...All My Children

All My Children ends today. Another soap has ended due to low ratings. This one is known for the famous multiple Emmy losing Susan Lucci. Though it is not the longest running soap ever, it still has a special place in many people's hearts. The show may still have some life though. There are rumors that it could be moving to the Internet and become a regular web series. This may be true, but some of the cast members may not follow, it really would not be the same online or without the core cast members. I am giving this news a Digit Down because as time goes on a lot of our favorite shows will be cancelled due to unreal ratings expectations.

...SpongeBob SquarePants

It seems as if the little kids who watch SpongeBob SquarePants are probably going to get ADD. Well, maybe not, but apparently 60 4 year old children were randomly assigned to either watch "SpongeBob," or the slower-paced PBS cartoon "Caillou" or assigned to draw pictures. Immediately after these nine-minute assignments, the kids took mental function tests; those who had watched "SpongeBob" did measurably worse than the others. Though SpongeBob was singled out it can be said that any fast paced cartoon could have the same affect on children. I have been hearing this for years. Baby Einstein is good for kids, then it is a waste of money. Watching too much TV is bad, watching too much TV is deadly, watching too much TV is the reason America is fat, dumb and full of cancer. Playing video games is bad, playing video games can increase hand-eye coordination. Make up your mind people. I have lived in front of the television for....my entire life. I can pretty much function as well as any other person, as long as they do not throw math at me. Cartoons are dumb and crazy, they always have been, and kids love them. Slow cartoons are not that great. Yo Gabba Gabba is scatology. This is what attracts kids, sounds and colors. I guess SpongeBob will just have to take another bullet for the kiddie cartoon world. At least they are not attacking his sexuality anymore, I am sure Bert and Ernie would not mind putting the spotlight back on him. I am giving SpongeBob SquarePants a Digit Up. If your kids grow up with a lot of mental disorders that occurred after they were born, blame yourselves and your defunct DNA.

...ABC

After having time to digest the news I am still not over it. ABC has cancelled Desperate Housewives, one of my favorite shows. They will make the 8th season the last season, instead of the 9th that was planned. Their reason, too expensive. When the show premiered it was averaging 24 million viewers, last season it averaged 12 million. That is still very high. There are so many channels to choose from and so many people are choosing to watch TV shows online a day or two after the original airing of a show that no show really commands a ton of viewers anymore. Apparently the cast salaries and the cost to produce the show are becoming too much for ABC...LIES! I have no clue what show will replace it, though I have a clue they will replace it with a show that they think is cool but it will fail, maybe they will move private practice or Grey's Anatomy to Sunday, though I doubt it. I am not liking this choose at all. After the season wraps up all we can hope for is maybe another season or maybe a really really good movie, but just one not a crappy second movie like Sex and the City. ABC is getting 2 Digits Down from me.

...Heather Locklear

It seems as though art is imitating life for Heather Locklear. Almost 20 years ago she and Jack Wagner were love interest of each other on the hit show Melrose Place, and now they are engaged to be married. The couple have been dating since 2007. This will be her 3rd marriage, but 1st to a guy who is not a famous rockstar, so maybe this will last. I must say that I am happy for them both and may they live happily ever after in blonde wedded bliss. Digit Up for sure.

...Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher is now the highest paid actor on television, tied with Hugh Laurie of House fame. They both earn $700,000 an episode. I understand why Hugh makes big bucks, he is a proven success, but I do not understand why Ashton makes the same amount. He has not been on a hit show in years. He was on That 70's Show, but he was only a "star" because of his looks. His acting his horrible. He created and hosted "Punk'd, but he did not do much, just narrated and show up at the end. So why is he earning so much? His co-stars earn much less and they have been on the show from the start. This could be considered a F U to Charlie Sheen, though he was making roughly $2 million an episode before before he was fired. The show will have one good season and then it will possibly be cancelled, if the fans decide to stick around that long. I am giving him and I guess the producers of the show a Digit Down.

