Penthouse 10

CSI Star Arrested

Gary Dourdan, who has starred in 183 episodes of CSI (2000-2008), has been arrested in Palm Springs on the suspicion of possessing drugs.  An officer found Dourdan sleeping in his car, which had been parked on the wrong side of the road.  Dourdan plans on leaving the top-rated CSI in May, so this incident is unlikely to affect production on his hit show.  I'm sure fans will miss seeing Dourban on the show, but it'll be interesting to see what new characters CBS has install. 

The Photograph

CNN reports that teen queen Miley Cyrus, aka Hannah Montana, is involved in a 'Vanity Fair' photo controversy.  The photo in question , shows Cyrus holding a  blanket, with her bare back visible.  The photograph was taken by acclaimed photographer, Annie Leibovitz, who was recently in the news for her untraditional portrait photos of the Queen of England.  Leibovitz has defended her photo of Cyrus by saying, "I'm sorry that my portrait of Miley has been misinterpreted... The photograph is a simple, classic portrait, shot with very little makeup, and I think it is very beautiful."  I agree.  The portrait is composed beautifully, and doesn't appear to be intentionally provocative.  In the article, even Cyrus says, "I thought, this looks pretty, and really natural. I think it’s really artsy.”  This matter is up to subjective debate, and it appears the media is sensationalizing it.  Either way, I believe Hannah Montana will continue to be Disney's top show.

78!

Director / Producer  Richard Donner turns 78 today!  It's hard to believe that 30 years ago his film, "Superman: The Movie", starring the late Christopher Reeve, ignited the box office.  "Superman" is still one of my favorite movies, and I'd love to see Donner direct another one!   Donner is also known for directing the "Lethal Weapon" movies and over 25 different TV series, including episodes of "Get Smart" &                                              "The Twlight Zone". 

R.I.P. Ms. De Carlo!

Yvonne De Carlo, died of heart failure on Monday in Los Angeles. She was 84.

I know that Yvonne had a wonderful career in films in the 40’s and 50’s starring with Charlton Heston, Clark Gable, Sidney Poitier and so many more, but she is probably is best known for her role as the wickedly glamorous Mrs. Munster. A role she took after her husband, a stunt man, was injured.
As I write this brief note about her, I can hear the Munsters theme playing in my head. I grew up watching the Munsters and loved it so! So thank you Yvonne for being a part of my childhood memories.

Friday Birthdays

NATPE Birthday to Tom Snyder, George Carlin, Susan Hampshire, Linda Dano, Bruce Boxleitner, Bruce McCulloch, Vanessa A. Williams, Kim Greist, Stephen Baldwin, Kim Fields, Jamie Luner, Mackenzie Astin, Emily VanCamp, Malcolm David Kelley and Sullivan and Sawyer Sweeten!

Today in 1960, Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra appeared together on an ABC special. In 1963, Bob Dylan refused to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Thursday Birthday

NATPE Birthday to Mort Sahl, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Martha Quinn, Coby Bell and Jonathan Jackson.

Today in 1928, the first analog TV service was offered by WGY-TV.

Hump Day

NATPE Birthday to Pat Sumerall, Gary Owens, Meg Foster, Chris Berman, Erik Palladino, Jason Brooks and Kenan Thompson!

Today in 1982, Elliott Gould made his television debut in The Rules of Marriage on CBS.

Tuesday Cake Walk

NATPE Birthday to Mike Wallace, James L. Brooks, Candice Bergen, Alley Mills, John Corbett and Rachel Boston!

Today in 1955, Jim Henson & Kermit the Frog debuted on television in Sam and Friends. In 1958, Richard Burton made his network television debut in "Romeo and Juliet" on The Dupont Show of the Month. In 1961, FCC Chairman Newton Minnow denounced television programming as a "vast wasteland" in a speech to the NAB. In 1990, Sinead O'Connor refused to appear with Andrew Dice Clay on Saturday Night Live.

