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Showing posts from May, 2010

The very latest on WVMC

Our good friend @viqwithaq checked in last night to give me -- and all of us -- the very latest word on WVMC (1360 AM, Mt. Carmel).  Here's what Viq had to say: The station is definitely on the air.  If memory serves, they are licensed for 500 watts, but i seriously doubt that they are pushing that - the signal fades badly about 5 miles outside of Mt Carmel. They are not listed in the FCC database at all.  According to the FCC, WVMC does not exist.  (EDITOR'S NOTE:  The FCC does have a listing for the station as DWVMC, the "D" signifying the station has been deleted.)  The translator (W256AZ) does.  It is licensed to W. Russell Withers, Jr.  He also owns WYNG, WRUL, and several other stations in Southern IL. I actually drove to Mt Carmel to investigate and hear for myself.  The sound quality on FM is terrible.  It sounds like they are directly retransmitting the AM signal over FM.  The format is America's Best Music (which has its own Wikipedia page ,

Gary Coleman, "Diff'rent Strokes" star, dies at 42

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Gary Coleman, the diminutive actor who made millions laugh in the role of Arnold Jackson on the 1978-86 sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes," (many viewers of the show still recall his signature phrase, "What'choo talkin' 'bout, Willis?") has died in a Utah hospital after falling at his home yesterday. He was 42. Coleman suffered from a kidney condition which stunted his growth at a young age and had dealt with numerous physical, legal and other problems over the years, but he will be remembered for years to come for overcoming all of the odds to become one of America's favorite television personalities. And he will be missed.

"Ghost Whisperer" officially dead as ABC passes on reviving series

CBS' "Ghost Whisperer," which was canceled last week after five seasons, won't be jumping to ABC after all. Show bosses had been talking to ABC about such a move -- which isn't unheard of; the reverse happened when ABC canceled "Family Matters" and "Step by Step" in 1997 and those shows moved to CBS for one more season, and there have been others -- but this time, ABC wasn't interested. It's a shame, too, because the show, which starred Jennifer Love Hewitt, had a pretty loyal following and might have been a good fit for ABC in case one of its new shows doesn't work out this fall.

Amazing night of TV reception

Just for fun (and partly because I couldn't sleep!), I decided to see what kind of reception I'd get out of my TV sets after the storms rolled through last night. Needless to say, I was impressed with what came through -- and most of these came in very well! Here's the list (local stations in red ): 2.1 and 2.2 (WKRN, Nashville, Tenn.), 117 miles 3.1 and 3.2 (WSIL, Harrisburg, Ill.), 94 miles 3.1 through 3.3 (WAVE, Louisville, Ky.), 84 miles 6.1 through 6.4 (WPSD, Paducah, Ky.), 106 miles 7.1 (WTVW) 9.1 through 9.3 (WNIN) 11.1 through 11.3 (WHAS, Louisville, Ky.), 83 miles 13.1 through 13.3 (WBKO, Bowling Green, Ky.), 60 miles 14.1 through 14.3 (WFIE) 16.1 through 16.4 (WUSI, Olney, Ill.), 93 miles 17.1 (WZTV, Nashville, Tenn.), 103 miles 19.1 (WAZE) 23.1 through 23.4 (W23BV-D) 24.1 through 24.3 (WKYU, Bowling Green, Ky.), 60 miles 25.1 and 25.2 (WEHT) 27.1 through 27.3 (WTCT, Marion, Ill.), 103 miles 29.1 through 29.3 (WKPD/KET, Paducah, Ky.), 94 miles 3

NEW FEATURE: Complete cable channel lineups for communities in the Tri-State

I'm working on adding links to cable channel lineups for communities here in the Tri-State.  You'll find the link to that page on the right side of your screen. At the time of this posting, I have added the NewWave , Insight , Avenue Broadband and Comcast lineups that I'm aware of.  If you don't see your community and cable company listed, please keep in mind that I'm working on it, and if you have a link you'd like to share, be sure to e-mail me and pass it along! (NOTE for TIME WARNER CABLE CUSTOMERS:  TWC makes it nearly impossible to get their channel lineups via a simple link.  I'm working on it, though, so stick around -- I'll post your lineups ASAP!)

