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Posts tagged as “CBS”

I’ve been flashed

After weeks of research, I finally got my hands on Flashpoint’s pilot script.
Why you may ask.
The answer is quite simple: I am going to try to spec Flashpoint (following a previous advice-post by Jill Golick).
It is indeed a successful series, even on CBS, especially given its Canadian roots.
And you can also be sure it’ll last at the very least a couple of years (spec-wise).
That and it’s a fun show as Golick points out, and a procedural.

It probably won’t be an Emmy-winning script but it certainly will get me started on that action-procedural script I’ve wanted to write for a long time.
Although knowing how procrastinatable I can be, it will probably be months before a first draft rears its ugly yet awesome head.

Soon to come: a Flashpoint breakdown.

Meanwhile, I’m off to re-reading my TV books…
Well… After I’m finished reading that great Campbell hero-one.

Oh, I almost forgot.
Since you’ve been a good boy/girl…
Here’s your treat (quick!).

Interact like you're not a potato

CBS is clearly embracing online video content.

After last week’s deal with YouTube, the Eye has launched today its own “social viewing rooms”.

The “Watch & Chat” section is still in Beta.
I just tested it with Survivor.
For now, it seems that you cannot create your own viewing room, and only 2 are available for a given show. It probably will change when the fully fledged version of the social room is launched later this year.
People join the room and are given the ability to chat, and also sorta interact on the video. You can throw for instance a tomato at the video, or even an Intel logo (gasp!). Think WLM winks but put on screen.
Also throughout the episode (about one every 5 minutes) is a little quiz question about the show.
Soon to come are polls and more interaction.

Still, I’m not yet ready to give up my HD Survivor (or for that matter any other HD CBS show) for some basic interactive features.

CBS is definitely trying to gain online momentum by offering somewhat original interactive options to its viewers.
Whether or not it will succeed in bringing home a solid viewer base…
Well, we’ll have to wait and see.

Since we’re talking about CBS and Survivor, we must talk about Jeff Probst.
Heard about that new show he’s trying to bring to the network?
It’s called Live Like You’re Dying and it seems to be a “Make a Wish” for adults, on TV.
Terminally ill patients will have the opportunity to live “the last adventure of their life”, living out their personal dream.

As you might expect, opinions are starting to diverge on whether or not the show should exist at all, let alone be broadcast on national television for the world to be entertained by.
I for one think it should not be put on TV.
It’s one thing to make a foundation and help people fulfill their dreams, it’s another to put it on prime-time for entertainment value.
Although an idea to erase that “entertainment purpo$e” side of the show would be to give all the money acquired by the ads shown during the program to a charity.

The pilot should be shot around January (after Survivor’s 18th season’s filming is over) for a TBD air date.

Just cut it

An NBC Universal memo that Zucker sent yesterday told the NBC employees that $500 million out of the budget is going to get cut next year.
Interestingly, NBC Uni’s profit grew by 10% this year.
CBS is also making cuts in its staff it seems.

Most of the NBC $500 million slash will be cuts in “staffing costs” (read job loss), although expect diminution in “promotional expenses” and other entertainment spending, ergo less money in the long run for TV production.

Is the economical crisis forcing “idea number 5” on the networks?

Television being primarily a business, Writers and other artists have their art dictated by their means, especially in the TV business.
Less money might mean more down-to-Earth/dialoguey shows…

In other media:
Fortunately for my depressive readers, I won’t be talking about this week’s B.O.
Max Payne numero uno and Chihuahua still on the loose.
CANNOT COMPUTE.