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Tag: Television

  • Joshua Jackson Says a Dawson’s Creek Reunion Isn’t Out of the Question

    Joshua Jackson, James Van Der Beek, Michelle Williams, and recent Tom Cruise escapee Katie Holmes could possibly reprise their respective roles from the 90’s TV drama “Dawson’s Creek” at some point in the future, explains Jackson. Although most of the cast are currently busy with a host of different projects, they aren’t completely opposed to getting the gang back together for a concentrated jolt of pure 90’s nostalgia. Just don’t expect it to happen anytime soon.

    “Well, we killed the show so I don’t think that’s ever going to happen,” Jackson explained to The Hollywood Reporter. “Never say never. If I’m out of work for enough years, absolutely. We’ll be old and grey and nasty by the time [that happens].”

    If you are too young to remember the program and/or you have better things to do with your free time, then, chances are, you might be unfamiliar with the teenage shenanigans associated with “Dawson’s Creek”. In order to bring you up to speed with what this show was all about, allow me to present this synopsis for your perusal.

    Set in a small coastal, Massachusetts town named Capeside, Dawson’s Creek tells the story of four teenagers as they struggle through adolescence. This is particularly true for 15-year-olds Dawson Leery, an introspective dreamer and Joey Potter, a precocious tomboy unaware of her beauty. Best friends since childhood, they are about to enter that confusing time in life where nothing is the way it was and nothing is as it seems.

    When co-star Katie Holmes was asked about a possible reunion last year, she expressed that she had nothing but nice things to say about her time spent down at the titular creek. “It would be fun,” Katie said. “I had so much fun working on that show and I loved everyone so much and I think about it with such fond memories. A really great group of people.

    If you’ve never seen an episode of “Dawson’s Creek” and really aren’t overly interested in sitting down with the show anytime soon, you can see the best moment from the entire series by checking out the videos embedded below.

  • 666 Park Avenue Promises Sex, Drama, and Demonic Forces

    666 Park Avenue, which is based on the popular novel by author Gabriella Pierce, is scheduled to debut on ABC this fall. The show explores what happens when a young couple moves into an apartment complex that may or may not be the home of nefarious demonic forces. Although I’m not the biggest fan of the shows “Pretty Little Liars” and “Gossip Girl”, the producers seem to be taking this program in a direction that appeals directly to my love of the supernatural. Sure, it might be just another sexed-up drama with some demons thrown in for good measure, but, sadly, that’s enough to ensnare my attention. I’m not ashamed of that.

    Of course, the film’s impressive cast is another reason to give this particular show some attention. In addition to featuring “Lost” alumni Terry O’Quinn and the lovely Vanessa Williams, the program will feature Dave Annable, Rachael Taylor, Robert Buckley, Mercedes Masohn, Helena Mattsson, and Samantha Jade Logan. Although those names don’t mean anything to me, I’m sure someone out there is excited about their participation in the ABC production.

    At this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, several individuals got a chance to see a screening of the show’s pilot. If their reactions are any indication of the show’s actual worth, then this could be one of the dramas to watch this fall. Keep in mind, of course, that these opinions come straight from the folks in attendance, so their positive remarks may have something to do with the fact that they were at freaking Comic-Con. Excitement has a way of clouding one’s judgment. I’ve been there many times myself. However, I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt on this one.

    “his was a good concept. The cinematography looked cool and the play on history [with] the occult was cool. I’d recommend it [to fellow Lost fans] because [O’Quinn] still has that same style of acting,” one person said after the screening. Another added, “I liked Terry O’Quinn. It wasn’t really that frightening, [but] there were definitely things [in the pilot] that I want to find out more about, and hopefully I’ll watch the rest of it.”

    Of course, not everyone was overly impressed with the show’s sexy supernatural offerings. “It’s a little slow for me. I’m not really engaged with the mysteries at all or the people. I kinda don’t care. [The acting] was fine. I mostly saw it for Terry O’ Quinn; he did okay. [The character] is no Locke, though,” one spectator commented.

    “666 Park Avenue” will air Sundays at 10pm EST on ABC.

