The Late-Night Sausage Fest

CBS recently announced the weekly guest hosts of "The Late Late Show" for the three months between the end of Craig Ferguson's run and the beginning of James Corden's. The list includes Judd Apatow, Will Arnett, Wayne Brady, Drew Carey, Jim Gaffigan, Billy Gardell, Sean Hayes, Thomas Lennon, John Mayer, and Kunal Nayyar. In other words, they're all men.

The "sausage fest" that is late-night television has received many complaints about it's lack of female representation, especially in the past year. And still, it appears as though CBS couldn't find even one singular funny woman to host the "Late Late Show" for a week. The only exception to this is the five woman who host CBS's daytime talk show, "The Talk." The group -- Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Aisha Tyler, and Sheryl Underwood -- will be doing a late-late-night version of their show during one of the weeks.

As you all probably guessed, I have a lot of issues with this. First of all, "The Talk" is a daytime talk show. Their content is not at all what audiences want during a late night talk show. I'm not saying that they can't pull it off. I'm just saying that it makes no sense to book them over other women in the industry. Furthermore, what message does it send that CBS thinks it takes five women to do the job of one man? The network could have just asked one of them to host (maybe Sheryl Underwood or Aisha Tyler, seeing as they are both established comedic performers. But apparently, CBS would prefer all five of them share the duty.

As for the men that will guest host, most of them are experienced comedic performers with connection to CBS or one of its sister cable channels. I will call it ridiculous, however, of CBS to hire Billy Gardell over his much more famous co-star, Melissa McCarthy. But I can get over that. What I can't get over is John Mayer. Last I checked, he isn't a comedian. How did CBS end up that far down the list of eligible performers to ask John Mayer and yet still couldn't come up with any women?!

Without women hosting late night shows, all shows in the genre seem to share a certain sameness. All of these shows share the same perspective, same humor, even same guests. Adding more women to the mix would expand the boundaries of what's possible in late-night. And give some new, fresh perspective.

CBS Launches Online Streaming Service

That's right, you heard me. CBS is the first broadcast network to create a stand-alone streaming option for viewers.

It's been a good week for television fans. On Wednesday, HBO announced that their streaming service will be available to people without their pay-TV subscription starting 2015. On Thursday, CBS announced CBS All Access, a new streaming device for $5.99 a month that includes current and previous programming. That's right, kids. You no longer have an excuse to not watch The Good Wife.

“CBS All Access is another key step in the company’s long-standing strategy of monetizing our local and national content in the ways that viewers want it,” CBS President and CEO Leslie Moonves said in a statement. “This new subscription service will deliver the most of CBS to our biggest fans while being additive to the overall ecosystem. Across the board, we continue to capitalize on technological advances that help consumers engage with our world-class programming, and we look forward to serving our viewers in this new and exciting way.”

This is huge, because CBS is the largest broadcast network. The Big Bang Theory, one of CBS's programs, was the most watched television show of last season, and had more than 18 million tune in for the Season 8 premiere last month. CBS All Access will also include special programming, like the Grammy Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards, and the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. There will be ads for current programming, although commercials will run between 9-12 minutes, as opposed to the 12-16 minutes of advertisement on television. Another big plus is that previous programming, like Twin Peaks (which seriously all of you need to watch if you haven't already), will not have advertisements.

My only complaint is that CBS All Access will not include the NFL games. Hopefully they add those one day. Speaking of adding onto the service, CBS All Access will initially only be available in major cities, including New York City and Los Angeles, of course. The network, however, said it plans to expand.

And to all a Goodnight

      Wow to think this is my last post, how time flies. First off I wanted to say it was a pleasure to work with all of you throughout the semester. Additionally this class has been one of the most unique experiences in both college and life in general (especially due to the interesting stories and objective of the class). While some days there might have been stormy seas it is nice to know we will all be sailing into the sunset on calm waters after our screening this Saturday. In all seriousness this class allowed me to gain a true appreciation for the industry and taking myself serious as a filmmaker, I mean how can one not learn from such a seasoned veteran like Arturo. Lastly I wish you all the best in the future as you pursue your careers, good luck on your finals and have a safe break!

      Now that I got all the sappy shit out of the way I would like to share my favorite holiday animated special, A Charlie Brown Christmas. This was actually the first prime-time animated TV special. The animated TV special is based on the comic strip, Peanuts created by Charles Schulz. For any of you that aren't familiar with Schulz or his work he was an American cartoonist that dedicated 50 years to his most notable work, Peanuts. A Charlie Brown Christmas was first debuted on CBS in 1965 and was switched to ABC in 2001 where it is currently aired on multiple occasions leading up to the Christmas. The animated TV special  has received much recognition throughout the years and has won an Emmy and Peabody Award. The last reason this is one of my favorite of all time is the soundtrack and how it works in unison with the animation throughout the entire special. Additionally the music simply spells Christmas as it provides a magical feeling we have all felt at one point or another during the holiday season. Without further adieu here is the classic opening to A Charlie Brown Christmas...

