On TV: Simon Cowell, "South Park" or "30 Rock," More
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Friday, April 24, 2009; 1:00 PM
Columnist Lisa de Moraes was online Friday, April 24 at 1 p.m. ET to take your questions about the drama, comedy and heartbreak of the world of television -- both onscreen and behind-the-scenes.
This week, Lisa wants to know if you think Craig Ferguson got the better of his interview with Simon Cowell, giving him the worst beating a Scot has given a Brit since William Wallace painted his face blue; or if you think Simon made Craig look like he was performing some embarrassing karaoke, better suited for a cruise ship. Just ghastly!
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Anonymous: So who's winning in the rating's war, the "Mentalist" or "Lie to Me"?
Lisa de Moraes: Hi. "The Mentalist" wins hands down...
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Big Bang relationship theory: Is it just me or is the Sheldon-Penny chemistry 80 times more fun and interesting than the Leonard-Penny chemistry?
Lisa de Moraes: Absolutely, which I'm guessing is why you're seeing a lot more Sheldon-Penny time these days. Jim Parsons actually brings out the -- dare I say it -- actress in Kaley Cuoco. It's always interesting to watch comedy series evolve, which gets back to the "30 Rock" question. That show has changed a lot since it debuted -- for the better, I believe...
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Anonymous: Is it just me or does it feel like "30 Rock" has gone downhill now that there's less playful antagonism and more of a buddy relationship between Jack and Liz?
Lisa de Moraes: Others may feel the same but personally I think the show is hitting its stride. How can you not love a comedy series that pulls off a running Slanket joke...
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Atlanta: Why won't Izzie die? What purpose does she serve on "Grey's Anatomy" anymore?
Lisa de Moraes: Ratings, ratings, ratings. People are going to tune in this month to see whether she makes it or not. Of course, it really helps if people actually like the character. ABC folks had to be surprised that elecrocuting Edie did not attract more viewers. I know I wouldn't miss a good electrocution of a TV character. When shows that are serialized come back, it sometimes take a while for the audience to return. So they whack Nicolette Sheridan and think it's going to do a gimongous number -- especially since they'd been playing the press so beautifullly leading up to her offing with all that Nicolette nicking Marc Cherry, Cherry snapping back, etc...
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My real name is Dick Whitman: Last night's "30 Rock" once again proves that it's the best show on TV since "Arrested Development." Is it still struggling in the ratings? Attention people watching reality TV and other crap: watch this show, it is absolutely hilarious.
Lisa de Moraes: Again -- Slanket joke. Brilliant...
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Edgewater, Md.: A little off the subject, but what is up with Letterman? He is now repeating his monologue from one day to the next. Can't he find any new material?
Lisa de Moraes: That's been going on quite a while. Maybe his writers are only working part time now? Seriously, I cannot explain it. There is no one like Letterman in late night -- but you have to get him to wake up....
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Burbank, Calif.: I hate to admit this, but I too see the mysterious red square people have been asking about. I see it every now and then at the beginning of NBC shows. It flashes quickly and if you didn't think it existed you might never notice it. Am I falling prey to the powers of suggestion or is NBC flashing something for some reason?
Lisa de Moraes: OOh -- a paranormal conspiracy theory! I love those. Tell me more....
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Virginia: Should I assume there's no more "Dollhouse" or are there a couple more episodes lurking in the shadows?
Lisa de Moraes: Well, you've heard, no doubt about the mysterious 13/14 episode. Fox bought this show last year because ooooh it's Joss Whedon! Fox ordered 13 episodes from 20th Century Fox TV. Then network suits woke up and realized the pilot was un-watchable. Then Whedon realized, or at least pretended to, the pilot episode was unwatchable, and said so publicly, or at least that he needed to do a pre-first episode to explain the first episode, or something like that. I find Whedon too vague to follow sometimes.