  • Arrested Development “ALIVE” Says Ron Howard, And It Looks Like They Have A Lot Of Ideas

    It seems like forever ago that we heard the news we’ve all been waiting forever to hear: Arrested Development is back, baby! Well, it’s coming back…in time. Oh hell, they’re making new episodes everybody just shut up and be patient.

    About six months passed before we heard the even-better news. Not only will the new season of the show debut on Netflix, but all ten episodes will be hitting Netflix at the same time. No waiting week-to-week, no Bluthian cliffhangers – just one giant marathon of new episodes for your viewing pleasure. Perfect.

    Show creator Mitch Hurwitz spilled that information on the new season at a broadcasters’ convention in Las Vegas. He also talked about the structure of the show, and how production was set to kick off this summer.

    Well, it’s the summer. And where is the production you say?

    All I can give you is news that the writers are hard at work. Really hard at work judging by the amount of post-its blanketing the writer’s room.

    That’s because Ron Howard, who you may know as the show’s narrator (among other things), tweeted this on Tuesday evening:

    Awesome.

    And please don’t forget – a movie is also on the way.

  • People Don’t Really Trust Online News, Still Opt For TV

    Information consumption has shifted dramatically in the internet age, as more and more people turn to online-only news outlets and social media to get their daily scoop. The sudden availability of such a great volume of information on the web has led more than few to declare the death of print media – and they’ve even predicted the demise of other, traditional forms as well.

    And while it’s true that the internet provides to largest range of free information (without question), it appears that people still have a trust issue when it comes to online news outlets.

    A study of adults in the U.S. by Triton Digital has found that only one in eight people think that “internet-only news sources” are the most trustable places to get information.

    In all, only 12.5% of people chose internet news as their most trusted source. Men are a bit more trusting, by 15.9% to 10.2%.

    So, where is all of the trust?

    Television. A whopping 45.2% of people said that TV is their most trusted source for information. Here’s there was a giant gender gap, however. Nearly 50% of women chose TV while only 38.4% of men did.

    If not news, then what is the internet trusted for? According to data from the same survey, it’s commerce.

    61.1% said that the internet was their top place to go to for product research and recommendations.

    [via eMarketer]

  • Yeah, But Which One’s Chandler? Game of Thrones Gets A Friends Makeover

    I like Friends. And if you have a problem with that, well, FINE BY ME. Sure, watching it now it feels a bit dated, and that’s not just an effect of Lisa Kudrow’s overalls. But damnit, there’s no way I’m going to be shamed by Friends haters out there. If nothing else, let’s all remember Jennifer Aniston and white tank tops.

    I also love Game of Thrones, but it’s doubtful that I’ll meet any resistance on that one.

    Putting the two together produces exactly what you’d think – a pure delight.

    The internet is filled with its share of TV show/movie reimaginings that attempt to paint the original in a new light. Viral vids like “Shining,” a classic that turns Kubrick’s The Shining into a family comedy, have proven that all you need is some clever editing and the right music and anything can be misrepresented.

    That maxim holds true here, as I’m sure you already know what song you’re about to hear as the new soundtrack for Westeros.

    Oh, and just because, here’s Chandler Bing dancing on the Bing logo:

    (image)

    [via UPROXX]

  • Savannah Guthrie Makes Her Co-Hosting Debut on TODAY

    Savannah Guthrie was selected to fill the hole left by former TODAY co-host Ann Curry, who watched helplessly as NBC scrambled to replace her following record low ratings. This week, Guthrie made her debut as co-host on the popular morning program, alongside Matt Lauer and Al Roker. As a fan of Ann Curry, Guthrie’s shift to the co-hosting gig isn’t particularly thrilling, as I still hold the belief that the seasoned journalist got the shaft by her superiors. Still, at least the network went with someone who’s already established herself with viewers. That should make the transition a bit easier for devoted TODAY fanatics.

    “This was a little unexpected, as we all know, but I just want to say that I’m so proud and honored to be in a place occupied by so many women I admire,” Guthrie explained. She added that it was nice to have a job that “you can describe as fun and actually mean it.”