New releases on DVD this week include The Andy Griffith Show (Season 6); Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist (Season 1); Everybody Loves Raymond (Season 6); The Facts of Life (Seasons 1 & 2); The Golden Girls (Season 5); Life Goes On (Season 1); Northern Exposure (Seasons 1 & 2); The Phil Silvers Show (50th Anniversary Edition); Rescue Me (Season 2); Scrubs (Season 3); That '70s Show (Season 4); Trailer Park Boys (Season 5); and The West Wing (Season 6).

Monday

NATPE Birthday to Don Rickles, Stephen Furst, Melissa Gilbert and Julia Whelan!

Today in 1914, Paramount Pictures was formed. In 1961, Jackie Cooper and Mickey Rooney appeared together for the first time in 25 years, on an episode of Hennessey.

Friday, at last

NATPE Birthday to Ann B. Davis, Pat Carroll, Michael Murphy, Lance Henriksen, Michael Palin, Roger Rees, Kurt Loder, Dave Spector, Brian Williams, Kyan Douglas, Tina Yothers and Danielle Fishel!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Thursday Birthday

NATPE Birthday to George Will, Mary McDonough, Ana Gasteyer, Anthony Federov, Alexander Gould and Joel Rosenthal!

Today in 1927, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences was founded. In 1957, the Allen Freed Show debuted on ABC. In 1964, Another World debuted on NBC. In 1977, David Frost began a series of four interviews with former President Richard Nixon.

Wednesday Birthdays

NATPE Birthday to Greg Gumbel and Dule' Hill!

Today in 1938, W2XBS aired the first book review show. In 1971, NPR's All Things Considered debuted. In 1991, the final episode of Dallas aired.

Tuesday Birthdays

NATPE Birthday to David Suchet, Bianca Jagger, Christine Baranski, Elizabeth Berridge, Jenna Von Oy and Kay Panabaker!

Today in 1941, the FCC cleared the way for network television to begin on July 1, 1941. In 1965, The Rolling Stones made their second appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.

New releases on DVD this week include 3rd Rock from the Sun (Season 4); Andromeda (Vol. 5.5); Dinosaurs (Seasons 1 & 2); Hee Haw (Vol. 6); I Love Lucy (Season 6); Kate & Allie (Season 1); King of the Hill (Season 6); Leave it to Beaver (Season 2); The Nanny (Season 2); Red Dwarf (Series 8); and The Red Green Show (1997).

Monday

NATPE Birthday to Julian Goodman, Dann Florek, Joanna Lumley, Charlie Schlatter, Darius McCrary!

Today in 1994, Snoop Dogg made his television debut on Martin.

Happy Friday

NATPE Birthday to Marcia Strassman, Paul Guilfoyle, Jay Leno, Mary McDonnell, Simbi Khali, Chris Young, Elisabeth Rohm, Jorge Garcia, Nate Richert, Vernon Kay and Jessica Alba! (And a special, non-TV B-Day to Ms. Harper Lee.)

Today in 1957, The Mike Wallace Interview debuted. In 1959, Arthur Godfrey and his Friends aired for the last time on CBS. In 2003, the iTunes Music Store launced. In 2004, the first photos of abuse at Abu Ghraib prison were shown on 60 Minutes II.

Board Alert

David Katz:

Television doesn't belong to traditional networks anymore, said David Katz, head of sports and entertainment for Yahoo. "Yahoo has over 450 million people come to its (Internet) site worldwide every month," he said. "That is a broadcaster."

Blair Westlake:

"As a technology and platform provider, Microsoft views Universal's commitment to VC-1, iHD and HD DVD as critical to delivering a consistent consumer experience across the consumer electronics and PC ecosystem," commented Blair Westlake, corporate vice president of the Media, Content & Partner Strategy Group at Microsoft.

Cloudy Thursday

NATPE Birthday to Jack Klugman, Casey Kasem, Phil Jones, Judy Carne, Douglas Sheehan and James Le Gros!

Today in 1986, Captain Midnight hijacked HBO's signal and transmitted his own message.

Funny Lady

NATPE Birthday to Carol Burnett, Boyd Matson, Kevin James, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Tom Welling!

Today in 1978, Ringo Starr appeared in a television version of The Prince and the Pauper. In 1989, Lucille Ball died.