Anyway, so then Fox paid to have a new pilot created and Whedon has been cannibalizing scenes from his original boo-bad-to-air pilot throughout this season. But 20th Century Fox TV -- which, like Fox network, is owned by NewsCorp -- has been selling this overseas, making DVD first-season deals, etc. based on the idea there would be 13 episodes. So Whedon and camp had to produce a 14th episode, which is being called the 13th because, of course, the first episode was crap...So now, 20th Century Fox wants the Fox network to air this 14th/13th episode -- but wants the network to pay extra to get it -- even though the network bought 13 episodes, because the network made the call that the first-first episode was unairable. Pop quiz tomorrow...
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Letterman monologues: He's always teetered on that line between postmodernism and outright laziness when it comes to talk show conventions. He doesn't like the monologue and is particularly good at is so screw it.
Lisa de Moraes: He should take a lesson from the guy who follows him and just blow up the convention and do something else -- like Ferguson does. If Letterman hates doing the monologue -- he should do something else at the top of his show. Speaking of Craig Ferguson, I hope you all had a chance to watch our link to his interview of Simon Cowell this week and vote which guy you think won that bout. Late night TV at its finest...
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Ferguson forever, Cowell never!: Simon brought his usual catty jabs, but Craig was three steps ahead of him - I especially enjoyed his crack about how Simon is three years older but dyes his hair and does bicep tricks to make himself look fitter on TV.
Lisa de Moraes: I too think the bicep crack sealed Ferguson's victory...
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Washington, D.C.: Eh Pookie. I am really tired of the self-righteous "30 Rock" viewers. It's just not my type of show. I like humor a la "South Park" or "Seinfeld" or Sacha Baron Cohen's alter egos. People who walk around saying "Oh, you just don't GET it" really make me want to punch them in the face. The show isn't doing well for a reason. Get over it. Shows I like got the ax this year too. It happens. I don't walk around with my nose in the air having philosophical recriminations over how my show was so above all the banality in the land, blah blah blah.
Lisa de Moraes: Can't we all just get along? I'm sorry some "30 Rock"-ers have been giving you the "I'm smart, you're not" treatment. I think that's called "overcompensating"...truth is, many "30 Rock" fans feel inferior and frightened, because their show isn't a monster hit. They are more to be pitied than censured. Any way, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
And, of course, "30 Rock" gets more viewers than "South Park"... Actually, "30 Rock" is doing okay, because NBC owns it, because it's an advertisers paradise of product placement possibilities and because it's audience tends to be -- sorry, but I have to say it -- well-educated and upscale, which advertisers also like. But apparently, they are also wildly insecure and therefore feel the need to make themselves feel better by mocking "South Park" fans. Or something like that..my head hurts... next question!
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Red Box Messages: "Boston, Please take Jay at 10!"
"Do not place 'Kings' here"
"Shareholders: Do not fire Zucker"
"Buy a Slanket"
Lisa de Moraes: Is THAT what the little men in the red boxes at the start of NBC shows saying?
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Whedon 4th and 14: Ahhh..."Dollhouse" is dead. 14 will become Whedon's personal jinx...e.g. the number of episodes before the network cuts him off (e.g. "Firefly" and "Dollhouse"). If he makes it past 14, he's good for at least 5 seasons.
Lisa de Moraes: Personal jinx?! You mean his "Holy Cow I Can't Believe I Suckered Them Again for 13 Episodes" number. We're talking about $2-3 million a pop to make these episodes...
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Washington, D.C.: Attention people who write things like "Attention people watching reality TV and other crap":
The absolute funniest thing aired on television this year was the final five minutes of last night's Survivor. The reactions on the faces of Tyson, Sierra and especially Coach were absolutely priceless.
You RTV haters don't know what you're missing.
Lisa de Moraes: Haven't watched it yet, but I love spoilers. What happened?
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Roslyn, Va.: And I see a mysterious white cloud across quick black screen on CBS programs
Lisa de Moraes: And did you catch the little bunny rabbits nesting at the start of Fox's shows the other day?
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WDC: It's a bit disconcerting to see Stringer Bell get schooled by Michael Scott, but I did like Michael rising to the challenge. On another subject, what's going to happen with "Life"? You can drive a truck through the plot holes, but Damian Lewis is sooooo good in that role.