    Although media speculation about Curry’s departure was rampant, the network itself has said very little about her replacement. However, NBC New President Steve Capus explained to the Hollywood Reporter that Curry didn’t have the enthusiasm for the “fluff” pieces that the network required her to tackle. Curry’s expertise is in serious journalism, so feigning excitement over cooking segments and celebrity pieces wasn’t exactly her forte.

    This week may be Guthrie’s “official” first week as co-host, but it’s certainly not her first rodeo. One day before Curry bid farewell to viewers, Savannah took the spot next to Matt Lauer, resulting in Good Morning America’s complete annihilation of TODAY in the ratings. According to Nielsen, GMA stomped a hole in its competitor to the tune of 670,000 viewers.

    NBC is hoping that Guthrie’s warm personality and jovial manner can help bring viewers back into the fold. Sadly, a lot of folks are none too pleased with the way the network has handled Curry’s departure, which may ultimately cost them in the long run. Personally, it’s kind of hard to view TODAY in the same light knowing that they’ll boot their hosts at the drop of a hat if they fail to meet expectations.

  • Would Game Of Thrones Be Better With Lightsabers? Watch This Video To Find Out

    The answer is no, but this video does exist, so enjoy.

    I’m not going to bother with a lot of explanation on this one. It’s Game of Thrones and it’s lightsabers. What else do you want from me? I will say that effects-wise, it looks pretty good.

    The video was made as its creator’s first attempt at rotoscoping in Adobe After Effects. Not bad.

  • Novak Leaves Office: Twitter Reacts to Ryan Howard’s Departure

    When writer/actor B.J. Novak leaves “The Office”, it will leave the beloved sitcom with just a handful of its original cast members. Truthfully, I gave up on the show quite a few seasons ago, and strongly feel that it probably should have closed for business when Steve Carell decided to ride off into the sunset. Still, the program has somehow managed to hang on despite all of its problems. However, with writer and co-star Mindy Kaling leaving for her own sitcom, and Rainn Wilson trotting off to do his own spin-off show, there’s very little hope for the show after this season ends.

    Of course, that’s not to say Novak is gone for good. The guy will still serve as a consulting producer on the show, and will more than likely return every once in a while for a guest spot for two. Jon Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, and Ed Helms, meanwhile, are still on-board for another season, though I’d say their days are probably numbered at this point.

    In addition to the aforementioned departures, executive producer Paul Lieberstein, who also portrays Toby Flenderson on the show, is departing with Wilson to tackle that Dwight Schrute spin-off people have been talking about for ages. Hey, if the show can survive with Carell, a feat I honestly did not think was possibly, perhaps “The Office” will continue to kick right along for several more years. Then again, maybe not.

    Of course, my issues regarding the show and its overall quality have little to no bearing on the world at-large. Here’s what really matters: Twitter users have decided to weigh in on the writer/actor’s departure. If you’re curious to know what other people are thinking — and you know that you are — take a look at the comments below.

  • Ann Curry Bids a Tearful Farewell to the Today Show

    Ann Curry said goodbye to her fans on the TODAY Show this morning, ending weeks of speculation that her job as co-host was on the proverbial chopping block. Fighting back tears, Curry said that she appreciated that people saw her as a “ground breaker”, though she obviously extremely saddened that she “couldn’t carry the ball over the finish line”. She was joined on the couch by Matt Lauer, Al Roker, and Natalie Morales, the latter of whom may end up filling the vacant position before long.

    “They are giving me some fancy new titles, which essentially means I will get tickets to every big story we want that we will cover with a terrific team of my choosing,” Curry said. “We are going to go all over the world and this country, at a time when this country and this world needs clarity.”

    Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

    Media reports have been swirling since the story broke that NBC was displeased with Curry’s performance on the program, which many feel contributed to its recent ratings drop. For several weeks, rival “Good Morning America” trumped TODAY in the ratings, which was a first for the iconic morning show. To complicate matters further, contract negotiations with Matt Lauer included his demand for a new co-host, which may explain why the pair were rarely on-air together over the past several months.