Tuesday Birthdays

NATPE Birthday to William Roache, Jeffrey DeMunn, Hank Azaria, Jane Clayson, Jason Lee, Jason Wiles and Allisyn Ashley Arm!

Today in 1847, Guglielmo Marconi was born. In 1940, W2XBS New York presented the first televised circus. In 1953, NBC presented Ethel and Albert.

New releases on DVD this week include American Dad (Vol. 1); The Avengers ('62 set); Battlestar Galactica (Season 2, Canada); Inspector Gadget (Vol. 1); The Last Detective (Series 1); Law & Order: Trial by Jury; Odyssey 5; Reba (Season 3); The Rifleman (Set 5); Tommy Lee Goes to College; and The Waltons (Season 3).

Board Alert

Blair Westlake:

"As a technology and platform provider, Microsoft views Universal's commitment to VC-1, iHD and HD DVD as critical to delivering a consistent consumer experience across the consumer electronics and PC ecosystem," said Blair Westlake, corporate vice president of the Media, Content & Partner Strategy Group at Microsoft. "We share Universal's passion to offer the highest video quality and deliver amazing extras for this new format."

Lucy Hood:

Lucy Hood, president of Fox Mobile Entertainment, says "24: Conspiracy" was a creative success. She notes that it is nominated for a special Emmy Award and has been translated into six languages and distributed in 25 countries.

Monday Monday

NATPE Birthday to Shirley MacLaine, John de Mol, Michael O'Keefe, Cedric the Entertainer, Djimon Hounsou, Stacy Haiduk, Melinda Clarke, Eric Balfour and Kelly Clarkson!

Today in 1952, Raymond Burr made his television debut on an episode of Gruen Guild Playhouse entitled "The Tiger." In 1962, MIT achieved the first satellite relay of a television signal. In 1981, the first IBM PC was introduced. In 1984, Apple introduced the Apple IIc portable computer.

Board Alert

From the wires:

Peace Arch Entertainment Group Inc. announced today that noted entertainment industry veteran Gary Marenzi has joined the Company as a senior advisor on television sales and corporate strategy. Mr. Marenzi will oversee the international sales of the Company's ten-hour Showtime series, "The Tudors," starring Emmy nominee and Golden Globe winner Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, along with Peace Arch's recently announced Lifetime production, "The Stranger Game," starring Mimi Rogers and more than a dozen other past and current Peace Arch projects now available to the international television and home entertainment markets.

Friday!

NATPE Birthday to Charles Grodin, Patti LuPone, Tony Danza and Nicole Sullivan!

Today in 1949, Groucho Marx received the Peabody Award for broadcasting. In 1965, The Beach Boys appeared on Shindig! In 1997, Gene Roddenberry's ashes were shot into orbit.

Thursday Birthday

NATPE Birthday to George Takei, Ryan O'Neal, Veronica Cartwright, Carmen Electra and Joey Lawrence!

Today in 1959, "The Untouchables" premiered on Desilu Playhouse.

Hump (Birth)Day

NATPE Birthday to Elinor Donahue and Ruby Wax!

Today in 1938, RCA-NBC began regular television broadcasts.

Tuesday Birthdays

NATPE Birthday to Hayley Mills, Dorothy Lyman, Cindy Pickett, John James, James Woods, Rick Moranis, Anna Kathryn Holbrook, Jane Leeves, Eric McCormack, Conan O'Brien, David Hewlett, Melissa Joan Hart and Kourtney Kardashian!

Today in 1957, Johnny Carson appeared in the Playhouse 90 production of "Three Men on a Horse". In 1960, the Mutual Broadcasting System was sold to 3M.

New releases on DVD this week include Doogie Howser, M.D. (Season 4); Remington Steele (Season 3); The Sentinel (Season 1); and Thundercats (Season 2, Vol. 1).

Monday Birthdays

NATPE Birthday to Don Kirshner, Bobby Curtola, William Mapother, Jennifer Garner, Lindsay Korman, Paulie Litt and Dee Dee Davis!

Today in 1964, CBS paid $1.8 million for the rights to the '64-'65 NFL championship games. In 1967, The Joey Bishop Show debuted on ABC.