Lisa de Moraes: I would not count on "Life" returning which is a shame, as are those truck-sized holes in the storylines... And yes, Stringer Bell on "The Office" is disconcerting but an actor's got to reach, or it's Typcasting hell forever...
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Re: Red Box: Think it might be a clue about "Lost"?
Lisa de Moraes: Oh God, not another damned clue! I am sooooo sick of "Lost" clues. Just put the girls in bikinis, take the men's shirts off and put them back on the beach for goodness sake.
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Alexandria, Va.: I know we bloggers complain about all AI judges except Simon, with good reasons for any of those three to leave. Regardless, four judges is too unwieldy. Who would you boot, or should show start fresh with a whole new panel. I love Simon, but could lose the other three.
Lisa de Moraes: They need to return to the original three because nostalgia is in, baby....in troubled times, people want to go back to the comfortable things they know. Kara is frightening the children -- and the adults...
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Yes, we can (all get along): Hey, I have loved "South Park" from the start, and Sacha Baron Cohen, and (to some extent) "Seinfeld" -- AND "30 Rock." These things are not mutually exclusive!
(Here's what I want to know -- why Slanket rather than Snuggie? Slanket offered more $$, or offered it 1st?)
Lisa de Moraes: Funny you asking that question because my colleague, Emily Yahr, bought her mother a Slanket for her birthday and she insists Slankets are a better grade of synthetic than Snuggies. Personally I believe she's kidding herself because she doesn't want to have to face the cold hard truth -- she could have gotten Mom a Snuggie for a lot less...And I too love "South Park" and "Seinfeld" and "30 Rock." We are Rennaissance people, my friend.
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Sheldon & Penny: You know they are dating in real life, right? That explains the good chemistry! He really steals that show. I think the guy who plays Leonard is a terrible actor.
washingtonpost.com:
Lisa de Moraes: Doesn't she always date her co-stars? Isn't she the new Jennifer Garner? (And, update: Emily says "Slankets ARE better." Yeah, right)
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Just put the girls in bikinis, take the men's shirts off and put them back on the beach for goodness sake: So basically, you think Jack and Hurley should be the new Mr. Rourke and Tattoo on a newfangled "Fantasy Island" with smoke monsters? I like it!
Lisa de Moraes: Absolutely...
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new Emmy rules - why?: I was going to ask if you thought the new Emmy rules would result in some "Big Bang" love then I thought, "Do the Emmys really reflect the best in TV?" "Friday Night Lights" never gets a nod, "the Wire" went completely unnoticed, "Homicide" went for years until they gave one award to Andre Braugher. So, why should anyone care about this bloated kudos-fest?
Lisa de Moraes: For the gowns, my friend. The gowns and the bling....
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DC: I know you have stated in the past that "South Park" is just a "cartoon" but anyone who has watched the show this year has seen far wittier comments about today's society then virtually any other show. Its tackled the subprime mortgage crisis, celebrities with insanely huge egos and last Wednesday it tackled the idea of Somalian pirates with a surprising amount of insight. It also has some pretty good demographics in the coveted male 18-35 group. If a NBC show can't outdraw Comedy Central, well that show needs to be canceled.
Lisa de Moraes: I have never dismissed "South Park" as a mere cartoon. Yes, I have called it a cartoon because it is, um, animated. "South Park" is my favorite news program, after "The Daily Show." Hope you saw the Jonas Brothers episode. I have never seen such a cogent argument about man's inhumanity toward man on an animated TV series. And Tom Cruise in the closet episode? None better...
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Ryan...you are the weakest link--Goodbye!: You know, I don't like Kara as much as the other judges but if someone had to go, can it be Seabiscuit please? This man probably has given more work to dentists in this country with all of the people who grind their teeth when they see or hear the man. Ick.
Lisa de Moraes: I'd say Seacrest is one of few people working on TV today who can host a live television show and how hard it is to make the train run on time, but of course, he let the train run nine minutes long the other day which blows that argument...
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Joss Whedon & FOX: Why doesn't this guy have his people put a deal together with HBO, Showtime -- or heck, FX or USA, where the margins are smaller and his cult of fans can flock to his every whim and maybe get a season two? (His biggest hit, "Buffy," could only thrive on the tiny WB/UPN.)