...Gloria Steinem

Veteran women's rights campaigner Gloria Steinem calling for a boycott of the new NBC show The Playboy Club. For those who do not know who she is, look her up. She worked as a bunny at a Playboy Club back in the 60's and then wrote a scathing expose about the working conditions of the women there. "Clearly 'The Playboy Club' is not going to be accurate. It was the tackiest place on earth. It was not glamorous at all. When I was working there and writing the expose, one of the things they had to change because of my expose was that they required all the Bunnies, who were just waitresses, to have an internal exam and a test for venereal disease. I expect that 'The Playboy Club' will be a net minus and I hope people boycott it. It's just not telling the truth about the era." She also added that she thinks the show Mad Men shows the realism of women and men in the 60's. I understand why she is saying this, but she did not have to say anything. I have a good feeling that this show will fail on its own without a boycott. Still I am giving her a Digit Up for taking a stand against something she believes in.

...Emmy Snubs

As a future Emmy winner, of some sort...even if it is a local Emmy, I pay close attention to the Emmy nominations. This year I, along with many others, were surprised by who did not get a nominations, a little pissed. Let me start with one of my favorite shows Cougar Town. Are you kidding me here, no nominations for Cougar Town!?! Glee gets 12, Cougar Town gets 0. I guess because there is no gay character on the show, like its network sister Modern Family, they just got ignored. Cougar Town is funny, the whole cast is funny and it deserved a few nominations for the show and individual cast members. Next on the list would be the whole Real Housewives series. How is it that not a single show from that awesome series of shows not get nominated? The shows that were nominated however: Antiques Roadshow, Deadliest Catch, Hoarders, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, MythBusters and Undercover Boss. Besides Kathy Griffin's show I do not watch any of these dated shows. I try to watch MythBusters but it comes on at some programed pack prime time time and it is just forgettable. Now I will end this with my last upset of the Emmy's... Why is there no mention of the hilarious and somewhat offensive It's Aways Sunny in Philadelphia? This show is crazy funny and stupid and smarter than most would think. Though it is on FX it also airs on Comedy Central and the show has a loyal following. I would lie to see an Emmy or two slung their way before the show ends, whenever that is. I am giving these Emmy Snubs a Digit Down.

...Dallas

Well Hollywood has done it again. Next Summer the TV show "Dallas" will return to television, this time on cable, TNT to be exact. Is Hollywood running out of ideas? Yes, several years ago actually. This idea has been floating around for a couple of years now so it comes as no surprise that they are finally putting it into production. There will be 10 episodes, since it will be a test run. The new story focuses on the Ewing offspring as they clash over the future of the family dynasty. Larry Hagman, Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy will be the only original cast members on the new show...so far. I do not like remakes. Hawaii Five-0, Charlie's Angels, Beverly Hills 90210, etc. etc. etc. I hope this show fails and Hollywood starts to get CREATIVE!!!! Digit Down of course.

...Television

Television ownership is down this year for the 1st time in 20 years. Now 96.7 percent of American households now own sets, down from 98.9 percent previously. There are 2 reasons for this decline: One is poverty. Many low-income households no longer own TV sets, most likely because they cannot afford new digital sets and antennas. The other is technological wizardry. Young people who have grown up with laptops in their hands instead of remote controls are opting not to buy TV sets when they graduate from college or enter the work force. Instead, they are subsisting on a diet of television shows and movies from the Internet. The 2nd reason is prompting Nielsen to think about a redefinition of the term "television household" to include Internet video viewers. I own many televisions, and I own computers. I do not mind watching television shows on my computer, but I love watching television shows on an actual television. It is larger, clearer, less likely to freeze or have a pop up, etc. Also if you can afford Internet then most likely you can afford cable, sense they almost force you to buy it as part of a bundle package. I do think that a lot of people are just giving television for the time being due to financial situations. Once the economy rebounds, do not hold your breath on that one, television sets will be returning back into the homes of many Americans. But for now I am going to give this news a Digit Down.