    “I’m going to have to tell our viewers. That’s what makes me more emotional than anything. I don’t want to leave them. I love them. And I will really miss them,” Curry told USA Today in a recent phone interview. Regarding media speculation surrounding her departure, she added, “I don’t know who has been behind the leaks, but no question they’ve hurt deeply.”

    Although she takes blame for some of the problems during her freshman year as co-host of TODAY, Curry ultimately feels that she wasn’t given enough time to work out these kinks or develop some much-needed chemistry with Lauer.

    “My father used to say, ‘Well, Ann, maybe the best thing you’ll ever do, you haven’t even thought of yet.’ And as I think about this, maybe that time is now,” she said.

  • Barry Becher, Television Marketing Guru, Dead at 71

    Barry Becher is a name you may not immediately recognize, but there’s a very strong possibility you’re extremely familiar with his television commercials. Becher, along with partner Ed Valenti, are credited as creating modern-day infomercial marketing with their Ginsu knife commercials. The ridiculousness of the television spots, coupled with some memorable one-liners and marketing slogans, helped establish Becher and Valenti as a force to be reckoned with.

    Sadly, Becher passed away last Friday (June 22) from complications from surgery for kidney cancer. He was 71.

    Becher and Valenti joined forces in the mid-70’s to peddle everything from kitchenware to jewelry using an assortment of gimmicks and over-the-top silliness that many of us simply take for granted nowadays. The Ginsu knife, the duo’s most memorable product, was sold through two-minute TV spots which boldly proclaimed the item to be available for a “low, low price”, with “operators standing by” to take orders. Just when you thought their deals couldn’t possibly get any better, they always followed up with the catchphrase, “But wait, there’s more!”

    In addition to the Ginu commercials’ wacky narration, they also presented viewers with various demonstrations. If you needed to slice through a tree branch, the knife could help you accomplish this daunting taste. Need to cut a tin can in half? Ginsu is there to help you through the ordeal. However, despite all of the nifty things the knife could easily eviscerate, it was still sharp enough to cleanly slice a tomato at the end of the day.

    As the popularity of their marketing techniques began to grow, so did their empire. Using nothing more than a telephone and a credit card, people could order a wide variety of items they never really new they needed. Over the years, Becher and Valenti produced the Miracle Slicer, Lusterware silverware, Armourcote and Royal DuraSteel mixing bowls. After roughly two decades in the business, the pair decided to end their run in 1990. However, several of their products, as well as their taglines and cheesy gimmicks, live on to this day.

    Proving that Becher’s family has a sense of humor, even in the wake of their loved one’s death, they are considering “But wait, there’s more!” as the inscription on his tombstone.

    Personally, I loved Becher and Valenti’s crazy commercials, and fondly remember goofing on them with my friends during childhood sleep-overs. Not surprisingly, other people have an unending love for their products, their gimmicks, and their commercials. You can find a sampling of Twitter reactions to Becher’s death below.

    For more information, be sure to stop by Famous Dead.

  • Games of Thrones Season Three to Begin Production This July

    Games of Thrones’ fans who are still weeping endlessly about the end of season two can keep themselves occupied with the knowledge that the third round of HBO’s epic fantasy will begin production this July. Of course, you probably won’t get any episodes until next year, but the fact that it’s on the cusp of being filmed should, theoretically, comfort you like a warm, bloody blanket.

    In addition to shooting in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Croatia, and Iceland, the cast and crew will take a jaunt to Morocco, which should make for an interesting change of scenery. As long as the next season retains the sex, violence, and fantasy-based debauchery that fans have come to expect from the series, they can shoot this thing in my backyard for all I care. Seriously — my backyard is currently free if you’re interested.

    Perhaps the most interesting aspect of season three is the fact that series masterminds David Benioff and D.B. Weiss will helm a handful of episodes for the very first time. Additionally, Alex Graves, Michelle MacLaren, Dan Minahan, David Nutter and Alik Sakharov will also step behind the camera in an effort to bring this engaging universe to life. Bryan Cogman, George R.R. Martin, and Vanessa Taylor are expected to lend their writing talents to the season, as well. Casting is reportedly underway at this very moment.