Lisa de Moraes: Ah, becauses he wouldn't become a gazillionaire... You are right about him going to cable -- his niche audience would follow him there and his show would be on the air for years. But he's chasing the big bucks....
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Cowell/Ferguson: Cowell is so quick with the quip, and it was fun to see him enjoy Ferguson being even quicker. And having to up his game, just to keep up. That's the most wit I've seen on a talk show since some of Cavett's interviews, back in the day.
Lisa de Moraes: I am in total agreement. Simon seemed to really enjoy bantering with Ferguson and appreciated that Ferguson was an actual challenge. It was a side of Simon we've never seen on "Idol." Now I get the feeling he's bored as heck on "Idol" and thinks he's surrounded by nitwits on that show...
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Sheldon & Leonard: Is there any reason the characters are named Sheldon Leonard, presumably after the actor and producer? The same company or something?
Lisa de Moraes: "Big Bang" creator Chuck Lorre said it was an homage to Sheldon Leonard, the brilliant Hollywood writer/actor...
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Washington, D.C.: How's "Gossip Girl" doing? My husband and I are addicted. This week's episode was particularly good, I thought. It's like cotton candy, I love it.
Lisa de Moraes: Just fine for a CW show. Which gets back to what we were saying about Whedon. If he and his producers put his product on the right network, he wouldn't be so frustrated and he wouldn't be so cancelled...
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Anonymous: Now I get the feeling he's bored as heck on "Idol" and thinks he's surrounded by nitwits on that show...
Isn't he?
Lisa de Moraes: Well, yes...
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CBS crossover dream - Barney and Sheldon: Can we make the CBS gods pull some sort of crossover wherein "Big Bang Theory's" Sheldon and "How I Met Your Mother's" Barney get to interact?
Lisa de Moraes: Not going to happen. Much more likely to see crossover between "Big Bang" and "2.5 Men" because they are both Lorre shows. Except, that's not going to happen...
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The Unusuals: I've seen all 3 episodes and I like "The Unusuals." Finally, a cop show where the female characters are actually dressed appropriately. I have yet to see Casey in 4 inch heels, a skirt barely covering her thighs, a shirt with a V neck down past chest all while chasing someone down the street. How's the show doing ratings wise?
Lisa de Moraes: Which perfectly explains why it only copped 4.7 million viewers on Wednesday.
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Lisa de Moraes: WaPoTeamTV Instapoll:
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RE: ...he's bored as heck on "Idol" and thinks he's surrounded by nitwits... : If he's bored, isn't it his own fault? Isn't it HIS show?
Lisa de Moraes: I'd like to see Simon and Ferguson talk for about an hour..maybe they should ask Ferguson to mentor the Idolettes one week. I would definitely watch that, even if I didn't have to for my blog...
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Slanket vs. Snugglie: Slanket is a funnier name, that's all!
Lisa de Moraes: I don't think Emily's mother appreciated the better product name...
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Paula Abdul: Have you seen last night's interview (I think it was on Nightline) with Paula? She kept insisting she's loopy because she doesn't sleep well due to an old injury.
She kept saying, "I've never been addicted to prescription meds and I've never been drunk." I thought it was notable that she only talked about scripts and never made any mention (or refutation) of other drugs.
Also, the interview tried to suggest that maybe if she was taking painkillers, she'd be able to get some sleep. Paula kept going back to the "I've never abused medication" line. You know, there is such a thing as taking prescribed medication without abusing it!
washingtonpost.com: Paula on Nightline
Lisa de Moraes: I'm frankly more amused by the notion "Nightline" is interviewing Paula Abdul -- during the sweep. Do we really need another interview with Paula? Is that really news? Next time you see an article in which the journalist or blogger has wailed about the sanctity of "Nightline" and how dare the heathens at ABC consider moving it for a late night talk show, please do remember the Paula Abdul interview....
