Signs of the Apocalypse Roundup – October 2009 – Week 1
‘X Factor’ key in Simon Cowell deal
Contract could extend his ‘Idol’ stay two more years
Now Fox and Cowell are said to be hammering out a deal to launch an American version of “X Factor.” “X Factor,” now in its sixth season on ITV, is a music talent competition series, in which aspiring singers divided into four categories — girls 16-24, boys 16-24, contestants over 25 and groups — compete for a recording contract, with each category mentored by one of the four judges.
DJ AM series still in play at MTV
Eight episodes of ‘Gone’ have already been shot
MTV intends to air DJ AM’s drug-intervention reality series that was shot just before he died. The status of “Gone Too Far” has been in question since DJ AM, whose real name is Adam Goldstein, was found dead last month in his New York apartment. Although a toxicology report has not been released, preliminary findings suggest he died from a drug overdose. Since “Gone” is an “Intervention”-style series, with Goldstein playing the role of a sober and experienced tough-love guide for troubled addicts, there was concern the show would seem hypocritical or exploitative.
CW high on ‘Fly Girls’
Network teams with Virgin on show
The CW has picked up eight hourlong episodes of reality show “Fly Girls,” which focuses on a group of female Virgin America flight attendants — as they live together in Los Angeles and jet to locales such as Las Vegas, South Beach and New York. “This show is about real, down-to-earth young women who happen to have landed in an exceptionally glamorous, high-flying career filled with exotic locations and handsome strangers,” said CW alternative programming senior VP Kristen Vadas.
CW picks Tinsley Mortimer series
Untitled reality skein to be paired with ‘Fly Girls’
The CW has picked up an untitled reality series starring New York socialite Tinsley Mortimer. Series will follow Mortimer, currently embroiled in a high-profile divorce, as she hits the New York scene. The daughter of real estate mogul George Riley Mercer and interior designer Dale Mercer, Mortimer frequently appears in the New York social pages. She has designed a line of handbags and clothing, among other ventures.
Namibia protests Swedish reality show
Orgs complain that ‘Journey’ exploits Himba people
The producers of a Swedish reality TV show have paid reparations to a Namibian ethnic minority group after they were accused by rights orgs of exploitation and a lack of respect. “The Great Journey” follows three Swedish families living what is described as “extremely primitive tribal life” with minority groups in Namibia, Vanuatu and Indonesia. The show came under fire for its portrayal of Namibia’s indigenous Himba people and for using “stereotypes reminiscent of colonial times” in marketing the show.
Bits and Pieces
- ‘Real Housewives’ suitor claims right of publicity violated
- Mark Burnett to produce The People’s Choice Awards
Business of the Business
DVRs in 36% of households
But 90% of viewing remains traditional
DVRs are now in 36% of all U.S. homes, four times more than the penetration of just four years ago, according to a study from Leichtman Research Group. But even with the deployment of all those time-shifting devices, more than 90% of TV viewing in the country remains the traditional, live-linear type. The study also says that at least 65% of those owning DVRs begin their TV-watching experience by watching live television, then switch to their recorded programming after determining there’s nothing that interests them there. The report also says more than 20% watched VOD last month, double the rate four years ago. And, despite the proliferation of TV shows on Web sites like Hulu, at least 98% of television video is viewed on TV screens.
‘Voltron’ dispute spawns lawsuit
Indie producers sue animation rights holder
The producers, who were working to develop the property with Mark Gordon (who is not part of the suit), say they began work on the project in 2004, bringing on writers, seeking financing and clearing a chain of title for the property. But while they were doing that, they claim, World Events and Kickstart were peddling the project to others behind their backs. The producers also say they have not been sufficiently compensated for the work they did for World Events.
Emmy noms, ad-skipping go hand in hand
TiVo says nominated shows more likely to be time-shifted
“30 Rock,” winner of the comedy-series Emmy, is viewed in time-shifted mode 74% of the time at households with a TiVo; that’s six percentage points higher than the average sitcom. Everything nominated in that category exceeded the average, with “Weeds” highest at 90% and “How I Met Your Mother” lowest at 69%.
Weinstein Co. cutting staffers
Consultancy suggests mini-major trim numbers
The Weinstein Co. is set to eliminate about 35 positions in various divisions over the coming month. TWC is paring down in response to recommendations from Miller Buckfire, the consultancy that has been brought in to help the company bring its numbers into line. Miller Buckfire has recommended that the mini-major pare its theatrical releases to no more than 10 per year — it has been releasing as many as several dozen — and concentrate on its core business of producing and distributing films.
Disney may divide up studio chief role
Rich Ross could assume additional duties
Under this theory, Rich Ross, president of the wildly profitable Disney Channel Worldwide unit, may assume additional duties over the Disney brand films, while other sectors (Bruckheimer, Touchstone, DreamWorks, etc.) may report to another executive, perhaps Oren Aviv, the former marketing chief who is now production chief.
Bits and Pieces
- Brett Ratner backs ‘organic’ product placement
- Dimension goes back to its roots
- Disney cuts deal with Getty Images
Planet of the Odd
Actor Randy Quaid and his wife are arrested
After allegedly skipping out on a Santa Barbara hotel bill earlier this month, actor Randy Quaid and his wife, Evi, were arrested Thursday near Marfa, Texas. Hours earlier, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department had obtained a warrant for their arrest, accusing them of running up a tab of more than $10,000 at an unidentified hotel. Department spokesman Drew Sugars said Evi Quaid apparently put up a struggle during the arrest but “was quickly restrained.’
Kirk Cameron’s ‘Origin Of Species’ Plan: Ex-Actor To Distribute 50,000 Altered Darwin Books
Cameron explains that this “very special” edition of the “Origin of Species” will include an introduction explaining “Adolf Hitler’s undeniable connection” to the theory of evolution, and highlighting “Darwin’s racism” and “his disdain for women.” Cameron’s edition also exposes the “many hoaxes” of evolutionary theory, while presenting a “balanced view of Creationism.”
Ex-reality show star charged with murder
Could serve 25 years to life in prison if found guilty
Brian Lee Randone was charged last week with beating and suffocating Felicia Lee at their Monrovia home. He faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted. Lee had bits parts in several movies, including “Rush Hour 2″ and made several adult movies under the name Felicia Tang. Randone appeared on “America’s Sexiest Bachelor” nine years ago on Fox.
Roman Polanski to fight extradition
French lawyer says director is ‘in a fighting mood’
Roman Polanski has refused to be extradited from Switzerland to the U.S. over a decades-old underage sex case. Polanski’s French lawyer Herve Temime said in a statement that he would ask Swiss authorities to release the 76-year-old director immediately. “After that, his defense team will demonstrate the illegal nature of the extradition request he is facing,” the statement said.
White House officials feared J.K. Rowling promoted witchcraft
According to his new book, Speechless: Tales of a White House Survivor, former Bush speechwriter Matt Latimer revealed that Bush administration officials objected to awarding author J.K. Rowling that honor because her writing “encouraged witchcraft,” as per this quote from page 201: “This was the same sort of narrow thinking that led people in the White House to actually object to giving the author J.K. Rowling a presidential medal because the Harry Potter books encouraged witchcraft.”
Bits and Pieces
The Fine Print
This is by no means meant to be a comprehensive roundup of the entire weeks’ news. All stories are chosen by me for no other reason than that they got my attention and might capture yours. If something you think is more important chime in on the feedback; we’d love to hear comments and have a conversation about it.
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