"Travelin'" Joe Danneman also in NC to report on Eagles

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I've received word this afternoon that 14WFIE's Joe Danneman is in North Carolina to report on the Screaming Eagles as they play in the D-II World Series. Joe's reports will air at 6 and 10 tonight, and also tomorrow and Saturday.

Excellent coverage of USI baseball can be found on NEWS25

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Most of you who've been reading JDTVB for any length of time know that I'm a baseball fan.  Not the kind who knows everything there is to know about the game, mind you, but I enjoy watching it a lot. And when I can't be there, I like good coverage during the local news.  Since Saturday, Lance Wilkerson and Sean Clark-Weis of NEWS25 have been in North Carolina following the USI Screaming Eagles as they progress through the Division II World Series. Wilkerson and Clark-Weis are providing excellent coverage of the Eagles, and I think everyone who's a baseball fan ought to tune in and check it out. I think you'll enjoy it.  I know I have.

In today's Courier & Press: ABC's new shows for fall -- and more!

In today's column in the Courier & Press -- sorry, no link is yet available -- we take a look at ABC's new fall shows, along with a brief look at: The mess surrounding WVMC radio's license cancellation 3ABN's new channel lineup I hope you'll pick up today's paper and check it out, and when it becomes available online, I'll be sure to let you know!

Goodbye SOAPnet, hello Disney Junior?

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SOAPnet was one of my wife's favorite channels when we had cable TV, but it's going away soon. Disney announced yesterday that the all-soap-opera channel will go dark in 2012. In its place will be "Disney Junior," a channel geared toward two- to seven-year-olds.  Disney now offers only a program block called Playhouse Disney, but the company feels to best compete with Nick Jr. , it needs a separate channel. Some say the DVR is responsible for the demise of SOAPnet, but interestingly enough, its viewership numbers in recent months are the highest in its ten-year history.

Art Linkletter, host of "House Party" and "People Are Funny," dies at 97

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If you've been watching TV for a certain length of time, you're familiar -- even if just fleetingly -- with Art Linkletter. Linkletter, who hosted "Art Linkletter's House Party" and "People Are Funny" in the 1950s and '60s, has died at his California home at age 97. "House Party" got its start on CBS radio in 1945, where it ran for more than 22 years before leaving the air in 1967.  The CBS television version began in 1952 and aired until 1969.  NBC then picked up the show for one year. "People Are Funny," a game show, ran on NBC from 1942 to 1960.  Linkletter took the helm of the show in 1943 and remained its host until it went off the air on both radio and TV. Linkletter and his wife, Lois, were noted for one of the longest -- if not the longest -- marriages in Hollywood, married just a few months short of 75 years.  The Linkletters had five children, although three preceded their father in death.

Can't watch the "500" on TV? Here's a list of radio stations you can catch the race on

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While the Indianapolis 500 has certainly changed over the years (and I concur with those who argue that some of the changes have NOT been for the better), one thing we've all been able to count on is TV and radio coverage of the race. This year is no different, as WEHT-NEWS25 (channel 25.1) will broadcast the race live on Sunday.  But where can you find the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing" if you're away from home and listening on the radio? Here's a list of Tri-State stations that will carry this year's race: WNOI - 103.9 FM - Flora, Ill. WAKO - 103.1 FM - Lawrenceville, Ill. WITZ - 104.7 FM - Jasper, Ind. WSJD - 100.5 FM - Princeton, Ind. WFML - 96.7 FM - Vincennes, Ind. WAMW - 1580 AM & 107.9 FM - Washington, Ind. W240CE - 95.9 FM - Washington, Ind. WBKR - 92.5 FM - Owensboro, Ky.

