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12/23: Biggest TV stories of the year
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A writers’ strike. The continued rise of the DVR. Cable’s growth. NBC’s troubles. An historic election year. TV had a busy 12 months.
Locally, Atlanta’s Tyler Perry solidifed his home at TBS by signing on a second sitcom. An Athens writer created BET’s first ever sitcom. And some reality show called “Real Housewives of Atlanta” brought home ratings riches for Bravo (if not necessarily the housewives themselves.)
Here’s a quick year in review of 2008, TV style:
News junkie overload. The news networks and the Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert all saw record ratings thanks to unprecedented interest in the presidential election. It also led to the rise of a couple of female talkers (Rachel Maddow on MSNBC, Campbell Brown on CNN.) “Saturday Night Live” should also thank Sarah Palin for resembling Tina Fey.
Impact of the writers’ strike. The three-month writer’s strike basically killed off the Golden Globes and stemmed any momentum many new shows had in the fall of 2007 (e.g. “Private Practice,” “Pushing Daisies”). It forced Leno, Letterman and the like to improvise minus writers. It meant far fewer new shows this past fall, an extra edition of “Big Brother’ and the ignominious return of “American Gladiators.”
Are they real or are they Memorex? Of all TV shows with local ties, nothing could beat “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” for controversy. Did NeNe really say that? Who is Big Pappa? And is Sheree really that full of herself? What’s more, the Web is packed with news that not all the housewives are quite as wealthy as they make it out to be on TV. (Nonetheless, Bravo is promising a second season in 2009.)
Cable keeps on getting bigger. While broadcast viewership is mostly dropping off, viewers keep on flocking to cable. USA (with the likes of “The Starter Wife” and “Monk”), SciFi (with “The Ghost Hunters” and “Stargate: Atlantis”) and Bravo (home to “Top Chef” and “Real Housewives”) all reported record ratings.
CBS’s renaissance. Bucking that trend is CBS, which has the biggest new show of the year (the enjoyable “Mentalist”) and growing numbers for shows ranging from “NCIS” to “How I Met Your Mother.” And so far, the original “CSI” has been smoothly integrating new cast members as key original ones (William Petersen) leave.
NBC’s woes. How far the mighty have fallen. Outside of the Olympics and “Saturday Night Live,” NBC has had very little to cheer about this year as its new scripted shows stumbled (see “Knight Rider,” “My Own Worst Enemy”) and hits suffered serious deterioration (see “Heroes”). No wonder execs handed five hours of primetime real estate a week to Jay Leno starting in June 2009.
Atlanta is now Tylerville. Tyler Perry solidifed his media empire in Atlanta by opening a monstrous Universal Studios-style complex in South Atlanta, which includes production studios for his hit TBS show “House of Payne” and upcoming sitcom “Meet the Browns.”
BET’s faith in Georgia. BET may be ready to move its headquarters down South. It aired “College Hill” in a mansion off West Paces Ferry Road this year, gave plenty of airtime to “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is” and taped the “BET Hip Hop Awards” here. Plus, Athens filmmaker Hadjii produced the network’s first sitcom “Somebodies” this past fall.
This rose didn’t smell so sweet. Newnan’s own DeAnna Pappas had her heart broken by Brad Womack in “The Bachelor” in late 2007. But ABC found her so charming, she got her own show “The Bachelorette” this past summer, picking snowboarder Jesse Csincsak. In November, she broke up with him. This matchmaking business on TV sure is hard, isn’t it?
In a Blais of glory. “Top Chef” this past spring featured Atlanta’s quirky chef Richard Blais, who nearly won the whole canole. His creative use of “molecular gastronomy” and sense of humor endeared him to viewers. He is now owner of FLIP, a new local burger joint.
Comments
By Deke
December 23, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
The only “controversy” I’m aware of regarding ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ was generated on this blog. I don’t know one person who watched more than 10 minutes of it, and for that, I’m thankful and proud. Hollywood plucked the five most insignificant pieces of crap they could find, and glorified them with a “reality” show that only seemed to appeal to the lowest common denominator among us in society.
By the clerk
December 23, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
the only bigger controversy on these chats is star94 PD getting the jobby job back after hookin’ it up wif the afternoon girl?! must be nice. here’s your job and your piece of ass back! my boss just told me the details i almost choked that star has fallen to these goons to run their station. wait until the brass in phila hears this! there are going to be questions and not many answers. cume-less must have opened a nice bottle when they were told these details. cox to.
By Charles
December 26, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
The biggest TV story of this year won’t be written until history is written. They will talk about how the mainstream press of our time went into the tank for Obama and the Democratic Party. Comparisons to George Orwell’s 1984 will probably be made.
By Donna P.
December 26, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
The biggest TV story was definitely the election of Obama; with him and Hillary fighting to the end for the nomination; to Sarah Palin joining McCain’s campaign. I HATED every minute of it and was sick of the political commercials but I did watch it (I’m a sad person). Even the race between Saxby and Jim was too drawn out. Unfortunately for America, there are more elections to come in 2010 then onto 2012.
By STYLE NETWORK
December 26, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this
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By bronco
December 26, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
It’s got to be the “Bigfoot Found” story.
By Messy House
December 26, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
I have some ideas for a messy house:
1) Shirley Franklin - her house is a real mess. Son-in-law in jail
2) Bill Campbell - went to jail
3) TI - going to jail
4) Glenn Richardson - runs a very messy house and thinks he is Napolean of GA.
That is a start for messiness in Atlanta.
By Radio
December 27, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
The Lunatics have taken over the asylum! Myth is better than reality!The ridiculous makes more cash than the essential.
By mystery poster
December 27, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
Slightly off topic, but still TV related:
The year that 30 Rock came out, there was another show that was loosely based on Saturday Night Live. I think it was a drama, not a comedy.
Does anyone remember the name of that series?
By Kat
December 27, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
Mystery Poster: Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip?
By bias
December 28, 2008 4:30 AM | Link to this
You forgot to mention how dishonest the media was this year. Have you looked at the ratings of Campbell Brown, the plenty of bias, a lot of bull and that hideous Rachel Maddow, who I thought was Keanu Reeves.
By mystery poster
December 28, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
Kat: Yes, thank you very much. That’s been driving me crazy the past couple days.
By Kat
December 28, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
Mystery Poster - you’re welcome. I went to IMDB.com to look up Matthew Perry from “Friends.” I recalled the two shows seeming very similar in their settings, and him being on the losing end of the deal when the better show lasted. Happy New Year!