...Departures

A lot of people are planning or are rumored to be leaving their television jobs. So far only one is leaving for sure and that is Glenn Beck. Though he is still winning his time slot with 1.9 million viewers at the 5PM slot., but he lost 30% of his viewers from this time last year and he lost 300 sponsors. He also has had some remarks that many found offensive, mainly calling the President a "racist". Though he will still give commentary for Fox News he will be leaving by the end of 2011.

"The Today Show" may be losing not 1 but 2 of its morning anchors. Meredith Vieira and Matt Lauer have been in the news lately because there have been talks about them both leaving the show. Meredith's contract ends at the end of the year and it is said that she is ready to leave the show after only 5 years. Though reps for NBC an the show have said that this is not true, it seems more like fact than fiction. Matt Lauer's contract runs out next year and he is said to be looking for a way out as well. I wonder if this has anything to do with Comcast taking over NBC?What makes this even more interesting is the other former Today Show's co-host who could be on her way out as well.

Katie Couric left "The Today Show" 5 years ago to anchor the CBS Evening news. They hoped she would bring in ratings and lift them to a higher position. Well that did not work and with her contract expiring later this year it is said that she is on her way out. I could easily see this happening. What makes this THAT much more interesting is the rumor that Katie and Matt are going to be teaming up for a show that they will both co-host. On the other hand people have said that she will have her own talk show. This is okay, but there are just SO many out there now that this would be a failure.

Either way this is going to be very very interesting. These people have become television figures that many of Americans have depended on for news and other info for many years. I am giving these departures a Digit Up because I am curious to see who or what will replace them.

...Reruns

Can someone tell me why there were reruns on this week? I turn to ABC yesterday looking for some new episodes of "The Middle" and "Modern Family" but I find reruns. Today I turn to NBC looking for new episodes of "Community" and "Parks and Recreation" but I found reruns. Why? Is America Idol that big of a ratings draw that it causes other networks to show reruns? CBS had new shows Thursday. I would like to think that everyone is saving their good stuff for sweeps later this Spring. I know that we set our clocks forward one hour this Sunday, does that have anything to do with it? Doubt it. Now I am left with reality shows, which are new, and college basketball, which is not so bad. I still would have loved to have watched some good scripted comedy but I guess I can always go on Hulu and watch...reruns. Digit Down.

...Two And A Half Men

CBS has decided to cancel Two and a Half Men for the rest of the season after Charlie Sheen made some rather interesting comments earlier Thursday morning on a The Alex Jones Show. This is what he said: "I was told if I went on the attack, they would cancel the show and all that and so I'm just sort of seeing if they're telling the truth or not. Are they happy with the $5 billion they already made off me or do they think they can turn it into $10 [billion] in a couple more seasons?" Charlie continued. "I'm just saying, you know [the show] is a runaway freakin' juggernaut. Do what you've gotta do -- I'll go make movies with superstars and not work with idiots" In response later that evening CBS ans Warner Brothers said, "Based on the totality of Charlie Sheen's statements, conduct and condition, CBS and Warner Bros. Television have decided to discontinue production of 'Two and a Half Men' for the remainder of the season." This is major. The crew of the show was already pissed with Charlie for them not getting paid for the 2 weeks they were suspended for him to go through "rehab". He said he would pay a portion of the crew's wages while they were off. I wonder if he will keep that promise now! Is this a surprise? We all know who Carlie Sheen is and they should too. I bet CBS is regretting the almost $2 million per episode contract they gave him because now he can pretty much do whatever he wants and still get paid. The ball is in his court though and it is up tot him if he wants the show to go on. If the show is cancelled he has enough money to life happily ever after and like he said he can go off and do movies, although it may be harder with his recent string of activity. Still I am not a fan of the show but it is hugely popular and I am sure fans will be upset that it is cancelled. Hard ball or not no one wins in the end. Digit Down.