Fox's new fall lineup: Do we dare hope for miracles with these shows?

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Fox has a history of building hype for new shows, and then just letting them slowly die under their own weight.  With the exception of "The Cleveland Show," that's happened to most good shows that Fox has debuted in recent years. I'm not all that sure these shows are going to be good, but here's what's new for the fall: "Lonestar" is a "Dallas"-style oil-baron soap opera that, in my view, is about 25 years too late to be a success, but we'll see. Jon Voight stars as the patriarch. "Running Wilde" looks and feels to me like an "Arrested Development" spinoff, which it should, because it comes from the same people and stars Will Arnett as a wealthy playboy.  Keri Russell also stars. "Raising Hope" stars Cloris Leachman and Martha Plimpton.  Mmm-hmm.  Yeah. Here's the schedule (all times Central): MONDAY 7-8 p.m. "House" 8-9 p.m. "LONESTAR" TUESDAY 7-8 p.m. "Glee"

WVMC UPDATE: On the air

UPDATE, 7:30 PM:  Viq is back with more updates this evening, explaining that WVMC is  indeed on the air, simulcasting an AC/standards format that is also broadcast on 99.1 FM.  Based on a quick check of radio-locator.com , 99.1 is supposed to be WBMV, an Illinois Bible Institute station that broadcasts Christian music.  But that's evidently not the case.  To quote Viq directly here:  "The music I heard was definitively NOT Christian, unless Patsy Cline has been reclassified.  Weird." I've heard from @viqwithaq this morning, and he tells me that WVMC does indeed appear to be on the air, after all: "WVMC appears to be on air with an AC/standards format and a live morning show.  Will listen more later to get confirmation." So it appears that Marty Hensley is wrong about the station being off the air.  One begins to wonder what else he may have been wrong about when he wrote to the FCC and turned in the license ...

Miss America pageant coming back to network TV as ABC inks 3-year deal

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TVNewsCheck reports today that the Miss America pageant will return to network TV in 2011 on ABC (in the Tri-State, that's WEHT-NEWS25, channel 25.1). The network has signed a three-year deal with the Miss America Organization, and the first pageant under the new contract will air on Jan. 15. ABC dropped the pageant in 2004 after low ratings, and it's been on cable networks CMT and TLC since then, but when TLC didn't want another three-year deal (seeking instead a two-year option for less money), the Organization balked and entered talks with ABC. I personally don't care one way or another about the pageant, but it's good to see things migrating back to broadcast TV from cable.  Maybe it's a trend that will continue.  I hope so.

Dish, The Weather Channel kiss and make up

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It looks like the war between Dish Network and The Weather Channel is over.  According to Dish, the two companies have reached "a multi-year agreement for continued distribution of The Weather Channel on DISH Network's programming platform." No word on whether or not TWC got that extra penny per subscriber that had been the sticking point in earlier negotiations. The good news, then, is that TWC is once again available to Dish viewers.  However, The Weather Cast , which Dish had cooked up to replace TWC, is gone , and I'd heard some good things about it.

Is WVMC really gone? Who knows?

Last week, I mourned the loss of Mt. Carmel AM station WVMC.  It seems I may have been hasty. Or maybe not. It's a real mess shaping up over in Mt. Carmel, or so it would seem.  What we know at this point is that Marty Hensley, who, in a letter to the FCC that accompanied the station's now-terminated license , said that the station: Went off the air in May 2008. Lost its studio and tower in a sheriff's sale in early 2009.  Hensley notes that the studio, located at 606-610 Market St. in Mt. Carmel, has been converted to apartments, while the tower site was foreclosed by the bank, which locked the facility. Both Wabash Communications (the licensee of record) and Wabash Broadcasting (to which the station was illegally transferred, according to Hensley) owe back taxes to the IRS, which has also laid claim to the station's facilities. The State of Illinois revoked the corporation status of both Wabash Communications (owned by Kevin Williams) and Wabash Broadcasting (ow

