This is the week of the TV "upfronts," in which the networks present their fall schedules to advertisers (an impatient NBC unveiled its schedule last month). Variety has some early reports of what to expect, including this one about some of CBS' plans. Update: Then there's the bad news.
--Robert Philpot
Off to a late start, thanks to some on-deadline stuff for print, but here goes:
--NBC confirms that Jimmy Fallon will take over the Late Night slot from Conan O'Brien in 2009, which was such a poorly kept secret that it's sort of like confirming that we need oxygen to breathe. Lots more NBC stuff today; I could link to all the releases, but it's easier just to send you here.
--Cancellation news, including the depressing but not unexpected loss of Fox's underappreciated Back to You. Follow the links within the links and find out that CW's similarly underappreciated Aliens in America and Fox's promised-more-than-it-delivered New Amsterdam have also been axed.
--The New York Times does the Denton music scene with a story that appears to be unaware of the "Fort Worth" part of "Dallas-Fort Worth."
--Rumors -- always difficult to substantiate in gossip-heavy radio circles -- abound about a possible format change at KTYS/96.7 FM "The Twister." But this item from All About Country.com, which I'm doing a cut-and-paste on so you don't have to register, lends the latest rumor some credence:
--Robert Philpot
The Clash, working at full throttle. -- Robert Philpot
Local publicist extraordinaire Lisa Taylor sends along a reminder that the Video Association of Dallas' 7th Annual 24-Hour Video Race takes place next Friday -- and the deadline to register is tomorrow, as in May 10. Details on the link; Taylor points out that aspiring filmmakers can also register in person from from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Magnolia Lounge in Fair Park, 1121 First Avenue in Dallas. -- Robert Philpot
Missed this the other day -- Michael Johns (who, as I'm sure you're tired of me saying, is married to Fort Worth's Stacey Vuduris) and Carly Smithson didn't make it to the American Idol finale, but they did do a duet of U2's One on Ellen the other day. Not 100 percent perfect -- I think Carly especially overdoes it -- but not the abomination an Achtung Baby fan like me might fear. -- Robert Philpot
Next Wednesday marks the 10th anniversary of Frank Sinatra's death, and nostalgic radio station KAAM/770 AM "Legends 77" plans a couple of celebratory events. On Saturday, there'll be a big dance at the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Love Field in Dallas. "Many Sinatra classics will be included," program director/air personality Jaan McCoy e-mailed the other day. "[And] during half time, five finalists in our search for Dallas Fort Worth's 'Champion Chairman' will be competing." On Wednesday, the station will air 24 hours of Sinatra, including special guests, McCoy says. If you're interested in that dance, click the link, because seating is reserved.
--Robert Philpot
The Unscene Tour is seeking photography submissions for a June 11 show at Dallas' W hotel. Organizers are looking for a photos telling untold Dallas stories about Texas cities. For details, click the link. Deadline is May 20.
--Robert Philpot
Hugh Hefner would like to see Miley Cyrus in Playboy, given that she's of legal age, he tells Extra (but I'm linking to TV Guide because the Extra link was giving me fits). Umm ... anyone taking bets on if Hef will still be around when Miley's of legal age?
--Robert Philpot
The '50s-and-beyond crooner died this week of congestive heart failure at age 79. I'm not having luck finding any performance clips, but here's a tribute with a couple of songs, and I warn you: Primrose Lane is quite the earworm. -- Robert Philpot
For me personally, two reasons to be pretty pumped this morning:
-- My Morning Jacket will play Dallas' Palladium Ballroom Aug. 23. According to Billboard.com, this current headlining tour is being billed as "An Evening with My Morning Jacket," owing to the band's desire to play extended sets, incorporating new material from Evil Urges (out June 10) and classics stretching back to At Dawn. No word yet on tickets or on-sale dates, but we'll pass 'em along as we find out.
-- Coldplay, itself preparing a new disc (Viva la Vida Or Death and All His Friends, due in stores June 17), will bring the world tour supporting said album through North Texas on Nov. 19, stopping at Dallas' American Airlines Center. According to Billboard.com and the band's manager, the most expensive ticket shouldn't be more than $85, but the prices haven't been confirmed. Tickets go on sale locally June 14 via Ticketmaster.
--Preston Jones
For those who care -- a group that does not, by the way, include me -- E! Online has a report on Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon's first appearance as husband and wife. Uh, "Mr. and Mrs. Cannon?" If anything, he should take her last name.
--Robert Philpot
Already not programming Saturday nights, the network is going to divest Sundays, Variety reports. What this means for such worthwhile but ratings-challenged series as Everybody Hates Chris and Aliens in America may become more clear when the CW announces its fall schedule next.