    If you need some Game of Thrones-related activities to fill your days and nights until the series returns, why not bust out your first season DVD set and try to find George W. Bush’s severed head. Alternatively, you can always watch a collection of sex scenes from the show, which is sure to get you fired if you’re at work. Proceed with caution.

  • Don Grady Dead: My Three Sons Star Was 68

    Actor Don Grady, best known for his role in the 1960s sitcom My Three Sons, has passed away at the age of 68. Grady had reportedly been battling cancer.

    Grady, born Don Louis Agrati, began acting in the late 1950s. He was an original member of the Mouseketeers when The Mickey Mouse Club began airing in 1955. His most well-known role is as Robbie Douglas on My Three Sons, which aired from 1960-1971.

    Following the end of My Three Sons, Grady pursued a career in music, where he made a name for himself writing the theme music to various movies and television shows, including The Phil Donahue Show. He also released two studio albums – Homegrown in 1973 and Boomer: JazRokPop in 2008.

    You can see some of Grady’s work below, including a clip from My Three Sons, and the Donahue theme.

    Don Grady is survived by his wife Ginny, whom he married in 1985, and their two children, Joey and Tessa.

  • Jon Gosselin Apology: Regrets Behavior, Ready to Move On

    Jon Gosselin’s apology to his ex-wife Kate will appear in the next issue of People magazine, which is scheduled to hit newsstands this Friday (June 22) According to the publication, the estranged couple are apparently getting along now, and have attempted to put their past behind them.

    Regarding the number of women he dated following the split, Gosselin appears to be remorseful. “I am sorry, because I did stuff I wouldn’t want done to me,” he explained. Gosselin also added that he accepts “his share” of the responsibility for their marriage’s collapse, stating that his passive-aggressive nature prevented him from communicating with his wife.

    Although he’s considered returning to the entertainment industry on a number of occasions, the father of eight says that nothing he’s been offered thus far has been the right fit for him. According to him, some of the offers were fairly outrageous, and he didn’t want his children to think less of him for appearing on a television program just to make a few dollars.

    “I used to talk to Rabbi Shmuley Boteach (Michael Jackson’s rabbi) a lot when I lived in New York,” Gosselin explained. “He said, ‘There are two things you can do with your fame – sell out or take it and use it for good.’ I didn’t grasp that at the time.”

    Gosselin, who now lives in Berks County, Pennsylvania and works as the director of sales and promotions for Gameface International, is ready to get his life back in order.

  • Charlie Sheen Retiring After He Finishes Anger Management

    Charlie Sheen is retiring, that is, after his stint on the upcoming FX comedy “Anger Management” has come to an end. However, that day might be down the proverbial a piece, as the television program will be picked up for a 90 whopping episodes should the first 10 prove successful. Although Sheen may talk a big game when it comes to abandoning the industry that put him on the map, he still has more than enough time to plant his foot directly in his mouth once again.

    “I’ve been doing this 30 years. And there’s a lot more out there to do than make-believe, you know?” Sheen said about his decision to call it quits. “I mean, I’m grateful. I’ve got a dream life as a direct result of television, you know? But at some point you just get tired of wearing somebody else’s clothes, saying somebody else’s words and working in somebody else’s space.”

    The former “Two and a Half Men” also said that, when his days in the business are officially said and done, he intends to devote his free time to his five children. Regarding his upcoming television show, Sheen seems to understand that the deck isn’t necessarily stacked in his favor, stating that he is “aware of the fact that you don’t get these kinds of shots in the same lifetime.”

    Sheen’s supposed swan song, “Anger Management”, is scheduled to arrive on June 28th. If you haven’t heard of the show, take a peek at the preview embedded below. After that, why not take a stroll through some of the snarky comments Twitter users have made about Charlie’s upcoming retirement. Chances are, these posts are at least ten times funnier than anything you’re likely to find on the actor’s latest televised comedy.