...California

I may HAVE to move there. Why? Because it is where the industry lives. Movies and television shows are made there. New York City does it as well, but California is the state, Hollywood, and its surrounding cities, are the places whee things get made. I am not a huge fan of California, but it is okay. It is almost bankrupt and it has high taxes, insurance and real estate. I am not sure if I will enjoy living there, around people who are all pretty much the same. I do not want to become a celebrity, that is not my goal in life, but I do wan to make television interesting, new shows, possibly a movie or two. Florida is my home state, it is cool, but Miami is the location for things, and even that is limited. Miami is...Hollywood South. Who knows, maybe it will be New York City for me. They have fashion, business, and WEATHER. Rain, snow, sun, all of the things I enjoy. In California, Southern California, when it rains there is always a chance of a mudslide and a house or 6 falling down. I am getting ahead of myself, I am a few steps away from this, but it is better to plan ahead than get stressed when you finally get to that point. I am giving California a Digit...Down. This could change in the future, maybe a Digit up or 2 Down.

...Regis Philbin

Regis Philbin is leaving "Live! With Regis and Kelly" later this year, he is officially retiring. I am not loving this move. I grew up watching Regis in the morning, and although I do not watch every morning, I catch it when I can...remember. He has been doing "Live!" for 28 years. At age 79 he thinks it is time to leave. I remember when he and Kathy Lee used to host it together and how fun it was. Then when Kathy Lee left and Kelly came in it was just a totally different show, a better show. Now Regis will be leaving. It is a happy and sad moment because he seems generally healthy and in the right frame of mind. He could probably dot he show another decade if he and his body wanted to. Next month will mark the 10th year Kelly has been on the show and in August Regis will celebrate his 80th birthday. The show is super popular. It averages about 4 million viewers a day, that is second only to Oprah in the day time talk show world. He will be leaving this summer, probably around his birthday time. Who will replace him? That is a good question, I am not sure you can actually replace Regis, no one will have what he has. He is leaving at a time when Larry King retired from his show and when Oprah is about to leave her show as well. There will be a void in daytime television, maybe I should fill it? Possibly, but not now. I am considering this sad news thus I will give it a Digit Down.

...OWN

Are you ready to get OWNed? Whether you are or are not it is here. The Oprah Winfrey Network has launched and we are going to hear a lot about it, good and bad.



She will have new shows for herself and her friends. She will even have a new reality show to find the next talk show titan, mini titan because Oprah will be in control of it all. I am just going to give this a Digit Up because it could, most likely will, be a major success or just Lifetime.

...Khloe Kardashian

The Bull-Moose one of the sisters is getting a show of her own, with her husband. She and Lamar are getting their own reality show, which will be sort of like the Newlyweds, which worked out very well for Nick and Jessica. I am not a Kardashian fan, of course, and I do not know why they need another show at all, their current ones bore me, but here we go again. Khole is the only sister to keep a man, a man worth keeping, and she pretty much has her stuff together. I am not sure what the show will feature because the sisters are always together! It is like each Kardashian house has its own camera crew and each show just features a different house with a guest appearance from another house. Of course this is how they make their money and this is what they do so until we say boo they will keep forcing it down our throats. I will not be watching anything Kardashian this year. How will I be doing this? Easily, I will just not watch E! of course. I am giving Khole Kardashian a Digit Down for keeping the Kardashians on television evermore.