--Robert Philpot
Actually, this is about Dallas-Fort Worth's Scott Michael Foster, who can be seen on ABC Family's Greek (created by fellow North Texan Patrick Sean Smith and co-starring Dallas' Jake McDorman) and on the it-worked-on-the-Internet-but-not-on-TV drama Quarterlife. ANYway, Foster has been tagged as a MySpace Celebrity Rising Star, and has a Mother's Day quote on the video included in the link. Thanks to Foster's proud pop Mike for alerting us to this.
--Robert Philpot
In case you missed the Today show this morning or the earlier post, Lancaster's Gwen Beauchamp is one of the candidates for America's Favorite Mom, who will be revealed Sunday night on NBC. One thing we already know about Beauchamp for sure: She's a good baker. Here's her nomination video. -- Robert Philpot
The Live Theatre League of Tarrant County hosts its annual awards 5:30-7:30pm May 12 at Stage West, and the big honoree is Jubilee Theatre's resident pianist and talented composer Joe Rogers (pictured). He gets the Elston Brooks Lifetime Achievement Award.
You can read about the details and the full list of recepients here. I'd send you to the LTL's website, but the award info is not there, and it automatically plays a beginner-sounding piano version of Let Me Entertain You.
-- Mark Lowry
NBC has announced that Heroes action figures will be available in stores this summer. But could the Claire doll repair itself if it fell in a whirring garbage disposal?
--Robert Philpot
Entertainment Weekly has a first look at Oliver Stone's upcoming movie about president Bush, W, starring Josh Brolin.
---Cary Darling
Just got the list of contestants for the upcoming season of American Gladiators, debuting Monday on NBC (7 p.m., KXAS/Channel 5). Click the link and look for Dallas' Jeff Davidson and his wife Ally Davidson, who had an interesting way of celebrating her wedding day.
--Robert Philpot
Just wrapped up the Jason Castro post-mortem teleconference, in which the Rockwall native was surprisingly chatty and not at all like the goofy ne'er-do-well the American Idol folks made him seem to be.
He'll be a part of the American Idols Live! Tour that touches down at Dallas' American Airlines Center Aug. 25 and also said he'd be participating in the season finale, which airs May 21.
Some highlights:
-- On his reaction to being voted off: "I was as happy last night as when I found I made the top 24. It's just been really hard -- I was really starting to fear the week ahead: 'How can I do three songs when I can't even do two?' That was all building up [but] I was ready to go either way. My natural reaction [was] I really felt relieved, the pressure was off. I loved my time on [Idol] and would've loved to go further."
--On what the Idol judges saw in him: "I think it was the potential, because I was so new at it. I just showed enough potential -- I'm very much what the show was originally about. I'm about as raw as it gets."
--On whether his portrayal on Idol was accurate: "I'm kinda laid-back, [very] grounded -- nothing comes as a surprise. I'm not always so calm -- a lot of people don't see my hyper-ness -- [but] I'm pretty relaxed about everything."
--On the rumors that he screwed up his final two songs on purpose: "I definitely did not do that on purpose -- I couldn't believe I forgot such a popular line [in Bob Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man]. I think what it came down to was my inexperience."
Look for a complete story in the Live! section of tomorrow's Star-Telegram.
--Preston Jones
I'm not alone in ranting about "live" local-TV reports that take place in front of (often closed) buildings after 10 o'clock at night. Turns out those reports can be dangerous, as CBS-11's Katherine Blake found out this week.
--Robert Philpot
Just saw the obituary for the classic-country singer on the Star-Telegram home page. This concert clip shows his gentle manner shortly before he launches to my favorite of his songs. -- Robert Philpot
In the wake of Peeler-gate, now there's a movement to get Bravo to pull the plug on Workout.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/bravo-tv-network-cancel-workout
---Cary Darling
... Billy Bob's Texas! As we mentioned a few weeks back, Billy Bob's was up for a couple of 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards and word comes this morning that the venerable Fort Worth honky-tonk won one -- for Nightclub of the Year, beating out venues in Colorado, Georgia, Illinois and North Carolina. This marks the third time Billy Bob's (celebrating its 27th year in the biz) has received the prestigious prize and its 10th ACM trophy overall.
"We are honored to receive this award again, especially since it is voted on by the industry," says marketing director Pam Minick. "We strive to not become complacent, to give our visitors (and the artists) a good mix of up-and-coming performers as well as not forgetting the established artists of country and classic rock. ... Over the years, the greats of the industry have performed on our stage -- and we never know who the next superstar will be -- but one thing is for sure: They will probably have performed here at one point [in] their career."
According to Minick, representatives from Billy Bob's will be in attendance May 18 in Las Vegas to collect the prize.
