What Happens When You Have An Awards Show With No Joke-Writers?

The TvDecoder at the New York Times has your answer. The American Music Awards, which was supposed to feature Jimmy Kimmel as host, had only a few unfunny appearances from the late night star. From TvDecoder:

"In the first national telecast of a live awards show since the beginning of the Hollywood writers’ strike, Mr. Kimmel was notable mainly by his absence: after his opening remarks and a brief funny-dancing bit, he did not reappear until 49 minutes into the show."

The Office: Top 10 Pranks on Dwight

Since we will be without new episodes of the Office for the foreseeable future (I have read it might be 9 months before the conflict is resolved), I figured that now is as good a time as any to post this video. Enjoy.

In Defense of Duane Chapman

By now, I'm sure that you all of heard of "Dog the Bounty Hunter," a slightly ridiculous reality show in which A&E follows the last man on Earth (namely, Duane Chapman) to respectably rock the mullet and skip trace. Accordingly, I also presume that you have heard about the recording of Chapman's angry tirade against his son's black girlfriend, in which he used a colorful epithet better known as the "N" word. Since the recording has surfaced, Chapman's show on A&E has been pulled indefinitely, pending A&E's "investigation" of the matter. Chapman has reportedly apologized for his rant multiple times and met with prominent members of the Black community to express his shame, including Hebbard's nemesis, Reverend Al Sharpton.

Alternet, one of my favorite Cali blogs, has a commentary piece by Earl Hutchinson on Chapman's excuses and defenses, couching the author's call for the show to be pulled in terms of what might happen were the situation racially reversed. Hutchinson argues that were Chapman a Black man and caught calling his son's white girlfriend a number of expletives, his show would have been pulled in minutes.

However, I'm not convinced that pulling the show off the air is the proper response to the controversy. While his comments may have been horribly offensive, demeaning, and hurtful towards Blacks, women, and Black women in particular, his comments are also real. By pulling him off the air, maybe A&E is sending the message that certain attitudes are not acceptable. But is that message that these attitudes are not acceptable or these attitudes are not acceptable in public? Rather than confronting his attitude head-on, by cancelling the show, A&E is effectively pulling a CYA move and shoving racism--real racism--under the rug. I'd be far more impressed if A&E kept the show on the air, but made him do penance on-air. But those are just my initial thoughts. Any takers?

Zucker Claims Jobs Is One Rotten Apple

In a talk at Syracuse University this week, Jeff Zucker, President and CEO of international entertainment conglomerate NBC Universal, claimed not only that Apple killed the music business, but is on its way to killing videos and television shows. Zucker also revealed his deep dissatisfaction with Apple's decision not to let NBC in on some of the profits from the sale of iPods, claiming that without the content provided by corporations like NBC, the iPod would be worthless.

More Presidential Candidates Looking...Charming?

Barack Obama was on the Tonight Show last night.



And in case you missed his more serious interview with David Letterman a while back...

Why CBS? Why? So We Could Watch More "Everybody Loves Raymond" or "CSI: Skokie?"

Bad news, kids: "Babylon Fields" has been canceled before it even got off the ground.

For those of you with social lives and non-imaginary friends, "Babylon Fields" was sitcom\dramedy picked up by CBS back in January and originally slated to debut this fall. Set in the suburbs, nearly every character on the show was a zombie, returning from the dead to assume their pre-apocalypse lives with some of their still-living family members. It was also a bit of a procedural crime drama, with "undead crimefighting" thrown in for fun. Seriously.

I, for one, was ready and waiting with my remote control in hand. I mean, "Tell Me You Love Me" + "ZSI?" C'mon, people! This is magic!

Alas, Popwatch is now reporting that CBS has opted to can "Babylon Fields", but not before TV Week leaked a few precious scenes.

Got a minute? Check them out:
1) An impeccably dressed zombie returns home to greet his wife, who is simultaneously grateful for his return and slightly appalled that her prayers were answered literally.
2) Two male zombies discuss the sexual benefits of rigor mortis, prompting the question of whether it's necrophilia if both partners are dead. Need I mention that this is not safe for work?
3) A zombie reports his own murder to the police, in typical procedural cop-show fashion. This clip is made better if you're a true TV nerd and recognize the zombie as Jamey Sheridan, who played Captain James Deakins on "Law and Order: Criminal Intent" for five years.

30 Rock Premiere Tonight\A Pasty Promotion!

Bringing the hope to single career women everywhere that you too can be awesome, Liz Lemon & co. are back starting tonight. In the spirit of celebrating the 30 Rock premiere, take the "Are You a Liz Lemon?" quiz on EWeekly's Popwatch Blog.

First person to get to ten will win a free lemon, courtesy of the Quail.

All Hail the Joust

Remember this?
American Gladiators is coming back to NBC with Hulk Hogan as the new host. And I, for one, am excited. I'm not a big Hulk Hogan fan, but the Gladiators kicked ass when I was six. I mean, it featured such champions as this guy.

Public Service Announcement: New South Park Episode Tonight

The 11th season of South Park premiers tonight at 10PM on Comedy Central. On tonight's episode, Cartman gets himself diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome. I have no doubt that hilarity will ensue.

'Up for Renewal' High-Five!

Turns out that this year may not be the last for "Scrubs." iF Magazine interviews Ben Silverman, the man behind the curtain at NBC.

Flight of the Conchords

I was reminded this weekend how much I loved Flight of the Conchords. In case you haven't seen the show, it follows the (mis)adventures of two struggling musicians from New Zealand. They live in New York, have just one fan, and are generally clueless about the world around them. The heart of the show comes about twice an episode, when the duo breaks into an impromptu comedic song. Here are two of my favorites from the season:

The Most Beautiful Girl In The Room


Business Time