...Hollywood

I have dissed Hollywood in the past for lacking vreativity and whatnot with the realese of horrible remake of televison shows and movies that were better off left alone. But now something good has come out of Hollywood, peace? Possibly. These WikiLeaks that have been causing a ton of embarrassment for the U.S. Government have also shed a light into the way American television shows have helped us without even trying become more human to those who hate us. Shows like Friends and Desperate Housewives show a different side of us, less political and "evil" and more humorous and family oriented. One of the leaked cables said this:
"During the recent Eid holiday, Rotana's 'Fox Movies' channel repeatedly aired two mawkish US dramas (again with Arabic subtitles) featuring respectful, supportive American husbands dealing with spouses suffering from addiction problems -- in one case gambling (lost the kids' college funds and then told her college professor husband it was because he was boring) and the other alcohol (smashing cars and china when she wasn't assaulting the husband and child.) These films and others broadcast over the Eid offer models of supportive behavior in relationships, as well as exemplary illustrations of heroic honesty in the face of corruption ('Michael Clayton') and respect for the law over self-interest ('Insomnia.')"

It seems as if Hollywood may be doing something right, although one of the key figures in this "fight" is David Letterman and he is based in New York... Any who I am going to give Hollywood a Digit Up for once, take it while you can.

...Univision

Univision, the Spanish language network, is set to top the American networks in viewership within this decade, according to census. With about 50 million more Hispanics in America than there were a decade ago and with Univision showing a 14% jump in viewers this year, compared to 3% by the big 4 (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) it is only a matter of time. Recently Univision passed The CW to become 5th. Some think that even without the future growth of Hispanics in America Univision would still become number 1. In areas, such as the 18-49 year old range, Univison could possibly lead on some nights, it is very close on Friday nights as it is. This means good things for them when it comes to future sponsors. In the past major sponsors have not been willing to place ads on the network, 2/3 to be exact, but now that could, will change. This will definitely do damage to the big 4 who have seen profits fall due to the recession and sponsors deciding to find more creative ways to reach people, especially since most people can fast forward through commercials now. Univision is set to become a major player in the television world. I have no clue what this means for the rest of us. They are a Spanish language channel so it is not like many English only speaking Americans will be tuning i to watch, but it could change things up on the other networks, maybe they will have better shows, less police dramas...maybe. I am giving Univision a Digit Up

...The Hulk

In another desperate and mindless attempt by a television company, ABC is getting ready to to bring back The Incredible Hulk in a new TV series, "Hulk". Apparently they were running down the list of possible past comics and comic shows and The Hulk stood out. Why are they doing this? It will fail for sure, just like the movies. I think this is beyond desperate and that this just shows how stupid Hollywood is becoming. With the merging in of a generation of nerds and geeks that grew up watching these shows and now they want their children or nieces and nephews to watch them it is becoming a dull dull world. You can blame Spider-Man and its success for this. Ever since that franchise took off we have had at least one former comic movie come out like clockwork every Summer. ABC does not do shows like this well, actually no one does. Maybe SiFi, but who watches that channel? ABC has a show now, "No Ordinary Family" and it is on he verge of being cancelled, actually by the time you read this it could be cancelled. This is a waste of time and effort and money. No creativity, everything is the same now. I am giving this show and ABC a Digit Down.

...Charlotte Motor Speedway

While watching NASCAR I remembered hearing about Charlotte Motor Speedway and Panasonic making a deal to build a huge video board along the back of the track. Huge may be an understatement sense it will be the world's largest. It is planed to be installed by next year's Coca-Cola 600. This is what the track's website had to say about it:

-At an incredible length of 200 feet wide, standing 80 feet tall and weighing 165,000 pounds, the video board will cover an expansive 16,000 square feet and be located between Turns 2 and 3 along the backstretch of the legendary super speedway. Fans seated throughout the front stretch from Turn 4 to Turn 1 will have clear viewing angles of the gigantic board that will feature 720P high-definition visuals illuminated by more than nine million light emitting diode, or LED, lamps.

Sounds massive. If you are familiar with sports then you will know that currently Cowboy's Stadium houses the largest board, but after this goes up that will be yesterday's news. The one is Dallas cost $40 million, but no word yet on how much this one will cost. This just further inspires me to build a massive house and install a television even larger than this one, which is possible. I am giving this news a Digit Up.