Coming tomorrow ... the saga isn't over, after all

While I've been away, some interesting new details have been coming in (courtesy of ORRG and Blaine Thompson's Indiana RadioWatch ) about Mt. Carmel, Ill. AM station WVMC, which, as I reported recently, turned in its license and officially ceased to exist. But that's not the end of the story -- not by a country mile! Tomorrow, I'll lay out everything I've learned so far and maybe YOU can figure it out.  The only thing I can say with some certainty is this:  Get your popcorn out ... the show is just beginning!

NEWS25 Weekend at 10 pushed back by "Lost" finale tonight

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NEWS25's 10:00 newscast tonight will be delayed until 10:30 PM because of the series finale (at long last) of "Lost."

Greetings from Diamond Lake!

We've settled in here at Diamond Lake Resort here in Daviess County, Ky., enjoying the peace and quiet and good, old-fashioned fun with family, and I hope each of you find some time to kick back and relax this weekend as well. Have a great weekend!

Time for a little R&R

Folks, it's been a busy week here at JDTVB, and I know that I have yet to share with you the new fall lineup from Fox, among other things, but I will get all of that done on Monday.  I'm taking today, tomorrow and Sunday off for some much-needed rest with my family. See you all next week!

NEW weather resources -- check out these sites

Folks, when you want the very latest weather info, there are a lot of places you can turn.  That much is certain.  Now I've got a couple more places on the web that you can check when the weather turns ugly. I hope you'll check out Tri-State Storms and HoosierWX .  I think you'll like 'em, and I hope you'll visit both of 'em often. I've also put links in the "More Weather Resources" box on the right side of your screen.  Just scroll down there and you'll see these two and many more.

Dish Network dropping The Weather Channel at midnight tonight

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UPDATE, 6:10 PM:   I'm now hearing that TWC has already been taken off of Dish, with the new Weather Cast on both channels 213 and 214 ... If you're a Dish Network subscriber and enjoy watching The Weather Channel, I've got some bad news for you. TWC, in recent negotiations, asked Dish for a penny more per subscriber (and I'm sure that amounted to a good deal of money once the calculators quit adding), and Dish said "No thanks," choosing to just dump the channel instead.  If you're awake at midnight tonight, that's when it's going to happen. Of course, I'm not 100% sure TWC is quite as popular a weather choice as it once was for weather information, given that they've become more of a movie and reality channel lately. Besides, we do have fine weather coverage right here in the Tri-State at our local stations ... and when it's all on the line, I'll stick with them every time. But if that's not enough for you, Dish is comin

When they break in for wall-to-wall weather coverage, don't get mad; it's for your own good

I know some people don't like it when our friendly meteorologists break into programming for wall-to-wall severe weather coverage, but if you sit back and think about it, what would you rather see when the chips are down?  Your favorite show or information that just might save your life?  I'd rather be safe than sorry, personally. Well, evidently this caller in Texas doesn't think that way.  Listen for yourself on YouTube ... oh, and if you're at work, they've edited this to make it a little bit safe.  Thanks to NEWS25 meteorologist Scott Dimmich for retweeting this!

Owensboro doctor to play "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" Friday night

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I've gotten word via the Twitterverse (thanks to @magnolia57) this afternoon that Owensboro resident Dr. Dan Reynolds is going to be playing "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" tomorrow night. The show, which airs each weeknight at 6:30 PM on WEHT-NEWS25 (channel 25.1), is hosted by Meredith Vieira. No word yet on how Dr. Dan did (as the show was taped some time ago), but we'll all find out for sure tomorrow night!