  • Official Poster For Breaking Bad: Season 5

    Official Poster For Breaking Bad: Season 5

    The official poster for Season 5 of the smash TV hit Breaking Bad has hit the wires, and let’s just say it’s enough to make Bruce Campbell proud for its tagline alone. What we have is a great shot of Walter White assuming the thrown, in the shape of a lawn chair, left empty by a blown-up Gus Fring.

    The stacks of cash and cases of meth only accentuate the impressive offering:

    (image)

    Hail to the King, indeed.

    Considering the season being teased is supposed to be the last season of Breaking Bad, any thoughts on how it will play out? Will Walter survive his reign as the crystal meth king or is Jesse next in line? In case you may not know, the fifth season will be split in two eight-episode segments. The first segment starts on July 15. The second segment, however, will not be shown until the summer of 2013, which means it will take one more year of patronage before you get the final resolution.

    Knowing Breaking Bad fans like I do, that won’t be much of a problem, save the fact that it’s going to take an entire year to get there.

    [Via Vulture.com]

  • Nielsen Says People Aren’t Watching TV Anymore

    Nielsen Says People Aren’t Watching TV Anymore

    It’s bad news for advertisers and television studios alike. Nielsen says many people just aren’t watching the old boob tube anymore. An interesting metric for Nielsen to record, the number of people who watch television at least once a month, declined seven percent last year.

    This data comes from over fifty countries. Conversely, the number of folks who viewed an online video increased to 84%. That means, at this current point in time, more people are watching online videos than preprogrammed television shows. It’s definitely a shift, especially considering that television has been viewed as a staple in evolved societies, much like running water and electricity.

    nielsen 2

    nielsen 1

    The data from Nielsen suggests that many people are choosing to watch video content online instead of channel surfing and searching for something to watch the old fashioned way. Of course, this means a decline in subscription for the local cable providers. Perhaps some folks have traded the expense of cable for faster internet connections and wi-fi capability.

    nielsen 3

    With such a rich variety of choices online, many consumers choose to spend their time doing things other than watching traditional television programming. Whether it’s watching streaming videos, social sharing, networking, or just plain surfing the web, people are choosing the internet over television. I think it’s a positive trend.

  • Eugene Polley, Inventor of the Wireless Remote Control, Dead at 96

    The name Eugene Polley might not be one that you’re overly familiar with, but I’m almost positive that you’ve used his invention several times over the course of your life. Polley, a Zenith employee for nearly 47 years, is credited with creating the world’s very first wireless television remote control. Yes, dear readers, there was once a point in American history when you had to pull yourself off the couch in order to change channels. Perish the thought.

    Polley, a resident of Lombard, Illinois, invented the Flash-Matic in 1955, which used a beam of light to manipulate photo cells in the television. This allowed users to change channels, mute the volume, and turn the set on and off, all without leaving the comforts of their couch or chair. However, because the contraption relied on light to do its job, the device wasn’t exactly flawless. Over the years, the control was altered to make use of sonic and radio frequencies. Later, infrared technology was introduced, effectively transforming entire generations into lazy individuals who couldn’t be bothered to manually adjust their sets.

    In 1955, one of the lowest Zenith sets cost roughly $150, and that was without the remote. Those who were interested in owning a television set with a wireless control would have to drop at least $250 to bring one home. Given that the average weekly income in that year was $76, those sets were thought to be a little pricey.

    To honor the man’s contribution to the modern age, Polley, along with Zenith engineer Robert Adler, received an Emmy for their collective work in 1997. As they should. Can you imagine life without remote controls? It’s hard to do, especially if you were born after the gadget became commonplace. Now you have universal remotes that can operate everything from your television to your washer to your home security system.

    Not surprisingly, folks on Twitter seem to appreciate Polley’s invention and the impact it’s had on society. Have a look at some of their comments below. And when you have a second to spare, give Mr. Polley and his glorious invention a moment of silence. After all, your inherent laziness should be thanking him on a daily basis.

    To learn more about Eugene Polley, pay a visit to Famous Dead.