--Preston Jones
Don't know if any of y'all followed Mark and me over to "Top Chef" after "American Idol," but TC appeared to have one of the worst-bleeped swear words I've ever heard on TV. Let's just say you could hear most of thw word. That could mean some trouble for Bravo -- if you read the "Top Chef" blogs, you know some fans are upset about all the strong language this season, and that's the stuff that's SUCCESSFULLY bleeped.
--Robert Philpot
Jason really does look like he's had enough, doesn't he? But I'm not putting it past the voters to surprise us. I don't think they will -- Jason almost sounds like HE called in votes for the other three contestants. And Syesha's comments on "A Change is Gonna Come" probably earned her a ton of votes.
And that's the way it is, for what may have been the most predictable results show ever. I'll miss the guy. Give him the right producer, and he'll go far (that "Since U Been Gone" was kinda fun, wasn't it?). But "Idol" doesn't seem to be his bag.
"Top Chef" beckons. I leave you with this. Couldn't find Maroon 5 messing with the Bee Gees -- but did find someone messing with Maroon 5. -- Robert Philpot
Jason seems in more of a purple haze than usual. AND YES! Jason has been smoked out. Syesha's in. Time for Top Chef.
-- Mark Lowry
... with a nod to Kelly Clarkson. And I guess I have nothing more to say about that.
-- Mark Lowry
Yes, folks, that's what it said on the Quizno's ad showing the woman eating a $5 bill. It's really not a good idea, Quizno's wants you to know, to eat a $5 bill whole. Everyone knows you're supposed to salt the money and cut it up first.
Here's some other things not to attempt. Don't eat a Quizno's sandwich if it falls on the floor. Don't eat one that you've accidentally dropped in your toilet. If a Quizno's is on fire, do not go in, unless it's to rescue someone else who's in there. Do not eat a Quizno's sandwich while standing on top of a car on the freeway.
--Robert Philpot
I dug Bo Bice on season 4. If I were the type to vote on this show, I'd have voted for him over Carrie Underwood. Granted, her commercial instincts are much sharper and she's got enough awards to fill a small town now, but Bo just suits my classic-rock tastes more. And I really don't mind him doing this song that sounds like it was recorded in Alabama in 1975.
--Robert Philpot
Blake Lewis woulda dug that. Speaking of, didn't he have an album that tanked? See what you have to look forward to, final four?
-- Mark Lowry
I don't mind Maroon 5. Kind of enjoy 'em on a sort of mindless level. Has Adam Levine ever covered a Bee Gees song? It's worth thinking about. They could really rock "You Should Be Dancing."
--Robert Philpot
Apparently, the biggest challenge Jason Castro has had to overcome is answering a question about the biggest challenge he's had to overcome. Our challenge? Getting through this segment without muting.
Simon could never be James Bond. He'd have to wear something besides a black T-shirt.
--Robert Philpot
Like I said, "American Idol" can be painful, and that Ford commercial desecrating Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" was a burnin' thing. And didn't AMC make the Matador?
--Robert Philpot
Heather Mills? Harsh, dude. Couldn't you at least have given Jason ... I don't know. Pete Best? Billy Preston? Badfinger? Wings? Guy who listened to the White Album over and over in his parents' basement?
--Robert Philot
"You're gonna tell us right now?" No way, Jason ... this is American Idol. They drag it out as long as they possibly can.
--Preston Jones
Here are the American Idol Final Four in Vegas, where they kiss dolphins and go to see "Love." The best part of this is that there are several real Beatles songs on the soundtrack, although they're too short and mixed too low.
By the way, Friday's Blab! page has some fun pics of David A., Syesha and Jason with the dolphin. Not sure why we didn't get one of David C. Maybe he wanted a dolphin that rocked more.
Speaking of David C., he's safe. Apparently bad Duran Duran is OK if you do decent Who.
--Robert Philpot
Isn't it bad enough that AI massacred the Beatles earlier this season? Let's see, if we had to compare them to the real group, Archuleta would be Paul. Cook would be John ... and George. We'll give Ringo to Syesha. And Jason ... uh, Heather Mills?
-- Mark Lowry
No surprise, he's safe. I can't wait for him to get the boot to see how his crizazy stage-father dad reacts.
Ooh, the Sex and the City movie trailer. Is that really the target AI audience? Maybe. I suppose it makes more sense than a Hancock promo.
-- Mark Lowry
Unsurprisingly, David Archuleta is safe. He seems a sure bet to win and then have everyone scratch their heads about why his album doesn't do well.
--Robert Philpot
I know I was the most forgiving of the bloggers last night, but that doesn't mean I want to hear the recap. 'Idol' can mean pain.
--Robert Philpot