TBN, which has sold numerous translator stations, is buying again

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In recent months, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), a California-based Christian TV broadcaster, has pulled the plug on its Evansville analog translator (W38BK, channel 38) and sold off quite a number of its other low-power translators across the country, most to Daystar, a competitor. But it's not given up on the full-power TV business.  Today brings word that TBN is buying WHRE in the Newport News, Va., DMA.  It's the country's 43rd-largest market. Most of you in the Tri-State with cable or satellite can still watch TBN, but its not available over the air here any longer, unless you're far enough south to pick up Nashville's full-power station, WPGD (channels 50.1-50.5). No word yet on whether that situation will change any time soon.  I wouldn't count on a revival of channel 38, but I'll keep you posted.

SNEAK PEEK: What's in tomorrow's column

UPDATE, 1:40 AM THURSDAY:   The column is now available by clicking here . If you're a regular reader of my weekly column in the Courier & Press , I've got plenty to keep your interest tomorrow.  Here's what you'll find: The first in a series dealing with the fall season, you'll get a look at some of the shows in NBC's new fall lineup We say goodbye to Mt. Carmel radio station WVMC Nexstar Broadcasting's improved revenue performance in the first quarter 14WFIE's new tool for you folks with Droid phones I'll post a link to the column, as usual, as soon as I have it!

CBS announces fall lineup, and between new shows, new timeslots and returning favorites, this looks like a winner

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I may have been hasty when I referred to CBS' program cancellations as a "bloodbath" the other day, but to be fair, it was a term that was going around on the interwebs, and some of the shows killed off were popular in the House of Newkirk. After looking at the new schedule, though, I think CBS' fall schedule looks every bit as strong as -- maybe even stronger than -- last year's. Here's the official press release from CBS, followed by the new schedule, with all times shown as Central: CBS announced today its new 2010-2011 primetime schedule and the addition of five new series, including three dramas and two comedies, and key scheduling moves to enhance America’s most watched lineup. The new series includes an updated take on the classic series HAWAII FIVE-0 ; comedic drama THE DEFENDERS starring Jim Belushi and Jerry O’Connell as colorful Las Vegas defense attorneys; drama BLUE BLOODS about a family of NYPD cops starring Tom Selleck and Donnie Wahlber

Christian network 3ABN revamps channel lineup, adds new channel

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3ABN (and, by extension, local affiliate W23BV-D ) has changed its digital channel lineup, removing the Radio74 audio feed on channel 23.4 and adding a new channel called "Proclaim!" "Proclaim!", according to 3ABN, is "the first Seventh-day Adventist 24-hour preaching and teaching channel," and is located on channel 23.2. 3ABN Latino , the only Spanish-language channel in the Tri-State, has moved to channel 23.3. The 3ABN Radio audio feed is still available, and is now on channel 23.4.

"One Tree Hill," "Life Unexpected" renewed by CW; two new shows in the mix as well

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I'm not sure just how many people actually still watch CW here in the Tri-State (it's on WAZE , if you were wondering ...), but the network has picked up another season of both "Life Unexpected" and "One Tree Hill," and given the nod to new series "Nikita" and "Hellcats." Because there may be one or two of you out there who care what these new shows are about, here are descriptions, courtesy of Deadline Hollywood : "NIKITA" stars international action-film star and martial arts expert Maggie Q (“Mission Impossible III”) in the title role as a spy and assassin for a top secret U.S. government agency, who rebels against the system that created her and will stop at nothing to bring their powerful operation to an end. "NIKITA " is from Warner Bros. Television in association with Wonderland Sound and Vision, with executive producers Craig Silverstein (“Bones,” “K-Ville”), Danny Cannon (“CSI: Crime Scene Investiga

CBS programming "bloodbath" claims seven casualties, including "Cold Case" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine"

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CBS has led some fairly popular shows to the slaughterhouse in advance of the fall season, and the ensuing bloodbath ( The Wrap 's term, not mine) has claimed seven casualties: "The New Adventures of Old Christine" "Gary Unmarried" "Accidentally on Purpose" "The Ghost Whisperer" "Cold Case" "NUMB3RS" "Miami Medical" The network won't release its full fall schedule until tomorrow, but I am fairly surprised to see some of these shows on the DOA list.  Certain members of my household, for example, will be saddened by the loss of "Accidentally" and "Cold Case." What do you think?