"The Crazy Ones" Might be CBS

Recently, I, along with a hundred or so Ithaca Park School students, attended a presentation run by a couple of marketing representatives from CBS. The main focus of the meeting was to promote their upcoming original comedy, "The Crazy Ones", created by David E. Kelley. The test screening of the pilot episode was, of course, the main draw for most attendees, myself included. Unfortunately, despite the promise of Robin Williams, the seasoned actor proved, at least to me, the only winning attribute in the entire show.

First of all, the story seemed rather underdeveloped and rushed. For example, at the beginning of the episode the characters were worried that they were all about to get fired. Maybe I just didn't pay close enough attention but I honestly could not for the life of me tell you way this was the case. Furthermore, in order to conclude the main conflict, all a character had to do was a sing a song loudly and poorly in a restaurant. Like what.

Furthermore, the quality of production in "The Crazy Ones", was CRAZY low. Ok, I exaggerate. However, the production value definitely should have transcended that which we were presented with on Thursday. The 30 Rock-esque shots of office buildings within takes seemed awkward and poorly timed. Now only that, but the physical focus issues the show seemed to possess distracted me throughout it's entirety. Don't get me wrong, I love shallow depth of field more than the next guy. The problem was, it seemed a little bit like the camera men all must have had focus ADHD. First one person would be in focus, and then the next person down the line, and then the coffee mug, followed by a shot of a character speaking where the camera man seemed to be trying to get him/her during their speech.

Of course this is only my opinion. My friend Meghan, whom sat next to me throughout the entire performance, raved about how hilarious it was. Other people seemed to enjoy it as well. This review is rather harsh because although I often was distracted by technical things, the average viewer will not be. The average viewer will see the show for its hilarious quotes, situations, and characters. Therefore, although I certainly will not be following the show closely when it airs, I can't say it won't survive. In fact, it may even be a hit! I certainly can't anticipate which shows audiences will latch on to nowadays. Hell, if The Neighbors, can make it past one season, anything is possible.

The Big Bang.....again?

Admittedly, I do not watch as much TV as I should for a TV-R  major but I happen to catch a few shows in between classes. Aside from American Horror Story, which is my favorite television show of all time, I watch The Big Bang Theory on CBS. The Big Bang Theory originally aired on CBS in 2007 and has recently been renewed for three more seasons. The show became CBS' highest-rated evening show. I started watching this show for the simple fact that it was always on. After watching about four episodes I realized that I actually enjoyed the show and was pleased by the familiar cast which features Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki. I do not go out of my way to watch this show but I definitely don't mind watching it when it's on. It think the show provides enough comedy to momentarily fill my entertainment void.

The character that attracted me the most to the show was Sheldon Cooper Ph.D, played by Jim Parsons. I was attracted to his character because of the complexity and intelligence he brought to the show, which I usually don't see on CBS. I was fascinated by his obsession with routines and very obvious lack of social skills. His lack of common sense and knowledge of  his surroundings creates a comedic effect of his methodological behavior.  Sheldon is constantly reminding his roommates and neighbor about their human flaws and plays as the nuisance of their relationships. Jim Parsons does an excellent job playing Sheldon Cooper and has won two Primetime Emmy Awards, a  Golden Globe Award, and a Critics' Choice Television Award for his performance

I think that The Big Bang Theory is definitely a show worth checking out if you'r ecruising through the channels on your TV or are interested in some intelligent humor. I am glad that I was exposed to this show and think that it is one of the better shows I have watched in the last 3 years, on basic cable.  Anyhow, check out the clip below of Sheldon.

Peace,
Brie

It's All "Elementary" My Dear Watson

Or is it? With the fall season upon us once again, so too comes the plethora of new shows. And much like new born sea turtles, they must try their hardest to make it out alive. I guess you can consider me a hungry grubbing seagull, because I've locked my eyes on one particular aqueous babe and I'm going in for the kill.

On September 25 at 10pm, CBS will attempt to hop on the Sherlock wagon, because come on let's face it, Sherlock is a complete and total BAMF (I know I'm dating myself, I'm sorry). Though I admire their ambition to help keep the Sherlock torch ablaze, I don't think the results will be quite as they hoped. I quote straight from TV Guide (see, it's useful), "a modern take on the crime-solver with Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock, a recovering addict and NYPD consultant. His Watson is his "sober companion," a former surgeon — and a woman (Lucy Liu)." I'm not sure all of the added elements are needed. What appeal does Sherlock being a drug addict bring to the story? Wouldn't the copious amounts of drugs have effected his intelligence? I feel it's insulting to the character and his integrity.

Next off, tackling cases in New York City? It's seems forced and inorganic. Sure the character mentions that he worked with Scotland Yard, but then why not go to some other European country? It certainly would be closer to home then a trip across the pond. An aside from my beratement, I appreciate how they've tried to modernize Watson by changing his gender. I feel as long as they don't try to pull any romance business then that relationship will work.

Overall I feel that the creators are only using the name "Sherlock Holmes" to try and gain attention, they haven't really done anything with their adaption to commemorate the character and his efforts. Don't worry though, I won't just leave you high and dry. There is a solution, Sherlock.

 From this weird pairing of the BBC & PBS, they've created a wonderful show about Sherlock and Watson in the modern day, but do so with respect to the characters and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Two series (in the UK they call seasons series) have already been produced and filming for the third begins in January. The production design, cinematography, and acting are phenomenal.