Friday!

NATPE Birthday to Bradford Dillman, Kenneth Mars, John Shea, Brad Garrett, Anthony Michael Hall, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Mary Castro and Vivien Cardone!

Today in 1894, the kinetoscope was demonstrated by Thomas Edison. In 1956, Ampex demonstrated videotape at the NARBT (now NAB) convention. In 1958, Van Cliburn made his first television appearance. In 1985, Geraldo opened Al Capone's vault and found... some broken bottles.

Birthdays

NATPE Birthday to Lyle Waggoner, Paul Sorvino, Tony Dow, Ron Perlman, William Sadler, Max Weinberg, Saundra Santiago, Page Hannah, Caroline Rhea, Rick Schroder and Courtney Peldon!

Today in 1985, The Grand Ole Opry came to TV after 60 years on radio.

Board News

Stephen Davis, InfoSpace's president, mobile and online media (and NATPE co-chair) was appointed to the Hollywood Radio and Television Society's (HRTS) board of directors.

Married...with Grandchildren?!

NATPE Birthday to Frank Bank, Ed O'Neill, Dan Lauria, David Letterman, David Cassidy, Suzzanne Douglas, Nicholas Brendon, Shannen Doherty and Claire Danes!

Today in 1996, Yahoo! had its IPO.

Tuesday Birthdays

NATPE Birthday to Louise Lasser, Peter Riegart, Meshach Taylor, Lucky Vanous and Jennifer Esposito!

New releases on DVD this week include The Bob Newhart Show (Season 3); Farscape (Vol. 9); and In Living Color (Season 5).

Monday Birthdays

NATPE Birthday to Harry Morgan, Liz Sheridan, John Madden, Don Meredith, Peter MacNicol, Ryan Merriman and Charlie Hunnam!

Today in 1994, Charles Kuralt hosted his last episode of Sunday Morning. In 2001, Kevin Olmstead won $2,180,000 on Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

Friday!

NATPE Birthday to R.G. Armstrong, James Garner, David Frost and Bill Bellamy!

Today in 1927, Herbert Hoover (then Commerce Secretary) was featured in the first long-distance demonstration of television.

Birthdays

NATPE Birthday to Ivan Dixon, Roy Thinnes, Barry Levinson, John Ratzenberger, Marilu Henner, Ari Meyers, Jason Hervey, Zach Braff and Candace Cameron!

Rainy Wednesday

NATPE Birthday to Michael Moriarty, Max Gail, Mitch Pileggi and Janice Long!

Today in 1949, Fireside Theater debuted on TV. In 1964, The Searchers appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. In 1987, the FOX network debuted. In 1991, Katie Couric began as co-host of Today. In 2005, Peter Jennings announced he had lung cancer.

Put me in, Coach

NATPE Birthday to Craig T. Nelson, Christine Lahti, David E. Kelley, Lorraine Toussaint, Graham Norton, David Cross, Robert Downey Jr., Nancy McKeon, Barry Pepper and Jamie Lynn Spears.

Today in 1967, Johnny Carson quit The Tonight Show. He would return three weeks later. In 1969, The Smothers Brothers Comedy hour was cancelled. In 1984, Bob Bell retired as Bozo the Clown after 24 years. In 1994, Netscape was founded.

New releases on DVD this week include 3rd Rock from the Sun (Best of); The A-Team (Season 4); Dawson's Creek (Season 6); Full House (Season 3); Knight Rider (Season 4); Magnum, P.I. (Season 4); Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Vol. 4); and Tripping the Rift (Season 2).

Bravo Appointments

Bravo's personnel updates:

As part of the rapid growth of Bravo's broadband and digital initiatives, the network has appointed Kris Slava to the post of Vice President, Digital Content and Acquisitions; Andrew Ulanoff joins as Art Director, overseeing all print design work for the network, and three BravoTV.com staffers are promoted. Michael Brown has been upped to Production Director, Jason Comis to Senior Designer, and Peter Yoo to Web Producer.

Idol Threat

Paula's signed on for three more seasons.

Monday!