ABC unveils fall primetime lineup

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UPDATE, 11:55 AM:   The Wrap has the best look at ABC's new shows for the fall season, so in the interest of expediency, click here to see the descriptions of all the new programs . I've received ABC's new primetime lineup for this fall, but the alphabet folks have decided to do fewer new shows than, say, NBC, mainly because what they added this past fall worked out rather well for them. Here's the lineup, and coming up later, I'll give you a more in-depth look at the new shows.  New shows are listed in bold type : MONDAY 7:00 p.m. — Dancing with the Stars 9:00 p.m. — Castle TUESDAY               7:00 p.m. — No Ordinary Family 8:00 p.m. — Dancing with the Stars the Results Show 9:00 p.m. — Detroit 1-8-7 WEDNESDAY         7:00 p.m. — The Middle 7:30 p.m. — Better Together 8:00 p.m. — Modern Family 8:30 p.m. — Cougar Town 9:00 p.m. — The Whole Truth THURSDAY 7:00 p.m. — "My Generation" 8:00 p.m. — Grey's Anatomy 9:00 p.m. — Private Practice FRI

On "Kentucky Tonight" ... discussing tomorrow's Kentucky primary election

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Tonight's "Kentucky Tonight" on KET (channels 31.1 and 35.1, 7:00 PM CT) should be interesting, as host Bill Goodman and his guests discuss tomorrow's primary in Kentucky. Perhaps the most-watched race in Kentucky -- and, indeed, one of the most-watched in the country right now -- is the U.S. Senate race to replace Jim Bunning.  There's been plenty of discussion elsewhere about who's running in which party, so I won't go into that here, but suffice it to say what happens tomorrow will be interesting indeed. Kentucky's two party chairs (Steve Robertson of the RPK and Charlie Moore of the KDP) will join KET political analysts John David Dyche and Jennifer Moore to talk about the races to watch. Then, tomorrow night, KET will cover the election results with the team of Goodman and Renee Shaw hosting, Dyche, Jennifer Moore and columnist and professor Al Cross joining in. Should be fun to watch!

Spring cleaning on your honey-do list? WNIN wants to help you get rid of your Hidden Treasures

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The good folks at WNIN are putting together something new this June to help you get rid of that extra stuff you've got lying around the garage (or wherever else!). On June 19, they're having the "Hidden Treasures Rummage Sale" fundraiser at the station's studios (located in the historic Carpenter House at 405 Carpenter St. in Evansville) from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  You can rent a booth -- individuals and non-profits cost $25, businesses are $50 -- and set up to sell at one of the nicest garage sale venues I can think of. For more information, call Ashley Murray at (812) 423-2973 or e-mail her at amurray@wnin.org .

SUNDAY SPECIAL: NBC releases fall primetime schedule

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NBC's new fall primetime schedule has been officially released, with a whole slew of new shows coming along to help the network in its efforts to revive its flagging fortunes in recent years. Of course, we the viewers will determine if the 2010-2011 season takes NBC back to its halcyon days as "Must See TV," or if the new shows will be dismal failures.  I'm hopeful that these shows will be closer to the former than the latter. Here's the way the schedule shakes out (all times are Central as listed below, with new shows in all caps); the network's official press release follows: MONDAY 7:00-8:00 PM -  “Chuck”                      8:00-9:00 PM --  “THE EVENT”        9:00-10:00 PM -  “CHASE”       TUESDAY 7:00-9:00 PM - “The Biggest Loser” 9:00-10:00 PM - “Parenthood”   WEDNESDAY 7:00-8:00 PM - “UNDERCOVERS” 8:00-9:00 PM - “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”                9:00-10:00 PM - “LAW & ORDER: LOS ANGELES” THURSDAY