    Photograph courtesy of Advertising Archive/Everett Collection

    Rob Rasner
    @RobRasner     The Pionner for us Lazy People has Passed. Rest in Peace Sir You’re a Genius: Eugene Polley, inventor of TV Remote Dies http://t.co/I9ff4mvP
    16 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto
     Reply  · Retweet  · Favorite

    Jay in San Antonio
    @JayInSanAntonio     Eugene Polley, inventor of the TV remote dies at 96. After 3 days his body was found underneath the couch cushions.
    50 minutes ago via Favstar.FM · powered by @socialditto
     Reply  · Retweet  · Favorite

    TVShowsOnDVD.com
    @TVShowsOnDVD     Rest In Peace: Eugene Polley passed away yesterday at 96. Gene earned 18 patents, mainly in the TV field…including the wireless TV remote!
    19 hours ago via Echofon · powered by @socialditto
     Reply  · Retweet  · Favorite

    Bill McClusky
    @BilliamJ     RIP Eugene J. Polley, couch potatoes every mourn your passing. http://t.co/TPDPRN1R
    23 hours ago via Tumblr · powered by @socialditto
     Reply  · Retweet  · Favorite

    ed lavandera
    @edlavaCNN     We all need to take a moment and reflect on what life would have been like without #EugenePolley. http://t.co/Op5SdG3z
    22 hours ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto
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  • Emily Maynard: Brad Womack Claims He Dodged a Bullet

    Emily Maynard has headed back to the airwaves in search of some lightly-scripted romance in “The Bachelorette”, which may come as a surprise to those who watched Brad Womack’s season of the show’s male-centric counterpart “The Bachelor”. After all, Maynard supposedly “won” the contest, which, in theory, means that the young lady and her new beau were to ride off into the sunset together. Unfortunately, true love didn’t continue once the credits had rolled.

    In a recent interview with a local ABC affiliate, Womack stated, “I think I dodged a bullet with that relationship.” Maynard obviously feels the same way, as she currently has her own gaggle of potential suitors lined up for a little primetime romance.

    You have to be a hopeless romantic to put yourself on ‘The Bachelor’ or ‘The Bachelorette’,” Maynard explained. “It scares me to death, but everything I went through on The Bachelor was worth it. I fell in love and it changed me as a person.” Of course, I’m sure the $250,000 paycheck she received to participate in the latest season of “The Bachelorette” was another good reason to give the dating show another shot.

    So what, exactly, is Maynard looking for in a potential spouse? Besides wanting her life to be as normal as humanly possible — which, you know, is often easy to do once you’ve been on a national television program — she also wants the guy to understand that her daughter Ricki comes first and foremost.

    It helps the guys know what they are getting into with me — and most importantly, I get to make my daughter, Ricki, lunch every day and leave notes in her lunch box,” Maynard said.

    “The Bachelorette” is currently airing Monday nights on ABC.

  • Maria Menounos Eliminated from Dancing with the Stars: Twitter Reacts

    Maria Menounos, host of the news program “Extra”, and her dance partner Derek Hough were recently eliminated from the popular American rug-cutting competition “Dancing with the Stars”. Although the pair had the highest scores of the evening, apparently voters were tired of seeing the two perform each and every week. Tuesday night, they were officially booted from the show.

    “We finished last night and I was so happy, I was over the moon and I said to [Derek], ‘I did what I had to do. And tomorrow–que sera!’ Whatever happens from this point on, no one will ever know. But I did it. I’m happy and proud of what I did,” Menounos told Us Weekly.

    Derek Hough, Menounos’ 26 year-old partner, seems to be quite pleased with their overall performance. [We went] out on a high note. We have not had a bad dance.”

    With this pair eliminated, only three teams remain. You can sample some Twitter reactions to their elimination by glancing over the posts you see embedded below.