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Arlington Gay (SPOILER): You asked for a spoiler on "Survivor." Basically, the entire tribe spent the entire show telling Sierra she was going home. Then shortly before tribal, some actual thinking happened: a couple folks realized Tyson had won immunity twice in a row and might win. Gasp! Actual thought happened. Tyson was totally blind sided in one of the best Tribal Councils in AGES.
As for "Idol," it wouldn't be the same without Paula and Simon. I wouldn't miss Randy; maybe a rotating third judge? I'd suggest you, but then they probably wouldn't let you blog about it.
Lisa de Moraes: I'm not allowed to make that kind of money...And love the Survivor ending -- will watch it tonight for sure...
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New York, NY: American Idol question: My theory is that the reason Allison was in the bottom three last week is because a lot of viewers were freaked out by a 16-year-old singing "Hot Stuff". What do you think?
Lisa de Moraes: I'm guessing a lot of the young girls who do the voting on this show feel threatened by her rocker-ness. I personally am bored with her because she performs every tune as though it were the exact same tune -- no modulation. Every Allison performance is exactly the same...
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Camp Hill, Pa.: To second an earlier commenter, last night's "30 Rock" may have had their best quotient of drop-dead funny lines, including Liz Lemon's homage to both Bob Seger and fromage: "Workin' on my Night Cheese!"
washingtonpost.com:
Lisa de Moraes: Yes, it really was one of the best episodes. Ever.
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Indianapolis: Ferguson is quite clearly the best thing to happen to late night since Letterman was on at 12:30. Not only is Ferguson hilarious, but he actually seems to enjoy himself. And he asks good questions.
By contrast, did you see Jimmy Kimmel "interview" Billy Bob Thornton? Just once I wanted Kimmel to say, "Excuse me, Billy Bob, but you were being a jerk to that Canadian deejay long before he asked you about your acting career."
But no.
Lisa de Moraes: Watch all of Ferguson's competition from the night he interviewed Simon Cowell -- it's a great snapshot of the time period...
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What happened to that Osbourne train wreck?: Is their "variety show" not airing again?
Lisa de Moraes: If there's a god in heaven -- no. Fox aired the first one but no word on the others. What they were thinking of I'm sure I don't know. It wasn't just the subject matter -- it was so poorly executed. If you're going to do skank, at least do it well..
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OP Here: I didn't realize I would cause such a trouble and get a poll in my honor! But I think it isn't fair because this chat is packed with "30 Rockers."
Actually, I have been enjoying the return of "Rescue Me" right now. What a great show. I must say I'm completely amazed by FX's ability to put on some good stuff. Now I'll smile as I walk down the street wondering who voted in that poll, wanting to proclaim "It was all me!!!" as I manically laugh and creep people out.
Lisa de Moraes: I'm hoping there are plenty of "South Park" fans on the chat too. Really, you are not as isolated and alone as you think you are... we're here for you....
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Miami, Fla.: Well "Big Bang" did have the girl from the "Terminator" show on. Different networks. There was also a "Battlestar Galactica" T-shirt on Salma Hayek last night on "30 Rock"!
Go geeks!!!
Lisa de Moraes: Loved her line apologizing to Baldwin about wearing the silly T shirt while discussing such a serious topic as their relationship and her having happened to have murdered her first husband in a jealous rage...
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Massillon, Ohio: Why does ABC insist on billing "The Unusuals" as some goofball comedy? It's pretty damn dark, and oh so much better than "Southland."
I had zero use for a new cop now that "Homicide" and "The Wire" are gone, but I'm really liking "Unusuals" and "Castle."
Lisa de Moraes: "Castle" is doing better than "The Unusuals" -- it copped more than 8 million viewers on Monday. I'm guessing ABC is billing "The Unusuals" as a lighthearted romp because, you may have noticed, ABC is a total chick network and heavy-cop-drama promos probably aren't going to attract as many of their core viewers. Just a guess...
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Leno's health & NBC's sanity: We all know Jay is the guy who must work every day and never gets sick - which means he must have been super- freaked to check into the hospital and air a re-run (no matter how "mild" the press release claims it is). I will him a long and healthy life, but I have to ask - does NBC have a back-up plan for it's 10 p.m. slot, if an illness should fell him in the future?
