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"Storm Chasers" returns to Discovery tonight at 10pm
A reader asked me about KCET leaving the PBS network and for specific details I'd like to refer you to an excellent LA Times article written by Scott Collins from a few days ago. What can be said about this move? KCET has proved it can raise considerable amounts of money for specific programming but it seems unlikely that they will be able to raise enough money to fund an entire schedule of shows. Sure, people tuned into KCET to watch locally produced programs like "SoCal Connected" but the vast majority of their viewers were there to consume PBS staples like "Sesame Street", "NewsHour", "Masterpiece", "Nature", and "Great Performances". When these shows go to other PBS affiliates, will there be enough viewers left to keep KCET going and will they be willing to reach into their pockets for KCET and another local PBS station? That seems like a really big stretch, not that I'm trying to undermine the obvious enthusiasm that KCET will have to have to move forward after January 1st - but if it took them $50+ million to originate 1 series, they have a lot of coin they need to gather to avoid presenting reruns 20+ hours of each day. Best of luck to them.
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The Download: 1. Robert De Niro has sold a cop drama to CBS, no dates set for pilot production or broadcast. 2. Starz' brilliant but now defunct series (damn you Starz!), "Party Down" now has its 2nd and final season available on DVD - we haven't seen it and don't know what the extras are, but we're going to get it since it was such a great show. 3. Last week's Nielsen numbers are out for the top 20 programs of the week and "Hawaii Five-0" is the top-ranked new program of the fall season at #16. 4. The complete first season DVD set of "Community" is out and it has almost 2 hours of extras including some hilarious outtakes and behind the scenes footage as well as cast commentary on every episode, totally worth $20.
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Discovery's "Storm Chasers" is back tonight at 10pm and will be preceded by a "Storm Chasers"-themed "Mythbusters" (say that 10x fast).
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The TV Junkie Plan: Michael Feinstein, "Modern Family", "Terriers", Leno (Harrison Ford), Ferguson (Minnie Driver, Diedrich Bader)
8:00pm Michael Feinstein's American Songbook PBS/KCET - Best Band in the Land Popular songs promote patriotism during World War II; history of big bands of the 1940s and USO shows
9:00pm Modern Family ABC - Claire and Mitchell try to spare their significant others from embarrassment; Haley tries to teach Alex how to be cool.
9:00pm Carlos Sundance - Part III. Carlos finds difficulty while seeking refuge.
9:00pm MythBusters Discovery - Storm Chasing Myths The storm chasers Reed Timmer and Sean Casey help Adam and Jamie put tornadoes to the test.
9:00pm God in America PBS/KCET - Evangelist Billy Graham fuses faith with patriotism; Martin Luther King Jr. emerges as a modern prophet; conservative evangelicals crusade over issues like abortion and gay marriage.
10:00pm Terriers FX - Hank and Britt go on a wild goose chase through Ocean Beach while searching for an antique engagement ring.
10:00pm South Park Comedy Central - New Episode
10:00pm Storm Chasers Discovery - Season Premiere. The roof is blown off the new Dominator; Sean mixes up his crew and unleashes tension in the path of a west Texas twister.
10:30pm Ugly Americans Comedy Central - Mark tries to help Leonard with his wand issues, Twayne meets his soul mate.
11:35pm Late Show With David Letterman CBS - Actress Hilary Swank.
11:35pm The Tonight Show With Jay Leno NBC - Actor Harrison Ford; comic Whitney Cummings.
12:05am Jimmy Kimmel Live ABC - Actress Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe; comics Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim; Mark Ronson performs.
12:35am The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson CBS - Actress Minnie Driver; actor Diedrich Bader.
12:35am Late Night With Jimmy Fallon NBC - Actress Whoopi Goldberg; "This Old House"; My Morning Jacket performs.
