« June 25 - July 1 July 30 - August 5 »

Minnillo Learns Service Industry Rule

July 13, 2006

Don't socialize with patrons! It's a tricky balance for the MTV "Total Request Live" and "Entertainment Tonight" host, Vanessa Minnillo, since most of her job is about chilling with celebs. But bosses at both shows have put the newly-famous-hostess (after-getting-with-former-“Newlywed”) on probation claiming she can't date a potential interview (some of us learned this in Journalism 101, but then again we weren't tempted by an opportunity to be with Nick Lachey). MTV has apparently suspended her for a week claiming her new celeb status was getting in the way of her duties at work. Funny, I don't remember this being a problem for Carson Daly and his Tara Reid/Jennifer Love-Hewitt antics … double standard?

Neilsen Nabs Commercials

Why no one stepped in and said, "I can do that," years ago is beyond comprehension. But for whatever reason—probably TiVo related—Neilson, the god of show ratings, announced plans to add commercials to their monopoly practices. What does this mean for you and me? There will finally be substantiated evidence that no one watches commercials anymore. How will this affect our favorite shows? Look for shorter commercial breaks, more product placement, and more overall video content on the web (think Coke commercials on YouTube.com. The fun starts this fall!

Reality Psycho

Ok we've all been in relationships where we do crazy, psychotic things in fits of rage or revenge. (Hopefully most of you got this out of your system by sophomore year in high school.) But when a Reality TV star takes a page out of Mike Tyson's book you have to think she's spent too much time in front of the camera. Someone give Paula Ann Meronek a reality check. The MTV "The Real World" participant was arraigned on misdemeanor assault charges after allegedly biting her beau (several times) when he refused to let her into their home in the wee hours Sunday morning. Both have been charged in the brawl.

Chappelle's Back!

Ok not really, but after some heated discussions and discussion of racism in comedy, Comedy Central said f*** it and is airing three never before seen "Chappelle Show" episodes. While stories vary on why these particular spots/stories/shows weren’t aired as originally planned, it seems the bottom line is leverage. Dave Chappelle apparently heard the audience laugh too loudly and happily a few of these racially sensitive jokes and made the argument that maybe it wasn't actually funny to have a bunch of white people laughing at something that could be racist. Then Dave ditched the show, and lost his power over it. Comedy Central listened to his arguments before, and went along with his decision.

Then came Dave’s departure. Rumors of rehab first, then South Africa, and burnouts: whatever, he walked out on a $50 million contract and the channel was pissed. They wanted him back. Asked nicely. He allegedly agreed to talks with the network but on the condition they not air these episodes. They agreed to the deal … until they realized he wasn't ever coming back. Then, it’s “screw him.” That bridge burned down one too many times. So enjoy the last three episodes of the Chappelle show on Sunday nights, but don't laugh too hard.

You Know You're Hot When…

You have not one but two cable channels fighting so viciously for syndication rights that they're willing to share. Our favorite McDreamy ABC hit, “Grey’s Anatomy,” caused such a sensation that Oxygen and TNT are going to split the post-network rights. While the deal isn't "officially" done, sources say the situation has been sewn-up and sent home with a clean bill of health. Oxygen will have “Grey's Anatomy” on after 6 pm and TNT will have rights to show the drama during the daytime.

Weighty Ratings

Star Jones-Reynolds' secret may have cost her job. She kept the surgery behind her weight loss hush-hush (as much as one can when they drop 1,000 sizes in a week on national television). "View" viewers wanted to know how she did it. If she’d talk about her tah-tahs being surgically lifted but not about the rest of her body, then why not talk about everything? The loyal audience didn't like her secrecy one bit. Folks at home watch “The View” because the hosts express their opinions and offer advice, and Star's behavior didn't fit. Why she didn't look to Oprah as an example of how battles with the bulge can be the most powerful lure, no one knows. Ultimately, she did dish with Larry King about how she'd lost weight with some help from a newly stapled stomach. But it was too little, too late.