NATPE Birthday to Eric Braeden, Alec Baldwin, David Hyde Pierce, Eddie Murphy, Jennie Garth, Cobie Smulders and Amanda Bynes!

Today in 1953, TV Guide was published for the first time. In 1955, Fred Astaire appeared on TV for the first time, in The Toast of the Town. In 1982, John Chancellor stepped down as anchor of the NBC Nightly News.

Happy Friday

NATPE Birthday to William Daniels, Shirley Jones, Richard Chamberlain, Valerie Curtin, Gabe Kaplan and Rhea Perlman!

Today in 1985, the 200th episode of The Love Boat aired. Lana Turner was the show's 1000th guest star. In 1992, Dateline NBC premiered.

Birthdays

NATPE Birthday to Richard Dysart, John Astin, Peter Marshall, Paul Reiser and Ian Ziering!

Today in 1964, Jeopardy! debuted with host Art Fleming. In 1970, soaps were added to ABC's (A World Apart and The Best of Everything) and NBC's (Somerset and Another World) daytime lineups.

The McLaughlin Birthday Group

NATPE Birthday to John McLaughlin, Eric Idle, M.C. Hammer, Marina Sirtis and Lucy Lawless!

Today in 1962, Jack Paar left his NBC late-night show. The next permament host would be Johnny Carson. In 1967, the first AFTRA strike left TV without many familiar faces for 13 days. In 1982, Search for Tomorrow moved from CBS to NBC.

In Other News

Is that a concierge in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?

Board Panels

If you're headed to MIP, be sure to check out these panels (featuring NATPE Board Members):

Kicking off the panels for the day is Convergence of Telecoms & Broadcasting: Who Will Be in Control, at 9:15 am. Moderated by Bulkley, the panel will ask, in this landscape where telcos, pay-TV operators and broadcasters are vying for power, who will control the customer relationships? Panelists include Endemol’s chief creative officer, Peter Bazalgette; Microsoft’s senior director, Erik Huggers; CHUM Television’s senior VP of content, Roma Khanna; Dan Marks, the CEO of BT TV; Shane O’Neill, the chief strategy officer at Liberty Global and the president of chellomedia; and France Telecom’s senior VP of partnerships and services, Hervé Payan.

At 11:30 a.m., the panel entitled The Future of Rights SuperPanel: Are the Content Rights Owners Ready for the New Game? will provide tips for rights owners in the new media landscape. Panelists include John Paul McLellan, partner at law firm Haldanes in Hong Kong; Conrad Riggs, a partner in Mark Burnett Productions; Hans Schiff, a VP at the William Morris Agency; Joanna Shields, the director of syndication and partnerships for EMEA at Google; Jack Sullivan, the CEO of Broadway Video Enterprises; and Andrea Wong, executive VP of alternative programming, specials and late night at ABC.

-courtesy World Screen

Tuesday Cake Walk

NATPE Birthday to Conchata Ferrell, Ken Howard, Dianne Wiest and Reba McEntire!

Today in 1967, Raymond Burr starred in the Ironside TV movie (which would become a series that fall). In 1974, a streaker ran onto the set of The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson. In 1985, The Cosby Show was the highest-rated show since 1983 (and the first in a decade to garner a higher Nielsen rating than the Academy Awards telecast).

New releases on DVD this week include American Muscle Car (Season 1); The Andy Milonakis Show (Season 1); Astroboy (Ultra Edition-Set 1); Danger Mouse (Seasons 5 & 6); Dark Shadows (Collection 23); Degrassi: The Next Generation (Season 3); Doctor Who (Beginning Collection); Dog the Bounty Hunter (Best of Season 2); Friends (Babies, Birthdays, Weddings); Highway to Heaven (Season 3); The Invisible Man (Season 1); Knots Landing (Season 1); Northern Exposure (Season 4); Not the Nine O'Clock News (Best of); Quantum Leap (Season 4); Robot Chicken (Vol. 1); Six Feet Under (Season 5); Tales of the Unexpected (Set 4); TransGeneration (miniseries); The Triangle (miniseries); Wonder Showzen (Season 1); and The X-Files (Seasons 4,5,6).