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TV Junkie: Olbermann on Current TV; ABC Programs On Chopping Block; Podcasts of Note
Be sure to check out our red carpet interviews from the 2011 WGAs with the likes of Denis O'Hare, Terence Winter, Liz Brixius, Judah Friedlander, and Kristen Schaal.
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LAist posted a story about Keith Olbermann moving to Current TV (where he will be given an equity stake) with some questions about whether or not Olbermann would move to LA as part of this path his career is taking him. This is unlikely for several reasons: while Olbermann is unmarried, he probably has a lot of things set up for him just the way he likes it in NYC; Current TV does have a NYC bureau; and NYC is definitely a more "newsy" town for television than LA is (no offense). Olbermann's move to Current is probably the best thing that has ever happened to this network which appeared to be heading for the same fate that the Air America network was: dissolution. Al Gore seemed desperate to sell his equity in it along with other financiers. Even with Olbermann joining, the best outcome in the short-term is that this will become a lower-middle tier news service with a good possibility of expansion. Current TV suffers from the same problem that KCET is now experiencing since they left PBS: where do you get enough programming so that you can stay in the black? The addition of Olbermann will secure good advertising for the hour or two that he's on TV Monday through Friday, but will it provide enough revenue to support the kind of production they will need in order to fill up their schedule? Current TV is getting a new lease on life, it will be interesting to see if Olbermann can make it a contender.
You will be able to feel Morena Baccarin's Bliss just a little longer as "V" the series appears to be headed for termination unless a ratings miracle occurs.
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Enjoy them while you've got them: ABC is most likely going to cancel "Detroit 1-8-7," "No Ordinary Family," and "V" in short order. The show's ratings have been languishing and they haven't garnered the kind of critical acclaim that would make the network consider keeping them on in the hopes of winning some awards. We thought all these shows had some good things going for them as compared to the more boring and procedural programs that seem to do better in the ratings but perhaps these shows didn't go far enough - certainly there is no "Lost" among these 3. Perhaps it's a hint to ABC that they should go farther but maybe that whole Disney partnership gets in the way.
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Fans of FX's "Justified" should not only watch our video interview with series co-star Joelle Carter but they should also watch series star Timothy Olyphant on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" tonight.
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Adventures in Podcasting: While you could watch the Civil War epic Glory tonight on TCM (@ 9pm) we suggest you listen to Greg Fitzsimmon's Black History Month "Blackcast" with cast and co-writers of Jamie Foxx's comedy project, as well as a sit down interview with Craig Robinson of NBC's "The Office." Tangentially speaking, you could also go listen to (longtime comic) Jimmy Pardo's extended "Never Not Funny" podcast with Conan O'Brien. Look out for a new episode of our very own Channel Zero podcast tomorrow. Tonight our friend Greg Proops (and creator of "The Smartest Man In The World" podcast - new episode up) and he will be a guest panelist on tonight's "Chelsea Lately" (E! at 11pm).---
The TV Junkie Must-Watch Plan: Piers Morgan, "Pioneers of Television," "Raising Hope," "Traffic Light," "SouthLAnd," Conan (Craig Ferguson, comedian Kevin Hart, RED performs), Fallon (Kevin Nealon, Timothy Olyphant, Little Big Town performs)
6:00pm Piers Morgan Tonight CNN - Tyler Winklevoss and Cameron Winklevoss who were portrayed in The Social Network will guest
8:00pm Pioneers of Television PBS/KOCE - Local Kids' TV Pioneers Muppets creator Jim Henson; animator Bob Clampett; actor Chuck McCann; Pat MacMahon; Nancy Claster; and more of your favorite children's TV creators
8:00pm No Ordinary Family ABC - Stephanie tries to solve the case of her friend's attack before Jim does; Daphne calls foul when Jim allows J.J. to get away with something
9:00pm Raising Hope Fox - Jimmy sets up a play date after meeting another single dad, and then learns Virginia is his new friend's housekeeper.
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9:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles CBS - Callen catches a man breaking into his house; the team discovers a shipment of counterfeit computer chips.
9:00pm V ABC - Anna uses Concordia to hide a fleet of breeding vessels; Eli Cohn tries to convince the Fifth Column to assassinate Anna during the gala.
9:00pm Glory TCM - (1989) Col. Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick) trains and leads an all-black regiment during the U.S. Civil War.
9:00pm Dirty Jobs Discovery - Blueberry Connoisseur Mike visits the Jelly Belly Candy Company and then travels to Maine to harvest blueberries.
9:00pm Bizarre Foods With Andrew Zimmern Travel - Madagascar Eating zebu, a rare beetle and fruit of the baobab tree.
9:30pm Traffic Light Fox - Series Premiere. Three men, Mike, Adam and Ethan, try to balance their friendships with their romantic relationships.
10:00pm Southland TNT - Lydia deals with being in the spotlight while working on a celebrity murder case; Sammy goes out on patrol; John and Ben are frustrated by a serial killer
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10:00pm White Collar USA - Neal suspects that a friend of June's late husband is up to no good.
10:00pm Lights Out FX - The Learys' financial situation turns more desperate and the aftershocks threaten Lights' and Theresa's marriage
10:00pm Tosh.0 Comedy Central - Daniel Tosh redeems some folks from the web world and condemns many others
10:00pm Independent Lens PBS/KLCS - When I Rise A University of Texas music student struggles against racial tension and reaches ultimate success in international opera.
10:00pm Parenthood NBC - Haddie makes a brave decision; Crosby and Jasmine hit a rough patch in their relationship; Drew surprises his mom with some news.
10:30pm Onion SportsDome Comedy Central - Shaq To Be Traded And Broken Down For Parts, The Last Word On Super Bowl XLV, And More [See vid promo at the end of this post]
11:00pm Conan TBS - Craig Ferguson! Comedian Kevin Hart, RED
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11:35pm Late Show With David Letterman CBS - Actor Adam Sandler; actor Chris Colfer; Gang of Four performs.
11:35pm The Tonight Show With Jay Leno NBC - Actor Javier Bardem; reality-TV personality Paula Abdul; Merle Haggard performs.
12:00am Lopez Tonight TBS - Channing Tatum, Margaret Cho, 50 Cent
12:05am Jimmy Kimmel Live ABC - Actor Matthew Perry; actress Morena Baccarin; Pitbull performs.
12:35am The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson CBS - Actress Emily Blunt; Egyptologist Kara Cooney
12:35am Late Night With Jimmy Fallon NBC - Actor Kevin Nealon; actor Timothy Olyphant; Little Big Town performs.
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
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