I should be back in the swing of things before too long," he said in a statement, "so I'm hopeful to be able to make it to Times Square to help lead the country in ringing in the New Year once again." |
DONE DEAL
It's official: Martha Stewart has reached a deal with reality guru Mark Burnett and NBC to host an hour-long, daily, syndicated homemaking show after she gets out of prison. The program — slated to launch next fall — will be taped in front of a live audience and cover such topics as cooking, entertaining, home renovating and how to cope when a major character from your favorite TV show almost dies. Damn you, J.J. Abrams! |
CHECKMATE
A day after Disney/Pixar announced it was delaying the release of Cars until June 2006, DreamWorks said it would postpone Shrek 3 from November 2006 to May 2007. Both studios are hoping to capitalize on the large summer audience. |
SHORT CUTS
Former talk-show host Wayne Brady is returning to TV in an NBC workplace comedy set in the world of personal-injury law, per The Hollywood Reporter... For the first time ever, cable attracted a larger share of TV viewers than the broadcast nets during the just-concluded November sweeps... MTV has renewed Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County for a second season... Finally, damn you, J.J. Abrams. Damn you! |
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