American Idol
Brett Ratner: Our Brand is Copy
Brett Ratner, perhaps the most maligned filmmaker this side of Uwe Boll, is getting into branding. According to Variety's Marc Graser, Mr. Ratner is "launching Brett Ratner Brands as a consultancy to infuse a dose of pop culture into clients' marketing campaigns." read more »
Idol Taylor Hicks to Play Teen Angel in Grease
As American Idol finalists face the Battle of the Davids—Archuleta vs. Cook—producers of the revival of Grease have announced that last year's winner, Taylor Hicks, will make his Broadway debut in that summer-lovin' musical next month.
Robin Williams, Russian Idol
Among last night's American Idol Gives Back performances by Fergie, Snoop Dogg, John Legend and others was Robin Williams, who came onto the stage in character as a Russian Idol named Ivan Yakinov. read more »
Week in DVR: Lost and That Loving Feeling
MONDAY
It’s George Bush’s final State of the Union (All Networks, 9 p.m.). Incidentally, the one year when the networks are scrambling for programming and therefore probably welcome the intrusion is the one year where no one could care less. The failing economy, Iraq, and his legacy will more than likely be on the agenda. Watch and wait for the presidential candidates to trip over themselves trying to respond first.
Speaking of wastes of time, it can’t replace an actual new episode, but Gossip Girl Revealed (CW, 8 p.m.) should satisfy your weekly fix for the posh adolescents. In the show’s new time slot, it promises plenty of bonus features—commentary, deleted scenes, profiles—and a re-airing of the pilot. Sadly, this is meant as an introduction to the uninitiated and harkens the beginning of repeats. Oh, they’re too young to die! read more »
The Week in DVR: Putting It in Idol! Show Dips, But Dominates; Terminator, Project Runway, Jews Offer Solace
MONDAY
So, um, hey writers, so far you’ve been winning the public relations war—despite the fact that your absence has lead to our favorite shows in premature repeats, a deluge of reality programming, and a Golden Globes “press conference” (which scored abysmal ratings, by the way). But, ahem, those directors seemed to have worked things out with the studios rather quickly—you may have paved the way, but how many more nights like tonight, where good TV has been replaced by American Gladiators (NBC, 8 p.m.), are people going to take before they start to forget that and start to think you’re an unreasonable bunch? read more »