Lisa de Moraes: I'm guessing they are working on one now. And why won't NBC say what he's "got." We only know they have said it's not food poisoning and I think they said it wasn't an actual heart attack, though there are heart attacks and then there are heart attacks... At any rate, it must have been serious for Leno to have actually bailed on his show taping -- and for them to keep him out of taping again today. That is totally out of character for the guy.
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Washington, D.C. : Am I missing something or is the Ferguson/Cowell interview just fun? Help me see the subtext!
Lisa de Moraes: Really fun, but there was definitely that whole "two unfixed alpha male dogs checking each other out at the dog park" thing going on. Watch again and pay attention to when Ferguson brought up Simon's arms crossed to show off his biceps crack, and Simon says "okay, truce...I'm the guest."
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WDC: Two examples from last night on why 30 Rock rules: Kenneth shouting, as he passes out from strawberry posioning "My real name is Dick Whitman!" and Brian Williams telling the unknown phone caller he hadn't heard that term before and if they know the way to Connecticut. I seriously LOL'd.
Lisa de Moraes: Hope they give Williams an Emmy for best guest performance ever...
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Silver Spring, Md: Simon: leaving, or contract negotiating?
Lisa de Moraes: Contract negotiating. and maybe negotiating to get Fox to agree he can bring "X Factor" to U.S. and sell it and appear on it.
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Pittsburgh: Craig Ferguson is funny. Too bad he's on at 3 a.m.
Lisa de Moraes: He's on at 3 a.m. in your market? What's up with that? What are they airing right after Letterman?
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Rocker Chick phenomenon: Allison falls into the same category as all of the rocker chicks (Gina Glocksen, Carly Smithson, Amanda Overmeyer all come to mind). They have one schtick, they do it well, but everything sounds the same. For many of us, one or two weeks of that was plenty fine, thankyouverymuch, and we're done.
Just like pookie, I think many people are bored with her which is why she has been having problems keeping her head above water. I think those who think that she'll be competing in the finals are severely deluding themselves. She'll be luck to make the top-3 because I think that Adam, Danny and Kris have signficantly more followers than Allison does. She might outsurvive Matt, but just barely.
Lisa de Moraes: I think we're on the same page -- the no-modulation page..But seriously, folks, how are we gonna get rid of Danny Gokey?
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Washington, D.C.: Hi Lisa, Any chance that someone else will pick up "Dollhouse"? I liked it more and more with each episode.
I also love Craig Ferguson.
Lisa de Moraes: Sorry but the two are mutually exclusive. You can love "South Park" and "30 Rock" but you simply cannot love Craig Ferguson and "Dollhouse." That's too confusing...But don't give up hope Fox will pick up "Dollhouse." Right now they are looking at the pilots for the drama series they are considering for all. This is when all the "Dollhouse" fans should be clicking their little heels together and clapping their little hands and saying "please, TV gods, let all of those pilots send chills up the spines of the Fox network's sales team." Because if they can't sell 'em -- Fox won't buy 'em...
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Alexandria, Va.: Pookie,
Please tell me that "Chuck" isn't getting axed! That show has actually grown on me.
Lisa de Moraes: On the fence -- I'm hearing reports in both directions...
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Annandale, Va.: For all the shout-outs for "30 Rock," I give a shout-out to "Rescue Me." I know, I know it's on cable, but that show just keeps getting funnier and funnier. I mean, even from the last episode alone: that whole chiropracter thing and the bar where everything top-to-bottom was painted black. Genius.
Lisa de Moraes: Wait -- we love cable here at WaPoTeamTV. No need to apologize because a show's on cable. Peter Tolan is one of the industry's funniest guys.
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Dollhouse on TONIGHT: And the next two weeks! Enjoy!
Lisa de Moraes: Yes, of course -- and click your little heels together and hope the sales team hates the new stuff. I'm out of time. It appears you feel very strongly that Ferguson bested Cowell in the interview -- 82 percent to be exact. But we will leave the voting up for a while....bye..
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