The VICIOUS TV News Wrap 03.20.07
Posted by Steve Vicious on 03.20.2007
Family Guy gets sued! Is Veronica Mars staying or cancelled? Paris & Nicole will counsel overweight kids? Google/YouTube versus Viacom? Plus, one sexy Latina weather woman is your TV babe of the week!
- Written in front of a not-so-live audience @ 411studios in California
Opening Segment - Introduction
Hello, and welcome to another edition of the Vicious TV News Wrap. It's been quite a week in my TV world. I recently purchased a 40-hour Tivo, and I can't help but love it! My only gripe with it so far is that my Dish 500 remote is working very slowly and that the Tivo doesn't control the dish receiver. It's quite a pain, but otherwise the experience has been great. Sure, it's mighty expensive (about $17 a month), but I guess it's worth it in the end. The reason I bought a Tivo was because my DVD recorder was a pain in the ass to deal with. No matter how new the DVD-RW discs were, the recording feature would often fail to initialize. For example, I can't watch WWE Raw live anymore, so I set my DVD recorder to tape it last Monday. Unfortunately, the recorder didn't record anything! God, it drove me nuts. Another thing I love about Tivo is the instant replay button and the ability to rewind live TV, plus pausing is awesome! Anyway, let's get to the TV news of the week…
Top Story
Carol Burnett sues "Family Guy"
Former comedian and star of the legendary "Carol Burnett Show" Carol Burnett is suing FOX over "Family Guy." Burnett claims that one of her famous characters (Charwoman) was used in the series without her permission. Burnett is seeking $2 million dollars in copyright infringement. The episode aired in April of 2006 and it saw Charwoman portrayed as a pornographic character. Burnett also claims that the show altered the music from "The Carol Burnett Show" theme music. A spokesperson for the "Family Guy" studio told "Access Hollywood" the following: "We are surprised that Ms. Burnett, who has made a career of spoofing others on television, would go so far as to sue 'Family Guy' for a simple bit of comedy."
Random TV News
Google versus Viacom
After months of negotiations with Google over YouTube, Viacom has decided to sue the internet giant for a reported $1 billion dollars in damanges over what they are calling "massive, intentional copyright infringement of Viacom's entertainment properties." Such Viacom owned shows like "The Daily Show" and "MTV Unplugged" are just some of the main culprits behind the lawsuit. Unfortunately for Viacom, they seem to be the only network who dislike YouTube. Other networks like the BBC, NBC and CBS have embraced the YouTube website in order to promote their television content. I'm hoping Viacom and Google come to some sort of agreement on this situation because we don't want YouTube to be shut down. This isn't Napster…
Veronica Mars is cancelled?
It's still just a rumor and it could obviously change at anytime, but it is looking like this season will be the last we ever see of a 30-year-old pretending to be a teenage detective. The show's cancellation is rumored to be due to low ratings, which has plagued the show since its inception on the now-defunct UPN network. Since the UPN and WB merger, many assumed that Veronica Mars would benefit greatly from being paired up on Tuesday nights after "Gilmore Girls." Think of it as Feminazi power, if you will. However, there have been recent reports that the show may in fact be staying for another season. This rumor swirls around a change in the current format of the show, which is seeing Veronica Mars off in college. The change would fast forward a few years later as Mars would be working for the FBI. Representatives for the CW network have refused to comment on whether the show will return or not. The CW could change their plans at the last minute too, ala "7th Heaven." Whatever the case is, if you want the show to stick around then start watching it.
"Lost" star gets on a CBS show
Cynthia Watros has signed on to co-star alongside Marisa Tomei in the CBS pilot I told you about last week. The show is shaping up to be a big investment on the part of CBS because it will also have co-stars from other big time shows, such as "24," "The O.C." and "The Wire." Watros is also infamous for driving drunk at the same time that her "Lost" co-star Michelle Rodriguez was also in trouble for a DUI. Watros is also one major hot piece of ass that has previously played roles in "The Drew Carey Show" and "Titus."
The Ratings
1. American Idol- WED (FOX) 16.7
2. American Idol- THUR (FOX) 16.0
3. American Idol- TUES (FOX) 15.9
4. House (FOX) 14.1
5. Smarter Than a 5th Grader (FOX) 11.8
6. Deal or No Deal- MON (NBC) 11.0
7. Without a Trace (CBS) 11.0
8. CSI (CBS) 10.0
9. CSI: Miami (CBS) 9.6
10. Cold Case (CBS) 9.5
11. Two and Half Men (CBS) 9.5
New TV-on-DVD Today
Tomorrow I will be in DVD heaven! You have the final seasons of "Justice League Unlimited" and "Batman Beyond" coming out on DVD, but you also have the final Rocky film coming out! Of course, my pick this week is the final season of JLU. I liked it more than the final season of Batman Beyond. Both DVD sets should be under $21 at your local Wal-Mart or Target. Go get them!
Justice League Unlimited: Season Two (Pick of the Week)
Batman Beyond: Season Three
7th Heaven Season 4
Made in America
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations
Best Ranger
Christy The complete series
Deadliest Catch season 1
JAG season 3
Maude season 1
McHales' Navy season 1
Miami Vice season 3 and 4
Myth Busters: Mega Movie Myths
NewsRadio Season 5
William Shatner Roast
Run's House seasons 1 and 2
Sleeper Cell season 2
The Milton The Monster Show
The Two of Us
The Wild, Wild West Season 2
Touched by an Angel season 4
Viciously Ridiculous
It's now time for the most ridiculous items of the TV world this week.
First up, "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell has gone on the record by saying he is worth five Bruce Springteens! It wasn't too specific on whether or not he was talking about money or self-worth. But knowing that this is SIMON COWELL, I think I'll go with the latter.
It's great to see Paris and Nicole back together, and just in time to tape another season of "The Simple Life." E! Entertainment recently confirmed that the two idiots will be counseling overweight teens. There's also been a video posted on TMZ.com where the two are asked to re-shoot a scene where they walk down some stairs or something. I just can't wait to see what Paris Hilton's advice will be. I assume Nicole will just tell them to stick their finger down their throat. Now that's ridiculous.
Then there's the other dumb blonde, only this one is less famous than the other two. Tara Reid, former star of "Taradise," will be opening up a fast-food restaurant called Ketchup. Well, hopefully this bold new direction in her life will lead to her becoming as famous as she once was during her "American Pie" days.
The Vicious TV Babe of the Week Name: Jackie Guerrido TV Appearances: Weatherperson on Univision
The Wrap-Up
Thank you for joining us for another weekly edition of the TV News Wrap. I will see you all next Tuesday with another new edition. Until then, go buy ROCKY BALBOA!!!
Credits
Executive Producers: Ashish Pabari, Scott Rutherford & Leonard Hayhurst
Original Concept by Scott Rutherford & Steve Vicious