    (image) Chris Matyszczyk
    @ChrisMatyszczyk     http://t.co/6j27D6dV My heartfelt sadness at the disappearance of Maria Menounos from #DWTS for CBS News.
    13 minutes ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto
     Reply  · Retweet  · Favorite

    (image) Mary Iacovelli
    @isellgreenville     It was a shocker for many ballroom fans to see Maria Menounos sent home just before the finals. Still, that’s ju… http://t.co/OB7gXK9z
    3 hours ago via twitterfeed · powered by @socialditto
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    (image) Todd Lee
    @ToddLeePhotog     Sad to see Maria Menounos off of DWTS. Like a true Boston homegirl, she played hurt and did great! Go MM!
    3 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto
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    (image) Melissa
    @melivan     Still can’t believe Maria Menounos is off#DWTS
    4 hours ago via Twitter for Android · powered by @socialditto
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    (image) Linda Beutler
    @oregonclematis     @usweekly Great dancers to have back on #dwts? How about Maria Menounos?
    4 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto
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  • Is Google’s New TV Ad Model A Step Forward Or Backward?

    Google is in the process of drastically changing how online advertising is measured. Last month, the search and advertising giant announced its Brand Activate Initiative that is geared toward addressing the measurement challenges that brand marketers face.

    Neal Mohan, Vice President of Display Advertising at Google This new approach, which was announced at the Ad Age Digital Conference, applies a television ad model to digital advertising. On the DoublClick Advertiser Blog, Neal Mohan, Google’s Vice President of Display Advertising, wrote:

    In the 1950s, brands slowly moved to TV, just as they have started to move online today. In both instances, buying and selling systems improved; audiences and new content quickly moved to the new medium; and the creative possibilities inspired great ad campaigns.

    However, a key moment for TV came in the 1950 with dramatic improvements in measurement—like ratings and quantitative market research. Once major brands could see who they were reaching and what impact their campaigns were having, they fully embraced the medium, creating a multi-billion dollar industry…and TV’s golden age began.

    Here is a video Google released detailing the new effort:

    As part of the initiative, Google introduced two solutions: Active View and Active GRP (Gross Rating Point). With Active View, advertisers will only pay for viewed impressions. Active GRP, on the other hand, is what brings the television aspect to the table, and it is calculated by combining aggregated panel data with anonymous user data.

    How do you feel about Google’s new ad metrics? Will they take the industry forward? Why or why not?

    Dick Reed, CEO of Just Media It is this online equivalent of the Gross Rating Point that has some people less than satisfied with Google’s initiative. Just Media CEO Dick Reed has been particularly vocal on the issue and slammed Google about the move on his company blog. According to him, the Active View element is a positive approach to helping marketers with online measurement challenges, but the Active GRP is another story.

    “Where we have, I think, a little bit more of a challenge is to accept that we need to move to a GRP model, which is moving toward a TV-based model, when digital really has been doing so much more in analytics than TV has,” said Reed.

    “It just feels like a step back in time,” he continued, “rather than pushing the TV industry to be more in tune with the current metrics.”

    As he explained, digital advertising offers a very direct relationship between ads being viewed and the interaction with them. Therefore, he thinks the panel-based approach is a minimum offering when it is compared to the data the industry is capable of obtaining.

    “We’ve got more tangible data on each individual ad rather than having to rely on panel analytics,” Reed pointed out.

    Frauke Cast, Head of Analytics at Just Media Frauke Cast, Just Media’s head of analytics, also told us that Active GRP would have a “dramatic” impact on the industry. She explained that the CPM (Cost per thousand impressions) would become more valuable and expensive as a result.

    Both Cast and Reed believe that Google/DoubleClick should set a higher standard as a leader in the industry. What’s more, they would like to see them work with other ad serving technologies to provide solutions for the entire industry.

    “We want Google and DoubleClick to lead the industry – that’s what we expect from them as the major player – but what we would like to make sure they do is create initiatives that are not just for those people who are using the DoubleClick tool,” said Reed.

    Cast also pointed out that an open metric system would have been preferred. Furthermore, since the standards that are established today will set the stage for the future, she believes Google should have brought in agencies, publishers, and others in the industry before it began its initiative.

    “It should be our decision – combined decision,” she added.

    Google is currently in the process of submitting the methodology behind Active GRP to the Media Rating Council for accreditation. The company also said there would be much more to come with the Brand Activate Initiative.