Monkeying Around With Perry, Palin and NBC’s New Shows
Jul29

Monkeying Around With Perry, Palin and NBC’s New Shows

Crystal the monkey had a big smile on her face. The adorable star of NBC’s upcoming sitcom “Animal Practice” was the center of attention at the network’s poolside party at the Beverly Hilton after a day of programming panels at summer TCA.   Coming off of her success in ” The Hangover Part II,” the capuchin monkey tirelessly posed for pictures with guests, stopping only for little reward treats...

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From Beverly Hills to WeHo, Fox Day & Night at TCA
Jul26

From Beverly Hills to WeHo, Fox Day & Night at TCA

Live from Miami. It was the judging panel and executive producers of The X-Factor, one of the centerpieces of Fox’s programming presentation to the Television Critics Association for the annual rite known as Summer TCA.   The vast majority of the program panels are held live in the ballroom of the Beverly Hilton, and it seemed as if the distance made it a little bit easier for the panelists to avoid some direct questions....

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Bonneville, MacLaine Steal the Manor at Downton Abbey
Jul22

Bonneville, MacLaine Steal the Manor at Downton Abbey

It was beginning to look like a scene out of “Magic Mike.” At the end of a raucous and well-received presentation by the creator and cast of “Downton Abbey,” Emmy lead actor nominee Hugh Bonneville got up, turned around and started taking off some clothing. Triumphantly, Bonneville, a.k.a. Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham revealed a T-shirt that read “Free Bates,” the jailed manservant on the highly...

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So Much Acting Talent, So Few Emmy Statuettes
Jul20

So Much Acting Talent, So Few Emmy Statuettes

With nominations announced by a pajama-clad Emmy host-to-be Jimmy Kimmel, this is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and fascinating competitions in years, especially when it comes to the big acting categories.   The Emmy Awards are known for serial recognition of actors at the height of their game, nominating them year in and year out. Whether those people end up taking home the statuette, they are taking up valuable...

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With Racial Inequality Rife on the Small Screen, One Reality Show Flaunts its Diversity
Jul09

With Racial Inequality Rife on the Small Screen, One Reality Show Flaunts its Diversity

Quick. Were there any black characters on “Friends,” anyone? If so, they were background players. And not to single out a favorite comedy series, it was and is among the majority of television shows whose core Caucasian-ness is an attribute, rightly or wrongly.   Diversity is an issue that has long simmered on the back burner and intermittently moves to the front, as in these early days of summer that have brought a raft of...

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