The WEEKENDER -- A Special Cancellation, Green Light, Revenue Growing, Under New Management, On Wheels Again and Singin' The Blues Edition

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UPDATE, 2:15 PM SATURDAY :  @anandpandit sent word that NBC's "Heroes" -- another victim of low viewership -- has officially been canceled.  I'd heard it was possible, but we can now confirm that. Between the major broadcast networks, so many shows got canceled on Friday that I started to worry that JDTVB might be the next thing on their choppin' block, but then I remembered:  I would be the one to make that decision and I'm not about to swing the ax here, so don't worry about that. I would've put this week's Weekender up last night, but I decided to change the spark plugs on the Mazda instead, which took me all of about 25 minutes.  Easiest change of plugs I've done in ten years.  So we've got a little more "Zoom Zoom" going on here thanks to Craftsman tools and Autolite.  :-) But that's neither here nor there, and you're here to see what's happened in TV and radio this week, so let's get on with that, shall

The Reaper cometh for more, killing one before it could even hit the airwaves

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More cancellations (and rumors of same) are filtering in this afternoon from the networks, so we'll just suggest that perhaps the Grim Reaper has come.  Here's what I've found out this afternoon: ABC In addition to the three shows I mentioned earlier today, Alyssa Milano's new -- and awful , in my humble opinion -- "Romantically Challenged" is a goner. I'm not surprised, nor am I all that broken up about it. CBS Nothing official yet, but the Eyeball folks are broadly hinting that "Cold Case" and "Miami Medical" are out.  I honestly like "Cold Case," so I'm bummed by that possibility, but MM didn't interest me at all, and I usually like that kind of show. FOX Word is hitting the street that "The Wanda Sykes Show," which replaced "Talk Show with Spike Feresten," is also on the chopping block.  That's great ... now, can we have Spike back, please ?  (Nothing against Wanda; I like Wanda.  I just

ABC kills "FlashForward," "Better Off Ted" and "Scrubs"

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Today is shaping up to be the day for the ax to fall EVERYWHERE.  Well, OK, maybe it just feels like it. Now ABC has taken its turn a-swingin', knocking off "FlashForward," "Better Off Ted" and "Scrubs," all of them shows that I really tried to watch and enjoy, but couldn't. I do feel somewhat sorry that "Scrubs" is going away, but it just couldn't recapture the magic after it was almost completely retooled this year. And the others?  I never really "got" those shows.  And when I don't "get" a show, I don't watch a show, so I'm not too upset over their demise.

And just like that, WVMC is gone

The FCC has released today that WVMC (1360 AM) in Mt. Carmel, Ill. no longer exists. Wabash Communications, which had owned the station, surrendered its license in a letter dated April 19, and indeed, the Commission has purged all records of the station from its website. Recently, I told you that WVMC had been sold to Withers Broadcasting, owner of WYNG (94.9 FM) and WRUL (97.3 FM), but apparently that has fallen through. If I find out any more, I'll be sure to let you know.

"Chuck" given fourth season, more new series unveiled by NBC

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EDITOR'S NOTE:  I've been asked why I'm focusing so much on NBC's new fall schedule lately.  Simply put, theirs has been the weakest primetime lineup of the major networks of late, so I want you to judge whether or not what's coming will be strong enough to get the Peacock folks back in the game.  I think they've got a real shot ... except for shooting themselves in the foot by canceling "Law & Order," that is ... UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (Courtesy of NBC) –  NBC has issued pickups for four more new scripted series with dramas “The Cape,” “Outlaw,” “Harry’s Law” and the comedy “Friends With Benefits” – while renewing the action-comedy series “Chuck” for a fourth season -- all for the 2010-11 season.   The announcement was made today by Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios. “The addition of these four inventive series to our new scripted lineup demonstrates a wide spectrum of creative stories,