TV Junkie: King/Morgan Disconnect; Support Your NBC Comedies
Larry King has had a few choice words for his replacement, Piers Morgan, that don't seem too grounded in reality.
Larry King says that his replacement, Piers Morgan, has been "oversold" and that explains the drop in viewership after King's departure from CNN. There was always going to be a drop off with any new host of that show. Morgan is a great host, he knows how to interact with people in person and in the television studio, something that King seemed to lose about 10 years ago. It's not that King is being undermining, it just seems like he's somehow forgotten everything he should have learned in the business over the past couple centuries. Let's forget what Larry said and give Piers a chance.
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NBC had some great comedy on last night with inspired episodes of both "Community" and "Parks and Recreation" but you wouldn't know it from the dismal ratings that the network received - tying for several series lows. We're big fans of most of NBC's Thursday night line up so this is a big concern - if you like any of the shows ("Community," "Perfect Couples," "The Office," "Parks and Recreation," "The Office," "30 Rock," "Outsourced") you're going to have to become an advocate for the shows. Join up on Facebook, Tweet about them, etc.
There's no way that NBC is going to be satisfied sitting in last place on Thursday nights will a full comedy lineup - they will switch things around, they will move these shows and/or eliminate them. They have a new owner now and there will be an urge to improve the performance of the programming. NBC has some gems on Thursday night, if you don't want to see them replaced with (possibly) McTelevision then get on your horns. [Our facetious theory is that there was no premium booze evident in last night's episodes - previous week's episodes included Drambuie, Lagavulin single malt Scotch whiskey, and Bushmill's Irish whiskey. Somehow those with drinky tendencies psychically knew not to watch.]
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What we're looking forward to this weekend: Comedian Andy Kindler on Letterman tonight (and on "Bob's Burgers" on Sunday); Patrice O'Neal on Jimmy Fallon tonight; a rerun of "An Idiot Abroad" on Saturday; and Showtime's Sunday lineup which includes the season finale of "Episodes" which we though was excellent and we hope to see again next year. On a related note, check out the new "United States of Tara" trailer at the end of this post - the series returns to Showtime on March 28 at 10:30pm.
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The TV Junkie Must-Watch Plan: Tonight - "Real Time With Bill Maher," "Fringe," "The Soup," "Fashion Police," Letterman (David Spade, comic Andy Kindler, Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real performs), Fallon (Journalist Ann Curry, actor Patrice O'Neal; Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Jim Jones perform). Saturday - "An Idiot Abroad," "The Graham Norton Show" (Actress Sigourney Weaver, Professor Brian Cox, comic Sandi Toksvi). Sunday - "Nature," "Californication," "Episodes," "Shameless," "Big Love" (same night rerun).
Tonight
8:00pm Real Time With Bill Maher HBO - Business reporter Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, editor John Heilemann and talk-show host Tavis Smiley. Filmmaker Kevin Smith is an interview guest.
9:00pm Fringe Fox - The team is led to the home of a grieving widow; Peter and Olivia try to fix their relationship.
9:00pm Funny or Die Presents HBO - More insane sketches/short films from the gang
9:00pm Network TCM - (1976) A TV executive (Faye Dunaway) boosts her ratings with a mad anchorman (Peter Finch) who thinks he speaks for God.
9:30pm The Ricky Gervais Show HBO - Karl tells the story of being rushed to the hospital for kidney stones; Karl ponders the phenomenon of living things that look like other things; Ricky asks Karl if he believes everything he reads.
10:00pm The Soup E! - Joel McHale and company rip the Grammys among other things. Fred Armisen guests!!
10:00pm Onion News Network IFC - The Trial of TR-425 A predator drone plane stands trial in military court
10:00pm Blue Bloods CBS - Danny tries to hunt down the shooter who attempted to assassinate Frank.
10:30pm Portlandia IFC - All of Portlandia is swept up in the excitement of a new music and film festival.
10:30pm Fashion Police E! - Since they already ripped on the Grammys, what will Joan Rivers and company torch this week?
11:35pm Late Show With David Letterman CBS - Actor David Spade; comic Andy Kindler; Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real performs.
11:35pm The Tonight Show With Jay Leno NBC - Actor Mark Harmon; professional basketball player Dwight Howard; 30 Seconds To Mars performs.
12:35am The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson CBS - E-mails with actor DJ Qualls; actress Lily Tomlin.
12:35am Late Night With Jimmy Fallon NBC - Journalist Ann Curry; actor Patrice O'Neal; Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Jim Jones perform.
Saturday
8:00pm Primeval BBC America - A Terrorbird reappears during an incursion; Danny appears with a warning for a team.
9:00pm An Idiot Abroad Science - India Karl visits the Taj Mahal and visits the largest religious festival in the world; Karl stays in Ashram with a living saint.
10:00pm The Graham Norton Show BBC America - Actress Sigourney Weaver; Professor Brian Cox; comic Sandi Toksvi
Sunday
8:00pm Nature PBS/KOCE - Broken Tail: A Tiger's Last Journey Tiger cub Broken Tail, who suddenly abandoned his sanctuary, was killed by a train 200 miles from his home.
8:30pm Bob's Burgers Fox - An interruption alters the direction of the musical-murder-mystery dinner that Linda and the kids are staging at the restaurant.
9:00pm Masterpiece Classic PBS/KOCE - Any Human Heart Logan goes on a series of spy missions during World War II for friend Ian Fleming.
9:00pm Californication Showtime - Abby pitches Hank's case to a senior partner; Hank is dismayed by Karen's relationship with Ben; Marcy and Stu ask Charlie for help.
9:00pm Big Love HBO - D.I.V.O.R.C.E. Barb hopes to attain the priesthood and enlists the help of an ex-Mormon feminist; Bill faces impeachment pressure in the Senate; Nicki chafes at the status quo; Margene eyes a sponsor for her children's rally; Frank and Lois strike a deal.
9:30pm Episodes Showtime - Season Finale. Bevery and Sean wrap production and prepare to return to London.
10:00pm Shameless Showtime - Frank Gallagher: Loving Husband, Devoted Father